It's the last day of 2009!!!!!!!!!

Wow! 2009 has been an interesting year...we have had a lot of hurdles to get over with just about every aspect of our life, the good news is that each hurdle has taught us valuable lessons that we gain knowledge and strength from. Some things we dealt with were just annoying: employee (former employee), family, a certain customer, etc. Some things were very difficult that still cause pain and saddness: the loss of a friend. Some things we still deal with on a daily basis: Sam's "choking" fear still lingers, mealtime is a battle. But, no matter what the issue, we have used each other's strengths to make it through and have come out as a closer family.

Now for some of the fun 2009 things that we are currently experiencing:

The girls' room (I love how that sounds!) is pretty much done, I have the names to paint and put up along with some of the wall decor, but Adelyn has been sleeping in her big big bed since the 23rd and I cannot believe how well it is going. She and Becca do not even talk at all at night time, they go right to sleep...I wonder when we go to bed earlier with school if they will talk though. I better try it out as school starts Monday already!

Jason is working out in Kansas and is loving it. He has it all planned to move out there in about 3 years...we'll see. I truly wouldn't mind moving but always thought if I did move away from my family it would be somewhere that winter boots were not requried ever. Kansas has winters like us, but they are usually very short, sometimes a few days, then nothing for a month...still, to take me that far away from my family would make me feel "isolated" which is what Jason likes, he hates crowds, malls, shopping, people, etc. He would be so happy with a group of about 10 people to hang with and never think twice about it. I'm much more sociable, I like going to events to meet people. He tells me not to worry, I can still have Facebook out there! ha ha He is enjoying hunting out there and got 2 new guns for Christmas...I had gotten him one and he begged me for one not knowing he got one already...I'm glad he is getting into hunting again, maybe he will do more at home and have a hobby.


Sam is getting bored over vaction now and his friend called yesterday, it was good to have him reconnect with a buddy. I tried to keep them busy and I tried to have some friends over, but everyone was gone or celebrating with family...so a few more days and he will be back in school. I'm ready for that too so the house can stay cleaned for more than 1 hour! Ha!


I had the 38 week prenatal appointment yesterday (technically 38 weeks, 2 days to be exact) and there is no action happening yet, which is just what I was hoping for, Jason wants to stay out on the job in KS til the 9th, so no early births is part of the plan. I'm usually a day to a week late anyhow, and due to the size of the last one, I am not wanting to go over too much. The baby has "dropped" and is head down, but is not yet fully engaged in the pelvic area. I was not effaced at all and dialated only a pinch, so not even a 1. I have been having Braxton Hicks contractions and at my next appointment, Jan. 7th, I will have her strip my membranes. I will also discuss my concern about her constant mentioning of C-Section...this really frustrates me tremendously. I have never had one, but since Adelyns shoulder got stuck for just a few seconds, they are making it like I need to do a C-Section...I feel it was a fluke, she was a BIG baby, and they had to turn her inside so she was facing the right way which could have caused her to be in an akward position. I just got up to get Adelyn a drink and could barely walk due to another BH...it's weird to think that our baby could arrive really anyday, supposidly within 12 days, which means NO later than 19 days...wow!!!!! I'm excited and still feeling like I'm not totally ready yet either! Maybe it's just not having the room completely set up because we dont' know if we're having a girl or a boy. At first I thought girl, but assumed it was just because the last 5 years had been all girl stuff...then I was really set it was a boy...but now I'm really leaning towards girl again...who knows! It doesn't matter, but I like to have things in order, and not knowing is making me feel unprepared with the room, which is so silly because I have everything washed and put away and ready, so it will only take about 30 mins if its a girl to have it complete and about a day if it's a boy as we have to remove a border, paint a stripe, put up a border and switch things over...not a big deal at all!

Well, I better go now, I don't post enough so when I do it turns into a book! Have a great 2010 everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dream a Little Dream of Me

Thursday night at cub scouts I was talking to some ladies about our funny birth stories. So it only natural that I dream about talking to some ladies about birth!

Now, my dreams are very vivid, very real, and many times (more my daydreams) are previews of what's to come. For instance, when I found out I was pregnant, I dreamt I ran into someone whom I haven't talked to for awhile at a family event, and she herself was pregnant. Well, it turns out that had we gone to this event coming up, we would have run into her, and she is pregnant. When I used to dream I was pregnant, I knew within a month one of my friends or family members would make that big announcement. With that said, I also have "off the wall dreams"...like Part II of my dream Thursday was that I was hanging out with Taylor Swift and she was getting married because she was pregnant...it was not with her current bo either. She gave me her wedding ring to hold on to while she preformed and it was a pink "hat" ring, very big and costumish, but it did have glitter on it to make it sparkle! ha! My brain is so strange!

Okay, so back to my dream...
I was talking to some ladies about birth and such, and then the time came...it was the easiest and fastest delivery I had so far (hoping that part is true!) In the delivery room, there was no clues to say if we had a girl or a boy, but later on in the dream, we were at some outdoor party and I was talking to that same group of ladies and telling them how it was the easiest and fastest one...as I looked over, I saw Jason standing there holding a little girl, whom was sitting up with his help at this time. She was wearing a white outfit and a single pony tail on top like Becca used to have.

I've been thinking "boy" most the time, and now I'm not sure...hmmm...we will see in about 23 days! I'm SO excited. I just have a little more to do to get Adelyn moved downstairs, then I need to get what I can done in the baby room!!!

Big "big" girl bed

So I ordered Adelyn's headboard to match Beccas...not sure if I would be able to get it since it is a headboard his sister had when she was young, so from the 70's or 80's...I could not find the matching bedspread from 3 years ago and finally gave up on it. I did find one that is REALLY cute and goes with the colors of the room and also compliments Becca's bedspread. I then thought, "oh, I need to get the dust ruffle" and again, can't find that. However, I found the headboard to match exactly from so long ago...silly!
It was suppose to arrive between the 29th of Dec and the 11th of Jan (also my due date!)...and today as I was leaving for my appointment, Fed Ex showed up with it! I'm SOOOOO excited! Now I am going to get the rooms rearranged and combined so I can start working on that baby room, not too much I can do right now as we don't know if we're having a boy or girl, if it's a girl, it will stay the same, if it's a boy, I have the stuff already all purchased and will do a quick makeover.

The appointment went well, and fast. I guess that is good, it means that there are no concerns! My blood pressure is perfect, the measurement is right on schedule again (36.5 cm), two appointments ago I was measuring 1.5 cm bigger, but must have just been a growth spurt and it is now back on track. I have gained...ha ha ha, you think I'm going to tell you that?! I always gain between 39-41 pounds with each pregnancy...and let's put it this way, history repeats itself! The heartbeat was 142-144 today, so very close to the 140 it has been over the entire pregnancy. I'm suppose to go every week now, but will skip next week as my doctor is gone, they only check heartbeat and blood pressure, and as long as I feel baby moving and I feel good, I am not worried about it. When I go back on the 30th, my doctor will exam me to see where things are at, baby location/orientation, if I'm dialated at all, etc. I did not set up an appointment for the 13th as I am hoping to be delivered by then!!!! I just thought that the 10th or the 11th would be great days as it would be 1-10-10 or 1-11-10..both pretty cool dates!

