Warm and Fuzzy

Have you ever seen that ECard that reads "I have really great taste, i just don't have the money to prove it"? When I saw that the other day I just about laughed so hard (inside my head of course - otherwise I'd have busted a seam...I mean a stitch) that I cried. It was one of those funny-cause-it's-true moments. I thought about that ECard tonight as I say nursing Noah and was looking around our master bedroom. With towels & curtains draped over wooden panels and 70s wallpaper this room could use a little Extreme Home Makeover. I began thinking to myself "if only..." which is never a good thing to allow your mind to think. I was able to stop those thoughts however. If not only because of a Facebook status Joyce Meyers posted something like two weeks ago. In the post she said something to the effect of "Do not allow your thoughts to take control of your life - allow God to be the only thing to be on control". It spoke to me in that moment tonight when I could've easily started dreaming those big DIY dreams. I'm not saying that it's wrong to have goals for your life or to make little DIY projects but it is wrong of you're only doing it because you aren't happy with where you are in your life at this very momet. And as I sat staring at my blanket curtains I realized I wasn't just brainstorming - I was self loathing. That's not what God wants. He wants us to be happy and to find joy where we are right this very moment. In all things we should praise Him. If we become too preoccupied obsessing over what we don't have - we can never be truly happy right where God has placed us in this very moment. So tonight I rejoice in our blanket curtains and I will feel nostalgic and not nauseous about our 70s wallpaper. I will rejoice in this day that the Lord has made. He loves me, after all. He doesn't see me as a DIY project, He doesn't preoccupy Himself in what I could be - because He already knows what that is. Tonight I will simply dwell on knowing that, much like my blanket curtains, the Lord loves me and sees me as doing a job well done with what little I have to offer. He sees me not for the designer curtains I could be but for the warm, cozy blanket He has intended for me to be at this very moment in my life. Frankly, I think this little sleeping baby on my chest much prefers his momma blanket anyhow ;)

I'm not cool but my kids are

Blogging from an iPhone - I see no better way to begin the journey into bloghood. I'm going to begin this by introducing myself since some of you may not know me - and feel free to comment with your intro below too. *stands up* Hi, I'm Samara and Ive just had my fifth baby via csection. (I will take a moment to let you grasp that before we go on...) Okay, great. Yes I did say 5th kid, yes they were all born via csection, yes I'm married (to the most incredible man on the planet) and for anyone wondering - I have so many so I can begin my ultimate plan of global domination. I mean, why else would someone have so many kids right? Actually I'm joking but unless you are blessed enough to have a large family you wouldn't understand just how many times people feel it is their Constitutional right to question a woman as to why she has more than the "ideal" 2 kids. This is not to say that having two children is on any way wrong but apparently having more than that is. Did I miss that memo? Three paragraphs down & I've already offended some & I've only talked about my kids. Sounds about right. :) My husband, Nic, and I have been married for nearly three years now and he is everything I've ever wanted in a man. He seriously is and I can say that in confidence because I literally prayed for him every day for almost two years. Together we have our two youngest children (gasp) Caybug who is nearly 2 years old, and our newest addition, Noah. My oldest child is 11 year old Tayla, followed by Jake who is 8 and Julez who is about to turn 6. That brings us to that whopping total of 5 kids. Clearly our defensive coordinator messed up. 2:5? How's that work? There's no man to man coverage going on over here. Thankfully though, my man is man enough to handle all of us. Like I said, he's perfect. More importantly he is an excellent father, he fears the Lord, he loves his momma, he's a hard worker, a good listener and best of all - he puts up with me. I'd say he's a keeper So I think I've covered the kids, the husband and the sarcasm and since it's 5:30 in the morning and I'm blogging post percocet, I will end this first post right now. I'm glad you stopped by & hope you'll come back again. If not for my cleaver and witty posts than for the freebie DIY's and whatnot. Talk to you guys soon! xoxo Samie Joe

He was here, and then he wasn't

I can sum up this weekend in a few words: Short but Sweet and now, a tad Sad Daddy {Nic} decided to drive directly from Arkansas after working a 16 hour day & 'sleeping in until 1 am' to be able to come home and see us for just as long as he could before leaving for the month long Wisconsin job. He arrived Saturday night at around 6 pm, we had family dinner, got the kids some sneakers for gym, woke up and ran some errands, and then he left at 12 noon as the kids and I were leaving for Juliette's cheer pictures & game. :( Instead of being sad about him NOT being here, I am rejoicing that he WAS here. I love my husband so, so much & so do the kids. He's the completion of our family (well, technically Noah will be but you get the idea) He completes us. After a very LONG day with running to Walmart for last minute black pants & white long sleeved shirt for under Julez' uniform, to going across town for individual & then team pictures, then racing to get a quick lunch before the hour long {COLD!} game. The Packers kicked butt in a 19-0 shutout and the girls were SO cold they got to wear their jackets. It was quite windy and you'll notice in some of the solo pics her squinty face.. LOL They aren't flattering, but what kind of mom would I be not to share? You'll also notice Cayleigh who was bundled up nice and warm on the sidelines. As we were all hanging out down in the den Juliette was sitting, biting on a plastic lid trying to get it off of the little ball thing she got out of the vending machine thing. Well, she suddenly springs up, panicked and jumping/squealing/nearly in tears and THROWS something at me. I search and find it - a tooth. Her mouth bleeding, she looks at me and I realize this is the FIRST tooth she actually lost naturally! So she now has two gone on the top, one on the bottom..and she's as CUTE as can be. If you'd like a Cheerleading wallet let me know (if I have enough). Thankfully she still had the extra tooth in the pic ;)

