2012 Update

Well, I am debating on whether or not to get back into blogging. I walked away quite awhile ago, but I have so many ideas on fun new things to write about so I just might be making a return. In the meantime I might as well update that YES, once again we have added another sweet little girl to the family. In case you have lost track... we now have 6!! Healthy beautiful special little girls!! And YES we need a bigger vehicle to fit them all in. Maybe that will be my first post back into the world of blogging- The Adventures of Passenger Van Shopping!! Sounds exciting already! Now to come up with a blog name for the littlest sweetheart...

You just never know...

This is my Grandpa. This is a picture from the baby's baptism in July. He was sitting right behind me, now he sits in a hospital bed. Grandpa has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Stage 4, diabetes and a heart valve that needs some work. He had his first round of chemo and second round is this Saturday. My sister's wedding is Saturday. I feel a little torn, he will be having a horrible day while we are busy celebrating. But then I also know that Grandpa has a sense of humor and he would want everyone at the wedding to be having a good time. He has always been there. This is just a reminder to myself to look around, see the people that might be sitting behind me and show appreciation for them, because you just never know...

Florida 2010

2010 Update

I'm halfway into 2010 and so I figure it's time to update, here's the latest...
WE HAVE ANOTHER LITTLE GIRL IN THE FAMILY!!! She was born in January, she's healthy, she's beautiful, she smiles and laughs at her sisters. Now the only problem is, my blog is outdated, I am no longer living with 4 in and out the Red Door- we are now jiving with 5, never on time!!

Happy Halloween!!

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Newest Update

I have not updated in awhile because I have been falling asleep. And because I have been waiting till this week. We are expecting again! I am over 12 weeks now! Whoa!! We had a 6 week ultrasound and saw the heartbeat of the little bean. Then at 11 weeks we were able to hear the hearbeat, a good healthy 150 beats per minute. I am measuring well and so far everything seems to be progressing very nicely! The due date is January 9th, I couldn't ask for anything else for Christmas than a healthy happy baby! Please keep us in your prayers that the baby will continue to grow and be healthy! Time to make lunch, tuck some little ones in bed for naptime and take a snooze myself. Wow am I sleepy this time around! Hope everyone is doing well. I promise to update more often now!

Cute quote from a 4 year old

-when asked how she got so smart...
"I think I know everything that I know!"
Nice one Annie! Love it!

Pack Rat!

In my fury of cleaning bedrooms, I spoke under my breathe. It wasn't intentional. I didn't mean to be a name caller, but I called Molly a Pack Rat. This is what I found...Maybe I should go explain to her what a Pack Rat means!!

Annie's 4th Birthday!

It's amazing how in a few years so much can change. It seems like yesterday that we were living in Chicago, expecting, with great anticipation, our third child! Actually when I think about it, time seemed to crawl when I was pregnant and waiting for her. Ever since then time has flown by way too quickly! Speaking of time, here's a funny story about our little Annie and the time that she flew into the world...

