A Rebirth, of Sorts

After a year hiatus, maybe it's time to get back on here.  So much has changed, from our family, our circumstances, and most importantly, my heart.  The intention of this blog, started several years ago, was to compensate for my horrible babybooking skills.  I figured if I could update this regularly, my children would forgive me for them not having very detailed baby books.  However, the Lord has changed my life and my heart so much over this last year, I desire for this blog to leave a legacy of the grace of the Gospel to my kids ... and it's application thereof on things that probably should have been babybooked.  I heard a song on the radio yesterday that made me think of blogging again.  So hopefully, this time it will stick.

To briefly update our lives, we moved houses, I quit my job, we have another bundle on the way (due in 8 weeks, and no idea what we're having!), and many more exciting changes coming down the pipe.  I love my life.  God has blessed us and allowed some tough challenges, but how can you not enjoy the ride when you know He's driving?

Most importantly, God has shown me that the Gospel wasn't just for my salvation.  The Gospel is for my daily sanctification.  The same power that saved me is what is going to sustain me.  God didn't save me and then expect me to make changes to my life on my own.  He didn't save me and step back to allow me to prove my abilities.  He saved me, and fully intends to walk every day with me to help me and change me.  I view the Bible much differently now.  Where I used to see a reference book, I know see a grand story that all points to a Rescue Plan much greater than you or I.  I am excited about the new things God is teaching me, and I'm hungry to learn.  I hope I can pass along some of that excitement and I hope that, by the grace of God, I can leave a legacy of a life lived in the grace of the Gospel to my children.

Does a Relaxing Holiday Season Exist?

I think not.

We just got finished with our church's annual Nativity Village.  And when I say finished, I mean that everything is out of the school and mostly put away with the exception of the car full of stuff in my driveway that I need to sort through and organize.  

To boot, I have sick kids.  Rusten has had a nasty sounding cough since yesterday, and I just discovered at lunch that Reed has a fever.  Now begins operation "Trytokeepsisterhealthy".  I, too, have a nasty sore throat and stuffy nose.  Oh well.  Tis' the season.

We have busy days and evenings this week, however, with the above-discovered information, I suppose much of that will change.  We don't need to go around infecting everyone!

To end this gripe-ish post, I'll share what Rusten just said.  I put a Veggie Tales Christmas movie on for the boys to watch before nap time.  Cheery Christmas music and dancing have Reed and I captured.  Then I hear Rusten "How can they pick up things when they don't even have hands?!"  I suppose he is outgrowing Veggie Tales....

PS: The endoscopy came out fine, no signs of an ulcer.  I have the MRI scheduled for Thursday morning.  This will check to see about a rogue gallstone.  We shall see....

Wanna Get a Word in Edgewise?

Yeah, me too.  Life is railroading me lately!  Just needed to touch base again here...

I met with the GI specialist and he has narrowed it down to two diagnoses.  He believes I either have an ulcer or a rogue gall stone remaining from my surgery last year come to haunt me as a result of The Pregnancy from you-know-where.  So tomorrow begins the tests to see which it is.  I have endoscopy scheduled in the morning, and I'm still waiting to schedule an MRI for the gall stone.  Unfortunately, with these tests, I can't nurse for 24 hours.  This week I've been pumping like a crazy trying to get enough milk in the freezer for Miss K to have while I can't nurse her.  I'm hoping she takes a bottle no problem, but I'm praying that she doesn't choose the bottle over breast once the 24 hours are up.  It's only 5 feedings, so I'm praying for grace! 

The Christmas season is running away--way too fast!  I wish it were a longer season.  I'm enjoying every moment of holiday music and Christmas giving and surprises.  

Rich almost has a vehicle now.  This is great news for the days when we need a car here on the home front.  I will say, though, it is nice to not have a vehicle and be forced to get things done around here.  He is having the engine rebuilt on his dad's 4Runner, and then we will have a car!

Well, it's time to feed the little one again!  Back to my routine of eat, drink, feed, pump, etc.  I'll be glad to see Friday........

Holiday Season: Party of Five

So I haven't blogged in...forever. Not much happening, just kids being born, kids losing teeth, you know, just major events!

The whole reason I started this blog was a sorry replacement for my kids' baby books which have nothing in them. I thought maybe one day they could get on here and read about the funny things they did and maybe understand their crazy mom a little better (or even understand WHY she went crazy?!).

I want to come back and do a birth post for each of the kidlets, something they each can read about their own birth story. So I will save all the details of Kensley's birth for that. Suffice it to say that on October 1st, our family grew. It was a great experience, and I don't think the boys (or us) could love her any more than we already do! Also, Rusten has lost two teeth now.

My thyroid condition is well under control, right now with no medication at all. Kensley is fine with no side effects from me taking the meds while pregnant. Praise God!! Aside from an ER trip on Sunday for me having bad stomach pains, the family has been doing great.

I plan *again* to be more faithful in writing here.....for my kiddies if nothing else!

Happy last day of November!