Please pray....

I don't have much time...I have a lot to do still so we can be ready to leave for camp when Todd gets home. I just wanted to ask everyone to pray for my friend, Amber and her family, in Honduras. I'm sure you all have seen on the news about some of the things going on there. Thankfully, they are in the country-they had been living in the capitol city of Tegucigalpa until just a few months ago-but it still is a dangerous situation. I haven't read too much today because I have been busy working/packing/fixing lunch/changing diapers, you know...... Just if you think about it or hear about it on the news, please pray their family. They have 2 small children and she is pregnant with their third.

In other, less important news...the drywall man came again today and put another coat of plaster on. Woo Hoo...one step closer to getting finished! ;0)

Remember my blogging buddy I mentioned the other day? Her sweet Isabella was able to come home over the weekend! :-) So happy for them.

I better go. Hope everyone has a good week!

The weekend

The man did come yesterday to work on the drywall. He did get all of it plastered...I think he put two coats on the seams. He was going to come back today if the plaster had been dry, but since it wasn't, he's coming back on Monday. It is exciting to see the progress....at least it's starting to look better!

This morning I went into work. I have a lot to do and with the end of the month a few days away, I really need to get it all finished. I wasn't really in a working mood, and when I started thinking about Todd leaving for work at about 1:30, I decided to cut it short. I headed home at about 10:30. He's gone now, the babies are laying down, the other kids are watching tv, I should be working. I'm trying to get myself motivated..... I can't wait 'til Monday when we leave to go up for family camp for Tuesday and Wednesday. It will be nice to just have a change of pace. I'm looking forward to being in the services, too...they have some great preachers from all over the country that come to speak. I need a vacation, but at least if we can take a small getaway-it's better than nothing!

Tomorrow Todd works the same shift...blah...but at least he gets to go to church in the morning. :-) Some of the hours are not so good, but at least he doesn't have to work them every day.

Savannah was fussing, I went up to give her her paci....she raises her little sleepy head-never even opened her eyes...bobs her little head around and drops it back on the bed. She's so sweet...her new thing is grabbing her feet and chewing on her toes. She was doing that the other day and Stu was watching her. He said, "She's nasty...chewing on her feet." I reminded him that she doesn't walk around on her feet, at least. He loves her so much...always right in her face.

I guess I need to get to work! Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

Ramblings...

I am so thankful that we are FINALLY making some progress on this basement! :-) The drywall is hung-we have a man coming tomorrow to finish it for us. He thought it may take him a couple of days...but then we can paint! I'm so excited....we have new carpet coming, after we get everything painted, then we can start moving things around/painting the rooms upstairs. I am really looking forward to getting things situated in the new rooms and hoping to get things organized! Praise the Lord that we have been able to get things done and He's provided the means.

Our air conditioner has been acting up....it always seems to pick the best times-it's been in the 90's here and the humidity is terrible...but at least we can go cool off in the pool-and that's exactly what we did tonight! The water felt so good...I put Savannah in, too. She looked so cute in her little Dora bathing suit. She had a good time! Seth was having fun, too...he thinks he can swim on his own-he's jumping around and kicking the whole time you're trying to hold onto him. So funny.....

I am so thankful the Lord is always with me...even when I'm not thinking clearly or not thinking at all!! There was something that happened tonight that could have turned out very bad, but the Lord was there and He took care of us-I'm so thankful He did. I was going to write about it all, but then decided against it. This reminds me of my blogger buddy, Veronica. I was going to mention her on my blog several days ago, but since I've been terrible about blogging....I didn't. Her baby was born in an ambulance over a week ago-I don't know all the details yet-she's been busy. Her sweet baby ingested some meconium in the delivery and has been in the NICU and on respirators since a little bit after birth. The Lord has been gracious and has seen them through-little Isabella is off the respirators now-they've been able to finally hold her and feed her some... If you want to stop by and see her (she's so pretty) it's luvmyarrows.blogspot.com. If you think about it pray for them, that the Lord will continue to be with them and that Isabella will be able to go home soon.

I talked to my missionary friend, Amber yesterday. She was able to have an ultrasound the other day and found out she will be having a boy! They are so excited. They will be coming home in September for the birth of the baby-I'm looking forward to seeing them. They have been in Honduras for almost a year now. Their Spanish is coming along...I know they are excited about being there.

I guess I better end this post. Take care.....

Enjoying Summer....

I don't really have any big news....I just noticed it had been a while since I've blogged-thought I'd write a little bit. The last time I blogged, Shelby was about to leave for camp. She had such a good time and wasn't home sick at all! She rode home on a bus with a nearby church that had taken some kids to camp for the first time (our kids have gone there for VBS and we've been there for a few other things)-that was an added bonus, since she's never ridden on a bus before.

