National Infertility Awareness Week

If you are struggling with infertility, I feel your pain in the most sincere way. I've been there. I've walked that lonely path of despair. I've felt useless and blemished, deformed and desolate, hopeless and heartbroken.

If you are wondering if God has forgotten your heart-felt, screaming, crying, groaning, prayers for a child, he hasn't...I can assure you.

Let me recommend the BEST faith-based book on the subject of infertility.

Hannah's Hope












You are not going to believe this, but I bought this book and read it all in one night.

And then the next day, I found out I was pregnant.

I'm glad there is a week of recognition for those who struggle with infertility and I love the fact that it occurs a few weeks before Mother's Day. This is a parent centered holiday which is excruciatingly painful for those who struggle to conceive.

Please take the time to read my post, "Miraculous" if you have not done so already. I guarantee that you will never be the same after learning about my journey with infertility and how my all-powerful and all-sufficient God made me a mother in His own timing and in His own plan.

Don't give up, my friend. DON'T GIVE UP!

Communication Grade: D-

I just realized that my husband and I sat down to dinner (a lovely salad I prepared) and the entire time we are eating with one hand and texting with the other.

So, we are having 2 different conversations with 2 other people instead of talking to each other. And this went on during the entire meal. This is what it sounded like:

*tap, tap, tippety, tap* SEND Crunch, crunch...*beep bop* ...chuckle, chuckle... *tap, tippety, tip tap* SEND

Are we so wrapped up in our technology that we can't even put down the blasted cell phones for one blasted minute so we can have a few words of meaningful, blasted conversation?

I think we talk more on the phone during the day than we do at home. Seriously.

I say this while he is on one laptop and I am on the other. Well, at least we're in the same room...doesn't that count for something?

Rarity

 

It has come to my attention that I have a total of 6 pictures taken with my child.

6 pictures, I tell ya.

I have 2,000 + of Sydney playing with toys and her daddy, but only 6 taken WITH ME...

So, I offer you a rare glimpse of a recent picture of Sydney and ME.

I guess this makes # 7.

Why do I only have 7 pictures taken with my child when my husband is a talented photographer and I have a really nice expensive camera?

A good question.

The look on her face is one of joy, by the way, not the look of, "For Pete's sake woman, why don't you put me down?! Daddy is right there and he needs me to play with him right now, so just put me DOWN!"

Just Doin' Her Job

Once upon a time there was a hard workin' mama who prided herself on being prompt, efficient, and productive. She always gave 100% to everything she did and assumed that the majority of people appreciated her efforts.

One day, this hard workin' mama received a phone call while she was about to walk out of the door to head to work. The mama ignored the phone call since she was casually chatting with her babysitter and waiting on her hair to dry.

Then, the hard workin' mama walked out the door, got in the car, and returned the missed phone call. Here is the paraphrased transcript of the conversation that ensued:

Voice: "Hey, are you coming to the meeting?"
Mama: "What meeting?"
Voice: "The meeting you scheduled for this morning."
Mama: "I scheduled a meeting?"
Voice: "Uh, yeah, the big important meeting with important people who are all waiting on you to get yourself here."
Mama: "Oh, THAT meeting. I will be right there."

The hard workin' mama immediately began to feel very sick to her stomach and lightheaded. She began to wonder how in the sam hill williams she forgot about a meeting that SHE herself had scheduled. She wondered if she had really gotten that crazy and forgetful...or was this yet another effect of maternal exhaustion. She asked herself, "What was I smoking scheduling an 8:00 Monday morning meeting?"

She made it to her meeting, apologized profusely, and took off on the agenda at hand. Thank goodness the important people she was meeting with were understanding...especially since they were all mothers, too and looked pretty exhausted themselves.

The hard workin' and tired mama made it through the day by answering phone calls from obnoxious people, responding to emails from crotchety people, and pushing paper for demanding people...and to top it off, heard these wise words from her boss, "Well, honey, everybody's mad at you, so I guess you're doing something right."

She then realized if that was the case, she must have achieved the pinnacle of righteousness.

The End.

Show Me Some Love

Showing affection is something that Sydney has NO problem with....

