One Month Old and Everything Girlie

Autumn has turned one month old. Time has really flew by. I am trying to enjoy every moment. She is already changing tremendously. She is talking her baby babble and smiling to my voice. I am still waiting for that little giggle to come out. Autumn is a very good baby. She really only cries when she is in need of something. We are all enjoying her. She is growing like a weed. She weighs 11lbs 8ozs.

Well, I have to say my house seems more girlie than it did before. Pink and Purple seem to be on my mind every time I go shopping ( pink is winning out as you can see). To tell you the truth it is really fun. Autumn has been fairly easy to shop for. With Wynter I had a hard time finding everything pink but with Autumn it is a theme that is more popular so I have had a less challenging time.

Pink, Pink, Pink, don't you love it!!!

This play gym and bouncer were fun finds.

Autumn is sitting in her new swing from Meme & Pampa.
I fell in love with this pink and brown pattern as soon as I saw it.

This is the theme for our pack and play and stroller combo also.

Love It!!!

Reflecting

Wow, how time flies when your having fun. I am so busy right now it is crazy. Derek is injured, Wynter is sick, and I have Autumn who is really quit good but still demanding all the same. Kevin, September, and me are all well at the moment.



I am trying to not let time get away from me but it is almost impossible. Autumn is already talking her baby talk, so sweet. She is looking me in the eye now and smiling at my voice. She is so adorable. I can't help but enjoy buying everything girlie for her. With Wynter is was hard to find pinks and purples but this time around it has been fun and easy.



I can not explain how thrilled and blessed I am to have a family with four children. I have always wanted at least four children and I have made it to this great place in my life.

Autumn's First Days

I am sorry that it has taken so long for me to get back on my blog. I have been completely taken aback with getting back on my feet and having time for any thing but my family. I have not even left the house but a couple times out of necessity only. Today I finally get to go to town and shop.

Below are the pictures of my perfect little miracle. She has been a very good baby and we can't hardly put her down. She is already as spoiled as can be. There is more pictures to come soon.

New baby Autumn and mom. Isn't she precious.

Autumn's first day. She was 9lbs. 10 ounces.

Autumn's first picture with eye's open.
Autumn 21 inch's long
Autumn's first halloween as a peapod. 3 days old.

Girls Room

I went ahead and took a few pics of the girls room.

Septembers Space
Wynter is quite proud of her space.
Just a few extra touches for fun!!

Time is Flying By

Time has really been passing by quickly. I have not blogged because I have not had the time or energy to do so. This last week has been very busy. Kevin and I finally found the time and a day that I felt well enough to go on a date. We were unable to go out on our anniversary because Derek was hurt and I felt so bad. We had a wonderful time. Time alone needed between the two of us before the baby was born. We need to go out alone more often to stay connected to who we are as a couple. Kevin took me to a place I have been wanting to try for a while called the Melting Pot. It is a very romantic place that serves Fondue. It was a very interesting experience. My favorite course was the last course full of sweet treats that we dipped in chocolate. The rest of the meal was an experience full of dipping in cheeses, broths, and a pretty good salad. After we ate we walked the river and laughed a little. It was a good day.

We have finally gotten the kids rooms done. The girls love their room and feel like they have their own space which is important and hard to do when you have to share a room. Derek's room has changed the most and we all love how it turned out. It was a lot of work but worth it. Kevin really did the brunt of Dereks room. Thank you babe it looks great.

Pictures of Dereks Colorado Rockies Room!!!

The rest of the week was catching up everything around the house that was put on hold due to the rooms. I got all my cleaning caught up and school. It was quit a chore. I still have a few things left on my list because Derek injured his hand and wrist and it flared up on Wednesday. We have had a lot of bad nights since then and he could still use some prayers for healing. I can't even explain to everyone how much he has went through for only being 9 but he only had a week in between healing his ankles and this. Never the less he is healing and showing improvement day by day.

