Everything must go!

I wanted to let all my local friends know that we are having an estate sale next weekend.
EVERYTHING from our furniture down to our silverware...baby gear (I've saved EVERYTHING (swing, strollers, clothes, pack and play), girls clothes up to size 6, boys clothes up to 24 months, pictures, candles, books, frames, flower arrangements, lamps, dishes, pots and pans, towels, washer and dryer, stove, tables....and the list goes on.

If you, are someone you know is looking for ANYTHING...leave me a comment with your email address and I will let you know if I have it and how much I'm selling it for.  Basically everything in our home is up for sale. 

I am amazed...

that a doctor can go into your leg and end up in your heart!  Isn't that just the coolest thing?

I had my EP study done yesterday.  So far so good!  Thank you all for your comments, texts, and prayers.  I truly felt the prayers.

I am recovering today, and I feel great.  I am not allowed to bend over today because I may risk bleeding from the vein in my groin that they used to access my heart, but otherwise I can function normally.

I will give you the play by play on another entry.  Love you all!

Update Time!

Just a quick update on my heart condition...


Today I had an appointement with a "Heart Electrician" as he amusingly called himself!  A Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist to be exact.  (By the way...wouldn't you love to tell people that your child is going to college to become a clinical cardiac electrophysiologist?  I would!) ANYWHO....


My diagnosis still stands at Supraventricular Tachycardia.  The doctor was very "impressed" with my chart.  Not to say that he was glad I have a problem, but he found it interesting to see all the electrical activity taking place.  Basically, I have a short circuit.  (I knew there was something wrong with me!) Where normally the heart has a "wire" that runs from the top chamber to the bottom chamber, I have an extra pathway that is telling my heart to beat too many times. 


He would prefer that I fix the problem instead of being on medication forever.  Mostly because I am young and if I take medicine forever...the problem could eventually come back when I am older.  To fix the problem I will have a catheter placed in my leg which will run all the way to my heart.  They will explore the problem area and then cauterize or freeze the "extra wire".

Of course there are different scenarios and risks involved.  I won't explain here unless something does happen.  Mainly because you are probably already bored out of your mind!


Please keep me in your prayers.  I will be a Crawford W. Long on Thursday.  The procedure begins around 12:30 p.m.  I am trusting that the Lord will take care of me and the doctors and staff.  I am so thankful that the Lord is revealing this issue so that I can get it fixed.  Thank you all for your support, prayers and love!

Today...

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...it is a little dreary today.  We got a good bit of rain yesterday, so everything is trying to dry up.

I am thinking...about everything I need to get ready for the party my mom is hosting for me tomorrow.

I am thankful for...Jesus, my life, my husband, my children, my church, my family.

From the learning rooms...we still have a week before school officially starts for us...I'm not ready.

From the kitchen...notta...in fact, it is 10 am and I haven't had breakfast (the kids did)

I am wearing...an Old Navy flag shirt from 2004 and some really comfy knit shorts that have holes in them.

I am creating...nothing right now...my school room has been ready for weeks.

I am going...to the store later for some groceries...we have NOTHING to eat.

I am reading...I don't like to read...so it's just scripture for me.

I am hoping...the kids outgrow this fighting/arguing stage.

I am hearing...fighting and arguing...hence the last answer.

Around the house... it is a MESS...we have some major changes taking place and you can tell!

One of my favorite things...rainy days...because that is the only time my husband is home.

A few plans for the rest of the week: errands, my doctor's appointment tomorrow, a Tastefully Simple party

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

In Agreement

I survived the echocardiogram and the exercise stress test. In fact, I passed with flying colors! You might be thinking, "great", "good news", etc. I was thinking, "no", "there IS something wrong with me".

God worked a miracle for me in the doctor's office yesterday. He allowed my heart to "do it's thing" while talking to the nurse. They immediately grabbed the EKG machine and wah-la! My proof was right there in black and white. This is what my print out looked like. And this is a normal EKG.

I impressed everyone in the office! I felt so special! And most of all so thankful that they were finally able to catch my problem and see for themselves.

I was right about my diagnosis. They are pretty sure it is Supraventricular Tychacardia.

