cameras, cats and chickens, concerts....

I'm getting so behind on pictures. I haven't been able to take as many lately in spite of having two digital cameras that I can't wait to try out. One is Kenny's and one is mine. He said I could choose the one I want and he'll take the other. I think I'll choose the cool retro looking black one. Brandon and Laura get our still-good-condition old ones, although their Christmas ipods take pictures too so not sure how much they'll get used. Maybe I'll pick up speed again as the winter goes on. It's sort of depressing outside this time of year anyway. Spring and summer are much better with pretty flowers and we're able to enjoy outdoors more. I like staying inside warm by the fire. Last night Ben and I burned a bunch of Christmas wrapping paper and boxes outside at the fire pit--sort of glad to see that go up in smoke. Our 3 cats are getting stir crazy too. We moved their cat food on the outside porch because the dogs were eating it up on the inside. So now they go in and out constantly and after they eat want to come back in and warm up, and then out again. Gigi is obsessed with the birds at the feeder, as is our little dog who jumps at the windowsill over and over again. As I was looking out the back door this morning, I noticed that one of the kids left the chicken house door open last night. I explained how dangerous this is for them because a coyote or racoon or whatever enjoys chickens around here would love to know the door is open for a midnight snack. They were alive and well though when they went out to check. Brandon and Laura are headed to another Winterfest concert tonight to see several Christian bands. They want me to go at some point but I guess I'll let Kenny tag along this time--maybe I'll catch the next one. I use to go to concerts when I was a teen, except mine were very different genres. Hard to believe I was into 80's heavy metal, but it's true--lol.

I thought this was funny--Gigi sitting on the Birdhouse Inn and Restaurant--as far as I know she hasn't captured any birds--hopefully they're too quick for her~~you wouldn't believe the cardinals that were here one day--we counted 15--they're so pretty!; Gigi waiting at the back door to go out so she can march right back up to the front door and scratch to get in again--crazy cat:) Chickens heading home to roost--"and please don't forget to shut the door behind us--good night!"

taking down the tree, can't wait to paint...

Christmas is over. Not a bad thing (not because we didn't enjoy it because it was fun spending time with family, opening gifts, having a nice meal, etc.) But we've had the tree up for a month and I'm ready to get back to normal. Now we can move on to other things because there's plenty to do. We took the tree down yesterday. I still have the upstairs to organize and downstairs--pretty much everywhere, but it'll get done little by little. My mom has been a big help since she's been off from work coming down and spending time with us. In fact, she's here with us as I write keeping me company in the midst of a busy day. I don't know what we'd do without her. I hope one day I can be for our kids what she's meant to us. I don't know that I'll be able to because she's one of a kind and her shoes would be very hard to fill. Jonah and I dusted some today with those fun little dusting wands. I actually enjoy dusting and vacuuming, for that matter. Other chores like cleaning bathrooms and putting clothes away, not so much, but we do it anyway:) Still waiting on the CT results. I don't know if they'll call me or wait until the next appt. I have a lengthy ultrasound scheduled for next week. There's time when I wonder why I pay a dr. There's so much unsolicited, free advice given that it may not be necessary to spend these high insurance premiums and co-pays, etc. when I can get it for free. For example, I remember when I had the miscarriage a couple of years ago and was advised by someone to wait it out naturally, assuring me that everything would be fine. I could've nearly hemorrhaged to death trying to be natural and all that listening to that advice. Or on how many babies we have or whatever. So it's nice to have a good doctor's advice, one who you can trust to do the right thing.
I'm looking forward to using one of my Christmas presents. Kenny and the children bought me an art easel and some painting canvasses. I'm excited for spring to arrive so I can take it outside and paint something when it's nice and warm--I still have to do one for Jonah and Savannah. Maybe I'll take it to the beach when we go. That'd be relaxing--painting in the warm sun watching the ocean and seagulls and kids playing on the beach. Can't get much better than that:)

My Christmas gifts

Two months since Savannah's arrival, I finally gathered all 8 children together for a photo. It's not an easy task getting everyone in good position, especially the little ones--and then get eye contact, wide awake babies:), no thumbs in mouth:), and big smiles.....
....so I ended up taking 3 different ones....they had to play musical chairs for about 10 mins. but they were good sports about it. If someone asks me what I want for Christmas--I already have it. Our children are the best gifts I could ask for (along with my husband and good family and friends, good health, etc.) I wish I could keep things this way forever. I think we got all we wanted to get done for Christmas this year. Today after the CT scan (anxious to find out the results after Christmas--my brother and sis-in-law who both work at a cancer center in the radiation dept. eased my mind about it), we went to the very crowded mall to see the Christmas decorations. I bought Kenny and the kids some caramel/peanut apples they like which we ate on the way home; Jonah was a little rambunctious in the mall--we forgot to bring the stroller--not good in a crowded mall with a 3 y.o.; then we exhausted ourselves wrapping presents. Now I'm ready to relax--haha--the work is not over by any means, but I do enjoy watching Kenny and the kids open their gifts. I hope they like them!
Merry Christmas!!

