Christmas in pictures

You and me and baby makes three seven.

The baby in the "pretty red dress" that she asked Santa for.

Time to put it all together.

The boys got new laptops for Christmas.

Nic trying out his new snowboard.

Do they look happy?

Sledding at the farm behind the 4-wheeler...now that's fun!

It was indeed a great Christmas.

Comes Family Christmas Letter

MERRY CHRISTMAS
from the
COMES FAMILY!

This is the family you chose to put me in God? Are you serious? No I can't tell you exactly what they look like yet, but I have a pretty good feel for the dynamics of the home. I have learned much from and about them even though I will not see them face-to-face for another several months.

My daddy? Well apparently he is the fun parent. My sister Kate says all the time, “Dad is the fun one and mom is grumpy.” I can't wait to take my turn wrestling with him. The other kids sure seem to love it. The minute he walks in the door he is met with squeals and pleas for wrestling time or any other kind of noise and raucous they can think up. I think a nap in his big strong arms might be enough for me. I know he does much for others too, because many evenings he has to leave to teach CCD, or take my brother, Nicholas, to Cub Scout meetings, or attend his Knights of Columbus meetings. The house is usually quieter when dad leaves, but I can tell that everyone misses him.

My brother Nic just had his 8th birthday. You must be really special when you are eight because I hear my mom use his full name, “NICHOLAS DAVID COMES” frequently. He is definitely excited to meet me. He could not wait to tell his second grade teacher and classmates the good news. Even though he seems to be in trouble often, I know that mom thinks he is a great helper. I hear her say so. All that he talks about is football and hunting. He loves nothing more than spending a Saturday morning freezing his buns off sitting by daddy on a Muskrat hut waiting for the waterfowl to fly in. Even though I have heard my parents pray for him to consider the priesthood, I think that my big brother will wind up in the NFL.

Olivia is my oldest sister and she is a six-year-old first grader. She kisses me through mommy’s tummy every day. I think I will really like sitting on her lap. She seems so quiet, I rarely ever hear her full name used. In fact I think sometimes my mom forgets that Olivia is in the house. I know that she loves to write and draw because she has already drawn many pictures and stories for me. She gets really excited about going to school and mom and dad talk about how proud they are of her all the time. Don’t tell anyone, but when I hear my mama’s prayers, she asks God if maybe I can be like Olivia.

Katharine is four and in pre-school. I know that she will be a lot of fun because I hear her say funny things all the time, making my mommy laugh a lot. Dad calls her the “joy” of the house. But I can tell she is pretty spunky too. She tangles with my mom quite a bit, but she never stays upset for long. She doesn’t seem to enjoy pre-school all that much, but I think she might just miss Andrew. They play together all the time. I hope that she shares her collection of stuffed animals with me.

The former baby of the family will soon be my big brother. Andrew just turned three and that is when mom and dad told everyone about me! From everything I hear he sure must be cute. My favorite thing about him is the way he cuddles up close to mommy’s tummy and rubs me. He follows my brother and sisters around a lot and I think that they all really like to play with him. He gets really excited when daddy comes home and is usually first in line to wrestle. I hear him giggling all the time.

I think I know my mommy best. I go everywhere with her and I plan to for the next year or so. I could probably tell you many things about her that she wouldn’t like me to share. But since I know that she asks God for forgiveness often, I will keep them a secret. But even though she might not always be patient, I know that she loves her family more than anything. She stays in our house most of the day making her full time job one of caring for us all. She takes me out and about to meetings too. She works a lot with the school because she is on the school board, and she also leads a women’s prayer group. But most of her time is within the walls of our home. And I think that is her favorite place to be.

I hope to learn even more about this lively group of people in the upcoming months. I know already that I may be part of a less than perfect family, but they seem to have great faith in Jesus and know that although they have many imperfections, through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection they will be made whole.

I look forward to meeting many of you in May, until then I will remain here in my mommy’s safe and warm tummy!

Merry Christmas from the little member of the Comes family!

Resting at ease

Would you believe that today ends a long four weeks of major anxiety for me?

I have tried very hard to keep my fears, concerns, and over-all anxiety about the baby to myself. When asked by caring friends if I had felt the baby move yet, I simply replied, "No, not to my knowledge." Not adding that I was worried sick as to why with my fifth pregnancy I was unable to feel the flutterings of movement that I had felt with each one at a much earlier time.

I prayed. I cried. I hoped. And in the end I knew that it was beyond my control and could not be changed with my worry. But it just did not feel right.

Today we had our ultra-sound. I did not share my worries with the Radiologist at first. I simply lay back, took a deep breath, and prayed that she did not turn the screen away from us.

