Frazzled but Blessed

Well, it seems that God is trying to teach me a few things. This past Wed. after working for a few hours I started contracting. alot. I usually contract often throughout the day, but I blame it on taking care of two very busy boys ( and being a little old). But this time it felt different. I actually thought it felt like the first few hours of my induction with Daniel. As usual, I tried to deny that it could be anything, but after much nagging by a couple of co-workers, I let them put me on the monitor. I was definitely contracting- about every 3min. and I noticed their intensity (along with my anxiety) was increasing. Could it be? How could this happen today? I didn't even have my bag packed, or my kitchen floor clean; not to mention I am only 36wks. Ironically, I had started feeling a little on edge the past week- knowing that I only had a few more weeks to go. I couldn't believe it, it seems like everything has sped up. It is much easier to take this little one to the store like this- nice and contained inside my belly. I even joked with my doctor about waiting another week past my original scheduled day (Nov. 9). But, here I was being told that after evaluation, I was 4cm dilated and on the brink of having our baby today. Yikes. why did I start crying? Why was I such a mess? - Because I like to be in control. Apparently, everyone (including my coworkers) knows that. I had to chuckle to myself, when I realized that today in my workbook for the Bible study I'm doing, was titled "My time belongs to God". Well, I insisted the doctor on call recheck me in 2 hours. This happened and I wasn't changed but everyone felt more comfortable having me stay overnight in the hospital, just in case. Esp. considering my hx. with two prior c-sections. Anyway, long story short. I slept horrible but made it through the night and went home in the morning.

As far as the frazzled part goes. I mentioned I was taking a Bible study. It is titled "The frazzled female". Unfortunately, I haven't been able to attend the past two discussions, but have been diligent about completing my work each week. I have to admit, when I pick up the book to start my devotional time, I say to myself pridefully- ' I am not frazzled, I have it together pretty much' and I feel kind of silly that I am even doing it. However, as I do the lessons each day, I am quickly humbled and realize how pertinent the study is to me and am grateful that there are other women who feel the need to do such a study and are going through the same situations as I am. It is a brief study, one that is doable for a "frazzled" female but packed full of truths and pertinent activities that grow my relationship with God. I am realizing that although I may feel a little stressed and stretched to my limits sometimes, He is blessing me everyday and this baby that is on the way is another example of that. It has been a little much, having 3 babies within 3+yrs. but for years God was trying to steer my path yet I did my best to ignore Him. Thankfully, after years of an unhealthy relationship, I was given a second chance and blessed or not, I may have to go through a little stress because I didn't give myself a lot of time to build a family.
Being blessed can be just a little thing or a big thing, and I am experiencing both. Thank you Lord for this baby that is about to fill us with joy and excitement and thank you for my boys. It can't get any better than watching David sit on his daddy's lap and look up and say, 'you are my best friend daddy".

Fall is in the air

Well, Fall is here. I think. Living in Florida is one of those things that has to grow on you. I've lived here for over 30years and have gotten used to the weather, or lack there of, but somehow still have a burning desire to see snow on Christmas day and think that every summer is hotter than the year before. Thankfully, the weather has appeased many of us, who have dashed out to enjoy the many fall festivals going on and tried out a pumpkin patch or two. A high in the 70's is cool for us and fools us to get ready for the holidays that follow. My mommy group hadn't made it together for a few weeks, but a few of us did manage to gather at one of our near by churches at their pumpkin patch. I imagined the cutest of photos of David & Daniel, sitting on their favorites pumpkins with grins from ear to ear, right on cue.....this is what I got. David would never sit still, he purposely avoids the camera and thought he'd try to touch every pumpkin in site-never committing to just one. Daniel just got lazy and gave me a great "I'm not into to this mom" pose.
Oh well, the bounce house was a hit and watching them fall over and laugh at each other was quite amusing. This day is was actually not that cool yet, so we were all a little sweaty and I didn' t come prepared so we jetted a little early to get some grub.

David on the move, searching for the best pumpkin.

Daniel ruling the bounce house.

Daniel and buddy Sammy, these boys are loving it.

Hey mom aren't I cute?

Now, there's my cute boy....

Tearing up the cute picture spot. Wouldn't you know it?

Luke hanging with the big boys.

Hey dude, nice truck.

Daniel turns 2!

