Boo to you...

#1 composed this song all by herself. She taught it to her brother and after dad and the kids carved the pumpkins we had to record this. They were out on the deck singing for a good half an hour before we thought to get this memory forever...

Happy Reformation Day... the reformation of our household fits right in...

Daddy and #3 the first night at home.

#3 wrapped up with her bili light to get rid of jaundice

Proud big brother and sister at the hospital seeing little sis for the first time!
It was a long night and an even longer morning, but she's finally here!
Almost one week into being a mommy of three and my world is completed REFORMED!

The story of #3.

I noticed that something was different. I thought perhaps I could be just wetting my pants, I called my sister (baby expert and mother of 4)and she agreed it was probably nothing. A few days later the amount of the wetting picked up and I finally called the doctor who said, pack your bags and come on in. Well, I didn't pack a bag, I was still in denial. It was a whole three weeks before my actual due date of Nov. 13 and the doctor had already said with my history of stubborn babies we could induced on the 6th.

I spent a half an hour on the phone trying to find places for #1 and #2. Finally, I was on the road. I called my hubby at the hospital (work) to let him know I was being admitted. I told him to stay put until I heard from the Dr. I was still pretty sure it was a false alarm.

After being admitted, several nurses checked me and took samples and confirmed I was leaking fluid. When they asked me for how long, I stammered, a week or so? The horror in their eyes showed me that I had said the wrong thing and that I was not going to receive the pregnant lady of the year award for my waiting to long to call... My doctor came in after she was through with surgery on another patient and told me that we were done and baby would be born tonight or tomorrow. She was not on call, which made me sad. I had her deliver my #1 and #2 and was hoping we could start a family tradition. But, the doctor on call delivered all four of my sisters and I was content with that. So, it was time to induce. I had no slippers, no soft robe or pillow. Just me and my t-shirt and sweats. My dh got off early to hurry up and wait with me. He had no contact solution, no change of clothes and he looked anxious.

I have this difficult uterus. It is hard to explain, so I just say it is upside down and backwards...most nurses cannot even check my cervix until I am dilated past a 2 or a 3. So, we went through the awkward phase of nurse after nurse trying to check me , which was not all that pleasant as you can certainly imagine. I think I needed an epidural just for that. We chose to take an oral medication to begin the induction. I swallowed the aspirin like pill and tried to relax. At about 8 pm my water gushed all over the floor. My husband was amazed at the amount of fluid. I won't soon forget the look on his face as he looked at the puddle on the delivery room floor. I got cleaned up and because it was my third baby they told me I could have the epidural whenever I wanted. Because I had only progressed from a 1 to a 1+ (my poor body was aching already) I decided to wait it off until I started feeling the contractions more. I had not progressed any further, but was breathing through the pain when we put the call out to the anesthesiologist. It was near midnight when he came. The "new" way to consent for the epidural is to watch a video. It used to be that the nurse would read you a list of side effects and you would sign away. Now, they have this adorable little doctor man telling you about the procedure AS THEY ARE SHOWING IT BEING DONE! It was shocking, I have had epidurals before, but have never seen the needle. YIKES. For some insane reason I went ahead with it.

The epidural took nicely to the left half of my body from my ribcage to my ankles. The right half, however, did not take. I think I felt like a stroke victim must. At about my belly button, I could feel the line of numbness. It was the weirdest thing I have ever experienced. My left leg was heavy and numb and when I touched it, it felt like marshmallow. My right leg was normal. So, the Dr. gave me a bit of a boost of more medicine which got me through the next hour or so. After that I pretty much felt every bit of pain except you could have taken a chain saw to my left ankle and I wouldn't have noticed (yep, I had time to check out the recent episode of Grey's).

It was close to 6 am now. They checked me again. I was progressing. I was at a 4 or a 5. Since every nurse is different they all say things like, "I have chubby fingers, or I have small hands, but I think she is a __" My husband rolls his eyes... the nurse predicts a baby by 10 am.

So, I said to dh. "Why don't you go and get something to eat and then come back." "No way!" He says. Apparently, last time, I went from a 5 to a nine in a few minutes and he didn't want to miss the show.

At about 630 I felt like I needed to use the restroom. This was the cue for baby to come. Apparently, I say that each time, too. It's amazing what I forget!

