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.
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...
While We're Waiting
Well.....
The house is completely up in the air.
My Grandmother is on her deathbed, and there may be a funeral any day.
And I am GREAT with child.
It's too much to wrap my pee brain around right now.
Soooooooo, my little loves and I took a break from life today and we kicked it to the great outdoors. We took a picnic to the local apple orchard, got some pumpkins and gourds to decorate the apartment with, cooked a pumpkin to make a pie, and got a boatload of winterberries on our way home to put in all of my sap buckets.
It was a MUCH needed and super fun break.
And tonight, Grampy & Grammy are going to come over, and Kevy and I are going to have ourselves a wee little date where we can just focus on each other for awhile, try and forget about the stresses of life, and maybe - just maybe - solidify our little boy's name!
Aaaaaahhhh. A needed and much appreciated day.
The house is completely up in the air.
My Grandmother is on her deathbed, and there may be a funeral any day.
And I am GREAT with child.
It's too much to wrap my pee brain around right now.
Soooooooo, my little loves and I took a break from life today and we kicked it to the great outdoors. We took a picnic to the local apple orchard, got some pumpkins and gourds to decorate the apartment with, cooked a pumpkin to make a pie, and got a boatload of winterberries on our way home to put in all of my sap buckets.
It was a MUCH needed and super fun break.
And tonight, Grampy & Grammy are going to come over, and Kevy and I are going to have ourselves a wee little date where we can just focus on each other for awhile, try and forget about the stresses of life, and maybe - just maybe - solidify our little boy's name!
Aaaaaahhhh. A needed and much appreciated day.
A Cup of Sanity
Daddy & Kaden are out to breakfast together, Jesse is looking at books in his crib because he seems to have taken large doses of impy pills this morning and needs to just chill out, and I am having a cup of coffee to start my day.
A few moments of sanity before I feel that chaos may rule supreme on this rainy day....
My church gave me a bee-you-ti-ful baby shower on Saturday! I was so blown away that I was even getting a shower - for my 3rd child - and him being my 3rd boy, no less! But, the awesome lady who was the brains behind the operation told me that every baby deserves a party! So sweet! There were no silly games or things like that, and really no agenda. It was just a lovely - quite elegant - brunch in a very relaxed atmosphere, and she had me go from table to table to unwrap each woman's gift that she had brought with her. It was kind of a neat idea; I was able to personally visit for a few minutes with each woman there. It was a really fun, special morning. And wee one now has some brand new things of his very own that will not have been loved on and used by his two older brothers. :0)
I had my 38 week appointment yesterday, and amazingly, my health is still right on! I am just so thankful and pleased. The only downside is that my labor this time around potentially may be of "normal" length as my body isn't sick. Hmmmmm, I'm kind of fond of the under 4 hours from start to finish variety. But, I'd much rather be healthy, I guess. I'm going into it with no expectations.
We're finally hearing more details about the house. It looks like possibly/potentially/maybe/but who really and truly knows - we might/but might not be able to close on our house at the tail end of this week......maybe.........
Neither of us are holding our breath - at all - but at least things look like they are moving. I like movement. This puts me even closer to my due date, but we're just rolling with it. Whatever will be will be. We're taking things one day at a time.
I think I just need ONE more pot - I mean cup - of coffee before the day takes off....
A few moments of sanity before I feel that chaos may rule supreme on this rainy day....
My church gave me a bee-you-ti-ful baby shower on Saturday! I was so blown away that I was even getting a shower - for my 3rd child - and him being my 3rd boy, no less! But, the awesome lady who was the brains behind the operation told me that every baby deserves a party! So sweet! There were no silly games or things like that, and really no agenda. It was just a lovely - quite elegant - brunch in a very relaxed atmosphere, and she had me go from table to table to unwrap each woman's gift that she had brought with her. It was kind of a neat idea; I was able to personally visit for a few minutes with each woman there. It was a really fun, special morning. And wee one now has some brand new things of his very own that will not have been loved on and used by his two older brothers. :0)
I had my 38 week appointment yesterday, and amazingly, my health is still right on! I am just so thankful and pleased. The only downside is that my labor this time around potentially may be of "normal" length as my body isn't sick. Hmmmmm, I'm kind of fond of the under 4 hours from start to finish variety. But, I'd much rather be healthy, I guess. I'm going into it with no expectations.
