Let Us Rejoice and Be Glad In It

I have internet

2011-09-19T10:45:00.000-07:00

I have internet again - first time since February, so I will start posting again soon from our new home in New Hampshire.

Overdue Updates

2011-02-18T05:42:00.000-08:00

Charles:
Charles just finished writing his latest series of Sunday School lessons for B*ptist W*y Pr*ss. That deadline approaching kept him very busy (including a computer crash that was nearly a disaster...the computer never recovered, but his documents did, so we go on!). He has just started a self study on Theological German. Work and visitations keep him pretty booked up, but when he isn't writing, working on a sermon, translating or studying - he is hanging out with US! Oh and he just turned 32 on Feb 1st:)
Lisa dawn:
You can see what I'm doing by reading everyone's updates. They all keep me busy! (And house work isn't very interesting to read about)
Kaitlin:
Kaitlin seems to be busy all the time. She is currently doing little dribblers (Charles is her coach) and will start softball soon. She just brought home an all A report card. She is a hard worker and a great student. She loves making videos and is always coming up with new ideas. Some of our technology malfunctions have caused us not to be able to make any new video to share, but maybe soon. She is awesome with Jack, and I don't know what I'd do with out her. She is HILARIOUS and I just love hanging out with her!
Jonathan:
Our piano man - learning so much I can't keep up! He has a concert and guild auditions in May, so he is busy getting ready for those. He is reading like crazy - 4th and some 5th grade level books (which the girl he likes at school thinks is so awesome). He still loves dinosaurs and now he is reading non-fiction books to learn more about them. He also brought home an all A report card yesterday. Just look at his face in the picture above. My kids are HILARIOUS!
Jack:
Jack is pulling up on everything. Bumping his head occassionally - just the age we are at. He can ROAR like a dinosaur, raise his arms for SO BIG and plays peek a boo! He giggles all the time and grins when he is trying to get away with things. He's gorgeous and of course HILARIOUS and loves to dance in the kitchen with his Mommie and Daddy! Our little miracle.

Saturday morning waffles

2011-02-07T20:44:00.001-08:00

I said, "Say Waffles!" and this is the face I got from Jonathan!

I love the cheerio stuck on your chin look!
Charles has a wonderful tradition of making waffles on Saturday morning. This Saturday I snapped a few pictures

2011-02-07T20:42:00.000-08:00

Today was a wonderful birthday:
Tons of birthday wishes
The first 4 seasons of Bewitched (and a chance to watch them under the covers on the couch) from my hubbby
Lunch at one of my favorite restraunts and then coffee and one of my favorite coffee places - where they just happened to have a drink special called the "Charlie Brown" (which I of course ordered)
I really had a wonderful day!

Birthday Date

2011-02-07T20:38:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful child free date Saturday. We went to Paint Your Own Pottery and made a special plate (for our dinner time tradition), went out to eat and for coffee and went to the mall. I'll upload the pictures from my iphone soon.

31 Years Old

2011-02-07T20:25:00.000-08:00

This is what I looked like the day I turned 31

Face of Jack

2011-02-04T08:45:00.001-08:00

Another picture you will recognize if you have been to my house. I have one of these for Kaitlin Jonathan, Zelda and Lucille.

Rubber Ducky

2011-02-04T08:29:00.000-08:00

I decided to recreate a series of pictures I did with Jonathan at this age. They are still hanging in our hallway! I have already looked at these over and over - I love them. Here are the three that are most like the ones of Jonathan:) Enjoy.

2011-01-29T07:10:00.000-08:00

My Sweet Kaitlin

2011-01-29T07:01:00.000-08:00

These are both recent iphone pictures of kait.
The first one is from the day she recieved her medals for UIL. Kaitlin got 1st place in poetry for the third year in a row! She got fifth place in ready writing and her music memory team placed 2nd! Lauren, our friend and her UIL coach at school (also her GT teacher) is in the picture with her!
The second picture was taken this week. I walked outside and found Kaitlin high enough in the tree to make me say, Um...are you stuck? Of course she was fine - just like a cute little monkey.
This morning when Jack wanted to get up, Kaitlin came and got him and said, "Do you want me to take him in the living room, so you can stay in bed a little longer?" I think she just won the DAUGHTER OF THE YEAR award! Hands down:) Then when I got up she made breakfast for her and Jonathan. Now they are watching the Cosby show while Jack takes a little morning nap.
I am so blessed:)

Way to Go Kaitlin!

2011-01-26T09:16:00.001-08:00

Today Kaitlin was inducted as a charter member into the National Elementary Honor Society
Go Kait!

The First Ever Picture of All 5 of Us

2011-01-26T09:13:00.000-08:00

This is the FIRST ever and only existing picture of all 5 of Us

It's My Big Sister's Birthday!

2011-01-18T17:20:00.000-08:00

HaPpY bIrThDaY to My BiG sIsTeR!!!!!!!!

2011-01-08T14:30:00.000-08:00

Texting

Enjoying the DQ gift cards they got from the school for being on the honor roll all semester

Some of her new socks and her new shoes

The bag she made with the bedazzler her grandmother gave her for Christmas

She is sooooo happy about her contacts! She can't wait to get a pair of sunglasses!

2011-01-08T14:20:00.001-08:00

This is my beautiful daughter - she grows more so everyday - inside and out!
This week she got contacts.
She also now wears a size 6 1/2 in women's shoes.
When did she get so grown up!

8 Months Old

2011-01-07T09:46:00.001-08:00

I am 8 months old today!
I have ONE TOOTH!
I sleep through the night!
I crawl!
I LOVE my Mommie!
I am so very cute and love to cuddle!

Aunt Casie

2010-11-30T19:08:00.000-08:00

Here is Casie taking the first bite of delicious deer meat!

This picture makes me laugh b/c Jack is only thinking of his spoon!

Here is one of the t-shirt necklaces Casie and Kait made

Casie and Kait. Kait is wearing the scarf they made from recycled t-shirts - so cute!!!

New scarf! One of a kind!

7 Years Old Today

2010-11-19T14:21:00.000-08:00

At 4:10pm today, my Jonathan turned 7 years old!
I am so blessed by this child! What would I do without my Jonathan.
Tomorrow is his party, so there will be more pictures to follow:)

Do you need a laugh

2010-11-03T11:25:00.000-07:00

I've got to take one of Kaitlin and Jonathan too;) See what we do when they are at school. Jonathan is always wondering. I should show him this:)

A few more pictures

2010-11-03T11:17:00.000-07:00

I really regret not getting someone to take a picture of me reading to the class. It was such a precious memory. I always enjoyed doing this with Kaitlin's classes, and of course last year I missed all Halloween festivities in the hospital. I didn't even know it was Halloween. I know my time of getting to read Froggy's Halloween and Room on the Broom to my children and their friends is limited. I treasure it. At least I will get to do it with Jack's classes (I hope).

