So long since I posted!

Are you kidding! Almost 2 months since I blogged! Life is busy! quick update...Savannah is doing great! She was 11 lbs(maybe a little more) at 3 months! She came home at 6lbs so that is pretty good! She sleeps great and is just a smily baby. Daddy has held her too much (if possible) and she likes to be held! He doesn'st see the problem in that, but he isn't here all day with 5 kids:) But, someday non of them will want me to hold them. Chloe cut ALL her hair off. She donated it to Locks of Love, just before her 6th birthday! So sweet and cute! Anabelle is so deliberate. She has a plan in everything she does. She recently saw that the satalite wasn't working on the tv. She looked at my mom, very seriously and said, "give me a screw driver and I will fix it!" Of course the flip side of that.. she had her finger up her nose at dinner and my mom told her to not do that. Her response was, "Oh ninny, it is ok because I am not eating my boogers!" Nice!
Laurel...my sweet Laurel. I often wonder what she would have been like as an only child. But instead, she has 4 siblings. She is so lovey and sweet. But man, that sweet girl can snap when she has had enough. I think she gets it from me.
She is having fun being a big sister to Savannah. She and Anabelle never have been "big sisters" to Corbin since he isn't much younger then them!
Corbin. He is finally saying things that make sense! And now he won't stop talking! He is so stinking cute. And heavy. He never wanted to be held, but now he wants to all the time! at 35+ lbs! Come on! Do they make huskies for 2 year olds:)
Mom and Dad...we are good. tired, but good. We sold our house finally! PTL! But didn't find one before we closed. So we are ALL living at my moms! Yes. Kind of funny! In church the minister spoke of your in laws leaving after Christmas... well...my poor mom still has her in law here:) Luckily we all get a long really well and my mom is unbelievable. Seriously. She is so unselfish and giving. I mean, she hardly complains about her own things or being tired or so on...she would give anything for us. She is wonderful to us!
Ok, that is it..
oh, i guess interesting news would be that 5 of th 7 in our family got a nasty bug. It lasted 24 hrs, we all got it about 5 hrs after the next. I think I used all the water in the city today while I washed 5 different beddings! All on the mend...

Stone

Joshua 4:1-24
This stone is to be reminded of His amazing Grace and glory on Oct 2nd and Oct 17th. A day we won't forget.
Thanks for the idea Lisa!


http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joshua%204:1-24;&version=31;

For Christians who think they are doing the right thing voting for Obama.....

For the Christian who thinks they are doing the right thing voting for Obama.....
I know there are a lot of issues on the table in regards to the candidates. For some people it comes down to the "non negotiables", for others it is the "over all picture". Then of course on both sides you have the people who just think they are conservative or liberal and will always vote for what is "represented out there" without doing any foreward thinking of your own.

My 5.5 year old...let me correct myself, 5 and 3/4 year old came home Thursday asking me about the election and so forth. It started with signs in people's yards. She asked who I wanted to be president. She then assumed that because I wanted someone it was going to happen. This lead into the discussion that there is a strong possibility my choice will not be president. Then she started saying how bad the man I didn't want to be president was. I had to stop her. I think this is where the entire campaign issue goes wrong(not to mention the ridiculous amount of money spent on campaigning...I saw this in elementary school and wrote into DMN and was published! toot toot!)

Anyway, I had to stop her and explain that he is probably a wonderful father and husband. Heck, he may even know Jesus like we do. But there are some things that are "Non negotiables" for me. There are things that the Bible flat our says are wrong. And if you do know Jesus and you believe in Him, when you are standing face to face with Him, and he says, "Chloe, why did you deny me on Nov. 4th 2009." You say, "But Jesus I did not." He says, "But Chloe you did. You know in the depths of your heart what the Bible says. Those are my words. You memorized them into your heart starting at a young age. You stood before other people and peers, sharing my word. But on Nov 4th, you denied me. You choose to follow a man who shows no remorse for his decisions to disagree with my word. You choose to follow a man who claims to know me and believe me, but he denies my most precious gift.".

I didn't have to detail it anymore. She understood. I also pointed out that the man I do like for president has also sinned against Him. However, repenting and saying with our mouth, we did wrong, we are sorry...please forgive me... That is what He wants from us.

