tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36760626220835848862024-02-07T06:10:47.465-06:00On The JourneyStefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-834006028004237592012-12-29T10:10:00.000-06:002012-12-29T10:33:39.891-06:002013 GoalsAt the very beginning of 2011,<a href="http://onthejourneywithmae.blogspot.com/2011/01/eleven-goals-for-2011.html" target="_blank"> I set 11 goals</a>, and then at the end of 2011, I reviewed them. My "<a href="http://onthejourneywithmae.blogspot.com/2011/12/2011-report-card.html" target="_blank">report card</a>" wasn't awful :) And if you read that last post-- I just want you to know that we<a href="http://onthejourneywithmae.blogspot.com/2012/01/5-x-5-update-4.html" target="_blank"> finished the office</a> and got to the Children's Museum last year and we have plans to celebrate in Vegas again. I "promised" to set some goals for 2012-- well my direct quote was "Mine (2012 goals) will be scaled back and just shy of 'survive the first year', but I still have some things I want to check off!" Turns out "scaled back" means never even written down. And, regardless, no one saw-- "research everything you know about <a href="http://onthejourneywithmae.blogspot.com/2012/04/crane-ee-oh-sin-oh-stow-sis.html" target="_blank">Craniosynstosis</a> and go to one million appointments and spend half the summer recovering your kid from skull surgery" coming. So, I'm kinda glad I didn't set out a bunch of ambitious goals to conquer in 2012. They likely wouldn't have gotten done anyway. <br />
<br />
In hindsight, and this is so limited and off the top of my head, 2012 did bring some great things. <br />
<br />
* We did, in fact, survive the first year of Tucker's life. I feel like taking care of babies must be harder for me than other women. I have come to accept that. That being said-- the first birthday is a nice milestone for Dave and me. Normal sleep-deprived, demanding, teething baby stuff plus surgery was hard on our marriage and on us personally-- but we survived <i>just fine</i>. We love Tucker so gal-darn much, and I can certainly say this year was good for our faith.<br />
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* I joined <a href="http://onthejourneywithmae.blogspot.com/2012/08/skinny-jeans.html" target="_blank">Farrells</a> in May (Happy Mothers Day to me-- you get to like yourself again!) and have kept my long-term commitment of staying active at minimum 4 days a week. I have not noticed a big physical change, but I have noticed a huge mental change. I have learned that working out is an incredible stress reliever for me. It is exactly what I need to take care of myself in a way that frees up mental love and energy and patience for my family. I feel stronger, more confident, and less like a hot-mess and I truly enjoy the workouts and people at the gym. I would say my mental health is about as good as it has been since I had kids! (Did you know that one 45 minute cardio workout has the same hormonal effect as one antidepressant Zoloft?) Plus, I know it is great for my overall and long-term health. And I have gotten to the point where I miss it, and notice it, when I don't go. I wish I would have lost more weight, but I am coming to terms with the reality that we "lose weight in the kitchen and get fit in the gym." I credit keeping my cool this last year and even enjoying my summer to Farrells. (And yes, I get a referral bonus.)<br />
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* I preached on Mother's Day-- something I love to do. I hope someday in my life I get to do more public speaking.<br />
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I'm sure there are more. Like, tons more. But for the sake of the fussy baby at my feet, I will stop there and move on to the few goals I have for 2013.<br />
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1. Write an official will. I need my friend Natalie's help on this one. Natalie, put on your lawyer hat and help me and anyone reading this-- <i>do I write a will? Does a lawyer? Do I need a lawyer? Why do I need a will if my life is fairly 'uncomplicated'? What is a fair price to pay? Is there some template I fill out? How do I get started? </i> Anyway, I add this goal because I once served a client who was my age and had lost her husband to a freak accident. They had a house and a kid-- no divorce, everything jointly-- and she said their lack of a will was really making her life more complicated then needed at the time, and she really encouraged me to write one. Well, some clients you just never forget. Also, I feel like everyone needs a lawyer and a prescription- writing medical professional as friends. So thankful I have both.<br />
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2. Do a little emergency preparedness. To not sound like a crazy, I would like to start a little tote or duffel bag or shelf designated for an emergency. For more on the book I read, which really got me thinking about this in a practical way-- check out the old blog post <a href="http://onthejourneywithmae.blogspot.com/2012/06/quick-5-happy-friday.html" target="_blank">here</a> (specifically #4).<br />
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3. Redo my living room. It is a little dated, and heaven knows I spend a lot of time in these four walls. I am pretty tired of the brown walls/brown furniture combo. And since paint is cheaper than furniture, I think this means some new paint and accessories, and a carpet cleaning which I have already scheduled. You all know how much I love Legacy Carpet Cleaning. Maybe I could have a piece of furniture recovered--- ohhh that is something to think about. Any referrals? Is that uber expensive? Maybe just a new accent piece. Oh this is getting more expensive as I type. Anyway, I keep thinking that while the room is cleared for the carpet is the perfect time to paint (because it is)-- and the carpets are scheduled for early January because I can't stand it any longer-- so I need to get Kim Hazlip out here and pick some paint and at least get the living room walls done. The stairwell will be a big task, but we could technically do that after we put the furniture back in. I do know a great paint-guy. Maybe I should just call him :) He could probably do in a morning what would take me three weeks. Anyway, I'm so excited to do this. <br />
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4. Get a pool pass, love it and use it. Last summer, I still had a morning napper and two afternoon nappers (and an incision that couldn't get immersed), so we got a little blow up pool and used our "pool money" for a new sandbox out back. But this summer, I will be down to "just" afternoon naps. I have a few friends that use outdoor pools at a gym, which typically open much earlier than public pools-- and love the idea of a 9AM-1PM stretch at the pool. They say it is less crowded, you can eat on the go, and then come home for rest time. I am so IN. Last summer I was hating my body. So when I joined Farrells I told myself that "I will do whatever it takes to NOT stay in all next summer simply because I hate myself in a swim suit. That is not fair to my kids." So, I think I need to keep going to the gym and probably lose a little weight, maybe jump on the Isagenix bandwagon. Last year I bought a swimsuit on clearance that I still really like. I am also working with my doctor to get the red bumps off my arms. And I might tan. Or spray tan until I get a real tan. Look out Prairie Life :)<br />
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5. Maybe try something radically different with my hair. I feel like I have had the same style since 8th grade (because I have). My sweet hair lady is trying to talk me into a massive inverted bob this summer. She said it would still "mostly" go into a ponytail and that we would need to really highlight it. It looks cute on Pinterest :)<br />
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6. Spend some quality time with Dave. We are going back to Vegas in February to celebrate my 30th birthday (15 months late) with some of our Besties. And I got him a hot air balloon ride for Christmas. And we would just love to schedule a regular sitter, or at least intentionally get out more-- to dinner, or a movie, or Starbucks and a walk after bedtimes for goodness sake.<br />
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7. Memorize more scripture. <br />
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That's it. At least this year they got written down! How about you? Do you have any goals that you need to write down? Thanks for listening to mine!<br />
<br />
On the journey,<br />
Mae<br />
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<br />Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-39343690463765173522012-10-22T10:44:00.001-05:002012-10-22T10:44:51.592-05:00the unDisciplined lifeHave I mentioned how much I love my Monday/Wednesday mornings? Allow me to feel just a little guilty that I drop Dekker off at preschool, then come home in time for Tucker's morning nap. Then, I turn my iPod on, which I recently updated for the first time since 2010, and do "other things"-- like Bible study, cleaning the kitchen in peace, laundry-- and sometimes I institute a "30 minutes of quiet" time. Meaning I sit quietly for 30 minutes with no TV, music, phone, etc. (Dekker rarely naps in the afternoons on the days I am at home with him, so I am learning to cherish that 30 minutes.) Anyway, I do sometimes feel guilty that Dekker is gone on my mornings "off"-- but I'm over it because he LOVES preschool and I am confident that I am doing the best thing for him. All of this to say that I am reading through a Bible study, and the recent topic has really been good for me. The title is "The unDisciplined life."<br />
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As I have read through these passages, I have been thinking about three things in the back of my head: My nutrition, My prayer life, My language/gossip/building others up. The text has helped me shape each of these areas as a spiritual battle between what I want (my flesh) and what I know to be the best answer (the Spirit). I am reminded in scripture that I am only human to sometimes give into "the flesh"-- but that doing so consistently has consequences. <br />
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Here is a little bit of what has stuck out to me:<br />
* God can change every lack of discipline in our lives and be the strength we have not known but always needed.<br />
* Our ONLY RESCUE from the war in our flesh comes from God through Jesus Christ. Jesus is our only answer!<br />
* God is bigger than whatever we've given control of our lives. He can change our nature and take control of our compulsions.<br />
* I want to live fully engaged. Learning to listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and then obeying God with ALL of my heart.<br />
* Becoming a more disciplined woman is a process and will require training.<br />
* God allows my lack of discipline because it keeps me running to Him and relying on His strength. A holy-dependence is a step toward life-long growth. We must maintain an intimate, consistent dependence on the Spirit of God inside us.<br />
* The fruit of an undisciplined life looks a lot like the life of the lazy-- and that path leads to a dead end.<br />
* When we allow ourselves to indulge we also set ourselves up for the consequences (they are inevitable).<br />
* People engage in undisciplined behaviors because they don't like themselves. (Interesting.)<br />
* The Holy Spirit gives strength to weary bodies and discouraged hearts.<br />
* Luckily and thankfully, God works through weary women all the time.<br />
and finally...<br />
* <span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">The
next time you recognize the struggle of flesh against spirit, stop and
listen for God. Then obey as the Spirit leads you, and watch what
happens. Every time, God will add a <i>strength</i> because of your
obedience."</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"> So I don't have any answers after all this, but plenty to think about. I was hit between the eyes that consequences are inevitable. Regarding nutrition, I weigh more than I would like, and I have a closet full of clothes that still don't fit. Regarding an undisciplined prayer life: I have anxiety, I spend too much time worrying, I have guilt and shame. Regarding undisciplined talk: I have worry that I have quietly (or, mercy, loudly) offended people, I don't think before I speak which leads to hurt feelings and distrust, I miss opportunities to encourage and build up people. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Interesting, as I sit here-- I realize that each of these has to do with my mouth. I need to stop putting unhealthy things into my mouth, I need to use my mouth to talk to God more, and I need to close and filter my mouth regarding what does come out of it. Perhaps if I talk to God more-- the other two will fall into place easier. I truly find great hope in the promise that He is strong in my weakness and that I do not have to do this alone. Further, I find great hope in Galatians 5-- that the more dependent on the Holy Spirit I become, the more I am filled with things like joy, kindness, goodness and self-control. I have been so discouraged lately-- I really need more of those things!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Random Ramblings from my kitchen table!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Happy Monday, Friends.</span></span><br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Stef </span></span><br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><br /></span></span>
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><br /></span></span>Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-70084168317105739462012-09-22T09:43:00.003-05:002012-09-22T09:43:18.499-05:00Random RamblingsSince I haven't posted for awhile, and since I seem to work best in 10 minute spurts-- I decided to post a few pictures and just give a brief little update on a few things we have been up to.<br />
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To begin...our sweet baby boy is nearing the ONE year mark, and weighs as much as an average 2 year old and is in 24 month clothes. He is recovering tremendously-- so much so that I don't even call what he is doing "recovery" anymore. He is just crawling all around and getting into everything. He loves electric cords and outlets and the Carbon Monoxide detector. I am so proud of Dekker-- he is a great Big brother. He is learning to share... but he IS three... sharing is super hard sometimes and a mobile little brother has given him lots of opportunities to practice. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGKQDpZHhqNRtWAV2LlgbKrqXcsonDO0ZxUJEyDGvVESos-Syev2c3Iyr7TwqGYMSxnJThp6CxdJth5nfYQjBajlJSbv8G9KryCa8OhMO158v0bTwRoKOTlranytDrEejsiJCKfUxx_U/s1600/Tucker+10_mths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGKQDpZHhqNRtWAV2LlgbKrqXcsonDO0ZxUJEyDGvVESos-Syev2c3Iyr7TwqGYMSxnJThp6CxdJth5nfYQjBajlJSbv8G9KryCa8OhMO158v0bTwRoKOTlranytDrEejsiJCKfUxx_U/s320/Tucker+10_mths.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Tucker loves to play a little game where he moves his head to one side, then we do, the we move to the other side, etc. It is precious, but I can not get a picture of it no matter how hard I try :) His scar looks great, and his hair is growing in really thick and dark. He has had several follow up appointments and everyone says he looks great. We think so, too. We can't believe the difference in his head shape. Initially we were at a small risk for a second surgery to correct the forehead, and the plastic surgeon thinks this will not be necessary. We will continue to follow up with both surgeons for some time, but thankfully the time in-between appointments will get further and further in-between. Tucker sleeps all night-- but loves mornings-- takes two naps a day and eats great. I have a hunch he is going to consolidate his naps sooner than Dekker did, but that is okay. And, I'm trying to transition him to more and more table food. Why does it feel harder the second time around?!? <br />
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After seven years in this house, we decided it was high time to get our deck power washed and stained. We wanted to do the good stain-- the 5 year warranty kind-- and get a high-powered wash-- so we hired an aspiring handy-man to do it. He has been fantastic to work with and his bid was 1/3 of the other people we considered. Kinda frustrating, each person that came to look at the deck commented that the way the previous owners had it built was wrong and that it was starting to show signs of wear and tear that it otherwise wouldn't had they done it right in the first place. Ah! Oh well. The above picture is of Dekker, who wanted to watch the power washing but thought it was too loud so he found some earmuffs in the shape of footballs to put on. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRkSgamAf_gPaMGmNxctafM8hWdayXpfXg7u_SzIugi7Tel0LC3L6hkuwYgwionEnBearOpNJlKWieFoxhTXnirHCggHakM56TjGw1UOFy5o6tlpk1xt3MZnzPDOidf438Py8ZoToUGM/s1600/Daddy%2527s+Helper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRkSgamAf_gPaMGmNxctafM8hWdayXpfXg7u_SzIugi7Tel0LC3L6hkuwYgwionEnBearOpNJlKWieFoxhTXnirHCggHakM56TjGw1UOFy5o6tlpk1xt3MZnzPDOidf438Py8ZoToUGM/s320/Daddy%2527s+Helper.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this picture. Dave did some carpentry work between the power washing<br />and the staining (which is going on now) and Dekker was his big helper. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Dekker is growing up everyday and we can't believe it. He has "best friends" and "old favorite" things. He plays jokes and his vocabulary is hysterical! He knows his letters and his numbers and he is "playing" soccer. Many of you know that his first few games didn't go so well, but he is improving. He is a slow to warm up type of kid, and it just takes him awhile to adjust. Last week, Dave took him to the game a few minutes early and they played around on the sidelines. By the time the game started, he was ready to go. We go again in a few hours here so we will see if this little "trick" works again this week. Dekker is also going to preschool, which he LOVES. I really debated, and actually decided not to send him, then changed my mind at the very last minute. In the end, he has to go to daycare two days a week AND then goes to preschool two of the mornings that I am home. I really debated that-- because I wanted to be at home with him on my days "off". But I knew he would thrive and love preschool, too. Plus his bestie Lily is in his class. So we did it and I am really glad we did. I do miss him in the mornings, but right now Tucker is still napping and I am cleaning and doing Bible study and drinking coffee in the quiet and that is pretty nice, too.<br />
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Finally, I am still loving Farrells. My clothes are fitting, finally, PTL. I haven't needed to buy any new clothes yet, but my current ones are super comfortable. I'm kinda in a weird spot in my closet because most of the stuff I was wearing before Tucker is almost too big, but my stack of "skinny jeans" is still too small. Maybe I need to go shopping. Yes, yes I do. I am so glad to feel fit and strong and not huge like I did one year ago... ... <br />
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<br />Happy Weekend Friends!<br />
MaeStefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-34606773705153747052012-08-27T22:21:00.001-05:002012-08-27T22:34:32.384-05:00Skinny-ish JeansI am dedicating this post to my new work-out love, <a href="http://www.extremebodyshaping.com/" target="_blank">Farrells</a>, and to my <strike>skinny jeans</strike> "I"ll buy these while I lose the baby weight after Dekker" jeans. That ended up being my "I hope they still fit after Tucker" jeans. Sigh. Actually, I should just dedicate this post to any pair of jeans in my home that I can wear. <br />
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Comfortably.<br />
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Sigh again.<br />
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In May I decided that my belated 30th birthday present to myself and my Mother's Day gift to myself was to do the Farrells 10 week challenge. It's that <strike>expensive</strike> much of an "investment in my health", I'm just saying-- I needed two holidays to justify it. And I have the summer "off". It was great timing.<br />
