The Henderson Family Chronicles

While in the shower (because that's where I have ALL my good thinking thoughts) I discovered the right way to say what I was trying to express in point #4 on my thinking thoughts post: Finding out that we are 99% sure that we won't be having any more kids allowed me to give myself permission to just enjoy what I have.  I think I always felt like "It's great to have to two awesome kids, but we should have more. More will be coming. Don't get comfortable, it's going to change. Soon. Any time...." Now that I know that this is what I've got, I can just relax and enjoy WHAT I'VE GOT. All I've ever wanted, All I've ever dreamed of, Everything I've hoped, and all the things I've prayed for Couldn't hold a candle to what I've been given. I've been given what I need.

You ready? Here we go... 1. I'm trying to lose weight. Well, let's be a little more concise here. For the umpteenth time I am attempting to battle my hormones into releasing stored fat, by making an effort to make permanent healthy lifestyle changes. I am using MyPlate by Livestrong to track my calories, fat and such. I've done it 4 full days now, and am starting to learn more about what is appropriate portions and balance. I hope in about 3 weeks I will start noticing a little difference, and I hope that by then I will not need to put every bite that goes into my tracker. But I have been pleasantly surprised at what all fits in under my daily goal. It really just comes down to make a few healthier choices, (light sour cream? water down the juice? THAT'S all I get in a serving?) and not going back for seconds. I got really hungry one night, but I was 200 calories under, so in the evening I had half a bowl of Special K, and felt much better. So. Hopefully this works. A...

I was remembering last year, when it was SO hot, And I would sit in front of the fan, and I would blog. And because I was hot, I was a little random. Well, more so than normal. And I said to myself, "Self, it's a hundred fetching degrees outside, and it feels that hot inside. Maybe we should blog". At this point we will NOT take note that I have stunk at blogging this year. So. Updates. Hmmm. Our 4 year old refrigerator died. Sad times. They aren't supposed to do that after 4 years. So we had to buy a new one. And Andrew wanted an upgrade, so it's a lovely white french door model. Eh. It's a fridge. We've been camping twice this year, both times with my parents. it's fun to camp with someone else. The first trip was a quick one to Palisades. The second one was this last week, we took a 4 day vacay to Alturus Lake, near Redfish Lake, and Sun Valley. We had a blast! Which reminds me. A lot of women talk about their family's five year plans. ...

Recently my friend Rose told me that her mom always told her you can tell how clean a person is by how clean it is behind their kitchen sink. Mine is always GROSS, and I've tried keeping it clean, and it just doesn't work. It's hard! And I wondered how it wasn't a big deal for other people to clean back there. Today I realized why I HATE it, and why it's no biggie for pretty much everyone else. I am 4'11" tall. I can't reach, I can't get my hand up over the faucet and back down. I tried it with a low step stool today that made me 5'8". Not only did I feel like I was going to fall and break my neck, but it took one little swipe to clean it. Today I felt like I earned my "legally handicapped" status that my height places me under. Most the time It's no biggie to be a shortie (hahahaha), in fact I think sometimes I forget that I am below average height. I think it's time to invest in a few more step stools. I wonder ...

I've known I needed to write this post for a while now. I've tried to write it, then I crumple it, throw it in the trash, and walk away. If it was less important I'd just forget about it, but I need it for me, if not now then in a few years. And I need to say it so that I can process it, and I need YOU to know, so that you you know it's ok to talk about it, but when someone asks you, you know what to say. When someone asks you what, you say? Sigh. It's "that" question - You know...the one about babies. Is Maren Pregnant? Are they planning on cracking out another baby or what? Why do they only have two kids? Aren't they ever going to have any more kids? For a long time I haven't known the answer to any of those questions either. It just never seemed to happen. We even tried Clomid. Then on top of THOSE questions were all the questions about why my body was so fruity - my periods so out of whack, hormones all over the chart...and nothing...

I was just reading back on my early early blog posts, from before we bought the house through Em's first birthday. I noticed a few things: 1) I was pretty happy and cheerful. I think it was because my house stayed cleaner.... 2) I took a lot of pictures. I should take some again, I have virtually no pictures of my kids, and they are HUGE. I don't think I've ever even posted a pic of Em's short hair. 3) I started making comments about Em being a sassy pants LONG before she was even born. :) Glad I was observant enough to call that one. Nothing's changed there! So. Updates....My job at David's Bridal lasted until Mid to late January. I just didn't have a way to work THEIR schedule. I would tell them I could NOT work on a certain day, and they'd schedule me for THAT day, and say sorry when I'd say that I could work ANY day but that day. Finally one day I couldn't get a sitter, and I was going to have to cancel plans I'd had in place for 2 m...

Be sure to read the post below, it's far more interesting than this. As mentioned below, I have some monies burning a hole in my pocket. It's my monies, for me to spend on me, whatever I want. But that's a lot of pressure for someone indecisive. I'd like your thoughts, so here are my options: 1) Books. Like 14 of them, of all sorts. Fiction, writing, sewing, gardening...A lot of books. Yay!!!! 2) Bike - I sold my mountain bike last summer, with plans to buy a cruiser. A pretty one! 3) Clothes, like a whole wardrobe. I have never done this, but if I combine the right deals I could get about 4 pants/capris, 2 skirts, and 6-8 mix and match tops, all new and not on clearance...and I wear the same tops all year round, I am not a long-sleeve person...But there is the highly unlikely chance that I'd get pregnant, or lose weight, and clothes would get packed away. Andrew sees the least value in this plan. 4) Wood and supplies to build loft beds, closet organizers, desk...