more pictures!

pictures!

the weekend

Friday, we hung around the house for a while and then headed up to the Little Elm Jubilee/fireworks. We walked to the elementary school and then took a bus to Little Elm Park. They would not allow parking at the Jubilee because it caused problems last year, so everybody was bussed in. We took blankets and found a spot near the water to wait for fireworks.

David chased Joshua around for a while, then I took a turn. Jacob, Cody and Karleigh checked out the sand at the beachy part and got their feet wet in the lake. Karleigh got most of the rest of her wet also, but that is to be expected.

The fireworks were really great - I was surprised with how good they were for a smaller town. It took us FOREVER to get a bus back to the school, then we had to walk home from there. We got to bed really late and had to get up really early Saturday morning to go to the zoo.

We left the house about 8:30, stopped in Denton at Kroger and then on to Gainesville to the zoo. We were meeting the Osterhouse's and they weren't there yet, so the kids all got out and played in the huge, beautiful playground outside the zoo.

When they got there, we went through the zoo and checked out all the animals. It was small, but really nice. After we had gone through everything, we headed back out to the park for lunch. We had both brought coolers with sandwiches and stuff.

We were home pretty early Saturday, and the kids just played and hung out. I went out to Mom's to feed her dogs and then came home.

Sunday, we went to church and then came home for lunch. The boys had their small group from 2-4. It was a swim party, and they both had a blast. At 6, David made hamburgers on the grill and Monika, Jenna and Julie all came over to eat and have our Bible study. That has turned out to be so much fun.

I am so very behind on laundry! Hopefully I can get caught up today. We should have a semi-normal day today, and I'm thankful.

I have no idea what sets him off, but Joshua has decided he is not going to sleep tonight. He has been doing so well, but when this happens, I immediately become just as frustrated as I was when it was every night.

I am too tired to do this tonight. We were up late last night and up early this morning, then really busy all day. I just don't understand it.

Cody

See Jacob's bunny ears?

Cody's sprayed in highlights.

My good-lookin' kid!

We are going to get the stuff to highlight his hair soon. Actually, I think we'll get Dena to do it (in case you're reading this).

I'm crazy...

Jayden, Jordan, Justin, Jacob, Joshua, Cody, Trace, Emily, Karleigh, Tori and Lizzie. We have a very, very full house. Right now, it's nap time, so the three youngest and Emily all are down. Hopefully Joshua will sleep for a few hours. He is still learning how to share his toys and his people. He's not sure about either, but he's trying.

Most of the other kids are gathered around a very lively game of chess in the dining room, and Cody's in his room being an "almost teenager", which we keep reminding him that an "almost teenager" is still 12. haha. He knows we're playing with him.

It's so great to have all the kids here. Joshua doesn't miss a beat with all of his own family (it's just when you add in all the rentals that he gets a little weird).

I don't know what we'll do tomorrow night, but I'm sure we'll take in some fireworks somewhere. On Saturday, we're going to Gainesville to check out their zoo with the Osterhouse's. Sunday, we're going to try to have another Bible study. We decided last week, that we don't have to skip Sundays if we don't want to. :-)

Maybe TMI? but still cute I think

The other day, I was putting up laundry in our closet. Joshua went running by me as fast as he could to the bathroom. He gets in there and slams the door (as usual). I'm so afraid he's going to lock himself in there that I've been practicing with picking the lock. haha. Anyway, I get to him and he's grabbed the toilet paper and pulled off a piece. When I opened the door, he pointed at his diaper and said, "Mom, poooooop". He squatted down in the bathroom and acted like he was wiping with the toilet paper. It was hilarious! He's been telling me lately when he needs his diaper changed. I'm hoping this is some sort of a sign that he'll potty train easily? Maybe that would make up for all the no-sleeping issues we had? Oh, I hope so!

Jacob is at Mom's until Wednesday when they'll bring him and Karleigh back to me. Mom and Dad leave Thursday for their summer vacation. They'll be gone at least two weeks. Cody and Emily come home tomorrow, so we'll have a full house. Trace will be here most days, so most days, we'll have 6 kids! I sure have appreciated and enjoyed the first half of this summer being so quiet. It's been nice.

It's cake!

Haha!

Monika brought this over for dessert for our Bible study (which is going absolutely awesome, by the way). We're going through the book of Romans. We were all talking tonight about how amazing God is in that we never, ever would have dreamed that the three of us would be sitting around studying the Bible together. We were all very wild teenagers, and alot of that was done together. God is a God of miracles, though. He's truly amazing!

I uploaded the pics from my camera.

tired baby

yogurt and cheetos, mmmm!

Uncle Julio's, double mmmm!

Granny Franny has a tv too!