So this week I will finish catching up and rest up to have this child. I have started to have morning sickness, all day, again and the normal I can't wait to get this over with feeling of aches and pains. Wednesday I will have 2 weeks left and I am completely thrilled to not have much longer to wait. Life does fly by so the time will be here sooner than later.

8 Months

Hey Kris this is the last pregnant picture I have taken.

Girls Room Trial Wall

One Month To Go Today!!!!!!!

I have reached my one month mark. I am so excited. I am 46 inches round now and have gained 41 pounds. It is getting close to time and I am going to try and stay home and keep my house in order so that life is as easy as possible for my family after the baby is born. This is my goal. My husbands goal however is to paint the kids rooms and reorganize Derek's room. I think that this is a great idea. I love getting things put together and organized. I, however, had plans to keep house and rest. He is doing the majority of the work so I am going to take advantage and let him do it. I think their rooms will turn out great.



This weekend I did my major grocery shopping and boy do I feel the time coming near. I am slower than a turtle walking through these stores. I have to double the time I used to be able to shop in. It is amazing how your body just stops going even though your mind is saying lets do more. I am not having that horrible pain I had for the first seven months, which I am very thankful for, but I am totally exhausted. I am having the normal end of pregnancy woes [constant backache, pressure, wanting to sleep all the time, and big rear syndrome (hips aching and spreading)] lol. All to be expected. I look forward to the 2-3 braxton hix contractions everyday knowing that they are just getting me prepared. I am so ready that I am just waiting for some real pains to start (of course once they start I might change my mind). A month will go by quickly.



The kids are sensing the time nearing. Wynter asks me everyday if the baby will be here soon and how long will she have to stay at Meme and Pampa's. She tells me she wants to stay with me and that she will cry when she has to leave for me to have the baby. September and Derek are just ready for life to start with the new baby and to find out for sure what sex it is. Kevin, I think, is just ready to have the whole ordeal over with and to have his wife back. I think like every husband he has great concerns about the unknown for his family and is anxiously awaiting and praying for everything to turn out well.

IntelliGender Prediciton Test!! Girl????

Sister Cherrie Bosch bought a couple of these IntelliGender Prediction tests after seeing Sister Trina's Blog on finding out the sex of her baby. We are all very curious if this is really accurate and I am the first one due to have their baby. I am due on Oct. 24. This morning Cherrie, the great friend that she is, woke up early, came over with one of the tests so that I could use my first morning urine (it is very hard to hold it in now-a-days). I have 2 girls and 1 boy so we were thinking boy. The test results say that we are wrong with the boy feeling and it says we are having a girl. Well, I am not banking everything on this little test but I read their web site and it seems to be fairly accurate. So we will see. I thought that since I still have not figured out a boy name that that in itself may be a sign that a girl was in our future. We will be excited either way and if anything this was a fun little test to take. Above it my actual result after taking the test. Very different from Sister Trina's color.

Friday

Today is a beautiful Friday. The air is crisp and the weather will be beautiful today. I am going to take the kids to the park and let Wynter get some of her 4 year old energy out. Derek is starting to walk a bit and I am going to try and find him another ankle brace.



Kevin and I had our 12th anniversary this weekend. We went to church and went visiting. Nothing to exciting.



I have a little over a month left and I will finally be due to have my little one. He has decided that bedtime is the best time to really move around and keep me up but that is ok. I love feeling him move around and knowing that he is ok. He is big enough now that he has slowed down a bit and I am used to him moving all day. I think he is taking more naps getting ready for the big day.

What God Can Do

When Derek was 4 he got hit in the head with a baseball. We were very concerned because of his hemophilia. It hit him on his left side of his head. We did not know what the ramifications of this would be. We did not know if he would have internal bleeding in his head. He never bruised up anywhere outwardly but the concern was still there.



