Not feeling well this morning

I woke up this morning w/ a terrible sore throat and earache. I'm wondering if it is from sinus drainage during the night. I have taken some Tylenol in hopes that it will make it stop hurting. I don't want to be sick this week. I want to go on our secret trip. I am doing laundry, even though I would rather be in bed. I have to get everything washed, so I can start packing for everyone. It should be interesting packing for me, Mike, and the little ones w/o Andrew and Laura finding out. LOL
Well, I'm off to find some throat spray.
Love ya bunches!

Happy Birthday Emily Grace!

Today, our little Emily Grace turned 6 years old. Doesn't seem like she should be that old. She will be a teenager before I can blink. I woke up her by telling her happy birthday. She popped up outta bed and threw her arms around me. She is such a loving little thing. Gets that from me. :) I didn't want to get up myself, but knew there were cupcakes to be iced. Of course, Mike done them for me b/c he is sweet like that. I cut the rice krispy treats and got them on the platter, made breakfast, found everyone's clothes, and picked some bellpeppers to give to Deborah. Mike had to make a trip to town, b/c I forgot to pick up cups yesterday while at Walmart.
Mike got an a/c repair call during the party, so he and Andrew went to do that mid-afternoon. They weren't gone 2 minutes when the phone rang.... another a/c job. Wooohooo! That will help fund our secret trip next week. Ssssshhhhh, don't tell Andrew and Laura!
I slept for a couple hours this afternoon. Well, I catnapped. I kept being interrupted by Hillians. Seems they don't understand that Mommy was up until after 4am baking goodies for their party and then was back up at 7:30am to finish up and get everyone ready. Anyhoo, at least I got to stretch out on the couch for a little while. I was feeling a little refreshed, so I folded all the laundry.
Mike took Emi on her Daddy Date this evening. They went to McDonald's (he was so excited about that choice :-S). They picked up a few movies and came back home. She was okay w/ that, b/c she knews there is a surprise coming next week.
Well, my dear hubby is calling bedtime. :) Maybe now I can get some sleep w/o interruptions. Love ya bunches!

Emi & Jacob's Day

More to come...

It has been a long day...

For whatever reason, I couldn't sleep last night. I think I got about an hour of combined sleep. It 5am, I was awake when Mike's alarm sounded. I was a good wife and got up to make him an egg sandwich for breakfast. Luke woke up while Mike was in the shower, so he got to spend a little time w/ his daddy. He also got to help Daddy eat his egg sandwich and drink his chocolate milk. After Mike left, Lukey's tummy was full and he was ready to go back to sleep. Yay for me. I had planned to just sit in the couch and enjoy my cup of coffee, then get up to wash a few loads of laundry before taking the van to have an oil change and tire rotation in the 'Boro. I fell asleep! At 10am, I woke up. Laura and the little ones (minus Luke) were sitting on the other couch watching a cartoon on PBS. So much for getting to Franklin Chevrolet as soon as they opened. I did manage to get my shower and get out the door by 11am. I didn't leave the dealership until after 1pm. Then off to Walmart to pick up stuff for Emily and JJ's birthday party. I was in Walmart FOREVER! And just as I was ready to leave, it started pouring rain. I had to wait 10 minutes for it to slack up enough to make it to my van w/o looking like a drowned rat.
We went to see Papa Harold and Grandma Jean after I got home. They are leaving in the morning to go along w/ Uncle Marty and Aunt Lisa to Houston, TX. Aunt Lisa is scheduled to have surgery Tuesday. Please keep her in your prayers. This is a very serious surgery. She has a website that will keep you updated. www.caringbridge.org/visit/lisat
I'm waiting for these wild ones to go to bed. They are excited about their party. I need them to go to sleep so I can start baking cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, and Rice Krispy treats (Lissa's request). :) There is no need in starting that project until they are sleeping b/c they think they need to help test everything.... meaning they will be hyped up on sugar and be up even later.
Andrew and Laura are going Baxley next week w/ the youth group to do work at the children's home. Mike is going to be off work until Friday, sooooo we may just slip away to Chattanooga, TN, with the little ones. If we don't find something to do to entertain them, they will drive up crazy asking when Andrew and Laura are coming home. Shhhhh! We haven't mentioned it to any of the kids... big or little. :) It's our little secret. We have the yearly membership to the aquarium, so why not use it. There is also a children's museum just around the corner from the aquarium. There is a Curious George exhibit for a couple months that I think the little ones will love, but would bore the older two to death... so we will check it out when they aren't w/ us.
Enough rambling. I'm off to wash clothes and hopefully start baking. Love ya bunches!

