A little update

It is hard for me to keep up with this wonderful space anymore.  We are all happily busy and healthy.

Our big news is that we are expecting #9 in April. We are all very excited.

Ryan's job is going well and he is still the best father I have ever known.  He is all in as soon as he walks in the door.  He is still running quite a bit, when time allows.  He still enjoys cooking, and is on a Paula Deen kick at the  moment, which is fine by all of us, ya'll.  I've tried planning and cooking some crock pot meals, but I know he is just being nice when he says he enjoys it.  I know he prefers his own cooking!

I am feeling the side effects of the first trimester of pregnancy.  A general yucky feeling that won't go away no matter what I try.  Thankfully it is not debilitating, although the 17 Day Diet is out of the question.  Old habits die hard, though, so I still have no cream in my coffee and eat a hard boiled egg and fruit for breakfast.  I have gained 3 pounds so far at 10 weeks, and am going through some complicated feelings of gaining weight, to be honest.  I go back and forth from feeling happily healthy, to feeling fat.  I am able to keep running, which has been a huge help.  I never feel like it, but like I said before, old habits die hard.  So I lace up my shoes, grab a water bottle, and go out usually 2-3 times a week.  I usually run between 4-8 miles.  Running is funny because although my head is screaming no, my body knows just what to do, and keeps me going on auto pilot the whole way. Of course I always joke and say the best part of running is when I'm done.  My first appointment to see the midwife is on October 3.  I am still enjoying homeschooling, and everything that goes along with it.

Rayzor just turned 15.  His big gift was a cell phone this year.   He is enjoying school (he goes to a homeschool tutorial 2 times a week) and I hope and pray he continues to enjoy and excel in school.  Rayzor is our #1 babysitter and he does a great job.  All of the kids look up to him and think he is the coolest.

Joz is 12 and enjoys homeschooling, swimming, and soccer.  She has a best friend and loves to spend all of her free time with her.  She is a huge helper.

B-Rad is 8 and, just like her big sissy, loves homeschooling, swimming, and soccer.  She is also a big helper, especially with Baby Finny.

Seany is almost 7 and is in first grade and loves soccer.  His favorite thing to do these days is to take apart toys with his screwdriver and put them back together, usually fixing them or replacing the batteries so the toys work like new.

Ev is 5 and is enjoying Kindergarten.  He also plays soccer on Seany's team.

Benny is 4 and is either making us all laugh, or having a major meltdown.  He is an original and enjoys playing with all of his Toy Story toys.

MC is 2 and every bit of it.  She rules our house, and terrorizes her brothers.  She enjoys riding her big wheel.

Baby Finny is almost 1! He just got a haircut and looks like a little man.  We recently moved his crib in to his brother's room and is doing much better sleeping through the night.  He enjoys drinking bottles, and running errands with mom and dad.

We are looking forward to a couple more birthdays, Halloween, cooler temps, a trip to the pumpkin patch, soccer games, sweaters, and our annual family photo.