The Company Christmas Party

We went to Nate's first company Christmas party on Saturday... it was interesting to say the least. I am not sure what I expected, but we had a good time being together without the kids. Nate's mom watched them for us and took some pictures while we were gone. Of course Max got sick or started to show signs of being sick while we were gone and we got a big snow storm. Here are a few pictures from the weekend...

Nate and I before the party

The kids

Sick Maxwell w/ sissy

Nate getting ready to shovel some snow

I'm MAD at you!

The other night oh... about the middle of last week, it had been a very long day and my husband had already worked 3 very long days and wasn't home yet so needless to say I had about half a nerve left and all 4 kids were on it. I was screaming and yelling because Caedy had pinched her finger very badly it was bleeding all over, Max was screaming because he was tired and hungry, and no one could seem to help me get anything for Caedence's finger. So finally Parker was looking for something and not going at the pace I felt needed in the heat of it all, and I yelled at him to get out of the way, he got mad and went to his room. EVENTUALLY I got Caedy quite enough to be able to get Max a bottle, take off my pants,(somewhere in there Caedy had wet her diaper for the last time and while sitting my lap it had soaked through her clothes and mine), sat down to feed him, of course the door bell rang (me w/ no pants and a baby in hand sleeping) I had the kids peek out to see who it was and luckily it was just the neighbor bringing back a borrowed tool. After all the excitement was over and things were calm... my five year old comes out of his room looking like this....

He told me he was mad at me for yelling at him! I hope this isn't how he views me (especially the mustache part)! Thank goodness for comic relief!

Just like an Everingham

It finally happened Max's first tooth broke through.. I've been waiting and waiting. He is almost 8 months and I knew it had to be soon. I almost didn't notice it though because in true Everingham fashion even at 8 months old my kid had to do it different then all the other babies. He is getting a top tooth first. I know its possible to go that way and just because the majority of kids get their bottom teeth first doesn't mean its the only way, but seriously he's been such a good baby and pretty textbook that I guess he had to do something different.

Home Alone....

Well its been over 48 hours since Nate left to go to the National Missionary Convention in Ohio with his brothers. He's been having a good time as far as I can tell and its awesome that he gets to spend some quality time with Ron and Randy, but you know what that means... it means I get to be home alone with the kids. They have actually been ok a little nitpicking at each other, but that's pretty normal. I hadn't prepared myself very well for this trip. Usually it takes at least a week of me reminding myself to line up some help and find ways to get away from the kids for a few hours, but this time all of the sudden it was here, and he was off. His Mom had taken vacation to be with Ron while he was home so she has been of some help, but I have to share her with my other sister-in-law too which is fine, but something I am not use to doing so its been a little bit of adjustment to not be able to have her whenever I want. It would be great if Carly and I lived closer together so we could help each other out more often, but for now that isn't an option.
So here it is Saturday afternoon. The littlest kids are napping and Hannah and I are watching Scooby Doo, while Parker is off to see the Argos Dragons and their first scrimmage of the season with Grandma. I'm sure we will make it through until Monday morning, but let me tell ya...I am SO thankful I am not a single Mom. I don't know how they do it. I do know I need a break though. I planted this idea in the head of my Sister-in-law in AZ (aka Ron's wife) that when the boys get done doing what they do that we 3 girls need to meet somewhere between there and here and have a little weekend getaway of our own.
Also, having this time to myself makes me always realize how much I do love my husband. Its kinda like that song by Chicago "Everybody needs a little time away...I heard ya say, from each other. Even lovers need a holiday far away from the ones that they love"... Its so true we all need some time away to really appreciate what we have, although I do wish it was me getting to go away a little more often I am glad that we can have these times to gain perspective again and appreciate what we have and be grateful of what we've been blessed with. So here's to another day..."I think I can I think I can"!

Exhaustion...

Its been 7 months, 2 weeks and 4 days exactly since my son was born. I was pregnant for 9 months before that...and 6 of them were extremely uncomfortable enough that I got up at least once, but more like twice a night. So added up I have not gotten a full nights sleep for 13 months 2 weeks and 4 days!! And to top it all off I am getting up more now with my son then I was when he came home from the hospital. Uggggh. I'm so tired I can't see strait!!

