I'm 39...Seriously!

Yesterday was my 39th birthday, no lie. I have to admit, it was one of the best. My niece, Aliza and I share the same birthday and we decided that we really ought to spend it together doing something fun. So, about a month ago, we began discussing what we ought to do. The conversation went like this...
"Aunt Krissy, our birthday is coming soon..." Aliza said.
"I know. What do you suppose we should do? I think we should do something together this year. How about if we go shopping?"
Aliza said, "Yeah! Then we could buy things!"
"That sounds good. What do you think we should buy?" I asked.
"Presents! (long pause for thought) ...and balloons!"
I loved this conversation. Aliza is now 5 years old and I absolutely adore her. so what evolved from our plans was the First Annual Girls Day Out at the Mall of America. I don't think Aliza had ever been there, nor had my daughter, Hannah. The two of them loved the American Girl doll store, Claire's (Hannah got her ears pierced yesterday, to which her father made her promise that that would be the last piercing she would ever have done in her life), Nickolodeon, and Old Navy. The sales were amazing. Hannah and Aliza both had a bit of spending money and were able to REALLY stretch it at Old Navy where they had the best clearance deals I have ever seen. Hannah scored shirts for 50 cents, pajamas for $3.00, and cute white pea coat for $7.00. Aliza bought herself some things, too. It was great to train in the next generation of bargain shoppers!
We didn't cover much ground at the mall as we were a fairly large group. In our "party" was myself, Hannah, my sister Valerie, Aliza, my sister Laura, my mom, Ronda, and Valerie's mother-in-law, Sue. It was ok, we did girly stuff, lots of window shopping, wandering, and a non-fast food lunch together. That's all I wanted.
I think it was mutually decided that this must be a tradition. Soooo...what should we do next year?

Baby Updates...

I have been busy, busy, busy... going through clothes, washing, sorting, etc. Today we moved the changing table into the master bathroom and set up the dressers for John and Josh. Now I'm washing baby clothes and getting very excited to meet baby. After I get all the baby stuff set up, I will be on to cooking. My plan is to have two months worth of suppers in the freezer before the end of the month. Well, that's my goal. Problem is, I've been having LOTS of contractions. Seems like minimal work brings it on. In fact, today I got the dressers set up, but Matthew did all the moving for me. So basically today, I have just done laundry. Now I'm in bed for the rest of the evening in bed with my feet up. If I get up and walk...contraction. Driving me crazy. Is this how it is for baby #5? Anyone been there?
I worked last weekend and by Sunday, all I could do was cry.
4-6 weeks to go...

Facing the Raging Sea

I wa reading my Bible this morning and one random verse stuck out at me and brought back lots of memories. I love it when little gems are discovered in the Word, it brings Hebrews 4:12 to life. Anyway, the verse was Zechariah 10:11...
They will pass through the sea of trouble; the surging sea will be subdued and all the depths of the Nile will dry up.
I immediately thought of the seas of trouble that I have faced in my life. Problems in our marriage, problems with myself (yeah, lots of 'em), problems with our children, facing death of family members, financial crisis, facing being forced out of a job I loved, starting a new one I was terified of, being told the child we tried for years to have would not live, failing an adoption, I really could go on and on. Those are just a few, there are more encounters with the Sea of Trouble.
You know what? God has always been faithful. I always had to go through the Sea, but never alone. He also "subdued" it. Things worked out, I got through what I thought I never could by His grace alone. God has always been faithful to me, even when I was unfaithful to Him. I doubted, I feared, I cried a lot. He was faithful, always faithful. Comforting, leading me to the exact scripture I needed at that exact moment. He put people in my path who spoke truth in love and encouraged me. He miraculously changed circumstances. He did what only God could do and I grew in faith and love for Him. He brings good from all circumstances to those who love Him. I KNOW it.

I'm BAAAAAAAACK!!!!!

I am ashamed of how I have let this go. September first was my last entry. That's pretty pathetic. Honestly, I've missed it. The problem is, computer time is sacred at our house, especially with added users. Matthew, Hannah, John and I have all been fighting over the same computer. Sometimes they even pull the "But MOM! I have to use it to do my schoolwork!!" ARRRGH. That's the ultimate trump card. Education excuses always work. I'm so easily manipulated...
Anyway, Michael and I used our combined gift cards and gift money to buy mama a laptop. (yay!!)
I feel very spoiled, though I'm loving sitting on the couch with the kiddos watching "Up" right now and being able to BLOG!!!!!! the ultimate togetherness activity, eh?
Truth is, I have a lot to write about lately. Josh is potty trained now (Thank you, God!), baby is on the way very soon, or at least it seems like very soon to everyone but me. Matthew and Hannah are getting so grown up, we have a winter with tons of snow and the kids have been sledding every day and LOVING it.
Anyway, stay tuned. I promise there is more to come!

Football Season is Here!

Matthew's first game is tonight. Gotta admit, I do turn into a bit of a crazy woman. I find myself saying such crazy things as, "I want to see blood and broken bones!" and "Go bust some heads!"

Now, I don't generally condone violence, but I do tend to like sports that encourage bloodshed. My favorites are: football, hockey, wrestling, and kickboxing. I have never watched ultimate fighting for fear I might really enjoy it. Besides, we don't have cable, so I will have to settle for watching my boys sword fight.

Stay tuned...

Still in Love After 20 Years

Ever run across an old song that causes a flood of memories to come rushing back? I don't know exactly why I LOVE this song, but I always have and it's always reminded me of the realness of our relationship. The bad comes with the good. Fortunately, the good is so sweet and rich that it makes the hard times bearable. Refining.

And Michael, I will always remember and laugh about your dream when your jammed with Sting on MTV Unplugged. Wish I could've been there!

Fields of Gold

by Sting
You'll remember me when the west wind moves

Upon the fields of barley

You'll forget the sun in his jealous sky

As we walk in the fields of gold
So she took her love

For to gaze awhile

Upon the fields of barley

In his arms she fell as her hair came down

Among the fields of gold
Will you stay with me, will you be my love

Among the fields of barley

Well forget the sun in his jealous sky

As we lie in the fields of gold
See the west wind move like a lover so

Upon the fields of barley

Feel her body rise when you kiss her mouth

Among the fields of gold

I never made promises lightly

And there have been some that Ive broken

But I swear in the days still left

Well walk in the fields of gold

Well walk in the fields of gold
Many years have passed since those summer days

Among the fields of barley

See the children run as the sun goes down

Among the fields of gold

Youll remember me when the west wind moves

Upon the fields of barley

You can tell the sun in his jealous sky

When we walked in the fields of gold

When we walked in the fields of gold

When we walked in the fields of gold

What's Going On

I have really been missing my blog. I really am not avoiding it, I love it. However there are only so many hours in a day and we are right now on project overload. I snuck outside for a few minutes this morning to take some pics of what is going on at our little farm. The one I affectionately call the "Victory Farm". The meaning behind that name is definitely the subject of another post, but not today.

I have been spending every spare moment I have weeding the garden, hoping this year I will be Victorious over the weeds. (hint to upcoming post). So far, the weeds have about a 50% foothold, but the battle is really just beginning and I do have 4 children, two of which have reached the Age of Helpfulness...so there is hope.

So, without further ado, I present to you...

Victory Farm