Busy, busy, busy...

This was a busy weekend, and they all will be this way until the beginning of 2010.  The kids were invited to two parties from 2-4pm on Saturday... one in Reidsville, one in Swainsboro.  We went to the party in Reidsville, since we got their invitation first.  The kids had a blast on the jumping castle.  Thank you to the Bennett's for inviting us to Trent's party! 
After we left the party, I decided against going to the grocery store b/c Mike said we would go to Vidalia.  Andrew was wanting to watch the Georgia vs. Georgia Tech game, so I had to set up the new 32" tv that Mike bought Friday.  Of course by then, there was no pulling the kids away from their new toy.  They love the bigger tv.  Mike and I took Jonathan w/ us and got our groceries bought in record time. :o)
We finally went back to church Sunday morning.... Jonathan's first time.  It was the first Sunday Mike wasn't working, so I waited until we could go as a family.  I also needed the extra time to recover.  It was so good to be back w/ my church family.  I did manage to sit through at least half of David's sermon before Jonathan had an explosive diaper. 
Mike, Jonathan, and I were asked to play the parts of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus in the First Baptist Church Statesboro's program.  Mike has to work, so he can't do it.... but Jonathan and I can.  We had practice yesterday afternoon.  I have to say that I think the program is going to be amazing!  They have all worked so hard to get ready.  I can't wait to see the set at Wednesday night's dress rehearsal.  It was so good to see Mrs. Dorothy again.  She was the receptionist at Dr. Palmer's office, but retired in July.
We had supper at RJ's for Mike's daddy's birthday.  It was good to spend time with most of the family.  Of course, Lissa had a camera and snapped a few pics.  I baked a pound cake before church, b/c homemade cakes are always better than store bought cakes.  I think I made Matthew happy.  I know JJ was happy to see Matthew.
Well, it is time to conquer Mt. Washmore once again.  Love ya bunches! 

What were we thinking?!

Mike and I had a lapse in judgement EARLY yesterday morning.  Yep, we decided to join the other crazy people in participating in Black Friday.  Mike had to work Thanksgiving night, 4pm to 4am.  I left home around 3am to meet him at work, so we could catch a few of the sale items. 
Our first stop we going to be Target.  The line was from Target's front door all the way to Bass Pro Shop's front door.  Needless to say, we decided to go to Walmart.  There were 300+ people waiting in line to check out by 5:15am, most with 1-3 flat screen tvs in their buggies.  Most of what we ended up buying (a tv, towels, etc.) weren't Christmas gifts.  We did snag a few things as Christmas gifts.  Next year, Andrew will be old enough to drive alone, so I can send him and Laura to one store if needed while Mike and I hit the other store.  That is... if there are any decent sales.  Overall, I really didn't see anything that I couldn't live without.  I definitely did NOT go w/ the intention of buying a new tv yesterday, but my hubby wanted it. 
We took Jonathan with us for MY comfort.  If he wasn't nursing, I would have left him snug in his bed.  But, he spent his morning snuggled close to me in the baby carrier w/ a blanket around him to keep the germies away.  I didn't want people thinking that could touch him, b/c he was in the stroller or in his carseat in the buggy.  My little man was such a trooper.  He slept through most of the trip.  He even had his first trip to Sam's Club, with MANY more trips to come in the future.
Speaking of my little man, he is awake and HUNGRY.  Love ya bunches!

What I am thankful for... yes, it is late!

