Black Friday

I promise to do a post about our Thanksgiving celebration soon, but wanted post a little description of my Black Friday excitement.

My Black Friday started late on Thursday night. Last year, a friend and I started going early to the sales on Friday morning. This year, with some of our "stops" planning to open at midnight, we thought about going at midnight instead of 5am on Friday. Because the stores had never opened that early, it was kind of a tough call whether or not we should go... would more people stay up late and come in at midnight, or would people sleep until 3 and go in then to beat th 5am crowd? We decided to make a run for it at midnight, and see what would happen. As we approched our only stop for the midnight run (Toy's R U), we realized that we were not alone in our attempt to save a few bucks. However, we were not the crazy ones, as we drove past those, standing in the rain, wrapped around the building, still 20 minutes AFTER the store opened. There were probably 500 people waiting in the vacanity outside the buiding, and my friend said she saw that the building and registers were packed inside!! We decided to drive around the building and bypass this stop. We did however drive around the building to find shoppers waiting at midnight for the 5am opening of Target and the 3am opening of Old Navy. All waiting in the rain too! Man, I am all up for a good deal, but waiting in the rain, pushes me a little too far. No Thanks!

I returned home to my nice warm bed where my husband and baby were waiting for me. Although I was not able to fall asleep quickly (even though I hadn't slept much the past two nights, and was up ALL day on Thanksgiving). My mind was reeling about what I might find at my next stop around 6am and what my game plan would be.

At 6am, I woke up (although my sweet baby hadn't yet) and quickly dressed for another outing to Target, less than 2 miles from our home. As I approached the parking lot, it was full, I could tell. So I opted to park in a smaller lot on the side of the building and walk around. I had my pick of the spots there. I walked in to several long lines of people waiting to purchase items, and not one cart in sight! I found a man in line waiting with 8 DVD's in his cart. I offered him my basket in exchange for his cart. He obliged!! What a nice man! There was yet another line as I made my way back to the toys/electronics area. I found many of the items I was hoping to purchase. Overall, I made two purchases on Friday and one on Saturday. I was lucky to get most of my shopping done, although I do have several items still to purchase. I made out well. I purchased $340 worth of merchandise, and save $240 and got back $25 worth of Target gift cards for my purchases. Not too bad!!

More Prayer

Although Penelope had a successful time at the hospital and was "in and out", I must remind myself that our friend Luke's sister still remains in the hospital and will be there until the first of December, battling pain from AVM. Please continue to follow her story and pray for Emily as she and her doctors prepare for brain surgery. And please continue to pray for Dan (her husband) as he supports her.

http://www.therumleyfamily.com/tags/emily/

The Deed is Done...

It took more than 15 times longer to prepare for the surgery than it did to actually do the surgery. In as little as 12 minutes, we were in the waiting room and then being greeted by the doctor again notifying us that everything was finished.

We arrived at the hospital and put her in her itty bitty gown... it was so little, and oh so cute!! I wanted to take it for a souvenir, but I refrained! They got her all checked in and ready to go back. We met the anesthesiologists and the nurses. We were just waiting on the doctor to arrive.

Unfortunately, there was a bit of miscommunication and the doctor "forgot" and wasn't reminded by his office that he had surgery today (a day the normally don't do surgery in his office). So he was about 45 minutes late arriving to the hospital and the surgery was about an hour late getting started. From start to finish, the procedure only last about 12 minutes or less. Probably less, as it was about 12 minutes from when they wheeled her into the OR and the doctor visited us again after it was done.

She had a bit of difficulty waking up from the gas that they gave her, but once she had had a bit to drink, she felt much better. We were home by 11am and she is promptly taking a nap, here by 1pm. :) Hopefully she'll have a quiet night.

Here are some before and after photos.

Thank you all for praying for our sweet darling. She is such a sweetie pie and we are just so thankful that this process has been so simple and easy thus far. Thank you for praying on her behalf!!

Before

After

Today's the Day

Well, I didn't sleep very well last night... I slept worse (and feel worse this morning) than I did when I was preparing to deliver my sweet Penelope only 9 weeks ago (to the day!) Nonetheless, we are up, giving Penelope her last feeding before we get ready to leave. The hospital called mid-afternoon yesterday and notified us that we should arrive an hour and a half early to the hospital. We are to give Penelope her last feeding of milk 6 hours before her procedure and her last drink of clear liquids 3 hours before the procedure. I am praying that she makes it the 3.5 hours on the clear liquids without freaking out. However, with 15 minutes to go (before she can drink no more) she's taken almost 6 ounces of half strength pedialyte. I think she likes it :)

When I spoke to the nurse yesterday, she put my "fears" to rest about Penelope moving through the procedure as she said and anesthesiologist would be with her the whole time. And we would meet with him before things get going.

