Thursday, April 19, 2012

Our Home: The Question

So as I look at this picture I do see what others see. What others think. What some come right out and ask and what others keep quietly to themselves. "Are you done?" And no they are not asking whether I'm done with lunch, done with the good book I am reading, or done with the chair they are wanting. No, they are asking if we are done having children. It's a question that I have many different responses to and many different attitudes about. Normally I am happy to answer that question. But there are days.......or I guess I should say people.....that I really don't want to answer for. Like the stewardess on the plane that asks as we file everyone to their seats and she acts as though we are bringing on ammunition. I smile and don't answer the question. Do you think she would want to hear that I'm not talking much because I'm praying that this flight goes well and that I don't get nauseous with morning sickness?

Prince Charming often jokes that something may be wrong with us. We can not begin to imagine having the last baby and not wanting just one more. The Bible says that children are a blessing and we want to be blessed I guess!!! The Lord has blessed us more than we could have ever imagined. I have been diagnosed with so many problems that should make it difficult or maybe even impossible to have children but that has never been the case. We have suffered the heartache of miscarriage but never because of any of these problems. We feel that it is a testimony to the Lords goodness that we are going on #5. So I will now put to rest the comments and questions we've heard in the last few months.


1. Do you know how that happens? This would be one of those questions I smile and don't answer because I think it's a ridiculous thing to ask so....{smile}

2. You are done right? If the Lord says we are done then we are done......but we sure hope not!

3. Are you trying to compete with the Duggars? Last I checked there was a pretty big difference between 5 and 19 but Prince Charming and I are very competitive people......so bring on the challenge if that makes you feel better. {smile}

4. Are you going to buy a bus? Well we don't know. Right now we can still fit in our Odyssey but as far as traveling in it goes it is going to be a little tight. We've been looking for down the road and yes to the chagrin of Prince Charming we see a Sprinter van in our future. This weekend he is actually going and getting his sports car that he's been wanting to help ease the pain of being a bus driver. I'm pretty sure he'll make it through this crisis when it arrives....or should I say docks.

5. What do your kids think about baby #5? They are as excited as ever! B.W. is of course really hoping it's a boy. He loves all his sisters but still really wants a brother.

6. And our most favorite question and objection to having more than the "normal" amount of children.........How are you going to pay for all that college education?!?! Ummm, we probably won't pay for all of the college education. {Enter gasp here} Even if a child's parents can afford to pay for them to have a free ride we think children should work for their education. I'm not saying that we are cutting them off and they are on their own but we want our children to learn that education is a privilege and not an entitlement. We have quite a few years to sort this subject out and I know that when we come to that bridge the Lord will lead us over it in the right direction.

I personally think it's kind of funny that people act like we have a large family because I don't feel like we have a large family. Yes there are days when I feel like I need four hands but what mom doesn't. All I know is that if the Lord wants to bless we are all for it!!!!!


Saturday, April 14, 2012

Cuddlebug is 4!!!

The last week in March is always packed full with birthday celebrations for Prince Charming and Cuddlebug. This year was even crazier with Prince Charming and I leaving for California the day after Cuddlebug's birthday.
Despite the craziness Cuddlebug had a very fun day. It started with her breakfast choice of doughnuts and then she opened gifts.
She then got to be the only kid to get to come to the ultrasound to see the baby. A trip to the mall for a little clothes shopping was also included.

The night before we rented the roller rink and Cuddlebug had a ride in the big skate. This was something she wasn't sure about but when she was told that daddy could be the one to push her she jumped right in.
Skating with friends is always fun.
Skating with Daddy and friends is even better!
On the night of Cuddlebugs's birthday we took all the kids over to Grandma and Grandpa's to get settled in for the week that mommy and daddy would be gone and then we had cake. She went to Meijer and designed her cake herself. This girl knew what she wanted! Cuddlebug also wanted to go to Chuckee-Cheese but we just ran out of time. She was so understanding and agreed to go after we got back from California. Happy Birthday to our sweet and hilarious Cuddlebug!

Friday, April 13, 2012

I'm Not Complaining

So for weeks I've tried to get back to blogging. I feel like I go straight from fall to spring. And partly that's because we did! The winter was so mild and we really didn't have much snow or cold. Being a hot weather person I am definitely not complaining. I must admit though that I just feel like my body can't figure out this new Midwest climate. I'm sure pregnancy isn't helping. My daffodils were up be the middle of March. Right now we are enjoying the colorful tulips.

On March 18th we were out playing mini golf........... with no jackets on.


Yes, on March 20th we had our first Family Beach Night. This is absurd! We normally are ecstatic if it is warm enough to start these by the middle of May! It was beautiful and the kids couldn't get enough sun, sand, and waves. It has cooled down in the past few weeks but most days still seem warmer than usual. I'll take this nice weather! I suppose if this is the new Midwest winter I may be able to handle it.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Sweet {But Exhausting} Life

So this picture pretty much sums up how I feel lately. I realized I haven't posted since December 24th. Which makes sense since we suffered a stomach bug over the holidays. Have been in the craziness of the middle of the school year. And spent our week in Florida at Disney. Oh and while all this is crazy in itself......I'm also pregnant again! In August.....possibly July......baby #5 will make their appearance. And as always in pregnancy sleep is my most coveted possession. I will be catching up on blogging here hopefully in the next few weeks........but I'm not making any promises.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Searching Out the Small Blessings

Today is Christmas Eve. By looking out the window it looks more like the beginning of Spring but I'll take that sunshine! So our house has been hit with a nasty stomach bug that is sweeping through the entire family. We hardly ever get sick and when any germ enters our house it is usually always contained to just 1 or 2 people. So needless to say that today is not feeling very cheery. But today the Lord has shown me many small blessings.

