More Snow

I guess this could be the title of almost every post since we are living in Minnesota. It seems to snow just about every other day. It is pretty right now since I am home now and watching it come down from inside my warm house. However, when I was shopping in the white stuff it wasn't nearly as fun. :) Madison is out playing in the snow and Ben is shoveling. Fun, fun!

We are looking ahead to New Years now! We already took our tree down. I just got into a cleaning mood yesterday and had to get it down. It feels good to have my house back in a sense. We plan to lay low New Years Eve and do our usual dips and goodies. It has been somewhat tiring going nonstop over the Christmas holiday and I am ready to have just a peaceful night with the kids. I am sure the girls won't make it till midnight.

BTW, Madelyn slept from 10pm to 7am this morning. I couldn't believe that! I am amazed how she sleeps so well. She is still such a blessing! We are all enjoying her so much. Mercedes has been a wild wire over the holiday. She seems to act up even more while the kids are here or when we have company. She definitely continues to keep us on our toes. Madison is entering into a more "mature" phase and voicing her independence with it. Sometimes it seems all she wants to do is argue. So, we are learning to deal with her at a different level too. Harley has been coughing too much to cause any trouble. ha! Everyone's big concern over break was Ben and him going into the military. I think we all give up! If he wants to do it so be it! He won't listen to any logic it seems.

I need to get Mercedes up from her nap!

Have a great day!

This is OUR life

We had a great Christmas! The kids loved all their goodies. Ben is wearing his Carhart jacket all the time, Harley loves his MP3 player, Madison constantly wants to play or lose her Nintendo DS, Mercedes loves her dolls and stroller, and Madelyn is fine to be wearing her new sleepers!

Jason and I got to go see "Marley and Me" the other night while Big Mommy and CT watched the kids. They offered to give us a "break" and it was surely needed. The movie helped me reflect on some things.

*We love OUR life! We have had so many people share their opinions with us about our moves in the past. However, every move we have made has blessed us with something. We learn new things, see new landscapes, and meet new people. We love our life. It obviously isn't for everyone, but for us it has worked out just fine. The kids get to share things in school about the different places they have lived. So many people see it as all bad, but there is good that comes from moving too. We try to see the positive in things rather the negative. Our class is half full not half empty.

*Our family is our single most important thing. We do all things to better our family and to provide for our children. Some people don't get that, but we know our purpose in things whether others get it or not.

*I will not give up! I feel that others try to tell me I can't do the impossible, but all my life I have continued to do things that amaze myself. I will not give up trying to lose weight, pursuing different degrees, and trying to become a better person that is more Christ-like everyday. I am far from perfect, but I try to do my best each and every day. That is all each of us can do.

*This life is the only life we have so we plan to make the most of ours. Some may not understand our want to travel or our love of seeing new places, but we know this is the only time we will have this opportunity.

I hope this inspired all of you to move above and beyond in whatever area you have dreamed of!

Airport Delays

Well, it seems that the boys' grandparents may never get here. Their flight has been canceled 3 times so far. They are now on their way from Huntsville to Atlanta with hopes of finding a flight out of Atlanta to Minneapolis. We will see what happens. They were supposed to be here yesterday at noon and now they plan to get here some time this afternoon. Crazy! I just hope they end up making it up here. The kids would be so disappointed if they didn't make it.

I need to get to some cooking. Must be prepared for whatever happens. Have a great day!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!!!

This was the latest snow that came to Minnesota. We got another 4 or 5 inches on top of all the snow we already had. Can you tell we are living in a Winter Wonderland?

We are having fun in the snow. Madison loves the snow. Mercedes cries to begin with, but had fun eventually.

Jason and I in the snow...we were having fun like little kids!

It seems we are in this pattern in Minnesota of getting snow every other day. Crazy! They said they haven't had this much snow in about 5 years (that was the last winter we lived up here). So, whenever we live in this state it snows a ton! ugh! I love it now before the holidays, but some March and/or April I don't think this snow will seem quite as pretty. I will miss my Georgia weather then. Actually when it is below zero I miss it already. ha!

My cousin and her family made it up on Saturday. They left early from Illinois so they wouldn't get caught in the bad weather. They stayed overnight and we visited and had a great time. Her 2 boys are about the same age as my boys and madison. The kids all had a blast together.

