Here's the smile!

Erin and cousin Maggie
Three pretty girls!
Isaac and Curtis sitting still for a change!
Two of my girls again!

Yes, I am human again! Yesterday I felt 95% better!

Again, things to be thankful for:

1. Feeling better

2. My dad is feeling better - he has an appointment with a pulmonologist tomorrow in Florida. Pray for him to regain his strength before deciding to return to Michigan - they tend to get "cabin fever" and come home faster than planned.

3. My husband is such a terrific cleaner! Yesterday he (and Erin) tackled the garage and boy, is it ever clean. I do not know where he put everything, nor do I want to know:) I'm just glad it's clean! We are going to be brooding the chicks in there because it's heated and he definitely created the space for that and then some. Last night was the first night we've had 2 cars in the garage in probably 2 years! All I can say when I walk out there is WOW! I never thought a clean garage would be enough to put a smile on my face!

4. No school today - sleeping in was nice!

5. The rain today - hopefully that will get rid of the rest of the snow and we'll not see anymore until next winter!

6. Driver's training - starts tonight and my girlfriend called and enrolled her daughter as well, so Brooke won't be going alone anymore!

7. My niece changing my furniture around when she was here Friday night. It looks nice -thank you our designer wanna-be!

8. I am so thankful that God is in Control - no matter what! Nothing more needs to be said!

9. I am thankful I started this blog - it is my only hobby (sad, I know) not that I don't like doing other things on a regular basis (just no time), but it's been fun and I'm enjoying it! Keeping in contact with others I don't get to see regularly has been great!

10. I am thankful I carried all my 7 children to term although I've also had 4 miscarriages, they were early ones... Pray for my cousing Kim who is in the hospital with contractions at 25 1/2 weeks along... Preston, her first was born at 34 weeks. They will probably keep her off work and off her feet if they let her go home providing the meds take care of the contractions. Wanna read a neat blog about a christian family with a premie and a wife with CF, to boot check out cfhusband.blogspot.com and see this little miracle!

11. I am thankful for our relatives - I especially think of Aunt Judy and Uncle Al right now. Aunt Judy has been battling cancer since knowing about it last June. She's undergone chemo, radiation, etc. and has been so sick but is fighting with all of her might! Our Uncle Al is such a great guy and wonderful husband. He was before, but he really loves his wife and it shows through the wonderful way he takes care of her! Her third born son and third to get married, is getting married this July 6th and she wants to be well enough to attend so please pray for that. She's had fluid building up around the liver and had it (the fluid) removed once this weekend so please pray that this would resolve. I'm thankful I'm better and I will be picking up Jeremy from work today so that we can go and see her in the hospital on the way home...

There are many other things I'm sure, but I must go and get ready to leave for Pontiac to pick up my wonderful husband! It is neat to think of the things to be thankful for - sometimes they get overlooked as we stress out and think of all of the things not to be thankful for!

God Bless and have a great night!

Sunday is here

My girls!
Smiling at Nana
Happy Birthday Daddy
Happy birthday Amber

Praise the Lord! Friday night, my mom stopped in for a visit. I made a dish for supper that was new and we ate together. Carly was also over for a little while after getting a cute haircut. After supper, I started feeling a little ill, sick to my stomach, light headed, etc. We dropped the van off at the church for the girls (who were at our church's youth conference). When I got back, I had the chills and laid on the couch with Lyndsay, wrapped in a blanket. Kind of felt like mastitis only I knew it wasn't mastitis this time! After heating a rice sock and taking it to bed with me to try and get warm, I woke up alternating between the sweats, chills and throwing up (YUCK!). It has been so long since I had the flu and/or thrown up, I am glad I don't get sick very often! Saturday morning I still felt ill. All I ate yesterday was 2 popsicles and some swallows of Pepsi (which is my favorite). The good thing about being sick is I lost 4 pounds! See, I always try and think of the positive!! Needless to say, I spent most of the day on the couch, I slept when Lyndsay slept and went to bed at 10pm. Jeremy, Erin and Isaac pretty much had to fend for themselves all day. Erin spent much of the day in our whirlpool tub in our room, swimming while daddy was on the computer, playing a game. Then Isaac got in and Erin had just gotten out, but she went and got her swimming suit on and got back in! I told my husband that he was on his own for dinner (no one had eaten lunch) and he said to order a pizza! I even had the girls call our Pastor's wife and tell her I wouldn't be able to make the lasagna I had promised for the lunch for the adults during the youth conference on Saturday afternoon. I felt bad about that. But, praise the Lord I woke up this morning feeling fine and even ate 1 pancake! I still didn't go to church, but hope to maybe go tonight... Isaac is complaining that his back hurts when he goes to the bathroom so I'm wondering if he has a UTI or kidney infection... I'm making him drink lots of water today to see if that helps flush things out. If not, I will be taking a trip to Dr. Thill's with him tomorrow much to his dismay. Isaac and Erin are outside helping Daddy work on the barns, getting more ready for the 110 chickens and 2 turkeys that will be arriving on April 9th! (HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROOKE!). She wanted a horse, but oh well... (HAHA)