I am going to start out by giving you my list of who/what I'm thanking for since I didn't get around to it before Thanksgiving.  (Not like I had anything else to do!)  This list could actually go on and on, but I will try to keep it short and sweet.  I am thankful for:
My salvation, first and foremost
My most amazing husband, Mike.  No, he isn't perfect, but he is PERFECT for me! 
My awesome children- Andrew, Laura, Emily, Jacob, Rebekah, Luke, and Jonathan. (Had to go back and count to make sure I had all of them.... feels like someone is missing.  Uhhh ohhhh!  LOL)
My entire family, even the In-laws and Outlaws
My friends that I know would be here in a moment's notice if I would just call to say I need help
My church family
Mike's job... so many people are without jobs these days.
My dirty dishes, b/c that means we have food to eat.
My dirty clothes, b/c that means we don't have to run around naked... even though a few of the little ones would prefer to be w/o clothes.
My cluttered house, b/c that means we have a roof over our head and plenty of things to keep us busy.
My freedom and the men & women who fight each day to protect that right.
My computer b/c it helps me keep up w/ everyone a lot easier and lets me share a piece of my life w/ you.
Coffee and chocolate, needs no further explanation
Short and sweet labors & deliveries... Anyone who has labored longer than 7 hours can really appreciate this.  I do so prefer my abbreviated labors of the last 5 blessings over the unabridged labors of the first two.

I could probably sit here another hour typing.  Each new day is a reason to give thanks to our Heavenly Father.  Off to finish my coffee for which my kiddos are just as thankful for as I am.  Love ya bunches!

Crew update

This weekend was a half decent weekend.  I had planned to take the kids to an international day hosted by GSU at Mill Creek in Statesboro on Saturday.  My head was hurting so bad that I opted not to go.  Mike had to work Saturday night, so he slept all morning.  I camped out on the couch most of the afternoon.  My house was in need of a good straightening, but most of it didn't happened.  The little ones did pick up their toys before bedtime. 
I was able to dull the headache enough to go to Grandma Jean's family's Thanksgiving supper Saturday night.  We had a wonderful time seeing some of my great aunts and uncles, and cousins.  Of course, Jonathan was taken as soon as we walked in the door good.  We didn't hold him again until we started to leave.  Emily and Rebekah were excited to see Aunt Ruth had her Christmas tree up and decorated.  They oohed and ahhed over the tree for probably 20 minutes.
Sunday was a nasty day, so we stayed inside all day.  I ventured out long enough to go to Uncle Bernie's to get a Sunday paper.  All I can say is brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!  It was raining and 51*.  Too messy for this girlie to stay out long.  We had visitors late Sunday afternoon.  Uncle Tracy, Aunt Lisa, and Matt Matt came over first.  JJ was so happy to see Matt Matt.  Luke didn't do his little sleeping thing this time when Aunt Lissa would talk to him.  And... he actually let her hold him.  Emi and Bekah were all over Uncle Tracy.  He got a little taste of what it would have been like if they would have had girls.  LOL  Mama and Sarah came over a little later.  I have been wanting veggie soup for a while now and Sunday was the perfect day for it.  I called and told Daddy to come over after they went to see Grandma Jean in the hospital.  I thought it would be later in the evening, so Lissa would have plenty of time to get baby kisses.  Mama and Sarah didn't go to the hospital and came over a little earlier than expected.  Andrew didn't mind b/c he enjoyed having Uncle Tracy help him torment his Aunt Sarah.  Tracy got a not so flattering pic of Sarah.  LOL  We really enjoyed having everyone over.  Of course, Lissa hit the road when the veggie soup was ready.  She just doesn't know what is good!  I did manage to get some rice crispy treats made before they got here just for Lissa. :o)
Mike is working some extra overtime this week.  We have made a goal to have the van and most of the house paid off in the next 12-18 months.  It will be so nice to have no debt.  Then we could start putting money up to build.  Mike wants 10-15 acres of land, but Papa and Grandma have said we can't move away... or at least the kids can't move away.  LOL 
Well, I have to get up from here and be productive.  Love y'all bunches!

Saturday already?!

