14 Weeks & Counting...

(Nelson baby #5, photo on 10/5/09)

Apparently, it was around my Birthday in August, that I posted last. I've had much higher hopes of myself blogging more often than this! Lots lots going on - and keeping me busy - and keeping me from my blog. Part of it is my pregnancy! Yep, it's official. I'm pregnant.

My due date is April 10, 2010. I kind of hope, because it would be a cool birthdate, that this baby is born on it's due date. I'm usually about 10 days early, which would put it at April 1st. I guess we'll just have to wait & see! But the first couple of months of pregnancy, I usually check out of the world. So I haven't been on facebook as much either. Even been lousy with my email... Ready to be done with the nausea and the tiredness...

(Nelson baby #5, 10/5/09)

I just found out last week how far along I am. As of today, I am 14 weeks, 5 days. The reason it took me so long to find out was because there was a glitch with our insurance. (And apparently, I didn't keep track of things very well!) Seems like there's always a glitch somewhere. When I miscarried last spring, I notified my insurance. They didn't take me off of the maternity care. So when I told them I am pregnant, they said, well, of course you are! So I had to wait & get that straightened out before going to the doctor. I wasn't too worried about it - it's not like it's my first baby :D

I went in a week or so ago for my first appt. and they couldn't find a heartbeat. Here I am, thinking, that I am far enough along that there is supposed to be one. I tried not to be upset, maybe she just couldn't locate it. So they set me up for an ultrasound appt. They wanted me to take one of the appts where Rod couldn't be there - I was like - uh, no. My last was a miscarriage, and i'm not doing an ultrasound, where I could potentially get bad news, by myself. The midwife understood & we rescheduled.

What a blessing it was to see our little wee one moving and kicking and wiggling around! After a miscarriage, there are always those doubts you fight off - thinking that you have lost your vitality & that you couldn't get pregnant if you wanted to. It's been about 4 years since Julia - so there was lots of room for doubt. After the miscarriage, I knew that I wanted another baby. And we decided to give it to the Lord, that we would let it happen, if the Lord would have it!

I had determined though, that NO MORE November babies - well, getting pregnant in November. Julia & Josiah were both conceived in November - born in August. (My first miscarriage was also due in August!) We have 3 birthdays (Julia, Josiah & Mine) within the first 10 days of August! I was sincerely hoping to avoid another August Birthday!!! :D Funny, the things we decide!

Anyhooo - now that i'm out of my first trimester - you'll probably be seeing more of me ;).

The Cakemaker's Wife Got Strawberry Shortcake

Today is my birthday! Or it was before Midnight. And I had a sincerely wonderful day. I was up early with Rod & the kids before Rod went to work. Some days he leaves pretty early & none of us are up. Sad but true. Today though, after we were all up & Rod was checking to make sure that the last of his school stuff actually did get turned in - we discussed that it was my birthday.

I was just going to have Rod take me out for dinner & a movie. It's been such a long time since we've done either. I guess it's not been forever. We did see Star Trek in the theatre (but it was about 7 months since we'd seen one before that) and we also went to Azteca down by where he works a couple of months ago... Really, we just haven't had any time to do anything together since summer quarter started. So that was my wish to go to dinner & a movie.

Well, we told Jed that we weren't doing a party for mom and he sprouted tears. Real tears! He wanted to celebrate my birthday with a party! Bless his heart! So within 30 seconds, our plans for the evening changed. Once I saw his heart and how real he meant it - we made arrangements.

Funny as it sounds, by the time my birthday comes, I'm done with eating cake :D So what we did do, was dinner, gifts, strawberry shortcake & ice cream out at my parents. Yep, the cakemaker's wife got strawberry shortcake! (bet that would be a cute cake though!) On kinda short notice. Too funny, eh? Then Rod & I went to a well deserved movie!!!

The kids today, were absolutely adorable. The gifts that Rod & the kids bought, the kids wrapped. And then they made me wonderful pictures and cards. All of their heart felt hand made goodies really did touch my heart. Josiah took charge and made sure that they each made me something and that they signed their cards. They took the time, made the effort to do a good job and they were excited about doing it. What more could you really ask? Our kids really did make me feel good today. loved. appreciated. very sweet. This was a birthday that I will always cherish!

PS: Thanks to all of my facebook friends & their well wishes. (Anyone who says FB isn't good for much of anything, obviously hasn't had a birthday while being a member of Facebook!)

Way to go Rod!

Last night, we stayed up late once again to get Rod's work done for school. I spent time proofing papers and websites - donning some encouragement when needed. You'd think that for the last day of school - and knowing it's the last day - that somehow it would be easier... but it wasn't. Somehow, it seemed harder. The last day of the quarter - and there was so much to do. He spent almost every waking moment Sat. & Sun. in front of a computer getting his work done. He did take a break here or there, to run to the store, play with the kids and eat - but really that was about all!

I can't say enough, how proud of him I am for seeing this all the way through. When he signed up for it eons ago, at least it seems that way now... he signed up because he was struggling finding jobs to turn in for unemployment. Honest. So, he thought he would try retraining. In the midst of it, he got a job - he told the college counselor he'd like permission to do both work/school. Now, if his current job doesn't pan out, I guess he has a new skills set.

Yesterday, he got a certificate in the mail from SVC - he made the honor roll! Gosh, it's been so long (esp. with homeschooling) since I've thought about modern schooling conventions like the Honor Roll! Flashback! What was your GPA??

