Sunday, June 29, 2008

Today

My last post said I had MUCH MUCH more time to sleep than I actually did. I think I looked at the clock wrong. I ended up with a whopping 2 HOURS of sleep last night. Still got up and got to church early...and didn't sleep through the service!! Still went to the small group picnic at the park...came home and CRASHED before heading back to church for a rehearsal. It was a lot in a day, it seemed, but that was probably compounded by how tired I was.

Anyway, I had a good long talk with a good friend until Gabriel punched Drew in the face and bloodied his mouth and lips and I had to go. That's right. I said GABRIEL punched Drew. "He's so sweet" and "He's so quiet" you all say. I keep telling you he has his moments. They are coming more often now. *sigh*

Now all is quiet again. Silence is golden. There's a lot of reward in "being still." I think God knew what He was doing when He told us to do it.

Clarity is so much easier to attain when it's just you and God. Focusing on God - no distractions. No noise. No interruptions. No referree-ing.

I'm thankful for the moment. I'm glad I had time to reflect on the conversations of the day and sort them out in my head...to try to make sense of the hard things.

On a side note, my brother and his family should be home tomorrow night, I'm guessing!! I can't wait to get pictures with them and hold that beautiful baby girl. I can't believe she is almost a year old. I can't believe what else all that means...but I won't get in to that now. Another post. Beware of July's posts...just a warning. It's not a month I really ever want to live through again. Painful anniversaries.

But I digress. Good night for now. Have a great week!
For those of you who are up for a good several hours of AMAZING READING - about faith in the midst of a storm that I cannot begin to fathom - check out www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com and on the left hand side, click the link to start from the beginning. I seriously just lost half a night's sleep...but seeing God work in the life of a mother among those curcumstances makes me truly grateful for what I have.

My face is streaked with tears, my pajamas are soaked around the sleeves from wiping the streams away, and I have to get up in like 3 and a half hours...but wow...to see God work!

Saturday, June 28, 2008

So I'm 21 weeks now...thought I'd give you an update on the baby.

20 WEEKS


The baby is about 7-1/2 inches from head to rump, has fingerprints and perhaps some head and body hair, weighing about one pound (16 ounces).
The baby may suck thumb and is more active.
Time of extremely rapid brain growth.
Fetal heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope.
The kidneys are starting to work.
There is little chance that a baby could survive outside the woman’s body.





22 WEEKS


The baby is about 8-1/4 to 8-1/2 inches from head to rump and weighs about 1-1/4 pounds.
Bones of the ears harden making sound conduction possible. Baby hears mother’s sounds such as breathing, heartbeat and voice.
The first layers of fat are beginning to form.
This is the beginning of substantial weight gain for the baby.
Changes are occurring in lung development so that some babies are able to survive (with intensive care services).
Surviving babies may have disabilities and require long-term intensive care.



It was interesting to me that the website I got this from called the baby a "fetus" until 22 weeks. At 22 weeks, the descriptions used both words. I changed where the word appeared as "fetus" to "baby" because I believe from the moment of conception, this is a life...a baby...a person. Stop abortion. Vote that way. If a presidential candidate doesn't believe there is value to human life, how in the world do you expect him to value you? Ok...this post went places I didn't expect, but so be it. I wish there was a good candidate this year...vote for the lesser of two evils - if for nothing else than a baby's right to life.

CHAD PASSED HIS TEST ON THE 1ST TRY!

Thanks for all who prayed. Sorry - I didn't tell you what it is for. I would say he's experiencing....college....to say it as simply as I can. This company has hired him to become a financial advisor. When he is finished with the schooling, he will be able to work in any financial environment in the US. He would have to reapply and pay a fee to get a license outside of IN. Anyway, this was the first of (I think) 3 tests. He had like 10 days to study for this one. The next one he has like 6 weeks. This one is a big one. I'm not sure of the timeline. Anyway, they hired him to study. And the study pay was DOUBLE what he was making at his old job. We're excited for his success so far. Keep praying. He's got some stress coming up. He will be expected to study anywhere between 8 - 12 hours a day for the next 6 weeks. It's intense...but I have confidence.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

testing testing 1 2 3

Hey all. Please pray for Chad. Tomorrow he takes his first recorded test (the others he has done were practice tests). If he passes this one, he can get started on the real stuff. If he doesn't pass, he has to pay to take it again. He has to get 70% or higher!! His practice tests are usually over the mark! Thanks!

