11 Reasons Why Today Was Weird

1) Three Different Men Came to My House Before 8:30 in the Morning in Ten Minute Increments...Randomly

2) I Saw a Miniature Burro Being Pulled in a Lawn Maintenance Trailer

3) My Blood Pressure Raised Twenty Points in Less than Twenty Minutes (from the parking lot to the doctor's office)

4) My Blood Pressure then Dropped Ten Points in Less than Ten Minutes

5) I Think My Doctor Reasoned My Low Blood Pressure at Home to "Resting All Day" After I Told Him that I Stay At Home with My Children....and Also Considered My Being at His Office as "Out and About Activity".....?

6) The Doctor Drew My Blood Today (because the nurse was busy?)

7) I FELL on the Doctor's Office Floor...In Front of the Doctor...

8) I Think that He May Have Blamed My Falling Because of My Flip Flops While He was Cleaning Up a Wet Spot on the Floor....?

9) The Drive Through Window Worker at McD's Told a Man that He Didn't Understand Because He was White While Looking at Me and Handing Me My Food....awkward....

10) At Arby's I asked For a "Turk-N Bake-IE" Instead of a Turkey Bacon with a Pepsi

11) I Honked my Horn on Accident in the Drive Through Line and Made the Manager Mad...and I Think I got a Trainee Into Trouble....

Some days are easier than others. Today was an easy day, and I thank God for these days. Stephen was home, and he took the kids to the splash zone; I shopped and did errands all by myself!

For those of you who do not have children, animals, or some other living being that you are responsible for, relish in the moments that you have by yourself to do...well...whatever it is that you want! I never appreciated being alone before being married and having kids. Now I thrive on alone (or just with my friends) "me" time!

OK, sorry for that bunny trail. We wrapped up the day with a family bike ride, an awesome dinner (meat, green beans, fresh shucked corn, cantaloupe), and a Disney movie. Ahhh....

Also, we transferred our little 21 month old to a big girl bed. It was a little tough at first, but I know that with patience, stubbornness, and consistency it will work out. I actually cried when we took the rails off of the crib. My little girl isn't a baby, and I feel as though I missed it somehow. Seriously, I am/was fully present and coherent at all times; however, my baby girl that I thought that I would never have is sleeping in a toddler bed with pull ups on instead of a "diaper." So, I did what every mother has the right to do. I cried. I am crying now thinking of it. I think that is all this blog needs tonight....so I'll end it here....crying like a girl....

Anne of yawn.....

Is it a crime against femininity to not fully enjoy The Anne of Green Gables series? It isn't like I despise them; it is just the amount of time you must forfeit in order to watch them all. I probably would have issues if I were to put in my favorite movie and watch it continuously for hours on end. Isn't that a form of torture? I guess that people now know what would push me over the edge.
Apparently when watching it recently with friends, I did not hide my feelings very well (and I really thought that I did). It is just that 3 1/2 hours into it, I merely snapped. I am weak. However, in my defense, one person went to another room to sleep, one remained on her laptop, and the other two played scrabble (you know who you are). Where did that leave me? The only actually fully paying attention to the screen.

I guess that the only way you can fully enjoy the Anne series is to not watch it at all; instead, preoccupy yourself with something more exciting while running it in the background. Ouch, the truth hurts ladies...but I will be silenced NO LONGER!

Bad Doctor Day...

Today was my first visit to my doctor for the baby, and I knew that things were not going to go my way when I almost walked into the wrong office. Upon my arrival I was the only patient in the waiting room, and then the nurse called me back. She did a short interview with me then weighed me. Next, something that I have been dreading since I made the doctor's appointment, she took my blood pressure! For some reason, whenever I go to any doctor's office at any time my blood pressure shoots up. I can't control it (even when I hold my breath to slow down my heart rate)....so that was hurdle number one
Next, she lead me to my exam room where she would also draw some blood. First, she attempted my arm. Apparently, she got the vein OK but it stop producing soon after; that made her decide to go for my hand, instead. YUCK!? She kind of got the same result and stated, "Your blood is so thick."
That's the first. I have yet to have heard that one. OK. Now the doctor enters (physical exam....etc.) after which he wants to check my blood pressure, again. Excuse me? I think that the physical exam part puts no one "at rest" when we are talking about blood pressure, right?
That led to a little speech about me needing to come back in next week to check out my kidney function, gestational diabetes, and blood pressure.
Let me also refresh your memory that I am only 7 weeks 5 days along and should be pregnant for 40 weeks. This is going to be a long road, and I will need prayer apparently......so if you would be so kind......
Until the next time

Is this for real?

