Need Washing?

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Wal-Mart. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence.

It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout.. We all stood there, under the awning, just inside the door of the WalMart.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day.

I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

Her little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in, 'Mom let's run through the rain,'

she said.

'What?' Mom asked.

'Let's run through the rain!' She repeated.

'No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,' Mom replied.

This young child waited a minute and repeated: 'Mom, let's run through the rain..'

'We'll get soaked if we do,' Mom said.

'No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning,' the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.

'This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?'

'Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, ' If God can get us through this, He can get us through anything! ' '

The entire crowd stopped dead silent.. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain.. We all stood silently. No one left. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say.

Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

'Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just need washing,' Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They got soaked.

They were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did.

I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday.

To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.

I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.

What were they thinking??

I'm no wine coneseur but this looks disgusting!

Not now, I'm Pinteresting!

I finally got an invite to Pinterest.

Oh boy.

Being a visual person (with no decorating sense at all), it is almost a mind blowing find for me! I do not have the ability to think of a decorating idea in my head or see an item in the store and visualize how it will fit into my home. Beyond that, being able to pin something you see on the internet that you hope you will always remember (but, let's face it, I've got too much Nick Jr. and Call of Duty stuck in my head to fit any more). What I have the most fun pinning are Favorite Places and Spaces. I love to look at what others' have done with the spaces in their homes.

Imagine waking up in this every morning, especially with all the sunlight through those spacious windows.

This just says cozy to me!



O.M.G. Need I say more?!

This would be my dream vacation, waking up on the blue water every day, just step out to swim in the morning light. Heaven!

What are you Pinteresting?

Thankful Thursday

I've decided to do Thankful Thursday, mostly because yesterday was so hellacious I really need to remind myself of a few things.

I'm thankful for all of my babies, even with the teens' trash talking and babies', I'm not going to sleep, I'm going to scream all day. They all still let me cuddle and kiss them, even though they may give me baby snots or wipe off my germs.

I'm thankful for my husband, who comes home and immediately helps by making dinner or taking the babies. Even though we may argue about bedtime, I love you and appreciate you!

I'm thankful for my friends (have you visited my bestie's blog, Raising Home? GREAT decorating tips!) Even the ones on Facebook that I haven't seen in 20 years, I appreciate you making me laugh every day!

I am thankful for my family, my home, and for God giving me all these blessings in my life, and I pray that I will be a blessing in these special people's lives this week!

*I saw the clipart on another blog, Training Happy Hearts, but I couldn't link it to the original page, Women Taking a Stand

My baby is a night owl

He's been staying up until 10:30.

When you get up five times in the night with various children 10:30 is too late!

Then there's the locking up, getting bottles ready, setting the coffee, bringing everything to bed routine.

I've always been a night owl, so he gets it from me.  But getting up with the babies is really kicking my butt and changing my habits.  If only he knew that.  Poor Rick went to bed in a huff because he has to get up at 6:30.  Let the record show:  Honey, I'm sorry.  

A bath doesn't help.  Waking him up earlier from his last nap doesn't help.  He will lay down and have bottle and a binky but then when we fall asleep my body hurts so much from sleeping in one position.  You know the one, arms around him so he doesn't move/get squished/feels loved.  Once my shoulder or hip hurts so much it wakes me up, he sleeps fine in his own bed.  If he doesnt' change his sleeping habits Santa will be one tired guy.

How do you get your baby to bed at a decent hour?

I need my nanny back

I got to take a shower.  A real shower, not the, hurry-up-and-wash-before-the-babies-cry shower.  I was so giddy, thinking of witty Facebook statuses that I could post.

Like, "I finally got to take a shower.  All you mommies, you know you're jealous."

And, "I was wondering what that smell was in the house, but now that I got to take a shower it was me.  I think the smell of baby poop is permeating my skin."

I turned on the water to its normal setting:  to where I always is.  I get in and its lukewarm.  Did I pay the water bill?  Well the water was on but what if that was leftover water in the heater?  Did I pay the gas bill?  I start to panic and rush to wash my hair, thinking of the gas bill, that couldn't be it.  

I just didn't know which way was hot and which was cold.

At the end of the shower I finally tested it and took a minute of glorious hot water, but I knew the joke hubby would say.  "Well maybe if you used it more often..."  Ha.ha.

We had a nanny for a few months over the summer when I was put on bedrest because I couldn't pick up Aidan.  I think she needs to come back occasionally so I can shower.

Two sick babies

I actually thought this was kind of easy. Not in the sit-around-and-eat-bon-bons kind of way, but in the I-haven't-pulled-my-hair-out-yet kind of way.

Was I wrong.

How do you keep your hands clean while holding a baby in one hand and wiping a snotty nose with the other?

