my last 12 hours, or what I do at night....

I ordered books today. Lots of books. I have my 10% to work with, and I think I just spent a third of it on BOOKS. I love Amazon.com. I could have bought them all more cheaply, but then I have to wait a coon's age for them to show up. So I ordered them all new. Half of them are gifts. We have birthdays coming up, and first communion, and adoption day, and even my dad's retirement. I need to look for something in person for him, though. He's kinda picky.
I fell asleep last night at around 8pm. I was exhausted from being woken up a lot and cleaning up all the piles of paper and unfinished projects downstairs. There was a lot to do! Now it's all messy again, but the "project type" mess is gone.
The kids built a tent in their room because the Cross's kids showed them their ideas on Wed. night and they decided to give it a go. Pretty good design, and all three slept in it last night.
I think I will give you a run-down of how my night went last night. This is not abnormal in the slightest, in case you were wondering... Oh, and Francis is usually on the couch because I can't sleep with that much more noise in my room at this point. We'll get back to normal when the baby starts sleeping.
1. 7:30pm Feed baby, put in crib, decide not to go downstairs because exhaustion has set in. Crawl in bed with clothes on.
2. 8:30 or so: Fell asleep.
3. 9:00 or so: Francis comes to see if I'm ready to get the seats out of the van because we're getting our very own queen bed frame today from Craigslist, and the people are willing to meet him outside his work. Francis was in a rear-ender on Monday, so he's not allowed to lift. I say, "I can't get up, we'll do it tomorrow."
4. Around midnight, Grace wakes up screaming. Has to go potty. Isn't really awake to know that, so she says her tummy hurts til I put her back. Then and only then does she have to go potty. All better.
5. Sometime between #3 and #4, about 15 teenagers or something like them were outside with some of the worst bass in a car I've ever heard. Considered calling cops after a while, but then I'd have to get out of bed. Considered ear plugs. But I'd have to find two of them at the same time... in the dark. Hmmm... Eventually a car drove up to get one of them and someone must have been complaining so they all left Let me add it was pouring down rain. I would completely understand on a warm summer night, but this was weird. Must be mid-winter break. I could check the district calendar, but y'know, it doesn't really matter too much to me. I should check though, because Brandon's speech therapy is on Thursdays when there is school. All of this occurs to me in the middle of the night.
6. Baby wakes up crying around 3 am because he can't breathe through his nose, which means he can neither nurse nor suck his thumb, which makes him a sad panda. So I take him downstairs and give him a dose of his antibiotic (because if it was day time, we'd be doing this three times a day anyway, and we just started, and I'm desperate for the stuff to start working), and a dose of motrin, because he has a fever. A great big green booger is wiped up by mom, and then he can breathe again, so he nurses and goes back to sleep.
7. I think he nursed at 5 again, but I'm not sure.
8. Francis starts the process of taking those seats out at 6am. I can hear him, so I go down so I can yell at him not to move objects when his lower back is in pain from the car wreck on Monday. I remove seats, kiss him goodbye, and start this post. I am now finishing it at 9am. Had to feed kids and Dave is on his way to a first time homebuyer class. Children made fun of Brandon (with Dave's help) because Gabe was writing down what he wants for his birthday (May) and then Brandon wanted to write down what he wants for Adoption Day (April), and Dave suggested coal and things of that nature.
Sad Panda here says I should stop typing or he'll eat my keyboard.
Here's what else I did. I bought books! Almost all are gifts, silly me. Here's the list:

