monday musings

1. Easter is over and I thoroughly failed to cultivate tradition or a greater love for our Savior. I could fester up a million excuses but it wouldn't change the fact that I was responsible and I failed. It's been a very sobering Monday and I am having to repeatedly remind myself that God's grace is abundant and available to me in my failures.
2. On a lighter note, Whole Foods' one day Friday deal is organic strawberries for $1.99. Seeing that my family could eat one package per meal (as opposed to stretching them out over a week), I find this deal most delightful!
3. Our dishwasher is broken. I forgot what it felt like to plan your meals around how many dishes you will have to wash.
4. I have found myself longing for a future (say, 2013-ish) sixth child recently. Yep. Some of you might remember when I wrote this. At the time I was rather unconvinced that I would ever find myself eating my words. Perhaps nothing has changed. I just had to voice the "itch". Only time will tell.
5. My fabulous husband has completed  a little over 1/4 of his supervised counseling. I'm so proud of him.
6. I am speaking to a group of ladies this week on three of my favorite things: 1. Jesus. 2. Frugality. 3. Natural and organic living. Pumped? Yes. A wee bit nervous? Yes.
7. My kids continue to grow. I am just certain that any day now Noah's voice will change and Clara will go to kindergarten. I feel like I live life in a bittersweet state.
8. In just a little over three weeks, David and I will fly to Colorado (kid-free) to vacation for one (almost) whole week. We are very thankful for the change to have some time alone and away. 

Tuesday Musings

1. I love that God has blessed us with the opportunity to send Noah and Sammy to Trinity Christian Academy. I love how much they love to learn! Yes, it requires sacrifice on behalf of the rest of the family, especially the younger boys, but it has proven to be the best choice for our family.
2. I love the day you realize the stomach virus has left your body, that day being today.
3. I love my husband. He is an amazing provider. He works in the dark, in the cold, and does so without complaint. What a blessing he is!
4. I love our daughter, Clara Noelle (well, hopefully Noelle). I am very thankful that God has given her to us. I am thankful to feel her live inside of me. She is a lively little thing. I recently had a horrifying nightmare that I lost her, as I am sure all moms can relate to. I am thankful to God for every single day that He has entrusted her to us.
5. I love The Point, our church home. I feel so lucky (if lucky is even an accurate word) to be part of a body of believers that love God and hate religion.
6. I love late-night bubble baths when the kids are in bed.
7. I love pizza (but did that surprise anyone?)
8. I love this time of year (the holidays) but I hate the cold weather. At the same time, however, the holidays wouldn't be the same without the cold weather.
9. I love my sons. They are growing up so fast. They are gifts. I don't deserve them. God is gracious. I can't wait to see what God does with their little lives.
10. I love that I am done with this list =) My back is hurting and the bed is calling my name!

Friday Musings

1. Sammy peed on Simon's head on our way home from Lexington today. I don't know all the details, but Sammy informed me that he had to pee and he couldn't wait any longer. I knew he was serious because he was whining and dancing (a clear indicator) so I tossed him a disposible cup (any good mom of boys carries disposible cups anywhere she goes). My guess is that he became so excited to "relieve" himself that he had a bad aim and shot it straight up in the air, over his seat, and into his brother's hair and eyes. Poor Simon. I don't think he ever got that it was urine. But he cried and cried and cried.
2. We are having family pictures taken tomorrow at the capital (or is it capitol?). Is it capitalized? Hmm. Anyway, I got us some new duds for the occasion and I think they're going to look great. At least I hope they are. I am also praying for a cool morning as the clothes are fall-ish and this week has been a scorcher.
3. My cravings are utterly whacked out this go-around. I usually crave pizza, fruit loops, mashed potatoes, and sour gummy words. Oh- and slushies. This time around I am nauseated by the thought of almost any of these items. This time, I want KFC, bean soup (what?!?!), and water (again, what?!?!) So weird. I don't one bit buy the idea that this is any indication of gender, but it is very strange for me.
4. My first prenatal appointment is September 9. It is at this time that I hope to find out if I qualify for a home birth. My body loves good ol' group B strep and I am praying that doesn't disqualify me.
5. Noah told me yesterday that he asked God to give him "the force." He then assured me that he would still be the sole Jedi who loved Jesus and told others about him- so I need not worry.
6. I took all 4 boys to Target today. With the help of Noah pushing Kaed in the stroller, Sam and Simon in the buggy, and one delicious popcorn combo, they were fabulous. I couldn't have asked for a better morning.
7. The Zantac is easing up my stomach pain. Thank. You. Lord. It was miserable. And completely debilitating.
8. Morning sickness, on the other hand, continues to intensify. That would make sense given hormone levels continue to rise. And for that, I'm thankful. My morning sickness is very hard to explain. It is very sensory. It is very rare for me to feel like I am going to "be sick." However, for the 24 hours a day, I kinda just wish I would. My morning sickness is almost always an issue of the taste in my mouth. It's hard to explain to someone who has never experienced it, but it's very unpleasant. I have switched toothpaste once. I will continue to do so.
9. Can I just say how much I love David? He has been so helpful these past few weeks. I know our house is driving him crazy. He insists, however, that he doesn't mind the mess. Thanks for lying, sweetie =) It means a lot.
10. My new favorite song: this. I thought my Sarah MacLachlan days were over, but isn't this beauitful?

