A Milestone

A year ago today I joined the ranks and decided to have a blog. I can't believe it has already been a year! Time sure does fly! I really enjoy posting things about myself and my family. It is good for my family and friends to read up on the latest with us, since we don't get to see them much. Hopefully I will celebrate many more years of blogging! If you read me, thanks;) I appreciate you. And if I read you, I really enjoy getting to know you through your blog! Have a Happy Wednesday!

Random Thoughts

*G just cracks me up lately. He will say, "No, Mommy" or "Stop Sissy". His famous words are "Oh man". I have no idea where he picked that up from. I guess either Zach or I say that! It is so fun to hear his vocabulary increase.

**On another G note, yesterday was his well-child appointment. I saw a different doctor than last week, who questioned why I haven't immunized yet (and she must have looked on the computer to see that the other 2 have been immunized before coming to see us) and why I haven't taken him to the doctors. Well, he is a healthy little guy, and I see no need for the interference of doctors all the time. Let me tell you, H was at the doctor at every chance for those well-baby appointments. But, I have changed my mind/views on some things in 6 years. The more the doctors stay out of our lives the better. Of course, there are times when you need a doctor, and I would never deny my child medical care if he/she needed it. She also looked at his growth (at 9 months he was in the 50% percentile and now he's in the 10th percentile). Hmmm.....let me see.....the boy does NOT sit still! He wasn't walking at 9 months old. He eats more than his sister and brother. I remember when H was a baby the WIC people getting on my case about her. My mom said it was the same with me- that I didn't meet the 'standard' and they were all concerned. Geesh, its not like I'm starving my children over here! And he is the healthiest little guy out of them all!

***Today J got his pictures taken at Wal-Mart. My boy is growing up. He has always been afraid to sit on those tables and it usually is a chore to get him to cooperate. Today I was actually impressed and accepted the first picture!!!! That has NEVER happened with ANY of my children! I was so proud of him. Of course, he was smiling the biggest, goofiest smiles with his eyes all squinted, even when the camera was shooting his picture. But, we did manage to get some pictures without the squinting!

****Today H will graduate from kindergarten. I have been trying to get her done with school for the last week, but we have been incredibly busy with other things. Today she reads her last book and is done! Both her and I are excited about this! I think we both need a break! I will continue to do some things with her this summer, here and there, for review, but otherwise, it is summer vacation!

*****My body has been so wacked out lately. I had my 'friend' visit for well over a week at the beginning of the month, and it has started up again! Here I was hoping to get pregnant this month, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen! I'm not sure if it is because of nursing G so long and then weaning or what. I have never had irregular cycles. But I don't really want to go to the doctor. They'll probably try to tell me I need to go on birth control pills to regulate them and I will NOT do that! But, I found the BEST vitamins for women! I tell ya, I started taking them not even a week ago and already I feel a difference! What are they called? SuperMom vitamins! You can also go here to read reviews and order them. I am not sure if you pay shipping at Beeyoutiful, but at New Little Blessing you don't. I haven't been tired, even after all of the yard work I've been doing. I just feel energy and I feel good.

What a Week!

Well, I got most of the landscaping/gardening done. But yesterday I quit. I had enough. I was out there pretty much every night of the week working, then all day Saturday and I had it. I don't have much left to do, but I don't want to look at another weed or rock or dirt. I like how it looks so far. I will have to take a picture when it is finished. My housework has suffered tremendously. I am worn out from it all, physically and I think even emotionally. Digging up trees, pulling weeds, planting flowers, laying down rocks.... I would rather clean a toilet! So, I think my baby-sitter's brother may come and finish it for me. We'll see. All I know is it has got to get done this week and I'm not doing it. I am sick of sweating out there, getting dirty and doing it solo. I missed out on spending time with my kids, didn't cook much and didn't do an ounce of cleaning. Do I sound crabby? I have a right, don't I? It's my blog!

On to another note...H finished her science and math this week. She has only 5 lessons left in phonics and we are done. We plan to do things throughout the summer, but on a much more relaxed note. I also want to work with J a bit this summer and get him doing some things. It is a relief to be pretty much done though. I enjoy homeschooling, but I think I need a break! Our homeschool group had a skating party on Thursday. We had a good time. G put on roller skates for the first time. J, who was scared last time, was out in the middle of the floor!

I took the two older kids for well-child appointments this week. They hadn't been to the doctor in years and I thought I'd do a check-up. I'm not fond of doctors and don't normally go unless we need to. They didn't see their normal doctor at this appointment, and when I was telling her that H has glasses she asked if she reads them in school. I told her that we homeschool and as soon as that left my mouth you could SEE this wall go up. She then asked me what extracurricular H was in and made a comment about socialization! Hogwash!

