Pint Sized Quiet Times

Pint sized would describe the length and frequency of my times to pray and read my Bible lately. But it also describes God's methods for ensuring I continue in prayer and growth despite my ability/dedication to focus in on lengthy times with Him as I have been in the past. As I'm sure many moms can relate to, He often uses the little people in my life to teach me about Him and see many of my own shortcomings.

I haven't had lengthy prayer times lately, but when T3 is wide awake after his 3am feeding, I pray very focused and fervent prayers for him to go right to sleep! Amazingly, I often can't go right to sleep even when he does, so I lay awake and sometimes use this time to pray for those who I know need it.

Yesterday we were finally to the planting stage of our garden. As T1 and I worked together to plant the tiny corn seeds I asked him, "Can you believe that this little seed will grow into a big corn plant?" and he just mater-a-factly said, "Of course it will." Immediately Abba whispered, "the faith of a child", reminding me to keep my faith simple and just believe. Why do I have to doubt and question everything?

This morning as I drove T1 to his last day of preschool (wasn't it just yesterday I was journaling about his first day?) I reflected on my short temper earlier when he spilled my coffee all over the kitchen counter while reaching for something that I asked him to wait for. (You know the old adage, "don't cry over spilt milk?"...I think it would be more appropriate to say, "don't yell over spilt milk...or coffee.") Anyways, I asked him to forgive me for getting upset so quickly with him and he quickly replied, "I already forgave you, Mom. I always forgive you and Daddy right away when you yell at me." Double whammy! Why do I yell so often? And how is it that he is so quick to forgive and I am so slow in letting go, instead choosing to nurse a grudge and lick my wounds? Again, a challenge to grow coming from the pint sized little person in the car seat behind me.

So despite my lack of attention to pursuing our Father, (which, yes, is sometimes related to this season of little ones), He is faithfully pursuing me. And He is using these same pint sized "time grabbers" to teach me and challenge me to grow closer to Him every day.

How to build a patio in 3 days.

One of our latest projects was adding on a patio (or "studio" according to Thing 2) to our backyard. We were extra grateful for the expert help of one graduating landscape design student friend and one EDGEr who just happened to grow up doing landscaping for the family business. We had been talking and dreaming of putting one in for 3 years now and the opportunity to have their expertise made it a no brainer that this is the time to do it. Plus we had the extra muscles of Things 1 and 2 who were completely entertained (aka, out of my hair) for 3 days while the project commenced. Thank you to all who stopped by and helped...and thank you to Papa John's and BK who helped me keep this hungry crew fed!















We broke it in last night with grilled trout caught by the Things and grilled asparagus (bought by yours truly) and fresh pineapple. What a feast! Come by and enjoy it with us sometime!

Identity Crisis

First off - thank you to all who emailed and commented on my last post. I appreciate all your encouraging words and support. I apologize to those who I made cry, it wasn't my intention - just wanting to share our journey with you.

Now, on to lighter things...many of you have expressed confusion over Thing 3's name. It was never our intent to confuse...we just simply can't agree is all. Hubby is set on Thing 3's middle name and I'm set on his first, most of the time. When he is up often at night (as he has been the last two nights) I call him by his middle name as well. :) I can't decide which he looks more like, so I go back and forth between them. Hubby also thinks it will be cool for him to sign his name with his first initial, full middle name and then last. I guess when Thing 3 is old enough to talk he can decide what he wants to be called. Hopefully we won't cause him to have an identity crisis between now and then.

Thing 3 isn't the only one who can't decide on an identity in our house. T2 is also trying on many different roles these days. He still hangs onto being an Army guy most of the time, but also changes outfits multiple times a day to match whatever "guy" he is at the hour. He also sports "soccer guy", "baseball guy", and spiderman. Yesterday morning I'm not sure what he was, but he came upstairs "dressed" in spiderman underwear, a yellow blue's clues vest, and a long sleeved camo shirt on top. Nothing else. It was quite the outfit. I was thankful that he decided to change identities before we had to go out in public.

You can put in your two cents - vote on what name T3 should go by - just scroll down on the right hand column to find the poll. Which name do you think fits him best???

A Different Path

Well, Thing 3 is officially one month old. There is something I've been meaning to write about since he was born, and I think I'm finally ready to go there. Or maybe the tears welling up in my eyes mean I'm not...or that I'm just still on the roller coaster of hormones (sorry to all my male readers). Darn I wish I wasn't out in public right now!

