Summertime...

...and the living is easy busy!  We've been so busy this summer so far.  Katie is playing softball, and had three games last week!  She's doing a great job, and still learning about the game!  We have really enjoyed going out to the ballpark in the evening for her games...just wouldn't seem like summer without it!

I've been able to spend some time with friends and I have enjoyed this so much.  We have a little group of younger-ish moms at church who spend time with each other.  We all have kiddos and share so many things in common.  I think my favorite thing about spending time with these girls is that we just feel comfortable sharing everything... our pasts, our present, and we look into the future together as well!  It's really nice! We had Charisse's Bachelorette Breakfast this past Friday, and her Bridal Shower on Sunday afternoon.  They were both nice, and it was such an honor to have these for her!  I am just so very thankful for her!  God blessed me so much when he brought her to our church family!

Emmalee, Me, Kim, Charisse (feeding Miss Claire), and Sabrina

Claire is growing so fast.  She is just a joy, full of beautiful smiles and sweetness!  All of us just adore her!  We couldn't imagine life without her if we tried, it just feels like she's been with us forever.  We took a few pictures of her in her little hat, and I just loved this one with her beautiful blue eyes!

We were getting ready to head to the lake for a little beach trip, the kids were all in their swimsuits (even Claire!) They were excited to go, but I think we all decided to save our swimming for the pool next time...the beach was not pretty (or sanitary! Ha!) 

Sometimes I still get goosebumps and truly, truly can't believe how blessed we are to have three children!  Some days are harder than others, and when they are all three crying at once, I just feel like joining in, but they are still such an incredible blessing.  It is such a privilege to be their mama.  I feel blessed.



Lately...

Lately I've been worrying about our finances.  That is part of the reason I haven't blogged.  I have been just too busy worrying, and trying to figure out ways to make money for our family.  We had a garage sale.  I sold a lot of things I didn't really want to sell.  I have tried selling clothing and scrapbooking items on Ebay, only to have undercharged for shipping, therefore losing money (Ugh.)  I have been reading and listening to tutorials about extreme couponing (Double Ugh.)  I have been looking on Etsy to see if there is anything that I can make and sell.  I have listed our bedroom furniture on Craigslist.  I have been praying for Kris to have the desire to sell his boat.  I have been thinking about part time and full time jobs.  I have been thinking about things around our home that I can sell.  I've been completely obsessed with finding money.  Now that I've listed these all out, I feel even more silly.  Is making a few extra dollars more important than having a relationship with Jesus?  Does our checkbook being balanced and being secure in that compare to being completely secure in Jesus?  Is spending hours trying to "find money" by rearranging our budget and refiguring our bills a dozen times worth not spending that time being a Mama to my precious children or a Wife to my husband or even more importantly reading the Bible? 

As I was scrubbing the kitchen floor tonight, my mind completely preoccupied with having some "control" over *something* (the kitchen floor's cleanliness) I realized that the Lord has really been working on me lately about the control stuff and the perfection stuff and the finance stuff.  I wonder if those are three things he would like to cleanse and free me from if I would allow him?  As I was thinking about this and scrubbing away, the Lord reminded me of the passage about worrying and His provision:
Matthew 6:25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Lord, Thank you for you, for your sacrifice, for your son's death for my salvation.  Thank you for my beautiful children, thank you for everything you've given me.  Lord, I want to pray right now for you to free me from my worry, from my control issues, and from my lack of faith.  Please, Lord, just cleanse me.  I love you, Lord.  I pray all of these things in Your Precious Name, Amen.

Complete Sweetness.

Lately I've been having trouble comprehending this amazing gift...Claire has started smiling and I can't help but think of the quote, "It is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God love us" Charles Dickens.  There is something about this baby, something so wonderful...she is just beautiful and precious.  Sometimes I just put my face against her sweet hair, breathe her in, and feel an incredible sense of love and awe.  We are so thankful for her. Thank you, Lord, for this baby.

Eleven Years Old!

Our beautiful Katie turned 11 on Tuesday!  It's so hard to believe that she is 11...seems impossible!  We celebrated Katie's birthday by going to El Pueblito to have dinner!  We had a lot of fun, and she loved the birthday sopapillas and everyone had fun trying on the giant sombrero!  Happy Birthday Sweet Pea!  We love you so much!

Two Months Old!

Our little Claire turned 2 months old on Monday!  We visited the doctor, and she weighs 13 pounds and 14 ounces and is 23 inches long!  She's doing great, still a little night owl, but we couldn't love her more!  She is precious and amazing!  Katie had a program at school Monday evening, so we snapped some family pictures on our way out the door.  Katie did a great job, and Asher and Claire were both so good during the program. 

They're holding up two fingers because little Claire is 2 months old!

Our family of five...we are so incredibly blessed!

Three years old!

