April Showers...

I think this April has brought more "showers" than I want to remember. After the frost this morning, I've decided anyone who wants to believe in "Global Warming" must lack common sense! I'm ready for the 80 degree weather that made a brief appearance last week. I've got kids to darken up before swimming weather gets here! Believe me, my kids need all the "darkening up" they can handle. Rileigh Cait isn't too white. I think her skin has an olive tone to it. She should tan quite nicely. Aside from all the rain, its been a fun, busy month. I can't believe it ends tomorrow. April is birthday month for the Bailey clan (yes, we're too big to be a family...we're a clan!) There is fifteen birthdays in April, and three of them are on the 27th. That was my grandma's birthday too and Jeff's grandma's oddly enough. I don't mind sharing my birthday at all. Its kinda fun sometimes. I got exactly what I asked for from mom and aunt Linda sent me her traditional card with a little fun money in it. I'm sure I'll buy me and Jeff a coke with it! My new workout gear. A ball, weights and mat. Its all red! (although, I may have already gotten past 5lb weights) Guess I'll have to add to my collection!Mom made me dinner Sat. (Her one day back in town before she was gone again.) She didn't even have to ask what I wanted. Ribs and peach cobbler! My favorite!!Sunday, mom left, Jeff worked, and I was still hurting from my surgery on Thursday. Needless to say my actual birthday was kind of a drag. I decided I'd pep things up a bit and made my own birthday cake. Jeff made me dinner(in the microwave and served on paper plates) when he got home from work and then I got to take a long soak in the tub. Turned out the evening was rather nice!I wasn't the only one who went to the doctor last week. Rileigh Cait had her two month check up and her first round of shots. She is now 23in and 10lbs 13oz. She started out 19 1/4in and 7lb even! I'd say she's grown a little! 3 inches and 3(almost 4) pounds in two months! Jeff may have another basketball player on his hands! (have I ever mentioned I'm more into football and soccer) That's okay. I prayed my girls would be naturally tall and skinny. I just hope she doesn't out grow Declan. He's not short just average! I guess they'll be like Jake and Bailey.My littlest sooner!! I found this the other day after waking up from my post surgery nap. Jeff left the door open to be able to check on me. I had asked him to open the shade if I was going to be stuck in bed for a while, and I guess, Aidan thought I needed some company. Isn't it beautiful out the window! So green!

I'm never in pictures, so I had Jeff take some of me and the kids...can't tell who she belongs to can you! Getting one of the three older kids was a little hard to accomplish I had to catch Declan in order to get a picture with him. He was really too busy to stop. I love this picture! Aidan is always so serious when he has his picture taken. A little tickle was all it took! Rileigh decided to eat, so I just took one of her and Daddy! Poor Jeff was worn out after a couple of days of playing mommy.

Oh! they love each other...well...he loves her. She looks a little annoyed Yep, still annoyed My big kids! It seems like Edana should still be a baby and she's starting school this year! How did that happen? Aidan will finally get to go to preschool...we're both ready for that! He gets a little bored at home these days. I'm ready for him to have something to talk about besides superheros! This is Dec's new hang out. I think just because he can. Although, tonight I had to get him off the table you see in the back. He was trying to work on the lamp...

This is the result of mommy trying to lay on the couch instead of in my bed.He got his first ride on the lawn mower. He loved it! Now he really won't let dad go outside without him. I think he has pawpaw right where he wants him these days. Dec is at that fun stage where he is learning all kinds of words at once. I heard him in the dinning room this morning saying "smile" I came around the corner to see him trying to reach my camera. I got the camera and he grabbed Rileigh Cait's blanket and cheesed real big! I love my babies! They're a blast, but by the end of the day, I'm worn out! That said, I'm off to bed at 15min til 10:00! Goodnight!