For all those family and close friends reading that this is news to, I apologize now, there just hasn't been time to call and rehash all this. And frankly, I just didn't have the emotional energy anyways. We decided that rather than worry everyone, we would just have a very few praying for us. So what the heck am I talking about...for that I have to go back to April 7th, a Tuesday afternoon a few hours after T3 was born...


Soon after T3 was born a pediatrician did his initial physical and noted some "funny lines" (what I call them, not the MD) on the palms of his hands. He informed hubby that this is one of the signs of Downs and that it would take up to two weeks to get the genetic tests back. Hubby then later told me of the possibility but he was so calm I didn't freak out too much. Or maybe it was just the shock. Later that night as I lay alone in my hospital room the shock wore off and the calm I felt with hubby there had gone home with him. It was hard not to worry that first night. I mostly laid awake thinking about kids with Downs and trying to decide if T3 looked like them. I kept drawing imaginary lines from his eyes to his ears to see if the ears were a lot lower like on Downs kids (or were they supposed to be higher?). Then I would stare at his hands and try to erase the lines I saw there, wishing they were "normal" and feeling guilty for wishing this. It wasn't that I thought it could change my love for him in any way, it was more that this wasn't what I wanted for him. It would change everything and nothing all at once.

The next morning (Wed.) I spoke with the MD for the first time and I asked him straight out what were the chances that these "funny lines" meant he had Downs since he didn't seem to have any of the other physical traits. As he said the words "He has a 90% chance of having Downs" I could have sworn he reached into my chest and squeezed my heart in his fist. I lay there in my hospital bed as he talked on for a few more minutes about a family in the area with a Downs child and connecting me with support groups and then he just walked out. I'm sure he sent the nurse who came in a few minutes later to try and console this freaked out mother sobbing in her hospital bed. My OB had rotten luck that morning as he made his rounds next. I lay crying with my hands covering my face while this middle aged man stiffly pats my shoulder mumbling "You okay?". DUH! It was obvious I wasn't and it was obvious he wasn't in the habit of consoling distraught mothers. Still, he did his best and I laugh about it now.

It is so strange how you can be going along on one path that you think is straight and predictable and all of a sudden someone says something like "your child likely has Downs" and that straight path takes a sharp curve. One so sharp you'd go careening off this new path if it weren't for God's strong hands holding you upright. All the while your mind is reeling with the implications and worries as to where this new unfamiliar path may lead and God is whispering reminders of His love and faithfulness to keep you going. At least that was how it was for me for the next 24 hours.

The following morning (Thurs.) our regular pediatrician came and did his own assessment. He didn't seem to think that the lines appeared on both hands like the first MD, just on one hand. He also told me that there is a theory behind the lines. Apparently Downs babies don't move a lot in utero and don't open and close there hands as much. So for whatever reason, T3 maybe didn't move around as much and that may be why, or he may have Downs. Still, he gave us a much lower % chance that is was really Downs and he promised to call us as soon as he got the results back from Mayo.

We went home Thursday afternoon and tried to get back into a "new normal" and not think about it too much. We decided not to tell anyone until we knew what we were dealing with. We didn't want anyone to worry over what might be nothing. I also felt protective of him, I just wanted people to get to know him and not get hung up on a diagnosis.

It was strange walking down this path knowing that very soon there was going to be a fork in the road and one little genetic test result would tell us which path we were going to take. We didn't have a choice, we had to keep walking closer to the fork, and we had to somehow get to the place of being okay with whichever path God had already decided we were going to take.

Friday our pediatrician called to tell us that he had spoken with Mayo and would get the results Monday morning. The next couple days we just enjoyed being a "normal" family (is there a normal with 3 boys? is there a normal with a upcoming diagnosis looming in the back of your mind?). I was glad we weren't going to have to wait two weeks like we originally thought. But as Monday grew closer I felt myself getting more and more anxious.

Finally Monday arrived and the phone call we had been waiting and hoping for. T3s results were in and he is perfectly normal (well as normal as any of us are). Hubby left the msg on my cell phone letting me know he had spoken with our doctor. I still have it saved on my phone, i just can't seem to press the number 7 to delete the message that sent me down the path I was hoping and praying to take. Just as quickly as the curve came up and threw me off my "familiar path" I was back on track. One phone call and all the "what if's" and imagining life with a child with special needs and how would that affect my other two things (both good and hard), etc. etc. were suddenly fading off to the right as my path veered to the left with the predictable and "normal" ahead as far as I could see.

