Raising Boys

Joshua's Birth

2012-02-10T15:45:00.005-05:00

OK! So! Scratch the entire post I've been working on ;) If I can't get pics all in the right order, it drives me crazy...so.. I'm gonna just write and post pics after!

So, this time last week I was 3 hours away from delivering (now one week old) Joshua! My contractions started last Thursday night at 8pm. I thought that they would just stop..since I was still 2 weeks away from my due date.. but.. they didn't. I slept hooooorrible that night, but didn't wake up Rodney because I figured if it was real labor, that he'd need the sleep for the next day. So! I just did my breathing all night..sleeping in between contractions..which, were probably 15-20 minutes apart. Even when morning came and I was still having contractions.. I still kept thinking they'd stop!

I called Jaime Lynn (my doula) and she said that it did sound like real labor, but to see how the day went and that she'd be there as soon as I needed her. The contractions were still around 10 minutes apart.. and I was able to breathe through them. I was comfortable waiting it all out and getting the contractions closer together since I had done it last time. By 3pm they were 4-5 minutes apart.. and when Jaime Lynn got here, we decided to head to the hospital! Rodney, my mom, Jaime Lynn and Melanie were going to be in the room with me...

The drive took for.ev.er! It was at Kettering, on a Friday, at 5:00 rush hour. I had several contractions on the way there..

We got there around 5:30, and I was dilated to 8! I'm always shocked when they tell me the number, because yes, it was hurting..but I never think enough to progress that far. My water hadn't broke by the way.. It never has... and I asked for it not to be broken..

Anyways! I walked to my room and by time I was in the bed, answered 100 questions and signed a couple papers, they checked me again and I was at 10! I was shocked! With Ben, going from 9-10 was horrible and terrible pain! (they had broke my water though, that must make a huge difference) Actually, the nurse checked me.. and said, "I don't feel any cervix".. meaning I was a full 10.. I didn't know though, and I was like, "What? Where's my cervix!?".. I thought something was wrong!

Well. Nothing was wrong, yet.

The labor from then on was great. Really. Again, nothing pain wise compared to Ben's birth. Just pressure... and I pushed with each contraction for an hour or so. After my water broke (on it's own) things really started picking up. No breaks. I ate a LOT of popsicles at this time! When we knew it was at the very end (btw, no doctor was there yet, and she had been told over an hour before that I was at 10, and it was my fourth baby) But, we won't go there because God worked that out for the best!

Anyways.. at the (literally) last 5 minutes before he was born, the nurse felt to see how far his head was down, and felt a nose. Not the top of his head. She said she literally stuck her finger up his nose. I heard her say that, and I thought.. well, that's good! He's coming out and he has a nose! ;) They all did so good at not letting me know how bad that really was, and never said anything to scare me...but, little did I know, that they were thinking emergency c-section. What?! The doctor still wasn't there, and I could tell things weren't good. My mom had left the room, Rodney wouldn't look at me, and there were now 6-8 nurses in the room. Jaime Lynn kept telling me.."It'll be fine. They just have to deliver the baby..".. I'm thinking..forceps?.. No way a c-section! I have nothing in me! No cords, no iv, no epidural... how in the world would they do that?!

They told me to stop pushing, but by that time I wasn't in control of my body in anyway shape or form. He was coming. I kept saying.."I'm not doing that! I'm not doing that!" (pushing) And then, they told me to flip over, and that my baby needed me (his heart rate had been all over the place, and dropping) and to push. I pushed twice, and he was out! Once he was out, the panic went down..because getting him out was the ultimate worry. I still had no idea really the danger he was in, until it all calmed down. They didn't hand him to me right away like usual, they had to check him out a lot. His apgar coming out was a 7.. and then at his 10 minute check, he was a 9..

They told me because of his face presentation (not sunny-side up) that he would have really bad bruising on his face.. and that he would probably be jaundiced because of it. Well, there was very minimal bruising, and no jaundice..

They said that if he would have been even a few days older, there's no way he would have made it out that way.. and the fact that he was my fourth made a big difference in my pelvis being able to open that much. (whoo hoo for a big pelvis) ;) He does have a little head, too ...so that helped. The nurse said she had been there 10+ years and only seen a face presentation 2 times, and both were c-sections.

The doctor got there about 10 minutes after he was born. Ya know, just in time to sew me up. But, as I said, that ended up being a blessing.. because the nurses said, that if she was there, she would have knocked me out and c-sectioned on the spot. That would've stunk! More than stunk.. On my last* baby, in the last minute and have a c-section. Rodney and I were so thankful for so much that night when all was settled and we were alone in the room. God's given us many miracles just in the last few months.. wow.. when we stop and think about them all, it's just overwhelming. God is good.

But, he's here, and he's doing great!

I won't say how well he's sleeping at night.. because as sure as I do, he won't. But just know, I'm getting more sleep now that he's born than when I was pregnant.

He also went and got his first chiropractic adjustment yesterday. We didn't discover chiropractic until Jake was 2, so he didn't get adjusted as a baby.. but Nate, Ben, and now Josh were all adjusted at 1 week old. I have never videoed, just took pics, but this time.. I videoed it! Wanna see?! Just notice how calm he gets during the actual adjustment. He's not being adjusted at the beginning.. just being checked out.. and then, after he's hung upside down (lol, just watch) is the actual adjustment. His arms just flop to the side, and he's completely still. I thought since he came out so wrong that he'd be a mess, but actually, he checked out better than the other two at their first time. The reasoning behind adjusting this early by the way, is if you fix their subluxation early, then they won't have to be fixed as much growing up, if at all.

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* I don't know ;)

I'm workin on it!

2012-02-09T16:41:00.001-05:00

I'm working on writing the post of Joshua's birth.. I think I'll just make a smilebox of all the pics.. So much easier..
For now, more pics! :)

So comfy!

Ready for bath :)

All clean and snuggled!

Somebody got to hold Joshua today! He's had a cold so we hadn't let him yet...

Joshua must have liked him, because look, he smiled too!

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I promise I take pictures of other things than Joshua...

2012-02-07T15:59:00.001-05:00

But he's just so new...

..and so sweet...

... And I can post them in 5 seconds!

So until I sit down at the computer to download all the other pics and write a real post... You just get him :)

Oh! And his pics are on
bellababyphotography.com
Click view photos
Password: 0203rust

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I'm in love.

2012-02-06T15:57:00.001-05:00

Nothing like waking up to this :)

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SOMEbody is obsessed with Joshua!

2012-02-05T19:47:00.001-05:00

But he also still wants to be my baby and get back scratches :)

Real post to eventually come!

We are home though.. And doing good!

Hopefully he sleeps this well tonight! We'll see!

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A few more pics :)

2012-02-04T13:03:00.001-05:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Joshua is here!

2012-02-04T06:43:00.001-05:00

Joshua Michael
7 lbs 10 oz.
20 1/2 inches long
Not much hair!
Huge hands and feet, but little nose and ears, head and face..
Just perfect to mommy & daddy.
Also 11 days early! That was a surprise :)

Taken just now at 6:39 am after his feeding.
Birth story to come later, and better pics :)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

2 down, 8 to go!

2012-02-01T16:03:00.004-05:00

-38 weeks and belly falling off my body-

As I said, 2 down...8 to go! Centimeters that it ;)

AND, I lost a pound! Whoo-hoo! Dunno if I was more excited to dilate another centimeter, or lose a pound. Pretty sure losing the pound was better.. seeing as how last week I gained 7. This week I had my "nice" doctor, and so he told me it was probably water weight. Which, not gonna say it is, but not gonna say it isn't. I've never not been able to wear my rings, and I haven't worn my wedding ring in a month..so.. we'll go with water weight ;) Should come off a lot faster if it really is!

I'm much better this week "emotionally". By that I mean, I'm not a blob sitting around not wanting to do anything. I'm still have a waaaaay lot of discomfort.. but 38 weeks sounds so much shorter than 37, don't ya think? I can see the light at the end of this pregnancy tunnel.. and I'm starting to get into the nesting mode again. I'm a natural "nester" anyways 99% of the time, so last week was just ugh! Today, me and the boys went to Storytime, Skyline, Learning Express, Target, and Dorothy Lane Market... all back by 2:00 for naps and school. Guess you could say I had a burst of energy! Plus, my goodness, it's soooo nice out! Much easier to do all that without coats and freezing to death :) And, I had gift cards to all those places..

Can I just say.. I have only been in Dorothy Lane once.. and that was for like, some special morning sickness cookies my chiro told me about, I had never walked around. So, today I had $50 in gift cards for there from the chiropractor for me and Rodney's birthdays back in Sept. and Oct. and had never used them...so I thought.. I'll go get my fruit and some meat there this week.. ya know, for free! :)

Not gonna lie. That IS a nice stinking store. But my goodness.. I was walking on eggshells with the boys the whole time in there! haha.. I'm like.. "Don't touch that!.. Don't make any loud noise! Don't eat all the samples while holding the toothpick for them in one hand, and reaching your other hand in for handfuls!" It was just so.. ya know.. more "up-py".. Can I totally make up that word?.. Thanks ;) Even the baggers and clerks, and the deli people were all so professional. I know, I know, it's that kind of specialty store.. but I have to say, I couldn't wait to get out of there! haha.. I was so afraid I was gonna mess up something! And no candy in the check-out line?! What in the world?..lol.. That I thought was interesting. I did like the no conveyor belts thing.. however, Ben was a little shocked to be being pulled through the back of the check-out. lol..

Then, when I was checking out, I told the lady I'd never been there before (because she wanted my DLM card) and that I was just there because I had gift cards.. and she (nice as can be) was telling me to join this kids club thing... and that every time I come, the kids could present the card at the deli and get a free piece of cheese or deli meat!.. I had to laugh in my head, because I'm thinking, "Ma'am, Kroger gives my kids salami by the 1/2 pound every time we go there..for free" ;) OK.. not a 1/2 pound.. but.. 3 or 4 pieces a kid! Then 2 steps down the isle they get a cookie! So.. it was just a fun day. And, like I said, I know it's a nicer than nice grocery store..but I was just seriously uncomfortable in there! But, Thanks Dr. Goffe for the $50 in free groceries :) I got a 3 pound boneless pork roast to make pulled pork... Mmmmmm...

You know what else I came to the conclusion about today? Those Statue of Liberty people that stand outside the tax place are going super overboard this year! Ya know, the ones in Franklin?!.. They usually only have one, standing there.. barely waving...which, can you blame them? How fun can that be..? But this year there are TWO of them.. on each side of the street! Like, jumping and waving and coming up to the car! They stare me down everytime I get stopped there, until I wave. Which, ask Rodney, I've always waved at those people.. I mean, that the least I can do. But seriously! Today.. the one came up to Jake's window and looked in and waved! I mean, UP to the window!.. I'm like.. "Ohhhh keeee!.." If anything, I think those people would scare off customers.. but evidently not! They must being doing well to now have 2! No reason for that story really.. just thought of it with my day today :)

My next appt is next Thursday, which, that'll only be 5 days before my due date.. so maybe I'll miss the appt :) We'll see! He'll come when he wants! I don't think it'll be anytime in the next few days.. I'm still going with the 10th!

37 weeks OR 20 days left!

2012-01-25T16:02:00.003-05:00

Oh my goodness.

20 more (or less) days! I am so ready. Not just because I wanna see him, but because I'm feeling done. Spent. Big.

Ya. Let's not even go "there". To my weight. Oh my word. I've never weighed this much in my life.. and I don't plan on it again! ;) Holy Moly. lol.. It's not that I've gained a ton more than the other 3 pregnancies.. it's that I held onto 10 with each one, and so I started out this pregnancy 30 pounds heavier than my first! So.. ya know.. add the 36 I've gained.. and Voila! Woah. The "good" thing is my blood pressure has still stayed very low, so that's good! But, wow. Those weigh in's at the doc are quite surprising!

My doula came yesterday and we talked about "the plan".. ya know, the crazy natural plan ;) Oh wait, I'm not allowed to talk like that. I'm supposed to be focusing my mind and centering it on "I can do it!" So.. anyways.. she came to talk about how we will be able to be successful and stick to the plan! :)

So sweet what happened after she left. She came at 10am, and so I'd sent the big boys down to play in the basement for an hour or so, and told them the "baby doctor" was coming to talk to mommy about getting the baby out.. and to stay downstairs and not come up and bother mommy. They never did. Never heard a peep. But, as sooooon as the front door closed, and they knew she'd left.. Nathan comes to the stairs.. all excited.. and yells up.."MOM?! Is Joshua out now?!".. (I had just ran to the bathroom, but heard him down the hall) So, I started laughing and answered, "What? No baby.. she didn't get the baby out!".. He comes walking down the hall.. real slow.. real serious... "Mom! But, where's Josh?".. lol.. He was soooo sad! He thought they were being so good, staying downstairs and being quiet so I could have the baby! Awwww.. God love him! He was upset for about 5 minutes, and then he was over it. He's the one that I thought wouldn't really be that excited about having a baby, but boy, has he proved me wrong! He is constantly kissing my belly, and talking to Joshua.. He's been the sweetest one this pregnancy :)

Also, Ben update. He's doing great! He went last week for his 3 month check-up, and all they could see was clear. He will be having an MRI in early May, and that will tell us 100% if all is still clear. The surgeon dilated his eye and looked at them both real good.. the socket of the bad "eye" of course.. but he said it looked great! So, yay :) We also found out that the appts. that we will need every 3 months are not even close to as pricey as we originally thought.. so again, yay! We don't have actual health insurance.. it's called Christian Healthcare Ministries.. and it works a lot differently, but so far so good! AND they pay 100% for maternity coverage. Wish I would've known about that 2 kids ago!.. But, let's not go there ;) I actually think it's the same thing the Duggars use. Really, I do! They said one time on the show that their "Healthcare Plan" doesn't go up or down no matter how many kids they have.. and this doesn't either. I don't know many self-employed insurance options that doesn't base off of how many children you have. So anyways!

Btw, Michelle posted some pictures on her blog (ya, she texted and told me) ;) (that's kind of an inside joke, because I talk about them like I "know" them all the time) anyways! The show hasn't aired yet since her loss of Jubilee, and so, she posted pics from the memorial service on the website. Gasp. They are precious. So sad.. but so sweet. There is also an audio of a letter she wrote and read at the memorial that's good too. Again, sad.. but so inspirational. If you'd be interested in that type of thing.

OK! I think I'm done for the day. We have been staying on top of school and I plan on teaching all next week, and 3 days of the next. I took off the 9th - the end of the month.. technically.. and then

if I want to teach in there somewhere I can.. but if not, it's scheduled off :) Plan to start back up first week of March. I'm getting so exctied about seeing Joshua though! Ahh! I think I'm finally realizing I'm having a baby ;) Good thing, cause he's a comin! Hopefully soon..

36 weeks and counting!

2012-01-16T13:19:00.003-05:00

How far along? 36 weeks
Total weight gain: eeek...29 (I've gained 33 with each pregnancy, but we're gettin a little close!)
Inches gained: 7
Maternity clothes? yup.. I love putting the ones I've outgrown in the bin. I've already hung up all my non-maternity clothes :)
Sleep: let's just say, that even when I'll be nursing every 3 hours, I'm sure that will be more sleep than I'm getting in a row right now. It's not so great.
How I'm feeling: soooooo much better heartburn wise!!!! Why?.. because...
Best moment this week:... I discovered Pepcid AC! Why in the world I've never tried it before is beyond me! I'm so excited that it works, yet kicking myself for not using it the other 3 pregnancies.. and most of this one! It's seriously a miracle. I could just look at milk or chocolate and it'd make me hurt.. now, this morning, I woke up with NO heartburn.. and ate poptarts and milk! And nothing! Nada!.. It's just crazy. I feel like a new woman!
Movement: plenty. So excited I got it on video the other day. :)
Food Cravings: nope. Done with the brownies and ice cream.. that was short lived, thank goodness. Really don't crave anything. Just want a lot of water!
Food Aversions: McDonalds, City BBQ, Chipotle, cookies, cake, icing...
Gender: boy
Labor Signs: not real labor I guess.. but I have had a million contractions the last week. I mean, a lot. Jaime Lynn, the doula I had last time, is coming over this Wednesday to review all the natural childbirth methods. Ugh.. sigh. haha.. Last time I was soooo determined to do it. Not scared. Not even a little bit. BUT, now that I know how it feels, I'm kinda on the fence ;) She's going to be the one to keep me on the natural side of the fence. As long as everything is progressing as last time, that is... and he's head down and everything.
Last birth, they broke my water at 9, just because it hadn't broke yet. I'm not saying that not breaking it at that time this time will make it that much less painful.. but I have talked to the OB about it.. and they are not going to break it this time. He said that it will break, but that it might be when the head it coming out! But, it will break. He said that he's never seen a full-term baby delivered in the sac, just preemies...so, gonna just wait on it to break. Unless of course my labor stops, then, break it!
Belly Button in or out? in
What I miss: sleeping on my belly or back.
What I am looking forward to: going into labor! (and getting it done) ;)
Milestones: Hitting 36 weeks!

Field Trip 2012

2012-01-13T20:34:00.002-05:00

Don't feel like you have to watch this entire Smilebox video :)

I can now burn the Smilebox creations I make right onto a DVD, and so I put all the videos I took in it for myself. Ususally I'd only put a couple for my blog.. but.. thought I'd go ahead and just post this one. It's 12 minutes long I think with videos.. and they are all at the end.. so watch whatever you want. :)

Digital slideshow made with Smilebox

So excited at Ben's appointment today!

2012-01-10T16:22:00.003-05:00

....and it didn't have to do with his eye!

Today we had the appt. with the ocularist to thicken Ben's eye so it would stay put better. He did end up thickening it, and adding some kind of "hook" to the side of it. More like a "lip" on the edge, so that it would attach better to the ball/muscles. It opens bigger now, and I am so far pleased with the results.

Anyways! Usually when we go there, we are the only ones and we get right in. Today, there was someone in there, and we had to wait a little while. So, when a mom and two kids came out.. I immediately looked at one of the kids to see if it was one of them who had a prosthetic, or her. I thought it was maybe the boy.. he looked around 5ish.. and a little girl, who was 2. My heart was dying to ask.. and obviously someone had a prosthetic, or they wouldn't have been there. So, I looked at Rodney and asked "Can I ask her?".. so he's like..sure!

So, I just said.. Hi, and how old are your kids.. and then I asked, "Does one of them have a prosthetic?..or you?"...She said the little boy.. and so I asked what happened to him, and she said, (in a way that she knew I wouldn't know what she was talking about).. she said, "He had Retinoblastoma?".. and I'm like, "Him too!".. and pointed to Ben. (We had all 3 there) and then from there it went!

Her boy was 5, and was diagnosed at 18 months, and she had never met anyone with the same thing! Of course, me neither, but it has only been 9 weeks or so...Most of the patients at this ocularist are adults, with a handful of kids.. but the kids he sees had something called ____? I can't find what it's called, but it started with an "L" I think?..Maybe an "A".. anyways! They were born with an underdeveloped eye, and had to get a false one.

Anyways! When they called Ben back, Rodney ended up taking him back by himself, and I stayed in the waiting room with her and talked for 30 minutes :) It was awesome to talk to someone that knew exactly what all was going on! I can only imagine how good she felt! She'd been waiting 3 1/2 years to talk, I'd been waiting 8 weeks to find someone ;)

Like I said, her little boy was 5. They found the size D tumor when he was 15 or 18 months, and within 5 days his eye was out. Get this, she didn't even have a clue there was anything wrong with his eye. She took him in for a bad case of the FLU, and left with a little paper saying he had Retinoblastoma. Cancer. Talk about a shocker! That was also her first kid at the time.. wow!

She was living in Michigan when it happened, but has since moved down here to West Chester, and.. get this.. sees Dr. Augsburger, and Dr. Gellar. Ben's eye surgeon, and his cancer doctor. Crazy! He went through the 2 years of 2 MRI's a year, and just finished up. They did the gene testing after his last MRI, and nothing showed up.. so, he's considered "clear!".. doesn't have to go back except once a year for a regular eye exam! How awesome is that?!.. That's exactly the schedule we are to follow. Ben's next MRI is scheduled for May, and then November.. then May and November again.. and then the gene testing, and if nothing shows up, he'll be "clear" too :) It was soooo good to see a kid older than him that was doing so well.. and I know that she was happy to share her story. She even asked if I was a woman of Faith :) So, we got to talk a lot about that too!

It was just amazing. No accident that God put us in the 10:30 slot on a day that we weren't even scheduled to be there. We exchanged emails/phone numbers and plan to keep in touch. I already have a few questions for her...

And! Funny story. I was telling her about how we were there because his eye was flipping upside down a couple times.. and she said that was nothing.. That her little boy would take out his eye and throw it across the room every night when he was 18 months! She said they had hardwood floors, and that she'd put him to bed, and he'd get mad and wanna get out.. and she'd hear something hit the floor.. and she knew it was either his paci or his EYE! lol.. she said she got to where she knew the sound of a paci falling, or his eye! haha.. so.. I guess a little eye turning isn't such a bad thing. I'd just die if Ben took out his own eye! For now anyways..haha.. She said, "You have to laugh about it sometimes..or you'd go crazy" ;)

So. Today was a great day. If not for Ben's eye flipping, I'd not met Erin. Just awesome.

My Boys

2012-01-09T23:05:00.003-05:00

Jacob, 7

Nathan, 4

Benjamin, 2

Joshua, 35 weeks!

Ok, ok... I'm trying to look all "artsy" and original like MckMama.. except her camera is like, $5,000.00 more than mine, I'm sure ;) But, I can still steal "her" ideas, right? Plus, it was just too perfect outside the other day to not take a pic like this.

I am normally an "I Love Winter" person... but, if it doesn't snow at all this year, I'm good with that. I love snow at Christmas, and well, we didn't get that...so.. I'm good. The time has passed ;) Valentine's decorations have been up since December 26th, and I'm ready for Spring! (or the past few days) This weather has been crazy, but, I love it. No complaints. We have been outside the past few days.. riding bikes, playing soccer, playing on the play set, and even playing with the neighbors new puppy! Does running it up and down our fence line 100 times count as "liking" dogs? My kids don't.. and this was a huge step! ;) Still not ready to get a puppy.. and ya know, return it! Who would do such a thing?!