Today the boys' grandparents were supposed to be here at noon, but their flight was canceled and they were placed on another flight that won't be in until 10 tonight. That actually works better for us so we are fine with that. The kids are all so excited to see them. They are in for a shock when they get up here.

I better get some cleaning done!

BLIZZARD

Hello all-

If you are reading this from the south you will find this much more interesting than those that are enduring this nasty weather with me. It isn't a blizzard where we are in MN, but it sure does feel like one. The kids didn't even get a delay in going to school and it is -7 with -30 windchills. I didn't even want them out there waiting for the bus so I had Jason bring them to school. We didn't get a ton of snow, but the wind and cold is amazing. I will be making some Chicken Wild Rice soup tonight. Everyone will need it once they get home. Yes, I am asking myself why we moved to this state???? I can't stand the cold. It is okay that it is here now before the holidays and makes it all festive feeling, but I dread January and February. yuck! June can't come soon enough! ha!

Jason, Madelyn, and I went out on saturday and finished our Christmas shopping. We had a good time, but it got to be a long day. I was really tired by the time we got home. I am glad it is all done. Now I need to wrap it. I have a little bit of baking left to do today and then that is all done too. I am just about ready for the holidays.

My cousin and her family will be here overnight next Saturday. I can't wait to see them. they are coming up from the St. Louis area and heading to her home state of North Dakota. It will be nice to see them for 1 night though. Then, on Monday the boy's grandparents will be here from Huntsville, Alabama. They will be staying with us for a week. The kids are all looking forward to their visit. They are so good to all of us. I am so curious to see what they will think of this crazy weather.

I have 1 more week of online work to do and then I am on winter break for 2 weeks. I am really excited about that too. I look forward to that all year. that is the only time of the year I have a break and don't have online work.

Well, I better get to baking and get Mercedes dressed! Have a great day all!

CHANGE

I have finally come to realize in my life, after 34 years, that I can only change myself. I cannot change others. I have found myself in perplexing territory near this holiday season as some things have me re-evaluating my life. I have had to come to terms knowing that the only thing I can do is work on me. That may sound selfish to some, but the working on "me" is acknowledging my wrongdoings and trying to humble myself to become a better person. I have also come to realize too that I can't read into what people say. What they say is what they say. I am really working at trying to take things only at face value. That is really all we have unless they tell us more. I know I have done things wrong in this life and I hope to only make improvements from here on out. I am not about living in the past! I want to make use of the here and the now. I pray that God will guide me into all righteousness and allow me to work in a way through others lives that will always bring glory to Him. If I am not working for my precious Lord than I am against Him! I want to always allow others to see through my life that I am for Him!

God bless each and everyone of you!

Sounds of the Season

We just returned from doing a little Christmas shopping and on our way home we had to drive around to see a few Christmas lights in our neighborhood. It was so nice to hear Madison and Mercedes singing along with our new Christmas CD "Polar Express." They just love that CD. Madison is going to take it to school this week and sing to her class, "When Christmas Comes to Town." It was so neat to hear Mercedes who is only 2 and 1/2 singing different songs along with Madison. I can't believe how well she knows the words to song. Her vocabulary is amazing for such a young age. We also feel completely and utterly blessed with Baby Madelyn. She has earned the best baby award out of all 5 kids. She is so darn good! She barely cries and is already sleeping 6 to 8 hours a night. AMAZING!!!! None of the other kids slept through the night that young. The Good Lord sure has blessed us with this last one...He new we were going to be balancing with 5 so He helped us out.

I need to be off to do some online work! Have a great night all!

Mall of America

We had some friends of ours come visit us from Georgia last weekend. The Livingstones flew up and spent the day with us at the Mall of America. I had their son, Gavin, in my classroom last year and that is how we got to know each other. They also have a daughter, Sarah, that is only a few months younger than Madison. Gavin and Harley hit it off and so did the girls. We had so much fun with them. We got a few pics of our day together.


Michelle and I waiting for the girls on a ride. She got her hair cut since the last time I saw her and mine has grown out. We both noticed the difference.

Michelle with Baby Madelyn. Too cute!

