Thursday, November 13, 2008

Rainy Days!

Blogger won't let me rearrange the order of the pics, so oh well....



Post-puddles








































Earlier today






















































































































Zzzzzzz...
(Notice the shiner his brother gave him with a shovel- starting to fade)



























































Halloween:
Gabe was a devil (cape & tail visible from back side) and J was a "Builder like Papa."





















Messing with sleeping boy after long day of splashing in the mud

































































































Boxer-briefs, of course, and quite stylish- if I do say so myself.



















































































Mommy trying to be patient with CRABBY boy






































































































































































































































It's rainig, it's pouring...






































































































































































































Says it All!

Matt's mom sent me this and it's the perfect representation. Check it out.

There was a chemistry professor in a large college who had some exchange students in the class. One day while the class was in the lab, the professor noticed one young man, an exchange student, who kept rubbing his back and stretching as if his back hurt. The professor asked the young man what was the matter. The student told him he had a bullet lodged in his back. He had been shot while fighting Communists in his native country who were trying to overthrow his country's government and install a new Communist regime.

While telling his story, he looked at the professor and asked a strange question: "Do you know how to catch wild pigs?" The professor thought it was a joke and asked for the punch line. The young man said that it was no joke.

"You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground. The pigs find it and begin to come everyday to eat the free corn. When they are used to coming every day, you put a fence down one side of the place where they are used to coming.

"When they get used to the fence, they begin to eat the corn again and you put up another side of the fence. They get used to that and start to eat again. You continue until you have all four Sid es of the fence up with a gate in the last side. The pigs, used to the free corn, start to come through the gate to eat that free corn again. You then slam the gate on them and catch the whole herd.

"Suddenly the wild pigs have lost their freedom. They run around and around inside the fence, but they are trapped. Soon they go back to eating the free corn. They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves, so they accept their captivity."

The young man then told the professor that this is exactly what he sees happening in America. The government keeps pushing us toward Communism/Socialism and keeps spreading the free corn out in the form of programs such as supplemental income, tax credit for unearned income, tax exemptions, tobacco subsidies, dairy subsidies, payments not to plant crops (CRP), welfare, subsidized housing, school programs, medicine, drugs, etc. We continually lose our freedoms, just a little at a time.

We should always remember two truths: There is no such thing as a free lunch, and you can never hire someone to provide a service for you cheaper than you can do it yourself. If you see that all of this wonderful government 'help' is a problem confronting the future of freedom in America, you might want to send this on to your friends.

If you think the free ride is essential to your way of life, then you will probably delete this email.

Heaven help us when the gate slams shut!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Obama... it's really happening

While fully expected, it's still a shock. I'm fighting feelings of terror and alarm. All I can say is that too many in the last generation or two have done such a poor job of teaching their kids values and wisdom that the American people have brought this hell upon themselves- chosen it, literally. People are too self-centered and arrogant to have respect or gratitude or reverence for the work of the founding fathers, and they've become so lost that they are just sure they can do it better. Political correctness has become so popular that immature, irresponsible or misled people are desperate to be more politically correct than anyone else, so they look important and special. We wouldn't want to offend people in other countries that plot our desmise. We don't want to inforce morals or values (like -oh I don't know, not MURDERING BABIES, for example) within our own country because that might make evil people upset. Forget rewarding hard work and dedication or integrity- let's not hurt the feelings of those who are unwilling to try so hard.
Everything good that remains of this country is about to be buried under 6 feet of liberalism. Let's really hope it can be revived after being dismembered and burned and buried. It's about to get ugly and painful, but as long as good people remain, there will be hope for the future. We can and we will stand again and rebuild God's country. ...If God hasn't given up on us by then, after all that's been done to alienate Him.
I'm not kidding. This is a monumental event in the history of the world. The perfect storm is brewing, and much damage will be done. What we have got to do now is prepare storage of every kind for our families, and live by the values we are taught in the gospel. The Lord will stay with us and whatever happens, we must keep faith that we are blessed when we follow Him. If we do His will, the devil cannot prevail against us and we can go to our death without fear. It's so important not to focus on fear, but put our emphasis on planning for our families and relying on the Lord. I can't remember who it was who said it, but fear is the opposite of faith. There will be comfort and peace in our faith. It's the only way I survived while Matt was fighting in Iraq. It was a big lesson for me. This will be a much bigger test... it's time to get our ducks in a row. Good luck to you guys. Pray a lot, and may Heaven help us!

Monday, October 20, 2008

This One's for You, Honey!

Yesterday was our sixth anniversary, and it was amazing. Our lives have changed so much since we were married, and have only gotten better. It feels like I've known Matt and loved him forever, but days like this make me think the time has passed so quickly. I'm so thankful that I'm his wife, that he's given me these boys, that he enables me to be with our children each day, that he works so hard and asks so very little, and that we're having another sweet baby very soon. No woman deserves as much as I have- least of all, me. Babe, thanks so much for everything. I'm so blessed to spend my life with you.

P.S.- Thanks for giving up your other dreams so you can be home; I know I can't understand the magnitude of your sacrifices. We've been so spoiled, and have loved every minute with you!! You wrestle with the kids when you're tired, and pamper & cuddle me when you've had a hard day. Your boys and I adore your smile and your company. Happy anniversary!!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Look Out, Ladies!





Soooo handsome!!! (Jesse actually made those faces on purpose. A kiss was the cure!) LOVE Gabe's new jammies...

Saturday, October 18, 2008

BOY or GIRL?!

Did I get your hopes up? We have no idea yet. But lots of people are asking when we'll know the baby's sex. We've got a while to go (about six more weeks I think). So what do I predict? Matt and I both go back and fourth. At first I was sure we'd have a girl just because it seems like about the right time for something to come along and further frazzle my reality. I know ANY baby will do that, but I'm far more comfortable raising boys than girls. Now I'm thinking our tiny swimmer may be a boy, but my perception's all tainted cause I'm so afraid of birthing a little female. You know, mind games and all... we chicks can be... difficult. I feel safer being worn out than being stressed out and therefore boys seem the natural cushion for me. I can't believe I'm describing them that way. Snort.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

I Wonder...

Can anyone tell me why it's harder to breathe when you're pregnant? I mean, it makes plenty of sense when you're further along and the kid's taking up space, which crowds your lungs. But why, when the kid's the size of a walnut, must we pant like dogs when we mearly reach to get into the top cupboard or pull a casserole out of the fridge? Seriously, does anyone know? I'm truly curious about this.

And another thing, why does it hurt so badly to sneeze? Everything in the abdomen pulls in unnatural directions, wrenching you into a tangled up ball of tummy-cradling, momentary agony. Is that like, just ligaments & muscles crying out for sympathy for their ever-growing plight? Or perhaps, does the sneeze itself trigger some switch which screams out for all the nerve endings to immediately revolt against relative comfort? Any other theories out there?

Why, Why, Why?

My friend and I have been gabbing back & fourth through email and she recently inquired about why on earth I would choose to have this many young kids, in such a short period of time. I get the question every now and then, so I thought I'd post my answer:

I make no denial that parents choosing to have this many young kids may seem somewhat masochistic. I simply maintain that my energy is diminishing with the years and I may be best able to handle all this while I still have some left- (even if the supply feels massively insufficient for the job). Besides, the kids play together (a huge bonus for me!) and once I'm done with diapers I'll really be DONE. Surely I'm not the only one to see the advantages here.

So that's my side of things.