Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Crohn's Disease
I have Crohn's disease. I was going to upload a picture to explain what this is and how it affects my body, but they're all extremely gross. Just go to Google and type in Crohn's disease and search the images section. You'll see what I mean.
Most people with Crohn's understand what they can and cannot eat. Things like popcorn, nuts, wheat, or dairy products often cause a flare up of symptoms. I've never had trouble with any foods in any amounts, so I considered myself pretty lucky. This week I carved pumpkins with my kids, so naturally I toasted the pumpkin seeds. I mixed some olive oil, worchestershire sauce, garlic and onion powder and seasoning salt and baked them until they were crispy. They were delicious! Also, they cause a flare up of my symptoms.
Without being too gross, the seeds won't digest. They can't pass through the terminal illeum (the part of the intestines where the small bowel meets the large bowel) because I have pre-existing inflamation and scar tissue. They aren't being broken down into more easily digestible pieces, and I'm suffering some serious stomach pain. I've put myself on an all liquid diet, because I throw everything else up. If this doesn't get better by tomorrow I'm taking myself to the emergency room. Those pumpkin seeds were delicious, but I'm not sure it's worth the trade off. Aurgh!!!!! (That's a real word).
Most people with Crohn's understand what they can and cannot eat. Things like popcorn, nuts, wheat, or dairy products often cause a flare up of symptoms. I've never had trouble with any foods in any amounts, so I considered myself pretty lucky. This week I carved pumpkins with my kids, so naturally I toasted the pumpkin seeds. I mixed some olive oil, worchestershire sauce, garlic and onion powder and seasoning salt and baked them until they were crispy. They were delicious! Also, they cause a flare up of my symptoms.
Without being too gross, the seeds won't digest. They can't pass through the terminal illeum (the part of the intestines where the small bowel meets the large bowel) because I have pre-existing inflamation and scar tissue. They aren't being broken down into more easily digestible pieces, and I'm suffering some serious stomach pain. I've put myself on an all liquid diet, because I throw everything else up. If this doesn't get better by tomorrow I'm taking myself to the emergency room. Those pumpkin seeds were delicious, but I'm not sure it's worth the trade off. Aurgh!!!!! (That's a real word).
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Family Fun
Monday night we carved jack-o-lanterns for Family Home Evening. The kids designed and helped carve one all by themselves! Guess which one is their design!
The kids liked to watch the pumpkin cleaning, but they didn't want to help... that meant getting their hands dirty! They were willing to eat the toasted pumpkin seeds though!
Poor Gracie has been sick this week with really high fevers. We don't know what she has, but if the fever lasts one more day we're going to the doctor. I thought this picture of Austin carrying her to bed was really sweet.
The kids liked to watch the pumpkin cleaning, but they didn't want to help... that meant getting their hands dirty! They were willing to eat the toasted pumpkin seeds though!
Poor Gracie has been sick this week with really high fevers. We don't know what she has, but if the fever lasts one more day we're going to the doctor. I thought this picture of Austin carrying her to bed was really sweet.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Why we did laundry on Sunday
Sometimes, the ox is in the mire. I woke up this morning to a cheerful Grace climbing into bed with Austin and I. She wasn't ready to get up for the day, so she snuggled up with me under the blanket. She is potty trained, but she wears pull-ups overnight. This particular pull-up was pretty full and I didn't notice until it was too late. She had to go one more time while she was snuggling with me, and that pathetic thing couldn't hold one more drop. It leaked all over our bed. So, although it was a day of rest, I had to do several loads of laundry so that we could sleep tonight.
Here's the funny part... Austin asked Grace this afternoon why we had to wash our sheets today, and she said "because my pee melted on your bed."
Here's the funny part... Austin asked Grace this afternoon why we had to wash our sheets today, and she said "because my pee melted on your bed."
I got tagged!
A) Four places that I go to over and over:
Work, Church, Walgreens, Walmart
B) Four people who e-mail me (regularly):
Aunt Sharlene, Austin, Jenna, Mom
C) Four of my favorite places to eat:
Olive Garden, Chipotle, Rosa's, Sonic
D) Four other places I would rather be right now:
In my bed, Hawaii, Alaska, Europe
E) Four people I intend to tag:
I dunno, the first four people who read this.
F) Four TV shows I watch:
Bones, Fringe, Chuck, The Office
Work, Church, Walgreens, Walmart
B) Four people who e-mail me (regularly):
Aunt Sharlene, Austin, Jenna, Mom
C) Four of my favorite places to eat:
Olive Garden, Chipotle, Rosa's, Sonic
D) Four other places I would rather be right now:
In my bed, Hawaii, Alaska, Europe
E) Four people I intend to tag:
I dunno, the first four people who read this.
