A Nursing Picture (Rated G, I Promise)

Last Sunday, I was in our church's cry room.  It is fabulous by the way, kudos to the one who designed it!  My normal routine is to get to church at 9:15 with the family and go straight to the cry room to nurse Leah.  I end up at Sunday school about 15 minutes late, but that's ok...I'm set for the rest of the morning at church.

As I was nursing her, I looked down and noticed she was grabbing my shirt with her little hand, pulling it over me as if to help me cover up.  I thought it was pretty cute, so I reached over and picked up my phone to try and capture the moment with a picture.

Me and Leah 6/24/12

It is the only picture I have of nursing.  I did not photograph while nursing Sarah or Gabriel, and I did not end up nursing Caleb more than a week.  So this picture is special to me, it's the only way I have to document such an important part of my life...such an accomplishment.  You know what I mean if you've nursed and had trouble!

And I know it's often taboo to photograph such a thing.  That's why I never have.  It's really hard to capture it without it being too exposed...and some are ok with showing themselves nursing in a way that shows some skin!  In fact, I don't mind seeing other women with tasteful nursing pictures that have a bit of breast exposed because I think it's a beautiful thing.  But for me, I wasn't going to do that with my own self. :)

If you nursed, did you get a picture of it?  Did you want to?  Didn't want to?  Wish you did but didn't?  I'm curious how others feel.  

A Big Year (and it's only June)

I have a sweet friend who keeps asking me what else I'm going to add to this year!

Because in April I had a baby girl.

Then, three weeks later in May, I had gall bladder surgery and ended up staying in the hospital for five days.


Then, exactly one month later in June, we decided to put our house on the market.

Two weeks after that, we accepted an offer and it was under contract.

One week after that, we found a house we love and the owner accepted an offer.

We close on both houses on July 20th.  My emotions are finally in check about it.

As if that's not enough for the year, my Sarah starts kindergarten August 9th.

Gabriel starts preschool the first week of September.

I'm not sure why this year became such a big year, but I can honestly say I'd love for the end to be calm - just enjoying stories from my kids about school, watching Leah achieve milestones, doing projects around the new house.

It's interesting that so much has happened (and it's only June, so who knows what else this year holds).

Have you ever had a big year where one thing after another seemed to happen - good or bad?

Why I'm a Cautious Driver

When I was 16, I took drivers ed like most teens.

One morning during driving time, it was my turn behind the wheel.  There were always two students at a time, and I remember Erin being my driving buddy.  This particular trip we were going down the main street of town, and I didn't really give it much thought.  What could I really learn driving 25 mph down the street in my small town?

I learned a lot.

Out of no where, a small child ran out into the road and ran right into the car.  I say into the car because I was fortunate that we were just a tiny bit past the area she was running from so she was not in front of the car.  Somehow she must have just ran into it and bounced back.  I could hear her startled mother (or maybe freaked out is better term), and we stopped the car.  Mr. Helms made sure the girl was ok, and she was.

But then there was me.

We had to switch drivers because I didn't want to drive anymore at that point.  I was pretty upset, even though I did nothing wrong, and even though the girl was totally ok.  I just couldn't believe that something like that could happen so fast, and I couldn't believe I didn't see her.  I do know it's something that we discussed in class, to be very careful around parked cars on a road like that because you can't see small children darting out from behind them.

Maybe that's why I'm pretty cautious when driving.  Maybe that's why people always tailgate me when I'm driving through neighborhoods or down a street where there are parked cars on the side.  It's been...ahem...16 years since I've been in driver's ed, but I know it had a lasting impression on me.  I don't speed.  I don't dart in and out of traffic.  If I'm in a hurry, as goody-goody as this might sound, I really do just count it as a blessing when I get stuck behind a slow vehicle and can't pass.  It reminds me that I should just chill out and know that I'll get there when I get there.

Years later when my sister took drivers ed, she told me the story of the student Mr. Helms had that hit a child while driving.  She told the story exactly as it happened.  But she didn't know it was me - thanks to Mr. Helms for not sharing my name through the years...ha!  When she was done, I told her that the person he was talking about was me, and I think she was stunned.

I have no idea why this story from my past has been in my head today.  I've been thinking about it all day, maybe because it just upsets me when I see how people drive through neighborhoods or through parking lots.  Maybe it's because I can't shake what happened recently in the St. Louis area when a 21-month-old was hit and killed in a parking lot...she was with her mom and three siblings...they were getting out of the van on their way to the doctor...

Please be careful...everywhere.

Not Much of a Consistent Blogger (Plus some random thoughts)

Well, I guess my consistent blogging only last about 5 months.  I still would like to blame having a baby and having surgery.  I guess that's what it is.

Currently I have a few posts floating around in my head, and I just can't seem to get the words together to write them.  They are:

Why I sent my kids to summer school

Yes, there are men like the one in The Notebook (using some quotes from friends who blog - about their husbands - and then my own thoughts)

Friends who have decided to homeschool after public school experience


Some random thoughts:

We decided to go ahead and put our house on the market.  We are fortunate to owe far less than it's worth, and we stand to make a profit that will cover our realtor cost, future closing cost of a new house, and possibly a 10% down for future house.  We have found a house that we LOVE but it's a foreclosure...and the bank will not take a contingency bid from us.  Our house has to sell.  So we'll see how that goes.  I am completely content if that doesn't work out.  If we go all the way til November without selling (that's when the realtor contract is up) I am more than content to just say, "It was a good try!  Let's stay here!" :)

Who knew putting my house on the market is what it would take to make me a fabulous housekeeper.

I'm tired.  Leah is sleeping pretty good at night, only waking up at 2:00 to eat, but that interrupted sleep is still hard.

We had our carpets cleaned, so I helped move furniture.  Such a bad idea.  My back now hurts pretty bad, plus...I don't think I was supposed to lift anything over 10 pounds for about 6 weeks after surgery.  Oops.

Today marks the end of Sarah's first full week of summer school - her first "real" school experience.  She has loved it, but I have realized that I'll have to be getting up early FOREVER now (except for summer break).  I'm not sure if this is good or bad as to WHY I say that, but I just always want to fix her hair before she leaves.  Part of it is so she looks nice, part of it is so she knows I care and like spending that time with her before she leaves.

I'm getting my hair highlighted this afternoon.  Cutting it, too.  Not much, probably an inch or two.  I also need to wax my eyebrows.  I will look amazing after that's all done! :) Now if I could just get a mani/pedi.  Boy, I sound prissy. 

My parents celebrate their 34th anniversary on Sunday.

It's really quiet in here right now with Caleb and Sarah in school, Gabriel at Papa's house, and Leah asleep.  Sort of too quiet, but unlike a previous post, I'm actually really enjoying it this morning.


Like...a lot.

I need a vacation to Mexico again.  Maybe with a friend or my mom.  Just a girl getaway or something.  Yeah...

Technically It's Not Kindergarten Yet

Today Sarah went to her first day at the elementary school.  Technically it's not kindergarten yet, so I didn't have to cry.

Sarah and Caleb eating breakfast before the first day of summer school.

But there's just something about sending her off to school...with her big brother.

Seems like that shouldn't be happening quite yet.

Gabriel was sad.  I expected him to be.  Sarah is such a great sister to him, they have so much fun during the day.

The morning has been very different.  I didn't realize how quiet it would be.

I'm so proud of Sarah...she was so excited to go to school, and she's so outgoing and willing to try new things and meet new people.  I can't wait to hear how her day went.

And when August rolls around...and it really is kindergarten...this momma might not handle the morning quite as well! :)