How white are your whites? What are your laundry tricks?

We just got a bunch of new clothes (the yard sales were great here the week of the Potawatomi Festival!) and I’m wanting to keep them white for a long time. That makes me wonder, though. . .what do you do to keep whites white? A special detergent? Bleach? Blueing? Any other tricks?

The church service tonight started with an interesting twist. We had a baptism scheduled. I was pretty excited about it, since it was the first baptism we’ve had since Stephen and I joined the church.

Our pastor’s father is a pastor in the neighboring town, and their church’s homecoming service was today, so they had their evening service in the afternoon. Many of them were planning to come to our service this evening, since it was the pastor’s daughter that had just accepted Christ and was getting baptised. We were expecting a big crowd for our little church.

Stephen went over to the church early in the afternoon to do a little bit of sprucing up in the parking lot. When he came home, he mentioned to me that he would need to head back over in a couple hours to check on how full the baptismal pool was getting. Since he gets so little sleep on Sunday afternoons as it is, I offered to go down there for him.

So, at 4:00 I headed to church. I grabbed a bag of music for the service, and threw a pair of pants and underwear in it for Little man, just in case (he only had one accident all day today, and that was our fault – we didn’t take him immediately to the bathroom when he first woke up. Other than that, it was a completely dry day. I am so proud of him!) Anyways. . .Little man and I headed out.

We walked into the church, and I heard water splashing, so I went to check it out.

The hose had somehow flipped out of the tank, and was spraying water everywhere. The foyer and sanctuary were wet a good 8 feet out from the door in all directions. I turned the water off and called Stephen at the house to come help me clean it up. Then I called Pastor Brian to let him know.

A few minutes later, I realized I still heard dripping, but it was coming from the basement.

The water had drained into the ductwork, and was running out the vents into the basement. The main area was mostly flooded. There was a good inch of water on parts of that floor. At that point, I took my shoes off.

We had helped a family from church move yesterday, and I remembered that they had a wet-vac, so I called them to have them bring it over. When they arrived, they were kind enough to drop off their teenage daughter to help us. :O) I was very thankful.

You know how sometimes in stressful situations, you can either choose to laugh or cry? Somehow, I ended up laughing. I’m thankful that God helped me with my attitude! It just kinda struck me as funny that I was playing in the water with my bare feet and church clothes.

Pastor Brian sent me home to go get towels so we could mop up as much of the water from the ductwork as we could (I took advantage of the opportunity to grab a denim skirt and tshirt to clean in instead of my nicer clothes). Another family ended up dropping off their wet-vac for us to use as well, so that really helped.

All in all, we got the water cleaned up with time to spare. I’m not sure how many people even noticed the floor was wet when they came in.

The service was wonderful! (Renee, I know you asked what our church is like – so here’s my answer. Sorry it took me so long!) New Hope Baptist Church is a conservative Independant Baptist Church. It’s fairly small, with around 40 or 50 people on an average Sunday morning. We have a lot of young families in the church – lots of mid-twenties. Our pastor and his wife are in their upper twenties as well. It is refreshing to see a younger pastor who still stands for what is right, when it seems like so many today are compromising.

The song service was just beautiful. Stephen and I were just soaking it up, listening to everyone singing. I just love how it sounds when a church is packed full of people and everybody is singing out. The rest of the service went off without a problem. Baptisms are so neat to watch – I love seeing the confidence on the face of someone who’s just accepted Christ. Their resolve and utter peace. . .I just love it.

All in all, it was a very busy day, but so sweet. (Did I mention that I made Monkey Bread for the before-Sunday School fellowship as well? Ha! It was a hit though) I just LOVE Sundays!

I didn’t realize that I hadn’t posted an update on our moving until today. Sorry!

We are moved in and are probably 60 to 75% unpacked. My mom and grandmother came to visit this past week. They were so much help with getting this house set up! It was a real blessing to have them here. Each room has a box or two (at least) sitting along the wall, waiting to be unpacked, but for the most part, everything important it in it’s place.

As for Stephen’s job, I’m not sure what all I mentioned earlier. Several weeks ago he signed a bid trying to get a better position in the company. Last Monday, when he arrived at work, he was told he had an interview scheduled for when he got off his shift. If he gets this position, it will be a higher paying job, and will be first shift instead of the third shift that he works now. We’re still waiting to hear the results of that interview.

Our doctor adventures that I mentioned a short while ago are not yet over, either. Little man’s ear infection went away, only to return again a week later. The doctor put him on a different antibiotic, but I am a bit concerned. He has been on the meds for 4 of the 5 days and he’s still complaining that his ears hurt. Although we have an appointment for next week for followup for him, I’m wondering if we’ll end up back in the office again before this week is out.

And then there’s my doctor visits. My doctor referred me to the Women’s Clinic because of my ultrasound results. Apparently they were fairly normal results, but I’m thankful that I ended up in her office. I really like this doctor – very professional but very caring. She kindly told me that “There are some lifestyle changes that you will have to make. They will be work, but you have to do it. Unless, of course, you want to become a raging diabetic.” (And yes, the words “raging diabetic” were her choice, not mine). Hmm. And apparently as they study PCOS and learning more about it, apparently they’re not calling it PCOS anymore. They’re just calling it Insulin Resistance. Hmmm.

She wrote up an order for me to have yet more bloodwork done. Then when the results are in, I’ll go back for a consultation with the doctor and we’ll re-evaluate the medicine that I’m on. Mamaof2Sonshines – right now it’s Metformin XR, 1500mg a day, but the doctor isn’t convinced that’s the most effective medicine for me for now. But again, we’re waiting on the bloodwork to decide.

