Kids in Costumes

As we have in previous years here, here, and here, we planned to take the kids to the Reformation party at my parents' church last night. Unfortunately for Alexa, she came down with a 102 fever yesterday afternoon and didn't get to go. And my mom was down helping my grandma, so she didn't get to go either. But Dave did take this cute cow (after 4 years of being a monkey) and cute lion, and Gramps met them there and chased Jordanna around for the night. And Caleb and Jordanna shared their candy with Alexa when they got home.


And there were these adorable princesses wandering around my house tonight. Alexa still had a fever when I put her to bed; hopefully she'll feel better tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Caleb was in the shower because he threw up in the van right as Dave arrived at church tonight (I was home with sick Alexa). We THINK he was just car sick and really hope there will be no more throw up tonight (or ever for that matter, but that's probably highly unlikely as parents of 3 almost 4 children).

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Happy lunch bunch. I put a plate of crackers, cheese, and lunch meat and a bowl of fruit on the table, and they thought it was the best lunch ever.
The cutest soon-to-be-big sister!
Sierra's first personalized gift.

Jordanna's Turn

Me wearing the lion overalls that my mom made for me
Alexa

And now Jordanna

Aren't we cute?

The Fourth Time Around

One would think that pregnancy the fourth time around would be old news. But, really, it's still amazing. Still amazing that this huge belly, with all its associated discomforts,
will soon give way to a precious baby. Still amazing to feel hiccups or a tiny foot in my ribs (where it has been most of the day). Still amazing that the God of the universe is knitting together new life, our Sierra Grace, inside of me.

Psalm 139:13-16
¹³For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.

Giddy Up

We went to my parents' house Friday night for dinner with my grandparents, and this is the only picture I managed to take. At least she's cute!

Singing Sisters

Decluttering

Once upon a time, there was a young couple who had been married almost a year when they bought their first house. It had spacious bedrooms and lots of closet space. They couldn't imagine one day filling up every closet not to mention the attic and the garage and under the beds and every other spare nook and cranny. But as often happens to young couples, they had a baby. And another and another and soon one more. And with babies come lots of stuff. And soon their spacious house became bursting at the seams.

Anyway, we spent the better part of Saturday morning reorganizing this closet in the girls' room. Previously, you had to risk life and limb to get a game to play. There was quite the mess of girls clothes, both some that had been outgrown and some waiting to be grown into. And getting out a suitcase for a trip was an Olympic event.

Here are some before pictures -

During -
After -

My Favorite Son

As all 3 of you who read my blog know, I am expecting our 4th and last child, another girl. So, unless God surprises us, Caleb will always be my favorite and only son.

Caleb was a very late talker. He didn't say his first word until 17 months. At almost 3, while he could name all his letters (as you can see here on my mom's former blog), he was still barely talking. His small motor skills also lagged behind a bit. When we started kindergarten at home last year, he could barely write any letters except for maybe his name. (I feel the need to insert here that he is amazing at math like his Daddy and completed 1st grade math last year during kindergarten.)

Anyway, Caleb got his first progress report from school this week (he goes to English and history classes one day a week and is home the rest of the time). Here is what his teacher (who incidentally has 43 years of teaching experience) had to say - I just wanted to let you know that Caleb is doing well in all of his subjects. He is a good worker, and tries hard to do everything I ask him to do. He participates in classroom discussions and is enthusiastic about what we are doing. I enjoy having him in class, and I know he will continue to well.

And here is a picture of that same Caleb sitting outside today reading Ramona Quimby: Age 8. From what I can find, this book is usually placed at about a 3rd grade reading level. While he has had to ask for help with some words, he is comprehending and more importantly enjoying what he is reading. He's read the first three chapters already today.

Caleb certainly is my favorite little boy (although he would say that he is a big boy), and I am so proud of how much he has learned and grown over the last few years!

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Alexa and Jordanna watching Caleb complete a fall collage for school. I had to get Jordanna off the table about a million times before he finished.
Look who thinks she's a big girl! All she's done so far is sit, wipe, flush, and wash her hands, but it's a start.
Ice cream at Chickfila today

Fall

30 Weeks

Pregnancy Week 30: All About Baby

Your baby's face looks much like it will when she's born. She still needs to fill out more to get the characteristic chubby infant cheeks, but she's on her way. She can move her head, open her eyes, and make breathing movements through her open nostrils (although no air comes in).

How Big Is Baby?

If your little one were born today, she'd have a good chance for survival at about 3 pounds and a little over 15 inches long (crown to heel).

Jump!

My mom bought the girls these shirts which get them in for free to one of those jumpy places each Tuesday while I work. Caleb and I had off of school for Fall Break this week, so I promised him that I would take him to the jumpy place as well. And we met some friends there, which made it even more fun.

Fair Part 2

Dave was out of town on a school trip from Wednesday to Friday last week, so on Saturday, we switched places. I went to his school to administer the SAT, and Dave stayed with the kids. He dropped Jordanna off at Grammy and Gramps' house, and then took Caleb and Alexa to the fair. They rode some free rides, played some games, and had a snack. Then they got Jordanna, had lunch, and were down for naps/quiet time when I got home.

New (To Us) Toy

Some friends gave us a box of stuff the other day, and I finally pulled this toy out for Jordanna today. It kept her busy for a bit while the big kids did school, which is always a great thing.