I have had a few situations lately where I am at a complete loss of what to say when a friend comes to me with issues she is having in her life. I feel like my initial reaction is to ask questions to understand what is going on, but once all the questions are answered, I always find myself at a complete loss of what to say.
Two such occasions have come up where all I want to say is...you grab your gun and I'll get my shovel, but upon further thought I don't think that is necessarily helpful. Then you take the route of offering up the whole, if I were you.... also, not that helpful. I want to be a good friend. I want to listen and comfort, but I am not always sure of the best way to go about it. One thing I do know is that I will be, and have been offering up more prayer than they can handle.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Monday, November 2, 2009
New additions....
This past Friday 10/23 Cugli and I welcomed a beautiful little girl into our family. Just like her sister, she made quite an entrance, at 9 lbs. 11 oz., and 20 inches long. Despite her being a sizeable baby, the delivery was perfect.
We went into the hospital for our 5 am appointment, however if I were to be completely honest we were about 15 minutes late. (C'mon people 5 am?) They started pitocin at about 5 :45. I was already dilated to 5cm so the hospital was very quick about getting me my epidural. I fell asleep, and didn't wake up, except for vital check ins by our nurse, until I started to feel some change in pressure at about 10:45. I told the nurse about the change, and she checked our progress. I was ready to push. They paged the doctor, and allowed me to start pushing. I pushed 3 times and they told me to stop be ause the baby was going to deliver before the doctor got there. Just then the doctor walked in, got in his gear, I pushed 2 more times, and she was out at 11:14 am. I am seriously considering a career as a Duggar, because it is apparent I am built for this. My mom keeps making smart remarks about delivering in rice patties and such.
The baby looks just like her Mamma did. She sort of resembles an elderly asian man, and we think she is gorgeous. Her big sister, is excited, but I can tell she is still sort of figuring out her place. She is very much a mommy's girl right now, and she is all about the, "mommy, watch", "mommy did you see me..." I am struggeling a little with this. I love both my children so much I can't stand it, but there is a small part of me, saying what did I do to her, that she now feels like she has to fight for attention in her own home. Home should feel safe and stable, but hers has been disrupted by a choice Cugli and I made for her. I know this probably sounds rediculous. I guess we all have to adjust to our new family dynamic.
Tonight, and every night for that matter, I am praying for guidance and reassurance. Any advice would be greatly welcomed. Prayers are even better.
We went into the hospital for our 5 am appointment, however if I were to be completely honest we were about 15 minutes late. (C'mon people 5 am?) They started pitocin at about 5 :45. I was already dilated to 5cm so the hospital was very quick about getting me my epidural. I fell asleep, and didn't wake up, except for vital check ins by our nurse, until I started to feel some change in pressure at about 10:45. I told the nurse about the change, and she checked our progress. I was ready to push. They paged the doctor, and allowed me to start pushing. I pushed 3 times and they told me to stop be ause the baby was going to deliver before the doctor got there. Just then the doctor walked in, got in his gear, I pushed 2 more times, and she was out at 11:14 am. I am seriously considering a career as a Duggar, because it is apparent I am built for this. My mom keeps making smart remarks about delivering in rice patties and such.
The baby looks just like her Mamma did. She sort of resembles an elderly asian man, and we think she is gorgeous. Her big sister, is excited, but I can tell she is still sort of figuring out her place. She is very much a mommy's girl right now, and she is all about the, "mommy, watch", "mommy did you see me..." I am struggeling a little with this. I love both my children so much I can't stand it, but there is a small part of me, saying what did I do to her, that she now feels like she has to fight for attention in her own home. Home should feel safe and stable, but hers has been disrupted by a choice Cugli and I made for her. I know this probably sounds rediculous. I guess we all have to adjust to our new family dynamic.
Tonight, and every night for that matter, I am praying for guidance and reassurance. Any advice would be greatly welcomed. Prayers are even better.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
We moved back in with the rents...
As promised, I am finding myself with more than enough time to blog now that things are winding down at work, and lets face it, with a baby coming tomorrow I could use the distraction. So I will continue my blog from yesterday and elaborate a little bit on our seemingly pathetic housing situation. It is true, we have moved back in with my parents. I never in a million years expected to see myself doing this, but honestly, it is not as bad as it may seem.
