Nervous and excited!

Wow, I just read Sarah's blogs and girl, your blogs do something to me. I can't imagine what you go through on a daily basis and yet you keep going. You encourage me so much! I'm praying for you.
Kara is growing up so fast. We just had my nephews for about a week. Some of you may remember them from school, when I would request prayer for them. Anyhow, there was a little accident the other day. Kara was standing at the front screen door. She is 13 1/2 months old so she's a little wobbly. Skyler opened the door from the outside and out went Kara, right on her noggin! Found out later, after her nose turned red and then scabbed, that it wasn't quite her head she hit but her nose. It was so sad, but she's a trooper. About 2 days before that, she got 6 vaccines. It was so horrible watching that poor baby cry like that. And of course, me being the mommy, I had to be the one to hold her hands down. So, when the nurse was done, out go daddy's arms and rescued she is. I think she's forgiven me now.
Tomorrow is my first day of Graduate school. I am very excited but very nervous. I'm stressing out about money. I got a computer and internet so I can start my classes and my first payment for the computer is this Friday. However, I am getting a student loan but I'm not sure when I actually get it. I thought it would be sooner than this. So, I'm a little worried how I am going to pay for this. School is out so I no longer substitute.
Well, I better get going. I have a big day tomorrow. God Bless!

Broken ankle!

Ok, so some friends and I were out socializing in front of our apartments and my brother and a friend were play wrestling across the parking lot. Next thing we know, my brother is yelling out that he broke his ankle. Well, my brother jokes around a lot so I didn't think he was serious at first but as we were coming up on him, I saw his ankle completely bent back the other way. It about made me sick. So, I called 911 and he is now on his way to the hospital. I stayed home with my daughter and my nephew, Isaac. I feel so sorry for him and worse yet, the kid that was wrestling with him is sooo beating himself up. he was crying. My heart broke. He's a junior in high school and he's been wrestling since 2nd grade and he's never hurt anyone. So, he was pacing back in forth until he was in tears. Wow. The break was pretty bad. I don't know if he'll have to have surgery. I'll keep ya posted!

My baby girl is sick again.

I took Kara to Children's Hospital last night. She has two ear infections, and an URI. Poor baby. Ryan and I are discussing the options of getting tubes put in her ears. She's only 12 months old and she's had more ear infections than I've had my whole life. The nurse said too many ear infections can effect her hearing. Ryan already has problems with that on his side of the family so we need to be careful. I want to do what's best for her.
I had three job assignments this week at the middle school here in town. I was in the computer lab. We had a two hour delay. I so needed that extra sleep and so did Kara. It was nice.
This weekend is Mother's Day. I'm not sure what I'm doing. I am definitely going to go and see my mom and grandma. I want to get a picture of the 4 generations of daughters. I forgot my camera last year. Kara was very very young, not even a month old yet.
My poor garden is suffering. I don't know what else to do. I think I'm going to have to actually buy and plant some flowers because the seeds are not doing their job. We'll see what happens. Well, better get back to my students. Have a great weekend.

Monday morning and high school math

Monday morning and I'm at Milton-Union High School teaching high school math. Fun fun fun! The day has actually gone pretty well. I miss my darling little Kara. She is with a sitter. I'm sure the sitter thinks I'm the clingiest mother around. Every so often, I'll text her asking her what Kara is doing. Pretty pathetic, I know! But, hey, I don't usually leave her. I miss her already. This last weekend was the Covington Community Yard Sale. I made a little bit of money. Enough for our first months bill on our cell phone. I hate activation charges.

Anyway, I'm still extremely busy this week. The things that did not sell at the yard sale is going to the Goodwill and Right to Life. Although, part of me wants to wait until Milton has their yard sale. Maybe I can sell more. But I DON'T want to transport it back and forth.

Well, my daughter is now one. I can't believe it. She's getting quite the vocabulary. She says, " ..oggie" for doggie, "ucky"-Yucky, "Isick"-Isaac (her cousin), "gu gu"-good girl, ma ma, dada, uice-juice. I can't believe it. She says more but I can't think of any right now. She's so smart. Well, enough bragging about my daughter. I must go soon. 9th graders beckon!

