2011

2011 was a very eventful year (is that point moot..what year isn't?). We had a death, a birth, a move, my mom's move and one off to college. Those were the hallmarks of the year but sometimes the daily happenings can get left in the dust. Some enjoyable moments of 2011 include enjoying quiet time with God, picnics with my mom and step-dad, seeing my sister in February and in July, reading with the kids, keeping in touch with friends and family, baking, going on dates with my husband, walks with my dog, visiting my Aunt and cousin in Arizona, cuddling with my new baby (sheer bliss) and spending lots of time each day with my wonderful kids. I am so very thankful for each day that I am blessed with. It is beyond my means to comprehend how much God loves me.

Ephesions 3:14This is the reason I kneel in the presence of the Father 15from whom all the family in heaven and on earth receives its name. 16I'm asking God to give you a gift from the wealth of his glory. I pray that he would give you inner strength and power through his Spirit. 17Then Christ will live in you through faith. I also pray that love may be the ground into which you sink your roots and on which you have your foundation. 18This way, with all of God's people you will be able to understand how wide, long, high, and deep his love is. 19You will know Christ's love, which goes far beyond any knowledge. I am praying this so that you may be completely filled with God.

Christmas

Merry Christmas from Iowa!!

Happy 18th Birthday

My oldest daughter turned 18 on Sunday, December 4th! Happy Birthday, Carlina!! We had a fun, albeit busy, day with a party after church and then Christmas caroling around town (with the church) that evening. I am so blessed to have Carlina as my daughter. She is a wonderful, caring person and a joy to be around. Jesse and I took her out to lunch at Huhot on Monday after Anna's dentist appointment and had a great time in SC. It was very cold and feeling like December in every way!

Above picture -all of the sisters together: Carlina (18), Julia (16), Alicia (14), Katie (10) and Anna (3).

More pics...

Our country place

We have moved...

We are so thrilled to be living in the country again!!! 2.3 acres placed in just the right spot...a bit outside of town. We moved off the farm in 2004 and have lived in neighborhoods ever since. I have to admit that I have missed the space and privacy that some land provides. We actually have 3 bathrooms now and a partially finished basement. Pictures will be forthcoming as I can't find my card reader for the computer. Moving is grueling and I wasn't looking forward to it with a small baby, but things have gone pretty smoothly. We had men from our church help with the big stuff and a big corn crib to store boxes that we aren't ready for yet. We hope to use the house for entertaining our friends and family and for anything else that God would desire. He has heaped blessings on us and we are extremely grateful.

New driver!!

Miss Julia turned 16 on the 23rd and marched down to the courthouse the next day to get her license!!! Now the job hunt begins....

October brings...

YUM!

Mondays..

are always hectic! It is hard getting back into the swing after the weekend. We really need to get to bed earlier and get up in the morning earlier, too. ROUTINES! I love them but have trouble sticking to them sometimes. School is going along okay. Carlina and Julia are both doing My Father's World High School and seem to be liking it. It is our first year to try it. Katie, Alicia and Garrett are doing MFW, too...just the basics of it. Thomas is doing Kindergarten Lifepacs, but I don't officially consider him a Kindergartner for the records..next year.

Big news for us...we are moving sometime next month! We closed on our house and are starting to pack things. It will be a bigger place with more than one bathroom on 2.3 acres. We have not experienced country living since we moved off the farm in 2004.

(picture: Jesse & Garrett enjoying Stone State Park-October 2011)

Anna Rose is 3

My wild child turns 3 tomorrow! She is 3 going on 16.....loves makeup, purses, beautiful princess dresses and being a mommy to her baby dolls.

Happy 14th Alicia...

My happy, wonderful 4th child hit the 14 mark on the 27th! She is an artist extraordinaire and a writer to boot!! Happy Birthday, Alicia!!!

Zoo Sept 11

David at 8 weeks

My sweet baby boy is growing so fast. He will have his right ear re-tested tomorrow as he failed the hearing test. Not uncommon, several of mine have done so after birth only to pass it later. They often have fluid in their ears. Can't believe he is nearing the 2 month mark!!

Busy month..

August has been extremely busy! Adjusting to a new baby, taking a 2 week vacation, getting Colton settled into college and starting school here at home are just a few of the things we have been doing. David is a really good baby...nursing well, growing and sleeping pretty peacefully. I am so thankful. Anna is still a handful!! She loves David, which I am thankful for. We enjoyed our 2 week road trip across Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Kansas. Saw some gorgeous scenery and had wonderful family bonding time. Colton seems to be doing well down in KC and says that he is not homesick. He is coming home Labor Day weekend for a short visit. We have our first week of school under our belt here at home. Using My Father's World for everyone this year and it seems to be going good, so far.

1 month old!

David...

David....

Baby is here!

I am so thrilled to announce the arrival of David Arthur on July 18th. We are both doing well and plan on coming home from the hospital today.

July 17-A busy day was planned. Alicia sang in church and then we took her to Bible camp, about 2 hours away. It was a nice family outing, although we were in the midst of an extreme heatwave...115 degree heat index. We came home and I attempted to accomplish some last minute tasks..still packing my hospital bag (perhaps in denial that I was really ever going to have this baby?), cleaning, dishes, laundry...even planting some flowers that I knew were going to die if I didn't get them into the ground. I finally went to bed about 10:30pm.

