sesame chicken~

Sesame Chicken~

Ingredients:

Marinade:

2lbs chicken tenders cut into bite size pieces

2T wheat-free tamari sauce

2tsp rice vinegar

4tsp cornstarch

2 egg whites, lightly beaten

Sauce:

1c sugar

1/2 c. wheat-free tamari sauce

5T rice vinegar

2c. chicken broth

1tsp minced garlic

1/4c. sesame seeds (optional)

4tsp cornstarch

Directions:

In a medium bowl, combine sugar, 1/2 cup of the tamari sauce, vinegar, and chicken broth. Set aside. In a separate bowl, combine chicken pieces, remaining 2 Tablespoons of soy sauce, and 2 teaspoons of vinegar. Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes. Once the chicken has marinated, add egg whites and cornstarch and stir until well-blended.

In your wok, heat oil over med-high heat. Cook chicken (in about 3 batches) until golden on both sides- this will take 3-5 minutes. Remove chicken from wok with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Cover with foil to keep the chicken warm. If you have more than a couple tablespoons of oil left in the wok, discard the remaining oil( leave just a few tablespoons in the wok). Reduce the heat to med. Cook the garlic for about a minute. Then add tamari sauce mixture. Increase heat to med-high and cook sauce for about 15 minutes. Stir four teaspoonfuls of cornstarch into a little water and whisk it into the sauce. Once the sauce is thickened and bubbly, add the chicken and sesame seeds. Top with green onions if desired and serve over jasmine rice.

Adapted from Gluten Free Mommy

**In order to prepare this ahead of time and freeze, I put the chicken (already cut up) into the marinade mixture, minus the cornstarch and egg whites, into a gallon-size freezer bag.

**In a separate gallon-size freezer bag, I mix the sauce ingredients, minus the cornstarch, double bag, and seal.

**I then place both bags (marinating chicken and sauce mixture) into a disposable aluminum pan. I also put the 4tsp of cornstarch needed to thicken the sauce while cooking into a small ziploc bag and place in the aluminum pan. (I usually don't worry about coating the chicken in the egg white and cornstarch when I actually cook it.)

**If you don't typically have fresh or frozen stir-fry veggies on hand, you may want to put some in the aluminum pan as well so you have them when you go to prepare the meal.

gluten free chicken pot pie~

I'm just posting all my recipes here as I get time in order to have them (the way we like them) all in one place. By no means am I claiming these are awesome and everyone just really should know about them :o)

Gluten Free Chicken Pot Pie~

Ingredients:

For the Filling:

4c. cooked, chopped/shredded chicken

30oz+ frozen mixed vegetables (can be thawed)

For the Gravy:

1/4 c. butter

spoonful of minced garlic (however much you like)

1 c. chopped onion

1 c. chopped celery

1/2 c. rice flour

4 c. chicken broth

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp dried mustard

garlic powder to taste (sorry, I never measure)

1/2 tsp salt

1/2T basil

3T sour cream (optional)

For the Crust/Topping:

1c. cornmeal

1/2c. rice flour + 4T

4T tapioca flour

1 1/2 tsp xanthan gum

3 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2T honey

1 1/2c. milk

2T oil (olive, vegetable, etc.)

Directions:

*Preheat oven to 425.

*Oil a 9 x 13 pan. Arrange chicken and vegetables in pan. Set aside.

*To make gravy: In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Saute onion and celery until tender and fragrant. Add garlic and cook for a minute or so more, don't let the garlic burn. Sprinkle flour over top and stir. Add broth and stir to dissolve flour. Add seasonings. Bring the gravy to a boil while stirring frequently. Gently boil for several minutes to blend flavors. Pour hot gravy over chicken and vegetables in pan and stir thoroughly.

*To prepare crust: Combine dry ingredients from crust section in a small bowl and mix well. In a large bowl, combine honey, olive oil, and milk. Heat briefly in microwave to allow honey to mix easily. Add dry ingredients and stir until moistened. Spread over top of casserole. I have to use my hands to spread it out as it's slightly thick. I also don't spread it all the way to the edges in order to avoid spillover in the oven.

*Bake uncovered until hot and lightly browned, approximately 15-30 minutes.

**Adapted from Gluten Free Mommy and Hillbilly Housewife**

because, you know, she wants to be just like me~

Joking, just joking! Totally joking :o)

I am excited to announce that my middle sister and her husband are expecting their second baby on Thanksgiving Day! Isn't that exciting? And actually, she's really ahead of me because their daughter, Addyson, still has a few weeks until her first birthday.

