Thankful for...

Oh where or where do I start? I am thankful that everyone is feeling better after having the stomach bug earlier in the week. I am thankful that GG and I never got it...over the last year I have tended to get every little stinkin' sickness the kids got but not this time! I got to take care of the 4 pukers and YES I am thankful for that. I am thankful for a God who loves me and takes care of every little detail in my life! I am thankful for a wonderful loving husband that works so hard to provide for our family so that I can stay home and be mommy and homemaker. I am thankful for 4 beautiful healthy babies that once again God blessed us with, He knew they should be in our family ;) I am thankful for extended family, church family and friends. I could go on and on and that I am thankful for as well. I hope everyone has a blessed, safe, and wonderful Thanksgiving.

A Day of Friends!

This morning we got up and I made a quick call to one of Monkey's friends and we were on our way to pick him up and meet GG and Red's friends at an indoor play place. There is also a baby girl in their family that Peanut was playing near but not really with! I forgot to bring my camera but the kids had great fun together. The 4 older kids included the two 3 year olds in their play which was so nice. Naturally when the place closed at noon none of the kids wanted to leave each other. We took Monkey's friend home and came home and ate lunch. Then the two little ones took naps. GG and Monkey did a great job staying quiet so that they could sleep.

After dinner GG and I jumped into the car for mom/daughter playdate with her friend Crafty and my friend Kristin. I was totally going to bring my camera but as we were half way there I realized I forgot it. Kristin to the rescue she brought hers :) We didn't tell the girls were we were taking them all they knew was that they got to see each other. On the way GG kept trying to get me to tell her what we were doing and where we were going. I did end up telling her the name of the place so she could help me find it. It is called Color Me Mine and she said, "Color Me Mine? What kind of place is that? That is a funny name." It was really funny the inflection she had in her voice too! As soon as we pulled into the parking lot and she could see in the store she squealed, "Oh I love this kind of a store!" I just went to see if I could pull some pictures from her site and she has updated yet so I will post them when I get them. I want to leave you with this funny video of Red that we took on Sunday. I feel like I must mention before this video was taken Monkey ate a war head and Red saw his reaction to the sourness of it and he still wanted to try it! My sister in law took the video and when he runs out he is running to me and his dad...

She might not appreciate this later in life...

Thursday night GG had her cheerleading performance at the basketball games. Don't worry I got pictures and video! But first I wanted to tell you a funny little story that happened during the game. My friend M came to watch GG perform her routine, she used to be a cheerleader in highschool. While the game was going on my friend had to use the bathroom so I told her how to get there. She came back laughing. Then proceeded to tell me that when she went into the bathroom there were two little girls going to the bathroom with a stall empty between them. The girls were talking while using the potty and talking about a book they had read as if it was a soap opera. She also said that they were passing gas and not even skipping a beat in their conversation. Then she said one of them asked the other one if they knew who came into the bathroom. They responded "no". So one of them decided to say Hi to the person and said, "Hi person who is in the bathroom." She said, "Hi" back to them. And they said, "Oh your not a little person you are a big person." As she had finished telling me this story GG came walking into the gym with another little girl. I asked her, just by chance, if she had just gone to the bathroom. She smiled weird at me, like how did you know? And said, "Yes." I thought that was just too funny and it totally sounded like something she would do while going to the potty! So here are a few pictures I took and then a video of her dancing and cheering!

some friends...

The cheerleaders that thought her!

The girls posing for the camera :)

She is in the middle, back row...

Hope you enjoyed watching my little cheerleader! She sure enjoyed herself.

Heart attack...

