just to let you know...

I have been following a blog written by a lady that had a baby due March 16th!  I check everyday to see if there is any news.  Well, so far nothing but she has at least posted so I know what is happening!  To you, my blog friends, I have not done the same!  So I thought I would let you know what has been going on.

My blood sugar levels have been GREAT!  I am only taking the slow acting insulin and my levels have stayed right where they should be.  I had an ultra-sound last Thursday, and the baby measured about 6lbs 4oz.  Smaller than most of mine at 36 weeks!  I had a baby at 36 weeks and he weighed over 8lbs!  So size, which is something they were worried about, seems to be in check also!  I have been contracting off and on for days and dilated to 1cm with the baby at -1 station.  That is good news!  I could go any day the doctor said and she would be fine with that.  If I do not go before the 18th of April, she wants to induce me.  Not sure if that is what I will do yet, but I am asking for God's hand in this so I will not have to make that decision.  REALLY praying that she will be born before that IF she is ready.  My anxiousness is gone and I feel at peace with all that has happened and I am thankful He has had his visible hand in this little one's life!  The only regret I have, is not resting in Him more from the very beginning.  However, that is when we realize our true need for Him.  Sometimes it takes pure desperateness before a total surrender comes.  Well, I was desperate!  The doctors gave me their opinions and I realized I was listening more to them then to the one who created me and this sweet baby!  I have had non-stress tests every week and they have been showing that she is doing great also.  So now, I wait!  Something I am terrible at!  And it makes it worse when you have other kids that are so excited and ready to see their baby sister! :)  I am ready NOW, but again, I need to remember, God knows when she should come so until then... I will endure the hip pain, achy back, hourly trips to the bathroom, sleepless hours, and my impatience.  It WILL all be worth it!  This much I know! 

Until she comes, I am signing off and rest assured, I will be back with all the details!  Maybe more than you care to know!  ;)

Numbers

I was cutting fingernails the other day and was tallying up some of the numbers of things in our home.  It kind of amazed me when I really sat down to think about it!


We have...

• Soon to be, 140 fingers in our home (goes great with my favorite saying to my children, "Many hands make light work!")
• Also soon to be 140 toes with 14 pairs of socks a day to go through (probably explains all the singles in my sock basket)
• 14 brains- you would think that would be useful, but sometimes it makes things REALLY difficult!
• 28 eyes to see EVERYTING with!
• 14 mouths- that makes things REALLY loud sometimes
• 14 tummies to feed AND that can get the stomach flu!
• 12 potty-trained people- well, most of time!
• 14 noses that need kleenex
• 28 ears to hear with- selective hearing at times!
• 2 benches, 12 chairs, 1 booster chair,1 high chair, and one 9 ft table in my dining room
• 1 couch that seats 6 adults but for now, while their buns are still little, our entire family if we need to
• 1 TV
• 9 slots for school notebooks and 9 pencil boxes
• 2 bathrooms (not enough but better than 1!)
• 1 6X9 ft backyard (I am not kidding!  Not big enough either but better than none!)
• 19 bunnies (WAY to many but better than 100!)
• 1 roll of toilet paper a day- and that's a double roll!
• 1 gallon of milk a day, 7 a week, 30 in a month!
• 3 dozen eggs for breakfast with 1 loaf of bread
• 5 loads of laundry a day to wash, fold, and put away (well, sometimes I have to put 15 loads away because I get a touch behind!)
• 3 drivers, 4 cars in our driveway
• a van that seats 15 people
• 6 carseats/booster seats to buckle
• 10 bikes in the garage
• 28 feet to go and share the gospel of Christ
• 28 hands to fold in prayer
• 14 spirits to spend eternity in heaven with each other!

The truth...

There are many things I read and sometimes I feel plain guilty because it seems like everyone else has it all together.  Everyone except me that is!  Do you ever feel like that?  How can everyone else have spotless homes, every meal full of nutrition, planned school activities daily with LOADS of stimulation for all ages, schedules planned out to a tee and followed flawlessly... need I say more?  It can make me feel quite inadequate at times, to say the least!  Now, I know that nobody is perfect and everyone has things they exel at and things they struggle with but why at times, do I feel like I am the only on who has kids who argue, dust bunnies under my fridge (well, probably WAY more than dust bunnies), days where I just am plain tired and don't feel like teaching, let alone taking my kids on an "educational" field trip!  It may be just my last trimester pregnancy mode I am in and am just weary, but boy has it been hard on me feeling how "perfect"  everybody else's life is or appears to be!