Not to mention its raining outside so I've resorted to peepee pads for Lola. She is rather smart, when I locked her outside in the rain she would run to the other side of the yard and back so I would think she peed.

Here's to a speedy recovery and hoping I will have five minutes of baby-free time today.

Yes, I typed this with one hand while holding Gavin...

Someone's having a good day!

Christmas is coming

Passing two payday loan stores this morning, it makes me wonder how many people will be using these services for Christmas. Times are really hard, I know we will be scraping and stretching to buy for 4 boys this year.

Remembering my Christmases as a kid, an only child, I always had plenty under the tree. It was never anything extravagant or expensive, maybe equivalent to buying from Family Dollar, but having so many beautiful packages under the tree was pricesless for me as a girl. My parents did struggle the first few months after Christmas every year, my dad working at a factory and my mom a part time lunch morther so she could be there for me.

Though we will be hard pressed with our growing family, there are so many families who will be so much less fortnunate. Hurting and hungry. Remember them when you can't get the new Dancing Elmo this year, or that new game system. It will be alright for most of us, just pray for the others and remember to give as much as possible, there are some who won't get much else.

What I can do in 31 days

Apparently not a lot.

I've seen a lot of challenges in October, organize this, create that, doing a little every day. They are great ideas! I would love to declutter my home little by little every day. It sounds so simple!

Why can't I follow it?

Is it my aversion to reading directions? Or following them, or maybe my low attention span, combined with my addiction to facebook (not to mention the BABIES!)

I have a hard time following others' routines. I have one of my own that I sort-of follow that kind-of works. I get things done. I still have to do the oh-my-gosh-they-will-be-here-in-an-hour dash around the house every time we have guests but its much better than I've done in the past, where it was sheets-on-the-junk-pile and open-the-windows-to-air-out-the-house kinda messy.

One thing that will never change:

That is Aidan's spot. I have kids, I worked hard to bring them into this world, they need their space. Maybe it has a little to do with not wanting to bring all the toys back out once they're put away, but I don't mind the play area. I don't mind not walking in that part of the livingroom (most of the time). Plus they are not legos or matchbox cars (yet) and don't hurt as much stepping on. The dirty clothes get put away, but the toys stay for my baby to play.

Everything else will get done eventually. How many days do I have to get the Halloween decorations down before the Christmas lights go up?

What is your most favorite movie?

When Harry Met Sally

Hands down.

"When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

How is that NOT the most romantic movie line ever?

I was trying to read a book the other day while the movie played in the background but I kept reciting the lines in my head as the movie went on. It may sound stupid but this movie defined relationships for me. Your mate should be your best friend, your confidante, and more than fate, it takes hard work and perseverance to make a relationship work.

All kidding aside

He drives me crazy sometimes but Rick is my best friend. He's always there when I need him (especially dinnertime when I can't stand to cook).

He surprised me and arranged to renew our wedding vows on our anniversary. I finally got my church wedding!


This was our actual wedding, at the hospital at 4am the night before Aidan was born. When we visit the hospital they still remember us as the people that got married there.


And after all this, he still loves me!

And this is how mommy eats...

Standing up, holding the baby, trying not to drip.

Hubby, Rick, complained that I don't post about him. Here it is: he took the picture while I was trying to eat. Over the baby. Trying not to drip. While he ate.

I don't think he will complain again.

Didn't I just wash bottles yesterday?

Seriously, what is with these babies? The bottles, the clothes, the alternating poopies every hour. Laundry Monday turned into still-doing-laundry-Thursday (soon to be Friday). I'm trying a new routine from The Fly Lady, but I have a problem with doing laundry every day. Then it never feels done. If I start laundry on Sunday, even if it takes me until Thursday, at least I have a few days of NO LAUNDRY. I like the idea of getting dressed every day, it does make me feel more human (besides the extra laundry).

I worked when Gary and Benny were younger, I missed everything. I really had no idea everything that was included in being a full-time mom. I tried to make a rule that one can't cry while I'm holding the other one but they really aren't following very well.

I really don't mean to complain, I mean, how can you when you work for these gorgeous boys.

It is a bit of spit up but he is still adorable.

It's a clean diaper. He loves helping mommy take care of the baby (i.e. there is nowhere to put the diapers that are out of his grasp).

I have the best job in the entire world. It may not end at 5 and my bosses can be a bit demanding, but hearing my baby walking around the house singing, "mom-mom" is all I need!

Our attempt with an adjustable sling

This is the new Peanutshell baby carrier Gavin and I got from UPS today. Look how happy mommy and baby are. And notice she has two hands!

This is Gavin in our first attempt at the cradle carry. I say first attempt because silly me took him off after he fell asleep, which lasted about five minutes. There is no getting him back in that position.

This is Gavin in the kangaroo carry. Looks comfy right? It is handy, of course, I got him in that position on accident trying to get him out of the thing.

