Downward march

Another ultrasound today and an answer to prayer:  the boys are BOTH head down!!!!!!  They are also growing big.  Approx.  4lbs 15 oz and 5 lbs 4 oz.  WOW!!!!! Sure explains the pain and discomfort.  I've reached the point now where they wouldn't try to stop labor if it started.  Kinda scary and exciting  :) 

Happy 2nd Birthday Zac!!!!!!!

Two years ago today we were blessed with our sweet Zachary David.  I can't believe how quickly the time has gone.  He has learned so much (good and bad ;) from his big brother and sister.  He loves cars, trucks, trains, balls and tools.  (A real man's man.)  His daddy and I love his sweet little laugh and the way he says "love you too" and "bless you" (whether you sneeze or cough).  Donny pointed out to me today that Zac is very in tune to my needs.  If i sigh or moan in pain he says "What's wrong?".  Today I was experiencing some morning sickness and Zac heard me (from another level in the house) and brought me a container and said "Here, spit." (We call it spitting up, not throwing up.)  I know, gross, but so sweet and thoughtful.

Anyway, we are thankful to God for our sweet little boy and look forward to seeing him grow and  mature into a little man of God.

A TJ Funny

So, the last part of TJ's memory verse this week talks about overlooking an ofFENSE.  We were reading through the verse tonight and and he said "Mommy, tell me when we get to the part about the gate, cuz I know that part."  I laughed till I cried.

Almost 30 weeks!

Well, I'll be 30 weeks on Saturday and we had another ultrasound today.  The boys are doing great, weighing in at approximately 3lbs 11 oz.  and 3 lbs 9 oz.  Unfortunately, neither of them are head down.  Baby A is breech and Baby B is transverse, with his feet over by Baby A's head.  Soooo, please pray that they would both turn.  The chances of this decrease with each passing week, but we can still pray cuz God can do it!  I can't believe I am already carrying around over 7lbs of baby  :)

They're growing

Well, we had another ultrasound this week.  the boys are both growing nicely.  One weighs 1 lb 12 oz. and the other is 1 lb 10 oz.  The Dr.  says everything looks great and we are doing great.   We're all getting really excited and looking forward to meeting these little guys.

Almost forgot.  During the ultrasound, one of the boys kicked the other in the head.  Oh dear.  Fighting already ;)

It's been a while...

I can't believe how long it has been since I've posted anything.  Lots of things have changed...

We are now living in our new house.  God provided a home larger enough for our growing family and it is right around the corner from our church/TJ's school, which is such a blessing.

TJ is doing well in Kindergarten.  (Although, his homework makes me thankful that I'm not teaching him to read.  I am so NOT a good primary teacher.)  He loves school and I think one of the coolest things is hearing him recite the Bible verses they learn.

Elaina has adjusted to the idea that 2 more boys will be joining our clan.  I think she's actually excited about being Mommy's helper.  She just started taking dance classes and LOVES them.

Zac is talking up a storm.  It seems like he adds new words/phrases every day.  Some of our favorites are "No way"  and "How are you?".

Life is definitely busy.  I'm trying not to overdo it because I get tired and sore very easily.

We have another sonogram next Wednesday and I'm looking forward to seeing these little guys again.

...And it's only going to get busier!

Well, we just received the shock of a lifetime.  We're having TWINS!!!  And, since it is the Chesapeake way, they are both boys  :)  I know, poor Elaina, but we are trying to accentuate the positive.  I told her she will be Mommy's special helper when the babies come.

We went to the ultrasound today (I am 19 1/2 weeks) and were definitely not prepared for this.  I cried and Donny laughed.  Everyone thinks we're joking when we tell them (even TJ) and I am just worn out thinking about it all.

Children are a gift from the Lord and, ultimately, we are thankful.  Ready?  no.  Overwhelmed?  yes.  And very, very thankful.

Life is BUSY

Well, thanks to a "friendly" reminder from a friend, I realized it has been ages since I updated my blog.  We just got back from a fun and tiring vacation at the beach.  The kids had an absolute blast.  While they enjoyed the beach, they seemed to prefer the pool.  Zac wouldn't even touch the sand but he had no qualms about jumping into the pool.

Today, TJ started Kindergarten at our church school.  He was very excited when we left the house today, but not so much when I picked him up.  I think it will take time for him to get used to the structure of the day and to the idea that he doesn't know everything.  Like me, my son needs to grow in being teachable.

Settlement on both houses should be the end of September.  We have less than 3 weeks to pack, so I'm a bit overwhelmed about that.

I am now 18 weeks and a couple of days pregnant.  I have another midwife appointment tomorrow and the sonogram is set for Sept. 17th.  We are not planning on finding out the gender of the baby.  I have to try to remember to tell the tech that right away when we get there.

