Halloween!

So here are a few pics of the kids dressed up...for Halloween.  For some of yall who know me, I tend to let my kids dress up often and still go into public places.  Sometimes round here, just for survival, we pretend like it's Halloween regardless of the calendar date.  Sorry folks, it's that or we start clawing each other's eyes out!  Hahaha, whootie-who!  Just tryin' to survive.

It was a variety this year, a Barbie bride, Thor, Sleeping Beauty, and a cowboy or in my nephew's works a "partner".  Love ya Kota-Bug ;)



White Halloween

So it's the 29th of October...and we have several inches of snow on the ground!!  It's not the most horrible thing in the world, just a new experience for me.  It was amazing to watch it come down, to tell the truth.  The snow started not long after 8 in the morning and continued with a vengeance until sometime after 5pm!  The flakes were like more like chunks, globs even.

 However, I was the "not so prepared" mom on the block.  I looked up and down, side to side for the better part of an hour and could not find Reese or Logan's snow boots.  I had every ones snow suit's but only could find Logan's hat and cloves.  I finally decided that after lunch we'd just put on two pair of socks, tennis shoes and some socks on the hands too.  Okay great, we have a plan!!  And then about that time, the power went out.  Well we cant very well go outside where it's cold enough to snow and then come inside to a cold house.  Poor Logan had to have me explain to him "one more time" like 7 times.  He was crushed.

  But what's new, right?  It starts snowing in October, and I'm not prepared.  But we made due with puzzles, a game of match, some Polly Pockets, and finally a late nap all together in my bed to stay warm.  The power finally came back on.  And by then Jeremy came home and had taken all 4 kids to his parents.  So, I enjoyed a nice bath with some bath salts...okay, okay, I used some of the kids bubble bath too!  It was nice.  So, here's to snow days.  Today was fun, but I'm hoping that the next one is a good month or more away and I plan on being more prepared.

The first week photos

To sum it all up, Reese loves school and momma is getting used to the idea.  Nothing that I originally had thought would be hard,  was actually as hard as I thought it would be, but then again nothing I thought would be easy, was really all that easy.  It's hard to explain the little girl that has been under your wing for the past 5 years all of sudden doesn't need you in the same way any more.  I'm sorry, I need a moment of silence..............................................................................................................................................................
  K!  So, here are the rest of the weeks photos.  Enjoy :)

 Wednesday

 Thursday

Friday

Round two!

I mean, is she ready or what?!  Needless to say Miss Reese is excited about school.  Did you notice her shoes?  Don't forget her name means "trend setter" so watch out...lol!

 So day two was easier than the first.  We went right in together (she settled for holding my hand today, poor thing).  We meant a new friend at the doors of the gym.  Samantha's mom and I talk and introduced ourselves's and then off Reese took off with her new friend and teacher.  It felt much different than yesterday.  But I'm still processing that Reese is already in school..wow!

  But my happiness would end before I would even get back to the car.  As I exited the school house doors, I hear a member of the staff talking very loudly to someone else about how this needs to be the last day of walking kids into school.  "It's time to ween them off" I hear her say.  "Tomorrow is it, no more walking them inside."  Mmmmmm.....my thoughts are all over the place.

 I did make brief eye contact with the woman making the bulk of the comments and I decided not to interject because she's not actually talking to me, but I can't help feel as though the comments are directed at me anyway.  I was after all one of very few parents today not dropping my child off from the car.  However, lets get real here.  First of all it's only the second day of school.  Secondly, I'm offended that anyone would judge me for my decision to walk my daughter into school.  It's my decision to make. And I'll make that decision not to walk her in when I'm good and ready.  Like when I feel secure and absolutely sure that Reese knows exactly where to go.  Which let me just state, that the kindergartner's aren't even walking to their classrooms at this point.  Their meeting their teacher in the gym and then walking together to the classroom. Which is fine.  I completely support the decision the faculty and staff has made. But until  I know  Reese knows where her classroom is, I'll be walking her there myself.  I'm her parent, and  it's my responsibility to ensure her safety.  So I might just walk into that school house until she's in the 3 grade if I feel it necessary. 

 And believe you me, that's exactly what I plan to say to the next individual whom thinks it's their place to under mind that decision a parent has made weather it be to walk their child into school or not.  I'm just frustrated that I already have a bad taste in my mouth and it's not even the third day of school.  They better be treating Reese well...



Firsts Con't

                                                                       



Okay so today was the day.  Reese's very first day of school.  It was a test for all of our emotions.  Here's the low down:

 7am: Wake up call for the whole family.  Time to feed everyone and get dressed.  By 7:30 Jax and I were the only two not dressed and there was more excitment running around the living room than a 3 yr old's birthday party, clowns and petting zoo included.  Reese made sure I buttoned every botton on that crisp, purple plaid dress. We fixed her new hair band 86 times and she made sure her pretty purple necklace was on during every hair band replacement. 

8am: Everyone is ready and accounted for and out the door we go.  First we drop off Jeremy's car at the shop for and inspection and oil change and then down the road we go to Fayeteville Elementary School.  We were a bit early but alas the clock hit 8:45 and I walked Reese through the parking lot and up to the school house doors.

 It was when we hit the doors that everything changed.  Suddenly her sweet, soft, little hand slipped right out of mine and for a breif second I thought she was having a change of heart and making a run for it.  But when I looked down at her, she continued her little lady walk towards the doors and the I asked "You can't hold my hand?!" I really thought it was a mistake on her part and I'd feel her warm hand back in mine any second now...Ummmm, no.  Instead I hear, quite calmly I might add, "Mom, I'm growing up."

 Wait, excuse me?!!!!! I mean, I figued this day was coming. In a year!! The first day of school, of KINDERGARTEN?!  Well, not that I would ever tell her so, but I thought it was quite rude! Umph!
 We filtered through all the other parents escorting their children in, and found our way to the gym where her class was meeting.  It was time to say good-bye.  So I knelt down and said with a smile on my face, "This is it Reese.  I love y.."    Reese: " Mom" as she grabs both my hands into hers. "Your going to be just fine without me.  And trust me, God is going to be with you.  You may not be able to see him, but I PROMISE, he's with you today"
 
 I couldn't believe it and I couln't hardley keep myself togother.  I had to hurry up before I lost it completly.  We hugged, we smiled (some of us faked it) and off I went.  I totally did a look over my shoulder and there she stood waving hystericaly and smiling at me.  I turned back around and pulled my sunglasses down over my eyes and ran out of the school as fast as I could, tears rolling uncontrolably. 

 The next couple of hours were spent rather queit between Jeremy and I and once he held me and let me cry it out.  I think Reese leaving on such a good note made it easier for me to get through the day.  I had a couple of moments here and there but overall I was rather proud that I never had to find my way to the pantry for a paper bag to breath in.