A little after that he started complaining about his eyesight and we noticed that his left eye was becoming lazy especially when he was tired. We decided to take him to the optometrist who told us that he was legally blind in his left eye. His right eye was fine actually better than fine. The optometrist said that he had a form of ambliopia. We were crushed. The only option for us was prayer and to patch his good eye for a couple hours a day to try and strengthen his bad eye. We did the patch for 2 years and his eye did get a little better but he was still legally blind in that eye. He had went from 20/2400 to 20/2200. Perfect eyes are 20/20. He was still were he had to wear a very farsighted prescription. Over the passed couple years we have prayed for him, anointed him, and I know a lot of the brethren have prayed for his condition.



February of this year I took him for his yearly check-up for his eyes. His eye had gotten a little better and the optometrist had no explanation for it. Then just last week Derek told us that he could see better without his glass'. I took him for an eye exam and his eye has gotten progressively better. The optometrist was in awe. He said he had never seen someone with Derek's eye problem get better on it's own. I told him that we had done a lot of praying. He said that it must be working because he has no other explanation.



Derek is still a little farsighted but he has went from 20/2400 (legally blind) to 20/50. We consider this a miracle and a blessing. We will continue to pray that God will have mercy on our son. This has been very uplifting for Kevin and I. It is good for our children to see the miracles God can do for his people big or small.

7 Months and Bob's Big Day

What a busy week this has been. Tuesday and Thursday I was busy putting together the poster boards for Bob's Birthday Party. I enjoyed putting them together it put me in the mood to start scrapbooking again. Thursday and Friday I did my monthly grocery shopping. While at Sams, Friday, I went to pick up Bob's birthday cake. I was very careful to make sure and put all my groceries in one cart and have an empty cart just for the cake which September was pushing. I made sure to get the cake last just as I was ready to leave. While I was putting my groceries up to be scanned I turned to look back at the kids. What do I see. A cake with a fingerprint in it. My beautiful little daughter decided that she needed to see the cake. She climbed on the side of the cart to get a better look and leaned over. From what she told me she smashed it with her thumb. Lovely, don't you think. I was quite upset to say the least and she got a tongue lashing right there. I checked out and went back to the bakery and they said they could fix it but I would have to pick it up Saturday. I was very thankful the lady was understanding and fixed it in time.

Bob's birthday party went over pretty well. There were around 20-30 people there to celebrate with us. The ice-cream was good and Bob seemed to really enjoy his day.

The famous Birthday cake!!

Bob with September, Wynter, and Derek.Temberly, Bob, Donna, and my honey Kevin.
The poster boards I put so much work into.

I have been feeling rather good here lately. I have been able to accomplish a lot. I also have learned my limits so that is always helpful. The baby is wild and getting very big. The baby turned about a week ago making bending over impossible. I can tell that he is getting more and more cramped. He is trying to stretch out and is getting into my hips and ribs. Tying my shoes is a lovely thing to see, almost impossible. I am can not believe how much this child moves. I don't think he ever sleeps.

Me Seven Months!!

We have no names picked out for this little one. Picking out the perfect name is so hard. Wynter was so funny this afternoon. She heard us talking about names and thought if we had a baby boy that Whoa-Dude would be perfect. We got a good laugh out of that one. lol.

Cousins

My sisters and I all had baby girls within a year of each other. This is just a picture my sister requested to see. You can tell that it is late and we are all wore out. Between the three of us we had 9 children we were keeping up with.

Krista this is the best picture I could find with all the girls. I hope it is what you where thinking.

Krista with Allison 8 months, Michelle with Wynter 7 months, and Heather with Kyndal 3 months.

Finding Relief

I have found something to ease my pains a bit. It is our aerobed. Kevin put it up for me last week and it actually has really helped me with my sleep and joint/pelvic pain. Every night for the last couple months I have been waking up every hour to turn over to relieve what ever side I was on. You know how your hips can ache when you are expecting. Well I would start out in one bed, then go to another bed, and then end up on the couch trying to just get some rest. Kevin decided to put up the aerobed for me. It is a queen size airbed that stands as tall as a regular bed once aired up. I felt pretty good after sleeping on it after one night but I was skeptical. Now I am sold after a week. I will be sleeping on it until I can not roll off of it anymore because of my awkward girth or until I have my little bundle. God has been good.

