Ahhh Saturday!

Good morning!  It's 6:20 am and I've been awake for about an hour.  During the week my alarm first goes off at 5:12 and then I snooze until 5:30.  Over the weekend, my body still wakes up at that time, but I usually just lay in bed until I fall back asleep.  This morning, however, I decided to get up and exercise.  Not sure why I picked today to start, but I'm glad I did.  I've gotten back to my per-pregnancy weight, but not near the body type.  I would really like to just firm up a bit.  We aren't members of any gym and I'm not going to get up early and run outside because it's cold and dark.  I'm exhausted by 9pm after getting the kids to bed, washing dishes, and doing any school work that needs to be done.  So I guess mornings inside are going to be it.  I haven't set a goal yet of how often and I'm sort of scared to.  Not sure how to go about this exercise thing.  I watched a cardio-sculpt netflix video on B's computer and it was good.  The workout was about 35 minutes and I was sweating!  I haven't exercised since before W was born and throughout that pregnancy, I didn't do much because I didn't want another premature baby.  So lets just say it's been about 18 months since I worked out.  Yeah...long time and I'm out of shape.  Netflix is great because there are lots of different workout videos I can watch.  There's yoga, Pilates, weights, cardio, dance, and kickboxing.  I'm going to try to stick with traditional aerobic ones for now.  Anyways, so I was up first and now B is up working on some papers in the kitchen.  The kids are still asleep so I'll probably use this time to shower and get myself ready.

We have a birthday party this morning for Hayden. He's turning 1 and we're so excited to go and see our friends A/L.  They used to be in our small group and they are such a great and loving family.  We try to meet up with them every few months at BWW and the last time we did that was either September or October.  I can't remember.  Over Christmas break, L and her boys came over for a play date and that was a lot of fum.  Their oldest is 2 months younger than A and Hayden is 4 months older than W. Hayden & W and Caleb & A will have lots of fun together in the future when we get together over the summer and for Halloween.  It's great that most of our friends are in the same life stage as us with small children.

A has been doing pretty good with his potty training.  I think it was Tuesday, he had a bad day at daycare with 2 accidents and one being poopy.  Wednesday and Thursday he had only 1 accident each and Friday he did not have any.  MP thinks that he knows the sensation and he knows when he needs to go, but he's playing and he doesn't want to stop.  He's trying to hold it and then it's just too late.  I agree with her in that he's ready.  When we are at home, we don't wait for him to tell us, we just take him every 30-45 minutes.  I realize that with 6 children, MP is not able to take A every 30 minutes.  We're very proud of him though and he even got a letter in the mail from Granddad with some $ for a McDonald's trip.  A loves him some Granddad.  In fact both R & A do. 

I wonder if it' hurts my mom's feelings any.  When we get on the computer to Skype, my mom is usually the one to pull it up and the first thing out of R and A's mouth is not 'Hi Gram' or 'I love you'...it's "Where's Granddad?".  Even when we are skyping with B's parents, A will ask Papaw where Granddad is.  Not sure what he has done, but they are in love with Granddad.  I wouldn't have it any other way!  Speaking of skype, we are supposed to skype with Ella (nana) today.  She's in Africa for a study abroad program and has been gone for 2 weeks.  We are excited to talk to her and see how things are.  I know my dad misses her.  I'm not sure what I would do if B left for a semester.  I can barely handle the over night trips to Fruitland Bible College let a long an entire semester.  Ella has been at Emory Seminary though since August so they have been doing the long distance thing for a while.  That doesn't make it any easier, but my dad is so supportive.  I pray that I would/could be that supportive if B ever did want to do that when our children are all grown and gone.

Ongoing prayer requests:  Baby Rowan is about a week old and still isn't feeding great.  He had his tongue clipped and maybe that will help.  Our financial situation is still up in the air because we don't know how much B will make from SEBTS and not exactly sure what his AJE paychecks will look like.  Praise: in my mailbox at school was an envelop with $300 cash.  I think I know who it was from...but not sure.  Praise God.  Our small group is in the beginning stages of planning a focus trip this year together around Thanksgiving or Christmas and my prayer is that everyone will make it a priority and God will piece everything together.