Joshua's shadow

I couldn't get any pictures of him kissing it - he was too fast, but this is still so cute...

green hair and face paint

Jacob and Karleigh had VBS last week. Well, Karleigh had VBS and Jacob was Jr. Team Leader. He took his role as Jr. Leader of the Atomic Fizz (green team) very seriously...




Karleigh was on the Flash Fusion (yellow team). It was sooo much fun!

We took Trace every day with us, but he wasn't here for pictures. :-(

No Other Gods

I'm so excited. Beth Moore has a blog and is doing a book study on a book called 'No Other Gods' by Kelly Minter. She will post on her blog about it and then we are to get together with hopefully somebody else and discuss it. A lady named Rebecca came up with the ingenius idea of starting a message board for those of us with nobody to get together with. Yay! What a great idea! I can't wait to get my copy (hopefully soon in the mail) and get started!

Wow!

Somebody in San Antonio checks out my blog early!

Ok, why does this always happen? Just as soon as I brag about Joshua's sleeping, he pulls a night like last night. I have been up since 3:30. Yup, and now he's in bed and I can't go back to sleep because the kids have VBS in a little while. I've already showered and all that, so now I just have to get everybody else up and ready. I'll wake Josh on the way out and he'll just have to deal with it. It sure would be nice to sleep until about 9 with him.

Maybe I'll get a nap with him today. Haha. That's funny.

I will never, ever take sleeping for granted.

I promise. Josh has been sleeping well for a while now and it is so beautiful. He goes down around 9:30 at night and gets up around 8:30 in the morning, then takes about a 2 hour nap in the afternoon. Beautiful.

I used to kinda' give Dena a hard time about Kerstyn's sleep schedule and how protective she was of it, but no more! I repent! I totally understand and can offer the deepest sympathies to mothers who are not getting their sleep. I hope and pray with all my heart that time is completely over for us and we'll only have the occasional bumpy nights from here on out. And now I find myself just as protective of Joshua's sleep as Dena was - if not more. Sleep is absolutely sacred in our house now.

G'night.

a really nice weekend

We went to Wichita Falls to visit some friends. We haven't been there since March. Before that, we hadn't been there since October when we moved and then had my surgery. I wasn't in much of a visiting mood after the surgery, though, so we didn't stick around.

Friday, when David got off work, we headed to Chris and Mistie's house. David took a nap there and we hung out until after Dinner.

Our dear friends' daughter, Leah, turned 2 on Saturday, and Joshua was her honored guest. Actually, we were all named Joshua as far as Leah was concerned. Anyway, we ushered in her 2nd Birthday in style. She had a trip to Pizza Hut, a huge cookie cake and presents. And I forgot my camera (gasp!). It was like being nekkid! We had a wonderful time with Tim and Laura.

This morning, we went to church where we used to go. I loved seeing everybody and didn't realize how much I miss them until I saw them again. It was like visiting an old friend, but not like home anymore. After church, the guys went to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings and the girls took all 8 children through drive throughs and back to Mistie's house to hang out for a while. There were lots of babies!

I doubt we'll even go up there much after March. Most of our friends will either be PCS'd or separated by then and we won't have anybody to visit. I am very thankful to the Air Force for the friends we've made.

She's not supposed to ask to go to the pool.

So, she's found about 18,000 ways to NOT ask to go to the pool! HAHA!

"Sure would be a great afternoon to be at the pool."

"Jacob, wouldn't you just love it if Katie would take us to the pool?"

"I sure could be swimming right now."

"Isn't this just the cutest swimsuit, Katie? It's right here in my bag if I were to need it today."

"Those kids sure do look like they love that pool!"

"I bet Joshua would love to swim!"

I guess it's obvious that Karleigh's been here for a few days. She was instructed very carefully by Granny Becky that she is not to ask me if I'll take her to the pool. Her creative 6-year old mind has come up with many, many others besides what's listed here to suggest I take her without coming out and asking. I love that kid. Oh, and she's been to the pool twice since Sunday.

I know, I'm strange

but I can be strange if I want to.

I've always, always, always loved cemeteries. I love how peaceful they are. There is one close to our house that I've always loved to go out and just sit in. Zion Cemetery's first burial was 1859. It's still active today, but is very small and quiet. I took a break yesterday and went out there for a bit. The sun was just right, so I took some pictures.

Some pics from yesterday

This is a road close to Dena's house.

These birdhouses were behind the DQ. Thought they were funny.

Yesterday, Josh and I went up to Dena's for the evening. Mom and Dad called and asked if I could keep Karleigh until Thursday because Mom got time off from work and they want to go to my grandparents' in Missouri. Of course. So, they brought her to El Chico's where Dena and I were gonna eat and ate with us on their way out of town. It was really nice. After dinner, we went to Dairy Queen for Blizzards (super-yum!). We all had a really good time. It was nice to hang out with them.