So, in the next few weeks, you may not catch us home in the evenings. *see Zindra doing a little jig* We have some serious summer time fun catching up to do with Dad. Boating, lake, fishing, bike rides, walks, pool time and maybe even a trip to the zoo. Hopefully, I'll have the energy for it!

Way, to go Rod! I so look forward today, to seeing you tell the kids - that you're done!

New Friday School Directors

A couple of months ago, Traci, our Director of Friday school here in Skagit County, decided to step down. Rod & I considered doing it ~ but we are so involved in so many friday school things! It would mean there are things that we would need to give up. Would someone want to take up the things that we need to let go??

About a two weeks ago, I emailed the leadership team to see if anyone had stepped up. Not yet. A few interested. Finally we sat down with Polli & Randy to see what it all entails. After much discussion, we believe that it is something that Rod and I are cut out to do. We are leaders, we can handle tough situations and we have a strong vision for our co-op and for First Class Homeschool Ministries.

After some thought & prayer, Rod & I decided to do it - because it would just seem unfair to someone new who wasn't already part of the leadership team - there is so much to learn... And because we really understand the vision, the ministry and the heart of being a part of a co-op.

We had a Leadership Team (Board Meeting) on July 21st and we were voted in. Traci stepped down officially yesterday, Aug. 1st, 2009. So here we are, the newest Directors of First Class Skagit County!

Things that we will need to change our involvement in:
*We are going to need help with the teen group.
*I need someone to print the newsletter for me.
*I'm planning on looking for someone to do the newsletter.
*We need to find a replacement for me in Coffee Corner.
*We're hoping that we will have the time for Rod to still teach classes at Friday School.
I guess those are the things that us becoming the Directors, will really affect.

If you would have asked me a few years ago - if this was where I planned on being Aug 2009 - I would have told you "get out". Not as in get out of my house, but the expression "get out!" Would never have thought that I had the self confidence, the leadership skills, the ability to talk with people or the ability to resolve conflict back then. The Lord has made some big changes in our lives & has been preparing us for this for quite some time.

What are we hoping to do as the Directors? Continue to encourage a sense of community in our co-op. Build relationships with homeschooling families. Show God's love. Encourage others to step up into leadership roles. Support those homeschool families that need support. Encourage more of a relationship between the "local" FCHM co-ops. Give our vision for our co-op and FCHM to the families in our co-op. Encourage parents to homeschool high school. Encourage those in our co-op to support FCHM.

So, buckle up, here we go, off on another Adventure!

Happy 4th Birthday Julia!!!

Miss Julia turned four today. Hmmm, it's hard for me to believe that now we are beyond toddlerhood in our home. Every which way I turn I see signs that I, personally, am not done having kids. I do not know what the Lord has in store, but I do know, that I don't think I'm done seeing little feet & little toes - smiles with nonsense words. Another discussion for another day. I suppose at some point, physically, I will be done having children. We aren't there yet - but we are also waiting to see when and if the Lord blesses us again.

Funny, normally, in August, when it's warm - you choose to do things outside. Birthday parties, bbq's, walks, bikerides etc. Here, it was a warm 80 plus day and we went to Chuck E Cheese. Why? Because a little girl requested it. She's seen others celebrate their birthday there & she thought it was her turn. But for me, it was so that I could sit in an air conditioned room with friends and family and chat. (I also thought it would be nice to get my Dad with his bloodsugar issues - out of the heat! It affects him so!)

The cake we made for her was a bit beyond what we should have tried making with Rod only having one week left in the quarter to get everything done. Sometimes though, I just crave doing something and schoolwork wasn't on the menu last night. We have eyed at Michaels the castle cake set for a few years, actually. Thinking one day, when she could appreciate a castle, that we would make one for her. It turned out beautifully. A bit over the top, the way that they have you decorate it. We decided to decorate it the "right" way the first time & then if it's too much - the next time we decide to use the castle set, we would know where to tone it down.

It was definitely over the top. Adorably so. It was quite complicated to make - not hard - just had so much involved. I'm glad to have done it. We have to make Josiah a cake - but I'm thinking that the next cake we make that's not a birthday one for our kids - I really want to pipe one. I really enjoy piping frosting.

Josiah's birthday is on thursday. We're going to do something with the family for his birthday & then probably next weekend, do something with his friends, after Garrett gets home from his dads. It just doesn't feel right not having Garrett around for things like this.

Julia loved her gifts. She got way too many gifts. Loved all of them. Got something with ponies - friends gave her barettes & makeup etc. and she loves that. I put together a blanket (not quilted) that is adorable. (Which gave me the itch to start quilting again. Yes, I have too many things I enjoy doing!) Oh & from the boys & grandparents, she got a three wheeled scooter - which was a hit! So, one more birthday down for 2009.

Julia, I love you. I love your name. I love your blue eyes. I love the way you smile, the way you laugh. I love the way you have perticularly Josiah wrapped around your little finger. I love your girlie shoes and your pretty dresses. I love - that you love - that you have many swimsuits. That you love pretty shoes. That you love dollies & horses and swinging in the front yard. But something else I love about you, is that having you has changed me. Having you has changed the way I think about and percieve myself. I'm thankful every day that the Lord gave you to us. You were worth the wait! You are a blessing! Happy Birthday to the sweetest little girl I know!