Surprise!

I think I may have mentioned this everywhere except here so far . . . so let me make my official announcement, baby bun #6 is in the oven right now. His or her approximate time of baking completion is early May. ;)

This news came as quite a shock to our family! How can it be a shock to find out you're pregnant when you already have 5 children?? When you had your tubes tied after the birth of the last one, that's how!

So, needless to say, we believe ourselves the recipients of a true miracle, and we couldn't be happier about that.

I've spent a lot of time sick recently, much more so than with any of the others. Probably because I'm not as young as I used to be. Ahem, I mean, I'm still really young.

We've seen our sweet little baby's heartbeat and now we just play the waiting game. And the throw up game. The latter of which is not my favorite but I count it good news that baby is growing like he or she is supposed to. ;)

Later, peeps. (and by peeps I mean the like, one person maybe two who ever read this blog! ha)

Phew, that was fast!

And, all of a sudden, Oliver is 3! Time sure flies when you're having fun, I guess! Happy Birthday, little man!

In Case You Were Wondering

In case you were wondering, this is what Alex and Thomas look like in the morning before hair brushing occurs:

 

Yesterday while sitting in my office I heard a loud crash out front. I went out there to find this:

A car had driven into the window. That doesn't happen every day!

 

 

Also, today is my birthday. If anyone asks, I'm 29, okay?? :D Steven got me a pair of shoes off of my amazon wishlist, (clever man) and a cool coffee thermos. (nothing says 29 like coffee thermos, right??)

Believe it or not, this is my tan.

 

He Counts it Down, Every Day

This morning he said to me, "Two days left, right, Mom?"  I replied to him, "Two days until what?" knowing that would irk him. Of course he responded, aghast that I could have forgotten, "My birthday!"

My first baby, my little chubalub, is about to have a Birthday.
Sorry for the grainy picture of my computer screen photo. Long story.

What can I say about my Alex? He's a good kid, always has been. He was an easy baby, a chubby, easy baby.

He made the cutest pirate, pretty much EVER for Halloween one year.

It's hard to imagine how life was back when he was really little I mean, what do people with only one child DO all day? I don't know but we were busy and one child felt like plenty of children to us. I'm sure it does to everyone with one, it's all you know! You're trying to figure this whole parenting thing out, after all.

 Alex is very introspective, and quiet. Except when he's got something to say, then he's a major talker. He loves Dr. Who. He also loves Avatar, The Last Airbender, and action movies.







 This Birthday, this year, he turns 13. How did that happen?? My cute little sweet chubby baby is gonna be a teenager on Friday. I did some math, (yes, it pained me!) and on Friday Steven and I will become the parents of a teenage boy, an office we will hold, without pause, until September of 2030. In case you're wondering, that's 17 years. (Don't spill those beans, that's going on Facebook on Friday! I've gotta get the most out of the time I did math!)

So to my sweet, awesome, uber cool Alex, I say happy Birthday, teenager! (in two days!)

Go Fish

"Mama! I gotta go FISH!" he  yells. This prompts me to hop up as quickly as I can and grab his little hand. Off we run to the bathroom. His version of fishing requires no  pole. It requires a potty and a strong constitution. Somewhere along the way he got in the habit of referring to his #2 bathroom activity as "going fish". I don't know why. Perhaps he thinks it looks like fish swimming. It's hard to know.
He's in a funny little stage right now. Anywhere we go, the store, the park, a restaurant, he loves to sing his ABC's, and at the top of his lungs. Bystanders either think it's absolutely precious, or maybe the most annoying thing they've ever heard. Either way, it does no good to tell him to stop. That just breaks his little heart and he'll start crying. Which makes the people who thought it was cute think you're a terrible person, and it makes the people who didn't like the ABC's wish you could go back to that.

As we sit in the bathroom, him on the throne and me on the floor, he's giving it all he's got. He pushes on his own little belly to "help". "I gotta push the button!" he says, pressing on his belly button.  I start laughing. It's kind of hilarious. Then he says, "Mama, I need a hug!" So I get up, and give him a winner of a hug, all while he's still sitting on the pot. This cracks me up even more. I start laughing, which makes him start laughing. We're in the bathroom, him on the potty, me bending over, hugging tight and laughing.

All the while he's fishing.

If this doesn't sum up parenting, I don't know what does.

