Happy Birthday Dad/Papa!!! We love you!!

Happy birthday Dad and Papa!! We love you and hope you had a good day.....as good as you can when you are sick and not feeling well. We are praying that you get better soon.

(This pic was taken on Christmas when he was helping the kids open some toy....obviously. Too funny with all the wires. We love it!!)

5 stitches later....such a brave little boy....

What a night it was in our house!! Never a dull moment when you have 5 boys. last night we were getting ready for bed. The kids had been watching a show in our room..which is a treat. They love watching tv in our room. The 3 older boys were just playing around when Isaac got knocked over and bumped his lip. It was more like he bit through it. In the pictures it doesnt look like it, but there was a huge gash and a smaller one. And it was bleeding.....everywhere. I waited about an hour but it was very obvious that it was not going to stop bleeding. The gash was too deep and not able to close.....so off to the urgent care we go. Isaac is a very shy little boy. but this time it truly helped us out. He did not wan to open his eyes and look at the doctors at all. When they put the needle in his lip, he did cry...and it was so sad for me to watch. He was wrapped and being held down but he barely moved...just cried. And then the whole 20 min they were stitching his lip....he just laid there with his eyes closed and let them work. he was awake though. A couple times a little tear ran down his face...but he did so amazingly well. We were so proud of him. The doctor thought when he looked at it that it would only take 1 or 2 stitches. But when he got it all cleaned up and really looked at it and saw how open and deep it was....he ended up with 5 stitches. When we first got there, they gave Isaac a big teddy bear, and after he got the stitches, they gave him a whole bunch of stickers. We got home about 2 this morning. We were talking last night and joking about how, with 5 boys, we have not had many major owies. He will have to have soft foods for a couple days or at least until the swelling goes down. His little lip was so swollen. I took out my cell phone and snapped a few shots. Here is our brave little boy..........

A glimpse of Adam....

Here are a few pics of our little not so little Adam. He is a pure joy...such a good baby. Enjoy.......

A loooong and overdue update......

I guess it is time for an update..probably was a looong time ago. But this will have to do. The kids and I are doing well overall. The fist couple weeks after Josh left were extremely trying. From the first day he left, everything started "going wrong". I could sit here all day sharing with you those things, but it isn't needed. Some were minor, but some were not. And some of those big things, we are still dealing with here at home. IT HAS NOT BEEN AN EASY MONTH!!! As a matter of fact, this past month has probably been one of the more difficult months of my life. I am NOT saying that for anyone to feel sorry for me. It has been so very hard in some aspects but so very good in other ways. You know what, Satan knows that...and he wants to see me crumble...fully knowing that I am not as strong without my husband around. But.....I am determined to stand strong in the Lord and keep on keeping on.

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The kids and I have been fully enjoying our bible time every evening. We have not missed a single day of bible time together. They are asking many questions, and I have a feeling that one of our boys is very close to accepting the Lord. Please join me in prayer for our children. I am in no way the stronger vessel, but to think that the Lord can and is using me with my faults and all...a very humbling feeling.

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The kids are all doing well. Our little Adam..or shall I say not so little Adam now weighs in at 16lbs4oz. He is in the 98% for his weight. I do not remember his length, but I know it was in the 75% for babies his age. He is very different in the weight department than any of our other children. They were all maybe around the 20% and sometimes lower. He is soooo chunky. But it has been ab absolute joy to have a baby full of rolls and chubbiness. He has had to be on antibiotics more than once in his short little life...but overall is doing amazing. Because of his immature little airway, we are very careful as to what he gets exposed to....at least to the best we can. This time around, it has been even more difficult because there is so much upper respiratory illness going around...and that is right where his issue is at. We are definitely ready for cold and flu season to be OVER so we can be out and about a little more. The older two boys have been such a blessing...they are such amazing helpers.

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Yesterday was the memorial for my grandpa. It was a sweet time. My older sister stayed here and watched all my children so I could go..thank you Tanya!!!

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As far as the septic goes, it is NOT fixed yet but it has also not been raining. So the alarm has not been going off which is a wonderful thing. Nothing like getting up 7 or 8 times a night and having to go out in the pouring rain to turn it off. My father in law is now dealing with that...so prayerfully things will get fixed sometime soon. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU DAD for helping me. Thank you for taking that one burden so I don't have to worry about it.

