Quilts for Uganda

We were able to ship off our second batch of quilts to Uganda. Our first shipment was 33 quilts and blankets and this one was 25. My goal when I set out was 50 quilts total. So, I've exceeded my goal with a total 58 quilts!

Here's a photo before we vacuum sealed them:

And one after:

29 1/2 pounds of love to children who desperately need it.

It's been a long journey (I decided to do this in January 2010), but such a beautiful experience. For this shipment we were able to send them to a close friend who is living in Uganda right now caring for children. So, she will be able to hand deliver these quilts to those in need.

Thank you so much to those of you who have made this possible.

School Room: Before

Those who don't think that men "nest" before a baby is born need to come to my home and see it for themselves! My precious husband is giddy for this baby's arrival. So, what does he decide to do while he anxiously awaits... redo our school room floor!

The reason for the project isn't because we desperately need new flooring, but that the concrete slab was cracked when we bought the house and it caused a gap of at least 2 1/2 to maybe 3 inches in one corner of the school room. In the winters it's very cold in that room. He's decided he's not going to let another winter pass us by without fixing it...even though I'm 37 1/2 weeks pregnant!

After having a small heart attack, I did agreed to it. Only under the conditions that our living room was still livable during the project and that it was done by next weekend. He's working around the clock to get this done.

The before pictures are just horrible. We figured some parquet flooring was underneath because all of the other homes in our area were all built with that too, but when we ripped it up, the corner which is a mess didn't have it, but as we continued to pull the carpet back the rest of the room did. The parquet in that corner had been torn away and an extra carpet pad was cut to fit the space that was torn away. It was laughable how bad it was.

Andy certainly has his work cut out for him, but he's determined to figure this out. I love his determination.

Celebrating New Life

Seeing as though this is #4, and we've had a girl and 2 boys already, when a friend asked if I was interested in a shower, I said no. So, when Andy told me to be ready by 2pm on Saturday and a friend came and picked me up, I had literally no idea what in the world was going on. She drove to a good friend of ours home and told me we were going to a shower! I literally just thought of our friend, Aimee, pictured below. But, then I thought, why would this have been a surprise for me. I was clueless!

It was such a joy to have so many friends together to celebrate these two precious lives that are about to enter this world. Aimee is pregnant with #3, and due towards the end of December with a boy, who they are naming Joseph.

This is my fourth baby and I've never had a diaper cake before. The boys were so confused when I came home with it. They were appalled and asked if they had to eat it.. Haha!

We got lots of diapers, wipes, lotions, soaps, books and a few super cute outfits. The diapers are such a blessing since I don't use cloth diapers full-time for the first month or so.

Then on Tuesday, because I had no idea Saturday was happening, I had planned for some very close friends to come over to pray for the labor and delivery and specific prayer requests I have. Since it was a different focus, they all wanted to keep our original plan as scheduled. They all brought verses of Scripture to encourage me during these intense last weeks of pregnancy and the delivery. A friend made these beautiful cupcakes and we had tea and cookies. It was such a joy to be able to share what's on my heart and know these friends are so passionate about bringing me and my family before God in prayer.

I am so blessed to have friends that celebrate number 4 like it's number 1. Every life is a miracle from God no matter how many other children have come into a family before them.

November Happenings

Gigi was able to squeeze in one more visit before Thanksgiving, and most likely the last visit before the birth (unless this creature decided to be super late, and then I'll probably beg her to come again). I needed back up pretty bad. She took care of the kids while I ran around town doing what I hope to be the last of my errands for awhile. She kept the kids busy with some fun outings and adorable crafts. What an angel she is in my life.

This is what it looks like seconds after Andy walks in the door most nights.

Andy snapped this adorable picture of Annabelle one night they were all playing outside together.

And here was the state of our home before Andy's mom came. A pile of clothes on their school table about 5 or so loads of clean laundry high. But, looking on the bright side, the clothes were clean, the pile is no longer there and it was especially helpful getting to our shrinking countdown chain for baby's arrival. I just adore this picture. It speaks a thousand words to me.

Andy is right in the middle of his busy season and needing to go into work on Saturdays. So, when a friend mentioned "Superhero Saturday" we were of course game! All you need is to be under 12 years old and in a superhero costume and you get free frozen yogurt. The kids woke up and immediately got dressed in their superhero costumes and waited patiently until I finally gave in around 11:30am to take them. They say it's going to be the second Saturday of each month. This will certainly be a monthly ritual in our home if they have anything to say about it. I have no objections.

 

Election night maps we were coloring in as we were watching the polls come in. I was too depressed the next morning to continue any lessons on the election, so here they sit unfinished.

The boys dropped off their boxes for Operation Christmas Child and much to their dismay, I forgot to take a picture of them with their boxes. So, here is Samuel with the sticker he got when we turned them in.

Annabelle is constantly sitting next to me on the couch with a pillow behind her back like I do. She asks "Mama, do girls always have pillows behind their backs when they sit on the couch?" She wants to know exactly what is and isn't appropriate girl behavior. I just love having a daughter!

Home Visit

My midwives came for my 36 week home visit. The kids were thrilled. Just as they were headed to bed, they were all able to come down to be there for the "fun stuff". They absolutely love going to my appointments and checking out how the baby is doing. For this pregnancy I've had mostly all Saturday appointments so they have stayed home with Andy while I go alone. I just love how involved the midwives allow them to be when they are there.