Blech . . .

Just a quick update- - well, I feel TERRIBLE! I don't remember feeling this sick with my other pregnancies. Did I just forget? I am having a hard time functioning. Marcus got the flu this weekend and threw up in the car yesterday - - I am just sooo glad it happened on a weekend when Jon was off! We ended up staying home from church today (except Jon because he had to miss last week, and will also miss next week) - - I could hardly drag myself out of bed. Luckily it was a nice relaxing day for the most part with Jon home. I am sooo grateful for his help, when he is able to be home. Well, I just have to push through every day- I KNOW I can handle it, because what else am I going to do? Many others go through this too . . . and as I keep saying, I am still very happy about being pregnant. I can't say that I am happy about feeling so sick, but well, I was expecting it. Up, up, up the mountain I go!

On a better note, I did get out of the house with Marcus and Cynthia yesterday (before Marcus got sick) and we went to Eisenhower High School's production of HONK. It was great! It is the story of the ugly duckling and was darling, with such a good message. We really enjoyed it. Cynthia was so sweet and said, "I would NEVER be mean to someone who is different! I would be their friend!" So true Cynthia- I can see you being like that, and it makes me so proud.

Sunny day in Sunnyside

Ahhhh- sunshine - - just what my pale, puny self needed. Nothing helps that sickly feeling like a good dose of sunshine.

Tusday, since the kids were out of school, we headed to Sunnyside for a visit. We first visited Cathy out in the country, and had so much fun with the pony, trampoline, playing and visiting! Lillian had the biggest smile I have seen in a while- that poor child loves to be outside, and doesn't get to very often! Thanks Cathy, for an amazing time! The kids didn't want to leave when it was time. We also stopped by the Copelands so Marcus and Ethan could play . . . always a treat. I always love our visits to Sunnyside.

Happy Misery

Well- we survived last weekend! That's about all I can say . . .

Jon worked a "double" - - 30 hours straight each shift at the hospital- from early morning Friday to mid day on Saturday, he came home and rested, then went back and did the same thing Sunday into Monday. Yikes! He was so tired! I am also MISERABLE!! I am most definitely feeling pregnant - - extremely queasy and soooo tired. I feel bad for my kids- mommy has not been her normal self! The older kids have been pretty understanding, especially Cynthia. She is so cute about the pregnancy- she tells everyone we see and keeps saying things like "I am so glad you are having another baby!" and "You aren't feeling well because there is a baby in your tummy." I titled this post "Happy Misery" because that is exactly how I feel. I wouldn't change how I am feeling for the world- because I means I really am having another baby! This is what we want! Anyway, it was a long weekend for the kids too- they had Monday and Tuesday off. By Tuesday night we were out of so many grocery essentials, such as milk, because there was NO WAY I was going to be able to go to the store with all three of my children! I felt like such a slacker! Even when Tuesday night came and Jon was home- I didn't have enough energy to go, even by myself, so Jon ended up going. Thanks honey for picking up the slack. So- just surviving is OK, right??

Saturday was Valentine's day, but we didn't go out because, well, we both knew we would not be up for it! We got pizza and Jon at least took the night off from doing his patient logs or dictations so we could catch up on some episodes of Lost. IT was actually just what I needed that night.

I loved my Valentine's Day gift. Each rose represents me and the kids. The white one is me, the Yellow one is Marcus (Spongebob is is favorite cartoon character), the red one is Cynthia (my Cynthia ROSE!), and the pink on is Lillian. The best is the chocolates he put in the vase . . . . Thank you Jon for thinking of me on Valentine's day! We have such an amazing life together!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentines Day- a day early (better than talking about Friday the 13th . . .)

I know I have been a little short of pictures recently- so here a few random ones!

The kids love popcorn!! We had a fun movie and popcorn night last week.



The kids came home today with tons of Valentines from school - - even Lillian had some from our playgroup!






Just something random- - this is Marcus' door to his bedroom:


It is classic Marcus and made Jon and me chuckle (especially the no peeing - - you can see the things we have dealt with over the last few years with our little girls).

