Congrats Joseph and Rachel!

Would you believe it was their first kiss... with anybody?! Awesome! What a great way to start a marriage. :)

Romans 6:23

Click on picture if you need view it a little bigger.
Isn't this a great cartoon? I love it! It's a bill of sins and what it comes to in the end. But Jesus said "I'll get this one". He paid the bill for us. With his own blood. Today I have just been in awe of God's mercy. I don't know why I've been thinking about it so much today, but I have. I used to be confused about God's love. Not really understanding Him. It amazes me that no matter what I've done, God could really forgive my sins and wash me white as snow. He casts them into the sea of forgetfulness. As if they never were. The bible even says that God is married to the backslider. Someone who has turned away from God. If God can do that much for me, why can't I do that for others? Why can't I forgive and forget? I can! I've learned what keeps me full of joy, is the act of forgiving others. Not just forgiving, but letting it go. Not reminding them of what they did to me. Just letting go and loving them. Be it a spouse, a friend, or a family member, or even a stranger. Sometimes we forget that God loves even the one we might despise. If God can forgive them, then why can't I? Some things are just not worth holding on to. I've come to terms that no matter a short or how long my life will be, there will be someone that offends me or even betrays me. Once you learn that, you don't feel like the whole world is out to get you! I once had a pastor who told me, "Where there is people, there is problems." You can't have them separately. I thank God, that he has forgiven me, and I in turn can learn to forgive others. Not just to forgive, but to even love them. God is so good. You might even be thinking, "well, how could God forgive what I have done?" Did you know that in Proverbs 6:16-19 it says "These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren."
Wow! Some things we would think are small, are listed next to murderers! That means, though I may not have committed "huge" sins, I need God's forgiveness just the same. I thank Him that he did just that. :)

The Best Camping Trip Ever

Hey guys, someone asked me a neat question. They asked me "What was your best camping trip ever?" I answered it here on my FAQQLY site. I had a pretty neat experience. I wish I had pictures to share but I don't have a scanner yet. I will eventually!

Messy cake!

This is just a little cute video of me and my mother-in-law cleaning off Ivy after she ate her cake. So cute!

Sleep Talk

My husband came to bed late last night because he was playing a game and I grew tired of watching him. So, when he came to bed later he laid crooked on the bed. Then knocking off my pillows on accident. He said I got really frustrated and got up and stood on the side of the bed. I told him, "Charles, you are laying crooked on the bed! Come on! Scoot over!...This is America, you know!" Then when he straightened himself, I laid back down and went to sleep. He was laughing about it this morning. I remember saying that, but it sounded more ridiculous later. Hee, hee...

End Is Near!

(Chuckle) This is funny!...

The Times

You know, this is a touchy subject. I know it is and it opens up a can of worms. But I think people aren't being told the truth. What would you say if someone told you that little kids were being TAUGHT to hate others? That everyday they go to school they have to chant "I hate America and I hate Jews". Would you believe that? You're probably thinking, "that's not possible". Believe it or not, there are schools in others countries that are being taught this. If all you do is listen to your local channel stations, they would never dare tell you that this is going on which is why so many kids in these countries grow up hating America and hating Jews.





***The bible says that there will come a day when they will kill and THINK they are doing God a favor. As crazy as that sounds, that is what is going on as I write this. People bombing each other. Some for their religion and some for retaliation. Killing yourself as you kill others does not do God a favor. They keep trying to tell us, "We are a peaceful religion, those people are just crazy that do the killing." Don't fall for that. All you have to do is read their bible. Islam is NOT a peaceful religion! Anyone that has read their bible will know that. I have this great book that is only $5 online that you can read. It will actually show you passages out of their bible that teach this stuff. Once you read this, you will understand. This is not a hate email by any means. Just like God doesn't hate the sinner but He hates the sin. I only am writing so that you will have knowledge of the truth.

Order a copy of "The facts On Islam" here

Bible Reading

*Here is a really cute picture of Ivy at Chuck E. Cheese.

