Happy Thanksgiving????

I am so, so bummed.  I LOVE Thanksgiving and this year is looking to be epic....only not in a good way.  We have been experiencing the worst round of the stomach flu that I have ever seen.  It started with Asher on Sunday evening.  He was up the entire night and the next morning/afternoon puking his poor little guts out.  High fever, body aches, diarrhea, etc.  He stayed home from school.  I spent most of the day washing bedding, carpet, floors, toilets, clothes, etc. I thought it would end there but, that proved to be wishful thinking.  Tuesday, mid-morning, the school called and said Cullen was running a 101.7 temp and needed to be picked up.  Luckily, my mother saved the day and was able to pick him up and bring him home to me.  However, when she picked him up, he vomited all over the nurse's office, his coat, backpack, floor, etc.  They gave him a coat to borrow and sent him home.  He got here and continued to puke.  I can't keep tylenol or ibuprophen in then because the keep throwing it back up.  Nothing can be kept down.  Nothing.
 Later that day Eden started in too.  That poor girl didn't know what was happening to her and was so confused.  None of the vomit made it in the toilet.  While all this is going on, I have to go to the bathroom, bad.  Everytime I get in the bathroom someone needs to puke and we end up with big messes in the living room.  A couple of hours after Eden started, Liam started too and his was projectile!  He managed to get it E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E.!!!  It was all over the living room, that we had just finished cleaning up, then over the entire bathroom....walls, floors, shower curtain, shower, toilet, sink. I never did get to go to the bathroom until about an hour later. If it would have happened in a movie, I'm sure people would have been laughing but, it was the most disgusting, exhausting thing ever.
 I parked Liam and Cullen on the couch with garbage cans.  Asher in his bed, not puking anymore but, fever and body aches.  The big boys in their beds away from everyone else.  Eden then threw up all over her bed and we had to change everything there.  Liam and Cullen threw up the ENTIRE night.  I layed on one of the couches so I could be close to help them.  I slept from 11-12am, then not at all again until about 6am-7:30am.  Jeremy was helping out until he got it too about midnight.  He threw up about a million times.  I scrubbed the toilet and sink about a million times too.  Everyone is very lethargic and hot today.  I am hoping they all sleep tonight and that I don't get sick so I can cook a small Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.  I am so bummed to not spend it with more family and a HUGE meal.  What can you do though?  It's not their fault they are sick.  I feel so bad for them all.  And I feel bad for myself too because I can't keep up enough.  We ran out of paper towels, hand towels, wash clothes, big towels, clothes, blankets, pillow cases, etc.  Everyone was just using them way to fast.  I had to cover Cullen up with my bathrobe at one point, lol!  My house reeks of vomit and Lysol.  It is very festive, indeed.  Oh well, this shall pass.  I am just bummed that it had to happen on Thanksgiving.  We haven't slept in days.  I figure, that I can sleep when I am dead! 
I have been to Dollar General twice now to the tune of about $50 in 7-up, ginger ale, chicken noodle soup, tylenol, lysol, jello, gatorade, etc.  I am doing my best to keep them all hydrated but, boy oh boy, is it hard!
I did tell Jeremy though, that as soon as the holidays are over, we are finishing our garage off into a new dining room, laundry room, pantry./storage, and BATHROOM.  We cannot have nine people living here with only one bathroom.  It's impossible.  No one can say that we didn't try, haha! 
Right now, we are doing a movie marathon.  We are watching Cheaper By the Dozen and I am realizing that this is exactly the life I wanted.  Crazy, happy, chaos!! As horrible as it all sounds, these are the things that make us family and make us closer.  I wouldn't trade my huge family for anything in the whole world.  No job, house, vacations, money, anything.  THIS is what life is about and I am going to embrace it, even the bad, pukey parts, LOL! 

Jim Gaffigan: Mr. Universe - 4 KIDS

Okay, this is Jeremy and I's favorite comedian.  And he has four kids....this bit he does is HILARIOUS!!!  Now, imagine it with SIX....and one on the way!!! lol!!! good times!!

