Merry Christmas

We have had a wonderful day so far. Happy Birthday Jesus! Santa brought the girls both American Girl dolls and Becca the Fisher-Price table. They were given way too much stuff but oh, well. We are truly feeling God's blessings this year. It is neat having a white Christmas. Sweetwater got about 6 in of snow. The snow wasn't very sticky at first but after waiting a while, a snowman was built by daddy and Kaylee. Reese went out once but decided that she did not like being cold. It was fun.

Here are a few things the girls have been saying lately: on the way to Sterling, we played different made up games. At each town we changed games and the girls traded on making up games. In between Bronte and Robert Lee it was Kaylee's turn. She wanted to play the quite game. Reese said,"I do not want to play the quiet game...I want to play the loud game". And she was.

Kaylee told us the other day that she was sad that she didn't have a cute name like Becca and that she had dark brown hair. We explained that her name was special to us and that God had given her special to us and at the time that He had chosen. He knew she would be the perfect Biggest Sister.

Becca has been cute in that she opens her own presents and that she loves getting gifts.

Fun in the Fall

We have had such a crazy fall so far and are fastly approaching my favorite time or year. I am so ready for the bundling days of winter and the exciting preparation of celebrating our Savior's birth. We had a fall festival and my sweet husband dressed as me and I dressed as a preacher. He wore a blonde wig and my scrubs. He was so cute. My girls each dressed as a Star Wars character: Kaylee: Queen Amidala, Reese: Darth Vader (of course) And Becca Padame. Phillip has turned 33 and I will be celebrating 32 this week. I remember when my mom was 35 and I thought she was so old. I just had a baby!! I don't feel old. In my heart I am still 23 and just married. We have such a happy family and I am so blessed. I hope you enjoy the pictures. I hope they all download.

Bottles and Boobs

Becca has got to be our most stubborn child ever and maybe in the history of children in general. I love her to death and she LOVES her mommy. She will only eat for me whether from a bottle or the breast. It is insane. I had always been told that a nursing mommy would never be able to get her baby to take a bottle. Wrong. Phillip can't, the baby-sitter can't. It is absolutely insane. How long can a baby go without eating if I simply don't come around? I know that it is longer than 8 hrs because that is how long she went on Fri and Sat until I fed her. I will take all advice and try anything. I can't give up nursing though. I just can't. It is too good for the baby. So, I am sending out an SOS!!

Settled

I do have a new baby-sitter that is coming to my home. She is 20 years old and is taking some college courses on-line. She is really sweet. We are trying to get Becca's reflux under control so that she feels better and I think we will be doing good. I also have another prayer request that can't be posted that has nothing to do with church but it is complicated so if you want that info shoot me an email at mthomas@sweetwater.esc14.net.

God is Good <>< All the Time

Please pray

Please pray that we find a new sitter for my kids. We have had two. Both of them say that my kids are great but that their kids don't handle sahring their mommies and I totally understand that. I hate that I cannot stay home and take care of my kids but I can't. I want someone that will come in and love my children. So I am asking for my friends to pray.

Busy, Busy, Busy

I haven't quite figured it all out yet but I will try to get some pics up soon. We have discontinued our internet service at home, so I have to get a new system for updating my blog.

We are doing fairly well. Becca has started her second baby-sitter. Her name is Christi and I really like her. She keeps Reese also 2 days a week. I continue to pray that they will bond well. I do realize a baby is very hard to keep especially when they are so little but she is doing better every day. She is doing much better with her reflux and is only waking up once during the night. WooHoo!! She has started cooing and smiling and I love that.

I am knee deep in flu mess. We have had a lot of sickness in our schools and it is so hard to know what the right decision is for our schools. Half of the kids we have out have either the confirmed flu or influenza-like illness and have not been to see a doctor because they are so full. Everyone has an idea of how to handle it and it is driving me nuts. Oh, well. I love the rest of my job though.

Kaylee is doing great in school. I still wish she had a best friend in school but she doesn't yet. It doesn't bother her as much as it does me. She is quite happy. She loves learning and is learning to read pretty good. She loves to be outside. Loves animals and is on Team Level 1 in gymnastics and I have been so impressed on her progress.

Reese is also doing well. She is hilarious as always. She is going to be Darth Vader for Halloween. She is talking up a storm and impersonates people all the time. She also is trying to learn to read and she probably will be by the end of the year. She has also started gymnastics and is so cute to watch.

Phillip is Phillip. Church is going well. We will be starting our building soon. We feel so blessed to have this church. We really love Sweetwater and can't see ever leaving. I am so proud of him.

