Random Thoughts

• I'm having a hard time consistently blogging lately. Partly because my laptop is very sick with a virus and may not recover at all; therefore, I have to use someone else's computer. My laptop is not even a year old- hopefully we'll be able to look at it this week. I sure do miss it.
• I am now 25 weeks along- 15 weeks to go.
• My blood pressure is doing great- 127/71 the last time I took it. I have a dr. appointment in the morning, so prayerfully, it will still be low. I will ask about another ultrasound, but I am not sure if I'll get another, which means we may be surprised in July. Part of me thinks that would be great, but another part of me wants to find out NOW.
• Paul bought a new truck. A nice, big truck that seats 5. It is in great condition. He is LOVING it and I am loving the fact that I have my car all the time now. It is so nice to have a third vehicle with Paul and Zack working so much now.
• Paul, Jr. has been working at Walmart the past few weeks and the movie theatre and going to school. He's been very busy, but very thankful for the work. Zack is working at the movie theater and doing his lawn care business every day.
  
• The cherry blossoms are in full bloom here now and are breathtaking. Every year I am amazed by their beauty.
• We are having a Seder meal at our church this coming Tuesday to celebrate Passover. We've never been and are looking forward to it.
• Sam turns 5 in a week and a half. I can hardly believe it.
• My little brother turns 40 at the end of this week- can hardly believe that either.
• My parents are coming for a visit next week- yay! We are all excited.
• Our dryer has been out for a week and it will be the end of this week before the new part comes in. Thankfully the weather has been nice a few days and the girls have been hanging all our clothes out. BUt we are so behind! One of my friends gave me a key to her house and told me to go over whenever and use her dryer (bless her heart!), so between that and hanging clothes out, we hope to get caught up this week.
• Life is good. God is good. We are so blessed.
  

Ellie's 11th Birthday

Ellie turned 11 today-amazing. I can't believe that she is already that old. She was the baby for so long that it is hard for me to think of her growing up. Anna made her a delicious red velvet cake-her request.

She had a nice party tonight with all the nearby family and received lots of clothes and money, plus a date with mom clothes shopping.

She and I went out to lunch and to see Alice In Wonderland and had a great time. Happy birthday Ellie- I Love you!

Pictures

Zack's Senior Picture. He graduates in May. What happens when you ask a 20 year old son to babysit his 2 year old brother and the 20 year old decides to take a shower. The 2 year old got hungry, got in the fridge and got out leftover rice and ate it cold and made a huge mess. Guess who cleaned up?

Ben helped set the table and was so proud of himself.

He did a good job, even if we did have 2 spoons and 3 forks each.

You Never Know

I have really enjoyed Facebook. I love getting back in contact with old friends from years gone by. But it has been somewhat disheartening to realize so many of them have given up on living for God. It always encourages me and blesses me when I find an old friend who still loves Jesus and lives like it.

The past day or two, I have come back into contact with some friends I have not seen in well over 10 years. Not only have I not seen them, I had not heard from them or of them in that long either. It is a mother and a daughter who were in our church in Florida. The daughter was maybe between the ages of 8 and 12 when I knew her. She was in my Sunday School class for a while, and I remember her coming over the house several times. I don't really remember spending any "quality" time with her, or anything out of the ordinary.

Today on Facebook, her status said something about her church and the message the pastor gave and how much she enjoyed it. I commented that I was thrilled to hear not only that she was still in church, but that she was living for God.

This is what she wrote back and what I read with tears in my eyes.

"Thank you, Elizabeth! It's so amazing to be back in touch with you again, You have no clue how you played a role in my life, especially my developement in the wonderful Word of God. You're Daddy said the Salvation prayer with me at the young age of 8 and Baptized me. I'll always remember what a wonderful family you all were and are. You are the one that taught me to pray for my husband long ago, For his safety, salvation and all of that, I did and am very blessed because of that. So thanks a billion! You were my inspiration in alot of areas, Mommy, Christian and Wife. You are a blessing to me and i'm sure to all you know and have touched in the years passed and present."

Wow. I was speechless. I had no idea.

She was just a little girl in my life. I had no idea she was paying so close attention to how I was living or what I was saying.

It's not me. It wasn't me. It's all God. I know myself and this is all God. How grateful I am that He chose to work through me in this little girl's life in spite of myself.

