tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215288710426897972024-02-06T21:42:08.694-08:00Emerald ParadiseTrying to find paradise in the jungle of real lifeLaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-41087683047398929492010-08-11T15:55:00.000-07:002010-08-11T16:25:21.434-07:00Jacob Is Finally Here!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgvVURU-mUE47-nqwEZC-gsi52sMO0hrcrEZgQ2yWH7FJYKZV47ojCZAgkiE0ED0h-_vGhbAPFl6aTStxFfwa_5j2YjkljgGFYO9rlUEYiy2bbHvHZcNFTyRgkiKKNsx9lsKcIUyy3q6i/s1600/015.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgvVURU-mUE47-nqwEZC-gsi52sMO0hrcrEZgQ2yWH7FJYKZV47ojCZAgkiE0ED0h-_vGhbAPFl6aTStxFfwa_5j2YjkljgGFYO9rlUEYiy2bbHvHZcNFTyRgkiKKNsx9lsKcIUyy3q6i/s400/015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504290408532137570" border="0" /></a><br />Jacob has finally made his arrival on 8-3-10 and 7:10 9lbs. 1oz and 20 1/2 inches long. It was so strange, I didn't even know I was in labor when I went to the hospital. I had called my doctor about something else and she said that they wanted to check and see if my water had broken. I went to be checked out and no, my water hadn't broken, but surprise, you're already almost dilated to 5! The nurse said you're not leaving this room today without a baby. Wow! It all was so sudden. I made my phone calls to family and sat there alone in the room waiting and trying to take in the idea of going to be a mommy by the end of the day.<br /><br />After a few hours I asked for an epidural, and was I ever nervous about getting it. My heart rate shot up and I actually started hyperventalating a little. I didn't know I was hyperventilating, I just noticed my head started feeling woozy. After that the epidural seemed to be working...I say seemed to be. As my labor advanced I noticed there was a spot it wasn't working. It was the entire lower half of my stomach and I was in pain! As time went on I was screaming every time I had a contraction. I was hyperventilating again due to being in so much pain, and my husband had to make me focus on him and do my breathing. At the end of my labor I had to fight the urge to push because I wasn't quite dilated to 10 I had a rim left and they told me if I pushed I would bleed..great incentive to not push. I really tried, most of the time I held it off but my body just did it on it's own at times. I was begging the doctor to let me and was so relieved when she said yes. I think pushing was the easiest part of the labor because it felt like a huge relief to be able to do it. I pushed for about 19 minutes and he arrived. My labor was a grand total of 8 hours.<br /><br />Everyone is doing great right now. I had a very nice recovery, I was up walking around that evening. I am of course a little sore, but I think I am doing great compared to what some people have told me how they were feeling afterward. Jacob had a bit of Jaundice but he was never bad enough to be treated. We had to go to the pediatrician a few times, and on Monday they said it was going down. We go back on Friday to check and see if he has gained any weight, the last appointment he hadn't yet.<br /><br />Even though the labor was rough, I would do it all over again without a second thought. I am so happy to finally have the family I have been praying for for over 2 years. God has truly blessed us.LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-47200479398284498442010-06-14T11:12:00.000-07:002010-06-14T11:58:31.609-07:00Baby Shower!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqo03tegJ_HVUQfcPHC1PD8jsej7fFlusm3Jl-sf-NgjOsDzVkLpxb5xemy5as6FBojh0wk7l7E_f9tRKovD2vgQwxyMhv3X_9Ai3H8PDGRKwWK_MRBrkSUCkMhhUCyfQLoD0VNtUElLr8/s1600/sign.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqo03tegJ_HVUQfcPHC1PD8jsej7fFlusm3Jl-sf-NgjOsDzVkLpxb5xemy5as6FBojh0wk7l7E_f9tRKovD2vgQwxyMhv3X_9Ai3H8PDGRKwWK_MRBrkSUCkMhhUCyfQLoD0VNtUElLr8/s400/sign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482702323574803202" border="0" /></a><br />I finally had my baby shower this past Saturday, and things went pretty well overall. It started at 2, and only a handful of people were there at that time, but by 2:30 we had a large crowd. I was very happy with how the decorations turned out, I thought it was different than most showers I've been to, and that is what I was going for.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmtezj6vG-I7yLcW6-PjNFAZIhEoPNBanZLxB9qXdIcDV8ePowwtY8vTi5nzgiO143EqX_yjHKCe9I4Wc8EJfR4Y_NQRHj5bN2TeMYTvItngL-IOx01rwU51WODqnvhVu02JfFPPHDPJB/s1600/table2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmtezj6vG-I7yLcW6-PjNFAZIhEoPNBanZLxB9qXdIcDV8ePowwtY8vTi5nzgiO143EqX_yjHKCe9I4Wc8EJfR4Y_NQRHj5bN2TeMYTvItngL-IOx01rwU51WODqnvhVu02JfFPPHDPJB/s400/table2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482702158048365874" border="0" /></a>I was very pleased with the cake that we got. It turned out beautifully! We got a local lady to make our cake, her recipe just tastes so much better than what you can buy out of a store. She also did our wedding cake, so I knew it would taste good, but I was a little concerned what the picture on the cake would look like. Turns out she's pretty good at that too.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiz_mBplt9QJNyei2QGG10YumILpdNMvbUg5R_PgA8h1GOTKGg__xyFEiqGVlVx-bv02textQOW8iWf8HpzMtOpqQFTeKprHFHF-x5XwodL6LpLZneVuICp87t9oBtyFEr_CJbfe6B_7S/s1600/cake.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiz_mBplt9QJNyei2QGG10YumILpdNMvbUg5R_PgA8h1GOTKGg__xyFEiqGVlVx-bv02textQOW8iWf8HpzMtOpqQFTeKprHFHF-x5XwodL6LpLZneVuICp87t9oBtyFEr_CJbfe6B_7S/s400/cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482700217957579042" border="0" /></a>I got tons of clothes, which is of course a good thing, but I was hoping to get a few more packages of diapers. I got only 2 packages of newborn diapers, which may due me a little over a week. I got a few other packages that are different sizes, but I will have to buy more newborn sizes, but every little bit helps. :)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEAEUjD4cXdXi4uV8mcItRv1LdI3IeUpP1K_iQ88lpZ9jrXAaD7KFK1XcxmdlfjIXvNMrNe9td6c9X-qYsSFdtasrU88yWIciNgYadFB4kpGY187HSfBTgl3jSxfZeCCuqhYKqenSwlT4/s1600/opening.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEAEUjD4cXdXi4uV8mcItRv1LdI3IeUpP1K_iQ88lpZ9jrXAaD7KFK1XcxmdlfjIXvNMrNe9td6c9X-qYsSFdtasrU88yWIciNgYadFB4kpGY187HSfBTgl3jSxfZeCCuqhYKqenSwlT4/s400/opening.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482701910979421010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQj8BHU-JrOAQiK5_nT40uy03qb4PEYhI6lmxaO9tKpafbKd7mYKkdYqVaGNvEgyd2fLs_-6rVoa77Uu2Y4eDiYIjg20tf3gbhF2_JTry_4cmfddTc9R5a5uK7p25JvlCH5oyNJV1pnzQ/s1600/shirt.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQj8BHU-JrOAQiK5_nT40uy03qb4PEYhI6lmxaO9tKpafbKd7mYKkdYqVaGNvEgyd2fLs_-6rVoa77Uu2Y4eDiYIjg20tf3gbhF2_JTry_4cmfddTc9R5a5uK7p25JvlCH5oyNJV1pnzQ/s400/shirt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482701687991491410" border="0" /></a>We had a lot of good food to eat as well, my mother-in-law got some of her family to bring a dish of food, and David and I bought chicken tenders for the main course. I just didn't want to have finger foods if I could help it. I know that I don't really like them, so I didn't want to feed something I wouldn't want to everyone else.<br /><br />It was a good day, but I sure was tired afterward.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lMIdcM8Rj6OnentKOhoiO1u-bHd5IPxDxevZbsyNmdiM6l92R_jCT3X7aNRgScr-wZDt2czYQlSM-Rp5gMoOHRxwqb3DMtMNNTUxTEhPjRNpKSp1wJn7cm8LbzyjP-gMhQcPk1IZz4Xk/s1600/thankyou.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lMIdcM8Rj6OnentKOhoiO1u-bHd5IPxDxevZbsyNmdiM6l92R_jCT3X7aNRgScr-wZDt2czYQlSM-Rp5gMoOHRxwqb3DMtMNNTUxTEhPjRNpKSp1wJn7cm8LbzyjP-gMhQcPk1IZz4Xk/s400/thankyou.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482701512391879314" border="0" /></a>LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-88219798040724066232010-06-10T08:30:00.000-07:002010-06-10T08:45:51.308-07:00Getting NervousOnly 9 weeks left! It's so close, yet so far. I have to admit, the thought of child birth is making me very nervous at this point. Up until now I have just kinda pushed it out of my head because it was 'so far away'. Now, I feel like it's almost upon me and I have to face it...whether I'm ready or not. I won't go into the details of exactly what I'm afraid of, I'm sure most of you know what happens during that time anyway, but it seems soooo scary. I've started reading the things you may experience after..nobody told me about the after!! *shudders*<br /><br />I'm sure it will all be fine in the end, I know it's a little scary, especially for a first timer, but it's worth it. I just saw a picture on facebook of one of my friends who had a baby last night. I of course, started to cry. All I think of is, "What will Jacob be like?" I want to hold him in my arms and count every little finger and toe, kiss his forehead and just stare at him in amazement! I can't take much more, why isn't it August yet?!