WHEW!

Today was "one of those days." I don't have them often praise the Lord! Nothing major (until the end) to make it particularly awful except that I was just FULL of frustration. It is the one and only thing I hate about pregnancy. The emotions. I've said before that things don't make me mad when pregnant that don't make me mad when not, it is just that the accompanying emotion is multiplied by 10. Same goes for frustration. I have been searching for DVDs that I rented from Redbox on the 18th. I was so proud of myself that weekend... after they watched them, I gathered them up and put them SOMEWHERE so the kids wouldn't get into them and I could return them the next day. Only, I forgot where 'somewhere' was. I've been searching ever since, but today I decided I was going to find them or die trying (or at least, I felt that way). It wasn't going well and I was ultra annoyed. I searched every logical place I could think of, and some illogical places... several times. But finally in illogical place #107, I found them.
((oh and while I was looking for them Isaac decided he could go down the street to a friend's house without permission... and he KNOWS I never give him permission to go to this friend's house, so he KNEW what he was doing when he took off w/o asking, so that was a nice frustration builder too when I couldn't find him.))
Took the kids with me to return them and sweet Abigail wanted to use the money David gave her for helping watch Elijah to get everyone a treat. Came home and I was going to read for a bit while Elijah watched Sesame Street... to destress. But OF COURSE, my stress got multiplied when I couldn't find the book. I was really beginning to feel like someone was playing tricks on me! Again, searched everywhere. I knew I'd brought it in from the car last night but then decided I was tired and wouldn't read. So I knew it was downstairs, but again, not in any logical place. After searching for a good hour (and even shedding some actual tears I was so annoyed, thank you pregnancy hormones), EVERYWHERE... I found it on top of the shoe rack covered up by a blanket (huh?). So then I was happy and thought after the kids get in bed, I'm relaxing...
But it couldn't end there. I was getting the kids ready for bed... the boys wanted to bathe in my tub with Elijah. I normally let Abigail bathe with him, but not the boys. I let them... but won't again. I really should have known better b/c they just aren't as tuned into him as Abigail is. I'm not sure if he started to climb out and they just thought he could or what, but regardless, he fell out. Hurt his eye good. Scared me good too b/c the scratch is right on his lid, which I at first feared was a gash. I was thinking we were going to be joining my FIL at Baptist. It wasn't bleeding too bad though so I decided he was ok. It is bruised and I'm sure it will look worse tomorrow. He didn't react too terribly either. He cried horribly when it first happened, but calmed down immediately when I picked him up. His eyes dilated fine... and he let me put medicine on it. SO joy. Great way to cap off a day.
David is of course at the hospital, has been all day.
How was YOUR day?

Everything went well

Ron is still asleep, but surgery went well. They ended up doing 5 bypasses.

Pray for my father in law... Ron. He went to the hospital late last night after having chest pains. He will be having quadruple bypass surgery tomorrow. They tried to fit him in today but were unable. Apparently one blockage is very bad and they were surprised he had not had a heart attack (which is why they tried to fit him in today). It is very odd to me that it is so bad considering how closely he has watched his diet and weight... for as long as I've known him. Apparently his good cholesterol is what is so bad. Both his good and bad cholesterol are low. The doctor told him he needed to drink red wine to get the good up... considering he is a southern baptist preacher... well, I'm sure he'll be doing a lot of praying over that "prescription!"
I went to the doctor yesterday. Dr. Brennaman was held up at the hospital so I saw a doctor I didn't even know was at Cornerstone. He came in and said he could see me if I was ok with that... which is funny to me. I can't imagine anyone on baby #5 having a problem with any doc, especially for those visits that are pretty much just to hear the heartbeat. My blood pressure was 102/58 which seems awfully low to me, but they said it was good so I guess it is of no concern. He mentioned the tests that were available next visit, but I've never done them and have no intention of doing them now. He said they use a 'formula' to determine a positive result, along with the bloodwork. He said age is a big factor and considering I am 35... he said my risk for a false positive was very high. I wouldn't care to do the test regardless, but I was glad that he gave that info anyway.
I thought my ultrasound would be scheduled at the time of my next appt... in 4 weeks. But nope, it was to be done between them. Originally it was scheduled for May 12, but I had to reschedule b/c David couldn't be there. Now it is May 18. I'll be 18 weeks. We won't take the kids this time. We are limited to 3 going with me... so we'd only be able to take 2 kids. I don't mind leaving Elijah out, but one of the others would be pretty upset! So, it will just be David and I.
Elijah is making a HUGE mess in the pantry. He got a hold of the art box and painted a nice picture on the floor with these things...

