A small book review

I just wanted to tell you about a book I just finished that I think is a fun, encouraging read. It is Lord, Please Meet Me in the Laundry Room by Barbara Curtis. She is a mother of 12 and she tells about her life's journey and all the things God has done for her. I really enjoyed her insight on looking at life through a toddler's eyes. It has helped me be more relaxed with my toddler as he is learning new things. I found this book encouraging. God knows my path even if I don't. If we trust in Him, then we don't have to worry about the future. This book was a quick read and enjoyable. A great thing for a busy mom!

I am also reading The Mommy Manual by Barbara Curtis, Children of Character II by Mardy Freeman, and Humility by C.J. Mahaney.

Our trip

Stu with Tommy at Jungle Gardens

Me (22 weeks pregnant) and Dan at Siesta Beach

Max holds a bird at Jungle Gardens--great smile!!
Tommy just LOVED the seaweed!
All the boys got to hold an alligator at Jungle Gardens.
The children play in the sand and have a grand time!

I've been trying to add some pictures, but have been unsuccessful all day. We had an unbelievably busy weekend. Here it is:

Friday: Arrive, Lunch at creek with my Dad, go to beach condo, play at beach with kids, clean up, go to Dad's for dinner, back to condo and collapse
Saturday: Up at 7, go to Jungle Garden with kids, Lunch at the Field Club, afternoon at beach, evening dinner plans and pool fun with my friend, Russ, from high school, back to condo and collapse
Sunday: drive to Punta Gorda to visit my mother, drive back to Sarasota and get A's giant sandwiches for lunch (YUM!), eat lunch at condo, afternoon at beach, boating with Dad at 5, dinner at Demetrios (YUM!), back to my parents to celebrate Jamie's bday, back to condo and you know what happens
Monday: up early, boys go fishing with my Dad, girls go shopping (and baby), lunch at the Creek, afternoon cleaning up condo and beach fun, leave and get home at 8:30 PM, do LOTS of laundry and watch Star Trek (old) before collapsing.

It was fun!! Sure was busy! Next time we need more days. The baby proved to be a bit difficult. I think it's just his age, but it's hard to travel with toddlers. I figure we won't get to go next year b/c we'll have a 9 month old and a 2 1/2 year old. We'll see!!! The kids really did have a wonderful time. I love to see them laugh, play, and have so much fun. I am sooo blessed!

Having Fun...wish you were here!

We have done SO much while here! We have eaten well, of course! We went to Jungle Gardens, the beach (several times), visited with friends, shopping, boating, fishing. Today the girls are going shopping and the boys are fishing. We'll finish our trip with one last trip to the beach and then head home later this afternoon. I'll post pics in a couple days when I have time!!!

This is the day that the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Off to the beach...

God has blessed us with a condo directly on Crescent Beach in Sarasota for the next 4 days!! This was arranged by my Dad--a friend of his is letting us use it free! WOO HOO! We're going to have fun fishing, walking, swimming, going to Jungle Gardens, and visiting friends and family. Please pray for Tommy as he has had a fever for the past couple of days, but no other symptoms. Also, Celeste was exposed to an illness that the teens at church are trading. We're praying she doesn't get that and in turn share it with her brothers.

Every good thing comes from the Lord! See you when we get back with pictures!!

God has blessed us with...

IT'S A GIRL!!!!! We are so excited!!! Stu seemed very pleased as well. It was like he has been secretly wishing for a girl, too. We won't worry about those teenage years just yet, lol. God truly has given me the desire of my heart. I am so thankful to Him. Praise Jesus!

On Mother's Day...and new babies!

Here is a picture of me with the children taken on Mother's Day! (See that Celeste straightened her hair!) They were so sweet. They got me a dozen red roses and some chocoloates (which I mostly shared because I can't really have them right now). Thanks Stu! I got 2 ecards from Celeste...one was just a tear-jerker. The little boys both drew me pictures. They were cute. Stu gave me a card, too. I am very thankful to be a mother. It was all I ever wanted!!! And now 6 times over, too, what HUGE blessings I have received.

Hey, today we find out what the baby is (hopefully). Please pray with us for a healthy baby and we'll update you later!

Look Mom, Breakfast!

This is what Tommy did this morning in the couple minutes no one was looking...I didn't get mad. It was just too funny--as long as it doesn't happen again very soon! And Celeste had just vacuumed everything yesterday! We had already cleaned up a bit when someone yelled to get the camera. Too fun!

At Our House...

A picture of our house from the front during winter. It's prettier in the Spring! It looks small, too. It's 2200 sq. ft. We still have several kids who aren't feeling well. Upset stomachs and the like. Max threw up again last night. I won't get too graphic. Just to say this is all getting rather OLD.

I did get to pick up Creative Memories' new Memory Manager for our computer. What an awesome program!!! If you scrapbook, you've got to have it! It's $30 and well worth the cost. You can make individual albums, put things in folders, name and edit your digital photos. I just love it! I spent the majority of my morning playing with it and showing it to the kids.

I'm off to take Celeste to get her eyes checked. She needs a new pair of glasses since it's been a couple years. She wears contacts most of the time, but you always need a pair of glasses as back-up. Maybe one day I'll get contacts again! Have a blessed day!

Flu U.

Yes, I have just graduated from Flu University. In fact, the whole family, all 7 of us have! Needless to say it was a horrible weekend which started very early Friday morning. I had to get phenergan to keep myself out of the hospital. We are all still recovering to varying degrees. Celeste is feeling the best while Max would probably be the last one out. Please pray for Tommy as he has had throwing up and/or diarhhea since last Tuesday off and on. After nearly 3 weeks of this, he's rather thin.

Danny just left to go take his CAT5 testing. I am a bit nervous about how he's going to sit for several hours taking a test. I am praying he's quiet, on his best behavior, and obedient. We'll see when I go pick him up!

18 days 'til the ultrasound! TTFN!