Our sweet Asher is 3 today!  So hard to believe that the time has gone by so fast.  He is so big, 41 inches tall and weighs 45 pounds!  He uses complete full sentences all of the time, but sometimes his words are still hard to understand.  He doesn't use his binky anymore, but we're still working on potty training.  He really doesn't have too much interest in it, but everyone says it just "clicks" with boys and you just have to be patient.  He's such a ham, always being silly to make us smile.  We love you so much sweet Asher boy!  Happy Birthday!

Make A Wish!

Asher and Evan!

Good Morning, Sunshine!

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, coffee is brewed and yummy...and Miss Claire woke up HAPPY this morning!  She woke up cooing and gurgling and talking...such sweet sounds.  Yesterday in church she gave Miss Helen a real smile, and has been giving us some little hints of smiles all weekend.  She's been sleeping a little better, but still waking up at least twice during the night to nurse.  I treasure that quiet time with her, though, so the giant bags under my eyes are ok with me.  I will have the rest of my life to try out different eye creams, but I won't be able to go back to these newborn times with her again.  I have to remind myself of how blessed I am.

See?  I seriously need some under eye cream (and an eyebrow wax, haircut, dentist appointment, and to put on some make-up for heaven's sake)...but look at this sweet baby!

We had a good weekend.  Kris took our pastor's son turkey hunting on Saturday morning, and they harvested 2 jakes-it was his first time hunting and they had a really good time.  Our church had a youth revival this weekend, so Kris took Katie to that each evening.  Kris felt like Pastor Chap ministered to the adults just as much as the youth.  I was able to take Asher and Claire out for a few walks in the double stroller that we borrowed.  It was so good to get outside!  Yesterday we worked in the back yard for a little while after church.  Katie learned how to mow, and let me tell you...our yard might not be the straightest cut with her doing it, but she was really eager to learn!

Safety First!  Eye and ear protection-check!

I have been reading about the fruits of the spirit in Galatians...just trying to really concentrate on letting the Holy Spirit take over my life and heart.  I know I need to work on all of the virtues, but the ones that I really struggle with are patience, gentleness and self control.  Kris and I have been really having trouble in disciplining Katie...I need to remember the root word of discipline, disciple...which means to teach.  We're just having trouble being gentle and having self-control (not going crazy when she's really being defiant).  I know it's the "tween" years that are starting to creep in, and I know that we just need to be patient with her and keep on loving her.  Parenting is hard work, but I know it's worth it. 

See?  Totally worth it!

five piles of laundry...

There are five piles of folded laundry on my dining room table...and I am so thankful.  I just feel incredibly blessed this morning.  It's amazing to me what God can do.  Just 3 years ago we were waiting on Baby Asher to be born at this time of year.  I never imagined in my wildest dreams that we would have another baby after him...it's amazing...Claire is amazing...Katie is amazing...Asher is amazing.  Even though there are difficult moments, and sometimes when I feel like I can't take another minute, and nights when I barely sleep, I still feel so lucky.  I never dreamed that I would be able to be a stay at home mom, to just be privileged to take care of my family full time.  I was thinking of that a couple of nights ago.  I remember trying to think of excuses to reschedule appointments and take a little extra time off to spend at home when I was working.  I just wanted to be home, to hold Katie and Asher, to catch up on dishes, to do something crafty, to fold laundry...and now I have five piles!

happenings...

My kids!

Jeepin' with Zack!

Napping in the sun!

Life with a tiny one...

This past month has been a blur...Claire's first month with us has gone by so quickly.  She is such a blessing.  The kids just adore her, and Daddy and I are completely smitten.  It's amazing to feel so much love in our hearts for another one!  She is such a good baby.  She doesn't fuss except when she's hungry.  She's eating well (100% nursing--yay!), pooping well (LOL), but sleeping...well...she has had her days and nights mixed up, but she's sleeping about 3 hours at a time at night now!  She's just beautiful and amazing!  I am still working on the post with her birth story, hope to get that in here soon.  Here are some pictures of our sweet girl!

Our beautiful blessing has arrived!

Claire Elise Alexander arrived on Friday, February 18th, at 8:48 am.  She weighed 9lbs 10oz. and was 21.75" long!  She has dark blue eyes and lots of blondish-brown hair.  She is absolutely perfect and such an amazing blessing.  I will post pictures and details with her birth story soon!  Thank you for your prayers!

On the Eve-Eve of being a mom of three...

Warning---no grammar check or rearranging has happened to this post...it's totally rambly and all over the place with emotions and words.

I can barely keep it together this morning...lots of tears...happy ones.  But I have mixed emotions.  I realized last night that today is Asher and I's last day of just him and I.  Tomorrow Kris's mom is coming over to help with last minute things for the day, and my parents will be staying tomorrow night with us to be here for Asher when we leave at 4:45 am on Friday.  I appreciate them both so much for all of their help.  Looking at Asher now, laying on the sofa watching "Cat in the Hat" on PBSkids, doing what he normally does this early in the morning...he looks so big, yet he's still my baby.  I hope I still have plenty of time for him.  I almost feel like I've been wasting too much time, I should have been cherishing our time together this past year.  Now it's the last day...goodness.  I miss him already.  I know things will be ok...Kris and Katie will be more than willing to hold and love on Claire while I still have time to snuggle with Asher.  It's just that today is the last day I can totally devote to him.  It's the last couple of days that I can lift him into my arms and just hold him for a few weeks.  Today I'm going to try really hard to just hold him and be calm.