Gavin and I together when we ate at Rainforest Cafe. Gavin was always one of my special students!

Madison and Mercedes next to Santa at the MOA.

Sarah and Madison on a ride together at Nickelodeon Universe in the MOA.

Madison, Gavin, Sarah, and Harley showing off some cute hats! They all had such a good time together.

Did someone put a hex on us?

Who caused this? ha! This was me Thanksgiving evening. This is when I actually was feeling a little bit better after blowing chunks all morning. Madison also blew many chunks yesterday. Then, around bed time Ben started and Harley finished out the middle of the night. This all began with Mercedes on Monday. The baby is fine...Praise the Lord. Also, amazingly Jason hasn't gotten sick yet. I am shocked at that one. He may still get it though...who knows! Jason did go out and get turkey dinner last night. I barely ate any of mine, but I am eating it the day after so I am sure it will be good. The boys ate all of theirs and just loved it until it came back up. Poor things. I guess Thanksgiving of 2008 will be a memorable one for the Edwards family. ugh!

Christmas shopping, flu, and Turkey Day

We have been busy fighting the Mercedes flu bug at our house. Yuck! I hate the puckies! That is just one sickness I can't deal with. She was bad on Monday. She is better today. She hasn't thrown up since yesterday morning so that is great.

So, being the nice mother I am I took Mercedes and Madelyn with me today as I did some Christmas shopping. I have started a little already and today I did a bit more. It is easy to do with Mercedes because she doesn't realize what I am buying. However, having 2 little ones in toe with a cart full of stuff (meaning Mercedes had to walk) proved interesting. She did quite well for being the little monster that she is, however, it was exhausting for the momma. Now, madison said it was okay for me to wrap some presents to put under our tree. Yes, I didn't even update this to let you know we put our tree up on Friday night. It is a really pretty tree this year. We got a ton of new ornaments that I found on sale last year after Christmas. I love the colors on the tree.

This past Saturday was our 8th anniversary. Jason got me a 8 x 10 of Mommy and Madelyn...sweet! I got him a wallet. I know, not too much, but things are tight in our home right now so we are fine with that. We are looking forward to this Saturday when we are going to see a movie and shop....ALONE!!!! Yes, we had family volunteer to watch madelyn so we could be alone for a few hours. How exciting!!!! I can't wait! I might be able to get out 5 words without being interrupted. ha!

Tomorrow we are off to get our family photo done. We need one bad! We are missing 2 kids from out last professional one. ugh! We will also do baby photos and send out annoucements!

On Thanksgiving we are heading over to my brother's house. The kids can't wait! they love spending time with their cousins! We always have a good time with them! I can't wait for some turkey and pie! hee, hee!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Pictures and more

Can you tell I am having fun putting up new pics? Now I just need for my hubby to get me some more pics. Hint, hint!

Well, now that I have made it public news to most "close" people I feel I can say it on here. It appears we will more than likely be moving back to GA. We feel we need to for my job and for the sake of our family. We have 5 children to raise and with this economy taking such a down turn as it has it has us quite concerned. So, I will pursue getting a job back in the county we left. That way the kids will be able to return to something they know so hopefully the transition won't be as hard for them. There are a lot of things that we still don't know, but this much we know for now. We are excited to get back in a place where we can do well for our family. We are also excited to see our friends and church family from there. We do miss them a lot! We are also really excited about getting near the mountains and the beach! These are things our family just loves. So, on our vacation time you know where we will be! :)

I put up 1 Christmas tree today. Well, Mercedes did help out too. ha! We put one up in our playroom and then will put up the main tree in the living room this weekend. I am getting in the mood. It sure would help if we had a little snow now too.

This Saturday Jason and I will have been married for 8 years. I am so thrilled! I feel we have gone through so many neat things together. It is just such a blessing to have a true friend to share your life with. I am just so happy! I love the family we have made and love him so much! God has richly blessed us!

busy and tired

Boy am I tired tonight! I think I am on here typing so I don't have to move yet and walk up my many flights of stairs to the main living room. ha! I have been going ever since I got up today. I scrubbed floors, cleaned bathrooms, bathed kids, washed clothes, made an amazing soup for dinner, moved furniture around, etc. We are getting ready to put our Christmas trees up so we had to move furniture and figure out what would work best for what rooms. I think it will work well now.