  Finally! 3:00 came!  So excited to pick her up, Jeremy and I were!!  Logan and Brooke were too.  I don't think they really realized how much they missed her until we went to go get her.  Logan said "I hope Reese doesn't have to go back to school, I want her to stay at home so I can love on her all day."  Sweet boy!  And there she was.  That little sparkle of sunshine was patiently waiting for us with still a smile on her face.  I think she was as excited to jump in the car as we were to have her.  After all, she had a story to tell!

 Oh, did she ever gab!   We heard it all.  From the moment she, herself almost lost it right after I left the gym that morning to how excited she was to see and get to play with her friend Jake on the playground.  She had a great day and we enjoyed hearing every moment of it over a cake I baked in honor of her first day of school.

Firsts

Reese 09'

I Trust You'll Treat Her Well

World, I bequeath to you today one little girl in a crispy dress.. with two blue eyes...and a happy laugh that ripples all day long, and a batch of light blonde hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs. I Trust You'll Treat Her Well.
She's slipping out of the backyard of my heart this morning and skipping off down the street to her first day at school.
And never again will she be completely mine...
Prim and proud, she'll wave a young and independent hand this morning, and say goodbye and walk with little-lady steps to the nearby schoolhouse...
Gone will be the chattering little hoyden who lived only for play, and gone will be the delightful little gamin who roamed the yard like a proud princess with nary a care in her little world.
Now, she will learn to stand in lines...and wait by the alphabet for her name to be called...
She will learn to tune her little-girl ears for the sound of school bells, and for deadlines...
She will learn to giggle and gossip... and to look at the ceiling in a disinterested way when the little boy across the aisle sticks out his tongue.
Now she will learn to be jealous...and now she will learn how it is to feel hurt inside...and now she will learn how not to cry. 

No longer will she have time to sit on the front porch steps on a summer day and watch while an ant scurries across a crack in the sidewalk...
Or will she have time to pop out of bed with the dawn to kiss lilac blossoms in the morning dew. 

Now she will worry about important things...like grades...and what dresses to wear...and whose best friend is whose.

Now she will worry about the little boy who pulls her hair at recess time... and staying after school...and which little girls like which little boys...And the magic of books and knowledge will soon take the place of the magic of her blocks and dolls. 
And she'll find her new heroes.  For five full years I've been her sage and Santa Claus...her pal and playmate...her parent and friend. 
Now, alas, she'll learn to share her worship and adoration with her teachers (which is only right).
No longer will her parents be the smartest, and greatest in the world.

Today, when the first school bell rings, she'll learn how it is to be a member of the group...with all its privileges, and, of course, its disadvantages, too. 

She'll learn in time that proper young ladies don't laugh out loud...or keep frogs in pickle jars in bedrooms...or watch ants scurry across the cracks in a summer sidewalk...
Today, she'll begin to learn for the first time that all who smile at her are not her friends. That "the group" can be a demanding mistress... and I'll stand on the porch and watch her start out on the long, long journey to becoming a woman.

So WORLD, I BEQUEATH TO YOU TODAY ONE LITTLE GIRL in a crispy dress, with two blue eyes, a happy laugh that ripples all day long, and a batch of light blonde hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs.

I TRUST YOU'LL TREAT HER WELL.


Author  Dan Valentine

More from my kitchen

A little story coming from Big Dan's kitchen.  I was super excited when Shay gave me a super easy recipe for Chicken Pot Pie.  I made and not only did I enjoy it, but my kids did to!!  That's a big deal because quite frankly, I'll eat just about anything but my kids are a bit more picky.  Of course so is the rest of the world.  But honestly, it was good.  I may not be a picky eater by a long shot, but I do know when something is worth eating again.  My next proud moment in the kitchen was when I made another Hinson favorite and barbecued some pork chops.  Again, a hit.  Then the next night I pulled something out of my butt and fixed a little shrimp, pasta, and veggie dish.  It was simple, true but the fact I could come up with something on the fly is where I could really pat myself on the back.

  But what goes up most come down...like my confidence.  So it's been a few weeks since we had chicken pot pie and because it was so easy and so good I tempted fate a second time.  This time though I was running a little short on time AND the kicker, Jeremy was home for dinner and for some odd reason decided to try my dish.  So,the kids were getting picked up for VBS and I had to pull my dish out a few minutes early.  It smells de-lish and the kids and I are tearing it up.  I know a few bites into it that I should probably say something when Jeremy beats me to it and saids:  "My wife, I love her.  She tries."   Me: "Hun, I know the dough is a little under cooked.  Can you not just eat it anyway?"  Jeremy: "Hun I love you, but no."  I mean, why?  Why do I even try?!  Well really, why does Jeremy have to eat my dinner the night it's not perfect.  I swore up and down to him that I really do know how to make chicken pot pie, but needless to say he doesn't believe me and he went and got a burger! 
Umph!

Early Days

Dear Friend,
  I titled this one "Early Days" because these memories go pretty far back in my up bringing.  Jr high, I guess is when we met.  I say I guess because it's hard to pinpoint "Jr. high" when you attend the same school from grades K-8th.  But those were the days!  Gosh, I can't even remember what grade we actually met it anymore.  You hadn't always attended Farm you, so it must have been 6th or 7th grade.  I'm thinking 7th.  I only remember us hanging out your house a lot on the weekends.  I feel like we had so much in common back then.  It was an awkward time for us both.  It's hard when your no longer a girl, but not quite a woman...hahaha, gotta love when you quote some Brittany Spears.  We are both the first born, coming from pretty strict backgrounds (good parents, just stick) and we were both pretty responsible for our younger siblings.  Lets see, I remember listening to a lot of Boyz to Men.  In fact I always think of you when I hear them.  You sang alot, I always thought you had a beautiful voice.  You still sing now as I understand it and I'm so glad because I know it's something that makes you happy. Oh! One of my most favorite memories was going away on some church re-treat type thing.  I have no idea where we were, but we really did have a good time.  You, me and your oldest of two brothers.  The two of yall usually fought a good bit but on that particular trip we were all just having a really good time.  It was good, clean fun and I don't remember any real details, just laughing the whole trip!  Oh, another good one.  You were the very first person the give me the nick name "Danny".  Actually we both had nick names and yours rhymed with mine.  LOL!  It didn't stick then and it's funny now, my husband and his entire family call me by that name.  But again, I will always think of you because your were the first person to call me that on a regular basis.  I probably never told you this but what I got most out of our friendship was being true to myself.  It may not seem like I did a very good job of being confident then or even later in high school, but I firmly believe if it hadn't been for you and I being friends I probably would have tried WAY harder than necessary to fit in.  We were just young girls trying to get through the most awkward time of life, adolescence. We drifted apart while at Union Pines but we have re-connected over the years thanks to FB and blogging.  And although we haven't seen each other face to face in long time, I feel like if we would share lunch, it would be one filled with alot of laughs and smiles.  Your blog makes me smile and for whatever its worth, I'm very proud of you and just want say "Thank You" for your friendship.  Thank you for great memories and truly, one of the most important lesson in life..."be true to thine self".  I write this letter to you, friend.  Hope you enjoyed taking a trip down memory lane.

