Full Speed Ahead...

Life has been busy and full over the past several months... We finished a week of VBS (the oldest two absolutely loved it and the youngest was there for the ride - literally in my sling). Then we headed off for my in-laws this past week. We had a fabulous time. Much of our time was spent at an amazing water park - the kids (and me too) wished we could live there.

Our smallest treasure is already seven months old and thinks she is the Queen of the World (she hasn't read any blogs yet or she would know that title was already taken). She has no fear, she climbs anything and everything near her and she thinks she can walk, unfortunately whenever she takes a step or two she falls, but she gets right back up and tries again - lessons we can learn from little ones. At the water park she (all 25" of her) would boldly walk into the waves (holding my hands) without a care in the world.



Now we are home getting settled and starting new projects...

Still Kicking...

Just wanted to stop in and let you know that I'm still kicking if anyone is even there. I'm sure most have given up on me by now. Time is flying and I have much going on - with little time to post. When things slow down I will post more...

My little one is mobile and so fun to chase. We are homeschooling year round so there really isn't going to be much of a let up in the coming weeks. Pray I have wisdom and strength...

I'm Still Here...

Hello to anyone who might possibly pop in... Just wanted to say that I'm still alive and well, just really busy with my life in the real world. I haven't had much time to blog or check blogs lately, but miss reading and writing blogs. I still try to post Scripture and Quotes to those blogs and to my Reading Room Blog, but haven't been as faithful here because this one takes the most effort...

My kids are doing well (although sick with allergy issues now) and the baby is growing so fast - 5 1/2 months old - where has the time gone?

Keep me in your prayers that I am the wife and mother that God wants me to be.

Thanks!

Babies X 3 Again

February 8, 2009 - James (13 weeks), my little lady (9 weeks) and John (13 weeks). This picture was taken on the boys last Sunday at church before they moved to Tennessee.

Still here...

Greetings! Nothing profound here - just a quick shout out to say hello. I've been busy with being a new mom again. My little sweetheart celebrated two months being here with us yesterday. Time sure flies. She is so precious and greatly loved by all who know her especially her sister and brother. I'm busy with homeschooling and taking care of my newest treasure.

I will be back to posting more here as time allows and will try to catch up with blog reading as well. I've been keeping up with posting daily Scriptures and quotes on those blogs and posting about my journey to fitting my jeans again (as well as other topics) on my Healthy Living blog. My Reading Room blog is also seeing fewer posts because I haven't had as much time to read, but plan to post more when I am able.

Keep me in your prayers that I'm able to do the things that are most important each day.

A Lesson on Life

A friend sent me this article published on January 4, 2009 for the Free Lance-Star about a young couple that attends her church. It's heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time.

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2009/012009/01042009/435541/index_html

Prayer: The Most Beautiful Gift

I recently received one of the most touching gifts for my precious baby daughter. I will cherish the card that came with it until the day I pass it along to my daughter in her scrapbook.

"Enclosed is a blanket I made for J. The funny thing is that I finished it on November 30th (the date of her birth). Each time I sat down to crochet I would say a prayer for J regarding a certain aspect of her life. I prayed for her health as a fetus, her birth, her immunizations, her teeth, her bones, organs and development. I prayed for her infancy, her toddlerhood, her youth, her schooling. I prayed for the Special Spiritual gift God would give her and that she would come to know Him early. The outer layers of the blanket represent time spent praying for her future spouse, her marriage and ultimately her children. Each stitch was done in love. I sat at God's feet asking for blessing upon blessing for J, you, Rick and your other children. May God hear each word that was prayed on your daughter's behalf."

What a beautiful gift! Thank you so much to the special one who spent time in prayer for my newborn and family. I am greatly touched by your love and commitment to prayer! Thank you!

I encourage others to consider the gift of prayer my daughter and family received when sharing of their love while gift giving whether it be for baby gifts, Christmas or birthdays. Telling the person of your prayers in a written note (like my friend did) takes the gift to the next level because your note will remind the person of your prayers each time the note is read. Giving should always be bathed in prayer!

Again thank you to this special person!!

Edited December 21, 2008 to add:

I was just reading at Tiffany's blog and found a great quote on prayer that goes well with this post...

"If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than it is within our power to give them, and this will lead us to prayer. Intercession is a way of loving others."

~ Richard Foster, quoted from Prayer

I'm Still Here...

Just wanted to say that I'm still among the living, but am spending most of my computer time snuggling with a little sweetie pie. I'm also homeschooling my older two children as well. I want to share some really neat things surrounding the birth of my daughter, but finding the time to sit down and coherently type them up is proving to be a challenge... soon I hope...

Having this precious little bundle makes me wish I had 10 more :) Babies are absolutely INCREDIBLE! I'm snuggling as I type now...

Yesterday I started trying to catch up with blogs, but it will take a while. If you are on my list of blogs I follow know that I will eventually get back to checking once we have our routine established. Now my routine is feeding the baby, changing the baby and snuggling with the baby :) Of course the other two fight me for snuggling rights. They are both in love with their new sister. Everyone was worried about my son when they found out the baby was a girl, but he's absolutely crazy about her and is already a terrific big brother. My daughter is enamored with her too.

