WE PRAY THAT YOUR VISIT HERE WILL LEAVE YOU

• Thursday, July 3, 2008 - Happy Independence Day!

Posted By Dell in Traditions and Celebrations

Tomorrow is the 4th of July! Having just studied the American War for Independence and the founding of our beautiful country, my daughters have new appreciation for our celebration. Freedom has been a resounding theme around our home, and our hearts are full of gratitude.

If we grow complacent in our freedom, we are already enslaved.

Let freedom ring! (And have a spectacular holiday!)

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• Jul. 3, 2008 - Dentist, menu, busy days

Posted By Martyomenko

I got back from visiting my mom and the dentist. I lived through it too! Actually, it was not too bad, no cavities, nothing has changed from before except the cleaning was very easy and fast. I got praised for my beautiful teeth....and on the subject of aging, I got a audible gasp from the dentist when I told him my age.

and here I thought I was getting older!! The one day, we helped mom clean up some in the house and in the yard. They started a pile to burn some of the wood and some icky stuff around the house, but it was really close to the house and was not a good plan. The fire got really big and hot and we had to put it out because the house was getting to hot and we got worried we were going to melt the electrical box on the house. The house was steaming when we sprayed it.

This is one handed typing as my other hand is stuck under a sleeping baby that I am babysitting. On Monday we had a homeschool book sale that was okay, but I did not sell very many, I was thrilled though to find when I came home I had sold most of them for mom...that was great!
We have been busy, in a good way, but I do not want to get too busy, it gets too tiring. I love days where you can just sit and watch them run and play. This morning the baby, T. and L. and I, went for a walk. T. got a nice little bike with training wheels so he rode that and L. was on his new bike I got him at a garage sale last week. I got that one at the garage sale and T.'s a friend gave me. It was nice, we rode down to a park nearby, we swung a bit and then came back home. It was a little difficult helping both of them, the baby in the stroller and T. on the bike!

We got a bunny rabbit last week, so that is a huge deal for us. We are not pet people, but I thought we should all learn about caring for an animal. I am not sure what it's name is, so as of now it is not named.

Menu for the week:
Wednesday: Leftovers-pineapple
Thursday: Hot Dogs, watermelon- salad
Friday:BBQ with family- hamburgers and side dish or dessert- I am not quite sure exactly what to bring, but I am thinking of a few different things. I was thinking pie sounded good, but I am not sure.
Saturday: Spaghetti and meatballs- salad
Sunday: Enchilada casserole/ dessert or side dish
Monday:Swedish Meatballs, noodles and green beans
Tuesday:Stir Fry and rice

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• Jul. 3, 2008 - Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

Posted By crazybusy

I saw my midwife this morning and got some encouraging news (since it seems like this baby wants to stay in her womb forever). I am now dilated to 2-3, my cervix is stretchy, thin and soft, baby's head is nice & low and doesn't move when she pushes it. I'm measuring 38cm, down from 39cm which also indicates baby's dropped. I've also lost 2 pounds! I think that puts me at a 25 pound weight gain. I am very happy about that! I've NEVER lost towards the end, just packed it on. I've always gained between 35-40 pounds and have never even made it this far. I really haven't had much of an appetite though. I'm still not having many contractions, but I guess the ones I am having are actually doing something. Yay!

At this office, they don't even *talk* about inducing until you're 41 weeks along. The hospital I'll be delivering at doesn't do epidurals and that's the only pain relief option I'd choose, so I'd prefer not to be induced anyway. Josiah was my first completely natural (no meds) childbirth and I'm hoping for a similar delivery this time. I had an awesome experience with Josiah. Anyway, they do have you go in for a NST (non-stress test) when you're 41 weeks, so I'm scheduled for that next Thursday. Hoping it won't be necessary.

On the computer front, I stayed up until 2am last night reloading my programs. I did not feel like staying up that late but really wanted to get it done. I still have 2 programs I'm working on. I'm having problems with Roxio and Homeschool Tracker. AND I also got a weird error message- like the one I got when I had the virus. So I HOPE that thing's not back or lingering somewhere. If it is, I'm getting a new 'puter. I'll reformat this one & let it be a game/school computer for the children. At least ALL of my important files are backed up on my external hard drive now and I have all of my installation disks in one spot- moving my "stuff" to a new 'puter wouldn't be any more of a deal than what I've already done with this one.

We're getting there!

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• Jul. 2, 2008 - FINALLY!

Posted By crazybusy

And no, unfortunately my post's title has nothing to do with the baby! She is just way too comfy in there. I've still had hardly any contractions. I am officially 40 weeks pregnant today and my official due date is tomorrow. (not sure why those don't coincide, but...) Crazy. This has been my longest pregnancy!

