Juliet Desiree is Here!

6lbs 12 oz and 20 inches. She was born yesterday on May 16th.  She is a little blessing!

Will Baby Come Today? (Childbirth)

Ivy caring for her sick dolly

Today is baby day.  I didn't sleep much last night between trying to get ready for the hospital and cramping during my sleep.  I'm not really going in yet till the balloon does it's work.  I have to be at my doctor's office this morning to get it and I am nervous!  That's partially why I couldn't sleep last night so I think I got around 3 hours.  Argh!  Of all days to get no rest.  On top of it my puppy started howling around 4am because she wanted to come inside.  I'm not doing very well at house training her so I've been having to keep her on the patio in the backyard. I finally gave up sleeping around 6:30am and just got up.  Phooey!

The reason I'm having to go in a few days early is not for any worries but because when you have a large family, it's not easy being able to get the help you need at a moments notice.  It's harder and harder to just do things spontaneously and THANKFULLY I have help all the rest of this week till Saturday.  :) 

Anyhow, I was thinking about taking a Tylenol before I go in to the doctor's but that's pointless.  It's like taking an aspirin when you've been hit by a freight train.  I don't think it's gonna do any good.  Heh, heh....

39 Weeks Pregnant and Walking Like an Old Lady

Soooo, the time is finally here.  Baby is coming and my six kids are counting down every single day that is left.  I hear them talk about it in their bedroom in whispers.  It's so cute.  Well, I will be going in for my final appointment on Wednesday and getting the balloon.  I'm super nervous since it dilates me so fast and can be pretty painful when it does it's work.  I'm not in a hurry still to have her but I have to say I'll be happy not to be throwing up and breathing in acid in the middle of the night. Last night I had to sit straight up in bed but when I would doze off I would start choking because I breathed in acid.  It hurts so bad and takes a long time to cough it out.  Then I would fall asleep again and immediately the same thing would happen.  It kept happening so many times I just finally pried my eyes open and stayed awake till my body calmed down and I could sleep.  I guess it was around 4:30am that I could fall asleep.  I'm not too freaked out about losing sleep since newborns cause mommies to lose sleep also.  :D  I'd have to say this is the first time that once I've sat down for too long or got up from sleeping, it takes about 10 minutes of walking for all the body aches to go away.  I chuckle about it because I look like a old lady trying to get up.  However, this has been a FANTASTIC pregnancy compared to all my others.  No bed rest, no being hospitalized because of kidney problems, no medications to keep baby in.  It's been WONDERFUL.  

Mother's Day:

I did absolutely no work on Mother's Day.  Just sat and smiled watching my family play!

Yesterday was a wonderful Mother's Day.  It was not expensive whatsoever.  In fact, my hubby made us lunch, cleaned up the kitchen, and did dishes.  I didn't even know he knew how to operate the dishwasher!  I'm a super traditional homemaker who never asks my husband to do any housework since he's the provider.  So believe me, when he changes a diaper or does something special like wash dishes yesterday, it gives me a HUGE smile.  He wouldn't even let me get a cup of coffee for myself yesterday.  Even though he always makes my coffee wrong, I looooove the gesture.  I just have to sneak in the kitchen and fix it the way I like when he's not looking.  Tee hee...


So on Saturday we changed our access to the internet.  No one can just go on the internet and go wherever they want.  Even though we have Safe Eyes, we still felt like we could be more protected.  Instead, we decide safe places we can go and they can only go there.  So basically everything is blocked except for a small list of places I decided are safe.  I feel a lot better about this and the kids are finding tons of places to play games.  A lot of online gaming has open chat and that's not good for kids.  Especially because half the time the chatting is foul language and who knows what else.  We don't have any video game systems in the house.  There is nothing wrong with them in of itself, it's just that it kills me to see my kids obsessed with that and doing nothing else.  Homeschool is like pulling teeth when we have the systems and they rarely play together.  I've tried soooo many times to have game systems and it just seems to mess up the unity my kids have together otherwise.  Sigh. I have to admit, I miss my Mario Brothers game.  LOL.  

