Things people ask you when you announce you're pregnant

I should say, "Things people ask you when you announce you're pregnant with your fourth."  I am pretty sure no one asked me these things when we announced we were pregnant with our first.

1.  "Do you know what causes that?"  or sometimes, "You do know what causes that, right?"
Is there a right answer to this question??  Um, obviously we do.  Should I say, "I like what causes it," or better, "No, what?"  This question irritates me.

2.  "Was this planned?"
Well, first, I'm not sure how this is anyone's business, nor do I see how it matters whether or not it was planned.  The fact remains I am pregnant so does it really matter if it was a surprise or not?

3.  "Is this your last?"
I'll just answer this now.  Yes.  Yes.  Yes.  Unless we change our minds.  Or adopt.  So maybe, or maybe not.

4.  "Are you guys crazy?"  This is always said in a voice that suggests only totally crazy weirdos would ever dare to have four kids.
Well, I don't think we are crazy.  There are four kids in my family, Jason's mom is one of four, so it seems clear, we aren't the only ones to ever have four kids.  And, my kids are pretty great, so it isn't as if my kids have been a deterrent to having more kids.

5.  "How does Jason feel about this?"
I like how this question implies I somehow "tricked" him into getting me pregnant.  Jason is excited and so am I.  It may not have been in our exact timing (after all, I was trying to train for a half marathon), but we are still excited!

I don't know how other pregnant moms feel, but in my opinion there are better questions to ask.

Here are a few.

"How are you feeling?"
"When are you due?"
"What do you think you're having?"
"Will you find out what you are having?"
"Any weird cravings yet?"

Those all seem like perfectly reasonable questions to ask.  But like I said, that is just my opinion.

And in case you are wondering, I am 8 weeks, due in the very beginning of February, feeling pretty miserable, thinking it is a boy, for sure finding out, and not craving anything!  Happy Friday!

Randomness

My life is pretty scattered right now.  It is no surprise my blog is the same.  Here is some of our randomness.

1.  Funny things the girls have said lately.....

Isabelle:  Dad, here be sure to take my picture of the hobo stick.  (pogo stick)

Molly:  Mom, Grammy called this (talking about dinner) supper.
Me:  Some people call dinner, supper.
Molly:  I'll just call it spaghetti. (looking at me like I'm nuts)

During a discussion about lightning and why it is dangerous to play in the rain if there is lightning.
Isabelle:  How can lightning hit you if it doesn't have any arms or hands?
(after trying to explain about electricity)
Isabelle:  I know a lot about electricity.  (long pause)  I know a lot about everything.

2.  Our summer bucket list is proving that once again, nothing gets done around here without a list.  So far we have made sidewalk chalk, gone on a boat ride, set up the backyard pool, played in the sprinkler, gone swimming at Grammy's and gotten snow cones.  I put pick berries on the list by total accident.  We will NOT be picking berries this year.  It is hot, it is far away, and while the berries are good, I can get them much cheaper from the grocery store after you figure in gas from my house to the berry farm!

3.  Lawson started saying, "mama" yesterday.  I don't think he is referring to me, but at least he is making the sounds!  And on a somewhat related note, both, occupational and speech therapy are going very well.

4.  I've posted a couple of things about modesty, specifically bikinis, on facebook recently.  I love how none of the moms/dads/teens that post bikini picks have commented on my links/statuses.  I still don't understand how anyone thinks skimpy bikinis are appropriate much less that it is okay to post pictures on the internet (where any weirdo can see them)!

5.  We are seriously considering selling our house.  What I can't get my brain around is how I would ever keep my house "show ready" with three kids.  And it's not like you can stuff everything in a closet, because, people LOOK IN THE CLOSETS.  Tell me, how do people with kids ever sell their house?

6.  Saturday is going to be such a fun day!  We are headed to OKC to visit Jason's aunt who we haven't seen since I was pregnant with Lawson.  And if that wasn't exciting enough, we will also get to see some friends who just moved back to OK from Michigan.  It is going to be a great day full of family and friends!

What have you been up to?

Update on 2013 Goals

I think it is important to look over my goals once in awhile to make sure I stay on track. Here's how I'm doing so far this year.

First, lose weight.

Well, I certainly have lost weight since January but right now I'm in a bit of a slump. I am running, have completed two 5k's and one 10k and plan to complete a 15k and a half marathon in the fall.  Whether or not I lose more weight, I am for sure healthier and in better shape than I was in January.  And 15lbs weight loss is nothing to be ashamed of!

Second, complete three days of school a week with the girls.

I didn't start off strong in this area but currently Isabelle and I are doing five days of school a week.  I realized that while Isabelle has a strong desire to learn, Molly does not.  Molly is about movement.  So, for now, the focus is on Isabelle.  Molly does some of the work with us like Bible and art and some science, but I am not forcing her to do anything at this point.

The next goal was a monthly character trait!

Hahaha!  I wish!  The fact of the matter is, we are working on about a million things each day.  The girls are always being taught about being obedient and sharing, and being kind and telling the truth.  Picking one a month seemed silly after a bit.  We have a weekly memory verse and that is about all I am going to commit to at this point.  Maybe it will be easier when they are older.

