Posted in Family

Ours was nice. We had some steaks and just let Dad relax. I did the yard work for him. Made him nervous though, LOL He spent the day with the children......I loved this moment....2 computer geeks at heart. :)

 

The house is coming together very nicely. It is so much fun decorating. But goodness, it is tiring! I will be posting some updated pics soon! :)

For those who don't know me, I would like to invite you to my Christian Women's forum...Mama Central! bb.bbboy.net/mamacentral

We are a nondenominational forum where we focus our interests on being Godly wives, mothers and the best 'Keeps of the Home' that we can be. Please, if you have time...come join us!

God Bless,

Michele

Posted in Family

Posted in Family

My dear sweet 15 yo son had his first high school party last night. It had a theme, "Hollywood in Cape Coral" and they had to dress up as someone famous. My son being the Pirate of The Caribean (sp) fan that he is of course chose Jack Sparrow. :) It took us a week to perfect the costume but I think he looks great!!!

God Bless,
Michele

Posted in Family

Went shopping today with all 5 kids. Was interesting.
I prepare myself to be the largest family in the store, as we always get looks with just the 5 kids. And I really want to be postive even though I feel at times as if people treat me as if I just landed from Mars. So, on this trip we make it through the adventure with hardly even a look. Much less no questions. As we get ready to check out, I send DH with the 5 kids to sit and wait for me. No need for the whole family go through the checkout line. As I am waiting I see the lady in front of my with 2 kids checking out. She has 2 carts full of food. Peaks my interest as I begin to view her purchases. It was almost all the sales for the week. As she gets done and the register is trying to catch up the cashier says to her....."Big shopping trip this week!" and the lady smiles and says, "Yes....but I have a big family. So this is like this each time." Now I am SURE that she can not have me beat in the large family department, as she only has TWO kids. So I pipe up and ask, "How many kids do you have? I have 5." I almost said it like a badge of honor, Im ashamed to admit it now. She turns to me with a very kind smile and says,"We have 8 children." My mouth dropped! LOL I was trumped! By the way, her grand total for 2 brimming carts of food? $335. I can aleast console myself that I could have spent less, right?? LOL
The Lord is funny like that. When your getting a bit full of yourself, he has his own ways of knocking you down a peg or two, doesn't he? :)
God Bless,
Michele

Posted in Family

I am finally getting around to doing an update. :)
Josiah Randall was born Feb. 25th.....weighed in at 9 lb. 13 ounces and a long 22 inches! He was born with dark hair but it is now turning red, just like his older sisters. All went well with his birth and he is now home!

He is now 3 weeks old and we are adjusting to life here with many children (well for us it is ALOT lol). We have found a routine and are now all getting some sleep! LOL
Since his birth my oldest son has had his confirmation. What a wonderful day that was! I had so many tears, he is growing up so fast!  Well they all are, look at them here at his confirmation....

Josiah was a meer one week old in that picture. Hard to believe! Madison is 9 , Faith is 5 and Christian is 15. Where did all the time go to?
I will be able to blog more often now that I am finding time, so stay tuned!

Posted in Family

My good friend Amber posted on her blog about doing a photo a day for January. I think that is an excellent idea! I don't know if I can do one everyday but that is the goal. ~smile~
This is our Danielle, in a boys shirt! LOL She managed to get her pretty outfit dirty and all we had to fit was boys clothes. I seriously need to do some shopping for this child. You can't see it but all of her mass of long curls is up in a bun on top of her head. She has the most beautiful hair you have EVER seen. Just stunning!
This was her Jan.1st after dinner with family. ~smile~

Posted in Family

And I am dying to share I will post here and link to there later when its up!