Isn't she a cutie?
And for those of you that know my sister, is she not Dyana made over? :o)

Addie is such a sweetie, always full of smiles and laughter. My kids absolutely adore her. And I'm still trying to figure out if I should have said, "I'm sorry" or "Congratulations" when she started walking at eight months old :o)

So, congratulations, Dyana and Brent, and may abundant blessings be poured out on your family! We love you!

You alone, O Lord~

It seems that frequently I've been waking up with songs based on Scripture running through my head continually. The song will repeat over and over throughout the day. And many times they have been songs from years ago.

Today, soon after waking, this began running through my head. It's based off Psalm 4:6-8.

In these days, when men are saying,

"Who can show us any good?"

Let Your light shine on your people, O Lord.

For You have filled our hearts with joy,

More than their wine when it abounds.

You alone make it safe to live,

We sleep in peace when we lay down.

And, O Lord,

You alone are good.

O Lord,

You alone are good.

You alone, You alone are good.

A good thing to remember right now, don't you think?

So be encouraged and blessed today!

week 35baby grace

I know, I know. I skipped a week. I am now officially 35 weeks. While five more weeks seems like an awfully long time, I keep reminding myself that it's a little less than three weeks if she comes as early as Moriah, and am conveniently not thinking about that it's still seven weeks if she follows Haven's pattern. I am having braxton hicks contractions that are like my regular births. When I think back to Haven, I realize I never had very many. The three week "plan" is definitely helping with the cooking-cleaning-nesting motivation, so that's been nice.

Now for the details...for those of you that care :o)

My indigestion is better. Not gone, as evidenced by my almost barfing all over Glen a couple of nights ago, but much better. My midwife (and others) have commented that the baby looks lower, so I think that has helped.

The downside to a lower baby means I have now entered the walking like a cowboy stage, feeling like something is wedged between my bones. Oh yeah, I guess there is.

Susie (the midwife) came for my appointment last week. When she walked in, she got all bug eyed and started quizzing me about my dates and asked if I was absolutely positively sure about them. Good sign, huh?

I was having a lot of upper back pain that a visit to the chiropractor completely took care of. My other complaint when I went was my sciatic nerve on my right side, which I always have problems with in pregnancy. For anyone who suffers from this in every day life, my sincere sympathy. Unfortunately, so far, the chiropractor visits haven't gotten rid of it, and only helped slightly. I do think my doing more around the house is probably exacerbating the problem though, so I don't really think it's his fault :o)

And as much as I am looking forward to holding her, and being ready to be rid of these pregnancy annoyances, I finally realized that means I have to go through labor. Oh yeah. The whole labor thing is really weird for me, because I always kind of look forward to it and anticipate it, and when I finally first realize this is it it's such a neat feeling, but then I remember the whole transition-pushing part and well, you know. I also realized I was conveniently forgetting about the pushing part, seeing as how I seriously didn't have to push at all with Haven. I was really imagining the birth as contractions only. So anyway....you can pray for me :o)

On a brighter note, as a birthday gift, my husband has let me have someone come over to help me get some cleaning done!! My good friend Tracey cleans houses sometimes on the side and she graciously agreed to come clean for me. I'm so particular about what and how I want things cleaned before I give birth, I'm sure I could keep her busy for awhile :o) I pretty much like to get the entire house cleaned meticulously, meaning baseboards, table and chairs scrubbed, vacuuming really well where the wall meets the floor....I could go on and on. In past pregnancies, it's usually taken me about a month to get it all done on my own. Knowing that I don't think I'm quite up for that this time around, Tracey is helping. Yay!

I did do some cleaning, organizing, and cooking finally. I washed, cleaned out, organized, and inventoried the basement refrigerator and freezers. I organized our storage pantry. I finished my stocking up. And yesterday, I made four chicken casseroles, five meatloaves, shredded 10 cups of chicken for the freezer, and browned 15 lbs of hamburger for the freezer. (For those of you that I told ten, I remembered I had five more. I'm not exaggerating for the blog :o) It was a very long day. I still have quite a few meals I want to make, but I'm having to just see how I feel and what I think I can accomplish and adjust my priorities. Organized bookshelves and dust-free laundry room....or sesame chicken in the freezer?? Hmmmmm. I know what Glen would choose :o)

