Hands, a Blessing...

I have been asked before what is my favorite part of my body. I have always said my hair and my hands, neither of which are very exciting. When I was young and played the piano, my mother used to tell me that she loved to watch my hands move over the keys and that they were so dainty. That made me feel so feminine and powerful. I loved what my mother saw in me because I love to be loved. It's inherent in all of us that we love to be accepted, loved, noticed, and celebrated.
Hands such an important body part, but taken so much for granted. They are the sweet touch from my son in the morning while I feed him and he reaches to touch my face. They are clenched tight behind my head as I am tightly gripped in a bear hug. They hold the crayons that show the amazing creativity of my daughters. They make my home clean and inviting. They make the food that nourishes my family. The rub my husband's shoulders after a long day of work and then being the family man. They clean booboos. They are so busy and rarely complain.

My hands have been so many places. They have climbed many swing sets, crossed monkey bars, taken tests, played in mud, held other hands, been to Europe, and swam in the Mediterranean Sea. They have graded countless papers, scrubbed lots of fluffy puppy ears, held many little hands while waiting for their mommies, and made countless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
But my favorite things that my hands have done are far from ordinary. They washed the back of a dearly loved elderly woman who was bedridden. They prayed over a father that was supposedly brain dead and on life support (he woke up the next day). They helped build churches and schools in Mexico and Guatemala. They delivered hot meals to elderly in San Francisco. They have handed out food to homeless in New Mexico. They have held three of the most beloved, precious newborns. They play peek-a-boo and this little piggy. They wear the ring of eternity from my husband and best friend. They hold my mom every chance they get because I just love her so much.
Though taken for granted and forgotten many times because they are on auto pilot, my hands have been such an integral part of my life. I love my hands and am blessed all that I have experienced because of them. I clench them together to thank the Almighty One that has allowed me to stop for a moment and treasure the beauty that I "see" through my hands.
What stories do your hands tell? Did you feel your baby kick for the first time? Did they help someone? Did they play beautiful music? Hands are such a blessing...they are an extension of your heart in showing love.

Be Still and Know...

Dearest Children,

I sat comfortably feeding my four month old Little Man while staring into his beautiful brown eyes. Something had changed in my heart, in my mind, in my life. We tell you to pray about everything, but not always doing it ourselves. I prayed that God would soften my heart and He has.