The paint pours out rather nicely when banged repeatedly. Not sure why they didn't think a toddler would do such a thing...

Narwhal?

Have y'all ever heard of these things? I had no idea they existed and when I first heard a student talking about them... I thought it was some make-believe character.
But ah, nope!


Odd critters they are.

The weekend

It was a busy one! It began with me taking Elijah to Grandparent's Day. I thought the boys' program started at 8:30. Since Elijah's preschool also starts at 8:30... I couldn't drop him off first. The K3-K5 program was actually first. Elijah sat thru that just fine but of course when it was time for the boys... he got antsy. Ron (David's dad) took him out. After their program I raced Elijah to preschool so I could get back in time for Abigail's. Since I had to park far away and walk up the longest steepest steps to get to the sanctuary (carrying Elijah) and back down to get to my car (and back up when I returned, but at least I didn't have to carry Elijah that time), I was hurting by 10am. I only got to see Abigail sing the Nat'l Anthem (she did great, will post the video later) and then had to leave. Noah did great on his solo too. Isaac's part was chasing a chicken... and boy did he get into it!
Then it was onto school (after stopping to pick up the boxed lunches I'd ordered) and leave for Branson. We sang at the Ozark Mtn Music Festival and got a Superior rating, checked into the hotel after that, and then went to Showboat Branson Belle.
Saturday was spent at Silver Dollar City. The weather was GORGEOUS so it was enjoyable even though I couldn't ride anything. I did cheat once and ride "Fire In the Hole." It was no bumpier than a car ride. I just sucked in my tummy before hopping on!
My best friend was there with her choir. I was trying to keep an eye out for her, but with the tens of thousands of people in a rather small park... it was very crowded. People everywhere. I was standing in line for food and looking in my purse when a lady said "excuse me" to cut thru the line to get to the other side. I looked up and said "Allyce?" Thought it was funny that *that* was how I found her. So at least I got to visit with her some. And I got a new coffee mug :) It is like the one on the left but the colors are more like the one on the right, with a little blue. It also flairs at the top. I like it, it holds a lot :)

Got some salt water taffy and kettle corn for the kids.
After SDC we ate at Danna's Barbeque and Burger Shop and returned to Little Rock. The trip was great... but I was very tired when we got to the school... then had to drive 20 minutes to get home. I got home around 11:40 or so.
Was up early yesterday b/c I thought I had to be at church at 8am. Got a call at 7:30 though saying the guest music guy was sick, so we didn't have to be there until 8:40. I was already up and about ready, but was still glad to have some more time.
Then yesterday from 4-7 we were at the church picnic. It was at a park in Maumelle that also had a little fair going on, so we (as in they) got to ride rides for free from 4-6. That was great. Then had hot dogs/hamburgers. It went really well. Since there was something else going on at the same time, there were lots of non-church folk there which is always good.
And today it is back to school :) I have this week to get ready for the Spring Concert on Friday.

Modern Elegance

I took this quiz, as suggested by The Shabby Nest. The first time I did it, it said it couldn't figure out my style and to take it again. Then it said I was 100% Modern Elegance. I found that odd until I read the description... I *don't* like the plates on the wall, but I like everything else.

Modern Elegance

Variety is the spice of life! And nowhere is this truer than in the design of your home. You may love contemporary, but wish it wasn't quite so cold and austere, or perhaps you're drawn to traditional rooms but you'd like to create a less cluttered and busy space. Transitional Style is here to marry those apparent contradicting designs.