Looking back sometimes I have some strange feelings about it all, some are whacked and I know it, but they are there. I wonder, if I had more faith would God have given me a child with Downs? Maybe I just didn't have the faith to handle it? I feel guilty for wanting him to not have it. I feel relieved that he doesn't. At the same time I'm praising God for answered prayers and a healthy child.

It makes me think of the other "curves" we have faced. One came at T1s 2 month check up. As the MD listened to his heart he kept on listening, and listening and listening. As the minutes ticked by I knew it shouldn't take that long to know it was normal. Soon he was on the phone with a pediatric cardiologist and I was headed down the hall with my 2 month old to radiology instead of heading home with a normal check up behind me. (For those of you who don't know that story, a couple years later T1 was given a clean bill of health). Those curves come up so quickly the momentum literally thrusts me into the arms of God. There is no other place to be. Or maybe it is that I finally realize His arms have been there all along, I just wasn't leaning into them like I could have been. Lest this begin to sound too much like "Footprints" I'll stop there, but the lesson is the same. I'm grateful for a God who ordains these curves and carries me through them. Patiently, gently whispering me through them until I gain my balance again and hopefully continue on with more faith, more praise and more dependence upon Him than before.

Seniors, Bikes, and The Police

As you can imagine, we've been keeping pretty busy here. Having a baby, keeping up with two other boys and wrapping up a school year...never a dull moment. Here is a overview of some of what we have been up to.


The boys love their new baby brother. T3 has even given T1 and I a few smiles. Hubby is still waiting for his.


Last week we took a tour of the local fire station.


We even got to talk to the police officer on the way out.


On Sunday we hosted all the seniors for a special dinner and seminars. Guest speakers discussed how to set up a budget, etc. and gave a ton of useful information, much from Dave Ramsey's books. Other topics included finding a church, having a personal ministry, and transitioning from college to career.


Both of the older boys have started riding bikes in the past couple weeks. They mostly ride in the garage since we live on a dirt road. Hubby likes to do his wood working while they ride around and I enjoy a little peace and quiet...sort of.


Thing 3 loves to sleep on anyone who is willing to hold him.


Hubby started on his farmer's sunburn...err, tan early, the benefits of holding a staff meeting outside for a few hours. Thing 3 was doing his best to absorb the heat from his sunburn.

Going Green with Jelly Beans

Slowly, one by one, hubby had been changing our bulbs over to florescent and easing me into the transition. I don't really like the light they put off but he makes a big effort to test out new ones and find ones I do like. But it doesn't save you a whole lot when they are left on all the time (a big pet peeve for hubby).

In an effort to "Go Green" (okay, really I'm just trying to please my husband and save a little dough), I decided to encourage the Things to remember to turn the lights off when they leave a room. I told the boys that whenever they remember on their own to turn off a light they will be rewarded with a jelly bean. Thing 1 has caught on right away and enthusiastically reaps lots of beans every day. It hasn't taken too long for Thing 2 to realize he is missing out and join in the "Green" effort as well.

If you have any tips for teaching your kids to go green I'd love to hear them!

BTW - Thing 3 is two weeks old today! It has been an adventure adjusting to three. Having my mom here was a HUGE help and only hours after she left I was already wayyyy behind in my laundry (and sleep). Hubby has been battling some sort of plague and has been banished to the basement since the day she left. So I'm thankful that Thing 3 is a fairly good sleeper at night, just up ever 3 - 4 hours to eat and then back to sleep.

Easter turned out to be a much bigger deal than I had anticipated around here...probably just as it should be, after all, how can you under celebrate such an important day!
It started with a quick trip through Target where I was surprised to see hubby dumping piles of candy into our cart. He then explained that Easter was a BIG deal growing up, at least if the amount of candy you got equaled the amount that you celebrated. After 8 1/2 years of marriage I'm still learning new things about him and in the most unexpected places, like the candy aisle.
The boys got to go on 3 Easter egg hunts...two of which were spontaneous and unplanned by us...probably making our one little planned one at home seem pretty mediocre. They also got huge Easter baskets from a good friend at church filled with toys, clothes, games and of course, candy. Definitely making ours look less than mediocre, if not for the plethora of candy hubby had ensured was overflowing from them.
In the end I'm glad with all the attention put on Thing 3 these days that that the first 2 Things got spoiled a bit, it couldn't have come at a better time. Just another way God continues to provide where I fall short!
Hope you all had a blessed Easter as well! It sure was nice spending our first Sunday all together in church celebrating His Resurrection...what a great memory for us to hold onto.