So, what's next? On to another doctor for an electrophysiolgy study. The good news is, I was given some medication and it seems to be working.

More updates as they become available! (By the way, if you are reading this, how about commenting?) THANKS!

Marriage Meme

I borrowed this Meme from Michele. Like her, I thought it would be fun to post on my blog.

1. What are your middle names? Mine is LeeAnna and Tim's is Shannon.

2. How long have you been together? Nine years and 9 months!

3. How long did you know each other before you started dating? We didn't know each other...it was a blind date.

4. Who asked who out? We were set up...but he did call and ask me out.

5. Whose siblings do you see the most? Even though my brother lives a mile from me, we hardly see him. We see Tim's siblings every other Friday night. His younger brother lives in Missouri so we NEVER get to see him.

6. Do you have any children together? Two on earth and 3 in heaven. (we miscarried 3 children)

7. What about pets? Yes...Buddy (black lab) and Champ (Boston terrier)

8. Did you go to the same school? No...he is from Jackson and I am from Griffin. Besides the fact that I was in 6th grade when he graduated. (tee hee)

9. Who is the most sensitive? Me

10. Where do you go out to eat most as a couple? As a couple, probably either J Henry's or Yuki (Japanese steakhouse)

11. Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple? I guess that would be Virginia to visit my Aunt and Uncle.

12. Who has the craziest exes? Neither of us were previously married...I don't know about ex-girlfriends or ex-boyfriends! Probably me.

13. Who has the worst temper? I think that when Tim was little he had a REALLY BAD temper, but I have a short temper now.

14. Who does the cooking? I do the cooking unless Tim happens to be home and wants to cook. He is a great cook.

15. Who is more social? Me

16. Who is the neat freak? Tim

17. Who is the most stubborn? Me

18. Who hogs the bed? Tim would say that I do. We don't like to touch when we are asleep...but sometimes I like the middle of the bed!

19. Who wakes up earlier? Tim

20. Where was your first date? We went to 57th Fighter Group. It is a restaurant at a small airport where you can watch planes fly in while you eat. Very romantic! I don't think it is open anymore. :(

21. Do you get flowers often? I don't get them often, but I do get them. He usually brings them for no reason except to surprise me (and it usually does).

22. How long did it take to get serious? We dated 6 months until he proposed and then 6 months later we were married!

23. Who eats more? Tim

24. Who sings better? He says I do and I say he does!

25. Who does the laundry? Uh...that would definitely be me.

26. Who’s better with the computer? Me

27. Who drives when you are together? Tim...I would prefer to be like a little old lady who never got her driver's license! It's the man's job to drive! ;)

28. Who picks where you go to dinner? Me, usually...but only because he asks me to pick.

29. Who wears the pants? Definitely Tim. That is the only way!

30. Who has the better sense of humor? Me, I think.

31. Who eats more sweets? Me...Tim would rather have seconds for dessert!

32. Who cries more? Me

33. What's your favorite tv show together? We don't have TV anymore, but before the switch it would probably be Survivor.

Second Grade

This is our 3rd year of homeschooling. I can't believe it! Time flies when your having fun, right? Every year I get really excited, but this year I am SUPER excited because it is the first year that I will be home FULL TIME!!!! During Kindergarten and First Grade I worked part time outside our home, so I am hoping to have much more time to plan and do some extra "stuff" this year.

We are not starting school until September 8th. I like to get Labor Day out of the way before we settle into our routine. We are going camping that weekend (Lord willing) and that will be our last vacation before we hit the books.

I am going to explain our curriculum, but I won't post our schedule until we have a "run through" to see how everything is going to work out.

Over the last two years I have used Abeka curriculum. I purchased the kits, which were really well planned out. Basically all I had to do was open and start teaching. This worked really well for us at the time. Especially since I was working and really didn't have the time to plan things.

This year I pulled from several different curriculum. The lessons are still planned for me, but I got to pick and choose different subjects from different publishers. Here is what we'll be doing:

BIBLE I did not buy a curriculum for Bible. We will just be using a kid's devotional Bible, and a Bible story book. I also have a Bible reader that we didn't finish with last year that we may occasionally use.




