Tuesday, October 28, 2008

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, October 21, 2008

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!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

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.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

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!!!