The Halloween Thing

So many people have asked me "What are your kids gonna be for Halloween?", or "Where are you taking the kids trick or treating at?" . Well due to not wanting to hurt peoples feelings and by all means not wanting people to think I am judging them this is my non-confrontational way of answering people's questions at least the ones that read my blog.
Its a church thing... Halloween originally is the celebration of when the veils between worlds are at their thinnest and spirits of the dead could pass between our world and theirs. People traditionally dressed up to scare the spirits away because it is said that the spirits of the dead were coming back to posses the living.
It is also said that the jack-o-lantern is a light to keep the spirit of an Irishman named Jack away, he fooled the Devil and made him mad so when he died the Devil turned him away from hell and he was so mean that he was turned away from Heaven as well. Upon leaving hell the Devil threw him a lump of burning coal so he could see. People use to put lumps of burning coal in turnips and placed them on their porches in hopes that when Jack came back he would take the light instead of bothering them. Americans have adapted this tradition and use pumpkins instead of turnips.
So there is a little Halloween history for you, and some explanation. If know me at all you know I believe in God and because of this I am not naive to evil which is why I choose not to celebrate it or teach my children to celebrate it. I have been up in the air about letting them go trick-or-treating because I know they will want to and "all their friends will be doing it", but for now I'm saying no, until they are able to fully understand why and stand firm in their beliefs, and I believe that it all starts at home. Children led by example, and I want my children to be strong leaders of their faith. Trust me it'd be a whole lot easier to say yes, and I have in the past I even went trick-or treating as a kid, and I am not condemning people that go or let their kids go. I just think people should be informed on what they are really celebrating.

The Evil Empire Strikes Again...

I am truly surprised that as much time as I spend at Wal-Mart I haven't had more trips to write about, that said I am sure there will be more to come. Today I took the kids shopping and since Parker had a half day I took ALL the kids shopping. It must have been "old persons day" today out in the Dunlap area ( I say this with the kindest of hearts I know someday I will be old too), but every person over 60 was out and today not unlike other days every one of them said something to me... "you've got your hands full (my personal favorite)", "are they all yours?", "wow, thats a load", I even got a new one today "are your girls twins?"and so on and so on. So besides that I went to Target to look for more of a selection of shower curtains then Wal-Mart they had nothing that excited me so I went to Wal-Mart for some storage solutions to the toys that are breeding in our home. They have what I want at the Wal-Mart 4 min from my house, but since I was on the other side of town and driving back to my side of town was sure to put the kids to sleep I thought I'd stop at the one I was near. Well after 20 minutes of holding what seemed to be the pee of the century and searching for what should have been easily found, we went to the restroom, oh yes, me the cart and 4 kids in the restroom, and then began the search again. The kids were getting cranky so I thought lets go look at some fun Christmas decor that really shouldn't be out on Oct. 23rd. We found a Santa that my MIL was telling us about, you know the kind that sings, well this one shakes its booty and sings "I like to move it, move it". Of course when you have a two year old they always pick up on the last couple of words so as my two year old is singing "move it, move it" we run into an older gentlemen who first very obviously counts my "load" and the gives me a look like "nice manners you teach your children". Shortly after this my 4yo screams "I HAVE A TATTOO, and you don't!". By now I am sure they have called child services at that Wal-mart on me so I won't be going back (with kids) anytime too soon. Well, I must get off the computer and back to my motherly duties my baby has found the cat's water bowl... oh joy!

Over half a year!

MAX IS 7 MONTHS OLD TODAY!! Over half a year as gone by with my baby! I can't believe how fast the time has gone. To get to this point in pregnancy it seems like it takes FOREVER!! He is really progressing fast too. He's been "real" crawling for about a week now, and on Friday he started pulling himself up onto his feet. He has also FINALLY started sitting up, and I didn't help he can do it all on his own! Yeah for Mom backing off for a little independence. Just two weeks ago he couldn't do any of this (except for just about crawling). I haven't gotten any pictures of him standing yet, mostly because when he is doing it I am sitting on the coach and he is trying to get me to hold him, but I will post them when I do. For now here is a picture from a couple weeks ago when he wasn't doing anything and I was praying he wouldn't fall face first off the pumpkin pallet (he did) notice to finally get a couple pictures I had to sit the pumpkin between his legs to hold him up. This is his "what the heck are these face".

