A note to Santa from Mom...

Emily sent this out and it was so cute, I thought I'd post it here!
Merry Christmas,
Jodie

Dear Santa,
I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my own doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground.
I was hoping you could spread my list out -- over several Christmases.
Since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles; and who knows when I'll find any more free time in the next 18 years, so now - -
** Here are my Christmas wishes **

* I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (-in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.

* I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.

* If you're hauling big-ticket items this year, I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

* On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, 'Yes, Mommy' to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

* I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, 'Don't eat in the living room' and 'Take your hands off your brother,' because my voice seems to bejust out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

* If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

*If you don't mind, I could also use a few miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely.

*It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing, and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his red crayon back. Have a safe trip Santa, and remember to leave your wet boots by the door, and come in and dry off, so you don't catch cold.
Help yourself to cookies on the table, but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours always with love and appreciation,
A Mom

P.S. One more thing . . You can cancel all my requests, if you can keep my children 'young' enough to believe in Santa.

Need any Christmas Presents?!!

Hello ladies,
Today I went through Emma's bookshelves anticipating the onslaught of Christmas presents. I have A LOT of books (that are in very good- if not perfect/new shape) that I am willing to give up, should you want to come over and take a look. There are a variety of titles - not just "girl books."
I also have a Leap Pad Book Reader (that has literally been used once and then forgotten) up for grabs!

I will be taking whatever if left somewhere (any suggestions?) Wednesday afternoon...

I will be here most of the day- running out late this afternoon - but if you are in need of a few books, give me a call and come on over!

Merry Christmas,
Jodie

Baby Katie Time

Anyone up to watch baby Katie for an hour while Charlie, Maggie, and I carol with Kairos this evening from 5:30-6:30? Just don't want to drag her along. Let me know if you are a taker...
Kristin

Hey ladies!
Jodi F. sent this -- saying that it might be a good reminder...
Because of recent abductions in daylight hours, refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency situation...This is for you, and for you to share with your wife, your children, everyone you know. After reading these 9 crucial tips, forward them to someone you care about.
It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do :
The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!
2. Learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you...chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!
3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will.
This has saved lives.
4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit
(doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.) DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, repeat:
DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car.
Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.
5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:
A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat
B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)
6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone
and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)
7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, preferably in a zig -zag pattern!
8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP. It may get you raped, or killed.
Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.
9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her "Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, "We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night.

This e-mail should be taken seriously because the Crying Baby theory was mentioned on
America 's Most Wanted this past Saturdaywhen they profiled the serial killer in Louisiana.

I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life. A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. I was going to send this to the ladies only, but guys, if you love your mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc., you may want to pass it onto them, as well.

Random Acts of Kindness II

When doing my weekly shopping at Walmart, I have been purchasing a pack of gum or small candy bar and giving it to the cashier as we leave. Being a cashier during the holiday season can be a thankless job and this is just a small way to say Thank you. And, hopefully to brighten their day, so that they will smile and in turn brighten the day of all of those busy customers. (this is not my idea, I read it on Nadia's blog), but have enjoyed doing this.

I would love to hear what random acts of kindness you have done. You are all such an amazing group! And I have to say, I learned great ideas for Christmas yesterday!
- wrapping up books and videos for the 25 days before Christmas and opening 1 each day
-only 3 gifts as the wise men did (with different variations of what kinds of gifts each one was)
Thanks for sharing!

Have a great week!
Lisa

Hello Everyone,
Jodi Fultz sent me a cool flyer about a Christmas Magic Show that is happening on both Wednesday, December 10 at 7pm and Sunday, December 14 at 2pm.
It is free and open to the public and being held at 100 Noyes Laboratory (GL Clark Hall) on UofI campus. The address is 505 S. Mathews in Urbana.

Jodi's email address is: djbrf23@dishmail.net if you'd like to email her for more information.

