Friesen Funny Farm

Valentine Sensory Bin

2012-02-13T02:04:00.000-08:00

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*Empty Valentine boxes

*Little Heart shaped boxes

*Heart stickers

*Heart maze games

*Heart bracelets

*Kaleidoscopes

*Pom poms

Happy Valentine's Day!

Yikes! Three Teens & Three 3 Year Olds

2012-02-13T01:17:00.000-08:00

My Baby Girl is now 13!

So, go ahead and ask me how old my kids are?

15, almost14, 13, 3, 3 & 3

Welcome to the Friesen Funny Farm!

Tot School - Letter "M"

2012-02-09T01:35:00.000-08:00

Big M

Little m

What begins with M?

muffins, moose, & Princess M

We're joining Tot School this week

Head over to see all the other families who've joined in
Tot School

Big Mess

Little mess

And More Mess

Put shaving cream and a couple of drops of food coloring

in a ziploc baggy and let the kids squish it and mix it!

We had fun driving our cars "up, down, up, down".

Letter "M" Printouts - Confessions of a Homeschooler

We love our Mitten Stickers

Story Time

Circle Time

This game is so much fun!
Found this game and many, many more finger games and these printables at
Oopsey Daisy Blog

It goes like this:

My Poor little kitten lost her mitten

And started to cry boo-hoo.

So I helped my kitten to look for her mitten,

Her beautiful mitten of BLUE.

Our IM&M's were pretty good at waiting their turn to pick the

color of mitten I read in the poem.

I found these cute printable mittens and the game
"Red mitten, red mitten, what do you see?"
over at Child Care Land.

Game Time

I am impressed with how well Kbug and Princess did at
their first writing practice sheet.
I put these printouts in sleeve protectors for now and they use dry erase markers on them.
It works pretty well.

M&Ms for the Snowman Button Game

K-bug learning to count with her fingers.

Story Time

The Mitten - Jan Brett

Gingerbread Baby - Jan Brett

Just found a lesson plan for Gingerbread Baby as well!

Snow Angel - Glenn Beck

Snowflakes and Ice Skates - A counting book

Carl's Snowy Afternoon - Alexandra Day

Shoot! Look what I just found! Another The Mitten themed lesson!

We might have to come back to "M" after Valentine's!

Ahhhggg! I'm going crazy!

This is so much fun!

It's My Party!

2012-02-07T00:19:00.000-08:00

FABULOUS at 40!

It was the best birthday party... EVER!
And yes, you can still do sleepovers at 40!

The poor innocent shoppers at the Mall Saturday evening had NO idea what was about to

descend upon them.

But put 5 Fabulous 40 Year Old Girlfriends together and....

"Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now"!
You can read Here what I think about turning 40!

A Glimpse Into 15 Year Old Quadruplet's Life

2012-02-02T23:11:00.000-08:00

I've been following Jami's blog over at Mom's Flight School. She has BBBG Triplets ( I probably got the order wrong)!!!! Her daughter wrote what it's like to be the only sister of a bunch of boys who are all the same age as herself. I pray my kiddos all like each other as much as Jami's do at 15!

Tot School - Letter "S"

2012-01-26T17:56:00.000-08:00

Big S

Little S

What begins with "S"?

SNOW

We're Snowflake Babies!

Snow Scenes

We got our memory verse printout over at one of my fave sites,

Totally Tots.

Stickers

We loved putting snowflake stickers on the letter "S"

First, we traced the letter with our fingers.

We worked on our fine motor skills by taking the stickers off of the sheet.

(I am happy this is becoming easier for us, as doing it x3 was getting old)

We talked about each sticker and what letter & sound they started with

(skate, sign, snowman,etc.)

The goal was also to teach us to stay in the lines.

Tons more printouts and this snowman game below from

Confessions of a Homeschooler the Prek Letter "S"

(complete with snowman tattoos)

We did pretty good at matching the letters up.

Thank goodness I had an old circle cutter from my scrapbooking days that

fit the printout perfectly!

Snowman Names

Remember my post, Confessions of a Preschool Junkie, with these "fuzzy balls"?

Here it is!
Our Winter sensory bin

We love it!

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For more Montessori activities visit Living Montessori Now.

It's a little crazy with three at a time, so we
work on it one at a time now that the initial intro is done.

"See the snowmen?"

We are linked up with Tot School - Check out all the other
families and the fun they're having as well.

Now is the time to search the aisle's at the craft store for great Christmas/winter themed

items to use.

We picked up a ton of items for just 30 cents!

Score!

Most of these ideas came from my Pin*terest Wintertime board.

You can check it out here

Confessions of a Preschool Junkie

2012-01-26T16:07:00.000-08:00

Hi. My name is Angela.

And I am a preschool junkie.

The following story is true.

What's a girl to do with Birthday money burning

a hole in her pocket?

Buy something for herself?

Go somewhere fun?

My friend took me out to coffee and shopping

the other night and I did buy something adorable for my kitchen.

(which I will blog about when that project is done)

But what I really flipped for were these:

Fuzzy Balls!

My friend looked at me like I was crazy!

But I seriously, am in love with my tube of fuzzy balls!

And snowman ornaments, jingling snowmen, silvery pinecones, and

sparkly penquins.

We love it!

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If All the Snowflakes Were....

2012-01-19T09:15:00.000-08:00

Bubblegum & Milkshakes...

Oh, what a snow that would be.

Standing outside with my mouth open wide.....

Wishful Thinking

Yummy!

Snow Angels

It only took me 40 years to figure out how to cut out snowflakes that
don't look like rectangles.....I know....I know!
But I'm pretty proud of myself!

The Other Half of My Heart - Giveaway

2012-01-19T07:47:00.000-08:00

My friend, Stephanie, over at Blended interviewed the author of The Other Half of My Heart. She is giving away a signed copy from Sundee T. Frazier. Here is a little snippet of that interview:

Last week I reviewed Sundee T. Frazier’s The Other Half of My Heart which you can read here. This week I connected with her and she graciously agreed to an interview. She answered questions about being multiracial in America, the impact of that personal identity on what she writes, and the origins of her multiracial characters.

So make sure you head over and read about your chance to win a copy of this book! I can't wait to read it!

Let's Get This Party Started!

2012-01-13T17:49:00.000-08:00

40!

Let's get this party started!
I'm starting early too.
I'm planning my own parties, 80's sleepover, getaways, vacays and fun in between.
Doing the things I love.

I've earned every strand (haha) of grey hair...Yep every single one of them!
I've earned every smile line, every stretchmark, every freckle, every worry line!

I like who I am. I am passionate about many things (my hubby, my kids, adoption, missions, Ethiopia, homeschooling, music, and my BFF Jesus Christ). I have some pretty crazy dreams. (Storm chasing, gypsy-nesting, line and salsa dancing and more)! I have some obsessions (Pintere*st, coffee, chocolate and more)!

I'm going to speak my mind a little more, love a lot more, give more, take care of me more, laugh a whole lot more, play tons more, and enjoy this ride even more!

I'm going to celebrate all the HIGHS and even the LOWS. I choose to not live in FEAR of the unknown, because God has been there by my side every step along this crazy journey of my life. And guess what? He's NEVER let me down!

So, come on 40! I'm ready!

Embryo Adoption Post on Blended

2012-01-05T10:53:00.000-08:00

My friend, Stephanie, has a wonderful blog for Bio-Adoptive Multiracial families over at Blended. Her site has great resources for blended families as well. Go check it out!

I was honored that she asked me to write a post on embryo adoption for her blog and you can find it here Adding to your Family through Embryo Adoption.

Welcome 2012!

2012-01-02T23:46:00.000-08:00

Wising you all a Happy New Year!
We are so excited to welcome a New Year!
So glad 2011 is over and looking forward to a bright future!

And with that comes the PURGE!
I love to put away all the Christmas clutter. I love it as much as putting it all out.
But to start the new year with a clean slate feels so good!

And I found this helpful blog with a Clean and Organized plan for 2012 and am following her on Pinterest (my new obession) as well.

Come and follow along!

Hope When There's Nothing Else

2011-12-24T22:52:00.000-08:00

Looking back over the last couple of months, I wonder how I'm even functioning.
Our journey has taken us to some new places where we've had to just hang on with both hands and have Hope.

Hope that tomorrow will be better.
Hope that things can't get worse.
Hope that no matter what....God will take care of me. Will take care of my blessings.

This past month I have experienced feelings and emotions that have hit like a tidal wave.
I've been numb. Sad. Mad. So very frustrated. Exhausted. Panicked. I have grieved. Laughed. Cried. All while trying to put pieces back together.

Today as I prepared our home for Christmas, I was in tears. It broke my heart as I passed him. I told him that I love him. I thought how we almost lost him. Almost didn't have Christmas with him. How shattered our lives have felt the last few weeks, but not wanting to imagine how we'd feel if he were not with us now.

Christmas is bittersweet. Part of me doesn't want to celebrate. I walked through a store the other day and almost threw up at the sights of people going about their lives, cheerfully preparing for the holidays. But I need Christmas................

I need Hope.

December marks the month when we brought this precious baby home....forever. I remember rocking this child in front of the Christmas tree. All my hopes and dreams bundled up against my chest. And I thought of Mary. How blessed she was to be chosen by God to carry His son. The intense love she had for this long awaited Messiah. And we were chosen by God for this child as well.

I wonder what she was thinking while holding her child. Did she worry about his future? Did she fear for him, the Prince of Peace? Knowing this was God's own son, she knew her time with him would be short. Did she cherish every minute?

But you see, she was holding Hope in her arms. Kissing His sweet little head. Singing Hope to sleep. And that is where I am finding my Hope tonight.

Although my babe is too big to rock by the tree and would die if I sang to him now, I can rest in knowing that the same Prince of Peace is here...right now....hearing my cries, my hopes and my dreams for my son. I do not need to be afraid.....

When there is Hope!

The Christmas Pirates who Stole my Heart

2011-12-23T10:12:00.000-08:00

These little pirates stole our Christmas baking time this morning.

I could've ignored their creative minds at that moment,

but look at what I would've missed.

Our fleet of pirate ships

Our fearless captain K-bug

Arrrgggg!

What piratey expidition is complete without a scary dragon?

And a fair damsel in distress.

Take time today to let the little pirates in your life capture your heart!

Merry Christmas from the Funny Farm 2011

2011-12-18T08:01:00.000-08:00

"Happy Birthday to Everyone!"

2011-09-13T22:53:00.000-07:00

We are THREE!!!

It's been a busy year for us.

And an even busier summer.

We are all done with our cribs.

We like our new big kid beds.

We've only gotten out of bed a couple of times before

Mommy caught us.

We love to dress ourselves.

One of us has an obsession with a certain pink dress.

One of us has an obsession (still) with anything with wheels on it,

a skateboard shirt, and "skateboard" shoes.

One of us isn't that picky about what to play with, but likes to take another's toys

and RUN!

We crack our parents up daily.

We love our older brothers and sister.

But we sneak into our sister's room and steal her stuffed animals.

Two of us learned how to ride a bike already. (Girls rule!)

One of us can dribble a basketball already. (Boys rock!)

We love to color, build towers, stick stickers everywhere, read books, have picnics, go

for walks, play trains, play kitchen, and go to parks.

We LOVE going to the river and we try to catch little fishies.

We love to scream when Daddy comes home!

We LOVE to sing.

Mommy calls us "Smarty Pants" cause we know lots of stuff already.

Sometimes we have "Sassy Mouth" and that's when we have to have a time out.

We love to go to church and MOPS and our Play Park.