I have no clue where this week has gone.  I have been in a fog all stinking week.  I have had headaches off and on.  I don't know if it is my hormones, sinuses, or the need for a chiropractic adjustment.... or all of the above.  All I know is I want them gone... for good.  I have been able to cope w/ the pain by just taking OTC drugs.  I don't want to take the prescription meds unless I can't control the pain otherwise.  Don't want to make my little man sleepy.
Speaking of my littlest man... Jonathan went to the doctor yesterday for his 2 week checkup.  He weighed in at 7 lbs, 5 oz.  YAY!  Dr. Zeanah said he needed to weigh at least 7 lbs, so that was all good.  She had to put something on his navel  to seal up where the 'billa cord' fell off, b/c it was bleeding some.  It came off last Sunday, so I knew it shouldn't be bleeding this late in the week.  Other than that, our little man is perfect.  We don't have to go back until his 6 week checkup.  Dr. Zeanah asked how the little ones were adjusting to Jonathan.  Well, they all fight over who is going to hold him first.  They keep his head wet w/ kisses.  Emily is becoming a mother hen.  Does that sound like they are adjusting well?!  They are already talking about 'the next one.'  hmmmm
Andrew also had to go to the doctor yesterday.  His left knee and left wrist has been bothering him for a few months.  I thought it was just growing pains for a while, but finally decided to have it checked out to make sure nothing serious was wrong.  Dr. Hawkins said he may have bruised the bone in his wrist, but it should be fine.  He ordered x-rays on his knee.  He may have cracked or broken something in the knee.  There really isn't anything to do for it.  But, he said Andrew needed to rest it for A YEAR!  That means no soccer, no flag football, no running, no jumping for a year.  This should be a fun year.  I guess he can still coach.  We will have to wait and see.  We should have the report Monday or Tuesday.
Have I told you guys that I have the most amazing husband?!  Well... I do.  You are probably asking what he has done so special that has me in awe of him.  He has just been himself.  He does such a wonderful job providing for our family.  He works those crazy hours.  He loves ME!  He chose ME to spend the rest of his life with! 
Enough of mushy stuff.  I have to go find something else for my headache.  Love ya bunches!   

Going through the motions....

Jonathan didn't sleep as well as I had wished last night.  It was 1am before I got to bed with him.  Then he was up at 6am to nurse.  He nursed off and on for over an hour.  By 7:15am, Luke was awake.  I wasn't excited to see him waddling towards me through the kitchen.  He didn't go to bed last night until almost 11pm.  Andrew put him to bed before 9pm, but he wouldn't go to sleep.  I hope his short night means that he will take a long nap this afternoon.  If not, I'm afraid he is going to have a sore bottom.  He is wanting to torment everyone.
I am out of bed and my eyes are open, but I'm not awake.  I don't think there is enough coffee to wake me today.  We started back with our schoolwork yesterday, but I'm not much good to the kids this morning.  Andrew and Laura have had math questions this morning that I should have been able to answer quickly, but I had to think about it.  Thank God for the Saxon Teacher Algebra 1 cd.  I could not explain a problem that Andrew kept missing, so we had to take a look at the cd.  Then, I had a "duh" moment.  This should make phonics interesting today w/ Emily.  I may try to get a quick nap before I attempt that one. 
I did manage to start my Christmas cards last night.  I got 40 of them signed and addressed.  All they are needing is the picture. 
Okay, Luke is crawling all around my feet trying to get to the power button on the computer.  I need to get up from here and see if I can be somewhat productive this morning.  Love ya bunches! 

Short on energy and patience...