This morning, Jake's team actually won a game! I quit posting all the scores because it was just so sad. Anyway, it was one of those edge-of-the-seat games that was very close the whole time. Jake caught two pop flies and scored 4 of their runs! Go, Jake! I wish Cody had been here for it. He would have loved, loved, loved winning a game.

So, you think you can dance?

Laundry!!!

I have done so much of it the past several days, my head is swimming! I went into Cody's room to get it ready for company and it was crazy in there! He had stuff stuffed everywhere. I'm not surprised, he's a 12-year old boy, but it was still nuts. I took everything off his top bunk and threw it into his closet. Then I fished all the clothes out from under his bed and threw them in the closet. I stripped/washed his bedding and put it back on. The girls who slept in there used a sleeping bag on the top bunk and his bedding on the bottom. I decided I'd tackle all the stuff in his closet today. I pulled it all out and probably have about 10 loads of laundry to go. Once I get done washing everything, I'll head back in there for all the trash/broken stuff. Hopefully he'll be happy when he comes home to a nice, clean bedroom.

Jacob's was tackled right after Cody left, but it still has a ways to go. I'll get in there and help him too, when he comes back from Mom's, or better yet, once I get done washing all of Cody's stuff.

I hit Emily and Joshua's room yesterday and cleaned out/organized alot of Emily's toys. I'm so glad she has things here so that she feels like it's her room. Joshua's stuff is mostly in the living room in a bucket, so I try to keep it pretty organized for him. He mostly just sleeps/changes in their room. I do need to get through the dresser again so that she has a place for her clothes when she's here for the summer.

Once they start school, I'm sure I'll take care of washing their clothes again for them - if nothing else, out of self defense. I can't stand stuff stuffed everywhere and I know they're both at a point where they'll appreciate it.

A couple of thoughts from the last few days

I had this all typed out and then Blogger lost it. Hopefully I can get it out again like it was before.

I have been watching Joshua dance alot lately. He's so excited to hear music - he gets this funky indian rain dancing thing going. Soooo cute! Anyway, as I posted before and lost it, I wish I could find that abandonment when I worship. I picture little children like Joshua dancing funky rain dances before God's throne and God absolutely loving it. I know that my inhibitions come from myself and are things I have to work through, but I want to feel that freedom. We're working on it, and will get there.

Another thing that's been in my head comes from the movie Cars. Joshua seems to have picked this movies as a favorite and wants to watch it ALL THE TIME. There is a rusty old truck in the movie named Fred who gets so excited when Lightning McQueen and another famous racecar know his name (which is on his license plate), that he forgets to listen to what they are saying to him. He just falls all over himself with the "he knows my name! he knows my name! Lightning McQueen knows my name!" I know that sometimes I get so excited when I hear God speak my name, that I just don't hear past that. I want to hear His message, but don't want to lose the wonder of God knowing my name.

I wish I were a better writer.

I am lawn mower repair woman!

Since we've lived here, I've learned how to drain the oil, add the correct amount of oil and clean the air filter! I'm sure more is coming. I'm starting to recognize little symptoms of the lawn mower by how it sounds, like when it doesn't have enough oil and when it's flooded. I guess you can't really know too much about stuff, but right now, I smell like gas and oil - kinda' reminds me of how my Dad smells after he's been working on some mechanical thing - minus the extreme sweat!

It may not sound like much, but I'm pretty proud of me.

I can't believe I did that!

My best friend's boy stays with us when he's not in school. He's a sweet kid and we enjoy him.

He doesn't have school today, so is staying with us. I talked to his Mom and she needed the door unlocked about 7:30 this morning. Well, guess what. I didn't wake up and totally forgot the alarm! I could not believe myself. I'm not one to usually do stuff like that and totally feel awful. I think she was only a few minutes late to work, but it killed me. She's getting a key and the alarm code asap!

I have so much to do and really don't want to. I need to be cleaning and will in a few minutes. I know it's just the getting started part that's hard. After that, I'll be on a roll and get it all done. We have some friends coming from Wichita Falls this weekend and are really excited to see them. They have the sweetest kids. They were our neighbors on base and we also went to church together. It'll be fun!

interesting...

I recently signed up for a blog tracker. I can go to that site and see a map of my readers, right down to the street they're reading from. I am completely amazed! I have alot more traffic than I thought. Some of the cities fascinate me also: San Antonio, Houston, Indianapolis, Detroit, just to name a few. It shows me the times and dates of their visits also. Pretty cool. And here I was thinking that nobody really reads me....