We had a great birthday party, but the wind was so bad

Makena said it "freaked her out".

If you ask us how old we are here's what we'll say:

Makena "I'm three"

Kayla "I'm four and a half"

Isaac "I'm five"

(Kayla is the one who said, "Happy Birthday, Everyone" after we sang

the song to each of them)

Before You Were Born - My Pregnancy Journal Part 1 - Embryo Adoption

2011-09-08T23:30:00.000-07:00

I found my pregnancy journal the other day. It is almost exactly three years ago that three little miracles were born. I am again amazed at God's faithfulness even in the littlest of details of our lives to the most critical. This is dedicated to all of our children as a testament of God's love to us all and His perfect plan for our family.

If you are new to our blog you really should read our adoption stories all the way thru Part 5 first. It will make more sense!
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Fall of 2007 - Written before our first adopted frozen embryo transfer

You're Not Here Yet
You're more than a thought, a dream , a hope....You are a life waiting....We're waiting too.... for God's perfect timing! It has to be in His perfect time as all our children have been. We have learned long ago and are still learning that we control nothing. As hard as that can be at times, it also gives Hope and Comfort. Remembering what God has done in the past and seeing what He's doing in the present gives our life meaning ,our dreams hope, and our souls the deep contentment in knowing that He loves Us, more than we can comprehend. I want you to know this above all else. To know the Joy Giver, the Peace Giver, the Love Giver.

You are not here with us yet, but you are already in our hearts. God is already preparing us and those around us for you. You are not a mistake, a stroke of luck, or a burden, but a wonderfully, unique, precious gift from our Creator. His ways are higher than ours! And I'm so glad!

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February 6, 2008

We would've traveled to a far away country if we had to, to get you. But God brought you to us! We would've gone to the ends of the earth to find you! But God dropped you (heaven sent) into our laps and hearts. I watch "adoption stories" on TV and get excited for the couples, because we've been there. I watch "baby stories" and am in disbelief that I could even hope to carry you inside of me. You are in my heart. But to help you grow, to feel you move and to experience what I've never experienced before will be a huge miracle!

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February 8, 2008 - Transfer Day

I've had a few "God Moments" already. The song, "The fingerprints of God" by Steven Curtis Chapman came on the other day and it was the first time I stopped to listen to the words. "You are covered by the fingerprints of God" and "Your a masterpiece" "unique creation". Those words were reassuring to me that God has you covered with His fingerprints and will take care of you!

This time (transfer) I was excited going to the clinic. We transferred two in November and my heart was really guarded. Daddy and our donor family thought for sure I'd get pg then, but I wasn't counting on it. Sure enough no pg. But this time is totally different. I had a confident happy peace. When we got into our room the Embyrologist said all three (there were three in one vial) thawed successfully! Then a new doc came in and was very excited. I got to watch on the monitor all of you sploosh inside of me. Before he left, he gave my tummy a pat and just smiled! I knew!!

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February 17, 2008 - Church

The most incredible service!!! I was in complete tears as we watched a video on God's creation. The Universe and Beyond. This man showed us how much bigger some of the suns in our galaxy and beyond are compared to a golf ball which represents earth. And then to find yourself on that little golf ball. How tiny we really are compared to the things God created. And He knows MY name! Then I thought about how much smaller these 3 embryos are in my womb.! Wow! He went on to mention the human body. That a cell adhesion protein holds our entire body together...And guess what? The protein is in the shape of the cross! No kidding! Wow! God is holding these little ones together completely! Then our Pastor prayed for us and the future of these three babies!

As I stood up to sing after the sermon, I noticed the front of the bulletin cover was of a person standing at the end of a dock on a lake. I stared at this, because I knew right then and there that God had answered a prayer of mine 5-6 years ealier! I was at a Women's Retreat with my BFF, Teresa, and I remember on that dock God letting me know I'd get pregnant someday. It was a huge thing to carry away from that conference, trying to truly believe it. Then I looked at the cover again and saw that the woman on the dock was standing with her arms outstretched praising God!!!! He loves us so very much!

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February 19, 2008 - Test Day

I felt excited and a little nervous today driving to the clinic for the blood draw. The sun was shining and I felt peaceful and happy! At 2:30pm I got a call from the nurse and she said, "Congratulations!" The beta level was 532!!! A low positive would've been 100. What does that mean? She told me that twins have been as low as 100 and singletons as high as 500.

When Daddy came home from work, I told him I had to run to the bathroom and to check on dinner in the oven. He opened the oven door to find a baby basket w/ 3 buns inside! We've got "Buns in the oven, baby!" He was shocked that I knew, because he didn't think I was going in until the next day. It was so much fun surprising him! He was very excited!

I called Auntie Jill and Uncle Scott (our donor family) first. They were very excited! Auntie Jill and I talked for about 45 mins. Then I called Grandma, Aunt Terri and Aunt Denise. Daddy had lunch with Papa and surprised Nana at a luncheon with her friends. Nana opened a present with 2 pacifiers in it! She was so excited!

Happy 3rd Birthday to our "Babies"! I know I need to call you all something else! I'm working on it!
We love you all so much! Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday!

Potty Training Triplets - Part 4

2011-08-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

Typical Man!!!

At least he sits there and knows which car he wants when he turns three!

Not much else is happening here though.

My hat is off to anyone who has successfully potty trained multiples all at the same time!

But around here we're doing this by the Potty Training 1..2..3..book

Each child is ready in their own time!

And honestly, I can say I'm grateful!

Because it's hard to stay upbeat and cheerful when one has an accident, let alone three!

Get one done successfully and then add on another one.

The 2nd child learns from the 1st and so on!

After refusing to put on her big girl panties, Kayla was convinced after about two weeks and Grandma's encouragement to try them on!

And she wouldn't even sit on the potty for about a week! (What fun!)

My older kids are relieved that she in no longer going "comando" around here!

But it worked!

And she is really proud of her success.

She said, "Now I'm just like Makena!"

And she has made it even easier for me by using the bathroom and not just the potty chair.

So I'd say it took about two weeks from start to success!

Potty Training Triplets - Part 3

2011-08-12T15:22:00.000-07:00

While the "big kids" are away....

the babies will potty train!

(hopefully)

Thank goodness we have one down and only

two to go!!! lol

First, they were beyond excited to pick out their new "big kid"

underwear (Thomas and Minnie Mouse).

And when we got them home they were super excited to hold the package of undies.

Isaac was super excited to wear them.

But not Miss K. It's been 4 days now and she will not put them on.

Isaac has been super about sitting there.......

waiting.......

just to have him get up and have 5 accidents in a row!

Kayla wouldn't even sit on the potty for 3 days.

But last night she surprised us and again this AM.

She's super proud of her success and so am I!

So what do we do when the big kids go away?

We Potty Train!

You can read about Potty Training 123 by the Ezzo's and Potty Training Triplets

Part One and Part Two here.

19 Years and Counting!

2011-08-02T00:04:00.000-07:00

19 Years! Wow! Happy Anniversary, Babe! I love you more now than ever! Even in the midst of the most crazy time of our lives! I live to find moments alone with you! Love you forever!

A Mother's Cry

2011-07-24T14:45:00.000-07:00

There have been few times (thankfully) that I have had to wrestle with God and plead for the lives of my children or yet to be children.

Pleading and crying out to God with the pain of infertility that brought me to my knees and the lowest I had ever been.

Praying with 100's that our first child would get to be ours and come home before Christmas! It was a long 6 wks! But he did!

Pleading and crying out to God, unitl I fell into bed in a heap, for the child that was to be ours, was put into my arms.

Praying for complete protection during a three year finalization wait for our third baby!

Pleading with God for one more day to keep our triplets in my womb...to cook for another day and to not be born at 26 weeks....again at 28 weeks and then each day after that until 33.3 wks!

And that's just to get to become parents.

We all know the worries and concerns that overcome us through their birth, adoptions, first days, first years and beyond.

But as I sit here....I have never felt such pain as to watch a child struggle with life, trying to find their way, choosing to make bad choices, and choosing to be the farthest distance away from us as possible, but yet longing to be here. My heart is breaking to see this child struggle so!

As the Title of our Blog says and my profile...It is our crazy journey thru life. One that God chose. One that I am so grateful for. I know we were chosen to be our kiddos parents, even though we question if we're fit at times like this. I know each one was chosen by God to be our child. So, we get this privilege of crying our hearts out to God for them. Not sleeping because they're not home yet. Wrestling with God on their behalf. Praying for their protection. That God will fill in the Gap that is missing in their hearts. That God will be standing with them at the crossroads of life and directing them. That when they are away from home that their hearts will be wrestling with God to work things out. That they will hear God's voice and not all the others. That they will hear and see the truth. And just to make it public...."satan, you CAN NOT have my children. Not one of them! They were chosen by God to be in this family. They have asked you to be their Savior, no matter where they are right now and that is the truth! Praise God!

So my friends I'm asking for prayer for our family. You can pray for the things mentioned above. We need God's direction and wisdom in parenting each child. We need God's peace and help. We need protection for the whole family as we all are affected in some way by this drama. I am asking for you to pray for my child's soul, for his life, for his heart right now!
Thanks!

Please Pray For Karl

2011-07-18T00:32:00.000-07:00

I don't know this young man personally, but I follow Linny's many adoption journeys! My heart goes out to this man and their family.

Please read and pray!

A Place Called Simplicity

Red White & Blue Fun

2011-07-06T09:22:00.000-07:00

God Bless America!

The Red, White & Blue

Thank you to all of our troops who are fighting for our freedom!

To those who've gone before them!

To those who are at home so their soldiers can serve!

Thank you!

We had a bbq at church with waterslides and bouncy house.

Visited the fishpond at Campmeeting

"Seriously?!!!"

Shared some "Sister" love

And some "brother" love

And some "Daddy" love

We chilled in the backyard!

We ate lots of Watermelon!

Splashed in the pool!

We played with neighbors!

Tried to look cool with our friends!

And enjoyed having family with us!

Hope you all had a great one!

Moving On Up!

2011-07-01T09:07:00.000-07:00

Our sweet Ash is moving up to Middle School.

Her girl's group at church had a big

Graduation Celebration

My Baby Girl and her Daddy

Thanks Nana and Papa for coming!

Ashley and her Papa

My mini-me

Great Grandma Jean's shoes were perfect with her dress!

Thanks Nana!

We were new to the program this year, but some of these girls had

been coming since they were two.

We're so proud of you, Ashley.

Even though it has been a tough year in school, you persevered

and made huge progress in reading and math!

God has an amazing plan for you!

You are beautiful inside and out!

"Jesus Takes The Babies Home"

2011-06-27T19:52:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, an hour before we got the results of the first pregnancy test, I was tucking in Makena for a nap in my bed. I told her she was all set for bed as she had her kitty, her blankie, and was holding my hand. She lifted her head and looked at me and profoundly said, "Jesus takes the babies home." "Jesus takes the babies home." I was incredibly shocked that that had just come out of my 2.5 yr old's mouth. But then wondered if God himself wasn't preparing my heart. An hour later our first hcg level was only 26. The nurse said anything over 20 is positive. But I freaked. I knew that was way too low. Saturday morning at 2am I took a POAS and it was negative. So again, I knew. I was not able to go back to sleep thinking about what that means.

My journey to motherhood took turns I could never have dreamed of. Major depressing lows to the most incredible highs EVER! And those highs continue as I get to be Mommy to 10 children. Six amazing kiddos with us to hold and hug and 4 now home with Jesus! I am so eternally grateful to my Heavenly Father for blessing us so. And I'm so grateful to have gotten to hold Little E in my barren womb for longer than just a couple of days! I am so very grateful for the selfless gift of adoption X 10!!!