Couponing at Safeway and Grumpy Store Managers

Last night and today I was doing some major couponing again and didn't get a lot of sleep.  It ended up being around 2am when I got home but sometimes it just works out like that when you can't get out till late at night.  I've been a lot stricter about what I use my coupons on.  The item itself needs to already be on a pretty good sale before I'm willing to use a coupon for it. None of those lame 20 cents off stuff.  So I was checking out Safeway today and was shocked at some of the Friday only sales they were having.  Well, today is Friday, baby, and so I happened on a good day!  So my favorite deals I got were....

EDITED:  Deal at Safeway.  Buy 2 Classico's get 2 pasta's free.  Had coupon $1 off 2 Classico's and another coupon for $1 off 2 pastas.  Should have cost $46, only cost $2.50.  Saved 95%.

These are sooo good! I guy was giving out samples and I loved it.  Then I recognized the picture on the box and thought maybe I might have coupons for it in my book.  I did!  You can't tell in the picture but this is a large family pack.  Normally $11.50 per box, sale Friday only for $5.  Had $1 off coupons.  Should have cost $69 but only cost $24.  Saved 65%.

Another 25 boxes of cereal.  Normally $4.59 a box but on sale for $1.88.  Had $1 off coupons. Should have cost $115 but only cost $25.  Good deal!  Saved 78%.

I have to say though that the store manager at Safeway is very scary and rude to everyone.  Even to his employees.  Either he hates his job or he was a drill sergeant most of his life and still hates life.  He was NOT happy I was couponing.  Even though it's a major sale day and lots of people were there, they had only one lane open.  I'm not a MAJOR couponer where I buy in crates or anything but he made sure I knew he wasn't pleased with me.  I only needed to do two separate transactions but when he found out about it he raised his voice and told me there is no way I'm gonna do it.  He said absolutely not and in his words, "You ARE going to put this all on one transaction and just not get as good of a deal."  I was still very polite to him and said, "Okay, I'll just put some of the stuff back." He sighed really heavy and gruffly told me that this time and ONLY this time I can do two separate transactions.  I was polite to him the whole time.  I'll just be sure to not shop at the one next to my house and drive further out.  My transactions went pretty fast but they thankfully opened up another lane.  They should have done that anyway on a major sale day.

I got some other fantastic deals but these were my favorites that were bought in bulk.  I need to go back and buy some Sure deodorants for $ .50 apiece at Safeway later tonight and then do some price match shopping at Walmart.  Also, need to head to Fry's and get some free beverages and feminine items.  Anyway, trying to get shopping done before baby comes next week.  I'll be going into the doctor's in 5 days to have baby.  I'm super de-duper nervous!  Aaaaaaagh!  I'm trying not to think a lot about it and just get my stuff ready.  I need to just relax and enjoy each day that I have with my family.  New baby coming, new job for hubby (said in faith), and cars getting repaired (also said in faith).  :D  

My Insecure Mind Battle as a Mom

The chickens come to our door every morning asking for Cheerios
Apparently they like it more than chicken feed.

Luckily, I've been reading a book called A Mom Just Like You.  I need it badly right now.  I relate to some things this large family mom is talking about.  I relate to her constantly wondering if she is good enough in everything she does.  Will I ever be caught up on laundry, house work?  The homeschooling issue really hit home for me.  It's not that I completely distrust schools because I know there are some fantastic teachers out there.  However, my kids flourish 100 times more with me and do great on their state testing when they do take it.  They flourish in the way of their attitudes, love for God, not feeling negative peer pressure nonstop, and they have much more respect towards adults in general.  It IS my job to raise them up in Christ and I felt like every day that I was sending them off, I had to fight "something" every time they came back home.  It felt like I was just retraining every single day.  Am I 100% qualified to homeschool?  Well, of course not.  I'm sure I have the grammar police right now freaking out reading this.  However, I LOVE to learn with my kids.  I truly love being with them every day and never have any regrets.  Having all 6 kids home and being pregnant truly plays a factor in how easy it gets messy and I keep forgetting that.  Like they say, it's like shoveling snow while it's still snowing.  Little stinkers.  They make life so wonderfully difficult.