I bought some rollers this week and have been experimenting with them. My hair is so poker straight, but when I sleep in rollers I wake up looking like a poodle! Zach really likes it, and I do too once I get it a bit tamer. It is fun to have my hair looking a bit different now and then.

This week my friend Beth from North Carolina is coming to visit with her 4 and 2 year olds. It should be a fun week visiting and playing! We are really looking forward to them being here. Then a day or two after she leaves we head to Michigan for 2 weeks. It sure will be nice to see family again. I really miss my mom and can't wait to spend time with her, go shopping with her, and just see her and the kids play.

I'll post some pictures of the week too.

G after church today. I thought he looked so cute in his tie. All he wanted to do was eat, so he looks unhappy.














H sporting her 'smart' look!














J when told to smile!

J on his Batman 'scapes' as he calls them.




















H having a blast skating, but not letting go!



















Brave G skating for the first time!




















My hair after wearing rollers all night.

Garden Daze

Well, Zach got me some plants for our anniversary so I have been having to haul my bottom outside to do something about them. We have been wanting to work on our garden/landscaping for quite some time but just haven't gotten around to it. Now, with it being 80+ degrees outside I am working out there. Hopefully it won't take too long and will go along smoothly. I really do not have a green thumb, but I guess I can plant a few flowers here and there. I am more concerned about the cost. And it is so hard to find perennials! I don't want to have to go out there every 6 months to a year to replant. I just want it done and over with! So, if you don't see me around for awhile I am knee deep in dirt and praying my job will look well in the end.

Shopping, And I Need YOUR Help!

Ok, I am in the search of a new digital camera. The one I have now was given to me, but now I can't get the dial to turn to turn it on. Back in February a waitress spilled water on my diaper bag, which had my camera in it. So, it didn't turn on for days after that. Then, it started working again. Now it is not turning again. I can only think that maybe a bit of sand got in it from the beach. I don't know. It is so frustrating! I don't know anything about digital cameras. The one I have now is Kodak and the USB connector I have is Kodak. I don't even know if that makes a difference! Anyway, please share what you have and what you love about it! I am thinking I will probably stick with Kodak, but I'm not sure. Thanks!

7 Years Ago Today...

I said, "I do" to my best friend. Today is our anniversary. I can't believe it has been 7 years. It seems like just yesterday. I remember so many little details from that day. We have been through alot the past 7 years- from babies, to moves, ups and downs. God is the center of our lives and marriage and He has seen us through it all. I am blessed with a husband who loves God and is committed to and loves me. He is a wonderful husband and father and I am so blessed. Happy anniversary Zach! I love you!

Beach Bums

Yesterday we decided to go to the beach. Can you believe this was our first time going to the beach down here since we've lived here? It's been almost 2 years! Sure, we've walked along the beaches, but never swam. Where we live you don't swim in the water! So, we drove east and swam. It was glorious! The beach was pretty packed. The weather was perfect. It was sunny and warm but there was a wonderful breeze so we weren't hot. The water felt like bath water, but having grown up on Lake Superior I think anything would! I enjoyed working on my tan (I am determined to have a good tan before I visit family in Michigan in June). G didn't know what to think of the water. He was mesmerized. He had been to a couple of beaches in Michigan last summer, but I'm sure he didn't remember! He just watched the waves come crashing in. He wasn't afraid in the least. The water/sand kind of pulls you. As the waves come into shore it pulls you back toward shore,a and when the wave recedes it pulls you back toward the water. You aren't actually pulled, but it feels like the ground underneath is pulling you. Well, G would lean back and forward as this happened. It was a riot. Last year J was terrified of the water for some reason, so I thought he would be this year. But he surprised us and got right in there, splashing, jumping and all. He even got his face wet a few times and it didn't bother him. He also loved playing in the sand and covering himself in it. H had a blast going a little deeper with daddy and jumping the waves. They were out there pretty much the whole time jumping those waves. And some of them were huge! It was wonderful. I didn't realize how much I missed the beach until we went. We decided we need to go more often. After all, we are blessed to live so close to such an expansive body of water. I love to sit and look at the majestic waters. It just goes on forever. The sand is beautiful and so soft beneath your feet. The music of the waves just soothes me. How can somebody deny there is a God when that stares them right in the face? Water has always brought me 'closer' to God; helped me to ponder His might and power. In college sometimes I would go to a park called Presque Isle. I had this certain spot where I would sit on this rock, sometimes take along my Bible or walkman and just bask in the presence of the Lord as I marveled at His handiwork. He has truly created a beautiful earth. I love going outdoors and enjoying it. I look forward to our next beach trip! Meanwhile, here are some pictures.