So, Dr. came in. I got positioned and push, push, push. The nurse on my left was a newbie. This was her fourth week on ob and she was a go- getter. She was screaming, you can do it's into my ear so loud I wanted to muzzle her. You can only take so much coaching, you know?

By this time the medication was only affecting my right leg, from my knee down. Yippee. I felt every bit of baby. It was pain but not like any other. I knew that it would be over if I could only give all my strength and push. Dr.'s eyebrows burrowed a bit. "I don't like that cord position..." she mumbled. This time, I was aware of everything. This was new to me. I saw the look of worry on the Dr.'s face. I witnessed the team of nurses anticipating the baby's birth in the corner of the room. The table was ready with all the equipment a baby might need. My husband was on my right holding the heavy leg. Same spot he was in for #1 and #2. He was anxious, but his face gave away nothing. He smiled at me and said, "one more, honey, I know you can do it."

I took a deep breath and pushed. I felt the baby slip into the hands of the doctor and the nurse. They brought her up and I saw it was a girl. I said it out loud. They quickly and effortlessly cut the cord and whisked her away to the table. It was quiet. Really quiet. I began to cry. "She's not crying" I said. I repeated it over and over. They were massaging her chest and talking about heart tones over at the 'table' in the corner. My husband left my side, only after telling me everything was going to be all right. He went to the 'table'. Everyone was blocking my view of the baby. Things started flashing through my head. Was this the plan? Is this how it is supposed to be? I was scared, and felt completely helpless. It felt like hours. Then, a cry. Thank you, Lord Jesus! I heard her cry and all at once I felt no pain. I felt nothing but thank fullness for life and for miracles and for blessings and for love. It was exhausting, but worth it.

Then, I felt the Dr. sewing me up. It was over. Just like that. Baby had to go upstairs for some blood work. I got a quick kiss and photo and off she went. It is so hard to do that. I know it is necessary, but so hard to watch them wheel her off.

It was shortly after 7am. I was not pregnant anymore. I graduated into the mommy of three club. It was a bit overwhelming. We had no name. At about midnight we decided upon the boy name and we felt fairly confident that it was a boy. We should never rely on instinct alone. I think the Lord enjoys reminding me who is in control :)

My mother, on her way to work, stopped by to give me a headband for labor. She waltzed into the delivery room near 730 and says, "here is a headband for you while you are pushing...is baby here already?!?!" Dh took her upstairs to the nursery.

Then the phone calls begin and my life is turned upside down and backwards, kind of like my insides.

There is nothing like being a mother. I feel blessed to be able to experience it. It is a special gift that should not be taken for granted. We have had so many beautiful moments as a family this past week. Many that have moved me to tears. I started thinking, oh, I should blog about that. But, you know what? Some things are too precious to share. These memories that my children and I have made will be in our hearts forever, even if I can't put them neatly in a post.

We came home a day early. I wanted my own bed and my children needed space to move around. It was nice to be home. Child rearing is NOT like riding a bike. You can't just pick up and do the same thing you did with #1 or #2. Each little human baby is unique and special and we have our own little wonderful amazing girl here. She is teaching us new things every moment we spend with her.

I am amazed by how one doctors account a baby at 37 weeks is full term. Then baby comes and all of a sudden she is early and needs special care. We are doctoring every day and her bilirubin levels are a bit too high (my husband has high bilirubin as an adult, we must talk to dr. about that...) so we have her on a biliblanket to help her liver develop. She is nursing like a pro (thank you Lord!), pooping and peeing and even sharing her gift of lung power with us every now and then for a good cry. I am a bit emotional, which comes with the territory. I hope to get my feelings in control here pretty soon. But, I always was a bit dramatic about things and I love a good cry every now and then. They are just nearer and more often now :)

I am pretty much at home all the time now. Baby needs to be on the blanket 24/7 until we hear more from the doctor. We take her off it to go in to the office and get her checked. I know I am anxious for her to be better, it makes nursing a bit difficult.

Today the kids are celebrating at school with their parties and we plan to go visit a very special birthday girl this afternoon between appointments. Hopefully I can keep my eyes dry for the part of the day that is important.