I have been very frustrated because my Cupcake and Sunshine know exactly which buttons to push to send my spaceship into orbit, and they eagerly seeks to push them. I love my girls with all my heart, but I wanted to stay "in love" and show "unconditional love" at all times. Maybe it's because we are so much alike? I love to see me in you! Sometimes, these reflections are not always pleasant though. I know that Dad and I are the models and though you have free will, you will do what I do. My actions need to match my words.
I have heard to be careful what you wish for and to be careful what you pray for because it might come true. This can be a blessing or it can lead one into heartbreak. Everything God does is on purpose, "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him" (Philippians 2:13).
So, how did He answer my prayer? I usually would feed Little Man and search facebook, pinterest, read email.
One day, a photographer, whose blog I read because I love her photos, posted that her nephew had just been born with a very rare skin condition (EB) that is just beyond awful and she was asking for prayers. I had to click off of her blog because I had followed a precious angel named Tripp Roth and his battle with this same horrid disease for a couple years. Earlier this year, he grew his wings and is now an angel baby. I knew the outcome for Tripp and could not stand the thought of watching another beautiful baby suffer. So, I moved along. His name is Easton Friedel. I couldn't forget his name because it's GramE's name and your middle name (but with an I- Eastin). No less than a couple weeks later, the photographer that took Little Man's newborn pictures, posted on her blog a picture and asked for prayers because the same baby, Easton, was not doing well. This time, my heart tugged and I went to his facebook page. Within minutes, my heart was captured by this precious baby boy. He reminds me so much of Little Man with his big brown eyes and head of hair. I became emotionally involved with his ups and downs. I was heartbroken when they did not think he would live. I rejoiced when he did well.  I look forward to hearing about him every day.
I also read about another little angel, Liam Lyon. He, as well, like Tripp, got his wings this year. Precious boy was a heart baby. His family has reached thousands of people, inspiring them to prayer, rallying for other precious babies.
I found myself in a world of online prayer for babies suffering for things I had never heard of and couldn't begin to fathom. How could a newborn possibly be born with stage IV cancer? This just doesn't happen!!!! But, it does.
I found precious child after precious child that was fighting a literal fight for their lives. Their families giving up everything to find cures, get medicine, be at their heart's side through everything. They were grasping at every single second to store it as a memory. Trying to fit a lifetime into minutes, hours, days, weeks...whatever time there was. No one could know. So, I began praying. I began to feel my heart relishing the moments that I had found so hard before. I began to stop when my voice was going up with my frustration, and pray.
I realized what was going on in my heart after reading a post by a mother of a young man named, Lane Goodwin. The drs. told him that they were finally out of options and he should go home and enjoy every moment. How does a parent take the next breath? How does a parent not fall down crushed? She knows how precious time is and is doing everything that she can to lift Lane up and love him every second he has left. She is heart broken, but so completely relies on God that she has told Lane that it is ok to go to Him, not be afraid, and that he can be with Jesus until she, her husband, and Lane's little brother join him in Heaven.
I know this post is very heavy and sad, but like I said, our prayers can lead us to be heartbroken. My heart needed to be broken for Him to answer my prayer. I would say there were bits of pride, denial, anger, exhaustion, selfishness, and a strong desire to control in my heart when it came to my reaction to having you,  my kids, act the way that I wanted.
It has turned out beautiful (I think!). Little Easton is doing well (all things considered). His fight and drive to survive amaze me. I am so blessed to be able to hold you and squeeze you! I can rub Little Man's head, tickle his toes, and kiss his cheeks endlessly. I remind myself when I sit down to feed Little Man that these moments are precious and not to waste on something that I can read later. Cali has had so many surgeries in her little life, but she fights! Go Cali Go! Liam Lyon: hear him ROAR, is still continuing to rally the prayer warriors for many other little ones in need. Talk about amazing! Lane has over 100, 000 followers on facebook giving him a "thumbs up" as they pray for a miracle because that is the only thing left, a miracle.  Think of the lives changed!!!
God loves little children! He loves them for their innocence, strength, bravery, and purity. I want to love you three just like God does. I am human and I will fail you. I am not perfect and I know you will not be perfect either. But I can encourage you, as I have been encouraged, that it is very true that God will speak to you. He spoke to me by showing me the reality of humanity, it is temporary. But that is ok. This world is not our true home anyway. There is nothing to fear.
The Tiny Sparrow Foundation is a beautiful organization that take pictures of tiny sparrow that are pictures of hope. Pictures of children in their fight, having overcome their fight, or sadly, at the end of their fight, for life. These beautiful photos are glimpses of heroes, warriors, princesses, tiny sparrows. They are examples of how God has answered my prayer. How do I soften my heart to love my children the unconditional way that I need to when times are the most difficult?
So, here it is, the answer. Be still. Be still and listen because in this silence, God will speak to you. From there it is up to you (free will). I pray that you will listen, so that your life will be changed by seeing the beauty He has to show you. I now use the precious moments with Little Man to stare into his beautiful eyes and pray. I now find my heart grateful in new ways and through this, I am blessed.

My heart is at peace when I am still and know. He is God.

 

I love you forever and always!

Mommy

But for the grace of God...