David got an interesting call today. A while back, he sent an application in to another freight company. They called him today about an interview. There is so very much to consider because it might require a move. They are all over the southeast U.S. The farthest west they come is Dallas. It wouldn't require quite as much thought if he were offered a comparable position in Dallas - he wouldn't have to deal with the Teamsters, so it would basically come down to money and benefits. We'll see. Maybe that will be the answer to the $$ prayers we've been having. I hate not being able to do alot with the kids and all they hear is "we can't afford it". They're such good kids, though, and don't really complain. Thank God for good kids!

I'm thankful for my husband. I know God has used the things he's been through to make him who he is and I get the benefits of that. God does that with everybody who'll let him. Thank you, God, for my teachable, loving, sweet husband.

Cars

Josh sits transfixed to the tv when that movie is on. He's so stinkin' cute!

Josh and I have already been to Walmart and the post office. I've already tackled the kitchen and am thinking about floors when Josh takes a nap. The laundry is also calling. I'm sensing a productive day....

We had a really good day. Church was nice, then lunch with Mom and Dad. Jake went to their house for a couple of days, so it's just the three of us here. David's working tonight.

Joshua has a follow-up doctor's appointment tomorrow to make sure his ear is clear. Other than that, we have no plans for the next few days. I love quiet times, but miss the kids after a couple of days.

rambling thoughts

Sometimes I just wanna post my thoughts. I worry that people who don't need to hear my thoughts read this. I really shouldn't worry about that, but I do. I don't want to make this blog private, or start another one that would be private somewhere else and try to keep up with two. I am praying for courage to not worry about other people reading this. I am very insecure about that. I also seem to think of lots of things to blog about when I don't have time to blog. I wish I were a better writer (that's another insecurity). I am not a difficult person. I hate feeling like things have to be made more difficult than they are. I don't know why I'm feeling guilty when we talk about sending the boys to school. We have prayed about it and know that is where they are supposed to be, but I still have that "sending my kid off to Kindergarten" feeling. I know that they're 12 and very excited to be going. I just know that I'll miss them - even with all the days that it's difficult to have two 12 year olds with me 24/7. I know the morning will come very early and I need to go to bed, but it's so nice to have the house quiet. I love that Josh is sleeping so well lately. He's such a sweet baby! He completes our family in a way I never, ever thought he would. He seems to be the glue that ties all the kids together. He's the common thread for all of them. I thank God for him every day. I thank God for the love that our family can share - even though we're blended and that's not always easy. I pray for Emily - it's so hard to not have her here. She's so precious. All our kids are precious. I pray that God gives us the wisdom to raise them in Him. I pray that Emily hears his voice and knows Him. It's so hard to not be able to see that she is trained up in the way that she should go.

I can think of nothing more that will form into typed sentences. I'm off to bed...

My kid's feet

This is what size 13's look like!



And this one just because.

Kung Fu Fighting

My husband

I am married to the most wonderful man in the world. He loves our kids and me more than anything else. He's so good to me. He's always ready to listen or do whatever we need. I thank God for him so much every time I think about it. I couldn't ask for a better husband.

a little excitement

The house 4 down and across the street burned - not all the way down, but pretty bad. They called out 5 firetrucks - two from Little Elm, two from Frisco and one from The Colony. It was quite a sight. At one point, we couldn't see the house directly across the street from all the smoke. It all happened just after Jacob left to pick up Trace from school, so he had to get permission to cross the street and come home from a policeman. Crazy. I feel awful for that family. I never did see them, so don't think they know yet. Their dog got out and animal control picked him up. I never saw an ambulance leave, so don't think anybody was hurt at all, but it's sad. They sprayed foam stuff all over the house next door to keep it from catching in the wind. It kept our attention for a bit.

Joshua's doctor's appointment

Joshua had his 15 month checkup a little late. Actually a whole month late. Oh, well. He is 27.6 lbs and 33 1/2 inches tall. That's 80% for weight and 95% on height. I think she over-measured his height, but that was just my opinion. It's ok.

Oh, and the not sleeping - well, he has an ear infection. Nothing about how he acts would have ever made me think that. Jacob had so many, I had picked up well on his signals, but Joshua never even touches his ear. He has antibiotics that I'll go pick up and get started on this afternoon. Poor baby.

I took the boys to their appointment with the school today. I think it's going to be a wonderful place for them. I love the director. She said they take the kids on more field trips than a regular school because the kids are so well-behaved. She said she has alot of parent involvement - more than mainstream school. I'm excited about it. It's a go-at-your-own-pace place. She said they have testing for about 3 hours sometime during the two weeks prior to school starting. We'll be making an appointment for that closer to time. I think she has everything she needs besides that.

yet again...