We're finally hearing more details about the house. It looks like possibly/potentially/maybe/but who really and truly knows - we might/but might not be able to close on our house at the tail end of this week......maybe.........
Neither of us are holding our breath - at all - but at least things look like they are moving. I like movement. This puts me even closer to my due date, but we're just rolling with it. Whatever will be will be. We're taking things one day at a time.
I think I just need ONE more pot - I mean cup - of coffee before the day takes off....
Trusting...
It's Midnight.
Kaden just came into our bathroom to go pee and COMPLETELY overshot the toilet in his delirium. So, after cleaning up a small pond on the floor, settling him back into bed, and tripping over the kitten who's telling me that her food bowl is empty.....I'm finding myself wide awake!
Tomorrow I'll be 38 weeks.....Kaden was born at this stage of the game the first time. I'm feeling ready. In fact, just last night I thought I was in labor. I've been having some pretty good practice contractions for quite some time now, but I was thinking that last night might be "it." An overactive imagination, I guess.
Over the week-end, we have found out that we will not be closing on the house on Wednesday. Kind of a bummer, but it's something so big and so out of our hands - all we can do is trust and wait. I don't even really understand all of the details of all of the "why's," but I'm just trying to trust and wait. For now, packing is on hold - I'm not going to unpack what I've already done - but I'm just going to rearrange my whole thought process and kind of plan that I might be bringing the baby back here as opposed to our house.....maybe....I don't know...depending on our new closing date....if there is one...:0)
Our perspective is pretty good for the most part. We know the Lord is in control. We know that life doesn't end when a new baby comes. And we know that if and when we move, the chaos will quickly become organized and order will resume. So, for right now, until we hear anything new about the house, we're just focusing on our family and getting ready for our new little addition. In some ways, it's actually simplifying life for me a bit as there is no point in packing and such at least for the moment.
This extra time will allow me to focus on my more imminent needs, like solidifying a name for our poor little one. That's a bigger stress for me right now....
Any suggestions?
Kaden just came into our bathroom to go pee and COMPLETELY overshot the toilet in his delirium. So, after cleaning up a small pond on the floor, settling him back into bed, and tripping over the kitten who's telling me that her food bowl is empty.....I'm finding myself wide awake!
Tomorrow I'll be 38 weeks.....Kaden was born at this stage of the game the first time. I'm feeling ready. In fact, just last night I thought I was in labor. I've been having some pretty good practice contractions for quite some time now, but I was thinking that last night might be "it." An overactive imagination, I guess.
Over the week-end, we have found out that we will not be closing on the house on Wednesday. Kind of a bummer, but it's something so big and so out of our hands - all we can do is trust and wait. I don't even really understand all of the details of all of the "why's," but I'm just trying to trust and wait. For now, packing is on hold - I'm not going to unpack what I've already done - but I'm just going to rearrange my whole thought process and kind of plan that I might be bringing the baby back here as opposed to our house.....maybe....I don't know...depending on our new closing date....if there is one...:0)
Our perspective is pretty good for the most part. We know the Lord is in control. We know that life doesn't end when a new baby comes. And we know that if and when we move, the chaos will quickly become organized and order will resume. So, for right now, until we hear anything new about the house, we're just focusing on our family and getting ready for our new little addition. In some ways, it's actually simplifying life for me a bit as there is no point in packing and such at least for the moment.
This extra time will allow me to focus on my more imminent needs, like solidifying a name for our poor little one. That's a bigger stress for me right now....
Any suggestions?
Winding Down.....