Brooke starts drivers training tomorrow night for 3 weeks, 4 nights a week. I figured it would be easier to do while I'm still off work so here we go! She's nervous now - mostly nervous about going to the class by herself?! No, I can't stay there with you!

Oh the story behind the 2 new pictures. The girls have been telling me about the dresses they had to wear while singing at the youth conference. I didn't really think anything of it, because my girls are so picky... Well, Friday, Brooke came upstairs in the "dress". I'd say costume is more appropriate! I told her she looked like Fiona on SHREK. She said, no mom, her dress was prettier. Well, I think it's pretty, but not a dress. So, I took the picture and told her -good blog picture, Brooke! There you go!

Amber is going on her senior trip April 26th and yes, I did find out they are going to Tennessee for the week. It sounds as if they are going to pack in a lot of activites, including white water rafting - they better get pictures cuz I can't imagine Amber doing that!

Ok, gotta go and get cleaned up while baby is sleeping - she's doing great, been smiling and cooing. She was smiling real big at me at 4am this morning and I couldn't help but smile back and tell her how cute she was and how much I love her! I wish they could all stay tiny like this forever! She just adores me right now! But, when they grow into teenagers... that's a different story!! No, I'm sure my teenage daughters still adore me, right?

Have a great day!

Good Morning!

Pretty baby
A pretty ponytail that only lasted 10 minutes
Brookie and baby Lyndsay
Isaac and Lyndsay
Grandpa Steve and Lyndsay

Friday already, hard to believe - only 2 1/2 weeks to go til RTW (return to work) day:( I am sitting here with Lyndsay on my lap, Erin trying to hold her hand and making her mad. Erin just told me she's thirsty and wants her "fish" cup! I didn't know we had a fish cup, that's how close she pays attention to detail! She told me Brooke had it, who knows? We'll go and look. This week has been busy. I did get to stay home all day Wednesday, my niece, Chelsea came over at 3pm for a few hours to see everyone and the baby. Then off to church. Erin didn't take a nap and was very crabby.

Yesterday, I had to take the truck back in to the car dealer because they were supposed to put in a new fog light that had fallen out of the truck. It took them 1/2 hour and cost me $150.00! Wow! They think I get paid a lot for putting cars together (WRONG!), not compared to body shop workers/businesses! The 2 little girls and I waited in the waiting room for that, then went to a detail shop to order new rubber pads for the running boards on the truck and rain guard shields for 2 of the windows (all have fallen off). TSC was the next stop to look for something on sale and had no luck. On the way home, we stopped in Bridgeport and bought a cake at the bakery and stopped to visit my Uncle Gene at his office around the corner. He has an adorable boston terrier and he and Erin had a good time! He would run into the back room and bring out all of his toys to show her. I wish I had a dog like that... Once we got home, the baby slept pretty much all afternoon allowing me to clean, clean, clean. The 3 older kids were at their dad's after school and got home at 7pm so we could celebrate Amber and Jeremy's birthdays together with cake and ice cream. Nana & Grandpa Len came over and so did my sister (Heather), Brian, Carly and Maggie. Erin and Maggie had fun together - see pictures. After everyone left, we went straight to bed!

Today is a relaxing day so far. I was worried about Lyndsay's eye - she has a blocked tear duct on the right side, but it was looking pretty good until Erin accidentally brushed a book against her eye 2 nights ago (we've been reading a few books in Erin's bed at night before turning out the lights). Curt, Isaac, Erin and I (with baby), sit on her bed and read stories, then pray before sending everyone to bed. It seems to cut down on the giggling and goofing around otherwise.
Anyway, the next day her eye was all goopy and runny again. But, it looks better today so I don't think I'll have to make a run to the doctor. I am thinking about going to visit Aunt Judy in the hospital later but we'll see how the day goes.

Ok, I did get a smiling picture - Lyndsay was just smiling and cooing at Nana last night - so adorable! So, I'm going to post them right now. Have a great weekend!

Wednesday - many things to be thankful for!

