Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Life Changes

Another month has passed since my last blog and another month reflects more changes in the Gorman household. My position at my  full time job was eliminated and I am on a 60 notice with the promise of 3 months severence after that. My last day "working" is tomorrow and then the rest of my notice goes until December 26. At least I will be home for the holidays and still be getting paid.

We had Austin's 2nd birthday party on Saturday and he got lots of dump trucks for his birthday and loves them all. The Rumblin' Chuck is my personal favorite! It was tons of fun and we got him a constuction cake. He of course got it all over himself and it was super cute!

Alaina turned 3 months old and is growing like a weed! She eats all the time! :) Adam will be done landscaping for the season after today so we will all be home together! Mikayla still enjoys school and is still doing dance, Awana, and girl scouts.

My business is booming and I have been so busy editing that I haven't had much time for anything else.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Ranting

I know I haven't posted in a LONG time and my first post should be talking to you about the birth of our daughter Alaina on August 3, 2010. She was 7 lbs. 3 oz and 20 inches long. Born at 12:56 PM. Now, 2 months later she is 10 lbs 11 oz. and is smiling and cooing away. I couldn't imagine our life without her even though she wasn't planned like our almost 2 year old son. In the past week, God has been slowly pulling at my heart...in a direction I never thought I would go.

Before I had kids, and even after my first daughter I was pro-choice. I thought women should have the right to choose if they wanted to have a baby or not. I thought "what if I got raped....would I want to keep a child from a rapist?" I was naive. I only saw abortion as something people did during the first week or two after conception. I didn't know then what I know now. I know that a baby has a heartbeat between 5-6 weeks after conception. I believe that any baby is a gift from GOD. Killing ANY baby (even one conceived by rape) is MURDER! In the last two weeks GOD has put before me three videos. Two were from abortion survivors and one was a documentary on partial birth abortion. The partial birth abortion video is disturbing for me to watch and just makes me want to race into the hospital room screaming "no wait! I will take and care for your baby!" My husband would probably not be too happy but if it meant saving a gift from GOD so be it!

The two women that survived an attempt at aborting them are wonderful stories. One woman's mother was 7 1/2 months pregnant and the other was 6 months pregnant. They injected both of these mothers with saline and within days they were born.....alive. They should have been burned and dead. They have both forgiven their mothers and turned to GOD. You can find their videos on You Tube by the way, by searching for abortion survivor. One is Melissa Ohden ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5PlZzpfHQI) and the other one is Gianna Jessen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKrW7vP8W00).
Now we have a president in office who supports Planned Parenthood and the murder of babies (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSsFzue-V-I). Planned Parenthood...a place that grosses $70 million a year and has been quoted saying "I have aborted over a million babies and I consider it my passion". That is sick. It is their passion to kill babies?

Let's talk about women's choice. How about the choice of adoption. We live in a great country that allows you to drop a baby off at any hospital and walk away, no questions asked. Your telling me you can't wait two more months and just let some other person...who maybe can't have kids of their own, take your baby and love it and care for it? Why? I don't feel that people who get pregnant because they are irresponsible should have a choice not to pay for their consequences...at least for 9 months :) I have three beautiful children. Only 1 was planned. I wouldn't trade them for the world! I would give my life for theirs!

That is my womanly choice! Let's talk about another subject. I am the official photographer for Prevent Child Abuse MN. I saw an article on MSN today about how an 18 year old mother and 19 year old father duck taped their 22 month old son to the wall. Hands, legs, and body. Then took pictures of him. If that wasn't enough they also duck taped his favority sippy cup to the wall, just out of his reach. They also duck taped his fists. Again....taking more pictures. Pictures with them and the duck taped fists and there they are smiling. They thought it was funny as their poor innocent son screamed and cried in terror. The two people in this world that he should never have to fear...terrorizing him. They both have jail sentences however I don't feel it was long enough. The mother got 3-5 years and the father got just a few more also because he had an illegal firearm charge and burglery. I can't imagine what I would do if I found someone duck taping my 2 year old to a wall.

I know I only have a couple people who read this blog but I had to vent about this since it was tearing my up inside. People murdering babies and parents terrorizing their own children for entertainment. It is truly a sick world that we live in. How can I make this a better place to live for my children?

Friday, May 7, 2010

What Country do we live in?

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/05/07/tensions-high-california-high-school-following-flag-flap/

In case you missed this article (Thanks Adrianne), it is one that every American should see. These students live in America, not Mexico. I have no problem having fun and seeing celebrations of different cultures and countries here in America. I do have a problem when we are not allowed to show our American Pride for fear of offending someone of a different background because it is "their" day. It is "their" day in "their" county, not here in America. We are the land of free which is exactly why these people move here...so they also need to accept that we can wear and say what we want no matter what day it is. This is discrimination to America on our own soil. Wake up people!

