My Husband!

Well, as if Christmas wasn't hectic enough, this year has had some added craziness. I got the bright idea to save money on Christmas by making some homemade presents. (this is something we've talked about since we first got married and finally decided to put it into practice this year.) It was going really well too. I made several things already and Jeff had three projects left to do as of Friday morning. I had just told our director the night before how much stress it had saved us, not having to fight the crowds and all the shopping stress. Well, to the point, I guess. Friday morning, Jeff started his projects. He was making little wooden blocks for Declan and Alyssa (our niece). Mom and I were getting ready for the Bailey family Christmas, which means we were cleaning! I had just started lunch when Jeff came to the door and called my name. I knew by the sound of his voice something wasn't right, then he yelled at me to hurry and get there before Addy. Then I heard mom's reaction and she grabbed Addy and carried her away. As Jeff was cutting a piece of the board got stuck and "kicked" back. (i don't really know what that means) What I do know, if that Jeff's hand slipped and he cut his hand all the way to the bone. Thankfully, he only nicked the bone and didn't cut off his whole thumb. He had surgery and they were able to reattach the muscles and tendon that he cut. He had also cut a nerve and got a couple other fingers and the artery in his pinkie. We didn't realize about the pinkie and other fingers until they did surgery. In all of this, I've learned a few things about my husband and my self. As for Jeff: his laid back ways extend farther than I could have ever imagined! He has a tolerance for pain that I never knew, either. Before, I only thought, he was a person that required no sleep. Now, I know its true. What person has surgery, is on morphine, and stays up most the night watching TV? I'm in awe. Although, I do believe the medication has heightened his "puniness" if that's possible. As for me: I've learned that no amount of first aid training prepares you for finding your husband at the front door spraying blood everywhere. Yep, it all went out the window, except to put pressure on it, which I made him do, so that I could drive. I never realized I could drive so fast barefoot! (thank goodness mom thought to grab my shoes before we left) I just grabbed Jeff and the keys and took off. I also learned that, in an emergency, I can go to town in my pajama pants and dress shoes...at least they weren't really dressy...and not care. I learned some things about my babies too. Edana was scared of course, but she handled it well. She was excited that Jeff had a band-aid from his i.v. and a little more timid than I'd have thought. Aidan's reaction made me proud. Mom said he just climbed on the couch, folded his hand, bowed his head and started praying. (its times like that when you know you're raising your kids to think right) Dec had no clue what was going on, so he was spared in trauma. Thank you Jesus! Well, needless to say, Dec isn't getting blocks for Christmas and I've got some last minute shopping to do. Thank God I have a husband to do it with! and he has all ten fingers! Things could have been so much worse. God protected him! (I know some would question why he didn't keep it from happening at all. I don't know the answer to that. However, I do know that all things work for good and He can bring good out of this bad.) He is awesome and I'm so thankful I have the kind of relationship with Him that in a time of crisis, I have peace. Not once did I have to question who was in control or how it would all turn out. God is great! I'll spare anyone pictures this post! Have a Merry Christmas!

Women's Ministy Christmas Meeting

Once a year at Women's ministry we have volunteers to decorate tables. Its always a lot of fun to see what the different ladies come up with. This year we did it for our Christmas meeting. The lighting wasn't the greatest but I had to share. Yvonnes was by far the most elegant with antique amber colored dishes, greens, and golds to accent. This picture does no justice at all. This was Shawna's table. "Hogs" of course! Her snowman were so cute, and you can't see them very well but the chairs were so pretty. I didn't think about decorating the chairs. This table was very simple and sweet. The floating candles were a nice touch. Just outside of the picture was a nativity scene as well. I wish this had been a better picture. The center peice was a nativity scene. This one looked like something out of a magazine. The neatest part about this table was the rolled up paper on the plates. It was a story the host had written about Christmas. It was very thoughtful! This is my table. It was pretty simple, but I was proud!

I put real cranberries in Christmas wine goblets and added a tealight candle to make candle holders. I did the same thing in the dessert dishes for lower lighting. And I just stole mom's berries off her mantle to put in this vase with more cranberries to support the plant. We had a great night of fellowship. I always thought of Women's Ministry as an old ladies group, but ours isn't that at all. The median age is probably still 40, but a lot of the 20-30 age group is envolved as well. Plus, 40 really isn't that "old." Anyway, every month we have a food theme and a different speaker. Its so much fun to go and be with all the ladies, eat and have an interesting topic. My favorite is always in March when we do Irish food! If you live close by you should join us some month! Its a blast and not all the women that come are from our church. See you there.