As the days creep ever closer to my due date, I am trying to be in the moment, trying to savor, desperate to remember all of the movements, the thoughts, the mini conversations between myself and this little one....
I don't want to forget, because what if this is my last? What if our family is complete after this third birth? You never know. We've always said that we'll take one baby at a time, we'll wait on the Lord, we'll do nothing permanent until we're sure.
But, if this is it - I don't want my last days to be looked back on remembering that I was running right on screech right up until he arrived. I don't want to "fit" my labor and delivery into the "perfect schedule" of what would work best with this whole house and the chaos of moving.
I just want to be in the moment - and savor everything.
This post is an awesome reminder to me to do just that. I love this woman. I love the way she writes, the way she mothers, and the way she walks with Jesus.
I don't want to forget, because what if this is my last? What if our family is complete after this third birth? You never know. We've always said that we'll take one baby at a time, we'll wait on the Lord, we'll do nothing permanent until we're sure.
But, if this is it - I don't want my last days to be looked back on remembering that I was running right on screech right up until he arrived. I don't want to "fit" my labor and delivery into the "perfect schedule" of what would work best with this whole house and the chaos of moving.
I just want to be in the moment - and savor everything.
This post is an awesome reminder to me to do just that. I love this woman. I love the way she writes, the way she mothers, and the way she walks with Jesus.
Homeward Stretch!
We are back home from a wonderful week of seeing family and friends, some really encouraging support raising, and lots of 4-wheeling, being outside, and chilling with people that we love.
I've entered the stage of lots of "lasts." That was my last time up home before the baby comes, tomorrow will be my last day of work, I'm through the last week where my midwife would like to keep baby inside - now he is free and clear to come whenever!; and I'm trying to do lots of last minute packing, cleaning, and little special things with my boys.
Just this past week we finally purchased a car seat - now we'll be allowed to bring him home from the hospital! Just a couple of nights ago, I also finally packed my overnight bag and a diaper bag for the baby. And, I picked up a couple of gifts for the boys from their baby brother. Sooooo - we're golden. Major stuff taken care of.
And now for the rest of our life......
The plan right now is for us to close on our house next Wednesday - one week away. The bank is confused with our unique situation and the fact that we are support raising, so many things are still up in the air. However, we are just moving forward - trusting AND packing - as though all will go through. There's really nothing else we can do until we know for sure.
I had my midwife appointment yesterday, and all is still great with my health. By now, during my pregnancy with Kaden, my body was breaking down big time; and by now with Jesse - little signs were starting to show. I'm still not totally in the clear, but I only need to be on my left side for an hour a day, so I can still clean and organize like a wild woman for a good amount of my days!
So, that's the update on our life for now. I'm really not feeling overly stressed - just kind of taking one day at a time. Whenever baby comes, he comes - and what doesn't get done, doesn't get done. It's as simple as that!
A daily prayer for me:
"Lord, help me to slow and see the sacred in the chaos."
I've entered the stage of lots of "lasts." That was my last time up home before the baby comes, tomorrow will be my last day of work, I'm through the last week where my midwife would like to keep baby inside - now he is free and clear to come whenever!; and I'm trying to do lots of last minute packing, cleaning, and little special things with my boys.
Just this past week we finally purchased a car seat - now we'll be allowed to bring him home from the hospital! Just a couple of nights ago, I also finally packed my overnight bag and a diaper bag for the baby. And, I picked up a couple of gifts for the boys from their baby brother. Sooooo - we're golden. Major stuff taken care of.
And now for the rest of our life......
The plan right now is for us to close on our house next Wednesday - one week away. The bank is confused with our unique situation and the fact that we are support raising, so many things are still up in the air. However, we are just moving forward - trusting AND packing - as though all will go through. There's really nothing else we can do until we know for sure.
I had my midwife appointment yesterday, and all is still great with my health. By now, during my pregnancy with Kaden, my body was breaking down big time; and by now with Jesse - little signs were starting to show. I'm still not totally in the clear, but I only need to be on my left side for an hour a day, so I can still clean and organize like a wild woman for a good amount of my days!