I thought I would share a touch of truth with you and some things I battle.  Not always, just here and there and somehow it helps to let it all out.  I'm funny like that you know!

~ I love nutritious meals and for the most part, we have them. 
But...sometimes they have boxed cereal, candy, diet pop and fast food
~ I vacuum at least once a day and have to have clean floors to function properly
But...there are days, I really don't care if food particles, dirt or unidentified "crumbs"  have escaped beyond the kitchen and dining room
~ I try to clean under our appliances once a month
But...sometimes I forget until I notice sticky, gross things laying under them while searching for an escaped fast moving hot wheel
~ I despise yelling and HATE talking above a normal speaking range to my children
But...I lay in bed some nights, feeling guilty at the times I lost my patience and my children suffered
~ I fold MANY loads of laundry a day
But...it is really hard for me to find the time to put them away and before I know it, there can be 3-4 laundry baskets full of folded clothes waiting in the hall for me
~ I do not like TV for my kids
But...I have been known to stick movies, (especially lately), in the DVD player to keep them entertained for awhile
~ I love to get up early and spend time with God
But...lately I have given in to my flesh and slept longer and spent less time with Him
~ I desire to be submissive to my husband and have a meek and gentle spirit
But...boy do I battle that sometimes and realize how quick my tongue reacts
~ I use cloth diapers and love it
But...sometimes I get lazy and revert back to disposables for a few days
~ I LOVE having boys and they bring me soooo much joy
But...wow, is it hard to understand their activity level and competitiveness at times!
~ I know God is going to provide for us and always has and I DO trust Him
But...I battle sometimes with worrying when my hubby will get a job and what the coming months will hold
~ I feel this baby move inside of me all time
But...I still worry everyday that something might happen to her
~ I am so thankful for my older children who have chipped in so much helping me in this last trimester
But...I can't wait until I can feel myself again and serve them!
~ I realize everyday how imperfect I am
But...I have a savior who lifts me up and loves me no matter how many times I fail!

For that, I am truly grateful!

Any "truth" you want to share would be welcomed!  Sometimes it's just nice to know you are not alone!

Because he choose to...

Years ago, when it was just my mom and me,
she said she would never get married again unless she could find somebody that would love me as much as or MORE than her.

Thinking that would probably never happen,
she did all she could to provide for me and give me a wonderful home.  It was just her and me.
Until...

This WONDERFUL man came into her life.

He was the one who did exactly what she said!

Even though he was not my father from birth,

he became my DADDY by his choosing!

And what a daddy he has been!

I have always felt like his very own.

He has always treated me as his own.

He has given me a gift that few experience!

The joy of a daddy loving them not because they had to,

but because he WANTED to!

(Kind of reminds me of my heavenly Father!)

Now if that does not make a girl's heart leap for joy,

I don't know what would!

And this girl's heart is still leaping!

Daddy, today I thank you for loving me unconditionally

supporting me,

advising me,

loving my children,

raising me as your very own,

loving me and,

teaching me about Jesus!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,

my dear, sweet Daddy!

What a true blessing to be your daughter!

What's going on?

It's Monday and I am...
...tired
...weary
...realizing it really does not matter
...facing the fact that 7 boys under 10 yrs keeps me moving no matter what I feel like!
...looking forward to not having to put coats on everyone to go somewhere
...especially looking forward to not having to tell many kids to hang those coats up!
...finally figuring out my laundry folding NEVER ends!
...dreading putting it away because it is the worst chore
...trying to plan 2 weeks of meals for my older kids to do after the baby gets here
...wondering how I will shop for the ingredients without them getting ate before we need them
...nesting
...trying to figure out with my husband the things we DO NOT want the hospital to do after the baby is born.  (ex- silver nitrate in the eyes, hep. B shot, cutting the cord to soon, etc...)
...trying to figure out where 11 kids will go for 2 days while I am in the hospital
...thinking maybe they can just be at home
...making sure their bags are packed if we send some of them to grandma's
...thinking I will pack mine in a couple of weeks
...reading a new book called 'Captivating' by Stasi Eldridge and cannot put it down once I start!
...sorting socks and wondering where in the world the matches go
...honored to have a mom that is also my friend
...blessed to have a husband who is my best friend
...realizing God keeps me humble by sending people unexpectedly to my home for a visit
...amazed at how much pride I have sometimes
...thankful for mercy and grace that my Father gives me numerous times a day!
...thinking we might do 2 more weeks of school and then take our break until after the baby comes
...amazed my oldest is almost done with homeschooling and going to graduate THIS year!
...having fun watching my children grow up and become independent
...feeling the sadness at how fast it goes, however
...feeling the hour less sleep from yesterday especially when I hardly sleep anyway!
...being taught to rest in Jesus!