Presenting Thing 3!

It's about time

I'm heading in Tues. morning at 7:30 to be induced. If you read this in time, say a prayer for us!

We'll post pics when we can!

Thanks,

Sherry

Flooded Friends, 29 Dreamers, Sweet Moments...both quiet and loud.

Before I ramble on, if you only have time to read one thing, please go to this link (which for some reason won't show up as a link so you'll have to copy it...sorry):

http://xcerpts.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/friends-lose-to-river/

It will give you the story of some good friends, and fellow ministers of ours. Their home was flooded with the recent rising of the river in Fargo. They also just recently adopted their third child. Without flood insurance to cover the cost of repairs, and the expenses of adoption, they could really use your consideration of support and prayers. Please join me in praying for them and supporting them however God leads.

Now...for what is going on south of the floods...
It is officially one day past my due date...unfortunately Thing 3 was uninformed of his/her expected arrival. So I will take a moment to reflect on the poll now that it is officially closed. It seems there are 8 realists (votes for boy), 29 dreamers (votes for girls), and 4 humorists (who voted "other"). Ha, ha, you are sooo funny. :)

In lieu of life going on in spite of feeling like it should be "on hold", we have been enjoying some sweet moments together. The boys have found us in bed a few mornings to enjoy some early morning snuggle times...as much as a 3 yr old boy can lay still in the morning. One favorite moment was yesterday when it was just Thing 1and I in bed and I taught him the "Draw a letter on your back and you guess what it is" game. I know these are silly, simple things...but I'm enjoying them immensely.

Last night we picked my folks up at the airport and enjoyed a quiet dinner out (the Things were at a local church for Kid's Night Out...God bless that church!). It is funny how eating out at a restaurant takes on a whole new level of pleasure once you have children and don't have them with you. I know this seems opposite of what I just wrote about above, but I never promised to make sense. :) Hubby noted the table across the Thai restaurant had a family with two young kids that were all quiet and enjoying their meal....they were girls.

I'm excited to find out if 3 boys are in our future, and many more much appreciated date nights...and more energetic than I would envision morning snuggle times...or if it will be a whole different ball game like the 29 dreamers out there envision for us. :) Whatever it is, I'm ready!

Here is a belly shot from a few days ago...the Things are already in love with Thing 3. :)

April Fool's, Blastoff, and Goodbye

So I was feeling a bit crabby this morning about still being pregnant. I know I should be more grateful to just be allowed to be pregnant. And so I add guilt to my crabbiness, not helped by everyone commenting "you're still pregnant?!" as if I had a choice in the matter. Anyways, to lift my mood I decided to make my FB status "heading to the hospital" and it did cheer me up that people actually believed me. I guess it is my twisted way of passing the time that seems to be passing sooooo slowly! Turns out God decided to give me a taste of my own medicine as I had contractions 2 - 5 minutes apart for about 2 hours late this afternoon. Alas, they slowed down, much to my utter disappointment and here I sit blogging instead of laboring. Oh well, all in His time.

Today Thing 2 informed me that the baby was going to come like this: "5, 4, 3 ,2 ,1, 0, blastoff, pop!" Interesting interpretation of labor. Hopefully it will go nearly as quick as that...but not too quick for appropriate pain management.

In other news - I'm finally getting around to posting a photo from spring break...they are all holding up jackrabbit ears (in case you are wondering). I think I already blogged about what a great trip it was and how the students had really positive experiences.

The ministry continues to run smoothly and we are continually blessed to have our EDGE team here to minister alongside. They are such a blessing to us, including our faithful volunteer staff J. I can't imagine how things were without them and am already dreading their time being up in another year and a half.

