October 9th...

After enduring a long and painful weekend, I saw the doctor this morning and induction for baby Grant is set for October 9th (next Thursday). The umbilical hernia has turned out to be a bit too much for me to handle, as Grant gets bigger so does the pressure he is applying to my belly button. So anyway, Joel and I are asking for prayer, I really, really, really would like to go into labor and not be induced. However I know my body is screaming for relief so the date is set for next Thursday.

I would like everyone to join us in prayer for God's favor to allow my body to go ahead and start contracting regularly.

Please also keep my MIL in your prayers as she will enter into surgery on Thursday of this week and has a long road of recovery ahead of her. I covet all the prayers I do. Thank you.

Friday Thankfuls...

So I have felt yucky for two days straight! On the way into town for a quick visit with my parents (they were in Colquitt) I swung into the Dr.'s office. Sure enough my blood pressure was up...I knew it too. My hands hurt so bad this morning I could barely braid Kenna's hair. They were numb and cramping, as were my legs and feet and oh, my the swelling...

I had no protein in my urine which meant I do not have the early signs pre eclampsia (sp.)...however I am a bit dehydrated and need to drink more. So today I am thankful I am only miserable, but not in any type of danger or labor. Remember I just have to make it until my MIL gets out of surgery...the doctor gave me three thingd to look for this weekend should I need to go to the hospital. I plan on laying low....

Do These Stripes Make Me Look Fat? Do They?

"Get in my belly"...well if you hear the faint sounds of screaming I am sure it's the sound of the cotton fibers in my shirt begging for mercy! This kind of stretching should be done carefully and in the complete privacy of ones home. Here I am 9 1/2 months along... I am very sorry to say that yes, I wore this shirt today and in public :-) Yes, in public.

I did however put on make up and brush my hair...like that helped at all! Seriously, could I get any bigger?

I think the expression on Doodlebug #4's face says it all. It is a look of pure TERROR!

"Please Mommy don't turn suddenly in my direction, I will never be heard from again!"

Consumer Reporting (er, nagging...) Does Pay Off!

Apparently Walmart was so distraught over my being upset over the hefty price of their stinking' popcorn chicken, they hopped right on board and fixed the problem....'cause today I noticed a group of fellow popcorn chicken lovers (tired moms with lots of kiddos, trying to cope with grocery shopping) and they had the old popcorn chicken containers with the printed bar code on the side.

Aimee' says to herself, hmmmmm those little suckers have to be scanned NOT weighed!!!! YIPPIE.

Welcome back $1.83 popcorn chicken! Did you miss me as much as I missed you?

Count Your Blessings...

Such a simple phrase that gets tossed around all the time. Do I do it? Sometimes. Am I aware of my blessings? I am. I, in reality have too many blessings to count...I can't wait until October when I post my testimony. I try and do this every October because it's so significant to me. It embodies the meaning of being blessed. I read it a week ago and cannot get through it without memories flooding back, memories of God's abundant grace. The scripture that states "His grace is sufficient for me" it is nothing but the solid ground for which I stand.

Two years later I can look back and I no longer view my "walking through the valley of shadow and death" as a trial. I walked it, crawled, ran it, and all along the way "His grace was sufficient". He NEVER left my side...NEVER.

So my blessings are too many to count...I love my Lord, I love my husband, I love my doodlebugs. They are all my favorites!

Just Breath...

That's what I keep saying to myself. We are so busy all of a sudden. I am posting a few pictures to show you what we are up to.

Cuteness: Doodlebug #2 came running into the kitchen and said "You have to come see this Mommy it's sooooooo cute, just come on hurry." I will have to post video of how she talks she has a slight lisp and cannot say her r's so she is just so cute herself. So I hurried out to the porch and found the rest of the doodlebug crew swinging! I love them I do!

I told you I would post pictures of the Chief and community service day at school. Gunner just had to be up there with Daddy...
Trying on the bullet proof vest. I was against this idea...can you hear it. "Little Johnny, what did you do at school today?' "Oh, this man came and put a bullet proof vest on us...it was GREAT!"
In line waiting for their turn in the car on the PA system and camera!
Construction has officially began at the house, project #1 the deck is being framed out.