And guess what? It's the contradictions that make the mix of contemporary and traditional so successful. The result is an elegant room that appeals to young and old alike. A sofa with modern lines blends seamlessly with a pair of traditional chairs. New fabrics work so well on antique pieces. It turns out that modern art looks even more exciting above a collection of traditional pieces. The room feels simple and sophisticated, elegant and hip.

Dilly Dally?

I told Isaac not to dilly dally this morning. He said, "I don't know what that is, but I don't wanna do it!"

My little thief

We had a hard time getting the kids in bed tonight due to so many missing toothbrushes. Elijah has moved from wanting to carry pencils to wanting a toothbrush in one hand and toothpaste in the other. I found 3 tubes of toothpaste in the family room today. Still haven't found all the toothbrushes. He doesn't squeeze out the toothpaste, he just holds it. Funny little guy. And soooo sweet. He's still full of kisses all the time. He only kisses bare skin too. He'll walk by and kiss the back of my knee, or whatever happens to be close. If I'm holding him, he'll push up my sleeve to kiss my arm. When I change his diaper, he pulls my elbow down to kiss it. He's so funny.

Noah's dinosaur project

He used model magic to make the dinosaurs (Brachiosaurus), tree, and pond. The 'forest' is of course... chia seed. Oh the many uses... it was starting to die on the clay tree.



You can see the chia seed I planted a while back coming up out of the dirt in the plant behind his project. ... grape tomato plants and my limelight hydrangeas waiting to be planted outside.

Sale!

This cute sweater is on sale for $14.99 and ships free with $25 purchase. Click on my 'mark' button to shop.

Best in Class

Today was State Festival. My 10th-12th grade choir received a Division II- Excellent rating. My 9th grade choir received a Division I- Superior rating and were also "Best in Class"... they got the highest scores of all ensembles in our division. Hurray for them :)
We sang early, so I was home by 11am. I got a lot done after that. Typed DETAILED information for the Branson trip next weekend... itinerary, weather, locations, maps, rooming list, spending money needs, packing list, rules, dress guidelines, and specific info about our stops. Took me the longest to find a place to stop for dinner after Silver Dollar City. I wanted it to be close, but not back toward Branson, cheap, but not fast food, and good. I found Danna's Barbeque and Burger Shop. It has great reviews and has menu items from $3 burgers to $21 rib platters.
I also got the family room and dining room all clean. It has been a month or so since I've moved all the furniture and vaccumed EVERYTHING.
I also treated myself to a cheeseburger from Burger Mama for dinner. I've been wanting to try it out ever since my neighbor Jill mentioned it in her blog. I've passed by it, but it has never looked appealing. Looks can be disceiving. Very very very good burger :)

