TO MY BROTHER IN LAW JOHN ZOMBECK III ....

Dear John, I think it is time for you to post something new. I would LOVE to know how you are both doing...surely you don't want me to start CALLING you on the phone--hehehe. I am sure Manda doesn't want me to pester her either : ) Here are some good ideas for posts: 1.) What I got Manda for Valentines Day. 2.) What Manda got me for Valentines Day. 3.) Here is a list of my favorite things... and if you are really stumped...4.) All of the things I love about my sister-in-law Wendy.... Yes I think that should do it. Have a really fantastic day John!

MORE VALENTINE HAPPENINGS...

Well, the kiddos had their class Valentine parties and were excited to show us all of their goodies!! Even little Gaylie got a few herself :) Tonight I have a big date!!! I am going to a Valentine Formal Dance....with Isaac ! We did this last year and had such a good time...he was so excited that we would go on our date again "just the two of us!" Now to find something dressy to wear...hmmm...all of my really dressy maternity clothes are summery...Oh well...I will have to manage somehow :)
ATTENTION---Peter Pan Peanut Butter has been recalled. It is tainted with Salmonella...trash yours if the number on top starts with 2111. We usually only buy JIFF but we had run out, and a friend gave us a jar of Peter Pan...oh yeah...we had the number...and guess what ? The jar was mostly empty...I am thankful that it was not one of the tainted ones. I think that Great Value is another brand...just make sure you check out that number!
Tomorrow the kids have swim lessons, and then we will head off to a Birthday Party...FUN! The time is getting so close for Eli to join us! I am very uncomfortable and at the stage where I just *wish* it would be over! This coming week Cory has off of school. He is running a baseball camp for most of it...but that will only be part of the day. It is our hope that we will be able to finish up cleaning and organizing the house so that this little guy that we will meet soon, can be more comfortable...and Mommy too! A friend of mine is going to come over one or two days over break to help me. I cannot stand for very long, so she can help me do things like clean the items on my bakers rack...you know...all of the deep cleaning that doesn't seem to get done. Thank goodness for good friends. Another thought. It was really nice having Esther help me with all of those chores yesterday. So many times I could clean the girls room...make beds...etc. and they would come in and lay on their beds...get under the covers...drag toys from the toy room in...it would exhaust me and frustrate me that all my work seemed to be for naught. It occurred to me that by having her help me, it would be important to her that it "stay" that way...and it did! Hooray for small pleasures!!!! Hope everyone is staying warm!!! Just so you know...I try to check EVERYONES blog when I get the chance to be on the computer. I am limited as to when I can comment however. Sometimes I do not have time, but want to...and sometimes our computer freezes...that is really frustrating. Just know that I think about each and every one of you, and look forward to keeping in touch with you even in this small way!

BRRRR........ITS COLD!