My new blog theme

My sister in law comes up with the cutest little "themes" from time to time to blog about.  She's done "blast from the past" where she post pictures from way back and blog about them and now she's doing "funny stories from her marriage"  Although that last funny story I knew about because I'm the sis in law and we're tight, let me just forwarn...viewer discretion is advised!

 The point, I wanted to come up with a cute theme as well.  Blogging about my day to day life is fun, but I feel as though it can be a little boring for others.  So my idea, "Dear Friend".  Here's the pitch,  from time to time I will be blogging about a dear friend, maybe a close family member and our relationship.  I will probably write up a story that is funny or very touching from our past.  But the catch is I will only address it as "Dear Friend".  I wont actually publicize the name, this is to protect the names of the innocent...hahahaha.  It's just a fun way to hopefully bring in the attention of my followers.  A neat story about me and everyone of my friends.  You have all impacted my life is such a beautiful way.  I can't wait for yall to read each story and hopefully you'll be tuning in to see which story I pick to blog about of you and me!!

Jax's early Days

My Grandmother Sylvia. We call her  "M'Sylvia".   She has held everyone of her great grands shortly after birth

Big sissy Brooke

All of her great grands have been rocked in this very chair by M'Sylvia

It may not look like it now, but I have a strong suspension that these two will be trouble later.

Well, we all know Brooke already is...

I thought this was cute that Big Brother Logan feel asleep wrapped in Little Brother's blanket

Miss Reese having some one on one time with Great Grandmother :)

Extreme Couponing

Maybe I should have titled this "E-bay for Dummies/Danielle"

  Here's where this "only Danielle" story begins.  So my sister-in-law Nichole has been giving me some tips on collecting coupons.  The first (which I have yet to do) is write a letter to the company in which you're wanting the coupon for.  So far Nichole has had good results from doing this.  I was just getting myself prepared to write letters when Cole calls me in her most excited voice and tells me that you can purchase grocery coupons on e-bay!!!  I was slightly skeptical about it and waited for her to get her first purchases in.

 It didn't take long to get me on board.  So tonight I get on e-bay, mind you for the first time in probably a year, to start shopping.  "Wow!  This is awesome! People really cut out coupons and are selling them cheap and often times the shipping is free"  So, I start bidding.  There are several "lots" for sale starting at $0.99 for 100 coupons.  "Sweet!"  And away I go!!  I start bidding and of course bid on the ones ending in like 5 mins or less.  I win 4 when I realize I just bid on one lot for $60.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I totally meant to type in $0.60! 
What am I going to do?!!  So, I just e-mailed the lady and explained.  I hoped for the best and apologized and just explained that I wasn't paying attention.  I really had no idea what I had done.  But to make matters worse I did it again...and again.  Three times I typed in way over the amount intended.  I ended up buying the one item at a little over $5, which wasn't bad for the amount of coupons I'm getting but more than I wanted to spend.  And then I had to write another e-mail apologizing for the same thing only this time I added the fact that I'm good Christian woman who made a mistake and please don't send me hate mail.  Like I said, "E-bay for Dummies"  Nichole, by the way was on the phone with me and just kept saying "I don't what you would do, I don't have these kind of problems.  Maybe you shouldn't e-bay anymore.  Or, maybe you should pay more attention"  Thanks, huzzie!

Back in the Saddle

Well maybe not quite, but I am pretty busy so it feels like I'm in the drivers seat of something.  Even it's the bus headed towards crazy! 

  Jax is 5 weeks old and growing, growing...growing!  I cant wait to go home so all my family and friends can meet him!!  The biggest change in my life has been so more than bringing home baby and juggling all 4 children and then trying to find some time in the day for a shower.  I mean honestly if I get to bathe, good for me..hahaha.  And while I'm thinking about it, I'm very pleased with the our schedule.  Sure eating is pretty difficult (for me) Jax always seems to be hungry as soon as I sit down with my plate, but between the hours of 1 and 3pm the house is just as silent as it always had been.  Logan and Brooke are taking their naps, Reese lays down in my room with a few cartoons and usually Jax is sleeping too. It's my favorite part of the day as you can imagine. The hardest part of the day is around dinner time.  Sometimes dinner making alone can be tricky, and eating is definitely a challenge but it's after that I'm lucky if I get the other kids to bed on time.  It's a work in progress.  Jax does a decent job through the night.  Not going to lie, some nights are much better than others.  Usually he sleeps between 11pm until 4ish, sometimes even until 5am.  Other nights he can wake up much earlier then he wants to rock out after feeding.  Not much fun for mommy, but what are ya going to do?!

  The biggest change for me though has been a real lesson in life.  This wasn't the always easiest pregnancy for me to accept.  Even up to my last week of pregnancy I was still having some anxiety about it all.  So I'm still amazed that today I feel so complete.  It's not always easy, it will get easier with time and then there will be times yet to come that are more difficult than others.  But I didn't realize how complete I could feel in this moment of what otherwise is complete chaos.
 
  A cousin of mine recently got married and while going through his pictures of his and his wife's beautiful day together, I came across one with him posing with his sibling's.  My cousin is one of 5 children but in this particular picture his youngest brother was sitting out.  So there stood 4 of my cousins, all siblings, all happy, all healthy, all beautiful!  My eyes filled slightly with tears.  "Those are my kids in 20 or so years" I thought.  There they all stood in great smiles, 2 boys and 2 girls.  When I think about my kids years down the road, it really warms my heart.  Not that they don't already, but thinking about what life is going to be like when all the kids are just a little more grown up just gives me great pleasure.  I'm excited about today, tomorrow and much further down the road.  I'm excited for them especially.  Seeing the Brooker family all grown up and still as close as ever makes me excited that my kids too will always be close and happy.  It's makes nursing a baby while cooking or bathing or helping 3 other children and trying to listen to the message on the answering machine about an upcoming doctors visit and the door bell ringing thanks to guest that came over unexpected totally worth it!

Due today

So it's officially my due date.  But my little man, Jax Cameron is already 5 days old.  He's beautiful and healthy and I could not be happier.  If I'm being honest these last 9 months have been filled with alot of "what are we going to do or how are we going to do this?" but, once I saw my son for the first time the doubts and wonders all vanished with a blink of an eye and I fell in love instantly (as I knew I would) and I no longer question Gods beautiful gift.

