Blessings

So yesterday Paul and I found out that we will be adding #7 to our family. We are thrilled beyond belief and pretty shocked. This is a baby that was very much hoped and prayed for. Surprisingly with our large bunch, getting pregnant has never been really easy for us. We would love and encourage any and all prayers for a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery. And yes, this is the caboose for the White House Express.
This Christmas is going to be an amazing time for us. Everything just seems "right". It's exciting and exhausting all at once. My God rocks! :)

Ice Cream Sunday

I was at the computer Sunday afternoon while the kids were happily playing in the playroom(aka garage). Paul was outside doing some much needed yardwork. In the background I could faintly hear the song of the ice cream man coming. Paul opened the front door and said "You want to?". I said "You have money?" ...."Yep". ....."OK". He ran to catch the truck while I ran to get the kids. Calm cool and collected I walked into the garage and said "Yea, so I am going to the ice cream man. " I then turned and bolted to the front door. I could hear eight footsteps right on my heels. I swung open the front door and they charged out to meet daddy by the truck. I instantly burst into tears. To think that God has intrusted all of these precious people to Paul and me is incredible. They are all so amazing each in their own incredible way. I love being their mama.

Halfway thru day 1

and all is going well. We just got home from Park Day where we blew around the park for about 30 minutes. We finally decided that the wind won and we would go home and catch a movie. Paul and I just couldn't take the chance of anyone getting any kind of sickness. So we got to spend a few extra minutes just hanging out together before he went back to work. It's crazy how precious time has quicky become. So often we would just waisted time together, me on the computer him watching t.v. Now we just want to savor those moments together. I love the fact that after 12 years I still feel like that 17 year old totally in love when he holds my hand. Ok, back to school and laundry and all those super fun things. Hope you have a great day! Smiles

90 days = a better US!

Over the last 3 years our family has been thru a lot....a lot for us anyway. We had a major financial situation that was incredibly stressful. We seriously contemplated a move to California which was only a state away but would have been life changing for us. We were carried through the loss of our little boy, Carter. We again contemplated a move to a nearby city due to schools. We were led to homeschool our children. Paul's mom was diagnosed with Alzheimers and moved to an assited living facility We then welcomed our newest addition as a preemie by 6 weeks. We have recently spent nearly the last 2 months with a house full of sickies. I'm sure loads of little things were sandwiched in there as well.

So needless to say, Paul and I have not always been on our "A" game over these 3 years. Lots of things in our life have seemed to spin out of control. The house cleaning, our relationship, the discipline of ourselves and our children, school has suffered to a degree as well and Paul's job has been a struggle. We are tired. I know there are people dealing with much worse but this is what has been on our plates.

2 weeks ago Paul was informed from his.....eh hum...boss that he will be returning to the center for 90 days. He has been working from home the past 6 years or so. This was devistating to our family. Paul being the only driver is a huge help to our family during the day. It would have been nice if his boss had had a small amount of compassion...but she didn't....not even in the least.

So we are taking these very sour lemons and making some delicous lemonade! We are creating a campaign around our house for "90 days to a better you, a better me and a better us" Either way we are going to go through these 90 days so why not make the most of them. Each person in our family (with the exception of Preston) has some areas that need improvemt. So that's what we are going to do and in 90 days we will be healthier. happier and a little more holy.

Deal or No Deal Salvation

Ok, so I am not one to get "preachy" on my blog but I really wanted to share something I was thinking about last night. We were watching "Deal or No Deal". It's always interesting to see how people go through the process of deciding how much to wager and how much are you willing to risk at a "chance" of getting the million $$$ case. Howie kept telling the contestant last night "This is going to change your life forever!" I am sure in many cases (no pun intended) it really does. You may walk away wondering what if or you may walk away with more money than you ever dreamed. But, it is all by chance.

Can you imgaine if salvation was the same way? What if it didn't matter how you lived your life. You could live like Mother Theresa or Ozzie Osbourne and at the end it would all come down to chance whether you enter in to Heaven. Can you see St. Peter standing there with all these cases. He would be cheering you on just like Howie. "Come on Heidi, do you want to open up one more case or do you think your case has salvation in it?"

God is amazing. He didn't leave that decision up to chance. He said very simply, no one comes into the kingdom unless through my son. Asking Jesus into your heart is your "case" into Heaven. You don't have to leave anything up to chance. You can ask Jeusu into your heart today and know that when your time on earth is done you will be Heaven bound. Now that IS life changing.

Hi!

Not a lot to report at the White House so thought I would just post a few pics. :) Have a great day!

Older than my older brother.....:(

So tomorrow I will embark on my 29th year of life. I have more in my life than I could ever imagined. I have tons and tons to be thankful for. But, this is one birthday that is harder for me than most. Tomorrow I will be older than my older brother. How I wish this was some crazy riddle with a silly answer but it's not. My brother who was 8 years older than me entered into the gates of Heaven at a very young age 28. I have often thought about him this year. Thinking about how I remember at 28.

Tomorrow I will surpass him in earthly age and it is just making me so sad. I really miss him so much. We had our ups and downs like any brother and sister. I dearly miss being Paul's little sister. Of course I will always be his little sister. I just miss having him here as my big brother.

I couldn't and wouldn't wish him back here. He is in a perfect body now and I can't even fathom how he must feel, I can only imagine.

Here is a video in memory of my biggest and bestest brother love your little sis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3LUc78vbDk