I know it has been a while since I posted last...but I have been busy...and tired. While our family does not "get sick" very easily...Isaac seems to have caught a bad cough. This is about the extent of our sicknesses usually...(thank goodness). Anyhow...Isaacs lungs were clear...but he always seems to have a hard time making his coughs productive...so we all stay awake all night listening to his hacking. I took him to the walk-in to get him checked out...like I said his lungs were clear, but they decided to order us a nebulizer which we now own. The nebulizer made his cough VERY productive, but I still gave him a suppressant as well to slow him down. He is back to school and doing well. We will try to make it to church this week. Last week, I was going to stay home with Isaac so he didn't infect everybody else...but when I woke up, Cory had 15 min to get himself and the girls ready...I told him...there is just NO way you will make it...so we all stayed home.
Today I had the pleasure of staying home in our nice cozy house while Corys Dad took Isaac to school. It is freezing here! I made a list of jobs I wanted to accomplish, and set about doing them right away. Esther was a HUGE help. For Christmas I bought the girls a baking set that came with red and white gingham aprons for each. Whenever we do work around the house, Esther puts her apron on and she knows that it is time to get our hands dirty. I have to say...it has been such a great motivator...just putting it on...and she KNOWS what comes next...and says ...where do we start? I think I might get myself an apron too so that we can be "brainwashed" together...it's kind of fun! Anyways...we got almost everything done on the list. I ran out of steam and had to take a break...but I felt really good about all that I managed to accomplish...YEAH FOR ME....AND ESTHER TOO!
I had my Drs. appt this last week. It seems that I did not "hear" the nurse correctly when they told me my total weight gain. Last week I could have sworn she said 10#...so when I asked this week, what was the total gain...she said 15#...my jaw dropped...and so did Corys...and he said.."you really porked out this week"...and the nurse looked horrified that he would say something like that...but I assured her that YES...I thought the very same thing...5# in two weeks??????? She said NO...you were 13# last time....10....13....how could I have heard that wrong?...Oh well...the baby seems to be doing well...I did not get my sugar test done because of Isaac, but I didn't spill any in my urine either. In about two and 1/2 weeks I will have my first internal, my strep test, and another 4D ultra sound....I love those! I know that the pregnancy ticker up top says that I have 6 weeks to go....I would not believe that if I were you...I would say more like 4 weeks or just a little over that...and I think that the weight they are quoting for the baby is at least a pound off...the time is soon...and I can't wait!!!
Happy Belated Valentines Day!!! Cory and I woke up and I said..."Sooooo, What did you get me? He said....AHHHH, what did you get me?...I said...I will give it to you as soon as I get mine...He said I think that you will be waiting as long as I will....HA. Needless to say...we did not buy gifts or celebrate in any way...the kids are having Valentines Parties at school...and well...we have been together for 12 years...8 of them married...I suppose we pick our priorities. I would rather spend the money on something I need like Nursing Bras...or Something he needs like Dress Pants...I am always up for going out for supper...but we have other obligations for our money I suppose :) All in all...don't feel bad for us all you romantics at heart...we didn't even bat an eye. I hope all of you had a fabulous Valentines with your spouses and loved ones!

PREGNANCY UPDATES !

Some of you know that I scored a little high on the 1 hour glucose tolerance test. I have been checking my blood every two weeks...and so far so good...everything is within normal. I have to get another test most likely Saturday...I anticipate the same. I doubt I will make it for another....(I hope I wont.)
So far into this pregnancy I have gained 10 1/2 pounds. This does not sound like much...but be assured my babies are large and healthy...and I seem to have plenty of "stores" for myself. :) This pregnancy I have been carrying much like I did Isaac...right out in front. In fact the other day I was in a school bathroom, and happened to catch myself in the mirror at "just the right angle", and you could not even tell I was prego --HA. Perhaps I will be able to borrow my Mother in laws camera and get some belly shots...as I really dont have very many.
Other stuff...blood pressure is good...no protien in my urine...so far so good. The baby is head down. I asked the Doc. what he wanted me to do when I knew I was in labor...do you want me to stay at home a while, or just come right in...he said absolutely NO laboring at home for you. I tend to go very quickly, so I am glad that he thinks so too.
Some things that I need to get done before Elijah comes: Clean, Clean,Clean. Get baby clothes to Corys Mom for washing. Buy going home outfit for Elijah. Pack a suitcase for myself. Buy gifts for the other kiddos from Eli. And a HOST of other things. Pray for a surge of Energy for me, and that I wont be too uncomfortable. Thanks.

GOOD MORNING !