The minute her pops walks in the door, it's all about him. I might as well go jump off a bridge, 'cause Daddy is in 'da house.

If he sits in the chair...she's in his lap.

If he lays on the floor...she's in his face.

 Gimme some smooches, there big guy..

Yes, mother...can we help you?

A Little Woozy

***DISCLAIMER*** Reader discretion is advised....

We experienced another "FIRST" today in the our household.

Sydney had her first nosebleed today, and honey, it was a big 'un.

I can handle all bodily fluids...EXCEPT for blood. I do not DO blood. I can barely tolerate the sight of my own blood. My husband, being in the medical field and having had experience with blood, necrotic tissue, and other eye-squinching substances... handles all emergencies dealing with blood.

So...when my child walks into the kitchen with a face & neck covered in bright, red, blood, I felt myself going weak in the knees. Mostly because I didn't know WHERE it was coming from, and secondly because, well it was blood, and a lot of it.

After pinpointing the offending nostril, sopping up the blood, applying pressure, and changing her clothes, I got a little nauseated. Well, I got a lot nauseated and had to lay down and collect myself.

My stomach hurt for the rest of the day and I had a hard time remembering things and keeping my head clear.

Let's all take a moment to say a silent prayer in thanks that I am not an EMT, surgeon, or ER trauma nurse...because my friend, if you were in my care, you might not make it.

P.S. Aren't you glad this is a picture-free post?

Ahhh...Organization!

It's confession time.

I have been struggling with an internal conflict.

But first, some background...

I live in a home that was built in the 50's which translates into medium-sized rooms and

microscopic closets/bathrooms.

I'm not complaining, just suffering from a lack of STORAGE space.

We have to be very creative with our storage, plus, the overstuffed portable building out back comes in handy.

When Sydney came along, a whole bunch of STUFF came with her...

more stuff than I care to think about it...

and since we don't know whether or not a second Chambers baby will ever enter the scene, the packrat in me finds the urge to KEEP all of her stuff, just in case...

So, organization has been haunting me, keeping me up nights (not really), and pushing my brain to the limit to

figure out how to make her room livable again.

First, a before picture...

 I just love the look on her face. It says, "Why mother...you think my room is a junk heap? Whatever makes you say such a thing?

I learned quickly that Sydney had WAY to much access to her clothing and toys. She took great delight in completely emptying her drawers and toys baskets.

Since I've already spent a MINT on baby stuff, I felt the need for ingenuity.

 Don't you love the big bands of pink elastic that secure all of the drawers?

Courtesy of my mom and her containers of miscellaneous sewing stuff.

She tries to open them, and they slide close, with the occasional finger that gets caught...a painful lesson.

Drawer Closers: $0

 Colorful cubbies to contain all of her many toys.

Cubbies: $20 (garage sale!)

AND NOW FOR MY NEW FAVORITE THING!

Behold the "dream drawer" divider.

Now that she can't get IN the drawers, I take the time to organize them.

Dream drawers - set of 4: $22.00 on Ebay

 Middle drawer are for most things worn south of the belly button.

 Here we have tops and socks.

I had to have at least one drawer that I could just TOSS things in. It's in my nature. I cannot help it.

I have a junk drawer in every room of the house and I feel it very liberating. Maybe I need counseling.

Now, on to the bedroom...oh my. It could get ugly.

14 Months!

In honor of Sydney's 14 month birthday, I've composed a lovely song detailing her latest exploits...sung to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad." Go ahead...warm up that singin' voice and get after it.

I've been chasing 'round a toddler

All the live long day,

I've been sweepin' up the froot loops

Just to pass the time away,

Leapin', jumpin', hoppin', climbing

On everything she sees

I've been chasing 'round a toddler

Who loves to eat my keys

I've been picking up a toddler,

Who weighs 20 pounds plus 2,

I've been loving on a baby,

Who enjoys her Elmer's glue,

She can even read some flashcards,

That I bought just for fun,

We're so thankful we have Sydney

She is our honey bun!

Big Blue & The Bounce Couch

Sounds like the title of an exciting children's book, huh?

Syd has a somewhat unhealthy attachment to a large, super-soft, plush, blue blanket that my mom made for my husband, who is not a blanket person.