I am thankful that I already got to eat my breakfast and it's only 9am!

I am thankful my dad is out of the hospital and back at their trailer as of 5pm or so last night. He is feeling better, but needs to rest (which is hard for him - I know, I take after him in that aspect!). So, please pray that he does indeed rest and continue to recover without having to go back in to the hospital. He does need to see a pulmonologist upon his return to Michigan.

I am thankful for a good friend (even though we rarely get to see each other anymore!) who called last night offering to help by taking some senior pictures of Amber for me! I am game for that! So, I am just excited about being able to spend some time with her while we tackle this project!

I am thankful my kids came home from school yesterday and all chipped in to get the house in order after a week off school, etc.!

I am thankful to have the suburban back - although that little errand took me almost all of yesterday to accomplish! I took off at 8:30am and went to return some chainsaw things for my husband, then had to go to the bank and return to the same store to get some things that I forgot to ask for (nuts for the bolts:), then back to the car rental place where I had to wait for 15 minutes for a driver to take me to the car dealer so Erin and I gave Lyndsay a bottle while waiting. In the morning when I left the house, I grabbed my wallet and check book from my purse and put them in the diaper bag, thinking that would make my life easier, having to only carry one bag (WRONG!). When I arrived at Draper, I discovered that I had left the insurance check for the repair work at home, yes - in my purse! So, I paid for the whole thing and told them I'd be back with the check. So, I ran back home, changed a stinky baby and got the check and headed back into town (so much for making my life easy). Now, mind you, the weather was terrible - snow blowing and very windy, 32 degrees. So, got to Draper and she just signed off on the check, so back to the bank I went... Then, I decided to go to the grocery store since I was already out there and didn't care to go out on WED (today) if I could help it! We are celebrating Amber and Jeremy's birthdays tomorrow night so I got all the stuff I needed for that and I also got mother's day covered as well to save myself from last minute rushing as I am famous for thanks to my scatter-brain! Once in a great while I can seem like I have it all together, but other times...! I am also thankful that the girls were so good at Walmart! Lyndsay slept the whole time, would wake up, look around, then drift back off. Erin walked through the whole store and was great - no meltdowns or anything! She picked out plates for our party tomorrow - guess what they were? (DORA - hee hee - I'm sure Daddy will love them!) What fun! She's more into a show on PBS called Word World which I kind of enjoy as well - educational - she knows more letters than any of my other kids ever had at 2 1/2! She also knows all of her sippy cups - there's the octopus cup, the ABC cup, the cat cup, etc. Very sure of which one she wants when - wierd child, I know.

I am thankful for our health even though Isaac was sick - it wasn't throw up sick or anything that others have had. My sister's household has been sick off and on the last month or so, etc.

I am thankful for warmer weather - finally! Kicking the boys and Erin outside to play is so rewarding! The house is quiet for a few moments and they burn off energy which they have a lot of!

We are preparing to order chickens - about 25 layers and 50 broilers. The chicken coop is ready and all we need to do is order!

That's all that's new for now, I have a few new pictures - I did get some good ones of Lyndsay smiling, but the CF card was in the computer - not in the camera:( So, I will keep trying...
Have a great day!

Sunday night...

Hi there - yes, it's late, but my house is quiet - everyone sleeping but hubby and me. So, I thought I'd post before going to bed. This weekend was great- sleeping in, having Jeremy home, Isaac has been feeling better as well. Saturday morning, I gave him some benadryl (which always seemed to make Curt hyper), and about 45 minutes later, he was passed out on the couch for a good 2 hours! Another note to self: only give Isaac Benadryl at bedtime! But, he's feeling better - praise the Lord. So, Jeremy has been working on our "chicken coop" out back all weekend. He cleaned it out real good (didn't do it last year so it was bad). We had 5 chickens left which were all very old and didn't lay eggs anymore. Well, a few weeks ago, the dogs radio fence collar went dead battery-wise so I told the kids to put him in the chicken pen with his doghouse blocking the door to the shed to keep him separated from the chickens until I could get to the store for more batteries. Needless to say, we have no chickens left! But, he really did us a favor. We are getting ready to order more chickens - about 25 layers and 25-50 broilers for butchering. That will be a first for us so we'll see how this goes. The coop has a cement/tiled floor now and has always had running water and electricity. Now we just need to build more nesting boxes and it'll be all set. The chicks are always fun to have and watch grow. I'm not too crazy about roosters, but the broilers are better if they are roosters, I guess. I've been knocked down from behind by a few roosters and really have to watch the little ones around them. It's all kind of educational for the kids as well.