 Labor was intense, I guess that's not much of a shocker.  However, out of all 4 labors now that was the hardest to "push" through.  So I called on God in the middle of labor and he got me through.  Truth is before I said a silent prayer and began to focus, I even said out loud "I can't do this".  In the middle of active labor mind you, I told nurses, doctor and even my husband I didn't have it in me.  And I didn't, but the Lord swept right in and took care of us all. 

 The past 5 days have been somewhat of a blurr but I have lots of family seeing to it that I'm never alone for long, and that all the kids needs are taken care of.  I appreciate it all so much!  It's just amazing really, when I think back to where I was just one week ago.  Ladies, no matter how many times it happens, my advise is always, always enjoy every moment of pregnancy (with respect to those that have rather unpleasant ones).  It's over in a instant and although the next chapters to come are just as fun and exciting, being pregnant (in my opinion) is a thing of beauty.  The reality of carrying a child never seizes to amaze me!

So here I am almost a week from my last post.  Totally different look!!

And here is baby Jax at 5 days old

39 weeks

As of yesterday, I'm officially 39 weeks along.  And although I'm smiling in this pic, I'm filled with mixed emotions.  Of course I'm ready but, at the same time I know the baby will be here sooner rather than later and my life will never be the same (for the good) but it will be stressful.  According to "The Bump.com" I'm carrying a watermelon!!  Maybe I should paint my belly with green and white stripes before I go into labor...lol!  I still feel good, although I don't get much sleep at night and that is always annoying by 7am when I have no other choice but to be up, awake, and I'm suppose to be happy...yeah.  So the mornings have been a little tricky lately.  Well, if you have time in your day to send me some labor vibes my way that would be greatly appreciated, although whats another week, right?

A little update

Just a little update...still pregnant.  The latest doctors visit was last Thursday and the outcome was 3cm dilated and still 60% thinned out.  Nothing big really, could still go until my due date.  But today is Saturday and had you asked me a week ago I would have told you "the later in the month, the better.  Only because I want Logan to feel like although he and his sibling share a birthday, I don't won't the birthdays to be on top of each other, like not even in the same week".  Well, I'm singing a different tune.  Logan's birthday was on the 5th of June and as of the 7th I was fully prepared mentally, emotionally and physically to have baby.  But still here we sit.  It's not a terrible thing, it's for the best I know, but momma is ready at any point...I think.  The flip side is knowing that once baby is here, it's here.  And the easiest having 4 beautiful children is ever going to be is right now, pregnant with one!  I'm an emotional wreck.  So on that note, whatever happens, happens.

  Playing with my new iphone.  I know, I'm such a brat!!  But if it makes it sounds any better it's the older one that AT&T  is selling for $50.  Savvy, right?!  Well, that's about all the update I have.  Reese, Logan, and Brooke are all doing well.  We've been playing with our slip n slide this whole week during the heatwave.  We're all just hanging out and wait on baby. 

OMG, so tired of being without internet!!!

Okay, so once again big Dan has no internet.  Is our internet at home down, you ask?  Nope, Jeremy has access.  Is your computer jacked up again?  No, works just fine.  So unfortunately no excuse to buy an ipad.  But for some odd reason our router out of the blue just decided to stop working a week or so ago.  So I apologize again to all my faithful readers.  I'm not being lazy, in fact I've been dying to get on line.  So today I decided to leave the kiddies home with Jeremy while I enjoy a great big chocolate chip cookie and a wild berry smoothie from Panera Bread and use their WI-FI.

 The latest:
  Reese is done with dance class and not a moment too soon.  Although she herself has seemed to enjoy it this year, I have not.  I can't even begin to vent all my frustrations with the class this year, but long story short, there has been one right after another.  To top it all off, the night of the recital (this past Thursday) on our way to the program we almost drove straight into a tornado.  After seeking shelter from the hard hitting hail under a banks drive thru, Jeremy and I decided the safest thing to do was to drive back home, hoping that the recital would have been cancelled anyway due to the weather.  BUTTTT, that would have made too much sense I guess and when I called the following day to ask, my answer was, that the show indeed did go on for all that were able to make it and that the dance studio would get back to me once they had made a final decision on whether or there would be a second one rescheduled.  Nice!  Thank goodness Reese happened to be too scared on Thursday night and was glad to be home safe.  I mean, I'm not glad that she was frightened, but she seemed to understand why we turned around and she was glad to be home.  She is hoping for a reschedule too but she's not asking about it constantly and I think she understands it's probably not going to happen.  At least we could able to make it to the rehearsal the night before and get a couple of pictures.  But at this point even if we get a call back with a rescheduled date, I myself might be in the hospital birthing a child.  Which leads me to the latest of the latest.

 Due Date:
 No, my due date hasn't changed but my last doctors visit consequently also last Thursday, went well.  I was checked by my doctor who said I'm now 2cm dilated and 60% effaced.  The 2cm dilated doesn't get me too excited although, I've never been this dilated this early with any other of my pregnancies.  It's the 60% thinned out already that has me slightly panicked.  I mean I only have 40% more to go and then I could dilate in a snap!  I ain't makin' it to the 20th of June, kids.  I'm just hoping Logan can enjoy his 4th birthday on the 5th!  I know that the baby will come whenever the baby wants to come, but I pray nightly it'll be several days after Lo's b-day. 

The best part:
 My new ride.  Go ahead, laugh, snicker, mock me if you will.  But, I LOVE my new van!!  Oh, I miss the Explorer don't get me wrong but there aint a thing to dislike about my new Town and Country.  We bought it last Monday evening and even Jeremy is happy with it.  So here is a picture that Reese took just this afternoon so it will count for my 37 week preggers pic (which 37 weeks is technically on Monday) 

So that's the latest news and hopefully Jeremy can work on getting me my internet back up.  But if you know him, you won't be holding your breath.  Hope eveyone is planning for a good Memorial Day fun!  As for me, I'm going to try to stay off my feet as much as possible....witch, isn't possible...hahaha

I'm not sure what happened, but when I went to my blog page this afternoon I noticed that my lastest blog on one of my dinners is not only gone from my blog page but also is missing from list of post written.  So a little recap, two night ago I made a mexican inspired dish that I titled "Ball!" because it wasn't a knock out likeI had hoped for, but it's wasn't a complete waste like they have been in the past.  I mean, Jeremy ate it!!

