Alicia Joy...........

Another beautiful baby girl!! I was so happy as I had always wanted at least one girl! Alicia's birth is one that still gets me going. I wish so much that I had pushed to have her naturally instead of by c-section. I also realize that God taught me a lot because I had a c-section, so sometimes even when things don't go the way we want, we get to learn some good lessons. I can remember the first couple nights in the hospital I would call a nurse to bring we Alicia so I could nurse her but I would always call her Victoria. I would also fall asleep while nursing and was afraid I might drop her. Thankfully Alicia was a very good baby those first few days, only crying when she wanted to eat and going right back to sleep. None of my other babies have been like that, they all have wanted to be held and nursed all the time! Of course Alicia made up for all that contentedness later on as she managed to be my fussiest baby (until Cassia came along). Bryan was so excited when Alicia was born and he invited a bunch of people to come to the hospital to see her on Sunday night. I was not so happy to see the company and kept trying to be polite wishing they would all leave as the horrible 'gas' pain had started just as they arrived. I was so relieved when they all left! But it was cute to see Bryan so excited as he isn't one to show emotions much!

These are the first matching dresses that I made for the girls and they have also always been my favorite. I have made this pattern many times. Victoria loved her baby sister from day one and Alicia and her continue to be close friends and sisters. Alicia is so different from her sister much more quiet and reserved. Even though she was a fussy baby we still enjoyed her so much.

Our Alicia has quite the personality and a good stubborn streak that came through early in life. The first bit of stubbornness I remember is trying to get her on solids. This little munchkin refused to have anything but mommy's milk and mommy's milk was drying up due to a new baby on the way. I tried so hard to continue nursing Alicia while being sick and pregnant with Moriah. When Alicia started getting up every 2 hours at night I knew we had to get her eating. We were camping, I was throwing up often, Alicia was crying lots, I was desperate even trying sweet yogurt and ice cream! When we got back she finally would take cereal and we put her on a sippy cup instead of a bottle. I was so relieved when she started eating. That is one of those times I look back on and wonder how in the world I ever managed!

Alicia could be a little monkey, getting into things. She liked to do what her sister did, except when it came to walking. She didn't walk until she was almost 18 months. She was also one of our slowest hair growers. It seemed to take so long for her to have hair long enough to put a pony tail in. Today she has the prettiest hair and it so long and straight. I remember people saying she was going to by a tom boy, but that statement could not be farther from the truth!

Alicia has always been our smallest child, right from birth. She is built petite, but yet she always looks a little chubby in pictures! She has a gymnast body, but I don't think we will ever put her in gymnastics. My mother in law calls her the 'runner'. She is also our healthiest eater. She will often turn down ice cream or cookies or only eat a little. She takes after her mother in the breakfast department and eats tons of it. We have bagels for breakfast Sunday mornings and she often eats 2 and a half! She can eat a bunch of pancakes or waffles too.

Alicia has had a bad habit since she was about 2 years old and that is biting her nails. I still haven't found a way to get her to stop. I consider her my 'artsy' child, the outfits she comes down in are very interesting. She always wears a skirt or dress and her favorite color is pink. She is very decided and it is hard to get her to change her mind about something. She definitely gives us a run for our money when it comes to disciplining. We often wonder if we are getting through to her and then all of a sudden she will blurt something out in the middle of the day and I see that she is remembering more then we realize. She is such s spunky girl and nothing gets by her! She is the type that it isn't always what you say, but how you say it. If we say in a loud angry voice, "Alicia, Eat Your Supper" that is it and she is done, the tears come and there is no way she will eat until after she is disciplined. If we say in a nice sweet calm voice, "Alicia, eat your supper' away she goes eating her supper, no problem. You think this would be easy for us to remember but not so when we get frustrated! Alicia is also the girl that I will look at while disciplining and say "sweetheart, mommy has talked to you about this before, why do you keep disobeying me?" And then that still small voice inside my head says "Valerie, you have asked forgiveness for the same thing before, why do you keep sinning?" Alicia sure teaches us a lot about ourselves!

Alicia is a pretty child when it comes to looks, and we continue to teach her that it is heart and her actions that need to be beautiful. She is a sweet child saying I love you and giving hugs and kisses. During this sick time right now, she has been the hardest for me to keep at an arms length. She is also the only one that tells me on the phone that she misses me and loves me (which always bring tears to my eyes).

Our pink girl.........I try not to indulge her in this, but her grandma enjoys it! I do enjoy her girliness and her love for skirts and dresses. She also enjoys being a mother and caring for her many dolls. Polly pockets are a new addition to our toy collection too. Alicia loves real babies, I think her cousin Hannah was her favorite. She would sit by Hannah just holding her hand, not bothering her, and just look at her. She is excited about holding her new baby sister (or brother).