Well, for us it is busy and going to get busier, we are only three weeks from the arrival of our new addition, my MIL is scheduled for bypass surgery on the 2nd, and we are re-vamping our house...gonna be an interesting October. BTW I cannot stop eating crushed ice by the Big Gulp size cups..what's up with that?

Friday Thankfuls...

-Well, today I am grateful for quite a few things. I am grateful that the Chief loves his little doodlebugs enough to speak to 85 kindergartners and let them in his car and honk the horn and talk on the PA and run the siren...85 kids, yes 85 kids. That was a long and LOUD 1 hour. It was community service week and well...he is a community service worker. Olivia was so proud to see her Daddy at school.

-I am also so very grateful that I got to speak with my mother in law FINALLY today. Her double bypass surgery is scheduled for the 2nd of October. At this point I am now praying I will NOT go into labor, Joel and I want to be able to be there for the surgery. She told me today she is so very please with her doctors. I can tell the Chief is worried, so please pray for our whole family. When it rains it pours and there is a whole bunch on everyones plate for next month. We appreciate your faithfulness to pray.

-I am also to grateful that we got all 9 stumps ground in our yard today. I did have to escape the noise and head into town. We have a mess of a yard, but never the less the stumps are GONE!

-I am grateful that after talking to several friends who don't live here, I am please to announce that Bainbridge gas is $3.78 a gallon and falling!

-I am grateful I have a hubby that works so very hard for his precious family and who still will just look at me on the couch late at night and say "I love you, I just do. You know that, Right?" So sweet. Joel is working the Bikefest concert tonight. This is not a great gig...drunk. old bikers...he is working 12 hours from 7pm to 7am...I love this man I do. I really, really, really do.

-I will post pictures of the Chief and the K-5ers later.

This and That and a Prayer Request

Update: The Chief's mom went home sometime this afternoon, surgery is scheduled for the first of October. Please keep her and our family in your prayers.

Doodlebugs #1 and #2 Picture Day

My Little Bearcat!




This and That: Today is picture day at school, the girls looked so cute and Livvie was oh, so excited to be wearing her Bearcat dress. To all my Lee County and Albany readers...the Bearcats beat the Trojans last weekend!!!! Any whoo, the girls looked gorgeous (if I should say so) and off they went to school! (Kenna was in a "mood" this morning and wasn't having the picture thing at 7:00 a.m.)



Prayer Request: On Tuesday we got a call from the Chief's mom that she had failed a stress test and was headed to the hospital for a heart cath., well she is still in the hospital. We are waiting on a phone call this morning from older brother and the last we heard at 9:00 p.m. last night was they were talking bypass surgery. Joel and I are praying and believing this can be avoided. We are also praying for wisdom in her physicians. Please stand with us in prayer. Should she have surgery I am sure the Chief will be headed to Albany. Keep her in your prayers her name is Grace.

Closing...FINALLY!

After what seems like months and months, we are finally closing on our house (2nd mortgage) today. We are so excited. It has been a long and drawn out process, but finally the end is in site. My goal is to get the carpet put in before Grant gets here! We shall see. So 10:00 this morning we will be signing away the next 15 years AGAIN! :-)

Happy Birthday LaLa...

Today is my best friend Laura's birthday. She turns a woppin' 24 years old! Yeah, I know that makes us quite a distance apart. We are an un-likely pair that's for sure. She is in the throws of college hood, I am in the throws of mommy hood. We met at the YMCA right after Joel and I moved here 6 years ago.

She came over to baby sit Doodlebugs 1 and 2 and the rest is history. I think she fell in love with the girls before we became "friends". We are probably "best friends" because she loves my children so very much.

We love her too and wish her a happy, happy, birthday. Can't wait for you to come home so we can celebrate...what and when are we doing this anyway????

Laura, I love you and thank the Lord for your sweet spirit and heart. You are truly a God send to me. Joel and I love you so very much and the doodlebugs??? Well, that's a given! You are part of us and our family, for this we are grateful.

