Losing a pet...

He gave the wettest "kisses".   He had the worst smelling breath.  He would get so excited when I came home that he would pee (well, okay, he got so excited no matter who the person was, that he would pee)!  He yelped loudly whenever my kids would get in their high chair to eat (we have no idea why he did this!).    And I miss him (and all of his quirks)  every day....

We had to have our Jedi, our pet dog of over 11 years, put to sleep last December.  It all started about two years previous to that, when he had a cancerous lump removed.  Surgery was successful and he lived for almost another two years, enjoying good health.  However, last October, he began to have signs that he was sick again.  Unfortunately,  the cancer was in his stomach this time, surgery would be thousands of dollars, and chances of him making it through were slim.  We knew that once he started suffering badly we would have to make the painful decision to put him to sleep (if he didn't die on his own).  And that is what happened after a hard night and morning back in early December.

I will never forget having to tell my dear, sweet girls the terrible news on that Sunday morning.  There were many tears shed as we said good-bye.  Watching each of my girls' hearts break, along with mine,  felt like more than I could  bear.  Saying good-bye to Jedi, our pet of over 11 years,  was so hard.  It was an awful day.

It has already been 5mos. since we lost Jedi, and my girls still say things that Break. My. Heart.  Last week, my 6 year old told us that every day since Jedi died has been the worst day of her life.  We quickly reminded her that we have enjoyed many good days since he died, but we understand that she misses him terribly.  She agreed that saving up her money and buying an American Girl Doll was a good day!  My 3 year old occasionally tells me that she wants to see Jedi now, and see what he looks like.  I quickly say that he looks like he's sleeping, and then turn away before she sees my tears.  My 9 year old asks me why her sister (the 6 year old) always cries in front of us, since my 9 year old waits and cries in bed when she's alone.  That thought breaks my heart. Then there is my 2 year old, who looks out the door where hubby last left with Jedi, and says "Jedi go?  Jedi old, sick."   This week when I was explaining to my 6 year old (who by far has shed the most tears over Jedi in front of me) that if someone says "My heart is broken" it's just an expression.  Their heart isn't really broken in pieces.  She replied, " Yea, except that my heart really is broken in half over Jedi."  What could I say to that?  And then there is this momma, who misses that wet, stinky, peeing, yelping companion so very much.  

Jedi looking disgusted being dressed in girls clothes!

A simple tradition

Our last day of  "school" will be this Friday.   I feel like we just started our home school  journey, and we are already wrapping up our 4th year!  Our family has been so blessed with the gift of homeschooling.  I love that my girls are learning together, with me, side-by-side, day after day.  Love it!  Is it always easy?  No.  Does it always go smoothly?  No.  Am I able to keep up with my housework as much as I want?  No.   Is it worth every hard, rough, messy day we've had?  Yes!  

We will be celebrating our last day of school with, are you ready for this, root beer floats!  I started this "tradition", not knowing it would become a tradition, on my oldest daughters last day of Kindergarten.  I just happened to buy stuff to have root beer floats to celebrate her last day of school.  Then, as her last day of first grade was approaching, she asked me if I had the ice cream and root beer ready.  That is how our tradition started, and continues to this day.  I love how excited they get for this very simple treat.  They started talking about it at least a month ago.  I have the ice cream and root beer bought and now we are waiting for the last day of school, to enjoy our very simple treat!  What do you do to celebrate the last day of school?  What family traditions, no matter how simple, have you started for your family?

I'm back...

Life has been so busy adjusting to being a family of seven, but it has gone so incredibly good.  The four big sisters amaze me with their willingness to help and love on their new sister.  Let's just say there is something so special with having a baby in the house!  It is such a gift to watch these little mothers in training! 

Anyhow, just wanted to say that I'm back and planning on blogging as time allows (or as I make time for it!).  I have a lot of different ideas in mind that I want to blog about.  One of my first posts will be a bit sad as I share the hurt our family went through as we lost our dog, our special companion, in early December.  You may want a tissue for that post, as I share some of the precious things my children have said as they miss their dog, Jedi.  Looking forward to getting back in touch with the blogging world.  Hope you stop back soon!

