Wordless Wednesday

We're headed to DC...and this handsome boy is going to be the ring bearer!

My View

This is my view today. Lucy was pouting because she wants a pillow pet.

Marketing at its best..."but mom, there's new ones..." and then she listed the new ones.

Oh well, waste of money in my book!

I need to get a real belly shot soon. We talked about it last week and I wish I had because I think I grew quite a bit this week...oh well, I don't have many with either of the other kids either.

Just thought I'd share my view...

I told Lucy if she was shorter I wouldn't even see her anymore!

But it's easier that way...

Lately I've been tired...lately I've been uncomfortable and feeling large (yes...I know I am going to get A LOT bigger!) Lately it has been harder to bend over to pick up toys, to get on the floor to play and to have any desire to cook a dinner I know I don't really want to eat (still not too much of an appetite, especially at the end of the day).

Lately, I've been wanting to be L-A-Z-Y!

It's easier that way. It's easier to let the kids jump on the sofa, to ignore them fighting in the other room...to turn on a show instead of playing a game with them...to sit and feel large and uncomfortable.

I know that at this point in my life, I'm blaming the pregnancy, but when does it stop?

Certainly not when I have a newborn baby...certainly then it will definitely be easier to ignore certain aspects of my "job".

Certainly not when I'm homeschooling...

Certainly not when the kids get busy with activities...

Certainly not when it's a busy summer, or Lent, or Advent...

or any other excuse I can come up with to ignore the things I am struggling to do.

Now, I admit, some of these things will get easier...there will come a time again when bending over does not seem to feel like I'm attempting a acrobatic skill...but the difficult things will always be there. The difficult things are a part of our fallen world...they're just a part of life!

At a Bible study one time the leader was talking about how society has changed, she made the comment (she's a teacher mind you) how so many parents talk about how much "stress" is on their children these days, how much pressure...her response, "when I was growing up, we just called that life!"

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome this world!"

John 16:33

It's true. God does not promise us that life on this earth will be easy, or comfortable...He does promise us the hope of something better, and that He will walk with us through all of our discomforts! So...this weekend, while I've been home alone with the kids, I've put in the effort to stop being LAZY and start living life with my kids. To love them, to instruct them and to PLAY with them. We've watched a movie together...and Murray talked about it all day today. I know, because I played with him today. He helped hand me things that fell on the floor, so I didn't have to be an acrobat!

It may be easier to be lazy, but it certainly isn't what's best! Most likely the things that seem hard, or boring or not worth getting up for are the things you should be doing most...the devil has a way of winning small battles like that!

"Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger."

Proverbs 19:15

Saturday

Nick's out of town this weekend at the confirmation retreat.

This leaves me home with my 2 little monkeys with lots of time on our hands.

Thankfully we had lots of fun things to do and the

kids have been wonderful helpers.

Lucy had a tea party to go to for a friend's birthday this afternoon, and the invite instructed her to "wear her best tea apparel" Well, for Lucy that meant her flower girl dress from last spring.

She had a great time and when she came home I couldn't refuse snapping a few pictures...they do her no justice and she looked even cuter spinning around the house, I just didn't get the camera out fast enough! After taking Lucy's picture Murray insisted I get one of him...can't believe it, but it's true! Maybe we're leaving the camera shy phase behind? Not sure...but a mom can hope!

Thankful Thursdays

Some days it's hard to be thankful...and in my struggle to be thankful it makes me realize how blessed I actually am! This has been a long week. After an impromptu trip to DC last weekend to play the role of "big sister" and "wedding organizer" I just have had trouble getting my feet under me again. I've had lots of contractions (which the doctor assures me are not doing anything and are totally fine), and I'm just tired. I think the weather and my husband's work schedule are contributing to this overall yucky feeling as well.

Murray has a runny nose and that means he's tired and whiny...so a long day home alone with him is hard on everyone...even the other kids are struggling to play with him this week!

Nick's going to be gone this weekend, we have the confirmation banquet on Sunday night, normal work days Monday and Tuesday and then we're leaving for a week.

The mom to mom sale is approaching as well as a baby shower for my big sister.

All of this is just feeling like it's piling on me...I know this doesn't sound very thankful...

Sometimes we just need an attitude adjustment!

