One Last Hurrah!!!

Well it time now to think about heading back to work. My first day back was July 14th and so we decided that we would make the most of it. Caleb and I decided we would go out just us Saturday night on the bike. Eventhough we both hate leaving the kids, We both felt I needed it. We both needed it. As we began to leave we noticed the clouds were looking stormy so we took the car instead. We ate at Aubrys and then last minute decided to go to a movie. We saw Zohan and it was very funny.

The next day we headed to the zoo and had a great time. Megan and Peter loved the snakes ( YUK) and really everything they could touch they were into. Megan enjoyed showing Caleb everything at the zoo. After that we headed to WAl-Mart and to Taco Bell.... the perfect Sunday!

I hate the thought of going back to work, My routine has been such fun this summer. I know though that it will all be ok and that once again I will step into a different routine. Caleb will have the kids and I have no doubt that he will do a great job.

4th if July

Megan with her face painted on the 4th of July

I know I know, it is July 16th and I am just now writing. That is ok at least I am writing.

Most of the time on the 4th of July we do pretty uneventful things. This year Caleb decided that we should go to the Oak Ridge Freedom festival and it was actually a lot of fun. We arrived about 5:00pm and they had many games for the kids. We met a bunch of friends there so all the kids could play. The ultimate plan was to stay for the fire works that night. We had perfect seats and were ready to watch them UNTIL>>> a storm came. WE all ran for shelter and then decided to go to one of the person's house that lives close by until it passed by. Once the storm was over it was time to go back and I must say that the view we now got for the fireworks was not the best. That was ok. we still had a lot of fun watching them and being together as a family. I have learned through this maternity leave the real true value of family. I am still not speaking to my mom, that is not my choice, but I have learned how precious family is and how I should savor every moment possible while I can.

Just a Lazy Summer

I think by far this is the laziest summer I have had in a long time. Yes we have done many things, like VBS, Swimming, running errands, going and playing with friends. But we have also slept in and just enjoyed being HOME! I have enjoyed having this summer home with my kids. I think for the first time I am enjoying every day. Megan is enjoying playing with her little neighbor Payton and Peter he is starting to develop his own little personality. It is so fun to watch. They are both engulfed in their little brother and love it when he wakes up from his naps so they can play with him. I love watching the dynamic between siblings. Like my aunt Julia once told me after Peter was born.... " A sibling is the best gift you could ever give a child." I am not sure if they see it now, but one day I am sure they will.

That Little Mouse!!!

Today we had a meeting with my parents and needless to say it did not go so good. Mom and dad stormed out and so who knows what the future will bring....

AFter they left I told Caleb I wanted to do something fun. He chose Chucky Cheese. I always feel so overwhelmed there with all the stuff and kids going every which way... But... we always have fun. Caleb loves it he is such a little kid. The funny thing was MEgan kept giving her tickets away to people who did not have any and it drove Caleb NUTS!!! Peter he is just Peter he walked around trying to eat everyone's pizza. Everytime I looked around he was sitting at another person's table.

Eventhough Chucky Cheese is a complete waste of money, it is so wonderful to go to a place where just about everyone is happy. Oh so fun!!! I like seeing my family happy.

After that we went to Wal-MArt and grocery shopped. Atleast I had help. These days I almost require it.

Needless to say it ended up being a great day after all.

(Lorrie thanks for the picture)

Playing Catch Up

MEgan at the Ripleys Aquarium

Peter and Gary his Grandpa playing "submarine man" The wonder of a Child!!!!

Yes I am more than behind on blogging. I just seem to forget or end up being too tired. We have just been visted by the in-laws. Believe it or not it was a very good trip. It was Megan's second time to see them and of course Peter and Benjamin's first. We saw EVERY flea market in Tennessee but it was fun. THey were very nice to have around and very helpful. I think by the day they left we were all ready to say goodbye. THe kids had done enough stretching and I think they did very well for having complete strangers in their space for so long.

