Let it Snow!

Today, we woke up to freezing rain and sleet. I took Karissa to school and then built a big fire and sat down with a book. Of course, the sitting down part lasted about 3 minutes with three small children. As the morning went on, I watched it get colder and wetter and even some snow fell. By noon, I decided to pick Karissa up from school so I wouldn't have to load everyone up if the roads were worse later. She was so excited to come home. She told me she was the 6th kid to get to go home early. She also told me I could pick her up early all the time so she could miss P.E. All afternoon the girls wanted to go outside and play. I finally let them around 4pm. After spending 30 minutes getting them dresses they spent 10 minutes outside and then were ready to come home. Kirk got to leave early today, too. Now, we are all snug as bugs in rugs and plan to stay that way, at least until morning. Tonight at supper, Cara told Kirk if she didn't have to eat her chicken and dumplings she would give him a surprise but if she had to eat it she wouldn't give him a surprise. Kirk had to work at a straight face and then tell her we don't make deals about supper. Then he corrected himself and said he could make deals but not her. Caleb is sleeping a 6 hour stretch at night. Isn't God great.

Pictures

The puppy isn't ours. The neighbors just got him. He is a 6 wk old boxer. Kirk and the girls loved him.

Let the Season begin...

We planned to buy our Christmas tree Friday night. We went to Walmart and they had like twelve live trees to choose from. Then, we decided to drive somewhere else and Caleb started screaming. The only time we have any trouble with him is at night in the car. Anyway, I decided it wasn't worth it so we went back home. The girls were disappointed.

Saturday, I got up and went to a women's Christmas brunch. It was really nice. Over 60 women decorated tables and over 500 women attended the brunch. The speaker combined David Letterman's top ten list with The Grich Who Stole Christmas and the Birth of Christ and came up with The 10 Grinches that can steal your Christmas joy. Unfortunately, I couldn't take notes but it was awesome. Some of the 10 things were money, travel, family problems, crowds, fears, being caught up in the decorations etc. and missing the real meaning. Anyway, it was relaxing and fun. I sat at our moms group leaders table. She lived in Wichita Falls in the 70's. Then, I came home and Kirk and Karissa and Cara went out to buy our tree. When they got back we decided it was such a nice day that we should hang outside lights. Kirk got all the gutter lights up while the girls played across the street and I chatted with my neighbor. Then the wind got cold and it started getting dark. I got up on the roof to do the eaves but we ran out of light clippies. We had pizza for supper and told the girls we would decorate the tree this morning and go to church tonight. Once again they were disappointed but understood. I left with Caleb after the kids went to bed to find clips for the lights. We have been to 8 places and no one has them!!! When I got back Kirk and I put the tree in the house, trimmed the branches and put the lights on.

This morning Kirk made breakfast (yeah!) and let me sleep in a little. Thanks honey!! Then we decorated the tree. Karissa and Cara had fun. Kylie got bored pretty quick. I started a tradition of putting a ornament on the tree each year with the girls picture in it. It is always fun to look back at the old ones. Cara asked, about two hours after we decorated the tree, if we could take everything off and do it all over again. We had a wonderful roaring fire and had agreat family time. Then the Cowboys played. Then I crawled back up on the roof in very cold and windy conditions and finished the lights on the eaves. At the very last clip on the 6th strand all the lights went off. I was not happy. Finally, I found a fuse had blown. So I replaced it and they worked again. As we were leaving for church ,Kirk says we blew another fuse. All that work and we still don't have outside lights. Who knew you couldn't hook six strands up together on one outlet!! I guess tomorrow I will climb back up in even colder temps and put another extension cord up. ON a more positive note, this year we decided to work through The ADVENTures of Christmas by Lisa Welchel as a family. So far it has been great. Everynight we read about a different tradition and how we can find the true meaning of Christmas in them. I like this book because it doesn't try to take away what Christmas has become it just puts Jesus into it all. We are all learning something. Tonight we went to church. Once again the nursery workers didn't want to give Caleb back. They said he is so sweet and he is!! He watched football for a long time this afternoon. Kirk is so proud. I guess that is all for now.

