Today

I would just like to start off by saying today I am thankful to God for my mother in law,Lisa, for giving me a ride today to run some (or rather, many!) errands and watching the babies while I was being seen by the midwife. Also, I'm thankful for the sweet Isbell family for providing Zeke a ride to and from school this week! And to the Seymour family for loaning us their truck while out of town, and more specifically to Crystal for her kind words - and really that goes to Farah, too!
*Trying to always give thanks!*

Today I had a regular female check up @ the OB/GYN who delivered Asher and Macie (and actually the OB who delivered Zeke now works there, but she was at a different practice when I saw her). I'm sure no woman is a fan of these kind of necessary appointments, but for me having it done there, it brings up so many emotions I don't know how to put into words. I love the phone nurse there, and overall all the nurses are pretty nice. And there's about one midwife there that I trust, or did. My feelings about their doctors and doctors in general have drastically changed over time, but mostly since the birth of Macie. Their lack of concern of women and their wishes for themself and their baby, the misleading information, how impersonal it all is makes me sick. Pregnancy and birth is one of the most beautiful experiences in life that I believe should be valued by all considering that's how we all got here. But men (or, humans, rather) have taken it over , with medicine, intervention after intervention, giving mothers misleading information. Not trusting the body that GOD DESIGNED to do what God designed it to do. I've been wanting to write Macie's birth story for sometime now. I'm just trying to get the words right, as I would like to keep my posts on the more upbeat side of things. But I am a passionate person, and I have a strong desire to do what is right. So don't confuse my passion and desire for right with something else.

I thought I could do it. I thought I'd be ok. I scheduled the appointment with that midwife who impressed me so during my pregnancy with Macie. But right away the lies started flowing from her mouth. I felt attacked, I felt fearful. Before even walking into the office I felt my blood pressure climbing, I told my MIL how nervous I was being back here after everything that went down earlier this year. Was this an unwise decision on my part to come back after everything? I was nervous, I couldn't even remember all the questions I had. She was pushing me in conversations that I don't feel comfortable having. That was the same room where everything happened this past February 15th. I looked over at the door at the pregnancy poster. I felt fear of pregnancy, I felt self doubt in myself and my body. I remember feeling that way every time I walked through those doors during my pregnancy with M. And just like old times, I felt a sense of RELIEF as I walked out those doors.

I'm going to be posting Macie's birth story very soon. Followed by Asher and Zeke's

The Uncles!

Yesterday, the kids' uncles (my brothers) came for a visit! Jesse and Josiah, two of my baby brothers, who we hadn't seen in months. It was so nice for the boys! They've missed their uncles a lot, and so have I. Josiah played freeze tag outside with them for a little while, while Jesse and I were inside talking about stuff. I baked them short bread cookies with jam in the middle. Yummy :) It was sooo nice to have some family around! Zeke has been very close to my brothers. Josiah, Jesse and Zeke are actually closer in age than I am to my brothers (or at least Josiah and Zeke are). And being a teen mom, we lived with them for alittle while so they kinda grew up together. Kinda like brothers. I about cried when I saw Josiah 'cause at age 14 he is now about 6'3'' and his features have matured so much since the last time I saw him! I remember when he was just a little baby, now he's all grown up! Macie was shy at first but soon warmed up to her uncles and was all giggles. Jesse is such a hard worker, working TWO jobs and still attending high school. He has the sweetest heart of anyone I know. Oh, and he bought his own car by himself, no help, thank ya very much. These two are going to turn out to be incredible men one day! I love my little brothers, and I'm so proud of who they are!

frustrated

I don't understand some people. Some people really anger me with their lack of concern for others, for their self consumption. I shouldn't get angered by their choice of actions but I do. I don't see how you could let someone struggle go through a hard time without offering help. Especially when they're your co worker. Or friend. Or neighbor. Or family. I may not have a lot of money, I may not have many talents. But my gosh the least I can do is offer an uplighting word, or lend an ear to listen! You KNOW something is going on, and you know exactly what it is, too. You've seen it with your eyes, you've heard it with your ears - in fact, someone called out your name specifically and you choose to turn your head the other way. I hope to NEVER be like that! I want to always help - when and how I can. I wonder if you feel better turning your back and going back to your cozy life?? I mean, why stress? This isn't your reality. But it could be. And if it was, is this the way you would want to be treated?

Our Thanksgiving '11

Thursday November 24th, 2011 Thanksgiving

Perry 25, me 23, Zeke 7, Asher 3, Macie 9 months, and Papa Ross 75 :)

Weather was mid-high 60's. Too warm for my taste for a late November day, but perfect weather for working on a car.