A busy week ahead

One thing B and I have noticed is that we keep a very busy schedule.  Whether it is church, small group, work, or family stuff, we feel like we are always on the go.  We prefer to be busy over the alternative of having nothing to do.  Our kids are flexible because they really don't have a choice.  Here's our upcoming week:
Monday we have tickets to see the Carolina Hurricanes Hockey team. We are a football family but want to expose our kids to other sports as well.  It's teacher appreciation so that's how we scored the tickets.  I don't think we'd every buy any NHL tickets even though the games are fun and we enjoy them.  If we are going to buy tickets, we are buying NFL tickets.
Tuesday we are signed up the bring the Caldwell's dinner after R's dance lesson.  They just got home with Rowan and we're excited about visiting them and serving them dinner.  We brought them breakfast for dinner when Baylor was born so we're doing the same thing for Rowan.  We picked up some extra pancake mix and breakfast sausage today when grocery shopping.  We always enjoy going over to good friends' houses and watching our the kids play. R and Grayson play really well together and A just loves G.
Wednesday we have normal Bible Study with our small group.  B will be here to teach this week.  2 weeks ago, B was in class so Andrew took over and taught the lesson.  Andrew did great, but I believe he was a little out of his comfort zone.  Bible study goes from 7:15-8:45.  We have some great babysitters that stay with our kids downstairs so we adults can meet.
Thursday B is trying to set up a time for us to go help this woman from CRF that needs help around her house and with her husband.  I'm not sure if it will work out but we hope it will.  If Thursday doesn't work, he might schedule it for Friday.

So this week will be a busy one but we are used to this!  I can only imagine what the future will hold with our children having activities as well as B & I with our involvement in our activities.

Abe is a Superstar!

Monday was a holiday for MLK Jr so I was home with the kids.  After waking Abe up, I decided to see how he did with big boy underwear.  He did GREAT!  He had one accident Monday morning and I take blame since we started watching Hercules and I forgot to take him.  That was it.  Tuesday he went to daycare and had one accident at the end of the day.  Later Tuesday afternoon while A was playing outside with B, he had another accident.  Wednesday A didn't have any accidents at daycare or at small group.  It was awesome.  Today (Thursday) was a busy day.  Abe stayed dry all day at daycare and then an hour long ride from Wake Forest to Cary.  We went to WakeMed, Cary to visit Justin & Nicole and their new baby Rowan.  It also took us 45 minutes to get back to Wake Forest and he stayed dry the entire time.  2 days without accidents is awesome! We're so proud of our little man.

So Bryce is out of town for his class at Fruitland Bible College for his first class.  He has class every other Thursday from 5-9 and he'll be staying the night.  He's excited about getting back into the teaching scene.  His other classes at SEBTS start next week.  Being alone with the kids is hard.  They are a handful, not because they are bad, just because they are young.  It makes me realize how much I do appreciate B.  He helps me so much more than I imagine other dads helping out.  I can't remember the last time I gave the kids a bath because that's what B usually does.  Parenting isn't made for 1.

Who's fault is it this time?

We have a lot of uh-oh in our house and I'm sorry too.  Up until now, it's usually A or R to blame, but today...it's W.  Usually for naps, I put W down first so he can fall asleep and then I put A down.  Well today, after 15 minutes alone, W was still not asleep and A was asking to go lay down.  So I thought, it will be fine.  Nope!  I've gone in about 5 times because W is laughing, talking, throwing his paci out the crib, and keeping A awake.  I can hear A saying "Wes, be quiet!".  It's kinda funny, but at the same time, annoying.  I can't take him out of the room and have this talk and then spank him...he's too young for that.  So I keep laying him back down and telling him to go to sleep.  A is almost asleep.  I'm about to move A to either my room or R's room so he can sleep.  I know W is doing it to get A's attention.  If no one were in there, W would fall asleep too.  Ugh!

I guess this is the start though right?  W needs training just like A and R had.  I feel like I might need to go back and re-read shepherding a child's heart for pointers.  Oh well...I don't have too many of these days home with all three, but when I do, nap times are necessary!

Who dat is over

So the Saints lost their playoff game tonight.  We're so disappointed :(I can't believe they had 5 turnovers...but considering that, they only lost by 4 points so that's impressive.  Th 49ers are a good team and they played well.  I can't help but think we beat ourselves.  Anyways, it's pretty depressing here in the Hantla Household.

A busy week

I just started this blog and I went almost a week without writing and I missed it!  This week was incredibly busy and it's still not over.  It's 11 pm Thursday night and I still need to wash the bottles before going to bed.  I'll have to write more tomorrow...