I tried to post some pictures but they wouldn't go through. I will try again later.

Cara's Debut & The Circus

Busy, busy, busy

I can't believe it has been 12 days since I last posted. Time just seems to fly by.

Thursdaythe 17th, my women's bible study had our Thanksgiving luncheon. It was a great time of fellowship and Caleb got to go to the nursery for the first time. He did great and the workers didn't want to give him back. That always makes you feel good. Cara had her musical debut when the 3yr old class performed for their moms. She was hilarious. She is a born performer. She was loud and knew the motions and sang all the words even if she was behind or ahead of everyone else. She was so CUTE!!

Friday the 18th, we went to the Shrine's circus. Kirk's parents came up and went with us. It was a lot of fun. Cara loved the lion and tigers. Her mouth literally fell open when they came out. Then when the dancers and trepezers came out she said "I want to learn to do that." Kylie, Caleb, Debbie and I left at the intermission. I didn't realize the circus was so long. Karissa and Cara rode ponies at the intermission and stayed til 10pm when the circus ended.


Saturday, we went to Grapevine Mills. Just a quick mommy moment...Kirk made a comment I didn't like and I discretely flipped him off so he says "hey mom and dad Jen just shot me the bird." We laugh and keep walking into the mall. On the way ,we notice Cara looking all around and ask her what she is looking at. She says I am looking for the "bird that was shot." We ate at Rain Forest Cafe, shopped a little and the girls got to see Santa. Kylie saw Santa but had no desire to get near him. Karissa went back with Kirk's parents since she is out of school all week.

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Caleb had his two month check-up. He is 13 lbs. 4 oz. and 23 1\4 inches. He had to get his shots but he did great. He barely even cried. Kimberly watched the girls so I could take him to the doctor. When we got back the girls still wanted to play so we had lunch and hung out for a bit. Then I went to the doctor thinking I had a sinus infection. No such luck! I was just really dried out and there was no quick fix for it. From the doctor I came home and packed and headed for Wichita Falls. Kirk was coming on Wednesday after work.

Wednesday night, Cara was very fussy and complaining of a sore throat. I get a flashlight out and convince her to let me look. Ahhh it looks like cottage cheese. So we head to now care and get a prescription for strep. She runs fever all night and vomits. What a Thanksgiving. Luckily, Kirk's mom watched her through lunch and Thursday night so we wouldn't expose even more people. ( By Friday night the antibiotics had kicked in and she was feeling great).

Thursday, we had a wonderful lunch with my parents and brothers and sisters. After lunch all the guys (young and old) played street football. It was a blast to watch. Kirk is still sore today. Then we went to Kirk's parents after and watched part of the game and visited. Thanksgiving night we watched Polar Express with my parents and brother and his family.

Friday, my mom and my sister in law and I shopped a little. We didn't get up and dawn and we only shopped to get out of the house for awhile. Then we met my dad and step mom for a late lunch. We ended up at my aunts and had a great visit with some of my dads family that we don't see very often. W went back to my moms and put all the kids to bed at their regular bedtime(finally). Then Kirk went to the movies with his dad and brother and I was just going to read and go to bed early, to get ready for picture day. Instead ,my dad and I sat up and talked about everything under the moon. I don't think I have ever talked to my dad for so long about so much. At one point we saw headlights in the window and it was Kirk coming home from the movies. So he joined in. About midnight, I crashed and dad and Kirk kept on talking for awhile. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this holiday and visit home.

Saturday, we met Kay at Martins Circle to take family pictures. The pictures turned out great. Kylie didn't cooperate but we still got some good shots. Then Kay offered to take some of Caleb at her house so we played with him for awhile. Then Kirk and I did some shopping for the girls and we finally headed home around 4pm.

Today, we all woke up stuffy and coughy. There is something about the trip to WF that does us in. I am dried out again and Kylie even had to have a breathing treatment tonight. It doesn't help that there are 45mph winds outside and the temp is dropping from 70ish today to upper 30's tonight.

Hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Congrats to our friends, the Turners, on the arrival of Londyn, their beautiful baby girl!!