That is what Monkey almost gave me yesterday. GG has cheerleading this whole week so she hasn't been going him to our meeting spot. Monday and Tuesday he went with a boy from his class because they walk together those two days. Well yesterday was the first day that he needed to get there by myself. I pick up Red from school and take the two little kids out to the van and get them strapped in and by that time the kids are usually coming out the door. I looked up and no Monkey I get into the van and wait 5 more minutes thinking that maybe he was taking his time since no one was with him. It is now 3:55 and school got out 20 minutes ago. I drive around to the other side of the school so I can find GG and ask her where he is. She didn't see him after school because she went right down to cheerleading practice. Panic kids in...where is my boy? I go to the office and they call all the different places he could possibly be and he is not at any of them. I leave the two youngest with a high school girl who is friends with my sister in law and has babysat for us before. I start running through the school looking for him and stop to catch my breath and yell his name hoping he will answer me. This school the kids go to is HUGE. It was the towns old High School building. They have 3 gyms! It's big. I went up to his classroom and the hall was empty of kids and there was one teacher. The pit in my stomach moved to my throat. I asked the teacher if she had seen my boy and his teacher heard me asking and came out and told me that they sent him to after care. I just came from there and he wasn't in it. Now there are many ways to get there so maybe we missed each other. On my way back to the after care another teacher sees me and tells me they took him to the office. 40 minutes after school gets out I finally have all my kids. That was the worst feeling in the world. I asked him where he was suppose to be and told him "Don't you know that you are my favorite Monkey and I don't want to lose you." He was pretty upset that I was so scared. Today he better be where he is suppose to or he will not see tomorrow ;)

After that whole episode I got a call from J telling me he wouldn't be coming to church with us. It was Dad's Night at Sparkies. I made a few calls and grandpa A to the rescue! J wasn't home when I went to bed at 10:30 so I'm not even sure what time he got home. Needless to say it was quite a day. I'm ready to start this new one ;)

Wordless Wednesday ~ Oldies but Goodies

Here are my kids around the same age! Can you guess who is who???

#1

#2

#3

#4

Is she your first?

On the days I only have Peanut because the kids in school are the days I do my shopping and running around. Peanut is such a smiley and outgoing little girl, always waves and says Hi to people! Naturally, people stop to oh and ah over her. I couldn't tell you how many people ask me if she is my first. We just got back from Walmart and she was being cute with the check out lady and she asks me, "Is she your first?" This time I said, "No, she is number 4." I normally don't say that because in the past I got responses like, "YOU have 4 kids? You look too young to have that many." or my favorite "Really? You are just a baby yourself." Yeah cause that is what every mom wants to hear :) So I just stop saying she is my fourth and leave it at no she isn't my first. I was surprised that the lady today didn't say anything along those lines but that her having older siblings must be the reason she was so happy and outgoing. I really didn't have the heart to tell her my oldest was the same way 'cause that would of messed up her logic and I'm nice like that ;)

Co-sleeping

We started the co-sleeping with our first when she was about 3 weeks old and she stayed in our bed until she was ready to leave and has been a great sleeper. We have co-sleep with each child after her and it has been wonderful. The boys each left our room when they were ready for their own bed and have also been good sleepers. Now I mentioned before that Peanut has been waking up every 2 to 3 hours at night to nurse. J and I decided it was time to nighttime wean her. We moved the bed rail to J's side of the bed and have for the last two nights put Peanut on his side. The first night she woke up about an hour after I had gone to sleep and she was crying as J held her because she wanted me and she wanted to nurse. I was so tired I could feel myself about to give in and tell him to just give her to me so I could nurse her, so I got up and slept on the couch. He got her back to sleep within 5 minutes and I didn't hear her cry the rest of the night. Though J told me the next day she woke up throughout the night. I slept :) Last night I nursed her to sleep and placed her on J's side. I didn't hear her wake up at all! Once again J said that she woke up a few times. She didn't cry or anything and he was able to get her back to sleep peacefully. Once she gets the sleeping through the night down we will put her back in the middle or on my side so I can cuddle her! I really love having my kids in my bed where they feel safe and secure until they are ready to be in their own rooms. I will say even though Peanut didn't wake me up last night Monkey had a bad dream and was calling for me from his bed. I got up and went into his room to find out what was wrong. He told me he had a bad dream and I reassured him he was safe and asked if he wanted to come to our bed. He said, "No." He just wanted to know he was safe normally he would of come into our room instead of crying but the dream really scared him and he was too scared to get out of bed. I hate those types of dreams. I can't even remember the last time one of the kids had a bad dream like that.