You know, Caleb is a HUGE fan of the Cars cartoon and insists he sees it on the iPad every day.  He knows how to maneuver through that iPad like an adult can.  Well, often he thinks he owns that iPad and apparently even takes it to bed with him. He's two.  This is how I found him napping.  It would be nice if I could have my iPad back but Apple made it so cool for kids that I literally end up having to share it with 7 other people in this house.  

You know how people say that each kid you have needs their own space?  They fret over how many rooms they have in the house.  Don't kids need their own beds and their own room?  Look, I have tried to give them their own space and no one wants it.  This is how I found the kids while checking on them in the middle of the night and this was AFTER I transferred Ivy to her room.  There are 4 kids in this picture crammed like sardines on one bed.  It is not uncommon that I'll find all six kids on the bed like that.  They just prefer to all stick together.  Yeah, you can tell they are all crying about needing more space.

I was kinda feeling guilty about always sitting down whenever I had contractions and being that I don't want to end up having this baby late I took 4 of the kids to the park.  I didn't take Caleb because there is A LOT of water around.  It was soooo pretty.  Did I get any contractions?  Nooooo.... of course not when I'm actually willing to walk around and egg them on.  Well, I tried so I will tell the doctor I did give it some brief thought and followed through...

38 Weeks Pregnant and Organizing

Cervical Ripening Balloon
Read about it HERE

At my 38 week appointment yesterday they stripped my membranes.  I wasn't dilated but she did make me a one.  I told her I'm seriously not in a hurry to go into labor (still can't believe I'm saying that.)  I'm not having any contractions at all or even braxton hicks.  Juliet is not even in a hurry.  We knew stripping my membranes wouldn't put me in labor, it would just help my body start to get ready (which is good).  So then my doctor asked if I wanted to get the balloon again sometime next week right before my due date.  Sigh.  I really want to go on my own so I haven't really wanted to think about it.  I told her for sure I don't want to go into labor on my sister's birthday and also it would be a Monday.  I picked Thursday which is 4 days before my due date (to get the balloon).  Forget Pitocin, the balloon puts you into labor SO FAST.  I really didn't believe the doctor last time when she told me to go straight home and get ready.  Yeeeeah..... that thing works.  I was completely unprepared and started serious labor while driving.  In fact, by the time I got to the hospital I had one from a 1 cm dilated to a 5.  Anyway, I told her I would think about it.  

I'm about to start a semi-big project in the house to organize a bit more than I did last time. We even took this week off from homeschooling so we could focus on it. The kids thought it meant video games all day.  Daddy quickly caught on and told the boys it's to work with mommy on organizing their areas in the house.  Thank you, daddy.  :D  I really don't want to worry about much housework when Juliet comes.  

I'm dealing with a poopy puppy and being I've never been great at house training animals, he's giving me work for sure.  Since he's my dog I have to take care of his mess.  Usually after I throw up for about 15 minutes then I'm able to handle cleaning it up.  LOL.  Well, a friend gave me some fantastic pointers yesterday on training Max (full name Maximus) so I'm implementing them today. Max is such a cuddly dog and he's worth the extra work for sure.  He favors Ivy a lot and always wants to sleep next to her.

Easy Peasy Pregnancy at 37 Weeks

Can you believe I had not even bought a pack of diapers for Juliet?  This is how we are.... "Oh, well, we are heading home from the hospital, honey, what do we need?" Then I give my husband a check list.  Well, I took the kids with me to the store today and we purchased some itsy bitsy newborn diapers (with coupons of course).  Even the pack of diapers is so little.  They were all giggling about it.  We can't wait to open it and see how small they are.  You know that I haven't stopped changing diapers since the year 2000?  Not even a one month break.  I love my babies.  I don't even want a baby shower, just send diapers!  I'm a easy mom to please.  :D  You start realizing after your first or second baby that you don't need as many things as you THINK.  