I nick-named this blankie, "Big Blue" for obvious reasons. (It's not the size of a normal Linus blanket and it is a gorgeous shade of blue.)

Syd must have Big Blue when she takes naps or goes to bed at night. Syd must have Big Blue accompany her when she is playing around the house.

She and B.B. had a fantabulous time this week bouncing on the couch (our newest frontier).

 Can you see me now?

 Gotta love a blanket that doubles as a toy.

 Beware, tiny duck, I shall STOMP you!

 Now, mother, I can only take so much paparazzi.

 And the stuffed chicken is along for every fun-filled bounce...what a life!

I'm fine, really...

On this blessed Friday...this day that I thought would never get here...the day that I will gleefully spend at my house, joyfully doing laundry, thankfully cleaning house, and gratefully taking care of a hyperactive 1 year old, I leave you 4 things that made me smile this week.

First, a quote I saw on a t-shirt....

 A saying that I am having put on Sydney's 1st birthday picture collage....

A picture that I stumbled upon while reading blogs that just makes me happy all over...

 And lastly...a quote that will be added to my list of life philosophies..

“To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funnybone.” — Reba McEntire

Let Them Eat Paste!

Life is getting more and more interesting.

We jump on the couch.
We open the refrigerator and help ourselves.
We continue to put EVERYTHING in our mouth.
We run away when called.

Tell me, when does the oral fixation stage end? Will she EVER quit putting everything in her mouth? Is it because she is getting her teeth VERY slowly that we CHEW on everything?

Lead "Foots"

Once upon a time, a very long time ago, my driver's ed instructor (and a car full of forever changed teen drivers) dropped me off at my house after my final "drive." We had to drive on 6 different occasions, and if we did well, our teacher would "pass" us so we could gallivant down to the DPS office, take our test, get our coveted license and forever terrify our parents each time they heard the jingle of the keys.

After being dropped off on this fateful day in June, my wise instructor (who had nerves of steel) leaned over and said, "Miss Bishop, you are a safe driver. You are a good driver. You signal. You obey MOST traffic laws, but Miss Bishop, you have a LEAD FOOT. Be sure and tell your mother I said that."

So, I walked in and told my mom that I had passed the driving portion of the course. Yep, that's what I told her.

Speed has always been an issue with me. The hubby picks on me nonstop. He says, "You speed in town and then drive slow on the interstate! What are you smokin'?"

I don't know why I'm always in such a hurry. The list I could provide of why I move at warp speed would probably bore you, so I'm including the number 1 reason.

1. I'm Type A and there's a lot of things that need doing and I can't cross everything off my list if I don't get there in a hurry and get those things done, 'cause you know the earth as I know it will come hurtling out of its orbit and throw everything out of whack, yes that's what will happen if I don't hurry up and get somewhere to get all those things done, and crossed off.

And in all of these years of hurrying, I've received only 1 speeding ticket.

Let me tell you that our friendly state troopers and city policemen have definitely stepped it up a notch when it comes to speed. I've been pulled over, uh, well, let's just say several times in the last, uh, well, few, days, weeks, months.

And I've received the biggest honkin' speedin' ticket ever to have come down the pipe. And to make things even more comical, my husband....

1. GOT A TICKET TOO
2. ON THE SAME DAY
3. ON THE SAME ROAD
4. IN THE SAME SPOT
5. BY THE SAME STUPID BLESSED OFFICER
6. ON THE WAY TO CHURCH

Yes, on the holiest of days....I broked the law. You may be thinking? Why are you going to church in separate vehicles? Well, my husband felt the need to ride the motorcycle and go to Sunday School and leave me at home with the squawling baby so I could take my time and get her ready and come later for worship service. Well, at least that was the plan.

So, a great sum of money later, (we could've paid a car note with the money we flushed down the john), I have adopted a new life philosophy. Get ready...it's a doozey, and is inspired by my favorite Disney song.

"So just try and relax, yeah cool it, fall apart in my backyard
'Cause let me tell you something little britches, if you act like that bee acts, uh uh
You're working too hard.