There should be a disclaimer: You will still need to hold the binkie in, thus continuing to be one-handed, and you will also still need to walk around the house while wearing the sling for he can sense when you try to sit down.

We're still experimenting, which is fine since he is practically attached anyway, but if there are any sling experts out there who could advise how to make room for baby without the mommy parts getting in the way, it would be greatly appreciated!

My babies are stinky...

Yep.

Any takers?

Hubby worked til 9 last night and Gavin hasn't been napping long enough to give Aidan a bath. I could have given Gavin a bath while Aidan napped but I thought, there will be plenty of time later.

There never is a later, is there?

Now I have almost every bottle to wash AND two babies.

On the bright side, Gavin did get a new nickname, doughboy, even if it is because he smells like bread dough...

Aidan likes books

They taste good...

Cleaning House

I'm cleaning house in a lot of ways right now. Not in the actual house, that is still in limbo after Halloween weekend, but I've updated my blog, made necessary doctor appointments for the babies, made some life changes that I won't get into. It got me to thinking of a few random ideas I have about cleaning, that might be considered odd. I would rather wash the floor than vacuum. I would rather wash dishes by hand than empty the dishwasher. I would rather scrub the toilet than cook. I would rather wash bottles than put the baby to sleep (but that is a given, it takes forever). In our house, hubby and I do a give and take. I'll make the bottle if you change the poopie diaper, etc. I hate reading the directions to anything, therefore make a terrible cook. I've actually burned butter...twice in a row (he loves telling that story). I watched Friends the other day, "The One with the Messy Girl". Ross started dating this really messy girl, I mean, he went to her apartment and she started throwing food around the floor for her pet hamster to find. I used to be that messy girl. Ok, not that messy. I had pet mice but they were at least in cages. I'm proud of how far I've come. My house isn't clean every day but there are clean bottles and the floor gets washed once a week. One thing I learned from The Fly Lady, I make sure my sink is clean every day! And I got the guy ;)

Halloween 2011

Another Halloween bites the dust!

Daily Devotional

Daily Devotional

Aidan's Rocker

Our Wedding Day!

Renewal of our wedding vows, September 4, 2011, Bloomingdale Church.

Gavin's First Bath at Home

There are only three of us at the table...

Some girlfriends and I started a new group on Facebook, Accountable for Christ, and it is amazing! I've never been so inspired, it is just a great group of ladies and God has really been working thru all of us. I've been studying like crazy, posting and enjoying the ladies' comments and words of wisdom. I've been trying to get as much reading in as I can before Gavin comes home. The charge nurse feels that, at the rate he is going, he will be ready to come home in two to three weeks, as long as there are no setbacks. We have been calling the nursery after every feeding to check how much he's taken from the bottle. This is his last obstacle, taking the whole bottle to get to ad lib feedings.

So I went about my day, taking care of Aidan, taking care of poor Gary, who's been sick, reading, posting, visiting Gavin, taking care of Aidan, etc. I was so proud of myself for taking initiative to clean. I did three loads of laundry (although, one was wet in the washer from the night before, and I didn't quite put one away yet), I filled the dishwasher and started it (well, it was quite full from yesterday when I started, let's just hope everything's clean), made dinner (even if it was a frozen Stouffer's chicken and rice back, it had to be better for Gary's cold). I really felt accomplished. But I wish I would have had time to sweep and vacuum. And maybe do the dishes in the sink. And Aidan's and Gavin's clothes still need to be washed and put away. My final realization that my time management skills may need some work was when I was setting the table, or, trying to.


I reasoned with myself, there are only three of us at the table, we don't need much room. But I guess I have my work cut out for me tomorrow. And what might be my prayer request for tonight? Discipline to do my housework before I try to inspire the world!

Gavin wants to come home!

Aidans toy

He figured out that if he presses the buttons the people pop up!

With his frog!

Aidan brushing his teeth

Gavin awake today

At the nursery

Sitting in the nursery with my baby. I want Gavin home so much. I want to hold him in my arms while he sleeps, stare in his eyes when he's awake, and even wake up with him for his nightly feeds. He looks so sad with his oxygen canula, he just sleeps with this virus, I don't get to see his beautiful, dark eyes darting back and forth. He has amazingly soft hair, so I sit and stroke it while he sleeps, and kiss his forehead. He has a whole new world at home, outside of the nursery. I can't wait to be worrying about diapers and feedings & keeping Aidan quiet during his naps!

Aidan playing with his birthday cake

Gavin's latest video - for you Uncle Steve!

