That expression gets a little more excitement around our house than "Happy Halloween!" :0) We're hoping Daddy gets the big ole "tirty pointer" today. Our freezer is bare, and we want some jerky!
Not that I am even horrifically (Is that a word? Is that even spelled right? My brain is TIRED!) against this whole "Holiday".
Gasp - I really did say that, AND I do love Jesus. :0)
Granted, now that I'm older, it's not really my fave, and I'm happy when it's gone by, but I actually have some really fun and very happy memories of trick or treating with my friends and cousins back in the day. We'd spend DAYS dreaming up what we were going to wear - and we didn't spend the big bucks on costumes. We just raided our closets, and our parents closets, and Mom's make-up, and whatever else we could find and we went CRAZY! And it was so harmless back then. Even our pastor took his kids - everyone in our neighborhood took their families, and the parents dressed up, too! It was just silly and fun. A completely harmless, fun, family event.
Now I know that times they have a changed and that it's "Satan's Holiday" and all. But, I am still not diametrically opposed to it, I don't look down my nose at other people who go, and I definitly don't even begin to judge them or think their walk with God MUST be suffering. But, that's just me. I'm kind of simple that way.
HOWEVER.
Unless my boys beg to dress up and do it some year and unless we all go together and go only to friend's and families homes, we probably won't be going trick or treating. But, if they beg to go some year, we might. That was kind of a hypocritical statement, eh? Maybe that sounds kind of wishy-washy. I'm just not going to choose to die on that mountain with my kids.
Probably the biggest reasons why we would not go is that I know a lot of people who do have major reservations with celebrating this day, and I don't love offending others or being a stumbling block in any way. Also, on a far less "spiritual" note, I don't want to be divvying out candy for years and having the boys be on sugar highs every day until they're ten, I'm kind of lazy and don't really feel like going out in the cold, I'd much rather do some sort of Harvest-y type party and have fun that way, and we can make the day fun in other ways - especially while my kids are really young and don't know the difference anyway.
So, today the boys and I watched a fun movie, we made a funky homemade paste and made fall (and dinosaur!) ornaments to hang in our windows, we ate our own candy, and we're making some fun yummy dessert to have when Daddy gets home with our big buck! Good times!
And we'll see what discussion ensues if we have some little gremlins show up at our doorstep begging for treats this evening! :0)
Grammies Are GRAND!
This past week-end Mom called me and informed me that she was "craving that baby!" I told her to hop in the car and get her body down here to see this little bundle of scrumptiousness. So she did.
And it has been a lovely week.
She has let me sleep in every day, I've taken naps with Ransom in the afternoons, she's made some meals, she's done some laundry, she made cut-out cookies with the kidlets, she's read them stories, and tonight she watched the two older rugrats while my Honey and I went on a date with the papoose. And he obliged us by napping the entire time that we were out and about.
It has been glorious! There is no-one who I am more comfortable with in my home. The boys love her, she totally "mothers" me and takes care of me, she dotes on my kids, and I fear that she has royally spoiled our new baby!
It's been a rough week.
And it has been a lovely week.
She has let me sleep in every day, I've taken naps with Ransom in the afternoons, she's made some meals, she's done some laundry, she made cut-out cookies with the kidlets, she's read them stories, and tonight she watched the two older rugrats while my Honey and I went on a date with the papoose. And he obliged us by napping the entire time that we were out and about.
It has been glorious! There is no-one who I am more comfortable with in my home. The boys love her, she totally "mothers" me and takes care of me, she dotes on my kids, and I fear that she has royally spoiled our new baby!
It's been a rough week.
Our New Digs!
Okay. Here's a whack of pictures of our little nest that we are absolutely in love with. And can I just say AGAIN how thankful we are for the friends and family who helped to get it ready for us!
Here's some pics of the kitchen: We kept the original color; we'll give it a fresh coat (some day), but for now I find it very sunny and happy, and I'm quite content with it.
Here's our little computer/work station tucked into a little corner of the kitchen. There's a little bit of yummy-ness hiding in that corner, as well!