Baby Madelyn has been doing so well. She is such a great baby. We really are blessed with her. The kids have adjusted well to the new addition too.

We are really loving our new church we have found up here in Woodbury. The only thing we don't like is the drive (it is about an hour). The people are so friendly and nice.

We are not caring for the cold weather without snow here now. It has been quite chilly and there isn't a lick of snow on the ground. Jason wonders why we should have to endure so much cold, but not have the beauty of the snow with it. ha!

We are excited about the upcoming holidays. It will be so much fun to spend it with our new family member! All the kids are looking forward to grandparents coming up from the south too! THat will be fun for them!

We have many thoughts on our mind lately with this failing economy. It has us anxious about our job security too and planning on what to do to protect ourselves and our family.

Have a great night!

Baby Madelyn photos

I love this black and white shot of her. Too precious! So, what do you all think of our precious new one? We are quite blessed aren't we?

Baby Madelyn is 2 weeks old here. She is snuggled in with momma! Too cute! Who does she look like?

So, it took me some time, but I finally got some pics of our precious new one posted. Madelyn Grace is such a peach. We think she is our best baby yet. She is already only getting up once in the night. She burps and doesn't spit up. She is just really good. I can't complain one bit. I am so blessed!

I had such a great time going to church last Sunday. I told Jason how neat it was to have 5 kids in our van. It is a full van now as you can imagine! When we dated we talked of having 5 kids and now that dream as come true. Our family feels so complete. I just love having a big family. I look so forward to all the holidays and all the chaos. It will be so much fun! This is the time of our lives and I want to enjoy every moment of it.

Have a great day!

Vote Today

Today is voting day in our country. I already voted by absentee ballot due to the pregnancy. I am glad I didn't have to stand in any lines. However, Jason just returned from voting and was in and out in no time at all. That was a lot different than our last Presidential Election when we both stood there for about 2.5 hours. It was crazy! I think it is very important to vote so be sure to get out today and take advantage of your American right!

Life has been crazy busy for us these days. It is fun, but very busy. The kids were off from school yesterday which was actually a nice transition for me with Jason going back to work. I still had some little helpers around and they entertained Mercedes nearly all day. It was a near record breaking day of high temps yesterday too so the kids were outside much of the day. Snow is predicted for Friday so they had to get their fun in while they can. Today Jason is home (off day) and we have to take Madelyn to the doctor and me to the doctor. I get my staples out today. I can't wait! They are tugging and pulling on me. They hurt! We are going to take Mercedes to the mall so she can play for a bit too.

I have been really looking at my blessings lately and I just have to share. I am so thankful for my children. I am thankful that I met Jason and that he had these 2 precious boys. They have made me see life through different eyes because they weren't naturally mine. They have shown me what true love is. It isn't just blood, but goes beyond blood.

I am thankful for my first born Madison. I didn't think she would ever get here. She was nearly 3 weeks overdue. She had to come in her time. She is still somewhat like that today. She even tells me that she wants me to live with her in her dorm when she goes to college because she will miss me too much otherwise. I am sure that will change, but it is sweet to hear.

I am so thankful that I was able to conceive my darling wild child, Mercedes. She brings such a spunk to our lives. She came into our lives when things in Jason and my life were a roller coaster ride. She brought us closer together and made us realize what family was all about.

I am so thankful for little Madelyn. From the beginning of my pregnancy with her the doctors thought something was wrong. She is here with us today and is perfect. Down to the little, bitty nails on her fingers.... God thought of everything to make her precious and perfect!

I am so thankful for my dear husband, Jason. We have had our ups and downs, but I can't think of anyone else that I would want to do that with. I have learned so much about love from him. I have truly became a better person because of him. I love him so much!

Thank you to all that helped us out while we were transitioning with our new baby. Janet (my mother-in-law) came up from Alabama to help us out with our kids. That was truly wonderful! My mother helped with dinner and coming to visit almost daily. My dad was at the hospital several times too. Connie has been so kind to offer out help with watching kids. I am so thankful to have you all in my life and to feel the love that we all share! Giving is what love is all about! That is the love that Christ showed to us! I am a truly blessed person!

