We have entered the Lenten season in the Catholic Church and it is a very holy season. I have thought about writing about it and the ins and outs of it but instead want to link to a blog I really enjoy reading and that has done a wonderful job explaining it. Allison over at The Displaced Texan has explained Lent in a very easy to understand fashion. I hope you can check it out!
I wish you a very holy and wonderful Lenten Season!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Gangsta Names
On Friday while we were picking up Mike's paycheck I had the strangest conversation with Garrett. It went something like this...Garrett: I've been thinking. If you and I ever got kidnapped by ganstas and they told you that you had to give me a gansta name, I have one picked out already. That way you wouldn't have to come up with something nerdy or weird.
Seeing as Garrett already calls himself "G-man" all the time I figured that was what he was going to say.
Me: Ok, first of all, I highly doubt we will ever get kidnapped by ganstas who force me to give you a gansta name to save us. And secondly, what is this gansta name you want to go by?
Garrett: I think you should call me White Chocolate.
Me (laughing super hard): White Chocolate?
Garrett: Yes, I think White Chocolate would be a cool name.
Me: Well, if that ever happens and we are kidnapped by ganstas and I am forced to give you a gansta name, I'm not sure I can promise you I'll call you White Chocolate.
From then on out for the remaining part of the morning we called Garrett White Chocolate. Except when we said it was said it all breathless like. It was funny and the last couple days the conversation has come up a few times. Always ending in us saying White Choc-o-lateeeeeee.
White and nerdy. That's my son in a nutshell.
The above picture was taken several years ago... proving that my son has been white and nerdy for a long time now!
Song selection: White and Nerdy by Weird Al
Teach Me To Be Like You?
Yesterday Kaylie came to me with the cutest story. Emma had just gotten in trouble for not taking the dog out to go potty and she had ended up pottying in the house (the dog, not Emma). So Emma sees Kaylie coming out of the bathroom and following conversation takes place:
Emma: Kaylie, can I ask you a question?
Kaylie: Sure.
E: Can you teach me to be good like you?
K: What do you mean?
E; Well, you are always good and never get in trouble. I have been getting in trouble a lot. Can you teach me to be good? Oh, and can you teach me how to fall asleep at night too?
K (chuckling some): Well, the falling asleep thing is easy. I didn't figure it out till I became a teenager but Mama was right. You just lay down, close your eyes and lay still. You'll fall asleep. It's that easy.
E: Ok, I'll try that. What about teaching me to be good like you?
K: Well, that's pretty easy too. If you are told to do something, just do it. It's that easy. Just do what you are supposed to do.
E: Wow! That does sound easy. Maybe I could try that too and be good like you.
K: Give it a try.
E: Thanks Kaylie! (and she skipped happily down the hall).
I had to laugh listening to Kaylie tell the story. She told it right... it is that easy. Just do what you are supposed to do and you will keep yourself out of trouble. Funny how I can say that till I'm blue in the face but it only takes a big sister just once to say it and it's the best advice the other has ever heard in her life! Hopefully Emma will take the advice and put it to good use. Kaylie is a wonderful role model for her siblings. They all look up to her and she shows them what it is to be a good person, a wonderful daughter and an inspiration. They are lucky to have her as their big sister.
Emma: Kaylie, can I ask you a question?
Kaylie: Sure.
E: Can you teach me to be good like you?
K: What do you mean?
E; Well, you are always good and never get in trouble. I have been getting in trouble a lot. Can you teach me to be good? Oh, and can you teach me how to fall asleep at night too?
K (chuckling some): Well, the falling asleep thing is easy. I didn't figure it out till I became a teenager but Mama was right. You just lay down, close your eyes and lay still. You'll fall asleep. It's that easy.
E: Ok, I'll try that. What about teaching me to be good like you?
K: Well, that's pretty easy too. If you are told to do something, just do it. It's that easy. Just do what you are supposed to do.
E: Wow! That does sound easy. Maybe I could try that too and be good like you.
K: Give it a try.
E: Thanks Kaylie! (and she skipped happily down the hall).