Gearing up for Halloween

2010-11-03T11:12:00.000-07:00

The night before the parties we were busy making home made caramel popcorn and vampire blood drinks. Of course the Halloween music (Little Shop of Horrors, Ghost Busters, Purple People Eater) was on and we were dancing in the kitchen - one of our favorite things to do!

Halloween

2010-11-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

Part of the costume parade

Kaitlin's class party

One of my favorite work day pictures

Jonathan's party

Trick or Treating at one of our favorite houses in town. Charles and Jack were Jack and the Beanstalk:):)

We Halloween'd until we couldn't Halloween anymore! Having Halloween on a Sunday makes for THREE full days of Halloween-ness!
Friday morning Charles and I got to go to Jonathan's class. We were there for the costume parade and then I got to read all sorts of Halloween books while Charles carved a pumpkin. We made some very precious memories and had a FANTASTIC time.
Friday afternoon was class Halloween parties for Kaitlin and Jonathan. Friday night we had Little Hammers before the football game and then Kaitlin had a sleepover where she and her friend Carley created new costumes for Saturday. They said, "everyone does Cinderella. We want to be original." So they were the evil stepsisters.
Saturday morning we had a church work day and lunch here at the church. Saturday afternoon we decorated for fall festival. Saturday evening we went to the assisted living home for trick or treating and then went to the big Fall Festival at the school (where we worked/played/cleaned up) until 10:00.
Sunday evening we trick or treated at church member houses (some of them would have been seriously dissappointed if we hadn't shown up!). The kids got BAGS of candy, and Kaitlin got to make yet another costume. Friday she was a teenage vampire, Saturday she was an evil step sister and Sunday she was a vampire that escaped from prison!

2010-10-28T09:39:00.001-07:00

No sleep. That kid will be six months old in a week and a half and it's gotten worse - not better. Just pray about it.
Anyway, I've been using my sleeplessness as a very worthy excuse for not putting in those Z*mba DVDs my mom got me. Well even though my neck hurt and I was tired and grumpy - I did the cardio today. I am now dying, but happy about it. I wonder where I could find some of those toning sticks?
Bless my baby's fuzzy head (truly it sticks up like precious little bird feathers on top). Go to sleep you fuzzy headed baby. Go to sleep.

Can't Complain

2010-10-25T14:06:00.000-07:00

Really - I can't complain.
There's a song that says, "I've got all I've waited for and I could not ask for more."
I get that.

I know it will sound strange to your ears, but Charles has recently said this to me on a regular basis, "I'm glad you aren't dead." Me too;)

Today was date day. Mondays always start off with going to DQ for coffee after we drop off the kids. Then we go to the assisted living home for drinks, snacks and visiting. When that was over, we went to the coffee shop/sandwich shop and let Jack play on a blanket with his books by the pumpkins while we had soup and sandwiches. I took pictures with my iphone, so maybe I can get them loaded up later. After that we strolled around the square and found a gift shop FULL of decorated Christmas trees. It was magical. Even Jack loved it. After that we strolled back to the coffee shop and had smoothies while Jack slept. Then we went to W*l-m*rt (not a super one) and looked at Christmas present ideas;) Then we headed home to pick up our wonderful children who are now beside me working hard on their homework. Mondays are always big homework days at our house.

Nana and Paw Paw Fast Visit

2010-10-25T13:28:00.000-07:00

Kaitlin painting her pumpkin

Nana and Paw Paw found Jonathan a DINOSAUR pumpkin - I thought that was a pretty cool idea:) and he loved it.

Only the picture is upside down here...He had a baby JACK o lantern that the kids made for him

Dad cracks this kid UP!

So endearing - it's the only real word for it

Isn't this a treasure

Me and My Mommie:)

Firsts

2010-10-21T16:41:00.001-07:00

This week's firsts:
First Big Tub Bath and First Teething Biscuit

Jack and Jack

2010-10-14T07:49:00.001-07:00

Charles' grandparents came down on their way to Jack's 60th class reunion during the week of the birthday festivities.

Here's Baby Jack with his great grandfather, Jack.

I'm so glad to have this picture of him with his great grandparents. What a blessing.

Isn't this the most awesome picture!!! I love it!

Slumber Party (without slumber)

2010-10-14T07:27:00.000-07:00

These images are not loading in order, so I'll try to sort it out...
After pizza (they easily devoured 2 pizzas and an entire bowl of chips and queso), getting hopped up on Dr. Pepper, basketball and kickball - it was time for the much anticipated SCAVENGER HUNT!!! This makes for the second annual birthday scavenger hunt, and both were really successful!
After all of this there were movies, a dance off, nail painting, dare games and NO SLEEP (well until after 3am)! They were all such troopers when it was time to get ready for Sunday School the next morning though. I just turned on the music and all the little zombies rose up from their spots in my living room floor.;)

Kickball - I don't think I got a picture of basketall

I CANNOT believe I got a CELL PHONE!!!

Kaitlin got this game at her party from one of her BFFs - It was such a hit. They played for an hour!

Here she is in her new birthday dress with her new bag and new bracelet and new cell phone looking too grown up. The child is wearing heels for cryin' out loud!

This is the end of the scavenger hunt. The box was RINGING!!! CELL PHONE!!!

End of the scavenger hunt

Read the first clue! On their way (all over town and the church and the house...10 clues of course)

Loved this group of kids!

Jack - enjoying the slumber party and his feet!

Party Games

2010-10-14T07:02:00.000-07:00

Leis for everyone

Party Animal?

Pinata Treasures!

The Sunshine Pinata (which busted after the second hitter! - Don't mess with softball girls!) Charles made the pinata stick by the way.

Beach ball Kick Ball with the giant beach ball. She's running to base here.

Musical Beach Balls (There was Hawaiian music playing)

Limbo - an obvious Luau game. Charles made the tropical Limbo Pole here

The Lava Game! They only had four chairs for 9 girls and had to figure out how to get all the way across the fellowship hall before time ran out and the Lava GOT THEM!

Charles explaining the Lava Game

We made Hawaiian bookmarks

Giant beach ball - some of these games were improvised by the girls!

The Big 10-10-10 Celebration!

2010-10-14T06:44:00.000-07:00

We spent an entire week decorating the fellowship hall for the Big TEN! You only turn 10 on 10-10-10 once. Kaitlin loved it when she could say "It's 10 days until I turn 10 on 10-10-10!"

The whole fellowship hall was decked out in Luau fashion including a very cool volcano (which was Charles' pet project for the week)
Parrot lights - obviously

The 10 Cake

The Snack Shack

The awesome banner

In this picture you can see the giant Tiki balloons, the craft table and eating table

Kaitlin loved these straws. They were a must from early in the planning...

Nana found these - tiny toothpicks with seashells. You'd have to really know K to understand the brilliance of these! She special requested her Daddy's sausage balls. He does make the best ever. They were GONE.

Coolest 10 Year Old EVAH! I adore this girl!
>
It did turn out really well:)

Kaitlin was impressed. This is the day before the party. Charles painted it and everything. We plan to reuse it for Jonathan's dinosaur party next month!

