Yesterday I had my check-up. I was nervous and anxious b/c there was no promise my mid-wife would do a sonogram to determine the gender. I'm almost 18 weeks and she likes to do the sonogram between 16-22 weeks, closer to 20 weeks. Adam and the boys came anyway, just in case she would allow it. AND SHE DID!!!! She wouldn't promise me we would see anything but she said she would give me a "courtesy sonogram" just to see if we could see. My full sonogram where they check the measurements and stuff, will be at my next appt. We had to wait since I didn't really have an appointment for a sonogram. There were other patients in front of me. I didn't mind- it gave me some time to pray that the baby would cooperate and there would be no hesitation in what the technician saw.

We are having a little girl!!!!!!!!!! The minute I laid on the sonogram table & the technician put the scope on my stomach she said it was a girl. And just like I prayed-- it was perfect --the baby was very easy to see, the technician was so sweet and we all got to see this little girl together. Although I have known since the minute I got pregnant that this baby was a girl, there's something about hearing and seeing it for the first time. Adam said he also felt we were having a girl and that if they had told us it was a boy he would have been shocked.  The love I feel for my husband and children is so great. What a blessing this little girl is-what a blessing all of my children are. They bring Adam and I so much joy. It's funny how she has no idea how much she is loved or how long we waited for her. I always knew I would have 3 children. I prayed so hard for her that when I think of the reality of it all I almost can't believe it. God is so good to us. He has given me my hearts desire. It took 5 hard years of praying, crying, patience, trusting, gaining faith and hope that when I think of all of it, it leaves me speechless. I can't even explain the happiness and joy I feel. All I know is that I am thankful. Thankful for my husband first. He's an amazing man, father, and husband. To think I've been with this man since I was 15 and to see how our lives have unfolded is a miracle. I've had the privilage to see him grow to the type of man he is today and I wouldn't trade my life with him for anything. Thankful that God answers and doesn't answer some prayers. His timing and his perfect will for our lives. My children....they are so wonderful. They are really great kids and I couldn't be prouder of them and the men they are becoming. The hardest part of it all----is now that we know, it makes it that much harder to wait out the next 4 and a half months until she's here. Guess I didn't learn a whole lot of patience. ;-)

I did manage to gain a small amount of weight. However, I'm still not at the weight before I got pregnant. I feel terrific and the baby is moving a lot, so everything is great. My nesting mode has set in, too. Last night I couldn't sleep and got up around 4am to clean the kitchen and living room. After I was satisfied about the way it all looked I went back to bed around 6am. LOL! Gotta do something to make time go by faster!!!

Last night we went out to celebrate and while we were eating the 4 of us hashed out the name. Adam and I have changed it about 4 times. Her name will be Kaitlyn Alexis Fisher. I wish I could upload her sonogram picture....the picture even looks like a little girl. You can see her little noce, mouth and chin. You could even see her toes!! I can't wait to hold this sweet baby!!!!!!

What is the worst smell you have ever smelled? I know- weird question.

Before yesterday, that would have been a tough question. I would've had to think about it for a minute and think of a specific smell.

Could it be spoiled trash? Burnt food? Fish? Dog poop? A filthy restroom?

Well, yesterday has given me an answer to that question that I don't even need to think twice about......exploded rotten grounded turkey meat. BARF-O-RAMA!

Adam and Ethan went grocery shopping Sunday night. The roll of grounded turkey meat had fallen out of the grocery bag, unknown to them....UNTIL Monday morning. Adam thought something had gone terribly wrong in the garage and realize the further he drove away from the garage the smell didn't go away. LOL! I'm not sure why he didn't investigate more when he got to work but boy oh boy was he in for a surprise sense of smell after work. He couldn't find the source until he got home. And then!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness, my husband lost his mind.....he found it and BROUGHT it in the house! So, yes, not only does the car smell amazingly awful but now the house reeks!!!!!!!!!!!!! What was he thinking?????? Now, that's a question needing to be answered!

This is the second time writitng this post. It's so fustrating. For some reason the breaker popped and the electricity went out for a split second....so here I write again.........

