closer every day

Well, only a few days to the due date. Tomorrow is Halloween. Daddy isn't a huge fan, but doesn't mind if the kids go. He likes to see them have fun. So, I get to take them trick-or treating. I've sort of guilted a few of the older ones into coming with us to help, because I am sure I won't be the energizer bunny for more than one block. My sister and two brothers, and their kids will meet at Gramma's house, and go out from there. It will be sad though, because Gramma and Grampa are in heaven. I'm not sure how many cousins will be there, we have 44 kids between the four of us siblings....
I really enjoy going out walking on Halloween. The forecast here is for a high of 69 degrees tomorrow, so it will be around 50 something when we're out.
Tomorrow morning will be wicked hectic here: all the four little girls need showers before school. They get them every other day, and tonight we ran out of propane....so, they have to have their little costumes for school, and hair done specially, ect. I am already praying for patience. It's hard when you can't lean over, and you can't breathe.....and I already know I'll be tired....
Yeah, I did something I probably shouldn't have, but I really don't regret it too much because I am so darned excited about it: I bought another carriage! I just wish Gramma were around, she would love it. I am not sure how many I already have, but it certainly is a sinful number. 3 Peg-Peregos, no 4 (one is a double), a double emmaljunga and a single one, a silver cross stroller/pram, a Jane pram/stroller, a Geisslein pram/stroller, two combis, a kidco with basinette, a beautiful lavender Simo pram(which the last ten babies have slept in), a smaller Simo stroller with bouncy wheels, and I think that's it. That's not too bad!! The new one is a peg perego with a basinette that has never been used. From ebay. What will arrive first: the baby or the new pram?? What fun and excitement!! Needless to say, my husband thinks I am insane. Okay,, it's sane to have 16 kids? I think a little recklessness in this one area is a-okay. I do not want to complain, but I suffer plenty. These little stroller perks just lighten the load!!

sick day for ME

I have two little girls with strep. Off and my throat has hurt. I went for a check-up with the midwife today, and she put me on amoxicillan. I went by myself, then to Wal-Mart for the ususal: milk, bagels, salad stuff, and peanut butter cups. I also found some shoes in my size (miracle), as sandal weather is getting short. And two new nightgowns for the hospital. I felt like a huge money waster buying three items for myself that were NOT ON CLEARANCE!! By the time I got home, I felt awful. Achy, headache, tired, throat aching.....I hope tomorow is better, as I will have no one here to help me. I need to get better and rested up for the birth of this baby! I am a bit dilated, and I wasn't at all last week, so that's good. My dr. is out of town until Sunday, so I have to hold out until at least Monday. I am scheduled to go back on Thursday to decide what to do....

People here don't quite realize how (I want to swear, but I won't) yucky I feel. Right about here I need to start to be thankful: for antibiotics, food home water children husband friends etc. I really don't want to be a miserable complainer. There is actually a medical condition called, "Prenatal Depression"...which comes in the last couple of weeks, when it seem forever to the end, and sleep is disrupted....what a shortsighted condition though!! I will not give in to feeling sorry for myself, tempted as I am....

Gramma: I still have trouble getting home from the dr., and not calling you. You would care about every single thing I bought at Wal-Mart....Grampa: the canned vegetables at Wegmans are 39 cents a can. Last year they were .25!!!

sick day for sonja

Molly didn't feel so well at school today. So I packed up the two little ones, and off to the school to pick her up....Then, Sonja came home from kindergarten, at 4:20, with a fever of 103, and a huge white patch on one of her tonsils. A five o'clock dr. appt., and we're gone. Kathryn came along too, with her sore throat. Dr. put them both on antibiotics....

So here I am, feeling increasing pain in my throat....tired, blah....I looked in the mirror, and uh-oh, white patches on a red throat. I already have a dr. appt tomorrow. The one thing that makes me feel better: I'm not JUST lazy. Today my chair had such strong appeal. Just like a magnet for my behind...more than usual, that is. I have a huge load of darks already dry in the dryer, and a load of towels to go in the dryer...but I don't really care. Of course, nobody else does either. I REALLY need another dose of that nesting instinct.

I really miss gramma and grampa. She'd be telling me to wash the floor on my hands and knees to get labor started....and grampa would be so happy we have a huge load of wood in the driveway....

rainy, cool, pleasant day

Today was a good day. Aunt Kim was going to be in Auburn for a few hours waiting to pick someone up. I had 12 yr. old Sam, and 13 yr. old Molly home from school "sick", so we met for lunch at the chinese buffet. I have been intensely craving the black pepper chicken with peppers and onions, and it was good. Also, the little cream puffs, and orange slices with hot tea....very good. Charlotte Claire and Jon loved the oranges too. Then Molly, Sam, Jon, C.C. and I went to Wegmans for a few groceries, and spent over $100!!! It was pouring out, so we got soaked getting back in the van. Then I opened my cranberry-lime seltzer and it exploded. Okay, fun.