Our Love Story

Six years ago today, I married the most amazing man ever. We had big dreams and a very young love. Six years later, our dreams are bigger than ever and our love is still young at heart! We really met for the first time on mother's day weekend in 2001. He is from Westville and his sister is the same age as me. So, when I walked into Car Mart that day, it was kind of like running into old friends. I remember telling Shelly I'd seen them, and she got all excited and told me he was a psychologist or something. At that point in my life, having a guy around was the last thing I wanted. We ran into each other a few more times and he ended up coming over to Fayetteville for some ministry classes dad was teaching at Trinity. That's when it all really started. Classes started in August and by the end of Sept we were "courting." "Courting" lasted all of two weeks before we were engaged. Yep, I said two weeks. Getting engaged that quickly may have been the most spontaneous thing Jeff has ever done. It was the best thing I've ever done, that is for sure!

We thought we had it all figured out. We'd be married two years before we started a family and we'd have all of our kids two years apart. HA! Two months into marital bliss, I decided Jeff needed to be a Daddy! He needed a little convincing. By the time we prayed about it we came to a drastic conclusion...deciding when to bring a life into the world was best left up to God, so we did. The rest is history. Six years of marriage and we've had four babies plus one miscarriage. Yes, we're crazy. People tell us all the time.

We've also taken some giant steps of faith in these six years. Like Jeff leaving that cushy job to go into the ministry only to end up unemployed for a while before taking a job at Dillard's. Talk about building your faith. What is really incredible is to look back on it all now and realize how much God was in control when it felt like no one was! It wasn't what we had planned, but we learned more in that time than we ever could have, if it had been an easy transition. If nothing we learned how to live on nothing to prepare us for making next to nothing in the ministry we ended up in!

Now we're up to it again. Next Saturday Jeff is taking the praxis tests to become a teacher. He is doing the Non-traditional Teaching Liscensure program and planning to teach high school English. He is one of the teachers at the ranch now. Hopefully with his education and experience and God's favor he'll be teaching in the fall. I don't doubt it all! I'm not sure how God is planning to use all this. I do know that Jeff and I will always feel called to minister to youth no matter what venue God chooses! We really serve an awesome God. While Jeff is working in the public schools, I believe it is time for me to start the book God has placed in my heart. Don't worry, you'll never know when it comes out...i plan to write under a pin name. I want God to get the glory for it all! Just like I hope he gets glory for everything else in Jeff and my life. He is such a great God! And he gave me an incredible man to share my life with. As I look back on these six years the only word that comes to mind is Blessed. I am so blessed! My life truly is abundant!

Spare time...what's that?

Oh my goodness! Its been forever since I blogged. I've been waiting for Shelly to blog only to realize that I haven't. Well, lets see. I've been chasing Dec, feeding Rileigh, and praying the rain will stop so the other two can go outside. Plus a little crafting on the side. (I did a couple of hat boxes anyway.)Now the yard is out of control, so tomorrow we're going to have to finally mow. (So much for Sunday being a day of rest. Although, I don't believe any mom has a day of rest...especially on Sunday.)Most importantly Rileigh was dedicated last Sunday!

Oh! I did start an excercise class. (I'll spare you any pictures of that.) A lady in our church has a ministry called W.O.W (Women's Overall Wellness) She does fitness classes three nights a week, will help you with your own nutrition needs, and its all for free. Its such an awesome ministry, and I think about half the women involved are from outside of the church. If you've been wanting to get in shape/heathly but didn't feel comfortable or couldn't afford a gym or need outside motivation, you should check her out. They meet at 5:30 on Mon, Wed, and Fri. Mondays are pilates, Wednesday is kickboxing, and Friday is weights and cardio. She's pretty intense, but I was actually pretty comfortable despite my lack of ability. There is so many different types of women that i didn't feel like the fat cow of the group. One woman in the group has dropped like 5 or 6 sizes since starting last August!

Rileigh Cait is growing like a weed and changing everyday. Declan can't wait to play with her, but for now, he'll have to stick to wrestling with Aidan. Edana will be enrolling in school next week. Wow! My baby is starting school! Edana and Aidan both had birthday parties to go to last weekend! Jeff is taking the praxis next Sat, and I'll be having surgery on Thursday. Mom and Dad's house is almost finished...I think. Hopefully that means we'll all have our own space before long. Really, I just miss my king size bed with its soft, velvety comforter. Life doesn't really have a chance to slow down around here. Of course, if it did, I'd go crazy from boredom!