Our weekends are always full. They usually leave Adam and I feeling even more overwhelmed and tired than Friday's do. It's just a sad reality of our lives right now. When things are not as busy we'll miss it so I'm not complaining. It was a good weeknd though...surprisingly, it made us feel productive and accomplished, even though we were both pooped Saturday night.

Has your kids room ever been so disgustingly dirty and cluttered that it could only take mom to clean it out? Yeah, that explains DS2's bedroom for the past several weeks, maybe months. :-/  I know he would try to clean it but it was too overwhelming for him to get in there and really get it cleaned. It was bothering me for several weeks and lately it started REALLY bothering me at night as I laid in bed. That's when you know there's a problem. I just didn't have the energy nor the time to tackle it until this past weekend.

Saturday morning we all got up bright and early to watch Ethan at football practice. When we finished we ate lunch at Moe's. Adam and I planned our day.

First on the list: Ethan needed to shower. Braylin walked the dog. Then we ALL took about an hour and a half time to lay down and relax and rest. Next, Adam had to weed, mow and clean up the front and back yard. He gave the boys the day off from this chore b/c of  the extreme heat they both have been in lately with football practice. Isn't he a sweet daddy? So Adam got busy with the yard. I looked around the inside of the house and with way too many options...realized this was a great time to tackle DS2's bedroom. I told him I would clean, de-clutter and organize it under 2 conditions.

1. When called he had to come immediately to me.
2. He had to do whatever was asked of him cheerfully.

I know, that is way too easy on him. However, there was a method to my madness. I wanted the freedom to get in there and throw away absolutely anything I wanted without any meltdowns. I'm the queen of throwing things away but I didn't need the distraction of him teling me how he's been missing this gadget  for a year now (and you know he didn't even know it!) and he HAD to keep it b/c of some ridiculous reason. It took me about 2 and a half hours but it was so worth it! His room is clean, clutter-free and so inviting. It only houses things he LOVES, which is my favorite thing about it all. And did I mention it smells SOOOOOOOOO much better?! He even has a space under his bed (his bed sits about 3.5 feet off the floor). He's got his Cd player, music, bean bag, guitar and amp, magazines and books all neatly organized under there along with a blackboard on the wall in case he wants to draw. His sheets, pillows, blankets are all washed and fluffed. The shelf next to his bed has his movies, journal and lamp. His trophies, awards, and medals are displayed in their own area. Above his trohpies are a poster of his favorite football player, his favorite football team penant and calendar. His hats are all on hooks and his corkboard is functional. His dresser and closet only have clothes he fits and wears for THIS SEASON. His guinea pig has his own area and all of his things are oganized. His other shelf neatly displays his rock and snow globe collection. His football cards are all stacked together. And he only has books that he reads on the bottom. The very top holds nicknacks (very few). The carpet is cleaned and vaccumed and did I mention is smells GREAT! I even cleaned his baseboards and wiped all the wood with wood cleaner. I give it 2 weeks. LOL!

Adam did a great job on the yard. Our yard looks so pretty with the edges neatly trimmed and the garden weed free!!!!! The American flag waving freely. All the bird feeders are usable and the back porch can be enjoyed. If it wasn't so hot I might even enjoy the hot tub. Adam also got an extra set of keys for the car and house made. He changed the lights in the headlights (that's a whole other story).

After all the hard work Adam and I went on a date. And then shopping for oursleves. We came home and worked the budget for the month and planned the dates for all the bills to be paid. We talked about school and we now have the plan for the whole year in mind (just got to get started on the lesson plans). Took showers and went to bed in our cozy, comfy, clean bed. Woke the next morning and went to church and lunch. Came home and took naps and I went to work later (made GREAT money). I felt like we were blessed for being so productive this weekend. We were able to give the kids a break they needed while we were able to get things done without any distractions. It was so nice. Now it's Monday and I've gotta work on lesson plans. We start school on August 18th.

It feels good to be able to get things done. Maybe I won't sleep in as often on the weekends anymore....maybe.

The tetosterone in this house is through the roof. I'm out numbered 5-1. Three humans and two animals that don't know what the word calm, peace or quiet mean. Football starts tonight and I think that may be the reason for the extra energy but OH MY GOODNESS that's 5 hours away and I'm going crazy now. This is how I woke up today and how the day has progressed.....

