Economic Crisis

In a society where many people are trying to keep up with the Jones's the economic crisis is hitting people hard. Budget cuts are happening every where and people are getting laid off every time we turn around. People's houses are going into foreclosure because they can't make their monthly payments. Banks aren't able to give out loans to every Tom, Dick and Harry that applies.

We too have felt the ill effects of the failing economy. As someonne that works in the social service field and is married to an educator we know all too well how the failing economy works, as these fields are usually the first to take the cuts in Kansas. We are grateful that we both continue to be gainfully employed.

We are not a wealthy family, and never will be, we live comfortably, but that is because we (mostly Ryan) have worked at it. We live in a modest 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house (that I refer to as a cracker jack box), that will be paid off in six years. We have never purchased a new vehicle and we always pay our vehicles off within three years. I actually drive a car that has over 187,000 miles on it, although she looks like a derby car, she faithfully gets me to and from work. We have the cheapest cell phone without all the fancy bells and whistles and we have the most basic cable offered. We do not use credit cards unless they can be paid off the next month or we get 0% financing and we have it paid off before that ends. Our savings accounts, IRAs and Madelyn's college are always paid first.

I'm sometimes envious of people that have the huge houses, fancy vehicles, cell phones with all the bells and whistles and other cool toys and gadgets. I look at them and wonder how they are doing it when I know that some of them make the same or less than us. Then I'm reminded that we are not the norm, we are a small majority of Americans that live within our means. It is sometimes hard to swallow when people have all the fancy, cool stuff but can't afford to pay for it and that is one of the causes of the current economic crisis. Too many people live beyond their means and too many people rely on credit to live. The economy was bound to take a plunge eventually. I just hope it doesn't bring us down with it.

.......Stepping off my soap box.

Ground Hog Day

It seems like the last few weeks we have been living the movie Ground Hog Day. We seem to be doing the same thing over and over. Nothing too exciting has happened in the last few weeks. This is usually how our weeks go....
Sunday - Church, grocery shopping every other week, maybe some house cleaning and family time.
Monday - work and used to be gymnastics class every evening but Madelyn traded in her leotard for a swim suit. For now, anyway.
Tuesday - work and Madelyn's swimmning lessons at the Y.
Wednesday - work and then Church night. Madelyn goes to Awana from 6:30-8:00pm and Ryan and I and another couple go out for dinner and drinks. Although the past couple weeks I have not gone because I haven't felt the best.
Thursday - work and then usually a wrestling meet, if it is at home or relatively close.
Friday - work and then out to dinner with friends or just us three. However, this Friday Ryan was at the Rose Hill wrestling tournament so Madelyn and I were in Rose Hill after eating out.
Saturday - Sleep in as long as Madelyn lets me (usually by 8:00am she is waking me up), maybe clean house, spend quality time at a wrestling tournament, and Madelyn's pottery class. Ryan usually gets home late from the tournament so Madelyn and I have a day for just the girls. If there is a good movie out Madelyn and I usually go to a movie. We have been to almost every animated movie in the theater since she was two.

Then Repeat.....

Only One??

As a parent of an only child I often receive comments or opinions about choosing to only have one child. Most times I don't feel like getting into details of why we chose to only have one child and ignore their comments and move on. But, there are other times when I feel like I need to defend our decision. The thing is I think it is rude of people to push their opinions about why I should not have an only child when quite frankly they have no clue of the reason.
Well today all my blogging friends get to hear my explanation.
To give a little bit of history, Ryan and I dated for quite some time before we got married. All the time we were dating neither of us wanted kids; it just never was a strong desire for either of us. Well, about two years into our marriage I changed my mind. I guess my maternal clock started ticking. It took a bit of persuading but before long Ryan was on board with having a child too, one child, not multiple children.
We were blessed to get pregnant quickly but unfortunately the first two pregnancies ended in miscarriages. Both, were equally devestating to us. After numerous doctor's visits, being poked and prodded and genetic testing it was determined that I had a progesterin deficiency. I had to take progesterone supplements the first trimester to maintain a pregnancy. Thankfully our third pregnancy was a success, however, not without a few bumps along the way. The first trimester I had to get my blood levels checked every two weeks to make sure my hormone levels continued to rise. Around 20 weeks into the pregnancy we chose to have the AFP blood test, which is just a screening to determine if our baby had a risk of having Downs Syndrome or Spinal Bifida, among other birth defects. Unfortunately the test came back positive for Spinal Bifida. My doctor ordered a level II ultrasound to take a better look at our baby. We had to wait almost two weeks for that appointment and it was the longest, most stressful, worrisome time of our lives. We prayed, and prayed, and prayed to have one healthy baby. On January 9, 2003 (that date is forever engraved in my mind) we went to the level II ultrasound with a great fear that something may be wrong with our baby. Fortunately God answered all our prayers and we were told we had a healthy baby girl. Later on in the pregnancy I developed gestational diabetes and had to monitor my blood sugars several times a day and adjust my diet accordingly. Towards the end of the pregnancy I was scheduled for several non-stress tests to see how well our baby was doing inutero and how well she would handle delivery. On May 29, 2003 our baby girl decided to make her grand appearance on our 4th wedding anniversary. The labor and delivery didn't exactly go smoothly to say the least. But in the end she was worth it all.
We knew we had been completely blessed to have the one, healthy baby girl we had prayed for. We know we can't make deals with God, but he gave us what we asked for so why would we want to tempt fate? That being said, despite the fact that the pregnancy and delivery were extremely stressful for us that is not the only reason we chose to have only one child. We also know that we can provide much more for one child than we can multiple children. Madelyn doesn't lack for anything, especially our time and attention. She is one very well loved child.
People have made comments that we are being selfish by not providing her a sibling and that it isn't fair that she won't have a brother or sister to lean on if something should happen to us. Well, there are no guarantess that siblings will have a great bond and are going to be lifelong friends. I could give you several examples where that is the case. Also, if something tragic were to happen and Ryan and I were no longer here I have complete faith in our immediate family to provide Madelyn with the love and support she will need. I also believe Madelyn will have very dear friends in her life that will be there for her.
I often times get the "itch" to have another baby, but that itch is only for a baby. I love babies and if they would stay that way forever I would have twelve of them. But quite honestly I'm not a huge kid fan and sweet, chunky babies grow into sassy, frustrating kids. Also, Ryan is very adamant about wanting only one child. Although he changed his mind about not ever wanting kids, I know my limits. We are a family of three and that is how it will be....