GRAMMAR I had heard so many good things from so many homeschooling mom's about Shurley Grammar, that I decided to give it a try.



READING This year I went with Bob Jones University for several subjects. One thing I love is the fact that scripture is used throughout each subject.



SPELLING Bob Jones


MATH Horizons...this too was recommended by a friend. I think we are going to love it.


HISTORY Bob Jones



SCIENCE Exploring Creation through Astronomy


ART Meet the Masters I don't know about you, but my daughter literally CRAVES art...so I thought this program would be fun as well as educational.

So, there you have it! I am excited to get started!

Web MD

Are you one of those people who go straight to the internet when you feel the sickies coming on? You are? Me too!

I have been battling an issue for...well, let's just say WAY too long. It's actually hard to describe and after scouring the internet for every symptom I have been experiencing, I have finally diagnosed myself with Supraventricular Tachycardia. Sounds kinda scary, huh? Well, it IS scary when you are driving the car with your two precious babies in the back seat and you suddenly feel like you are seeing stars and could pass out any minute!

I finally broke down and called a heart specialist on Monday. I don't know why I waited so long. My appointment was today and so far I really like the doctor that I am seeing. Basically, he said that I was too young to be having heart trouble.

They hooked me up to the EKG machine and printed a report. Then I was hooked up to a Holter monitor. I will be wearing this device for 24 hours and I am happy to report that I have had 2 episodes already. I am hoping I will have one or two more during the time I am wearing the monitor so that it will show up on the EKG. Next week I go back for an Echocardiogram and a stress test.

I am praying that the doctor will be able to find out what is wrong with me. Hey, maybe he'll agree with my self diagnosis!

Foe Evah

Yes, yes, it has been forever (foe evah) since I've posted here. Sorry, but I have been super busy this summer. I really want to jump right back in to blogging, however, there is a yummy squash casserole in my oven and some fresh fried okra on my stove just waiting to be eaten. So, for now I will make this short and sweet!

I have so many things I want to post about...so I am hoping to get back to blogging on a more consistent basis. Here are a few topics I am planning on blogging about:

*A week long trip to Myrtle Beach
*Our 10 year wedding proposal anniversary
*The transformation of our happy homeschool room
*My Tastefully Simple business
*Christmas at Walt Disney World

These are just a few of the main things I want to blog...I'm sure there will be more as I get going.

Hope everyone had a nice summer and I can't wait to get this thing going again. I'll leave you with some eye candy to enjoy!

My sweet Beth

Waiting for the Laser Show



Happy Boy Avery

My little man feeding me Italian Ice at Stone Mountain Park

And, to prove that I am cooking:

Fried Okra

and Squash Casserole

Wordless Wednesday

Wonderful Weekend--Part One

We had SUCH a busy and fun weekend!!! My hubby took off Friday and Saturday for us to spend some MUCH needed family time together. Today I will share what we did on Friday.

First, we went out to breakfast together. I am not much of a breakfast eater at home...but it is TRULY my favorite meal to eat out!

After piano lessons and dropping my son at my Mom's, we headed out for a fun filled day with our baby girl. My daughter's birthday was back in January. At first, I had talked her into having a pool party this summer. It is really hard to wait that long to celebrate your birthday when you are 7! So...instead of the pool party, we took her here:




We had such a fun time picking out her doll, eating lunch at the Bistro and surprising her with her very own birthday cake!















After a great time at American Girl we strolled the mall and then headed home in 4:00 Friday Atlanta traffic. Needless to say, it took us twice as long to get home! Oh well! It was well worth it! Beth enjoyed the Chrissa movie on the way home.








HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Revealing

I am a Professional

I am a professional
And I hold a high degree,
My clients are but children
And they’re very dear to me,
I work extended hours
And the pay is not too fair,
But the benefits are great –
No other job can compare,
So as I look around me
And see women at their jobs,
I gladly claim the title –
Full-time professional mom!