Ok, so it has been a little while since the last time that I was pregnant, but is it possible to forget what it "feels" like? I think that I have. Right now I am around 6 weeks along (maybe more?). I just don't "feel" pregnant. There isn't the stretching feeling, no morning sickness, nothing really but a blank area on my calendar and a positive pregnancy test (or four).

I kind of remember going through this the last time. It just builds up my anxiety a little bit. I want to know that everything is moving along fine, and I need confirmation from my doctor. I have until May 19 to kick these thoughts around. Oh what the imagination can create inside my mind!

Chinese Nirvana?

Why is Chinese take out so good? I just enjoyed mandarin chicken and chow mien with a vegetable spring roll. Is it really the flavor that is so enticing, or is it merely the fact that I didn't have to cook a single thing? Perhaps, the draw is knowing that there will be no dishes to hand wash. Whatever the reason, it surely filled my internal void and pregnancy "yuckies". Let me leave you with my fortune from the dainty packaged cookie:
"A light heart carries you through the hard times."
By the way, your lucky numbers are 6, 13, 14, 23, 26, 37

I first wrote the blog above last night around 9:00pm. Ignorance was bliss. By 5:00am I was bowing before the porcelain throne submitting my "offerings". Therefore, cleaning up dishes, cooking for yourself and everything else I said was so wonderful about Chinese takeout was utter crud! It is worth the minor labor if it means avoiding the horrible aftermath.
I am still sitting on the couch recovering. Again, not worth it!

Police, Cars, and Bullet Holes!

Ok, so God does work in mysterious ways. While my friends window being shot was being investigated by police and handled by an insurance company I was distracted and was going to stick around until it was settled....
Meanwhile at my home there were police rushing down my street, a helicopter hovering and an armed man running around the woods behind our neighbor's house. He was captured (after someone was possible shot) and taken into custody.
This is where God's plan I spoke about earlier is evident. If I wasn't earlier distracted by the ongoings about my friends car...then I would have been pulling up to my home right in the middle of all of this madness. I believe that I was being protected from something that may have happened.
So that you God for your protection...and thank you Cindy for having your car there...dealing with your insurance company and helpful policemen for my safety AND playing your part in God's plan of protection. =)

SOMETIMES

• Sometimes there isn't words for the frustration.
• Sometimes you should keep your mouth shut.
• Sometimes you shouldn't.
• Sometimes you feel as though you will burst with insanity if you hold on to it any longer.
• Sometimes your frustration is spewed onto the wrong person.
• Sometimes you need to pray about it.
• Sometimes you get annoyed when people tell you things that you already know.
• Sometimes you wish you could get out how you really feel without repercussions.
• Sometimes you just have to blog it.
• Sometimes you can't because you never know who's reading it.
• Sometimes there is nothing left to say or do.

The name game

I am convinced that the first challenging job of a parent is to name the baby. Naming another human being is a huge responsibility! I am sure the Ragina's and Poindexter's of the world would agree with this blog.
Stephen and I were kicking around names for the new baby today. It seems that when we feel secure with one, someone either takes it or tells us how much they hate it! That led me to sending out a mass e-mail today asking for other people's favorite names.
In the past we've read books, read polls, and even researched personalities assumptions that people make when hearing names when naming our kids. We have also raided the family tree (even if you don't have kids you should try it for a good laugh).
Certain names are cute now, but what will people think of a 50 year old woman name Trixie or something? It just doesn't have the same effect. Plus, I don't think that the name Trixie can compare to the name Alexandra on a resume.
Thoughts?