July 18-a bit after midnight I began to get some strong, fairly regular contractions. I had prayed that labor would begin before I had to go to the hospital and it appeared that God has answered my prayers. These were contractions unlike any that I had been experiencing the previous nights. The contractions continued and woke me up a few times with their intensity. I got up at 6am, took a shower and prepared to leave for the hospital (about 20 miles away). On the way, the contractions continued to be strong and regular..about 5-7 minutes apart. I felt dejavu, as this same scenario had occured 19 years earlier for the birth of my firstborn (also in July). I had gone into the labor the night before his scheduled induction at 9 days past due. This baby was 8-12 days overdue depending on which duedate we used.

Once we arrived at the hospital, we checked in and made our way back to L&D. It is a small hospital and we were the only ones there. They checked me and I was 4cm and 75% effaced (at 7am)..I had made progress since Wed. The nurse, still expecting me to get Pit and possibly an epi, hooked me up to my i.v. and then blood was drawn. Jesse and I watched an old Red Skelton movie on TCM while we waited for the doctor. Doctor Mary came in at 7:30 and broke my water. At this point, the way my contractions were going she did not expect me to have to get pit and even questioned the I.V. I told her that I would probably get an epidural, so she ordered one. She wanted me to get up and walk and I attempted to do this, but the contractions were continuing to build in intensity and frequency. At about 10 am, she checked me and saidI was a good 8-9 cm. I was extremely thrilled with my progress, but having an increasingly hard time with my contractions. The anesthiologist was called and Dr. Mary instructed him to go easy on the meds as I was getting so close. It began to give me some relief about 10:30 and at 11:30 I was almost complete with just a small cervical lip. Baby's heart took a dip and they put me on my side and gave me some oxygen..which did the trick. I was complete and began to push at 11:45 and David Arthur made his way into the world at 12:07pm. He looked so big and healthy and so familiar! Like a combination of all the kids put together. We found out he weighed 8lbs 15oz (my biggest by 13 oz) and was 21 inches long. What an amazing relief to have him here and healthy. I felt wonderful, too. Such a different labor then one induced with Pit for me. I felt like I could dance down the halls (more of a feeling then reality to be sure). My mom was there to witness the birth of her 13th grandchild and Jesse's mom (David is her 18th grandchild) came a bit later and brought the kids to meet their new brother.

We are so thrilled for the miracle of our new little son and praise God for his safe arrival. We found out after the delivery that there was a something unique about the way that his umblical cord went into the plancenta. Dr. Mary showed us how the cord went into the top, rather than the middle. It was very vulnerable to tearing and other accidents and only occurs in about 1 in 200,000 births.

Psalm 139:14 (New International Version)
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Friday, July 15th..still pregnant!

Whew..humid today!! Almost feels like Florida. Above is a picture of my little "firecracker" on the 4th of July.

My induction was postponed until Monday, 18th. I had a non-stress test today and will report to the hospital at 7am on Monday. Alicia sings in church on Sunday and we also take her to camp later that day, so that will work out well.

Colton is on his way to Canada, as I type. He is volunteering at a Bible camp in the wilds of Saskatchewan and will be gone for a week. Last I heard, his flight has been majorly delayed due to storms in the Minneapolis area. Prayers that all would go well for him would be appreciated.

Waiting...

We are still anxiously waiting for the arrival of "Baby Chico", who we *think* may have a real name, now. I am scheduled for an induction on July 13th, so he should be a babe in arms by the 14th!

Latest goings on...

Birthdays!! Thomas turned 5 on the 26th, Colton turns 19 tomorrow and Baby Chico will have a birthday soon after!!!

We are having a heat wave here and enjoying the pool! So wonderful to have a nice pool within very close walking distance.

Excited about Daddy having some Family Leave time in July. July will be busy with 2 going to camp, my sister coming and of course, a new baby!!!

Summer days...

Monday was the first day of summer...which means the days are now getting longer..boo hoo! In Iowa, one must enjoy each and every summer day...they slip away so quickly. We have been trying to relish our time...swimming hasn't been possible lately as the weather has been cool and rainy. The sun came out today, which was lovely. We celebrated Jesse's mom's 73rd birthday this evening at her house. The kids love to get together with their cousins, or should I say their best friends. Wonderful to have cousins close in age and proximity.

Pregnancy is going well...nothing happening for me, I usually go late. Baby is growing great. We are so looking forward to meeting our little guy, still working on a name.

Julia is winding down Driver's Ed and will finish by the end of June...she will turn 16 in October and hopes to get her license and a job.

Thomas will turn 5 on Sunday and we are planning on going to see Cars 2 with family and extended family to celebrate. He says that he does not want to be 5, wants to stay 4. That 4 is his favorite age:)

36 weeks today

Flowers, home sweet home and the new ride...

So excited to( once again) have a vehicle that fits everyone!!!! We are loving our Chevy 12-passenger:)