And Katie...oh my Katie girl.  Today when she gets home from school I just want to let her know how very much I love her.  And I want her to know how she will ALWAYS be my baby girl...my firstborn, my little sweet pea, my first peek at God's amazing ability.  I remember seeing her for the first time and just being completely amazed that God would give her to us.  She was so red and bruised from our rough delivery, but she was the most beautiful thing I had EVER seen.  I know we have difficult pre-teen and teen years ahead, but I love her with ALL of my heart, and I always will.  I have to make sure she knows these things.

Being a mom of three will be amazing...I know it.  Kris and I still just cannot believe how blessed we are.  There is no way that we could have ever began to earn or deserve these children, nothing we could do but ask and pray for them, and now...we have three.  I just can't believe it.  I'm so excited, and nervous, and happy, and just...overwhelmed with God's amazing LOVE and blessings and forgiveness. 

4 days til baby!

I'm not counting today (Sunday) because it's almost over :o)  And I'm not counting Friday because we'll be up and going before the sun comes up!  I am getting so excited...almost giddy!  Yesterday was Kris's 3rd 12- hour day in a row, and I was so tired and cranky.  I was short with the kids and my poor parents came for a visit and I was totally grouchy all day.  Katie was really having some jealousy issues and trouble being good, and by bedtime, I almost cried myself to sleep, I was so discouraged.  Today was Kris's first of three days off, and I just can't explain how happy it makes me when he is home with us.  There is something about his presence that just calms me...it always has.  He has done an amazing job of helping with the kids, cooking, and cleaning during this pregnancy, I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful husband during these past 9 months.  We have had an amazing day with our church family today too, it has totally energized me and made me just feel so blessed and happy.  We have a great Sunday School class, and have become pretty close with some of the people in it.  My friends, Emmalee, Charisse, and Sabrina have been such an encouragement to me!  Our pastor had a great message, the music was beautiful, and Kris had the privilege of giving the testimony and prayer for his friend, Brian during his baptism.  So many people in our church have been praying for us through our pregnancy, and so many people had kind words for us today.  Tonight was our annual  youth soup cook-off and pie auction at church, and it was a lot of fun to watch the competition and fellowship.  The weather was also beautiful today...in the 50's and just gorgeous!  I can't thank God enough for this great day...I needed it so much. 

By this time next Friday...

...Kris should be holding our littlest girlie in his arms!  It's hard to believe that our c-section is one week from today!  When I look back over the last nine months, the last year, the last three years, the last 15 years, I am just amazed at all that God has done!  I was talking to a friend the other day and realized while talking with her that every prayer that I've prayed for our family has been answered...some not in the ways that we expected, but God has lead us and taken care of us every step of the way...He is faithful!  We have gone from a little family of three, so deep in financial debt and uncertainty of not being able to have another child, broken from a failed adoption, to a family of almost 5, and the debt is so much better!  I remember writing this post when I had no hope of ever being a stay at home mom, of ever having another child, and I was so discouraged about my job as a case manager.  It is hard for me to grasp the amazing ability of God to take care of us, to know exactly what to do to comfort us, to get us through days like that.  Now here we are...a week away from holding a brand new precious life in our arms...seven days away from being a family of five...and I feel so incredibly blessed!

37 weeks and SNOW, SNOW, SNOW...

This has been an eventful week.  On Sunday I wasn't feeling well during church, so I decided to have my blood pressure taken at the hospital.  It was pretty high, so Dr. S. admitted me for a 4 hour bp monitoring and non-stress test for the baby.  We ended up staying the night and I got to go home on Monday.  We're still scheduled for the 18th, but she was preparing us for delivery early if my numbers didn't get better, but they did...thank You Lord!  I visited the clinic this morning for my 37 week appointment and my blood pressure was a little high, but not terrible, so we're doing ok.  They are supposed to call later and let us know if there is anything else I need to do at this point. 

On Tuesday, we had a blizzard...literally.  There was blowing snow, and so much of it.  We have a couple of drifts that are almost 5 ft deep!  Yesterday and today the sun has been shining so beautifully, but no snow is melting because of the temperatures of -9 degrees!  It's crazy.  We are beginning to have major cabin fever.  I have just felt like I need to run out into the snow just to get out of the house for a minute!  Ha!

Katie and Asher are doing good, they are really looking forward to Claire being born.  Katie is more excited than I thought she would be, and she is just ready for her now!  Asher still doesn't seem to comprehend whats going on, but I think he will understand once he sees her...I can't wait for that moment...I just can't wait for the five of us to be together in that hospital room after she is born!

Claire's Birthday has been scheduled!

