Monday, January 30, 2012

January


Tomorrow is the last day of January. Time sure is passing quickly! I'm happy to say that I've been kicking butt so far this year. Great changes have taken place and I'm excited for what is yet to come in the coming year.

As for the current date, I have lost 12 pounds. That's an average of 3 pounds a week! I am so glad that my cousin introduced me to MyFitnessPal! I started using it last Sunday to track my food and exercise and I'm loving it!! I love the idea of being able to eat more if you exercise more in a day. It pretty much makes planning my day's routine sooo easy! There are certain days that we usually go out with friends and such and although I still try to eat healthier on those nights out, I can burn some calories earlier in the day so that I have extra to blow that evening. It's also nice being able to still eat greasy pizza here and there knowing you'll still be below your fat and calorie count for the day. Like I said, I love it! Wish me luck as I continue on this journey!


In other news we were given a projected estimate of two weeks on our paperwork to be finished and cleared for our house! I'm really hoping and praying that Brandon will get to see the place when he's home on leave in early March. I know it's stretching it but I've seen God time crazier things! I'm so anxious to move in but if you want me to be honest, I haven't even begun to THINK about packing and moving things. Our plan is to go in and clean real good and then move and put most things away as we do. I think it'll be easier to take our time, especially with Henry in tow.

Mentioning my little spider monkey. I'm fairly certain that he'll be on the move pretty soon! The poor guy tries so very hard and he's found reverse but he just can't seem to get his butt in drive. He's been talking a lot more lately and my grandmother and I swear he says 'mommy' when he's really upset. I know it's probably a fluke but I like to pretend anyway! He's the hungriest little boy I've ever seen and no matter how much or often we feed him he still could eat more although he's not gained any weight. I'll be glad when he's out of the baby food stage!

I am so happy and blessed with the way life has been headed this year. I know that there will be troubles and trials to come but through it all, I will remember to thank God because it is He who has given me this wonderful life!

Friday, January 27, 2012

A Reflection from My Husband



My husband is currently taking an english class and had to write about a memory. He wrote this paper and then I went back and edited it for him, adding a few details and rearranging things where they flowed a little better. Either way, this is his memory and I was so touched by reading it. I thought you might be too.



A Reflection by Jeremy Ovenshire

I was short of breath, scared, nervous, and trembling. My wife and I had at this point been separated for the first time in four days. “Now if you don’t feel good, don’t hesitate to sit on the floor’ they told me. This did nothing to reassure my feelings.

The bench where I sat could have been pulled from beneath me and I would have never known. The sweat beaded along my forehead and palms and as the desk nurse spoke to me, I gave her the traditional polite smile and nod, pretending to have known what she had said. The clock on the wall ticked and as it did, it seemed like days passed by, everything in my surrounding world running together. A voice brought me back to the present; “Mr. Ovenshire, we’re ready for you now.” I didn’t move. I heard the voice again and without volunteering my muscles, I started moving. Here we go.

They led me into a room that was covered in blue. It seemed so cold, like a walk-in freezer. When I think back on it now, I’m sure it wasn’t quite that cold but anything would seem that cold when a cold sweat had slowly began covering your body. I sat down and the only things that didn’t blur in front of my eyes were my wife and the blue curtain that covered her from the neck down. It had been such a long week and although I was sitting here, knowing that it was happening, it was hard to believe that the moment had finally come.

My wife had called me four days prior while I was at work, telling me that I would need to leave early because her doctor had instructed her that she was to go straight to the hospital. She was eight months pregnant with our first child and during her pregnancy she had developed a gallbladder dysfunction that caused her to itch severely. As miserable as it was for her, the more severe effect was an increased chance of miscarriage during the last three weeks of pregnancy. Needless to say, I was scared shitless.

The first night in the hospital room was unnerving. They gave my wife the first of two steroid shots to help assure that our child’s lungs would be fully developed, explained what would be happening in the next couple of days and mostly just monitored the baby. The second day was easy and we mostly just sat around and rested, although truthfully, I was very close to coming undone.

The third morning they started inducing my wife’s labor. Sixteen hours later she was having contractions but had no signs of progress so they let her eat and sleep and restarted the induction again this morning. She labored for most of the day, the contractions coming hard and fast. At 7:30 p.m. the nurse came into the room, explaining that the doctor found it best to follow through at this point with a c-section. As disappointed as it was, we were both okay with that at this point. Like I said, it had been a long week.

