Sarah took these...

pictures of Grace.  I thought she did pretty good with the camera.  Grace is already 4 mos old!

Whoo Hoo...

I went to get Sarah at the bus stop today. It was so stink'n nice outside that I almost did a cartwheel. :D I never knew 47 degrees could feel this good. I guess I am just itching to get outside.

Love Story (kind of)

Last week was parent/teacher conference and Sarah's her teacher gave me lots of stuff that Sarah has been working on in a folder to take home. Here is a story she wrote on Feb. 6, 2006. It's really cute. I will keep the spelling the same so you can get the full affect.

One day on Satreday Grace and Jonay(Jonah). I think they love echothre(each other). It is silly very very silly. They lookde at echothre and I laphde(laughed) very very much. They are babys. Grace is my sistre. She is 3 mons old. Jonay has three brothrs and Grace has 2 brothrs and 1 sistre. The babys are two little two play in the snow. But I can play in the snow Adam and Jack and mom and dad can too.

In case you didn't know Jonay is Amie's Jonah. Anyway, I just thought I would share her story because I thought it was so cute that she would choose to write about it at school. :D

Grieving...

For the loss of a wonderful mother and wife...Although I never knew her I read of others who knew her and appreciated her. Please pray for those left behind, her husband and now five children. She never awakened from the c-section of her fifth child on March 1st. My heart aches as I mourn with her friends and family. She passed away from this life and onto life everlasting with our Heavenly Father.

In memory of Missey

Lent...your thoughts requested

Okay so I am confused. I have been watching the news today and the reporters have been reading email from people who have given something up for Lent. One person said they are
"giving up telling people what they want to hear and instead being brutally honest with them". This is where I get confused. I mean isn't Lent about giving up something that stands in the way of your focus on God. To eliminate distractions and reflect on our Lord and Savior. These people seem to be giving things up that sound more like New Years Resolutions. I know you shouldn't always just tell someone something they want to hear, but isn't being brutally honest a bit harsh. I mean that is the whole reason the term "brutally" proceeds honest. What do you all think? Could deciding to be brutally honest with someone help with your reflections on God?

Grandpa Hands...

Definition: (as told by Jack) What your hands look like after staying in the bathtub for awhile. AKA: raisin or prune hands. :D

It was too cute. Adam and Jack were dressing after their bath the other day and Jack said to Adam, "Look I have grandpa hands".

No offense to grandpa's of course! I am sure his definition will bring a smile to Grandpa Clark's face. :D

Old Fashioned

We made beef stew over our woodburning stove. It was so much fun. It felt like we were living in old times. We all sat by the fire keeping warm while the stew was simmering. It tasted yummy too. Just thought I would share our old fashioned story with you all. It did save us a little bit of money too since we didn't need to use the gas stove in the kitchen and with the rising costs of gas any little bit helps. :D

As promised....

 Updated pictures of my kiddos...

Grace Face

Some recent pictures of Grace who is now 3 months old. The last picture is another "a wink and a smile" shot. You might remember this other "wink and smile". She is getting big!

Grrr.....

That is the new sound that is coming from our little Gracie girlfriend. It is so cute. She has been making all kinds of cooing noises just like she should be at her age and then today I noticed that she is growling too. She will even occasionally growl back when growled at. The rest of us are getting a real kick out of it. Sarah, Adam and Jack have been growling at her all day trying to get her to growl back. What a little darling. She is getting so big now too. I 'll post some new pictures of all my kiddos soon. Grrr...

Strawberry Shortcake

No cheating. If all of the desserts listed below were sitting in front of you, which would you choose? Pick your dessert, and then look to see what psychiatrists think about you! (Sorry you can only pick one.)

a) Angel Food Cake
b) Brownies
c) Lemon Meringue
d) Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Icing
e) Strawberry Short Cake
f) Chocolate on Chocolate
g) Ice Cream
h) Carrot Cake

NOW, you cannot change your mind once you scroll down! So, think carefully what your choice will be! Now that you have made your choice, scroll down to see what research says about you!









ANGEL FOOD CAKE... Sweet, loving, cuddly. You love all warm and fuzzy items. A little nutty at times. Sometimes you need an ice cream cone at the end of the day. Others perceive you as being childlike and immature at times!

BROWNIES... You are adventurous, love new ideas, are a champion of under-dogs and a slayer of dragons. When tempers flare up, you whip out your saber. You are always the oddball with a unique sense of humor and direction. You tend to be very loyal.

LEMON MERINGUE... Smooth, sexy, & articulate with your hands, you are an excellent after-dinner speaker and a good teacher. But don't try to walk and chew gum at the same time. A bit of a diva at times, but you have many friends.

VANILLA CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE ICING... Fun-loving,sassy, humorous. Not very grounded in life; very indecisive and lack motivation. Everyone enjoys being around you, but you are a practical joker.Others should be cautious in making you mad. However,you are a friend for life.

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE... Romantic, warm, loving. You care about other people and can be counted on in a pinch. You tend to melt! You can be overly emotional and annoying at times.

CHOCOLATE ON CHOCOLATE... Sexy; always ready to give and receive. Very creative, adventurous, ambitious,and passionate. You can appear to have a cold exterior but are warm on the inside. Not afraid to take chances. Will not settle for anything average in life. Love to laugh.

ICE CREAM... You like sports, whether it be baseball,football, basketball, or soccer. If you could, you would like to participate, but you enjoy watching sports. You don't like to give up the remote control. You tend to be self-centered and high maintenance.

CARROT CAKE... You are a very fun loving person, who likes to laugh. You are fun to be with. People like to hang out with you. You are a very warm-hearted person and a little quirky at times. You have many loyal friends.

Zits...

Sarah has a sore under her lower lip that kinda looks like a cold sore. I was putting some lotion on it when she asked me what I thought it was. I told her it might be a cold sore but I wasn't completely sure. Then she said, "I think it is one of those things that you and Dad have." I said "What?, Zits!" "Yep" Very embarrassing but funny at the same time.

Eating Glue

You know your child is hungry when he starts to eat his older sister school work project. Sarah made this putty stuff comparable to silly putty out of glue and "this blue stuff"(her words) at school. It was pretty cool and Jack thought it was yummy too. Adam informed me that Jack was chowing down on the glue stuff that was stuck to the stir stick. YUCK! Always Jack eating things he isn't supposed too, like laundry detergent, Imodium, Tums,...all of which required calls to the poison Control Center.

Happy Birthday Jack!

 Today is Jack's 3rd Birthday! Happy birthday little man. 

It's going to be a long winter

It seems like I have been sick a lot lately. Let's see... first I got Bronchitis right before Grace was born, then I got Strep throat and a bladder infection right after she was born which was during Thanksgiving. Then during Christmas I had Mastitis really bad and had to switch antibiotics because the Walk-in-Clinic doctor knowingly wrote me a prescription for a drug that is not safe while nursing so my children's pediatrician had to write me a new script which thankfully worked wonders and was safe for Grace. So now it's the New Year and I have some kind of upper respiratory infection and have almost completely lost my voice. I have had to deal with the reinfestation of lice in Sarah's hair a few weeks ago due to classmates or cousins passing it back and forth, but I think I have finally cured us all from the lice hopefully to never see them again. I ordered a product online that has seemed to really help. And now here I am this morning trying to talk through a squeaky voice and to top it all off Jack has been up since two 0'clock this morning throwing up every 15-25 minutes. I have to give him small amounts of water every 15 minutes to keep him from getting dehydrated. And as you can probably imagine with four kids I have loads of laundry to get to today especially with this mornings vomit sheets piling up. So I must carry on with my motherly duties while following Jack around with a puke bucket. Hopefully he will be feeling better tomorrow because it is his 3rd birthday. Oh yeah and I also had a mole removed from my back a few days ago. This was actually something I was very happy about, although seeing my mole lying on the table next to me after they cut it out turned my stomach, but at least there were no visual abnormalities and so the tests should come back normal. Anyhoo, better get back to my family.... :D

A Meme...

Amie tagged me for this:

Four jobs you have had in your life:
1. Babysitter
2. Secretary/Payroll/Biller for a Psychologist office
3. Answered phones for a Bank
4. Scheduler/Biller for an Orthopedic Center

Four movies you would watch over and over:
1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
2. Luther
3. Jane Eyre
4. Any 80's comedy/romance

Four places you have lived:
1. Palmdale, CA
2. Columbia, TN
3. Suttons Bay, MI
4. Traverse City, MI (Beulah, MI too)

Four TV shows you love to watch :
1. Lost
2. Biggest Loser
3. Scrubs
4. King of Queens

Four places you have been on vacation: (all of these were on our 3 wk vacation Out West)
1. Texas
2. New Mexico
3. Arizona
4. California

Four websites you visit daily:
1. Amie's blog
2. Our bank's site
3. A Message Board I am a member of
4. Another Message Board I am am member of

Four of your favorite foods:
1. Seafood
2. Mushrooms
3. Homemade chicken noodle soup
4. Chinese

Four places you would rather be right now:
1. At the beach
2. Sitting down at a restaurant eating good food
3. In California visiting my family
4. On vacation in another country

2005: A Look back through my eyes

Amie tagged me for this reflection of the year 2005.