The Ultrasound

I had my 20 week ultrasound scheduled for yesterday morning at 8:30am. We were looking forward to seeing the baby and to also find out if it was a boy or a girl. We arrived at the hospital (where the ultrasound was taking place) and sat down to wait. I had registered downstairs and the receptionist assured me that my paperwork would be sent up to the ultrasound tech's office.

We sat down around 8:45. A couple had come in a few minutes before, and within 5 minutes, they were called back. The baby was moving around quite a bit at this time, which made me happy, because it gives a greater chance of seeing what it is. The other couple came out, and I assumed it would only be a few minutes before I was called.

An hour passed. I was getting antsy, but I had spoken to the nurse and she didn't seem to think I had waited too long. About 10, another couple came in for an ultrasound. 30 minutes later, the tech came out. I started gathering my things, and she called the other couple. What???

I told her we had been waiting since 8:30, an hour and a half by this point. She seemed confused that there was someone else for an ultrasound and told me she did not have my paperwork. ARGHHHHH She said she'd check on it and took the other couple back. I went into where the nurse was and told her the problem and she rolled her eyes, which made me realize that this happens more often than it should.

10 minutes later, the other couple came out. We sat and waited. And waited. And waited. Finally, about 11, she came out and called my name. 2 and 1/2 hours later.

We followed her back to a little room. As I looked around, I realized one thing. I would not be able to see the screen from where I was laying. That disappointed me greatly. I got ready and lay down and she told us she would take her measurements and then turn the screen so I could see. Ok, I felt a bit better. I asked her if she would try and see if it was a boy or girl. She said she would.

She only took a few minutes to do her measurements and then turned the screen around for maybe a minute or two and showed us the baby's head, stomach, feet, etc. But, she said there was no way to tell what it was because it was laying the wrong way and was apparently sleeping. We were disappointed.

She did tell us everything looked fine, which we were thrilled about. We finally left the hospital at 11:30, happy that the baby looked great and disappointed not to find out what it was and frustrated that we had to wait so long due to an error.

I've had numerous ultrasounds in my life- probably near 50, if not more. I have NEVER lay there, not being able to see the screen. I told Paul it was like a cruel joke. If I have another ultrasound this pregnancy (which I probably will), I pray it's not in that room!

Sam's Butterfly

Sam attended our homeschool coop on Friday and was so excited with his classes. He came running up to me with his notebook and said very excitedly and loudly, "MOM! Come LOOK! I have a picture of a demonic butterfly in my notebook!"

What??? I glanced at the picture. It was a butterfly alright; however, it was not demonic, it was a Monarch butterfly.

Oh the joys of having a 4 year old. I will be a bit sad when he turns 5 next month.

Random Stuff

• The big ultrasound is scheduled for Wednesday morning at 8:30. So, we may know in a few days if we're having our fifth son or our third daughter, depending on how cooperative the baby is.
• The laundry is out of control. Again.
• Paul and most of the big kids attended a campmeeting revival type services this week. They went just about every morning and evening and loved it. I went a few times- it was very enjoyable and very uplifting.
• We had our first co-op meeting of the new semester on Friday. It went great and everyone had a great time.
• Zack and Paul finally landed jobs at the movie theatre. They've been looking for a job for a few months now. Paul also has an interview at Walmart this week.
• They are each also trying to decide what to do this Fall. They would love to attend a Bible College, but have to find the money to do so.
• I have been feeling so-so. The bp meds I'm on cause me to feel woozy and weak alot of the time. It's hard for me at times to even go grocery shopping. I've also developed a hacking cough which I've had for 2 weeks now. Plus, I'm having alot of the aches and pains associated with pregnancy, already. Being pregnant at 43 is a whole different story than being pregnant at 23!
• I'm 22 weeks on Monday. 18 weeks to go. Woo-hoo- over half way!
• Good Night.
  

Doctor's Appointment

• My blood pressure was great- YAY
• 130/80
• The baby was moving so much it was hard to hear the heartbeat
• But it was strong and fast!
• I am awaiting a phone call to schedule the ultrasound for "The Big Reveal"
• I don't have to go back for a month- YAY

I love it when I have a good appointment! Thank you God!