Please pray for Penelope and her doctor, Dr. Woodman, for a safe and easy procedure at 8am this morning.

Also, blog-readers, please keep my dad in your prayers today as he has another job interview. Pray for God's peace and provision.

As a Blog poster commented earlier today... God is Good, all the time! All the Time, God is Good!

Tomorrow's the Day

Well, tomorrow is Penelope's scheduled procedure to remove the tumor from her eye. We are scheduled for 8am (pacific time) and I'm still a little sketchy as to where we go, and how they will exactly do it. I am currently waiting on a call from the hospital to help fill in some of the gaps of information that I need :)

Please be in prayer for my sweet daughter. From what I know, the procedure should be fairly simple and will take less than 15 minutes. Please pray for her to be as still as possible and for the doctors gentle and precise work. We will keep you posted tomorrow on how she's doing and perhaps a new photo or two. :)

What am I thankful for??

Well, this time of year, it's customary to be explicate about the things that we're thankful for. Unfortunately, I get frustrated at this time of year because I feel the pressure to explain what I'm thankful for but I don't want to be flippant or patronizing to the people I am thankful for. I don't want my appreciation to be seen as customary or routine. So most of the time, I don't think about what I'm thankful for and therefore don't express it. And then the holiday just becomes about the food and parties, rather than focusing on what I'm truly thankful for. So, I think I'll take a stab at it this year. Please keep in mind that these are in NO particular order.

• My Husband: Although our relationship continues to change as we both grow and as our family grows, I'm thankful that we still love each other each day. I'm thankful for the hard work that he does at work and the advancements that he makes for his career and therefore, our family. He works hard at work, comes home and still is helpful with the kids. I'm thankful for the time he gives me "off duty" and allows me that alone time that I need away from the kids. I'm thankful that he challenges me and makes me a better mom and a better person, although it's not easy to hear... ever! I'm thankful that he can look beyond my flaws and bad habits and love me anyway. I'm thankful that I can begin and end my day with him. Thank you, Lord.

• My Children: Being a SAHM wasn't always my dream. And I would be lying if I said I always wanted or saw myself with children. But, learning about myself through my children has been invaluable. I love how Finnegan and Penelope make me laugh and bring joy to my heart. I love to hear Finnegan pray and sing. Oh, what joy! I love the first smiles to Penelope's face and am thankful for the bond we've been able to create between us. I'm thankful for how smart Finnegan is. I'm thankful that both my kids are fairly healthy (so far) and mostly happy. I am particularly happy to see their shinny faces in the morning and be reminded how His Blessings are new EVERY MORNING! Thank you, Lord!

• A friend who encourages me to be better in EVERY area of my life!! This friend is candid with me. She tells me what she thinks and encourages me to be my best. She's gotten me excited about being more fit and being a better me on the outside, as well as encouraging me to keep up on my devotions (despite my busy schedule) to continue improving the firm foundation that I build my life on and in turn to be a better person overall. Thank you, Lord.

• Starbucks: It may be silly but it is one of the small indulgences that I have in my life. I'm thankful for the little bit of warmth it brings and a boost of energy that I need from time to time. :) Thank you, Lord!

• MOPS group: Although I've only been to our MOPS group a few time since Penelope's been born, I am so thankful that I joined this year. I'm thankful for the friends that I've made, and the interaction that we have. I'm thankful for the support it offers and the few moments that I can get away and enjoy being an adult again :) Thank you, Lord.

• My OB and our Pediatician: This sounds silly too, but since being pregnant this year, and delivering Penelope, I am so thankful for my doctor and his willingness to take the time to hear my requests and answer them fully all throughout my pregnancy. Our pediatrician has taken no chances with our children and always errors on the side of caution when it comes to their health. Regarding Penelope's eye, and her heart sounds, she is always consistent in her care and concern. I am thankful for the resources they have to diagnose our children when they're sick and the references they've offered in regards to Penelope's health. What a blessing each of these experiences have been. Thank you, Lord!