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So anyway, I love it. Actually, I love, love, love it. It is something that I have been wanting to do for a long time, but I never was willing to <strike>shell out</strike> invest the money. I'm so glad I did. Dave was on board. He works out every morning, so I joined the 4:30 class in the afternoon. Dave <strike>gets off early</strike> opens his office door and listens real good while the kids <strike>play educational games</strike> watch TV for 30 minutes (Tucker is secure in the swing). And I love not having to get up at the crack of dawn and still get a good workout in. In fact, this brings me to a short list of things I have loved: <br />
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* I love having the workout toward the end of the day-- it is like a "reset" button if I have had a tough day with the kids. And I like being home early enough to be a big help for the dinner/playtime/bath/bed routine.<br />
* I love that it is climate controlled and indoors, even when it is 199 degrees outside.<br />
* I love that somebody else does all the thinking and planning and all I have to do is show up.<br />
* I love that it is a combination of strength and cardio.<br />
<br />
So it is six days a week. That is a lot, but it feels good to <strike>get back into the habit of working out </strike>finally do something consistently for more than six weeks for one of the first times in my adult life. Now that I am not <strike>living a life of leisure</strike> working my buns off all day at home, and am back to work <strike>right down the street</strike> 30 minutes down the interstate in all but a different town at NCC two days a week, it is a <strike>little</strike> lot harder to get to the gym on my "work days". There is a Farrells location by my office, but it is still hard to leave work in time to get there and get home all but before dinner is cleaned up and the baby is in bed. On my work days I pack a <strike>cute little Puma bag</strike> reusable HyVee bag and cross my fingers. Then I inevitably <strike>go early, change clothes and introduce myself to the instructor </strike>come barreling through their doors and change my clothes in front of a bunch of strangers in the bathroom and rush out onto the mats. But I'm always glad I am there once we get going. I usually workout in <strike>a super chic, matching outfit from Scheels</strike> one of two pairs of black Capri pants and a JDRF T-shirt. One of the girls there called me Ms. Sallinger the first few weeks because <strike>most</strike> all of my shirts all say "Team Sallinger" on the back. I love it.<br />
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Sigh. Why is it so hard to work-out?? And make it a lifestyle? I wish jobs required an hour of exercise a day. It would sure save a lot of money on health insurance. <br />
<br />
Anyway, it's a pretty hard workout. On my first day as a not "newbie 10 week-er" I <strike>kinda thought</strike> had convinced myself all day that <strike>maybe</strike> it would be easy. And then I nearly threw up. On my very first day ever, I had to get a drink and take a break before the warm-up was over. Hahahahahahaha! But whatev. Today I had <strike>a flawless workout</strike> the instructor point out that I was punching with the wrong arm, but I am getting the hang of it. And I feel better. And I'm losing inches and my 10 week before and after pictures showed some improvement. And I lost <strike>several</strike> 2 or 3 body fat percentage points... that counts.<br />
<br />
I'm focusing on my nutrition for this10 week cycle. I'm using "My Fitness Pal" on my phone because apparently "watching what I eat" means I just watch food go into my mouth. Besides, 80% of change is made in the... ... <strike></strike>kitchen. Ug! For my first 10 weeks about the only part of the nutrition plan I followed through on was drinking more water and enjoying a "free day" on Saturdays. I didn't earn the free day, but I loved the concept.<br />
<br />
Good Grief.<br />
<br />
Why can't I work out <strike>one hour</strike> 45 minutes a day and eat whatever I want for the other 23 hours? Is it too much to ask that I want to eat candy and breads and coffee and muffins and cookies and Chinese and sushi and crap, crap, crap and still lose weight and inches as long as I work-out??? I mean, I'm working out here! <br />
<br />
And I might become an instructor. If I can get up the nerve. And skill. And fitness level. And I think in the next 10 week cycle (Oct-Dec) I might add a few days of running. Why am I even typing that? Now people know. Please, if you see me in <strike>a few weeks</strike> tomorrow saddled up to a plate of nachos at La Mesa with my work bestie Leslie, drinking pop and loving my life, don't judge me. I am a work in progress.<br />
<br />
Looooooooooong Sigh.<br />
<br />
One Day At A Time.<br />
<br />
On the journey,<br />
Mae<br />
<br />
PS If you are looking on an update on Tucker, it's coming. He is doing <strike>great</strike> ah-mazing!!!! <br />
<br />
<br />Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-38040806437328892622012-07-07T14:48:00.003-05:002012-07-07T14:48:50.845-05:00The Good. The Bad. The Incredible.It's time to talk about that Cranial Vault Reconstruction. I purposely didn't blog immediately following the surgery because I was afraid about what I would write. And everything seems worse "in the moment." Plus, I have had a summer cold, which has made my few "both kids are in bed" moments look like this: Scream around the house, do the dishes, dash into bed. You understand.<br />
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I also want to let you know that there are some pictures in this post that some people might find uncomfortable. I didn't put them on facebook because I didn't think anyone wanted them showing up on their News Feed all of the sudden. But since you clicked on this blog, and since you will have to scroll down to see them, I am putting the responsibility on you to know what you do and don't want to see. Um-k. <br />
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<b>The Good.</b><br />
There is so much good to share. So much to be thankful for that it is hard to know where to start. We had fantastic medical care at Children's Hospital. Everyone was a united team, rallying for Tucker's best. We believed he was in good hands-- great hands-- his entire stay. Two touching memories and then some pics from pre-op:<br />
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<i>Memory One:</i> We got stalled in pre-op for almost two extra hours. Since we brought Tucker in fasting, he was very hungry when the nurse finally came to get him. We were all a little exhausted, and hungry, and tired of the small little cubicle we were bouncing around in. Well, finally the nurse came to get Tucker. She was so sweet. She gave us lots of time for kisses and hugs-- such a sweet memory in my mind-- and when she went to put him on the bed he started crying. So, that woman just scooped him up in her arms, draped the blanket we brought around him, and offered to carry him into surgery. I was so thankful to send him off like that. The doctors and nurses <i>all </i>told us he was all smiles when he was brought back into the Operation Room. We sat in the little cubicle and gathered ourselves and prayed to ourselves and then went to the lobby to wait with our parents, and our sweet bestie Suz who had brought us Jimmy Johns (she was freaky fast with her delivery, too).<br />
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<i>Memory Two:</i> Our night nurse on the 5th floor, Leliana. I probably spelled that wrong. If anyone personally knows Leliana I hope you will point her to this blog so she knows what a great nurse and women she is. There is something touching about watching another woman care for your child, knowing she can do what you can't. No one did this with more grace and skill and compassion than Leliana. She was patient, soft-spoken, knowledgeable... wonderful. The last two nights I sent (practically begged) Dave home to sleep, so it was just Leliana and me. One night Tucker was up, and uncomfortable, and spiking a fever. She took care of all his meds-- then offered that maybe he could sleep in the hospital bed instead of on my chest-- perhaps this would lower the fever (body heat) and give me a chance to rest myself. So we carefully laid his sweet head on his pillow, elevated the bed and laid our cheeks down on the bed at his head level-- one on each side. We talked softly to him and patted his tummy and when he was just drifting off to sleep we chatted with each other a little. She laughed at our birth story, got me to talking about sweet Dekker, asked about my life outside the home. It occurred to me later that Tucker was asleep most of that conversation and she had become my middle of the night caregiver instead. She was a ray of light during some bleak nights and I am so thankful for her <strike>job </strike>ministry to me. I slept as well as I could knowing she was monitoring Tucker, too. (This memory is making me cry.)<br />
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<b>The Bad.</b><br />
After much mental debate, I have decided to not offer too much commentary on "the bad." Frankly, I hope I remember the Good and the Incredible and never remember and quickly forget the bad. I will just say this-- our first night in the PICU was the longest night of my life, and I am not kidding when I say that I might need to see sweet Dena the therapist again before I can fully move on. It triggered every awful thing I can think of, and seeing Tucker in such pain, and being able to do literally nothing about it, was nothing short of traumatizing. Seeing his lines and monitors was nothing compared to hearing him scream, watching him thrash about-- I almost dropped him once when I was holding him, watching his heart rate race into the 260's, a midnight blood poke, a 3AM blood transfusion-- it was scary and terrible, terrible, terrible. But it's over. And, luckily to me, that is the only time I have experienced that, and I knew it would eventually get better. The PICU at Children's is a sad place, and we were reminded that our situation could get much worse as we watched a family two doors down prepare to say Good-Bye. Upsetting in its own right, it was also perspective giving.<br />
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<b><br /></b><br />
<b>The Incredible.</b><br />
We were totally humbled, and amazed to <i>feel the power of prayer</i> during the surgery and during our stay. We couldn't keep up with texts and updated facebook instead, which landed nearly 100 "likes" at one point. To know so many people were thinking about us and praying for us made a huge difference. We felt uplifted and encouraged, even during the roughest times. We had a few visitors, who came with a serving heart and full of encouragement. They brought us Starbucks and dinners and lunches and thoughtful gifts and my bestie Beth even gave me the jacket off her back. David's parents juggled loving on Dekker with encouraging us, and even rearranged one night to bring Dekker to the hospital so we could see him for awhile. My parents exhausted themselves taking care of us, and getting in a couple days of work so they could take Dekker the next week. They drove the 250 mile round trip between their house and ours countless times. Please know that your prayers were noticed, every encouragement counted, your support was our nourishment. Thank you. And in the best way possible, I hope we never experience it again. (Or that we never need to, anyway.)<br />
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We also think that the medical science behind this surgery is Incredible. It is hard to think that his scalp was cut back, his skull cut open right down the middle, his skull removed, reshaped, and then put back in. On a Wednesday. And we went home Saturday. What?!? One surgeon said that when they cut the suture down his skull that it had a sort of "pop". This is an indicator that his head had been under pressure. Poor baby. Seriously. The surgeon said this pressure can lead to excessive fussiness, and several other "Cranio Families" have told us that their kids had a spike in developmental milestones after the surgery. So far, we have found that when Tucker is awake, has good pain control, and isn't tired, that he is a<i> little</i> different. Maybe it's just in my head, but I feel like he's sitting independently more, closer to crawling, talking more-- and just in general a bit more pleasant. I don't know. I suppose we will see over time. <br />
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Here are a few pics of his scar, etc. The scar and his swelling is looking much better. When we see it, we are reminded that we serve an Incredible God.<br />
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Our recovery at home has been here and there. We have good moments and tough moments. We expected that, though, for the most part. (Though it seems cruel that we got sick right now!) Our friends are bringing us meals and every time they leave our fridge is full and our heart is overflowing. If you want to keep praying for our recovery, we would appreciate it. We look forward to the day when he is off all his pain meds (which might be causing an upset tummy) and acting like Tucker again. We see glimpses of that now, and we know it was worth it, and that within just a few weeks this will feel more like a memory than a reality. <br />
<br />
In the mean time, this sweet boy is still winning us over with his smiles. He has "discovered" the dog for what feels like the first time and is about to get whip-lash every time he sees her. He is talking more-- the sweetest sound to any Mom's ears. He is sitting totally by himself, feeding himself his bottle, and only waking at night once (for a bottle and pain meds and then back down). He is getting back to a nap schedule, loves his big brother, his soccer ball, and fresh air. <br />
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Here's to more of all things wonderful.<br />
<br />
On the journey,<br />
And almost to the other side. <br />
Stef<br />
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<br />Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-59937213889996578342012-06-22T11:17:00.000-05:002012-06-22T11:22:24.041-05:00Quick 5-- Happy Friday!Hi Friends. What a gorgeous week. Thanks to my friend Tori's dedication to her "Quick Five"-- I am inspired. So here are five things that have been keeping us busy this week.<br />
<br />
1. Monday I took a trip to Lincoln while the kids were at daycare. My mom and I had a great day together shopping and having lunch. I do love South Pointe mall! It was a nice distraction and a great time. This was their last day of daycare for quite awhile. I can't risk Tucker getting sick, and I love having them home. I didn't realize how much I would love the "summers off" part of my job!<br />
<br />
2. We had Tucker's pre-op appointment Wednesday. We saw his pediatrician for a little physical-- to make sure he's not sick or doesn't need any medicine before surgery. She gave him the "thumbs up." Then she held him for awhile and turned to us and said, "It's going to be hard." I prefer my denial so we just smiled and nodded. Thursday we went to Children's Specialty Clinic for a pre-op blood "draw". It ended up being a finger poke, and took twice as long to drive there, park, and check in than it did to actually have his finger poked but I am <i>not</i> going to complain about incredible medical services down the street. Dave came with and we had fun playing with Dekker and making jokes with each other. I married one funny man, who can seriously make any situation better with his humor. Here are a few pics from our adventure:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgKKEVPEQNmihZJzMUsyUsyoC37_Vu-wToqwG3T2XzZx2wKeVaAb3YW5gdM4-ODB7Bf4x2RFchKsRH-j5HPY06DbqI4xpjOxxB81gJAUo6hmgaac3dgRW-svVkmXw8BXpQD8YxD5n_KY/s1600/tucker+finger+poke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgKKEVPEQNmihZJzMUsyUsyoC37_Vu-wToqwG3T2XzZx2wKeVaAb3YW5gdM4-ODB7Bf4x2RFchKsRH-j5HPY06DbqI4xpjOxxB81gJAUo6hmgaac3dgRW-svVkmXw8BXpQD8YxD5n_KY/s320/tucker+finger+poke.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All this for a little finger poke!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixN-LwjSJ_MjhM1VD7UtHYIe-_TPsRXbEtzgYMjv9fWU4SdvgoiC3YLmcbpAKWpbOzRPkXSLP4fpza02LhWCypgR0ISQPz431VuN7qrIIdG6lB3XeLzVY4XUwRR8AXpZnN3Me4v63MDz0/s1600/tucker+tear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixN-LwjSJ_MjhM1VD7UtHYIe-_TPsRXbEtzgYMjv9fWU4SdvgoiC3YLmcbpAKWpbOzRPkXSLP4fpza02LhWCypgR0ISQPz431VuN7qrIIdG6lB3XeLzVY4XUwRR8AXpZnN3Me4v63MDz0/s320/tucker+tear.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a real tear! So sad!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRv1s495bO3ZuUjWW7i8Iz3Wp6X9SanIV_s9LyX2pMCQ1JLhB_vydNzRfNP0oooekivHGG6gTLsHCxtJhIc-WCIQRU6auiAtZxcrrm1_L8qdwqoi9cGEgwQhnAYfXmDmseCm7D7NqFGbE/s1600/Dekker+blood+draw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRv1s495bO3ZuUjWW7i8Iz3Wp6X9SanIV_s9LyX2pMCQ1JLhB_vydNzRfNP0oooekivHGG6gTLsHCxtJhIc-WCIQRU6auiAtZxcrrm1_L8qdwqoi9cGEgwQhnAYfXmDmseCm7D7NqFGbE/s320/Dekker+blood+draw.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He melts my heart! He was really a trooper.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
3. Thursday morning Tucker got up super early. He was UP from his morning nap by 9AM, so we headed to <a href="http://www.stonebridgeonline.net/home/ministries/children/childrens-events-camps" target="_blank">Natasha's Clubhouse</a> at the church. It was great! The kids learned about the Rainbow House, then we had a Bible story, made a snack and made a craft. Dekker is on the young end of the crowd, so he required some help (like reading a recipe and measuring ingredients!) and little man was needing some attention, so a few sympathetic Mom's with wonderful older kids helped Dekker bake. I met one mom who was really nice and just loved on Tucker all morning. I hope I get to go again this summer to see her! We also exchanged our library books Thursday, and had a front yard picnic. Both boys napped all afternoon. It was a great, busy day. (P.S. Check out the <a href="http://stonebridgeonline.net/home/ministries/adults/adult-groups#5k" target="_blank">Stonebridge 5K</a> coming up this weekend! You can still register, but probably won't get a shirt.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KEUvc4BqCVSPmA8iV9SyiP9QVT1I5OH0s-rQB3FHq1jfzmvP3l2kdFxIx9wIUKxPQmQyGBtS3pb-81F3cFCe0LUnRB_NzLjOJS5M4PIeVYTHxFg654Isfanj_ym8y2TkSoxycBH3r6c/s1600/both+boys_chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KEUvc4BqCVSPmA8iV9SyiP9QVT1I5OH0s-rQB3FHq1jfzmvP3l2kdFxIx9wIUKxPQmQyGBtS3pb-81F3cFCe0LUnRB_NzLjOJS5M4PIeVYTHxFg654Isfanj_ym8y2TkSoxycBH3r6c/s320/both+boys_chair.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the way these two interact! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
4. I recently read, in one day, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Creek-Stewart/e/B0076LIRK6" target="_blank">a book about packing your house for survival</a> in the event of a disaster (natural, terrorism, or other). It was incredible. I got turned on to this author thanks to <a href="http://artofmanliness.com/2012/05/10/how-to-build-a-get-home-bag-book-giveaway/" target="_blank">this blog post</a>-- another great read about how to pack a little bag in your car to help you get home in the event that you are at work or away from home when a disaster hits. The book was a little anxiety producing, and I seriously prayed all the way through it that God would help me keep perspective and remember that He will be with me no matter what happens in this life. Call me crazy, but I'm just saying that it's not a bad idea to be intentional about keeping some water, a poncho and a good pair of shoes in your car, or a weather radio/water/extra formula/meal replacement bars in your house. This author suggests that you pack your goods in a backpack at home, so if you have to leave quickly everything is in one place. We would abandon home in a very worst case scenario, so I am going to start with a tote at home and car bag and go from there. I already found some good stuff he suggests second-hand on Craigslist in the camping section. And now you think I really am crazy :)<br />
<br />
5. We had "Memory Verse Monday". I have been thinking about this more and more, especially because Dekker can all but recite a book by memory after we read it to him three times. His little mind is such a sponge. So I bought a little 2 & 3 year old Memory Verse book at Parables last week and am trying to keep it simple. Am I the only Mom who avoids this stuff because I think it has to be an all morning amazing event? Instead, we did a little lesson, seriously 30 seconds, and finger painted a coloring sheet I copied out of the book, and learned the verse. This week it was Genesis 1:1. We keep a copy of it on a note-card by his books for before nap and before bed, and another copy of it on the fridge-- and randomly all day we practice it. It is adorable to hear him recite it, which he is very proud of. Here's to being more intentional about memorizing scripture-- it will be great for Dekker <i>and</i> Mom! Any other mom's of preschoolers out there want to join us?? Click <a href="http://www.rainbowpublishers.com/teachingchildrenmemoryversesages2-3.aspx" target="_blank">here</a> to see the book we are using.<br />