I am thankful for my strong and handsome hubby who is home for the week to help me out. I am thankful for wonderful friends and neighbors who have helped out with adorable girly and pink outfits, diapers, blankets and meals!

We have too many blessings to count and are reminded of God's love for us everyday.

(I don't have time to re-read this over and proof, so I hope you get the story, whether written beautifully or not...)

The miracle of LIFE

Born Thursday morning October 25th at 7am. She weighed a whopping 8 exact pounds and was 19.5 inches long. She came a bit early because I started leaking amniotic fluid.

We just never dreamed that she'd be so wonderful. We feel so very thankful for her precious little soul!

When I get time I will post more photos and all the details of her miraculous birth.

Note to self

Get over it.

If someone was keeping score on my daily battles, Satan would be winning. I give in to temptation and pout, fight, and whine because I am unhappy. It's pathetic. I mean it. I have no excuse for my behavior. It is sin.

Met with the Bible Study girls last night. I needed that more than even I knew. One of the girls was talking about how at her job she used to say that Jesus was in a chair. She kept tabs on what she was saying and thinking and what others said in her office by just naming a simple chair the Jesus chair.

Light bulb! I know God is here on earth. I tell it to my children all the time. Yet, when it comes to checking myself I fail miserably.

What if God weren't here on earth? Do you know how cruel and terrible this world would be? I think there is a terrific amount of brutality as it is. How much worse would it be without the aid of the Holy Spirit? Without the touch of Jesus, how could I survive my feelings of loneliness, despair and guilt? The world would be void of forgiveness, hope, and love. Without God and His grace and His promise of eternity, this world would be...hell.

Self;

Take advantage of God's forgiveness. Wrap yourself in His love. Sing praises to the hope and knowledge that eternal life is coming. Remember Jesus is here with us in everything we do and then decide what you are going to say or how you are going to act. Pray! Pray! Pray! Start everything in confidence, knowing that God will give you favor in every situation that is His will.
When you can't see Him, trust Him...Jesus is closer than you've ever dreamed.

The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in Him and I am helped; my heart leaps for joy, and with my song will I praise Him. Psalm 28:7

Amen

I am not making this up...

After a weekend of semi freedom, (the kids were both gone on Saturday for most of the day) yesterday, I resumed my everyday role of cook, chauffeur, maid, kisser of owies, wife and mommy. I finished a couple of loads of laundry, put supper in the crock pot, did the dishes three times, tidied up the house, cursed at the squirrels for eating my colored Indian corn and, after the final pick up of the day, I came home to sit at the computer, after I got the kids snacks, of course.

I spent probably a half an hour on the world wide web maybe a few minutes longer. I ventured up the stairs again to check on the rug rats. On the stairway I stubbed my toe on a hot wheels car. When I got to the kitchen I noticed a chair up to the snack cabinets and the bucket of candy out on the counter. A gallon of milk was on the table, I followed the trail of rice krispies to the toy room where I found both of them eating, again, and applying makeup. I expressed my disappointment about the snacks because I knew both of them would have full tummies for supper. I gathered up the dishes and headed back to the kitchen sink. I went through the backpacks adding to the ginormous pile of papers that I will forever collect, but have no idea where to store them, so they sit in a huge pile on my counter top.

By this time it was getting late and supper needed to be assembled so I set the table for reasons unknown to me and put the food on the plates. They didn't touch a thing, but I ate well. As I cleaned up and started my fourth batch of dishes, I wondered if my husband remembered that I wanted to attend the Junior class play at 7. He had left for hunting and I hadn't heard from. him. I waited until 20 minutes till, then I called him to check and he was still in the depth of pheasant land. SOOOOOOOO...

I used a couple of washcloths a piece to clean the rug rats faces off. (What kind of person invents kids makeup that is not washable?) I combed their hair and forced their shoes and coats on and out the door we went. I spent 45 minutes watching ds climb the bleachers and explaining to dd why the curtains closed and the lights dimmed in between scenes instead of watching the play myself.

I came home to a garage that stinks like dead birds, feathers all over the sidewalk and a fridge full of pheasant and supper leftovers I will probably never eat. I was disappointed once again with my husband for not attempting to try to be home so that I could have 45 minutes of this day for myself.

The really sad part is today I am doing pretty much the same thing all over again.

