3 Weeks of Catch up...in Pics!

I've thought of many things to write. I have many things to write. But sometimes there is just such peace in being quiet for awhile. It seems the more we push forward with what we feel is right to do about this house the more heated the debate becomes and the more outspoken opinions are. And honestly...I'm just tired of being criticized.....people claiming Christianity being some of our harshest critics. We have come to a place in life that husband and I are totally 100% in agreement concerning what we feel has been laid on our heart to do. People have opinions...and always will. There will forever be vast heated opinions concerning our family size and number of children. That has become so par for the course that it's honestly just routine at this point and not even worth taking offense or spending energy on it. But when Christians begin using God claiming "words from Him" concerning our personal decisions and spouting off out of context Scripture to back up their personal opinions concerning our family choices and financial decisions....it becomes an absolute total embarrassment to even be associated with the Christian label. How far American society has fallen from what it truly means to be a disciple of Him. People have become so hell bent on putting others in their place, making sure they have the last word, taking others to court, judging and condemning those who do not live by their standards, consumed with maintaining their own pedestal, padding themselves, and surrounding themselves in comfort that the bigger picture of total sacrifice and complete death to self has been lost. It's so sad to me what Christians in America have become. It's pathetic that people would be embarrassed to even state they are associated with Christianity due to the impression the modern world has of the "believers".....using "convictions" and "words from God" as a measuring stick with which to beat each other and all of those not doing exactly what they are doing. But then...I digress. Another story for another day.

But, as swirling opinions storm around us there is absolute peace in drawing into our little lives here and disappearing for awhile. The storms will blow over. They always have and always will. Summer has to be my absolute least favorite season. And as we approach another hot, humid, sticky one it will not be this way forever. Air conditioner will eventually be fixed and the tears shed over dinner in a 90 degree kitchen will eventually cease. This is still a far from easy, comfortable walk. There is still painful stretching taking place....stretching that defies every American ideal of entitlement and comfort. And there are still texts sent out of angry frustration stating that I am quite sure God has moved us to hell. But...if I just back up awhile, regain perspective, take hold of the bigger picture once more.....this too shall pass. As we continue to follow Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University plan there is a very calculated, strategic plan and budget for accomplishing all that this house needs and owning a working family vehicle once more....debt free....while still making it on a one income family/public servant's salary. And among house issues a/c is up next....again. And so in another 4 weeks we will have a working a/c once more and this will all be part of the past.....laughable memories of standing in kitchen obnoxiously pregnant, crying over dinner and the fact certain death by heat was imminent while kids play happily outside, laughter ringing through open windows, oblivious to the hot hormonal tears falling over their dinner preparation. We have window units in each bedroom....this too shall pass....and at least we do have a reprieve of some sort in which to escape. We will prevail! And eventually the condemners, naysayers, and those who judge will fall silent again. 

We know what has been laid on our heart to do and we were never assured comfort in this process. Opinions will rage, the debate, I'm quite sure, will continue forth with or without our knowledge, judgement, criticism, and all that we have learned that goes with the territory of walking this out. We're not taking this man to court. Our children are not being "deprived" in any way due to the nature of financial decisions we have made. Money management and "responsible decisions" are always relative. But there is absolute total peace in knowing what has been laid on our hearts to do, what feels right, and all with which we are at peace. So there comes a peace in just being very still and very quiet for awhile. People...family.....can condemn....but we are secure in our walk and how we have chosen to carry this out. If nothing else.....I am forever infinitely grateful for what this journey has allowed us to teach our children and the lessons instilled into each of their young lives. There is absolute solace and peace that comes from just tuning out the static and noise every once in awhile and refocusing on the task at hand....and just being quiet.

Baby girl grows by leaps and bounds and is thriving in every way. It seems we went from pregnancy being unnoticeable at 30 weeks to reaching vast, whale like, "you've still got 5 weeks?!?!" state in a mere few weeks time. So yeah...unsexy point has officially been reached. Contractions with purpose have started much earlier with this baby than in previous pregnancies. Speculation is that we actually won't reach the June 24th due date with her. I'm still highly skeptical of that little scenario taking place. It seems when care providers start saying an early baby is imminent it just pretty much guarantees you'll go about 5 days over estimated due date. Not exactly getting my hopes up for an early baby...not to mention we still have much to accomplish before she arrives. Children are pretty ecstatic at this point and now marking out days on calendar until she arrives. 