<br />
Next week is obviously a big week for us. <b>We appreciate your prayers so very much.</b> Surgery is scheduled for 2PM on Wednesday, June 27th. We check-in at noon. Big thanks to our family and small group and friends who are taking great care of us-- and making sure we feel supported and encouraged and well fed and that Dekker is taken care of and having fun!<br />
<br />
On the journey,<br />
StefanieStefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-50307973201159401822012-06-08T10:47:00.001-05:002012-06-08T12:23:53.638-05:00Quick 5 Thoughts on Car SeatsIt is no surprise to anyone that Tucker is just huge. Weighing in at over 9lbs on his birthday, he continues to grow in the 90th percentile (or bigger). Which means that at not even seven months, he wears 12 month clothes... and is a beast to carry around in his infant seat. He is way too heavy, and about to top the height requirement anyway. And he doesn't sleep in it anymore, for the most part. So I decided it was time to move him up to a convertible car seat, which means a little car seat switcharo here at the Rowe household. Which means I am confused and conflicted about guidelines, rules, what to buy, how to install, how much money to spend, etc.<br />
<br />
So I decided to do some research and I am posting it here-- mostly so I can have SOMETHING to show for a few hours of research-- and so I can review it at the next step with these kiddos-- and because it might help someone else. Please hear absolutely NO judgement in this post. I am, by no means, pointing fingers or assuming or making character calls or telling you what to do. In my life right now, Tucker is riding in an expired infant carrier and Dekker has been riding in his convertible car seat in my Civic (which does not have the LATCH system), which I have since learned he has grossly outgrown. A lot of this material is cut and paste from various websites, including mostly the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the product websites for the two brands we currently have (Graco and Britix). I am not an expert, just trying to not spend a fortune and still keep our kids safe as we grow to the "next step."<br />
<br />
Quick 5 Thoughts on Car Seats:<br />
<br />
1. Once in an accident, your car seat has been compromised. Some bloggers and websites suggested that minor fender benders (the vehicle could be driven away from the crash, the vehicle door closest to the car safety seat was not damaged, no one in the vehicle was injured, the air bags did not go off) do not count but anything remotely damaging to the
car could be "very damaging and compromising to the car seat." Even if there appears to be no damage to the car seat on the surface,
the impact and force of a collision can cause unseen structural damage
to the interior of your car seat. Any such damage may prohibit your car
seat from properly protecting your child in the event of a sudden stop
or crash. Good news
though is that time and time again, authors suggested that insurance companies will pay to replace your car seat when you have been in a crash. Heck, it's worth a try.<br />
<br />
2. Car seats do expire. I sometimes feel like this is a marketing ploy, especially when you consider that a child's safety is perhaps the most vulnerable thing for marketing professionals to make money off. Based on this research, I am still comfortable using our barely expired (typical life of a car seat is 6 years) infant carrier, and upon inspection the materials still appear to be in good shape, it has not been recalled, etc. I do see some validity to the points below that plastic can stress and can have hairline fractures which we might not see that wouldn't hold up as well in a crash. I once read that sunlight in particular breaks down plastic, especially in cars which are parked outside in the hot sun. That just makes sense to me. According to the Google, here are some of the basic reasons why car seats expire: <br />
<ul>
<li><b>Technology Improves and Standards Change.</b> A good example of
this is that back in 2002 car seats were not even equipped with Lower
Anchor and Tethers for Children (LATCH). Now however, they are a
standard feature in nearly all car seats. Car seat expiration dates
ensure that seats being used are current and up to snuff.</li>
<li><b>Materials Wear Down.</b> Car seats were not made to last
forever. Overtime the seat base can develop hairline fractures which may
shatter in a crash, and belts can become slightly elastic after years
of use. Plastic stresses and warps, the Styrofoam can degrade. Straps and fabrics fray and rip. Important instructional labels fade,
tear or fall off completely.</li>
<ul>
<li>If you are still wondering what can happen, check out this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvCRz7BRAM0" target="_blank">crash test video.</a> In the video, the car seat harness breaks through the shell of the seat
upon impact. </li>
</ul>
<li><b>Only Tested for a Certain Period.</b> After a certain amount of
time, manufacturers do not test seats. They cannot attest to how older
seats will perform in an accident. </li>
</ul>
3. The <a href="http://www.carseatsite.com/correct_harness_use.htm" target="_blank">5-point-harness is easily misused</a>. I was researching this exclusively for Dekker, because he needs a new car seat for my Civic. I was about to simply buy him a second car seat just like the one in our 4Runner (The <a href="http://www.gracobaby.com/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=1759245" target="_blank">Graco Nautilus</a>-- which has a 5 point harness but "breaks down" to a high back booster and a backless booster), but I felt like I had vague memories about shoulder straps that I wanted to double check. At first glance, the online manual says that this car seat (with the built in harness) fits children<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2088630328" style="color: black;"> </a><span style="color: black;">20 to 65 lbs and 27 to 52 inches. Dekker fits that category. But if you look closer, and actually download the manual and get to the right page-- it also says that shoulders must be at or below the top harness slot (this is for forward facing) and that if the shoulders are above the top harness slot, the child is too big for the built in harness. This was consistent among all car seat manufacturers and websites. But for the life of me I could not find out why it is considered unsafe to have the shoulders above the harness slot. Any ideas out there? I would suggest that if it is important for you to keep your child in a 5 point harness that you do some research as to the height of the harness slot. A lot of car seats advertise and market that they have a 5 point harness "up to 65lbs", for example (as our Nautilus does) or even "up to 85 lbs" as Britax does. BUT that does a mom no good if her child has outgrown the harness height anyway. This reminds me of the infant carriers that go up to 35lbs. I have yet to meet a family who has a baby weighing 35lbs who hasn't outgrown the 32" height restriction on such a seat and who still want to lug that beast around. </span><br />
<br />
It should also be noted that some car seat manufacturers, instead of discussing this in terms of the child's height, they discuss it in terms of "seated shoulder height." Basically, if you have your child sit against a wall and then put a mark on the top of his shoulders and then measure from the floor to that mark. Britix is the most popular manufacturer who details their seats like this. This accommodates torso height, not just overall height, which might help some families make a better decision about when to move out of a 5 point harness.<br />
<br />
<br />
If I could do it again, I would have done more research on harness height when I bought the Nautilus. There is a pretty big discrepancy. I'm not worried about weight, because my boys will probably always outgrow something by height before weight. Dekker still safely fits into the 5 point harness in the Nautilus, and I am glad about that, but when he outgrows the harness height we will move him to the belt positioning booster. I think with a little more research I could have bought him a seat where he could have stayed in the 5 point harness a little longer-- but I'm not sure to be honest. Which leads me to my next point.<br />
<br />
<br />
4. If a child is forward facing and has outgrown the 5 point harness (by height or by weight) then the next step is to use a "belt positioning booster." This is the old school "high back booster" and has the little detail at the shoulder to feed the seat belt through. This helps position the seat belt correctly so that it does not end up across the neck, across the stomach, or totally out of the picture in the event of an accident. You have outgrown the "belt positioning (high back) booster" when the child's ears reach the top of the seat, or when s/he has outgrown the seat by weight or height. For example, our Nautilus can become a "belt positioning booster" for a child 30 to 100 lbs and who is 38 to 57 (4ft, 9inches) inches and is approximately three, as long as the child's ears do not go over the top of the back. Dekker barely fits this requirement (but since he also still fits the 5 point harness requirement I will keep it "as is" until he gets too tall).<br />
<br />
5. Just recently the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration set out a few new child restraint recommendations which got a lot of press, jokes, blogging space, etc.<br />
<br />
The first recommendation was that all infants and toddlers remain in
rear-facing car seats until age 2, <i>or until they outgrow the height and
weight limits of the seat. </i>(My first question to that is: Which carseat? The infant carrier or the convertible? I assume the convertible because I know very few children who are still in the infant carrier at one, and because they are <a href="http://www.gracobaby.com/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=1804094" target="_blank">only recommended by the manufacturers until age one</a>.) For our rear facing convertible car seat, the <a href="http://www.britaxusa.com/car-seats/marathon-classic" target="_blank">Britix Marathon</a>, that means until Tucker is 2, or until he is 35lbs with a seated shoulder height of 16". Just as a reference, Dekker is 35.5lbs, with a seated shoulder height of 18". So if these recommendations stay, that pretty much means Tucker will be rear facing until he is two. Ug, that is a little excessive to me. Then again, this recommendation was made because children's "head and neck are often left free to sort of whip forward in the event of a crash" when they are forward facing too early. And, well, that sounds awful. Maybe Tucker will be "super long torso boy" and will outgrow his rear facing car seat before two. Otherwise, he might end up looking like this. Man, those legs look cramped. (But maybe her head and neck look really supported?!?)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="VIDEO: New Car Seat Recommendations " border="0" height="360" src="http://a.abcnews.com/images/Health/abc_gmahealth_carseat_110321_wg.jpg" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" title="" width="640" /> </div>
<br />
The second recommendation was that the age limit of the booster (age 8) was replaced with a height limit (4-feet-9 inches)-- when experts believe the seat belt should
fit properly across the chest and lap. The booster seat is designed to "boost a child up higher so that the car's seat belt fits properly over the child." A high back booster will accommodate a child up to 4ft, 9inches (and 100lbs) and a <a href="http://www.gracobaby.com/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=1758124" target="_blank">"no back" booster</a> will accommodate a child from 4-10 years old, from 40-100 lbs and 40” to 57” (4ft, 9inches) tall so long as the child's ears do not top the back of the actual seat in the car. So I'm a little unclear if this recommendation is to keep kids in a HIGH BACK booster, or just A booster. Does anyone know? 4ft 9" and 100lbs is the dimensions of some adults, by the way :) There are some pretty clear guidelines about how to know when your child is ready for no car seat, but since we're so far from that I really didn't give it much attention.<br />
<br />
It is interesting to note that <a href="http://www.transportation.nebraska.gov/nohs/cps.html" target="_blank">Nebraska Law</a> only requires children to be bucked up until age 6. They state: <br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Nebraska child passenger safety and safety
belt laws, like other states’ restraint laws, are the result of compromises
between the “best practice” recommendations of safety experts and provisions
that the legislators feel are practical, enforceable, and will be tolerated by
the general public and their own constituents. Occupant restraint laws can be considered to be minimum
standards.</span></i><br />
<br />
In the end, we decided to outfit the 4Runner with our "good" car seats-- for interstate and highway travel and for long trips. For Tucker, this means the Britix convertible, rear facing, until he is in preschool (just kidding). For Dekker, this means that he will stay in the Graco Nautilus with the 5 point harness-- until his shoulders are taller than the harness slot.<br />
<br />
For the Civic, which will now need two new seats, we are buying a "belt positioning booster" for Dekker. He meets all the requirements and it is $58. I can't see why I would spend an additional $100 for the 5 point harness, if he is just going to outgrow it in a few months anyway. For Tucker, I am likely buying a used convertible car seat from some reliable friends. It is not expired and has never been in an accident. It should be noted that we use my car two days a week, and I transport the kids typically home from daycare twice a week in it. It drives about 10 miles a week with kids in it-- right down Blondo street. But I still believe it needs up to date and appropriate car seats because if I get in an accident I never want to wonder about these things. <br />
<br />
You can learn more <a href="http://www.transportation.nebraska.gov/nohs/cps.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.safekidsnebraska.org/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
So there you have it. Sigh.<br />
<br />
I'm interested to know what other Mom's think about this issue. I am fairly hyper-diligent about this, maybe boarder line obsessed, and I know not everyone is. Do you pay much attention to it? Does it bother you if a car seat is expired? Why is the 5 point harness<i> so bad</i> if the slots are below the shoulders? Will you keep your child rear facing until s/he is basically two? Will you keep your older kids in a booster until they are 4'9"? What kind of booster?<br />
<br />
On the journey,<br />
(and buckled up!) <br />
Stef<br />
<br />
<br />Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-74263623516837161942012-05-30T20:44:00.000-05:002012-05-30T20:44:39.160-05:00Circled on the CalendarI have learned that scheduling a surgery like this takes several steps. I knew it would, but I am learning just exactly what that means. First, we had XRays, then met with the neurosurgeon, then the CT Scan, then wait five weeks and see the cranial facial surgeon, then wait three weeks for the insurance to get authorized, then wait 8 days to hear from the scheduler, then wait four weeks for surgery. Early in this process, things moved at a lightening pace. Thankfully. That was, by far, the most scary time yet and we were so glad to have our questions answered quickly and more serious conditions ruled out-- but following an otherwise "clean" CT scan and with an otherwise healthy baby (thank you Lord)-- and the waiting game began.<br />
<br />
<b>Insurance Authorization:</b> After seeing the cranial facial surgeon in early May we waited two weeks for him to submit it to insurance. This is not considered "cosmetic" but is considered "elective." As you might know, all surgeries except for the ones in the ER are considered "elective". And due to the financials of this surgery, and because submitting to insurance has become "routine" for most doctors, our surgeons prepared paperwork and pictures for our insurance. They said it has been "rejected" once in all their years, and that was easily reversed. But still, this was a necessary step. I believe God did a miracle in that once the paperwork got to insurance, it got authed in ONE DAY. Sometimes this step takes three or four weeks or longer, and I am so thankful we didn't have to keep waiting. <br />
<br />
I called 10 days after our appointment and the staff said our paperwork had not even gotten submitted yet. I was so angry, and really acted in a way that I was not proud of. I was so frustrated. I cried so much that, completely exhausted, I canceled my plans for the night and threw my hands up in desperation. (Well, after I used them to text everyone with a keyboard about my frustration :) I surrendered to God, and four days later we had our authorization. Thanks, God. <br />
<br />
<b>Scheduling:</b> Today I was mindlessly switching laundry, with my head in the dryer, when I answered my phone and -- low and behold-- it was the surgeon's scheduler. She apologized for the delay, and explained the difficulty of scheduling both surgeons and an operating room. Etc, etc, and she has it scheduled for nine weeks from today, July 31st. I managed to keep my head about me and explained that I have the summer off and had been led to believe that the surgery would be much sooner-- would she please talk to the surgeons to reconsider. She said she would call back. Sure enough, she called back and the day is circled on our calendar-- <i>Wednesday, June 27th.</i> So there we have it. So thrilled to hopefully have it done with plenty of time to help Tucker recover before students come back to NCC. And, we are ready to be "on the other side" of this surgery. We are ready for the waiting and anticipation to be over.<br />
<br />
I'm excited to getting back to the work of being a mom, and not worrying about schedulers, insurance, appointments, etc for awhile. We will have a pre-op physical with our pediatrician a week before the surgery, some blood work before it, and probably other stuff I don't even know about yet. For now, we are thanking God for helping us get to here and we are trying to take it one step at a time-- knowing that it is a big part of our lives, but not our entire life!<br />
<br />
I am also GIVING THANKS for:<br />
* Gods peace and genuinely low anxiety. I am thankful for a sure understanding that God is real, that he loves Tucker, and that He is good.<br />
* The way this has worked out in scheduling-- we are trusting in Gods timing and trusting that He opened the doors to have this sooner rather than later. For flexible work, and for the peace of mind knowing I have all of July off to help Tucker recover for as long as we all need.<br />
* That our insurance was authed so quickly.<br />
* That this surgery will take place around the 6 month mark. <br />
* My three boys-- they are each totally wonderful. Tucker has become a real joy. Dave and I laughed that we have always loved him... and we're starting to like him, too :)<br />
* A few wonderful "Cranio Moms" I have met. Katy's son had this surgery in November at Children's and she has been nothing short of fantastic, willing, helpful and empathetic. Holly is in the exact same shoes as me (as in she got her surgery date today, too). Together, these ladies have helped me remember that I am not alone. I have met other families with children who had this procedure six or seven or more years ago-- such a blessing. Thank you to each of you who have helped us get connected to others. I am also following another local blogger whose daughter just successfully had this procedure here at Children's.<br />
<br />
Thank you for your prayers. We are praying for a peaceful, healthy month!<br />
<br />
On the journey,<br />
Stefanie<br />
<br />Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-86765670747071860892012-05-18T13:28:00.002-05:002012-05-18T13:28:41.913-05:00Quick 5A truly quick "Quick Five."<br />
1. Boy, these (housing) interest rates are LOW. Has me thinking all kinds of things. Problem is, taxes are still so dang HIGH.<br />
2. My baby is 6 months old? How did that happen?<br />