I had to laugh listening to Kaylie tell the story. She told it right... it is that easy. Just do what you are supposed to do and you will keep yourself out of trouble. Funny how I can say that till I'm blue in the face but it only takes a big sister just once to say it and it's the best advice the other has ever heard in her life! Hopefully Emma will take the advice and put it to good use. Kaylie is a wonderful role model for her siblings. They all look up to her and she shows them what it is to be a good person, a wonderful daughter and an inspiration. They are lucky to have her as their big sister.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Get My Own Show?
Today I decided was the perfect day to get little Caroline's ears pierced. I've had all the girls done much earlier than now but felt the need to wait to do hers. But, today I felt like it was time and that her ears would be ok. So we went to the store and told the woman there we wanted to pierce both her ears and Kaylie's upper ear.
The kids were all with me and Bella, being as outgoing as ever, pipes up, "Hey, my mama is going to have another baby girl."
The lady looked at me, eyebrows raised, and said, "Is this true?"
I replied that yes, it was true.
"Are all these kids yours?" she asked.
I told her they were and that this would make #9 for us.
Her next comment is one that I've started getting a lot. It's not only rude but really, a pretty stupid question... "What, are you trying to get your own tv show like that Duggar family?"
I laughed a little and said no, I would never want to put my family in the limelight. I definitely didn't want a tv show. I just enjoy having children.
She then started talking about how all the families on tv are just after money and that they just keep having kids for that purpose. Of course she had to bring in their religious convictions and how it's ridiculous to not use birth control etc. She suddenly stopped as I wasn't making any comments at all. I think it might have struck her just then that maybe I was one of those people too... ones that believe that God is in control of my life and that for me birth control is the wrong option. Perhaps I also didn't share her beliefs on why these people put their families on tv.
When she started talking again this time she told me how she always wanted six children but only had three. Had I been as rude as she was being I would have said it was probably a blessing that she only had three, but I held my tongue. As we left she told me to make sure I brought the new baby back to her to pierce her ears too when I felt she was big enough. Um, probably not, but thanks for the offer.
It's funny to me that people will geniunely ask me if I am competing to have the most children or to try to catch up to the Duggar family. First of all I don't know the Duggars from Adam, secondly I don't compete with anyone. How silly would it be to keep having children only to be able to say you have the most! Why would you take on the financial, emotional, spiritual and mental task of raising more children if you didn't truly want to have them? I couldn't imagine trying to compete with anyone over that. It's an insane thought!
I have a large family because it has always been my dream to have one since I was a little child. I LOVE children. I love the closeness my family has. I love the noise, the chaos, the hugs and kisses and the adventure that having a lot of kids brings to our lives. These children complete our lives. I keep having them because I know that each child that God sends to our family is just perfect for us and will bring so much more to our lives. Sure there will be a time when we don't have any more children but it won't be because we've won the child-bearing contest or because others think we have enough. It will be because we will feel complete. We will know that God has sent us "enough". That He has other plans for our family now and that whatever those are they will be just as amazing as our journey having these kids has been. I truly look forward to that day but I also cherish these days too. The ones with babies cooing or crying, sticky fingers on the windows, fighting siblings and a messy house. The days where I am hugged a hundred times and told "I love you" even more. The days where my children are so excited to be expecting another sibling and eagerly ask if we'll have more after this one arrives. Right now I am enjoying these days. When the next phase begins for our family I know I'll be in love with that time as well.
Until then, we'll continue to have children, if it is God's will, and will look to each new day as an adventure. An adventure that will NOT consist of a tv show for our family. We'll keep our lives private and continue to love and grow and flourish just as we are.
The kids were all with me and Bella, being as outgoing as ever, pipes up, "Hey, my mama is going to have another baby girl."
The lady looked at me, eyebrows raised, and said, "Is this true?"
I replied that yes, it was true.
"Are all these kids yours?" she asked.
I told her they were and that this would make #9 for us.
Her next comment is one that I've started getting a lot. It's not only rude but really, a pretty stupid question... "What, are you trying to get your own tv show like that Duggar family?"