Friday Morning...

Took the girls to see the Pumpkin Tree today. It was pretty cool. Wakarusa has some amazing fall decor downtown. We didn't stay long because it was pretty cold, but it is a sight to see. Plenty of photo opps if you aren't freezing!

Room for Beds

We need more room! I have just spent the morning putting together and taking apart 5 beds. 4 of them bunk beds, and let me tell ya those suckers are not easy to put together... Let me start at the beginning... about 2 years ago my Mother needed a mattress for my little brother because my step-grandpa was making him a full size bed. At that time he was sleeping on one set of bunk beds. I thought that trading her a mattress, that we did not use, would be great and then we could get my oldest son into a regular size bed instead of a toddler bed and my daughter out of the crib that we would soon need for the new baby about to be born. So it took my grandfather a little longer than expected to get the new bed made, and in the mean time Parker needed a big boy bed. So my Mother-in-law had my husbands old bunk beds in her basement if we wanted to buy a mattress. So I hauled my pregnant butt to her house loaded up one of the bunk beds and brought it home. We bought a mattress, put up the bed, gave Hannah the toddler bed and all was right with the world. However, soon Hannah was too long for the toddler bed. By this time my mother-in-law was ready to move and had my husbands bed that his brother made that she did not want. So we took it and gave it to Parker because it is rather high off the ground and gave the 1/2 of the bunk bed to Hannah...in the meantime we had baby #3. Eventually it was time for her to move out of Mom and Dad's room... here is where it gets interesting...so the other part of the bunk bed came to our house we put 1 set of bunk beds given to us by my mother-in-law up in one room for Parker and Hannah and Caedence's crib in the other room all by herself...in the meantime guess what? Baby #4 was conceived...I guess that's what we get for wanting a room all to ourselves. Sooooooooooo by now Parker has started preschool and is getting a little too inquisitive to be sleeping in the same room with his sister...we moved him out w/ 1-half of the bunk beds put the girls together the other half bed - 1 crib, and a baby crib in our room 6 months later we have a 2 year old who is too big for her crib so.... Yesterday I went to my Moms got the bunk beds that had been traded fair and square for a mattress set (that was not used as intended, but my little brother does have his own bed), and here we are today.
If you have been adding beds in the story and lost track I will fill you in we have 5 beds (2 sets of bunks and an extra) and 2 cribs....we have 3 bedrooms. Parker has a set of bunk beds for him and eventually Max and Hannah and Caedence have a set of bunk beds. I'm exhausted how bout you? It gets better though... we still have 1 bed to set up for Hannah and no bolts to do it with, ahh, yes the joy of children and all the things that go with them. We also still have 4 dressers that need places!

Here is a picture of the beds I'd like to have for our children 2 beds and storage in 1, but at this point if I never have another bed to put together or take apart it'll be too soon.

Owen and Max

This may be the only time when it is cute to see boys kissing...they'll hate me when they are older. Sorry boys, I had to!

Parker and Caedence

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!Parker and Caedy took some dancing lessons

A First

Well, as the saying goes..."boys will be boys" and I've got two. Parker was racing his bike yesterday with the neighborhood kids and crashed face first...no skid marks thank goodness its only now just been a year since he got his first stitches, but he did knock out at tooth... ugh. I'm getting queezy again just thinking about it. I'm so glad Nate was here to deal with this one. I'm not grossed out easily by blood and cuts, but man this one did me in. He was brave though, he cried a little, but took it like a man... or boy
.

A little piece of lazy!

Call me lazy, but I ordered this great new gate, the "Superyard XT", to keep Maxwell from crawling or scooting rather into the kitchen... I had the thing out of the box before the UPS man was out of the driveway. Best of all I ordered it yesterday for about 20.00 less then any place else on amazon.com, and it came today w/ standard shipping! I was so impressed! Here is a picture of it. Its actually made to go into a hexagon shape like a little playpen. I'm sure we'll use it for that too its huge!! I only had to use 3 1/2 pieces for my 8 1/2 ft opening!

