WOW! Has it been a while since I've blogged...It has been such a busy year. As of today, the kids are still on summer vacation but go back to school in three more weeks. Hannah is going into 4th grade, Zennek into third and Jade into first. Lilly is just 5 days short of being ten months old already. I can't believe how fast time is flying.

Hannah is growing way too fast for my taste. She has past my shoulder in height and is weraing women's shoes. She can't wait to go back to school. She asks me daily to check if they have posted who their teachers are online.

Zennek has finally gotten some height on Jade. His gluten free diet has changed him so much. He is growing, has greater concentration and is a much happier child. I couldn't be a happier mom. It's been almost a year now that he switched and I can't believe the difference.

Jade asked me on the last day of school if it was time to start the next grade. I think she is more anxious to be a first grader than she is to actually be going to school. She is really starting to loose her cute chubby cheeks and gaining her young lady looks.

Lilly, like I said, is just short of ten months old. Today she took 14 unassisted steps. She has four teeth and is a risk taker. She loves to climb. I get a lot of excercise chasing her around. She is also very independant and loves doing things for herself including eating.

Chris and I are doing alright. Chris has been on leave for a while because he has incurred quite a few days and had to use them before he lost them. It's been nice not having to get up early. We have had tons of apointments because we haven't had to work around schedules. I like having the freedom to get up and go, but I am definitely looking forward to the structure of my day when everyone is back into routine. My day is much different when it is just Lilly compaired to everyone being at home.

Well, we are a busy, busy bunch and I need to get off here and get the kids off to bed. Goodnight everyone! It's better to be on yours toes and running around than to be stuck all alone and on the ground!

Keeps going and going and going...

I am loving the weather today. It is nice and sunny. It is a bit cool but nice. I am very happy about the weather because I get to be home all day. I am cleaning up the house and doing laundry but I think I might be able to do it with the windows open later this afternoon, which is always nice. If nothing else I get to enjoy the sunshine through my windows.

Being a mom is a busy job so I have been really busy lately. On top of all my mom duties, I am the Pledge Mother (adult advisor) for a girl's group called The International Order of Rainbow for Girls Pledge Group. Hannah is currently in this program and she has lots of fun doing community service, going on fun trips, and making lots of friends. In fact this term her group is raising money to donate to The Shriner's Hospital for Children. Here is the link to the hospital donation page if anyone would like to help out!
https://secure2.convio.net/shfc/site/Donation2?idb=1488981296&df_id=3120&FR_ID=1030&PROXY_ID=4690&PROXY_TYPE=31&3120.donation=form1
Hannah is also doing great in school. She has recently been nominated to be a part of the "Highly Capable Program" for school next year! This is a program that invites students that are well above their grade standards and gives them an opportunity to grow in their education along with other students like them. We are so proud of her!

Zennek is a different kid than he was last year. His diet has made such a difference in him. For those of you who don't know, he has Celiac. It is getting easier and easier to manage since I too have Celiac and have been on the diet for about a year and a half now. I am still learning how to convert old recipes to gluten free but I have learned many new recipes and that is always fun. Zennek now has more focus in school, a much longer attention span and because of these things is getting fantastic grades in school! It really is amazing to me how a thing as small as gluten can change so much.

Jade is now adjusting to going to school and has made many friends. She still has her very bubbly personality. She has already started to read small words. I can't believe how grown up she is getting. One of my favorite things that she does is when she is playing with her dolls by herself, she sings out everything they are doing. Singing is one of her favorite things to do all day long.

Lillian is growing fast too! She is just a few days away from being five months old already! I can hardly believe it. I know she is rolling over because I have put her down on her back and found her not long after on her stomach, but she is super sneaky about it since I have yet to see it happen. She is 15 lbs. and over two feet tall now. She has a very infectious laugh which she gives to her brother more than anyone else. Lilly loves Zennek and there is just something about him that can give her a major case of the giggles. I have a feeling that she is going to follow close behind him for many years.

Chris, just last week, found out that he is getting a medical discharge from the Army because of his back issues. We aren't sure of exactly when he is getting out but it is approximately a year. He has been in so much pain lately and has also had a few more kidney stones adding to his misery. He is doing a great deal of thinking about what he will do after he gets out. I am thinking about the future too. I have to decide what I'm going to do as well. It's a bit overwhelming but I know together we will succeed.