Alright, Friday night and all the kids are in bed.  Bryce isn't home yet from class but I'm sure he will be soon.  My plan is to write and then go to bed.  I don't think I went to sleep before 11 pm this entire week.  Let me start with Monday.
Monday started normal but around 10am, I was called at school with a message that W's temperature was 102.8.  He needed to be picked up and taken to the doctor.  So Bryce picked him up and was able to get an appointment for 11 am, but could not take him due to an important meeting for his QEP.  So I left school (the first time I've ever left in the middle of the day) and met Bryce to get W and take him to the doctor. Turns out, W had a double ear infection and needed antibiotics.  After the doctor appointment, I took him home, fed him lunch, and then Wes slept.  After getting the kids from daycare, we went to K/J's place for the BCS National Championship game between LSU and Alabama.  The plan all along was to sleepover at K/J's house to watch the game.  I thought the plans might change due to W being sick, but we still went, which leads me to the point that LSU got destroyed 21-0 and even worse, W was up most of the night.  I think I got a total of maybe 3 hours of sleep:(
Tuesday did not start normal because we woke up at K/J's place.  We had 2 cars so B took R/A to daycare and stayed home with W.  I drove the Camry straight to work.  After school R had dance and then we gave into temptation and went through the Chick-fil-A drive through because both B and I were exhausted!
Wednesday started normal again, but instead of B picking the kids up, I did because he was in class.  He has class from 2-9 which makes for long days.  I brought the kids home form day care and we played for a bit until dinner time.  After dinner it was time for Bible Study at B/J house.  Bible study went really well and I even sent W downstairs with the babysitters and he did great.  We got home around 9:30 and the kids were tired.  B and his friend David were home from class but needing to work.  After doing some dishes and school work, I went to bed.  I remember B coming to bed at 3:45 am.  I know he was tired!
Thursday I could not wake B up to save my life!  I tried 6 times and each time he would open his eyes and say something to me like "I'm getting up" but then fall right back to sleep.  So finally at 6:30, I just decided to load the kids up and take them myself.  I was late to work, but I didn't really have a choice. I think I finally pulled in around 7:20am.  Of course B was sorry that he couldn't wake up, but he had just gone to bed only a few hours earlier!  So after school I picked the kids up and went back for a basketball game.  We left the game at 5:30 so I could take care of Cooper and give the kids a bath.  Later, at 7 pm, we were meeting some people at BWW for Jenelle Preston's birthday party.  That was fun and yummy! Again, we got home after the kids' bedtime, but at least they got to see B before going to bed.
Friday started normal and B took the kids to daycare so I could get to my school for prayer group.  We didn't have as many people as last week, but I'm not discouraged.  At 4 pm I picked up the kids and we took MP home also.  We stopped by the house quickly to just let Cooper out and then drove to Sam's Club for dinner and a few groceries.  Wow...what a week! 
My plan is to finish this post, hulu the Bachelor, and then fall asleep.  I want to sleep as late as my kids will allow!  Praise God for good sleepers!

Did he just say that?

We had to take A to the doctor Thursday afternoon.  His temperature was about 100.6, but he was coughing, congested, and definitely not himself.  Thursday morning when we woke him up, we noticed he was warm and B decided that A would just stay home with him.  However, MP said that A was fine to stay with her so we left him.  After picking him up, we saw that he was worse and when I tried to put his hat on, that's when I noticed him sensitive to his ears.  I called the doctor's office to set up an appointment for Friday morning but they said they could squeeze us in if we hurried.  So all 5 of us trucked it over to the doctor and checked A in.  After looking at A for a few minutes, the doctor confirmed an ear infection in his left ear.  This is the first time we've had an ear infection in our family, but at least we knew what it was and it wasn't anything too serious.  Since ear infections aren't contagious, we felt better about him going to daycare.  What we didn't expect to hear was the doctor tell us to not give him any medicine and let it heal on it's own.  I thought most other people had medicine for ear infections, so I was ready for a prescription; but did not get that answer.  He said that ear infections are viral and many doctors prescribe an antibiotic to just treat the patient since that is what the parents are looking for.  We greatly appreciated him expressing this to us, because B and I would rather not medicate if possible.  We aren't against medicine, but we also know that over-medicating our kids will not allow their immune system to strengthen.  B and I typically don't take medicine when we are sick, and honestly, we do not get sick all that much.  Just before Christmas, I came down with a cold turned sinus infection and then B got the same thing.  Neither of us took anything, and it went away.  We may have gotten better quicker had we taken some medicine or gone to the doctor, but we just don't think that way.  I know my mentality is to just push through it.  I believe we will be those parents also.