Here is H getting ready to jump a wave.
J is a sandman!































G with his typical look on his face.
Here are H and I enjoying the sun.

J and I (he is so goofy)













G staring at the water













H and daddy jumping the waves














J playing in the sand

Hammering Away

On Saturday Zach took the kids to Lowe's to make a Mother's Day craft. They come home, not only with their handiwork (a wheelbarrow planter), but aprons, safety goggles and a certificate. I was so impressed! Guess they have little workshops like that once a month. Zach said they did real well- H did hers all by herself and he helped J. I was very impressed! So, here is a picture of my two munchkins.  

A Mother's Prayer

A MOTHER'S PRAYER
Dear Lord, it's such a hectic day,
With little time to stop and pray,
For life's been anything but calm
Since You called me to be a mom--
Running errands, matching socks,
Building dreams with wooden blocks,
Cooking, cleaning, finding shoes
And other stuff that children lose,
Fitting lids on bottled bugs,
Wiping tears and giving hugs,
A stack of last week's mail to read--
So where's the quiet time I need?
Yet, when I steal a moment, Lord,
Just at the sink or ironing board,
To ask the blessings of Your grace,
I see then, in my small one's face,
That you have blessed me all the while --
And I stoop to kiss that precious smile.
Author unknown

I am certainly a blessed woman! Three beautiful children that the Lord has blessed me with. I wouldn't be able to celebrate Mother's Day if it weren't for these blessings. I don't always see them as blessings. There are moments when I want to scream, cry and just hide in my room. But, God has given me this job title- Mother. I pray that I can be the best, Godliest, most selfless mother that I can be. I don't want to be mediocre. I don't want to just get by day-to-day. I want to instill in my children love- for the Lord, His Word, our family. I want them to know how much I love them, not by the number of toys they have but by the way I spend time with them, teach them, love and nurture them. Thank you, Jesus, for these blessings of mine!

Chance to win an Ergo

I am posting about another contest, this one for Mother's Day. This is for an Ergo baby carrier. I hear this is the best thing around! I have yet to try one myself (which is why I would love to win this one- for the next baby), but I have heard nothing but fantastic things about the Ergo. So, where do you sign up for this wonderful gift? Over at Biblical Womanhood.

Weekend Re-Cap

1. Thursday H had her first eye appointment. It was discovered that she needs glasses. I was a bit surprised, but shouldn't have been considering that Zach and I are blind as can be! I was also expected to pay $150 for my appointment. I have never had to pay that much for an eye appointment. We have great insurance. I was livid, but didn't fight it too much, as I was there for 2 1/2 hours!!!! It took forever! I had my baby-sitter come along and watch the kids. I felt so bad that we were cramped in this little office (my first time there) and for that length of time. She was so cool about it- I have the best baby-sitter. Let's just say I won't go there again!
2. Friday I ran around getting ready for J's birthday party on Saturday. Pretty uneventful day.
3. Saturday our friends came from Pensacola to celebrate J's birthday with us. They always come early so we can hang out. This was our last time seeing them until who knows when because they're moving to North Carolina. I am so bummed they're moving farther away! Then we had J's party. It was supposed to rain, we even had a tornado watch that morning. Somehow the storms broke up! Boy, was I thankful! I had planned an outdoor party and couldn't fathom about 10 kids (8 being boys) running around my house! They had a blast playing in the pool, the slip-n-slide, and the sprinkler. They had fun with water balloons and eating all the yummy food (surprisingly the fruit was all gone yet I had tons of chips left!). J got a ton of great gifts and was pretty excited. It was an eventful day! I used to think that having a 'theme' party was a must, but party planning is hard enough. They don't care about a theme, but have fun no matter what! Our friends from Pensacola didn't leave until about 11:30! It was nice spending all of that extra time with them!
4. Yesterday we picked up H's glasses. She looks adorable. When I was little and had glasses they were so geeky! I'm so glad that they make them differently now! Not that I'd think my kid was a geek anyway, but you know what I mean.
5. Last night was the Awana Awards Ceremony at church. Both of the kids were so excited to get an award for finishing their books! They had cake afterwards and we had a good time. I am so proud of both H and J for doing their books in 4 short months (thanks to Katrina)!