Music blaring in the living room while one boy sits at the computer and plays his game of Medieval quests. At the same time this same boy is throwing a tennis ball at his older brother. Then the older brother chases the smaller one to the kitchen to beam him back with the tennis ball. I get them calmed down a bit with reading. But the minute they're done reading and on to math we have a melt down. One can't remember what 9x7 is and disagrees on what his math tutor (on the computer) tells him an obtuse triangle is. The other thinks his Pre-Algebra isn't Pre-Algebra b/c he shouldn't have to do long division anymore. Then the math CD stops working. The smaller one finishes and decides to run on the treadmill only to GAIN MORE ENERGY! He starts throwing the tennis ball at the older one again and uses me as his human shield to protect himself from the missle of balls coming towards him.

Lunch time- both have a melt down b/c "We don't want to eat sandwiches for lunch. Dad said we could have pizza!" On to eating the sandwiches after explaining that what dad actually said was that they COULD NOT have pizza. The small one starts pinching me b/c the book he's reading says we have millions of parasites all over our body. So he's getting them off of me. I must have jumped around and gave him a look b/c he runs into my room and hides under my sheets.......yes, messes up my made-up bed. Screaming the entire way.....or maybe it was a howling laughter. He thinks its funny b/c he comes back and does it again.....I'm throwing the book away.

Chores- the oldest son washes his WHITE football practice shirt with his RED shorts and now has a pink football practice shirt. The younger one can't remember if he fed the guinea pig...so guess what...the guinea pig is probably starving. I look to the right and see the oldest chugging down a 2-liter of root beer.

It's 2pm and we've only done reading and math....I need a nap and now that I think of it- no rope....boys and rope while I'm napping won't be a good thing!

A friend sent this to me this morning...thought I'd share. I have the best husband in the world!!!!

When you get the chance, delete my answers to the questions, fill in your answers and return to me and also send it to your friends!  What a fun way to learn about each other.

1. Who is your man?  Adam Robert Fisher 

2.  How long have you been together?  13 years

3.  How long did you date?  Almost 6 years!!!

4.  How old is your man?  30

5.  Who eats more?  Definitely Adam. I barely eat my meal and he’ll eat what’s left.

6.  Who said "I love you" first?  He did. I remember b/c I freaked out.

7.  Who is taller? Adam.

8.  Who sings better?  I’d like to say me but I think he’ll say he does…neither of us are good at it.  

9.  Who is smarter?  Adam definitely has more common sense and I have the book smarts….so we balance each other.

10.  Whose temper is worse?  Mine! Adam is way too laid back to have a temper. I think I’ve only seen him lose it 3x’s-4x’s!!!!!

11.  Who does the laundry?  We both do…when I’m falling short at it he picks it up.  

12.  Who takes out the garbage?  Ethan. ;-)

13.  Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?  Adam.

14.  Who pays the bills?  We both do…Adam used to.

15.  Who is better with computer?  Adam is better at fixing it and I’m better at navigating through programs.

16.  Who mows the lawn?  Adam, Ethan and Brae….father/son thing.

17.  Who cooks dinner?  We both do. I cook on the nights I’m off and when I go to work he cooks. He’ll grill and cook on most weekends.

18.  Who drives when you are together?  Adam

19.  Who pays when you go out?  Adam.  I never take my purse/wallet with me when I’m with him.

20.  Who is most stubborn?  That’s hard….he’s stubborn about a few things but on those few things, he’s VERY stubborn. I’m stubborn about a lot of things but can be swayed if a good point is made. I’m a flake, I know!

21.  Who is the first to admit when they are wrong?  HA! Of course, me! ;-)

22.  Whose parents do you see the most?  Now that we live in GA….we see his mom and my parents about the same.

23.  Who kissed whom first?  Adam kissed me…he asked if he could kiss me!

24.  Who asked who out?  Adam asked me.

25.  Who proposed?  He did. He proposed twice and I turned him down…. or really I made excuses to delay the wedding. L How stupid of me, huh? Then when I got some brains, I asked him and we got married a few months later. Oct. 7^th or 8^th (we both never can remember- we have to actually look at our wedding glasses.) 2000.