He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Psalm 113:9

Positive Beta....But Please Pray!!!

2011-06-23T15:25:00.000-07:00

"For I know the plans I have for you," declare the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you.," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
Jeremiah 29:11-14

This is the verse that God gave me while on bedrest w/ Little E. I had just read the first part and clung to that. Then a couple of days ago I reread the rest and was amazed that it said "will bring you back from captivity" wow! I'd say a frozen state for 5+ years would be captivity.

So we've waited and sought the Lord and prayed for Little E. And Little E is still with us as we got a positive Beta! But I would be lying if I said I was not FREAKING out because the Beta is so low. We are adjusting my progesterone again and waiting to retest until Monday. Please pray for God's will for Little E. Please pray for peace for Jon and I as we get thru this weekend! It will be a teary one for me. My sweet hubby is being so encouraging but I am just a mess! Please pray for great numbers on Monday!

Thanks so much for praying!

Progesterone Mess

2011-06-15T22:31:00.000-07:00

Mommy very happy on Valium!

It was great! I took a nap while waiting!

Highly recommend that one!

This is our fourth frozen embryo transfer.

The first one we used Sesame oil and barely made it to the 2wk mark before breaking out in hives.

Second transfer, we used Cottonseed oil and made it to 10wks until I was nice and sick from it before we switched to suppositories.

Third transfer, we started off with Cottonseed, not sure why, and switched to Ethyl Oleate (about $75/wk), and still was breaking out on the tooshie.

Since my RE does not recommend suppositories and wanted me to try a fourth oil option we went with

Olive Oil ($112/wk) this time. First time ever our insurance paid for this with a $30 copay!!! Praise God!

My body had had it. The worst reaction by far. After one shot, 18 hours later the hive was 5inches in diameter and still spreading.

After making a call to our on-call RE, she had no hesitations with switching me to suppositories.

She said that the research has shown that they are just as effective than the shots!

"It's about time someone reassured me and switched me!"

So the freak out that I was going to jeapordize this transfer was diminished.

Went to pharmacy where our insurance is linked to and they said their computers were down and the copay should cover prepackaged suppositories at $20 copay. Great!

Got a phone call yesterday, while on bedrest, that insurance denied Endometrin and it's over $200/wk!

Freak Out!

So, today I had 2 pharmacies working on trying a compound (where they make their own) and see what insurance will cover.

In the meantime, I was madly texting another EA friend to ask what they did. She was such an encouragement and help!!! What a Godsend!

Then this afternoon we found out that we will only have to pay a copay for the compounded progesterone suppositories! So very happy! So for $30 we got a months supply!

Ate my pineapple core. 48 hours in bed w/socks! Hard to do at home hearing my kiddos! I missed them!

When I did go downstairs finally, the babies cheered. And Isaac hugged me, looked in my eyes and said,

"I'm so proud of you, Mommy!"

Seriously????? I about lost it!!!!!!!

I have the best husband EVER! The best kiddos EVER! The best In-laws EVER! And a couple of the best friends EVER! Thanks Shannon and Debi!

Transfer Day Tomorrow - Please Pray!!!

2011-06-12T22:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Sweet "E",

My heart is beyond full tonight as I lay here praying about your transfer tomorrow. If you could've seen this week you'd know why I am such a basket case tonight. I can put this week up there with the craziest of all weeks ever!

I am now surrendering everything I have left. I am left in a heap in bed. I am completely wiped out. And I am so sad that I am entering tomorrow like this! If you don't take, Little "E", I totally understand.

You should know, Little "E", it's a little crazy here at times. We have our ups and we have our downs. But God is with us thru them all. You should know that He placed a crazy amazing calling on our lives, your daddy's and mine. Hearts that are bigger than life when it comes to our kids. We're not perfect parents, but I think He knew that. Sometimes He uses our weaknesses to make us all a little stronger. But our love is CRAZY!

And we love you, Little "E". You have a very special place in our hearts.You are not a frozen embryo with no face to us. We see you in your sisters and brother. You represent the end of a lifelong journey for me. And the end of a journey for Auntie Jill as well. We don't know what our futures hold, but we both have hope today for your future.

I knew I would be an emotional mess just finally getting to this point of being able to hold you, even if it's just in my womb for as long as God allows. This is His-story, Little "E". He's the author and finisher of our lives. His ways are perfect. You , little "E", are not a number nor a mistake. God knew exactly the right number of embryos He wanted us to adopt. He doesn't make mistakes. In my prayer time tonight, God told me that I was created "for just a time as this"! That we were to carry you from this point on and to not leave you frozen!!! You will be the last baby my womb will ever be blessed to hold! And it is beyond my wildest dreams that I even get this most blessed opportunity!

We have no control over how things will go tomorrow or the next day or the next. So I am resting in the peace that surpasses ALL understanding......

I am so excited to hold you tomorrow!

All my love,
Your Mommy

Marker Mayhem Makes Mommy's Morning

2011-06-03T00:24:00.000-07:00

This is Isaac's

"I'm busted"or "Maybe I should just surrender now" look

This is Isaac's "See Mommy, Isn't it pretty?" look

This is Kayla's

"How should I react?" look or

"Should I cry?" or

"Is Mommy going to get mad?"look

Kayla's "Still not sure" look

"Going for silly" look

"Maybe I can clean it up myself" look

Makena's "Maybe if she thinks I'm cute" look

Mommy's "Life couldn't be better" look

And Then He Turned 15

2011-05-31T17:08:00.000-07:00

I'm in shock....once again!

Can't believe that my firstborn child is now 15!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

I think they are right!

Happy Birthday, Chris!

We REALLY love you!

Pampers Giveaway: Your Chance To Pay It Forward!

2011-05-22T09:03:00.000-07:00

I recently had the chance over at Multiples and More to share how I would use a $50 Gift Card to deliver an act of kindness to little miracles and their families. It's part of Pampers Miracles Missions in celebration of their 50th birthday. I'll share with you the story of an amazing family, in our support group, that will recieve this gift card and then you too will have an opportunity to do the same! Read on....

Brooke, Ben & 2 year old Brody just celebrated the addition of identical triplet boys to their family. Their adorable boys are now 4 months old. They have survived bedrest in the hospital, delayed NICU stay, unemployment and the usual with four little ones. But then a nightmare happened. One day little Evan started bleeding and went downhill fast. They found that he has NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis) where part of his intestine was attacked and dying. Little Evan is such a strong baby and survived surgery, home for a bit, and just had surgery last week to put things back into place. All this while trying to juggle two more preemies at home, a two year old, and no family in town!!! You can read their story at Journey of a Trio. They just found out what the cause of this life threatening condition was from! MUST READ FDA Recall! And please continue to pray for Evan's full recovery!

The love and devotion and determination Brooke and her hubby have shown through all of this is AMAZING! So when I read about the Pampers giveaway I knew this family could use it! Heaven knows they need alot of diapers! But they also have other needs I'm sure. So, I'm sending this on to them to use how they want to and offering babysitting services to Brooke and Ben so they can have a much needed night out to reconnect, once Evan is doing well at home. I'll bring another triplet Mom with me so we have all of our bases covered! :)

Now it's your turn!!! You too can be a part of Pampers Miracle Missions blogging program. How would you use a $50 Gift Card to bless a family in your own community? Leave your answer in the comment section! Make sure I have either your blog address and/or email address to get ahold of you for a chance to win. You'll then have the opportunity to pay it forward and your readers will get the chance to do the same! Thanks so much Pampers for this opportunity to help! I'll choose the winner next Sunday, May 29th and let everyone know then!

Triplet Twitter - 32 Months

2011-05-16T15:30:00.000-07:00

Mikayla's Twitter:

"Cream Crab" for Nana's cat Cream Puff

"You're a sweetie."

"That's so sweet."

Makena's Twitter:

"Don't be impatient, Isaac."

Very sweetly looked at her Daddy at a restaurant and said,

"Don't be a butthead, Daddy."
"Wake up, Bubba! I told you to wake up right now, Bubba!"

Our IM&Ms learned their first memory verse.

"He has made everything beautiful"...Ecc.3:11

Isaac says Ecclesiates perfectly.

Kayla does a great job too.

Makena ends her verse with

"EekeeseeNasties"

and then giggles because that's what we do when she says it!

Triplet Twitter - 31 Months

2011-05-16T12:51:00.000-07:00

Isaac: "Percy is in my heart."
Me: "You mean, Jesus is in your heart?"
Isaac: "No, Thomas is in my heart."
We know where his treasures are right now!

Makena: "I want to go to church. Pick a baby!"
Apparantely I tell all the big kids to "Pick a baby" to get out of the car on Sunday mornings.
We laughed and laughed at that one.

Worrier or Warrior?

2011-05-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

I am Mother Hen. And a worrier. At night I check the doors. Lock the gas stove. Check the windows. Make sure all is secure at the Friesen Funny Farm. I look in on each of my big and little peeps. Then I pray. It is then and only then that I can go to sleep.

Last night and today were huge examples of why I pray over my farm and peeps. I have a fear of a fire starting in one of the peeps’ rooms. All my peeps know this as I constantly cluck on them to be careful and have for months. Where are things plugged in? What is close by? Then last night before climbing into bed, I noticed that a light above one of my peeps’ beds was exceptionally bright. I climbed on his bed to check the bulb and it was a 60w in a light for 40w or less. I unplugged it and saved my lecture until tonight. I didn’t need to cluck very loud because the look on my peeps’ faces told me they got the message. They tried to unscrew the bulb and found that it had completely melted to the light fixture, toasting it! One of my peeps asked me how I knew to check on him. I told him that it was God (the Farmer on High) giving me “Mommy Intuition”. And that I had specifically prayed the night before for God to protect our home from fire and more. We checked all the lamps in the peeps’ rooms and they now know how to be safe. Thank you God!!!

Then this morning I was awakened to a loud crash. As I stirred, Peep2 came in to let me know that he had just fallen out of bed, off the top of the loft bed and that his ribs hurt. He wasn’t hurting too bad so he went off to school. When he got home he told me the pain wasn’t too bad, so I put off taking him to the doctors. But at 4pm I heard Peep3 telling me to come quick over and over. Peep2 had passed out and Peep1 had caught him falling. I am so grateful that he did. Again… so thankful that I had prayed over my peeps specifically to keep them safe. Peep2 missed hitting his head on a nightstand by an inch when he fell out of bed! A miracle! He did land on some hard items, but it just bruised his ribs. And his brother was there to catch him and prevented him from getting hurt further when he blacked out. Peep2 checked out fine in the ER!!! Thank you God!!!

If you have never heard of or read The Power of a Praying Parent, I highly recommend it! I don’t want to be a worrier, but a warrior! A prayer warrior! I can easily get worked up by fear. But fear ruins relationships. I overreact and what I say is taken wrong. We have some normal teen things going on and I soooo want to be the mother hen, rooster, cowdog, and bull here at the Friesen Funny Farm. But I can’t! And it’s not my place. Mother Hen is just fine. But in order for me to be the Mom, Wife, and person God wants me to be I have to surrender myself to the Farmer on High. I have to leave my children at His feet and trust….totally trust… that He will be there to protect them. All of my big and little peeps. Daddy Rooster too!

Sorry if you commented on this post before. The whole post was completely deleted this am somehow?

Everyone's Mommy

2011-05-08T23:26:00.000-07:00

Never in a million years would I have thought I'd be

able to turn around in the front seat of my car and see 6 beautiful and handsome faces.