It's a GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!

We have been so blessed with the birth of our beautiful baby girl!  She is 2 weeks old and has brought us so much JOY already!  The timing, labor, and delivery went so smoothly.  Hubby and I enjoyed our bonding time in the hospital ... getting to know our newest blessing.  My 4 daughters have enjoyed their new sister so much.  There is always, and I mean always, a very willing set of hands to hold her =)  What a blessing.  It has been so fun to watch my children, from the oldest down to the youngest, love on their new sister.  It amazes me how well they all have adjusted to having our new baby at home.  God is good and has blessed us more than words can even express!!!

We made it to November!

I've made it pretty clear during this pregnancy that I really did not want baby to arrive on halloween.  The last week or so I was at somewhat of a peace knowing that God already knew what day this baby would arrive.  I would just have to be okay if that was on October 31st.  Today, I'm jumping up and down (not literally, I am 9 mos pregnant!), that yesterday is over.  This baby will be born in November!!!  Now, we continue to wait and see what day the Lord has picked for baby to bless us with his/her arrival.   We are looking so forward to that wonderful day!!!  With my due date only 2 days away, we are hoping that we will be holding our baby very, very soon!!!

Waiting....

I am sitting here at four in the morning, unable to sleep again, waiting for the time when this baby decides to arrive. I am 13 days away from my due date and most the time I am waiting patiently.  The days are so busy with being a wife, mom, and homeschooling my girls.  But,  at other times, like at four in the morning, it is so hard to wait.  I want to see my new baby.  I want to know if baby is a boy or girl.  I want to feel that precious babe laid upon my chest for the first time.  I want to see my hubby's face as we welcome this new baby into our arms.  I want to hear that first cry.  I want to be nursing baby for the first time.   I want to see my four daughters welcome their new sibling into their lives.  I want to see the excitement of the grandparents as they hold their new grand baby.  I want to smell the newborn smell.  I want to fall asleep with baby sleeping on my chest.

While I'm waiting, I am nesting!  I am dusting the ceiling lights, vacuuming under beds, washing window screens, organizing my spice cupboard, cleaning out the coat closet,  freezing some meals to have post-baby, ummmmm...lets just say it again... I am nesting!   Anyone who has been 9 mos. pregnant can relate to this I'm sure (hubby laughs that I need to get the pantry organized before baby arrives but you pregnant mommy's understand!).  I change my mind hourly as to when I want baby to arrive.  At times I want it to happen right now .... I just can't wait!  At other times, I look at my list of things I want to get done before baby arrives, and I want him or her to wait until the list is complete (but please don't baby as the list will never be complete!).  I am so thankful that God will decide when baby arrives and that I don't have to make that big decision.  I am trusting Him and His perfect timing, sometimes patiently, sometimes not so patiently!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding."  Proverbs 3:5

Are you hoping for a boy?

The question I have been getting over and over again lately  forever is "Are you hoping for a boy?"  I have been getting this question since my second pregnancy, and now being on my fifth pregnancy, you can imagine how many times I have answered this =) My answer is "Yes, I am hoping for a boy but no more than I am hoping for a girl!" Seriously, I know some people have a hard time believing that but it is the honest truth.  Some people even assume we are only having more children because we are trying for a boy.  I have been so blessed with the gift of four beautiful girls, and I will be just as blessed with another girl, as I would be with a boy.

My daughters and I were talking about this Monday when I was asked this again, in front of my girls, at the zoo.   I always wonder how this makes my girls feel when they keep hearing people say "Are you hoping for a boy?"   I explained to my girls that each and every baby is a GIFT, boy or girl, and that no matter how many girls we have they are all so precious to us.  My oldest said "I hope so, that would be so sad to live in a family that didn't love you."  So, I continue to answer this question honestly.  I am hoping for a boy, or a girl, and feeling this baby in me and seeing my growing belly, I'm pretty sure I'll be getting one of them in the next month!!!

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above."  James 1:17