Boys will be boys...













Silly 4 year old birthday boy!



















Here she is in her glasses! She is amazed at how well she can see things far away now. She keeps taking them off and putting them on to see the difference! I'm thankful that she can see too, and that now I know!

 

Birthday Boy!

 

Happy Birthday JoJo!

I can't believe my Jo boy is 4 years old today. I remember being so ecstatic to learn he was a boy! I remember the doctor literally throwing him on me and me looking down and exclaiming he was boy! This was my first taste of boy. I grew up an only child. Majority of my cousins are girls. I did baby-sit, and mostly for boys, but that wasn't always that often. Jo was my first boy in EVERY sense of the word. I remember peering into his face and instantly being in love. I remember calling my friend who was watching H and telling her it was a boy and his name is J, even before Zach and I had totally agreed on that! J was such a sweet baby. Melted mamma's heart. He was so good natured. Little did I know when he turned two, and then three, that things would change! While he still had a sweet nature, he was such a boy! I was scared! But, God showed me that this is how boys are and I breathed a huge sigh of relief! J is the one who is the clown in the family, always doing something silly to make us laugh. He's also the one who doesn't like to venture far away from mommy and daddy, but likes to stay near us when we're in a public setting. God designed Jo in His image and I wouldn't trade it for anything! He is the only of our children (so far) with mommy's eyes. He is still my little heart-breaker. So, on behalf of my Jo's birthday here are 4 things for him:

1. I love the way you smile at me. Your whole face lights up. Your eyes shine. Your little dimples melt my heart. Your smile is like the sunshine that warms the earth- it warms me up and fills me with so much love for you.

2. I love your little antics and imagination. You make up so many words and stories. You always make me laugh. You like to put on a show and dance the most wildest dances. Not only do you move your body this way and that, but you contort your face into all sorts of movements and you just make me burst with laughter.

3. I love your inquisitiveness. You like to ask questions and learn. You ask about God, about birds, dinosaurs, Jesus. You are always asking questions (you probably get this from your sister). I love to see your mind at work as you ponder the things we tell you. I hope you will always have a heart and mind for learning and never be afraid to ask a question.

4. I love that you are a boy and that God has blessed us with you in our family. You can be wild and sassy, but you can also be sweet and loving. You love to run around and be loud, but you also will sit and cuddle. You like to shoot guns and play swords, yet you also like to kiss your mommy. You like to watch a movie with Daddy, but you also like to read a book with Mommy.

Happy birthday my dear boy. Mommy loves you!

Bringing Down the House

Last night we were to have company over for dinner. Some friends of ours that live here, and also my friend, Jodie's husband, Brian. Jodie and I were best friends growing up. We were the 'rebels' at church. Not really. But, we have so many fond memories, some of us getting into trouble. Her husband is working down here and I told her he ought to come over for dinner sometime! It was so neat to have him! I have only met him twice before last night- our wedding and their wedding! We had such a good time.

But, before the company arrived (good thing they were late) I had a fire in the kitchen. I was going to make some tuna salad and turned on the wrong burner. On the burner I turned on I had a bag of pretzels. I was in the living room and I looked into the kitchen to see smoke, so looked closer and there were flames. Thankfully it was contained to that one area, but boy did the whole house get smoky. It still smells in here. We opened the windows, but it is so hot here that I don't think that did much good. At least I had it all cleaned up before our company arrived! But, it still did smell. Zach was livid with me. I was pretty upset at myself too. As if I didn't feel bad as it was...I was all shook up! It was a stupid accident. Please tell me I am not the only one who has made a stupid mistake like this. We all make mistakes. So, share a stupid mistake you've made.

The Weaning Scene

Well, we're doing pretty good with weaning. G rarely asks for it, mostly when he goes to bed. He cries a bit, but not bad at all. Last night he slept in his own bed until 4:30 am! Usually he comes into my bed in the middle of the night- I think the longest he's stayed in his own bed had been until 2:30. It was such a relief. Zach woke up at 4:30 and I couldn't believe G wasn't in our bed! He sure is growing up. Now hopefully with him weaned number 4 will be on the way soon. I am still waiting for that good ol' friend to show up, but I doubt I am pregnant. I sure hope so though!

Here is a picture of my little man. He is pointing to his hat and saying, "Hat!" He looks like such a big boy in this picture!

Spunky's Great Giveaway

Spunky is giving away a Benz Microscope and Apologia Biology Set this week. Click Here to get the details.

How totally cool is that for us homeschoolers!