The Ups and Downs of Life

Well, it took a few days to post our Saturday adventure pictures, but here they are...

As for the ups of life...we have these beautiful children! Yes, they are busy as ever, but they are ours, and we are grateful for that. I guess (even through the sickness) I can say we have another little one on the way who is being called "Ferb" by Aiden. Aiden even says that we are going to have another baby and call him "Phineas". I don't know about either of those statements.

Another up...Connor is developing a love for our country as he named Veterans Day as one of his favorite holidays to me recently.

These two boys wake on Saturday morning, stay in their room, and Connor reads books to Aiden--I would have to call that a huge UP!!!

This guy (above) is getting use to the life of a stay at home Dad--NOT what we intended. Yet, I find myself grateful that our kids are in his hands while I am gone for my long 12 hour shifts. Yet, I do pray that something will take it's turn in the next 5 weeks when I move to my night shifts. So, there you have it--the down in our life right now--Steve is unemployed. We have started another very challenging time in our life.

But at least we have her! :)

Misc. Happenings

Well, there's lots to say (some good and some bad), but I am very tired...and I need to put two little boys to bed, so here it goes. We spent the day walking a riverfront; we walked too long as evidenced by a pinched sciatic nerve (me) and aching knees, legs, and a back (Steve). We are officially old, but we had a good time. Those pictures will come tomorrow once they are uploaded. In the mean time, Lydia discovered the cap of a bottle substitutes well for a binki in times of desperation.

I also got brave enough to let you see the 12 week belly. I am being approached by people at work--and they naturally assume I am pregnant. Seriously, 12 weeks along, and everyone can see! I guess that's what happens with baby #5!

And...Lydia is just such a doll lately! She did this same routine about 10 times in a row tonight--which means the boys ate way too many of MY mints. The mints are saving me hour by hour these days!

Haven't Heard?

Well...if you haven't heard yet, here it goes:

1. We have moved to Evansville, IN

2. Steve got a job in the Emergency Department

3. I got a job in ICU stepdown

4. We are stressed as ever unpacking our place before we both start full time jobs

5. I am suffering working mother syndrome--yes, I cry a lot!

6. Steve and I BOTH passed our boards!

7. We're pregnant!

In case you didn't know...#7 was NOT planned...we are not interested in driving ourselves crazy, but when the Lord has a will He has a way! Yes, working mother syndrome is very similar to the first trimester of pregnancy...I cry a lot! I am 9 weeks along! Actually, I was at my OB office waiting to get an IUD. They are instituting blood pregnancy tests, which I had done only two days prior. I waited...and waited...and waited for the doctor to come in and do her thing, but when she came in, we had quite a conversation! "Crystal, I have some good news and some bad news....the bad news, you will not get an IUD today, but the good news is that you are pregnant!" Hmmm....what would you do? Cry? Laugh? I did a bit of both, but left laughing, and full of joy! Baby #5 is coming...whoa...that sounds kinda crazy!

The Many Faces of US!

The Princess--who smiled FOR THE CAMERA for the first time today!

The Brother--bound and determined to hold princess arms down just to snatch a picture of his wonderful creation! (Yes, it was Aiden's idea to place the glasses on Lydia!)

The Librarian--in need of a shower, make-up, and well placed hair!

And....the Monkey! Need I say more?

Adoring Lydia

Just thought we would remind you...Mr. Aiden adores his baby Lydia...

and Daddy does too!

This little girl is feeling much better these days. After several weeks of sleepless nights and pink antibiotics spilling onto every cute little pajama set she has, Lydia is a beautiful picture of health!

We have received numerous requests for an update on Connor with school. I will try to snatch a picture of him smiling one day as he exits the school bus to deceive you into thinking that he actually enjoys his time there. As for now, we try to make his homework a positive and exciting experience; I think it helps him look forward to school day by day. Still, "there's just not enough time for play!" His youth will pass quickly, and there will always be time for fun and play, but never as much as he would like!

Aiden misses Connor terribly when he is away. He has no clue what walking, talking, and playing even are until 3:28pm when Connor exits the school bus.

Mommy and Daddy--We're hangin' in there! We will take our boards on October 7th! YAHOO!!!

Never Forget! Never Surrender!

Today my thoughts turn towards that eventful day we all experienced in some way, just 8 years ago. I cannot forget what I was doing, as I'm sure you cannot either. I cannot forget watching that television screen and the images that just did not seem real. I wept, and then I wept some more. How could this have happened to us, I wondered. Some questions, I think, will never be answered in this life. That was such an eventful day. I think it exposed the weak parts of our great nation. Now, I find myself wondering what parts aren't weak? I fear that we are now crumbling from within after an attack from the outside; just as these great building did! Our government is corrupt! The pieces are being set and sides have been chosen. Tomorrow we will see who will still stand for truth and freedom. I will never forget! I will never surrender! I will defend and protect this nation and its constitution until the day I die! My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of September, 11 victims. I also pray, however, that those who have not woken up regarding the destruction of our constitution will yet see and rise up to the challenge! I pray for those who have seen and are fighting to protect what is left; to bring back what was lost! I pray that tomorrow will be the dawn of a new day, but that we will not find ourselves more divided when the day is done. God bless the United States of America!

Can't Bring Me Down!

This little beauty has had the sickies...along with most of us these days! Yet, this little beauty will not let the sickies bring her down!

Instead, she'll just show her brother how much she loves him! In affection, Lydia began leaning into Aiden today, touching her forehead and nose to his, and pausing for several seconds. She did this over and over again--and when Connor came home, he received the same sweet affection! It's good to have a girl in the home!