This weekend we were able to go to the zoo with the kids! Yeah! I did not think that I was going to be able to do anything like this again after the mall and bombing the house weekend. Nevertheless I thought that I would try. My poor children have been couped up in this house with me and I really felt sorry for them. So I said a prayer that the Lord would have mercy and away we went in the spur of a moment. I was extremely slow going but we all made it through. The kids had a lot of fun.

Wynter and Derek!

Wynter Lov'n the ride!

Derek enjoying the ride!

This is the end of the day. We were pretty tired.

God was good to me. I still had the energy to come home and make dinner. I woke up on the aerobed the next morning feeling pretty good and was able to go to church and do all my wifely duties for the day. This morning I am still able to praise God for his mercy. There is no aftermath from the zoo like I thought there would be.

I am going to go pick up September today and can not wait to see her and hear how much fun she had with her grandparents at Branson. I made it through the weekend without her.

Letting Go

My children are growing up and my eldest daughter September reminds me of this everyday. Her grandparents invited her to go to Branson with them for the weekend. That is 2 nights and 2 1/2 days I will not have my little girl by my side. I am really excited for her but I find myself worrying about her being away from me. I loved going with my grandparents and have very fond memories of the times we had together. I stayed summers with my grandparents in Colorado. I want my children to have the same experiences with their grandparent. I just seem to miss my kids when they are away and I will not be able to watch out for her during this time. I know that this is only the first step and that there are many more milestones that I am going to have to have to just get over. As a mother this is not going to be an easy task for me. I don't think I will ever be able to let go completely. I have good kids and I trust that September will make the right decisions. Even though I know I will never let go completely I am going to have to let go a little at time.

Week 30

Well I am now 30 weeks pregnant this week. I am 43 inch's round and have gained 30 pounds. 10 more weeks to go. Time has gone by fairly quickly. I am thankful for this. I am getting to the point of being excited but quite nervous about labor. This is the only pregnancy I have felt nervous about the labor. In the past I have been quite confident. I probably feel this way because I have had more time at home to think about it. Who knows?

This last month has been quite busy for me. I am keeping busy doing my normal daily duties and school. We did our monthly grocery shopping, which is always a killer. Then I let the kids each have a friend over to swim and play. We celebrated Kevin's 33rd birthday and September's 11th birthday. We took September shopping for the day and bombed the house that same weekend. I ended up paying for that one. Saturday we shopped all day. Sunday I went to church and scrubbed the floors, then Monday I deep cleaned from the bombing. I was in pain for the rest of the week. I don't think I learn my lessons very well. Now we are planning a get together at the church for Kevin's dad who is turning 60. It is going to be an ice cream social and I hope that it will turn out well.

I have been driving my husband crazy with the whole nesting thing. He does not like that I have dragged him into it. I have a small list of things that I would like to have done that I just am unable to do. One of these things is my half bath in my bedroom. I really wanted it painted and put together a little better. Kevin decided to do it and it looks really great. I love a freshly painted room. It feels cleaner. The bathroom has very little ventilation if any and my poor husband got terribly sick. He got a horrible headache and was throwing up that night. I felt really bad for him. I love him for doing it for me though.

This weekend was an at home weekend and I have felt the best I can. I hurt but not that excruciating pain. For some reason I have been getting nauseous in the mornings again. Oh well. It will be worth it to hold my baby boy (just a feeling). I will be thrilled with a girl but surprised. Wynter I new was a girl before we even conceived. I have no names as of yet. We may have a nameless baby. lol.

A Beautiful Morning

This morning is a beautiful morning. I went out to water the garden and take in some fresh air with my coffee. There is a slight breeze and it is just beautiful right now. I think I am going to stay home do some laundry and relax today.