This is my life. I hope there is room for baby #3. I barely have enough patience for the family as it is now.

God grant me the wisdom and patience and, well, whatever else I need to get through this.

um, DUH!

This is from my weekly email outlining what I may be feeling at 37 weeks...

Mother
This is the time that your child is completely ready, and that you yourself are ready to give birth and everything that goes with it. Only then are you really at peace. You will also become tired from having to drag your belly around all day. It's like there's a 33-pound (15-kilo) backpack full of kittens hanging on the front of your body and that is really something. . The baby will use up more and more energy from you. He fills himself day and night with (your) oxygen, food, precious proteins and minerals. Everything goes to the baby. It's no wonder that you feel dead tired sometimes. In addition, you are extra sensitive and sometimes your emotions are volatile. Your senses are heightened, especially your sense of smell. Your living environment is getting smaller and your resilience is lessening as well. You also become forgetful and your ability to concentrate is considerably diminished. You bump into all kinds of things with your big belly and sometimes you are so top-heavy that you almost topple over.

approach me at your own risk...

'nuff said

Amen!

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Me and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

It's been a h- e- double hockey stick of a week.

I worked Monday and had a get together at the school on Monday evening. I worked Tuesday and had to man the concession stand at the volleyball game Monday night. Wednesday I was my regular old chauffeur self to my kindergartner and my preschooler. I tried to catch up on things at the house, unsuccessfully. Wednesday I called to confirm my husband's 745 am tooth extraction in Mitchell and my 115 OB appointment in Sioux Falls. Hubby needs a new front tooth because he was an active 12 year old and, well, that was a long time ago. So I called to make sure his temporary tooth would be ready. I called to be sure someone could watch my kindergartner at 645 in the morning so we could get to said appointment (he needed a driver, because they put him under) in Mitchell on time. I put the kids to bed too late, I did the same for myself.

Thursday morning came too early and we barely got out of the house before 7 am. Finally on the road and 30 miles into our trip dh's cell phone rang. It was barely 730. I listened to hubby mumble into the phone and then pronunciates very clearly that we called to confirm yesterday to avoid any problems.

Seems the tooth is still in Mitchell, but the appointment was supposed to be in Sioux Falls. HUH? Oh, and could we kindly deliver the tooth to the office and they will move our appointment to 10ish. Dh was not very happy. Driving 100 miles out of our way to deliver the tooth we were told was already there yesterday was not a part of the plan. He got the directions to the lab and we forged ahead.

Since he could not eat or drink, I did not have the heart to ask him to stop for us, so my son and I used the restroom and got a chocolate milk and we left Mitchell.

Upon arrival at our new destination, my now blood boiling husband mentioned that we called the Mitchell office yesterday and they confirmed our appointment. She said all the calls are transferred through the Sioux Falls office and WE should have clarified where our appointment was. The paper I got from the receptionist at our dental office had huge red capital font on the top that read MITCHELL OFFICE. But I guess I am supposed to ignore huge red capital font when confirming appointments.

Ds is handling this amazingly well and we help ourselves to hot chocolate and tea in the waiting room where dh's blood pressure continues to rise. We wait over an hour. His name is called. I reluctantly go back with him for the consult. We wait again. The nurse says "I heard about your morning.", which leads me to believe the office gossip hounds have spread the word about the crabby patient.

The doctor comes in and has more choices for dh. Implant vs bridge, more money vs. money. Yadda, Yadda, Yadda... Husband refuses to be put under because it is now near 12 and we have to get to my OB appointment after his surgery and he does not want to pay extra for anesthetic. He did the same for his wisdom teeth.

Ds and I go out to waiting room/house for the day and take off our shoes and lay down. We are beat. It is raining. It has been raining for days. When will it ever stop raining?

Dh comes out and asks me to take care of the paperwork. His eyes are red. He has black rings under his eyes. We are all starving. It is 1245.

I pay the required 20%. Why do we have dental insurance that doesn't pay for most things anyway? We should save our premium for times like these and just skip the stupid cleanings...

We rush out, in the rain, to the car. I drive the 35 blocks to the hospital. I leave my over tired, crabby, hungry family in the car.

