Is it weird?

My mother-in-law is coming into town tonight. I'm excited! I get to see her about every other month. She lives in Washington, about 5 hours away. Is it weird that I get excited? How many women out there love when their MIL comes to visit?

When I told someone at the gym today they were like, "Oh, I'm sorry."

I don't take for granted that her and I have a great relationship. I make sure to tell her how much I enjoy spending time with her... and she does the same with me. I have been blessed with 2 very loving, easy to get along with MIL's.

No one else in either of our families has had a family of 6 (besides her), so she knows how it feels and never judges if my tables are dusty or if my floor isn't swept. (Although I always clean right before she comes, its instinctive I think)
She does my dishes while she's here and helps make the meals. She doesn't get anxious when the kiddos are being loud or they have toys everywhere... she just offers them candy and tells them to hurry and eat it before dinner, LOL

Here's to great mother-in-laws... I hope one day I am one of them.

So many thoughts...

I have so many things right now on my mind. So many things I'd like to blog about, like my feelings about baby Kayleigh graduating to heaven, how this story and others are helping me be more patient with my own kids,(something I struggle with), how Nathan has made some positive changes and I am very proud of him, about a bizarre dream I had the other night in which I actually died,... but since I just got my computer back and I have 4 people in the house playing ball, its hard to find the time.
I will try to get them up this week... I would like to blog about everyday things... but sometimes its seems to trivial, especially when you look at what others are facing.

Seth is 9!

Seth's 9th birthday was yesterday. I can't believe how 9 years has gone by so fast. Yes, I know every mother says that, but it is true.

I was a very young 16 when I had him. Although I was married, at 16 you really have no idea how life is about to change. I was blessed enough to have the loving support of my family, friends and most of my church. (The youth pastor thought I should have an abortion or atleast give him up... that was NOT going to happen.)

I saw a midwife practice and loved them. I never felt judged and they were always very kind and caring. I was very comfortable with their laid back approach to giving birth. My pregnancy was textbook and I was induced at 42 weeks. All my friends showed up for his birth, even my friend who had college exams the next morning. My epidural was great, I pulled it out accidently and it was re-done. I was in labor for 8-9 hours and pushed for under 30mins. He was born at 4:19am... Not shabby for a 1st delivery. I think there were 6 people still right outside my door.

Seth was an awesome baby, hardly cried (once I learned about co-sleeping), nursed wonderfully and had a gorgeous smile. He crawled and walked early.
(I'm going to brag about him now, what mom doesn't brag about their child on their birthday?!)
He is so stinking smart. He is finishing his 1st year of ALP, which is an advanced learning class. It is a small class of 14 3rd graders from 4 different elementary schools. He is in 4th grade math and 5/6 grade reading. He amazes me everyday. He also loves sports and plays baseball, football and basketball. Above all this, he is so loving and has a caring heart. He accepted Christ into his heart almost 2 years ago. He's not afraid to shed a tear at a sad movie and has asked to help out families in need. I am very blessed, honored and proud to be his mother.

Here are some pictures from the past year.



His spring school potrait



At Uncle Chris's b-day party



This is his 'strike a pose' look



He won an award at school - and we were growing his hair out