antonina31!
I will email you with my contact information so you can claim your prize.
Congratulations!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
THE WINNER...
All righty...the winner of Black Heels to Tractor Wheels is...
antonina31!
I will email you with my contact information so you can claim your prize.
Congratulations!
antonina31!
I will email you with my contact information so you can claim your prize.
Congratulations!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
A GIVEAWAY!!!
Wouldn't you know it?
David bought me this book to read while I was in the hospital, recovering after Theresa's birth.
Guess who brought me another copy? My sister...so thoughtful, but I had to admit to her I already had it. She suggested I give it away on my blog. Excellent idea!
Coincidently, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo starts today, so what better book to give away than a love story about how a city girl meets a cowboy, marries him, and winds up on a ranch in Oklahoma?
Whew...that was a long sentence!
Anyway...here's a pic of the book...it's REALLY purty y'all. It's not a signed copy, sorry.
And yeah, I finished reading my copy already. You'll love it...trust me.
THE RULES:
If you'd like a chance to win this copy of Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, leave me a comment below. Briefly tell me how you and your husband met. If you're not married, tell me one thing about the man of your dreams. (David and I met at the Catholic student center while we were attending Texas A&M University).
One entry per person please, no entries from outside the continental United States. Comments will be closed on Friday, March 4th at 12:00 noon (central time). Winner will be chosen at random and announced on Saturday morning.
Good luck, and I hope to read a few sappy comments! ;-)
David bought me this book to read while I was in the hospital, recovering after Theresa's birth.
Guess who brought me another copy? My sister...so thoughtful, but I had to admit to her I already had it. She suggested I give it away on my blog. Excellent idea!
Coincidently, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo starts today, so what better book to give away than a love story about how a city girl meets a cowboy, marries him, and winds up on a ranch in Oklahoma?
Whew...that was a long sentence!
Anyway...here's a pic of the book...it's REALLY purty y'all. It's not a signed copy, sorry.
THE RULES:
If you'd like a chance to win this copy of Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, leave me a comment below. Briefly tell me how you and your husband met. If you're not married, tell me one thing about the man of your dreams. (David and I met at the Catholic student center while we were attending Texas A&M University).
One entry per person please, no entries from outside the continental United States. Comments will be closed on Friday, March 4th at 12:00 noon (central time). Winner will be chosen at random and announced on Saturday morning.
Good luck, and I hope to read a few sappy comments! ;-)
Monday, February 21, 2011
Theresa Ellen
Funny how things don't go the way you think they do. Of course, that means God is up in heaven chuckling away...at you...because it's always HIS plan, and not yours.
This whole pregnancy has been like that, so I should have know our baby girl's birth would be anything but normal. I delivered Christina and Gabriel at 37 1/2 weeks. So by Feb. 9th, we were all on bated breath, thinking our little one would come any time. Well, we got to Sunday, Feb. 13, and no baby yet. David told me every morning, "Well, I got to sleep through the night." I'm notorious for going into labor in the middle of the night, and David always teases me about it. ;-)
I kept telling myself, "Okay, we just wait." I was very uncomfortable by now. I didn't even make it to Mass on Sunday, I just felt miserable. I was sleeping okay, but my whole body hurt. Over the weekend, I took to walking our block, once, twice, three times. On Sunday, I walked it 4 times (although not all at once). I wasn't sure it would start labor, but I couldn't bear to lie down or sit on the couch anymore.
Monday morning, I was exhausted. It had taken me a couple of hours to go to sleep the night before. And of course, I lost track of how many times I'd had to get up and go to the bathroom. I asked David if he could get the kids off to school, and he said yes. So I lay in bed. It was about 7:00 o'clock, and I was have a few strong contractions, but didn't really think too much of it. I'd been having contractions on and off all weekend.
David and the kids were on their way out the door (by now, it was 7:30). All of a sudden, I heard and felt a big "pop." It sounded just like a bottle of wine being uncorked. I called to David and said,
"Honey, you'd better come back after you get the kids to the bus stop!"
"Okay!!!"
By the time David got back, I confirmed what I'd suspected. My water had broke. I told David,
"It's time!" (Oh, and by the way, you did get a full night's sleep, so you can't complain this time.)
By now, my adrenaline was kicking in. I got up, showered, and was dressed in record time. David went to get our babysitter, and by 9:30, we were on our way to the hospital. Once there, I was observed for about an hour, and then they took me to a labor and delivery room. Only then did it really occur to us that unless labor was really long, we would be having a Valentine's Day baby. Awesome.
