to where you are...

May 18, 2011
still can't believe our baby isn't here. still hasn't sunk in.


Today has been weird. but good. driveway work is underway and oh, what a mess. piles and piles of dirt and tree roots.

I was so busy throughout most of the daytime that I barely had time to grasp that Jack's not here.

I got in the car to run a few errands, by myself...and it hit me. like it always does.

I should have a baby seat in the row of seats behind me. I miss you, JackYoung the Brave.

So, let me get on my soap box. for just a minute...for myself just as much...

CHERISH, hug, kiss, smile at, apologize to your loved ones. Only one life...and it's a twinkle of an eye.

I was enjoying some time with my dear friend, Jennifer P tonight...we rarely, if ever, get to just sit and chat. She's a mother of 6. I'm mothering five. In fact, her and I sat right here in my living room, early in the summer of 2010 and "planned", if you will, our sixth babies. When she found out her March 2011 baby was a girl and my June 2011 baby was a boy, you'd better believe we were matchmaking. She was even on call to be at Jack's birth.

She came to the hospital that sadly holy June evening when my boy took flight on eagle's wings to Christ. (Insert Lord of the Rings, Return of the King, Frodo and Samwise on big eagle music here. it'll knock your socks, or flip flops, off)

All that to say, this girl is dear to me...and I am thankful for the encouragement of a fellow momma. We both got teary eyed recalling how quickly our kids are growing.

Thank you, Jen, for taking the time out of your motherly duties to be with me tonight. Thank you for stressing the importance of spending one on one time with each of my kids. I am blessed to call you my friend and love you, dear sister.

I really could go on but tomorrow, David, our kids, my sis and her family as well as Amanda and Maria, will be visiting the Caribbean Cove water park. I need to get rested up for all that slip sliding and such.


Edit: We are not going to slip n slide fun today. this is for future reference when I try to recall this event when looking back on my blog. 

While I'm at it, this one's for you, Mel-Mel (a.k.a "Kate")

Guess who's turning 10 this weekend? May 31, 2008...go Melly, go Melly, it's your birthday, it's your birthday...

July 31, 2004...with your cousin, Piper....you are so gracious with
the younger folks in your life!


"Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion..." can anyone tell me what movie that is from, besides you, Beck? This is Mel's quote to describe her life with 2 older brothers...they constantly pick and harass but she handles it like a champ. mostly.

Six going on sixteen

Princess Leia hair

Sweet sand castle building 7 year old!

Happy 10th Birthday, Miss Melanie Kate!!



Melanie joined us on the last day of May in 1998...I labored all thru the night hours, which, to me, is kinda spooky for some reason, and while David slumbered ever so peacefully next to me on the bed, I prepared to welcome our 3rd child...unbeknownst to us, our first daughter!



For some reason, the 2nd phase and her actual delivery took a while...because her little chin was up. After what seemed like 2 years of pushing and crying...down into the canal she came...bloop, bloop, bloop...when her little head, loaded with lots of dark hair, came forth...the midwives noticed a loop of cord around her neck...yikes. scary yet praising the Lord that she was ok! When she actually came out...and I discovered her female parts, we were in some shock...why? because I just didn't think it would be a girl...I loved my little boys but longed for that little slice of pink heaven! On the videotape that Beck was in the midst of making, she started crying and sniffing while doubting my looksee.



She looked like she had been beat up when she was out and settled...blood shot eyes, herniated belly button, splotches on her skin, which one ended up being a big, bright strawberry birthmark on her arm...but to us, she was the most beautiful little girl and gift from God!



She weighed in at 8 pounds, 2 ounces and was born at 4:06 in the morning...Thank You, God, for such a bright, well-adjusted from the get-go kinda gal! We still aren't sure, to this day, how we ended up with her...if we hadn't been there ourselves, we would definitely wonder. But she is a replica of her father's sister so that does help.



Thanks, Mel-Mel, for your good attitude, sweet, patient spirit, help with the younger sibs...you are invaluable to me anyway but your mothering gift has been such a nice gift to our family! You are intuitive, compassionate, helpful, caring and tender-hearted. Kind, funny, energetic and smiley!



You are one Decade old...double digits...ahhhh. 3 years from teenagedness!

I will try to dig up some earlier shots of Miss Mel-Mel...We are so blessed to have you in our lives, MKY! You da bomb!

Can you say Kidney Stone?

that's my ouchy face...
These girls ROCK!! Love you!
Hi.
I thought I should get on here and update you. It's been a pretty quiet weekend...soccer, dinner at some fellow homeschooler's home before going to our Sat. nite Bible study (which I will post pics of that later)...and then today, I sent all three boys to work with their dad this morning and the girls and I were going to go to the church service. A nice, well thought out day...hmmm. During the church service, I noticed that feeling you get where you must tinkle but don't(TMI, I know but it's important to the story)...and a general achiness in my lower back, a feeling I've been having every once in a blue moon since Christmastime. I thought I must have a bladder or kidney infection...after church, the 2 M's and I were driving out to David's job and I just kept getting worse...fidgety, achy, back ache, panicky...(see July 07, it totally reminded me of almost having Molly in the car)...We got out to the Subway we were going to pick up the food at, I called my momma, who was w/my sis and bro, they dropped everything and rushed to help me (you guys rock, even you Tom!!) and then I threw up...(again TMI) but if you know me at all, you know I don't do that. EVER. so I knew something was up and it wasn't good. David called his mom and she muscle tested me (don't ask)...and sure enough, kidney stone...here's what ya need to do to get rid...6 lemons to one gallon of purified water...and quick. Mom went into Meijer to get said treatment and I was a caged, hurting beast out in the car with my dear infant daughter. (Mel had gone with my sister to our house). I would see people walking out of the store and wonder why they weren't in as much pain as I was or how they could be smiling...I couldn't believe how frantic and hurting I was...my back would not stop and I could not get comfortable to save my life. I kept praying, also, that the Lord would just let me find a comfortable spot...about 5 minutes from home, I found that spot, I didn't want to move because I was scared, so scared, that the comfort would leave. I smiled at Molly, who had been staring at me for the previous 10 minutes like, "What's your deal???" My mom in law is sending me some herbs that will help to dissolve Mrs. Stone...get outta here, we don't want your kind round these parts...and I pray, fervently, that I don't have to live thru this again. It verified loud and clear for this cat that I DO NOT WANT TO LIVE THRU CHILDBIRTH EVER AGAIN!! thank you very much. I love my kids dearly, but that pain, unknown and deep rooted, is in my past. whew, thanks for that reminder, God. I needed that!
Sitting here now, blogging this like the pathetic nerd that I am, I am trying to recall that feeling (like you do after you are done giving birth) and it escapes me. My back still hurts and I'm sucking down lemon infused water like it's going out of style but the feeling has left. Brighter days ahead. me and my stone.
I will try to blog some of my other weekend shots later on but for now, Davey boy is on his way home from work with Subway (the Subway I was to have gotten for them at 12:30)...and a little boy that pooed in his pants...hmmm. (Levi, in case you are wondering)...Peace and love, painfree from me!! L