Friday night, my husband took us out to eat at Gracie's for their delicious seafood buffet and afterward we went to the cemetery and straightened everything out there - the grave blanket and my shepherd's hook with the star hanging from it were both on the ground. So, everything is back in order there. I usually take flowers as well, but it is still March and they would have frozen in one night so we'll wait until April 18th to do that.



Sunday morning, I was exercising and I got a phone call from my dad in Florida. He's in the hospital with pneumonia so please pray for him. He'll be in there for 2-3 days at most, hopefully, if he responds to antibiotics/steroids/breathing treatments. Then, Jeremy's mom beeped in and she told me our Aunt Judy was going to the hospital as well. She has cancer and hasn't been feeling well (she hasn't felt well in a year, but she is really not feeling well) especially this last week. So please keep her in prayer as well. Good thing God always uses Easter to put things in perspective for me. I don't ask why as much, I ask what am I supposed to get or learn from this instead? Not to say the why part isn't there, but... some things we just can't understand I guess...



So, after praying for my dad and Aunt Judy, we went to Cracker Barrel for an Easter breakfast (Jeremy, Isaac, Erin, Lyndsay and myself) and then to church. Then, did some running around and back home to steaks for dinner. Back to church tonight after Amber, Brooke and Curt came home. Today, I also got to see the other 2 new babies in church - very adorable - the nursery is filling up again! It feels good to get back into the "normal" routine. I only have 3 weeks left at home before having to go back to work:( Pray for me on that one as well - it will be very hard for me after having the last 7 months off. So, the next 3 weeks I will be busy getting the house in order, baby on a schedule I can explain to babysitter, and getting some other things scheduled. Brooke needs to take driver's training, Amber needs a physical for college admission, senior pictures need to be scheduled and Brooke's braces need to be started! WOW! I have some phone calls to make!



Baby is doing great - she's been smiling and starting to coo a bit - I even got the "gummy" smile out of her this weekend! Isaac was sitting on one side of me (I was holding Lyndsay) and Erin was on the right of me. Isaac was rubbing her head and Erin was holding her hand while she fell asleep. The minute Isaac stopped rubbing her head, her eyes would pop back open and when he'd start rubbing again, her eyes would start rolling into the back of her head! So cute!

Jeremy is off tomorrow, too, so it will be exciting to see what we have in store for us - the kids will be in school (bummer). For now I will be signing off to head to bed and I will try and post some new pictures in the next few days! Have a great Monday.

She smiled!!!

Erin and Chewy
Jeremy, Amber, Brooke and Grandpa Len March/April birthdays
The thinker already!

Guess what - just had to post this - Lyndsay smiled at me today on purpose - no gas, wide awake, smiled at me 3 times total (so far). I don't think I'll get any more smiles today- she is sleeping for the night now other than waking up to eat unless Erin and Isaac (who are in their swimming suits in our whirpool tub in our room) wake her up with all the noise they are making!
Which reminds me, it is time for them to get out before they do wake her up! Jeremy has the next 4 days off for Easter (YIPPEE) - that means I don't have to set the alarm for 4:15am!!!

Have a great Easter weekend and speaking of Easter...

Easter is bittersweet for me - 5 years ago on Good Friday (April 18th), our then 2 1/2 year old daughter died in a drowning accident while we were visiting some very dear relatives. It is also bittersweet because it celebrates the death and resurrection of our savior, Jesus Christ. God made a huge sacrifice by bringing His Son to the earth and then letting Him die on the cross for our sins so that we can trust in him and be saved and know we will go to Heaven when we die. While God gave his son willingly, I cannot say that I gave my daughter willingly - I would much rather that Danielle were still here with us... But, it makes me appreciate the sacrifice that God (and Jesus) made even more! I am so thankful that I do know the Lord as my Savior and I will be reunited with my daughter some day. God has allowed me to use Danielle's birth and death as a way to reach people and give our testimony. I am able to reach out to those who have lost someone (especially a child) and let them know I understand and possibly be able to witness to them. I am also extremely thankful that the Lord has allowed me to have 2 more children since Danielle's death. Those 2 children, being girls - I am so reminded of Danielle at times which is an extra blessing from the Lord. Even in times of trials and tribulations, God is Good, All the Time! So, again - give your kids an extra tight hug/squeeze and enjoy them even more this weekend, if possible - I know I will.