She saw a beautiful, (well to us anyway), baby floating around in there. A baby with two arms, ten toes, ten fingers, four chambers to it's vibrantly beating heart... it was a thing of beauty.

The only explanation for why I may not be feeling movement is that I have what is called an "Anterior Placenta". You can click on the link for an explanation. But in short it simply means that instead of the usual attachment of the placenta being behind the baby, mine is in front of the baby. Acting as a muffler to it's many movements.

Thank you to all who were concerned and thank you especially to those who prayed with me, for me, and checked in on me. I appreciate it and am thrilled to share this good report with you!

The Twelve Days of a 'large family's' Christmas

A little bit like my grandma

It has been said before that I am a bit like my grandmother. I have always worn that label with pride. I do not know of a more loving, gentle, and all around giving person than my grandma. Not to mention unbelievably fun to hang out with. Well, okay, maybe I do...but that is only because my mom was raised by that very woman as well.

I have always thought that the similarities that my grandma and I shared were simple things like, a love for fashion. A good laugh at the mundane and ordinary life things. A witty and often sarcastic comeback to the sometimes stupid things people say or do. The ability to laugh at ourselves and make others want to laugh with us. But I have never considered that maybe I should strive to become the other things that she was. Loving, gentle, and giving.

One way that I know I am like my grandmother is in my tendency to put off the elegant and extravagant for another day. To save what is beautiful and use it for someone other than myself. Grandma would buy herself a sweater or shoes that she loved and then wait to wear them for something special. Not knowing all along that she was indeed the most special part of her attire.

Today I walked through my house and realized that most of my candles have gone unlit in recent days. Why? Because no one 'special' has been over lately to enjoy them. By evening, when the family is around, it is all but forgotten in the hub-bub of homework, supper, baths and bedtime prayers, just lighting the Advent candles becomes almost impossible. And during the day, it is just me and the little kids. What do they care about a candle burning.

Today, I thought about my grandma. And I thought about the box of beautiful China that is sitting in the darkest corner of my basement waiting for a beautiful hutch to be displayed in. Maybe sometime about the time I, myself, am a grandmother. It sits, aging. My candles sit, collecting dust.

With her on my mind and close to my heart I walked through the rooms of my house lighting every candle I could find. A small fire hazard I realize, but I decided that if my grandma spent a life not realizing how special she was, I owed it to her to show her that I realize that my every breath, every blink is indeed part of what makes me special. Grandma, today if you smell the mixed scents of sage, sugar cookie, and cinnamon wafting heavenward, know that I am remembering you. And hoping to be a little less like you, and a lot more like you every day.

Wordless Wednesday

My favorite Christmas ornament this year.

The best is yet to come

I understand why the concept of Advent is so difficult for most of us to live. I understand why we struggle with the idea of waiting. Waiting for anything is foreign to us as a culture. I am the one who hates being told to pull ahead and wait for my fast food to arrive!

Even the things that we supposedly have little to no control over we have found ways to manipulate to better fit our schedules. Women in my 'condition' no longer have to allow nature to take it's course. They can plan the day and time that works best for them to deliver their children. Why wait?

Why wait? Well I believe that there is much redemptive sacrifice in waiting. Waiting builds tolerance, patience, self-control and character, a dying trait.

And when the waiting is for something so important, so valuable and of such great worth, it is hardly a sacrifice. I hear many refer to Christmas and its arrival as the climax. The great moment. But then it comes and just as quickly is gone. It is over. But really we know that it is just the beginning.

I liken it to my wedding day. Much time and energy was spent in preparation for what seemed like such an important day. And rightfully so, a wedding is a very important event. Just like the birth of Jesus. It is a very special day. So we prepare for it. But what would you have said if someone would have told you that once your wedding was complete it would all be over? That would be the end. We know that is not true. It is the beginning. The start of something even more important and more special.

As is the season of Advent and Christmas. Nothing ends on Christmas. It only begins the beauty. There should be no letdown, no regret, no sense of loss. Instead a joyous celebration of the birth we have been anticipating and the hope of what this life of Christ will bring in the year to come.

Wait with me.

Some holiday must haves

Obviously my thoughts and opinions hold immeasurable value to you, my readers, all year long. Why should "holiday must haves' be any different? Consider me the Oprah of the blogging world, only you just get suggestions...not free merchandise. (To you new readers, sarcasm is welcome here 100% of the time.)

1. Number one on my list is a luxurious scarf. I have never been a big fan of scarves in the past...at least not on myself. But this year I decided to give it a try. And I really do love the way I feel wearing one, and the way that it changes an outfit from ordinary to divine. (At least in my head anyway.) You can go expensive or very affordable here. Shade has jersey knit scarves that are extra long and fun for as cheap as $9.50. The one shown is a cashmere skinny scarf from Lands End and is $29.50.