Cheer 101

Today was a beautiful day and made for perfect football weather. It wasn't too hot or too cold and Cayleigh really seemed to enjoy our outdoor time as we watched Juliette {for the first time ever} cheer at the Packers football game. I have to admit the boys really kicked butt & took names, especially this one little guy who I dubbed "A little Denard" because that boy could throw and he also proved to be quite the athlete in scoring 2 touchdowns that I could see. It probably was more than 2 but my focus was on Juliette in all her awesomeness. She really did a great job and I was very proud of how well she cheered. She didn't always hit the steps right on target but, hey, she's 5. Jacob was nearby playing on the playground equipment so Tayla, Cayleigh and I just hung out. The girls were, perhaps, a bit more comofortable than poor old mom who had to stand the entire time as you can see in the pictures. Oh well, I probably wouldn't have been able to sit still long enough considering how snap happy I was taking pictures and videos. My girl rocked today. Looking forward to her getting even better with each practice & have officially begun google-ing to see if there is some serum that will stop her from growing up any more. *sigh*

Before I say goodnight

I can distinctly remember wondering how you would know that you'd found "the one" before I met Nic. People would tell me that I would just know - as if by some magic recognition I would find myself with husband sonar when he came within eyesight. I have seen a lot of movies about love, have heard my fair share of love songs in the last thirty years and I'm pretty sure I've figured out everything I needed to know about what (not) to look for in a husband by following Elizabeth Taylor's matrimonial legacy. Ive come to one sound conclusion: It's all a load of crap.
The way you know he's the one is by experiencing the little moments in life with him, it's by praying ferverently for God to fix your own pitfalls and by the urge you get to lift Him up in prayers just because, it's when he leaves and you're sad that he's leaving but completely secure in knowing that he is going to miss you just as much, it's watching him be a father, it's how he treats his mother - and the number one way you know you've found the one? He's perfectly imperfect and you wouldn't change him for the world (oh, and he gives you most of the bed space)


I have definitely found my The One. I love you Nic

P is for Pyramid, H is for Heart Attack

"For I know the plan I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11

Today is a blessing. Even though I wasn't able to make my appointment for "The big Ultrasound" today because I wrote down the wrong time {again}, it was still one that I was able to enjoy with 4 beautiful, healthy children and in a marriage with a husband who loves me and his children. I am not going to lie - I was pretty upset when I found out I'd missed the appointment, and I was foul for about an hour, but I got over it. Something as simple as realizing God didn't have it wrriten down for me to find out today - and I'm okay with that.

I made a killer lasagna tonight with italian sausage, spinach and mushrooms that everyone must've enjoyed because there weren't any leftovers in the garbage.

Today was Juliette's cheer practice. I sat in the van for most of it and allowed her to experience her sport, listen to her coach and become friends with the girls on her squad.. that is until I saw them lifting her high into the air only to find one of the girls dang near drop her. Then, I spent the rest of the practice very, very closeby. I may be pregnant, but I guarantee I can run when it comes to my babies safety being in jeopardy.

So here are a few of the smaller triangles they did. They've got three of them and juliette is in the middle sporting a High V, whereas the other groups do Low V's.
Speaking of her accomplishments at practice - that girl couldn't do a cartwheel to save her life last week...but this week she was running as fast as she could and flipping herself over. She fell the first two times, but then she started actually getting her legs up and over, and she even landed two round offs! The girls were doing them all in a big group, and my girl was running as fast as she could to do as many as she could, over and over again, even when the group stopped, just so she could nail it. and she will.

Today was a good day. Tomorrow will be better

Any time you go to the surgeon and they DON'T repack your open wound is a good day. Now that's not to say that they didn't unpack my wound - but it was quick and we were in and out. This morning Tayla started her Safety Team/Security Guard stint so we were at the school at a happy 8:15 for her roll call. Despite it being a very rainy morning it ended up being nice, we got the house clean, Cayleigh got loving and then the kids came home.

We received a letter today that Tayla was officially one of only 10 students accepted into the FLL Robotnics club at her school. That's pretty official and she's super excited. Nic and I are definitely excited right along with her - this will be a great opportunity to learn teamwork, engineering of sorts and to have alot of fun.

It was Tuesday Taco night (no pictures taken but let's just say it's always a hit) and the kids are bed on time. It's a good day. But, I'm ready for tomorrow - because tomorrow, tomorrow we get to see Baby Bean Dulik on ultrasound and find out if he is a he or she is a she. (but he's a he)

Happy Birthday Jake(y)!