<br /><br />One more thing to look forward to..or not..is my baby shower this Saturday. I guess you are scratching your head wondering why wouldn't you look forward to that? Well, I am a person of a very nervous disposition. lol I hate being in front of a crowd, and since it is MY baby shower everyone will be focusing their attention on me at some point. If only I could melt into the background and just have all of those gifts without anyone making a fuss. That would be a perfect world to me. :) I suppose I can handle a couple of hours of it, after all I want those baby gifts!LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-88509386737095221482010-04-23T10:48:00.000-07:002010-04-23T11:05:00.149-07:00Doggie outside my windowPregnancy hormones..they're a killer. I find myself crying my eyes out over things that may have just made me slightly upset. For over a week I have been fighting these feeling over a silly little dog. My neighbor lets his dog run free, and he came to my house. At the time, I didn't know he was owned by anyone, I thought he was a stray. Being my animal loving self I played with him and let my dog play with him. Last Saturday I got a knock on my door from an old man who lives a few houses over and said that it was his dog. He told me he was trying to keep it from coming over here and wanted ME to 'give him a good switching' when he comes over. There's no way I'm going to do that! I don't beat my own dog, let alone someone else's dog. I took the hint though, and I have not given the dog anymore attention. The problem is, he won't leave! He follows me every where I go, tries to run after my car when I leave, and cries outside of my window looking at me. I can't take much more! It's breaking my heart. Today it's pouring in the rain and he's soaked to the bone and wants inside. I don't want to go against this guys wishes, but if he wants his dog he needs to keep him indoors or make a fenced in lot for him. I'm not sure, but isn't there a law against letting your dog run free?<br /><br />I'm just very frustrated with this man. He doesn't seem to care for his dog in any way except giving him food. A dog needs more than that, he needs to be played with, given some attention, and this dog especially, needs to be groomed. I wish I could have this dog, but I can't. I wish I had the guts to go up to this mans house and offer to pay him for the dog. I can't see how he would really care, seeing how the dog is never even at his house. But, it's not my call. I guess I'll just sit here and look out my window wishing I could play with him.LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-19100238386031794962010-04-19T20:43:00.000-07:002010-04-19T21:08:42.563-07:00Relief!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURiCnuouKju6HkUPF1iFk-NWXM5udV4994LTQLEbcw3wh5P945apCgWOYIaAMmQn8dlLJ3u2JcIulnI5_wa3b4a5swRm1A98n7oCUCcjnYKcaIWGhnGOUfx80mlU4letx6HBrxUVS0a5m/s1600/chiropractor-kitty.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURiCnuouKju6HkUPF1iFk-NWXM5udV4994LTQLEbcw3wh5P945apCgWOYIaAMmQn8dlLJ3u2JcIulnI5_wa3b4a5swRm1A98n7oCUCcjnYKcaIWGhnGOUfx80mlU4letx6HBrxUVS0a5m/s400/chiropractor-kitty.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462066737279598722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Today I had my monthly checkup for the pregnancy. I'm pleased to report Jacob is doing just fine. They were asking me the routine questions, and when they asked me how I felt, I told them fine except for the pinched nerve. The doctor asked if I had ever seen a chiropractor, and I said no. She asked if I wanted a referral, and I said sure, I would try just about anything to make this pain go away.<br /><br />Well, I went to the chiropractor and was nervous...just thinking about my bones being moved in my spine was a little scary. I was sitting in the waiting room all by myself, and couldn't help but over hear two patients that were ahead of me being treated. I heard grunts and "oohs" and "ahhs" and "right there, right there!" I was like oh my gosh..they sound..orgasmic. Hearing that almost made my anxiety go away. lol<br /><br />Finally, it was my turn. I went in and told him my aches and pains, and mentioned that I have had minor back pain since childhood and was told by a doctor in my teens that I had scoliosis. That doctor NEVER told me to get treated. The chiropractor said if I hadn't came in within a few years, that I would have been too late to treat it. I was shocked! I didn't know it could be treated, and I certainly didn't know there was a time frame. So, after I deliver I can be treated for my scoliosis. As for the the pinched nerve I originally went there for, he made me lie on my side and he did the realignment. I heard so many pops, but it didn't hurt. I didn't make the noises the patients ahead of me had made. lol I'm happy to say that my pain has eased up a lot, but not completely gone. He said as much. He told me that he can ease my pain and make it a lot more bearable. I think I will just have to wait until my pregnancy is over to have it go away completely.<br /><br />Next month, on May 17th, I will be able to do a 4D ultrasound. I am SO excited for that. I have seen my sister-in-laws video and David's cousin's video of their 4D's and it is so amazing. It's like you are looking at the baby. They set it to music and film the parents at the very beginning, the whole presentation looks great. I will have David and my parents there to watch. I really want my mom to be there because she's not been able to be there for any of my other ultrasounds, and the 17th is also her birthday. I thought it would be special for her to see her first grandchild in 4D on her birthday. :)LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-72463840237345850582010-04-16T11:46:00.000-07:002010-04-16T12:17:35.931-07:00Baby Dreams and WorriesDreams, they are always a source of fascination to me, mainly because almost every night I can remember them in such detail. Last night, I had a dream that needs no interpretation, it's pretty much self explanatory. For some reason, Jacob had been born early, but yet was still healthy. I was like oh my gosh, I have nothing ready! I noticed he needed a fresh diaper, so I tried to find the changing table..it hadn't been put together yet, so I got David to start putting it together. Since there was no table I went to change him on the bed, of course I got the poo on our sheets and on his clothes. I searched for baby wipes to clean him up..nothing! Why don't I have wipes?! I tried to find clean clothes for him, we had none. I was about to scream! The only good part of this dream was that he was healthy, and I had become comfortable handling him. One of my anxieties is getting use to positioning him because I 'think' he's so fragile. lol I know better, but it's still a small fear of mine.<br /><br />Obviously this dream is my fear of having nothing ready by the time Jacob gets here. His room is still a 'junk' room. There's no crib, dresser, changing table or decorations that have been purchased. We will hopefully have the furniture bought within the next month and have decorations and clothes from the baby shower. If I don't get everything we need we will still have a month and a half to get it after the shower. Why am I freaking out over it? Well, if you talk to anyone that knows me, they will tell you it's impossible for me to NOT freak out.