JonesSoda , 26

Well I haven't been the best at keeping this up, have I???

Let's see. Ethan's birthday is next Friday, my oldest will be FIVE YEARS OLD! I can't believe it. He starts Kindergarten on September 2. I got him all kinds of awesome new clothes for school and his dad got him a nice L.L. Bean backpack and lunch box with his name embroidered on them. Ethan is extremely excited for school and desperately wants to see the new Star Wars movie that's out now- he even remembers the release date. For his birthday I got him some Star Wars "guys" that he doesn't have already and Obiwan's ship and an Indiana Jones movie. I swear Ethan is a George Lucas fan lol I didn't get him too much cos I just dumped a load of money into all those clothes for him so I consider some of them to go toward his birthday as well.

Aidan is still Aidan- he is funny, charming, and a brat all at once LOL I love him to bits though, he is my little entertainer. He is going to be SO LOST without Ethan around every day. He really wants to go to school. I am slowly trying to get him used to the potty but he's holding out on me. I told him he can't go to school until he goes on the potty so he's a little interested now [:)]

Julian is everywhere and into everything. He's walking all the time now and he says quite a few words. I have a video of him saying his words... Check it out Ignore the hellions in the background [;)] He is so in love with Audrey, it is adorable. He is always "petting" her and kissing her head, he is a very good big brother. Rob and I had thought he might not be, we figured he'd be jealous but so far, so good!

Audrey is growing so fast! She will be six weeks old (already) on Tuesday. She is a pretty good baby and she LOVES being held. The nursing thing is going great so far. I really hope to make it to a year or more, that was my goal with Julian but things happened. Audrey has seriously worn pink every day of her life so far, I swear LOL

Now as far as Alena and Liam- you will be VERY surprised to know that they are enrolled in school (at their mother's house) this year! I think this is going to bring some AMAZING, WONDERFUL changes to our lives. I really think they need time away from their parents to get socialized and educated. I am so happy to see this. They will be coming over every other weekend from now on- this is their last time coming over from Saturday-Tuesday. This is my last Sunday babysitting all day. I really feel relieved. This needed to happen for all of us. I think Alena and Liam will have major attitude changes now and I really hope it makes everyone happier.

Liam has had major issues lately with hitting, lying, extreme violence, etc. I don't know what his problem is but a lot of his behaviors are like, guess who, Alena. So the faster we get her helped, the better for everyone. None of the kids are perfect but some have more issues than others. That is all I am going to say as far as that goes.

Rob and I have had a couple rough patches lately but overall things are going really well. We have been sorting out a lot and there have been major changes. Rob is FINALLY stepping up to the plate with discipline and I think that we will soon be seeing a world of change. I hope so, at least, because I am about to the point that I can't take it anymore!

Haydn is doing really well and starts his second year of H.S. this year. It's funny that he is the one that technically belongs on this site but I'm still the one using it LOL

That's about all... anything you want to know, just ask!

This is God. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day.
I love you.

P.S. And, remember-
If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.

Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.

If you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work; think of the man who has been out of work for years.

Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.

Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.

Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.

Audrey Riana Mae
It was finally posted yesterday and daughter was spelled wrong and they wrote "Rianna" as her middle name. (It's prn Ri-ohn-ah not Ri-ann-uh, and I wrote it down myself on the paper so someone just has transcription issues) I was in a hormonal mood (lol) and emailed the hospital ranting that not only was it misspelled on the website, the records department filed her as Audrea Riana Mae with social security and on her birth certificate. (You can imagine how p*ssed I was when I got THAT in the mail, being the name-nerd that I am!) Needless to say, someone from the hospital called me today to apologize for both incidents, and the site was fixed. LOL

I was supposed to start induction at 11 a.m. but they could not get me in until 4:30! They broke my water at 5:00 p.m., I was 3 c.m. Started Pitocin at 6:30 @ 4 c.m. I got the epidural at 7:55 and was 6 c.m. At 9:40 when they checked again I was 8 c.m. At 9:54 I felt a strange sensation in my bottom (like cramping in my buttcheeks lol) and asked to be checked again, not expecting much. Nope- 10 c.m. and head almost crowning on its own! With one push she was born at 10:01 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2008.

Audrey is 7 lbs 8 oz and 20 inches long. We are nursing and so far, so good! She sure is wicked if you don't get those gas bubbles out though, holy Hannah!

Her full name is Audrey Riana Mae. For those who do not know, Riana is a mix of Rita and Ann. Rita is my grandmother and Ann is my mother. Mae is my other grandmother's middle name, and part of Rob's mother's name (Hattiemae). So that's where it comes from :)

Julian's the only child who has met her so far and he loves her but is very grabby so we have to really keep a very close eye on him, as you will see!

Here are a few pictures!

I am going to go try to get a good night's rest- my last in a long time, assuming I can! I will be induced tomorrow morning at or around 11 a.m. so please think of us. Pray for a smooth, safe, healthy delivery of my little girl, and that my beautiful boys are happy and well taken care of with their dads.

Thanks!