26.  Who is more sensitive?  Adam but I have been hormonal lately.

27.  Who has more friends?  About the same for both.

28.  Who has more siblings? I do.  He has 3 brothers, and I have 3 brothers and a sister.

29.  Who wears the pants in the family?  Adam

30.  How did you meet?  LOL! At Chuck E. Cheese. We both worked there.

I love doing lapbooks. We haven't done one in a while b/c they are time consuming and our time has been limited lately. We are doing a mini-unit study on the state of Georgia. When I was looking for a small unit study a friend of mine just so happen to want to do a small study on her state, Texas. So, together we helped each other find this website that has a bazillion cool unit studies and not to mention, lapbooks! It was very cheap, I was able to print it right from my computer, and it was the size of study  I was looking for. It wasn't complicated but rather on the easy side, which I'm ok with during the summer. ;-) Well, I had no idea that I signed up for the weekly newsletter. I have never received it before, I must've just deleted it without noticing before. I did see it today and I had no idea they give away free studies!!! This week they are giving away a butterfly unit study that can also become a lapbook. It's a 2 week study. Anyway, I gotta share this with you all b/c if you're like me--tight on the homeschool budget--- free is always a wonderful thing!!

http://www.currclick.com/

It's the "Free Curriculum eBook". Check out the rest of their studies- they're really good. And no, I'm not being paid to give out this website.

What a wonderful time we had in Florida!! I've got a lot of laundry to catch up on so I'll write about it when I get time. It's always nice to come back to your own bed though! ;-) For all those who left comments I'll get in touch with you soon. I just wanted to touch base on here to let you know we are home and starting back to the norm! I hope you all had a very blessed 4th of July and that your summer is going great!!

Make sure you use that sunscreen!!!  

For those of you keeping up with our summer Fitness and Reading Challenge I have not posted an update b/c we are about to leave for vacation. (YIPPEE!!!! ) I will have an update when we get back. They are doing very well and having fun doing it!!!

For those that want to start your own summer reading challenge, Barnes and Noble is giving away a free book with their challenge. Also, The Old Schoolhouse is doing a reading challenge!!! Take a peek at the websites below for the details:

Barnes and Noble

The Old Schoolhouse

I went for my monthly appointment yesterday. Everything is great. I have been battling with a bad head cold for about 2 weeks, but of course, there's nothing I can really do but take some Tylenol Cold. I'm also  having Braxton Hicks contractions. It is normal for a woman to start feeling them early if you've had more than one child before--everything comes earlier- so as long as I don't get a fever or show any signs of blood I get to put up with them b/c there isn't anything that can be done about them. Yeah me!    I also have continued to lose weight. That is so funny to me b/c with my boys I gained a considerable amount of weight. 100 with Ethan and 85 with Braylin. Who knew I'd get pregnant and lose weight?? But since the baby is growing and gaining weight normally everything is fine. I'm almost certain that I'll balloon up VERY soon....the 2nd trimester is fast approching.

I had a quick sonogram, too. At 12 weeks you have a 50/50 shot of hearing the heartbeat through ultrasound. They could only pick up my heartbeat so I got to see our sweet baby. I love seeing the growth. The baby has gotten BIG! Instead of just a mass of baby you could actually see the forming of the whole body, arms, face........so sweet. I should get to find out the gender next time so I'm hoping to be able to announce it next month. My next appointment is Aug. 6th.

Have you ever played Zoo Tycoon?

OH.
MY.
GOODNESS.

That game is so addicting!!! I never knew building my own zoo could be so much fun. :-) We have the pack that includes the zoo, dinosuar digs and the marine park. If you ever need to mindlessly waste your time-- play that game....before you know it it'll be 4-5 hours later and voila....you'll be addicted! Don't ask why I actaully wrote a post on it- maybe I'm secretly asking for help. LOL!

On a different subject- I never found my spaghetti, ladies. The spaghetti bandit came in and took it clean out of the house! Man, I hope it doesn't get bored and try to take my Zoo Tycoon!!