Hating the Miles in the Middle

• My sister left this morning. She's two years older than me, and happens to be my best and oldest friend in the entire world.  Due to some unforeseen circumstances, she had to come down here last week and stay a few days with my family. She brought her two youngest children with her. The unforeseen circumstances took a little longer to deal with and they ended up bunked in our house for a whole 10 days. Despite the fact that our kind of tiny house had 7 children and 3 adults, lots of noise, leaky window ac units, a crap ton of laundry, and the occasional child-melee, it was a wonderful visit. We haven't spent 10 days together since she lived with me and Steven for a few months way back in 01.
  You see, we live just far enough apart that we only get to see each other a couple times a year. We text daily, or call. I discuss everything with her, from big news, down to what I had for breakfast yesterday and the fact that I think tomorrow I'm going to have a migraine.  There's not much about me she doesn't know and vice versa. I love her. And I hate the miles that separate us. It was so nice to be able to run over to the kitchen store with her and browse. Or go go to the pool together with all the kids. Or to just hang out, or watch t.v., together.
  We often imagine dreamily what it would be like to live closer, but life does not allow that possibility right now. We just say, "Maybe someday." and go on about our business. So, after she left this morning, and Steven looked at me with all the kindness in the world in his eyes and said, "I knew you'd be sad today, you're always sad when she goes." I had to go in the bathroom and cry. I hate crying!  But I did it anyway. And tomorrow I'll have a migraine. And Ronda already knows.
  

Back to School

In just over 2 short weeks, 4 of my 5 boys will be back to school. I've compiled one main shopping list from the published school supply lists for each of their grades and schools. So, how much do you think this is gonna cost?

2 boxes colored pencils
2 pencil pouches
6 boxes #2 pencils
2 packages cap erasers
1 package each red, blue, and black ink pens
22 glue sticks
1 large zipped binder with carrying strap
1- 1 & 1/2 inch clear view binder
5 packages wide ruled paper
1 package 3x5 note cards
1 package subject dividers
2 packages subject dividers with pockets
2 flash drives
2 plastic 12 inch rulers
5 boxes 24 count crayons
ear buds
1 protractor
1 four function calculator
2- 5x8 school boxes
3 pairs scissors, Fiskars, 5" sharp
1 package sticky notes 1 7/8" x 1 7/8"
3 spiral notebooks
1 pocket folder no brads
4 bottles hand sanitizer
4 containers Clorox wipes
1-8 count washable markers
1-8 count PRANG watercolors (no Crazy Art brand)
1 rest mat, 5/8"
2 EXPO dry erase markers
2 bottles liquid handsoap
4 large boxes facial tissue
1-100 count facial tissue
1 package 9 oz clear plastic cups
and last but not least
1 box Ziplock quart size storage bags

The Cicada Killer

The title of this post sounds like some kind of bug horror movie. I'm here to tell you, it could EASILY be a bug horror movie. Today, while we had the carport door open and were carrying in groceries, we had our first encounter with one of these large wasp/hornet type bugs. I could go google it and see which one it is but I don't need to see those google images anymore than I already have.

You see, I was in the kitchen, Steven was at the back of the Envoy, and the boys were all in a line and he was handing them grocery bags and they'd pass it to the next one and they'd end at me. It's a super efficient system, just, so you know.

All of a sudden, Steven exclaims, "Holy cow!" and we all are looking around like what?? Then we see it. The bug itself was a good 2 inches from end to end. It was holding a large bug  and doing something to it. It was perched at the top of the open door, near the hinge. Steven said, that thing just flew up there! The kids start screaming and running off in all directions. They may be boys, but most of them hate bugs. Honestly, I think we all hated this bug, even Steven who usually picks up all kinds of bugs with his hands.

I said, can I close the door?? Will it come in?? I'm shooing a kid or two out of the way and Steven gives me the go ahead to shut the door. My first thought, SAFE! But poor Steven, he was still out there with it. I waited a few minutes then cracked the door and said, "Is it gone?!" He said that it was. It had dropped the prisoner bug and flown off when I slammed the door. The poor, dead cicada was kind of huge itself, and did not survive it's encounter.

Of course, then we spent like 20 minutes on the internet trying to find what kind of bug it was and then we saw a picture that matched what we saw and it totally made sense that it was a cicada killer, considering we saw it's murdering ways in action.

So that's it folks, the story of the Cicada Killer's visit to our house. I hope our lack of hospitality keeps him away!

What Does it Look Like? 15 Years of Big and Small Stuff

• July 25th is our anniversary. Our 15th anniversary.  Let me just say, that I'm most certainly too young to have been married for 15 years.
  
  I mean, there's no way we've had a combined total of 15 jobs.
  
  6 vehicles
  
  3 church homes
  
  2 job layoffs
  
  the birth of 5 sons
  
  11 cell phones
  
  5 addresses
  
  one town
  
  3 desktop computers, 2 laptops
  
  Countless memories
  
  “We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts.”
  ―Dietrich Bonhoeffer
  Here's to the next 15 years.
  (hopefully we'll be less hard on electronics)

Kiss me, I'm Lutheran!

I did kiss him. I'm Lutheran too!

Blog Mix Ups

I have 3 blogs going right now. I can't keep track of what I'm supposed to blog or not blog or where I'm blogging or where my friends are blogging. We've scattered! It's hard to keep up. 

