What a day. I won't go into it all except to say we did pictures today. I am exhausted to say the least.
We did some pictures because Hannah turned 3 months on Saturday! That happened so fast. She rolled from front to back yesterday by rocking her legs back and forth and arching her back until she twisted around on her back.That means she can now roll both back to front and front to back. She can hold up her head and much of her torso steadily when placed on her stomach. She can laugh, smile, "talk", and loves her family more each day. And we love her too. Our lives are somehow more complete with her here. I'm so thankful she is mine.
Last Wednesday we took a trip out to Research park near campus to see the ducks and turtles. It ended up being a great science lesson because we used my phone to identify all the types and species of animal we saw. The kids loved matching the pictures to what they were seeing live. Gotta love natural teachable moments.
Thursday Hannah went to her last moms meeting. She will have to go to childcare from now on because she is too old to be in the room with me. We've been putting her in class on Sunday mornings for the Bible study hour, so I know she can do it and will do fine. I will be sad not to be holding her, but the little ladies in the nursery love on them like crazy. She went into childcare for my bible study class on Tuesday and she was the only baby for 4 teachers (a few kids were obviously out). She got more attention in that hour than I could do all day. I am so thankful for a church that loves children!
Friday we took a field trip to HEB with a bunch of moms and kiddos from my Moms group. The boys learned all about nutrition, had samples, got a goody bag, and got a picture with HEB Buddy at the end. A good time was had by all, especially since Hannah slept through the whole thing!
Saturday was a rainy rainy day, but that didn't stop us. I received a free Sam's membership so Francis, the kids and I went to redeem it and check out the store. We bought a few things which we could handle getting in bulk (like paper towels) and after we got home I calculated how much we saved. It was crazy how buying bulk adds up. Thanks for the free membership, Sam's!!! It could not have come at a better time. We followed our Sam's trip with Best Buy, then Chick-fil-a and then went home as the rain was just beating down. It rained the rest of the day and night and into the next day, which meant Saturday night was Family movie night. We watched Fantasia 2000. Went great with the rain sound.
Sunday evening was Fall Fest. I was still raining so we had to move it indoors. Hannah dressed up as a flower, Robert was Iron man and William was Captain America. They had a great time and got a ton of candy (at least the boys did). They had inflatables, games, and tons of food. We are at the point where if there is free food, we'll be there. On top of it, the food was delicious. Win!
Monday we did the grocery store. I managed to clip $20 worth of coupons and get another $10 back on my Ibotta app. I'm working hard to save us some money, and I am beginning to notice a difference.
Yesterday was Bible Study. The kids and I played Legos all afternoon building a bit of a city by the time we were done. The laundry is still not put away, school work didn't get done, and the house didn't get cleaned. Still worth every minute. When Francis came home, he watched the kids for a bit so I could catch up on some chores. Thanks honey!
Today, as I said, we did pictures. Nothing worked as planned, but it is in the past now, and I won't dwell in it. The good thing that came from it is the lady felt bad and comped me a couple of things that I could not have afforded otherwise. God is good, and the lady was super kind.
That's all for now!
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
October 20, 2015
I've tried to start this blog about 20 times now. I'm having trouble. Perhaps it's the kid in my arms who is almost asleep, but keeps rousing herself and giving me a goofy smile. Perhaps it is the excessive wall banging in the next room from a 2 year old who won't nap. Perhaps it is because it is Tuesday afternoon aka the day I realize how little I got done on Monday. Whatever the reason, please bear with me.
Oh my sweet Hannah is just adorable as ever. She can now aim for something and grab it with her hands. She is loving this new ability. She also learned to roll from back to front yesterday. She loves this ability less. When she does it, she yells until I pick her up or roll her back on her back. It's a little funny. Speaking of funny, Hannah has developed a sense of humor. She laughs when she finds something to be funny. The source of most of her giggles: her brothers. Yesterday she laughed for a good 15+ minutes at her brothers jumping up and down on the bed. It was so hilarious she even snorted. It made this momma's heart so happy. Hannah is not only growing mentally and emotionally, she is also growing physically. On Friday she took a 4 hour nap and woke up no longer fitting in her 3 month onesie. As in it would no longer snap when it snapped before nap. She is now (at 2 1/2 months) in 6 month clothes. She's long and lovely!