MUAH!!

Doctors Appointment

Well, I am dilated a finger tip (that's pretty much nothing)...I didn't expect anything anyway given my history that I could easily carry a child FOREVER! Anyway, tonight is a full moon, I wonder how much truth there is to that theory.

We are in the final 4 week count down, I am pretty sure the doctor will induce at 38 weeks if I want, he has mentioned it several times...so we shall see. I hate inductions as my theory is that Pitocin is from HELL. I had the first three doodlebugs through induction and it took three days with each. Went into labor a week late with #4 and had him in 5 hours.

It was a much better labor and recovery. Oh, what to do. I keep thinking and reminding myself that God's timing is perfect. So if I can hold out, I will probably just let nature take it's course. Come on nature! I am so over being prego!

We couldn't believe our eyes...

After checking on the little girl through the night, we were shocked to find her goose egg was near non-existent this morning. Praise God! Looks like decent school pictures after all. The ER Dr. assured us it would get worse before better and to expect all that bruising to move down her face and black out both her eyes and nose. I can barely see the bruising at all today.

Before

This Morning

Another dreaded phone call from school...

Your heart skips a beat..."Mrs. Jenkins? Olivia has had another accident on the playground, (yes, another we just did this three weeks ago) how soon can you be here, the bump is pretty bad."

So into Bainbridge I go at 90 MPH. I am on the phone with the Chief 'cause I flew out of the house and left him with the babies. I say to him, " I am so about to be pulled over!" I was and flew again out of my vehicle saying something like school, accident, my baby. I am sure it sounded like blah, blah, blah. I remember thinking if I am in trouble the Chief can fix it later. Yes, I admit I threw out the dreaded card, "I am Joel Jenkins wife, you know the police chief." I laughed later 'cause I didn't wait for any type of response I just got back into my car and drove off.

Well, I had a sense of relief when I came into the school to see my best friends mom with Livvie, I remember touching her arm (thank you Mrs. Cathy) and bracing myself to look at Liv, all I said was come on lets go to the Dr.

By, Dr. I meant ER and so off we went. We got a check out and am pleased to say it look so much worse than it is, she will have probably two black eyes (pictures are next Thursday). Just wait until you see it! It still makes my head hurt.

Liv and I are exhausted and ready to crash, I am having pretty strong contractions so the Chief sent us both to the room to lie down. I am getting better in emergency situations. Shoot with this child I ought to be a pro...

Yes it is as big as it looks!

Friday Thankfuls...

I am thankful it's the weekend. I have had quite an emotional week. Yesterday I cried most of the day for no reason. Can anyone say HORMONES. I hope to get much needed rest this weekend and I sure could use a date night with the hubby. We shall see! I am grateful for rekindling some relationships just in the past few weeks (enter the blogging world). It really has been a breath of fresh air for me! So thank you Ashley :-). I am thankful to be starting an online bible study tomorrow. Look for a post later today and I will post the information. Please join in if you can! Have a wonderful and fun weekend!

Remembering My Grandpa- 9/11

Today marks the 5th anniversary of my Grandpa meeting the Lord. My mom woke up this morning and wrote a precious e-mail to her three sisters.

This is a daughter's heart...

Hi Sisters,

It is 6:00 a.m. and I got up this morning remembering Dad. Can't believe it's been 5 years.
What an extraordinary man. In this election year we are hearing about true bravery,heroism and character throughout the media It's all about John McCain and Obama. But I say, did they know our Dad?

Our Dad faced down the German army, not because he was overly brave, but because he was a true patriot, just like John McCain. He loved his country, even unto death. He was a proud American who obeyed authority. He was humble and didn't even except his reward for doing a great job in France.

He loved his family. He loved our mother. Even when it was really hard taking care of her when she was sick. He took his marriage vows very seriously. "In sickness and in health" meant just that.

He loved us, even though we probably drove him crazy at times. (I know I did) Four Girls. It takes just the right kind of parents to be the parents of girls. Our parents were good at it. He loved us until he took his last breath. Be assured of that.