If you can't read it- the signs say (including spelling mistakes)- starting with the red one on the left:

Name: Marcus
Rules!
1. no peeing in my room
2. you have to listen to me
3. you cant do anything until it is freetime
4. no Babys allowed in my room
5. no girls allowed in my room but if girls are nice to me then they can go in my room
6. and my friends can go in my room
my friends are: (next paper)

** the picture in the middle was drawn by Cynthia and given to Marcus


my friends are:
ethan W. (boy)
ethan h. (boy)
Camerin and Devon (boys)
angel (boy)
alexes (girl)

extras:
7. no fighting
8. Dont argue with the boss of this room
9. Dont wine
10. Dont complain

Some news . . .

After what seems like a long time of trying (though I feel super blessed because I know many have a much harder time than me), I am expecting another child! We JUST found out a few days ago and I am soooo excited. I am due sometime in October. Even though I am barely pregnant, I wanted to get the news out there because that little life inside me is already so precious. Even if something does happen to the pregnancy, I would want all of you to know what I am going through anyway. I am just starting to feel a bit queasy and pretty tired, but so far not too bad (though that will probably get worse over the next month). To be honest, I am also a bit scared because Jon has a string of really hard rotations where he will have extremely limited time at home, and a lot of stress until towards the end of May. The beginnings of my pregnancies are when I feel the worst (except that dreaded last month) - - so I am sometimes worried that I will not be able to be the strength at home that I need to be, for Jon, myself and our children. I had Jon give me a blessing that he and I will have the strength that we need. I have faith that the Lord will help me, and He already has. I am sooo happy and feel sooo ready to have another baby. Even though I am physically tired, I feel an incredible amount of emotional strength, that truly is a gift from God - - I feel like I could take on the world. I feel like I am standing at the base of a huge mountain that I have to climb- and instead of dreading the climb, I am ready to RUN up the mountain. I know it sounds a bit dramatic, because it's not like I am the only one who goes through stuff like this - - but for me it is important. I rely on Jon so much for emotional support- he is so much a part of my every day life, and somehow I know that despite the rigors of his training, he will be able to be there just enough for me. The rest will be divine help. I am so grateful for Jon's love for me, and all he does for me. I can't imagine life without him because our life together has been so incredibly rich. Maybe that is why it is hard when he can't be home as much! I know that his training is incredibly important and his career is the RIGHT thing for him and our family- so I know I will have the strenght to support him the way I need to, even while pregnant. I know with all my heart that this is the right time for our family to grow, and we are ready. I am so grateful and so happy!

An inspiring Pro Life story . . .

We have recently gotten to know an amazing family here in Yakima that has a truly inspiring story. We met Aaron and Amy Vawter because Aaron is a 3rd year resident in the same program Jon is in. We have met up for the CWFM socials, and Amy and I have gotten together with our kids, mostly at Gymnastics Plus! I feel so blessed to have met their family, and have enjoyed our new friendship!

Their youngest son, Matthew who is about 16 months old has Down's Syndrome and was born with several heart defects. When the doctors found out the problems through ultrasound and other diagnostic tools while she was pregnant, they told them the baby would not live, and if born, would not live very long. The doctors strongly urged her on several occasions to terminate the pregnancy so they could move on. Being very religious and anit-abortion, they said no- they would continue the pregnancy. To make a long story short, they gave birth after a full pregnancy and miracles began happening. Many of the defects healed on their own, and at a few months old he grew strong enough to be a canditate for heart surgery. The surgery went well and now they have a beautiful, healthy little boy. It is so disturbing to find out that most parents who find out they are going to have a baby with Down's Syndrome, abort the baby. These poor babies are not even given a chance. I look at the life that little boy brings to their home, though there will be and are challenges, and am horrified to know that the doctors did not want to even give him a chance.

I would encourage you to listen to a full account of their story, which they told at their church a couple of weeks ago. Go to this link and click on the sermon for January 18th. They spoke for about 10 minutes at the very beginning of the sermon.

http://www.wsbcyakima.org/sermons.asp?startmonth=1/2009&nm=1

You can also view the Vawter's blog, which also has their story and more about Matthew.

It is TRULY inspiring!!