Lawrence Welk and Other Stuff

My favorite part of the day is both nap time and bed time for J. Not because he is out of my hair for a clip of time, but because it is our snuggle time, and I looove it. I pick him up, close the shades and the door to his room, hand him his blanket and like a well trained Pavlovian dog, he instantly puts his soft little head on my shoulder. I then stand next to his crib and sing him some songs and then drop his sweet little bean into his crib and off to dream land he goes. My heart warms each time I get to put him to bed. (please remind me of this in 6 months when he turns on me and hates to be put to bed, or starts demanding 'one more song' till I rue the day when I started this bed time routine.). But right now, I love it. My standard repertoire of lullabies is just that, standard. Jesus loves me, Moon Moon Moon, God is So Good, Jesus Loves the Little Children. All songs I've sung to all of my babes. Well, for some reason the other night, the closing song from the Lawrence Welk Show popped into my head, and I sang that. Yes, Lawrence Welk. I'm laughing as I type it.
All of my grandparents had a strange addiction to this show. No matter where we were, our house, their house, some strangers house, a hospital, or nursing home bed, when it hit 7pm on a Sunday evening, they all had one request. "Hey Katie, go turn on the T.V. and see if Lawrence Welk is on." And most likely it would be. So this song is forever burned in my brain (which is largely musical, I remember words from songs from 7th grade better than current ones). "Good night, sleep tight, and pleasant dreams to you. Here's a wish, and a prayer that all your dreams come true...." Its a nice song. J likes it.
But all this to say, after singing this song to him on Sunday night, Monday evening I sat down to watch some DVR shows. And don't you know at the very top of my DVR list was the Lawrence Welk Show! For real. Three things strike me about this discovery.
A. The Lawrence Welk Show is STILL on. On Sunday nights.
B. Who is messing with me? I didn't DVR it. Scott didn't, and I'm sure the kids wouldn't hit record on a show like that. (I still think Scott must have heard me sing that song and DVR'd it just to mess with me, but I'm pretty sure if he heard that song, he wouldn't know it was from LW.)
C. Why would that song pop in my head, and then LW show up on my DVR the next day. Weird. I'm sure a psychic palm reader would say my Grandparents are trying to get my attention.

And in other random weird things that have happened in my home,

-B ate a spinach salad last night for dinner. Seriously, I was eating mine, and he was like, "can I have a leaf?" Sure. Then he proceed to mooch the rest of mine and Scott's and eventually, I made him his own spinach salad with balsamic vinaigrette.

-J is walking. And has been somewhat happy, which is weird. But nice.

-I've had two productive days in a row. Which hasn't happened in lets say, 10 weeks or so. I cleaned out the boys closet and room, which was a two day job, made dinner 3 nights in a row, and went grocery shopping AND did laundry. Is it a full moon?
Since being pregnant, I haven't had any motivation to do anything at all for a while now.

And that is all.

I blame you.

Truth: I wasn't expecting to be expecting. But I'm getting excited about it.
Truth: I like to blame other people for things. Don't we all? Every time I'm faced with a difficult decision, I like to try and get someone else to make it for me, so I can blame them if I don't like the outcome.

So, in efforts to be humorous, I have composed a list as to who to blame for me being pregnant with number 4. (I'm just kidding, so no lectures...)
So, I blame...

1. Jedidiah. Look at him, he's delicious and he gave me baby fever.

2. My father-in-law. He actually told me back in the summer, point blank, "You have really great kids, you don't need anymore." My rebellious nature subconsciously made me want to have 10 more kids, just to see what he'd to say.

3. Shay. Back in September/October, after I had told her that I had given away or sold most of my baby stuff, she told me I would be pregnant before Thanksgiving.

4. Apparently, selling one's baby stuff is a recipe for a baby.

5. Scott. Cause no list would be complete if I didn't blame him.

6. Janet. Cause she keeps saying things like, I really wish you had a girl. And all the other people that keep saying I need a little girl. Not that I know I'm having a girl, but even strangers keep asking me if I'm trying for a girl (this was before I was pregnant, in fact, I think someone asked me this on the c-section table when J was born.)

Should I blame you too?;)

Let the Madness Begin.