Dearest Children,

Right now mommy is having a very hard time in her heart. I am struggling because there is a precious baby that I do not know that is suffering. His name is Easton Friedel. He was born August 23, 2012 with an awful, incurable, painful disease called EB or Epidermolysis Bullosa. He is absolutely a beautiful baby! He is adorable just like you three. A mother could stare at him for hours, like I stared at you perfect little beings.
What I am struggling with, past my inner most desire to control the outcome of his situation, is the commonly used statement "but for the grace of God". I hear it and have even used it stated in reference to an difficult situation someone else is enduring and "but for the grace of God" they are not the ones walking the same path.
It's an innocent comment. I know I've used it. Your GramE has said it and she's one of the most loving, giving, Christian people ever. But I would ask that you do not use it if you reference someone else's woe. See, we do not have more grace than someone else because our burden is different. God does not favor us more because we did not have a child born with a horrific disease. That is simply not how He works. Jeremiah 29:11 says ^" For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." So, God knows exactly what you are going through and what you will go through. It is not by His grace you do not go through something. It is by His plan and His will. 
Jeremiah 1:5 says "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." In my breakdown, He made every person unique, special, and exactly what He needs them to be. This precious child my heart laments for, was made set apart for a reason. Easton (Cupcake, your middle name and GramE's first name, but with an i- Eastin) has appointed a prophet to nations. His Facebook page (don't laugh at me if by the time you can read this Facebook isn't around anymore) has thousands of followers for many nations praying for him, wishing him well, begging the Lord that made him to heal him. There are even people that are not Christian pulling for him. It's so beautiful to see people step outside of themselves to love another (myself included- I am not pious).
Let me offer you some examples. Noah was asked by God to build an ark in a time that no one had seen it rain. He wasn't only asked to build it, but fill it with animals. I bet people thought he was nuts! Then, he sealed it and dreadfully had to watch everything and everyone that didn't come aboard disappear. But he was faithful and God spared him and his family. We look at his story today as an example of truly blind faith. Ruth lost her husband in a time where she would have to return to her home country and hopefully find a place to be nothing more than a servant like. But, she followed her mother in law, Naomi, into a foreign country, worked long back breaking hours in a field collecting discarded grains. God blessed her with Boaz, who took care of her and Naomi. More importantly, her faithfulness was rewarded by being in the lineage of Jesus. Talk about amazing! Paul was enslaved. They kept having to change his guards because he would lead them to Christ! Awesome! Jesus was tortured, beaten and hung on the cross and He still begged His Father to "forgive them for they know not what they do".
"For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again" Proverbs 24:16. Grace is not what keeps us from suffering like others. It is was keeps us going when we are suffering. "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever" (2 Peter 3:18). We are broken and reformed through trials. We are to use these times to give Him praise and be an example of him. There are people all of the world watching precious Easton's parents and the love and strength they are showing. Yes, they are hurting. No, I cannot begin to imagine the amount and I have no desire to because just a moment of the thought tears me up inside. 
Thankfully, Jesus exclaimed "It is finished!" and not "I am finished". Then, three days later He defeated death and arose. How comforting to know that I will get to see my Grandma, Papa Ray, Chalis, Lisa, Courtney, Michael P. and more. Angie will get to cuddle beautiful baby Payton. Melissa will get to squeeze precious Eli. Crystal will hear the coos of Caydn. GramE will get to hug her mommy and grandmother. Pops will get to hug his mom! Dad will get to hug his Papa Gish. I could go on and on. 
All this to express the inaccuracy of "but for the grace of God". "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" (Luke 12:7). "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9).

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven,
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

I love you my beautiful children. I am thankful for the trials we have because they will strengthen us as Christians, children, me as your mommy, and dad as daddy, Cupcake, Sunshine and myself as wives, Little Man and daddy as husbands, as friends, as parents yourselves, as employees, students, and as individuals. Please don't be insensitive to others or ignorant to the belief and faith of God's will, God's timing, and God's plan, even if we beg Him to our very core to change it, just like I do for precious baby Easton. 

