Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...

After having six kids with doctors in hospitals, I feel ready for a change. I just can't stand the thought of repeating the same old run again. This time I am going to hire a midwife. I have been looking into midwifery since I was pregnant with number six, but I just wasn't ready to make the jump then. I'm ready now. The goal is to have a certified nurse-midwife deliver my baby in a hospital. I really want to have a home birth, but I feel like that maybe to far of a jump. Baby steps...Hopefully if this goes well the next time could be at home (and yes we would be willing to have more). I have my first appointment with a midwife this Friday. I am starting with a medical group that has 3 obgyns and 4 midwives on staff. That way if I needed a Dr, one would be available. I am really hoping it goes well and I like them.

Lucky Number Seven...

So last week I discovered that I am expecting baby #7! This is of course very exciting news in our house, and Eddie and Katie are already speculating on whether it will be a boy, girl, or twins (you have to think of twins once you've had a pair).
Eddie likes the idea of adding another girl, due to the boy-girl pattern (he really likes patterns and systems).
Yesterday, per Katie's request, she and I looked at a baby name book together for about 5 minutes (I think the quantity of names available was a little overwhelming).
Jon thinks we should name the baby "Jeep Cracklelarry". Yeah, not quite what I had in mind.
And so far the only response I have gotten from the twins is Ellie looking at my tummy and Maggie saying "no" when they were told that there was a baby in mommy's tummy.
Sammy just smiled, although that might have been because it tickled when I whispered it in his ear.
Looks like it's going to be a very busy 8 months, and another November baby!

To Tell The Truth...

Tonight at dinner Ellie complained of a pain in her cheek, and Maggie started chanting, "Mommy did it, Mommy did it, Mommy did it". So Daddy asked Ellie if she hurt her cheek, and Ellie replied "Maggie did it". To which Maggie chanted louder, "Mommy did it, Mommy did it, Mommy did it" and pointed to Mommy.

Mommy was on the other side of the table. Maggie however was sitting right next to Ellie.


So who was telling the truth...Ellie or Maggie?

All I can tell you is that there were two older and wiser adults having a really hard time stifling giggles.

Learning To Live Below Our Means...

Trying to become debt-free, is not easy. I just don't see myself as one who spends much on extras.

But being the one in charge of the finances, I have to make the money go as far as possible. That being said, stopping the use of credit cards is hard. I have been in the habit the last few years of using, then paying off my two credit cards. The end result though, is that I start the year without any debt on the cards but little by little I spend more than I can pay. So any tax return money or bonus money have to go to clearing the cards. So this year I have put the plastic down. I am going to try to live within our means, and hopefully end up living below our means. I see food as the first front. With six kids and a husband to feed in addition to myself, about a third or fourth of our monthly budget goes to food. That's too much. I tried coupons, but we just don't eat most of what they are for. So now I am trying bulk meat cooking. The idea is to buy sale, cheap meat in huge quantities and then to cook it all up right away and freeze it. Then you only have to defrost and reheat. So far (I've been doing this since January) I don't know if it's saved me any money, but it sure has saved me time! I am also trying to do a better job gardening. We have had a really great broccoli harvest and I hope to get lettuce and carrots too.

So we will see...

Busy, With a Side of Quiet...

This morning Katie and I made gluten-free, dairy-free peanut-butter cookies. This of course took up an hour of school time.
It can make me feel a little stressed when I think about the things we're not getting done, but perhaps the moments spent as mother and daughter are worth the loss of a little productive book learning and house cleaning.

So I guess I need to stop and smell the cookies...

Life With All The Trimmings...

A new year, another month down, and life plods it's way forward. The tomorrows come so quickly now, the yesterdays almost forgotten in their wake.

I am often struck by the passing of time I see in the children. Long legs and knowing glances, moments of their future seen peeking out from behind thoughtful eyes. And then just as quickly it's gone and their youthful exuberance bursts forth once again.

My life is full of moments that blend into days. Like a good country road it meanders in places and I find myself enjoying the view, while at other times the blur of the trees leave me wondering when I'll arrive at the next stop.

It is both peaceful and busy at all times, the constant hum of life surrounding me while satisfaction and contentment give me peace.

I am thankful to my Creator, and His abundant gifts and blessings in my life. May I remember Him always with a grateful heart.

Days That Were Made For Tears...

I don't think I could fully describe the emotions I felt today, so instead let me just list the main events and let you fill in the blanks with whatever your mind can imagine.

1. Husband gone for the whole day.
2. Kids not wanting to do their chores, and subsequently goofing off instead.
3. Me thinking the toddlers are watching a movie while the older kids do their chores in the same room, which leads to...
4. The twins dumping soap all over themselves and the kitchen floor.
5. Me having a meltdown, and sending all the kids to their rooms for the remainder of the day.
6. Me doing the chores for the kids because lets face it someone has to do it.
7. Me going to my room to do my own chores.
8. Jon sneaking downstairs and into the backyard where he played with sunscreen and dirt, spreading it on my previously clean kitchen floor.
9. Katie, still hungry after dinner, uses the microwave to warm some bread and learns like the cavemen how to make fire.
10. Jon pours a mound of dirt on my sad kitchen floor, after I sent all the kids outside to get away from the smoke caused by igniting bread.

With any luck, that will be all and the rest of the evening will be wonderfully boring....