This could be interesting!

I think I've discovered something. I do not like "old" cars. Even 10 years is far too old (unless maybe it was taken care of by some elderly person and hardly ever rode around in...). Sam already knows the main bits about the car, which is the motor on the windshield wipers are messed up (causing frustration when you don't need them running fast) and the wipers themselves need replacing, and then hmm...we've been riding around knowingly mind you, with a leaky gas tank every since we got here. And now...it rattles...Jett thinks it is the radiator as it seemed it was leaking fluid...but then again, we're not quite sure. *Sigh* the last thing I want to do is to be stuck in the middle of nowhere (and that is easily done here lol) with a car that won't go. I think it is one of those nightmarish things of mine! Oh, and our MOT is due next week just to make matters worse. I'm not really worried about all of this as it happens to many people, just aggravating to get through it. :)

And then I thought spring was here...and that evening it got cold...and colder...and windy...and what do you know another hail storm...morning arrives and it is a blizzard outside. Hmm...what happened to spring? LOL, I find this amusing, really I do.

So Sabbath we go to church and the morning service went fine. We got home and Amelia started talking about a cow and occasionally I would hear a "moo" well, I thought, that isn't anything new since we have cows, horses, hens, and a million and one sheep around anyways! Oh. The cow happens to be in our backyard!! LOL! Amelia was thrilled!! Jett chased the poor highland cow which kind of looked cute I must admit, to the road. But it just so happened he came back to taste the bush outside our dining room window. Of course Amelia was just as excited and had to look and yell at the cow to come back. During the evening service I ended up taking the kids out to the car just during the second singing and then home by myself in the said car...I wasn't too pleased about the kids being so very bad in church but again these things happen. I put on a psalm cd and was listening to that for the remainder of 30 minutes and it was very nice.

In other news Sam is coming back tonight!! Heehee, poor Sam, I'm sure he gets annoyed with the kids as anyone would after such a long period of time. AND, John comes this weekend too!! Yeah!! Not sure what Amy will think of having two Uncles over at one time...hmm, no, I think she'll love it. Aaron might not like it as much, though he does like Uncle Sam sooo much! Anyways, the time change was Saturday night and it is awful. Why do they do this to us? ;)

I was going to post pictures, but that will have to wait till a better time...when kids aren't up and screaming and wanting something every second. Oh, I'm 33 weeks...hmm, wish I were 40 weeks...ah well, time will go flying by I'm sure this coming month with so much to do so I suppose 33 is just as good as 40 for now.

Bye for now :)

Looking for appropriate DVD's for 2 year olds.

I actually haven't really looked at all, but I thought I might ask if anyone knows of some that are *very* decent, I mean no worldly music, and things questionable - no cartoons etc etc, but rather am looking for educational things, counting, shapes, colours, abc's that sort of stuff.

So far I've only come up with Baby Einstein DVD's but still some of those are questionable like the shapes for example! Anyways, any other thoughts would be appreciated. :)

Induction, Sleeping, Cuts & Blood and anything else I can think of...

I've been meaning to post something here this week but every time I sat down to it I didn't know what to write, and then wondered if even half "so-called" readers would read it. So...I scrapped those plans of posting till now.

This week has been the same as last week and so forth so not much new really to report. Only thing is that yesterday evening was the induction of Rev. Tallach to Stornoway. So, Jett and Sam went up for that meaning they got home *very* late. And the other thing was that this morning began with a late start on the adults side, but the kids were fed, watered, and dressed before we even ate breakfast and then the trouble began...Amy was in her high chair (horrible high chair...NEVER buy cheaply you get what you pay for!!) the straps were SO tight even on the largest setting that I just trashed them, so I was using the tray to keep her in, another bad thing as the tray can be easily forced or pushed off...well, she was warned twice I think and nope, she leaned over too much and the tray gave way causing her to spiral in air hit her head on the table and crash to the floor... then we see blood pouring from her mouth (it was kind of pouring not gushing, just pouring slightly)... off to the doctor we went. Thankfully she didn't go cut through her lip, though it did look like it at first, and no stitches as it would probably tear/rip the lip even worse. I took a picture of her with the cuts but you can barely see the one on the outside (the other is inside). See below...