I laughed a little and said no, I would never want to put my family in the limelight. I definitely didn't want a tv show. I just enjoy having children.
She then started talking about how all the families on tv are just after money and that they just keep having kids for that purpose. Of course she had to bring in their religious convictions and how it's ridiculous to not use birth control etc. She suddenly stopped as I wasn't making any comments at all. I think it might have struck her just then that maybe I was one of those people too... ones that believe that God is in control of my life and that for me birth control is the wrong option. Perhaps I also didn't share her beliefs on why these people put their families on tv.
When she started talking again this time she told me how she always wanted six children but only had three. Had I been as rude as she was being I would have said it was probably a blessing that she only had three, but I held my tongue. As we left she told me to make sure I brought the new baby back to her to pierce her ears too when I felt she was big enough. Um, probably not, but thanks for the offer.
It's funny to me that people will geniunely ask me if I am competing to have the most children or to try to catch up to the Duggar family. First of all I don't know the Duggars from Adam, secondly I don't compete with anyone. How silly would it be to keep having children only to be able to say you have the most! Why would you take on the financial, emotional, spiritual and mental task of raising more children if you didn't truly want to have them? I couldn't imagine trying to compete with anyone over that. It's an insane thought!
I have a large family because it has always been my dream to have one since I was a little child. I LOVE children. I love the closeness my family has. I love the noise, the chaos, the hugs and kisses and the adventure that having a lot of kids brings to our lives. These children complete our lives. I keep having them because I know that each child that God sends to our family is just perfect for us and will bring so much more to our lives. Sure there will be a time when we don't have any more children but it won't be because we've won the child-bearing contest or because others think we have enough. It will be because we will feel complete. We will know that God has sent us "enough". That He has other plans for our family now and that whatever those are they will be just as amazing as our journey having these kids has been. I truly look forward to that day but I also cherish these days too. The ones with babies cooing or crying, sticky fingers on the windows, fighting siblings and a messy house. The days where I am hugged a hundred times and told "I love you" even more. The days where my children are so excited to be expecting another sibling and eagerly ask if we'll have more after this one arrives. Right now I am enjoying these days. When the next phase begins for our family I know I'll be in love with that time as well.
Until then, we'll continue to have children, if it is God's will, and will look to each new day as an adventure. An adventure that will NOT consist of a tv show for our family. We'll keep our lives private and continue to love and grow and flourish just as we are.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Dancing With The Angels
This will be a difficult post for me to write and perhaps difficult for some to read but it's something I want to remember and something I need to get out.
Last week I visited a friend of mine who had just recently lost her baby boy. At 20 weeks of pregnancy she found out that he would be born with all his organs on the outside of his body. Because of the severity of the condition the doctors told her he would not live past taking a single breath and that she should terminate her pregnancy. She and her husband said absolutely not. She would give him the chance for life.
Together they tried their hardest to enjoy the pregnancy. The baby kicked and flipped and responded to their touch and their voices. They read to him, sang to him and loved him. They tried to enjoy every single moment of his life. Even though he was still inside he was alive and a part of their family.
The day came for him to be born and they went in for their scheduled c-section. As they pulled little Shawn Patrick out they put him up to his mama's face so she could see him. He opened one eye, took a deep breath and looked at her. He then turned towards his father's voice and took another breath and looked at his daddy. He then again turned to his mother, looked at her and then closed his eye. He continued to breathe though. The doctor's secured his body so that his organs would stay safe and they took little Shawn Patrick to meet his family. Each of his brothers and sisters were able to hold him. They took pictures and videos and got to be a complete family for a brief time. About an hour after being born he died quietly in his mother's arms, surrounded by so much love.
As I listened to the story and looked at the pictures my heart was not only breaking but mending at the same time. I worried about going to my friend's house because I am pregnant and didn't want to cause her any more pain. I also worried for myself. Next month, if Dominic had lived, he would be turning a year old. The thought of not having him here has brought me a lot of pain and I worried that my pain would be confounded by her pain. That it would be too much to bear. But in her I found strength and courage and faith.