Alicia holds back the most of our children. She is slow to try new things and slow to trust new people. She has no desire to 'join the crowd' but is content to be herself. I love this about her! I hope she continues to seek the Lord and do what He says and not what the crowd says. I see myself in this little girl so much that I can't help praying that she won't make the same mistakes I made! I love her stubbornness and shyness, but I pray that she won't be hurt and that the stubbornness would be molded by the Lord. Our Alicia Joy is such a sweet dear little girl and with her too we look forward to seeing how God uses her to further His Kingdom!

Our Victoria......

I am laying around all day and enjoy thinking back on my life as a mother. So I thought I would write a post about each of our children since I actually have the time and it is fun to think of each of them since I can't spend any time with them. I miss being a mother to our girls, I miss the cuddles and the kisses. I am so thankful that this season of morning sickness will pass and again I will be their mother.
So here is a little about my first born daughter. Of course I forgot which way the pictures show up so the older pictures are at the bottom and the more resent at the top!
Our dear sweet enthusiastic Victoria.........it is hard to believe she is reaching the age of 6 in just a few short months. Today she told me that she doesn't really like to play with the neighbor boys anymore, she would rather read. So she kept herself busy reading Little House while her sisters were getting dirty with the neighbor boys. Victoria is quite the reader, it amazes me at how 'fast' she can read. I often ask her if she is actually reading every page. She can finish a novel like Little House in one day. I know when I was 5 going on 6 I sure didn't read like that. She started Little Women a few days ago but has missed placed it so she hasn't finished it, though I think that might be a little old for her. It is such a blessing to have a daughter who loves reading but I have a feeling it is going to be rather difficult finding enough 'good' books the way she reads so fast. Not only is she a great reader but she is also a great speller. We started school a few weeks ago and I think she is around lesson 8 in her spelling book and she has only gotten one word wrong! Not sure what to do when ones child already knows how to spell the words a grade ahead...maybe start the next grade! Victoria would definitely be bored in school if she was in grade 1 where she is suppose to. But I have a feeling that she will even herself out eventually.


Victoria is a great 'helper'. I can always count on her to do what I ask and to do it pretty much right away. I have to make sure I don't depend on just her since she is the easiest to ask. I do try to spread it out and get her sisters to help too. She is always so enthusiastic and can get everyone motivated for just simple things. I would consider her a 'people person' as everyone loves to be around her. It is such a blessing to have such a happy, cheerful child.

Of course our dear Victoria is not perfect! Are you surprised? I know I am sometimes, I expect so much out of her because she does obey the easiest out of all of our children. But she does have her struggles, lately it has been that she likes to tell us 'how good she is and how she did such and such but so and so didn't'. We are teaching our eldest daughter some humility. Victoria has always been a big talker since before she could say actual words and in some ways that is also one of her problem areas as she isn't always so kind in how she talks, or can be rather bossy.

Victoria loves her sisters, even if she does need a break from them once in awhile. I think reading for her helps her find some alone time to just be in her own little world with out her sister there to mess it up. Being a people person she likes to take charge and her sisters don't always want to go along with it. Often her sisters do what she says because she says is happily and it is exciting and fun. She has a great imagination too!

When Victoria found out that I was pregnant and Katy (our neighbor) was also pregnant with her 5th. Her reaction was "wow, I am going to be busy helping with both the new babies" It was so neat to hear her desire to help and to see her thoughtfulness. She has some great 'mothering' skills and loves to use them on anyone she can. I know she means well, but like I said above, those being mothered don't always appreciate it. Though the real mothers do a little because she is good at letting us know if someone is getting into trouble and she keeps all the little ones occupied.

My Victoria loves to shop too. All my girls do! They love to go out and look for things even if it is just grocery shopping. My grandparents (my mom's parents) love to take the 3 oldest girls shopping and out to McDonalds. They actually come up with a little list and let the girls find the items. They are in their glory and so are my grandparents. I don't have to worry about letting Pake and Beppe know what to order at McDonalds, Victoria knows just what everyone likes!

Even though my little munchkin is a very good girl..........she still has gotten in to things when mommy wasn't looking. She likes to sneak a few cookies or candies or play with water where she isn't suppose to. In the above picture she is eating dirt! I don't think she cared for it!

Victoria was such an easy baby that when she was just 6 months old I was pregnant again! I remember being so amazed at how big Victoria looked when we brought home little Alicia. Our little girl had grown up over night.

I know I am rather bias in my opinion but I do believe she is one of the most adorable babies ever. She had such a adorable look about her. I wonder if it had to do with those adorable chubby cheeks and her pretty eyes. Oh... where did my little baby go! They grow up so fast!