I have cleared my mind now!  Wow, it feels better!  Now I am ready to face the week!  Bring it on!  But boy am I glad I don't have to face it alone!

A strange sort of Foto!

This is a REALLY strange Foto Friday picture, I know!
 
But I just had to share my new found love!

These cloth diapers from BumGenius!

I ordered them for the soon coming arrival but loved them so much, I ordered more for my 20 month old.  His were getting pretty worn!  These are the best! 

The best part is, they are on clearance right now AND they have free and FAST shipping!  They always come to my home 2 days after I have ordered! 

The websight is http://www.cottonbabies.com/

Go ahead, try them!  You will be impressed!

(I don't even get a thing for this free advertising!  I just wanted to let everyone know


Happy weekend to all you!:)

Thankful for Food Thursday

We have been eating LOTS of multigrain stuff lately!  Here is a great recipe for sandwich bread, toast or eating plain!  A simple sweet flavor!



Honey Multi-grain Bread


Ingredients:

3/4 cup cornmeal
3 3/4 cups water
1 tablespoon salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup honey
3 (.25 ounce) packages instant yeast
1 cup rye flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
8 cups unbleached flour

Directions:

1.In a small saucepan, combine the cornmeal and water. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Pour into a large mixing bowl. Stir in salt, oil and honey; let cool until lukewarm.

2.In a large bowl, combine the cooled cornmeal mixture with the yeast, rye flour, whole wheat flour and 4 cups unbleached flour; beat well. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Allow dough to rise 30 minutes, or until doubled.

3.Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal pieces and form into loaves. Place the loaves into two lightly greased 9x5 inch loaf pans. Cover the loaves with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

4.Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until bottoms of the loaves sound hollow when tapped. Remove from pans and allow to cool on a wire rack.

*It's best fresh out of the oven!  We can eat 2 loaves in one sitting, so I always double it!  Enjoy!

Weariness and fear, OH MY!

I feel like this pregnancy is the longest I have ever been through.  The last 6 weeks are ALWAYS miserable for me, but this has been not only a strain physically, but mentally also!  That may be why I am choosing to blog about it so often.  But it does help to get it out and one of the ways I do that is by writing. 


So if you care not to read about it, I understand!  Just click on the little 'x' in the corner of your screen and move on! :)  If you want to read an update, here it is:


I have been on insulin for my gestational diabetes for 5 days now.  It is a journey I did not want to take! I have never had to deal with this any other pregnancy.  I wanted to be strong like that again!  The day before I started giving myself shots, I cried, LOTS!  My sister was a diabetic and I remember a few times seeing her lay on the floor because her sugar either went to high or to low and she would pass out. Always an emergency situation!  I was terrified that would happen to me!  I kept going over in my mind my options.  If I took the insulin and something happened to my baby, I would NEVER forgive myself.  However, if I decided not to take it out of fear, and something happened to her, I would NEVER forgive myself either.  It was a no win situation!  Either way, I knew that it was out of my hands.  I just kept seeing my blood sugar readings continuing to increase and it had nothing to do with my diet.  I was following my diet and eating NO sugary foods, (my daughter even made cinnamon rolls last Saturday morning, and I sat with my granola cereal!)  It really has not been all that difficult because I don't like sweets when I am pregnant anyway!  So diet was not helping and I could see that.  The placenta later in pregnancy, decreases the mother's ability to process insulin.  In most cases, a mother's body can make-up for it and there are no problem's but in women who have gestational diabetes, like me, our bodies can't do it for ourselves without some intervention.  Understanding all of that, I decided it was best to take insulin shots.  A VERY small amount 4 times a day.  Well, I have already gotten used to poking my finger 4 times a day so now I have to poke my thigh 4 times a day also.  It actually is no big deal.  The doctor did increase my insulin dosage yesterday because my levels were still to high.  This morning, my readings are perfect so we are hoping that we finally have it under control.  I have non-stress tests weekly and ultra-sounds every other week to check baby size.  She seems to be in the 70th percentile range right now.  Bigger than the average but bearable!


