Learning Joy

Jef’s job is going alright, we’re managing with the pay cut. He hasn’t asked about transferring down here yet. We just got his business cards for his computer business. Hopefully he will get jobs for that soon. We are looking forward to that!!
We have been very stressed out for the last week or so. My car, a 1989 Chevy Celebrity, broke again. Friday was stressful. My car broke that morning & we barely made it home from the barber shop. Then Friday night Jef’s alternator went out. Thankfully it was putting out enough volts to get him home. He was pretty stressed about that. But he made it home & Saturday he & the boys (mostly Jonathan because Daniel wouldn’t pay attention) took out the old alternator, walked to Schucks (thank you, God, that we live so close to things) and put in a new alternator. When they bench-tested the old one at Schucks they said it was putting out 11 volts instead of the 13-18 it needed to. God is good!! 11 volts was what it took to bring Jef home!! I took Greta into the shop on Saturday. She stalled for the guy moving her into the shop, so that was good. They did an oil change and told me she needs her throttle body overhauled. :p That is something that has three parts, but all have to be done at once. It would cost $700 to do. So… since we are having another baby and can’t really fit all of us in Greta (we could, but it would be a squeeze), and we don’t want to put more money into Greta, we’ve decided to look for a cheap minivan. Ugh. So that is what we are doing. We figure we can spend around $2000. We’d like to spend less, but we also don’t want to get something too old, or take on someone else’s problems. 🙂
That’s our update. I’m doing alright. I had a few really good days, but now I’m nauseous again. :p

Thursday morning we had an appointment to meet the new pediatrician taking over for Dr. Gallucci. I wanted to see what she was like, to see if we wanted to go with her, or try someone else. Dr. Struthers was very nice. I appreciated that she talked to Daniel and wasn’t condescending to me. That’s always a good sign. She was glad to hear Daniel hadn’t needed his inhaler since last spring.
Thursday afternoon, I made banana bread & crashed. My stomach was just rolling (which it has been doing off and on ever since!). I wasn’t able to get all the dishes done, so poor Kamali had to try and feed the boys in my mess of a kitchen!
Thursday evening, I was able to go to a Body Shop @ Home party. Kamali got here around 4:45, and I left at about 5 or so. Tina was hosting the party at her house. I’d made cookies and bread to contribute to the goodies. 🙂 I think I left my house too late because I got there just at 6p.m. We had such a fun time at the party. Tina’s neighbors were there, and they are very funny!! We all got to give ourselves foot baths and try all different kinds of body butters (lotions) and such. I ordered two things and also booked a party for August 26. Because I booked a party, I received a free body butter! That was exciting!!! I chose the “nut” scented one. 🙂 And I told Virginia, Gail & Danielle that they had to come to my party!! 🙂 We’ll be doing facials at that. I think I got home around 9. But it was such a fun evening.
Wednesday, I had an OB work-up appointment. This is when they write down & go over your medical history, past births, etc. I had been a little worried, because Tina was going to watch the boys, so I would be a little late for the appointment. I wasn’t super worried, just a little. Well, everything worked fine. Kamali was back from vacation, so she came over early enough for me to get to my appointment on time. 🙂 My appointment went well. I had nothing to worry about. The lady I talked to was very laid back. I got to see the Birthing Inn at Pearl Place Women’s care! It is a very nice place. Too bad I won’t be able to go there!! Anyway, I lost a pound!!! 🙂 Hurray!! My health history is good, and I was encouraged to exercise moderately (like taking a walk every day). I asked about maintaining my current caloric intake, but the nurses all said I should speak to the Dr. about that. July 26 I go back for another appointment. That one will be the whole she-bang. :p Thankfully my bloodwork has been done!!
Alright. I have talked your ear off long enough! Going to watch the original “Ladykillers” with Jef. Looks like fun!!