I check in at the clinic. I wait. Not too long, thank you Lord. I go in to see the Physician's assistant. She does the exam. She asks a few questions and decides to do a quick ultrasound to make sure all amniotic fluid is staying where it is supposed to. I reluctantly call husband to tell him. He takes son to McDonald's and meets me in ultrasound. We wait.

Ultrasound seemed normal. We got to see a 4-d picture of the baby and he/she was smiling. We could learn a thing or two from a smiling baby. They will call with the results.

We head to the car, in the rain. We stop to replace a windshield wiper. We go through the Taco Bell drive through for baby, and mom. It is 245. We race home to pick up firstborn child at school.We arrive as school is letting out. We drive home. We feed her tacos to keep her happy. We all lie down for a bit. It is still raining.

We skip supper,dh heads to the football game, in the rain, to clear his head (shopping for me, football for him. The kids go to bed. I go to bed. The end.

I hope it stops raining today.

This sounds like something my child would say...

Reflecting a bit on HIS amazing creation...and how blessed I am because of it.

Today there was absolutely nothing on the calendar. I have not seen a tiny square that white in a long time.

This morning I felt restless. I wanted to do something, anything. But, I was tired. I wandered around the house and finally settled down in the easy chair and watched some of my dvr'd shows. I felt pretty lazy and unproductive.

Then dh and ds went to the pumpkin patch and brought home the most beautiful gourds and pumpkins. Sometimes I can't believe the shapes and colors God can make. Last Saturday, at the Apple Orchard we saw this turkey with the most amazing colored head; periwinkle blue and purple and red. It was amazing.


Later, I was walking through the kitchen, the same kitchen I walk through every day a million times. I saw my plant, the same plant that has been there for 5 years. But today, I noticed this...
a beautiful blooming flower. I was shocked. I called my husband over to look at it. We found another one, white petals with tiny stippled purple dots. Wow.

After school dh wanted to go and collect some colored corn from his uncle's field. The kids love going out into the corn field. We had a great time trying to guess what color the kernels would be before we tore back the husks. Again, I was amazed by the glorious colors in God's creation. The colors were so vibrant and beautiful. Dd was the photographer for a couple of these...(see the Goodyear Blimp, incognito as a prego?)
These are the two colorful little creations that God has given me, aren't they beautiful? On our way home we saw a helicopter spraying the fields. Talk about modern agriculture. We pulled up along side the road to let ds and dd watch for awhile. I couldn't help thinking how blessed my life has been. I am alive and well. I witness beautiful colors and amazing creations every day. How lucky am I?

Thank you Lord for your amazing knack for design!

P.S. Kris - I am gonna need your help carving these ginormous pumpkins this year!!!

Crustless Quiche with your choice of fillings...

Crustless Quiche (master recipe and choice of fillings)

Filling (see below)
4 large eggs
1/2 cup evaporated milk
2 tsps. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp.ground black pepper
Dried herbs (see page 12)
Cheese (see page 12)

Prepare filling ingredients, then set aside. Grease a 9-inch Pyrex pie plate. Adjust oven rack to center position, and heat oven to 400 degrees.

Whisk eggs, milk, mustard, salt and pepper. Stir in herb of choice, cheese of choice and prepared filling. Pour mixture into the greased pie plate; bake until just set, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve.

Use these fillings in Crustless Quiche

Each crustless quiche yields six portions, but why not make a second quiche using a different set of flavors so your guests can enjoy some variety? All these fillings have lots of flavor.

Sausage, Cheddar, Apple & Sage

8 ounces breakfast sausage
1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and diced
1/4 tsp. dried rubbed sage
6 ounces (about 1 1/2 cups) grated sharp cheddar cheese

Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and break up; fry until brown, about 5 minutes. Drain in a colander set over a bowl to catch the drippings. Return 2 Tbs. drippings to the skillet. Sauté apple until golden,3 to 4 minutes. Add to colander. Prepare master recipe for Crustless Quiche; when instructed, add sage, cheese and sausage filling to the egg mixture.