Such an awesome dad!

Kaitlin had guests bring canned goods for the food bank. Her goal was to collect 10 pounds of food!

Feet

2010-09-30T09:16:00.000-07:00

Jack is absolutely in love with his feet! He thinks they are fascinating and delicious! He wonders why we never told him about those wonderful things! He spends all his days folded in half snuggling with them and eating them!

Mud Football

2010-09-30T08:50:00.000-07:00

When it rains...

Albums

2010-09-23T18:59:00.000-07:00

I have a big rubbermaid box full of pictures from 2004-2008. Then I haven't had pictures printed (other than our annual calendar) since 2008 (like mid-2008)! It's terrible! All our memories! I TAKE a MILLION pictures - but then I don't DO ANYTHING with them!
Granted, I blog - I post them online. I send pictures to Nana and Paw Paw. I just don't print/album them for US!
Well tonight I finally finished putting together a photo book of 2009 online. That's at least one year that is organized in some way. Now if I can do that with 08 and 2010?
It is a daunting task!
tsk tsk

My Boys Are So Cute

2010-09-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

Feeling Old

2010-09-23T07:31:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling old today.
Taking coumadin and learning about stroke education makes me feel old.
Having high cholesterol makes me feel old.
Loosing my hair and finding a bald spot make me feel old.
Needing to go to the chiropractor because my old hip is acting up makes me feel old (it just acts up since I had all the problems with my legs last year.)
Needing coffee to become a real live person in the morning makes me feel old.

Luckily
I have a husband who is a kid at heart and rides by on a skate board and whistles at me and tells me I'm sexy today.
I have a daughter who still wants me to get in the floor and paint fingernails and talk about school and boys and "the future".
I have a son who wants me to throw the football with him in the back yard and loves when I run and tickle him to the ground!
I have another son who wants to be lugged around all the time and loves to be held high in the air and brought down again for lots of kisses - that's got to improve these jiggly arms, right?

Also - I saw two of the most amazing butterflies blowing around in the fall breeze today(it IS officially the first day of my favorite season today). And Charles is already in the Christmas spirit. Yesterday I caught him looking at trains to go around a Christmas tree (which he has always always wanted). Can you imagine Jack - right at 8 months old on Christmas Day and a TRAIN! Ha Ha. Charles is already planning presents and putting in Christmas music in the van.

I'm not quite to Christmas yet - In less that three weeks I have a very special 10-10-10 party to put on! How am I ever going to be ready for it???

vampire teeth in the bathtub

2010-09-21T19:35:00.000-07:00

I started my day off with a moan. Jack was up at midnight, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00! I had to get up early to turn Kaitlin into a Rock Star and Jonathan into a firefighter for school.
Kaitlin thought her eyeliner looked weird - redo.
Kaitlin forgot her recorder and Jonathan forgot his backpack. (which I couldn't bring to them)
Charles got a call at 7:00 - a church member in ICU 2 hours away and another church member's son broke his leg: he was off before the sun was all the way up.
Today I changed seven poopy diapers - including one that went all the way up Jack's back and down his legs
I took Jonathan to piano, took Kaitlin to the park for a Mommy Daughter talk and headed home to get supper (which I had put together earlier in the day) into the oven.
Then I spent an hour helping Kaitlin make an old pair of jeans into "hippy pants" for tomorrow and then another half hour making tiny braids and dying her hair.
Today I have given 2 practice spelling tests, listened to AR books, helped with a social studies crossword puzzle, helped spell roughly one million words, practiced music notes with Jonathan (which I am learning along with him)
I have prunes all over my good white shirt and an outfit covered in poop in the laundry room sink
My music station is set to the Sesame Street channel
When I went to take my shower today there were wet towels in the floor and vampire teeth in the tub!
I tripped over markers in the living room.
I have to hide my pudding cups or the children will eat them all!
After Charles got home from the hospital, he kissed me and left again for a church association meeting and he still isn't home
There are dirty dishes in the sink that I'm too tired to do and a week's worth of laundry.
Tomorrow is See You At the Pole which means another early early morning following what will certainly be a very long night!

You know what - I don't want to forget this stuff! I love my life! I love vampire teeth in the tub and prunes on my shirt. I love grins on the changing table after a night of torture. I love the hug Kaitlin gave me when she told me how much she LOVED her pants. I loved seeing my little firefighter go into school in his bright yellow helmet this morning. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this season of my life. I love crazy days like this where I'm so busy being a Mom that my house doesn't get touched even though it is a wreck! I love going to bed knowing that my children know how much they are loved. I love snuggling up to my husband and praying that the baby lets us sleep (even though he never does!)
I can clean house tomorrow - Maybe!

Sitting Up!!!!

2010-09-16T19:11:00.001-07:00

Prayer at the Lunch Table

2010-09-16T19:06:00.000-07:00

Jonathan so often takes me by surprise. Today he told me that he has started leading prayer at his lunch table. This little first grade guy asked the "guys" that he sits with at lunch if they'd like to start praying before they eat. He said only 2 others wanted to, but they have been doing it for a few days now. He said one of the lunch monitors noticed and said, "I like that you pray before you eat." Way to stand out for Christ, Jon!
He said, "I also told them the story of how Jesus went on the cross. I might also tell them about the red sea."
A friend's son drew a picture of our Savior on the cross and told her she should post it on facebook - which she did (and blessed me very much). No wonder we are to come to Him like a child. I feel like I am learning more and more what that means.

Kaitlin's Invitation

2010-09-15T07:41:00.000-07:00

One more month...

2010-09-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

One month from today - Kaitlin will be in double digits!
10 on 10-10-10!

Jack

2010-09-10T06:15:00.000-07:00

I love the way Jack sleeps - with his little booty up in the air and his hands under his tummy.
I love the way he laughs when his daddy tickles him.
I love the way he has started kissing back when I give him a million kisses on his face.
I love the way he coos and smiles.
I love the way he makes peoples day at the store and in restraunts and at the hospital because he is so excited to see them.
I love the way he sits in my lap and looks at picture books with such enthusiasm and that he is learning to grab the pages.
I love the way he lights up when he sees his big brother and sister.
I love the way he holds on to my shirt when he eats.
I love the way he looks at me and coos loudly to get my attention.
I love the way he gets mesmerized by Charlie Brown.
I love the way he enjoys his food and gets excited when we put him in the high chair.
I love love love love love his grin!
I love that he looks so much like his wonderful, adorable daddy!
I love beautiful blue eyes.
I love the way he holds my hair to sleep but that we can also lay him down to sleep.
I love that he is my little miracle and that I get to stay home with him and enjoy him SO much each and every day!

500th Post

2010-09-08T16:18:00.000-07:00

I noticed as I was about to start this blog entry that this is my
500th POST!!!!
And what better to do on my 500th post than to add a little more bragging.

Charles entered his screenplay into the Austin Film Festival along with 4400 other entries. His screenplay made it into the top 10% before being eliminated. Reaching that level entitles him to receive "reader's notes" in October.