I'm nearing 32 weeks (right?? I did count right...32 already!?) and wondering where the time has gone! Half of me is wanting it over and done with, but another part of me feels not ready to go through birth/delivery/afterbirth over again.

I decided to go to the doctor about this eczema issue of ours (Amy and me) and got cream for both of us...I'm happy to report evidence to it being under control as it was extremely aggravating to us both. But, I do fear of it just flaring up again once we have used the cream up, or gotten completely rid of the eczema. We shall see.

Here is Amelia Jane first thing one of the mornings this week, she came down with her three little teddy bears (she claimed both that mom in law gave for the kids, and of course John's bear). I thought she looked very sweet here hugging the purple one (Aaron's bear according to Amy!!).And here they both are up still in their night clothes playing with bears.

As far as sleeping is concerned, I must admit my shocking surprises that my son is making! He has been sleeping through the night for quite sometime now (as long as he is fed real well during the day). As well as that, he is learning how to go to sleep by himself in his own playpen/travel cot, without my assitance. I cuddle him for a couple of minutes and then I put him lying down in his bed and he stays that way till he falls asleep (WOW!). He has been an easy baby that is for sure, but this was entirely unexpected, and he has been doing this for at least two weeks if not more - it is wonderful. :)

Speaking of which, here is my little man on the ride-on toy. I put him on, and he loved it, in fact too much because he would get so angry and scream when I took him off...*sigh* human nature comes out so readily.

And then I had to post these. Something else I've noticed different of my boy compared to Amy, is that he likes to get on his tummy to play.

I think it is really cute!

What a cute smile! :)The weather has been lovely here for a good part of the week, what a nice change compared to the winter! So much is coming up in the next week and month (April). Next week (I was properly informed) is the N.Tolsta communion of which Sam will be all being well going to. This monday, Jett hopes to have the students over for dinner, Wednesday a prenatal appointment, and April is covered with Leverburgh communion, the Youth Conference, and our moving to Perth... oh dear, lots to consider and do! But for now, I need to get off and hang up some laundry.

A bit of everyday life from Harris

I'm still here and posting away! :) It has been a busy weekend with the Tarbert communion, but now that that is passed, and my laundry it nearly caught up (it never will be fully) I feel more free to do things like post...well, maybe.

This week has been filled with... the Monday service, and Tuesday groceries in Stornoway, Wednesday "catch up" day, and Thursday the same, and now it is Friday and I'm kind of doing all sorts of things, a little bit of cleaning, laundry, ironing, baking etc (as housewives we do so many tasks in a day it is rather tiresome to list).

As my last post or so mentioned Amelia's newest diagnosis - Tuberous sclerosis, I've been endeavouring to read more about the subject, and of course, am not finding much to encourage me...but(!) the doctor did say she has a minor case of it which is good. Another good thing is, that she can still outgrow the epilepsy which was my fear that she wouldn't be able to and therefore have to take medication for the rest of her life. I know I'm thinking way in her future, but I wouldn't want to risk anything that would make her not be able to have children (they currently do not know what the drug she is taking does to pregnancy). Another good thing is, that we do not have to get the tests done until we are in Perth again, I'm very much relieved, especially for Jett's sake! I just knew it would be hard on him with his studies and I don't think I could take him suffering from missing classes, or study time because of this. The tests although are important, but the doctor feels it is safe enough to wait. Another thing is that because she does have benign tumours in her brain, she will have to be monitored every two years to make sure they are not growing as well, they probably will have to take scans/ultrasounds of her kidneys and/or vital organs to ensure no growths there. You know, I've been thinking why did all of this have to happen now? And I just realized how thankful I have to be that it didn't happen sooner!! If it happened earlier in Amelia's life it could have been worse off for her development, and not to mention the cost in Texas for medical care!! So, this is the right time, and a mercy too that it didn't happen sooner. So theres a wee bit of an update there.