Now it seemed like voices were coming from everywhere, some talking to my wife and others talking to me, but mostly they were just talking to one another. I slowly started to tune them in one by one, like a radio dial turning in my fogged head. It didn’t take me long to realize that they weren’t talking about things of great importance. One mentioned the recent vacation they took and another talked about what she had had for lunch. This upset me. This wasn’t social time to me, this was serious time and I wanted them to be serious!

As the time passed, I was becoming very close to saying something about how I didn’t appreciate the lack of care they were showing for my wife, myself and my child when the doctor in charge started talking about his remote control.

“I got this awesome remote for my television last week,” he said.
“Oh yeah?” one of the nurses replied.
“Yeah, I paid over four hundred dollars for it but you wouldn’t believe the things it does!”

I had had it now. As I opened my mouth to blurt out something that probably would have been completely ridiculous and uncalled for, I heard the faint cry of a baby. Everything up to that point in my life completely stopped and although it’s apparently not possible, I’m sure that time stood still. The lack of concern that I was upset about twenty seconds earlier was completely forgotten and I looked over at my wife and started to cry.

I heard them announce that it was a boy and then called the time at 8:33 p.m. The rest of the night from there was mostly a blur. All of the obvious things happened; they measured and weighed him and I cut the umbilical cord. They cleaned him up and cleaned out his airways and as they sewed my wife back together they finally handed him to me. As I looked down at this small child, swaddled in those hospital pink and blue blankets, I just couldn’t believe that he was mine. Six months later I still look at him from time to time with disbelief that this small miracle is here because of me. I’ve heard people say that you don’t know what love is until you have a child and from my personal experience, there is so much truth in those words.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Tag!

I was tagged by my cousin Stephanie and it looked like fun so I'm playing along!

The Rules

1. You must post the rules.
2. Post eleven fun facts about yourself on the blog post.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.
4. Tag eleven people and link them on your post (I don't have 11 people so do what you can, with what you have).
5. Let them know you've tagged them.
Here are 11 fun facts about myself
1. I love cute socks and I'm totally okay with getting them at the Dollar Tree.
2. My favorite colors are orange, pink and green. In that order.
3. I love mornings. I love getting up when the house is silent and I can just focus on me and God.
4. I really do not like sleep. I like getting enough sleep but beyond that I get annoyed with people who take naps and sleep until noon. I feel like you're sleeping your life away.
5. I love old stuff. I love old jewelry, old bottles, old books, old furniture...well, you get the idea.
6. I'm totally crafty. My husband thinks I'm crazy most of the time but I can turn just about anything into something if you give me enough time.
7. I love to cook and most of the time I'm good at it. One day I'd really like to learn how to decorate cakes and such.
8. I love to write. I feel like you can express yourself so much better through written word than through spoken word - it's so much more thought out and in depth.
9. My favorite food is Skyline Chili. I just love it.
10. I get so annoyed with people who refuse to be original. March to your own drum and stop copying what everyone else is doing.
11. My greatest goal in life is to always give a person a chance. People are, for the most part, good and I think if you try hard enough, you can see the good in everyone.

Now on to 11 questions from Stephanie:

1. When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?
I'm usually browsing the internet, taking photos or crocheting.
2. What would you name the autobiography of your life?
Ripples and Waves - same as my blog. I think in life everything, big or small, effects you in some way - just like water.
3. What was the last movie, TV show or book that made you cry or tear up?
This is kind of hard to admit. I was watching 'My Fair Wedding' today and I seriously started bawling. I guess sometimes I wish my wedding would have been something more.
4. What story does your family always tell about you?
My grandmother is always telling me stories about when she grew up - the farm, the little school house she attended, her family and friends and all the simple yet wonderful times they had.
5. What is one of your favorite quotes?
My favorite saying is 'Love Never Fails' and one of these days I will have it tattooed on my foot like I've always wanted. As far as quotes go, I'm obsessed with quotes so picking one would be impossible.
6. What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
I love photography. Although I worked at a studio for about a year, I claim to be self-taught. If I learned anything while working at the studio, I learned that most people just want to put you in a box and then punish you for going outside of that box. I don't claim to be good and I'm still learning and building up some of the basics of the art but I love it - and that's all that matters.
7. What chore do you absolutely hate doing?
I HATE cleaning out the cat box. Matter of fact, it's my husband's only job.
8. What is your favorite form of exercise?
I love to go hiking. I love to get out and explore and find places that you can only go by foot.
9. What was your favorite food when you were a child?
I'm not really sure but there's lots of pictures of me dipping EVERYTHING into ketchup - so probably ketchup!
10. What’s your least favorite mode of transportation?
I'm usually not too crazy about bus rides; too many people in a confined space.
11. What sound do you love?
I love listening to the ocean, whether I'm actually there or not.

