Developements

I thought I'd give you all an update. I've really appreciated all of your emails. The past few days were really rough, so I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to you until now. Last Friday was especially troublesome. The night before, I started feeling really bad and after trying to go to sleep and my stomach hurting, I finally threw up. After that I had some really crazy nervous energy and I didn't actually fall asleep until about 3 am after which I got up for the day at 6 am. Then I threw up again. Yeah, it got me in a panic. I hadn't gotten an appointment for a doctor yet because I was just intending to take it easy and find one I really liked in my own time. Well, yesterday morning I was thinking I needed to go to the emergency room. I called my family and made prayer requests and Sam came to get me. He wanted me to try to get an appointment with a doctor because he didn't want me waiting around an emergency room all day. I also called on some friends of Sam's aunt and uncle that live very close by and asked them if they would come watch the boys while we went to the doctor. I had met their son, one of their daughters and the father and all I can say is I knew they were a neat family. The mother and second oldest daughter came over and the mother Michelle immediately prayed over me! I'm telling you God totally provides! Anyway, I looked in the yellow pages and found a very interesting birthing place. They have two ob/gyns, several nurse midwives, several nurse practitioners and I think a doctor of obstetrics. Anyway, they used to operate the only birthing center in Arizona, but they had to shut it down. They now deliver exclusively out of a hospital very close to their offices. I was really thinking home birth this time, but was also very open to a birthing center experience. The main thing I want is to do it the way I want and not be pressured into anything. So anyway, my doctor is just fabulous. Totally open to whatever I want to do. For the first 20 mins he just sat and talked with Sam and I and stated that he really just wanted to get to know us. So cool. He then did the exam and though we don't know for sure how far along I am, we do know I'm not yet 10 wks. (I should be about there now, however;) We couldn't hear the heart beat yet. He also decided to get out their little sonogram machine and take a look-see. Yep, we got to see our precious little one just hanging out. We saw the baby's hand sticking up and the really cool thing was that the baby looked like a baby and not a jelly bean this time.:) Anyway, after that, the doctor addressed my nausea issues and gave me a prescription for Zofran. We discussed it and after telling him that I didn't want to be on it for any longer than I had to and that I wanted to take the lowest dose possible, he was all for that and told me that he would just prescribe the lowest dose available and then I could cut it in half. He also told me to eat every hour, which I think has also made a difference. We also talked more about the hospital where they do the deliveries and I am very impressed to say the least. He said that since they do the majority of births at this hospital, the hospital really caters to them and will allow lots of things. He said they have jacuzzi tubs and while they don't allow water births:( , they do allow you to labor in water. I also said I didn't want to be flat on my back delivering and he said that was fine with him. I can bring whatever birthing tools I want. He said that he has even gotten down on the floor on his back to deliver a baby before. So, there's a whopping WOO-HOO from me. The only thing now is are we going to be here that long? Well, that's in God's hands. The other great thing is that they take our insurance!!! I may or may not get the VA involved this time. Its really a big hassle and there's a real possibility that the VA wouldn't allow me to use this clinic and as far as I'm concerned, this is the place for us. :D So, there we are. When we got back Braden and Zekey were having such a good time. They had made all kinds of projects and there were stickers all over the place and colors and just lots of fun stuff. Michelle and her daughter Leanne (hope I spelled that right...) stayed until mid-afternoon just hanging out with us and still helping to watch the boys. Sam and I got to have a really great discussion with Michelle and we got such peace out of that day even though it started out roughly. I was also able to lay down and take a nap! I don't know how I'm going to thank them, but I will!!! :D

Okay, so on to other things. So, we are going to be getting back into our motor home this weekend and I'm really glad we'll be back home! Its been very difficult trying to maintain order in such a large house when I am not able at this time to do a whole lot. Anyway, we were able to get several things done on the motor home that we hadn't been able to do previously, so YAY!

Mostly everything has been slow going so far, which I'm really grateful for because that is the only pace I move at these days. I have thrown up again since the first incident above, but it all worked out and the medicine is there when I need it and I don't take it when i don't need it. I have another appointment on the 9th, so maybe I'll know more details then. Well, gotta go eat, yet again!

More on Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

Sam and I watched the three part series and I'm telling you it is weird, quirky and definitely worth watching.  You can only see it on iTunes now, but seriously, if you want to see something different, this is for you.  They eventually want to get it out on dvd, but are also working on a cd, the songs are great, and there are possibilities for sequels. Here is the trailer so you can catch a glimpse of the oddness.

Teaser from Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog on Vimeo.

