I feel like I should update my last blog. Now that I have explained our expectations, our financial situation, and laid it all out on the table, my step-mom says that she did have different expectations of us and that was causing all of the problems. She appreciated me telling her and now that she knows that we never planned on coming to Iowa again, she is ok with it. Still disappointed, but she says she can accept it. We can't make everybody happy.
This just goes to show that alot of disagreements are over different expectations that are never voiced. Take husband and wife quarrels, perfect example. I am just glad this quarrel is over.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Family Issues
I am beginning to realize that how you view things and how your family views things are totally different. This can make life difficult.
Take my dad and step-mom. I am realizing that they had a completely different impression of how things would be after we moved to Portland. BB and I talked about it before we moved, of course. We would probably never go back to Iowa. We would fly into KC and hope my dad could come down. And we never anticipated going back every year, maybe every 2 years. However, I guess it was our mistake that we didn't share that with my dad and step-mom. Their impression was that we would come up to see them once a year. They apparently think we have lots of disposable income and endless vacation. So life has become difficult.
I am trying to smooth things out, but my step-mom is a formidable woman.
Our visit in May is causing all of the problems. BB and I are leaving Woogy with my sister and her kids in Rantoul. I have thought and prayed about it, and it just doesn't seem fair to my children to make them fly on the airplane to KC and then travel 8 hours up to Cedar Rapids. I have to take Nibbles this time and it is going to make for a terrible vacation, I am sure. I think it's the right decision. They can come down to KC if they want to see Woogy, after all.
So my family issues are quite a problem right now. I replied to my step-mom's disgruntled email with a long. long email explaining our situation and why we have come to this decision. I also said that I didn't want to come up in May if there are angry feelings toward me and unresolved issues. Either my dad and step-mom can accept our decision, in which case I will come. Or they can stay mad, in which case I will not come up in May. I think I did the right thing. I put the ball in their court, so to speak. We will see if I am booted from the family in Iowa!!
Take my dad and step-mom. I am realizing that they had a completely different impression of how things would be after we moved to Portland. BB and I talked about it before we moved, of course. We would probably never go back to Iowa. We would fly into KC and hope my dad could come down. And we never anticipated going back every year, maybe every 2 years. However, I guess it was our mistake that we didn't share that with my dad and step-mom. Their impression was that we would come up to see them once a year. They apparently think we have lots of disposable income and endless vacation. So life has become difficult.
I am trying to smooth things out, but my step-mom is a formidable woman.
Our visit in May is causing all of the problems. BB and I are leaving Woogy with my sister and her kids in Rantoul. I have thought and prayed about it, and it just doesn't seem fair to my children to make them fly on the airplane to KC and then travel 8 hours up to Cedar Rapids. I have to take Nibbles this time and it is going to make for a terrible vacation, I am sure. I think it's the right decision. They can come down to KC if they want to see Woogy, after all.
So my family issues are quite a problem right now. I replied to my step-mom's disgruntled email with a long. long email explaining our situation and why we have come to this decision. I also said that I didn't want to come up in May if there are angry feelings toward me and unresolved issues. Either my dad and step-mom can accept our decision, in which case I will come. Or they can stay mad, in which case I will not come up in May. I think I did the right thing. I put the ball in their court, so to speak. We will see if I am booted from the family in Iowa!!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
The price for this day
With the recent passing of our friend's baby, I've been thinking alot of our own mortality. It doesn't help that the anniversary of my mom's death is coming up in April. I can't help thinking that we are blessed for each and everyday that God allows us to continue living on this earth. I found this poem in my mom's things after she died and I read it at her funeral. It was fitting.