So,  life is crazy right now and I know that I need to press into the Lord more than usual.  PLease pray that I do that.

God is good!!!!

   Lots of blessings to report.  It looks like the sale of our house is moving forward.  We had the home inspection yesterday and they didn't find anything major.  We're just praying that the buyer doesn't try to nickel and dime us with repairs or money for repairs.  He is supposed to give us his requests by tomorrow.

   And.... we put in an offer on a house in Joppa and it was accepted!  We are very excited as the house is only a few minuted from our church and the school TJ will be attending.  The house will be a major blessing as it has 4 bedrooms plus an office, which could be used as a bedroom.  There will be plenty of room to practice hospitality and guest rooms for people to stay in.  It also has a very nice, fenced-in, back yard.  We are humbled and blessed by God's goodness to us.  We offered significantly below the asking price and asked for some of the closing costs.  We are cautiously excited, aware that it's not a "done deal" until settlement.  So, please keep praying that things will progress smoothly :)

Happy 7th Anniversary to My Wonderful Husband!

Warning: This post will be long and somewhat mushy;)

Donny and I met about 15 years ago at our church.  He had just graduated from high school and I had just finished 9th grade.  (Yup, he's older  :)  Anyway, he was the funny, friendly and fun -loving guy that everyone got along with.  He was like a big brother to many of us girls.  He was also a favorite with a lot of the dads.  (Apparently, he was a favorite with my dad too, which I didn't find out until much later.)  Anyway, he was a great guy and I believe it was God's grace that I didn't develop feelings for him sooner.  I truly saw him as a friend and not a potential romance, which not only protected my heart but gave us a good foundation of friendship.  (It probably helped that he was in NO WAY interested in me either ;)

Fast forward to my second year of college.  Donny was asked to lead a singles care group and I was asked to be his assistant.  We were both excited and humbled by the opportunity to serve in that way.  (Side note:  I think Jimmy was playing cupid.  Just ask Chris and Em.)

Anyway, I remember when we started serving together, being very afraid that I would develop feelings for him.  I cried out to God that He would protect me from that because I was afraid it would get in the way of our ministry.  Well, thankfully, God did answer that prayer.  At least for that first year.

The next year (the summer after my 3rd year of college) we worked together at Beachmont Christian Camp.  (Yet another matchmaking place ;)  During that summer we saw each other every day at camp and we were still serving in a care group together.  That's when trouble began. My eyes were opened to him in a new way and boy did the feelings come.  To my surprise, apparently they did for him too.  Our friendship was changing into something more.  However, he wasn't sure if the timing was right.  He talked to my dad and he prayed, but he felt like he had "jumped the gun".  So, we tried to put our emotions on hold.

That next year, my 4th of college, was very challenging.  Due to certain situations, it became apparent to me that Donny and I weren't meant to be.  It seemed as if God had totally closed the door.  I was crushed.  My emotions ranged from sadness to anger to , eventually, acceptance.  Sadly, it affected our friendship too.

Fast forward to fall of 2000.  Donny asked my dad if I could go to a wedding with him for a co-worker.  My dad and I both wondered why he would ask me.  I mean, we weren't as close friends as we had been a year or two before.  I was busy and couldn't go to the wedding.  That didn't stop my dad from asking Donny about his motives.  (My dad is so perceptive.  Or persistent.  Or both.)  Anyway, Donny admitted that he was wondering if God may still bring us together.  I was not so sure.  I thought I had been given my answer the year before.  Well, my dad encouraged me to pray and be open.  As soon as I started praying about it, all those old emotions came back like a flood.  On September 10, 2000, we entered into a courtship and we were married on August 11, 2001.  (On our wedding day, my dad informed me that he had known for years, even before I liked Donny, that he was God's choice for me.)

S0, here we are.  7 years later.  Expecting baby number 4.  Donny is again leading a care group and every day feels like a camp here with 3 little ones.  (It's funny how things come back around again.)  I can honestly say that I am married to my best friend.  He is caring, loving, funny and a wonderful provider.  He is an amazing father to our children.  (Just ask them.  They absolutely adore him.)  I am so thankful to God for the 7 happy and blessed years of marriage we have had and I look forward to many more.

I LOVE YOU HONEY!

The Sale is Back On... we think?

Well, the roller coaster just keeps going.  After talking to our realtor (that is helping us buy a house) and our lender, we have decided to move forward with this offer.  We are trusting that God is on control and He will take care of us.  We were advised by both real estate specialists to put a few contingencies of our own in the contract.  So, we have and we are signing it tonight.  As of now, the settlement date is set for September 30th, but the buyer says he can move it up if necessary.

The next prayer request is that everything would work out for us on the buying end.  We are VERY interested in a bank owned property nearby.  It has EVERYTHING we want and just needs a little TLC.  We are awaiting word from our realtor as to the status of the house and how long the whole process could take.