We made the decision after taking Financial Peace University, that we wanted to sort of recession proof our families finances. Especially having made the decision for me to cut back on my end of our income. So according to this class we took, the best thing to do is to:
1. Establish a $1000 emergency fund
2. Pay off all your debts
Believe it or not step 1 was relatively easy to accomplish. We had that completed in just a few weeks. The next step however has been the difficult one. We were not in that much debt, but enough that this step has been immensely tiring. We are ready to move on to the next...to start building wealth...and to stop waiting to get into a new house! SO we made the decision to try to sell our humble abode in this horrible economy, and downsize to a rental on a temporary basis in order to finish paying off our debt.
Little did we know, the economy was a little worse than we had bargained for. All the realtors we spoke with insisted that we would have to take a rather large loss on our home in order to get it sold. So in light of that information we started preparation to rent it. With in two weeks of making this decision we found a renter in our church, who was a perfect fit. The only catch was that she needed the house in 2 weeks. So the frantic packing and decision making began. My parents were kind enough to offer their finished basement as an option for us to move into rent free while we figured everything out. That's right folks....I said rent free.
And so, the decision was made. We moved into my parents house, and somewhat settled in. I say somewhat because as soon as we got there, they made the decision to put in hardwood floors, and renovate their kitchen, so we are as settled as you can call living in a construction zone. But again, it is rent free, and my mom does all my laundry, so at the end of the day, and with baby # 2 coming we think this will work out just fine for us.
Again, I know it sounds pathetic moving back in with good ol Mom and Dad, but it will be nice to have the help, and it is nice to not have any payments. We are on track to be completely debt free by January 1, 2010 speeding up the process by approx. a year. At that point we will start looking for the perfect next landing place for our little family.
We made the decision after taking Financial Peace University, that we wanted to sort of recession proof our families finances. Especially having made the decision for me to cut back on my end of our income. So according to this class we took, the best thing to do is to:
1. Establish a $1000 emergency fund
2. Pay off all your debts
Believe it or not step 1 was relatively easy to accomplish. We had that completed in just a few weeks. The next step however has been the difficult one. We were not in that much debt, but enough that this step has been immensely tiring. We are ready to move on to the next...to start building wealth...and to stop waiting to get into a new house! SO we made the decision to try to sell our humble abode in this horrible economy, and downsize to a rental on a temporary basis in order to finish paying off our debt.
Little did we know, the economy was a little worse than we had bargained for. All the realtors we spoke with insisted that we would have to take a rather large loss on our home in order to get it sold. So in light of that information we started preparation to rent it. With in two weeks of making this decision we found a renter in our church, who was a perfect fit. The only catch was that she needed the house in 2 weeks. So the frantic packing and decision making began. My parents were kind enough to offer their finished basement as an option for us to move into rent free while we figured everything out. That's right folks....I said rent free.
And so, the decision was made. We moved into my parents house, and somewhat settled in. I say somewhat because as soon as we got there, they made the decision to put in hardwood floors, and renovate their kitchen, so we are as settled as you can call living in a construction zone. But again, it is rent free, and my mom does all my laundry, so at the end of the day, and with baby # 2 coming we think this will work out just fine for us.
Again, I know it sounds pathetic moving back in with good ol Mom and Dad, but it will be nice to have the help, and it is nice to not have any payments. We are on track to be completely debt free by January 1, 2010 speeding up the process by approx. a year. At that point we will start looking for the perfect next landing place for our little family.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Here we go again....
I know I keep committing to post more regularly with every new event in my life, but it is blatantly obvious by now that is never going to happen. The best I can do is to update the interweb for the sake of remembering big events for the Cugli Clan.
Since I have last posted, we have had some huge changes in our lives. No, the drooling is unfortunately not one of them. I am going to briefly recap everything that is going on and hopefully elaborate on each item further at a later date.
1. We are living with my parents. - Long story short, we found a renter VERY quickly and had to make a decision to get out of our house within 2 weeks. We landed at my parents house, for what started as a VERY temporary solution, but now with the baby coming, it just seems nice to be settled somewhere for a few months.
2. We have a new baby on the way! I posted about this previously, but now we really have a baby on the way. This Friday ( 10/23) is my induction date. We are having another little girl, and we have yet to solidly name her. It is amazing how with my first pregnancy, I labored over every tiny detail. This time around, I have been so busy with Sugar Bean, I can't keep my head strait. I keep telling myself not to worry because I will have a lifetime to dote on her. This 9 months is simply not it.
3. I am working again. I now am a "full time" administrative assistant at our home church. I LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT!! It is a rare thing when you can walk in every morning to someone telling you what a blessing you are. I feel needed here, and I appreciate that feeling so much. It is not like one day they are going to wake up and decide that me and my skills are obsolete. I may be doing the tiny support work, but it feels like so much more. Here it feels like every little contribution makes a big difference in peoples lives, and in their eternity. I was originally hoping for something part time as you might remember, but this is very flexible and most weeks I only work about 30 hours anyhow.
