Koopman Kraziness

I could say any of the following: *I've had morning sickness all day, everyday since week 4 of pregnancy began... *I'm exhausted... *but this time of year is just SO busy!!!... *We aren't really all THAT interesting... BUT, there is always SOMETHING I could blog about.  I know that the majority of my friends and family keep up with the antics of our family by way of facebook posts, but eventually it might be nice to print off and put into a book all of these blog entries and have a lifetime of memories to pass on.  So, with the new year just around the corner and approaching fast, I make one of two "New Year's Decisions".  I will make it a point to have at least one blog post each week here as well as on our children's  blog.   Kamden already regularly does things that I'm sure most would get a huge kick out of and in the next 7 months there will be a lot of big, exciting things happening for this little family of ours.  Especially with having so many ...

We went in for a standard check up on December 21st.  I was measuring just under 11weeks at that time and so they attempted to detect the heart rate for our baby by way of a doppler machine.  Unfortunately, it's either still too early, or...well, we're hoping it's just too early.  As it stands now, I will be going back on Janaury 6th in the late afternoon for another attempt with the doppler.  If they are unable to find a heartbeat at that time, I'm going to kindly demand an ultrasound.  Even though we have already seen our little Scooter on ultrasound and also heard the heartbeat at that time, I know how fragile life in the first trimester can be.  By 1/6, I'll be just over 13 weeks, so we should be able to hear the heartbeat with no problem.  In the mean time, I'm just crossing my fingers and praying.

There is going to be a huge post about God's provision and miracles later today.

We went back in on November 29th and had a much better experience!  We had the chance to see our sweet little cashew on ultrasound and even were able to hear the heartbeat!  Kamden was completely floored that he was getting to see HIS baby from inside Momma's tummy.  When they let us hear the heartbeat, he started yelling, "HI BABY!  I HEAR YOU!!!  IT'S ME!  KAMDEN!!!"  I have a feeling he's going to be a fantastic big brother. Our baby was measuring right on time at 7w5d so my due date did not change. We are still expecting this bundle around July 13th.  The heart beat was strong and loud at 150 beats per minute and s/he was wiggling away in there! My next appointment is on December 21st.  We are hoping that by that time we'll be able to hear the heartbeat with the doppler.

Pantex finally had 40 security positions open up for hire.  When Jeff first got back from Iraq, they were not even considering hiring and were in fact laying off almost 100 security jobs.  Jeff got the email about 2 weeks ago that the positions had opened and immediately applied. Now we approach the hardest part.  Waiting.  We know that ultimately all we can do is pray and trust that God is going to open the doors that need to be opened and close those that need to be closed...but the wait is so long.     Pray with us for God's perfect will to be done and for Jeff and I to have open hearts and minds to accept that will with grace and peace.

Well, since we are officially expecting our second baby, I've started a blog just about the "kiddos".  Please follow us here as well.

I so had my hopes up for today.  My first ultrasound was scheduled for this morning.  Jeff and I got there at 9:10 and paid our co-pay, you know, took care of all the technicalities.  After waiting about 20 minutes, we were finally called back and told that our ultrasound needed to be rescheduled.  The ultrasound technician explained to us that she doesn't do ANY ultrasounds before 8 weeks gestation.  As it stands now, I'll have an appointment with the OB next week to discuss all my blood work and tests and then the following Monday I should be having the first ultrasound done.  I need to double check on it as I still won't be quite 8 weeks yet and don't want to get there only to be told I have to be bumped again.

My dad put me in charge of the weekly slides for announcements at church. So...we slid in a little surprise at the end of them on Halloween...

I wouldn't have even tested early had I not been feeling so "off".  I had a week long headache before I got pregnant with Kamden and had started to have the same again.  Of course I thought it was either blood pressure related or blood sugars, so I ignored it for about 3 days.  When it didn't let up and started having nausea along with it thought, I started to get curious.  I tried explaining away the nausea as the effects of GERD.  Finally on Thursday night (10/28) I gave in and took a HPT.  I was supposed to wait 5 minutes and then read the results, but the directions mentioned it may take up to 15 minutes for full results.  At 10 minutes, I saw the FAINTEST of lines.   9dpo Of course, it wasn't dark enough that I'd take it at face value and start announcing to the world I was pregnant.  I took another first thing in the morning and had the same type result so I went out and got a digital test.   Since a digital test reads a significa...

I woke up to an unhappy, although not unexpected surprise.  Welcome Home, AF.  Jerk.  I'm nervous every time she shows since being rediagnosed with endometriosis in February.  This last cycle, I started exhibiting more signs of increased endometrial legions.  I normally don't spot longer than 24 hours before a cycle is to begin and this last cycle I started doing so 5 full days before.  The pain started today too.  The kind where you could curl up in a ball and just pray to sleep it off. My plan right now is to continue TTC and charting through December.  If nothing happens by then, I'll be talking to the doctor about possible surgery.