3. Still no news from the surgeon. I am trying not to think negative thoughts about his character and integrity as we wait for him to <i>write a letter</i> so our insurance can approve this and we can schedule it.<br />
4. Looking forward to the Stormchasers game Saturday night.<br />
5. This weekend is my Mother's Day. Last Sunday felt too much like exhausting work, so Dave agreed that we could celebrate this weekend. I'm picking Saturday. And I'm going to eat donuts and feel not one ounce guilty :)<br />
Happy Weekend, Friends!<br />
On the Journey,<br />
MaeStefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-25653244862725425902012-05-16T14:34:00.003-05:002012-05-16T14:37:44.063-05:00Quick UpdateHarass Cranial-Facial Surgeon's staff? Check.<br />
<br />
The sweet assistant to our Cranial-Facial Surgeon, Colleen, has been "helping" me this week. Mostly, she has been tolerating my harassment :) We talked Monday, and today, and both days the news was the same-- no letter from the surgeon yet to even send to insurance. Ug. She did say that once the letter is dictated and signed that she will follow up with insurance personally by fax or phone and maybe "help things along." It is so frustrating for this to be so completely out of our hands, yet affect us so much. Particularly in regards to scheduling, we would like to let Dave's employer know and rearrange some plans for the summer if we need to. However, we know that it will eventually get done and we trust that Tucker is just fine while he waits. And we know that God has great plans for us and that His timing is perfect. In the mean time I find myself saying things like, "I know you're just doing your job, and I'm just trying to do my job as a Mom..."<br />
<br />
Three other quick things:<br />
1. Happy 6 month birthday, Tucker. How did you get so big?<br />
2. Please check out my facebook page to see how you can vote for <a href="http://craniocarebears.org/">http://craniocarebears.org/</a> to win the Aveeno Challenge, which is $1,000 for winning the monthly contest and up to $10,000 if they win the whole thing. You have to vote on Aveeno's facebook page and it only takes a sec, no signing up required.<br />
3. A few people have asked about my sermon on Sunday. I felt like it went just fine and got some wonderful feedback from visitors and regulars alike, and you can listen to the podcast here: <a href="http://www.stonebridgeonline.net/home/">http://www.stonebridgeonline.net/home/</a>. I do, however, hate the podcast. It's so one-dimensional, but whatev, Glory to God if it somehow blesses you. If not, just shut it off!<br />
<br />
On the Journey,<br />
StefStefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-89689368410486134632012-05-08T16:37:00.000-05:002012-05-08T16:37:08.329-05:00Surgeon #2Today, I am in just absolute awe of medical science. What an incredible time we live in. Today we had a 2:30 appointment with Dr. Jason Miller, a pediatric Cranial/Facial Surgeon. Dr. Miller has made it his life's work to correct deformities in children. He is, apparently, nationally known for his work on the jaw and is one of the only surgeons who does the Cranial Vault Reconstruction around, and the only in Omaha. Have I mentioned how glad I am to live down the street from this hospital and medical center? Wow. Anyway, the appointment went on without fanfare and was, simply, simple. We spent more time checking in then anything :)<br />
<br />
Dr. Miller was patient, confident, well-spoken, and easily explained the surgery to David and me. He wasn't exactly the friendliest guy on the block-- but we don't need a social butterfly, we need an exceptional surgeon! We knew all of what he said, but it's always good to confirm your Google results with an actual doctor, you know. When we met with the neurosurgeon, Dr. Treves, the diagnosis was still officially considered "uncertain" until after the results of the CT Scan. So Dr. Miller was able to talk in certain terms with a bit less "if this, then this" mentality. He did explain some details of the massive surgery, including the little fact that the skull does in fact come off the head (thank you neurosurgeon) and is reshaped by him with disposable plates and screws before being replaced and stitched up. He said that like he was reading a children's book-- you know-- no big deal! Ha! We talked about risks and recovery and our hospital stay. It was a "reality check" in some ways, but in many ways we continue to feel at such peace. <br />
<br />
Our big PRAISE for the appointment was that he, too, believes this is a "stand alone" case and is not associated with an underlying syndrome. I might be ready to put that fear to rest :)<br />
<br />
Our big PRAYER REQUEST after this appointment is scheduling the surgery. He took pictures of Tucker's head and said he will have a letter sent to our insurance, which typically takes four weeks to totally clear. He said he has only had one denied, and it was easily reversed, but that they still have to pre-certify and that this is the next hurdle to clear. Then, we can schedule, which is another 2-4 weeks out, depending on schedules-- including summer vacations (the Doctors, not ours :) We would really like to have this behind us.<br />
<br />
I have a hard time with this because I want God's timing and His will to be accomplished. BUT I also want this surgery to happen before late July, as I go back to work the first of August. So my plan is to be "that mom" and harass the insurance company and simultaneously pray that God's timing is achieved. If I do all I can and God opens doors, we will walk through, but if He doesn't, we know that He is in control and sees "up stream" like we can not. We trust Him. He loves Tucker more than we do. That's such a crazy thought.<br />
<br />
Thank you so much for your continued prayers. I was overwhelmed with love and support today in the form of texts, calls, facebook messages, and my sweet students and a few co-workers even stopped to pray with me! While you are praying over Tucker will you pray for our church services on Sunday? That I am able to <i>clearly communicate</i> the Word I believe God has given me? Thank you.<br />
<br />
Here are a few pics before I close:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TGMQfEBELu9czdd4GfZcH15TNbnm1R7QGo6mpaKki5RlYm6MtEdyoo7V0Ivrpfyw0o8K-7guPq5Ospy451YnYA7Jcu2f4cA3Cl-2Pz54QVYMc6XbgKrKGX_VqGIw5vcN97-Nwig1dqc/s1600/buzzer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TGMQfEBELu9czdd4GfZcH15TNbnm1R7QGo6mpaKki5RlYm6MtEdyoo7V0Ivrpfyw0o8K-7guPq5Ospy451YnYA7Jcu2f4cA3Cl-2Pz54QVYMc6XbgKrKGX_VqGIw5vcN97-Nwig1dqc/s320/buzzer.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super Cool. We checked into the floor (after checking in twice and completing a phone interview :) <br />
and they gave us this-- like at a restaurant. Then it lit up and vibrated and told us which door to go to. <br />
Seriously, ah-mazing.</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rJ6vNBifze9JAQ9Dd53mHQ1Nr93ivCZ5bvCuaBSmRG4odaInGy8FqrDaPqgvccBeFUpsjp0j58fNOgxVw8hLAyCxVDV8LfKY7CRUAa2sWZ-E6Nw1zGXtRmlxNoxaMyeIKTY-_yc5zI4/s1600/sleeping+beauty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rJ6vNBifze9JAQ9Dd53mHQ1Nr93ivCZ5bvCuaBSmRG4odaInGy8FqrDaPqgvccBeFUpsjp0j58fNOgxVw8hLAyCxVDV8LfKY7CRUAa2sWZ-E6Nw1zGXtRmlxNoxaMyeIKTY-_yc5zI4/s1600/sleeping+beauty.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tired from a big day!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FbfP_NlNuoCHCli1bCWo6hlHHaRTqJse_V4MjcYMNX4C1vz6vGP5bLM7Krue4EJTpLOgHEDlmM5pnIlNs6qhsRrI4Tr4YNEhkRyuPgTO7XMl0r_zLg0ZeHEBUURIGahjsv0yAV7MQBI/s1600/speciality+clinic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FbfP_NlNuoCHCli1bCWo6hlHHaRTqJse_V4MjcYMNX4C1vz6vGP5bLM7Krue4EJTpLOgHEDlmM5pnIlNs6qhsRrI4Tr4YNEhkRyuPgTO7XMl0r_zLg0ZeHEBUURIGahjsv0yAV7MQBI/s320/speciality+clinic.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lobby to this Medical Center. I am so sad that places like this have to exist, but<br />
glad it does.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the Journey,<br />
Stef <br />
<br />Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-24247795266177106942012-04-20T17:51:00.001-05:002012-04-20T17:51:39.370-05:00Quick FIveThis is going to be a truly "Quick" five. Happy Friday, friends!<br />
<br />
1. My day started off wonderfully well when I got on facebook and learned that my friends Tim and Mindy got approved to bring their baby boy, Silas, home. It is just amazing and they have been on a difficult, but faith filled journey that has been so close to my heart-- the type that you just can't get out of your mind and think about and pray for all the time. Read about their adoption <a href="http://timboyd.blogspot.com/2012/04/adoption-update-were-going-to-get-him.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
2. Another answered prayer-- God has provided a tremendous resource for our family. Through a friend of a friend of a friend (and thanks to this blog) we have met a local mom whose son had the EXACT same surgery as Tucker, with the same surgical groups, at the same hospital, with the same insurance. Her son has the exact same condition as Tucker and she has already provided us with a wealth of helpful information and even some pictures of their journey. I can't wait to meet her and we plan to do lunch or supper sometime soon. Thank you to everyone who has helped us search. We have met several other "answered prayers" through all of you, and we are loving creating a community of people who know about his procedure, have had it before, know about it medically, etc. Katy, my new friend, suggested I check out CranioCareBears. If you want to know more about this condition or care to check it out you can <a href="http://craniocarebears.org/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
3. Love seeing these two boys interact. My heart truly does overflow with gladness, they are so stinkin awesome. Tucker will not be contained much longer-- he is really rolling around and it is so fun. Dekker likes to have him sit in the Bumbo and be on his level. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP52q0YI-MQSZX8kyazmyK8OB_zEpwKHbH2yBHZhSTy_LrQxydYrshg6WP_Kml0k9aNMqD7uFU9cELr2uchMROufyYLfyeaDUwRH82tWj5loapeKm9LVruAPntjz0KYop8j9amBJU5Gpk/s1600/boys+playing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP52q0YI-MQSZX8kyazmyK8OB_zEpwKHbH2yBHZhSTy_LrQxydYrshg6WP_Kml0k9aNMqD7uFU9cELr2uchMROufyYLfyeaDUwRH82tWj5loapeKm9LVruAPntjz0KYop8j9amBJU5Gpk/s320/boys+playing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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4. We are still reeling from the great birthday extravaganza around here. I was pretty laid back and pretty simple about the party last weekend at the park, purposefully so. But I wanted Dekker to have a wonderful party and to have a special time <i>just for him</i>. I am so worried that he is going to feel slighted through all this with Tucker. Which he won't. But I'm paying special care to make sure that he gets moments to feel special and that big things, like his birthday for goodness sake, don't get overlooked! Here he is, a few days after the party, still loving his hat at the breakfast table! More pictures to come.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiczKx7RG83vZlmkDpLLrj9wdShnddALZb5zLDBBy8KCzs3nq0cClVLwaH4vFuwR2wwi4_RTjwZJ6Uhxjgtjp1sCZUyvv1__1g82lE-f_yl2AsocyOiaIZmxotz8uSSmZNTlDhyphenhyphenTJG_OA/s1600/dekker+bday+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiczKx7RG83vZlmkDpLLrj9wdShnddALZb5zLDBBy8KCzs3nq0cClVLwaH4vFuwR2wwi4_RTjwZJ6Uhxjgtjp1sCZUyvv1__1g82lE-f_yl2AsocyOiaIZmxotz8uSSmZNTlDhyphenhyphenTJG_OA/s320/dekker+bday+hat.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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5. Next week is Week of Ministry at Nebraska Christian College. I am on the "Omaha Team" and we are working with <a href="http://rebuildingtogetheromaha.org/" target="_blank">Rebuilding Together Omaha</a> to make some repairs to a home in north Omaha. I am thrilled for the chance to work with the homeowner, this quality organization, my "mentor" from Rebuilding Together, my co-worker Leslie, and the students from NCC. We have a great team of 30 students and have big plans for the week. It will be a week of full time working motherhood, and I am grateful for flexible grandparents and daycare friends and a supportive husband to help bridge the gap from our "usual".<br />
<br />
Have a great weekend, everybody!<br />
<br />
On the journey,<br />
Stefanie<br />
<br />
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<br />Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-60582391335767007032012-04-12T15:55:00.001-05:002012-04-12T15:58:59.991-05:00"God Is Working Upstream"This week has been precious. I was off for Spring Break last week-- or I worked from home anyway. In the meantime, several of my colleagues here at <a href="http://www.nechristian.edu/" target="_blank">Nebraska Christian</a> got the prayer request for Tucker. Yesterday my office was buzzing with people stopping in to offer encouragement, to let me know they were praying for us, and even to stop and pray right then and there. I appreciated this so much, and one of the prayers really stuck out to me-- when my colleague prayed that God would be working "upstream" on our behalf. In other words, we are praying that God is taking care of details and has "gone ahead" of us. It will be exciting to see how that plays out.<br />
<br />
Today we heard from Dr. Treves, our neurosurgeon's, secretary. She told me that the PA and Dr discussed our May 8th appointment with the Cranial Facial Surgeon and that they believe it is absolutely fine and that there is no need to rush that appointment and/or rush the surgery. They are very comfortable with this timetable. After the appointment on May 8th we will schedule the surgery, and possibly have a few appointments in-between.<br />
<br />
Today we give thanks that God is working "upstream" in our life:<br />
* We are thankful that we are not in a position to RUSH into anything, and that the doctors are comfortable that his present condition will not worsen while we wait, or make surgery more complicated.<br />
* We are thankful that I will be able to make it through the semester without taking an absence.<br />
* We are thankful that I have the summer OFF to help Tucker recover, without the stress of trying to balance my responsibilities at work. (God was already working upstream and knew this would be the case when I took this job last year!)<br />
* We are thankful that I will be able to preach at our church, <a href="http://www.stonebridgeonline.net/home/" target="_blank">Stonebridge</a>, on Mother's Day. This is the second time I have done this, I am so excited!<br />
* We continue to be thankful for Dave's job-- for his understanding co-workers and work from home capabilities.<br />
* We are thankful for your prayers! We feel confident, less anxious and grateful in ways we would otherwise not be able to. We aren't thrilled to wait, but we know that sometimes God does His best work "while we wait" and we have faith that His timing will be perfect. I am thankful for a period of "wait" to practice giving my anxiety over to Him, trusting Him more, and not "stewing".<br />
<br />
Finally, I just have to post this picture. His onesie is especially true today! I stopped in front of a mirror about half an hour ago and I decided that I now officially look like I only got 3 hours of sleep last night (despite my best attempts with coffee, make-up, and Diet Coke)-- which is true thanks to this sweet, cuddly thing who is already getting his third tooth and was up all. night. long :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yUlje1rYcIpQ3Q39Dz9zqm7MCjiALCKCsLdrypHN5u0tmIuHaScDj91Dt71wwsyKk2ns8VAjRy7No1SV_mL1kA__2Bj4tjg2GUQFMT0MykARQCaVcsSEuIV9nRRf6NJN6h0sMXn_AEg/s1600/2012-04-11_18-00-33_390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yUlje1rYcIpQ3Q39Dz9zqm7MCjiALCKCsLdrypHN5u0tmIuHaScDj91Dt71wwsyKk2ns8VAjRy7No1SV_mL1kA__2Bj4tjg2GUQFMT0MykARQCaVcsSEuIV9nRRf6NJN6h0sMXn_AEg/s320/2012-04-11_18-00-33_390.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The onesie says "My Mommy Is Exhausted!"</td></tr>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>On the journey,<br />
StefanieStefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-81964148486484826732012-04-09T14:07:00.000-05:002012-04-09T14:07:56.658-05:00No News Is Good NewsAs the saying goes, "No News Is Good News." At least that is what we are hoping. We are in the middle of playing phone tag with the Cranial Facial Surgeon and the Neurosurgeon. Apparently, the Cranial Facial guy can't get us in until early May. Which is fine by us, as long as that is okay with the Neurosurgeon (whose staff made the appointment...). There is a bit of a time stamp on this surgery, because after 6 months (May 16th for Tucker) the skull and its bones start to become more and more dense and therefore more difficult to reshape. After 9 months the surgery is much more complex. <br />
<br />
So this is our prayer request today-- that the surgeons would communicate and that Tuckers best interest would be in mind. If it's okay to wait, we will wait. If not, we would like an opening with Dr. Miller sooner so we can move forward. By the way, your prayers are fantastic. Every time I get totally overwhelmed, and afraid, and the anxiety comes over me with the weight of an elephant-- I think about how many people are praying for Tucker and I am almost instantly comforted. It is weird but <i>wonderful</i> to actually <i>feel</i> prayers. Thank you seems too weak for such an occasion... but sincerely, thank you.<br />
<br />
In other news, we had a great weekend. We went to Aurora where my folks were way too good to us. They showered us with love and encouragement, yummy food, took the "night duty" with the baby, spoiled the boys, and we even took a nap on Saturday. It was great! Dekker's birthday was Saturday, and it was so fun because he "gets it." We told him it was his birthday and then he said we ought to sing "Happy Birthday To You..." and eat cake and open presents. So we did all three. He loved having that song sang to him so much that I think we sang it four times... it was requested in-between "Twinkle Twinkle" and "Jesus Loves Me" at nap and at bedtime. He is such a special, wonderful boy. My heart almost explodes just thinking about him and I am reminded that Jesus, my heavenly father, looks at me and loves me (and you and Dekker and Tucker and _________) even more. I can't imagine that, but that is the kind of love Jesus has for us.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6T0dOrPTebGugrifaeiGmw4pAR2al192a9X4GPXQwELICKXzrswYvSjkNaiKha_KUaFn46SsREYyEEGdeUy0P4lcYJgzRK_qnp-3gs2uNrnUV-aUECLaL6UWaNUrfJnnB3TLYla5QLE/s1600/DSC_2023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6T0dOrPTebGugrifaeiGmw4pAR2al192a9X4GPXQwELICKXzrswYvSjkNaiKha_KUaFn46SsREYyEEGdeUy0P4lcYJgzRK_qnp-3gs2uNrnUV-aUECLaL6UWaNUrfJnnB3TLYla5QLE/s320/DSC_2023.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nana and Grandpa got Dekker a bike. He is not nearly<br />
old enough for this (ahem!) but he is sure good at it already!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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Sunday was a great Easter, complete with ironing and ties and church and an Easter Egg Hunt and Easter baskets. Seriously, present overload for the <i>three</i> year old by the end of the weekend. But, we have had a blast playing with all the new stuff today. I'm so thankful for the message of Easter every single day-- that our Redeemer Lives, has conquered the grave, and that we have hope for ETERNITY because of his sacrifice.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33VJAgU1t_qwirvEFOq91wOd_N30JFUuDabyNM2JqOdw_y0M0Vkfo3N6zsCuhROn8Jnw3WfELNkh2FCaygsAXNiMRTlf6GCSfdbJicb6fmua7CEth8fHmUZv50QGVoPc98Hq11u-788w/s1600/DSC_2118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33VJAgU1t_qwirvEFOq91wOd_N30JFUuDabyNM2JqOdw_y0M0Vkfo3N6zsCuhROn8Jnw3WfELNkh2FCaygsAXNiMRTlf6GCSfdbJicb6fmua7CEth8fHmUZv50QGVoPc98Hq11u-788w/s320/DSC_2118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGFprGdLqlMxWmZlxGJSCN-8qIO4tOErcEJoDRH56KkkorPcz4lAflB0GCMkNr_IxmBXNJqh_h1L95OFg-iU-Twc77cHSO-YurryIBvo1XmVRZhqU6uBP2XtgJZAuPAMNx9L-oG2Qwyc/s1600/DSC_2140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGFprGdLqlMxWmZlxGJSCN-8qIO4tOErcEJoDRH56KkkorPcz4lAflB0GCMkNr_IxmBXNJqh_h1L95OFg-iU-Twc77cHSO-YurryIBvo1XmVRZhqU6uBP2XtgJZAuPAMNx9L-oG2Qwyc/s320/DSC_2140.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's right, I had Dekker in a tie and a polo. Thanks to my <br />
sweet friend Jenny for helping me shop at the last minute--<br />
