A Season of Change

I am thankful for all of my brothers and sisters in Christ and the power of prayer. I come before you now asking that you say a special little prayer for my family. We are going through a season of change.

Now, I don't know about everyone else - but I generally am the kind of person to get comfy with those things that are familiar. After all, I still have the little red stapler I won in my 1st grade math class. Generally, when I see change coming I like to pretend that it will go away. After it jumps up and slaps me in the face, I usually wail for a day or so and then try to be pragmatic about it.

Well, I'm past the slapping stage, and am going between wailing and being pragmatic. Chris and I are facing several changes. I know that God will bless us as we go through this season. I know that we will come out on the other side better because of it. I know that this is part of his plan and he is preparing us for something else through this change.

With all of that said, the devil can do very nasty tricks during these seasons of change. Please pray for our protection and deliverance safely on the other side. Pray that we will be stronger, wiser, closer to God and each other on the other side.

Murphy Go Away!!!!

Murphy, that very unwanted 4th cousin twice removed, has decided to move into the our household. Here is a list of the havoc he has created in a week' time with financial, physical and stressful consequences:

1. Very nasty week at work for CJ
2. Sick Madds - a cold, croup, ear, viral thing - Mommy has to miss work during a very crucial meeting
3. Sick Nai Nai - strep with a capital S. - Daddy finds himself doing sick duty
4. ER visit for Nai Nai - as a result of complications from #3
5. Leaking upstairs toilet plumbing
6. A waterfall of poopy water and drywall through the kitchen ceiling
7. An after hours plumber' visit that results in a 1 ft x 2 ft hole in the kitchen ceiling
8. Dealing with Insurance Adjusters - the leaking toilet doesn't qualify, the hole in the ceiling does . . .
9. Breast Pump part #3 doesn't work, resulting in the purchase of Pump #3
10. Sick Mommy - not sure if it is the result of #2 or #3. Mommy is praying it is #2.
11. The other upstairs toilet and the refrigerater hose going at exactly the same moment. Really! Imagine sitting at the kitchen table as water starts shooting every where and then this loud groaing sound from the pipes. Uuggghhhh! Time to call the plumber again and the appliance repair man. Can we survive without an icemaker and toilets until payday??

Nikki, Can I move to Australia with you?

Maddie Bug

Our first Halloween was a resounding hit! Baby Girl thought it was great fun to watch all of the boys and girls in their Halloween attire. We only went to 2 houses, but she definitely had plenty to watch! We spent the remainder of our evening sitting on the stoop, handing out candy. Baby Girl handed out big eyes and giggles for her treats. Hmmm, I wonder if next year will be as much fun or scary for her?





Maddie turning her ultimate cuteness on!





Hey Crummy Mummy (otherwise known as Nephew Bug) I want some candy!

So the doubters were right

Yes, it has been a very long time since I blogged. Yes, I'm too busy to have time to do this. Yes, I'm giving up much needed sleep to blog.

I get so inspired by Lil Sis and Shell that I want to be like them! Alas, there is a reason this blog is called Controlled Chaos - Sort of. The Chaos has been out of control lately. . .

Baby Stroller vs. the Rollercoaster

I made a promise to my husband when we were considering starting a family. "Honey, we will do most of the things we do now, just with more planning" Well, my words came back to haunt me this weekend. Baby Girl, Lil Sis, Nephew Bug, Shell, Glenai and I accompanied my husband to a Special D gig at Kentucky Kingdom - Six Flags. We had done our research beforehand and the website promised fun for all with accommodations for nursing mothers and an easy way to "swap" kids while riding rides.

We decided to try this theory out soon after arriving at the park. Just imagine the collective gasp as our group got in line with Baby Girl and Nephew Bug in their strollers. Bug eyed teens whispering "Are they going to ride the coaster with the baby" "What are they going to do with the strollers while they ride?"

I just wanted to answer, "Didn't you see the little harness for the 3 mo olds?" After negotiating the hairpin turns of the line with strollers, a baby food jar catastrophe, and ascending a flight of stairs with two strollers, we made it to the coaster and road away. Then we learned of the "Flash Pass" and decided to pay the park their extra money and save ourselves the effort.

At the end of the day, my words were true. We still enjoyed roller coasters and listened to a great concert. We just included enough stuff for a small pack mule and took turns riding rides. My days of strolling through an amusement park with my driver's license, cash, a car key and lipstick in my pocket are long over . . . But the compromise is worth the effort.

The Hunk and the Cutie

Some recent photos of Baby Girl and Hubby. The two loves of my life.

Note that hubby is trying to teach our daughter how to fly fish. If only she could wade the water with him . . . Just wait honey, she will before we know what happened.

Hubby thought he would join Baby Girl in her Gymini. For some reason a 6'1" man and a 13 lb baby don't fit very well. Hmmmm.

A Satisfying Fourth

Welcome to the very first blog from a first timer. As I read my best friend and sister's blogs I realized I needed to enter the 21st century. I love to journal - but type much faster. So here I go!

Today was the most satisfying of Fourth's. I took Baby Girl to get her 3 month pics (family yours will be here in 2 weeks) and got to have lots of Mommy/ Baby bonding at the mall. Then I hooked up with my sister for some girly time.

The evening culminated in how all Fourth of July's should be celebrated. In no particular order, here are the items that made this one special.

1. Men grilling out. I didn't have to cook or clean, just eat way too much!
2. Super Mario Bros with the Sis. Yes we did. No we are not 14.
3. Neighborhood Fireworks. The most awesome neighborhood fireworks I've ever seen. Imagine competing cul-de-sacs and fire trucks.
4. Laughing/Crying/Overstimulated Babies. Nephew Bug from #3.
5. Sleeping Babies. Baby Girl finds the sound of screaming fireworks as her own particular lullaby. She can sleep through anything (much to her mother's satisfaction).
6. The Declaration of Independence. We took some time to remember our founding fathers. Thanks Nathan for reminding us what we are celebrating.

Happy Fourth Everyone!