Now, onto the spiritual side of all this.  I was in church Sunday and just quietly worshipping and focusing on God.  The tears began to flow and a cleansing began to take place.  As most of you know, I am a worrier.  God has really been helping me in this area but I have really had to battle that fear again with this gestational diabetes thing.  I have been paranoid and at times let it consume me!  I knew it and allowed God to take over Sunday morning again. ( I'm a little slow with that sometimes!)  Then the neatest thing happened.  As I was sitting there with tears flowing down my cheeks, cleansing my spirit, a little boy began to sing the song.  It was so beautiful!  The tears rolled down faster as He began to move in my heart because of that little boy singing.  God gently whispered to my spirit, "That sweet baby girl is in my hands just as you are!"  I had to be reminded that all the fear I was feeling was not His plan!  He had to remind me that He knows her and me and He placed her inside of me and is watching over her.  Boy did I need that!  I felt like a huge burden had been lifted all because of Jesus cleansing touch!


So, for the next 4-5 weeks, I am going to allow my heavenly Father to increase His strength in my spirit, as my flesh feels weaker and weaker.  I do want to hold this baby in my arms and I can't wait until that day.  When it is time, she will be!  I am so thankful I am not in this alone and I get this chance to help Him grow another little miracle!  What a joy and privilege!


I am praying for God to let me know when she is better off outside of my womb then inside, by putting my body into labor.  When that time comes, I will know and I am at peace with that!  I would appreciate your prayers also! 


There, I feel better! :)

websights I use

I have always found it helpful to hear what other people are using in their lives to help them.  These are some websights I thought I would share and hopefully you may enjoy some of them for yourself!

http://www.cottonbabies.com/~ this is where I get ALL my cloth diapers and detergant for the diapers!  Free and FAST shipping!


http://www.homeschoolmath.net/~ I love this for free worksheets for homeschooling


http://www.generationcedar.com/~ I love their homemade soaps and the content of her blog


http://www.myutmost.org/~ this is my daily devotion spot


http://www.christianbook.com/~ I order books for my Nook here


http://avent.com/~ I use their products all the time!  LOVE their breast pump!


http://www.eagleswingsed.com/~ the only curriculumm I ever have bought and continue to buy, is from here


http://www.babycenter.com/~ this has a week by week calender of how baby is growing


http://simplycharlottemason.com/~ her idea's on homeschooling are so helpful to the way we homeschool


http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/~ I began reading their books on child training years ago and continue to benefit from them.  Some of their books have literally changed my life!


http://www.hslda.org/~ this is our legal reference we use and they have lots of info for homeschooling parents


http://www.heavensinspirations.com/~ I use this for family devotions before school for our little ones


http://pbskids.org/~ my kids like to play games on here and they learn too!


http://www.moorefoundation.com/~ this was my first introduction to theme teaching when I started homeschooling my oldest and we still use it today!

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/~ great, simple, and cheap crafts for kids

http://www.visionforum.com/~ this is a wonderful resource for homeschooling and raising children for Christ

http://www.highlandsministriesonline.org/~ another great resource and love his words of wisdom!


These are just a few that I use often.  Please feel free to leave some idea's for me!  I would love to see what you use!

What I do

My weeks are filled with this:

...spilled milk or something, at least once a day
...sticky chairs
...cleaning food off of walls
...cleaning gum off of carpet
...wiping faces, noses and other body parts
...folding at least 4 loads of laundry a day
...spraying floors and toilets at least 3 times a day because little boys just don't aim right!
...changing sheets on 6 beds (the older kids can do theirs themselves)
...scraping the fridge because who knows what was spilled
...vacuuming 2 times a day
...grocery store trips
...washing diapers
...planning 21 meals for 13 people
...organizing schedules to make sure everyone gets where they need to be
...checking school work
...inspecting serving charts
...balancing my time with kids and hubby
...teaching bible verses
...giving WAY to many kisses to begin counting
...getting WAY to many kisses to begin counting
...being a detective
...growing a baby
...taking pictures
...being an encourager to my hubby
...cutting MANY fingernails/toenails
...praying LOTS
...learning to laugh when I want to cry
...realizing that someday, I am gonna miss all this!