 Last night was somewhat the same.  I tried my hand at Chicken Fried Steak and a Sweet Potato Casserole.  I was really bummed at the kids reaction.  I really thought they would be excited to dig in and do so.  The sweet potatos were cooked with maple syrup and sweet carmelized onions...mmm.  I thought they turned out fabulous and will be making that dish again!  My steaks were a different story.  I ate a little more than one but my kids barely touched it.  The steak wasn't bad, but I'm not very good at frying I guess.  The breading either came off during cooking or it fell right off with cutting.  It really didn't seem worth all the work.  So not sure how often I'll be doing that.  I know, practice makes perfect.  But it takes alot of time for a dish like that, at least for me it did.  We didn't even eat dinner last night until 7pm!!  So we'll see.  Anywho, I did think the plate at the very least it looked good and so here's a pic

Ball

So I tried again tonight for a better dinner.  Tonight I had the help of Shay, thank you dear.  She helped me buy all my ingredients for tonight's Mexican inspired meal and then walked me through the cooking process over the phone.  Since I didn't get to have any guacamole last night and I remained bitter about it, I tried again.  The main course was a chicken stir fry with sauteed peppers and onions served on top of saffron rice.  Mmmm, sounds delicious...and it could have been.  Now, I'm not going to go as far as to say I screwed this dish up like last nights but overall I give myself a C+

 Let's start with the positives. 

1. Jeremy came home early tonight so he got to eat a hot meal and for the most part, he liked it.  He at the very least ate until he was full and didn't feel the need to make a "secret" McDonald's run. 
2. The kids liked it.  Reese really enjoyed it and gave me more credit than I deserved.  She told me I made a really good dinner and that she loved me because I had all the right ingredients.
3. Most everything was eaten.
4. As of yet, nobody has explosive diarrhea.

Here are some of the things about tonight's dinner that should have and could have gone better:

1. Oh for heaven's sake, I undercooked the rice.  It wasn't horribly underdone, put Jeremy and I didn't eat what was on our plates and although the children ate some, we didn't really expect them to.  When I told Shay over the phone that I would buy two packets just in case I messed it up, I didn't really think I would pull such a rookie move!
2. Although the guacamole was better than last nights re-fried beans, it was bland.  I had to add more spices to it after we tasted it at the table and even then, it wasn't quite what my taste buds were looking forward to.  But we did eat it all.
3. Overall, the chicken stir fry could have had more flavor.  I put in both cayenne pepper and cumin but it still was missing the kick.

 So that was tonight attempt to making a good dinner.  Oh!  And I made smoothies for dessert.  But wouldn't you know, they could have been better.  I mean, how hard can it be?!  But, they were on the thick side and it was embarrassing because Jeremy was home this time and these were the first smoothies he had of mine.  Errr!

Tomorrow night.  Chicken Fried Steak with a Sweet Potato Casserole.  We shall see!!!

Kitchen Nightmares

So, Big Dan strikes in the kitchen again.  Okay, for those of you who don't know, I. am. not. a good cook.  In fact, to say that I "cook" is a compliment.  I try, that's about all I have to offer.  So, if you think your skills are bad, please continue reading and I promise to increase you confidence dramatically!

 During our first year or so of marriage and before kids I made Jeremy a pan of lasagna.  To my surprise, he was impressed and actually enjoyed it.  Enjoyed it enough to verbally tell me.  For those of you that don't know Jer, he  A) Is a chef and  B) Doesn't sugar coat the truth for anyone.  So when I was given a real compliment from my husband, it really boosted my confidence and I therefore began a list of things I could actually  make.  The list looked like this:  Lasagna.

 So a couple of weeks later I decide to make the lasagna again.  If I could make it once, surely the second time would be even better, right?  I was having fun in the kitchen, singing and dancing with the radio while cooking.  All was going really well.  I began to layer, sprinkle with cheese and then I popped it into the oven.  I stood up, closed the door to the oven and then noticed the entire pan of meat was still in the pan sitting on the stove.  Yep, I just successfully cooked ground meat...for a meat-less lasagna.  This particular example is really just an icebreaker.  I remember this night mainly because I was able to laugh at myself.  Jeremy really would have never known if I hadn't told him.  I was able to shove the meat in between the layers once I realized I had left it out to begin with.  My next cooking tails are ones only I could tell.

 Like the time I used chicken broth for the first time.  Weeks later, I finally realized what was causing that awful smell from my cabinets...yep, the chicken broth.  The way I saw it was, I just put it back where I found it.  It never dawned on me that once it was opened it needed to be refrigerated. NE-VER.  Even after finding it, I had to make a phone call to Shay just to be sure.  I mean, maybe it was just a bad box? 

 My next adventure, Corn Flake encrusted chicken.  The recipe called for Kellogg's corn flakes to be used like a breading.  So I used them and it came out super sogging.  Poor Jeremy actually tried to choke it down.  I think it was because he really couldn't believe that I purposely not crush up the corn flakes.  Again, I really thought I was about to embark on another awesome dish that other would be envious of. I just dipped in my egg coated chicken breast straight into a bowl of dry corn flakes and then set it on a pan to bake in the oven.  Yes, I was reading the recipe while cooking.

 So tonight when I screwed up again, I don't know why I was so surprised.  I decided that I wanted tacos for dinner tonight.  Then I decided I would add to the menu with homemade guacamole and re fried beans.  No big deal, a little research on food network.com and voila, an easy yet tasteful dinner for everyone.  Oh but nooooo, not for me.  First the guacamole proved to not want to corporate.  My first mistake was probably forgetting my cell phone while at the grocery store.  Why?  Well, upon approaching the avocado in the produce section, I discover two different kinds.  "Western" and some other.  "Western"?  What the heck?!  Great no phone, so I can't call Shay and ask literally what direction should I go in.  The other avocados were bagged in a bundle of 4 and were much harder than the "Western" ones.  So obviously which ones do I choose?  Note, I asked which ones I chose?  Yep, the harder of the the two, even though I plan on making guacamole in a couple of hours.  Needless to say I didn't get very far upon realizing I wasn't getting any dip with my chips.  It took me an hour just to spoon out two avocados for goodness sake!

  A few hours later I mash up my pintos for re fried beans, served them and they tasted like crap.  When talking to Shay later about what happened, she begins to go into detail about next time.  "Next time, before you go to fry them....blah, blah,blah".  Me:  "Wait, did you just say you fried them?"  Shay:  Laughter, "Yeah, hence re-fried beans" more laughter.  Me:  "Yeah, I just boiled my beans for a couple of hours and then mashed them up"  Shay:  Just laughter.

So, I hate to cook!  I suck at it and clearly don't understand it.  Maybe I just start buying cook books for kids.  Maybe then I'd have better luck.  I hope this post brought a smile to your face.  It was meant to poke fun at myself, mainly because I don't have any expectations of getting any better any time soon.  I will keep trying but I think I know myself pretty well.  And don't feel too bad for my kids, I can make mac and cheese...sorta :)

34 weeks!!!

Soooo, I weigh in this Thursday but, Monday night I don't care.  I should, and tomorrow I certainly willl, but sometimes when the ice cream calls, I just have to answer.
 Well, I'm 34 weeks today and it feels like I could go at any time.  Not physically, but mentally I worry for some reason that any minute could be the minute.  I guess it's my nesting phasing kicking into 5th gear.  Jeremy and I are getting things together as quickly as possible but I feel like it can't get done fast enough.