And the weather is looking more and more like spring...ahh! Although just now it is grey out it has been sunny rather than grey for the entire day...I think! :)

Aaron in the stroller that belongs to the house...isn't he cute in the sweater/hoodie!! Thank you mom for this, it is one of my favourite things to put on him now.

Amelia pushing Aaron in the sun...sorry about the pacifier but I'm not caring anymore what people think about it (or at least I'm not letting it bother me much) most people don't have to go through moving this often, plus having her go through such a time of sickness.

Another view again from the house...yes, I don't walk very far, simply put I can't. I've got dreadful pain now, and it is worsening as baby inside gets heavier. The doctor also mentions that walking can actually worsen my condition...so no window shopping (lol, no shops around here anyways).

A cuddle with Amy Jane...sorry about the red patches on us...we're infected with eczema!! HAHA! :)

Hmm, I guess her eyes aren't as blue as I thought they were. Maybe they'll turn green like Jett's...aww, that would be cute! :)

Ok must let Sam do an exam.

Not just epilepsy but also tuberous sclerosis.

On a Saturday afternoon I got a phone call from the Dr. Macleod (Glasgow, Neurologist-Pediatrician) stating Amelia's MRI results... I was hoping for something else but this is what it is and I just need to accept it, submit to the Lord's will. Amy's MRI showed subtle abnormalities. We had thought we ruled out TS (Tuberous sclerosis) by having a certain eye exam although TS can affect more than just the eyes, such as vital organs: brain, kidneys etc, so I guess we weren't quite out of the water just yet, although the doctor really didn't think anything would show. So these "subtle abnormalities" I am supposing are tiny benign tumours.

What does this mean for us? Well, it means her epilepsy is caused by T.S. It means we have more tests to do - my guess is that they can make sure there isn't any other benign tumours on other vital organs, and tests to do on the parents too because this is supposedly a genetic thing. Not sure what kind of tests they can do on a pregnant mama though!

Needless to say, I was in tears after the conversation with the Dr. maybe from feeling helpless in the situation, and maybe also knowing it isn't over yet (more tests to do, etc etc). Anyways, it has happened this way. Everyone's trials are different in this world. But all things are ordered by the Lord. "All things work together for good to them that love God..."

On another note, we just finished the last service to the communion season in Tarbert and it was very nice. I was glad Samuel was here to take the kids out during the table address and so forth. All in all a very good time I think for us all.

Must get groceries at some point this week (meaning a trip to Stornoway), and catch up on my mounds of laundry, house cleaning and the usual housewife things. Off to fold some clothes, and get two wee ones off to well needed beds!

oh and one last thing...

And a video clip of Aaron talking on the play phone... too cute I thought to not post though someone is complaining of how bad he sounds in the background. I'm sure most mommy's will be able to tell Aaron is trying to say "Hi!" and possibly "Yeah". Aaron is also walking everywhere another difference from my last clip of him although you can't tell as much in this one but it is his main way of getting around now! All right, hope everyone has a good weekend!

Before the weekend comes...

I figured I ought to post something here! I realize I haven't been regular or as often in posting since Sam came but that is okay, I felt I was posting maybe a bit too often anyways. So maybe once a week is better? :)

Not a whole lot to say really, only that I've made it to 29weeks on Monday (I guess it will be nearing 30 weeks shortly!), and that the Tarbert communion is this weekend. I expect I'll be quite worn out by the end of it all but maybe I'll just have to make Sam work harder... ;) don't worry, I'm not serious.

And here is Amy Jane laughing, sorry about her eyes but I've been battling eczema on her eyelids and therefore they are a bit red.

A close up on her preschool work...or toddler work whatever! I thought this was a neat idea I picked it up from someones blog.

Another smile...she is finally getting better at smiling for the camera!

Oh wow...don't I look cute. I'm kidding (obviously). Here I am at 29 weeks and a couple of days!

