Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Sweet Sigh of Relief:)
Lots has been happening around the Wheeler house as of late! As with every Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year holiday season, there are lots of things to get done, places to go, and people to see. Due to my lack of organized thoughts right now, I will give a bullet list of our recent happenings:
- Thanksgiving came and went in a flash. We traveled a short distance to my brother and sister-in-law's house in GR. We had a great dinner and sat around afterwards watching my SIL, Heidi and her SIL, Brenda, figure out their plan of attack for Black
FridayThursday shopping starting at 8pm. It was fun to imagine going out, facing the crowds, and finding some sweet deals but it all reality mybedhotel bed sounded much better at that point. We headed back to our Holiday Inn around that time and Grandma and Papa Wheeler took the grand kids swimming. Alyssa was a stinker to try and get to bed but eventually fell asleep in the pack-n-play. Around 3 am, Madelyn awoke in a coughing fit and couldn't get that pesky cough to let up. I worried about Alyssa waking up and our whole sleeping plan being thrown out the window. So Madelyn and I got up, out of bed and drove over to the neighboring Meijer at about 3:20am. It was pretty empty however, there were a few shoppers here and there drinking coffee and appearing to be "killing time" as they sat on the carpeted areas leisurely browsing the ads. I wasn't sure if they were waiting for a certian time for a sale to start or just what they were doing. We bought some Delsym cough suppressant and after giving it to Madelyn, we did a little toy browsing ourselves (just to be sure the medicine would kick in). About 4:15 we headed back to the hotel and she was able to get back to sleep. It was a fun day/night. - For those of you who are close to me, you are aware of my brother's troubles. He is sick, very sick and he needs help and prayer- a miracle really. After a long cycle of hospitalizations and self destructive behavior, he is now in Florida and hopefully on the road to recovery and spiritual transformation. It's hard to see and feel God when things are going badly for so long, but one thing I do know is that He is in control- always. I am trusting in His mercy and grace and that God has a plan that will ultimately prevail.
- Another more serious note- My great Aunt Peg passed away a few weeks ago. She had become suddenly ill and while in the hospital suffered a severe stroke that she never was able to recovered from. She was a wonderful lady whom I spend many Christmas eve's, summers and 4th of July's out at her lake with her and Uncle Bill. We will miss her dearly!
- On a more positive note:) Madelyn's doing great in Preschool! We had her first parent-teacher conference in November and she's met and exceeded all preschool academic goals. Things to work on include being able to dress herself to go outside (zipping her coat) which she has since mastered, voluntarily going to the bathroom rather than waiting until the last minute (big surprise there!) and she is already doing much better. I am so proud of the sweet, young, caring little girl she is becoming. I pray she always keep the kindness she possess now and continues to love learning.
- Ballet is going great at Academy of the Arts this year. This is her 2nd year but 1st at this studio. Morgan isn't her teacher but we enjoy seeing Morgan each week because she arrives for class shortly before Madelyn's class ends. Looking forward to her recital in the Spring and celebrating with Morgan as it will be her SENIOR recital!!! (tear..)
- Tomorrow is Madelyn's preschool Christmas party and the kids are going to sing songs for us. I am excited to be a part of it!
- Now for the inspiration behind the title of this post- Sweet Sign of Relief....I AM A MASTER TEACHER!!!! I just completed my master's in reading and I am just over the moon thrilled to have this behind me! I no longer have to spend weeknights online making posts to the discussion boards or my weekends writing papers. I'll always have a lot on my plate with working full-time, being a mom full-time, and taking care of a household but this certainly lightens the load a bit.
- Sometimes when I look out the window or drive down the road- it's hard to think about Christmas only being a week away. With the sun shining and the roads being clear and dry it's easy to start dreaming about Spring Break....beaches....warm sun....sand....I'll stop now. We aren't even close to that time yet.
- February will be a gooooood month:)
- For now- Its back to work tomorrow to finish up this final week and then 2 weeks off to spend with my beloved family. I am just SO, SO, SO excited to be with my family this Christmas season. I have so much to be thankful for and so many wonderful people in my life. Life is so very good right now. Praise the Lord!