 According to my "fetus as a fruit chart" since last week I'm carrying a fetus the size equivalent to a cantaloupe. A cantaloupe!!  I am beginning to feel uncomfortable more often during the course of each day.  The nights are the worst.  This kid is the most active when I'm ready to go to sleep.  And I go to bed pretty late!  It's hard to bend down now a days and so Reese and Logan have both had their turns putting on mommy's socks for her.  Logan seems to hate it.  It's all good when he needs his butt wiped after a #2 but, ask him to put clean socks on my clean feet and suddenly I'm the disgusting one.  Go figure, but that is so Logan!  Last weekend when Brooke got pooped on by a bird through the sunroof while I was driving, when asked to help and wipe her face until I could pull over, Logan's response was "No way, that's not my job!"  And Reese was of course no help because she was too busy gagging...weird!  Pour Brooke, although this story has made her everyone laugh.  I mean what are the chances in the first place?! 
  After this weeks doctors appointment, I have one more that is two weeks away and then I will start going every week.  Wow!  Baby will be here before we know it!

Easter Sunday

These are our Easter pictures from yesterday and as you can see they also double as pictures for "My Monday Belly Pictures".  We had a great and busy Easter Sunday.  We started the morning with digging into Easter baskets, an egg hunt around the house (it had been raining and was too wet outside) and a quick breakfast before getting all dolled up in Easter attire and heading to church.  It was a great service.  My favorite part was actually admiring everyone's Easter dressy, dress-up.  The ladies all looked special, little girls are all dressed up in flowy dresses and cute spring hats, little boys with their nice button downs and sweater vest (much like my little man) and like my husband, all the men looking very Dapper-Dan in colorful spring shirts and ties.  Don't worry, the service yesterday didn't fall on deaf ears.  It was a powerful message, but it was the praise and worship team that got me good with our music and brought to tears at one point.  After church we headed to Jeremy's grandparents house for a late lunch with the family. It was a long day but the kids had such a great day and although they went to bed with somewhat of a sugar high, Jeremy and I got them laid down and were ready for bed ourselves!

Just as an f.y.i  my hair was still wet from my shower. 

Awww...

Happy Easter everyone.  Hope it was as good as ours was and again, I hope the reason for season wasn't far from your hearts.

Spring is the air!

Reese finally got to plant her flowers today after receiving this garden set for Christmas!

And Logan with his newly planted flowers and carrots

Snack Time!!

Me wrong? No way...okay maybe, just maybe

I have many, many flaws, faults, places that need major improvement.  My biggest of these is probably that I don't always flush after I pee.  And there ya have it sport fans, my dirty laundry airing out for everyone to read.  Anyway, if you don't believe that than you might be interested in some of my stronger points.  I only have two:  I don't get jealous very easily, if at all really, and when I'm wrong I admit it.  But in the last few days I've come to realize that maybe I've been wrong about something for awhile and didn't, maybe couldn't admit it until just now.

 It's hard to know where to begin.  For me, the story probably starts this past week when I decided to give Jeremy the ole silent treatment.  And this was a good one too, lasting 2 straight days.  Oh, I was in it to win it this time.  I had, had enough of his crap but instead of talking about it, which I knew would just be a waste of perfectly good time otherwise spent, I just ignored him completely.  You know it works ladies, don't act like you've never tried this approach to grab his attention before.  And we all know that often times it works wonders.  It worked alright...on me

  So for me, the "problem" I've been having with Jeremy is his time management skills.  You see, my husband has started a new job and it requires for the next month or so quite a bit of his time.  He is working 12 hours a day, 6 days a week.  And I know that he could very easily be working 7 days.  I knew what to expect before hand and I knew that I really needed to be patient with Jeremy.  But just 3 weeks into his new job, I begin to lose it.  I can't change his work schedule but I've been told, promised even that it's going to get better.  But what I really can't stand anymore is the way he seems to spend what little time he has off work.  Now to be fair, his days off during the last 2 weeks were spent getting things done around the house that only he could do.  He has done a very good job of being productive on his one and only day off.  But those days too have there draw backs.  Because he's so busy running errands around town or doing all the heavy lifting around the house, there really hasn't been any down time, us time.  So when he gets home from work that's really our only time to talk or connect.  For Jeremy, his time off work is also his relax and unwind time.  Understandable, I totally get it.  But I need more than 20-30 min of his time.  He likes to talk while he undresses, showers and while he eats a late supper.  Then off to the basement he goes to watch TV and unwind.  Well at this point, it's well after 10pm and I just can not stay up any longer to watch crappy T.V.  So, he's downstairs and I'm in the bed by myself.  Night after night, and now we have set a routine.  Not to mention the fact that I get up with the kids to start the day, while he sleeps in and gets up only to get ready for another long day at work and again he leaves me and the kids a whole half an hour, 45 mins to spend with him.  So at this point is where I begin to have a pity party for myself.  For awhile it seemed fun.  I did a lot of complementing myself. "I keep the house clean, I unpack and put the house together meanwhile I'm raising the kids, I do all the grocery shopping, I take care of the paying the bills, I go to bed by myself every night, I get up with the kids in the middle of the night, I get up with kids in the morning, I, I, I, I, I, me, me, me....." Yeah, for awhile it was fun all alone on my high horse, tooting my own horn... super. fun.

 The next thing I know, it hits me hard.  Like the time I didn't catch that softball in gym class. That bad boy smacked me right in the forehead, left a knot for days. 

  If I didn't have Jeremy, I wouldn't have a house to clean, kids to raise, a family to buy groceries for.  In fact, if it weren't for many people in my life, I wouldn't have any of those things that I took all credit for making or keeping.  And I nor any of the wonderful people that are in my family and group of amazing friends wouldn't be here if it weren't God.  So, while I can't control how crappy of a day Jeremy has at work, I can control how relaxed and happy his home setting is.  And Jeremy can't even begin to try to meet any of my needs if I'm constantly angry for the things that neither of us can control.  I also realized that maybe my husband might  actually want to make more time for us if I told him every once in a blue moon "Thank You for working so hard, I'm proud of you honey".  Maybe, just maybe I'm only getting out of this marriage, what I've been putting in.  Wow, I've been a real jerk.  That's real hard for me to admit.  I've been sitting on my high horse talking and pointing out how giving and selfless I am and then I realize, about the only thing I'm showing is my rear.  So while times are a bit difficult for us right now with schedules and getting in quality time, I'm going to remain content with my life right now.  I'm learning to be satisfied with what I have...which is more than I deserve.

 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
Philippians 4:11

30 weeks. And the countdown begins!