2. A real evergreen wreath for the entrance to your home. There is just something so festive about coming to a house with an over-sized wreath that permeates the air with the smell of fresh pine, hung on the entrance. We pick ours up each year from the local Boys Scouts. They sell them in early November and deliver them to your door the week of Thanksgiving. But there are many local and online retailers that can deliver to your door as well.




3. Young or old, this is a must have. This nativity set by Little People is a favorite at our house. The day that I pull it from storage, during Advent, my kids are swept away into imaginative play for hours. We reenact the travels of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and the kids take turns being different parts and telling the story in their own words. We put it away each year to keep the magic there, and it has paid for itself time and time again just in the hours of entertainment. It is so nice to have a "Christmas Decoration" that visiting kids are encouraged to play with as well.




4. A down vest. One thing that is as certain as my love for Shade tops, is my love for a good down vest. Those of you who live near by will see me in one of my many as an alternative to traditional jacket wearing all winter long. I happen to really like the affordability of Lands End here too, but I know that there are many out there. I have this one in red, and this is my favorite time of year to wear it.




5. Coffee is good year round, we all know that. But there is nothing like some festive creamer to kick it up a notch and take a good drink and make it even better. There are many flavors introduced around the holiday's that are sure to satisfy your taste buds. For me, one cup of flavored coffee makes it easier to resist the urge to overdo the sweets.



6. Candles, candles, candles. My favorite candles were hand-made and sold by some local women but they are no longer available. So I am recommending a classic. You can not go wrong with a Yankee candle. The scents and aromas are so spot on and soothing. This is a great option for this time of year. Especially if you forgo a real tree for an artificial one. I often put mine on warmers, to avoid burning flames with kids around. Some other great holiday scents are: Christmas Cookie, Christmas Eve, Jack Frost, and Silver Bells.



7. A Christmas Poinsettia is a must. Although deep reds and creamy whites are the traditional options, there are many variations available. This is a blue/purple mix, and is quite gorgeous as well. These make a wonderful hostess gift if you are attending any Christmas parties in the upcoming days.



8. Christmas is not complete around here without the voice of this gentleman. He is the voice of Christmas, at least "White Christmas" for me. I love both the song and movie, and both are played over and over again throughout the holiday season here.



9. Although I love the slippers that I got last year, and also recommended to you all, I must admit that these little puppies from L.L. Bean have caught my eye. I love the daintiness of them. I think that slippers make a great 'everyone gets a new pair at Christmas' gift for the family. Instead of the usual new set of flannel pj's, change it up this year with new slippers for everyone. Even the littlest. There are a ton of varieties and prices out there, so have fun looking. I even found some "flip-flop" slippers!


10. Finally, the only true "MUST HAVE" on my list, are these people. Family is the only true must have to make Christmas special. Without them all else is waste.



Now share some of yours!

Christmas Program

Thanks to this thoughtful friend that I have, I am able to share these beautiful pictures of my kids at their recent school Christmas program. I took some myself...but let's just say that I am not the photographer that she is, and my camera does not hold a candle to hers. Thank you!

Nicholas and Olivia are seen here surrounded by other kids.

Katharine looks over at her fan club during a pause in the music.

Prayers being answered a bit too well

You have to understand that when one is on the precipice of bringing a fifth child into the world prayers for that child versus the first, have been refined with the gaining of wisdom.

In the beginning of motherhood, a simple, "Dear Lord protect this child within my womb and create him/her to be whomever you designed them to be..." changes or matures slightly by number five to a prayer of, "Dear Lord, protect this child within my womb and create him/her to be a peaceful, self-soothing, pleasing child. So that I can maintain some level of sanity until they are out of my care."

So, perhaps I am guilty of over-praying. Or praying for my own will to be done. But as I am in my 18+ week of pregnancy and anxiously awaiting those first flutterings of movement, I am saddened to say that they have not yet come, to my knowledge. I have spoken to my doctor, googled pregnancy help sites, and fretted myself into anxiety attacks. But the bottom line is that I can not make this baby move if it is not ready, and every pregnancy is different.

Although I felt movement earlier than this with my other children, I am prayerfully hoping that this is a sign of the peaceful, self-soothing, pleasing answer to my prayers...pray with me?

Time to share your wisdom

You might think that I would consider the area of pregnancy with the wisdom gained in having been a mom multiple times over. Perhaps that I have this area covered. But really not so much. How can you cover such a changing condition? How can you prepare for what is to come when it comes differently each and every time?

What I would really love, really really love, is for some group participation here. Remember those products, tricks, foods that until your best friend or mom told you about you had ABSOLUTELY no idea they existed or that they would actually live up to the wonders that they claimed to do?

