God is good – Page 9 – Pollywog's Place Blog

Life Update: Crazy Days

Published on January 24, 2020 by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog3 Comments

So, I know it has been a bit since I’ve posted and I do apologize. To say that life has been crazy would be an understatement. We’ve had dentist appointments, another birthday (Ms. Caitlyn turned 13), house drama, and some baby news.

In our last life update post, we had just had Mr. Joey’s birthday and I had been working on getting some freezer meals entered into our Cozi calendar. (Yep, that’s an affiliate link and there may be a couple more scattered in the post as well.) The new meals that I’ve added to our rotation have been a big hit and many of them came from Jamerrill’s Large Family Table.

I have tweaked a couple of them to work for our family but everyone has loved them and I will soon be making them in bulk to put in the freezer. I’ve been holding off on another major Freezer Meals session because we want to get moved in so we wouldn’t be moving so much frozen food back and forth.

As far as the house goes we have had a little bit of progress:

the electrician has been out and finished his work
the electrical inspection passed… YAY!
the finishing crew fixed a few items but left a few to finish which we will tackle this weekend

Now we are waiting on the skirting which is scheduled to happen tomorrow morning and then a final inspection scheduled for Monday. We are still waiting on our steps for the back door as the ones that came were the wrong size. You can see that the post falls in the center of the second door… we plan to replace these with French doors in the future and those steps won’t work!

Once we get the final inspection we should hopefully get the go-ahead to move in by Tuesday… woot-woot! We are so ready but we are dreading the move as well.

This weekend we will be installing the dryer vent which was missing and a couple of lights in the bedroom closets. Mr. Awesome is replacing the pull chain lights with a couple of ‘can lights’ which will be wired to their own light switches… hopefully, this will keep the kids from breaking the lights.

As I’m writing this we just happened to notice that the electric company is over at the house so we should have power soon!

Over the weekend we made a trip to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. This was our second time visiting the park and the second time we had been blessed with tickets to go. Thank you Ms. Dorothy and Mr. Ron! We all had a great time and the kids have been begging to go again.

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I found this cutie in the gift shop and had to bring it home with me for the baby:

The little trip over the weekend was much needed as Friday was an extremely stressful day… I haven’t really said a lot about any of this to anyone but I’ve decided to share this with everyone as we need all the love and support that we can get! It really does take a village to raise a child and maybe our experience can help someone else on their journey.

Friday was my first appointment with the high-risk clinic and it did not go anything as expected. We were at the office for almost 5 hours! I was already nervous because we had already had a couple of issues earlier. The doctors had already been telling me the risks of having a baby at ‘my age‘ and it seemed that they kept stressing the chances of having a baby with ‘issues’.

The ultrasound had been scheduled first and when the tech went to get the doctor I was pretty certain that she had some concerns… the longer we waited for the doctor the more it weighed on me. After 10-15 minutes I just started crying… poor Mr. Awesome didn’t have a clue and when I told him my fears he just reassured me that everything was going to be OK.

The doctor came in and did the ultrasound again getting even more pictures and measurements from different angles. She ended up telling us that the nuchal fold measured a bit thicker than what is considered normal which indicates an increased risk for chromosomal abnormalities. She also said that the baby seemed to have a ‘small window‘ in the septum of its heart but that this can and often does close up on its own.

She then sent us to talk to a genetic counselor. That was another experience in itself! When I say I was an emotional wreck it may be an understatement. He did his best to comfort us and then to explain the different conditions that they were concerned about… he seemed a bit surprised to find that we already have an adopted child with Down Syndrome and that we were familiar with some of the other conditions like Williams Syndrome.

We went over the risks again and the statistics before being offered some other testing. We have no family history of genetic disorders and the biggest factor is my age. We declined all invasive testing and opted for the NIPT screening which would be back within 5-7 days. It seemed like a long time but the time really did pass by quickly.

Sigh… after all of this I still had to see another doctor who again went over all the risks associated with my age… I’m 42 not 82! I was put on baby aspirin and told to continue my meds for the thyroid issue which reminds me that I need to call them back and get a refill on that! I really can’t recall what else they might have said as everything was pretty much a blur at that time as I was overwhelmed, tired, and hungry!

We went to eat before finding the lab and then got my blood drawn before heading home… we did talk a little bit about it on the way home and we both agree that this baby is staying put until it is ready to meet the world! The blood test results show that we are low risk for Trisomy 13 & 18 but at a higher risk for Down Syndrome… we also found out the gender but I’m not revealing that yet!

As of right now we are still not planning to undergo any further testing, we know that our baby is in GOD’s hands and although we may not know the reason for these trials that we are enduring at the moment we do know that HE has a plan! Does this mean I don’t worry? No. I really felt that I was on the verge of an emotional breakdown but Mr. Awesome has been right beside me and has helped me through this.

This can be really scary because there are so many unknowns. Yes, it seems that the risk for our baby to have a genetic issue is higher than many but we love this little one already. No test or procedure is going to be able to change the outcome and we will love and welcome this little one into our family.

We have to focus on the positive that our baby seems to be very healthy on the scan… it was dancing up a storm! The baby’s growth seems to be on track as well and we did see little fingers and toes… I also thought I caught a glimpse of the gender but the tech said it was too early and she didn’t give me a picture… I was right!

We can’t let the tests and everything else suck the joy out of this wonderful experience. I’ve had to ask GOD for strength on several occasions as no parent wants to think that there may be something wrong with their child. This pregnancy has already played a much larger toll on me than previous pregnancies and I am just completely exhausted most days.

I’ve had to hand this pregnancy over to HIM because it is completely out of our control… there is nothing that can change what is or what isn’t and HE will not desert us. I even told the counselor that those issues wouldn’t be the end of the world… it would just be something a little different than what we expected.

I mean, never in a million years did expect that I would be having a baby right now. It is a blessing to even be carrying this little life inside of me and for that, I am so very thankful. GOD has indeed been so good to us in so many ways and I must TRUST him and HIS plan for this child.

This has been my go-to verse for right now:

Please just keep our family in your thoughts and prayers and I promise to try to reveal the gender soon!

Have a blessed weekend!

The Wait Is Finally Over!

Published on October 23, 2019November 22, 2019 by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog16 Comments

Well, I’m so happy to FINALLY be able to spill the beans about the exciting project we’ve been working on but first let me take you back to February… Continue reading “The Wait Is Finally Over!” →

Surrender Those Burdens

Published on November 5, 2017 by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog1 Comment

Hey there Momma (or maybe Daddy)! I see you… you right there who is so tired you can barely keep your eyes open. The Momma who was up all night with a sick baby or maybe your the one who had a couple of sick babies.

Maybe the Momma who is working two or three jobs to make ends meet. The money doesn’t seem to stretch quite far enough and then the babysitter wants a raise or is thinking about moving away.

The Momma worried about whether or not the car will start in the morning. Not to mention the sound it just started making.

The Momma who has been saving here and there to buy a new outfit because all of her good clothes now have holes in them. But then little Jimmy’s jacket is a tad too small or Haley has suddenly grown an inch since school started and her shoes are too tight.

The Momma whose plate is so full she needs help to carry it. Then when she feels she is just about to snap from all the pressure something else happens. It feels like fate is not on your side at all.

Maybe you are the Momma who feels like she just isn’t enough. You feel like you just can’t seem to get anything right lately. Nothing seems to be going your way. No matter how much you do there always seems to be more that needs done at the end of the day.

You’re tired, more than tired, you’re exhausted. You feel like you could sleep a week or two and still not be caught up on your rest. There is no amount of caffeine that can revive you at this moment.

You feel overwhelmed because even though you are tired you can’t seem to get any rest. Even when you manage to get in bed or lay down for a nap there is no peaceful slumber to come. It seems the minute your head hits the pillow the kids start to cry or whine, the phone rings, or someone comes to the door. Then once your eyes close it seems like only a minute before the alarm is going off at the crack of dawn and it’s time to start again.

There are so many worries and so many people depending on you. There are bills to be paid, meals to fix, clothes to wash, and a house to clean. There just seems to be so much to do. Most days you fly through it with little thought. You do what needs done and don’t think twice.

But today is different. You are just so tired that you feel like you can’t. You can’t find the energy to write those checks or even log in to the bill pay site. Thinking about what needs cooked makes you want to order pizza but you don’t feel like getting dressed to go pick it up.

Not to mention that other 100 things on your To Do list. Then you have that project due at school or work. Which reminds you that the kids didn’t finish their homework yet either. Sigh… for a fleeting moment the idea of running away seems like a perfectly sensible thing to do.

But Momma those things can wait just a bit. Right now I just want you to STOP everything and take a deep breath. Clear your mind and think of something peaceful.

These crazy moments won’t last forever. I promise. They will pass and you will get through this. You are not alone and there is always someone there for you.

In your craziest most overwhelming moments God is there. He is ready and waiting to listen to you. He wants to share your burdens and take away those worries. He will listen without judgement and if you let Him, He will guide you to where you need to be.

He will bring the peace in the storm. He will make those impossible mountains of tasks seem like small hills. You can do anything when He is by your side. All you need to do is just ask.

God loves you!

Ask Him for strength, healing, peace, calm, guidance, and wisdom.

Trust in Him that He is using this moment to mold you and shape you into the person He needs you to be.

Surrender those burdens over to Him. Give Him all of your worries and cares.