I'm still enjoying being pregnant.  Can you believe I'm saying that at almost 38 weeks pregnant? I'm in no hurry and still loving her inside my tummy with all the beautiful movements.  Now, it was quite different with some of my other kids when they would kick so hard it was truly painful.  It was hard to sleep, eat, or even just sit in a chair.  Juliet is so mellow, all the girls were, that it's no problem.  Lovin' my belly right now and not even my legs hurt.  This is been by far the most pleasant and easy pregnancy.  My seventh one, go figure.

I needed to go more couponing last night so I went with my kids.  They are quickly learning that mommy almost always only puts things in the cart that she has coupons for.  Every now and then of course I have to buy something I wasn't thinking in advance about.  That's when I'll pull out my smartphone and see if I can find coupons through an app that can be loaded onto my store card.  Then when they scan my store card, it automatically comes off.  

I bought 5 Snuggles fabric softeners, 1 relish, 19 Palmolive dish soaps, 1 Pampers wipes, 5 Kool-Aid mixes, and a tupperware set I desperately needed.  Should have cost $100 but only cost me $19!  That's an 80% savings so I'm happy with it. I think I should have done better but I needed this stuff and didn't want to wait longer. 

Extreme Couponing for Cereal!

It's about 1:30am and I started couponing since 2pm the day before.  It takes a lot of work to find coupons all over the internet for the sales happening right now.  After I got all 85 coupons that I needed, it was time to get organized and find out where the sales were happening and which coupons will be used at what store.  I had to get several rain checks since stock seemed to be out so I'll have to wait on some beverages and 10 free Palmolive dish soaps.  Anyway, here is my savings for today.  :)  Cereal is a huge thing with my kids so this is about 2 months worth.  None of these coupons I got were from Sunday papers or in the mail.  I have a wonderful printer that is MADE (in my opinion) for couponing since it only costs $5 to refill ink.  Even though I printed out 85 coupons, it barely touched the ink levels in my printer.  It cost me almost nothing to print out coupons and I go even cheaper than that and choose the option on my printer for economy savings on how much ink it uses.  (Quick Print option).  Even you want to be like me and go even cheaper, since some of these sites only have it to where one coupon uses up a whole paper, after it prints out, I turn the paper around, put the paper back in the printer, and print on the other side.  Also, since you can usually only print 2 of the same coupon from one computer, I print from several computers in the house and we have 5 of them.  Then I found multiple sites to where I could get these exact coupons.  That's how I got the 85 coupons.  Yeah, I have it down to a science.  LOL.

So I got 33 boxes of Cheerios for only $ .49 cents apiece

all (38) General Mills and Post cereals for $1

I could have gotten about 24 more General Mills for $1 apiece but shared the coupons with a friend.  :)  This should have cost me $260 but only cost me $50!  That is over an 80% savings.  I'm super excited!  This should last us about 2 months so I'm happy to have the cereal department taken care of for this family of mine.  :)   We love to save money!

37 Weeks Pregnancy Quiz

Okay, so people are asking me if I've gotten ready for the baby such as bags packed, things I need, etc.  Especially my doctor. Noooo, haven't packed my bags. I've never, ever gone early and have only gone into labor on my own once which was my first born.  I'm trying sooooo hard to just allow this next baby to come on her own timing rather than have me be induced.  The other pregnancies I had some complications so it was easy to just say "Yeah, let's just get the baby out!"  This has been a FANTASTIC pregnancy and I'm feeling great!  So, there really is no hurry.  I've gained 20lbs and hope my booty does not get any larger.  Heh heh.  We've already signed up for a gym membership. Okay, I'm not supposed to workout till baby is about 8 weeks old.  Phooey.

I walked into the kitchen seeing Ashley drinking out of a HUGE jar of pickles.  Okaaaaay, I thought I was the only one that did this but at least I just poor myself a small cup of pickle juice.  Ashley wasn't just sipping some, she was chugging.

I found this really cute quiz on Sally's blog so I thought I'd play along being I'm 37 weeks along.

