"Can I just whine for awhile?"

Are you a whiner? What do you whine about? Do you have struggles in your homeschool that you need to whine about?

I try not to whine, but I'll admit it - I AM A WHINER! (especially when I'm pregnant) There, I said it - I AM A WHINER. I WHINE.
*Trevor is a big whinny boy! -- Sorry, focus on self. Not others.
I whine about my chores, the weather, mommy duties, homeschool struggles, my kids (I whine about my kids whining), other people . . . I even whine about myself.


Last Sunday in church the sermon was about whining. "Whine or Shine?"

- Do all things without grumbling or disputing. Philippians 2:14

ALL things, Lord? Really?

I am constantly reminding my kids of this scripture, but not so much of myself - especially lately. How do I expect more out of my kids than I myself am displaying?

In the sermon, the preacher asked the congregation why we complain. - Because things aren't the way we want them. I can only imagine how life would be if things went the way I wanted them to all the time. Have you ever heard the country song - "Thank God for unanswered prayers"?

I was challenged to not whine for 1 day. I am going to try to remember, God is in charge. He planned it all. He knows. None of our struggles are a surprise to the Lord. No matter what happens, I am not going to whine. I am going to overlook the things (big & small) that I allow to irritate me. In doing so, I am going to trust God. "I am not going to whine. I am not going to whine. I am not going to whine." Instead I am going to let my light shine for God.

Homeschooling -- Big Daddy Style

For the first time his boys out fished him. Tyler caught the most & Tucker caught the biggest (a 4lb. bass).

Spring is HERE!

The sun is shining, the temperature is rising, & hopefully the rain is on its way -- Because spring is here! I LOVE this time of year!

We (Big Daddy mostly) have been busy getting ready for the new season. The time has come to begin our gardens. We will have several this year, but here is "the main one." This garden is about half an acre & will have various veggies in it. The kids above ground gardens are planted & sprouting already. We still have a huge watermelon patch (about 4 acres) to plant in late May & a cantaloupe patch that will be a little smaller than this one:

*This is the beginning view I have out of my kitchen.






Preparing this size garden has been a lot of work (mostly for Big Daddy), I can only imagine the work it is going to require to maintain, but I am looking forward to soon having beautiful garden pictures to share. The boys have been such good little helpers. They have had some great learning opportunities in the process & have thoroughly enjoyed the little critters they are finding in the garden. As Tucker said, "There are a wot of 'gum worms' in dis spot."

3 More Weeks

I went to the doctor today & I finally have dates!

I am currently 35 weeks (tomorrow). I have had my last 2 cerclages out at 36 weeks & been induced at 37 weeks. This baby however, is measuring about 2 weeks small, I'm not dilated & my doc thinks it is best to aim for 38 weeks this time. So, I will have a sono Monday, May 4 & most likely he will take my stitches out at that appointment. As long as everything looks okay he has agreed to induce me on May 14. -- Given I don't go on my own between now & then.

Names . . . Everyone is asking what we are naming the baby . . . well, Big Daddy is very insistent on naming the baby Truman. It isn't my choice or even a name I can honestly say I like, but it is important to him -- I am trying to like it. I'm not sure what his middle name is going to be. Big Daddy likes Truman Wade & I like Lee, after my grandpa, but I'm not sure I like Truman Lee. Since I'm having issues with the name Truman I have decided he may need a nickname - Tuff!

Just to show you what a dork big daddy is:
*check him out in the background

THREE

My (current) Baby isn't going to be "The Baby" much longer. It is always a little emotional for me when I get close to having a baby & realize that "The Baby" won't be "The Baby" when the new baby arrives . . . such a sad realization.

It was difficult with my first, Momma's Boy, b/c he was my first! The minute he looked at Tucker he fell in love - never jealous, just always sweet & protective.

It was even harder when Tucker lost his "baby" status (although, I still get reprimanded for referring to the Mustangs as "The Babies." -- The other day I said, "Help the babies . . ." & Tucker stopped me & said, "Mommy, we aren't babies we are MUSTANGS!!"). Tucker wasn't even 2 years old when Trevor arrived. I was VERY nervous & felt such guilt. Tucker did great though. He fell in love with his baby brother from the moment he saw him & refused to allow anyone else to hold him. He didn't want to give him away until Trevor started biting. LOL

Now, "The Baby" really isn't a baby. Yesterday was Trevor's birthday. He is 3! Such a Big Boy! -- Although, he really really wants & says he is 4. 4 is a magical number for him.

Baby Shower With Just My Girls

A couple of my girlfriends used me as an excuse to have a party . . .

At first I was a little hesitant to have a baby shower - I'm a little old fashion & kinda think it is just a one time deal; however, after 3 rounds of BOYS I discovered there are a few things I could use - besides, a party sounded like a lot of fun!

We had a blast!

We played some really fun games & got a diaper cake! I have never had a diaper cake & just love mine. The first game we played the hostesses took 2 things off the cake & we had to figure out what was missing. After going around the room & no one figuring it out it was my turn - I realized I had taken a picture of the cake, so I got my camera out & figured out what was missing. Pretty good idea huh? They called that cheating! Go figure!