So when I went garage sale-ing. . .not sure if that’s really a word – oh well, I’ll use it anyway. . .and found a working exercise bike for only $10, that’s why I bought the bike. It’s got this cool digital display that tells you your speed, calories burned, and a whole bunch of other stuff. To add to our workout gym in the garage. We already had a Total Gym, and our landlord gave us a treadmill that he was hauling away. The treadmill works, and he didn’t want it. So now, we have all this exercise equipment lined up. . .and knowing that the doctor is fixin’ to get me with how I need to exercise on a regular basis. . .I think I need to get a move on, you know? Stephen works out with a guy from church three days a week, and his wife and I will be working out the other days. This should be interesting. . .

Over the past 6 weeks or so, I’ve taken very few pictures. A friend reminded me today that I haven’t put any up in a while. . .so here are a couple of my favorites.

My dad tied some of his exercise bands around Little man’s waist – he was so proud of his “belt.”

My tractor boy

We are starting potty-training in earnest today. Let’s see how long this takes. I’m armed with more advice from moms who have been there, done that. They’ve given me more ideas to try that I hadn’t even thought of.

The plan: no more pull-ups or plastic pants. Only real underwear from here on out. Little man hates to be wet so hopefully the first few accidents he has will feel especially yucky to him. There will be no going back, not even when we are out or at night. We will simply take changes of clothes with us, and line the bed with towels or blankets that can be washed come morning.

So. . . . let’s see what happens this time. We’re settled in, no moves in the forseeable future. . .so hopefully that means no interruptions in this process. . .

We have laundry going so that we will have every single pair of pants clean and dry. . .because I have a feeling we will be needing them today. . .and the timer is set to go off every thirty minutes for him to stop and to potty. . .

(and yes, you more experienced mamas, feel free to laugh at me. . .for this is my first time potty training a little one and I really don’t have a clue as to what will happen. . .just advice from other moms I know. . .)

I’m a little late to post about this, due to our move, but I wanted to mention it nonetheless.

Susan Godfrey is a fellow blogger who is pregnant and due today. Two months ago, she found out that her precious baby has Potter’s Syndrome. These babies are born without kidneys and usually die shortly after birth. Susan and her husband decided that she would carry the baby to term, instead of terminating the pregnancy.

Amy over at Dandelion Seeds has organized a 48-hour prayer chain for the Godfrey family.

This is what Susan posted on her blog on Friday, September 8th – her last post before the baby arrives:

I have some specific prayer requests that I would appreciate you praying for.

1. That we have a quick and safe labor and delivery
2. That I don’t have to have a c-section
3. Please pray specifically for my children, Colt (13) and Riley (2). While Colt is really old enough to understand, he still hasn’t expressed his grief much and I’m pretty sure that “the dam” will break after the baby gets here. Riley doesn’t really understand what’s happening at all, but I worry about the emotional scars on both of my children from this.
4. That the Lord’s will be done, what ever that may be. While we pray for a miracle we also know that the Lord may have reasons we don’t understand for the baby not to survive.
5. That Lord helps us to accept his desicion, what ever it may be. That His grace and mercy comfort us.

Please join me in lifting up this family in prayer.

I received this in my email today.

I WAS THERE…

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news on September 11, 2001. Neither will I. I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say “Good-Bye.” I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, “Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK…I am ready to go.”

I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn’t coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. “I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!” I said. “Of course I will show you the way home – only believe in Me now.”

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.

I was in Texas, Kansas, London. I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name – though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.

Some couldn’t hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; “Come to Me…… this way… take my hand.” Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.

But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?

September 11, 2001 was not the end of the journey for you…. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are “ready to go.”

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God
(author unknown)

We finally have a moving date – Saturday. I stopped by the house today to turn in our application (even though we’ve already paid the deposit) and to ask our landlord some questions. I cannot wait to get into the house. . . . .

So Saturday is the big day. We’re starting to turn in all the change-of-address forms now, so hopefully by the time we actually move in things will be connected and working.

Did I mention that I’m so excited???????

Sometimes this Mama job is harder than I anticipated. . .

Stephen and I took a quick trip up to my parents’ house for the weekend so we could see family and relax a little bit. It will most likely be the last chance we have to come up here for a while, so we jumped at the chance to come.

The part of the house we’re staying in is bittersweet – it is the suite that was built for Grandma. In a way, it is strange to be staying in her room, but on the other hand, it is wonderful. It’s so peaceful and relaxing – a retreat. It’s so simple and uncluttered with stuff. Since we’re moving next week, I will be decorating our new bedroom with this one in mind. I want to capture that feeling of a peaceful retreat in my bedroom.

Anyways. . .the reason for this post. . .In the family room, there is a stone hearth near the fireplace. It’s beautiful. Little man had his toys stacked near it and was playing, while my dad watched him. Then, somehow Little man fell into the toy basket and klunked his head on the hearth. Dad picked him up and started comforting him. I went over to look at the bump he had gotten, and when Dad pulled his hand away, I saw blood. My heart stopped.

Thankfully, it was just a minor wound, but it bled quite a bit (and yes, I do know that head wounds do that). It sure gave this mama quite the scare! He was up fine and running around soon afterward, but oh. . .I was worried for a bit.

So my little guy had his first head wound today. Poor little man! He’s doing well though – he let me get it wet in the bathtub and even let me dab at it with a washcloth a little bit so it must not hurt too terribly bad now. And yes, I’m breathing easier now that I know he’s all right. :O)