Monday, June 23, 2008

Gabriel

1. Why does Gabriel insist on wearing his underwear backwards? Could it be that he just wants to see the bigger picture?

2. Gabriel has worn the same size of clothes for two years, pretty much. Chad asked him a while back when he was going to start growing. He answered, "On Friday." Now it's a family joke.

3. He came out after his bath, underwear on backwards, pajamas in hand. Gabriel asked me to button his shirt. As I did, I told him he was going to have to learn to button his own shirt. His answer, as if it was related... "You need to make a bigger house 'cause I'm gonna grow."

4. He told me the other day that he needed to tell me a secret. He pulled my hair aside to expose my ear, got as close to it as he could, and in a very loud whisper, he said, "You're the best mommy ever in the whole wide world." Score a few brownie points for the three-year-old.

5. The other day I was talking to him explaining that he needed to practice being nice to his brothers because soon he would have a little sister and he would be a big brother. If he practiced being nice to them, it would be easier for him to be nice to the baby...etc. Evan started chiming in with his parent-like voice, but before he got 3 words out, Gabriel yelled, "Hey! It's MY baby sister. Me and Mommy's! 'Cause I picked her out!" We'll see if he is so excited about her in a few years.

Monday, June 16, 2008

5th time's the charm!

WE ARE HAVING A BABY GIRL!!!!!

We found out this morning. No beating around the bush here. God is good, all the time! She was being modest and we almost had to leave without knowing...but she finally decided to let us know! :)

I went straight from my doctor's appointment to Kohl's and stocked up on some PINK outfits! :) (and purple...and...)

HALLELUJAH! We're so happy! The boys are happy! Everyone is happy! It's nice.

Friday, June 13, 2008

love and marriage....

I'm gonna get mushy...so if you don't wanna read it...then go on. :)

I'm married to a pretty great guy. We have our differences, our disagreements, our moments....our discussions...but all in all, I didn't do half bad.

It's no secret that I put my own father up on a pedestal - one he most certainly wouldn't think he deserved, and it's probably no secret that there is no perfect dad or husband. Despite all that, I'm pretty sure that I have just the dad I need for my growing boys (plus one).

Yesterday was fine, but last night was a different story. Dealing with Dad's birthday was okay when I was busy during the day, but the moment the busyness ceased and my mind had time to catch up, it wasn't long before I had one of the biggest cries I've had in a long time. I predict the same for Sunday (Father's Day) as well. But the minute Chad saw the flood gates open, he dropped what he was concerned about and came to listen. He didn't say anything. He didn't do anything. He just listened and tried to understand my blubbering. It was what I needed. Then when he saw my emotions were affecting Luke's, he swept in to Luke's rescue, too. "A little daddy time" (translation - fishing time on the boat) was exactly what Luke needed to get him back on track.

So, for yesterday, the Super Dad Award goes to:

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Birthdays in Heaven

Another interesting conversation again yesterday. You see, tomorrow would have been my dad's 55th birthday, if pancreatic cancer didn't exist.

We happened to drive past his grave site, which is very visible from the road. The boys asked me something about him, and his birthday came up. I said that this Thursday would have been his birthday. This prompted the usual questions regarding a birthday..."How old..." "Does Heaven have birthday cakes?" "Will Pappaw have a party in heaven?" Of course, I stumbled through my best-guessed answers. Their questions are starting to conjure up answers that seem to come to me through a blanket of numbness now.