My OB/GYN, Dr. M came in about an hour later. He said,
"Well, what's the plan Miss Kimberly?" I love Dr. M.
I told him I was ready to have a baby, and to "hook me up," meaning I was ready for the pitocin and epidural. My contractions were managable, but I just wanted to get it over with. Usually, I wait and hold out for as long as I can...I don't like the side effects from the epidural (the shaking, slightly sick feeling, etc.). But not this time. I was ready.
So, by about 1:30, I had the pitocin and epidural. By 3:20, I was dilated to 8 cm. (I walked in at a 3). I was quite surprised it was going so fast! The nurse I had told me to call her when I started feeling pressure. Well, that didn't take long...David called her back only 20 minutes later. Sure enough I was 10 cm dilated, and ready to push. Dr. M was summoned, and he was there 10 minutes later.
I love teasing Dr. M. When Christina was born, she was coming pretty quickly and they'd paged him 2x. I wasn't even pushing, but she was coming all on her own. So by the time Dr. M got there, he had to scrub in quick, because she was born barely 10 minutes later. Ever since then, I tell him, "Now, when they page you, you'd better run, because you almost didn't make it that one time!" Of course, Dr. M says he was there in plenty of time. Sure...
David and I thought we'd have the baby by 4:30, but things were progressing so fast, I changed my estimate to 4:15. I pushed 3 times, and our sweet baby girl arrived at exactly 4:11PM.
I was overjoyed when she was placed in my arms. She was perfect in every way, from the light dusting of pale brown hair on her head to the tips of her wee toes. And of course, she scored straight 9's on her Apgar scores. That's our girl. ;-)
All the kids came up to the hospital and wanted to hold their baby sister. Even my big, 11 year old boy demanded a turn, which brought tears to my eyes.
We are still adjusting to having a baby in the house again, but Theresa is settling in nicely, and all the kids are adjusting fairly well. Gabriel is the official diaper helper, Joshua is putting a couple of extra chores, and the girls mostly fight over whose turn it is to hold Theresa. ;-)
As for me, I feel pretty good. Tired, but it is blissful to hold a tiny babe again, and even though my jolt of reality hits at around 2:00 AM, God's graces that are giving me strength.
So we are lovin' on our little sweetheart we got for Valentine's Day. I'll try to post more later.
This whole pregnancy has been like that, so I should have know our baby girl's birth would be anything but normal. I delivered Christina and Gabriel at 37 1/2 weeks. So by Feb. 9th, we were all on bated breath, thinking our little one would come any time. Well, we got to Sunday, Feb. 13, and no baby yet. David told me every morning, "Well, I got to sleep through the night." I'm notorious for going into labor in the middle of the night, and David always teases me about it. ;-)
I kept telling myself, "Okay, we just wait." I was very uncomfortable by now. I didn't even make it to Mass on Sunday, I just felt miserable. I was sleeping okay, but my whole body hurt. Over the weekend, I took to walking our block, once, twice, three times. On Sunday, I walked it 4 times (although not all at once). I wasn't sure it would start labor, but I couldn't bear to lie down or sit on the couch anymore.
Monday morning, I was exhausted. It had taken me a couple of hours to go to sleep the night before. And of course, I lost track of how many times I'd had to get up and go to the bathroom. I asked David if he could get the kids off to school, and he said yes. So I lay in bed. It was about 7:00 o'clock, and I was have a few strong contractions, but didn't really think too much of it. I'd been having contractions on and off all weekend.
David and the kids were on their way out the door (by now, it was 7:30). All of a sudden, I heard and felt a big "pop." It sounded just like a bottle of wine being uncorked. I called to David and said,
"Honey, you'd better come back after you get the kids to the bus stop!"
"Okay!!!"
By the time David got back, I confirmed what I'd suspected. My water had broke. I told David,
"It's time!" (Oh, and by the way, you did get a full night's sleep, so you can't complain this time.)
By now, my adrenaline was kicking in. I got up, showered, and was dressed in record time. David went to get our babysitter, and by 9:30, we were on our way to the hospital. Once there, I was observed for about an hour, and then they took me to a labor and delivery room. Only then did it really occur to us that unless labor was really long, we would be having a Valentine's Day baby. Awesome.
My OB/GYN, Dr. M came in about an hour later. He said,
"Well, what's the plan Miss Kimberly?" I love Dr. M.