No, the "Finally!" title has to do with how long it took to get my computer back. I just got it back tonight! It was a nasty, nasty virus. They (at Staples) were confident they could remove it. Well, long story short, they did finally get the virus off and then had to backup my files and restore the computer back to factory settings because there was so much damage to Windows files, drivers, etc.

I knew they'd be able to save the files in "My Documents" but thought I'd have to re-install all of my programs. When I got the computer all turned on, all of the programs *appear* to be there, but I'm finding a lot of them aren't working properly and I'm probably going to have to reinstall a lot of them. But that's better than having to reinstall ALL of them!

The biggest bummer is having to reinstall Incredimail. I lost ALL of my email address. So if you & I have contacted each other via email, please email me even if it's blank so I can get you added back into my address book.

As for the pregnancy, like I said, this girlie is just too comfy. Maybe she's afraid of all of the craziness she hears about her and just feels safer in my womb? Whatever the reason, I wouldn't be surprised if she hangs out in there for another week!

And honestly, I really wanted to get this computer thing DONE before she got here. AND the children's dressers finally arrived YESTERDAY (a week late) and I spent my whole day going through all of their clothes, sorting them into bins labeled by size & gender and got all of their clothes transferred to the new dressers. I slept SO good last night after that! So after I get this computer thing DONE I will be very ready for her. :)

I have an appointment with the midwife tomorrow. I do have some concerns about being late that I want to discuss with her and then, guess where I'm going? To a spa type place for a "Hydrolicious Foot and Leg Therapy". Doesn't that sound lovely? It's geared for pregnant women with swollen legs and feet. Can't wait!

Thanks for all of your comments & checking up on me. Made me smile. :) I can be better about updating now!

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• Jul. 2, 2008 - Stickybuns

Posted By Cappuccinosmom

Something else we did yesterday!

It wasn't exactly a "sanity saving" activity, but the boys did have fun and had some practice working together.

Biruk wants YOU....to come visit and eat some of those stickybuns!

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• Jul. 2, 2008 - Biruk's New Nickname: Bellybutton

Posted By Cappuccinosmom

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• Jul. 2, 2008 - Toby Mac Helps Me Be A Better Mother

Posted By Cappuccinosmom

What do do with three boys who have boundless energy? They have been driving me bananas the last couple of days, as even an hour in the park doesn't seem to dissipate any of their energy. Yesterday afternoon we were all grating on each others nerves and I was cranky, impatient, and miserable. In desperation, I put in a CD--Diverse City--and commanded; "Dance!" I sat down to watch. Gebre mainly ran around in circles. But Asrat has some moves.

At some point Asrat announced that he had switched from "cool" dancing (heavily influenced by our church's youth dance troupe) to "praise" dancing (obviously heavily influenced by the Pentacostal worship in our church).

Biruk had fun dancing too.

Eventually even the pantless Gebre joined in.

They got rid of excess energy, I got a much needed break (a noisy break, but it was a break) and we all had a good time.

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• Tuesday, July 1, 2008 - Rhode Island is Small (And a Verse Badly Quoted)

Posted By Dell in PrairieFrog Kid Quips

Evidently Keegan pays attention to his sisters' geography discussions. While driving around town the children were inquiring about the plants beside the road or on medians. I explained that many were just prairie weeds growing wild, but that others--especially within city limits--are planted and tended by hired workers. We talked a bit more about the purposes of these grassy islands between lanes of traffic. Keegan perked up at my makeshift term, "islands in the road." Pointing at the center median he asked, "Is that Road Island?" Befrore I could answer he was shaking his head and declared, "Road Island is small."

In other news, I will be working with Keianna on her memory work. Specifically on John 3:16. Her unfortunate rendering is, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only forgotten Son..." That just won't do.

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• Monday, June 30, 2008 - The More Precious Thing

Posted By Dell in PrairiefrogsDaily

Heading out the door to a fellowship lunch yesterday, we had our hands full. Ken turned to Kaira and asked, "Would you like to carry the brownies or take Kieran out and buckle him?" With a cheerful smile she answered, "I'll take the most precious thing!"

Hmm... brownies or her brother, which would she choose?

Her face radiant, she scooped up her baby brother. Although she loves chococolate, there was never any doubt.

More precious than brownies! Now THAT is love!

(Still trying to learn the manual settings on the camera...)

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• Sunday, June 29, 2008 - Playing With a New Camera

Posted By Dell in PrairieFrog Photos

Happy Anniversary to us! Ken suggested we purchase a new camera for our anniversary! (What a sweetie! He knew I'd been itching for one.) Our anniversary is still a few weeks away, but our present is here! I've been having fun playing and trying to wrap my mind around it.

Today's experiment with Depth of Field: