Seriously, now it can begin!

As a follow up to this post here is the final product: 

The table is wonderful.  It makes all the difference in the world and the boys absolutely LOVE it.  As soon as I set it up Alex got out the Spanish vocab flash cards and Jorge got a puzzle and they both sat there working at the table..

I am so thankful for my little schoolroom!   Yay! 

Solo flight..

Tomorrow afternoon I will be headed to my churchs' Womens Retreat.  I am very excited. 

This of course means that my sweet hubby will be with all three of the kiddos, by himself, for 24 hours.  

Which of course means that he will have to do plenty of this: 

and this... 

and this... 

and a lot of this.. 

to get this.. 

but as you can see from these pics.. he'll do just fine.  He's done it plenty of times before.  

Let K4 begin!!

Okay.. well not quite yet.  But we are making progress.. I don't have any before pics (oops) but our office has been transformed into the new schoolroom.  And in case you were wondering, yes, we are homeschooling.  ;-) (descriptions under the photo)

When you first walk into the room you see this (above).  The walls are freshly painted (yellow) although, the baseboards still need to be painted white.  There is also (on its way) a 36" round kindergarten table that will go in the center of the room for all things craft and work related.  ;-)

This wall shows some of our charts (L,R) Books of the Bible, The Ten Commandments chart (for kids), The brother offended checklist and the Go to the ant chart.   As well as some artwork done by Jorge.  Also, the cute curtain I bought to cover the closet door.  

This wall is more true to the color of the walls, a deeper yellow (which I love, btw.  thanks best hubby for painting).  The alphabet chart and the pledge of allegiance chart and our lovely window AC unit since the air doesn't push very well into this room.  And art work done by Alex.  

On the right is my "temporary" shelves until I can upgrade.  but we will keep the cute basket unit on the left, that now houses puzzles, paper, manipulative's., etc.  Also two of my favorite masterpieces: the first time my boys used finger paints (at home) hanging up on the wall.  

This is to show my beautiful bookshelf (I had two but had to get rid of one and store books to make this transition) that my husband built when we were first married.  Obviously, I need to do some organizing since the "transition."  

Overall, I love it.  There are still some details that have to be worked out.  Mainly getting the table will make all the difference.  The boys love it and as soon as they go in there they want to do all the "cool school stuff."  I have to admit, this is really fun.  I know it will get tougher as the kids get older, but I am so excited to be able to be their teacher!  I am thankful to God that He has given me the vision and a wonderfully supportive husband!  You rock babe! 

Birth Story: Mom's version

Greta put up her version of her birth story, check it out here.  

If you haven't already read my perspective (as the doula) of this birth, you can do so here. 

As of late

Been a while since I have uploaded pics.. so here ya go.. proof my kids still exist.  

Riding the carousel at the Galleria.. you know.. this is getting to be too expensive, btw.. 

We dog sat Princess.. Eva LOVED her and wouldn't leave her alone.. 

Finally got enough hair for a bow.. although, there is still more bow than hair.  

New ride.  Garage sale find.  Wonderful!! she loves it and has already figured out how to get in and out all by herself.  

Today we went to Herdmont park with friends.. Alex is my strong man and decided to give me a hand pulling his little sister and older brother.. hey anything to wear the testosterone out!! 

Jorge doing a little "fishin'"  

Radio Flyers work great for the creek.  the little holes on the bottom allow water to come up and into the floor and she gets to splash without getting drenched.. and she is content to just sit.. NICE.. 

We have been quite busy lately.. it's almost the middle of August and I wish I could say that we were already schooling.. but, ummm, not yet.. dear hubby is going to be working on our office to schoolroom transition this weekend.. so hopefully I can post some before and after pics.. and umm.. more importantly.. get my rear in gear.. (not that 4k is anything to shake a stick at)..very easy to do.. once you do it (so I hear.. LOL).. 

adios! 

Please watch this.. you will be changed.

It's an hour long.

It's hard to watch at times (only because it takes you out of your own comfortable world)

It's inspiring.