No Sale

Well, we're not accepting the offer.  It's not as horrible as the other offer, but we are unsure of the stability of the buyer.  We were afraid the contract would end up being broken later on.  Soooo, please keep praying for a buyer :)

Please Pray

We have been trying to sell the house this summer.  We've had A LOT of people look, but so far only 1 offer and it wasn't a very good one, so we didn't take it.  Well, we are supposed to be getting another offer next week.  Please pray that it will be close enough to our asking price that we can accept it. Thanks!

Miscommunications

Tonight Elaina had a blanket draped across her head and shoulders and said she was Mary .  I asked her if she was talking about Jesus' mommy and she said yes.  She walked over to TJ, declared she was Mary, and kissed him on the forehead.  His response: "You're not married to me!"

10 Weeks today

Week 10: Fetal Development: Growing Bones

Your baby's growth is fast and furious now. He or she is nearly an inch and a half long and the size of a prune, but not nearly as shriveled (even with all the time it spends in water). In fact, your baby is really taking a human shape now. Bones and cartilage are forming, and small indentations on the legs are developing into knees and ankles. The arms (complete with elbows) can flex already, but don't run to the store for a baseball bat just yet. Though your baby's arms are taking shape and getting stronger, each one is only about the size of this number 1.

The tooth bud fairy is making her appearance this week, heralding the arrival of your baby's little choppers, which are forming under the gums. (Those pearly whites won't break through the gums until your baby is close to six months old). Other systems are go, too. Your baby's stomach is producing digestive juices, the kidneys are producing larger quantities of urine, and, if your baby's a boy, he's already producing testosterone (yikes!).

Heartbeat

I heard the heartbeat today!!!!  I was so surprised b/c I'm only 9 weeks and 3 days.  I think that's the earliest I've ever heard it.  I recorded it on my cell phone so Donny and everyone else could hear.

So Proud of my Big Boy!

Not a big deal to some, but to moms of little ones, you'll understand.

While the kids were home with Nana tonight, our mortgage guy came to the door with some papers for us.  (Nana was upstairs at the time.)  TJ looked out the window, didn't recognize the man, LOCKED THE DOOR, and ran up to Nana to tell her a stranger was at the door.  (This has come after a year of telling him the dangers of opening the door to strangers.)

We're so proud of him and so thankful that he has actually learned a valuable lesson.

Happy Independence Day!!!!!!

As we dress in our flag shirts, eat our red, white and blue cheese danish, and spend time with family, we are going to somehow try to explain the concept of July 4th to the kids.  I'm not really sure how to do it, but I really want them to understand that today is a special day.

Side note:  Zac has been picking up more words.  He now says... snack, milk, "POW!", Dada, Mama, Nana, up, ball, car and maybe a couple more.  So cute!!!

House showings and nausea

We are getting ready for our third house showing this week.  It's challenging, to say the least, to keep the house ready to be shown at the drop of a hat.  (Thanks God for Nana.  She helps me clean and helps watch the kids during the showing.)

Nausea, fatigue, more nausea.... yep, we're PREGNANT!!  I haven't officially posted anything about the baby yet, but we are due February 7th.  We are very excited because we always said we wanted four.  The kids are very excited.  TJ insists that it's a boy and, of course, Elaina says it's a girl.  The other day, we were looking at a picture of a baby at 7 weeks on the internet.  Tj said, "Look, Mom, it's a boy."  I told him that he was looking at the umbilical cord :)

Elaina said...

The other day she told a little guy with a big afro "You have BEAUUUUTIFUL hair".  

Yesterday, we were driving around in the parking lot while Nana ran into a store.  She asked me to stop because it was making her "bizzy".

I'm impressed

May not be a big deal, but I was impressed.  This morning TJ said that the basement was "EXTREMELY" cold.  I'm pretty sure I didn't know that word at 4.  

I must be crazy!!!!!!

I can't believe I'm doing this, but here goes: my first "BLOG".  I'm not much of a writer, but my kids are growing up so fast and I want some format to record memories about them.  Right now, TJ is 4, Elaina is 3 and Zac is 18 months. 

 The biggest news is that TJ will be attending our church school in the fall, which is probably why I'm feeling so sentimental.  He seems to be growing up before my eyes, yet there is still a special innocence about him.  Today he asked me if we could go to "White Marshmallow", which is White Marsh Mall.

Lanie is FINALLY getting interested in "girly" things, like dresses and princesses.  And for a child who was a late talker, well, now it's difficult to get her to stop.

And Zachy...such a sweet and pleasant baby.  Although, I guess he's really a toddler now.  He has been such a joy to everyone and he tries to do EVERYTHING his big brother and sister do.

Well, I guess that's enough for now.