What's Happening Today

Today, I have got my cooking bone back!! I am in the mood for food and lots of it!!  I went to the doc again today and I have lost weight again.  Only a couple of pounds but, lost still.  Which is still really weird to me because I feel like I am eating a lot...or if not a lot, at least I am not paying too much attention to if it is fattening or not.  Weird. Dr. Jones was able to get the baby's heart rate today easy peasy, which is always a huge relief.  So, anyway, on the menu today is Chicken and stuffing in the crockpot, Cheesy Veggie Soup, and 7-Up Biscuits!  I may even make some dirt pudding for the kids since they love it!
Eden has been stuck on The Polar Express!  She is so cute when she watches it and repeats it all and even does the different voices!! lol!  And the songs and dances!  I think we may have to get the dance pad and game for the Wii so that she can dance her little brain out!! She is so much fun!! I'm trying to have a good positive day since people everywhere have pretty much been doing all they can do drive me bonkers for awhile now. 

The Mouse Trap

Oh my goodness!! Freaking out!!  We have been thinking that we had a mouse (or more) in the house because we heard it scratching around late at night and I heard little squeaks in one of the vents one day.  So, I was going to call Reliable pest solutions.  Then we thought we would try to catch one first to make sure that is what it really was and not a bird or something scratching around in the attic. We bought a few of those glue traps that also snaps down on the mouse.  The front of the packages says"Can kill instantly" because we don't want them to suffer, we just want them gone.  Well, I went upstairs to gather laundry from the bedrooms and just happened to think about checking one we had put behind our dresser.  I picked it up and it didn't feel any heavier but, the little notch thing said it had been sprung.  I tried looking in both ends but couldn't see anything, and the spring thing was flat so it had been sprung.  But, then.....THE DANG THING SQUEAKED IN MY HANDS!!! GAH!!!!!! I dropped it and ran downstairs to call Jeremy!!! I called him and he told me to throw it away but, I picked it up again and it SQUEAKED AGAIN!!!    BLEH!!  I don't know what to do!?!?!?  I still don't know if it is a mouse...although I assume.  I cannot see any part of the creature at all.  YUCK!  Just yuck.  I guess we need to call someone now.  This is fun stuff. 

The Dishwasher

Jeremy got our new dishwasher installed.  It works great!! The dishes are clean and shiny!  But, I guess since it is a high efficiency washer that means that each wash cycle takes three freaking hours!! What the what!?!?  For a family of eight, that is not high efficiency.  That is a huge waste of time!  I need it at least three time a day...fully loaded.  Yep, you heard me right.  Three times a day, at least.  Ugh.  Can't win.  Oh well, I guess I will still be doing dishes by hand sometimes it looks like. I am thankful to have it though.  It does take some of the load of hand washing off anyway.  And Jeremy was able to install it! woot!  Woot!  WE didn't have to call someone after all.  I can't wait to move to my new home and get a huge commercial dishwasher!  Ahhh, that will be wonderful.  But, I will wait patiently.  We are well on our way and I need to not rush things! 

Super Sunday

I have had the best day today with my family.  I wanted to see the everyone last night but, only Asher waited up for me. Jeremy had cleaned and reorganized our bedroom and had the whole house picked up (not easy when all the kids are actually in it!) and he had made M&M/chocolate chip cookies too!!  Smiles, snuggles, hugs, and kisses all around!  Eden must have grown up while I was away shopping and is talking up a storm and playing with her Cabbage Patch dolls so cutely!1 She is even putting diapers on them that are WAY too huge!! Baahahah!  Liam and Asher have been playing Minecraft with each other most of the day linked on two separate computers!  They have been working together and getting along SO GOOD!  Jeremy and I got to sit and watch a movie on the couch.  Now, he is shopping with the bigs to get groceries and to remind them to "keep the magic alive" with the littles this Christmas!  We had a small scare when my mom went to church and left Cedric at her house for us to pick him up.  We hadn't checked the weather and right after Jeremy left to go get him, I saw the weather flash on the screen and there was a BAD storm heading straight for them both!  I couldn't find my phone and Jeremy wasn't answering my facebook texts!  gah!  Finally found my phone, got ahold of Ced, and told him to go the basement.  Jeremy got to my mom's house shortly after that and they hunkered down there until it blew past.  And boy did it blow past!! So fast too! Whew!  Now, I'm going to make my favorite veggie lasagna for supper to have when Jeremy and the bigs get home.  And tonight is The Walking Dead!! YES! Sundays with my family are my absolute favorite!!! 

Gettin' Ready!

