Life....

is extremely unpredictable. This past weekend Andy and I were celebrating the fact that it was two years since we found our first bed bug - and that we weren't finding them anymore! Though Daniel gave us quite a scare as he had three "bumps" that itched terrible. We feel they were mosquito bites but thoroughly check his bed and bedroom and didn't find anything and he hasn't had anymore - Praise God! It is amazing how those bugs have transformed our everyday lives, though. We don't really ever forget them and continue to check for them wherever we go. Even our home reflects the fact that we have had them as we have scaled down our belongings quite a bit. I love the newer emptier house - and often wish I could get it even emptier! But with four kids and a husband - there will be stuff! If you do not know what a bed bug is or what it looks like I highly suggest that you go online and find a picture of all five stages and signs to look for. They are everywhere - and have been in the news quite a bit lately! Even new clothing brought home from the store is not safe as several different stores have been infested with the little devils. You may inadvertently bring one home. They are now suggesting putting all new clothing into the dryer on high for at least 30 minutes. Most of our clothing comes from overseas where they don't really consider the bed bug a pest to be dealt with. Eggs can be laid on the clothing and you would never know until it was too late. You can't visibly see the eggs as they are tiny and clear. But high heat will kill them. If you are like me and don't know if you will be keeping the item (Drew outgrows clothes amazingly fast!) I put it in a large Ziploc bag until I know I am keeping it and then throw it in the dryer. If there is a bug on the item at least it will be sealed in the bag. But we are praising God everyday that we are done with them and praying even harder that we never have to deal with them again!

We were also thanking God for the fact that a dear friend had gotten news that he is still cancer free - two years! He had cancer surgery the same day we found out we were dealing with bed bugs. His wife and I commiserated together many a day as both trials threatened to suck the life out of both of us. God brought us both through our trials and we give Him the praise! Without Him we would never have survived!

This past weekend wasn't all good though as I received news that my little sister (we are 13 months apart) was diagnosed with breast cancer. Honestly, of the two of us I thought I would be the one dealing with the disease as she has always eaten healthy, ran and exercised and has just been plain healthier. We don't know the type or how far advanced it is as of yet. She has had an appointment with the surgeon and it looks as if the surgery will be November 22nd. She has to have an MRI first (Nov. 10th) and then they will know more about the cancer. They believe it to be slow growing and in the duct - I think that's the better one to have. Please pray for her and my mom (who is a bit of a mess). Pray also for my nephew as this is probably rocking his world. He's an only child and a quiet kid (12 years old). I'm praying he finds his way through this and learns to lean on God. I am also praying that this trial will draw my sister close to God as she hasn't really been walking with Him the last several years.

So life is unpredictable - but I am extremely thankful to God for His never ending love and faithfulness. Even though I don't know what the future holds - I know the One who holds the future! Praise God!

NINE months!

How did we get to this point so quickly?!?!? I really can't believe he is nine months old today! It's going way too fast!!! Before we know it he is going to be a toddler running around! I am trying to savour every baby moment!

He is getting very big! He is now sporting 5 teeth and has two more on the verge of pushing through! He is trying to move any way he can! He can get his legs back behind him like he's going to crawl - but hasn't put forward motion to it yet! He is also trying to stand up - pulling on anything that is close by - but just doesn't have the muscle strength in his legs to get up! He will be there before we know it! He isn't sleeping through the night like the others were at this point - he still wakes up around 11ish to nurse and then sleeps until 7-7:30 am. He'll get to the 12 hours like the others eventually! He is such a joy and we are incredibly blessed to have him on our family!

I use to take the other kids to SEARS every three months for their pictures. But then I was spoiled by Carisa's wonderful picture taking skills - and SEARS seems second rate now! We are getting family photos done this Friday - but I still wanted to get some pictures of him on his nine month birthday - so here is my attempt!

A Guest

Yesterday we had a guest in our house.This is Ladybug (not her real name, obviously!). She is a coworkers daughter and they had a scheduling conflict - so we got the privilege of watching her for a few hours! It was so much fun! The boys were extremely excited to have her over! She is nine months older than Drew. It was fun to watch the two of them interact together as they don't really see each other that much. Drew was really watching her crawl around - I am afraid he was getting far too many pointers! He was also watching how she pulls herself up - again - too many pointers. This morning he was really trying to pull himself up and when he sits on my lap - he tries to stand!!!!! UGH!!! He's going to be up and running before I know it!

Ladybug and Drew got along well - until Drew tried to horn in on Ladybug's snack! It was pretty fun to watch - she handled it really well and let him have a few of her crackers - he is big time into eating real food - though he still makes TONS of faces whenever introduced to something new - you would think he hated the new food - but he often likes it and will eat more.

Ladybug is a true joy! She is really funny and SUCH a girl! She has two older brothers and it is hysterical to watch this family with a little girl! It's going to be so much fun seeing them all grow up! Thanks for letting me watch your precious girl!

The Zoo!

