Art Journal - Turning Point

This is my very first art journal entry. It was fun to put together and write my story.

Journaling reads:
1995 was when I married my high school sweetheart, Evan. We were trying for years to have a family. The year 2003 was when my entire life changed.

I went for my yearly check-up at the ob/gyn. My doctor asked me what type of birth control we were using and I told her none and that we were trying to have a family for years. So she ran some tests. It was a fightful moment to get a phone call from the doctor with the news that I could not have a family the natural way. I remember that moment when she told me the bad news. My doctor said she could no longer help me and that I had to see a specialist. I cried for hours after that phone call.

Imagine wanting a child for years and then being told you could not physiclaly have any. This was devastating to me. I then went to a fertility specialist. This doctor looked at my x-rays and test results and said that I was a great candidate for IVF, however, I had to have surgery first to remove the excess tissue around my fellopian tubes. The surgery went longer than usual which really scared my husband. When I woke up the doctor said that there was nothing wrong with my tubes. What? I had surgery for nothing. My husband was so mad. How could one doctor say there was no chance for us to have children when this one says there is nothing wrong?

Because of insurance the doctor said that she couldn’t start us with IVF but she had other methods to help us conceive. So we started off with a drug called Clomid which is a pill that increases your eggs and IUI (artificial insemination). We did 3 months with no success. I was an emotional mess each time my period arrived. Why did we have to try so hard? Why wasn’t it working? I guess God had other plans for us. We then went onto injections. We used Gonal-F with IUI. My husband had to inject my stomach with shots every night. Again the cycle was no success. December 2003, I wound up with 3 cysts and had to take a break from all the treatments. I was such an emotional wreck by this time that I was about to throw in the towel and call it quits. The doctors and nurses encouraged me to do one more cycle in January 2004 of Gonal-F and IUI and after if still no success we would move onto IVF. So we tried again in January, meanwhile, I was doing research with the insurance company to see if they would cover IVF for our next cycle.

I so did not want to be disappointed again. Well, I took the pregnancy test and it was negative which I figured anyway. I tossed the test into the trashcan. Later that evening when it was time to go to bed I glanced down in the trashcan and I could not believe my eyes. There was 2 lines (positive). It was like I was living a Friends’ episode! I took the test again and it was positive. The doctor did a blood test which confirmed that I was pregnant, his exact words was, “You are VERY pregnant”. At that time I was thinking twins but no God blessed us with TRIPLETS

Basic Basic Embellishment Pack by Meryl Bartho
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...ucts_id=2 935

Angela's Ancestry by Jamie Rousselle
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...ducts_id=7 13

Emerald Enchantment by Lauren Bavin
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...ucts_id=3 467

Mothersday Word art by Tina Chambers
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com...02&cat=748

Mom

I found this on the internet while searching for some word art quotes. I thought it was very interesting and wanted to share with my friends. I am in the 35 category and yes, I do call mom when I have a situation I don't know how to handle. Thanks mom for being there for me.

At...
1 year - Mama.
4 years - I want my Momma.
7 years - I need to ask my Mommy first.
12 years - My Mother is so uncool.
17 years - Naturally, Mother doesn't understand.
21 years - Mom is so out of touch - What would you expect?
30 years - Maybe Mom will have a good idea.
35 years - I'll call Mom and see what she thinks about it. Mom is really a lot of help.
40 years - Maybe Mom and I could do that together.
50 years - I wonder what Mom would have thought about it.
60 years - I wish once more I could talk it over with Mom.

Children Addressing Adults & Manners

In my area most of the people we have come in contact with like the librarian have wanted to be called Miss _____. As for very close friends I am teaching the children to call them Aunt _____. However, people we see regularly we just call them by their first name. The only problem I am now facing is that they have 2 Grandmas and 2 Grandpas so I don't know how to show them the difference between the four. If you have any ideas please post a comment. Thank you.

What manners do you stress in your family? I am trying very hard to teach the triplets to say please and thank you. I am also trying to teach them to say sorry when they did something wrong or hurt someone.