Yesterday, my husband made my day!!  He took me all the way to Peoria to have an elective early gender reveal ultrasound so that I would at least have a good idea what to look for when Christmas shopping with the girls!  LOL!  I know, I am a huge dork but, I can't help it!! I was made this way!!  We went to a place called Mommy Vision.  It was really great place.  It was very nice and the staff there was amazing!  And it was VERY reasonably priced! The ultrasound tech went ahead and called it and says that it is a girl!! woo-hoo!  I will be happy if this is true for Eden's sake!  Either way I am fine but, I have to say that it looked very similar to the way Eden looked at her very first ultrasound in Chicago. 
Today is uber busy getting ready for the big Kelley girl shopping trip!  There is so much to do!!  I am cleaning the house like a mad woman!  I am making a crock pot meal for Jeremy and the kids for this evening.  I have errands to run around town to the bank, post office, etc.  My Nauvoo kids get out of school early so I gotta run and get them and hopefully not let Eden nap on the way there....or the way back.  We have appointments for both vehicles are Carson's today too.  Pack, organize, make lists, etc!  I think I will pop some cookies in the oven for the fam while I am gone too. Also, supposed to go to Joanne's house to help her get her baby girl room ready for a few hours.  I went ot the car this morning and it won't start of course!! Jeremy is uber busy today since he took half the day off yesterday and can't come look at it.  We know it is the starter, we have one ordered.
Anyway, I am SO excited for our big shopping trip though!  We always have so much fun!  This year we are going to Peoria tonight and staying in a hotel so we can wake up early and shop, shop, shop!

In Everything Give Thanks #12

Now for #12-
I am thankful for my family, both immediate and extended.  In case you have noticed I am feeling emotional and loving today, lol!  But, for reals.  In all seriousness, my "little" family and my family on my side and Jeremy's side all mean the world to me.  I am not usually very good at showing or expressing certain emotions and I am certainly not good at putting things into words but, I will try.  Those around me accept me for who I am, flaws and all.  I mess up all the time.  I say stupid things and forget things and can't figure out which way is up sometimes but, through it all I get nothing but, love!  I need to apologize if have ever offended, hurt, judged, anyone.  I love you all and I can't imagine my life without any of you in it!  And you all know who you are......My mom and dad, all 11 of my brothers and sisters, my mother and father in law, my brother and sister in laws, and my million nieces and nephews!!!  What a lucky girl I am!! 

Asher's Lego Projects

 Still WAY behind on blog posts but it will all come in time!  It's how I operate apparently.  Asher got a couple of new sets of legos for his birthday (in August) and he and Cedric built them together.  He was pretty proud when he was done!  

In Everything Give Thanks #8,9,10,and 11

Well, I am way behind in my In Everything Give Thanks Posts so I think I may just stop them or combine them all.  Today and everyday I am thankful for my husband.  I know I have said it a million times and I will say it a million more that he is THE BEST husband in the world!!  My heart has been heavy the last few weeks with all kinds of terrible things that are happening to those I love.  It makes my heart hurt when people around me are hurting or suffering and there isn't much I can do to help.  It does however put my own problems into perspective....and that is why I am talking about my hubby!  I have friends who have husbands that are gone a lot for work.  It is what they have to do and they all understand that.  My one friend has her hubby gone for weeks and months at a time with the military.  And she is home with their little ones.  He misses a lot of big milestones.  But, it works for them on some level and not on other levels.  Jeremy and I were THIS CLOSE (imagine my fingers really, really close together) to him joining the military as an officer/pharmacist.  There were many perks but so many non-perks. At the time we felt pressured with financial problems to do it because it seemed our only way out.  Thank goodness we chose to open our own business instead....even though it has been one of the toughest things we have ever done!! lol!  I was talking to my friend the other day about it and she was saying that her husband will be able to retire in fifteen years but, doesn't know if he will or not but, that the time away now was worth it to know that they would have so much time together later.  I told her that I looked at completely differently.  WE ARE NOT GUARANTEED ANY TIME HERE ON EARTH.  I want my husband home while the kids are little.  I want him to experience their growing, learning, etc. WITH me.  Not twenty years from now when we both are old (if we live that long, that is) and our kids are gone with families of their own.
On another note I was at a Pampered Chef party the other night where the consultant there was talking about how when her husband retired from the railroad she thought she was going to kill him at first because he nearly drove her nuts, lol!  It was funny but, I didn't understand it.  They had been apart so much while he worked that they got used to not being together or didn't know what to do with themselves when they were together so much!?!? I don't know exactly what she meant as I am not her but, I do know that Jeremy and I seem to have a unique relationship amongst the married world.  Every day we get to see each other multiple times a day.  We have breakfast, lunch, and dinner together every day.  We know literally EVERYTHING about each other.  And when he leaves for work, he doesn't want to go and I beg him to stay, lol!!  And the thing is, I wouldn't have it any other way!  I LOVE being around him!!  We are soul mates and we will be together long after our kids are grown and have families of their own. 
I know this wouldn't work for many people.  It works for us though and keeps us happy and unified.  I remember when I was little my Dad worked for a trucking company.  He was not a trucker, he was the Director of Commerce, which meant he had to be on business trips A LOT.  I remember missing him terribly and then when he would get home after a week, I would run to the door when he came in screaming "DADDDDDYYYY" and I would attach myself to his leg!! BAhahaha!  He would always bring me a present too which was awesome!  But, what was even more awesome was when as a pre-teen, he retired from that job and started his own in-home business!  I loved having both my parents home all the time and available for my every whim!! :)  It was that type of home that I wanted for our kids when Jeremy and I got married.  And Jeremy, being the great man that he is, is doing his very best to make that happen.  He spoils me rotten and I love him for it!  I like to think that I spoil him too but, I will leave that for him to decide!! I love you Jeremy and I am thankful for all your love, hard work, dad skills, and every single breath you take!! MUAH!