Friday Musings

1. A big bowl of Cheerios first thing in the morning (with sugar, of course) totally hits the spot.
2. Currently listening to the Baptist 21 panel at the Southern Baptist Convention. Good stuff.
3. Just finished reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. It blew my mind. Now I'm really hammering down on The Unchurched Next Door, as I've been working on it for months. It has really been an eye-opening read.
4. We are headed to my parent's house later today. My brother is in town. He and his girlfriend are expecting their first baby, a boy, in January.
5. It looks like I can get off the disposible diaper train I have been riding for the past few months. Kaedmon had outgrown his mediums and we were in the process of budgeting for new ones. My friend, Breanne, has sold me 17 used diapers and I am thrilled! If I am being honest, the disposibles are much easier, but I was feeling very unfrugal as the costs of the disposibles continued to multiply and multiply.
6. I am going to have to turn my computer off the rest of the day so that I can finish the long scroll of "to-do's" I have to accomplish today.
7. I'm tired. Always tired. I've had my thyroid checked. It's fine. Do you think it could be the 4 kids under 5?
8. It rained all night. It. was. wonderful.
9. Simon got a haircut last night. I love when Simon has a new haircut. So cute.
10. Thanks to our sweet neighbor, Miss Betty, for the delicious watermelon we are all enjoying this morning,

Friday Musings

1. David and I are officially fans of The Office. We spent years wondering why anyone would invest time in such useless programming. Now we know why: it's hiliarious.
2. We have our first official playgroup (since we moved) this morning. I am excited. However, I am also curious how it will go with four children as I didn't have Kaedmon the last time we attended playgroup.
3. This past Wednesday David and I finished up our new members class at The Point. We also completed our elder interview, which means we are now members! We have never had so much requested/required of us in the past regarding church membership. What a blessing to be part of this group of believers. We are very thankful!
4. I returned 4 late movies to the library yesterday. The fine: 1 dollar per movie per day. Ouch. I'll be sure to never let that happen again!
5. The trash men come way too early. We're always racing outside to beat him. Everyone else puts their trash out the night before. I really think we still have some New Mexico in our blood and fear it will attract a bear.
6. I'm sleeping through the night now and I take one to two (teeny tiny) naps a day and I'm still tired. David says I need to get back to the gym consistently.
7. I think I found a science book for Noah. It looks pretty fun. I'm excited about it!
8. I can't believe I am pregnant again. I know that sounds ridiculous. 5 kids in, it should come as no surprise to me at all. I understand that. But I really am surprised. It doesn't seem real. I was afraid to tell David but he was so wonderful about it and he is very excited. I am so thankful that God gave us to one another. When we married, I wanted 5 children and he wanted 3. Funny how things change...
9. In my head, I think I am having a boy. What else would I think? I think David is the same way. In our hearts, however, we love to believe it's a girl. I ache for a daughter. David wants a little girl. Time will tell. God's will is so much better than our desires and wishes, even when our desires and wishes are pure.
10. We've begun to teach financial responsibility to the boys. There's nothing better than teaching them about money to expose the selfishness that goes so deep in their hearts. They cannot see the importance in saving and they want instant gratification. They cannot accept that a dime will not buy a train. Sounds a lot like their mother not too long ago.