(enter interesting title here)

Hello from Harris. I know I haven't posted in a weeks time or is it more? I can say I've been busy, and in another sense I can't. The beginning of this week has been busy with regards to Amy's MRI and lumbar puncture, and then last minute change of plans and Sam, Aaron and I are at the Campbells for two nights. So, we got home yesterday finally, and it was nice to get some laundry (much needed laundry that is) done - well, it is still incomplete but it is getting there. Of oourse with Sam being here I should have loads of extra time...well, not really, I feel definitely more relaxed and not stressed out with the kids but I still have to do things (of course!!) and Mr. Sam has been using the computer as well, so time is limited. Ok, enough of my excuses!

So Amy went through the MRI just fine and the puncture. I was worried because they had her fasting from 3am in the morning till after the scan...and it just happened to be that they were having difficulties with the machine and therefore the scan (which should have been in the morning) ended up being in the early afternoon. But, she survived and though groggy when she woke up she was basically herself (so I was told).

Must check cookies...mmm fresh chocolate chip cookies. Cookies checked and Sam is asking for another one, I guess they pass? ;)

I was going to post this photo awhile ago addressed to the Guy (Waiter) at IHOP...this is what happens when you offer broccoli for dessert at least with my daughter! :)

And some chocolate crinkles I made last week, can you tell I'm trying to spoil Sam?? :P Not really.

Ok off to get one more cookie for myself and Amy. :)

Going very well!

I must tell you all, that it has been three days and counting since Amelia took a "real" seizure, there has been times where I was wondering if she had maybe a small one, but I think she might be finally her normal self again. And my, she is talking up a storm again! So very nice to see! I think it was yesterday she saw me scratching my eczema (ok...I know I'm not supposed to but it gets quite frustrating after so long of trying to get rid of it and then finally succumbing to scratching) and she right away said "No scratch!" You see, she has eczema too and therefore is told not to scratch...looks like I need to be a better example. Much to be thankful with regard to her seizures and how everything has gone. Was reading a evening devotion by Winslow on afflictions (November 3rd I think) and reasons why they come to the Lord's people, needless to say it was very good and quite applicable to our recent happenings.

Another note, I think we are about to go through another round of colds...third time in the past month and a half. Aaron has been having a fever for almost two days next to congestion. Thankfully ibuprofen works well, as does calpol (something like tylenol) but it does mean lots of restless nights with Aaron between us. But we love him, (of course we do!) if only you knew what it meant to see this little man smiling at you in the middle of the night when he is running a fever and supposed to be sleeping...it is quite priceless.

And for those of you who don't know it already, we're to have a visitor stay with us for some time. My brother (in law) Samuel is coming next week Tuesday already! I'm excited can you tell? :) Oh, and thats Aaron gone off to sleep. Good. Now if only Amy could get a wee nap, I could run to the store. :)

This isn't the picture of him sleeping, he is in his car seat just now (it is easier putting him to sleep that way than holding him). But I thought he looked very peaceful here.

And the only pictures I have of his 1st birthday cake...It looks nice I suppose, but the *writing* (not the actual icing on the cake) icing was gross....must been going out of date or something.

Can you tell he was happy? Amelia sure was! Every C-A-K-E is a Birthday cake to her!

Ah, and thats Amy sleeping now too! Just means my shopping time will be cut in half if not more. :) Hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Someones *growing* acomplishment!

This little man has been working on the following for almost two weeks now! This unfortunately isn't the best he has done so far...but at least it is a taste of what he is up to.

Short update...

My computer decided it was not going to work anymore. I thought that it might just be acting a bit slow but this is ridiculous I can't even open any documents let alone see them! Anyone want to come and fix it for me? ;) So, I'm using Jett's which is limited use seeing he uses it all the time.

Amelia still has these trance like seizures and upwards still of 9-10 a day...so, it isn't as if it is just one a day, but many. Yesterday before I knew it I heard a loud thump and ran into the room and found her on the floor...she had a seizure in her chair and fell as she loses control of her body muscles I suppose. Today she seems to be doing quite well, but usually the mornings are the best anyways have yet to see this afternoon.