Colleen asked me if I had ever lost any babies. I told her yes and that I had lost as many as I have given birth to. She shook her head and cried. I told her that while I had never lost one after birth that each one was still so important. Her beliefs and mine are the same in that babies are babies from the moment of conception... they are our children. It doesn't matter if you lose the baby just days after finding out you are pregnant or months later or after birth, you have lost your child. For me I think Dominic was so hard to lose because I had never not lost the baby on my own. My body has always done what it was supposed to do when I lost a baby and with Dominic my body and heart just wouldn't let go. To have the doctors take him from me and to walk out of the hospital empty-handed just left me so sad. It still makes me sad and I truly believe it's why his loss is so much harder on me than the other sweet babies I have lost.
As Colleen and I talked she asked me questions regarding having babies after a c-section and after losing a baby. She was reassured that if it is God's will she will go on to have another child. The doctors were pretty grim on that front, even though what happened with Shawn Patrick was not a genetic thing. I know my experiences were exactly what she needed to hear about.
We talked about faith and how trusting in God was hard when you are so sad and mad but that in the end it's what got me through and what is getting her family through. To see the love and the faith their family has helped me out tremendously too. I know that it was the perfect time for both of us to be together as we both needed each other so much.
While I know that her road is going to be a long and bumpy one I know her family will be ok. They have so much love for each other and because they allowed little Shawn Patrick to experience life and love, even for the brief time it was, that they have been blessed in a way that most can't understand. To choose to give life even when you are facing death and the despair that follows is such a wonderful, giving and selfless act. It's the way we should all strive to live... always living for others, even those who may not make it through to say thank you and I love you.
My prayers and my heart are with Colleen and her family. My thoughts are also on my own little ones who have gone to heaven before I was ready to let them go. I can only hope that little Shawn Patrick is dancing with the angels, holding my Dominic's hand, happy for the love and the life his parents gave to him.
Music: "Dancing With The Angels" by Monk and Neagle
Last week I visited a friend of mine who had just recently lost her baby boy. At 20 weeks of pregnancy she found out that he would be born with all his organs on the outside of his body. Because of the severity of the condition the doctors told her he would not live past taking a single breath and that she should terminate her pregnancy. She and her husband said absolutely not. She would give him the chance for life.
Together they tried their hardest to enjoy the pregnancy. The baby kicked and flipped and responded to their touch and their voices. They read to him, sang to him and loved him. They tried to enjoy every single moment of his life. Even though he was still inside he was alive and a part of their family.
The day came for him to be born and they went in for their scheduled c-section. As they pulled little Shawn Patrick out they put him up to his mama's face so she could see him. He opened one eye, took a deep breath and looked at her. He then turned towards his father's voice and took another breath and looked at his daddy. He then again turned to his mother, looked at her and then closed his eye. He continued to breathe though. The doctor's secured his body so that his organs would stay safe and they took little Shawn Patrick to meet his family. Each of his brothers and sisters were able to hold him. They took pictures and videos and got to be a complete family for a brief time. About an hour after being born he died quietly in his mother's arms, surrounded by so much love.
As I listened to the story and looked at the pictures my heart was not only breaking but mending at the same time. I worried about going to my friend's house because I am pregnant and didn't want to cause her any more pain. I also worried for myself. Next month, if Dominic had lived, he would be turning a year old. The thought of not having him here has brought me a lot of pain and I worried that my pain would be confounded by her pain. That it would be too much to bear. But in her I found strength and courage and faith.
Colleen asked me if I had ever lost any babies. I told her yes and that I had lost as many as I have given birth to. She shook her head and cried. I told her that while I had never lost one after birth that each one was still so important. Her beliefs and mine are the same in that babies are babies from the moment of conception... they are our children. It doesn't matter if you lose the baby just days after finding out you are pregnant or months later or after birth, you have lost your child. For me I think Dominic was so hard to lose because I had never not lost the baby on my own. My body has always done what it was supposed to do when I lost a baby and with Dominic my body and heart just wouldn't let go. To have the doctors take him from me and to walk out of the hospital empty-handed just left me so sad. It still makes me sad and I truly believe it's why his loss is so much harder on me than the other sweet babies I have lost.