Speaking of the EDGErs, N, moved out of our basement this past weekend to free up the room for Thing 3. We were all sad to see him go. He was a lot of fun to have around and the boys absolutely loved him! We offered to set up the bunk beds in the boys' room for him, but in the end he decided to move in with some good friends of ours instead. I know he will be as much of a blessing to that family as he was to ours. Thanks, N, for loving on our family and serving us so well!

My baby turns 3

I can hardly believe 3 years have passed since Thing 2 came into our world. We celebrated with a fun party last night complete with an Army cake, triple chocolate ice cream (he picked out the flavor, I swear!), and a blur of flying wrapping paper. It is good we celebrated last night because this morning hubby and I were pretty much comatose after being up a bit with him and a not so well timed asthma flare up.

When I was "sleeping" I was really just dreaming about going into labor and feeling conflicted about T2 having to share his bday with a baby brother or sister. Whether it was all the dreams or it is really reality, I feel convinced this baby will be here within a few days. Time will tell. And then I'll really remember what it is like to make coffee while mostly asleep.

Despite our fatigue we rallied for a traditional pancake breakfast complete with a #3candle and little plastic army guy. We all took turns sharing what we like about Thing 2 and this is how the conversation went:
T2 - "I like army guys"
T1 - "I like T2 b/c he is my friend"
Hubby - "I like T2s eyes b/c they remind me of his mom's" (ahh)
T1 - "I like that he plays hide and seek with me"
Me - "I like his smile b/c it is so cheery"

Thank you, Abba, for T2 and his funloving presence in our lives. We pray he will grow healthy and strong and in the knowledge and acceptance of Your love for him this year.

Good to know

Last week Thing 1 got up from the dinner table halfway through the meal to use the facilities (it seems we can't make it through any meal without some Thing getting down at least once. I'm never praying for patience again). Anyways, not wanting to miss out on conversation he hollered to me from his new "seat", "Mom, do you know what I pray when I'm on the potty?" Intrigued I inquired further (wouldn't you?), and he answered, "I pray, 'Please God...don't let me have diarrhea!". Good to know. Apparently he still remembers the stomach bug he had (and shared with all of us) last December.

They both keep us laughing pretty much continuously. I'm trying to remember a funny story about Thing 2 but my pregnant brain is failing me.

We are really enjoying some warmer temps here...spring is here for now. Signs of spring around here are: two happy boys playing in the mud in our driveway, Countless hours at the park, Jeff's face. Yup, you read it right. I haven't seen it all winter and with the warmer weather he finally decided to shave his beard. Yippee! I was so happy I almost went into labor! But not quite.

For those of you interested in my latest ob checkup keep reading...
As of yesterday I'm up to a 3! Only 7 to go and we get to find out if this is a boy or girl. After sending belly photos last night to my Brazilian belly expert (aka, hubby's sister who has seen lots and lots of pregnant bellies) I'm told I'm having a girl. One thing is for sure, it is not an "Other" like some of you jokesters voted for!

I'll try and post some pics and stories from Spring Break in Chicago soon...it was a very blessed and stretching time for all of our students and EDGErs! Thanks for praying for them!

From one Windy "city" to another

Well, just 24 hours ago four brave EDGEr staff and 22 students headed for warmer weather...err...headed to Chicago for Spring Break!

Up until 2 days before the trip hubby was planning on going. The brave, supportive, strong wifey was up for this. The 10 1/2 months pregnant, hormonal, exhausted wifey was feeling a bit weepy and wimpy at the prospect of single parenting for 7 days. In the end, hubby decided on his own to stay home and get ahead on work here before Thing 3 arrives. Last night as I awoke to strong contractions I was thankful for the millionth time that he was here and not in Chicago. (The contractions stopped, obviously). I know that if God had him there, He would have given me the resilience to keep up with the Things on my own. But I'm also thankful He didn't ask that of me.

Anyways...please be praying for our EDGErs as they are completely capable and completely in charge of the trip. Pray for the hearts and lives of the students to be changed as they serve in various missions around the city. Going to such a big city will be quite a challenge and shock for many of these farm "kids" which is partly why we chose this trip. Thankfully, hubby's brother and sister in law are close by in Chicago and their church is housing our whole group.