Just another day...

There is nothing major on the agenda today. I want to get the bedding washed and do a few more things around the house. It was so nice to be at home yesterday. When I told Emi yesterday that we weren't going anywhere, she said, "You mean we don't have to do corn?! Yay!" Think she is as sick of corn as I am?! We have figured out that JJ is allergic to the corn husks/silks. We did ride over to my parents' house for Andrew and Mike to cut off the pipe in Daddy's pond. One of the guys Mike works with drove down, and we rode out to the corn field to help him pick some corn for his family. Mike and Andrew got out and helped pick, and I stood outside talking to the guy's wife. The rest of the Hillians stayed in the van w/ it on and the a/c running. By the time we got home, JJ's eyes were puffy and watering b/c Andrew sat next to him after picking to corn. Poor lil man! I dosed him up w/ Benadryl, and he is much better today.
Coffee is kicking in... time to be productive. Love y'all bunches!

Job completed... on to the next project.

We have finished up the corn for the year. On Saturday, we put up 34 quarts of cream corn and 11 bags of corn on cob (8-9 ears per bag). Today, we put up 33 quarts of cream corn and 32 bags of corn on cob. We gave 16 bags of the corn on the cob away, but we still have plenty in the freezer. The freezer is FULL. I'm hoping that I will be able to squeeze in a few bags of butter beans when I find some. I don't think I will be looking for them this week though. I need to let my freezer cool back down. I was on the phone w/ Lissa this afternoon when the alarm on the freezer went off to let me know the temp was above what it should be. I had just put a bunch of corn on the cob in there, so that was the problem.

We had a wonderful day yesterday. Daddy and Mama went to church at Rehoboth w/ us, so we didn't have to travel to Statesboro for their morning service. After church, we had a quick lunch w/ them and Papa & Grandma at Smith's. We needed a quick meal so that we could get home to take naps before having supper w/ Mike's side of the family in Statesboro. We had a great time w/ them at RJ's. Of course, Lissa was snapping pics the entire time. JJ had a wonderful time playing w/ Matt Matt. I'm so thankful we had the entire back room to ourselves. I'm wondering if they remembered the Hillians from our last visit. j/k

Well, I am completely exhausted, so I'm going to crash on the couch as soon as these pics download. Nothing fancy.. just sharing some pics of the corn experience. Don't you just love our looks.

Can't we just pretend Saturday is over already?!

I'm not sure what time I fell asleep on the couch, but I think it was 1am when I got in bed. Of course not long after I got my body comfy, the gauge on my bladder was registering full. Thank God the baby hasn't learned soccer or Judo yet, so I got to lay there for a few more minutes. Not long after getting comfy again, Mike's alarm sounded at 2am for him to get up for work. This chick did not get up to see her sweet hubby off to work. I know, I know... that isn't very nice. But not long after he left, I was back up to go to potty AGAIN. The muscle pains have really started to bother me. You would think that after carrying 6 babies to full-term that my muscles wouldn't have any probs stretching out. Wrong! If I roll over too fast, I feel like someone is slicing my sides open. OUCH!! Poor Mike always asks what he can do to help. Ummm, carry the baby for me and then go through delivery please. :) As the pregnancy progresses, he will have to help me roll over so that I don't have to use my stomach muscles as much. It is quiet funny!
Andrew and Papa left at 6am to go pick corn. Andrew was given strick orders to not let Papa come back w/ the back of the truck full. Papa and Mike tend to get a little carried away in the corn field. It is just too hot to be sitting outside all day working w/ corn. But when it is offered to you free, you get it when you can. Lissa, get busy putting up that corn for those men at home! LOL Grandma told Papa to get about 300 ears.... we will see if he actually listened. Last year, we put up 50-60 quarts of creamed corn and at least that many bags of corn on the cob w/8-10 ears each bag. It ain't happenin' today! Mike is working today, so we are shorthanded. And it is TOO HOT! Plus, we are getting together w/ Daddy's family tonight for a late birthday meal for Papa.
Luke started standing himself up yesterday. He thinks he is something on a stick b/c he can stand up in the middle of the floor now w/ no help. If he starts walking today, I'm gonna chop his little legs off. LOL He could be nice and wait until next week sometime. He took 5 or 6 steps one night this week, b/c Laura had a soccer ball that he wanted.
I have been so productive this morning. I folded a load of clothes and started another load washing. I unloaded the dishwasher and reloaded it. I am updating my blog. I have things ready to leave as soon as Grandma calls to say the men are back w/ the corn. You should be impressed b/c I am NOT a morning person. I am more productive after 2-3 cups of coffee. I hadn't even had any coffee when all this was done. Well, everything but the blog was done. You don't want me sitting in front of the computer w/o coffee. Something is bound to crash.
I'm finished rambling for the morning. I want to get another load of laundry washing. Hopefully the guys will be home soon. The longer they stay gone, the more nervous I get. Love y'all bunches!