This morning is a particularly good day for me in that I don't have to take the girls out in the frigid cold! BRRRRRRR. My Father in law came and got Isaac for me this morning as he did yesterday, and took him to school. Sunday afternoon I came down with a cough...then at night it turned into a sore throat...then that next afternoon I went to the Drs to see if I had strep...it was negative thank goodness! I have been feeling pretty miserable. Today I have much to accomplish. Cory has put a huge dent in the laundry for me...I need to surprise him and finish it...(That would surprise me too by the way...in other words...no promises.) Yesterday for supper I roasted a chicken over red potatoes...it was delicious...Today I will make chicken soup with our leftovers...mmmmmmm. Just the thing for such a frozen day. I also have to tackle the dishes...something I HATE doing.
Tomorrow I get to sleep in...Yahoooo! Cory is taking the day off with his brother and his Dad...plus two little munchkins, and heading to the Sportsman show in Harrisburg. They make this trip every year, but this will be a first for Esther...she'll love it. Yes, the kids are taking a day off of school --but this is very educational too! I think Gayle and I might do something special like get a bagel at Dunkin Donuts, or I will take her to the play land at McD's...or perhaps stay home and snuggle, giving her all my attention. We shall see.
I hope everyone is having a great start to your morning too! Have a great day today!

SPECIAL DAYS !

Actually today is just an ordinary day...with some special times here and there. This afternoon after school, Esther is going to go to her friend Tanners home to eat lunch and play. They love each others company and seem to have a really good time together. Esther seems to get along better with boys than girls for some reason...:) Since Esther was preoccupied for the afternoon, I decided to go and visit Isaac at school during his lunch period. Gayle and I met him there, and made the day a little extra special for him I think. One of the little boys kept staring at my belly, and then finally got the nerve to ask me if I were pregnant...I said ...I sure hope so! Either I am or I have eaten way too much pizza! Isaac always buys ice cream on Friday...so I had him buy one for Gayle too. He came back and handed one to me as well...apparently you can buy two mini ice cream sandwiches for the cost of a large one, so he was very thoughtful. It made me laugh to see some of the kids promise to be the best friend of another if they would just give them their ice cream...it was quite a scene at the lunch room. HA. Later on when I pick up the kiddos, I will be making supper, then later heading out to our church for a "Thank You Service". Cory has to run the clock for the basketball game, so the kids and I will be going alone. Tomorrow is grocery day. I need ice bad. I have a closet confession as I was telling a friend just yesterday. I have an addiction to ice. When I am pregnant I am deficient in iron...the symptom of this is chewing ice. I cannot chew ice when I am NOT pregnant...anyhow...I have been chewing a bag of ice a week...by myself...yes...the big bags you get at the gas station...all of it...CRUNCH CRUNCH. Yes, I will probably break my teeth...but I cannot stop...nor do I want to. So there...

HAPPY FEBRUARY !!!!!!

Happy February indeed! This morning I was very blessed! My husband got up early, took out the garbage, drove my van to town and put gas in it...then came home again. I woke up to a DELICIOUS smell...that guy of mine mixed up a cinnamon struesel loaf for the family for breakfast!!! He was so proud of himself for being such a big help...and I had to concur! Off he went to work...and then I had to get the kiddos ready for the day. While I was packing Isaac a snack for the day, he had sneaked into the bathroom and brushed his teeth. I came to wish him a happy February...and found him gone! I checked the bathroom, and he of course was busy getting himself ready...I praised him up and down and all around...which spurred him onto do other things which made me so proud! It truly was a fabulous morning, and it just made my day so much brighter! This is not a regular occurance in our home...but when someone does something so thoughtful for someone else I just have to gush...and it makes me kind of want to do something special for someone else...I already wrote Cory a " youre the best" note via email...perhaps I will write a letter to Isaac...he would love that! Hmmm...I will think of something...hope you are having a great start to your February too!

MY LITTLE GAYLIE GIRL ....

It seems to me that I do not post enough pictures...or post about Gayle often enough. So...here is two in one. This photo was taken this past June at Corys Grandparents wedding anniversary party. I love this picture, and keep it on the fridge. Gaylie is growing up so fast...and I am afraid that even this picture does not accurately represent her for how she looks today...but it is close. Gayle is very excited about the baby coming, and will kiss my belly and talk to Eli. She has quite a vocabulary, and never ceases to amaze us all. She is a tiny little thing...but wow can she eat! She will be starting Preschool 2 days a week this year.---This is something that she has been waiting for! Esther will be starting Kindergarten and of course Isaac will be in 2nd grade, so I will only have two precious babies at home...one of which gets to be a very big girl and go to school! Gayle is also very involved in playing dress up--she loves to dress up in princess outfits, and then gracelfully flit in like a butterfly and say to Cory "Wanna Marry Me?" all the while batting her eyelashes...who taught her how to do that? I sure don't act like that! Oh well, I am sure I will have more about "Little Gaylie Lou Who" to post at another time...until then...enjoy.