Or that MY family would take up an entire pew at church.

Or that I would ever be able to find JOY on Mother's Day.

When every fertility test taken came back with bad news.

When my heart was breaking beyond what I could bear.

When I begged God to take this pain from me.

When I fell to my knees in prayer knowing I didn't want to go on.

Never did I dream I'd have 6 amazing people call me "Mommy".

A son way taller than me tell me repeatedly "Happy Mother's Day, Mom."

A son turning into a man that still loves to hug, bless me with flowers.

A beautiful daughter that is changing before my eyes who couldn't give enough gifts.

Thank you for the beautiful lantern and painted tile!

The pitter-patter of little feet times 3!

Three toddlers who sang "Happy Mother's Day" to me.

A little sweetheart that calls me "Mudder".

A little girly girl that wants to be a Mommy too.

And a little boy who lavished me today with more kisses and hugs

than the last 3 months put together!

Never did I dream I'd have three two year olds fighting over me.

Or that I'd answer their claim to "She's MY Mommy" in one of two ways:

"I'm Christopher's Mommy and Luke's Mommy and Ashley's Mommy

and Makena's Mommy and Isaac's Mommy and Kayla's Mommy!"

or simply

"I'm everyone's Mommy!"

March for Babies 2011

2011-04-30T16:16:00.000-07:00

Our Triplet Support Group raised

$1,063

in memory of these three little angels

I am so proud of our team that included 5 sets of triplet families.

Even more proud of these guys for walking for babies!

"Where's The Monster?" - The Vermonster

2011-04-30T15:52:00.000-07:00

One of our First Ice Cream Photos won us

a free Vermonster from Ben & Jerry's!

Waiting for the "Monster"

(Makena was looking for it the whole time)

Checking out the selections!

Chris looks thrilled

My fave pic of the day!

Here it is!

Vermonster:

First layer: 10 scoops of ice cream

(Phish Food & Chocolate Brownie Fudge)

Second layer: 4 bananas

Third layer: 4 Chocolate chip cookies

Fourth layer: 5 scoops of Cherry Garcia ice cream

Fifth layer: 2 brownies

Sixth layer: Coffee and Coconut 7 Layer Bar ice cream

Seventh layer: Hot fudge, Caramel topping, whipping cream, and

M&Ms, 3 kinds of sprinkles, Oreos, and Peanut Butter cup toppings!

Digging In...

Families that stuff their faces together, stay together!

My Men

Chris slowing down.....

Luke looking ill......
I was sick before we even ordered it

Ashley finding much needed protein......

We didn't do too bad, huh?

Looking in.....

Then the sugar high set in and we moved what was coming

OUTSIDE!

This one got out of order of K-bug digging it!

Most of the Friesens are now in a sugar induced coma upstairs as I write this!

It was a fun way to end a great family day at the end of

walking in the March of Dimes walk!

Happy Easter! 2011

2011-04-23T16:43:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter from the Friesens!

Our trio joyfully shouts,

"Jesus Is ALIVE!"

Yes, He Is!

First Ice Cream Cones

2011-04-12T14:50:00.000-07:00

Open! Open! Open!

Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day

First ones in line

Look who gets their ice cream cones before the store opens!

You can too if you start screaming, run amuck, and knock barriers down on the lady

who's speaking to the group!

The Look of Awe at her first ice cream cone!

"Is this really, Mine?"

K-bug likes it!

Makena gets ready....

Testing it....

Then goes for it!

Isaac takes a little bite....

Then devours his!

What's cuter than one eating their cones?

THREE!!!

Kayla is getting cold

This is the best day EVER!

These are my absolute faves!

Watch Isaac's tongue!

This is how we pour ice cream into Sissy's cone

Triplet Twitter - 30 Months

2011-04-11T08:57:00.000-07:00

"Bubba splashed me!"

Isaac has been a mud flinging madman lately.

Kayla's Twitter:

Every morning she anounces her own royal presence to her loyal subjects,

as she descends her royal staircase:

" Good Morning, Guys! I'm here! It's ME, Kaya!"

"Oooopsada Daisy"= Oopsie Daisy

She's really getting into the "spirit" of things as she has started speaking in tongues again.

Apparently the English language takes waaaay to long!

Isaac's Twitter:

I love to hear this guy talk.

He tells us all of the names of his Thomas trains as fast as he can.

His favorites are Thomas, Percy, James, Edward, Gordon, Rusty, Splatter, Douglas, Toby, Lady, Emily, and so many more!

He still lovingly calls Makena, "Caca"!

Me: "Do you want to go to MOPS and have snacks and do crafts?"

Isaac: "No Craps, Mommy! No, Craps!"

Makena's Twitter:
Me: "Cousin Carsin is sick and we can't go to his birthday party."
Makena: "I know! Let's make him a birthday card!"
What a sweet girl!

Yesterday Makena took Thomas the train out of Kayla's hands.
Kayla was upset.
I asked Makena to give it back to her sister, so she went to Kayla and
asked her if she wanted James instead.
Kayla was pleased to have James and Makena kept Thomas.
I was admiring (to myself) their great negotiating efforts for 2 years old when
Makena said, "That's OK. It's OK to switch them, Mommy!"

I was floored!
It's one thing to negotiate, but to be able to tell me
how to do it? I was impressed!

A Little Bit of CRAZY

2011-04-02T13:11:00.000-07:00

One upper respiratory virus that landed Mama and babies on the couch for days.

One burst ear drum. One antibiotic.

One positive strep test on Mama. Three positive strep tests on babies. Three more antibiotics.

Two more called in later in the week for 2 more sore throats.

One hand surgery. One sad Chris. Splint for 2 wks then cast for four.

Daddy started new job. Big change. But good!

Potty training mishaps.

Washing machine flooded laundry room and broke.

(Happy Birthday, Babe!)

Poop flew up the stairs. Ashley stepped in it. Don't ask.

One week later, one ear still infected. Switched antibiotics.

One week later, Mama's throat on FIRE. Still positive for strep. Switched antibiotics.

Uninvited guests (ants)!

Living the dream, people!

Here's some CRAZY pics from our CRAZY last 2 weeks!

Poor Chris! Glad that's over. Tendon repaired from his break last September.

Thankful For Dead Ends

2011-03-22T09:21:00.000-07:00

We've been praying for direction for a long time now....

And we got it!

Jon's position where he had been employed for 15 years had been eliminated due to

ANOTHER consolidation.

Did we cry? Or worry?

Not exactly.....

We laughed and laughed!

And then prayed for the right door to open!

After years of drama and lots of stress we were looking forward to a change.

Four days after he was terminated he got offered a great job at

the company he's been wanting to go to work for for a long time.

God is good!

We realize what a blessing this quick turn around was

and are.....

grateful!

Praying for Japan

2011-03-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

I am overwhelmed as I sit here and watch more videos of the tragedies going on as we speak in Japan. To have an earthquake of that magnitude is devastating. To have a tsunami of that size is more so. And then if you've survived all of that, now you have to worry about the nuclear threat and find food and water that is not contaminated. But that's if you've survived and have no injuries, or are able to pick yourself up because your loved ones survived. My heart is breaking.

On a personal note. My hubby is in a meeting as I write that could be career changing. Our future is not secure in the hands of man. But our hope and future is secure in the Lord Jesus.

Here's the scripture passage that our pastor read to us yesterday.
Psalm 46:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Amen!

UPDATE: That meeting was to let him know that his postition was eliminated. We are not sad or fearful, but very excited to see where God is going to take us! A change has needed to happen for a long time and we've been praying for God to close the wrong doors and open the one He wants us to walk thru! The door is closed. Locked. And nailed shut, baby!

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."Psalm 34:8

First Time Obedience & Relationship

2011-03-07T14:42:00.000-08:00

I will admit that I have struggled with this one. I have read many different parenting books, observed friends, listened to speakers. Yet, I haven't been able to find one that matches my own heart or parenting style. Until now! I was brought to tears as I read Sally Clark's post on First Time Obedience, Really? It is a very long post, but so so worth it!

I also really appreciate her frank words as she has dealt with children with different gifts and/or labels. And I will need to read her words daily for awhile until her words sink in. I know that God has been urging me to come along side of my older kiddos more, to do some chores WITH them, to love on them more, to encourage them more. To build relationships more! So read this one first First Time Obedience, Really?
then these two if you struggle with your own out of a box child or two or three or more: Embracing Those Out of the Box People In Your Life - Part 1 and Part 2.

The Big 13

2011-03-05T21:08:00.000-08:00

We had to change the header of our blog to now read:

Raising triplets, teens, and a tween.

We now have a 12, 13 & 14 year old living in our home!

Oh, yeah and three 2 year olds!

Luke was sent to his friend Justin's house

to pick up his birthday present right

before we left for our family reunion to the Oregon coast.

What a great way for Luke to find out that his best friend

got to come with us to the beach!

Luke said that was the best part of his whole weekend!

I can't believe my Angel Boy is now

a teenager!

What does every teen want these days?

Money! And he got alot of green!

Then we gave him our gifts when we got home.

What a man he is turning into!

Happy 13th Birthday, Luke!

We love you so much!

Snowflake Babies & Snow Angels

2011-03-01T14:16:00.000-08:00

Snowflakes

Each one created by God

Unique and Beautiful

A gift from heaven

I originally posted this without any words,

because the pictures didn't need any description of the pure joy

of the first fallen snow!

But as I'm sitting here with a full heart, reminiscing of how God created our family....

I can't help but look at all 6 of my children
and be filled with awe and wonder.

Each one created in God's image!

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."Psalm 139:13-15

Do you realize what miracles all children are?

No matter if they are 14 years old or just a minute old after conception!
Adopted or not!
Adopted from foster care, domestic or internationally, or even adopted as
a frozen snowflake (embryo)!

Our family is proof that God has a plan from the beginning of time

for each child.

A plan to give them love and provision.

A plan for adoption into God's family.

"God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love. This was according to his goodwill and plan." Ephesians 1:5

His ways are higher than our ways.

His dreams are bigger than our dreams.

His plans are better than our plans!

This is my verse for 2011

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."Psalm 34:8

"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10NLT

You are a masterpiece, my friend!

Created for God himself!

To worship Him and to love Him!

And in Him are all of your heart's desires!

Potty Training Triplets - Part 2

2011-02-26T10:35:00.000-08:00

She did it! Makena (29 months) stayed "dry" ALL week! Not one wet accident! Wow! I'm so proud of her! We are working on staying "clean". She did try it once this week though, so I know she'll get it soon! Yesterday, we went out to IKEA and I wasn't brave enough to let her go w/o a diaper and she stayed dry for 2 hours and really wanted to use the potty when we got home! Yay!
Here's a breakdown of when we started. We started on Valentine's Day and by the time we left for our Family Reunion (4 days later) she was really getting it. I put her in diapers on the trip and for that weekend, but since we came home I'd consider her daytime potty trained. She is staying dry during naptime, but I'm not brave enough to go w/o diapers yet. And she's staying dry at night!

The reward system is fizzling out a bit. She doesn't want to go everytime I ask her to go, so I don't push it. I need to trust that she'll go when she is ready. Although K-bug wants to try to go potty everytime her sister gets a treat. So I take off her diaper and let her try. She has gone once and was really proud. But doesn't want to sit there long. She has had a few accidents so I know she's learning, but I don't feel that she is ready yet. She's not telling me "when" she needs to go, tugging at her diaper, or wanting to be changed yet. She's not willing to sit there long. So I'm not going to sweat it. But wait. And Mr. Isaac still wants nothing to do with any of it. It would be seriously stressful on me if I were to push those two now.