Update

I tried to post Saturday night but I lost it and didn't hae the energy to rewrite it. So here is the run down of my last 6 days.

Thursday: Karissa's friend Raven came to play and we watched Apprentice, Survivor, and ER. I think Thursday is my favorite night of television.

Friday: Both of our parents came to visit, Kirk's for the day and mine overnight. Kirk is so lucky...my mom was here to help him out while I had my girls night out. It was so wonderful. After getting completely lost and having Kirk guide me to where I was going via cell phone, I arrived 45 minutes late. We had a wonderful mexican dinner and then proceeded to talk for the next 5 hours. There were six of us there and we all shared our testomonies to include our life stories. Talk about immediate bonding!! I made it home just fine and Caleb did great taking a bottle.

Saturday: We went to the Botanical gardens with my parents. The girls had fun exploring and running around. The fall is probably not the best time to go but there were some beautiful colors . The girls loved the tree that they could fit inside. Cara was brave first and reluctantly Karissa followed her into the tree. My Dad said it was hollow all most all the way up. We took several "fall" pictures of Karissa hoping to get one to go with the other kids to go on my wall. Then Kylie wanted to pose and have her picture taken, too. Then we came home and napped. We spent the evening relaxing with Kirk's Aunt, Uncle and cousin.

Sunday: We actually made it to church. The youth staff were conducting the service. There are like 15 of them. I missed most of the service with Caleb. Next week he can go in the nursery...Yeah!! Sunday School was great. One of the men in our class is teaching Deut. It is very interseting. We miss Tom and Lance terrible. The style of our pastor is just different but we are adjusting. We watched football and slept on the couch all afternoon. Sunday night we had a celebration dinner with our small group. It was great fun and the food was delicious.

Monday: Catch up from the weekend day. My first MOMS group. I met 13 new woman(some I had met before). We are going through a book called Mom After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George. It looks really good. We spent most of our time sharing prayer requests and praying for each other. I had to share a birth experience since it was my first time. I am looking forward to the next one in December. They are also haveing a Gingerbread house making party. These girls know how to socialize and get time for themselves. I love it.

Tuesday: Today I met a friend at Ridgmar Mall and we had a picnic lunch and the kids played at the indoor playground. It was a lot of fun. Kylie and Ellie are only a month apart in age. Cara played with all the other kids threre and thought Brendan was there. She met a boy who looked like Brendan but he kept telling her that wasn't his name. Oh yeah, Santa Clause showed up as we were leaving and I didn't think I was going to get Cara to leave. I had to promise we would come back so she can talk to him.

I guess that is all thet is going on for now. I wish I could make it as interesting as Amy. I feel so blessed to have found Christ Chapel and to have fit in so easily. All the girls are so friendly. Kirk had lunch last week with one of the guys from small group and he is having lunch today with a different one. He is enjoying making new friends, too.

Land of the Living

I am so excited. I feel like we are part of the living now. For so long we have been waiting. Either on a job, house, church, baby etc. Now we are settled and plugged in. I have a girls night out Friday (and I don't have to take Caleb), then Sunday we have a small group fellowship and Tuesday we have a play date and I start a new moms group and Thursday we have bible study and Cara's class is going to sing. Friday we have box seats for the whole family to the circus. A really nice lady at Kirk's work gave the tickets to us. We will have an entire box to ourselves!! How cool is that?
Yesterday, Karissa's friend Ravin came to play after school. They have been wanting to play since school started but I didn't know how to set it up. We went to Ravin's after school and met her mom and Ravin was allowed to come home with us. They had a blast! I have a new parenting dilema, though. Ravin is very sweet but her home life is not. We do not want Karissa to play at her house. Any suggestions on how to diplomatically handle this??

Caleb is smiling more and more. We had his pictures made yesterday. He would not smile for anything. I think we got a smirk. Then we got in the car and I was buckling him in and he burst into a huge grin. That figures!!