MORE ACCOMPLISHMENTS !!!

I am very proud of my 1st grader Isaac. Today he brought home his report card and he got straight A's.......Way to go Isaac!!!!!

ACCOMPLISHMENTS....

Today started out GREAT! Corys Dad called to tell us that he would take Isaac to school today so that the girls and I did not have to go out in the cold...I was SO excited! That meant a few extra minutes of sleep for me:) I was very impressed as well, when Isaac came into my room and was already dressed and had brushed his teeth!!! We have been talking to our children about their need to take initiative if they see something that needs done...don't wait for us to ask you to do it...just do it! He is such a star...I will have to reward him for such good behaviour!!! SOoooo...I sent my boy off to school and got ready to tackle the laundry!! Esther turned the water on, and we realized...hmmm there is NO detergent...it sits in Corys car...hmmm. Oh well, we had plenty of things to do today...so I just stuck a bleach load in and let it sit for hours! (Lets change colors..) I have been feeling really overwhelmed with the thoughts of all I HAVE to get done BEFORE Eli comes. Today a friend came over, and helped me sort out two tubs of clothes and two garbage bags FULL of clothes from a friend. We went through and picked out the seasonal items and then discarded the ones that might have stains that wont come out--as well as ones that just looked like they have seen better days. I am so amazed at how organized I was with Isaac...all the little socks were matched and in ziploc bags...what a joy to find that! Anyways...I have a box of shoes, hats, and bibs to put away as well. The idea is that I will send these tubs with Dreft and Downy to Corys parents...I just have so much to do, and they are always willing to help...and I figure this is something they can do in any spare time they might have. This way, when we finally get Eli a dresser I will be all set. My girlfriend is going to give me some of her baby clothes as well, so then I will be good to go. I still have to get my receiving blankets, and sheets out...and go thru infant items in general...I am feeling more optomistic having this accomplished!! HOORAY!!

I am SO in baby mode! I am really blessed that my church is going to throw me a 4TH shower...I just never would have thought I would be so blessed. The shower is on Valentines Day. One of the ladies from church gave me a BEAUTIFUL car seat that she had used for her sons! God provides for us in so many ways!

Please pray for my Mother. Mom is inquiring about early retirement for herself. Dad has just retired, and I think it would be so nice for them to start this off together. The only real glitch that she sees from keeping this from happening, is if they will not pay for her insurance. She is hoping that they will want to strike a deal. She meets with the hospital people on Monday...please pray that obstacles will be overcome, and that she could have a much needed rest. I also have a selfish motive to admit. If Mom can get retirement...for March 1st....then...she will be free to come out and help me before Elijah arrives, and afterwards. AND she will be able to have a more flexible schedule in regards to coming out our way for vacations in general...OH What fun that could be!!! So as you see I have something at stake here too.

Okay, I realize I have written a book here...but I had much on my mind, and the girls are watching the Lion King....so I get to indulge myself in things I like to do :) Hope everyone is having a great day!!

RUNNING...BUT GOING NOWHERE.

See this person running inside the box? That is me. I have so much to do...and can't possibly get it done...Try as I might...I get so tired so quickly that I just HAVE to lie down. The only difference between me and this person is that I am really FAT and can't run that fast. (No more blubbering --I promise.)