My baby girl had her 1st birthday party today. She did so good with so many people in the house. She was waking up from her nap when the first guest arrived. I have had such a stressful week. My husband was taken to jail on Monday due to the lack of finding a job in time for a certain payment. My van broke down on Tuesday and requires a $50 part. We ordered it online because it was cheaper and it should get here on Monday or so. Then there was IHC which is always stessful when you have children, esp. Kara's first one. Sooo many people. Then her birthday was Friday, and Kara was sick. Her party was today and she was great. Now, I am in Bellefontaine watching 6 kids. Three of them are my step children. They are great! Anyway, to make matters worse, all the money we had was in Ryan's wallet, so when he went to the jail from the courthouse, I wasn't able to get his wallet and they take his money and put it on his books. By the way, he is in Hamilton, Ohio and I can't afford to go down there for the amount he had. He told me that he stuck it in his wallet away from anything else so that they wouldn't find it, so hopefully it's still there if I get down there. Sigh...I will bless the Lord at all times. Pray for me! I'd really appreciate it.

My baby's almost 1!

I haven't written in a few days. Things have been crazy around here. I'm still trying to get spring cleaning done...that seems to go on for days. My daughter changed highchairs. She now sits in one that is strapped to the chair so she can eat at the table with the rest of us. However, it is a bit messier. She loves throwing her food on the floor. Tonight she had spaghetti and meatballs. She ate like there was no tomorrow until she was somewhat full, then she decided to throw her bowl....on the floor, followed by her sippy cup. Why do they do that? I think they seem to think that we love cleaning up messes. I guess this is the beginning of the next 17 years. I can't believe Kara will be 1 in less than a month. I had a baby almost a year ago. I still remember being in the hospital. Wow, sometimes I miss those days and sometimes I'm thankful for the nights she's sleeps through, which has been since she was around 6 weeks old. I've been so blessed with her. She's been the most perfect baby. I fear having another baby. I know these kinds of babies don't come twice in a row. That's like lightening striking twice in the same spot. It just doesn't happen. Anywho, I shall be going. I have to get ready for bed soon. I have another long day ahead of me. God Bless and Good Night!

Wow! Isn't this weather beautiful? Ryan, Kara and I visited my grandmother today and then went to the park and walked a little. It was so nice. We got a map of a metropark so that next time we can pack a lunch and stay longer and maybe go fishing. We are aching to go camping and fishing but neither one of us have our fishing license. We will be getting those as soon as possible. For the past hour or more, I've been uploading pictures from my camera. I've got to not wait so long to upload our pics. We take too many pictures to wait that long. Tomorrow...spring cleaning begins. Tomorrow, we bust out the coffee and PineSol and get busy. Hopefully, Kara will be compliant and let me get some cleaning done. I have to call and make podiatrist appointments for Ryan and I tomorrow. Ever since I fell down the stairs about 6 weeks ago, I've been having some problems with my feet. It doesn't help that I wear my crocs almost everyday and have no ankle support. Well, I have a few more things to do before I rest my eyes for the night, so I must go. Good nights friends. God Bless! Oh, I must brag about my beautiful, smart daughter and mention that she is 11 months old and she has not had a bottle in three weeks. Nothing but sippy cups. I'm so proud of her. ...ok..Good night...for real!

Weekends almost here!

Hey peoples! I am here, at the library and we just completed three online applications for my husband. Things are so hard right now in finding a job. Not to mention, we live in a small town and the job security here is insane. I am on a laundry war right now. I have so much laundry to put away. Kara has so many clothes that have been given to her. They are so adorable but some go up to size 4T. I can't keep them that long in my apartment. I think I might have to give some away. :( Oh well, life goes on. It's not like she's not spoiled and she won't get tons more and God has blessed us so much with her and her needs. He is so good! Well, I must go. Duty calls!

Oh, I forgot!

Kara has now been off the bottle for over a week now. I am so proud of her. She uses a sippy cup that resembles her bottle, not by color but by the silicone nipple. She doesn't even act like she knows her bottles are gone. I'm so excited about this spring and summer and all the things I get to do with her. She's so fun and alert. She's always learning! She's a mocker! She does anything you do, so "be careful little mouth what you say..." I can't wait til she's old enough to walk and play outside. This weekend was beautiful so we put her in her pack'n play and let her play outside while her daddy worked in the garden just a little bit. She loved it, but now she's getting to the point where she's mobile and she knows she's mobile so she doesn't like being restrained. Anyway, I just wanted to brag some more about my daughter and her bottle-breaking success. Later!