Have a great day!

What's the name of that show?

I was thinking that Jason and I should be on that baby show where they watch you the first 36 hours after the baby comes. I watch it all the time and can't think of the name of it. It isn't "The baby story" that is more about the birth. With 5 kids I think that the show about the first 36 hours would be much more applicable to our lives. We are being pulled in many different directions since we have been home. All the kids have needs and it is rather hard to give them what they need (especially since I am still in such pain) when you are trying to juggle 5 of them. It has been interesting to say the least. Thank goodness my mil is here still. We came home and she prepared us a great southern dinner. It was so yummy! anything is yummy that I don't have to cook! ha! I guess tomorrow I will need to get back to normal and start cooking again. ugh!

Tomorrow we have a Halloween parade to go see for madison at school. I am not sure who will attend it right now. Maybe daddy and I will and leave Nano to babysit. We will have to see. Nano might want to go too! Then, tomorrow night it is trick-or-treating. Madelyn and I were going to stay home, but since it is supposed to be such a nice night in MN the doctor said it was fine to take her out. I am thrilled to get to be part of that memory with all of the kids! :)

I am going to get some of my online work done quickly so I can get back and help dad with all the kiddos. He is on bathing duty of the girls right now. He is a trooper that is for sure!

She's Here!

Madelyn Grace Edwards arrived at 9:38 this morning. She weighed in at 10 lbs 2 oz (momma's prediction). She was 21 and 3/4 inch long. She is absolutely beautiful and I am not being biased. ha! She has been a delight today. I haven't held her much as I have been sleeping and recovering much of the day, but I know when I am feeling better tomorrow I will get my fill of her.

I am recovering quite well too. I have just been really tired and had some episodes of being sick today that weren't fun. Hopefully, the worst is behind us though.

We had a lot of visitors today. They all got a kick out of our new little Madelyn. Madison and Mercedes just fell in love with their little sister. Mercedes is taking to her much better than I thought she would. Mercedes is also missing momma pretty bad. She laid with me in my bed and just loved on me. She cried when she left that she wanted momma. Poor baby! The boys think she is quite special too.

I need to get some rest.

Our Saturday

Today was a nice day. We went and picked up my mother-in-law from the airport. She flew in from Alabama to help us out with the kids while we are in the hospital. That was so nice of her! We took her to lunch and then stopped at the mall to get the final things for the kids costumes for Halloween. The girls got to play at the playland and had a ton of fun! They got so wore out. All of us fell asleep on the way home except for the driver (jason).

We got the parts in today to put the final touches on the double stroller that my cousin, Kari, and her hubby, Steve, gave us. It is awesome! Mercedes absolutely loves to ride in it. I wonder how she will like when baby sister comes. We also had to stop today and get the final things we need from Target before baby comes. We needed powder and alcohol wipes for baby. I think we are finally getting there. Tomorrow I need to do a little laundry and then make sure we are all packed up. I can't believe that she will be here in less than 36 hours. I can't wait to meet her!

Jason is working on his finals tonight for school. They need to be done by tomorrow. He is off for a week then so he will enjoy that. However, I start a new set of classes at the hospital on Monday. That should be interesting!

Hope you all have a great night!

Tired of this feeling

Morning friends and family-

I had a horrible night last night and it continues into this morning. I am so tired of being sick and tired. I maybe slept 2 hours last night if I was lucky. I went to bed around 11 p.m. and was up till about 1:30 or 2 a.m. trying to get tired to fall asleep. I kept having issues all night and was in so much pain. I was hoping it would kick in and be labor, but no such luck. I just want to feel like me again. I tried to rest some this morning, but then I have the ansy syndrome going on in my legs. ugh! 4 more days! 4 more days! I can make it, right? Then, the true not sleeping will happen. ha!

It appears we may have a dusting of snow here Sunday night into Monday. I thought that would be kind of neat since that is when our baby will arrive. That would be cool to have the first snowfall. The kids are quite excited to see some snow. Even if it is just a dusting that is more than they are used to. I am amazed that we still haven't had to turn our heat on. Obviously, our house is well insulated. It is staying in the mid to upper 60's in our house and the highs have only been around 50. How is that possible? Our house in GA would've been cooler than this. Strange!