Monday, May 3, 2010

May Day...May Day!

Here we are at the beginning of May and my energy level is really slowing down. I try not to think about it so it isn't just my mind playing tricks on me. I am just about 2 weeks away from starting my third trimester so I am not the least bit surprised.  My photography business is SOOOO busy! I just finished editing/enhancing the wedding pictures I took April 10th! I still have another wedding and two engagement sessions to edit! YIKES! I am taking newborn pics this coming weekend which I absolutely cannot wait for!!! I have two weddings and a senior picture session this month too. Busy Busy Busy! My normal (Bill paying) job has ramped up again and is starting to be busier. Not such a bad thing because it makes the time go by faster. My friends Jennie and Mike had their little baby on May 1st! He is so cute! 6 pounds and 19 inches long...Milton. He was full term and yet so tiny. I got to see and hold him yesterday....and it was heaven! He was a little sleeping heater and just precious! I can't wait to see him again. He is the newborn that I get to take pictures of this weekend....yay!
Ok, I am having some major writers block. It isn't like I don't have anything going on...I just don't know what else to talk about :) Well, back to work for now.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Nurse Practitioners VS Doctors

A just read an article this morning at Kare 11's website:
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=848124

In summary the health care industry is looking at giving Nurse Pratitioners more freedom in their current role. This is to include prescribing narcotics and working without having to report back to a doctor. I understand that they cost less and IMHO there is a reason for that! I haven't ever had a good experience with a nurse practitioner. IMHO they are just a bump up from a nurse. I PREFER to be seen and talk to a doctor, not a nurse. Let me give you an example. Here in MN we have the "Minute Clinic". These are staffed by nurse practitioners. They only have certain things they can diagnose and do. Children must be over 18 months (I believe). Anyway we took our daughter there a couple years ago (She was 4 or 5) and I kid you not it was like a scene out of house. The lady was sarcastic and rude and even walked with a cane. We brought her in because she was running a high fever (which Tylenol would break but only for an hour or so). She was miserable and coughing. The nurse practitioner began to question us on how old she was (well above their age limit). I told her how old she was and her response was "are you sure"? I said "Yes of course!". She started to look in her ears and the first one she checked she said "there is too much wax in here, so I can't see". The other one was fine. I thought "Well grab a Q-tip you idiot!" She checked her over and told me she was fine and she couldn't do anything. The next morning and several long hours later (due to a long night with lack of sleep), we took her into the Urgent Care at Quello. Viola! She had an ear infection in the "Ear that was fine", and strep throat. The nurse practitioner checked her throat as well and said it was "just a little red, but it was fine". Seriously!?! You are telling me that within 12 hours a perfectly normal ear turned into an ear infection and a little red throat turned into Strep! Whatever! This is my typical issue with nurse practitioners. They do NOT diagnose patients correctly.

I had to laugh when I read this in that article: "They say they're highly trained and as skilled as doctors at diagnosing illness during office visits. They know when to refer the sickest patients to doctor specialists."
Ok calling B***SH** on that one! I am always looking for ways to save money...like buying store brand over brand name, but skimping on the health of my family buy paying less for a nurse practitioner over a doctor is just not something I am prepared to skimp/save on. I am skimping on the well being of my family!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Spring is in the Air

"Spring is in the Air"...truly evident in my home by all the sneezing my hubby is doing. Over and over and over and over again. Funny that I am usually the one with the allergies. Do you think I gave mine to him? LOL! Our half dead tree in the front yard is starting to bud...hopefully it comes back since we are told it was the prettiest tree in the cul-de-sac....so sad! The grass is super green and my day lillies in the front are starting to poke through...I should really photograph these moments! HELLO! The dog is spending more time outside just mulling around and running the fence with the neighbor dog (Hunter). I think they are boyfriend/girlfriend but what do I know about puppy love! Oh yeah and she turned 2 on April 1st!

My first wedding of 2010 is officially done. I am also almost done editing/enhancing their pictures....woo hoo! I have the second wedding this coming Saturday and an engagement session on Sunday in St Paul. I have 8 weddings booked now this year so far and possibly two more :) I am working on getting post cards ordered and labels for BHS Seniors to send out and take their Senior Pictures this year. I also am making contact with PL/Savage High School to see how I can advertise for them too. I am excited that my friend Beth will purchasing a camera soon and going with me on photo shoots to build her portfolio. The business is ramping up so fast I may have to hire her! I am already passing weddings to her for this August when I will be having baby #3. Oooh, good time to bring me to next point!