This is what she included in the email:
Hi all,
I just wanted to inform you of an AWESOME display of Christmas Magic. This show is wonderful for every age....there are some explosions so if you dont' like really loud noises, you;ll just have to plug your ears...but they do warn you.
THIS IS WAY COOL.....I'm not just bias as a scientist, either... I guarantee you and your kids will love it. Also they have tons of cookies and drinks to go around.
SO COME AND ENJOY a unique experience.
Jodi Fultz

Good to see you all today!
See you on the 18th,
Jodie A

Random Acts of Kindness

If you're looking for a way to help a family in the area, WBGL has a list of families needing help (all info is provided by their friends and family). Specific needs are listed.

http://www.wbgl.org/christian-music-news.cfm/Random-Acts

A friend

A very close friend of mine, who is currently living in England, just found out that her mom has breast cancer. Her mom lives in Illinois and Florida. Please add both of them to your prayers as she gives her support to her mom from across the ocean. Thanks!
Lisa

Girls Growing up too Fast -- good article

Here's an interesting article (if interesting means ready to send my 4 year old to a convent) about how "hot" and "sexy" are being pushed on younger and younger girls through influences in the media, marketing, and other areas.

http://www.parents.com/teens-tweens/health-body-issues/body-issues/girls-growing-up-too-fast/

Wonderful email forward message

Let me begin by saying I refuse to be emotionally blackmailed into forwarding an email. So, do not feel any guilt if you do not sent this on to people, I don't think it says anything about your faith in God. That being said, I thought this was nice and wanted to share:

Who is your Susie...

Come with me to a third grade classroom..... There is a
nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden,
there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his
pants are wet. He thinks his heart is going to stop because
he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened. It's
never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find
out he will never hear the end of it. When the girls find
out, they'll never speak to him again as long as he
lives.

The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his
head down and prays this prayer, "Dear God, this is an
emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm
dead meat."

He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with
a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.
As the teacher is walking toward him, a classmate named
Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with
water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably
dumps the bowl of water in the boy's lap.
The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying
to himself, "Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!"
Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of
ridicule, the boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher
rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on
while his pants dry out. The other children are on their
hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. The sympathy
is wonderful. But as life would have it, the ridicule that
should have been his has been transferred to someone else -
Susie.

She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. You've
done enough, you klutz!"
Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the
bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, "You
did that on purpose, didn't you?" Susie whispers back,

"I wet my pants once too."


May God help us see the opportunities that are always
around us to do good..

Remember.....Just going to church doesn't make you a
Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a
car.

Each and everyone one of us is going through tough times
right now, but God is getting ready to bless you in a way
that only He can. Keep the faith.

My instructions were to pick four (4) people that I wanted
God to bless, and I picked you. Please pass this to at
least four (4) people you want to be blessed and a copy
back to me.

This prayer is powerful, and prayer is one of the best
gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards.
Let's continue to pray for one another.

The Prayer:
GOD , I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and those
that I care deeply for, who are reading this right now.
Show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Holy
Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very
moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy.
Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence
through Your grace. Where there is need, I ask you to fulfill their needs.
Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings.

Amen.

12 Days of Christmas

Jill Savage will be a speaker in the 12 Days of Christmas webcast. The registration is free and there are some great speakers. Go t Jill's website and check it out. It looks exciting!
http://www.jillsavage.org/

New Favorite Web Site

It went fabulously!!! The shoes I ordered came in last night and they are Clarks that are a 3 inch or so heal. It has been a long time since I have been able to wear heals and had I found these at the regular old retail price, I never would have been able to get them. (Not that they would have had them in stock in a size 11.)

Okay, so going back to work has reignited my love of shoes... here is a web site I found today.

http://www.6pm.com/

I ordered and I will let you know how it goes.

Turkey Frying...and the Feast

Okay, so the feast was great. We missed all those members who couldn't make it. Two things I learned were: 1) keep with my nature and be wary of overcooking things rather than submitting to my fear of giving everyone food poisoning because you can always cook something longer 2) a 2 year old whose hours of sleep are cut in half is ugly to be around. [Charlie has recovered from his lack of sleep and this morning let out a 3 second belch during mass. I WAS mortified, but my humor over took me and I laughed so Daddy took him to the toddlers who can't handle mass room and he played with legos.] Thanks to everyone for your effort in bringing us all together for a meal yesterday. In many ways, it will be more fun than the "real" holiday as our plans involve traveling to almost Florida in our car with all the kids.