<br /><br />Another worry, that is actually legit, is that I found out that I have Group B Strep infection. I am currently on antibiotics and will need antibiotics by IV during labor to keep Jacob from getting it. My doctor doesn't seem that worried about it, so that makes me feel a bit better. I, of course, think of worst case scenarios, what if I go into premature labor and the baby doesn't get the antibiotics in time? I'm so scared that I could lose him, or he becomes handicapped in some way. I ask that everyone keep us in your prayers.LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-31307444840999079942010-04-06T08:22:00.000-07:002010-04-06T08:46:57.893-07:00Ouch!I just got back from my doctor's appointment because my hips and inner thighs have been hurting. I was told I have a pinched nerve, and boy does it hurt. The explanation I got was that as the baby gets bigger and pushes on me, my vertebrae in my back move, and that can sometimes caused a pinched nerve. I seem to have gotten 'lucky' and had it happen to me. My body can get use to it and my pain could go away, but I could also keep it until delivery. I hope it gets better, otherwise I have 4 more months of this. I guess I am paying for the wonderful first trimester I had. I felt so good then when most women feel their worst. Oh well, it's all worth it. :)<br /><br />My Easter weekend was great. On Saturday I went to a church cookout and watched all the children hunt eggs. I got to meet my 2nd cousin, who is almost 2 years old. He is what I hope my baby boy will look like. He has such pretty brown curly hair. Unfortunately David didn't get to go with me, he stayed home to work on our house. But on Sunday we went to church with my parents, and on the way we had a flat tire. Luckily we got it changed and was only 15 minutes late. Church was also late to start, so it turned out fine. We also went to his parents house and watched his family hunt Easter eggs. I didn't get to see David's little niece because her mom still hasn't had her baby yet, and needed to stay near the hospital. But I saw cute pictures of her on facebook of her hunting eggs in the yard with her grandparents.LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-61377662214549453152010-03-29T08:06:00.000-07:002010-03-29T08:36:39.015-07:00UpdateIt's been quite a while since I've posted. Nothing has really happend worthy of reporting. And that can be a good thing, it means things are going very smooth. :)<br /><br />I've reached 20 weeks pregnant, and I'm starting to feel like I have a drum inside of me. I keep having that feeling of being beat on, and little Jacob is my drummer boy. lol I had the anatomy scan done at 18 weeks, and he was given a clean bill of health. Thank God! That's when I got to find out the gender of our baby. I didn't really need much help figuring it out once it came upon the screen. lol I felt like screaming, "I can see his wee weee!!" But yeah, that would've been inappropriate at the time. :D<br /><br />Church has been going well, I really like where we started going. It also gives me a chance to see my sister-in-law. She is going to have her little baby at ANY time. She went in a couple weeks ago to stop her labor, but now it's safe for her to have the baby. She's gone back 2 times this week because of contractions, but it just never seems to happen. We saw her yesterday evening and she was once again having contractions and having back pain. We're all hoping it will happen soon, especially her because she's in so much discomfort.<br /><br />Yesterday was great, we all got together at her house and had a birthday party for David's mom and brother. I had the most fun watching David play with his 2 year old niece Isabella. First time I've ever seen him play with baby dolls. lol The best part is when Isabella, her doll, and David all had plastic bowls on their heads for hats. Wish we had a picture of that, it was so cute. He said he couldn't wait until he could play with Jacob. :) We will have our time, just have to wait.<br /><br />We are now in the market for a new mattress. I wonder how many pregnant women shop for new mattresses?? lol My back has been killing me! I have this horrible dread when it's time for bed. I know I'm going to lay on that lumpy mattress with no room. We have a very old full size bed, it was my mattress before we got married. I got the mattress from my grandmother who had it in storage for I don't know how many years. I bet it's older than me! David gave in yesterday and we are going to try and buy a queen tempurpedic mattress. I am so looking forward to that! A full size is just too small for a girls growing belly, a man, and a dog to all try to sleep on.<br /><br />I haven't played World of Warcraft for a while now. I played for a little while on my warlock, and it was fun. I got her to lvl 80 and got some nice epics. But they just weren't nice enough to take on the big raids. I guess if I had stuck with it long enough I could have gotten her there, but just sitting around waiting in que for a dungeon wasn't very fun. I got to the point where I only really needed gear from the new Ice Crown dungeons, but I almost always got a group that wouldn't finish it. Either the healer or the tank got mad at someone and left, which made us have to wait forever to find a replacement. The best runs I had was when I got my husband to fill one of those roles. He doesn't play anymore either. He is basically in the same rut I am. He started to play Aion again, but I doubt that will last long. It just something to do because we are so bored in the evenings. I don't know what to do with my time now that I don't raid!! I miss WoW, but I can't find anything to hold me there. There seems to be set raid groups, and I don't want to disrupt that by raiding a while and then quitting, it's not fair to those who are dedicated.LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-40407993167814074622010-02-22T10:23:00.000-08:002010-02-22T10:37:46.842-08:00ChurchRecently going to church has been on my mind a lot. I have been a believer since I was a small child because my parents took me to church and explained it to me. Now that I have a child on the way I feel that I should do better and raise it in church like my parents did me. I also have been having these feeling before I got pregnant, it's just now they are stronger. I guess you could say I have been 'lukewarm' for a while, and I know that is not good.<br /><br />I chose a church that my brother-in-law and his wife go to. I've visited there a couple of times and really enjoyed it. I like the way the pastor presents his message and I enjoy hearing them sing. They don't sing what most churches around here sing, which is the older gospel music. Not that there's anything wrong with it, it's just not for me. I can't say that I've ever liked it. My mom and dad love it and I remember as a child closing my door and turning up my t.v. to block it out. It sounds so 'twangy', like bad country music.<br /><br />This church also seems to be active, and has a lot of activities if you choose to take part in them. Once I have my child I would like to join MOPS (Mothers of preschoolers). My sister-in-law goes and enjoys it, so I think I would give it a try.<br /><br />I'd like to buy a new Bible, one that doesn't have all the thee's and thou's in it. I guess I will have to go to a Bible Bookstore and ask someone who works there to help me. It would be no use asking my parents, if it's not the New King James Version you are just wasting your time. lol<br /><br />Well, keep me in your prayers that I keep this up. I really want to do better. :)LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-29580418794531951062010-02-03T10:32:00.000-08:002010-02-03T10:56:26.636-08:00WoW ComplaintsI have recently taken a leave of absence from World of Warcraft. Why? I was bored of doing the same things over and over, and being almost rock bottom dps. Granted, I never researched my class further than what type of gear I needed and the stats I required. I just recently read <a href="http://ravenholdtmanor.blogspot.com/2010/02/thank-you-but-i-dont-want-to-play.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DaughterOfRavenholdtManor+%28Daughter+of+Ravenholdt+Manor%29">Daughter of Ravenholdt Manor</a>, and saw her graph of the diffrent classes dps. Guess what, balance druids were on the bottom! AHHH! What am I good for? I can't think of much. I have a buff and a battle rez, and if you're a leather worker you can do the buff without a druid being present. If I went feral dps I could do better if I had the gear, but I don't WANT to be feral. The rotations are a pain to keep up with, in my opinon, and it means I have to be melee. I enjoy being in the background throwing my spells at the boss. Plus, fuzzy boomkins are just cute. :) Is that any reason to play a balance druid, not really, but it doesn't hurt.