F) Four TV shows I watch:
Bones, Fringe, Chuck, The Office
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Ward Halloween Party
Tonight was the Ward Halloween block party, and it was so much fun! Austin and I went as Sarah Palin and John McCain. (I put Sarah first because really, whose voting for John McCain? We're voting for Sarah and he just comes with the package). We got a great reaction from the ward, it was a big hit. There were carnival games, hot dogs & cotton candy, train rides, face painting, and lots of fun.
Ember went as Hannah Montanna, but she didn't want to wear her wig. It was too itchy!
Grace went as a princess, and was absolutely adorable in her pointy hat. Ben isn't pictured, he was nowhere to be found when I had the camera out, but he went as Ironman.
Our grass roots campaign effort was a great success! Vote McCain/Palin on November 4! (It's hard to tell in this picture, but Austin's hair looked great sprayed white).
Ember went as Hannah Montanna, but she didn't want to wear her wig. It was too itchy!
Grace went as a princess, and was absolutely adorable in her pointy hat. Ben isn't pictured, he was nowhere to be found when I had the camera out, but he went as Ironman.
Our grass roots campaign effort was a great success! Vote McCain/Palin on November 4! (It's hard to tell in this picture, but Austin's hair looked great sprayed white).
Music
Ember & Ben were listening to the radio this morning, and I couldn't tell what song was playing. Ember said "Ben, you should like this song so that when you're a grown-up you can sing it to the girl you want to marry." How sweet! When was the last time Austin sang me a song?
Thursday, October 23, 2008
My lucky day!!!
I won $1000 in a radio contest tonight! The radio station we listen to at work, 98.7 the Peak (it doesn't offend anyone) has this Thursday night deal where they give away five $1000 gift cards to random callers when they play the song of the day. I heard the song, and I was the 4th random caller they chose! Whoo hoo!!! Just in time for Christmas!
But before Christmas comes Halloween. After looking at this picture, I'll give you three guesses who I'm going to be and the first two don't count. :)
But before Christmas comes Halloween. After looking at this picture, I'll give you three guesses who I'm going to be and the first two don't count. :)
Gratitude
This is a long, introspective post that contains spirituality, testimony, & gushy love talk. Casual readers can skip ahead to the next post with short sentences and cute pictures! I'll love you either way!
I spent some time tonight blog-sucking, including my own older posts, and I realized something: I am so lucky. I have three amazing children who are so beautiful, they take my breath away. They are so innocent in their observations and creations, they teach me something new about myself every single day. I am humbled to be their mother, and I pray in gratitude to my Father in Heaven for trusting me with their spirits in mortality.
Austin and I went and visited with our Stake President tonight, and he was given a new calling; High Priest Group Leader. It's a big responsibility that will probably take him out of the home several nights a week, but it's a great opportunity for service and growth. I am so proud of him, and I am so lucky to be married to my best friend. I was thinking about two things tonight; I don't have any girlfriends that I am really close to, talk to on a regular basis, or have traditions with. That makes me a little sad, because I have a hard time developing relationships with other women. I am insecure, and I am hesitant to let down my barriers. But I do have my best friend in the whole world that I share inside jokes with, share three beautiful children with, share a bed and a home with, & share a pazookie with (he says it's a two person dessert, and I disagree... it's a testament to my love for him that he gets a bite). That's the first thing, how lucky I am to be married to the best friend I ever had.
The second thing I was thinking about was my patriarchal blessing. It's been awhile since I've read it, but it came to my mind tonight in our meeting with President Lewis. It tells me that my husband will be a leader in the church, and I will be a great supporter of him. I never thought much about that until tonight. I don't think it's a given that I will support my husband. Being a great leader takes time and effort, it means not being home some evenings, it means early morning meetings, it means extra time away from your family. I think that line in my blessing is actually counsel from my Heavenly Father. I NEED to be a great supporter of him, in order for him to become the man he needs to be. I NEED to be a great supporter of him so that I can achieve the personal growth that I have been lacking lately. I lean on him so much for everything because of my own personal weaknesses. I am grateful for that counsel, and I hope that I can achieve that quality that my Heavenly Father saw the potential for in me.
After we got home from our meeting I spent some time online visiting the blogs of other family and friends, and I am in awe of the great mothers that are out there. With bi-polar disorder I often feel like I'm not a very good mother, and that my children will end up needing therapy of their own one day because of me. My blog makes me look like a pretty decent mom, but I only post the good stuff. I don't post the times I lost my temper over spilled water (just water for crying out loud, not even anything that would stain!) or put my kids in front of the TV because I just didn't have the energy to spend the evening playing with them. I have a lot of ups and downs, and it makes me sad that I can't cherish their childhood the way I see other mothers doing with their kids. My children will only be this age once, tomorrow they will have grown up a little bit more. I wish I could cherish this time and live in the moment more fully. I know that my Heavenly Father is aware of my weaknesses and shortcomings and He will watch over my children when I can't. I'm grateful for that knowledge, and I really do pray that I can live up to the noble title of "Mother" some day.