How far along? 37 Weeks
Maternity clothes? Some yes, some no.  I've learned there are a lot of great shirts you can still wear already in the closet. 
Stretch marks?  Luckily no!
Sleep: About 9 hours a night (with several potty breaks) ... for now...till baby comes.  Ha ha.
Miss Anything? Being able to wrestle and I miss being hyper all the time.
Movement: Juliet is a pretty mellow baby so this whole pregnancy she's been easy.
Food cravings: Well, I would say jalapenos and hamburgers.
Gender: It's a girl!  That'll make it 3 girls and 4 boys!
Labor Signs: Hmmm...I've only went once on my own.  Right now cervix is soft but no dilation.  Only minor contractions here or there. 
Symptoms:  I don't have as much energy but my husband says I'm generally so hyper, pregnancy makes me normal.  LOL
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Happy or Moody? Mostly happy but only down sometimes when I get nasty letters from weirdo mean people.  Otherwise, not very moody.  :D
Looking forward to: See my beautiful baby girl and how the kids respond to her.  They have been counting down!  

The Busy Life of Large Family Mamas

What happens when you have a mom of six that is nine months (37 weeks) pregnant to boot?  You have one busy mommy!  Between attacking the never ending laundry pile, homeschooling, and always finding ways to save money on things I need, there is not a whole lot of free time.  I'm not complaining because I'm one happy mama.  The craziness of my life brings me joy.  Odd as that might seem, my paycheck doesn't come from a company.  Being with my kids every single day of the year is the biggest payday I could ever have.  Time is so short with them I'm afraid to blink.

My latest challenge is a barrage of insults of people whether in real life or online that absolutely can't stand me because I am having yet ANOTHER kid.  The personal emails I get would shock you for how evil they can be.  Or when I get cornered (literally in a corner) with someone telling me why they think I'm having this many kids.  I just nod and say "surrrrre, THAT'S why."  The more kids I have the more enemies I didn't think was possible to make.  Well, it is possible.  So, if you are not Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, or a large family mama, you are safe.  

Want to know my latest (almost) freebies?  I got 6 Dawn dish washing soaps, 5 tooth pastes, 5 tooth brushes, 8 whole grain Barilla pastas, 3 dill relish, and one pack of Pepsi Next for a total of $3.  Whee!

Michele and I being goofy!

As I was picking up the Dawn liquid soap, a guy pointed out to me that the news had talked about the blue ones yous see in the picture.  They are safe and fantastic to wash your dog with because they kill fleas and ticks.  So, I set those 3 aside for my husband to use on our dogs.  :D  He was happy about that.  I bought some other groceries and saved about 70% off my bill.  :D  I love saving money for my family and my best friend and I really enjoy couponing and shopping together when we get a chance.  

I've been wanting a little dog for quite awhile but haven't had a chance. The last one I had died from injuries and I then dog sat a friend's dog for 5 months in another instance.  I was still waiting for my little dog and finally got the chance.  My kids are major animal lovers too and we are thinking next we might want a pygmy goat.  I might wait for better weather though before getting a goat.  Caleb carries around that chicken like it's his teddy bear.  The chicken doesn't even mind and even follows us around.  Another PLUS is we finally started letting our chickens walk around the yard wherever they want. We always worried that our big dog would kill them but he doesn't even care about then.  I hated having the chickens on the far side of the house where we couldn't see them. Now they just follow us around the yard or the kids while they are playing.

BY THE WAY, come visit my gorgeous niece Hanna's new poetry blog.  She's not just any girl, she was the first to make me an aunt, she just came back from missionary work in South Africa with her family.  She would love for you to pay a visit to her blog and leave a comment.  :)  

  http://whenthebluebirdsing.blogspot.com

Was Motherhood Ever in Bondage? The Evil of Margaret Sanger

I watched a short documentary last night with my family about children being a blessing.  One part talks about Margaret Sanger, the evil that just dripped from her lips.  Whether or not you believe you should trust God with how many He gives you, there is never an excuse to kill a baby in the womb.  Ever.  There ARE other ways to prevent pregnancy without the act of murder that does not involve abortion of any kind (including chemical forms of contraceptives).  

"This is the dawn.  Womanhood shakes off it's bondage.  It asserts it's right to be free"

"The most immoral practice of the day is breeding too many children."

"The most serious evil of our times is that of encouraging the breeding into the world of large families."

"The most merciful thing that a family does to one of its infant members is to kill it."