I'm going to melt!

I am NOT ready for this heat. I am an early spring or late fall kinda girl. I feel so bad for my sweetie for having to be out in this heat. This is his weekend that he may have to work, if there is a ship in port or railcars to load/unload. YUCK!
Today is Lukey Dukey's first b-day. I can't believe how fast the year has flown by. He woke up at 1:30am and wouldn't go back to sleep, so I put him in bed w/ us. He flip flopped all night. I'm not sure what was up w/ that, unless he had a tummy ache from the 1 1/2 pieces of pizza he ate for supper. He was back up when Mike got up to go to work at 5am. Of course, Mike had to play with him and get him all excited before he put him back in bed w/ me. After he left, I spent the next 20 minutes or so trying to get Luke to go back to sleep.
Andrew and Laura are getting ready for the final day of iKamp. Laura is back to normal. Thank you Lord for a short lived stomach bug. Emi, JJ, and Bekah are behind me arguing over crayons and paper airplanes. Luke is crawling around the house calling for his daddy. He is such a Daddy's boy now.
I'm off to be productive. Love ya bunches!

I'm back!

It is so good to be back online. Thank you Wade for getting the junk off my computer! I had all kinds of junk that was making my computer act crazy. Now to update you all as to what has been going on around here.
Andrew and Laura got home from camp on June 5th. I don't know who was more excited to see who.. the big ones wanting to see the little ones or the little ones wanting to see the big ones. They had a great time at camp, but Andrew did say he preferred M-Fuge.
We had Luke's first b-day party on June 6th. Thank you Aunt Lissa for the wonderful job on the pics and slideshow. Luke wasn't quiet sure about digging into his cupcake. He wanted Uncle Paul to feed it to him until he got a good taste of it. Then he was willing to dig in.
Mike and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary on June 6th. As soon as Luke's party was over, we went to Savannah. We went to the mall while we were waiting for a showing of Terminator Salvation to start. Found some cute clothes for the boys. After the movie, we had a nice supper at Masato's. We actually had wonderful company this time instead of being seated w/ thugs and drunks. We finished the night by going to Sam's Club. Very romantic, huh?! I had to go pick up a baby shower gift (case of Huggies diapers) and a few other things.
The kids had their soccer program on June 7th. As we were getting dressed to go to the church, I told JJ to put on his new shirt we had bought him. He put his arms over his face and said, "I don't want to wear it. They will think I'm a girl!" It was a Hawaiian type print. The shirt was cute. Mike picked it out. Mike told him that the army guys wear shirts like that to pick up girls at the beach. JJ told him, "No, they only fight." Oh goodness! It was an ordeal to get the shirt on him, but I won the battle. I was telling Julie M. about it when we got to shirt, so she and Kristen made a big deal about how they liked his shirt. He sat between them through the program. Now, he calls the shirt his lucky shirt, b/c he got attention from two girls. **rolls eyes** He is going to be the death of me!
We had another ultrasound last Monday, 8th. We are definitely having a boy. He was very willing to show his "equipment." I don't think I have gained any weight, but my belly is growing.
JJ turned 4 years old on the 9th. Mike took him to McDonald's for lunch. Then, they rented movies for everyone to watch. He went to VBS w/ Sarah that night. She took him back to eat at McDonald's for supper. One of Sarah's friends thought it would be nice to show JJ how to throw french fries at the trashcan.... like he needs any encouragement.
This week, Andrew and Laura are helping in the afternoons at the church with the iKamp. It is a day camp/VBS type thing. I think there have been around 65 kids each day. It sounds like everyone is having a great time.
I think that is about it. I'm going to catch up on emails now.
Love ya bunches!

Luke's Birthday Party

Hold on... gonna be a deep one!

First, I want to say thank you for all the prayers this week for my headache. It has been so much better. I thank God for having family and friends like you all in my life. I also want to thank you for all the offers to help out w/ the little Hillians this week. We have survived the week, even though there were a few times I thought I was gonna pull my hair out. It was a hard week without my right & left hands (Andrew & Laura) here, but I know they needed a break from all the chaos of Hill household. They deserve the time to just hang out w/ friends and have a chance to grow in the Lord w/ others their ages. I thank God we are financially able to send them to camp.