Makena surprised me the other day by saying, "I want to watch my Potty Training video please, Mommy!" I was shocked because we've only watched it once. And how did she know to call it the "Potty Training video"? Too smart! Here's a link to order your own "Potty Training video" Potty Training 1-2-3!

Potty Training Triplets - Part One

2011-02-22T22:45:00.000-08:00

FACTS: 2,190 Diaper changes during a baby's first year (approx)
That's 6,570 Diaper changes for Triplets' first year
Add another 1,825 during the second year for a singleton
That's another 5,475 diaper changes for our second year
By the time they're almost ready to potty train that's approx. 5,000 diaper changes for one baby.
That's 15,000 diaper changes for triplets!!!!!!!!!! (numbers for a singleton taken from Ezzo's book)
Whewwww!!! So you'd think that I would be totally ready to potty train then! Not!

"Quit pushing me to potty train, Mom!"
"I am NOT ready to have three 2 year olds going into a public restroom, touching everything, and the germs!"
"I am perfectly fine with changing diapers!" Yes, even if I have to do it 15,000 times!
"I will potty train this summer when they are closer to three and can run around outside naked!"
"Please do not bring it up again, Mom!"
"My first three messed around with it for months until they were actually ready at age three!"

Yep, I said all of that.
But Makena is now potty training ME!
She is very ready!
We had a good week last week and then just got back from a family reunion and are starting back up again.
And during that time I recieved in the mail the PERFECT prize I won over at Chronicles of a Babywise Mom! Check this out:

Potty Training 1-2-3 is written by Gary and Anne Ezzo. Click on the link to read an intro to their book and DVD series. I won the book and DVD! And since I don't have much time to read I've enjoyed watching the DVD. But the book gave me more insight as to the physiological reasons why some toddlers are ready and others are not, the different phases, when to start, what to watch for, and when to wait. Not only all of that but a game plan to get your kiddo potty trained (or in my case the parent) in one -four days. I believe that can happen if they're ready....are you???

So what does this mean to me? For triplets? For my toddlers?

First, I was able to see that Yes, Makena is showing all the signs of being ready to stay dry and clean. She tells me "I need a diapee change, Mommy" before she goes pee or poo. She wants me to change her immediately if she's dirty or wet. She wakes up dry from naps and occassionally in the morning. She can pull her jammies on and off. She listens well and will sit down and read a book or watch a video while trying. She is giving me all the signs and dragging ME to the potty chair!

Second, I needed to evaluate if this is a good time for me to spend training her and being very hands on. It's still winter and too cold to go out much. So nothing better to do. I can watch her while doing what I need to do in the kitchen if the potty chair is located where we spend most of our time. We have 5 potty chair options in our home upstairs and down. So I'm getting on board, but my big kids are not. They think it's terrible that I let her run around w/o a diaper on and just big girl panties. They think it's a form of cruel and unusual punishment to let her have an accident. They just don't get it that that's how they learned...big kid underwear and even running around naked!

Third, my dream of having all three potty trained at once, is not realistic. For them. And maybe even easier on me. Makena is ready. The other two are NOT. Each child is wired differently. This book helped me relax and see that all the different functions have to happen in order to have successful potty training. They will happen, but most likely not all at once. I can fully train Makena and then see who's next. K-bug is now catching on to the reward system so she wants to try. I praise her for dry pants with one M&M, but she has yet to go in the potty even once. She is too busy to sit there. Doesn't care about wet or dirty diapers yet. But today she refused to wear a diaper and was mortified when she had an accident, so maybe she's in the mediating phase and will get there soon. I know she's learning a ton from watching Makena. So we'll see. Mr. Isaac has no interest in any of it.

I know some triplet mamas out there who are training all three at once. I'd love to hear their input!

Potty Training 1-2-3 has an amazing plan to follow including snacks, drinks, teddy bear, big kid underwear and more. I'm going to end this post now....you know more is coming! I'm going to go read more and plan to have her done potty training by the end of the week.......Am I crazy????

Our Embryo Donor's Story

2011-02-16T14:06:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to be able to share with you the "heart" of our amazing Donor Mom. To us she is "Auntie Jill" whom we love so much and is so much more than any clinical name to us. I only use the word "donor" when explaining our story to others.

She is an amazing woman of God. She loves HIM with her whole heart and has always been an inspiration to me and those around her. She gave 7 little frozen, 6 day old babies, the chance and gift of LIFE. She gave me, a barren woman, the chance of a lifetime to carry a child..OK 3 babies in my womb. An experience that I could only dream about. So I am humbled and honored that she has so beautifully written HER side of our journey!

Auntie Jill:
My life has turned out different than I thought it would. A friend told me a couple of years ago that I should write a book. Really, I thought? Is it that interesting? The last five years or so have certainly been, well – what’s the word? Unique? Challenging? Full of the unexpected to say the least.

I knew I wanted to be a mom, needed to be a mom. Infertility had never crossed my mind. I just assumed that what mom told me as a girl was true. When a man and woman loved each other, they prayed for a baby and God gave them one. My desire was almost tangible. It made it difficult to focus on a career. After all, I didn’t want a career; I wanted a baby. It made friendships with girlfriends who were all becoming new moms strained as I longed for the daily life they lamented over – too little sleep, cheerios in their car, and spit up on their clothes. We decided to undergo invitro fertilization after years of trying clomid and other medications, various infertility tests, and repeated artificial insemination attempts. We knew that invitro was a serious decision. There was a possibility of “extra” embryos, but we wanted several children so there was nothing holding us back.

We conceived with our first invitro transfer, and ten embryos were frozen. We had a beautiful and healthy baby girl, Sophia Faith. Even with the technology, we knew she was a complete miracle and gift from God. Shortly after Sophia’s first birthday, it was back to the clinic for our first frozen invitro cycle. Surely with ten embryos there would be another child or two. Sophia had brought us so much joy that I eagerly anticipated another baby. The first cycle failed; then the second. We were left with one more try, and ten days later celebrated a positive pregnancy test. An ultrasound was scheduled for the day before my birthday. As the nurse searched for a heartbeat, her facial expression told me that it was not a viable pregnancy. The miscarriage brought floods of grief. I thought this was the end of our journey.

We moved from Seattle back to Missiouri. I began to experience a similar sadness as before. It was somewhat different because I did want another child, but more than that, I wanted Sophia to grow up with siblings. So we made the trip again to an infertility specialist to see what the options were for conceiving another child. It became clear that we would try invitro again. A significant concern to us this time was the possibility of “extra” embryos. However, they assured us that 70% of couples have no embryos to freeze. They also analyzed our embryo reports from before and stated that they would not have frozen that quality. Perhaps that explained our unsuccessful frozen attempts. The new clinic would make adjustments to the stimulating drugs based on how my body had reacted with the initial invitro. With all these assurances, we moved forward with peace.

I remember looking around the waiting room the day we went in for the transfer. Several other couples were doing transfers that day. Their faces were a mix of great anticipation and fear; fear of the procedures and the dread of another failed try, possibly the end of their hope for a baby. I remember thinking that statistically maybe one of the couples would have a positive result. And while I wanted another baby, I would have given my chance to a couple with no children.

Within a day or two of the transfer, the embryologist called. He had two bits of information for us. “Enjoy your twins, “He said. That would be confirmed by a positive pregnancy test ten days later. The second piece of the conversation didn’t sink in at the time because I was digesting “twins”. He froze seven embryos.

My primary focus was delivering healthy full term twins, but in the back of my mind were the seven embryos. I didn’t want to take hundreds of shots and conceive my babies in a laboratory, but it resulted in three beautiful, healthy baby girls. However, I felt burdened by the enormous responsibility for the potential life that lay waiting. My husband was quite sure that our family was complete. Of course, I’m not sure when he started contemplating leaving this family for another one. That would be a surprise a little later. We were told of four options with the embryos: 1) thaw them and do nothing; 2) perform a “natural” cycle which means transferring frozen embryos without fertility medications with little chance of a pregnancy; 3) donate them to research; or lastly, 4) donate them to another infertile couple either through an organization or privately. Embryo adoption can be anonymous or open. It seemed incredibly ironic to me that the infertile couple now faced such a dilemma and would perhaps give children away.

After the twins turned one, I really started to agonize over the decision. The choice that kept coming to mind was adoption but that came with so many unanswered questions. I struggled greatly with the guilt and grief of not being able to raise them myself. I thought often of who they would become and what they would say to me someday as we looked eye to eye. I thought of how they would resemble my girls and me in appearance and manner. I doubted anyone could love them and raise them like I would. My husband didn’t hesitate with the adoption decision even when we talked about the possibility of a baby boy – a son. I was open to raising more children, but he was not.

I received an email from a dear friend in Seattle. Angela had walked through my infertility with me. She threw the baby shower when Sophia was born. Sophia took her first steps to Angela. She had been on her own path of infertility for many years but had chosen adoption. She and Jon were raising three great kids but felt their family was not complete. Embryo adoption was one option they had discussed. Well, guess who happened to have seven frozen embryos.

I’ve never been much of a risk taker, so I thought. Really though, life’s biggest risks are probably getting married, childbirth, and for me – being willing to trust that if I let go of these little embryos being “mine” and released them, I would be allowed to cooperate in an experience beyond my imagination.

I can only speak for myself, but I know that this decision was painstakingly made. It came down to the choice to have open hands. I would not let my fear of the unknown keep me clinging to something that would have no hope if I kept my grip on it. There are no accidents in life. We made a contract, gave our embryos to Jon and Angela, and they started frozen transfers. One failure. Then triple success as they added two girls and one boy to their family.

I had the opportunity to visit Angela during her pregnancy and go to my favorite place in the world, Cannon Beach. I took her some of the girls’ baby clothes and toys. We sat and looked at the ocean and talked about our kids. We walked the sandy beach and took a picture by Haystack Rock with my hand on her belly, touching the three little lives that were given a chance and a future. I was also able to encourage Angela when she lay cooped up in a hospital bed. She was already showing such sacrifice to them. She demonstrated a mother’s love while she gave of her own comfort and independence to give them more time to develop.

I have only been able to visit the babies once. They are happy, healthy, beautiful, and much loved. So what did I feel when I held them? There is a special connection and love for them but not as a mother. I see my girls in them, but I’ve not had a moment of sadness or regret. I feel privileged that God let me participate in this process because He certainly didn’t need me, but I needed this. It stretched me and changed me and blessed me.

I’m a divorced, single mom now (add that to my never thought list). Just before the twins turned two, their dad left to be with another woman and has since married her. He lives with her and her two children. I moved into a little house with my three girls. And Jon and Angela live in Washington with their six, three boys and three girls. A picture of three little babies sitting on a piano bench hangs in my bedroom and gives me a daily reminder to live each day with an open heart and open hands. I really can’t plan it all out anyway.

Thank you so much, Auntie Jill! What a testimony you have given to not only your girls but the lives of Isaac, Makena, Mikayla, the three embryos that are now in the arms of Jesus and the precious little one still waiting! We love you so very much! Angela

It's Her Party...She Can Cry If She Wants To...

2011-02-15T14:07:00.000-08:00

Even the Justin Bieber movie didn't make her cry this weekend....

But this amazing beautiful blessing has been choking me up!

There were days when I wished she grow up some....

Then she did....

This girl with a heart of gold and big enough to love everyone on the face of this earth!

This is her best friend in the whole world...or... maybe he is her world!