Don't let anyone ever tell you you can't do something. I just figured out how to use the turkey fryer, and dropped the turkey in without an explosion! The husband is on the way in from the airport and I might even get a shower before the feast... See y'all soon.

Christmas Cards

I received this in an email and thought it was a great idea.
So, I wanted to share it with you.


GREAT IDEA!!

When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get.
Remember to write a little blessing on the card.

When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

Cloth diaper testers

Hi all I am in need of "testers" for my cloth diapers that I am planning on selling. Here is the scoop:

Michael (2 years) and Faith (3 months) in their Fighting Illini Diapers (sorry bad photo!). Same diaper on both - one is set to a medium rise and one is set on a large rise and both have a really nice fit. These are the same diapers I am testing on others - sorry I don't have any more Fighting Illini fabric - but if you are dead set on testing one and really want the Illinois print I suppose I could go get some more! LOL! Just let me know! P.S. these diapers do need waterproof covers if you are putting clothes over them (or wool soakers longies).
In need of testers:
1 - newborn 8-10 pounds under six weeks old
1- chunky 3-6 monther
1 - chunky 6-12 monther
1 - 12 to 18 month toddler
1 - 2+ year old
How it works:
If you don't cloth diaper - You will be asked to try a new diaper on your baby and have a few photos taken of him/her and provide information about weight, height and age of your baby. You will recieve digital copies of the photos taken and a small gift for your baby.
If you cloth diaper - you will recieve a brand new diaper at a discounted price ($8.00) that you can keep after the testing is complete. You will be asked to use the diaper in your cloth diapering routine regularily (approx. 2+ times weekly), provide information on baby's size (weight, hieght, and age), fill out a brief questionaire about fit, absorbancy, style, construction and general likes and dislikes. You will be asked to fill out the same questionare after your initial trial - at 2, 4 and 6 weeks of use. You will be asked to be BLUNTLY honest while reviewing - remember this is how I will make them even better, if need be! You will also recieve 15% discount on any future diaper purchases.
These are the prints I have available for testing are
Tiffany Box, Math Nerd, Circus:




Email me if you cloth diaper and are interested in testing the sizes - or if you don't cloth diaper and wouldn't mind me trying one of these baby's on one of your babies! Testers will recieve a little gift for being so gracious! Thanks a bundle!

Domestic Violence Awareness Training -- Tonight

Just a reminder that Willow Tree Missions is hosting a Domestic Violence Awareness training at the mission tonight at 6pm. If you're interested in helping at the mission, or just want to know the warning signs and ways to help, you're invited and most welcome.

To get to the mission in Cisco from Monticello: Bridge St west, turn left on Old Rt 47 toward Allerton. Continue on 47 about 8 miles to Cisco. Turn left on Main St, cross the tracks, the mission is on the right.

Recall-- Infants Mylicon Gas Drops

Johnson and Johnson--Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals Company Announces Urgent Voluntary Nationwide Recall Of Infants' Mylicon Gas Relief Dye Free Drops (Simethicone-Antigas) Non-Staining Due To Possible Metal Fragments (November 7, 2008)

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/johnsonjohnson11_08.html

American Girl up for raffle!

Hello!

A friend of mine who works with Kirby Auxiliary sent this message today that some of you may be interested in...

wanted to let you know about a raffle that the Hospital Auxiliary is doing for Christmas. I was hoping you could pass this information on to your Mom’s Group.

We are raffling off an American Girl Doll with accessories. (Retail value $118)
Tickets are $2 or 3 for $5 Tickets available in Gift Shop M-F 9am-3pm
Drawing December 8, 2008

TMG Mom in Need!!

I don't know how many of you already know, but Anita Clifton and family are in a bit over their heads at the moment (and haven't we all had those times!). They are due to move in on THIS Saturday the 15th. They have a lot of stuff that still needs to get done before that can happen. They really need our fellow TMG families to help out if they can! Painting still needs to be done along with many other tasks that Dan and Anita could delegate.

