We have a new nephew int he family!!!!   Jude Caleb came into this world on Wednesday, August 6, weighing a tiny 6 pounds 15 ounces.  Momma is my sister in law, Dale, and her husband, Micheal....they are so happy!  

Doesn't he look JUST LIKE his Momma:

And here is Daddy:

What a true blessing!

Hope

I have been looking for ways to hep support our 'Momma Stays home" lifestyle - as well as my increasing addiction to fabrics! 

A few weeks ago, I posted about the etsy store which I opened... http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5681007

Then a friend told me about Congocart....they are offering no fee for the first 3 months, and after that, there is a $5.00 flat monthly fee - that is all. You kindof get to pick your domain name....here's mine: http://www.mommah.congocart.com/

I am trying to keep my prices low for two purposes - to help those mom's out there who can't afford the expensive brand name items, and to help me move my invetory. 

Blessings,

Hope

It has been a very busy summer for us, with the boys in various activities, Calvin working as most fathers do 5 days a week, family trips and obligations.....we have had plenty of time together, but mostly this time has been with other people as well. 

Saturday, Calvin and I woke up with a "What do you want to do today" attitude - we just couldn't decide what we should do, and outside it was threatening rain....so after a slow wake up with a cup of coffee, and a nice long shower, we decided to go to a friend of his who was having a garage sale....we were able to pick up a few pair of pants for Coy, and archery target, and two sweaters for me - one with the tags still on!  Both of the sweaters are a wonderful wool blend, one being the softest Angora!   I am so pleased with our finds - all for under $7.

After this, we went to Garland Pond and set the kayaks in the water.  Now, this is the first time since I was a child I have been in a kayak....and mind you I am over 8 months pregnant now.....so of course, I managed to fall in the water.  But this was only after Calvin had a good laugh at me - have you ever seen an 8 month pregnant woman with a life jacket on?!  Thankfully, the water was warm and I only scraped my knee a little bit. 

Both the boys did wonderfully in the kayaks....like old pros!  Coy took to it a littel quicker than his brother, but then he tends to be the one who goes at things full force and pays the consequences later whereas Garrett is more cautious.  And Isabella....she loved the water too.  Ran into it to her daddy until she fell in.  Undoubtedly, she hasn't yet developed a fear of the water.

That afternoon, after isabella's failed nap, we all put our swimsuits on (imagine how funny I looked in my swimsuit!  Calvin said it looked as though my belly would fall right off!).  We went to Schoodic lake and enjoyed a dip in the water....how refreshing. 

Blessings,

Hope

August 18 - This is the day our newest blessing, Sarai Elisabeth, will join us via csection.  I am so excited, but I feel I have so much to accomplish before she arrives!  I am compiling a list of to do's so I can get it all done a little at a time.   A few of the ladies from church, including one of the sweetest young girls you can imagine, have offered to come over and help me, but I've told them I think the help would be best after I come home from the hospital.

At my last appointment with my Dr, we sceduled the csection, discussed my diabetes, and my weight loss - I have lost 7 pounds thus far, leaving me with having 'gained' only 7 pounds...but since I started out so 'healthy', this isn't of concern.  She feels the weight loss is more related to me watching my carbohydrate intake and the heat of summer than anything woth worrying over.  Sarai's heartbeat was between 130-140, and my usterus is measuring at 34 cm, right where it should be.

As it stands, my brother's girlfriend is planning on visiting the first week in August, and she'll be a large help to me.  Then, my mom and dad will be here the week before and at least the week after Sarai comes, and Calvin will have some time off the week of her birth as well.  My mom and dad will probably be tkain the boys home with them for a week, which will leave me with just Isabella and Sarai and Calvin to tend to, which will be such a huge blessing!

Of course, this means my schedule is full of appointments until she arrives - meeting the surgeon, meeting with anesthesia, every 2 week appointments with my Dr, then there are still the activities for the children.....I also hope to have Garrett's surgery done before Sarai arrrives - he has a hydrocele which is in need of repair - nothing too serious, but still, it is surgery. 

Please be in prayer for Garrett's surgery as well as mine, and that all goes smoothly during our transition into a bigger family!!!

God Bless,

Hope

On a yahoo group I am on, a lady asked about where she could find crafting ideas for her children.  I used to subscribe to a magazine, Family Fun, which i sloaded with fun ideas, recipes, activities and such for you and the children. 

http://familyfun.go.com/

Blessings,

Hope

Calvin says these are the most perfect pictures he's ever seen:

Blessings,

Hope

My brother, Norman, FINALLY tied the knot on Saturday!  Yeah!  He is what, 34 years old!  I told him 'It's about time".   He married this absolutely wonderful lady that God sent to him, Gigi. 

The weather was beautiful, the wedding was beautiful, everything was beautiful!  I don't think anyone could have asked for a nicer day to be married on. 