I sit here while Josh is screaming bloody murder in his bed. I do not know what makes him not sleep at night. It makes me so angry with God because I just don't understand it. I don't see why this has to be this way. Should I just let him cry all night? Is he teething? He's had ibuprofen. He's hysterical right now. I'm so frustrated. I don't want to get him because I'm already angry with him for not sleeping several nights in a row. I am at my end with this kid. I'm so exhausted. I should not be sitting her with a 16 month old child who WILL NOT sleep! This is so stupid. I start to think God really does care about my rest and then he goes through it all AGAIN. It would be so very different if it were a night or two here or there, but it's not. It's every night. I'm so tired and I hate it when people try to act like they even remotely understand. I have no help with him at all.

God, why can you not change this? It would be so simple for you and it would help him and me both so much. I don't understand? Why? I know it sounds whiney, but I can't take this. Should I just let him cry until he wears himself out every night? I think that is mean, but I am more mean to everybody when I don't sleep. Are you even listening? Do you care? I never thought something so simple as sleep would make me question how much you care about me. I'm so frustrated and I just need to go to bed.

it's been a whole week

I usually don't go that long without updating.

Emily went home on Tuesday evening. I think she had a really nice visit. I sure do wish she could just stay. David emailed her mom about that and she has yet to respond. When we moved last time, she said that she would re-consider wherever we lived - as long as we were in a good neighborhood and a good school district. Emily has expressed repeatedly to us that she would like to live here. I'm praying for God to soften her mom's heart to let her eventually. We've suggested several things we'd be more than happy to take care of and do to make it easier for her. We'll see. It's all up to God, really, anyway.

The boys had a game on Wednesday that they lost 18-0. Not a good trend. Tonights game was 11-3 I think. They did much better. I sure would love to see Jake get one of his really great hits. He seems to be in a slump where hitting is concerned. I think it's kinda' my own fault because I haven't gotten him to the batting cages at all - with or without the team.

Hopefully Joshua will sleep well tonight. We had a rough night last night and he got to bed really late tonight, which usually isn't a good thing, but he's out right now so we'll see.

Ok, I'm off to bed with Karleigh. She's been here since yesterday and will go home tomorrow. She's good company at a baseball game.

Another ballgame

It was another night of going down in flames. I think the final was 20-2. Jake hit twice and got out twice. He did great, though. Cody pitched again and he did great for a while. He'll get it and do great all the time. He's got a really good arm.

Emily is here until Tuesday evening. She is so excited to be here. I'm so glad we got her. We'll have to get her more often - it's just so difficult sometimes.

Baby toys???

Not really any other words needed....

Getting better

Josh seems to feel better this evening. He slept alot today and finally got down from my lap to play after dinner tonight. It was so sweet to hear him laugh and see him dumping balls out of a bucket in our living room floor. He's still got a little tummy troubles, but sooo much better. I just hate it when he's doing nothing but weeping and lying around.

I took the boys to church this morning because they can't miss choir. I hate missing church, but Joshua certainly couldn't go, so that's what Mommy's do, I guess.

Hopefully this week will go quickly. I get Emily from the airport on Friday morning. She is excited to be coming.

Today

I missed the first baseball game ever I've had to miss of Jacob's. It was sad. I was sad. Josh was/is sick. He decided to puke last night all over the bath tub. It was nasty. Then he was up quite a bit last night and then became velcro baby today. I know he felt rotten. He threw up a little bit today and also has a fever.

The boys had a great time, though at their game. I took them down there and dropped them off and the coach brought them home. They lost 18-3, but Jake said Cody played better than ever. That's awesome! Jacob hit an RBI and Cody made a run. That means Cody gets to sleep in on Monday as late as he wants (reward for a hit). If they make a home run, they get to skip school for the day. It would be awesome if one of them did.

Tomorrow is Amy and Jeff's wedding. Hopefully Joshua will be ok to stay the evening with his grandparents while Dena and I go. Hopefully.

3 strikes, you're out!

cutest baby ever! (well, at least for 11 years)

Joshua's latest art project is...

Joshua!

Tonight's game...

was really not good. Our boys lost 10-1. At least it wasn't a shut-out. Cody got to pitch! And he did great! He struck out I'm sure of one batter and maybe two. I was really proud of him. I know his Daddy's gonna hate it that he missed it. Oh, well. He won't make Friday's game either. Josh did fine. Better than I expected, but I took his dvd player with me. He tries to get me to get him out of his stroller, but that's a no-go. I don't even want to start it.

Ok, I'm off to bed.

We had our first Bible study tonight!