We were going about our normal schedule for a Wednesday morning. We went to our regular playdate at a friends house, chit chatted with everyone, I felt wonderful. Nothing was out of the ordinary that morning. I took the kids home to grab a few things, kill a bit of time. Not in a rush, it was just a calm, easy going day- time was on our side! I loaded up the minivan and left for my regular Doctor's appt. I pulled into a parking spot, turned the car off, looked to my side and just then my Hubby pulled into the next spot. He was still in the Navy, so he was in uniform and driving our big Dodge Ram Quad Cab... he looked good! We are early for the appt and stop to look at flowers, play with the automatic door, push the buttons on the elevator, were wasting time! Once in the Dr. office, the kids are behaving awesomely- people actually commented on how well behaved they were being. Molly was holding the door for people, Lolo was saying Hi to everyone that looked at her. Then it's our turn. We all head back to the room- well because it's just the four of us and we still fit in a small room altogether! The Doctor measures, weighs, listens, everything looks great! I mentioned that my lower back has seen better days. My children LOVE to sit on my siatic nerve, which causes a lot of back pain. He wasn't going to check, but at the last minute, because of what I was describing with my back, he decides to check. The kids were busy playing, not paying any attention to me, so they just stayed in the room. Good thing because I needed my Husband there for what the Doctor said next... "Wanna have a baby today?"
"What!!!"
I was dialated to a 6, pretty far along in my effacement. He said to go home grab my things and meet him at the hospital. I think I was in shock! (Let me clarify that Baby #2- Lolo, was a very FAST delivery in which they were ready to send me home and I said No- Good thing because she was born within the half hour!) So you would think I would be freaking out now...nope! I drove the kids home, called my girlfriend from the playdate to try and locate the Mom who was going to babysit my kids while I was in the hospital. Can't find her. Call my Mom, who jumped in the car with my Dad and SIL and drove from Michigan. We went home, ate lunch together, I eventually went and got some things together and said, well, we should probably get going. Got ahold of the babysitter at last, dropped the kids off, sat and chit chatted and eventually got in the car for the trip to the hospital. But wait... I was giving birth in a civilian hospital this time and they actually have DVD players, so why not stop at Blockbuster- right?! Hubby and I walked all around, picked out about 5 movies, went to pay and realized we didn't have our card with us. We had not resigned up since moving to Chicago, so they were going to make us redo everything. All of a sudden, at this moment, is when I realized that I was CALM, but Hubby was not. He was nervous. He looked at the checkout lady, set the movies down, told her she could "keep" her movies and walked out! Whoa... wait a minute, we took the time to pick out the movies and now we are leaving without any!! I waddled my way out to the truck, climbed in and looked at Hubby, who just simply said, "if you want the movies that bad, I will come back for them later- you're having a baby today and need to be in a hospital." Ok, now I was nervous! It was 3 blocks to the hospital, I blinked and we were there. I'm still thinking that time is on my side. We walk in, the receptionist points us in the direction we need to go. I start walking, Hubby tells her that I am having a baby and they all think I need a wheelchair. Yeah, that's ok, I still feel fine, don't know what the fuss is about! I walked up to the birthing unit, they were ready for me. My own room!!! This is a five star hotel compared to where I had given birth before! I get all prepped, brr it's cold, a bit breezy in the gown! I curled my hair, waited for the Doctor to come in. The nurse told me I should be in the bed, not curling my hair- gotta look good in those first pics right?! I requested an epidural, having gone through Baby #2 without one, I decided that it would be nice to enjoy the birth of the baby. My parents and SIL walk in the room...from Michigan! They made it in time! The epidural was now in, the Doctor came in to check things out. I told him... I told everyone, that as soon as they broke my water, that Baby would be born. I told 'em and they should have listened! The Doctor broke my water and walked out. Not even five minutes later and I am IN pain, with an epidural! I paged the nurse, who told me that I was fine, there couldn't have been any change that fast. I demanded that she check me, sure enough I was ready to go. She paged the Doctor, who came in with a bit of disbelief, but checked anyways. "Nurse, we are having a baby now!" The Nurse ignores the Doctor, who turns to her very seriously and says it again with a bit more urgency. The Doctor then informs me that the Baby is crowning... as if I didn't know!! The Doctor tells me to stop pushing...I'm not! And then, we meet for the very first time, our little Annie! Another Girl and we couldn't be any happier! Our little Annie, who knew what she wanted on the day of her birth and has known what she wants ever since. Annie, you were born with a little red mark on the side of your nose. The Doctor said it was probably from the birth being so quick and that it would go away. Today you still have that little mark and I love it! It is a reminder to me of the day that we met you. The day that we were Blessed to have you in our lives! You are my Sunshine- Happy Birthday!

I suppose I should update...

Since my last post was rather somber and sad and that's just not the person that I am, I figured I need to update everyone with a bit of happy cheer!! So what's been going on around here...

- a huge St. Patty's Day party at our house

- awesome 2 week vacation in Florida!!

- purchased new SLR camera and finished first photography class

-Molly and Lolo performed sign language to a song in the Talent Show

- Molly selected as dancer of the month

- Molly selected to assist a Senator plant a tree at the school for Earth Day

- a new niece welcomed to the family

- a new nephew welcomed to the family

- surprise bday party for BIL a success

- bully at school dealt with and situation slowly getting better

- Lolo's art selected for the Art Award night

- spring soccer season started

- news of another niece or nephew in the family this October

- ripped front porch apart and replacing support and flooring

- all clothes organized into bins by size and season (anyone with lots of children can relate to why this is on my list!)

- date night

- cleaned up the whole yard including the tree fort and we are allowing the kids to play in it this year. They were too young before and this summer we decided that they are ready for it. We will have a paint party with friends over to paint the inside and hopefully I'll be able to make some Hawaiian curtains as well. That is our theme- Hawaiian, since the two oldest girls were born there. Sorry Annie, I can't build ya the Sear's tower in honor of Chicago.