I'm going to go get to work with the rooms now and I will attach photos later of my big belly and the room (less the bedskirt for now!)!!!!

The 1 Month Countdown and Funnies by Kids

Today is December 11th...I am due in 1 month!!!!!!! Isn't this suppose to be a 9 month process...it can't have been that long already...time just keeps slipping by faster and faster!

The other night Sam came to sleep with me (his dad has him trained to need someone to sleep with! It's tough cuz they are "cuddlers" and I'm more like "give me my space" when sleeping!) So my tummy was up against his back, and he thought I was "hitting" him, but then he realized it was the baby pounding on him! So funny.

Tonight I heard so much funny stuff from the kids so I wanted to share a few of them with you...

I was downstairs trying to find a headboard online to match Becca's for Adelyn's bed as they will be roommates soon (found one...on it's way). Sam and Becca were picking up (with a lot of my direction and reminders). Adelyn went upstairs, then came down and sat on the bottom step. I hear her talking so I look over and she is talking on her "cell phone". I hear her say, "Sam and Becca be naughty, yeah, they naughty." She sees me looking at her, so she shuts the phone. I didn't want her to feel embarrased so I said, "who were you talking to?" She says as serious as can be, "Santa." I 'bout peed my pants! She's so funny!

Then I was reminding and reminding kids to pick up. I said to hurry up with the few more things so we could play a game before bed. After I realized they were still just playing around I said, "forget it, I am not going to tell you again to get going. I guess we'll just go to bed after it gets cleaned." Of course that made them both whine and ask for another chance, etc. I said, "We'll see how well you do now without any reminders, if you can clean it up without whining or messing around we'll see what happens." So then they get to work, and I see Sam sit down by Becca and say really quiet, but very seriously, "ya know how we can get done faster?" Becca says, "How?" He says, "If you keep your mouth shut." So she says, "we'll be done really fast if we both keep our mouths shut." He says, "yeah, you're right." It was SO funny, cuz they weren't being sassy about it, it was like "what a great idea"! ha ha ha

Today I picked Adelyn up and was walking with her on my hip...she was all upset all of a sudden and I asked her what was wrong. She said, "I'm quishing (squishing, she omits most "s" sounds in front of words) yours baby! I thought that was so cute that she at 2 1/2 was all worried that me holding her was squishing the baby...she will be a little mommy, I can just see it!

Okay, one more. Today when Addy and I were shopping, she picked out some Trident gum. I put it in my purse after she got 2 pieces. Later on when the kids got home from school, they were playing in the kitchen while I was getting dishes put away and I hear her say in her most "check this out" voice...."hey guys, look what I got!" I look of course to see what she is tempting them with and she digs into her pocket and pulls out her gum...stinker, it was in my purse and I never took it out! The kids istantly gave her the attention she was searching for, so her plan worked. She shared very nicely, which I was proud to see. Part of me thought she would say, "No, mine, and run off!"

5 weeks left!

So, as I was organizing the kitchen the end of November, I decided to switch over the dry erase calendar...then I realized that I only had 1 1/2 months to go til Baby Surprise arrives...where has the time gone? Truly feels like I just found out, and I found out early too...wow!
I had an appointment on December 2, very fast quick appointment since I had no concerns and baby is moving tons, head is down, heartbeat is still 140's, obviously growing. I measured a little bigger, but last time I was 1 1/4 cm larger, this time it was 1 cm over the norm but still within the acceptable range. I worry a little that I may have another big baby, Adelyn was 9#-11 oz. I'm hoping for a 7 or 8 pounder...not too little, not too big. Well, as long as he/she is healthy, I'll take whatever, but you know what I mean.
So Thursday is going to be jam packed. My mom is taking Addy in the morning so I can go get the rest of my Christmas shopping done, not too much left to do, but it is really hard to get things with kids. Speaking of, I have been without Jason since November 29th and 24/7 kid duty gets really wearing with nobody else to "take over" even if it is a half hour at night. Good thing we have great kids, there has only been a few moments of insanity! ha! So...my friends Gail and Cheri and I are going to a nice Mexican restaurant for lunch after I Christmas shop...that is going to be awesome and a break that will refresh me for another few weeks! Then, Thursday night I am taking the kids and my mom to Chippewa for a sleigh ride. It's suppose to be cold, so I think Adelyn will stay with Aunt Tina and Caden while we adults take the bigger kids. We did this last year and it was really nice and so relaxing, and cold last year too...the warm cocoa and chili will taste especially good when we are done!
Then Friday while the kids are at school and Addy is sleeping, I will wrap all the gifts and the last thing to do is to make the Christmas goodies with the kids this weekend. They love to decorate the frosted cookies and we have to make lots of them since they are a favorite at our house. I'm also going to attempt molasses with sugar and white chocolate zig zags on them...I love baking, too much!
Okay, I think that is about it...I have another appointment next week, then I start going every week from there until we have our new little family member! We're so excited!

Lil Miss "I'll show you!"

I am so concerned about my sweet Adelyn. Now Becca was sassy, and is still a little sassy, but has really tamed down over the last 2-3 years. Adelyn, not sure how to handle her...she isn't "sassy" but just so...what's the word..."take that" attitude.

Example 1: being naughty and saying "no" when I tell her to go brush her teeth for bed...repeatedly. I say, "Adelyn, I'm not saying it again, do you want a spanking?" She says, "yes, spank my butt." WHAT? I don't want to spank you...I just wanted you to think I would so you would go brush your teeth you little shithead!

Example 2: she did NOT want to take a nap today, usually she lays down great and likes her naptime, but every once in awhile she will pull this for a couple days and give excuses, "potty, thirsty, different baby or animal to sleep with, etc." So today she went through the list and I was firm in saying we aren't doing that and need to go to sleep so we can be rested to play again when we wake up. She continues with excuses and calling me and getting out of bed, etc. Finally she wants her door opened...I say, "I will keep your door opened, but you need to stop talking and calling me and just close your eyes and go to bed" As soon as I get into the kitchen, she starts crying...and crying...I yell, "Adelyn, Stop Crying or I'm going to shut your door!" So I hear her get out of bed and slam her door shut, then crawls back in bed and continues crying! Where did she get this from? Even sassy Becca would stop as soon as my voice got firm or a consequence was laid out!

This should be interesting! I have to say that 95% of the time she is really a GREAT girl and such a fun, loving, humorous child...but that other 5% is definately going to give me a run for my money! It will be interesting to see if she relaxes more or gets more attitude when the baby is here.