My goal to earn money to buy a camera is also laughable at this point.  If I earn money, it is not going to a camera!  It is going to bills, bills and more bills!  I am not complaining, but this year has been the year of medical bills for our family and we would like to get those suckers paid off.

My next goal was to learn to care more about what God thinks than what others think.

This is a work in progress at this point.  It honestly may be something that I have to work on for awhile.

Second to last goal was to read more.

I have for sure accomplished this goal!  I have read some pretty amazing books so far this year.  Among them, Kisses from Katie, The Hiding Place, and Evidence Not Seen.  All must reads in my opinion.  I have read some fiction also, but nothing mind blowing!  In total, I have read 13 books so far this year!

My last goal was to stop being so hard on myself.

I think that running is helping me a lot in this area.  Things I never thought I could do, like run 10 miles, I am doing.  Having some extra confidence is sure nice!  And while parenting is still the area where I am the hardest on myself, I am trying to give myself some grace when I feel like the worst mom ever.

So, there you go.  How are you doing on your goals?  Remember, that rereading and measuring your goals is one of the best ways to ensure they happen!

Pictures from Our Trip Part Two

Here are a few more pictures from our trip to the lake.  

Lawson wanted to drive the boat!

Captain Lawson

Molly at Ha Ha Tonka

Trying to get a group picture is near impossible

Look!  The girls are getting along and smiling!  

This is what it looks like when Molly and Isabelle go fishing.

Jason caught quite a few fish while we were there.  This was not the largest but I think it was the first!

Again, group pics aren't always super easy, but this was the best of the trip!

I love my family and I love having time to get away together and do family things.

pics from our trip, part one

these are just a few of the pictures we took while on our "vacation" to the lake over memorial day!  

moll loves sleeping on the boat

my girls on our last boat ride

lawson sporting his new hat and swimming trunks

fun at ha ha tonka state park

isabelle and dad fishing together

i think she looks about 16 here  

despite the fact that the water was freezing, both girls swam

j is a great dad to be in that water with them

my kids love the lake.  it is hard driving there and back as they aren't great travelers, but to hear them giggle and see them high five each other when we get there makes it worth it (mostly).  we fit a lot into this trip so i will have some more pics tomorrow!

A Few Things About Laws

Lots of exciting things have been happening with my little man.  I thought it was time for an update.

First, Lawson is now a walker.  I know, it only took 16 months, but still.  The day we celebrated my birthday with family, he decided to stand up and start walking.  He still crawls a little, but mostly he is walking.  Pretty exciting stuff!

Next, he got his first tooth.  And now his second, third and fourth are all trying to make an appearance at the same time.  He is beyond cranky, having a hard time sleeping, has a constant runny nose and is producing nice and disgusting diapers.  All hallmarks of teething for my kiddos.  Fun times.

Also, he is climbing up into things.  He started climbing up on the ottoman in the living room, but quickly progressed to the rocking chair in his room.  I tried to get a good pic, but he wouldn't stop rocking!  He was quite proud of himself.

Another change coming our way is speech therapy.  Lawson isn't much of a talker.  I have been a little concerned with his speech so I took him for an evaluation today.  We will start sometime this week or next and I am looking forward to it.  I think (as do the therapists) that a large part of the problem is from when he had fluid in his ears and wasn't hearing all that well.

Lastly, for today, Lawson is finally big enough for his car seat that we bought back when he turned one.  My girls both hit the weight limit on the infant car seat right at their first birthday, so we assumed Lawson would also.  Not the case.  But, we have been working very hard to get him to put on some weight and I am proud to report that he is over 20 lbs now and if my scale is correct, close to 22 lbs.   We still have some work to do but he is making progress and I am happy.

I love my sweet little guy.   

Summer Bucket List

I made a summer bucket list last year and while we didn't get to everything I had hoped, having a list helped me with ideas when the days were long and hot and the kids wanted something fun to do.  Because I seem to operate better with a list, I thought I would do one again this year.  Many items will be the same, because, let's face it, they are easy, fun and cheap.  But a couple are new to this year!

Make playdoh

Get snow cones
Make sidewalk paint
Get ice cream from ice cream man
Take a boat ride
Go to splash pad 

Go on a picnic
Swimming at grandmas
Have a cookout
Pick berries
Zoo

Make bubbles

Go visit Dad at work for lunch

Have a playdate with friends
Play in sprinkler
Set up pool in backyard
Watch fireworks

Make an art project for Dad

Movie night at home with snacks

Have a water balloon fight
Make ice cream in a bag

Attend story time at the library
Make edible finger paints
Go to Top That Pizza (girls LOVE this place)
Visit the Jenks Aquarium
Fly kites
Make lollipops

Go on a nature scavenger hunt
Create own tshirts
Make bathtub paints
Play board games

Make fluffy stuff
Catch fireflies

Have a root beer float

Eat rice krispy treats

While I really hate summer here in OK because of the heat, I do look forward to making memories with my kiddos during this time of year! What items are on your summer bucket list?  Did I forget anything important?