I told him I was ready to have a baby, and to "hook me up," meaning I was ready for the pitocin and epidural. My contractions were managable, but I just wanted to get it over with. Usually, I wait and hold out for as long as I can...I don't like the side effects from the epidural (the shaking, slightly sick feeling, etc.). But not this time. I was ready.
So, by about 1:30, I had the pitocin and epidural. By 3:20, I was dilated to 8 cm. (I walked in at a 3). I was quite surprised it was going so fast! The nurse I had told me to call her when I started feeling pressure. Well, that didn't take long...David called her back only 20 minutes later. Sure enough I was 10 cm dilated, and ready to push. Dr. M was summoned, and he was there 10 minutes later.
I love teasing Dr. M. When Christina was born, she was coming pretty quickly and they'd paged him 2x. I wasn't even pushing, but she was coming all on her own. So by the time Dr. M got there, he had to scrub in quick, because she was born barely 10 minutes later. Ever since then, I tell him, "Now, when they page you, you'd better run, because you almost didn't make it that one time!" Of course, Dr. M says he was there in plenty of time. Sure...
David and I thought we'd have the baby by 4:30, but things were progressing so fast, I changed my estimate to 4:15. I pushed 3 times, and our sweet baby girl arrived at exactly 4:11PM.
Theresa Ellen Reisinger
February 14, 2011
7 pounds, 9 ounces, 19 inches
I was overjoyed when she was placed in my arms. She was perfect in every way, from the light dusting of pale brown hair on her head to the tips of her wee toes. And of course, she scored straight 9's on her Apgar scores. That's our girl. ;-)
All the kids came up to the hospital and wanted to hold their baby sister. Even my big, 11 year old boy demanded a turn, which brought tears to my eyes.
As for me, I feel pretty good. Tired, but it is blissful to hold a tiny babe again, and even though my jolt of reality hits at around 2:00 AM, God's graces that are giving me strength.
So we are lovin' on our little sweetheart we got for Valentine's Day. I'll try to post more later.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Almost Time
It's almost time folks.
We've broken out the nursery furniture...thankfully we didn't sell everything at that garage sale 2 years ago.
People are starting to ask me if I'm ready. Um...yes, I think so. We certainly don't need anything else for the baby...even Christina looked in the nursery today, and said,
"Mommy, I don't think the baby needs anything else!"
"I sure hope not honey, we have just what we need, don't we?"
Then the next question is, okay...but are YOU ready???
You know...mentally, I'm there. And even if I'm not...God will take us the rest of the way. This pregnancy, I have a million things running through my head, but physically, I am slow to get there. I guess I'm just too tired and pregnant to take care of it right away. (You've probably noticed I'm not blogging much these days either). Usually, I have to get a task done the minute I think about it, but not this time. My spiritual guide says that's not a bad thing...it means I'm allowing God to take over. And so He is...and I honestly don't mind one bit.
It helps having a truly wonderful husband who has done anything and everything this go around. When I've had enough of a day, he asks if there is anything he can do to help. Just asking that question makes my heart swell with love for him, because I know he cares. David has taken over numerous times now when he gets home from work, doing dishes, finishing up homework, getting the kids to bed, rubbing my back, encouraging me to go soak in the tub or take a nap.
About a week ago, David called me from work, and told me he'd arranged to take 3 weeks off from work after the baby is born. I tried my darndest to talk him down to 2 weeks...I really felt like he couldn't afford to take that much time off. Unlike his previous employer, he doesn't get paternity leave now, and he have to use a combination of sick days and vacation time. My sweet hubby told me firmly,
"I know you really need me when you have a new baby. And I want to take the time off. Don't worry about it...I've made my decision."
Wow. I hung up the phone and cried a bit. Just because.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I am one lucky gal. "Lucky" isn't even the right word..."extremely blessed" is probably what I should have said.
So...we have about 4 weeks to go. Technically, the baby is due February 28th, but I delivered Gabriel and Christina 2 1/2 weeks early, so my doctor is fairly confident I'll do the same thing this time.
I'll be ready. ;-) I am already having plenty of Braxton-Hicks contractions...so I think our little girl will be ready too.
We've broken out the nursery furniture...thankfully we didn't sell everything at that garage sale 2 years ago.
Tiny little pink clothes have been washed and folded.
Christina picked this outfit for the baby to come home in. I'd say she has excellent taste. ;-)
Wonderful friends have loaned us assorted baby items...God bless them! I can't tell you how amazing that has been.