Okay, so needless to say I'm being a bit brave to post this.  Well, I won't deny that my stretch marks show.  However, this picture honesty holds nooo justice to the real thing and I think that's why I'm okay with posting it.  I thought otherwise it was a cute pic and some of you might appreciate it.  Actually, everyone better appreciate it!!   Baby and I are at 30 weeks today, only 10 more to go!  Wow, it feels like it'll be here sooner rather than later.  I say that now and then tonight at 2am when I get up to pee for what feels like the 20th time since 9pm, I'll be singing a whole other tune. 

 The worst part about the peeing 80 billion times a day, isn't really how often I go.  The worst part is the the anti-climatic build up to it.  I always, always feels like I'm going to explode if I don't right then and there but, then once I actually manage to get my big butt settled on the potty to pee...tinkle, drip, done.  Whenever I'm racing to the lue, I always have a mental picture of one of those fire hydrants that's been turned on from the side of the road and what it really ends up being more like, is a slow drip of a leaky faucet.  Guess it comes with the job, just the way that it goes.

Classics

So I'm not sure why it happened today or even why it happened at all.  But when I was brushing my teeth this morning, I remembered a conversation I had with my sister in law about a week ago.  She's doing a project on Facebook where she post a new song everyday for a month.  Each holds a title, like "favorite song", "least favorite", "song that reminds you of some one, some where" etc.  When I asked what were some of the other themes she began to read them off and when she stated "song that played at your wedding or song you wished played at your wedding" we began to exchange our thoughts.  So I tell her, that honestly if I could do it all over again, I would have played Leather and Lace by Stevie Nicks and Don Henley during our first dance.  Do you know what she responded with?  "Ohh, is that the chick from Fleetwood Mac?"  Me: "Yes Nichole!"  Nichole:  "Yeah, I don't really care for ol Stevie, I can't get into Fleetwood Mac"  Me: Silence.  All I could hear was the sound of my heart breaking and my mind exploding.  WHAT?!!  Who the, where, WHAT?!  I mean, REALLY?  Talk about the world coming to an end and me getting old.  We're talking about classic rock n roll.  It's Stevie freaking Nicks!!  How do you not appreciate classics like Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, just to mention a few.  I guess the hurt went a bit deeper than I realized because like I said, this is all I could think about while brushing my teeth this morning.  Feel free to visit her on Facebook or at her very own blog...http//colebucci.blogspot.com and give her a good tongue lashing for "not caring for" the very songs of our early childhood. 

That being said, here's a pic I took last night which has nothing to do with the classic rock but is however a classic thing to do with your drink when you have no bed side table on your side of the bed, but you do have the convenience of a 7 month old fetus enlarging your uterus.

Week 29=My squash

Soooo, I might be smiling in this picture but, after seeing it, I'm frowning.  Sadly this was the best picture that I had.  So here's to me..."Fat Face" there I said so you don't have too.   Anywho, I may look 39 weeks but I'm only 29 today.  The baby moves and twirls, kicks, shimmies, shakes and I'm pretty sure it's doing Zumba in there as well.  It's more fun sometimes to just watch my belly as the baby moves rather than try to feel it.  I'm still feeling pretty good.  I get tired in the afternoons like I did early on and I often indulge in a nap while the kids are having nap/quiet time.  The baby now weighs somewhere between 2.5-3.8 lbs. and is about 15.2-16.7 in. in length.  During month 7, the baby is equivalent in size to a squash.  When I look down at my belly, that seems about right.  I'm feeling the weight more and more.  My gait has also changed to more of a waddle.  I think that has a lot to do with my pelvic bones widening to prepare for labor.  Although it hurts, I hope it makes labor a little less painful and a whole lot quicker!!  Well, it's about that time of the day again where I sneak a Little Debbie snack from the pantry and retire to my room for a short siesta! 

I'm not as dumb as I write

So upon reading others blogs lately, I've made an important discovery...I'm an idiot.  I want for my readers to get the same satisfaction that I do when reading everybody elses.  Instead, my readers come to conclusion that "she did not graduate from a 4 year university.  And although I in fact did not, I did go to school and I did earn two degree's.  And there is no reason for such a limited amount of skill.  I once excelled in my English glasses and often kept peices that I wrote because well, they earned me high marks and I was proud of them.  So what's my problem now?!  I want my post to be both interesting AND entertaining.  Just because I'm a stay at home mother shouldn't limit my content nor the ability to make even the post about my kids more entertaining...note to self, invest in a thesaurus.  Not only are my blogs totally boring and written like that of a 6 grader (at best), but I don't even take the time to make my fonts or templates fun.  It's time for a blog make-over.  While I'm really not all that creative, I'm going to start there anyway because making my post more enjoyable and thoughtful is going to be a work in progress.  I may not be the sharpest pencil in the box, but I refuse to wear a shirt that says so.  So, here we go kids.  If I haven't already lost you as a reader, it's time for you to get your popcorn poppin', sip on your cola and hunker down for bigger words, wittier comments and either a post that makes you think about it for a little while, laugh, relate to, or even perhaps shed a tear.


P.S  Okay, so maybe not tomorrow.  It's a "My Monday" post day and it will probably consist of the same pregnancy update as usual.  But, I'm working on it, PROMISE!  And if anyone knows how I can get more options to use as templates, that would be super helpful!

Picture Tuesday

Who can beat a picnic on the lawn!  Cheese, fruit, carrots, and some juice boxes makes for happy kids and happy parents too.  This was from about two weeks ago when the kids and I were visiting NC.  I got lots of good pics of the kids on this day.  They were so happy to be enjoying the warm weather.  I've said it before and I'll repeat it...it's the simple things in life.  This picture brings back some warm memories and not just because of the weather that day.

On the road again

So it happened again, I had no internet for a week.  Sorry faithful blog followers, it was out of my control.  But the kiddies and I are back from our trip to NC and we had so much fun!  It was honestly one of our better trips.  For the most part, I had enough time to spend with just about everyone without feeling my alarm was going to go off so I knew it was time to hurry to the next friends house.  It was still busy but so enjoyable!

 So now we're back and were welcome to a new home!  It's been a crazy week!!  At times I was really wishing I could just hop online for just a minute to blog but at the same time a little glad that by not having access to the internet, I had a real excuse because even though I wanted to, up until now there really has been no time to get on.  And oh so much more still to do.  I can't wait though to post a video of the house.  Again, it's no dream home but I'm excited to share "my space" with everyone.  It may be another week or more though, there really is alot more to do and with Jeremy starting a new job he's well, practically never here and I'm well,  practically never going to get much more than an hours worth of stuff done with the little hell-raisers... I mean sweet darlings sent from Heaven running around.  Just kidding everyone, I love my babies!!!!!

