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Yesterday I had two visitors and a phone call and each of them had things in their lives that are so difficult.  It caused me to pause and be thankful for the blessings that are ours.  And realize that no matter what’s going on in your own life, someone else has it much worse.  One woman was telling me about her "dead-beat" ex-husband who after 20 years of marriage won’t now pay child support and she’s afraid for her daughter because he recently got a DWI.  Another friend came with her 6-month old baby.  On Monday she enters the hospital to start radiation because of thyroid cancer that they found when she was pregnant.  She’ll have to be in an isolated room for a few days and won’t be able to kiss her husband or daughter for over a week.  And another friend came with her husband to tell us about their experiences at the doctor that day.  She’s pregnant and the doctors think there is only a 10% chance that her baby will live.  We cried with them.

So, today my heart is especially tender.  And I’m extremely grateful for a faithful husband, good health, and for my children.

Am feeling a need to catch up with these…have been waiting to be able to download pics from the new camera, but am not savvy enough to figure it out without Derek, so here goes:

For the MATRIARCHS in the FAMILY:

1.  For my mom, who has been through plenty of trials this year at school, but has been helpful and supportive in ours.  She helped me clean my scrapbook room, which I know was very enjoyable for her since she enjoys crafts and scrapbooking so much. 🙂  She’s officially banned me from shopping at Hobby Lobby until the boys are 20.  She takes the boys every time she has free moments…even to McDooDoo’s, which I also know she thoroughly enjoys.  She even helped pass out Halloween candy…and if that doesn’t make you laugh, I don’t know what will.  In her principal voice, "What do you say, children, when someone gives you something?"  To a bunch of middle schoolers, "Let’s let the little Ninja Turtle off the porch!"  To a teenage thug who had no costume but expected candy, "I think it’s weak" and then when he dropped his candy on our driveway, "Hey, pick up the candy I just gave you!".  I was rolling laughing from the couch.  Wish I had those pics to share.  We’re so glad she lives here close.

2.  For my stepmom, Christy, who despite having a rough week (for her, not us) including a car accident, Caleb’s bike accident and an accident involving a brand new puppy falling off a table, said she would come back!!  Now that’s some serious dedication!  And the boys always love having Mimi here.

3.  For Derek’s mom, Sherry, who flew out with little notice, took off work and planned meals and help for Derek’s dad who is wheelchair bound.  I know it requires a lot of sacrifice for her to leave him, but they both willingly do it for us.  And the boys enjoyed seeing her again and always love the little gifts she brings (a whole duffel bag full!).

3.  For Grandma Kake who filled in for me yesterday as a "Reading Relative" in Caleb’s class.  He was so excited and surprised and said "she’s a very good reader, Mom, and everyone liked her!"  Having a great grandmother close is a great blessing for all of us.

4.  And for my grandmother, Dorothy, who is living a life we all hope to live when we’re her age…dancing, making new friends, learning new things and beating everyone she knows at Bridge.   She’ll be here next week to see us, and she’s always good to call and check on me.

So many things to be thankful for this week…

1.  A really sweet friend who decided it would be a good idea to have a little get together on my behalf…sent out an e-mail and several girls that I haven’t seen in a while came to visit with me last night.  It was a nice time.

2.  A continuous stream of wonderful meals – Derek is still very reluctant to take meals from people, but it has really helped him out.  Our evenings are so much smoother when he doesn’t have to cook!

3. Yesterday I had a sonogram with the neonatologist.  And I fell in love with our little baby boy.  He was holding on to his feet…5 little fingers holding on to 5 little toes.  He was peeking his head out between his knees and I got to see some amazing shots of his little face and features.  The most distinguishable of which is his very full lips.  Both of my boys had full lips, just like their Dad, and I think this one might be the prize winner!  I just enjoyed watching him so much and felt a deep affection and love for him.  He’s measuring right on…between 32 and 33 weeks, with the exception of his HEAD, which is 36 weeks.  It’s good to know that he won’t break a long-standing tradition in our family of babies with very large noggins.  Here are two sonogram pictures from yesterday.  The first is of him barely peaking his lips and nose out (look for the two nostrils!)…isn’t that an amazing little picture.  And the second is a profile of him looking up.

4.  And last, but definitely not least, is that my bed rest days are almost over!  Only 2 more weeks of being "down" and then I’m free!  The miracle is that my cervix has actually tightened and doesn’t seem to be moving since I was in the hospital, which is a great thing.  And the doctor is very pleased and thinks that we may very well have a full-term baby.  She’s making me stick with the due date of January 11th (the other doctor had moved it forward), but will induce me at 38 and 1/2 weeks if it comes to that.  Yippee!!  December, here I come.

I’m grateful today for these kinds of moments:

6:03 a.m. Sunday morning, 2 stowaways in our bed, Jacob’s snoring keeping us all awake, Caleb rubbing our arms whispering "Mom’s arms are softer than Dad’s because hers aren’t hairy", and this little life inside me acting like he needs to make his presence known too.

Something about it seemed precious to me…thank heaven for families.