Home to put stuff away, and try to drum up some help getting the place in shape 'cause the septic system inspector was due to come.....He never showed up, so we have to do it all over again. Well, daddy's back from the library with Sam, Kathryn, Evelyn, Suzanne, Sonja, and Jon, so I've got to go!!!

another day of warmth and sunshine

And 75+ degrees....everyone likes it but me. I am too hot. And, we live in the country, where stinkbugs and ladybugs thrive in the warm fall weather. They get all over the outsides of the house, and climb in the cracks of the screens....Yuck. But a cool wind is blowing tonight, and tomorow promises to be cooler.
We had a really nice weekend!! Friday, we went to the museum of Play in Rochester. 11 of the kids went with me. Jon loved the Bob The Builder exhibit. Charlotte Claire loved all of it: sand, steps, balls, running, pushing the cart in the miniture grocery store....
Then, Saturday to a conference at church, 700+ people were there. Our fellowship does a grille for lunch and dinner, and we sell candy all day. I was doing that, and I just love the kids.
They are so funny. They usually know their totals faster than I do. Then, in the evening, we had a feast ( a really encouraging meeting), then another on Sunday morning. Then I went home for an hr., had lunch with the kids, and out shopping with 3 daughters. Then, picked up pizza, home for 20 minutes, and off to a surprise birthday for Mary's 50th. We all gave her some thankfulness, and some encouragement. We left there with a great appreciation for her. She has 14 children.

It is on my heart to pray diligently for my friends, and especially for the young people. Nothing is more encouraging than to see them overcoming sin, and being zealous for Jesus. All the work and toil at home is nothing compared to the joy of having your children get converted and live in purity.

Well, my feet are swollen and sore, and frequent bathroom trips abound...a few more weeks, and we'll have a newborn again. The kids are pretty excited. When they come visit in the hospital, and lay their eyes, and hands, on the baby for the first time: absolute beauty. Charlotte Claire will no doubt be more interested in playing in the sink, and the buttons on the bed, but the others will be entranced. They will fight and argue about how long each other has held "it", and about who should hold baby for the picture....It really is a joyous time though. My body is suffering, but I am very thankful to be getting a new baby!!!

sick day for suzanne

Suzanne threw-up at 4:45 this morning. In her bed, and down on poor Jonny's bed under her....I had already been awake, this pregnancy can't sleep thing...so last night was fun. I feel quite zombie-ish today. Suzanne seems fine though! She is home from school, which she loves! Oh great, Charlotte Claire just took off her pants and diaper. She looks real cute in her shirt and flowered socks, but like an accident waiting to happen...she is putting her wet diaper in a plastic bag and throwing it away. How cute. It's a few minutes past noon, and I CAN'T wait 'til naptime!!!!! I only get a nap once or twice a week, and today I crave one. I'll have to figure out the best plan: put in a movie for Suzanne and Jon, while C.C. sleeps, and tell Suzanne to wake me up if Jon's bad? Or put C.C. to bed, and take Jon with me, while Suzanne watches a movie? I can't wait until the school kids get home because: I have to go to Price-Chopper. You wouldn't believe me if I told you how much money we spend at Price-Chopper each month!! And Wegmans, B.J.'s, the dollar store, Big Lots.....

Anyway, I have to shop this afternoon, because tomorrow I have a dr. appt. in Auburn, which is in the opposite direction from the Price-Chopper! And paper plates are on sale! And all Kelloggs cereal, %50 off!! Etc., etc....I need diapers too.....I am a super careful shopper, I love bargains. I like buy one get one free, and a coupon too. Mariel, 17, is a champion coupon cutter. She is a wonderful shopping helper. She is so thrifty, I trusted her with my credit card when we were at the mall for Kendall's birthday!

sunny day, everything's A okay

Today, home with Jonny and Charlotte Claire: Busy, enjoyable, relaxing at times, frustrating at others....Took them outside, Charlotte Claire ran around to the backyard. I followed her, and let her play there for a while, then back out front. She didn't waste much time beating it to the deck steps, and climbing..so, I brought them back in the house. She was ready for nap, Jon wasn't. So I put her to bed, and dozed on the couch while he played waffletown. I woke up 50 times to make sure he wasn't up to anything....He was actually really good, he enjoyed his play time without his 17 month old sister taking all of his stuff and wrecking what he built....My almost 19 year old son came home from college for a visit today...We haven't seen him in weeks....Jon was his shadow. Charlotte Claire didn't like him one bit. It was strange having him at the dinner table again, and very nice too. Except we barely fit. 17 of us, someone has to eat at the counter on the stool....But we love eating all together, we do it every night...We had hamburger helper stroganoff, and veggies....and a 4 lb bag of hershey kisses mix for dessert....