I would like to thank some of you for supporting a family in financial struggles. Not long ago I got a phone call saying that their house was in foreclosure, and it would be sold this Wednesday. (Tommorow.) Yesterday I got a call from the same family, and said that someone was going to loan them the money to stop the sale of thier home...What a miracle! As far as I know, the sale was stopped yesterday!!! Hip Hip Hooray!!! God truly has His hand in our lives!

The other day I got to go through some of Isaacs baby clothes...such precious memories. Esther was also very interested in hers as well, so I had Cory bring me the tub of some of her newborn things down...again...sweet memories :) I was glad that I did look through hers, as I had put some gender neutral things I had from Isaac in there. Plus, one of my girlfriends gave me some things that were too small, so I just put them in there...now I have them for Eli. I have to go through them still yet again, and then wash them. I have to get a dresser as well...probably closer to when Eli arrives though.

I hope that everyone is having a great day! I am trying my best to accomplish some tasks...but I just feel like my body is taken hostage and is not my own. It is just after lunch and I feel like I need a nap. Like I said...I am trying hard...but not getting very far...I am feeling very defeated. Please pray for some physical strength for me...I need it so badly!

THE 4D ULTRA SOUND --

Okay, this was sort of a freaky experience to be able to actually see "what" Eli looks like. Check out the chops on this guy!! I was a little startled to hear the sonographer say..."When did you say you were due again?" "WHY?" I asked...most babies around 30 weeks are in the 3lb range...not our chunk...he is 4 #. I imagine I will be delivering in 8 weeks instead of 10...(YIKES). When I had my glucose tolerance test done, it was elevated a little...so he wanted me to do the 3 hr. test...I said...I have 3 kids...when will I find 3 hours to myself to do this...maybe he would let me do the 1 hour again. Instead he wanted me to eat and then in two hours have blood drawn...I did this and it came back normal. I was pleased with this and said I hoped that he would waive the other tests...he said Ummmm--No. You have big babies, and someone is obviously enjoying your glucose. So every two weeks I will have my sugar tested...DRAT...but better safe than sorry.
I like this sonar a little better, it doesn't look so alienish :) He definately looks like Isaac. The sonographer kept saying how cute he looked...I think she was trying to convince us...I told her that my kids tend to grow into their looks..Esther was pretty at birth...but lets face it...Isaac and Gayle looked like smashed up football players! HA! I will have another sonar I think around 35-36 weeks...I think he wants to monitor the babys size...I think that is a good idea :) Oh well...hope all is well with everyone...thanks for stopping by!

My "Wild Isaac Rose"....

I came across this image of a yellow rose, and just felt like posting it. I am anticipating the end of my pregnancy, and meeting little Eli...all the while I have been daydreaming about Isaac as a baby. I am very glad that Isaac is not seeing Elijah as "taking his spot". He is very excited about his arrival, and calls him "his Elijah". When Isaac was born, the church gave me a yellow rose bush...which I called my "Wild Isaac Rose". I do not have a green thumb...so I needed a little help when it started to wilt...I asked my Grandma to take it home and plant it, because at that time we planned to move back to Western PA. Unfortunately, my Isaac Rose did not make it...BUT...someday when we have our own land, I will get another Isaac Rose, and try and make it flourish :)

This evening I will be taking my family with me to see the 4D ultra sound!!! I have been waiting for this forever!!!! I am so excited! As soon as I can I will post a picture of the sonar :) Hope everyone is having a great day!

OH TEACH THOU US TO COUNT OUR DAYS...

A very Happy Birthday goes out to my Sister-in-Law Amy!!! Hope you have a great day today!!!

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS !

"Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday DANIEL GARRIS....Happy Birthday to you!" Daniel is my nephew and is celebrating a Birthday today! Hope your day is GREAT!

MY CRAZY DAY......

