Friday, April 30, 2010

Ethan Michael turned 8

Wow... I'm so far behind on blogging. Sometimes you just have to be in the mood.

September 11, 2001 I remember laying on the couch in the living room while Abigail, who had just turned 1, was sleeping in her crib in her room. I turned on the tv and EVERY channel had images of the twin towers. They kept replaying it over and over. There was so much confusion as people didn't really know what was going on at first.

As the first few hours went by and they discovered what was going on I suddenly was overcome with great fear. I was only 2 months pregnant at the time and I found myself questioning why in the world we would want to bring children into this horrible world. I started feeling panicy (is that a word and is it spelled right?? too lazy to go look.) and wished that the Lord would come back RIGHT NOW. I'd never know my unborn child but that would mean he/she would never know this evil world.

As quickly as the fear came upon me, the peace of God came upon me. He reminded me that HE has a plan. He has a plan for "my" baby. He will use the child growing in my womb to share His love with the world. If He puts it like that how can I be afraid? I am responsible for training this child in the way he/she should go.

The first week in December 2001 I learned that the baby was a BOY. To say I was shocked is an understatement. I grew up in a home of only girls- I was the middle sister. No brothers. Both of my sisters had already given birth to their first children who were GIRLS. And my first child was a GIRL. What in the world was I going to do with a boy?? After the shock wore off, and both of my sisters followed me by delivering BOYS for "round 2", I was very excited at the thought of having a son. This world needs some good men. Hopefully my daughters-in-law will think we have done an okay job. ;)

Ethan's delivery was a PIECE OF CAKE. Into the surgery room. Delivered. Held him as they wheeled me back to recovery. No health problems.

Ethan had the normal behavior issues around age 2 1/2-3. Super Nanny worked great for a while but accepting Jesus into his heart was what made a major change in his behavior. (It hasn't worked like that for every one of my children but it was VERY obvious in Ethan.)

Today Ethan is a sweet boy. Very sensitive to his mother. Very quiet when he's in the group of siblings. Get him on his own though and he can talk your ear off. He's always building something with Legos or hotwheels track. Doesn't talk back. RARELY gets into trouble and if he does it's usually cause he was in the wrong place at the wrong time OR he's tired. I am so thankful that the Lord has allowed me to know him. I can't wait to see how the Lord will use him.

Here are a few pics from his birthday- April 16, 2010.

A LEGO birthday party. Aunt Brooke made his cake since my arm was in a sling. She did an excellent job. (Ethan built the decor for her to put on the cake.)

Opening gifts. LOTS of cousins/siblings- 14 total.

Blake & cousin Autumn waiting with Ethan for the Birthday Song.

The Birthday Boy wearing his new LEGO shirt from Aunt Dawn. Can't believe he's 8 years old already.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Tower

I thought Ali would never get this tower built. They did this over and over and over and over...



Haiku

Today in history we were studying about when China invaded Korea. Korea got tough and kicked the Chinese out. Korea then became friends with Japan... just in case. And the story goes on.

The kids learned what a Haiku was. I knew Abigail would take to it but I was SHOCKED the both boys enjoed it also. We made sloppy copies and then copied it onto a new paper and illustrated them.

Blake's sloppy copy was neater than his final copy. In case you can't read his writing, his says:

SNOW
Cold days in the snow.
Icicles hang from our house.
It is fun to play.


Ethan's

Abigail's

Mine (was supposed to be helping Ali but she got in trouble and I worked alone.)

Momma's Joy

The only thing that warms my heart more than hearing my children recite memorized scripture, is knowing they believe what they have memorized. :)

This was our first year in the AWANA program. Ethan & Blake were both Sparks and they both completed their entire book. That equals a ton of scripture memory. Abigail  finished almost three chapters in her book. It's lot more difficult for the older kids.

Anyway, I am SUPER proud of Ethan, Blake, & Abigail.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Chase Turns 1

On April 13th my fifth-born turned ONE!!!!! I can't believe this year has flown by so quickly.