Now my questions for you ladies:

1. What is your greatest memory?
2. What is your favorite book?
3. How old were you when you started dating?
4. If you could go any place in the world, where would you go?
5. If you could have your dream home, what kind of home would it be?
6. Edward or Jacob?
7. If you knew you could pull it off, would you rather have long hair or short?
8. If you could choose an era to live in, what would it be?
9. What is the one thing you forget the most?
10. What is the number one thing on your wishlist right now?
11. Did you know that if I tagged you in this post you should smile because you are loved? =)


And now it's your turn Allison, Amber, and Roman and Asher's Momma!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

New Year, New Changes


Can you believe that we're 22 days into 2012?! I sure can't! Still, 22 days into the new year and there's already been quite a few changes and blessings taking place in my family's life.

Henry turned 6 months old.
I got a raise at work.
Jeremy went back to school.
We bought our first house.
I lost 5 pounds.
Mason turned 2.
We welcomed a new nephew into the world.
I started a 52 week photo project.

It's easy to see that we are beyond blessed! My main point of this post is that little number 5 that snuck its way into that list. I've been inspired and excited for my best friend who is training for a marathon this year. I watched my brother as he lost probably 100 pounds if not more in order to enlist in the Army. Just this morning I read my cousin's inspiring story on how she decided that enough was enough and has been losing weight as well.

I've always struggled with my weight. I was always heavier than all the other kids when I was in school and although I was never really picked on, it always bothered me. When I was 19 or 20 I managed to lose quite a bit of weight but it was the wrong way and for the wrong reasons. Over the past 4 or 5 years, I've pretty much put every last bit of that weight that I lost back on. It seems like no matter what diet I put myself on or how hard I try, I never get anywhere and if I do get anywhere, it's definitely not quick.

So this year I decided it wasn't about the weight. I have no one to impress, I have a husband who is going to love me no matter how heavy I am. Instead it's about my health and my well being and my ability to be the best mom I can be for my son. So that means working hard for what I want - a healthy lifestyle and a healthy weight, not only for me, but for him. I know that it's going to take time and I think that if I focus less on the scale and more on how hard I'm working to just be a better me, it will be easier than what it has before.

So here's to a new year. He's to losing 5 pounds in 22 days, to working hard for what you want and knowing that eventually, your hard work will pay off!


Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Six Months Deep


Henry is officially half of a year old.
Wow that's hard to believe! Here I stand six months deep into parenthood and there are still days that I wonder if I know what the heck I'm doing. My daily prayer is that I succeed at this job that God has blessed me with, that my little boy will grow up happy, respectful and God-fearing because of my teachings. Talk about responsibility!


His curiosity highlights my every day. His little eyes get so bright with wonder and I'm never failed to be amazed at the intensity something so simple can bring to his life. I can't even begin to explain how much I love him.


His little smile melts my heart. There is really no feeling in this world that compares to seeing your child's face, wide with a smile, just because he sees you, knows you. My favorite part of the day is picking him up out of his crib when he wakes up in the morning...and that smile. Just for me. I swoon.


I find every little thing he does as cute as can be. I'm so proud of him and his little accomplishments. I'm proud when I watch him push himself from one end of the room to the other, or sit up for long periods of time, playing with his toys. It's hard to believe that he was so dependent on me just a few months ago. Now his personality shines and the person he is is beginning to show in everything he does.


I couldn't ask for a better little family. We are happy, healthy and blessed beyond measure. God has great things in store for us, I know. I am just humbled by His ability to shower us with blessings, most completely unexpected. I'm excited for us to move into our new home, to get settled and have a place to call our own. In the meantime, I'm just focusing on enjoying this little boy. I know the next 6 months are going to be just as wonderful as the last.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Impatience

It'll be a week tomorrow since we bought our home. It sucks not being able to be in it, moving or cleaning or decorating or SOMETHING. I'm impatient and I'm having issues concentrating on anything else. I have so many ideas for decorations and so many little DIY projects that I can't wait to start on...but I just don't have the room here to even begin. The rain and the cold weather isn't helping much either. I suppose I should just breathe and force myself to push it all in the back of my mind and instead focus on the here and now. God has blessed us so much with what we've been given that I should really have no room for complaints or impatience.

We were able to walk through it on Saturday night. Keep in mind, we bought this house sight unseen, judging whether or not it would be a good purchase by word of mouth and the opinions of those who had seen it. It is gorgeous inside. The man who owned it had completely gutted the house. He put in new insulation and drywall, redid the plumbing and electric and also put in a 2nd bathroom. There are brand new wood floors, newly painted walls, brand new appliances (hooray! a dishwasher!) new cabinets, counter tops and new windows. The roof, water heater and furnace were all also just put in within the last five years. Like I said, gorgeous! Our bedroom alone is half the size of our apartment right now and although the listing said 6 rooms, when I counted them there were more like 8 or 9.