I had an awesome and relaxing morning. I learned something in my bible that I never knew. Now, I grew up in church but what I read today was totally new to me. I read the whole book of Nahum (which is a short book) and I did not know that Ninevah eventually would be destroyed. 100 years earlier they had repented when Jonah came to give a message from God to repent. They did repent but soon turned back to their old ways. Here I've heard the story about "Jonah and the whale" all my life and never knew the extended version. Yup. My news of the day.

Blogging chick!

Okay, I am officially a blogging chick. Just so you know! I joined the crew.

Thursday Thirteen 7-27-06

Thirteen Things I love about Having Children


1. I love wondering whether I have a boy or girl in my tummy and what they are gonna look like.

2. I love my plush hospital and I love the labor and birthing process. I love the prize at the end! I love how God made doctors who can give medicine to reduce the pain. So nice... Luke in the bible was a doctor!

3. I love snuggling a little baby up to my cheek and holding their little hands.

4. I love seeing how a masculine man like my husband can not care who is around him while he smiles and talks to his little baby.

5. I love how everyday is so different I never know what's going to happen or where we are gonna go. Or what cute thing my kids are going to say that day that I can share with others.

6. I love walking in on the boys when they are doing a loving act towards their brother by either sharing, or kissing their ouchy, or teaching them what's right.

7. I love how when I load the kids in the car, Ryan's job is to buckle in his brother before he buckles himself. He is learning how to take care of someone before himself. Once Ivy is old enough, Chaz will buckle her in.

8. I love how when we go places, people stop and ask, "Are they ALL yours? How old are you?" I love being a young mom and not following the trends of the day. I love how because I'm so young, I can always choose to have more later.

9. I love how when we go to a restaurant, someone always comes up and compliments the kids behavior. It makes me feel like all our hard work is paying off and we're doing something right. :)

10. I love how every day of taking care of my family, sheds out one more strip of selfishness from my body.

11. I love how much my children have taught me to depend on God. Without God, I would not have the strength to take care of 4 children under 5 years old.

12. I love it when I ask the kids a bible story and they tell me exactly how the story goes and corrects me if I mess up on one detail. More than anything, I want them to know how much God loves them.

13. Most of all, I love how I thought I'd never want any kids until I had one. Then I just couldn't stop. I love being an example to others. I love it when other moms come up to me for advice. I love how no matter what the world says, the bible backs me up completely, no matter how many children I have. They are a gift from God. :)


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Biggest Loser Part 4

I know you guys think I forgot. Well, let me tell you I haven't forgotten that I am in a weight loss contest. I have to say though that when I was at 147, on my own I decided to lose weight. When I got down to 142, that's when I started the contest to lose 10 more pounds. Well, I am now at 137 which means I have lost 5 lbs since the contest started and I have 5 more lbs to go. Not bad! I've actually lost 10 lbs since I started on my own. This is awesome! I can't wait to be 130 again. I mean, look how nice and skinny my face is here on our wedding! That would be nice. I just can never be 19 again. Then again, I also weighed at the tops 120 lbs here. So, maybe my face will never get this skinny. Close enough is good enough for me! I was a size 3 there in clothes. Sheesh-la-weezers.

Tackle It Tuesday 7-25-06

Okay, I hope this counts, but to me it does. I have been having some phone calls to make that I have been dreading. I'm telling you, I hate the phone. I have a hard time answering it when it rings. I hate making phone calls. So, if you will accept this as a Tackle-It-Tuesday, I would be so happy. This is the yucky stuff I had to take care of. Actually, this includes, paying bills online, faxing information to companies, AND making phone calls. Ugh....

Call the school and set up the registration process for my second son who will be starting Kindergarten this year. Also, to set up the meeting the teachers are going to have about my first son since he will be starting his special needs school (which will be at a different location).

Fax information to reinstate my health insurance.

Harrassed another lady at our old bank who refuses to call me back. Not REALLY harrass. I leave about 2-3 messages for her every day and she still won't call me back. What a stinker.

Checked my electricity bill online

Checked my gas bill online (took forever!) Some places make it so hard to find out the simplest thing. Since they can't torture on the phone by placing you on hold for 30 hours, they just make you jump through hoops to view your bill online.