He is waiting Momma. He is there to comfort you just as you comfort your children and those around you. He is there to give you the rest you so desperately need.

All you need to do is to go to Him, right now. Let it all go. Open your heart out to Him. He will listen and He will help you.

Remember too that tomorrow is a new day. A fresh start to everything. Don’t stress over what you can’t do or change and just concentrate on what you can do or change. One foot in front of the other. Don’t be afraid to stop and talk to God as often as you need to. He will help you through you today, tomorrow, and everyday to come.

God Bless!

Accepting Criticism

Published on October 27, 2017October 17, 2019 by Susie @ Pollywog's Place BlogLeave a comment

Sometimes we receive comments that may seem critical, condescending, and downright rude. These kinds of things can make a person doubt what they are doing and if they are doing it correctly. While pondering on the remarks and deciding on a response I was reminded of a couple of Bible verses.

The first being:

Judge not, that you be not judged.

Matthew 7:1 Continue reading “Accepting Criticism” →

Getting Back to Routines

Published on October 17, 2017 by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog1 Comment

I think it was last Tuesday when I wrote my last blog post, Getting Back to My Morning Routine, where did time go? It seems the older I get the faster it slips away.

Anyway we are still working on getting back to routines here. I do believe the laundry has been caught up, for now that is. Routines are coming more natural now as we continue to settle in. I am gradually adding a few more things to our routine schedule and trying not to get too overwhelmed. If it isn’t working then we make changes.

For instance last week the porch was really bothering me …. it still does for that matter. I had added it to my ‘Hot Spot’ list along with the table, the command center, and a few other areas that seem to be clutter collectors. The hardest part of living in a small home for me has to be the speed at which clutter overtakes things. This means I probably need to get rid of more stuff and teach everyone to put away the stuff when they finish using it.

Getting back to the porch, one area of the porch was sectioned off and tarped to use as a makeshift storage area for things that just wouldn’t fit in the house. Well, the intentions were to to close in the porch and turn it into a utility/storage room. Hurricane Irma hit before we could really get any progress made on that and caused us to delay those plans. Unfortunately, some of the stuff got wet and therefore needs to be gotten rid of. I have realized that some of the other stuff is really just stuff and not that important to me and I am trying to get rid of it.

Sighhh…. if only I had one day to dedicate to it I could probably do away with most of it and find homes for the rest of it. Then there would be space to actually make it an utility room or do something else there. For now I am going to keep my goal of 10 items/day and do what I can because every little bit is progress towards my goal.

That was a rather ambitious goal and I think I have managed to put three boxes of stuff in my truck to take to Goodwill. I also found some of my exercise equipment and made a temporary home inside for it… haven’t actually used it but I’m working on getting that back in my routine.

Another area on that Hot Spot list are the bookshelves. I am a firm believer that you can never have too many books, unless you live in a tiny space that just can’t handle it. Books are really hard for me to get rid of and I really am trying. My goal for these areas are one shelf a day. I also realized that some of the kiddie books are on a shelf that is not easily accessible to them and some of my more important books are a little too easily accessible for them… lol. I will be swapping some of that stuff around as well.

As far as our normal routines we are doing pretty well.

Today I caught up on my ‘weekly routines‘ (they may have changed a bit since that post) like scrubbing my kitchen sink (watch for that post coming soon) and cleaning out the fridge (post coming) and microwave. The FLyLady zone this week is in the bathroom so I have been doing a little extra work there and will probably put out some posts soon.

We’ve also worked on our ‘daily routines’ like laundry and such. I have chicken in the crockpot for Crockpot Italian Chicken and the kids are down for ‘quiet time’. I figured out how to upload pics from iphone to my laptop and now I am working on getting caught up on a couple of blog posts.

I must say I am proud of the kids and myself for being able to stay on routine as well as we did and for adjusting as well as they have. We have had our days, like yesterday, when I wonder if this move was really for the best. The kids were super cranky with a cold and I cried for awhile as I had to throw away some food because a freezer had gotten unplugged.

In my heart I know this was a good decision and that life will get easier as we go. It is so easy to doubt ourselves and lose faith when things get rough. I have to remember that God has a plan and that sometimes His plan includes runny noses, grouchy kids, and spoiled food.

Our little house may be old and dusty. There are cobwebs in the corners and plenty of things that need done. Our house is full of love though and we are working one day at a time to make it our home. I am hoping that by sharing our progress it will help to motivate others who may not be happy with where they are and help them to find contentment wherever they are.

We don’t need a new house or shiny new appliances. We may want them but that is something totally different than needing them. I am thankful for what the Lord has blessed us with and hope to help others feel that way too.

Note: If you read last week’s post you will see that I chose to wear purple last week as you can see in the picture… lol… today the kids think I should wear pink.