Aidan's First Birthday Party

I'm so happy Aidan had a good birthday party. He got to spend time with family friends, play with his very own birthday cake while wearing a crown (because of course he wouldn't eat it!), and he got tons of cool toys and clothes! It was bittersweet with Gavin in the hospital, but he is where he needs to be. He needed another breathing treatment today but he is doing much better being back on the oxygen. I think we will stop being in such a hurry to have him home and just concentrate on September 26th, if he comes home sooner it will be a bonus. It was so hard to celebrate knowing he was at the hospital all alone.

I also missed my best friend of 25 years, who moved to Texas with her family. She is also where she needs to be, but it just wasn't the same without her. I love you Paula!

Gavin's getting so big!

Little Girl Writes Best Running Away Letter Ever

Posted on the Stir

The voice of truth says do not be afraid

Today I was advised by the nurses to stay off the internet. I tried all afternoon yesterday to search baby sites for message boards looking for some sort of support. I feel guilty for being relieved that my baby is doing so well compared to all the other babies, but I think looking day by day, moment by moment, we forgot that there are so many things in the future we might have to worry about. I guess I wanted to find a baby who was born the same gestation as Gavin (27 weeks), who went thru exactly the same things and is now a healthy and happy toddler. But as the nurse said, moms of healthy babies aren't looking for support on message boards, they have no reason to. Will it inspire to me go back when Gavin is older and healthy and happy to offer my experience as support? Maybe, but I doubt it. Gavin truly has been healthy and strong. Not that it has been an easy road, and I know it's not over yet, but hearing others' stories has wrenched my heart and really shown me how truly blessed we have been. Gavin hasn't had a brain bleed, he didn't have an infection when we thought he might, he is gaining weight daily and his progress has been unbelievable! I might need reminding of this later when we have multiple doctor appointments or when the news isn't what we had hoped for as he grows, but it could have been so much worse. Anywhere along this journey things could have gone so wrong, but right now, we have a healthy, happy 31-weeker (as they call him in the nursery). I will continue to go day by day, moment by moment, celebrate his accomplishments, and take the bumps as they come.

Gavin's first video

And he practically crawled out on his own!

Here he is, Gavin Richard Darcy. He was born June 28th at 4:03 pm, weighing 2 pounds 11 ounces, 15 1/2" tall. I woke up at 3am the Friday before to take my Procardia dose (to stop contractions) and my water broke. Back to the hospital we went, expecting a c-section within a few hours, but they actually wanted to wait until I went into labor to let Gavin cook as long as possible. With much arguing with doctors and questions from family, I continued to lose water and wait...and wait...but nothing was really happening besides becoming increasingly more uncomfortable. I'd had some mild contractions but nothing was changing. By Tuesday I was uncomfortable, irritable, and missed my family so much (so lucky that Rick got to stay in the hospital with me but he had to return to work if nothing was happening soon). I was fed up, and Gavin decided to start kicking me in the cervix, which hurt worse than any labor I had had with the other three boys! We insisted that the nurse call the OB, who didn't find it important because it wasn't actual "labor". A few HOURS later a technician came for an ultrasound, who found a tiny foot sticking out where it didn't belong! Off we were finally wisked off to have our baby, who is beautiful and doing well! He is 2 pounds 15 ounces as of today, and is waiting for a bed to open up in the step-down nursery. He is strong and fiesty, with a gorgeous head of golden brown hair. Although its been a rocky road, we are truly blessed to have this tiny miracle baby!

Maybe baby...

Well I'm on limited activity, and while I'm extremely bored and anxious, it is the best for Gavin. We have a follow up visit with our OB today, but as of right now I'm dialated to 1 and 70% effaced. I don't know if the doctor's are just trying to calm our nerves, but they have said we could very well take the pregnancy to term, it is just as likely as going into preterm labor. I feel like the wheels are set in motion, Gavin will be here early if it is meant to be that way, but I feel a strange sense of peace (hope?). Maybe the severity of it hasn't struck me yet, but I feel that he will be ok. It would be awful having him on machines and going home without him for months. I worry about getting everyone back and forth to the hospital, how will I be able to spend time with Gavin at the hospital and Aidan at home. How will Rick be able to spend time with his new son after working all day if Gavin is all the way in Hinsdale. We are blessed to have the help we do, excellent specialists already on our case, our wonderful nanny, Ashley, whom Aidan adores, and all of our family. Rick's work as been great, letting him work from home or just have time off to take care of me and Aidan. I know I shouldn't be worried about the symantics at a time like this. You don't realize how you take for granted being able to go to the grocery store or pick up formula, making doctor appointments even. Having Rick so far away while he's at work, knowing the hospital is another 45 minutes away is nerve-wracking. Aidan is happy and well-cared for, Gavin has the best doctors watching him and I. I joke about what a chore being with all boys is, Rick, Papa and the boys, but no one worries like men do about the only girl in the house! I'm anxious to find out at the doctor's today if there are any changes, praying for Gavin to be healthy, and all the little stuff to fall into place. Keep us in your prayers!