So, overall, I am beginning to think I may just get more accomplished than I was thinking a few weeks ago, but am also realizing that some things I'm probably just going to have to pretend are finished let go of. I do wonder how much of when a woman goes into labor depends on her "allowing" herself to feel ready. When I think of my first five births, I always felt ready. Everything on my lists was marked off, and I was ready for the new baby. With Haven, since it was the last month of school, for my kids and for my aunt who hadn't yet retired from teaching we depend on to help me quite a bit, there was one thing after another that made the timing inconvenient. Haven just kind of hung on until all that was past. I think that theory is kind of interesting. I guess we'll see...

silly people~

It's a good thing I'm not one of those people that gets all goofy about their birthday. You know the type, when it's still a couple months out they start saying silly things like, "It's almost my birthday! It's almost my birthday!" Not that I would know anything about that, of course. I've just heard about people like that. And those people that think they should get a whole birthday week, or even a whole birthday month....not that I would know anything about that, either. Silly people.
So, it's a good thing I'm not like that, or I might do something ridiculously immature like tell you that today is my 29th birthday so that you'll know and can
bring me ice cream cake
tell me Happy Birthday. I mean, because you know, I'm way too cool and mature to do something like. I mean, I'm almost a real grown up. That happens when you turn 30, right? Ahem :o)

(better late than never)a typical homeschooling day~

(blushing furiously....)

I just realized that my blogger friend Christy had asked me waayyyy back at the beginning of December what a typical day of school looks like for us and what our routine is. Well, our routine gets funny every time I'm in the first or third trimester of a pregnancy (read: our day revolves around when I need a nap) so I think I'll share what our routine is like during normal life.

Keep in mind, some of this is an ideal; what we aim for. Some of it actually happens on a pretty regular basis, but some of it is just a goal and happens on a good day. Also keep in mind, what works for me, may not be what someone else should be doing. It is so easy for us to fall in the comparison trap, especially as homeschooling moms. I never want anyone to go away from here feeling like they should be doing what we're doing, unless the Holy Spirit is also leading them in that path. What our priorities and our focus looks like changes on a yearly basis, sometimes even monthly or weekly. So my main encouragement to homeschooling moms is always to first of all, seek the Lord on what His plan for your family is, talk with your husband, and if that looks different than everyone else around you....no worries :o)

chicken tortilla soup~

Stacey, if you end up trying any of these and liking them, let me know! And if there are any others you want feel free to ask. I would eventually like to get all my freezer meals on here under the celiac, recipes, and preparing for baby categories, but we'll see :o)

Chicken Tortilla Soup~

Ingredients:

*2c. cooked chicken (Can quickly sautee in olive oil just prior to cooking if needed. I try and keep bags of cooked, shredded chicken in my freezer for quick meals.)

*1/2 tsp minced garlic (I'm sure I use more as we like garlic and I just kind of dump some in.)

*1/4 tsp cumin

*4c. (32oz) chicken broth

*1c. corn (It's been awhile, but I think I probably just dump in a can of drained corn.)

*1c. chopped onion (Again, I probably use more as we like onion. I just mince a whole onion in the processor and use however much it makes.)

*1/2 tsp chili powder (My kids usually think this soup is spicy, so I'll reduce it next time.)

*1T lemon juice

*1c. preferred salsa

Directions:

**Sautee chicken in a little olive oil, butter, or whatever you prefer if not yet cooked.

**In large stock pot, sautee onion.

**Add chicken, garlic, and cumin. Mix well.

**Add broth, corn, chili powder, lemon juice, and salsa.

**Bring to boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20-30 minutes.

**Serve with tortilla chips, sour cream, monterey jack cheese, etc.

******I usually freeze my soups in double bagged gallon size freezer bags. I often still get leakage when thawing, so be careful. I probably shouldn't fill them so full :o)

barbeque beef brisket, take two~

I had posted my barbeque beef brisket back in the fall here.   I have since then come up with a much easier (and cheaper) way.  Basically, I get whatever beef roast is on sale, brown it briefly, and then gently boil it all day in a large stock pot with water, worchestershire sauce, onion, and garlic.  When it is fork tender I cut off the fat, shred it, and add either homemade or store bought barbeque sauce.  Easy peasy.


**This is such an easy recipe to prepare, very yummy, and makes for a super quick meal when grabbed out of the freezer.
**Since my family doesn't eat bread, we just eat it as bbq with veggies on the side. It makes a great sandwich with melted cheese, but I have to sneak it that way so no one is sad :o)
**I freeze in quart-size freezer bags. If I pack it full, one bags feeds our family with just a little bit left over. Sometimes none depending on how much grazing Caleb does after dinner :o)

cheesy chicken vermicelli~

Here you go! Enjoy!

