Next Year I'm Takin' the Older Kids!

Hi Everyone!  I’m back from my trip to San Antonio, TX!! 

Saturday was spent traveling.  We got to our gorgeous hotel, “La Mansion”, late that night.

Sunday Rich had golf.  I went out in the morning and stayed outside, walking along the beautiful riverwalk.


San Antonio Riverwalk

When Rich got back, we went out walking again.  We had dinner outside that night.

Monday was spent in basically the same way.  Rich had a meeting all morning, so I went out with Caleb, who stopped traffic everywhere we went with his cuteness.  I’m not being an overly-proud mother, either, ~ he got more attention than I have ever experienced.  One lady went on and on about how cute he was, and when I said, “Thank you!”, she said, “Thank YOU!”  Made me feel so good. . . .  Anyways, Monday was a little rough toward the end because I completely wore myself out.  We were outside walking all day.  I did get to see beautiful gardens and water was everywhere, it was such a treat to see such beauty.  We saw the Alamo, too.  The boys were thrilled with the little gifts I bought them from the giftshop.

Tuesday was spent saying goodbye to San Antonio and hello to Dallas.  We drove all morning and arrived at the Garfias home at 2:00.  (For those of you who don’t know–the Garfias’ are from our church and just moved to TX in March.  Lea Ann and I are close friends)  Lea Ann was waiting for us and rushed out the door into my arms as soon as I got out of the vehicle.  I don’t get that kind of warm welcome very often!  Our visit was sweet and too short.  Her house is beautiful, open and bright.  Lots of space.  She’s done an amazing job arranging each room and decorating.  I took pictures of the kitchen, my favorite room in her house, you all know why:  FIESTA! 

Rich and I had to leave at 10pm.  By the time we drove into downtown Dallas and into our hotel it was close to midnight.  Our flight was early in the morning and so we were up at 5am.  Caleb was an absolute perfect baby, believe it or not, no problems whatsoever with traveling.  Thank you to those who prayed for that specifically!   Unfortunately, Caleb is sick now, with a fever.  And I am going to the doctors today for a sore throat that I have been ignoring for too long. 

Things I learned from my Trip:  Even though I wanted to see and do as much as I could in a day, I neglected to take care of myself and rest.  I was a big grouch for half a day because I didn’t relax until it was too late! 
Also, I want to take more of my kids next year when Rich has his next yearly convention.  It will be in Naples, FL.  I get upset because I am spending a lot of time alone and I start feeling lonely.  If I had some of the older kids, they could experience travel and it would be more of a family time.  There would be less pressure on Rich to free up his schedule for his lonely wife. 
Travelling with a baby isn’t that bad.  Don’t forget to take a stroller, like I did.  But, if you do take one, take a light umbrella-type stroller.  It’s much easier to handle.  I had to carry Caleb in it up and down stairs, which I never would’ve been able to do with our regular one.
Visiting a long-distance friend is such a special thing to do.  Meaningful memories are made and relationships are strengthened.  Get ready, Joanna!

Thanks for reading my rough report of my trip!  Forgive my lack of development, I have lots to do today but don’t worry, I’ll take some time to rest at some point! 

P.S.  More Advice:  Don’t ignore a sore throat for 2 weeks.  I just got back from the doctor’s and he wasn’t very happy with me.  I have a sinus infection. . . . .

Getting Ready to Fly

I have been so preoccupied with trying to get the house clean and everyone (except J and E) packed!  Now I am just about ready to go.  I talked to Lea Ann this morning.  She sounds great and says she is happy and relaxed and that they are all doing well.  I plan on seeing her on Tuesday.
Our flight is at 3:00.  Please pray for our safety and pray that Caleb will be a pleasure to travel with.  Rich is already nervous because Caleb is napping right now instead of on the plane!   I would rather go with the flow.  So often I make unrealistic plans that only end up stressing me out because they fell through.
Well, I better go eat some lunch and fix Grace’s hair. 

 

 

We took this picture yesterday w/the self timer on my camera.  It’s only one of many that we took.  The flash would go off and we would all stampede to the camera to see how it turned out.  It was so funny. 

