Dear Wynter,

Wynter you are my outgoing little bombshell. You already think you are it. I think so too! You love people and you are very opinionated. "SASSY" is the word for you baby girl and you are only 4!! You love shaking your booty to the music and singing your little heart out (even if you do not know the words). Singing and dancing are two things you love. You also love your TY stuffed animals (you play with constantly), your barnyard with animals, Polly Pockets, and movies. Everybody you meet is your best friend. You love playing with your brother and sister but you also have an active imagination to play alone for hours. You can be my Little Miss Priss shopping for clothes, wanting to dress up, and wear mommy make-up. You love getting your nails done. Then again you know how to play hard and get dirty any day. You love watching mommy cook (you are a food lover) and want to pitch in there and help when you can. You are a great helper. Really you are a lot of fun and make me laugh all the time. I am going to have to stop thinking everything you do is so darn cute, though. I think it is going to your head.

You are my little me!! lol! You are the spitting image of me as a little girl. Mama had the same beautiful blonde/white hair and had a very outgoing personality. Indapendence runs on my side of the family for us women. You are on your way sweetie.

We have started structured preschool the last couple months. No more just doing what you want and then stopping because your attention span can't handle it. It is going okay. You are adjusting to it. You would rather have a tea party with mom, however.

You have been really funny since I have been pregnant. Your first reaction was not so good. I asked you what you thought about mommy having a baby. Your response was startling, " I will pick it up and throw it." Those are my sweet 4 year olds words. Now that my pregnancy has progressed and you have watched mommy's tummy grow. Things look a little different to you now. You tell me, "Mommy I love your baby," while putting your arms around my belly. You also love to talk to my belly and try to get the baby to move. You are always asking the baby what it thinks and if it likes toys etc. Not that there is ever a response other than mommy pretending to answer for the baby. It can be quite entertaining at times.

All in all I think you are going to be prepared for this little one. You will probably try to mother it a lot and want to help with everything. You are hoping I have twins. A boy and girl would be ideal for you. I try to explain to you that it will only be one and that God will decided whether it is a boy or girl. We will wait and see. I think once it is here it really won't matter what sex it is. This child, I have no doubt, will be loved tremendously by my little bombshell.

Wynter sweetie you are my little angel. I could not love you any more than I do. No matter what life swings our way you will always have a piece of my heart that can be filled with no other.

Your Loving and Proud Mother

5 Months and Still Going

Well, I have already started the nesting phase of pregnancy. I have been for the last month at least. I am hoping since I have started early maybe I can have my last month to just rest. I have cleaned all my light fixtures and fans, walls, baseboards, closets, reorganized cupboards, and have an extensive to do list for my husband. I am getting ready to wash all my blinds and window coverings. If I can get motivated enough I want to wash all my windows inside and out. This for me is one thing that takes a lot of motivation. I think I will get to it, though. The bigger I get the less mobile I become. I am sure most all you mothers out there can understand.

I have now broken the 40 inch waist mark. To some that may be small for me that is getting out there. I have gained 15 pounds which is really good for me. I am on a record to gain the least out of all my pregnancy's so far. My other children I gained any where from 50-60 pounds. I have really trying to keep the weight off in fear of not being able to take it off as easily. I realize I am getting a little older and have been warned of how it gets harder to loose the weight. I have never really had to diet so I think I would like to keep it that way.

I am over the half-way mark now and am very excited. I have not been able to thoroughly enjoy this pregnancy but the last couple weeks have been better. The baby is already trying to kick and push its way out making me very sore. My whole family enjoys this part of my pregnancy. Being able to feel and see a life growing inside me. It makes it so real. The baby has been so active I have not had to do the cookie and milk test at all. I am sure the baby is being stimulated by all the voices and commotion in the house.

The last month I have started feeling the braxton hicks contractions. Sometimes surprisingly strong for this early in my pregnancy. I guess that's good though. Hopefully my body will be prepared for this labor.

My husband has been so good to me through this pregnancy. He has been so understanding. I am just now feeling like I am putting my house and myself back together. Between morning sickness, headaches, and other pregnancy woes this has been my hardest pregnancy. I am thankful to be able to have good days now. I am finally putting my make-up on everyday again and fixing my hair not just throwing it up out of my face. It feels good.

I am very thankful for the mercy of God so far this pregnancy. Prayer has been my friend. I am excited to hold my little one in just a few months from now. It is funny how you fall in love with your child before you even get to see them.

My Little Runner

Wynter is my little runner. Whenever she gets hurt or injured she does not cry or run to any one for sympathy. She just runs and hides.

Today she was wrestling around with her brother and hit her head on the door. I saw it happen so I went to pick her up to make sure that she did not have a bad bump. She looked at me and ran. I followed her into her room and she just hid under a pillow, peeking out the corner. I really don't like this behavior. The harder I try to be extra sympathetic the more she will run and hide and even get angry if pursued. I think she does this out of embarrassment. She ended up being okay.

She has gotten better over the years. I have been working with her on this and talking to her about it now that she is old enough to comprehend our conversations. Some day we will look back and laugh at this little quirk of hers. I will never forget Wynter's running days.

Derek the Birthday Boy!!

Well today is Derek's birthday. He is so excited. I am excited for him. Last night I woke up around 1:00am not feeling so well with my heart. I fell back asleep eventually. Today will definitely have to be a more down key kind of day. We already decided not to have anyone over since we have the chicken pox women in the house. lol.