Things that make you go...hhhhmmmmm

Sorry, I haven't blogged in a while, but I've been busy with a whole lot of nothingness.  Mostly, I've been picking up after two very messy kids and trying to keep someone else's house from looking like a disaster area!  Its really not fun when all your body keeps trying to do is gag.;p  

Yeah, so yesterday Sam went out to put up the resident chickens here and out of 7, 4 hens and the rooster were dead.  Apparently there is a brazen band of coyotes here that strikes during the day.  I was here all day along with several other people who were in and out and none of us heard a thing!  My experience with coyotes is that they strike at night when they can be sneaky.  Anyway, I felt really bad about the chickens.  The remaining two were super freaked out.  The interesting thing is that out of the five that were killed, only the rooster was eaten on.  The others were just killed.  I'm thinking that these are some very stupid coyotes!

So then this morning I woke up with a super mega neck cramp!  AAAAaaaahhhh!  Just call me Mrs. Robot for the next few days.  Good grief.:)  Obviously, I'm not being kind to my neck while I sleep.  Oh, well.

Anyway, the boys are doing well.  They are the masters of making huge messes, so that's always fun.  Last night, I came into the bathroom and it was wet all around the toilet.  I called Braden in there and asked him if he did it.  He said yes and I asked him why.  He said he couldn't get the potty seat up, so he just decided to go all over the floor.  WHAT?!?!  I think my child has taken a crazy pill!  Zekey has just taken to getting into everything.  I'm beginning to think the reason I haven't thrown up is because I don't have time to!  They are both still really funny and so much fun to watch.  Everyday Braden comes up with something new and funny to say.  Zekey tries to do everything that Braden does and when you ask him a question he nods his head.  He's actually selective about it too.  Sometimes, I just know he knows what we're talking about and he's answering accordingly.  He is communicating in other ways, too, which is cool.

Okay, so far that's all I've got.  More later as things progress.

Well, isn't this different...

I was reading the latest blog of favorite author Karen Hancock and she directed anyone reading to this website.  Its called Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog.  Its made by Joss Whedon, the very same creator of the Firefly series turned movie Serenity.  Sam and I are avid Sci-fi fans and the more strange and creative, the better.  (I don't mean horror, just weird.)  The series Firefly is basically a western set in outer space.  Very interesting premise.  I highly encourage a peak if you can get a hold of it.  I think iTunes has it and if I'm not mistaken you can rent it off of Netflix.  The movie Serenity, too.  Anyhoo, seeing as how this new project has Nathan Fillion (star of Firefly and Serenity) and Neil Patrick Harris in it and they are singing and its a comic spoof, well, let's just say I am thoroughly enjoying it.  Its only going to be available for free viewing until Saturday at midnight.  After that, there will be a fee charged.  Right now act one and two are showing and the third will be up tomorrow.  I'll also put up the link for the "plan" of the whole thing.  Joss Whedon does a very funny little FAQ thing.   Let me know what you think.....

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

The plan

Cool Stuff! and prayer needed

Well, we have had a wonderful blessing bestowed upon us.  Sam's Aunt and Uncle who have a house here in Phoenix have asked us to come live in their house.  They have a vacation home which they are currently in for the summer and only come to this house in Phoenix to check on things and if they need to do something here.  They have a guest area and we are loving it.  The house itself is just beautiful.  There is a really big back yard with a playground and lots of shade.  What a difference from the rv park!!  Anyway, I'm still sick most of the day, but am able to do way more so far this pregnancy than the last one.  I have been able to keep all my food down, PRAISE GOD!!!  I'm still just being patient and waiting on the Lord.  Its so much nicer to be here than in our rv at this point and we're very grateful.  Also, we had a bit of a mini-reunion with family that we haven't seen for about 6 years.  So cool.  I'm really excited about this turn of events.  I'll keep everyone posted.

Okay, I have a prayer request.  I just found out that a very dear friend of mine just lost her baby.  I'm not going to give more details than that.  Please keep her and her husband in your prayers.  Those of you who know what it is like to have a miscarriage, I'm asking for your prayers in particular because you'll know more specifically what to pray for/about.

Update on our move and more.....news.....:)

Sorry, it has been a while since I gave an update, but things have been...interesting.  We made it out to Arizona just fine.  We did get to see Uncle Jim and Aunt Dianne in Lubbock, TX.  It was only one night, but we loved being able to see them and hang out with them for even a short amount of time.  Uncle Jim married us nearly 8 years ago...twice.  When we got to their house Aunt Dianne was still at work.  (She's having to work 12's right now...yuck!)  Anyway, he had lots of goodies for the boys. Seriously, it was like their birthday all over again.  Braden loved his surprises and Zekey was just running around excited about all of the room...hehehe.  One of the neat things about Uncle Jim and Aunt Dianne is they keep 3 box turtles in their backyard with their dog.  They will seriously follow you around expecting a treat!  That's just so cool.  Braden got to touch one and he just really did a great job being careful and gentle.