And why would we want another one when we already made perfection(quit rolling your eyes!!!).

Pottery 101

This month Madelyn has been attending a pottery class every Saturday afternoon. She is in a very small class with two other little girls her age. Parents are asked to stay and help with kids under the age of six so I have had the opportunity to build some things too. We have learned to make a pinch pot, slab pot and coil pot in the three weeks we have been to class. This week we focused on painting the pinch pot with colored glaze and next week we will get to take home the finished product. I found the place on-line and soon discovered that the owner/instructor has a son that works in the Starkey worskhop. Small world. Madelyn loves the class and it looks like I will be signing her up for next month too.
I loved pottery when I took art in High School and the wheel was my absolute favorite. I wasn't so good at it but it was sure fun. The instructor is trying to talk me in to taking a wheel class. She says they have all levels and it is never to old to learn or try something different. I'm not sure if I'll ever sign up but it sure has been fun going to pottery class with Madelyn.
Working on a coil pot.


Pinch pot turned into a penquin bank.

Great Wolf Lodge

Madelyn and I arrived at Great Wolf Lodge around 2:30pm on Thursday afternoon. Kelli, Jake(4) and Avery(1) pulled in right behind us. We checked into our rooms, threw on our swimming suits and off to the water park we went. A couple hours later, Robin, Brett(10), Jordan(7) and Tyler(5) arrived and then Kris, Logan(10)and
Hadyn(6) arrived. We were all water logged by the time 6:00pm rolled around and decided we should probably feed the kids. We picked up pizza, pop and beer(for the adults of course). The kids decided they had enough swimming for the day so we headed to the game room. After the game room we went to the main lobby for story time. The older boys (Logan and Brett) decided they were too old to join us for story time and Miss Avery only made it part way through story time before Kelli put her to bed.
Friday morning Kris and Kelli's kids were up around 6:00am, they came knocking on our door at 7:00am. Robin and I didn't have any luck telling them to go back to bed so the rest of the kids were up shortly after. We all ate breakfast at the GWL bakery. After breakfast we had over an hour wait for the water park to open so we did our best to keep the kids from terrorizing the rest of the guests at GWL. Finally at 9:00am they opened the doors to the water park and we let the kids loose. An hour later, Kris, Hadyn and Logan had to head home and from there the rest of us followed. We could have stayed until 10:00pm that night, but the kids were ready to go home. We were all checked out by 11:30am. Kelli and Robin took their kids to McDonalds for lunch but I figured we could go to McDonalds any day of the week so Madelyn and I had lunch at T-rex.
We all had a great time and the kids did well playing together. However, we decided that GNO is much more relaxing without the kids.


A girl after her mother's heart.



The crew minus Avery (she was sleeping).

The kids minus Avery and Jordan





Wylie wasn't real sure what to think of us. I tried to get him/her to hold me, but that didn't work out too well.



One of the aquariums at T-Rex

Heading to Kansas City

Tomorrow around lunch time Madelyn and I are heading to KC. We are meeting up with Robin, Kris, Kelli and their kiddos at Great Wolf Lodge. We have had this planned for a couple months and I have managed to keep it a secret from Madelyn this entire time. I will tell her about it when we are on our way.
On the down side, Madelyn started getting sick on Monday. It started with a runny nose and cough. When I picked her up after school yesterday she had a fever. Ryan stayed home with her today. She feels okay and doesn't have a fever as long as she is doped up with ibuprofen or tylenol. I had thought about cancelling our trip but Ryan and I talked about it and we decided she would be okay to go. Also, if we wanted to get a complete refund I had to notify GWL 72 hours prior to our arrival time. Madelyn started getting sick after that deadline. Since the room is $190 a night (thankfully I'm splitting it with another person) I wasn't real keen on paying for a room and not staying. I just hope by the time we are heading to KC tomorrow Madelyn will be feeling much better. Regardless I'm sure there will be a story to tell and pictures to post when we return.

Udpate, Thursday January 15.....
Madelyn woke up without a fever and no meds. Hopefully it stays that way.

Roller Derby

Last weekend the Terrys' and us took the kids roller skating. This was the first time the kids had been in a roller rink and the first in over 20 years since any of the adults had been in a roller rink. Needless to say it was quite a comical sight to watch all of us on skates.
Madelyn spent the majority of her time on her rear or clinging to the wall. The only time I fell was when some rather large lady came crashing into me. I gave her the look of death and she apologized profusely. Ryan and I took turns holding up Madelyn, which explained why my shoulders and arms were so sore the next day. Lifting 52lbs over and over is tiring on the old muscles.
It was nice to try something different for a change but I can bet we won't be going back to a roller rink any time soon. It was way too much work for a night of fun.

Lacing up before the fun began.

As you can tell in this picture Madelyn wasn't so thrilled about skating

Practicing on the carpet was much easier.

Isn't this the cutest?

Taking a break....not sure if it was a planned break or they just fell down.


Brandon and Marcus trying out their skates. Marcus spent a majority of the evening in his parents' arms.

Kenzie is just a year older than Madelyn and did very well on skates.