Yesterday it was 60 degrees and today we have an ice storm moving in!  We are relieved that we are WAY more prepared than the last time we were hit with a terrible ice storm.  It was two years ago and our power was out for 8 days.  Having little children, we had no choice but to leave our home during that time.  We were so blessed by a family in our church that took us in and kept us fed and warm!  Now this time, in our new home, we are in more of a position to help others if the need arises.  We are keeping warm by our corn burning fire!

It has been such a lovely morning to sit and read with the children.  We read several lessons in our Science and History books and then joined in the kitchen for a Science experiment.  The wonderful thing about homeschooling is even the littles can get involved and learn what we are learning!  My five year old was SO intrigued with today’s lessons!  The toddlers showed great interest as well, but it was more the mess they were interested in J.   My husband has been busy out in the cold this morning.  He has actually been very busy since arriving home from his trip yesterday, trying to prepare for the storm.  He went to the city for me last night and stocked up on groceries and other needed items.  We now have oil for our lamps and all the staples for our meals.  This morning he has been seeing to it that our animals are all safe and warm.  He is also gathering fuel for the generator and feeding tank, milk at the nearby dairy farm and corn for the stove.  I am so thankful for all the work he is doing!  I wanted to bundle up and go help him.  He thought that was a crazy idea…a pregnant woman out on the ice!  I didn’t even think of that, but the more I thought of it that could be a catastrophe waiting to happen….slipping on ice and going into labor in an ice storm….hmmmm…no thanks!  When he gets in we will all settle in for the storm.  I nested yesterday and feel great today, so the house is in order.  We still have a HUGE pile of laundry to fold and put away and bathrooms to scrub, but once that is all done we will probably play games, eat popcorn and be thankful for a place to stay warm.  We always use these times, as well, to pray for those who are less fortunate…those who may be cold or hungry. L  We ask for the Lord to make any needs we can help with known to us.

I have been enjoying abundant energy these past couple of days and my husband is getting a bit worried.  He is telling me to “hang in there” until the storm passes and the roads are safe. J  I really do not feel like I will go into labor.  The contracting and cramping has eased up.  My only discomfort is the pressure I am feeling since the baby has dropped.  I have never had a baby drop before I am actually in active labor, so this is a new one for me!  My bones are terribly sore and rolling over in bed last night was excruciating!  Night time is also when the intense contractions start kicking in…..this has ALWAYS happened to me.  I am very thankful that the Lord has always given me clear signs when “it is time”, so I don’t worry too much about the fake ones.  In face, I am thankful for them because they are productive and make certain stages of my labor shorter.  I really don’t ever remember feeling so content in the last days of pregnancy, but this time I really am.  I am usually pretty miserable, to be honest!  I have tried to just cherish this time and not be in a such a huge rush.  I am still enjoying feeling this little life within me, though....I really AM excited to meet the new life God has created! 

Well, it is time to feed my hungry crew lunch!  Many blessings to all!