Well, after we said goodbye, the next day we headed out to Carlsbad Caverns.  That was really fun and exhausting!  We did take pics, but had to do it with 35 mm so I'll have to have them transferred to disk before I can post them and that might be a while, but they will eventually show up.  Braden was kinda freakin' out when we first headed down into the mouth of the cave, but after I put him on my back for a bit, he wanted down and he walked the entire thing himself after that.  Yay, Braden!  Its so neat to see your child conquer a fear and then really enjoy himself!  Zekey mostly rode on his Daddy's shoulders, but we did take turns carrying him.  He wound up getting a bit chilled even though we brought a blanket. It was 57 degrees in there!  That was so nice!!  Anyway, I don't remember how long it took us to get through the whole thing, but let me assure you, when we were done, we took the elevators back up!

After that adventure, we went to Las Cruces and stayed in the Sam's parking lot there.  Quite a storm picked up right after we got there and we discovered that there are several things we need to get fixed on our rig.  Yeah, fun.  Anyway, we made it to Tucson the next day and took refuge at Billy Gene and Patsy's house.  They are Sam's cousins and we were able to stay with them for two days.  Braden took to calling Patsy, Pantsy.  So funny!  She thinks so too.  This couple is just so cool.  They are great fun and so generous and loving!  They have a pool and before we left, Billy Gene had Braden jumping off of the diving board and swimming the whole length of the poolwith the aid of arm floaties.  Woohoo!  He's been wanting to get back in a pool ever since.  Patsy also took him on a cactus walk.  I've never seen so many different kinds of cacti before, but that is what their garden mostly consists of.  Its amazingly beautiful!  Anyway, Braden was just loving it!  Poor Zekey happened to have a rash cover his whole body by the time we made it there.  The doctor said it was probably from when he got his MMR shot.  All I have to say is, YIKES!  It did go away after a few days and it didn't seem to bother him at all the whole time, so....hmmmm.  Zekey also enjoyed the pool quite a bit.  He enjoyed being shoved gently off of the diving board.:)  I really think that's why Braden ended up jumping off. ;)  Well, of course, Braden had a hard time leaving and still constantly talks about going and visiting them.  We will get to go back, but it will be a bit.

So, then, we made it to Tempe, which if you look on the map, looks like Phoenix swallowed it up.  Let's just say, for me, this place leaves much to be desired.  ITS HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Sam seems to be just fine, but I don't do well in heat.  Never have.  When we got here I already wasn't feeling too well and then the heat on top of it.  Yeah, not a good combo.  That's when Sam and I both came to the conclusion that I'm pregnant.   Lots of lovely signs pointing to the fact long before I took the test.    We did have confirmation a couple of days ago, however, and our thoughts were proved!  Yep, we're having another little person join our family!!!  We are really excited!!  The nausea does fight for my attention at this point, but I'm not going to let that take priority this time!  I'm thinking that by the symptoms I'm around 7 weeks at this point.  I can't go by the monthly visitor because I've only had two since Zekers was born.  Yep and not in a row either.  Its been about 3 months since the last one, so I'm probably gonna have to get a sonogram to tell for sure.  So far, I have been pretty nauseated, but PRAISE THE LORD!!!! I haven't thrown up!  Yay, yay, yay!!!  I'm still able to eat, though many foods still cause a lovely gagging reflex.  I've also had to be in bed quite a bit the last week.  Normally, I would be upset about having to change my normal routine, but I'm just so relieved that there is no throwing up that I don't really care!  I'm also believing that this won't last long and I'll be back up and around before I know it.  I have appealed to many people for prayer and support and I am sooooooo blessed!  I know God will honor His children's pleas!  What an awesome Father we have!!!  I've also been having the best experience of rejoicing and praising Him in the midst of trouble.  I truly have so much to be thankful for!  If anyone else would like to raise up a prayer on our behalf, we will gladly accept it with open arms.  There are a few things we could use prayer about.  The heat - Braden really can't be outside during the day cuz its really just that hot here. I certainly can't right now.  A solution to this problem would be nice.  A healthly baby.  A great pregnancy - I don't want to just squeak by this time.  I want to be a testament to what God can really do in someone when they have faith and trust Him completely!  Sam - he's working longer hours here.  I just don't want him to get exhausted.  Pray for renewal of his mind, body and spirit.  Our boys - I really want to be able to get them involved in a playgroup or something.

Well, that's really all for now.  I'm gonna go lay back down now.  I'll try to blog when I'm feeling up to it and have time.

Happy July 4th!!

A big THANK YOU to our veterans and troops who help us keep our independence!  We appreciate the sacrifices that you and your families make on a daily basis.  Thank you for staying the course.

I hope everyone has a fantastic July 4th!  Hopefully, we'll run into a good place to eat today!:;)  Have fun.......

Incommunicado

So, starting today, we will be out of range of our internet service until we arrive at the rv park in Arizona.  We'll have wi-fi there.  YAY!  Clearwire, however, hasn't made it out there, yet.  If all goes according to past history, then they should move in and set up internet service after we leave.  No joke, its happened several times already:  California, Hawaii, Longview, TX, Corpus Christi, TX!  They were here in Killeen before us, so I guess we were just blessed here with internet connection! :)  Anyway, we have some things planned for our trip and once we arrive and are settled, I'll tell all about it.