Here's our living room. The original color was a very earthy/minty green. We chose a very very light capuccino color that kind of matches my furniture and the fireplace.
Here's the big boys' bedroom. We'll eventually do bunk beds and get rid of the pack and play. That's for another paycheck.
Originally, I had the head of Kaden's bed decorated like this:
(Whoops! Sorry about the sideways pic. Too lazy to fix it.)
Kev said that it didn't look "boyish" enough, so he took over and decorated it like this:
Guess which way the boy's liked better?
Here's our bedroom:
With a little crafty nook for me:
And, finally.....wait for it....wait for it.....
My pride and joy!
Drum roll please.........
I give you...........the NURSERY!!!
AHEM.......This room will also wait for another day, another paycheck, and a healthy dose of sanity to prime over those rockin' walls!
So, that's it! We are so very thankful and oh so happy with our new little abode. I've calculated that we've moved five times in ten years. It's so nice to finally feel a little settled from our somewhat nomadic life.
Granted........if the Lord says to move, away we shall go! However, for the here and now, it is so so very nice!
Here's some pics of the kitchen: We kept the original color; we'll give it a fresh coat (some day), but for now I find it very sunny and happy, and I'm quite content with it.
Here's our little computer/work station tucked into a little corner of the kitchen. There's a little bit of yummy-ness hiding in that corner, as well!
Here's our living room. The original color was a very earthy/minty green. We chose a very very light capuccino color that kind of matches my furniture and the fireplace.
Here's the big boys' bedroom. We'll eventually do bunk beds and get rid of the pack and play. That's for another paycheck.
Originally, I had the head of Kaden's bed decorated like this:
(Whoops! Sorry about the sideways pic. Too lazy to fix it.)
Kev said that it didn't look "boyish" enough, so he took over and decorated it like this:
Guess which way the boy's liked better?
Here's our bedroom:
With a little crafty nook for me:
And, finally.....wait for it....wait for it.....
My pride and joy!
Drum roll please.........
I give you...........the NURSERY!!!
AHEM.......This room will also wait for another day, another paycheck, and a healthy dose of sanity to prime over those rockin' walls!
So, that's it! We are so very thankful and oh so happy with our new little abode. I've calculated that we've moved five times in ten years. It's so nice to finally feel a little settled from our somewhat nomadic life.
Granted........if the Lord says to move, away we shall go! However, for the here and now, it is so so very nice!
And We Are LIVE!!!
The computer guy came today to set up our internet for us. He wasn't able to get it working, so when Uncle Shawn came over tonight to snuggle the baby, he immediately found the problem and got us up and running in no time! Very exciting. I now have contact with the outside world. It's a beautiful thing.
So - in a couple of days I'll try to get some pics of our house up along with a few more updates on life. For now, all three boysies are sleeping, so I am off to hit the hay, as well. Sleep is a precious thing these days!
We're doing well. Sanity is still in tact. A kajillion books are getting read during feeding sessions, lots of cereal and toast is getting eaten for meals other than just breakfast, Ransom is still alive with two wild older brothers, and we are happy! Life is slightly nuts-o, but it's GOOD.
So - in a couple of days I'll try to get some pics of our house up along with a few more updates on life. For now, all three boysies are sleeping, so I am off to hit the hay, as well. Sleep is a precious thing these days!
We're doing well. Sanity is still in tact. A kajillion books are getting read during feeding sessions, lots of cereal and toast is getting eaten for meals other than just breakfast, Ransom is still alive with two wild older brothers, and we are happy! Life is slightly nuts-o, but it's GOOD.
Tidbits
We have no internet access in our new house yet, so I'm finding it hard to keep in touch with the outside world - not that I would have much time to do it anyway, but that's besides the point. But tonight is AWANA and Kaden & Jesse are happy in their respective classrooms and Daddy is leading worship, so Ransom and I have snuck away to Kev's office to catch a little snuggle time and some quick internet access.
Thanks to the help of so many wonderful friends and family, I can honestly say that except for the nursery, my home is set up and in order and just the way I love it. We are SO happy in this new little place, and we feel so very blessed.
