The Time to Slow Down

Hey there, Hi there, Ho there to all my faithful readers. I hope the Holiday crazyness left you with a smile. Of course Mini cleaned up this year. Which is really no surprise. Since this is her last year as an only child we wanted to make it really special. No she still did not get her Itouch or Cell phone but I think she still got a lot of really good stuff. Lets run down her gift list:
Santa:
Leappad
Stuffed Mario
Stuffed Windrider Cub
Design-n-Play Playhouse
Angry Birds Beanbag game
and of course all the stocking stuffers
From the rest of the gang:
4 Monster High Dolls
2 Bratz
2 Leappad Games
Clothes
Puzzles
Art supplies
Make-up
Race Track
My little Pony Castle
1 Stuffed horse
1 homemade quilt (For her big girl bed)
Monster High Dress up clothes
earrings
watch
Monopoly
Life (this game is a little difficult)
Monopoly Jr
Jenga
and a lot more clothes

Basically Mini was really good and covered this year. As I wrote that list I realized that I may have missed some stuff but lets face it the kid made bank when it came to the goodies and we are extremely greatful for all of our family and friends for helping us make this another great year. Let me hit on the game of Life. I have always loved this game and was excited to see Mini get it but then we started to play it and let me tell you that it says for ages 9 and up and yes Mini is a little young but she did pretty good for the amount of time she played it but it took 5 adults to figure out how to play this new version of the game, which didn't hold Mini's attention very long. She did love playing Monopoly Jr and I cant wait to play this with her at home this was right up her alley.
Now that Christmas is over (sigh of relief) it's time to start slowing down a bit and start taking stalk to of the past year and begin reflecting and begin to make plans for the next year. This year for us has been filled with some ups and downs as every year but I think that we have had a pretty good year with all things considered. We are looking forward to continueing the fun and greatness to next year and hope that you will continue to join us as we begin our new journey with our new little one and keeping up with our Mini. In the next day or so I will of course post a recap of our year and a little run down of what we are expecting for the new year.

Tis the Season-News on the baby

Merry almost Christmas all my faithful readers. I hope this week is finding you all well as we enter into the home stretch that is Christmas. Since the day is almost upon us and I'm sure many of you still have that last minute shopping to do I figured I would take the time to give a little Christmas news.
I kicked this week off with two doctors appointments. The first was just my routine baby check and of course the newest little member of our family has a strong heart beat. I was told at this point that since we have been having the issues with her kidneys that my due has been moved up. (No surprise there) But instead of nailing down a new date I am told I am now on a floating due date. But I can tell you we at least have it down to a month. The newest member will be here sometime in Febuary. Now not to toot my own horn but I have made this prediction since I found out we were expecting. I knew that I would never see March pregnant and that she would be making her debut during Febuary now the only thing to know is when. So that was Monday's doctor also at which time he informed me that we are just in a waiting process of when it will all go down and that due to the now dryness of my skin (cause apparently that's what happens with the weather and pregancny) I needed to lube up. Yup he said those words.
Now on to Tuesday's doctors appointment. You know the hardest thing besides having to go to the doctors now every two weeks is having to be poked and prodded. I never cared for this practice to begin with but with the last few appointments my anxiety levels have just been going up. Of course all my other levels have been reading really good so I guess beggers can't be choosers.  We recieved postive news on the last sono appointment in the fact that they could actually see her bladder. The rest of the information was still a little unsettling which always makes me nervous before the next one. I know in my heart that she will be perfect but it's still the build up then waiting game that make you play once there. So this time we sat there and learned that all fluid levels are doing good. She still has a strong heart beat (of course she does, my girls are fighters) She is measuring in at 3lbs 10 ounces, a little on the big side but it is to be expected with the diabetes. Sidenote: This is the point that once again I am asked if I had been told about the prenatal testing for diabetes. it is also at this point that I have to point out this is where I am glad to already be a diabetic so that I don't have to take that horrible test. The one test that I can actually skip. Just saying...ok back to visit.
Once again we were able to make out the bladder which is a good sign. We could also make out the ureter (the tubes from the kidney to bladders) which the last time is was just showing as one large piece. The left kidney has went down a bit in size and the right is still showing to be dialated but still stable which is good news becasue it means it's not growing. Also with the fact that they can see the ureter we can now see that there is a blockage at this time toward the base which means that fixing it, if that is what needs to be done, will be easier. With that news we were taking off immidiate danger and lowered. Again this means that though we will still have to meet with a Pediatric Urologist we did not have to go this week or next week. We are able to wait until January 13th. The danger and worry is still there but we are postive that these are very good signs. And we continue to put it in the Lords hands as we continue to pray and ask our loved ones to do so as well. Again this week we have some Blessings that we are very thankful for and continue to be thankful for everyday and I will continue to let you know what is going on as we learn it and digest it for ourselves. 
Mini is out of school this week and also asked several times if she could open one of her presents at least twice a day this week. I love being out of school but then you have to think that we have to entertain these kids while they are out. Ugh. But she has been very good. She had her first official sleep over this past weekend with one of her friends (who was not family) and she had a blast. It's hard to think of Mini growing up but I know it is something that I have to come to terms with at some point. Maybe when she's thirty. Since this is her last year as an only child we are trying to make it special with out really making that big a deal of it so she is excited with the little things right now. Ok folks I'm sure you all need to get back to wrapping presents so I will start closing up. I just wanted to let you know whats going on and since I still get a little teary eyed when I talk about it this is the next best thing for me. I'll catch you either right before or right after Christmas so from my family to yours Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays in what ever manner you celebrate.

