Tuesday, February 8, 2011
I got my wish...
Well, soon after I blogged yesterday, Josh called and said they got rained out of work. So he went and did some work at the Valdosta house, and then he was home for lunch with nothing to do the rest of the day! This was really what I needed! Just some time together. So we ate lunch, and put the babies down for naps together, and then we took a nap ourselves! It was so wonderful! It really doesn't take much to make me happy!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Life feels so hectic right now...
There is so much going on right now in our life. It's almost overwhelming at times. As I sat down with Josh last night after we got home from a Superbowl party, I got super sad because we were about to go to bed and another whole week of busyness was about to begin. Another whole week of not seeing my husband, after a weekend of not seeing him. And I started thinking. The last time I've spent the whole day with him was New Year's weekend! And that's because we made a trip to the river, and you are forced to spend time together there! haha :) We need to make another trip very soon!
So, I'm really not the busy one. I mean, I definitely have my hands full with three kiddos, but Josh on the other hand has sooo much going on right now. And it's just been hard without him lately. And it's been weird, because I'm sad that we don't have more time together, but at the same time the things that are going on are super exciting as well. I can really see God moving, and things are starting to "gear" up!
So here's what's going on: First, Josh now has a full-time job. VERY blessed, and I am NOT complaining about this. After almost 6 months of little to no income, this has been such a blessing and I will never take a job for granted again! So 40+ hours are dedicated to that.
Second, Josh still runs his handyman business on the side. So when he gets off, he usually has some side jobs to work on as well.
Third, the Valdosta house we still own. We've had it on the market for about 3 months, and we've decided to take it off and rent it. So it still needs a little bit of work to get it ready to rent. Mostly just painting and refinishing the floors. And we have a goal to get it all done by the first of March.
Fourth, the church. Josh is the head of the "sports ministry," which he absolutely loves. He loves getting people together and playing all sorts of sports. Now with the new pastor, they want to expand that ministry and have a lot of new programs for people to be involved in. Which is really exciting! Then yesterday, we found out that they have submitted Josh's name to be a deacon! And not to mention, he also leads worship sometimes, and plays in the band!
And lastly, the volunteer firefighters. This one has to go by the waist-side (or is it waste side? hmm..) sometimes, but he is still involved. He feels a calling to it, and especially to the guys that he volunteers with. He hasn't actually fought any fires yet, he's still in the probationary stage. But they have meetings once a week that he tries to attend when he can. And he's now getting close to the end of his probation, in which they give you gear and a radio. (Honestly, I'm not as excited about this one!)
So, it feels like a lot right now. And with three kids 3 and under, one including a nursing infant that refuses a bottle, I'm not really available to help all the time. Which is frustrating sometimes, because I want to be out there with him painting or helping with a sports program.
I want to say one thing though. Josh handles all these areas wonderfully. He never puts us on the backburner, and never ever complains about anything. If it were me, I think I would be complaining about not ever getting a nap, or working so much. But he does it for us. And then he comes home, and helps me tremendously. I'm just selfish. Just writing about all this stuff makes me feel exhausted!
But I can definitely see God moving, which is what we wanted! I know this is just a hectic time for us, and things will calm down again.
So, I'm really not the busy one. I mean, I definitely have my hands full with three kiddos, but Josh on the other hand has sooo much going on right now. And it's just been hard without him lately. And it's been weird, because I'm sad that we don't have more time together, but at the same time the things that are going on are super exciting as well. I can really see God moving, and things are starting to "gear" up!
So here's what's going on: First, Josh now has a full-time job. VERY blessed, and I am NOT complaining about this. After almost 6 months of little to no income, this has been such a blessing and I will never take a job for granted again! So 40+ hours are dedicated to that.
Second, Josh still runs his handyman business on the side. So when he gets off, he usually has some side jobs to work on as well.
Third, the Valdosta house we still own. We've had it on the market for about 3 months, and we've decided to take it off and rent it. So it still needs a little bit of work to get it ready to rent. Mostly just painting and refinishing the floors. And we have a goal to get it all done by the first of March.
Fourth, the church. Josh is the head of the "sports ministry," which he absolutely loves. He loves getting people together and playing all sorts of sports. Now with the new pastor, they want to expand that ministry and have a lot of new programs for people to be involved in. Which is really exciting! Then yesterday, we found out that they have submitted Josh's name to be a deacon! And not to mention, he also leads worship sometimes, and plays in the band!