Cheesy Chicken Vermicelli~

Ingredients:

**16oz (1lb) vermicelli, angel hair, spaghetti...whatever...cooked according to package directions (I use gluten free pasta and it works fine.)

**3c. (or however much you prefer) cooked chicken

**5c. shredded cheese (recipe calls for cheddar, which I usually use, but would probably be really good with parmesan, mozzarella, etc.)

**italian seasoning (use generously)

**salt and pepper

**1c. milk or half and half (I usually use 2% milk because that's what I have)

**Would probably be yummy to add squash, zucchini, or whatever sounds good.

Directions:

*Grease/spray a 9x13 casserole dish

*Mix all ingredients except milk, reserving some cheese for top.

*Just before baking, pour milk over top, add last layer of cheese.

*Cover with foil, pressing down ingredients if needed.

*Bake at 350 until heated through.

**Disclaimer: I've not actually eaten this, I've made it for the family when I'm going to be out. My husband claims everyone loves it and as he's not the kind of guy to throw out food and lie to make me feel good, I tend to believe him :o)

**Another thought....I've never frozen noodles. Have any of you? Would it work fine?

some popular questions regarding the birth control debate~

These are some clear, thought-provoking, and very concise answers to several popular questions that come from Christians regarding the birth control debate. They are by no means exhaustive, but quick answers to several questions and/or thoughts many people have. They come from a mother of 8 and several of her children have been added to their family through adoption. Take a minute to read a few of them, and let me know what you think.

The Christian's Duty to Love Children (this is the longest of the posts, but still only takes a minute)

Is Birth Control Consistent With the Truth That Children Are A Gift From the Lord?

Does the Bible Say We Must Have A Certain Number of Children, Especially Concerning Having Many Children?

Can Something Be Right For One and Not Be Right For Another, Particularly Concerning Family Planning?

If A Couple Prays and God Gives Them Peace to Use Birth Control, Are They In God's Will?

If God Wants Us to Have A Child, Won't He Make A Way For It Whether We Are Taking Precautions or Not?

Are Christians Really Outnumbering Non-Christians by Believing Children Are A Blessing?

I was reading in Psalms the other night before going to bed, and I came upon Psalm 128. I have heard it and read it myself many times, but this time it just stood out a little differently.

"Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways.

(me: how shall these people be blessed?)

*You will eat the fruit of your labor;

*Blessings and prosperity shall be yours.

*Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house;

*Your sons will be like olive shoots around your table.

Thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord."

~Psalm 128:1-4~

I wasn't looking for scripture in relation to having children, birth control, etc. I was just reading. It just stood out to me this time that "this is how the man who fears the Lord will be blessed."

I am by no means saying if you are not living in the complete fulfillment of these blessings that you must not fear the Lord or be walking in His ways, I'm just saying that it seems like God is saying that these are some of the ways he BLESSES US when we do fear Him and follow Him and that the above listed things ARE blessings. I don't think anyone would argue with the first two; a fruitful wife can be fruitful in many ways (though here it does seem to imply fertility;) but not many these days seem to want a table full of sons.

Not to open a can of worms or anything. I can easily see both sides of the debate, and while I have very strong "quiverfull" tendencies, I am not officially 100% in agreement that all birth control is wrong, all the time. (Yes, I know not everyone who is quiverfull believes it's 100% wrong all the time either.) The whole thing is challenging for me as well sometimes, no....often, especially at the end of this pregnancy. It definitely gave me pause, and food for thought.

I'd love to hear your thoughts as well...

recipe request~

Stacey,
I would be glad to share some of the recipes for the freezer meals I like to make. I don't have another way to get in touch with you, so leave me a comment on which ones you would like.

Thanks :o)

interview with the kids~

This is another one of those facebook notes going around. After reading a few of my friends' very funny interviews, I decided to participate :o) I asked Anna 10, Caleb 8, Ethan 7, Moriah 5, and Noah who is 3.

1. What is something mom always says to you?

A~You know that I love you? C~ Goodnight.

E~ Let Anna check your jobs. M~ Have a fun day. N~ Time to clean up.

2. What makes mom happy?

A~When you clean your room the right way. C~Having a new baby.

E~ When we don't lie. M~ When we do what you say for us to do. N~ When we clean up.

3. What makes mom sad?

A~ When we disobey. C~ Lying.

E~ When you ask us to clean our room and we don't clean our room.

M~ When you ask us to clean our room and we lie. N~ When we don't clean up.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?

A~ When you mimic me. C~ When you tell jokes.

E~ When you tell me things I did when I was little. M~ Tickle us.