So, that's the update on our life for now. I'm really not feeling overly stressed - just kind of taking one day at a time. Whenever baby comes, he comes - and what doesn't get done, doesn't get done. It's as simple as that!
A daily prayer for me:
"Lord, help me to slow and see the sacred in the chaos."
And We're OFF!!!
After a night of:
*Packing for a week in the County
*Cleaning cat poop & pee out of the kid's tent b/c she couldn't get to her litter box
*Scrubbing two huge stains that I found on our 2 carpets
*Finding an exploded jar of applesauce in my freezer
*Cleaning under my kitchen sink & scrubbing my kitchen floor b/c our faucet had a massive leak that went EVERYWHERE
*AND hubby buying us Chinese food after the kid's went to bed.....Ahem, we earned it!
We are off - like a herd of turtles - for a week in the County!
I am packing nothing babywise - I've never had a baby before week 38, and we're only in week 37, so I'm crossing my fingers.
I do have a plan, however. My childhood best friend's mom is a labor and delivery nurse and she lives at the end of our dirt road, and my Dad is an EMT. So, should any labor take place, I'm moseying myself right up to her little house and promptly demanding that she & Dad take over!
That could send Kev to an early grave......
The countdown begins!
*Packing for a week in the County
*Cleaning cat poop & pee out of the kid's tent b/c she couldn't get to her litter box
*Scrubbing two huge stains that I found on our 2 carpets
*Finding an exploded jar of applesauce in my freezer
*Cleaning under my kitchen sink & scrubbing my kitchen floor b/c our faucet had a massive leak that went EVERYWHERE
*AND hubby buying us Chinese food after the kid's went to bed.....Ahem, we earned it!
We are off - like a herd of turtles - for a week in the County!
I am packing nothing babywise - I've never had a baby before week 38, and we're only in week 37, so I'm crossing my fingers.
I do have a plan, however. My childhood best friend's mom is a labor and delivery nurse and she lives at the end of our dirt road, and my Dad is an EMT. So, should any labor take place, I'm moseying myself right up to her little house and promptly demanding that she & Dad take over!
That could send Kev to an early grave......
The countdown begins!
Nesting Weirdness
I'm always slightly psycho when it comes time for my babies to be born.
I'm an organizer/culler/chucker fanatic anyway - I really really love things organized, and I really really hate clutter, and I get a weird satisfaction out of throwing things away, and I love getting junk out of my house, so this whole moving thing is fairly conducive to what I tend to do around this time, anyway.
I wish I had a few more weeks of cushion before the baby comes, and I wish I wasn't quite so huge because I lose my breathe and get light headed quite often from all of the bending and lifting and getting up and down all the time, and I'm already placed on one hour a day of bed rest which will only increase with each appointment - but it's all good. We're rolling with it......sometimes, quite literally.
ANYWAY - where was I going with this whole post, in the first place?.......Oh yes, my weirdness.....
Usually, along with all of my organizing, I'm stocking up on meals and foody items for my little family as well - cooking chickens, making bread dough, mixing up casseroles etc. - all to freeze and have for easy meals when chaos abounds.
This time, however, my mind is so not even there!
I think it's the time of year. Or maybe it's my 3rd child, and I'm just more relaxed about it. But, instead of filling my freezer with substantial meals etc., I have been filling it with all sorts of jams, applesauce, and just this past week-end I tried my hand at apple butter. I'll post the recipe soon. It's delish. There is now no room for meals - there are only jars!
I do totally think it's the time of year. There is so much goodness to be had and to not miss out on. So, although my men will have nothing to fill their bellies with during supper hours of nuttyness - I am super excited that I have not missed out on any of the summer and fall bounty of the fruit and apples that we've had.
Meals are so overrated, anyway. What's wrong with a good bowl of popcorn?