He loved Anita and vice-a-versa. What a blessing that he didn't have to live out the remainder of his life alone. And what a blessing it is that she loves him still and misses him everyday.

Who did he love the best? That ones easy. Our Dad loved the Lord with all his heart, soul and mind.. More than anything! He relied on the Lord for every breath he took. He lived his life each day to the best he knew how, hoping to please God. He didn't always get it right, but he knew forgiveness and how to get it. He knew that God preserved his life during WWII for a reason and he didn't disappoint God in how he lived it beyond that time.

Do you want to see Dad today? I do. I wish I was near all of you today because that's where Dad is. In each of us. Everytime we're together, I see him and Mom more and more clearly. Not just in our looks, but in our character and the way we live our lives. What a legacy he left us.

It's 9/11 and a day of remembrance. I'm remembering Dad.

I love you, Sarah

Things I know today...random post

1. The Chief works his putootie (made that up) off for this family. He manages two jobs and still comes home helps with doodlebugs x5 and watches BB 10 with me and some F&F. He is the Chief of police of our small town and with that comes major and minor political woes. He works a second job, right now so we can sock away some money so I can take off some time from keeping my after school kiddos when the baby comes! I love him!

2. Baby Grant has "dropped" I know this 'cause my pubic bone is on FIRE! Every time he moves I think I could just reach up "there" and deliver him myself. On an up note...I can breath again!

3. My wedding rings came off yesterday...it was a sad day. :-(

4. I am still peeved with Walmart...and their stinking popcorn chicken...

5. I have never used my doodlebugs first and middle names so much this week! They have been in trouble quite a bit!

6- I miss my mom

7- I have four baskets of laundry to put away this morning...but instead I am blogging.

8- I am so tired.

9- I am so fat.

10- I will make it through the day!

You are on my black list Walmart...beware!

So the only way for a mom to cope with weekly grocery shopping with 4 soon to be 5 doodlebugs is?????? Yup, you guessed it, POPCORN CHICKEN!

So I enter Walmart every week and b-line it for the deli and order four popcorn chickens at $1.83. I have done this for four years! Today, however Walmart (my ex-friendly place) has decided to re-package the popcorn chicken in smaller containers. I noticed the difference, but said well it was bound to happen less popcorn chicken for the same price. Oh, me sooooo gullible. The deli lady fills four and then I go to grab the ones she already filled and put lids on. I hear the dreaded statement...

Ma'am' I have to "weigh" those. WHAT! "Weigh them?" I say "They are $1.83." "No, ma'am' we have to weigh them now." Whatever, o.k. weigh them. $2.64....$2.64...did you read that? $2.64!!!!!!! So my order went from 4 to 2 and a brief explanation to the doodlebugs what "snack" meant. I was totally bummed and it totally SUCKS! I hate inflation!

I intend on giving Walmart a "piece of my mind" at a later date. Man, I am so bummed!

Back To Reality

Well, the visit home was good. We went out shopping early Saturday and Doodlebug #2 had a complete melt down. She was just tired so the shopping wasn't like I envisioned it to be. So my precious Daddy kept the three younger Doodlebug's for naps and Mom, Kenna, and I went back out to finish shopping. I was so tired...then about two hours before we were due for a cook out at my sister's Doodlebug #4 slammed Doodlebug#3's fingers in the office door. About 45minutes we were convinced they were broken....so off to the emergency room. X-rays later revealed two badly sprained and bruised little fingers. OUCH! Like a trooper she rallied. We did make the cookout, but I was pretty tired!

I did get all but one item left for baby Grant. I think we are ready! I had an OB appointment this morning for measurement on the baby. He is 5 1/2 pounds with five weeks to go. We will not be stopping any type of labor from here on out because of the umbilical hernia. Dr. Popa will be "checking" me on Monday (fun, fun) so we can get an idea if any to see if my body will go early. There is a chance that I will end up induced up to two weeks early if the hernia gets to be too much of an issue.

The plan for now is to see a surgeon at my 6 weeks post baby check up...then I imagine unless a miracle occurs I will be having some type of hernia repair surgery! So, that's the latest in updates...

