Balloons for God...

One of my very favorite traditions we started in the last few years is sending prayer requests and sending things we are thankful for to God. After every birthday party, we sit down and write things we are thankful for or things that we need God to hear. This year was extra special because the boys were able to participate more than normal. Usually, it is me asking and writing all the requests to send. This year, we sat down and discussed all those who were needing prayers and they kids made their own prayer lists. As usual, we wrote them all down, sat outside, spent a few minutes talking with God, and sent them up. This year was more touching than normal because we have many friends and family members who needed prayers to be heard. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed the memory...

School, doctors and allergist

Well, it has been a few weeks since my last post.  Unfortunately, the weeks have been filled with visits to numerous doctors for a variety of reasons.  Trevor has had two separate batches of ear infections in the last month.  He had a double infection the day before school started and he has another now.  He also has been dealing with some skin reactions as well.  So, besides an exceptionally difficult transition to first grade, he is dealing with health issues as well.  We have more appointments scheduled with his ENT since he is still having multiple ear infections and fluid constantly.  His 4th set of tubes fell out several months ago and, unfortunately, I think he is due for another set.  We will see.  He has an appointment midweek.  Trying to get this all taken care of before the baby comes in three weeks.  YIKES!!  I have been visiting my obgyn weekly as well.  And, we have been dealing with McKenna having a bad cold on top of everything else.  Good times.  I did, however, get a new due date for the baby.  We are so stoked to find out what it is.  I am even more excited that the kids can finally enjoy the birth of a sibling.  They are all so close together in age that none of them remember ever receiving the gift of a sibling.  They are all so anxious and ready to meet this baby.  We will see how happy they still are come next month when reality sets in.  I know they will be great.  They are all so loving, caring and generous.  I just know, in my heart of hearts, that they will embrace this baby.  I am praying anyway...

Here are a few of the pics I took the first day of school.  Sorry for the lack of editing. I have just been a little exhausted these days...having the hernias, veins, and bladder disease are really starting to take their toll on my body.  Not to mention, the whining and demanding kids.  Hopefully once they get in the groove of school and start to feel better healthwise, things will get a bit easier before the storm...

The Beached Whale

As promised, here is another belly picture for all of you (who I think are all secretly laughing hysterically the blimp I am becoming).  All kidding aside, I don't think I look TOO terrible for 34 weeks.  With Trevor, I had already surpassed the Roseanne Barr look alike contest stage.  If I can locate some of those pictures, I will surely put them on here for all to enjoy.

Got to go up and have lunch with my favorite 5 year old today.  He was so surprised.  I was so proud.  He is becoming such a big and independent boy.  His smile from ear to ear melted my heart, as usual.  We shared a bagel, some chips and a banana.  I was also able to meet a few of his new classmates.  He seems to be adjusting well and liking school.  He was, however, a little disappointed, that I wasn't staying through recess.  I am going to try to get up to volunteer in his classroom before our lives become a little crazier next month.  Just writing that the baby will be born next month makes me gasp a little, just sitting here.  I am sure these next few weeks will fly by.  I cannot wait to find out the sex.  I am so glad we did not find out.  Trust me, it has been difficult since I have had so many scans.  But, I was strong and the payoff is coming soon...


***edited to add:
Ok...so maybe going up to eat lunch with Trevor is not a great idea at the moment.  Apparently, he became very sad and did not play at recess and was crying and depressed because he realized how much he missed me.  As much as I miss him, I think it is probably best not to remind him that I am still here when he is at school.  It breaks my heart to think of him standing by the fence at the playground crying because he misses his mommy.  God, I love that boy...

Bicycle built for 2...

Well, this gives a whole new meaning to the "bicycle built for two" saying, eh? As promised, here are some new pictures (taken by the wonderful and talented, Trevor). These were taken last week on one of our nightly bike rides. It was during this bike ride, in particular, that I determined that it might be one of the last. This is not because I can't physically pull the trailer with the kids, walk the dog and watch the others who are riding their bikes at the time. It is simply because the baby gets pushed under my ribs and I feel like they are going to break if I continue. This is a real bummer because we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to ride at least 3-5 miles a night.

The boys are loving school as well. Trevor is exhausted when he gets home, considering we are still doing nap/rest time in our house. He is a little confused about the whole schedule thing. When he gets home, he continues to think it is naptime. Although he doesn't sleep, he just gets all confused about when dinner is. He thinks it is lunch (forgets he eats at school), and wants to know if he can play Wii during naps. So funny. I am slowly adjusting to not having him here all day. I have to admit that, at times, it is nice to have a break from the chaos that three kids brings to the home. But, most days, I am missing him more than words. Life is so short. I really wish he could go half days until he turned 18. This is, of course, when he will go to a VERY close college, and live at home until I go to the nursing home...haha... Can you tell I am missing my boy?

We Miss You

I was looking through unedited pictures this morning (in all my free time...) and came across this beauty. I guess I should say, these two beauties... We were so blessed to have a visit from our favorite Aunt Joyce this summer. We only wished she didn't live in Colorado so we could see her more often. The kids adore her about as much as I do. We had a great time going to church and going to Dewey's Pizza. We also had a blast sharing a wonderful picnic on our boat. The weather was perfect, and the company was as close to perfect as you can get. We miss Joyce immensely and hope to see her again soon.

On a side note, Trevor and I had the pleasure of going up for an open house at his new school. Aaron was able to make an appearance as well. The new school is gorgeous. I only wish I was able to teach at such a high tech, clean, air conditioned, huge, and resourceful school. I was amazed at the technology, the space and the organization of the building. You could feel the excitement and energy from the student and staff. I hope and pray the year goes smoothly and that Trevor embraces what has been given to him. Trust me...when I taught SED (I'm not sure what they label it now), but when I taught students with emotional and behavioral disorders, we had a building over 100 years old (I think) and textbooks from the 1970's. You know your textbooks are a little outdated when the cover includes little kids with suspenders, hiked up tube socks and afros the size of Texas on them. We had to use personal computers for classroom use, no Internet access or smartboards, etc. But, it didn't stop me from loving what I was doing...on most days... I would have to say, however, that I like my job now much, much more. I am so blessed to be able to be home with the kids. I am going to miss Trevor this year. I am having a hard time realizing that he will be gone all day every day. As much as he drives me crazy at times, I am going to miss the craziness. I am going to miss the little moments. I am going to miss those teachable moments with him. I know summer will be here again before I blink, but in the meantime, I am going to miss my little buddy.

Of course, I will probably be singing a different tune in October when baby #4 arrives. I will most likely need the break. However, this is the first time I will have a child/children capable of helping me. I have never had just a baby-baby. Because the kids are all 15 months apart, I have never had a kid that could help or remember the birth of their sibling. I have had 3 in diapers at one time. I have been potty training one, sleep training another and de-binkifying another...all at the same time. This should be a breeze, right? Haha. I am sure this one will have its' own set of rules and issues. But, at least this is the first time I will be able to enjoy having just one infant in the house. Well, just one infant, a five year old, a four year old and a three year old...