nothing was too "matchy matchy" but it all coordinated.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfp3agwDHNSgVPP-ue0BU9uf7HQ2LhJ3mDmaZM28aVSb0llx7RCA4kvq6J1y1kJ2hbGAVZ_Di7s59AQwu8BGysRd54QXCprh2vV-H8wKK-8_EXKo-UBXkY_MSn7ckqERGbpGSMBBCOhk/s1600/DSC_2155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfp3agwDHNSgVPP-ue0BU9uf7HQ2LhJ3mDmaZM28aVSb0llx7RCA4kvq6J1y1kJ2hbGAVZ_Di7s59AQwu8BGysRd54QXCprh2vV-H8wKK-8_EXKo-UBXkY_MSn7ckqERGbpGSMBBCOhk/s320/DSC_2155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9tojMbkv26lDBN70v4wzReGt8amJunIVW6UOfYhq2ClTQ6sEnLBFKI5WYnuB6KMVTL99v3LNSMRJaesv4KQIXsbua96sta-AwFUxu992e7RF2OW2vUD3LXbBnp83KACMI0tdvR6Lv_4/s1600/DSC_2295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9tojMbkv26lDBN70v4wzReGt8amJunIVW6UOfYhq2ClTQ6sEnLBFKI5WYnuB6KMVTL99v3LNSMRJaesv4KQIXsbua96sta-AwFUxu992e7RF2OW2vUD3LXbBnp83KACMI0tdvR6Lv_4/s320/DSC_2295.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby's First Easter Egg Hunt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-oONZTx7QqbpiLbbHqcfjqdVCzOahMhieIt6lpBx8JZQdtrqiv0OIO3r9wYQessXucCjBC2GvBNcSMV7yTfU8h6moEkR1umh2mFb-WVmhu5B7WrJjC-IiCRdRTalJhguuTb5rrSSzBI/s1600/DSC_2130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-oONZTx7QqbpiLbbHqcfjqdVCzOahMhieIt6lpBx8JZQdtrqiv0OIO3r9wYQessXucCjBC2GvBNcSMV7yTfU8h6moEkR1umh2mFb-WVmhu5B7WrJjC-IiCRdRTalJhguuTb5rrSSzBI/s320/DSC_2130.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am only adding this picture so that you all know I did indeed throw caution<br />
to the wind and wear pink pants on Easter. They were <i>stylish</i> and <i>appropriate</i><br />
and somehow this is the only picture I have where you can see them! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>And as the other saying goes... "I should be grading papers!"<br />
<br />
On the journey,<br />
StefStefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-23415463070750122212012-04-04T21:48:00.001-05:002012-04-04T21:54:26.116-05:00This Just InWelllllll............. actually I got the call around 5:45 tonight. And when I answered and it was the neurosurgeon himself, on a personal cell phone, I already knew the answer. Tucker's Sagittal Suture is completely closed. The only way to fix this malformation is surgery, which the doctor thought would be a total Cranial Vault Reconstruction. We have so many questions, which simply could not be answered tonight, but many questions were also answered with that call. Our next step is an appointment with the pediatric Cranial Facial Surgeon, <a href="http://childrensomaha.org/body.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=522&action=detail&ref=607469" target="_blank">Dr. Miller</a>. The neurosurgery office will make this appointment for us, send our scans and information over, and talk to him personally before our appointment. I assume we will meet with him in the next 14 days, but I am honestly pulling that out of thin air. (I have no clue.) We will get the call regarding when that appointment is by the end of business Friday.<br />
<br />
Tonight, Dave and I are giving THANKS. We are praising God that:<br />
* The doctors continue to believe this is a "stand alone" case, and not associated with an underlying syndrome.<br />
* That our prayer was answered that the scans were clear and the diagnoses was definitive.<br />
* That the other two "sutures" (think: joints) in Tucker's skull are open. (His soft spots are not.) This is great news, as the growing brain has somewhere to go and is not pushing on a rock hard skull. This greatly (greatly, greatly) lowers the risk of inter-cranial pressure, seizure, hearing loss, etc.<br />
* We give THANKS that our pediatrician caught this at our "well baby" appointment. It is quite rare, but she was on top of it. The doctor today said between 3-6 months is optimal time for surgery as the baby is old enough to handle anesthesia, has a lowered risk of blood loss, and yet the skull bones are still malleable. We are so glad we caught this in this window, and we will likely have surgery pretty close to that six month mark.<br />
* And I say again, that we have Children's Hospital literally down the street, who actually does this procedure... regularly. The pediatric neurosurgeon/pediatric cranial facial surgeon combo is apparently fairly rare. <br />
* We are so thankful for health insurance.<br />
* That we are surrounded by our incredible family, friends, church and small group. We can't say enough how glad we are that we don't walk this road alone!<br />
* For <a href="http://midwestneurosurgery.com/drtreves.htm" target="_blank">Dr. Treves</a>. He is our neurosurgeon and he has been nothing but confident, calm and otherwise wonderful. I thanked him tonight for calling me after-hours, personally, and he said that he is a dad and he knows what it's like to wait on information about your kids. Dave and I both feel a real peace that he is the right guy for Tucker. <br />
* For the power of prayer. It is a humbling experience, but we feel your prayers. We have peace and joy. (We might be in denial and shock still, but we'll cross that bridge later :)<br />
* That Tucker appears to be otherwise very healthy. It is hard to be too upset about this when we know that there are Mom's and Dad's out there who got much worse news than us today. At this time, we believe Tucker's condition is 100% correctable with a prognosis of being a healthy, "normal" kid. We know that many Mom's and Dad's would give <i>anything</i> to have one surgery, even one major surgery, "correct" their child.<br />
<br />
In addition to your continued prayers, I do have one request. We would like to meet another family who has an infant who has been treated for Craniosynostosis at Omaha's Children's Hospital with this surgical team. It would be really helpful to talk with another Mom and Dad, to learn more about the procedure, recovery, what type of help we should line up, what to expect post-op, etc. I know that the doctors can help us with this... a lot... but I think another family who has recently gone through it would be a big help, too. If you know of someone, would you send them our way? My email is: stef@roweware.com.<br />
<br />
Finally, here are a few adorable pictures from the last few days around our house:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzE089Eg6wUu_bpPPsXvJwjSZ6iqGzegEVU2DcrHmov0dmuq5GqldfUu3dRKTW99aP5niUF70GWwJVVMCn_uOcN2fU_wT9n8FV4jT904g2sfNylmQo4BNEwtjGymPhvlIYmhmZ5Vg10kk/s1600/DW+and+TJ_reading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzE089Eg6wUu_bpPPsXvJwjSZ6iqGzegEVU2DcrHmov0dmuq5GqldfUu3dRKTW99aP5niUF70GWwJVVMCn_uOcN2fU_wT9n8FV4jT904g2sfNylmQo4BNEwtjGymPhvlIYmhmZ5Vg10kk/s320/DW+and+TJ_reading.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Dekker reading a book to Tucker, who is in the bouncy seat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlDqPpA4cNUCBtmO0lrB7sXpDUmWtnM72wy8iq6yfwXHvWMbRnPXo2h-43w6379sjw_pYORCieAZbLXb2T0u-O9d8OG_kWwhWnTV0oe5b6XtE8l9beK_UjIHXcwpbo0PTDoZNZsVA4Sc/s1600/TJ+and+DW_Stroller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlDqPpA4cNUCBtmO0lrB7sXpDUmWtnM72wy8iq6yfwXHvWMbRnPXo2h-43w6379sjw_pYORCieAZbLXb2T0u-O9d8OG_kWwhWnTV0oe5b6XtE8l9beK_UjIHXcwpbo0PTDoZNZsVA4Sc/s320/TJ+and+DW_Stroller.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying this gorgeous weather!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> On the journey,<br />
StefStefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-81427403460859822882012-04-02T14:33:00.003-05:002012-04-02T15:45:01.688-05:00(Crane -- ee--oh--sin--oh---stow--sis)A few weeks ago I had never, and I mean honestly never, heard the term Craniosynostosis. After putting off making the appointment, I finally got around to making Tucker's 4 month well baby check. (Note to self: GO TO those appointments-- vaccines or no vaccines.) We were so nonchalant about it that we scheduled it over lunch and took Dekker. At the end of the appointment, with both boys tired and hungry and climbing the walls, our pediatrician told us that she thinks Tucker looks wonderful, developmentally appropriate, BUT that he has an unusual skull formation. She started using big words like <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002557/" target="_blank">Craniosynostosis</a>, <a href="http://childrensomaha.org/body.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=522&action=detail&ref=607528" target="_blank">Dr. Puccoini</a>, <a href="http://childrensomaha.org/Craniofacial" target="_blank">Children's Hospital Craniofacial Clinic</a>, and used the term <i>Pediatric Neurosurgery</i>. Kid you not I wanted to do the ugly cry, kick her, and run out. She suggested we get some X-Rays. Dave and I went to the car in total shock. Soon, we started using the coping skills we are accustomed to-- which for Dave means joking (calling our doctor "Panic Pants") and for me means awful anxiety and immediately jumping right to the worse case scenario. Let me tell you that when things get tense in our marriage, times get <i>interesting</i>. That appointment was on Friday, and we went for X-Rays the following Monday morning.<br />
<br />
Wednesday morning I was driving to the Children's Museum (finallllllllllllly got there and it was awesome) when the doctor called me on her personal cell phone. She asked me to pull the car over so we could talk. My heart sank. She told me that the preliminary report came back that Tucker likely did have Craniosynostosis and that she would like us to see a specialist (aka Neurosurgeon) as soon as they could get us in. I called Dave, then my mom. Oddly enough, I handled that news with a strange peace, but it very much upset Dave. Since then, God has continued to give one of us strength when the other is frail, thank goodness. And, if you know us, I am typically the one on the frail end! Several times I have felt the crushing weight of fear and anxiety. I continue to ask for prayers that I would not be ruled (not now, not ever) by anxiety and fear, and that the Holy Spirit would instead fill me with joy everlasting and a peace that transcends my understanding.<br />
<br />
By Thursday we had an appointment for today (Monday). I tried not to make a script in my head that they saw the XRays and "rushed" us in because it was "very, very bad." I tried not to spend the weekend soaking up every smile with the Devil in my ear telling me to "enjoy it while you can." I am telling you what, this may be about Tucker's skull, but God is doing a work on my anxiety in the process. We spent considerable time on the internet researching the condition, talked to a few medical professional friends, called in an army of prayer warriors, went to the Home Show and zoo because life just goes on, sent Dekker to spend Sunday night with Aunt Becky, and went to the ritzy building this morning. We both woke up in a pool of sweat this morning with the covers on the ground from literally tossing and turning.<br />
<br />
I will tell you that our appointment today was favorable. But to understand why I will tell you a little about Craniosynostosis. Craniosynostosis is the premature closing of an infants "soft spots". What we have learned is that babies have more than just soft spots, but they have actual soft "sutures" that run the length and width of the head. This helps the baby's head to be flexible enough to fit through the birth canal, among other things. This is why a baby can have a "cone shaped" head. The head needs to be flexible and malleable, and gradually over the first 18months-2years of life all those soft spots and sutures close up and the head is the shape it will be. Sometimes babies get flat spots because of the way they position their head, etc. Then, they wear a helmet. As the flexible skull continues to grow, the helmet helps make sure it grows into the correct shape. Craniosynostosis is different. With this condition, the head is misshapen because the brain is pushing on the skull, but there isn't enough room for proper growth. It occurs sporadically in about 1 in every 2,000 births.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is a picture of the top of an infants skull. You can see each of the "soft sutures" and the two "soft spots" that you have probably heard about. In Tucker's case, the large soft spot is too small, and we assume that his Sagittal Suture is closing prematurely, or is already totally closed. Tucker has a prominent forehead and an elongated head. His head looks more like a football instead of a basketball.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xQe_DUF_xyY3FB5CUP2vftYN7kZtXKWzHhwgCTNie7iEkN0pojcyO3FVzjOXwpqLFO7bPxg2dK6X7RRn4D0RrIPx6eqyVMedUI9T_nMLx_fzETSQr5jBOwvAFqtP0YJTOtfgGlrlG44/s1600/220px-The_sutures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xQe_DUF_xyY3FB5CUP2vftYN7kZtXKWzHhwgCTNie7iEkN0pojcyO3FVzjOXwpqLFO7bPxg2dK6X7RRn4D0RrIPx6eqyVMedUI9T_nMLx_fzETSQr5jBOwvAFqtP0YJTOtfgGlrlG44/s1600/220px-The_sutures.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The very scary part of this diagnosis, and what has kept me on my knees this week, is that this condition can present itself, in about 20% of the cases, as a symptom of a much bigger syndrome. We have been praying that Tucker's case would be "non-syndrome". Some very scary, life altering and life threatening syndromes can present in this way. To increase my already high anxiety is that Tucker was born with a <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sacral-dimple/DS00753" target="_blank">sacral dimple</a> on his lower spine. I was concerned that the combination of the skull and spine was not looking good for "non-syndrome", even though the dimple had checked out on ultrasound as totally normal. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our doctor today stated that he feels Tucker does not have an underlying syndrome. This was a welcomed relief!! He also said that his other sutures were, from what he could tell on the XRays, open. That, too, is great news!! He ordered a CT Scan to get a better picture of the Sagittal Suture and to rule out any other possible problems that could cause a malformation of the skull. Assuming everything else looks totally normal (please Lord), we will have three possible outcomes: suture is totally closed-- surgery required; suture is totally open and he just has a misshapen head-- helmet required; suture is partially closed-- we will talk with the Craniofacial Team and go from there. The surgery ranges from endoscopic surgery to a complete Cranial Vault Reconstruction. Both types of surgery have pros and cons and both are preformed by a neurosurgeon and a plastic surgeon at the same time. It helps me to remember that this is actually a bone problem, not a brain problem and that a neurosurgeon is involved because of the very close proximity to the brain. We have learned that we are fortunate to have at least three surgeons (that we know of) here in Omaha and connected with Children's Hospital for this procedure should we need it. At the end of our appointment today I asked the surgeon if he had a hunch, off the record, and he said that he suspects Tucker has a closing of the Sagittal Suture, he's just not sure if it's completely closed or partially closed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Because we were in the Hilton of Neurosurgery (is there any other type?), they happened to have a CT machine down one floor. So we could get it done immediately and we should get results in the next three days or earlier. I feel some relief that if he does have something life threatening going on, like inter-cranial pressure, fluid on the brain, etc that the doctors will be notified immediately and we can get Tucker the help he needs. David is reminding me that there are <i>no signs</i> of this in Tucker, and that this is my anxiety getting the best of me! Anyway, it will be good to "rule it out." Logistically, it was great, too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1o4lRdEZhPSdOR9LKHTF34yFgM3KrAiO6ZfH6-ZOqUI9gBN1llthKNj4Ubh4uga9VhvRcKRxD-7qwoQNomUmxI8k7yvxHVAxW18R4vY-uBJM8Rz7MMW7lnY0LzxD39pj4UY27dKVjoI/s1600/Dave+and+Tucker+pre-CT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1o4lRdEZhPSdOR9LKHTF34yFgM3KrAiO6ZfH6-ZOqUI9gBN1llthKNj4Ubh4uga9VhvRcKRxD-7qwoQNomUmxI8k7yvxHVAxW18R4vY-uBJM8Rz7MMW7lnY0LzxD39pj4UY27dKVjoI/s320/Dave+and+Tucker+pre-CT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave and Tucker just before the Scan. You can see a bit of the misshape of his head <br />
in this picture, particularly toward the forehead.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwhRR1h4RXNqF5as5lRpdI0sFkypLLJ7r6c9lukp_aQrpeemCqWseNhyphenhyphenzvyQEhylP6pCPxWpBp8ID63o95sGKKR7Pw1LZRCwYfJDKiX9WmFIACDT2uUia4PnvaMjrOZ2dMCHZ8U8v-ms/s1600/Tucker+CT+Scan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwhRR1h4RXNqF5as5lRpdI0sFkypLLJ7r6c9lukp_aQrpeemCqWseNhyphenhyphenzvyQEhylP6pCPxWpBp8ID63o95sGKKR7Pw1LZRCwYfJDKiX9WmFIACDT2uUia4PnvaMjrOZ2dMCHZ8U8v-ms/s320/Tucker+CT+Scan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May I never see one of my children in this state ever again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Did I mention how nice the office was? Dave said that he felt like his wallet was lighter just walking in (there's that humor as coping again). He even took this picture, which even I found very funny. This is the desk calendar at the appointment desk and it is sponsored by a collection agency. Yowzers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cRTUoCqo6dULdngCXc6qlFNP_EN-KbZrVAL_rcyy1KNAUGi-AYqMv8pRkQm-095rV2NDaYHy56dAM2-EeY6eAnc4nodEmw85h7WZFMeUxD_w1fHiW7kU4RG8Aq4kLz1FcaXYIPjHiTw/s1600/Collection+Agency.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cRTUoCqo6dULdngCXc6qlFNP_EN-KbZrVAL_rcyy1KNAUGi-AYqMv8pRkQm-095rV2NDaYHy56dAM2-EeY6eAnc4nodEmw85h7WZFMeUxD_w1fHiW7kU4RG8Aq4kLz1FcaXYIPjHiTw/s320/Collection+Agency.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are asking for an army of prayer warriors and here are our prayer requests, at this moment, off the top of my head:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* We pray for no surprises from the CT Scan, specifically that there is no pressure or fluid on the brain and that no "red flags" are raised for one of the 108 known syndromes associated with this malformation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* I say again, please pray that this is a stand alone case, associated with no underlying syndrome.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* We pray that the results from the CT scan will be definitive and we will know our next step. We pray things won't be "up in the air" for long. We pray for a short wait for those results.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* We pray for strength to receive bad news if that is God's will.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* We pray for wisdom for the doctors and surgeons who are reviewing our case.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* We pray for peace and joy and against anxiety and fear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* Please pray that Dave and I would turn toward one another and lean into God during our moments of stress and that we would surrender ALL to Him who is incredibly capable and loves us and Tucker more than we can imagine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* Please pray for Dekker, that this would go on without a major disruption to his life and that he would see Dave and I live out the faith we profess. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* We give THANKS for our friends and family (you!) who are praying along side us. We feel your prayers, appreciate your texts and calls, and have wondered several times how people ever think they can do life alone? Humbly, we ask that you do not stop. We got great news today, but the prospect of surgery is scary. (But God is bigger, thank you Lord!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* We give THANKS that God gave us Tucker. We give THANKS for our pediatrician, for the staff at Midwest Neurosurgery, for access to incredible medical services and technology, for access to Children's Hospital, for health insurance and for our work. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That is all for today, but I will post updates as we get them. Dekker is still partying it up with his cousins in Lincoln and Tucker is just waking up. I am totally emotionally exhausted. I am reminded that God will never give us extra energy to worry. When I ask God for just a little more energy so that I can sit around and worry I know that he says no every. single. time. When I ask God to increase my faith and trust Him more I know that he says yes every. single. time. I could go on and on, and I hope I will soon, but I want to say thank you again to those of you who have been praying for us, sending encouraging texts, notes and voice-mail. It is humbling, but incredible, to feel your prayers. I will never say "I'll pray for you" in a casual manner again after this experience. Prayer is SO powerful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This isn't a journey that we signed up for, but we walk it with hope. Thank you for walking with us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the journey,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stefanie</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-54846644536008340762012-02-29T15:48:00.003-06:002012-02-29T16:01:23.675-06:00A Colorado HighIt was about eight years ago that the doctors called in hospice and told my Grandpa (Papa) to get his affairs in order. It was a scary, sad time-- the usual laughter and joking of their house in Colorado became tearful, somber, and reflective. The family came and said good-bye. We cried and grieved. Then... he rallied. In fact, he <i>recovered</i>. He sent out "I got well" cards. He started going back out to the ranch, even rode in a few rodeos. It. Is. Incredible. Then, he restored a truck. (Don't tell his fancy doctors that he holds his oxygen to the side while he welds!) My Papa is so full of determination and courage, laughter and joy that I named my second born after him. There is something about being so sternly reminded that his days are numbered that makes me pause to enjoy time with my Papa that much more. And I want my kids to know him and my Mimi and their amazing spirit. So, this last weekend my mom and I took the boys for a wonderful long weekend.<br />