I’m not very good about keeping up with this every day, but figure that whenever I can get it in is better than nothing.  So here goes, my second list of "gratitudes":

1.  The smell of clean.  I am crazily in love with the smell of Lysol kitchen cleaner, Tide and a floor cleaner called Fabuloso.  Call me crazy, but these things make me happy!  And sadly, my Caleb has inherited it…he loves for his blankie to be washed and then we snif it together when it comes out of the dryer…ahhhhh!

2.  Teachers.  I’m amazed at how well the kids are learning right now and so impressed with good teachers who teach individually and help kids grow.  We’ve been lucky this year.  I especially love hearing Jacob master songs on the piano each week…we love Mae, his teacher, and I credit her with all of his quick success.

3.  Friends.  I’ve had a visitor(s) every day this week that has come just to talk and help me pass the time.  Because of all of our friends and neighbors, this has been a trial that is NOT trying!  I feel too spoiled in that regard.  I especially enjoyed two of my favorite friends last Friday night.  Dana and Shelley brought dinner and scrapbooking for a girls night.  We ate lots of dinner, but did NO scrapbooking (better luck next time!).  Just visited, laughed and relaxed.  I love them and admire the way they’re raising their families and living their lives.  I’m thankful for the best kind of friends who let me be who I am (which can be pretty goofy) and still love me for it.

My friend, Shelley, had a great post on her blog about gratitude and invited her readers to "count their blessings" essentially by listing what they are thankful for this month.  It really got me thinking and, particularly in this process that we are in, I think it’s been a great exercise for me.  Here goes:

1. I’m thankful for a good doctor.

2. I’m thankful that my pre-labor symptoms didn’t result in a premature baby…at least not yet.

3.  I’m thankful for the perspective that bedrest has given me…no, not the "sights" necessarily (i.e. fireplace, TV and couch), but the chance to slow down, think, appreciate the little things a little more.

4.  I’m thankful for a good husband who has taken on a lot and for kids that are adaptable, capable and patient.

5.  I’m thankful for neighbors, friends, and fellow church-goers…for people in the school district and people in the PTA with me.  People have been so generous and kind with us…it has touched me in a way that I won’t forget.  We’ve already received close to 15 meals and someone scheduled us for 12 more this coming month.  That is amazing.  And that doesn’t include the phone calls, the visits, the gifts, and the sentiments given.

6.  I’m thankful for the holidays coming up…and for the hope and peace that a new baby brings.  I can’t wait to have that in our home and to share that joy as a family.

For the past couple of days, Caleb has been saying this in his daily prayers:

"We’re thankful for mom…please bless she won’t be pregnant anymore."

I think he’s had it!  But boy does he take good care of me.  Likes to make his own lunch (minimal supervision still needed), cuddles with me on the couch and then puts himself down for his nap (and really sleeps), and even said the other day, "Mom, I’m not trying to be mean, but I think you really need to be off your feet."  There’s that doctor coming out in him again.

My little goblins are so convinced they’re spooky and scary, when the reality is they are way too cute for spooking.  Here’s a preview of their "scariness" from Saturday night…on their way to the Trunk-or-Treat.  And with Derek’s mom, Sherry, visiting from Utah.

Here’s Derek and I thinking we’re funny…

Jacob and Caleb still refused to touch the "goo" during our annual pumpkin carving event:

And I need to brag about my brother, Mark, who sent me this gorgeous flower arrangement for my birthday.  What a guy!

And from now on you should expect exceptional picture taking from me (yea, right) because Derek bought me THIS.

Happy Spoooooooking, Everybody!

I have lots of pictures to share from the weekend.  Hope to get to that later today.  In the meantime, wanted to get a few of the cute things the boys have said down on "paper".

Jacob:  We had family over last night for cake and ice cream.  For his b’day, Jacob got a new camera from Pops and Nana and has become quite the photographer.  His favorite subject: himself!  Hundreds and hundreds (literally) of self-portraits.  He was sharing his pics with Grandma Kay and Audra last night, but had gotten up to do something.  He walked back to the couch where they were sitting and exclaimed, "LADIES, where were we?!?"  Cracked us up.

Caleb:  For some reason has taken on the role of "bed rest nazi".  Just this morning, I was awake at 6:30 when they came downstairs. "Mom, the doctor said you need to get more sleep than that."  I got up to get a drink, "Mom, mom, you’re supposed to be laying down."  I ate a piece of candy yesterday, "Uh, mom, junk food is not good for the baby."  WOW!  Either I can choose to be very annoyed, or very touched.  I’ll go with the latter for the purpose of sanity. 🙂

I do have some pictures!

My stepmom, Christy, kindly spent the week with us last week to help out.  On Thursday my Dad came and joined her for an overnight visit.  He brought his golden retriever, Sophie, and their new puppy…a 2 lb. Maltese named Chloe.  My boys fell in LOVE!  And I have to admit, even I, the non-dog lover, was a little smitten. 

And then this morning I took this out-of-focus masterpiece…but the boys look so handsome.

If you look at Caleb’s head and say "ouch", just know that it’s looking better, believe it or not!  He had a nasty bike accident, sans training wheels this week.  We’re just so thankful it wasn’t worse.