Background on the updates...

I got a couple notes asking what's going on with those updates, so I guess I better elaborate a little.

Lucas got hit in the head with a garden rake that his older brother was swinging around. The bleeding hadn't stopped 5 hours later, so I took him to urgent care and thankfully they were able to just glue it together instead of messing with stitches. It's almost all healed up now, and he'll only have a small scar.

Labor day weekend I hadn't felt baby move since Friday night and was having some cramping, so I called dr on Tuesday morning, and he sent me to ER. Some of you may wonder why wait so long, but I wasn't feeling baby every day yet, and I was not bleeding or anything, so I decided to wait. Monday night/ Tuesday morning the cramping was getting worse, so we were starting to worry a little more, but thankfully (after being in ER for 6 hours) they sent me home with the knowledge that baby was moving fine on ultrasound and the heartbeat was 148. I was totally thinking we'd be seeing a dead baby on the ultrasound because the nurse could not get a heartbeat on the doppler. Surprisingly, I wasn't panicky or anything, especially considering I was by myself. I thank God for the peace that he gave me!

My sister Pam (as I've mentioned before) has been on bedrest, and the latest OB appointment didn't lift any restrictions for her, and they also had the ultrasound that gave less than desired results. Our prayers go out to her and Tim as they face this trial.

Ok, so that should clear up most questions...

Things have been busy here as always. We have started schooling for the year and Caleb and Daniel are loving it so far. I love how they help each other with their work. I still have to sit there to make sure they understand the instructions, but they're usually finished with most of it by lunch time, so they have most of the afternoon to play outside. Today we took a bit of a break with the writing, as Caleb cut his thumb on his right hand yesterday, and it's still quite painful for him to try to write.

Lucas likes to take his coloring book out while the big boys are doing their work and Kimberly just plays nicely by herself, or takes a nap, depending on the day.

This past week we have had the flu in our house. So far, Caleb and I are the only 2 that hasn't had it, and hopefully it stays that way. Peter is still sick with it since midnight Sunday night and he's becoming dehydrated, but nothing stays in him long enough to do any good. We're still waiting for the dr to call back and see if he can do something more than he already has. He called in help for today to help him get caught up with work (first time in 2 1/2 years) so he can hopefully get to bed early tonight without worrying about all the work he has to do. We'll see if Dale's coming again tomorrow or not. That's going to depend on how far he can get today.

I got my latest thyroid results and for the first time, I don't need to adjust my medication!! YAY! I'll still need to have regular blood work done to keep an eye on it, but that's ok. As long as my levels stay good, I should be able to avoid the problems I had with Kimberly's pregnancy. Today I'm 18 weeks, so almost half way (about another 3 weeks before I consider myself halfway as my kids seem to stay put longer), and the nausea has subsided for the most part. I still get waves of it, but it's not constant like it was for 16 weeks. Now, if only I could figure out a cure for the headaches, we'd be all set. :)

Oh, I forgot to mention that we now have a puppy!! His name is Skip and the kids love him to death... literally. I'm surprised he's still thriving with the type of treatment the kids give him! lol He was a pain for the first 4 nights with crying all night, but he has improved a ton and only cries if he has to go out, or if someone else is up and doesn't let him out. We're working on the training part now... the goal is to eliminate all puddles on the floor in the next week or so. Kimberly loves to peek over the side of her highchair and feed him her supper. He knows where the food is and patiently sits there at supper, or wanders around under the table and gets all the crumbs the boys drop. I guess their piggyness is beneficial to someone! lol

That's all I have for now, hoping you all have a wonderful, blessed weekend!