So yes, 35 weeks today, and feeling it. That's 35 days or less people. Whoo-hoo! I'm hoping for 30. My "guess" is February 10th. Dunno why... just my guess. The boys are all getting soooo excited! Jake reminds me several times a day that I'm "running out of room".. and that "I can't hug you anymore from the front! Just the side" ;) Nathan is finally on board, (I don't think it sunk in till the last month), and has the patience to sit and feel him move now.. and baby Ben has been talking about "Dosh"for weeks. "Baby Dosh".. lol.. Nathan is the one who named Ben, "B", so.. we may have the nickname of "Dosh" ;)

We go tomorrow to "tweak" Ben's eye. It has flipped three times in the 2 1/2 weeks he's had it...he doesn't even notice it, and it doesn't hurt, but, it needs to be fixed. We can go as many times as we want in the first 3 months of getting it for free..so.. we're a goin. He's doing great with it, but I think with the swelling going down more and more, that it just needs to be "thickened up" with the "thicken up" stuff they have ;) It's the clear coating they put on it.. it's like, an acrylic nail.. and the more stuff you add.. the thicker it makes it..so.. hopefully he gets that all done tomorrow ok. He's actually doing worse with taking it in and out. Anytime we lay him on our bed now, he says.."Eye? Eye!?".. because he thinks we're gonna take it out :( Poor buddy...But he'll get there, with time.

(btw* by "flipped" I mean, the top rotated to the bottom.. not it flipped inside out..it's confusing)

I'd post more pics from outside, and from the Pinecone Birdfeeders we made (Winner is "anonymous" ;) but, I just get frustrated because I can't move them around like I want.. I told you, I'm pretty computer illiterate. So! It was birdfeeders :) We actually make them every winter, because my grandma always said the birds can't find as much food in the winter, and so you have to help them out! We always threw birdseed out in the snow when I was at her house. We are going to pass them out tomorrow to some different ladies from our church.. Nathan's are very very peanut buttery ;) Those are gonna be some well fed birds whoever gets those!

Oh! We went and saw Courageous this weekend. Oh my goodness. Without saying too much and giving it all away.. I'll just say, you have to see it. My life (literally) was changed in how I've "seen" my kids the last 2 days...it was amazing. I cried, seriously, maybe all but 15 minutes of the entire movie..?.. no joke... I died. It is one of the best put together Christian movies I've ever seen, and that's with putting Fireproof second. I can't wait to see it again when it comes out on video.. which, I think is in a couple weeks... Wow. It's just...ugh..*sigh*.. just go see it. ;)

Any guesses!?

2012-01-07T16:40:00.002-05:00

....as to what we made yesterday? :)

Oh, and if anyone knows why my new pics I loaded are so small, please help me! Rachel? ;) Do you know?! Jake's is smaller, and of course the main pic on the top is teeny tiny..

Holy Moly! 34 weeks?! Is that right!?

2012-01-02T17:53:00.006-05:00

Here he is! All upside down and everything! :)

How far along? 34 weeks?!

Total weight gain: 24

Inches gained: 6

Maternity clothes? uh, yes.

Sleep: Getting to be not so great. The king bed is nice, but I really need to sleep on my belly :)

How I'm feeling: pretty good... have trouble breathing when he's in certain positions..

Best moment this week: hmmm...got Joshua's hospital bag packed! Bought newborn diapers, new pacis, and baby powder. Awwww... I'm getting excited!

Movement: he is. the most. active baby. of all four. He literally had me jump up in my chair the other day... biggest kick ever of all my kids.

Food cravings: Oh yes. I have a new one. It's not very low calorie. ;) But, I didn't gain anything my last check-up, so, I can do it. haha.. Brownies, with vanilla ice cream, and chocolate syrup. That's not me in "non-pregnant" life.. I'm not that big inti ice cream...but, it is so good!

Food aversions: McDonalds, City BBQ, Chipotle, meat, cookies, cake, icing...

Gender: boy

Labor Signs: nope! But he's head down!

Belly Button in or out? in

What I miss: sleeping on my belly, and being able to squeeze through places. I'm "skinnier" walking forwards than turning sideways... lol

What I am looking forward to: holding my baby Joshua!

Milestones: 6 (or less) weeks to go! Whoo-hoo!

I go Thursday for my next appt. I'm every 2 weeks for one more time, and then every week till he's here! It's flying now... Woah! He is an active little man, and we are all getting anxious for his arrival. "Room" is done, diapers are bought, and all clothes are washed and put away. I needed a few last little things clothing wise, and a lady at church gave me two huge bags of little boys clothes. There were a ton of newborn things! That's what I needed :) There was also 4 or 5 little pair of the socks that look like shoes. I've never had those before, and think they are too cute! So yay! God provided :)

Christmas 2011... and Jake's Birthday!

2011-12-27T20:48:00.000-05:00

Make a slideshow design

Ben's new eye!

2011-12-23T15:18:00.011-05:00

I've been waiting to write a big long post explaining Ben's entire eye process. But, with all the craziness of everything.. it's just not happened yet! Most of you who read my blog know all that's going on, but I wanted to post specifically about Retinoblastoma. When Ben was diagnosed, there wasn't any blogs or things I could find on someones journey with it. (maybe that was a God thing, He hid them from me) ;) So! I want to eventually post an entire post on the warning signs, the way he was diagnosed, where we are now, etc.

But! For now! Here are some pics from the last 6 weeks. Ben got his prosthetic yesterday, and we are still amazed at how good he looks! He's had 2 eyes since birth to almost 2 years old, and no eye for only 6 weeks.. and it's been an adjustment seeing him with 2 eyes! You wouldn't think that'd be the case! This morning when he woke up, I had totally not even thought about his new eye yet.. and when I saw him..I was like...Oh B! I forgot you have your new eye!

Here he is at Thanksgiving...

And here he is yesterday! This was about 20 minutes after putting it in :) It was an instant WOW when we saw it for the first time. I have pictures of the entire painting process and how it was done..but again, I'll save those for the big long explanation post.

Also, today is Jacob's 7th birthday! Wah? Seven! Happy Birthday Buddy! We are having him a Star Wars party tonight. Halloween was the day Ben was diagnosed with his cancer, and so, the boys in their costumes and pictures is a total blur. So, tonight they are wearing their costumes :) Hopefully we'll get some good ones. Their soon to be cousin, Brayden, will be dressing up as Darth Vader..so we we should have a good group of characters :)

As for me and Joshua. We are doing great! 32 1/2 weeks!I had a reeeeally rough few days a couple weeks ago. I thought I was gonna go into labor even. I think I just totally overdid it for a few days.. I'm good now :) Didn't gain anything at my last appt. Whoo-hoo! So, I've gained 25 pounds total.. and 5 inches around. My heartburn is my only complaint. It hurts so bad I can't even swallow food sometimes. I wake up with it. It's nothing that I'm eating. It's inevitable. It'll go away as soon as he pops out. Which, I'm down to 7 weeks... yay!

His "room" (which is our room) is done. I put the crib up last week. Wanna see?

Here's his crib. Melanie had an extra one and let me borrow it. I love it :) I got his little letters for only .50 cents at JoAnn the other day, and then some little wooden doggy things too. We just re-did our bed, and sold our queen sleep number bed and bought a king regular bed, and new bedding.. I love it! The bedding was 50% off at Kohls.. and I had a coupon for an additional 30% off! AND, I had a $10 Kohls cash coupon! I got it all for $90! We were also able to use our queen headboard with the bed, so.. we actually came out ahead on all our switcheroos!

Here is his changing table. We've actually never even had a changing table. We've always just attached the changing pad to my old dresser. Ben is still using the dresser in his room, and we're not bumping him into the big boys room till next summer...so, Joshua gets new. I feel like Michele Duggar (except I'm 15 kids short) since we have a nursery in our room now...she has a permanent nursery space in her room :) May as well!

Welp! That's all for now! Got a birthday party to get ready for :) Everyone have a safe and Merry Christmas!!!

Ben turned 2!

2011-12-02T16:19:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday (last Sunday) to my baby B! :) I have so many more pictures to share, but, truth be told... I have about zero patience with computers/downloading stuff anymore. Really! It makes me so frustrated. I don't know if it's ME, or the computers/ipads/iphones?!.. I just can't get them to do what I want them to do.
So! You get just this one. Which, I was so happy it turned out as good as it did. His eye really isn't that noticeable with the angle/shadow...
We went yesterday to the ocularist, and he popped out his conformer lens, and put in another clear one. That was interesting. He has to teach us how to take Ben's eye out and put it back in.. with a little suction cup thingy...? And...(drumroll) he get's his real eye Dec. 22! Yay! Before Christmas! It won't be perfect they said.. he has to come back a few times in the first 3 months to get it perfect.. grinding it and adding paint where needed.. but, it won't be just red :) I'm so excited!
Alrighty.. too much to say.. too little time!
Have a great weekend!

A REAL baby update! 27 1/2 weeks!

2011-11-18T15:56:00.004-05:00

How far along? 27 1/2 weeks. Yes, everyday counts.
Total weight gain: 20.. that would be a good number really, if I wasn't 30 lbs over to begin with!
Inches gained: 5
Maternity clothes? ooooh yes...Funny, how when you're not pregnant you think you're fat. But when you are pregnant, and you hold up your pre-pregnancy jeans, you think.."Look how skinny I was!"
Sleep: I'll say "good".. because I know it will get much more difficult in the next several weeks!
How I'm feeling: Ben is cancer free! I'm great!
Best moment this week: Finding out Ben doesn't need chemo! Oh wait, this is about the pregnancy.. ya, poor little Joshua has been forgotten the last few weeks. But it made weeks 24-27 FLY by!
Movement: He is definitely reminding me all the time he's in there. His little kicks and punches are starting to hurt! And I definitely felt his head.. or his butt.. lol.. ya know, they feel the same. ;)
Food cravings: Just the Christmas Tree cakes! Btw.. the total tally of them dropped off to me since Ben's cancer started...? 11! Eleven! haha..
Food aversions: not my choice. But my heartburns choice. Oh goodness, it's the main trigger!
Gender: beautiful baby boy :)
Labor Signs: nope... but a ton of Braxton Hicks! Like, 20+ a day!
Belly Button in or out? in
What I miss: Would it be weird to say I miss Ben's eye? I know he's better.. and God provided in SO many ways...and it had to go... it was "just " and eye..but I do miss looking into my baby's beautiful blue eyes..A friend told me, "It's just for a season.. he'll get one soon..".. and I keep thinking that. It's just still all so knew.. and an adjustment you never would think you'd have to learn..
Actually, another friend told me about her dad. (The ages I say won't be exactly right).. but, he's had his glass eye for about 15 years. He's 50-60 I'd say?.. maybe?.. and when he got his eye, and he went to show his mother.. she said that she just cried and cried, because it was the best his eyes had looked since he was 18 months old! I guess his eye had always been "off".. I thought that was amazing... 18 months! and then 40 years later?.. wow..
What I am looking forward to: Going out to eat for a date night/Christmas shopping tonight with my hubby! Parents are watching the boys, and we have a gift card for a free dinner :)
Milestones: 1 week away for THIRD trimester! Whoo-hoo!

I was gonna type more.. but Ben just woke up from his nap! Have a great weekend!

My B

2011-11-09T13:59:00.001-05:00

Just a pic of my baby Ben :)
Not really up to blogging.. But we are doing well! Ben says thank-you for all your prayers! We have our follow-up pathology report appt next Friday. Pray that all looks clear, and there were no surprises! We are trusting in the Lord for that!! He's provided many many MANY miracles so far.. Why doubt him now!

24 weeks and random thoughts and sentences...

2011-10-24T23:50:00.001-04:00

I wasn't just "hanging out by a RR track" for a picture :) I was taking pics of the boys, so I had Rodney take my 24 week pic. 24 weeks and doing good!

-Baby is moving around all the time now. Ate Chinese tonight, and either he really liked it.. or he really didn't.. because he moved around a LOT while I ate.

- Someone at a store a couple weeks told me I was "cursed" to have 4 boys.

- Someone today told me I was blessed to have 4 boys. (I like that lady better) ;)

- I went to the grocery late tonight, with no kids. It was weird. I kinda like taking the kids better than being alone. Didn't realize how much they help me! I actually had to bend down to get the ketchup off the bottom shelf ;)

- I downloaded Casting Crowns new CD on my ipod, I love it.

- I also reeeeeally like a singer named Travis Cottrell, if anyone's looking for a new christian singer. He was at the Beth Moore conference this Summer.

- Got good news about our "insurance" paying for this baby. YAY!

- Bought all my Christmas cards.

- I'm more than halfway done Christmas shopping.

- Made Ben an appointment at the eye doctor. He has (I guess) a lazy eye. I think it's getting worse, so I need to take him in. Pediatrician didn't see anything, but referred us somewhere...so..I can tell.. especially in pictures..

- I still think he's beautiful ;)

- I am SO stinking excited that it is Christmas Tree Cake season! lol.. I blogged that last year, about how I love those little Christmas Tree cakes, the Little Debbie ones.. Mmmm..weird I can't stand cake or icing, but still love those!

-Already ate an entire box of them in 3 days. Shh...don't tell my OB..

- Nathan is learning how to write. Can you tell (what most of it) says?

- Jacob is doing amazing at piano. I need to post a video soon. He has a recital coming up!

- I saw a thing on 60 minutes last night about how the ipad is helping children with Autism. Oh my goodness. I cried. It was amazing! Don't know if you can pull it up online, but it's totally worth watching if you could find it.

- I love burning my fall candles..it makes me happy inside :)

- I'm tired of seeing infomercials for Alluma Wallet, Pajama Jean, Swivel Store, and Slushie Magic. Don't be surprised if some of you get these for Christmas. Jake and Nate think everyone needs one of these items! haha

- I'm thankful my husband helps me out as much as he does. I don't know how I'd do it!

- These are just total random thoughts and sentences :)

- I like to follow MckMama's blog.

- I love my boys...

- I don't know if we'll have more or not. ;)

- I'm so ready for it to get cold and put up the Christmas tree.

- I'm ready for a week off school! Scheduled a week off next week.

Now I'm just gonna post a couple pics...

-off to bed.. night!

Posted by Amanda

23 weeks and a bunch of other stuff!

2011-10-18T18:56:00.001-04:00

So, 23 weeks today! Whoo-hoo! Not going to do a 23 week layout like usual...I'll just say, I'm doing good :) Until my next appt there's not much that really changes for a lot of those questions anyways....and I have no picture of myself to share..so.. we'll just wait on that!

I do however have one million pics to post! I don't know where a few of these were/came from?.. they must have been hiding on my camera somewhere... these are from the pig-nic at church a few weeks ago!

Ben and his friend Wavy :) They were almost impossible to get a pic standing still and smiling together. Actually, they were impossible to get a pic of that.. seeing as how I don't have one..

..but oh my goodness.. they are too cute....

See! They are only a couple months apart.. and her mom is also expecting...their 5th (and it's a girl) early December.. so we'll have 2 more babies to be friends :)

Jake and Nate at the pignic...

...and with their soon to be cousin Brayden...

Celebrating Daddy's 35th birthday!

Ok.. now on to more recent stuff. Like, today! The boys and I bought a ton of apples that were on sale at Krogers yesterday and made up a bunch of batches of applesauce today! They really liked using the apple peeler/slicer/corer thing of course. It IS a cool invention, I must say :)

*side note* I can't figure out how to italicize on this blogpress thingy.. so where I would usually italicize, I am now capitalizing...which, I don't like.. it's like I'm yelling! So, I'm not yelling.. I'm just emphasizing :)

ANYways! Here's some of the pics...

...getting started...

..the peeler/slicer/corer thing... It's Mamaw Fee's, but she never uses it, so she said we could have it.. score!

Oh my goodness.. it smelled soooo gooood!...

Mashing them up to make the applesauce. I like mine kinda chunky..so we leave a few lumps. I like to eat it hot! Even after we cool it in the fridge, I heat it up in the micro before I eat it...Mmmm...Gooood...

I think we'll give a few bowls away. That's a lot of applesauce :)

Before the applesauce we made brownies..Nate (and now Ben's) favorite thing to do these days. That white stick looking thing in Nate's hand is actually the string to his shorts he was spinning around..lol.. He never sits/stands still.. (hmmm...wonder where he gets that from?)

Mixing the batter...

Aaaaand eating it....

Then I gave in and gave them the bowl... (see Ben..now watch the very next pic) ;)

He pulled it right over to him... lol.. Nate's like, "I don't think so, dude."

My baby will soon be "do" (two) .. but he says "un, do, wee!".. (1,2,3) not un-der-wear.. lol.. Maybe only MY mind thought that looked like underwear :)

Then, here are some pictures from the Hotdog Hike this Sunday afternoon at the Germantown Reserve...

All my family...

Some of the big boys playing football with Jeff...

Me and baby Isaac....awwww....he's so little!

Getting ready to hike!

Mamaw Fee and B... there was probably close to 75-100 people? Counting kids? I'd say?..

I love this pic.. they are either both pointing, or Nate's pointing and Dad is trying to get his hand to hold.. either way.. it's cute :) Nate is Papaw's boy!

The lady showing the kids the snake...ugh..

Jake and his binoculars.. they were supposed to watch the birds with them.. but I don't think any of the kids actually used them for that..

Even after the hike, none of the kids wanted to leave! It WAS a beautiful day..WINDY.. but beautiful. We all stuck around and let them play :)

That's all I got! Ready to put the kiddos down for bed and watch Biggest Loser while eating something fattening..;) Sounds good to me!

22 weeks!

2011-10-11T16:12:00.001-04:00

How far along: 22 weeks!

Total weight gain: 14 pounds... Pretty excited about that one..

Inches gained: 4 inches

Maternity clothes: definitely.. And a lot of Rodney's sweatpants.

Sleep: great!

How I'm feeling: besides unbearable heartburn.. Great!

Movement: aaaaall the time!! Not much in the morning actually.. But all day starting after lunch :)

Best moment this week: hmmm... Probably a very sweet card from a lady at church. Then when I told her thank you for the card, even her next comment was sweet :) I love my church family!

Food cravings: ohhhhh how they are changing! I've ate chipotle twice this week after almost 3 years of gagging just thinking about it! Crazy!! All I get is rice, green peppers and onion, and tomato. No meat, cheese, sour cream, nothing! So.. It's not that bad for me :) not that I'm caring about that right now.. Lol.. Because I'm now eating basically everything!

Food aversions: not much. Chocolate.. But not because I don't want it.. But because it's a heartburn killer!! Still don't like cake..

Gender: blue ;) see his/my closet! He'll be in our room for a few months..Yes, I love to organize... (Seeing as how this was done 20 weeks "early" to some people) Lol.. But not me! I say "only 20 weeks longer" ... Which is now 17 or 18 ;)

Labor signs: no

What I miss: Not much, yet..

Belly button: in

What I'm looking forward to: making Joshua's blanket with my mom! Already bought all the material, and going to start tonight...I'm making two. One for the crib, and one smaller for the carseat... Here's the material...

Milestones: Not baby related.. But staying on track with homeschooling is a milestone to me! And I got a shower this morning, too :) score!

Always room for a pic of the boys. Ben is just growing and talking like a weed! It's amazing.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

You know you've had a bad day when...

2011-10-11T15:44:00.002-04:00

Ok... So maybe it's NOT fuzzy?!

2011-10-08T21:05:00.001-04:00

Ok.. let's try again :)

Not sure if this is "fuzzy" or looks like how it's looked all the time? On the ipad it's clear as day... but on the ipad on the blog they are "pixel-y" (is that how you spell pixel?) anyways.. on an iphone it looks clear until you zoom it.. but it looks like that with my recent posts from the ipad AND from the computer.. I just never paid attention before I guess...?
Anyways! However it looks.. I'm gonna type! Please let me know what the pics look like on your computer...:)
Yesterday I took the boys to the pumpkin patch. I really like the Hidden Valley one, but it's kinda far... and I always go with my mom, so I needed to wait on her anyways. So, we picked up Aunt Kristen and went to this (what looked really neat and kid friendly) one right between Germantown and Miamisburg... It is waaaay less commercialized.. and I knew we would be able to not fight through as many people, and maybe even be able to do a hayride! The lines at the most popular ones around here are loooong waits.. we've yet to get on one!
So, we pull in.. and there is this gigantic dog.. like, right at our car. I'm talking, HIS HEAD WAS LEVEL WITH MY WINDOW ON ALL FOURS type dog...calm as can be..but very much so right at our car. All 3 of our kids are terrified of dogs.. so this was just great news! haha.. Ben kept saying "no woof..no woof woof!"... and Jake and Nate were just not moving... even Kristen, who's a dog lover was like, "Uh, that dog's a little big.."..So! We didn't even get out of the van... we just pulled back out! It was such a "small" place that it had to belong to the owners.. and I guess they just let it roam. I was bummed that we had to leave, because it is so close, and the others are so much farther from that. But, when you're all dressed up and have your kids in matching clothes, ya gotta go to a pumpkin patch somewhere!
So, we went to my second least favorite one.. Windmill Farms. I'm not complaining (except I kinda am, I'm just sayin) that place is so hilly,muddy, and stinky! lol.. I've just never really left there saying "That was just great!" but, I picked that one because I knew it had hayrides.. and, even if we had to wait 30 minutes, I was bound and determined to get on a hayride!
So, I go up to the ticket counter thingy.. and I said, "Is this where you get tickets for a hayride?" and she says, (nicely)"Well, are you with a field trip?".. I'm like, "uh, no.".. So she explains that it's field trip day. No actual specific field trip for a specific school or place, just "field trip day".. So I said, (on a whim, trying to at least see!).. I said, "Well, we are a homeschool group and I'm recording this as a field trip, does that count?".. she says, "Well, do you have 10 or more?!".. ugh.. "Nope! But I have 5!" ;) Then she explained you had to be a group of 10. So. They literally wouldn't let us on! At a pumpkin patch!
I literally chose at that moment to turn around, smile at the kids, and nicely say, "We can't go on the hayride today guys, but we'll go have fun doing all the other stuff, ok?".. that is NOT what I was feeling/thinking, but I had to be a "happy mom"..lol..
ANYWAYS! Starting with the big dog, and ending with the no hayride thing.. it really did end up being a good day at the pumpkin patch.. and our first "field trip" of the year :)
Let's see some pics..