Houston, we have a problem...

Our computer is down. I want to post pics but only do it from our home computer so it will come.

Becca update:

We had our second sonogram on Thursday and after four phone calls to the pediatrician I still do not know the exact results. His nurse tried to tell me that the report was not in but I know that it was completed by 1000 on Friday. Needless to say I am not happy. Especially with a 3 day weekend. I will be asking the doc on Tue when he got my message. Becca at times gets this look on her face of pure panic and screams out and is stiff as a board. This doesn't present to me as colic. Maybe it is but Kaylee had it and this is not how she acted. I did see something quite large on her right ovary that was not there last time. I know the sonographers were surprised by it and there was a left shift in the uterus so it is putting pressure on her little body. It makes me so mad that I can tell two nurses(Excuse me, med techs) that my baby is hurting and never get a return call from the doctor. It has taken everything that I have not to call the on-call physician. I will update as I can.

In other news, we placed my grandma on hospice (dad's mom)two weeks ago. SHe fell nad broke her hip on Mon and has now had surgery and spent the rest of the week in ICU and now is back in a private room. They felt like the surgery could be fatal but she did survive. I know that she doesn't have long for this life and I am comforted that she is ready to go. I will miss her but she is so ready.

What have I done?

Really probably not a whole lot but with the recent change in Reese's behavior, I have been wondering if I am being the type of mom that God would be proud of. Am I too hard, too easy? Do I give in to one child more than another?

Sometimes, I feel that we are way hard on Kaylee. She is over all a wonderful kid and we let her have her space as much as possible but is it too much. I know it makes some parents nervous that we allow Kaylee to play outside by herself in the front yard and let her wander and explore as long as we can keep an eye on her. At the same time. I get so frustrated with her when she does really dumb stuff. She doesn't listen all the time and we have really tried to crack down on that. I expect her to mind the first time and am not allowing much sway from that but then there are times when I fail. I try really hard to teach her about God's love and how important it is to mirror that in our relationships. I can't stand the way she talks to Reese sometimes and the way she does things. I really think part of our battle is battling with the Disney channel and Hannah,Wizards, and Suite Life. They have absolutely no respect for parents and we don't allow it for the most part. So, am I messing up.

Then there is Reese. Reese was such a sweetie until about 3 months ago and then the little hellion arrived. She is so disobedient. She will stand 3 feet from you and won't come when you ask. She is now wetting her pants again because she, "is okay that she is wet". We have spanked, sat in time out and threw away toys. She doesn't care. She will close her eyes when you are disciplining her and I so want to ring her little neck. I wonder if we had let her get away with too much before. But she seriously used to mind. So who knows.

I have been really praying about our parenting and asking God to continue to guide us as we raise the children He gave us. I want to bring them up in the ways that He wants us to. I get really nervous about all the PK (preacher's kids) reputation. I know some great ones though. So, again who knows.

We have a lot of exciting news I cannot blog about and that drives me nuts so we are again looking at going private so that I can truly blog my heart. I know I don't have many readers but cannot afford to have accidents. It really isn't anything big and it only affects me, but I am excited. And, no, we are not expecting!! So, if you try to get in one day and can't email me or ask on FB. I really don't think I have many readers but we shall see. I will post pics soon but have not put everything together yet.

The New Normal

We are trying to adjust to a new normal. I am still exhausted by midafternoon but have battled a small infection the last couple of days which may explain that. Kaylee has been a wondeful help and Reese has to but she sure has the "I don't want to's". She is just now really starting to push the mindind limits. She had always done so well until about 8 wks ago. Needless to say, the spanking spoon is staying close at hand.

I hope to get to go to church on Sun. I cannot stand not being there. We have officially been home a week and Becca will be 2 wks old tomorrow. We are having an ultrasound done on Fri just to check her because of the in utero cyst and make sure it is all gone. Plus the doctor wants to make sure she doesn't have kidney reflux since Reese did. Reese is going to be in a wedding on Sat also.

Phillip's dad is finally doing a little better. He is finally taking in sme food but is still not feeling well. Keep him in your prayers. So I thought I would post a few pics also.

Becca Paige

Becca was born on July 22 after I began to show signs of preeclampsia. She weighed 7 lbs and was 19 1/2 inches long. She was diagnosed with TTN(transient tachypnea of the newborn ) and later went into RDS (respiratory distress syndrome). SHe is doing much better now but has been intubated, had a feeding tube, had an IV and all sorts of fun things. But she is a trooper. This AM she had all her tubes out but now has her 02 and feeding tube back in. SHe just is not wanting to wake up and I am wondering if she is becoming jaundices which really makes them sleepy. I will update as I am able but please keep us in your prayers. I will post pictures of my sweet girls soon. Also pray for Kaylee and Reese. They are doing well but I know this is hard on them.