baby birds

I have baby birds again. I usually get one or two broods a year, in either of the arborvitas in my yard. I noticed the eggs a while back and have been keeping an eye on them. Sunday I came home from church to grab some stuff to take to Ron and Kathys and 2 were hatched. I checked on them again later and all were. I think there are 5... but it is awfully hard to tell. One year I thought there were 4 but when they fledged I realized there were 5. We are in our 5th spring and have peacefully cohabitated until today. My stinker child (that would be Isaac) told his neighbor friend (Sayid) to get a baby bird out of the nest. Thankfully I had gathered some trash and told Noah to take it out. I opened the door for him and told Isaac to help him... which is when Isaac comes running saying 'I have a baby bird in my hand.' Then he tried to blame Sayid. Of course, I told the kids not to tell anyone there were baby birds in the tree. I have told them that every year and so far it has worked. I told them I can't control what happens when I'm not here and I don't want anyone messing with the babies. So, then *I* had a baby bird in my hand. I thought I'd read that it isn't true that momma birds will kick a nestling out if touched by humans and boy did I hope I remembered correctly. I was scared if I put it back that it might kill all the babies, but I didn't know what else I could do... so back it went. I had Abigail stay out there with it to make sure it is left alone... came inside and took care of Isaac... and washed our hands. Abigail said the momma bird went to the nest as soon as we went inside... so that's good. The tree was damaged a bit when Sayid climbed up there to get one, but hopefully the nest will be ok. I put everything back as best I could.
Isaac can't go outside for a week. Abigail gets grounded from drawing, Noah from his football cards... Isaac from outside. I tried grounding Abigail from playing with friends until her room was clean and it never worked. She didn't care. Grounded her from drawing and she had it clean in a couple days. Noah rarely gets in trouble, but he can't stand to not be reading and organizing those cards!
Tomorrow is State Festival (contest). I wish we'd call it what relates to most people. Most people have no idea what "festival" means.... or "choral performance assessment" which State is not called b/c there is no sight reading and we have a 'Best in Class.' I'm not worried about it. I get a bit burned out by the time State rolls around and am just ready for Spring. I wish State were sooner after Region. A month is too long. I just have 2 weeks to get ready for Spring Concert after this.
I fixed a pretty good dinner considering it was totally unplanned. Nothing fancy, but made with stuff I had. I thought I had a bag of oriental chicken. I've resorted to mostly pre-cooked type stuff now that David is on Atkins... lots of chicken nuggets :/ Abigail will eat anything, but the boys are a lot pickier. I got rice going and then realized all I had was chicken nuggets and some diced cooked chicken breast that I bought mainly for salad. I had 2 little packets of soy sauce (david threw out my bottle last week b/c the lid got lost and it became overly concentrated). I cooked the diced chicken in the soy sauce and some oil, added peas, corn, carrots, sesame seeds, and garlic salt... it was really good. All the kids ate it. Had I *planned* on it I would have cooked the rice ahead of time so I could have just made fried rice. Next time!
Oh, and I'm having a girl. Based on the fact that my skin is a mess. I won't really know until the end of May, but that is becoming my guess since my skin always cleared up with the boys.

chia-mazing

In the words of the late Paul Harvey... here is the rest of the story. I'm surprised I have never heard a thing about chia... other than the pet. I didn't know chia was the name of the seed used... and I sure didn't know the gel substance that attaches it to the pet is naturally occuring in the seed. And who woulda thought you could snack on them and they are incredibly good for you??? I will definitely plant some to grow!

I could have written this myself

I feel the exact same way about tea... and the rest of this post as well...

Ch-ch-ch chia! (and other pictures)

What is this? Yep, after 25+ years of curiosity, I finally got a chia pet. This one was on clearance... only reason I gave in. I worked hard to get every drop of the jelly-seed concoction on the tree... that wasn't a good thing. It would have sprouted better had I thinned them out. I've been pulling off mushy seeds and spreading out what is left to try to fix my over-zealous first attempt. Wish that had been mentioned in the directions...
still

once the thing starts sprouting it seems to grow right in front of your eyes.
This is the boys (and friend Nicholas :) in one of the activities before the Easter Egg hunt (ok, I did it, though I really feel funny calling it a hunt!)

Happy Elijah walking down the hall with Daddy to hunt for his eggs (in a classroom)

wanting a drink...

drinking...

drinking...

On our way to David's parent's house after church on Sunday... he fell asleep soon after :)

Here we are at David's parent's house. Elijah had fun playing peek a boo by walking around from one side of the kitchen, to the other.... here he is on one side...
(he lost his pants thanks to a blow-out)

and the other...

back to the first...

and around again.... he kept that golf club and plastic piece to tiddly winks in his hand amost the entire time he was there. He LOVES to carry things.

Abigail and Isaac playing 'tiger'


looking out the window... toys still in hand



Noah showing Grandmommy his new skill...

David's mom and the kids. They took pictures earlier in their Easter outfits... Abigail had changed (and Elijah lost his pants) by this time. I'll post the others if I can get them.

these were taken tonight right before bed

Just did the math...

