Chad's Trip to Turkey

A few months ago Chad was asked to travel to Turkey for work. When he asked if that would be ok if he went, I said YES without hesitation. When will he ever be able to travel to Turkey again and have it completely paid for? I told him that he did need to bring me back something of course. So after all the paperwork was completed and he got his government issued passport and a few immunizations and a lesson or two on safety outside the US, he was on his way. I was a little worried about him leaving for a week so close to the end of my pregnancy, I was 34 weeks along, but all turned out well. It was good because We were able to talk a lot on the phone and skype and email. It was so weird for me to think that when I was going to bed, he was waking up for the day. He was tired after a 36 hour flight day on the way over there, but he didn't suffer from much jet-lag. He enjoyed some tasty new food, mostly lamb, and he took in the sights. He had a great time. But we were so so SO excited to have him back home.

On the way to Turkey they had a 13 hour layover in Belgium...So he did what I would've done and he went and got a waffle with strawberries and chocolate and whipped cream.

The view from his hotel room

Look at all of that fresh fruit

They went to this park that had a huge pirate ship

and the disney castle

Chad's plane landed at 9:00. I really wanted to be at the airport to greet him and drive him home since he was so tired from flying all day. I got the kiddos in their jammies and we made a sign and we headed to the airport. We stopped and picked up Jim and Kathy on our way so they could drive Chad's car home.

Waiting for Chad to get off the plane. We were hiding so we could jump out and surprise him.

He ended up seeing Trev and surprised us instead.

Everyone was so happy to have him home

While Daddy's Away, The Girls Will Play

While Chad was gone for a week in Turkey, the girls wanted makeup on. So I made one night a makeover night. We got out all of our makeup and got started. The girls loved it. They were so excited to get all done up and feel like big girls. They wanted to do a makeover every night after that as well but I had to put my foot down. I don't want them growing up too fast.

Pretty Paityn

Ravishing Riley

Cute Cami

Trev the Digger

Our little Trev man loves to work. If there are weeds to be pulled, lawn to be mowed or in this case a huge hole to be dug, he is your man!! We are getting ready to pour cement and mount our awesome new basketball hoop. Chad needed to dig a 4 foot deep hole so he enlisted Trev to get down in it and scoop out the dirt. Trev jumped in without hesitation and was so proud to be able to be the one in the hole. He couldn't have been happier.

A Little Bit of Bed Head

This is how Paityn wakes up almost every morning. We don't know exactly how she does it, but she wakes up with the most horrible bed head. Tangles all over. Hair going in every direction. It's crazy. She is a rough sleeper I guess. See for yourself!

My Cute Kiddos

I am one lucky mom. I mean look at those cute kiddos in that picture. Could it get any cuter? I don't think so. I took this picture on Sunday so that I can give one to my mom and Chad's mom for Mother's Day. I am so excited with the way it turned out. I am so blessed to be a mom and to have such amazing kids. Happy Mother's Day to me.

Just An Update

I thought I'd better write down some of my current thoughts and things that are going on with this pregnancy so I can look back and remember why I hate the end of pregnancy. I am an impatient person as is. Then when you throw complete discomfort and lack of sleep caused by that discomfort, it makes me really hate the end of pregnancy. I have been having a lot of back pain with this one. Lower back pain and sciatic pain. No matter what I do, I feel it and it's driving me crazy. I am 32 weeks and I'm wondering just how much longer I can handle this. Some days are good though. I can waddle properly and my legs don't feel completely weak. Getting comfortable in bed is the hardest. It hurts to roll over or to get out of bed. Once I get into a position, I just have to stay there for as long as I can, then muster all the strength that I have and try to roll over. I wake up a lot at night with my shoulders and hips burning. I guess that's what happens with your fifth baby and being older with each pregnancy. It's not all bad though. I feel like I'm complaining. Which maybe I am, but I do love being pregnant too. I love feeling the little movements. I love feeling the baby get hic-ups. I love watching the kids get so excited when they are able to see her or feel her moving. I love thinking about this new little person that I am growing inside of me. Trying to be patient is the hard part. I wan to know when she'll be here. I want to know what she'll look like. Will she have red hair? Will she have any hair? How big will she be? When will she decide to come? Will she be ok? I know everything will turn out great and I am so excited to bring this little soul into the world. Patience is the key right now. Hopefully I'll find some extra patience laying around somewhere soon.

This picture was taken in march, somewhere around week 24