I got out of the shower and the girls were outside. Dh had given them permission to get on the trampoline. Being the Mommy I am, I checked on them and noticed both had signs taped to their backs. Madison came in the house about that time to get a piece of tape and said, "Did you see our new club Mommy??" She turns around and this is what I see......
For those of you who can't make it out it says.....
"Listen to more Bon Jovi!
50% of people listen to Bon JOvi
We want 95%
1-800-help-jovi"
ROFLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
What have I created?!?!!?
I can't help but wonder.....why only 95%?
~giggling~

Posted in Family

(**I wrote this about a day after I wrote part one. I think I am less aggravated. But then again, I haven't been anywhere to get anymore comments either! LOL**)

Often I run into people who just assume it's just the same to parent 2 kids as it is to parent 4 or more kids. It's so not the same. There are some differences. For instance,  when you call me at 9 am and say you need to me to come over in an hour, you need to understand that is nearly impossible. Unless of course you are bleeding from your head and in that case, I won't care about who is dressed, who has a clean diaper, who has ate or even who is awake. I will be there! But lets say you want me to come over to.....just hang out/do something together or just general things. Do not hold your breath on me being there in an hour. It ain't happening honeybuns. Understanding that is different is of great service to those around you whom don't fit the norm of societies "family". Just as I don't assume that parenting a special needs child is the same as parenting my non-special needs child. It is worlds apart. I often run into people who don't understand why I can't drop things to come over, do something or do the things they do. They more often than not have just one or two kids. So just for them, here are some instances of our differences....

~ Your choices in what to drive is endless. You basically fit into almost everything except motorcycles and 2 seater sports cars. I am currently one seat and one baby on the way away from being FILLED in my Suburban. My options now are limited.Our choices are a 9 passenger, 12 passenger or 15 passenger van. We are taking the 15 just for good measure! ;)
~ You can go places on a moments notice or often. It is not that easy when you are dressing 4 or more kids. It takes time even for the best organized families. Most of the time, we have to weigh in if it is even worth it to go.
~ Even things that are "free" (going to the park or events that are free) are not free for us. It requires gas in a larger SUV, it may require drinks or food and even if we can get away with a short drive with no snacks or extra drinks.....it still costs us time, patience and enegry. We really have to weigh the odds when we are ask to do those things. We are making decsions for a bunch of little folks and have to keep their needs, not wants, in mind.
~ You most likely don't have a drink 'tub' with cups with people's name written on it on your counter.
~ Shopping at Warehouse clubs is a perk for you. That is my everyday grocery store. Everything I buy, I buy in bulk.
~ If your a stay at home mom with your children chances are you can take them do many things to enrich their minds. We again, have to weigh our options. Gas, time and patience (on the multiple ages of children we have) are factors. While it would be nice if my kids got to play lots of sports, went to different clubs etc. we are learning through this that home really is a nice place to be. We are finding out being home is more than just fun, but it is grounding our children, teaching them the importance of family and family time. I see more rewards to staying home and being family centered than I do signing them up for tons of things. Besides being a large family makes things like tag and hide & go seek alot more fun! :)
~ My house has to be clean. Lots of little folks depend on the cleaniness for security & comfort. It isn't OCD or some anal thought I have. I'm not trying to out do no one or become the next Martha Stewart. It is necessary for it to be clean for our schooling, living and learning to take place. Beside that, more than just me lives here. Asking my family to live with my comfort level of clean is more than just selfish, it's really self centered. So it has to be cleaned to meet the needs of everyone so they can all function. After all this isnt MY house, this is OUR house.
~ We can not eat out often. When we do we can only afford so many places. Please don't invite my family of 7 out to eat at say............the Sushi Shack where it costs about $15 a person.