It's by His grace we are saved, not spared.

all my love,

Mommy

4 Things to Have a Better Day With Your Kiddos

Dear Children,

I want you to know that I daily pray that I will have the patience that I need to show you Christ. I love you so very much.
But it's so hard when you aren't nice to each other, don't share, have grabby hands, yell when Bubbby is sleeping, make messes and leave them, leave the back door open so flies and heat can come in, get in Bubby's face when I trying to feed him, leave pee pee diapers sprinkled around the house, tell fibs, scream and have nuclear meltdown in public and at home, and refusing to obey.
Let's be honest, every parent can make a list of things that push their buttons. Someday, your kiddos will do the same and you will call me to vent or perhaps ask for wisdom. I do with my mom, your GramE. So, here is what I have to focus on every day.
1) You are gifts from God. You are not "my" possessions, but on loan from the most creative, awe inspiring, loving God. He knows exactly what I need and so you are exactly what I need. You are the perfect fit for our home. I am adopted, but still the perfect fit for my home growing up. Family is what you make it, not just by birth. I am beyond thankful for you three!
2) We are human. That means that we are like Adam and Eve, sinners. I will disappoint you. You will disappoint me. It's as simple as that. I will ask for your forgiveness and I will seek God's strength to change the area of my character that is not in accordance with Him. I may mess up again, but please remember that I am trying. I am giving it my all! I will give you the same grace and mercy. I love the song 7x70. That's how many times we should forgive each other. Besides, we will never have to forgive anyone as many times as God has forgiven us!
3) Don't look at it as tomorrow is a new day. Look at it as each moment is a new moment. A bad string of moments can be turned around with the right thought and the right attitude. Yep, it's hard if you're working and have kids, stay home and have kids, the ages of the kids (right now Bubby is 3 months, Sunshine is 2, and Cupcake 3), then there is the home to maintain, your husband (or wife) to build up and work with, and geez, I haven't even gotten to anything with yourself! There are moments I could close my eyes and fall over and the landing might not wake me! lol There are cups of coffee followed my Diet Dr. Pepper cans that just keep me floating. There are days that keeping you alive by taking care of your basic needs is a huge accomplishment. Though it sounds funny, in the moment, I am praying for each moment. I am in control. I am the thermostat and not the thermometer. I will set the "feel" of the home and not be run by others.  Make up a game, go outside, take a drive, sporadic dance party, quiet time, pop popcorn and put on a movie, go for a walk, go to the park, bust out the paint, call me, come over and let me give you some time to regroup, ask for help from friends, call a friend to talk (even if your kids are yelling in the background), have a tea party, make a play-date, and pray, pray, pray. You will survive and the next moments will be better. Remember 7x70, don't hold over their heads choices. Let an I am sorry be that and move on. Again, give the same grace and mercy you want for yourself or every day will be so hard, long, and tiresome. You all deserve more and better :).
4) I think of all the things that make me love being a mother so much! I love snuggles, squeezies, smoochies, playing blocks, brushing your hair, holding hands, "petting" you, staring into your eyes, hanging up your artwork, how you love family, seeing you get so excited when you see me or your daddy, how you love my parents, how you get a juice for your sissy if you got one, how you sing to each other when one is upset, giggles, when you share colors, funny things you say, when you dress up, watching you do the things you love, shopping with you, dancing with you at our dance parties where ever they may break out, singing Amazing Grace, how thankful and excited you are when you get or see something new, how you pray for our food, how you are brave, how you use your manners with friends and teachers, how you are a leader and independent, how you like to try to do things on your own, how you love to be fashionistas, how excited you are to see each other and miss each other when apart, and so so much more!
These are some very good things to think about when you are having a tough time. Today I was googling if it's a full moon before 8 am! It is! In fact, it's a very rare blue moon. So, I'll be doing some deep breathing exercises, too. Having taught school for many years, I believe crazy kids happen on full moons. I don't know why. It does make me wonder if it makes parents crazy, too.
Ok, ran out of coffee and one of you is playing drums on a bucket right outside of the formerly sleeping Bubby's room.

I love you to Heaven and back,

Mommy

Saving Money on Sale Websites...