Creams for stretch marks, maternity jeans by so-and-so, a soothing tea, a yoga stretch for cramping legs....I don't know-ANYTHING. I have learned one thing from mothering...well okay, more than one--but here is a big one: There is WAY TO MUCH STUFF ON THE MARKET that does not live up to the claims. But equally I have learned that if a product or technique has been tested by tried and true mothers it is worth its weight in gold.

In the past, I have gained knowledge through trial and error. But that was before blogging. Now I am privy to some of the most fabulous women's insights, and just a click away. I know that you may have tons of baby and post pregnancy wisdom to share as well...and we will be getting to that. Baby gear has taken on a whole new life since I last purchased a stroller or car seat. So in another post you can share your secrets for that.

For now, I would love it if you would tell me something that you used or discovered during your pregnancies...or didn't but wish you had, and save me the money and time spent in searching on my own.

PLEASE SHARE!

Totally Random

This is a totally random slide show, but it shows a bit of what the family has been up to lately. I have not posted pictures in a while, so this will catch you up, don't worry though, it is short. Enjoy.


*To mute the music if it keeps playing just click on the speaker at the top. I will remove the music in a few days.

It only takes so very little...

...to make the work that I do at home worth it all.

Chad and I, just like many other couples, I presume, far to often fall into the trap of 'his job' 'her job' thinking. He heads off to work each day after dropping our kids off at school, that is part of 'his job'. I clean up dishes from breakfast and start making beds, that is part of 'her job'. We all too often forget that without one or the other our home ceases to function in the way that we know it, the way that God planned it.

Part of what I have always assumed to be my job, was preparing our home for the holiday's through the decorating of the house. Although I would not turn down a set of willing hands to help me, I am not expecting anyone to take this job over, and with my control issues, I do not think I could handle it being done by anyone else. Well, except for the hanging of the lights on the house. I used to do it, ladder and all, but a few years back my husband decided that I was not doing it in the most effective and logical manner, so he took this over. I love it when my incompetency pays off.

But as for the indoor decorations, that is all me. Just recently I rearranged the furniture in the living room as part of my preparation for setting up one of the trees. My husband came home for lunch and did a quick double take of the lay out of the living room and then continued on into the kitchen for a bite to eat. Nary a word uttered. Typical, I thought. It would be very out of character for my husband to voice his curiosity as to what I am up to.

That evening when he returned home and opened the door to a room filled with the glowing light of our tree, he stopped by the door and just took it all in. Then he sought me out and told me how great the tree looked right in that particular spot. (I tend to move it somewhere new every year.) And how inviting and warm it made the house feel. He even went so far as to say, "That is really a beautiful tree." My non-traditional somewhat Charlie-Brownish tall skinning flocked tree. The one he had his doubts about when I came home with it after Christmas one year.

Can I just say how gosh dang speechless he rendered me? This is a man of little communication on such matters usually. But something in him felt that voicing such sentiments would not only be meaningful to me but express his gratitude for my efforts. It did indeed mean much to me. More than he could have known.

It made me realize that there are many things that are part of 'his job' that I just over-look and forget to be awed about, or inspired by, or heck...even RECOGNIZE. I may not notice them on a daily basis, but if he were to quit doing them, I would notice almost instantly. Maybe it would not take much to make his daily efforts seem very valuable as well.

Successful insanity

Shouldn't there be a handbook for newbie Black Friday Shoppers? When I say that I am a newbie at this, I mean it. Yes, I may have shopped on a Friday after Thanksgiving at one o'clock in the afternoon for no purpose other than to walk off my potatoes and dressing from the day before. Certainly not with the intent to score a particular item at a fraction of it's retail value.

Newbie. Yes.

I have trouble sleeping. Always. But especially when I am not in my home and bed. Especially when I am sleeping with a four and six year old. Especially when I have to be up at an unusually early time and am afraid of the alarm waking all in the household. This was the primary reason for my restlessness on Thanksgiving night. I just DID.NOT.SLEEP. So when 3:50AM rolled around I was more than willing to rise from my bed and be off. I was accomplishing nothing just lying there.

I was under the impression, based on conversations with MANY veteran shoppers, that Wal-mart, who is usually open 24 hours, would be closed on Thanksgiving night and open at 5:00AM on Friday morning. So I rose and dressed with the expectation of a long wait in a cold parking lot. Not the case. Mistake number one. I arrived to find the Wal-mart parking lot relatively empty at about 4:10AM. And quickly I noted that people were just walking right into the store. WHAT THE ?

"This is going to be easier than I thought!", I naively think to myself. I had already scoped out where the goods were that I wanted a few days prior. So as I walked in and asked the door guy why they were open, he responded, "We've been open all night. The sale starts at five." Oh I get it! I can go get my stuff, but I have to hang around here until five to purchase it. Okay, I can deal with that. I mean how often am I in Wal-mart without a few grumpy kids after all, I'll pick up a few necessities in the mean time.

