All is Calm....

Well, at least for now. Hubby is working nights......again! Which means I'm home with all the kids and animals by myself. Have I mention I don't do animals? I mean before we had so many kids I really did love my dogs and cat. But now they are just another thing that needs to be fed or let out or told to "BE QUIET!". My friend Happy Mommy and I were talking about this the other day and she brought it to my attention as to why I no longer love my animals the way I used to. Friends are great, when you can't see, they can! Love you lots Happy Mommy! Now, back around the barn. All is calm now, kids are sleeping, dogs are sleeping, somewhere in this house a cat is sleeping. Tonight we had a Christmas Party with the women from my women's Bible study group. This party was for the whole family. Husbands and children. Just me and my kids tonight. It was lots of fun but we missed daddy a lot! We had lots of food and laughs! Lots of laughs about this '30 and under thing'. If you don't know comment and I might explain at a later time. :) It really is funny. Okay, so anyway the husbands competed to see who could say/sing this poem to his wife with the most creativity. Me and another women who's husband had to work, were the judges. One of the fellas sang it to his wife, who by the way is so stinkin' cute, about to have baby any day! Did I mention he was down on one knee, that's right ONE KNEE!!!! Of course, he won! Oh well, Hubby will be glad he wasn't able to make it. :( Although, it would have been nice to see what he would have come up with!

Good Night!

Pictures

I can't believe out of 3 kids, not ONE looks like ME!!!!!

OH MY GOSH!!! Look at that smile!!!

Look at those blue eyes.......not mine either.
Thanksgiving 2008

Of course, a proud Maw Maw

Best Friends Christmas Pictures

Christmas Eve 2006

Christmas 2007

I must say how cute we are and how much we look alike......Merry Christmas Mum Mum!

Baby Face and Cuddly Kitty

Day of Delivery!

On the way out the door.....of course I had to take pictures before we left. The kids were already in the van waiting. The second pic I look very happy. Can't you tell? There just wasn't any more room left........He got the EVICTION notice!!! Some how my camera didn't take very many labor shots.......my MIL's camera has all the good ones. This is one of Wendy and me. She was just as hot as I was......down to the tank top.

My doctor finally broke my water at 2:30 pm. I was at a 3-4 and 85%. And 1 1/2 hours later at 4:05 on 10/10/2008 my boy was born! That's me......once I set my mind to something let's not waste any time....let's get it done!

Weighing in at a whopping 8 lbs 2 oz and 21 inches!!

*my other babies weighed 6lbs 8 oz, 19 i nches and 6lbs 11oz ,20 inches!!!

Wedding Photos

Yesterday was mine and Hubby's anniversary. For this event I like to look back on our wedding pictures. These are some of my favorites. We had a beautiful outside wedding. We were married on the front porch of this hand built log cabin. My sister's husband's grandfather built this house by himself. There was beautiful landscaping and shrubery. And the weather could not have been any better it was a slight overcast with the clouds looking like a layer of lace just above us. A very calm breeze. And the temperature was between 72-75 degrees. No humidity at all. I did get my way and all the men wore light pink shirts with black and pink ties. My father-in-law said he wasn't but he loved me enough to do it anyway........forever before and to this day he has not worn anything pink! I'll have to post some pictures of all the men another day. They all look very comfortable in their masculinity!

Cutting our beautiful cake that had real flowers on it and then I was so thirsty I think I could have drank the whole bottle of champagne. Actually, there is a picture of me carrying around my glass and the bottle later...........honestly, I was thirsty.....not celebrating that finally all the stressful planning of a wedding was over.....no not me! And the last........well you know you stand there after the ceremony for what feels like an eternity taking all the family pictures and wedding party pictures. We said this one was more of us and how excited we were........really informal......we are so cool. I think of this picture being the one our grandchildren will laugh at and love that we 'once were cool'!

37 Week Visit

Update:

I went to the doctor yesterday thinking I wouldn't have changed much since I haven't been having as many contractions as the week before, just some pressure. Well, I was shocked when the Doctor said Wow! You're at 3 cm and 70% thinned out! Seeing that I still have three weeks until my due date, this is moving on along. WoooHOO!

Okay, so I know my last post I was feeling a little pulled in both directions....ready to have baby.....not ready to be done being pregnant. Well, over the weekend when I realized I could not reach my foot to put my stinkin' sock on I was DONE!! Not to mention when the contractions start they are very uncomfortable. Whine..........yes that is me and not my 3 year old! The end of this week would be good to have a baby. But this is my plan not God's. He will deliver this baby when it's His perfect time and when baby is healthy. In the meantime, I guess I get to take every day one day at a time. Wednesday I go to the doctor again, please pray we have made more progress. A little every week would be nice so I don't have to walk the halls at the hospital for hours.

Right now I have no ankles!!!!! My toes feel like at any minute they are going to pop like a champagne cork! Although, they are nicely painted and even have flower decals. My non-pregnant shoe size is normally a 5 1/2-6. I'm struggling to wear flip flops! Now, I know some people hate feet but they really don't bother me. Call it partly gross, partly boredom.
Enjoy!

36 Week Visit

Yesterday was THE doctor appointment. I have to admit I was a little nervous......about the exam and what he might say. At this point I'm so excited to meet our new baby boy but on the other hand I love being pregnant and know how quickly it's over. I wanted him to say 'anyday now', but then I want him to be 'on the inside' for as long as I can take it, to enjoy it. I am ready to be able to bend over and tie my shoes, walk up a flight of stairs without gettng winded but it all goes away after delivery. And lets face it......taking care of baby is much easier when they are in the belly!!

And the verdict was............. 50% effaced and 1 CM dilated!!! He said, 'if your water breaks give us a call'. I thought WOW! Wait a minute, already? I'm excited and noticing every contraction thinking ooohhhh is this it? Of course, next week we'll see if any progression has been made!

Kick 'Em in the Knee!!

Wendy's first cheerleading game was this past Saturday. I know, I know, it's a football game but honestly we don't have a boy playing football yet, so to me the football aspect doesn't exist. It's just my little girl showing us her team spirit! Isn't she just the cutest?! I love it! I used to be a cheerleader so for my girl to be one just makes me smile! :)

Wendy and I made home made chocolate and peanut butter chip cookies! Yum! I'll post the recipe later!

Have a great night!

More Maternity Pictures

Here are some more maternity pictures.....I tried to upload some lastnight but my internet or computer was acting silly (well I was thinking another term)!

Maternity Pictures

I have a lovely friend Happy Mommy who takes wonderful pictures. I asked if she would take some maternity photos of me and some family ones as well.....she said yes. Only she didn't know I was going to change clothes 4 times and we were going to spend 5 hours and over 200 photos during the event!

Here are some of my favorites....

I'll have to post more in another post this is the max it would let me.....I didn't even get to put some with Peter!:( Check again in a little while!

These boots were made for STOMPIN'!

After a couple of days of rain we had new landscaping.......lots and lots of mushrooms. Wendy couldn't get out quick enough to stomp 'em! I looked out our kitchen window and saw she had even put on her stompin' boots! I couldn't resist.


Yes, that's a nasty green mushroom smushed under her little foot! I just wish she would clean her room with such enthusiasm.

My Color

Your Blog Should Be Yellow

You're a cheerful, upbeat blogger who tends to make everyone laugh. You are a great storyteller, and the first to post the latest funny link. You're also friendly and welcoming to everyone who comments on your blog.

What Color Should Your Blog or Journal Be?

Huh! I don't know......I guess it depends on what mood your in!

Packing for the Hospital

I go next week for my 36 week visit. And any woman who has had a baby knows this is when you go weekly to get, well, you know what checked.......weekly. We live 45 minutes away from the hospital and I have the feeling I need to be ready in the next week or two....even though I usually only have my babies a week early. I plan to have suitcase packed and in the back of the van, ready. The car seat is in, the stroller in the back, clothes washed. I hope he stays in a little longer than the next 2 weeks.....my doctor is in Italy!! I'm also packing a bag for Hubby, Wendy and Peter.

