lately.

Lately I have been trying to find a few old mission friends.  This is due to the overwhelming stack of photos and memoriablia that I am working hard to scan and digitize.  Most of it isn't mission, but some of it is...and those are happy memories for me. (For the most part.)

Lately I have been fretting over some bridal photos I took at a poor location.

Lately I have been working on doign up some Graduation Annoucnements.  Eeee!

As of late, I realize taht when I am in the car alone, which isn't often, I like to listen to a few certain songs, and I like my music loud.  And I sing along.  I guess I haven't outgrown all my youth-like habits.

Lately, I feel like I have a hard time keeping up with the kids' messes.  Seriously I mop about 3 times a day.  It's got to stop eventually, right?  Like when we are all dead??!!

Lately, I can't get over the idea of eliminating debt.  I am slightly freaked out over how much medical debt we have, and we barely have had anything worth mentioning!  The kids have run through the following: Croop, Bronchitis, Swine Flu, Pink Eye, Stomach bugs, unknown causes of fevers and nose issues, had two in the hosptial for unknown bowel system shutdowns, and ear infection, not to mention some serious dental work on Landon...I just want to scream.  There goes the tax return.  Okay, well not all of it, but really.  There goes the money.

Lately, I just smile at the thought of celebrating 10 year of marriage on a cruise or somewhere far away from Idaho...Granted it's not for another year and 3 weeks.  But the planning has begun.

And lastly, I am not sure where I stand on the idea of adding one more baby to this family.  I know I do not want to be pregnant again.  I feel like some days, we are a complete family, and other days we aren't.  I struggle with the idea of adding another girl to the mix, and not getting a son like we'd like to have.  I know I have said several times to many people, "ONE MORE.  Just one more is the plan. "  Living in my ward, I worry that by saying that out loud I might get 2, 3, or 4 more in ONE pregnancy!  (You should know that we have like 12 or 13 sets of multiples, one of which is a set of triplets.  Seriously, there is something in the water here.)  I know I didn't celebrate this past pregnancy with the finality of it in mind.  I didn't live like and am not living like Brooklyn was or is my last pregnancy/baby.  That would be a silly reason to have another baby, but my point is, I was planning on one more, and now, I am just not sure.  This is the first time I feel like we are going to have to really pray about it.  It means a lot in regards to our finances and a car.  We would not fit in the vehicle we have.  We aren't wanting a new vehicle with a nice new payment, especially since the Durango is paid off.  We can afford another baby, but that also means taking on some new payments to Aflac and with our current medical bills, that just isn't a peachy thought.  And lastly, timing is everything too.  I do not want a caboose baby, that comes 3-4 years later.  And the dawn of that window of the two year gap is quickly upon us.  I like that my kids are all 2 years apart.   I don't think it's any more stressful or harder than if they were farther apart.  It's gonna be tough no matter what age they are or how far apart they are.  I just know that if we are adding one more, I would like it to land within that 2 year mark window.  And I am not sure we are up to doing just that.  And with all that said, I would have another baby in a heartbeat, today even if I knew I could skip out on the pregnant part of it.

I need to go watch LOST now.  Change my mood and thoughts to something less emotional and real.

Comments

Becky said…
Lots going on lately! I hope that everything works out with whatever you guys decide! I think your two-year window is awesome with all your kids! How fun to have sibling so close! Sometimes I think we'll be lucky if we have less than a four year gap.
Love you guys! We think about you often and hope that all is well!
Camille said…
That's a lot to be thinking about and doing!

Good luck with your pictures and announcements I know they will be awesome!

Hooray for a 10 year anniversary somewhere wonderful!

Sending out good waves for no more medical problems and the money that goes with it.

I have the same problem with keeping all the messes picked up and then ask myself, "did I know I was going to be a maid when I grew up?" :)

Loud Music can be therapy!

Baby thoughts have been in my mind too! Done? complete? Not complete? Missing? Multiples? hmm!
Erin Ellsworth said…
When I find myself alone in the car I am just the opposite. I love the silence. For me the silence is therapy! No one crying, whining, saying, "mom look at this" or "I dropped my toy" or what ever. Just peace and quiet!

I have similar thoughts about adding another baby. Lynn want's to be done, and sometimes when I am having a crazy moment I do too, but every once in a while, I feel like I want to have another baby. I don't want a caboose either, but at the same time I know I am not ready yet. I think my next baby will be more spread out than the others have been. At first that bothered me, but I am learning to be patient with what Lynn and I can handle (as far as energy and finances).

Love ya...
It is so hard to not have control! I've had to remind myself many times that there is a plan for our family that I can't remember. I would love to have a little girl but I know someone is meant to be a part of this family who I already have a history with and will love more than I can imagine! Here is the question... do you feel prompted to add to your family and don't want to be pregnant, or is it that you always thought you would have one more and now you're feeling your family is complete and not sure how you feel about it? Good luck!
Tayci will be 3 when this one comes, but after having her and Preston 15 months apart I needed that! Good luck with your decisions & I hope Lost helped! :) P.S. No problems so far after yesterday's play group :)
Hm....I know its totally a personal and spiritual choice of having another baby...but for some reason - when I think of B as your last...it makes me a little sad. I'd love for you to have one more. Your kids are AWESOME, and sweet, and BEAUTIFUL, and fun. Plus, it would be great to get another boy...and I'm sure a girl would be just as fun! I think 3 yrs is not a big gap when it comes to kids. Especially when they are a little older...it won't seem like a big deal at all. Guess it is one of those things that only you and Kyle (and Heavenly Father) can figure out, but my vote is for ONE MORE, in 3 YRS. :) Love ya sis.
oh, i don't mean in three yrs, i mean one more with a GAP of 3 yrs inbetween Brooklyn & baby B :)
cardwellclan said…
I thought this was a beautiful post. I really enjoyed reading it. And I'm very sorry about your tax refund going to all those bills. No fun!
Matt and Jessie said…
Wow! You have been doing a lot of thinking. That is cool that you are scanning pictures in. I have not even started that process yet and it seems like a lot!!

As for the medical bills, do they ever end? I just had the fun pow wow with the accounting lady at my Doctors office and she had to give me the crazy amount that we get to pay all the way up until the baby comes. AHHH!!

Well, as for the baby, I hope you get some peace about it soon either way. We have had to do some major praying about the addition of each child we have had. Thankfully with each addition, once we get our answer, we get the peace and reassurance that things will be okay.

Hopefully Lost will give you a break from reality for a bit!!
Larsen said…
you are awesome, will you just do all the thinking, it gives me a headache. love ya tons! i know that you know everything will all work out, it's just a matter of gettin' there, huh?!?!?
kyle
Larsen said…
you are awesome, will you just do all the thinking, it gives me a headache. love ya tons! i know that you know everything will all work out, it's just a matter of gettin' there, huh?!?!?
kyle
Cindy said…
Take a BIG DEEP breath----hold it---slowly let it out.....ahhh.... one thing at a time. And let Heavenly Father help you and Kyle figure it all out. It's not a race--take your time. Love you
Mistie said…
Jarrett and Kortnee are 4 years apart and he doesn't feel at all like a caboose to me. I feel the age gap gives me an opportunity to give him some attention I wouldn't be able to give him if they were closer. The older ones keep me running. I however knew he was going to be my last. Good luck and Heavenly Father will help you make the right decision.