2008 Christmas Program

We had our annual holiday program at church on Sunday. The theme was a walk through post cards. The first post card was the Redlecki family- imagine that. I fit the Mary part just wonderfully carrying a little miracle in my bulge! (Sorry- terrible picture, but the best I have...)

The postcards go from the beginning of the Christmas story to the birth of baby Jesus.

Then, towards the end, my kids were animals with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. They look very amused, huh?!?

Nolan and I are happy that it is over and satisfied with how it went. What a great day at church!

Happy Holiday Season from our Family to Yours!!

Matthew's 1st Birthday Party!

We had Matthew's first birthday party this weekend! It's hard to believe that he is almost one whole year old! Time flies when you're having fun! He had a very good time and had great spirits right to the very end. Luckily, he had taken a 2-hour nap prior to the party!! We had many family members and lots of food! What more could you ask for?!?! We had a small cake, but I made cupcakes as well- especially for him to attack and mutilate... oh, and yes, eat too. It was a day of great fun, but took a few days to get ready for!

Monday, Monday

Well, we managed to make it through all the snow of last week- wow! We got hammered- much more than any other area I have visited this weekend. The weather forecast sounded happier for this week until it came, and now it is still dreary and snowier. We just keep busy by baking cookies- they look good, taste good, and make the house warm and smell good!

Nolan is finally feeling better and now Matthew is not well. John has gotten the flu bug too- the more the merrier I guess. That is one of those things when you have a big family, or any family really! Hopefully, I can get Matthew into the doctor today- he wound up with a terrible, horrible diaper rash- poor little man!

Good news in my world- grandma and grandpa are home from Florida! Hooray! They returned yesterday in the late afternoon. You can bet we were there shortly after they arrived. It was nice. My kids were so super excited. Nolan had been waiting every day last week for them to get back! Em asked when they are returning to Florida and I told her after Christmas. She then replied that with that the case, she hopes Christmas doesn't come for a long time! Too sweet!

We have met another parenting struggle... homework!!! We fought with Em all weekend to get it done. She cried, dragged her feet, bawled, stomped her feet, etc. The whole works. She reported to me that she spends all dayin school and is never home, except to eat and sleep. She said she certainly doesn't want to do homework all weekend. I can't say that I blame her. We ended up not getting it all done, but I did send a letter to her teacher to send work home daily instead of all on the weekend. Any thoughts on dealing with this issue?!!?

So, here is a big week- the week of Turkey Day! It seems so late this year, but it is fun because Black Friday is the next day!! Love shopping on that day- so fun and such a rush!

Have a great week all. Happy Thanksgiving!

November chill!

Everytime I look out the window it is snowing again! It is hard to believe how much snow we have gotten thus far. Yesterday I went to the take the boys to Preschool and realized that on my mountain we have far much more snow than closer to town. Funny how that works! Oh, the joys of living in the snowbelt! At this point, the kids have had some fun and are satisfied watching from inside, except when it comes to climbing that mountain of snow from the plow!

I think this household is beginning to feel better. Nolan is the last one to get over it... seems to have come back to him. Sleepless nights and napless days- he seems to have this idea that he's grown out of them. What I would give for a chance for a nap during the day!!! Needless to say, this little dude is a grumpy boy!

So, we're at 27 weeks, Thanksgiving is soon approaching and you know Christmas is right around the corner. I am feeling the crunch on time. 40 weeks seems like a long time, but it is not! I have about 40 weeks worth of things to do before the baby girl arrives... they won't get done. Oh well- I wil try. I have been doing alright on keeping on task and getting some wanted projects done, but I have far too many to claim near victory! So, we'll just take the days as they come and be happy to be alive- looking at the positive side of life! :) Oh, and we've moved on to doctor appointments every 2 weeks instead of 4, another sign we're getting closer! It is neat and exciting though. I love being pregnant... probably the last time though.

So, Daisy Scouts are going well. We have 6 girls, may have 7 at our meeting tomorrow. It is fun and we're enjoying our fun-filled meetings! So far we've earned our Considerate & Caring petal! In order to celebrate the week of World Kindness we had the girls draw pictures demonstrating kindness and displayed them around town. Em's is at the Post Office- so if you're there check it out on the bulletin board!

Another busy run around day today and tomorrow- looking forward to Friday. If I could stay home I am sure I would get so much more done! Grandparents are returning from Florida on Sunday- hooray!!! The kids and I are on a countdown! Pray for nice, decent driving weather so they return safely and on time! Wishing all a great end of the week and nice weekend!

November

The weather that was horrible on Monday has changed to a few nice days- amazing how it works this time of year! And by Sunday it is going to be snowing again. The kids are excited... of course! Unfortunately, not everyone in this household has been feeling great. Matthew, Nolan, and I are sick with colds- getting better, Nolan doing the best. Matthew is super grumpy and extremely clingy... waiting for this to pass!

Went to the doctor on Monday- all is well at 26 weeks. I gained 0.5 pounds in the last month- that's good. When it is a greater, more substantial number I am sure I will be less inclined to share! :)

November is just flying by- it always does after Halloween as we round the calendar to the end of the year. Getting ready for the holidays- my favorite time of year. The Christmas commercials are already out! They are surely much better than the overdone election campaign commercials!!! Thank goodness that is over!

Have a great weekend and then it will be another Monday!

First snow

It is so hard to imagine this as we are enjoying this Indian Summer weather right now, but... while most of you woke up last Wednesday to a dusting of snow... we woke up to a blanket! Over the night we got approximately 8 inches of heavy, wet, white stuff. Nolan was so excited and spent most of his day watching out the window. The adult world was a bit more complex... the milkman tried an hour to get up the hill and the bus had troubles too. Apparently the Department of Transportation wasn't aware of the snow we had received... all were appreciative once they made the realization that life on the hill was a bit different than everywhere else! Thankfully I didn't have to get out in the stuff! That is one perk to being home. John said in 6 years of driving this way to work, it was the worst ever. Once again, nice to not have to get out and drive in it!

Here are a few pics of Nolan enjoying his first time plowing out the driveway with his daddy this season. Not sure which was better... simply riding the JD w/o Jackson or plowing the snow on the JD?!?!

Although this weather is beautiful... it's so true that winter is just around the corner. I think we're pretty lucky thus far, but I remember just a few years back when we had no snow up until January and then got pounded for a few full months. Never know... that is just one of those things living in the north! :) Here's to enjoying this while it lasts!!!!

Halloween 2008- with pics!

Halloween Night 2008

Looks like the two little calves found suckers!! Adelie and Matthew had a great time trick-or-treating and it was easy this year since they got to be pushed all over town! (I made both thier costumes- calves).

Here is the trick-or-treating clan- Adelie (in stroller- back), Emma (a pig), Nolan (a horse), Matthew ( in stroller-front), and Jackson (the farmer).

So, the costumes turned out well. The weather was perfect and we all had a great time! Plus, I was able to upload these pictures, bonus! :)

It has been a long time!

Halloween has come and past- hard to believe it is November already! Sooner than we'll know it, it will be holiday time! I am excited for that- my favorite time of the year. I have passed that excitement and anticipation on to my children- they are just like me in Christmas joy!

Halloween was wonderful. The weather was perfect; we couldn't have asked for any better! The kids' costumes turned out well and they all looked cute. They had a great time trick-or-treating. I just enjoyed walking around outdoors, talking to all those I knew (of course- I love to talk!!), and watching the kids admire their loot. John pooped out before the kids did, but I suppose that was good as it was nearing Matthew's bedtime. It was a fun evening! I tried to put pictures on, but I cannot. Not sure why... but will continue to attempt to defeat this roadblock!

Oddly enough, this week has been busy, yet quiet. I don't know if it is possible to be both, but it sure seems to be that way. It is Thursdsay already- this week flew right by! We've been busy with little things here and there.

Today the boys have Preschool pictures. Poor Jackson's hair is so unruly. He showered and went to bed shortly after last night and it is sticking up like no other this morning! We tried to get it down to look better, but I am not so sure that did much for him. I guess I shouldn't expect any different from Jackson- it is so similar to his personality!

Yesterday I had my glucose tolerance test done. I'll find out how I did on Monday, when I have my next appointment. This means one thing for sure- the baby is getting bigger, I am getting more pregnant, and the due date is approaching at a rapid pace! 25 weeks this week- wow!

So, even though I have very little time, I have decided to read a book. I am sure many of you are familiar with it and probably most have read it- The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Excellent book. I started it yesterday and am greater than half way through it. It is one of those hard to put down, wonna keep reading books! I highly recommend it to anyone!

I hope to keep up with my blog better than this past week or so. I am stumped at getting those pictures up. I think it is b/c my Internet connection is too slow. I'll keep trying!

Countdown to Halloween!

The countdown is on... only 3 days until the big day! I have been working on the costumes. I have finished Matthew's calf costume- easy as pie, took no time at all, and is cute as a button. I started Emma's pig costume and it is good so far. She likes it and all I have left to do is the nose and tail. That is a plus! Nolan's will be the hardest (horse), and I plan on beginning it today. It has to be done by Thursday as he needs it for this Halloween party at Preschool! I will be sure to take pictures to post of Halloween. I got a new camera for my birthday- hooray!!!! Now I can add some more pictures to my blog! Stay tuned for more to come on this... :)

My Birthday

So, yesterday was my birthday. What a day it was. It started out great- the kids were so excited for my big day. They promised to be so good getting ready for school since it was my birthday, and they were! I spent the day trying to get everything organized as we were getting our family holiday pictures taken in the evening. That event seems to be much easier and runs much smoother when clothing, food, and bags are prepared and a calmness accompanies us to the studio- imagine that! LOL The pictures turned out alright. Nolan decided to be the pistol this year. We have one shot where he is in complete, total meltdown- red face, tears coming down the cheek... a total display of discontent! Murphy's Law- all children will not completely cooperate when getting family photos taken! As much as John dreads this occassion, he knows it is very important to me and goes into it with a good attitude. (Thankfully!)

Yesterday was also the first snow of the year. The first snow is so beautiful and exciting... after a few snows it becomes a real pain and not so beautiful! Funny how that goes. Nolan was so excited. At first he thought I was kidding, but after he discovered I wasn't, he opened up the curtains to watch it fall from the picture window. Em immediately reported the first snow to me as soon as she walked in the door from school. Cute!

My birthday also had a very sad aspect to it as well. My cousin had her first baby on the 22nd of this month. Immediately after delivery she had some major issues and ended up dying, although was revived after a few minutes. Doctors got her back to life, yet made no promises while preparing her for flight to Pittsburg. Saturday she seemed to have been showing a spec of improvement and her parents and siblings were sent home to go see and take care of the baby. They were notified on Sunday to immediately report back because a turn for the worst had occurred. Yesterday no brain activity was detected and her kidneys had totally failed. All progress ceased and she passed away. She is being kept alive until today in order to remove all viable organs for donation. It is a very sad time for my family right now. Not only did she never get to see or hear her newborn infant daughter, she has a new home that she got to live in for less than a week. If you have a moment, please say a prayer for this family that is desperately hanging on and trying to cope with loss, sadness, desire for reasons, and now has a little baby that never got to see her mommy that needs all the love she can get, and a daddy who is in need of great support and love too.

So, that was my birthday... I can say the 29th is not one I wish to repeat. You won't hear me saying "29 and holding." I promise that. But, my husband and children made it a great day. (I was not told of the sad news until the end of the night as my parents didn't want to damper my day.)

Tuesday!

Greetings, Friends!

So, it is another week. So far, so good!

Well, I have decided to venture into a new realm- I am making my childrens' Halloween costumes this year. I went and got some supplies Saturday, but have not began creating them yet. Em is a pig, Nolan is a horse, Matthew is a calf, and Jackson is the farmer! You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find a full sweatsuit, especially one with a hoodie! But, I think I have found enough "stuff" to improvise. Wish me luck... we're down to 10 days! The kids just figured out this morning how close Halloween is and are now very excited! (Honestly, this is my least favorite day.)

So, I decided to make a pumpkin pie last night- my first time making pumpkin. I guess I need to continue trying before sharing with anyone other than the kids! :) Em commented that it wasn't done, while Jackson was concerned b/c I didn't have the white stuff (Cool-Whip) on top. Too funny. It tastes OK, but not superb yet. I better stick to apple- I can make an awesome apple!

Baby Boy is now 10 months and just getting his 5th tooth. He is so cute. I love this age- he is more independent and is learning to talk. Nothing is sweeter music to my ears than hearing the "mamama" coming down the hall to me! What a lovebug! Baby Girl is now 24 weeks along- about 16 more weeks and she will be here. Em is getting so excited. I love being pregnant and am in no hurry (plus the baby is much easier to take care of inside!). Every morning when I wake up I thank Him above that I get this opportunity once again, yet I get upset with the realization that this is probably my last time. It is fun now b/c she is becoming more and more active- kicking, moving, and all. John felt the kick for the first time last night- it was special. I think it was also a reminder that we have SSSSOOO much to do in four months, but we need to get in gear! :)

I am enjoying being home with the kids versus at work. I miss the paycheck, don't get me wrong about that, but the rewards I am recieving are nothing in comparison. I finally know my chidren's schedules better than the babysitter (sad, but true). They are very happy. We have a little more time to do fun things. Em and I read a whole Junie B. Jones book last night- that was nice and enjoyable for the two of us. Plus, bedtime is much more relaxed and the kids have actually pretty much taken over the routine. I am only there to facilitate, instead of instruct and direct them- much nicer for all of us now.