I'll make this brief

Today marks 8 years since I gave birth to my son, Jacob. From an early age he's had such a fun sense of humor. He's a people person, he's sensitive at times, he's a good boy and he loves his momma. I can't complain ;) Here is a quick review of the past 8 years...along with some pictures from the face smash his Dad gave him tonight. Happy Birthday Bubba - I love you more than life itself. Today has been one filled with a scavenger hunt to find presents, lots of Lego Ninjago, a trip to Gamestop, Potpie for lunch, mommy's fried chicken with homemade cheesy potates for dinner and cake. It's been a very good day and I look forward to making the scavenger hunt even harder next year bud - so be ready :)



and now, the cake smash

Cake


Smash


Make a wish

What a pain in the butt

Literally. I had to see the surgeon today because, apparently, it's not ok to leave an open wound with packing in it without having it changed. So we went to the surgeon who had a sense of humor (of sorts) and began the conversation with "can i see your butt?" and then said he was just 'going to look'. WELL, that going to look ended up being him yanking out the packing, and then proceeding to squeeze my open wound to make sure it was all cleared from infection, and THEN topping off that wonderful visit by RE-PACKING the wound - ALL WITHOUT ANY PAIN CONTROL. Mind you, at the ER they gave me a shot of morphine before they even touched the area. They then used local anesthetic to numb it and even then it hurt a bit...but today was... full of tears and followed with a viocodin and chinese food.

Tonight, after our eventful day, Nic's Uncle Paul came to visit which was great because it was the first time the kids and I have been able to meet him. He stayed for quite awhile, they talked football stuff and I sat there on the couch, pretty much completely unmoving and half asleep because of my loopy pills. BUT the kids truly enjoyed playing his phone and talking to him. Even the shy Juliette was up, laying on the arm of the couch right next to him talking his ear off. Tomorrow we are going to make the hour long drive out to his place so we can see Kieran (Nic's aunt), along with his cousins and will hopefully be able to visit Kieran's ranch. She's got horses and the kids are going to be ecstatic! I will, likely, be worried they are going to spook a horse, get kicked or otherwise hurt themselves but I'll be too slow moving to stop them if they do. LOL

Anyhow, during his visit Uncle Paul held Cayleigh for a good 45 minutes in which time we snapped a few shots. She only stayed awake for a few short minutes before snuggling into him and dozing off for a nap. She is just so, so sweet. You really can't help but love her :)

This lady is going to bed! Thankful for 4 beautiful children, a great husband, strong marriage, a God who is faithful and in control, a home to call our own, our health, and just every other blessing God has bestowed upon us ~ and even those we can't see just yet. I am just thankful. God is so good - and I hope you know Him.

Before


After

Pain, Sleep, Cheer and Legos

Daddy pretty much handled things today since I had an unexpected surgery last night. Just been in a little pain today and am thankful he was home to help so much. We ended up keeping the kids home from school because we didn't have the van but Nic got it all taken care of and our van is happily parked in the garage tonight. Daddy took Juliette to cheer practice today so I didn't get to see what she worked on & have no pictures. However, he brought home a sheet of her cheer moves and another sheet with the actual chants. Are they even called chants? Anyhow ~ she was excited to go this time and came home, ready to eat and go to bed. That means she must've worked hard, right? Tayla and I worked on her enterance questions for the FLL (First Lego League) Robotics Club that she wants to be a part of. Tomorrow she will submit the form at school and we should hear something next week. Next week also starts the beginning of her 2 week long, before and after school Safety Committee (Crossing Guard type thing) Duties. Jacob really wanted to be a part of the FLL Club but he isn't old enough yet. So we will keep our ears and eyes open to get him started in some type of sport or club. All of these opportunities for the kids is an affirmation for me that moving here was the right move for our family. I definitely had a peace about it and believe fully that if you have peace about something after praying then the Holy Spirit must be guiding you in that direction. Next Wednesday, Sept 5th, we will have our "big" ultrasound and first meeting with this high-risk doctors group locally. I'm ready to meet these doctors and see what they have to say. They specialize in 'advanced ultrasounds and testing' so we'll see what happens. I am just ready to have them tell me this IS a boy. Because I already know it in my heart and believe fully that the Lord spoke to me and told me I would have a son, and was to name him Noah, two weeks before I even found out I was pregnant. So here I am, ready to bed (again, because I had a nap today) and in not as much pain as I was earlier thanks to my 'friend' Norco. I'm definitely ready to NOT have to take these stupid pills, but I'll keep them on hand for after the c-section. Anyhow ~ I hope you're all having a great night. A big thanks to everyone who has helped us get closer to getting the equipment we desperately need for our Cayleigh. I can't wait to see how much she lights up when she can see. We've had glasses before, but they weren't special fit, custom glasses and they squeezed her eyeball, her face and just weren't right for her. Time for me to get to bed!