Our days have been filled with playing, swimming, taking it easy and enjoying the summer! It has been so hot here lately...almost too hot to be outside. It sure has warmed the pool water up! :-)

Todd's job is going well. He started working on his own last week, on his regular shift. It is hard remembering what times he works-we have it on the calendar, though, so we should be able to keep it straight.

We have a man coming the end of this week to work on our drywall-the finishing part-plastering, sanding...the messy stuff. It may take him a couple of days, then we can paint and get our carpet! Woo Hoo...I'm so excited about getting this stuff done...and hopefully I'll be able to get my house back in some kind of order!

Next week is family camp at Hoosier Hills, the camp Shelby went to. Todd is off on Tuesday and Wednesday, so we plan to be up there for those days. On Friday there is going to be a reunion for former counselors. We are looking forward to that...anxious to see friends we haven't seen in a while. Todd has to work in the morning and then we're heading up after that.

I hope everyone is enjoying summer! Hopefully I'll have some more news to report...and it won't take me a couple of weeks to post it!

Off to camp

Shelby and I finished packing her bag this morning. We left the house at about 11:30 to head downtown to pick up Todd and then be on our way. It was so crazy and busy around Todd's building right at noon...there were so many people walking everywhere-I was afraid I was going to run someone over in our big beast truck, while trying to figure out where I was going...and all the kids talking. One time when we were circling the block waiting for Todd to come, a bus stopped in front of me-I saw it...we stopped-Stu said, "You almost crashed that bus!!" I did not! They're so helpful.... :-) Todd finally came out and we set out for camp. We filled up the truck, grabbed us some lunch and got on the road. Of course, we had to make a stop for the restroom-it's only a 2 hr drive-we made it at about 2:15. I was so happy about the counselor Shelby got and there was actually a girl in her cabin that she stayed with last year. There were also some little girls from a church by our house that were staying next door-I know all of that made her feel a little better-she was a little nervous. I made her bed and put her stuff away while she went on with the rest of her cabin for orientation. Todd and the other kids took off to the playground. After I finished up, Savannah and I headed up to visit with a friend that I worked with at the camp. We visited for a little while and left around 5.

It was a nice day. Sarah didn't want to go to bed in her own room-she went to sleep w/Stu. I hope Shelby has a good time at camp. The kids were talking about her at bedtime...I'm sure she missed them some, too. Absence makes the heart grow fonder...that's what I'm hoping anyways! They get along okay, but I guess where we are all together 24-7....we get on one another's nerves.....

I got to talk to Amber in Honduras tonight. We always have a good time talking on the phone. She's coming home in September-she's having another baby and they thought it would be for the best if she had the baby here. I am so excited to see them. They're missionaries in Honduras-in case you don't remember me mentioning them before. They've been there almost a year-it will be next month. She is such a good friend to me.

I need to get to bed...everyone else is already asleep and I'm tired. Goodnight!

Busy Saturday

Actually it wasn't "so" busy, I guess. We did accomplish several things, which was nice, but it was a good kind of busy-where you work at your own pace...doing whatever you want to. I went into work this morning and got home at around 12:30. We had lunch and put the babies down for a nap. Todd and I decided to go sit on the porch swing-we noticed our flower bed and all the weeds-so we started working there. It was nice to have help-I HATE to pull weeds. I know it's not nice to say hate, and I do try to watch it, but I do HATE to pull weeds! ;0) Then, we decided to wash the Sequoia. I love that truck-it looks so nice, so I kind of enjoy keeping it clean. Then we washed the van, our poor little van-moved to the backyard, doesn't get driven much anymore. It has been a good vehicle for us. We are hanging on to it for now....we can almost still fit in it! :-) The kids worked on washing this other truck that belongs to my Papaw...Seth was working so hard. Then our neighbor asked the kids if they would do his next-I thought he was kidding-it was a jeep w/nothing on the top part of it...just a bar. He comes pulling up into our driveway....I was thinking he must be crazy!!! I knew for sure that jeep was going to be soaked! I was sitting in the swing feeding Savannah-he plops down on the edge of the porch-I don't really know him well. He's actually our neighbors' son. Todd was in the back waxing our black truck, I was wishing he'd hurry up and come to the front! Finally, he did...I was feeling a little awkward.

The kids played in the backyard, Todd, Savannah, and I went back to our spot on the porch swing-minus the neighbor-just relaxing on the porch. Later, I went for a walk. Overall, it was a pretty good day. The weather was great-not too hot, not too cold!

