Fire Safety

Hey, So fire safety is very important thing for Stephen and myself to teach our children. Here in Emporia, we had two chinese college students die in a fire because of non-working fire alarms. I have even heard stories of children hiding from the firemen during a fire on the house. So, when I heard about the fire safety fair at the fairground, I decided for the whole family that we had to go. Stephen decided it was worth waking up during the day and getting less sleep so that we could take our kids. We arrived at the fire and hopped in the super long line to get free hot dogs, popcorn, drink, and chips. While we were in line, I took Ginny to see some of the insides of fire trucks.

We then went inside to talk to the different booths inside about how to be safe during a fire and other things. It was a lot of fun and Ginny had a blast. After the booth we headed outside to watch the fire demostration. It was suppose to be how to properly put out a grease fire. Though, it became something to laugh at when six firefighters could not even set the grease on fire. All in all we had a great time.

Kendra

Apple Picking

Hey, So while back in September, Stephen and I discussed that we wanted Ginny and Miles to see how food is grown over time. Since we have an apple orchard not far from our house we decided to take them apple picking at The Orchard. So we packed this kids up and left for the apple orchard. When we got there we found out that Granny Smith apples were ready for picking, (yummy). So, we headed out towards the orchard. Ginny loved picking apples and had a blast. We picked six apples and then we headed to an area on the guys land to feed catfish. Ginny loved running and exploring a safe ways away from Myself, Miles, and Stephen. After we were done we headed back to the store and paid for our apples and bought apple cider slushies for everyone.

Great American Market

Hey, So every year, I try to make it downtown to the Great American Market. This year was no difference with both kids. My mom was even in town to make it a day thing for us. We packed the kids up and headed downtown. It was neat to see the same booths and what they added this year on the street. It was also neat to see new booths that have come to show off what they have. We saw a both of exotic jerky. Stephen tried some alligator and boar jerky at the booth. We also saw one with alligator heads that people could buy. I was able to get three Willow Tree figures, thanks to my mom and Stephen. We also bought three movies, two of the movies were for Ginny and Miles and one for the whole family. It was a nice to get out on a nice day. Of course we stopped at a face painting both and Ginny received an Elmo on her face.

Kendra

My Breastfeeding Journey

Hey, November 1-7th is Breastfeeding Week and this month is consider breastfeeding month. I thought I would share my own breastfeeding journey. My journey has been a long difficult one at that. It all started when I was young watching my two sisters nurse their own babies. I saw how well my nieces and nephews were and the connections my sisters had with their children. I knew that I wanted to breastfeed my own children. All of my pregnancy with Ginny, I prepared to breastfeeding never realizing that I would have struggles. I had a perfect pregnancy with very little struggles. I had an emergency c-section at 36 weeks and 6 days in my pregnancy because of pre-e. She came out sound asleep. She was a very sleepy baby with lots of little issues. She had blood sugar problems, large red blood cells, and low oxygen levels. I tried to nurse her in recovery but she would not latch. The nurse said to give her time. But when I was doing skin to skin with her a nurse yanked her from my arms to prick her foot to find her blood sugar was low. Without even asking me she stuck a bottle in my daughter's mouth to give her sugar water. I yelled out that I wanted no bottles as i was trying to breastfeed. The nurse then yelled back at me saying something along the lines of did I want my daughter to die. Soon my daughter was transfered to the best children's hospital to be monitored as her things were pilling up. I was also released from the hospital not even 36 hours after my c-section. The children's hospital had a LC on hand to help me over and over try to nurse my baby. I was pumping non stop and would try to nurse her every three hours for an hour. It was a struggle. I was told by my daughter's nurses and doctors and the LC that they have never seen a mom try so hard to nurse. I powered on. She was given formula in a tube through her nose to stomach so not to ruin my chance. Finally, I had to try to nurse then give her a bottle so that we would be able to go home. I would spend every three hours, trying to latch my daughter to the breast for 30 minutes or more. Then I would give her a bottle of formula then I would put her down to pump for 30 min. to an hour to get only half an ounce from both sides. It was like this for four months and I would often end pumping and end up crying as little milk I was getting. I was drinking the mother's milk tea, eating oatmeal, and doing everything I could. When my daughter was four months, I admitted to myself that I had no bond with my daughter as I was barely with her other then to try to nurse her. At four months I was getting barely .20 ounces out of each breast. I told my mom through tears about the pain. I told her that I felt like Ginny was no my child but someone elses that I was babysitting for. I decided right then that if I wanted a relationship with my daughter I needed to stop trying to breastfeed. I then admitted it to my husband who understood. Even after I decided to stop pumping and stop trying to breastfeed. Each bottle of formula my daughter took I would cry. I still struggle even after 2 years with the fact that I could not nurse my daughter. When I got pregnant with my second, I told everyone that I was going to try to breastfeed this baby. I knew it was not going to be easy but I was going to try. This pregnancy was the same but still hard. Though, at the end I ended up with some problems. I almost had him at 35 weeks with the fact my blood pressure was high, and low fluids. Though, everything stable before we went in to a c-section. I was able to hold off to have him at 37 weeks and 1 day. The c-section when great, and he even awake when he was delievered. As soon as we went to recovery I was able to try to nurse. He latched on like a pro and was nursing right off the bat. I was in tears to know that I was doing this. Nursing with Miles is amazing. He nurses so great and it's been an amazing experience. I love the feeling of being close to him. I of course pump and have a good supply up for when I am at school. I know it's not going to be easy, but we are doing this. I just keep saying that I am one day farther then I was with Ginny. I have to say though my journey was not easy but I did it and still doing it. Kendra

Growing Closer to Heavenly Father

Hey, I have struggled with the gospel for a long time. I think it's been hard for me because i have a hard time fitting in with others at church every since I was a little girl I have felt like an outcast. I have tried to fit in many times growing up in the wards that I have been in. It's just women my age group and I really don't talk. It makes it hard for myself to feel the love and acceptance from the church. At times it's even hard to just get to church with a smile on my face. Anyways, so I have tried really hard to feel the love. I am working on it and getting to church more which is nice. As a family we go over to someone's house each Sunday for dinner. I have even taken up reading my scpritures again and putting my faith that Heavenly Father will make me feel included. I am also starting to talk more during the sunday school lessons to put my thoughts in. It's going to be hard road, but I am going to do it. Because it will keep me going to church...I just have to get there. Kendra