We had an excursion last night... I went to the movies.
I was kinda nervous about it, but Brynn and I did really well. I think the fact that I am carrying her so high up is helping. Near the end of the movie, I started having a lot of contractions. So I ran to the ladies room while Sylvester Stallone was getting punched in the head repeatedly. When I came back, it was still going on. So it was a good time to leave.
Rocky Balboa was a GREAT movie. I loved it. Seriously. It was really good. We had tried to prepare ourselves by watching some Rocky archives at home the last couple of weeks... so we were ready.
So you should all go see it but not this weekend because this weekend is Prayer Storm.
I have taken the week off from crafty projects and was getting kind of bored... until my new books came! Hooray!

It has been an exceedingly slow blog week. Maybe next week will be an upswing.

Dear Toby,

Today is your first birthday. Last year, we waited and we wondered if we would ever get to hold you this side of heaven. Even a year ago, as I was preparing for your delivery, I couldn't wrap my mind around the reality of you. But that moment when I got to hold you and look at you.... it was all so worth it.

Your brothers left us so quickly. And our hearts were so shattered- there are pieces of us in heaven. So when we found out you were coming, we were excited and so scared. And so we prayed and we waited. And you.... you are just a little baby. But you have been salve to our hearts. You have been a minister of healing to us.

And now, as we pray and we wait for your sister, you are a reminder of the faithfulness of God.

About you: you aren't walking yet... although you do ocassionally stand up and look around. You crawl like a madman... you tuck your head down and go as fast as you can. You think your name is NoNo. You can say no no, dada, mama, hi, all done, bye, and a lot of things you think are speech. You love to dance to music, especially drums. Any time a drum solo comes on the radio, you stop what you're doing and bob your head.
You and your brother are the best of friends. You don't fight over toys, because Richy gives you whatever you want. You guys like to lay on the floor and wrestle very slowly. He is so gentle with you. And you bite him and pull his hair, and he laughs. We needed you around here.

You like to crawl on Daddy while he's praying. You climb on his back, and crawl under him when he's kneeling and peek at his face. And you like to climb on me and kiss me and kiss me... the more slobber the better.

You are a peaceful boy. You also wreak havoc. We are blessed.

Happy Birthday, my Tobias (believing God is good) Paxton (from the town of Peace).

Off to get a shot, yo ho ho... Finally got some sleep and almost feel human again.
Eva got a digital camera... check out this subject:

Here are my sock puppets... I started with a plain sock and made animals, mutants and what not... I found out I really like to sew (albeit by hand) and create... fun discovery about myself. The puppets were a big hit, and even though they might die young, they were being enjoyed a LOT the last times I saw them. Oh, and I made a cute horse puppet for R2 that didn't get his picture taken because he was hiding under the tree... later on, you'll see him.

It was a beautiful Christmas and fun fun. I SO enjoyed my boys... we nailed it on their presents and they were so excited... just makes me emotional thinking of how long I have waited for this. Toby is teaching his brother a lot... and it is so amazing.

I overdid it. I still feel pretty good, but I am going to be extra-good for the next few days to make up. That should work, right?
Later on, we'll locate the camera and the cable and I'll put up some pix on the picture blog.

Merry Un-Christmas to everybody!
And a very Happy Birthday to Graceson!!

happy birthday to Leah and Calvin!
And Caleb!!

I have a doctor's appointment I didn't know about today... just going to check in with Dr. Reed....

My laptop is fried. Kaput. Finito. Luckily, I have a warranty, so it should be fine. But I have to borrow R1's for now and thus, my computer time will be somewhat limited.

Toby will be one in a few days... and he is busy, busy, busy.









yum... trash

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEORGIA! WOO HOO! DON'T GO GET WASTED!!


here's a little 3d guide













































































AND A LATE BIRTHDAY SHOUT-OUT TO MR. ISAAC DIAZ! HAPPY 1!!

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and now, off for my shot and a quick ultrasound. Updates later.

Well, I am once again devoid of a power cord... so the laptop is
being used in small rations today.

