I did the Black Friday shopping thing yesterday. My mom and I went to Target and waited in line for it to open. I didn't mind it at all, because I did most of my shopping online, and Target was the only place I wanted to go. I still have to go get some gift cards from a few other places, but I won't do that this week. I did leave with a lot of stuff, and a pretty bad case of "Buyer's Remorse". I'm always like that, I hate being responsible for paying the bills and doing the shopping, ew.

I am so happy Bryan is home this weekend. He is leaving the end of the week, so I am just soaking it up. He has finally consented to help me put together Lucy's new bed for our room. I'm excited to see it all put together. I am so ready to not be pregnant, but I don't want anything to happen until after Bryan gets back from NY. This is my last week off of doctor's appointments. Starting next Monday I will be there every week.

This is going to be a busy week and I am going to try very hard not to think about Bryan leaving on Friday (or maybe Thursday). I'm having a little stress about his review when he gets back. It will set his contract, probably for the next year. He really needs a raise or some benefits of some kind in order for us to move out soon. So I'm really trying to relax, when really I keep crunching the numbers over and over in my mind.

Also, I'm really praying that Lucy has adapted to a head down position. She is floating quite a bit and never seems to stay in the same position. Last ultrasound back at 29 weeks she was breach. I can't really tell what's what at this point. ???

"Lord, thank you for this weekend of family time and rest. I am enjoying it so much. Please help me to remember that you have already gone before me in this week and that I don't need to worry about what is ahead. Help me to enjoy this season, my kids, my husband, and the rest that I am getting now. Amen."

Where'd the belly go?

So the good news of the morning is that it seems, and it may not stay this way, that Lucy is quite a bit farther down that she was yesterday. I woke up with searing intestinal pain, probably because my intestines were peeling away from my ribs and diaphragm, where they have been for several months. The good news... more room for turkey tomorrow! But I'm not banking on her staying this way, she dropped a little last weekend only to float right back up, and slide into some transverse-cock-eyed position.
I am sooo ready for Thanksgiving tomorrow, and for us, Friday too. Partly the food, also the time with family, and the traditions and memory making. We are taking pictures as a family and of the kids for our Christmas cards, etc. The next time we get pics done it will be in January to mark all the kids birthdays (since January is in between).
After Friday I will officially allow myself to get peppermint mochas at Starbucks, listen to my Celtic Christmas cd, and wear Christmas socks! I have strict rules about those things until after Christmas.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow. Enjoy your families and love them no matter how frustrating they are every other day of the year. Eat lots of good food, and try to find a warm place to cuddle up for the evening. Oh, and don't drink too much cider, I'm sure we've all learned that the hard way at least once :)

Don't forget to check out the new Jon Foreman song on my myspace, I'm so loving it. I think it is a great song for Thanksgiving, but really for my whole year.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=112297444

Mandi's movie review

So I finally saw "Twilight" last night. You may remember I mentioned the book a while back. I had a feeling I was going to feel this way about the movie, and sure enough...
When you read a book you can know what characters are thinking, feeling, and experiencing. Books can make you feel like you are "there". Movies... not usually. Yes. Edward is a babe, but in the movie he was just sad and pathetic. You can't feel the charm and allure that he had over girls. In the book he smiles and is so charming. In the movie he does just a little too much brooding. Some brooding is hot, but I just can't feel attracted to a guy who's just depressing.
Anyway, I knew it would be impossible for the movie to capture the chemistry between Bella and Edward. I'm not going to say it was horrible or anything, but the book blows it away.
The thing that struck me most about this movie was how long ago high school was. I graduated in 2001, so it's been like 8 years. I kept seeing the "kids" in the movie and thinking things like "where are there parents?" "that is just inappropriate" or "a minor can't just drive across the country alone!". So, the teenager antics and behavior were really stark in the movie (not to mention Jen and I were the only non-teen and non-mom-of-a-teen in the theater) Because the book kinda puts you in Bella's shoes you kinda forget how young she is. By the end of the movie I was convinced that there was no way a 17 year old could really be in "real love" and know what being with someone "forever means" (note: I started dating Bryan when I was 17, and I am still "totally and irrevocably in love"). Of course I believe Edward because he's like 200 years old or something, but I believe most things he says.
So, here is my final take on the movie:
The book is way better, it offers no moral or Christian values, but it's super romantic with out being "gross". The movie is only worth seeing if A) you're a teenager B) you've read the book C) you're a big fan of hot vampires. That sorta narrows it down doesn't it?


Check out the AWSOME new Jon Foreman (lead singer from Switchfoot) song on my myspace
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=112297444

Update from the womb

So here's the update on all things pregnancy.
I'm miserable. Super stink'n miserable. I'm 35 weeks this week. I have contractions off and on, but not the kind that indicate labor anytime soon, just the annoying ones. I have basically experienced the return of morning sickness, but only at night. I have on more than one occasion experienced horrible swelling (the Dr isn't worried about my blood pressure). I guess something about having been pregnant FOUR TIMES happens to wear the body down a bit.
I went to see (Dr) Finley today. We are planning on having this "going" one way or the other by December 27th. We will try some natural techniques to get things moving before scheduling an induction, which he informed me I would have to go to T.G. instead of St. Joe's in the case of medical induction. Bummer.
But I have to be honest with ya'll, and you know I always am, this kid ain't hang'n around in here that long anyway. Call it instinct, call it hormones, but whatever it is something "changed" this past week. I always have certain symptoms the last 2-3 weeks when my hormones start to change and build. I get a weird tunnel vision, intestinal problems, and usually loose a couple pounds. So ya, she just needs to stay in until Bryan gets back from NY on the 12th.
That would be the update.

