A Must Read

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wow!  It has been a loooong time since I read a book this good.  This is one of those books that I longed for when I wasn't reading it.  This is one of those books that surprised me with its eloquence.  This is also one of those books that requires privacy and a box of kleenex when reading it.  If this book is on your list of books to read, move it to the top.  If you were not planning to read it, change your plans.  If you already read it, then you know of what I speak, no?



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Get the Kids Reading This Summer With These Fun Clubs

Hi all!  Well, as of today, summer has finally begun in our house.  Samara's last day of school was May 24th, Juliana's was May 31st and Abigail's was yesterday.  Our plans for the summer include: gymnastics (once a week for S & A and twice a week for J), swimming at Adler Park Pool (as often as we can), weekly crafts at Michael's (have you seen their Passport to Imagination club?  We did this last year and it was so much fun that the girls begged to do it again!), homeschooling (of course!), lots of time at the local library, camping, traveling, and reading clubs. Whew!

So, Abby's first grade teacher sent home some great links for summer reading clubs.  Being the wonderful person that I am, I will share them with you here.

The Scholastic Summer Challenge is a club where the kids read every day, log their minutes, and earn rewards.  Pretty simple, huh?  Even better - they can link their minutes to their school.  The school with the most minutes gets a visit from Dav Pilkey.   Don't know who he is?  Then you must not have kids in elementary school.  Just kidding (sort of, but not really).  He writes the famous Captain Underpants series. 

Another challenge we are participating in is Sylvan's Book Adventure.  This is a club where the kids read books and take quizzes on them.  Through these quizzes they earn points.  These points can be redeemed for things like chocolate bars from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, temporary tattoos, eBooks, etc. 

We are also going to participate in BookItSummer.  This is a fun site (although not running yet) where the kids play online, take quizzes and customize their own dragon.  Fun!

We are also reading for local library.  The kids have to log in 12 different places that they read this summer and then they get to pick a prize (usually a book!).  Yippeee!

What are you doing this summer?

Min

I might have an interview...

I got a phone call - I am going to have a conversation with a person tomorrow.  It is not a teaching job, but it is working with children at risk.  We'll see.

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Please?

Many moons ago, I was not a Mommy.  I desparately wanted to be a Mommy, but I had some trouble getting there...

At the age of 22, I was told I had endometriosis and that it was quite severe.  I was also told that I needed to get pregnant as soon as I could, as this (or alternatively, induced early menopause) was one of the only things that could cure the disease.  The ironic part here is that I was one of the 10% of people who have endometriosis whose fertility was negatively affected by it. 

Sooooo, I tried lots and lots of things.  I tried taking birth control pills and then going off of them (because sometimes this can "fool" your body into thinking it doesn't have endo??).  I tried IUI (3 times with no success) and IVF (twice).  I even came really, really close to using donor eggs (a high FSH level was not helping things).  It's not that I could not get pregnant - I got pregnant.  Six times.  I lost all of them.  The first one hurt me.  The second one seemed unfair.  The third loss made me angry.  After that, they just blended in with one another...

I had two or three laparoscopies to burn out the endo.  But it came right back.  And then some.  By the time I was 33, I thought it just wasn't going to happen for me.

Then I started burning a fever.  It lasted for nearly a year.  I often wonder what that was.  There were lots of blood draws and lab tests, but no real answers.  For awhile, there was talk of lupus, cancer, and the inevitable hysterectomy.  For whatever reason, I did not let these things phase me and I was not goaded into action - the conscious decision to sign away any chance of bearing my own child - just yet.

Then I met Dan.  I knew he was special when I met him.  The fact that he had a toddler already was attractive to me.  I told him I could not have children.  We got pregnant three months into our relationship.  I lost that one very early on - my seventh loss.  Then we got pregnant again a year later.  We weren't concerned about birth control because we knew I did not need it.  That one stuck.  Her name is Abigail.  She is my miracle baby. I had her when I was 34 years old. 

Along with Abigail came the thought that maybe my infertility doors had been closed and I was now "normal".  No such luck.  The endo came back again.  They found it on my lung and all over my intestines, bladder, ovaries, tubes and uterus.  Again came the pressure to have a hysterectomy.  Again, we (this time it was "we" and not me going through this journey alone) resisted.  Eight months after Abigail's birth, we got pregnant again.  We had hope for this one, even though it was earlier than we had wanted to try.  We lost it two weeks later and, like the very first loss, this one hurt.  Now I knew what I was losing.  We focused on Abigail and Mara and moved on. 