As Colleen and I talked she asked me questions regarding having babies after a c-section and after losing a baby. She was reassured that if it is God's will she will go on to have another child. The doctors were pretty grim on that front, even though what happened with Shawn Patrick was not a genetic thing. I know my experiences were exactly what she needed to hear about.
We talked about faith and how trusting in God was hard when you are so sad and mad but that in the end it's what got me through and what is getting her family through. To see the love and the faith their family has helped me out tremendously too. I know that it was the perfect time for both of us to be together as we both needed each other so much.
While I know that her road is going to be a long and bumpy one I know her family will be ok. They have so much love for each other and because they allowed little Shawn Patrick to experience life and love, even for the brief time it was, that they have been blessed in a way that most can't understand. To choose to give life even when you are facing death and the despair that follows is such a wonderful, giving and selfless act. It's the way we should all strive to live... always living for others, even those who may not make it through to say thank you and I love you.
My prayers and my heart are with Colleen and her family. My thoughts are also on my own little ones who have gone to heaven before I was ready to let them go. I can only hope that little Shawn Patrick is dancing with the angels, holding my Dominic's hand, happy for the love and the life his parents gave to him.
Music: "Dancing With The Angels" by Monk and Neagle
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Bridge
I have no words... this is a very powerful message. I am so thankful for my faith and I have no idea how I could ever live without it.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Just Because She's So Darn Cute
Taken last week at homeschool group while celebrating one of the other kid's birthday... we've titled this "Party Girl"...
Monday, February 09, 2009
Dancing For Money
The other day Bella told me that one day she wants to dance for money. Confused I asked what she meant. I know what I thought she meant but you know little kids, often times what we think is not what they mean. Again she said that she wants to be a dancer who gets money when she grows up. I asked her who told her she could do that. She told me that Savannah said that was something she could do.
So, my next step was to ask Savannah why she thought it was ok to tell Bella she could dance for money and what that meant exactly. The story Savannah told was much different than the one I had in mind! Thankfully I asked and didn't just assume I knew what they were thinking.
It seems that one of Savannah's friends had told her about a little girl who is 4 years and blind. They wanted to go door to door "dancing for money" for the little girl. I asked what kind of dancing she thought they could do to earn money. Silly me, I should have known she meant Irish Step Dancing. She and Emma both take Irish step-dancing classes and it has become their passion. Often they are jigging down the hallway or practicing other steps wherever they go. Savannah thought it would be a good way to entertain people and to raise money for the girl.
I told them that they couldn't dance for people to raise money but that it was a very nice idea and perhaps we could come up with something different. Still, it made me smile. Not only were they thinking of helping someone in need but they were using their skills to do so. I was proud of them. And to be honest I have to admit, I was very thankful that the kind of dancing for money they had in mind didn't have anything to do with poles, bars or tiny clothes.
So, my next step was to ask Savannah why she thought it was ok to tell Bella she could dance for money and what that meant exactly. The story Savannah told was much different than the one I had in mind! Thankfully I asked and didn't just assume I knew what they were thinking.
It seems that one of Savannah's friends had told her about a little girl who is 4 years and blind. They wanted to go door to door "dancing for money" for the little girl. I asked what kind of dancing she thought they could do to earn money. Silly me, I should have known she meant Irish Step Dancing. She and Emma both take Irish step-dancing classes and it has become their passion. Often they are jigging down the hallway or practicing other steps wherever they go. Savannah thought it would be a good way to entertain people and to raise money for the girl.
I told them that they couldn't dance for people to raise money but that it was a very nice idea and perhaps we could come up with something different. Still, it made me smile. Not only were they thinking of helping someone in need but they were using their skills to do so. I was proud of them. And to be honest I have to admit, I was very thankful that the kind of dancing for money they had in mind didn't have anything to do with poles, bars or tiny clothes.
Shhh... It's So Quiet Here!