• Blogging and Facebook: Ok, so this one is SO lame, but I am thankful for this technology. The ability to speak my mind and update those who care about our life here in WA, is a relief for me. I love reading what my friends are up too with their kids, and supporting as well as gaining support from the blogging world. Facebook is one of the best inventions out there, for those who live apart from their families and friends. I've been able to keep in touch with people all over the country, and have even made closer friends because of the connection that I have with them on facebook. Friends I haven't seen in YEARS!! I am thankful for the bonds that have been strengthened and those that have been renewed. Thank you, Lord!
• Music: Music tends to be an escape for me these days... whether its Shane and Shane, or Michael Buble, Taylor Swift, Angel Taylor, Colbie Caillat, or Chris Tomlin... The moments that I have losing myself in the music brings sanity and a quiet smile to my soul. I'm thankful for the healing that music brings and that I have that outlet. Thank you, Lord!

• HallMark: Ok, so I suppose that after being thankful for Starbucks, you saw the last of brand favortism. However, I am also very thankful for HallMark Stores and mainly greeting cards. I love to send cards. I love to brighten someones day by sending a card in the mail and encouraging them! I love purchasing them, and thumbing through them to pick out the perfect one for a friend or family member. I'm thankful for the ability to do this financially (when it's available)... and especially thankful for the $1.00 cards that they have now, and thankful that I have friends and family that impact my life enough that I feel compelled to share my thoughts and love with them!! Thank you, Lord!

What are you thankful for??

** For every comment I get on my blog (on this post and others) from now until Thanksgiving, I'll donate one canned/non-perishable item to a food bank in my city!!**

Lots of Prayer

This week has been filled with so much prayer already... so many things calling for our attention to step before the throne of Jesus.

• My Dad is still in need of a job. Mom and Dad's situation has begun to change day by day. Sometimes, for the better, sometimes for the worse. They are both in need of the hope, wisdom and peace of Jesus. And Dad still needs a job!
• Luke's sister, Emily, is very very ill and in the hospital in GR. She is awaiting a news of when her brain surgery will take place. Please pray for her husband, Dan, her family, and the doctors. You can read more on Luke and Lacey's Blog.
• My friend's daughter, Rylee, who is 2 has had a recent health scare. Please keep Rylee and her mom and dad in your prayers for continued healing.

First Smiles

This week our baby has started smiling more and more. Almost the exact timing that Finnegan did too :) She's also sleeping more and more. She will be 8 weeks old tomorrow and this week she slept 7.5 hours TWICE!! Oh, what a blessing that is!! She is still a daudler when she eats... 2 ounces here, 2 ounces there... But this morning (after sleeping 7 hours) she took 6 ounces in 30 minutes!! I was very surprised!!

Her cardiologist appointment was last week, and she did very well during all of the tests. It was found that she does have a heart murmur, but it is nothing to worry about and the doctor believes that she'll grow out of it, as I did mine. On Wednesday, Nov 25th, is her scheduled procedure to remove the skin tag/tumor on her eye. I will keep you posted on how she does then!

Eight Years Ago Today...

Suicide is an ugly beast... And for some reason, he is running rampant through the lives of my family and my friends. Eight years ago today, he almost claimed victim of a dear friend of mine, my room-mate at the time. He taunts immediate and extended family members. He thinks he can walk in and make decisions and take their lives.

I am fortunate, unlike some that I know, that he has never actually succeeded in the lives of those that I love. The attempts are heartbreaking and stay with you forever. But God will continue to claim victory over him, as He is the only one to provide peace, strength and wisdom in tough times.

Suicide, you thought you reigned over her but Christ won. You think you will have no problem winning him over because you keep whispering in his ear. Christ is more powerful than your lies and deception. For years, you've spoken lies to this one and that one... but NO MORE. You have NO power in the lives of my friends and family!! We cling to the Old Rugged Cross and it's everlasting power.

Living with Less??

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a note on FB about some changes that might be waiting for our family. Those things are yet to make themselves completely clear to us, but an opportunity has risen for our family of four to transfer back to the east coast for my husband's job. This possibility holds many promises for us, and while all of the details have not been decided on and all of the questions have yet to be answered, we've begun to play around with the idea, given the information that we do have...

One of the options presented was for us to simply transfer for a short and definite amount of time, meaning that we wouldn't sell our home here in WA, but find someone to live in it while we were gone and rent an apartment in our new city. That got me thinking... how cool would that be? We would only be allowed to move a small amount of our belongings, not every ounce of what we have. So what would I take? I can't take all my kitchen gear, or ALL the kids toys, what would I take... Then it got me thinking, there are plenty of things that we have that we don't need.