And lastly, the volunteer firefighters. This one has to go by the waist-side (or is it waste side? hmm..) sometimes, but he is still involved. He feels a calling to it, and especially to the guys that he volunteers with. He hasn't actually fought any fires yet, he's still in the probationary stage. But they have meetings once a week that he tries to attend when he can. And he's now getting close to the end of his probation, in which they give you gear and a radio. (Honestly, I'm not as excited about this one!)
So, it feels like a lot right now. And with three kids 3 and under, one including a nursing infant that refuses a bottle, I'm not really available to help all the time. Which is frustrating sometimes, because I want to be out there with him painting or helping with a sports program.
I want to say one thing though. Josh handles all these areas wonderfully. He never puts us on the backburner, and never ever complains about anything. If it were me, I think I would be complaining about not ever getting a nap, or working so much. But he does it for us. And then he comes home, and helps me tremendously. I'm just selfish. Just writing about all this stuff makes me feel exhausted!
But I can definitely see God moving, which is what we wanted! I know this is just a hectic time for us, and things will calm down again.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
MIA
Well, it really feels like I've been missing in all the action. You don't realize how much news you hear through facebook! We are just existing in our own little bubble here. Especially this week. All the babies have gotten a bad cold, and man, was it rough! Fever, runny nose, coughing, no appetites, and super cranky. But we're almost through with it!
Elijah got it first, and then he passed it on to Rachel. I wasn't too worried about him, but when she got it she was real wheezy and struggling to breathe a lot. It was very scary. I took her to the doctor just to make sure it wasn't worse than I thought, and she said it was bronchilytis (?) but she also had a really bad ear infection. So I'm glad I took her because of that. That explains the no eating/no sleeping! So this week was rough with that. She's not sleeping through the night anymore, and for a few nights there, I think we slept for a total of 3 hours each night! I told Josh that she must be a tennis fan, because we watched alot of the Austrailian Open! Anyways, she's doing ALOT better, and now Hannah is going through the last stages of it.
Weeks like this make me want to stay inside all winter, so we aren't exposed to anything else. But what a boring life that would be!
Elijah got it first, and then he passed it on to Rachel. I wasn't too worried about him, but when she got it she was real wheezy and struggling to breathe a lot. It was very scary. I took her to the doctor just to make sure it wasn't worse than I thought, and she said it was bronchilytis (?) but she also had a really bad ear infection. So I'm glad I took her because of that. That explains the no eating/no sleeping! So this week was rough with that. She's not sleeping through the night anymore, and for a few nights there, I think we slept for a total of 3 hours each night! I told Josh that she must be a tennis fan, because we watched alot of the Austrailian Open! Anyways, she's doing ALOT better, and now Hannah is going through the last stages of it.
Weeks like this make me want to stay inside all winter, so we aren't exposed to anything else. But what a boring life that would be!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Halfway there...
Well, we are about halfway through the month of January, which means I'm about halfway through with my month-long fast. And it's been going great!
I think the first week was the hardest. I had definitely developed some habits with getting on facebook. I would wake up first thing in the morning, and eat breakfast and just look at different things on facebook and other sites. Now, I've replaced that time with prayer and Bible reading. So, that's been really good for me.
And then in the afternoons, I would get bored and just go and snack, snack, snack to fill the time. This is still really hard for me. I really do love to eat. haha. And I'm still snacking, but just trying to find healthier foods, and trying to not just eat because I'm bored. So this area still needs some work. A lot of the time I find myself walking into the kitchen, then realizing what I was about to do, and then just turning right back around. But I do find myself praying for help a lot. haha..does that count? :)
Anyways, I have noticed a difference. Mostly in my attitude. Especially towards my children and my husband. I've started seeing my children in a different light lately, and if it's possible...it feels like I love them even more. Not that we don't have bad days still, but overall it's been a lot better.
I don't know why I do this to myself. I stumble so far, and then dread coming back. But as soon as I start reading the word and praying, I feel 100 times better. And it's never hard. I always feel like getting back to the place I need to be will be like pulling teeth or something, but it's so easy. He makes it so incredibly easy. Why oh why does it take me so long?
I think the first week was the hardest. I had definitely developed some habits with getting on facebook. I would wake up first thing in the morning, and eat breakfast and just look at different things on facebook and other sites. Now, I've replaced that time with prayer and Bible reading. So, that's been really good for me.