-Ok, ok, so this is enough for now. I know I am missing stuff, especially Florida details, but that is a post on it's own. Overall, everyone is doing well, keeping busy and getting back into the swing of things. I apologize for not visiting everyone and keeping up to date. I have a huge list of projects for this family and for this house, so I will have plenty of things to report in the future. Hope everyone is doing well!

February 20, 2009

This is the day I will remember forever as the day our Angel went to Heaven. I have to believe that there is a place in Heaven for even the tiniest of babies. I have a very heavy heart right now. I am looking at the world through a blur of tears. As I try and stay strong for my girls, I also find myself falling right back down into the sobs of loss. I am very fortunate to have amazing family and friends around me. My Husband has been my Strength, with each embrace we both grow closer and stronger. I know that with time we will get through this and maybe even see a reason to God's Plan, but for now I miss our little Angel.

NEWS FLASH- READ ALL ABOUT IT!

#5

Due

September

2009

We have made announcements to immediate family, so now it is safe to let it all out and tell the world... and it feels Great!

With each child we have tried to come up with a creative way to tell our families. Here's what we have done, add your stories too!

Molly: We lived out of town, so when we came home for Thanksgiving we brought an "early Christmas gift" we wrapped a Christmas tree ornament and on the ornament was the announcement. It was fun to watch the expressions as the gift was opened.

Lolo: We found out when we were living in Hawaii and we weren't planning on being home for quite some time. So we got a tshirt for Molly and on it was written..."I'm gonna be a big sister" We then took a picture of the three of us in our Hawaiian hammock and sent it on email, calling each family as we sent them. Remember this was when digital cameras and sending on emails was still pretty new, so it was really cool! It was fun to make the phone call and hear the reactions!

Annie: We brought pumpkins to the grandparents houses with the kids' names on them and a little "baby" pumpkin with a number 3 on it. We put them on the front porch for everyone to see. The neat thing was that when the pumpkin was rotten my FIL threw it in his backyard and the following summer soon after Annie was born, pumpkins were growing in his yard...they started taking over his garden!

Dels: We had the whole family over for Hubby's Birthday. I hid an extra gift in the pile and as he was opening his gifts, he pulled out a back scratcher and after commenting on it's usefullness laid it out on the table. Everyone looked at it and saw the writting..."We got the itch...Baby #4 due in September!" Then the uproars!

Baby #5: Last night while we were at a family party, we pulled out a bottle of nonalcoholic wine. We had printed off our own wine labels that read, "Cheers to all the little ones!" Then another row with all the cousin's initials, ours being MLAD5... everyone caught on quickly! On the reverse side was another label with the cousin's name and the due date...just in case they didn't catch onto the front side. For my side of the family, the label read..." Cheers to the little ones! Baby #5 due in September" we told my parents that we brought them a bottle of wine for their wine party they happen to be attending tonight.

And there you have it, all of our announcements!

Please feel free to add your own stories,

who knows maybe we steal one for next time...wink wink!

Dels First Time in the Snow

Does this remind you of the Christmas Movie? The little boy who can't put his arms down?

We had one night without the freezing wind. Hubby was outside clearing the driveway, the older two kids were building a snow fort. Annie was driving me crazy so I bundled her up and sent her outside too. Then it was just me and a crying Dels. I think she was crying out of boredom, nobody to entertain her but boring ole Mom- How early they learn! So I bundled myself up and then little Dels and she could hardly stand! She tried walking, her legs spread apart in a very wide stance and she actually managed to take a few steps. Out we go into the frozen tundra. Up the driveway, down the driveway, turn, twirl, zig zag. Annie yelling, "Faster Mom, Faster!" Molly grabs the other sled and pulls Lolo around and around... then we race! Wow, no matter what I never win! Then Hubby goes up on the roof to clear it off and I yell out to the kids, "Look, it's Santa!" "MooooM, that's not Santa, duh it's just Dad!" As if- she sure told me! In all of the chaos of racing, snow flying, giggles and cheers- I was warm! My heart was melting as fast as the snowflakes that drifted onto Dels eyelash. Watching her blink them away, I had a moment of pure happiness, complete thankfullness and simple joy for my big family...

Then we went inside and I was left with the cold wet mound of snow pants, boots, hats, mittens, coats, scarfs and the snap back to the reality of my life with a big family! Hot chocolate made, pajamas on, books read, all heads on pillows and life is good! We are Blessed!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas From My Family To Your Family!