We have always loved having a small group to be a part of. Since we've moved, it's nearly impossible to get involved in one with our church. They all meet on the first Sunday night of the month. David works about half that time, so if we were to commit to one, we would only make it about six times per year. That's not nearly enough. David came up with the idea to just start a home group of our own. Well, that should have been a no-brainer, but it took us a while for him to come up with it. haha. Anyway, it was just a few friends and us. I made chicken enchiladas and everybody brought something to go with them. We ate and then started a study on Romans. Everybody was in agreement that it was best to just study straight from the Bible. I don't know if I've been in a study before without a book to go along with it. I think that's fine to a degree, but most groups have gotten away from straight Bible study. We loved it and I can't wait until next time!

Everything in our house is not trash!

Joshua has decided that everything needs to go in the trash can. I took my shoes out of there yesterday. The remote control has made it many, many times, along with coasters, sippy cups, Joshua's shoes, a baseball, a mixing bowl and several toys. I've developed the habit of looking every time I pass by. If he keeps it up, I'll have to move the trash to the pantry. I really would rather just train him not to do that, but he's like lightening and I usually don't see it happen! ugh! (he's so darn cute, though!)

Tuesday night's game

I totally forgot to post about this! I'm an awful baseball mom!

The boys did great. Jake had two hits and got out once on third and once at home. Obviously this coach has not been informed that Jacob cannot steal home. One day maybe, but right now, it's just not a good idea. Cody struck out once and walked to first the other time at bat. They both played their positions well, but ended up tied with 9-9. Certainly not as bad as before. I actually didn't get to stay for the whole game. David stayed and I came home with Josh. The game started at 7:30 and went until a little after 9. I have no idea what I'm going to do on Monday - the game doesn't start until 8:10 and David has to work. It may just be a nightmare with Joshua. I don't know - we'll see. He might surprise me - maybe I'll try to get his nap really late that day so he'll be ok.

I just watched something

I just watched a video called Silent Scream. It is a pro-life video made agains abortion. It shows the abortion of a 12 week old baby from a sonogram view-point. The doctor in the beginning explains the process of abortion and then shows the video. I could not believe how graphic a little black and white film could be. There was absolutely no blood that you could see during the procedure, but it hit me in places I didn't know I could be hit. I hear the numbers of how many abortions are performed daily and it doesn't really sink in until I see something like this. Oh, how this grieves God. This world is such a filthy place. It breaks my heart....

I'm praying

for that school to call to set up an interview! I really wanna start looking at homeschool stuff if they aren't gonna be in school. I'm not planning on sending them anywhere else if that school doesn't work out. I'll just keep praying....

Just cuz I love this picture....

Baseball!

The boys had their first game last night. It was not pretty! Well, my boys did great, and the team didn't really do that badly, the other team was just fantastic. I only took about 8,000 pictures. Joshua did absolutely wonderful. He stayed in his stroller the entire time and I didn't have to chase him at all. Every time the other team did anything, he cheered right along with them (ours didn't merit much cheering). I think he thought it was wonderful. It's been a long time since he's been to a game - and the last ones were football. It was fun, even if they lost 20-nothing.

What to do? What to do?

I don't know....

David and I have been looking into a school for the boys. The school is a local charter school. There are only a little under 200 kids. It started as a Christian private school and they went public when they applied for the charter. I went tonight for their open house and open enrollment time. I am fascinated with the school and think it's a really neat place. I spoke to the woman who runs it and she said that most kids graduate early from high school with them. I met the 7th and 8th grade teachers. I've been praying all day and have been comfortable and happy with it all to this point. All of a sudden I was hit with a heart-wrenching "I don't want my boys to be gone during the day" feeling. I don't know. Jacob going to school never really bothered me before. It was just something that happened. I know I also really don't like changes and that's a big one. I don't feel like a failure when it comes to homeschooling, but I don't want to look like I gave up either. I know I haven't and I'll continue praying about it.

Oh, Julie went by to look into it for Trace also, and really, really loved it. She was even told she should put in her application to teach there! I'm so excited for her in her new future. One day maybe I'll post on just her and our history together. She's pretty special.

Jacob

I know I post alot about Joshua, but Jacob's really been on my mind alot lately. It seems like he's changing so very much all of a sudden. For a while it was like I had a little boy and I'd see glimpses of a teenager. Now it's opposite. He's more like a teenager and I see little glimpses of the little boy he used to be. Where's my little boy going? I have been having so much fun with the teenager Jacob, though. He's so grown. Pretty soon I'll start seeing only teenager and glimpses of the man he'll be. That's a scary thought. But it seems like when Jake was Josh's age, being a teenager seemed so far away and not really anything to think about. It's scary how quickly they grow up. I don't wanna miss anything with either of them.