Since this post is so long, I’ve cut it in two. Here’s part 1 ~
Finally! We have been doing so many things, I haven’t really had time to sit & blog. Today we are finally relaxing at home. Jef made an espresso cheesecake and tonight we are having Kamali & Tina over for dinner. We wanted to celebrate Kamali & Tina buying their coffee shop. 🙂 They’ve picked a new name (it was called “Grandfield’s” previously, but they would have had to buy the name and such, so they decided against that.) – “Toasta Cafe”. I think you should envision an apostrophe over both the last a in “toasta” and the e in “cafe”. 🙂 Their shop is neat. Anyways, so that’s why we wanted to celebrate tonight. 🙂
I’ll go backwards in time to fill you in on all our doings. 🙂
Yesterday we went to the zoo with Matt, Sarah, Baby Max, Amy, Wes, and Debbie. That was a fun time inspite of the rain. 🙂 Max is such a cute little guy. He slept almost the whole time. Towards the end, he got hungry, but that was soon taken care of. 🙂
Saturday was a fun but busy day. We spent most of it without Jef. 🙁 In the morning we got up and got ready, then we went to Safeway. I picked up some diapers, my favorite baby lotion and a travel pack of wipes for a present. Then we went and picked up Mom. Mom rescued me, by giving me some tissue paper. 🙂 I’d forgotten to buy some at the store. On our way to the surprise shower (shh!) we stopped at McDonald’s. If you live near us, you should try out the McDonald’s by Hwy. 512, I-5 and So. Tacoma Way. They have remodeled it and it looks nice. They even have a nice quiet spot for people without kids to sit. 🙂 Mom said that was good for older people – to have somewhere away from the noise. 🙂 After lunch, we let the kids play in the playplace for about 20 minutes, then we were off to the shower (shh!). We arrived in plenty of time, and were able to help set up a bit. The boys were excited about the pool, even though they’d never been in one. Kamali & Tina bought them some pool things because we didn’t have any. The boys were even more excited then! Nicholas was SO cute! We put on arm floaties and he had a horsey innertube to ride in. He got in to the pool and started floating and said, “whee!” He loved the pool. Didn’t want to get out. I got him out to eat at one point, and then I noticed he was falling asleep so I took him out then, too. So the boys played, then Matt & Sarah & baby Max arrived and we all said, “Surprise!!” 🙂 We hugged, and talked and played and ate and all-around had a good time. Uncle Matt got in the pool with the boys. He didn’t know it was their first time in a pool. He played with them, once picking up Jonathan and tossing him in the water. THAT was funny, because Jonathan was totally surprised and couldn’t believe Uncle Matt had been so “mean”! Matt said, “thanks for the head’s up, guys.” 🙂 We laughed, and Jonathan recovered. I think Matt & Sarah had a nice time. They got a lot of different presents, and a LOT of diapers! 🙂 Everyone told them they’d need them. 🙂 Baby Max had fun, too. 🙂 He was alert and very cute. Everybody had a chance to hold him. Mom even got to be spit up on!! 🙂 We ended up leaving because I got sick. 🙁 But I think it was okay, because most everyone else had left.
That was Saturday. We came home & I discovered Jef had been busy while I was gone. He did all the dishes for me and cleaned the kitchen floor and stove too!! That was a really nice surprise. 🙂 I cleaned up some more, but I was not feeling well at all. Nicholas and I ended up sitting on the couch together. He woke up and was scared of the dark.
Friday, what did we do? Oh yes, I was going to go help Amy, but I didn’t hear from her, so I didn’t go. I wasn’t feeling too well, so it was better to stay home. I ended up not going anywhere.

Hurray! Here is a picture of my friend Jenni, whom I’ve never met in person, but have known for three years or so. We chat a lot & e-mail & pray for each other, etc. :o) She’s a great friend! This picture was taken July 4, 2005. Jenni is holding her baby Abigail (or Abi). Now everyone will know who I’m talking about when I talk about Jenni. 😀 

Texas Department of State Health Services, Woman’s Right to Know Act – House Bill 15, Fetal Development week 8

Ok, I like Texas. They have this area on a woman’s right to know. I find this fascinating, because so many people would rather not tell a woman what is growing inside her so she could more easily have an abortion & not care. I’ve always thought one should be fully informed on any decision they make. I like that Texas does this.