Birth of the Firebringer (Firebird)
	Did you purchase this as a gift? Specify a new recipient: Print or E-mail a Gift Notification for this item
	Dark Moon (Firebird)
	Did you purchase this as a gift? Specify a new recipient: Print or E-mail a Gift Notification for this item
	The Son of Summer Stars (Firebird)
	Did you purchase this as a gift? Specify a new recipient: Print or E-mail a Gift Notification for this item
	America's Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money: Your Guide to Living Better, Spending Less, and Cashing in on Your Dreams
	Did you purchase this as a gift? Specify a new recipient: Print or E-mail a Gift Notification for this item
	Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know
	Did you purchase this as a gift? Specify a new recipient: Print or E-mail a Gift Notification for this item
	Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul
	Did you purchase this as a gift? Specify a new recipient: Print or E-mail a Gift Notification for this item
	Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul
	Did you purchase this as a gift? Specify a new recipient: Print or E-mail a Gift Notification for this item
	The Story of the Cross: The Stations of the Cross for Children
	Did you purchase this as a gift? Specify a new recipient: Print or E-mail a Gift Notification for this item
	The Weight of a Mass: A Tale of Faith
	Did you purchase this as a gift? Specify a new recipient: Print or E-mail a Gift Notification for this item
	Zachary's New Home: A Story for Foster and Adopted Children
	Did you purchase this as a gift? Specify a new recipient: Print or E-mail a Gift Notification for this item
	Maybe Days: A Book for Children in Foster Care
	Did you purchase this as a gift? Specify a new recipient: Print or E-mail a Gift Notification for this item
	Kids Need to Be Safe: A Book for Children in Foster Care (Kids Are Important)
	Did you purchase this as a gift? Specify a new recipient: Print or E-mail a Gift Notification for this item
	Storey's Basic Country Skills: A Practical Guide to Self-Reliance
	Did you purchase this as a gift? Specify a new recipient: Print or E-mail a Gift Notification for this item
	DORK TOWER VIII Go Dork Go (Collected Dork Tower)
	Did you purchase this as a gift? Specify a new recipient: Print or E-mail a Gift Notification for this item
	Hobby Farm: Living Your Rural Dream for Pleasure and Profit
	Did you purchase this as a gift? Specify a new recipient: Print or E-mail a Gift Notification for this item
	The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child, Volume 2: The Middle Ages: From the Fall of Rome to the Rise of the Renaissance, Revised Edition ... the World: History for the Classical Child)
	Did you purchase this as a gift? Specify a new recipient: Print or E-mail a Gift Notification for this item
	Neale S. Godfrey's Ultimate Kids' Money Book
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A happy adoption/foster care story

Hello All,
Here is a couple Rachel introduced us to. We're so glad for them, as it's been a long time waiting. Happy Adoption Day, Christopher!!

Hello everyone! We wanted to share some good news with all of you...we will be in front of the judge on Monday at 8:00am to make our adoption of Christopher final! For those of you who have been following this long, arduous journey, we started the process of becoming adoptive parents in Oregon in November 2004, made the move to Washington where we had to start over from square one, and then took custody of Christopher in October 2006. Despite all the bumps and jolts along the way, we are so glad we stuck with it and feel honored to become Christopher's forever family. Thanks for all of your support and prayers along the way!

Peace be with you all,

Jeffrey, Stacey, Calvin, and the soon to be Christopher Lauren Eklund

St. Patrick's and Holy Week!

Wow, I didn't realize it was right smack dab during Holy Week! First time in 40 years, folks. Oh no, Wiebers, what are we going to do?
Fr. Iweh says he's "black Irish" ya know. Maybe he'll give us a dispensation. (For those who don't know him, Fr. Iweh is from Nigeria... :))
Here's an article from the Seattle Times:

Luck of Irish not as lucky for church calendar

By Janet I. Tu
Seattle Times religion reporter

With Easter coming early this year — March 23 — St. Patrick's Day will, for the first time since 1940, fall during Holy Week, that most sacred of times leading up to Easter.

That poses something of a timing problem:

In the Roman Catholic Church, Holy Week is set aside for Christians to commemorate events such as Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper and Christ's crucifixion.

No other religious festivities are supposed to occur — such as Masses celebrating St. Patrick's Day on March 17.

In the Seattle Archdiocese, minor adjustments have been made. A Mass for Peace in Ireland, which the archbishop has traditionally celebrated each St. Patrick's Day at a Protestant church, will be held this year on Saturday, March 15.

The Church of St. Patrick in Tacoma is moving its celebration to March 9.

Secular festivities, such as parades and celebrating with friends, technically can still go on during Holy Week.

"We're going to celebrate anyway," said Thomas Quinlan, a retired construction inspector in Purdy, Pierce County, who says he's going to meet friends for dinner, "maybe sing a couple of old Irish ballads."

Patrick McAleese, owner of Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub in Seattle, says he expects no difference this year in the number of people celebrating. "For us, St. Patrick's always has been a weeklong event, anyway."

The St. Patrick's Day parade, organized by the Irish Heritage Club of Seattle, has for several years been held on the Saturday closest to St. Patrick's Day to make it easier for families and other participants who might not be able to attend during the week. This year it will be held on Saturday, March 15.