Last doctor appt

Well, I have made it to the last and final week of this pregnancy. I can't believe it is finally here. The countdown is now in days instead of weeks. Praise the Lord. Everything looks good to go though from doc's end. My c-section will be slightly earlier than previously planned and that is fine by me. The sooner the surgery the sooner I will be able to eat again (can't eat after midnight).

Mercedes and Jason went with today to the doctor and Mercedes was quite the handful. She was into everything, like usual. The funny thing was though that she wanted to lay on the bed momma got to lay on and get her belly checked. Too cute!

We are in final preparation for Baby Edwards to get here. We have to get the porta crib out yet and then we need to get the bouncy seat in. I think aside from that we are pretty on target. My mother-in-law will be here on Saturday so then we will need to give her the lowdown on how things go once we are gone. I am sure she will do just fine. Madison already said she would let her know what homework and stuff she has to do. Good girl! I wonder how mercedes will do with mom and dad gone for 2 or 3 nights. Could be interesting!

We will be sure to post on here when baby comes and hopefully I will be able to post some pics too.

Pictures

Mercedes looks too stressed out here. She had to take it easy!

The kids were splashing momma at the water fountain at the MN Zoo. It was a hot day so I enjoyed it. :)

This was Mercedes 2nd birthday, June 7th, 2008. We had just moved to Minnesota then.

Now, this is how I have taught my daugther to be, "every moment is a teachable moment." Madison is so eager to educate Mercedes. Too cute!

This was the girls (Madison and Mercedes) in the spring of 2008. I am trying to get some updated photos on here . I am learning all of this stuff so bear with me. I have a few more fun photos to share.

Jason is getting some more recent photos downloaded so we can share those soon too. Sorry I have been so lax with photos. I really hope this will help us stay on top of this!

Have a great night!

Sickies

I had this whole post typed up and lost it. You can tell I am not feeling well and don't know how to blog too well yet. I am learning!

I had a horrible night last night as I have this really bad cold and a little alien inside me that won't stop kicking. I felt like I was awake more than I was asleep. ugh! I just need for her to come now. It has been long enough like this.

Mercedes was calling herself a princess this morning. Of course, Madison had to stress how she is the 1st princess. Too funny! I told them both pretty soon we would have 3 little princesses in the house....but always remember who the Queen Bee is. ha! Yeah right!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

MEA break

Morning friends-

The kids are home for a 4 day weekend because they are off for MEA (MN Education Association) has meetings. The boys will be busy making up their school work since they both brought home some pretty bad grades at midterm. ugh! What will we do with them? Madison wants to do crafts with mom though. She got her new Highlight magazine and there are all kinds of crafts there she wants to do so we may do some. The girls and I are going to McDonald's today so they can play and get some energy out. :)

Many of us now have colds in our house. The weather was in the mid 70's over the weekend and now it is a high in the mid 50's. I like the chill in the air myself because I get even more swelled up if it is hot. The boys and Jason are dressing like it is 20 below already. They will be in for a surprise come the real winter. ha!

Mercedes is playing so sweet right now with her baby. She is loving her, burping her, cuddling with her, covering her up with a blanket. It is too cute. I wonder if she knows that someone is coming soon. I think so!

We aren't doing anything special over break, but laying low and hoping for momma to go into labor. Yeah right!

Have a great day!

Random Thoughts

I love my children even though they can drive me crazy.

I really enjoy cooking since I have been home (working/staying at home mom currently).

TEaching online is a great way to make a significant extra income.

I can't see not utilizing the 3 degrees I have earned in my lifetime and eventually returning to the classroom and/or becoming a principal someday. I have a feeling though that this drive will cause us to have to move where there are more education jobs (not MN).

My husband and I have been married almost 8 years. We made it over the hump! He has turned into the loving husband I always knew he could be. I am so blessed to be married to my best friend!

I love my friends. They fulfill me in ways they will never ever realize. They are very precious to me!

This baby girl inside of me is moving like crazy right now. She is due to arrive on October 27th! Yippee!

I can't wait to be able to go walking again after the baby comes. I want my body back!