The weather was beautiful yesterday, so Jack and Nolie were outdoors from the time Jackson got off the bus at noon until dinnertime. Today it has taken a turn and is windy and cold, but we must face the fact that wicked weather is nearing. We've been pretty lucky so far this year!

I guess that is about it for now. I am sure I will have more to "blog" about later this week!

Random thoughts...

This week is going so quickly, yet it seems I am accomplishing nothing.

Let's see what is new this week...

Em is so happy as her father reported to her that she can keep this wild beast of a dog, Buddy, that we have if she will take responsibility with him and the cat. She seems so much more relieved and happy. As much as I don't like the dog, it is nice to see Em happy and relaxed. She just loves that stupid dog!!?!

Can't believe I stayed up to watch the debate last night- more of the same.

Halloween is coming quick and I am out for costumes. Em wants to be a pig, Nolan is a horse, Matthew will probably be a cow, and who knows what Jackson will decide. I thought that was cute- the farm animals theme. I have looked at Walmart and Target for costumes, but if you don't want a commercial character, there is not much there. I considered making the costumes, but the necessary items I located are more expensive than just buying one! This is my number one mommy frustration for this holiday! Any suggestions?!

A new Grey's and ER are on tonight- love those shows!

Hunting starts this weekend, so we'll be here a lot without John. With any luck, he'll get a deer on opening day! :)

Today is Daisy Girl Scout Registration. I am looking forward to this adventure. I was the assistant leader two years ago, but didn't after Matthew was born. Em wants to join this year, so I said yes when asked. Wonder how many girls we'll get to register and be in our troop this year!??! One more of those volunteer mommy things I can do now that I am an at-home-mommy! :)

I hope you all have a wonderful end to the week and enjoy this weekend. Nothing big planned here.

The Fam

In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony.-- Eva Burrows

So, as it began, there was only John and I... and then came Emma. Since then, our family has grown, and continues to do so.

John is a great father and husband. He works hard and does all he can for us. He is wonderful!: ) Right now he is getting excited that hunting season is just around the corner! He is a perfect role model for the boys, especially with farming. They love the farm, just like their daddy!


Emma is in first grade. She loves her teacher, but has reported that she does not love the work. She says Kindergarten was better because she had naptime... funny thing is that she never napped! Imagine that?!?! She loves animals and the outdoors. She is a pleasure, but thinks a lot and sometimes too much! She is wonderful all the way around and is full of love- what an excellent big sister!

Jackson is in Preschool, going to a 5-day a week AM UPK, then to the Christian Preschool 2 afternoons a week. He LOVES school! I am grateful for that. He has been somewhat of a "difficult child," but is blossoming into a nice boy who loves to help mommy and work at the barn with daddy. Of course, he loves tractors and animals- the whole farm scene!

Nolan is a corker! He loves to get attention by being funny and acting the clown. He is a quick little whipper-snapper. His greatest love is the farm. He wakes up and farms in the living room until he can go to the real barn, then to his farm inside until he goes to bed. Well, he surely has the dedication of a farmer! :) He is going to the afternoon Preschool with his brother and thoroughly enjoys it. He is always singing and telling us what he learned. He is a lot like Em in many ways- it is neat how they are alike and different!

Matthew is doing great. He just got over hand-mouth-and foot- thankfully! There is nothing to help take care of it, except Motrin for pain relief... what a long week with many late or all-nighters! But, other than that, he is wonderful. He is getting around, pulling himself up on things. He loves to dance when helped to stand up. He is a chatterbox, but only says mama and dada-when he wants to! :) He'll be 10-months old at the end of the week already! Time flies... as all moms know! Unfortunately, my camera is broke and no pictures got put on the computer, so his picture is not on here... give me some time and he will show up! :)

Baby Girl is due in February. She likes to kick on the right side, but is quiet for the most part. I bought the first item of clothing for her yesterday- I guess you could say I am really beginning to get excited! The siblings are excited too, especially Em who had to live through having 3 brothers before getting this sister she has desperately wanted! We're at 22 weeks now- over half way there!

That is it for now...we're one big, happy family!

Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.-- Brad Henry

Beginning

Amazingly, I am home and enjoying being home with the kids. I started the school year, but after a few "wake-up calls," I have opted to be a stay-at-home mom instead. It was quite a transition and big change, but we're starting to get it! So, Karen has encouraged me to start this blog... we'll see how it goes. Hopefully I have some time to keep up with it. I, like her, am in a new position where we miss our social surroundings. This is a good way to be social! :) So, feel free to blog me!!!