1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Muffin Odyssey
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Oreo Chocolate Chip
3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)
A Har
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Green Tiger
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Louise Grand Rapids
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
Har Ai
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put "The")
Blue "Mocha Punch"
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
James Ralph
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy)
Plumeria Licorice
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names )
Kay Philip
Monday, October 1, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
God is Great!
Well, over the summer, my husband and I have been going through some great trials within our church. Its nothing that I want to go into detail over, as I want to keep this blog public. But, just to put it mildly, God is putting us through His fire...the refiners' fire. I know that the purpose of this is to draw us nearer to Him and to grow together, and believe me, its happening!
In addition to all of that, God is dealing with me on some personal issues. To be quite honest, I am an extremely judgmental and critical person. Its not something I let show through, although, I'm sure it does show at times. I don't like that. Its ugly. That's a very ugly side to me. God is definitely refining me.
I always thought I was "okay" because no one could see my sin - my thoughts were my own, and rarely would I make these thoughts known, if only to my husband. What joy for him, huh? But lately, I've been convicted -God has used my husband (as lovingly as possible, let me say my husband has not been pointing his finger at me and shouting, "SINNER!"). He has been very kind and loving, but by hearing some of what he has said, I have thought more deeply about my actions, and I've realized the error in my ways.
I grew up with a judgmental and critical parent. He was a musician, (and let me preface, not ALL musicians are this way) -and very critical of himself, he still is. But, that attitude carried over to me -and also was laid heavily upon my siblings.
I don't want that for my children. I don't want them to wonder, daily, "what's Mom upset about today?"
So, God is refining me. I am most definitely in the fire. And it hurts. It doesn't feel good...but God is making me better, right? I trust in the Potter. He is my creator and he knows me best!
In addition to all of that, God is dealing with me on some personal issues. To be quite honest, I am an extremely judgmental and critical person. Its not something I let show through, although, I'm sure it does show at times. I don't like that. Its ugly. That's a very ugly side to me. God is definitely refining me.
I always thought I was "okay" because no one could see my sin - my thoughts were my own, and rarely would I make these thoughts known, if only to my husband. What joy for him, huh? But lately, I've been convicted -God has used my husband (as lovingly as possible, let me say my husband has not been pointing his finger at me and shouting, "SINNER!"). He has been very kind and loving, but by hearing some of what he has said, I have thought more deeply about my actions, and I've realized the error in my ways.
I grew up with a judgmental and critical parent. He was a musician, (and let me preface, not ALL musicians are this way) -and very critical of himself, he still is. But, that attitude carried over to me -and also was laid heavily upon my siblings.
I don't want that for my children. I don't want them to wonder, daily, "what's Mom upset about today?"
So, God is refining me. I am most definitely in the fire. And it hurts. It doesn't feel good...but God is making me better, right? I trust in the Potter. He is my creator and he knows me best!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Things (and people) that bring me joy!
This post was inspired by one of my dear internet friends - I decided its a good idea to name many (obviously not all!) of my blessings!
- I love spending time with my husband, and I love how me makes time for me and our kids -in the midst of a VERY busy week!
- I love my little boys' sweet smile
- I love how my baby girl ALWAYS wakes up happy. She is ALWAYS smiling...and is an easy-going, go with the flow, kind of girl...much, much, MUCH like her Daddy!
- I love how my husband can get me laughing when I AM being too uptight!
- I love the cooling of the temperature in fall!
- I love getting ready for the holidays!
- I love warm and cozy sweaters and jackets in the fall!
- I love the way the house smells when I baking or cooking something yummy in the oven!
- I love the look on his face when my little guy finds out that he is going somewhere with Daddy (or that we're going to see his grandparents!)!
- I love how Connor LOVES to be around people -especially other kids! And he says, "hello" to everyone he meets!
- I love the sound of my kids playing.
- I love how God takes care of us and encourages us- even when we don't know what's ahead for us.