Well, I was right - I knew once the baby was born, time would fly by! I was hoping that wouldn't happen! Actually, my whole pregnancy went by really fast! This week has gone by fast, with the boys being home from school! Oh, to be a stay at home, homeschooling mom - that would be my dream job! They boys have gone through "computer withdrawal" a little this week. Mom has been limiting them in the amount of time they are allowed to be on the computer/playing electronic games, etc. They had to play checkers with me a few days ago and both lost! Sore losers, I might add! But, it was fun and I had to play a game with Erin as well which consisted of putting the checker pieces on the board and just moving them around with no goal in mind... Yesterday, the 5 of us ventured out to Walmart for groceries and Curt was a big help, pushing the grocery cart while I pushed the other with Erin and Lyndsay in it. Today, we are going to tackle cleaning the boys' bedroom in bit. First, I am going to change a stinky baby and put her in her new bouncy seat we bought yesterday so I can finish exercising. I've been walking on my Norditrac every day now for atleast 15-20 minutes (nothing too strenuous yet), but it's amazing how much better I feel. My tummy has gone down more as well. I will stay off the scale another week before seeing if I've made any progress there:)

Yesterday was Amber's 18th birthday - can you believe it? Brooke called in the morning on their way to the church and I told Amber Happy Birthday. Then, she called last night on their way to church and we sang Happy Birthday to her as well. Erin was a chatterbox on the phone with her as well and didn't want to get off. I was planning on going to church last night myself, but Wednesday - early in the morning (Tuesday night), Isaac woke up with a horrific nightmare, claiming someone or thing was coming to get him. I was on the couch, feeding the baby and he was running through the house, frantically trying to get away - kind of funny. I had a time getting him to calm down and the only way was to get Curt to climb into bed with him to "keep him safe". Wow, what a night! Well, he was also coughing and had a fever, so I medicated him for that and in the morning his temp was still 101. It did go down after giving him motrin and that is why we went to get groceries. I got them a hamburger from McD's on the way and he didn't finish his which is highly unusual! On the way home, he fell asleep and came home and continued to sleep on the couch with another fever. So, I stayed home from church. He is still ill this morning with the bathroom blues starting, so we'll see how this goes. Just keeping him away from the baby as much as possible! Atleast it's during the week while he has no school and I'm off work!

Lyndsay is in her crib, looking at a toy (red, black and white) that Aunt Heather had bought for Danielle when she was in the hospital in Ann Arbor. She really likes it but is now starting to cry for me - she only lasts for about 10 minutes, but gets better at entertaining herself every day! But, I'm off to get some things done, so have a great day and pray that no one else gets sick in our household this week!

Monday

Hello there - not too busy of a weekend - Jeremy had to work Saturday so we just vegged out most of the day... Earlier in the day, the rest of us left the house at 1pm and went to get haircuts for us girls. I didn't realize they were going to do all of us at once and of course Lyndsay couldn't be content in her carseat! So, I had to get her out and have Curt hold her while we were getting done. All in all, Curt, Isaac and Erin were very good for not having direct supervision! So, we got done at 3pm, took a quick walk down to Sears to size a few little ones for shoe buying in the near future (remember, rubber boots inventory?), and then had to run Amber to Clio to go to her friends birthday dinner with the family. She had to be there at 4pm. I ended up going in with her to change a stinky Lyndsay so she'd be happy for the ride home. We got a pizza on the way home and had that for dinner.

Sunday we went to church, then off to Jeremy's moms for birthday dinners for some of the birthdays in the family that fall in March and April (my brother in law and his wife couldn't come because the infamous flu bug has hit their household with five boys - I hope they all don't have it!). A delicious ham dinner was eaten and we were entertained by the baby, Erin and some singing from the girls and a niece. It was nice seeing Grandma Reid - haven't seen her since her birthday in January! The baby enjoyed snuggling with her and napping. Erin and Nana's dog, Chewy tired each other out. After we left there, we went to Millington to pick up an already full trailer load of wood:), and stopped by our neighbor's house (the Hebner's) out there to show off Lyndsay and visit for a bit while Jeremy walked out back to make sure he put the gas cap back on the backhoe from our trip last week (he did)! So, that was nice - haven't talked with them all winter and some of my favorite times out there have been sitting on their great front porch, visiting while the kids eat popsicles and color... Their porch has a great view of their property and ours and is nice and cool and relaxing with a swing and everything!

Ok, I posted some new pictures so enjoy and off I go to make it look as if I did something today besides take our Suburban in to the dealers for repairs (after vacuuming it out), get the rental car, bring home donuts, exercise on my Norditrac (to work off the donuts I ate), clean the stove top and microwave oven (YUCK), and now I'm off to atleast clean one bathroom before getting supper started! Have a great day!