4. Sugar Bean switched day cares. She now goes to Miss Tracy's house to play on a daily basis and gets all the hugs and kisses she can handle. Tracy is a member of the church, who has 3 kids of her own, and was looking to make a little extra money. Her oldest daughter is in school all week, her middle daughter just started preschool 2 days a week, and her son is a year and a half older than Bean. She also keeps our youth pastors baby, Finley, and on occasion our staff assistants little boy Jude. Sugar Bean is the only girl 3 days a week and she rules the roost. She is not a pushy child, but she certainly has presence.
I think that is enough updating for now. In the next few days I am sure I will be looking for things to do to pass the time, so I will blog. I guess to sum it all up, life is a little unsettled and unorthodox for us right now. We are definitely in a time of transition, and we are appreciating every moment and lesson in it all. We love our life, our Sugar Bean, our little Sprout, and our God. So I guess things could not be more perfect.
Since I have last posted, we have had some huge changes in our lives. No, the drooling is unfortunately not one of them. I am going to briefly recap everything that is going on and hopefully elaborate on each item further at a later date.
1. We are living with my parents. - Long story short, we found a renter VERY quickly and had to make a decision to get out of our house within 2 weeks. We landed at my parents house, for what started as a VERY temporary solution, but now with the baby coming, it just seems nice to be settled somewhere for a few months.
2. We have a new baby on the way! I posted about this previously, but now we really have a baby on the way. This Friday ( 10/23) is my induction date. We are having another little girl, and we have yet to solidly name her. It is amazing how with my first pregnancy, I labored over every tiny detail. This time around, I have been so busy with Sugar Bean, I can't keep my head strait. I keep telling myself not to worry because I will have a lifetime to dote on her. This 9 months is simply not it.
3. I am working again. I now am a "full time" administrative assistant at our home church. I LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT!! It is a rare thing when you can walk in every morning to someone telling you what a blessing you are. I feel needed here, and I appreciate that feeling so much. It is not like one day they are going to wake up and decide that me and my skills are obsolete. I may be doing the tiny support work, but it feels like so much more. Here it feels like every little contribution makes a big difference in peoples lives, and in their eternity. I was originally hoping for something part time as you might remember, but this is very flexible and most weeks I only work about 30 hours anyhow.
4. Sugar Bean switched day cares. She now goes to Miss Tracy's house to play on a daily basis and gets all the hugs and kisses she can handle. Tracy is a member of the church, who has 3 kids of her own, and was looking to make a little extra money. Her oldest daughter is in school all week, her middle daughter just started preschool 2 days a week, and her son is a year and a half older than Bean. She also keeps our youth pastors baby, Finley, and on occasion our staff assistants little boy Jude. Sugar Bean is the only girl 3 days a week and she rules the roost. She is not a pushy child, but she certainly has presence.
I think that is enough updating for now. In the next few days I am sure I will be looking for things to do to pass the time, so I will blog. I guess to sum it all up, life is a little unsettled and unorthodox for us right now. We are definitely in a time of transition, and we are appreciating every moment and lesson in it all. We love our life, our Sugar Bean, our little Sprout, and our God. So I guess things could not be more perfect.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
The drool.
If you have ever met me you probably have noticed a small obsession I have. No, no, not loosing weight. Baby Clothes! I am the type of mom that scours the sales at high priced baby boutiques and thrives on the liquidation sales, no not to make sure I get the best deals (though that is a nice little perk) I do this to make sure I get something incredibly unique and don't pay a fortune to ensure my daughters fashionista status. I am that ridiculous mother who will wear the same black pants to church every week I appear on stage just to make sure Sugar Bean has that bargain basement priced Ralph Lauren Tartan Christmas dress. I know I am rediculous, but it has become a hobby. I make bows and employ crafty friends to assist me when needed. but there is one thing that I absolutely cannot figure out how to over come. THE DROOL! I use to blame it on teething, but the child even has her one year molars. There is genuinely no excuse. I have googled this so many times I can't even tell you. The only advice I found other than wait it out is to teach her to drink from a straw. Well guess what. She has been drinking from a straw since she has used a sippy...still no luck. ALL of her dresses have a nice little ring of slobber all over the collars. We also have an unmatched supply of bibs. I am starting to think she wants to keep the bibs to spite me. "Haha Mom...you want me to ear this outfit with lime green pants, just try and find a bib to match!" Of all things to be complaining about, I am sooooo glad this is it, but really Bean, lets control our spit before mommy loses it.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Moving up.