Windmill Farms Pumpkin Patch 2011

Jacob- First Grade

...love the hands in the pockets... :)

All Aboard!!

...Conductor Benjamin

...looking at the goats..

Hey! Never seen THIS pic before?! I think I've posted it before somewhere :)

We bought little pumpkins to carve that day for "class".. I did the messy part, and Jake carved them.

These pumpkin knives are great for kids...

Jake's finished happy pumpkin...

...helping Nate with his...

He wanted a scary pumpkin.. I guess it's a smiling scary pumpkin..;)

Ben's teeny-tiny pumpkin :) I had no idea you could cut these little ones open! Jake asked me to "just try it, mom.".. so, I did. It is the cutest little thing!

see!

...all lit up...

We also had my annual bon-fire birthday party at my moms this weekend. It was the best stinkin' weather we've had in a long time for it. Usually we are all in coats and toboggans... this year my mom wore shorts! lol.. I think it was 83 degrees when it started, but 60 when the sun went down.. so it was just perfect..

All the ladies :) Me, Jackie, Mamaw BoBo, Victoria, Cheri, and my mom..

Future Sister-In-Law :) I'm gonna have to wear flats and put her in heels! ;)

Ben helping monitor the hotdog situation...

Jake and Brayden... such big boys!

...fun on the swing!...

the "little kids table" ;)

B and his Paw...

Thanks mom for putting all my party together! :) I love you!

Ben was reeeeally lovey that night...

Since I can't eat cake (major turn off this pregnancy if ya didn't know) Cheri made me her bestest apple pie ever recipe. So, I had a "Birthday Pie!"

Me and the hubby...

I think that's good for now with catching up on lack of blogging with pics! Since I'm so far behind on my pregnancy weeks thing.. I'll just wait till the next week of it.. but all it going good :)

Have a great rest of the weekend! (and I hope this posts!)

Practice take III

2011-10-08T14:34:00.001-04:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Ok...quitting for now:)

2011-10-07T22:53:00.001-04:00

I obviously need to change something. Stay tuned :)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Practice II

2011-10-07T22:52:00.001-04:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Hmmmm.... Not perfect...

2011-10-07T22:46:00.001-04:00

Help me out... Are your pics coming through blurry?

How bout now? They are clear when I put them on... But grainy when I post.. Is this one grainy on whatever you are using to look?

Practice again

2011-10-07T22:41:00.001-04:00

For my 30th birthday, Rodney surprised me with an iPad2! I'm trying to practice blogging on it now.. So we'll see how it goes!

Here are the boys at the pumpkin patch today. Wow. That was a trip! But, I'll wait and make sure this works before I post a blog in that! The boys were great, it had nothing to do with that, it was just the most complicated pumpkin patch day ever! Too many "rules" at pumpkin patches ;)

Here's Ben eating his cookie :) I just thought it was cute...

Tall...

Taller...

Tallest :)

Ok... This has been waaaaay to easy to do.. Gonna post it now and see if it worked! If it works, I see a very long picture filled post in the near future :)

Practice

2011-10-05T21:14:00.001-04:00

This is a practice post :) uploading it on my phone with a new app!
I'm adding one pic.. To see if it works!

It worked!

2011-10-05T15:52:00.000-04:00

Oh wow! I'm so excited :) it loads the pics right from my phone!! So fast! Yay! I'll do a prego update tomorrow.. But here is a family pic for now :)

Science!

2011-09-28T14:48:00.006-04:00

Of all subjects when I was in school, Science was probably my least favorite. Well, second to History/Social Studies.. and maybe Math and English.. haha.. ya, I didn't like much.. But I did like to talk! So, loved the social part of it! :) But, my firstborn LOVES Science. It's his favorite subject of the week. I have to say, I'm warming up to it... I've learned and retained more about a moth and it's life cycle (there's 4 you know) this week than I ever thought I'd wanna know ;) In fact, now when I see a moth fly in the door at night, I'm thinking in my head..."egg, larva, pupa, adult.." haha..Last week we covered the first two stages... (1) egg and (2) larva. We made the caterpillar you see here on the table as last weeks "experiment".. and then we saved it for this weeks experiment.. which was making a cocoon! Next week it hatches and we make it into a big butterfly! That's 3 weeks of moth/caterpillar/butterfly talk... I think I'm good! :)

I've said it before, but if you're looking, "A Reason For Science" is the best Science curriculum I've seen. I mean, in my whole 1 year and 1 month of homeschooling. ;) Everything you see here was in the kit.. even the bowl, spoon, and flour! Usually the ONLY thing you are asked to supply yourself is air and water.. literally.. haha..This experiment I needed air for the balloon.. (provided by me;) and water for the flour. I can handle that! I just love it.. can you tell?!

Here is Jake covering the caterpillar balloon with tissue paper and flour glue. Those of you who know Jake know he does not like to get dirty.. He's been like that since he was little. I mean, the kid didn't even dig into his birthday cake at 1 year old! So, this was a challenge for him to get his hands in the "glue"...but, he was so excited about making the cocoon that he did it.. and washed his hand as soon as it was complete...

It really was a messy project. Ben sat with us at the table (as he usually does for school) and watched the entire thing. He's gonna be smart! He's doing 1st grade Science as a 22 month old :) So proud of his cocoon. Isn't it just lovely?! It has to hang and dry for a day or so... which, it's dripping green goo and starting to attract gnats..?? Wonderful....
Here is Ben wanting to couch the cocoon...
...and here is Ben holding the cocoon (that you can't see) by the string :) He was very happy about that!

Now ya'll know more about caterpillars and cocoons.. fun fun!

Well, at least I don't have to change the name of my blog!?

2011-09-27T11:04:00.002-04:00

I mean, that would've been terribly hard! I am really connected to "Raising Boys" :) So! That name shall stand! Yup! It's another boy!
I am (shockingly) doing great! I thought that I would cry in the ultrasound, and I didn't. Not even a little bit.. nor after! I couldn't stop laughing actually! lol..
But, he looked great.. and was measuring right at 20w1d.. which, is me exactly. So, yay! I've said it before... but, after seeing a lifeless baby on an ultrasound .. I just wanted a healthy baby. Literally. I know people always say.."As long as it's healthy...".. but really, I just wanted it to be healthy.. and those words didn't mean near as much to me until this ultrasound. Sure a girl would've been great ;) But, can't say I wasn't expecting them to say "boy".. Actually, she didn't have to say anything..haha.. I could tell right away..

His little profile :)

His hands were in his face the whole time.. and he's already standing on his head. How talented :)

Facial/skeleton pic..

His little foot. His big toe was curled under she said...?

aaaaaaand the infamous "boy" picture. hahah.. yup! No denying that one!

So! There ya go :) Baby Boy #4! His name is Joshua Michael :) On my way out to eat.. it's my hubby's birthday today! Happy Birthday Babe!

Also, please pray for Melanie. She is in the hospital with blood clot complications after the birth.. and has been in there since Saturday night. :( Love you Mel!

19 weeks

2011-09-20T15:17:00.005-04:00

How far along? 19 weeks
Total weight gain: 10 pounds
Inches gained: 4 inches
Maternity clothes: yes
Sleep: eh.. starting to not be able to sleep on my belly at all..
How I'm feeling? great
Best moment this week: Oh so many! First up...

Watching baby Isaac Lee come into the world! He weighed 8 lbs. 2 oz. and was born Sunday morning :) I loooove this picture! (they don't do BellaBaby at Kettering, and I'm so sad about that)
Good thing I took this picture of me and Mel together Wednesday...

19 weeks and 39 weeks...
Because if I would've waited till Sunday, it'd a been too late! Well.. with him in the womb :)

...but he's cuter and more fun out! Congratulations Nick and Melanie! He's beautiful!

Also topping the best moments this week list: :)
-My brother and his girlfriend are now engaged! So, it's now... my brother and his fiance ;) and I am so excited for them! Congrats Matt & Jackie! Let the fun begin! Planning planning...
-aaaaand, the baby started moving all over this week.. and that's a relief.. he/she wasn't moving much that I could feel.. and now it's just a floppin all over the place. So fun!
Food cravings: still cheese...pizza! Cracker Barrel...spaghetti..
Food aversions: cake, cookies, ice cream, chocolate, City BBQ.. Chipotle..
Gender: 6 days! Next Tuesday! She better cooperate..lol
Labor signs: no
What I miss: not having heartburn
Belly button: in
What I'm looking forward to: Uh.. let me think... Tuesday!
Milestones: Feeling baby move...Making it to 19 weeks
Rodney took this when he took the boys to Sunday School Sunday. Awwww....

Loving the fall weather! 18 week post :)

2011-09-12T15:59:00.004-04:00

This was last week. Oh my goodness the weather was so nice! It took everything in me not to put up all my fall decorations. As I've said before, I love fall even more than Christmas decorations! I knew that the weather would probably get hot one more time.. so, I held off..

I posed Jake like this...and then he posed the next one...I have no idea where he got that from.

He said, "This is how boys pose, Mom." Ohhhh Keeeee then!

Jake is also playing soccer this year again. He's in the 6-7 year old league, and LOVES it. He says he loves it more than baseball.. which, I believe. It's his third year. Nathan missed the age cutoff by 1 week! Stink! (kinda, it'd also kinda stink going to two games for two different teams.. that'll come soon enough!) So... when Nate is in the 4 and 5 year old league, he'll be 5 and 6! That comes with an August birthday I guess.

Waiting to play this weekend at Trenton. We lost. We've lost all 3 games so far actually.. :(

Jake loves having his Daddy as the coach :)

Couple weeks ago at my Grandpa Tom's 80th Birthday party.

18 weeks

How far along? 18 weeks and 1 day :)

Total weight gain: 10 pounds. Gained 4 pounds last month from visit to visit. Which, I must say was shocking! With all the CHEESE I eat, I think I would've gained more than that NON-pregnant!

Inches gained: 4 inches

Maternity clothes: yes

Sleep: awesome

How I'm feeling? great

Best moment this week: Having someone ask me when I was due! (and they didn't know verbally I was pregnant) Guess I'm showing enough! However, I walked away being thankful I WAS pregnant.. ..because... gotta say.... I wouldn't ask someone my belly size when they're due..lol.. I wait till I know 100% and they have a shirt on that says "I'm pregnant!".. or I can see the baby falling out! Some people these days you can't tell!

Food cravings: Oh. My. Cheese! Just cheese. Melted cheese..

Food aversions: cake, ice cream, chocolate, anything sweet really... City BBQ.. Chipotle..

Gender: 13 days!!!!!

Labor signs: no

What I miss: fitting through smaller spaces.. It's funny to "suck in" and nothing goes in :)

Belly button: in

What I'm looking forward to: Going and watching Melanie have her baby boy next week!!! And, finding out his name ;)

Milestones: Feeling baby move more and more.. just flutters still..no kicks... but I'll take it :)

Nathan's long overdue birthday post!

2011-09-09T21:01:00.002-04:00

This slideshow design created with Smilebox

I'll let this Smilebox explain the birthday party :)

In baby news, all is great! No 17 week post this week...but I'll catch up next week at 18! Went to the doctor Wednesday and all looked good. Uterus measured perfect, and heartbeat was a steady 154.. can't do any better than that at this point..

Have a great weekend!

First Day of School and 16 weeks!

2011-08-30T10:23:00.002-04:00

My class ;) This was 9 am.. and everyone was dressed?! (and fed) What's up with that? They were very excited!

Jacob- First grade

Nathan- Preschool

Benjamin- pre-pre-preschool.. haha

School in the morning time is going well. I actually like it in the morning more than the afternoon.. which is surprising, seeing as how B is awake...but, he likes it too :) We do Bible/prayer time, Social Studies, Science, Handwriting, and Nathans preschool work in the morning time.. and then Jake does his Phonics/English, Reading, Health and Math in the afternoon downstairs... when everyone else is asleep :) It's nice to split it up like that..

Time for art class! aka..Play-doh outside :)

Oh my goodness.. the weather yesterday was just glorious! I heard it's going to get hot again Friday though... ugh. I am sooooooo ready for fall! Love. It.

And as for a baby update:

How far along? 16 weeks- whoo-hoo!

Total weight gain: 6 (I won't change it until my next doctor appt. I don't have a scale)

Inches gained:3 1/2 inches

Maternity clothes? yes

Sleep:good

How I'm feeling: great!

Best moment this week: heard the babys heartbeat :) yay! I bought a Sonoline B Doppler. It's pretty awesome. It was ridiculously cheaper than I ever imagined.. and I was able to find the heartbeat in less than 30 seconds I'd say...it moved a lot and kicked a couple times while I was feeling for it! Yay!So I feel better :)

Food cravings: Still wanting melted cheese. Oooooh the melted cheese I can eat. I passed up Chop House for Outback just to get cheese fries on our date Saturday.. I eat pizza a few times a week.. with (I tell them, extra extra green peppers) Mmmm... I buy cheesesticks 4 boxes at a time.. I melt cheese on my spaghetti.. cheese at Skyline.. cheese on crackers.. cheese cheese cheese! Crazy thing is.. I don't like cheese (pre-pregnancy) except on pizza. So weird!

Food aversions: chocolate, Chipotle, City BBQ, tacos..

Gender: 4. more. weeks. eek.

Labor Signs: no

What I miss: nothing

Belly Button: in

What I am looking forward to: my ultrasound!

Milestones: making it to 16 weeks and hear the heartbeat :)

Week 15

2011-08-23T15:33:00.005-04:00

How far along? 15 weeks
Total weight gain: 6
Inches gained:3
Maternity clothes? yes
Sleep:good
How I'm feeling: Physically, great. Emotionally, eh. I didn't blog 14 weeks, and wasn't going to blog 15 weeks.. but.. I decided to. I'm better now that last week.. but, 15 weeks is just a "reminder" week....so I kept thinking everyday that something was gonna happen.. but.. I am obviously getting bigger... so I am feeling better about it. Faith. That's what I need to keep my mind set on!
Best moment this week: non-baby related.. I got 2 weeks of lesson plans completely done :)
Movement: ugh.. I'm waiting.. that would make me feel a lot better..
Food cravings: 3 top things: CHEESE, potatoes, and sour cream. All of which I rarely eat non-pregnancy.
Food aversions: chocolate, Chipotle, City BBQ, tacos,
Gender: sheesh...I'd love to know! 5 weeks!
Labor Signs: no
Belly Button in or out? in
What I miss: my hair.. haha
What I am looking forward to: Melanie having her baby boy soon! Eeek! 5 weeks!
Milestones: Making it to 15 weeks uneventfully.

Me and the baby :)

I have so many pics I could blog.. I reeeeally need to post Nate birthday! I think I'll do a Smilebox.. however, he was really not smiling.. and really not even there. Poor buddy. I asked him the other day about his party.. and I said, "Nate? Do you remember who was at your party?".. he said.."uh.. Mamaw. Mamaw Becky.".. I said, "Is that it? Do you remember who else?".. he answered, "nope.. just Mamaw Becky..".. lol.. Which, God love him.. she was the one who sat with him on the bed and rubbed his head till he fell asleep.. :( That fever totally wiped him out! Poor little guy.. it was the best turn out for a family party we've had in a long time too! Stink. Hopefully he'll have a good Christmas ;)

As Jacob says, we're "3 boys and counting"

2011-08-10T15:13:00.005-04:00

Sometimes....I think....

if I have another boy...with a sweet face like this....:(
and a toothless smile like this...chubby legs like this...exciting times like this...

and cute pictures like this....

my heart just might explode from all the love I have for them...

13 weeks

2011-08-08T12:49:00.004-04:00

How far along? 13 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 6 (no weight gained on doctor scale for 4 weeks) yay!
Inches gained: 2 1/2
Maternity clothes? yes
Sleep:good
How I'm feeling: great!
Best moment this week: hearing the heartbeat today :) 154!
Movement: maybe..still haven't had that "That was totally the baby moving" moment..
Food cravings: still no cravings.. but my week consists of a lot of corn on the cob, canned pears, canned vegetable soup, and Lucky Charms. Actually, I CRAVE lunch meat, but am not eating it this pregnancy.. never knew that was a possible miscarry issue!? Pickleloaf, and pepperloaf sound sooooo goooood...
Food aversions: chocolate, Chipotle, City BBQ, tacos,
Gender: dunno...made ultrasound appt. today for Sept.27th (Rodneys birthday) He said he can't lose either way.. he either gets a daughter on his birthday, or another chance at a pro baseball player ;)
Also, my mom wants me to wait till the baby is born to find out what it is.. she just thinks it'd be fun to anticipate what it is... and to be able to call people and say "It's a __!" However, I don't share in that excitement..haha... BUT, she offered to buy me diapers for a year if I didn't find out!..lol.. Dude. That's totally worth considering! But, I think she's changing her mind realizing that's a LOT of diapers for a newborn-12 month old ;) But seriously, mom, if you change your mind.. I'll do it.. I'll totally not find out if you buy the diapers for a year..haha.. what ya say!? :)
Labor Signs: no
Belly Button in or out? in
What I miss: I miss sleeping on my belly...
What I am looking forward to: Fall! and my new Gold Canyon Candle fall book!
Milestones: well, I thought 13 weeks was the start of the 2nd trimester.. evidently I've been wrong for all my pregnancies..lol.. I guess it's the last week of the 1st? Is that right? Either way.. I'm close! We'll say hello to the 2nd trimester anyways.. :)

12 weeks

2011-08-02T13:33:00.006-04:00

How far along? 12 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 6

Inches gained: 2 1/2

Maternity clothes? yes-I've been holding off as loooong as I can to ask Melanie for my Summer clothes back I let her borrow :( She only has 8 weeks left, and I hated to take them with only that much to go! But it was time. I'm sorry Mel! lol :)

Sleep: eh... pretty good

How I'm feeling: fabulous!

Best moment this week: I think, I think I felt the baby move almost everyday for 6 days in a row!

Movement: I think!

Food cravings: oh yes.. they are starting... and it's not good for you food. It's frozen "bad for you" food...Like, frozen Fridays potato skins, cheese sticks, chicken roll things.. all the bad stuff.. that we NEVER buy...but then I also crave canned pears, canned vegetable soup..? strange..

Food aversions:Chipotle, McDonalds, City BBQ, rice, burgers, chicken, ?? changes weekly

Gender: dunno.. however, today my chiropractor said he thinks it's a girl.. No idea why... but he's never predicted before! He was smiling ear to ear after he adjusted me.. ? He's always been a smart man that Dr.Goffe..so.. we'll see! :)

Labor Signs: no

Belly Button in or out? in

What I miss: nothing yet

What I am looking forward to: my appt next Monday. I blogged last week that it was today.. I was wrong. It's next Monday! That I'm sure :) But I did go and get all my blood work done!

Milestones: this is the last week of the first trimester.. and quite possibly, my last last week of the first trimester..I'm thinkin four kiddos are good! People don't believe me.. but I'm a thinkin so.. :)

Phew... lot of baby info. No, that's not the same pic as last week and the week before :) The baby pretty much looks the same, just getting fatter and a straighter neck! This week it's the size of a plum! I love plums :)

Like I said, I thought my appt was today.. and it wasn't.. but I for sure have the appt next Monday, which will be 1 day short of 13 weeks. I think if they say all the blood work was good, and they get a heartbeat again.. I might finally feel like everything is ok. The last baby they think died at 12-13 weeks.. and I didn't know till 15... so.. if I get a 13 week heartbeat, I'll feel good.. and especially if I keep feeling what I think is movement..and, ya know, keep getting bigger! Every time I measure my waist I'm like, "what?!"..

In other news, I can tell our second "exciting news"..We put our house on the market. (no exclamation mark needed on that sentence) lol.. no, I am excited, I just know how hard it is to move! When we moved here, I remember saying.."We are never moving again.." and that was with only 1 kid, and not even 1/2 the furniture and stuff we have now. But, it's up for sale!

Where are we going? Well, nowhere if the house doesn't sell...but, if it does, we have a house we like... it's "smaller" as in it doesn't have a basement.. and the bedrooms are smaller.. but, the actual square footage is bigger than our upstairs now..so.. that's good :) And, the key reason of the move..it'd be cheaper.

Why are we moving? Well, in a nutshell... because of the Duggars. Well, not exactly because of the Duggars..but..inspired by them :) The Duggars live a completely debt free life. I mean..sure, they have a television show, write books, speak at seminars, and travel all over the country! But, they lived debt free even before that! And then, another set of our friends sold their house and a ton of possessions.. and it all just sounded so freeing! It has been on our hearts to "downsize" for over a year.. but we are just now doing something about it...and we can't get completely out of debt in this house..

I am at peace with the decision... trying not to get too excited and ahead of myself, because our house has to sell first..but.. trusting God with whatever decision is made. Trying not to do the "I pray your will be done, but, you know God what I really want to happen" prayer..and that's hard. So, anyone want a nice house in Carlisle...(Jodi?!) let me know! :)

I'll leave you with some pics off my phone from the last couple days.Look! Another wedding :) This was my 5th wedding of the Summer! And last. Isn't her dress gorgeous?! The back was all corseted up.. I loved it. Congratulations Jessica and Kurt! It's funny.. out of all our homecoming/prom pics.. we are now all married. I was the first.. and she made the last! I think that's pretty cool! Seeing as how there was probably 12-15 girls in the pics...

Kinda (ok, really) dark. But, from left to right: Audrey Winkler, me, Jessica Backscheider, Stephanie Kress, Hilary Hipsher, and Mindy Shrock. It was so nice to see them all again :)

hose + slide = waterslide

This middle child will be celebrating his 4th birthday this Saturday! I feel like I've had him forever though..not just 4 years. haha

This morning at 7:50 am. They never wake up THIS happy :) They were all smiling.. and Ben was actually saying "cheeeeeese".. they start trickling in about 7:30 (8 on a good day) and get in bed with us... usually Nate.. then Jake.. then Ben. Jake can actually get Ben out of his crib now..so I don't even have to get up! ;)

11 weeks

2011-07-26T16:09:00.007-04:00

How far along? 11 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 5

Inches gained: 2

Maternity clothes? yes- still no shirts yet.. but pants

Sleep: great

How I'm feeling: Way less nausea. Almost gone. Just still have a little after 6pm..