That's enough introspection for one evening. It's back to playing games online and waiting for dawn to break, so I can fix breakfast for my posterity and cherish the simplicity of before school routines.
I spent some time tonight blog-sucking, including my own older posts, and I realized something: I am so lucky. I have three amazing children who are so beautiful, they take my breath away. They are so innocent in their observations and creations, they teach me something new about myself every single day. I am humbled to be their mother, and I pray in gratitude to my Father in Heaven for trusting me with their spirits in mortality.
Austin and I went and visited with our Stake President tonight, and he was given a new calling; High Priest Group Leader. It's a big responsibility that will probably take him out of the home several nights a week, but it's a great opportunity for service and growth. I am so proud of him, and I am so lucky to be married to my best friend. I was thinking about two things tonight; I don't have any girlfriends that I am really close to, talk to on a regular basis, or have traditions with. That makes me a little sad, because I have a hard time developing relationships with other women. I am insecure, and I am hesitant to let down my barriers. But I do have my best friend in the whole world that I share inside jokes with, share three beautiful children with, share a bed and a home with, & share a pazookie with (he says it's a two person dessert, and I disagree... it's a testament to my love for him that he gets a bite). That's the first thing, how lucky I am to be married to the best friend I ever had.
The second thing I was thinking about was my patriarchal blessing. It's been awhile since I've read it, but it came to my mind tonight in our meeting with President Lewis. It tells me that my husband will be a leader in the church, and I will be a great supporter of him. I never thought much about that until tonight. I don't think it's a given that I will support my husband. Being a great leader takes time and effort, it means not being home some evenings, it means early morning meetings, it means extra time away from your family. I think that line in my blessing is actually counsel from my Heavenly Father. I NEED to be a great supporter of him, in order for him to become the man he needs to be. I NEED to be a great supporter of him so that I can achieve the personal growth that I have been lacking lately. I lean on him so much for everything because of my own personal weaknesses. I am grateful for that counsel, and I hope that I can achieve that quality that my Heavenly Father saw the potential for in me.
After we got home from our meeting I spent some time online visiting the blogs of other family and friends, and I am in awe of the great mothers that are out there. With bi-polar disorder I often feel like I'm not a very good mother, and that my children will end up needing therapy of their own one day because of me. My blog makes me look like a pretty decent mom, but I only post the good stuff. I don't post the times I lost my temper over spilled water (just water for crying out loud, not even anything that would stain!) or put my kids in front of the TV because I just didn't have the energy to spend the evening playing with them. I have a lot of ups and downs, and it makes me sad that I can't cherish their childhood the way I see other mothers doing with their kids. My children will only be this age once, tomorrow they will have grown up a little bit more. I wish I could cherish this time and live in the moment more fully. I know that my Heavenly Father is aware of my weaknesses and shortcomings and He will watch over my children when I can't. I'm grateful for that knowledge, and I really do pray that I can live up to the noble title of "Mother" some day.
That's enough introspection for one evening. It's back to playing games online and waiting for dawn to break, so I can fix breakfast for my posterity and cherish the simplicity of before school routines.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
How fun!
Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!
This was fun. These may be books written for teenage girls, but I love them. They make me feel young, and the story is uncomplicated. I can't wait for the movie!
Monday, October 20, 2008
F.H.E.
Ember said the closing prayer for Family Home Evening tonight, and it went like this:
"Please help us be like Jesus. Please bless the refreshments that they won't give us too much sugar tonight. Please bless that they won't taste too different, that they'll taste the way they usually do."
Isn't that the prayer of every woman in America? Bless is to taste good, but not be too bad for me. Amen Ember!
"Please help us be like Jesus. Please bless the refreshments that they won't give us too much sugar tonight. Please bless that they won't taste too different, that they'll taste the way they usually do."
Isn't that the prayer of every woman in America? Bless is to taste good, but not be too bad for me. Amen Ember!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Conversation with Ember
I was driving Ember to the store to get a birthday present for her friend, and we had the following conversation. We were stopped at a red light, and the 50 year old man in the car next to us was smoking.
E: Mom, why does that man have both his windows rolled down? Oh, he's smoking. He's really bad!
M: He's not bad honey, he just doesn't know any better. Maybe he doesn't know about the Word of Wisdom like you do.
E: Well, he should know better. He's like, 18 years old. (This man was in his fifties with gray hair and a beard). Mom, can dad grow a beard?
M: Yes, he just chooses not to.
E: How come?