Last Days of Summer

We had a long weekend Nate took Friday off for our 5 year Wedding anniversary, and ended up building a shed. However, I didn't mind because we really need one and need to get it done and the garage cleaned out before winter. It'll be so nice to be able to fit both cars in the garage without having to maneuver around junk. It also means I can have a garage sale in the spring without having to ask Nate's help in cleaning the garage out.
We also went to Travellodge (formerly the Ramada Inn) on Friday night for a little hassle free getaway. The boys ended up getting a cold, which had been brewing from the week before.
Saturday was Hannah's b-day party, which she has been very vocal about waiting on so I was glad the event was finally upon us as was she.
Sunday was kinda lazy Nate worked more on the shed, and Monday we spent the afternoon at the lake and what will most likely be our last boat for the season...although I hear its gonna be a hot one this week. Here are some pictures from the weekend that I took with my new camera that Nate got me for our anniversary.

Book for Moms

Ok so the book I was talking about in the last post is called Let Me Hold You Longer by Karen Kingsbury. I really recommend it to all new Moms, but also any Mom it'll make you tear up and it'll also make you realize whats important. Best of all its a children's book so you can read it to your kids. (The title above is a link to Barnes and Noble because you can read a sample, but you can also get it at Walmart.com for cheaper)

The BIG Yellow Baby Stealer

Be warned the big yellow baby stealer will probably get your kids sooner then you think. I pushed it away as long as I possibly could, but after a week and a half Parker decided for the official first time it was going to be a whole lot more fun to ride w/ his friends to school then with his Mom. Its like starting the first day of school over again for me. I was tearful and sad as I watched my little boy get on the school bus for the first time. There is a wonderful book for Moms that doesn't talk about the typical "first time" things. I thought about it today as I watched Parker get on the bus. I would recommend it for you if your a Mom I need to figure the name out but I will include it soon.

YES! I have my hands full

I just have to vent for a moment. I was at Blockbuster today and one of the employees yet again pointed out that I have 4 children. I am SO tired of people saying statements like "are they all yours", "Wow, you're busy" , and "Boy, you have your hands full"....Do they honestly think I don't know this information. I mean I was at all the births of my children, and yes I do stay pretty busy taking care of them and have been that way, more w/each child, for the last 5 years. This is not a new concept for me. Yet, complete strangers tell me this after only seeing me for a few seconds as if I haven't figured it out yet. I am so sick of hearing it. I don't mind when people that know me say something, but geesh some people are really gutsy! Anyhow I needed to get that off my chest. Next time you see someone in public with "their hands full" offer your help not your opinion.

Summer Heat...

My husband has been holding out on me I found this family picture on our computer ... we all look pretty sweaty(and the kids are in their p.j.s), but hey it was one of those afternoons at the lake...

School Days

Well Parker (and I) made it through the first week of school. I'm exhausted and so is he...its almost like working again! Getting up early, getting the kids ready and out the door. I've never been a morning person and apparently age hasn't changed anything for me.
As for Parker...I think he takes after me. Not an early riser! He hasn't enjoyed getting up and hasn't enjoyed being at school for so long. I really hope that his feelings change. I don't want to just assume he'll get use to it. I know he will, but I don't want him to just be going. I want him to want to be going. I know that he will be much more productive if he wants to be there.
Its still pretty surreal to drive by the school and think that I have a child that goes there. Even though I have dropped him off and picked him up the last 3 days its hard to believe. It seems like yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital, and even though I don't remember every detail of the last 5 years of his life it some how feels unfair that someone else is going to be spending so much time with my son. Its the same feelings that I had going back to work after he was born and the reason I stopped working. I'm not sure why every mother that has ever dropped off their child at school doesn't need counseling for all these emotions. Its funny because sometimes its hard to remember those "first time Mom" feelings after 4 kids, and I forget that in this case I still am a "first time Mom" ...over protective, and unsure of how to walk this new ground...

Growing Up Too Fast

Parker had his first day of school today. I was sad and happy all at the same time. He is growing up right before my eyes. I can't believe how fast the time has gone.Blake Crain and Parker
Say Cheese.....

Listening to the teacher...