Edana's "Me Day"

Edana attends Head Start this year. They do not celebrate ANY holidays. I guess they don't want to offend anyone by leaving their holiday out. Personally, its kinda pathetic to me. If its a national holiday, why can't we acknowledge it? Anyway, since the kids don't get to celebrate their birthdays, they each get a "me day." Edana had hers on Friday. Me and the boys stayed at school with her until nap time, and she came home with us early. It was a lot of fun. She got to pick the songs and stories for the day. They also let her bring one special thing to show everyone at circle time along with her Book About Me. It was pretty cute. They did a cheer and spelled her name. It was also the last day of school before "Winter Break" I couldn't help myself. Teachers deserve Christmas presents, so Edana and I made cookies and decorated sacks to give to them. She was so excited about it. The batteries in the camera decided to die after we got to headstart, so I didn't get any pictures of her special day. She was too busy to stop for pictures anyway!

Its was Edana's Me Day, but Aidan reaped some of the benefits as well. He got to stay and do everything they did. He's bigger than most of the kids in her class, but missed the cut off by 7 days. He did pretty well. I wasn't sure how he'd act, but, other than not always sitting when he was supposed to, he followed the rules and listened to the teachers. He played really well with the other kids as well. He did excellent at meal times, unlike at home. He loved the library area and he got to paint a picture too! Declan did pretty good too. He got tired and probably would have fallen asleep, but the other kids were so fascinated with a baby in class, he didn't get the chance. It was a very fun and memorable day! Plus, Edana's birthday is in the middle of summer, so its probably the only time she'll get to have a special day like that at school. I hope she always remembers it!

Rileigh Cait-12 Weeks and Counting!

I went to the doctor today. Just the usual check up. Listened to the heartbeat and measured my big belly. All was good there! I had gained a little more weight than I wanted. Man! Christmas isn't even here yet! How do you make candy without sampling? Especially haystacks! Oh! Those are my downfall every year! I saw Dr. Hix today. He's my favorite! Mostly because he's delivered two of my three kids and with Addy, he was the only doctor I had the whole time. He is really nice and very personal. He must really review peoples charts because I can't imagine him really remembering that much stuff about all the women he sees. I go back Jan 3, and after that it will be time for my two week visits! I'm so ready to be done!! That probably isn't that good considering I'm just now starting my last trimester. Plus, I'm not prepared at all. I have so much to do! Its scary to think about. Oh well. I just won't be able to get it done until the house is finished, so we'll have to make due. It always comes together in the end anyway!

More Progress!

After days of rain, this is what we found this morning when we went outside. Heating and air crew and the framers were back to put in the windows! By the time we got home it was dark, so I didn't get any pictures of the outside. The whole back has been sided and one end! All but the big window and two doors have been installed

Working hard and its not even 8:00! (just don't let mom catch you with that cigarette out there on the insulation and drywall go up!) She'll smell that from a mile away! The bay windows are going to be great!These are in the living room Master bedroom All the duct work is done! (Dad wasn't too happy about where they put the outside unit.) For some reason, they put it on the west end. I think it'll work out though. The north, where dad wanted it, is so pretty it may have taken away from it. That whole end is full of windows, and there will be a nice size deck out there.

Shower in the master. The tub is in too, but that picture was too dark. Its got a nice big frosted window above it. Now, who would pick this for a back door? Me either! Dad almost missed their mistake. Should be a pretty french door here. This door belongs in the laundry room. I guess every building project has there glitches. This one shouldn't be to hard to fix.Oh! now that door is pretty! Maybe it goes in the laundry room, that way everyone can see our laundry! Oh wait! It goes in the living room...who would have thought! On a side note: My date stamp is obviously wrong. I have realized it and fix it. Sorry if you are ocd and it stresses you out!

Girl Time

Sunday was a true family day. We didn't get to go to church, so we had "church" at home with the kids. At first they didn't seem amused but they ended up having fun. We used a video to do praise and worship and then Jeff told them a story and we colored a picture....all in our pajamas. It was kind of refreshing to be honest. We talked about thanking God for things, so when it came time to draw we were supposed to draw pictures of things we're thankful for. Jeff drew our church, I drew stick figures of our family (immediate and extended) and our house; and Edana drew a rainbow with lots of colors. Aidan, well, Aidan drew not one but two pictures of Captain America!

That night Edana helped me make some No Bake Cookies (mm...my favorite!) She had fun and was surprisingly patient. Of course they only take about 10 minutes to make. Perfect for a four year old! Isn't she pretty! I would have preferred to stay out of the pictures, but Jeff didn't listen..... I'm not sure when she got so big! Her final product!!!! She was really proud of her cookies. And she helped clean up the mess! Its good to have a little helper in the kitchen sometimes.