The last couple days have been better days. I still feel pregnant and still hurt but Monday I got a taste of what I could be going through all the time. I am thankful I don't feel like that on a daily basis. I can usually lie down and get relief and that was the first day during this pregnancy I had mental meltdown. I still won't be walking or shopping much but at least I can keep up the house and family.

I decided to make a list of the things I am thankful for today. I am thankful I have a wonderful husband who puts up with me and helps me through each day. Thank you honey. I know you are truly concerned for me and love me. I am thankful for my children who are healthy. We do not have any major drama going on at this moment. Thank you September for all your help to mama. Thank you Wynter for making me laugh. Thank you Derek for always being so concerned for me and asking me if I need anything. I am thankful that I am not bed ridden, I can feel my baby moving, and I can keep up my daily life. I am thankful that God is with me everyday and hears my prayers. He can even answer them in an instant on occasion. I am thankful for my sisters for being there for me when I need someone to lean on and for listening to things I would not tell anyone else. I am thankful for my sisters in the faith who are my true friends and who I know will be there for me in my times of need. Thank you to all my sisters. I have plenty more to be thankful for but the list could get extremely long. These are the things I am thankful for today.

The kids are finally over the chicken pox completely. I am glad to have that over and done with. I am looking forward to getting around my sisters and get back to church. I missed those things. Yesterday I was able to get out with a few of the girls. We meet at Sis. Cherrie's. They cleaned their vans and I watched. It is not like me not to pitch in but really truly the girls understood and I just enjoyed the visiting. The kids had a lot of fun. September helped me make lunch for the kids. Thank you sis. I was tired just from sitting out in the heat. I know the girls had to be exhausted. They were all beat red from working so hard.

Today has started out as a good day. I hope everyone else can have a great day!!

HELP! I CAN'T GET UP!!

This weekend I had decided to groom Daisey. Well normally I will sit on the floor to do this but the last couple of months it has gotten very hard to get up off the floor. So I thought I would use a little step stool to sit on. Wrong decision. It takes 30 minutes to an 1 hour to groom Daisey properly. She is pretty good about sitting and letting me have my way. Never the less, I get ready to get up from the position I have been in for 45 minutes and nothing happened. My upper thigh muscles and muscles around my pelvis would not respond. I was stuck. Luckily it was the weekend and Kevin was home. I had to have the kids go get him for me and he had to pull me up. The pain was excruciating. I have vowed to not do that again to myself. To look back it was slightly comical though.

Today I feel miserable. The pelvic pain won't let up even when I am still. Today I could just have a good cry but that would do me no good. Most days I can bear the pain. I just have to lie down and not move between chores.

Due to this mishap and the way I feel today I have decided to write this letter to myself. A reminder of what this pregnancy has been like and why I should not carry any more children. Not because I wouldn't love one or two more but because I really don't think I can physically carry anymore.

I will start out with the things I enjoy. I love knowing I am creating a new life. One that I will love tremendously and that will give me so much joy back. Having children is a true miracle.

All the things I remember enjoying with my other pregnancy's has been zapped with all the crazy new issues I have had with this pregnancy. I started out with the normal morning sickness. Not a big deal, well expected. Then came the headaches out of the blue. I very seldom have headaches so this was very abnormal for me. Thank goodness God allowed for them to go away. They hit me in the middle of morning sickness so my house, I have to say, was on the back burner. All I could do was lie still and in the moments that I felt half way like myself take care of who and what I could. Not good moments.

My morning sickness went away after the second month. The headaches were gone by the third. Then came the pelvic pain. I have been hurting since the third month with this. As my swollen tummy grew the pain got worse. I had some pain with Wynter that was similar but different. With Wynter it only hurt when I walked too much. I pretty much stopped my walking routine with her and it was much better. This time, however, it has only gotten worse. In the third month the pain was just nagging. Then it started affecting my walking and at times my right leg just did not want to move very well. I kind of just got numb to the pain and went about my life. I just pushed through. Now nearing my sixth month I know that it will be only through the grace of God that I will be able to make to the end of this pregnancy without being bed ridden.

