7 Quick Takes: Fundraising, Baseball, and Eating Issues

7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Kym’s Hysterical (not) Hysterectomy. My friend Kym DuPont was diagnosed with stage 1 uterine cancer a few months ago. They tried hormone therapy which ultimately didn’t work. The only cure at this point is a hysterectomy which she has to pay for out of pocket because she is uninsured. (Obamacare doesn’t kick in for people like her until 2014.) Surgery + anesthesia + everything else will be ~$60000 so she has a YouCaring.Com page up for it. If you can spare a few bucks head over there.

— 2 —

Promise Walk. Is this a good enough reason to sponsor me in the Promise Walk?

Baptizing Daniel at 4 days old.

That’s Jon and I at Daniel’s baptism when he was 4 days old. My little hand is on the bottom and Jon’s hand is on top. For those who don’t know the backstory, I developed HELLP Syndrome and they had to do a really quick ambulance transfer from my tiny town in Montana to the hospital in Great Falls that had a NICU and where my perinatologist was based. I was in surgery within 45 minutes to 1 hour after arriving and they delivered Daniel by emergency c-section at 29.5 weeks gestation. He was 14 1/4 inches long and weighed 1 lb 15 oz. at birth. Additionally, I had a 30% placental abruption that they discovered upon opening me up and was bleeding severely. (I just barely missed ICU admission because the HELLP Syndrome started resolving itself with the delivery of Daniel.) As a way of dealing with what I went through, I got involved with the Promise Walk in 2011. Preeclampsia is a condition that affects 1 in 8 pregnancies and we still don’t know the cause so I want to ask that you please consider supporting me (even $5) in this effort.

— 3 —

Orphans. Do you see these three adorable kidlets?

First row: Brett and Iris.
Second row: Kaia.

BrettIrisKaia

Brett still needs a mama. Iris finally has a family committed to her. Kaia has a family committed to her who will be traveling to her country at the end of July to meet her and spend some time with her as well as complete paperwork. Click on their names to see their Reece’s Rainbow pages.

— 4 —

Progress on the Whole Change of Diet. It’s been a hard week. Daniel is on summer break from preschool and is in “destructive toddler” mode. This makes it really hard to make food because I can’t leave him alone and he currently isn’t allowed in the kitchen. I’m trying to avoid processed foods as much as possible but it’s pretty hard because those are the convenient foods when you have little ones like Daniel. I’m also now finding out how many calories I was usually eating — a packet of gummy worms is 110 calories per serving… and a serving is 5-7 gummy worms, making the entire package around 770-800 calories! My head has become a calorie computer and it’s to the point where I could get really OCD about this whole thing. I don’t own a scale for a reason — I’d be completely obsessive about my weight and could easily cross over into eating disorder mode.

— 5 —

Baseball! *sighs* The Giants dropped two of their three games against the Pirates. Their effort yesterday was pretty good considering they were without Angel Pagan, the Panda, Marco Scutaro, one of their pitchers, and Bruce Bochy — 12-8 was not the worst they could have done. They shut the Pirates out today which helped. I believe they’re on their way to Atlanta now.

— 6 —

Entry in the works. I’ve been pondering a blogpost on why I don’t homeschool Daniel in response to the annoying twits I occasionally encounter in the blogosphere who act like public schools are going to turn children into Communists and godless heathen or who can’t *BEAR* to be away from their children and not share in all their learning adventures. (Gag me with a freaking spoon.) I’m being judicious about it because I know so many moms who homeschool their kids and are lovely, well-rounded people like priest’s wife, Sara, Cari, Dwija, and Kelly. I’m also trying not to write it only because I’ve been stuck in a house with a four year old who has been having communication tantrums for 4 days and I’m counting down the minutes until summer school starts. (Autism is a freaking joy on occasion.)

— 7 —

Mani-pedi time. My pedicurist talked me into getting a mani-pedi tomorrow instead of just a pedicure so I’ll be doing that tomorrow morning. I have my hands in so much stuff that’s either gross or corrosive so I usually wouldn’t do it but I figured it’s worth a shot. After the week I’ve had, I’m looking forward to it.

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: May 20, 2013

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY May 20, 2013

Outside my window… sunny and in the 80′s.

I am thinking… about the tornadoes in Oklahoma and all the first responders. I’m hoping and praying the death toll doesn’t go up any higher..

I am thankful… for a good birthday weekend.

I am wearing… preeclampsia survivor shirt and running shorts.

I am creating… plot ideas for NaNo.

I am going… to hope I can get some editing done this week in the midst of everything else.

I am wondering… what Friday morning will show. (I’m having an endoscopy.)

I am reading… I just finished Red Velvet Revenge by Jenn McKinlay.

I am hoping… that my endocrinology appointment goes well on Wednesday.