<br />
The trip out there took 10 hours on Friday. On Saturday, after nap time, I moved Dekker's car seat and Papa drove us out to the ranch. Papa asked Dekker if he had a cowboy hat, and Dekker replied, "No, I have a cowboy hood." That boy is precious. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbh6BHv3FyWO-cEqK66X-9t6tROnFDsIkPzmjTFsOSu6wUmcWsIuzEI4X1Af4Pqwjn9OgDBh0dt_WDPtUXf_GUyX_c2MEn1wuGDE2Imu1msmRuMun_iPpc38qJFa_jvtnNnSi8cuUhLMc/s1600/2012-02-25_13-46-41_662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbh6BHv3FyWO-cEqK66X-9t6tROnFDsIkPzmjTFsOSu6wUmcWsIuzEI4X1Af4Pqwjn9OgDBh0dt_WDPtUXf_GUyX_c2MEn1wuGDE2Imu1msmRuMun_iPpc38qJFa_jvtnNnSi8cuUhLMc/s320/2012-02-25_13-46-41_662.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vj8zeU6UKCePsWrsGA8rjbJLiitYl3eUYnjNXt7qGfwglKH2lkad2uyhw-8AZbsDCqWPJqILKqMP5881RcMjDrEdAMbAlHqecvmScEXGKPJY0swbtYvfQrIuC2pnBr0Ls6tGt7QYco4/s1600/2012-02-25_13-46-46_119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vj8zeU6UKCePsWrsGA8rjbJLiitYl3eUYnjNXt7qGfwglKH2lkad2uyhw-8AZbsDCqWPJqILKqMP5881RcMjDrEdAMbAlHqecvmScEXGKPJY0swbtYvfQrIuC2pnBr0Ls6tGt7QYco4/s320/2012-02-25_13-46-46_119.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
When we got there we drove straight into the field of cows. There were several calves and they were eating from their moms. Dekker figured out how to roll his window down, and spent lots of time inviting the cows to his window. "Here cow, come here cow" (in his best "talking to Tucker" voice). It was so fun to be so near something he had only read about in a book! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iw7UZ3Wrmx9YojdaMulNqGt6wpQTjXcGM43Q3V9zYzFm9j1IjAuFAWxwLtF6dDmLZrlA4xg9t1FnZBeYS2GorQ7SxjxKj9r93M-pmQoGbJz1jdoGzd-lRt9CoYnDC8ND8Y4OCWLIstk/s1600/2012-02-25_14-26-54_816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iw7UZ3Wrmx9YojdaMulNqGt6wpQTjXcGM43Q3V9zYzFm9j1IjAuFAWxwLtF6dDmLZrlA4xg9t1FnZBeYS2GorQ7SxjxKj9r93M-pmQoGbJz1jdoGzd-lRt9CoYnDC8ND8Y4OCWLIstk/s320/2012-02-25_14-26-54_816.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My Papa is a National Champion <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutting_horse" target="_blank">horse-cutter</a>. This is a rodeo event. He started when he RETIRED from ranching, and often beat men half his age. When his COPD progressed, he rigged up a holster to his saddle to hold his oxygen and cut while wearing oxygen. His Pulmonary Doctor has a picture of him doing just that in his office. Can you tell I'm proud of him? He is amazing. His cutting horse, Mikey, is still at the ranch. Papa taught Dekker how to feed him "horse candy" right out of his hand. Dekker was memorized! "A horse, Mom. Look! A horse! Oh Wow, Mom!"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69PMTb1gFIilfF418mO_m4r3q_iEr9tskMg01YNUeudWK_okxrXuGB9jzXb8X1r0BjyeIb3iQi6xXu0M4kHAxKsZLY_pLMS0eoY9xEaKXV-ZggRUdQxDg-nViiBO4N36brXIhUoVWhGI/s1600/2012-02-25_14-37-40_348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69PMTb1gFIilfF418mO_m4r3q_iEr9tskMg01YNUeudWK_okxrXuGB9jzXb8X1r0BjyeIb3iQi6xXu0M4kHAxKsZLY_pLMS0eoY9xEaKXV-ZggRUdQxDg-nViiBO4N36brXIhUoVWhGI/s320/2012-02-25_14-37-40_348.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWm10EPbOpSMHJCcOTTUjU94YFSmsp3pSN27Hue0W3Adbs1Fa2Ui0b7d5xFe4v88sY1gcV0JP_6m8bGMN5TEuaafGCtBBUQGrpibPdPMzilUM-MJaMJtT08Ke17t7WQAUQAfMYvXZj84/s1600/2012-02-25_14-38-39_604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWm10EPbOpSMHJCcOTTUjU94YFSmsp3pSN27Hue0W3Adbs1Fa2Ui0b7d5xFe4v88sY1gcV0JP_6m8bGMN5TEuaafGCtBBUQGrpibPdPMzilUM-MJaMJtT08Ke17t7WQAUQAfMYvXZj84/s320/2012-02-25_14-38-39_604.jpg" width="179" /></a></div><br />
Then we got back in the truck and found Papa's two other horses. Papa told Dekker how to hold hay and feed them out of his hand, too. They eventually warmed up to us, and Dekker loved feeding them. Again, it was awesome to see the light in Dekker's mind "click"-- I felt like his eyes were saying... "oookkkaayyy, so <i>this</i> is a horse."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHVKbkIEJ4DOfmmFNKnWS0XqNNuTMMblK0Ad6QPR_X7PZGgsJLBPvhEf_kZCLOCbLXheYrrZ8K003fWXlkkc-bL6omeYC5xDTZ9jRLdL2lf1avIozSe8AKrwZd9yGk-AS0tH5UmJCukA/s1600/2012-02-25_14-44-15_565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHVKbkIEJ4DOfmmFNKnWS0XqNNuTMMblK0Ad6QPR_X7PZGgsJLBPvhEf_kZCLOCbLXheYrrZ8K003fWXlkkc-bL6omeYC5xDTZ9jRLdL2lf1avIozSe8AKrwZd9yGk-AS0tH5UmJCukA/s320/2012-02-25_14-44-15_565.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6nDXIVjCeeOAUQG8fA4BURmZHEmfWBOaIfylrAURPXs7xvtezGLLGmH3xOVX7fDjuUU7Wls2SeRvXWsy8Jieq4A85ir8Gttkwrk9XldTNAEEQ8bE9LKIX30ZJrjg3Bfxm3DXKbN4Bk4/s1600/2012-02-25_14-48-59_624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6nDXIVjCeeOAUQG8fA4BURmZHEmfWBOaIfylrAURPXs7xvtezGLLGmH3xOVX7fDjuUU7Wls2SeRvXWsy8Jieq4A85ir8Gttkwrk9XldTNAEEQ8bE9LKIX30ZJrjg3Bfxm3DXKbN4Bk4/s320/2012-02-25_14-48-59_624.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8gIOd4tlERTfcutM8i4z0qba8gEX2z-vASrvGU6qHFEVCmfusF0jwP3LnFMlb2ISCR8_2ZsFBtroBGoiOL92I3WDu8_RYOGFKBMn6IL5Itb5bq-hkHoppVuvTVGnOHgMkiy-qxJ4m74/s1600/2012-02-25_14-50-39_128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8gIOd4tlERTfcutM8i4z0qba8gEX2z-vASrvGU6qHFEVCmfusF0jwP3LnFMlb2ISCR8_2ZsFBtroBGoiOL92I3WDu8_RYOGFKBMn6IL5Itb5bq-hkHoppVuvTVGnOHgMkiy-qxJ4m74/s320/2012-02-25_14-50-39_128.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then, as if the day couldn't get any better, Papa parked the truck and announced that we were going on a tractor ride. Dekker could barely contain himself. Here is the tractor:<br />
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See that door hanging open? See that ladder? That is where I "rode" for the tractor ride... praying to God that the huge tire wouldn't run me over and that my scarf wouldn't accidentally get stuck in something where I would traumatically be squashed while my son watched! (My anxiety never takes a vacation.) Papa started up the tractor and Dekker was initially a little scared from the noise, but he settled right in and got very comfy. Papa even let him drive. My heart overflows!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzEQuTduL7fUCaF2Y9ts8cHVXcp8SKzKtKuBQAuZoVkt6xFTC1TkgiWRwVCugA_zhlJqY94jTQ-qwcuA5nk5bxyFp74mO2uRT6l6k19cXiL81In_n_v4fyEheQVYGWmnrENg24coZyvE/s1600/2012-02-25_15-01-35_620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzEQuTduL7fUCaF2Y9ts8cHVXcp8SKzKtKuBQAuZoVkt6xFTC1TkgiWRwVCugA_zhlJqY94jTQ-qwcuA5nk5bxyFp74mO2uRT6l6k19cXiL81In_n_v4fyEheQVYGWmnrENg24coZyvE/s320/2012-02-25_15-01-35_620.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwfKVA8GBAvUFw7Y98xJonW6NrMkGwcLwZNN7wXGe4DMY4q8DoXqHhBnptrLN6SdN1qTAYXi61EeLH9Cz-1xak7bqrbK0Tt8YDFzU9wzv-JT9kTOl-miFP8a1wY73_yoEcDhyVZaH2rM/s1600/2012-02-25_15-06-21_781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwfKVA8GBAvUFw7Y98xJonW6NrMkGwcLwZNN7wXGe4DMY4q8DoXqHhBnptrLN6SdN1qTAYXi61EeLH9Cz-1xak7bqrbK0Tt8YDFzU9wzv-JT9kTOl-miFP8a1wY73_yoEcDhyVZaH2rM/s320/2012-02-25_15-06-21_781.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNHLS7OZaX2-5F3lEkCv5fybPvDjHHZebPe0-mU50zrD-5-Ci4a2IgS8YVlLjpN_0KF-xuTX5JwsC0yswIdwLFDqSXZwYTO0d8VPEMrOLAlhfAWnVBKNUPPuUonKupnkGqH6DK_VhvdA/s1600/2012-02-25_15-15-38_588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNHLS7OZaX2-5F3lEkCv5fybPvDjHHZebPe0-mU50zrD-5-Ci4a2IgS8YVlLjpN_0KF-xuTX5JwsC0yswIdwLFDqSXZwYTO0d8VPEMrOLAlhfAWnVBKNUPPuUonKupnkGqH6DK_VhvdA/s320/2012-02-25_15-15-38_588.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Nothing like taking a potty training toddler out to the ranch. Sometimes "nature calls" even out in the nature. Thank goodness the house out there has a wonderfully working potty! </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRB8AbcEAM3lvYtojZGOfmO-9obRof9M9VALa6M4fuXUzTzwIXaVPHePbe98Ah3TH0XzX7Sqzg2UteaCXSBUYOxQ_CXH-jEgu-opKS5SfaC9WNI-MY0Hq8D1fOEO0R6VhZbPZYFA0oPM/s1600/2012-02-25_15-18-01_26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRB8AbcEAM3lvYtojZGOfmO-9obRof9M9VALa6M4fuXUzTzwIXaVPHePbe98Ah3TH0XzX7Sqzg2UteaCXSBUYOxQ_CXH-jEgu-opKS5SfaC9WNI-MY0Hq8D1fOEO0R6VhZbPZYFA0oPM/s320/2012-02-25_15-18-01_26.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">The rest of the weekend was just a wonderful. We relaxed, watched TV, jumped on the trampoline. I got to spend some time visiting with my Grandma, Mimi. She is just as incredible as my Papa, and I have learned so much from her-- she knows not a stranger, there is always room for one more at her dinner table, she is caring and generous. My mom got up with Tucker (at 5:30AM thanks to Mountain Time) and I slept in. We ate yummy food, saw some of my cousins and uncle on my dad's side, and I even had a few hours to read. I finally picked up "The Help". Here are a few more pics before I run upstairs and make sure both boys are breathing. They have been quiet too long!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLL1fRHT4Zh2MeEfijcRfwoZI_4rvrEc54z12mofMxcOQmPsVG3mxbdxfmbrcaOyubl_uf4L9KMt_K5Q2mosppAEJrOrzknKPCh2Z5N21lt13BS2yMVfpvBfm9tKJTjcBa0pwuk8MxflM/s1600/2012-02-25_19-19-48_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLL1fRHT4Zh2MeEfijcRfwoZI_4rvrEc54z12mofMxcOQmPsVG3mxbdxfmbrcaOyubl_uf4L9KMt_K5Q2mosppAEJrOrzknKPCh2Z5N21lt13BS2yMVfpvBfm9tKJTjcBa0pwuk8MxflM/s320/2012-02-25_19-19-48_0.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm sure this was a pic I sent to Dave. He is getting so big, so cute, so fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsbg-efnuQyXOKadF7lE6KBHdUt1nUoxU_VE6BKEC2spn5HQlw4e7UAV_6tPczIQ5GZO_4lZhFLbLnal2gGIbdQACsZsUkDnJZ-pNkn5BfxwAx6QYQ4vwRMaLiA9bxuWbz0UqogQ3bBk/s1600/2012-02-26_10-22-59_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsbg-efnuQyXOKadF7lE6KBHdUt1nUoxU_VE6BKEC2spn5HQlw4e7UAV_6tPczIQ5GZO_4lZhFLbLnal2gGIbdQACsZsUkDnJZ-pNkn5BfxwAx6QYQ4vwRMaLiA9bxuWbz0UqogQ3bBk/s320/2012-02-26_10-22-59_72.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how they go to church when they have company and I love it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLl1w0-fkKj0y1fgSlOy3IzDHPb-dLNxTGOFHLPAJNK5FlF2gZQsSJqzU_G4ffZCcMHdN6lL0Pj6YcrAT8lRSJ8B91yhcVEvUItUeYXM_F4mzRX1sMi8sYOD-WlqJni3khEewux41AFw/s1600/2012-02-26_11-06-28_385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLl1w0-fkKj0y1fgSlOy3IzDHPb-dLNxTGOFHLPAJNK5FlF2gZQsSJqzU_G4ffZCcMHdN6lL0Pj6YcrAT8lRSJ8B91yhcVEvUItUeYXM_F4mzRX1sMi8sYOD-WlqJni3khEewux41AFw/s320/2012-02-26_11-06-28_385.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting to be such a good sleeper! </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXH8sDC73vq6cT_xFZJMcyPbOUUFYkCJv7So1d1OK2olZEPOmlb7tM2fEPfxZgChDroBli9GKTEe5S-1LKto96VIFW052qcuy9kFiW27oCOmXNA4jcNgICHq5sSDpBAHPPPkIG8C4J0s/s1600/2012-02-26_12-50-23_714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXH8sDC73vq6cT_xFZJMcyPbOUUFYkCJv7So1d1OK2olZEPOmlb7tM2fEPfxZgChDroBli9GKTEe5S-1LKto96VIFW052qcuy9kFiW27oCOmXNA4jcNgICHq5sSDpBAHPPPkIG8C4J0s/s320/2012-02-26_12-50-23_714.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KEY9jmmn2xma0t-OG4sHzlP9CwgCqm-kBE0QS1ReOVxZfu1sVhDgTuRUKrIMBn0v_0RnZyibEYN2alLldGDVjl4wCeZ-HNvvd1XCk1-iF3RZakFs1rW77g9M_muBVDPAptcM7iOthw4/s1600/2012-02-26_16-08-50_664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KEY9jmmn2xma0t-OG4sHzlP9CwgCqm-kBE0QS1ReOVxZfu1sVhDgTuRUKrIMBn0v_0RnZyibEYN2alLldGDVjl4wCeZ-HNvvd1XCk1-iF3RZakFs1rW77g9M_muBVDPAptcM7iOthw4/s320/2012-02-26_16-08-50_664.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Mom, see me! Look, Mom!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtFDk_2lVCtQVKq1OWJsZ9qwm36I8H6ky7ycPeHdtZHiqQVgaQvEebjKowYc9Yzk3oLfyRCekLqcis3B5cabdHWtka5GReEgDbNkaw4tODFSvkHaqY4yDEPsUd8X_ipwNsPjib_BEsb8/s1600/2012-02-26_20-22-58_483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtFDk_2lVCtQVKq1OWJsZ9qwm36I8H6ky7ycPeHdtZHiqQVgaQvEebjKowYc9Yzk3oLfyRCekLqcis3B5cabdHWtka5GReEgDbNkaw4tODFSvkHaqY4yDEPsUd8X_ipwNsPjib_BEsb8/s320/2012-02-26_20-22-58_483.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading night time books with my amazing Grandma, Mimi. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">Finally, here is one last picture of sweet Tucker James and Papa James. I can't wait to visit this summer-- to visit the ranch again and even ride horses-- and for Mimi and Papa to get to see the kids again. They will have changed so much!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Rj9vAhXd8u-LT6WSHQXpMaa7YWZdK8f02DYx2-op3F5Jn_bWSrry7fSHFWievGbHEMkBxCFJGvmBwiQi74Fr7GGFHP1vOGbsbSO25HCgZyM5Rmntt_hAGspW231OizgA7eBUDMvWg8M/s1600/2012-02-26_12-50-32_157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Rj9vAhXd8u-LT6WSHQXpMaa7YWZdK8f02DYx2-op3F5Jn_bWSrry7fSHFWievGbHEMkBxCFJGvmBwiQi74Fr7GGFHP1vOGbsbSO25HCgZyM5Rmntt_hAGspW231OizgA7eBUDMvWg8M/s320/2012-02-26_12-50-32_157.jpg" width="179" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">On the Journey,</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mae</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-74637531641732856592012-02-08T11:00:00.000-06:002012-02-08T11:00:55.686-06:0030%I went to see my counselor for our final visit yesterday after work. God bless her, I saw her four times. Did you know that is the AVERAGE season of care? Meaning, most people see a counselor 4-6 times before taking a break for, like, a long time (or forever). Don't worry if you want to go more, or if your counselor suggests you go more, but one reason a lot of people don't <i>start</i> counseling is because they are afraid they will never <i>finish</i>. Nah, that is not the case. They are too busy and your insurance is too picky. Speaking of insurance, I have a huge deductible, but the $90 some I paid each session out of my HSA was well worth it. That hospital bill can wait.<br />
<br />
I want to share a little about what happens in counseling because I think that is a reason a lot of people don't go. It is not the "bare your soul" that a lot of people think. In fact, most of the time it is quite specific to the issue to go in with. For example, we talked a lot about my struggle to accept the changes to my life that having another (crying) baby demand. We talked about bitterness and forgiveness and God and love and perspective and grief (dog-gone-it I wanted to breastfeed so bad). And I might literally have paid her just to sit and cry and say "I hate it" without being judged for an hour. My eyes burn just typing that. I mean, I love my kids <i>deep down</i> in my being. My heart beats outside of my body when I see them. They are the best. But I can say that and also say that it has been hard, too hard for me to try and function at home and be a good wife and teach and take care of Dekker... without professional help.<br />
<br />
I want you to know that going to counseling does not mean you have a poor support system. My husband is incredible. My parents, in-laws, small group, co-workers, girlfriends (oh, my girlfriends <b>I love you</b>), even neighbors are wonderful people who I could not do life without. Going to counseling was a gift to them-- it said "I know you can't meet all my needs. I know you are not neutral. I know you are not professionals who can, or even want, to listen to all this and try to help me sort it out. Thank you for the support you have given me." Going to counseling does not cheapen my supportive relationships at all. Quite the opposite, in my opinion. Going to counseling said to my husband (and kids), "I don't want to be crazy, crying, frustrated, bitter, grieving, and a total unjoy to live with all the time. I love you <i>more</i> than that. You deserve <i>more</i> than that."<br />
<br />
Finally, counseling works. I don't know what it is, but it does. I have been to professional counseling three times in my life. Once just out of highschool, once right after I got married, and now, after the birth of my second kid. And for the record-- I should have gone after Dekker, but I was too embarrassed-- which today I tearfully find ridiculous. Also for the record, after looking at that list, I think maybe life transitions are just hard for me. There is a voice in the back of my head that very clearly says "Buck Up. Women everywhere have been going through this for decades. All babies cry. All babies fuss. All mom's have some depression and "baby blues." No one has a postpartum experience <i>exactly</i> like they dreamed. At least they make formula. Do you think all the other moms went and spent $400 to talk to a counselor? No, they were at the grocery store and play dates and investing in the lives of their family. They are too busy trying to find the positive to sit and cry. Life is hard, Sister, so get over it already." But do you know what I did with that voice the second time around? I told her to Screw Off and I took care of myself.<br />
<br />
So, most people don't share about counseling on the world wide web. And I respect that. But I also think that sometimes we have to bring things out of the darkness and say "so long" to secrets and guilt and shame. The nursing doctor told me to see a counselor and I shrugged her off. Then my OB suggested it. I told her "I am a counselor you know." She said "I am a doctor, you know, and sometimes I still need to see a doctor." That did it for me. I can not, simply can not, toot my horn about the benefits of counseling, about erasing the stigma associated with counseling, about how the people in counseling are not "crazy" because they are at least "together" enough to make an appointment and get themselves there... without taking my own advice. I believe in the profession. I believe it works. I know that as a provider, and this season of life I was reminded of that as a patient. Praise. The. Lord.<br />
<br />
So I see Dena Crosby at <a href="http://www.greatoakscounseling.com/" target="_blank">Great Oaks Counseling</a>. If you need a referral I hope you will call her. Counselors do not do medicine (you need to see some type of doctor for that), but she does one heck of a job as a "talk therapist." Tell her if you want to talk about God and Jesus and the Bible. I hope you will, because she <i>gets it</i> and will remind you of truths you might have forgotten. But she will not minimize your issue and say "Just pray harder." Yesterday I went for my final appointment. I feel good enough that I almost forgot! I was sitting at work thinking that I still had an hour to finish some grading when all of the sudden it dawned on me that I had to run out. Please note that this is a major change from our first appointment, where I watched the clock all day and wondered if I could make it until 4:00 to talk to someone, and if I might run into someone I know or a former client (gasp), or if I might just give up on the idea before then. (I did not. None of the above.) <br />
<br />
Yesterday I was pretty put together, if you ask me. Sure, I was still in maternity dress pants, but they are cute Gap black slacks that I paid way too much for, and they are <i>baggy</i>. Does that count? And I wore a necklace. It <i>kinda matched</i>, but still-- hellooooooo, I had jewelry on. And matching socks! And heels! And I had got out of the house without a break-down before work AND got there early! I _basically_ didn't cry, but who cares if I do. And as we are wrapping things up and even just chit-chatting a little, she says to me, "Stefanie, I think you are at about 30%. You are recovered physically, emotionally, spiritually... about 30%." The look on my face must have gave me away. She asked, "Do you think that's too low?" I thought about that for a moment. I thought about my fear and my pride, and what a humbling season of life this has been. I thought about my sweet boys and how much I adore them-- all three of them. I thought about my marriage. My selfishness. The tears that still well up about, oh, 300 times a day. About my girlfriends who I only hope one day to be able to repay for their generosity. My parents, my in-laws, the encouraging texts from family I get. I thought about the sadness I still feel sometimes, but not all the time. I thought about how overwhelmed I feel, but that I have a new feeling of <i>I can do this.</i><br />