Quickly I noticed however that people were standing idly throughout the store with empty carts. Of course, I asked the nearest person what was going on and quickly learned that you couldn't even TOUCH the merchandise that was in the sale ad until five o' clock. Well now, that would have been helpful information for that door man to point out! I slipped my items back onto the shelf, found the display of those items located centrally and assumed my position. Myself and three others had that pallet covered.

I noticed many things while waiting. More men are crazy for a good deal than I ever thought possible. My husband may rise early to walk the frozen tundra stalking a deer, but saving $25 on a gaming system or television would not bring him out of bed this early. Also, I noted that some people come literally right from bed. Clothing evident and all. Others feel an obligation not to smell or appear too disheveled.

There were 30, total, of the item that I wanted two of. By 4:45AM there were over 50 people swarming the pallet. I went from feeling confident to caged. I knew that getting my two would not be a problem, but escaping without bodily injury or being mugged might not be so easy.

Bottom line: Veni, Vidi, Vici. I came, I saw, I conquered.

I headed directly to the checkout line after reaching across the throng of people into the pallet beside ours for a digital photo frame and made my way like a sleuth to the self checkout. I was in my vehicle just five minutes after the sale opened. I would call that success. Insanity. But successful insanity.

You have written it, right?

Ladies and gentlemen, you do realize that Christmas card time is here, right? Like days away. I know that it sneaks up on us every year, but there is still plenty of time to knock out a quick picture and letter to send out to family and friends.

Can I just say again this year that even though I would love to get some really kick butt presents, nothing means more to me than getting Christmas cards in the mail from so many of the people that we think about all year long. It makes the whole season so much more special if every time that I go to my mailbox I receive a card...preferably with a picture and letter.

I started mine a bit later this year, later for me...but of course the letter is written, the cards are ordered and they will go out the week after Thanksgiving.

If you are having some issues about what to write, look back to my last year's post on the various styles of acceptable Christmas letters. Or if you trust Google more, just google "Christmas letters" and it is amazing how many good ideas pop up for those of you interested in a more creative or unique approach to this tradition.

Whatever you choose to do, remember that there are many of us out there who look forward every year to reconnecting with those that we do not get to see and stay in touch with for a good part of the year. It is part of the holiday--just write it.

Top 10 reasons why being pregnant now rocks

(16 weeks pregnant)

10. Skinny jeans never looked good on me anyway.

9. Winter warmth from the added fat layer.

8. New baby gear rocks!

7. Because of sensitive gums I actually have a reason why the hygienist has to be gentle with me.

6. Mood swings are totally acceptable.

5. A whole new wardrobe.

4. No guilt in having the kids fetch things while I sit with my feet up.

3. Leg rubs without begging.

2. Thanks to Brangelina large families are very fashionable.

1. Holiday eating baby! Say yes to the stuffing.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Black Friday Shopping

I will be completely honest. Just the sound of that scares the he** out of me. Does that sound like something fun to you? But I realize that I am part of a rare few. I am a female that does not especially enjoy shopping. Wait, let me rephrase that. I am a female who prefers the comfort of her home and pj's to do her shopping.

Long lines, inadequate clerks, rude customers, spotty selection, and the vast overwhelming-ness felt when walking into a department store does not lend itself to a thrill for me. And I am just talking about regular Tuesday morning at the mall shopping.

But Black Friday? I have always LAUGHED with smugness at the foolish ones who line up at 3:30 AM in a Wal-mart parking lot to save $50 on a computer. One in which they will not get anyway because the 15 that the store has will be swept up in less than two minutes flat. I have laughed at the people who can not get themselves ready for church on Sunday morning, but standing in zero degree weather for an iPOD suddenly seems so valuable. I have laughed at the silly women who with a shopping cart go charging into the store, RUNNING, as though they are going to receive a million dollars if they take out at least five other shoppers.

My girlfriends, whom I shopped with just this past weekend, gave me the low down on how the whole operation works. They told me their strategies, the craziness to be expected, and finished with the thrill of it all being worth it. I sat there completely skeptical. They also all agreed unanimously that Black Friday was no place for HeidiJoWhatDoYouKnow. Apparently they are concerned with my patience. I think they are afraid that I might pull a billy club from my purse and start smacking stupid people.

So, I think I am going this year. Yes, you heard me correctly. Maybe I was drawn in by their challenge to my patience. Maybe I am producing such large amounts of estrogen that my mind is beginning to slip. Maybe the idea of saving $30 on an item that I was otherwise not going to buy my children for Christmas is winning the battle of sanity.