Tuesday, Jeff and I had the chance to dress up like adults and enjoy a taste of culture. A friend of ours is graduating with his masters in music. He had his violin recital. It was so good I felt that I should share with everyone! (I had more, but it takes too long to download) We had a great time! Of course, we had to go to Wal-mart after. For some reason, we can't go out without a trip to Wal-mart...its a strange phenomenon.

What's your name?

Did you have a nickname growing up? I had one. Sometimes I still get called that from time to time. If you know it, well, you know it, but we'll go on now. My kids all have nicknames. I guess its a part of our culture. Edana is "Addy" most of the time(I'm aware it doesn't make sense but that's what we call her.) Aidan is A.J., and Declan is Dec. I remember calling dad to tell him I was having a boy. He asked the name and then asked, "what will we call him for short?" Rileigh has acquired a nickname. She has become Caity to me, RiRi to the kids. Anyway, while my kids have these nicknames they also have another set of nicknames. The ones reserved especially for Uncle Shawn. All of his nieces and nephews have names. As my brothers have gotten bigger he doesn't use them as much, but Garrett was Eeyore for a long time! Aidan is A.J. to Shawn. (I think his is the only one everyone else gets away with using) Above is Egon and Beep. Dec's middle name is Eghan so of course Shawn thought Ghost Busters. At one point I had to explain to Edana the Declan's name wasn't Egon but Eghan. And Brayden couldn't be left out. Apparently Shawn had planned to call him BP, but everyone else did too. He came up with Beep.Then there is Edana. Known to Uncle Shawn as Ed. She even refers to herself as Ed to him. Tonight she brought home a cat from school. I asked her its name and she told me her name is Delilah, but her nickname is Sally. It amused me mostly because Shelly and I were just talking about Shawn's names for the kids last night. Apparently, Ed has her uncles knack for nicknaming things!

One (Busy) Month

From her first trip to church to her first two holidays, and LOTS of visitors in between, Rileigh Cait has had a very eventful first month. This was her first church day. (Don't worry Uncle Shawn, if you see this, I just left the headband in long enough for pictures! My sister's baby holding my baby. I really thought I took more pictures of everyone holding her, but I guess I rely a little too much on Shelly to take the pictures when she is there. As I said before. I didn't do a very good job taking pictures. Grandpa, Uncle David, and Krystal and her three kids came to visit the Saturday before Easter. We don't visit them like we should. When Grandma was still alive, we were up there at least once a month. If not, she'd be calling me wanting to know when we were coming. This time of the year is hard. I really wish our schedule and budget allowed for more traveling, especially to Tulsa. Josh and Andrea came by too, but I didn't take their pictures either... Aunt Shelly and Declan playing around. Uncle Jason gave the boys haircuts for me. I love Dec's hair buzzed short...others don't necessarily agree, but I think its soo cute. He looks really white with his sunburned cheeks! Oh! Jason's baby holding my baby. She looks awfully sweet doesn't she. She is, but she's got a mischievous side too. I told her to do something one day and she looked at me and said, "I not your momma." I tried not to laugh the first time, but I did make her go to time after the third time she said. She looks so much like Alex did at that age. I wish the other kids could have been her too.

My adopted family came by on Monday of Spring Break...St. Patrick's Day! You can't tell really well in the pictures, but Jeff dressed her in a green onsie and a green and pink bib. In the green shirt is Sarah, one of my very best friends! Her sister Hannah is in the purple. She lives is K.C., so we got a special visit! They are triplets. The other sister looks identical to Sarah. Sarah has taken on the role of adopted aunt. We are almost family (my cousin is married to her aunt.) Rileigh's other holiday was Easter. While it didn't mean getting to eat yummy Irish food, it did mean getting to spend some fun time with the family on Sat. hunting Eggs. Shelly and Shawna posted some fun pictures from that day. When I posted before, I mentioned that Dec didn't pay much attention to Rileigh. That has changed! He tries to climb all over her now, even when she is on my lap. Its so cute when he climbs up beside her and say "hi, sissy." or "hi, rileigh." And she really do seem to grin at him a lot! Yesterday, he figured out he could climb up on the couch and our bed with her. Today, I put the pack and play in the living room...like we needed more furniture in there. He couldn't get in, so he kept trying to push her around. I pushed it up against Mom's couch, but he eventually figured out he could get to her that way. I caught him just before he started to climb in with her. I don't know how I'll keep him off of her. This is how I spend the majority of my day. If you don't believe me, you can look at my house and tell! Its a mess!