When this baby weans, I will have been pregnant and/or nursing for a combined total of about 10 years... and will have been neither for only 5 years of marriage. Doesn't seem like that long, but then again, the years surrounding my first three children's birth is a bit of a blur :)
I'm feeling a little better about my school situation. I'm not happy about it, but I do know that if God wants me at the school, then something will work out with the baby that I am comfortable with. I shed a LOT of tears on Tuesday, much of which came after the kids went to bed b/c I was holding it all in until then. Right after finding out, I had to go teach my elementary honor choir. That was difficult. I felt awful and hadn't been able to talk much about it. Keep praying though. I want what is best to happen.
We had an Easter Egg 'hunt' today at church... more of a "see how many eggs you can pick up race" than a hunt b/c the eggs are just all out there for the taking. I don't think any actually hide :) So we have a ton of candy. We were stranded at church for a bit b/c David had taken Elijah to the store. He had finished his part and was ready to go when the other kids had about an hour left (they do a rotation thru several different activities before the 'hunt'). Much of the candy was eaten while waiting for David to return.
We also cleaned. A lot. Of course, we've also been home most of the day. I'm not sure what we've done more of. Cleaning. Or making messes.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown:
how pale thou art with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish
which once was bright as morn!

What thou, my Lord, has suffered
was all for sinners' gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
'Tis I deserve thy place;
look on me with thy favor,
vouchsafe to me thy grace.

What language shall I borrow
to thank thee, dearest friend,
for this thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
O make me thine forever;
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love for thee.

So I had a bad day

A very bad day. I found out after my classes that new baby can't go to school with me next year. I have a *LOT* to pray about. I am not comfortable putting a newborn in daycare. I am not in ANY way saying someone is a bad mom if they work and put their child in daycare. That is something all moms have to decide for themselves. It was tough for me to put Elijah in preschool this year and he's only there (most days) 11-2:30 and is sleeping or eating for almost all of that time.
So now I have to wrestle. Please pray for me.
(for readers who do not know: Elijah went to school with me last year. I thought it went great, which is why I was caught off-guard)

Party!

I started getting ready for Abigail's party yesterday afternoon. I soon realized there was no way I would get it all done unless I took today off.

This is what I finally decided to do for nests. I wired a 5" grapevine wreath to a 3" grapevine wreath with raffia wrapped wire. Then I wove raffia between the wires. That was my part... and it took about 5 hours. bleh. Shoulda just ordered them online, though I do think they look cute. The girls glued some moss in to fill in the gaps. The nest pictured is Abigail's. Some girls speckled their eggs, but Abigail wanted Robin's eggs.


I made the cupcakes this morning... I decided to just use frosting and pipe bird's nests on each one. It worked great... until I left them in the car for about 15 minutes while I ran into Hobby Lobby. It was not hot, but the sun nonetheless was enough to melt the tops right off those cupcakes. I had the pleasure of going to the store and getting more frosting and plastic bags so I could re-do them at church.
I should have taken a group picture of them painting their eggs and making their nests, but I didn't. I didn't take a picture of the decorated room either :( I'm so bad about picture taking!



I *thought* they could make their nests on the prettily decorated table and then I could clean up and pass out cupcakes... nope. Though I had a placemat under each nest, that moss goes everywhere... so we had to move to a plain jane table for cupcakes and ice cream. I made a small cake for Abigail to blow out candles...

Then it was time to open gifts...

These are the girls who live around the corner.

Loved this bag :) Abigail got quite a bit of money as gifts and wants to monogram her name on it.

Vienna Sausage?

I've heard a lot of size comparisons when it comes to babies... but here's one I've not heard:
my 12 week baby is about the size of a vienna sausage.
I know, makes ya wanna go "awwwww."