This morning I had my 36 week appointment, and our c-section has been scheduled!  We're scheduled to be at the hospital on February 18th at 5:30 am!  Claire Elise should make her arrival into the world by 8 or 8:30!  My blood pressure is holding steady, so they want to wait until as close to 39 weeks as they can to deliver.  I was secretly hoping for the 10th, but I guess I can wait one more week.  We're really excited and ready to meet our little one!

Packing our bags!

I've been working on getting our bags packed for Claire's arrival.  It's a little different this time packing for Claire, me, Asher, and stuff for Katie and Asher to do...lots of bags...our van will be packed...just to drive accross town!  Ha!  I ordered 3 new pair of PJ's for me today--all on clearance at JCP for 50% off!  Yay!  I would be so embarrased to take the PJ's I wear on a daily basis to the hospital with me...they are so old and raggedy!  Anyhoo, the new ones I ordered are so cute!  I know most people suggest nightgowns for the hospital, but I just cannot rest or get comfortable without pants on...I'm a weirdo, I know!  I ordered a size up to go over my incision and swelling from the c-section, so they should be really roomy and comfortable.  I need to go to Wal-Mart and pick up my site to store order.  I ordered a 4 GB compact flash card for our camera, and 20 mini dvd's for our video camera.  I just need to charge the batteries on both of those and get their cases all stocked and ready.  I still need to get a diaper bag for Claire.  I have her things packed in Asher's black Jeep diaper bag, and we may just go with that, but I'm not 100% sure.  I'm trying to remember how much actual baby stuff I need to take, because the hospital supplies so much.  I will probably pack too much...seems like I aways do!

I also need to get our taxes done, and CLEAN this house...I just haven't felt up to deep cleaning, I should have done that earlier in the pregnancy.  Hopefully I can get everything done in time!  My friend Amy had her baby this morning, 11 days sooner than she had planned via emergency c-section...Rylan Grace made her arrival into the world a little early, but she's doing great!  I am not sure what would happen if our Claire came that early...I just want to be ready!

Ok---enough blabbering on...I'm just excited...we all are...for little Claire to arrive!

Getting ready for Baby Claire!

It's almost impossible to believe that our sweet girl will be here either 3 weeks or 4 weeks from TODAY (depending on when our Dr. decides to do the c-section!)  Amazing!

Our church gave us a wonderful baby shower last Sunday, and Claire was so blessed with tons of love and baby things!  We have been working on getting her nursery area in our bedroom ready!  I still need to find something cute to put above her changing table, I was thinking of a pretty pink cross or a Bible verse plaque.  The crib and changing table were the ones we used with Katie and with Asher, and they match perfectly with our bedroom furniture!  We're so excited for her arrival...and are still having a hard time believing how blessed we are!

Pink! Pink! Pink!

We had our sonogram yesterday, and the sonogram technician says we're for sure having a GIRL!  Yay! Our doctor was a little worried about the size of the baby, but she is about 1 week BIGGER than she should be!  I am not sure if they will move our due date up, but we could have the c-section as early as February 10th if they do!  I just cannot wait to meet her!  I can't wait to kiss our sweet pink bundle right on the forehead!  Katie is super excited!  She has wanted a sister forever...her little prayers are being answered!  Before Asher she prayed for mama to get a baby in her tummy, and she would pray, "let it be a girl and look just like me!"  I think Asher thought we were going to get the baby "out" yesterday.  He kept asking me, "baby out?"  "baby done?"  When we got home from the sonogram, he found a baby bottle in the basket of baby things, and poked it in my belly button and said, "feed the baby?"  He is just so funny!  He has also used my belly button as a little peep hole...his logic is so cute!

Anyhoo...we are just so excited...mostly to know that our baby is ok and growing good!  Now it's time to get shopping!

Looking forward to the new year...

We're really looking forward to this new year.  It seems like each of the next few months have something exciting in store!  We found out that on Tuesday, January 4th, we're going to get another look at our baby, and find out for sure what we're having!  I haven't gained any weight during my pregnancy, so the doctor wants to check the growth of the baby.  The baby is so strong, and my belly is growing like crazy, so I can't imagine there is a problem, but she just wants to be sure that everything is ok in there!  I suspect the rest of the month will be filled with shopping and nesting for our baby girl or boy!  I'm also excited to be giving a Strawberry Shortcake themed baby shower for my friend Amy, next week.  February will obviously be an exciting month with the arrival of our sweet baby! It's amazing that our baby can safely arrive in just a month! We're planning a birthday party for Katie and Asher for April, we've been thinking about having a Real Tree Hunting theme...and Kris has a really special gift he would love to get for Katie!  2010 was FULL of challenges...but I think they made us stronger.  I'm looking forward to this first part of 2011!

32 weeks---only 7 more to go!