Blankets have been made...I made these a few months ago before I knew I'd be too uncomfortable to sit at the sewing machine.
"Mommy, I don't think the baby needs anything else!"
"I sure hope not honey, we have just what we need, don't we?"
Then the next question is, okay...but are YOU ready???
You know...mentally, I'm there. And even if I'm not...God will take us the rest of the way. This pregnancy, I have a million things running through my head, but physically, I am slow to get there. I guess I'm just too tired and pregnant to take care of it right away. (You've probably noticed I'm not blogging much these days either). Usually, I have to get a task done the minute I think about it, but not this time. My spiritual guide says that's not a bad thing...it means I'm allowing God to take over. And so He is...and I honestly don't mind one bit.
It helps having a truly wonderful husband who has done anything and everything this go around. When I've had enough of a day, he asks if there is anything he can do to help. Just asking that question makes my heart swell with love for him, because I know he cares. David has taken over numerous times now when he gets home from work, doing dishes, finishing up homework, getting the kids to bed, rubbing my back, encouraging me to go soak in the tub or take a nap.
About a week ago, David called me from work, and told me he'd arranged to take 3 weeks off from work after the baby is born. I tried my darndest to talk him down to 2 weeks...I really felt like he couldn't afford to take that much time off. Unlike his previous employer, he doesn't get paternity leave now, and he have to use a combination of sick days and vacation time. My sweet hubby told me firmly,
"I know you really need me when you have a new baby. And I want to take the time off. Don't worry about it...I've made my decision."
Wow. I hung up the phone and cried a bit. Just because.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I am one lucky gal. "Lucky" isn't even the right word..."extremely blessed" is probably what I should have said.
So...we have about 4 weeks to go. Technically, the baby is due February 28th, but I delivered Gabriel and Christina 2 1/2 weeks early, so my doctor is fairly confident I'll do the same thing this time.
I'll be ready. ;-) I am already having plenty of Braxton-Hicks contractions...so I think our little girl will be ready too.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Merry Christmas!
From all of us to all of you...
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
David, Kimberly, Joshua, Rebecca, Christina, and Gabriel
Monday, November 29, 2010
Thanksgiving Highlights
I love Thanksgiving. Just love it. Probably because I grew up overseas for so many years, and we didn't have family to celebrate with. That all certainly changed once I married David. When we gather for Thanksgiving at my SIL's house, there are usually 15 kids, ages 14-3, and about the same number of adults. So it is crazy fun, and it took me a while to get used to the controlled chaos, but now...I just watch the proceedings and enjoy it all.
I thought I would make a list this of this year's highlights.
2. Seeing David's Grandpa at my MIL's house Wednesday night. He flew in from Phoenix to be with us for Thanksgiving. He's 93 years old, and he stays busy going to the senior's center every day and quilting. Yes...quilting. Grandma Lanphear made a Christmas quilt for every one of my kids, and Grandpa has taken over since she passed away in 2006. He's made one for our new baby due in February and gave it to me that night. Awesome.
3. Chatting and helping the rest of the ladies get the Thanksgiving meal on the table. We always have 20 pound plus turkey (and a ham this year), dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, maybe a green vegetable, and at least 3 different desserts. Honestly, all I did was whisk the gravy and make scalloped corn because nearly everything else was ready by the time we arrived. This year's feast was exceptionally good. Our Rebecca got in line with the rest of the kids for desserts. She ate it so fast, she got back in line and was able to get seconds before the grownups started. Man...she's good. ;-)
4. Friday we had our first chili "cook off" between my BIL Peter and myself. It is admittedly fun to tease Peter...he can talk smack, and I can dish back out to him. Anyways, he's a pretty darn good cook. So we both made a batch of chili and cornbread, and the family gathered again at Peter and Stephanie's house to eat and vote on their favorite. My chili got 11 votes...I win!!!
5. I loved watching my kids play with their cousins. Mary, Rebecca, Christina, Sofia and Abby were holed up in Mary's room for hours, doing goodness knows what. Nick and Joshua played on the computer together and argued over the TV remote (of course). Gabriel, John, and Daniel were completely engrossed in the train set for most of the weekend, or joined the bigger boys (Adam, Andrew, George, and Joey) playing outside, or wacking each other with nerf swords. At one point, the Twister game was pulled out, and I sat on the couch laughing at their moves...it was so funny!
My MIL insistes on a picture of all the grandkids every year. And every year, the sofa gets a bit more crowded. Here's a pic of everyone...we are missing Ben (he lives in Boston with David's sister and our BIL).