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Josh's stay in New York has been extended officially. He was supposed to be home in 3 short days...but now wont be home for at least another 9 or 10 days. We were very sad here when we found that out. The longer he stays there, the shorter he will be home before they take him away to Japan for the loooooooooong trip. He leaves for Japan the 2nd week of January. We are hoping he is at least home before Christmas now. I have tried to find a way to go kidnap him and bring him home...but I just dont think it will work. lol. If you have any ideas, let me know. lol.

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I am doing well. I was not feeling well a couple weeks ago, but attribute that to being completely exhausted with the septic alarm and the stress of everything that has been going on. Doctors orders were that I MUST get more sleep. yah right. lol. It definitely has been a trying time, but I am determined to stay focused on the Lord and not any of our situations. I have been enjoying a study of I Peter that I have been working on for a month or more. I finished that up and am STILL working on typing up all the notes I took. I got a new 3 ring binder. I am going to start typing up all my study notes and keeping them...for review and future studies. I am excited about starting a new study...just not sure where I am going next.

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If any of you ever have a free day and are bored, you are welcome to come on over. Please do not come if you are ill though. I would love the fellowship and company. Thank you Brittany and Lisa for coming over once in a while and keeping this momma from going crazy. lol.

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What else can I share with you....hmmmm....I am not sure. There have been a couple people that have really touched my heart this past month...and gone above and beyond. That will be another separate blog post here soon. If I keep going, blogger is going to shut me off. lol. This month has surely been a trying month. But I KNOW God is going to get all the glory in it. And my strength to make it through this all has come from nowhere but the Lord!!

We love you...and miss you.......

Early this morning, we had to say goodbye to my husband. We let the older kids stay up until he left. It was very hard for them to stay awake, but they were determined to sday goodbye to Daddy when he left. Sometime during the night he had to leave to the store to get some last minute items. When he was gone, the kids and I snuck into his bag and had a little fun with his hard hat....and then quietly put the hat back. I know he has no idea we played around with it...at least until now. Such sweet pictures....especially with him gone. Enjoy!!

Josh...we love you and miss you sooo much. I hope you enjoy these special pictures. The kids were so proud to be wearing their daddy's hat.

"I love you Daddy" from Jacob
"I really miss you Dad" from Tyler
"Da Da Da Da" from Nathan
I cant find my shoes daddy" from Isaac (word for word..lol...you know Isaac)
"Waaaaaaa" from Adam

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I got a pedicure..what do ya think!?!?!?

A few days ago, I was talking about how I would like to get a pedicure sometime soon cause my nails were looking pretty ragged. It was before I had Adam that I had my last pedi. Well, my husband pipes up and says I didnt need a pedicure cause he could do my nails instead. And he was serious. So here ya go....my latest "pedicure".







(and as a disclaimer...he chose all colors and "patterns"...I had no say in the matter...and yes I still have it on...the whole thing was so funny)

A website for some great bible preaching......

I posted this over on facebook, but for those of you who do not have a facebook account, I thought I would post it here too. Check out this website: www.biblepreaching.com. You will find some great bible preaching. Of course you have to pick and choose what you listen to (which pastors), but there are some there that are worth an hour of your time. S.M. Davis has quite a few that are very good.

It's just Isaac.....

No need for many words, our sweet little Isaac as we see him daily...mismatched shoes and all his treasures. Oh how we love this sweet boy!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA........

Happy birthday Nana!! We love you and hope you have a wonderful day!!


SOOOOO PRECIOUS....SLEEPING WITH NANA


SO COMFY


AHHHHHH....SLEEPING WITH NANA


NANA AND PAPA

Some reasons why I like craigslist.....