I will be 32 weeks along with this sweet baby on Thursday!  I can't believe it!  In some ways it has taken forever, but in some ways it seems to be going by fast!  I knew time would fly as soon as the anticipation of Christmas was over, now the little milestones to get through are New Year's Eve/Day, Super Bowl, and Valentine's Day!  I see the doctor on Thursday morning, and Kris and I have planned a date for Thursday afternoon/evening.  Part of our "date" is looking for a vehicle.  We sold our Honda Element (I miss it so much!) because it only seats 4 with seatbelts, and we need 5 full time seatbelts, not to mention the extra kids that we drive to/from school and church stuff sometimes.  I would really {heart} a nice used Honda Odyssey, but I am not sure if we are going to be find one we can afford.  We are looking for something with lower miles, 6 or more seatbelts, and a low payment...seems impossible, but I think it will be ok!  We will find something!  After our car searching, we're planning on having dinner at my very most favorite place to go to dinner in all of the world---Olive Garden!  Yay!  I would like to go to a couple of stores to look for some pj's for the hospital (mine are all so old and raggedy!) and get a couple more little things for the diaper bag.  We might see a movie, not really sure yet, but we're just planning on enjoying being together---alone (except for the kiddo I can't escape!)  I cannot wait!  It's been such a long time since we've gone on a date.  We need this time together, it's just so important.  I'm hoping it will be a little refresher that I need to get me through the rest of this pregnancy!

The kids have been enjoying plenty of movies on this Christmas break.  It's not been nice enough for them to play outside, they both have had runny noses and coughs.   I'm hoping that the next couple of days will be in the 50's and 60's so they can get out and run off some energy!

Christmas Week 2010!

The kiddos had a great Christmas this year!  Here are a few pictures! 

Katie started her Christmas break from school on Christmas Eve-Eve (the 23rd), so we kept busy that day while waiting on Daddy to come home from work with some painting...

And some Legos and wink-practicing...

Then on Christmas Eve we did some more waiting on Daddy to get home and then headed to Jay and Jill's house.  All of the grandkids got to have a special visit with Santa, everyone sat on Santa's lap except Asher, he wasn't about to sit on this stranger's lap who came right in the back door!  We had to settle for a group picture of all of the kids (and precious Louie-Meme's favorite grandchild!) with Santa!

Then on Christmas morning, little dreams of a Felicity Doll and  a Choo-Choo came true!

Sunday we had Christmas with my family, and Katie and Asher both had a good time playing with cousins!

We are so blessed this Christmas!  We're blessed not only because of the material things that you can see in these pictures, but because of the greatest gift that has ever been given-Jesus!  We feel so fortunate to know that his gift meant salvation for us, a chance for an eternity in Heaven!

Merry Christmas!

This mama's prayer.

I have to admit that I have been struggling a lot with anxiety and depression the past couple of weeks on and off. Some days/hours are good, and I feel calm and happy, and others it's all I can do to not just run away and scream or crawl in bed and cry.  It's so hard to admit that I am not just a perfectly chipper mom who always does the right thing. When I was younger, I had visions of what I might be as a mom, and truthfully, I am not that mom yet, but I still desire to be...I want to be full of grace, kindness and wisdom, but most of the time I find myself anxious, grumpy, and speaking/yelling too quickly. My mom had those same problems when she was a young mother, but now she says that if she could go back, she would just relax, and not worry about everything so much.  She says that now she realizes that time goes by so fast, and she feels like maybe she shouldn't have sweated the small stuff.  I want so much to learn from that, but I still struggle...I just struggle.  I know that I need to be IN THE WORD...every single day, and PRAYING every single day, but I just make excuses.

Lord, I just want to pray right here and now for YOUR grace, wisdom, patience, and goodness to permeate my very heart, my soul, everything that I am.  Lord, I just want to be filled with your love for my children, my husband, my family, and even for strangers.  Please free me from the bondages of sin, anger, anxiety, and depression.  You know me inside and out Lord, you know my comings and goings, every move I make, every thought I have, and you hear every word that comes out of my mouth.  Lord, please forgive me and cleanse me, help me recommit my life to you today, Lord, right now.  I want to be all that you want me to be, as a mother, daughter, wife, and friend.  Lord, I say yes to you today.  In your precious name I pray, Amen.

30 weeks along...only 9 weeks to go!

We made it to 30 weeks!  I had my clinic appointment yesterday, and three blessings happened--I passed my glucose test, and my blood pressure was perfect--126/76, and our sweet baby's heartbeat was perfect!  Those are just huge blessings for all of us!  I talked to nurse about scheduling the c-section, and she said we would schedule it at my 36 week appointment, and it would most likely be scheduled for Thursday, February 17th!  We're so excited to meet our little 5th Alexander...we just cannot wait!  Unless my blood pressure goes back up, we will most likely not have another sonogram, so it looks like we won't know *for sure* that we have a girl in there until the birth...it might be kind of exciting!  I have been sorting baby clothes for both, and did little pink and blue laundry, so we will see!  I just feel so blessed that things are going ok...I was so worried there for a while, but God is so faithful!