Becca Paige

Miss Becca made her arrival on the 22nd after I began having symptoms of preeclamsia. My blood pressure had shot up to 156/95 and wouldn't come down. The only solution is to deliver the baby and at 37 1/2 weeks we would never have thought there would be any problems. But to top it off she is a c-section and doesn't get that necessary squeeze. She was first diagnosed the TTN (transient tacnypnea of the newborn) and the next day was told she had RDS (respiratory distress syndrome). She was placed on the vent and gien 3 doses of surfactant and she has done beautifully. She was extubated today and is now on 1/8 of a liter. She is also eating and no longer has her gavage tube( suctions our her tummy of air). All she has left is her IV and O2 and they have discontinued her antibiotics.

Her sisters love her to death and we cannot wait to share her with the world. She weighed 7# and was 19 1/2 in long and has a head full of black hair but her face looks like the other two. She is a beauty and a precious gift of God. We have learned to

Here's the Scoop

We will have a baby on July 31st or before. That means we will meet the newest member of our family in 11 days. I can do it. My last day to work is next Mon. I have 5 more days to work and that is awesome. I have everything ready for Becca. Her bag is packed, her clothes are all washed and her bed is ready. My and Phillip's bag has been started and will be done soon. I got the girl's shirts made today. They say: "Daddy's Big Princess", Daddy's Little Princess" and "Daddy's Littlest Princess". They are precious. I have made as much plans as I possibly can. I sure do hope that she will come early though.

Phillip's dad is having a bowel resection on July 28th. This means that he will not be able to be there for Becca's arrival. I hate that his family will be torn between 2 hospitals in 2 different towns. It kills me. I am trying to figure out how to make it easy on everybody and I don't want anything left out. My absolute desire is to have Becca a few days earlier so that everyone is there.

One more week down

It is miserably hot. But it is one less week we hav to wait for Miss Becca's arrival. We have completed swimming lessons for both of the girls and they will be headed to Nana's Sun after a baby shower and baseball game. We will also be completing our second P3 (Praise and Party in the Park).

I have been having quite a few contractions lately. Some of them take my breath away. However, none of them are consistent. So we wait. I am trying not to be impatient. I finally found the rest of my baby clothes that I thought were lost. I have been having increased palpitations and couldn't get my shoes on this am. So we wait.

God's been busy

We went for our sonogram this week and Dr. M did not find the cyst. It is gone!! We are so thrilled. The power of prayer is indescribable. God has been busy with us lately. Healing Becca and saving our two older girls. I sure hope He doesn't want to take a break. It is wonderful to feel His presence in our lives. I think that we sometimes take His miracles for granted. At first the doctor said well, maybe there was a mistake in the first sono. But he knew as well as we did that God had performed a modern day miracle. We celebrated at Carinos. Tomorrow we are going to watch the Rangers play. My last outing before Miss Becca's arrival and we cannot wait to meet her.

What's that smell??

When I woke up this morning there was an absolutely horrible smell. At first, I threw out the dog and her crate because it smelled like dog pee. Then I walked through the house and looked for accidents. None found. I went back to my room and put on my make-up. Then noticed that the smell was worse. I called my husband and he told me to get the girls and leave. So we did. He came back and looked around and he too couldn't find anything and said it was the worst smell he had ever smelled. Later we had a friend of ours come by and he couldn't find the problem...worst smell he had ever smelled. The smell smelled like ammonia.***Side note***had asked the hubby if I could have the fire dept come by and test for gases and he said we should wait***

We open up all the windows and come back later in the afternoon. House still smelled but was worse in the nursery and girl's room. I kept calling my dad and telling him that something was wrong with the A/C and he kept telling me that it didn't make sense. We changed out the A/C filter, cleaned out the sewer lines above the house and then decided to start stripping the girl's room. Phillip stripped Kaylee's bed and then went to Reese's. He said he had found something. I asked if it was a dead animal. He then lifted up what remained of Reese's baby blanket. It was charred to a crisp as well as her sheets, mattress pad and mattress. The blanket had fallen on her night light. Talk about a parent's worst nightmare come true. I have always hated that the girl's are on one side of the house and we are on another... because of fires. How they survived is only a blessing from the Lord. He saved my children when I didn't even know that they needed saving. Thank you God for your watchfulness and for loving us so much.

Vacation??