Best moment this week: hmmmm... eating City BBQ :)

Movement: no

Food cravings: not really.. I just want food.. like... dinner and lunch.. not snacky stuff..

Food aversions: getting less.. no chocolate still, ugh.. tacos, wet chicken... lol

Gender: dunno

Labor Signs: no

Belly Button in or out? in

What I miss: nothing yet

What I am looking forward to: my appt next Tuesday. Praying for a heartbeat again... Milestones: making it to 11 weeks uneventfully :)

The baby is a lime! The size of one anyways :) I am starting to feel pregnant... as in, I thought the other day I was "smaller".. and I thought I could put on my regular pants... HAHAHAHA. Uh. No. They weren't even close. I'm assuming boy on this pregnancy...But by the rate at which I am growing, I'm gonna have to call girl!.. Plus, I'm gonna have to humor myself and guess girl anyways.. what do I have to lose..:) I can tell a boy ultrasound pic faster than the tech now.. and if they say, "Looks like a girl!".. I'm gonna have to have another one done in a few weeks after that..lol.. because I don't think I'll be convinced! It would totally be a "dream like" moment.. an "out of body" experience if you will..lol.. Eh, who am I kidding.. it's a boy. ;) Which, I can just as quickly get excited about.. FOUR matching Christmas sweaters?! I mean, come on.. how cute would that be!

Also! One of the "exciting news" to share is this:

Which, this is probably not as exciting as if I would have posted it a week ago... ya know.. before everyone has actually seen me now :) And, while yes, it does feel sooooo much better.. have to admit.. after now posting the pic of how long it was..?.. kinda feel sick.... lol..ugh...

My friend, Cassandra, also took the chop that night! Abby Singer came over at like, 10:30-12am and chopped us all off..it was fun! Look how long hers was!

After she cut it... a natural wave came out :) How cool is that!

Here we are with our pony tails. We both had enough to donate! Yay! I have never had hair long enough to do that! I think she sent hers to Wigs for Kids? or Pantene Pro-V?.. Mine is still in a baggie on the counter..lol.. I haven't got the info of where I'm sending it yet..

Phew. That's all :) Hopefully the second news will come soon...

Baseball and the Bible

2011-07-21T12:45:00.005-04:00

Wednesday nights at our church we have a program for the 5yr.olds - 6th graders called Kids on Mission. It's led by our pastor, and several others, and the kids really like it! I think it's also because all the ages are together and they can be with so many different friends, which is nice too. There is a missionary story, game, craft, snack, etc. Kinda like a little VBS. :)

There is a separate class for 3/4 year olds, and there are only a small handful of kids in there.. but Nathan really likes it. As most of you know, Nathan is reeeeeally into baseball! (I stinkin can't wait till his birthday party next month.. it's Cincinnati Reds) :) Anyways! One of the teachers, Don, knows how much into baseball he is.. and so he "made up" a baseball story to go along with the Bible Story last night.

When I came to pick him up, Don said, "Make sure you ask him who is on Jesus' team, who is the coach..how many players does Jesus have...etc.".. I'm like, "OK" :) Sounds like a concept Nathan would get in to..

So I came home after choir.. and I had Nate come over to me.. and the conversation went like this...

Me: Hey Nate! Did you have fun in class tonight?
Nate: Yep...
Me: Did you have a snack?
Nate: Ya..
Me: What was it?
Nate: goldfish.. but I didn't go fishin.. they were just the cracker kind..
Me: Oh, well.. that's good..Did you have a story?
Nate: Ya...
Me: Was it about baseball?
Nate: Ya..
Me: Who is the manager in baseball?
Nate: Uhh...I dunno..
Me: Is it God?
Nate: oh.. ya.. that's wight..(right)
Me: Well, is there a coach? Who's the coach?
Nate: JESUS!
Me: That's right! How many players are on Jesus' team?
Nate: TWELVE!
Me: Do you know what they're called?
Nate: uh-huh...
Me: What?
Nate: The recycles..
Me: The Recycles?
Nate: Yes. The 12 Recycles
Me: Well, close enough ;)

Usually his answer every week, for Sunday School AND Wednesday night is "Jesus"... no matter what the story. So the 12 Recycles was at least showing he heard something :) I heard a comedian one time talking about how every little kids answer is always "Jesus!"... and he said, "You just can't go wrong when you answer Jesus" :)

My brother used to do that all the time when he was little too.. except his answer was a little longer.. Evidently his Sunday School lesson for 5+ years was "Jesus is Lord".. Except he couldn't pronounce his "L's".. so it was.. "Jesus is word".. (with the Lord sound).. I remember that conversation in the car coming home every week from morning church... :) Fun memories..

Lets see...what else is going on..besides the shooting pain in my neck from sleeping on it wrong last night?.. ouch.. It really hurts..anyways!

Oh! I started making out Jakes lesson plans this week. Can I just tell you how excited it makes me!? :) Seriously. It's so fun. I love it. I didn't make out the daily lessons.. I just started logging in the calender what days we will have school, what days I'll give us off.. and what weeks for breaks.. etc. Can I just say, that that is my favorite thing about homeschooling. The flexibility!

There are 165 lessons that you have to get in for the year. Since I love organization... and calendars..I do it like this. :) I pick the date that I want to start.. This year it's August 27th, I think?.. I write a "1" on that day.. and keep going.. "2...3....4..etc. but then if I get to a birthday, or a Holiday I want off.. or just a couple days in a week that I wanna give us a long weekend.. I just mark "off" on those days, and pick up with the next day I'm teaching again...

Last year, with the baby coming the end of May.. I had us finishing up the school year early April! I just gave us less days off... and, with Kindergarten.. you can double up lessons pretty easily. But this year, with the baby coming in February.. we are set to finish the third week of May.. which I'm still happy with. That's with giving a week off for a fall break, a long weekend for Halloween and Thanksgiving, 4 other long weekends, and 3 weeks off when the baby is born.. (which, if it's a good day, that's where we can be flexible!.. I'll go ahead and bump it up a lesson!)

Last year, Kindergarten took maybe an hour of seat work.. and then if we did a craft, or an experiment.. that might have added 30 minutes - another hour. But this year, it could be anywhere from 2-4 hours a day. I plan on splitting it up to an hour or two in the morning, and then the other 1-2 hours in the afternoon (when, hopefully Ben still naps.. and the new baby.. and who knows! Maybe Nate?!) That'd be too fabulous.. good thing I can take the baby to "work" with me! I know the principal. ;)

Nathan will be starting preschool work this fall also. He doesn't have to.. seeing as he will only be turning 4 in August.. but, I have it.. and I think I will do it just 2 days a week. It's the Answers in Genesis preschool program. It was only $99 if anyone is looking for a nice, reasonably priced program. Nathan is going to be my "true test" as a homeschool mom.. :) Jake was just a piece of cake..lol..Not to compare.. (but I am), Jake did Hooked on Phonics at almost 4, and was reading pretty well at 4. (it too is an awesome reading program) I don't think we're gonna be quite there with Nate, folks.. lol.. and that's fine! Jake was "special" ;) Either that, or the fact that I worked with him.. I'd say that's it :) It's a first child thing! So.. Nate is going to be right on track! I might introduce the Hooked on Phonics to him.. who knows.. it's so good he may pick right up on it! He can sometimes surprise us!

For Jakes curriculum.. I didn't go full Bob Jones this year. He has BJU (Bob Jones) for math, heritage studies, phonics, reading, and bible. Then he has A Reason for Spelling, Handwriting, and Science. And then Nutrition 101 for health. I am stoked for his Science program. I sat in on the conference in April for it, and it was great. No preparation at all.. it's all in the kit. I think it was $249? ..but, it's 60 pre-made experiments. No need to run out to Walmart for water droppers, or pipe cleaners just to do the experiment the next day. It even came with chemicals and things.. so, I'm excited. They have the pre-made kits up to 6th grade. It also comes with the textbook of course, and the worksheets/tests, and teachers manual. I've heard that Answers in Genesis has a great one too.. pre-made and all.. so, I might check into that one next year.. it wasn't at the conference this year..so I didn't get to see it.

Just FYI, the flip of that program would be just using the science in your curriculum. Like, for Bob Jones, it gives you the textbook/teachers manual, worksheets and tests.. but then it just tells you what to put together and get to make the experiment yourself... which, honestly is a LOT of work.. and the end result is just skipping the experiment because it's too much work.. not that I did that with Jakes Kindergarten lessons or anything ;) It's ok. We did it.. just with books..

Ok! That's all I got. Hopefully I have two things exciting to blog about soon.. one as early as tomorrow :) Stay tuned!

10 weeks- double digits!

2011-07-19T02:00:00.000-04:00

How far along? 10 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 5

Inches gained: 1/2 inch this week.. 1 1/2 inches total

Maternity clothes? yes- no shirts yet.. but pants 100% and non-maternity skirts :)

Sleep: just fine

How I'm feeling: better actually.. which, scares me... hopefully all is ok!

Best moment this week: the night all three boys slept 100% through the night after being sick!

Movement: no

Food cravings: eating a lot of Tomato soup and grilled cheese lately..and chex cereal

Food aversions: chipotle, penn station, hot dogs, cake, lunch meat, tacos, chocolate, cheese, sweets...

Gender: dunno

Labor Signs: no

Belly Button in or out? in

What I miss: nothing

What I am looking forward to: getting past 15 weeks..it's like, my "fear" week to get to.. and, going out to dinner tonight just me and my mom! :) What sounds good? Olive Garden! Salad!

Milestones: hmmm.. Ben said "baby" and kissed my belly :)

This week I decided I'd posted a pic of me and my belly. I haven't taken but 2 pics of myself this pregnancy.. because, as I've shared with many of you before..after you have a miscarriage, and you look back at pics of yourself.. it all just feels like a big "joke".. like.."haha.. look how happy you are.. and all along the baby was already gone.." (that's how I feel anyways, not saying that's how all people feel)..I felt that way after the first one the most.. but then after the second one.. I just really don't want to get pictures of that again.. BUT!.. As my great friend Emily has told me over and over (she's lost 3) "Each pregnancy is a new baby.. and a new life.. cherish every day you have with it..even in the womb!"

So, I am trying to do that.... but, again.. still fearful, and in the back of my mind (and several times this week in the front of my mind) I just still feel like it won't actually ever be born. That's not a good attitude I know.. and my Anxiety book keeps "slappin me in the face" with the message of not having faith.. that when you worry.. and doubt God..you're saying "God can't".. and, those two words just don't go together! But teachin it and living it are two separate things.. and hard to do.. so, I am trying to keep remembering that I am not in control.. and I picture God in my belly just a working on molding that little body all together..and fashioning it the way He can.. (maybe even putting a little bow in her hair) Hey, it makes me smile..;)

But, overall.. I have been doing well.. sickness is lightening up some.. and I am definitely less tired.. my nose is always stuffed up.. but I've had that every first trimester.. weird.. I go back in 3 weeks.. so.. just praying to hear a heartbeat again at that appointment!

A wedding, a boating trip, and enterovirus.

2011-07-18T13:07:00.005-04:00

Wow. That's an interesting title combo ;) Stay tuned! First up... (yet, actually last in the week of craziness) .....My friend Mindy got married over the weekend! This is 5 of us from the class of 2000!..whoo-hoo! Me, Hilary, Mindy, Nate, and Jessica (who gets married in just a couple weeks herself) :) It was nice to see them again.. I haven't ever went to a reunion, so it'd been quite a while!

Me and the lovely bride :) Congratulations Mindy and Donnie!

Then we have Nate. This is the boy who started the virus....That infected his brothers.. that infected our friends from Carolina.... that made for a long week.

He started with a fever... Sunday? I can't remember.. anyways.. he rarely gets sick... and I'm like, a fever in the middle of Summer?.. and I don't really know anyone who's sick right now.. but anyways!.. He didn't eat at all Monday and I assumed it was a stomach bug.. so I didn't let him eat anything, which, he didn't want to anyways. So Tuesday he still wasn't eating.. so I thought, I'll look in his throat.. and MY WORD.. he was a mess! Bless his heart! He had probably 20 red "pin dot" looking things on the roof of his mouth.. and white blisters on the back of his throat..

Since it was after office hours, I debated taking him to Urgent Care.. but because we are self-pay with everything.. I always do all I can before biting the bullet and paying a couple hundred bucks at an Urgent Care place.. I called his pediatrician, and he said he didn't think it sounded like strep (which I was shocked to hear) and said it sounded like a form of hand-foot-and mouth.. So.. that means no antibiotic, and let it run its course..

The next day I still wasn't convinced it wasn't strep, so I took him in. And, just like he said over the phone.. he still thought it was enterovirus, and didn't even do a strep test. So! At least I knew what it was.. ya know.. in case the others got it.. and.. they did...

This is Wednesday night.... all three of them on the living room floor watching a movie.. my mom ALWAYS made little beds for us in the living room when we were sick, and it's a total comfort thing for me. The blanket Jake has was mine when I was his age.. it's still my favorite blanket :)

Jake had a fever before I even got home from the doctor with Nathan.. and then Ben got one later that night. The fever never did get over 102, and came right down with meds.. it was the spotted throat that lasted a week.. Jake is just now today able to eat! The doctor said it's just a kid thing.. that neither Rodney and I would catch it.. and, we never did.. so.. that was good..

Playing sidewalk chalk while quarantined from everyone else ;)

Since Nate had it first, he felt the best first too.. he's a goof..

Baby B with 3-D goggles for chalk... it's pretty cool!

I think Jake had it the worst of all of them. When I asked to take a picture of him, he turned around like this.. and said.."Don't you know I'm sick? I don't want a picture.".. lol.. ohhhh keeee! I'll take it like this then!

Then, back to happier, healthy times! The weekend before all the sickness... we went boating with Nick and Melanie and her parents.. we hadn't been since Jake was 18 months.. and the only kid we had! I think Micah was in the bathroom here.. lol.. but, he was there too :)

We actually had my mom watch Ben for the weekend while we went down. So, it was nice to just have the older two.. and be able to spend more "quality" time with them :)

They were SUPER excited.. which is good.. because when Jake was smaller, he didn't like stuff like this.. Nathan seems not be be scared as much..

Family Pic in the lake :)

Seriously. This is Nate, all summed up in a pic.. he cracks me up.. well, most of the time..

We were on the lake from about 10-5:30.. and Nathan was pooped! I knew he'd fall asleep on the way home.. what I didn't expect was that he'd fall asleep before we even got out of the parking lot :)

I was in the front seat, waiting on Rodney.. and I'm like.. "Did you boys have fun?"Jake answered, "yes.".. and I said, "Nate? What about you? You have fun?.. Nate?".. and I turned around and the little buddy was out. I moved him to his carseat and buckled him in and he never even woke up..

See!? An eventful week.. and an actual post! Everyone have a lovely HOT day!

9 weeks

2011-07-11T13:24:00.003-04:00

How far along? 9 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: ooof... 5?!

Inches gained: 1

Maternity clothes? yes- no shirts yet.. but pants 100% and non-maternity skirts :)

Sleep: just fine

How I'm feeling: still nauseous, but if I eat every 2 hours it's not as bad...

Best moment this week: heard the babys heartbeat today! YAY! 174 bpm

Movement: no

Food cravings: no..none still- eat a lot of cereal..

Food aversions: chipotle, penn station, hot dogs, cake, lunch meat, tacos...

Gender: dunno

Labor Signs: no

Belly Button in or out? in

What I miss: nothing yet

What I am looking forward to: Bens nap today. ;)

Milestones: hearing the heartbeat, definitely!

See!? I told you the baby grew a lot this week :) No tail! and fingers and toes! I was super excited to hear the heartbeat today. Quite surprised, too. I thought that I would have to ask the doctor to try and get one.. and he wouldn't. However, I didn't ask... and he wanted to!

I am back to the same OB office that I had for Jake and Nate..but I am seeing a different doc there. I still like my old doctor, and will be going to him some too I'm sure.. but I switched to the doctor that did my D&C... He had the BEST bedside manners of any doctor I've ever seen. He is so stinkin compassionate.. and was even compassionate today in the check-up... He tried for over a minute to get a heartbeat, and when he heard it...he whispered.."That's it.. I got it..".. and held the monitor up to my ear. I kept waiting for him to stop.. but I guess because I was crying and smiling from ear to ear.. he waited until I told him I was good ;)

The last babys heartbeat was exactly 174 also.. and that's the highest I've ever had. The boys were all 150-160.. not that I'm saying anything..lol.. but.. ya know..

I told him..."I'm working on a girl ya know..".. and he said.."Oh, well.. I'm good at that.. I could've given you some pointers! I have 3.. and then we quit.." 29, 28, and 26 years old. I think that's why he is SO good at talking to women.. he's wiped a few tears in his lifetime I'm sure..so anyways! I go back in 4 weeks.. he was going to schedule an ultrasound in a couple weeks.. but, since we're self-pay, I told him for $300 (cost of an ultrasound w/o insurance) I was good with just hearing the heartbeat until 20 weeks.. and he said that was fine..

Other than it being 105 degrees tomorrow, things are going good. Just keep me in the A/C :) We went boating this weekend (I have pics to post at sometime) and had a lot of fun :) I was surprised at how well the boys did in the water.. Jake went tubing and loved it.. and was actually wanting big waves! That's pretty big for him.. and Nathan tubed too, but was done after a few minutes.. We all got fried! Which, I don't understand... a week in Florida and didn't get burned at all.. 8 hours on the lake and got fried!

8 weeks and Fourth of July

2011-07-05T16:04:00.003-04:00

How far along? 8 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: I weighed. So, I'm gonna say 1 pound. I didn't really have a starting weight.. so, I guess this is my starting weight.. +1

Inches gained: 1 in.

Maternity clothes? pants 100%.. or with a belly band.. I've been wearing the same non-maternity (yet very elastic) skirt all week.. It'll be worn all July I'm sure ;) Regular clothes are too small, but maternity clothes are too big still..

Sleep: fine

How I'm feeling: had the worst sickness this week I've had all along... the chiro told me about these Ginger Cookies at Dorothy Lane Market, and so we went and got those.. they do help..but ya gotta eat 25! That should help my weight gain..:P

Best moment this week: My friend Rachel had her baby! :) Congrats Rach on baby Des! and Emily came "home" from Carolina for a couple weeks! Yay!

Movement: nope

Food cravings: not chicken noodles. still no true cravings.. just aversions..

Food aversions: changes daily.. cake/icing, blah. Sweets, blah. chocolate, blah.

Gender: oh my word I'd love to know! Names are set! Intellegender was right with Ben, but $30 bucks is a lot to not know 100% if it's right.. but Ben's was SUPER obvious results.. you can test at 10 weeks with those.. (it's an at home pee test to tell you the gender.. orange for girl, green for boy) Ben was swamp water green.. no question about that result!

Labor Signs: nope

Belly Button in or out? IN

What I miss: wanting to eat...

What I am looking forward to: first appointment next week and hoping everythings ok! I'm doing a few little things different with this baby appt. wise... hoping to maybe hear a heartbeat? Jake is very concerned about this one having a heartbeat..

Milestones: the baby grew a lot this week! For some reason I will feel better when I hit 9 weeks.. the baby looks fully formed in that picture!

We had a great couple days with friends and family for the Fourth of July.. Sunday night we had a party at my moms.. and my brother did a crazy awesome fireworks show..Half the neighbors came out to watch, while ONE of the neighbors snuck and called the police! Well, we're assuming. The fireworks went on for probably 20 minutes? 30? and then he and my dad cleaned them up for 10 minutes.. we hadn't been in the house for 5 minutes and the police came down the street... reeeeeal slow.. it had to have been tipped..Phew.. that was close!

Fourth of July 2011

He was pinching B's chubby cheeks. This kid by the way is starting to say a lot of words! He is always saying "no no".. and yelling for me.."Maaaa! Maaa!".. He told me today the deck was "Ha" (hot).. and he can say probably 10 animal sounds.. and 10-15 other words.. This is huge for a Rust child ;) Jake couldn't say but maybe one or two words at age 2.. and Nate maybe two or three... they talked closer to 30 months! But B is already gettin in there! I might have a kid who can TALK at his 2nd birthday! ;)

Nate, Jake, and Brayden having fun in the pool..

Jake and his Grandma Becky :)

1,2,3,4,.........9,10,11....Ben's missing or it'd make 12! That's a lot of kiddos!

Jake and his long lost friend, Morgan! He's been talking about seeing her since December..

Nathan and Caleb having snack time..brownies!

Titus and my B :)

We did a pretty good fireworks show too! The kids all loved it of course.. I had no idea my camera could take pictures like this.. lol.. Nick set it on the tripod and slowed the shutter (?) and look what it did! Who'd a thunk..:)

Hope everyone had a great Fourth!

The Lazy Days of Summer

2011-07-01T14:36:00.005-04:00

Ahhhh yes.. the lazy days of Summer.. this was my view yesterday while laying on a quilt in the backyard... under a shady tree... eating a popsicle... watching the boys play in the sprinkler. That in itself is lazy, yes.. however, whoever thought of that expression must not have had kids ;) Because that's the first lazy moment I've had in a loooong time. Summer is hard work! A lot of "swing me, swing me!" and "Push me, push me!" and, "I need a towel"... "I want a popsicle!".. "It's hot out here!".. "I wanna come in!" You guys with kids know what I'm talking about ;) Phew, wears me out!

I think he wanted a popsicle or something...

Jake and his 6 different sized teeth...lol...he went to the dentist yesterday and had a good report! No cavities! However, 3 are already filled.. and he lost 6 in the last two months...so.. odds were with him on that one ;)

"Get a picture wiff me and my wock"

Now he's happy :)

Summer may be busy.. but they sure make it fun :)

"Everybody hug!"

Trying again...

How about "arms up!"

I love this one.. "See no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil"..

One more time ;)

Ahhh.... looks lazy, doesn't it?

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and Happy Fourth of July!

7 weeks

2011-06-28T00:00:00.001-04:00

How far along? 7 weeks

Total weight gain/loss:I guess to know this I'd need to weigh myself, huh.. I'm saying 0 ;)

Inches gained: 0

Maternity clothes? no. well. kinda. the pants. I'm afraid to admit..

Sleep: great

How I'm feeling: eh, comes and goes. Most days pretty blah.. except the evenings!

Best moment this week: hitting 7 weeks I guess :)

Movement: nope

Food cravings: chicken noodles! and more chicken noodles!