A New Day
This is the beginning of a new day
I have been given this day to use as I will
I can waste it or use it for good
What I do today is important because
I'm exchanging a day of my life for it
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever
Leaving in its' place whatever I have traded for it
I pledge to myself that I shall be
Gain not loss; Good not evil; Success not failure
In order that I shall not regret the price I paid for this day
Author unknown
May the Lord bless your path and make it joyous, bright, and free of obstacles as you travel on this path we call life. Don't forget the price you paid for this day.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Very Sad News
Last night, we found out that a great couple in our home group just lost their baby. She was 33 weeks along. All we knew last week was that she had the "itchy, liver thing". We were going to bring them meals each week until she delivered.
I had never heard of this condition. Apparently, it's very rare (1 in 1000 women get it). I did a little research and found out it's called ICP. This is from the March of Dimes website: "ICP is a pregnancy-related liver disorder in which there are abnormalities in the flow of bile (a substance produced by the liver that aids in the digestion and absorption of fats). These abnormalities lead to a build-up of bile acids (components of bile) in the mother’s blood, resulting in symptoms such as severe skin itching. Up to 60 percent of women with ICP deliver prematurely (before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy)"
BB and I are very sad because they are our home group leaders, we see them every week, study the bible with them and pray with them. The Lord is our Shepherd.
I had never heard of this condition. Apparently, it's very rare (1 in 1000 women get it). I did a little research and found out it's called ICP. This is from the March of Dimes website: "ICP is a pregnancy-related liver disorder in which there are abnormalities in the flow of bile (a substance produced by the liver that aids in the digestion and absorption of fats). These abnormalities lead to a build-up of bile acids (components of bile) in the mother’s blood, resulting in symptoms such as severe skin itching. Up to 60 percent of women with ICP deliver prematurely (before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy)"
BB and I are very sad because they are our home group leaders, we see them every week, study the bible with them and pray with them. The Lord is our Shepherd.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Powell Butte
Today Nibbles and I went hiking by ourselves. It was very nice and relaxing, without BB and Woogy. It was our first hike alone, since the boys were off biking. (I can't pull Nibbles in the bike carrier, it hurts my knees too bad. I have bad knees from running. )
Anyway, it was a beautiful 65 degrees and it was so clear we could see Mt. Hood and Mt. Saint Helens from the Butte. And I am grilling some Ribeye and New York Strip steaks for dinner so it might turn out to be one of those really great Sundays, unlike yesterday. We were attempting a trip down to Silverton, Silver Falls State Park, but got caught in the worst traffic jam. We gave up trying after an hour and went someplace local for a hike. Then we tried to go to this pizzeria, which according to the internet is open, that serves great gluten-free pizza. It was closed. And the exit we needed to go to this other restaurant wasn't accessible. So we went to our third choice for dinner. So after yesterday, this was a welcome change.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Good Neighbors
We must have the best neighbors ever. Billy and Oscar are so friendly, come over nearly everyday when we arrive. They love our kids. Our dog thinks he belongs to them as well. Everyday he squeezes through their fence and barks until they let him in. He eats their dogfood, visits, gets some hugs and attention, then heads home, where he usually belches when I pet him from stuffing his face over there. They even let our kids come over and play in their yard when it's nice. They even watch our dog when we are on vacation.
I didn't realize how nice they were until I had to do some yardwork and I didn't have the right tools. They came over and loaned me their tools and helped with the task for 45 minutes. This isn't the first time either. They buy the kids easter and christmas presents every year and have even given Nibbles a little puppy that she pulls around all the time. This is the same puppy she dropped in a pond at the Portland Chinese Garden last year.
I am going to have to do something nice for Billy and Oscar to show them how much we appreciate them. (Yes, I erased my previous blog)
I didn't realize how nice they were until I had to do some yardwork and I didn't have the right tools. They came over and loaned me their tools and helped with the task for 45 minutes. This isn't the first time either. They buy the kids easter and christmas presents every year and have even given Nibbles a little puppy that she pulls around all the time. This is the same puppy she dropped in a pond at the Portland Chinese Garden last year.
I am going to have to do something nice for Billy and Oscar to show them how much we appreciate them. (Yes, I erased my previous blog)
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