Robert and the potty training saga continue. He's doing well at home, but up until Sunday would not go for his teachers at church. He even went poop on the potty 3 times this week, including yesterday when he went to the potty all by himself, pooped and then showed me. I did a happy dance for that one. Sunday Robert went on the potty once just fine for his teachers. They asked him a little while later if he needed to go again. He responded yes, pulled down his pants and went in the classroom. I know most every kid (especially boys) does this at some point, and his teachers were good sports. So note to self: be close to the potty when asking Robert to go. Robert is becoming very polite. I gave him the ketchup he asked for at lunch yesterday and he responded with a clear, crisp, unsolicited "thank you". He also says please when asking for things. Quite a little gentleman!
William will be finishing his Math book today. I went ahead and bought the 1st grade book to see how far we get in it before it's too hard. We also have begun reading simple easy readers using William's sight words. He's doing a great job recognizing words and using the picture, letters and context clues to help. We've tried sounding out words but he's not there yet. We've also been talking about God, rules and sin a lot. William has so many questions, and I love that he feels ok asking me. He's memorizing so much scripture and together we talk about what it means. I pray his little heart grows tender to the nudging of the Holy Spirit (as I do for all my children).
Francis's birthday was Friday. We took him out to Cotton Patch Cafe for dinner, and then let him open presents and cards back home. The boys spent the two previous days making Francis's cake and decorating it. It was a fun lesson on baking and since I have let the boys make and help with the cake for the past 3 years, I guess it is a tradition now. Saturday we had a party with some of the Brower clan to celebrate Francis' 29th birthday. We had pizza and cake, the kids played and watched a movie, and the adults played settlers of Catan (I won!). It was truly a wonderful time. Happy Birthday, my love!!!!
That's really all I can type now. I just walked into the boys room and found Robert standing on William's head (William was asleep but is no longer). I guess naptime's a bust!
Till next time.
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
October 13, 2015
After a day like Friday before last, you'd think the weekend would have been blown. But thankfully God is gracious and he allowed me to find joy in between moments of distinct sadness.. Saturday before last, the kids and I went to the State Fair of Texas with my mom, sister Danielle, her boyfriend Kevin, my Aunt Camille, and my grandfather Japapa. It was Hannah's first time at the fair. She loved looking around at everything. We did the annual puppet show "world on a string" and Hannah wanted to watch the whole thing "standing" (me holding her with her legs stiff). I tried to nurse her more than once and she would scream at me every time until I would lift her so she could see the show again. Same went for the parade and fireworks show that evening. Hannah's a fan of the fair! The boys had a great time too. they enjoyed the food, shows, and company. William got to go see a museum with Japapa (aka William Thweatt), and the two had a fun time bonding. William came back and told me "That Japapa, he's a cool guy!" It melts my heart to see him enjoying his relatives. Robert was pretty flexible too. My kids are good sports, because we never slowed down!
Sunday afternoon, we attended a babies shower at my mom's house for Christian and Chad. They are having twins and I am so excited to meet Alexandra and Issac. Mom and pop, Japapa, my aunts Bup and Camille, Chad's parents as well as some of my cousins and their kids were there. It was so fun. The theme was Noah's Ark and we played name the baby animal. The cake was a masterpiece by my Aunt Bup. I wish you could have seen it! Chad and Christian got many wonderful gifts, and we were able to pray over them as they embark on this great journey. I look forward to seeing God glorified through them and their family.