Boy O' Boy Is He In For It!

Poor Doodlebug #4 has no idea the meaning of being "dethroned". He has no clue a baby is about to be here...after all HE is the baby! I feel so bad for him. :-(

Friday Thankfuls...

Morning! Today I am grateful because the Chief is sending me to Albany to spend time with my precious family. This will be my last visit home before baby Grant makes his debut! I shall enjoy every minute of every second with my family. It thrills me to no end to see my doodlebugs loved up on and see them cry when we have to leave.

We will be shopping for last minute baby Grant stuff I have about 7 items left to purchase. I will spend today getting the house in order and us packed times 5 to be able to leave right when I pick up the kiddos from school. It's going to be a great weekend!

Palin Baby- (In Honor of the RNC)

Too Embarassed To Really Be Embarassed...

The setting: Wal-Mart 3:30 in the afternoon with 6 kids.

I thought I could just scoot into Wal-Mart and quickly buy the Chief's toiletries. I thought I could just swing by maternity and look for some nursing bras. I was thrilled to discover when I asked that Wal-Mart does in fact sell nursing bras.

I FINALLY find my size all the while directing kids. I had two in the buggy and four around the buggy (and in clothes, and on the other isle, and such). SOOOO, I am looking for one more bra in the right size and hear this...

Doodlebug #4 (that's Gunner, Uncle Jon)

"Mommy look, mommy look, I got a fishing pole!" "Mooommmmyyy, MOMMY!!!!!! Look, my fishing pole."

I look...BIG mistake, in a very crowded Wal-Mart my son has taken the bra out of the package hooked Daddy's razors on the end of it and flung it over the side of the buggy and is "fishing" with my nursing bra.

That's my que....EXIT (left, right, ANYWHERE)

Doubt

Some days someone will say something to me about my large family. In fact at least every week I hear, "Are all those yours?" (like they are shoes or something), or "I don't know how you do it." or "Man I could NEVER have that many kids!"

More often then not doubt starts creeping in my mind and I start to get "under" it. Now these people mean absolutely no harm and I know that, but then I start thinking...

OMG what am I thinking, are my children getting all they need from the Chief and I. Are they neglected, do they feel they have one on one time with us weekly? Daily? Do I know my children, do they know me? Questions, questions, questions. Then like I have forgotten or something I simply remember...HOLY CRAP I AM HAVING ANOTHER BABY! 5,5,5,5,5,5,5, Children.

So doubt is a horrible thing. When I doubt something, to me, it means my faith has been squashed it's MIA. The Chief and I never doubt our parenting skills, I know as long as we follow the best guideline (Biblical) we are doing great, but just sometimes, it's difficult.

So here are the truths that I DO know and don't doubt. Joel and I are a son and daughter of the King, our heavenly father who Father's millions of children on a daily basis...He handles crisis, hurt, discipline, organization, request, and complaints and does it with ease.

Now, because I have have heritage and because "on earth as it is in Heaven" Heck yeah, we can do this...and I too can do it with ease! Thank you JESUS! If HE can juggle millions of sons and daughter's (5 )precious Doodlebugs are a drop in the bucket! Piece of cake. Easy street all the way. Right?

I got this!

This and That

We had an eventful weekend. Most of the weekend was spent in the jungle we call our yard. It took our lawn people hours to cut the grass two and three times over! The Chief got on the roof and cleaned off the eaves and the aftermath of the storm. Then the Chief's patrol vehicle broke down and so he has been home all weekend, which was a great treat for the doodlebugs and I.

Let's see then my mom and dad called on Saturday and said they were coming for a quick over night visit (which thrilled me to no end) so Sunday and Monday were filled with Nana and Poppie. On Sunday our longest running mayor (not current) passed away so yesterday and today are filled with Eulogy and Funeral services. Whew....so I am just gonna post a few pictures of my sweet family! Hope everyone has a great day!

34 Weeks and Counting

A Day In My Life

Laughter

Like My Boots Mommy?

Silly Miss Ema Moore