Tag! You're it!
TAG YOU'RE IT
This came from my sister in an email this morning. If you view this, you have to do it. Then, send me a message back, so I know you did it!
Two names you go by:
1. Aimee
This came from my sister in an email this morning. If you view this, you have to do it. Then, send me a message back, so I know you did it!
Two names you go by:
1. Aimee
2. Meme (by my son) LOL
Two things You are wearing right now
1. coral colored polo shirt
2. my favorite blue jeans
Two of your favorite things to do:
1. Spend time with my family.
1. Spend time with my family.
2. Keep in touch with friends, old and new, via the Internet
Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. A nice digital camera to go with our lens from our "old" camera.
2. A breadmaker (I haven't mastered the technique of the "by hand" method.)
Two favorite pets you have had/have
1. Xena - American Staffordshire Terrier
1. Xena - American Staffordshire Terrier
2. Muffin - a flame-point Himalayan
Two things you ate(or drank) today:
1. Coffee
2. French Toast sticks
Two people you last talked to:
1. Connor
2. Ben
1. Connor
2. Ben
Two things you're doing tomorrow
1.Taking care of my kiddos
2. Going to church
Two longest car rides:
1. Port Byron, IL to Clarks Summit, PA
1. Port Byron, IL to Clarks Summit, PA
2. Port Byron, IL to Washington, DC, NYC and Fitchburg, MA
Two favorite holidays:
1. Thanksgiving
2. Christmas
Two favorite beverages:
1. Mocha Punch (YUM!)
2. Mountain Dew (although I can't drink it too often because of the caffeine level!)
HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY
HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY
Monday, August 13, 2007
Another story about my boy
So, there was more stuff that happened on Saturday (Daddy day). Connor apparently found himself a little girlfriend, a little blond haired, blue eyed girl whom he fancied quite a bit! Ben told me as he was watching Connor...he "passionately" (put his little hands on her shoulders) kissed the girl...like 6 times! Guess he's been watching Daddy kiss Mommy! Haha! I'm going to have to keep an eye on that one!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Overheard
Okay, so Saturday was a "daddy day" -well, more like a "daddy afternoon"! Anyway, Ben came home and said, well, we're on a new road to Independence with Connor. He is becoming Mister Independent!
So he went on to tell me about his experience that day. He took Connor to a softball game of one of our teens'. Nearby, was a playground, and so Connor of course wanted to go and play! They got to a certain point, and Connor stopped Daddy, and patted the ground where he wanted Daddy to sit...no closer!
So, Ben kept one eye on the game, and one eye on Connor. He is only 2, you know.
He overheard some older kids talking...they wanted to play "Pirates" -and they asked Connor if he wanted to play. And, they kept asking him what his name was. Well, Connor has a limited vocabulary. So, he was either saying, "ball" or "kitty" -probably his two favorite things! So Ben overheard the kids saying, what's wrong with him? Why can't he talk?
So one of the girls brings Connor over to Ben and says, what's wrong with him? Why doesn't he say his name?
Now, please don't take offense to what I write here, as its certainly not politically correct, but straight from the mouths of babes. Ben said, he can't really talk because he's only 2!
So, the girl starts walking back to the other kids and says, "he's not a retard, he's only 2!" (Connor may look 3 or 4 years old to others, between his big boy haircut, and his bigger body...but he's just my baby!)
So he went on to tell me about his experience that day. He took Connor to a softball game of one of our teens'. Nearby, was a playground, and so Connor of course wanted to go and play! They got to a certain point, and Connor stopped Daddy, and patted the ground where he wanted Daddy to sit...no closer!
So, Ben kept one eye on the game, and one eye on Connor. He is only 2, you know.
He overheard some older kids talking...they wanted to play "Pirates" -and they asked Connor if he wanted to play. And, they kept asking him what his name was. Well, Connor has a limited vocabulary. So, he was either saying, "ball" or "kitty" -probably his two favorite things! So Ben overheard the kids saying, what's wrong with him? Why can't he talk?