This is a HUGE deal and I couldn't be more proud!!!

So Beautiful

2010-09-07T09:08:00.000-07:00

I can't wait until we get a chance to do family pictures:)

Bragging Rights

2010-09-07T08:57:00.000-07:00

The other day while Kaitlin was at a sleepover and Jack was napping, Jonathan and I had some special time together. We shot the BB Gun and went for a walk in the cotton fields where we sang all of our favorite hymns (loudly). While Jonathan was shooting I was telling him what an Awesome shooter he was and he said, "well, I just don't like to brag because I know some people can shoot better than me."
Well - I hate to brag, BUT its hard not to with a husband and children like mine.
Charles - Charles will be teaching at the A Heart for Teaching conference at Logsdon on Monday. He will be presenting a discussion on the importance of Dialogue in the Church. I am so proud of all that he has accomplished this year - including this conference. Also he is four chapters away from finishing his novel - which I am reading to the kids in the evenings a chapter at a time (they are loving it.
Kaitlin - my fourth grader! She's beautiful, funny, sweet and just an all around cool kid! Reading on an 8th grade level and falling asleep studying multiplication facts (literally at her desk in her room).
Jonathan - This hilarious cutie is still playing piano (starting back to lessons today), has a top loose tooth, and he's reading chapter books on a 2nd and 3rd grade level
Jack - ROLLING OVER and growing so much I can hardly keep up. I don't know if this little guy could get ANY cuter (and he looks JUST like his Daddy!)

Jonathan Lost Another Tooth

2010-08-31T06:49:00.000-07:00

Charlie Brown

2010-08-31T06:43:00.000-07:00

Jack loves Charlie Brown. It hypnotizes him long enough for me to do things like change over laundry and go potty! It must be hereditary. (Who doesn't know my love of all things Charlie Brown!) Jonathan used to cry because I wouldn't let him go into the tv to be with Charlie Brown and his gang. Here is a picture of Jack in a Charlie Brown coma. (Yes, I know he is only 4 months old - you'd do it too if you had to go potty!)

budget headaches

2010-08-27T07:20:00.000-07:00

God always always always takes care of us. But doing the budget since I quit working gives me a serious headache.
I wish we didn't have a van payment. I wish I didn't have 10 different medical bills (with partial payments) stamped and ready to send today. I wish we didn't have giant student loan payments (although that might accidentally wish away our education so nevermind).
I wish I could wish away our bills. Doesn't everybody?

in other news...

2010-08-26T08:03:00.000-07:00

Jonathan has his first loose top tooth. You know kids always look so much older after they loose their front two teeth and when they get their "big teeth" in. I don't know how ready I am for Jonathan to stop looking like my baby!
Kaitlin is entering some photos in the county fair this week - exciting for her:)

Super Pop

2010-08-26T07:52:00.000-07:00

Just another reason Charles is superdad/superhubby. Our ac has been out all this week, so we are camping out in the fellowship hall where their is cool air! We are certainly blessed to be able to stay right next door. There's a kitchen and bathrooms there, so we just come home to shower and get clean clothes. With triple digit heat most of this week (today being a cooler exception at 88 degrees) - we are so thankful!
Hopefully the air is going to get fixed tomorrow, but the kids aren't ready to come back home, because superdad went all out and set up a hug tent for them. He even put some fake trees from the church around the tent to make it more woodsy! It has just made this first week of school even more fun for them.
My first grader and my fourth grader have both had a terrific first week of school. They were ready to get back. Notice there is a picture of Jonathan in his classroom, but there isn't one of Kaitlin. She is in 4th grade now. Mom and Dad no longer get the honor of walking her to her class - even on the first day of school.

Is He a Good Baby?

2010-08-26T07:44:00.000-07:00

Its funny how often I get asked this question about Jack. "Is he a good baby?" Of course I know what people mean... Does he sleep well? Is he fussy?
Well I can honestly say - Oh yes, he is a very good baby.

He is the smiliest cooingest little guy I've ever met. He loves people - especially his Mommie, Daddy, Sister and Brother. He lights up for people and believe me - He can MAKE your entire day!

When he is sleepy - we just lay him down and most of the time he goes right to sleep. He is not a light sleeper - which is good in a house with two other kids. Now he still wakes up at 4a.m. pretty much every day, but that is almost all night and that's good enough for me for now.
He travels well. He eats well. He is playful and fun.

So yes - He is a good baby. Let's see how many times I get asked that question today;).

2010-08-10T09:25:00.001-07:00

Jonathan just finished his 50th book this summer.

Kaitlin Photography

2010-08-09T11:43:00.000-07:00

As if you needed another reason to think this gal was awesome, here is her latest new thing - photography. She'd like to enter a few of these in a local contest. She cant' decide what to enter. In her true Kaitlin uniqueness she is most fond of the picture of the road;) I'm not sure all audiences would quite get it though;)

2010-08-09T11:41:00.000-07:00

Kaitlin made the most beautiful blue fairy in her drama camp's production of Pinnochio. Can you believe this amazing young lady (because I can hardly say baby anymore) is going to be 10 on 10-10-10! We are about to enter the double digits! Gracious, I love this girl!

Jack's Ministry

2010-08-09T11:34:00.000-07:00

Jack is at such a fun age right now! When he was in my tummy, I often predicted that this would be my fun child. Without a doubt he was and is my little fighter, and I'm so thankful for that.
This kid is ACTIVE - always moving, always busy even at 3 months old.
If I could put word bubbles above his head they would usually say something like, "I wanna go somewhere. I wanna do something. Who wants to visit?" His favorite thing is to visit with someone. I say visit rather than have someone talk to him, because he truly wants to have a conversation with you - look you in the eyes, listen then respond with passion! Let me tell you - it is PRECIOUS!
He loves everyone at church and just lights up when we go to the assisted living home. One resident was actually laughing out loud over and over again watching Jack smile last week. I jokingly say that he is already doing ministry, because he just goes around smiling at people and making their whole day!
He's a great traveler - loves his car seat and his stroller or to be walking around.
We are truly enjoying this blessing of a baby, and in 2 short weeks I will have him all to myself every day while the big kids are in school:)

Jack Lately

2010-07-27T12:41:00.000-07:00

Jack has been smiling and cooing and growing and wrapping us all around his little fat fingers.
He went for a check up Friday.
15 pounds, 24 1/2 inches long at 11 weeks old! That's some serious growing!!!

First Time Playing Special Music

2010-07-27T12:24:00.000-07:00

Jonathan Lately

2010-07-27T12:21:00.000-07:00

Jonathan played special music for the first time Sunday. Amazing Grace on the piano. He did such a great job. I was literally bursting with pride and joy!
He is reading his first Junie B. Jones book (by himself anyway).
Today he asked me how to spell government. Then he wrote the following letter:
Dear Government,
Hi. I have been praying for people.
Love, Jonathan
Then he drew a picture of himself with our president for me to mail.
It's too sincere not to mail. I hope it touches whoever reads it, because it sure touched me today.