A year later, when Abs was nearly two and Mara was almost five, we decided to try again.  Seven months later, we found out that we were, again, expecting.  We held our breaths.  I bled at 9 weeks.  The doctor took preventative measures.  She stuck.  Juliana has always been tenacious, at that.

The endo, again, returned.  Now with chocolate cysts and more pain than ever.  We felt we were a complete unit and the doctors finally had their way with me.

Fast forward - my sister-in-law and her husband are getting ready to have their fifth round of IVF.  Now I want something desparately again.  I want to be an aunt.  I want these two people to be parents.  I want my girls to have first cousins, because in my life cousins are like sisters.  Is it too much to ask for another miracle, but this time for someone else?  I hope I have not used up all of my miracles...we need one more.

Min 

The Great Gatsby

We went to see a movie!  I can't even remember the last time that Dan and I went to see a movie.  An adult movie.  Alone.  Wow!  This is what we saw

The Great Gatsby

I really, really liked it.  It was opulent in the same way that Titanic was opulent.  The costumes were to-die-for and the acting was superb.  I have not been a big fan of DiCaprio for awhile (since Titanic, actually), but he redeemed himself with this one.  I would recommend this movie.  Seriously.  Great story line, great acting, great cinematography, great everything.  

Our basement is taking up all of my mental space.  Gotta go.

 Min

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ARM & HAMMER(TM) Baking Soda

Water, Water, Everywhere

Last week, we had the worst bunch of rain that I have ever experienced.  It came down in buckets and lasted for days.  Last week, we found out that we don't have a sump pump.  Last week, my basement ceased to exist on the level that we had known it before.  Last week, my kiddos lost their playroom.  Last week, we lost a full bathroom.  Last week sucked.

This week, we have a dry basement, sans carpet and padding.  This week, I have my washer and dryer back.  This week, we have a guest room (although no guest bath right now).  This week is better than last week.

It appears that this blog may start to take on a home-improvement angle.  I will post photos soon.  It is not pretty.

Min

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Infertility's Common Thread

http://stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/2006/09/history-of-infertilitys-common-thread.html.

Having lost a few pregnancies myself, I thought this post was important to pass along.  I found it originally on my sister-in-law's blog www.OhAirBiscuits.blogspot.com.  She got it from another blog, and so on...

I will link it to here and paste for others to see. Thank you for helping to raise awareness.

The History of Infertility's Common Thread

by Lollipop Goldstein

For anyone who has experienced infertility or who is currently experiencing infertility. For anyone who has suffered through pregnancy loss. For those who have conceived naturally, utilized treatments, adopted, used third-party reproduction, or chose to live child-free: a movement.
It all began when Paz lamented that there should be a secret handshake for those who have experienced or are currently experiencing infertility. She was finally pregnant after multiple miscarriages and she wanted infertile women to know when looking at her pregnant belly that she was one of them still–in heart and mind. She was open to questions and to passing along any information she had obtained along the way.
This led to a lengthy discussion about a signal we could give one another as well as a tangible object that would invite questions and subsequently discussion about infertility. The conversation jumped from idea to idea–a pomegranate-shaped charm, a Livestrong-esque bracelet–until it finally settled on a simple thread.
With the idea being that it was an item that was easy to obtain no matter where you lived. It posed a minimal cost. It could be ornamented or braided any way the wearer chose. It could be sent through the mail. It was simple. It was discreet. We picked the embroidery floss #814 because it was the colour of pomegranates. Which was one of the fertility symbols considered along the way.
Royalyne stepped forward and got the ball rolling with a write up that we tweaked until it became this statement:
Pomegranates, a longstanding symbol of fertility, serve as a strong analogy to those suffering through infertility. Though each pomegranate skin is unique in colour and texture, the seeds inside are remarkably similar from fruit to fruit. Though our diagnosis is unique—endometriosis, low sperm count, luteal phase defect, or causes unknown—the emotions, those seeds on the inside, are the same from person to person. Infertility creates frustration, anger, depression, guilt, and loneliness. Compounding these emotions is the shame that drives people suffering from infertility to retreat into silence.
In addition, the seeds represent the multitude of ways one can build their family: natural conception, treatments, adoption, third-party reproduction, or even choosing to live child-free.
The pomegranate thread holds a two-fold purpose: to identify and create community between those experiencing infertility as well as create a starting point for a conversation. Women pregnant through A.R.T., families created through adoption, or couples trying to conceive during infertility can wear the thread, identifying themselves to others in this silent community. At the same time, the string serves as a gateway to conversations about infertility when people inquire about its purpose. These conversations are imperative if we are ever to remove the social stigma attached to infertility.Tie on the thread because you’re not alone. Wear to make aware.