All of my brood is back together now. Mom & Dad had taken the boys up with them for a few days while we got the house in order. So, we are now all finding our new norm together in our new home - with our new little addition. Ransom is still pretty "chill" and relaxed. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he stays this way! Each day certainly brings with it a large element of CRAZY - be it Jesse knocking over our gallon fish tank onto their bedroom floor yesterday, or all of us trying to bake a pie for Daddy's birthday today amidst the usual interruptions of the baby needing to eat, Kaden needing help on the potty, and Jesse trying to eat the raw eggs! Whew!
But it's good. It's so good.
Yesterday, we celebrated Daddy's birthday by going bird hunting on an old dirt road. The boys got to sit up front with their orange hats on eating snacks and treats, and I sat in the backseat and nursed Ransom! It was so much fun. Absolutely nothing was accomplished hunting-wise, but we all had a good time together.
Tomorrow is my first day "on my own." I'm looking forward to it with no big plans of getting much accomplished. I have a stack of books that I took out from the library to read during feeding sessions, and we're just going to chill out together and be as low key as possible. No big plans to conquer Rome tomorrow. If I can keep us all alive, I'll be proud!
Thanks to the help of so many wonderful friends and family, I can honestly say that except for the nursery, my home is set up and in order and just the way I love it. We are SO happy in this new little place, and we feel so very blessed.
All of my brood is back together now. Mom & Dad had taken the boys up with them for a few days while we got the house in order. So, we are now all finding our new norm together in our new home - with our new little addition. Ransom is still pretty "chill" and relaxed. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he stays this way! Each day certainly brings with it a large element of CRAZY - be it Jesse knocking over our gallon fish tank onto their bedroom floor yesterday, or all of us trying to bake a pie for Daddy's birthday today amidst the usual interruptions of the baby needing to eat, Kaden needing help on the potty, and Jesse trying to eat the raw eggs! Whew!
But it's good. It's so good.
Yesterday, we celebrated Daddy's birthday by going bird hunting on an old dirt road. The boys got to sit up front with their orange hats on eating snacks and treats, and I sat in the backseat and nursed Ransom! It was so much fun. Absolutely nothing was accomplished hunting-wise, but we all had a good time together.
Tomorrow is my first day "on my own." I'm looking forward to it with no big plans of getting much accomplished. I have a stack of books that I took out from the library to read during feeding sessions, and we're just going to chill out together and be as low key as possible. No big plans to conquer Rome tomorrow. If I can keep us all alive, I'll be proud!
A Quick Update
Daddy, Ransom, and I are sitting in Starbucks having a little coffee date after a rainy day of rest and house organizing/painting etc. We have no internet connection yet, so this gave us a little chance to catch up on the ouside world of life.
Mom and Dad took the boys up home with them for a couple of days so that we could get their bedroom painted, organized, and completely set up for when they come home to us. The house is coming along nicely. It's feeling more and more like "mine" every hour it seems.
This morning, Kevy brought me up breakfast in bed, and the baby and I just visited and snuggled until late morning. It was so nice and cozy. I told him that for the next couple of days we'll be able to do this in peace and quiet, but within a matter of days life is going to get a wee bit crazier with two bigger brothers who are going to want to snuggle with him as well!
It has been a week-end full of blessings and new life. We are so thankful and happy. God has been so great to us, and we are so very thankful for all of our loved ones who have surrounded us with love, help, and support.
Mom and Dad took the boys up home with them for a couple of days so that we could get their bedroom painted, organized, and completely set up for when they come home to us. The house is coming along nicely. It's feeling more and more like "mine" every hour it seems.
This morning, Kevy brought me up breakfast in bed, and the baby and I just visited and snuggled until late morning. It was so nice and cozy. I told him that for the next couple of days we'll be able to do this in peace and quiet, but within a matter of days life is going to get a wee bit crazier with two bigger brothers who are going to want to snuggle with him as well!
It has been a week-end full of blessings and new life. We are so thankful and happy. God has been so great to us, and we are so very thankful for all of our loved ones who have surrounded us with love, help, and support.
news! News! NEWS!!!
Well......
Meet our sweet Ransom Malachi!!!