Okay, now for the deep stuff. Lissa and I had a wonderful chat on the phone yesterday. I have to say that I am blessed to have her as a sister-in-law. She can be very headstrong, but then I'm the same way. I know you are having a hard time seeing that in both of us, but just take my word for it. Anyhoo, we were talking about the kids and daily life. She made a comment... or it was more of a question about how I cope w/ all the kids and everything going on around here. Yes, I do have days where I question my sanity for having such a large family. Yes, I do have days where I am ready to pull my hair out, throw my hands in the air, and yell, "I'm done, I quit!" There are days when I really don't want to get out of bed, b/c I don't want to deal w/ the tasks that are ahead of me. I get STRESSED out... I rant... I rave... I blow my top over small stuff that really shouldn't matter... I have little patience. I'm human! Does that excuse my behavior? NO! It is during those times that I feel God tapping me on my shoulder. Is He yelling at me? No. He is standing there w/ His arms wide open, waiting for me to stop trying to control things and to put my trust in Him. It is when I am the most stressed out that I can stop and see that I am trying to move Him out of the driver's seat so I can take control.

I have felt so bad this week. I have had my crying spells. My emotions have been all over the place. Yes Lissa, I have THOSE days. I have been so upset w/ Mike, b/c he left for work w/o kissing me goodbye. Well, I went into our room w/ Luke, so he probably thought I was trying to get him to sleep... even though I was only taking a quick potty break before putting Luke in his own bed to take a nap. He knows how frustrated I get when I'm trying to get Luke down for a nap and someone comes into the room or calls. I was so short w/ him earlier that I wouldn't blame him if he just left for work b/c he didn't want the attitude. But then he called later that evening to check on us. And of course, my cold heart melted. I am so blessed. Mike has rode the pregnancy hormone rollercoaster w/ me many times. I have to remind myself that Mike faces his own frustrations and stresses. He supports our growing family by himself. He gets up every day to work these crazy shifts just so that I can be home w/ our kids. He keeps things fun around here, so the kids aren't stuck w/ old serious Mama all the time. Mike needs me to be there to help him as much as I need him. I am trying to stop when I get so frustrated w/ him, and instead of blowing my top, to say a prayer for him.

I have been second guessing whether I should post this or not. You guys really will think I'm crazy now. But then, I don't ever want someone to think that I'm something that I'm not. I deal w/ the same things other moms deal w/ each day. I just have a bigger crew at home. I am far from being the perfect wife or the perfect mother or most important perfect child of God. He has to get my attention all the time for things that I know better than to do or say. There are so many days that I have to go outside and pray for His help when things aren't running smoothly. The kids probably think I'm talking to myself when I'm hanging out clothes on the line, but I'm praying. I'm praying for strength, understanding, patience, endurance, and peace. Please continue to pray for me that I will be the child of God, wife, and mother that He wants me to be.
Love y'all bunches!

Is it really Thursday?

This morning is a little better. My headache is only a slight ache. I am taking Tylenol just to keep it from getting worse. I made an appointment w/ the chiropractor for tomorrow afternoon. Maybe he can snap and pop me back into place. I have to be feeling better for this weekend. Lukey Dukey's first birthday party is Saturday morning. Then Mike and I are running away for a few hours to have an anniversary date. Wooohooo! Looking forward to a little time alone w/ my man. I feel like I haven't seen him this week. He is awake just long enough to eat and get the little ones hyped up, then he is off to work.
Emi got up this morning wanting to play a game on her computer. Not long after she started playing, JJ decided to join the land of the living and came stumbling out of his room. Now JJ is playing on the computer. Emi and Bekah are playing at the table w/ the little counting bears from their Saxon math manipulatives. Lukey is being a busybody. I had to get him out of Andrew's room earlier. When I went in there, he was pushing a soccer ball out of the room. He loves balls already. Be careful if you ever hand him something that looks like a ball, b/c he will throw it. I have also had to chase him from under my desk a few times.
I went to my parents' house last night for a few hours. The kids were happy to see Honey (Granddaddy) and Granny. Grandma Laura was there, so that was an added bonus. Honey took the kids out to feed the fish, which they loved. After supper, the kids and Honey had Granny put them in a Christmas movie (How the Grinch Stole Christmas.) Yes, they watch Christmas movies year round. My mama has trained them right, as she says. After the Grinch was over, they started watching Santa Clause the Movie. They didn't get to finish watching it, b/c I made them get up and clean the mess in the playroom. It was getting late, and I didn't want to have to carry little ones one by one from the van when we got home. I managed to keep them awake on the ride home by asking them to help me look for deer.
Well, off to go put towels on the clothesline. Hoping the rain will hold off until they are dry. Have a wonderfully blessed day!
Love ya bunches!