All of my complaints are blessings! I was able to spend 2 full days with my little sister helping her prepare for her wedding! We were able to hang out, talk, and not chase after my kids! We ran errands, tied bows, and watched a movie to relax together!!! I think it's been 5 years since I've had time with her like that...and I can't even begin to imagine when it's going to happen again! (Plus we ate Chipotle, a craving I've had since January!)

My baby is fine! Yes my body is showing the wear and tear of multiple pregnancies, and multiple pregnancies with large babies...but it's doing its job! My body is running the marathon well and the baby is healthy! All these contractions mean labor will occur when the time is right!

(it also means I'll be used to it by then...maybe).

My husband is blessed with an amazing job,and amazing youth! What a joy to see youth confirmed into the faith each spring. I can only hope that the large amount of time he is committing to them now will help them feel connected to the youth group and they will continue on their walk with God as they enter high school. It's such a difficult time in life and there's so much that can change. I pray that the one thing that remains constant for these kids is their faith...I don't know how one can get through life without it!

Murray is a great kid! Even when he's sick there are moments he makes us laugh...his pressing the limits have been showing me lately the need to parent constantly and consistently...the things he teaches us are amazing!

The mom to mom sale is great...really...it is...I just need to get to that day!

My big sister is having a baby! I am going to have a niece! Really...I can't wait to celebrate that with a party for her! I'm so excited for her to experience the joys of motherhood (and share in the difficulties...although I'm convinced her child is going to be constantly clean and calm...then she'll just think I'm even more crazy!)

So as I said before...attitude adjustments are great! You can turn complaints into thanksgivings without much more than some thought and a few prayers. Even though I'm tired and I'm sure that won't change...I get to go on vacation with my family next week and share in a great moment of joy at the wedding, and then my first baby girl will turn 5!! But that's something to be thankful for another time!

Wordless Wednesday

First Sign of Spring: We fed the Ducks last Thursday!

Thankful Thursdays

Last week I wrote about waiting on the Lord. While I'm still waiting on lots of things I am thankful that spring is arriving! What a blessing to have the smells, the feel, the sounds and the warmth of spring begin seeping in slowly.

It's getting late...but I am still thankful for today! I'm thankful for the warm weather we had. We were able to take our first walk to see the ducks. It was myself, the little girl I'm carrying with me and 6 of my favorite kids. Lucy, Murray ad 4 of their friends I was watching today. We were quite the sight to see! I really am thankful for the houseful though. It's amazing how well they all play and getting outside makes such a difference in the day.

I'm thankful for a little bit of girl time with Lucy getting our hair done today, we both got "just a smidge of a trim" (Lucy's words to our hairdresser). I got a bit of spring/summer color and Lucy got some curls! It was great to have some time outside of the house just hanging out with Lucy, she's getting SO big! I can't believe she's going to be 5 in the coming weeks.

We also had a great family trip to Target. We bought a few baby toys for the Crisis Pregnancy Center our church supports and shoes for the kids. We finished off that outing with a shamrock shake...they are going away you know...so we had to get just one more for the year! That makes 3 for me this season...it's been awhile since I've treated myself to 3 shamrock shakes in a month...I think it's because this baby girl likes them. At least that's what I'm telling myself!

I had lots of other thoughts today...I woke up thinking and just kept going all day. It was a day full of perspective and playing. It was quite an enjoyable day and I'm hoping this weather sticks around. It's hard to feel sick when it's beautiful outside.

Wordless Wednesday

Because Potatoes are fun and make us laugh!

Thankful Thursdays

Today I am thankful for prayer. It's really an amazing thing. I feel like the past few weeks have been so full of goodness, along with so many difficult times for friends. I don't know how I could handle it all without prayer.

Psalm 37:7 tells us:

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for HIM.

I don't know how many times a day I tell my children to be patient. We sing our song about patience at least once a day (sometimes I feel like I sing it all day long). But, how difficult is it for us to be patient as we wait on the LORD as we are instructed.

I'm not only talking about the big things, but the little things as well.

Prayer is one of the best ways I can remind myself to slow down. A few years ago, shortly after Murray was born, I challenged myself to pray before I responded to a situation I would normally lose my temper in. I've fallen away from this practice and recently reminded myself of it.