What a little gift he is! We are so thankful for this blessing.
We got ourselves a house yesterday and a BABY today!!! We are efficient!! HA!
We closed on our house at 11:30 yesterday, moved our entire apartment over, got our bedroom and the kitchen completely set up, chose paint colors for the boys' rooms and the living room, and then we CRASHED. Hard.
When I hit the hay last night, I looked over at Kev and said: "If the baby comes tonight, I am completely happy with what we've gotten accomplished today." We had some rockin' friends and family SLAVING for us - working to fight against the clock like crazy - and I will be forever thankful for their gifts of service to us.
From about Midnight until 4:00, I was uncomfortable and contracting. I took a shower and got myself ready, and then I went back to bed for a couple of hours. Everything was very sporatic, so I was unsure of what to do. By 7:00 this morning, the contractions had started up again, and Kev wanted to just get out here since the hospital is an hour away. I wasn't impressed with the idea of leaving so soon, but he promised that if I was still really sporatic by the time we got to the town, we could wait things out at the coffee shop down the road.
So, we dropped the boys and their carseats off at Grampy & Grammy's house, drove the hour it takes to get here, and by the time I was in my room I was 9 centimenters and ready to go!
Baby Ransom Malachi was born at 10:24a.m. weighing in at 7lbs.15oz. with quite a bit of dark hair on his yummy little head! Malachi means "God's Messenger," and Ransom means "Deliverance and Hope." He's super cute and super mellow. So far....
We are praising the Lord for His abundant mercy and gifts to our little family! It has been an exciting weekend. Come and see us!
The Verdict Is IN!!!
Well, folks, the people have spoken and it looks like we are going to close on our house on Friday at 11:00. We are still not holding our breath, but all of the hoops have been jumped through, we've stood on our heads, given our life stories, and practically signed our souls away, and now we have finally been told that Friday is the lucky day!
Just a wee bit closer to my due date than I would have chosen, but what do you do?!
Sooooo, in typical Booker fashion, now that we know, it is really VERY hard for us to just wait and sit on our hands. Despite much "encouragement" from concerned loved ones, we are probably not just going to twiddle our thumbs for the next few weeks and first continue waiting for the baby, and then adjust to the baby, and then sloooowly over time putter away at moving and painting. That's not really how we work. We are packing and we are moving forward until said kidlet arrives. And then we'll pack and move some more!
So, now it's a race to see which happens first. If there is no baby by Friday at 11:00, then we are trucking as many loads as we can over to our new place and we are going to start setting up shop. If there IS a baby by Friday, then we'll play that one by ear. Probably as soon as we get home, Kev will start trucking things over while I crash on the couch with my babe and give orders!
Either way - it's happening.....
Let's guess.....which will come first????
I have my hunches.........
Just a wee bit closer to my due date than I would have chosen, but what do you do?!
Sooooo, in typical Booker fashion, now that we know, it is really VERY hard for us to just wait and sit on our hands. Despite much "encouragement" from concerned loved ones, we are probably not just going to twiddle our thumbs for the next few weeks and first continue waiting for the baby, and then adjust to the baby, and then sloooowly over time putter away at moving and painting. That's not really how we work. We are packing and we are moving forward until said kidlet arrives. And then we'll pack and move some more!
So, now it's a race to see which happens first. If there is no baby by Friday at 11:00, then we are trucking as many loads as we can over to our new place and we are going to start setting up shop. If there IS a baby by Friday, then we'll play that one by ear. Probably as soon as we get home, Kev will start trucking things over while I crash on the couch with my babe and give orders!
Either way - it's happening.....
Let's guess.....which will come first????
I have my hunches.........
An Ode to the People in My Life...
...And the comments they've made during this pregnancy!
Oh there are SO many - I am dedicating an entire page in my scrapbook to all of them. I have been keeping a running list, but I seem to have misplaced it. So, this will be my reminder...
* Well, just today Jesse called me: "My Baby Chicken Precious Big Mama!"
* Kaden told Daddy a few weeks ago: "I love Mommy because she's so fat!"
* Kev has said: "I like it when you're pregnant. It makes me feel small."