Tomorrow is Spencer's birthday-he'll be 7. His birth story was probably my favorite-mainly because I actually went into labor on my own. He was due the 6th or the 8th-I went into labor on the morning of the 6th. I told Todd that morning, but we decided he should go on to work-I knew it was going to be a while. I don't remember why, but for some reason that whole day people were in and out of my house, which is unusual-and I didn't tell any of them I was having contractions...you all know how that is! Finally, I got rid of everyone at about 4:00 or so, I think. I decided that me and Shelby were going to go for a walk and this baby was going to hurry up and come! We drove down to my parent's house and there is a flood wall that is paved...I pushed Shelby in her stroller and we walked for 1/2 hour or so. I went back to my parent's house and I could tell the contractions were stronger. My mom wanted me to call my doctor, (I guess she was afraid she was going to have to deliver him) the doctor told me to come on in. Todd was still at work-he was going to work late. We took Shelby to a lady from church's house, got my bag and my parent's drove me to the hospital. I don't remember when we got to the hospital now, but Spencer was born around midnight. Todd, my mom and both of my sisters were in the delivery room....I'll never forget how excited I was when I heard them all yelling it was a boy! We were thrilled! :-) I can't believe my baby boy is 7. I love you Spence! :-)

This picture cracks me up...I accidentally left scissors and clippers on the table (what was I thinking) and the dynamic duo, partners in crime, got a hold of them....I had to take him and about get his head shaved. I knew it was coming....our first mis-hap with scissors...don't most families have them? I've heard horror stories from other moms....I guess we got off pretty easily.

This was a couple of years ago.....at the pool....
I was going to include the one I took of him a couple of Wednesdays ago when he had on a pair of khaki shorts and a nice shirt-I told him to get his shoes on-he got black dress socks and his dress shoes. He was cracking me up....I had to take a picture. I'll have to get it off my facebook. I need to get a close up picture to show his freckles....poor boy....he's "a whitey" (as the kids say) like his momma. (As opposed to a "tanny" like his Daddy...and some of the other kids).

A funny story from Stu

I can't believe I forgot about this earlier...I just can't get my brain to get into blogging lately! So last night at church, when I was asking about the kids sitting beside friends (while I was in the nursery), the lady tells me that Stu had informed her on Sunday night (while she was working in the nursery) that I had two babies in my belly! (thanks a lot Stu) I started laughing-I said, I am not pregnant. She said, I didn't think you were....and let me tell you, if I were, these kids would be among the LAST to know...for that very reason. ;-) That is so funny. He has been talking a lot lately about how many more babies I should have and all. A couple weeks ago on Sunday morning, I was in the nursery, and another lady came in, too. Stuart told her that I was going to have two more babies...she kind of looked at me...I told her I was not pregnant. Don't get me wrong, if I were pregnant (which I'M NOT!!) we would take it as a blessing from the Lord, knowing He gave the child to us and we'd be fine...it's just so funny...and that's how rumors get started. And we sure do not need any help with that! If I don't hurry up and lose all this extra weight (I'm trying, it's just going slow) people are going to start talking and asking if I'm pregnant...Stu is just helping them along. :-)

Something I said up there reminded me of something else....Stuart can drag things out sometimes and have the biggest southern drawl-it's so funny. Like when we came home with Savannah, for the first days of her life everyone called her Savannah Grace. Stuart would drag it out 'til Grace had about 3 syllables. It was cute. He hasn't done that lately. A phrase he has said lately in conversation is "sure do". Like one afternoon we were on the porch swing, a girl that lives across the street ( I think she's middle school age) was out in her yard. Stuart says, "That looks like Shelby over there. She "shore do" look like Shelby. He cracks me up...I promise-we don't talk like that! :-)

Last night at church I could hear bits and pieces of the message, it was on the tongue, of all things. Had someone been at my house and heard me screaming like a banshee as we all tried to get dressed and leave? It was a Not me Wednesday...for those who read McKmama's blog...surely that couldn't have been me. Anyway, he used the passage in James-I kept thinking about one phrase, the tongue can no man tame. Isn't that the truth...I struggle with this constantly-so do a lot of other people, right Veronica? ;-) I had an experience like that right before church, actually. But, I won't go there...I was talking about my own tongue. Lord, help me to do better!

It's about time for Todd to get home! Better go!

Ramblings....