I started my vacation on Thurs. We ended up driving the church bus to Brownwood at 9:00 so the youth could have it to drive home which got us home around 1:20. I had taken Reese to the doctor that morning because she was running fever and was told it was a summer cold. We were up that night until 2:30 am. We left for Sterling City Friday around lunch and Reese is still running fever. Finally called the doc back because she was still running fever and pulling on her ear and had some yellow drainage now. Problem...nearest pharmacy is 45 minutes away. That night, Phillip stayed up with Reese until 2:30 and then put her down. Only for her to wake up at 3:30 ready to start her day. I wrestled with her until 6 and then Nana woke up and I thought I would try to go to sleep. Couldn't. Got back up ate breakfast and was going to take a bath but fell asleep until 10:30. Then decided to take a long bath only to discover that the hot water heater was temporarily out of commission. 2 hrs later I got my bath but the snow cone place wasn't open and I couldn't get comfortable to take a nap. Vacation?? Oh, well... Who needs one anyway.

Keep on Rolling

We are just trying to keep things normal. I am trying desperately to remember that God can see my baby even when I cannot and He knows the outcome and has our best interests at heart. There are times when fear does rear its ugly head. I feel like if I just knew where it was I would feel better but that would probably just lead to more questions. I do the normal thing as to trying to figure out if I could have caused it. I know better than to drink caffeine but one a day isn't much. Is it all the antibiotics I had to be on to get rid of the staph infection? Or is it the labetolol? Or is it because I have such a hard time slowing down? Or, or, or??? I am really trying hard not to do that but it happens anyway.

The girls are with my dad at the lake. They are having a wonderful time. When they come back, they will come back to a new room of sorts. We have taken out their two old dressers and replaced them with newly painted new to them dressers. Reese's old dresser is now in Becca's room and all the toys are in the new playroom that still needs some organization. The crib is in our possession and may get put up tomorrow but more likely on Monday. Mattie (our dog) is also getting fixed on Monday. I have done 8 loads of laundry today and it feels good to have everything clean. My house got cleaned on Friday thanks to a lady in our church. I literally cried when she told me that she would pay to have my house cleaned for a few weeks. Things are finally getting done and that feels good. Now it is time for shower and bed. I will probably sleep really good tonight. Poor Phillip has been sleeping in the living room because my pregnancy snoring has turned a whole new page of loudness. He even has to shut the door. I would be embarrassed but he snores all the time and I only snore for 4-5 months of pregnancy.

Prayers for Becca

I went for my routine sonogram today and it was no longer a routine sonogram. I had asked the perinatologist if he could see her umbilical cord because she hadn't seemed as active over the last couple of days. She was still rolling some but not as forceful with her kicks. So as he is looking, I noticed that he was taking a little longer than normal. He said, "well, I have found a cyst and I can't find where it originates. It does not appear to be on her spinal column or on her kidneys but I can't find where it starts". Then he proceeds to say that he has never seen one quite like this. This guy has been doing this for 10-15 yrs. Not the thing you want to hear. It is about the size of a cherry. He said it might be related to estrogen levels and it may go away on its own. It is difficult to tell if it is internal od external because of how she is positioned. I go back to see him on July 2nd. It had already been a crazy day. Phillip was supposed to go with me but he ended up having to do a funeral so I was by myself. Thankfully this was the last night of VBS and then I am going to make a consertive effort to slow down. So, just pray for my little baby. I am going to go to bed. I don't have tears left and just need to seek refuge in our Savior and remember how blessed we truly are.

Just Stuff

Thankfully Phillip is reporting that the tingling in his left foot is progressivly getting better. So...it would appear that the shot worked. However, Phillip's mom had surgery to repair her back and now is having tingling that she was not having before. We are praying that it is just a result of swelling and will go away and not get any worse. I have not been feeling the greatest lately but I would guess a lot of it has to do with too much on my plate. I am directing VBS and it is next week and thankfully I have a few really hard volunteers but I know there are so many otheres that could probably help but don't think about it. It would so help take the load off all the others. But that is just the nature of the beast that is VBS. On top of that, I just don't feel anywhere prepared for Miss Becca. We have not had time to paint the dressers so not much has changed. I know we still have a few weeks but we have church plans for the next 3 weeks that will consume all of my husband's time. And I don't want him to work, work, work and then come home to me nagging. I have been such a grump that I just hope that I still have friends after this is all over with. I am definately feeling the strain. So, enough of my pity party and now maybe I can just get over it. I need to not be the "planner" I always am and just relax. Oh, the girls are great!!

