Baby Malaya Has Arrived

On Monday Malaya came into the world. In case you didn't know, Malaya is my Sister's 6th child. I was able to be there to witness this miracle. What a honor and joy is was for me! I will never forget how Malaya gracefully came - but not quietly! She made sure we knew that she was not quite ready to come out of her safe warm womb. But come she did, as nine of us eagerly watched her arrival. There was standing room only - as the doctor, two nurses, our Mom (who has witnessed all ten of her grandchildren be born - yes!!), my sister's husband, their three oldest children, and myself all rejoiced, cried for joy, looked in amazement, took lots of pictures, and even got out the video camera. Quite a hullabaloo (finally I get to use that word). Now Malaya and Mommy are home! I'm sure Malaya is the center of attention as everyone fights over who will hold her next. She will no doubt be loved! Reflecting on the time, it really confirms that I love love love babies. I told the wonderful nurse, who helped deliver Malaya,that she must have the best job ever - in my eyes! She said she has loved her job for 26 years, but it is hard and painful at times too. Painful to see children being born into families that don't love them or want them or can't even care for them because of all of their own needs. That would be hard - I guess I never thought how difficult that would be for a nurse. How daily she probably wants to take some of those babies home with her. I know I would!! I rejoice that Malaya is born safely and into lots lots of loving arms! Here are a few pictures.


Mommy and Malaya

 

Tyler (their two year old) - later came to see the baby

 

Auntie Colette gets to hold Malaya

 

Motorcyle Man

Just to give you a small glimpse into Luke's personality: Yesterday he said to me as we were driving down the highway, "Mom, when I grow up I want to have a big motorcycle! I will go really really fast on it! I like to go fast! But, I have to make sure I wear a helmet."

Watch out world! Here comes our fast, energetic, passionate, curious little boy!

"The Boss"

Our littlest man has a new nickname around our house - "The Boss" (given by Matt). =) I guess since he is the last child he kind of thinks everyone answers to him. It is pretty cute actually. Here is a quick update on "The Boss". Favorite words: mint, side (outside), bird, burp (I think the older kids taught him this one), and Elmo. We got him a little Elmo backpack that he loves to wear. Very adorable! He is finally sleeping through the night consistently - I guess it is about time! Hard to believe that he is 1 1/2 years old!

 

 

School Thoughts

In exactly three weeks school will be starting for us again. I have been thinking about this a lot lately! Asha will be in school all day this year! I will miss her a lot! Luke, Lana and Jeffrey will be home with me still though. We decided not to put Luke and Lana in preschool. We hope to do some school stuff at home with them this year! I truly hope that they will benefit from staying home another year. I know Jeffrey will love having them around during the day. He loves to follow his brother and sister around. "Duke and Ana" is what he calls them.

Here is a picture of my sweet twins at the beach this summer. They sure love each other - when they aren't fighting over something.


 

Nurse Asha

My husband had to make a trip to the emergency room last night. He had been experiencing some lower abdominal pain and wanted to get it checked out. He thought it might be his appendix but was not sure. Come to find out later, it was not his appendix and he is doing fine - must have been some other muscle or stomach issue. Anyway, before he left to go to the emergency room Asha was asking him all sorts of questions about what they would do and how he was feeling. She is very curious about these matters. Then she said something that just melted my heart. She said, "Daddy if you have to have surgery to get your appendix out it would really make me very happy if I could take care of you when you get home." I hope she becomes a nurse someday - I would certainly want her to care for me!

Quote Of The Day

This one really has me thinking today!

"We forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have." - Frederick Keonig

Place Of Protection

Tonight I wish I could put each of my four children back inside my womb. There they would be safe. There I could protect them for the world. There they could get all they need. There they would always be near. I so wish I could protect them from the pain that I see all around me. I wish I could hold them close and not allow their precious innocence ever to go away. They are so innocent right now. But, oh so soon they will know of pain, hurt and suffering.

I wish I could put them back in my womb for a bit longer, so they would not hear of the cancer that is killing our friend, or how unborn children are being killed everyday all around the world, or hear of the many tragedies we daily hear about on the news. I wish I could stuff them back inside of me. As much as I disliked being pregnant and the discomfort it brought me, I would take it any day if I could protect my children from what they will soon face in life.

Tonight before I go to bed I will go into each of my children's rooms as they sleep peacefully. I will check on them, make sure they are safely tucked in, give them each a soft touch or kiss, and pray over each one. That God would watch over them and preserve their sweet innocence just a bit longer. That is all I can do!

5 Reasons Why I Love To Pick Blackberries

Today I took the kids to pick blackberries.

Here are my 5 reasons why I LOVE to pick blackberries:

1. It makes for a great challenge and adventure!
2. The kids all love to eat them.
3. I get to watch Jeffrey get little red lips and fingers. Also, hearing him say over and over, "Grapes grapes!" (That is what he calls them).
4. Blackberry cobbler comes later.
5. They are FREE!!! We go to a great little park near by that has just tons and tons blackberries.

Here are some cute pictures from our adventure today.

 

 

Angels

"Mom, we're going to go see the angels!" Lana said over and over this morning. Yes, this morning we took the kids to see the angels - "The Blue Angels" that is. They are here doing an air show this weekend, and we went to watch them take off and practice. It was INCREDIBLE, BREATHTAKING AND HEART POUNDING! All four planes took off at the same time, and the power, sound and smoke that they produced was amazing! Asha now says that she wants to be a pilot when she grows up. Maybe that is what I want to do when I grow up too. Hee hee!

Matt took this little video. The video doesn't capture the full experience though.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

MeMe

A fellow blogger friend tagged me for the "me me" game. I'm suppose to fill out the survey below and then pass it on to other bloggers. Sounded fun!

4 jobs I have held
1. Waitress at a retirement home
2. Mail worker at my university
3. Secretary at a Cruise Line Agency
4. Most recent "Mom"


4 movies I can watch over and over
1. Pride and Prejudice
2. Sleepless in Seattle
3. Sound of Music
4. White Christmas

4 places I have lived
1. Kingsburg, CA
2. Beaverton, OR
3. State College, PA
4. Urbana, IL

4 TV shows I watch
Don't watch TV shows - just Netflix

4 places I have been on vacation
1. New York City, NY
2. Maui, HI
3. Washington D.C.
4. Cannon Beach, OR

4 favorite foods
1. Pizza
2. Pretty much anything chocolate
3. My Mom's Lasagna
4. Mexican food (almost any kind)

4 websites I visit
1. local library
2. local weather website
3. craigslist
4. pbs kids

Don't forget I get to now "tag" my friends and they have to fill out this survey. I tag: zerfossjourney.blogspot.com and blog.wayfellows.com