All my kids are outside, including the baby! The bigger kids are watching the little ones in the backyard since it's in the 70s today and Savannah asked if she could take the baby with her. I figured the fresh air would be great for her and I know she loves watching all the kids run and play.
So as of right now, the only sound I hear (besides the shrieks of glee outside) is the overhead fan in the kitchen.
Oh, and Emma just walked in while I was typing and said, "It's SO quiet!" and then whispered that she just wanted to get a drink. It made me smile.
I wonder how long it will last? However long it is, I'll take it!
Update: My quiet ended at 5:28... but it was nice while it lasted!
So as of right now, the only sound I hear (besides the shrieks of glee outside) is the overhead fan in the kitchen.
Oh, and Emma just walked in while I was typing and said, "It's SO quiet!" and then whispered that she just wanted to get a drink. It made me smile.
I wonder how long it will last? However long it is, I'll take it!
Update: My quiet ended at 5:28... but it was nice while it lasted!
Friday, February 06, 2009
A New Blog
I thought I would mention, in case you hadn't seen, that I have a new blog up. A group of my friends and I started doing The Love Dare (based on the movie Fireproof). I actually started it before but when we went to KC I left the book at home and couldn't work on it. So I decided to start over again. I'm not sure which friends are still doing the dare, if any, but I am and promised to write about my experiences with it.
If you'd like to read it you can find it at My Love Affair With My Husband. I think all marriages, no matter how good or how bad, can benefit from a little boost every now and again. I'm only on day 5 so if you go now you can read and catch up before there are too many posts ;)
Consider doing The Love Dare yourself. It's worth it. You don't have to buy the book as my site will give you the dare and the reflection for each day, but, the book does have some great stuff in it besides just those things. It gives reasons why you should do certain things, or not do certain things. It gives you a lot to think over and try. It's a great tool to help any marriage grow stronger.
If you'd like to read it you can find it at My Love Affair With My Husband. I think all marriages, no matter how good or how bad, can benefit from a little boost every now and again. I'm only on day 5 so if you go now you can read and catch up before there are too many posts ;)
Consider doing The Love Dare yourself. It's worth it. You don't have to buy the book as my site will give you the dare and the reflection for each day, but, the book does have some great stuff in it besides just those things. It gives reasons why you should do certain things, or not do certain things. It gives you a lot to think over and try. It's a great tool to help any marriage grow stronger.
A New Day
I've been slacking big time on housework since we came home from Kansas City last week. I guess if I'm truly honest with myself I started slacking before Christmas and it's just gotten worse. Unfortunately when you have 10 people living in a small house you can't let housework go for too long. The kitchen is generally always clean and the livingroom is normally straightened but the laundry is piling up and the bedrooms have been terrible. We still have bags to unpack and put away from our trip!
I keep telling myself it's just because I'm so tired and have been having a lupus flare but truth be told I think I just don't want to do it. I AM tired and sick but I'm also not wanting to do much. Because I haven't been motivated my kids haven't either. It's a slippery slope. Before you know it all the rooms of the house will be a mess and we just can't have that!
I think getting new livingroom furniture the other day has motivated me to get my house back in shape. Or at least it's motivated me to WANT to get my house back in shape. Now I just have to find the stamina and get moving on it. Mike and I talked last night about what we both want to do with the house (we need to paint several rooms, we want hardwood floors in the livingroom and hallway, we need to move kids around before the baby gets here, etc). We also talked about how to get these things accomplished and how we are going to get on the kids to be pulling their weight a bit more too.
All of our kids have chores and are expected to do them each day. The problem has been that I haven't been really thorough on following up after them to make sure they've been done correctly. Things have been done but not the way they should. We decided that this weekend besides having a field day on the house we are also going to make new chore charts with new chores included. We are going to get into the specifics of each chore and the kids will always know what is expected of them. Of course this means I will be expected to be doing what I'm supposed to be doing as well... no slacking for me either! Hopefully it should help out tremendously. We've never been a messy family and I don't want to start now!