The Clifton's are renovating the old Leiper house and the clock is ticking on the move in date. They will take whatever time and assistance anyone can offer. Even 20 minutes will due if that is all you can spare. Call Anita or stop by if you can lend a helping hand and we'll get this family moved in! Anita needs help painting and Tuesday she'll be there all day if anyone can squeeze in a little time during the day. Grandma has the kids and they return Tuesday evening so it's crunch time. Wednesday thru Friday they could use after school babysitting and/or dinner help. This Saturday at 8am is when the truck gets loaded up and moved to their new home. If anyone can help before or after the Thanksgiving celebration, it would be appreciated. Let's help them out!!!

If these hours won't work for you, they could also use dinners throughout the next couple of weeks (they are moving in with no working kitchen!! A family of 6!! )

Last but not least, let's keep their family in our prayers -- those of us who have moved know it can be stressful and renovation ramps that up considerably!



Thanks everyone!!

The Rest of the Story...

Right, so I like to do things as inexpensively as possible. So, when I go to McDonald's, I order a 10 piece Nugget meal with milk for the "big kids" and a value meal for me with milk. I give the milk to the kids and drink water with my meal. I had been given flack for it here in town and dealt with it until one day I had enough. I ordered the value meals and when the girl tried to enter the milks, the register wasn't programed to accept it. So, she backed out my order and charged me for each item individually which cost $4.00 more than the original total. It was sort of like the guy in the movie Falling Down, I had had enough. When the manager tried to explain to me that milk was less expensive than coke and that was in fact why she was charging me $4.00 more for my food, my head nearly exploded. I told her to charge me for the value meals, pour me cokes that I do not want, and charge me for the milks which was still $2.00 less expensive than the other way.

After we returned home from our adventure to the convenient care which was the entire reason we went through the drive through in the first place, I emailed McDonalds. I asked if not serving milk with a value meal was a corporate strategy and if it was for them to explain it otherwise please have someone reprogram the registers at the Monticello store to accept milk as a drink option. A couple days later, a representative of the owner's group who owns this store called me. He stated that he would "fix it" and pumped me for information on which employee it was I had interacted with. I politely told him that it was not a particular employee and that I had run up against this before and tolerated it. I probably mentioned something about a straw and camel too.

So, I told Samantha my story one day that we were talking and she later reported that she was told she couldn't order milk with a value meal. Samantha told the girl through the speaker "Yes I can," and without too much more trouble they took care of it.

Today after the meeting, I again caused a problem by ordering milk with my value meal. The long and short of it is that the cashier needs to be told to enter cokes and "promo" the milk. That was the word that was brought to the front from the manager of the store. Today I cut to the chase and told them I had discussed the matter with the owner who said he would fix it. I guess it is fixed. As far as McDonalds go, ours is a pretty good one and my kids always enjoy talking to everyone in the store. I encourage you, if you do eat there and order a value meal, order milk to drink :)

As an aside, here is a link to a cute youtube video...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvLgBTJXZUQ

We all have two things in common...

So, I figured I would try this blog thing out. It would seem that I would be all about figuring out new ways to communicate with people, but I find my mother's nature coming out and am resistant to change (She asked me once while in law school if I could check my email while in Indiana which prompted me to explain that www in fact means world wide web and that Indiana was in fact part of the world. I am sure that will come back to me as Maggie has a very sharp tongue.)

Anyway, I wanted to mention something to you all that needs to be recognized. In college I was in a sorority of 80 or so young women. By the time I graduated thinking about going to a meeting made my skin crawl. The fact that we have such a large diverse group of women in the MOMs group and we aren't "clicky" and superficial is amazing to me. When I try to figure out how this is possible, I remember, we all love God and we all love our children and want to be good stewards of the gift that God has given us in them.

When my brother was killed five years ago, I learned that when all reality is stripped away and all that is left is that dark place inside God is there in me. I was also tormented by interactions I had had with him, things that happened when I was in second grade and on up through the years. I realized during the early days of my mourning that none of the yucky stuff matters. All that exists of my brother now is the Love we shared. All that remains when we leave is love; the acts that we do out of love produce ripples that cross the years. This also inspires me to endeavor only to leave a positive "footprint" on the people I meet and the places I go.