N~ When you scare us like a lion.

5. What was your mom like as a child?

A~ You were cute. C~ You were funny. E~ You acted like a chef.

M~ You pretended you were in a car. N~You were a baby.

6. How old is your mom? (28, 29 next week)

A~ 28 C~ 28 E~24 M~ 30, I mean 40 N~ 5

7. How tall is your mom? (5'2")

A~ 5'2" C~ 5'2.6cm E~ 4'3" M~5'6" N~ Four feet.

8. What is mommy's favorite thing to do?

A~Listening to the ipod while you're cleaning. C~ Going out with the kids.

E~ Spending time with the kids. M~ Typing on the computer. N~ Sit.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
A~ Sit around on the computer. C~ Wait for me to come back.

E~ Fix dinner for me. M~ Fix dinner and do the laundry. N~ Pretend to be a lion.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
A~ For your chicken pot pie. C~ Singing

E~ For reading all the time and being a good actor.

M~ Because you're cool and a good Mom and a good fixer of pumpkin pie.

N~ Because you would be a lion.

11. What is your mom really good at?
A~ Cooking and cleaning. C~ Playing games. E~ Winning board games.

M~ Fixing pumpkin pie. N~ Cook good.

12. What is your mom not very good at?
A~Holding your temper. C~ Dancing. E~ Saying yes instead of no.

M~ You're not good at saying I hate you. (me: well, that's nice to know!)

N~ You're not good at cooking on the stove.

13. What does your mom do for a job?
A~ Take care of us. C~ Do the laundry. E~ Cleaning up.

M~ Clean the whole house by yourself. N~ Clean up.

14.What is your mom's favorite food? (Hibachi!)
A~ Steak and zucchini. C~ Chinese Food

E~Broccoli soup. M~ Broccoli soup. N~ Mashed potatos.

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
A~ You take me to gymnastics and you pay for it. C~ Cooking

E~ Buying me things. M~ Buying this house. N~Cook stuff.

(me: inspirational guys, thanks.)

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
A~ Odie on Garfield because you're laid back.

C~ Minnie Mouse.

E~ Tweety Bird because that's the only girl cartoon character I can think of right now.

M~ Caillou's Mom because she types on the computer a lot. (me: i don't know how she knows that, they're not even supposed to watch caillou!)

N~ A baby.

17. What do you and your mom do together?
A~ Go get our nails done and talk. C~ Go out together.

E~ Eat together at dinner. M~ Talk. N~ Go get ice cream.

18. How are you and your mom the same?
A~ You and me both go to church.

C~ We both have brownish blondish hair. E~ We have brown hair.

M~ We have blue eyes. N~ We have brown hair.

19. How are you and your mom different?
A~ I go to gymnastics and you don't. C~ We talk different.

E~ You're a girl and I'm a boy. M~ We don't dress like each other. N~ A baby.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
A~ You give me hugs. C~ You say that you do. E~ You let me buy stuff.

M~ You kiss me and hug me.

N~ "You love me, we're best friends a family, with a great big hug and a kiss from me to you, you say you love me too."

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?

A~ He goes to church, he loves God, and he's funny. C~ He's funny and he loves God.

E~ That he does stuff for you and protects you. M~ Because he's funny.

N~ Because you laugh at Daddy.

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
A~ The spa. C~ To get your nails done. E~ Target, no, actually, I meant Publix.

M~ I don't know...Target. N~ When you're where you're happy.

*****Well, alrighty then. Apparently, I like things clean, I like to type, I must cook well enough to impress kids, and my three year old is currently obsessed with lions.

Happy Friday!

so i will bless Thee~

I was reminded this morning of a Psalm I have long loved. I have mostly heard it in a variation of two different songs, so it's hard for me to actually read it, I hear it in song, but nevertheless, it brought a smile, and peace, and encouragement to my heart this morning.

O God, You are my God;

Earnestly I seek You;

My soul thirsts for You;

My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land

Where there is no water.

I have seen You in the sanctuary,
and beheld Your power and Your glory.

Because Your love is better than life,

My lips shall praise You.

Thus I will bless You while I live;

I will lift up my hands in Your name.

My soul shall be satisfied as with the richest of foods,

with singing lips my mouth will praise You.

On my bed I remember You;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because You are my help,
I sing in the shadow of Your wings.

My soul clings to you;
Your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:1-8

I have a feeling this one's going to be through my head today.

Happy Thursday!