Serves 6
Per serving: 348 calories, 18g protein, 8g carbohydrates, 27g fat (13g saturated), 204mg cholesterol, 0.7g fiber, 836mg sodium

Bacon, Leek & Goat Cheese

1/2 pound sliced bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large leek, 8 to 10 ounces, darkest green section trimmed; light green and white section quartered lengthwise, sliced thin and washed thoroughly
Scant 1/4 tsp. dried thyme leaves
6 ounces crumbled goat cheese

Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon; fry until crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain bacon in a small colander set over a bowl to catch the drippings. Return 2 Tbs. drippings to the skillet. Add leek; sauté until tender, 5 to 6 minutes longer, then scrape into colander along with the bacon.

Prepare master recipe for Crustless Quiche; when instructed, add thyme, cheese and bacon-leek filling to the egg mixture.

Serves 6
Per serving: 314 calories, 16g protein, 7g carbohydrates, 25g fat (12g saturated),186mg cholesterol, 0.5g fiber, 677mg sodium

Crab, Corn & Red Pepper

2 Tbs. olive oil
1/2 small red bell pepper,cut into small dice
6 ounces (2 cups) frozen corn, thawed and drained
8 ounces pasteurized lump crabmeat, picked over
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp. dried basil leaves
5 ounces (about 1 1/4 cups) grated Monterey Jack
1 ounce (6 Tbs.) Parmesan

Heat oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté pepper until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Add corn; sauté to heat through. Stir in crab and onions; remove from heat. Prepare master recipe for Crustless Quiche; when instructed, add basil, cheeses and crab filling to the egg mixture.

Serves 6
Per serving: 297 calories, 22g protein, 10g carbohydrates, 19g fat (8g saturated), 207mg cholesterol, 1g fiber, 644mg sodium

Spinach, Mushrooms, Tomatoes & Feta

3 Tbs. olive oil, divided
1 10-ounce package sliced mushrooms or baby bellas
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 10-ounce box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
12 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp. dried oregano leaves
6 ounces (about 1 1/2 cups) crumbled feta cheese

Heat 2 Tbs. oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté mushrooms, seasoning with salt and pepper, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Add remaining oil, spinach and tomatoes; season again with salt and pepper. Sauté to evaporate some liquid, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in onions. Add to mushrooms in bowl. Prepare master recipe for Crustless Quiche; when instructed, add oregano, feta and spinach filling to the egg mixture.

Serves 6
Per serving: 248 calories, 13g protein, 10g carbohydrates, 18g fat (7g saturated), 173mg cholesterol,3g fiber, 723mg sodium

Do you have time to click?

October is breast cancer awareness month. I put a breast cancer site icon to the right. Click on it once a day to help fund free mammograms for women in need.

from their site...

Your click on the "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button helps fund free mammograms for women in need — low-income, inner-city and minority women whose awareness of breast cancer and opportunity for help is often limited. Your click is paid for by site sponsors, and mammogram funding is provided to clinics throughout the U.S. through the efforts of the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Early Detection: Do You Know The Facts?

Each year, 182,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and 43,300 die. One woman in eight either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. In addition, 1,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 400 will die this year.

If detected early, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer exceeds 95%. Mammograms are among the best early detection methods, yet 13 million U.S. women 40 years of age or older have never had a mammogram.

The National Cancer Institute and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommend that women in their forties and older have mammograms every one to two years. A complete early detection plan also includes regular clinical breast examinations by a trained medical professional. Monthly breast self-exams are suggested in addition.

The Breast Cancer Site provides a feel-good way to help promote awareness of breast cancer and provide free mammograms for women in need every day — through easy and quick online activities.

With a simple, daily click of the pink "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button at The Breast Cancer Site, visitors help to provide free mammograms for women in need. Visitors pay nothing. Mammograms are provided by our charitable partners.

Please remember to click every day to fund free mammograms and give hope to women in need. Every click counts in the battle to prevent breast cancer.

making room for number three

The last few days we have been cleaning out closets and purging junk.(maybe that's why my hand is so sore?) It feels good, I kinda got caught up in it and even cleaned behind my stove and fridge. Presently, I really feel that cleaning with two kids in the house is fruitless. Case in point; Monday when I did my extreme kitchen clean with a sweep and a mop and shine coat on the floor, it stayed clean all of two hours until my family came home from hunting and tracked dirt and grass and gunk all through the kitchen. Then just yesterday I was barefoot and getting breakfast ready for the rugrats when my foot stuck to the floor in front of the fridge. It seems someone helped themselves to a bowl of ice cream with chocolate syrup and left a bit of evidence on the floor. I mean, what is the logic? I may as well wear socks or shoes all the time and just wait for them to graduate, me to get a divorce or Jesus to come, right?