When Mike & I got married we hadn't exactly discussed how many children we wanted to try and have. At least I don't remember discussing it. When our first was born it was only about two months later that I was ready for a second child. We did wait until Abigail was 11 months to start working on it. After the second one was born we decided we'd have only one more and be done. We both grew up in homes with 3 kids and thought 3 was a good number. But, after the third baby was here we just felt that urge and knew that our family was not complete. So against the advice of many we asked and were granted a fourth baby.

Each of the first four kids are equally spaced out- 20, 21, & 22 months apart. We were then done. Or at least that is what everyone else told us. I went through a brief depression after having Alison.

41 months after our fourth baby we welcomed Chase Alan Murphy into the world. I don't regret it for one second. He's so precious. An extremely CALM & QUIET little guy which if you know our other kids is amazing. He's so smiley and loves to cuddle. It is awesome to see how the addition of another child changes a family. Different qualities are revealed in your children as they care for a younger sibling. Don't get me wrong. I NEVER ask the kids to be "parent" to Chase. I am the Mom and they are children. I'm referring to them running for a blanket because they know that is what Chase wants. OR giving Chase toys in the crib in the morning because he is awake and it's not time to get up.

Anyway, I could go on an on because I love my children so much and love how they love each other. (No, it's not always love around here. We all have our moments.)

Chase had a monkey themed birthday party. I scanned one of his party plates into the computer and created an iron-on to make him a birthday t-shirt. My younger sister Brooke made his cake for me since I am out of commission. It was awesome. Chase was happy. :) We had the party at Brooke's house.




After gifts & cake Chase wanted to put on fresh clothes and play with his cousin Ryleigh. She's only 20 days older. :) They are good friends.


On Chase's REAL birthdate we had a brief family party at home.


He actually got this gift early because he was grouchy from his cold and I felt sorry for him. :)






Shoulder Surgery

(The "D" on the laptop is sticking and I need to dust inside here. So, if you are reading and a D is missing you'll know why!!)

I have blogged about my shoulder issues in the past so I won't go through that all again. If you want to know the history you can find it in a previous blog. Today I will be blogging about the days since the surgery.

On April 5th I went to Dublin Surgical Center early in the morning to have a few things repaired arthroscopically. I had a torn rotator cuff, slap lesion, and a few other minor issues. The surgery started early and when the doctor got inside my shoulder he discovered things were worse than he had originally seen on the MRI pics.

It was tough waking from anesthesia and they love to push you out of the facility before you are ready. I kept telling them I was going to throw up but the nurse said I'd be more comfortable at home. So we tried to get get out of my gown and into my regular clothes but nobody told us were wouldn't be able to take the sling off. How do you get a shirt on over top of a sling?? I ended up wearing my gown home and we cut a t-shirt a few days later so that I could change my clothes.

This is a pic of me when I first came home from the surgery. It might be from the second day since the first day I slept a lot. Don't you think I'm gorgeous?? Ugh. I was a mess. My eyes look drugged for sure.


The first few days are kind of a blur. LOTS of Percocet. My shoulder/arm was numb for the first 18 hours at least. The Percocet made me itch like crazy but after 4-5 days that side effect stopped.

4 days after surgery I had to get my dressing changed.


I then was able to shower and dry my hair. That felt GREAT!! I even put my contacts on. :) Abigail gave me a ponytail that day. (Still look drugged.)


Ten days after surgery I was able to get my stitches out. Before and After pics.


It is now 17 days post op. My pain is minimal. I started PT yesterday. It was extremely painful at times and I wanted to scream STOP but I know it's for my own good. I have 4 exercises to do 3 times a day. I follow it up with a 15 minute icing. I haven't taken Percocet since Saturday but have replaced it with about 9-12 Ibuprofen a day. The therapist said I should be able to reach up towards my hair by the end of next week. I hope that is true. I miss my bangs. AND I miss my straightener. I miss putting sparkly clips in. I MISS GIVING MYSELF A PONYTAIL!!!!