I blogged this page because they wouldn’t let me use the pictures. This is the eight-week picture, I am at 9 weeks, so you can look at the ten-week one, and kinda figure in between. 🙂

hairstylist65’s Xanga Site

I was just catching up on Vickie’s life & decided to blog her blog. 🙂 She’s always so interesting. And her posts are much shorter than mine! Maybe I should take lessons. :o)
Blogger said they had a new picture thing, so I thought I would try it. Now I can’t get rid of one of these pictures!! So here’s Vickie! Isn’t she pretty? I like her new “do”, it looks really good. You all should post comments on how she should come and visit me. Or, alternatively, you could post comments saying what a horrible friend I am for not ever visiting her. True – she’s single and I have three kids, but I still should have stolen away for a weekend or something. Although, I haven’t seen my parents any more than I have seen Vickie … it stinks not having money & plane tickets costing so much! If I won a million dollars, one of the first things I’d do is buy myself a jet and a pilot so I could visit people whenever I wanted. 🙂
Daniel told me on the 4th of July that he was going to learn how to fly a little plane (we saw an old fashioned one before the fireworks) and he’d take me up with him. 🙂 I’m looking forward to that!!

It’s coming to the end of round 1 for Tina & me. We wanted to give ourselves a realistic time period. So we said we’d do this until the 4th of July. Then we’ll begin round 2, I hope! I’ve really enjoyed having someone to do this with, even though we don’t check up on each other all the time, it’s nice to know Tina’s trying just like me! 🙂
So here is my calorie count for the month of June. There are 14 days missing. The weekend of June 19-22 was the “lost weekend”. I was unable to count calories that weekend due to Jef making potato salad & cheesecake for his Mom’s birthday. 🙂 I’m sure I have a paper lying around with June 5-9 on it, I just can’t find it yet. 🙂 So, that said, here goes —

June 1, 2005 ~ 1673
June 2, 2005 ~ 1357
June 3 ~
June 4, 2005 ~ 1429.5
June 5, 2005 ~ 1453
June 6 ~
June 7 ~
June 8 ~
June 9 ~
June 10, 2005 ~ 1828 (+28)
June 11 ~
June 12, 2005 ~ 1777
June 13 ~
June 14, 2005 ~ 1672
June 15, 2005 ~ 1532
June 16, 2005 ~ 1653
June 17, 2005 ~ 1989 (+189)
June 18, 2005 ~ 1112 (I think this is missing snacks with Jef)
June 19-22 ~ The Lost Weekend
June 23, 2005 ~ 1495
June 24 ~
June 25 ~
June 26 ~
June 27, 2005 ~ 1675
June 28, 2005 ~ 1415
June 29, 2005 ~ 1420
June 30, 2005 ~ 1465

That’s all folks!

This has been a busy week! It doesn’t seem to stop, either!
Friday morning I had an appointment with Pearl Place Women’s Care to confirm my pregnancy. I went in at 9:30. The appointment was shorter than I thought it would be. They confirmed my pregnancy, the nurse talked to me a bit and then I had my blood drawn. The nurse who did that wasn’t very good. 🙁 I was bleeding more than I should have been when I got home, and it hurt the rest of the day. Today I have a nice bruise there. My dr.’s office set my due date at Feb. 6. So we will have to see. 🙂
That was a nice appointment. Since it was so quick I got to spend time with Jef in the morning. I like that. 🙂 He made us all fried potatoes with cheese – YUMMY. So we ate those and hung out. After he went to work, I put the kids down for naps. Then we went out. I wanted to go down to the coffeeshop Tina & Kamali are buying. The buyers accepted their offer, so they are finalizing things. So I thought I would pay rent while I was down there and then go to Fred Meyer. The kids and I had coffee (me) and a strawberry Italian soda, a raspberry scone and a blueberry muffin. The muffin was good, but I think the scone was stale. The coffee was good too. Once our reconnaissance mission was done, we went to pay rent.
I’d lost my envelope, though, so I had to stop at Walgreen’s and get some. The people there were very nice. The lady even found a coupon so I didn’t have to pay $.99 only $.69 for my envelopes!! 🙂 I thought that was really nice.
After paying rent, we went to Fred Meyer. The playplace was closed, but the kids were good. They got a cookie (free from the bakery!), and corndogs & pizza stick (Daniel). When I was done shopping, I found a register that had one person. This person had some problem, though, so I waited and waited. Then this lady came to take me, and some other lady scooted in front of me! Arg. I let her go, because she only had two things. Then I got up there, and the lady rung me up just fine. Then I handed her my coupons. I said, “I printed these off the internet, so they may not scan. Most of the other cashiers just type them in.” She tried scanning them, but they didn’t work. Then she thought she had an ad there, but it was the wrong ad. She ended up calling this guy over, and he said to me, “Ma’am, we always keep the coupon ads at the customer service desk.” I know that, but this works — I’ve done it before, and THEY JUST TYPE IT IN!!! Some other worker came over while the man was getting the ad and asked, “Did you try typing it in?” My cashier said, “Oh, I guess I could try that.” OH MY GOODNESS! I’d already told her that. They acted like I was doing something wrong. I’ve printed out coupons from the internet about four times now. No one has ever said anything. The first two times I did it, I asked specifically if it was ok, and was told yes. Grrrr.
That was Friday. Jef came home & we watched “The Maltese Falcon”. It was a fun movie. 🙂 I only fell asleep for a bit. 🙂
Today I have been down to Puyallup to pick up a Po toy for Nicholas from a freecycler. Then we went to Safeway and got some groceries & snacks for our trip.
Tomorrow we are going down to see Matt, Sarah & Baby Max. 🙂 Should be fun!!
Oh, and the boys have been telling everyone that I am going to have another baby. I don’t think they understand that the baby won’t come until February! 😀