Dh finally backed the trailer up to the back of the house so I could get rid of things. I do enjoy purging. There are a few things I can't bear to get rid of, but for the most part it is just junk that is taking up precious space in my tiny house.

I have about 5 boxes of borders and room decorations that are just collecting dust. I can't bear to throw them and I am too lazy to have a garage sale. So anyone who needs some teacher supplies come and get 'em. First come first serve.

I went through the baby clothes that I have been collecting and I have a tote of boys and a tote of girls stuff. How did that happen? I found some of the kids baby blankets and added them to the pile. Grandma and Grandpa had a pile of baby things in their garage that we scooped up last time we visited and now we have enough stuff for twins. Oh please, no.

With all this cleaning I have been doing, I did go ahead and pack a bag for the baby. It felt like the right thing to do, although if you ask the baby he/she would probably stay inside 'till Christmas.

I will call it multitasking, yes I will.

Last night, after I put the kiddos to bed, I reached into the deep freeze for an ice pack for my extra sore right hand (just can't kick this swelling and, no,typing does not help) when what did I come upon? But a beautiful pint of black raspberry fudge ripple premium ice cream from Schwan's. Feeling like I needed a bit of sugar and knowing the relief I would feel from holding the cold pint in my right hand I got busy enjoying the supreme delicacy with my left hand, which was successful enough. YUM!

Chocolate cake, FOR BREAKFAST?

The little boy in our house turns 4 today. We have 'actually' (one of his favorite words) been celebrating all weekend. On Saturday, we took the kids to the Country apple orchard to the pumpkin festival. They rode horses, petted animals, rode a kiddie train, visited the pumpkin patch in a horse drawn hayride, and ran on the hay bales. It was a gorgeous day. By noon the temperature was near 90 and we left for the pizza parlor. (No, it wasn't Chucky Cheese!)

My dear little boy got to go hunting with daddy and his cousins a couple of times this weekend, too. He really enjoys the great outdoors. I asked him what he was going to be able to do now that he is four and he said, "Now I can probably tie my shoes and ride a 4-wheeler all by myself." Uh, huh.
Yesterday, after church, it was a totally different season. We went from summer to late fall in less than 12 hours. I had a lot of cleaning to finish and it took me all of the morning and then some. I had planned to attend an event in town, but the house got the best of me. I had to finish making applesauce, make a birthday cake, make chili for supper and help dh store the boat for winter.
I finished up the chocolate twinkie cake at about 8:30 last night. I could not get the filling to set up right and I know it had everything to do with the light butter I purchased while shopping in a brief fleeting moment when I decided to try and be more healthy. I hate that stuff. I will not buy it again. Real butter is the only way to go. The top layer of my cake sat upon this liquidy center and kept sliding off while I frosted it. It was a nightmare. So when ds asked if he could have chocolate cake for breakfast, I said, "Why not?" Life is short. How many times does a kid turn 4 anyway? So it was chocolate cake and milk for breakfast which with my 50% less fat butter may have even tied frosted flakes for the breakfast of champions award. The kids ate the frosting and left the cake, of course. Happy Birthday little guy! I love you.

A visit with the cancer doctor...

I don't know who was more nervous me or him. He rambled on and on about me NOT going into labor in his office, because he would have no clue what to do. He 'forgot' about my being pregnant and freaked out about an elevated blood test level, which scared me a bit. He scheduled a PET scan for late February of next year to restage the Hodgkins. Other than that, same old same old. I felt really out of place in that clinic, though. I don't miss it at all... in fact this pregnancy has kept my brain off cancer for a full 9 months. I couldn't ask for a better distraction.

I think they're dry now...