What are those parents?  Those parents that send their kids to school even when they are sick.  Those parents that make their kids work, play, or perform, even when they are sick.  Those parents that tell their kids to suck it up and get over it when they are sick.  Yep, we are those parents.  R, A, &W are out of luck.  Not only are we teachers, we are the kind of parents that will make them go to school, even if they don't feel like it.  They will either have the stomach bug, a really high fever, or major uncontrollable diarrhea in order to miss school.  I guess there is a chance that we will change, but that's how we feel right now.  Ask me when the last time I took a sick day because I was really sick and maternity leave doesn't count?  So far I have not!  Ask me the last time B didn't work because he was sick.  I actually know that answer-March of 2008.  B got the flu and missed 2 days of school.   Since then we have both gotten colds, sinus infections, and even the 24 hour stomach bug in 2010.  I'm not trying to brag or boast that we are so tough.  It's actually probably more of a fault, but it's how we are and we'll end up raising our children this way too.

Back to the Grind

2 down...2 more to go.  This week is only a 4 day week at school and I've completed 2 of them.  Only 2 more now!  Having a 4 day week is nice to get back in the hang of things.  Christmas break was nice and so was sleeping in, but now my alarm beeps at 5 am again.

I returned to work Tuesday to see more of my students wearing new clothes and new shoes.  I heard many of their stories over Christmas and New Years.  A common theme was all about what they got for Christmas.  Since I teach mostly 7th graders, they are around 13, and very into electronics.  I heard about lots of iPads, iPhones, laptops, game systems, and money.  My thought throughout the day was "How can I make sure my kids don't sound like this when they are in middle school".  I finally asked a girl who was complaining about the amount of gifts she received if she knew the real reason we celebrated Christmas.  Another student in that class responded "It's about giving".  I thought to myself, well, why that's great and all, no, that's not the reason we celebrate Christmas.  As the day went on, I felt myself getting more frustrated with how selfish and materialistic my students are.  What can I really do about it?  How can I change or influence them?  I'm not sure of the answer, but I'll do what I can.

As a parent, it is my job to raise my children with the knowledge of the real reason for the season.  B and I have tried to do that and this year, we didn't even have any 'Santa' presents.  We did not do it on purpose, it just sort of happened and our kids are young enough, they really didn't know.  I'm not sure if we'll get away with that next year or not!  But like I said, it's very important to make sure our children know why we celebrate Christmas..  I would love for my children to share about their faith no matter what their age.  Trying to fast forward 10 years into the future is difficult, but to think if R is like that when she is 13, I would feel as if I failed as a parent.  B and I don't make a ton of money so their presents will be modest.  Our rule is no more than 3 anyways so between us and Santa, each kid will get at most 3 gifts.  R knows the reason behind the 3 gifts so we'll have to teach A next year. 

Being back to work has been nice.  I missed my students and my co-workers.  I'm trying to start a prayer group in the mornings at school.  Our first meeting is this Friday at 6:45am.  I'm not sure who will come, but I'm optimistic.  Whoever does come, at least it will be meaningful.  God really placed this on my heart that I needed to reach out to my school and my co-workers.  I have a few that I'm very close to that I know are not believers so I wanted to be a good witness for them.  What better way than to start a prayer group and cover our school in prayer.  God will move-I can't wait.

Automobiles are Expensive!

We have 2 cars at the moment.  A 2001 Toyota Camry that I got when I graduated from college and a 2005 Honday Odyssey that we bough from the Marsh family one year ago.  We've enjoyed both cars, but mainly drive the van right now.  We have driven the Camry but it's harder to fit all 3 kids in the back with carseats.

