Day 7 and I'm out!

Goodness me, like I said yesterday the 7 Day 7 Post challenge was kinda tough.  Check out the Archives to the right if you missed the posts earlier this week.  But after today, I think I will give you guys a break for a few days.  I am going to put some of my attention back into Clitherow's for a little bit and work on the birth stories for Amelia and Simon.

On to today's shenanigans!

11am Mass should not be such a challenge to get out the door.  But Chris and I always stay up a little to late or a kid or two will keep us up...*cough, Simon, cough*.  So at 10:30 Everyone still in their jammies we opted for 5:15 mass out in town.  Though I like the later time, the kids seem to behave so much better in the morning.  We have raised our exception of good behavior at church based on this post by CatholicMom.com .   The big kids are have their good days and bad days, but we can see an overall improvement.  The biggest thing is we expect them not only to be quiet but sit properly and or participate.  I know it's hard on my big kids right now since we didn't establish these expectations from the beginning, but we are proud of their progress over the past two months. So those days when they wallow around in the pew, we are often stopped by a parishioner that reassures us that our kids are well behaved. It makes me wonder if we (Chris and I) are a bigger distraction that the kids.  As the big kids have more practice and begin to set the example for any younger siblings they may have I think Mass will become easier.  Or at least I hope.  In the mean time, I think I may make the ring of cards suggested on Catholic Mom.

Today, before Mass we took a turn at the thrift shop.  We got Megablocs, 10 kids books, a bucket of play kitchen accessories, Little Tikes piano, Pampered Chef pineapple core, a mirror for Simon's car seat, Dinosaur Train board game, kids hat rack, a Weeble Wobble crank toy, an action figure, and a small toy keyboard all for $14.56.  Most of these are Christmas gifts.  Though I'm hoping Owen won't remember.  We will have to see.  I was pretty happy with their toy selection today.

Well here are some funny quotes from my kids today.  Maybe you needed to be there, but they keep me laughing.

Owen: "I want to show you my moves, Daddy."
Wearing nothing but a helmet, roller skates, and his Mass Kit that looks like a man bag,  Owen attempts a grand leap!

Amelia: "We're going to the 'whore's' house."
Talking about the fifty cent riding horse at KMart.

After 'peace be with you' at Mass quite loud.
Amelia: "We done now?"

Thanks for joining me this past week.  I hope my ramblings weren't to painful ;)

Until next time peeps!

Well, I fulfilled the commitment at least.

Day six of the 7 Day 7 Post blogging challenge...YIKES.

Today we spent over 6 hours on our house for it to look the exact same.  I'm not sure how we did it.  It must be magic or something.  It ended with me giving up in defeat laying in the fetal position on my bed shedding a few tears. But I got myself out of bed, accepting defeat, and I'm just going to be ok with it.

I have been in a crabby mood all day, and my family has felt the brunt of it.  Sorry kids!  You too, Chris.  So, as much as I want to rant, whine, cry, and self-deprecate...I'll try in spare you.

But our day has been rather uneventful.  I don't even have a cute little anecdote (thanks Aunt Bridge for correcting me a couple years ago...totally thought it was antidote).   But here's a crappy attempt.

We have those rare couple of minutes that my kids manage to self entertain happening as I'm typing. I LOVE listening to them play.  Especially when the talk through their play.  As I type Owen is playing with some dragons and they keep closing them in the lockers saying "you are twapped!!!"

Amelia is playing with a La La Loopsy doll and rocking horse.  Owen asked if the doll pooped and gave her quick and immediate "Yep!" (punctuate that p in yep!)

Simon is crawling around crying at the slightest infraction by the older siblings.  They look at him wrong he cries.  But overall this evening is relatively peace after a day of overwhelming, self-inficted stress. I'm a pretty lucky lady to say the least.

I am looking forward to mass tomorrow and the rest of our weekend.