(Do any of you guys around here know if Todd's version of this is on cd anywhere?)

babies don't keep~

I was recently reminded of this poem when MckMama posted it. As I prepare for this sweet baby, and look forward to holding her in my arms, it was good for me to be reminded of what really matters, even now... That even though I may not physically be able to accomplish all I would like, what I am accomplishing by doing lots of sitting and snuggling is worth more than the cleanest, most organized cabinets could ever be.

Song For a Fifth Child

by Ruth Hulbert Hamilton

Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing, make up the bed,
Sew on a button and butter the bread.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I've grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,
Lullabye, rockabye, lullabye loo.
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo

The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew
And out in the yard there's a hullabaloo
But I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo
Look! Aren't his eyes the most wonderful hue?
Lullabye, rockaby lullabye loo.

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
But children grow up as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!

I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

One thing I have learned over the last ten years, is that babies don't keep. With each baby I treasure that baby stage more and more, with each toddler I laugh more and more. It passes so quickly. I was thinking last night as I was going to sleep that these baby faces that are so familiar to me now will one day only be recalled through photographs.

Though the days are long, the years truly are short.

"...But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."
~Luke 2:19

May we treasure all these days up....

week 33baby grace~

I know everyone has just been holding their breath waiting for the next baby update. Since I hate to keep people waiting (and I was actually 33 weeks last Friday or Saturday, I still can't remember which day I change) here you go.

**Still tired. Tired doesn't really describe it. I think someone needs to create a word that is exclusively reserved for the physical and emotional fatigue, exhaustion, weariness, etc. that is common among pregnant women in their third trimester. But there's not one. So you'll have to imagine.

**I am having concerns about having another posterior baby. My midwife assures me that just because my last baby was posterior and my uterus has been stretched out so many times, that neither of those things gives me a greater likelihood of Grace being posterior, but I'm still worried. All I can do is lean forward as much as possible to encourage her to turn the right way, and pray and trust the Lord. So I'm not stressing about it, it's just this lingering thought in the back of my mind. It was nice to not have to actually push out Haven, but I'm pretty sure that was a fluke, and not common in posterior births. Posterior babies make for a much longer labor, and unless the baby happens to turn, makes for more difficult pushing as well. That is definitely one of my major prayer requests!

**We went camping over the weekend. I sat around and enjoyed the beautiful weather while Glen did all the work. Poor guy. We love to go camping, but he knew that if we went now that pretty much all the work would be up to him. He was a great sport, and went out of his way to make sure I didn't have to do much of anything. And all that with a great attitude, he wasn't grouchy or resentful about it at all. I think he knew just going was a big deal for me, so he was just glad I was up for it. Have I mentioned before what a great guy he is? This was yet another instance where it was glaringly obvious to both of us how much harder of a pregnancy this has been. We have camped numerous times when I've been pregnant, several of those being six weeks or less until I'm due, and it's never been a big deal. I felt like a beached whale! Everyone else was running around playing with their kids, and here I am, swollen white ankles and feet showing, laid out in the camping chair with my feet propped up. And anytime I did have to get up to help one of the kids, I had to do the whole "push up with my arms while sticking my belly way out" pose. Lovely.

**Last week my mother in law AND my sister kept the kids for me, so I had two full days to get things done. I managed to actually work on the upstairs. I spent two full days on just the girls' room, the boys' room, and the playroom. And I'm still not done. I think I am moving super slow. But I was also doing more of the deep cleaning I wanted to get done as well as moving some furniture. It feels great to have that accomplished.

I guess that's it. I just remembered we're supposed to have roast tonight, which means I should probably actually get that started. Which means I have to get up. *sigh* :o)

One day I hope to return to more exciting blog posts. One day.

in which i am grumpyweek 32baby grace~

It seems as if all I can think about these days is this pregnancy, how much longer I have, how excited I am to have another baby girl, how uncomfortable I am, and how I feel like my life has currently spiraled out of control. I told Glen I've reached the point where life is on auto pilot. I'm just in waiting mode. I've given up on following our routine as closely I'd like, and that's okay. It's a season. Seven and a half weeks to go! If we accomplish school and we have dinner than the day has been a success. I am desperately hoping that all that wonderful nesting energy will kick in soon.