When Derek awoke Wynter and I made waffles for him. We put a candle on them and sang, "Happy Birthday." The rest of his day will consist of freedom from chores and school. Then he will get to blow out candles on his favorite homemade dessert, homemade donuts. Then open presents. We wanted Derek to have a little something just for him on his special day, so, his daddy will be taking him to the theater. Hopefully he will have a good birthday despite being stuck home most of the time.

Happy 9th birthday my little baby boy!!! Mama loves you always and forever!

Snakes

Today my husband found a harmless Garden Snake in our front yard. I myself want little to do with anything like that. My children totally surprised me. Derek was the first to handle the little thing. Such a boy thing so not too big a deal. He even wanted to keep it. NOT!! September, still spotted with chicken pox, had to have her turn happily. Wynter on the other hand was much more girlie about it. She looked at it and squealed a couple times. Then she became intrigued that her sister and brother had no problem with it. They eventually coaxed her to hold it, with two fingers only of course. I even had time to take pictures before I had them put it back were it belonged (away from me).

I decided to use this moment to explain to the kids to never touch any snakes without an adult around. Here in Oklahoma there are many poisonous snakes that could harm and even kill them. You can never be too careful.

Spotted All Over (Chicken Pox)

Well we officially have came down with the chicken pox. I could not believe that my daughter, September, has them. She had a headache Friday and by Saturday afternoon she started having a few spots on her collar bone. We thought they were bug bites at first but then they started popping up everywhere. She is on day two of the break-out phase and is feeling pretty itchy. I bought some Aveeno Oatmeal Bath and Calamine Lotion which seems to be soothing most of the unpleasantness. I hope that Derek and Wynter come down with it here in the next couple days so we can just be done with it.

It is quite ironic that when I new we were exposed, two other times in the past, we never came down with them. However, this time I have no clue where or who she got them from. Oh well, at least they are young.

My son Derek's birthday is this week. We were going to have a swim party for him. September was quite distraught by this. She does not want any of the young boys who we were going to invite, some which are her age, to see her with her spots. I thought, "What a little lady already thinking of what the boys are going to think about what she looks like." A vision of things to come I am sure. She was relieved when she found out we would have to plan the swim party for another time. Derek on the other hand was upset at first but being an understanding brother decided it was ok to wait a little longer.

Sisters

I am so thankful that my life is filled with with so many sisters.

I have my dear sister Krista who lives in Oregon and my sister Heather who lives in Colorado. We are very close. We tell each other everything and talk on the phone nearly everyday. Even if it is just for 5 minutes to make sure everything is ok with each other. I feel truly blest to have them as my confidants and my support. I hope they know how much they mean to me and my sanity at times. I also have my 18 year old sister in California. My hopes are to become closer to her and I would love for her to come and stay with me out here in Oklahoma.

I am the eldest and have always tried to be there for them. It is funny being the eldest. As my sisters got married and started having children they seemed to go through so many of the same issues as I had gone through. I could help them with the answers. They have been there for me during my hard times. The faith is a priority for all of us and I am very thankful for that. I have watched so many fall away from the faith. I feel it is important that we keep faithful people near us during those hard times.

Then I have all my sisters in the faith. I find it uplifting that we all have such different personalities and outlooks on life but we are all striving for the same things. I feel like each personality helps us through different trials in life. I am surrounded by many sisters here in Sapulpa whom I have grown close to. They each have given me strength in my time of need at different moments. I cherish each one of them in a different way. I am thankful to have them. I don't have any immediate family here in Oklahoma but I am surrounded by my family in the faith. It would be a much harder and dimmer life without all of my dear sisters.

September's Recital

These Are Days To Remember

These are truly days to remember. There are so many things happening that I don't want to forget. Today September received a letter in the mail saying that she was excepted into the Tulsa Opera. Kevin and I were so very proud of her because she had never tried out for something like this and was quite nervous. She did so well!! We however are going to have to decline because one of the main productions are going to be around my due date. She was very understanding and is excited to try out again next year. She also had her piano recital and did great. She looked so beautiful up there at the piano and so mature. She is growing up fast. I feel the teenager years creeping up quickly.

Derek's birthday is this month and we are going to plan something small for him. He is going to be 9. He is so excited. I can not believe that I am going to have a soon to be 11 year old and 9 year old. Derek is right now making his birthday list full of Star Wars, of course.

Wynter is growing like crazy. I love her beautiful blond hair. She is starting to not want to be cuddled as much and this make me sad. I will have another to cuddle soon however.

I have not been able to do much since I have been expecting. It seems I have been hit with one pregnancy issue after another. Some I have never had with any of my other three and then some I did have. I feel confined to my home. I think it has been good though. Helping me reflect on my life. Teaching me to slow down and take my family in. The pain I am in is not something I would wish on anyone. It is funny how it is teaching me that my priority right now is my little family and that I don't need to over do outside of the home. I know that God has a plan for us and that I have works to do outside my home. When he gives me these works I will definitely follow and know he will give me strength.

Fathers Day was a fun day. Kevin was selfless and wanted to take the kids to Incredible Pizza for his Fathers Day meal. We had so much fun. We were completely exhausted.

Watching all these days fly by, my family growing, watching my children with their accomplishments and watching them mature, these are truly days to remember.