I am busy this morning with packing.  Tomorrow Rich and I (with Caleb) are leaving for our trip.  We’ll be back on Wednesday. 

I am so tired this morning.  Caleb is asleep right now so I think I’m going to go rest while I have the chance. 

 

 

Shanda and Caleb, Amanda and Naomi
April 6, 2006

Amanda and Jason with their new baby girl.

Abbie with her new sister – look at Naomi’s hair!

Naomi Isabella

 

“Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow.”

Grace

Grace Lillian

  We’re getting ready for Amanda and Jason to come over.  I get to see the new baby!   I am having fun with my new camera, I think it’s good for my brain to learn new things, and I took this picture of Grace yesterday.  I will take some pictures today of baby Naomi and post them later.  Have a great day everyone!

News

My Sister, Amanda,
IS IN LABOR!!
Stay tuned. . . . . .

It’s 3:30 and I haven’t heard anything since 9!  I’m getting anxious.  I know these things take time but I want to know what’s going on! 

The kids are watching a movie (I’ve got Abbie).  I’ll write more later.

Hi, it’s 6:40 and here’s the latest:  After 11am she didn’t dilate at all (she’s stuck at 4cm).    So, They started her on petossin (sp?).  Apparently Amanda was insisting on no drugs but after a long afternoon of no progress, she agreed to the petossin.  She called me crying at like 5-ish and they were getting her ready for an epidural, something else she didn’t want.  It was the first time I had talked to her, Jason has been the one calling me.  Poor Amanda!  (Pray that she won’t have a long time pushing, she had a hard time getting Abbie out—they were talking “c-cection”, which gave her the motivation to get it over with. . .)

Jason just called while I was writing and he said that Amanda got the epidural and was loving life again!  She’s trying to sleep now and they upped the petossin.  I can’t wait until it’s over!  You all know how happy Jason usually is, he’s so serious today!  No joking around at all, very unlike him.  I’m sure he’s having QUITE the experience, too.

Okay. . . .It’s now 9:15pm.  I haven’t had any more updates.  I’m on my way to bed to read the manual to my new DIGITAL CAMERA!

Naomi Isabella
Born April 4, 2006 at 10:13pm
She weighs 6 lbs, 13 oz and is 19 in. long
Jason said she has a lot of blond hair and that the nurses voted her the cutest baby of the night.  He called us at 10:45pm.

HOW DO THEY KNOW???

So.  Caleb (my baby–9 months) has been waking up at like 5-5:30 for the past week or so.  I’ve been eagerly waiting for the time change, thinking that at least now I’ll feel like I actually slept in until 6:30!

Guess what time Caleb woke up this morning, regardless of the time-change?  5:30!  I keep thinking, “if this was yesterday, I’d have gotten up at 4:30!”

I just want to lay in bed and sleep.  Or, lay in bed awake w/Caleb still upstairs in his crib!  I don’t want to be jerked awake in early dark morning hours by a baby anymore!

He’s in my room right now, playing with toys.  He’s not tired.  After all, he did sleep a solid 10 and a half hours, so why am I complaining?

Just because I’M TIRED AND I HAVE A HEADACHE!!

Okay.  Feeling better now, thanks for listening. 
In just another month or so I’ll be done w/the nursing thing.  He’ll be getting teeth soon.  He’ll be WALKING soon.  And I’ll wish for my baby back and I’ll wish for just one more morning of bringing him to bed with me as my little doll baby.

 

Rich thinks I'm WONDER WOMAN!!

The name of this color that I am typing with is called “SPRING”. . . .

Rich thinks I am wonder woman because I got the garage and yard work under control.  It was such a mess out there.  Not only that, but my house is still pretty clean.  I’m not bragging, am I?  Really, you all know me well enough to know I wouldn’t brag!  I’m just so happy. 

Here is my secret.  In order to get everything accomplished in one day YOU MUST KEEP WORKING ALL DAY LONG!  Doesn’t that sound like fun?  But, as we all want to teach our children, there is NOTHING wrong with a good, hard, day’s work! 