So all in all, I think I was able to get across to her that we all sin...No sin is bigger in His eyes. But sin without remorse, sin without confession...when you know what He says...it is hard to trust someone who can just sin and keep on walking...

For those who believe his word, but also don't feel like abortion is a hot topic to choose a candidate on...
Read this book...
http://www.francinerivers.com/book_theAtonementChild.asp

It is pretty powerful. The struggle of both views speaks out...it is a good book. Food for thought.

Like I told Chloe....the people who don't know Him, who don't know the words of the Bible...you can't be mad and angry at them. You can only pray for them. Pray for others and yourself to minister to them. It is the ones, even like ourselves at times, that do know Him. That do know the words of the Bible, that when we deny Him that when we make the decision to ignore His will, that is wrong. That is when we need to get angry at ourselves and dig deeper. Ask Him for more wisdom.

Happy Halloween!

We had fun. We trick r treated around our house. All the kids picked their costumes this year without me throwing hints! Enjoy!

3 weeks

Well, sweet Savannah is a little over 3 weeks old. Seems much longer that we have been home with her, then 2 weeks! I guess that first week was a life time! What is happening here.........well, not a lot a sleep, except for Savannah:) She is good, only wakes us every 3.5 hours! Yikes...I forgot how much this part SINKS! Some people forget child birth..I forget sleepless nights! And I hate those. But that too shall pass!
Savannah had a drs appt last week and he was thrilled with her weight gain! That made us very happy! The little kids(well, guess they aren't the little ones anymore) still love being around her. Corbin officially threw his first ball at her. He didn't mean to, but it gave me a heart attack. I finally can relate to my sweet friend Holly Prather. I remember being on the phone with her and hearing, "Jackson, if you throw that ball at Presley one more time...." empty threats, right Holly!
All in all, we are good. My mom is amazing. She is about the most selfless person I know. She has been with us this entire time, not to mention had all my other kids by herself for an entire week before we got home. She gets up in the middle of the night with us, she lets me take a nap when I know she is just as tired. She is amazing. I strive to be like her. I can't wait to do this for my kids someday. Fred is constantly in awe of how much she does for us. In his fantasy world he would have bought her the house of her dreams, the car of her dreams and taken her on the trip of her dreams! But until we can do that..fantasy is great!
Some pics of the fam!