So one of the girls brings Connor over to Ben and says, what's wrong with him? Why doesn't he say his name?
Now, please don't take offense to what I write here, as its certainly not politically correct, but straight from the mouths of babes. Ben said, he can't really talk because he's only 2!
So, the girl starts walking back to the other kids and says, "he's not a retard, he's only 2!" (Connor may look 3 or 4 years old to others, between his big boy haircut, and his bigger body...but he's just my baby!)
Recalling a hard time...part 2
Anyhow, we later took Connor down to Iowa City for an appointment with the specialist. She was great. But, she didn't really have any news for us. She just wanted to monitor his white counts for a few weeks, and then see us again. She did say that, most kids with this disorder, do not look so healthy! They usually get sick many, many times a year -and Connor had not had ONE ear infection -which is quite common for kids with Neutropenia! (Praise the Lord!)
With another visit -and no upturning white counts (as she had hoped for), she scheduled a Bone Marrow test. Connor did great...probably better than me! His back was numbed for the procedure, he wasn't "put out" but was a bit "out of it"!
They found that, like the specialist thought and hoped, that this was the only part of the bone marrow that wasn't functioning properly. No leukemia! No cancer! We were so relieved to hear that.
But amidst our joy, I couldn't help but wonder about the life that my little boy would live. With a diagnosis of Severe Chronic Neutropenia -I wondered if he would be able to attend school with others, if he would have to have shots regularly...if he would be sick all the time.
Well, over the past year, he has had 2 fevers -in which we have taken him to the ER, per our doctors' instructions. His blood is checked and then he gets a shot of this super-duper antibiotic -Rocefin? and is pretty much good to go. It is troubling to me, each time, but Ben keeps his cool, as we pack up the babies and drive to the ER.
With our last visit to the Children's Hospital, we found that Connors' white count has been coming up! Hurray! She "predicts" that if he continues to improve as he has been doing, he should have a normally functioning bone marrow by the age of 5! She thinks that he just has an immature bone marrow, for whatever reason, and its not functioning properly. I am super-stoked, yet, we are trying not to get our hopes up at the same time!
God is good, all the time. Although I try my best not to freak out, with each cut and bump, its difficult. I don't want him to get another infection. I want him to stay healthy. But I must trust. Trust in God, that He is going to take care of Connor. No matter what.
With another visit -and no upturning white counts (as she had hoped for), she scheduled a Bone Marrow test. Connor did great...probably better than me! His back was numbed for the procedure, he wasn't "put out" but was a bit "out of it"!
They found that, like the specialist thought and hoped, that this was the only part of the bone marrow that wasn't functioning properly. No leukemia! No cancer! We were so relieved to hear that.
But amidst our joy, I couldn't help but wonder about the life that my little boy would live. With a diagnosis of Severe Chronic Neutropenia -I wondered if he would be able to attend school with others, if he would have to have shots regularly...if he would be sick all the time.
Well, over the past year, he has had 2 fevers -in which we have taken him to the ER, per our doctors' instructions. His blood is checked and then he gets a shot of this super-duper antibiotic -Rocefin? and is pretty much good to go. It is troubling to me, each time, but Ben keeps his cool, as we pack up the babies and drive to the ER.
With our last visit to the Children's Hospital, we found that Connors' white count has been coming up! Hurray! She "predicts" that if he continues to improve as he has been doing, he should have a normally functioning bone marrow by the age of 5! She thinks that he just has an immature bone marrow, for whatever reason, and its not functioning properly. I am super-stoked, yet, we are trying not to get our hopes up at the same time!
God is good, all the time. Although I try my best not to freak out, with each cut and bump, its difficult. I don't want him to get another infection. I want him to stay healthy. But I must trust. Trust in God, that He is going to take care of Connor. No matter what.
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