1.5 million babies are surgically aborted each year

Sadly, as a result of the abortifacient effects of the pill and other "contraceptives," an additional 8-12 million babies are chemically aborted each year in the US alone. 

Click HERE to read The Truth About Birth Control

It breaks my heart to know I was on the pill (even though it was only for a couple of years) and I didn't know I could still get pregnant.  I had no idea the pill would cause my body to reject the baby and get rid of it.  Ack.  I hate thinking about it.  I haven't touched the pill since I found out about it in 2002.  

Newborn Caleb (2009)

Since finding out about the pill I started practicing a loose form of Natural Family Planning, yes, I've had a few "surprises".  So what?  What incredible blessings they have been to my life.  So did NFP work for me?  Yes, because I could easily get pregnant every year since nursing doesn't prevent ovulation.  I calculated it and I'd have at least 12-13 by now.  I only have 6.  Some believe you should trust God with how many children you have, some don't.  I guess that is something each person needs to pray about and come to their own conclusion.  Either way never involves murder though.

My sixth (Caleb)

Ever since I got pregnant with my 6th (in 2008) I have been attacked mercilessly.  Within a week of finding out I was pregnant I had attacks that blew me away.  Online and even in my personal email box.  A friend even spread lies for everyone to see.  They later said they didn't know the details, but just had some "assumptions" about our life.  It still hurt very bad and bad enough that we left out of state for a week to get away from it.  You can imagine how scared I was to share when I became pregnant with my 7th in 2011.  I had miscalculated my ovulation and it had been a year and a half since my last baby.  I was surprised but yet again I had the attitude and understanding that children are a gift.  I was still terrified to share knowing that with each one I had would come with more persecution from every side.  Online and in my personal life and surprisingly even from Christian folk from church.

8 months pregnant with
baby #7 (Juliet)

This whole pregnancy I've received about 80% negative from people. This time I'm putting my foot down.  I'm not gonna allow myself to be bullied any longer.  I'm not gonna allow my heart to be sad nor will I let anyone make me feel ashamed.  Sure, I worry about what people think.  Don't we all?  I have to be stronger is standing up for what is holy and righteous.  Even Christians attacking large families is wrong and completely unbiblical.  I've been cornered (literally) with accusations, assumptions, and anger from people.  This precious child in my womb is a gift from God and I won't allow her to come into this world wrapped in shame and negativity from others.  If you don't want kids, that is your life and no one is forcing you to have any.  Welcome to the land of the free.  Are you able to murder your own babies here?  Yes, and the government and even your friends will back you up.  But don't attack those that choose to cherish life.  Enough with all the Save the Whales and Hug a Tree.  Those are nice but what about Protect Human Life?  I've yet to see a film like that in the theaters.  If it seems I am upset in writing this post, I am.  This world is so backwards in how it thinks and I am tired of seeing what is pure and clean be so attacked.

Worried Baby Wouldn't Turn Head Down Before Birth

Yes!  She did!  I was concerned because I really didn't want a c-section.  I'm 36 weeks and went into my usual checkup to see how baby is.  I didn't know I was gonna get another ultrasound but she is head down.  I think she turned about a week ago because I started feeling a lot of kicks on the top of my stomach.  So, we saw about the 4th time that she is a girl for sure but the other surprise is that she is already 7lbs!  So, if I deliver her to full term she'll be about 8 1/2 lbs like Kyle was.  I don't think I'll be delivering her that late though so she thinks she'll be around 8lbs by 39 weeks.  That was such a surprise for me because my last three kids were in the 6lb range.  I got to see another 3D ultrasound of her which is pretty cool.  :D  By the way, in a week and a half the doctor is stripping my membranes.  It's never put me into labor, just helped my body get ready. She asked if I wanted the balloon in 2 1/2 weeks to go into labor but I'm not sure I want it.  I might just want to go on my own. We shall see!