Peanut walking update: She has gotten really good at walking and is trying to run now which is just too funny. She will get going and then fall and instead of getting back up she'll just start crawling. I will say her favorite mode of transportation is walking now. So glad as she is close to 22 pounds!

International Babywearing Week!

Steph at Adventures in Babywearing is hosting a fun contest with a sling from Nonny & Boo as the giveaway! I love me some slings :) She is asking us to show, tell or give tips about babywearing. Click on her name to go to the page to enter and read the rules! So here are some pictures of some babywearing going on it our family :)

Just like mama carrying baby!

The most recent picture of my babywearing Peanut. She is so snuggly!

This is my watersling that I love and though I really don't like this picture it is the best one of my carrying her in it.

As for tips if you are struggling with getting the baby in the sling or getting comfortable ask someone who uses one or contact your local La Leche League, they are so helpful. Also do research on the different kinds (there are so many) and ask around! Now I hope I win a sling...

Wordless Wednesday ~ Caught

Much better!

Today was much better. Got the kids to school in plenty of time I was actually able to walk in with them so I could talk to Monkey and GG's teachers. The kids are doing really well in school. Though before I left the building GG was having some girl drama and I just don't know how to handle her sometimes. She gets upset about some of the smallest things but they are HUGE to her. I don't want her what she feels is wrong but I want her to see the big picture. So hard. Anyways, we had playgroup at our house today which was nice. Then the little kids and I met a friend who is in town from Hawaii, yeah I know what is she doing here in the cold! Also my friend Kristin and her kids came and J took a half day and met us there as well. It was a lot of fun and they got so many new games and rides but they also took some of our favorites away. Oh well. Got the kids from school and the rest of the day has been pretty normal...homework, dinner, showers/baths, family devotions, and to bed. Oh yeah and Peanut is still waking up so much in the night time. She sits up and hits my chest and says, "mo" for more. No more kid, all gone! I really need to wean her from the nighttime nursing. I'm tired and she is almost 14 months time to give it up! During the day I'm all yours but I want my sleep ;)

Can we start today OVER?

You know when you wake up in the morning after very little sleep and within the first hour you can tell whether you day is going to be good or bad? Well today it was very clear that today was not shaping up to be a good one. The kids were noting getting ready this morning and I had to keep repeating the things that needed to get done. Now I wish I would of kept my mouth shut and just taken them to school they were they were. Next time, hopefully I will remember that. Yesterday I started a list of things needed at the grocery store. I had planned my meals for this week and started a walmart list as well. This week is different because we are hosting playgroup at our house which means extra food for that and also I'm making a meal for a family who just had a baby also extra food needed for that. This morning as I was getting ready I remembered a few things that needed to be added and I added them. But when it was time to leave for school I couldn't find the list ANYWHERE. I wanted to scream. We were already running late as it was because they kids weren't getting ready. I got them to school 2 minutes before the bell rang and told them they must run to class FAST. I came home to look for my list AGAIN in depth this time looking for about 20 minutes. I needed to get going otherwise Peanut's nap was going to royaly be messed up. I quickly jotted down things that were a must get and I went. I am now home from shopping with all the cold stuff put away and Peanut sleeping. I need to clean and cut all the fruit and start the prep work for dinner tonight. The last store I went into this morning after the lady rang everything up I started walking away without paying. It just added to my day but that part was funny! I'm hoping the rest of my day will be relaxing and Peanut will take a 3 hour nap like she has been the last few days and I can get tons done! Did I mention the list still hasn't shown up? I think one of the kids took it, but who knows!