I had a realization the other day of a good way to accurately describe this pregnancy and how it has been very different than the first six. Always before, I've gone merrily, normally along, living my life...while pregnant. This time, I feel like I. AM. PREGNANT. and I'm getting through every day as best I can. Don't get me wrong, I am very excited, and I would say even more thankful than normal due to how close we came to losing her at the very beginning, but boy am I tired and uncomfortable. Glen, as well as the rest of my family, has teased me in the past saying I have so many children because I love being pregnant so much. And generally, I've agreed. But this time around I'm realizing that while I love being pregnant, I am not enjoying feeling pregnant. This pregnancy is the first time I've realized that there is, in fact, a difference between the two. My midwife was teasing me that maybe it's because I'm getting old(er.) Gee. If I'm having this hard of a time at 28, how on earth do people do it in their late 30s to 40s? I imagine that it has more to do with so many pregnancies so close together rather than my age :o)

So anyway, I've wanted to blog, but I've been short on inspiration. Since I'm sure you guys don't care about how many diapers I change and that ever since I wrote about my great laundry method and how I've never been behind I now feel the need to rebel against my own method and now Glen and Caleb are fighting over who gets the clean socks have been sharing socks I've not had much to say. But I've recently come across several different "pregnancy diaries" that various friends have kept/are keeping. I thought that since the main reason I blog is to have some record of what life is like smack in the middle of my years that everyone says to hang onto, that keeping a little record of these last few weeks was a great idea. Not to mention that it gives me something to write about, so I'll give it a go. I'm learning that the older I get and the more children I have, the faster I forget things I never thought I would forget. Right now it seems as if I could never forget what life is like experiencing pregnancy, toddlers, preschoolers, grade schoolers, wanna be middle schoolers all at the same time. But experience has taught me that it is so easy to forget, and I really want to remember.

Remember when I said I wanted to do a post and just be grumpy? This is it. Modified. I kept having that verse going through my head about not complaining so I never thought I should just blog for the sole purpose of complaining. After all, I AM very excited, and so thankful to be having another sweet baby girl. So under the guise of keeping a record of this pregnancy to go back and reference or just remember when I'm old, I found a way to complain am going to try and write down some different thoughts and experiences I'm having this go round.

Just my random thoughts at this point.

**Physically, this pregnancy has been vastly different. Like I said earlier, I don't know if I've ever really felt pregnant before. I mean, other than the good stuff. I've had the occasional aches and pains, I did have pneumonia at the end of Haven's pregnancy, but that wasn't really pregnancy related. I've had sciatic pain with the last two, but it just comes and goes. And I've had indigestion at night if I've not been careful about what I've eaten.

**Going back to the beginning, my dates were slightly off. I'm still secretly hoping they were right. It would be great if I was due two weeks earlier than I'm "planning" for. My girls were 20 days (going by Anna's first dates, 10 if going by the modified dates) and 15 days early respectively. (hint, hint, baby Grace, hint hint)

**I was freezing cold, even in Florida. That part is normal. I'm always cold when pregnant. Especially the first trimester. My best guess is that my body is diverting all it's extra energy to growing a baby and doesn't have much left over for keeping me warm.

**I had the hemorrhage. Was on full bedrest for two weeks, modified for another month or so.

**Found out at 10.5 weeks it was probably a girl! Later confirmed around 14 or so weeks and then again at 20.

**This time around, I've had lots of new "complaints" that I've never had before.

*****I have varicose veins in my right leg. They bothered me tremendously around the holidays when I was on my feet in the kitchen so much, now it's just the occasional day when they are sore. But they are ugly and I've never had them before!

*****My feet and ankles are somewhat swollen. Again, not a huge deal, but having never had them swell before is bothering me. My legs are the one the one thing that have never changed during pregnancy, so it's bugging me that they are affected this time.

*****Indigestion plagues me almost constantly. There is very little I can eat without it bothering me. Since I've started taking digestive enzymes, they have helped tremendously, but not completely. I do feel that at this point the baby may have dropped slightly as it's not bothered me as much the last week or so. For me, indigestion first keep me from being able to go to sleep, but then, once I do fall asleep, sometime later I will suddenly wake up from a very sound sleep just about to throw up. I usually gag and cough for awhile and then lay back down. I usually nap with Noah, and when it happens at naptime, he wakes up and says, "Don't throw up on me, Mommy! Don't throw up on me!" Which is the same thing he says when I change his dirty diapers. Poor kid, always thinking his mom is just about to puke all over him :o)

*****I have sciatic pain again. I've had it on the right side the last several pregnancies, this time it seems to be on both sides. It's not constant, thankfully, but when it's there, I can barely move!

*****I found out I've been anemic, which explains the extreme fatigue. I've started taking Floradix twice a day, instead of once, and chlorophyll. I can tell it's helped some.

*****I've had a lot of back pain this time. I never used to have any back pain. At all. I always wondered if it was because of the metal rods that were placed in there when I was a child, I kind of thought maybe they just gave me extra support. I don't know, but my back has been hurting a lot.