<br />
Then I answered.<br />
<br />
No. I think 30% sounds great. If I feel this good at 30%, I can't wait to experience the next 70.<br />
<br />
We hugged. She said my file is "open... come back anytime." She even said that sometime down the road I might want to see clients again, and that their office supports lots of part time gigs. She encouraged me to go "all in" to motherhood, marriage, work, and life. It was the great ending to our meaningful time together.<br />
<br />
Here's to the next 70%!<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>"The man declares, I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out."</i> Proverbs 30:1<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>"My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." </i> Philippians 4:19<br />
<br />
<i>"But those who wait upon God get fresh strength."</i> Isaiah 40:31<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; BUT those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."</i> Isaiah 40: 28-31<br />
<br />
<i>Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." </i> Matthew 11:28<br />
<br />
On the journey,<br />
StefanieStefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-9488862893197584242012-02-06T10:33:00.001-06:002012-02-06T10:41:07.563-06:005 x 5 Update #5Welcome to the end of the road, Friends. Yesterday we finished five weeks of doing five small organizational tasks a week. It felt great, and I am so thrilled with the small but wonderful progress I have made around the house. It DOES add up. Not to mention the wonderful new space in the basement, where my hard working husband can work away without being reminded of a long honey-do list. Have I mentioned that we love it? I am thrilled for several of you, too, who are cleaning out closets, refrigerators, bedrooms, under beds, under stair cases. We are recycling our goods, clearing our space, and simplyfing our life. The challenge is over, but maybe this will become a sort of "lifestyle." I hope it does for me.<br />
<br />
Well, I kinda fell off the daily bandwagon, but did get small things accomplished and it did feel wonderful. Probably the biggest task I accomplished was a second cleaning of that bleepity bleep mail basket. Are you wondering why I am always talking about my mail basket? Me, too! I have NO CLUE how it gets so out of hand so quickly. It was to the point that I couldn't even put mail in it! I _try_ to throw away my junk mail when I get the mail, I promise. I _try_ to sort out my magazines right away into their home. But never-the-less it piles up terribly. Sooo.... this week I went through it-- meaning I filed what needed filed, shredded what needed shredded, paid most of what needs paid. Sorted the medical bills, sorted the HSA stuff, sorted the coupons. So it is much improved! It feels great. The other task I accomplished was setting up a meeting with a Financial "guy". Finally. It only took me three years.<br />
<br />
So, I just want you to know that I am enlisting myself for a final push into Week 6 (and maybe Week 7 depending on how productive this week ends up being-- I have a lot of work to do this week so I'm not too optimistic). You do not have to join me. But I have a few lingering things that I need to write down and cross off. Things like:<br />
* Organize the craft "sack"<br />
* Clean out behind the short couch<br />
* Meet with the financial guy. This goal is not "finished" until I have someplace to transfer money to for long-term savings, and until we regularly do it.<br />
* Set up Nike Plus so I can start jogging my bum off, literally.<br />
* Organize Dekker's toys into four bins-- week one, week two, week three, week four. I plan to rotate bins weekly to keep the clutter down and the excitement of "new" toys up.<br />
* Fill in picture frames in Tuckers room (this would literally take me 3 seconds if I would just do it)<br />
* Take coats, etc to Open Door Mission<br />
<br />
I think that accomplishing these things early in February will start my year off wonderfully. Then, I can focus more on the day to day tasks of life and family and money management and jogging (being optimistic, okay!), and mix in some 2012 goals here and there-- goals I have yet to write out (and may or may not include an overhaul of the living room decor including paint and furniture placement and wall hangings)! Hopefully getting these smaller tasks out of the way will motivate and encourage me, and make life just easier to maneuver. Or maybe I will make them each a goal, so I can say I accomplished them all by March 1. Not. A. Bad. Idea.<br />
<br />
On the journey,<br />
StefanieStefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-12867683297911127342012-01-30T14:33:00.000-06:002012-01-30T14:33:42.171-06:005 x 5 Update #4Great news, friends. We have completed Week Four of the 5 x 5 Challenge. I know several of you are still hanging in there with me, and I have heard from even more people this week that you are organizing, simplifying, and de-cluttering even though you are not formally in "the Challenge." That is great! My goal is simple: Start 2012 by crossing some biggies off my list, make my living space less cluttered, give to those in need, and set up other parts of my life in a way that is more maximizing of both time and energy.<br />
<br />
This last week Dave traveled to Des Moines for work Monday-Saturday. Please know that this trip caused me a lot of anxiety. I know lots of women who have husbands who travel regularly and let me just ask-- how do you do it??? I was the most nervous about the middle of the night, especially when I had to work the next day. I was secondly worried about getting out the door and to work on time. So my sweet friends came along side me and helped me out in incredible ways. I only hope I can repay them in _some_ way someday. Cari stayed with me Monday night and through the pre-work morning Monday night. Aanna and Spencer stayed late after small group on Tuesday night and helped me get the boys to bed. God was so gracious in that Tuckers best night was Tuesday night, the only night I was alone. Wednesday and Thursday night Beth stayed with me, and helped me get to work Thursday morning. Tucker was in rare form Wednesday night-- Beth and I literally got about 4 hours of fragmented sleep. I'm still not sure what happened, but I will tell you that I had to apologize to Beth the next day and that my attitude and behavior in the middle of the night included a shower at 12:30. Oh. My. Goodness. Friday afternoon I went to my parents and got home in time for bedtime Saturday night. But, in the background of all this I decided to pull off a "5x5 Surprise" to my husband.<br />
<br />
Dave's birthday was almost totally neglected this year. We had a 10 day old and ended up at Bergan Urgent Care. Thankfully, my mom gave him a card because I didn't. He had no presents under the tree at Christmas because I was just totally overwhelmed, sore, depressed, whatev-- you name it-- and I was struggling just to keep up with the family Christmas celebrations we went to, and to get a few gifts under the tree for Dekker on Christmas morning. Did I tell you that we took Dekker to the toy store with us and bought his gifts right in front of him??? Hahahaha. Anyway, I wanted to do something extra special for him. So I decided to give him the gift of "more time and less stress" and I finished the office in the basement. It has been done, and we have occupied it, for some time now. But there were a few finishing touches that I knew were driving Dave nuts. Like the trim wasn't all done, and the floor needed to be laid in the closet, and the new windows, doors, door frames and trim needed painted, and a bi-fold door over the water main needed to be hung. And... we needed to pass the final inspection.... before the permit expired in July.<br />
<br />
So Monday night, Cari and I, Beth and Derek cleaned out the office. We kept Dave's desk all together and didn't unplug one thing. I knew that he often remotely got into his computer, and I knew unplugging it would throw up all kinds of red flags, so Derek wisely advised me to just pull it away from the wall and drape it. It was perfect. We cleared the rest out.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2kNyk4DI4k9TDGgpYU7Uo7cO9Io_4Y1wr4kUBd0nKd0OPTx1F5VhSt0DxT0tFLXfUJwk4DD5zeL37UsgW50RERZUljjXC-TSCty96WMauxQFn1CndfUTk4u2Anp_rxQPreNDHYSUpU4/s1600/2012-01-23_16-55-08_287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2kNyk4DI4k9TDGgpYU7Uo7cO9Io_4Y1wr4kUBd0nKd0OPTx1F5VhSt0DxT0tFLXfUJwk4DD5zeL37UsgW50RERZUljjXC-TSCty96WMauxQFn1CndfUTk4u2Anp_rxQPreNDHYSUpU4/s320/2012-01-23_16-55-08_287.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is kinda what it looked like "before." A lot of the trim was<br />
done, but not all of it. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7FgZ39FEIZAqVrRKhtwg5jPrleJhkf5Zh_cP5YTrlC-bJ4rvwdsJsLlca7qAgYjkg81RNgntuBLDYZ6MGFq2DkFYHSHAtnZtpxAFld_5t42CpX0VCExryPJDQtV3X0O9ls-a0_RYglE/s1600/2012-01-23_16-54-53_780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7FgZ39FEIZAqVrRKhtwg5jPrleJhkf5Zh_cP5YTrlC-bJ4rvwdsJsLlca7qAgYjkg81RNgntuBLDYZ6MGFq2DkFYHSHAtnZtpxAFld_5t42CpX0VCExryPJDQtV3X0O9ls-a0_RYglE/s320/2012-01-23_16-54-53_780.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is us "clearing the room." It wasn't too big of a job.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYCnny2-wqE9YxWZZZzRAoBx_i9e8b5_kESF2XzQ8-JbYKpptorcncovcYEHo-aGf0uBF1pNU9nO_UXio0EzHHaCuy3xQs4kEvGM4VHO6hdUH20zIq26On8lLyi-0XNRbpj0SHMNiDT0/s1600/2012-01-23_16-55-02_587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYCnny2-wqE9YxWZZZzRAoBx_i9e8b5_kESF2XzQ8-JbYKpptorcncovcYEHo-aGf0uBF1pNU9nO_UXio0EzHHaCuy3xQs4kEvGM4VHO6hdUH20zIq26On8lLyi-0XNRbpj0SHMNiDT0/s320/2012-01-23_16-55-02_587.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took a before pic of Dave's desk so I could put it back exactly as it was.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Tuesday the carpenter, Brian with Icon Home Improvements, came by and did the last carpentry work and then coated everything with primer. I hosted small group, then spent some time in the evening researching a new desk chair for Dave.<br />
<br />
Wednesday: Brian was back for a coat of paint. I called the inspectors office. This was so totally out of my league I am still surprised that I did it. Thankfully, I found our permits on the fridge and scheduled the final inspection. I just knew it would be easier when the room was cleared. I had no idea what was going to happen, or when, but I knew it was worth a try. That night Beth and I assembled Dave's new desk chair. When I cleaned the room out, I was appalled by the state of his desk chair. He sits in that thing for 8-10 hours a day, and it was so broken down. He has never complained about his chair, but I knew it had to be awful. I thought the new chair would be icing on the (birthday and Christmas) cake, so to speak.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPG5PhHohiGE5WviWW8aeJcQb7i0ga_4J2ZLNA8Q-5B6zXUXqhWEfaXtmlf8edFtKvsTe_YTQvU1_VUdZ9o_fTBGp5Su8CLK2GME_81YyX3KpsNEihT5pqZLntFNGtoLbkvwjELcyukxk/s1600/2012-01-26_11-55-11_545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPG5PhHohiGE5WviWW8aeJcQb7i0ga_4J2ZLNA8Q-5B6zXUXqhWEfaXtmlf8edFtKvsTe_YTQvU1_VUdZ9o_fTBGp5Su8CLK2GME_81YyX3KpsNEihT5pqZLntFNGtoLbkvwjELcyukxk/s320/2012-01-26_11-55-11_545.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the "Tall Chair". He is trying it out all week before deciding for <br />
sure and says he likes it so far.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Thursday: Brian comes back for the final coat of paint. The room is still a pretty big mess. The inspector calls me. I agree to meet him at my house around lunch. Are you kidding me? I have no clue what is about to happen but he seems nice. I warn him that the room is still a mess and sweetly tell him that if he can't do his job I "totally understand, Sir." I make awkward jokes. I try to act like I know something about what is going on. Then he signs this little thingy and says "we're finished here." I was so excited I threw up my arm for him to High Five me. And he did! He was pretty friendly and we talked about our extra huge garage for a moment and he left. Suz came over after nap so I could paint, and later that night Beth and I finished painting the office walls. Because nice Brian had over-sprayed the trim, windows, etc to his hearts desire and it was everywhere. This was my only major shock to the project-- I did not expect to have to repaint so much.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnj5LGUF4ezAnfWcDlqLhGCFQ0GTpnx98h1RDl2zopjbSRY2AtOxAqZFBC4YFBUmnPi_9wJqv5jzI7MhRJeBN0snkwuuGgh_Stc-sOTUGUJUd3vX_shIjKyfr6XQZPsrh4kWv7u5O8F4/s1600/2012-01-25_12-24-43_900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnj5LGUF4ezAnfWcDlqLhGCFQ0GTpnx98h1RDl2zopjbSRY2AtOxAqZFBC4YFBUmnPi_9wJqv5jzI7MhRJeBN0snkwuuGgh_Stc-sOTUGUJUd3vX_shIjKyfr6XQZPsrh4kWv7u5O8F4/s320/2012-01-25_12-24-43_900.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With this much over-spray I can only guess he thought I was re-painting anyway.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGDwanr4UWooz8k9MYUQISnMQoQOuGDzUnXhomTBAGnaH03kGt4FdLOg6afPXuHMzufSP23fTxek2pmArXrKvP4HZNrxpwTFZllq3HPl4MaLy1LUo8PoSguCQVKImfDSmaD-JrW1tGro/s1600/2012-01-25_12-24-10_389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGDwanr4UWooz8k9MYUQISnMQoQOuGDzUnXhomTBAGnaH03kGt4FdLOg6afPXuHMzufSP23fTxek2pmArXrKvP4HZNrxpwTFZllq3HPl4MaLy1LUo8PoSguCQVKImfDSmaD-JrW1tGro/s320/2012-01-25_12-24-10_389.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are new windows Dave and Steve installed. They are terrific!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9THbeTIrCsv7EBX_Ke_6mbuvAUD1lR3keQHqzQxa3G8H4yXa4HT5IhgRyDthuDGhgzYXnY7epmc7NPEZux3_vH-ssXJV74k2v7ywnE3opL2H0ej5ArtUezIbIbSb7uvMiJnh8t5-A64/s1600/2012-01-25_12-24-16_42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9THbeTIrCsv7EBX_Ke_6mbuvAUD1lR3keQHqzQxa3G8H4yXa4HT5IhgRyDthuDGhgzYXnY7epmc7NPEZux3_vH-ssXJV74k2v7ywnE3opL2H0ej5ArtUezIbIbSb7uvMiJnh8t5-A64/s320/2012-01-25_12-24-16_42.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The space for the bi-fold door</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBqMa-Ct958Ot2drw6OQDFkb1TxHnxlxR7PLdDl2e6hbZql6BqdEyjmNB7nQvxmCifc6mW5X_c8Z1zQlk30zqurtOedCLuuE0wm-Y-xj_hSBEpos_MuKIETbLhVWq3ElxwV0hDI6CZyI/s1600/2012-01-25_12-24-28_153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBqMa-Ct958Ot2drw6OQDFkb1TxHnxlxR7PLdDl2e6hbZql6BqdEyjmNB7nQvxmCifc6mW5X_c8Z1zQlk30zqurtOedCLuuE0wm-Y-xj_hSBEpos_MuKIETbLhVWq3ElxwV0hDI6CZyI/s320/2012-01-25_12-24-28_153.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preserving the desk...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSwd8glT0xClcr4ww72YrUK5KP9U7WrPb9k3bT0eDzztqcD93wTwjoAd-kzfVaGx51UJsSaGNui4wcI4PT7nePcVPUcMcSmcJLXKw-Yrmqac-ZivE4z7dWLqrVHcp3uW4l04HoZMIJEE/s1600/2012-01-25_12-24-35_780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSwd8glT0xClcr4ww72YrUK5KP9U7WrPb9k3bT0eDzztqcD93wTwjoAd-kzfVaGx51UJsSaGNui4wcI4PT7nePcVPUcMcSmcJLXKw-Yrmqac-ZivE4z7dWLqrVHcp3uW4l04HoZMIJEE/s320/2012-01-25_12-24-35_780.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... and cords...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6LLpkaUzA2b4heMZtVkguA1qeQN8QYNuwcXX1g2AivG7nksGrlqlOtWIIdNZsoEu5bOrqeZh0Y7Ei49AUlp6qy7fnpqe0plNCniuoNTAuVcAGYEYfB_s7T1i0FsCso1ZcHIXSU23zpE/s1600/final+inspection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6LLpkaUzA2b4heMZtVkguA1qeQN8QYNuwcXX1g2AivG7nksGrlqlOtWIIdNZsoEu5bOrqeZh0Y7Ei49AUlp6qy7fnpqe0plNCniuoNTAuVcAGYEYfB_s7T1i0FsCso1ZcHIXSU23zpE/s320/final+inspection.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heck Yes!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Friday: Brian is back to hang the doors and "touch up." He leaves and my friend JoLynn is holding the baby and playing with Dekker while I move everything back in. It looks... great.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQMp974-2SOfTVcFv1tXWmaxELtjcCW7UXts3rG4YN9hHNu9-GhBvu-hKig7YkpeyeOoLjaga-C0x0_Dj2x6wxtdYm1GqBtNcAyT7USDNEYp6KKXq8gvfRV5xCjp5imLHjMOVbAg-64I/s1600/2012-01-27_11-50-01_679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQMp974-2SOfTVcFv1tXWmaxELtjcCW7UXts3rG4YN9hHNu9-GhBvu-hKig7YkpeyeOoLjaga-C0x0_Dj2x6wxtdYm1GqBtNcAyT7USDNEYp6KKXq8gvfRV5xCjp5imLHjMOVbAg-64I/s320/2012-01-27_11-50-01_679.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave's desk, complete with new chair. And a foot rest I will promptly be returning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgrT4yiJm5iSWM2Al3Ftoq6UA8T0v-RoAuN4H5bLZgoWNKqlogGl1HMjDTmnQamfrE-eZ4Hf7pxq9VxYD-jt-UsbxIHFtR8Zsp3Qw0UqLFXhLoOIDdWhvjXZX5SQVoQZpJIiisZwe0hk/s1600/2012-01-28_22-48-10_456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgrT4yiJm5iSWM2Al3Ftoq6UA8T0v-RoAuN4H5bLZgoWNKqlogGl1HMjDTmnQamfrE-eZ4Hf7pxq9VxYD-jt-UsbxIHFtR8Zsp3Qw0UqLFXhLoOIDdWhvjXZX5SQVoQZpJIiisZwe0hk/s320/2012-01-28_22-48-10_456.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great looking bi-fold door hiding the water main. Panted and hung.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKhSDm1wFKjx4BqDtkkCEI7jCmD_AJayjfZDlyEG5SXipsPeoVaQ0PiKeOtjMz6bXLsugDwOqh1DqeFBgLUjzr1Gsk-jT1pfz0mvIA34yQgJ8xMVtLgfnP34JelCAgNPI45T9uaxxO7k/s1600/2012-01-28_22-48-17_864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKhSDm1wFKjx4BqDtkkCEI7jCmD_AJayjfZDlyEG5SXipsPeoVaQ0PiKeOtjMz6bXLsugDwOqh1DqeFBgLUjzr1Gsk-jT1pfz0mvIA34yQgJ8xMVtLgfnP34JelCAgNPI45T9uaxxO7k/s320/2012-01-28_22-48-17_864.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkmQsNFsDNQ1ceE7hEmyITDdmBwVRlgfM2YYZupFndp2vXFeJAH8kkl5VyHv-VOAoMgejptDXeS0vJK_yV-GYH1d8lI7_ugs7ybAFb18NxKKW3MdPVpnHtlY8d9smZbpbZI0PGBjka5I/s1600/2012-01-28_22-48-35_783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkmQsNFsDNQ1ceE7hEmyITDdmBwVRlgfM2YYZupFndp2vXFeJAH8kkl5VyHv-VOAoMgejptDXeS0vJK_yV-GYH1d8lI7_ugs7ybAFb18NxKKW3MdPVpnHtlY8d9smZbpbZI0PGBjka5I/s320/2012-01-28_22-48-35_783.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfk6rDyIuOBrPTajHz-yzdCC1qTniXJ93CwsZ68m5V7kHSGMlhKd1337CyGI-GLBJy6n_XtSwlHT2WUQh1k0uulsIX-XcRwdtW13TxhY0f7ilWYzUAWrSZ2rpKBvLRTnjodqGdz-H_pm4/s1600/2012-01-28_22-48-44_461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfk6rDyIuOBrPTajHz-yzdCC1qTniXJ93CwsZ68m5V7kHSGMlhKd1337CyGI-GLBJy6n_XtSwlHT2WUQh1k0uulsIX-XcRwdtW13TxhY0f7ilWYzUAWrSZ2rpKBvLRTnjodqGdz-H_pm4/s320/2012-01-28_22-48-44_461.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are pics Dave took with his camera. I hope to get them framed to <br />
hang in the space real soon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Saturday: Dave came home late. I was So Nervous. I had really worked myself up that he was going to feel like I went behind his back, or that I had taken away from him a chance to complete his "hobby", blah blah. He was just totally thrilled. He said he was "floored" and "shocked" and I almost cried. Then we laid in bed and talked about how I had done this crazy, sneaky thing until 1AM, which is not so smart when your baby gets up at 2 and 6. Oh well. It was a great ending to a great 5x5 Week!<br />
<br />
On the journey,<br />
Mae<br />
<br />
PS I also finalized that Health Savings Account and Flex Savings Account for Daycare!!Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-3154204304448142182012-01-22T09:56:00.000-06:002012-01-22T09:56:12.006-06:005 x 5 Update #3Lets put week 3 in the books, what do you say ladies and gentlemen?!? How did you do? How are you feeling and how is your space looking? Big props to my friend Natalie, who is blogging her progress along with us <a href="http://nelsennotes.blogspot.com/2012/01/5-x-5-organizing-challenge.html" target="_blank">here</a>. As always, I love hearing from you all and hope you are sticking with it, too. <br />
<br />
I am thrilled at the progress I made this week, BUT I have a confession-- I did most of my challenge this week on Saturday. I had a weird week and just couldn't get to much. <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Can I mention that I went back to the therapist? She is wonderful. I think one more session and I'll call it good for awhile. So glad I went! If you have ever considered seeing a counselor, I hope you will call someone. I have referrals. Let's get rid of #stigma and just take care of ourselves!)</span></i> Plus, the projects I had slated for this week were more "all at once" projects that I thought were harder to break up into smaller ones. I wasn't too keen on having the coat closet torn apart for three days, if you get my drift.<br />