Back in October, we took the Camry to get it's inspection done, and we needed new wipers and 2 new tires.  So $325 later, the Camry passed inspection.  Bryce took out a Firestone Credit card instead of putting it on our regular credit card, because they were running a special of no interest for 6 months.  We have gotten to a point where we started using our credit card because we had gone through all our savings (Sept-Nov 2011).  Cherry (the van) was in need of an oil change, so today, I took Cherry to the new Firestone in Wake Forest, just for an oil change.  We got there around 9am and I should have been out by 9:30.  That was a good thing because I was meeting mommy friends at the mall for a playdate.  Anyways, after finishing the oil change before paying, the guy told me that there were a few things that needed to be done, and quickly because it wasn't safe for me to be driving.  One was the brake fluid was bad, along with all 4 tires worn down, but nails in 2 of them...we needed new coolant, a transmission flush, and another 2 or 3 things...I felt overwhelmed.  I told them I'd have to talk to my husband because I didn't make those types of decisions.  So B met us up there and now $989 later, we have 4 new tires, an oil change, and brake-fluid.  That's a total of $1414 in just 3 months in car maintenance & repairs.  If we had an emergency fund or 3-6 months of salary saved, then this wouldn't be that big of a deal.  But since we've been in debt with credit cards recently, it's just frustrating.  What is God trying to teach me? 

Here's an update on B's job situation:  He wrote the chair back at DTCC, and she said that changing the class times would be impossible since students have already registered, but that she would check to see if there might be another teacher willing to switch with B.  If so, the other guy/gal would take the 2 classes and B would take their classes.  We are praying for God's will and a grateful attitude for the opportunities.  If the DTCC classes don't work, then B will stay at AJE.  If they do work, then great and to God be the glory!

A Sam's Club Family

Now that R & A eat more than just a baby serving, we need to start shopping at Sam's Club.  I've been looking at the options and then price checking to make sure it really is a better deal from Walmart and most of the time, it is.  Walmart has the Great Value brand, which we like, but our family is eating more at meal times now.  Where one box of cereal would last us more than a week, now we go through one box in just 4 days.  It's nuts...and I'm afraid when Wes is eating, I'll need even more food if they eat like their daddy.  3 boys in the house...I'll need a lot of food.

I'm trying to embrace this new phase in our lives.  Grocery shopping at Sam's Club for our weekly groceries.  Take eggs for instance-we now need 18 eggs instead of 12.  Milk is even cheaper at Sam's and we go through 2 gallons easily/week.  Not to mention food for daycare.  Each month we provide food for either breakfast, lunch, or snacks.  January is our month for breakfast so stock up on breakfast foods from Sam's.

The other stuff we've always gotten from Sam's is paper products.  We really like their paper towels, toilet paper, trash bags, kleenex, and laundry detergent.  We also get Member's Mark brand diapers and formula for our babies.  I guess we should invest in some Sam's Club stock huh?  We have friends who like BJ's and still we know others who shop at Costco.  Sam's is working for our family right now and I believe we'll stay with them for the time being.

Another year down...

I can't believe 2011 is just about over.  The years keep going by faster and faster.  B and I celebrated 6 years of marriage this year as well as the birth of our 3rd child, R's 3rd birthday, and A's second birthday.  We also had other family members celebrate big events.  Addison and Layla were both born, Bubba got married, Ella finished her first semester at Emory, and I'm sure there are more that I'm forgetting.  2012 will have a lot in store for our immediate and extended family.  One thing in question right now is B's job situation.

A few days before Christmas, B was offered 3 classes to teach adjunct at The College at Southeastern.  Teaching is his passion so of course he wanted to accept, but payment was an issue.  He contacted Durham Tech CC to ask if they still had openings (they offered him 2 classes for the spring, but he declined because of money).  DTCC replied that their classed had been filled, so B talked to AJE about the situation and the company is willing to work with him.  B can drop to 25% or even take a leave until May when he is done with school.  Taking a leave isn't really an option because we need the income so he decided to drop to 25%.  And then TODAY Durham Tech sent B and email saying 2 classes were open and he could have them if he wanted to.  Unfortunately, they conflict with his CaSE classes, so he replied that if it was possible to change the times or convert them to online classes, that he would do it.  God's hand is at work in our family, and it's beginning with my faithful husband.  Bryce has been working at AJE and continuing to take the opportunities that the Lord has presented him to provide for our family.  AJE hasn't been the easiest job in the world, but it's what we needed for our family, and God threw it in B's lap.  Now we are at another point where God is throwing stuff in B's lap and decisions are being made.  I have to pause and think...when is the last time God threw something in my lap?  I've been at the same job for 7 years now.  I love my job, but am I complacent?  Am I not listening to maybe a different calling?  Just questions for me to think about.