Welcome to Our World

Early this morning at 12:40 am - I gave birth to a precious baby girl. She weighed in at 8 lbs 2 0z and was 19 1/4 inches long. More info when I get home.

Baby Update - 77 days and Counting

I saw my OB yesterday afternoon and had my 1 hour glucose test done. W hen I get the results I will most likely just add them in the comments section. Since it was late afternoon, I had to take the kids with me. Fortunately everything went well and there were no problems with bringing them.

My doctor said everything is going great. The only note of concern she had (not really just something she mentioned) was that I'm measuring two weeks bigger than I should be. She already moved my due date a week earlier than the first date they gave me at the beginning of the pregnancy. One concern that I failed to mention (having the kids there kept me from thinking I guess) is that I'm having significant lower back pain almost constantly now. (77 days until the due date)

I've always suffered with lower back pain due to my scoliosis. However I've noticed that when I'm consistent with exercise I can usually manage my pain. When I'm not pregnant and I'm in a lot of pain I take 800 mg of Ibuprofen, use lots of heat, and wear my brace (none of which I can do now). Sometimes I have back pain that makes sense - when I make a bad decision thinking I can do something that I shouldn't do. Now, I think its from the extra weight that I'm carrying out in front. I'm in a lot of pain after sitting for a while or sleeping. The pregnancy belt I'm using offers minimal relief.

The doctor wants to see me again in two weeks and she said she will do a sonogram then because she wants to see how big the baby is. So pray that I can find ways to minimize the back pain.

On a positive note - I seem to be on the road to recovery from my sinus infection. I finished my antibiotic on Thursday and continue to flush using a Neti Pot - very odd and a bit gross, but quite helpful.

SPECIAL Prayer Request

A friend of mine asked for prayer for a man she works with and his wife. The 35 year old wife's name is Mary/Hyatt. Last week, Mary/Hyatt went into cardiac arrest and her situation is grave. Even if she comes out of the coma the doctors aren't sure she will make it. She has a 3 year old and a four month old (still breast-feeding) . From what I understand the baby rejected the formula initially, but is doing well now. Please pray for the family!

Updated 9-19-08

For more info check this blog.

Special Prayer Request

Please keep me and the baby in your prayers. I fell in the church parking lot on Sunday (slipped on water). Then this morning I had bleeding and had to go into the doctor. She said the baby is okay, but that I have placenta previa. She wants me to do nothing for 3-4 days and to down scale my activities after that. She said that 90% of the time the placenta will correct itself.

I'm a very active person and I walk/jog 5 miles a day (six days a week). The doctor said jogging and running are now not an option for me and she wants me to walk slower than usual and to only exercise in 15 minute intervals. So if you see me misbehaving...tell me to stop it.

Keep us in your prayers!

Thanks,

Robin

What My Children Want...

Exactly two years ago on May 31, 2006 this conversation took place between my children:

Daughter (6) was doing her school work and Son (3) was playing. My son came up to me and…

said..."After Sister is done with her school work can we go buy a baby."

Daughter said, "We can't buy a baby it has to come from heaven all the way down to the mom's tummy."

A couple minutes later...

Son said, "I want a baby brother."

Daughter said, "Too bad I think God is going to deliver a baby girl to our family."

Well, God didn’t deliver anything to our family…

until...

March 2008 I received one of these:







Then in April I got one of these:

















Then in May I got one of these – (three different poses – how’s a mother to choose)

And in December the whole family will get one of these:
















We are thrilled beyond measure. The kids are still hoping for a same sex sibling, but I know they will rejoice with either when it comes down to it. My intuition says it will be a girl, but just about everyone else that has ventured a guess thinks it will be a boy. We have decided to keep it a secret from all, but God and the sonogram technician until the delivery because I’ve always wanted the surprise. For our first two we had the technician write the sex on a piece of paper that we opened over a meal at a restaurant.

Because of my back issues (see this post for more info) and the rod in my back, an epidural isn’t an option for me. I made it through my first two deliveries just fine. The first was harder than the second, but I got bolder the second time around and was able to tell the medical professionals what I needed to do instead of allowing them to make decisions for me that made it more difficult for me to manage. Even with the back labor I had with my daughter, I still thought her delivery was easier than my back surgery. The pain was shorter and the reward was greater. God blessed me with short labors – the first was 6 hours (I went from 1 cm – 10 cm rather quickly - they told me they'd have to induce me in the morning because my water broke and nothing was happening, but my daughter didn't want to wait and she came many hours before the schedule induction) and the second labor took four hours. I’m hoping to do better this time, but not so good that I deliver on the highway or anything. I don’t want my 15 seconds of fame that bad… Regardless of how long it takes, I’m trusting God with the details and I will be overjoyed to hold my newest treasure in my arms.

Please keep the baby, this pregnancy, and me in your prayers.

Thanks!

For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. ~ Psalm 139:13-16