After the shower, my cousin Summer and Aunt Bup asked my mom for a tour of the property. As soon as mom had left the house, we quickly took down all the shower decorations and put up birthdya decorations. My mom's birthday was the 10th, but we were not able to be there so we decided to throw her a Frozen/Sound of Music Suprise birthday party. The cake and decorations were adorable (thanks Aunt Bup and Aunt Camille!). When mom came back in, she noticed the decorations were different and we all yelled "Suprise! Happy Birthday!" She was indeed surprised and happily so. We gave her a tiara and a bunch of cards to tell her how much she is loved. The cake had some of her favorite things on it. We gave her tickets to the upcoming Sound of Music show in Dallas. She's a special lady, my mom. I wish I was able to tell her that more often.
This past week has been a blur of trying to get stuff back in order. I think Friday was the first day I managed not to have a major mental breakdown. We managed to get a new car on Friday and it was surprisingly rather painless. We got another 2015 Toyota Sienna that is very similar to the one we had and I really like it. As we were leaving the salesman told me that the car had only come on the lot in the last shipment the Friday before(the same day I totaled the car). I got some goosebumps over God's provision.
Saturday we went with the Phillips' clan to a pumpkin patch outside of Houston. The kids played games and did fall activities. It was hot so we had snowcones, but poor Robert fell asleep just as his Nana got to the front of the line. Don't worry, she bought another for him when he woke up. We finished off the evening having dinner at Cyndy and Chris's house. I had not gotten to see it before, but I like it. It was a good day with good company.
Sunday the boys and Francis all wore matching A&M polos to church. It was so cute. The boys looked so gorwn up and Francis looked so proud. College Station looks good on them.
Hannah has been growing by leaps and bounds. She is happy and content as can be. She is fine tuning her looking and reaching for things. She can now get the toy on her mat that is above her head. She giggle laughed at me for the first time yesterday afternoon and did it again last night while I was making faces at her. Sweeter sounds you cannot imagine. oh! And She managed to sleep 6 hours straight for the first time Saturday night again again on Sunday night. yaAY! She doesn't really fit in 3 month clothing anymore. I'm trying to get her in them as long as I can. She's growing so fast!!
Robert is doing ok with potty training. He does great at home, but holds it when we are out. The only exception was at the fair. Other than that, he will pretty much only go at people's houses. I am hoping he will go soon for the church workers. He just politely says no and holds it. Poor kid.
William is an ace at subtracting now. We just started a week or so ago. I went ahead and bought the 1st grade math book because he will finish the kindergarten one this week. He's a math whiz!
That's all for now.
Sunday afternoon, we attended a babies shower at my mom's house for Christian and Chad. They are having twins and I am so excited to meet Alexandra and Issac. Mom and pop, Japapa, my aunts Bup and Camille, Chad's parents as well as some of my cousins and their kids were there. It was so fun. The theme was Noah's Ark and we played name the baby animal. The cake was a masterpiece by my Aunt Bup. I wish you could have seen it! Chad and Christian got many wonderful gifts, and we were able to pray over them as they embark on this great journey. I look forward to seeing God glorified through them and their family.
After the shower, my cousin Summer and Aunt Bup asked my mom for a tour of the property. As soon as mom had left the house, we quickly took down all the shower decorations and put up birthdya decorations. My mom's birthday was the 10th, but we were not able to be there so we decided to throw her a Frozen/Sound of Music Suprise birthday party. The cake and decorations were adorable (thanks Aunt Bup and Aunt Camille!). When mom came back in, she noticed the decorations were different and we all yelled "Suprise! Happy Birthday!" She was indeed surprised and happily so. We gave her a tiara and a bunch of cards to tell her how much she is loved. The cake had some of her favorite things on it. We gave her tickets to the upcoming Sound of Music show in Dallas. She's a special lady, my mom. I wish I was able to tell her that more often.
This past week has been a blur of trying to get stuff back in order. I think Friday was the first day I managed not to have a major mental breakdown. We managed to get a new car on Friday and it was surprisingly rather painless. We got another 2015 Toyota Sienna that is very similar to the one we had and I really like it. As we were leaving the salesman told me that the car had only come on the lot in the last shipment the Friday before(the same day I totaled the car). I got some goosebumps over God's provision.