Savannah's Arrival

1 week 3 days old

Wow, has it already been 1 week and 3 days? Actually, it seems like 3 weeks already! What can I say? A precious life has been placed in our hands. A precious tiny little life! Savannah is SO small compared to our other babies. When I get her dresses, she seriously looks like a baby doll. She is just darling. She is very "porcelain" doll like. That reminds me of Anabelle.
The past week has been joyful, amazing, difficult, scary and every other word you can think! But most of all, it has been humbling. That seems like an odd word to describe the birth/arrival of a child. But that is exactly what it is. I think so many of us take for granted life. Even when something goes wrong, or we loose a loved one. Later down the road, we loose some of our conviction and we are back to taking our life and the lives around us for granted. For taking our health for granted. I had wondered throughout my pregnancy, this time, if everything was going to be ok. I probably drove my drs nuts asking if the baby was ok. Lots of reassurance, but in the end you don't know until you are holding that sweet life in your arms. The night before we had Savannah, I was cleaning my car out and rearranging car seats. I was getting the infant carrier situated in the car. All of a sudden I had a vision of driving home with the carrier and no one in it. I just decided to get it out of my head. Well, sure enough that is what happened. Now, luckily it was less then 15 hours we were out of the hospital and Savannah was still there. But what a hard 15 hours those were. That isn't how it is all suppose to happen! And it would have been longer, but my dr was able to keep me 2 extra days. I am thankful for that and for him. Beyond words.
The first few days in the hospital with "Miss Savannah" as Laurel calls her, was just perfect. She was just a sweet little baby doing new baby things...nothing:) Around the 2nd day I started to get sick due to a not so great "spinal" for my C section. My dear friend Jenn came to see me. I am so thankful. She held Savannah while I floated in and out of reality. Apparently the meds for nausea can make you pretty loopy! I made no sense to her, but she was sweet enough to not say so! I had so many sweet loving visitors and I loved seeing my baby loved on! It is amazing to have so many precious friends that call, email and see you when you have a baby. Swells my heart up!
Then I think it was the evening on Saturday the 4th that we realized Savannah was not just still "asleep" but not really interested in eating. The nurses and I came up with a plan and we got headed in the right direction. The next morning my sister and my brother in law came to visit. It was while they were there(with my mom) that we started having to take some serious turns. I had a phone call from the NICU about bring Savannah in for a feeding tube and some tests. The entire time I was on the phone I was crying. As we were all in the room, they took Savannah from me, to the NICU. I was so sad, but also wanted her to be cared for as best as she could. Now, I think about Mom, Fred, Ginny and Neal. And I think about how hard that had to be for them to watch. And to watch me. They are a blessing in my life.
So Sunday evening we visited her in the NICU. By Monday morning she was doing better and we had an OT evaluated her. We figured out the problem and she was back to eating! AMEN! I however got hit with a "Spinal Headache" from the not so grat "Spinal" for my C section. I couldn't even see or think. It was pretty bad. The only time it felt better at all was if I was laying flat. I wanted to see my baby, so Fred wheeled me down stairs and I got to see her. I couldn't even look up at the nurses. I looked and felt terrible, but was just worried about Savannah. Sweet friends tried to visit and gift their love, but I was in no shape to see them. Finally an anesthesiologist came in to give me a "Spinal Patch". This did the trick in no time. But again I was suppose to lay for 24 hours. Who are we kidding. My baby is down stairs, I am not going to not see her that long. I did well for 4 hours and finally went to see her. I took it really easy on Monday. Then Monday night we were hit with more tests and questions. I was pretty upset with all of this and Tuesday morning was probably one of the worst mornings in my life. I woke up and realized this wasn't a dream. I realized this is my life now. I still felt bad from the Spinal, Fred had gone to feed Savannah. My dr came in and all I could do was cry cry cry. He sat with me and just listed to me. It helped, but I still couldn't believe all that had happened since Wednesday night before...when 20 Kindergartners gathered around me and prayed for me and the baby while laying their hands on my tummy.
So, I spent most of the day Tuesday in the NICU with Savannah. Wednesday night we were told she we could stay in a room in the NICU, since I was already discharged. We decided not to, and came home around 5pm. We just decided the other kids really needed us. It had been almost a week since we had been home, and we got to see them. That was probably the best medicine in the world! We had dinner with the kids and put them to bed. Then we rushed back to the hospital to see Savannah, around 9pm. My sister, Emily came in town as a surprise that night. Christina brought her to the hospital around 10:15pm. We stayed until midnight. I am so thankful she was here. It is funny because different times in my life, I have felt like I just can't do something. But if I know she is with me, I can. I am really strong and independent, but for some reason God made me this way. I have to have her at different times. I remember crying the night before I had Chloe, to her. I told her I couldn't do it if she wasn't here. I was scared to death. NO ONE knew. Because I am strong and I don't get that way! Ya, right! So, during all of this with Savannah, I had spoken very little with Emily. This was only because I was mainly in the NICU or I just didn't want to talk to anyone. And she knew... she knew I needed her.... She just knew. How blessed am I.
So the next morning, Thursday, October 9th, was Corbin's official 2nd birthday! We celebrated in the morning with him and then got everyone to school. Fred and I dropped Chloe off at 8am and went to see Savannah. We got her out of the NICU by 10am! It was wonderful. We stopped by to see a nurse that had cared for me, then we stopped by my OBs. It was a wonderful send off. Everyone was happy to see us and the baby. My Dr said some of the kindest most genuine words that will never escape me. I pray for him to know how important his job is, outside of actually delivering a baby. He is a blessing.
Finally we get home! Emily and Mom waiting for us, baby in tow! It was wonderful! Then we surprised Chloe and picked her up from school with Auntie(Emily) and Savannah in the car! She was pretty thrilled! We all arrived home at the same time. Fred had made a darling sign and had it in the yard! The kids were all thrilled to see it and "Sabannah" as Annabelle says!
We had birthday cake, opened presents and started a life at home, 5 kids....4 adults:) Then my sweet little sister Ginny came in town on Friday. She has not been able to see her husband of a short time, for a full week in a month or so! And she decided to come in and spend time with us and Emily. And I thank her for that..and Neal for that. It was such a blessing to have them both, Emily and Ginny, here. I pray my kids are there for each other like this. I mean, there are no words to explain.
Savannah also had her 1 week appt on Friday. She was up from 6 lbs 1 ounce to 6 obs 4 ounces, in 2 days! That is terrific weight gain! She goes back next week! I expect a chunky 7 lbs baby by then:) I hope:)
Saturday was nuts! We had 3 showings(not to mention the 4 in the hospital). So we spent time at the park, on walks and at my aunts. That was really fun to just vege at her house with Savannah and mom and Emily. Ginny and Fred took the little kids to a birthday party and they had a ball!
So, here we are, Sunday. Ginny and Emily are gone....I wish they could stay. Mom is here...I couldn't be more thankful for that. Savannah eats every 3 hours, and that is thru the night! At least we have to do that until we get to birth weight again! She has to take a bottle for now, because of her eating issues from before, so me pumping...(sorry, TMI) and others helping me feed her. Mom took the 3:30a last night, so Fred could get a little more sleep. Emily and Ginny took the 12:30 the night before.
I got to sleep in, well in between pumps:) I am thinking all the kids are down stairs with duct tape on their mouths. I don't think they are ever this quiet!