So, thank you ladies for being a network of Christian mothers on whom I can rely for strength, encouragement, and love.

Eggs!

Hey all - a couple of the gals mentioned to me that they wanted to be on the "egg list" for cage free eggs from our chickens. I completely forgot who said they wanted to be put on the list. If you asked to be added to the list - email me - mclain458@yahoo.com. Good seeing everyone today - enjoy this GORGEOUS weather!
Nic

The Mom's Group ROCKS!

WOW...how blessed are we that we can see ourselves through someone else's eyes...the following was taken from Nadia Swearingen Friesen's Sept. 10th blog entry (http://nadiaswearingen-friesen.blogspot.com/)

Speaking and Listening and Learning a Lot!
After months of waiting, it has finally begun! My first speaking engagement of the '08-'09 season was two weeks ago. I was asked to speak to a group in Monticello, IL called The Mom's Group and was so looking forward to meeting them! After a months of exchanging emails, Thursday morning dawned and I climbed into my van to make the long drive downstate.... but wait, was that a raindrop on my windshield?
As I headed for the highway and turned my radio to a weather update, I began to realized that it was not ONE raindrop... No, what it was, in reality, was a hurricane come rushing in from the Gulf of Mexico north to Illinois. Never before in my whole life have I ever seen such rain!
So, down I drove, through this onslaught of water and all the while I hoped that the women who attend The Mom's Group would indeed show up. On a morning like this almost anyone wants to stay in bed, especially those who will spend the whole day trying to entertain children who cannot play outside!
Two and a half hours later, I found myself in this sweet, little town at a gorgeous, old church and following the voices (and smell of fresh coffee!) I located the group. I went to talk with them about something that has worked well for my kids. I received from them much, much more.
As soon as I arrived, I was met at the door and offered a cup of coffee. I felt noticed and welcomed and tended to right away. Once inside I found a wonderful group of women seated around a room that had clearly been set up just for them. They exchanged names and snippets about their lives and were given contact information in cute, little books and I know that they left feeling part of something that would offer them connection and support. There was lots of laughter, freely asked questions and a camaraderie that was fun to be near. The rain had dampened nothing and I was glad that I had come.
It was two long hours home and I was tired. The rain did NOT stop... it did not even slow. But, I had that time to think about what is important to all of us. I went to share a story, an idea, a plan... BUT I came back remembering how much it means to be handed coffee you did not make, to hear a story that is not yours, and to laugh with people who understand the place where you are today. We all need these simple things but in the rush of our daily lives, we often do not find time to offer them to one another. I know I don't do it often enough. I am grateful to the Mom's Group of Monticello for helping me to remember these simple but grace-filled truths.
I have a lot speaking to do this year and I know that the hope is that I will bring a word, an idea, or a bit of encouragement to the groups that I am blessed to visit. But, in the midst of a hurricane in central Illinois, I was reminded about how much I have to learn from the women I will meet in all of these groups. The season has begun and I am excited... the learning started with reminders we all may need to hear... reminders about the importance of community, of connection and of coffee, too.
Let's look for ways to offer these to one another... to enfold those around us, to build community with our words and actions, and to offer a cup to someone who just may need a break. I learn this lesson with you... and I am off to bring a latte to friend. : )

Heres to a great year!

It was so nice meeting so many of you today and I just wanted to say thank you for inviting me to join such a wonderful group. I am sure this group will be such a blessing for me and my children. I am excited to get to know you all better in the near future! Thanks agian, see you soon!

Nicole
www.freewebs.com/farmhousefamily

Rejoice With Me!

All of my children are now potty-trained! All five of them. We're still using pull-ups overnight, but we're saving a fortune! Let's all do the happy dance!

Lisa W

Yahoo for Yoga!

I wanted to let you know how COOL Kathy's class was yesterday - I sincerely hope that you will give it a try next week.