Join us in starting this conversation about infertility by purchasing this pomegranate-coloured thread (#814 by DMC) at any craft, knitting, or variety store such as Walmart or Target. Tie it on your right wrist. Notice it on others.

Paz also created a write up that people could place on blogs, bulletin boards, and email forwards:
For anyone who has ever had a miscarriage, struggled with pregnancy, and all things infertile…there is a movement upon us that you might want to join. It’s rather simple actually: a discreet ribbon on your right wrist to signal to others that they are not alone in their struggles.

As someone who has had 5 m/c but am currently 5 months pregnant (YEAH), I wonder who looks at my big belly with sadness because they are in the month-to-month struggle. I mentioned to a friend that I wished there was some secret nod or international sign as if to say, this belly was hardwon. Well, she posted this quandary on her blog (http://www.stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/) and the response has been quite overwhelming…and a movement has been born!

The pomegranate-colored thread holds a two-fold purpose: to identify and create community between those experiencing infertility as well as create a starting point for a conversation. Women pregnant through any means, natural or A.R.T., families created through adoption or surrogacy, or couples trying to conceive during infertility or secondary infertility can wear the thread, identifying themselves to others in this silent community. At the same time, the string serves as a gateway to conversations about infertility when people inquire about its purpose. These conversations are imperative if we are ever to remove the social stigma attached to infertility.Tie on the thread because you’re not alone. Wear to make aware. Join us in starting this conversation about infertility by purchasingthis pomegranate-coloured thread (#814 by DMC) at any craft, knitting, or variety store such as Walmart or Target. Tie it on your right wrist. Notice it on others. Just thought I would pass the word along!

Lastly, we have a graphic people can add to their side bars in order to get the word out (and create a link to this post or a similar one so people understand what Infertility’s Common Thread is about). Feel free to take and place on your blog or create your own in order to get the word out to others:
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4171/3241/200/Thread.2.jpg
and please add a link back to this post: http://stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/2006/09/history-of-infertilitys-common-thread.html.

Catching Up

Things have gotten pretty hectic here as of late.  The substitute jobs have started to pour in and I have even been specially requested for a few.  I have cut my shifts at Barnes and Noble down to two or three per week.  While I miss working there more often, I am enjoying the time at home with Dan and the girls.

Recently, we have had some visitors.  Kylie came in for her birthday and St. Patrick's Day weekend.  She got to ride the Metra by herself for the first time.  This was an adventure for her, and Dan was there to put her on the train.  He is a good host.

Then, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Liz and Max came in for a visit. 

Jeff playing mandolin and Max playing fiddle while Liz watches and listens

Max (Matt) is a great fiddle player.

They were really here for a bluegrass festival, but the girls would like to thing that they solely came to see them.  We went to the festival to see what all the fuss is about and found it mesmorizing.

Jeff has a soft spot for our girls, I think...

So does Liz!

Bluegrass music just makes Abby want to dance!

Then, Dan, the girls and I took Max to Legoland for the afternoon.  I don't care how old you are, everyone loves to sit down and play with Legos.  Seriously.

Juli is tickled pink by this Lego man.

Dan, Max and the girls.

Max loves Star Wars, so we had to take his picture with R2D2.

Ok, I might like Star Wars, too.

Could not pass up the chance to have my picture taken with one of my favorite literary characters.  Do you know which one he is?

Daddy playing with our not-so-little girl.

In homeschooling, we have been focusing on science.  The girls have been learning about the human body.  This has been fascinating for them and I really think they like it.  Juli has been taking the book to bed with her each evening and lifting the flaps to look at all of the parts.