(click here) video documentary

"A Doula Story documents one African American woman’s fierce commitment to empower pregnant teenagers with the skills and knowledge they need to become confident, nurturing mothers. Produced by The Kindling Group, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization, this powerful film follows Loretha Weisinger back to the same disadvantaged Chicago neighborhood where she once struggled as a teen mom. Loretha uses patience, compassion and humor to teach “her girls” about everything from the importance of breastfeeding and reading to their babies, to communicating effectively with health care professionals."

cant.stop.laughing #2

I really enjoy this movie.. really..



"you have to admit..it's a valid suggestion."

yes, that is a tear in my eye.. from laughing..

Im a social zero.

So I got a great opportunity the other day.  I got to make a real life connection with a web friend. I don't know how many of your Internet acquaintances have turned into real life friends but it truly is a fun experience.  

Lindsay mentioned on Facebook that she was heading to the zoo.. and funny as it was, we had already decided that we were going that morning too.  So I mentioned to her that we might actually get to go and therefore could meet! Fun!  

When we got there it was as if we already "knew" each other because we follow each other on each others' blogs.  It's neat.  But after the fact I felt I had to apologize to her because I was sure I made a horrible "real life" first impression.  Why? 

Because having kids has made me inept in the social interaction department.  Actually, having three very young kids, that is.  My good friends that I see all the time could tell you that I just don't do very many play dates because I just don't get the opportunity to finish a thought, much less a sentence.  

I am okay with this season of my life, mind you, but I know it has to come across and my being rude or, worse, uninterested in others.. But nothing could be further from the truth.  In fact, at this particular event I had "lost" the boys a couple of times.  By that I mean.. they went from the sprinklers to the "playground area" like little CIA undercover operatives (aka.. without my knowing it).  I am sure I seemed like I was the most absent minded parent but the truth is that I can only focus on one thing at a time.. conversation or my children.  I can't do both. 

I know moms understand.. but i just feel better not doing a play date because then I don't have to keep apologizing for the lack of focus on the conversation.  At least, until my youngest child is four.. and at the rate we are going with kiddos that could be a while.  

Moral of the story:  take the opportunity to meet "Internet friends" you will be blessed.  Also, don't volunteer to take my kids to the zoo.  :-P

Child Birth...

well if you count my own births, one of my sisters' three, and two friends' births, then today would total: 8. Eight births that I have been able to be a part of.   but of those births 3 were all natural, and of those three 2 were with pitocin and no epidurals.. but today was different in that I was solo.. in the coaching chair that is. I think the technical term is doula, but since I'm not certified or anything (who knows when I will get to that part... ) the role is still the same:  coach momma through contractions and help parents get the birth they want by dealing with pain management and working with the hospital staff.  

I LOVED it.  First I have to say thank you to Lindsay and JC for allowing me the privilege of being in the room during such a sacred and blessed event.  Wow, I could live off this high for a long time.  Lindsay was induced and stayed on the pit drip up until 7 cm's, which by the way: she went from 1 to 7 in a little over 2 hours.  Then the pit was turned off and shortly thereafter she had her beautiful baby girl.  She did fantastic!  Seriously! 

I know I have sung the praises about natural birth (namely mine), but there is such a different side to be experienced when you are the one coaching someone else, on your own, well not on your own, but without other doulas/coaches there.  I learned a lot today about trusting your gut and what the body is communicating.. Birth is so amazing.  God created our bodies to grow those babies and also to push them out.  And when we allow our bodies to do just that you will be amazed at how you CAN do it.  Your body was made for it.  

You truly can take it "one contraction at a time" until you are pushing that precious little head out and then onto scooping that little baby onto your chest.  Wow.. I am amazed at the gift of God through birth.  Seeing that even in our most painful moment, He is there and is able to give strength to our bodies (and mostly to our mental fortitude) to arrive at the end.  

Anyway.. I just had to share.  I am so thankful to the Lord for what I was able to gain from today.. and I look forward to more opportunities to help momma's get the birth's they want.  

take the time to watch this..