My First Word Art Kit - Christmas

This is the very first wordart kit I have made for a challenge.

Credits:
Bearly Christmas
Fonts are Summer's Bearhearts & Firstgrader - http://www.momscorner4kids.com/fonts/sfonts.htm

Ho Ho Holiday
Fonts are Beyond Wonderland - http://www.1001fonts.com/font_details.html?font_id=2869

Naughty Santa
Fonts are Kids- http://www.momscorner4kids.com/fonts/kfonts.htm
and Hobo Std.http://www.adobe.com/type/browser/P/P_1448.html

Christmas Gifts Money
Font are Beautiful Caps ES http://www.fontstock.net/9100/Beautiful-Caps-ES-Swash-Capitals.html
and Beautiful ES http://catspajamasgraphics.com/cpg_ab.html

Change It!

I made my own wordart here. Oh, this is going to be an addiction as if scrapbooking is not already an addiction. I really like how this came out and, of course, I need more fonts. I'm sure you will see many more wordarts from me in the future.

This quote I found reads: "If you don't like something Change it. If you can't Change it, Change the way you think about it." Written by Mary Engelbreit.

There are many things in my life that I don't like but many of the things I can't change so thinking about it a different way really helps get through the tough times.

Credits:
Blue Sky Days by Bethy Nixon
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=3994

Communicating Online

Do you find it easier to "be yourself" when communicating online with people you've never met? I find it a lot easier to write to people then speaking on the phone. I just find that I can express my feelings a lot better on line then actually talking to someone. I guess I clam up when I am put on the spot when the phone rings and I so hate calling people I have never spoken with before, however, I can always go to the computer and write my question which always helps.

And without being specific, do you belong to or visit many online communities, or just DSP? I belong to many yahoogroups. Some which are triplet related and some which are scrapbook related. The best group that I belong to which has really helped me is a triplet list of moms who have children the same age group as mine. It's nice to come to the computer when I have a difficult situation to handle as they are all going through the same situations such as tantrums, potty training and speech problems. I have also met some triplet moms in my area that I found on the internet first. We usually try to meet once a month for dinner which I so need a night out. Besides the internet, I have joined some local mom's groups which is now helping me get out of the house with the triplets. I am trying to be more social as the kids really need some playing with other children to enhance their speech delays.

Meeting for the First Time

What qualities are you drawn to when meeting someone for the first time? First of all let me tell you that I am very shy and am not likely to strike up a conversation with anyone for the first time. I am normally drawn to the person who doesn't ask a whole bunch of personal questions regarding my fertility issues or ones which say something rude about having multiples. First of all, it's none of their business about my sex life and I just find it very rude when they ask me the very first time they meet me these questions. When in public sometimes I just feel like running for cover as the triplets are such a magnet to strangers. Sometimes I get the most stupidest comments like, "Are they real?", "You have your hands full", "I would never go out of my house" or "I would kill myself if I had triplets." Now, that last comment is so rude especially if my children could understand this statement. Luckily they do not at this time but what in the world am I supposed to tell my children when someone says such a nasty comment? Anyway, the people who I am drawn to are ones who understand how tough it is to raise multiples. They typically are other multiple moms as they are the only ones who knows exactly what I go through day after day.

Queen for a Day

If I could be a Queen for a day I would start my morning by sleeping in. My personal staff would provide attention to my every need in a day that would be filled with extravagance. King Evan would kiss me good morning. Breakfast would be served by the maid in bed, she would then prepare a hot shower and she would pick out my attire for the day. After getting ready for my day I would then kiss the Royal Family (Princess Victoria, Prince Justin and Princess Naomi) good morning. The nanny would take care of them while I enjoyed the rest of my fantasy. My chauffeur would take me to a world class spa where I would have my hair done, make-up, manicure and a massage. I would then enjoy a Royal lunch with my girl friends. Then I would go on a shopping spree where money was no object. I would arrive back at the royal palace with all my shopping purchases to find the palace spotless, the Princesses and Prince happy from a fun-filled day with the nanny and the table in the dining room would be set for dinner. The smell in the palace would be the aroma from the chef cooking our dinner. I would enjoy dinner served by the maid with the Royal family all around a big table. If you looked up you would see a big chandelier lighting the room. The Royal Princesses and Prince would be put to bed for the evening. The remaining part of the evening would be with King Evan making passionate love. Unfortunately the next morning I would wake up to find that this was only a dream and that it would never happen in real life. Written by Laura Nov 2006.

