Broken Camera

I accidentally closed our trunk on our digital camera about six months back, and we've been without a camera ever since. It's just a problem with the lens not opening and zooming. I wonder if it would be cheaper to get the camera repaired, or to just get a new camera.

Thoughts?

Christmas Eve

As always on Christmas Eve, we have the children act out the Nativity. The following is what happened this year:

New Computer

I received a new (and much needed) desktop computer for Christmas. This means that I will no longer be fighting Jarum for control of the sole laptop. It is also way more convenient than a laptop, as it is always where I left it, and not hiding under blankets or inside of a couch.

I am so excited to learn all about the workings of my new 'puter, and I'm hoping that once I transfer all of our picture files over from the laptop, and once I figure out how to hook up the video camera, I will be updating on the blog more often. I don't know if you all care or not, but I probably should be writing some of the things down that go on in my life.

Nomes

The Princess Face: Update

See? SEE?!

The Princess Face

It is great fun watching Izzy while she sleeps. When she sleeps, she has what can only be described as "the Princess Face". We laugh at this because it is the exact face that Kaylee has in this picture from three years ago.

I so enjoy the Princess Face!

It's a Christmas Miracle!

Isabelle

Isabelle Elizabeth was born on September 29, 2010. She came in at a whopping 7lbs 15oz (our smallest baby) and 20 inches long. She is a sweetie, we adore her, and want to gobble her up on a regular basis.

Enjoy.

The day she came home.

A very proud big brother!

I am planning on putting up more pics, eventually, but I think I need to recover from this hard work first. :)

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh

One of my all-time, favorite things is to climb into a freshly made bed with freshly laundered sheets while wearing freshly laundered PJs after having taken a shower. It is just the most clean feeling ever, and I wish the stars aligned every night to have that happen.

Alas, I am too lazy to actually launder my sheets and remake my bed every single day.

Once a week will have to suffice.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Where Better to Celebrate the 4th?

Sorry about the quality of some of these pictures - I accidentally broke our camera right at the beginning of the trip, so we had to rely on a camera phone. :)

Summer Vacation 2010

*warning* This is a vent post. If you don't want to read whining, I suggest you move on. Thank you.

You know, I think that I am a patient person. I usually allow things to just roll off of my back without fussing or stressing too much. However, I am just about ready to kick my kids to the curb (metaphorically, not in reality). I don't even really blame them for the torment they've been giving me lately. We live in a place where there is literally nothing to do. Not within a 45 mile radius, anyway. We also live in a place that is hotter than hades. Yes, it only gets into the low 90s, but couple that with humidity and it's over 105 outside. The summers in the south are like winters in the north - you just don't go outside until the season changes.

Anyway, we've done a lot of fun things this summer but it seems as if the past few weeks are crawling by because we've been inside so much. The kids are getting tired of one another. I'm getting tired of them. The constant whining and fighting, etc. are just starting to wear thin, you know?

I've tried all sorts of activities to alleviate the boredom. We've gone to the library. We've done art projects. We've learned how to do laundry. We've watched movies. We've played the Wii. We've gone to two different water parks. We've played board games. We've had birthdays. We've made things for Father's Day. I just don't know what else to do! I would so love it if there were a zoo nearby, or a museum, or a freakin' bookstore! I would love to have a craft/hobby store nearby to get ideas. I would love to just have a Target! I would also love to not be pregnant so that I could have more energy to help my kids stave off the summer "blahs". I'm also trying really, really hard to not let them just veg in front of the TV all day. GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

For those of you who have never lived in a small, isolated town, you will never understand this. For those of you who have visited us here in Hinesville, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

I'm not posting this to beg for sympathy, or even for ideas. I just needed to vent and say that I am now very ready to move away from here and live someplace where the main store is NOT a Wal-mart!

........

That is all.

Joy

Summer Vacation

I don't know what it is, but this summer I am not hating summer vacation! We've already been at it three weeks and I still like the children. I think one trick is to have the days packed with stuff, with just a few lazy days in between. Thus far we have had baseball camp, track and field camp (ongoing), Scouts, my parents visiting, helping friends move, church activities, etc. It sure makes the time fly by, and it keeps the kids entertained.

I'm also noticing how helpful all of the kids have been. It might be because they are growing and maturing, or it might be because they want to be helpful because I'm not as capable of doing things as I once was. It might also be because they want to get on my good side so I'll let them be the first one to hold the baby! Regardless, they have been so good. I've only had to raise my voice a few times.

This summer might also be going as well as it is because, as far as being pregnant, I am not in my first, or third trimesters! I went through the first trimester while three of the four kids were in school, and Josh was very patient with me. I'm in my "energy-driven" (relatively speaking) second trimester and so I still can just keep up with the kids. Thankfully, when I hit "beached whale" status, the kids will be back in school, and Joshua will impress me with his patience skills, once again.

I'm grateful for older kids. I never new how much fun and help they could be. Plus, with the older kids acting so responsibly, it helps the younger ones realize how they should act. It is just fantastic!

Of course, I wish it were just slightly cooler outside so I could send them out more. I'm really looking forward to the day when I don't have to worry about the heat index!

Nomes

Pruning

Sometime we just hit a time in our lives where we have to take a good look at what we're doing and ask ourselves, "Is this really worth my time?" This has happened to me in the last couple of weeks. And baby, it feels good.

I've reduced my time on certain internet sites, I've completely deleted my facebook account (yes, it CAN be done!), and I have whittled down my twitter list.

I have also been clearing out my house, preparing for our move in the fall. I've been getting rid of lots of stuff, and it feels good every time I go to GoodWill or take another bag out to the trash.

Pruning is good!

Oh, Shoot! I Forgot!

I forgot to update my blog with the ultrasound results!

It's. A. GIRL!

Pink will now explode all throughout my house. :)

And for those of you keeping score, this now makes three boys and two girls.

What TV show makes you laugh the loudest?

The Big Bang Theory, hands down.

Ask me anything

I'm in the Christmas spirit and would like to know: what is your favorite Christmas movie (and why)?

LOL I left this late!

My absolute favorite Christmas movie is "Meet Me In St. Louis". I know, I know, not a completely Christmasy movie, but part of it does take place at Christmas and one the the best-loved Christmas songs came from that movie. Plus I just love the story of the family and the humor. Great film!

Ask me anything

Thinking of great girl names... Elle

That is a really pretty name!

We are considering Abigail, Elizabeth, Hannah, Rachel, Emma, Rose, and probably a few others that I can't think of right now. :)

Ask me anything

Are you doing any sewing projects?

Right now I am knitting up baby girl things like crazy! I have already completed a pair of booties, I'm almost finished with a pair of Mary Janes, and I am also working on bibs.

I do have a robe that I owe my other daughter from her birthday that I need to put together on the sewing machine. I should probably do that soon!

Ask me anything

What is the best book you have ever read?

This is a really difficult question, as I have read a lot of really good books. Mostly it depends on what mood I'm in. Right now I would have to say that Pride and Prejudice is probably my favorite at the moment. I can read it again and again and I never tire of it. I glean something new with each read and I always get goosebumps at the end.

Of course, if I'm in a sci-fi mood I would have to say Dune, and if I'm in a fantasy mood I would choose The Lord of the Rings. I also enjoy To Kill a Mockingbird, the Harry Potter series, anything C.S. Lewis, etc.

Ask me anything

I'm Back!

Yes, I know that it has been a ridiculous amount of time since I have updated. Yes, I know I need to post some pictures of the kids. Yes, I'm going to update more often.

Check back later for ultrasound results!