I'm an organizer/culler/chucker fanatic anyway - I really really love things organized, and I really really hate clutter, and I get a weird satisfaction out of throwing things away, and I love getting junk out of my house, so this whole moving thing is fairly conducive to what I tend to do around this time, anyway.
I wish I had a few more weeks of cushion before the baby comes, and I wish I wasn't quite so huge because I lose my breathe and get light headed quite often from all of the bending and lifting and getting up and down all the time, and I'm already placed on one hour a day of bed rest which will only increase with each appointment - but it's all good. We're rolling with it......sometimes, quite literally.
ANYWAY - where was I going with this whole post, in the first place?.......Oh yes, my weirdness.....
Usually, along with all of my organizing, I'm stocking up on meals and foody items for my little family as well - cooking chickens, making bread dough, mixing up casseroles etc. - all to freeze and have for easy meals when chaos abounds.
This time, however, my mind is so not even there!
I think it's the time of year. Or maybe it's my 3rd child, and I'm just more relaxed about it. But, instead of filling my freezer with substantial meals etc., I have been filling it with all sorts of jams, applesauce, and just this past week-end I tried my hand at apple butter. I'll post the recipe soon. It's delish. There is now no room for meals - there are only jars!
I do totally think it's the time of year. There is so much goodness to be had and to not miss out on. So, although my men will have nothing to fill their bellies with during supper hours of nuttyness - I am super excited that I have not missed out on any of the summer and fall bounty of the fruit and apples that we've had.
Meals are so overrated, anyway. What's wrong with a good bowl of popcorn?
Jehovah Jireh...(or is it Jirah?)
We have probably only been yard saling about three times this summer, and each time, the Lord has led us to specific sales where I have been able to clothe my wee ones for this next year. It is SO hard to find little boy clothing, let alone little boy clothing that isn't half destroyed with holes and stains! Knowing that baby #3 is also a manchild, I can't afford to purchase clothing that is already worn down when I have three boys that need to wear it, as well.
Today, we totally and completely hit the jackpot!
For about $25.oo, BEHOLD:
This is what this stash contains:
for Kaden:
4 pair of jeans
1 pair of dress pants
2 dress shirts
1 tank top
7 long sleeved shirts
1 hoody sweatshirt
ski pants
an L.L. Bean winter jacket with matching hat
2 pair of winter gloves
for Jesse:
1 t-shirt
2 dress shirts
1 hoody sweatshirt
1 pair of jeans
3 pair of dress pants
1 fall jacket still with the tags on it
ski pants
winter jacket
AND - We also scored these fun treasures:
a really nice backpack (Kev kinda has a thing for bags & backpacks)
tons of really fun books for the kids
a few kidlet movies
and 2 Nalgene bottles
I am just so so thrilled and excited about all of these new treasures! Between these buys and my previous purchases, my boys really are just about set for this whole next year barring just a few hodge podge items.
And finally:
Here I am in all of my glory at 36 weeks. The comments I am hearing lately all sound about like this: "WOW! Could your stomach get ANY bigger?"
Just wait and see, my friends. Just wait and see.
Bless your little hearts..........
Today, we totally and completely hit the jackpot!
For about $25.oo, BEHOLD:
This is what this stash contains:
for Kaden:
4 pair of jeans
1 pair of dress pants
2 dress shirts
1 tank top
7 long sleeved shirts
1 hoody sweatshirt
ski pants
an L.L. Bean winter jacket with matching hat
2 pair of winter gloves
for Jesse:
1 t-shirt
2 dress shirts
1 hoody sweatshirt
1 pair of jeans
3 pair of dress pants
1 fall jacket still with the tags on it
ski pants
winter jacket
AND - We also scored these fun treasures:
a really nice backpack (Kev kinda has a thing for bags & backpacks)
tons of really fun books for the kids
a few kidlet movies
and 2 Nalgene bottles
I am just so so thrilled and excited about all of these new treasures! Between these buys and my previous purchases, my boys really are just about set for this whole next year barring just a few hodge podge items.