Speaking of the baby, I had an appointment yesterday. Baby is growing...of course you can tell that by looking at me and I can tell that by the "kicks" being more "rolly nudges" at this point, things are getting squished in there! I measured 34 cm, and I am 32.5 weeks along, so just a hair over but the doctor said that it is well within the allowed measurements. The heartbeat was 140...I know that lower heartbeats are traditionally "boy" and I felt for a long time it is a boy...but lately I've been thinking pink...so basically I have no idea. All three other kids ranged from 140 to 160 with the heartbeats. When I think of this one being consistently in the lower 140's, I tend to lean towards boy...only 8 weeks left and we will find out! The baby has his/her head down and is laying on the right side, which I figured cuz that side is a little "bumped up" from the other side, and when he/she "shifts" their body, it looks like I have an alien about to poke through my belly! I LOVE this feeling of the movements, I love that you can almost tell if it was an entire hiney moving or if a hand or elbow is poking you or if a foot is pushing against your tummy/ribs/side while the baby tries to stretch those legs out! Weight wise, I am exactly where I was at 32 weeks with Sam, just checked his book tonight...yes, I gain 40lbs. each pregnancy and usually lose all but 5 with each, which puts me 20 lbs overweight! ha ha ha I will be doing the workout I did before where I saw some great results in pretty quick time.

Sam is doing better with eating, and his reading is going GREAT! He was struggling but all of a sudden he is like "I got this"...he LOVES the Dr. Suess books and reads them very well. Tonight I was making supper while he did his math homework and he did not stumble on any of the story problem or directions...I almost cried...when your child struggles with anything, you feel their pain and struggles...when they conquer it, it is the BEST feeling EVER! His confidence has boosted SO much this last week or two!

Becca, my super confident, "I can do anything" girl, is really good at whatever she tries (except Golf...ha ha) Her big news this week was that she lost her FIRST TOOTH! She pulled it out at school and everyone cheered and was so excited for her...just the attention she would expect! She was SO excited to come and show me. The toothfairy left her $5.00, a note, and the tooth for a keepsake. She like the "fancy" writing the toothfairy wrote her name in and has since then been bringing home pictures with that same "fancy" writing on them. Her birthday party is Sunday and I thought I would just buy her cake from the store...she let me know she wants me to make it, and put make-up stuff on it, and hearts, and sparkles...real girly. It made me feel good to know that they really like my cake making, and if that is one thing I can do to make them feel special and loved...then that is what I will do.

I love my children SOOOOOOOOO much....they are all so unique and fun and different, and yet so similar. I found a poem/story thing I wrote when Becca was just a baby and it brought tears to my eyes to read it...this time goes by SO quickly. I should post it on here...I will in the next few days.

Medical System...what happened to you?

I am really losing faith in the medical system. Not only the "scare tactics" about everything...especially the swine flue, but the unneccessary hoops one must go through to get no results in which we still pay for. Now, I am a person who ALWAYS tries to see things from each point of view on all issues...but after time and time of the same crap, I am really leaning away from medical and leaning more towards the natural remedies.

Example: The air is changing, the house is dry, we were waking up with dry itchy throats and phlemge (sp?) which irritated our throats. Sam's started first 2 weeks ago and I noticed a white spot in his throat and thought, "strep"...so I took him in. I tried to just get a culture done without an actual visit as our private self employed insurance is about as good as a hole in a canoe going down the river. Of course I can't, I have to see a doctor so I can pay $150.00 for them to say, "let's do a culture". Comes back negative. So I do the humidifiers and vapor liquid and give Sam some Claritin for his allergies which caused the swelling and throat irritation. Fine. Me however, I keep getting his "soar throat" every night. I try the humidifier, I try the vapor, I try the propped up pillows...a little better, but not really. So I try Chloreseptic, works for like 15 minutes. I try Tylenol, not much help. Finally, I do the salt water gargle...pain gone. As much as I HATE gargling, and end up usually throwing up from it, it works.

Okay...back to today. So the kids are better but still have some plemge in the morning to "hack up" I show them how and tell them everyone gets it, blah blah blah. But today Sam's had blood in his, and not just a pinkish streak, I mean, more blood than mucus. Along with the other things we're dealing with Sam, I was worried enough to take him in to get it checked out. I first called the nurse, but wasn't getting a return call. Finally once in the waiting room, she calls me and basically it can be nothing or something major and anything in between. So I was glad to be there.

I tell the nurse and doctor the story of what has been going on. About a month ago, maybe 3 weeks ago we had a pot roast for dinner. Sam choked, and I mean really choked. It was quite possibly the scariest thing I have experienced so far as a parent. Once we got the meat out of him, and he was okay, Jason and I both cried. Just thinking of the incident brings tears to my eyes and I hope to never experience that again! So after that incident, Sam began not eating, and we as caring parents understood the drama he went through and were sensitive to his fear so we allowed it to a point, but it got ridiculous...really bad. Sam used to eat 1 1/2 waffles and a sausage patty as a breakfast, he now barely eats 1/2 of the waffle. It is like this EVERY meal, no matter if he chooses the meal or not. We have gotten firm and this last weekend it really got to us and we yelled, punished, took things away, etc. Nothing phased him, he just "isn't hungry" EVER! He hasn't been sick, but hasn't quite been himself and gets worn down easily, we assumed it was happening from lack of food and how busy it's been with Halloween, pumpkin parties, cub scouts, etc. We are a very busy family and sometimes we forget how that can wear a kid down.

The doctor asks, "does your throat hurt?" Sam says, "no".
"how about when you eat? does it hurt when you swallow?" "No"

"Does he have a cough?" "No, just in the morning when trying to hack up the phlemge"
"Does he have any fevers?" "No, the other night he felt warm but I couldn't get the thermometer to work and the one time it came on it said 99.6, but he is warm bodied. I gave him some Motrin but he was completely fine in the morning and all the next days"

So...the doctor says his tonsils are swollen and he wants to do a strep culture....I protest saying that we just had one done 2 weeks ago and there are no white spots and he says his throat doesn't hurt. "some children show no signs of it and due to the swollen tonsils I want to make sure." $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

He also wants to do an Xray of Sam's chest which I think is a good idea since the bloody mucus and all. That comes back clean, no pnuemonia and no signs of anything else. "I want to write a prescription for an antibiotic for bronchitus" I question why would we give him an anitboiotic for bronchitus if it the Xray was clean. "due to the blood in the phelmge" I ask if there were any signs of bronchitus and he says, "no, but this is a clinical diagnosis" $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

And Sam has lost 3 lbs in 2 weeks from when I took him in to test for strep, that concerns him, and me, but I need to take that up with his regular doctor, so set up an appointment so she can do more testing.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

So I wonder why we run tests that the questions and symptoms don't support? Why did we not do any more of the "testing" when the first 2 things come back normal? Why do I have to come home and research things to diagnose my own child when I probably just spent $450.00 in Urgent Care? When did our doctors become nothing but "salespeople" to run tests and spend our money with no care over my child?

I am really frustrated, really really frustrated! And if anyone wants to give suggestions, I am open to them, but if anyone wants to rant about why we need Obama's "free" health care, please just exit now, or I will have to write another 5 pages on how that "free" plan will automatically cost Jason and I $9,000.00 that we don't pay now. Thank you.

It's SO dark!