Samara is coming this weekend and next week Aunt DeDe and Uncle Craig will be here, too.  Fun!!

Family Movie Night #3

This past weekend, we had our third family movie night.  As a recap, we try to watch a movie that does not cost us anything and it has to be kid-appropriate and it has to be new to at least one of the kids, if not both.

We watched this:

Kung Fu Panda 2

Great movie for kids.  Entertaining and funny for adults.  A winner all around.  The message here seems to be to find your inner peace - meaning be content with where you are and who you are with.  Your family is not necessarily confined to those who bore you, but also includes those who raised you and loved you.  Finally, loyalty to your friends is important.

If you have not seen this with your kids, do so.  If you don't have kids, see it anyway.  You will get a chuckle out of it.

Min

Snow Day

We are having our first snow day of Winter 2012/2013 here in Chicagoland.  I was actually shocked that they called it last night when it had not even started snowing yet.  However, since the chance of snow was predicted at 100%, I am guessing they felt pretty secure in this decision.  Sitting here looking out the window, I can see how parents who are fortunate enough to have a bus pick their children up (we live too close to the school for this at .8 of a mile) would feel antsy about having the kiddos come home on such slippery streets.

Soooo, we have had our own version of school here.  We studied Samuel in the Bible and then started our science lesson in this book.

Usborne Flip Flap Body Book by Alistair Smith

Sorry about the really small picture, but as I tried to make it bigger, it became really distorted.  I really like Usborne books - they are high quality in terms of materials and they are straightforward with regard to science.  Today we learned about where our food goes.  As you can imagine, when we got to the part where food exits the body, there was some giggling.  Aaaand the girls learned a new word for that body part.  We had always called it the "pooper" or "butt" before, but now they know the proper name.  Not sure if this is a good thing or not...

Snow days...gotta love them.

Min

Another Good One...

Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars






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Move over, Picasso!

Proud mom post coming up!

Abby was one of seven students from her school (and the only first grader) to showcase her art at the David Adler Music and Arts Center during the month of March for Youth Art Month.  Here is the picture she painted.

(Sorry about the angle - it was hung at about 8 feet high.)  It is a cardinal sitting on a branch on a snowy day.  She. is. seven. years. old.  WOW!!

Ok, ok, I may be biased.  But still.  Wow!!

Here is the corsage that her daddy bought her for her special night (and thanks for the fancy dresses, Ya Ya!)

Here is her sister, trying to escape the event.

Thanks to Mrs. Sartain - quite possibly the best art teacher ever.  You have brought out a talent in our child that only we knew existed and made it a joy for others to share. 

Min

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Family Movie Night #2

Tonight, we had our second family movie night.  We had the first one a few weeks ago, and I honestly did not think about blogging it.  That night, we watched "Harry and the Hendersons".  Do you remember that movie?  It came out in 1987!  Dan is the only one of us who had seen it before and, since it had been so long since he first saw it, he didn't mind seeing it again.  It was a funny family movie about...well...Bigfoot.  It is a typical 80's movie in that it is a simple "feel good" film.  Not a lot of thinking has to go on to enjoy it and there is no complex plot here.  The theme is that we have a tendency to fear (and sometimes persecute) whom or what we are not familiar with, and we need to learn to give things a chance before we judge or act.  Hmmm...this is certainly a lesson that we still have not learned, isn't it?  Good, wholesome fun, this movie.  Only PG for foul language and minor guns/fighting violence.  Both girls liked this one.

Harry and the Hendersons

Anyway, tonight's movie was "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules", rated PG for rude humor.  This is a fairly tame movie that centers around the main character, Greg, and his older brother, Rodrick.  It is another "feel good" movie, but it is also quite funny at times.  The humor is on a middle-school level (thus the "rude humor" comment) and the theme is that family is always there for you at the end.  Abby really liked it, but Juli fell asleep about halfway through, as did Dan.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules

I think we are going to try to make this a weekly, or at least bi-weekly, event.  We really enjoy popping popcorn (tonight's was drizzled in dark chocolate) and snuggling under blankets as a family while watching a movie.

Unspoken rules for movie night:

has to be kid-friendly
has to be new to at least one of us
ideally free (i.e. on cable or tv)

Any suggestions?

Min