Christmas Wish lists

Hello again my faithful readers, it's that time again where I share a little of what's happening in my neck of the woods. First off here is the Mini and her picture with Santa. Now like all children she filled his ear with all the things she wants. You know things like a doll, a bike, a cell phone, a Itouch and a leappad. Hmmm lets see what I can mark off that list. In order to mark some things off I must weigh some thoughts so I think I may do that here. Let's see her age....Hmmm well she won't be needing a cell phone. I think it's crazy that she wants one at this age but we reasoned with her instead of just putting the Hell in front of the No. We asked her why she needed a cell phone, she said "So I can call Poppa and Gigi and Grandma and Grandpa" "Can you not use our phone?" we ask and she thinks about this..."Yes I could but what about calling you and daddy?" she asks. We point out that everyone she needs to call usually is around her and that everyone she is with always has a cell on their person so let's wait just a bit. P.S. this has been on her list since last year. I don't think we've visited the phone issue enough.  Ok now then let's go to the Itouch. "Mini why do you need an Itouch?"

"So I can listen to music and play games." hmmm. This is another moment that we must once again reason with our daughter. "But you have a computer that you can play games and you have a Zune that has music." Lucky for me this one is easily crossed off her list. Now she wanted a Nook we considered this since she is learning to read and seems to be enjoying that but she of course fixed that issue when she saw the newest device from LeapFrog. The Leappad Tablet. So this one is not so easily crossed off the list.  Now for those of you that are parents with young children you may know that Christmas time is one of the worst times to have to search for the hottest toy. You can look and look and you still may not find it. Even going to the actual company that makes it may cause you to shed a few tears. But hopefully we can avoid that. I'll let you know in the next day or so on how that part of the list is going.

Since I am on the subject of Mini's wish list I would also like to point out that kids now are very technology savy. Most can work our new phones better then we can and they are not afraid to do this. But with this knowledge comes the downfall. Because all of their toys are becoming high tech they are becoming more disconnected with the outside world in ways and as a parent this scares me a little. I want her to know that it's really ok to go out into the sun, that she really won't burst into flames. We need to get back to toys that take them out of the house. So I've got my additions to her wish list.

I heard today that the average family spends $200 on presents for each child. I know, I'll let the shock wear off.......

Better? ok, so yea $200 well I can tell you from experience that $200 is way off. I mean if you have an only child then you are bound to spend more then that just on electronics alone. Then you have the regular toys that you want to get them so they are not so invovled looking at a small screen. By this time you're up to at least $275 or $375 then if your like the rest of world you are going to buy them clothes and depending on where you shop that's going to run you a bit of cash too. So far your childs stuff, if liquidated, is worth about $425 or more. Then you tack on the rest of the presents. See normally I don't think of things like this because, well being on a fixed or budgeted income you don't want to actually put a price on Christmas, but if you got right down to it our kids make out like bandits and they don't always seem to understand just how greatful they are. Then again when we were kids we never really understood just how good we were making out. Even on the poorest Christmas of one's life and believe me, we all have one whether we were aware of it or not, a child is going to bank about $500 worth of stuff from all angles.