Today was much easier than I thought it would be. Sugar Bean finally moved to the toddler room at daycare. This weekend we had to go pick out a blanket for her to use on her cot at nap time. Because, apparently, she is big enough now to not need a crib. So we picked out a Dora blanket and pillow for her to take. She was so proud of the blanket she was showing everyone as we walked into the center.
Normally when we get there I would sign her into the baby room on the first sheet in the row, but not today. Her name was on the second sheet now. So I signed her in and walked her into the big kid room. Normally she would be handed to a teacher so that someone held her as I walked out. But not today. I stood her at the table of puppets with all the other kids and she immersed herself in inspecting all the animals. She barely noticed I even walked out except to give me a huge happy grin. I had resolved not to hug and kiss on her before I left, because I didn't want to make it harder on both of us. She was so well adjusted I realized she didn't need it anyhow.
She looks so tiny among all the other kids. I was so proud of her. She stood there and got right into the mix. Not a bit intimidated by her new surroundings. She had a look on her face like she had no idea how tiny she looked. She was confident that she is a big girl now and this is where she belongs. I can't believe I didn't burst into tears right then. I was just so proud of my tiny little "big girl". She is amazing.
Sitting here recounting the whole experience I can't keep the tears back completely. I am saddened that she is no longer a baby, but at the same time I am so excited to see what this knew challenge teaches her. She needed the move, it was so apparent that she belonged there. My cup runneth over.
Normally when we get there I would sign her into the baby room on the first sheet in the row, but not today. Her name was on the second sheet now. So I signed her in and walked her into the big kid room. Normally she would be handed to a teacher so that someone held her as I walked out. But not today. I stood her at the table of puppets with all the other kids and she immersed herself in inspecting all the animals. She barely noticed I even walked out except to give me a huge happy grin. I had resolved not to hug and kiss on her before I left, because I didn't want to make it harder on both of us. She was so well adjusted I realized she didn't need it anyhow.
She looks so tiny among all the other kids. I was so proud of her. She stood there and got right into the mix. Not a bit intimidated by her new surroundings. She had a look on her face like she had no idea how tiny she looked. She was confident that she is a big girl now and this is where she belongs. I can't believe I didn't burst into tears right then. I was just so proud of my tiny little "big girl". She is amazing.
Sitting here recounting the whole experience I can't keep the tears back completely. I am saddened that she is no longer a baby, but at the same time I am so excited to see what this knew challenge teaches her. She needed the move, it was so apparent that she belonged there. My cup runneth over.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
I did it.
I still can't even believe I am writing this. After months and months of deliberating about what the best choice for our family is, we finally have come to a conclusion.
Yesterday I submitted my two weeks notice to a company I have worked for and loved (until the last 6 months) for 4 years. I was surprised at how much peace I felt. I thought there would be tears shed, and it would be difficult to get out, but when it was all said and done I knew this was God's plan for my family.
I wish I could say that I had solid plans, but I don't. I know that i have a very strong job prospect starting in June, for part time work. If the job in June falls through I am pretty much set that I am going to go back to school and finish out my education degree. Of course, I say all this now, but who knows what will actually end up happening. I like that feeling a lot more than I ever imagined I would. Knowing that there will come a morning very soon where Sugar Bean and I will get up together at 8 and just piddle around the house or the park.
I miss her so desperately. I think this will give me the best of both worlds. I will get to work or go to school part time and get out of the house, but then I will get more time in my day with my beautiful little girl. I feel so blessed today I can harly contain my excitement. Money will be tight, and out living quarters will get a little tighter, but at the end of the day, this is where I should be.
Yesterday I submitted my two weeks notice to a company I have worked for and loved (until the last 6 months) for 4 years. I was surprised at how much peace I felt. I thought there would be tears shed, and it would be difficult to get out, but when it was all said and done I knew this was God's plan for my family.
I wish I could say that I had solid plans, but I don't. I know that i have a very strong job prospect starting in June, for part time work. If the job in June falls through I am pretty much set that I am going to go back to school and finish out my education degree. Of course, I say all this now, but who knows what will actually end up happening. I like that feeling a lot more than I ever imagined I would. Knowing that there will come a morning very soon where Sugar Bean and I will get up together at 8 and just piddle around the house or the park.
I miss her so desperately. I think this will give me the best of both worlds. I will get to work or go to school part time and get out of the house, but then I will get more time in my day with my beautiful little girl. I feel so blessed today I can harly contain my excitement. Money will be tight, and out living quarters will get a little tighter, but at the end of the day, this is where I should be.
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