What did you do in 2005 that you've never done before? Take four kids to the grocery store ;)

Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more for next year? I did not have a New Years resolutions in 2005. I do however have one this year and intend to keep it.

Did anyone close to you give birth? Absolutely; Amie, Andrea, Kori, Chandra, just to name a few...

Did anyone close to you die? Kinda (he was a family friend)

What countries did you visit? None

What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
All our debts paid

What date from 2005 will remain etched in your memory and why?
Giving birth. Because I always remember those special memories.

What was your biggest achievement of the year? Making friends with a total stranger (usually I am too shy to do this)

What was your biggest failure? Allowing my daughter to get head lice. (Even though it probably really isn't my fault, I still feel like I failed)

Did you suffer illness or injury? Let's see...Bronchitis, Strep throat, bladder infection, and Mastitis

What was the best thing you bought? My patio furniture

Where did most of your money go? Electric and gas bills

What did you get really, really, really excited about? I agree with Amie here. When my sister got pregnant again after a stressful time.

What scripture is a theme of 2005? Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more important than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Matthew 6:25-27

Compared to this time last year are you:
a. Happier or sadder? Happier
b. Thinner or fatter? Fatter
c. Richer or poorer? About the same

What do you wish you'd done more of? Reading the Bible with the kids

What do you wish you'd done less of? Complaining

How did you spend Christmas? With family

Did you fall in love in 2005? Yes, Grace was born in '05, but I fall more in love with all my family year after year

What was your favorite TV show? Lost

What was the best book you read? Francine Rivers; Mark of the Lion Series

What was your greatest musical discovery of 2005? Huh?

What did you want and get? New comforter for my bedroom

What did you want and not get? A million dollars

What was your favorite film this year? Can't recall

What did you do on your birthday? Went out to dinner and bought maternity clothes

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Taking the kids to Disney World

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005? Simple. Jeans and tee shirts

What kept you sane? My wonderful husband

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? No comment

What political issue stirred you the most? When people blamed President Bush for the Hurricane !?! (retarded)

Who did you miss? My daddy who passed away 6 years ago

Who was the best new person you met? N/A

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005. I learned to treat head lice with Licex (available online), and a vinegar wrap (to loosen the nits). And to check my kids hair everyday.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. You gotta have faith... (even though I don't like this song, it sums up my year.

Words from Adam and Jack

Last week Adam said, "Mom, may I please have some juice in my cup, cause I'm drinky".

The other day while eating dinner and responding to Dan, Jack said, "It's not a Cabby Patty Daddy (Krabby Patty from Spongebob), It's a Sloppy Jones (Sloppy Joe)".

A wink and a smile

A first time for everything

I nursed Grace in an unusual location today. She was hungry and wasn't content with my just holding her so....I sat right down on the floor in the book isle at Meijer and fed her. :D At first I felt kinda awkward, but soon relaxed since this isle is usually empty. Only a few people walked by, but I don't think they noticed a thing. It did work out great that my sister and two nieces were there. I had my cart blocking me on one side while the her girls sat by me on the other side blocking that view. Of course I had a blanket that concealed the whole thing. It was a new experience for me. I have fed my babies while sitting down at a restaurant before, but the whole sitting down on the grocery store floor thing was a whole new ball game, but I figured you gotta do what you gotta do, right? :D Grace was happy!

Lice

Yep, you read right. We had a case of lice in our family. Poor Sarah, she had them crawling all over. It was a horrible experience. Very embarrassing!! I have always thought that lice are only found on dirty children. Well...we are not dirty people. I didn't know anything about lice and so it was very overwhelming and I hadn't even begun to comb out the nits. First we had to shampoo her hair and kill all the live lice, called louse. As soon as the shampoo hit her hair they started falling out, dead. But that was only the beginning. I had to shampoo her hair two more times just to make sure we killed everything. Then came the worst part, combing out the nits. These are all the eggs, some hatched some not(yuck). The mother louse lays her eggs on the hair follicles and applies a glue like substance to attach the eggs. This glue makes it impossible to just comb out. I tried a vinegar mixture, loads of conditioner and several hours of my time trying to get these buggers out. Poor Sarah, she had to sit there for several hours a night while I combed, teased and tried to rip these disgusting things out of her hair. Finally a week later I am almost done getting the nits out. A form letter went home to every student in Sarah's class to check for lice, no one knew it was because of her though, but I was still so embarrassed. The school secretary was very nice and told me there was nothing to be embarrassed about. She said that they find cases of lice almost every winter. I remember last year when Sarah was in kindergarten I received a letter to check for lice because a case was found in the classroom. I was mortified and felt disgusted. I thought, yuck, what dirty kid came to school with lice in their hair. Well, this year it seems that my kid was the "dirty kid" with the lice, but since I know that we are not dirty, I had to rethink the way I felt about other kids with lice. I now know that all kids with lice are NOT dirty. I can totally relate to the embarrassment of thinking that other people think you are dirty. So if there is anyone out there with a case of lice I just want you to know that I know you are not dirty. Hopefully these lice don't decide to reappear and that this never happens to any of our kids ever again.

Seven Sevens

Amie tagged me so hear I go...

Seven things I hope to do before I die:
1. Get my house out of the construction/remodeling phase. *smiling*
2. Learn to cook like a chef.
3. Watch my children grow up.
4. Play with my grandchildren.
5. Live on a farm with farm animals.
6. Travel to another country besides Canada.
7. Read the Bible from cover to cover. (this should actually be further up on my list)

Seven things I cannot do:
1. Keep my floors clean for longer than an hour.
2. Keep my bedroom clean for longer than a day.
3. Sing (this is a copy from Amie's. I wish I could sing).
4. Go to long without eating or I'll have a hypoglycemia attack.
5. Anything life threatening like skydiving, etc...
6. Fit into my size 4 jeans (probably never will again)
7. Talk in front of a group of people without blushing. I'm probably turning red just thinking about it. (this one is exactly the same as Amie's)

Seven things that attract me to my spouse:
1. His lips.
2. His sense of humor.
3. The way he talks.
4. The way he loves me and the children.
5. The way he plays with the kids.
6. His strengths, both physical and mental.
7. His consistency.

Seven things I say often: (the first 5 are copies of Amie's) So true!
1. Stop that!
2. Hang on...
3. Is that how we ask?
4. Get out of the fridge!
5. I can only do one thing at a time.
6. Be quiet!
7. You're not really thirsty if you can't drink water.

Seven books or book series I love:
1. Francine Rivers - The Mark of the Lion Series
2. Francine Rivers- The Last Sin Eater
3. Francine Rivers- Redeeming Love
4. Francine Rivers- Leota's Garden
5. Charlotte Bronte- Jane Eyre
6. Little House on the prairie series - Laura Ingalls Wilder
7. Love Comes Softly/ Canadian West Series' - Janette Oak

Seven movies I would watch over and over again:
1. Jane Eyre
2. Luther
3. Peter Pan
4. Phantom of the Opera
5. The Princess Bride
6. Stand by Me
7. Pretty much any 80's comedy/romance

Seven people I want to join in this Seven Sevens meme
I don't know seven people who read my blogs often so, anyone wanting to do it go on ahead :D

Happy Holidays!

Clark's Thanksgiving 2005

Well, we were supposed to have Thanksgiving with extended family like we usually do for every Thanksgiving, and this year was going to be at Dan's aunt's house, but...I got SICK! That's right, just before Thanksgiving. Here's a quick version of the story: Monday I started feeling sick right before I picked Sarah up from the bus stop. My throat was hurting, and my neck and head. I just felt like crap. Then Tuesday was WAY worse. I tried to sleep all day but my whole body just felt horrible. I felt like I was moving around with a bubble for a head. Then Wednesday was the even WORSE. I couldn't even talk. Sarah didn't have school which was wonderful because I could barely get out of bed. Sometime mid-morning I decided to look down my throat and sure enough I saw white blisters all over, then I checked my temperature and found I had a fever, so I decided to go to the doctors where they told me I had Strep-throat. YAY! Thankfully the medicine they put me on starting clearing the infection up just in time for the day after Thanksgiving sales!! Which by the way I went to for the first time ever, and all by myself, and I will NEVER to it again (that is another story). Oh yeah I forgot to mention I had a bladder infection also (which is another story), but the antibiotic for the strep cleared that up as well. I feel pretty good now, but not 100% better. Now Jack is sick with a fever, runny nose, and crusty eyes. Poor guy! I hope this illness clears out before Christmas and doesn't return for a loooonnnggg time. The upside to that story is that we had our own little Thanksgiving, just the six of us with turkey and everything. It was wonderful!

Well, that was how our Thanksgiving went. Hope everyone else had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving all!!