I can't believe how dark the mornings are...can't wait to turn clocks back, I feel like I'm getting the kids up in the middle of the night!

So far we have been successful in avoiding any of this flu/sickness going around. I think the worst we have had has been allergies...a few sneezes and dry throats. The humidifiers are helping a great deal. I have become a "wash your hands with soap and water" recording!

We had a taste of winter for a day or two...the kids LOVED being out in the snow...it was really a fun afternoon. The cats...not so crazy about it!

Tomorrow is the kids' Halloween party at school. Becca is going to be a beautiful girl vampire, Sam a "monster" type guy, and Adelyn will be Elmo. So I get 2 dreary and 1 cutie! I love Halloween! Then Saturday we will Trick or Treat! We had our 4th annual Pumpkin Carvin Party and again it was a lot of fun! Sometimes the best parts are the things that aren't planned. My dad had gotten a bunch of mini pumpkins to shoot from a launcher, but it wasn't really working, so he set up Sam's TBall and the kids all hit the pumpkins with the bat...they loved how they smashed as they flew threw the air! It was really funny!

As far as the pregnancy...I am almost 30 weeks and already feeling uncomfortable...when Ihave to bend over to help Adelyn or get something, I always "grunt" at the discomfort. My back and legs are soar and I have been going to the Chiropractor to help with keeping things aligned which does help...I think being pregnant over 30 is very different from my younger years...and my next complaint would be my weight, partially my own fault for not making good choices and not walking like I used to, but it is still depressing...I know the end reward will be worth it all and I know these are all "fixable" things so I am not getting too down about it, just nice to vent about for a bit. On the bright side, the baby is really growing and moving, I can feel when he/she is laying a certain way and what body part is moving, and when he/she is turned in facing my organs/bladder/etc...this morning Jason was laying with his back to my belly and the baby was kicking him, he thought that was pretty cool. It's weird how it is something I feel everyday, and have in 3 other pregnancies, but the miracle of it is still so awesome...really one of the best feelings in the entire world, I almost feel bad for men that they don't get to experience it like women do!
Now if only we can come up with some boy names, I'm pretty set on Julia for the girl...the more I see it and hear it, the more I love it. I think it goes with the other kids' names too. I am really a blank slate for the boy name, which is something that I am thinking of more now that I have less than 3 months left...I'm still leaning towards this being a boy in there!

The excitement for the week is that I FINALLY found my CD's from 2004 when Becca was 1...I had just about accepted that they were lost forever, then when playing babies downstairs with Addy, I was like, "wait, what is in the other blue bin" and there was about 20 disks! YEAH! Now I am excited to finish up my Christmas Album! It is really coming along nicely and I hope our children will appreciate it later in life as it is a record of our Christmas Holidays since Jason and I met. Now it will be so easy to stay caught up...I'll do the page every January and just add to the book year after year. I am really loving digital scrapbooking for many reasons...I still am going to do traditional for the everyday stuff, but holiday books, vacation book, etc will be digital!

Sleepy Me!

Wow, not sure if it is the weather or the pregnancy or just a combination of it all...but I am SOOOO tired all the time! I will say that I sleep like crap, so that explains a lot. Even when Adelyn doesn't wake me up at all, this baby gets annoyed by 4:00 with my full bladder and lets me know, so then I'm up! I will be taking a nap today, for sure...I snoozed a little on the couch Saturday and it felt so good.
I had an appointment on Friday, the one where you drink the super sweet sugar induced orange drink. They haven't called so everything must have been normal, so that's good. The heartbeat was again around 140 so I am seeing blue. I feel so strongly that it is a boy, which probably means I'm having a girl! I am really bad at 50/50 things. I always choose wrong! We'll see. Now I need a boys name...Jason is set on one, but I want that to be the middle name, so I need one he will like as much if not better to go with the change, actually, I don't, I mean, I'm carrying this baby, letting my body be completely disformed again, doing all the appointments, will be doing all the labor, and will be doing almost all of the parenting...yes, I will decide! ha ha ha
I've been busy working on my Christmas Album, but put that aside in order to get my neice, Rylee's Disney Album done...really fun, but much harder since I wasn't there. I need my mom to come over and explain some of the events and photos I have to help me complete the book.
Sam has been busy with Cub Scouts, he is a "wolf" now, and this weekend he had a "fall outting" at Irvine Park. He now wants a bow and arrow, which Jason almost stopped on the way home to get...Sam gets almost whatever he wants due to Jason's inability to say "maybe for your birthday or Christmas" which I tell the kids all the time. I mean, if I went out and got all of them what they asked for each time, I'd be good as broke!
So my ambition level is not too high, my goals for the day are much more "simple" than they used to be...laundry. clean basement. vacuum floors. These are also not all in the same day either! ha ha ha...today my goal is to get through this pile of papers Jason left on my desk from cleaning out the work trucks...and that is a job...I mean PILES! And to get everything caught up on the current job to see where we really truly stand on it...has been kinda a nightmare to deal with this job, but lessons learned I guess!
Okay, Addy is paging me and I suppose I should feed her breakfast...ha!

Updates, updates, updates

So my 2 times a week has turned into a month later...

Kids started school the beginning of September, Becca was so excited to ride the bus I thought she was going to piddle on the floor each time she thought about it! I was not near as "sad" for her to go to kindergarten as I was for Sam, he was the first and it was a new experience...now it's just routine. I'll probably get that same way when our last one goes to school, although at this point I wonder if we will ever truly have an end to our childbearing...ha ha ha!

Addy had a tough time adjusting to the kids being gone at first, but is now doing really good being home alone with mom and even being my sidekick to go to buildings, drop off bids, etc. Grandma Becky and Grandpa Jim help out a lot too when I have work or meetings so she gets some fun play time over there and loves it. At first she did not want to leave my side, but now it's like, "bye mom, see you later" and she's off!

I had a ultrasound on September 8th and found out that it is a.................baby! ha ha ha...I'm really glad we don't know what it is...makes it a whole new experience for the whole family and the kids and I go back and forth with the guessing game. I still don't have names picked out, Jason thinks he knows what we are naming it if it's a boy, but I will only have that be the middle name for several reasons, and for now I will leave it at that. I have some girl names I like and one has been on my list the last few years so we will see if a "he or she" comes out and what they look like to us! The baby weighed approximately 1.1 pounds and was moving like crazy...I had to go to the bathroom 2 times during it for drinking too much water, which each time was like someone took a load off my...shoulders, man it's hard to have a full bladder with someone kicking it! I am so amazed at the whole miracle of life...I mean, to see this "person" inside of you and feel it is just amazing!

We feel the baby A LOT now, I am currently 25.5 weeks along, and the first time Becca felt it, her eyes about bulged out of her head and she smiled so big...I knew she really felt it then. Sam and Addy have both too now and they love it. One night Sam was laying next to me and I put his hand on my belly and the baby kicked it really hard...he just laughed and said, "whoa!" I love that the kids are so excited, it really gets me thinking that everything will be just fine with 4 of them running around!