Actually, the madness has already begun in my house. It happened maybe 3 years ago when B was born. When you have one kid, everything is so controllable and easy (even if you didn't think it was, and were about to lose your mind every afternoon waiting for hubby to get home). Then you add another one, and it doesn't seem that bad when the second is a baby. But then you find yourself with TWO bigger kids that make messes, and say to yourself, wow! This is boring stuff, I need to add another to make life REALLY interesting. And you do. And the baby is so cute and easy to deal with, but then something happens. That cute, sweet, innocent baby turns one and someone snatches him away in his sleep and replaces him with a one year old, that looks just like the cute, sweet model. But you KNOW its not the same kid. Cause instead of smiling at you sweetly, he is now this scratching at you, chasing you around the kitchen, whining to be picked up-kid. The instant you pick him up he's smacking you in the face and wants to be put down. He's all the sudden in seek and destroy mode, and pulls the corner bead molding off the wall, throws toys and bites the older brothers, and is no longer happy-ever. And the madness continues. He is the 2011 Mess Maker Model. He is determined to win the fastest mess maker award. Tearing through kitchen cabinets at lightening speed. He refuses to eat dinner and throws the food on the floor, which is enough to make you want to do things that are not well, acceptable.
And then you think (or maybe you don't)that you need more excitement in your life and find yourself adding to the madness by adding a 4th mess maker into the mix.

Yes, for anyone that doesn't know. We are expecting a fourth baby. In July. And I refuse to think about what life will look like in 6.5months. I'm just trying to get through today, and will not think past dinner time. It works better that way. And just so you know, I wasn't trying for the girl. I'm not sure if a girl would make things better or worse. Ha! For the record, I always wanted all boys, and 4 kids. (but to be totally honest, this was before I even had any kids). But let the madness begin, or rather continue. Ha.

We have started preparations this weekend for the list of things that we need to do in order to sell our house. And it brings out the best side of my husband who, loves lists and getting things done. He is a slave driver! (Don't tell him I said that, but he's a focused individual on the to-do list and I am far from that, and it creates a fun environment!) There is something for him which involves a deadline and a to-do list which creates a machine. I'm guessing its a lot like his old work routine.

Anyway. I'm confident that God will provide the skills it will take for me to manage 4 kids and my sanity. Doesn't He always? If I rely on Him and not me, it will be okay.

Its the season!

I have probably written a post like this every year...
Since December 18th, our family has been living under the cloud of illness. I'm ready for everyone to be healthy and happy, but I know that this is winter and this is what happens. I'm handling it better than I have in previous years, but I'm needing to see my friends again, and to get out of the house to do more than run an errand. We have had the gamut of virus things, hacking coughs, fevers, stomach bugs and strep throat, all in the last 3 weeks. Thank you, I've had my fill.
My dad is still hospitalized, now having seizures and out of control blood sugar, still disoriented. But when I saw him yesterday, he was a bit more awake and knew my name which I am considering is a good sign.
Please pray that things improve with him. And that we have fulfilled our quota of virus suffering for a month and are spared for a while!

It's All Over

Christmas is over. The built up is done and we are in full relaxation mode. Well sort of.
To update the month of December:
-The Women's Christmas event went well. I mean, up until the actual performance, the rehearsals were not great and almost terrible. The actual events went off with only one little snafu. It was a total God thing I know because no one got it completely right during rehearsals and then its like a magic wand was waved and they got it.
-I did get my house decorated, a little, at the insistence of my eldest. Not all of the decorations got up, but that's fine with me.
-Everyone who was on my list got presents.
-I finally made some Christmas cookies (albeit on Christmas Eve).
-We did our advent calendar with the verses for every day about the Christmas Story. Its nice to have an older child who remembers to do it everyday, otherwise, we'd still be on day 5.
-We got to see the light show at the rip-you-off farm. But its worth it. My kids love it. (although the lights here are even more expensive than the light show at Hershey Park, is that saying something?) But people pay it, including us, so I guess I can't complain, I'm just shocked at how much things cost in our neck-of-the-woods.
-In complete Christmas Eve tradition, my kids were in rare form. J was cranky and fell earlier in the day resulting in a sweet fat lip and nasty cut on it. Q and B completely walking side-ways and just rude. I guess its the sugar load up, or excitement, but they were just off. They were good during church, so that was a blessing.
-My dad, in his holiday tradition, came to my house and was acting strangely on Christmas Eve. So after dinner and church, I finally decided there was definitely something wrong with him and forced him to go to the ER. He was quickly diagnosed with another brain bleed (a quite large one), and right now no longer has speech abilities. Strangely, we are very thankful that this happened on Christmas, cause initially he was talking but just 'off', and I wouldn't have picked it up over the phone. But when he began wandering around my house opening and closing cabinets, and picking up random items and getting transfixed on them, I knew something was up. It took convincing at the ER that there was actually something wrong with him, but 10minutes and one head CT later, sure enough, a large, new bleed. Incidentally, God worked miracles here too cause I thought for sure there would be a huge wait at the ER, but when we got there, the waiting area was empty. When I left an hour and half later, the waiting room was packed. I think if we had gotten there later, that they would have pushed him off because his initial exam didn't warrant any urgency.
Now he sits at Jefferson Hospital, deteriorating daily. But they tell me that it is expected, and that he should recover. I'm hoping that is true, cause right now he looks like one of those old, sad men in the nursing homes just staring into space. For the first time, he seems old and frail to me, and I hate it. My brother is in town picking up slack and ensuring there is a good plan in place for him when they discharge him. Thankful for that. Its just good timing, sort of. Scott is off for the week so I can be free to do what I need to do. I have a strange peace about it all, just knowing that God is always in control and His hand is already so evident to me in this situation.
-We had a quiet Christmas morning which, is so foreign to me. Growing up the youngest of four, living with my grandmother and parents, we always had a bustling house-full. (and later in the day we'd get together with all the cousins and that was even more happy chaos!) It was a bit strange just the 5 of us. But the kids were happy and enjoyed the festivities. And I'm thankful I was able to be home to enjoy the morning.