But Evan and Drew snapped me right out of it.

Drew asked me about whether or not Dad would have a party in Heaven. Before I could really answer, Evan said he was SURE Jesus would know when Pappaw's birthday was. It was as if he couldn't imagine a birthday without balloons, noise makers, cake, and ice cream -- and whether you were on earth or in Heaven, birthdays were a constant. A given. (The "given" comment is for you, Dad.)



Evan's faith and innocence never cease to amaze me, but the real kicker was Drew's next question. "Mommy, do you think God could send us down a picture of the party?"

How I wish it worked that way.

Friday, June 6, 2008

What does God teach in Heaven?

After a pretty decent storm tonight with winds at 85 mph, we went to town to get some ice cream. On the way home we saw this amazing rainbow. The coolest part about the rainbow was the further we drove the more we could see of it.

Evan began talking about the true meaning behind the rainbow...that it was God's promise never to destroy the earth again by flood.



The more we drove, the bigger it got. The bigger the rainbow seemed, Evan said louder and louder, "That is a HUGE promise!" I was proud of them recalling the true meaning, but I got tickled at the inflection in his voice.

It wasn't long before little Gabriel was imitating in his tiny 3-year-old voice, "That is a HUGE promise!" He repeated it over and over...the farther we drove. I really wish now I would have recorded it on my cell phone, but I didn't think of it until after he had stopped.

As we pulled in our driveway, Chad was talking about God making rainbows and painting a picture for us all to see just then. I was headed toward the door when I heard Evan say behind me, "I bet Jesus taught Pappaw Bob how to make rainbows." When I turned around with one foot in the door to the house and the other still outside, my eyes met Chad's. I think this was the single most sweetest thing I have ever heard in my entire life.

I can't imagine what all we'll know in heaven, but I think I'm gonna be sure to ask how to make a rainbow when I get there.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Long overdue

I know I promised to catch you all up...well...hold on to your seats! It's been a while, but I FINALLY have posted things I have meant to post in the past month or so. Ok...maybe longer. Either way, I hope you enjoy the many pictures! :)

Preschool Graduation for Drew and Evan

Evan giving the thumbs up!


Drew and Evan had a part of retelling the "Creation Story" in Genesis. This picture is of all the boys and girls standing up there ready to say their brief line. It was great.


Drew getting his diploma from the preschool director.


Evan getting his diploma.


I know it was not Gabriel's graduation...but how can you resist posting a picture a cute as THIS??

Bowling pics - we went with friends several months ago





The reason I rarely see my husband...

These days you can bet when you see Chad driving down the road, his newest toy is attached right behind him. He basically hauls it every where...to work, to Kokomo, everywhere----on the off chance he gets the "hankerin' to go fishin'." This was the first time the family went entirely together. It was still pretty chilly, but we had a good time.





"Make a fish face!"










Spring Break Trip to Chicago - Shedd Aquarium

I know this one is long overdue since our spring break was the first week of April...but better late than never. We took the kids to Shedd Aquarium. Some highlights from the trip. The picture of the kids in the bed isn't the best but it was sure funny to see all four of them snuggle together in the hotel room. Other pictures from the Aquarium and us goofing around.







Luke's baseball season

Luke's season is coming to an end. He has proved himself quite the little athlete. I know I'm Mom, but he is pretty talented when he can keep his emotions in check. If he gets upset, it's hard for him to refocus. But he's done a very good job this year. He has played the pitcher for his team, the A's. One of his best friends, Eli, is 1st baseman, and they make a great duo! (I'll be sure to get some pictures of Drew and Evan on soon. They are in T-Ball.)

Luke running to grab the ball.


Showing off his batting stance. He usually hits REALLY well.


This was him sliding in to 2nd after a great hit over the entire infield. He made a double out of it and batted 2 players in! It was a great moment!! I'm not sure which parent (or grandparent) was more proud!


Luke in mid-catch as the team all rushes to grab the ball. It was pretty sweet...