Shutterfly Can Suck It

I am really, really annoyed.  I bought a Shutterfly photo print package on July 22, of this year, with the intent to buy prints of our family pictures we had done. The package I ordered was $60 some odd dollars and good until July 22 of 2015.  Everytime I would go to the site, I had a hell of a time figuring the whole thing out, would get annoyed, and just forget about it.  *side note* I had made photo books at Shutterfly before and was fairly confident that ordering prints would be easier and great quality.*  Well, last night I had Jeremy sit down with me to help pick out and order pictures....FINALLY.  It was so stupid.  One, I am annoyed that the person who took our pics left HUGE freaking copyrights (the name of her photography business) plastered all over my pictures.  She gave me a piece of paper with the rights to print or whatever so why did she feel the need to make the logos so damn big and in the way!?!?!?  I mean, I understand if you have a simple understated logo in the very corner but, the right in the middle covering half the picture!?!?  And two, stupid Shutterfly crops every single picture I have so that it looks completely dumb.  And when they are cropped the stupid logo is cut off in weird spots too which just add to the dumbness of it all.  I guess all the money I spent getting pics done and all the money I spent on the package is a complete waste.  I am super, super annoyed.  GAH!

On another note, I will be doing a senior pic session in 20 degree weather today.  I might freeze to death so wish me luck!!

Worrying

The Legal System is Wacked

This is so upsetting.
A quote from the article:
 The World Health Organization recommends that all babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months, then start eating solid foods, while continuing to nurse for at least two years. Jessica says she's not trying to keep Jasmine from her father, she just wants what's best for her daughter.

How can some judge take away a basic human right!?!??! Ugh!! And this goes above and beyond breastfeeding and into every single aspect of our lives!!  Makes me wanna move out of the country. 

The full article:
http://m.wfmz.com/Judge-orders-Northampton-Co-mother-to-stop-breastfeeding/-/15946050/22880612/-/1yrm3wz/-/index.html

In Everything Give Thanks #7

#7 Today I am forever grateful for this baby growing inside me.  We had known that there was a chance that I could get pregnant but, didn't take it quite as seriously as maybe we should have.  And we got pregnant.....rather miraculously I might add ;)...if you catch my drift.  I was okay but rather annoyed at the timing of it all.  It has been a hard thing to accept for me.  Just this last week I was coming around and starting to get excited.  Today I went to my regular doctor's appointment with Dr. Jones.  I lost weight, which I thought was weird, being so hungry and all.  And we tried to listen to the baby's heartbeat but, after a long time, couldn't hear one.  Dr. Jones said I could come back in a week and if there wasn't a heartbeat then, then we would go have an ultrasound.  Immediately my anxiety kicked in.  I told him that I am a worrier and he asked me if tomorrow would make me feel better.  I said yes and he accommodated. I think I really like him! :)  Then when scheduling at the desk, they asked me if I could come in today at 2:30! Yes!  So, I went home for an hour where Jeremy and I worried and fretted and prayed about the baby.  I felt horrible, like I had been mean to the baby or made it feel unwelcome.  I know, it's all probably in my head but, that is how I felt.  Jeremy had to stay home with Eden for the ultrasound.  She was sleeping (finally!) and in a cranky mood anyhow and we knew she wouldn't sit for the ultrasound in that state of mind.  Thankfully, Trisha offered to go with me to the ultrasound and got to Carthage uber quick!!  We had to wait for a bit to get in (with a full bladder--gah!!) but, pretty much as soon as the tech started the ultrasound she found the heartbeat at 160 beats per minute!!!  I had an immediate wave of relief go through my whole body!  I was fearing the worst, as I tend to do, and I am forever thankful that this was just a scare!!  I need to be thankful for every blessing that is sent my way even when it wasn't what I had planned.  I know that this baby is coming to us for a reason.  And this is just what I needed to make me see things from a different perspective!  We got to see the baby wiggle around a bit and see the heart beat too.  I'm glad that Trisha could be there with me either way.  I would have felt weird being there alone if something had been wrong.  So, long story but, I am not going to take things for granted.  I will appreciate what is sent to me and what I have.  Thank you to my Heavenly Father for letting this be a good thing for us!! 