Foto Friday~ Here she is!

I can't figure out how to scan these pics much better so I thought this is better then nothing!
 Had to show off our sweet little GIRL!
Don't you just love the chubby cheeks!
The first picture you can see her leg sticking straight up with her foot by her forehead.
It will be so fun to see how close these look to her first real baby picture in about 6 weeks!!

Have a GREAT weekend!

Thankful for Food Thursday

I always make a special breakfast on Saturday mornings.  This is great for company or just for those special mornings when you are not in a hurry!  Don't let all the directions scare you.  It is very simple!  If I can do it, anyone can! :)

Danish Pastry

Ingredients:

2 cups unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons salt
4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
8 cups all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

Directions:
1.In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and 2/3 cup of flour. Divide into 2 equal parts, and roll each half between 2 pieces of waxed paper into a 6 x12 inch sheet. Refrigerate.

2.In a large bowl, mix together the dry yeast and 3 cups of the remaining flour. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk, sugar and salt. Heat to 115 degrees F (43 degrees C), or just warm, but not hot to the touch. Mix the warm milk mixture into the flour and yeast along with the eggs, and lemon and almond extracts. Stir for 3 minutes. Knead in the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time until the dough is firm and pliable. Set aside to rest until double in size.

3.Cut the dough in half, and roll each half out to a 14 inch square. Place one sheet of the cold butter onto each piece of dough, and fold the dough over it like the cover of a book. Seal edges by pressing with fingers. Roll each piece out to a 20x 12 inch rectangle, then fold into thirds by folding the long sides in over the center. Repeat rolling into a large rectangle, and folding into thirds. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

4.Remove from the refrigerator one at a time, and roll and fold each piece two more times. Return to the refrigerator to chill again before shaping. If the butter gets too warm, the dough will become difficult to manage.

5.To make danishes, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. The dough can be cut into squares, with a filling placed in the center. Fold 2 of the corners over the center to form a filled diamond shape. Or, fold the piece in half, cut into 1 inch strips, stretch, twist and roll into a spiral. Place a dollop of preserves or other filling in the center. Place danishes on an ungreased baking sheet, and let rise until doubled. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (220 degrees C). Danishes can be brushed with egg white for a shiny finish.

6.Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the bottoms are golden brown.

Enjoy!

Book ends

For just a few more weeks,
these are my "book ends".
There is quite a bond between the oldest and the youngest!
SO fun to watch!

(Yes, I do actually put clothes on the youngest, but sometimes it just takes a bit longer to get from only a diaper to fully clothed when you are number 11!)

I am so convicted!

INFERIOR MISGIVINGS ABOUT JESUS
 

This was my daily devotion from Oswald Chambers over the weekend and it just really convicted me.  Thought I would share:

"Sir, Thou hast nothing to draw with." John 4:11


"I am impressed with the wonder of what God says, but He cannot expect me really to live it out in the details of my life!" When it comes to facing Jesus Christ on His own merits, our attitude is one of pious superiority - Your ideals are high and they impress us, but in touch with actual things, it cannot be done. Each of us thinks about Jesus in this way in some particular. These misgivings about Jesus start from the amused questions put to us when we talk of our transactions with God - Where are you going to get your money from? How are you going to be looked after? Or they start from ourselves when we tell Jesus that our case is a bit too hard for Him. It is all very well to say "Trust in the Lord," but a man must live, and Jesus has nothing to draw with - nothing whereby to give us these things. Beware of the pious fraud in you which says - I have no misgivings about Jesus, only about myself. None of us ever had misgivings about ourselves; we know exactly what we cannot do, but we do have misgivings about Jesus. We are rather hurt at the idea that He can do what we cannot.


My misgivings arise from the fact that I ransack my own person to find out how He will be able to do it. My questions spring from the depths of my own inferiority. If I detect these misgivings in myself, let me bring them to the light and confess them - "Lord, I have had misgivings about Thee, I have not believed in Thy wits apart from my own; I have not believed in Thine almighty power apart from my finite understanding of it." 

WOW!!