Oh, and the blessing of food. Someone has brought dinner each night since Wednesday! I mean, my friends and family amaze me. They just know what we need! And my aunt, well I can't wait for what she knew I needed! Sausage balls! This baby thing has made me hungry again:)

So, I'll post some pictures later...I don't know when I will blog again. Life didn't slow down at all. I got home Wednesday and we hit the ground running. But you know, if that is what I have to do to take care of my wonderful family....I can rest when they are all 13 and won't get out of bed...until then I will soak in the 6:45am, "Good morning mommy, isn't it a beautiful day" from my 3 year olds...and a 7:00am, "Mommy, can I hold the baby" from my 5 year old, and of course the 7:15 am"Mamma... mamma.." from my one and only boy...and the best right now... the coos of a baby in the middle of the night!
God is so Good. Thank you Lord for everything!

Savannah Jane pictures

SAVANNAH JANE

This is Ginny, Julie's sister, posting for her. Savannah Jane Sparks is here and she is perfect! God is so good and we are all so very thankful for another girl. Julie was just sure this one was a boy and was so happy and surprised when in the OR she found out this one is a girl.
Stats:
Born at 11:40 am on October 2nd
Weight: 6 lbs 7 oz
Height: 18 inches
CUTE CUTE CUTE!!!


Her hair is strawberry blonde and she looks a bit like Anabelle! Uh oh :) Just kidding...I love that girl too!
The other kids are so excited and got to see her through the window but haven't loved on her yet. Corbin is working on saying her name. It comes out as Anna right now.
More pictures will come soon. The big photo session with all the kids will be tonight when they come up here.
We are all so excited to watch sweet Savannah Jane grow up, but right now we love having another sweet baby to love.

Twas the night before Thursday

Twas the night before Thursday and all through our house,
not a child was stirring, not even my spouse!
With a basket of laundry clean and folded with care,
We are anxious to have a new baby living here!

I start with my rounds, for each child I pray.
Starting with Corbin, so much I want to say.
I pray for his salvation, his strength and his health.
I pray he knows his family is truely his wealth!

I pick him up as he stirs while I am there.
Then I kiss his sweet cheek and cudddle him with a tear.
My surprise of surprises, that is his sweet place in life.
I lay him down and lastley pray for his future wife.

Off to my oldest, my first baby to bring home.
She lays in her bed and is out like a light.
I kneel down beside her and am in awe of her sight.
Just 5 short years ago, this was her big night!

My request to Him is for her to continue to grow.
To look for His guidence and take life slow.
I lean over to kiss her and tuck her in snug.
I look at her and say, "I love you bug!"

My last stop is the busiest room in this home!
My sweet little girls, they just play in there and roam.
I first see my Laurel, she slightly opens her eyes.
I tell her to close them, and she does as she sighs.

For her I pray she accepts the Lord.
That she uses his word like a sheild and a sword.
I ask the He continues to make her so sweet.
And I ask that she gives up her obsessoin of something always on her feet!

I scoot over to the other pink bed against the wall.
I have so many prayers too night, but non too tall!
My little Anabelle, I pray for her saftey.
I pray that she is always close to me.