Progress

Well, after the guy laying the foundation took so long, I was convinced that the baby would be here before Dad and Mom's house was finished. However, the framers have renewed my hopes! They were awesome! They were here early every morning and even worked last friday when it was raining some. Anyway, this is what they accomplished this far.

Mom will finally have a wrap around front porch! She's always wanted one! The view from the front porch.Pretty bay windows. (that is my favorite part of the plans!) This is the view out the guest bedroom window. It is huge. It should be very pretty. A walk in pantry! Mom will have a kitchen with all the storage she needs! Plus pretty windows. The view from them will be my bedroom window....I better buy some good draps! Actually, they are right at the corner of the porch. I couldn't help but think of Grandma's porch and setting out on it year round. It never seemed cold on her porch. I hope mom and her grandkids will have the great memories of her porch as we do of Grandma's! That is all for now. The roofers came today. They got here sometime after 7:30 and were finished before 11:30. I was very impressed. Meeks also delivered the windows and doors today, so hopefully the framers will be back tomorrow. They assured Dad that that is a one day job as well. That means we could see siding next week. Then we have to wait on the electrician. I hope he hurries. I have serious doubts that we'll see him before Christmas, but I really hope he proves me wrong. Mom told them they needed to be done by the first part of Feb because the baby is due the first part of march. Maybe they listened! The first of Feb would at least give mom time to get her stuff moved and me time to get somewhat settled. I have no hopes of getting to paint before that, but that is alright. We'll wait until later in the spring, so that I can air the house out better!

Fun videos

Hadn't tried doing any vidoes yet, so I just wanted to share these. Declan's birthday was so fun! Jeff and Edana had a great time dancing together. Aidan was in there too, but he didn't make it in the video for some reason. Enjoy! (sorry, the sound isn't very good)

On a side note: I had my first really good braxton hix contraction a few minutes ago. Rileigh kicked like crazy afterward. Guess she didn't like it much. Hope I have lots of those over the next few months!

Having fun!

Edana picked out her own outfit. I don't know where she gets it! HAHAHA! She was pretty proud of her "styling outfit" I think she actually got the idea from Bailey. When they came up a few weeks ago, Bailey came in wearing a pair of jeans under a dress. Her and Bailey recreated another great outfit for thanksgiving but I didn't get a picture of it. She loves her boots as much as her momma! This was Declan before his hair cut. (his second hair cut) I keep it cut pretty short as you can tell. I don't know, I just think it looks cute! Aidan's isn't as short, but their faces aren't shaped the same either. They are both cute! Meemaw wasn't home when this picture was taken. Pawpaw and the boys were wrestling on her new couch! I couldn't resist the picture. They were so funny!

Thanksgiving

We had a rough time at Thanksgiving this year. Mom bought some batteries (they were the "best deal") that were so weak our cameras wouldn't run on them. I had more in the car, but completely forgot about them. Then Shelly pushed the wrong button and lost all of the pictures she'd taken. I did get a couple of cute ones on Declan and one of a few family members eating. Declan and Lilly. It was so cute. He's as big as her and she'll be two in a couple of month.

From left: Stacey, Scarlet(Stacey exchange student from Holland), Dad, and Daniel.

Unfortunately I didn't get any at my grandpa's house. We went there after eating lunch in Westville with the Bailey side. I got to see two of my cousins. My dad's aunt always comes in the evening. It was a nice visit. I don't know if it will every feel right without my grandma there. We did what we've always done, but it's just not the same. Grandpa seemed good. Its funny to see how my dad's brother is looking more like Grandpa every year. It was a good Thanksgiving. Its my favorite holiday. I am very thankful that God has given me such a large family. Thanksgiving is the only day of the year that we see almost all of them in one day! Christmas is next! We'll go to Shelly's. That has kind of become our new tradition since Grandma died. She has a big enough house, we can all go there and still have a room to keep from going crazy! I will have pictures of that!

Catching up!

Well, its been a couple of weeks now, but I finally got a chance to blog my news. Most of you already know by now, but we are having a GIRL!!! Her name will be Rileigh Cait. (Jeff picked the spelling this time!) We found out on Nov 15th. (Declan's birthday) Needless to day we had a very busy day that day. It was fun though!

Edana and Aidan looked so sleepy. They got to go to the doctor and see the ultrasound. Edana was so excited when they said it was a girl. She just grabbed Jeff and grinned really big. She really wanted a sister. Aidan thought it was neat, but he lost interest pretty quick.