John Keane, chairman of the club's Irish Week committee, said he's used to celebrating during solemn times, since St. Patrick's Day always falls during the 40 days of Lent, which this year began Wednesday.

"Lent is a time of penance. And here's St. Patrick's Day right in the middle of it," Keane said. "You can imagine there's a conflict there sometimes. I try to do some penance every year to mark Lent. But I kind of do give myself a dispensation around St. Patrick's Day."

In other places, the St. Patrick's Day scheduling conflict has resulted in more official moves.

The Vatican approved a request by Ireland's bishops to move St. Patrick's Day to March 15 this year for Ireland only. A bishop in Columbus, Ohio, has asked local pastors to celebrate the saint a week early.

Easter falls early this year because the Catholic Church follows a combination of the lunar and solar calendars in determining the date.

"We've not had such an early Easter since 1913," said the Rev. Thomas Murphy, chairman of Seattle University's history department.

Janet I. Tu: 206-464-2272

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

From Rachel herself...

Rachel's doing pretty good if she can think this well!
See below!

Dear Ladies,

I am sending this to all my favorite sisters in Christ. Even if you can’t come and help please keep my family and recovery in your prayers. Thank you for all of your prayers during my surgery. I am doing well here in Bend. The surgery went well and I feel blessed to have my husband, son and mother in law here to help. My son keeps me smiling. My husband serves with such generosity that heals my wounds like no medicine. My mother in law keeps Peter playing and helps all of us with the housework. The house is so cute, and the snow beautiful. God is so good.

At this point, we are planning on leaving Saturday February 9. I need at least another week or two of complete bed rest. The doctor found endometriosis all over so my whole abdomen is extremely sore. Then after the first two weeks I am home, I need help with Peter. I cannot lift anything heavy for four weeks, and Peter is heavy lifting. I also am supposed to be on partial bed rest. I can do some things, but mostly resting with small spurts of activity.

So my mom is coming starting February 10 and staying till February 17. While she is here I would love for Peter to have some play dates with people so he can get a break from being around a sick mom.

We would love meals starting February 18 for however long the mom’s group usually brings meals. I am allergic to dairy products (sour cream, cheese, milk, etc.). I use rice or soy milk in cooking. I use Nucoa and Smart Balance as a butter substitute. My husband also only likes onions if they are very small (it’s a texture thing).

Starting Feb. 18, I will need help for myself and Peter. I will still be on complete bed rest. Peter will be ready to have a play mate also. I would like helpers at our house to help with my complete bed rest:

Feb. 18, 19, 20, 21, 22

Starting Feb. 25, I should be on limited bed rest and able to do limited activities. I will still need to rest and put my feet up a lot to aid with recovery. I also cannot do any heavy lifting. I would like helpers at our house to help with my partial bed rest:

Feb. 25, 26, 27, 28, 29

Mar. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Mar. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Mar. 17, 18, 19

Debbie Baker volunteered to help coordinate helpers for my recovery. I am emailing this to all of you but am hoping Debbie will do the coordinating. We are pretty busy here and tired.

So Debbie’s email is: bakd@comcast.net

Her phone# is: 360-456-2536

Thank you ahead of time for your generosity; it is a joy to know I have such amazing friends that are willing to help me out. I know you’ll love spending time with Peter because he is so much fun.

God Bless You and Your Families

Rachel

Parenting the good ol' fashioned way

I have to say that I read this and realized there was a LOT of truth in it. I hate to snatch posts from the Common Room so often, but this is one that MUST be passed along. What do you think?

More for My Children

A friend of Granny Tea's grew up in Mexico where she washed the family laundry in a stream using rocks. She grew up, came to America, made the American Dream, getting a good job in the Space Industry, making good money, bought an amazing house in a wealthy neighborhood and good schools. She didn't want her her kids to suffer like she had.
They never wore used clothes. They never lacked for a single thing. They had no chores, not even making their own beds. They were, consequently, lazy, unappreciative, and took the good life for granted. She came to work in tears sometimes because they were so rude. She would acknowledge that somewhere, somehow, she'd given them too much and it hadn't been good for them, but she couldn't bear to give them less, either.