20 Random Things...

Amie tagged me so here's my list:

1. Having four kids is as natural to me as having two. (I love it!)
2. My newborn daughter smiled at me during her first week of life. (I chose not to believe it was gas)
3. I make chicken tacos for dinner atleast once every week.
4. Sometimes the boys stay in there pj's all day because I am too lazy to get them dressed.
5. I drive my oldest daughter to the bus stop that is only 1 block away because I am too lazy to walk her there. (plus it's getting too cold now)
6. I get excited when I can fit all the days dirty dishes in the dishwasher at once.
7. I look forward to getting mail even if it is junk mail.
8. I get even more excited when I get emails.
9. I, like Amie, breastfeed one handed while typing on the computer.
10. I hate grocery shopping.
11. I don't really like to cook, but wish I was a chef.
12. I feel a sense of accomplishment when I get all the laundry done in one day. (I have to start the first load early in the morning in order for this to happen)
13. Sometimes I don't take a shower every day, when I am lazy.
14. I can't decide if I want to get my hair cut again or let it grow out. (this has been an ongoing decision for years now)
15. I suffer from migraines (this is a self diagnosis, but I am pretty sure it is a correct one)
16. I have recently discovered that caffiene is one trigger for my migraines. (this sucks because I love COKE, which leads me to #17)
17. I prefer Coke to Pepsi.
18. I am one that people honk at during the winter because I drive really slow.
19. I feel like my newborn is not so new anymore and she is not even two weeks old yet.
20. I am so happy with my family and wouldn't mind growing some more. (maybe in a year though) :D

Wow, that list was easier than I thought. I could even add more, but won't for now. Anyway, I don't know who to tag...let me see, I don't know who else reads my blogs so I tag Beth and Heather.

My four beauties...

Introducing...

Grace Anne was born Friday, November 4, 2005 @ 11:03 am. She weighed 8 lbs 8 oz and was 20 inches long. Thank you Amie for posting an announcement for me the day Grace was born. Click this link for more pictures of Grace and the rest of the gang. I will get my birth story posted soon. :D

Update

Nothing too big to post but here goes, I am now...ta da....2 cm dilated (up 1/2 cm from two weeks ago) BIG DEAL! 90% effaced and +1 station, which again was the same as two weeks ago. The midwife stripped my membranes and pulled my cervix forward (this was very painful) in hopes to get things started. Usually if it is going to work however it will work within 24 hours. I had the same thing done when I was pregnant with Sarah and it didn't work, so I am not holding my breath this time. The only difference is that I am overdue this time and wasn't with Sarah so maybe it will work. I will just have to wait and see. I am cramping and have a little "show" since the exam which is what she wanted to happen but we will see if things progress or not. I am going in tomorrow evening for a Non-stress test and we will decide then about an induction unless I have changed some then she will break my water right there and admit me to L&D. She did also say that if I am contracting tonight even at 10 minutes apart to come in and she will check me again and if I have made any progress then she will break my water tonight. So pray that my little peanut is ready to come out. Also, I gained 2 pounds, so that puts my weight gain up to 17 pounds, which is hopefully not due to the increase in the baby's weight, I am really starting to get nervous about having a baby bigger than Jack. Hopefully my next post will be a birth announcement. :D

**Sigh**

Still here! Just a quick update for anyone checking up on me. Nothing happening yet, but hopefully soon! I am now 40 wks 2 days. Which I can't complain too much since I have friends who have gone way over that mark. We shall see! :D I have started holding my breath already though!!

40 weeks, still here!

Well, today is my offical due date, but of course I am here blogging that I am still here. I know, I know, I still have the rest of the day, but after last night with some contractions every 10 minutes, I started to get excited and thought maybe I would have her in my arms in the morning. Well it's the morning and she's not in my arms, in fact she is still comfortable in my belly kicking the crap out of me. I was going to try and stick to my "not going to hold my breath until after saturday" statement but I just don't think I can do that anymore. After being up for several hours last night and finally calling the midwife to ask a couple of questions we decided that I should wait until my contractions were five minutes apart to come in and get checked. So what happens? The contractions never make it to five minutes and I fall asleep. I figured as much since the contractions I was having were probably just strong Braxton Hicks at best. I mean, I know they were contractions but they weren't the real shocker ones I am use to that tell me that I am really in labor. So I will sit here holding my breath until she arrives. Hopefully I won't have to wait that long I don't think I can handle it. I am getting really excited for her to be born and I just can't help it! :D

Disappointed

Well, I was supposed to have an appointment today to check and see if I really had dilated this time, maybe to a 1-3/4 or maybe more...(wishful thinking), but my appointment was cancelled. My mid-wife is delivering a baby today and since she likes to be with her patients the entire time, not knowing how long that would be, she had to cancel her appointments for the day. Now this I totally understand because if I have my baby during the week then a few other women will have their appointments cancelled as well. What makes me so disappointed is that I am not going to have an appointment at all this week and I am due on Saturday. I was really hoping to find out some good news today, but now I must wait until past my due date for my next appointment. By then I will be four days overdue. I know, I know, I could end up having this baby before then, which I really hope happens, but I really wanted one more appointment if just to hear the heart beat. Oh well, what can you do. She could see me on Friday evening since that is when all her patients from today have been rescheduled, but it was late in the evening and she isn't feeling really well (according to the secretary) and has been in the hospital every day since Saturday delivering babies. I for one think she needs a little break so I opted not to take the latest appointment on Friday and wait until next Wednesday. Afterall, I do want her on top of her game when I go in to have my baby :D I just can't help but feel like I am going to end up seeing her next Wednesday and that makes me disappointed, but maybe by then we can schedule an induction and I will have an end in sight. Well, that is it for now. That is my little depressing vent...but I am still not holding by breath until I past Saturday (my due date).

10, 9, 8, 7, 6...

5 days until my due date. Nothing new to post. I have an appointment this Wednesday to get checked again, probably to find myself at 1 -3/4 cm dilated. Teehee! Still not holding my breath until I pass Saturday which is my due date. Better start thinking about rubbing that big toe of mine! :D

Climbing a tree on the grass?

The boys were outside today riding their bikes, enjoying the few nice days we have left before the snow falls, when Jack decided to go off roading, So he spun the wheels of his tractor on the grass and took off. I watched them while enjoying the fresh air. Anyway, to the point, Jack jumped off his tractor onto the grass and said, "Momma, I climbing a tree". Of course I was confused and didn't really think I would get a straight answer from him since he is only 2 1/2. Humoring him I asked, "What do you mean?" So he showed me. He bent over and began crawling on his hands and feet, it really looked like he was acting the part of climbing, then he sat down cross-legged and smiled at me. I was searching around for answers when I realized that he was sitting right on the shadow of the tree in our back yard. He really did climb that tree! He actually climbed the shadow of the tree trunk and then sat down in the shadow of the leaves. Sometimes I under estimate the power of a child's mind. Imagination...it's a beautiful thing. :D

"The New Pledge of Allegiance"

I got this in an email from my uncle and thought I would share:

Since the Pledge of Allegiance and The Lord's Prayer are not allowed in most public schools anymore Because the word "God" is mentioned.... A kid in Arizona wrote the attached NEW School prayer. I liked it....

Now I sit me down in school Where praying is against the rule For this great nation under God Finds mention of Him very odd. If Scripture now the class recites, It violates the Bill of Rights. And anytime my head I bow Becomes a Federal matter now. Our hair can be purple, orange or green, That's no offense; it's a freedom scene. The law is specific, the law is precise. Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice. For praying in a public hall Might offend someone with no faith at all. In silence alone we must meditate, God's name is prohibited by the state. We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks, And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks. They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible. To quote the Good Book makes me liable. We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen, And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King. It's "inappropriate" to teach right from wrong, We're taught that such "judgments" do not belong. We can get our condoms and birth controls, Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles. But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, No word of God must reach this crowd. It's scary here I must confess, When chaos reigns the school's a mess. So, Lord, this silent plea I make: Should I be shot; My soul please take! Amen If you aren't ashamed to do this, please pass this on. Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father."

Very True :D

Dilation?

Not exactly. Today was another weekly prenatal exam and I had the mid-wife do another exam to see if I had changed any from last week. Last week I was closed tight, but had some softening of my cervix. Today, well today was confusing. She said "Well, you do feel different...but...I am gonna say a one." So in my mind there isn't much change. I mean she couldn't even say "one" without hesitation. So I sit here with a lousy "one". At least I am not due until the end of the month so I still have time to dilate. I won't hold my breath until then. She is still measuring small and no weight gain again. I am excited to hopefully be having a small baby this time. The mid-wife also said she thinks this one is facing up which means back labor for me unless she turns around. So hopefully she turns around and comes on or before her due date weighing no more than 8 lbs. I might be dreaming!! :D

Weekly Appointments!

Yay! I am now down to my weekly mid-wife appointments, and today was the beginning of those. I had my Strep-B test done and was checked for dilation. But all I can say about this appointment is that I am glad I went in thinking nothing has happened because... nothing has happened. I have dropped so that is good and baby's head is way, way down there. (This is how I carried all my kids in the last trimester). The mid-wife was very shocked to find the baby's head so far down, but my cervix was closed tight. I have also slightly thinned out which is probably cause for the pain I've been having the past couple of weeks, but my cervix is not ready to give way just yet. I am 36 wks 4 days today and I measured at 35 centimeters. And, like my appointment two weeks ago, I didn't gain any weight again. Which makes sense since I am sick and my appetite is almost non-existent. The mid-wife thinks the baby is about 6 pounds and that I may end up having a small baby afterall, Yipee! I do have 3 1/2 wks until my due date, so there's plenty of time for baby to grow more, but I am hoping that she stays small. It would be so much fun to have a little baby for a change. So until next weeks appointment I will be trying to get over this yucky cough and maybe do some walking and try to get my cervix to dilate, but I will definitely not hold my breath.