*****I've been so tired, and uncomfortable, and in pain, that mostly what I do is sit in my chair at my desk and direct traffic. My desk is right in the middle of the downstairs, so I can hear what's going on upstairs, see into the school room, living room, and kitchen, so it's a great central spot. I've begun to wonder though if I'm sitting down too much. I can tell my back hurts lots more when I've sat all day versus when I've been more active. Now, if I could just get my brain and body to agree on a plan of action :o)

*****I take at least two baths a day, sometimes three. The weightlessness of the water and the heat helps tremendously, even if it's only 15 minutes. Once I finally explained to the kids that I took so many baths because it helped me feel better they were lots more sympathetic and understanding than when they thought I was just being lazy :o)

*****My midwife says I'm measuring right on, but from the reactions I get from people when I tell them how much longer I have says something different. I think I'm glad for the sympathy. I think. I've reached the point where Glen gets bug eyed and has to work hard to contain his laughter when he sees me change. You'd think he'd be used to it by now.

**I keep wondering what I did with all my other kids as far as clothes are concerned. I cannot keep my pants up. It is terribly frustrating. I did get a bella band, which works perfectly, but I never had one before so I've been wondering what I did. I guess I just pulled them up all the time. I don't wear the bella band all the time, and when I don't it's so annoying pulling my pants up every thirty seconds. I would highly recommend anyone who is getting quite obviously pregnant to have a bella band. It looks cute (like a layered shirt) and is supportive on my back.

**I know I'm extra tired because I skipped out on my friend's birthday celebration on the women's retreat to go to bed. They had cake. Made by a fabulous cook at our church. Enough said. I was busy enjoying my bed. It was super squishy and I got the best sleep I'd had in a very long time. I even skipped out on the morning session to go back to bed. It was that good.

**My nesting plans, at this point, seem to be falling by the wayside. Oh, I've got lots of plans. Zero energy. I did manage to stock up on the non-perishables (if you read this in a reader, on the blog I kept my list of what I wanted and marked it off when I had purchased them.) Unfortunately, after all those shopping trips, all I could do was come in and crash. That means Glen and the kids took most of it to the basement and threw it on the shelves. My plan is to get down there and organize it at some point. Hmmm....we'll see if that actually happens or not.

**The furthest I've gotten in my food and meal preparation is to make a list of what I want to make. Hopefully I'll get furthur along than that. Oh well. I'm learning lots about patience and letting things go this time around. It's good for me. It really is. But then again, meals for my family would be good too. I'm going to put a list in the sidebar of what I want to get in the freezer as well, then everyone can see if it happens or not. I'm just hoping it will be motivating. Like I said....just waiting for all that nesting energy to hit full force.

**In the meantime, my nesting instincts are on overdrive, but since I have no energy to fulfill any of them, I realized it was coming out in the form of wanting to buy things to prepare. Which is fine. To a point. I realized I had zero summer clothes for the baby. I'm a huge fan of baby sleepers the first months, but with my summer babies I always hit the point where I realize, "Oh. It is hot. I wonder if the baby is hot. Maybe I should get some summer clothes." I realized that early this time. And I discovered etsy. All in the same week. Let's just say for a baby who will be at home 99% of the time, she'll be one cute baby.

(and it's all handmade by moms!)

(This is my favorite. I hope she grows enough hair quickly to be able to wear those barrettes!)

**We knew her name, Grace Rose, from the time we found out she was a girl. Other than Noah, we've never had a name this early. Grace is the first baby that Glen has called by name prior to birth.

**The kids are all super excited. They were so scared when they found out we might lose her, and that has caused them to have such an appreciation and sweetness toward her my entire pregnancy. They each pray for her every night, and they love to watch and feel her moving around. Especially Caleb. It has been extra sweet for me to see his big brother heart growing these past months. I found out the night I was bleeding so much that he went out for a walk, in the dark, alone, and talked to God quite a bit about saving his baby brother or sister.

**I can't help but wonder why she was spared. So many people I know have lost babies. I never realized how common it is. I had two friends due within days of me. We all had problems the same week, they lost their babies, but Grace went on to be fine. Why? I don't understand it all, but I can't help but feeling there was a reason. And her name being Grace. She just seems covered in it. And I pray it just flows out of her and covers our family!

I guess that's all for now. My sister took ALL my kids today and there is a ridiculous amount of organization and throwing away cleaning that is yelling my name from the upstairs...so off I go. If you read the whole thing...wow! (you must be bored!)