We did 20 minutes of yoga (quite an awesome and calming workout) followed by 5 or 10 minutes of blissful quiet. Although we had varying degrees of ability in the room, I was so comfortable and felt very connected to those who were in attendance.

Kathy is doing a great job and it was well worth the early start time!!! Thanks so much for a great start to my Saturday!

Update on Kerry's daughter

Hey All,
I wanted to let you all know how Subree is doing. She did end up having to get her 4 front teeth pulled. Everything else went according to plan, though it took her quite a while to calm down after she woke up from surgery.
She has been in pretty good spirits this afternoon since she woke up from her nap. The big bummer is today and the next couple days we have to brush her teeth every 2 hours and she is not to happy about that at all!
Thanks for all of the prayers.
Love, Kerry

A Salute to Allie Brubaker!

Just an amazing story...
Allie Brubaker is a popular babysitter who works for several members and filled in as a provider in our childcare room at the last meeting.

Kim O. is Allie's neighbor and wrote to let me know that she tried to get a hold of her the other day to babysit but Allie wasn't available. She is a regular sitter for Kristin Waller -- who is on vacation for another week or two -- and was checking on her house while they are gone. Because of the unbelievable rain, the Waller's basement was flooded. Allie was over there all day bailing water out...and laying out hundreds of pictures to dry. Luckily, neighbors came over to help the next day and since Kristin's basement is unfinished, they were able to mop things up.

Kim O. says "Wow, God Bless Allie Brubaker. She is something. Who does that??? She needs a metal or something!"

As a parent, I have great respect for Allie's folks! They clearly have done something right!

Message from Meghan

I was wanting to let the Mom's Group know that I am teaching a Clay Camp at the end of July. The location will be the new art room at Monticello Christian Academy's new location. The dates are July 21-24 (Mon-Thur) for creating clay projects such as pots, tiles, animals, cups, plates, etc. I will be firing the work over the weekend, and we will then meet again on Monday, July 28th to glaze all the work. The cost is $110, plus a materials fee of $15-$20. Work will be available for pick up anytime after Friday, Aug. 1.

The time is 10-11:30 am and it is open to any student entering 1st-8th grades. If you are interested, please call the MCA office, or call/e-mail me and I can get you signed up. if there is enough interest, I will add an afternoon session.

If you are interested, but cannot make it to the second monday for glazing, please let me know and we can work out an alternate date for your child(s) glazing.

Have a great summer!
Meghan

Results from Andrea's biopsy

Hello everyone,
thank you so much for your prayers! I have felt them and needed them desperately. Well, the results came in today, and although they are not clear-cut, they fall more in the good news category. The blood work for the flow cytometry (the cells) came back negative for cancer--PRAISE GOD!!!

The actual lymph node biopsy results read, "Reactive hyperplasia with granuloma. Will present her case to tumor board on Friday." So, hyperplasia, the nurse said, can be very normal and so can the granuloma. Though they are not exactly sure what it means, they said it is not outright cancer, so PRAISE GOD!!

I don't exactly know how to feel right now, because all of my medical issues have not fallen into an all or nothing category, but a "we think it could be this...," and this makes me feel confused.

Nonetheless, I praise God for what appears to be for the most part a good report. I guess the tumor board is going to diagnose me, so I will send more info. when I hear it.

Thank you again for all of your encouragement, prayers, and support, it means a whole lot to me!

Love,
Andrea

Waiting for the stone to roll away

I called Debbi yesterday to beg off chocolate and a chick flick. I'd spent the day on the phone with insurance companies and I was beat. Just going to turn in early.

Instead I spent from 10 pm - 12:50 in the ER with a kidney stone. Dire things happen to me when I miss a TMG event! Please pray for me that this thing passes quickly. Thanks

Lisa W

Just trying to figure this out ...

I am just wanting to see if I can post to the blog. Have a great day!

ERJmom

Good Morning Everyone!
I am taking a "poll" to see how many of you are seriously interested in going to see "Sex In The City" at the Harvest Moon Drive-In this Saturday evening. Indiana Jones is also playing if you'd like to see that instead.