We have been keeping pretty busy with Christmas stuff.  It seems like we just have a ton of church activities right now...I'm having trouble keeping up with everything!  I think the thing  I am most looking forward to this Christmas is Christmas Day, just hanging out here at home, just the 4 (5!) of us, in our PJ's for the day.  I told Kris that I just want to sit on the floor and play with toys with the kids, and not worry about laundry, dishes, or cleaning...I just want to savor the time with Katie on one of her probably last "toy" Christmas's, and listen to both of them talk and laugh and play.  Lord, please just help me relax in you for the day...just help me to stop and breathe and play this Christmas...please help me recognize these beautiful gifts are from YOU, because of YOU, and for YOU!

Asherisms...

Asher and Kris were just eating leftover pizza for lunch, and Asher kept asking for "or ee-huh," "more pizza".  It made me think of all of the cute things he says, the way he pronouces things, and I wanted to write a few of them down so I don't forget them someday.  He pronouces ice cream, "i-heam", which is funny, because I remember Katie saying "hi-ki" for ice cream.  He says, "ding-ding" for thank you...have no idea where that came from, but it sure is adorable, and he says it A LOT--he is very courteous! He has started saying "all aboard" when he's playing trains or lining up dining room chairs for a train...he says it pretty clearly though!  He loves trains!  Santa "might" be bringing him THIS for Christmas, and I can't wait to see the look on his face! He seems to be getting more to the "terrible two's" stage, and is into dumping toys, just to hear the crashing sound and see my frazzled reaction!  Being 7 months pregnant and chasing a big toddler aren't mixing too well, but we're making it...a day at a time.  I'm so thankful for this little two and a half year old blessing...he really is amazing and wonderful...even on his difficult days!  I love you little Asher Pea!

28 Weeks and Christmastime!

We're 28 weeks along this week!  We have about 10 weeks until we get to hold our new baby in our arms!  I go to the clinic tomorrow morning, hoping to have good blood pressure and a good blood sugar test.  I have eaten WAY too much during the last week with Thanksgiving and pre-tasting Christmas Reese's Bells, so I'm hoping all of those turn out ok.  I am feeling the baby move so much.  Today I could feel BIG kicks in my ribs and tiny fingers wiggling down low in my belly at the same time...so amazing!  Kris and I STILL cannot believe we've been blessed to have another baby.  It's more than we ever imagined!

We're getting ready for Christmas around here.  We have the tree and inside decorations up, Asher loved putting the Christmas tree up this year.  There are about 15 ornaments hanging on one bottom branch of our tree that he decorated himself, and I just love it (but our tree seriously is leaning a bit on that side!)  I have almost all of my Christmas shopping done.  I did a lot of it online this year, just to avoid too much stress of being in the stores.  I have been wrapping things and putting them under the tree already...so far Ash has only unwrapped one, and it was Katie's---he picked the wrong one! 

I have been working on planning the grocery lists and menus for Christmas food.  So far I'm planning on bringing Jalepeno Popper Spread and Buffalo Chicken Dip to celebrate Christmas Eve with Kris's family, Christmas Morning brunch will be Amish Breakfast Casserole and French Toast Souffle, and we'll probably have munchies and soup throughout Christmas Day.  It will be just the four of us...I'm really looking forward to the whole day of playing with new toys and relaxing!  We're celebrating Christmas with my family on Sunday afternoon, and I'm thinking we'll have even more munchies/snacks/appetizers that day. I'm trying to kind of cut down on all of the candies/goodies I'll be making this year, just to save a little stress and money.  I'm planning on making two kinds of Velveeta Fudge, chocolate and peanut butter (it sounds weird, but is SO good and SO easy!), my Mom's caramels, and maybe cinnamon stained glass candy.  We'll make cut out cookies to leave for Santa too.  I always looked forward to caramels, cinnamon candy, and sugar cookies when I was growing up, I use my mom's recipes for all three of these and I think that makes it kind of special.

Hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas this year!

So very thankful!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving!  I just feel so very blessed to have Kris, Katie, Asher and this new little one in my life!  I have to admit that today wasn't the easiest parenting day for Kris and I.  Asher was 1/2 cranky and 1/2 ornery, and Katie was 1/4 great and 3/4 sassy all day!  What a day...Kris and I were both so happy for bedtime to come.  BUT...we are both so thankful for the two of them...we know that this is all part of the privilege of being a mom and dad.  With tomorrow being Thanksgiving, I just needed to focus this evening on how blessed we are...even on rough days!  We have so much to be thankful for...our kids (all THREE!)...our families...our home...Kris's job. We are so very blessed!

Tomorrow we will be 27 weeks along in our pregnancy!  I can't believe we only have 12 weeks left before we get to hold our new baby...we were talking today about how it still doesn't seem real sometimes.  We are amazed that we get to hold a newborn again...our newborn...it's just awesome!  We can't wait to see how much Katie and Asher will just love her (or him!)  We just can't wait to have our family of five in the recovery room all together!  What a day that will be (12 weeks away---YAY!)

25 weeks today!