I'm also dealing with a very needy 1 year old...soo, off I go.

a picture post

I'm trying to get some photos up here before I get behind. Not very easy when your trying to give a bottle to your 1yr old (is he really 1 already?!). Ok, I had to let him down, there is no way this would be done before 12 (we'll see if that happens) if I had to hold him the whole time.

I think we've been settling back into a routine again and it feels nice! Unfortunately I still have to deal with Amy's seizures (not the ones where she is shaking and very stiff) and it isn't always easy. For example I was in the kitchen last night cleaning up the dishes and keeping my ear open for strange noises when it went silent in the next room...I went in and saw Amelia on the floor in a trance looking at the ceiling. She had fallen over obviously...but it just reminds me how I can't let her climb stairs by herself nor go down them by herself! We've got colds just now (again!!) and it has to have the cough too, so Amelia is awake in the middle of the night hacking away...I find cough syrup takes toooo long to start working. So yes, sleep deprived we are - nothing new there though! :)

So, here is my first picture...and it is rather special to me now after the week we've been through. Doesn't she look princess like? Yes, she is our little princess, delicate in some ways and stubborn in others. This is the skirt I sewed for her before she took these seizures, looks ladylike if you ask me! Thanks to Care for the pattern - it worked out lovely. I think I'm learning the hard way to appreciate my children. As mothers we all get frustrated at times with our children, but I hope I'm learning to prize them more. You just need to go to a sick children's hospital to realize how thankful we ought to be for our children and how healthy they are!! It doesn't change the fact I'm still trying to come to terms with her disorder but it is not nearly as bad as some of the things I've seen in hospital. I admit I wasn't able to cope during the first days of her turns, partly because it was the fear of the unknown. I had no idea what was going on and I was afraid of her going mentally retarded which would mean me losing my daughter not physically but well, you know what I mean. Anyways, it is how it is now and I just hope she outgrows it!

This photo was taken the Saturday before we went up to Stornoway the first time to see the doctor. That is Jett walking on the beach in Northton. It was nice to see something calming when we were going through so much.

Another scene of the beach in Northton...one of my favourites although Jett likes the other one I caught in which the picture is sharper, but this one seems softer to the eyes... :)

Jett and the beach again.

I've been wanting to get the hills with snow on the top and so far these are some of the better ones I've been able to capture. This is outside Tarbert on the way towards Stornoway.

Amelia giving a funny grin :)

And here it when she had the EEG done. About 16 wires were GLUED to her head and I mean glued because she still has spots of glue on her scalp. She had to carry around a little bag attached to her waist in which a usb cord was connected to a computer with a camera...yes, that meant she couldn't get around very far, thankfully this was done in the afternoon so it wasn't hard to keep it from bothering her during the night.

After she was disconnected from the computer the next morning she was able to go and play, and here you can see the bag she had to cart around.

Looks dreadfully uncomfortable, but she didn't seem to notice, the toys were great, and huge selection and plenty of them.

Nearing the evening time, when Amelia got all the wires off, and then had a fun fun bath...I suppose they just got tuckered out here.

I like this one. I know Aaron was drinking but he was smiling so much at the same time. And Amy was happy too.

So, there you have my picture update. Now I need to figure out what is for lunch and check on the fire I made in the other room (I give up on those, I never seem to make them big enough and they never seem to heat much of the room up!!).

Oh, and I'm almost 26 weeks pregnant (Monday)...wow, by the way, I think it will be a boy...but how do I know, both pregnancies before I said the same thing and was right only once...maybe this will surprise me and be a girl haha...I have doubts though. :) Whatever he or she is, I think I'll love s/hejust as much as my other two. :)

Happy 1st Birthday Aaron! (and a update)

We are finally home! After a long week of hospital, doctor visits, tests and etc we have finally arrived safely to this large house in Northton. I was so glad we only had to be in hospital for two nights rather than the whole week! A huge thank you to all our friends that have helped to make this time easier for us, and many thanks to the Macleod's who housed and fed us during this time.

Yesterday was our son's first birthday, unfortunately we couldn't really celebrate it due to the circumstances, yet Mrs. Macleod had a gift wrapped and ready to give him that morning! It was very sweet of her to think of it, and both Amy and Aaron enjoy those blocks very much! I suppose I'll just have to make my birthday a joint celebration ;).