Food aversions: pretty much everything except chicken noodles!

Gender: dunno

Labor Signs:no

Belly Button in or out? out

What I miss: a desire to eat Penn Station and City BBQ

What I am looking forward to: everything being ok at my first appt. July 9th.. and looking forward to my friend Rachel to give birth! Any day now!

Milestones: hitting another uneventful week in this pregnancy

So...I decided to go with an actual "what the baby looks like right now" picture, as opposed to the "my baby is the size of a pea" pictures for this week. But FYI, it is the size of a blueberry this week :) This is from my iphone app "Babybump"

6 weeks

2011-06-20T16:05:00.004-04:00

How far along? 6 weeks 238 days to go!

Total weight gain/loss: 0

Inches gained: 0

Maternity clothes? none. I did wear by "belly sleeve" Sunday morning with my dress pants.. but, they were getting tight before I was pregnant.. now I just have a good excuse to use the pouch ;) much more comfortable!

Sleep: same

How I'm feeling: pretty much the same

Best moment this week: Watching Anna Duggar give birth at home. haha.. So inspirational! And yet, oooh so painful...

Movement: nope

Food cravings: no cravings

Food aversions: changes daily.. today, no hamburgers.. gag...

Gender: dunno.. don't know if we're gonna find out..??

Labor Signs: none

Belly Button in or out? in

What I miss: nothing

What I am looking forward to: hearing a heartbeat for the first time

Milestones: everyday that I am still pregnant is a blessing..

..hadn't been here since 11th grade!

2011-06-18T13:56:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, mom and I took the boys to Kings Island. It was really nice out.. not too hot, not too humid. This is the first time (ever) we have had passes.. (even when I was little, or even a teenager) I'm just not a big amusement park person I guess you'd say, and hadn't even been since the 11th grade!... but.. we knew we would want to take the boys at least a couple times this year, and so, since going twice as a family is the same price as a family pass.. we have passes.. which, I think I'm gonna like :) This way, we can stay all day, or stay 4 hours, and not feel like we've wasted money not staying open till close.(Nate just came by the computer and said, "KINGS ISLAND?! I wanna go again!" He like it. ;)
Here we are in front of the fountains.. which was Ben's favorite part.. especially since he's too small for pretty much any ride but two..

We ran into several friends all morning :) Here is Anna, Nate, Jake, Carli, Eli, and Evan. This was probably the 4th ride the kids had ridden since we'd been there.. it's like a mini drop zone.. and since Nate is still "small" and three.. I said "Anna, make sure you sit by Nate! He might flip out!".. well.. Nate didn't flip out.. but Jake did ;)

I'm usually a "suck it up, don't be a baby" mom if Jake cries.. but oh my goodness he broke my heart! He was literally terrified!.. Everytime it would drop he would CLING to the harness.. he was yelling "Make it stop! Please, make it stop!"...But then, when it stopped, and he got off.. he wasn't crying.. he was mad!.. lol.. Crossed his arms.. and "I am not getting on that ride ever again!"... poor buddy... now I know! ;)

Here they are in what used to be me and Matts favorite ride :) I remember Matt would shut his eyes and drive, like, to make me think he was gonna crash it...lol..

Overall it was really fun, and most importantly the boys all like it..we actually bought the passes because of the waterpark! I haven't been yet.. but hear it's a ton of fun! Hopefully we can go this week sometime.. Ben should like it better too.. so then he can play!

5 weeks

2011-06-13T14:30:00.006-04:00

How far along? 5 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 0.. (except the 10 I've gained with each kid I already have ;)

Inches gained: 0

Maternity clothes? no

Sleep: great

How I'm feeling: the same... just tired. Daily naps and early bedtimes :)

Best moment this week: everyday that I'm still pregnant...

Movement: Well, I've moved a lot.. but not the baby ;)

Food cravings: none

Food aversions: eh... a few.. the smell of hotdogs is a stomach turner...Chipotle, ick..

Gender: nope

Labor Signs: no

Belly Button in or out? in

What I miss: I miss my friend Emily :) but with the pregnancy? nothing.. lol

What I am looking forward to: showing a little

Milestones: reaching 5 weeks with no "scares"

Florida 2011

2011-06-11T17:07:00.001-04:00

Customize your own photo slideshow

Happiest day of my life...

2011-06-11T15:19:00.007-04:00

I thought when I got engaged it was the happiest day of my life...

I thought that when I got married it was the happiest day of my life...

I thought when I got pregnant it was the happiest day of my life...

Then when Jake was born I thought it was the happiest day of my life...

and so on and so forth with each child..."happy days..happy days!...."

However...

The joy I experienced this day will always be one of the happiest days of my life...I cried and shook so much while videoing my firstborn be baptized. Having his daddy in the water. The hug at the end. Everything.

Knowing that my son has asked Jesus into his heart is one of the greatest joys I've experienced as a parent... and I will never forget leading him to the Lord... in the bathroom :) You can accept Christ anywhere! Love you Jake!

I have so so so so so so much more I could post.... but, I seem to get waaaaay overwhelmed when I get "behind" (oh, and also have no time) that I haven't blogged in forever... I can post first AND last days of t-ball for this year! :) I have Florida pictures.. yup, we already went and are back... and I will definitely be putting those in a smilebox and posting soon...but for now.. I'll post this pic..

Its me... and Jake. :) This was actually a "practice" shot with my camera on the timer mode.. because I was making sure it was a good shot for a group picture in Florida.. I had no intention of keeping this picture, seeing as it was just for a "test".. but.. I'm keeping it.. and labeling it..

"3 weeks" ;)

Yup, I am 3 weeks pregnant here.. not knowing it of course.. I am now 5 weeks, and we are due on Valentines Day! We are very happy.. and are praying for a healthy baby!

My friend Rachel has always done a progression post each week, that has a series of the same questions you answer each week.. and I think I'm gonna do it... That sounds a bit ambitious for me though seeing as how its been 6 weeks or so since my last post...lol... but I'm gonna try :)

Check back for Florida post soon :)

A two week wrap up...

2011-05-04T22:14:00.003-04:00

It's just so much easier to make a Smilebox than to download (in wrong order) 50 pictures.. So, here is a couple weeks all wrapped up in one video :)

Free slideshow personalized with Smilebox

They say each of your children will be different.. unique.. have their own personality...

2011-05-02T15:17:00.003-04:00

What? ...Really!?

Are you sure about that?

I hadn't noticed.

Because mine act exactly the same.

(more on these fabulous pictures, Easter weekend, Opening day for t-ball, and more.. soon!)

Easter Bunny Picture (minus the Easter Bunny)

2011-04-27T00:02:00.003-04:00

Which turned out quite cute I think :)

I have taken Jacob by himself to see Santa and the Easter Bunny since he was a baby.. and then added Nate... and then added Ben.. but, Ben wasn't having it this year. (it's totally the age, I know) But.. even though he was screaming bloody BLOODY murder not to sit on his lap.. I put him on his lap for the very last second with the other boys. Because even if he was screaming, I had got them all dressed up.. matching.. by myself.. in the down pouring rain (last week) just to get their picture with the Easter Bunny.. and I didn't care WHAT it looked like..

It was actually quite stinkin funny...

BUT! When I went up to choose and pay.. they didn't have anything like they usually do. I mean, I know it's expensive.. like, $12 bucks for a 4x6 and a couple wallets.. or $12 for a sheet of wallets.. but not this year! It was all packages.. and I mean.. starting at $21.99-$39.99 Really? People actually buy full blown packages? Anyways... the only other choice, was ONE 5x7 for $16.99. I'm like, "excuse me?.. did you say $16.99?".. She confirms yes.. and I'm like.. "ok, well.. nevermind.."

It killed me not to get the "memory" in picture form...lol... but $17 bucks for a 5x7?.. I just couldn't do it!.. That's like, 4 cookies and 4 icees at the Cookie Cake place! (which was much better tasting) ;) ....sorry lady... can't do it..

So.. They did all agree to wear the ears.. and there ya go..

Hope everyone had a great Easter!

Kindergarten Graduation Smilebox

2011-04-23T16:35:00.002-04:00

Personalize your own free photo slideshow

Coloring Easter Eggs :)

2011-04-12T19:05:00.002-04:00

Ya, so... these pictures all posted in backwards order.. but.. you get the idea :) The boys had a blast do our annual egg coloring. That's all I'm gonna say about that because I don't have time!

Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EMILY! Who is turning the big 3-0 today! So old...so old.. I'm just a baby in my 20's ya know...haha.. Ya know, for 6 more months.. then I'm in the club too :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Hope you had a good one!!!

This morning before church...

2011-04-10T14:39:00.002-04:00

I'm beginning to wonder if they'll ever all look.

Gonna name my next kid Jim Bob...

2011-04-05T16:33:00.011-04:00

...or Michelle, Anna, Josh, Jana, John David, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, etc. etc.. you get the picture ;) But more on that as I show the pictures.. Evidently March was so busy I never found a second to post! And, if not for last night I left my iphone on the top of my van and drove to Krogers in torrential downpour rain only to not realize it until I got home and then Rodney went out and found in on the street behind our house smashed from either A) falling off the car going 40mph or B) getting run over by a car...I probably still wouldn't be blogging now! Except I needed to get my pictures off my phone so I decided to blog them! Phew.. that was a nice story ;) Crazily, it works! I mean, the screen is literally shards of glass, and it works...lol.. Also crazy, is that my 2 year "get a discounted upgrade" is in 2 weeks, and so I was going to get another new one anyways...but, sadly, we were going to give that phone to the boys to use like an ipod touch..and..well.. ya, it's smashed.. I think you can get it fixed for 100 bucks...and, that's still cheaper than buying a touch..but.. anyways.. I don't have a very good track record with phones....Just since September I have dropped 2 in the toilet, and had 1 smashed by a car. lol.. OK, so.. this past weekend was the Cincinnati Homeschool Convention.. and it was awesome. This is the closing conference with the entire Duggar family (minus Josie). We were in the veeeeeery back for this.. however still in the middle where we could see.. there were 2 other sections to the right and to the left.. it was a huuuuuuuge room. They said it held 6,000.. and, I believe it. It was madness how many people were lined up to go in hours early and standing/sleeping in line. As you can see, Jim Bob and Michelle were so far away I could barely see them.. That didn't bother me though, because!.. I was in a smaller (as in 1,500-2,000?) conference with Michelle earlier that day! Only 6 rows from her :) You see, the conferences run from 8:30am-8:30 pm, in 1 hour blocks, with 30 minute breaks in between... you have about 15 conferences to chose from every hour as to which you want to sit in on.. Well, we knew Michelle's conference would be packed..SO! We had the great idea to sit in on the conference before her (which that conference ended up being really good too).. but, we knew other people had done the same thing we did because when the "bell rang" to switch out..no one moved..lol.. I bet the speaker knew what everyone had done too..lol.. She probably thought, "Wow! this is the biggest turn out I've had!" But like I said, she really was great too.. probably the second best we heard all weekend... real funny :) (chanting) "Jim Bob! Jim Bob! Jim Bob!".. ok, so, no one was really chanting.. but it makes for a good caption :)This was on Friday night when we were going to our hotel.. and I guess maybe they had just gotten to the convention?.. and people were all lined up to talk to her.. and I just skipped out on the line and took a pic of her.. and then.. I look over.. and there's John David.. just standing against the wall.. and I'm like, "Rachel! Am I allowed to just go over there and get my picture with him?".. shes like.. "Well? You may as well try!"...and!.... Dun du du dah! :) He said, "Sure."..lol.. It's funny, because at first my phone was set on video, and so we have this stupid 10 second clip of us standing there just smiling and then I'm like, "Oh, it's a video.."..lol.. I'm not gonna lie. I'm a pretty big Duggar nut if you can't tell :) I told Rodney I was gonna go down and buy our next car from Josh and Anna just so I could meet them...lol..so, didn't have to do that! Before I went. Rodney's like.."Remember, they put their pants on the same way we do.".. and I'm like, "Yes, but their pants have a TV show on TLC, mine don't." ;) I just super duper schmooper admire these people.. and love their family... Then my favorite picture of all.. is this one of me and Joy!.. It. was. a. total. fluke. how. this. happened..While 6,000 people were in the closing, I had to go to the bathroom.. and as I was walking out.. I saw her, and a couple of her brothers..they were heading out to the autograph/book sales table.. and so, I walked on over there.. SUPER calmer than I had been.. lol.. just chit chatted.. and then asked to get my pic with here.. I shook Joshs hand and congratulated him on his newest coming son.... and asked him about names and stuff..lol.. weird! Who would'a thunk! There was literally only like, 5 people standing there.. so it was just like, "Hey, I'm chatting with the Duggars...".. Now I can "check that" off my bucket list ;) Me, Mel and Rachel waiting on Michelle the first time. Anna, Jinger, Jessa, Jill, and Joy were passing out our papers for this conference.. it wasn't expected (by the convention leaders) to be as big as it turned out being.. they had to turn people away. I cried in this meeting several times.... didn't help I was missing my kiddos either.. but, just everything she says is bang on. She makes me wanna have 19 kids! Well, not 19.. but.. at least 1 more... ;)

We also went in early March to the Kirk Cameron marriage conference. It too was very good. We went with about 10 couples from church, out to eat, and then the conference. The speaker with him was Warren Barfield.. and honestly?.. he was probably better than Kirk. I mean, he did a great job.. but, at one point, I was so into the Barfield guy, that I realized, "Wait a sec.. this isn't even the main speaker!"...

The rest of the pics are just totally random pics from my phone ....but I've said before.. those are the ones that I think "tell a story" the best.. because they are usually unprompted pics..

Jake at his buddy James house. They built a fort out of old boxes in his basement, and they thought it was just the best thing ever.. who needs "real" toys?! :)

The boys started t-ball practice. This was like, 8am on the morning of their first practice.. and they were so excited that they were already gearing up. This will be Jakes second year, and Natey's first.

Jake lost the "tooth of all tooths" :) It. was. not. a. plesent. experience. He had lost two teeth before this.. and I think this was the size of both those teeth put together! It could pull down, twist in a full 360, and go back up sideways and yet it still wouldn't come out. It had like, one little tendon that just wouldn't rip. Teeth pulling totally gags me too..lol.. and it was a doozey.

A typical look inside my day. The kids all love to bake! Yes, even Ben :) Well, he likes to eat batter and sprinkles, icing and chocolate chips...

Again, who needs toys? Who would think "making a road" or "making a bridge" out of literally every pillow in the house would be so fun.. They run, hop, and crawl up and down this thing 100 times...Also, Ben caught "sticker-pox"! Never heard of it?!.. well, he caught it from Nate...

See!? He totally just sat there and let Nate do whatever he wanted.. both of them thought it was hilaious :)

Just a pic of B being B :)

Ben blowdrying his hair. Haha.. He patterns so much of what I do. From blowdrying his hair, flat ironing it, and putting on make up..lol.. I think I need to have him do some male bonding with daddy!

This was my fabulous idea (that in the end was fine, made memories, but, wasn't so fun and fabulous to mommy)

When I was little, I remember when the first SONIC came in Middletown.. and we took our NEW van and ATE in the CAR! I remember me and Matt sitting in the very back, and the middle bench seat folded down and made a table. We thought that was the coolest thing! I think we only did it once, lol, but I totally remember that!

Well, when we got OUR van, Jake saw the tables on the back of the seats too, and we've never had a reason to use them.. and so, when we went out the other day.. I said, "you guys wanna eat in the van instead of going in?".. and Jake's like, "You mean take it home?".. I'm like, "No, make the chairs fold down into tables.".. and you'd a thought I'd gave him a hundred bucks :) He and Nate were so excited!

Like I said, it sounded easier than it was.. only because Ben's carseat was hooked to Nates "table".. so, I had to move them all around, pass out the Happy Meals, squirt the ketchup, straw the cups, and then squeeze between the seats in the back row to eat. ALL in the Wal-Mart parking lot :) It was fun though.. I really would do it again.. :)

Oh ya, Ben got a Harley last month. Don't wanna think of him ever on a REAL Harley :( This is much safer! Sorry Dad.

Uh-huh! Caught ya! This kid gets caught dumping out these wheat thins every day. So much to where I just let him dump this particular box, and I know these are only for Ben to eat.. no one else would want these.. they've been dumped and put back probably 20 times for a weeks time..

Last Pic! A few weeks ago, sitting at the dinner table, we see a hot air balloon start to land basically in our back yard! The boys all ran out and loved watching it. It was pretty cool.. free entertainment!

ok.. that's it. Need to go watch Biggest Loser! (while eating some cake) ;)

A Sunday Post

2011-03-06T15:07:00.005-05:00

-Jake working hard at school-
Wow, he actually had clothes on this day! 4 out of 5 days a week I'd say we learn in jammies :)

-Jake and his buddy Micah-

- Nathan and Titus-

- Three crazy children-

All I wanted them to do...was sit on the edge of the bed and smile.. seriously now..is it THAT hard? Evidently! :) They all fell back as soon as I wanted to take the picture.. and then here, Ben decides to sit up... lol

....and of course Nathan thinks it's just sooo funny ;)

- Brothers -

-Why buy toys?-

Benjamin has a diaper on his head here.. but, some of his top 10 "toys" would be: diapers, wipes, a plunger, a spoon and pan, oven mits, kleenex, toilet paper, pens, TV remotes, hair brush, and TOOTHBRUSHES and TOOTHPASTE!!! (ok, so that was 12.. but you get the picture) It's seriously like, "why buy toys?" :)

- Kiss his lips off! -

Oh my goodness.. this picture just wants to make me give him a big ol' kiss :) This is from a couple weeks ago when it was so warm out.. he looooved it outside, and had an absolute fit when we had to come in.

- Eating popsicles in February -

The boys go through tons and tons of popsicles over the Summer.. and since they were outside.. and it felt like Summer to them.. they begged for popsicles... There ya go kids :)

- Sun in his eyes -

I remember when Jake couldn't even reach this holder ring thingy! Crazy how time flies!

This "little" boy also went forward last Sunday to say that he had asked Jesus into his heart! He did it over the Summer..here at home.. but, he was too afraid to go before the church. So, he talked to Bro.Larry about a month ago..,,and Bro.Larry told him to "pray for power" to go forward.

Week one came and went... he said he wasn't ready... Week two, I asked him.. and he said he still wasn't ready. Same with week three... So, I decided to not ask... and, last Sunday.. he woke up.. and said, "Mom?.. I think today I have the power..." (This was the same Sunday that I didn't have time to take a shower before church.. and I thought... "What? The week I have to go in front of everyone I'm gonna look all gross?".)..lol.. But of course I knew it wasn't about ME! It was his day! He was ready!

I was so excited for him..and buddy, he didn't waver a bit! The weeks before, he'd be so held back, and start to cry he was so scared.. and I'm telling you.. he asked 5 times during service.."Can I go up now? Can I go up now?".. HE, was ready. He wanted to get baptized that morning too, but, it wasn't ready..and so he will probably do that here in a couple weeks.

It's an amazing feeling leading your child to the Lord, and seeing them go forward. He knows that he's going to heaven.... he knows that he has 2 brothers or sisters in heaven... he looks at heaven with such "innocence" and happiness! When the baby passed away, I was so afraid to tell him..because he was so excited about it.. but I was shocked at his response.... He didn't cry at all...he just got real "serious".. and talked about how he wasn't sad, because it was in heaven!

This past week, one of my good friends, who has been trying for over a year to get pregnant, found out she was pregnant! (CONGRATS!!) It was such an answered prayer. When I told Jake that she was expecting... he said..."Really?... Ummm..Mom?.. does it have a heartbeat?".. I said, "Yes Jake, it has a heartbeat.." and he said, "That's good." He's such a thinker.. and so caring...and he knew that our baby didn't have a heartbeat, and so he wanted to make sure that that baby did...

Also! I have a job! Well.. "kinda" a job :) More like a fun job. Two nights a month.. lol.. but, I'm selling my favorite candles! They are called Gold Canyon Candles.. and they are awesome.. I have been using them for almost 10 years now.. maybe longer.. and so, I thought.. I could sell them, and get some for free, get out of the house and hang with women a couple nights a month :) I've had 3 parties so far, and I have 4 scheduled.. 2 for March, and 2 for April... It's really fun.. (because I love candles).. So far all my commission I have used on the candles..lol.. but, you have to "build up" your display for the parties..so.. but, they're yours.. so I have a good supply building!

If anyone is interested in hosting a party.. you know where to find me :)

Also, thanks to everyone who posted comments on the last post. I read that thing 10 times before I posted it, because I was afraid maybe I'd say something wrong... your comments all meant a lot to me.. and amazing how all of us moms think we're the only ones who go through things at times.... good to know we're all normal ;)

Honest stories

2011-03-03T22:16:00.005-05:00

Wow. It's been a while since I actually wrote a true post. Not one with just pictures, but with actual paragraphs and stuff...so , this one will be all words, and no pictures!

Where to start....

Let's see.. I'll work from most recent to less recent on my stories.

Most recent: I am previewing this bible study (well, kinda bible study) more like a "seminar" thing.. called "Have a new kid by Friday".. I have seen the book several times at the christian book store, and at the homeschool convention.. but never really picked it up to see what it was about...

So!.I've been looking into several bible studies to lead at church.. (a couple Beth Moore studies, an anxiety study, etc.) and so I thought I'd preview this one too.

Dude. I'm on day 2, and it's already proven to be working. No.. seriously..it is.

You say, "Have a new kid by Friday? I don't want a new kid..mine are great the way they are.".. well, that's great if you can say that..lol.. but, mine could use some tweaking ;) and, even if your kids are great... it's still a good lesson to take something away from.

It's a DVD study broken down into (6) 30 minute sessions, with a workbook. The guy is pretty funny.. and keeps my attention..(which is hard for me, so he must be good)(ya, I can't ever sit still)

Day 1 talks about "cleaning" up yourself.. not your kid. Like, what is it that you as the parent can do differently to help your child thrive throughout the day...and for me.. being honest here.. I can totally start the day off better for Nathan.

Poor buddy can't help it that he wakes up at 7am! I'm sure that it will eventually change, but for now, that's his schedule.. and for m...as the parent.. I have to deal with it.