We're 25 weeks along today!  I visited the clinic today, and my blood pressure was down to 112/78 so I didn't have to visit the hospital like I thought I might have to.  The first time they took it, it was higher, but it went down just a few minutes later, so they counted the best one of the two on my chart.  I think we're going to make it just fine through this pregnancy...I just need to have faith.  This morning Kris and I prayed together and I prayed and read one of my favorite verses, Zephaniah 3:17.  I tried to just really focus on the meaning  of all of the words in this verse.  It says that The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will quiet you with his love, and he rejoices over you with singing.  I know that I've talked about this before, but can you just imagine our Heavenly father "quieting" us with his love...you know...when your child is crying, you just try and quiet them by holding them in your arms and talking quietly to them...ahh...I love the thought of letting Jesus do that for me!  I also just can imagine him singing a song...about me...to me...sounds pretty selfish, but that's how much our Savior loves us...really He does!  Can you even imagine it...it's hard for me to believe sometimes, but I know it's true!  Anyhoo, we've made it to 25 weeks!  Yay!  If we were having a normal delivery, we would have 15 weeks to wait, but since we're having a scheduled c-section, we only have 13 whole weeks left, and possibly a few days of the next one!  If she delivers us 10 days before the due date, our sweet Valentine will be here on February 14th!  So excited!  I think we have decided on the name, Claire Elise Alexander...Kris and I both just really like it...and if she comes out a boy, he will be Palmer James Alexander...either way, we are so incredibly blessed!

Thankfulness...

I am just so thankful today.  Thankful for my family, thankful for our safe, warm home, thankful for cars that run (most of the time), thankful for Kris's job, thankful for our amazing church, and mostly I'm thankful for my Savior who loves me, unconditionally.  I just feel blessed today.

Trick or Treat!

Our little "Alligator"!

Big Sis and Little Brother!

Our little "Funky Fairy"!

Posing with Daddy on the porch!

We had a fun Halloween this evening!  We took the kids out in our neighborhood, and they really had fun!  Asher learned how to say, "Trick or Treat", and remembered to say "Thank You".  He kept saying, "nice to me" after each house!  I think he thought everyone was so nice to give him "nandy"!  So cute!  Katie was a good big sister, and helped Asher up and down stairs! 

Baby update...we'll be 24 weeks along on Thursday.  Things are going ok.  I've had some problems with my blood pressure going up and down, but at least it's not consistently excessively too high.  I had to visit the doctor's office twice last week to check it. It was a pretty stressful week though, so it's not surprising that it was high. I guess I'll have to keep going weekly to monitor it.  My other labs and tests seem to be ok.  We only have about 15 weeks to go!  We're all getting pretty excited to meet the 5th member of our little family!  I'm feeling ok, pretty tired sometimes, but otherwise doing well.  My belly has finally started to look pregnant, rather than just extra fat!  I'm enjoying feeling the little kicks and wiggles of our sweet little one.

22 Weeks and good news at the doctor's office today!

My blood pressure was much, much better and my lab tests that they took last week were ok!  I feel so incredibly thankful and blessed!  I am really feeling our little one move around these days, I love that feeling...so wonderful!  We're 22 weeks along today, only 17 more to go!  We'll probably have the baby at 39 weeks somewhere around February the 16th-18th!  I still wish we could find out *for sure* that she's a girl!  We're just going to plan on pink and take one baby blue outfit to the hospital *just in case*.  Either way, we are so blessed to have this little one on the way!

We have some fun days coming up!  Tonight we're going to Bryce's last football game of the season in Altamont.  Tomorrow at 8 pm Kris starts vacation!  Saturday is our nephew, Tre's 3rd birthday party, and we're looking forward to using our new firepit a couple times this weekend.  Next week is Neewollah here in Indy!  Monday night Katie and I are going to honor our tradition of attending the Queen Neelah Talent Competition.  Wednesday the food boothes open, Friday is the Kid's parade, and Saturday morning is the Grand parade.  Then, of course, Sunday is our church's Homecoming and Halloween! We're planning to take the kids trick-or-treating around our neighborhood, and then we'll come home and have "Mummy" dogs for dinner!  Love it when we have such a fun filled calendar!

Doctor's visit...

I went to my appointment today, and was able to hear sweet Claire's heartbeat!  Such a beautiful sound!  After my appointment I had to have some additional blood work, to check my thyroid and creatinine level (which measures kidney function) and I am also having a lovely 24 hour urine test. Later this afternoon the nurse called and we got a little bit of bad news, though.  My blood pressure was very high, so the doctor wants to see me every week until we get it under control.  She also wants me to rest as much as I can.  She didn't put me on "bed rest" but she did ask that I take it easy, get help with housework, play with Asher while sitting down, and lay down if I become dizzy. I have had some dizziness and headaches lately, but I didn't think anything of it.  It has felt like normal pregnancy symptoms. I did pass my first 1 hour glucose test, though, so that was good news.  I am praying that through my diet, I can overcome these blood pressure problems.  I just need to be able to provide a safe little home for Claire for at least 18 more weeks.  If you have an extra prayer to spare, I will sure take them...

Our weekend...