Amy is still to have further tests done on Feb 24th. One is the MRI scan, where they will have to put her under, and the second test is for some kind of food disorder...well, the second is a bit more difficult to explain hopefully I'll get the proper name for it on the 24th. She is also still having seizures and quite regularly throughout the day (usually just before naptimes and bedtimes) this isn't including the seizures she has throughout the night which I have no idea how many there are. She is a complex case, as she has two types of seizures one is when she goes into a trance like mode in which she stares into space and usually doesn't respond to our commands or voices, the other is when she gets all stiff and shakes quite a bit...I can't say I'm getting used to seeing them, but I have to accept them as part of this whole disorder (if epilepsy is a disorder?) I do admit to handling them better as I understand more about epilepsy, though it is still hard to take not to mention being pregnant and handling it all at the same time!

Another note, as someone mentioned glue ear causing fits in her little one, which made me have to ask the doctor again that we DID rule out infections that could cause seizures, and of course he was able to explain that 1. Such and such test ruled out the infections, and 2. The evidence is so much to prove that it is epilepsy (well that is basically what he said although he said it in great detail much to my satisfaction!) I really didn't think it was glue ear (an ear infection) as Amelia has never had problems when having it, she also didn't show a temperature throughout this whole thing until the second night in hospital and that was because she was getting a BAD cold (yes we all have them now) and has been fine with regards to temp now.

Anyways, I'm tired and it is only 9:14! Hopefully I can try to get Amelia into bed (which has now been put on the floor incase she has a seizure and falls out of bed) soon and Aaron following.

What has been happening.

I decided to start trying to explain what has been going on the past week and a half now (I think it is) but it might end up being posted at a later date due to the length of it...or I mean, trying to remember all the details (well not all but you know, the important ones).

As I already mentioned, I think, last wednesday night we noticed something funny about Amelia when we were putting her to bed. The next day we figured she had the flu as she was throwing up but she was still able to eat some toast at noon and again at dinner time...so not completely sure if it was or not. It was really Friday we noticed these "blank stares" she started to give us, some lasting a couple of minutes but on Saturday it lasted for nearly 9 minutes. This would be followed by her snapping out of it and then acting quite hyper for a bit, and then she would become quite exhausted. Jett called the doctor Friday and he checked her out and we thought to give it a day or the weekend to see if she improved since we "thought" she may have had the flu. Well Saturday came, and she had another bout, and this time I took our digital camera out and videoed her (not something I wanted to do but I wanted to be sure the doctor understood that this wasn't normal). So we went to the doctors saturday morning and he saw the video and basically told us to go to Stornoway hospital to get blood tests taken to rule out a few things (infection etc.). So up we went, and poor Amy had to give blood twice as the first sample was sent to a mini lab for emergencies and it showed her as anemic!! The second time showed she was completely fine. So we were to come back on Monday to see the Pediatrician. So we started to drive home when the car decided to stall and then not start again! It just seemed one thing after another! Anyways, to make this long story shorter, we stayed at the Campbells in Tolsta for the weekend and Monday went back to the hospital. The pediatrician saw the video and took another blood test (which again showed up absolutely fine) checked her ears (this was the third time to check ears) but nothing showed up. So he referred us to Glasgow. The Neurologist/Pediatrician he referred us to was born in Stornoway so probably was even more helpful in getting us over quickly as we left Tuesday morning (nearly missing the flight...thats another story though).

Tuesday - Amelia was admitted to Yorkhill hospital and we began the series of tests to eliminate whatever and to hopefully come to a conclusion.

E.E.G was the first test in which I have a photo of her with though not on here at the moment. There were 16 or so wires connected with GLUE to her poor wee head, she was quite good getting them on but not so getting them off the next day. And a video camera was at the end of her bed the whole night to catch her seizures and there were quite a few of them.

The next day Wednesday, once wires were removed, she had a CT scan to rule out any brain tumors or abnormalities and that came out just fine. She started an anti-epilepsy drug this night.