Happy Birthday Daniel!! You turned two this past week. It is hard to believe you are such a "little man". I remember you as a tiny baby, like it was yesterday. You came into our lives and have filled your mommy and daddy with so much joy and laughter. Your personality is contagious and your smile lights up any room. You can be vivacious and gentle all at the same time, with the best kisses in the world- full of affection and sloppy wet. You are however, full of spunk and love to hit things. Daddy's new nickname for you is "Bam-Bam"- from the baby in the Flintstones. Unfortunately, this has gotten you in a lot of trouble recently because sometimes you hit the wrong things or people, esp. your brother. You and David are learning to play well together and sometimes it sounds like your calling him "Daniel" so I think you think there are two of you. You still love Elmo, but like all of the things that David does too. Tractors, trains, and trucks. You love to push your dump truck all over the yard and make truck sounds and drive your trains around the track, saying "all aboard and choo-choo". You are very independent and get frustrated if someone tries to help you. And, you are showing some interest in going potty- you get upset when we put diapers on you because you want to wear pull-ups with Woody on them. You are saying so many words and short sentences! Always saying thank you and have learned to apologize. You are very athletic too. You kick a soccer ball like a pro and always kick with your left foot. Ironically, you are also quite clumsy- running into walls, tripping over your own feet and bumping your head on the doors and cabinets. Your poor little noggin is sure hard.
You really seem to love music. You dance anytime it's playing and tap your feet in the car with your head bobbing up and down. You love to eat and eat just about anything, however you don't like mac-n-cheese, like David. The biggest highlight of your life is POPSICLES. You light up like nothing I've seen when you get one.

Daniel means (God is my judge). He was a man of impeccable integrity and did not sin, despite living and serving in a corrupt land. He held fast to his faith in his God and was persistent in prayer, prophesying through dreams with discernment that was given to him by God.
Although, you are only two and your behavior is sporadic and chaotic at times, your daddy and I have seen these qualities in you as you have grown. Your heart is open for all to see and you enjoy life moment to moment, trusting with a humble compassion. Your persistence is evident in everything you do and you seem to discern a situation carefully. We pray fervently that your life will unfold as Daniel's did in Babylon and you too will stand firm to your faith. We pray that you will give your heart to God and lead others through your faithfulness and example. We love you very much and thank Yahweh for you everyday.



Grandma & Papa bought you a cool new tractor, that plays music.

Recent pics

Grandma Stalnaker & Papa came to visit for Gator Day. It was a fun weekend. Full of good worship and "kick-off" to the new school year, aka- Gator football! We took out some time to play and terrorize Grandma by driving the school bus. Slow down David!!! You drive like your daddy.

The boys love looking at pictures. Here Daniel is looking through one of his albums. All Daniel - Yippee!!!

GO GATORS!!!!! David didn't want to take his Gator shirt off after church. He does look pretty darn cute. I guess I couldn't blame him.

Everything's fun with Papa. Reading Thomas the train. "Go, Train, Go!"

Loving the school bus. Grandma acting a little crazy with the wild boys.

August recap

5 YEARS TOGETHER!!

DAVID'S ALL LAUGHS AFTER A BIG JUMP

DADDY & DANIEL READY TO SLIDE

ENJOYING THE POOL WITH THE BOYS

27WK BELLY- BOY OR GIRL?WE STILL DON'T KNOW

Well, August has come and gone. Where have I been? It has been a very busy month. Brian and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary Aug. 8- yea! I think of our wedding day like it was yesterday, it was such a fun day. I want to do it all again, all of the time. At the time I didn't realize how fun it was, planning and all; and I wish I would've relaxed about it more but I learned a lot during that time of preparation and dream of another wedding. So silly isn't it? Anyway, my prince charming continues to make my heart go "pitter-patter"and he is so patient with me, even after getting to know the real me. I have learned that the smell of diesel fuel can be a turn on, and I don't even notice that he doesn't shave all week- until Saturday, then it's like I have a new man. I still think his voice sounds sexy on the phone, and teased him about having weekly phone conversations like we used to before we got married. you know just to keep it "new again". :) One thing I love about Brian is he never forgets to tell me he loves me. One thing I would miss terribly and never take for granted. Of course, there are little things that he does that drive me crazy, but I am gently reminded that I too have my own idiosyncrasies. hmmm. I never knew. We are on the fast track building our family, with much thanks to our Lord and he continues to remind me that we will want this crazy time back. I know he is right, but sometimes it is difficult to take it all in.