I am looking forward to… Daniel’s bedtime tonight. (Jon is at a meeting and the wee bairn refused to nap.)

Around the house… I’m loving the Roomba that I got from my in-laws even if I have to clean it out perfectly each night.

A favorite quote for today… “Evil is a parasite. It is there only because good is there for it to spoil and confuse.” — C.S. Lewis

One of my favorite things… Lipton Pure Leaf Raspberry Tea. I can get it in individual bottles at the store. Boo yah!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Morning Prayer tomorow, endocrinologist appointment on Wednesday morning and meeting with austism therapy people for Daniel’s evaluation on Wednesday afternoon, and the endoscopy on Friday.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

What I Wore on Sunday: May 19, 2013

Long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away…

What I Wore on Sunday

Pentecost is kind of a hard birthday to have if you’re a pastor’s wife because it means festival worship (smells and bells though one step below Christmas and Easter) and it frequently means that it’s Confirmation Sunday so there’s usually a special reception afterwards which doesn’t work well with a child like Daniel.

Moving on…

Red and I don’t do well unless it’s a more brickish red and that shirt in my wardrobe is long-sleeved, making it incompatible with the temperatures in the 80′s today. Daniel also decided to disable my alarm clock (!!!) so I woke up at 9:45 and had to come up with clothes for both of us really quickly. Thankfully, I’d showered last night so my hair was manageable and I had clean clothes! Church also started late because of a recording malfunction that had to be fixed.

So… here are the outfits:

Jen with Daniel upside down

I need something to use as a prop because I feel strange posing by myself.

Just resetting the bear...

Daniel was more than happy to be my prop. :) He also had no problem being upside down.

Jon with his guitar.

I decided to make this a family affair and hit Jon up for his picture before he headed out to his afternoon/evening engagements.

Here are the details on the outfits:

Jen
Shirt: Kohl’s
Pants: Kohl’s
Sandals: Naturalizer

Daniel
Shirt: Target
Shorts: Kohl’s

Jon
Shirt: Auton (hand-me-down from one of his father’s colleagues)
Pants: Nordstroms (hand-me-down from a colleague)
Belt: Kohl’s
Shoes: Kohl’s

Go visit Fine Linen and Purple and see what everyone else wore today.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: May 13, 2013

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY May 13, 2013

Outside my window… sunny and hot. I do not approve of 90F before June 21st (or really at all).

I am thinking… about the things I would totally say on this blog if I didn’t have to self-censor for pastor’s wife reasons.

I am thankful… for getting so much sleep yesterday and for Jon getting me dinner at Subway.

In the kitchen… spinach salad.

I am wearing… brown t-shirt with a ruched collar and black running shorts.

I am creating… plot ideas for NaNoWriMo in November.

I am going… to have a pedicure on Wednesday morning. I can’t wait.

I am wondering… some really snarky things about people.

I am reading… Red Velvet Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke. I’m reading a bunch of silly murder mysteries these days and it’s giving me a break from my regular life.

I am hoping… it doesn’t hurt too much when they use the Dremel on the calluses on my feet. (I’m a discalced kind of girl.)

I am looking forward to… seeing my parents/evil twin/sister-in-law this weekend for the communal birthday celebration.

Around the house… next question!

I am pondering… why people like to call me a “lib” or a “liberal” as an insult but get so incredibly worked up when I call them a “fascist moron”. :)

A favorite quote for today… “…My idea of God is a not divine idea. It has to be shattered from time to time. He shatters it Himself. He is the great iconoclast. Could we not almost say that this shattering is one of the marks of His presence?..” — C.S. Lewis

One of my favorite things… Lipton Pure Leaf Raspberry Tea.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Morning Prayer tomorrow, pedicure on Wednesday, autism team meeting on Thursday, and communal birthday celebration on Saturday.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: March 19, 2013

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY March 19, 2013

Outside my window… cloudy with a chance of meatballs.

I am thinking… I have to stop biting my tongue.

I am thankful… that Daniel’s IEP went well yesterday. He has made progress and now that he can imitate, his learning can kick into warp drive.

In the kitchen… too many dishes to do.

I am wearing… purple shirt and Left Behind shorts.

I am creating… nothing at the moment.

I am going… to hopefully get adequate sleep tonight.

I am wondering… how I’m going to get the house clean for company next week if we’re going to be gone this weekend.

I am reading… The Alpine Uproar by Mary Daheim and Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter.

I am hoping… tonight’s episode of NCIS is good.

I am looking forward to… quiet when Daniel goes to sleep tonight. He didn’t take his nap so I didn’t get my necessary introvert quiet time.

I am pondering… various things.

A favorite quote for today… “I can’t imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once.” ? C.S. Lewis

One of my favorite things… Cool Lime Refreshers from $tarbux.