SO! I planned last night, that when Nathan woke up this morning.. I would get UP with him (not make him lay in bed with me for an hour and watch TV)(which, Jake likes to do, but Nathan hates).. and that I would get up, get him his juice and oatmeal asap.. and go from there..

Usually, it goes like this...

7am: Nate comes in. I'm dead asleep. "Mom, can I play cut the wope on your phome?"

I hand him my cell phone beside the bed, he lays beside me and plays games on it for a while.. (I sleep an "extra" 30 minutes)

7:30am: "Mom, can we go in the wiving woom and watch TV?" me: "No Nate.. just lay here and watch it.. it's the same thing." Nate: (whining) "But I don't want to watch it in here.. I wanna go in the wiving woom.." (saying all this while I'm still half asleep, eyes closed)

7:30-8:30ish: we continue to repeat this same conversation over and over.. until I finally get up.

8:30-9:00: we come in the living room, I immediately lay down on the couch.. again, half awake...nodding in and out of sleep...and Nate continually asks "Mom, can I have some juice?"..me: "In a minute Nate."... (5 mins goes by)..Nate: "Mom, can I have some juice?".. Me: "In a minute Nate".. and this goes on for maybe 20-3o minutes.

*Side note* I know, I know... you thought I was a good mom.... Now your reading this like.. that's horrible! Poor Natey! And yes, I know.. it's horrible! I feel awful! It's just that the other 2 don't get up until 8:30, 9:00 and sometimes 10:00!.. and then here's Nate.. up at the crack of dawn! It was like I was "punishing" him because he wakes up early!.. Not meaning to punish him.. just being lazy.. but really.. it was saying to him.."Mommy doesn't want to help you right now. Get your own juice!"

Finally at 9:00, when Jake usually wakes up... I get off the couch and start the morning.. it's like, it's the "official" time to start breakfast and get the day started. Except, there's a problem. You see, Nathan's day started at 7am... and here for 2 hours.. because I think 7 is too early to get up.. I have automatically started Nathan's day off "stressful" for him... and that's not good. For 2 hours Nathan's been ready to eat breakfast, and because I think he should technically still be asleep.. I chose not to "start" his day!

SO! That was my "change" for the day. This morning. Nate came in at 7:35 (small whoo hoo, already making progress) :) and he said "Mom? Can I pway cut the wope on your phome?".. and, I said, "No babe.. let's go in the living room and eat breakfast."... His face just lit up. Seriously. It was like..."are you serious?!"...So, me and little Natey ate breakfast together, just me and him.. and watch what JUST he wanted to watch .. not a fight between him and Jake as to what they were gonna watch.. and it was so nice!

The more I think about it.. it's actually kinda a good thing. ;) Honestly, he is just a morning person.. and honestly, it could be a great time to school him that early...and everyone else is asleep!..It could be Nate and Mommy time.

But, to sum up that story.. it really did change his attitude for the entire day.. no joke.. he got off to a good start.. and ended on a good end :) Tomorrow is day 2, and we'll see how that goes.

I have sooooooooo much I could say (funny stuff too) from the video.. about how different child #1 and child #2 are from each other. (evidently it's a "global" thing) lol.. Phew, I'm not the only one :) But, I don't have near enough time to blog all that...

ANYWAYS! Please still think I'm a good mom..lol.. I guess even a good mom fails sometimes..

Let's see.. in other stories... I said I was going to post honest stuff...so.. here's another honest story...

After the miscarriage, and I mean 1 day-2 weeks after... I was good. I was great really. People kept telling me.. "Wow! You are handling this so well!" "Wow. You are so strong!" "Wow.".. whatever.... when actually, I wasn't doing well. I mean, I was..but I was because it hadn't hit me yet.

I seemed "strong" because I still.. in my mind, thought I was pregnant! Even though there was no way I could've been.. it was like, it took a while for my brain to tell my heart!...I mean, I sang a trio/solo part in the church Christmas musical 3 days after my D&C, and didn't cry a bit! (and if you know me, you know I can't sing a slow song even if I haven't lost a baby) It was just like nothing had even happened really..

But then.. about 2-3 weeks after the losing the baby.. my brain finally told my heart... that there was no baby. That I was not pregnant...and aaaaall that I had experienced those few days during and after I lost the baby just hit me. Almost like I was re-watching myself in a movie or something...like, looking down and seeing what all I had done for the past couple weeks..It was crazy..

And so.. my couple years of being (what I call) "worry sober".. all came rushing back. I was a mess. I couldn't sleep. I was having panic attacks. Anxiety attacks. (yes, I think they are different).. sleep apnea issues. Hormonal issues. Dizzy spells. You name it.. when the sun went down.. and everyone was asleep.. my mind just went.. and here came all these issues. Not during the day, because I was busy then.. and with people.. but at night...wow.. it was miserable. I was sleeping maybe 2-3 hours a night.. maybe..

So then... that carried over into my days. So then, my days were getting miserable. I was having episodes during the days even. My mom could notice I was different.. I think I hid it pretty well from my friends.. but.. it wasn't fun..

A few people told me I was going to work myself into a depression.. but one person.. just one.. told me, "You're not in depression. You're grieving."..

Once the person told me that.. it was like a light bulb went off in my head.. like, I am! I'm not crazy.. I'm not losing it.. I'm just mourning the loss of my precious baby!.. and so, knowing that.. I was able to literally fight through the panic attacks in the night.. and anyone who's suffered from them know.. that, it's in your head! It's a head thing! A head game.. Mine were the worst that month than I had ever had in my life. My hands and feet would literally go numb when I would have one. It was ridiculous!

So.. once I decide I "wasn't gonna take it no longer".. I just prayed and prayed.. I would lay in bed.. waiting on one to come.. and when I could feel it starting.. I would tell myself... LITERALLY.."No, No! Stop it!".. and, it would subside. Then, I'd wait maybe a minute, it would try to come on again, and I would do the same thing. Over and over.. over and over I did this...for hours I'd say..

The next night, there were less.. one night I went to bed in Jake's bed. Something about being in his bed..cuddled with him....didn't make me "fear" anything.. I would fall asleep with no issues..

Eventually, I came back to our bed.. and would just pray and pray for God to let me fall asleep.. and now, a month and a half later.. I have been "clean" from all of it.. and I am back in the "no worrying" saddle again...and my goodness am I so thankful.

Anyone that has went through a traumatic experience, most so worse than mine, I can't imagine all everyone has went through... I posted this to show my weakness. To show how "not normal" I am sometimes..except it IS normal.... that just because someone has on a happy face, doesn't mean that they aren't hurting inside.. and I am so much more sensitive to that now.

If anything, I have totally taken away from this whole thing.. just the hurt that people go through...and I feel like mine is on a small scale! But i have so much more sympathy towards those who lose their children.. and go through miscarriages.. and even abortions.. because we know that even they are never the same....

With having all these issues come up.. I started a book called "Calm My Anxious Heart".. it's by Linda Dillow. It also has a 12 week bible study, and I am thinking of starting a class for that at some point. But, it's a good help book if anyone needs something like that.

OK! So! That was a longer post than I meant to write... and included much more information than I meant to share.. but, it's all I got.

Have a great weekend!

New Family Picture

2011-02-17T22:19:00.006-05:00

Our family picture for the new directory at church. These were the "top 2" :) B is smiling in the first one somewhat.... but, Jakes smile is kinda forced, and Nate...is, well.. being Nate.. but, his smile is so cheesy!

This is the one I chose. B isn't smiling... but Jakes smile is 100% genuine, and Nates is too..so..2 out of 3 wins! I think Nick is going to crop out B's naked leg though..lol.. and me and Rodney's legs too :) Ben's shirt is black, the socks are gray, and the shoes are brown! I knew that his feet wouldn't show, so I didn't worry about looking for the right colors.. and.. of course.. "lo and behold", his pant leg is all hiked up...lol.. Oh well.. I was just glad he sat!

This post was originally called "To cut, or not to cut".. because I was going to post these 2 pictures, and then several pictures that I am wanting to get my hair cut like. But, I can't get the dumb things to paste! When I download them, I can't drag them to where I want them on the post... they just all lump together at the top.. and if I try and copy and paste them here... they will copy, but my paste button doesn't bold as an option.

So! This (should be) 10 minute post has now taken and hour..just to tell you.. I have no sample pictures. Score!... anyways! I think I'm gonna chop. Think, I am. I really like it long, but, when I dread taking a shower, because I know I'm gonna have to fix my hair.... that could be a problem ;)

OH! I know what I wanted to blog about the other day!... If you shop Children's Place much, or even if you don't.... right now, there are a lot of shirts on sale (online)...for like, $5 bucks. Summer ones.. and plaid shorts, camo, and khaki ones... for $7. BUT!...As I was checking out, where it always says "enter your coupon code", (which, I never have one).. I thought..."I'll Google Children Place Code" and see what happens...

So! A few websites popped up... on one, all they had was "coupon codes".. for like, every store you can think of.. and so, the first one said.. 20% off code for Childrens Place.. and I thought.. "well, worth a shot..let's try it".. and, it worked! It was crazy!

So, the originally $10 shirt, on sale for $5, I got for $4! Same on the shorts.. it literally showed "slash" marks thru all the prices, and put up the new price.. plus only $5 shipping no matter how big the order.. so! I'm just sayin.. in case you need "the code" check it out :)

Maybe I can get the paste button to work soon so I can show the haircut pics!

Finally!

2011-02-13T14:30:00.008-05:00

Well.... even if I wanted to blog, (which I did).. I couldn't!

Someone in our house, (that would be our middle child) totally crashed our laptop. I mean, crashed. "Failure. Failure".. "Internal error"... "Unable to open".. Those are the things that popped up on the black screen, as Nathan is saying..."I fink the puter needs some new battawies"...Well, ya.. that, or an entire new hard drive!

Thank the Lord, thank the Lord, for our friend ANDY!!

Yes, I was upset that the computer was "busted"... and it was looking like having to buy a new one was in the near future... but I was more so SAD, because there was about 200 videos on it, that were NOT backed up on anything.. OR put onto DVD's. I'm talking, Ben's birth! Ben's first birthday.. Jakes soccer, Jakes baseball... Christmas.. everything!

I. Cried.

Andy called (he is a whiz with computers) and I knew he could fix it... but, he called Friday night, and said..."The good news is that I can SEE your hard drive.. the bad news is.. it looks like all is lost..".. My heart just sank.. I didn't care about the pictures, because I print them all out as soon as I download them.. but, like I said.. The VIDEOS!

He said that it was looking like it would take 40 days to get the videos off, because it kept failing, but, that he would keep trying. I lost hope. I didn't think he could get them at this point.

BUT!! Saturday, he called and said he got them off!!! YAY!!! Phew.. I know, it's "just" videos.. but, you know how that is. He was also able to get and install us a new hard drive.. and, here I am.. just a typing away! So, Thank You Andy!!

Since the "scare"..lol.. I am now sitting here typing, while our video camera is also running recording onto DVD's as we speak. We have about 2 years worth on there too! I am great with keeping up with pictures, but videos are always "hanging out there".. Since there are no tapes, you have to burn them onto DVD's, and you know.. that takes time..So.... working on that all week...

It's "warm" today! It's like, 56 degrees or something. Awesome. And this week it's supposed to get up to 60ish?... I need to wash the car, bad... and sweep it out. There's probably enough mashed crackers, M&M's, fries, poptarts, suckers stuck to the carpet, and raisins in there to feed a small army! I think we should also take down the outside Christmas decorations.. lol.. Hey, they're red! I've just been pretending they are Valentine's decorations ;)

It's been a busy month. Fun, but busy. Birthday parties, church, school, piano, just everyday stuff :) I'm downloading a clip now on youtube of Jake reading, that I hope to attach to the bottom here when I'm done. He is doing so good. I love teaching him. He just loves to learn! Makes my job easy. I think I'll be more challenged with Natey..lol.. He's good too.. but he learns differently than Jake.. and that's ok!.. I can't wait for the day when they are all sitting at the table together....

The homeschool conference is next month, and I am getting super excited :) If the TLC cameras show up with the Duggars, I'm so gonna try and get on there..lol.. They'll be like, "Who's this crazy lady, get her out of the shot!"..

I think I am going to stick with all the same curriculum again. Well, I know I am..I really like it.. so no need to change it. It's the Bob Jones, BJU Press. It's really colorful.. and super easy to follow.. so no need to switch it up.... plus, I have all the stuff I bought at the garage sale this year, and it goes through third grade! Craziness. For $100 bucks. I'm ready for garage sales to start again..

I think that's all for now :)

Here's the video.. He's ahead in reading.. and so, for school, I literally just have him read whatever he wants. As long as he's reading something! One week he wanted to read the dictionary..lol. one week the Bible.. and this week it's been a Christian kids magazine that my mom gets for him. I started him on Hooked on Phonics when he was almost four.. and that's what really jump started his reading...I love listening to his dialect, and when his voice goes up and down..

I haven't blogged in a while because I've just been busy.. so...

2011-02-03T00:25:00.004-05:00

I'm just going to post.....

...some pictures of my beautiful baby Ben...

...playing in his crib....

....pretending he's asleep....

....and being silly....

....but oh so sweet....

Well, most of the time... "Uh oh B, what happend?..."

His response?..."I dunno.".. :) This also means "Where'd it go" "What happened" and "All gone"

"Don't worry Mommy, I'll clean it up..."

Sanctity of Life

2011-01-16T03:00:00.015-05:00

Today was an awesome day.

Today was an emotionally hard day.

but....today made a statement.

This week is Sanctity of Life Week. Being Pro-life. Getting the word out that abortion = killing babies. Period. Innocent lives that don't have a voice. These crosses represent the 150 babies that are killed through abortion...every. hour. 150. It's hard to comprehend that.

We had a youth event today at church that I was asked to speak at. Speak about my passion for babies lives, and against abortion.. but also just my upbringing, and how early I learned about abortion..and then about my miscarriages...and how with abortion, at my 15 week ultrasound, if my baby DID have a heartbeat, I could have legally have chosen to kill it. To snuff it out. That's just unfathomable... and yet, women do it every. day. every. second.

Why? Why do they do it? Well, there was also a speaker there who had had an abortion. She was 39 and had the abortion at 19. 20 years ago. And, without going into all the details... she said (most of how I've heard how women DO feel after they abort)... she felt empty. Like, the second it was over, she knew it was a mistake.

Guilt. Even after coming to Christ, and knowing He had forgiven her, she had to accept His forgiveness, because she didn't feel worthy of it.

She wasn't a Christian at the time. She didn't have anyone try and talk her out of it... and the worst part was.. she said that on her way to the clinic, that she started (for the first time) having a "gut" feeling..literally... that maybe she shouldn't get the abortion.. and that she didn't know (then) what it was.. and that she kept pushing it down.. and pushing it down.. trying to just focus on what she was going to do.. (all now knowing it was God pulling at her heart to not do it)

But, when she got to the clinic, she said she remembers like it was yesterday, protesters... holding signs.. saying "MURDERER".. and "BABY KILLER".. and even a man dressed like the Grim Reaper... and that that actually suppressed what she had been feeling, and made her HURRY into the clinic....run into the clinic.. and she said anything that she was feeling in the car was gone then.. because that had made her just "get in the mode" and go through with it...

And then she said, if they would have been holding signs of "love"... like the ones that were posted around the youth room.. or if one of the people would have approached her "in love" and said.. "Let me help you.".. or.."Can I please tell you what the Bible says about this.."... she may have changed her mind...but because of their hatred towards her and abortion.. it didn't work.

She also said (what has been proven now time and time again) that they did do an ultrasound.. but they didn't let her see the screen.. (which is common in abortion clinics).. and that if they had let her see the baby.. that also could have changed her mind into keeping the baby..once she saw the baby...but they didn't..

Here are the 150 crosses that the youth put out today. There were 38 youth! That's the "awesome" part of the day. 38 teens. At church. On a Saturday afternoon.. being informed on abortion. That's awesome to see these days.. and they even made all the crosses, too.

Before the big sign was put out explaining what the crosses were for.. there was already a man stop, pull his car in the parking lot, and ask "What's all those crosses for?".. WOW! Crazy! What a way to be able to witness already! One of the youth was able to explain it to him..

Also, if you can't tell... there was no snow where the crosses were. That, was a total God thing. The entire church front yard was snow, and even before I left to go, Rodney said.. "That kinda stinks that you're not gonna be able to see the crosses in the snow..." (white on white).. and when I pulled in this morning.. the whole yard was snow except in that part, where they were going to put the crosses. Wow. That's crazy.

There are tons and tons of people who drive by our church everyday.. so they will definitely be seen.. and there is a gas station right across the street.. and so everytime someone pumps gas.. or is pulling out to the road, you are pointed right to them. There's no way someone won't see them. I pray that someone is touched by them.. or is led to our church through them.

And here it is with the sign. (I still can't get over the melted snow) ..craziness! And then, the fact that the snow melted right there, made the ground soft.. so it wasn't hard to hammer them in the ground...another awesome thing God worked out for today.. soft ground in January...

Tomorrow the youth are also doing skits and I think a video during service. They showed "The Miracle of Life" today, and I broke down. I would've cried watching it even if I hadn't just had the miscarriage, but that made it more tearful. If they showed that exact video to any woman considering an abortion, I don't see how they could go through with it. It's amazing. I'm going to post it at the end here.. but I'm warning you.. it's a tear jerker... just amazing to see a baby grow..

Other than getting the truth out there, facts, and other stuff about abortion.. the main goal was to teach everyone to know why we believe this way.. and that it's not just our opinion, that it's biblical.. and how to LOVE, and show love, and be compassionate towards those who have chosen to have an abortion.. and to show them the light, and how they can get forgiveness.

(I'm totally bummed that this is the biggest I can load this video, I had to purchase it.. and I don't know how else to load it.. I have it full screen... if anyone knows how to add it not thru the video loader let me know, please... It's still good... just small ;) Ooooh.. I see a "full screen" botton in the corner of the video.. guess you could try that?...hmmm....

update:

Ok.. so bummed.. 16 hours later and it still hasn't loaded.. I think it's not allowed.. SO! I purchased it for myself I guess.. :) BUT! You can totally go to youtube.com, and type in "The Miracle of Life" and watch it. It's worth watching. It should be the first one to pop up.. and start out with a pregnant lady with the caption "What should I do..".. and.."Is it a fetus or a baby"... if it doesn't start that way.. it's the wrong one...

update AGAIN! See if this takes you right there...AND you can click the right bottom corner of the screen (with the 4 arrows) to make it full screen... 2o hours later and I figured it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APkV40vUhWs

I'm seeing red!

2011-01-12T12:22:00.008-05:00

Well.. for a few reasons :)

One is because I decorated for Valentines Day! Actually, I decorated last week.. but have just been too busy to blog and show the pictures. I love decorating. I love holidays. I love decorating for the holidays. (I'm not so much as a "clean" freak as I am an "organized/matching/and decorating" freak) But I especially like Valentines Day.. it's my third favorite ;) One being "fall" decorations...and two, Christmas.

This is my bakers rack.. who (yes, it has "human" qualities) lost it's best friend last week. (haha)(except only me and one other person know what I'm talking about so it's probably not that funny)... anywho!

My Kansas friend, Jodi, has the same exact rack, and it was one of the first things we found out about each other when we "met" 3 years ago! And, well.. she got a new dining room set and is giving hers away.. So, Jodi.. this pics for you!.. :)

I put window clings on the picture frames of the boys... and there are "I love my Husband, I love my Wife" salt and pepper shakers (from the Fireproof movie) that Melanie got me for Christmas... They're too nice to actually put salt and pepper in, so I'm using them as decorations :)
Flowers from the hubby.. they were so pretty...

..and some window clings.....which, is Nate's favorite thing to pull off everyday..lol..you can tell these pictures are from last week, because now there is about 6-8 inches of snow on that table..

Since there's so much snow..and it's so cold.. we've been in the last few days. We've played in the basement a LOT, played wii, bake, color, do school, watch movies, etc.. here are a few pics :)

Nathan with his MagnaDoodle... this kid has went (literally) from not being able (nor wanting to) sit down and draw a circle.. to all the sudden writing!... this says Nathan/Jacob if you can't tell.. but just Sunday night in church, I looked over and he had written Benjamin! He can memorize words and numbers just like Jake did when he was little... I'm hoping it sticks! Makes my job easy...:)

Another "stuck in the house" favorite around here. Puzzles! This one was from Grandma Becky for Jake's birthday. It's a really nice one... I love the puzzles with big chunky pieces. Nate's not into puzzles like Jake was/is... Jakes's my indoor kid.. and Nate's definitely the outdoor kid. Just yesterday, when he woke up.. he looked out the back door.. and said... "Oh No! It's snow?!.. I want it to be grass!"... :)

Also, PBSkids.org, Nickjr.com, and playhousedisney.com are their favorites. I can also use this as bribery for pretty much anything too.. lol.. (yes, I sometimes resort to bribery) not much.. haha.. but we limit the computer so much that if I say "wanna do the computer?".. I can pretty much get them to clean the living room and both bedrooms in 15 minutes before they get on it.. Hey, sometimes a moms gotta do what a moms gotta do... ;)

Also! The biggest RED I've been seeing, just came today!

This is the before....
And the after! Yay! I got a new washer and dryer! Aren't they pretty! I'm so excited :) We have been (scratch that) I have been wanting (and somewhat needing) a new set... we do so much laundry around here.. that we really did need something bigger...

I had a certain price in mind that I didn't want to go over.. and these would not have been in that price range... BUT.. they ended up being in it!

I was looking at a few models.. and I was looking at this set (in this color)(totally loving the color too, but not even considering it)(seeing as how the color alone was $200 more each!)(seriously, people).. (wow, that was a lot of parentheses)

Anyways! They were on sale.. and then I asked how much for the white.. (cause the price shown was for the red) and they were $200 cheaper.. each!... and so I said.. Ok.. let me talk to my husband about it, because we might run to sears.. he's like.."no no no... don't go to sears..I can talk to my manager and get you a good deal".. (like, even less than the sale price.. and on the white).. I'm like.. ok.. see what you can do...

Anyways! He comes back.. and says, that he doesn't have any white in stock.. but that the manager would give us the red ones for the price of the white AND give us the 10% extra off anyways.. I'm like.. WHAT!?.. dude. sold.

I was so excited. Rodney doesn't like the red.. but.. :) It's the same color as my accent wall in the living room... (not that you can see them from the living room, lol) but.. that's the color..

