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!