M: Maybe because I don't like the way it feels when he kisses me, so he does it for me. Maybe because it makes his face feel itchy. You should ask him that.
E: I didn't know he could grow a beard, but he shaves EVERY DAY! (at this point, we got to the roundabout at the Riverview shopping center. Some gardeners were leveling the dirt). What are they putting in there?
M: Probably flowers. Trees would be too tall and block the view of traffic.
E: Flowers?! But flowers go on the side of a road, or in a garden, not in a a big thing like that.
M: What would you put there?
E: A playground, for kids to wait while their parents are shopping.
M: But Ember, there's lots of cars, it wouldn't be a safe place to leave kids.
E: Then I'd just get a lifeguard.
E: Mom, why does that man have both his windows rolled down? Oh, he's smoking. He's really bad!
M: He's not bad honey, he just doesn't know any better. Maybe he doesn't know about the Word of Wisdom like you do.
E: Well, he should know better. He's like, 18 years old. (This man was in his fifties with gray hair and a beard). Mom, can dad grow a beard?
M: Yes, he just chooses not to.
E: How come?
M: Maybe because I don't like the way it feels when he kisses me, so he does it for me. Maybe because it makes his face feel itchy. You should ask him that.
E: I didn't know he could grow a beard, but he shaves EVERY DAY! (at this point, we got to the roundabout at the Riverview shopping center. Some gardeners were leveling the dirt). What are they putting in there?
M: Probably flowers. Trees would be too tall and block the view of traffic.
E: Flowers?! But flowers go on the side of a road, or in a garden, not in a a big thing like that.
M: What would you put there?
E: A playground, for kids to wait while their parents are shopping.
M: But Ember, there's lots of cars, it wouldn't be a safe place to leave kids.
E: Then I'd just get a lifeguard.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Sleeping doggies
Elphie & Lady were snuggling together, it was very sweet.
Elphie has some funny sleeping positions...
This is one of my favorites, she's very long when she's all stretched out.
Elphie stole some of Lady's toys when she got here, and this (unfortunately) was one of Lady's favorites. She disemboweled it, then didn't know what to do with the stuffing.
Elphie has some funny sleeping positions...
This is one of my favorites, she's very long when she's all stretched out.
Elphie stole some of Lady's toys when she got here, and this (unfortunately) was one of Lady's favorites. She disemboweled it, then didn't know what to do with the stuffing.
California!
We spent our last day in California at the park, just enjoying the amazing weather. The kids had a blast on the rock climbing wall & digging in the sand. We had such a great trip, and we're so glad we could see Grandma & Grandpa. We can't wait to go back! Maybe Grandma & Grandpa can wait though...
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Legoland
Legoland was so much fun! It was our first time there, and Grace's first time at any theme park! She liked the roller coasters the best, even the ones that scared Ben. I think it was even better than Disneyland, they had more rides for young kids and the lines were shorter and more entertaining. We'll definitely do this again someday!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Conference Campout
This weekend was the Lawlor Family 2nd semi-annual Conference Campout! The entire weekend was centered around Conference, and around the letter 'C'. My children look forward to conference weekend, even though they don't understand or remember much of what is spoken. They will remember the anticipation and joy they feel when the prophets and apostles speak, and they will take that with them into their futures.
We gathered our children in a tent in front of the TV to watch and listen to the prophet.
"And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them;" Mosiah 2:6
Each child had a Conference journal and coloring pages. They actively listened for key words and phrases to complete conference bingo, they watched for the names of who was speaking so they could match the pictures of the apostles and color in their necktie, and they listened to the music for songs they recognized.
As a part of the 'C' weekend, we only wore Comfy Clothes, did some Coloring and Caring, and only ate foods that began with the letter C; Crackers, Chips, Carrots, Cheese Crisps, Cereal, Chocolate (can't be without it), Chicken, and many others.
Austin and I still didn't get to hear every word of every talk, but we have a DVR... we'll just watch it after the kids go to bed. The weekend was a huge success in all the ways that matter.
We gathered our children in a tent in front of the TV to watch and listen to the prophet. "And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them;" Mosiah 2:6
Each child had a Conference journal and coloring pages. They actively listened for key words and phrases to complete conference bingo, they watched for the names of who was speaking so they could match the pictures of the apostles and color in their necktie, and they listened to the music for songs they recognized.
As a part of the 'C' weekend, we only wore Comfy Clothes, did some Coloring and Caring, and only ate foods that began with the letter C; Crackers, Chips, Carrots, Cheese Crisps, Cereal, Chocolate (can't be without it), Chicken, and many others.
Austin and I still didn't get to hear every word of every talk, but we have a DVR... we'll just watch it after the kids go to bed. The weekend was a huge success in all the ways that matter.
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