Thursday we got to go home to the manse instead of staying another night in the hospital (yeah!).

Friday we went to the hospital to check her eyes out again, eliminating another possibility T.S. but not sure what the long term name for it is. But again, that came out just fine as well.

All being well, Monday we have to see the doctor and hopefully by then the medication will have taken more effect, and another blood test will be taken some sort of chromosome test which takes 2 months or so to get back.

And thats all at the moment, as you can imagine it has been a highly stressful and emotional week for us. I'm sorry if I sound too matter of fact right here, but it is the best I can do just now as getting into more of the nitty gritty would take a lot of effort that I don't have just now. I do hope to update again but for now this will have to do. Many thanks to all for their thoughts and prayers.

Where do I begin?

I have hardly a second here. I need to be packing, eating dinner, and somehow get sleep tonight. I can't tell everything just now due to lack of time, but here is the run down of what has been going on.

Amelia has been having strange turns/fits or the like started Wed night. We've seen doctors Friday, Saturday and today and now tomorrow we are due to fly out Stornoway to Glasgow to see a Neurologist (I think unless it is a pediatrician). It seems Amy may have absence (minor) epilepsy.

And with that, I can't say more because we have little time to just relax even! Must run and check my pizzas in the oven.

The Simple Woman's Daybook...

Was going to post this either tomorrow or earlier today but here it is a bit late...saw this on a ladies blog and thought it was interesting, don't worry I never do these fwd's but thought this was interesting.

FOR TODAY (January 20, 2009)...
Outside my window...was sunshine but unfortunately has turned to grey clouds with wind and rain.

I am thinking...it is cold, but it could be much worse.

I am thankful for...my husband, children, family and friends, it amazes me that people could care and love someone such as me…I don’t think I’ll ever understand it.

From the learning rooms...since there are two of these: the one with J is filled partly with books, a computer of which is probably humming, some coffee in a thermos, and a mind working very hard on the several subjects he is studying like Hebrew. In the other room, there is the steady noise of either, crying, laughter, toys playing, and anything in between.

From the kitchen...the washing machine was running, but otherwise it is quiet.

I am wearing...A maternity denim skirt (that wasn’t hard to guess now was it!) and a white ¾ sleeved top.

I am creating...rather I just made (I don’t use the word create for anything I “make”) a skirt for Amelia.

I am going...everywhere! Never did I think I would be living in Scotland, nor Texas at one stage either. Seems like we’ve seen a lot of Scotland (Edinburgh to Perth, to Harris to Perth abw, and then Glasgow and then I don’t know).

I am reading...the Bible, Evening Thoughts by Winslow and the diary from Ruth Bryan.

I am hoping...these couple of months go by quickly; the last part of this pregnancy I’m dreading (no not the labour and delivery!).

I am hearing...Aaron choke on too big of a piece of bread from Amy. *sigh*

Around the house...is lots of unfinished laundry whether still drying, or needs to be folded or needs to be ironed and next to that scattered toys…unmade beds (what, you thought I was perfect?!) and some over all uncleanliness ook…tomorrow is cleaning day!

One of my favorite things...is to watch my children play with their Daddy – such a refreshing time to see them happy and enjoying their other parent for awhile. This brings lots of joy in the last part of the day in which I’m at my low levels of energy.

A few plans for the rest of the week: To go through the receipts of 4 weeks time, to get my laundry done, and get some cards made, and maybe even start another skirt for Amelia.

Here is picture thought I would share...Aaron didn't put Bear there, it was Amelia, but Aaron decided he needed to get off the chair I guess!

Of Rat, wind/rain/snow, nearly walking and organizing!

Yes you read right. We have a RAT... lets go back to the "learning to read" days and that would be one of the first things we learn is the word RAT! We're positive it is a rat because of how much the thing eats no mouse could do so. Hmm, anybody remember us having a RAT in Texas?? This Rat must really like fruit and veg oh and not to forget butter...I never leave meat out so the option for food for him is an apple or potato. Last night Jett set this very mean looking trap for the Rat, but this morning we noticed the bait was gone but NO dead Rat! So much for a mean looking trap. Perhaps we'll try something more sticky tonight in hopes he'll have to lick more etc and then hopefully *SNAP*... anyways it has been disinfecting mode for me every morning because we know the thing can get on my counters (yuck!!)!