The pictures are just a hodge podge. I have always loved the baby body part pictures. I think his foot turned out really cute. Thanks to Kelly and Alicia for the stripped blanket he is wrapped in. ( I can't remember if I thanked you guys for the gowns and blanket. If I didn't mark it up to lost memory due to child birth and please accept my thanks now). Caleb is quickly catching Kylie in size. He already seems to weigh more since he is so compact.

Rainbow Cookies

Thanks, Grandma Helen for the rainbow cookie dough. The girls had fun making them this afternoon. They had fun eating them, too. Then we discovered they turn your mouth the color that they are. Karissa's tongue is still blue, Cara's isn't bad since her dough was yellow and Kylie's pink just blends in.
We had a boring day otherwise. I spent the whole morning cleaning out the girls room. I am trying to prepare for Christmas. The girls have birthdays and Christmas all within three months!! Then Cara decided at rest time to sneak into Kylie's room and try to play with her. I cannot keep her in her room. I try to rest while they rest but she sneaks into my room or Kylie's room. Cara doesn't need to nap but Kylie NEEDS to nap. Kylie is in the full blown terrible two's and she whines ALL THE TIME. Yeah...I think she may be the worst one yet. She is definately strong willed. I guess God thoght I needed two of them!

Race Weekend

We had a very busy weekend. Friday, Kirk got off work early to go to the races with his uncle. He got home around 11:30. While he was gone Kylie got sick. She was running fever and very whinny. My very favorite thing to do is be a nurse. Just kidding. I am awful at the nursing aspect of being a mom. Anyway, this is the first time I have been alone with a sick child and a baby. Kylie just wanted me to hold her and Caleb just wanted to eat. I felt torn in two and in the end didn't seem to make either of them happy. Karissa and Cara were good and we had a movie night. Karissa and I watched Cheaper by the Dozen and Cara watched a princess movie in a tent in her room.
Luckily, Kirk stayed home Saturday from the races. It was a long day and night. I was ready to get out of the house today. After throwing up at 4am, Kylie seems to be much better. She ate a huge breakfast and slept 3 hours. She hasn't had fever in 24 hours. I hated missing church again! Kirk had to leave for the big race at 10 this morning so we couldn't make it home from church before he needed to leave. He had a great time. His guy Carl Edwards won !!! He came home tired and sun burned ready to watch the Green Bay Pittsburg game. Unfortunately, Green Bay lost again.
The girls and I had a good day, too. We had lunch with Aunt Linda and Paige at McDonalds. Yeah! I got to leave the house for the first time since Friday. Then, Aunt Linda took Karissa and Cara to see Chicken Little. They liked it except for one scary part. Kylie, Caleb and I had a much needed nap. Then we ate pizza with Linda and came home. We don't have anything going on this week so we should be able to recover.
Caleb is growing everyday. I need to get his pictures made before he looks like a one year old. I am sad that he is going to have to move into his own room. The crib is getting too small for him to be comfotable. I like him being in our room. I don't think any of the girls stayed in our room this long. I don't want to get up three times a night and walk to his room to feed him and I don't want him to wake up the girls. I told Kirk we could just put Caleb's crib in our room and he said NO WAY.

Halloween

I wish I was like Amy and could find the time to post everyday!! We took the kids trick or treating last night. They had a good time but it sure was cold. The girls were excited about how much candy they had after the first two houses. Karissa went as Kim Possible. I made her a mask and she didn't want to wear it so she said I'm just a spy. By the end of the night she was a ninja with her turtle neck pulled up over her chin!! Cara went as Belle with a red robe. Kylie was a cute pixie Tinker Bell. She looked so much like Cara when she was Tinker Bell. Caleb was our fourth "sweet pea." All our costumes have gotten lots of use.

On another exciting note...we went down the street and played with our neighbors today. The kids did great and I met another stay at home mom. We had a great time talking. We also had a playdate last week with Kimberley. She looks great. They only live about 15 minutes from us. I am finally starting to feel settled in.

Health Update: Kylie's face rash (??) is spreading to her neck but she is keeping band aids on better. Cara is still taking her antibiotic but feeling great.

Mommy moments: Caleb laughed out loud when I put him in his tub tonight. He also went to sleep by himself in his cradle.