It's much easier to ask the Lord to guide you in your discipline and then deal with the puddle of water in the bathroom (puddle may be an understatement) or to not respond to the screaming between siblings by raising my own voice to get their attention. I am called to be a teacher, to be a parent, mostly to show God's love. The best way I can do this is to pray before each response.

So, this week I've prayed for a friend who's getting ready to move, for a friend who's waiting to find a job, for a friend of a friend who died in childbirth leaving behind a loving husband, 3 sons and a precious newborn daughter, I've prayed for so many of my friend's who are anticipating the arrival of babies, for a friend who's now survived her husband 6 months, for a friend's aunt who's having a tumor removed from her brain, for a friend with breast cancer, for our economy, for our nation's leaders, for my children, for my husband...and for myself, for patience, for guidance, for peace in my decisions, to be content with what I have.

I'm not sure how I could make it through a day without prayer. Not sure how I can handle the daunting task of raising my children in this world filled with temptation, sadness and sin. As we've entered Lent I've reminded myself to spend even more time in prayer, focusing on God's love and His plans for my life.

It's much easier to leave the big and little things in the hands of the creator, although it's hard to relinquish control, it's certainly easier than trying to multi task the planet's orbiting with my meal planning! I will just wait on the Lord and His plans for me and the ones I love (especially this wiggly sweet baby girl I'm so anxious to meet!)

Do Not Read Unless You're A Parent or Like Poop

This morning Murray calls to me from the bathroom for help.

I go...knowing he probably pooped and needs his bottom wiped.

When I get there he's standing up looking at a HUGE poop in the toilet...

"Mommy, it's a really big one! It's like a submarine or a ROCKET! Yeah, it's a rocket poop!"

blast off noises follow this statement.

I congratulate him on his "rocket poop"

He says to me:

"Mommy, don't look at my privacy, my rocket poop is my privacy!"

Well, at least he's learning some form of modest from his sister who throws him out

of the bathroom while she's going screaming "don't look at my privacy Murray!"

It was just too much fun not to share...I hope I didn't offend you!

Thankful Thursdays

Today I am thankful for a burst of energy! I had a huge burst of energy last night and washed all the floors in my house, cleaned the bathrooms, picked up toys, vacuumed and packed for Chicago! Whew! It was a busy night and the kids were very well behaved while I did all those chores. They even helped a bit.

I'm also thankful for a GREAT 20 week ultrasound yesterday (that will be my wordless wednesday when Nick gets the pictures scanned). I had a student technician and her supervisor doing the ultrasound which meant that it went slower and there was lots of talking and explaining going on during it...basically...a mom's dream! I was able to understand all the strange images on the screen, her kidney's, the umbilical cord, my placenta, her leg and arm bones...all the tedious parts of her heart, valves, ventricles, chambers etc.

All in all...she started out squirmy (probably the girl scout cookies I ate to reward the first chore completed...mopping), but then she calmed down and they kept saying what a beautiful baby she was to get images of. She did give them a hard time when they were trying to get her heart rate...they would get her in the right place then she would stay for just a few seconds and kick off and my sides and move away. It took a few tries, but she finally cooperated.

When they completed everything they needed and had already gotten a cute profile picture and one of her foot the student asked if I minded if she played around for a few more minutes practicing getting profiles and other fun pictures since she was being so great! Of course I said yes! Who wouldn't want to look at the beautiful baby growing for a few minutes longer?!?

The ending stats, she's in the 90th percentile and her measurements are showing she's 21 weeks...I'm not actually 20 weeks until tomorrow...so she's big already! So much for having a small baby this time with the little weight I've put on! She has no abnormalities in her heart, lungs, kidneys, limbs etc. I have enough fluid and my placenta looks healthy. All in all...we're doing great!

A lot to be thankful for this week! We're heading to Chicago tonight for Nick to go to a youth worker conference and I'm headed to have a girls night with a friend in Springfield, IL while the kids enjoy Grammy and Pop Pop all to themselves! Then I get to have a little bit of relaxation time at my parents and hopefully pick out some fabric for this little girls crib! July will be here before we know it!

Wordless Wednesday

20 Week Ultrasound Pictures

Foot with 5 adorable toes

Profile: She has her mouth open drinking