I was so excited to have a baby girl. I figured she was going to be a boy since I wanted a girl! It was such a nice surprise. I do believe that her labor and delivery was my easiest of course that could be because it is the farthest from my memory, but I do think I am right. I felt great after she was born, I never minded the middle of the night feedings. She lived in her swing. I do remember that she was the only one of our children that Bryan ever heard crying in the middle of the night. After her Bryan just slept through the crying.

So that is the end of my 'rememberings' about my oldest daughter. She is such a delight to us, we love her so much. I look forward to seeing how God will use her to further His Kingdom her on earth.

Half Way and A Big Decision to Make......

Half way through the morning sickness that is, a long way to go for the pregnancy! I have had some pretty good days but it is not consistent. The noise of the girls really drags me down and I feel awful saying it but it really is so much better when they are gone or I only have the 2 oldest.
As to our big decision it is about a house again. We will have to make the decision to move or not in about a week. My uncle bought a 50 acre farm just outside of Ridgetown (about 20 min. from our current house and 30 min. from Bryan's work) He is going to sell off the house and has offered it to us for a great price....the cost is our current house. Basically we will just switch houses and his plan is to rent out our current home. The only thing holding us back is that the house is about the same size, slightly smaller then our current home. There are only 3 bedrooms and the one will hardly fit a single bed. There is one good size bedroom that has 2 single beds in it right now so we know we can put 2 sets of bunk beds in it. There are no closets in any of the bedrooms. The kitchen and dinning room are bigger then what we have now but there is no family room only a living room that is the same size as what we have now. There is a small storage room off the kitchen which I would probably use for all our hanging clothes and there is also a small garage attached to the house that is too small for a car that we would like to make into a bathroom/ laundry room. (there is only 1 bathroom and it is upstairs, it only has a bathtub no shower) The house is about 70 years old and the best thing about it is that it is in excellent shape. The foundation was redone a few years ago, it has a brand new well, the house is a solid rock. the property is 2 acres it has a bunch of trees and lots of room to have a pasture if I ever want a cow!
Having a small house doesn't seem all that bad to me, I figure living in the country I want to be able to go outside and not have to clean a big house. Bryan would like me to have a big garden and can, so then there would be time for that too. I think in about 5-7 years we would probably add a family room, but other then fixing up that little garage there is nothing that needs to be done we can just move right in.
So we are praying about it and waiting until we go and have a second look at the house to make our decision. I don't want to regret buying such a small house, but yet maybe it won't be too bad.
So for know we wait and I continue to dream about living in the country.

Where did the excitment go..........

Well, we were 2 weeks into the 6 weeks of severe morning sickness. I will be so very thankful when this passes by. I think the girls are getting a little bored in waiting for my tummy to grow and for the baby to come. They aren't talking about it as much right now, but then again they have been busy with us having help in the house and them going to peoples houses. We have been very blessed with lots of help. This morning when the girls got up the came into my room and asked where daddy was. After I told them that he had already gone to work then asked who was going to get the breakfast. Well, for the first time in about 2 weeks, I got them their breakfast. Cassia is at my mom's so it was easy to do the older girls. In a little while my grandparents are picking up the girls to take them shopping and out for lunch, that will give me a little break.

I have good days and bad days and days where I just sleep sleep and sleep. I am not sure if it is the Diclecton making me tired or just the fact that I am growing a baby. I went to a Homeopathic Dr. before I got sick and it took about 3 different remedies to find one that worked for me. He told me that there are 34 different types of morning sickness. I am thankful that it didn't take 34 tries to get the right remedy. It doesn't make me all better, but it does help.
In some ways I keep hoping for twins, I figure it would be 2 for one in the sickness department. But then when I think of the business of having twins, I am not sure I really do want that. I am thankful that it is in God's hands. We are hoping for another girl, but of course if it is a boy we will love him too! It is kind of fun having all the same gender.
My days consist of me laying on the couch, sometimes sitting up and then sleeping in bed. I am able to eat and yesterday was the first day I didn't throw up. It is hard to remain thankful during my really sick times, I have been brought very low at times, but then God has always been faithful to remind me of His promises and to bless me with a good day too.
I am very anxious for the next 4 weeks to pass and to get to the part of enjoying the pregnancy and I keep praying that all will be well with our babe.

Excitment in our home.....

Our dear Cassia is little sister to 3............. And soon to been big sister to 1...............

For you formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139:13&14

We find it so fitting that our family is in the middle of memorizing Psalm 139, we read this chapter to our girls and asked them what they thought their surprise was. After a little questioning they realized that Mommy had a baby in her tummy, and they couldn't be happier. We are so excited to be welcoming a new baby into our family the begining of April 2011. What a wonderful blessing from God.