And don't spend your time lookin' around, for something you want that can't be found
When you find out you can live without it, and go along not thinkin' about it,
I'll tell you something true, the bare necessities of life will come to you."

My foot has lost at least 10 pounds...and it feels great!

Don't Blame Me

Don't blame me when your stretchy pants are a little snug.
Don't blame me when you have to jog a couple of extra miles in preparation for indulging...
Don't blame me when you feel lightheaded and euphoric after experiencing the unbelievable taste of what I'm about to share.
The other day, I was thumbing through an old cooking magazine and stumbled across these words..."Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream - Churn Free." Well, of course the words "churn free" caused me to take a second glance. The one thing I hate about making ice cream is turning the crank or having to listen to the ice cream maker whine and groan...it just annoys me I guess. I looked at the ingredients and decided immediately that I would have to give this a whirl.


Make 2 batches of this and give one batch to someone you love, or someone you don't love for that matter. The person you love will love you even more, and the other one will kiss your feet in gratitude.

You need:
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons water
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
4 drops of green food coloring
2 cups whipping cream (whipped)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips


In a large bowl, combine milk, water, extract, and food coloring. Fold in whipped cream and chocolate chips. Pour into a foil-lined 9 inch X 5 inch X 3 inch loaf pan. Cover and freeze for 6-8 hours or until firm. Lift out of the pan and remove foil; slice, drool, enjoy, and then go run around the block about 25 times.

Mmmmmmm...................

Indescribable

I am in constant awe and perpetual amazement,

how such a tiny girl, with such a tiny, sweet smile,

can cause full-grown, mature, and serious people,

 to roll on the floor, make bizarre noises, fly food around in a spoon airplane, play hide and seek around living room furniture and blow "smerberts" on pudgy tummies. 

If love can make you crazy,

 I am a certified lunatic.

 

Behold, Our Easter

Behold, the Easter dress I purchased for my child. It wasn't on sale. I paid full price for a smocked and pearl beaded Easter dress. I am still in shock that I did such a thing, for I am the Queen of Frugal, the Princess of Cheap, and the Diva of Discount.

 

Behold, the lovely Easter outfit Sydney ended up hunting her eggs in because she came in contact with a disgusting black substance at some point between the church parking lot and the church entrance and then added to that lovely smearing of tar, some orange substance. So, the white dress was covered in black smears and orange blobs, and this was all before 11:45. The striped sweat pants, stained onesie, and old pink sandals really do a lot for her, don't you think?

Behold, the dream I had the night before of my child (child pictured is not my child) frolicking and hunting eggs adorned in a lovely dress, amongst other precious children who are also frolicking and hunting eggs in their Easter finest.

Behold, the frustrated mother attempting to put the nasty sandal back on the ant bed mud encrusted foot of the child who is attempting to consume a plastic Easter egg and absolutely refuses to place the egg in the basket, therefore, forcing her mother to hunt eggs for her and manhandle a few 4 year olds who are not hunting eggs in their section. My child will have eggs, by golly, whether she wants them or not.

Behold, the basket of eggs the frustrated mother picked up rapidly while elbowing other small children.

Behold, a very happy child who could absolutely care less about what she is wearing or anyone else around her. She is in heaven running around in the grass, picking up eggs, shaking them, and getting her feet dirty. She loves life. She loves being outside. She is not concerned with all the junk that everyone else thinks is so important. She is just glad to be here.

I'm glad she's here too.

Behold, a very jubilant child opening up her Easter basket that one of Chris' patients gave to her. Her Mama didn't get her one, 'cause she thought she was too little.
But apparently, she got a kick out of it.

All of this is well and good, but the best thing about our Easter was that 5 people gave their hearts to Jesus during the morning service. Yes, I said 5 people.

Easter dramas are great, egg hunting is fun, and who doesn't love candy, but if no one comes to know the Lord, what is the POINT? The point is, we missed the point completely.

The REAL reason we celebrate Easter is to remember the ultimate sacrifice given for our sins.

The unbelievable price paid so that we could have eternal life.

New life. Resurrected life.

Now 5 more folks are going to enjoy the glory of heaven.

BEHOLD, He is Risen!