America's Next Top Heavy Model

Woke up this morning feeling a little funny and realized that my chest was full of milk and Max was still sleeping and had slept all night!! Yeah!! I don't know why I know he was feeling a little congested yesterday, but I also spent the better part of yesterday morning putting his actual crib up in our room so he doesn't have to sleep in his pack-n-play anymore. He also fell asleep about 40 min after his bed time, but he has done that before and it doesn't seem to make a difference. I really hope it has nothing to do with any of that and it continues. That would be awesome, however, then I really might be America's Next Top Heavy Model...I feel like I could feed triplets right now. I hope he wakes up soon....

A little too much fun

Max was bouncing and bouncing and then all of the sudden....
No more bouncing.

A real deal!!

I went out to target today to shop for gym shoes for Parker. As usual I go up and down the aisles looking for clearance deals today I found the best one yet. I couldn't pass it up. I actually was in the market to purchase one anyhow which made it even better. I got a Graco car seat for Hannah one that is tall and then you take it apart and its just the booster seat. Regularly 49.99. I paid....are you ready for this...12.48. I think I actually shouted in excitement when I saw the price because the lady standing beside me said "12 bucks!" She and I both grabbed the last 2 up! Anyhow I know some people could careless, but when I get a good deal it makes me excited. I wish I hadn't shouted so loudly cause I would have bought the other one too and maybe sold it on eBay or given it to a friend. Oh well its very cute pink w/ butterflies. Hannah was excited too! Yeah! I wish there were more deals like that everyday!

My baby girl is 2 today!!

Caedence turned 2 today. She proudly posed for the camera in her new Dora outfit and dress up shoes!! A girl and her shoes nothin' better! Happy Birthday baby!!

The 12th Everingham

Davis Michael Everingham
Born July 20th, 2007
8:11pm
9lbs
21.5in
Davis joins his Mommy and Daddy (Jon and Carly)
and brothers Myles and Maddux.
We are excited to welcome our new nephew!

Church Friends

Over the last almost 5 years my husband and I have been going to River Oaks Community Church. We love it there and have become pretty involved. Nate plays in the worship band, which is great for giving him reason to play and sharing his God given abilities. I've been the nursery coordinator, a child care worker, taught Kindergarten, made food for the summer program Super U, been hospitality coordinator for our MOPS group, and together Nate and I are "official" leaders of a Care group. While doing these things we have made some great friends and I wouldn't trade them for anything, however, I have always longed to have some of those great relationships like I did in school. It seems as though God has decided I've waited long enough.

A few weeks ago some friends we've known for a while, Wes & Julie, Darin & Tara, decided to check out our church, it just so happened that Darin was someone Nate really hung out with a lot back in our younger days, and he was pretty excited to see him. We both were really excited to see them all, and Julie and I have been connecting a lot more these days on a mommy level , which is always great the more mommy friends the less stressed and worried we'll be, so to have her at church was awesome!

Then last week my best friend from high school, Carrie, emailed me and said she had some questions. I was intrigued, but being as she has 2 kids under 2 I figured it was also mommy related. Much to my surprise when I called her to ask what she wanted. She said she was curious to know the best way to begin looking for a church to go to, and some other random questions on how to pick one. She later emailed me and they will be trying 1 of their 3 picks this weekend!!! And even though they live 2 hours away and won't be going to church with me I am thrilled for them!

And although we haven't made much of a significant contact yet I am looking forward to reconnecting and rekindling a friendship that I thought had been lost a long time ago with Rachael another great friend from high school as well!

God always has a plan for you and your prayers, but its great when you see his works!! I am so happy for all my friends. Especially those who have just decided to make the choice to see what church and God can do for them. There are lots of great things in store for you guys I just know it! One of the best things yet to come is that we all have children around the same ages, which means we are starting their generation off right, and hopefully someday they will be able to count on having their own "church friends"!