Their relationship is a beautiful thing to watch!

I don't know who's more blessed.

Daddy's gift from the Coca-Cola Store on his last trip to Vegas.

But what did make this 12 year old cry?

She is getting her very own pet!

She's been working so hard and being very responsible.

So next week when things settle down and we have time she gets to get....

Her very own Guinea Pig!

Happy 12th Birthday, Our Sweet Ashley!

Ashley gave each of the IM&Ms a candle to lick the frosting off of.

Kayla thought double dipping was even better!

You can slow down now, Ashley!
Don't rush growing up!

Three Little Angels - Let's Walk!

2011-02-09T08:32:00.000-08:00

Three Little Angels
Two Grieving Parents
One Walk

A couple of weeks ago three precious little girls were born.....just born too soon!
At only 21 weeks they were even able to live for just a short time.

Our support group is going to March For Babies this year in memory of these precious girls.

Would you please consider donating to the March of Dimes to help fund research to find ways to prevent premature births, save premature babies and more?

Or better yet, will you consider walking?
When you walk in March for Babies, you give hope to the more than half a million babies born too soon each year. The money you raise supports programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. And it funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten our babies.

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

Our Triplets group wants to do something. Several of us have shared our tears and heavy hearts with each other. We realize what miracles each child is. But we want to desperately do something. To show the parents that we care. We would so appreciate your help in any amount to help us reach our goal! We'll keep you posted on our progress! Just click on the March of Dimes button on the right of my blog.

Thanks so much!

Triplet Twitter - 29 months

2011-02-07T21:09:00.000-08:00

Makena's Twitter this week:
When I walked into the nursery today after naptime....
Makena said, "You combed your hair, Mommy."
As she reached out to touch it!
OK....so it's been 2 days since I washed my hair!
I've been on the couch sick with their cold!
Thanks for noticing, Makena! love ya!

Isaac's nicknames for those he loves:
Sissy - any of his 3 sisters (lucky boy)
Wikie - Luke or Lukie
KayKay - Mikayla
Kaya - Mikayla
Knuck - Giving any man in our home or item with wheels a knuckle bump
Kenna - Makena
or....................
Caca - Makena (Won't she love being called poop when she gets older?)

Makena and Isaac's Twitter from the nursery:
Screaming on the top of their lungs......
"My Mommy!"
"No, My Mommy!"
"No, My Mommy!"
"No, My Mommy, Caca!"

Kayla's Twitter of the week:
(I do realize it is only Monday!)
"No Mommy!"
"No Way!"
"I do it!"
"Daddy do it!"
"No Mommy!"
"No Mommy!"
"No Mommy!"
At least we did catch her trying to have some self-control and NOT say NO.
It just came out "Nnnnnnnn" "Nnnnnnn"!
That's progress, friends!

Am I Wearing Too Many Hats?

2011-01-26T23:03:00.000-08:00

There are definitely seasons in life when I feel like I have it all together.....or not. Most likely I can wear one, two, or maybe even three hats graciously and effectively. But am I trying to wear too many hats? Which hats are being crumpled by the weight of others?
Have I taken the hats off of others and placed them on top of my own toppling stack?

January is a time of reflecting and praying for me. As some of you have noticed, not much has gone on here in the form of words. My heart and soul have needed time to reflect, seek, and be filled. I have needed to evaluate which hats are neccessary and which ones need to go. I have needed to connect with the One who gives me life and measure my goals and dreams up with His. I have had alot on my heart lately and still need to hash some things out with my Lord.
*I have been very lonely the past few months. (Funny when I am rarely by myself). But you know, lonely for some REAL fellowship. REAL friends. In the FLESH! Someone to hang with.
*I have fought some moments of depression. Will the sun EVER shine here in the Pacific Northwest? Downing 4,000u of Vitamin D, girls!
*I've been wrestling with God on some issues. Seeking His will and not my own. Amazed at his faithfulness to help me see things through His eyes!
*Praying and praying for positive changes to happen at hubby's work.
(Need total miracles here for all involved!)
*And seeking where God is leading me with this blog.
What His direction is. Waiting on Him.
(So if I don't write for awhile, don't worry, I'm just a waiting!)

As a busy mom of 6, it is hard to find time to reflect and to be "still" before my God. I am so amazed at His faithfulness to meet me "where" I am, even if it's for the tiniest amount of time during my day. I got over long ago "what" my quiet time needed to look like. Now if I get 2-5 minutes to open my bible, I can feel His presence. If I skip through all the preschool songs and find a Worship CD, I can feel His presence. My hubby and I arranged it so I join our big kids at church on Weds. nights for a Women's Bible Study. I have to take them anyways, so the timing is great! And we'll switch off so he can go for another study next time.

I am NOT a subscriber to the thinking that we as mothers have to give, give, give and never have time for ourselves to be filled. Neither is my hubby. He knows by the tone of my voice over the phone or the crazed look in my eye when I need to get away. Most times before I do. I sometimes need to take off all my hats and go window shopping by myself, read for an hour at Starbucks, or see a movie all by myself. I am a much happier Mommy when I return. I ran across this great post yesterday called Mommy Martyrdom.
I appreciated her perspective!

All of these hats are all on MY head.

I need to take time to evaluate which hats need to be taken off or which ones need to be shuffled.

I need to pay attention to my body as well. I need to feed it whole foods. I need to have a regular message. Yes, it has now become a NEED. I have neglected it for far too long. Over 100lbs of toddlers is a lot to haul and lug around all day long.
My body is screaming for attention.

And there are times when I have to pass on a hat or two. You know, ask for help?!! I am blessed to have such a loving family and that my older kiddos not only enjoy, but soak up their younger siblings. And to have the help of occassional help from the grandparents.

Papa obviously was passed the "Please entertain your Granddaughters" hat!

I pray that going forward you will hear not just from me,

(you know, pics of some cute kiddos)

but from the heart of God!

A new vision, you might say.

Here's some amazing blogs where my soul has been lingering and being fed.

Ann Voskamp's A Holy Experience

Sally Clarkson's I Take Joy

The FishMama

Triplet Twitter - 28 Months

2011-01-11T10:26:00.000-08:00

Makena

Makena - "Bye-bye, Mommy."

Me - "Bye sweetie. Where are you going?"

Makena - "I'm going to Costco." (She's been twice in 3 months)

Me - "What are you going to buy at Costco?"

Makena - "Wollipops. Pink Wollipops."

This is how you'll find her dressed 90%of the time.

She now sleeps with her hats on.

And off she went!

And the best Triplet Twitter was yesterday morning

when Ashley came downstairs for breakfast.

Ashley - "What's happening babies?"

Makena - "That's a good question!"

A Sticky Situation

2011-01-05T14:06:00.000-08:00

While Mommy's Away

the

Babies Will Play!

Thanks to the older children who left out the German Pancake toppings!

Ohhh, the look of shame!

Isaac trying to wipe off his face with his sleeve....not a good idea!

The table and babies got a much needed bath!

Ok, after you get done feeling sorry for her,

look at her shiny hands

....eeeww!

Our Triplets "Singing" In The New Year 2011

2010-12-30T23:21:00.000-08:00

Here's a little love from our IM&Ms!

I am so excited that I actually figured out how to even watch the videos on my computer let alone

download them here!

How many years did that take?...

So I probably have many more in the archives to share!

Aren't you excited?....HaHa

Happy New Year!

Christmas Pics 2010

2010-12-29T14:07:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas! 2010

2010-12-19T10:01:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

To All of our Friends and Family

Praying that you find the Joy of the season

through Christ the King!

"I SEE Christmas!"

2010-12-16T14:51:00.000-08:00

Everytime we go into a store I hear.......

"I See Christmas!"

Everytime I turn the Christmas tree lights on I hear......

"I See Christmas!"

Our IM&Ms see Christmas in almost everything...

I see it thru their twinkling eyes. Excited voices. And chubby hands touching the tree.

My older kids see it all again through the eyes of our babies.

My prayer is that everyone I come in contact with,

especially my older children and hubby will

See Christmas in me!

Family Blessings - New and Old

2010-12-13T14:52:00.000-08:00

The IM&Ms and Mommy headed to S. Oregon

to visit with family and see new cousins!

Kayla, Isaac, Westin, and Makena - 2 years old

Grandma with cousin Carsin

And our new little baby cousin, Mason

Kayla was so gentle and loving.

Makena couldn't get enough of his tiny, sweet feet.

This little guy smiles 24/7! What a joy you are Carsin!

Look at those little guys and proud Mommies

Proud and tired new Daddy, Branden

We spent our time at Aunt Terri's dressing up!

Cowboy hats and Tutu's!

Isaac getting some "Boy" time in with Uncle Terri and Westin

Makena could not get enough of dressing up in the Tutu that Aunt NeeNee bought her!

We sang our hearts out to "Away in a Manger" and "Happy Birthday to Baby Jesus"

Issac has been really singing latley, but every song we sing, he sings the words to

"Twinkle, Twinkle"

Gama's banana cream pie....Yummy!

Aunt Terri loving on K-Bug in the mornings before work

The babies love Christmas lights this year.

And we walked down our favorite lit street!

We got to visit with my sweet "Auntie LaLa"

She asked if I was taking all those babies home with me!

Every night we'd bundle up and go for a walk to see the lights.

It was lots of fun and the IM&Ms are really listening so well when we walk together!

Makena got all dressed up to go to church with Gama!

Not sure who enjoyed it more, Grandma or Makena!

Thanks for the purses, Aunt NeeNee!

First Advent Sunday 2010

2010-12-01T14:21:00.000-08:00

We started our Advent this year with

our Bible verses from Thriving Family's Advent Schedule,

Decorated the Tree while listening to Christmas Music,

then the kids opened their first presents of the

season.

Here's an Advent ebook called Celebrating the Season that I just came across.

It looks great and the author gives us sneek peaks on her site!

Also check out Living Montessori Now for some amazing activities!

Thanksgiving & First Snow of the Season!

2010-11-29T12:05:00.000-08:00

We got a late start to Seaside, OR

as the snow decided to fall a couple of days before.

We were so grateful to be able to spend Thanksgiving

with some of our wonderful friends who have 5 adopted kiddos!

Love It!

It's getting a lot harder to catch them all smiling! Yikes!

This is one of my best friends, Linda.
Very quickly Kayla started calling her "Nina"

it was so cute!

The babies ran us ragged as they wanted to go for a walk every second.

Thank goodness for the long hallways and a sound proof condo!

They had lots of fun and lots of laps for snuggling!

Ummmm...This is what Black Friday looks like with a trip to Nike at midnight

and then staying up until Fred Meyer opened at 5am!

Ashley was not about to miss out on all the fun with our friends out shopping!
She's growing up!

No beach trip is complete without salt water taffy!
A daily walk down the strip for carosel rides, playing at the toy store,
getting their gummy bear fix, and avoiding the very friendly Santa!

We nearly avoided being eaten alive by a flock of hungry seagulls.

I didn't take a pic of the experience as I was petrified one would take off with

one of my three smaller children!

And the first snow of the season!

Remember how you met girlies?
Four years ago out playing in the snow in our neighborhood?
And making grape snowcones?

Yes, yes, I know... he needs to loose the pacifier!

And Mom seriously needs to exchange the hat for the second time

and get a smaller one now!

"Meet Me On That Mountain, Daddy"

2010-11-22T14:21:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving marks 6 years since my Daddy passed away. I try not to think about his actual passing since it was incredibly painful. Not just for him, but for those who loved him as well. But I couldn't say, "Goodbye". A nurse told me that there might be someone that hadn't said Goodbye yet and that was why he was still hanging on until the dusky hours of dawn. But for this little girl, ok then 32 year old, how could I let go with so much I still wanted to do and say with my larger than life Daddy?