Long-Short Week

No it was absolutely the longest week ever but after it was over it seemed like it was only a day. I have battled a staph infection and a sinus infection. Have taught 2 CPR classes, baked 2 cakes, cooked for the youth and went to see a movie with my family. Now it is Sat and I am hoping to clean and get ready for Becca. We put her swing up this week and am going to try and paint and change out dressers for all three girls. If I can get them painted and in place today, I will be able to put clothes in them tomorrow and possible get the crib and set it up. I also bought the all important Dreft so I can wash clothes and blankets. I usually wash all the equipment (swing, bouncer, car seat, playards) but only the swing and car seat survived the 5 weeks in the PODS. So, I guess we will just do without this time around. We are all getting excited and can't wait to meet this squirmy little creature!!

More Pics

These are pic from our time in Dallas witht the Mitchells. They took us to some great places. The girls had a blast. I love the picture of the flamingos that were sitting next to each other and their necks made a heart. It was really sweet.

Pics

First we have Kaylee's gymnastics competition where she recieved her gold medal and was elevated to Level 2 gymnastics. She is so pumped. You can't use your flash so most of the pics are a little fuzzy but these were good. next we have Kaylee's first missing tooth. And lastly are a few pics from our Dallas trip.

Activity Update

We have the front of the house and it looks awesome. Phillip's dad came down and built the back fence. We have installed a new front door. We have gotten rid of the dreaded bed in the nursery so now we can: take all the toys from old playroom to new playroom, go through all of the clothes to see what is salvagable. This week I have cleaned out the car so we can go out of town. Phillip has his dr appt tomorrow, I am getting my hair done, and will pack. I have a cake due on Sunday and Monday. I am helping host the youth on Wed. We have VBS coming up which I am the director. I have been blessed with a friend who is going to paint the nursery but then I just have to get everything in order. I need to switch out several dressers since Kaylee's broke yesterday. It should be fun!! Oh, and we are going to have a baby soon. I am personally guessing the last week of July and she will weigh 6#15 oz. Don't know why but that is what I think.

9 more weeks

Sonogram today showed that Miss Becca weighs 3# and she was moving her mouth in a sucking motion and thankfully her little thumb was beside her chest and not in her mouth. The perinatologist said that he felt like he could find an excuse to deliver the end of July. She is growing well and all things are looking good. Have had a few contractions but nothing excing and definately not ready. I have the cradle up and nothing done in the nursery and it is driving me crazy. If anyone wants to move the huge bed that is in my soon-to-be nursery that would be great.

Phillip has an appt to see the doc in 1 week and we are hoping that we can get an injection on that following Mon.

Thorns

I remember last time that Phillip injured his back telling him that I feel like Phillip's back injury is like Paul's thorn in his side. I was reminded of that today. Here is the passage:

"I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I say or do. TO keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me, But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong". 2 Cor. 2: 5-10

I feel the passage speaks for itself. I could never see my husband being boastful about anything. He has always placed his "success" solely in allowing God to work through him and not the things that he himself accomplishes. However, I feel that this is amazing into itself. He is truly a man of God, seeking His will at every turn. I am overally blessed to have him as the leader of my family. At the same time he has this persistent back injury that will completely bring him to his knees. It always seems to be at the height of activity. What we have decided to rely on is the strength that only comes from God. I know we are not the only ones that experience thorns in our lives. We all have them. The key is to realize that when we are weak, we have the awesome opportunity to allow God's strength through us to be revealed as a living testimony.

I also have to thank my in-laws for coming this weekend and helping get some of our projects completed. I know Phillip doesn't feel well because he is just allowing them to work. I know how hard that is for him. So, keep us in your prayers. I will diligently, persistently try to move us Phillip's injection day beginning tomorrow. I long for relief for him. He says everyday he wakes up and everything is different.

Update

We saw the doc today and found out that basically the docs who had done Phillip's surgery in the past didn't do a very good job. He has a ton of scar tissue and his disc is 60% displaced but no new displacement. However the disc is placing pressure on the nerve and the doc said that he does not feel like he would have permanent nerve damage to try and injection and reevaluate in 4 weeks. We get up to the counter and the doc that does the injections can't do it for 3 weeks. I asked if that was the soonest since the doctor said as soon as possible and they just looked at me. Then they scheduled the follow-up for July 1. I was not exactly happy. Thankfully my sister Lacy works for another spine doc in Abilene that does the injections and I am hoping that Phillip can get in sooner there. I had explained that we both can't have had surgery at the same time and the doc had agreed so...I will call tomorrow to see what else can be done. Phillip is not sleeping and is in constant pain, so 3 weeks would be miserable. So, continue with the prayers. If this doesn't make sense I am pulling my hair out with a fiesty 2 yr old.