7 weeks old today - I feel so blessed!

2010-06-25T10:58:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged much, but I will use the same excuse I use for everything right now "I just had a baby!"

We are enjoying every minute of baby Jack - and by "we" I mean every one of us. This poor kid is already getting ROTTEN. He has someone ready to pick him up or sing to him or talk to him the second he opens his eyes. I don't know what he will think when the kids go back to school and it's just boring old mom every time he wakes up!

He is still waking up every 3 hours around the clock (better than 2 hours like it was) - even at night which is slowly starting to make me a crazy person. I feel so sleep deprived some days - I just want 4-6 straight hours of sleep! Other than the sleep thing, he is doing great. He's already in 3-6 month clothes and size 2 diapers!!! That is insane - especially considering that he was such a teeny tiny newborn. Boy has he caught up - which explains the steady eating that boy requires.
He is so beautiful and happy and a true joy.

The big kids are having a great summer as well. Today Kaitlin made a recipe from the Rachael Ray kids cookbook - pizza quesadillas. Jonathan made chocolate chip milk shakes for dessert. They both love being in the kitchen. Last week Kaitlin made scrambled eggs entirely by herself (with close supervision by dad of course). Jonathan is reading up a storm (26 books so far according to his chart) and playing piano. Last week he figured out part of the tune to Linus and Lucy, the Charlie Brown song all by himself. I was very impressed. He just loves music and can't wait for lessons to start back up in the fall. He also wants to play the trumpet and the guitar - we'll have to see what we can do. Kaitlin can't wait for drama camp in July. She loved doing Peter Pan last year, and this will be another fun year I'm sure.

Charles is so busy with writing. He just finished doing a study guide for Baptist Way Press. I couldn't be more proud of him. He's also got several other projects going that keep him writing until midnight or later many nights. Of course every spare minute he is holding baby Jack or snake hunting with the big kids. The rattle snakes are really bad this year. Charles found one by the church last night and let Jonathan and Kaitlin shoot it with Kaitlin's 22. The blew it to bits of course:)

I am doing very well. I found out this week that I have a genetic disorder called plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1. The plasminogen activator is what tells our blood to break up clots, so I have something inhibiting the activator from communicating that. This is in combination with the lupus anticoagulant that they already found. Since I have two risk factors, the combination provides an increased risk for coronary disease, DVT (blood clots) and stroke. The answer is fairly simple (although a pain in the butt) - blood thinners and weekly blood tests (at least for a while, hopefully eventually every two weeks). I had my first blood test today and my levels are much too low, so for the weekend I will be on shots and pills and get retested on Monday.

Pray for me to adjust quickly to this new medicine. The risk factors of the medicine scare me almost as much as the risks of not taking it. Also please pray for Jack to sleep through the night soon. I am so tired.

A few recent pictures

2010-06-18T20:12:00.001-07:00

Kaitlin is such a big helper. She loves to burp him and rock him after he eats. I could just kiss both of them to pieces. By the way - how much more beautiful can this sweet gal get?

This was a very sweet moment I caught between Charles and Jack tonight.

Here is our little miracle. Tuesday the hemotologist reminded us what a miracle it is that he even survived the first few weeks of pregnancy considering my condition. Thank you God that you made plans for Jack Beauregard, and that we are blessed enough to be a part of them!

Nana and Paw Paw are visiting this weekend. I hope to take some pictures I can add to the blog tomorrow. We went to Abilene today for some shopping, eating and bowling. We had a great time and really enjoyed our time together.

4 Weeks Old

2010-06-06T15:53:00.000-07:00

first trip to church

2010-05-23T13:10:00.000-07:00

Graduate Brunch

2010-05-22T08:42:00.000-07:00

Well Jack is now two weeks old. I can't believe how quickly two weeks can fly by. My mom and dad left today. It was truly painful to watch my mom say good bye to Jack and the kids this morning. It completely broke my heart. After she left I of course realized how few pictures I took of the two of them together and immediately regretted that.
Lots of big things happening this past week. Kaitlin and Jonathan had track/field and water fun day at their school Thursday. My parents got to go see them run in their races which worked out very well. Kaitlin got first in softball throw and second in some of her running races. Jonathan could have cared less about winning, but Charles said his grin during the races was just priceless! His big news came on the 30 foot water slides that afternoon. He got his loose tooth stuck in the net at the bottom of the slide and it came right out, flew in the air (according to him) and landed back in his mouth. The tooth fairy rewarded him nicely with some new dinosaur books and a dollar:)
Kaitlin had her school field trip yesterday to a near by park. She had a really great day. All of third grade passed their TAKS test so they were really celebrating! Kaitlin actually got commended on both reading and math (meaning she missed 3 or less on both). We are SO proud of her. Charles is taking her on a special movie date today to reward her and celebrate.
I am of course enjoying being a hermit with the new baby, so I don't have pictures of any of these things as I normally would. The written memory will have to be enough;)

First Bath

2010-05-14T13:17:00.001-07:00

The Bath Team

The cute and clean cuddle bug.

Not loving his first splash of water at all!

Big sister reminded Dad more than once to Be Careful with him!

Charles always gives the first bath. It is his special thing. This time he had a wonderful helper - Sister Kaitlin.

1 Week Old

2010-05-14T10:32:00.000-07:00

Jack is one week old today. He got a great report at his one week check up at the doctor. He is now 5 pounds 15 ounces (7 oz up from his birth weight). The doctor said everything looked perfect. The doctor said that the goal is to be back to birth weight by 2 weeks and we've already exceeded that, so I'd say we're doing great:)
Here he is wide awake in his car seat on the way to the doctor. I'm also posting a picture of a slight smile he gave in his sleep (lucky shot by dad).

May 7, 2010

2010-05-13T11:23:00.000-07:00

Jack Beauregard Glidewell was born at 3:53pm
5 pounds 11 ounces 19 1/2 inches long
May 7, 2010And our family feels complete. This is about 30 minutes after he was born.

First Picture! He is here and he is AMAZING! Pushed him out in four contractions.

This picture is before contractions got bad! Just swaying to get through them.

The Night Before

2010-05-13T11:12:00.000-07:00

Last Belly Shot:)

4:30 am - About to head to the hospital
Thursday, May 6th we went to both doctors to make sure everything was ready for Baby Jack to arrive the next day. We spent the night in a hotel, because we had to be at the hospital at 5am. We ate dinner at Olive Garden and went to bed EARLY to rest up for the big event.

2010-05-04T06:19:00.001-07:00

Kaitlin would like to know if I'm having contraptions yet.

Jumpin Jack

2010-05-04T06:10:00.000-07:00

Last week we decided we should take a picture during monitoring. I've spent so much time on these machines that it only seems fitting to document it somehow. You can see all the black dots on the feedback paper are fetal movement (fm). Every nurse we have had has commented that Jack is the most active baby they have ever seen. When I was 6 months pregnant we got sent to labor and delivery for "extensive monitoring" (something we've had to do quite a bit of) and they were training a new Land D nurse. The trainer told her, "now this much activity is not common for a baby of this stage".