I'm still wearing the sling for at least 11 more days. I can take it off to shower or change clothes AND to do my exercises.

I am so thankful for all of the friends and family who have brought us meals, watched the kids, driven me around, given me a PONYTAIL, etc. The Lord has truly blessed us and each person is a little piece of joy that is making this time easier for us.

Will update in the future as the PT progresses.

PS
I think I'll be back to making cakes in about 2 weeks. I'm really excited about this. It's been about 4 weeks since I decorated a cake.

Simple Woman's Daybook

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Outside my window... total blackness and a growing garden.

I am thinking... that I have so much to blog about and I'm getting tired.

I am thankful for... so many great friends who have provided food for us these past 2 weeks AND/OR given words of encouragement.

From the learning rooms... China/Korea/Japan in history, stems in science, lots of journaling as certain books are coming to an end. So excited to be done. Assessment is May 12th but may be canceling  and going to someone a lot less expensive.

From the kitchen... tonight was lasagna from Jen Javorsky. SOOOOO tasty. I made corn with it. I gave Chase a hot dog cause I didn't feel like feeding him myself and didn't want to let him eat lasagna on his own. He's make a mess and need a bath which I can't give.

I am wearing... gray sweats & a gray MVNC Alumni t-shirt

I am creating... NOTHING right now and I'm okay with it.

I am going... to probably post 1 more blog and then go to sleep.

I am reading... STILL READING the Bible A LOT, Created to Be His Help Meet (thanks, Steph), Shepherding a Child's Heart. Same books as before. I'm a slow reader.

I am hoping... that when I turn off the light and my head hits this pillow that I have minimal pain and fall asleep immediately. Nervous without Mike here.

I am hearing... the humming of the computer and The Golden Girls on tv.

Around the house... super clean and very quiet.

One of my favorite things... laying back in the recliner with a warm blanket, a cup of hot tea, and a fresh breeze blowing through the windows.

Praying for... opportunity to share the Lord with someone

A Lyric or Two...
Oh no you never let go through the calm and through the storm.
Oh no you never let go in every high and ever low.
Oh no you never let go.
Lord you never let go of me.

A verse to share:
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:5-6

A few plans for the rest of the week: School Thurs. & Friday, PT Friday, SIL & niece/nephews coming over Friday evening to hang out, a Saturday morning walk at the park, time in the Lord's house

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... Mike modeling Chase's new shirt but secretly wishing it fit him. ;)

Come on now... you know you want to do this too!!!

The Sugar Doll Award

Hi. I am the recipient of the Sugar Doll Award and was tagged by my friend Kendra on her blog. My sling is off and I'm icing my shoulder so I thought I'd do this blog while I have both hands free to type. I must share seven things about myself and then I will tag 7 people when I'm done that I hope will do the same as I have. :)

1. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Korean dramas. I started watching them on the International Channel which became AZN and is now GONE. Now every few months I go to MySoju and watch a new drama. VERY clean. Great music. I LOVE the asian culture. I would love to speak Korean fluently and then somehow be used by the Lord in this area.

2. When I was a little girl I dreamed of being either a mom, a ballerina, or a teacher. I guess you could say I'm 2 for 3. :) I still have a heart for dancing an someday hope to take ballet lessons again... if I ever get back to the pre-children figure.

3. I don't like working with little kids. I LOVE my own kids and I love your kids. However, I would choose to work with any other age group than 3-8 years old.

4. I LOVE having babies. I'd keep going through that experience over and over and over again if I could. Sadly, a thin uterus from too many c-sections, not enough money or space in our home, and no more patience has put an end to that time in my life. I would love to adopt some day when my kids are older... or if ever the Lord brought someone in our path. In the meantime I LOVE hearing stories from my friends about the births of their children. I'm truly as happy for them as I would be for myself. I LOVE babies. They are truly gifts from the Lord. Miracles. :)

5. I don't love reading. It takes me forever to get through books. Once I get to the halfway point the second half goes quickly but getting to the halfway point could take days. I want to be a reader but I'm just not. I keep trying though.