How cool would it be to live with just the necessities? Not all the other junk that collects dust that we feel we MUST have. So, I've been sort of on a mission the last few days to go through those extra spaces in our home and get rid of the old stuff, either donate or toss things that we don't use and don't need. Why do we have all of this storage space in our house, and yet, never touch the things that are in them? Because we think we might need them "one day"?? I know I will never live in a spotless house, or a house without knick-knacks. But could I live with less... junk... less stuff? Could we live without those things that cludder our spare places and make us realize that we simply have not just enough but really have too much?

Thank you Veterans!!

Thank you to the Veterans who have served, currently serve and will serve to protect my freedom in our country.

• My Papa Bill - William Hargraves, served in Korean War
• Crystal Wilkinson - my niece - Active Duty
• Morgan Wilkinson - my niece - Active Duty currently stationed in Iraq
• Michaun McComsey - previous co-worker - Air Force
• Steven Frank - friend -Died in Iraq in 2005
• Jesse McCoullough - CU Alum - Active Duty stationed in WA
• Dan Kersey -CU Alum - Active Duty stationed in WA
• Rachel Miller - Church Friend - Active Duty stationed in Iraq
• Ron Corbeille - Church Friend - Served in WWII

Mommy Self-Esteem

Oh, Gals... It's no joke that self-esteem isn't my most treasured virtue. However, I find that having positive "mommy self-esteem" is even harder on some days. Am I really raising my child right? Am I giving him enough love with enough instruction? Am I being too rough on him? So many times I find myself questioning my abilities and feeling that I just fall short. And just as I rebound with positive feelings and move in a good direction, I get set back again. And I feel that it's just confirming my original feelings! GRRR.... Anyone else feel like this?

Perhaps it is just a side effect of being a made-mommy, and not a born-mommy.

H1N1??

Ok, Mommies - Are you giving (or have you given) your children the H1N1 vaccine? Will you be getting one yourselves?

I went for my 6 week check up at the OB today, and they were offering the vaccine to pregnant and post-partum patients. I had no idea I would be eligible, let alone, available to get one. I'd gone back and forth whether I would get one if I had the ability, and just didn't know. But today, I had the opportunity to get one, and did... I'm pretty ok with my position, because my doctor really wanted me to get it. I even posed the question to him that if he had a daughter who'd just given birth or was pregnant, if he'd press her to get it. He emphatically told me "yes". So, I was ok with it. I still am not sure if we'll have Finnegan get it if it becomes available to him...

What are your thoughts, mommies??

The Pitfalls of Being a Mom...

So why is it that my darling husband came home from work early today and got a nap, and I didn't?

Just another pitfall of being the mom...

Yesterday, I took Penelope to the plastic surgeon who will be doing the surgery on her eye to remove her skin tag. Meeting the doctor really took a lot of pressure off my mind. He has a lot of experience working with eyes and plastic surgery. The doctor has plans to remove the skin tag in a very conservative way, without the need for anesthesia or the need to intibate. He does not anticipate the procedure to take more than 15 minutes. And just like any visit with the doctor, I have more questions now since I've been home, than I did when I was in the office. :) But, we are thankful for being referred to a wonderful doctor who has so much experience and who was very gentle with our little girl. Our next step is to wait for the insurance company to allow the surgery, and then we will schedule it.

In other news, I'll be taking Penelope to the cardiologist for a full work up in a week or so. The pediatrician spent a bit of time listening to her heart and feels that she may have a heart murmur. She is pretty sure that it is an innocent murmur (which means it will go away as she grows - which is the kind of murmur that I had as a child). But she wants to be sure that there are no other underlying problems. And if you remember, we had concerns during my pregnancy about her heart. So we take this all in stride and are so appreciative of our doctors and their complete care for our daughters health.

Please keep Penelope in your prayers as we prepare for both the surgery and for the cardiologist appt. The cardiologist appt is planned to be about 2 hours long of testing, so it will be a long afternoon for the the princess. :)

Also, please enjoy the photo above. I received our photos from the photographer this week. And Oh, I just love them. What a beautiful job she did!! I will post a few more in a couple of days. There are a few (including the one above) that she did some photoshop work that I am so proud of, as she took "off" Penelope's skin tag... very neat!