Photo Ops

Caleb's first smile caught on camera. Kirk and Jen dressed up for Kirk's Halloween Party at
work.

Busy Saturday

Yesterday, Caleb was 1 month old!!! I can't believe it. We also had Cara's birthday party. She was so cute. She had a special birthday bubble bath Friday night. Then Saturday morning she just wanted to light her candles. She was so happy about every present she got. She would say wow, or oh my goodness, or yeah. She had a great time. Then we set off for Karissa's Fall Carnival at school. Kirk and I worked her class booth, pumpkin bowling for an hour. Then we took the kids around. It was fun but very HOT. Today we built a fire. The girls were so excited to have our first fire of the year. Kylie is still sick. I think it is just allergies but enough she can't go to church. She hasn't run fever but she has lost her voice.

Attention Alyssa

For some reason I can not comment on your blog. It says only team members can comment and I am not a team member. So here's my comment to your rant. Cheer up chicky. Don't be worried about being alone with the kids. It really is kind of fun. Do you have any family that can come and help? I have completely lost my train of thought now. The phone rang and Cara is having a fit because she wants on the computer and now she and Cara are screaming. I'm sure they will wake Caleb up soon. I'll pray for health, and the move and Ben's job and deployment.

Day 1 All Alone with 4

I just had to blog today, especially after yesterdays rant. Today is the first day I was completely alone with my four children!! Caleb had a rough night. He was up til about 1:30 am. Then up at 4:30 and 7. He cried the whole time I was getting Karissa up and ready for school. So then things calmed down. We went for a walk and to the park. What a workout to push the double stroller and carry Caleb in the tummy carrier! After the park we ran one errand and then Kylie had a tantrum, so we came home. The kids laid down and so did I. Peace didn't last long ,but I think I rested about 40 minutes. Time to pick Karissa up from school. So far I have remained patient most of the day and the girls have only fought a few times. So I decide we will have a snack and play at Mc Donalds. The girls were wonderful!!! They all three played for 45minutes without fighting. They played hide and seek and laughed. It was fun for us all. Then we arrive home and Cara falls apart because Karissa stole something fr0m her. This would be the begining of the end for Karissa. She lied about taking the toy. So we have dinner and baths. Kylie ate her chocolate dessert without eating her supper when I left the table for a minute to start the other girls bath water. We were having a battle of wills and she won! Karissa proceeded to tell 4 more lies. These are lies that she doesn't even need to tell. She was not in trouble or anything she just lied. So she had to sit on her bed until bedtime and pay me a quarter everytime she lies. If any of you have any good discipline for lying I would love your input. Overall, we had a good day and I feel like I was more in control and more patient.

I think my small group is praying for me and that is carrying me through. We have been doing a great study on Communites. Learning how to be a closer more loving church and fellowship of Christian people. Kirk and I love our small group and really feel a part of it. Sunday night we spent the last half just sharing personal struggles and prayer request. I told them mercy and patience with my kids are a big struggle for me.

Hectic Saturday

Why is it we always try to do so much on Saturday? Someone once told me either the even or the odd years are worse behavior wise for children. Guess what? I have even and odd years and today they were all bad. My girls are all so different yet all so annoyingly the same. We decided to shoe shop with all of them today and then take them all grocery shopping tonight. What were we thinking??? Kirk was way stressed out. I think it is good for daddy to see the not so nice time you can have with your kids. Now Kirk can empathize with me on the bad days. Karissa can be the sweetest most helpful big sister one minute and then lose control and stomp and yell and pout like a baby the next minute. She gets angry very quick and you can't calm her down. Cara on the other hand is sneaky and gets her feelings hurt and has to be cuddled to make up with her. Kylie is showing strong willed tendancies (Lord, not another one). She throws tantrums and whines and repeats herself until you want to put a sock in her mouth. She is also the most cuddly little girl and still wants to be rocked and held when she is sleepy. Who knows about Caleb. He doesn't seem to know he is the fourth so should therefore be laid back. He wants what he wants NOW and he sure like being held and cuddled. I guess that is enough of a rant for now.
Kylie had her first haircut today. I finally gave up on the no bangs thing. She will never wear a barette and we are tired of seeing her through her hair.