I know this isn't much of a post, but I have now fulfilled the 7 Day 7 Post challenge.  And to make it worth your time I leave you with this.

Love this show! Sherlock on PBS.  It's on Netflix too!

7 Quick Takes #4

--- 1 ---

Conversion Diary's 7 day 7 post challenge with Jennifer has been a little more difficult that I anticipated.  I posted briefly about my expectations which were practically nonexistent.  But I'm finding that I should probably do some more prep work before sitting at my computer to pump something out.  I feel that I end up repeating myself.  Or I end up with posts like yesterdays...bleck.  Yea, it left a bad taste in my mouth too.  I want to keep it up beat and fun around here.  (P.S. Those who have commented with encouragement thanks!)  Even though it is challenging I've enjoyed doing it. I'm excited to see what's in store through the rest of this challenge. 

--- 2 ---

CrossFit.  I have completed 10 days of training.  It kicks my butt for sure!  To prevent injuring my groin I have worked my arms so much this week!  I am looking forward to have Saturday and Sunday off.  The past 10 days hasn't made me workout obsessed...I'm not sure if that is even possible for me, but I am feeling the positive and not so positive side effects.

I haven't changed too much about my diet.  No fast food...well maybe once.  And no soda in the house.  Even though I drink diet, water is definitely better for you.  My soda intake was getting a bit out of control, so I stopped buying it for the house.  If we go out or someone offers it to me than sure.  I have been taking my prenatal vitamins again along with a pro-biotic and a B complex.   I plan on making more changes to my diet...baby steps!

Anyway, the first week my body was sore to the point of crippling. This week I'm not quite as sore.  I have more energy and I'm exhausted.  A conundrum that I haven't quite figured out.  I am sleeping a little better.  And you know that kick in the face morning feeling you have EVERY morning? No just me?  Well, I am NOT a morning person and that kick in the face feeling never seems to leave until noon at the earliest.  Well since CrossFit and the vitamins that feeling leaves much quicker.  It is usually gone by 9:30.

I am a compulsive scale hopper.  If there is a scale then I am on it just to see.  Oh I went pee! Surely I lost half a pound...Yea I have a problem.  So know my body fluctuates and it being in total shock I gained 4 pound that first week.  The end of this second week I lost those 4 pounds and I am back to where I started.  With that said. Chris (and I) can see a little difference around my middle.  What do you think?  Am I just seeing things?

--- 3 ---

I have totally neglected Clitherow's.  I have some really cute bows to post.  But the chaos in my house has kept me from pulling everything out to take pictures.  Plus 3 little sets of hands wanting to grab everything or they take the opportunity to do something they know is wrong.  I am going to gather every bit of motivation I can find in my body to get things my life together.  Hopefully, I can get back on track and post those new items and get back in the virtual handmade community. 

--- 4 ---

I have about one month before Owen leaves the orange room (where he has been for a year and a half) and he will be moving on the the Pre-K off post.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to be more sad than him.  But that boy - He amazes me everyday.  The teachers taught the class a poem about rainbows, typed it up, printed in out, and sent it home.  When I saw it in his cubby I didn't think too much about it.  We get to the van and he recites the whole thing with hand movements and everything!!! Seriously!?! I am terrible at underestimating our kids' abilities.  They are capable of great things!  I know I have mentioned a few time that we are considering homeschooling (will one day write a post about our process...maybe).  But things like this makes me want to homeschool.  I totally missed the whole process of Owen learning this.  I want to be a part of the process even if it is just witnessing it happening. 

--- 5 ---

In two week I am volunteering for VBS on post.  Since I'm volunteering Owen gets to partipate and watch-care is provided for the other two.  I'm excited.  I loved volunteering as a teen.  I am helping at the Imagination Station.  Here is where the kids get to come and participate in a craft/demonstration that goes with the theme of the day.  I'm really excited about being part of it.  I have a dentist appointment the last day that I am going to try and reschedule.  I know I won't want to miss the last day after getting to know all the kids. 