As far as complaints, I have gained too much weight, which is partially due to my naughty eating habits and excellent baking skills! I don't think I will go over my usual 40 pounds for sure, but I was really hoping to keep this one around 30...which isn't going to happen in the 15 weeks I have left! Also heartburn is becoming a daily, several times a day, event...tums, tums, tums! And finally the sleep deprievation (sp?)...truly I wake up everynight for one thing or another, usually a family member who needs me...and then I'm up! Most nights it is from like 2 to 4 ish, but tonight when I got woken up the first 2 times I fell back to sleep...but when Addy needed me to find her puppy that was laying right next to her (hear the sarcasm there) around 3:30, that was it for me...I really intend on taking a nap today when Adelyn does or I know I will not make it through Cub Scouts tonight! I have only taken a nap 1 other day during this pregnancy, and I remember it felt so good! So overall, a great pregnancy with quite minimal things to complain about...I'm very blessed for that!

We had the boat out more times than we thought we would have since the weather was getting so cold when we bought it. It warmed up again, and I think it was warmer than in the summer. We got a "tube" thing for the kids and they LOVE it, especially Sam. Becca likes it, but wants to quit soon after going on. Addy tried it behind the pontoon one day with the kids but ended up crying and coming back in the boat. We usually go to Lake Wissota for the size of it and look forward to going to some campgrounds next summer with large lakes to camp and boat. I get to teach the kids to waterski next year and look so forward to that. And for myself too, maybe that will help tone up these "thunder thighs" I'm getting!

No sign of Jack the snake...the pet store told us he could live for a long time, even 2 years...but then we kicked the heat on in the bathroom and put a mouse (dead one) in there and he did not take the bait, which means he has probably left the vacinity.

So I will end this on a funny conversation I had with the kids the other day while making breakfast. I said, "that baby was kicking my tummy SO hard last night that I thought it was going to pop a foot through my skin!"
Sam: what does it look like now?
So I got the pregnancy book and showed them the photo for week 25 and we talked about it.
Becca: I don't ever want to get pregnant cuz I don't want to have my belly cut open.
Mom: Well, not everyone has to have their belly cut open, I never had my belly cut.
Pause....
Sam: Well, how do your babies come out then?
Pause...thought, "shit, what'd I just do?"
Pause....
Sam: Oh, I know, your mouth.
Mom: No, You know how you have a hole you poop out of?
Kids: Yeah
Mom: And you know how you have a hole you pee out of?
Kids: Yeah
Mom: Well, mommies have another special hole that the baby comes out of too.
Sam: Oh, no wonder why they need a bath!
Becca: Gross, what if they throw up?!
Mom: It's not the same hole Becca, it's a whole different area.
Sam: Oh yeah, cuz, you know, your poop hole is farther back.
Mom: yeah.

It was too funny and I kept waiting for the school to call me wondering what the heck the kids are talking about with their peers! ha ha ha

Okay, I think I will end it here! Have a good day!

Oh my...what have I been doing?

Ok, I need to get better at posting...I kept meaning to, but there is always so much to do, and now I don't have a sitter...okay, I need to just go back to where I left off.....

Work wise, we have been really busy, more the crew than my end...and I had our nanny, Jamie since Addy was 3 months old so she was like a second me around the house with the kids, cleaning, and laundry...Since Sam and Becca are going to be going to school, and I will only have Addy home (til January when baby comes) and the calls and appointments are slow, I decided I would not have Jamie come once school started, then she got a job that will be really good for her resume, but it started immediately, so I am all alone, and of course, the phones ring, people set up appointments, and I am busier than a 1 legged man in an ass kicking contest! I'm not complaining, it's good, but very tiring and stressful at many points of the day!

Then we fed Jack, Sam's snake on Thursday, Aug. 13th like usual. Then we were gone for the weekend and the week was SO busy, Thursday came again in a blink of an eye...I went to get Jack, to see the cage cover was opened...and no Jack inside. Becca forgot to close it, and well, there is a snake somewhere in the house. The problem is he is so small he could fit anywhere...I'm now realizing it has been 2 weeks since he ate and not sure what to think at this point. Sam is sad and Becca feels bad, and I'm kinda mad...there, did I hit most of the "_ad" words? I'm trying different tricks, but so far none have worked. When do we put the cage away and agree the search is over? I'm not sure, I hate the fact that he could be out there suffering and hungry!

I took Becca in to get her kindergarten shots, I've never seen a child so excited for her shots, and she didn't even cry. She is VERY proud of herself for that accompishment. I finally remembered to get my lab work done and so we did it together...what a nice mother/daughter event, huh? ha. I met my new doctor on the 26th and like her very much. The heartbeat was around 150-155 steady and strong, as well as the kicks the baby was doing while she was trying to get the heartrate. I am now feeling the baby move several times a day rather than sporatically throughout the week. I even have felt it on the outside, but the little stinker stops as soon as my hand is on there most the time so I haven't even tried to get the kids to feel yet, probably another week and they will be able to. I'm very excited. We are still thinking a boy and I am ordering things to convert the room incase it is...and if its a girl, no complaints here, but a boy would be nice for Sam to have a brother...that's about the only reason really.

Jason, the kids, and I went to the lake and had a ball...we had some friends come out for the day and dinner, bs, pontoon ride, etc. It was so much fun and really relaxing. We also went to see our neice's play, she played Belle, and did a great job, they all did. We had some other friends by the lake visit and went to their house where the kids were able to ride in and on a real army tank...they thought that was really cool.

We took our crew and their families to Valleyfair for a summer picnic, it was really nice (although I would have had more fun if I didn't have a bun in the oven...oh well). We took the party bus from Rock N' Roll To Go and that was the best, the kids were climbing the stripper poles like it was a jungle gym and we of course were teasing that they learned it from their mothers...it was too funny.

Adelyn has so many funny phrases...the newest one is "you naked!" every time we go to take a shower, get dressed, go to the bathroom...it's too cute. She also plays the "whose girl are you game" by saying different people to see them get "mad" for her not picking them. The other day we all went to the Chiropractor, and Addy told Dr. Judy, "No hurt my momma tummy." She is very aware of the baby in there and wants to see it often...I am so excited for her to be a big sister.
We were going to move her downstairs with Becca before school, but she isn't ready yet...or I'm not anyways. I decided to wait until Christmas break which will give her more time to be next to our room and Becca to adjust to school...then over break we will put the baby monitor down there to see how they do together and if she wakes Becca up with her "night whines" if she still does them at that time. Now I'm just bummed that I can't get the same quilt we have for Becca...it's discontinued...I keep searching ebay and online but no luck yet...not sure if I want to get two new ones or just a new one for Addy, I LOVE the quilt Becca has and so I need to think more on that one.

And the newest excitement is that after much debate, and tons of research, and finding a deal we couldn't pass up...we bought a boat! It is a 2007 Baja 202 Islander...a perfect mixture of a speed/race boat that Jason wanted and a family ski boat that I wanted! We really were trying to wait until winter or spring for good deals or when we have better job line up for the business, but we are booked and the deal was too good to pass up and it was exactly what we wanted. We are going to take it out tomorrow for the first time, but it is suppose to be cooler and very windy, so we'll see what happens. I assume we will go out at least for a little bit to try it out. When I took the kids to see it the first time, they said, "This is a dream come true!" So dramatic! Ha.