 But back to my trip home for just a minute.  I knew when this moment happen that I just had to blog about it.  So it's our last day in town, and I decide before we leave I'll call my sister Pammie to meet us for a quick lunch.  We meet at the park in Carthage, settle in at a table just to decided seconds later to move to a different one in the sunshine due to the wind and finally we're eating...well, most of us.  I of course have taken my one and only bite, when low and behold Logan saids "I really gotta go poop mom".  Nice, just what I wanted to hear.  "Okay Logan, come with me".  We set out back to the car, only 10 yards away and it's packed full mind you.  But no worries I'm a mom right?!  I got the potty seat accessible.  Reach in the car, pull it out, plop it on the ground, and Logan goes to town.  Yay, teenagers.  Really, I mean really?  Only a hand full of teenie-poppers roll up on their bicycles with their lunch and walk by with a couple of snickers.  "Whatever punks, give it 10 years"  So Logan drops a deuce in his normal 5 second time frame.  He then bends over, I proceed to wipe his rump and then with a plastic bag that is of course always handy, I scoop out his poop, wipe the potty clean, dispose of the crap (literally), clean our hands and head back to the table to finish lunch.  Like a well oiled machine people.  I didn't skip a beat or let it keep me from eating my meal, ain't no way. 

Two things I'm thinking: 1. "Boy, you just haven't lived until this is apart of your repertoire" and 2. "Yeah right, like Jeremy could handle this!"  No offense, I love my husband and he's a great, great father, but there just isn't anyway he would have handled that situation with that kind of organization and ease.  He probably would have looked at Pammie and said "Well, got any idea's?"

  Well, that was my going away story.  Stay tuned for pics of our family fun!   P.S   I promise, I'll keep 'em clean, no poop!

Ear wax candles to the rescue

I should have totally taken a picture of it, but I got so excited that I forgot.  Reese had her first ear wax candle experience tonight.  I was introduced to them just a couple of years ago.  It's hard to explain...it's some kind of "tube" that has a narrow end to stick into the ear and it's open at the top.  It's about 12 in. long and when lit a the top it creates a suction at the bottom into the ear canal and begins to "suck" out the ear wax.  It's increadble!  There is no pain, nothing.  You just lay down and about 30 minutes latter unravel the final quater of the tube and see all the ear wax that's been hanging out.

 I've been wanting to have Reeses' done for awhile now.  She has so much wax packed down in her canal, that the child seriously has some hearing difficulties.  Wow!  So much came out tonight and there is still so much more to get.  We're going to do it again tommorrow night and I can't wait.  I'm one of those people who get a kick out of gross stuff like that!  Sadly, it was the highlight to my day.  Not that it wasn't another good day, it just was alot of fun seeing all that junk finally out of her poor ears.

 So our trip to NC is coming to a close soon.  Tommorrow I plan to spend a little time in Raleigh with Shay, her youngest and all three of mine ofcourse.  We basicly have decided to load all four kids into the car so we can drive to the Cupcake Shoppe in down town Raleigh to purchase a dozen each of some of the best cupcakes I've ever eaten.  So excited!!!  Sure, we'll do other stuff...just don't know what yet, and I don't care.  Just as long as when we head back into town, I'm sitting pretty with my dozen cupcakes.  Hands off kids, your getting Wal-fart cupcakes hahahahaha.

 Saturday I plan to head back up north but not before a stop in Cary to visit on more friend and then off the PA we go where our new house is awaiting us!  It's been fun.  Although we have been home now for more than two weeks, I still wish I had more time with more friends.  I love being home!  I even miss the snotty, rich bitties that think there better than you because they just came from spending over $200 at Talbots and now that your both headed to the same checkout lane at Fresh Market, they feel the need to jump ahead of you and your kids because their serving wine in an hour with their neighbors from the county club and they must get back home to make sure the maid cleaned up the bathrooms for the third time this week.  Awwww, there's no place like home!!  I know I went a little far with that, but I do miss it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Week 26

Well, here we are at 26 weeks pregnant.  About the size of an eggplant is what I read this morning.  Average size:13.6-14.8in, and 1.5-2.2lbs.  For next 3 or so weeks, the baby is working on his/her immune system while their eyes are also developing.  I also read that the baby's heartbeat might be audible without a stethoscope.  I've yet to ask anyone to try that, at little skeptical to tell the truth.  Jeremy might think I'm a little crazy it I say "go ahead put your ear to my belly, you might hear the heartbeat of the baby.  Oh well, I guess we'll try it.

I took this picture while the kids and I were at the Reservoir Park yesterday. I thought it turned out pretty good. Still feeling pretty good, expect for some pain in my bones.  I know it sounds strange, but apparently my bones "down there" are stretching!  And let me tell ya, it hurts!  But other than that, I feel great and get around just fine.  I feel tired most afternoons, but only sometimes get to indulge in a good ol' nap. 

I'm beginning to feel the need to "nest" but maybe that just has something to do with knowing that I don't have much of a choice once the kids and I get back to PA, we have an entire house to unpack.  I think all my "nesting" needs will be satisfied by the end of it all...hahahha.

Painted Piggies

Rise and shine!  At least it was light outside when the first of the 7 kids woke up this morning.  Losing an hour wasn't quite as bad as I anticipated it being.  I thought for sure the youngest of the kids would be up before it was light out.  But not a word until just after 7am, typical mind you, however it would've been just after 6 am if it wasn't for the time change.  Maybe these kids know more than they let on...

 Had a light breakfast, enjoyed 2, make that 3 sips of my coffee and then got the kids ready and myself to see Shays parents around 10am.  By then though it had really warmed up outside and soon we were all outside playing and catching up together.  We did a picnic lunch in the front yard, took some pics, took some falls, cried a few tears and then took naps.  Lola, Brooke and  hahaha Logan took a nap at about 1pm.  Sweet, I get to watch to game without too many interruptions.  And a sweet, sweet, ACC championship game it was my friends.  Duke won their 19th championship while I sat next to Shay and gloated while also sitting next to Andrew who well, didn't gloat so much.  Wa-Wa, sorry about your luck Carolina fans, although luck didn't have anything to do with it.  It was a fun game to watch and we shared in some good food while we were at it!

 After Brooke got up, my kids and I headed out to the Reservoir Park where we walked what felt like an eternity to get to just the right spot.  Once there, we said our last good-byes to Miss Rosie and the four of us shared in sprinkling her ashes in the water.  I thought I would cry more, but I was pleasantly at peace as I reflected on the last 7 and half wonderful years with truly one of Gods most amazing animals.  We were so blessed to have her in our lives. 

It was a busy day and great day.  After a spaghetti dinner, Lola, Reese, and Brooke all got their toenails painted.  This was a first for Miss Brookie-Boo.  And while the two other girls opted for a pattern of all three colors, I choose to have Brooke's painted in all solid bright pink, while she sat on the potty.  She was tickled!  I think her little fat tootsie look adorable...