Happy New Year!

WOW! A new year already. I am anxious about the coming year. This year is certain to change so much in our family that I am nervous and excited. To start off, we are all beginning 2012 in good health. All year long will be full of new things watching Lilly grow and reach many milestones. I will be turning 30 this year. I'm really unsure how I feel about it. I don't dislike the idea, but I know that turning a milestone age really makes you look at life and rethink what you want out of it. I know I will be doing a lot of that this whole year long.

We will be looking for employment for Chris and/or me. Unfortunately, Chris will be leaving the Army in September, much to his disappointment. He has to leave because of formalities. This is going to change so much of our life and I have so many mixed emotions it's hard to know where to start. We are already looking for possible job opportunities and a less expensive place to live.

A new year also means growing children. Hannah decided to measure herself and we found that she is amazingly 4'5" tall! She is working on learning to sew and cook. She will be 10 years old in November. She is quickly becoming a young lady. Zennek is going to be 8 in July and is very unique. He loves to wear button-up shirts and slacks with the occasional tie thrown in. He is quite the cutie if you ask me. Jade is still the social butterfly. She just had a holiday performance. We were very proud of her that we could hear her sing over and above all the other kinders. I love that she isn't shy. She loves to sing all day long especially when she is playing Barbies. Jade will be 6 in May. Then there is Lillian, she is very reserved and quiet. She loves one on one attention and has an infectious smile. I am looking forward to all her milestones this coming year. She coos a lot trying to tell us what she thinks of the world and I can't wait to hear her speaking voice. The older kids are very good at helping me out with her.

We have already begun our start of 2012 and no matter what happens I know that I will have great family and friends to spend it with. I hope everyone has a great year full of good health, friends, and laughter. Happy 2012!

A Busy Mom

Lillian is excited for Christmas!

It's officially the holiday season. I haven't been home in a while. I haven't really slowed down since October when miss Lillian was born. She was born on the 11th and came home on the 13th. My mom came up to help out with the other kids. The kids were very excited to meet their new sister. In fact, they were so excited that a few days before the induction they made T-shirts to wear when they came to the hospital. Hannah's said "Big Sister, Again". Jade's said "I'm a Big Sister". Zennek's said "Another Sister!" They were very cute.

About a week or so after being home I developed mastitis, waking up with a fever of 102 and an inability to stand up. Luckily I had a phone nearby to call Chris and have hime take me in to the doctor. I was given antibiotics and sent home. I felt a lot better within 3 days, but it took two weeks to fully clear up. During that time Hannah turned 9. We took her and the other kids to go see Puss in Boots. It was a cute movie that everyone enjoyed. It's hard to believe that she is nine, but I guess they grow up whether you are ready for it or not.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving with my inlaws and some friends. It was nice that everyone made a little bit and no one had a lot to do. The Christmas season kicked off that evening with a short Black Friday trip to pick up a birthday present for my stepson Bryon. He turned 11 on the 15th. (Again, wow, how did that happen?!) We have been to three Christmas parties already and it's only the 11th of December. I have also been to one birthday party and have another one this afternoon. We had Jade's first school performance the other night as well. It was adorable! I loved that we could hear her sing louder than any other child on stage.

I am excited for the next few weeks when my grandparents come to visit. I haven't seen them since I moved up here to Washington. My brother Chris is going to join them on the train when it comes through Oregon and have Christmas with us as well. I have a lot to do to prepare for the visit since we haven't been home a lot lately.

Today, Lilly is two months old and I have her checkup and shots tomorrow.She is growing so fast and has gained over 4 pounds already. She smiles all the time and is such a calm baby. Chris has jury duty this week. I'm hoping if he is selected that it will allow him to be home. I have a few appointments to go to during the week but mostly I'll be at home preparing for Christmas. I hope everyone has a great Christmas and a very Happy New Year if I don't get on here again before that time.

Almost there...