I will try to post photos of above events as soon as I get a data card that doesn't kick me off when I try to download or upload photos...gotta love technology!

Well, I think I am all caught up again. I know I miss a lot of the day to day funny things the kids do and say when I wait so long, so I will make it a point to get a blog on here at least 2 times a week to share more of our day to day adventures!

July...half way over!

I kept meaning to post, so much has happened and we've been SO busy. Now you get the shortened version, if that version exists with me! After the 4th of July (my Favorite holiday) we had the Northern WI State Fair, Jason was out of town, so it was me til Friday. Then we skipped out on Saturday to go to the lake for Rock Dam's Celebration. It used to be the weekend before the fair, and the fair moved up, so now we miss the celebration, but since it was our 10 year anniversary, I said, "NO WAY" to missing it again!

For the pontoon parade, we did "Rock Dam Disney" and all the kids dressed up as Disney characters...it was SO cute, the kids were adorable, the weather was awesome, and my mother in law in way too talented. Jason built it with David's help and it all came together to win us FIRST place. I should mention that Katy, Maren, and I put in our contributions as well!

Then this week I was busy with bids and buildings coming, and getting things organized for the awesome horse barn we will be working on now. It will be SO sweet! Can't wait to see the finished product, definately a Building Of the Year winner for 2009, I can feel it!

I'm going to try to download lots of pics, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't!

10 year Anninversary!!!!

10 years ago this day, I woke up early with happy butterflies in my stomach knowing that by the end of the day I was going to be Mrs. Somerville. I remember the day like it was yesterday and it is hard to believe it was 10 years ago. I remember the smile Jason had when I entered the church in my gown and the tears of joy he had in his eyes, I remember how his words during the vows made me all choked up when it was my turn and I had to speak so softly in order not to break out in tears!
We went back to the cabin and had one of the best receptions ever! I remember going up to change out of my dress and I took my hair all down and then realized we didn't do the bouquet and garder belt yet...almost lost it, but Jason calmed me down and it was okay.
The weather was perfect and we had no idea what our future was to bring. The plan was to finish school, get our careers going, build or buy a house, and then start a family. The reality was so much sweeter! Jason went right into a career, I finsihed school, we had Sam, I worked only part time, we had Becca, then took on a dealership and formed Custom Structures, then built a house, then had Adelyn, and now baby surprise on the way!
And I wouldn't change a thing. I love my life, I love my family.

Toothfairy Time!

Sam has had his two bottom teeth loose for awhile, and then the new two bottom ones came up behind them...I told Sam he needed to work on getting them out or I was going to do it!

Yesterday we were at my sisters, I had to clean up the show shack for the fair in Chippewa and she helped me with it, then we just hung at her house and the kids played. Sam came in and said, "Mama, I bumped Becca in the head with my mouth by accident and now my tooth is REALLY loose." We looked and it tipped all the way forward, just connected to the gum a bit. I told him he had to pull and twist it til it came out. He took a napkin and they went back outside. A few minutes later we hear all this commotion and "I got it!"

He came in to show us (shaking like crazy from nerves I think) and was SO proud. We all made a big deal of it and took a picture to text to Daddy.

We had to stop to show Grandma before going home. When the kids went to bed, the toothfairy had typed a nice letter up and signed it with swrily writing, and a cute clip art of a happy tooth on it. In the morning, Sam woke up to find the note, $5.00, and his tooth under his pillow. He was SO excited that she left his first tooth for him to keep in his memory box.

The letter said how she was proud and that she gives a little extra money for the first one cuz she knows he was probably a little scared and nervous as he never lost a tooth before. She also lets the kids keep their first tooth. She said at the end, "P.S.: Be sure to brush 2 times a day and keep working on that other bottom tooth, I look forward to coming back soon!"

When Sam heard that he said, "I KNEW IT! I told Grandma the Toothfairy looks in your mouth!"

Vacation Please?

The schedule at the Somervile house is CRAZY these next few weeks. Sam has summer school with a 2 hour break, one class is during Adelyn's nap time, I have the NWSF starting Wednesday through Sunday, suppose to go to the lake for the celebration of the 4th of July Friday night to Sunday morning (and our 10 year wedding anniversary...thank you for the applause!), Becca starts a theater class tomorrow...Jason is on the road this week again (hopefully they finish this week), then the school schedule improves next week, and I have to figure out sitters for County Jam!
Okay, that was a little venting break...now I have to get the bills done and accounts reconciled! Oh yeah, second quarter taxes too...
I may just book a vacation for 2 for me and Jay while online...hee hee hee!

First Dr. Appointment

Today was my first prenatal appointment with Baby Surprise. I took the kids knowing I would not be examined and hoping to hear the heartbeat. Well, the bad part was that we waited for a LONG time...Dr. Lorusso got held up at the hospital with a patient delivering, and I was not angry with him at all, that is his job and where he needs to be. However, I thought that the clinic should have to call the appointments that are scheduled and already going to be missed to either reschedule or let us know that there is a wait so we can adjust our schedule accordingly.

Anyways, not what I'm blogging about: We get in and get weighed (I've gained 3 lbs so far), and then answer the questions, and then the Dr. Lorusso came in (love him...as a doctor that is), and then ask to see if he thought we would be able to hear the heartbeat today, he said, "oh yeah, you're skinny enough" Repeat: love him. ha ha ha. Anyways, kinda cuz he was trying to make up for the lateness, he went and got the ultrasound machine and let us see the baby...it was AWESOME...the baby was moving like crazy and never fails to amaze me how something can be moving in my body and I don't even notice it! Soon, I think I felt the other kids around 16 weeks...I'll have to check that out to be sure. Anyways, then we noticed the baby was SUCKING ITS THUMB! So cute! I would have to agree with Sam and lean towards boy...as Sam was our only thumb sucker, but...a lot of girls suck their thumbs too...so we'll just have to wait til January to find out. And yes, I was right on my due date, January 16, 2010.

FuNnY StUfF!

There was nothing really special about today, but so many "weird" things were said that I thought I'd share some of them:

Tonight at Sam's TBall game, the girls went to play on the playground and I looked over to see them, and one time I looked I couldn't find them so I walked over to check in the big tires (usual hiding place) and they were there, however, there was also a boy who was literally going up to their faces and screaming like a growl/scream...okay, fine, kids do that. But then he picked up a handful of sand and threw it straight at Becca. I yelled in my most stern mothering voice, "HEY, (he turned at this point with an "oh shit I got caught look") What do you think you're doing? (now his face showed a guilty innocence)...I said, "that is NOT okay, don't ever do that again!" He said, "ok" and I asked if Becca was okay and she was. Then his dad came over. I just glared, shook my head, and walked away...not sure if he was planning on yelling at me for yelling at his kid, but I think once he saw my face, he knew better. So, as we were leaving, Becca was telling Sam about the "naughty boy who threw sand" and then said, "Mom, you were GREAT tonight!"