The Pioneer Village

We had been looking forward to this day for a long time! We had come up with the idea to go way back in the spring, and here it was June already! Our party had grown by 4 families, we had 9 adults (2 dads) and 16 children (under 6 years old) and one baby in the oven! I was busy ironing the girls outfits the night before and couldn't help but think of Ma from LHOTP and how would have done the same for her girls if they were going somewhere special! I had never been to the London Pioneer Village and since I had invited everyone I was really hoping it would be nice! It turned out to be just right for the age of children we had as it wasn't too big or too small. There were a few school groups that we had to work around and we did get a sprinkling of rain but in all I think everyone had a great time! The above is the first house we went into and it was the most like LHOTP so for my girls I think it was the most exciting. It was one room with a little loft, us mothers couldn't help but think how easy it would be to keep such a small house clean! But then the thought of laundry, cooking, and other farm chores made us thankful for the homes we have with washing machines, dishwashers and a grocery store close by!
I was trying to get a picture of just my girls but my nephew Noah had to join in too! He is the closet thing to a brother that my girls have!

Here is a picture of me with my girls! I was planning on taking Cassia (as she had a cute pioneer outfit too) but when we got up that morning she had a fever and looked sick. My mom babysat her for me a few other families didn't take their babies either. I ended up being very thankful that I didn't take Cassia as I was busy helping my neighbor keep track of her boys who run in three different directions!

Here are most of the kids in the school house. It was pretty easy to stay together and the kids seem to like to be free to run from building to building.

I think this is Gideon checking out the duck. The kids really enjoyed the few animals.

Victoria was pretty excited to be wearing her pioneer outfit. She is such a joy to our family definitely a 1st born. I am sure we are going to enjoy many more years watching this little girl grow into a woman!

Here we are checking out some more animals! Looking at these pictures reminds me of just how many little ones we had! I think I can safely say all the mothers were tired and ready to go home, but the kids could have run a few more laps of the village!

Little Caleb was more then happy to enjoy watching the tractor (of course if I had a son I would probably know the right name for this tractor) and was sorry to leave it. It is such a blessing to have neighbors with 4 boys, we really get a taste of what boys are all about. Caleb is such a sweet quiet little boy and the other day when he was over I saw him reach into our play car seat and pretend to pick up a baby and then he gentle was talking to the imaginary baby. It was the cutest sight ever and I wish I had had my camera to capture it!

Taking a break for a sucker and game of checkers. The day before we came I had told the girls if they cleaned their bedroom up quickly they could have their own money to buy a candy the next day at the village. So they did earn this piece of candy!

Oh the innocence of children! Erin and I are happy to see our children playing and enjoying each others friendship as we have for many years!

The last stop.......The Printing Press. Note to self: many children under 6...........stay out of printing press shop! Caleb got ink all of his hand, we didn't care for the printers 'jokes', and for some reason little boys don't understand the staying behind the counter! I guess that is what memories are made of!! :-)

Cassia.........

My Dear Cassia is growing up! She is such a joy to our family now more then ever. She was my fussiest baby and a true mommy's girl. But she has outgrown both of those and is very pleasant and sweet! She plays so well especially when her sister aren't around to bug her. She jibber jabbers just like Victoria did, makes us wonder if she will be a 'talker' like Victoria! She is starting to say some words, her favorite is Mommy. She says mommy over and over again and comes over to me and looks at me waiting for me to look her in the eye and then she jabbers away. She is walking very well now and despite what others say, I love having a baby that walks before 18 months!! She isn't wearing out her clothes like her sisters did! With growing up comes exploring and seeing what mommy will do if she disobeys! I always find it hard diciplining a baby.....well even my older girls! I suppose no mother actually enjoys it! I am reading "Don't Make Me Count To Three" right now, and it seems very insightful! I highly recommened it. She quotes Tedd Trip alot! Back to Cassia, she is a stubborn little munchkin, but such a sweet one too! Check out the pictures below....I bet you will think she is sweet too!Here she is sporting her first 'piggy tails' not that they lasted too long! Before she was born I was kind of hoping for a boy so that I wouldn't have another head of hair to do, but baby hair is the most fun!!
And her is her wonderful smile! Oh, what a cutie!

Our summer is flying by, most of our vacations are done and now I am into cleaning, organizing, pitching, and painting. I took a van load of stuff to Bibles for Missions and filled up the garbage can, that was only the storage room and sewing room. Oh, and a few toys, but don't tell the girls! They got these stuffed dogs for Christmas from Bryan's Grandmother that look like Bratz dogs! I quickly got rid of the clothes and shoes right away. Since the girls were at my mom's today I got rid of the dogs too! In the garbage they went! It feels so good to cleanup and clean out! I am painting the trim in the kitchen and I had some holes to patch in a few rooms! We hope to go camping one more time in September. After that we will be busy getting in to the school routine!