My parents separated when I was 6 weeks old. My mom did a great job managing a job and raising me. And as most little girls I adored my Dad. I lived for the times that he'd come pick me up and take me on another adventure. Boat and rafting trips down the Rogue River. Many long drives up mountains to gorges and lakes just for the day to see the amazing creation God had made. Horesback rides. Packing trips. Always on the look out for bald eagles, hawks, deer, and bears. So many memories and most of them were fun. The jokes played on me and I trying desperately to get him back. Rubberband wars. Gutting fish. Firecrackers lit under bathroom doors. Riding in one of his Armored Cars. Shooting blanks in his office's shooting range. Going to lunch where everyone knew my Daddy by name. Tickling my "boy crazy legs" until I peed or screamed or threatened to open the moving car's door!

He was the one who knew "Jonny" and I were meant to be together!

The biggest lesson I learned from Daddy was not to put God into a box. Some will read this and cringe. But my Father didn't worship God in a church building with walls. He worshiped Christ outside, outdoors, in God's creation. He was not perfect and hurt us by some of the decisions he made. But he loved God and life! Because of the box many tried to put him in some decided that when the end was near, that they needed to question where my Dad stood with God. This didn't go unnoticed by me. I knew my Daddy's heart and knew he had a personal relationship with Christ.

I knew things did not look good for him. One morning on the freeway going back North after visiting my Dad after his last surgery, I was thinking about my Dad and Heaven. It was pretty foggy and as I approached a semi-truck I read the most beautiful sign, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. Acts 16:31" That's it! No doubts! Just eternal life! I was so grateful for that confirmation that I would see my Daddy again in Heaven one day when he passed! Then as I went on I looked up to the sky and the fog parted just enough to see the sun shining between two mountain peaks! It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen! And I knew that I'd just had a glimpse of heaven.

After the nurse told me that someone hadn't said Goodbye yet, I found my way to my Daddy's bedside. I couldn't tell him, Goodbye, because I knew I'd see him again one day! Instead I told him, "Meet me on that mountain, Daddy." That I would find him there one day in heaven waiting for me. And I prayed that God would take my Daddy on the wings of an eagle, that Daddy so loved, for an aerial view of heaven when he got there. Just a little while longer I held my sweet stepmother as my Daddy took his last breath here on this earth and was with Jesus! Praise God!

I was so very numb after his passing. I seemed to just walk thru the putting up of our Christmas tree and celebrations. Months later Jon and I walked into the Thomas Kincade art gallery. We were about to leave when I stopped dead in my tracks and broke down crying....hard! There... leaning on the floor was THE picture of what God had shown me....my glimpse into heaven. Not only that but there was the lone fisherman standing there, with a stance just like my Daddy! My hubby tried to talk to the sales person and briefly shared with him our story and then we asked what the name of the picture was and he said, "Almost Heaven"! I left shaking and wiping tears! How incredible was that?

A month later, my incredible hubby asked me to come into the living room. And there, hanging over our fireplace, was Almost Heaven! It was given to me on my Daddy's birthday! And there flying between the mountains is an eagle............

I love you, Daddy, and can't wait to meet you on that mountain!

Preparing Our Hearts For Christmas

2010-11-19T21:01:00.000-08:00

All year long I've been planning to do "Christmas" different this year!
I want to bring back the true meaning of the Season.
God's Gift to us, His son, Jesus Christ!

We are off to a great start as Ashley and I have been teaching the IM&Ms to say "Christmas is Jesus' Birthday!" And we are blessed to hear reminders of that message as Makena strolls around the house playing.

November first marks the first day of Christmas music in our home. We have a gazillion CDs and it is fun to get to spend 2 months listening and preparing our hearts. We are teaching the babies "Away in a manger" and yesterday Makena was talking about a baby and a crib and the stars and Jesus! All three of them are doing the motions to the song and singing it now and it about makes you want to break down and cry at how sweet this is!

We are changing things up this year and focusing on the true meaning of Christmas by doing Advent all month this year. We have our beautiful nativity from our honeymoon that adorns our mantel. And a child friendly one the kids can play with. We always have advent calendars with chocolates tucked behind the doors. We have a large advent calendar hanging for the kids to change with each new day. We usually have a paper chain to tear off as we count down the days. We even have an advent wreath. And while these things are great, they are pointless without opening God's word and reading the Christmas story each day! So here are a couple of resources I wanted to share with you now before Thanksgiving weekend creeps up on us and the First Sunday of Advent (November 28th) slips by.

* An Advent Calendar From Thriving Family It gives you the first week's Bible verses and great activities to do with the family. You'll have to check back at this site each Friday for the next week's verses! It's Great!

* At Teaching Mom you can find a list of really great ideas for your family! All things Advent here! Want to know the history behind advent? Want a list of great conversation starters for your whole family to enjoy? Check these out! I'm really excited about these!

Family Time:
Last year Jon and I were able to take the older kids out to a Christmas program and then out for pie.
We had such a great time and laughed a ton! We definetly want to incorporate that back in this year.
There are so many fun things to go and do at Christmas time, but they also require money to do some of them. So this year we are changing up the way we are going to give gifts to the kids. We will be spreading it out the Advent season and for the four Sundays before Christmas our kids will open one gift. This will lead up to one large family gift on Christmas Eve and the bulk of their gifts this year will be in their stockings Christmas morning.

I'll post each week's gifts that were given and how we incorporated them into Advent and our Family Time! I'd post them now but don't want to spoil the surprise! Have fun planning your Christmas around CHRIST!

How do you keep Jesus as the focus of the season in your home?

Thankful For The Little Things

2010-11-15T09:44:00.000-08:00

Thankful For:

Budding Pianists

Entertaining themselves and happy to play together!

Helping themselves to a snack

Watching them do things all by themselves....

And succeeding! ;)

Watching our kids try new things....like wrestling!

Helpers making playdough

Helpers eating playdough

Watching them love on each other!

Watching them learn to express themselves

Wondering if she will be our next budding artist?

She is drawing like our Luke did at age 2!

So proud of herself!

Awwww! So much to be thankful for!

Thank you God!

"Adoption Means Love, Mommy" - National Adoption Month

2010-11-11T20:50:00.000-08:00

I was checking my emails today and saw the newsletter for All God's Children International adoption agency. I almost deleted it this month before reading and I'm so glad I didn't! Here is a beautiful adoption story I'd love to share with you...God's Mercy! And this one Miracles of Mercy!

Most of you have already read our adoption stories, if not you can read them here: Our Story of Adoption: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, & Part 5. And God is not done yet!

We believe God has a very special place in his heart for all children, especially orphans.

We are instructed to care for the orphans - James 1:27

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world"

We are adopted by God! We know that those who have accepted Christ as their Savior are adopted - Ephesians 1:5 "he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will"

Sometimes we just wonder....Where would our older children be now if we had not adopted them? Would they be separated from each other? Would they even have a roof over their heads? We don't even dare to think of the perils that they would've endured being in such an environment. Praise God for His infinite love and mercy! Would our frozen adopted miracles still be frozen due to a divorce? God provided for our little ones at just the right time!

How thankful we are that God was working on both of our hearts, before we were even married, to adopt. We didn't know how, why, when or where. But God did! His ways are so much higher than ours! And so much more beautiful and perfect and amazing! If God has EVER nudged your heart towards an orphaned child or something you've read or heard has stirred your soul when the word adoption is mentioned, I pray that you will listen to his still small voice or his very loud BOOM and ask Him to show you what that stirring in your soul means! Don't be scared! Trust Him and His excellent ways! But don't just sit there! Don't let fear or thoughts stop what God has in store for you! You don't want to miss the most incredible blessings of your life!

Years ago when I sat writing invitations out for Luke's adoption day party, I asked our 4 year old, Christopher, if he knew what adoption was. He said, "Adoption means love, Mommy!"

This post is part of an Adoption Blog Hop! Check out Blog Hop to read more!

Desperate Housewife Desperate for God and Someone to Clean Up Puke!

2010-10-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I thought since chaotic September was O.V.E.R that October would be a breeze.You know, just being able to keep up on the everyday housework and simple errands bring me much joy after such a pileup. But that was very short lived. Boy, I live for the days where I can get dressed with makeup on and the kiddos and I can get out for an errand or park day and still have energy in the afternoon to do the things that keep this house a-roll'n! But then the flu hit and not once, or twice, but now three times! Chris down for 5 days with bad sinus infection. Isaac is on his third day with the flu. Last Thursday after a much needed fun day at the Pumpkin Patch, Ashley's school called to say she threw up. And the week before that half of us were sick. Was'up?!! And now my house and I feel like we're a-rock'n! And not in a good way!

Needless to say it's been a little frustrating! And there have been moments where I've cried out to God after cleaing up puke with one toddler, calming another crying sick toddler, and being kicked by the third one! That was the straw that broke the camel's back. After all, I'd missed my MOPS group for the third meeting in a row! Couldn't God give me just a small 2 hour break with no sick kids so that I could get some fellowship time in? Is that too much to ask? I've been in tears several times this week. Come on God you know how lonely and isolated I've been lately! Can't I hire someone, a nurse maybe, to watch sick babies and clean up puke? But I know what God has been teaching me for the last month, before these little storms hit. I know He's been calling me HOME. Home? Seriously? How much more HOME can I get?!!

I knew the foundation of our HOME needed some work. Relationships. Nutrition-meals. And our marriage - time spent with my Hubby! But then we added the little storms and I saw that my heart needed to be in the right place as well. Yes, God is calling me HOME. The highest and the most beautiful calling is to my family. I picked up a book from the library called Passionate Housewives Desperate for God by Chancey and McDonald. It really helped put some things into perspective for me as a Homemaker. I appreciated the biblical view of our often misguided perception of such an important profession. Although there are areas in the book that I know are not quite me, that's OK! And my hubby knows when I desperately need to get away for a couple of hours! I can keep an open heart and let God mold me into the Homemaker He designed ME to be! Read it if you dare!

God has been so gracious to me during this hard time. He has given me a scripture when all I had was literally a minute to read His Word! He has spoken to my heart re: relationships with my children. Shown me where I've been wrong. Or where I've been looking at situations through my own wrong colored glasses and not through His perfect ones! Shown me where I am strong. Given me such a blessing in my wonderful husband that is my best friend! And He's somehow kept me physically going! He is Good!

I'm off now to help a child climb into a chair, read a book to a baby wanting my time, and holding a bowl for another one to puke into! And in the midst of some tears, I'm happy to be the one to do all of this and more!

3 Naughty Monkeys and Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-27T09:36:00.000-07:00

Our Interview & Fall Photo Shoot

2010-10-11T23:38:00.000-07:00

We're excited to let you all know that our blog

is featured over at Multiples and More!

Thanks for the opportunity to share a little bit of how our family came to be through

Foster Adoption and Embryo Adoption!

2010 Family Pictures

Thanks so much Bri!

You made it so fun and stress free!

Simply Olive Photography

Things On My Heart and Whirling Around My Head

2010-10-08T01:00:00.000-07:00

Boy, am I glad that September is O.V.E.R.!
It was a doozy! Of course it would be crazy with 3 kiddos starting 3 different schools and triplets turning two. But as you've read we've had our extra share of experiences that were not on the schedule. Broken hand, dislocated elbow, and the "L" word! I took off the Ads because I couldn't stand to see anymore advertisements for LICE! And since our month was topsy turvy there has been alot on my heart as well that is still being settled or whirling around my heart and head.