There are a few websites that I LOVE to look at and occasionally grab great "steals". I use these items for myself, my kiddos, and as gifts. I find great deals on dresses for holidays and stock up throughout the year on presents for Christmas and birthday parties. I'm so excited that I had to share!

For example, today, I got a lillebaby EveryWear Organic Carrier that carries kiddos from 7 lbs to 42 lbs in 6 different positions including front, hip, and back for $54.99 ($65.46 after shipping/handling/tax) from the website Baby Steals. I'm so excited because my Baby Bjorn only carried my daughters in the front and up to 25 lbs. So, this will be so helpful for me to use with my new little man or my 25 lb 2 year old while my almost 4 year old can walk (she just hit 42 lbs). Baby Steals is also linked to Kid Steals and Scrapbook Steals. New steals are posted daily at 9 am and 9 pm MDT.


Another 2 websites that I adore and find great buys are: Zulily and Totsy. They have fantastic sales that last a few days and then they are gone. You will find boutique and couture items for your little darlings (clothes, shoes, toys, and accessories), your home, your pets, and yourself. I have found brands like: Capezio, Trumpette, Stephen Joseph, Williams-Sonoma Cookbooks, Paul Frank, Hello Kitty, Crayola, Melissa and Doug, Rockabye, Robeez, Hush Puppies, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Claire & Charlie, Pink Petunia Botique, Ed Hardy, Precious Moments, Boppy, Carters, and so much, much more!!!!

Father's Day Love Story...

Not so many years ago, our love story made Mr. Wonderful a father. Since the day we held our beautiful baby girl, we have added another sweet baby girl and precious baby boy. Today, on Father's Day, we want to say thank you for everything that you do and all the love that you so graciously and unconditionally give us all. God bless you as you have blessed us! We LOVE you and our LOVE story! xoxo

Praying 31 Biblical Virtues for my babes...

Keeping it Personal invited everyone to a challenge of praying for our children 31 Biblical virtues. I am so moved by this because I have three beautiful children that my husband and I desire to spend an eternity with in Heaven. We believe in the power of prayer. We prayed for character and personalities when we were pregnant and continue to do so now that they are in our arms. I would challenge every person that interacts with children to pray over these virtues for these babes. I don't think it matters how old the child is, God can create a universe, flood a planet, make man and He can certainly help lead a person to Him. Yes, there is free will, but prayer is our ultimate lifeline. There is no greater feeling of peace and comfort than to know your children have chosen the One.

Junk food treasures...

I got home from running errands about 2 pm. As I unloaded my treasures, I wondered how I ended up getting mostly junk food items. Then it hit me, I went shopping on an empty stomach. So, a trip for just a couple items turned in to a assorted cookie, pop tarts, and chewy candy fest. Things I normally walk right past. But, oh well, I am excited that I have some rare treasures and I know my family will happily devour them and even wish I would go shopping on an empty stomach more often.

Where you go...

I love the dedication that this woman, Ruth, showed. She was a poor woman, a simple woman, a mourning widow, but yet she was devoted and loving. How often do I lose sight of others when I am deep in my own pit of sorrow... How often do I feel like I am deserving because I am suffering... Because of her choice to honor her mother-in-law (YES! her mil) by following her where she knew no one, taking care of her without complaint, sacrificing to marry so that they would be provided for...Jesus was born from her and Boaz's lineage. She didn't know that this would happen. God didn't promise her anything. Yet, she showed the truest form of unconditional love and devotion. Ruth showed Christ through her acts. For God so loved the world...and we need to show our spouses, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, friends, strangers, and even enemies the same, love.

My Most Precious Jewels...

In our house, we call kisses smoochies and hugs squeezies. We love snuggles (nuggles as Sunshine pronounces them), bunny kisses (rubbing noses), and cuddling. We love doing all of these any time of the day. I steal kisses when we tuck them in before we go to bed and I love to cover my Little Man with smoochies when I'm feeding him at 3 am. Yes, I would LOVE to be blissfully asleep, like my husband, but I am beyond thankful for this precious being that I am holding.