Checked my bank account information online so I can pay some bills. Whoo-wee. I'm excited.

You see?! That took me 2 1/2 hours believe it for not. You want to guess why? Because I also have to take care of my four kids. I can't just shut them in the room and tell them to behave like adults. I have to care for my little pumpkins. So, all said and done. Can anyone else relate to this?

Our New House!

Congrats to Me!!! Our new house is all ready. Lorraine, (my mortgage lady) we give up!! We were weary of waiting so we decided to go out and just purchase a house for ourselves. It's one bedroom (one room for that matter), outdoor plumbing, Nice little kitchenette, solid roof, many windows, tile flooring, microwave included! We bought it for a steal at only $300! 0% interest rate. Man, you were right, Lorraine, when you said the prices were gonna start dropping. That's amazing. Here's a great picture. We're so proud. Hee, hee...

Found My Bible!

This week we have revival so on the way to church, my husband had set my makeup bag and my bible on top of the van while he loaded the kids. Since he set it up there, I just got in the van figuring he was gonna take it back off the roof and put it in the van. Well, we hop on the freeway and get to church. I reach for my bible and it's not there! I then got really quiet and said.... "Charles, where is my bible?" He said, "didn't you get it off the van?" I said.. "No"... uh oh.. I knew it was lost. My beloved bible. I had almost read it all the way through and it had my markings all in it of what I've read and notes to my children for when they get older. I was so sad! Not only that, I had very expensive make up, all of it, in that one bag. I was sad through church and tried not to think about it so I could concentrate. All I could think about was how I wouldn't be able to get up in the morning and study out of my own bible. It's not the same to study out of my husband's. It was... you know.. my own personalized bible. Anyway, I'm sure bible readers totally understand! After church, we drove home. As we pulled up, I mentioned to Charles that we hadn't looked for my bible. Maybe by some chance, it's on the side of the road with my make up bag. We drove all the way to the freeway and didn't see it. I suggested that we just go home because it would've fallen off by now. He said, he believed it would've fallen off on the freeway because of the force of the air. I didn't believe him. Within a mile of driving on the freeway we spotted it on the side of the road!! YEAH!!! We couldn't believe it! We pulled over in the rain and I jumped out. There it was! The bible case was all torn up and soaked but my bible was fine! I'm letting it dry out right now because the cover and outer pages are wet. My make up bag and make up were all smashed and thrown everywhere. I could care less! I told Charles, forget about the make-up. Lets just go. I didn't want to risk being on the freeway much longer. We figured that my new bible cover (so beautiful) protected my bible from getting smashed and ripped up. Although I adored my bible cover so much, it was worth losing because it saved my bible. In the picture my bible covers are broken off but actually the right side was already broken off so now the left side is even! What a blessing that we had been driving on the right side of the freeway so it had fell out of the way of traffic. Praise God!

Kisses

This is so cute! Ivy wanted a drink of her daddy's soda so she kept giving him kisses to get more. Sorry, the quality is so bad. But it is so cute to see!

Birthday Dress

Ivy's Party!

Click here to view slideshow of Ivy's party!

We had a wonderful party for Ivy's first birthday yesterday but I wanted to keep it short and sweet. People were asking if they could come but I said I just wanted to keep it small with family. I will be having a bigger party for the boys because it's their turn this year. They switch off. Next year will be Ivy's big birthday bash. Ivy was so bored because she didn't have any toys to play with. You should've seen Charles and I in Target trying to pick out her gift. Charles wanted to get her a doll, because every girl needs one, and I wanted to get her this pink truck to ride on. Well, the truck won because we figured she'd get at least one dolly for her birthday and she did. Ivy broke down a couple of times because she was tired so it was a little tough at first but then she lightened up when she could walk around with her toys. She is loving them!!! When I tried to put her to bed last night, she cried when she saw me putting her toys away. As soon as she woke up today, she went right for her stroller and shopping cart. So cute! Boy, I sure love have both boys and a girl. So much fun and never a dull moment!