There are no immediate improvements necessary and that alone is the biggest blessing ever. We're hoping that after we get our tax return, we can buy a new couch and possibly a new entertainment center and my goal is to have the siding put up before Henry's birthday. The upstairs needs new carpet and possibly some paint but I'm not going to worry about it for now. We can work on making everything ours over time. The master bath also needs finished but we have a 2nd brand new bathroom so we're not going to worry about it much either. We want to make sure we can afford to get exactly what we want in there so it's probably going to take some saving again on our part.

I've been pinning ideas here and there on Pinterest and making a list of crochet things that I'd like to make for decorating purposes. I'm just sooooo excited. Jeremy made a valid point the other night; we both have good jobs, insurance, a savings account, a home, a wonderful son and a dog...we are truly living the American dream! Mentioning dogs: we're also going to get another dog after we move. I can't wait because this time I get to pick the breed and I think I'm finally going to get me a Siberian Husky. I had one as a child and I just loved her and I can't wait to have another. Not to mention, Henry needs a big dog to love on!

So needless to say, my mind is preoccupied with all this house stuff. Henry will be 6 months old in 2 days. I can't believe how big he is getting but I'm also having a hard time concentrating on his half birthday pictures. Ugh. Someone call the bank and tell them to get this paper work finished!


Thursday, January 12, 2012

Henry's First Snow


"The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment, then where is it to be found?" -J.B. Priestley



While this wasn't 'technically' Henry's first snow, the first came and went before he ever had a chance to experience it so I just don't think it counts. He loved it. I carried him around for a few minutes and let him get a feel for the cool air and little flakes landing on his face and he just stared at this new, white world in awe.


When I finally put him down in it where he could look and feel and taste this fluffy white stuff he just smiled and laughed. He kept looking at me with this questioning look though, like he wasn't quite sure he should be having so much fun in something so wet and cold.

Daddy even came home from work just in time to see him rolling around on the ground, covering himself in snow. We only stayed out for a few minutes, the wind was becoming something fierce and his little face started turning a bright pink. I wouldn't trade memories like this for the world though. The wonder and amazement in his little eyes...while I was uploading the pictures I just couldn't stop smiling. His innocence and joy in life is inspiring and so wonderful. God has truly blessed me!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Our New Home


We bought a house today! We went to the auction prepared to spend quite a bit to get it and only spent $10,000!!!! It's 3 bedrooms, 1 bath. It has a 2 car garage, fenced in back yard and a swing set and playhouse in the back. It needs some tlc on the outside but has been completely remodeled on the inside. I'm so excited! It'll be a month or so before we get to do anything with it and I'm praying that everything goes well between now and then. I am still a bit in shock and I can't believe that we did it...but we did! My prayer was that if it was God's will we'd get it and if not, we wouldn't so it must be His will. He is soooo good! I can't tell you how excited I am! Not to mention - no rent and no mortgage?? Talk about lucky ducks!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Gabriel :: 5 days new.

I had the pleasure of photographing my new nephew. He was so sweet although completely against having his picture taken I think.







Thursday, January 05, 2012

1:5

The sky was beautiful tonight. As we drove to Miamisburg to meet my new nephew, I couldn't help but be drawn to it. There were blues and pinks and oranges...and blues (did I mention the blues?). I swear Crayola's 'Robin's Egg' just blew up all over the sky.


He was beautiful. My nephew I mean. I was in awe at how different he was from Henry when he was born. Not only was he 2lbs heavier and almost 6 inches longer, but they looked so completely different. I know that may be a 'duh' kind of comment but my brother and I always looked somewhat alike and when I look at his little boy, I see nothing of myself in him. God truly is a master creator, molding each of us into something unique and special. Gabriel has no eyelashes...while Henry has eyelashes that goes for miles. It is just amazing to me.


Henry was a real turd for me today. He's teething and cranky and I had two poop blow-ups and more spit-up than I can account for. Here at 11 p.m. I am so tired and ready for bed. I'm trying to pretend that another week hasn't ended and I have to go back to work for the weekend tomorrow. The photo above was probably the happiest he was all day. He loves playing in his excersaucer but his feet don't really reach and it is usually short lived because I hate seeing him bounce from his toes on one foot to his toes on the other. He tries so hard and yet gets no where! I am so blessed that God gave me this little boy. He is happy and healthy and I couldn't imagine loving anything more.