I do take a break now and then—I sometimes sit and watch TLC’s “What Not to Wear”.  I do sit and read to David or sit and watch him play.  Other than that, I am constantly busy.  But not in a frantic way (except toward the end of the day when I have all 5 fluttering about me, wanting the dinner that I don’t have done yet, and I’m tired at this point and wanting my husband home but he’s still an hour away, but that’s another story). 

The yard work was done utilizing the strength of my children.  For two days this week we’ve come home from school and raked leaves.  I even went to the hardware store and bought 3 more rakes and 15 leaf bags.  The kids raked and they picked up sticks.  I bought some rugged rubbermaid storage containers for toys in the garage.  And so help me, the toys better stay picked up!  I decided that things can be left out all day long as they play, but before we come in for the night the yard has to be cleaned up and things put away in their proper places.  For those of you that live in Windsor Locks (just me, ha ha ha), the leaves will be picked up on April 11.

And, can you believe it?  I’ve been awake since 4.  Yes, that’s right.  4:00 am.  Caleb woke up and I couldn’t go back to sleep after I nursed him in our bed.  He is all stuffed up and coughs and he was not very relaxing to sleep with.  So I got up at 5:30 and wrapped myself up in a quilt and went outside with my Bible.  I read some of Proverbs and listened to the bird singing.  And the traffic speeding.  And the planes ROARING over me.  And, I dreamed about living in the country again. 

Guess what else?  Today is Rich’s birthday and he has the day off.  There is so much I want to get done but today is his day and he gets to arrange the day.  I just hope I can (maybe) take a . . . . NAP. 

Adventures at Home!

 

Rich thinks I’m WONDER WOMAN!!

The name of this color that I am typing with is called “SPRING”. . . .

Rich thinks I am wonder woman because I got the garage and yard work under control.  It was such a mess out there.  Not only that, but my house is still pretty clean.  I’m not bragging, am I?  Really, you all know me well enough to know I wouldn’t brag!  I’m just so happy. 

Here is my secret.  In order to get everything accomplished in one day YOU MUST KEEP WORKING ALL DAY LONG!  Doesn’t that sound like fun?  But, as we all want to teach our children, there is NOTHING wrong with a good, hard, day’s work! 

I do take a break now and then—I sometimes sit and watch TLC’s “What Not to Wear”.  I do sit and read to David or sit and watch him play.  Other than that, I am constantly busy.  But not in a frantic way (except toward the end of the day when I have all 5 fluttering about me, wanting the dinner that I don’t have done yet, and I’m tired at this point and wanting my husband home but he’s still an hour away, but that’s another story). 

The yard work was done utilizing the strength of my children.  For two days this week we’ve come home from school and raked leaves.  I even went to the hardware store and bought 3 more rakes and 15 leaf bags.  The kids raked and they picked up sticks.  I bought some rugged rubbermaid storage containers for toys in the garage.  And so help me, the toys better stay picked up!  I decided that things can be left out all day long as they play, but before we come in for the night the yard has to be cleaned up and things put away in their proper places.  For those of you that live in Windsor Locks (just me, ha ha ha), the leaves will be picked up on April 11.

And, can you believe it?  I’ve been awake since 4.  Yes, that’s right.  4:00 am.  Caleb woke up and I couldn’t go back to sleep after I nursed him in our bed.  He is all stuffed up and coughs and he was not very relaxing to sleep with.  So I got up at 5:30 and wrapped myself up in a quilt and went outside with my Bible.  I read some of Proverbs and listened to the bird singing.  And the traffic speeding.  And the planes ROARING over me.  And, I dreamed about living in the country again. 

Guess what else?  Today is Rich’s birthday and he has the day off.  There is so much I want to get done but today is his day and he gets to arrange the day.  I just hope I can (maybe) take a . . . . NAP. 

Adventures at Home!

 

The Boys

“I could not pour the ointment on His blessed feet, as Mary did-
but I gave Him my boy.”—Mr. J.O. Fraser’s mother
wrote this of her son’s call to the mission field.

Give of your sons to bear the gospel message glorious;
Give of your wealth to speed them their way;
Pour out your soul for them in prayer victorious;
And all you spend, the Saviour will repay.
From the hymn “O Zion Haste”,  words by Mary Ann Thomson