I expect that the crowd is going to be BIG, so we might want to arrive before the theatre opens so we can make sure to get a good spot. Pizza Hut is right across the highway, so we could meet for pizza and then head over.

I am unsure of Dave's schedule, so I may have to meet you over there later, but I am willing to drive - I can take 3 or 4 in my car.

Please let me know if you'd like to come so we can finalize plans.
Thanks,
J

I'm Game

Hello all,

Just wanted to let you know I am game for the "Summer Walking Group", also the Drive in this Saturday, tomorrow. Plus I can host a play group and/or a Mom's Night Out. Just let me know. It was great to see all of you yesterday and look forward to getting together with you through the summer.

Kim

Hey ladies!

Welcome (again) to TMG's blog...yet another way for us to communicate!
I hope that you all found your way to this site easily and have figured out how to "sign in." You all will be able to read the blog but if you'd like to contribute by commenting on something that someone has posted, you'll need to have been invited (like you were via email) and then created an account name and password.

So, if you'd like to post something for everyone to read, just click on "New Post" up in the right hand corner. A new window will pop up and it's just like writing an email. When you're ready, hit the Publish Post button and like magic, it's there for us all to read!! ;o)

Thanks so much for a wonderful meeting - I love you all and hope that you have a super summer. Hope to read some interesting "blogging" on this site soon!

Have a great day,
Jodie

And Then There Were Three

This is an email I sent to folks in my address book I don't see regularly, hope you find it entertaining...

So, everyone knows when you hear the words, "the check is in the mail" not to believe them. I am here to tell you that along with that lie, you should never believe a person who does not have more than two children when they tell you that once you have two adding more isn't a big deal. If I had thought about it, I would have realized that if that person truly believed what he was saying he is likely to have had more than two children.

Katie's birth went just as smoothly as the last two. I missed my doctors and hospital in Athens, but all in all we came home with a healthy baby. Although we were significantly less rested after this hospital stay since the helipad for the life flight to Carle Hospital was literally outside our window. (This did serve as entertainment for the big kids when they came to visit.)

I am sure that you can guess since I have not emailed anyone about our experience that I have been a little busy. A friend of mine with three kids describes her life like a big game of musical chairs, someone always gets left out. I like the illustration of a plate spinner at a carnival, every now and then they all come crashing down and a lot of the time the plates are wobbling.

Katie will be four weeks old tomorrow and God bless my husband, he has taken the first three week pictures without me. (We take a picture of our kids each week for the first year and compile an album for their birthday or when I get time in Charlie's case.)

This week has been a little crazy. It started out with me going to the convenient care facility here in town at 6:00 a.m. with a localized infection. Since they couldn't tell if it is a lymph node, we are treating it with an antibiotic o.k. for Katie and our feeding and ibuprofen for pain. So, I have been running a low grade fever since Monday morning.

Maggie is a wonderful three year old who behaves like a third grader. She helps me diaper Katie, talks to her while I take care of Charlie, and is generally good at following rules. Charlie is a 22 month old BOY. Yesterday while I was on the phone with Nana Waller, I thought he had gone to the play room, come to find out, he was in the kids' bathroom washing his hands, the sink, the counter, and the cabinets.

Today, I was in the kitchen and discovered him in my bed room having emptied a box of nursing pads. We put them back in the box together and I went out to check the manufacturer on a blanket we had received for Katie. When I went back into the bed room, I saw him with the isopropal alcohol bottle in his mouth. At first I couldn't tell if he had removed the cap or not, but oh he had. I was just half a second too late to stop the plate from falling! So, I snatched him up and proceeded to call poison control. Being still a bit hormonal I was not comfortable with the fact that it was taking me more than thirty seconds to find the number so I just called 911. We are a small town with not much going on. To illustrate this point, they wanted to dispatch the ambulance to my house. Seriously, it wasn't like I had found him passed out with an empty bottle of rubbing alcohol next to him. I saw him take the drink and start to make the hxkk, hxkk sound immediately after. After re!
!
porting to the operator my name and address I was able to convince her just to give me the poison control number and let me talk to them before we jumped off the cliff of sending the ambulance. (I hope to save that experience for when there is a scary amount of blood involved.)