It makes me laugh, because of course we know what a fighter this little guy has had to be! We are expecting a very playful, happy little man very shortly.

If you notice the belly bruises in the picture don't be alarmed. That is just from my shots, and no they do not hurt. Actually they look so much better than when I first started doing shots that I barely notice them anymore.

THREE MORE DAYS

200 Points

2010-05-04T06:08:00.000-07:00

Kaitlin also made it to the 200 point club a while back. The school sent her to a touring production of The Little Mermaid. This is a picture of us before the show. There are only 2 that have made it that high in elementary. I decided I should get this blogged since she is now only 20 points away from her goal of 300 points:)

Old News

2010-05-04T06:04:00.000-07:00

These pictures are from back in December, but I realized I never blogged them. In December Kaitlin was the first in elementary to earn 100 AR points. She got to be librarian for a day (you can see you here doing an incredible job of reading a Froggy book to kindergarten - such an expressive reader) and she got to paint a ceiling tile that is up in the elementary building 3rd grade hall.

Twas the Week Before Jack

2010-05-02T18:37:00.000-07:00

I feel like I should write a little poem called "Twas the Week Before Jack" in the style of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" Instead of hanging stockings and mistletoe to prepare for Christmas time, we are getting out diapers and putting together changing tables. It reminds me of the spirit of Christmas time when you can't help but sing familiar carols only Charles and I both keep singing lullabies and our favorite baby songs. Its the way the lights of the tree make you smile at night on your way to bed - only its tiny newborn diapers set out waiting for little baby ..um..presents;)
Charles is giddy and incredibly attentive. He sings to my belly, brings me food, tells me how great I will do Friday (labor day is so near), promises to be on his A game during labor and for the following weeks (as if I had any doubts of that). He picks up one of those newborn diapers nearly every time he passes the new changing table (by the crib in our room) and can't help but gush in baby talk about the "little bitty baby" that will soon be here.
In just a few short days we will be memorizing his new and precious face. We are all anxious to see who he will look like! In just a few short days our family will be complete - Five.
Now back to making my lists and checking them twice ( what to pack, what to get done, what to finish at work, etc).

Where Do Babies Come From

2010-04-30T10:54:00.001-07:00

Last night Jonathan asked, "So is this baby going to come out of your belly or your buttocks?" I have to say the word "buttocks" threw me off. Ha Ha. It just sounded so funny coming out of his mouth. We had a good discussion about it - including the possibility of c-section. We talked about how the uterous contracts and the basics of how Jack is expected to come out.
At least this question was at home during our evening family talk time. When he asked, "so if they baby doesn't need bottles, how is he going to drink?" he was in the middle of getting a hair cut. I had to tell him we'd finish that talk at home- which we did. It makes me think of when Kaitlin was three and Jonathan was a baby and she fed her baby dolls chocolate breastmilk.

2010-04-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

Still in the count down for Baby Jack - 10 more days. We go to both doctors Thursday.
Kaitlin took her very first real T*KS test today - the math section. She was actually very excited about it.
Jonathan has piano tonight. He learned several new songs this week including Mary Had a Lamb and Old McDonald. He's loving it and practices every day:)
Bless his heart, Jonathan got pink eye this weekend and has missed the last two days of school while his eye drops take effect. Then last night Kaitlin accidentally gave him a black eye while they wrestled - he's all black and pink!

2010-04-23T06:31:00.000-07:00

All of the blankets and nb (0-3 month) clothes are washed in baby detergent and folded - waiting for Baby Jack.
His crib is ready with clean crib sheets.
This weekend we are putting in the car seat and putting his dresser together.

Two more weeks until we meet you, son.

Baby Shower

2010-04-22T10:54:00.001-07:00

The kids got to help us open presents. You can see our big gift from the hostesses in the background - the red high chair and beautiful red blanket. Also you can see Charles mom, grandmother and grandfather who showed up right before the shower as a surprise all the way from East Texas.

Here we are 3 weeks to delivery - getting ready for Baby Jack.

I made home made jelly for each of my hostesses with little dinosaur thank you tags.

They served finger foods and everyone got to eat while we opened presents:)

The cake was adorable. They also had dinosaur shaped sandwiches and dinosaur napkins and a dinosaur centerpiece on the food table.

We were so blessed at Jack's baby shower Saturday given to us by the church.

updating

2010-04-14T12:33:00.000-07:00

So many blessings this week. Friday the doctor perscribed antibiotics and cough medicine (finally after four weeks) and the improvement was MUCH appreciated! This has been book fair week, so of course it is flying by.
Monday I will go into the hospital for a few days to a week - depending on how long it takes me to switch blood thinners. Saturday is our shower. That is going to be so much fun. It is a bring the whole family, finger foods, dinosaur, celebrate Jack shower! I can't wait:)!!!
Jonathan has now been in piano lessons for two weeks and LOVES it.
Kaitlin made a 100 on her reading practice TAKS today and only missed 1 on the math practice TAKS. Her first time doing the real TAKS test will be in two weeks. Good luck, Baby Girl! As always she is cranking out the reading points. She has 250 points right now - top in the school and she is a STAR reader. Very awesome.

Everything is going really well. Feeling great, beautiful weather, getting excited about Baby Jack!!! Just a few weeks to go! Oh and if you are in town Saturday night, come eat with us at the baby shower at 6:00 in the fellowship hall:)

2010-04-06T10:14:00.000-07:00

Jonathan finally gets to start piano lessons today. He is beside himself! It's all he's talked about for weeks. This is something that he has wanted to do and begged to do for so long. He goes down and plays our old piano (and I mean very old, but we did have it tuned for him last time they tuned the church pianos) every day. He loves music, and I look forward to seeing him enjoy and learn over the next 8 weeks of lessons.

Doctor Update

2010-04-01T07:01:00.000-07:00

We had an appointment with both doctors yesterday. Jack is growing steadily - 4 pounds 1 ounce and 16 -17 inches long.
I will be going into the hospital on April 19th to change from Lovenox to Heprin. That could take anywhere from a few days to a week. Then I will be on Heprin shots twice a day, so the only change for me will be what kind of medicine is in the syringe. The shots will be very similar to what I am doing now. I have to admit that I'm a little anxious about how I will react to the new medicine, but I've done so well on Lovenox that we are hoping for similar reactions.

2010-03-30T09:24:00.000-07:00

Don't worry - he isn't in jail! Here's a picture of Charles putting Jack's crib together a while back. I need to take a picture of it all put together.

49 days and counting!

2010-03-30T08:06:00.000-07:00

There are 49 days until the latest day my doctor will induce! So 49 days or less until Jack is here:)

2010-03-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Jonathan has started asking questions about salvation and baptism. We are praying for him as he continues to grow toward God and seeks to learn more about Him. Yesterday Charles and Jonathan took a walk, hand in hand so that Jonathan could ask some questions he had on his mind. Charles said that at one point (please hear his sweet little 6 year old voice here) Jonathan looked up at Charles and said, "I just want to follow the Lord."
We already see God gifting Jonathan in so many special ways - compassion, leadership, music. It is exciting to see God working in his heart!