Thursday Thirteen 7-20-06

Thirteen Things about Virginia

1. I was named after my great grandmother Virginia
2. I love God with all of my heart and want to serve Him all the days of my life!
3. I love to play sports unless it is with my girlfriends. (It turns to girlie sports).
4. I love to cook unless it is for every day eating! Then it's boring.
5. I love to bake.
6. I have 2 older sisters. One living here and my oldest sister living in South Africa with her family.
7. I love to shop and I love fashion but I've learned to control myself and just enjoy window shopping.
8. I have 3 boys and 1 girl all under the age of 5.
9. I used to love bike riding when I was little and loved to swim.
10. I got like the best husband in the whole wide world.
11. I love to do make up and hair but I don't do it good on other people!
12. My favorite color is red and I love blonde hair obviously!


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Answered Prayer

I didn't get a chance to tell you about my miracle yesterday. Okay, both our van and our car needed fixing but since we are trying to get a house right now, our funds have been kind of tight. Our van just shut off on me one day while I was driving. So that one was broken down. Then we have been riding in our Toyota (car) in the meantime but our radiator is out on it and it hurts the car to drive it like that. So, yesterday when I was praying and reading my bible, I prayed for a miracle. We couldn't afford to take it in a shop to get a diagnoses and then pay to get it fixed also. I just prayed that somehow we would be able to get our van and our car fixed. It had been sitting there for a couple of weeks. I was in the middle of mopping my floor when my in-laws called. He is a mechanic. They just said, "We're comin' over to fix the van." That was that. They were here within 20 minutes, found out what was wrong with it, and wanted to start working on it. He told me how much the part would costs but said depending on the engine, it could take hours to work on. Turns out, everything was just right, we got the part and in no time Martin had the van up and running. You have to understand. Martin worked on it for FREE. Out of his own good heart. We only paid for the part. They asked us if we had been praying since everything was working out. In the SAME DAY, we found out that since our radiator on our car had been less than a year old, we can have a new radiator and have it replaced for free at a shop on Saturday, our car will be fixed at no charge. Praise God!!! This all happened the same day I asked for a miracle that we could get our van and our car fixed. I never imagined that same day, everything would be taken care of. Thank you God for hearing our prayers, and thank you Martin and Maureen for everything!

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Cute Moments

Oh, yes! I just realized yesterday that Ivy's hair is really starting to grow!! How cute!!

Oh, yes! I just realized yesterday that Ivy's hair is really starting to grow!! How cute!!


Then... I walked in the room to catch Ivy playing her brother's XBox! We all had a good laugh on that one! (Charles' parents were over)

Ivy Walking

This is so cute. Ivy just started walking only a week ago. She was really trying here but since she kept putting her hands up like she likes to do, she kept losing her balance. Then in the end I had to rush to get something out of her mouth. Sorry the quality is low. Someday I will get a nicer camera.

Happy 1st Birthday, My Ivy Joy Marie!

*I added more pics to slideshow recently.*

View slide show of Ivy's Day of Birth Here

Happy birthday to my very first daughter. I named you after your great-grandmother Ivy May because she was such a beautiful and special person. She died at 22 and never got to see her own sons grow up but I know without a doubt that she is with Jesus now. Ivy you are my little girl. My love. I can't believe, even though I wasn't expecting you, I finally got my little girl I always dreamed of. Waited for. Thought of since my early teens. How could I be so lucky to be blessed with you? Only a gift from God above. I am honored to be your mother. I love you.

Good Morning!

This is so cute. Ivy just woke up and her hair looked a little crazy so I had to take a picture. Good Morning, Ivy!