Saturday we went with the Phillips' clan to a pumpkin patch outside of Houston. The kids played games and did fall activities. It was hot so we had snowcones, but poor Robert fell asleep just as his Nana got to the front of the line. Don't worry, she bought another for him when he woke up. We finished off the evening having dinner at Cyndy and Chris's house. I had not gotten to see it before, but I like it. It was a good day with good company.
Sunday the boys and Francis all wore matching A&M polos to church. It was so cute. The boys looked so gorwn up and Francis looked so proud. College Station looks good on them.
Hannah has been growing by leaps and bounds. She is happy and content as can be. She is fine tuning her looking and reaching for things. She can now get the toy on her mat that is above her head. She giggle laughed at me for the first time yesterday afternoon and did it again last night while I was making faces at her. Sweeter sounds you cannot imagine. oh! And She managed to sleep 6 hours straight for the first time Saturday night again again on Sunday night. yaAY! She doesn't really fit in 3 month clothing anymore. I'm trying to get her in them as long as I can. She's growing so fast!!
Robert is doing ok with potty training. He does great at home, but holds it when we are out. The only exception was at the fair. Other than that, he will pretty much only go at people's houses. I am hoping he will go soon for the church workers. He just politely says no and holds it. Poor kid.
William is an ace at subtracting now. We just started a week or so ago. I went ahead and bought the 1st grade math book because he will finish the kindergarten one this week. He's a math whiz!
That's all for now.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
October 6, 2015
The Worst Day of My life:
I haven't had many people close to me die in my almost 30 years, and few major life events that would alter my thinking so significantly as Friday. That is why Friday was the worst day of my life thus far. I am aware it could have been much worse, and I will likely have worse days to come, but Friday will likely always be in the top 10.
It started off like any day. I packed up the car and went to play date. We ate lunch in the car and headed out to Dallas for the weekend. The trip was rough. I kept having to stop for potty breaks and feedings. I was taking ,y time knowing in the back of my head that I really needed to beat rush hour traffic. Finally all the kids were asleep and I found myself praying, praising God for His goodness. I asked him for a smooth trip with the caveat, "if you have something else in mind for our trip, Lord, use it for your glory."
A while later, we got into Dallas and traffic was thick on HWY 75. It would get up to 50 and then stop on a dime. I had seen people swerve to miss others more than once as things came to a halt. Then it started moving. In an instant the car in front of me hits his brakes, lets off the brakes and hits them again coming to a near immediate stop. I hit the brakes so hard and the nightmare I have had so many nights happened, I knew I couldn't stop. In a flash everything was white as the airbags deployed. A second jolt came almost as fast as the first as the woman behind me couldn't stop either. Screaming. Screaming of my children in the back seat. I push open the door and climb in the back. I get out Hannah first as the boys are screaming at me. William says his shoulder hurts. Hannah won't calm down. Robert has tears streaming down his face. 30 seconds seems like an eternity. The woman behind me hops out, sees the state I'm in and offers to hold Hannah while I get the boys out. I get William out of his seat to check him out and he says he's fine, but wants to know why the TV isn't working. Robert is similarly perturbed that the movie has stopped. They are fine, and now Hannah is cooing at the lady who is holding her. The firemen arrive. The boys are happy that they are getting so much attention and they get stickers for being brave. The man in front of me comes to see if I'm ok. He's wearing scrubs and tells me not to worry. He knows it couldn't have been avoided and that everything but people are replaceable. The woman behind me is equally comforting. I realize that I am shaking and repeating myself that the car just wouldn't stop. I'm sure I was in shock. A fireman is able to get my car over to the median along with the other two vehicles. The police arrive and Hannah and I are able to catch a ride over to where my car and the boys now are. I give my statement. My parents arrive in two cars. I only vaguely remember calling them. They get the kids and all of the belongings out of my car and into theirs. I'm limping a bit, but too adrenaline filled to notice. The cops even try to comfort me. I must have been a mess to have so many people feel so sorry for me. In fact I know I was a mess. I get a ticket for failure to control speed (which is generally what you get whenever you rear end someone), which is when the officer tells me that there was an accident in front of me as well as on the other side of the highway at almost the same time. He says it happens all the time along here, and not to worry as everyone is ok. The tow truck arrives and Hannah and I ride with my dad back to the house while I talk to the insurance company. We meet up with my mom and the boys at my parents' house.