My niece

has got to be just about the cutest little girl in the world!

She stayed last night and is staying tonight with us. Today, she and I planted some tomato and flower seeds. Each came in a little kit with the soil and seeds - they're starters - you plant them in the little pots and then move them when they're bigger.

Anyway, we finished them and she stood outside over the pots and asked Jesus to please make her plants grow. It was so very precious!

I love that little girl so very much.

grrr...

It's frustrating that Joshua's sleeping and I can't. I don't know if it's the fact that I forgot to get the trash out, or do the dishes, but I'm wide awake, so I think I'll just do both.

All the kids are back from Spring Break and we have Karleigh for a couple of nights. Dad has his arm operated on this morning and they didn't want to have to juggle her. I'm so glad she likes coming here and that we can be here for her. She's such a sweet baby.

Easter Sunday

And we're staying home. I know, I know, we should go to church, but I'm not. David's at work, Jacob's with his grandparents and Cody and Emily are in San Antonio. I know I should get over it and go, but also, I don't have anything to wear. On top of all that, I would just be sitting in the nursery with nothing to do, but hang out with Josh and the nursery workers. I can hang with Josh at home. Also, I really don't have the money for anything for me and the baby for lunch. I'm so tired after last night's no-sleeping.

Now that I'm looking at all my lame excuses, I'm gonna go look in my closet and see what I have to wear. If I go, it'll be to my Mom's church.

a much better day

Ok, I think we're officially over the yucky sickness that has been here most of the week! It's so gorgeous out today. I think Josh and I are going to get out for a bit. He just woke up from his huge 2 1/2 hour nap. That's amazing considering he wouldn't sleep at all just a few weeks ago! Night-times are still challenging, but waaaaay better. I'm not complaining.

Oh, Josh has found a new show - Thomas the Train! It's still not "move over, Blue" time, but he likes it anyway.

3 years

Our anniversary was yesterday. I was sick. Like really unhappy sick. I tried so hard not to act ugly, but all I wanted to do was crawl in bed. It was some kind of stomach bug. Thank God in Heaven it's over I think. Joshua started it. He was sick on Tuesday and decided to puke all over his bed that night. I didn't feel great, but thought it would pass. He had a few really gross diapers and then seemed better. I felt fine, just a little yucky all day Wednesday. Wednesday night, Lisa and David came over for dinner. It was nice. Yesterday was absolutely not ok. I felt like total crap.

What a way to spend your anniversary, huh? It was ok, though, because David was home all day and we just hung out. Julie brought over the cd he needed to fix the computer, so it's going again. That's really nice.

I haven't been to the gym since Monday! I really miss it, but won't be able to go tomorrow either because I won't have anybody for Josh. I'll be there Monday, though.

uh-oh

Our computer took a dive. I don't know what is wrong with it, but it's beyond David. I'm at Mom's for a minute taking care of their dogs for them.

Both the big boys are gone for the week. Jacob's with Mom and Dad in Missouri and Cody's with his Mom in San Antonio. It's kinda' nice to just have Josh for the week. It's also our anniversary this week, so that'll be fun.

Joshua has decided he's done with breastfeeding. That's fine. I kinda' think I won't miss it like I thought I would. I did love it, though. He was only eating first thing in the morning and decided not to this morning. I won't offer it again unless he asks for it, which I doubt he'll do. We'll just go straight to the high chair in the morning and skip it altogether.

Anyway, better get home.

A really, really pretty day...

God does really care if I sleep!

I was truly starting to believe that it might not mean so much to God if I sleep - like maybe that was a piddly request when so much other stuff is going on in the world - why should my night's rest matter?

One of the last things I prayed last night was for Josh to sleep in until at least 8 this morning. He's still asleep and it's 8:23! I also prayed for me to sleep and I did!

I think maybe God let this go so far, so I would be so excited about Him working this way. I don't take it for granted that Josh is sleeping and I know it's not because of anything I did or Josh did.

I am very thankful.

Ok, so...

Now that Joshua's sleeping better, I can't. I think it's because for almost 2 years, I haven't slept really much longer than 4-5 hours a night. If I sleep 5 hours straight, I wake up with that feeling of missing my alarm clock or something. It's strange. I think I've just been trained that way. Now that I'm getting a little more sleep, I get sleepy every time I sit still. I'm in now way really complaining, just noticing that it's not as easy to sleep as I had assumed it would be.

I wanted to post this before I forgot it...

It goes along with Joshua's pretending.

I went grocery shopping the other day. When we go to Walmart, everything that makes it into the basket has to pass inspection by Josh. If it's too heavy for him to hold, I just sit it next to him for a bit, then move it to the cart. If he can pick it up, I just let him toss it over. I used to be very organized in my cart while shopping - no more. Everything is pretty-much tossed in now.