Another one of the games was 5 "dirty" diapers & you had to guess what was in them. Turns out they all had a melted chocolate candy bar, but it didn't look good! Here we are all trying to make our best guess:

Momma D. was brave & went in for the steal - she tasted one!!


The funniest game we played was even dirtier - but in another context! We made 2 teams & had a relay race with a plunger & toilet paper rolls. I'm not explaining details, you just have to see the pictures:




. . . It was a GREAT laugh!

After the games = GIFTS!! I just love baby gifts! I didn't register because I really wanted people to get me what they wanted us to have. I got some fabulous gifts! First of all, my momma sent a gift; HOWEVER, she refused to send it to me. She insisted upon sending it to one of the hostess b/c for some reason she thought I would cheat & open it early. LOL So, here is a picture of me opening my momma's gift with her on the phone.



She got me an awesome 2 Red Hens western print diaper bag. I absolutely LOVE IT!! She also got 2 outfits ( - adorable!!), a burper rag that said, "Boys n: A noise with dirt on it", & the cutest little binkie clip ever:

My momma is so good to me & always finds the best gifts. I loved them Mom. THANK YOU!!

My girls also got me some wonderful & much needed gifts too. I received lots of bath soap & lotion, towels, wash cloths, onesies, sleepers, a crochet camo blankie, a bouncer & a swing to mention a few things. I am completely overwhelmed with the thoughtfulness others showed for me! THANK YOU GIRLS!

Here are a few pix of these great ladies I call "MY GIRLS."

"The 2 Best Hostesses ever"


Momma D. & I


Michelle (my labor coach) & I


Amanda (we've been friends since high school) & I


The whole group


"You are My friends . . ." John 15: 14

Pioneer School Day

Momma's Boy got to experience what an authentic Pioneer School Day was like. It was a wonderful experience for everyone. I didn't stay the entire day, but truly enjoy the hour+ that I observed.

Friday, Momma's Boy attended the Bloomfield school, which is an authentic one-roomed schoolhouse built in 1883, with our homeschool group. Big Daddy, please build me one!! The kids participated in games & activities that are historically accurate for that area during the time period of 1880-1907. The day was quickly challenged with thunderstorms & much need rain; however, the teacher or the kids did not allow this to ruin their day. All the kids dressed to the time period, even some parents dressed up. They all had to bring authentic lunches - in a pail or basket, wrapped with wax paper (no plastic or zip-lock baggies!). Momma's boy took a sandwich, apple, boiled eggs, & water in a glass jar. The kids were also encouraged to think of something that might have happened to them on their way to school that morning. -- Tyler played the black-eye up . . . He told the class (1st-6th grade) that he was milking a cow & she kicked him in the eye. He spilt all the milk & his momma was so mad! The stories the kids came up with were so funny & some were very impressive stories.

Some of the days activities included playing games, singing songs, telling stories, talking about daily life in that time, history stories & facts on the schoolhouse, a spelling B (Momma's Boy made it 2 rounds!), math problems on the chalkboard, & all written work was done on chalk slate boards. Momma's boy even got to split wood! He had a great time & was blessed to have this experience. Afterwards he told me he wished school was like that every day!

Skating

This week our church group took the kids skating. I was really hoping Tucker wouldn't want to go, but he insisted. Big Daddy suggested I go with him to be there to wipe the tears after several anticipated owies.

I can't remember if Momma's Boy has been skating before, if he has it's been a while. The Big B's rented roller blades, so of course Momma's Boy had to do the same. After about 15 minutes he asked if he could trade them in for regular roller skates, but I wouldn't let him. I told him he had to stick with it for at least an hour. After another 15 minutes, he was doing GREAT! I loved watching him zip around the rink.

Tucker only lasted about 20 minutes, maybe 30. LOL He hugged the rail the entire time & fell constantly. He was such a big boy though - no tears! It just wore him out.

I loved watching the kids skate & was so glad Big Daddy talked me into going. I lived at the skating rink when I was in school - it was the place to be. I even had my own pair of special skates. There is something about the lights blinking & the skate music. We had a wonderful evening.

Easter

This Easter was not our normal Easter. Big Daddy had to work & Taylor was with her momma. The fires took so much energy out of me & left my house & everything in it smelling like a bonfire. Easter just wasn't Easter this year. Momma D did manage to coarse me over to her house to color eggs & make Easter cookies. The boys bugged me until I hid eggs & they did get their Easter baskets filled. Usually for their Easter baskets I have a theme. Last year we did gardening things - hand shovels, seeds to plant, gloves, etc. This year I did a swimming theme. They got bathing suits, goggles, & lots of swimming toys. Here is a slide of our Easter this year:

Tucker's 1st Heart

Sitting inside with crayons & a coloring page has NEVER been top on the Mustangs priority list. They would much rather be outside climbing trees, chasing each other around & exploring - Which I am total cool with. You can only imagine my surprise when Tucker brought me this as his first heart:



I have to brag on this one! We have NEVER practiced drawing hearts & I would not call this a typical 4 year old heart. Does my Mustang think outside the box or what?