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Happy 2nd Birthday, Alyssa Lou!
Our little Alyssa turned two the Saturday after Thanksgiving and we had a big family party for her at our house. With Madelyn's help we decided on the My Little Pony/rainbow theme. I had planned to make the famous layered rainbow cake and some layered rainbow jello cups but ended up only making it to the cake. I opted for a date night on Friday rather than staying in the make colored jello cups. I am glad I decided to forgo all the extras because we had plenty to eat with 10 large pizzas, chips, dip, cake, ice cream, punch and soda.
Alyssa woke from her nap around 3:30 with a fever of 102.9 and bright red, rosy cheeks. This was a duplicate of Madelyn from a couple days before. I gave her some motrin and continued on with the party plans. She perked up after the medicine kicked in and had a good time with the guests:)
She did a great job blowing her candles out and thoroughly enjoyed her own piece of cake afterwards.
Madelyn and Reilynn enjoyed setting up stage in Madelyn's bedroom to perform for anyone who would watch. In the pictures below you can see the audience lined up watching them.
Alyssa couldn't quite figure out the whole opening of presents things just yet. It's a good thing she had her sister and cousin, Reilynn there to argue over who got to help open the next present:) They were a big help, as always:)
Some gifts included a quite a few cute outfits, boots, Little People Princess Castle, Leaptop, Fur Real Pup, and Radio Flyer trike. She loves the trike and loves to have us push her around the house on it. She'll really love it when we can get it outside in the spring! Thank you to everyone who came and helped make this day a memorable one for our sweet girl. We love you all!
Alyssa woke from her nap around 3:30 with a fever of 102.9 and bright red, rosy cheeks. This was a duplicate of Madelyn from a couple days before. I gave her some motrin and continued on with the party plans. She perked up after the medicine kicked in and had a good time with the guests:)
She did a great job blowing her candles out and thoroughly enjoyed her own piece of cake afterwards.
Madelyn and Reilynn enjoyed setting up stage in Madelyn's bedroom to perform for anyone who would watch. In the pictures below you can see the audience lined up watching them.
Alyssa couldn't quite figure out the whole opening of presents things just yet. It's a good thing she had her sister and cousin, Reilynn there to argue over who got to help open the next present:) They were a big help, as always:)
Some gifts included a quite a few cute outfits, boots, Little People Princess Castle, Leaptop, Fur Real Pup, and Radio Flyer trike. She loves the trike and loves to have us push her around the house on it. She'll really love it when we can get it outside in the spring! Thank you to everyone who came and helped make this day a memorable one for our sweet girl. We love you all!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Day 19, 20, 21 thanks:
I knew it would happen at some point this month with the craziness of everything and it did this week. I missed my last 3 thankful posts but ill catch up now...
Day 19- I'm thankful for our jobs. I'm thankful that both my husband and I get to do something we are passionate about and get paid for it. I'm thankful for the means provided by our jobs that not only pay the bills but allow for some fun here and there as well. I'm thankful that at a time when so many go without, my family has more than enough.
Day 20- I'm thankful that parent teacher conferences are over and we now have wonderful 4 day weekend ahead of us for nothing but family time.
Day 21- I'm thankful for my daughters. Oh how I am blessed with their sweet, sweet selves. I'm so thankful to have not just one healthy girl but two healthy girls to nurture and raise into (hopefully) passionate, we'll rounded young ladies someday. I can't imagine a life without them. Praise god for his blessings on our family!
Day 19- I'm thankful for our jobs. I'm thankful that both my husband and I get to do something we are passionate about and get paid for it. I'm thankful for the means provided by our jobs that not only pay the bills but allow for some fun here and there as well. I'm thankful that at a time when so many go without, my family has more than enough.
Day 20- I'm thankful that parent teacher conferences are over and we now have wonderful 4 day weekend ahead of us for nothing but family time.