Here are some photos:

The Bride and Groom:

This is my father, Norman, Ted, and Nick (brothers), then below are my nephews, Norman's boys, Austin and Tyler, and Old Pepere, as the great grandkids call him - my grandfather, Norman.

The entire Bridal Party

The ladies: Hope, Kristen, Gigi, Pam, and ?

Some FINE young men - Coy, Tyler, Garrett, and Austin

Cutting the Cake

The men - Gigi's brother, ?, Norman, Ted, Nick, then in front are Tyler and Austin

And I think this is my favorite picture...big brother (Ted)  helping little brother (Norman)! 

Blessings,

Hope

.......I have it...and I cried like a baby when Dr T told me...still am tearful...she said "And you know how bad this could get Hope"....(I'm a nurse, so I do know).   She gave me a meter and prescriptions...and tried to encourage me with the whole "Maybe you'll be testing okay now?".  She did say that exercise will help regulate my sugars, along with diet - so I am going to make it a point to walk at least around the block once a day...

Calvin was the only one home when I came back, and I just crumbled in his arms...he was a little taken aback at how I responded, but he doesn't have the understanding of Diabetes I do...it should resolve once the baby is born, but it also means I am more likely to have it later in life...and I've known pregnant ladies who ended up needing insulin.

My sugar last night before bed was 96, and this morning before eating was 80..I had a bowl of special K with skim (yuck, but it has less carbs) and then 2 hours later a HALF  a slice of white bread with a teaspoon of peach jam, and my MIL sassed me for eatting this!   I know she only has my best interest at heart, but being the emotional basketcase I am, I nearly bit her head off, which was so wrong of me...so I apologized and told her that 1/2 a slice of bread and a little jam is ok...we'll see what my sugar is in a few minutes.  Then I discovered that the block of Colby cheese I bought has virtually no carbs ina serving :):).  Even though I'm a nurse, I need to learn more about this counting carb stuff, so I'll be going to a class....

I've gained 14 pounds total, my measurements are right on target.  Sarai's heartbeat was 140-150, and my BP is good.  I was worrying that maybe my BP was high b/c I'm having headache's, but Dr T and I agreed that the headaches are either hormonal or sugar related....

Please remember me in your prayers, that I can keep my sugars within the goals Dr T gave me, that I can resist all those carbs I love so much (pretty much anything white, bread, pasta, sweet....), and that baby Sarai isn't affected by the diabetes.  Oh, and that I can keep my emotions at bay!  Thank you.

Hope

Here's a list of some of our summer plans for the family and children. 

• Swim classes on Tuesday and Thursdays from 9-10
• Baseball on Tuesday and Thursday from 10-1130
• Neighborhood Bible Time the week of June 22-27 from 530-830pm
• Family Camping trip June 29-July 2 at Warren Island State Park off the coast of Maine http://www.state.me.us/doc/parks/parksinfo/warrenisland/index.html
• A trip up to my parent's house July 3-6
• Homeschool Fun Days the last Friday of the month
• A new baby sister coming in August and a new baby boy cousin in August as well!
• Soccer Camp in August (not sure of this one

The swim classes and baseball are in different towns, 12 miles apart, so it is going to be a get out of the pool, jump in the truck, and go type of situation.

We hope to squeeze in plenty of fishing trips with Daddy either in the evenings or on the weekends, lots of fun days with friends, and at least one more camping trip before the baby comes.

Blessings,

Hope

Calvin and I decided we have too much stuff sitting around, taking up room.  So for the past week, I'v egone through the cabinets and cupboards and closets, sorting through what we don't need or use....WOW did I find ALOT of items...

We made up signs, posted them around town, even mentioned it on a few homeschool yahoo groups I'm on.....I decided to up my chances of selling I'll have the garage sale over the next 2 weekends.  What doesn't sell, I'll donate to the thrift store.  I've priced everything pretty low....we want it to sell....We're hoping we can make enough off the garage sale to purchase a few cords of wood for the winter.

Here are some tips for planning a garage sale:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2195737_price-garage-sale-items.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/07/08/earlyshow/living/supersavers/main628255.shtml

Pricing Guide:

http://www.garagesalesource.com/articles/garage_sale_pricing

MY tips:

Don't leave stuff in boxes - set it out and sort it out - by sizes

Clean the dust and dirt off items

You have to let go of what YOU paid for it - if you paid $20 for something 5 years ago, it isn't worth $20 now.

Keep the dog inside...and the kids (if you can)....but little babies are so cute and attention getters

I've heard offering drinks and snacks helps, but never done it.

Go to a few garage sales yourself beforehand, and note their prices....while some clothes might only sell for $1, name brand (Gap, Columbia, Old Navy) will sell for more...

To encourage the kids to part with items, tell them they can have some of the profits to buy something new (I did this, and my kids agreed to get rid of about half their books and toys!)

God Bless and I'll let you know how we do.....

Hope