--- 6 ---

An update on my purple, green thumb.  Hanging plant, dead :(. African violet, not much as changed. Tomato plant, hanging on for dear life but did produce some small red tomatoes. The plants Chris planted, seems to be thriving.

 Yep thriving!

--- 7 ---

I am not a fan of birds.  They give me the same sort of anxiety as fish. Ya know? No, just me again? Anyway...not a fan.  Well a bird made a nest on the light outside our front door.  We don't always use that door, but we have been lately.  Well the mom would swoop out every time we opened the door. Well the eggs hatched and the babies just sat there with their mouths open all the time.  I would have a little panic attack everything open our front door.

CREEPY

 Well the babies a few days ago swooped out with the momma bird one morning when we open the door to take Owen to school.  The poor things were not very successful at flying.  They kinda pounced along in our front yard. But I'm a little relieved they're gone.  The stress every time I opened the door was too much.  Wimp!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Not feeling it.

I'm not feeling it today.  I'm not feeling it most days.  For two week now I feel like we have been non stop.  I know it's from adding CrossFit to our mornings.  Add a couple of appointments, play-dates, and general errands one's time is eaten up quick.

The house is in a whole new level a disarray.  The laundry, both clean and dirty, has taken over.  I'm so so so SO happy to have our new washer and dryer.  They are larger than our rickety old set so I can clean more clothes at once!!!  That also means I have to fold more clothes at once!  I have three overflowing baskets of unfolded clothes that I keep digging through. I have had the goal every day to get something accomplished and to regain the order like we use to kind of have.  And everyday I feel like I'm just trying to survive.   Feeding, diaper changes, throwing a towel on the newest spill, and ignoring the crash of toys that have been spilled to the floor.

I have been in this so called survival mode for quite some time.  I'm starting to think that I'm no longer surviving, but it's my new norm.  I lived there for all of Simon's pregnancy.  Of course I had a newborn and to recover and to adjusting to having three kids.  I will give myself a little bit of wiggle room here, but in the end these things didn't take too long. 

I long to have a system in place that is functional and teachable.  Owen and Amelia can be given household responsibilities and be expected to complete them.  I have found many lists on the trusty (and not so trusty) internet with age appropriate household contributions.  The problem for me is getting this system in place.  Any attempt I have made ended as soon as it started or was never finished and ended in a bigger mess.  I don't have the skills that can see chaos and create order. It's a vicious circle. 

I'm not sure what my point is really.  My plan was not to be a Debbie Downer.  I know I have complained to about abilities before.  I guess I could ask for some prayers.  I really want to improve.  I love being a wife and mother, but I want to be better...MUCH better at it.  And if we decide to homeschool these are skills that need to surface. 

Anyway, sorry for you time.  I will make a huge effort tomorrow to do better...here and at home.

Night interwebs!


Check out Conversion Diary where other people are completing the 7 Day 7 Post challenge.

Owen Clarence Lockhart: The Birth

Where has the day gone? It is now 8 o'clock and I have yet to begin my post for the 7 day 7 post challenge over at Conversion Diary with Jennifer. 

And I have no idea what I want to share with you guys today. So after referring back to that topics I brainstormed, I decided to type out Owen's birth story.  So here we go.

39 weeks with Owen

On March 2nd, 2009 with snow on the ground, I was three days past my due date, but I didn't care.  Chris was at Basic Combat Training so I had convinced myself the longer I was pregnant the younger our son would be when he met his dad.  I remember being really tired and taking a nap.  I hadn't heard from Chris in a while so I was pleasantly surprised when I woke up to a phone call from him around 7:30pm.  He told me how he had won a 20 minute phone call by answering a question correctly.  I was a little relieved to hear from him.  I didn't know what the future held.  Giving birth, at the time, seemed a little frightening.  Really it was the fear of the unknown.  How painful was it??  That 20 minute conversation was enough to push down some of the anxiety.  Once we said our goodbyes I went to the kitchen, filled up my "ice cup" for the trillionth time, returned to my room to write a letter to Chris as I had done every night since he left.  Around 11 o'clock I rolled over in the bed to go back to sleep.  At 11:30 felt the first of many contractions.

I began timing them.  The were 10-20 minutes apart and not too painful.  I decided I probably needed some sleep. At 4:00 am I woke up to a stronger contraction. I timed them again.  Still about 10 minutes apart and since I was starting to feel uncomfortable I decided to fill the bath tub.  The warm water helped with the discomfort.  I would refill the tub when the water would become cold.  I did this until about 6:30.  I started timing them again.  From 6:30 to 7:30 the contractions went from 5 minutes apart to 2 minutes apart.  They were lasting for about a minute and were starting to take my breath away.  I woke up my mom and told her that it was going to be today and then I called Dr. Dorn.  After speaking to me he told me to head to the hospital.  We get to the hospital and as they are getting me into the system my mom french braided my hair on either side so no loss strands would annoy me.  At about 9:30 I was taken up to Labor and Delivery.

I put on a gown and was check. I was dilated at 4.5 cm.  The nurse informed me that was pretty good for my first baby.  I continued to walk and rock and sway through my contraction, but the back labor was not ceasing and my exhaustion was taking its toll.  I could not relax between contraction anymore.  The thought of a needle in my spin scared me, but something had to give.  When the nurse came in to check me again I was at 7 cm and I spoke with her about some kind of relief.  I really don't know the name, but it was a muscle relaxer.  It was just enough.  I could still feel my contraction but it took the edge off my back between them.  I was actually able to get some sleep.  I had various visitors my mom, my dad, my mother-in-law, my sister, and my friend Libby.  My mom, my mother-in-law and Libby remained in the room to make sure my needs were met.  My dilation continued to 8.5 cm and stalled.  My water had not broke and they asked if I would like them to break at about 4:00pm they broke my water and my contractions became more intense.  I quickly became fully dilated and was given the go to push if I felt like I needed to push.

So I pushed, and I pushed and I pushed.

They brought out a mirror so I could watch, but if you know me...I don't handle medical situations very well.  I don't know if I was trying to be polite, but I never mentioned that I preferred not to watch.  So the mirror stayed.  I continued to push until everyone around me told me to look down.  Owen was halfway out and I could see his swollen face covered in goo.  At 6:06 pm with one final push he was here.  They laid him on my belly for a while before cutting the cord.  Everyone was eager to measure him since he was quite large. Eventually he was taken to the other side of the room as I was being stitched up.

March 3, 2009 at 6:06 pm 10lbs 6 oz 22 in

He was 10 lbs 6 oz and 22 inches long with a powerful set of lungs.  And he was AWESOME.  I was in love with him from the moment I knew I was pregnant.

I devoured my cold food.  And was left wanting more.  I was moved to my room.  I was really weak and could not walk without assistance.  I later found out I lost three time the amount of blood that I should have lost.  I had some visitors who came and went.  My adrenaline was wearing off, but I was waiting for a call from Chris.  I was tired and Chris was tired.  But we were filled with joy. We couldn't believe he was here. We were now a family of three.

Family Day at BCT March 25, 2009

Amelia's birth story.
Simon's birth story.
Becket's birth story.

Cry rooms, not a fan.

One of my all time favorite blogs is Catholic All Year.  Seriously, check it!  Kendra (the author of Catholic All Year) would like to fill all church cry rooms with cement so she has created a link up on this topic to gather opinions.  Since Jennifer at Conversion Diary (another all time fave. Better check it too!) is doing the 7 day 7 post challenge Kendra's link up would help knock out one of my daily posts.

Ok, let me begin with some personal experiences with cry rooms (and nurseries).