Good Morning

Hello there - just keeping busy on this end! Well, after a few days of feeling miserable thanks to mastitis, I am finally feeling better after being on an antibiotic for 24 hours now... Thank you to the midwife, Kelly who called in an RX for me yesterday instead of making me come in to the office with the 2 little ones...! Last night, though, Lyndsay started having diarreah (SP?) and has thrown up a few times as well, so I will be going to the store this morning to get some pedialyte per the doctor's suggestion. We will keep an eye on her today and I need to call the doctor again later to let him know how she's doing. Hopefully, it's not the flu or anything. Erin has been having some "lovely" moments the last few days. But, we're getting through them! The girls have been gone since yesterday morning for Fine Arts Competition at another christian school down near the Ohio border. They will be competing in their singing, piano and photography areas today. The boys preached yesterday, I guess. Then, next week is spring break - yippee we get to sleep in without worrying about an alarm clock! Curt and Isaac are excited. This morning, they both said - only one more day mom! I wish the weather would warm up more, now! Erin and Isaac went outside after Daddy got home from work while he was loading the woodstove. I imagine we'll be going to Millington this weekend for another trailer load of wood! I know my husband will be glad when we don't need the furnace anymore this year and I can guarantee you we will probably be bringing trailer loads of wood home this summer to prepare for next winter!

That's all the exciting news here for now - have a great day and I'm off to get the pedialyte and some other things while I'm there...

What an exciting morning!

Well, this has been quite the day already! At 6am this morning, the phone rang and I had just gotten back to sleep at about 5:30am after being awake since 4am... So, I noticed it was my neighbor and answered it. She said that there was someone walking around in the backyard with a flashlight - I jumped out of bed, turned off the microwave light so I could see out the back window and watched, but didn't see anything. I called 911 right away and they didn't have a unit to send out right that second but were working on getting the police out. I was thinking, wow - I was sleeping on the couch with the baby until 4am! What if someone was looking through the french doors at me? I kept looking out the windows, not seeing anything. The girls were up starting to get ready for school and were looking as well. Now, mind you we have had trouble with this kind of thing in the past. There is a certain person who lives around the corner that has served jail time for stealing/breaking and entering. He is famous for walking around and rifling through unlocked (and sometimes locked) garages, vehicles, etc. So, I was a little concerned. The police arrived 6:35am and walked around, seeing nothing. After going to my neighbors, they deducted that she might have been seeing headlights from cars through the woods towards the road on the side of us, reflecting off the snow or something. Hopefully that's all it was!

So, now I'm tired and have things to do, but we'll see how the day goes. So far Erin has eaten a bit of a pancake and a bit of an apple. She just asked my where my baby went (I just laid her down so I can get cleaned up a bit). I also had to mess with our woodstove - it was pretty much out this morning, so thanks to bits of bark on the ground and a propane torch, I got it going again but will go out and check the temperature again in a bit to make sure! That's enough excitement for one day/week/month - you name it!

This Sunday we are going to my mom-in-law's to celebrate the March/April birthdays for Len, Jeremy, Amber and Brooke. Ham dinner to look forward to as well as seeing everyone. Hopefully Grandma Reid will be there as she hasn't been able to see Lyndsay in person yet! It will be nice to get out. Yesterday it was so nice outside - sunny, too. When daddy got home from work, I had Erin ready to go out and I even went out for a little bit.