Monday morning!

Good Morning! It's Monday morning. I'm teaching high school virtual class in Covington. I had a rough weekend. My daughter, I think, is not feeling good. I think the time change messed her up with going to bed last night. I had to rock her to sleep. She's been a little clingy lately. She is so precious. She's starting to say different things and she does the cutest little gestures. I love being her mommy.
On another note, please pray for my family. My husband and I need your prayers. We need God to work a miracle on our marriage. Please pray!
I hope everyone has a wonderful week. God Bless!

My baby is growing up.

My little Kara is growing up too fast. I talked to her today from work while her daddy was watching her and she said "hi" to me. She's only 10 1/2 months. She's also on Day 5 of being without a bottle. She's just so stinkin' cute. I love her so much. She is just getting over RSV. She had that for a couple of weeks. It was horrible. She's looked so pitiful. I've never seen so much snot in my life. We were finally able to get her a cool-mist humidifier. She's doing so much better now. I can't believe that I will be planning her first birthday soon. Where did the time go? I can't believe it. Well, I am teaching today and my students are done testing so I will write more later. Have a great weekend, friends!

The Lord is our leader!

I get to see my husband in 4 days, Lord willing. I've prayed so hard. There is a chance that he will not come home due to the objection from another judge, but we both know that God is bigger than that or any "chance". So, we will continue to pray because God is faithful. He cares about the things in our lives. Big and Little!
It's funny, I've waited so long for our family to change like this. I wanted my husband to be the spiritual leader so we can serve God as a family and raise our daughter in the Word. Well, now, my husband is so ready to be the spiritual leader, but because of certain things of the past, I feel like I'm quick to get defensive. I don't like that at all. I'm praying about that. I want to be submissive to my husband, but I want him to also be sensitive to my needs and feelings. We are excited. We are learning how to be together in a whole new way. It's a journey, but one that will be led by the Lord! Praise the Lord!

My nephew is here!

Isaac Alan Akers! He was born on February 14, 2009 at 12:15pm. He was 9 lbs. and 5 oz. and 22 inches long. I thought I had the bigger baby! He's so precious! He has jaundice and is home but has a light with him 23/24 hours. He's doing well with breastfeeding, too. I was worried b/c my sister in law tried with her daughter but was not successful. Things are going well.

God is so good!

Wow! My heart is so full right now. I received some news today that wasn't so encouraging. Actually, it struck fear in my heart along with my husbands. I immediately got out The Word of God and read and prayed and cried. It's amazing how crying can help you feel better. I am learning to trust God with things that I usually spaz out about. It's hard, but God is so much bigger than my unbelief. It's amazing! I testified in church Sunday night about finally understanding what God was doing when my husband had to leave. I felt so small to even think that I knew better than He did about my situation. My husband is due home this coming Monday, the 23rd of Feb. We were told today that there is a chance that he won't be. So, of course, being a wife that severely misses her husband, freaked out and started bawling. Immediately, I realized what I needed to do. I prayed. I prayed so hard but it was a different kind of prayer. I prayed that God's will will be known to us. And that we would not pray for this and that but for God's will to be done. Also, my husband and I are learning all over again how to be husband and wife with God as the center of our relationship. It's so wonderful! He said something to me today that just melted my heart and again, I bawled like a baby! God is working in my family like he never has before and for that, I am extremely thankful!

Help...I need baby advice.