<br /><br />Other things that took me from WoW was the raiding situation. I didn't really enjoy 25 mans. Sure, you got much better gear, but you had to pay for it with constant head banging. I'm not a hardcore raider. I don't like trying a boss more than 3-5 times. After that I start to scream at the computer screen and make not so nice remarks to myself about whats going on. I also had little patience with those who don't know what to do in the raid after they had done it before, many times, or asked repeatedly what to do with loot when the raid leaders have instructed us before the raid.<br /><br />My prefered raiding situation is a 10 man with the same people, or at least mostly the same. Now that there have been a lot of people quitting WoW, the guild has been forced to do 10 mans and only do a 25 man once a week. I REALLY wish that was the way it was when I was playing. To be honest, I liked the guild when it was small. It's so large now, and they have to try and please the majority. I understand that, but it's just not the way I liked it. Maybe I just don't like change, that is probablly the biggest part of it. The raids when we were doing kara, that was the best times for me. It was a small group of close knit people having fun.<br /><br />Oh well, I guess I should stop complaining. Things change, and if you don't change with them you get left behind. At least I have good memories. I won't be gone from WoW forever, I may even be back within a month of so if I see the guild is still doing 10 mans more than 25. But I will certainly be back for cataclysm. I've got to make a worgen druid. :)LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-33654767872385662592010-01-28T13:08:00.000-08:002010-01-28T13:25:18.807-08:00Our Bouncing Baby<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZU6IrVB-MDiaFV2EhGhuWnEqwdhJ-8R7_bPB2RQ_jdINsZEK3aFUQLhAB1fln53C0gcYtjl5_L5TFIirUaaZw8ptu8dOZrvbuY5c2UN8Gw_OzsYjp8UxdgzCse1SXVk79uzLlF3RZPpj5/s1600-h/baby1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431900998076218162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZU6IrVB-MDiaFV2EhGhuWnEqwdhJ-8R7_bPB2RQ_jdINsZEK3aFUQLhAB1fln53C0gcYtjl5_L5TFIirUaaZw8ptu8dOZrvbuY5c2UN8Gw_OzsYjp8UxdgzCse1SXVk79uzLlF3RZPpj5/s400/baby1.jpg" /></a><br />Yes, that's my little one. He/She is getting so big! I'm starting to feel a little more at ease now that I've gotten to the end of my first trimester. I know that there is always a chance something can go wrong at any time during a pregnancy, but it's now less likely.<br /><br />I got this ultrasound two days ago, and it was the most exciting thing I've ever seen. Sure, I've seen the baby in earlier ultrasounds, but I always thought it looked like a little blob. I couldn't really make out what anything was. But that's all now changed, as I layed there on that table watching the big screen in front of me, a little human image came into focus. I was amazed! I didn't even realize that I was tearing up until I noticed I couldn't see the screen very well anymore. This is what I've been waiting for for 3 years! I looked over at David and he was smiling at me, and I could tell that he was just as happy as I was. I turned my attention back to the screen and saw our baby move around. He/She was moving their hands around and bouncing all over the place. I wonder if that's why I have to go to the restroom so much? lol I also thought it was so cute when the baby decided to flip over and show us it's little rump. It had it straight up in the air. :)<br /><br />This ultrasound was actually to determine if the baby has any genetic defects. While I still have to wait for results from my blood tests, the doctor said the baby looks normal. They measured the fold on the back of its neck and that is suppose to determine if it has a higher chance of having down syndrome. I was very relived to hear that it appeared normal.<br /><br />I have an appointment with my OB this Monday, so I hope our baby gives us another good show. I can't wait to see it bouncing around again.LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-15922359994648114012010-01-11T16:27:00.000-08:002010-01-11T16:42:34.023-08:00Good news, bad newsToday I went to the doctor, just like last time, I wasn't expecting anything out of the ordinary. I was calmed by my obvious pregnanc symptoms, so I didn't think that anything was wrong. But I found out I lost one of my little babies. Of course I am upset about this, but I find myself taking it a lot better than last time. This time is diffrent, I still have my hopes in the living baby. The doctor said that the baby is very healthy looking and is growing ahead of what is expected. I hope it stays that way, it makes me feel a little safer. <br /><br />One thing that makes me nervous is the doctor asked me if I wanted a Nuchal translucency screening. It screens for problems such as down syndrome. He tells me it's optional and doesn't think anythin is wrong, but yet he askes me if I want to do it. It makes me feel scared he thinks something could be wrong. But, no matter what happens I will still love my child with all my heart. I am just so thankful that we still have one baby on the way, and pray that everything will be ok.LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-46095598258005266522009-12-23T11:14:00.001-08:002009-12-23T11:34:00.910-08:007 weeks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiV6WtF0CPIOlZsci4_x8Klp2Kz6rukAY1c98I-wQ33elMmf9jgD9B949yEtu5Kaw1X652ydjuaP_YhakWgOF1ZYwzc6bW79UVuJt2pGG0L1kxbf8FX50odXypiCoxAu1mQuajkCrmldZ/s1600-h/7-weeks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiV6WtF0CPIOlZsci4_x8Klp2Kz6rukAY1c98I-wQ33elMmf9jgD9B949yEtu5Kaw1X652ydjuaP_YhakWgOF1ZYwzc6bW79UVuJt2pGG0L1kxbf8FX50odXypiCoxAu1mQuajkCrmldZ/s400/7-weeks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418514700397011682" /></a><br /><br /><br />Today marks my 7th week of pregnancy. I'm still very worried about them and will feel a lot better when I hear their little hearts beating. I go on Monday for my next ultra sound, and I pray everything goes well. <br /><br />I am already starting to fit a little snuggly into my pants. I started to notice yesterday that my shirt seemed to feel tighter, and I decided to try on a pair of pants that usually fit me pretty well. They are way to tight now and I seem to spill out of them a bit. I have been keeping an eye on my weight and I've only gained a pound. From what I have been reading this in perfectly normal. A couple of pounds at this stage is considered ok and I read that your pants should be becoming snug in your 7th week..and that's if your having one, I'm having two! At least I have a couple of pairs of pants that still do fit me, but for how long? I may be going clothes shopping soon. lol <br /><br />I have been taking it easy and trying not to over do anything, but I have to say, if it were up to my parents I'd be on complete bed rest and never move until it was time to have them. My mom warned me against vacuuming..come on! I surely hope I can push something around on wheels and not get hurt. I don't lug it up and down the steps, but that's different. David's been handling it pretty well, he just seems to get overly worried when I don't feel that well. I actually, so far, have been having it very well. I have only gotten a little nauseous a couple of times. The major thing that concerns me right now is the soreness in my tummy. I've read that your uterus is expanding to make room for baby at this stage, so I hope that's all it is. I don't want a repeat of last time. I was told not to worry unless it feels like a cramp, and I am having a hard time determining which it is. It's in God's hands, and hopefully I will find out more on Monday. Merry Christmas everyone!LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-57542538416931580002009-12-15T15:40:00.000-08:002009-12-15T16:07:11.238-08:00Twins!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqydO7AkAQXOprzR7U7__Em9wtowtLn7lu4VTJcpJyhlmEfZxf-g4htvNXLMv6z7NHzkwL3sMVb5FeiDOWxxlYbahmdcA16JMOuuDnRYMHjgfVO2HZEsPQjNCxFyKWmX-WUJjExS3YErYY/s1600-h/STA60048.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqydO7AkAQXOprzR7U7__Em9wtowtLn7lu4VTJcpJyhlmEfZxf-g4htvNXLMv6z7NHzkwL3sMVb5FeiDOWxxlYbahmdcA16JMOuuDnRYMHjgfVO2HZEsPQjNCxFyKWmX-WUJjExS3YErYY/s400/STA60048.