In my really bad moments I say prayers and God does give me relief now and then. I know that this is something that I have to go through. I received a prophecy right before I found out I was expecting. It told me that I would have a trial and that I would have to do a lot of praying. I feel this is part of that trial and that I will make it through. I hope it makes me stronger and will give me knowledge to help someone else that crosses my life path. I am very excited to meet my little one and will do my best to get through this with flying colors. I pray that God will continue to have mercy and allow me to be able to take care of my family.

Almost Done with Chicken Pox

Well all my children are going to get this chicken pox thing over with. I am thrilled. I ,however being pregnant, will have to worry about one more child getting it. Should not be a big deal with just one though.

Derek is absolutely covered. Even worse than September was. He has chicken pox on top of chicken pox literally. He has been pretty miserable.

Wynter has a very light case. We found two Monday night and about six more Tuesday. This morning she looks like she has a few more but nothing major. She still has time to break out with more but still nothing compared to my other two. Hopefully she has it enough not to catch it again.

Fun, fun, fun at the Swank's.

My Coffee Buddy

I like to start my morning eating a high fiber cereal and a glass of juice as soon as I wake up. Then I allow myself a cup of coffee. As long as it is not really bad out I like to go outside and sip my coffee. Enjoying the morning air and the outdoor noises (bird chirping ect.).

Many morning I enjoy this quite moment with my youngest daughter Wynter. Ever since she was itty bitty she has loved a sip of mama's coffee. Some may disagree with this but it used to be just that a sip. No harm done. Now she would finish the whole cup off for me if I let her. Which I do not. Never the less I enjoy these little moments with my daughter. It is something that only Wynter and I have together. Almost a little daily routine.

Wynter is very talkative and loves to watch the birds fly from tree to tree. A definite animal lover. I love just to sit and hold her, have 4 year old conversations, and watch the world through her eyes. Special moments with my special little girl.

A Full Weekend

Well, this weekend was a pretty good weekend. Saturday we stuck around the house doing chores, swimming, and having a little family time. Kevin went to help his dad build some stairs.

Saturday night I found a chicken pox behind Derek's ear. I told him by morning he would be covered. He was in denial. He woke up with the spots so I have another couple weeks in again. He was running a fever and feeling pretty awful. He has a hurt ankle to so he is pretty miserable right now. He did sleep through the night though. I was very thankful for that.

Saturday at midnight my brother called me (this was way too late for me) and said that he was going to be down Sunday. He was taking a weekend trip with his friend Tim McCracken. They drove over for the Vici hayride and it was such a quick trip I did not expect to see them. They got here for lunch around one and we had an excellent visit and played Farckle. I love when my family gets to come see me. I don't have any of my family here and I don't always realize how much I miss them until they are here and they leave again.

Me and my bro!

Wynter cheez'n it up with her Uncle Steven.

Uncle Steven, Derek (w/chicken pox), Wynter, and September.

Steven and Tim on their road trip.

My weekend turned out to be a good weekend. I feel sorry for Derek and hope that he can feel better soon. September felt pretty rough for three days so that is what I am expecting for him. I hope Wynter comes down with them in the next couple days so that there won't be any more worry about getting out and infecting anyone else.

I am glad I decided to keep school going through the summer so that we can take a brake when the baby is born. The kids have been able to stay pretty busy and not be too bored with us having to be home so much. I am looking forward to enjoying this baby and taking in all those little moments.

Insomnia

I think I am officially in the phase of getting little or no sleep at night. I was hoping it was a one night thing but it has continued. I never have gotten great sleep during this pregnancy but this is just ridiculous. Oh well, you have to role with the punches and pray.