The only other thing I have to add today is an Aiden anecdote. He got in trouble on the bus home from school today for, and I quote, "spitting on his hands and kissing the windows". HUH?

I have a prayer request...

As most of you know, we have been hoping/planning to move out and get our own place after the first of the year. We have been making lots of progress in reaching our financial recovery goals over the past few months. However, I am feeling a little down today, because some new challanges have been added, all at once!
I got a bill from Children's Hospital (Autism/neuro clinic), another from St Joseph's (ultrasound from before my deductible was met, ouch!), and another from the city of Cheektowaga NY (pertaining to the closing on the short sale of our house), I also found out how much it is going to cost for Bryan's prescription he got yesterday (he has been trying to quit chewing tobacco and it has been making him REALLY SICK), and he has an "operation" scheduled for January (which our insurance doesn't really pay for).
WHY!!!??? I hate money. Really.
I haven't totaled it up, but it is going to be a couple thousand dollars in the end.
So the reason I had to come vent and ask for prayer isn't because I want miraculous financial healing (which would rock), but because most of all I want to have a heart of contentment and patience. I want our own place SO BAD! Let's face it, I'm nesting, and there is no better way to ruffle a mother hen's feathers than put her somewhere where there is no place for her new baby to sleep! (poor Mary, seriously, at least we're not dealing with a stable here)
So, please friends, pray for my family. We are, as always, a three ring circus. I love my life, full of joy and sorrow, because I know God has created a masterpiece for His glory (eventhough it looks like "modern art" to me). But I am in real need of a little extra peace. Also pray for wisdom in dealing with all these situations, including whether or not we are going to be able to move out after the first of the year.

"Lord, thank you for teaching me that material things have no fulfillment. Thank you also for taking care of my children, they have always had a warm place to sleep, even when it wasn't what I hoped it would be. Please remind me to be THANKFUL, especially this next week, instead of trying to come up with a way to get more. Please also help all the other families around me in need. I recognize that we are not the only ones who struggle. I know I have several friends out there who have needs right now, please show them mercy and surprise them with Your blessings.
This is the part where I trust You with the rest.
Amen."

"...it's only a flesh wound." -Monty Python in Search of the Holy Grail

Lucy Clover's Baby Sprinkle Pictures

My baby sprinkle was so wonderful! I had such a great time seeing everyone. Everything was glowing pink, literally!

Random thoughts are the best I can do today

I can't believe I still haven't posted the baby shower pics! They are on my mom's computer, so next time I go over there I will be sure to upload them.

Anyway, can you believe it's almost Thanksgiving?! Aiden starts his break on Tuesday (a week from today) He has been doing so well lately, we have been so impressed at the changes he has been making. He still has tough days, but nothing too crazy. I know he will probably have some rough patches, especially over Christmas break, but I am just thankful for the progress.

I took him to Tyler's 4th birthday party Sunday, and he managed himself the whole time. He didn't even through a tantrum when it was time to leave. He wasn't able to stay in the room when all the other kids were playing games, but he found himself a quiet place to play and defused on his own, no help from me! We stayed an hour, which is a record for us. After the party we went to his grandpa's for dinner, and had no problems there either! I was amazed.

He also brought home an award for reading excellence last week, complete with the Principal's signature and a certificate for Pizza Hut!He also got a hair cut on Saturday, I will be sure to add some new pics of both the boys later (he's not home right now). Have I ever mentioned that Aiden gets hives? Oh my, when he's mad, tired, around pets, in the sun or too hot, and when he gets a hair cut. He had hives all afternoon after that hair cut. I gave him benadryl but they didn't' really go away until the next day. Poor guy, but he still didn't loose his cool. When we were at Kid Kuts there was a little girl (about 2) who was crying during her quick trim, Aiden looked at her and said "that girl is crying, I don't cry when I get my hair cut." I shot him the "don't be rude" look (which he never picks up on) and said "yeah, when you were her age we wouldn't have been able to bring you here, you were so much worse!" The little girl's mom and dad looked at me appreciatively.

So that's the up-to-date report on Aiden. I haven't been writing about him much lately because "no news is good news". Here are a couple of fun Aiden anecdotes for everyone who enjoys his extensive vocabulary.



Aiden: "Alyssa tried to kiss me on the playground."

me: "You better be careful because you know kissing is against the rules and you will probably get in trouble."

Aiden: "I know, I'm just gonna have to break her little heart."





(while sitting on a footstool at his grandpa's house)

Aiden: "I'm sitting on my tuffet."



"Lord, thank you for making Aiden so different. You have always known what a fan I am of different."