August Fields

here we go! baby #6

i’ve written this post a hundred times in my head….but i couldn’t get my head off the pillow!
we’re having a baby!!
fatigue is my most prominent pregnancy symptom….that and, as you can see, general 
growth in the belly area.  oh…this is nothing.  
16 weeks
i am hoping to post about this pregnancy as it progresses.  but this is the real deal people….if your’re looking for inspirational exercises and tips on how to keep your legs thin and only gain 15 pounds right in your tummy….well….that’s just not going to happen! 🙂 🙂  
when i’m pregnant….i. am. very. gain 50 pounds. pregnant.  
the whole family is SUPER EXCITED!!  we’re hoping to find out if we’re having a little boy or a little girl very soon.
we were going to take progress pictures every sunday because that was the only day i was all dressed up.  it only lasted two weeks.  here are those pics.  
9 weeks.
10 weeks

my first 12 weeks were the most nauseating of all my pregnancies.  i felt very sick and actually was sick a few times…i would get SLAMMED with fatigue.  at a moments notice right THEN i had to lay down.  
i’m feeling really good now….minus the sinus headaches (i’m using my neti pot and its helping!).  i still havn’t started contracting, which is soooo great for me!  i always start contracting (braxton hicks) around 15 weeks.  
i make sure to lay down for at least 20 minutes every day and that helps a lot.  i don’t really ‘sleep’ because i need to stay where the action is…..but i can drift in and out pretty easily 🙂
that’s about it for now.  i’m so happy to finally be sharing this news!  

preparing for lent…..get your garbage bags out!

its that time of year.  tomorrow is ash wednesday and the following 40 days can be used to prepare our hearts for the emotional ride of mourning the death of Jesus Christ……then the overwhelming celebration of

 HIS RESURRECTION!!

please join me again this year in participating in  40 BAGS in 40 DAYS.   
you can read all about how it works  HERE.
i have already started with a makeup drawer, my closet and my jewelry.
two books i’m currently reading 
this is a study of the heidelberg catechism in a most rewarding way.  i actually like it!  it goes beyond rote memorization (that many of us know this by) and fully explains the beauty behind the questions and answers that help unpack the layers of christianity.

the other book is ‘Now, That’s a Good Question’  by RC Sproul.

i can’t put this book away on our office shelf because i keep referring to it!  lots and lots of good insight on frequently asked questions about life and faith.

my journaling has also become a bit more consistent along with reading through the Bible.

during my quiet time i use:

a NIV study Bible and a plain lined leather bound journal.

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on a total side note…thank you for the kind emails of concern regarding my lack of posting.  i can assure all is fine on the homefront 🙂

the reasons for minimal posts are purely personal and *ahem* somewhat exciting!  i’ll fill you in soon 🙂

a glittery 9th birthday.

happy 9th birthday to my sweet little girl.  
keeping with tradition at least 3 themes were chosen by my creative little one.
this year:  1. glittery  2. princess  3. colorful

you got it.  ðŸ™‚  
the pantry door was properly adorned. 
glittery favor boxes for the girls from hobby lobby.  

glittery paper circles hanging from the chandelier and the easiest decor ever…balloons.  
when there is time for nothing else……go get some balloons.  

 i love that one of her top gift requests was a belle dress.  
 her other favorite gift?  a new camera.  endless pictures like the ones below being captured. 

happy birthday to my beautiful daughter.   🙂

christmas 2011.

christmas was wonderful!  we lacked any snow on the ground (which was unusual) yet loading and unloading the car and carrying stuff inside without worry of anyone slipping was sure nice. 🙂

i continued the tradition of matching pajamas for the kids this year.  they opened them on christmas eve.  the iron on letters are from hobby lobby, the tshirts were $3! at the hanna andersson outlet this past summer and the bottoms are from children’s place.

little dubs especially got a kick out of saying “i’m number 5!” 🙂

someone asked me about how to handle simplicity of gifts when it comes to extended family.  my answer to that is…..i let grandparents do what they want.  i figure when i’m a grandparent i’ll want to do it my way, and if they want to purchase gifts for my kids and watch the excitement i’m good with it.

its a blessing that all of our parents are still with us and the kids can add memories of christmas with them to their hearts.

this was THE cutest / craziest / best photo op moment of the day……  american girl bonanza!  my adorable nieces along with my girls, all expressed their delight and surprise carrying much emotion….

nana was toppled with hugs and ‘thank yous’…..

oh yes we did.  boone’s ‘want’ this year was a red ryder bb.  there have already been walks out to the woods and target shooting with daddy.  i’m pretty sure the two of them were shooting of the back deck the other day… 🙂

we went to our church christmas morning, and spent the weekend with our families.  
i always enjoy the unrushed days of conversation, visiting and making memories with our family.