Annie's Haircut

Before: After:
I took the oldest two girls to church this morning, because we volunteered to help with the Angel Tree. When we were done I surprised them with a trip to the hair salon. Normally my SIL will cut their hair, so this was the first time that either of them has sat in a salon chair with all the mirrors. They were pretty excited! We did a bit of boring grocery shopping, stopped at Pizza Hut for some Book It pizzas and headed home. When we got home Annie was a bit bummed that she didn't get a hair cut too. So after bribing her with eating her lunch all gone, I got the scissors out and started working on her hair. My intentions were to go about shoulder length, but she had some pretty tricky curls in the back and I ended up going shorter than planned.
Her response... "But Mom, I want my hair like Daddy's!"
I guess it wasn't too short after all!
I put a little bow in the front and she has been smiling since.

All of my girls have short hair now... well Molly's is at her shoulders, but that is short compared to what it used to be! Someday they will all look at pictures and ask me why?
My answer... it's SO much easier! Molly used to complain, whine, and repeat "Ow" whenever the hairbrush would leave the bathroom. Multiply that by a few more girls and getting ready to go anywhere was not very enjoyable. Now they can all brush their own hair and be ready to go. More important that that, they all wanted shorter hair. So if they ever look back at pictures and question my logics... it's right here in writting.

To My Girls,
You all asked for shorter hair, you pointed to where you wanted it cut at and I simply paid for it all (I'm a bit more guilty with Annie, I was holding the scissors) It's not my fault if you are reading this 10 years from now and laugh at pictures of yourselves...I didn't do it, you did- Although I do think it is really REALLY CUTE!
Love ya, Mom

If Obama wants a Goldendoodle, he just might end up with a Poodle!

This is Bailey our Goldendoodle Puppy (10 months old) I hear the new President Elect is considering a Goldendoodle for his girls. Very good choice, she's a great dog...if only she didn't love to dig! Here's Bailey's story...Suddenly one day when trying to brush the dog, I realized that she was getting matted hair. I brushed, clipped, brushed, clipped and brushed some more, but it seemed hopeless. So I called the groomers, it was time to pay the buck and get some help. So... What happens when you take a Goldendoodle puppy in to the groomers and repeatedly say over and over-

"I like the shaggy dog look, I do NOT want a poodle cut?"

My Hubby picked the dog up from the groomers, this is what he told me. "The lady was talking all about Bailey and how she did while being cleaned up, meanwhile this white dog was wandering around the store- I just figured it was the store dog. So then she asks me what I think about Bailey and I look around to see her. The lady points to the white dog and I had to ask her if the white dog was Bailey! It looks nothing like her, I can't believe it's the same dog!"

When he walked in the front door with Bailey, the kids were a bit hesitant to approach her. Maybe they thought we traded her in for a dog that doesn't dig! Ha! They want to know how long it takes for the hair to grow back.

The groomer informed me that one possible reason that her hair was so matted was because she was neutered, was under meds and after that happens they start to loose their puppy hair and their adult hair comes in... at the same time as a winter coat coming in...Yikes!

On a positive note: it's much easier to wipe her feet off when she comes inside. I feel like she is always looking at me though, I've never seen her eyes before!


(No offense to anyone who has a poodle, knows a poodle, likes the poodle cut or cuts the poodle cut.)

It's happening already

I know I haven't posted in awhile, so it probably isn't healthy to start off by venting, but I feel this is important. It's been in the headlines (No not politics) Girls and their self image issues. Molly is 7 and she completely stunned me. While getting ready for gymnastics, she was very upset because her leotard didn't have a skirt. At first I thought she was upset because Lolo's outfit had a skirt and hers did not. I finally got it out of her... the reason she wanted a skirt on her leotard??? "My legs are too fat right here!" Pointing at her thighs.

I was shocked, sad and a bit disappointed...in myself. Why would she think she is fat there? It can't possibly have anything to do with my own self insecurities. I'll just blame it on school, yeah someone at school must have taught her this, not me- right?! TV, it had to be on tv...

My Hubby and I have both been trying to watch what we eat and loose a few extra pounds here and there. It has been open conversation in our house. We have always talked about healthy food, vitamins and how they help make you strong and healthy. I even went as far as to tell them that "Yes, you should eat the crust on your sandwich, that's where all the vitamins are!" (I'm sure there are vitamins in the crust, it's not a complete fib) My children have so graciously pointed out that my tummy is still big, even though there isn't a baby in there- thanks girls! With so much focus on loosing weight being shoved down our throats today, did I really expect to not have this happen in my house? I have 4 girls after all, it was bound to come up. So what do I do about it?