The other day my kids were freaking out because they saw this bug on the mini blinds. I told them I THINK it's safe.  So while they were all admiring it, my son Ryan walks up and grabs it.  The little ones were thinking he was to be freed but Ryan headed straight to the chickens.  Well, the miniature chicken ate it like there was no tomorrow and all the kids were crying for about a half hour.  Oh my goodness, the crying felt like it went on and on.  I told them it's just part of life and this happens all the time.  :D

Speaking of chickens, Caleb has found a buddy and this poor chicken rarely gets a break. This is my miniature chicken so she is perfect for Caleb's size.  I'm surprised I've never stepped on her since she's been a regular in our house lately.  Caleb snuggles her and carries her around like a teddy bear.  Thankfully this chicken has a lot of tolerance.  That or she is just scared into silence.  Not sure which one.

Our other chickens are too big for kids to play with like this.  Thankfully there has been no poop in the house.  That would just be gross.  Ivy is so goofy with the chicken on her head.  Ha!  

Taking a Trip Out of Town

Last weekend I took 3 of the kids out of town with me so we could visit some friends.  It's a much smaller town but more trees so we were excited to go.  Melanee has a gorgeous house and I got lost a few times just trying to find my way around.  LOL.  Melanee's son has Aspergers Syndrome just like my oldest son so we like to find ways to get them together and visit.  Dexter and Chaz are best friends and missing living close to each other.

I love kids just being kids, playing in the dirt, catching frogs.  Whatever.  :D  I love, love this picture of Melanee's daughter holding the frog.

My favorite thing was to sip coffee in the morning in front of these windows.  She lives on a hill so you can see for a long way.

This picture doesn't do justice for how long that rope really is and how far you swing out.  Ryan got me to climb the hill up to the tree swing to show me.  When you swing out, the hill goes down so you'd better not fall off.

Then we started crafts and Melanee showed the girls how to make silly putty but with glitter.  It was neat and sooo easy!  

Above: Ivy's friend Cassidy holding silly putty

We visited a nearby park before I had to come back and Ryan swung the girls on the tire swing.  We didn't get to be there long but it was awesome that we had that time together.  It was fun seeing how such a small town operates because there is pretty much one of everything.  It's actually a huge desire for me to live in a smaller town but close enough to the city to easily drive there.  We're definitely gonna visit in the summer for their family events.  

What Have You Done All Day, Woman?

This picture is soooo funny... I just had to share this with you!  Ha ha.

Click on picture to enlarge

A man came home from work and found his 3 children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn around garden, The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and no sign of the dog, walking in the door, he found ...an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, the throw rug was against one wall, In the front room the TV was on loudly with the cartoon channel, the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing. In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door. He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she might be ill, or that something serious had happened. He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls. As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pyjamas, reading a novel... She looked up at him, smiled and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, 'What happened here today?' She again smiled and answered, 'You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world do I do all day?...

''Yes," was his incredulous reply..
She answered, 'Well, today I didn't do it.'

36 Weeks Pregnant and Counting Down

Wow, I'm 36 weeks pregnant.  In my sleep last I kept waking up to my stomach tightening and it really hurt.  It last about 8 hours and finally stopped.  That's crazy that it was doing it all during my sleep and a few hours into my morning.  I wasn't even working yet.  So my husband made me sit down on the couch for a long time and it was super, duper boring.  I really wanted to start my chores for the day but when I do, they start back up again.  Argh.

Now the girls are making scrambleggs.  It's neat seeing the variety of eggs.  We get eggs for our miniature chickens, regular chickens, and some from the store.  I really need to raise more chickens again so we can get more eggs every day.  So far we are getting about 3 eggs a day which is not nearly enough since it takes 2 dozen to make breakfast for everyone.  It is pretty awesome to just go out back to get an egg when needing one for a recipe.  :D

(Ivy in picture)  Anyway, I need to stop procrastinating and get my bags packed for the hospital.  I'm not planning on having a baby shower so I'll need to get stocked up on some stuff. The great thing about already having kids of both sexes is I can go in the attic and find things we need.  I'm sure I'll donate at least half of the stuff.  I only reuse what looks mostly new but it'll be fun to go through all the stuff with the girls.  I've never gone earlier than one week before my due date so I'm pretty sure at the earliest I'll have Juliet in 3 weeks. That is NOT very much time.