Yesterday we headed over to my parent's house to have a work day, and help them catch up with some yard work and house stuff.  Lots of wood cutting, weed chopping, roof patching and fence building got done yesterday!  Then we sat around the fire and roasted some hot dogs and GIANT marshmallows!  It was a good day, and I think Mom and Dad were excited about all 6 grandkids visiting at one time.

I wasn't feeling too good this morning, and was up during the night quite a bit not feeling well, so the kids and I missed church today.   Even though I missed being "at church" there was a certain relaxed feeling and comfort of staying home today with the cloudy weather and little bit of rain this afternoon.   Asher and Katie got in clean PJ's and watched some tv, and played Littlest Pet Shop toys together in the living room floor.  We also caught part of the Chiefs game today, and it was exciting for a little while, but they ended up losing to the Colts.  I got a little bit of housework done including killing 1 zillion ants in our kitchen...yuck...so frustrated with those.  Later this afternoon we drove through Dairy Queen (in our PJ's) and got ice cream and drove through the park to see the animals.  Asher likes the goats and the buffalos the best.  It has just been a really nice day!  I only wish Kris hadn't had to work today...he would have enjoyed it.  This evening we're having Creamy White Chili for dinner, and just going to hang out and wait for Daddy to come home from work.

I see the doctor this week on Thursday morning, can't wait to hear sweet Claire's heartbeat again.  We have been calling her Claire, but we're still working on that middle name.  I am really feeling lots of movement now, and can kind of feel those individual limbs, when she stretches or kicks...I love that...so very much...it's the best feeling.

I think that's all for now. I hope everyone has a blessed week!

Baby Girl Name Possibilities...

Claire Veronica Alexander

Claire Elyse Alexander

Claire Alise Alexander

Claire Naomi Alexander

Avery Claire Alexander

Ava Claire Alexander

Clara Mae Alexander

Myah Claire Alexander

Avory Claire Alexander

Ella Claire Alexander

These are my favorite names so far!  Kris keeps calling her Claire Annette (get it--clarinet?)  Ha!  We can't name her that, although I do know a sweet person named Annette!  :o)

20 weeks-we're half-way to our sweet baby today!

Yay!  We made it to 20 weeks today!  I'm so happy!  I feel so blessed!  I still can't believe it's happening!  I'm feeling the baby move now, just tiny little bumps, but I love it.  I still don't look too pregnant, because I'm such a big girl, but I am wearing mostly maternity clothes now.  I still haven't gained weight, only lost about 3 pounds, but again, with me being overweight already, we're doing ok.  I'm feeling ok, with morning sickness still *pretty much* gone.  I'm just still tired a lot, but I think that has to do with just taking care of Asher and the house.  We've been thinking about names a lot, even though we don't know for sure if it's a girl.  We have Palmer James picked out for a boy, and Claire_______ for a girl.  We need name help!  We love the name Avery Claire, but Kris really truly wanted the first name to be Claire...so we'll see!  Maybe we will just need to look at her face to know for sure.  We're trying to decide whether to pay for another sonogram on our own, maybe a 3-D one, to find out for sure if she's a girl.  The insurance and type of clinic only pays for one unless ordered by the doctor.  Hopefully we will know before we go to the hospital so we'll know what to pack!  We just can't wait.  It's nice, though, that during our waiting time, we have so many holidays and other things to keep us busy!  :o)  We can't wait for our little Valentine!

Tissue Paper Garland

Hi!  I am linking up to Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest! I am always so inspired by everyone's craftiness there!  I have been wanting to try one of the rag garlands or a wreath, but haven't been able to make it out of town to get fabric.  I was trying to think of something I could "try it out" with that might not be so expensive.  I thought about tissue paper, but wasn't sure I would be able to find a "muslin" colored tissue paper.  Then my wheels started turning and I remembered the adorable candy corn tissue paper I had seen at Wal-Mart...lightbulb moment!  So here are the steps:

1. Probably the most time consuming part of this project-Go to Wal-Mart and buy tissue paper 2/$2. I bought two packages.

2.  Unfold the paper and refold so that it fits in your paper cutter, cut 5 inches wide.  You can also cut with scissors of course!

3.  Stack two sections of tissue paper together and sew a straight stitch all the way down the middle of your tissue paper.  You can keep going with the next set of tissue paper so you will have one continuous garland.  I used three bunches.

4.  Cut into the tissue paper about 3/4" wide and almost to the sewn line.  Be sure not to cut your sewn line!

Then do the other side!

 5.  Then start scrunching and gently pull the little fluffies apart!

6.  Hang and enjoy!

The possibilities of this little craft are ENDLESS...you could use pink and blue for baby showers, red and green for Christmas, specific colors for birthday parties, etc!



Just so thankful...

...for all of the blessings in my life!  I just have so many things to thank the Lord for this morning...my little boy who keeps giving me random hugs and squeezes this morning, for my pretty girl who tried so hard to have a better attitude last night and this morning, for our home, for Kris having a good job, for our sweet puppies laying in the sun in the backyard, for groceries in the pantry, for our church family, for this new sweet tiny baby growing inside me...so many things...I am just blessed beyond measure!