<br />
But, I do want to work on this, because often I don't clean and organize because it feels like "too big a project." I could have easily done the top of the coat closet one day, the organizer inside the door one day, and the coats one day-- but I kept putting it off until I had time to do it all. And that, I think, has the potential to NEVER get done if I don't change my mindset.<br />
<br />
To begin, please know that I FINALLY mailed that package on Wednesday. Praise the Lord, I hope she hasn't already had that baby and it is off my kitchen counter.<br />
<br />
Moving on... Dekker and I started out getting wonderful haircuts Saturday morning (he looks so BIG), went through Starbucks, then to the grocery store. As I was unloading the groceries that freezer was KILLING me, so I just bit the bullet. I took everything out, tossed what needed tossed, moved the breast milk to the deep freeze, and reorganized. I found so much food I didn't know I had and I'm looking forward to working it into our menu over the next months and cleaning it out (and saving some $$) even more. Then, I decided this was the time to clean the fridge. Not a deep clean-- just a throw out all the expired stuff in the door and toss the moldy food-- clean. I wiped the shelves down with a little Clorox Anywhere. I felt amazed by the extra space that was freed up by getting rid of the expired condiments-- some seriously expired in 2005, and a lot expired in 2010. I found some pickles from Dekker's FIRST birthday party. So toss that out, move some stuff in it's place, and yahoo-- it looks and <i>feels</i> so much better. The baby was happy and the toddler was occupied so I went ahead and cleaned out the pantry, too. Organized, tossed, condensed-- and again I found food I forgot I had.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJl0uFEM-Jx75M_ctoks8k-6gTsop1F_5iybm7d1ZKxIdIPzIUxFupf3QQuPFhH1IyX4grrCRb9YLErIIjybsQyQHwjHNH9Wcc_uY2_F0MtWDmmEiSk-bUNVvtqwHBRMp5E9erOCsBr9w/s1600/pantry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJl0uFEM-Jx75M_ctoks8k-6gTsop1F_5iybm7d1ZKxIdIPzIUxFupf3QQuPFhH1IyX4grrCRb9YLErIIjybsQyQHwjHNH9Wcc_uY2_F0MtWDmmEiSk-bUNVvtqwHBRMp5E9erOCsBr9w/s320/pantry.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you care enough to scrutinize what we have in the pantry...<br />
just don't judge me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>THEN, just as Dave was about to kill me, I announced that it was time to clean the hall closet. Our coats are forever thrown over our couch because hanging anything up in that closet is like a search and retrieve mission. I could barely close the door, barely find a hanger-- and when I did I had to shove everything over and hope I found the rod. I held up each coat and asked Dave, "Would you like to keep this coat you never wear-- or donate it to a man or woman who can't afford one, would otherwise be cold, and will wear it everyday?" We each kept one dressy coat, one "snow" coat, and donated the other NINE in there. One of my goals over the next two weeks will be to take a load to the Open Door Mission (remember the sock drawer?). We also went through the hats and gloves and found several to donate, and condensed all the dog's stuff into one box in the top of the closet. It looks and <i>feels</i> so much better, too.<br />
<br />
This week I am hoping to get the HSA paperwork from the bank in the mail, so I can finalize that and the Flex Spending Account at work. My other main goal this week is to sort the mail basket-- and actually file, shred, and pay up as I come across things. These goals will easily fill my 5x5 time this week-- and it is going to be an extra busy week for me for reasons I will disclose next Sunday-- so stay tuned.<br />
<br />
I'm already thinking ahead to week 5, and I really want to get our long-term savings organized and re-set up. I need to call my "guy" this week and set something up so I can get that done. Week Five is also week 12 (ish) of my sweet baby's life, which means the return of exercise-- so I hope to get my Nike+, iPod, and treadmill set up. But that is getting ahead of myself. <br />
<br />
Speaking of the sweet baby, here is an adorable picture...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AFmO-KVIkKHl5v6k2nGYJ10LRBxnSCZRB1HHg-1PueV_0XnPm5hoGAyyP_O_50Cw0JIir0-HX9eSne6UW36Y2dFBQghLFOTjSa4wGXbyDetjCrzz6wnlqGieDDp5jn2lF8AqNb_sAP8/s1600/baby+Tucker+9+weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AFmO-KVIkKHl5v6k2nGYJ10LRBxnSCZRB1HHg-1PueV_0XnPm5hoGAyyP_O_50Cw0JIir0-HX9eSne6UW36Y2dFBQghLFOTjSa4wGXbyDetjCrzz6wnlqGieDDp5jn2lF8AqNb_sAP8/s320/baby+Tucker+9+weeks.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello Friends! I have been SPOILING my Mom<br />
and Dad and sleeping very well the last two nights!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
On the journey,<br />
StefStefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-65145408335959496582012-01-16T10:26:00.000-06:002012-01-16T10:26:14.053-06:00Just Had To Share....... As I mentioned in my last 5x5 Update, I am reorganizing our budget, which I do every year at this time. This year is particularly interesting because we are switching a lot of things that we did automatically through Dave's checks to my checks, because his employer doesn't offer it. For example, we are now pulling from my check to deposit automatically into savings and employer sponsored retirement, and we are getting things set up to also pull from my checks for our Health Savings Account and Flex Spending Account for daycare. This means that Dave's checks look a lot "bigger", (and mine basically zero out, for real) and we are trying to arrange our spending so we save more of Dave's paychecks as a short term savings for things like car plates, oil changes, and life insurance-- which always comes due and I hate pulling from savings to pay for. Anyway, I would be happy to explain our easy system to you sometime, but for now just know that I operate out of two checking accounts: one that Dave's paychecks are deposited into and pays bills and "holds" money for expected (and unexpected) bills, and one that we use for our "everyday expenses" like food, gas, eating out, formula, diapers, Target runs, gifts, clothing, etc. When I pay bills, I act like our "everyday expenses" account is a "bill" to pay. Yadadadada. So I call the bank because I want debit cards for the "Pay Bills Checking". The sweet lady on the phone starts talking to me, and can see my nicknames on my accounts. "So you would like 2 debit cards for the "Pay Bills Checking" or for the "Everyday Expenses Checking?" I suddenly felt RIDICULOUS having several accounts that I had nicknamed such obvious things-- but next time I think I will nickname them "Stripper Account", "Money Laundering Account" and "Drug Money" -- just to hear her read them back to me!<br />
Baby just woke up!<br />
On the journey,<br />
StefStefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-70916950256387821992012-01-16T10:16:00.000-06:002012-01-16T10:16:44.525-06:005 x 5 Update #2Hello Friends.<br />
I know that the six people who read my blog are really upset that I didn't get an update posted last night, but fear not! I have approximately 4 minutes between now and when the baby wakes up, so I want to give you a brief look at my 5 x 5 tasks this week-- hopefully to inspire you and challenge you to KEEP GOING. How are you doing? I do love the emails and texts, so if you are still plugging along this new year, let me know again. Okay? Okay.<br />
Monday: Took down the Christmas decor. Because it's almost FEBRUARY. Good grief. The Evergreen is still up, in case you're wondering, but it's not decorated :) I need to make space in the basement (ug) before I haul it all down there. Dekker keeps pointing at the tree and saying "Christmas?" No son.<br />
Tuesday: Back to work. As in lectured to students. Oh my goodness this is going to be a long semester for mom. Tuesday I also saw a therapist (great decision) and went to small group and then fell into my bed more exhausted than I have been on this journey yet. Thankfully, Tucker got the memo and I woke up Wednesday feeling much better. No 5x5 goals met, and I'm totally fine with that.<br />
Wednesday: Set up HSA. You can, too, at www.wellsfargo.com/openhsa Now I wait 10 days to get my packet in the mail, including my account number, and take it to the accounting/payroll office at my work. I CAN do this and it WILL be so worth it. I also have been re-organizing our budget, so while I had the bank on the phone I did a little of that mess.<br />
Thursday: Work. That night I cleaned the basket that sits at the end of our bar. Dave was ready to shoot me, but it is very clean now and holds just the few things we need out, like our planner and a small notebook. I could probably condense that into our "junk drawer" but then I wouldn't have baskets sitting all over my house to drop things in and later go back and clean. And how fun would that be...<br />
Friday: Called the Lied Lodge in Nebraska City to finalize the overnight trip I took there Saturday night with three friends. It cost a total of $80, which included gas, a gorgeous room, two great meals, a hot tub, and great friends who love one another and Jesus. Considering above mentioned therapist costs $96 and HOUR, I might need to consider more overnights!! Thank you Dave for parenting alone, you are honestly the best.<br />
Saturday: Cleaned out my purse and packaged a gift to mail.<br />
Sunday: Cleaned the front of our fridge.<br />
<br />
Here are a few things I'm kicking around for this week:<br />
Finally mail that gift I have been talking about for two weeks.<br />
Clean out the coat closet<br />
Clean out the freezer.<br />
MAYBE do round #2 on the mail basket.<br />
The coat closet and freezer are just KILLING me (and both will take, legitimately, several steps). Neither can hold another thing, and both have lots that need purged. The contents of the coat closet in particular could be keeping some peeps warm at the Open Door Mission, and that alone is reason enough to clean it out ASAP. Every time I open either of them, I shove it closed and pray nothing falls on top of me. <br />
<br />
Here's to week THREE.<br />
<br />
On the journey,<br />
MaeStefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-67988464687298440322012-01-08T21:35:00.000-06:002012-01-08T21:35:37.512-06:005 x 5 Challenge Update 1Well, week one of the "5 x 5 Challenge" is under our belts. How are you doing? Did You tackle a few things around the house and in your life that you otherwise might have put off for another week? Did you have a little extra motivation to do something small and simple for your life, home or family? I feel some motivation building and I am thrilled to start the year this way. This is really needed in my life-- having an infant is so much work and so unpredictable-- so a few things here and there are really adding up. Goodness knows things have been sitting around here for the last seven weeks, plus the last few of my pregnancy if I'm honest. (Hey, carrying that HUGE baby around was hard!) One thing I am focusing on is consistency. The hard part for me will be doing more than "normal things" such as laundry, picking up, dishes, etc for more than a few weeks. I expect weeks four and five will be where I really start getting to things that I never would have without this challenge!<br />
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Here's my "tasks" this week, Week One:<br />
Wednesday: Sock drawer. Oh. My. Goodness I feel better. Dear Underwear from 1999: Good-bye. You don't fit right, you are worn out, you are too skimpy, and you are taking up space. I also cleaned out my magazine basket, it took all of 5 minutes and I could get everything out to recycling before trash night. Finally, I returned the crock-pot to my sweet neighbor and had a terrific visit. This was really too much for one day, but motivation was in motion and I felt good doing it, so why not.<br />
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Thursday: First day back to work! Made some major progress on my Health Savings Account (HSA) inquiry (we're switching it from Dave's employer to mine) and talked about the possibility of a Flex Spending Account for our daycare expenses in 2012, since we'll have two in daycare and all. I also did round one of cleaning on my "mail basket" which is major. Doing so also cleaned all the mail off our counter. That mail basket is tricky, because cleaning it also means filing things, shredding things, and paying bills. Sigh. I did NONE of those things, just cleaned out all the junk.<br />
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Friday: Finished research on the Flex Spending Account. If you are interested, check out this link: <a href="https://www.fsafeds.com/fsafeds/summaryofbenefits.asp#DCFSA" target="_blank"><https://www.fsafeds.com/<wbr></wbr>fsafeds/summaryofbenefits.asp#<wbr></wbr>DCFSA></a> It offers pre-tax dollars to spend on childcare expenses. However, it is a "use it or lose it" account-- different than an HSA-- so a person needs to estimate conservatively. I was researching the tax implications of losing the "Dependent Care Tax Credit" and learned that the pre-tax savings of a FSA is still better, in case you're wondering. If your employer offers this, and most do, I would highly suggest you check into it. I also packaged a gift to mail this week and wrapped a birthday present.<br />
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Saturday: Elmo Live! It was an absolute hoot. I loved seeing Dekker's face light up, and I hope I have time for a dedicated post to this in the near future. His double handed wave was the best-- true joy! You know you are a parent when you can't wait to get up on Saturday so you can go to Sesame Street Live :) Saturday night I really needed a magic marker to address and mail a gift and I couldn't find one, so I took that as my cue to clean out the junk drawer in the kitchen. I basically throw stuff in there and then shove it closed several times a day. A lot of the stuff went back in there, but I threw away a lot, too, and put a lot of other stuff away in a different home, and wiped it out. It looks and<i> feels</i> great.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWDDc-aJ5T7am-Oc022cvy1DBuzL4bMeokHTjDpD7cKetxW5FcdE-GqXgPx3JJ8pcIl0FnlaJaTC2kEogCwh05K_atVgcr9hQuOqeva3SSFcgMkxOzryoNDAij06QsotBxts6HfiCe8o/s1600/junk+drawer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWDDc-aJ5T7am-Oc022cvy1DBuzL4bMeokHTjDpD7cKetxW5FcdE-GqXgPx3JJ8pcIl0FnlaJaTC2kEogCwh05K_atVgcr9hQuOqeva3SSFcgMkxOzryoNDAij06QsotBxts6HfiCe8o/s320/junk+drawer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Sunday: Today has been a difficult day. I don't feel great, the baby has been fussy, I wanted to watch the Broncos game in peace and quiet-- which won't happen around here until 2018-- yadadada. In fact, as I type the baby is fussing in his bed and I am holding my breath and praying "please go back to sleep child...." Anyway, I managed to give Dekker a bath today and while I did I cleaned out the cupboard above my toilet. I merged fourteen plastic ziplocks holding random, but "I do wear it" make-up into one retro, cool bag my bestie Beth gave me for Christmas, threw out a lot of expired stuff and some boxes, moved some medicine to our medicine cabinet, etc etc and it, too, looks and <i>feels</i> great. In fact, I have about a quarter of a cabinet empty. Praise the Lord.<br />
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Here's to week number one-- done! Honestly, I am glad that this coming week I have seven days to get five tasks done. Without this challenge this week I am certain the sock drawer, junk drawer and bathroom cabinet would all still be in the same shape, and I might not have even made the progress in the other areas, either. I have heard from several of you that you are doing the challenge in some way with me... and would love to hear how its going for you, too!<br />
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Do you like my new blog look? Thanks, Beth, this was another part of her Christmas gift to me that I love.<br />
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On the journey,<br />
MaeStefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676062622083584886.post-55583888294469965042012-01-02T22:31:00.002-06:002012-01-02T22:41:19.811-06:005 x 5 ChallengeJust last week I had the wonderful opportunity to chill with my girls from McCook... the "four of us" were back together and it felt so... right! How thankful am I that Sara and Mark moved to Bellevue (thank you Air Force), Jen and Mark live in WaHoo (thank you WaHoo Public Schools) and that Amanda's fantastic in-laws live in Lincoln. Also, Amanda, we still need someone to visit with and an excuse to get together when we're in McCook, so thank you for not moving :)<br />
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Okay, I could go on about how they filled my car up with presents-- like a blanket, diapers, wipes, outfits, and even clothes for me-- and how they filled my heart with laughter and encouragement-- and how they filled my belly with Mexican food-- and how we scared Sara's husband off when we stripped down to our tank tops and started trying on Sara's "Goodwill Pile." I could fill a page with how good it felt to hear them tell me my boy is adorable, and that I am not crazy. I love that we don't have to pretend to be anything we are not. I have said it before and I'll say it again, I love having people in my life who loved me <i>back then</i>, and who still love me <i>today</i>. There is something irreplaceable about history. It was _just_ what I needed.<br />
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Anyhow, Sara mentioned a blog she follows that shared about an organizing challenge, and I decided to take my own twist on it. So this is not my original idea, but I thought it was great.<br />
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So may I introduce.... the 5 x 5 Challenge.<br />
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5 organizing tasks a week for 5 weeks. Starting yesterday (no joke-- sorry for the "late notice").<br />
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What counts as an organizing task? Anything that would make your life more organized, easier, cleaner, simpler or run smoother. Here are a few that come to my mind for myself: Take down the Christmas tree (hold your comments please :), clean the space behind the short couch, organize the "junk drawer", clean the mail basket, clean the magazine basket, organize the "craft <strike>bin</strike>/<strike>basket</strike>/over-sized Hobby Lobby sack", take unused coats to the Mission, set up HSA, set up long term savings again, order a few pictures to fill some frames in Tuckers room, return a crock-pot to my neighbor, clean my sock drawer.<br />
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Here's what I want you to realize: These should be small tasks that you could easily do in just a few minutes in one day. I hope that your five items will take place in five different days of the week, and take no more than 15 minutes. If you really want a cleaner coat closet, for example, break that task up into several smaller ones and spread out the "fun." For example, setting up my HSA might be my task for a few days as we both go to the bank and talk to my employer. Or another example: I might clean the coats one day, the sock drawer one day, and drive to the Open Door Mission on a third day. I really don't care, to be honest. You can do 25 things in one day, I guess. But that's not the spirit of the challenge (though you would probably still be glad you did it and feel great). Think small, think simple, and try not to get burned out. Think things around your house, stuff that has been bugging you, and other areas of your life that need organized. You can even count things you might have done without the "challenge" if you need to-- like cleaning the kitchen counter. I know you are busy. But if we can give 15 minutes five days a week, we will start this year off feeling great. Don't you think?<br />
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Here's to the 5 x 5 challenge. If you want to participate, feel free to join me on Sunday nights sharing about our five things. You can blog your own week and send me the link. Or you can send me before and after pictures to my phone or email and I will even share them on here. Or you can share what you accomplished in the comments. Or you can cheer me on. However you want to participate, I'm thrilled.<br />
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On the journey,<br />
MaeStefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972942643877333392noreply@blogger.com2