Chain Reaction

After almost a month-long fiasco, I have learned that making sure you get enough iron when you're pregnant is really really important. Hmm, go figure. Especially getting enough iron when your blood volume is peaking during pregnancy.

Otherwise you will:

Experience what feels like heart palpitations followed up by dizziness and lightheadedness which is, well, kinda scary. Then, you will have to go to the Doctor for an EKG. When that isn't conclusive, you will then have to wear an itchy, wiry, Holter monitor for 24 hours to monitor your heart. When that shows you are experiencing a rapid heartbeat you then have to have an echocardiogram (ultrasound of your heart) to make sure it's functioning alright, along with an extra poke to get even more blood drawn. And don't forget all the time in between waiting to hear back results from all these.

Moral of the story? A bottle of iron supplements cost around $8. All those heart tests and extra doctor visits cost a LOT more. Lots and lots.

Silver lining? We've hit our deductible so insurance gets to foot most of the bill for these tests. And, at 34 weeks and counting, we are sure getting excited to see our little boy!

Whew.

"Necessity...

...is the mother of invention."


Ew.

Car Seats Are Overrated

Weeping and Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth

I've often wondered exactly how this scriptural reference would be manifest. I think tonight I saw it. And if I were Webster and had to define this phrase, it would go like this:

Weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth: The reaction mom gets when she tells her girls they will not be able to have their ice cream after dinner because they have not listened to mom after repeated opportunities.

Really, it was as though I told them they were doomed to eternal damnation.

Thank goodness- actually, triple and quadruple thank goodness for the wonderful mother in my own life who has put up with my weeping and wailing over the years. I'm certain I've had my own bouts of gnashing of teeth as well. And she is still always there when I need her. I am so incredibly grateful for my mom, and my mother-in-law as well, who have raised me and my husband. As I am going through a lot of the same things they have encountered over the past 30 years, I am so grateful to have someone who has endured and is able to give me counsel, and for someone who seems to continue to endure. I guess I have at least 30 more years of being a mom. I have a feeling, though, it's a role I won't easily give up. What an opportunity to be a mom. Even if I put up with some weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth on occasion.

Laugh

This came in an email I got, and it just really made me laugh. Enjoy!



If you were around in 1919 and came upon the following Mormon poster.....
I mean...seriously...wouldn't you just keep drinking?

Only the Israelsens

Some people go for a nice Sunday walk. Maybe a Sunday drive. But, it just wouldn't be us if we didn't involve an animal in some form or another. Okay, it just wouldn't be Jacob if we didn't involve an animal. But, I admit, it's great. So here is a little Sunday "drive" with the Israelsen family. I actually felt like I was in a parade. The girls needed some candy to throw or something. Deep down, doesn't every girl want to be on a parade float waving like Miss America? My time has finally come! I'm gonna start practicing my wave. Elbow, elbow, wrist, wrist.... Oh, don't forget the perma-smile. Maybe some sparkles on my cheeks. Would it be too much to throw in a tiara?




Na. I'll leave the "princess" stuff up to these two little ladies. Even if they are princesses of the pony cart!

A New Decade

My twenties were good to me. Really, really good. No, it hasn't been easy. No, it hasn't always been joyful. I've had just as many tears as I have smiles. But it's about the grand total, and it takes all of it to make it good. I graduated from the U. I found and married my best friend who I get to be with forever, and love more every year. For nearly 5 years we have lived down South where we never dreamed we would live, and never dreamed we would say that we have lived down here for 5 years. We have two beautiful little girls who amaze us, and entertain us, and challenge us, and make us smile on a daily basis. In a few short months we will experience the incredible and life-changing journey of childbirth for the third time and welcome our first son into our family. As I look back on the past decade of my life, I feel nothing but absolute and complete gratitude for all the experiences and opportunities the Lord has given me. For truly, it all comes from Him. I only pray I have the wisdom to continue to let Him in every aspect of my life.

On Sunday I entered a new decade. My thirties. When you're 12, 30 seems like an eternity away and really, really old. And I am going to guess that when you're 60, or 70, or even 80, 30 seems like it wasn't all that long ago, and you realize that you really weren't all that old. So, what do I think about turning 30? I think it's awesome. There are days where I honestly feel like I am just getting started in life. The past few years have been such amazing stepping stones, and I have so much more to learn. Life is about progress, so I view this number game of birthdays as one more step up. When I reach forty, I hope to look back and review a whole new set of amazing experiences and opportunities that the past decade has brought. And then take another step up.

So dear thirties, I welcome you. I'm quite certain there will be days I will curse you. There will be days I love you. There will be days I will want to freeze forever. There will be days that won't end soon enough. But all together, I pray the Lord will help me make the most of these days that I have, because someday, it will all be a memory of a lifetime. And so far, what an incredible life it has been. And really, really good.

Did I mention that I have a very handsome husband? Yep. Really, really good.