Wow, we have been really busy. I was thinking about how my family is so busy right now and for us this season is much busier than winter, spring, and summer. First, there are Carolina football games, which even if we do not go to we still want to watch on tv. Second, it really seems to be busiest at church with fun activities to do on the weekends, not to mention the Fall Festival which is the children's ministry biggest outreach event. On top of just being plain busy in the Fall, we now have a speech therapist and a babynet coordinator to see every week, exercise classes to try to go to, and not to mention getting Jackson's closet cleaned out as well as getting everything ready for Abigail. I really have got to guard my time very closely right now because at night I am so tired I barely have any energy to do what needs to get done. For the last three weeks or so I have had to go to the grocery store after we have put Jackson down for bed (I would send Charlie but my coupons are very confusing right now). Any advice on how to manage my time better, especially while I am tired and pregnant, I would love to hear!
These pictures were taken last weekend. We had a great time in Spartanburg! We went up there and Charlie drove a Uhaul filled with our queen bed and end tables that are going to be stored in my parent's walk-in attic. We are so blessed to have a place to store this bed since our house has only three bedrooms. Everything went very smoothly, and then Friday night we did a little shopping at Old Navy and got Charlie some tennis shoes. For Jackson's birth, my poor mom and Charlie had to stand and hold me legs for like 45 minutes while I pushed Jackson out. Charlie had old tennis shoes on and his heels became enflamed (he has a condition with his heels)...so getting Charlie new tennis shoes was on the top of the list of things to do before the baby comes. Sunday after church, we had lunch with Charlie's family to celebrate his mom's birthday. Jackson and his only cousin Jake always have fun together!
Jackson is now going to be a Puggle for two years. Puggles is a new curriculum through AWANA for 2 year olds on Sunday nights. Ashley and Amy (the leaders) do a great job doing crafts with them, taking them outside, and teaching them a lesson. Jackson loves all the activities. Additionally, for the last couple of weeks, Kirk comes in and sings praise music with them with his guitar...the kids love it! He was in the baby room but every time Charlie walked by he was crying....plus his b-day is 12 days past the cut of date and we would rather him be in the Puggles room for two years than the baby room for two years. The speech therapist says it is important for him to be around other/older children who use their words to get what they need. She says part of Jackson's problem is that he just does not want to use the words he has for whatever reason to get what he needs. He looks so grown up in his Puggle shirt! I miss my baby boy.
On a side note, while I was in the car today I heard Steven Curtis Chapman's new song and it was a great reminder to me that my children are not mine, they are ultimately God's. Our life is His plan, and our journey. God can use our children to show his glory in whatever way he pleases. This is a good reminder for me and here are a few verses from the song
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
You're the Maker and Keeper, Father and Ruler of everything
It's all Yours
These verses were written after the tragic death of his daughter. I guess God gives you supernatural strengthen to endure the unbelievable loss of a child when you need it.
"I’ve walked the valley of death’s shadow
So deep and dark that I could barely breathe
I’ve had to let go of more than I could bear
And questioned everything that I believe
But still even here in this great darkness
A comfort and hope come breaking through
As I can say in life or death God we belong to you."
4 comments:
Wow, so much stuff to do so little time. For me, I have to learn to prioritize and say no to a lot of stuff. Pregnancy wears me out so much that I have days where I can't function at all. If forces me to slow down. With my third, I was put on moderate rest, that was when I really had to learn.
So, slow down, make a list of what needs to get done. Then split that list into 1st priority and 2nd priority then make a plan of attack. And remember, the world will not end if you don't get it all done. (I get that way towards the end with all I want to have finished before the baby comes.)
Oh, with Jackson's speech, the best thing you can do is to not make a big deal out of it. Just tell him to use his words to tell you what he needs. My son didn't talk pretty much at all and went through speech until he was 6. We played speech games at home and I had him use his words. But I didn't draw a bunch of attention to it. That helped him too. When he was self conscience about his speech, he did worse than when he wasn't.
I hope that encourages you.
Blessings!
Emily, I love to read your blog to see Jackson! I cannot believe how grown up he is and now you have another on the way... wow.
Jackson looks so much like an Easterlin, it is unbelievable!
I'm glad you and your family are doing so well. I run into your mom every once in awhile and it's great to catch up.
Good luck with everything!!
Hey Emily- couple things. First, I had Jackson in PALS this weekend and he is so sweet. He seemed tired so I held him a lot and he rubbed the back of my arm while I held him. It was so endearing. Secondly, my twins were in the babynet system and we used BrightStart for physical therapy. The program is outstanding and you will see results that will amaze you. When we got our refferal for PT for Andrew he was 1 year old and could not sit up. He could sit up if you propped him up but could not navigate himself to a sitting position alone. In 2 months the child was walking up flights of stairs. I have every confidence in them. Thirdly, I have advice for you on how to handle being pregnant and get things done. Only do what you HAVE to do. Seriuosly. Your health and your baby are the most important things right (aside from basic needs for Charlie and Jackson). If your house is not cleaned, who cares? If your dishes are not done, who cares? It will all be there tomorrow. You may only be pregnant once more or even never again. Enjoy it, relax when you can and remember that groceries and cleaning and laundry will always be there.
I enjoy your blog and hope you have a great week!
Mommy Reg-
It is so great to hear from you! I definitely have not been prioritizing like I use to and I think that is what has got me in so much trouble. I totally agree about the speech issues...our private therapist said it is very important for us to not talk about Jackson's speech issues in front of him because he knows exactly what we are saying. We are really careful about that and try not to make a big deal about it.
Lauren-
It is great to hear from you! He definitely looks like my side of the family. I am glad to see you are doing well...it just seems like yesterday we were little girls playing on our street.
Susan-
I am so glad to hear that Jackson was a sweet boy for you during PALS. Sundays are long days for him and I know he is not always on his best behavior during PALS time. I am so glad to hear that yall had such a great experience with Babynet...we are already seeing process in just a few weeks! With the pregnancy it is definitely getting harder and harder to enjoy it...I feel like I am going to be sick every time I eat and I am tired and not sleeping well. But I am so excited to meet this little one I can hardly stand it! Thanks again for the encouragement!
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