So! That was Monday.. and I thought.. I need to paint! And so.. last night, I started painting the walls.. and then I thought.. the ceiling needed painted too.. So!.. I double coated the ceiling, white.. double coated the walls (in a tan).. and then when I was done, thought...The doors could use a coat of paint too, and so I painted both doors!.. Have I mentioned I love to paint? I totally find it relaxing. I have about 20 gallons of paint in the basement.. so I just went and pulled the paint for the ceiling and walls from down there..

Now I want to paint the kitchen. The kitchen and living room are the only rooms that haven't been painted since we moved here.. 5 years ago... they didn't need it.. but now they are starting to... with the juice splatters and smashed raisins along the bottom of the walls and hallway...lol.. and scratches from toys whacking the walls.. on second thought.. it'd be a waste of time.. ;) Maybe I'll wait on that..

Ben. Let's see.. well?.. He's been a tad cranky. He is cutting his "fangs", and the poor kid is miserable! I mean, he's "good".. but, he's not himself.. he's more whiny.. and waking a few times a night.. and that's NOT like him.. poor buddy.. he didn't do that with his other teeth.. but these are poking through right now.. all four of them.. ouchie..he's biting everything trying to cut them through.. if you're not paying attention, he'll bite your toe or your leg! Hopefully they come in soon!

Learning from example also titled Kids are just funny :)

2011-01-04T15:36:00.002-05:00

This past Sunday night at church, we had a youth led service. It was awesome. I seriously loved it. They went on a youth winter retreat over Christmas break, and shared some songs, skits, puppet shows...etc. that they had learned.

They also performed a "God Rods" routine... and evidently my boys really paid attention to it. It's like "interpretive dance" I guess? Except they don't dance.. they "move" and tell stories using dowel rods... (sounds weird, but it's really cool).. but today, when I took apart the bowling set to move to the basement.. Jake got the idea to do a "God Rods" routine too! Crazy how they thought to do that with just seeing the sticks from the bowling set...

Here they are making their crosses.. Future Youth Group members... :)

The youth also taught the congregation a praise chorus with movements. Most people my age and around already knew it.. but the "older" people learned it new... and the young ones. Again, it totally stuck with the boys. Jake asked me to record him singing it today.. and while I was taping....Ben cracked me stinkin up.. just watch the video at the end of the post...It might be funnier to me than you.... but, thought I'd share anyways:)

It has to do with this tent in the living room this morning...(notice there is also a tent on the dining room table) evidently it wasn't fun enough, and they needed carpet... (not my best tent) lol..

But, they liked it :)

Also going on... Rodney and I are back (again) on our weight loss challenge. (however there is no prize this time) ya know...besides our health! I'm not going to weigh myself right now just for the sake of posting a picture... like last time.. but, I promise... I weigh 166.. I already lost 3 pounds since the miscarriage... which would have started me at 169... so... my realistic goal (once again) is 150. Which, last time I got down to 156... and my unrealistic/yet hopeful goal is 145. Ya, I know... Ahhhhahahaa... good luck, huh.. :) I was 144 when I got pregnant with Jake... So... 1 pound heavier should be possible.. right?!....

School is going great...We actually marked the 1/2 way point today! WOW! That flew! We are still on track to be finished the last week of April. I still love it, and I am so excited for the conference coming up. Yay Duggars! (dude, they better be there)...

301st Post

2011-01-01T15:41:00.003-05:00

I guess I didn't realize my last post was the 300th post! Wow. That's crazy... Guess that was a good one then for "300th" seeing as how the video had 300 pictures ;P

Anyways! Happy New Year :) It's started out great already with 55 degrees yesterday and light rain hitting my windows in the middle of the night... ahhh.. love it.. makes me feel "springish".. however, it's faaaaar from warm weather here to stay :( Getting dark out at 5 is just crazy with kids... In the summer you can just "throw em out" till 9... ahhh.. the days of summer....

Things around the house are finally slowing down... what was I thinking have 2 babies with birthdays 1 and 2 days before/after Thanksgiving and Christmas! Once Ben's birthday hit, it's been non-stop.. I used to "pride myself"on having a full calendar. By that I'm saying, I loved having something written down every day of the month. Ask my mom! lol.. In high school, if I didn't have something "actual" scheduled, I would write down "SCHOOL".. on whatever day I didn't have something "real" to do.. as if going to school was a choice...but the day had something written on it... and I loved that..weird, i know...

NOW however, I love looking at January and it is completely blank :) I mean, I have stuff to do.. and a couple places to go.. but nothing like a full week of musical practice.. or a Christmas party every weekend.. and I'm good with that.. I'm ready for a slow pace for a couple weeks...

I'm actually totally ready to start school back! I've been having withdrawals from teaching :) It was nice last week.. but honestly, I shouldn't have scheduled this week off... it's not like we did anything.. but, it's ok..it was nice having the afternoons "off"... but I'm ready to start back up... and Jake is too...

For tonight we're going to my moms house for sauerkraut and wieners ;) Mashed potatoes and cabbage?... I think?.. (I hope anyways) (on the cabbage) I actually like all that anyways.. even if it wasn't for the New Year... it was with Ben that I ate a can of sauerkraut a day!... (hence the reason that the "pee" test turned greener than green for the gender test for Ben) it tests the acidity.. supposedly it's higher acidity for a boy.. anyways! That has nothing to do with the New Year...

On that note.. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Too many pictures

2010-12-30T14:25:00.005-05:00

I haven't done a Christmas post, or a Jacob's birthday post, or a Christmas Banquet post.. because I have so many pictures and different events that all happened last week that I am overwhelmed!

I am the type of person that likes to "have order".. and I either want the post to be full of pictures and explanations, or nothing :) I literally would cringe doing a post of a mish mash of pics all out of order and no stories of what's going on... that's just "me".... I like to explain :)

BUT! I realize I need to post some..so.. I think I will do a smilebox.. that seems to work best for the speed of downloading pics and videos...

So.. we did have a great Christmas. Everyone was healthy... yay! I think this was the first year that everyone everywhere was in good health... The boys all got a ton of toys and things of course.. and a few clothes..

We had the Christmas Banquet at church... We had carolers come to our door :) And, because of the snow, my grandparents weren't able to come to church and see Jake perform his musical.. so I took the boys over there last week, took the CD, and some battery candles, and they did a performance for them. My papaw sang Silent Night with Jake and I got it all on video.. very sweet... and since it wasn't a REAL performance, Nate was able to sing too :)

Jake's birthday was fun too... he wanted a Michigan theme. However, we ordered the cake from Krogers.. straight out of the magazine there.. and when we picked it up, they had done it in BABY blue and BABY yellow. What?! Really?.. I mean, I know this is Ohio here people.. but c'mon.. lol.. it's Michigan! (not to mention it was the correct colors in the book) but.. whatever.. Jake loved it and didn't even comment otherwise...so.. no harm done :)

Ben is doing great. He's just so much fun.. I'm so enjoying him these last few weeks. He's even STAYING in the NURSERY! Yippee!! :) That is a huge, huge relief. He giggles and laughs all the time.. points at everything.. he's always "squeaking" to talk.. (I have know idea how I would type how he sounds).. but.. he's a smart baby. Maybe this one will talk before TWO! He can follow directions to "go get mommy a diaper and wipes".. or "throw it away".. "shut the door".. and his favorite.."Where's daddy?!" "Where's Jacob..etc..".. He's just sweet. I could cuddle him all day..

Nate's good too.. he had a super fun time everywhere we went for Christmas. He'd start opening, and say.."Only 3 pwesents weft!".. "only 2 pwesents weft..".. etc. And there's nothing better than seeing the excitiment on a 3 year olds face when they open what they really wanted. For him it was the big "Buzz Wightnear"... I've said it before, and I'll say it again... I love his "wittle wisp".. however, I know that's going to be something we'll have to work on. It's one of those things that is just too cute.. and makes him "Nate".. but, eventually we'll have to work on that :P

Today (yippee skippy) the snow is melting! Yay! I love snow. Well, on Christmas... and then it can be done. I know however that's not how it works.. but, I always take my tree down the day after Christmas.. and I'm in "Spring Cleaning" mode.. ready to soon put out my Valentine's decorations..

I did have a new idea while taking down all my decorations. I have heard this idea before, somewhere, but it hit me this year while taking down my Christmas cards.... I usually just throw them all away.. and I was thinking.. "What can I do with these".. and I thought, I'll save them for school and use them next year to cut things out of them.. and then I remembered... I heard someone say one time.. to put all the cards in a box, or a bag, and each day, pull out a card.. and pray for that person all day, or every time you think of them throughout the day. Just an idea if anyone still has up all their cards. I actually look forward to the "surprise" of who I get to pray for that day. So if you sent us a card... be ready to be prayed for :)

Ok... I'm gonna work on a smilebox and hopefully it will be here for you now :) I'm typing this before I actually make it.. but just a warning.. it's probably going to be very long.. like, 10 minutes..

Oh goodness... this is the longest smilebox I've ever made.. feel free to click the right arrow button to speed up through the videos... there are 62 pics, including the videos...

This free picture slideshow created with Smilebox

Snooooooow!

2010-12-20T23:31:00.003-05:00

I do believe, if I could pick an age to "freeze" the kids...I would pick now. 6, 3, and 1. I mean, look at these little bodies in snowsuits. Nathan was cracking me up. He couldn't bend! haha... I just love seeing little kids with only their faces showing under everything and all bundled up ... If I would have took Ben out, he would have melted me heart...just looking at his face :)

Wipe away the snot and I could kiss this face all over.. ;)

This "firstborn baby" turns SIX Thursday... my my my... and tonight, when he spent the night with my mom... I was packing his bag.. and he said.."Mom, I don't need my blankie anymore.. I'm fine."... I'm like, WHAT?!.. Rip my heart out, Jake!.. He's slept with his blankie for 6 years... but he said.."he's turning 6, so he doesn't need it anymore"... *sigh, ...sob..sob..*

This little buddy's mitten kept falling off.. he came up to the house and said..."Hey Mom, diss mitten keeped fawlin off and my fumb isn't workin...can you fix it pwease?"...

Ben was content to watch from the kitchen doors. He was crackin up at them falling in the snow.. and Nate would come to the door and play with him. I love his little face in this pic..

Making snow angels :)

Brothers...

...aaaaaand THIS one sums up their personality difference in one picture. You can just tell Nate's a goof...

What's better after playing in the the snow than hot chocolate?!.. They fill the cups with marshmallows, and then drink the hot chocolate and leave the marshmallows ;)

Then on Saturday, Daddy took them sledding at Roscoe Roof park. We thought it would be packed! A Saturday. First real big snow of the year. And, not one other person was there! Crazy! But, fun for them :) This was their first time sledding. Ya, we're not big "snow people"... but now that they're getting older, it IS funner.

Jake all bundled up to sled...

Snow pics need no other explanation... goodnight! :)

Lots of pictures!

2010-12-15T22:06:00.007-05:00

This past weekend was our adult Christmas musical.. but the week before was the children's musical. I teach the preschool (which is 4 yrs.- K) with my friend Nicole.. and I love it. Singing in Children's Choir growing up was always one of my favorite things to do. It made it Christmas in my head :) I always knew I would want to work in it when I "grew up".. Guess what. I'm a grown up!

The theme this year was a county/city kids thing.... and our group was all country outfits. They all looked so cute.. and sang so well! Some years are harder than others at getting them to sing out.. but this year was the opposite! We had to actually spread them all out... according to how loud they sang! (However on the actual performance I don't think even ONE kid stood where they were supposed to)

Jake and Bethany. I love her :) They are only a week apart age wise, and have been friends since she was 10 months old. She's a sweetie....

Our family at the "Breakfast with Santa" Saturday morning.

Look at B's big boy smile!

Melanie's mom, Kathryn, reading the boys a Christmas book...

It was a full breakfast.. with pancakes, sausage, hot chocolate.... however, Nathan only drank two container thingys of the syrup. Uh, ya. He is the most picky eater I've ever had. (not that I've had a lot to compare him to) but, I know he is picky.

Anxiously waiting in line to see Santa!

I was shocked that Ben didn't cry ONE BIT here seeing Santa. Santa even rubbed Ben's face into his beard (which, was a little strange).. lol.. but...don't worry...(see below)

He cried HERE! Oh what a memorable picture.. Jake, smiling. Nate?.. has his hat so far down you can't see his face..??.. and then Ben. Screaming his head off. Yup, I gave up a couple years ago on stressing over getting a good picture. However, here I don't think it would have been possible no matter what I did...

..aaaaaand neither did Caleb ;) Those young one's just don't like a strange man with a big beard! I don't have ONE picture of ME with Santa. I hated Santa. The Easter Bunny. CLOWNS! I still don't like clowns. (or balloons actually)...

My mom said when I was little, that maybe once a year they would have a clown at church for VBS or something, going around to all the rooms.. and she would hear that it was making it's rounds, and she'd say "Oh no! I better go get Amanda!".. I used to have nightmares about big balloons too...lol.. Like, they would be reeeeeeal big, and be rolling down my hallway. ??.. I totally remember that.. and I was like, five. So please, no big balloons for my birthday :)

These two were good, though. Jake's main gift he says is: a remote control car, Wii Party, and a camera (which, he's not getting the camera..but).. and then Nate's main thing is: "A BIG BUZZ!".. (Buzz Lightyear of course)... He doesn't know, nor can he read my blog, but, we got him pretty much the entire toy story collection of people. Woody, Jesse, the dinosaur.. my mom got him Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head... He's just gonna flip.. Last year it was Cars, Cars, CARS.. and this year it's Toy Story... (FYI- Cars II comes out this Summer, so I'm sure next Christmas we'll be back to Cars again)

This is him saying "A Big BUZZ!" Poor Santa... he was probably 70? I kept thinking.. poor guy probably doesn't even know what these kids are talking about. Everything was technology things.. Wii stuff... ipods... cell phones, etc. He's probably like.. "What happened to footballs and babydolls?... or Lincoln Logs?!"

This picture is totally random. I was taking Ben's "before" picture before his haircut... and they were like this, posing.. asking to take their picture :) With hats?...Funny..

Ben before his haircut... see? his hair is to his eyes...

He was crying sooooo much that I couldn't get the camera to focus fast enough to get back and hold him down! lol.. but, you can see HOW LONG it was... before...

....aaaaand after. Yup, still crying.
Then he was happy at home. He looks totally different! At church tonight, people said.."He doesn't look like Ben!"... But, he can SEE :) I was using a barrette during the day sometimes to keep it out of his eyes..lol... that's when I knew, it was time...

And, there we go. Last couple weeks wrap up!

My ankle hurts...

2010-12-12T22:47:00.002-05:00

What a descriptive title :) But really... my ankle hurts.

I fell a couple weeks ago (out my garage steps) and totally twisted my ankle. I was holding Ben... the diaper bag, Jakes "puffer bag"... and my purse... and down I went... "Funny" (except it's not) story... Nate could see me from inside the screen door.. and I was ON THE GARAGE FLOOR.. and I said, "Nate! Go run and tell daddy mommy needs help!"... He's like..."OK!".. and off he runs..

A minute later.. there he is again...no Rodney... "Nate! Did you tell daddy I need help?".... he says.... "Uh...no."

...."Nate! Go tell daddy I need help!".... Nate, "OK!"...

After 3 times of him running off and coming back... I decided my ankle wasn't broken and got up and came in... Rodney was at the end of the hallway brushing Jake's teeth...I'm like.."Did Nate tell you I needed help?"...He's like..."No?.. do you need help to the car or something?"... I'm like..."NO! I fell!" (totally at that point just wanting someone to acknowledge that I fell) ya know, I needed a little pity people...

Geesh.... and poor B! That's his second fall with me in the last 2 months!.. Poor kid's used to it by now...Except the last time I dropped/threw him! I opened the cabinet door in the kitchen to get a plate....I was holding him....he dropped his paci.... I bent down to pick it up... and when I came up (at 20 mph) the corner of the cabinet hit my RIGHT in the top of my head...

It. hurt. so. bad. I couldn't have held on to B if I tried! My reflex was to grab my head! Ugh.. AND, once again...no one was around to pity me... (haha) but this time I was crying. Crying hard.. and Ben too of course.. Rodney was just in the laundry room, but he was on the phone with a customer.. and so, even in my pain and tears, my mind knew I needed to get the crying two of us out of phone range so the customer wouldn't hear....

So, then when he got off the phone.. he's like.."What in the world is going on in here?"... lol.. and here stands me, crying.... holding my head. (he's used to this by almost 10 years together though) I'm pretty accident prone. (obviously)...geeesh... My head hurt for weeks!

(and from the other story, the chiropractor had to pop my shoulder back into socket from the fall our the garage) I jolted so hard when I fell, that when I held onto 27 pound Ben, it pulled out my shoulder.. but B was safe! :)

So. I said all that to say this. My ankle hurts :) Why after almost 2 weeks does it now hurt? I dunno. But. Anyways!

I have a bunch of pictures to blog too.. but, I will wait till later... They are from "Breakfast with Santa" from this past Saturday. It was a lot of fun....

I'm doing pretty good these last couple days baby wise. Much better than the past week. It all just happened so fast! I mean, Monday night I was singing at church for choir practice, talking about my new maternity clothes... and then by Wednesday, I was having surgery to remove the baby. I didn't have time to think really... about anything.

But, our church is awesome. My goodness. I know family is awesome... but my church family is just as awesome. There's really no words to explain how being at church and around all of those people make me feel. Home?... makes me feel at home?.. like, I'm with my family?... I think that's what I'd say. Church=home. So many people I love are there.. and that genuinely love me..

I even had someone tell me.....When someone in the church is having a baby.. they look at it as their grandchild....or new brother or sister in Christ.. and when it's gone.. they mourn too..Stuff like that... just the closeness..and bonds at church are amazing....

A 12 year old drew me the most amazing picture. If I had a scanner I'd scan it. But, it's a picture of Jesus, standing in a robe, holding a baby. My baby. She did an excellent job on it.. I actually wanted to put it on a t-shirt or something, with a bible verse... to show people who have had a miscarriage the peace of knowing their baby is with Jesus. I don't know if I will.. but, it crossed my mind. It is just such a comforting picture! How amazing to think that my baby didn't have to even live on this Earth.. just woke up in heaven. Wow. What a picture.

Hopefully we will get back into the groove of school this week. We were off all week last week for obvious reasons... and need to get back into everything. Nathan is now doing school. He loves it.. and asks for it..so, I'm not gonna stop him. He is starting to write his letters and things... which is a big step for Natey :) and we are working on his pronunciation of "S" at the beginning of words... and "R" sound... He's "Nay-tin Wust".. it's a "Cwistmas Twee"... stuff like that.. It's been "nowing" outside... He's a funny boy that Naytin...;)

As soon as the roads are good for me to drive on (I don't drive in the snow).. I think it's time for "dun da da dah!"... B's haircut. :( As much as I love his curls in the back.. the top is literally 3 inches I think. It's in his eyes. And it's hard to style a 12 month old...lol.. I told my mom I wanted to trim the sides and the top, but leave the back. To which she said...."Uh, that's a mullet..".. haha.. ya.. she's right.. we don't want him to look like a girl.. but, a mullet might be worse...

I think that's all for now... it's late.. gonna get to bed... Thanks again to all who have sent things, called, texted, and hugged me.

Bad week.

2010-12-10T15:41:00.003-05:00

So. As most of you know, I miscarried the baby this week. Actually, it probably stopped growing about 2 weeks ago, but my body "knew" this week.

I ended up having a D&C on Wednesday, and I'm feeling pretty much normal today. Bad day Wednesday. Bad day yesterday. Pretty good day today. Today was my first day "back on my own"... my mom had been with me the last 2 days.. and Rodney was off work... but, overall I'm physically feeling great... just emotionally drained... and tired.

But. I don't question it. I haven't gotten mad. I'm just "here". In the moment. Knowing that God gave me the baby... and God now has the baby.

I did get to see him/her. (and as I said that day, "it was cute") I knew as soon as they turned on the monitor for the ultrasound that there was no heartbeat. I wasn't very hopeful going into the appt. from the beginning... And it didn't look like a 15 week sized baby.

It measured 12 weeks and 3 days.. however, when the doctor finished my D&C he said that there was more tissue than that... so... maybe it was 13 or even 14?

You couldn't tell what it was... and I don't have a gut one way or the other what I think it was... but it was a beautiful baby... I do know that.. and I did get to hear it's sweet heartbeat just a few weeks ago...and feel it move and flutter... and for that I am thankful...

So for now, I am enjoying the 3 boys I have :) and they are keeping my mind off things...

Thank you everyone for the prayers, cards, phone calls, texts, flowers, food, fruit, fudge... it's amazing the outpouring of help people give in times of need...Thank you to all of you...

Ben's First Birthday!

2010-11-28T16:15:00.004-05:00

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So, yesterday was baby B's first birthday! We had him a small family party... and had a great time. He did really good :)

It's so funny the differences/similarities I see in all the boys. Ben is definitely more like Jake. Jake's first birthday party, he didn't really open any presents himself... he didn't dig into the cake... (because he HATED having his hands dirty)... whereas Nathan opened all his presents....totally went both hands into his cake for probably 15 minutes.... and then baby B, kinda helped open a few presents...and kinda dig into his cake :) He doesn't really like having his hands dirty either....but he did dig into it for a while...

My friend Melanie made his cake....which, was fabulous. Seriously... I'm not just saying that... It was the coolest cake ever :) I had never seen a rainbow cake in person, just in pictures... and they don't show how amazing it really is... but my favorite part was the BABY rainbow cake!

You can't tell how small it is in the pictures, but just the baby cake alone had 7 layers! But they were tiny...tiny little layers.. with icing between each layer even! It was adorable.. I think I took more pictures of the cake than I did of Ben :)

I don't know firsthand how good it was, since cake is a total stomach turner for me right now... but everyone else said it was delicious...thanks Mel for making such a great cake! It must have took you what...?... a couple hours at least! ;) (or 12?)