Credits:
The Royal Treatment Overlays by Rene Bross
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...ucts_id=3 996
The Royal Treatment Page Kit by Rene Bross
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...ucts_id=3 975
As time goes by by Meryl Bartho
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...ducts_id=7 93
rhinestone by Mrs. Schmuck_diamond1

10 Secrets to Surviving the First Year with Multiples

This was e-mailed to me from another triplet mom. I thought it was very interesting and wanted to share with my friends.

You Can Do It!
10 Secrets to Surviving the First Year With Multiples
By Elizabeth Lyons

While pregnant with twins (or more), you are likely to receive more
than a few comments – most often from complete strangers – about how
rocky the road ahead is going to be. Some folks will seemingly try to
convince you you'll be lucky not to fall into a giant manhole at
every step. I've always found this most unfortunate. In truth, these
folks are partly right; it will be tough. But what they don't realize
is how rewarding and amazing an experience it will be at the same
time.

My husband and I went from one child to three in a matter of
minutes. (Our daughter was 2 when our twins were born.) I've decided
that it's tough raising any number of children. In fact, I'm
convinced that it's the hardest job there is! There's no perfect
spacing, no perfect age range. You are blessed with what you can
handle – what you're meant to handle – plain and simple.

That said, there are ways to ensure a less stressful first year
raising multiples.

1. If you aren't one already, become an organized and efficient
person as soon as possible.
If you are already a proficient planner, capitalize on it and get
even better! Trust me, this is doable. Even if you are the most
frazzled person on earth, you are going to learn to be efficient and
organized quite quickly, because it will be necessary to your
survival.
According to Stephanie Winston, author of Getting Organized (Warner
Books, 1991), "Order is whatever helps you to function effectively –
nothing more and nothing less. You set the rules and the goals,
however special, idiosyncratic or individualistic they may be."

As with nearly everything else during this year, take life day by
day, and do what works for you in terms of organizing yourself and
your family, even if your mother-in-law thinks you're nuts (mine, by
the way, swears she does not).

2. Don't turn down help.
Many people are, by nature, simply more independent than others. It
seems that mothers of multiples often fall into this category.
Therefore, when help is offered, many of these women shy away from
accepting help, often feeling as though saying "yes" is the same as
admitting (at the top of their lungs) "I can't do this by myself!"
Additionally, many women seem to feel that the person who has offered
some help surely has a million other things on her own plate and
therefore, she shouldn't accept her offer.
I consider myself to be a relatively independent person, so I feel
quite comfortable giving you a direct order on this one: ACCEPT HELP!
Be sure that the help actually fulfills your definition, however.
Having someone else rock and sign to your babies while you cook and
clean is often not viewed as "help" by a new mom of multiples.

Accept the offer from anyone willing to bring a meal, clean your
house, do some laundry or run an errand. You will have more than
enough time sooner than you think to return the favor. Think about
it: When you offer to help someone in need, you genuinely want to
help. So does everyone volunteering his or her time to you right now.
Say thank you and open your door (even if you're in your pajamas)!