Today started out very normal for me. I got the kids ready for school, and we hopped into the car. I drop I-man up at school first. Usually the way it happens is that you drive up to the side of the school, your kid hops out, and is greeted by one of the teachers, and then you wave and drive away. We were a little late this morning, and in front of me was a lady trying to drop off her grandkids for school...her car was so loud I could hear them SCREAMING at the top of their lungs...so the lady hops out and comes back around and waves her hands in the air at me and says "Ahhh Help Me!" So I smile, and think to myself we all have those "Calgon take me away" moments...but then I realize she really IS frazzled...so I jumped out, and asked if I could help her with something...meanwhile...screaming is still going on...I ran to the other side of the car because something was obviously wrong with one of the kids...only to see that the little boys foot was underneath the tire of the car. He was hanging out face to the ground, one foot in the car and one foot under...so I said "OH my goodness!!! Back UP" She did, and I yanked him up and had someone run for the nurse. She said that she didn't even know he had gotten out...she had told him to stay still, but that while she was coming to a stop, he must have opened the door and threw is leg out and got his foot run over...I felt SO bad for this Grandma...I knew she felt terrible, but it was a really good lesson for my kids to learn that it was the little boys lack of obedience that got him run over...it just all made me so sick to my stomache...I think the boy was okay, he probably had some fractures, but he wasn't screaming anymore once the tire was off him...the ambulance was on its way. What a CRAZY day...!

*WARMTH*

I stole this photo off of Moms blog...(Thanks Mom). I am chilly at the moment...and this just reminds me of warm times. This is a photo of our garden back home in Western PA. These are some glads, and off into the left you can see yummy sweet corn. I have such good memories of the garden as a child. Dad would plow it, and let us take turns disking (sp?) it. Each of us children would rope off a plot and were allowed to plant whatever we wanted, but it was our responsibility to weed, water, and harvest. The garden also brings back memories of flicking off japanese beetles into soapy water and getting paid a penny for each one. The one thing I did not enjoy so much was picking beans...that was back breaking, and HOT! The house was always filled with bushels and bushels of tomatoes to be canned, beans to be snapped, and corn to be canned or frozen...I think back to all of the times I just groaned about all of the work...and now would give ANYTHING to be able to have a garden like that, and its fruits!!! My Uncle Charlie is the chief farmer now. He is a very accomplished gardener. Someday maybe I can glean information from him :) One of my favorite things is to take a tour through the garden when we visit...and pick the asparagus, tomatoes...or whatever I want...My kids are usually gobbling up his red raspberries! It looks as though I am really hoping for summer to come...Hope your day is warm :)

A MATTER OF PRAYER ~

Please say a prayer for a family who I know through my sister. Their names are Dan and Cindy Heim. Dan and Cindy just lost their twin daughters Noelle and Alexandra. The twins were battling Twin to Twin Transfusion. They were at the hospital to have a procedure done, and Cindy started labor and the girls were born prematurely. This was Cindys first pregnancy. I was able to see pictures of the girls, and their footprints...they were about as big as the tip of my thumb to the first knuckle...Such a sad event. So if you would please remember this family in your prayers, I am sure that they would appreciate it.

SATURDAY

This is a pipe wrench. Cory had to use one of these today....because...
While I was brushing my teeth with this today...the water would not go down...because....
One of these...(a kandoo toilet flushable wipe) was stuck in the drain. (Two in fact.) Before we took the drain apart we called the girls in to ask them if they put anything in the drain...Esther "NO...I didn't" Gayle..."Yes, I did." Hmmmm what did you put in there Gaylie? Gaylie--"Yes, I put in there..." Alright. So I guess we are lucky...we have made it to this point with nothing in our toilet or sink prior...there is always a first...and Gaylie always seems to be that person...such as...all of the "pretties" I have on my bakers rack...made it until Gayle came along....At least she was honest I suppose.

POSITIVE THOUGHTS !

Remember this photo? Well, I would like to congratulate my friends Lisa and Kevin on the great news of expecting their 2nd child!!! Some of you who attended womens group may remember praying for Lisa that she would be able to conceive...and she DID! I love how God answers our prayers in times when we feel like it could be hopeless. Just think Lisa...you thought you might NEVER have children, but God has truly blessed you! Congratulations my friend!