A schedule:

Saturday - leave 8 a.m. sharp (right.), drive ALL day
Sunday - relaxing/bonding, making lots of food in the little church kitchen for first time!
Monday - our sightseeing day taking Chicago's public transportation
Tuesday - serving @ Breaking Ground doing lots of different tasks (tutoring adults, doing maintenance & roadside clean-up, cleaning facilities, helping in whatever way serves their organization)

visit breakingground.net

Wednesday - serving @ Cornerstone Community Outreach helping them feed and house thousands of Chicago's homeless in the northside

visit ccolife.org

Thursday - same as Wednesday (again, right. I can't imagine it being the same), with processing time for the week
Friday - drive back to SD

The Games they play

When left alone I'm always amazed at the mischief...errr...games the boys can come up with. The other day for the few minutes that I had locked myself in my bathroom the boys decided to take Thing 1's million piece train puzzle and play "Snowball fight". Within a couple minutes (for I dare not take any longer) there were pieces from end to end of our house. I also dared not reveal my amusement for their creativity...just firmly insisted it be cleaned up right away.

When I returned home one afternoon after hubby had been home with them, he informed me that the Things had been in the basement playing "David and Goliath." Apparently one of them was David and armed with all the balls in the house and the other Thing was forced to be Goliath and on the receiving end of all the balls. This lasted until Goliath got hurt...at least they are biblically accurate in their play.

I sure hope that Thing 3 is tough and well padded!

A glimpse of spring

Living out of town on a dirt road with a dirt driveway has its advantages...at least if you are 2 and 4 year old boys it does. Now that the boys are healthy (dare I say it) and I'm on my way to being healthy thanks to some trusty antibiotics, we were able to enjoy a rare but welcome 40 degree day last week.

And when the weather isn't nice and the Things aren't busy playing "army guys" (yes, we've just about worn out one set of camo already), they are almost always asking to read books. Hubby, being my hero once again has been doing a lot of that reading while I've been laid out with this stubborn cold. He pushed me out the door to the doctor on day 13 of my plague and three tissue boxes behind us. I'm thankful not only for him stepping in with the boys when I just couldn't muster the energy, but also for his wisdom in making me go to the MD when I was reluctant to. Why is it so easy to take your kids and tell your hubby to go, but so hard to go yourself???

I can hardly believe we have only 5 weeks to go until we meet our little honeydew (that is the fruit of the week...weighing in at 5 1/4 lbs on average). Though if the size of my belly is any indication it is more like carrying around a watermelon. I told my OB last week that I felt like we were both running out of room and he said, "Yup, you are looking pretty full." Nice...

It will be really fun to find out what this little one is! Thing 2 continues to insist on a boy while Thing 1 (already knowing what it is like to have a little brother) is adamant that it be a girl. We will see which one has the gift of prophecy soon enough. I've gone back and forth feeling like it is one or the other. I can honestly say I'm at the place where I would be equally excited for either...just for very different reasons. If it is a boy, I'll start counting down the days until they will all be deer hunting with Dad and I'll get to join in the fun at craft weekend again. :)

I'll leave you with a glimpse of my crazier side....I have to try really hard to surprise hubby after all these years and I think I caught him by complete surprise with his valentine this year. :) Here is the picture I put on his homemade card:

Batman Underwear

Today I was happy to learn from Thing 2 (who has been potty trained for a couple weeks now...yippeee!) that his Batman underwear scare the monsters that are in the basement. Where did he hear about monsters in the basement? Thing 1 of course. Until his elder brother mentioned them they never entered his 2 and 3/4 year old mind. They don't cause problems though when Thing 1 loans a pair of Batman underwear.
I've been pretty impressed lately with Thing 1's generous nature that is appearing for now. Last week when he had a cookie from preschool that was too big he decided on his own that he should break it in half and share it with his brother. He also willingly lets Thing 2 wear his clothes, underwear included. I know this season will pass all too quickly, but for now I'm enjoying their mostly playing well together.
This morning we took the boys out for breakfast to have a little time together before Hubby left for his Dangerous Man conference www.dangerousman.org. It was fun eating out together and dropping Thing 1 off late for preschool. I'm enjoying these early years of school when we can decide at the last minute to go out to breakfast and just be "late" for everything else if we want to. I'm also glad hubby gets a well deserved "break" with 12 other men from our campus. I think the title tells it all that it is sure to be a testosterone filled weekend!
Well, Thing 2 needs help with a puzzle and I think his asthma is still giving him some troubles since he can't stop coughing....so my blogging time is up!`

69 kids?????