3. Realign your expectations.
This is of paramount importance to getting through the first year.
Relinquish your need (if you have one) to have your entire house
clean and in perfect order all the time. One secret I rely heavily on
is scented candles (I prefer those by Yankee Candle Company).
The "Banana Bread" scent will give the impression that you've been
cooking all day. "Clean Cotton" will fool visitors into believing you
cleaned the whole house just before they arrived. "Lavender" will
soothe your mind at the end of a long day.
Also, pick up a copy of Forget Perfect (Perigee, 2001) by Lisa Earle
McLeod. McLeod reinforces the importance of putting ourselves at or
near the top of our priority lists instead of the grime behind the
kitchen sink or the toys strewn across the family room. Says
McLeod, "You are not trying to create a perfect childhood, you're
trying to create a functioning adult." Your time would be better
spent singing nursery rhymes than scrubbing walls.

4. Invest in a crock pot and few good crock pot recipe books.
The crock pot is a marvelous invention. Did you know that you can
make quesadillas in a crock pot? The recipes for this contraption
have come a long way, and it's not just for beef stew anymore.
Whenever you have a spare second during the morning, pop the
ingredients in and turn it on. By dinnertime (whether at 6 p.m. or
midnight), you have a fabulous meal cooked and the house smells
fantastic. If, by some small chance, one of the babies needs you the
second you dish up your plate, just put your meal back in the old
crock pot and it'll be warm whenever you're ready – no more cold
dinners! I'm thinking of giving my crock pot a name this year and
looking at it more like my own personal food butler.

5. Schedule weekly alone time with your spouse.
One of the biggest concerns I hear from women with multiples is that
when the kids are grown and leave the house, they and their husbands
will look at each other and exclaim, "Who are you?" It is important
to make your best effort to nurture your relationship with your
spouse to ensure this does not happen.
When your babies are young, this will be easier (though it may not
seem that way at the time) than when they start moving and talking
nonstop. However, as the babies get older and the house gets crazier,
you may feel as though you and your mate haven't talked about
anything other than where you're going as you dart out of the house
just as he pulls into the driveway.

Get a sitter when you're comfortable taking that step; instead of
viewing the cost as an extra $30 for an evening out, look at it as an
investment in your marriage and your family. Or forget the sitter and
just plan on a late dinner for the two of you when the kids have gone
to bed. Sit down and talk about something other than finances, who
tackled whom that day and how you're going to negotiate the plane
ride to Grandma's. I know some days it won't seem like there's
anything else to talk about, but there is. Remember what you did on
your first dates, fantasize about your ultimate retirement or
vacation destination, or better yet, plan a date for the following
week or month.

6. Maintain your sense of humor.
If you don't have one, get one – QUICKLY! Research has shown that
smiling causes your brain to release chemicals that make you feel
good. Additionally, laughter releases endorphins in your body that
allow you to relax. So when you can only laugh or cry, do the former.
It is more fun (and less expensive) than anxiety medication or
therapy.

7. Retain an optimistic perspective.
There's an old saying, "Attitude is everything." Keith Harrell,
author of Attitude Is Everything, agrees. He says, "Your attitude
dictates whether you are living life or life is living you. Attitude
determines whether you are on the way or in the way."
And remember, as a general rule, those with positive attitudes enjoy
better overall health – a true gift from you to your new bundles of
joy. Just when things seem to be at their lowest point, remember: It
could always be worse. When I was having a particularly bad hour
during the first year with our twins, I would remind myself that
there were women in the world juggling sextuplets or more that very
second. That usually provided enough clarity to get me through those
60 minutes.

8. Schedule personal time for yourself on a regular basis.
Many mothers begin to feel as if their lives are somewhat one-
dimensional. They become convinced they are losing their own identity
in the midst of raising their family. It is extremely important to
carve out some time for yourself each day. Even if it's only to
snuggle into bed at night and read People magazine or a chapter of a
book that's been collecting dust on the shelf. Plan to spend time as
often as you can with friends in the evenings or on weekends, and
plan to do this without your kids when possible. Truly, you cannot
take the best care of your family unless you are taking the best care
of yourself.

9. Give yourself permission to make "mistakes."
Write this statement down and put it in a spot where you will see it
at least once a day:
"During this day, I will do the best I can to be a mother to these
children with the information, wisdom and energy I have at this
time."