UGH!

I just got back from the doctor's. No, I'm not in labor, however I would trade this for that. For the past couple of weeks the entire household has been sick, mainly coughing, but some running noses as well. I started taking Robitussin DM to help break up the mucus in my lungs since my cough was just hanging around. Well, last night I coughed so much I think I pulled a muscle in my tummy. OUCH! Then this morning I woke up with crap in both eyes and they were red, just like pink eye. So fed up I decided to head to the doc's where he diagnosed me with Acute Bronchitis (viral not bacterial), mild conjunctivitis (pink-eye), and something I haven't had since I was a baby, Otitis Media with Effusion (middle ear-infection). All this from a simple virus that started three weeks ago. UGH! what is wrong with me. I only have four weeks until my due date and instead of being excited about the upcoming birth of our fourth child and having fun setting up baby things and doing last minute stuff for her arrival, I am run down on the couch feeling like crap. And to top it all off ,since I am pregnant, I am limited to which medications I can take. So he prescribed Amoxicillin and advised the continued use of the Robitussin DM, use of a humidifier, rest and plenty of fluids. And since the Bronchitis is viral there is not much they can do but let the virus run it's course (that and the Robitussin), and the conjunctivitis is only mild so no eye drops, it should clear on it's own soon. So the Amoxicillin is for my ear infection which is what concerned him most. It's funny too because my ear never hurt, nor does it now. I do feel some drainage so my ears are itchy, but no pain. Anyway, I hope I can kick this thing in the butt soon so I can finish getting things ready for the baby. I hate feeling like this. URRGGH!!

36 wks aka 9 months

According to Adam part 2

Last night Adam had some growing pains so I sat on his bed with him and rubbed his legs. We starting talking about life. It was so cute. I was telling him why he gets these growing pains and he was fascinated with the growing process. However he was confused about one thing regarding his growth for I had just cut his hair the day before. Now you may not understand this fully, but if I can explain it like he explained it to me you will see the point. So here goes...Adam: But mom, how can I have growing pains when you cut my hair? Me: What do you mean? Adam: I can't grow bigger cause you cut my hair and that makes me shorter. (Explanation) According to Adam getting your hair cut stunts your growth. :D Teehee! I explained to him that getting your hair cut does not stop you from growing and that his hair will quickly grow back, and that we will continue to cut it and he will continue to grow. Once again kids can be so silly and cute!

Five weeks and counting!

Today I am 35 weeks pregnant, which leaves only 5 remaining weeks until our little peanut is born. Well, hopefully only 5 weeks. At my last mid-wife appointment she guessed her weight to be about 5 lbs so if I go over I will probably have a big baby again. NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT! Right now going the way things are I should have a nice 8 lb baby, according to the mid-wife. An 8 lb baby is fine by me, I know it sounds kinda big still, but not compared to 10 lbs. Although 7 lbs would be even better, but that probably won't happen, so we will just have to wait and see. So far I have gained 15 lbs., which is already close to the weight I gained with Sarah and she turned out to be 7 lb 14 oz. I gained a total of 18 lbs with Sarah, so with 5 weeks remaining I am likely to go over that weight gain, putting me in the range an 8 lb baby, hopefully! With Adam I gained 20 lbs (he was born 8 lb 2 oz) and with Jack it was 26 lbs (he was born 9 lb 13 oz) so I am getting close to those weight gains as well. If I pork out these last 5 weeks I can probably expect another 10 lb baby, but hopefully not anymore then 10 lbs. It would be so nice to have a small baby this time but what can you do as long as she is healthy. Now I am just waiting for the nesting to kick in so I can get all my stuff reading before she arrives, I have loads of stuff to do and with the recent shower I had I have more awesome stuff to get organized. Yipee, the fun begins...

Chipped tooth

Man oh man, if it's not one thing it's another around here. It seems like this is the year of injuries surrounding the Clark Clan. This time the injured would be Sarah. Yesterday was Football Sunday and Dan has the NFL Sunday ticket so sometimes we have company over after church to watch the games. This means friends for the kids to play with. I was down stairs visiting with the adults and the kids are upstairs in the playroom or so I thought. Instead they were in the room next to the office that our treadmill is in. Luckily they didn't turn the thing on or things might have been worse. I heard her cries and felt compelled to run instead of walk which is what I usually do since their injuries are usually not as bad as they think. I knew by her cries that this time was different. Apparently, her cousin,a friend and her were on the treadmill and her cousin started walking. Even though the machine is electric and wasn't plugged in you can still turn the belt with your feet which is what happened only Sarah was unaware at the time and her legs were forced out from under her. She fell face first into something I am not sure what and skinned her chin, bit through both sides of her tongue and you guessed it... chipped her tooth. Thankfully the chipped tooth turned out to be a baby tooth that she will soon loose anyway. Her tongue is a little swollen so she was talking funny this morning while getting ready for school, but she'll live. She had me put a band-aid on her chin to hide the scrape. The frustrating part now is this all happened just in time for school pictures. Isn't that the way it always goes though, the kids get scraped up just when you are wanted to get pictures done. Hopefully by Thursday "Picture Day" things will look a little better, she just has to remember not to smile too big, lest we get a good shot of her chipped tooth. :D It really isn't that bad though, poor thing, she will be rid of it soon enough.

Finished a series...

By my favorite author, Francine Rivers. It was the Mark of the Lion Series: A Voice in the Wind, An Echo in the Darkness, and As Sure as the Dawn. I loved, loved, loved the series. She is by far my favorite writer. This series has made my count now up to five completed novels by her. I highly recommend her books to anyone. Great stories of God love and wonderful romances. Now I can't wait or decide for that matter which book I am going to start reading next. I guess I will make a trip to the library and see which one is in. :D

He did it!

Well, Jack is finally potty trained. It has taken quite a bit longer then it did with Sarah and Adam, and he is older too, but at least he is done. Just in time before the new baby arrives too. Now I know that an accident may be waiting around the corner, but for the most part I consider him fully potty trained. He has slept through the night for almost a week now without wetting the bed. I haven't bought pull-ups for a month now, so he has been keeping his undies dry. Yeah for Jack! I am still working on getting him to tell me that he needs to go to the bathroom, for now I am watching him closely for signs and signals when it is time to go. He grabs his front for potty time and his butt for poop time. :D At least I don't have to clean up anymore messy underware. What a big boy. Way to go Jack!!

A day of firsts...

Well, yesterday was Sarah's first day of first grade. She was very excited about that. She can't wait to get assigned homework! Can you believe that? After a few more years in school she will regret she ever said that. :D Yesterday was a first for Adam as well, for it was the first time he or any of my children for that matter was stung by a bee. Rotten bees are taking over my back yard. It is bad enough they chase me around the yard while mowing the lawn. I have on several occasions abandoned the lawn mower to escape the aggressive buggers. Now they have the nerve to sting my kids! Thankfully he died at the heel of a friend who came to Adam's aid. I tried the old mud pack trick that my dad tried on me after being bitten by an ant, I swore at the time it really worked, but I think it is really a placebo pack. :D Adam eventually discovered the mud was not working properly anymore, and so I cleaned it with a bee sting wipe I found in our first aid kit, slapped a band-aid on it and it was good to go. Needless to say, Adam is not allergic to bee stings and Sarah is not so afraid of them anymore since she witnessed first hand that Adam did not die from being stung. Thus ending our day of firsts.

*Quick update on Jack: His doctor appointment revealed a definite abnormality in his x-ray but no definite diagnosis as of yet. They wish to see him in a month to recheck with new x-rays. They could neither confirm nor deny the presence of a fracture or greenstick fracture, which is what they are assuming that it is. However, they chose to remove his splint and not re-cast it since children get muscle atrophy quickly and she wanted him to try and walk on it until his next appointment. He still favors his foot and when he over-does it he will sit down and scoot on his butt to get around. His foot is still a little swollen, but not as bad as before. So I am still confused as to the cause and diagnosis of his injury. So until next month I shall remain with unanswered questions.

The Greenstick Fracture

Well, it seems that our little Jack loves taking trips to the emergency room. This time it wasn't the ER, but an Urgent Care Clinic affiliated with the local hospital. It all started yesterday afternoon while I was mowing the lawn. I stopped to come in for a drink of water and heard Jack crying. I knew by the way he cried that he was really hurt, it wasn't the usual "kiss my booboo mommy, it hurts" or the "Ouch, I need a band-aid" cry, it was the "I am seriously hurt" cry. I found him curled up in a ball in the corner of Sarah's room. There were Sarah and Adam just coloring away next to him. I said "Why didn't somebody come and get me?" Sarah said, "I don't know" I guess since I told the kids that unless it was an emergency not to interrupt me while mowing the lawn so I could finish faster. She apparently thought Jack's cries were of the usual reasons stated above. When I asked what happened, both Sarah's and Adam's stories were pretty consistent, but very vague. I thought to wait it out because our kids are always hurting themselves and within an hour or two if not seriously injured they would forget that got hurt in the first place. So he exhausted himself from crying and fell asleep on the couch while I massaged the foot that he pointed out to me that hurt. A few hours later and a completely mowed lawn I came back in and Jack was just waking up so I watched him to see if he would still favor that leg. He did, he tried to crawl off the couch and the moment he touched his foot on the floor he cried out in pain. I took him back on the couch again and examined his foot, this time it started to look swollen so I decided to take him to the doctor, afterall, better to be safe then sorry right? So I thought they would tell me that it was bruised pretty bad, but he would be fine. Instead after 3 x-rays all of which looked normal, the doctor informed me it might possibly be fractured. I was confused, I mean how could he think it might be fractured if the x-rays revealed nothing. That is when he told me about the Greenstick Fracture. He showed me an area on the x-ray that concerned him and that area was consistent with the area of swelling and tenderness of Jack's foot. So now he must see a specialist to confirm the diagnosis and treatment. For now Jack is in a splint made up of a partial cast and ace bandages. Dan with his brilliant mind got his garage chair on wheels out and strapped Jack down since he can not walk on his cast and now I won't have to carry him around all day.