The Christian Bubble

We had a guest speaker today at church...very good I must say I am not too into the guest speakers I kinda like to know what to expect when I go to church, but sometimes its good to shake things up a bit. So the guy that spoke today was Steve "something" I can't remember his last name, but he was from TX where he is a pastor to a mere 5,000 young adults and teens. He said something that really hit me today. He talked about our Christian "Bubble" how as Christians we listen to "our" music, eat at "our" restaurants, buy from "our" book stores. However, that isn't what Christianity is all about...just because we do what every other Christian is doing doesn't make us Christians. We need to be reminded as Christians that we are striving to be "Christ like" do as Christ did. As our closing song said today "we can show them love, grace, light, hope.... we can show them JESUS!! I have fallen into the trap, if you will, of doing what every other Christian is doing because that is what Christians do right? WRONG! As Steve said today doing all that stuff is ok, but it lacks faith. Just by listening to WFRN or Pulse isn't making me more faithful. Sure its a good way to worship, but how is it making me Christ like? I am doubting when Jesus walked this earth he had a radio up on his shoulder jamming to Toby Mac.
SO I need challenge myself to get out of the bubble. I probably need to get out of my comfort zone a bit too. Doesn't mean I am going to stop listening to Toby Mac, but I really need to start showing others more what being a Christian means not what we "do". My prayer is that God shows me the opportunities clearly, and gives me the courage to step outside my comfort zone.

Have you seen these...

I can't believe it... I wish I was more digital camera savvy when I had my other kids. I've always wanted to get one of these pictures done for my kids, but I DREAD taking them out to get their pictures taking. It always makes me stressed. So I thought I'd try to do this myself and I think I did pretty well. Its amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it. I must admit I had a little programming help from my hubby. Thanks babe!

Ever feel alone?

I am about the least lonely person I know. I have a wonderful husband, 4 children, several close friends I could call on and they would be by my side in a minute, and a church of approx. 1500 people who would diligently pray for me or do what ever it took in times of real need. BUT besides all those people I still at many times feel alone. It started way back in 2002 when I had my first child and got married. I was the only one of my friends to have both of those things. None of them had children and not many of them were married the ones that were had just gotten that way or were just about to. Shortly after that in 2003 I had my second child. To top it off my best friend was getting married and I was suppose to be the matron-of-honor in her wedding, but I had my baby 3 days before she got married. Not only did it put me in the position of not being able to be in her wedding, but I couldn't even go at that point. My second child was also colic and I didn't have many people that I could talk with about that. Fast forward to child 3 and 4 and now some of my friends are starting to have children and I have made some older friends who have children that are the same ages as mine, but again I have put myself in a lonely category of someone with 4 children. The very few people that I know with 4 children (I can actually only think of 1 person right now) are in a different life stage as I, and have older children and most of the people I know only have 3 or less. Its hard to take them places because you aren't going as you and a couple kids you are going as a group of people , and unless people plan for a group it just seems as socially unacceptable. People bob their heads counting your group or you can see them doing the math as they try and figure our the ages, or you get the typical "are you crazy" look , and "one Mother cannot handle all those children in public alone", which I agree is a task, but beyond that 1 kid or 4, kids will be kids and acting up in public sometimes is almost like a prerequisite to being a child, although it doesn't make for an easy outing. I guess I am just feeling sorry for myself as I sit her at 3 in the afternoon in my pjs. I want to go to the park, or the pool, or the store...just go you know not worry about who's going to act up, nap time, need to go to the restroom in a place that doesn't have one, when the baby needs to eat, and so on and so on. Its not that I want to go out without my kids, although easier, its just that I'd like to go without planning at least an hour or two before, without the looks, without feeling as if I am the only person in the world right now in my situation. Where is everyone ? Why do I feel so alone?

Rolling Over

Here we go....
almost....
a little farther....
I did it....YEAH!

Max is 3 months old and rolling over a month before the girls... Its been too long since Parker so I don't remember when he did it. Such a good baby and an overachiver too :)

Prayer Warriors

This is a request to all who believe in God and the power of prayer:
My husband is undoubtedly under spiritual attack. Satan has been attacking his confidence and God given gifts and abilities. Please pray for Nate and that God provides him with the armor and spiritual guidance he needs right now. Pray also that his stress and anxiety go away and that he feels better physically in order to perform his daily commitments. Last, that God will bind Satan and free Nate from this spiritual war. Feel free to sign in my guestbook with your prayers or just to let us know you are praying for him. Thank you, and God Bless you!

12 weeks!!