But be assured I will come with billy club. Now you are all allowed, nay encouraged, to laugh at me.

And please, share your Black Friday shopping stories, strategies and all time most frustrating moments!

Start a tradition-The Jesse Tree

**Recently updated:

Upon reading that many of you are unfamiliar with the Jesse Tree tradition, I felt the need to clarify, and perhaps answer a few questions in regard to the practice.

The tradition is based on this scripture:

"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth." (Isaiah 11:1-4)

It is not related to one specific religion. Although it does relate to the practice and teaching of Advent, the time of prepartion before the birth of Jesus, the time before Christmas. It is just one way to focus on the present...without getting swept away with the hurry-up mentality of the culture. A culture that is quick to set up the tree and quick to tear it down, without really ever celebrating the purpose of the season. Here is another website with ornaments and devotions for the Jesse Tree.

Considering a Jesse Tree this year? We have decided to make it a part of our family Advent tradition. Last year I googled endlessly looking for a great website that offered ornaments that we could cut out and color or do together somehow, along with great devotions that went along with it.

The site that I found, had both down-loadable ornaments and reflections/devotions. My family printed them in color and then used glitter glue pens to add highlight and accent to them. We then put them on construction paper, cut around them, punched a hole in the top and strung them by ribbon. You all know my craft skill level, so this was the perfect thing for us!

There are many sites out there where you can find similar information. If you find one that your family likes and you do not want to 're-craft' your ornaments each year, do not forget to bookmark the site so that you can get the reflections for the following year that go with your particular ornaments. Although there is a generality to the ornaments, they do vary.

I encourage you to give it a try if you have not done so in the past. It is a beautiful way to slow down the season, reflect daily on the Salvation History that came to us through the bible and Jesus Christ. And you will be amazed by how much your children will look forward to this time together as a family.

Fast Food Frustraitons

Is this not the most annoying thing for a drive-up worker to tell you:

"Could you please pull into Drive through parking spot one, and we'll bring your food out to you?"

"Um, no!" That is what I want to say. "No! I will wait right here. Because just like the doctor's office, once I am out of your sight, I am out of mind. And 15 cars with orders no larger than mine will speed through getting exactly what they ordered...FAST FOOD, while my hungry crew sits and waits for limp, soggy french fries that were left sitting while you waited for our chicken nuggets to be done...not to mention go without half the condiments we requested!"

Instead I resist the urge to roll my eyes and mumble under my breath and move my rig out of the speed of traffic. Wishing with all my might that I could simply take my money back and head to the sub joint where I had wished we had time for in the first place!

**No pregnancy wise-cracks today people. I know that plenty of you have been in this same situation with no medical cravings driving your frustration:0) And save your breath if you are just going to tell me the evils of fast food and what it is doing to make our nation obese. You are simply unamerican if you do not enjoy a french fry now and again.

Should have seen it coming?

Maybe it should have been a sign when I started watching reruns of Jon & Kate plus 8, and thinking that my family of four seemed so small.

Maybe the second thoughts that I was having about getting some irritating and ugly veins on my leg taken care of should have alerted me to some greater stirring.

Maybe the fact that potty training my 'baby' was not my idea and certainly not on my list of immediate to-do's yet he decided for me, was a signal that I was not yet of a mind to be finished.


Maybe the fact that I was still perusing the maternity clearance racks at Target two years post pregnancy or fawning over the Shade maternity tops could have been a sign that I had an inner longing.

Maybe I do not have the best plan always. But God certainly does.

Is your brain working overtime?

Would you consider yourself a 'good' sleeper? Not necessarily do you sleep 8 hours nightly, or rise early, or feel totally refreshed each morning. But when you sleep, is it good and sound?

I assume that there must have been a time when I slept soundly. Good sleep. There must have been. I mean what teenager complains of restless nights? What college student does not sack out and become dead to the world minutes after falling into bed.

Obviously pregnancy does its own number on a restful night of slumber. But I can not just blame my pregnancy because along with the need to rise frequently for bathroom breaks and the constant readjusting necessary to keep nerves from being pinched, comes that blissful exhaustion that should render a mother-to-be out for the count for at least three to four hours each night.

For that matter, what parent shouldn't be tired at the end of the day? I mean seriously, whether you work at a construction site lifting heavy timbers all day or do not leave the confines of your home and spend the day chasing after children in a daycare setting, the bottom line is, this parenting/working thing takes its toll. But some people, ie. my husband, sleep 'good'.

And I am beginning to wonder if it is a mental thing. I have never shied away from the possibility that I may have mental issues. Actually there are many instances where I am quite certain of my instability and have fully embraced it. But is my sleeplessness because I, dare I say it?, think too much? Hours upon hours pass during the night when my mind is completely consumed in an information overload. I am quite certainly solving the problems of the world, or at least the problems of my world, from between the flannel sheets.