No, I am not talking about my house - though it often resembles a zoo! Today we went to the Philadelphia Zoo! My mom, Bruce (my step-dad) and all of us went for the day to see the Lego display. They were AMAZING! It was great weather and as an extra it was also Boo at the Zoo. There were several different stations that the kids could trick-or-treat and receive a little gift or candy. They even let some of us adults get some of the treats!!! The Lego's all centered around animals (of course!). I am amazed at some of the things you can get a few (well - quite a few!) Lego's to look like. They also gave away little cards about each of the Lego animals represented and told us how many Lego's it took to build each piece. My favorites were the penguins and the snake. It took 3000 to build each penguin and 6500 Lego's just to build the snake!!!! The biggest one they had was one of a polar bear - but that one is hollow. It still took 95,000 of bricks to create it due to it's size. It was a lot of fun and I hope to get back there one more time before they go - but they are only on display until October 31st. We'll try! Here are some pictures of our fun day!
One very tired baby! But he was great the entire day! Like his new hat? I LOVE IT!!

Look at my little stinker!

Yes, he is a little stinker! NONE of my other children even attempted crawling until well past 10 months. He is only 8 months and is attempting to do it! I fear my days of a doorstop baby are just about nearing the end! But he is SO stinkin' CUTE! I can't stand it sometimes!

My girl!

This past Sunday I had the privilege and blessing of witnessing my daughter get baptized by her dad and PopPop John! She has been asking to be baptized for a couple years now, but that also means having family over for lunch afterwards. Well, first we were invaded by the dreadful bed bugs, then our house was a DISASTER afterwards for several months, then I was pregnant and had a baby! So, life was a little crazy there for a while. We finally had a date that we could all work with and Sarah was THRILLED to finally be able to take that step in her profession of faith in Jesus Christ! I am glad we waited as I believe it really meant more to her now than it would have when she was 8 or 9. She has matured and grown in her faith and I believe that she understands more fully what this step means. I am proud of the young lady she is becoming and it brought tears to my eyes to witness her walking in her faith. I keep praying that she will cling to Christ all her days.It was also an honor to have her PopPop John participate in the baptism. PopPop helped baptize Matt five years ago and Sarah wanted him there for her too. He has been a tremendous influence on their lives and encourages them to continue in their walk. More than the words are the prayers that both he and Grammy put up for them. I am glad they have such God-fearing grandparents! I am so blessed to have others praying for my children! Please continue to pray that Sarah would continue on her walk with the Lord.

Ocean City, NJ 2010

This has been our week of vacation. At first we didn't think we were going to be able to come to the ocean this year as my parents usually rent the house and invite us along. But both have switched jobs this year and are trying to be "good" and decided not to rent a house this year - which we were totally fine with. But as our week started approaching we realized just how much we really enjoy our week at the beach. So I went on the internet and searched for a house that had enough room that we could afford. I had several on a list and then called the realtor in charge of renting. I asked if the owner of the first house on my list would take a lower price than they actually wanted for this week. This house hadn't been rented the last three weeks. The owner agreed to the lower price and we got a great deal! The house is nice, comfortable, plenty of room, GREAT front porch and a close walk to the beach. Best of all we've been having a great week together as a family. Here is our week in pictures.

Day One:

We arrived around 2 pm - the earliest we could get into the house. My parents joined us for the weekend.

Day Two:

This was our rainy day - which was still great! We played games, relaxed, napped, and just chilled!

Day Three:

Our day alone. We relaxed, went to the beach, and hit the boards. I have been reading up a storm!!! Trying to fit in all the reading I can as I can't seem to find a ton of time while I'm at home!Daniel LOVES the beach - has since he was just an infant. He is a true beach baby!Matt is out in the ocean - he's the one on the far right. He has really become quite a fish!! Drew doesn't care too much for the beach right now! He just SAW the water and started to fuss. Here he is lifting his feet as high as he can so he doesn't have to touch it! We'll keep trying!Sarah LOVES the ocean as well! Hard to believe this girl screamed her head off if we even went NEAR the sand when she was two years old!! Glad that didn't last long!

Day Four:

Andy's parents came down for few days! It was so much fun getting to relax with them and actually spend some quality time. We are usually running up for something and haven't really spent time with them this year. We discovered that Drew had acquired two new teeth! His fangs have come in before the two top center ones! Matt and Sarah did the same thing! Daniel was my only "normal" teether!

Day Five:

Gorgeous beach day! Drew doesn't think too much of the beach - though I did get him to play in the sand for a few minutes and actually sit in the water for a few - before he totally lost it and decided it was not for him!

Day Six:
Andy, his parents and the kids take a surry ride in the am. They have a great time! I have been hanging back at the house while Drew takes his morning nap - SUCH a sacrifice!!! It's windy today and we decide to not do the beach.

It's been a great - RELAXING - vacation! I have loved the quiet and all the reading I am doing. I have enjoyed just spending time with the kids and not the pressure and stress of everyday life! I hate to see it end but thank God for allowing us this special blessing!