We coincidentally were out in CA, at his parents for our anniversary, so it felt like our honeymoon all over again- except for the two munchkins that now keep us very preoccupied. (We honeymooned in Yosemite and had a wedding reception at his parents) . Our visit was great. I figured, with the baby coming soon, we wouldn't be able to get out there until after the Christmas so we decided to attend the Borges reunion. It is always a joy of mine to go on vacation with Brian, b/c I have him all to myself. If he's not at home, where he can work on projects then he is vulnerable and I can talk him into doing things just for fun b/c he doesn't have a shed to go to. hee- hee . I know that's kind of mean, but it's all for a good cause.

At Grammy and Pappoo's we had a leisurely time with David and Daniel's cousins and enjoyed having a few minutes of grown up time, b/c they entertained them for hours. It was nice to see them run around and play with each other and get reacquainted. David is so much more out going in the past 6-8mths. and smitten by the attention he gets from his cousins. He doesn't know how to swim yet, but he and Daniel learned to use "water wings" and had a blast in the pool. David was a little cautious, but Daniel was all over the place and jumped to daddy over, and over and over again. He wasn't scared at all and didn't even care that his face got dunked everytime. He'd just laugh and shake it off. He even went down the slide with daddy. What a big boy! David got better with his sharing skills b/c their were many kids to deal with, esp. during the reunion. All the boys, there were 4-5 under the age of 5 ran from one end of the house to the other chasing each other with their trucks yelling as loudly as possible. Something the boys love doing at home. I got to show off my pregnant belly and be pampered by two of my sweet nieces, Schuyler and Mikayla who rubbed my feet, with lotion, and massaged my head, at the same time, FOR ALMOST 45MIN! . I thought I was in Heaven!!!!!!!!!!!!! My honey gives good foot rubs too but this was sure bliss. Thank you girls. We spent a great day at the park with their other cousins, Jarrett, Satchel, and baby girl River. The boys loved the forts to climb and the sand pit to dig and play trucks. hey, there's something new. We were hoping to go out for a night on the town, to celebrate our anniversary of course, but unfortunately Brian got sick on Sunday and didn't make it further than the couch. It was a bummer but oh well. It would've been great to have stayed longer but of course school started and one must work, so our trip was short but very sweet. We are now counting down the days until Grammy comes to visit, when the boys get a new brother or sister. David said he wanted a brother, "like him" has he smiled and pointed to Daniel. (he actually calls him "Dadil") Talk about melt your heart.

The rest of August has been filled up with work, playgrounds, learning sign language (which I've always wanted to do),trying to stay cool and trying to come up with a plan for a new house. Brian's pole barn is almost finished minus a new door and slab, which might wait until tax returns. He has really worked hard and I couldn't be more proud.

Only 72 more days until our little mystery baby comes to meet us. I can hardly believe it. Brian thinks it's a girl, I think it's a boy. We'll see......either way, nothing compares to feeling he/she moving and kicking inside my belly- 'how I wonder what you are'.

Disney and friends

So, we took the kids to Disney. My wonderful husband surprised me and made plans for us to go on his birthday. What a sweetie! Since I missed my chance on my b-d and was quite bummed about it, I guess he felt bad. We've had this debate for awhile now that we should wait and go to amusements parks when the boys are older, b/c they won't care enough, won't behave, or remember it all. Anyway, I guess I won the debate and here we are. My parents even came up and surprised me inside the park. It was a lot of fun and I think the kids really did enjoy it although it seemed they liked running through the "water park" more than anything and having huge rainbow popsicles- all of which can be enjoyed in our backyard. go figure. I was a little pooped after the big day. The heat has had its toll on me, being pregnant and all. Unfortunately, my camera broke after gettting wet so I missed some great moments- but it was a fun day and I look forward to going back sometime next year. The pic on the bottom is of Brian's best friend Danny and his girl Vickie. He graciously came up one weekend and helped w/the pole barn- we got to go out for dinner with them .. It was delicious Carrabba's and I ate until I was stuffed. Yum!!! Food tastes so much better now, when I can go out and enjoy it, every morsel a time and have someone else prepare it for me.

Pool Time- a message for grammy & pappoo

I finally figured out ( I think) how to upload a video. Yea!!