--Valerie Bendt

Rethinking

I am rethinking my post from yesterday. I really needed to vent and get that off my chest. Now that I have, I realize that if I want to feel supported, I have to take it upon myself. This is a totally NOT the way I thought it worked! I guess times have changed! I always thought that if I had a friend that was going through something, then I should be the one to pick up the phone (send a text) or drop a card in the mail (send an email). Honestly, I'm a little confused. I almost feel like I'm being selfish. Maybe I was.

Once again, what can I learn from this? Two things.

First, I can't place my needs in the hands of people. Only God can provide that "completeness" that I desire emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Humans are humans and they usually let you down. Sometimes I think I expect too much out of others.

Second, I have more of a desire to serve others who are going through difficult times. I am going to make more phone calls, send more cards, and do whatever it takes to be that friend I so desire.

Vent

I probably shouldn't even publish this post because it will be nothing but "poor pitiful me"...but I just have to get all of this off my chest. I don't think anyone reads my blog anyway...but if you are reading and you don't want to hear me gripe and complain, then stop reading now.

I am not having a very good day. What seems to be bothering me the most is the fact that I just went through something very difficult and instead of feeling supported, I feel completely alone. It's really weird. I feel invisible...just like I don't exist. Something happened to me Sunday at church, and ever since...I have been down in the dumps. This is how the conversation went:

"You didn't tell me you were expecting!"

(me) "I lost the baby."

"I know...so in so told me...were ya'll trying?"

(me) "We were surprised, but yes, we wanted another baby"

"Well, you can try again"

(me) "We haven't decided yet. I have had 3 miscarriages, so I don't know if I want to go through that again."

"Really? I didn't know that! Well at least you have two healthy children."

(me) "yes, that's true."

"I was praying for you. I know I didn't call you, but things have been crazy."

(me) "I appreciate the prayers."


Now how would that make YOU feel?

Ever since I lost the baby, I feel like I have the plague! Instead of drawing others closer, it seems to have pushed people away.

What can I learn from this? The fact that I will ALWAYS have God, my husband, my kids, and my immediate family even when no one else seems to care. And to be honest, I don't "need" anybody else. I am learning to be happy and content and to focus more on my family.

Bad Hair Day

Do you ever have one of those? I do...a lot! On this particular day, I washed my son's hair the night before and apparently it wasn't dry when he went to bed. For the next TWO days his hair would NOT LAY FLAT!!! Below are some pictures for your enjoyment. Have a great day!

Interview with Mom

I got this meme from my friend, Michele. Kids are honest. What do your kids have to say about you? Ask your child(ren) the following questions, and post their answers, even if you don't like them.

Beth is 7 and Avery is only 22 months, so I didn't get his answers!


1. What is something your mom always says to you?
We have to do school


2. What makes your mom happy?
When we give cards to her


3. What makes your mom sad?
When me and Avery fuss


4. How does your mom make you laugh?
By tickling me

5. What was your mom like as a child?
Hmmm....I don't really know.

6. How old is your mom?
32...put 32 'cause it's almost your birthday

7. How tall is your mom?
5 feet

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
You have a bunch of favorites! Tickle Daddy

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
I don't really know 'cause I'm not around to see

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
I don't really know that question...could be ANYTHING!

11. What is your mom really good at?
Taking care of me and Avery

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Probably doing puzzles

13. What does your mom do for a job?
To take care of me and Avery

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Chicken Cordon Bleu

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
That I get to play with her

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Probably the Mom on Phineas and Ferb

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Sometimes we color

18. How are you and your mom the same?
We look the same

19. How are you and your mom different?
I don't have glasses

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
She just does

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
He cooks for her

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Shopping at the Outlet Mall

If you're reading this...consider yourself tagged!

Short and Sweet

First of all, thank you to all my friends and family for praying so hard for this sweet baby. Unfortunately, we miscarried Friday. I am not up to posting the details, but just know that we are at peace with everything. I did go ahead with a D & C Friday night and I am recovering from that as well.

Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for all your prayers and concern. I love you all.

And Baby makes....5!!!

For those of you that I haven't already told....I'm pregnant! This will be baby number three for our family and we are so excited that the Lord has "loaned" us another child. Ever since I had my son almost two years ago, I knew that I wanted just one more. I think that because there are 5 years between my first and my second that I wanted number three to grow up closer in age to number two. Does that make sense? Let me give you a little bit of background in case you don't know my history.