well, I must run. Christmas is over, I'm a bit sad. And now back to your regularly scheduled program.

Thank You God for a Sick Day?

Yesterday, I took a sick day. Sort of. I have whatever ailment the little boys have, low grade fever, congestion, just miserableness. And believe me the youngest has been a charm the last 4 days or so. He wants to be held, and not just held, but rocked/swayed, while standing. You're not allowed to sit down and hold the boy, just stand and rock while he puts his sad little head on your shoulder. It would be sweet, and it is, for just a little while. But a whole morning of this yesterday, while being under the weather myself proved to be too much for this mama. So when Scott came home with the big boys from church, I declared a sick day, and horded myself away in my room. And blessed be the sick day. I took an hour and half nap, then watched at least 4 hours of Food Network. Then I ponied up and got out of bed when I heard my beloved starting to lose his mind with the youngest. Although, Scott being the resourceful man he is, put the kid in the backpack and went about his Sunday afternoon routine of laundry and trash and football watching. There was only so much he could take, which I can have sympathy for, so I undeclared the sick day and went back to work.
But honestly, I did love my long afternoon of being sick. I still feel rather crudy, but I guess mom's don't get more than 5 hours of "PTO" at time. And it was enough. I guess sick days are needed and good. As long as there are no stomach virus involved, in that case, what's a sick day, and who needs it. That's not worth it, ever.

I guess its time for a post.

But I have nothing to write.
I could go on and on about my pintrest observations (like what the heck is up with mustaches?).
I could write a moving post about Christmas, and how we are planning to keep the focus on Christ. And I could shame you into not acknowledging santa (except we do the santa thing, and see nothing wrong with it). But I won't bore you with those things.
Truth is, I'm trudging through my days, and I'm not motivated to do much. I finally got some Christmas decorations out. I have 4 presents bought. I have plans for getting a tree this weekend. But we shall see if it happens. And I just realized that Christmas is two weeks away. This always happens to me.

My mind and time has been occupied with more important things such as: the MOST AWESOME WOMEN'S CHRISTMAS EVENT THAT EVER WAS AND EVER SHALL BE! HA!(and that IS the title of the event too. Not really.)

The women's Christmas event at church, is this Friday and Saturday. I have been helping organizing the program and it has done the following to me.
-Made me crazy.
-Taught me a load of lessons when it comes to putting on a musical production of any type.
-Kept me up at night.
-Shown me how to not sweat the small stuff and God will work out details.
-Taught me how to roll with the punches and have plans B,C, D and E at the ready. No lie, I have had to alter my plans for this event so much.
-That it really is a privilege to be apart of an outreach event like this. I may not know if this event and its content will bring anyone to know Christ. But if it does, what an awesome privilege it is to be apart of that.
-Music does something to me. Even though I'm not singing in this event, when I listen to the words being sung and the musicians playing their instruments, gosh! I am overwhelmed. There's this little piece inside of me that ignites. (I hate poetic jargon like that, but there is truly no other way to describe it.). I know some or most people don't know what I'm talking about. Music speaks to me sometimes in ways nothing else can.
-Taught me a lot about myself. Like, how much I hate responsibility and hard work. For reals. I hate deadlines and making decisions.
-I am thankful for the opportunity to do something I was so passionate about not so long ago. I pray that someone else's heart ignites when they hear the message of the music and monologues.
I would covet your prayers too that this event would be a success in that someones heart is moved for God.

So maybe one day next year, I'll have something more to write. But if I don't. Have a merry Christmas!