Sunday, we went to church in the morning. When I came home, Jeremy had one eye pretty much closed it was bothering him so bad. He has an abrasion on the cornea that acts up every so often if something gets in his eye, etc. So, off we went to Medexpress. Before we left, he hooked up the trailer and said we would go to the property to pick up a load of wood. I said, how long because if we're going to be gone long I will bring the baby atleast (Erin was sleeping, too and we left all the kids home). He said it wouldn't take long, the wood was cut, just had to dump into the trailer. Ok... So, Medexpress took an hour. The kids were doing fine, baby was still sleeping. We got to the property at 5:30 or so. I told Amber to go to church without everyone else and me, so she did, leaving Brooke with everyone. Baby woke up, so I told Brooke to give her a bottle. Jeremy and I drove the Suburban out into the middle field and found it to be too muddy so we went back to the barn to get the International tractor. He also got the backhoe out. Now, mind you I was dressed in my church outfit still with my nice long leather coat and dress shoes. I can only button 1 -2 buttons after having the baby. I thought I would be in the warm truck during this whole ordeal - wrong! I ended up driving the International (thank goodness it has a cab - with no doors, but I praised God for the cab!) out to the back field ever so slowly to avoid bumps, etc for the sake of my stomach still and did fine - it was actually fun driving the tractor again - I enjoy it so much during the summer! Jeremy had one huge piece of the tree trunk in the backhoe and ready to put in the trailer by the time I made it out back. No problem - until he tried to get the other piece, which was huge! He messed with it for 45 minutes and then discovered diesel gas was low in the backhoe. So, I drove back up to the truck, ran to Otter Lake for more diesel and then ran it back out in the tractor to the backhoe. While I was gone, Jeremy had taken the chain saw and hacked the big huge trunk piece up a bit. Then, after he put gas in the backhoe, guess what? It wouldn't start! The whole time, I made myself stay on the tractor in the cab with my legs drawn up under me for warmth! I knew if I got down, I would try and help and end up doing too much, plus I was freezing my fanny off! So, my husband, who was exhausted by this time from swinging an ax and chain saw and knew it had taken way longer than he told me it would:) climbed aboard with me and we went up and closed up the barn and brought our one piece of wood home at 8:30pm! The baby had had another bottle right before we got home and when I said hello to her, she cranked her head around looking for me as if to say - where've you been? Now, I did enjoy being out there as hard as it is for me to leave everyone (especially baby right now) behind. The feeling did come back in my toes on the way home with the heat cranked up and NOTE TO SELF: when husband mentions getting wood real quick, make sure you change your clothes and wear boots/snow pants, etc!:) I really can't wait til spring and am ready to do a rubber boot inventory to make sure everyone has a pair that fits, etc. so that when it is warm enough, we can go to the property for some nice walks and get out of the house! Being out there wet my appetite for the great outdoors again!

So, that was our big weekend! Now, I must get some things done so I will wish you a great day and maybe post more pictures later this week!

God Bless and remember to hug your spouse as well - the kids aren't the only ones who enjoy it!

Monday morning

Good Morning! Although, it's already 11am and I don't know where the morning went - it's going by way too fast! Just a quick minute as Lyndsay is waking up for a bottle again. I hope you enjoy the pictures! Everything is going great and baby's doing good and so is everyone else! I will post again later as she is now hollering pretty loud for me to feed her!

Good Morning!

Yes, I am still here - just trying to get on somewhat of a schedule. I must say I blew it today, though because Lyndsay has been awake this morning, so I kind of sat around a little... Oh well, I'm entitled, right? She's sleeping now, so this is my opportunity to take my shower and get a few things done before she's ready to eat and snuggle again. I am sooooo lucky! I have Erin in our tub right now and plan on getting in the shower so this will be quick. I have to say that Lyndsay is an incredibly good baby - just very content. Even during her awake times (up to two hours at a time!), she just loves to look around and take everything in. She's usually only fussy when her diaper is wet/dirty or she's getting really hungry and I'm taking too long to get her the bottle! (Yes, I did give up on the nursing - unfortunately, but it is much less stressful for both of us and since momma's happier, the whole household is better off!). It's hard to believe she's 2 1/2 weeks old already! I am still having a bit of trouble with my legs and I've had a mild headache since I had her, but I think the headache is due to the spinal I had. It seems to get better every day as well. Hopefully it will go away completely sooner than later! As far as my legs go, atleast my hose are much easier to put on now that I don't have an 7+ pound baby in the way:)

The kids are glad it's Friday (so am I). This month is busy for them. Next week the girls go to stateline for Fine Arts Competition on Thursday and Friday, I believe. Then the following week is Spring Break but they will be gone to Pastor's School at Hyles Anderson College/Church in Indiana. So, just Curt will be home with Isaac, Erin and Lyndsay. It will be nice not having to wake up at a certain time. I was up twice with Lyndsay last night. She is pretty good about going back to sleep normally. This morning (4:30am), she got the hiccups, though and it took a little longer... Next month (April), Amber will be gone for I believe the third week on her Senior Trip with the Junior class at school as well. I can't remember where they are going and I better remember to ask before she goes:) I think she's been to more places than I have in all of her travels with the church/school! She is still busy getting ready for college as well.

I think Brooke is going with my sister and mom to the horse expo in Lansing tonight and tomorrow. She still hasn't completely made up her mind as of this morning. Tomorrow night, Curt's grandpa Sam is taking him to some monster truck show at the Dow Center. So, they are busy as usual! Jeremy has to work tomorrow - the first Saturday since June last year! To think that at this time last year, we had been laid off for 7 weeks off and on and this year, no layoffs, but overtime! Things sure can change fast!