I have decided that we are no longer going to discuss loosing weight in the house. We are going to focus on living healthy lives. That's it. I will continue to monitor what shows they watch, but I fully know that I can't possibly shield them from everything forever and would like them to know the difference between what media and society say are beautiful and what is actually healthy and beautiful.

I recently went to a seminar that addressed this and many other important issues in parenting. The speaker was Marybeth Hicks. She authored a book called 'Bringing up Geeks' and while I haven't read the book yet (that requires time to sit down) I highly recommend her and the topics that she speaks on. If you have the opportunity to hear her speak, get a babysitter and make it a date night- she's great!

What are we teaching our children and how can we make it better?

Can't keep this to myself

You have to go check out this blog. Bridget just had her 5th child, yet she finds time to create the most beautiful things. From quilts to baby booties- you have to check it out! Take note of her Etsy store...Yeah she has time to open a store... she is amazing!

Me on the other hand, I have been a Bad bad blogger. I apologize to all my blog friends for not visiting and commenting. What have I been doing? Organizing. I look around my house and see the chaos and wonder what I have been organizing. I am sure there is some corner of this house that is organized, I just need to find it. I have been ripping through closets, drawers, dressers, rooms and the shed. I have moved furniture and rugs around. Donated all kinds of clothes and toys. Yet as I look around here, I am convincing myself that all that organizing was only Round 1. Beware of Round 2, I will be even more stealthy with toy removal. I will be more aggressive with the dust bunnies. Darn it- I want progress. I want something to show for my hard work and right now I just see clutter. Looks like I better get back to it. Round 2- ready or not here I come!

One Year Celebration!

Dels,

This is your Mom with a simple request...SLOW DOWN!! This past year has gone by way too fast. I feel like I blinked and you went from a cuddly nursing baby to a smiling crawling happy toddler. Augh...Toddler... you can't be a toddler yet! Slow down! I guess all the signs of toddlerhood are here, ready to walk, eating by yourself, waving, playing peek a boo...but I'm not ready! Yes I look forward to seeing what kind of little girl you will be, the fashion princess like Lolo, or the bug watcher like Molly, or maybe the loving comedian like Annie. As of right now I am predicting that you will be someone who is adventurous. Someone who wants to be involved in everything, who does everything with a smile. I can hang you upside down and you smile. You are a giggler. The simplest things make you happy, a newspaper will give you the giggles for a good 15 minutes! You are happy and you make everyone around you happy. Thank you for bringing this into my life and into our family. Slow down kiddo, sit and cuddle with me, smile at me and know you are loved. Happy Birthday Dels! I love you! -Mom

What's 10 Inches?

Before

After

We finally did it!

We donated our hair to Locks of Love. This has been over a year in the making and last Friday was the big day! My SIL, the girls' Aunt A cut our hair for us. Here's what got it all started...

One day when we were out for a walk we passed a family, the kids were all smiling and saying hello to all of them, it was a heartwarming moment to watch my children be so sweet. In the back of the group the father was pushing a wheelchair with their daughter who was disabled. Her head was propped up, she was looking to the sky with a smile on her face. My children stopped smiling and just stared. They weren't walking anymore and as the father passed by their eyes followed the wheelchair. I know this is a normal response for young children who are curious, but at that moment my heart sank. I realized that I have not been teaching my children enough about other people's lives. As I shooed them down the sidewalk, we stopped in the grass and sat. We talked about that little girl in the wheelchair. We talked about manners and staring. We talked about being thankful for our health. It was a pretty indepth conversation full of questions, some that I didn't have the answers to. That night at dinner we went around the table and we each said something that we were thankful for. The responses were heartbreaking.

After we ate, I opened up the newspaper to check a time for something and I saw a picture of a little girl who had donated her hair to Locks of Love. Perfect! This was a great opportunity to teach the kids. I showed them the picture, explained why she would cut her hair to give it to someone else? What was a wig? Why some kids have to wear wigs? Why they have to take medicines that help them, but make them sick? Sat dumbfounded searching for a response when asked why God would allow these children to get sick? The questions were tough, but they were learning, I was learning. After talking for awhile, sweet Lolo with tears in her eyes looks at me, grabs her ponytail and says, "I have lots of hair, they can have mine!" To my surprise Molly agreed as well. They were ready to get the scissors and donate at that moment. So we got out the measuring tape. Unless they went for a pixie cut, they didn't have long enough hair. They decided that night that they were going to grow out their hair. To show my support, I agreed to join them.

And there you have it- over a year ago we had this conversation, but to this day and always, we will remember it!