Dec's favorite food seems to be pizza right now, so we made homemade pizza for his birthday dinner. We don't make to big of a deal over the first birthday. Just dinner with the family and a small cake for him to destroy. Everyone else gets cupcakes!

The kids with Dec's cake. We let them help blow out the candles. Declan was so cute trying to blow. He figured it out pretty quick! The cake before he attacked

He got so messy! By the time he was done he had cake all down both arms and on his face!

He seems to like cars. Mom got him a little spider-man push car. We got him the little car to push around on the floor. Not much, but he's only one and there really wasn't much he needed. Jeff's mom got him a see-n-say, but I don't have a picture of him with that yet. Christmas this year should be fun!

7 Random facts

I was tag by Brittney.

1. I have a very stubborn husband! He is so layed back that most people don't believe me, but once he makes up his mind about something....you're not going to change it. Which is okay, because well, I change my mind about things all the time! (too much) Not really, I can be pretty stubborn at times. But if its not set in stone, well, that means its changeable!

2. I have been an aunt for over half of my short life. I love being an aunt! Its almost as good as being a mom, except I can send them home. I have 3 nephews and 4 nieces, and Jeff has 2 nieces and 3 nephews. That makes for a grand total of 12! I just wish I lived closer to them.

from left to right: in front: Alex holding Aidan, Edana, Caleb holding Declan. in back: Garrett, Jake, Raegan, Alyssa, and Bailey

3. I can't think of anything else! Umm...I have been pregnant every year of my marriage, litterally. I haven't gone more than six months without getting pregnant in the last 5 years. Needless to say, I'm glad we're stopping at four. I'm not like Michelle Duggar! I'm ready to have a life outstide of pregnancy.

4. I have been white water rafting on the Rio Grande. We went this summer after we finished building the church in Arizona. (Before I knew I was pregnant) It was fun. I got out and swam the last little bit, just so that I could say I have been swimming in the rio grande! Even in June the water is freezing. Our guide fell out of the water on our first big rapid. Oh man! That was a little freaky! One minute she is shouting instructions the next minute she is floating down the river. She was the only one that fell out the whole day!

5. I let my husband take my three year old son caving. Not just any cave, one that had to be repelled into. They actually harnessed Aidan up and lowered him down to another staff memeber. I later threw a fit over him taking him up on a cliff that everyone was repelling off of. I had no problem with the cave but the cliff was different. It makes since in my head. I'm not afraid of hieghts for myself, just for others. I'd love to have gone repelling with them...that whole being pregnant all the time thing! I just didn't like knowing Aidan was up that high.

6. oh man! two more....The older I get the more like my Grandma I realize I am. When I was young I thought she was eccentric and "frufru", but not any more. I think I love gold as much as she did. Sometimes I get the urge to paint something gold so bad, I go around the house looking for my next victim. I actually keep gold spray paint on hand, just in case!

7. My secret dream is to be an interior designer. I wouldn't paint everthing gold for other people. I like taking what people like and coming up with a plan for their rooms. I do it for mom all the time, but she doesn't always go for it. I can't wait to decorate my own house. I've already picked out the color schemes. I even put a couch on lay-a-way, just so I could get started planning it all out. The funny thing is, Aidan likes it as much as me. He's always stealing my bh&g mags! Its so funny.

I'm done! I don't think I'll tag anyone because everyone that I know looks at this has already been tagged.

error on last blog.

I messed up. We didn't go to the Pow a Mu in August. It was the first weekend in October. Just wanted to correct my mistake!

Pow a Mu

Jeff and I aren't exactly the woodsy type. I love to be outdoors (well, mostly on the river), and we grew up camping out everywhere we went on vacation. Jeff, however, had never been camping for real. Well, I don't count a camper trailer as for real. I know, some people just don't like to camp, but it doesn't seem real if you are up off the ground in a trailer with an air conditioner. However, he has been broken in well. Aidan and Jeff went on a spiritual emphasis retreat with the ranch right after A.J.'s birthday. The first weekend in August, we(Jeff, Edana, Aidan, and me) went to Pow a Mu. This is a weekend put on by Fellowship of Christian Frontiersmen. Everyone sleeps in canvas tents or teepees. They all cook in dutch ovens over open camp fires, and most of them wear authentic dress. It was so much fun! We had a blast, and we won the Seneca walk! I hope we can go back again. I've even thought about making the kids some clothes for it. They had such a good time!

This was the teepee we stayed in.

Camp Site.Ford family crafting. You won't see that everyday.Edana and Aidan playing stick ball with the other kids.Tony and Jennifer. (I'll probably be in trouble for this picture, but they are the ones that invited us. I'm so glad they did!)