This year we had Thanksgiving at our home, just us. It's due to because of our current situation, but I'm kinda thankful for it causing us to have to stay at home as a family on this holiday. Sometimes things get too hectic in the hustle and bustle of going from here to there.

This was our first turkey we've ever made/cooked, whatever. We weren't very sure with what we were doing. Perry took out all the nasties, and added brown sugar, honey, and something else for flavor. (If this is not "traditional" or the "right way", don't judge, we newbies ;) )

Here's sweet Macie waking up the morning of her first ever Thanksgiving.

My babies, Thanksgiving day, 2011.

Our first ever Thanksgiving on our own, like grown ups! We had turkey, rolls, mac-n-cheese, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and veggies (and homemade chocolate chip cookie cake)! YUM! I am not one for Thanksgiving day food, but I actually ate up this year! It was GOOD! 

Daddy said grace then served the food.

We are SO thankful that Papa Ross (Perry's dad) was able to spend Thanksgiving with us! And I know it meant a lot to my hubby, especially because he wasn't able to see any of his other family.

Macie ate turkey with turkey broth (jar) and some mashed potatoes and a little bit of a roll! 

After our meal, daddy and Papa went back to work on my car. Such hard working men! Ross actually had a cold and completely lost his voice, but he was out there helping my hubby from sun up to sun down without one complaining word leaving his mouth - what a good man!

While the men worked on the car, the kids and I cleaned up the food and kitchen and decided to go burn some calories and go for a walk to visit the Donk-a-honk family (aka, our landlord's donkeys)! I wore Macie, she rode in the Beco (my other love!)!

Us, Thanksgiving, 2011.

 We got very crafty this week of Thanksgiving. Here's a pic of one of our crafts!

Zeke's turkey hand

Asher's turkey hand (looks like it's pooping, lol! SORRY, had to say it!)

Macie's turkey hand! 

The boys and I made this apple pie! Tastes just as good as it looks! Though, we had it a couple days before Thanksgiving, it was still consumed within Thanksgiving week so...it's included in this post!

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It's easy to have a thankful heart when things are going well. It's in the trying times we struggle with having thankfulness. We shouldn't, though, for I am a firm believer that things could always be worse. Therefore, there's always a reason to be thankful!

Momma's with help from the boys

This week we are reminded of that as Thanksgiving fast approaches. It's a bit bitter sweet for my family as we had a bad incident last night. It's easy to dwell on the negatives but together as a family, as a team, we're trying to lift each other up. Things won't be like this forever. Meanwhile, lets focus on some good.

Zeke's

So, the kids and I took to the drive way with our side walk paint. The boys helped me with mine and each did one of their own.

Asher's

No matter the circumstances we face, we must always remember -

Family Night Mission: Generosity

I love my church. Have I ever mentioned that? Well, I absolutely do. I believe that we go to the best church around and for that, I'm thankful! (It's probably the ONLY good thing about the state in which we live!)

We received this top secret folder with instructions. We had to go in the car, and Asher got to give us directions as we discussed times of giving/receiving generosity and how it made us feel.

Then we were instructed to stop at a local store (Wally World, no doubt) and to do something generous and bold for someone.

Walking into Wal Mart, Asher suggested we give money to the Salvation Army.

The boys picked out a box of chocolates and a bottle of water to give to the man standing outside in the cold. It took him back, but I think he appreciated it ;-)

We got back into the car and continued to follow instructions. This time, Zeke got to direct where we went! We ended up making a random phone call to Perry's step sister and we each took turns saying something kind to her!

We then ended up back at Wal Mart where we shopped for our Operation Christmas Child! Afterwards, we read Matthew 25:40: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." We discussed what that meant to us. We said a prayer for our OCC and then got to open our TOP SECRET PRIZE from the top secret envelope! The boys got gift cards for free ice cream at Chick-Fil-A!!!

These are the moments...

I wouldn't change having a sleepless night with these bed hogs for anything in the world! =)

Asher and Macie fell asleep holding hands...WOW!

It was just one of those days and I just so happened to pick up a random book and open it to a random page and got this...JUST WHAT I NEEDED AT THE MOMENT.

Sibling affection, help-ful-ness!

Working together on a common goal!

Using our imagination - "it's a time machine!"

Learning team work by experience!

Helping daddy change the oil in mommy's car! Being little-big helpers!

Those cheesing moments that melt mommy's heart!

There's always a reason to smile!

These are the moments that make all of life's struggles worth while.

Silly moments ((:

Enjoying new experiences! (First time in the big girl tub.)

Enjoying creation!