My Prayer for Today

God,

Help me not to just rush through this day. Help me to see it as another opportunity to share a truth about You to my children. Instead of rushing to wash another dish, help me to see that Ivy is taking her first steps in life. Instead of running to grab the phone, help me to slow down long enough to see that Kyle just gave Chaz a hug and said sorry. Instead of getting frustrated that there is more stuff to pick up off the floor, help me to take the time to show the boys how to be responsible for their own things. Lord, I feel like my days are flying by, and before I know it, daddy is saying prayers with the boys again for bed. I want to take the time to thank You for all your blessings You have given us. It may not be much in the world's eyes, but I know that this is not my home and that You have something so much better than what any man could create here on earth. Help me to appreciate every day, every hour, every minute, that you have given me. I don't want to waste my days pining for things I may never have. When You bless me, help me to see that it is from You and not to take it for granted but to be thankful. Help me to live by Your Word and to be content. You have given me such an abundance of blessing. How did I ever deserve my husband, my children, my friends? You've given me so much. Even eternal life. Please let this be a new day in my heart, of thankfulness. Amen.

Ivy Being Cute!

Tackle It Tuesday

This has been awesome. I have joined a group of women who do the "Tackle it Tuesday" thing. So, I reluctantly joined. I did tackle something pretty awesome. The boy's room was HORRENDOUS. They could never keep it clean because they had waaaay too much stuff. They were also sneaking drinks in their room and I found about 20 cups. That's where all our cups went. I threw out 2 GARBAGE bags full of stuff and 2 GARBAGE bags full of toys to donate. That's 4 garbage bags total of stuff. Rearranged their closet and cleaned out their drawers. I even vacuumed their shoe drawer under their bed. I don't have their room decorated and painted because we will do that when our house is finished. We can't have anything here but boring white walls. :( Anyhow, it's sooo easy for them to keep their room clean now. All they have is an X-box, and 1 chest full of toys.

Plans Change

View slideshow of house.


Plans change! Ignore the last layout of the house. We are too far in the process to change to the smaller house so we are sticking with the bigger house instead. The 4 bedroom. I didn't know what to do because I want to see my backyard better because the yard is so huge! After talking with my contractor, he gave me lots of ideas. If you look at the middle room in the back, imagine putting French doors and windows to the outside. Then an Arizona Room off of that. Then opening it up by taking the linen closet out. Then you see the wall separating the side patio from the living room? That would be opened up to the rest of the house to make a bigger house. Because that wall is a supporting wall, we can just make it an archway. That way our house will bigger and even more open. Since you can't read the lettering, that's the kitchen on the left side and a breakfast room. Anyone else have any ideas of things we can do? I'll gladly take any! I love getting ideas so I can talk to my contractor about it. Thanks. :)

Signing Contracts Day

Today was the day we sign contracts for our house to start getting built. They start pushin' dirt within 30 days.

Here Charles is handin' over part of the money we have to put down. Ha! Proof! LOL! Anyhow, it was a lot of fun. Everyone kept saying how the kids are always so well behaved when we're in there. They stayed quiet for about an hour and a half. They gave us all waters and we had a good time talking about plans and additions we'll be adding on later and stuff. We had a good time.

Below is our contractor, Charles, he is so wonderful to us. What would we do without him? He always answers our millions of questions and even helped us design something we want to do on the house once it's finished being built. He gives us so much hope and he always has a lot of drive. I'm so glad we are working with him.

Ivy and Hank

Where'd They Go?

Here is such a cute video of Ivy last Easter when she couldn't figure out what was on her head. It's so funny...

What We'll All Love to Hear From Eve Once We Get To Heaven...

Laundry Demon & House Plans

Guys, I'm not kidding, but I've been doing laundry for almost 4 days straight. From morning till night. Tonight, I have 2 laundry baskets and I'll be officially DONE. Until someone changes their clothes! LOL! My kids have been really sick. Everyday, another kid has thrown up and had a fever. Today is Kyle's day. First it was Chaz, then Ryan, and now Kyle. Once again I can't go to church! My husband has been doing work on his computer at home. So, together we have been accomplishing great things! More importantly though, I wish I could be at church. That matters more than anything, including bringing any extra money in. Pray that my kids will heal quickly! I have to wait till everyone is better for at least 24 hours. That way we don't spread sicknesses. Charles and I have been staring at house plans on paper, trying to decided on a 3 bedroom or a 4 bedroom. After hours of talking, we are gonna take the 3 bedroom because there is a better view of the back yard. And, it's its a nice and big yard. Since our kid's yard matter more than anything, we'll take the smaller house. Boys have to be able to run and play so now that we've made up our mind, we can once again harass our contractor. Boy, is he gonna love us! So will the builder! LOL! I'll be at the site often, making sure that put the extras on we wanted. My sister said you have to do that because she went through that. Don't worry. I will bring drinks and cookies and they won't mind it too much. I think...