And finally:
Here I am in all of my glory at 36 weeks. The comments I am hearing lately all sound about like this: "WOW! Could your stomach get ANY bigger?"
Just wait and see, my friends. Just wait and see.
Bless your little hearts..........
35 Weeks & Counting.....
We're on the homeward stretch now. I may be totally wrong, but I feel in my bones that I'm not going to last until October 11. My body feels ready. We shall see.
I'd like baby to stay inside at least until a week before due date because of the whole house situation. I would really love to be moved in, painted, and settled - but we'll roll with whatever happens.
I'm planning what I can with full knowledge that all may need to be thrown to the wind! But pretending that I really can plan my whole life out, here goes:
* Putter and organize for the rest of this week.
* Go up to the County all next week to see family & do a little support raising.
* The following week do some hard core packing, culling, & organizing.
* Saturday the 26th, my church is giving me a baby shower!
* Mom will take the kids back with her for a few days after that.
* The final week of September - Pack up everything on Sun., Mon., & Tues.
* Close on our house Wednesday the 30th.
* Move everything over there that day. Start painting.
* Paint on October 1st & 2nd (Thurs. & Fri.)
* Unpack and settle in on the 3rd & 4th (Sat. & Sun.)
* My boys will come back to me sometime on the week-end.
And then - baby is free and clear to come anytime after that!
How's that for a plan?
Kinda' like trying to nail jello to a tree.........
I'd like baby to stay inside at least until a week before due date because of the whole house situation. I would really love to be moved in, painted, and settled - but we'll roll with whatever happens.
I'm planning what I can with full knowledge that all may need to be thrown to the wind! But pretending that I really can plan my whole life out, here goes:
* Putter and organize for the rest of this week.
* Go up to the County all next week to see family & do a little support raising.
* The following week do some hard core packing, culling, & organizing.
* Saturday the 26th, my church is giving me a baby shower!
* Mom will take the kids back with her for a few days after that.
* The final week of September - Pack up everything on Sun., Mon., & Tues.
* Close on our house Wednesday the 30th.
* Move everything over there that day. Start painting.
* Paint on October 1st & 2nd (Thurs. & Fri.)
* Unpack and settle in on the 3rd & 4th (Sat. & Sun.)
* My boys will come back to me sometime on the week-end.
And then - baby is free and clear to come anytime after that!
How's that for a plan?
Kinda' like trying to nail jello to a tree.........
Summer's Last Hurrah
We wanted to do one last big thing this summer with the boys before baby #3 comes and before the crazyness of our house gets underway, so this week-end we kicked it for three nights and three days to Rangeley. We've hardly done a thing with Kev's mom and Bruce all summer, so we all went together to Bruce's little island camp where we spent half of our Honeymoon 10 years ago. I think that the last time we went there was when Kaden was only six weeks old, so it was so SO nice to get back!
We decided last minute to leave when I got out of work on Wednesday, instead of losing about three hours on Thursday to driving, so we didn't arrive until around 9:30 Wednesday night. The moon was full and gorgeous, and the boys were absolutely mesmerized as we boated over to the island.
Where we are at this stage in our lives, this really is the most perfect little vacation getaway. It's far enough away that we feel like we really have taken a break from life, there is no electricity, it's quiet and beautiful, it's cheap - just gas and groceries, and it's really a little kid's paradise.
For three days, all we did was chill; eat; visit; and play and swim in the water and catch crayfish, minnows, and chubs - which the boys put in buckets and held to their heart's content...with many a pinch from the crayfish, but it didn't seem to hinder them any!
We also had fires and made pudgy pies, went for boat rides, and just really vegged together as a family in the beauty of God's creation all around us.
Here's a pic of this little room that we all shared together:
It was super cute and cozy, and we would all go to bed together at the same time and talk and tell stories. Really, the only things that the island contains are the little A-frame camp where Pat & Bruce slept, an A-frame boathouse where we slept in the upper loft, and an A-frame outhouse! It's pretty tiny, but oh - what a haven it is!
It was lovely.
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