My dear husband has been very good to me, however, and has tried to let me sleep or at least rest in the mornings instead of having me get up to make his lunch. He has had a lot of patience with this pregnancy also. It is a joint effort even if I am the one carrying the baby. He tries to do his part along side me.

I love you honey. Thank you for loving me so much.

Dear September,

You are now becoming a little lady. You are going to be 11 in a month and oh all the changes you have went through throughout the years. Being the first sibling is not always the easiest but you have taken the role gracefully. Mom understands because I was the eldest also. You are the one that your dad and I get to try things out on and have to say no to the first time out on things. I am glad that you are a strong, understanding young lady.

This year has been a full year for you. You are excelling in your school work and with your piano. You are a natural at the piano. You are flying through your lessons with no repeats. You have your mama's and grandma Acree's hands. Long beautiful fingers to play the piano with.

You have a beautiful voice and love music. I can catch you at any moment singing with your mp3 player in your ear. You are a definite bookworm and love to draw. If you are not doing school or chores you are either listening to music and drawing or reading one of your favorite books. Right now that is Nancy Drew. You are kind and loving to your brother and sister. Even though you do have your moments when you want your space or they get into your things.

You take very good care of your dog Daisey. You are very responsible with her and I don't usually have to help out with her to much. Even though she is your dog she is loved by the whole family.

You are very excited about mom having this baby. You are ready to be a second mom to the baby. You tell me how excited you are to help out by rocking, playing, and even changing the babies diapers. You brave little soul. You have been a tremendous help to me since I have felt so bad this pregnancy. You are learning to do laundry and can pick up the house really well for me. You are learning to cook. Right now you could make a couple of meals, if need be, on your own. I am very proud of you and thankful for all of your help. You very seldom complain and I want you to know how much I truly appreciate having you as my daughter.

I hope that we can have a closeness throughout the years. I don't need to be your best friend. You are going to have girlfriends throughout your life to fill that role. I do want to be your confidant and hope that you always feel you can trust me. Even though some of your hardest years are still to come I pray that God can prepare us for those times. September baby we have a lot in common. One of those things is our stubbornness and independence. Qualities I myself are proud to have. My prayers are that you can become a smart, strong, faithful women who wants to serve God and who loves her family. You are on your way there sweetheart.

Your Loving and Proud Mother

Fourth of July and Sleeplessness

Last night I officially had the worst night of my pregnancy. I could not fall into REM sleep for nothing. The baby was beating me up all night and I just could not get comfortable.

I had a very full week. September is finally not contagious and my other children have not had any signs of the chicken pox. Kevin had the beginning of the week off so I convinced him to get us out of the house. We shopped all day Tuesday. I had not been out for over a month. I found some really good deals on maternity clothes. I love clearance shopping. I found some very cute maternity jeans for $8.99 and some other really good deals. Yeah!!

The Fourth was full of cleaning and preparing for company. Kevin's family came over for dinner and fireworks. The guys had fun playing ping-pong. We also had homemade ice-cream. Kevin and I made peanut butter cup ice cream. We bought our first ice-cream maker this weekend. Our ice-cream turned out perfect. It was really good. We were quite impressed with ourselves.

The kids enjoyed doing fireworks. This is Wynter doing sparklers. We let off a couple big fireworks and asked her what she thought of it. Her response was, "It didn't do it for me yet." What is she twenty-five or something. It was hilarious to hear these words come from a four year old. We all had a good laugh. She enjoyed every bit of it.

This is Derek enjoying being a boy playing with fire. This is one of the first years that he has really had fun with the fireworks. Up until he was around seven he was always very sensitive to the loud noises and dreaded doing fireworks.

This is September helping light the fireworks. She enjoyed being able to be in control of letting off a majority of the fireworks. Control is a key word here.

Pictures of everyone at the house.

Well, after all this we went to bed and I could not go to sleep. I tried 2 beds and the couch. We did, however, have a really good day and evening for the fourth.