And then in the afternoons, I would get bored and just go and snack, snack, snack to fill the time. This is still really hard for me. I really do love to eat. haha. And I'm still snacking, but just trying to find healthier foods, and trying to not just eat because I'm bored. So this area still needs some work. A lot of the time I find myself walking into the kitchen, then realizing what I was about to do, and then just turning right back around. But I do find myself praying for help a lot. haha..does that count? :)
Anyways, I have noticed a difference. Mostly in my attitude. Especially towards my children and my husband. I've started seeing my children in a different light lately, and if it's possible...it feels like I love them even more. Not that we don't have bad days still, but overall it's been a lot better.
I don't know why I do this to myself. I stumble so far, and then dread coming back. But as soon as I start reading the word and praying, I feel 100 times better. And it's never hard. I always feel like getting back to the place I need to be will be like pulling teeth or something, but it's so easy. He makes it so incredibly easy. Why oh why does it take me so long?
Friday, January 7, 2011
3 Months!
Wow, I cannot believe Rachel is 3 months old today! I look at her, and she's still my little newborn. Although, she's really not so little anymore. And she's so interactive now. She smiles all the time, and she's laughing now. She not only smiles at me and Josh, but she also loves when Hannah and Elijah come near and she'll give them a big smile. And she's starting to "talk." She gets in these moods where she just goes on and on cooing and making sounds. It's like she's trying to have a conversation. It's so adorable. I really truly want her to stay little, she's just so darn cute and cuddly right now!
She's so happy! This is a BIG smile!
She's getting so big. And Long!
These pictures make me smile! This is how I usually find her in the morning!
How could I not be happy to get her out of bed??
She's so happy! This is a BIG smile!
She's getting so big. And Long!
These pictures make me smile! This is how I usually find her in the morning!
How could I not be happy to get her out of bed??
Friday, December 31, 2010
Trying some new things...
Our church is doing a church-wide fast for the month of January. I've really only heard about it through the grape-vine because I haven't been to church in almost 2 months!! So hard to believe, but things have just been coming up every weekend. Out of town and sickness mostly. So I really don't know all the details, and at first I was honestly like "I'm not going to fast." Very callous of me...
Then I started getting convicted. And I've realized that I've really stumbled pretty far. My quiet time is pretty much non-existent, and not very deep when I do have it. And I've become very selfish. Having a newborn can really shed some light on just how selfish you are. Early morning feedings plus fussy babies leave me pretty ungracious. I'm not a nice person at all. And not a very fun person to be around.
For the past several days, I've really felt my Father coaxing me back into his arms. I've been running and not dealing with things as they should be. As He wants me to. And I'm being shown what needs to change in me. I was shown that I needed this fast. For my health and sanity, and for my family.
A meal fast is not really an option right now with breastfeeding. Plus I'm usually eating on the go, so fasting a meal would probably not be very beneficial anyways. So I started thinking and praying about what I should be fasting. I was shown two very clear ways to go. Facebook. I don't know why or how I get so consumed in it. But I sit down to look at a few things while I'm nursing, and then all of a sudden I've wasted so much time. I never intentionally do it, but it always draws me in. So I'm going to fast it for a month to teach myself discipline concerning it. After the month is through I'll see where God leads me to next.
The other way to go is to eliminate sweets. I've been so emotional about my body since Rachel was born. But I've not done anything to help it get back. And I've found that I eat out of boredom ALOT! Like when the kids are napping I usually go and find the most unnutritious thing in the house and sit down and eat it. It doesn't help that I feel like I'm starving all the time. So I'm going to fast sweets for a month. I really need to get in the habit of eating more healthy. For my body right now, and for the future. I've had gestational diabetes with all 3 of my kids, and they say you have a higher risk of developing diabetes if you've had it. So I want to take control of that situation now before it's too late!
So that's the plan. No facebook or sweets for a month. I'm super nervous about this, which tells me that it's definitely the way I need to go. But I'm also very excited to see what's in store! I'll still blog when I have a few moments, so I'll keep you posted on how it goes!
Then I started getting convicted. And I've realized that I've really stumbled pretty far. My quiet time is pretty much non-existent, and not very deep when I do have it. And I've become very selfish. Having a newborn can really shed some light on just how selfish you are. Early morning feedings plus fussy babies leave me pretty ungracious. I'm not a nice person at all. And not a very fun person to be around.
For the past several days, I've really felt my Father coaxing me back into his arms. I've been running and not dealing with things as they should be. As He wants me to. And I'm being shown what needs to change in me. I was shown that I needed this fast. For my health and sanity, and for my family.