19 days old

I just can't help but post pictures!! Caleb is doing well. He eats all the time. I am learning how to change boy diapers although we have had to wash a lot of laundry. He wets through a lot and squirts when he's being changed (girls don't do that!). We are doing well. Kirk's work is a little stressful right now so I am grateful for his mom being here. I am struggling with headaches everyday. Hopefully they will go away soon. We have been very fortunate and had 8 meals brought to us. I am not going to know what to do when I have to cook again. We had some sad news yesterday...Our dog, Sam died. He has lived with Kirk's parents for the last several years so his dad took it pretty hard. He was a good dog. The girls will miss him.

Big Sisters X 3

Earlier this week, Mom and I were trying to soothe Caleb. We walked and bounced and patted and tried the swing. I tried nursing and burping and everything else we could think of. Then Karissa asked to hold him and we thought why not? So Karissa sits in the recliner and we hand the crying Caleb to her. He curls up on her chest and falls fast asleep!! She held him for almost an hour. Now when Karissa comes home from school she wants to sit and hold Caleb and he is happy to oblige. Cara thinks if she puts her hand on his tummy it calms him down because that worked once. Now when he fusses Cara says "he needs my hand mommy. " Kylie is just the house cryer. She runs to find me and tell me everytime Caleb starts to cry. I am afraid he is already spoiled!! He has no chance with three extra little mothers. I included a picture of my new haircut. I really like it. It isn't necessarily easier but now it does more than just hang there. I still need to take care of the color issue but I don't have 3 hours or $100 bucks. I will probably try to do it myself. I included Kylie's picture because she is actually smiling.

Pumpkin Patch

It was very cold and windy. We visited the pumpkin patch yesterday.Kylie was a little scared so her pictures didn't turn out.

Two Weeks Old

Yesterday, was Caleb's two week appointment. Luckily, my mom was here to watch the girls. So I arrive at the office and Caleb is sound asleep. Then he starts filling his diaper and wakes up crying. So I pick him up and he has wet through his sleeper. So I ask where I can change him and go back and change him. While I am waiting this happens two more times. I am out of clothes and have three yucky diapers in my diaper bag. So finally the doctor comes in and we find out Caleb is a HORSE. He has already gained from 8lbs 1 ounce to 9 lbs 4 ounces and grown almost two inches. I guess I make greta milk. Anyway he is doing great !! He is already trying to hold his head up. He lost his cicumcision ring on Sunday. I was so worried I was going to mess him up for life. The doctor says it looks fine. His cord is hanging on by a thread. I hope it falls off soon. I worry that it will get pulled or torn off with the girls wanting to hold him.
I just remembered...this morning we were getting shoes on for bible study when Caleb started crying. Cara says I'll get him and runs into my room. As I am putting on Kylie's shoes in her room I notice Caleb's crying is getting closer. I run into the living room and sure enough Cara had "gotten" Caleb. She had gotten him off the bed and was carrying him under the arms across the house. He weighs so much she was almost dragging him. Needless to say I rescued him and tried to explain to Cara she couldn't pick him up all by herself. Another note on Cara...up to now she has been staisfied with the answer the doctor takes the baby out to her question of how babies get out of mommies. Now she says "I know the doctor does it but HOW?" Any advice on what to tell her. She is only 3!!

So Sweet

Caleb is such a sweet baby. All I want to do is hold him and cuddle him all the time. He has truly brought out my maternal instinct. He loves to curl up in a ball and sleep on whoever is holding him. I had to include this picture of Cara, too. This is her hiding corner that she runs to whenever she thinks she is in trouble (she usually is). We are all well. The transition from 3 to 4 doesn't seem too terrible. My mom has been here for a week so I haven't really experienced it yet. I have loved all the mommy and Caleb time while my mom handled the girls and the house!! This weekend hasn't been too bad but Kirk has been here the whole time. I think once Caleb eats less frequently it will not be so hard. I have more to blog but I will have to do it later. Everyone is asleep and a hot bath and book are calling my name.