This past weekend has been the worst yet for weather. Seemed like hurricane winds Saturday night, and then Sabbath morning while driving to Sheilebost it started to snow heavily which I might add made the landscape gorgeous until the sun decided to melt everything *sigh*.

And this is what I was busy with last week. (Thanks to Henrietta for sending this!) I went through it all and decided that I would never use it all, soo, I split it in half and mailed the rest to someone (you'll know who you are when you get it this week abw). :)

On one of the many long nights with Aaron...he decided this particular night to cough and throw up on his sleeper and therefore he is dressed this way.

Give him something to bang on and he is happy...such a boy!

The first time I really allowed her to paint (I bought some paint in Texas) and she thoroughly enjoyed it.

But this was at the beginning the page got completely covered with paint.

Oh, and Aaron is nearly walking now. Sabbath he took afew steps on his own before losing his balance, and he has been doing that quite a bit Monday as well hmm, looks like he'll be walking soon and he'll be 1 soon as well and me 24?! Ok, off to get some things done this morning!

Trip photos, developments and etc

Aha, I see the computer today, well, for a few minutes anyways. So blogger has changed how photos appear on here... :( which means they are getting all mixed up, but I'll try to decipher some of them...

We stayed at James and Hayley's for the first week and then at Joseph and Carolyn's the second.

So here is Uncle Sam with Amy (in a nighty just in case you think I have strange clothing tastes!) and Claire.

Hayley's little ham :D displaying his bottom teeth.

Hays took me shopping one day...heehee, and it proved quite successful lots of sales at a resale shop meaning next to nothing for childrens clothing and even tops for a pregnant mom! :D So we went to Baskins (a western clothing shop) and I let A & A try on cowboyish hats.

Again all mixed up, here is Aaron in the bassinet they attached to the wall of the plane...the only thing is, I had a blue wall to look at for 8 or so hours!! :S

Had supper at Carl & Steph's and I snapped these. Callen.

Almost so cute...if only my kids were more into getting their photos taken... a very nice one of C & C though!

Back at Aunt Hayley's...the three little pigs had a bath.

At Care's now, A & Julia are here playing in the sand/dirt...ugh, and it got into A's hair, and clothes meaning another bath. :)

One morning I found A looking at A sleeping and waiting for him to wake up...I thought it was cute. :)

Maybe Mark used to wear these? ;) J/K we had dinner at Mark and Mercy's and I snapped this one...sigh, I think I failed getting any of the actual couples... grrrr! I wasn't really into taking photos this trip. :(

Aunt Carolyn showing a ladybug to my interested children!

A likes anything that plays music, and the violin was no exception :) here she got to try it out with U. Sam.

Grandma Terry, Claire and Amelia (If you look closely C & A are wearing the same tops!)

Colouring on the floor at Care's...lol, what a mess kids make!

I wanted to get a pic of A with a "Ernie Smith and Son's Roofing" hat...it didn't work but it looked so cute on him I had to try!

And my last photo (I didn't take many can you tell!?) Em, is this 4 generations?
Grandpa Al, Dad, Jett and Aaron.

Now for the quick thing on developments...

On Sabbath Aaron popped his first tooth out, Monday he discovered how to climb the stairs (AHHH!) and then Tuesday he discovered how to open the door to get to the stairs. Today? He is trying to walk behind a stroller and push it (Amy's play stroller). Oh boy, he is doing things too fast for me.

And were going up to Stornoway again today! My antenatal appointment is this afternoon and J wants to come. He is the better one at getting questions delivered and properly answered to his satisfaction. :) And hopefully another ultrasound? Hmm...I wonder if it is a girl or boy...sigh, I know I shouldn't find out...but it is tempting. :) Ok, must run and get lunch made!