A meal fast is not really an option right now with breastfeeding. Plus I'm usually eating on the go, so fasting a meal would probably not be very beneficial anyways. So I started thinking and praying about what I should be fasting. I was shown two very clear ways to go. Facebook. I don't know why or how I get so consumed in it. But I sit down to look at a few things while I'm nursing, and then all of a sudden I've wasted so much time. I never intentionally do it, but it always draws me in. So I'm going to fast it for a month to teach myself discipline concerning it. After the month is through I'll see where God leads me to next.
The other way to go is to eliminate sweets. I've been so emotional about my body since Rachel was born. But I've not done anything to help it get back. And I've found that I eat out of boredom ALOT! Like when the kids are napping I usually go and find the most unnutritious thing in the house and sit down and eat it. It doesn't help that I feel like I'm starving all the time. So I'm going to fast sweets for a month. I really need to get in the habit of eating more healthy. For my body right now, and for the future. I've had gestational diabetes with all 3 of my kids, and they say you have a higher risk of developing diabetes if you've had it. So I want to take control of that situation now before it's too late!
So that's the plan. No facebook or sweets for a month. I'm super nervous about this, which tells me that it's definitely the way I need to go. But I'm also very excited to see what's in store! I'll still blog when I have a few moments, so I'll keep you posted on how it goes!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
No time to write anymore...
I really wouldn't say I'm so busy to write on this thing, but the only time I really have of sitting down is when I'm nursing and then my hands aren't very free to type. But I can read all I want, but writing is another story! So this might just be a short recap of what all's been going on with the Folsoms when I have a spare minute. Right now, Rachel is still sleeping and I'm sitting here enjoying the quiet with a cup of coffee. Wonderful! Sure there are several chores neeeding to be done, but they'll eventually get done..
Well, a lot has happened since I last wrote. Let's go back a few weekends! The weekend before Christmas, Josh and I decided to go down to Florida and look at another truck. It happened to work out to where we could get his parents to watch the older two kids while we went down ourselves. So we decided to take advantage and have a date night on Friday on our way down. We had an old gift card to Applebee's, so we stopped in Valdosta and ate there. Rachel slept the whole time! So it was nice to be able to just focus on each other, and actually finish a conversation! :)
Then we drove down to Branford, to stay at the river that night. We woke up early to drive down to a town called Englewood, Fl. Which is a little south of St. Pete. Very long drive! Anyways we looked at a truck and ended up buying it! It's a 1999 Toyota Tacoma, and needs some work. But Josh has really been enjoying mechanicing so he bought it to fix up. Anyways, we decided to drive all the way back that night, so we could go to church the next day. We drove for a while, then stopped and ate at Cracker Barrell! Yum! And I fed Rachel. (You know, breastfeeding in public wouldn't be that bad if everyone wouldn't STARE you down!) Then we got back on the road. Not 10 minutes later, Rachel started screaming at the top of her lungs! I called Josh and we stopped. I thought she might have needed some more burping. As soon as I picked her up she stopped. Tried burping for a while, and got a few little ones and she was completely happy. So we got back on the road. And she started screaming again! I knew she just wanted to be held, so I tried driving for a while to see if she would fall asleep. She basically screamed for two hours straight and then fell asleep the last hour of the drive! Very exhausting! But it did keep me awake!
Anyways, I probably would have stopped again with her, but we got a call from Josh's parents that Hannah had hit her head on their headboard and gashed her forehead open! So I was panicky about that and trying to get home quickly. We finally made it home, and she did hit it pretty good. It was still bleeding almost 3 hours after it happened and the cut just wouldn't close up, so we decided to go to the ER with her. Josh took her, and I went home with the other two. They were there until almost 3, and she ended up getting 3 stitches! But apparantly she was a real trooper and did really good! So that was that weekend, and we ended up not going to church!
Last week was a time to recuperate. I don't think we left the house all week! Hannah and Elijah both had colds and plus there was lots to do before Christmas. Wrapping presents, baking cookies, cooking sides for all the dinners. So we were busy!
Then it was Christmas eve already! We got over to Josh's parents and eat a fancy meal together. Then we open presents from Josh's grandmother. We watch a movie together and then go to bed!
There were several people sick this year, which kinda put a damper on the whole thing. Eli and Hannah were still getting over colds. And Josh and his mom were both really sick with like a flu-like cold! Not pretty. And not easy for me because I was doing everything while Josh was pretty much out of it for like 5 days straight! But Christmas still came! We had a good time that morning at his parents, and it was exciting to watch the babies open their gifts. They are really understanding now, and it's fun to watch them get so excited! Rachel slept the entire time! Then we packed up and headed to my parents where we ate a big lunch and then opened more presents! We hung out all afternoon, and then went back to Josh's parents to pick up our stuff. We ended up staying for dinner and then decided to just stay the night again. Then Sunday we packed up and headed home. We didn't go to church again because Josh was still really sick. So we just had a nice leisurely day at home. Which I definitely needed. I was exhausted! Josh is finally better, and back to his old self! Boy, am I glad to have him back! :)
Now we are just enjoying time at home. So many new toys to play with! Elijah and Hannah have been constantly busy!