Everyone thinks that I have this endless supply of energy and patience, but I'm here to tell you that I am running low on both.  They are in short supply these days.  I know this will pass like everything else, but it seems endless at the moment.  Jonathan is sleeping well at night, for a newborn.  I am trying so hard to keep the stress level down right now, but some days I'm just not as successful at it.  The house isn't too bad... just the normal toys scattered about w/ 4 little ones and normal maintenance stuff.  I'm trying to get the little ones into the habit of picking up their toys before they go to bed.  Some nights it is successful... other nights not.  Andrew and Laura help out a lot with the things that I still don't feel like I can do yet... like bathtime.  I still can't bend or kneel at the tub to give 4 little ones a bath each night.  I am trying to keep the laundry caught up, but w/ our washer going out, it has been a slow go.  The bearrings in the transmission are going out, so it makes a HORRIBLE noise when it spins out.  We are just praying that it will hold out for the Christmas bonus, so we don't have to wipe out the emergency fund on a new washer.  The thing is 12 years old and has washed just a few loads of laundry during its life.  LOL  With the noise it makes, you can imagine how it can grate on the nerves. 
I'm trying to look on the positive side of things.  The major grocery shopping is done, even though I am paying for that trip now w/ pain.  Maybe I won't have to make too many little fill in trips to the grocery store until the next big trip in two weeks.  If so, Mike can do those.  I have 7 healthy blessings and an absolutely wonderful husband.  No matter how tired and cranky I get, they still love me.  I have incredible family and friends that I know would be here in a moment's notice if I called on them.  But most of all, I have the most loving and forgiving Heavenly Father that will give me the strength and patience I need to make it through this period in my life.  He has carried me through it before and will carry me through again.  All I have to do is ask and trust.
Right now, I am home alone w/ the 5 little ones.  Mike is working a 12 hour shift.  Andrew and Laura rode to church with Papa & Grandma this morning.  Mike called me about 9:45am to see how I was doing.  I have managed to fold a load of laundry and start another load washing.  The cats are fed... thank you Emi!  The little ones had their breakfast.  Now, it is time to start thinking of a quick lunch.  When Andrew & Laura get home, we have to work on the shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.  They are suppose to be collected tonight.  I really do wish I could make it to church tonight for the program, but after my trip to the grocery store yesterday I can't do it.  I'm doing good to get off the couch today.  See, no Super Mom here! 
Well, I'm off to put the load of towels in the dryer and make some lunch.  Love ya bunches! 
 

Finally getting time to post...

It has been a while, but I'm finally making the time to post the happenings of the past two weeks.  It's not like I have just been sitting around the house, eating bon-bons, and watching to soaps.  It has been a busy time in our house.
We welcomed Jonathan into our home on November 4, 2009, at 5:57am.  He weighed 6 lbs, 15 oz, and was 20 1/4 in. long.  Mike and I got to the hospital at 11:15pm the night before, to start getting things ready to start the induction around 8:30am.  The nurse put in the cervadil (sp?) around 1:40am, and started an antibiotic that I have to have around 2am... just in case I went into labor.  I was only dialated 1-2cm, and my cervix was high and thick.  I settled in to get some rest.  Around 4:30am, I started hurting in my back.  At 4:45am, I realized I was having contractions.  This was the 5th pregnancy that I had been induced and the cervadil had not put me into labor before.  I called my nurse and she was shocked, b/c none of my contractions were showing up on the monitors.  She thought I was sleeping.  She checked me and I was at 4cm... definitely in labor!  I called my parents at 5am to let Mama know that I was in labor.  The nurse was getting things ready for the delivery (bringing in the baby scales, turning on the warmer, bringing in the lights and supply tables, etc), b/c I told her once I get to 5cm it is all over.  She checked me a few minutes after 5am, and I was at 5cm.  At that point, she decided to call Dr. Palmer.  Our little man made his entrance at 5:57am....  1 1/2 hours after labor started!  Wooohoooo!  Granny missed the delivery... she was 10 mins away.  I was in my regular postpartum room by the time we were suppose to be starting the induction.  All of the staff at the hospital was awesome.  There were a lot of them that we had before... and they remembered us.  LOL  The CDC had just started a restriction on any visitors under the age of 18, so Andrew, Laura, Emily, Jacob, Rebekah, and Luke had to wait until we came home Friday to meet their baby brother.  I'm sure I don't have to tell you how excited they were when we drove up to Papa and Grandma's house.
The little ones have adjusted very well to having another baby in the house.  Luke LOVES kissing Jonathan's head.  Emi, JJ, and Bekah love holding him.  The first time I nursed Jonathan at home Bekah said, "He eat you boob?"  LOL  I guess she had forgotten how I fed Luke.  JJ is really fascinated w/ his "billa cord."  He keeps asking when I'm going to take it off of Jonathan.  Andrew and Laura want to hold Jonathan any time he is awake.  Emily tells me constantly how cute Jonathan is.
Sunday afternoon, Mike and Andrew went to town to buy some Vaseline for Jonathan's circumcision.  They bought a 13 oz. jar.  Monday afternoon, I finally decided that I would try to take a nap b/c I was exhausted.  About 20 mins after I got in bed, Mike came in the room saying, "Well, you have another one!"  I looked up to see him carrying Luke.  Mr. Luke was COVERED in Vaseline!  He had dug out over half of the jar.  It was all over his arms, legs, shirt, MY COUCH COVER, and Emi's back.  Oh my goodness, I was ticked off.  I think it took 5 or 6 washings w/ detergent and Dawn to get it out of the couch cover. grrrrrrrrrrrrr  Emi done that before when she was a little older than Luke, but she got it all over my new $180 bedspread.  Mike was watching her then too.  Needless to say, I haven't taken another nap this week unless Luke was asleep also. 
Mike went back to work today.  He is working 4am-4pm today through Sunday, then 4pm to 4am Monday & Tuesday.  He has called me twice already.  I'm not sure if he misses me or the kids.  Luke is missing his daddy.  I still haven't had my "big cry."  I always have one big cry for no apparent reason, and then everything mellows out after that.  I have tried to slow down as much as possible, so I'm not completely exhausted.  But, there is only so much that I can put off with having such a large family.  Mike and the kids have helped out, but I don't expect them to do everything for me.  Life doesn't stop b/c I have had a baby.  Grandma did have lunch ready for us when we got home from the hospital.  Tracy & Lissa bought pizza for us Sunday night... which we didn't intend for them to do.  We were planning on treating them this time.  Mama has offered to cook, but I hate to put anyone out.  I did make fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and zipper peas for lunch Sunday.  I was sooooo ready for it too. 
I am so thankful for family and friends who have prayed for us during this special time.  I appreciate the hospital visits and the calls more than you will know.  We haven't been bombarded w/ home visits which I really appreciate, b/c it has given us time as a family to get to some sort of normal.  I have been able to rest some instead of feeling like I have to entertain.  We love you all bunches! 