After a bit we go have dinner and I go by Toys R' Us to get the boys new car seats. You can't use them once they've been in an accident. I go to the check out and my card is declined. You read that right. We had charged a bunch on my credit card for moving expenses (to get the points), but had already paid it off. I called and although they had received and processed the payment, the payment "doesn't post officially until midnight", so I don't have enough credit to purchase the seats...I cry (as I imagine you would have too) and they transfer me to the credit department where I thankfully get a grandmother with grand kids my kids ages. She hears my situation and immediately resolves the problem. It's been close to an hour since the whole mess started. It's past the kids' bed time as we head back to my parents. I get in the door, sit down, tell the boys it is time for bath (knowing it will take a couple of minutes for me to actually corral them into the bathroom), and the power goes out. Not kidding. After an hour of waiting for the power to come back, the boys are put to bed with no bath. The power stays out for another hour. When it finally comes on, I check out my lower left leg. It's black, blue, yellow, and very swollen. And. It. Hurts. Ice packs help some. I finally get to bed, but it doesn't matter. I can't sleep. I am up replaying it all in my head over and over. I nearly wiped out almost my whole family. Sleep does not come.
There it is. I do want to make one statement here. Even though it was the worst day, it does not negate God's goodness. His protection and provision through the people involved was nothing short of miraculous. There are a thousand little things leading up to and after the accident that could have gone so much differently with much more disastrous results. Even if we had all died, He is still good. I am not sure how this will be used for His glory, but I pray I will see it in my lifetime. This whole thing has been a humbling experience, and I thank God that He is in my life to see me through it.
Please pray for me. I am still limping, I'm sore, and the whole of me aches with an indefinable pain. Pray I will be able to recognize the Holy conviction, self-condemnation, and satan's attacks and deal with each accordingly as I sort through my emotional baggage. Pray for the driver of each of the other cars... that they would come to know Him if they do not already and that He would bless them for their kindness. Pray for the cops and first respondents. I know they have hard jobs. And finally pray for my family, both immediate and extended. I know I gave them a good scare. My children see I'm not myself, and Francis is doing His best to comfort and pray for me. I think I'm ok and then I'm suddenly not. I know I'll come out of this, but I don't want to force it. I am praying for divine healing of my spirit.
Thank you for reading as I sort this all out. If you see me this week, give me a hug, pray over me, but don't ask me how I'm doing. Nothing personal, but I'll most likely break into tears if today is any example. I'm doing ok, and living by God's grace.
I haven't had many people close to me die in my almost 30 years, and few major life events that would alter my thinking so significantly as Friday. That is why Friday was the worst day of my life thus far. I am aware it could have been much worse, and I will likely have worse days to come, but Friday will likely always be in the top 10.
It started off like any day. I packed up the car and went to play date. We ate lunch in the car and headed out to Dallas for the weekend. The trip was rough. I kept having to stop for potty breaks and feedings. I was taking ,y time knowing in the back of my head that I really needed to beat rush hour traffic. Finally all the kids were asleep and I found myself praying, praising God for His goodness. I asked him for a smooth trip with the caveat, "if you have something else in mind for our trip, Lord, use it for your glory."