The Me Questionaire

What was i doing ten years ago?
I was seventeen years old on the verge of graduating, and I was about to be shipped off to an university that I hated!
5 things on my "to-do" list...
1) Fold Laundry 2) Clean out car
3) Grow Baby in Utero 4) Feed and Clothe Everyone Daily
5) To spot clean at least 30 min. daily
Snacks I enjoy
Nutella, Golden Apples, Ice Pop, and Baguette
Five things I'd do if i were a billionaire...
1) Pay of Debts 2) Buy/Build dream home 3) Give & Donate to missions/churches 4) De-burden parents financially 5) Extend our family further by adoption
5 bad habits...
1) Being too blunt 2) Remembering Everything
3) Worrying/Anxiety 4) Biting my nails
5) Obsessing
Places I've lived...
Fayetteville, NC
Casselberry, FL
Cullowhee, NC
Oviedo, FL
Orlando, FL
Sanford, FL
Five jobs I've had...
1) Compliance Clerk w/ Sears 2) Donations Services @ CCC 3) Starbucks Barista
4) Cheerleading Coach 5) Substitute Teacher
Who's Next?
Cindy Harle
Danielle (formerly Dahl)
ummm....anyone else that hasn't been mentioned from Jen's blog???????

Meaty Madness!

It is almost one o'clock in the morning and...WHAM...my first pregnancy craving has hit me!
STEAK!
I am not an avid red meat eater, nor do I store steak in my refrigerator unless a super special occasion is approaching.
Yet, like a runaway freight train this craving is uncontrollable. My mouth salivates like a dog, and I have dragged myself out of my warm cozy bed to the quiet frigid kitchen.
As a substitute, I have located beef in the fridge (meant for tomorrows dinner). Yes, I now have actually pulled out my frying pan and without second thought, have whipped it up for my consumption.
Readers, do not be filled with dismay and total disgust. I am proud to announce that this beef was 100% organic (no hormones, additives, etc. AND the animal was raised on a complete vegetarian diet). Plus, I have pulled out the all natural chicken for dinner....everyone wins and everyone is fed!
OH, and by the way...IT IS Sooooooooooooo WORTH IT!

Finally, a conclusion

OK, so the debate has been thrown around in several circles about Africans clapping on the offbeat rather that the "even" beats. I know that this sounds confusing (and a little dumb), but for some reason it has been eating away at me!
Stephen (Africa native since birth) and family (parents still reside overseas) have clapped the same as me throughout and have joked about the apparent clapping impaired that plagues our churches and people (all in good fun).
SO, when the idea came up that we were not clapping/keeping the beat the "African" way you can see our disgust with the very idea!
That got me digging....I researched many songs, sites, stories, and anything else that could help me reach a conclusion (right or wrong).....and what I found was surprising.
When Africans are singing traditional "African" songs or have arranged music they do tend to clap on the off beat. However, when adapting an "English" song they tend to clap on the even beats!
Both sides are right! The actual answer and problem were simply lost in translation!
You can be assured that I am breathing a sigh of relief as this inner turmoil can finally be extinguished.

The Bock Expansion Project

Last week, I was driving home from having dinner with some friends. Stephen asked me to get some ice cream on my way home, and while I was in the Walgreens it occurred to me that I may need to pick up a pregnancy test. I didn't "feel" pregnant, and I actually thought that it was a silly idea that I didn't need to follow through on. But, they were on sale. I went home and performed the test (I'll spare you the details...). Minutes later I was shocked to see a plus sign in the results window.

I walked out to see Stephen and told him to close his eyes (he had no idea a test was purchased and administrated). I simply asked, "Are you ready for this?" Stephen nervously, "What?" With that I handed him the test and told him to open his eyes and said, "To be a father again." Stephen got over the initial shock of the plus sign and digested the information. He hugged me and said "Of coarse!"

Wow, God's timing. Three other tests later (I'm a bit of a skeptic), I conceded to the fact that I am indeed pregnant. My first doctor's appointment is May 19, and I am approximately 5 weeks along (super beginning stages). Pray that everything progresses smoothly, please; and you know that I'll be keeping you updated!!!