Thank you, DHM!
I want 'more' for my kids, too, sometimes. And sometimes, that 'more' is selfish. I want things to be different for them so that I don't feel bad about them feeling bad. Mostly, as my Progeny will attest, I squelch that impulse, and they 'suffer' anyway. In a good way. Like this:

These Things I Wish For You
-- By Lee Pitts


We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse.

For my grandchildren, I'd like better. I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches. I really would.

I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated. I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car. And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen. It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.

I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in. I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him. When you want to see a movie and your little brother wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him.

I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely. On rainy days, when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom.

If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one. I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books. When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.

I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.

May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole. I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.

I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle. May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays. I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.

These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.

Isn't it sad that so many times, in trying to 'save' our children we curse them?

and just when we thought we were grown ups...

Another lesson in being a full-fledged grown up: furnishing or upgrading your home is a LOT of money.
Now I remember why we've thus far relied on the kindness of others. I've literally gotten one of my best mattresses out of... a dumpster. Not kidding. Some people will understand this, others will go, ewwww! Ok, it was beside the dumpster, not in it. It was very good! It has been replaced since then with a $60 twin mattress from St. Vincent DePaul. The mattress Brandon is on is a futon from freecycle (www.freecycle.org). Ours we bought with our tax refund one year. Grace's we got from a friend and the bed off www.craigslist.com. I got Dave's mattress off freecycle, too, and it's the best one. Our couch is from a homeschooling friend. Our table is from a friend's grandparents. The dining room bench was $50 in a driveway last summer. The tv thingy is from a friend who was upgrading. The computer desk was $90 on craigslist. Our dressers are from friends, childhood, or the one I bought slightly damaged at Fred Meyer when we got married.
I am proud to say that I bought my laptop I'm typing on with my own money from Mother of Divine Grace, a school I correct papers for and Gabe is enrolled in as a correspondence school. I have my resources! And I've learned and am learning, some things need to be bought new. Shoes, for instance. Good ones. I bought a really good purse, too, because they kept breaking. This one was expensive, but worth it. A big leather purse from Franklin Covey! Another tax splurge.
Of course, taxes are coming up again and I have nearly got everything ready. We're using a CPA this year instead of HR Block because 1. HR Block screwed up, and 2. they know less than I do, I now realize. They just have a big book that I lack. One guy did know more than me, but he was the "fix other people's oopsies" guy, so I can't request him.
I'm looking forward to meeting a real CPA and making plans. We are (I hesitate to say) officially moving from survival mode to thriving mode. Thank God. We've been married over eight years, but things are really looking up.
With that said, the temptation is to upgrade. See? I came back to the subject. I started looking at nice looking queen bed frames on craigslist. They are about $300-$400. Francis was wondering where we could find one cheaper, and of course, I then showed him how much they are new! $1100 is the average price for what we thought looked nice. Reality check! We've never really been furniture shopping, can you tell? I had a really nice queen bed frame, but we moved to a place with a lot of stairs and gave it away because it was solid oak and we couldn't move it that far. Good thing, since we moved about five times more after that, but I wish I had it now. Yes, Mom, I know you are still mad I gave that away. I just had no choice that day.
Then we went to Home Depot yesterday. We wanted to get nice shades to block light in the bedroom windows. Price? About $700. Oh dear. Think I'll do savings and debt, then on the tax refund or my next MODG payment, I'll go get those. ARGH. We really do need shades, and if I'm going to do it, it has to be what I want and will be happy with, or I'll have wasted my money. ACK!
Now to shop for clothing. Also something I've never spent money on, and it shows. I'm using the book "Color Me Beautiful" to help me with that. It's a dated book but with good ideas...
Wow. Reality Bites.

Joyce was right!

Ok, this sounds crazy, but I was desperate enough to try this remedy for the icky winter cold. If you coat your child's feet with vick's vaporub, and then put on socks or footy pajamas, and then put them to bed for the night, their cold will improve. No kidding. It's working pretty good over here. We had a baby with croup and went to the ER, and now it appears Brandon might get it, too, but we'll hope for the best. Right now it's all coughs and boogers.
Joyce has so many interesting suggestions. Very funny.
Don't take any of her advice for the dehydrator yet, until she knows what she's doing. Two lessons so far:
Don't dehydrate plantains unless you know how they are different from bananas. Yum. Cardboard.
Don't microwave something to make sure it's done. That's some crunchy beef jerky, that is! Much yummier than the plantains, though... :)