7. We headed back home on Saturday, stopping at a Braum's for lunch. Gabriel pitched a FIT when David tried to get him to share a double scoop ice cream cup with Christina. Well, he was having none of it, he wanted his own. I guess it was a good thing we did...Christina ate ALL of her ice cream. I was sure she wouldn't be able to finish it, but she did. And Gabriel got his cup all to himself. I can't blame him. ;-)
8. And finally, coming home and unloading the van...we always come back with 3x more stuff than we left with because the family will give us their Christmas presents for us. In addition, this time we had a used bike from my niece Abby that was just the right size for Rebecca...yeah!
Now all my chittlins have been fed pizza, bathed, and put to bed. Ahh...time for me to upack my stuff and go to bed. This momma is worn out!
I hope everyone had a great holiday, and ate themselves silly. We sure did! ;-)
I thought I would make a list this of this year's highlights.
2. Seeing David's Grandpa at my MIL's house Wednesday night. He flew in from Phoenix to be with us for Thanksgiving. He's 93 years old, and he stays busy going to the senior's center every day and quilting. Yes...quilting. Grandma Lanphear made a Christmas quilt for every one of my kids, and Grandpa has taken over since she passed away in 2006. He's made one for our new baby due in February and gave it to me that night. Awesome.
3. Chatting and helping the rest of the ladies get the Thanksgiving meal on the table. We always have 20 pound plus turkey (and a ham this year), dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, maybe a green vegetable, and at least 3 different desserts. Honestly, all I did was whisk the gravy and make scalloped corn because nearly everything else was ready by the time we arrived. This year's feast was exceptionally good. Our Rebecca got in line with the rest of the kids for desserts. She ate it so fast, she got back in line and was able to get seconds before the grownups started. Man...she's good. ;-)
4. Friday we had our first chili "cook off" between my BIL Peter and myself. It is admittedly fun to tease Peter...he can talk smack, and I can dish back out to him. Anyways, he's a pretty darn good cook. So we both made a batch of chili and cornbread, and the family gathered again at Peter and Stephanie's house to eat and vote on their favorite. My chili got 11 votes...I win!!!
5. I loved watching my kids play with their cousins. Mary, Rebecca, Christina, Sofia and Abby were holed up in Mary's room for hours, doing goodness knows what. Nick and Joshua played on the computer together and argued over the TV remote (of course). Gabriel, John, and Daniel were completely engrossed in the train set for most of the weekend, or joined the bigger boys (Adam, Andrew, George, and Joey) playing outside, or wacking each other with nerf swords. At one point, the Twister game was pulled out, and I sat on the couch laughing at their moves...it was so funny!
My MIL insistes on a picture of all the grandkids every year. And every year, the sofa gets a bit more crowded. Here's a pic of everyone...we are missing Ben (he lives in Boston with David's sister and our BIL).
Back row: Adam, Andrew, Grandpa, Joshua, Grandma, George, Mary, Abby, and Rebecca
Front row: Nick, Sofia, Joey, Daniel, Gabriel, John, Great Grandpa, and Christina
6. David and I when over to our friend Rachel's house, where we also met up with Jim. Both are old friends' of David's from high schools, but I've been dubbed "the 4th Muskeeter" since I married David. We stayed up until past midnight, talking, laughing, and drinking spiked tea (except me of course). I begged both of them to please come visit us here in Houston soon.
7. We headed back home on Saturday, stopping at a Braum's for lunch. Gabriel pitched a FIT when David tried to get him to share a double scoop ice cream cup with Christina. Well, he was having none of it, he wanted his own. I guess it was a good thing we did...Christina ate ALL of her ice cream. I was sure she wouldn't be able to finish it, but she did. And Gabriel got his cup all to himself. I can't blame him. ;-)
8. And finally, coming home and unloading the van...we always come back with 3x more stuff than we left with because the family will give us their Christmas presents for us. In addition, this time we had a used bike from my niece Abby that was just the right size for Rebecca...yeah!
Now all my chittlins have been fed pizza, bathed, and put to bed. Ahh...time for me to upack my stuff and go to bed. This momma is worn out!
I hope everyone had a great holiday, and ate themselves silly. We sure did! ;-)
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Gem of the Week
A friend posted this on Facebook today...and I just really liked it.
"Faith is what gets you started. Hope is what keeps you going. Love is what brings you to the end."
~ Mother Angelica ~
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