Simon almost 4 weeks old.

Back home in North Carolina, there are 3 churches that we hop around.  2 of the churches have a separate entrance for the cry room.  The alternative entrance gets many late arrivals who sometimes don't even have kids (no judging, we are guilty of being late).  So the room is often filled with lots of adults and very few kids.  The kids that were there were usually very young and most everyone followed mass.  The third cry room is more like what Kendra describes.  Lots of playing and parents talking.  I would get so agitated in that particular cry room because the volume would be turned down and I couldn't hear the mass over the conversations that were being had.  Even at that church if felt like there were more adults than children. 

Most of my experience in North Carolina was only with Owen as a baby and I had this preconceived notion that I should be in there with my babbling baby. 

We were/are stationed at Fort Drum.  We moved here when Owen was 9 months old. The on post chapel doesn't have a cry room, but it does have a nursery (or watch-care as they like to call it).  We were unaware of watch-care until the first time I attended mass without Chris, because he had duty, or training or something.  A lady informed me after mass that there was a nursery.  I remember feeling a little insecure about her approach.  I wasn't sure if she was letting me know because I looked new or if she was letting me know because she was bothered by my infant's babbles.  We later began taking Owen to watch-care.  Two babies later, Owen (4), Amelia (2), and Simon (9m) we have dropped watch-care even though all three are within the age limits to use the facility.  We choose to bring our children to mass.  Children belong at mass.  I know the nursery is not a cry room, but I think Kendra's points still apply.  The segregation of children and mass is striping them of graces that can be recieved and a foundation for their Catholic faith.

*I would like to note, that with spouses being deployed or training or extra duty it isn't always possible for families to attend mass as a whole.  Though we have been fortunate for the past year if Chris wouldn't be able to attend I would possibly put Simon in watch-care so I could have my hands free. We are still trying to establish our exception for church behavior with the older two....Then again maybe not...I really just don't know* 

I am still sorting out my vocation as a wife and mother.  I know what I want for my kids.  I just don't know how to give it to them.  I do know the best place to start is mass.  And after reading different blogs and talking to other mothers we have started implementing ways to get good behavior from our three small children.  And in less than two months we already have seen a HUGE improvement.  This past Sunday has been the best yet!

I feel that I have drifted from my opinion on cry rooms.  Back to the point!  I like the idea of cry room, but in the end it makes it very easy to become detracted to the point of not listening or even participating.  The wall literally is a spiritual barrier for some people.  Without them there would be less temptation for adults to misbehave at mass.  So I understand and agree with Kendra's sentiment and her want to fill these rooms with cement!  If cement is too much at the very least can't we just knock out the wall or break the glass? 

Brainstorming

Like most thinks I do I'm doing this link up on a whim.  I bet some bloggers are taking the opportunity to address ideas they have been meaning to post about and haven't gotten around to it, what ever the reason may be.  Not me.  So this post I will brainstorm about some ideas that may come into fruition during this challenge. Here we go.

• Homeschooling - Chris and I have been talking about the possibility of homeschooling for about a year. We are researching and praying about if this is the best course of action for our family. 
• MY HOUSE - It's a mess.  And I know lots of people say their house is a mess, but I am confident that their house does not compare to the wreckage we are currently living in.  I am going to try and get it out of risk of being condemned this week.  Not going to lie, for me it's an overwhelming feat.  I have read many blogs about simple ways to keep a tidy home.  In the end I'm just lazy. Pathetic! Anyway back to the point.  I could do before and after pictures.  I'm not sure how Chris would feel about me showcasing our heap we call a home.  And I am sure I will only post if I manage to have beautiful after pictures.  I can't have you judging to hard ;)
• Cry rooms - Kendra over at Catholic All Year is doing a link up about cry rooms at Mass.  
• Quotes - My kids are saying some of the funniest things. Of course they won't say anything funny this week since if I choose to use this as a possible post.
• Crossfit - I could whine
• Craft - I could do a project.
• Chris - I could devote a post to his awesomeness.
• Birth stories - I do want to write down my kids birth stories.  I could do that. Make a series or something.
• Recipe - Try something new or share something I make regularly.  I won't share hot dogs.  I hate to say but they are a staple here in the Land of Lockhart. But it may not make a very interesting post. 