Maxwell is 12 weeks old today. I can't believe it! He is getting so big and he started to laugh about a week ago. Its the sweetest sound you've ever heard. I love all my kids, but I don't think I've ever enjoyed an infant as much as I am enjoying him. I must admit I am very relaxed with him and I am sure that helps. We tried a bottle with him last night for the first time and he took to it like a pro. I don't think any of my kids have ever done it the first time. He is so good and we are so blessed to have him. I love to stare at him and wonder about his future and what he'll be great at when he is older. I am sure all mothers do this at some point, but it seems like the 4th time around everything (except leaving the house) is easier for me. I know its going to seem like I'll wake up in the morning and he will be 12 years old instead of 12 weeks so I am trying to enjoy all these "lasts" as much as possible.
Another milestone for me is that its been 1 week and 2 days since I've had a coke (or any pop at all), and for those of you that know me well you know I have at the very least 1 a day. I'm doing pretty good. Its my quest to lose some baby fat...I must remind myself frequently though that it has only been 12 weeks.

Finish something...

As you've read in my other post I am a Mom, and on a day to day basis. That means I don't get a lot finished that I start, but today I finished something. I was given this piece of advice from author and life coach Robin Chaddock to "Finish Something". I heard her speak at my MOPS group the last week in May and each week I receive an email from her called "Soul snack for zesty living". This week she quoted B.C. Forbes he said "Diamonds are only lumps of coal that stuck to their jobs". Of course the meaning is obvious to me that by being patient and sticking to things you get something beautiful. Well this week as hard as it was I dug up a whole ton of rocks, planted some beautiful flowers, and finally laid mulch today to finish it off (thats the short version). Now, I am having a little trouble thinking it is beautiful because the mulch isn't all the same shade, but the point being I FINISHED SOMETHING!! It feels so great! So even if its one load of laundry try to finish something once in a while I think it makes you feel accomplished and a little less stressed!

I DID IT!!!!

Finally!! I did it. I accomplished something that I thought would take me a lot longer. Yesterday was the 11 week mark for my newborn, and I finally left the house, took the kids out of the car, and went into Wal-Mart all by myself!!! A small task to some, and me too before my son was born, I actually did it several times a week most weeks (I'm sure my husband will be thrilled I can get back to my old habits). However, once the 4th child was born it was a dauntingly overwhelming task, and it scared me to death. I can't exactly pinpoint why, however, I've heard from several mothers of 4 that it is a very common thing. I think its a combination of your kids taking off and not being able to chase them, someone taking them, or having them get hurt for me. Some people would condemn me for having more than I can handle, but I think the situation is temporary, and I believe that each child I have is glorifying to God, and it gets me a few points with the big guy too. I don't think our family would be complete with one less of our kids. They are all different and they all will contribute something different to our family. (At this point its either laughter, anger, or tears, and a lot of poopy diapers) I realize I still have a long way to go, but in somewhat famous, but twisted words... "Its one small step for the Everinghams, one giant step for mothers of 4 everywhere", haha!

Clean Out the Clutter!

The past few days when I've had a free moment from being a milk bar for my 2 mo. old I've been cleaning out the clutter. My exact words to my husband were I am going to clear everything out so "what you see is what you get" no more storage of what I think I need to keep. However, I am going threw pitching things left and right wondering what it is that people cherish when their loved ones pass. Not that I want to dwell on my death, but I wonder what it is that my kids will want to remember me by...I know its not going to be old kitchen utensils, books, or suitcases which is what I am seeing the most of in my Goodwill pile, but what will it be? If it were to happen soon would my daughter want a shirt that smells like me that I think has been worn out, but its what she remembers me wearing the most? Or will my son want something organizational for his crafts (he is a lot like me in that respect)?
As I was going threw books today I ran across my husband's Grandfather's Bible. I think that it is something he treasures. Although his Grandfather only passed 5 months ago, and he still has a lot of clear memories I think that the tattered old book is going to be a real keepsake for him. His Grandfather could have retired that old thing and gotten a new one that I am sure would have been special to Nate, but not as much.
So is it the things we use the most or is it the memories that people would prefer to hold onto rather than our old junk? Maybe I'll figure it out, but these days I'm clearing it out. I hope my kids and my husband will prefer it that way, and maybe they'll just remember how much of a neat freak I was...

My first post

This is my first post so its gonna be short and simple. I don't know how much I will blog because I have 4 children and as it is right now the 2 oldest are fighting and I need to break it up. So you see I don' t have much time to type!