Oh so fast this season of coos, snorts and snuggles goes by. So, I'm holding my babies every second and in every way that I can. Proverbs 31:10 says, "Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies." (NLT) I believe that the Proverbs 31 woman knows the importance of being a mother as it is a gift from God. Parenting is work, but not "a job". It is a privilege and not a right. It is the most complete challenge a person can take on with no certainty of the outcome. Yet, we do it with complete surrender of our bodies, hearts, minds, and souls.

I prayed for my future children and the mother that I would be. I prayed for my children when I was pregnant and the character they would embody. I continue to pray for myself to be the mother that God needs me to be for each individual child. I pray for my precious babies and the choices that they will make as I earnestly desire them to choose to accept Christ and live according to His will.

In the blink of an eye I will be an empty nester. Yet, even then, the most precious jewels that I will ever adorn are the arms of my precious angels that God is so graciously allowing Mr. Wonderful and myself to raise. I know they are His. I'm thankful that they are His. I'm forever grateful that He loves me so much that my jewels are called Cupcake, Sunshine, and Little Man. Thank you, Lord, my cup runneth over and my jewels are the most precious and priceless, for me, in the whole Universe.

New Mommy, Again and Father's Day Motivation...

You never forget the first time you hold your baby, every single one of them. Time stands still as you take the deepest breath in as if you can somehow stop the Earth's rotation and keep this moment as perfect as it is. I myself a a new mommy, again. We have our sweet Cupcake, who will be four in September, Little Bit or Sunshine, who just turned two, and two days before that big birthday, we had our first son. So far he holds the nicknames of Prince Charming, Little Man, and my Snuggly Cuddle Pup.

With Father's Day around the corner, I wanted to warm up with some motivation. Holidays seem to sneak up on me. I think someone keeps moving around the holidays and my memo keeps getting lost! Since May 15, I've had very little sleep.Who are we kidding, I've had very little sleep for over four years :)!

On that note, my amazing, Mr. Wonderful has had very little sleep as well. He helps me every chance that he can. He prays for me, listens to me, loves our babies, loves my family and thinks of them, helps take care of our daughters and son, helps with household chores, gets up early and goes to work so that he can come home at a decent time, he comes home and jumps right in with both feet, and much, much more. I am truly blessed beyond measure.

                                             

Photo Credit: Danielle Rocke Toews

I Prayed art: enduringarts

Footprint art idea: I Can Teach My Child

Are you tired and holidays sneak up on you? Think about the motivation for what makes the father in your world great. Maybe it's your husband, your own dad or father-in-law, grandfather, is your brother a great dad or maybe a man who has been like a father to you. Possibly it's even a father that is not here with us anymore, like my Papa Ray. I remember him with love every day, but on Father's Day, I wish I could hug him so much! We should say thank you and show love all year long, but I'm still glad there is a day "all about dad".

Crafty

Today I am in search of a boppy pillow cover tutorial and pattern. I have found several for experts, but since I am such a novice I need a step by step with visual tutorial. Most sewing bloggers don't have the patience for people like me to post such a thing. I don't blame them :).
I have also found some fabrics that I want to use to make Buckaroo's blanket. I just have to pick one. I made Sunshine's blanket and she loves the satin side. So, I thought it would be nice to make one for him to use during tummy time and snuggles.