And to address those that have continued to email and/or private message in love asking for our story detailing our journey with an overweight child and how, as a family, we have all overcome and conquered.....oneday.....someday.....I will finish that post I have been asked so many times to write. But, truthfully, I feel so inadequate and inept that I have started and stopped numerous times. I will finish...oneday. Maybe it'll be in a book by the end of it all. But this journey is far from over for us....and, in fact, has only just begun as we attempt to teach children character, fortitude, determination, and stamina. It goes so very far beyond just the "keep your body in shape" and "desirable, acceptable American body" motivation and reasoning behind losing weight that seems to be so prevalent in today's society. I have not forgotten the many requests and those of you who have privately asked. Oneday the words will come and when they pour forth maybe there will be something decent with which to work.

In the meantime....some of life in pics and all that a quiet 3 weeks entails around here. Nothing entirely major. Just a lot of life with a ton of kids. 

Some pretty funny company along for the ride as we wait for the 35 week appt  for baby Lillye. They're looking pretty thrilled.

Hangin' out looking way too serious. He just made me laugh in all of his stoic-ness. 

Running the hill. The cheerleading section that awaits at the top.

 Early morning in the forest.

Waiting for the day he joins the big guys. Bike helmets....they don't do much good when they're dangling from your handle bars or sitting in the ditch. 

And why we wear bike helmets!! They can make all the difference. 2nd day after mastering the art of a bike. Her desire to keep up with everybody didn't quite match her skill level or the 4% grade of the hill. It was quite the impressive wreck for a tiny 4 year old. She somersaulted over handle bars head first as bike then flipped a few times over her. 

The line where her glasses took part of the blow....and the line above that where her helmet kicked in!

 Headed out for some prenatal appt fun and a lunch date with mom and daddy....mismatched shoes and all.

Hitchin a ride while we complete the workout of the day.

Trying to get both of us in the picture. It didn't work.

And when your legs give out half way through the run and you just sit and can't go on. Thankful for sweet older brothers that go home, get a bike and tote you back home.

Early morning love after taking daddy to work.

Carolina rain.

So in awe of the falling rain. It just never grows old. 

Bushes....yep. They're next. Had to conquer the remainder of the leaf piles outside of the fence before we could sart on the inside. Bushes are up next...as they're kinda interfering with our fire escape plan. It's like bush whacking through the amazon when doing monthly fire drills. So yeah....gotta trim them.

Sibling Sharpie love.

 I am eternally humbled by amazing friends that are like family and how they bless us and love us in all the ways that they do....for friends that love our children as much as we do and come blessing us...and them...in so many ways.  So thankful for the sweet reminders in the midst of life that He still knows our needs and even the smallest desires. And thankful for the many willing hands that aid in assembly when daddy's not here to do it! 

Making progress!

And complete with bedding!! Now for some decorating fun for little miss Lillye girl. This sight makes my heart happy. 

Definitely on the mend! Nothing a little bit of Arnica for swelling and bruising and neosporin on knees and elbows couldn't cure!

The many joys of raising boys! Nothing like stupid human tricks with a bunch of brothers. 

Glasses all fixed and the ever fearless one is ready to ride again!

Brothers.

Why we love Arnica. 3 days later and bruising was almost completely gone and there was never any swelling!

Longest time of the hill runners. First place came in 5 minutes before this at 34.28. Monday they run in teams again. For those of you that have asked....instead of waiting for a post specifically about what we do and why...here's the regime of what we do on outside days. We differ the top  of the hill workout each day. Somedays are focused on abs while others are upper body and other days, such as this, are mostly lower body. It beats trying to get 15 people in one room to knock out an hour's worth of P90X....and we'd all just rather be outside most of the time anyway.  While I still love P90X and fully intend to resume once baby arrives this is definitely a nice break in the routine....and children can't wait to hit the road and go knock it out.

Down/up hill run (sprint between last 2 mailboxes)
40 jumping jacks
Down/up hill run with sprints
20 squats
Down/up hill run with sprints
10 jump squats
Down/up hill run with sprints
30 second plank
Down/up hill run with sprints
20 calf raises
Down/up hill run with sprints
20 full body pushups
Down/up hill run with sprints
40 sits ups
Down/up hill run with sprints
Bike down/up hill as a finale

Stocking up on free firewood, treehouse material and bike ramp material. The advantages of driving a truck as your primary vehicle! 

All the things they do....

20 pounds down! Quite the difference in somebody that's just 5 feet tall. She's pretty proud and just glows these days. She radiates sunshine. How I love watching her self confidence grow and inner strength emerge.

Bike ramps and treehouses getting ready to go up.

Big huge baby man. How much I love this boy.