Today has been pretty hectic-Todd left for work at 12:00 to attend a retirement party. Savannah has been kind of fussy, the kids have been cooped up inside (it's been kinda rainy), and we had church tonight, which is always loads of fun getting everyone fed and dressed alone. I can handle it, I've done it many times, but it is much nicer when you have help. So we rush around getting ready and make it to church. I figured I was going to be in the nursery, so I ask some friends if the bigger kids can sit with them and head back with the boys and Savannah. I did end up being in the nursery, but I got to hear some of the service, and the kids were good...so it wasn't too bad.

After church, we headed to Sonic-we saw on a commercial it was going to be free root beer float night from 8 'til midnight. We made it there at 8:20. It was busy, but we enjoyed our FREE root beer float! At Sonic there was this car pulled beside us, with an older couple-they had their 2 dogs with them. That didn't bother me so much, they were in the car, at first. Then at some point I look over and they are feeding their dogs the ice cream off of the straw...it was a little much for me. I like dogs and all, but that's a little nasty. I wish they would have gotten theirs to go! :-)

During the chaos of trying to get ready for church and all, Seth had gone into the girls' room and got this play diaper bag Sarah has for one of her babies. He took all of the stuff out of it-Sarah noticed he had it and was trying to get her things back into it. Naturally, he starts screaming...she says he won't give it back, then she says to him, "what kind of a brat are you?" It was so funny...how many different kinds of brats are there? "=) She is a mess.

We had a nice day with Todd today.(I started this yesterday-Wed) We went out for lunch-mainly to have something to do...it's rainy here again today. The kids have been pretty good; now the little ones are resting.

I'm going to include a picture of Savannah...maybe two. She's getting so big! Sorry it's so small....I have to buy my own cord to my camera...ugh!

Look at that sweet little grin. :-)

My two birthday boys in the pool. (Spencer's is Sunday) Having a good time.

Shelby is leaving for camp on Monday-it's hard to believe it's already that time again! She's had her suitcase out for 2 days-I finally put a little bit of clothes in it today to appease her. We still can't get over the fact we are now sending a child to the same camp Todd and I went to as kids, worked at as teens/early 20's, and where we met. We spent the first couple years of our marriage there working as well. We have such good memories of the times we spent there-we are glad our kids have the opportunity to go. I hope Shelby won't be too homesick. I'll never forget last year-we went to get her on Thursday night-she was supposed to come home Friday morning. She didn't know we were coming and we kind of slipped in unnoticed (as inconspicuous as you can be w/several little kids) ha ha-but she didn't see us. When she did see us, she ran over as fast as she could and had the biggest grin on her face. She hugged me, and when she pulled back, I looked at her face and her little eyes were full of tears. I kind of had the same feeling...I was glad she got to go, but there's something about your kids being gone. It was sweet. She's all excited to go. The other night she was talking about camp and how many weeks she was going to go-I didn't say anything, I just let her talk...thinking yeah right. I guess she got to thinking about being away from home, 'cause then she kind of casually asked if we could come up on Wednesday night for the service. It was so funny. :-)

Hope everyone is having a good week.

Killing time...

Today was Todd's first day on a different shift at work...he had to go in at 4 pm-supposed to get off at midnight...so I'm killing time until he gets home. I should be working...for some reason the television is still on in the background ?...why I left it on...who knows? Jon and Kate plus 8 is on...I don't even like that show.

Stuart had his birthday on Sunday. He turned four-getting so big. He is going to be promoted out of the nursery and into a regular Sunday School class...that is so hard to believe. He actually has done well sitting in church, better than the other kids, it seems. One more year of freedom-he'll be in kindergarten next year!

I wasn't sure what we would do this evening with Todd being gone. It was a pretty hot day today, (in the 90's) so shortly after Todd left, we headed to my parents' house so the kids could swim. Seth got in for a little bit in his little floaty, then he came and joined me and Savannah on the deck. My sister and her girls came in after a little while and the kids all swam together. They all had such a good time. After we left there, we went to Wal-mart and then came home and watched the Duggars.

Now, as I said before, I'm killing time....sorry this is pretty boring. I am fighting a cold or something-my throat felt funny on Sunday night and when I woke up Monday, my voice was all messed up. Stuart asked me, "what is wrong with your voice?" I keep on coughing, and the worst part about it is, Todd and I played dodgeball with some kids at church Sunday night and most of my muscles are sore...my abs included...so every time I cough it hurts! I know, it's crazy that I'm all sore from dodgeball...can we say out of shape, big time? We did have a good time, though, and I even managed to get Todd out a couple of times. Spencer got me out, too. It was so funny...I was so worried about getting Todd out and so focused on him, Spencer got this little ball and barely threw it, but by the time I saw it, it was too late. He LOVED that. Good times.... :-)

Oh well, I've bored you long enough...guess I'll end this and watch for Todd.

Hope all is well...take care!