We're finishing up our third cycle of trying for "Kamden's baby".  Seriously, ask him and he'll tell you he's been praying for "my baby Konner from Jesus".  Cute as it is, I hope he isn't too crushed if we have a Kaidance instead. I've had spotting for about 5 days now.  Nothing major, just there.  I've taken a couple of tests and so far they have been negative, but I'm now waiting until Saturday.  At that time I'd be about 3 days late and would have a good idea of if testing is even necessary. I'm a little nervous to think of conceiving this month now that I've realized what my due date would be.  Jeff's annual training for National Guard is June 4-18th and my estimated due date (EDD) would be 6/17.  I know he can get out of it for something like that, but it's still a little nerve wracking. Time will tell...and I will post when I know.

If you have ever been a mother, you know that nothing is sacred and for several years you are unable to even use the bathroom alone.  Before Jeff got home from school today, I had one such moment where Kamden followed me into the bathroom.  Wanting to be clean and hygenic, I changed my pantyliner thinking that he was not paying attention.  The next words I would hear?  "Momma!  Lookit that band-aid!!!"  Oh my...time to stop rethink what I do in front of him.  I wouldn't want him to blurt out something about some woman's "band-aids" that he didn't know!  Or even worse, to one he DID!

I always enter into blogging "bursts" with the best of intentions to keep them going and going strong.  To document our little lives with all the energy I have.  Well...  I either am lacking in the energy department or we're super boring. Jeff has been in Wisconsin since last Thursday and flies home late tomorrow night.  It's taken six months, but his transfer should be underway now.  The last of his equipment is turned in and so really all that we lack is the official word.  He wound up having to go to drill while he was there, so he didn't get to spend as much time with his family as he would have liked, but we were grateful to God for providing for the trip so he could go and get things squared away.  He starts his fall semester of college in a little under a week and seems to still be enjoying school.  He's considering changing majors, but we won't announce anything about that until it's more definite. I have been signed on with Beary Unique G...

I really like the name I'd originally thought of ("BowDacious"), but after a few web searches I found out that this name was not that original.  So...I want your help to name my business.  I primarily am doing bows, but will also be doing bow ties, knot blankets, pacifier holders, customized cross-stitched bibs/blankets, etc.  So....here are the options... Koopman's Kreations This 'n' That by Tara Beyond Bows (or Bows and Beyond) _____________ Submit your own!!!!   I really look forward to everyone's input so link this to others as well if you don't mind!!!

I've allowed for a bit of wiggle room since finding out that I had two small roasts in the freezer at my parents' house (most likely those will become Sunday afternoon meals and this menu will stand for dinner meals. If you are unfamiliar with any of the listed meals and want a recipe, feel free to ask.  If there is a big enough demand for them, I'll start a recipe specific blog so that links can be hyperlinked through these original posts. Saturday - Homemade Hamburger Pizza                                    Sunday  - Sloppy Joe's, Fritos Monday - Poor Man's Stew over Rice (makes a TON of servings so you can be sure to have lunch leftovers) Tuesday - Mushroom Chicken, Rice and Green Beans, spinach salad Wednesday - Salisbury Steak, home made mashed potatoes, and peas Thursday - Spaghetti Friday - Frito ...

If you follow me on Facebook at all, you have seen tons of status updates regarding making bows. Well, MOPS had a fundraiser scheduled for Canyon’s Fourth of July Fair on the Square and was also scheduled to ride in the parade. The day started very early as the setup was to begin between 6 and 7 am. Thank God, my parents came down to help and already had the canopy and tables set up by the time Jeff, Kamden and I got there. We knew that rain was a possibility for the day, but as of 8 AM there was only a lot of cloud cover and no rain to be seen or felt. We had to check in for the parade by 10, but thought it might be a good idea to get there early and just sit and relax a bit given the insanity of the rest of the week. By the time we got parked at the starting point for the parade it had started to rain, and pretty heavily at that. We were riding in the Jeep and had removed the hard top, so the brave souls in the back of the Jeep were soaked before too long had passed.

Okay, so it’s not really junk but seeing all the boxes it came in sure made it feel like it was. Thanks to a HUGE miracle, we were able to use a moving sized truck for free. Dad and Jeff spent the morning loading it at the storage unit while Mom, Kamden and I came down to Canyon to meet the delivery men with our couch. I had been super proud of the lack of boxes in my dining room and all of a sudden, it fill up again and then some. We managed to clear out a LOT of stuff again that afternoon and evening. Things were so crazy I didn’t really get many pictures, but trust me. It was scary.

Thanks to the help of my sista from anotha mista, we were able to get a lot of things out of boxes and get the rooms semi set up before heading out for the night. The chaos of Kamden’s room… Don’t you LOVE surprise pictures??? The bed is in and ready! I’m SO excited he has a closet to hang clothes in!! We got a few toys and his table in :) Kam and Addie obviously were up to no good Break time! Kamden wanted to see the park (which you can see from each of our windows) and the train. Thanks for all of your hard work, Mom! The end of a long, but productive day.

It was here before we knew it.  Granted, a week and a half’s notice is not that long as it is, but it seemed like that 10 days went mighty fast.  By about 11:00, we were loaded up with as much as we could fit into my car, my bestie’s car, Jeff’s jeep and the pickup and trailer that were donated by a great friend and deacon of our church.  We had as much as possible unboxed that same day and wound up back in Amarillo around 8:00.  Mom had come down to help us settle in and since we were taking her back, we decided to stay at Mom and Dad’s that night as well.  We needed to be up and ready to go bright and early on Friday to load up the moving truck and prepare ourselves for a LONG day…. Our New Abode It’s officially ours!!! Here we go… The Kitchen The Dining Room The Living Room Kamden’s Room Master Bedroom

This day didn't start out as well as I'd hoped that it would.  We had been blessed with a substantial Pell Grant refund for Jeff earlier this week and what I'd TOLD myself I was going to do with that money didn't exactly happen.  (Don't get me wrong.  I didn't squander it senselessly.  It went for needs for the new apartment, etc.)  When I got up to check out our account balance this morning, I realized we had less in the account that I expected us to have.  (I know, I need to keep up with my check register like a Money Nazi and I'd know what we had exactly.  Dave Ramsey and I are working on that.)  We have enough to pay our first month's rent and take care of a couple of other obligations but the cushion money isn't there.  Anyway...  I had an appointment with my diabetic specialist today and prayed on my way to the office.  I finally understood today for the first time in my 23 years of Christian life what it meant to talk to God ...

...cause there is a  LOT to say. First an update on the last big post I did here .  Jeff was able to get in touch with the Amarillo National Guard Unit and they are in the process of completing an interstate transfer.  What does this mean for us?  Well, for one he will not be required to leave and train for a different job.  This is a HUGE blessing because had he been made to go train for a different job, he would have had to take off a full semester of school and basically lose 6K of income from the GI Bill and in return only have one month's worth of full time military income instead.  Also (and this is HUGE), the Texas National Guard in this area is not slotted to deploy again until 2013.  Jeff's current contract ends in September 2012.  I don't think I need to explain that more.  :) Jeff and I started looking at houses this week and have some more to line up showings on.  The one we most are leaning toward now is a 3 bedroom, two bat...

I desperately need to update this blog.  It looks like I'll be home with a sick baby tomorrow after I get my braces off in the morning and until the house viewing tomorrow night.  I'll do at least a short blog to update on Kam's status in the morning if I can get away long enough.

Our life is sort of back at a stand still.  Jeff had drill over this weekend and found out that in order to stay with the unit he's looking to transfer into, he needs to consider changing his MOS (the job he does for the military).  Currently he is a cook and he would be transferring to a job as a laundry and bath specialist.  The biggest plus would be that there is much more room for advancement in the latter.  The biggest negative would be his having to leave for a month and train for the new job in Virginia.  It's not even so much the being separated as a family.  We made it through a year so I know we can make it through a month.  No, the biggest negative is that with having to train for a month out of state, he'd have to postpone school in some respect.  We aren't sure when the training class dates are just yet, but we should find out by the end of this week and know where to go from there.  The way it looks and sounds at this point is t...

 Poor Kamden has been down and out since around 3 am Tuesday morning.  He started fussing in his sleep, so I reached over to pat his belly and felt it spasming under my hand.  I picked him up and started to gently rock with him hoping that his poor belly would calm and that it was just a gas bubble.  I had just enough time to wake Jeff up to help me before Kamden projectile vomited all over my shirt.  He continued to throw up through the day on Tuesday and then Wednesday "the poops" hit.  We took him to the doctor today and were told he was positive for strep.  After getting an injection of antibiotics, he seemed like a new kiddo and has played since we returned home, even asking to spend time outside for a while.

Apparently, my blog has been hacked.  I will be taking steps to make it more secure, and may even make it private. If I do choose to make it private, I have the option of sharing it with readers, but will have to add you by email address in order for you to have access to follow it. If you want to continue to follow this blog, please respond in the comments or send me a personal message through email. Thanks!

My baby boy is now my little boy.  Last Thursday, little K turned two years old.  I set my alarm for 5:50 am so that at 5:51 I could whisper happy birthday to him.  It has hard to do so without crying mostly just because I can't believe that two years have already passed.  He has been the biggest blessing of my life and the biggest eye opener.  His birth has made me re-evaluate how I care for myself, how I carry myself and how I see the world. Here is my little miracle immediately are and a few hours after he was born: And here he is the morning of his 2nd birthday... "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be..."  You are my world, my life and my love, Kamden.  I'll do anything for you.

I cannot believe I'm referencing the source I am about to reference, but here goes. Well its time to change When its time to change Move by the time come along for the ride, don't you see When its time to change you've got to rearrange Move your heart to what your gonna be. from "Time to Change" by The Brady Bunch I'm done with things being the way they have always been.  I'm tired of accepting things just because I'm too lazy to change them.  So here are the new "rules/goals" as of tonight. End each night with a list to do for the next day. Start my day by 8:30 and end it NO LATER than 10:30 (unless special circumstances apply). Learn to delegate responsibilities for MOPS and 3 to 1 and NOT feel badly to do so. Take greater responsibility for Kamden and stop taking advantage of living with my parents. Start drinking more water. Regularly wear my insulin pump and manage my diabetes. Stop comparing my successes (or failures for that matter) t...

God has really been working on my brain lately about a couple of different things.  The first is that where the majority of the world's population would merely see the 12 earthquakes in the last 20 days as a "tragedy" or a "strangely similar series of events" it's truly the coming to pass of the prophecy regarding the end of days on Earth for Christians as described in Matthew 24 : 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. Now, for the Christian, this should do two things.  First and most importantly, it should fire us up and push us on to share what we know is the truth and see people come to Him.  While it might be tempting to do so, we should do our best to not "frighten people into t...

Well...it's hard to put it out there, but here's an updated picture and measurements. Waist: 49in Bust: 50in Hips: 55 in Thigh: 29.5 in Arm: 14 inches Neck: 15 inches The goal at this point is to lose 25 pounds by June 15...here's hoping!

I know it's been a while since I posted, but there has been a LOT going on. Kamden:  He continues to amaze me with the number of and frequency of the words he's picking up.  He's recently learned the phrase "Put it back!" (one guess how often he hears THAT one) and took it upon himself to tell his daddy to do so quite loudly during Sunday morning service this week.  He says it in quite a sweet manner, however, and has also started saying it as he puts his toys and books away.  It's exciting to see the things we tell him "sticking" and making true association with his every day life.  Palm Sunday morning, Kamden got to hunt Easter eggs with the Kids' Church group at our church.   Last year, he wasn't walking and so "hunting eggs" was pretty minimal work for him (ie tossing 4 eggs into the middle of a room so he could crawl to them) and so he was extremely excited to hunt them this year! Kamden listening to the lesson on Resurrection ...

We went for another 1.65 mile walk today, only this time we walked the same route in reverse.  It may not sound like much, but it pretty much made all walking UP hill rather than down.  I was definitely more sore today, but I take that to mean I'm making some progress.  When I weighed in on the Wii tonight, I was down almost a full pound.  I know that your weight fluctuates during the day no matter what, but I like to think the walking is what's making the difference.  I also joined sp@rkpeople.com and am trying to find accountability there.  It's inspiring to read all the success stories and see people who have "been there" and come out on the other side victorious.

If you follow me on facebook, you most likely saw my status earlier about going for a walk.  Jeff, Kamden and I went to Burlington Coat F@ctory yesterday and got our outfits for Easter.  I got a gorgeous black and cream print, sheer dress with a black silk cami under slip. Long story short, I'd feel more confident in the dress if I could lose a little weight...so my goal is 7 pounds by Easter.  Wish me luck!

There hasn't really been a whole lot of exciting things happening around our part of the world, but there have been some productive advancements for Jeff and I and some new things for Kamden, so I definitely wanted to update for those of you who read here. Jeff's Life:  We went to SEVERAL appointments at the VA last week with the biggest and most important being with the Vocational Rehab officer.   After a lot of thought, prayer and long discussions, Jeff has decided to go back to school.  He is planning to get a two-year degree as a physical therapy assistant.  This would enable him to go into massage therapy, chiropractics, or physical therapy to work.  He's already been given a head's up that there is an extensive program at the VA that he could possibly work for after he gets his degree.  Thanks to the GI Bill, we will be getting housing allowance and will also be able to file for unemployment while he's in school.  He will be able to have the job ...