I pray she asks Him into her heart.
And I pray that her relationship with her siblings, will never part.
With her old pink silky, I tuck her in tight.
I kiss them both and whisper good night.

As I sit down and rest, I think of the years that have passed.
I think of the tears and the fears that no longer last.
We were fearful to have no children in our house.
And now we are blessed beyond belife, me and my spouse!

So I anxious type while I lay in my bed.
I just pray for a healthy baby, I promise to love and keep fed!
I know the Lord will watch over us all.
He will not ever let us crash and fall.

He has a plan for my family, this I know.
He doesn't have to do much for it to show.
I know tomorrow will have so much joy.
We will add to the 3 little girls and 1 sweet boy!

So, now I head off to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
I pray he watches through the night.
And I pray he keeps me safe in tomorrows light.

1st post

So I started the entire blog 2 years ago! I was just 3 weeks away from having Corbin! My entire "Original" purpose was to be able to post some pictures of him and all the fun info about him. I thought it would be easier this way, then trying to access to my email and emailing everyone! I didn't intend for it to take on a life of its own! But I am glad it did. So, here I am....we are... 1 week away from having another baby. I constantly wonder, "Who is this baby?" "How does this baby fit into our family?" Only questions that will be answered once he/she arrives. The kids are beside themselves excited. I had blown off the idea of L&A needing any direction about becoming big sisters, bc they already are. But as time has gone on, I realize Corbin is probably more like a "triplet" born 15 months late, then a little brother. Not to mention he is as big as the girls! So, they really are ready, at 3, to be little mommies.
Here are some of the things I hear lately
Anabelle-> "Mommy I am going to change the babies diapers!"
Laurel-> "Mommy I want to read hers a book and tell her night night."
Anabelle-> "Mommy, I am going to wake up in the morning time and check on the baby but be very quiet!"
Chloe-> "Mommy, I want to feed the baby and hold the baby. And I want to hold the baby standing up and walking!"
Corbin-> When he is tired of people touching my tummy or talking about the baby, he takes my shirt and pulls it down as far as he can and says, "Baby go night night!" Or he zurburts my tummy!

So, 1 week out. We have most everything, I think. You would think by now I would know what we need. But part of me thinks, we need very little. The other part thinks of all the things we had for all the other kids! Most important item, we have the craddle that all of my children have slept in, out and ready to go. My 2 sisters and I slept in it, my cousins, my nephew, my dad and my grandmother.

After this baby we will carefully put it away as we anxiously await a William's baby to arrive(my little sister and her husband!). I look at it, and it is pretty, old and so simple. The outside of it means nothing. Just wicker and paint. But it is what is on the inside. It is what lays right in the middle. It makes me think of the Bible, at least tonight. Maybe that is bc mine is sitting beside it. But the outside is just a case. It is nothing special. Maybe leather. Pink in my case. If it gets marked on or so forth, it doesn't change what is inside. The words He has inside are what matters. They are the same for everyone to read. Just like a baby in a craddle is the same for each mom to love. But just as the Bible leads and touches our lives in such differnt ways, so does a sweet baby.
I pray that I can always remember to love this baby in the way He designed him/her. Unique and special...and specific for our family. To be thankful for one more mouth to feed, one more person to hug, one more child to loose sleep over in difficult days, one more precious voice to hear, "I wuv you!", one more child given to me with the 1 expectation that we share His word with that sweet baby. That we live and teach enough to ensure we have done everything we can for the salvation of our sweet child!

Ok, off to bed.....

1st day of preschool

So, here it already starts. Chloe's first day of school gets all the news! And then those other little kids in the house...just left behind! The funny thing is, we made a huge deal about their first day of school as well! But they were still focused on Chloe's! They were still so excited for her...and she was for them! I sure hope they always are this way!
So here we go! On my calendar for August 28th, it says 'School starts for L&A&C'. Otherwise known as LAC, that stands for Laurel, Anabelle and Corbin. The night before we got our backpacks, otherwise known as "packs packs" ready, napmats ready(well Corbin had to use Chloe's old red one for 2 weeks!)and our lunch, otherwise refered to as "munch" ready. I got the kids excited about getting up that morning for school! Once again, I had to make special pancakes. Since CLC doesn't really have a mascot(I suppose I could have found a Jesus cookie cutter!:) and the little kids can't read, I just went with a teddy bear shaped pancake! So, Pink and Purple pancakes being made at midnight, seems to be a usual in this house! I made sandwichs for the kids in the shape of hearts! Of course I drew pictures on their chips sacks and napkins.. so they would know I was thinking about them!
Chloe was up and had already started breakfast when we got the little ones up. They saw their pack packs and munch bags and got giddy! We loaded everyone up for pictures in the front yard.