Is it bedtime yet?!

I'm am completely wiped out. I really didn't do much this afternoon. As a matter of fact, I took a short nap on the couch while Luke napped. Emi, JJ, and Bekah played in their rooms. My phone did ring a few times and I didn't answer it. I wanted some quiet time. Sorry if I didn't answer your call. I got all of our trash together and took the big trash can to the end of the drive like a good mommy. Andrew reminded me yesterday morning before he left. Trash duty is his job.
I checked the StudentLife website to see if I could see pics of my two campers, but I didn't see them. I was able to send them an email though. I thought they might like getting a message from home. Bekah says that Andrew is "spending night w/ June." JJ calls Gene Mushrush, June.
I pulled out a storage box of big building blocks this evening. I thought some different toys would entertain the kids, and it worked! Emi and JJ are playing nicely. Luke has found an empty file folder that I'm sure will be destroyed by the time he is finished w/ it. Bekah is playing on Emi's computer. I'm not sure Emi is aware of what Bekah is doing.
I think I'm going to start baths VERY soon. I need to take something for my headache. Mike has only two more nights this week, after tonight. But by then, Andrew and Laura will be home from camp. Thank you for the offer to keep the kids, Julie. But like Lissa said, I just do it myself. My dear hubby goes to work when he isn't feeling well, so I need to suck it up and deal w/ my own responsibilities. Having such a large family is a huge responsibility, and it was a decision I made. I don't feel right asking anyone for help, so I just plug along in my daily duties. I do appreciate the offers though. Just say a prayer for me. I will survive. What doesn't kill me only makes me stronger.

What day is it?!

This is day two of Andrew and Laura being gone to camp, and Mike having to work night shift (4pm to 4am). It is just me and the little ones hanging around. Things wouldn't be bad if I didn't have this little nagging headache. I know there is a migraine close, but I am just praying that it will hit after the older kids get back or Mike gets off night shift. I didn't get much sleep Sunday night b/c I was trying to get everything packed for Andrew and Laura. They left yesterday at 6am. I haven't heard from them, but I know they are having a great time. I know that if anything happens one of the adults will call me, so I don't freak out about the fact that they haven't called. They need to have some fun, and I know it is in a Christian atmosphere.
The little ones and I stayed around the house most of yesterday. I tried to catch a few naps on the couch while Luke napped, but they weren't good naps for me. Bekah did decide to take a late nap, and I wasn't going to argue. She was being a little rattlesnake. After she woke up, we got dressed to go to Papa Harold and Grandma Jean's house. Papa's legs are still bothering him, so we went to water their garden and pick the squash and cucumbers. It was miserably hot when we got there, but soon became overcast. A breeze started blowing, making it just too nice to not let the kids continue playing outside. I sprayed them all down w/ insect repellant and let them play until about 8:30pm. Yes, that meant a very late supper, but I had leftover spaghetti in the fridge to make as a quick meal. They were in bed around 10pm.... after supper, baths, and reading a book. Luke went down w/o a fight. Emi, JJ, and Bekah were another story. I think Bekah finally stopped playing in bed around 11pm. She didn't get out of bed, but I could hear her talking to a doll. As soon as I was sure they were all asleep, I took something for a headache and crashed on the couch.
This morning, I heard my bedroom door sofly opening and closing repeatedly. It was Bekah! While everyone else was sleeping, we slipped outside to get the sprinkler hooked up to watered the garden. She was standing a little too close to the sprinkler when I turned it on, and her hair got wet. She kept telling me that over and over. We watered the tomatoes and bellpeppers we have growing in buckets next to the house. I can't wait until they are ready. Bekah played w/ the kittens for a few minutes. JJ was awake by the time we came back inside.
I checked Aunt Lissa's blog while JJ was standing next to me. Of course, he noticed Matt Matt right away. Then he saw the dog. He asked where Matt Matt got his puppy. When I told him I didn't know, he said, "I think he got him from Africa." So, Matt Matt has an African dog. LOL Where does he come up w/ this stuff?!
I'm off to wash some towels and dishes. Have a blessed day. Love ya bunches!