A Russian woman holds the record for having the most children. Between 1725 and 1765, she was pregnant 27 times and had 69 children.

And I thought being pregnant 3 times was a lot. Ack, only 45 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!

Asthma, Army, Dating, and Disapearing Belly Buttons.

Sunrise in our backyard....when it looks this cold outside this is what is going on after too many hours inside...

It has been awhile since I've posted, but it is not for lack of things going on, mainly because of all of them. I'll start with the most recent and work my way back.

After nearly a year of no big asthma flare ups, Thing 1 is back on the neb. Hubby and I are trying to figure out what has changed and why this latest cold got it going when others haven't. It is a good reminder that we didn't need of what it feels like to be up every few hours (doing treatments) which by the way hubby is once again my hero and always the first to get up and help out whoever is coughing or crying. I am grateful that we have gone this long without a flare-up and hope to have another year off after this cold passes. I'm also grateful for medicine that allows him to breath.

Last night Hubby and I went down memory lane with 100 or so students that showed up at Nav Nite to hear us talk about Dating. We shared our dating story and pretty much covered it all from emotional to sexual purity and then some. The students wrote down some questions we will write out answers for since we ran out of time. Pray for us as we want to answer them wisely. They run the gamut from "What are good books to read on dating?" (I'll take that one) to "My boyfriend and I are both Christians and we are sleeping together, what should I do?" (I'll let Hubby take that one). :)

As we talked with students afterwards it seemed that the info we gave was well timed and spurred a lot of discussion. Already, Hubby has two guys wanting to meet and talk more. I don't mind if they don't agree with all the things we shared, I just want them to start thinking and talking about this. Hopefully sharing from our mistakes and advice we did take will help them along toward healthy relationships and marriages someday. It was really fun getting to speak together and a treat for me to be at Nav Nite.

For Superbowl weekend Hubby hosted a party while I was off on a quick trip to see family. I saw some pretty interesting video of what goes on while I'm away...Things 1and 2 jumping off the gigantic crock we have, and playing football with 45 students cheering them on in the living room. Hmmmm. I'm not complaining though...as I know I am utterly spoiled by Hubby to be sent out to visit family all on my own. It was a GREAT time to meet my newest nephew and get to hang out with all of the fam. I also satisfied almost all my pregnancy food cravings from two and a half pregnancies and amazingly didn't get scolded for my weight gain by my MD.

The latest fad in our house has been Army. - T2s obsession for over 2 weeks now. And when I say "obsession" I mean from the moment he wakes up he wants to be dressed in camo from head to toe, and as soon as it is time for pjs he asks if he can wear it again tomorrow. He also doesn't trust me to put it away, but has to put his outfit away himself so he knows just where it is in the morning. There was great weeping and gnashing of teeth when I stupidly announced I would be washing it one night after pjs were donned and so Hubby had to sneak it out of his drawer while I distracted him.

The boys both like playing army while they hunt down monsters in their basement, look for birds with their binoculars - taking them everywhere including the grocery store, and shooting animals out the front window with their toy rifles. Guess they got that from their Grandma who has been known to kill a few furry creatures out her very own kitchen window back on the farm. It has been a good season of them really enjoying playing together (when they aren't bugging each other that is). The other morning as T1 left for school T2 said, "When you get home will you play Army guys with me?" T1 - "Yeah, maybe after I play by myself a little bit" (spoken like a true introvert like his Dad.... and people pleaser like his Mom). I'm just thankful he has moved on from the not so winter friendly Brazilian soccer outfit. Speaking of, guess what T1 asked to wear the last two wintry days...
T1 keeps us laughing with his funny "all grown up" expressions. He "gets" things that T2 doesn't and shares private smiles with us. My baby is growing up! But he still has his funny little boy moments like telling me yesterday that my belly button is disappearing and not so funny comments like "Wow, your bottom is getting big, your belly is getting big," etc., etc. And some endearing moments as well like last week when he announced he was placing his purple painted ceramic cat from some craft time somewhere on my dresser with "your special things, Mom". He noticed after their decapitation I'd moved them to my room for safe keeping and he carefully placed his work of art right next to them methodically placing it on my dresser.

Well, it is down to just 7 more weeks until T3 is due....I'm still undecided on names. So if you have made it this far in reading then you can do me the honor of emailing me some of your ideas. :)