I don't go on craigslist that often just to browse, but if I am looking for something specific, I will pop on there once in a while to check for specific things. For the past couple weeks I have been looking for a bouncy/vibrating seat but didn't want to pay full price for one. We have a swing for baby, but that is all. I thought it would be nice to have a bouncy seat or something for him. And on craigslist, you can often find like new things for a fraction of the price. Well earlier today, someone here in town listed a rainsforest bouncy seat.......for only $10!!!! And it is very nice...even has working batteries. All the little animals on the bar move...and when the baby kicks the hanging toys(if on the right setting), the lights and sound will activate. It has lights, sounds, music, and vibrates. Very nice for only $10. BUT IT GETS EVEN BETTER.........
Yesterday, while I was looking for a bouncy seat, just glancing down all the posting skimming for them, I noticed someone who had a travel system listed...stroller and car seat. I replied to the ad, only because it would be nice to have a single stroller....as there are times when just one baby/child and I head out somewhere. To make a long story short......my husband picked the stroller set up on his way home from reserves last night. While there, she asked if we or anybody we knew could use a 5 pt harness/booster seat. My husband said he didn't know but we would take it and find it a home if we didnt need it. When he brought the things inside, I was soooooo surprised. I just was excited to get a single stroller the same brand as our car seat we have now so it can click into it. But this stroller is sooo nice. It looks like it has barely been used other than the tires. Looks almost new. And the booster seat, is almost a dark purple shade...and it also looks brand new. It looks dirty in the picture, but it isn't. It is so nice.
But get this.........
THE CAR SEAT/STROLLER SYSTEM AND BOOSTER SEAT(CAR SEAT) WERE FREE!!!!!! I was amazed at how nice that stroller was especially since it was free. The booster seat.....it is a dark purple color so we are not sure if we will use it for our kiddos, but if not, it is a very nice car seat/booster seat and I am sure we will find it a good home.




THIS WAS ONLY $10 (bouncy chair)
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THIS WAS FREE!!!!! (stroller and car seat set)
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AND THIS WAS ALSO FREE!!! (car seat/booster seat)

Quick update....

We took our little Adam to the pediatrician this morning. It turns out he has some sort of infection going on. They took cultures and we will wait for the results to come back sometime wednesday. In the mean time, they have started him on an antibiotic. When the cultures come back Wednesday, that will determine if we are on the right type of antibiotics or if we need to change to a different kind. Overall, he is doing fine though. He doesnt seem to be in too much discomfort. He is sleeping in my lap right now. Please could I ask you to just pray for our little man today. But get this...he already weighs 10lbs8oz!! Praise God!!

3 weeks old today...

Our precious little Adam is 3 weeks old today. is that right?!?! Is he already 3 weeks old? Wow...it has gone by so fast! He has been such a blessing and wonderful addition to our family. He had his 2 week check up last week and did great. Other than an immature airway which creates a funny sound sometimes when he breaths and definitely when he cries, he is great!!
He has been doing wonderful. Here are a few quick shots of him earlier today.

Easy and cute fall decorations...wanna come over and make some with me?!?!?

My mother in law made these a few years back and just blogged about them again on her blog. Would any of you want to come over one day soon and have a craft day and make some of these with me?!?! If so, let me know and I will make sure I have the supplies needed. They are so very cute and make great fall decorations. I am ready to get out all my fall decorations very soon.

the directions from her blog:
This is so easy to make--
so easy to personalize with embellishment or colors.
You need:
* Dryer vent hose (white plastic)
* Glue Gun
* acrylic paint
* sponge brush
* leaves etc...
~*~*~*~*~
Cut the dryer vent hose---easy to figure out
to a circle...where the ends will meet.
THEN CAREFULLY
hot glue the ends together.
Let the glue dry
Paint with sponge brush.
For the STEM
I used a brown piece of paper bag
crumbled and folded.

Sunshine, hammers, tool boxes....and GREEN SUNGLASSES.......

A few weeks ago, my husband ran into home depot. The kids and I stayed in the car as I was very great with child and did not want to walk around the store. He was looking for a tool box or tool box kit for Isaac as he loooooves tools right now. Well, the employee told my husband that every Saturday they have a kids workshop...and kids can take this class for free...and learn to build or make something. Every month, it is a different project. Well, last month it just happened to be a tool box that they were making. The employee said they had some of the tool box kits left and gave him one to take home for Isaac. When Josh got back to the car and shared with me what happened, I suggested that he go back in and ask if he could get 3 more kits for the other children. So he went back in. Not only did he come out with 3 more tool box kits, but the gentleman inside also gave him 4 home depot aprons for the kiddos. It was so very kind of them to give us all that for the kiddos...and all free. So......a couple days after I got home from the hospital, Josh and the boys went outside to build their tool boxes. They were so cute. and Hathan was just hillarious. He insisted on wearing this pair of green sunglasses and would not take them off. It was so funny. Daddy and the boys had a good time building the tool boxes on a beautiful and sunny afternoon. Enjoy.........