Adelyn came inside crying and scared tonight and I asked her what happened, and she said, "baby deer get me" and took me outside to show me, she pointed to the woods and said, "baby deer, get me." I said, "No honey, baby deer are nice, they won't get you. Do you know what baby deer do?" and she said, "Bite?" ha ha ha


Okay, I remember another one now: The girls and I went in to paint our fingernails and toenails when Sam was at Summer School and Adelyn of course has to do it herself, which was very interesting. Finally I said, "oh, Addy, let mommy help you, you're just too little for this" and she said, "Becca?" and I said "Becca is older" then Becca says, "Yeah Adelyn, I grew up three times so I can do this, you're too little, even baby Liam (our nephew) can't do this yet." I was impressed how she knew she "grew up 3 times" she's 5, Addy's 2...what a smarty!

Excitement at the SSSSSSSSSSSSomerville house!

This weekend was Fall Creek Fun Fest, and Sam got to be in the parade! He was SO excited about it. His cub scout pack, Pack 79, had a float and Sam got to be the one "roasting" the chicken over the fire. It was really a nice parade, I was impressed for such a small town. Then we went to the park and had the charcoal chicken lunch, played on games, had the kid's faces drawn as charatures, and visited with some of the "locals"...

Yesterday it was SOOOOOOOOO hot, so I had to run to town and I got (another) swimming pool, it is the 3rd attempt this summer to have a pool and so far we haven't been lucky. I got a blow up rectangle one 6' x 10' and it is a pretty pool. And best of all, no holes...wow, a new pool with no holes? Amazing. I put an old blanket down and got the thing pumped up and filled 1/3 of the way, I was afraid I'd suck the well dry if I filled it anymore! The sun heated it up very well and in the afternoon it was the only way we could have handled being outside...it felt really good and I actually got a nice little tan, first time this summer I think. The kids look like little coppertone babies now too. My mom came over and we just visited while the kids swam and occassionally we had to go in to cool down as well.

Today Sam and Becca were to go "finish" their rooms, they started yesterday, and the floors looked good...the dressers and closets however were full of everything from the floor...lovely.
Anyways, I was working on bids when Sam comes up really excited, I knew something must have happened. He told me that Jack, his corn snake he got for his birthday, shed his skin!
I was really excited too, I didn't even notice the signs like the cloudy eyes or dull skin, etc. But it was nice because we were trying to measure him the other day (really hard to measure a snake who likes to be coiled and curled in your hand!).
The skin however, was easy to measure...16" long. So, we will have to keep measuring and keep track of how many times he sheds his skin. The corn snake can get from 4'-6' long full grown (I'm hoping for 5' max!)
As a kid I had hamsters and gerbils, and everything really, but I am really getting into the reptiles and things like that much more. We love our hermit crabs and now Jack, he's a cool snake! We also have "Sam Jr." (Sam named him, don't blame me) which is a Red Bellied Northern Snake that is kept in our outside aquarium...to be honest, I'm surprised he is still alive, I guess we're feeding him enough and giving him what he needs. Yesterday Adelyn comes running to me saying, "A Like Me!" and I realized she was holding SJ in her hand...it was funny.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

So I had our neice, Laine, come stay the night 'cuz her mom had a creative memories thing in the cities. Laine is 6, so she is right in the middle of Sam and Becca's age and they all play really nice together. Laine and Becca are the type that we know one day will be causing mischeif...we're prepared! ha ha ha

Anyways, we were talking about the Hannah Montana Movie (which I really liked!) and so I went online and downloaded the soundtrack into ITunes so we could sing and dance to it. They were SO funny...both girls like to sing and dance around, and Laine belts out, whether she knows the words or not! Totally reminds me of myself how I "make up lines" that I think it said, even if it doesnt' make sense. Sam just plugged his ears and left the room. I went and got the video camera and snuck in to get them singing, and I should have known, once they saw the camera they would not shy away, but get more "into character" to be on film...blackmail down the road? Yes.
Then today we went to the park, then to eat at Tugger's Cafe, then the cabin to swim and play! It was a really fun day to spend with the kids. The best part was when I almost ran over a turtle and pulled over for them to see it. We coaxed it off the road and they all were so excited. I love that, as adults we seem to look over the little pleasures in life and it is nice to have children around to open our eyes to those things. They make us feel like kids again at times which is always a good thing in my mind!
I'll try to be better about posting photos with the blogs...the key word it "try"!

Busy Busy Busy

My sister said it does no good to have a blog if I don't post anything...so here I go. It really has been busy around here. School has come to an end and I had several "volunteer" days and final picnics for Sam and Becca. We also had the Cub Scouts picnic...and TBall started. I also had promised Sam that for his birthday I would change his room from Trucks to Rainforest...got most the stuff back in the winter, but my mom came over this morning to help me as I procrastinated as usual. It's looking really cool though...a few more odds and ends and I have to figure out how I want to paint where the border was.
The pregnancy is flying by...just about 9 weeks and certain clothes don't fit, I wore a maternity outfit last night and it felt nice to feel "pregnant" instead of "fat"! ha ha...I am mostly passed my nauseous state, although this morning it hit me a bit, I'm sure it was due to my very small breakfast...the leftover pancake Sam didn't finish.
We have Sam's party for his 7th birthday this Sunday...looking forward to it and hope it is the 60% of no rain rather than the 40% chance of rain. So much nicer to have these things outside. We got him a snake for his birthday (technically the cage for now, snake to be picked up tomorrow)...it is a corn snake and very small to start with. He LOVES snakes so I know he'll be happy!
Grandma Becky and Grandpa Jim took Sam to get flowers for our little garden corner by the house, it looks so nice! I can't wait to get more landscaping (or ANY that is) done so I can plant more flowers. Thought I'd never like to do that, but as I get older, yes, it happens, I am finding it rewarding and fun.
That about catches things up to date I guess...Jason is still busy with work, very busy and I am strating to get some more calls to meet about buildings which is nice although I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy that "slow time" we had recently. Timing worked perfect for the kids' school schedules and allowed me to get some extra needed stuff done around here.

Wind? Anyone?

Holy windy today! We had Becca's "Graduation" party from Preschool...she'll be getting on that bus in the fall for her Kindergarten debut! The party was at Keller Park, and very nice...great food, awesome company, kids played...and the wind blew...and BLEW...and BLEW! Seriously, I am dreading the idea of trying to comb through my mane tonight!
It was so nice to catch up with some of the other parents...we'll miss Miss Gamble, she's awesome and hopefully she will stay at Little Lambs so I can have her teach Adelyn in 2 years...then Somerville #4 when that time comes too! Man, I was thinking how "young" I would be when Sam graduated high school, and now I know by the time this one graduates high school I'll be 50! Yikes!
We're getting things ready for camping this weekend...looking forward to it, I better check the weather!
Oh, I got New Moon today, read just the first chapter from it at the end of Twilight and can't wait to get the kids to bed to read more! I can't believe I like reading! So unlike me!