I survived Jr/Sr Banquet (Prom)

Last week was an insane week. I won't share all the details, I'll just say that last night was our prom and I'm one of the two teachers in charge of it. Coming right off of Spring Break and Missions Week made it especially difficult.... but it happened and I think it was good. The *day* was not so great, but I'll spare the details. I did plenty of venting yesterday to get it out of my system ;) Food was good and then we got coffee too. I wasn't expecting that and was pleasantly surprised. Good coffee always makes me happy :) We had the typical program... reading class wills (Seniors 'will' things to the juniors) and prophecies (two teachers read a script as if they are at the 10 year reunion, predicting what each senior will have been doing). Then we awarded the "Goldsmiths"... our oscar, but our principal is Mr. Goldsmith, so I thought we should name them after him. Crowned the King/Queen... tried to get them to dance a bit... then went into the dance. We started out with ballroom which got kids out there, but then went onto other stuff. They seemed to be having a good time. It looked like everyone got out there at least a little (including the superintendent, principal, and pastor!). We sponsored the dance as well and offered activities all night long. So, I got home at almost 7am. I have not stayed up since... well, I don't know the last time I stayed up all night.... but I do know I wasn't pregnant. I was worried I wouldn't be able to. But it actually wasn't as hard as I thought. It was only when I got still that I felt bad so I tried not to do that :)
We had karaoke, movies on big screens, big blow up equipment, dodge ball, and lots of junk food (that I partook of often). Then we all went to IHOP for breakfast and the coffee was really good. It took 3 creams to get it to the right color... I've been before when one did the trick... good indicater of terrible coffee!
I hated it being so early, but I'm glad it is over. Now onto State, Choir Trip to Branson, and then Spring Concert... and then Baccalaureate/Graduation.... and then SUMMER!!
Oh wait, I'll be hugely pregnant in 106 degree weather, I take back previously stated enthusiasm.

I was in prayer meeting tonight. Bro. Jim passed out slips of colored paper. I had an "uh oh" moment. What does he have in store for us? Do I have to sign something away? He already got me to give up popcorn until Easter to remind me to pray when I crave it (and yes, I crave it often). What now?
Well, now was "get out of your comfort zone around your friends go pray with someone else."
ok...
So here we are. Praying. I'm not usually one to pray out loud b/c I worry that I will either offend someone else while I'm praying or those others will decide it wasn't good enough OR I'll get overly emotional and cry. I know, silly, but such is the case. And yet, here I was listening and well... *I* got offended. And then I was stuck b/c I wanted to pray but of course, was worried that my totally different prayer would be offensive to those who had just prayed.
Bro. Jim had guided us to pray for the lost. To pray for those in our community that we could reach out to them. So instantly my thoughts go toward ME. Wanting God to help ME get over myself and reach out, to not be judgemental and stay within my little bubble, but get out of my comfort zone and minister to those in need.
That wasn't what was prayed. The first one was about young people not realizing there are rules. That it is wrong to live together before marriage. I don't disagree with that at all.
The next one was about TV shows that are sinful and the 'young people' who watch these shows. She prayed for those young people that they would realize the shows are bad and not watch them.
I can't really tell you what the last one was about b/c I was praying myself, just not out loud. I know it wasn't anything to bring me out of my "what in the world?" moment.
Me, I'm thinking... hello?? Are we not missing the point? I'm praying for lost SOULS. Except for God's grace, I AM NO BETTER. I'm not praying that people will obey the rules. I was fortunate to be raised in church, saved at a young age, and didn't become a massive "rule breaker." But I was a sinner to no less a degree than the worst sinner you can name. I am STILL a sinner and I am no better. Those who break all the rules are no different than I, except that God sees me covered in the blood of Christ. That is the ONLY reason I am any "better." I'm not. It is not ME, but Christ.
It is not just tonight that this bothers me. It bothers me any time I hear someone complaining about the terrible ways our world is turning. I do not disagree. It *is* terrible. But we are still totally missing it if all we do is get caught up in how terrible it is and not see that *except for Christ, I am nothing.*
I do know that those who prayed are wonderful Christian ladies whom I DO look up to. It just caught me off guard that when praying for the lost, it became about rules and bad TV. I wanted to pray "Father remove the scales from OUR eyes, so we can see all people for who they are and love them and share with them. Stop judging them and look at ourselves in the mirror and know if it were not for YOU, we would be no better. God does not see our good deeds, but the blood His son shed for us. That is the only thing that saves us. Not me, not rules, only Jesus. Thank You for ALLOWING me to see."
But of course, I was worried about offending, and I know for certain I would have cried.