I felt like this post needed a picture. So here's a random picture of me and Senator Mark Pryor, giving me the certificate saying my shelter met program and fiscal standards for the state. Also, some kind of cord lying along the floor beside us. We're SO professional.  Good times! :D

To cut the hair or not cut the hair?? It's so cute with his little fluffy "wings" but it's kind of getting hot on  him. At least that's the conclusion I come to when it's 84 inside the house and his hair is wet.  Of course, this could be because someone left the bathroom door open and he's either been playing in the sink or toilet, but I prefer to think he was sweating. 

Also, once you cut off that baby hair, they just look, OLDER. I'm not sure I'm ready for my baby to look older, you know? And, I think it may traumatize Steven. He was holding Oliver the other day and he said, "Our baby is not a little baby anymore. It makes me  kind of sad." and for the second time in our marriage I asked him if he was a girl.   ;)

What the What?

How did my first little baby boy get to be this big???

Before I know it he'll be a college hipster drinking coffee instead of hot chocolate and I'll be lucky if I can convince him to go to Starbucks with his mom.

Things I Would Tell my Sisters if I Could Go Back in Time

If you know me at all, I've made no secret of the fact that I grew up in a family where domestic violence was prevalent. Now I work at a domestic violence emergency shelter and rape crisis center. That didn't actually happen on purpose, it was just kind of the way things worked out. Being on this side of the issue, I've learned a lot of things. I know lots about the effects of domestic abuse on children who witness violence, even when they are not actually victims of physical abuse themselves. The numbers are astounding (6x more likely to commit suicide, 26 times more likely to commit sexual assault, 56 times more likely to abuse drugs . . . and so on). Something important that I've learned and witnessed is that dv is generational. It's observed by children and repeated when they become adults. Somewhere along the way, I was blessed, I got lucky, or something. There are a few "truths" or things that I picked up along the way from various influences, that my sisters did not pick up on. I don't know if no one told them, or if they were told and discarded or what. Here is what I wish I could impart, if I could go back and be the person for them that someone else was for me.

*A man (boyfriend/husband/partner) should enhance your life, not define it. If you want someone to define your life, let it be Christ. Be the best you can be and you'll attract the best man for you.

*No one should tell you how to feel or that your feelings aren't important. Everyone will hurt your feelings at some point, even a good partner. But someone who doesn't care about your feelings or always tells you that they are wrong, is not only rude, but he's wrong and he's a waste of your time.

*A good man will respect you and love you no matter what you wear. Every outfit may not be his favorite but he likes your wardrobe because it's a reflection of you and doesn't use it as a tool to control how you appear to other people.

*The major sign of an abuser is the need to control, not being angry all the time. You can be controlled without any sign of anger.

*Jealousy does not equal love. Love is trust.

*It's okay to tell your opinion. You're as important in the relationship as the guy. Your hopes, dreams, desires, opinions and thoughts are all important. If he doesn't think so, then he's arrogant and not going to be fun to live with in the long haul.

*when dating, imagine what life with this guy will be like in the long haul, not just today. You get to the long haul one day at a time.

Those are just a few things I'd tell them if I could go back. I tell them now but certain things are easier to realize when you're younger and more impressionable. And before you make the BIG decisions in life.

What advice would you give?

I've got a blog?!

Sometimes I forget I have this blog because I blog mostly over at Xanga. I like to kick it old school that way. ha.

School has started, work has continued on, the kids are getting older and man is time flying!

Last night I spent 20 minutes doing a homework assignment with Alex, that he wasn't sure if he had to turn in or not. I always assume he has to turn it in, otherwise, what's the point? Anyway, on the way home from school today I asked him if he had to turn it in and get a grade and he said, "I don't know how to tell you this, but we graded it in class and then I put it in the recycling bin." I asked what grade he got and he said, "Well, it was probably an A". I don't really know what that means. ha.

Sunday, February 13th, 2011

Arkansas Boys:
Dad took the oldest four fellas to the park with Grandpa today. They are all growing up so fast, my stair steps!

Saturday, February 12th, 2011

Arkansas Boys:
The Tooth fairy gets a break after a certain age. Alex is finally pulling his own teeth, and in exchange, I just hand him a dollar. None of that under the pillow business. ha

We got to visit some family over the holidays this year that we hadn't seen in awhile. This is my boys with my grandparents. We had a great little visit.

I hope you all have a wonderful New Year!

Oliver!

I don't think I've blogged here in a long time! Here's a picture of Oliver from about a month ago. He's a good baby so far. He's good at his baby jobs, eating, sleeping and pooping. What else could you ask for??

The boys have adjusted well to having another brother. We've finished up Thanksgiving and are working our way toward Christmas. I put the tree up yesterday, and am hoping we lose fewer ornaments to grabby hands this year.

A gal can hope, right?

Are You Having Twins?

No, I'm not. I get that question a lot. Along with, "due any day huh?" and the answer is no, I'm due in September. But thanks for thinking I'm huge. Or thanks for also flat out saying, "you're huge!".

People are a little nuts!