Meet our newest angel...

Make a Smilebox photobook

I can't believe it!

This time tomorrow night, I should be in the hospital.  Dr. Palmer said he had thought about letting me wait until Wednesday morning, but decided to put me in tomorrow night to do the cervadil.  It is what we have done in the past, so I'm fine with that.  He will start the actual induction Wednesday morning.  I should be holding Jonathan before lunch. 

The four littlest ones are sick.  I think it is just a stomach bug AGAIN.  I really think that Bekah picked it up from a Walmart shopping cart last Monday when they went with me to the 'Boro.  She still sucks two of her fingers.  Of course, Grandma Jean is worrying herself silly.  She thinks I should run to the doctor everytime the kids get sick, even for a virus.  It amazes me that the older people think that an antibiotic will do something for a virus.  They just don't understand that an antibiotic doesn't cure everything.  I have been walking around spraying everything with Lysol and wiping everything w/ Clorox wipes.  I love those things!  I'm just praying that Andrew and Laura stay well b/c they will have to help out w/ the little ones while I'm in the hospital.
Not only did the kids get sick Sunday, but our big freezer started acting up.  It isn't cooling right.. or should I say not staying as cool as needed.  Mike thinks it is the door gasket, so I ordered it online last night.  We bought the freezer from Lowe's 2 or 3 years ago, and you would think that they would carry the gaskets.  Wrong!  I had to order the stupid thing online.  The cheapest place still cost us $75.  Holy cow!  It should be here tomorrow or Wednesday, so Mike will have to come home from the hospital to work on the freezer.  I'm just praying that is all that is wrong.

Came home from my doctor's appointment to find Laura washing her laundry.  When the washer started spinning out, it sounded like something was slipping.  At that point, I was ready to crawl in bed and pull the covers over my head.  This could NOT be happening!  So, I guess Mike will have to check on that tomorrow when he gets home from work.  I knew he was tired this afternoon, so I didn't ask him to check it out.  I will just do the few loads of laundry at Grandma's tomorrow. 

Well, I'm going to make sure the kitchen is clean.  I might just go to bed "early" tonight.  Love ya bunches!