CT scan

Is it a CT scan or CAT scan? I don't know but I have to get one done tomorrow. I just read an article about the enormous amount of radiation that comes along with this test. But not knowing what's going on is maybe even more concerning--unless of course it comes back negative. That's what I want but then I've been exposed to all that radiation unnecessarily. Don't like that one little bit. I'll have to ask them about that before I do it. Anyway, the dr. ordered more tests and this will narrow it down even further as to what is going on. There's only a couple of more things to look at, he says. The blood pressure was pretty good yesterday but the dr. still wonders why a good deal of medication is being required at this point. We talked about losing the baby weight which might help (still have 8 lbs. to go but I'm still b. feeding which tends to keep the baby weight on me), and exercise (3 miles a day on the treadmill use to keep me nice and fit once upon a time) so that's an option. I told the dr. I didn't like medications and would like to be off of them at some point, telling him how much I dislike them and avoid at almost all costs, putting chemicals into my body with side effects. His reply was to weigh the risk--medications with side effects or other things that are even worse like being dead and things that are worse than being dead (he's basing this prediction on potential future consequences of continued untreated high readings like from a couple of weeks ago). Well, of course, I don't want that. The good thing is there are safer medications to use--these are the same ones I used during pregnancy and still now while b.feeding--so that's a good thing. I still believe it will go down on it's own at some point. And if one more (I'm sure well-meaning:) person tells me about pregnancy causing it....... however, what does a random person know about those things? My dr. said it wasn't an issue--pregnant women with managed high blood pressure have babies all the time. That's what he gets paid the big bucks for to give good medical advice and I believe that's what he's doing. I'm so appreciative of a good, thorough medical professional:)

wrapping presents, bills, and funny Jonah

I'm in the midst of wrapping Christmas gifts five days before Christmas. Brandon and Laura helped me with some of their brothers and sisters gifts (and Dad's too:) Last year, I tackled it by myself and this year decided to ask for help. It can be a little overwhelming if I don't watch out. So I'm grateful for their help.
Tomorrow I have a drs. appt to see how my blood pressure is doing. At home, it's been very good so far. So hope that will be the case when they recheck it. All the labs came back fine so there's nothing, as far as we know, weird causing it. That's a good thing. The hospital bills came back and surprised us this year with quite a "sticker shock". Now that I think of it, maybe that's why my b.p is so high--no rare diseases after all. At least we have insurance. It would've been astronomical had we not had it. Very thankful for Kenny and his brothers working very hard to pay insurance premiums after all these years. Laura had to get her palate expander put in today (unfortunately no ins. for orthodontics, braces, etc. so hopefully the kid's teeth remain in very good shape like they have been over the yrs.) and Savannah had her synagis shot. The dr. was telling us how expensive it was--something like several thousand per shot. Like I said, good thing for insurance. Who could pay for that without it?
I'd love to get a new vehicle someday. My little minivan van is almost an antique--literally. We bought it when Brandon was 2--just a little tiny boy. But my practical side says to keep driving it until it drives no more and it would be sad to let it go because there are so many memories that go along with it (like going to the beach when we only had 5 kids--how did we get all that luggage in?....bringing new babies home...) And I probably will keep it for as long as possible just because I'm practical in that sense--and I believe in buying used vehicles only. Sometimes it would be easier to buy a new one right off the lot--seems so simple but it's not really when the payments start coming around. I've never owned a new car and probably never will. I don't really care about that. Let someone else pay the big money and still get a "new" used vehicle for a whole lot less. I still have the big white van to rely on--now only 6 yrs. old, bought with 28,000 miles. It still had the new car smell. That's probably the closest I'll get to a new car but I'm fine with that.
Jonah was funny today. He's been quite a handful in his 2's and now into his 3's--today he watered my fake flower and left a big puddle on my dresser. Better than letting the whole box of ice cream sandwiches melt on the couch and dumping the entire bottle of sprinkles on top....or the entire parmesan bottle mixed with apple juice from his sippy cup. I think Jonah's going to be a chef one day--lol. He loves watching The Food Network so maybe that's why he loves raiding the pantry and concocting things.

my very inquisitive, cute little chef:) looking very innocent:)
Off to join Kenny to watch Fox News and get my Christmas letters ready to send to persecuted homeschoolers in Germany and Sweden. What is up with people being so intolerant of homeschoolers? I hope an encouraging letter will help to let them know that people out there are thinking of them. Good night:)