I DID IT!

I past my 3 hour Gestational Diabetes test. Yipee for me! It was the most horrible experience (well, maybe not most horrible, but pretty darn bad). I didn't realize that I had to get my blood drawn right when I got there, then drink the really strong "orange pop" then get my blood drawn every hour after that for three hours. So I got poked four times and since they couldn't find a good vein in my left arm they drew everything from my right which left me with four holes. I did get some good reading done and it really helped pass the time. It left me kinda drained, but at least I past. There's one less thing to worry about this pregnancy. Oh! and my mid-wife said my sugar levels were so low, she was shocked. It makes me wonder why I didn't pass the 1 hour. Oh well, it's all over now. *sigh* :D

Offically in the two weeks...

Well, as the title stated I am offically in the two weeks portion of my pregnancy. I just had my last monthly appointment with my mid-wife yesterday and all checked out great. Now I start the appointments every two weeks, then down to once a week up until the baby is born. I just can't believe how fast this pregnancy has gone. I mean I still have a ways to wait yet and I am no where near the "count down", but I am already 7 months pregnant! It seems like yesterday I was squinting to see a big fat positive test result. We still haven't decided on a name yet and so the saga continues...But like I mentioned before everything checked out great at my appointment yesterday. I am growing like I should and the doctor was suprised at how well she could make out babies parts. She showed me where she felt the head and arms and legs. It was incredible even though every part I felt, felt exactly the same. So I guess since baby seems to be healthy at this point in time as far as we can tell, we shall worry about the name later. I am sure it will come to us and we will finally agree like we did with the other three. Another hurdle I must face comes tomorrow morning in the form of a 3 hour Glucose Tolerance Test. Since I didn't pass my 1 hour with flying colors I must subject my health to the 3 hour nightmare. It isn't so much drinking the "orange pop" in five minutes part that bothers me. It's the waiting to have your blood drawn part. I was bored out of my mind with the 1 hour and now I must return to sit in the waiting area for 3 hours and get my blood drawn every hour. But since I don't want to push out a 15 pound baby, that would most definetly be the case if I had Gestational Diabetes and left it untreated, I will grin a bare it. I've got my Voice in the Wind book by Francine Rivers to bring tomorrow to help pass the time. So I'm off...

ER scare...

Last night I woke up to the cries of my youngest, Jack. He was calling me crying and I could tell his breathing was labored. I ran in a grabed his clamy body and ran back to Dan. I called 911 because he was having so much trouble breathing I was flipping out. I hung up though before they answered because Dan said he would drive him to ER since it is less then 3 minutes from our house. I would have had to stay since our other two kids were sleeping. Well, once you finish dialing that last "1" the operator will call you back to make sure all is fine. So I told him what was going on and since the Fire Department is two blocks away they arrived in about 30 sec. His blood oxygen level wasn't looking to good and he had a terrible "barking-seal-like" cough. They all agreed he had "CROUPE" and said he should probably be taking to ER for a breathing treatment since his breathing was so labored. So I took him while Dan stayed with the kids. They did chest x-rays, two breathing treatments, and an oral steroid medicine to open his airways. I was there about 2 hours and they sent us home with an RX for the steroid for the next 3 days. So he was offically diagnosed with croupe which sounds scarier then it is. He blood oxygen level increased by the time we left so they were happy about that. My nerves were on edge the rest of the night and I checked on him every hour as he sleep. He is feeling better this morning so I am relieved. Last time I had to call 911 was for my oldest when she was 10 months old and had a febrile seizure due to a severe urinary tract infection. Scary, scary, scary to have to call 911. I am sure some of you have been there before. I never want to go there again, but I am glad that I live so close to the hospital in cases like these.

A child's prayer

I overheard this prayer from our daughter Sarah before bed:

Dear God,
Thank you for the ups and downs, the lefts and rights, and the straights and backwards...Amen

Now if only we as adults could be so thankful. I often times only thank God for the good in life, forgetting about the hard times that I should be grateful for as well, since it is through these hard times that we grow stronger. So with that, I second my daughters prayer. Thank you God for the ups and downs the lefts and rights and the straights and backwards! AMEN!

Grown-up words

Yesterday Adam said, "By the way...", but before he could continue his thought, Sarah interrupted with, "Hey Adam, did you know that 'by the way...' is what grown ups say? So you're gonna be a daddy soon!" It was so cute, I just had to laugh, apparently this phrase is only to be used by grown-ups and in order for Adam to be a grown-up he has to be a daddy. Kids....gotta love 'em.

Finished another Novel...

by Francine Rivers, entitled Redeeming Love, Wow! What an amazing love story. This is a must read in my opinion. It is based on the book of Hosea from the Bible. It is a beautiful portrayal of God's redeeming love. Not to mention the love the characters share in this novel. WOW! that is pretty much all I can say. It has given me a stronger love pull for my dear hubby, if you know what I mean, but maybe it is because he has been gone for a week to a youth summer camp from church. Whatever ever the case, I can't wait for him to get home, I miss him sooo much, as do the kids! He comes home today, I am counting down the hours until I pick him up at church, and share this romance novel with him. :D

Embarrassing moment

Last weekend we had a grill out with some friends at our house. Adam disappeared for awhile so I knew he must be in the bathroom taking care of business. After several minutes he popped his head out the back door and called at me to come over. I refused because I was talking at the moment and told him I would be there in a sec... Well, apparently he didn't have a sec to wait so he opened the door and came hobbling out with his pants and underwear down around his ankles. He told me he had an accident in his underwear and proceeded to show me the mess. I was so embarrassed for him and rushed him into the house. Everyone was laughing and thought it was so cute. Dan ran into to help him and make sure he wasn't embarrassed and make him understand that he can't just walk out of the house half naked. Our friends who have 3 girls and are expecting their first boy, just two days before our baby girl arrives, said "Well, at least now we know what to expect from boys". I said "Yep, that's a boy for ya!" :D

No Imagination

Yesterday I was at my monthly pre-natal office visit and the mid-wife was letting my kids hear the new baby's heartbeat. They all just stood there and stared at the doppler machine in amazement, so the mid-wife says "What do you guys think?" They just stared in silence. So she asks, "Does it sound like a horse gallopping?" Their heads shake "No", "Does it sound like a washing machine?" Again their heads shake "No", "Does it sound like a helicopter?" Still they shake their heads "No", Finally she asks with a friendly smile, "Well, what does it sound like?" and Adam pipes up "A heartbeat" saying it was such knowledge. I burst into laughter and said, "Sorry, my kids don't have an imagination" and we both had a good chuckle about it. :D

By the way, the rest of my appointment went great and everything is growing properly. I was 24wks 4days the day of the appointment and I measured at 25 so I am right on target for my due date still. The mid-wife was alittle upset that I only gained 2 lbs. since my last appointment cause she wanted me to gain 10?!? Whatever, I think I am doing fine. This weight gain has brought me up to 12 1/2 lbs. which I think is excellent, but since I lost 5 1/2 lbs in the beginning (throwing up) she thinks of it only as a 7 lb weight gain, which again I think is just fine. I say the more weight you gain, the more you have to loose after you give birth. Besides, I am doing nothing to keep any weight off, I eat when I should (which is whenever I am hungery, which is all the time) and the only exercise that I have been getting is mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, cleaning house, and chasing my kids around. So I think I am doing just fine. She (my mid-wife) did say I look like a million bucks, just not a plumb million bucks I guess :D

Our growing Garden, My growing Belly

This is me at 24wks 4days

You can tell I was taking my own picture using my reflexion in the mirror, a very dirty mirror I might add. :D

I think I know a thing or two about kids!

While working in the church nursery this past Sunday, I was reminded by a teen helper that I might want to get some water for the kids since eating graham crackers makes kids very thirsty. They're kinda dry you know. Something inside of me wanted to scream and say "Ya, I think I know a thing or two about kids since I will soon have 4 of them", but I just bit my tongue and smiled. This is not the first time I have heard little reminders about what kids like, what they need, how to do this and that. It comes from all different people too. I have to step back and wonder if they know I have kids or just think I am stupid. Ah well, I guess these things will happen all my life so I just have to get used to them or think of a really smart remark to say back :D

What does pink smell like?

Well according to Adam, pink smells like eraser. :D He found one of Sarah's big pink school erasers in her closet today, smelled it and determined, that since it is pink and has a unique smell, that it must be the way that pink smells. I tell ya, I could sit here all day and just watch my kids play, smiling inside at how cute they are. It seems like something new is made up and floats from their minds out of their mouths all the time. It is so darn cute!