Parent Appreciation

2010-03-30T07:57:00.000-07:00

Kaitlin before church Sunday morning. Jonathan praying before the lunch.

Sunday was parent appreciation day at our church. The children's department made us a fantastic lunch after church. The children cooked on Saturday and served and cleaned up after the meal.

Kaitlin sang Amazing Grace and Jonathan did the opening prayer. I cried for both.

The Beach

2010-03-29T07:40:00.000-07:00

We really had a great time at the beach in Santa Monica. We hung out on the pier: Charles and the kids got to ride a few rides (the main roller coaster was down though), we watched jugglers and dancers including a Disney promo that they were shooting that day which was really fun to see, got drinks and enjoyed some beautiful scenery. On the beach the kids jumped in the FREEZING water with all their clothes on and then dried off in the sun while we had a picnic in the sand.

Most of our time

2010-03-26T06:23:00.001-07:00

The kids had a great time cooking with Aunt Casie. They made some amazing four cheese pizza. On St. Patricks Day they made green cupcakes with frosting (I forgot to take pictures of that).

Since Kaitlin is no longer wearing bows, we took a whole LOAD of them to Zelda and Lucille. She put many of them in her hair right away!

Kaitlin was a super cousin with Lucille. She loved feeding her and playing with her and helping her. She's going to be so awesome when Jack gets here!!!

Charles lost TWO soccer balls over that brick wall while we were there. We shipped them a new one;)

Most of our time in California was spent relaxing. Lots of soccer in the back yard, going to the ice cream truck (a HIGHLIGHT for the kids), and sitting on the couch. I will add more pictures to this post when my sister posts more pictures from her camera online. Beach pictures will come soon too.

LA Zoo

2010-03-26T06:17:00.001-07:00

We also got to go to the Los Angeles Zoo over spring break.

Dinossaur Encounter

2010-03-26T06:14:00.000-07:00

Paleontological Artist

2010-03-25T10:17:00.000-07:00

Jonathan has wanted to be a paleontologist since he could talk, so when we got to go see a wonderful dinosaur exhibit at the Natural Museum of History in LA over spring break - you can imagine how thrilled he was. He got to see a paleontologist working on removing a rib bone from a cast. He got to see a life size puppet show about a T-Rex and how they found their food as well as some great exhibits of skeletons (casts).
Now Jonathan has decided that he would like to be a Paleontological Artist. This is a new career we are learning about. These artists interpret scientific evidence to create visual pictures of prehistoric creatures. So any dinosaur picture you see was created by this type of person. He also wants to be a professional skier on the side;)

2010-03-11T07:42:00.000-08:00

Got a great report at the doctors yesterday. Jack weighs nearly 3 pounds already!!! He is 14 inches long. I actually had no difference in weight gain over the past month, but Jack is making up for it! I feel certain that the reason is that I am finally able to get out and walk and move and do things thanks to feeling so much better and having better weather!

2010-03-09T08:36:00.000-08:00

Phew - it's Monday (well for me it is anyway).
I was miserably sick this weekend! Today I just have the ulcers on my throat (which often come when I'm stressed, but being sick probably made them worse.) I missed work yesterday, but I am here today (mostly, although my brain is in slow motion from lack of sleep). Charles just came up to my office bearing chl*ras*ptic and soup. I honestly do have the best husband in the world.
We spent Saturday cleaning out and rearranging our bedroom. It is still slightly disastrous as we try to figure out where to put the things that don't fit now, but we made room for the CRIB and got it all put together. It just needs a matress - then I can officially say I can bring Jack home (since we have a car seat) and I will have a place to put him (a bed).
This week is mad dash week (slightly slower due to illness). We will be preparing to leave on our trip Friday by getting the house clean, doing laundry and packing. This is also the last week of Little Dribblers (I really need to get some pictures posted of that).
We are getting closer to meeting Jack everyday!

Obsessed

2010-03-05T06:22:00.000-08:00

I am becoming obsessed with the calendar.

5 days until my next doctor appts
8 days until California
Only 2 1/2 weeks after we get back to prepare for book fair (major library event)
8 weeks until I go into the hospital
10 weeks until estimated D-Day (doctor is thinking 38 weeks at the latest which is 10 weeks away, but he may induce at 37 weeks)

I can't seem to keep myself from counting days and weeks - at least I have not resorted to counting minutes and hours!

I have also become obsessed with the clutter that has taken over my house in the last year. Between working full time and being one very sick gal for much of the past year - it has just built up. Its been hard enough to keep up with laundry for 4 busy people - much less do the regular purging and cleaning out that I typically do in a year. At minimum I always do a major clean out before birthdays and Christmas. Obviously I was in the hospital around that time this year, so no clean out.

I feel like I need a week of concentrated at home group effort to get the house organized enough and clean enough to bring a baby home to!!! Not to mention that the baby stuff is already overtaking the house with no organization to speak of. He needs a dresser in the very near future I suppose (not to mention that Jonathan's has needed a new dresser for months because his drawers are falling apart!)

And I won't even start on things like cleaning carpets and baseboards and corners in the ceiling and behind dressers and under beds and back room closets and I think I'm going to hyperventilate here people! I'm seriously near panic attack. But add things like little dribblers, homework, doctor visits and being tired because I'm in my third trimester - and you can see why a little time here and there after work isn't getting all this done.

I just keep thinking when we get back from California...

I will be busy getting ready for book fair.
I will be 30+ weeks along trying to get ready for book fair and a baby
It will be less than 3 weeks until book fair begins (notice the book fair stress)
I will be in near panic mode trying to clean, organize and make sure we have what we need before we bring Jack home (remembering that when I go into the hospital there is a chance I won't be coming home without a baby)
TAKS will almost be here (and its Kait's first one)
I need to have the baby soon enough that I can get back to the office (after hours) to get awards, etc printed before end of year awards programs (that is a BIG deal people)
at least when I get back from CA I won't have to worry about flying and how the trip will go!

Also - I got the diaper bag I was so excited about last night. It has pink in it. Small thing, but it kind of took the wind out of my sails a little. So there is some of my stress - I will send it to you. Pray over it and also pray for all the anxieties that are just consuming me at this point of hormonal disturbance!

We do have some things ready

2010-03-02T07:15:00.000-08:00

Our bouncy chair

The stroller and car seat:) - This is called chicco fuego - I just love the name and the color. The crib. Took a picture with my iphone for Jules. It isn't put together yet, but I really like it. It turns into a toddler bed and full bed later.

Possibly my favorite baby hat on the planet! This one is 6-12 months. I may buy it in newborn too, b/c I am really that in love with it.

Love Love Love this bag. It is laminated/ wipe off and very stylish, but not TOO girly to be a boy's diaper bag.

We have a few clothes (thanks to Nana and Mandy).