I think I am getting somewhere.  If you're still reading...WOW.  I thought you would be sleeping. Go treat yourself to a donut.  It was well earned. Thanks for being part of this mini brainstorming session. 

Joining another link up.

Ok guys. Jennifer Fulwiler is hosting a 7 Posts in 7 Days: An epic blogging challenge. I'm linking up. Why not? She made some excellent points about what it can do for you as a blog writer. I imagine these points being completely legit and valid if you're not me. I keep the expectations low and the standards lower around here.

Here are her point with my commentary on how it relates to me as a faux blogger.

"Your readers want to hear from you." As a reader, yes this is completely true. I am constantly checking my Bloglovin feed to see if there is a new post from my fave blogs. Some of these blogs being Conversion Diary, Catholic All Year, Camp Patton, Daft Crafts, Snuggle Up with a Dish from Karma, and many MANY more. As a writer I'm not as confident that is the case. I'm not selling you my reader short, but I'm pretty sure my audience is predominantly friends and family keeping tabs on us Lockharts when I post a link to Facebook.  No shame there AT ALL, that is the purpose of this blog.  I'm just guessing that is how this point relates to me and this blog.  (She is SO right in terms of it relating to her blog, just sayin'.  Smart lady!) So yes you're here, you're interested, but I imagine you aren't  returning daily to see if you may have missed my most recent post. I am aware I am not documenting some great, profound, relatable, inspiring, or even funny...experiences. Ok, maybe relatable at times and I try to be funny.  I'm not sure if it always comes across.

"It'll help you overcome perfectionism." Yea, I am not as much a perfectionist as much as a person who dwells on the flaws. So if I have something to share its often posted within an hour or less depending on how wordy I am.  And I go back several times and make small edits because I used the wrong "your" or something.  I am terrible at proof reading. I am willing to bet that authors of blogs I mentioned above have several ideas that they draft and craft into the eloquent ideas, opinions, and talents that they wish to share. Not here folks. I fly by the seat of my pants. I take weeks even months in between posts (as many of you well know) just to give you an update that nothing much has changed. PLUS, we ALL have suffered through my grammatical errors, poor word choices, and the everyday typo....sooo I don't think that perfectionism is a flaw here...it probably should be saut out as virtue for blog sake.

"It'll find your blogging groove."  I'll take it! I might benefit from this.  The Land of Lockhart blog is an eclectic collection of my personal ramblings and crappy attempt to be even kinda cool. I do want to keep this blog more current than I have in the past. The original purpose is to keep my friends and family up to date with us Lockharts. And that still is the purpose.  I feel so disconnected from family and friends.  And I have these three AWESOME humans worthy of every bit of oohing and awing that you have to give.  (4 if you count Chris. He definitely earns some oohing and awing too!!)  So social media like this blog, Facebook, or Instagram is the best platform I can think of to showcase Owen, Amelia, Simon...And Chris ;)

With all that said.  Maybe this challenge will help me expand my audience, provide more substance on this blog, and find my groove.  Then maybe not.  We all know about my great plans and zero outcome.  But whatever...it'll be fun, I think!  So if you have a po-dunky (yea, new word. It'll catch on like "fetch" from Mean Girls) blog or a super duper awesome blog like Jennifer's then you should link up to the 7 posts in 7 days: a epic blogging challenge.  And if you are the writer of a super duper awesome blog, how did you get here? And I can't believe you're still reading this mess!

Until tomorrow suckers! I hope you enjoy the ramblings I come up with in the next 7 days :)