Poison control was great and turns out I just had to give him some juice and a snack and watch him. His pupils dilated a bit and he asked to go to bed, which he never does, but he is no worse for wear. (I am not convinced that he wasn't looking for a way to get out of drinking his milk before getting juice.) To top off my morning, I took a phone call from a friend in Georgia and returned to the couch to discover Maggie smearing A&D ointment into the slipcover. Like I said, she is generally a very good kid, but still only three and very curious.

Katie is having some prolific diapers and spitting up for the first time since coming home as a result of the antibiotic I have to take for the infection. (I just talked to my husband whose coworker said a friend of hers had the same type of infection and it lasted for weeks. Oh joy!)

I hope that you all realize in reading this that my hormones are still way out of whack so don't worry for the safety of the Waller babies, duct tape is only applied over the clothes. (Kidding of course.) I am eternally grateful for the gift of each of my children and when I look at them, I see the face of God. Just don't let anyone tell you that going from two to three is an easy transition, zone coverage is complex and takes a lot of practice to master. I will be seeking full time employment at the end of the year.

Interest levels!

Hey ladies...I need more feedback please!

As you know, we're looking for hostesses to schedule Playgroups and Girls Night Out events over the summer. If you would like to host, please let me know the date as soon as possible so we can get those dates published. So far, these dates are spoken for:

• June 6th: Cara is hosting a Couples Game Night
  (Note: this will replace May 30th’s Girls Night Out)
  
• August 23rd: TMG will be hosting a BBQ

ALSO: Many of you are interested in a “Summer Walking Group.” Is anyone training for the 5K Recreational Walk at the Kirby Derby on May 3rd? Perhaps we could get a training group together.
($17 registration ends on the 25th ($20 after the 25th) - download a registration form and race route map here: http://www.kirbyhospital.org/staff.php?category=medical)

This is a wonderful season to get a permanent walking group started. If you are interested, please let us know!

See you Thursday (our Kitchen Shower for Willow Tree meeting!)

Jodie

Classifieds

Wanted to buy


1. little tykes or any brand of playhouse
2. Size 2t-4t or so nightgowns
3. size 8 or bigger girls clothes.
4. American Girl doll books, clothes, ec.
5. Maisy the mouse videos.
6. lawn mower
7. Wheel barrel
8. Dresser
If you have any of these items you would like to sell/get rid of let me know.
Thanks A lot. Kerry K.

A Super Secret Sister

So this is the best way I can figure to give a big shout out to my secret sister, whom ever it may be... the Easter Baskets for my kids were so very appreciated. The best gift I can think to have gotten. Their Easter bunny experience was much better for them. Oh and Katie's blanket and outfits are adoreable! I guess she should have some things that aren't hand me downs.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

Kristin

Family Fun Fotos

Hi guys! I'm so glad I get to post these pictures to show you from our Family Fun Day last fall at Kristin's house. Better late than never, I suppose! I have had the pictures downloaded on my computer this whole time but never looked at them till this past weekend! I'll try to be more prompt next time ;c)



This is just one of many. You girls have such beautiful babies/children! You (we) should be so proud! I can't post them all here or I will take up all of the photo memory alloted for a blogger account. So if you click on ----> this link here <---- you should be guided to the rest at my flickr account.

See you girls on Thursday!

~ Valerie Camp

A few more~

A few Easter pics...

Some of these might not make it into the bulletin, so I thought it might be fun to post them here!

Have a perfect Sunday!

J

If you want to post something on this blog...

It's super easy!
Up in the right hand corner you'll see "New Post" - just click on it and a window will pop up done you to input text. Then hit "Publish Post" - done...

If you'd like to respond to a post that someone else has contributed, just click on the "comment" button and you'll be directed to another window - you're good to go -- then, someone else can comment to your comment and you can comment to her comment, etc.

Good Luck!
J

Welcome!

Hello ladies!
You've all been invited to contribute to our new blog.
This site is for all of us to share information with one another -- you may read all you like and contribute only when you feel like it!

Have fun!
Jodie