Finding out why Chase is not sleeping!

We have an appointment today with the doc to check adnoids etc. I will update.

Help with 3 yr old not sleeping!!!

Chase is having trouble sleeping through the night. He is snoring like a bear and even Benadryl will not get him until morning and only makes him stay asleep a little longer instead of helping him breathe easier. We tried a humidifier but did not notice a difference and he did not like the noise of it. Vicks vapo rub did not do anything but make him cough. He awakes in the middle of the night and comes in our room and takes up his snoring in there. Sometimes I go sleep in his room. Please help this Mom get some sleep and this little one breath easier! Thanks so much

Playdate?

Hey, everyone! I was just wondering where the playdate was this Friday? Thanks :)

Sippy cup

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Lets talk cups. What is the official progression of sippy cups? There are so many on the market! Which one is appropriate for my 20 month old and how do I know when it it time to move up? And what do I move up to?
So far Savannah has used a wide range of cups at every stage and I cannot tell that one is more appropriate than another. Does it really matter?

WHat this Mom is most thankful for!

The turkey has yet to be carved, family has not even arrived, nor a football game watched, and I already can tell you what I will be thanking the Lord for the most this Thanksgiving. There is a saying that "you don't know what you've got till it is gone", and I know the truth of that statement. Unlike last year, I am experiencing something I have been missing for a while, LIFE. I am feeling rejuvenated and full of energy, allowing me to do little things that are taken for granted in our daily lives. Cleaning the house, cooking (at least my version) and even playing with my children used to be enormous tasks. My husband was Mr. Mom, plus instead going on dates, he took care of me. My migraines forced my life on the back burner while I spent much of my time in bed. The boys got used to the routine that had formed out of my continual illness and had to succumb to a lot of time with babysitters and not much with Mommy.
A NEW DAY HAS COME>>>:)
That was then....this is now - My boys no longer have to be quiet or turn out the lights or get used to another babysitter or ask me if I have a headache today, because they know I am well. I am not robbed of precious time with my children and husband. Rex is able to spend his time at home not having to take on more than his share of the responsibility and just being Daddy! Mommy is back! I am back to being a mother, a wife, a friend, a playmate for my kids and yes even a "maid and somewhat cook". Who knew I would be grateful for the little things like keeping a clean house?! The GUILT of not being able to be an equal participant in our family unit is gone and it has been replaced with a feeling of JOY for being whole again! God has truly blessed our family and I am eternally grateful for that! Now, I am able to catch up with family and friends that I have missed. If I have neglected you or seemed distant or "out of it" for a while, I apologize. Things are changing and the future is bright. The Lord is restoring my health and I am thanking him this Thanksgiving and everyday. So, thank you for your prayers, patience and understanding! HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! God Bless, Trish

Holiday Depression

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Thanksgiving is just now upon us and already I am sick of hearing about "Holiday Depression." It began as I got the december issue of various magazines I subscribe to. Parenting, style and even food magazines are publishing articles on this topic! The cherry on the sunday was when a visiting preacher at our church focused his sermon today on this subject. He talk about christians with "holiday depression." Up until now, I thought maybe all these depressed people were just Godless empty souls. There goes that theory and now frankly, I'm getting depressed!
I can't imagine what could be depressing about the holidays. My life has not always been a rose garden in full bloom. There have been tragedies during the holiday seasons of the past. Personal illness (surgery, radiation and many other things at once), the divorce of my parents and the loss of my mother-in-law are just a few of the things that have plagued christmas'. For us, the holidays made it easier to cope. We found comfort in carrying out the traditions in spite of change. We were able to lose ourselves in the joy of the holidays instead of dwelling on our loss and dissapointments.
When I wish people "Merry Christmas" I do want them to be merry and it saddens me to think they are not. Maybe I am having trouble understanding their point of view as I am generally a happy person. How can we make other people happy? How can we spread joy when its the holiday joy that people find depressing? Are some people just meant to be depressed?

April Was Right!