The same lady who was walking the morning we took Chloe out there, the week before, for her first day of pics, was out there again! Kind of funny! I wonder if she thinks we take pictures every morning of school! It was fun because we got to see all the kids in our neighborhood walking to school for their 4th day of school! We took lots of pics and then everyone came inside. We said a prayer for the little ones and Fred and Chloe headed to school.
The little kids sat down for their 1st day of school breakfast and then we also headed to school!



When we pulled up, we all said a prayer in the car. L&A really love to say the Lord's prayer. I want them to say a little more, but for now that is wonderful! Corbin just stays quiet and says, "AMEN!" It is precious!
The girls all but ran inside. No one wanted to ride in the stroller and everyone wore their pack packs.

Munch bags appeared to be too heavy, so I carried those! We went to Corbin's room first. He was SO CUTE! The girls kissed him and told him to be good. They wanted to be so big for him. A few kids were crying in his class and all he could do was say, "Bye mamama!" He was happy. Kisses to me and off he went.


I had to stop and inform his teacher he may not respond to Corbin, as he thinks his name is Bubba! Nice...
Then we head to Laurel and Anabelle's room. They were so excited! We put our things in our buckets and got our namtags. They kissed me and hugged me and barrelled in the door!

They had a great day!
When I picked Corbin up, he was so proud of every paper in his bin. Include the notes from the teacher! His teacher did stop me and say there was an insident, he as involved in. The first thing I said, "Did he hit someone?" She laughed and said no. Another kid pinched his face hard enough to draw blood. He had a bandaide he was very proud of on. I think she was worried I would be upset. I just said, "Oh, he is fine..I am just glad we were the victim!" Poor guy! Laurel and Anabelle loved the day as well. Anabelle told me her teacher said, "NO!" I asked her why... she confessed it was because she got off her nap mat! She told me her teacher wasn't nice. I said, "No, your teacher is right!" So we hung around outside for a bit until Chloe got out of school. We walked to her carpool line and picked her up. She was so cute in asking them how their first day was! We headed home, and before nap we had a yummy icing covered chocolate bar! It was our celebration snack for the first day!



So there we have it. I realize that it is just preschool/mother's day out. But I will only have 1 more official 1st day of school to celebrate after this baby arrives! Until then, I will cherish each milestone for everyone! What a year of 1st! We are so blessed that it is all going so well and everyone seems to love their schools!

Not about the kids!

