It's a Golden Life

I know that the actual day of Christmas is not really Jesus' birthday...but it is when we celebrate. I cannot help to think about how Mary and Joseph were feeling at this point. Mary, undoubtedly very uncomfortable in her pregnancy, knew who she was about to labor into this world. Joseph was probably so excited, but nervous. I mean, he was going to be the earthly father to the King of all Kings, Creator of the universe...seems a little intimidating! Mary's labor was not miraculously pain free. She couldn't rely on the medical technology we have now. She endured labor to birth Jesus. And into a barn. Where there are animals roaming. I'll bet it probably smelled, was cold and rather uncomfortable. We're not talking Mercy Hospital-all the cranberry juice you could ever desire. Delicious meals. Someone to change her soiled cloths. The Savior of the world was born as a helpless little baby. He relied on Mary and Joseph to feed him. To keep him clean. To love him and nurt...

There's laundry to be washed, folded and put away. There are dishes to be washed and put away. There are rooms to keep cleaned. There are floors to keep swept and mopped. Carpets to vaccum. BUT my kids are not going to always be so little. I am realizing more and more that there are always going to be THINGS to do. All day. Every day. However, the time I am priviledged to stay at home with my little ones is limited. I often find myself getting caught up in the nonsense of everyday toddler hood as well. Raising kids is hard work. Anyone who says it is easy....needs to let me in on their secret! As I am typing this-I have a newborn on my chest asleep, a 4 year old begging for more chocolate milk and to go to the park and a 2 year old trying to shove a binky into said newborns sleeping locked gums. Lately, if I have a thought and don't write it down...I forget. I can only imagine why! :) I get caught up in the frustrations too. Of children not listening. Of cleaning up toys and no...

I had an idea. I was positive my hubby would not go along with it. I still shared it with him, making sure to tell him he couldn't speak until I was completely finished sharing my idea. We have a (in my opinion) huge master bedroom and bath. The kids each had their own rooms. My idea: switch it up a little! The kids are at a young age where they can still share a room without the need for much privacy. I am also at a point where I want to "purge" all the unnecessary stuff we are hoarding. So! I proposed that we put Halynd, Malachi and (eventually) Paxton in our master bedroom, us move into Malachi's bedroom and have an office in Halynd's room. In my mind, this is genius! We have two ginormous closets in our bathroom as well as a gigantic linen closet. By putting the toys in one closet, the kids will have specific places to put toys and hang up all their dress up clothes. The other closet will be used to house all their clothes. I can put Malachi's clothes on t...

What a big name for such a little dude! On Monday, November 21, 2011, the beginning of our 40th week, we went in for our scheduled c-section. We didn't have to be there until 10 am, so that worked out perfectly. We were able to get up late and finish last minute cleaning, spend some quality time with the kiddos and head to the hospital early. We arrived and were sent up to the fifth floor, labor and delivery. The nursery was empty as we strolled by and headed to room 526. Donovan was cool as a cucumber, but I was very antsy and scared about the procedure. I was still in high spirits as they hooked up my I.V. and gave me medicine to ensure I wouldn't drown in vomit-if my stomach decided during surgery to do so. I reached a point, though, where I didn't want to talk and was very anxious and scared. It's a point where I feel like I can't go through with the surgery and just want to unhook everything and run away. I didn't have much time to feel like this because be...

39 Weeks How far along: 39 weeks. 7 more days! Size of Baby Pax: About the size of a mini watermelon. Weighs about 7.25 lbs and measures about 20 inches. Maternity clothes: All long shirts and maternity bottoms Gender: Didn't find out! Names: Girl- Paxley Joy Anna Golden Boy- Paxton John Calvin Golden Getting Ready: Purchase a dresser for the baby! Make "Pax" beanie for hospital. Making an outfit for baby! Says Pax down the side :) Movement: Movement is still very limited. Baby is still head down so I feel hand and arm movements as well as kicks in my left side. Hiccups happen 3-4 times a day. Sleeping: Although still drinking a ton of water, I am sleeping pretty good right now! The calm before the storm. What I miss: Painting my toes without doing some type of yoga position. Cravings: Still apples and cereal. Symptoms: Acid reflux and heartburn. Ligament stretching. Cramping. Weight Gained: Gained 37 pounds. Baby's expected birthday: November 21, 2011 I had my l...

38 Weeks How far along: 38 weeks. 14 more days! Size of Baby Pax: About the size of a leek. Weighs about 6.8 lbs and measures about 19.75 inches. Maternity clothes: All long shirts and maternity bottoms Gender: Didn't find out! Names: Girl- Paxley Joy Anna Golden Boy- Paxton John Calvin Golden Getting Ready: Purchase a dresser for the baby! Make "Pax" beanie for hospital. Making an outfit for baby! Says Pax down the side :) Movement: Movement has decreased a lot. When I push on (what I assume) is the feet, they kick back. Other than the occasional rolling around, it's pretty tight in there. Sleeping: I am waking up 2-3 times a night to use the bathroom. What I miss: Putting on my shoes without feeling feet in my ribcage :) Cravings: I've been eating a ton of apples and polished off a box of Golden Grahams this week. Symptoms: Acid reflux and heartburn. Ligament stretching. Cramping. Weight Gained: Gained 35 pounds. Lost a pound this week :) Baby's expect...

This past Saturday we were able to venture out to Farmland Adventures with the Metro families. I had never been there, but was told that it was worth driving out to. There were fun activities for the kiddos. We went through a mini corn maze that only took about 15 minutes, there was a real tractor hay ride, a pumpkin patch-where pumpkins grew freely and the kids could pick which was theirs, a corn box (Which Halynd loved), a petting zoo, pony rides and a bonfire (although, we did not stay for this...). The kids enjoyed themselves and I loved watching them experience feeding goats for the first time. I really think we should have a farm or something like that. Both of my kids adore animals and think they are just "SO tute (cute)". At one point, Haly was trying to hug a goat through the fence and I had to stop her because it looked like the poor goats eyes were going to pop out of her head. As a side note-props to all you mommies out there with two or more kiddos. I took this t...