Why is it that...

Whenever we go out to eat with the kids grandma and her husband, the waiter always thinks they are the parents, and not Dan and I? Can somebody please tell me why this happens? I am sitting there next to Dan (with my pregnant belly I might add) surrounded by my kids looking at the kids menu trying to decide what to get them, when the waiter comes up and asks grandma what she would like to order the kiddies! I never get angry about it, it just strikes me awkward. This always happens though. I mean, I know we may look young and of course grandma and her husband look young too, definitely not like "old grandma" look, but when will I look old enough to have almost four kids now. I'm 26 years old, how old do they think I am? I can't look 16 or something, and Dan sure doesn't look any younger then he is, in my opinion. So why? Of course this is the highest complement for grandma and her husband because it reaffirms their "youthfulness" :D so cool beans for them, but what about me! The only time this doesn't happen is if it's just us with the kids eating out. I guess then we are the only obvious choice!! Does this happen to anybody else or are we the lucky ones? :D

Some funnies for your day...

Ever Spoken and Wished You Hadn't?

Hair Salon-
I walked into a hair salon with my husband and three kids in tow and asked loudly, "How much do you charge for a shampoo and a blow job?" I turned around and walked back out and never went back. My husband didn't say a word...he knew better. Melinda Lowe, 39, Seguin, TX
The Pad-
An insurance man visited me at home to talk about our mortgage insurance. He was throwing a lot of facts and figures at me, and I wanted to follow as best I could, so I told my 6-year-old son to run and get me a pad. He came back and handed me a Kotex right in front of our guest. Kathy Newman, 46, Winston-Salem, NC
Toilet Paper-
I was taking a shower when my 2-year-old son came into the bathroom and wrapped himself in toilet paper. Although he made a mess, he looked adorable, so I ran for my camera and took a few shots. They came out so well that I had copies made and included one with each of our Christmas cards. Days later, a relative called about the picture, laughing hysterically, and suggesting I take a closer look. Puzzled, I stared at the photo and was shocked to discover that in addition to my son, I had captured my reflection in the mirror - wearing nothing but a camera.
Golf Balls-
I was at the golf store comparing different kinds of golf balls. I was unhappy with the women's type I had been using. After browsing for several minutes, I was approached by one of the good-looking gentlemen who works at the store. He asked if he could help me. Without thinking, I looked at him and said, "I think I like playing with men's balls." Colleen Collins, 31, Ferndale, MI
Nuts about You-
My sister and I were at the mall and passed by a store that sold a variety of nuts. As we were looking ! at the display case, the boy behind the counter asked if we needed any help. I replied, "No, I'm just looking at your nuts." My sister started to laugh hysterically, the boy grinned, and I turned beet-red and walked away. To this day, my sister has never let me forget. Faye Emerick, 34, Ellerslie, MD
Behave-
While in line at the bank one afternoon, my toddler decided to release some pent-up energy and ran amok. I was finally able to grab hold of her after receiving looks of disgust and annoyance from other patrons.
I told her that if she did not start behaving "right now" she would be punished. To my horror, she looked me in the eye and said in a voice just as threatening, "If you don't let me go right now, I will tell Grandma that I saw you kissing Daddy's pee-pee last night!" the silence was deafening after this enlightening exchange. Even the tellers stopped what they were doing. I mustered up the last of my dignity and walked out of the bank with my daughter in tow. The last thing I heard when the door closed behind me were screams of laughter. Amy Richardson, Stafford, VA
Thumbtacks-
A lady picked up several items at a discount store. When she finally got up to the checker, she learned that one of her items had no price tag. Imagine her embarrassment when the checker got on the intercom and boomed out for all the store to hear, "PRICE CHECK ON LANE THIRTEEN, TAMPAX SUPER SIZE." That was bad enough, but somebody at the rear of the store apparently misunderstood the word "Tampax" for "THUMBTACKS." In a businesslike tone, a voice boomed back over the intercom. "DO YOU WANT THE KIND YOU PUSH IN WITH YOUR THUMB OR THE KIND YOU POUND IN WITH A HAMMER?" Diane E. Amov
No Accident-
Have you ever asked your child a question too many times? My three-year-old son had a lot of problems with potty training and I was on him constantly.
One day we stopped at Taco Bell for a quick lunch in between errands. It was very busy, with a full dining room. While enjoying my taco, I smelled something funny, so of course I checked my seven-month-old daughter, and she was clean. Then I realized that Danny had not asked to go potty in a while, so I asked him if he needed to go, and he said "No." I kept thinking, "Oh Lord, that child has had an accident, and I don't have ! any clothes with me." Then I said, "Danny, are you SURE you didn't have an accident?" "No," he replied. I just KNEW that he must have had an accident, because the smell was getting worse. Soooooo!
I asked one more time, "Danny, did you have an accident?" This time he jumped up, yanked down his pants, bent over and spread his cheeks and yelled. "SEE MOM, IT'S JUST FARTS!!" While 30 people nearly choked to death on their tacos laughing! He calmly pulled up his pants and sat down. An old couple made me feel better by thanking me for the best laugh they'd ever had!
The promised eight Inches-
This had most of the state of Michigan laughing for 2 days and a very embarrassed female news anchor who will, in the future, likely think before she speaks. What happens when you predict snow but don't get any... a true story ... We had a female news anchor who, the day after it was supposed to have snowed and didn't, turned to the weatherman and asked: So Bob, where's that 8 inches you promised me last night?" Not only did HE have to leave the set, but half the crew did too they were laughing so hard!

*I got these in an email from a friend and thought I would share them :D

YEAH!

Ali is home now. She still has more recovering to do, but is well on her way. Being at home I am sure will speed up that process. They never did figure out the exact cause of the seizures but have them under control and she has been seizure-free which is wonderful news. She has much rehab and physical therapy to do as the massive seizures did a number on her memory but she is already showing signs of improvement. God really did amazing things through this situation and her family's strength is an inspiration to us all. They lived by faith and trusted in God the entire time. It is a miracle that she is doing as well as she is. She has touched many lives throughout her illness and she is only just beginning to realize this. She is a very strong and courageous girl. Way to go Ali and welcome home! Praise God!!

Happy 6th Birthday Sarah! (June 18th)

Yesterday was Sarah's 6th Birthday. It is so hard to believe that she was born 6 years ago. Wow! time flies. Anyway, Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Father's Day!

To my wonderful husband and father of my children! He is so special to us and he deserves to be celebrated on this day. I would also like to send a special father's day kiss to heaven for my dad, who was the best dad in the world. We love you both, happy father's day!

PRAISE GOD!

She is awake, Ali is awake. Please read her update at carepages. Our God is an AWESOME God. He is doing mighty things through this situation. If you haven't logged on to the carepages before you have to set up a member login and then enter: aliupdate, when asked for the carepage you would like to read.

Well, it's a............................

GIRL!! We just had our ultrasound yesterday and found out we are indeed having another little girl. That will make two girls and two boys for our family. Sarah was so excited and asked if we could name her "Vexie" she was so proud of that name she made up. Kids are so funny with the names they come up with. I think the real name is going to take a lot longer to come up with. Dan and I usually disagree on names and the challenge has already begun. It took several months to come up with Sarah's and Adam's names, but we finally agreed a month before the birth. With Jack we didn't decide until 10 minutes before he was born and I've got the feeling that it is going to be the case with this baby as well. We do have 4 more months to go so no hurry I guess. Adam is still in denial. He has been going around the house saying "It's a boy, it's a boy" with Sarah following close behind him arguing "No, it's a girl, it's a girl". He wanted a boy so bad. Sarah didn't understand that of course she said "But Adam, you already have a brother, and I don't have a sister." Now she will have her sister. Jack said he wanted a girl the morning of the ultrasound, but I really don't think he understands what is going on just yet. Also, I think he was coached by Sarah a little so he would say that. Everything else about the ultrasound looked good too, I measured right on at 20wks 3days the day of the ultrasound which was exactly what I was that day. The tech said she is about 12 oz. so hopefully I will have a nice average size baby instead of a 1o pounder like Jack (9lbs 13oz). So my due date remains exactly the same, October 29th.

Prayers Needed

One of the students from our church youth ministries (a friend) has become very ill. She began having severe seizures last Thursday evening. She spent a few days at our local hospital with no explanation as to why she is having these seizures. Every test they preformed came back negative. She is normally a very healthy girl. The doctors here could not explain what was happening to her so at the request of her parents she was flown by helicopter to University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor where a team of professionals was waiting for her arrival. They jumped right into more tests, but have yet to discover the cause. The family has posted a carepage for visitors to get updated information about her condition. Her name is Ali and she needs your prayers. The webpage is http://www.carepages.com You will need to sign in with a member name and password to view the postings and then it will ask for the name of the carepage you would like to view and you will need to type in: aliupdate.
The family has offered this site to be viewed by whomever can pray for Ali. Thank you!