My husband and I were married in February of 2000. We knew we wanted children, but I was always afraid of how long it would take me to get pregnant. My parents tried for 5 years before having my brother and had even considered adopting. After our one year anniversary, we decided that we would begin to "try". It only took two months, and I was pregnant with baby number one! I had an easy pregnancy, although I gained around 50 pounds! My baby girl was born January 6, 2002. She weighed a whopping 9 lbs and 2.2 oz.!!!

Once our girl turned two, we decided it was time for a sibling. Once again, I got pregnant right away and baby number 2 was due October 10, 2004. Seven weeks later, on February 22nd, I lost that baby. I miscarried. This was so unexpected, yet it was always in the back of my mind. I was heartbroken, but I knew that I needed to just try again.

By August, I was pregnant AGAIN. I thought that this time, it would "work". This baby was due May 1, 2005. I got to 9 weeks, and lost this baby too.

After the second miscarriage, I did NOT want to get pregnant again. I was on an emotional roller coaster. I finally decided that maybe God only wanted me to have one child.

In 2006, we learned that the company that my husband was working for was going to close. We talked about another baby and prayed that God would give us just one more...preferably before we would loose our insurance! Sure enough, in July of 2006 I got pregnant once again....and this time we received a beautiful baby boy. He was born April 18, 2007. He weighed 8 lbs and 9 oz. And our insurance ran out May 1st!

My current pregnancy was a total surprise. For once we weren't "trying"...and by that I mean I didn't monitor when I was ovulating. I know this baby was timed by God for sure!

So far, I haven't really been sick...just extremely tired. I have taken a nap every day since I found out I was expecting! I feel a little yucky after supper every night which is exactly how I felt with my first born. For my daughter's sake, we are praying for another little girl. She is the only Granddaughter on my side of the family out of 4 grandchildren. She (and I) will be just as excited for another boy too!

I hope that you will pray along with us for a healthy pregnancy and baby. We are putting him/her in God's hands!

Way Overdue

Considering the fact that it has been over a month since I last updated this thing, I guess it is about time!

Yesterday was Valentine's Day, and I mainly wanted to brag on my sweet, loving, husband. Many of you that have children are probably much like us when it comes to exchanging gifts at holidays. We always agree that we won't buy each other anything. Mainly because we can't afford to, but also because we would rather spend money on our children. Since the big day fell on a Saturday this year, I decided that Thursday would be a better night for us to go out. My mom agreed to keep the kids and we went to a yummy Japanese steakhouse. After dinner, we headed over to Sam's Club and finally (my fave) Super Target! Since we had to be back by 8:30, we didn't have time for a movie. I know it may sound boring, but for two people who never get to go out by themselves, this was the perfect date. Good food, good company and shopping....ALONE! Now, don't get me wrong, we love our babies...but every couple needs that alone time together. Even if it is for just a couple of hours.

Saturday morning, I got up early and headed into the kitchen to whip up a yummy batch of pancakes for my family. Now, these were no ordinary pancakes. Since it was Valentine's Day, I added a little red food coloring to the batter which tinted the pancakes pink. I also added chocolate chips. To top it off, I was going to cut them with heart-shaped cookie cutters. Unfortunately, there was no time to cut them before by family was ready to dig in!

My sweet hubby had let me know in advance that he would be in charge of dinner on Saturday night. Hallelujah!!! I love when he cooks. It is always something out of the ordinary. Around 4:00 p.m. I was presented with a yummy menu that included four courses. I was so excited after reading it! Chocolate covered strawberries, garden fresh salad, Parmesan chicken with Angel hair pasta, and bananas foster for dessert. We ate around 5:30 and it was DELICIOUS! Tim (my hubby) and Beth (my 7 year old daughter) really did a wonderful job. It was so nice to sit down to a home cooked meal...that I didn't cook!

I can honestly say that this will be a Valentine's Day that I will always remember. Not because I got a dozen roses, or a diamond ring, but because my family thought enough of me to plan out, cook, and clean up a delicious meal. Something that every woman dreams of!