Last one standing

One unique thing about having a larger than normal family is sickness. When it hits one person it takes awhile to get all the way through. I really prefer all of us at the same time. Over two weeks ago we started with something in our house and the last one got it last night. It's a bit of a relief. The waiting and wondering should we go anywhere or let anyone come over? I got it on my birthday last Friday. It wasn't a great day!:) My dad from Wisconsin was visiting and he ended up leaving a day early because two boys got it that day too and there wasn't much for him to do with us. Gideon got it last night but is eating and playing. No-one else could move for about two days and eating? No-way! Most of us couldn't eat for 12 hours or more after it hit us. Even then we couldn't have eaten cornbread with honey on it. He was tough just being the last one and now he's getting through it easier than the rest, for which I am glad. It is hard to see your kids down and out.

I've made a decision for now.

Well, after a few sleepless nights and a few internet searches on hypothyroidism and an appointment with the homeopathic doctor I have seen before I have made a decision. I am going to give myself one month. My sugar level was a problem at the homeopathic doc and so he would like me see if I could control it with diet. He did encourage me to take the medication if I felt I needed too. He really would like to see a more natural way and well, that was what I was looking for. I wanted to know if it was possible and if it wasn't I was prepared to go on the medication. Next doctor appt. I'll ask for them to check and see what my levels are and if they are worse I'll probably take the medication. Eating less sugar and simple carbs is hard, we eat a lot of carb food. I had scrambled eggs with a bit of yogurt, a chicken breast with spinach salad and cauliflower, a beef brat with a small amount of potatoes, spinach salad, carrots and a few beets and a handful of nuts for a snack today. Thought you'd like to know! It will be challenging to do this everyday. I even walked a mile today. That was really tough since my back is so bad and I am a bit large but I'm determined to give this my best shot.

Baby pictures!

I had an ultrasound yesterday. You should have seen the lady's face when I said the kids are coming in. When I saw her look I said quickly that they will leave if they get loud. She responded that she doesn't like to get distracted. They were wonderfully behaved actually for that 45 minutes. At the end startings of getting tired but real fun conversation. Gideon wanted to know why his belly button doesn't look like mine! :) It was precious seeing the baby; the heart beating, hand opening and closing, the tiny feet!!!! I love that part.

So, the first picture is this perfect leg with the foot. The next is the normal picture where the baby's hand is up by his/her nose. You can see the heart and the stomach, too. I'm really glad all the kids got to see this. The baby moved some and the spine was very clear. We have 6 other pictures and I look at the face and try to guess boy or girl based on the features but I can't figure it out except to say I think girl. Someone else thinks he/she looks like Gideon though.

I wish my appointment went so well. I've gained a lot of weight!! Also, my thyroid isn't functioning correctly and I need to go on thyroid medication. I filled the prescription but haven't taken it yet. I need to do some research on this. I just do not take medication unless necessary. I can tell that something has been "wrong" but just thought it was being pregnant. The medication may give me more energy which I could surely use anyday! The doctor thinks the baby is a little big possibly due to thyroid problems and my weight gain would be due to it too. Pray for me to figure this out.

Strawberries next

Here are my oldest boys shoveling the top layer of dirt onto our newly constructed raised strawberry bed. It is wonderful. Strawberries love well-drained soil and love to be "fed" so there is a thick layer of manure under all that top soil. Emily and I got out and planted about 60 plants. Part of the bed still needs dirt and then the last 40 plants will go in. It was enjoyable to sit on the side of bed and plant without kneeling on the ground. I can't wait to get another one built later this summer. It is going to keep "in" the strawberries and they won't be spreading all over the place, just where I want them. Kevin is drawing plans for staking the top to put netting over to keep the birds out next year. We planted June bearing so we will not have a crop this year:( We are supposed to pinch off any flowers we do see this year to keep the growth in the roots. (Just sharing my new knowledge in this area.)

Planting Asparagus

This was meant to be posted last week but alas computer trouble again:) The girls helped me while I directed. If you can see in the picture asparagus is a bit of work. You dig a deep trench of 18 inches. Fill some with manure or compost and fill with dirt and then goes the asparagus, more dirt and you leave a trench until the asparagus starts to come up. Then you keep filling with dirt. I did this last year and now we should have enough for our family to have this tasty treat. I don't believe there will be much for awhile to can or freeze but only for the kids to pick and eat. It takes a few years for it to establish itself and give you much yield. I am a little too far along in the pregnancy to dig like that so I was weeding the flower garden. I have since dug some elsewhere and as long as I go slow and small scoops I am fine. I will be really tired out the next day but it feels so good to be doing something. Tomorrow I'll post the boys with the strawberry bed.

Yours Forever

We went to a beautiful wedding this Saturday. I hope they don't mind me posting their picture but they are so beautiful. It was a wonderful message by the pastor and was partially about how these two had pledged to each other to do nothing more than hold hands before they were married. We all got to see their first kiss. It was just wonderful!!!! They are a true testimony of God's desire for us to live our lives pure and holy before Him. After being there I was thinking of my own teen-age years and the many mistakes I made and how wishful I could go back and choose differently. I am thankful however to the Lord for giving me these children and giving me a chance to train them in His ways. I certainly am not saying they will be "perfect". They haven't left our home yet and made too many decisions on their own and really, some days I scratch my head in wonderment in the decisions they do make and think "how will they survive on their own?!?" All I can do is pray God will protect and lead them. Right now, my older girls desire to hold their "first kiss" for their wedding day and that makes me very happy for them and their husband. What joy and wonderment will be between those that God has joined together.

These two sang a song to each other and he surprised her with a honeymoon to the Bahamas. All she knew was that she needed a passport and he didn't tell her until that day. How romantic!

Caleb is 9.

Caleb turned nine on April 30th. It now is easier to say the ages of the kids again. 15, 11,10,9, 6,5,4. Mostly right in a row. He was quite jolly on his birthday. We had AWANA at church so we brought cupcakes and ice-cream to the dinner before so we did have sort of a celebration. It was also store night where the kids spent the money they earned for memorizing bible verses and doing other things. I had 4 shoppers this year so that means 4 bags of stuff to come home. They did pretty good and didn't get too much clutter. Much of it was disposable type things. I was so encouraged by their thoughtfulness for each other. Since it was Caleb's b-day he got several things from siblings but all 4 kids bought something for little sis Moriah. She loves her pink bat Caleb got her, named "Pinky".

My pear trees, blueberries, strawberries and some seeds came yesterday but it is drizzly today so I will have to wait to plant until maybe Sunday or Monday. I went out yesterday and bent over some, cleaning up asparagus and didn't feel so good after so I'll probably be doing lots of directing. I hope it works! I hate to see the gardens go without my attention this summer. Can you believe we went from three different snowstorms to needing to mow the lawn this week? Have a great weekend. I don't have much exciting to share but check out A Journey Together (linked on my blog). They are in Ethiopia picking up their new little girl. It is very beautiful to see the pictures. I can say "I know them!" Very exciting.