Tonight is the RadRev Christmas party. You should all go and get your
dance on.
As for me and my house (well, most of my house), we shall go to bed.
Except, I am considering sending R2 because he loves parties so much.
As we speak, Toby is happily crunching some Apple Zings... R2 is
snoring, and Mama is making some cinnamon toast on homemade bread.
Mmmmm.

Today, I will take a break from puppets. At least for a few hours. I
have some other presents to make. I cannot believe that Christmas is
this weekend.

21 weeks

I did go to the Simplify party... it was good eatin. After a fairly short time, I got pretty tired and uncomfortable... I can't sit up that long. So Richy took me home and then went back and did a little karaoke.
I am having a hard time adjusting to him being gone... I need grace, because right now it's just 2 days a week, but soon it will be 5.... ugh
I'm sure once Brynn is born and I am up and around it will be easier... and once the paychecks start coming in.

Sigh. Robin without Batman kinda sucks.

I am being very still. Because I really really want to go to the Christmas party for Richy's new job tonight. No movee.
Boy oh boy.

Last night I was just sewing away and I got SO sick of puppet #4. I started hating him. So, I called it a night. He shall be resurrected later today and hopefully he looks okay. You know how things go when you start getting tired and frustrated. Or flusterated, if you prefer.
I wonder what all these tiny yarn scraps are doing to Toby's digestive system. Well, I guess I'll find out. Or Richy, rather. He was changing Toby this morning and he told him, "These dirty diapers disturb my spirit..." So, we'll see if Toby shapes up or just keeps 'em coming.

Josh, check out the song on my myspace.

A very hairy little birdy told me it's Shannon's birthday today!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! and many more...




And a special thank you to MamaPC for the book money! I will have so much fun with that!! ♥
More of the same today, folks. Lying down... making some crafty crafts.. but today I have my husband back! Woohoo!

Medically, I am doing really well. If you're praying, don't stop! If you aren't praying, may God have mercy on your soul.
I am off the medicine, except progesterone, and I am having very few contractions. So praise God! That makes bedrest much easier mentally.
About food: if you want to make us something, we will eat it! My mom is cooking on Mondays and Tuesdays, so we have leftovers through the week... but anything is great. If you want more clarification, let me know and I will post some foody-wants on my fantasy blog.

gotta go get a shot... more later

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Okay, I have now been shot. Ouch. Although Heather (may she live forever) is the best shot giver of all time. I hardly feel it...

Have you heard this song on KSBJ... with Cindy Cruse Ratcliff and Marcos Witt?? Sheez. Gor-g-ous. It sounds all foreign and operatic.
My Christmas crafts are getting oh so crafty. I shall now return to my craftiness.
What's up with you people? Do I have to summon bats and rats just to get some comments around here? Because, I personally consider all rodents and mutant types disgusting and worthy only of mockery.

Sorry for the delay in posting... Blogger is giving me trouble this morning.

So here's what we're thinking for her name...
Brynn Kathryn

Brynn means hopeful, and we have loved that name and tried to name our sons that ever since Richy... but they were sons.
Kathryn means pure, and Kathryn Kuhlman....

and here's what she might look like... lol!

Marnin, all.
Today I am being very crafty. Not in a diabolical I'm going to take over the WORLD sense.... more of the sock-puppet making craftiness.
Oh, they are cute.
Yesterday I went to Walmart and rode in the wheelchair, to buy the supplies for my crafts. I knew Richy, being of the male variety, would have great difficulty procuring crafty items. We would have buttons, socks and easy cheese.
So, my kids went to the Clark fun-house, and I went to Walmart. It was exhausting. I think I shall never go again.

Richy started his job today. He looked so great in his work clothes. I am going to miss him insanely - he is always around, except when he leaves for weeks on end.
Oh, and I'm having a girl.

I did not know I would be this excited... I have been surfing the web looking at all the girl stuff...
Last night Leah brought over some tiny little dress shoes and a pink outfit. HA! I'm having a GIRL!

In a non-logical thought process, I feel sorry for the boy this baby is not... I would be excited, but I'm a mess, folks.

I have made another blog with the requested book list... am thinking about adding what I like to eat to that page as well.

Thangs


Believe it or not, I am looking forward to when I am no longer a center of attention.

** UPDATE**

THINK PINK!! IT'S A SHE!!