* And when wearing a purple shirt the other day he called me, "Barney."
* On the 4th of July, Dad told the family: "If you're looking for the watermelon, Amy swallowed it!"
* When he saw a picture of me in my bathing suit Dad said: "Oh! Who's the whale?"
* My father-in-law said the other day: "You look like you got too close to an air pump!"
*And he also said: "If you get any bigger there's not a shirt out there that's going to fit you!"
* When my Pastor found out I still had 8 weeks to go awhile back, he said: "Eight weeks? Ooohhh, Amy!"
* A lady in my church, who shall remain nameless, EVERY time she sees me she says: "Whoa! You're HUGE!"
* Last Sunday during the meet and greet time, one of the deacons shook my hand and said: "You're looking especially large today! And that's a compliment!"
* After the funeral, someone in my family said: "Oh! So, you're getting a house? It looks like you're HAVING a house!"
* A fellow teacher at my school commented when I walked past him: "I'm a trained EMT. I could do if it I had too (meaning, deliver my baby), but I don't want to!"
* A little old man passed me in the school halls the other day and asked if I was having twins. I assured him it was only one. He said: "Oh! My wife was pregnant with twins and she was wearing a white shirt one day and I said, 'You look just like a Maytag washing machine!'"
*My cousin Jodi called me to try and get me to play in the alumni soccer game. Her message went like this: "Amy, our team is short handed, and you could probably pass as TWO players!"
And the list goes on and on and on! Those are just some of the classics!
Good thing I have thick skin. It's actually quite a big joke to me, and that's why I'm dedicating a WHOLE page of this little boy's scrapbook to these precious little remarks.
Good times!
Oh there are SO many - I am dedicating an entire page in my scrapbook to all of them. I have been keeping a running list, but I seem to have misplaced it. So, this will be my reminder...
* Well, just today Jesse called me: "My Baby Chicken Precious Big Mama!"
* Kaden told Daddy a few weeks ago: "I love Mommy because she's so fat!"
* Kev has said: "I like it when you're pregnant. It makes me feel small."
* And when wearing a purple shirt the other day he called me, "Barney."
* On the 4th of July, Dad told the family: "If you're looking for the watermelon, Amy swallowed it!"
* When he saw a picture of me in my bathing suit Dad said: "Oh! Who's the whale?"
* My father-in-law said the other day: "You look like you got too close to an air pump!"
*And he also said: "If you get any bigger there's not a shirt out there that's going to fit you!"
* When my Pastor found out I still had 8 weeks to go awhile back, he said: "Eight weeks? Ooohhh, Amy!"
* A lady in my church, who shall remain nameless, EVERY time she sees me she says: "Whoa! You're HUGE!"
* Last Sunday during the meet and greet time, one of the deacons shook my hand and said: "You're looking especially large today! And that's a compliment!"
* After the funeral, someone in my family said: "Oh! So, you're getting a house? It looks like you're HAVING a house!"
* A fellow teacher at my school commented when I walked past him: "I'm a trained EMT. I could do if it I had too (meaning, deliver my baby), but I don't want to!"
* A little old man passed me in the school halls the other day and asked if I was having twins. I assured him it was only one. He said: "Oh! My wife was pregnant with twins and she was wearing a white shirt one day and I said, 'You look just like a Maytag washing machine!'"
*My cousin Jodi called me to try and get me to play in the alumni soccer game. Her message went like this: "Amy, our team is short handed, and you could probably pass as TWO players!"
And the list goes on and on and on! Those are just some of the classics!
Good thing I have thick skin. It's actually quite a big joke to me, and that's why I'm dedicating a WHOLE page of this little boy's scrapbook to these precious little remarks.
Good times!
HOME
We got back home last night around 7:00. We are unpacked, settled, and slightly exhausted - but baby is still INSIDE, and for that I am thankful. I think that each one of us is fighting some sort of a cold - but we made it! Thank you for the thoughts and prayers during my Nana's funeral.