What the???

Jason was on the road last night so they could get up early and finish the job they were on. It's been awhile since he's been gone overnight but I was actually looking forward to a "quiet" night as he tends to keep me up later than I usually would and he is quite "nocturnal" where he's up 10 times a night to snack. Since I've gotten this cold yesterday, I was thinking early bed for me. I tucked the kids in and hoped that they slept the night...Adelyn is still a 1-3 getter upper in the night!

I wanted to go right to sleep but the Twilight book next to the bed was calling my name so I read just a little of it. Then when I shut the light off, I zonked.

Then I heard something, strange. I just was opening my eyes to feel a cold, wet cat nose on my ear with the humming sound of Tucker's prrrr. Let me insert here that we have 2 cats, Milo and Tucker...who are NOT house cats...they belong in the shop and outside. So shocked, yes! I thought he had been in all night and wondered what I may find from his "containment". I took him to the front porch door and put him out and went back to bed as it was only 5:00 a.m. Just a minute passed and I heard my door open slightly against the carpet...Tucker, again! What the ??? So I picked him up and went to see what door was opened. The sunroom door had not been properly closed and the wind had blown hard enough to open it. Once again I put him out and went back to bed. Only to be wakened by Sam, then he crawled in bed with me, only to hear the TV go on from Becca. Sam left to watch TV, I tried to sleep, but no luck.

So now my hiney is dragging: making a baby is a lot of work, then put the cold on top of it (without any medications to assist) and you have ONE TIRED WOMAN!

This is Matt and Farrah (with Tori) at our company Christmas party the beginning of the year. She is pregnant with Colt in this photo, but you couldn't tell yet! It was a really fun weekend. We went to the Three Bears Lodge in Warrens, WI. The kids had a great time, as well as the adults. I only wished I had taken more photos, but it was a very busy two days with LOTS of people in the cabins!

Too Sad

So usually Mother's Day is a great day to celebrate, a day where the "mama's" can get a little recognition for their hard work throughout the year. This year was not so great. We got a phone call from our employee, Matt, that his wife, Farrah, had to be taken to the ER. Wasn't sure why exactly, but she had "kinda wacked out"...later to find out they are at Rochester. She was diagnoised with a brain tumor, and it came back cancerous. She was pretty much "comatosed" and was not able to function. They did surgery to drain the fluid from her brain. They also did an MRI to see the brain, and where going to do a biopsy to see what type of cancer they were dealing with.
Well, it seems to be one bad news report after another. Here we are only 3 days later and the good news is that Farrah is "back". The stint in her brain to keep the fluids draining is working and the pressure is off of her brain which has allowed her to function completely, talk, comb her hair, brush her teeth, pick on her husband...the bad news is that they found 3 tumors, and they are all at her brainstem. This location prevents removal, and even chemotherapy to try to shrink them is not an option as it would swell her brain and put her back to square 1 again. Today we learned the sad sad news that Farrah will only get to "ride it out" and the timeline was as vague as saying, "not sure if it is a few weeks or a few months." Jason and I are completely heartbroken. Matt and Farrah are such wonderful people. They both served in the military (her Army, him Marines), they fell in love, got married, and are the proud parents of 3 children. Tessa, who just is finishing Kindergarten, Tori who is 3, and Colt who will be 1 in June.
As a mother, I cannot begin to tell you the agony my heart and head are filled with when I think about all the things Farrah will miss out on. It's not fair. What possibly can I do for them? How helpless I feel. She is one of the nicest people I've met. Never negative, never rude. All I know is that she is one tough cookie and I hope she is with us a long, long time!
My days have been consumed by Prayers for her, and requesting Prayers from others for her.

Roller Coaster Week

Wow! What a crazy week...I have been advertising for my "first ever" thrift sale. This was because we are done having kids and I needed to get rid of TONS of baby/toddler clothes in boys and girls and all those big toys that take up too much space! Also the crib, baby bath, receiving blankets, diaper genie, potty chair, etc.
I was scheduled to get an IUD on Monday or Tuesday after the sale to make the "done having kids" thing final.
God works in mysterious ways. On Thursday, April 30th, I was working on bids and sneezed. That part is nothing strange, however, when I sneezed I felt a "pull" in my uterus. The same pull I felt with Sam, and the same pull I felt 2 weeks after conception with Becca, and the same pull I felt with Adelyn. So, as much as I was trying to make excuses (the way I was sitting, hard sneeze, PMSing)...I knew it...I'm pregnant!
Well, I guessed I had better take a test to find out for sure to see before selling ALL my baby stuff...so on Wednesday, May 6th at 3:00 a.m. (when Becca woke me up from her having a bad dream), I took a test. A very faint blue line, but definately a blue line. I was awake the rest of the night thinking of how this changes our lives, how we were "done" with babies at our house, etc. Wednesday was hard for me.
Then, after talking to my mom and sister, and Jason, I realized that this was in God's plan and all I have to do is except that. And "poof"! I was excited! I took another test on Thursday and the line was even more blue. So then I was really excited. I can't believe how your emotions can change from one day to the next. But we are now looking forward to our 4th child coming to our family in January. Jason always wanted four, and we all know he always gets his way! ha ha! We have told several friends, but we aren't saying anything to the kids until I'm about 3-4 months along.
SO...like I said on facebook when Adelyn was potty trained, "no more diapers at our house...but that is usually when we end up pregnant again!"

First Blog

So after my friend Theresa showed me how cool a blog is for a keepsake on our life, I said I was going to do one that week...that was several months ago, but hey, I've always been a procrastinator!
To summarize our life to date: Jason and I were married July 10, 1999. Our 10th year anniversary is this year! And it went FAST! We have 3 wonderful children, Sam is almost 7, Becca is 5 1/2, and Adelyn just turned 2. They are SO much fun...we just love their individual personalities and enjoy doing things together as a family from "movie night on the big screen" to a hike in the woods. This summer we will do a lot more camping. We got to camp a few weekends last year. I'm looking forward to it this summer as Adelyn is potty trained and not a "baby" anymore. Should be a lot easier (and a lot less to pack).

Jason has been building Post Frame buildings since 1998 and did many types of construction prior to that. I have a degree in teaching, yes it is a nice piece of paper that I barely used. We decided to go into business for ourselves and in January of 2004 we were incorporated: Custom Structures, Inc. I do the office work, taxes, payroll, advertising, bidding/drawing, and most the sales. Jason runs the crew and builds the buildings and helps with sales. We sell for Wick Buildings and love what we do. It gives us the perfect balance for raising a family. Although many times throughout the year we feel like we barely see each other or the kids! With each year, we improve our scheduling and it does seem to get a little easier.
This blog will be about our life, but I'm sure I will have some days where I just vent my feelings and/or opinions. I'm hoping to be able to print this off every so often so one day I can give the kids an entire "biography" of our life as they grow up!

Well, that's about all for my first post! Enjoy!