McDonald's

After going to the mortgage office, we headed to McDonalds to let the kids run off their energy and stretch their legs. (Poor kids!) Ivy got to go in the little tunnels and walk around and she was lovin' it. The boys had their air-filled swords to run around with. Some ladies were making some comments, light heartedly, about hoping the boys don't hurt each other. I had to reassure them that, yes they are boys, no, they will not hurt each other with them. Over worried mommies for sure. Anyhow, we must've let them play for an hour and a half so they loved it. Oh, towards the end, Ryan got sick in the yellow tunnel and I had to run like mad to catch Ivy as she was heading to crawl straight through it. I dove through the tube and caught her leg just in time! That's when we knew it was time to go!

Mortgage Office

We were at the mortgage office yesterday and my awesome mortgage person, Lorraine, gave everyone pizza and my kids coloring books so the kids stayed pretty calm. I'm surprised Lorraine likes us so much even after everything we put her through. That's what our lawyer said also! LOL! Anyhow, Lorraine is so sweet. Another guy walked in the office and said, "Man, whatever you gave these kids to make them behave so well, I want some." He spoke too soon because right then Ivy started crying. ARrghh! LOL! That's funny how that happens.

Loving My Folgers Coffee

I am so tired! Have I been saying that a lot? I've been working on my sister's website. She lives in South Africa and wanted to be able to show pictures. Since it costs her to use her internet and use pictures, she'll add some as often as she can. I put some good music on it. She wanted something with harder rock so I'm sure she'll like it. ;) Anyhow, her site is listed under my links or you can click here to view it. Even though I have the coolest and newest washer and dryer set, I am behind on laundry. Can you believe that? I washed from morning till midnight last night and I'm still washing today. The boys are tired of being stuck indoors so I hooked up their Xbox just for today. I don't let them play whenever they want or they'd be stuck on it. My kids are sick again so I can't go to church tonight. :( They are all conspiring to pass around fevers. I hope Kyle isn't planning one next! Ha! Anyhow, one thing I don't ever have a problem with is boredom! I can't imagine ever having time for that. But I wouldn't trade my life for any other thing in the world. :)

My sister Jodee wanted to see some pictures of Ivy now that Ivy is getting more hair. Since it costs her too much to send this via email to South Africa, I put them on the web site. I love to put her in the high chair while she looks at books or snuggles her little stuffed puppy her brothers got her. In fact, I just looked behind me and Ivy's reading a little farm book in her chair. Cute! I love to have her spend time in it and in other places so that she doesn't get used to being held all the time or getting into everything. There is only so much I can constantly follow her around! :P She is trying to walk now but since she's being over cautious, unlike her brothers were, she's taking a lot longer than they did. I don't really care though. They'll go on to the next step when they're ready. Might as well just stop and enjoy every bit of the ride instead of rushing them. : )

Daddy Time

I brought Ivy in to see her daddy and right away she fell asleep in his arms. Charles was lovin' it. I had to grab a picture.

Claire's Wedding

My friend Claire, at church, got married almost 2 weeks ago. Watching them brought back memories for me on my big day. I had a wonderful traditional wedding where my daddy walked me down the isle. Loved it. Anyhow, Claire is 17 and she has already graduated from high school. I loved what point she made in her testimony. People think she's young for marrying, but she doesn't need to go through years of dating and partying just to find the right one. God already brought him to her. I agree with her whole heartedly. I was 19 and had already been through 4 years of dating with a guy that I felt in my heart all along wasn't the right one for me. Turns out, the one I dated for only 3 months was the one I was to marry. When I met Charles, I felt with no doubt in my mind, through prayer, that he was the one God had for me. Goes to show you that when you put God behind the steering wheel, you'll make better decisions. You don't have to "live your life first" and then settle down. It was quite different in the bible but the world will make you believe that you need to have your fun first, then settle down. What the world forgets to remind you is that you also bring a ton a baggage into your marriage. I'm so grateful I met Charles when I did. God's timing was the perfect timing. :)

So Much Going On!