Never assume since you can complete those things with 2 kids, that others with more than 2 can. Heck, don't assume that anyone with one or two can. It isn't like your so much better at parenting. It is that everyone is different and not getting that can really lead to frustration on the people whom your expectations are being forced upon. Everday people have to live up to the expectation of others. I find it more fitting it I live up to the expectation of our Lord. I don't ask anyone to run their household, parent their kids or be like ME. I am just asking for that same extentsion in kindness. I'm not asking for a pat on the back, a place at the front of the line or an extra helpings of anything just because I have purposely accepted all of the Lord's blessings. I am asking you to treat me the way I treat you. Nothing more, nothing less. ~smile~

Posted in Family

After another day of facing people online, on the phone and in person who comment at the fact I have 3 kids, due any day with #4 and take care of another infant almost full time.....I wanted to shed some light on a 'problem'. Now when I say problem, it's not a problem I have. The number of children I have and raise is not my problem. I love my children and want more. But I have had 2 kids before.....sort of had to do that in order to get the more that I have. And I remember that it was hard sometimes, but I also remember having respect and understanding for those who had more children than me. I am finding very little of that in this world anymore. There is a very stark diffference in the life I have now than the life I had 2 years ago. There is a day and night difference in how I am treated, how my children are treated & viewed and how my family is viewed. And I am here to tell you that I think many many people just don't get what it's like to step outside the box and go against society. I usually mutter under my breath, "walk a mile in my shoes",when I get comments like that. So instead of muttering it under my breath this is for all you 2 child families who don't get it or don't understand.

If you have 2 children you never hear these questions or comments that I have got in the last 6 months....

~ "Your having another ONE?!?!"
Thank you for sticking your nose into the intimate relationship between Dh and I. So to answer your question...yes we had sex, again. How dare us.

~ "You know what causes that, don't you?"
Yes....God.

~ "Better you than me!"
I'm sure my kids feel the same way.

~ "That's about 4 kids too many."
And they say IN FRONT of my kids. Talk about the declining moral values in this country. Every child/human is a blessing from God and their life is of value. I guess some people have to think less of them in order to have abortions, abuse them or molest them. Yes, this one realllllllly ticks me off.

~ "Are you Catholic?"
No, but suddenly my reglious preference is a perfectly nice non-rude question to ask me in the checkout line of Wal Mart. But let me help you out. I'm not Catholic, Pentcoastal, Jewish, Moromon or crazy. I am a Christian.

~ "I don't know how you afford them all?"
I don't. I don't follow the world's view of how much children cost to raise. There are no tons of video games in my house. There is no piles and piles of the latest toys in my house. We do not shop at the Mall. My kids are not raised with the notion that you must FIT in to survive in this world. Most if not all my kids toys, clothes and belongings are used,handed down or earned. So, by your standards your right.....I could never afford them.

~ "Do you get assistance?"
(I got this one today on the phone from a ' well meaning ' person.)
Yes I get assistance, I rely on God all day every day for my needs. He is alot nicer than the HRS or the food stamps office.
Now, seriously, no......we don't get medicaid, food stamps, WIC or even state funded health insurance. And no child support either. We don't get church/charity donations at the holiday time. Nor do we NEED any of that either. We pay for everything all by ourselves. Here is more of a shocker. We don't have credit cards, we don't have to take out loans from friends and family. My Dh works ONE job and I make alittle money on the side taking care of #5 I mentioned above. Whom if you really do the math, costs us what I make in terms of getting her items for her care....i.e. car seat, stroller, food, clothes, diapers. Sure we get some of those things from her Grandma, but its either never enough or not the right size or just not safe. Her Grandma bless her heart is mothering after no babies for 37 years. I like to cut her a break.

Now chances are if you have 1 or 2 kids you have never heard those comments. I get them and more. Here are some that I get that I must must give you some insight on if you say them to me. They are not the obivous rude ones but they tend to get old after the 200th time.....

~ "I don't have the patience."
I don't either. I realize I am human, made of flesh. I ask God everyday to help me. If I waited to have kids when I had more patience, I'd never have anymore. God gives us what we need, when we need it. Trust in Him and He will never forsake you.