Baby #3.....still a mystery on the gender part. We went in for our 20 week u/s and the tech told us that he/she was sitting on his/her legs and all scrunched up. Impossible to see the gender! :( My cousin Liz pointed me to Bella Angel Imaging in Maple Grove. If you get your u/s done within the first 20 weeks it is only $100! Did I mention that is all in 4D and comes with a 20 minute video and pictures!!!! If you do the early session then you also can come back anytime before the birth for another $100 and do it again! The lady was awesome and super nice. We had a lot of fun. She "guessed" it was a girl but then admitted to having been wrong the last three times. I won't run out and buy anything pink just yet but I have noticed that I am carrying higher than with Austin so it may very well be a girl. We have to have another u/s at 28-30 weeks because my placenta is sitting on top of my cervix (at the bottom). Usually the placenta moves up as the baby grows but if it doesn't happen a c-section is required...yuck! So they need to re-check the placement of the placenta then and we can hopefully find out the gender at that time too. For the meantime I can buy as much diapers, wipes, and cans of formula I want...just nothing pink or blue.

Austin is saying "mommy" now. It is the cutest thing in the world when he says it too....especially when he screams it! LOL! He is starting to say "daddy" but "mommy" is still more. I find that really weird since "daddy" is home with him all day...all winter...but oh well. He loves his mommy too so that's all that matters. I can't wait to see what word pops out next. He finally popped a third tooth out....in the way back on his right lower side! Where in the heck are the top ones? I have never heard of the back ones coming in before the front top ones. We got him this Little Tykes lawn mower that he loves to push around the yard! It is so cute!

Mikayla got to put her costumes on last week at dance and I took some videos of her dancing during class with them on...although they had their regular leotards on underneath. It was still cute and she was so excited! They are dancing to a SpongeBob Song, some slow song I have never heard of, and Lollipop Gang from the Wizard of Oz (BF's favorite movie). I got her a cute outfit from Justice a couple weeks ago and she can't wait to wear it. It is a long skirt, with a pink top and a white tank top underneath. I actually really like that store and next time would like to go in there without the little boy in toe. I need to have a "girly" day with her....she is getting into make-up and stuff now. I am just waiting to hear "mommy can I get my ears pierced?" Stop growing!!!!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Schedules

I have been the officialy photographer for Prevent Child Abuse MN ( a non-profit located here) for almost a year now. It started last year in April when I took pictures for their annual Gala. That time is almost upon me once again and I am very excited this year as I am donating a family photography session this year :) Also, my hubby gets to join me as well which is really exciting for him. PCAMN also has an annual walk in September that is tons of fun for the whole family. I am really grateful at the oppotunity to be their official photographer and it is self rewarding as well. I also take pictures for the annual Make-A-Wish Gala that happens in May. This year it is at Target Field (The new Twins Stadium). That is sure to be fun as well. The cool thing about the MAW Gala is getting to photograph and meet all the Vikings players and their wives :) I hope that when PCAMN gets that big I can still be their only photographer ;) MAW has 3 or 4 that night so it gets hard "competing" with other photographers. Last year one of the girls that was also a freelance photographer kept telling me and the couple from Lifetouch that we could leave whenever we wanted and that she didn't think we all needed to stay. She was laying her business cards out on the table right in front of the Vikings players which IMO was very unprofessional. We were there on behalf of MAW, not for personal solicitation! All those courses in marketing are paying off for me :)

Conference went great last night for Mikayla! The teacher told us that she has made vast improvements since the fall and she qualifies for the free summer school program. Now I just have to find a way to get her there everyday between 9-12 for an entire month. These are the days I wish I was a SAHM! Maybe I can get hubby's brother to take her since he works nights...hmmmm? Her daycare is in a different city so they won't bus from there. Anyway we are so proud of her :) The only negative thing she had to say was that she can tend to be a little bossy and always wants to be the "leader". She also tattles a lot and has to learn to focus on herself. That doesn't surprise us at all. She is the oldest and quite often helps with her little brother. I don't feel that being the "leader" is such a bad thing but she does have to start turning her cheek away to things that don't concern her. We have been working on that for a while now.

So I got the phone call yesterday that I was waiting for and found out I didn't get that job I applied for. It isn't a real bad thing but I can't lie..I was bummed yesterday. So I came home to my smiley little man giggling at me from the top of the stairs...peering through the baby gate. I rushed up to hug him. What else would make a mom feel better right? Anyway he returns the affection with a kiss! WOO HOO! I love his kisses...those big open mouth wet ones! He doesn't give them out very often so when you get one it is pretty exciting. I squeeled with excitement and he laughed too. Then as we started playing a little I got like 8 more...one right after another. He was smiling and giggling...must have missed his momma :) I love those moments. They are truly priceless! It is those times I wish I wasn't the photographer behind the camera, but rather the opposite.