Back to the "patch"

Eye patch that is. Yesterday was one of Jack's follow-up eye exams. The first one since getting his bifocals a few months back. The doctor was happy with the results from the bifocals. Which is good, it means they are doing their job. But one of the test she did didn't give her the results she was after. His good eye did very well with the test, but his bad eye was really trying hard to focus, which lead back the eye patching. He took to the patch pretty good considering it has been a few months without it. We have to patch his good eye 4-6 hours a day for the next six weeks, until his next eye exam. Hopefully then she will be happy with the muscle in his bad eye. At least he doesn't have to have eye surgery. I like him with his glasses too, I just can't imagine him without them.

Wet Tissue

I will usually wet some tissue or a paper towel to clean off the kids face when needed. Well, today Jack took it upon himself to wash his own face. So he got some tissue wet and started rubbing. I began to wonder....hmm
....how did he get that tissue wet. So I did some investigating and discovered the source for the water.....THE TOILET!! Yucky! It might not have been that bad, except it hadn't been flushed. Luckily there were no floaties in the bowl. Teehee! He got a nice hot soapy scrub down right after that.

Dune Climb

Yesterday for Memorial Day we took the kids to Sleeping Bear Dunes. It was just the five of us, well five and a half if you wanna count the little bun in the oven. We climbed to the top of the Dunes and then ran down. I was of course the last one up and the last one down. Dan's mom climbed to the top when she was 8 months pregnant. I could barely do it and I am not quite 5 months yet. Man, I guess I really need to start my exercises. It was fun though. Then we came home and started the BBQ for dinner. It was a perfect end to a perfect day. Hope everyone else had a great Day! I would just like to add that I am grateful for what the soldiers past and present did and are doing for our freedom everyday.

Tag!

I've been tagged by Amie- Thanks!!

The instructions:
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.
5. Don’t search around and look for the “coolest” book you can find. Do what’s actually next to you.

This was weird because I just finished reading this book and I randomly placed the book mark back inside. When I opened the book to post, it opened right up to the book marked page which just so happened to be page 123. WEIRD!!

Anywho...pg.123 line 5 reads (exactly like this): ...and upside down. His passion for the subject came through, firing...

It sounds funny because it was exactly line five which was a mix of two seperate sentences.

Well, I tag Beth!

Gardening

We planted our garden this afternoon. It is a little bigger then last year so we are trying out some new vegetables along with the ones we grew last year. This year we are growing: green beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, lettuce, cabbage, and broccoli. We also are growing an herb garden with basil, rosemary and dill. It was a beautiful day to plant a garden and we had so much fun. Can't wait to pick the veggies. Yum...

Are you ready for 4th Grade!

I gotta do 3rd grade again. hahaha

it's time for your U.S. Geography test...
drag and drop all 48 states in the time allotted to be promoted tothe 4th grade.
Good luck !


http://www.pibmug.com/files/map_test.swf


This was a very challenging test, I recieved it from my friend. It's hard. Have fun!!!!

Spoiled

Saturday was a rewarding day. Our youth pastor and his wife took all the youth staff workers out for a suprise day get away and spoiled us rotten. The women anyway. It was their way of showing us how much they apprieciated all of us working with the youth. To start the day off we were taken to this green house and were allowed to pick out a beautiful flower to take home. The guys too, Dan picked out an herb (rosemary) instead of a flower of course. Then we went to this cabin in the woods and started the wood burning stove and had our staff meeting. After that is when the real fun began. The guys left to go play disc golf and the girls all stayed in the cabin and a massage therapist from our church donated her time to give all us girls 10 minute massages. It was so awesome. After that we went to a nail salon and all got manicures. It was so wonderful, then to end the day we all had dinner at Mongolian BBQ. It was all paid for as a sign of their apprieciation. I think I speak for all of us that were there when I say, we really felt apprieciated.

Three course meal

Tonight for dinner I made a simple three course meal. Honey Mustard Chicken (pre-cooked that just needed warmed up, which is my kind of cooking, easy) in the oven, steamed veggies, and baked potato wedges. This is what the kids ate of the three courses:

Sarah: Just the potatoes and veggies. No chicken

Adam: Just the chicken.

Jack: Just the potatoes.

:D Isn 't that the way it goes though? So much for a balanced meal.

Grumpy people

Today at the grocery store Adam almost ran into this old man's cart. Of course I called out to Adam to be careful and apologized to the man, but he just gave me the meanest look. He never even acknowledged that I had apologized and I know he heard me. It was as if he was saying in his mind "What's this little brat doing in my way, kids don't belong in a grocery store, it's only for adults." It makes me wonder whether or not he had any children or grandchildren because it sure didn't seem like he did. I can't imagine someone acting like that who has ever had children. Usually I get a smile and a "My you have your hands full, I remember those days". Those are the older people I like my kids to run into. :D

"Hipp-ups"

Adam: "Mom, Sarah gave me the 'hipp-ups'!" (hiccups of course)

Me: (humoring him) "Oh really, how did she do that?"

Adam: "She punched me in the stomach with her feet."

:D

He spent the next few minutes holding his throat and making a weird face. When I asked him what he was doing he replied "Trying to squeeze my hipp-ups away."

A fun test to take

Your Linguistic Profile:

60% General American English

25% Upper Midwestern

5% Dixie

5% Yankee

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Child like faith

Today the kids were playing outside after a playday at Amie's. They were riding their bikes in the driveway and Adam was holding a balloon that he got for his birthday. I told him to be careful because if it lets go, the balloon will fly away in the sky and he can't get it back. Well, a few minutes later, you guessed it, he accidently lost his grip on his balloon and it flew away and out of sight. He was disappointed of course, but when I said, " I told you that would happen if you let go.", he said, "Well maybe God can just punch it back down here." It was so cute I had to laugh out loud. It is beautiful the way children see God. He is an awesome God and children can sometimes understand this fact better then adults.

Happy Birthday Adam!

Yesterday, May 8th (Mother's Day), was Adam's Birthday. He turned four. He got a lot of cool Star Wars toys and a bike. Some clothes too, but when you're four you don't care about clothes all that much. Happy Birthday Son!

Happy Mother's Day

I forgot to post this yesterday on Mother's day. It is an email I got from my friend. A tribute to mother's.


Before I was a Mom -
I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into
bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom -
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom -
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Spit on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom -
I never held down a screaming child So that doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom -
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop
the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom -
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important
and happy.

Before I was a Mom -
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to
make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
The joy,
The love,
The heartache,
The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

Remember that behind every successful mother......
Is a basket of dirty laundry. (Ain't that the truth) :D

Happy Mother's day

Chuckles you can tell in Church

A friend of mine sent me these, I thought they were cute so I decided to share them:


Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl

whispered to her mother, "Why is the bride dressed

in white?" "Because white is the color of happiness,

and today is the happiest day of her life." The

child thought about this for a moment, then said,

"So why is the groom wearing black?"

#############

Three boys are in the school yard bragging about their

fathers. The first boy says, "My Dad scribbles a few

words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they

give him $50."

The second boy says, "That's nothing. My Dad scribbles

a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, they

give him $100."

The third boy says, "I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles

a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon, and

it takes eight people to collect all the money!"

#############

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten

Commandments with her five and six year olds. After

explaining the commandment to "honor thy father and

thy mother," she asked "Is there a commandment that

teaches us how! to treat our brothers and sisters?"

Without missing a beat one little boy answered,

"Thou shall not kill."

#############

At Sunday School they were teaching how God created

everything, including human beings. Little Johnny

seemed especially intent when! they told him how Eve

was created out of one of Adam's ribs. Later in the week

his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill,

and said, "Johnny, what is the matter?" Little Johnny

responded, "I have pain in my side I think I'm going to

have a wife."

Potty Training Days...

Well five days ago we started potty training Jack. He is 27 months old which is older then Sarah and Adam were when they were offically labeled "potty trained". I think Jack just wasn't ready until now and I have to say he is doing quite well. Today he only had one accident about 30 minutes before bed so he made it through the rest of the day without a single accident. Now, I do know that a good day can be followed by a bad day, but at least I can be excited about today. He hasn't mastered the pooping part yet, but that will soon come. The potty part is pretty much down except for that one accident. We are very proud of him. It will be nice to only have one diaper to change when the new baby comes.

Great Deal on Children's Books

Tonight was the Ice Cream Social and Book Fair at Sarah's Grade School. All books were buy one get one of equal or lesser value FREE! Wow, it was a great deal. There were Scholastic Books and Caldacott(sp?) Winners. It was very crowded but I got some neat books. The kids all picked the books they wanted. I got $50 worth of books for $28. I was extremely excited. I love books so I had fun helping the kids pick them out. Then we ate ice cream sundaes in the cafeteria. It was a fun family night for the whole family. Reading some of the books when we got home before the kids crawled into bed was the best part.

I've been tagged!

I don't have anyone to tag after me so the tagging will end here on my part. Sorry! I have to pick 5 questions below to answer so here goes...

The questions are: If I could be a scientist...If I could be a farmer...If I could be a musician...If I could be a doctor...If I could be a painter...If I could be a gardener...If I could be a missionary...If I could be a chef...If I could be an architect...If I could be a linguist...If I could be a psychologist...If I could be a librarian...If I could be an athlete...If I could be a lawyer...If I could be an inn-keeper...If I could be a professor...If I could be a writer...If I could be a llama-rider...If I could be a bonnie pirate...If I could be an astronaut...If I could be a world famous blogger...If I could be a justice on any one court in the world...If I could be married to any current famous political figure...