Been thinking...

Peanut has been teething lately and so she has had a hard time sleeping at night. Which being awake in the wee hours of the morning has given me time to think. (I'm not talking deep thoughts!) GG has lost her two front top teeth, can you tell where I'm going with this? Well I was thinking that this will be the only time that I can say both of my girls who are 6 1/2 years apart are teething at the same time! I will say I much prefer the 7 year old teething to the 14 month old :) Also Peanut has 4 teeth and GG has lost 4 teeth. My girls, I love them so much and they are just so fun and I have too much time at night to be thinking about these things!

Want to SCREAM!

Do you remember me talking about the collection agency that has been calling us? Well things came to a head today with them. The guy I talked to today was a complete JERK and refused to send me documentation of the so called outstanding bill we owe. A bit shady if you ask me. I had told him on the phone that we have start consulting with a lawyer to which he says, "Fine then by the end of this week you will have a credit mark on your credit report." The JERK tried to intimidate me. Last Friday I had gotten a called from the collection agency and after I got off the phone called the hospital who said they don't show any delinquency on my account but to call the Radiologist department to which they gave me the number. I call them and same thing. No outstanding balance on either account. Making everything seem even more shady. I have to give great props to my hubby for standing up for me today. I called him after I got off the phone with said JERK and he immediately called them and talked to his supervisor and then wrote a letter to her about the whole situation. Oh yeah, and his callings with different people today he was told that the Radiologist department had called the agency and resolved my account. Hmmm? Interesting. Now we are armed with tons more information so we'll see where this leads.

Peanut's Birthday pictures...finally :)

Here she I am opening her presents!

She likes baby dolls...

See she helped!

Love her expression here!

Cake time!

She picked the cake up and down it went!

I know these are a little late but I have nothing else I want to talk about so here are the pictures! Enjoy :)

I voted!

The first thing I did after taking the two older kids to school was go vote. Then I got a text from my friend wanting to know if I wanted to go see the circus parade. Our playgroup was only going to be me and another mom so I called her and told her I was canceling it and it turned out she was going to be running late anyway. It worked out good. Red, Peanut and I met at our friends house and drove to the place. We got the kids out and they played while we waited. After the animals went by we played at the park and other friends from church met us there as well. Then we started to get hungry and didn't want to leave each other so we went out to eat together! After we ate lunch it was time to get the kids home and down for their naps. I finally went through Peanuts clothes and took out the too small clothes and organized all the other ones. I feel so good about that accomplishment.

I have been wanting to record this for a couple of days now. On Saturday we met my mom, grandma, and brother for lunch at the Olive Garden. We had brought each of our kids a piece of candy and told them they had to behave in the van on the way there and eat all their food in order to get the candy. Red ordered mac and cheese and ate the whole thing! So he was getting candy. Well as the waiter left our check he asked if anyone wanted dessert. All the adults said no and Red shot his hand up in the air and yelled "I do." It was just too cute and funny. We reminded him we had candy for dessert and he was good with that. It was the first time he has done that and quit honestly I'm surprised he hasn't done it sooner ;)

Saturday Night...

Well guys remember how I said that we were getting together with a couple from church to hang out? Yeah well there was more than that couple when we opened the door. We pulled up and there were no other cars in sight. But when we walked through the door there were people from church blowing those obnoxious noise makers and screaming Happy Birthday! I was so embarrassed. I don't like when all eyes are on me. Once the surprise and the shock of what was going on we had a great time. We didn't even get home until midnight, and we gained an hour but it really didn't help because I was exhausted this morning for church. We had so much fun and my sides hurt from laughing so hard. We played two games one I think was called Celebrity and the other Mafia. There was a lot of pictures taken but I don't have any because I didn't bring my camera...didn't think I was going to need it :) My hubby set the whole thing up with the help of this couple. They are the greatest! I have such a great husband and friends. Bring on the 30s!!!

Some pictues...