Well, kind of. I know I usually am posting about my kids. I mean with 4 of them and 1 waiting to arrive, there is always something going on! But I am sitting at home this morning with Chloe bc she was sick last night. Fred went on to church with the little ones. So, I am thinking about blessings in my life. There are the very obvious ones and then the ones that show up out of no where. First, is the obvious one of my husband. Although my CLOSE friends and mom and sisters know he can drive me crazy sometimes...:)... he is truly a blessing. Right now I am thankful for his dedication to our family. He doesn't stop trying to help us survive. Survive in the sense of spiritually, emotionally, financially and more. 10 years ago, he would have NEVER stayed up to help me clean the house, till midnight. But having it on the market requires a lot of work, and he was vacuuming at midnight just the other day! Thank you! Then there is the financially. Well of course he works everyday! But to watch him find a way to make sure we can pay for private school, it is amazing. Some people don't understand why we would put the "stress" on ourselves. But for us it isn't a choice. It is the best decision for our kids. He has amazed me at how hard he works to make sure we can do this. To go outside the "box" to be able to give our kids something we both feel very strong about. Not just a private school. But a Christian, truly Christian, education and experience. What a blessing.
And then, to watch the Lord bless him and us in all of this. Obviously we can't be the ones doing it, but we can't also just sit around waiting for the Lord to drop it in our hands. He wants us to go out and strive and work hard...and in return he has blessed us abundantly! Thank you!
Now me... the blessings I have seen come to me and my family. I remember thinking not too long ago...I have a lot of friends.. but not a lot of close friends. Not a lot of friends I can call on when I am in need for help. Help usually meaning.. can you juggle a kid for me! With various friends moving and such, life changes(HOLLY PRATHER...THANKS:) Just kidding:) In return, I felt like I also wasn't able to help other friends.. When your God given roll in life is that of a "care taker", it feels wrong to not be able to help others all the time! Anyway, it is something I prayed about. For the Lord to show me how this is suppose to work. I sometimes would feel like me showing up with all 4 of my kids for a play date with 1 kid, well a little overwhelming for some! Anyway, I have been blessed beyond once again. Just when I thought, how am I going to be able to attend anything at school for Chloe(and I SO wanted to be the room mom...but a dear friend said...DON'T DO IT! NOT THIS YEAR!) or how am I going to be able to make it to all these ob appts without all 4 kids always in by my side! My mother helps Fred and I way beyond anyone I know. We all love it. But I HATE to ask her all the time! Of course the Lord answered. He sent me such loving wonderful mothers. To have a friend call, when she doesn't even know my need...and ask to bring Chloe home for the afternoon! I mean, BLESSING! And another friend who is so willing to let Chloe come home for a few hours, just so I can get my little ones a decent nap, before yet another drs appt! And to have an old friend that offers all the time to come with her 1, to watch my 4...to want to miss something so important, to help me when baby 5 arrives... nothing like a friend. It is moments like those...friends like that...that remind me, I do have those dear friends.
So thank you to my dear friends. Not just for bailing me out when I need it! But for just being dear friends. My prayer is I am a dear friend back!

Baby 5

Just a new video of baby 5. Not terribly exciting from a viewing point. Lots of shots of the wonderful brain in baby 5!:) 34 weeks!

INTERNET FRAUD

Well, it was bound to happen. I finally was a victim of internet fraud! I have shopped online for years and have never had an issue. And now...it hits.
I searched and searched for just the right backpack for sweet Bubba! I mean, he really needed something that said, "I am a boy...I don't need anymore pink in my house!" So I found this!(PS: The CrazyDazy, which I got the pics off of is in no way part of this problem. I don't know anything about this company, 1 way or another)


I was so excited! I ordered it in time to have in for Corbin's official first day of school, Thursday! I kept trying to track the order on their website, and could get no information. I called them, emailed them over and over. I was charged for the items. Finally today I was getting a little anxious. I started to research the company a bit. I found item after item that stated consumers never recieved their items and where charged! I was so mad! I called my bank to find out how to handle this, and they told me. My mother actually found out the shop she monograms in, had the lunch box. So I went ahead and got that from her. I went to the brand's website and pulled lists of "retailers" in the area. I just called one after another. Finally, I think it was like #25, I hit the right store! They had it! It actually was the Kid to Kid resale shop in Plano! And then on top of it, I remembered I had credit there from bringing in a few bags of clothing to resale, last year! So, I threw the kids in the car and rushed over! I was so excited and the owner was so nice to me! And, I didn't have to spend too much on it bc of the credit! How perfect!
So, Mr. Corbin will look so darling off to school! With his packpack as he calls it, and munch box as Anabelle calls it.... Of course, I was slow in getting a nap mat, so it looks like he will be taking Chloe's old one! Luckily it is not pink. Just red! Uncle Neal will approve!
So here is my warning.. watch out! In the mean time... we found this information. I of course had to call the number at 11:45pm their time... just to make myself feel better!
from another consumer-
'I made a $103 purchase on June 14th and it is now July 27th and I have still not received it. Believe me I am making Dan Corkery's (owner) life a living..... Did a little research on the company and found out the following info:

D&S Giftware (mookiegifts.com and peanutgallerygifts.com)
Owner: Dan Corkery
Home Phone: 573-814-0601
Home Fax: 573-814-1760
Home Address: 8000 N. Marigold, Columbia, MO 65202
Dan's Day Time Job: Vision Works (visionworks.com)

The biz address on the website is a Post Office Box @ a UPS Store. I have submitted a complaint with the BBB, E-mailed him @ his work, e-mailed his co-workers to warn them that they work with a thief and have called his home phone. I encourage everyone that has been scammed to do the same! '

So, if you are bored:)

Baby 5

Not to trump the first day of school, but I got a peak at the newest soon to be addition of our family. Baby #5. It is just a face and a foot:) But I think this one is a little Chloe look alike! Soon we will see!