A while later, we got into Dallas and traffic was thick on HWY 75. It would get up to 50 and then stop on a dime. I had seen people swerve to miss others more than once as things came to a halt. Then it started moving. In an instant the car in front of me hits his brakes, lets off the brakes and hits them again coming to a near immediate stop. I hit the brakes so hard and the nightmare I have had so many nights happened, I knew I couldn't stop. In a flash everything was white as the airbags deployed. A second jolt came almost as fast as the first as the woman behind me couldn't stop either. Screaming. Screaming of my children in the back seat. I push open the door and climb in the back. I get out Hannah first as the boys are screaming at me. William says his shoulder hurts. Hannah won't calm down. Robert has tears streaming down his face. 30 seconds seems like an eternity. The woman behind me hops out, sees the state I'm in and offers to hold Hannah while I get the boys out. I get William out of his seat to check him out and he says he's fine, but wants to know why the TV isn't working. Robert is similarly perturbed that the movie has stopped. They are fine, and now Hannah is cooing at the lady who is holding her. The firemen arrive. The boys are happy that they are getting so much attention and they get stickers for being brave. The man in front of me comes to see if I'm ok. He's wearing scrubs and tells me not to worry. He knows it couldn't have been avoided and that everything but people are replaceable. The woman behind me is equally comforting. I realize that I am shaking and repeating myself that the car just wouldn't stop. I'm sure I was in shock. A fireman is able to get my car over to the median along with the other two vehicles. The police arrive and Hannah and I are able to catch a ride over to where my car and the boys now are. I give my statement. My parents arrive in two cars. I only vaguely remember calling them. They get the kids and all of the belongings out of my car and into theirs. I'm limping a bit, but too adrenaline filled to notice. The cops even try to comfort me. I must have been a mess to have so many people feel so sorry for me. In fact I know I was a mess. I get a ticket for failure to control speed (which is generally what you get whenever you rear end someone), which is when the officer tells me that there was an accident in front of me as well as on the other side of the highway at almost the same time. He says it happens all the time along here, and not to worry as everyone is ok. The tow truck arrives and Hannah and I ride with my dad back to the house while I talk to the insurance company. We meet up with my mom and the boys at my parents' house.
After a bit we go have dinner and I go by Toys R' Us to get the boys new car seats. You can't use them once they've been in an accident. I go to the check out and my card is declined. You read that right. We had charged a bunch on my credit card for moving expenses (to get the points), but had already paid it off. I called and although they had received and processed the payment, the payment "doesn't post officially until midnight", so I don't have enough credit to purchase the seats...I cry (as I imagine you would have too) and they transfer me to the credit department where I thankfully get a grandmother with grand kids my kids ages. She hears my situation and immediately resolves the problem. It's been close to an hour since the whole mess started. It's past the kids' bed time as we head back to my parents. I get in the door, sit down, tell the boys it is time for bath (knowing it will take a couple of minutes for me to actually corral them into the bathroom), and the power goes out. Not kidding. After an hour of waiting for the power to come back, the boys are put to bed with no bath. The power stays out for another hour. When it finally comes on, I check out my lower left leg. It's black, blue, yellow, and very swollen. And. It. Hurts. Ice packs help some. I finally get to bed, but it doesn't matter. I can't sleep. I am up replaying it all in my head over and over. I nearly wiped out almost my whole family. Sleep does not come.
There it is. I do want to make one statement here. Even though it was the worst day, it does not negate God's goodness. His protection and provision through the people involved was nothing short of miraculous. There are a thousand little things leading up to and after the accident that could have gone so much differently with much more disastrous results. Even if we had all died, He is still good. I am not sure how this will be used for His glory, but I pray I will see it in my lifetime. This whole thing has been a humbling experience, and I thank God that He is in my life to see me through it.
Please pray for me. I am still limping, I'm sore, and the whole of me aches with an indefinable pain. Pray I will be able to recognize the Holy conviction, self-condemnation, and satan's attacks and deal with each accordingly as I sort through my emotional baggage. Pray for the driver of each of the other cars... that they would come to know Him if they do not already and that He would bless them for their kindness. Pray for the cops and first respondents. I know they have hard jobs. And finally pray for my family, both immediate and extended. I know I gave them a good scare. My children see I'm not myself, and Francis is doing His best to comfort and pray for me. I think I'm ok and then I'm suddenly not. I know I'll come out of this, but I don't want to force it. I am praying for divine healing of my spirit.
Thank you for reading as I sort this all out. If you see me this week, give me a hug, pray over me, but don't ask me how I'm doing. Nothing personal, but I'll most likely break into tears if today is any example. I'm doing ok, and living by God's grace.
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