Wednesday, August 31, 2011

A Little Too Much Science

My dear Isabella informed me that she doesn't like honey anymore.   "And do you know why mommy? I just don't like the bees puking up the nectar to make it."  Well, obviously she is absorbing her science class.

I knew there was a reason I never liked honey ;)

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Waiting . . . . . . . .

This morning Stephen went to the doctor appointment that we have been waiting for.  Waiting to find out what the next course of action is for our family - will we stay in the military, will he be medically discharged, will they move us to another state and change his job, will things stay the same (least likely).  I waited in anticipation for his phone call. 

Going back in time ~ 2 1/2 years ago Stephen was injured during training in North Carolina.  His shoulder socket tore so that his arm would dislocate at any time.  He was in constant pain and tried to push it to the side at first.  It was not to be though.  It continued to get worse. The injury drastically altered our lives (and was all in Gods plan)  and we quickly moved back across country to his old team and to major surgery and rehab.   A year later he was still in constant pain but his shoulder was stabilized and he was told he would always have pain.  He was deployed to Iraq (third deployment) and the kids and I moved to be with my parents for while he was gone.  While he was in Iraq he reinjured it and the damage was worse this time.  He came home early and we all moved back home to start the whole surgery/rehab over again.  We were so happy to have him home with us but so sad he was in pain.  This time the surgery was more extensive and to make sure it didn't happen again, it was made much tighter.  Stephen has very limited mobility on that side and is still in pain.  The doctor told him that when he came into the appointment today it might be time to discuss a career change.  

I waited and waited.  For the last week Stephen and I have been discussing what potential plans would be . . well if they decide this, than we will do . . . .   Stephen called and I got my report.  The doctor said in 6 - 8 weeks if there is no change than he will be sent to the Medical Board to be discharged.  That is looking very likely at the moment, though anything is possible.  We are so content with whatever God's plan is in this.  I was feeling impatient to know what the outcome will be and then I remembered that God is in control - down to the day he gets out (or doesn't).

SO, we might be out of the military in 5-6 months but for now

we are waiting . . . . . . .

Caleb's first sewing project

He is doing anything he can to save up for his first .22.  He is halfway there :)



I don't know . . . he might put me out of business ;)


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Monday, August 29, 2011

Just Some Birthday Pictures

On Titus' special day he woke up to a pile of cards and letters from his brothers and sisters. His reactions were adorable. He Oohed and Aahed over each one.





Caleb made "drums" so they couldd have a birthday parade.



While Titus was taking his afternoon nap we wrapped present and blew up balloons ( I didn't have to blow up a single one!! having bigger boys is great!). They might have had even more fun than he did with them ;)



Isabella's picture for Titus. " This is me Titus and this is you, I gave you a tall hat."



Hadassah thought the present opening was fascinating.

Ooooh a football! (see last post ;)

I actually bought him play-doh. I really do not like play-doh. He didn't know what it was ( and neither did some of my other ones). When he first opened it he stared at it and then rubbed it on his lips :P He loves playing with it now - as do all the other kids.



I waited till he woke up to make his cake because I knew the making of it would be as good to him as eating it.





Now, of course, everyone is talking about who gets a birthday next. Bailey's is only 9 days away. He gets to have it in Idaho!
Though mine is before his ;)
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Saturday, August 27, 2011

Happy Birthday!!

Today we are celebrating our Titus.  Three years ago today we welcomed him into the world. He was  the first grandchild my mama caught :)  She was finishing up midwifery school and flew in just to deliver him.   I had gone into labor the night before while out shopping with my mama and sister.  I was so excited for things to get moving because I was feeling the crunch before my mom had to head home.  He was born at 38 weeks which is normal for me.  My contractions slowed down and I was able to get a good nights sleep.  The next day our whole family and my mom and sister (who was pregnant with her first) walked and walked and walked.  We walked around the neighborhood and then we walked across town.  Finally my labor truly kicked in that afternoon.  My dear sweet Analene  came and picked up our children and took them to stay at her house.  They were ecstatic and I was crying :(   They were just so excited to see their friends but that is the part of labor I have always hated.  My kiddos being away.  We watched a movie and relaxed around the house.  At about 5pm things had picked up enough for me to labor in my room on my birth ball ( love the birth ball!).  My mom sat across from me and when a contraction would begin I would relax and melt into the ball, rocking a little bit.  If I started tensing up my mom would say relax your shoulders, let go of that wrinkle in your forehead etc. . . I moved to the bed at about 8pm.  Then as I went through transition I would have a contraction and my mom would help me breathe through them , then as soon as it was over she would say, "now sleep". And apparently I would pass out and start snoring ( this is heresay ;)  I started pushing at 10pm and this is where I don't like the story :P  I have pushing issues.  I pushed for 2 1/2 hours and almost gave up, then he finally was born - A beautiful, sweet baby boy.   He was 7 pounds 8 ounces.  He was also my second home birth.  My first three children were born via c-section.  If anyone ever would like to talk about vbacs I would love to chat.





Titus with Grandpa
Titus is our most independent child.  He loves his siblings but he also is very happy to play by himself for hours at a time.  When he was a baby I thought he was our first compliant child.  He wasn't :D
He was just very laid back.  The first time we had a clash of wills he fought me for an hour, head thrown back and screaming.  He is such a sweetie and very strong-willed.  He has a big personality and can have the whole family in giggles.  He is incredibly agile.  Titus can even break dance!  We were  walking through downtown Boise one day and there were street dancers doing tricks on the sidewalk.  Titus jumped right out of the stroller and threw himself on the ground and actually pulled  off some of the tricks.  Ever since, whenever he hear music like that he starts dancing the same way.
He is already doing flips on the trampoline.  Stephen always says he will be our retirement when he is playing pro-ball ;)  He even bought him a football today and said it was like investing in an IRA. 
He has a great vocabulary and speaks very distinctly, working to pronounce every syllable. 


We are so very blessed to have him as a member of our family!



These are Isabella's bloomers






Berry picking at the Love's






New Big Brother


My little comedian








Titus caught in the act !




Titus, we love you!
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Friday, August 26, 2011

Ahhhh - I love a clean house

I am sitting here with my oldest three feeling very satisfied.  I love the end of Fridays.  Friday is our house cleaning day.  I love having everything in its place, all the laundry done, things scrubbed and shiny.  We took today off from school because I am feeling the crush of having a lot to do this next week.  We head to Idaho on the 2nd - WOOHOO.  Where I will get to see my mommy and daddy, and our wonderful friends the Bryants, and then our dearest Loves ;)    (Momma bug's blog )

Tonight, as I sit here, I also have a very emotional oldest son.  Caleb has been crying on and off for the last hour.  Why, you ask?  because tomorrow is Titus' birthday.  He is upset because his little baby brother is growing up.  He even wanted to go hug him in his sleep - to "get his last two year old hug from Titus".  Caleb asked me, " What if he is my last little brother?"  I am glad he loves his brother.  Caleb is always cheering the most when we find out we are expecting.  When I was pregnant with Isabella and Caleb was 5 years old, Caleb sat in our car counting seats.  He wanted to know if we would have enough seats for when the baby came.  I told him our suburban could fit 6 kids and he looked at me expectantly.  " OH mom, we are going to need a lot more seats than that!"  LOL

Today when Caleb was cleaning the bathroom, he took the rug out to scrub the floor.  When he came out to put it back where it belongs Isabella was napping on it :)
Caleb thought it was pretty cute and ran and got the camera.

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