Oh, and my cervix is fine... no worries!


So, yes, today is my ultrasound... and cervical check. And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous.

Psalm 91

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of Yahweh, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust."

3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers. Under his wings you will take refuge. His faithfulness is your shield and rampart.

5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day;

6 nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that wastes at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you.

8 You will only look with your eyes, and see the recompense of the wicked.

9 Because you have made Yahweh your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place,

10 no evil shall happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.

11 For he will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways.

12 They will bear you up in their hands, so that you won't dash your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread on the lion and cobra. You will trample the young lion and the serpent underfoot.

14 "Because he has set his love on me, therefore I will deliver him. I will set him on high, because he has known my name.

15 He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honor him.

16 I will satisfy him with long life, and show him my salvation."

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I will update.... don't believe "me" unless I post update on the front page

Interesting topic brought up in yesterday's comments. Banning things...
I haven't thought it all the way through, but I have pretty much stopped boycotting/banning. It's just true that the light will get brighter and the darkness darker. So we can not really be surprised by these companies supporting homosexuality and whatever else...
Most of it is about the almighty dollar. Boycotting just doesn't seem effective anymore, and it puts the church in a bad light. What could we do instead? I mean, we could always reward the better behavior... i.e. this year WalMart is letting employees say Merry Christmas... instead of Happy Holidays... Target is donating generously to the Salvation Army... I know Kroger has the feed-the-hungry programs...
I don't know. I remember my dad used to carry on personal boycotts. He boycotted Hastings (for a few months at least) because they sold pornography. He boycotted Del Taco because they messed up his order twice and he told the manager he would never come back. He used to spit out the window of the car toward Del Taco... I don't know that his $1.59 shut them down, but for his conscience, that was the way to go.
Just thinking, you know... the Baptist Disney boycott were hallmark financial years for Disney... Maybe there is another way.

Well, Christmas is almost upon us. I have been having all sorts of crafty ideas for making presents... most of which I shall not do, as I am in my "confinement". But I have been reading these message boards with all these do it yourself ideas, and I think I shall learn to sew. After the baby is born, of course. Far too challenging in one's bed.
I would love to be able to sew my own curtains and comforters and of course, baby stuff... I am going back to the earth, a little.
I don't want an organic garden... I just want to cook my food from scratch and be crafty with making toys and such. But all this craftiness will have to wait until April.. or May, preferably. When QMC is born and I can be up and around... and I have my new minivan (wolf whistle).

So, what do you want for Christmas? Like, what's your big fantasy-the-ship-came-in-this-year-in-Jerusalem present? And then what are your normal ones??

And a Toby update: he seems MUCH improved this morning.

PS: a very happy birthday to any lurking schluters ... you know who you are =)

Well, all the sickies around here are improving... still quite a bit of coughing and hacking and so on, but Toby seems to really be responding to the asthma meds.
It's amazing how being 6 weeks early and then getting RSV did such a doozy on his lungs. The doctor told Richy that when we know a cold front is coming, to start using the nebulizer treatments ahead of time... interesting.. he has been getting sick and wheezy when the temp is about to change. Our little barometer. It's a seasonal thing we'll have to watch for a couple of years, but they usually outgrow it.
My 24 weeker, however, is a trooper. He hardly ever gets sick and when he does, he just carries on. Stanley genes, there.

Mama is fine. Normal. Or you know, relatively. If it was a stroke, it left no indicators... so the best possible outcome to a scary scenario.
She found out she was pregnant while she was in the hospital. While it has been a shock to the family, we all have rallied to support her.

Well, it's December 1st. That means Christmas has officially begun around here.
I... uh... well, I will think Christmassy thoughts until someone around here has time to decorate.

Toby is sick. He and Daddy came home with a bag full of meds last night... Richy had to wait 2 1/2 hours in the waiting room... full of sick kids. He gave me kinda a guy-synopsis of the visit when he got home, so I am not really sure what's wrong with Toby. He has a cough and lung problems. He is on antibiotics, steroids, and multiple asthma meds... including a cute little baby inhaler of his own. I really hope it helps. He is pretty miserable. We are going to have to be really careful what he is exposed to. Basically, he needs to stay at home.