Prayer Request

Phillip has injured his back. Most likely it is the same disk that has been injured before. He is progressively losing feeling in his left foot. He has an MRI in the am and I have gotten him in to see a neurosurgeon in Abilene tomorrow afternoon. I thought he had left Abilene but we had seen him 5 yrs ago so feel good about seeing him again. He is thankfully on steroids now and is feeling a little less pain but it is driving him nuts to not be able to feel his foot. Also pray that if he is to have surgery it can be soon...like Monday. He has to preach a funeral on Friday. So if you think about him, say a prayer for him. No one would know he was hurting unless you really know him. His pain threshold is amazing. I just hate seeing him in pain.

S-l-o-o-w progress

Saturday I had a great visit with a childhood friend, Kristin. It is so neat to be able to hang out with someone you probably hadn't seen in 7 yrs and be able to relax and chat. It makes me miss the simple days. Then on Sunday I was able to get Becca's cradle up and some laundry done after a 3 1/2 hr nap. Today, after a nice days work, I helped Phillip build a fence and get some trash out to the dumpster and I FOUND REESE'S 2T SUMMER CLOTHES!!!! Which now means that I have to take out a ton of clothes that are too small to make room for clothes that fit but that won't take long. And I am finishing up laundry. I may have to nest for the next 3 mo...to the day. The count down is on. 12 weeks and counting. We are so ready to meet this sweet little girl.

Reese, What is on your face?

"Not nutting".



So we then asked her to go look at herself in the mirror. Afterwards she came back and said, "marker". Permanent blue marker I might add.

Pregnancy Dementia

It is getting worse. I can't think of people's names and run errands and forget to take things to where they need to go. It's great. I really don't have time to chase my tail. I have a list a mile long on things to do before Becca arrives. We are so busy and never have enough time to get everything done. I guess all we really have to do is get the cradle up. But we want to paint the outside of the house, put in a new lawn, build a back fence, put up a trampoline, get old playroom cleaned out for the nursery and make a new playroom, wash all the baby stuff, find Reese's 2T summer clothes...sleep. Oh and go to Seaworld, do VBS, go to Dallas to see friends and get in a Ranger's game. 12 weeks 3 days and some hrs before her arrival.

Prayers for a friend

I am asking that my family and friends pray for a dear friend of ours: Miss Ella. She had to go to the hospital yesterday morning for seizures possibly related to a urinary tract infection and fever. Ella has had a tough little life but she is also an amazing little girl. If you want to see her full story go to "The Mitchells" at the bottom of my blog list.

Phillip's blog

Phillip has a blog now. It currently is a summary of his sermons but one day it will hopefully have his sermons for you to hear. So check it out: www.phillipthomas.wordpress.org

Brain Storming

I am seriously considering attempting to make cakes in hopes that one day I can stay home more. I may work PRN as a nurse and do cakes or who knows. But here are a few of the onesI have done. I will be working on a separate blog/web site soon.

Easter

We had a wonderful Easter with family and love now hearing Reese repeat the meaning of Easter. It is absolutely precious when your children tell you that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again because he loved us so much. Such an undeserving grace He gives us...daily. My babies looked beautiful and I have to share.

Reese's First Haircut

It was not much of one. I had tried to keep her without bangs but it became clear that her hair wanted bangs so I broke down and got her hair trimmed.

It's kinda like the Three Little Pigs

Well, not really but most good things do come in threes. We are actually beginning to get very excited about Miss Becca Paige's arrival. Every morning Reese asks if she can hold Becca today. Kaylee is coming around too and we will be well taken care of in our old age. So sorry for all you saps with all boys...hopefully they will let you at least pick which nursing home you go to ;). We have purchased our going home outfit for Baby Becca and the girls thought it was precious. So, we are adjusting. I really am not sure why it is an adjustment but it is more a state of mind. we are looking of 9 years straight of prom dresses and dating. So pray for us. I figure if we start now we will survive.

I guess I should have never...

Told God, really just encouraged Him, that I did not want girls because now we will have 3!! The good thing is that she is healthy and moving around like crazy. Kaylee will be devastated. She told her teacher the other day, "that even the dog wants a boy. Reese is the only one that wants a girl". So, I guess I will not throwing away any of our pretty little dresses and it will be cheaper this way. Oh, well. I always have said that God knows how to complete families and I guess that means no little boys allowed.