Mommy update-I went to the doctor Wednesday. He released me to normal activity, as if I've been taking it easy, and I have lost 6lbs under my pre-pregnancy weight. No where near my goal weight, but I have major plans!

I guess that is our first month with Rileigh. Maybe sometime during her second month she'll decide to sleep for more than 3 hours at a time! That would be wonderful!

Full House

I didn't figure I'd get to blog much this week. We have a house full this week. My brother and his youngest came and my sisters two oldest are spendingspring break here. It should be a crazy week. 12 people sleeping here all week. Its not everyday the family gets to visit. It makes me wish everyone else could be here. Yes, I question our sanity at times, and it makes me REALLY wish the other house was finished. Our plans this week: A friend is coming to spend the day (and hold Rileigh) We have pictures at Wal-mart tomorrow (dressy ones) Mom and Dad are closing on their house tomorrow too! Wed we have to go to get WIC (no fun there!) Friday we're having fun pictures taken at Edana's school Sat we have an Egg hunt! We should have lots of fun! And tons of pictures!

Regression, Tantrums, and Fun

With each new change whether good or bad, adjustment must come. My kids tend to struggle with change. I don't know why. Sometimes I wonder if we are too routine about things, then we'll have a really crazy week and I'll realize that is not the case. In any case, this week has been a major adjustment week. Dec is handling things great...he just ignores Rileigh until she cries. He's starting to acknowledge her more. He wants so bad to pick her up and play with her like a doll. It scares me to death! I love the third picture here. She had her big foot sticking out of her gown. She is so tiny with such big feet!Oh, and he's decided take up art as a new hobby. He actually holds his crayon or pencil very well. You just can't tell it in the picture because he decided to throw it. He's got a great arm too. Jeff's thinking jump shot, I'm think pitcher...only because i don't think he'll be tall enough for quarterback.

Aidan seems to be having the roughest time. He doesn't quite know where he fits. He's not the oldest...Edana will be sure to tell you that, but he is when Edana is at school. He does love his new sister though. He's so attentive.Oh...there's a temper tantrum. I'm so not a sympathetic mom. You throw a tantrum; I'll take your picture and tell your little brother you've decided to be a baby. Yep, and my husband is the one with a master in psychology. Too bad it didn't rub off on his wife!This is Aidan's favorite place to play. I've thought about rearranging when mom and dad move and putting a window seat there. He spends a huge portion of his day just like that...wearing nothing but his underwear, playing with superheroes in the window.You've got to admit, he's awfully cute! He's really proud of the fact that he's heard us talking about how much Rileigh Cait looks like him, too.Edana doesn't do change well at all. She really doesn't like giving up her "time with momma." She's having fun having a sister, but she's glad she's got some brothers that can actually play with her.

Mom and Dad have been adjusting as well. Mostly to not getting enough sleep and figuring out how long it really takes us to get around and go somewhere...Yes, Mom and Shelly, it takes even longer now! I did however have to make a trip into town by myself for the first time. It wasn't horrible, but it made me realize I HAVE to get a tandem stroller. I forgot how handy that was with a 15mo old and a newborn. I went all over the place with Edana and Aidan in theirs.

All loaded up and ready to go. At least the day I went was the warmest day we had this week. I could have had to go when it was snowing. (I did have to pick Edana up when it was snowing, but that's not as bad as multiple stops in town!) All in all, its been fun! I guess we'll just have to see what next week brings...maybe a clean house. Now that would be an accomplishment!Goodnight for now! The clock says 10:30 but I know its really 11:30 too bad she doesn't have that figured out yet! Have a good week!