So Tired

Oh my goodness, another all nighter with Eden and Cullen.  I feel like a crazy person.  And I have a doctor's appointment today and I'm pretty sure I am gonna look like I am hung over.  I really need some answers as to why this is happening.  I can't explain it.  There is no explanation for them waking up.  No one was awake or being loud or anything.  They just wake up, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and ready to go!  We need help.  I think I may need to make an appointment with the doctor or something.  I don't know.  I don't want to over-react but this has to stop.  It just has to.  Sometimes the little ones wake up the older ones but that does not explain why the littles are waking in the first place.   So confused. 

Hunger Games

I really want lots and lots of desserts and cheesy potatoes and beef roast(with all the fixin's) and enchiladas and a nice big root beer to top it all off.  Is that seriously too much to ask?!?!?!  I've never been more hungry in my life! Ever. 

But, speaking of the Hunger Games, Catching Fire comes out later this month and I am stoked!!  So are the boys!  We may have to have mother/son date nights! 

In Everything Give Thanks #6

#6 Today I am thankful for a big appetite and stretchy pants.

In Everything Give Thanks #4 and #5

#4- I am thankful that Asher was just playing hooky yesterday when he came home from school early!  I didn't want to see him sick.  Also thankful that he feels comfortable enough with me to tell me the truth! lol!

#5- Thankful for my friends and family that have let me practice my photography on them!  It is a pure joy for me!! And it has given me the confidence to do a little side business as well!  I can't wait to do more and earn some money at the same time! 

It Happened

I just had to go and be thankful for having kids that are healthy, didn't I?!?!  Sore throats, coughing, and headaches are the name of the game around here.  Of course I have been without danactive for a couple of weeks (every time I go to the store I forget it, doh!) and we trick or treated in the rain and cold two nights.  Oh my.  I was up the entire night last night.  Again.  I have had a really bad throbbing headache since Saturday morning.  Kept Cullen home from school today.  The school just called and is sending Asher home now too.  Tristan has it as well but is a trooper.  I guess them being sick every so often I can't complain about too much.  *sigh*  I just feel so bad for them all when they are sick and it sure is hard to cuddle or help them when I am sick too and they outnumber us!!  lol!  I think some home made chicken noodle soup is in order for supper tonight and a 7up chaser.

In Everything Give Thanks #2 and #3

#2-  I am thankful for the sounds of happy chaos in my home.  We are loud, rambunctious, playful, and crazy around here and the sounds of it all are superb!  I know that one day I am going to have a REALLY quiet home and I am betting it won't be as peaceful as I think it may be on some days. 

#3- I am grateful for our new backdoor thingy, that makes carrying kids, gear, and groceries in and out a breeze!! 

In Everything Give Thanks #1

This year I am going to do the countdown to Thanksgiving with being thankful for something every single day.  Starting today.  (I cannot believe it is November 1st!) Sooo, here we go!!

Today I am thankful for healthy children.  Just in general my kids are healthy little buggers that don't get sick all that often.  I attribute it to healthy living, giving my kids their probiotics (danactive, I swear by it), vitamins, and good genes!! lol!  I know that there are children out there that get sick frequently or even worse, they have diseases, or other health problems.  I need to remember how lucky I am to have six (soon to be seven) healthy, happy children!!  And I pray every day that it stays that way.  I am also thankful to have good doctors that help keep me and my family healthy.