I can't believe that the new year is only a few days away! We've decided to take another trip down to the River house for the weekend to celebrate. We usually do this with Josh's entire family, but this year it will probably be just our little family. But I'm excited! It's nice to get away because you're forced to spend time all together and we've been missing that lately!
I have some pictures of all our adventures, so I'll post them again in another blog later! Gotta go, Rachel's stirring...
Well, a lot has happened since I last wrote. Let's go back a few weekends! The weekend before Christmas, Josh and I decided to go down to Florida and look at another truck. It happened to work out to where we could get his parents to watch the older two kids while we went down ourselves. So we decided to take advantage and have a date night on Friday on our way down. We had an old gift card to Applebee's, so we stopped in Valdosta and ate there. Rachel slept the whole time! So it was nice to be able to just focus on each other, and actually finish a conversation! :)
Then we drove down to Branford, to stay at the river that night. We woke up early to drive down to a town called Englewood, Fl. Which is a little south of St. Pete. Very long drive! Anyways we looked at a truck and ended up buying it! It's a 1999 Toyota Tacoma, and needs some work. But Josh has really been enjoying mechanicing so he bought it to fix up. Anyways, we decided to drive all the way back that night, so we could go to church the next day. We drove for a while, then stopped and ate at Cracker Barrell! Yum! And I fed Rachel. (You know, breastfeeding in public wouldn't be that bad if everyone wouldn't STARE you down!) Then we got back on the road. Not 10 minutes later, Rachel started screaming at the top of her lungs! I called Josh and we stopped. I thought she might have needed some more burping. As soon as I picked her up she stopped. Tried burping for a while, and got a few little ones and she was completely happy. So we got back on the road. And she started screaming again! I knew she just wanted to be held, so I tried driving for a while to see if she would fall asleep. She basically screamed for two hours straight and then fell asleep the last hour of the drive! Very exhausting! But it did keep me awake!
Anyways, I probably would have stopped again with her, but we got a call from Josh's parents that Hannah had hit her head on their headboard and gashed her forehead open! So I was panicky about that and trying to get home quickly. We finally made it home, and she did hit it pretty good. It was still bleeding almost 3 hours after it happened and the cut just wouldn't close up, so we decided to go to the ER with her. Josh took her, and I went home with the other two. They were there until almost 3, and she ended up getting 3 stitches! But apparantly she was a real trooper and did really good! So that was that weekend, and we ended up not going to church!
Last week was a time to recuperate. I don't think we left the house all week! Hannah and Elijah both had colds and plus there was lots to do before Christmas. Wrapping presents, baking cookies, cooking sides for all the dinners. So we were busy!
Then it was Christmas eve already! We got over to Josh's parents and eat a fancy meal together. Then we open presents from Josh's grandmother. We watch a movie together and then go to bed!
There were several people sick this year, which kinda put a damper on the whole thing. Eli and Hannah were still getting over colds. And Josh and his mom were both really sick with like a flu-like cold! Not pretty. And not easy for me because I was doing everything while Josh was pretty much out of it for like 5 days straight! But Christmas still came! We had a good time that morning at his parents, and it was exciting to watch the babies open their gifts. They are really understanding now, and it's fun to watch them get so excited! Rachel slept the entire time! Then we packed up and headed to my parents where we ate a big lunch and then opened more presents! We hung out all afternoon, and then went back to Josh's parents to pick up our stuff. We ended up staying for dinner and then decided to just stay the night again. Then Sunday we packed up and headed home. We didn't go to church again because Josh was still really sick. So we just had a nice leisurely day at home. Which I definitely needed. I was exhausted! Josh is finally better, and back to his old self! Boy, am I glad to have him back! :)
Now we are just enjoying time at home. So many new toys to play with! Elijah and Hannah have been constantly busy!
I can't believe that the new year is only a few days away! We've decided to take another trip down to the River house for the weekend to celebrate. We usually do this with Josh's entire family, but this year it will probably be just our little family. But I'm excited! It's nice to get away because you're forced to spend time all together and we've been missing that lately!
I have some pictures of all our adventures, so I'll post them again in another blog later! Gotta go, Rachel's stirring...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