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415618424656846098" /></a><br /><br /><br />Yesterday I went and had my first ultra sound, and much to David and my surprise, we're having twins! When I was laying there I sadly could not see the screen as they were doing the ultra sound, but one of the nurses did a little gasp of surprise. I heard the doctor say "Just amazing". I was sitting there wondering, "WHAT! Tell me." He just said two. I thought I didn't hear him right and I asked, "Did you say..two?" Wow! What a shocker. Of course, I did know this was a possibility, he did tell me I had a 10% chance of this happening, but come on, do you really think it would happen? I wanted it to, I prayed for it, but realistically I just assumed there would just be one. But God blessed us with two! The doctor was so shocked that this happened to me. The lead nurse, which is also his wife, explained that it was such a miracle because my "E2" is very low (estradiol..not sure what it does) and my egg quality isn't that great. Dr. Assad always seems to mention how he doesn't understand how I got pregnant with such low levels, and now I further stumped him with having twins. lol <br /><br />I don't think it's totally sunk in yet that there will be two. It is mind blowing right now but it still seems unreal. After the shock has worn off my mind began wondering how am I going to do this! I have no experience with children and I was worried about learning to care for one, now I have two at once to worry about. I suppose I will learn very fast once they come. I will have no choice but to learn. lol Our extra bedrooms aren't that large, how am I going to squeeze TWO cribs in there? How do I soothe two crying babies at once? My mind just keeps racing. Besides worrying about when they get here, more imminent is the pregnancy itself. I know carrying twins can result in a lot more complications and early labor. I need to keep nutrition on my mind because I certainly don't want two tiny skinny babies. Gotta eat those veggies! I have noticed I have been getting hungrier lately. My tummy growls a bit more than usual. I guess I'm already working hard at helping those babies grow. That's really the only symptom I have noticed, but I am also still very early in my pregnancy, tomorrow makes 6 weeks. The 6 weeks marker makes me nervous because that's when my last pregnancy terminated. I know the whole first 3 months it can happen, but in my mind if I can get past that I will feel much better. <br /><br />I guess to sum everything up I'm ecstatic and extremely worried all at the same time. This is certainly a journey that will change our whole lives. We are going from a family of two to four in a very short time.LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-58770101694920224162009-12-04T08:39:00.000-08:002009-12-04T08:56:55.858-08:00Special Early Christmas Present<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2E-Gi6AlKPcW4DRj5MsvzRM80adcOPuKg8P9fHZCEmY_ellQjjfSFGgV4KmOGskUy4pRr9RBn_lL20Th-E8CCq8E70-sGKrwdp_Xleakp7O8lbCLmmmPRlTAbFr7_1fqQzemN39HkemQD/s1600-h/babypooh.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2E-Gi6AlKPcW4DRj5MsvzRM80adcOPuKg8P9fHZCEmY_ellQjjfSFGgV4KmOGskUy4pRr9RBn_lL20Th-E8CCq8E70-sGKrwdp_Xleakp7O8lbCLmmmPRlTAbFr7_1fqQzemN39HkemQD/s320/babypooh.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411426038752171922" /></a><br /><br /><br />It turns out, that I'm pregnant again. I was so happy when I found out. I got the 'official' word from my HCG Beta test that I was, but the home test told me already. Of course I know they have to do that test, they want to watch my hormone levels and make sure the baby is growing. So now comes the scary part, waiting for the next 3 months. I have been sooo very careful not to do anything that could cause strain. I'm pretty much like "Don't touch me!" lol I feel like a walking piece of glass, I don't want anything that I could do to make this pregnancy not to work. <br /><br />Putting all of my worries aside, I am so thrilled. My sister-in-law was right, this is the best early Christmas present I could get. Too bad I can't get the actual gift until August. :) You know what would make it even better? If there were two babies. There is a 10% chance, so I will keep my fingers crossed until I have my first ultra sound. The doctor actually put back 3 eggs this time, so there is a very small chance of triplets. I think I would fall over if there were three. But, I am guessing there is just one, but it's nice to dream of what might be. <br /><br />I've also started keeping a journal from the start of this current IVF to the end of my pregnancy. I would like to keep a record of everything I think and feel through out this whole process, and maybe when my child is old enough let them read it. I also want to buy a memory book I saw at Books-a-million. It has pockets in the pages to keep momentous and a place to put a picture of the mother each month of the pregnancy. Seems really nice.<br /><br />Also, in all my excitement I don't want to forget who really made this happen. God has given me this blessing and I don't want that to slip from my mind at any time. Doctors can only do so much, but God makes it happen.LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-86215485743977871112009-11-23T10:58:00.000-08:002009-11-23T11:32:31.918-08:00The Real Santa Claus<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRY-YjLi8D-dt-Yy5ADuE_mzNTDp1xviUBQtm51OjLLvKpPn07eDJVm4lzzMn5Q3GRhYtgZm3Hc0KEPZDyKkwgBQVonT07DM2X97URIl9tx5PyY_KvUz_LaVBXENSyVr0Q4JxVYlVchyh/s1600/st-nicholas-face-composite3a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRY-YjLi8D-dt-Yy5ADuE_mzNTDp1xviUBQtm51OjLLvKpPn07eDJVm4lzzMn5Q3GRhYtgZm3Hc0KEPZDyKkwgBQVonT07DM2X97URIl9tx5PyY_KvUz_LaVBXENSyVr0Q4JxVYlVchyh/s320/st-nicholas-face-composite3a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407382796103708114" /></a><br />I was reading one of my friends blogs, Fear the AoD, and he spoke of a kindly gentleman who resembled Santa Claus. In his post he spoke of our ideas of Santa and how he is the spirit of giving. It got me to thinking, why is he so iconic? So I did some research.<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus">Saint Nicholas of Myra</a> is the primary inspiration for Santa Claus. He was the bishop of Myra in Lycia, who was famous for his gifts to the poor. He believed in "sell what you own and give the money to the poor". He dedicated his life to spending his inheritance to helping those in need. One of the more famous stories of Saint Nicholas is about a poor man and his three daughters. They needed a dowry to be able to marry, but they had nothing and were destined to be sold into slavery. On three different nights a bag of gold appeared in the stockings hung by the fire to dry. Sometimes the story says it was three balls of gold, which are now represented by oranges. </div><div><br /></div><div>Saint Nicholas is also known as the patron saint of sailors. One story tells that he visited the holy land to walk where Jesus walked, and on his return trip a horrible storm threatened to sink them. He calmly prayed, and to the amazement of the sailors the winds died down.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is also an interesting story that takes place long after his death. Townspeople of Myra were celebrating Saint Nicholas and on the eve of the feast day Arab pirates come and steal the treasures of the saint. On there way out of town they kidnap a young boy and force him to serve as a cup bearer to their king. For a year he was his servant, but on the next eve of Saint Nicholas he is whisked away and taken back to his family by Saint Nicholas himself. </div><div><br /></div><div>Another interesting tidbit, is that Saint Nicholas was apart of the first Council of Nicaea, which gave us our first uniform Christian doctrine. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you'd like to find out more interesting facts about Santa, you can go<a href="http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=743"> here</a>, which is where I got most of my information. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-91928202866016879592009-11-22T14:45:00.000-08:002009-11-22T15:01:57.802-08:00Mermaid GirlShiloh Pepin was a young lady who I saw on television who touched my heart. She had a condition called sirenomelia, or mermaid syndrome. Her legs were fused together and was born with no genital organs, lower colon, and only one partially working kidney. The doctors said she wouldn't make it past a few days of life, but she lived. She lived to be 10 years old, and passed on October 24th. She came down with a cold very quickly and it progressed to pneumonia. <div><br /></div><div>Stories like hers is such an inspiration. How many times have you given up because something was too hard? She lived her life to the fullest that she could. She learned to swim, went to summer camp, and rode a special bicycle. She did the things little girls did at her age. </div><div><br /></div><div>I saw her facebook page, and it was over flowing with condolences. She obviously touched many peoples lives, and I'm sure God sent her here for a special purpose. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre; "><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nBiI6YmT-GM&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nBiI6YmT-GM&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object></span></div>LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-44766461576098507312009-11-17T11:35:00.000-08:002009-11-17T12:13:16.874-08:00Thanksgiving's On It's WayThanksgiving is just around the corner, and I know I am already dreaming of my grandmothers homemade dressing and fruit salad. Unfortunately, this Thanksgiving is going to be different from all those that I remember. You know that this time of year we are all 'suppose' to be closer as a family, and having good cheer etc etc...well try to tell that to my family. My uncle is in the midst of a divorce, his children are going to be having Thanksgiving with their mom instead of us. To me it's really sad that they don't at least make the effort to try to visit both places. I really wanted to see my baby cousin and I know for sure my grandmother wanted to see him. It would've meant a lot to her to share Thanksgiving dinner with her great grandchild. To me all of this is a minor inconvenience, but for her I know it will be a heartache. I'm very close to my grandmother and I hate to see her get so upset. I just know that Christmas dinner will end up being the same way. <div><br /></div><div>Besides my obvious family troubles, I am still looking forward to Thanksgiving. I just love watching the Macy's parade and watching the performances. I also like to watch A Christmas Story that usually airs that evening. Who doesn't love watching that determined little boy get his Red Ryder BB gun? I love watching him go gaga over that leg lamp and getting the boot to the forehead from Santa after hearing those horrible words, "You'll shoot your eye out kid!".</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre; "><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0jCr8QSGYss&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0jCr8QSGYss&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Another favorite tradition is the day after Thanksgiving. While everyone else is facing horrible mobs shopping on Black Friday, I always put up my Christmas tree! There's nothing better than to put on some of the classic carols and decorating your tree.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanksgiving is also a time for reflection. I am so very thankful for my family. I have been going through a lot lately, and I've had their support every step of the way. I'm also thankful for all the small things, like my little dog Bumble, dogs are also woman's best friend :) Going out with friends, good music, a fun game to play, watching the critters outside, taking time to count the stars, and all the things that make up my everyday life, all these things make life great. </div><div><br /></div><div>**********</div><div>Tomorrow I go to have surgery to take out my eggs for the IVF. I'm nervous about it, I remember how it hurt last time. I will say one thing, my doctor doesn't mind giving out the pain meds. lol Monday when I went to his office he gave me a prescription for Lortabs and Valium. I've not taken Valiums before, but I have had just one dose of Lortab from the last time. I'm not a big medicine taker. I only took that one dose because David was tired of hearing me scream every time I moved... </div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday is when they put the fertilized eggs back and December 2nd is when I take a pregnancy test. I would say keep your fingers crossed, but I think it's better to say to have your hands folded in prayer :) Luck has nothing to do with it. God gives the gift of children, not the doctor. </div><div><br /></div>LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-86624240904975177822009-11-08T09:22:00.000-08:002009-11-08T10:22:56.092-08:00Early Christmas Fun<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: -webkit-xxx-large; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px; "><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A0OK0Hu7GEM&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A0OK0Hu7GEM&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: -webkit-xxx-large; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><div>Yesterday David and I had a very nice time with his brother Derek and wife LeAnn. We all went to see A Christmas Carol in 3D. I absolutely LOVED it. This was also there first time seeing a movie in 3D, and they enjoyed it as well. I have only seen a hand full of movies in 3D, we have only moved here last year and we weren't near any theaters before that would show them.</div><div><br /></div><div>There were parts of the movie that I actually found a little scary. lol When Marley comes to haunt Scrooge, they make it very creepy. They sort of built up to the point and made me jump a couple of times. Also, when Marley's jaw comes unhinged is a bit scary. But as it goes on, it becomes a joke because he tries to still talk and acts silly. I guess that's what you call the comedy relief. :) When the Ghost of Christmas Future enters the picture, it becomes a little unnerving. He mostly shows himself as Scrooges shadow, but then chases him as the driver of a hearse lead by two very evil looking black horses. And of course, the scene when Scrooge falls into his own grave gets your heart pounding as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the movie we went on to Chili's for dinner. It was only the second time I've ever eaten there, and of course I got the ribs. What's a trip to chili's without ribs? It was good and messy, but my clothes survived. </div><div><br /></div><div>We then went shopping and each got to go to our favorite shops. LeAnn is an avid reader so we went to Books A Million. I found a Christmas themed book called The Legend of Holly Claus. I've only gotten 60 pages into it, but it seems like a wonderful fantasy book. It's filled with fairies, goblins who dress up as elves, centaurs, fauns and many others. I admit it's more of a young adult novel, but who cares. :) Next was Derek and David's turn, they went to Best Buy. I was a little bored. They of course found tons of stuff to look at and I even got a gift idea for David. Next was my turn, I got to go to the Old Navy Outlet. I bought a blue coat with some fuzzy fabric on the inside. Very comfy. </div><div><br /></div><div>At the end of the day we came back to our house and they played with our doggie Bumble. It was a very good day. I had lots of fun.</div>LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-62377098537916909602009-11-04T09:06:00.000-08:002009-11-04T09:39:03.069-08:00Drama, in Game and OutEternity Matters seems to be going through drama again. I won't go into detail about that because you can see it on the forums if you really wanted. But I guess I read the blog from a previous member that got me down that was directed at the drama. I helped with the new website slogan, and she pretty much bashed it. I had no intention of 'misusing scripture'. I guess I am a very sensitive person and it hurt me. She then went on to say that God doesn't care that we play WoW. Maybe not in a literal sense, but he cares about me and I know he cares about what I do. So if I find friends and can hear the Word in WoW, then I'm sure He cares a lot. I don't understand why anyone wants to stir things up, I suppose they feel a certain conviction in what they are saying. I know when I feel something deeply and no one listens I get frustrated. This doesn't mean I agree with them, I just think I can kind of understand why they do it. On the other hand, it makes me wonder if they enjoy doing these things. It seems to me that sometimes they do, but I am on the outside looking in. <div><br /></div><div>In real life news, I am going to the doctor again tomorrow. This will be my first time driving there on my own, and I'm nervous. I confess, I HATE to drive long distances, it makes me very nervous. But this is very important to me, so I can't wait for someone to do it for me. It is less than two weeks now that I will do the actual IVF. I'm nervous to whether it will work or not this time. It worked last time, so I am praying that it will again. Just this time, I hope I have a happier ending. </div><div><br /></div><div>This past week I was put on some anxiety meds, that alone makes me feel like a failure. That seems like a strange thing to say doesn't it? It just bothers me that I don't seem to be the master of my emotions that I'd like to be. I am just not dealing with the stress well, and I guess it was time to get some help. It's also not like I'm the only one in my family to be this way, my father, grandfather and other great uncles and aunts are like me. We have a very nervous nature. If only I could be like my husband, who is as easy going as possible. If we do have children, I want them to be like him.