Ben got a basketball hoop that lights up, a cookie jar shape sorter, a wire bead thingy, a duck, a glow worm, a gumball machine toy, a CD toy, a puppy on a string, and a few outfits and jammies. And just think, Christmas is less than a month away.... times 3! and times 4 houses!...Better clean out a room! (and Jakes birthday 2 days before Christmas too) I should've spaced their birthdays better..... :)

We also had a great Thanksgiving...... well, I was tooooooooooooooooooooooootally MAD! Aaaaaall the pictures I took Thanksgiving day SOMEHOW DELETED off my camera! I. was. so. upset. I don't know HOW I didn't cry. It made no sense...it didn't delete ANY videos...just the pictures.. which makes no sense. I've had it for almost 5 years and never had that happen. I dunno what happened. I didn't push anything! (I claim, but obviously must have done something) So, last night at the party I checked the pictures every 5 second making sure they were all still on there.. I WOULD have cried if those were deleted...

Welp, off to church for Preschool choir practice! Then, I think I will put up the tree tonight. I think.....I keep having flashbacks of the year Nate was 1... he fell (fell/jumped, what's the difference) into the tree THREE times! Three. But, like I said... Ben is more like Jake, and he left the tree alone when he was 1...so...hopefully Ben is more like that... Nate actually broke the tree... He blew out half the lights (it was pre-lit) and then he actually broke off branches... by the end of November we had half a tree.... half the ornaments...and no lights... but, that's NATE!

The worst picture of Ben. Ever.

2010-11-22T14:40:00.007-05:00

We had the boys pictures taken Saturday :) And, I'm not going to show the good ones.. because they will soon be out in Christmas cards.... BUT.. I always like sharing "bad" ones..because they're so funny!

Can you guess what actor Ben is impersonating in this picture? 5 of 5 people that saw this guessed the same person.. it's ok.. don't worry... if you guess an "ugly" actors name...I won't be offended....lol... because, let's face it... it's not like this is Ben's best picture! :)

This would be Nathans classic "I don't wanna _____" (fill in the blank)... droops his head.. and says that....Here, of course it's "I don't wanna get my picture taken."... But don't worry.. he perked up after this pic :) (he didn't wanna wear the tie was the problem)...

We tried. and tried. and TRIED to get a good group picture.. but, it just wasn't happening. There are much better ones than these, but this is the "bad pic" post...so this is what ya get :) Nate's just sittin there a wipin' his nose...like nothing...

Then right after the nose wiping, Ben just quit....lol.. literally just fell back. Didn't cry. Wasn't mad. Guess he just felt he'd had enough! I like Jake's face.. poor kid did so good..If you saw all the pics, Jake's face stays the same, in a constant smile.. and the other 2 are all over the place.. haha

I don't have a bad picture of Jake..so here's a good one of him...

Look how grown up he is! I didn't realize how much of his "baby face" was gone until I compared it to his picture from just TWO years ago...

Look at his chubby little cheeks :) And just because, here is one more bad one of Ben...

He was cracking me up. He looks 50 pounds in the pictures of him with the tie... it almost didn't button around his neck!

Other than the pictures... today is my last day of my first trimester :) That means the sickness automatically stops tonight at midnight!

Uh-huh.... right..I'm not that bad... just still have a lot of foods I DON'T eat, than DO eat... I think my next doctor appt is still a couple weeks away.. but I have definitely felt flopping around in there.. usually at night... even while I'm asleep! So that's fun... he or she is sure having fun in there :)

It's a GIRL!

2010-11-18T20:51:00.003-05:00

Well... Not mine.... (however, I did enjoy typing that :) lol...

This is my friend's little girl, Daniella Elyse. Isn't she beautiful!?!?! I am in love with her HAIR! And she has a ton of it!

*sigh* :) I could have held her on my chest all night... she's only a little over 6 pounds, and a week old today... and she had little "ruffled butt pants" on...lol.. so cute..

Her little bow is being held on by toothpaste :) She smelled very minty fresh!

Congratulations Heather! You're going to be a great mommy! She's beautiful!

Chocolate milk and walnuts

2010-11-15T16:04:00.003-05:00

That's been my "food of the day". I have had the widest range of cravings/what NOT to eat this pregnancy than ever before. What was awesome yesterday may not sound good today... and what sounded good this morning might not even sound good tonight! There is not one consistent thing I want to eat, at. all.

However, Rodney's grandma sent us a belated birthday present last week. FRUIT FLOWERS :) And....I cried... lol.. I cried to the man at the door...haha.. No..not because I was touched by the kindness, but because I was so happy to get chocolate covered strawberries. Swear. lol.. I thought I was doing "better" with the emotional part of the pregnancy, but, I guess not. Obviously :)

That pic is kind of blurry...OK.... a lot blurry :) But, it shows the whole thing.

Here is Jake Saturday morning with his "weekend project with daddy"... It was sooooo warm Saturday, that we put up all our Christmas lights. Jake helped assemble the hooks to hook the lights to the roof. We aren't turning them on yet, but, they're done!

All these pictures are just random from my phone.. sometimes I think they are the best, because they are usually ones that are "in the moment"... like this one :) At the dentist last week...

Or this one...lol.. from Skyline.. that I took and sent to Rodney because they gave Jake the biggest bowl of cheese I'd ever seen...lol.. He always asks "Can I have a little bowl of cheese, please?".. and, it's usually just a little.. but.. this lady gave him a pound! We had to ask for a to go box for our cheese :)

I also downloaded a clip of the boys singing "Go Tell it on the Mountain" earlier this morning. It's from Jake's preschool choir...but, of course Nate knows it now too :) They actually both know songs from the adult musical too..lol.. enjoy :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NbAS49BkEM

2010-11-12T22:05:00.005-05:00

On Halloween, Benjamin was called a girl 2 times. I thought.."What?! He doesn't look like a girl!".. but, in the picture above...honestly.. if I didn't know... I couldn't say if he was a boy or a girl...lol... but I think I know why... he's pretty! I mean it in a cute way..lol.. I used to tell my friend Emily that her little boy was too pretty to be a boy...and now I think I have the same thing :) Maybe it's just me :) ..but, I think it's not so much the long hair...but the eyes maybe? The eyelashes? It's only when he's wearing a hat that I think he looks girly....like here..or on Halloween..I mean, he was a pumpkin...he had a stem on his head... anyone could have guessed incorrectly, right? :) Pumpkins are gender neutral! Except, one lady DID go as far as to tell Jake "cute sister".. and then gave him a babydoll to give to him...lol... and neither one of us corrected her!...lol...

I have a maaaajor problem with correcting anyone older than me...even if it's just flat out not right..lol.. I had someone over the summer think I was going on our church Mission Trip to Haiti, (and she was going) and I stood and had a full conversation about it because I didn't want to make her feel silly that I wasn't going! TRUE STORY! She said.."did you get your shots yet?"... and, I didn't "lie".. I just said... "No, but Melanie did!"... lol.. ya know.. trying to get the conversation headed in a different direction or person...haha...

Some worker helping us at Lazarus one time kept calling Rodney, "Bobby".... and neither one of us corrected him... we even ordered alterations, and we filled out the paperwork with "Bobby"! Put the phone number under Bobby... and SIGNED Bobby!... I'm cracking up just thinking about that day... we weren't even married yet.. and I remember just cracking up the whole time.. the guy kept saying.."Thank you Bobby...is that the correct pant length Bobby? Bobby..Bobby..BOBBY!"... hahaa..I kept the alterations slip that Rodney signed "Bobby Rust" for the longest time up on my cork board in my room at home...because it just cracked me up everytime I saw it...lol...

WOW! That has nothing to do with the pics I've posted...lol..

OK! Back to the pics! Today was a beautiful beautiful day. We were outside, a LOT. Ben loved it. It was the first time he'd really been out since he's been walking... and he walked fence to fence several times... even tried climbing the slide! :) We already had "winterized" everything and so all the swings were down... but.. they could slide, play in the sand, or play baseball :)

Here is Jake under my favorite tree... it always turns such pretty colors... He's about to lose his THIRD tooth now... geesh.. and it's next to the two he already lost! He's not going to have ANY teeth on the bottom..lol.. and Fall pics are next weekend...maybe Nick can photoshop in some teeth :)

My B.. with his hair over his ears :) I am definitely going to keep it long until his birthday this month..and then we'll see... I love it long... Rodney had reeeeeeally long hair when he was younger... the other two boys hair was real thick and "puffy".. and I couldn't ever let it get this long or they would have an afro!.. But, his hair is fine... and silky :) So... I'm gonna let it go for now...

Playing together on the slide :) We even skipped school today because I didn't want to come in... Who would've thought mid November we could play outside?!

Nate (who is 100000% potty trained now) He has been 100% "pee" trained for almost a month (but being stubborn on the other) ....until today! It clicked :) Even at night..since about day 3... yippee skippy! Only one in diapers....for now....:)

Climbing the slide like a big boy :) He also started giving himself his bottle in his crib at night.. and then putting his paci in himself... awww.... I knew he could do it a month ago.. I just wasn't ready to "give that up" yet.. but.. he's almost one....so.... I let it go...:( He's funny. He dances. He claps. He tackles the boys :) He even helped me dust today...lol.. seriously! I gave him the rag, and he went from one table to another wiping them off. "Learning through example"... I should teach him to fold clothes :)

Oh, and I never posted pics from actual Halloween. My brother came over and passed out candy so we could all go out together. We walked for about 30 minutes (then they were saying they were tired)... and then headed to the church for our Fall Family Festival...

I was sick sick sick this night. Sickest I have been this entire pregnancy.. I still don't know if it was pregnancy nausea?.. or if I actually had "a bug"... but it was bad....

Mario, Luigi, a pumpkin, and a Michigan fan. I think we saw 4 or 5 other Mario and Luigi sets as we walked.. even one was a full grown man..which was kinda creepy.. he even asked to have his picture (with his camera) or him with Jake...???Uh... OK?.. I thought that was weird, cause he didn't even know him.. but... Oh..kee...lol

Nate playing a game at the festival. The entire night was honestly a blur because I felt so bad. After about the 4th person said..."You don't look so good".. we decided to leave...haha.. But, the boys DID have fun... they had bounce houses outside too this year... and then carnival games inside...food...cotton candy.. real fun :)

And last... my little pumpkin :) All three boys have worn this costume....and my friend Melanie's boys have all 3 worn the hat! It's been used a lot obviously...

FINALLY a post :)

2010-11-11T22:05:00.008-05:00

Phew... been a while since I've posted :)

Things have been just normal and busy around here. I've finally realized that 3 kids are harder than 2. LOL... nice that I realized that now that #4 is on the way, huh :)

Since B has started walking... it's just non.stop.chaos. I forgot how hard the 12-18 month stage is. If he can reach it, he's in it.

When I had 1 kid, my house looked like I had no kids. I was able to keep it very clean, and organized :) When I had 2 kids, my house looked like I at least had a kid....it was more work, but I was still able to keep it "clean" and "picked up".... but with 3 (since walking) my house looks like I have 15 kids. I can't keep up!

There is always a cup leaking on the carpet somewhere... a little puddle of spit-up somewhere... socks aaaall over the house...and for some odd reason, raisins are always everywhere in our house...lol.. we almost always have a raisin stuck to the bottom of our foot or sock..haha :)

Anyways :) That's "normal" around here now... never a dull moment...

Tonight we went to the mall to buy Jake a "shirt and tie". He has decided (on his own) that for this Thanksgiving at his Nana's house, he would like to wear a tie. Every year for Thanksgiving or Christmas, I dress the boys up.. like.. "church clothes" when we go to all the grandma's house.. ya know...just to make it special... and well, he woke up the first day of November (he's very into calendars and dates).. and within 2 minutes of waking up.. he said.."Yay! It's the first day of November! This month is Thanksgiving!...and we get to go to Nana's house.. and eat ham and turkey....and get to dress up in church clothes! But mom, actually, this year....do you think I can wear a tie?" Only Jacob would have that on his mind at 8am :)

I also had my first baby appointment this week. It was a rough week though. Emotionally. One of my best friends, was due the same.exact.day as me... and lost her baby this week. Not a lot of people knew she was pregnant...but we knew... and would talk daily about it... You know who you are.. (you know I love you, and am still praying for you...and you are one of the strongest women I know)

But, I did have my first appt Wednesday, and everything went good... Baby's heart rate was 170! Which, (not saying it means anything :) but!.. that's 20-30 beats higher than all 3 boys at 11 weeks. The highest they ever got was 160, and that was earlier on.. this is at 11 weeks ;) They were always in the 140-150's...The OB knew I had 3 boys already, and so when he heard the heartbeat.. he jokingly said..."Oh, that totally sounds like a girls beat"...and then he said.."Or a boys."... Funny..funny man that Doctor...;)

Also! The biggest news to me this week was.....finding out the the DUGGARS will be at the homeschool convention this year!? What?! Seriously?! Rodney has always known that if they EVER held a convention, or a seminar.. that I wanted to go.. even if it was in Big Sandy, TX :) And?! I don't even have to go.. the are coming here! To Cincinnati! All of them :) AND.. they are having a question/answer session.. and an autograph book signing.. and the kids are all performing.. etc. She is doing a conference on Saturday too...

Also, Ted Tripp, the author of Shepherding a Child's Heart will be there..Ken Hamm, the "Answers in Genesis guy" :)... a lot of big names this year... So excited... Last year when we went, it was so overwhelming just in the "store" that we didn't even GO to any seminars... and there are like, 20 an hour!... so.. this year will be totally different...

Speaking of homeschooling, it's going good :) The biggest adjustment for me has been losing "me time".... just because 2-4 or 5 oclock when B and Nate are asleep, used to be when I got my stuff done.. or got to "chill"... and now, it's when I'm teaching.. so.. but it's going good! Since we took a week off to potty train Nate, I decided this week to double up everything so that we are still on track to finish by the end of April... Just since it will be so close to the baby being born.. that if I could have a good 2 months "off", that would be nice..but, it hasn't seemed to phase him that he's had double work this week...Maybe I'll triple it and be done by January! :)

No, I don't have my Christmas tree up yet... it WAS killing me to not get it out.. but, this week it has been 70 degrees in the day and sunny... wore a tank top today even.. and so.. that took away my desire to put it up so bad :) I got in a "super fall/winter mood" last week and made 12 full loaves of pumpkin bread. I had pumpkin bread coming out my ears! I made 6 chocolate chip pumpkin loaves, and 6 walnut pumpkin loaves. It was so good! If I didn't not want to get up, I'd go get the recipe and post it..lol.. but, I don't wanna get up...:) Maybe later..lol...

Happy Birthday to my Mom :)

2010-10-30T14:04:00.003-04:00

We had my mom a little party Thursday night for her birthday, today:) But, my camera was full, and I only got 2 pictures.. :(

I made her cake. She loves the color red, and so Jake always has to get her red stuff.. red decorations... red wrapping paper..lol.. so.. I did a red velvet cake... and then I folded a piece of paper, and put red sprinkles in it, and then outlined a heart and filled it in... I was most proud of my edging :) lol.. I used this pampered chef thing... and it was pretty easy :)

I was going to make her a "weird" lunch today, but I am so so nauseated that I can't stand to even look at food..so.. I had to reschedule. Stuffed mushrooms and peppers just don't seem that appetizing right now.. Again, sorry mom! lol..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! WE LOVE YOU! :) I'll throw you a BIG party tonight! At the church! Hundred of people! Lots of food! Games! From 6-8! ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkZRTACWnuY

Also, here is a link to B walking :) He takes 32 steps here... he is able to stop, and then go... Bend down and pick something up and stand back up, and turn corners...lol... All in the last few days.. "he's officially a walker" :)

eggs, root beer, and pickleloaf... Mmmm boy!

2010-10-28T22:14:00.002-04:00

Doesn't that sound good?!

These are a few of my "choice foods" at the moment. Not necessarily together..but all in the same day... or even hour.

I am going through eggs like crazy! I LOVE "gas house eggs" (is what we've always called them) Where you butter both sides of a piece of bread, cut a hole in the middle, and then fry it with an egg in the hole. O my. So yum. Or scrambled eggs. Whatever. Just lovin some eggs. And put tons of salt and pepper on it! Mmmmm...

And then pickleloaf. I craved pickleloaf with the baby that I miscarried. I miscarried between Jake and Nate at 6 or 7 weeks along... I forget exactly.. but, I totally remember sitting at the counter eating a pack of pickleloaf... and I always say "that was my girl" (that I miscarried) so.. we'll see :)

And the root beer is a weird one. I don't really even LIKE root beer. I don't even drink pop. Just tea! But this pregnancy it is root beer and water.

I cannot stand right now: chocolate! (like, Hersheys bar chocolate) the syrup chocolate is good :) Cake or icing... gag. Hamburgers, McDonalds or Wendys..gag gag. Chicken nuggets.... waffles...hotdogs..ick...

And I am lovin: the 3 I said above :) toast, Lucky Charms, Chipotle, grapes, cheese sticks, Skyline, breads, noodles, tomato soup!..Mmmm... Such an odd odd list of likes and dislikes.. they really have no rhyme or reason... So!

I am 9 1/2 weeks... and feeling good. Well, still have bouts of sickness, but nothing like it was for the last month. I was nauseous about 22 of 24 hours a day. Now it at least comes and goes... my mood swings are gone thank goodness.. but I still cry a lot. A lot...

Today, when I was watching QVC (haha) (it totally "calms" me, lol) A caller called in to order a Christmas snow globe.. and she said she was buying it for her grandkids to play with.. and when the salesperson said.."That's nice...How old are your grandkids?"...The caller said.."9, 2, and 1.." That's all the lady said.. and I started crying. LOL.. I just thought.. How sweet... ??..lol.. stuff like that :)

I went for my first appointment this week.. and never got past "billing". I was trying to switch doctors, and it's just not going to work out. I really wanted to go to this guy.. but.. he is a LOT more money than the other 2 doctors I have used before.. like... double...It's because we are "self pay" for maternity... and the prices vary from doc to doc....

Actually, the whole time she was throwing out numbers.. I was thinking... "homebirth?..homebirth?..." We have talked about that scenario quite a bit.. and I kept thinking.. is this my answer? Cause it'd definitely be cheaper! But, I just don't think I want to. Things could change of course... but... for now, I'm thinking the 3 day "break" at the hospital is nice :)

I didn't get upset..I'm not going back to the doctor that I had for Ben..(which, he didn't make it for the delivery anyways) I'm going back to who I had for Jake and Nate... I reeeeeally like him... but he doesn't deliver at Southview... but.. I will just "suck it up" and go to Kettering. I like the hospital... it's just the rooms are sooo stinkin small...especially compared to Southview... But, that's ok...

Besides pregnancy news... here's what happened yesterday :)

They boys went to Storytime at the library.. and it was "Halloween Costume" day... and the kids all dress up and get to Trick-or-Treat around the library. Very fun for the kids :)

Nathan is Mario. Jake is Luigi. and baby Ben is a pumpkin. (same outfit Jake and Nate wore) Jake and Nate's outfits crack me up...lol

We stopped at my Grandma BoBo's and Papaw Tom's on our way to storytime so they could see the boys in their costumes..

Their mustaches is the best part, I think. They stick on.. and Nathan didn't want to wear it the first 20-30 minutes, but, he got used it it.. and wore it for 3 hours!...They are so big they look like I drew them on the picture!...

My dad was over there visiting, so he got to see them all dressed up too :)

Papaw David and Mamaw BoBo with the boys...Ben didn't care to wear his costume, but he was a little weirded out with the boys mustaches...

Headin into storytime...

There are probably 25? 30? kids in storytime?... and 11 of them go to our church..lol... Maybe hit or miss a couple more even..lol...that makes it fun...

Miss Kathy was trying to get them aaaaall lined up for a picture... ya..right...:)

Cassandra and Waverlynn... Oh my goodness she is too precious.. I am clueless when it comes to Star Wars characters..but.. all four of her kiddos were dressed up just like them! She looked so cute.. Is she Yoda? Is that the name? With the green pointed ears? Whatever she is.. she was so cute :)

Luigi and Micah the turtle :)

We also had a birthday party for my mom tonight who is turning 40 on Saturday ;) But, I will wait till her actual birthday to post a pic from that. Yes, ONE picture. My camera was full!.. Sorry mom :(

Now, off for some midnight pickleloaf and pretzels with mustard. Mmmm....

Raising Boys

Joshua's Birth

I'm workin on it!

I promise I take pictures of other things than Joshua...

I'm in love.

SOMEbody is obsessed with Joshua!

A few more pics :)

Joshua is here!

2 down, 8 to go!

37 weeks OR 20 days left!

36 weeks and counting!

Field Trip 2012

So excited at Ben's appointment today!

My Boys

Any guesses!?

Holy Moly! 34 weeks?! Is that right!?

Christmas 2011... and Jake's Birthday!

Ben's new eye!

Ben turned 2!

A REAL baby update! 27 1/2 weeks!

My B

24 weeks and random thoughts and sentences...

23 weeks and a bunch of other stuff!

22 weeks!

You know you've had a bad day when...

Ok... So maybe it's NOT fuzzy?!

Practice take III

Ok...quitting for now:)

Practice II

Hmmmm.... Not perfect...

Practice again

Practice

It worked!

Science!

Well, at least I don't have to change the name of my blog!?

19 weeks

Loving the fall weather! 18 week post :)

Nathan's long overdue birthday post!

First Day of School and 16 weeks!

Week 15

As Jacob says, we're "3 boys and counting"

13 weeks

12 weeks

11 weeks

Baseball and the Bible

10 weeks- double digits!

A wedding, a boating trip, and enterovirus.

9 weeks

8 weeks and Fourth of July

The Lazy Days of Summer

7 weeks

6 weeks

..hadn't been here since 11th grade!

5 weeks

Florida 2011

Happiest day of my life...

A two week wrap up...

They say each of your children will be different.. unique.. have their own personality...

Easter Bunny Picture (minus the Easter Bunny)

Kindergarten Graduation Smilebox

Coloring Easter Eggs :)

This morning before church...

Gonna name my next kid Jim Bob...

A Sunday Post

Honest stories

New Family Picture

Finally!

I haven't blogged in a while because I've just been busy.. so...

Sanctity of Life

I'm seeing red!

Learning from example *also titled* Kids are just funny :)

301st Post

Too many pictures

Snooooooow!

Lots of pictures!

My ankle hurts...

Bad week.

Ben's First Birthday!

The worst picture of Ben. Ever.

It's a GIRL!

Learning from example also titled Kids are just funny :)