More testing....

It seems like when it rains it pours. Mason has been having terrific difficulty with going back to preschool the last two weeks. He gets ready in the morning, has breakfast and grabs his backpack. You would think he is ready for school. Wrong! He gets to preschool and he just freaks out. Neither Kevin, me, or his teachers know what is triggering his fear. All of this, along with a standstill in speech progress has led us to get an appointment with the Thompson Autism Center in Columbia to have Mason evaluated in occupational, speech, and physical therapy and also hearing testing. We are at a loss and need to know what we need to be doing, as parents and caregivers, to get Mason to flurish. It is so frusterating as a parent, not knowing what your child needs because he is unable to express it. Hopefully, in another month we will have some answers of how to help him!

Weekend Away!

Kevin and I were able to take a last minute weekend away, thanks to our parents. We haven't had time alone since Reagan was born. I hit my breaking point on Thursday. Mason wasn't listening to me and was testing his limit. I finally told Kevin we needed to do something before I lost my mind. I needed to recharge my batteries so I could be a better and more effective Mommy.

Kevin and I went to Branson Friday night. We got down there at 9:30 and checked into our hotel. We both woke up early Saturday morning and went to breakfast at IHOP. We then went to Wal-Mart so I could pick up "Twilight" on DVD. Then we drove down to see where Branson Landing was. After that we went to the Titanic Museum (AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!) We also went to Ripley's Believe It or Not museum (not worth the $18 a person). Then we ate lunch and went to Comedy Jamboree at the Grand Country Inn. VERY FUNNY!! Then we went to the Landing, did some shopping, at supper and came back and went to see the Pierce Arrow show. We ate at Lamberts on our way home yesterday.

I feel much better, but feel as though I could have used one more day of relaxation to be totally sure! :)

Conservatism - Random things by Melissa

Many of you know that Kevin and I both are Conservatives. I have become more Conservative since the beginning of the recession and since beginning the Financial Peace University course by Dave Ramsey back in February. We believe in free enterprise, small government, and the right to life.

We believe that all life is sacred. When I heard that President Obama was lifting the ban on embryonic stem cell research, my heart was heavy-laiden. I am all for stem cell research, when it comes from umbilical cord blood AFTER the baby is born. Why would you want to destroy human embryos just to satisfy scientific research? Stem cells are wonderful. Especially when your own help heal you! Take for example, Mason, his own stem cells were able to regenerate when he had his cleft palate surgery. The bone morphogenic protein that his doctor injected in his gum/palate formed the bone in his gum and palate by stimulating his own stem cell growth. Our friend in Wichita, LaDonna, is fighting lymphoma. Her own stem cells were taken from her body, and filtered and cleaned and put back into her body two days later. This procedure has given her a new lease on life Why destroy human life? Has our society become so self absorbed that the right to life is no longer sacred?

The current economic recession has effected Kevin and I. But in a good way. We are more aware of what we spend our money on and are more dedicated than ever to stick to a monthly budget. I have found a couple websites online that I print coupons off of to use when I go shopping. I have a list that I stick to when going grocery shopping or Walmart shopping. I even typed this list up on my computer and print it off when I am ready to go shopping. I go through the fridge and the cabinets and circle what I need. We have also adopted and envelope system to hold our monthly budgeted money for food, Walmart, and gas money. This has helped me save receipts and keep track of what I spend money on. Thank God for Dave Ramsey and his Christian based teachings of how to stay out of debt and build wealth. Kevin and I look forward to every Wednesday night when we can go to our 2 hour class and learn more.

I totally believe all of this talk of recession/depression has made Kevin and I grow even more close as a couple, if that is even possible. I finally feel like I am on the same page as him now when it comes to finances. It makes life at home so easy! (Not that it wasn't before). I have cut up my Discover card and no longer have a credit card. I called Discover card today to close my account. The guy on the other line was trying so hard to get me to keep my account open. I told him I no longer need the card because Kevin and I follow Dave Ramsey's philosophy. The guy told me that he keeps his credit card, but writes it down in his check book as a record. I told him that was nice, but not for me. I listened to him for 10 minutes before my account was finally closed. I am free. I am free from credit cards and the temptations they hold! I am free to live life the way I should. By using a credit card, I never looked at it like I was a slave. But I was. I was a slave to the lender. "The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." -- Proverbs 22:7

The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer

I don't know how many of my family and friends are huge readers. I am. Only when I have the time, like when the kids are in bed. Normally I stick to reading my normal Nora Roberts or Janet Evanovich books. However, last November, I decided to read the Twilight books by Stephenie Meyer. Now, most of you are probably saying, "Melissa, isn't it made for teenagers?"
Well, yes, but the books are about 500+ pages and they totally engulf you. I read all four books, Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn in less than two weeks. The relationship between vampire, Edward, and mortal Bella, is so painstakingly real. You can't help but get caught up in the romance of it all. When "Twilight" came out in the movie theater in November, Kevin took me. OMG! The movie was awesome! It followed the book pretty closely and Robert Pattinson who played Edward is H-O-T. (for a 22 year old). I highly recommend this book series to anyone from preteen to senior citizen. I have read all the books twice and am thinking about starting it again a third time....because that's a charm, right? Or is it....obsession?

Our baby girl trying to crawl!

Reagan is trying so hard to crawl. She is on the verge. She is also trying to figure out how to sit up from a crawling position. It doesn't seem possible that she should be growing this fast! I enjoy every single minute I have with her and Mason. Time is passing by so fast.

The sickies...Part 2

Well, they are still lingering around our house....the sickies that is. I took Mason to the doctor last week on Tuesday. Monday he was running an incredibly high temperature of 102.4. His pediatricians office never called us back for an appointment, so we ended up taking him to Glenn and Donna's doctor in Columbia, who diagnosed him with a bilateral ear infection and bronchitis. He was put on Zithromax and it worked wonders! He is back to himself and will go back to school tomorrow.

Reagan is now sneezing and coughing and running a fever. Luckily, her check up is tomorrow afternoon. She is not wanting to each much baby food, but is eating her bottles as normal. I am anticipating more medicine buying tomorrow.

Kevin is gone to meetings in Kansas City today and tomorrow, leaving me here with the kids. It is fine, and I can handle it, but it is so much easier when my right hand is here with me. He has been such a big help to me.

Kevin and I have been taking the Financial Peace University courses by Dave Ramsey at the local Foursquare church in Boonville. We have all of Dave's books and have been trying to follow his financial suggestions for a long time now. We are taking FPU because we have always wanted too. It is a 13 week course and we have had so much fun! We spent all of last Friday , February 27, afternoon making our budget for the month. We have done really well sticking too it. Me especially. I have always been the "free-spirit" when it comes to money. It has been nice to finally cut up my Discover card! I no longer have a credit card and will never have another one again!! I feel so free!!! I think this course has made me feel so much closer to Kevin. I have also taken the liberty of signing up for printable coupons online. I am on a mission to be organized when it comes to money and buying things that we need. We have also set up 3 different containers for the kids' money. One box for spending, one for saving, and one for giving. Anytime Mason wants something, he will have to pay for it out of his spending account, and when he goes to church on Sunday, his money for the offering plate will come out of his giving account!!

Other than FPU, I have been busy with the kids, working one day a week, and sewing baby blankets in my free time..what is left of it, after the kids, cleaning, etc! :)

Have a great week!