</div>LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-87113913542496630482009-10-13T08:22:00.000-07:002009-10-13T08:53:09.540-07:00Life Goes OnYesterday I made a phone call to the doctor's office and told them I wanted to do IVF again. I have so much nervous excitement, and a little bit of dread. I have had to wait a couple of months until my body healed and they will finally let me try again. I don't think I have to tell anyone this, but I am going to go crazy during this. I am already off my rocker emotionally since I lost my baby. This past week I have cried at least once every day. Sometimes it just comes on with out any reason, and other times it's because I happened to be watching a show where someone was pregnant. Maybe it's too soon emotionally to try again, but I just can't sit and wait. <div><br /></div><div>I'm hoping that I can get pregnant this time as well, it would really help the holidays go better for me. The IVF will be done by the end of November and I should know by around 2 week after. This holiday I will see my sister-in-law pregnant and I don't know how that will affect me, but if I was pregnant again I think I could handle it better. On the other hand, if I did this and I don't get pregnant...I don't think I can show up. Not unless they want a bawling, bitter person with them. I don't think they'd like that much. I don't know if they'd understand, his family already talks about her pregnancy in front of me. That bothers me quite a bit. It HURTS. I want to scream that at them, but I can't. I'm happy that they can have another child, but I am not ready to face that situation yet. I suppose that's just life and you've got to live with it.</div>LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-4845031651015230602009-10-05T07:57:00.000-07:002009-10-05T08:33:05.184-07:00Ghostly Encounters<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuzM0IO1WYG5g064YDzBRv_YRVxTpygXZriwCr0JPsmez2UOG8L2FpAFVZAgaapvhyphenhyphenS-BLx5oo0Oy2oMf-VSFypHPPnub7drJDBJbCpiLedWqoFaWGjBFVtT3tkYjYysCkA2yeD9HwltK/s1600-h/brown_lady_lg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 348px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuzM0IO1WYG5g064YDzBRv_YRVxTpygXZriwCr0JPsmez2UOG8L2FpAFVZAgaapvhyphenhyphenS-BLx5oo0Oy2oMf-VSFypHPPnub7drJDBJbCpiLedWqoFaWGjBFVtT3tkYjYysCkA2yeD9HwltK/s400/brown_lady_lg.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389138624043193282" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>It's that time of year again, when we turn our mind to the creepy-crawly and things that go bump in the night. I'm sure most of us have been asked, "Do you believe in ghosts?", and my answer has always been yes. But, I looked up what the Bible has to say about ghosts and I found my answer <a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/ghosts-hauntings.html">here</a>. It basically says that, no there are not spirits of dead people left on earth, but there are good and bad spirits which are called angels and demons. So in other words the so called 'ghosts' that we see are in truth demons. That makes me more afraid of them than when I thought they were just dead people. So why do we see the image of people that have gone on before us? Why is that sometimes 'ghosts' seem friendly? As the article explained, a demons job is to deceive us and lead us from God. It gave a great example of how we put our faith in the psychics to contact spirits rather than putting our faith in God. <div><br /></div><div>At the beginning of the blog I said that I always answered yes to believing in ghosts, and I'd like to share with you why. When I was a young girl, maybe around 12, I was walking down my driveway to meet the bus one early morning. While I was waiting I heard a childs voice say, "up down, up down, up down" and then let out a horrible scream. I associated the up down phrase to the cliffs that were behind my house. At the time I didn't know what to make of it. Later, I was playing near my house and again heard the same voice calling me to the cliffs. It said "Come and play". I went to look but no one was there. I ran away feeling spooked and heard "Wait for me". I heard the voice another time, but it called me by my nick name Ron. I told my parents and grandparents about all of this and they believed me about what I was hearing. My grandma was very scared for me, and told me to tell it to leave me alone in the name of God, to rebuke it. I went to the cliffs and said what she told me to say and I never heard from it again. I always thought that it was a dead person, but I guess in truth it was a demon. I wonder what it's purpose was? </div><div><br /></div><div>Around where I grew up as a child I have listened to ghost stories that have happened to my family. There have been tales of horse ghosts you could hear running, slaves you saw floating in the window, disembodied foot steps, and knocking spirits. The knocking spirit seems to be the most common. My father, grandparents, and I have all heard it. My dad and I have both heard knocking on our windows only to find nothing there. And it's not just a quick tap, it seems to be timed in between the tapping and lasts for several minutes. My grandparents on the other hand claim to hear banging on there door and sides of there house that are loud and violent. It happened during a Bible study once that she was holding in her house and multiple people heard it. Maybe it was trying to stop them from studying the Word?</div><div><br /></div><div>Taking in to account all of this I have often wondered if it was our family these things were after? Or maybe it is contained to physical area, because I have never experienced anything outside where I grew up. Everything that I described happened around there. I guess it will be one of those things I can only speculate about. I hope you don't think that I am crazy, although I wouldn't blame you if you did. :)</div>LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-60036619754746668172009-09-24T09:25:00.000-07:002009-09-24T10:24:51.315-07:00Dreams, what do they mean?<span><span>I have always had vivid detailed dreams. Almost every morning I can remember my dreams, and I see dreaming as an enjoyable experience. Last night I had a strange dream that I couldn't quite get out of my mind. In the beginning I was sitting in a dark room lit by candle light with people I don't actually know in real life. I believe the room was an old play house my grandpa built for my cousins, because when David and I came out of it I was standing in their yard. We were arguing about whether or not to go camping. I didn't want to go, but since David wanted to I decided to go. After that I remember seeing snakes every where. It freaked me out. I sat down again on the ground and saw small brown snakes crawling towards me. I jumped up and ran away from it. This happened constantly through out my dream. I don't actually remember going camping in my dream, but I do remember being in a car with David coming home from it. I was looking out the window and saw the landscape seemed to be flooding. The ground was very soggy and I saw streams that were swollen. Once again I saw the snakes, but this time there were fish that were out of water gasping for breath. I felt sorry for those fish. I told David the next one we saw I was going to put it back in the water. We saw another on a bridge and I got out and pushed it back in, but it made a hissing sound but didn't hurt me. I saw then it was another snake, but this one was bright green and very large and had a head like a cobra. It just went into the water. Then David and I drove up to a mansion and I remember running up to the door and knocking and David let me in. Then there was a house keeper inside that talked with us about our trip. And that was the end. Veeery strange. </span></span><div><span><span><br />I decided to analyze it by what I could find on the internet.