~ "I can't afford them! "
Sure, if you listen to what everyone in this world tells you what it costs, I'm sure you can't. But we don't spoil our kids. They don't get upset when they can't have what they want all the time. Sure sometimes we get the occasional upset face when we can't do something they want. But I promise you, you will never see one of my kids over the age of 3 having a melt down over the fact they couldn't have what they have what they wanted or couldn't do something. Not cause I am some super mother either. I just have realized that I can not give into every whim of my children. It's not healthy for them. If your life is centered around pleasing your children and giving them their all their needs and wants.......don't be surprised when they  rip open their gifts in a few days on Christmas and say, "Where is my  (fill in the blank here) that I ask for?" or "Is that all?" Your created that. If I say to my children, "We don't have the money." or just plain old, "No." I don't get a meltdown or grief. My kids are being taught to be content. It helps that I am content with what I have.

~ "We don't have enough room for them."
Yea, I love this one. I use to think that too. But here is what I learned in the last few months. That this whole, "Kids need their own personal space" business is just crap. I think parents need their space FROM their kids, we will cover that in a bit. You know what kids need? Love, discipline and security. I seriously doubt they will grow up with those items and be broken cause they had to share a room with a few of their siblings. For those of you who haven't been to my house....I have a 1200 sq. foot 3 bedroom house, 2 small bathroom and you know what, 4 kids fit just fine. I usually find if I am complaining about space it is because I have not took the time to declutter it or organize it. That's where I am at fault, not the size of the home. God gives you need, not what you want. I wouldn't trade my house today for any McMansion4 bedroom, 2 car garage, living room, dining room, den and study home for anything I have now. It has taken me a long long time to come to appericate what I have and learn to not ask or desire more. Since then, I have been alot happier.

~ "We can't have anymore cause my wife had 2 c-sections."
My Dh got this one. I'm about to get my 2nd c-section. I ask my OB about how many I can have and her answer to this was this...."As many as you want." The only thing that changes is who will take care of you. The more you have, the 'higher' risk you are. My OB told me last week, she just performed the 9th c-section on a patient of hers. They hope to have more! ~smile~ All that aside, God knows my body. He knows where I need protection. I trust in Him.

~ "I'm too old."
Yea, I'm 37 and you know what it says on my chart under 'high risk' for the reason? Advanced Maternal Age. ROFL I died laughing. I am 37 people, not 67.

~ "I'm not cut out to have more kids.I know my limits."
Well I almost always want to ask......how did you figure this out? Did you have 3 and discover it to be too much and gave him/her away? Unless you answered yes to that, then you really don't know what your cut out to handle. God knows, why not trust Him instead? ~smile~

Now we covered the comments, rude remarks and now onto the questions. These are ones that don't bother me but I feel really need to addressed cause people seem to think my life is SO much harder than theirs. The only way it is harder, is when I am lazy. Then your right.......my life sucks lemons my friend. So let's cover this....

~ "You must have a ton of laundry!"
Not really, just a load or two a day, everyday. In a 7 day period I can afford to take 2 days off to keep on this schedule. And keep in mind I don't have a dryer and don't intend on replacing it. Should I get the smelling salts now for some of you?

~ "Your grocery bill must be NUTS!"
$75 - $100 a week. I feed 7 people and we have plently. I am working on cutting it down further. ~smile~

~ "I bet their clothes cost alot!"
I rarely buy new, except for my son since there is no way to hand down to him. He is a big boy. But he wears tshirts, jeans and real basic things. His items aren't designer. If they are then he has saved his money and bought it himself. THe others get clothes handed down, yard sales, thrift stores and consignment stores. They don't look like rag-a-muffins either. We have some basic styles we stick to that are always 'in' and cover them modestly. I can say we probably spend about $500 a year clothing all 3 or them now. Which I think is too much and I am learning to cut that back.

~ "Your dishwasher must run day and night!"
I got this once from a boy at church who was an only child and he was 10. Imagine his surprise when I pointed to my 15 year old son and said, "No....he needs some sleep sometimes!" ~laughs~
We have no dishwasher, no dryer and we get along just fine.