First day... Smiles and tears

>

Monday started the week with a back to school Worship day. It was so amazing. I just felt so at peace by the end of the night that we had made the right decision to be at our school. There were so many options around us. And so many of them terrific schools. There were different things that pulled us to each school...but in the end, we both know that our kids are at the right school. I questioned our choice off and on during the summer. Various things came to mind, but the families we are with and the people we are around.....the Lord's hand is all over this decision. When you make a decision and you truly feel that way, it is just an amazing feeling.

So then we head into Wednesday morning. Chloe was so excited the night before she couldn't sleep. The last thing I told her was, "Sweetie, if you don't go to sleep you are going to be so tired in the morning!"

So, Fred and I got up and had breakfast and everything ready for her....I walked into her room...video camera in hand(ill post it later) and the first thing she said, "Mommy, you were right, I am tired!" I laughed and assured her she would perk up! So dressed in her precious uniform that she had talked about all summer, she headed downstairs. She lit up when she saw her official PCA breakfast! I loved making it for her and she was grinning!

We got the little kids up and just got them dressed.


Fred and I took separate cars and got to school. Mom took the little kids for me to McDonald's so we could enjoy dropping Chloe off alone. But before we got out of the car, the girls and Corbin said a prayer for Chloe. It was precious. Of course I cried.

Fred, Chloe and I held hands as we crossed the street to her building. It was like crossing a threshold! It was a step that will precede all the steps she will take from this point forward! We got in the door and saw all the parents dropping kids off. It was so fun to see such happy faces. I expected to see more tears from kids...but they really all looked happy...maybe a little scared...but smiling! So off we went to find her class. We stood outside the door and the 3 of us knelt down and prayed. Fred prayed for Chloe to have courage and strength. He prayed for her education and her teachers. It was such an amazing touch to the morning. It wasn't planned, it was just meant to be. She just looked at us and smiled. She thanked me for signing her up for Kindergarten! Kisses and hugs, she walked in her room. Set her backpack down and started doing her thing! I was crying and holding it together. She kept telling me...don't cry! I know it is happy cry mommy!

So off Fred and I went to a little "Boohooo/Yahoo" breakfast. It was fun to mingle with the parents and hang out with Fred. I stopped by the office to drop something off and saw Chloe's class head up the stairs to another room. It was amazing. It hit me. All day long she will do stuff I have no idea is going on. Things she won't tell me and I won't think to ask! Ahhhhhh. It is like taking the calendar away from someone after 5.5 years of planning! I headed to McDonald's to get the little ones. They had a great time and thought it was such a treat!

The little kids and I came home. We made a special cake for her and Ribs for dinner. She was so excited to invite her Aunt GiGi and Uncle Neal...and of course Ninny to dinner!

We picked her up and the little kids were screaming her name as she walked up to the car! She had so many things to tell me about the day, but mainly they learned the "rules!"

I thought that was it for the emotions. What I didn't realize was how hard the second day would be for me! I went in her room to wake her up, and she wasn't there! Her bed was made and she was dressed and in her bathroom! I couldn't believe it. We ate and left. Today was the first day she would be walking into the school without me. We sat in line, and again the little kids and I prayed. We pulled up and the teacher opened the door. There she went. She just got out of the car and went. I did remind her to kiss me! I asked the teacher if there were people to tell her where her room was. She said plenty! I saw her walking, back to me. Another little girl walked up and they were talking. I was BALLING! I mean couldn't see, pull over balling! Corbin was laughing and clapping. L&A said, "Mommy, you have to be a happy mommy!" What is wrong! I promised them I was happy and just being silly! They believed me:) I called my sister and she couldn't even understand me. Just 2 minutes before I was on the phone with her and fine! I got myself together and we headed home with a few stops for errands.

Picking her up was so much fun today! Again, her fan club was screaming her name!

I just can't believe all of this. You would think we have 5 years to prepare, but it felt like 5 minutes!

Well, the first day of Kindergarten has come and gone! In a flash, we went from supervised walks to the mailbox, to walking all the way to our classroom on our own! How did this happen!

colossians 3:17

17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.