And maybe that is how God best uses my time. Some people can think during the day. Their job not only allows thinking, but encourages it. My full time position does not always lend itself to the best thinking opportunities. I guess if thinking can be associated with tough decisions like, "Captain Crunch or Cocoa Roo's?", or "Flannel pj's all day or sweatpants?", then maybe I get a bit of elementary thinking done.

So perhaps I do not have 'good' sleep. But maybe I should just change my perspective a bit and consider it my brain recharging time. Just as we plug in our cell phones each night, maybe my brain is finally able to plug in. Although the scary part is that it is having conversations and arguments with itself...

I guess I should not hope for a 'good' night sleep then, because I may be losing something even more important! MY MIND.

So many reason to be happy

I just ordered my first Shade maternity top! You can not imagine my jubilation. Ever since discovering Shade tops several years ago, I have viewed their maternity items thinking about how awesome it would be to have had something like them when I was pregnant. I do not have to wish any longer. It is in the mail. On its way to my home. And I will try to restrain from kissing the UPS man when he delivers it.



Life is good.

To answer some questions...

When are you due?

-May 11th, 2009. Katharine was born May 9th on Mother's Day, we could get lucky and hit either her birthday or Mother's Day again. Or I could be 10 days over like usual.

How far along are you?

-About 15 weeks. Putting me at the start of the fourth month and second trimester.

How do you feel?

-Pregnant;0) And a bit like a puffed pastry. The first two months were VERY rough, especially for this spoiled pregnant woman who has enjoyed pretty mild pregnancies in the past. But now just the usual stuff. Frequent urination, occasional heartburn, and a hip joint that likes to pop in and out. Hey, you asked?

Will you find out what you are having?

-The kids might be happy with a monkey... Well my husband is not one for surprises. So if he goes to the ultrasound then yes. Either way we will not tell the kids.

Will there be a name-the-baby contest?

-Although you did a fabulous job with the cat, Kerrie, probably not. But I love suggestions from those of you not planning on having any more children of your own.

How did this happen? (Thanks Diana for such a deep question)

-Well maybe it was something like my dear friend Elizabeth said earlier this week, it was all because of a dress. Or something like that.

A celebration

Favorite Photo of the Week

What a traumatic night!

Oh my goodness can you believe it? We had tears. We had crying. We had disappointment. We had regret. We had anxiety. We had guilt. And all this before we heard a concession speech.

Andrew gave up surrendered his pacifier over to us yesterday. Last night's bedtime was the first without it. No cuddling. No tummy rubbing. Just tears and then coughing. But we survived! YES WE CAN!

In case you thought today was important for any other reason.....

Three years ago today...

a miracle was born...

and our lives have never been the same.

Here is the thing about Andrew. Once you meet him, you will never forget him. I know, I know, we could say that about each of our children. But there is something truly warming about this little boy. His smile, his dimples, the way his eyes seem to sparkle...it all adds to the charm that is Andrew Chad.

There is an elderly gentleman in our church who has been a grandfather for years, yet somehow just by watching, just by being near, he is captivated by our Andrew. It started with just occassional "hello's" after Mass. And advanced to me sending Andrew over to give him a hug. He calls Andrew his, "Little Farmer". And although I can not blame him for being swept away by our boy, I can not help but notice that Andrew has that special way of making even total strangers feel loved.

Not a day goes by that I do not receive unlimited amounts of unconditional love from this child. Days when I feel anything but beautiful, needed, or important seem to be turned upside down when he trundles over to my lap and sits with me. Holding me as much as I am holding him.

With each child that we have had, anxiety has always threatened to steal my joy as I wonder how can I possibly make enough time, give enough attention, show enough love to four children. And every time I am astounded anew at the mighty graces of God. Our home is not forced to divide up a specified amount of love between whatever number we choose to end on, instead with each child comes more love. Love does not divide, it multiples.

Happy Birthday to my little man!

On the eve of it all...

Some of you may have seen a different post of mine pop up on your reader, but when I saw the quote for the day farther down on my blog, I decided that it needed to be front and center for the day.

Responsibility. Something we seem to want to rid ourselves of every chance that we get. In a climate when jobs are fleeting, money disappearing, and danger threatening, we tend to get all wrapped up in how the government has failed us.

Perhaps it has.

But do we have any responsibility for ourselves anymore? Are we entitled to everything? The generations that came before us knew what responsibility and sacrifice meant. It was not some outdated unfashionable word used when talking about martyrs and missionaries. It was a way of life.