So that we didn't have to completely repaint the nursery, which went through two girls, I am adding paintings (done by me- scary) of a fox, brown bear, etc. to take the sweet outdoorsy nursery to a woodsy outdoorsy nursery. All pink will go and sage green, red, more brown, and blues will pop up. I have a vision that my husband can't seem to grasp and is worried it will be to girly, but I am sure it will not. Again, going back to my visual mind, I can "see" it will be so adorable!
We are also going to redo the girls' room as they are moving in together. I wanted it to be a special place for them both to relax, play, read, etc. I originally painted it a soft purple, my fave color. Now that Cupcake is almost 4, she let us know her fave color is pink. So, I found some coordinating bedding and accessories that are pink, yellow, green, and some others that show off their vibrant and fun personalities. I was originally thinking of doing "sweet" with soft pink and ballerinas, but my hubby told me that he thinks they are less ballerinas and more Fresh Beat Band. I have to agree as they drum, sing, and jump on everything with giggles all the way. I have a super creative friend that is going to paint it up adorable after the painters do the base coat. I'll post pictures once it gets started.
So as you can tell, we are about to take on a huge, indoor, aesthetic remodel of our home with the goal that it will be done before Buckaroo's scheduled c-section date of May 15 (i.e. 57 days). I'm so excited that I only have small glimpses of how crazy we are for doing this!!!! We are repainting 95% of our house, ripping up all carpet, putting down wood looking floors, and then I'm going to do the girl to boy nursery switch. Luckily, Mr. Wonderful agreed that we could have professionals do it since I'm super pregnant and he's super busy at work and seriously, this is not the time to mess up and have to start all over.
I love being crafty, but most of all, I love the dreaming process. Well, maybe I love the all finished process the most. The one where you sit down, look around, exhale and smile. I bet that's exactly how God felt when He finished His work of Creation, rested, looked around and blessed it because it was very good.

Sticky Tape

I have to say that I have been away for a while, but it's because I feel like anything and everything challenging is somehow finding and sticking to me. We found out that we are expecting baby #3 the day after Cupcake, my oldest daughter's, third birthday in September. Though we knew we were wanting another babe, it did come as a bit of a surprise because we were hoping to aim for January '12. The silly thing is that we know how babies are made, so it shouldn't really be to much of a shock. I mean, let's be honest! However, I must be fertile Myrtle because it happened quick and I can narrow it down. It was a busy month with my husband working almost 60 hour work weeks and his grandmother visiting.
Anyway, three days after her birthday, I was on my way to the hospital for 3 liters of fluids and three rounds of anti-nausea medicine for the worst stomach bug I have ever had. Of course it went around and even hit my eldest princess three times until I took every single thing that my girls touch and bleached it. Talk about burning your nostrils!
I started to quickly think I might be having a boy because the morning/afternoon/evening/night sickness kicked in pretty quickly. I never had much past exhaustion with both my girls. One time I think my husband even said I looked green I was so ill. Week 13 brought amazing relief from ickyness, but also brought pregnancy induced tachycardia. Lovely!
I was sitting one morning tying my daughter's shoe and my pulse was 110 and my breath eluded me. I finally went to a cardiologist when I was hyperventilating while driving Cupcake to MDO. The sono of my heart and the EKG showed a heart that would tick well in to my senior life. So, there is nothing I could do, but listen to my body, slow down, and sit down. Unfortunately, this ended my hopes of exercising through the pregnancy. So, I have gained much more weight than I wanted. Double edged sword, I failed my first glucose test. So, I changed my eating habits and passed the three hour. Drats! I said this was my last pregnancy and I could eat what I wanted. Wrong!
So here I am now in my third trimester with a baby that looks like he's been due for a couple months now. I don't know if that's a c-section thing or if it's the two hernias and diastasis that Cupcake and Sunshine gave me. We have scheduled my c-section and the rest of my appointments. It feels like I'm finally seeing the end of the tunnel! Woohoo! I don't have small babies, so the last month is probably going to get really, really uncomfortable. However, I can do anything knowing that I am being blessed with a healthy baby boy. I am ever thankful for all my precious babies! I mean, how bad can it be when my 3 1/2 year old tries to help me pull up my fun, stretchy pants and my 21 month old loves to tear of toilet paper for me. I think I've broken her of trying to actually help me wipe! They both love to cuddle and "beep" my popped belly button. They both know brother's name and where he is. And, they love to be silly, giggly, goofy girls. Which is exactly what their momma needs to get "unstuck" from the sticky tape of life's challenges.