First, Schooling Choices. Jon and I are praying regarding our schooling choices for next year. Ashley will be starting Middle School then and we're prayerfully watching how this year goes for Luke. I will say that I am pleasantly surprised how much better his class arrangements are for him this year. There are 2 teachers and an aide in his first 3 periods! And love the consistency with having the same teacher for all 3 of those. He's navigated his way thru Middle School schedule with flying colors! Why did I worry? But where did my boy go that had a hard time finding friends at recess? Now he comes home to gloat about how EVERYONE is telling him that he needs to go out for wrestling and how built he is! What? And a girl came up to him and said she wanted to be his girlfriend only to come up to him the next day and tell him she was dumping him. He said, " That's OK, because I don't know your name anyways!" WHAT?! Lord protect this Boy! I'm a ~~little~~ worried!

Homeschooling is in my heart and home is where I want all of my children. God is faithful and has provided HELP for us when we needed it most. And He opened the doors for us thru our public school for now. But it's very difficult to find the "right" help for kids with Dyslexia in a state where that is the "D"word. Yes, they have learning support and remedial reading help, but for dyslexics they need to learn a different way. Each of our older three have different levels of Dyslexia. I was surprised to hear my oldest talk about it this summer and the areas that he felt he needs help. And we got alot of laughs when this summer I asked the kids if they wanted to play Scrabble. Chris chimed in, "You want your dyslexic kids to play Scrabble with you?" I should of said Yes!, just so I could win at a game! So we are praying about our options for more help and the one we're leaning towards right now requires an hour a day everyday, 5 days a week, no exceptions, for 6-8 months! It's at a Reading Center so it requires driving time as well, but found one only 15 minutes away. We'll be checking into that. But that is in addition to his school schedule. So God is preparing our hearts for His will regarding school for next year. We'll wait and see!

Second, I know a lot of you are wondering about Baby #7. Well, our goal for an August transfer was put on hold because testing came right during our first family vacay for the year. So we decided to shoot for October. We all know how CRAZY that was. And our clinic sent us a bill in August of $1,700extra. Say, what? We were very surprised as everything has to be paid in full before any transfers and we were in the clear for our April transfer. So we got a large bill for a mock transfer and other scopes (they finally billed insurance for $700), but not until August! Crazy! I was having a hard time these last couple of weeks thinking about postponing our transfer, but then had such peace knowing that this isn't the right time. We want to enjoy the holidays with our kiddos and have a lot planned. And I want to be in a more relaxed state when we try one last time. This is it! And I'm really humbled by some blogging friends that have had negative test results and/or miscarriages in the last month. This baby is the last baby I will carry. There's alot of finality to that statement. And we are hopeful that all will go well, but two of our three transfers didn't work. God has a perfect plan for this little one just like he did for all of our 6 snowflake babies, 3 in our arms and 3 in heaven! We'll wait on Him and His timing!

There's more but I realize that it's 1AM! I forgot to take my Melatonin!

Our Morning Routine

2010-10-05T02:46:00.000-07:00

We're still working out the "kinks" of being back to school.
At least I am with my morning routine!

6:30am or earlier Chris and Luke wake up to their alarm clock
6:45 I try to roll out of bed and run downstairs to make Chris' sandwich.
Luke loves to make his own lunch. And then they're both out the door.
7:00 The babies start waking, but play and talk happily. I don't get them up yet!
In the perfect world, with uninterrupted sleep, I would hop into the shower now!
Yesterday, Ashley actually was up at 7am into the shower and then asked if she could play with Kayla in her room. This gave me some snooze time. Then I snuck into the shower and she went and played in the nursery with all the babies. I actually got a shower, hair dryed, make up on and more! What a blessing!
7:30 My favorite part of the day saying, "Good Morning" to three smiling, bed headed babies!
Book time, diaper changes, and getting dressed for the day.

8:00 Breakfast and Coffee for Mom, not for babies

By 9am Ashley is off to school and the babies are playing with their long lost toys.
9:00am Book reading time, Music Time, free playtime
This is when I try to read the Bible and slip to my knees in prayer. Notice I said TRY!
9:30 finds us outside while the weather is still nice sometimes in our PJs and Rainboots...my fave outfits!

10am Finds us having fun with Tot School, Sesame Street, playing with our "special" toys, dancing, coloring

Or making our own Playdough!

11am Erands or more outside playtime

11:30am Lunchtime

12:00pm "Happy Nappy Time" Yay!

That's when I can tend to my needs, catch up on cleaning...haha, check emails and read my fave blogs, take a nap, read, or chat on the phone!

I recharge spiritually, physically and mentally to deal with the hardest part of my day when all 6 kids are home and the real fun begins!

Linking up to Steady Mom's 30 Minute Challenge. Join in!

Look What I Won!

2010-09-27T12:45:00.000-07:00

The Highlight of last week

was winning this:

Something beautiful just for ME!

Thank you Little Smarty Pants!

This is so pretty and reversible!

I can't wait to order 3 for my girls!

And Thanks to Multiples and More for

an incredible End of Summer Blog Party!

I also won something else....But you'll have to wait to see what!

Day 5 of Living with "L"

2010-09-27T02:03:00.000-07:00

So now the ads on my blog are pushing only ads for the "L" word.
Scroll down to last post if you don't know what I mean.
So, I'm not going to say it and see if the ads change!
Like living with "L" is not bad enough, now when I get 10 minutes to myself at 1:44am to read the funny and kind comments you have all left, I have to look at ads that show pictures of said "L"!!! No thanks!
I just spent 2 plus hours "~~Nit Pick'n~~" one of the big kids! I've had it!
I thought I got everything on him and now found one live one! Aaaaggggghhhhh!
Apparently you have to check and ~~Nit Pick~~ everyday! Well, Hello, That is nearly impossible as I am the official ~~Nit picker~~!
One big kid head takes at least 2 hours!
You can't miss a day!
I do have a life people!

I just realized that "L" was a topic of conversation on the dinner cruise Friday night! Seriously! I'm that socially deprived right now people! I just realized that after I invited a gal over for a playdate that she kept pushing meeting at a park!!! How will I ever repair that first impression? And yes, I need to see this person again!

Please God help me out a little and kill them all!

The positive side of "L":
1)We've heard that "L" does not like nappy little heads! Luke has never been more happy that he is half black!
And we're all very jealous! Not sure if this is true because of the oils in his hair, but so far he's free!
2)I have not spent this much time talking with my older kiddos in a VERY long time. When you can't stop what you're doing for 2 hours or so, it's great!

I can't wait until the topic of "L" if far behind us!
Loving the conversations with them and my mom!

LICE is NOT a Bowl of Cherries...When LICE Gives You Lemons....

2010-09-25T21:16:00.000-07:00

What else are you going to title a post all about LICE?
Seriously, the grossest thing I've ever had to go through!

Here are some fun LICE facts from the Friesen Funny Farm!

6 Victims so far

3 Lucked out so far

8 Bottles of Medicated Lice Shampoo

8 More bottles next week!

# of live bugs...You don't want to know!

2 Trips to school nurse to see if we got it all....failed!

15 Bed changes over 4 days

16 hours on my feet, actually delicing!

28 hours of Non-Stop Laundry so far

3 Bottles of Rubbing Alcohol

2 Bottles of Lice Spray

4 Days of vacuuming

Van vacuumed

Car seats vacuumed

Truck vacuumed

Stroller vacuumed

Backpacks sprayed

5 Beds sprayed and vacuumed

Couch and chair sprayed and vacuumed

Hot hair dryer to each victim

Hot hair dryer to couch and chair

5 black trash bags full of items to sit and wait for 4 weeks

1 True friend who spend 4 hours checking my hair!

4 Meltdowns, 2 from our 11 year old, 2 from me!

This is our first time living with LICE. You really know who your friends are when it comes to something as gross as this! So glad that my mom could arrive by plane the day before the official break out! haha Couldn't have survived the literal mountains of laundry that we had to climb over, the hours of delicing, and cleaning involved and our normal schedule without Grandma here to help!

We had many laughs, because if you don't laugh you WILL cry! And some very bad attempts to come up with a title for this post like "When LICE give you lemons..., LICE is NOT a Bowl of Cherries" to my friend's hubby asking her if she was going "Nit Pick'n"! And I LICE You! And my favorite for the day was when Katie was all done with my hair..."You really were my LICEsaver!" I think the combination of the rubbing alcohol and the heat from the lamp was making this all a little funnier too!

Mikayla - 2 Years Old

2010-09-18T21:50:00.000-07:00

Our sweet little baby, Kayla!

You are our little 4lb miracle!

Look how tiny your hand is next to mine!

This was the best day ever!

You and Luke bonded right away!

We call you our singleton!

That's how you like it!

Fast forward 2 years later....

And look at you!

You still are the first one to jump into the unknown!

You still haven't slowed down!

I love your excitement for life!

I love your inquisitive, serious, thoughtful ways!

I love that your hair is now finally long enough for pony tails!

You are so very silly and make us laugh, "Kaya"!

You are very sweet.

The first to share.

The first to give a hug, rub a back, or pat a shoulder.

And then smile and say "Nice"!

You jumped into your cake with gusto!

You bring so much love and joy to our lives, K-bug!

You talk a lot.

You repeat what we say.

Your first sentence was "Let's Go"!

So you and so me.

You only took 22 months to finally officially sleep through the night!

But I have loved our special times together.

Rocking. Singing. Snuggling.

I ask you, "Who's the only baby in the world?"

and you giggle and laugh and it's our little game!

You have to give Daddy a special "kick" when he tucks you into bed each night.

You only have 2 more two year molars left and then life will be great!

You finally realized and said "Ouch" when you banged your head the other day!

So glad that phase is a.l.m.o.s.t gone!

We love you Kayla!

Life is so sweet with you in it!

Makena - 2 Years Old

2010-09-18T10:44:00.000-07:00

Makena Jean

What an amazing little girl you are!

From the beginning you were our steady, easy going one!

You were 4.11oz of pure joy!

Ashley was so thrilled to be your big sister!

Even then you were showing us your little Diva side!

Fast Forward 2 years....

Your eyes are even bigger and brighter.

You enjoyed your second birthday so much!

Diva's eat their cake with a fork, don't you know!

You are so scrumptious to snuggle and hold!

You still love to read!

And laugh the best belly laugh!

And model!

Yesterday, I took you to a children's store and when I got up to the register

I found that you had placed items you like in the stroller with you.

Pink camo pants with a matching pink camo purse!

It's sooo you!

When you were born you were the most vocal with your little squeaks and grunts.

We said then that you would be our talker and boy were we right!

We don't talk about which words you say now, it's what sentences you speak.

Here's some faves:

"I wanna be a nakey baby. You be a nakey baby, too?"

(My guess is that your pjs won't be staying on long)

"I scared."

(You said when going to a new church for MOPS...but you did great!)

"I want to go to the park."

"I no like it."
"Where fries go?"

You woke up crying one morning saying, "God! God! God!"

I was not sure why you were so upset and then realized that you wanted me to read

to you from our little prayer book from Papa Paul. You named it our God book all on your own.

Too cute!

Your loves right now are Daddy, Luke, purses, boots, shoes,

hats, gloves, books, & ice cream cones (plastic).

Your fears right now are Spiders, (thanks Ashley),

spider webs (thanks Makena for the reminder

that yes it is time to spring clean),

clowns, strangers, and new situations.

You are such a love and bring us so much joy!