To whom much has been given, much is expected. I am pretty certain that is a principal that has been around, oh about 2000 years. We may not think that much has been given us. Let me argue that we, Americans, are the most blessed people in all of the world.

We have been given freedom. At the hands and blood of other men and women. We have been given opportunities. That our forefathers fought to secure for us. We have been given choices. And asked only to think not just of ourselves when making them. We have been given liberty....and with that comes much responsibility.

Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.

~George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

Seriously...?

Can I vent a frustration with you all? Of course I can, I have never asked permission in the past, now have I? But at the risk of being misunderstood or insensitive I want to share my angst with you in regard to something I have been looking into.

Andrew wants only one thing for his birthday. A dog. Not a stuffed dog that rolls over due to the sewn in battery pack. Not a cuddly-wuddly, super soft, bean bag puppy that will not shed, poop or be a general nuisance to me.

No, he wants a real, live, breathing, lick-your-face and poop-in-your-yard, kind of dog. I have been completely dismissing this request just as I do when Nicholas says that he wants an IPOD or PlayStation for his birthday. It just ain't going to happen.

But then the old pet lover in me surfaces and I am forced to deal with the fact that I know, FIRSTHAND, that families with pets experience responsibilities, unconditional love, and general happiness that those without never will. It's true people, it just is. I want pets for my kids. I know the value in having one. But being a townie, it is more than a small psychological hurdle for me to say that we are ready for a pet.

Having said all that, Andrew is my baby. And he seriously asks for nothing. He is content to play with a rubber ball and a Doodle Pro for hours at a time. If I could find a small house dog that would bring such joy to his pudgy little cheeks, I may just try.

So, I have been surfing. The Net that is. Within our region there are many pet adoption facilities and I feel that this is the primary place that we should begin looking. Give a home to a dog that needs one. After all this is a leap for me already, not likely that I am going to drop $300 on a dog anytime soon. But my searches have left me disgruntled. Agitated. Annoyed. Frustrated. Down right irritated.

Did you know that there are HOME STUDIES for families seeking to adopt a pet? Did you know that over 1/2 of the dogs listed can not be adopted by families with young children or families with children at all? Did you know that a family must be willing to commit up to a year in serious rehabilitation and puppy therapy? Did you know that although it is an adoption, fees of $250+ are required to actually take a pup home?

Now, here is where I may get some dissenters. I know that it is important to make sure that a dog will be cared for and is wanted. I know that not every dog is a perfect fit for every family. But do these pets need a home or not? Does the fact that we can effectively run a home with four children not count for anything in saying that perhaps...just maybe we can handle a pet as well?

I guess I can say that I tried. I was not looking for a free, pure-breed, house trained, perfect match. I just thought that if we could bring an otherwise unwanted dog into a home full of love...knowing that we may have to take some time getting to know each other and set perimeters for safety for all, that maybe we could make a little boy's wish bring joy to an otherwise homeless pet too.

I guess we will just have to stick with the stuffed canines for now.

Have you ever had a morning like this?

The mornings when upon waking you try and swallow and it feels more like glass going down your throat than saliva.

The mornings when upon waking you stub your toe on the laundry basket that is burgeoning and in danger of exploding beneath the weight of the dirty clothes, all on your way to relieve the pressure building in your bladder.

The mornings when upon waking you realize that you forgot to run the dishwasher last night and now the favorite sippy cup, cereal bowls, and traveling coffee mugs have been sitting in soil for 12 hours.

The mornings when upon waking you semi-consciously make your way to the top of the stairs to call up the kids, only to remember that one of the reasons you slept so little is because they all made their way upstairs in the wee hours of darkness to wake you and are now sleeping peacefully in the spare bedroom.

The mornings when upon waking you try desperately to put off your slumber and crankiness when attempting to wake and dress the children, yet are met with shrill yells, moans, and complete stubbornness---because THEY'RE tired.

The mornings when upon waking you have already gone through a box and a half of Kleenex alerting you to the possible reason why your throat feels like raw meat.

The mornings when you plop out odd sized spoons and mismatched bowls (remember the dishwasher?) only to discover that someone used the last of the milk the night before.

The mornings when your intent was to hug your spouse and say "Good morning", but you realize that everything about that statement is laughable.

The mornings when your children seem to show signs of alien brain transplants and total memory loss when asked to brush teeth and comb hair.

The mornings when finding matching shoes, hats and gloves may as well be a CIA mission to find Osama bin Laden.

The mornings when you gather everyone around, 15 minutes later than usual, to meet at the door for prayer, only to have it be a toe stomping and hand squeezing competition.

The mornings that you push them out the door, will yourself to hug, kiss and wish them well, then scamper back into the house and instead of pouring yourself a cup of the nectar of gods, you simply empty your coffee creamer into the pot and find a straw.