1.) We are blessed to be able to have a house with 3 bathrooms. I don't think I need to elaborate on that one.

2.) We are blessed that Lovebird has had a very mild case so far and are praying it stays that way. Mommy is not up to taking care of an extremely sick baby......and neither is Daddy.

3.) We are blessed that our children have handled the disappointment of canceling all of our Christmas plans with complete understanding. I think I may be more upset than they are!

4.) I am so thankful for the beautiful sunshine. While I know that many are upset that we are not having a white Christmas, I REALLY needed to see the sun shine today.

5.) I am so thankful for Netflix and Apple TV.

6.) I am so thankful that my kids are just as excited for our Chicken Noodle soup Christmas Eve dinner than they were for the Turkey one.

7.) I am thankful that my mom risked the germs to bring over more soup, Gatorade, Saltines, and Popsicles. Mosheh and Gershom are thankful that she took them outside!

8.) We are blessed that despite everyone not feeling 100% we still get to spend the holidays with each other.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

12 Days of Christmas

So I had read about a great idea on another blog about doing a "12 days of Christmas" for your spouse in the busy days leading up to Christmas. So I took a trip out and picked up gifts for every day. It has been a fun new tradition that I think I will add to our annual holiday happenings.

First Covering of White

As soon as there was enough snow to somewhat cover the ground the kids were out sledding.
Cuddlebug is actually doing much better in the snow and stayed out for about 20 minutes. Now she still always ends up crying and coming in because she gets cold but we are making progress.
It helps when you have a great big brother who always carries your sled back up for you.


And of course there was hot cocoa waiting inside as soon as fingers, toes, and noses got too cold.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Decking the Halls

"You need to put all the same color in the same group. See?!?!?!"
"I so got this."
"Daddy I don't think you are doing this right. Let me just get up there and I can show you the proper tree assembling techniques."




Pictures of the finished product coming soon!

You Know When Life is Too Busy......

......when your 3 year old walks inside and then lies down and falls asleep on the foyer floor. We must slow down.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Last Themed Cake

So B.W. informed that since he was 11 this would be the last year he would pick a themed cake. Now considering I still do themed cakes for Prince Charming we'll see if he sticks with that statement when the big 12 rolls around. B.W. wanted a Lego cake and I had some grandiose plans of what I could do but because of the craziness with remodeling and trying to get ready for the holidays I went with an extremely simple cake.......and B.W. loved it so that's all that matters. He also got to celebrate with some dear friends so that made it even better.

Legoland

B.W.'s birthday gift was a trip to Legoland.
The kids aren't too fond of spiders so they were very theatrical at the thought of a spider this big.
Ready to take on Darth Vader.
Lovebird loved this elephant. For her there weren't too many things to do but she just loved riding in the stroller and taking it all in.
The girls enjoyed the "Girls Only" area.
The kids took a little class on how to make the Sears tower.
Cuddlebug had a little help from daddy.


Everyone had a great time.

We then headed to Rainforest Cafe for an early dinner. We timed it just right and the restaurant wasn't busy at all which meant the noise was about 1/10th of what it normally is. It made for a much more enjoyable dinner!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Moments Like These

So the Thanksgiving didn't quite go as planned at Uncle B's and Aunt K's. The turkey was underdone, the stuffing was overdone, and Plan B had to be activated which was going and buying chicken at Martin's. But all of that doesn't matter.

It's moments like these that make a Thanksgiving meal.
The three kids enthralled with Great Grandma, her stories, and looking through the Christmas catalog she brought with her.

Operation Christmas Child

The kids were so excited to pack up their Operation Christmas Child boxes and send them off. Cuddlebug had been talking for over a week about "her friend" who was going to get her box. They all spent much time picking out the perfect gifts for each of their boxes.
Now we wait to see where each of the boxes final destination will be!

Why?!?!

"Why have they waited so long to give me this delicious thing they call a French Fry?!?!"

Thankful Party and Why I Can't Leave Prince Charming Unattended

So we don't celebrate Halloween and we were so excited when a fellow church family suggested having a "Kick off to Thankfulness" party a few weeks into November. The kids were to dress up in a costume of a Bible or book character. The kids were very excited about this.

B.W. decided to go as David.
Lovebird was his little sheep.
Curly Bear went as the woman who poured perfume on Jesus feet. She really wanted to be a Bible character since the other three were going with that theme and it took us a looonnnnggg time to come up with something.
Cuddlebug wanted to be a rainbow since that is her favorite Bible Story. So we made her into "God's Promises".

Now the days leading up to the party were absolutely crazy busy! I felt like I had about ten huge projects to get done in a few days time. So while I ran to make some copies for the kids folders for the church service I asked Prince Charming if he could fit the rainbow to Cuddlebug and put the ties over the shoulders so it was the right height. I wasn't gone for more than 10 minutes and was texted this picture.
I text him back and tell him I think he needs to loosen it up a little bit.

About 2 minutes later I get a text that says,"Oh shoot, I caught it on fire!"........"You better come home."

Thankfully by the time my few errands were done he had things under control and our little rainbow was running around the house. Now I still have never heard the whole story on how he set the costume on fire. He and the kids have been very tight lipped about the matter. Hmmmmm.......