It really was a beautiful ceremony where Nana was honored and where the Gospel went forth in a pretty powerful way. My family - for the most part - is a pretty rough bunch, and most of them cried throughout the entire funeral. The pastor who gave the message grew up with my Dad and all of my uncles and was just as wild as the worst of them were all through highschool and college. So, I think that he was just the man to give the message. It was very humble, but very forthright and bold - and spoken in love.
Kind of an exhausting week-end, but a special one, as well. I love watching my
Father in action. He's the patriarch of the family, everyone loves and respects him, and he's often the comic relief when need be, as well. I could tell that he was pleased that we made the effort, and we had some fun times together too - driving along some old dirt roads and belting out the country, trying to antagonize Mom, and just being together.
We took the boys to the visiting hours. This was a first experience for Kaden, so we processed this through together. Jesse didn't have a sweet clue and came into the room belting: "MEOOOW!! MEEEEEYOOOOW!" at the top of his lungs!! That was awesome. But, it was nice for the family to see my little ones and for them to spend some time with my family, as well.
We are praying that the seeds that were planted at the funeral take root, and that as a result of Nana's passing more of her family will come to know Christ. I love my family, and I am praying that what was heard will not soon be forgotten.
Thank you again for your prayers.
It really was a beautiful ceremony where Nana was honored and where the Gospel went forth in a pretty powerful way. My family - for the most part - is a pretty rough bunch, and most of them cried throughout the entire funeral. The pastor who gave the message grew up with my Dad and all of my uncles and was just as wild as the worst of them were all through highschool and college. So, I think that he was just the man to give the message. It was very humble, but very forthright and bold - and spoken in love.
Kind of an exhausting week-end, but a special one, as well. I love watching my
Father in action. He's the patriarch of the family, everyone loves and respects him, and he's often the comic relief when need be, as well. I could tell that he was pleased that we made the effort, and we had some fun times together too - driving along some old dirt roads and belting out the country, trying to antagonize Mom, and just being together.
We took the boys to the visiting hours. This was a first experience for Kaden, so we processed this through together. Jesse didn't have a sweet clue and came into the room belting: "MEOOOW!! MEEEEEYOOOOW!" at the top of his lungs!! That was awesome. But, it was nice for the family to see my little ones and for them to spend some time with my family, as well.
We are praying that the seeds that were planted at the funeral take root, and that as a result of Nana's passing more of her family will come to know Christ. I love my family, and I am praying that what was heard will not soon be forgotten.
Thank you again for your prayers.
A Vapor
My sweet Nana passed away yesterday afternoon.
This was not completely unexpected; although, she deteriorated quite rapidly since her cancer diagnosis a few weeks ago.
All of her kids were with her when she died, and Dad was able to pray with her and thank her for being such a good mother before she passed away. Mom said that he cried two different times, and that made me so sad! I've never seen Dad cry before.
I feel like I need to be with my family, and my midwife has given me the green light, so we're packing up and heading for the County this evening. The visiting hours are tomorrow night, and the funeral will be on Sunday. Since I'm just a week out from my due date, I'm going to bring everything that I might need - just in case.
Both of my brothers are trying to fly in from Texas, so it will be nice for everyone to be together. I would LOVE to not have my baby this week-end in an environment that I don't even know, but sometimes that's just how life goes. I am learning to REALLY roll with life these days...
We just may be bringing three little Booker boys back home with us!
Thank you for your love and prayers...
This was not completely unexpected; although, she deteriorated quite rapidly since her cancer diagnosis a few weeks ago.
All of her kids were with her when she died, and Dad was able to pray with her and thank her for being such a good mother before she passed away. Mom said that he cried two different times, and that made me so sad! I've never seen Dad cry before.
I feel like I need to be with my family, and my midwife has given me the green light, so we're packing up and heading for the County this evening. The visiting hours are tomorrow night, and the funeral will be on Sunday. Since I'm just a week out from my due date, I'm going to bring everything that I might need - just in case.
Both of my brothers are trying to fly in from Texas, so it will be nice for everyone to be together. I would LOVE to not have my baby this week-end in an environment that I don't even know, but sometimes that's just how life goes. I am learning to REALLY roll with life these days...
We just may be bringing three little Booker boys back home with us!
Thank you for your love and prayers...
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