Jef finally had a meeting with the new company.
Side note:
Something funny (not really, but hey, we’re trying to look on the bright side) we discovered – they gave Jef a booklet from the new company to peruse. On the front of the booklet was Evergreen Tenant Support’s address. Also on the cover was a date of revision. Guess when it was?? Guess, c’mon, give it a shot — JUNE 10, 2005!!!! When did we find out that this buy-out was final? Umm, last week??? Grrrr.
Ok, so Jef had a meeting with the new company. They told them about their history. Jef filled out applications. He asked about transferring and was told they couldn’t answer that yet. We’ve decided he won’t transfer unless he can get the same pay and the same hours. He needs the mornings free to get his computer business going.
The new company sounds good. They do have a couple questionable things – 1) they use your SS# as your employee ID. Jef really doesn’t like that. 2) they have you sign something that says they can search your property at any time. It doesn’t specify what “property” is – your wallet? your car? can they come to our house? That one got Kamali. 🙂
Let’s see, so Jef will have a $3.20/hr. pay cut (amounting to $520/mo). But Evergreen is giving him a severance package of one month’s pay plus his vacation cashed out. So, we will be ok. God is good. I’m trying really hard to trust God & not the figures & planning we do. :o)
So that is all the news I have on Jef’s job so far.

Wednesday was an odd day.
I woke up in the morning & took the second pg test. No harm in being sure! This time, the test didn’t even wait to say positive! It was positive immediately!
Jef got off to work, and I laid back down. The boys & I woke up around 8, and I started cleaning the house. We had a pretty quiet day. All the dishes were done, and I vacuumed and dusted. Jef ended up not getting home until almost six. He stopped at Safeway and picked up a pizza for the two of us. I fed the kids dino nuggets and left-over potato salad. Nicholas, of course, ate all his dino nuggets and none of his potato salad! Kamali & Tina called and I invited them over. We wanted to tell them our news. Jef thought maybe we should wait to tell people until the dr. confirmed it. I figured Kamali & Tina wouldn’t care. 🙂
They got here, and we talked. Kamali & Tina are buying a little coffee shop. We thought maybe that they would have heard if the buyer accepted their offer, and we would all have something to celebrate. The sellers hadn’t accepted their offer, yet, so they were still a little stressed.
Jonathan & I made chocolate chip cookies for Daddy, so we ate those. I doctored the pizza, putting on artichoke hearts, mushrooms and a little extra cheese. It turned out great!!! Very yummy.
Kamali & Tina were very excited to hear we are pregnant. I told Tina that people said I should think “girl thoughts”. She laughed and said, “yeah, except the sex was decided about seven weeks ago!!” 😀 Still, it can’t hurt, I suppose.
Wednesday just seemed really weird. It ended really well, we like having Kamali & Tina over. 🙂 But the whole day just seemed long and drawn out.
I’ve been really tired, so I keep falling asleep on Jef when we try to watch the news. 🙂