Savannah--10 wks. and shopping

Savannah's getting big--9 lbs 6 oz and 21 in. Basically the size of a 3-week-old newborn which is what she might've been if she had been born on her due date. She's doing really well and almost outgrowing her newborn clothes at 10 wks. old. One of the employees there happens to live in our neck of the woods and goes to the local church. Who knew we'd meet somebody all the way across another county who goes to the local community church. I thought that was interesting. Kenny, myself, and Savannah went out last night to use a gift card at a restaurant, ordered the food and chose the more pricey items on the menu so we would use the whole amount, then was told that the gift card machine was broken so we ended up having to pay for a rather expensive dinner in these hard economic times--lol. Figures that would happen. The idea was to use the gift card which was nearing a year old; I've been trying for the past year to find a convenient time to use it, and we were on that side of town...Oh well, now we still have the gift card which is nice. We'll just get to eat there a second time:) The food was very good, since I hadn't eaten all day. I ended up shopping at two stores and stayed longer than I thought I would. The place was so busy and there was so much to look at. And oftentimes, I can't just go in and look at what I went in for. I end up browsing in almost every aisle. Shopping is like therapy to me sometimes. So I like to do it on occasion. Not saying that I buy or spend a lot--(have to put that in there;)--just look is all.
I really need to start wrapping some of the presents that I have stored away. Maybe I'll start that tonight. I like Christmas but honestly over the last 20 yrs. the holidays have caused quite a few issues that have really been draining for us. Some of the kids wonder what is the point of going to places where bad moods and rudeness abounds (whether it be out shopping or just some random place). They were wondering--what's the point of that on a religious holiday? Aren't people supposed to be nice and cheery and happy to see each other, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas? That's what I would like it to be too but not always the case. I guess we all get grumpy sometimes especially when we get overwhelmed and tired. But that's different from being rude. Besides all that, we really enjoy watching Christmas movies and listening to the music and watching them open their gifts and seeing family and friends; those are the important things (obviously the most important is Jesus' birth). The kids have been busy making Christmas presents. Homemade gifts from them are very special. I really need to start wrapping some of the things I've stored away. Maybe I'll start tonight. I've got to make good use of the time I have left because there's not much of it. But for now, Savannah's waking up so off to change and feed her. She's a doll--so cuddly and cozy and sweet!

busy weekend and 3 yrs. ago...remembering Africa

the girls love these reindeer ears--especially Audrey who loves anything deer right now; Ben is king for a day

It seems like everything was scheduled for this past weekend. We had a fun time celebrating Ben and Jonah's birthday--I can't believe he's 3 already--seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home. A lot has happened since then.....
*Remembering Liberia.....Jonah's birthday every year reminds me of when Kenny was about to leave for Africa to bring the kids home, to be a part of our family for awhile. Hard to believe Jonah was only 7 wks. old when the children arrived. I remember it so clearly....boy, do I ever..talk about busy days--ten children and of those ten, 3 who could barely understand us, let alone them (Liberian English and Southern English--what a mix of languages--lol!) What a time that was. It's a sad shame people didn't get to know the children--wouldn't even look at them...ostracized us because of skin color....standing back on their pedestals watching and laughing....and then waiting until after they left to tell us what they really thought about the situation and it wasn't the support professed before they arrived...come to find out there never was support...boy--did I feel really broadsided (in the sense of vehement oratory or even angry denunciation aimed at us) when I was informed of the true feelings. It felt like being slapped in the face and stabbed in the back metaphorically speaking. I can't even imagine doing that to family, friends, anyone.....and to innocent children....but it's true, unfortunately. Besides all of that, we still miss them and think about them all the time and the good times we spent. Although it was hard, very hard, at times as well (if anyone wonders or questions my memory of that time), I can also remember the good times and how we watched children change and grow before our eyes in the 4 months they were here and how awesome it was to be a part of that. My memories also remind me that we were done wrong in some ways and deliberately hurt. Why? Because they didn't agree with whatever decision we made, no matter what it was going to be. It's ok--people are mistreated all the time--that's life. You move on but I'm not going to say it still doesn't hurt sometimes---not all the time--I wouldn't allow that hurt to invade my life because then I may become victim to someone else's wrongdoing if I were to dwell on it too much. *What I'd be interested to know is how did this become about other people and their comfort level and how it was going to change their life based on what we were trying to do? Especially since most of them had chosen not to be a part anyway. We didn't ask for help and even if we had desperately wanted to, we knew better. Even so, we sure listened to a lot of unnecessary opinions and endured uncomfortable silent treatments more than once during that time. I am still floored by that selfish aspect of grown adults. In a lot of ways, the children had more sense than some of the adults ever thought of having. They could care less about the color of someone's skin or if someone was rude to them by not even giving them the respect to look at their face when they were happily shouting hello to deaf ears and averted eyes, or by not learning their name and calling them "that boy" or "that girl"....My question is--how would someone else like to be treated that way? My guess is they wouldn't--trust me, it's not a fun place to be in even watching it done to someone else, much less being in their shoes.* Positively speaking the kids are thriving and for that I am thankful and grateful....fortunate and still blown away that someone like us would be used to be a small part in a huge thing--three children's lives...God's children, as we all are, no matter the color of our skin.
Back to the present.....my wonderful husband, took Brandon and Laura to a Skillet concert. They had a great time! I remembered to buy them earplugs this time:)