6. I love peanut butter. Reese's Pieces or Cups are my favs. I would eat a peanut butter sandwich any day.

7. Mike & I got engaged inside one of the practice rooms in the MVNU chapel. I was practicing for a piano exam the following day.

I don't know who to tag so please feel free to blog this OR post a note on FB. :)

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Handbag Repair

Hello Blog Readers!

Terrible news. My Mom drove me (and all of my kids) to the orthopedic surgeon on Thursday so I could get my stitches out. On the way there I noticed the faux-buckle on front of my handbag had broken off leaving a weird and very noticeable mark. Although I was totally bummed cause I can't buy another purse right now, I decided to just switch to another bag that I had in the closet and forget about it.

Today I was going through my bags trying to decide which one I was "feeling" but I wasn't in the mood for any of them. I want to use the bag I was already using. It's just not fair. If only that mark wasn't there... blah, blah, blah.

BLING...an IDEA!

I am totally obsessed with flower headbands right now and there was another flower I was wanting to try. What if I make that flower and instead of putting it on a headband I put it on my bag- covering the horrible mark?? Forgot to  take a before pic but here is the flower glued to my bag.



PS
I need to make a few more of these and put one on a headband and put one on each flip flop. That is TOTALLY me!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Simple Woman's Daybook

Monday, April 12, 2010

Outside my window... quuiet & calm

I am thinking... that I shouldn't put some things off until the last minute

I am thankful for... percocet & LOTS of good friends who have taken care of me this past week

From the learning rooms... everyone is about done with language & writing. Between 4 & 6 math chapters left depending on the kid. Lots of motivation in Blake.

From the kitchen... Burritos.

I am wearing... gray sweats & gray MVNC Alumni t-shirt

I am creating... a patchwork quilt

I am going... to spend time reading when I'm home alone tomorrow.

I am reading... Shepherding a Child's heart. It's a great book. So much meat in it. Getting close to the end.

I am hoping... Amy's delivery is quick & easy.

I am hearing... the tv and a noisy laptop fan

Around the house... it's fairly clean

One of my favorite things... Lorne Doone cookies. yummy!!

Praying for... a friend who just had a baby, a friend who is about to have a baby, a friend whose back is out, my shoulder

A few plans for the rest of the week: Chase well visit, ortho surgeon, cleaning, sleepover, Ethan's birthday party.

Come on now... you know you want to do this too!!! http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
 

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Headbands

Gonna have to be a short post cause I'm falling asleep AND cause it takes too long to type with only one hand.

I have a new obsession. I love to decorate headbands. This is one I made for myself:

Not very detailed. I was trying to make something plain that I could wear often.

Next I tried a different style. This one is for Abigail.


I was tired and wanted to stop but I knew Alison would be mad if there wasn't one for her. So, I made Alison a smaller, and yellow, version of the first one I made:


There is another style of one that I want to make but I will save that for another day

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Simple Woman's Daybook

Monday, April 5, 2010

Outside my window... wet ground, a little sprinkling, mild thunder.

I am thinking... I should go to sleep.

I am thankful for... peace & comfort, GREAT friends, MIKE

From the learning rooms... NOTHING!! Taking the week off due to my surgery.

From the kitchen... roast/carrots in the crock pot, mashed potatoes, corn, biscuits. Thank you, Jack & Grace!!

I am wearing... pj capris & hospital gown cause I can't take it off.

I am creating... nothing for a while

I am going... to sleep.

I am reading... Shepherding a Child's heart. It's a great book.

I am hoping... my shoulder pain doesn't get too bad.

I am hearing... Mike snoring & a helicopter

Around the house... everyone is asleep

One of my favorite things... when Chase smiles at me

Praying for... patience, less pain

A few plans for the rest of the week: sitting on the recliner, doctor visit

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... My family


Come on now... you know you want to do this too!!! http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/