My answers:

If I could be a gardner...I would have the best vegetable garden around and share the fruits of my labor with my friends.

If I could be a chef...I would have my own resturant and make lots of yummy foods.

If I could be a lawyer...I would only take honest people that really needed help and weren't looking to cheat the system or sue for lots of money over stupid little things.

If I could be an inn-keeper...I would have a really fancy house because the mortgage and costs of up keep would be covered under the cost to stay there.

If I could be a writer...I would write romantic comedies that ended the way they should "happy".

Well...that was it! Thanks for the tagging Beth!

Got a due date!

April 22nd was my first prenatal appointment with the mid-wife. I really liked her and am sure I am going to have a great experience working with her. I got to hear the heart beat also, since I was almost 13 weeks. It was amazing to hear. I remember the same feeling each time I heard the heart beat with all my kids. It really makes it real. My due date is set for October 29th of this year. I will also be getting an ultrasound in about 7 weeks. Today I am 13 weeks and 2 days. I can't wait for the ultrasound to find out if we are having a boy or a girl. I am also getting over the morning sickness. I haven't thrown up in three days now which is a record for me. I still get the strong hunger pains and weak feeling when I haven't eaten so that makes it hard to choke some food down to feel better. As long as I eat every two hours though I should be okay. Now I am still in the inbetween stages regarding clothes. I bought some maternity clothes that I don't really fit into yet, but my regular clothes are getting too tight for me to breathe in when I sit down so I am stuck in the middle until my belly starts to grow more. For now I lounge around the house in sweat pants which works great for me.

Happy Anniversary!

Today is my anniversary. Dan and I have been married today for 8 years. I can not believe it has already been 8 years. Our plans for celebration will be like the usual "work all day, sleep all night". Dan has been working all day and probably won't get home until this evening. Play day was at my house today and it was fun. I learned that my color palet is "Spring" so now I have a reason to buy more colorful shirts. I have a gift certificate to use at Target and I am planning on getting some maternity clothes since I gave all mine away when I thought we might be done having babies. I am excited to try some new colors using my color chart. It's fun being a woman :D

Happy Easter & Happy Birthday to Me!!

Another Baby?

Yep, we are expecting baby #4 sometime the end of October. I haven't seen the doctor yet, but will hopefully soon. I've been feeling the full effects of the morning sickness or should I say all day and all night sickness. Not a day goes by without me throwing up. Sometimes 3 times a day. It really sucks but I only have a few more weeks of feeling this way and then I will be better. I have already lost 5 lbs. I think some of that was from coming off the birth control, but the other few pounds were definetly getting puked up these last few days. I know once I feel better I will gain in all back and then some (well, actually a lot not some). We are all pretty excited about this one coming. I know I will be even more excited once I feel better. It has been hard to do anything around the house but just be lazy and even that is hardwork. :D

We finally got our laptop back. I am keeping a close eye on how close Jack gets to it. I am not going to let him delete the memory again. He has been snooping around trying to figure out a way he can get to it. Little stinker! "A computer hacker at age 2" says Grandpa Clark.

Computer troubles...(Jack ment.)

Our laptop died the other day. How did that happen? Yep, Jack did it. I was doing our weekly bank statements online and set the computer on the table so I could put the bills in the mailbox. Well, I got distracted outside and decided to shovel the sidewalk so the mailman would deliver the mail. That, of course, left plenty of time for Jack to work his magic. And magic it was because I can not for the life of me figure out how he did it. What exactly did he do you ask?
Well, he somehow got into the hard drive and commanded the computer to dump the flashcard memory. Yes, you heard right. He erased the computers memory! While the memory was being "dumped" I tried to turn it off so it would stop erasing, but it would not shut down, so I took the battery out. That worked, but then the computer would not turn back on. It was offically dead. Thankfully, it was still under warranty. The local repairer tried to fix it but they could not figure it out so the company is sending us a new one in about six weeks. I am so amazed that a two year old could accidently erase the entire contents of a computers memory. I had just downloaded some pictures off my camera too. I erased the memory stick, and didn't get a chance to save the pictures to a disk so they are gone. I was really sad about that.

I learned a valuable lesson....Do Not Leave Jack Alone With ANY Electronics...:D

"Hope Rising"

That is the name of the book I just finished reading. It is by Kim Meeder and is a true story about her and her husbands horse ranch in Oregon. They pair abused horses that have been rescue by them and put them with abused children that visit the ranch to find solice. It is a good book, it will bring chills to your spine and tears to your eyes. It is an uplifting story. Well, I also finished my scarf. It has some holes, but I put that end behind me when I wear it so no one can tell. I also made a scarf for Sarah to match mine. It is so much fun knitting. Now I have to go get more yarn to make some more scarfs. I don't know what I am going to do with all the scarfs I plan on making, but it sure is fun making them.

Funny Bubbles

The other day Sarah was taking a bath and she said "I like farting in the bath because it makes bubbles." Of course I laughed. She laughed too. I must say that I didn't expect to hear that from my daugher, but with two brothers what can I expect from her. :D

Knitting.....

is so much fun. A couple of days ago a friend taught me how to knit. I have been hooked ever since. I have been knitting a scarf which doesn't look all that great, but hey, it's my first time knitting. It has a couple, well quite a few actually, holes all over the place. I know that these holes are a special stitch in knitting, you can make a design using them, but I can't figure out how I am doing it so they are in weird spots all over. It does not look like a design but rather a sorry looking scarf. Oh well, I am still having fun. The best part is that Sarah also learned to knit. I taught her the same day that I learned. She only knows the first string but does it very well. She caught on so fast. Also her cousin Kaylyn learned too. My sister Tanya and I had fun knitting with the girls. The next day we bought the girls crochet needles and yarn and taught them how to crochet. Something we learned when we were little. It was amazing how easy it was to remember how to do it from so long ago. We had so much fun watching the girls make yarn necklaces, bracelets and headbands.

According to Adam....

every time he has a bath it will be his last. He hates getting the shampoo rinsed out of his hair because of the soap running down his face that he says "I'm not gonna take a bath anymore." I just smile and say "Oh really?" because I know that the next bath time he will be rushing to get in because he loves bath time. At least until he gets his hair washed and then he doesn't want a bath ever again. LOL. He just started saying that about getting his nails clipped too. If I let him get his way he would be a dirty little guy with long fingernails and toenails. :D

Happy Birthday Jack!

Well today is Jack's 2nd birthday. I can't believe he is already two. It is amazing how quickly time flies.

Times have changed

I was noticing the other day while watching the kids play with their things that times sure have changed. A long time ago children used to help out with chores starting at a young age. The girls would be helping out around the house, learning to sew, cook and take care of their younger siblings. The boys would be outside with their fathers tending to the animals, chopping firewood, and hunting for food. It was all there was to do. I am sure they had some things to play with but nothing like the toys kids have these days. Most of these things were learned behaviors. The kids did what they saw their parents doing, which brings me to my point about noticing that times have changed because I was watching Jack walk around the house with a play cell phone held up to his ear just talking away. When he was finished he said bye and snapped the phone closed and walked away. Of course this is a learned behavior. I didn't realize how much I am on the phone, but he has been watching me and has my habits down quite well. He even paced the room like he has seen Dan and I do before while chatting on the phone. It was cute but also kind of sad because kids these days are really spoiled with all their toys. I know our kids are. One of my earlier posts was about how my kids had so much fun playing with a card board box. It was so nice to see them using their imagination to it's fullest. Times are continuing to change. I wonder what kids will have to play with in the next two hundred years. Provided the Lord hasn't returned yet.

A Great Gift

With all the hustle and bustle I forgot to mention one of my favorite gifts I received for Christmas this year. My wonderful husband bought me a "Dust Buster", well actually it was from him and the kids, but was also for the kids to use to help me out. So far it has been wonderful. The housework is now that much easier for me. The kids have actually fought over who gets to vacuum the crumbs from under the table when they are done eating. Finally the kids came up with the idea that they will take turns every other day so they each have an entire day to vacuum. It is sooo great!

Kids are wonderful.....

These past two weeks have been so busy with the holidays and all, company coming and going. We haven't had time to just sit and watch the kids play with their new Christmas toys. So during the past few days we have tried to slow down as a family and just enjoy each other, and I have been noticing just how wonderful kids really are. I mean I know kids are awesome, but just sitting and watching them gives you a sweet perspective of them. And not just my own kids either. Kids have such pure hearts and minds. They are so honest and matter of fact. Just this morning I put a dress on for church but wasn't sure if I was going to wear it or not, it was wrinkled and I didn't have much time for ironing, but before I changed I woke the kids up for breakfast and Sarah said, "Mom, did you get that dress for Christmas?" My response was "No honey this is one of my old ones" "It is a beautiful dress" she then said. So of course I wore that dress to church this morning. Her response made me look at the situation differently. I was worried about how wrinkled it was and started thinking about how if I didn't wear the dress I didn't know what I was going to wear. She just added a child like purity on the matter and solved it for me right then and there. It made me feel good. Also these past few days Adam has been sharing and thinking about others without even being asked to, and Jack has been going around the house saying "I love you, I love you" to all of us. It is so awesome to witness them maturing before our eyes. Don't get me wrong though they still have their moments where they transform into little stinkers, but they still have beautiful little minds through it all :D.