Now, don't laugh but I will be doing my hair and makeup while in the hospital. There are going to be pictures taken and I don't want to look back on them looking all 'rough'. I gave a key to a very trusted friend this morning who when I call is going to come by and get my hair dryer, curling iron, mousse and hairspray and bring them to the hospital when she comes to see the baby. I will also do my makeup on the way to the hospital, even if it's the middle of the night. I know Happy Mommy is smiling and nodding right now as she agrees she does the same! I'm just funny about it I guess. Considering, I have blond eyebrows and eyelashes......without makeup I look like a little boy!!

Tomorrow is my little girl's first cheerleading game. Well, its a football game but I won't be watching football......sorry Happy Mommy. I know our teams are playing against each other and your boys will be playing. I love watching her cheer! Only, if she doesn't clam up which she can do when put on the spot. I'll post pictures of her in her cheerleading uniform.

Have a great Friday! And a wonderful weekend!

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

As promised.....

1/2 Cup hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed
1 tub 8 oz. of Cool Whip, thawed, divided
1 pkg. 4 serving size Chocolate instant pudding
8 Oreo cookies,chopped
12 vanilla ice cream sandwiches
*Opt. 1-2 Tbsp of milk....if fudge, cookie, dry pudding mix if it's too thick/chunky. Depending on what brand of fudge you use will determine if you need milk to thin it out.

Lay out a sheet of aluminum foil.......24 inches long or so. Warm fudge in microwave, stir in 1 cup of Cool Whip until well blended. Add dry pudding mix, stir until well blended. Add chopped Oreo cookies. If too thick to spread easily, add milk.

Lay out 4 ice cream sandwiches side by side on foil. Spread 1/2 of fudge mixture. Another layer of 4 ice cream sandwiches. Spread the remaining fudge mixture. Top with remaining 4 ice cream sandwiches. Use the remaining Cool Whip to 'ice' the cake. I like to crumble 2 more Oreo cookies on top of the cake for a finished look. Cover lightly with foil and freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight. Let stand at room temperature for 2-3 minutes before serving. Slice like a loaf of bread to reveal the beautiful layers. Store leftovers in freezer.

Enjoy!

Dinner for 14

Tonight I am taking dinner to a family from our church. The wife has been ill for some time now and is expected to be that way for a while as well. But we know God can heal her and prove all doctors wrong. Don't you love to hear one of those stories? Where they can't explain it other than a miracle. Any way, we have Bible study tonight at Happy Mommy's house. Now, Happy Mommy is a little under the weather as well.....so it works that I offered to bring us dinner tonight before hand. I counted the people that will be eating my mom's yummy homemade Beef Stew tonight and all in all it is 14......3 families. Anyone who knows Happy Mommy she doesn't like the rain and we are expected to have rain all day today! She will be really 'happy' when I get there!!! I have also made a homemade ice cream sandwich cake......really easy and pretty. I will post that one later.

Have a great day!!!!

Mom and Me MEME

I've been Tagged to do Mom & Me MEME...

First, post a picture of you and your children.......

1. How many children do you have?
I have 2 beautiful children on the 'outside' and 1 in the oven! 5 more weeks and counting!!
2. What are their ages?
Wendy is 4 and Peter is 3.