I hate to admit this but I do wish they were a little closer so that we could see them a little more. I think the kids could benefit in some ways. Gary loved the kids and was terrific with them.

Overall I would rate the trip and "A"

Still so Thankful!!

I promised to make this Blog a little shorter. We have now been home a week. What a blessing. The week has been wonderful. Yes emotions were on high gear during the week. Those wonderful Post Partum emotions. The weekend they have tapered off I think because Caleb has been home more and we have been able to be together all weekend. he has been such a help to me and so when he has been gone ( even to the mail box) I have wanted him back. I guess that is good. People have been so wonderful to bring meals and needless to say I have been pampered by those who care for me most. Thank you to everyone who was a part of helping us out with visits and food for our first week home. Thank God for Friends!!!

I am now sitting at the computer and have completed 2 blogs.. Benjamin is eating, Peter is sleeping and Caleb and Megan are at the grocery store. I am so thankful I did not have to go.

Like I have said before never underestimate the power of another child. Just because you have a girl and boy and have met your quota.... I have found out there is nothing like adding to your family another life. Am I ready to do it again.... yes... one day... but I think I might try to wait.... just a little.

So Thankful!!

Welcome to the world little one!! May 9th was such a wonderful day! Let's just say it was the day that I had been waiting 9 months for. I will start off by saying that anyone who says that 2 children is enough has not had 3 or 4. What a blessing they are missing. The day started out very quiet. I headed to work as usual feeling a little different than the norm. I told Caleb to stay by his phone and that who knows I might be calling him. Needless to say at 7:15 I walked into school ( work) and the halls were very quiet. I was early so hardly anyone was there and BINGO my water broke. I had to get a schedule done for the Pediatric clinical site and the lady taking over for me. I had to give a test, I had a lot to do much luckily I was prepared and it was all ready but the revised schedule. I quickly sat down and revised the schedule not telling anyone what was going on because I knew they would shew me off to the hospital. Needless to say, the schedule did not take long to complete. I had everything ready on my desk for my substitute and off I went. I called Caleb and from there we both headed for the hospital. I was so glad to see this day.

I arrived at the hospital and they made me a direct admit into L&D and from there I was admitted for Labor. Caleb had to wait on Amy to come take care of the kids and then he arrived about 9:00. We had such a great time just he and I. I never new the peace that would fill the room. I was visited by many old friends that I had worked with and Caleb and I had time to just sit and talk, laugh, reminicse, and rest. It was such a blessing. We had such a sense of family beginning for the first time. To so many it sounds crazy, but he was able to care for me and coach me through labor like he and I had really always wanted. It was just nice... very much a bonding time. This baby was trully sent from God to bond us to each other. We needed this time together.

11:00, 12:00 came and went. ( those were the bets for the time of birth) at 1:00 I new it was time to push and so I just knew it would go fast but this little buger was turned side ways so ONCE AGAIN I had to work for him. At 2:05 here he was little Benjamin what a miracle. Dr. Mckeown made perfectly clear that they were to lay him on my belly and so as soon as that was done I began rubbing him off ( as if I were back in my L&D days) making sure he would pink up and be pretty for his debut in the warmer. Caleb ran off to the warmer and began snapping pictures. Dr. Mckeown ( as strange as it sounds} began talking about what a miracle life trully is.

What a treasure!!!

Needless to say after everyone left the room Caleb and I just were in awe of God's precious gift. He had given us not only one of His very own to care for, but he had given us somethng as husband and wife we had never experienced before.

Caleb left later on to get the kids and they soon got me to my post partum room where I was able to rest. Mom and Dad came up and that was a very nice visit.

May 11th, Mother's Day we came home. What a sweet day it was. Caleb fixed dinner and we all snuggled in with this new little life. Megan the little mommy, and Peter a little scared but loving to the baby.

I am thankful for so many things...I am so overwhelmed with Joy!!