Right now I'm not seeing the Holly Jolly in it seeing as how Mini as been coping an attitude about why she has to strike things from her list. Then to add to it we will have our new bundle next year. No wonder people go into debt at the end of the year. But with all the knowledge that I am gaining about this finicial side of Christmas (I think I need to go into business during this time) I am also gaining an insight to things I didn't realize as a child. Sure not every Christmas was packed with big ticket items but it was packed with love from my family. My parents worked hard so that we would always have the best Christmas, and of course we did. I never realized until Mini all the things parents will do to keep their children from knowing if they were in bad shape. And because of this new knowledge I am more greatful because my family always did have a great holiday. I can only hope that even as I frantically search for that one impossible toy or bitch about the actual cost of Christmas that Mini will never know just what we went through to give her everything. That is something she will learn when she is older and has children of her own. But it is a lesson that I am glad to say (even though it sucks) that I have learned and that Roo and I are making the best of.

So see people you are not alone in the crazyness. Mini is not alone in the having to scratch stuff off her list. And I am not alone in the pains that will begin to feel as I try to pay those bills come the first of the year. Cause lord knows we are all gonna have them. No mater what Christmas means to you or your wallet it does mean more to our kids and so long as we keep them with the idea that it is really about family and not about the loot I think they may actually survive to adult hood. Well goodnight my faithful readers.

December with the family

Happy Holidays to all my faithful followers and readers. This is the first Christmas Holiday addition. I can't really go in to the full Christmas blog since it hasn't even gotten here yet but I can go ahead and make some head way on the goings on in my happy little conner of the universe. First off the picture up top was taken on our after Thanksgiving camping trip. Denison, Tx has a big holiday light drive thru park, which was really pretty. The Mini loved looking at all the lights. We had a good time that weekend. Then it was back home, back to work and back to the same old things that we always wish we could leave behind. But it was back to the daily and back to the realization that Christmas is in fact right around the corner. (Ugh) By the way here is the part that I am going to point out that it is still CHRISTMAS. Now I understand why this may upset some people but for those it does upset well you suck. Simple straight forward and end of story. Whether or not you celebrate Jesus's birth or just the holiday it's self by taking the name away you are diminishing the memory of this joyus holiday for others. See when I was little I waited for Christmas morning when I knew that Santa would have left me some really fun toys. I didn't call it by some other name. Even going to a christian school at a young age, I never realized the "evil" that was Christmas. As I have gotten older I still don't see the harm in having "Christmas". Instead I have to hear what an insult it is to others. Hmmm. I remember when it was ok to pray in school and because it insulted/offended one person we had to change that. Nevermind thoughs of us that wanted to continue to practice this. See for all the grief we get for being "Christian" think of this though we have all talked smacked about our praying rights being taken away we have still stood by and let it happen. Though we may protest it we have allowed those who are uncomfortable with shows of religion to tell us when and where those of us who are secure with our beliefs can discuss or even celebrate our. Hell even the Christmas trees are now called Holiday trees. Listen folks agree with it or not it's holiday. Sharing in this holiday season no matter what you call means you are partipating in a celebration of birth and life. No it may not be the birth you believe in but the fact is, you do believe in something and that is what counts in today's world.  Take Mini for example, she has of course asked the question of when this holiday started but as she grows it will be up to her to choose how she wishes to celebrate it. I don't knock you for your beliefs don't knock me for mine. Right now our children see christmas as a time for presents so fighting over what to call it seems a little stupid.

 Ok now I'm off my soapbox about that. I just frustrates me that there are those out there that want to dictate everything everyone does and yet they celebrate the same holiday or the same version of the holiday as we do.

Now then onto other things. Mini is going to have her winter break soon and before you know it the newest little one to our family will be making her apperence. Of course will learn more on that issue later this month and I will keep you posted. Now Christmas has kind of snuck up on us this year I don't really know anyone who is ready for it this year. This year has been quickly passing us by and before we know it, it will be over. With that being said. I am thankful and greatful for my family and friends. The holiday season reminds us all what we should remember during the rest of the year our family and friends are the ones who are there for us when things get rough and they are the ones who will continue to be there when things get better. Just saying sometime we need to think of those people when we send our thougts out. Something else we all do is just get by and I think we take for granted that there are others out there that are in the same situation so for just a miniute of your day take the time to offer a little encouragement to those around you whether it is just to say or to offer somekind of helping hand. You shouldn't wait until the giving season to give or offer help. Well that about wraps up today's blog. Again I am wishing you all a Happy Holiday right now as we kick off our Christmas season and I hope that everyone enjoys whatever plans they are making.