Making Progress

I thought I had better hurry and post a "before" picture of the bed making process since Matt and his helpers are making such fast progress. It has been a loud, crazy morning here. Can't wait to see the finished product!

Another Christmas...

I can’t believe Christmas came and went so fast. Belle and Dru had a ball being with family and opening gifts, and that makes it special for us. We were able to spend 4 days at Grandpa’s with Aunt Shirley and Uncle RC, and the girls were sad to leave them. (I wish my family lived closer.) At one point, a cousin of ours walked in and Belle said, “Hey! Paw-paw’s at the store, and Memaw’s not here either. She’s up in heaven.” I am so glad they still think of her when they go to that house. It’s hard not having her there… especially at Christmas. But we made it through and had a really nice time. Even Grandpa… I think. And Christmas morning at Gigi's was a hit, as usual!

As far as an update on my gestational diabetes, the shots twice a day aren’t so bad, and I’ve gotten used to sticking my fingers 5-7 times a day. But for some reason, my blood sugar levels are all over the charts… one minute too high, the next too low. I saw my doctor on Wednesday, and she was “concerned” enough to make an appointment for me to see an endocrinologist. Hopefully he will be able to help me get the numbers under control. When they are too high or too low, I end up either unable to keep my eyes open or sick and shaky. Also, because of the “risks to the baby”, I have to go in twice a week now and let them monitor his movements and heartbeat for about 20 minutes at a time. I think this is just normal procedure, but it definitely doesn’t make me feel warm and fuzzy. I just want this little guy to get here healthy as can be.

Other than Christmas and Baby Jeb, the only other exciting event transpiring in the Slaughter house is Matt’s decision to undertake building the girls’ bunk beds. Yes, my 3 1/2 year old is still in a crib that must now be made ready for an actually baby! Belle and Dru will be rooming together now. We searched NW Arkansas for a bed we liked and came up empty, so Matt just decided to build one. I picked out one in Pottery Barn, and he’s using that as his pattern. He’s pretty “handy”, so I’m not worried. I’ll keep you updated though. It still may get interesting!

That's it... our generic Christmas posting. I hope everyone had a great one.

Need the Beach

I have no good reason for this posting… other than to say out loud that I need the beach today. A beach that’s far, far away where there are no doctors, nurses, dieticians, needles, or rules to follow. I went to the diabetes clinic again today and found out I have to begin insulin shots twice a day b/c my glucose levels are soaring and won’t come down with diet alone. They made me give myself a shot in the stomach and told me this is something I have to do TWICE a day until Jeb gets here in February.

Furthermore, on my beach, there are no unsettling thoughts of Christmas, money, houses that won’t sell, loved ones whom I desperately miss, and again… needles. Why does that stuff always seem to disappear the second you step onto the beach? And maybe I’m not so much “worried” about things as I feel like they are just sitting around staring at me all day, and if I forget they’re there, they call out and remind me. Ok… that’s worry, isn’t it? I guess it’s up to me to decide whether or not I’m lying on a beach or walking through a desert. There's a quote in my book that I like and need to practice. Knowing and doing are two different things, though. Plus, I'm not nearly as tough as my main character. (I can’t believe I’m actually putting something I wrote out for other eyes to see…. No critiques, please!!!) It’s just funny to me that I can write it but have a hard time living it.

[“Here’s one thing you can know for sure, though.” Mo looked out over the water. “The pain that’s running through you right now is just like that river. Sometime or another it’s gonna flow right on through everybody.” Mo tilted her chin up until Kate’s red, wet eyes peered into her own. “What you gotta remember is… you don’t drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.”

Kate looked back for the trapped leaf, but it was gone. She searched downstream and barely caught a glimpse of the tiny red dot before it disappeared from sight. The determined little leaf was moving again. Moving with the current and other leaves and water bugs and stuff of the river. Moving until another obstacle stood between it and where it was going.]

I guess there will always be obstacles, huh? It's the keeping on moving part that's so hard... beach or no beach.

Peer Pressure

Ok... I admit it. I have succumb to peer pressure. All my close friends have blogs, so I have no choice in the matter, right? Sort of like Swatch watches in 7th grade? Everyone HAD to have one, PLUS those ridiculous rubber, watch face protectors. Well, pressured or not, the Slaughter family now has a blog site that I hope to keep updated at least weekly. Maybe more after the novel I've been writing for 2 1/2 years now!!!! gets completed. (Cross your fingers I can manage that BEFORE Baby Jeb arrives in February.) Published or not, COMPLETION is my biggest goal for the novel. This has been a long and often bumpy climb and one that has taught me a lot about myself. Hopefully you'll have the chance to read it someday.

As for the rest of the Slaughter crew, Matt is enjoying Shiloh and looks forward to its exciting future. Belle (not just likes, but) LOVES K-4. I don't think God has ever answered a prayer so out-right and in my face as when He dropped in our lap the opportunity for our girls to attend Shiloh. It's amazing, and when I take a step back and look over my shoulder, it's almost unbelievable. Then there's Estella Dru... my three-year-old with attitude. She can't wait for next year to be able to go to school where "Sissy" goes. My girls are so smart and so sweet. I'm humbled to be their mommy.

Jeb Sullivan is supposed to make his grand debut on February 25. I'm having a tough time with my gestational diabetes. Tonight my blood sugar level was 252. It's SUPPOSED to be below 120. Pray that I can get this under control with diet and nothing more serious, especially shots or anything remotely having to do with needles.

Well, there is it. My very first blog posting. I feel like I'm part of the cool crowd now. I'm sporting my Swatch watch.