Timing

Friday evening, I got the kids ice cream. The vanilla was so mushy, it was like soft serve. I thought the kids left the freezer door open. Saturday morning, we were getting ready for Braden's Upward basketball game, and I opened the freezer to get some cold packs out. Thank goodness it was our week for snacks and drinks, or I wouldn't have even got in the freezer. Well, I noticed the boxes were getting soggy, and it was warm.

I panicked. The fridge went out. Ricky and I grabbed the steaks and 2 gallons of milk we bought that morning and put them in the stand up freezer. The good news is that we saved a lot of food. We did throw some things away and give our fridge a good ol' cleaning out. After working on it, vacuuming under the fridge, using an air compressor and cleaning off the fan/compressor, we noticed that the compressor and fan still were not coming on. We went to Walmart and got bags of ice and another cooler.

So, we are still living out of two coolers. One is for drinks, and the other is for the fridge food. If we didn't have the stand up freezer, I think it would be way worse. So, I think we may just buy a less expensive model. We have the baby coming in 4 1/2 to 6 1/2 weeks, depending on whether he arrives on his own or at the scheduled c-section. We may just make that our garage fridge in a few years when we decide to buy another fridge. I'm thinking that with 4 kids, especially 4 BOYS, you can never have enough food in the freezer/fridge. Plus, if I continue coupon shopping and cake making, I always need a place to store ingredients/stockpiled items.

I have two cakes to make this weekend. I threw out the eggs, because I don't want to take a chance. The butter is in the freezer for now. It's just bad timing. I know there's a lesson that God's trying to teach us. Ricky seems to think it's about having more money in our emergency fund. I am not sure. I am thankful that it's just the fridge. Seriously, there are so many more things that could happen, and this is minor compared to those. I know one day we will look back on this and laugh. It might not be very soon, because I am panicking a little that we have to buy a fridge when I need a bathtub for the baby, side sleeper, sling, baby clothes, etc., but hey....God will take care of us. He always does! Maybe it's in His timing. We just have to find the lesson He is wanting us to learn.

RIP GE Side by Side Refrigerator : Jan. 7, 2003 -- Jan. 9, 2009

Countdown to Quatro

Quatro is sort of a nick name that we call the baby. That, and Ocho-cinco...jokingly guessing he will be 8 lbs 5 oz. The doctor said that's a pretty good guess considering he's almost 4 pounds now, but that's average. That would make him the biggest. My guys ranged from 7 lbs 2 oz to 7 lbs 11 1/2 oz. In length, they ranged from 18 inchs to 21 inches.

So, D-Day has been set for March 2nd. It's a Monday. My sister is going to be working. Mom is supposed to be working, and the kids have school. I'm hoping that the little guy decides to show up the week before on his own. The doctor said he wouldn't do the c-section any earlier, but if I go on my own, it's okay. So, I just want to make it through Braden's birthday party, which should be February 20th weekend. His birthday is February 23rd. So, the 24th or later, I'm good. Ashton was born at 37 weeks, but the other guys were right around 39 weeks. We'll see what happens. God knows when he's coming, and we will be ready no matter what!

10 year anniversary

Happy 10 year anniversary to us!! Ricky and I were married 10 years ago today. It's amazing how fast that time flew by. Here are 10 things I love about Ricky. Happy Anniversary, Babe!

1. He does most of the cooking, and he's good at it.
2. He helps me clean.
3. He works 2 jobs and doesn't complain about it.
4. He is a good dad to our 3 boys (and one on the way).
5. He almost always lets me choose the restaurant.
6. He reads his bible and encourages me.
7. He puts up with my worrying and planning everything and tells me to just pray about it!
8. He will gladly give up watching a football game to play with his kids!
9. He puts up with me (this is a full time job).
10. He loves me no matter what!

Here's to the next 10 years and more. Thanks for hanging in there with me! I love you!!

Christmas 2008

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. We had a wonderful time with my brother, his wife, and my parents, MeMe and RonRon. We missed having my sister, her hubby, and the girls over, but we got to see them on Saturday. Anyway, we had a great day, and I hope everyone else did as well. Here is a review of our Christmas in pictures!! Enjoy!
"Oh, these were Santa's cookies??"

Ashton setting out the lone cookie for Santa

Braden getting the milk ready for Santa

Twas the night before Christmas...

Thank you, Santa!

Ashton asked Santa for a baseball, basketball, soccer ball, and football. This was his favorite!

Braden was very excited to finally get a DS! (and Kanton got one, too)

Kanton asked the elves to make him something out of cardboard, and he got this ornament for the tree.

Now we can have even sweeter dreams on these Aggie pillows!

"Are you serious??" (wish I could see Kanton's face...the flag's in the way!)

Ready, Set, Go!!

Baby bump

Ashton and me at 27 weeks pregnant

Happy December

What a great way to start the day!!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!! What a beautiful morning!!!

Ashton slept in but still got to play in the snow!

Braden and Kanton had a few minutes of snow time before they had to get dressed for school!