Anyway, I set a bottle of gel for the boys hair next to him, the kind with a pump on top. He sat there for quite a while acting like he was pumping it and then rubbing it all over his hands and arms. The only thing I can think of that he sees that's a pump is his baby wash. It was adorable. After he tired of the gel, he tossed it over and I put a tub of butter next to him. It was kinda big and he couldn't pick it up. He tried and then leaned over it acting like he was going to lick it. He popped back up, shook his head no and then acted like he was using his hand to scoop some out and lick it off. He is so cute with this new way to play.

His new favorite phrase is "oooh, wow!" He likes to look out the back door and say that over and over. It started with the snow day and him copying me saying it. He's way too cute!

Wow!

We had another REALLY good night last night and are working on another one tonight! Last night, he didn't go down until late, but not because we didn't try. I did his routine on time and got him his bottle, but after he was done with it, he had no sleepy bone in his body, so he got back up. I am not going to fight him too hard and make it miserable for both of us. He went down at almost 10 and slept until 5-ish. I went in at that time and just laid down beside the crib and talked to him. He fussed at me some, but after about 45 minutes, just went back to sleep! He slept until after 7.

Today for nap, I rocked him to sleep and then put him down. I tried to lay him down awake and see if he would go down on his own. He started to, but would touch his gums/mouth and cry. I can feel about 5 teeth about to pop through, so we got up and got some ibuprofin and the rocking chair. He went out and stayed out for 2 1/2 hours. He's becoming such a great sleeper! I never, ever thought I would say that about Joshua!

Tonight, we did our normal routine and he went right down. He's still down and I haven't heard a peep out of him. Yay! I am so thankful to God for this. It's so wonderful to be able to relax about sleeping. I know we'll have bumps in the road, but that's ok - I can handle bumps when I've had my own rest. It's when we're both running on E that I can't handle it.

I've posted alot lately about Josh, but not too much about the other kids. Jacob is with his dad for the night camping. I couldn't believe how excited he was. I guess, really, I can. He was busting at the seams. Cody and I went to the gym and out to eat. I always enjoy either one of the boys better when we're alone. Maybe because it's a novelty, I dunno. He was sweet and chit-chatty.

Oh, and it snowed some more! Lots more! It started yesterday around noon and didn't quit or even let up for hours and hours. It was still snowing close to bedtime last night, though not as hard as it was for most of the day. It was so pretty. I love the snow and we hardly ever get any.

Wow!

Ok, it's almost 7 and MY KID IS STILL SLEEPING! He did not wake up ALL NIGHT! I am so excited! It's all God. There is no other explanation. He was in bed by 8 last night. I am so very proud of him. This is awesome.

I love Joshua's doctor!

I have been doing some reading on sleep training. Ok, I've done alot of reading on sleep training. I now understand alot of how sleep-cycles work. I understand that Joshua's problem is not going to sleep, it's staying asleep in his bed and then he needs me to go back to sleep. Therefore, he would wake, cry and wait for me to put him back to sleep. I had gone to the bookstore and spent 2 hours looking at sleep training books and picked one out. It was a form of cry-it-out, but seemed the most humane. I had talked myself into believing that Joshua was really just gonna have to cry. Ok. I decided to make him a doctor's appointment to just run my plan by the doc and see if he had anything to add/subtract from it. I also wanted him to just check my baby over and make sure there was nothing going on with him right now that would prohibit him from sleeping (ear infection, teething, something I hadn't thought of yet, etc.). Anyway, I carefully outlined my sleep plan and he basically said to throw that book and my plan out the window! I was shocked - every doctor I've ever talked to told me to basically let him cry. Josh's doctor said that he shouldn't cry longer than 45 minutes to an hour. And then only if it's not a hysterical shriek, only if it's crying and whimpering/moaning - then it's ok. He said to put him down like normal, except don't associate the breast with sleep anymore. He said a bottle's fine - even at 14 months for a while. I'm sure my jaw was hitting the floor! After he's down, when he wakes up, don't pick him up, just sit beside the crib and talk to him. I can touch him if I want, or not, doesn't matter. It's important that he not feel abandoned. We tried it last night and it was so much better! He's not there yet, of course, but he put himself to sleep twice! That's awesome. I'm gonna call the doctor's office and ask where to send fan-mail. Just kidding. I know it has so much more to do with prayer than the doctor - God just used him as an instrument to tell me what to do. I'm so thankful we have a God who cares about babies and mommies sleeping!

Snow in March in Texas????

Cutest video ever!

Hopefully I can get it to load....