It's a ...

healthy baby!! They doctor said it is a boy...or a girl. No matter the baby looks healthy and is right on size. However, because of the blood pressure medication I am on, I will have to have monthly ultrasounds so more than likely it won't stay a surprise. The girls are really excited and it is so amazing how much you can see. We thank God for the blessings of another healthy baby.

Brant Lee

Brant Lee was born at 1801 after lots of drama for the mama. He was sunny side up and didn't like to be turned and had to be removed with forceps. He weighed 5# and was 18 1/4 inches long. One of his great aunts called him a 5# sack of flour. Thought that was very observant. He struggled for a little bit with his breathing and he may have to be taught to eat but he's slowly figuring it out. Tomorrow we have our sonogram and I am worried that Reese is expecting us to actually have the baby tomorrow. Oh, on a side note... Christy and Randy's anniversary is today also. I will try to post pics tomorrow but I forgot my camera today.

Prayer Request

I am asking that you pray for my sister. She is 36 weeks pregnant with her first baby and the baby's heartrate is dropping some. They are planning on delivering the baby tomorrow by c-section or at least induce and see how the baby handles it. My sister is not wanting visitors and it is very hard for me. She used to not be like that so instead I am asking people to pray for the two of them. It is so hard for me to stand back, stay home and know that she is hurting. I am her big sister and I should be able to hold herr and tell her that God is in control even when things seem to be out of control.

Getting Focused

Update: Nothing is wrong with my heart, thankfully. My body is just not appreciating being pregnant. Anyways, they have put me on a blood pressure medicine and it has made a world of difference. Next week we have our sonogram. I am excited. It is always fun to "meet" the little thing that keeps kicking you bladder. And no, we do not plan on finding out what it is. We are taking the girls. Kaylee will think it is pretty cool. Not so sure about Reese (who actually has the stomach bug today).

I have had a revelation. It shouldn't be a revelation but a way of life but as I so easily do...I have lost focus. I am so extremely frustrated with my job. Some strong thoughts actually come to mind. I really think it is with nursing in general and a sue happy society but give me a break. So, in saying all of that I have let it drive me nuts. When in actuality I should be focused on the millions of things to be thankful for. I have an amazing husband. I know all of you think you husband is amazing but my husband is out of this world. My children are beautiful and I commonly joke that I wish they weren't so pretty but I am so proud of them in all that they do and they are good kids. I am thankful for a wonderful church and church family. It has been truly amazing and we have so many blessed friends. My parents are great and they take good care of my babies. My in-laws are more than in-laws. They are an extension of my family. And whether or not I like my job, I have one and I have an income. Those are just a few, but I am going to choose to be thankful for what God has blessed me with instead of focused on the one negative in my life. Especially when I actually love what I do.

New Details

For over a week now I have been having an increased heart rate. I called my doc on Tues and I am now hooked up to a Halter Monitor to monitor my heart rate over the next 24 hrs. However, I have not been feeling well. Last night I came home and laid down for 2 hrs and my heart rate only decreased to 110. My heart rate while up and about is ranging from 122-146 and I get clammy and SOB. Good news is that I did see our family doc and he did an EKG and I am in a normal rhythem and during the rest while I was lying flat and holding my breath was 80. He asked if I was stressed. HMM. I told him that I am an expert in worry. I can't imagine that this would be the reason for it but I am no doctor. So, please pray for me and the little tyke trying to grow inside. He did say that the baby was probably fine.

Sleeping Beauties

We let the girls sleep together over the holidays and this is how I found them one night. I always go and check on them before I go to bed. Neither of them woke up when I took Kaylee out from under her sister. I was worried she might suffocate. It was hilarious.

Goat Show

Kaylee was invited to be in a livestock show and she showed one of our friend's goats. SHe woke up that morning and said it was the best day of her life. I asked her if it was better than the day Reese was born and she repeated that this was the best day of her life. She was so excited and did a great job. She got a little bashful when the judge came and asked her a question. She was beaming at the end and recieved a ribbon for honorable mention that is hanging on her bulletin board. She plans to go to the Lay's house so that she can practice for next year even thought she cannot compete until she is 9. FFA is definately in her future.

Star Wars

This is how I found Reese and her Daddy last Sunday after napping. Reese wakes up in the morning and begins requesting Star Wars. As soon as we come home from any where she asks for Star Wars. She knows almost all of their names and talks about them all the time. She is obsessed and Kaylee was too at that age. It is really weird. Phillip says that if this next one is a boy, he will probably hate Star Wars. I doubt it, although it is hard for me to find the excitement in it. Oh, I shot the TV so I could remember what they were watching and I think that it is so sweet that Daddy sets her up with her doll too.

