And it is...

So excited to tell ya'll that we are going to have a little girl! With this last ultrasound it was just amazing to see her "swim" around ~ just full of LIFE!

Her energy is already amazing to me for every time we have seen her she is moving all over. And now that we know it's a girl I cannot wait to see her!!!!!!

Love you already our sweet pea princess!!!!

<3 ~ Momma

My Journey: Hear My Heart

My heart is burdened for a special group of women. Those of you who sit in church or that I know other ways. You know who you are and you know how you hate child dedication days or that invitation to yet another baby shower knowing full well how much you want to be the one to send out the invite. That if you would go to the shower, no matter how happy you are for your friend/relative, that you cry afterward. And that when you have decided no more going you know the date and time of the event.

I hear your heart! I remember too well those days of heartache of watching other couples proudly show off their offspring.  All I could think was Gag me. Sorry but this is real life, real heartache and sadness. Just don't go. Seriously. Take that emotional upheaval out of the equation and just avoid it. It's ok!!!  Instead, plan a getaway for you and your spouse or a staycation.  Keep in mind that this affects him as well. Talk about your feelings and if needed please seek counsel. God hears our hearts and is the best source of comfort. Granted there may be feelings of anger even at God but tell Him.  (BTW ~ he already knows!)

When people offer unsolicited advice kindly but firmly let them know you are not interested. Whatever is said is merely a feeling of being kicked in the pants and furthermore THEY HAVE NO IDEA!! Resist the urge to punch them or offer your own sarcastic comment. It just brings more problems. (Although a good alternative is ordering a punching bag for your anger outlet!)

Thanks for hearing my heart....I love you!

Happy Dance

January 19th will forever be in my mind as one of the happiest and most awestruck of my life. That is when we found out we are expecting. Now know big deal to many people but to us it is huge. Never did we expect this and never have we felt like foreigners than now. So many emotions. So many changes. Like names. Do you know how hard it is to pick a name that you both like? Or have no idea that your body changes and you as a woman don't care for things you once did...eating & drinking I mean. I used to love coffee....now I hate coffee. Bummer. Bread and butter pickles and moose tracks ice cream are now my favorite things...(yeah I am one of those!) so please don't eat them all!
Anywho that is my news at eleven weeks along!

Sara

Did I mention we now are looking for a full size van? NOT BLACK!!

Dedication

Yesterday, among other families, we dedicated our precious little guy to the Lord! It was such a blessing to stand before our church family and publicly profess that we will raise him to strive to follow after the Lord and to have a heart for others.

Getting there was a process. First, my northern raised hubby had to shovel snow. About 20 feet of it. Did I mention he was raised in a northern state? That this is really not his idea of a work out but he did it anyway so we could go to church.

Thankfully no one complained too loudly about what they were wearing and we made it. On time. :)

Weirdly Dominic went to his class with no problems but then Kelsey pointed out that, since we were early, there was hardly anyone in his class so he was not overwhelmed. Sensory issues and him go hand in hand.

Back to dedication day. Elijah looked so adorable in his outfit. (Um can't remember what he wore but I know that he looked adorable!) He grabbed at our glasses trying to take them off but we won. They stayed on and our little guy continued his antics. The prayer for him was seemingly just for him. Now, I know that God has already known about him but to hear aloud this prayer was extra special. Lord ~ I thank you for the GIFT of LIFE and the fact that we get to be his FOREVER MOM & DAD!

We love you Elijah!!

pictures

Showing off her talents!

In my limited spare time I have been going over the alphabet with the trio. This last time I watered down some glue, had them trace the letter with this mixture and then poured/traced the letter with a Starbucks single pack of vanilla coffee. I don't "do" vanilla coffee in the single packet.

Being silly while tracing the letter with glue. A great sensory project for him.

It is so funny to watch their expressions while they are learning and having fun. Of course, with this cutie pie there is never a dull moment. He is quite goofy but so sensitive at the same time.

Have you met the one who is going on 18?

This lovely little girl is one of the most temperamental independent children. We can usually tell how the day will go given the attitude that comes with waking up.

Max....could care less. I bet he is wondering if food will drop from the table?

Adriana's letter. I used an instant vanilla coffee packet to make it stand out.

Musings of a busy mom

For what seems like forever I keep telling the little ones to go back to bed. And blah, blah, blah some other lame excuse is given. Need a drink of water, gotta go potty, can't sleep, too hot/cold, etc etc. To me ~ it's my time so please don't ruin it. I am sorry to admit that lately I have been selfish in my nap time "me time". Tired, tired and more tired. I don't wanna change another pamper, take pee soaked undies to the laundry room I just want me time.

And then...God speaks. When, dear child of mine, did you pay attention to me? Oh crap! ( being real...just keeping it real.) How about the other day when I had to use the bathroom God. I had toilet devotions then. Does that count? How about the praise and worship songs that we sang the other day to entertain the baby? It was sincere!

What this last paragraph of mine is just my selfishness to a Saviour who is the most wonderful patient being. One that time after time I fail and He just is there.

I don't always desire to write what is so raw and crappy in my own life but pooping and praising Jesus at the same time is not exactly devotions to me.  (No pun intended.) So many times I get caught up in daily life. You know. Dinner, dishes, laundry, school and it's activities, hubby, children, meetings, support groups, and sometimes sleep. Coffee is a necessity

Please don't get me wrong. I love my Jesus! There are so many things to DO that my focus needs adjusted and the alignment then becomes correct. (What a duh statement but so true.)

So as I have my coffee I plan to drift of into a world of adventure. Where things happen today that happened then and maybe, just maybe, my sweet husband and children will awake to a mom ready to charge the world again.

Sara

Six years , five kiddos and a dog later we still love each other no matter what!

Our engagement picture over six yrs ago.

We are Youth Parents?!?

There is such change in our life and it is good. Our oldest daughter just got back from her first youth retreat, quite tired, but had a great time. I asked her if she had a favorite time to which she replied that it wasn't able to be pinpointed. A little later she told me that she experienced the Holy Spirit and His presence in her life this weekend. What a blessing to hear that it was confirmed by her cabin mama and also that another girl experienced the same!! There is NO greater joy than hearing your child speaking about the love she experienced with Jesus!

Rain, Coffee and Kids Napping

So here it is. The afternoon. Children are napping and I have ventured into a homemade quilt with coffee in hand to read. Ahh such bliss! Granted it does not appear on a resume, this coffee and quilt break, but it speaks volumes to my soul and spirit. So sleep well my family (and preferably longer than normal). Mama is having quiet time.