Ok, gotta go before the baby wakes up to eat. Take care and have a great weekend - I will try and post some more pictures over the weekend.

by myself...

Hi there - well, my husband had to go back to work today:( I know he didn't enjoy getting up at 4:15am again!! So, I was on my own. Lyndsay slept soundly from 4:30am - 10:00am so I got some sleep and a few things accomplished - yes, I did clean my kitchen and living room floors, cleaned the main bathroom and vacuumed the dining room. I couldn't take it any longer. I did wait and have Amber do the hall and entryway floor when she came home from school. I was tuckered out. Then at 10:45am or so my mom-in-law and brother and sister in laws came over for a visit and my mom showed up as well. Then, my aunt and cousin and her daughter (Chae) came over and my cousin Trisha made us a delicious chili dinner with a few fixin's as well. I can't wait to eat when Jeremy comes home! Very very nice of them - we were given some very nice gifts from Nana and Aunt Judi/Uncle Al and Aunt Tara, Trisha and Kim (I keep wanting to call her Kimmie:)). Erin loves to open the presents - she thinks it's birthday time every day! She takes the outfits right in her room to hang up! It's always good to see everyone and I wish we could visit more often! When I was a kid, we always enjoyed getting together with our cousins. I remember babysitting Trisha and Kim! Wow, am I getting old, or what?! Erin is still passed out, napping, the baby is sleeping in Amber's lap and I am waiting for a few (frozen) loaves of bread to finish raising so I can pop them in the oven. Brooke is on the computer, playing a game and Curt is patiently waiting for her to finish so he can get on. Isaac is playing as well. We are just waiting for Daddy to get home which should be any minute now! I will try and post some new pics tomorrow - baby Lyndsay is so good! I did give up on the nursing and she is so much more content and never fusses except when she's wet or hungry and otherwise, she is very content!

Amber needs to get up, so I am going to go and snuggle with Lyndsay now!

Saturday

Hello there! We are still hanging in there - I feel better and better each day and finally had a falling out with Erin today. She's been getting away with lots, just knowing mom isn't as quick on her feet! So, we had a few "training" sessions this morning and she's been better. I'm sure it's not over yet, but I hope to stay consistent. I've been bad at just holding Lyndsay - in a way, I want to just enjoy her and it also makes me stay put and rest, but reality is I have to be able to control the other children as well. So, as we speak, Erin is napping and so is Lyndsay. Lyndsay is laying on our bed by Daddy who is on the computer and keeping an eye on her so that I can get some things done. We are going to have to make a store run tonight or tomorrow so I've gone through coupons and organized a few things, did laundry, paid bills, got the mail, etc. I can't believe how fast the day goes by!

I've posted some new pictures and hope to get more recent ones in the next few days... I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Amber, Brooke and Curt are gone this weekend so Isaac has been enjoying his time on the computer (being the youngest, he gives in to big brother most of the time and ends up watching more than he likes). Star Wars is his favorite computer game. Erin found her "laptop" that Grandma & pa Coe got her for Christmas and has been typing on it alongside Isaac - how cute! She had just gotten out of the tub this morning when I took that. As you can see - they all love Lyndsay, even when she's crying! I am about to give up on nursing as she can nurse and nurse and will still down 3-4 oz of formula after nursing for an hour! This has always been a struggle for me so it's really no surprise, but it doesn't get easier with each one to give up, unfortunately! I just love that mommy and me time only I can give to the baby! Oh well, atleast I give it the old college try, as they say. I just figure I'll try as long as I can...

I am so ready for spring to arrive - 3 more inches yesterday! My husband was hoping the worst of the weather would be over when he returns to work Monday, but no luck! Leaving 20 minutes earlier in the morning due to bad weather is not fun -sleep is so important! Now, he'll be working 2 Saturdays with one off, then work 2... until they say no more. Supposedly it will be that way until the end of the year! We can't wait to get our camper back from the repair shop (getting a new awning, some siding, etc.) and get it out to the property and set in place before it thaws too much! I don't know how much I'll be camping out there with the new one, but we'll see how it goes! I can't wait to go out there for walks and such now that Erin is bigger and Lyndsay will be in the backpack as well by the time we are able to do anything. Jeremy is already talking about plans for the fields out there. We have to plant earlier to take advantage of the rains in growing a good crop of hay this year! So, plans are in the works.

Well, I'm off to do other things I've been neglecting. I'm itching to do my floors, but will wait and have Amber and Brooke do them one more time before I tackle them myself! I don't want to end up in bed the rest of the day!

Have a great night!