My children

This doesn't actually have anything to do with things my kids do although they are absolutly precious. Before Phillip and I went to Brazil I wrote letters to Kaylee for all the important events that happen in every little girl's life: when she accepts Chirst, first day of kindergarten, middle school, wedding, going to college, becoming a "woman", getting a car...you get the picture. I realize that I need to also do the same for Reese. Phillip thinks I am a little silly but at the same time he wrote each of the girls letters and me as well when he went to Sudan. (He gave the letters to his BF Craig and Craig came by a little later and he looked like he had lost his best friend and now I know why.)I just know that we are never guaranteed tomorrow and I want my children to know that I am thinking about these special moments even now. My mom was the one that always told me how proud she was of me and ever since she has been gone, there is such a void and I don't want my children to ever forget how blessed I am by them and how proud I am to be privelaged to be there Mommy. It is an awesome thing to be a mommy and I love every moment of it.

PS Sorry no pics yet. I have got some goodies.

Facebook

I have joined facebook. Why? I really do not know. It is crazy and kinda freaky. All the networking that it does and how do people find me? It is nuts. I am still not sure what I am going to do with it. It is cool to see people that you haven't seen in 12 years though. I still think blogging is more fun and I know I really need to post more pictures. I will maybe tomorrow. Right now I am going to bed.

Baby names and more

Aren't kids the cutest things ever. Our girls keep us in stitches. Reese has gotten to say things in voices. Don't know where they came from and it is usually random. She also has developed some pretty hilarious walks. The other day I asked Reese if she had gotten a brownie. She looked up with puppy dog eyes and says, "Not yet". She is getting so big. Kaylee has been taking an active role in picking out baby names. She wants to name a boy, "Jim Craig" (from Man from Snowy River) and a girl, "Hannah Montana". So far we have vetoed both. But honestly Phillip has not been much better. For the boy, it is going to be Sterling Phillip Thomas. The girl has not been so easy. It is usually our easy name. I give him all sorts of names, "Claire, Leah, Lauren, Carrie, Darby, Bethany, Becca..." and Phillip says, "How about Rhonda?" "Rhonda??", I ask. And he responds," Well that's how I feel about all of those other names". It boils down to that he can't know anybody by the name that we choose. So after going through 500 names we settle on Paige. So nobody say anything negative about the name. I need to get through the next 6 months without him realizing that Paige Patterson shares that name and he is not someone Phillip admires. After that, alls fair. Hopefully we won't have to worry about it and the baby will be a boy. The Ancient Chinese calendar says that there is an 83% probability that it is a boy. It was right on the girls. But honestly, I don't really believe in that stuff.

Pregnancy Champ

Well not really. I am still nauseated at times but Slurpies first thing in the morning does keep it at bay and eating early at night. I go to bed at close to 8 o'clock. Of course I have to potty many times throughout the night. I could out belch just about any middle school boy. I may even be able to belch the entire alphabet without having to swallow air. But other than that I feel great. Only 27 1/2 more weeks to wait to meet the new little Thomas. Hopefully it will be a slugger and not a dancer. But as long as it is healthy we really don't mind either way.

Baby #3

Well, we went today and found that we have one little baby beating along inside. The baby is measuring a little big so...maybe it will come early. The girls are excited still we have our final ultrasound on March 25. And no, we will not be finding out what we will be having. It drives everyone crazy and we love that.

Exposed

I am so amazingly blessed. God has given me more than I could have ever dreamed of and could ever deserve. I am such a planner and don't like things that I cannot control which makes being pregnant sometimes a scary thing for me. I have prayed for this baby since I was 15 years old. Not that I din't pray for my precious grils but Phillip only wanted to have 2 kids and I knew that someone's heart would have to change. Since having Reese I have been giving this baby up to the Lord. I prayed for Phillip but I prayed for me as well. I prayed that God would take away me desire for another baby if that is not what the Lord had planned for our family. But my desire grew much stronger and all I had to say to Phillip was that I wanted another baby and he said simply, "Okay". I was stunned. Then you get pregnant. I wish I wasn't so much of a what-ifer. I have so many friends and family that have struggled to get pregnant or had numerous miscarriages and I have been so blessed. I am no different and feel so undeserving. I constantly pray to God and thank Him for being able to see my baby as it develops because I cannot see it and that drives me crazy at times. So anyways, I am struggling today with being blessed and I know that sounds silly but I keep thinking that at any moment the bottom could drop out. At the same time it frustrates me that I am not trusting God with my life. He has alwyas been so good to me even when there has been tragedy. So I will continue to pray for God's peace.