So, tomorrow starts a new day. A cleaner day. I stocked up on all our cleaning supplies and are ready to go. Hopefully my enthusiasm will make it through the night and into the day tomorrow. If not we might be in trouble!
I keep telling myself it's just because I'm so tired and have been having a lupus flare but truth be told I think I just don't want to do it. I AM tired and sick but I'm also not wanting to do much. Because I haven't been motivated my kids haven't either. It's a slippery slope. Before you know it all the rooms of the house will be a mess and we just can't have that!
I think getting new livingroom furniture the other day has motivated me to get my house back in shape. Or at least it's motivated me to WANT to get my house back in shape. Now I just have to find the stamina and get moving on it. Mike and I talked last night about what we both want to do with the house (we need to paint several rooms, we want hardwood floors in the livingroom and hallway, we need to move kids around before the baby gets here, etc). We also talked about how to get these things accomplished and how we are going to get on the kids to be pulling their weight a bit more too.
All of our kids have chores and are expected to do them each day. The problem has been that I haven't been really thorough on following up after them to make sure they've been done correctly. Things have been done but not the way they should. We decided that this weekend besides having a field day on the house we are also going to make new chore charts with new chores included. We are going to get into the specifics of each chore and the kids will always know what is expected of them. Of course this means I will be expected to be doing what I'm supposed to be doing as well... no slacking for me either! Hopefully it should help out tremendously. We've never been a messy family and I don't want to start now!
So, tomorrow starts a new day. A cleaner day. I stocked up on all our cleaning supplies and are ready to go. Hopefully my enthusiasm will make it through the night and into the day tomorrow. If not we might be in trouble!
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Ultrasound pictures of #9!
We have had a couple ultrasounds in the last 2 weeks. I thought I'd share the pictures. On January 21 we found out our newest baby is a girl! We will now have 7 girls and 2 boys! Poor Garrett hoped for another brother but is happy with another sister. He knows that God has been right every single time on what is best for our family. This time will be no different.
Girl parts (smack dab in the middle):
We don't have a name picked out yet. I like very classical names while Mike likes more unusual ones. You'd think that by now he'd figure out that the unusual names are not going to win... But we are still debating names and hopefully will come up with one soon!
January pictures, taken Jan,21:
Girl parts (smack dab in the middle):February pictures, taken yesterday!
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
My Best Friend
Today Anna came to me crying. She was upset that Bella said she wasn't her best friend. Ben agreed that Anna wasn't her best friend. I hugged Anna and told her that I would be her best friend. She smiled and then told Kaylie, "I'm Mama's best fwiend!" To which Kaylie responded, "Hey, I'm supposed to be her best friend!" Anna disagreed wholeheartedly.
Seeing the dilemma at hand I did what any great mother knows to do and said, "Kaylie is my best 15 year old friend and you are my very best 4 year old friend!" Anna smiled and hugged me tightly. She knew I meant every word. I hope she knows she always has a friend in me!
I'm sure you can see why she would be my best 4 year old friend...
Monday, February 02, 2009
A Boy And His Dog
This is from last week when we were in Kansas City visiting Mike's parents. Ben stayed sick and cranky most of the time. Thankfully he had our puppy with him to commiserate. The puppy is Sammy and she loved to just lay with him. Boys and their dogs... who could ask for anything better?
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Light At The End of The Tunnel?
Today at church I was sitting in the nursery while the bigger kids were in Sunday school. A woman who I have not seen recently came in and said hi. She held Caroline and talked about how big she is getting. We chatted a few minutes and I asked her how her family was. She has a large family too (7 kids) and it's always fun to hear how others like us are doing. Her response caught me off guard and made me a little sad.
When I asked how she was doing she said that her kids are doing well... that the bigger ones are doing more things and starting to graduate from high school and move on. She said with a big sigh and a smile, "So there's light at the end of the tunnel now".
I do understand how tiring it can be to have so many people needing your attention and your time. I understand that it can be very overwhelming. I understand more than anyone there are times you want to just tune everyone out and have some alone time. But I've never understood the idea that having all your children grown and gone from you is "light at the end of the tunnel". The concept just makes me so sad!