Ok, I pondered April's accolades concerning her SwifferVac, and decided to buy one. I must say it is everything she promised it to be! We have tile throughout our living area, and I'm pretty sure this is gonna change my life. The children indeed argue over who should be "allowed" to sweep after the next meal. I actually used it as a threat yesterday with Luke --who has keen appreciation for order and efficiency: "OK, you'd better get your school done or I'm gonna ground you from the swiffervac!" There's a quotable quote! Anyhoo--I'm pretty sluggish to jump on bandwagons, but this one is worth the ride.
CDJ

Nathan Kyle and other things...

I need to see some pictures of this little one! Does anyone have any yet? I have to brag that MY little one slept over 9 consecutive hours last night! Yes, it only took almost 7 months and I feel like I'm in heaven. This is a beacon of hope that my life will one day return to some semblance of normalcy (well, normalcy in the matter of sleep, somethings may never be normal...but this makes me feel like I can hope!) I guess I've kind of learned that I'm a spaz about sleep and pretty much nothing else right now in parenting preschoolers. I don't care what they eat, say or do, but if they are sleeping, they are pretty much a perfect kid in my eyes. And, ya know, they eat, talk, and act a whole lot better if they've had plenty of sleep, don't you think?

Big Fun

Thanks for a fabulous meeting today! I am fired all the way up about my Southern Living....I'll pass them along if someone wants my hand-me-downs.
Hey, I totally forgot to bring my Family Fun mag today....and the book....oh wow, I'm a case.

Was Gina's baby cute or what?

Let's be posting on the blog, people! I need contact.
CDJ

Sharlene Patrick had her baby!!!

Hi friends and family, well baby John has enter the world. Sharlene and John are doing well. John weighed 8 lbs. and 3 oz, and his was 20 inches long. They are expected to come home from the hospital on Monday.

Steve for the Patrick’s

Need help with picky eaters!!!!!

Please help me with a creative idea to have my children eat!!! Last night my husband was packing up the dvds to mail to Africa because they would not eat their mini portions of green beans over a 2 hour time span. I am so not enjoying this and ready to make pb& js for every meal!!! Please help this microwave maven attempting to cook family meals

Women of Wisdom

Marshall MOPS Meeting Place
Ok women of wisdom, I want to know everyone's favorite family websites. I know you guys are a wealth of info! Lay in on me.

Still No Baby

Several people having asked how I'm feeling and if I've had the baby yet. So, I'm giving this update. My belly is very big and tight!! I am mostly comfortable until evening when I generally get some mild heartburn. I just drink a little milk and it goes away. On Thursday the doctor checked my cervix and said the baby was still high, but it could be any day. I'm not having any contractions or anything, but I didn't contract with the others until I was in labor. They were both two days early so we're kinda thinking we may have a baby before Saturday, but there's really no way to know. I'm not as anxious to have this one as I was with the first two so if he comes late, I won't be disappointed. I don't want to go on too much longer with this big bump in my front though. I'll send out another update if anything happens.

When He changes our plans...

Well, I am 3 days post surgery and had really intended to pop out of bed this morning and be ready to go. That was all well and good until I sat up ...not as easily done as yesterday. I decided I needed to just walk around and loosen up a little and I would feel fine. Twenty minutes later I was back in bed in pain and wondering how in the world I was going to take the boys to Monsters Inc on Ice as promised today. They were getting so excited and I mustered up a smile when I stood partially straight up and told Rex their might be a change of plans. Rex asked if he needed to take the boys for me, I reluctantly told him I thought so. Luckily this worked out for my friend Kellie and her daughter even being at the last minute. I started to feel like I had let my guys down and then I was heartened to see the beaming smiles on their faces when they heard they would be spending their time with Daddy instead. Hey, hunting season means very little Daddy time. So God worked this out for the best! In the light of eternity...it was not worth stressing over. A lesson learned for me. Oh and one more thing... probably not a good idea to clean out your closet the day after surgery - :(

Blessings
Trish

Booksfree.com

I wanted to share this site with my fellow readers. This is a service that is sort of like netflix for books. You pay a fee per month and then they send you a certain number of books and then you send them back. The shipping to and fro is free, of course. I am not a member anymore because I can barely keep up with my magazine subscriptions at the moment. I thought it was good because it was cheaper than amazon and the bookstore, plus you didn't have to take up space at your house with the book once you were finished with it. Also, you don't have to leave the house to get your books!