3. What time do you start your day?
Hubby gets up around 5:30 and me shortly after, depending, we do our couple's devotional bible study, but we don't stick to this like we have in the past. He'll take a shower and I make his lunch and then fix breakfast for him. Pray over him before he leaves and kiss kiss at 6:45!! At 7 the kids get up eat breakfast and get dressed for preschool. And out the door at 8:10.
4. What do you eat for breakfast?
We eat homemade cinnamon vanilla french toast, Wendy's favorite, chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, eggs scrambled or fried, egg and cheese sandwiches, bagels with cream cheese, and of course cereal.
5. Do they watch TV?
Yes, now that preschool has started we don't watch much during the morning. A show during lunch and then maybe one or two in the late afternoon after nap time. Evenings are busy right now we usually aren't here. At night we love to 'pile up' eat popcorn and watch a movie all of us together.
6. What are their favorite activities?
Peter~ Loves Playmobile, Light Sabers and Ninja Turtles. Wendy~ Loves to play kitchen and serve people, dress up and practicing for her new baby. Both love to paint, I have paint on my kitchen chairs that won't come off to prove it! I'm not a big fan of a messy activity but they love it.
7. Do you get a break during the day for some you time?
I used to everyday when the kids took a nap but Wendy has recently like within the last few days stopped taking a nap. Being pregnant I like to sleep myself when they are but can't if she's awake.
8. How do you end your day?
We get dinner wrapped up....or get home from where ever the schedule may take us, get in jammies, pray and go to bed. Some times we have to make mulitple trips back to the bed when little feet come down the hall.
9. What is your best parenting advice or tip?
For me, I've learned to love and enjoy my children in the moment that they are in now and not where I want them to be or where they will be. It makes life and the days so much easier. It's not easy by any means to not wish that 'they could just do this' or that 'this phase is so hard'. But to realize they won't be where they are at right now in this moment for very long and I need to enjoy it before its too late. I look forward to being able to do this with my new baby from his first breath.

Once again......

Once again I haven't posted in a while. Anyone who reads this will know that my computer has been broken for like 6 weeks now. They have sent it off twice and still broken....why won't they just replace it? They had to replace the hard drive which means I lost all photos and documents that were saved!! Currently, I'm at Hubby's Aunts house dog sitting for 4 large dogs. Been here a week and will be here another week while they are in Florida.

Okay, so anyway we have found out that the baby is a boy!! I won't give out his real name but anyone who knows me knows which name it will be. He is kicking all the time and doing all sorts of somersaults in there.

So that's all for now!

Type of person

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary. You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts. All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

What Time Of Day Are You?

Ballet anyone?

Today my sweet, little, adorable, angelic, princess starts ballet classes!! I have waited so long for her to be able to attend a class. She is soooooo excited, I mean we have counted down the days and now she is ready to go down for "quiet time" early just because I told her when she gets up we will be going! The clock and time doesn't play a role in her mind. We went Friday to get her some 'real' ballet shoes and tights and the leotard with the skirt and everything. Look at her! I think she knows what she's doing already. She struck this pose on her own believe it or not!! My baby is growing up!! HAHA

Update on Pickles, Crackers, and Crumbs.....

I thought since I hadn't blogged about our feathery friends Pickles, Crackers, and Crumbs in a while I would post this one so you could see how big they have gotten. I filled the pool for my little ones and the ducks thought the water looked refreshing too! They hopped right in with Wendy! I'm amazed at how cute they are and how neat it has been to watch them grow. I will admit there have been times when I was/am ready to find them a nice home on a farm!! With the weather getting warmer it's easier to take care of them and have fun while we are playing outside. You can see their white feathers are growing in and they are so soft. Now, I'm a little scared for them to eat out of my hand, I'm afraid they will nip me too hard!

Casting Crowns

I'm a big fan of Christian music. I really like contemporary bands like the Casting Crowns. They recently came to a town near us and my hubby and I decided it would be so awesome to see them in concert. We listen to them on the radio, ipod and we sing some of their songs at our church. My mom-in-law and pop-in-law said they would watch the kiddies for us. 'Whew!' An evening without children! We grabbed something to eat at a Mexican restaurant in town and headed on over to the concert. All pumped up we pulled in only to have to park a mile away and walk with the crowd to the awaited event. I just knew I would get some unbelievable pictures of them. You know something I could scrapbook. UUUMMMM NO! this is what you get when all the lights are out and the the view you have is so good you want to tell and show everyone.

So anyway, we jammed to songs we knew and listened to ones we didn't. Overall, it was good concert. I have to admit this was our first Christian concert. And look forward to going to more in the future. I also have to admit how good lookin' hubby and I were!

Yes, that's me holding the beginnings of my fourth month belly! Placing my hand there disguises it quite well. Don't you think?! I thought we look really 'pretty'! (I'm bloggin'!)