Day 21- I'm thankful for my daughters. Oh how I am blessed with their sweet, sweet selves. I'm so thankful to have not just one healthy girl but two healthy girls to nurture and raise into (hopefully) passionate, we'll rounded young ladies someday. I can't imagine a life without them. Praise god for his blessings on our family!
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Day 18 Thanks:
I just received confirmation that my final Capstone C project was approved and needs no revisions! yeah! This is a final project in my Master's program that runs in conjunction to my classes. I am now down to a measly 3 weeks and I will graduate!! For THAT, I am thankful! I am thankful I was able to pay my way through this program over the last 18 months (not by using student loans) and even more thankful I will be done writing papers. :):):)
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Day 16 Thanks:
So thankful for chiropractic care! I've been dealing with almost daily headaches for the past few months and it's been insane the amount of sinus headache medicine I consume. Well not the amount, more like the number of days I have to take a 12 hour pill. I'd say I have been experiencing horrible, horrible, headaches 5 days a week. After taking a sinus pill, they clear up but it's not normal to have to take medicine that often! I finally got back to the chiropractor 2 weeks ago and I am so thrilled to report that it's been a solid SIX DAYS since I've had a headache. (last Sunday!!) This is just amazing. I had so much going on in my neck that was clearly causing the head pain. Thank you, Lord!
Day 17 Thanks:
I am oh so thankful for my husband and the compassion he has toward the
less fortunate. I am thankful for his political views and although, I don't want to talk about politics every second of the day, I am grateful for what he has opened my eyes to.
Just recently, (yesterday to be exact), I logged onto Facebook to find a fellow christian friend of mine engaging in a conversation about the Obama care and how it's more like "O-bum-a-care" and on and on. I was appalled to say the least, by the disrespect and hatred being spewed from the mouths of people claiming to serve the same God that I serve. My blood began to boil as I read each comment on the thread. I am so disgusted with the conservative attitude of entitlement and hatred toward those who are unfortunate enough to live in poverty. It's a shame that not everyone has had the chance to grow up in the same family, with the same parents, who encourage and support their child's education and expect them to continue on to complete a higher educational degree. Isn't it just a shame that some children are born into situations that they did not choose, nor will they ever have the same opportunities come knocking at their door as we "middle class" citizens did? It's a continuous cycle that I'm not sure, if I were a part of, would be able to get out of on my own either.
I learned from my parents, what hard work and responsibility looks like. My life is a reflection of what I learned from them. I work with children who live in poverty and have often wondered why they act the way they do. Well, I have also come to realize they learn what they are exposed to. Environment shapes who we are, how we act, and what we do in our lives. I am 100 percent sure that Jesus would show compassion toward these people and not let their paycheck (or lack thereof) determine whether they are cared for.
Just recently, (yesterday to be exact), I logged onto Facebook to find a fellow christian friend of mine engaging in a conversation about the Obama care and how it's more like "O-bum-a-care" and on and on. I was appalled to say the least, by the disrespect and hatred being spewed from the mouths of people claiming to serve the same God that I serve. My blood began to boil as I read each comment on the thread. I am so disgusted with the conservative attitude of entitlement and hatred toward those who are unfortunate enough to live in poverty. It's a shame that not everyone has had the chance to grow up in the same family, with the same parents, who encourage and support their child's education and expect them to continue on to complete a higher educational degree. Isn't it just a shame that some children are born into situations that they did not choose, nor will they ever have the same opportunities come knocking at their door as we "middle class" citizens did? It's a continuous cycle that I'm not sure, if I were a part of, would be able to get out of on my own either.
I learned from my parents, what hard work and responsibility looks like. My life is a reflection of what I learned from them. I work with children who live in poverty and have often wondered why they act the way they do. Well, I have also come to realize they learn what they are exposed to. Environment shapes who we are, how we act, and what we do in our lives. I am 100 percent sure that Jesus would show compassion toward these people and not let their paycheck (or lack thereof) determine whether they are cared for.
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