Today is September 23rd, 2011. My little belly dancer is growing very fast and is almost ready to make her debut to the world. This last few weeks have been really difficult, but we are getting through it. The three older kids are closing out their 3rd week of school and seem to be in the swing of things. Chris is doing so-so. He has had some back problems that have been affecting his arms, legs and mobility. We have found out that he has 2 double herniated discs in his lumbar and has bone spurs in his neck. We aren't sure what is going to be done yet, but that is what is causing his arm to go numb and slow him down quite a bit.

My due date is officially October 17th, but my doctor is inducing me no later than October 11th to keep me from having to change blood thinner medications. I'm not exactly comfortable because the baby has dropped and is sitting on my sciatic nerve causing a lot of pain in my leg and occasional numbness making my leg to feel asleep while standing up. October 11th is only 2 weeks and  4 days away though, so I am getting very excited. We are all ready to meet this little girl.

Aside from that, things seem to be very busy lately. The Pledge Group that Hannah is in is working hard to collect items to put in care packages for soldiers that we are sending out for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The girls seem to be very excited about it. They are also selling things at a bazaar on October 29th to raise money to buy items for these packages and for postage to mail them.

Zennek has had a great start in school and is getting many care tickets which are recognition for being a student that Cooperates, Acts safely, Respects others and Excels. I am very proud of him. Jade and Hannah are both doing well with school too. This is Jade's first year and she is having a lot of fun. She is transitioning into the routine of school life better than I ever could have expected. She loves art and has great handwriting already. I am one proud mom of all of my children!

I'm hoping that this next few weeks goes smoothly and I will post pictures of this little lady once she arrives.

28 Weeks and counting...

I am officially 28 weeks along in my pregnancy this morning. I am very excited about this! I'm taking it as a fresh start this morning. This last week has been a thorn in my side and I am thoroughly happy that it is over with. I was having one bad day after the next and couldn't get out of the blah.

My week ended with Jade being very sick for two days and I had to take her in to the doctor yesterday to get IV fluids due to dehydration. She has a followup this afternoon and is feeling much better. I am very sleepy this morning, but I am going to chalk it up to being pregnant and move along as best I can and be ok with it.

Today I have J's followup, some dishes, laundry and maybe some baking on my to-do list. Strangely, I don't know when the last time I was so thrilled for it to be Monday! So, despite being a bit out of it I am in a go-getter mood this morning. I'm off to get a nice refreshing shower and get this day going! May all of your days be fulfilling!

Happy Birthday Z!

Today, July 19th, is my little man's birthday. I can't believe that this kid can be 7 already! I have been told over the years that time flies, but as a teenager I never believed it; as an adult before kids I never believed it; now as a mom I totally understand.

Once children are in the picture you wonder how in the world there are enough hours in a day to accomplish everything you need to get done. I still haven't gotten over that JJ is 5 and starting school in just a few short weeks. H is just months away from being 9! Yes, I said 9! And now, Z is 7. How is this all possible?!

I'm almost at a loss for words since to me my children are all so little and so grown up at the same time. I am very proud of each one of them in different ways. H is a great artist and a wonderful big sister. Z is gluten free and is almost never in a foul mood that he can't have the same things as everyone else. I think I have a harder time with it than he does. He also can't wait to be a big brother again and has no problem with being the only boy in the house aside from Chris. J has the biggest imagination I've ever seen. She comes up with stories all the time and always has answers for any questions you might have about them. Her other standout quality is that she loves to sing and dance and will put on a show for anyone who will watch.

I love all my munchkins and no matter how much I dislike that they are growing faster than weeds, I am very proud of them in every way and wouldn't change them at all. I enjoy every minute of watching them grow, even if it is before my very eyes.

Our little girl is growing too, I don't remember my belly ever being so big with the others. I am not fully prepared for her arrival but I am getting there. I am 27 weeks as of yesterday. I can already tell this is one very active little girl. I go back to the doctor again next week for another ultrasound. I am always excited to see how different she looks every time. It really is something to see.

Well, I'm off to go play cars with my birthday boy. He loves Matchbox and Hot Wheels. He is setting up and putting them in a traffic jam and making all the sounds of screeching tires and horns honking since my car is supposed to be broken down and holding everyone up...I guess I better go find a tow truck! Later everyone!