A few plans for the rest of the week: WIC appointment on Thursday, this weekend TBA.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes: Allergies, Cooking, and Camp Patton

7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

I blogged on what you don’t see when you look at me for Invisible Illness Week. I try not to complain about my fibromyalgia too much because there are so many people in my life with worse ailments or who are waiting for organ transplants. Still, this week is a reminder that there are many illnesses that are just as debilitating as those that land people in wheelchairs.

— 2 —

Want to help victims of sex trafficking become whole again? I’m participating in the Run for Courage on September 29th to help raise money to do just that. I invite you to sponsor me at http://engage.runforcourage.org/goto/khouriajen.

— 3 —

Am I being clear enough?

Go away!

Just checking.

— 4 —

Daniel said “bye” to his teacher for the first time ever last Friday. This earned him thunderous applause from Daddy, a hug from his teacher, and thunderous applause/hugs and kisses from me. On Monday, he didn’t say “bye” but he waved for the first time ever.

— 5 —

I just realized I have cooking to do tonight. Thankfully, it’s pretty easy — boil water, cook orzo, toss with some defrosted pesto/feta cheese/sundried tomatoes. I usually put kalamata olives in as well but I’m trying to make it Daniel-friendly as I’m taking it to his school picnic tomorrow. (Just finished. It’s pretty quick if you can get the pesto defrosting while the orzo is cooking.) I also had laundry to cycle through.

— 6 —

Do you see that incredibly cute little boy on my sidebar? His name is Brett and he needs a mama. Could that mama be you??? Hop on over to his profile and get to know him. While you’re there, would you mind adding a little bit to his adoption grant so his forever family can take him home? Please and thank you!

— 7 —

Did I mention how much I love Camp Patton? I had read Grace’s blog on a few occasions but about a month ago, I read a good chunk of her archives while fighting some insomnia. She is incredibly funny and snarky — a double threat. Her husband Simon is an ob/gyn resident and says some *interesting* things. She’s also apparently hosting Quick Takes this week.

For more Quick Takes, visit Grace at Camp Patton.

7 Quick Takes: Haircuts and the Run for Courage

7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

I’m taking part in the Run for Courage on September 29th. I had been hearing about it from Daniel’s former physical therapist and I decided to do the 5K and walk it. I’ve been a supporter of International Justice Mission for years and this deals with restoring and healing girls who have been trafficked for sex, including in the USA. My donation URL is: http://engage.runforcourage.org/goto/khouriajen. My fundraising goal is $200 and I’ve raised $90 thus far. Please share my fundraising URL and let people know about this.

— 2 —

To those who don’t like my Obama button: suck it up! I’m not commenting on your site and telling you what I think about your decision to back Romney — I might disagree with you but you have a right to vote for the candidate of your choosing and to post whatever political buttons you want on your blog. Kindly show me the same respect. Also, your comment isn’t going to show if I haven’t approved a comment of yours before so please stop leaving me variations on the same comment until I approve your comment. If 24 hours have gone by and I haven’t approved your comment, assume that I might not have seen it yet. (I do have a three year old and a life.) If 48-72 hours go by and it isn’t up, you can safely assume that I think you are a raving lunatic and you have no snowball’s chance of having your comment(s) approved. If your comment is a diatribe longer than the actual post on which you are commenting, your comment will be deleted.

— 3 —

Daniel is back in his class from last year and all is well. His old teacher and aides are happy to have him back and he knew *EXACTLY* where he was on Wednesday when he came back to school after his 4-day weekend. He belly-laughed for his teacher for the first time today and it was so awesome for her to hear. I’m glad the temper tantrum I threw fuss I raised last week was worth it. They’re going to start him working with a PECS board and train us on it next week.

— 4 —

The TV sitch was better during the DNC this week. Instead of not showing things on the schedule, CBS just moved them by an hour (i.e. NCIS was on at 8 instead of 7). Well played, CBS. Thankfully, I got the syndicated episodes of The Big Bang Theory at 7 p.m. so I had something to watch instead of just Judge Judy. Boo yah!

— 5 —

I’m pleased with how my hair turned out. It ended up chin-length instead of just at my shoulders but it still looks good.

Me asleep with Edda

— 6 —

Still editing devotions. I’m effectively done with Luke for the moment. I have what is looking like 4-5 to write on my own for Luke (replacing someone who couldn’t finish theirs) and whatever Jon can’t finish of his list. I’ll start formatting Acts once I get my passel of devotions done.

— 7 —

You see that cute little boy over on my sidebar? He needs a mama. Mind praying that we can find one, donating toward his grant, or even considering adopting him? He’s cute and I’m not just saying that because I’m his Guardian Angel. :)

— Bonus —

Kara posted a picture of Wren on her Quick Takes. Ten year olds should not look like that — she’s being abused and needs out of wherever she is NOW. There’s no donate link on her page but could y’all pray that we can get her out of that situation or even consider adopting her?

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.