For those of you who have said any of the above to me...I apologize, I really do. I apologize for the lack of patience I have when it comes to strangers/friends and family making assumptions about my life. I should try to be more demure and more meek. God is still working on that part of me. ~smile~ Sometimes it helps to get things off your chest as well. This is what I am doing here.
If you have more than 4 or 5 kids your laughing at me and saying, welcome to my world! I am a new member to this club and find it a bit overwhelming at times the things that are said to me, about me, assumed about me. I will get use to it. In time ~laughs~.
I have never thought 4 or 5 kids was alot. But now in recents months I am seeing it just flies in the face of what the world finds acceptable. And when we go against the norm, step out in faith and out of the box many people feel they have the right to assume, question or comment on us then. Which I find odd cause the same folks who make those comments to me are the first to tell me if I ask the same, "None of your business." Same here buddy, same here.
Part 2 coming soon.....

Posted in Family

I am ask by many of my family *waving to them* and friends what I need for Josiah. I tell them nothing, which for the most part is true. We have truly blessed in the fact that we have had more than enough clothes for him, a bed, linens, stroller, car seat and even a high chair. But today I realized what we need and wanted to share it here, as I know that someone of you are reading this.
DIAPERS!
Yes, we need those pesky cloth diapers. ~smile~ Flat cheap ones will work fine. And plastic panties and pins. I am still out searching out ones used but I know that in my heart that it will not be long before he comes. Sooner than we think I am sure. And I feel like I will not get enough before he arrives. We plan on using disposables for 2 or 3 weeks just for the conveince of them since I will be recovering from a c-section. Then around 1 month we will move to cloth ones. We are doing cloth now for Bogger aka Danielle. We started her exclusively tonight and she did well. ~smile~ I think we should see a marked difference in her bum and legs with her rashes.
So for those complaining I am not leaving anything for you to buy for me or him ~winks at Laurie~ there ya go.....diapers! Any kind will do, no need to be fancy. New, used, fitted, flat.....does not matter. We will take all kinds. We will be diapering 2 babies at the time one newborn and one that just is turning one, so it will all work. ~smile~
I have a wonderufl blessing to share with you all in the AM....well in the later of the AM LOL...that the Lord gave us for FREE last night. It needs some spiffing up , but it is just an amazing blessing! ~Smile~ Pictures and posts in the morning coming your way!

Posted in Family

I should say HE continues to bless us even when our faith is not where it needs to be. Thank you Lord for your constant PROMISE! :)
Here is the newest blessing he has brought into our lives.......
This morning I received an email from our Freecycle local type group called "Garage Sale Loop". A very nice lady said she has a FREE dining table with 2 chairs that need to be picked up TODAY. She was in my area so I responded. Sure enough I was first! AMEN! That NEVER happens BTW, LOL Im never the first person to email. LOL Anyways turns out she is 5 minutes from us. So DH and DS went to get it and is it EVER so nice!!!!!! We were needing a table for awhile for the playroom/schoolroom for the kids to do their work and art at. And this was PERFECT. Can you tell how excited we are? The girls are in heaven. They couldn't wait to sit down and wrap gifts at it this morning........still in their PJ's! ;)
If you can see the cabinet to the left of the last picture. Those are some I got for 75% off at Target last year. They match the table PERFECTLY! Not that I would have cared, but it was just such a blessing.
I will be back in a bit to talk about our late night ER visit and pass on some frugal tips we have been doing in our home to help us save money! :)

Posted in Family

I went in to check on the girls last night to make sure all body parts were on the bed, you can see in the first picture....they are pretty crazy sleepers! :) Then I noticed what was in the chair next to the bed.....Can you make it out?

Let's take a closer look.....

Still can't see them? Here is a close up......

Why it's all the Princesses lined up for bed......including Madison and Faith! :) I thought that was the cutest thing ever. I love having girls! :)
**EDITTED TO ADD - Make note of the SOCK pillows for the dolls! LOL**