OK. Only a homeschool mom would be excited about shopping for school supplies! I have come to this realization while tackling the aisles of Walmart this past week. All the children and quite a few parents were standing there with their school issued supply list grumbling about why they needed certain items. Others were on hands and knees digging through piles of discarded folders and spiral notebooks trying to find certain styles or brands. Then I walked in..homemade supply list in hand, happy to be out of the house (more on that in a minute). I got some pretty strange looks as I packed in 60 spiral notebooks or 40 pocket folders with brads. I think these parents wondered if I was insane as I passed up the "school required" 5 pack of kleenex tissue and grabbed 6 boxes of markers and map pencils. I also passed up the fancy "Trapper Keepers", locks, backpacks, etc.. in favor of modeling clay and loose leaf paper. I didn't have children crying because I wouldn't buy them the latest Hannah Montana lunch box or High School Musical protractor. I'm so excited about the start of a new school year. I still have a few other things to buy for the boys but we have what we need to start the year. Because of Madeline's arrival soon, we won't officially start until the middle of September, although I am going to ease them into a few subjects soon. Oh I can't wait!!!

On the subject of Madeline, I have big news...My stitches are out!! YAY!!!! Now we wait and pray that she comes soon. I will go in for an induction on the 18th (in a little over a week) if she doesn't make her grand arrival sooner than that. After 8 months of bedrest it felt so good to get up and move around. I"m no longer on bedrest and I can't tell you how wonderful that feels. My sister in law took me to the mall yesterday and we walked around for about 2 1/2 hours hoping it would bring on labor..no all it did was make me amazingly sore! I guess I should have eased into activity instead of jumping in with both feet. I was actually praying that my water would break while I was somewhere near Macy's! haha

I will keep you all posted on our progress. Regardless, we will have our brand new baby girl in about a week. Please keep us in your prayers as we near our delivery date. I"m busy nesting and am doing a complete cleaning of the house and all cabinets and closets. OH it feels so good to clean too!

We are also doing the boys birthday party this evening here at the house so at some point I need to make about 50 cupcakes. That should be fun as well.

Hope everyone has a great week!