Bee-bee

I just realized that I have not posted pictures of my four-legged child. See, she's smiling for you!

She was an engagement gift from J. Her name is Penny and she is 5 1/2 years old. Peanut calls her "bee-bee". We are not sure why, but there are worse names! He can actually say Penny, but only if we say it first.

Mondays are bath night for BB. She runs around the house trying to dry herself. Of course, you know she was demoted when Peanut was born. However, he is old enough now that they play, smack, and bite at each other like siblings. On the flip side, I feel like I have many children because of the events in my house. When in reality, there is only one toddler. :)

Rain & Revelation

I have learned a couple of things this week about depression. I found out that some people receive prescriptions to go to the tanning bed to get the UV rays and some take vitamin D. Yesterday was such a nice day, Peanut and I bought flowers at Wal-Mart. I planted them during nap time and the demolition work in the yard. (we still have trees down from January's ice storm.) The sunshine was good for me and cheaper than a tanning bed!

Today, it is a rainy day. Days like this make it hard for anyone to get out of the house. We told P that it was God watering the grass. We went to church and listened to a wonderful sermon. (Go Beacon!)

Also, I heard this week that exercise helps depression. I know that logically, but sometimes it helps to hear it too. I just wonder how much it helps to take a vitamin D supplement. Most Americans don't get the daily recommended anything (fruits, veggies, vitamins, etc.) in our diets. I have made a more conscious effort to get more fiber.

Easter Weekend

A week late is better than not posting at all, right?

We had an Easter Egg Hunt at our church. Peanut filled his bucket and didn't throw any!!

The kids made (or their parents) a craft. It's a cross with a lamb. Peanut did identify the sheep and its face.

GAP

No, I have not been shopping. We will go Saturday. I am referring to my gap in updating.
I apologize for my lack of posting this week. After all the excitement of Easter festivities last weekend and cheer tryouts this week. I have not been on my computer until today.

I do have pictures loaded on my computer to make good posts for tomorrow. I am going to call it good night for now with this thought..."Every time we encourage someone, we give them a transfusion of courage." (Charles R Swindoll)

Spring Break 2

We went out yesterday in the not-so-spring weather to K-Mart and the mall for a last minute dash for an Easter ensemble for yours truly. I came home with a pair of shoes. Thus, I will be pulling something from my closet. Oh well. Peanut will be the sharp-dressed man in our family.

On our adventure Tuesday, we saw the Easter Bunny at the mall. Peanut didn't like Santa, so I figured Bunny was a no-go. As I predicted, we would get no closer than 50 feet from the furry creature. However, Peanut would wave at him like crazy and play with the plastic eggs on the fake grass scene.

Isn't funny how we teach children not to speak to strangers but we want them to communicate to these large personalities, like Santa and the Easter Bunny, with hair like we've never seen....Not to mention, they get all the credit for the cool toys and candy. Oh, to be a kid.....

Spring Break

You have to love KY weather. It's April and we had flurries today. Tomorrow doesn't forecast any better. To look at the positive side, I had to stay inside and then I had no excuse for not vacuuming. Also, we worked on Easter Egg hunting. Well, actually, it's more like putting all the eggs in the basket and then turning it upside down only to start all over.

Peanut had a haircut last week. This kid started haircuts at 6 months old. He still hates them. The experience is traumatic for both of us most of the time. However, those in between cuts consist of me chasing him around the tub with scissors. (Yes, I know this is not safe.) Ok, so I having technical difficulties. Let me sleep on it and I will try again tomorrow (later today). You know, because we will be inside all day!

Depression

Ok, here is the story. It all started almost 2 years ago after taking childbirth classes. My dh (darling husband) and I were driving home after one of the last sessions where postpartum depression was discussed. His response to me was "I hope you don't get that. That would just be terrible." Yes, I agree, it would not be something to wish upon any woman. However, it happens.

To me, it did. I took six months after Peanut was born to call the doctor and admit that crying 3-4 days a week is not normal and I didn't sleep worth crap when the baby did. Of course I procrastinated, I felt like a failure because I had this new overwhelming mommy job and a husband who, I felt, would see me as having the plague if I had mentioned any of this to him. Let me interject here, he is the type of guy who is extremely even-tempered. Everything is ok with him and we should all get along. (all the time, no matter what.)

By the time Peanut was a year old, the only people that knew of my depression, were my doctor and her nurse, any pharmacist at Walgreens, and my friend, Laura Ashley. I knew I could trust her for many reasons. She herself has been through many womanly issues, I have seen her at her worst, we were roommates in college, and is more knowledgeable than myself in any medical situation. Plus, I knew she would understand and not pass judgment.

So many people think depression should not even exist. Maybe you don't pray enough, or have too little faith, oh, you're just sad, you'll get over it. Yes, I had those same thoughts about myself. I am here to tell you, I prayed more during those first 6 months after delivery than I ever have. I also felt very alone.

I have heard that many people who take antidepressants may continue for the rest of their lives. Some can ween off the medication and be fine. I have tried the every other day method of weening with success. However, when I have gone 2 or more days between, I can tell a difference. Slowly, I am coming to terms with I may have to deal with this for the long haul.

With that being said, I would like to say that after much prayer and thought, I may have come across a revelation. This also happend after reading several posts for "The monster-wrangler". I see what Hope and her family are doing with foster children as following God's plan. Alright, my revelation is maybe I can reach other people who have/or currently experiencing depression through this blog. An article in "Homelife" magazine for March about Chonda Pierce was also inspiring.

Please let me know if I can help you. I will not judge you for I have been there.

May God Bless everything you touch today.