I wish I had more time to write in this thing. I think we are getting a laptop with taxes. I hope so, that will also help with my teaching assignments. Right now, I am battling with housework. My back feels like it's breaking all the time. I didn't do anything to hurt it, at least, I don't think I did. My sister in law is due with her baby in 15 days so we are trying to get her house all baby-prepped. She's getting overwhelmed which is completely understandable. This is her second child. She has a 8 year old girl, Morgan and this will be Isaac Alan Akers. Say that 3 times fast.
I am a little frustrated at my inability to stop Kara from wanting to smack in the face. She seems to do it when she's excited, but I don't want her to pick up the habit. I smack her hand and say "no, that hurts mommy", but then she just looks at me and smiles and does it again. Booger! Help! If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know! I want to do the right thing and I DON'T want my daughter to learn to be mean.
One of my parenting role-models is Sarah Cook. I read her blogs, I've watched her raise three beautiful daughters. She's a woman of faith and a great and supportive wife. They've had lots of challenges in their lives and faith, but she instills values and love to her girls. If I could be more like her. I want to spend more quality time with my daughter. I want to read more and pray more and show her how special she is in God's and my eyes. You are very encouraging to me, Sarah. Don't you dare stop blogging! I love you, girl!
Well, it is Kara's bedtime, so I better get going. God Bless!

Aunt Amanda

Well, the baby is napping so I have a few minutes to myself. I'm in the middle of the big tax ordeal. I'm still waiting for one of my W2s. I just made some awesome Sweet and Sour Chicken for a friend and I. It was gooood! I'm still trying to change some things around the house. One of my best friends is having a baby in February. She is also my brother's girlfriend, so, this little baby is going to be my third nephew. She's busy getting her house ready. They live next door. I'm excited. I just went through the whole baby thing 9 months ago, so I'm really excited to be able to help my friend with whatever I can. Well, I better go. I have to get cleaning!

Wow! Motivation is great when it finally kicks in. I got my living room cleaned up and some old baby stuff put away. I have chili in the crockpot. Now, I am completely able to enjoy the basketball game I'm going to tonight. It's Covington vs. Milton. I live in Covington but I'm from Milton. Hmmm! Who do I cheer for? I'll let ya know who won? For now, enjoy your weekend!

God is good!

Hello and good evening! I can't write much for my daughter is trying to get into everything but I wanted to keep in touch. I saw my hubby today, so excited. I miss him so much. Anyway, God is working in our family and I'm so thankful. I've prayed so hard that God would work in our family and He's doing it right before my eyes! Praise God! Well, I shall be going! God Bless!

So...tired!

Another day of house work. I woke up so motivated, then my brother came over and we decided to visit my mom to see how she's coping with her friend's death (he was her only friend). Now, a couple hours later, I am so tired and I don't know why. I need to out laundry away and I just want to crawl in bed with my baby girl and take a long long nap.
I'm still missing my husband. He will be gone for a few more weeks. It's hard on us but God is helping us. He's also helping my husband. He called me and asked if I would fast with him today so that is what we are doing today. It's amazing how fasting even though we are apart can bring us closer together. God is so awesome! I pray that God will continue to make me the wife and mother he wants me to be. I am His for the molding! Well, I must put Kara down for a nap. Until next time...

A family tragedy!

Today, we found out that a family friend of over 20 years was found dead on his couch at 4:30am this morning! His wife was trying to wake him up but he wouldn't. He has a son just over a year old. The man's name is Jeff Wilson. All he ever talked about was his son. They loved each other so much. It breaks my heart! Please pray for this family! My mother was very close to him. She's taking it pretty hard. They've known each other for years.
This weather is horrible. My van will not start. MY battery is toast. Thankfully, I don't have to go anywhere tomorrow. It's just too cold to be outside working on cars. Brrr!!!
Please pray for me and my family. God knows what's going on. My husband needs me but we can't really get to each other right now and it's extremely hard. God is still good and I believe that He still reigns.

A diaper change and a bowl of cereal!

Monday Mornings! Kara made sure I remembered it was Monday morning by waking up with a horrific atomic bomb explosion not only in her diaper but on anything she was sleeping on or around. Glorious! Thank God for washing machines! Most mornings, she will play with her toys until I get her cereal ready! No, not today! She stood by the couch and cried and cried as if I hadn't fed her since last night...;) Well, after a diaper change and a bowl of cereal, she's happily playing with her toys as if nothing ever happened.
God has been to good to us. It's so easy sometimes to forget our blessings. Isn't it just like him to reach down and pull us up when we are at the bottom of life's "cereal bowl" shivering and helpless, ready to give up? Yes, it is! He's so gracious! My goal is to be more like Him to others in my life, no matter what circumstances I'm in. I want to be a better helpmate for my husband, a better mother for my daughter and a motivated Christian example to both and others around me.
Well, I hear some whimpering from the other room, so I better get going. Thanks for spending this moment with me. Come again!!