some favorite photos & a birthday

nothing like sitting by the barn with the warm sun shining down; dad and Livy and Jonah headed to the horse pond. These photos make me happy:) I love my family.

Happy 11th birthday Ben! To the kindest, most talented artist I know. I am so fortunate to be your mom. Birthday pictures coming soon.

visiting our horses & blood pressure

Livy, Dad, and Jonah were feeding Rain and Bunny some bread and apples on this day. Rain loves a visit anytime she can get it. I'm so glad we can have a peaceful place to come home to. The horses have given us a special place to visit and we really enjoy them.

My blood pressure is so much better since Monday. Almost anything is better than 220/120's--I'm happy with 130's/70's--much more tolerable numbers. The dr. assured me he'd get it down and he did what he promised. And I feel much improved too:) What a difference a couple of days make. Now just hope it stays down. Still waiting on lab results. The kids are excited because we're headed out in a little while to see a Christmas show. Last year we couldn't go so we're happy to be able to this time around. I'm really going to enjoy the next couple of weeks before Christmas. Just a few more things to do and we'll be ready (sort of)--I won't be doing a lot of the things I planned to do because time won't allow it this year--but I'm ok with that:) I found some nice gifts out shopping last night--this year will be less but that's not a bad thing:) Ben, Audrey, and Emily were my helpers and helped me decide what to get some of their brothers and sisters. I like to take a few children at a time and have a nice dinner out if we can. Very special memories:)

busy Christmas season and dr. appt

It's been so busy this week. I started the weekend making homemade Christmas gifts for some of the children. I'm making the girls something I started back in September which was supposed to be for Livy's birthday until I got put in in the hospital. So I'm hoping to finish this up before Christmas. We ordered tickets for the Christmas Program at the church for this Friday. I also went to the dr. at the beginning of the week. Since that day, that's mainly why I haven't been able to get much done. I spent nearly 2 hrs. there with the dr. testing every artery in my body trying to figure out why my bp is still so high. He says everything looks good as far as arteries go but something is definitely not right with the numbers being so high, even higher than during pregnancy. One relief is that he thinks pregnancy had nothing to do with it--it's something else causing it even before getting pregnant but now he just has to find out what it is. He wanted me to get it down in case we ever decided on another baby. So he's doing all sorts of tests on various systems of my body to see if he can find something. In the meantime, he put me back on the same meds. as when I was pregnant (because I'm still b. feeding and they're safe for Savannah) but I'm having the same problems as before with the heavy sedating side effects of the meds. Hopefully I'll get use to it because it is working bringing my b.p. down. He said something about doing a CT scan but I'm not sure about that yet. I'll find out in a couple of wks.
Laura had to go to the ortho to get her spacers put in on the same day so Kenny left me at the drs office and dropped her off at the ortho. We should learn not to schedule two appts. 2 hrs. apart. Who knew I would be in there that long? But it all worked out in the end. Today I spent awhile trying to pick out a Christmas photo of the children and ordered a bunch of pictures. I'm bad about not getting photos printed so I decided to go ahead and take the time to get that done. Mom actually came down for the last couple of days since I had to go get lab work done yesterday and today just to help out a little bit. Like I said, it's been busy--or exhausting might be a better word. I'm glad it's sort of laidback since it's the Christmas holidays. That helps:)

Savannah~2 mo., Christmas ballerinas, & Harry the cat

Savannah in her pretty crocheted hat--I bought this back in the summer thinking we might have a girl before we knew, hoping it would fit and it finally does--I couldn't get her to open her eyes--she still sleeps a lot even through Christmas pictures:) girls and Jonah hanging out by the tree--we got out the old Christmas albums, cassettes and CD's and they've been having fun dancing

Harry watching Laura do her schoolwork. He loves sitting on the kid's books while they work. He just likes to be wherever we're at:) Savannah with her pretty blue big eyes open this time. The kids always mention how big and bright her eyes are. Everything else about her still seems so small and petite even at nearly 2 months old. I can't believe it's been almost 2 mos. since she was born. She's a joy and we all love her so much!!!

playing in the windblown leaves

Dad created a windy day for Livy and Jonah:) It's a lot more fun playing in the leaves when the wind blows!