Wordless Wednesday

One Year Ago Today

I have been waiting for this day.  I wondered how it would feel to reach the one year mark.  One year ago today was when the Genius was attacked by the dog.  If you missed the original post about that you can find it here.    The only signs that anything ever happened are some scarring and a lingering fear of all dogs.  The scarring will continue to get treatment for the next few years.  As for her fear of dogs, well, we take it one dog at a time.  I have been praying and hoping to find a therapy dog or a retired therapy dog, but no luck.  When we are able to do so, we would like to get a Golden Retriever.  They are nice and we feel if she had daily exposure she would start to overcome her fear. 
One year ago today she was being wheeled back for an emergency surgery that lasted almost 3 hours.  Today she is at church camp having the time of her life!  We are so thankful that God has brought her through!  She is a brave, sweet and smart girl and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for her this next year and beyond.

Good Questions

During home-school the other day, the Hippie asked one of her famous questions.  She wanted to know if God has a Mommy?  I love it when they ask questions like that.  She is famous for doing that and usually they come out of no-where! 
Yesterday was our family night and we started celebrating at lunch time!  I made pancakes for everyone.  They loved it!  When the Hippie enjoys her food she tends to eat quickly and without talking.  So I had my husband secretly time her and the Genius (our notoriously SLOW eater) to see the time differences.  The Hippie drank a glass of milk and 1 1/2 pancakes in 6 minutes.  The Genius ate 1 1/2 pancakes and a glass of milk in 25!  We got very tickled watching them.  The Hippie digs into hers and is covered in syrup and goo when she is done.  The Genius takes these tiny little bites and cuts every single bite with her fork and butter knife.
Sadly, no baby news.  Today was the day we were really hoping he would come, but he seems very content to stay where he is for now.  So I guess the waiting game continues!

Quality Time

I follow a blog called Serenity Now!  Today Amanda had a very encouraging blog on spending time with your kids and family.  If you have about 5 minutes please click on the link and read it.  I found it very encouraging!
We are a home-schooling family and spend almost all of our time with, or around, all children.  However, it does not always translate into quality time with our kids.  I love being a stay-at-home mother, but I too have to work at spending quality time with our kids.  My husband and I have found a few easy ways to do this.  One is our meal time.  I cook almost every night for dinner and we usually eat all 3 meals at home.  We eat at our table (except on fun nights).  Together we make an effort to actually converse with our kids while we are eating.  My husband usually asks what they learned in school and he actively tries to remember what we are studying and reading and he asks specific questions about that.  We let them lead the conversation and talk about what they are into....which can quite honestly be pretty boring.  They talk about what the cat did or what cake they want for their birthday in 2 years, but it is rewarding and hopefully we are instilling some family values during these moments.  Another thing I do is not feel guilty if I want to sit and watch them play.  When they are outside they ALWAYS want me to come watch.  It is amazingly easy to say "No, Mommy has laundry and mopping."  But I try to say "yes" as often as I can.  The other day I spent over 2 hours just watching them play, helping them with the sprinkler, getting popsicles and cheering for them when they did tricks and stuff.  I had a great time and they were so much to play with!
Anyways, I wondered what others do to create those special moments, not just with your kids, but for your whole family?  Please share your thoughts!

38 Weeks

38 weeks along with our 3rd baby!  I cannot believe how quickly this has gone by!  Today I had my 38 week check up.  I had been having contractions off and on all day but I was still only at a 2-3.  I am still only thinned out to 70%.  But things are still looking good for the baby.  He was healthy and this appointment was special because my mom was able to be there and she heard his heartbeat! 
After the appointment my parents took us all out for dinner.  It was so yummy and I loved having a night off from cooking and clean up.  The weirdest thing happened though.   While we were eating I looked up and saw a guy walking with his shirt off.  A few minutes later a father and son came by with their shirts off.  This kept happening and I quit counting at 13!  We were all getting tickled at these shirtless guys walking past.  So we left and headed for home and my mom was still riding with me.  We had to stop for some gas and guess what??? The guy pumping beside me was SHIRTLESS!  Weirdest thing ever.  I was so glad to leave that town! LOL!

Two Chances

This weekend try and win some cool prizes!  It is quick and super easy!!
First, you can visit my friend Miranda.  She has 3 cute kids and another on the way!  Her blog is funny, honest and always makes you happy that you read it.  You can enter to win an $80 gift card from her blog!
Second, click on the link on the left of the page and visit my friend Kathlyn.  She is sweet and very talented and crafty!  Plus she is one my very best friends!  She has one of the cutest little boys you could ever lay eyes on.  She is giving away a beautiful shelf but if you scroll down her blog, there is a whole WEEK of prizes you can enter to win.

Best of luck!