0-3 months clothes...GONE!!

Good Morning, America! God is so good. I've had a pretty good weekend, considering certain circumstances. My husband is away right now which is pretty hard on my daughter and I, but God is taking care of us. I found out last night that Kara got her fourth tooth. I can't believe it. She's almost 9 months old. Where did the time go? I still remember bringing her home from the hospital. All those 0-3 month clothes...gone! Now she's wearing 12 months. I will get some more pics on here soon. Right now, I am in Belle Center, Ohio staying with some of Ryan's family. It's a nice little vacation. The ground is white and they live in the middle of nowhere, so theres a lot of white. Kara is crawling around here somewhere, I hear her talking to herself. She keeps me busy. We both miss her daddy very much. Please keep our family in your prayers. God Bless!

My Blessed Family

Happy New Year! I would first like to announce that on January 1st, 2009, I rededicated my life to the Lord Jesus Christ. He's been so merciful to me when I was running! I'm so thankful that He still loves me and wants me. He's blessed me with a wonderful husband and a beautiful daughter, Kara. I also have four wonderful step-children. Let me tell you about them.
First, there is Paul. His father's mini-me. He's almost 16 years old and he leaves a lot to be proud of. He play high school football for the Bellefontaine Chieftains in Bellefontaine, Ohio. He's pretty good. He's buffed up in the last year with all his weight lifting. He funny. We make each other laugh a lot, especially when we're picking on his dad. He's been dating his girlfriend, Celeste for a while now. She's a sweetheart. They're so cute together.
Then, there's Becca, 13, and she LOVES monkeys. She's a riot. She's the punk of the group. Becca can squeal when she doesn't get her way but she's so cute when she does it. Oh, and she likes Elmo. I think she will always love Elmo. I've known Becca for over three years and she's grown up alot, unless you try to make her eat her carrots. It's just not happening!! I'm very proud of her, too.
Kaylien is the little blonde hair, blue-eyed, booger. She's so sweet. She loves me to death and I love that about her. She's very clingy to me and that makes me feel good. She's always drawing me pictures and things, I'm running out of room to hang things up. Kaylien is 8 and very much into computer games and DS. She's spoiled but it hasn't gone to her head yet. She is really into High School Musical right now so it was easy to shop for her this past Christmas.
Draven is going to be 6 next week. He has blonde hair and blue eyes also so Paul and Becca have brown hair and brown eyes. He's a sweety, too. He's just recently been staying at our house on a regular basis. At first, he was shy and didn't know the boundaries and standards of our house and rules. After a few visits, the true 5 years old boy came out and he tested those boundaries. haha. That didn't last long. He knows what he can and cannot do now. So, now our visits are more enjoyable. He's really into Hot Wheels Cars and race tracks. His favorite cartoon is Ben10. He has a lisp and it's the cutest thing. He's really smart. He's in kindergarten this year and he can already read. He's a sharp kid.
Lastly, there's Kara. She's almost 9 months old. She is everything to me. She is my first biological child and she's absolutely beautiful. Kara has big blue eyes and blonde hair. She brings me joy every day. She just had her third tooth break through. She's growing so fast, I don't know where the time is going. I love spending time with her. I'm trying to teach her to pray. We pray before our meals and we say our prayers at bedtime. Right now, she doesn't understand what we are doing so she tries to pull her hands away. She'll get it.
Ryan, my husband, is a good man. He loves his family more than anything on this earth. He puts nothing earthly ahead if his family. He's very compassionate to those less fortunate and he likes to take care of others when they are unable to themselves. He's been down on luck in the last 5 years due to a work injury in 2002. We've hit some hard rocks, but we've made it though. I believe that God has a plan for us and our family. Right now, Ryan is unable to be with his family due to some unfortunate circumstances but he is well loved and prayed for daily. 2009 is the year that God changes the Shough family and cleans out from the inside out.
Well, that's all for now. Kara wakes up rather early these days. God Bless!