Hours, days or weeks from now there will be no point in looking back
and saying, "Oh, if I had known THAT I would have done it
differently. " Of course you might have, but the bottom line is that
you will never be able to go back to that exact point in time – with
the information that you now have – and do things differently. You do
the best you can with what you have to work with at the time. That's
all you can expect of yourself – and that's all your children expect
from you.

10. Ignore advice from people whose opinion you don't truly value.
You are going to get advice on childrearing in general left and right
from family, friends and women behind you in line at the grocery
store. People are going to comment on your choice of breastfeeding or
bottle-feeding. People will comment on how crazy the babies' sleeping
patterns are (and how much of that is your fault).
Sit down and think about the people in your life whose opinions you
really value. Now, are any of those people the same ones who you
would imagine attempting to give you "advice" that really feels more
like criticism of your parenting skills? I doubt it. So, when you
want advice, ask for it from the people whom you generally believe
will give it to you with your best interests, not their underlying
opinions, at heart. For everyone else, smile and keep walking. If it
happens in your own home, feign a migraine and retire to your room
until the offender leaves.

As Zora Neale Hurston once said: "There are years that ask questions
and years that answer." This year will most certainly do both – I
guarantee it! And I will make you the promise that my great friend
Mollie always makes to me: You're going to make it!

Last Night's Halloween Memories

The children were all excited about Halloween. For an entire week I told them that they would be ringing bells and saying, "Trick or Treat" and that they would get candy in return. The girls were even saying "Trick or Treat" by the end of the week.

My original plan was to feed them lunch and then leave so they could nap in the car, however, my day started out later than I orginally planned so while they were eating breakfast at 10 am I decided to pack their stuff up and drive to my parents house since it is an hour ride. Naomi was a bit clingy and cried and cried until I sat with her holding her for about 10-15 minutes before she allowed me to pack up their stuff so we could go. Well, we were off in the car by 12. Arriving at my parents at 1. We then picked up my grandmother and off to lunch we went. We went to Nathons for hotdogs. The kids had a great time as we sat right near the big screen tv where they had the movie Elf playing. They each got a balloon on the way out.

Then back to my parents house where my grandfather met us while we changed the kids into their costumes. My girls were chearleaders and my son was a football player. Lots of photos were taken and the kids got lots of oohs and ahhs from all the grandparents. Then my sister arrived with my niece Amanda who was an indian. She looked so cute. Off to trick or treat on my mothers block. The kids did really well walking to each house holding our hands while in the street. Victoria wanted to take more than one piece of candy and kept saying "OPA" which means Open in her language. After doing my mother's block we went to my sisters block where it was jammed packed with kids. They seem to have children bussed into her development. It was so packed that there was hardly any parking left. I did manage to get a spot across the street from my sisters house.

The houses on her block were all decorated. There were 2 houses that were decorated like haunted houses and had sound effects that were amazing. My sister said that they compete with each other every year. As it got darker and darker the lights on the houses were amazing. At one house there was a woman dressed like Michael Meyers and the strobe light on the house really made it look spookey. The children were afraid to go to that house.

My children were in the wagon being dragged from house to house which really got tiring. My son was with his cousin Amanda while Uncle Steve pulled them along. My mom or I pulled the girls along. The costumes of most of the children and adults were cute except for some which were extremely scarey. Some costumes made my son scream and cry. The girls didn't cry but later that night Naomi had a hard time sleeping. She would wake up screaming in the middle of the night. I'm assuming she was having some bad nightmares of the monsters she saw that night. She would up sleeping in my bed which kept me up most of the night. At about 6pm my son had had enough and started to tantrum. It was due to no nap and no dinner. My mom had to carry him back to the house while the rest of us continued down the block. We finally arrived back to my sisters house around 6:30 where we ordered Pizza for dinner.

My goal for next year is to not to plan anything for the next day so we could have a sleep over at my sisters house. We had to return home because my son had a doctor's appointment the next day. Driving home exhausted was not very fun.