Guys, I'm so sorry! I just got a technician out here to fix my internet and he did so that's awesome! So much has been going on. I will share with you my recent experience first.

My friend Brandy was 9 months pregnant, yet still had 3 weeks to go. Well, we had a party the other night, on the third of July, at my friend's house. Brandy was there and had been having contractions for a couple days already. They were about every 10 minutes on the dot. We decided to get things moving along quicker so we took her to a hilly park to get her walking. She was up for that so 4 of us girls went and left the guys behind with only some of the kids. We took 4 ourselves. After we were done, and had had a crazy fun time just being silly, we headed back to Michele's. The guys were still playing their boardgame so we didn't leave till 4am. Then next day my family and I were packing up our stuff to go watch fire works. I called Brandy to see how she was doing and she was having her contractions about every 5 minutes. I found out she wanted me there so Charles dropped me off at the hospital to meet up with Michele, Brandi, and JoEllen. Charles headed to the fireworks with the kids.

I got there around 7:30pm. She was dilated to a 5. Us girls stayed with Brandy and every now and then Randi and I took walks to get drinks or just give Brandy some quiet time. Around 11pm or so, her water broke. Charles showed up and I had decided to go home thinking Brandy wouldn't really need me there since there were others there. It was so stormy and the stop lights were out! When I got home, I called Brandy and found out that she was sad I left, she talked to me and told me she'd like me to come back. So, I headed back in the car and got there in time to find out she was at a 9. Brandi and I armed ourselves with cameras so JoEllen wouldn't have to worry about it and we snapped away at the birth.

Brandy was awesome! We all left from the hospital around 4pm. As I had to take 4 freeways to get home, and I was almost there, I broke down in the van! I was only a block away. I just sat there, tired, and worn out. I was too scared to walk home in the dark. Yet, I tried starting the van several times to no avail. I prayed, "God, if you can just get me home, I will park this and find out what's wrong. But, please don't let me be stuck here." Right then, I got my van started and I park it, when inside, and crashed for a couple of hours. It was a great night!

Technical Difficulties

Hey guys, I just switched computers and I need a new network card so I am using a land line right now. Talk about slow!! I had a very rough week this week. Things going on with friends, stuff going on with my vehicles, and more hoops to jump through for my house being built so please pray for us. I got to be with a friend in the hospital when she had her baby last night so I was up till 5 in the morning. What a beautiful baby she had! It was a wonderful experience. I have of course watched four of my own babies being born so it was nothing new for me but it was nice to be the one in the passenger seat instead! :) It was so cute seeing a little peanut again that is so new.

Resort Stay

It was so nice for Charles and I to get a short break for 2 days from everything. It started off rocky when our van battery died and we got stuck. So we switched vehicles. We stayed at a beautiful resort by the mountains and just chilled out! The first day we stayed at the resort and had a nice spacious condo. Reminds me exactly of our first apartment when we were first married. It was like having flashbacks of our newlywed time. How easy it was to do the simplest tasks. Of course, then, I didn't appreciate it as much! Around midnight or so I turned on the flat screen TV and watched surgery shows! Yes!! I never get to watch that stuff! Charles didn't want to see it though. Hee, hee.. I woke up 6 hours later, started the coffee, and turned on "Tom and Jerry" cartoons. Our favorite. The next day, we went to the resort's waterpark. We loved it! First we went down the lazy river, then went down the slides a couple of times, played in the wave pool, then we played water volleyball. We had a lot of fun and got very burned despite the fact that we kept using sunscreen. At night they show a family friendly movie on a big screen while everyone floats in the water. It's such a nice place with wonderful service. We had a pleasant time. :)