This is a view of the backyard this morning!

This was a very fun princess cake I made for Ashton's friend, A. She made my day. She said her favorite part of her party was her cake.

I just happened to be standing closest to the tree farmer when he asked which tree we wanted for the kids' school. I said, "That one looks good." So, in a way, I got to pick it out. I hope they liked it!

Here's Kanton's kindergarten class and his wonderful teacher, Mrs. T!!

Here are Kanton, Ashton, and I at the Christmas Tree Farm on December 4. It was a nippy 34 degrees that morning, so I'm sporting a lovely oversized coat courtesy of my hubby! Warmth over style, people!

It's been a crazy while since I posted. We have been so busy with birthday parties, Christmas parties, Christmas shopping, and work. I have had a sinus infection for 5 weeks now. I'm on my second round of antibiotics. I am so tired and run down from all the craziness! Yesterday at work, I was having some contractions and feeling really dizzy. I think my body is getting a little worn out from all I'm trying to do.

We really need some sit down family time. I am going to be 28 weeks on Saturday, and entering the third trimester, I just really want to take a deep breath and focus on family time. I have been praying that God will just help me through this time. We get so caught up in our to do lists, laundry, house cleaning, and the million Christmas parties and gifts we have to buy. I have not done Christmas pictures, Christmas cards, wrapped presents, or sat down much lately. I just pray that I can focus on the family and spiritual aspect of this holiday. We had a great program at church a month ago, and the woman in the play reminded us that Mary wasn't running around wrapping gifts and sending out cards when Jesus was coming. She was so focused on what God had her doing, and she just did what He told her to do.

I know that these busy things won't go away. They will get done. Otherwise, kids will be disappointed, parties will be messed up if I forget my contributions, and people will wonder why we didn't have our pictures made. I just wish that it wasn't so crazy. It's such a happy, wonderful time of year. I just hope to make sure my kids know the true meaning of the Christmas season, and I hope that I have a joyful heart throughout the busyness. I'm praying for rest, family time, and joyful hearts for all of you! Please pray for me as well!

Our First Concussion

Well, last night we experienced our first concussion with the boys. We attended the Upward Soccer award ceremony at church. Because I work in the nursery so much, the kids are really comfortable playing there...probably too comfortable. We told the kids it was time to go, and we were upset they had wandered off and around the church. It makes a huge circle around the sanctuary. Anyway, Braden and Kanton were walking toward us, and Ashton was by my side. Kanton's soccer coach told the boys they needed to RUN. Well, Ashton took off running toward the boys. I'm not sure if he was going to race them back to us, or if he just wanted to run with them. Kanton and Braden took off running toward us. Kanton was in a dead sprint, and he was looking down at the ground. He plowed over Ashton, knocking him backward onto the cement-covered carpet in the foyer. We heard his head hit the ground, and Ashton was screaming. I ran over and scooped him up, looking for blood. He hit so hard. Ashton's eyes were not dilated, and the coach said he was fine.

Mommy instinct knew that Ashton was not fine. He was squinting, he was holding his forehead, and he was pale. He told me he needed to go to sleep, and I wouldn't let him. We decided to take the other boys home, and Ashton started throwing up in the van. This freaked me out, because I knew he had a concussion at this point. I started crying. Ricky dropped me, Braden, and Kanton off at the house. He changed Ashton's clothes and cleaned out the car seat. Ricky then took Ashton to the doctor. I didn't go with him, since I'm pregnant...if they needed to do an x-ray, I would rather Ricky get to go in with him than Ashton have to be alone. He took him to the Urgent Care Center first, and it was closed. Ashton threw up in the parking lot. So, he took him to the Emergency Room. The doctor looked him over, asked the questions, examined him, and told Ricky that he had a mild concussion. Because he had only thrown up twice, we could continue to watch him at home.

I was relieved it wasn't as serious as it could have been. The doctor said to let him sleep if he was tired. We were supposed to bring him back if he experience convulsions, a stiff neck, difficulty controlling his bladder/bowels, and if his arms/legs didn't work. Ashton took some Tylenol and slept fine. He woke up around 2:30 a.m. whining, which scared me. He wanted a drink. I was relieved at this, gave him his drink, and we went back to sleep. My boss was nice enough to let Ashton sleep in this morning. He didn't go to bed until 11 p.m., so we slept until 9 a.m. We got up, and he ate breakfast and took his bath as usual. He seemed his usual self.

Now, I'm having to make the kids be careful with Ashton for a few days. Ashton is going nuts not being able to run and do full contact football or soccer. I told him that he couldn't play football for a few days. He doesn't understand how long that is, and he asked if he should wait until the Aggies are winning to play again! Ha. I think he thinks that's a long time. Well, we're doing better, and I'm trying not to be Mrs. Over Protective, but it's really hard. I don't want him to hit his head again, and I'm trying my best to let him rest and recover, but keeping this boy in 1st gear is a little difficult! He wants to go full throttle all the time! We are very thankful that it was just a mild concussion and not more. It was a very scary experience!