We have our stroller and car seat- which I think I am going to love. You never can really tell until you start using something like that, but we put it together this past weekend and I think its awesome. We have never had a vehicle/car seat with latch before so we will need to learn that.

We have the crib - not put together yet because we have to figure out where it will fit in our room. We are thinking about doing a cosleeper at first. Thanks Aunt Julie (who has gotten several things for her baby Jack already).

We have one of those bouncy chairs which I love. We found one just like Kaitlin and Jonathan had that they literally both used until they were 2 and then it got handed down to someone else. It turns into a rocker. It is being used for baby dolls and to make Jonathan talk funny for now (he leans against it and turns it on).

Aunt Julie got us a breast pump. We have monitors (the kind that are sound activated - yipee), some blankets, a very sweet dinosaur hat, a small diaper bag and a big diaper bag on the way (the one I really really wanted).

So see - we are not totally unprepared.

I just wish I could find the energy to get my house organized and in order and find a place for all these little baby goodies that we have acquired!

Woah

2010-03-02T07:14:00.000-08:00

I miscounted. 9 weeks until I go into the hospital - a little less than 9 weeks!!!! And the doctor is considering putting me in a week early. I'm just trying to talk him out of that because that is TAKS week!
One week until next doctor appointment.
12 Days until we fly out to California.
Less than 9 weeks until we go to the hospital.

10 Weeks People

2010-03-01T08:16:00.000-08:00

10 Weeks until I go into the hospital to change over my medicines and there is always a chance we could come home with a baby or to bed rest after that. And ONE of those 10 weeks we will be in California.
That means we have 9 weeks to get ready for Jack! Is that enough time?
I need a professional organzier.

2010-02-23T10:35:00.000-08:00

Its snowing today - we got a late start for school.
Charles is in Mineola right now - his dad is having knee replacement surgery.
Baby Jack is growing every day. I think he is getting longer and stretching into my ribs.
When Jonathan told me good bye before school this morning, he kissed me and then he hugged Jack and said, "I'll miss you too Baby Jack. I love you." He is constantly singing and talking to Jack and hugging or patting my belly.
Both kids are busy with basketball games and practices. Both kids made a shot last night - very exciting!

Jumpin Jack

2010-02-18T08:11:00.000-08:00

Night before last I felt a big flip from Jack. The next day (yesterday) my belly seemed to poke out a mile. I waddled. Charles and Kaitlin both gawked at my belly and said, "woah". It was like he was stretched out from my belly button to my back! Now he seems to be back sideways and there is actually a visual differnece.

Sick Jonathan

2010-02-16T10:23:00.000-08:00

Poor Jonathan is home sick today. His ear and throat are hurting. Last night he had a wreck on his skate board and took all the skin off of his chin (and I mean all the skin). I didn't get a picture of that, so I just posted these recent ones. I'll have to take a picture of his war wounds, because he has already come up with a great story for how it happened. He said he's going to tell people that he grew a beard and I didn't like it so I ripped it off! (He added, "but I don't think they will believe me.)

The real story is this: He was skateboarding on his stomach and decided to take a running start. Unfortunately his body went faster than the board and he skateboarded on his chin and collar bone for a while. When he came in the house it looked like someone had just peeled back the bottom of his chin like a little trap door! Into the bubble bath - he was very brave.

The bad thing about him being home sick today is that he will miss his first basketball game which is tonight. Man is he going to be sad about that.

Yesterday we spent the entire day cleaning out Kaitlin's room - closet, under the bed, drawers. It was so overdue for my little pack rat princess. We are in clean out mode - trying to make room for baby stuff, so a day off school meant a cleaning day. It is so true what they say about such tiny critters needing SO many things! Also, I feel like the week that I am going into the hospital (to change my blood thinners) is rushing up on me!

Kaitlin had her own little injury while we had everything pulled out of her closet. She stepped on something sharp and hopped up and down and out of the room saying, "ouch ouch". Charles came over and saw that her foot was bleeding so he sent her to the bathroom before she got blood on the carpet where I came in for first aid. As I was cleaning up her foot and getting the band aid ready I noticed the "blood" was staining her foot. I said, "Kaitlin, this doesn't look like real blood." She just cackled out loud - she had put fake blood on her foot and defiantly tricked us both!

Valentine's Day Lunch

2010-02-15T16:18:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day

2010-02-15T16:01:00.000-08:00

2010-02-09T06:06:00.000-08:00

I had some circulation issues last night. I was standing talking to Charles without any shoes on and all the sudden he said, "what did you get all over your feet?" I looked down and my toes were nearly black and my feet were dark purple. I pulled up my PJ pants and my legs were purple all the way up to my thighs. I immediately sat down and put my feet up and the purple went away almost instantly. I wonder what caused it and I also wonder how many times that has happened and I didn't really realize it because I had socks and shoes on - since most of my standing happens here at work. My legs seem to go to sleep quite a bit. Maybe I need to be a little more watchful.
I go to the doctor tomorrow, but its so much easier to remember when something happened if I can go back and check my blog. Lots of women have circulation issues the whole time they are pregnant so it doesn't really freak me out - but I couldn't help but take notice of something so bizarre.

2010-02-08T09:18:00.000-08:00

So what was the big surprise Charles was planning? He bought plane tickets for the four of us to spend spring break in California with my sister and her family. Sounds great, doesn't it?

Not when you consider that I will be in my 3rd trimester and have a history of blood clots! He called the doctor's office before getting the tickets, but only talked to a nurse and did not specify anything about the DVT history. I'm going to see both my doctors Wednesday to get the official word from them, but at best I will be uncomfortable with the travel plans - even after they are "doctor approved." 4 hours to D*llas followed by a 3 1/2 hour flight at 29 and 30 weeks? Seriously?
The internet is the great enabler of obsessing (which I am doing with gusto), but I have found 3 sites that say it is inadvisable to travel in the third trimester even if your history with blood clots was before pregnancy.
Add this to my EXTREME fear of flying and claustrophobia and you have the next 5 weeks of me obsessing over this flight.
Worst of all - I have made everyone that worked the last month to put this together sad. They are all severely disappointed at my lack of enthusiasm. Of course they couldn't wait for me to find out and be overjoyed - I just don't have the joy over a trip that I think would so questionable (at best). So for my birthday - everyone is unhappy with me (and the people pleaser in me is crushed by that).
Between this and my depression about turning 30 - I spent yesterday at home in tears. I just couldn't bring myself to leave the house - even for church.
I'm hoping that I can blog this out and get rid of some of my disappointment and self centered worry over how much I am disappointing everyone. I know this doesn't sound like me - it isn't the way I want to react to this. Can I blame it on hormones? I don't know what to blame except that I just feel like it is a bad situation. I need a healthy change in perspective- I know (don't even think of commenting to tell me so). I need an added dose of grace toward the husband that thought he was doing a really good thing (I already know this too!). I need the extra understanding for those that I have disappointed. I need to put on my big girl panties and carry on - it will all work out in the end.