</span></span></div><div><span><span><br />Darkness: Being uninformed or feeling confused, being in the dark</span></span></div><div><span><span><br />Candle: They symbolize light and where there is light, there is hope. A lit candle suggests that you are unconsciously seeking comfort and some sort of spiritual enlightenment.</span></span></div><div><span><span><br />Flood: A body of water rising or flooding can represent: A feeling of overwhelming circumstances invading in your real life, such as your to-do list or an emotional crisis </span></span></div><div><span><span><br />Snake (This one had multiple meanings): Transformation; fertility; rebirth. Also evil or represent fears.</span></span></div><div><span><span>Brown: Brown is also an autumnal colour and as such may signify a (feeling of ) decline; low spirits ordepression.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"></span></div><div></div><span><span>Green: Life, growth, fertility, transformation, abundance, prosperity, Inexperience or immaturity. A need for healing<br /><span><span>Cobra: may symbolize creation, and creative energies. Some situation or relationship has you hypnotized.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"></span><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"></span><div><span><span><br />Fish: he fish symbol has been used for millennia worldwide as a religious symbol associated with the Pagan Great Mother Goddess. It is the outline of her vulva. Some people believe that when you dream about fish you, will soon find out that you or someone you know is pregnant (water of the womb). Others believe that if you see fish in your dreams, it is a forecast for sickness and poor health.</span></span></div><div><span><span><br />Bridge: Bridges take us from one location to another, usually across an (emotional) body of water. If youdream of bridges, you may be in transition in your life.</span></span></div><div><span><span><br />Door: opportunity; Locked door: blocking an opportunity</span></span></div><div><span><span><br />Mansion: Having a broad scope of options or opportunitiesAspiring to magnitude, having big dreams, high ideals. An expanded sense of self</span></span></div><div><span><span><br />Housekeeper: To employ one, signifies comparative comfort will be possible for your obtaining.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"></span></span></span></div></div>LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-79472396472047233732009-09-22T09:28:00.000-07:002009-09-22T10:16:34.331-07:00Rogues, Pirates, and Bears Oh My!I have recently created a rogue named Koann, and I have to say I am really liking it. I have made multiple rogues before and could never get passed lvl 15 because I always seemed to die..a lot. But this time I have heirloom weapons and the only time I've died is traveling to Booty Bay to get the pirate achievment. lol She was way to low lvl to do that, but I did it anyway. I am already lvl 32 thanks to heirloom items, and I can't wait until 40 so I can get my fast ground mount. I am also using a mod that my husband uses to lvl up. It's called tour guide I think. You just make your toon and then tell it where you are starting from and it tells you every quest to get to lvl up. It doesn't make you get every quest in an area, sometimes you even start a quest chain and don't finish them. That part bugs me a bit. I hate not finishing chains, especially if I have done a lot of it. <div><br /></div><div>Last week Eternity Matters decided to have some fun on Pirate Day. It was a silly affair. Many guildies got a mod to help them speak like a pirate, and others just tried on their own. That evening some of us got together and had a race through dead mines. One lvl 80 and a character 15-25 went in together and raced to see who could get done first. I had a great partner, Syyiand was played by his younger brother and he was a killing machine! lol He went in as a balance druid and just moonfire spamed and when he gathered them all did hurricane. It was beautiful *cry*. Being a rogue, I just stealthed the whole way and followed him so I wouldn't get hurt. lol And of course the good part, we won! Our prize was an <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=10030">admirals hat</a>. I can't wear it yet, but I will when I'm able to. </div><div><br /></div><div>Today is patch day, and I'm excited. Onyxia is now lvl 80! I have no idea how hard she will be now, but of course I want to try it. I signed up for an ulduar run for tonight, but I hope that we get to do this now instead. But for all I know she could be too hard. :( Well, I got my fingers crossed.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also decided to change Lunas's off spec to tanking. I have gotten a lot of gear recently to replace some of my blues or kitty gear. I've gotten a pair of <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=47248">boots</a>, <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=45324">pants</a>, <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=47529">helm</a>, <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=47522">weapon</a>, and <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=49116">two</a> <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=49080">trinkets</a> since I last tried to tank. I figured since I never played as kitty and trying to do the correct rotation was a pain I'd try to be something a little more useful. I found myself in a couple of situations just this past week that I could've tanked for the betterment of our heroics. Instead David had to switch to his tank so we'd have someone. He would rather play his healer, and it made me feel a little bad. According to WoW Heroes my tanking gear is up to 25 man Ulduar and 10 man ToC. I just need to learn how to tank again. Where to situation things and such. </div>LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2421528871042689797.post-77536034761717084232009-09-06T19:07:00.000-07:002009-09-06T19:23:23.636-07:00HobbiesLately I have been trying to find something to do besides sitting in front of a computer screen all day. I have been thinking about it for some time now and have decided on a few things to start doing around the house to keep my mind occupied. First of all I use to take violin lessons, and I think I am going to pursue that again. I never got very far in my previous lessons before I had to quit, but I was able to squeak out a few simple songs. Needless to say, I have forgotten every single thing I learned from those lessons. I hope I can find someone nearby the give me lessons. I called a local music store and they didn't know anyone near here. So I am going to call another music store in another town close by. I really would like to start practicing again, I had a lot of fun with it. <div><br /></div><div>I also use to draw a little. I never was very good at that either, but it's a hobby I enjoyed. My favorite subject to draw was my favorite anime Sailor Moon. I mostly sketched when I was in high school and just seemed to drop it for some reason. But tonight I decided to pick it back up while David was raiding. I had a picture on my desktop that I really liked so I decided to try and draw it. Here's the out come. </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZg31060LBU1X6BUs0XfAhD8kLZHhNolDbjE-R5DdL34ERLtRJaaFfli3QCJQ0n7e21PQMNPl926Lk5FjOfdOgfPMoPiBn-aYzpwM1Gr-q8ZtOgZDk5hyphenhyphenD23nXv2WgqeXfZuzcQ9_pzBt8/s400/DSC00737.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378543993499263938" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I know it's a little light, the camera wasn't able to get it as clearly as I'd liked. I'm not that great, but I think you can at least tell what it is. lol The original picture had flowers surrounding it, but I wasn't comfortable drawing those yet. Maybe I will practice and go back and finish it someday. </div><div><br /></div><div>Well that's all I have for now, later. :)</div>LaRhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05377972224538212622noreply@blogger.com0