Today is St. Patrick's day. Not much of a big deal since we aren't really doing anything special but lots of people talking about going out. I am addicted to a new game on Facebook....Mahjong...I think I spelled that right. It is a lot of fun! Anyway...back to the day :)

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Sick...again?

Yesterday I had a little scratch in my throat and again today...although today I am also feeling drowsy. My hubby bought me a dozen roses last night just because which makes me feel so loved and appreciated! Expecially when I am not feeling the best. So how do I repay him you ask? By snoring last night and keeping him awake! Not my fault since I am getting sick (for the second time in 2 weeks) but I still feel bad. What's worse...he woke me up all night to get me to shut up! LOL! I can't say I blame him really. I really hope this doesn't get as bad as it did a couple weeks ago. That was aweful! My hubby's dad has been sick with a sore throat and sinus congestion for 6 weeks straight....I told him last night that he has to go to the doctor by now!

We have conferences scheduled tonight and I am a little excited to go. It is always nice to hear how your child is doing and if/where she can improve, and how as a parent you can help. Although I have to say that I didn't remember getting so much homework in Kindergarten! At this age it is homework for the parent just as much as the child! Merry Christmas...here's a 20 page packet for you to complete...with your child. Who is the one going to school here? Don't get me wrong I love helping my daughter learn, but somedays working full time and then having to do her homework..eh eh.. excuse me...help her with her homework...feels like a bit much. I think she has vastly improved since the beginning of the year so we will see :)

Tomorrow is St Patricks day and it doesn't really matter to me since it is really a drinking holiday and I am pregnant. Although I hear it is supposed to be 54 and sunny! They are talking a bit of snow on Saturday but the weather people are never right that far in advance so I will believe it when I see it!
That's it for now :)

Monday, March 15, 2010

Spring Already?

It is literally the middle of March (the snowiest month of the winter) and we haven't had any snow! I am not complaining by any means...in fact I am loving it! Yesterday is was like 60 out and beautiful! We went for a short walk and the dog was by far the most excited out of all of us! :) She more like walked me for the first half and then of course was all tame and nice when the hubby took her...I wore her out for him :) We got a lot done yesterday. We went to church in the morning and then off to Sam's club to buy a bunch of food and a chest freezer...yay! Then home to get the freezer up and running so we could put all the stuff we just bought in it. In the process of putting that up, I had to start moving junk so of course that put me on course to get the new file cabinet I had still in the box set up and all organized. While I did that Austin slept and Mikayla played out in the backyard on the patio with her chalk. The dog kept her company the whole time...while keeping her eye on her as well. The hubby took the cars and gassed them up and washed them both and then went to help a friend move some furniture to prepare for their new baby due in April.

After all that was done my back was killing me from sitting in a hard chair for a couple of hours...sorting through papers and I had find a soft spot to sit for a few. I am 19 weeks prego right now and we find out a week from today what we are having...I so can't wait! I am shopping around for bunk beds....just in case it's a boy ;) We are also sort of picking out different gender names but nothing solid by any means.

That whole daylight savings thing caught up with me today of course....right when I had to go back to work...yuck.

Dear whoever invented daylight savings,
You suck and who cares about changing time! I just want to stick to the same time all year. If I want more daylight...I will adjust my own schedule thank you very much!

On another note, I applied for a different position within my current company and after three interview rounds and the last one being two weeks ago...I am still waiting to hear! Talk about stressful! I am one of 5 finalists so pray I get it because it would be awesome! My photography business is booming! I just got my new website up and running last week and within the first 24 hours had 4 people respond about doing their weddings this year! Too bad too of them were right when I am due! :( I have 3 weddings coming up in the next two months so that will keep me busy! I am working with my friend, Beth, to get her broken into the business as well. I need someone to help me...especially for the wedding I have booked 3 weeks before my due date...Yikes! I can do it though :)

Hubby is still job hunting but not much out there. He is planning with another friend of his to start their own mowing business this summer as a side job. I helped them get their business cards made up on Saturday and now they just need some customers!

Mikayla is still loving school! Her dance on Wed. and girl scouts also keep her busy. She sold about 310 boxes of cookies this year and her recital for dance will be coming up in June. Until then we have costumes coming at the end of April, pictures in May, and then dress rehearsal.

Austin has started throwing baby tantrums...it is actually quite funny and very short! He has gotten so attached to daddy since they are together all day everyday that when daddy leaves the room or won't pick him up the separation anxiety kicks in . He starts by looking at you with sad eyes and crying. Then his knees drop to the floor...followed by his hands and head. With his but in the air and his face in the carpet he cries. A few seconds...literally...and he gets up and is all done. I feel bad at first and then it is just funny!

Well, time for lunch...I am starving!