How bad do I stink at this?

OK really? Almost two months since I've blogged! We have been really busy the last month or 12. Wade set some pictures up on my new computer so I think I can post some today. On March 21st we had Mackenzie's dedication. It was on the weekend our son would have turned 1. it was difficult but we had so many great friends there and Wade's parents and sister came up. Then came Easter and the Easter program at church - that was exhausting! And of course as always, classes, papers, kids, cleaning, cooking.... the list goes on! But we are doing really well. Ainsley and Renah are finishing up their year and are doing so good with Mackenzie who is growing entirely too fast! Here are some pictures:

Still here!

Wow things have been busy lately! I guess that comes with the territory of three kids and our Master's program. Some god friends of ours had their first baby on Sunday. I was privileged to help do some coaching for her. She had a long, hard labor but did wonderfully and of course made me want to be pregnant again! We do plan on having another one but are waiting a little while.
Wade and I are leading a couples class on Wednesday nights at church. We are doing the Love Dare right now. We feel it is so important to give couples some time together and learn how to be better together.
God has shown Himself so faithful to us. We have some extra money coming in that is not only going to supply us with our needs, but also enable us to do some extra fun things with the girls. I am so excited about it! Well, I need to clean my house and shower as I just did a boot camp workout this morning (it's exhausting!) I hope you have a great day and a blessed week!

Blessings

Last week was a good week. It didn't start out that way, Sunday afternoon I started feeling bad and by Sunday night I was sick, sick sick! Monday, Wade had an intensive class that began, the girls were off school and I was miserable! I felt so bad because I was really looking forward to the girls being off school for us to do something fun but I didn't move off the couch except to make a bottle and hand the baby to one of them.
The girls children's church is going to Kidsfest in May. At least one parent has to go with them so it is not a cheap trip especially for a family of five living on student loans. We told the girls we would try and save the money for us to go. Ainsley decided to try and raise some money as well by making and selling flowers from little foam cut outs. She has them priced from .60 to 9000! She asks anyone who comes to the house to buy one and is surprised that no one has chosen the 9000 one!
One of the things Ainsley said she also wanted to save money for was a DS. We wanted to get them one for Christmas but we just couldn't afford it. A friend heard her talking about it and later told us she had one she did not play and wanted to know if it was ok to give it to them. It was such a kind gift and the girls love it! Last week I did a lot of cleaning around the house and ended up finding one of our old gameboys as well, so now the girls have one of each and are doing well with sharing them.
Saturday, I got a call from a friend who works with some greek letter clubs. She wanted to know if I had anything that needed to be done around the house. I had been cleaning all week but had not tackled the laundry yet. I had so many clean loads that needed to be folded. She brought 5 girls over here and for about 2 -3 hours folded my laundry. I am still working on getting it put away but that was such an enormous help. I think it was the best gift ever!
The week ended with an amazing dinner and visit from our great friends Steve and Kathy Fisher. We met them in Italy when we lived there. They ran the Hospitality House and have been friends, and mentors since. We haven't seen them since Ainsley was Mackenzie's age. It was such a great time and a great end to a great week. We are so blessed to have such amazing friends and we are so thankful for them. Well, I think my coffee has kicked in so I am going to start working on putting away more laundry! have a great day!

Too bad I am not creative with titles...

We are 16 days into the new year and wow it has been crazy! Wade and I have had class all week from 8-5 in Human Sexuality. The class was alright but from about Thusday morning on I don't think I heard much. It is hard to listen for that long! Wade unfortunately has another intensive class next week. Regular classes start the week after that.
Last night was our first night home in a week due to having no heat here. It was so stinking cold! Thankfully, we have some amazing friends who let a family of five stay with them for a week! It was so good to be home and to have it warm in the house. But of course today, the temps have warmed up quite a bit. I don't care my heat is still on!
Mackenzie will be 4 months old on Monday. I cannot believe it has been that long! She is starting to wean due to the fact that we had to supplement with formula so early. It is frustrating because I really wanted to breastfeed her longer. I have never had an adequate milk supply though I have tried all I can to increase it. I enjoy that special time with my girls and am not ready to give it up but we are both getting frustrated with it.
I feel like a crazy person when it comes to breastfeeding because half of me says "it's ok, at least she is healthy and getting nourishment from the bottle" the other (crazy) half says " Just keep it up" I know that breastfeeding is best for her and I have tried so hard I'm just tired.
Well, I guess that is enough discussion of my breastfeeding - I can't imagine someone's disappointment when they google something else and get this! I hope you are having a great beginning 2010 nd getting used to writing that!

Christina

2009 in review

Wow it's been a crazy year. We got pregnant for the fourth time in January, we graduated in August and began seminary, had our Mackenzie Grace in September, and it has been a bit of a blur since then lol. We have made amazing lifelong friends this year. I am so thankful for those we have met. Some on our same path, others not but I know we will continue our friendship. We have some fun plans with the girls this evening so I need to clean my house from traveling so I should get off here now. But thank you to those who have read this year and prayed with us and for us. Have a blessed New Year!!!!

Travel woes

For the first time this year, we traveled for the holidays. While we had a good time, the drive was looooong! Ainsley and Renah did wonderfully thanks to Santa coming early and bringing portable DVD players. The drive home took two days due to a tire blowing on the trailer we borrowed from Wade's parents in the middle of no where at 930 at night. That was a fun adventure to say the least. But praise God we were all safe and mostly kept our cool ;) We finally got home yesterday and haven't done much today. That's about all for now but I hope you all had a great Christmas!

It's beginning to look a lot like...mud I do live in Cleveland you know!

Oh the rain, the rain that will not go away. That is not what I'm talking about today but really it rains here all the time! Yesterday was Dec 1, and the Christmas festivities started! Last night was our staff/deacon Christmas party. Tonight is church but first a Christmas luncheon for Chaplain candidates and wives, tomorrow is a party, Friday a party, Saturday we are hosting a cookie and ornament swap - so excited! and Monday is a party. Holy cow that is a lot of Christmas cheer!
I am supposed to be writing a paper right now but felt like blogging first. I am also supposed to be studying for finals next week!
This is Mackenzie's first Christmas and I am so excited. I know that after we lost Mishael, I got pregnant very quickly. In some ways it made it harder, but I felt that with the milestones that we would go through, I needed to be pregnant. Last Christmas was hard but I knew had he not died, I wouldn't have had a baby at Christmas anyway, but this Christmas I would have and praise God I do.
Part of me feels guilty that get pregnant so easily when so many people we know struggle. I praise God that I am able to conceive with such ease. But this year I really want to remember and pray for those who want those babies and for whatever reason can't have them. To see the look in a child's eyes Christmas morning is priceless and I want my friends who have that desire for those babies to experience that look as well.
This post got a little deeper than I planned but that's ok, if you have read this, say a prayer for those who are struggling with infertility. Well, I really have to get to work on my paper. I hope you have great day and take a few minutes out of your busy day to enjoy the season!