DeFrazzlin' the Holidays

This morning I attended a lady's brunch at my church that they called "DeFrazzlin' the Holiday". I didn't really go so I could get advice about how to get defrazzled during the holidays. (This year I plan to let everyone else do the cooking and stuff since I'll have a newborn not to mention two other preschoolers.) I went to the brunch because I knew it would be one of the last opportunities for me to socialize with other women and eat some good food before the baby is born. However, as God would have it, He taught me something. Cari and her family have a saying that goes something like this, "In the light of eternity, what difference does it make?" Cari shared that with us once and I've never forgotten it. It always helps me focus on what's really important in this life. There are so many things that are important to US, that we get wrapped up in things that don't really matter to God. Then today, our preacher's wife shared that she had learned to pray like this, "Dear Lord, please make it not matter." So, this holiday season as you are stressing about cleaning, cooking, shopping, family visits, and all the other things that go along with this time of year, try to remember that prayer. I know I will.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS.....

My surgery went well and I am healing nicely. My doctor feels very positive about my prognosis and says we will know if this will stop my migraines in the next few months. God is in control now and I am grateful for that!

Thank you again for all of your prayers and calls and those who have brought food and I look forward to seeing everyone soon!

Blessings
Trish

In-Laws

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When I first began dating my husband I met his brother and sister-in-law. She and I talked, eager to get to know each other. I would even go as far to say that we enjoyed each other's company. I cannot put a date to it but, at some point the dynamics of our relationship changed. We are now competing but I am not sure what for.
It plays out at family functions with cheap shots, sly off-the-tongue jabs and continuous animosity. If she complains about her dramatic birth then I mention my effortless labor. If someone compliments the flowers in my garden she is sure to mention she is above gardening. After all, thats "why we have a gardener!" Our "one-upping" each other is abnoxious.
Even as my mother-in-law layed in her hospital bed dying of cancer, my sister-in-law and I "joked" around about who she loved more. As we both proclaimed that we were loved more, my dear, sweet mother-in-law always had the same response, "I love you both the same." Bless her heart for even putting up with us even at the end.
You must understand that my sister-in-law is a nice, christian women. She is adored by many. And likewise, I am a reasonably nice christian woman. We literally bring out the worse in each other. I have never had this kind of relationship before!
Last year, we recieved a Thanksgiving miracle. In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving I prayed that God would hold my tongue and make me be nice towards her. It was a wonderful holiday. When she began to pick and try to instigate, my mouth remained closed. Ladies, my mouth rarely remains closed! It was a true miracle from God!
A few weeks ago I began praying for my tongue and our relationship. For some reason it does not seem to be helping this year. I know I still have a few more weeks but still, I am already annoyed with her. We found out today that our niece and nephew were both saved and scheduled to be baptised this sunday. They did not bother to tell us! My husband happened to call about something else and found out.
I am struggling and need words of encouragement. I long to be positive and well...just plain nice!
I know this is long but I crave the therapy of writing. It has helped even if not one comment is written.

Trish

Marshall MOPS Meeting Place
GOOD LUCK tomorow! I will be praying for you.
Please let me know if there is anything you need.

Exchange

Marshall MOPS Meeting Place
I have a ton of books that sit on my shelf collecting dust. Does anyone else? It happens again and again. I begin to pursue a book. Its at the library but always checked out. Amazon.com to the rescue.
One of my good friends told be about her favorite book "Captivating." We live far apart so I was not able to borrow her's. By the time I went out and bought it, I vaguley remembered the name. As it turns out, I got the wrong book. Another book on the shelf.
So, all this said...does anyone have this book I can borrow? Would anyone like to borrow some of my books?
I don't like clutter so I love to lend or give things away!
I also get a ton of magazines because I do most of my shopping online. During naptime I can buy Christmas presents for 10 people. A couple more presents and I will be done with my shopping for Christmas! The variety of volume of catalogues I get is overwhelming. I usually recycle them but if anyone else would like to do some naptime shopping let me know. I have everything from unusual home decor to unique baby items.