I have been hanging my clothes on the line the past few days because the wind is so cheap, it's hard to pass up, especially when we're overdrawn...but that's another post altogether...
Then I noticed the other day all these little red itchy bumps around my ankles and they are really annoying. (Dh is certain they are chigger bites and the only time I ever spend time in the grass is when I am hanging clothes so it must be from there. So I haven't been sleeping well at all, needless to say. I searched on the Internet how to stop the itch and the best thing I have found so far is Vic's chest rub...it works long enough for me to fall asleep soundly for a couple of hours anyway, until my bladder wakes me up.)
So Dh was kind enough to hang the sheets and blankets out for me today and man do I wish I had a video camera. It is so windy today. I swear I would have paid money to watch him do it again. His baseball cap must have blown off his head a half of a dozen times and his flannel shirt kept flying up in his face. Finally he just threw the sheets over and plastered them with clothespins. He walked inside, sat down on the couch and said, matter of factly, " I think they're dry now."

what he said...

Got this today while my ds slept through preschool because he would not go to bed last night... how appropriate. Thanks cousin Liz!

so can I...

Thanks Karen for the widget idea. It will help me count down the next month or so.

I went to my OB just yesterday and she says everything is fine and dandy. My feet and hands are swollen and numb, my pelvis is aching and I am just plain tired all the time, because sleeping is completely unsuccessful. It is getting pretty difficult to find things to be happy about. I have begun, in the last few weeks, to feel pretty helpless. I need a chair with a pillow on it to do the dishes. I loose my breath walking up three steps. My t-shirts and jeans are too tight. I am hungry and full at the same time. Coffee is even not tasting any good right now. You know something is up when I can't finish my mug of morning java. My kids have been great. They hurry to help me pick up things I have dropped (so that their ears can avoid the loud grunting sound I make as I bend over to grab it I suppose). I wasn't even asked to help at the church dinner last weekend. I carried my cake pan and a bowl of fruit over and I had to stop in the middle of the street to catch my breath. This morning I was standing on the corner of my block watching my dd ride her bike to the school when someone who was gawking at my enormous belly almost missed their turn. It was embarrassing. I just feel like there is not much I can do until this baby comes, so much for nesting.

I was reading the Pregnancy magazine at the doctor yesterday and came across this t-shirt. At least I am still good for something right now, even if I couldn't fit my fat butt in that baby t.

And for heaven's sake leave the toilet seat UP!

This morning while dd and I were making pancakes from scratch for breakfast, she told her brother to, "stop shoving it in her face" that he gets to make popcorn balls with mom later. I am not sure where that came from. This is one of the things I was worried about once the social pressures of kindergarten set in. It isn't the first jargon I have heard from her and I am sure it won't be the last.

I admit, I am not the world's best mother. I make my share (or even more) of mistakes. I try to teach her the difference between right and wrong, the fact the Jesus loves her, and that she is so very wonderful without it getting to her head so much. But, I know she has heard me take the Lord's name in vain, say awful things about her father, and even blurt out a four-letter word or two. I try to tell her that I don't have a lot of patience and that I try, although I mess up a lot, too.I try to teach her about forgiveness and about loving our neighbor but I don't always model it in the best possible way for her.

So, when she says to her brother while they are playing," you can't say mean things like that because maybe the person you are saying it about is bigger than you and will come and fight you" I just hope that she picked that one up at school and not at home, but I couldn't be for sure.

Meanwhile, my ds has seemed to figure things out on his own. I know that I didn't spend the same amount of time teaching him things as I did her, in fact, sometimes I know he is in the same room while I am speaking and I hope that he just gloms some of the wisdom I am speaking even though I am not speaking directly to him.

We were playing a counting buckle game just this morning (to help with number recognition) and he took the cards out and said, "mom you take the 2 and the 3 and I will have the one and the four (well, he actually pronounces it 'thor') but you get the picture. Somehow, in his almost four (thor) short years, he has figured out how to count to 10 on his own and he recognizes most of the numbers, too. I would like to but I cannot take credit for that, either. My daughter is improving with school but I am certain at his age she could not do that. It just surprises me. I know they are two different people. But they grow up in the same house and still have such different little brains. It is amazing to watch them learn and make mistakes and grow into little persons. He really has a pretty good hold on life so far and it impresses me.

Although, he is in such a hurry that he forgets to lift up the toilet seat before he whizzes and more than once a day I find myself sitting on a toilet seat wet with tiny drips all over it and it disgusts me. I tell him over and over to lift the seat. It couldn't confuse him that I have been telling his daddy to close it for all the years his little brain has been forming, could it?