Check-ups and Crackers

I had my 37 week check up!  I cannot believe we are so close to meeting our baby boy!  Everything was great at the appointment.  The doctor checked me and I am now dialated to 2 and 70% thinned out and baby is still head down!  She said at the next appointment they would talk about induction but we are not in favor of that so I do not envision that happening.  She said they would only really push for it if I go past my due date.  I would rather wait and let the baby decide the timing.  I just hope he comes in June =)
While I was in my appointment, my husband and the girls had a picnic of juice boxes and lunchables.  The girls thought they were living large!  We will give them cheese and crackers at home but we never buy the lunchables....too expensive.  So this was a special day for them.  At one point the Genius said, "These crackers are good.  Why don't we know anyone who makes crackers?  I bet no one CAN make crackers."  Their daddy told them that some people DO make crackers.  The Genius said, "Yeah, but only two people actually COULD make crackers."  The Hippie said, "Um-hmm, God and Jesus." 
The girls have been attending a VBS this week.  They have been having a WONDERFUL time!  Tonight they are tie-dyeing t-shirts!  They have also made little stepping stones.  Every night they have had a wonderful snack and have come home talking non-stop about their lessons and the music etc.  I love that they are having so much fun.  My husband and I have been enjoying 2 1/2 hours alone each night! 
Hope everyone out there is blog land is having a great week!
Don't forget to check out the link on the left to enter some great giveaways.  You still have time to enter!

Someone is a little older

Someone in our house turned 7 last week!  SO hard to believe!  She had a most incredible birthday!  For her dinner she chose pasta, homemade biscuits and crescent rolls.  Plus she picked out these cupcakes she wanted me to make for her.  I was very proud of how they turned out!  Here are a few pics of the birthday girl! 

A Few Things....

1. We are 37 weeks pregnant today!  When we say the baby could come at any time...we really mean it!  It gives each day this feeling of anticipation.  Wondering what every little twinge could mean.  Our youngest was born 2 weeks early.  So we are getting really anxious!  I go in this week for another check-up.  I am hoping they check me again and see if I have made any progress at all.  I have been having some real contractions and lots of the Braxton Hicks. 
2. I wanted to remind you to click on the link on the left and visit Kathlyn's blog for her week of giveaways!  There should be something for everyone!  You can enter as many of them as you want!  I entered to win the wet bag.
3.  The town we live in is having a big festival.  In a little bit we are heading over to check out the rides and I have heard they have Hawaiin Shaved Ice!  This mommy has been wanting some shaved ice sooooo badly!  I like black cherry with pink lemonaid.  What is your favorite flavor(s)?  Have a great and safe Saturday!!!

Round and Round

Yesterday my mom took the girls on a bike ride up to the park.  They had a blast!  They asked her to spin them on the merry-go-round there.  Nana obliged and they loved it!  I guess the Hippie was laying down and watching the sky.  All was well...til the Hippie got off.  She got off and asked to go home.  Nana asked her if she felt ok and the Hippie threw up.  My poor mom cannot stand that either! LOL!  I guess we know she cannot handle too much spinning! =)
Today we took the girls strawberry picking!  All of us were out in the rain picking and picking.  I think we came home with 8 quarts.  I made some strawberry shortcake for my husband and my dad.  Then made my husband's favorite jam.  We still have 4 quarts left to play with too! 
Afterwards we went to my 36 week check up and had an ultrasound!  The baby looked perfect! We could see SOOOOOO much!!!  They estimate that he is around 6 1/2 pounds which would put him on track to be about the same size as the girls.  They were born at 8.5 and 8.7 pounds.  It was so fun and special to see!!!  The time is getting closer and closer!!!!

Something is Starting!!!

One my dearest friends is hosting some special giveaways this week.  Thought some of you might be interested in checking it out!  It all starts tomorrow!
Check out the link to the left of the page.  Best of luck to those who enter!!!

6 Year Old Stress

My husband went upstairs to check on the girls a few minutes ago.  The Hippie was sound asleep but the Genius was sitting up on her bed.  She said, "Daddy, I need to tell you something that is so awful.  You are going to be so sad Daddy."  She then proceded to show him the book about rainforests that she had been reading.  Evidently she stayed up to finish it tonight.  She began flipping pages and showed him a photo of a burnt field.  She said, "You will not believe this but every second a baseball field of rainforest is DESTROYED!"  Poor kid was pretty upset about it.  We thought it was pretty sweet and it also just hit us how much our baby is growing up.  She chose a book from the library, checked it out all by herself and then read the entire book and obviously comprehended it because she was hurting for the rainforest being destroyed.  I look forward to talking with her tomorrow to see what she has to say.  What a big girl she is becoming!

Do you see what I see?

Our girls have spent most of their lives in the south.  They love to be barefoot and are not scared of hot days.  We have now moved into the north where it is very flat.  As we drove around the other day, we heard them talking and giggling.  After a minute we figured out what they were up to.  They were gazing across the flat, miles of farmland and were giggled about tiny trees and miniature houses! LOL!  Guess they are used to hills and bendy roads.  It was quite adorable!

New Doctor

Today was a great day!  I had my 35 week check-up with my new doctor today!  I LOVED the place!  The staff was super friendly and nice.  The facility was very, very clean and very comfortable.  The doctor was really nice and spent quite awhile talking with me.  She did my Group B strep test and told me that next week I will get another ultrasound!!!  She said they like to check the baby's size and the fluid levels.  I was thrilled for another peak at our baby!  I cannot wait til next week now!  After the appointment we went to the birthing center for a tour.  The place was MIND BLOWNINGLY wonderful!!!!  I cannot say how amazing this place was!  We met a lot of the staff and were shown around by a wonderful nurse.  She even gave the girls a popsicle!  The only other news I have from the appointment is that I am at 1 cm already and 50% thinned out!  She said the baby can come at any time now and if anything happens I go straaight to labor and delivery.  Exciting times!  Sometime in the next 5 weeks we will meet and hold our son!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!