I do know that I'm different from many people. Shoot, most people think we are insane for having so many kids. I'm constantly told, "Better you than me". To which I generally reply, "I'm sure you are right!". I am the first to say that having a large family is not for everyone. In fact, I think it's not for most people!
It's not just large families that I've heard this particular sentiment from. In fact, I rarely hear it from mothers of big families. I have friends with just one or two who have said this to me. They have literally had a countdown to their children leaving. I look at Kaylie and think, "Wow, technically I have only a little over 2 years left with her if she chooses to leave when she's 18". That thought makes me almost cry! I've always told my children that when they are adults they are free to move on but to know they always have a place in my home. In fact, I encourage them to think about staying longer! I just can't bear the thought that my kids are going to grow up and leave us! For some reason I feel like we won't be whole anymore. I know it's not true, we will always be a family, but with some not here it won't be the same.
I want my children to be strong enough and independent enough to know that they can live away from us and thrive. I want my children to all be able to take care of themselves. I also want my children to know that regardless of how old they are they always have a place in our home, a bed and a pillow, a spot at the dinner table and a place in my heart and in my arms. Never do I want them to think I am relieved to have one less kid in my house. My heart aches just thinking that thought. To me it's ok if that light at the end of the tunnel stays dim for a while yet. I'm not ready to see my children leaving me. I don't think I ever will be. Of course I will let them go when they are ready but there will be a guide rope attached to them from my heart to theirs.
I know that I am giving them wings and teaching them to fly. I want them to soar. I just also want them to know that if they choose to take a little more time to get up the courage to spread their wings, that's ok too. That light will continue to be there, they don't need to rush and neither do I. I'm enjoying spending my days and nights with them and one day all too soon my nest will be empty. I'm not going to wish that day on myself any quicker than need be.
When I asked how she was doing she said that her kids are doing well... that the bigger ones are doing more things and starting to graduate from high school and move on. She said with a big sigh and a smile, "So there's light at the end of the tunnel now".
I do understand how tiring it can be to have so many people needing your attention and your time. I understand that it can be very overwhelming. I understand more than anyone there are times you want to just tune everyone out and have some alone time. But I've never understood the idea that having all your children grown and gone from you is "light at the end of the tunnel". The concept just makes me so sad!
I do know that I'm different from many people. Shoot, most people think we are insane for having so many kids. I'm constantly told, "Better you than me". To which I generally reply, "I'm sure you are right!". I am the first to say that having a large family is not for everyone. In fact, I think it's not for most people!
It's not just large families that I've heard this particular sentiment from. In fact, I rarely hear it from mothers of big families. I have friends with just one or two who have said this to me. They have literally had a countdown to their children leaving. I look at Kaylie and think, "Wow, technically I have only a little over 2 years left with her if she chooses to leave when she's 18". That thought makes me almost cry! I've always told my children that when they are adults they are free to move on but to know they always have a place in my home. In fact, I encourage them to think about staying longer! I just can't bear the thought that my kids are going to grow up and leave us! For some reason I feel like we won't be whole anymore. I know it's not true, we will always be a family, but with some not here it won't be the same.
I want my children to be strong enough and independent enough to know that they can live away from us and thrive. I want my children to all be able to take care of themselves. I also want my children to know that regardless of how old they are they always have a place in our home, a bed and a pillow, a spot at the dinner table and a place in my heart and in my arms. Never do I want them to think I am relieved to have one less kid in my house. My heart aches just thinking that thought. To me it's ok if that light at the end of the tunnel stays dim for a while yet. I'm not ready to see my children leaving me. I don't think I ever will be. Of course I will let them go when they are ready but there will be a guide rope attached to them from my heart to theirs.
I know that I am giving them wings and teaching them to fly. I want them to soar. I just also want them to know that if they choose to take a little more time to get up the courage to spread their wings, that's ok too. That light will continue to be there, they don't need to rush and neither do I. I'm enjoying spending my days and nights with them and one day all too soon my nest will be empty. I'm not going to wish that day on myself any quicker than need be.
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