Tough Week

Its been one of the toughest weeks Ive had in a long long time. Having my teeth pulled was the start although bearable. But pulling my back has been awful. I can honestly say that having a baby was easier than this. I found a chiropractor that would meet me in his office on Saturday. I was hoping he could pop me back into shape and my pain would be gone. Not the case. He took an X ray that showed very out of place hip bones. They were splayed outward. He tried to do some adjusting but I was to swollen for it to work. Over the next few weeks I should slowly get back into correct alignment. I am heading over to his office this morning for him to try and adjust me a little more. This should be great fun, as I have to take all the kiddos with me, and can still barely get around.


The week might have been easier if I had had some help. Luckily my friend Angela was here to help a little bit of the time. I have a hard time picking up the baby and cant bend over, so I really needed help. But for whatever reason my dh was really annoyed with me. I dont feel like he wants to be around us right now...and thats all I will say about it, as I am very hurt and could say way to much.


Today Ava is 3 months old and just a precious little girl. She smiles and laughs more than any of my other babies did. She sleeps through the night and has for a while. I just adore her so much. I am sucking in all the baby smell I can, as she will probably be our last :-(

Pray Please

I feel like I have been doing nothing but asking for prayer lately for my health.... Sigh. I have been up all night crying in severe pain. I wrenched my back yesterday and in the process pinched a nerve. I can not find a position that doesn't send shooting pains in all directions.

Rob had to go in to work today and I can hardly stand and sitting or lying down hurts worse. I am not sure how I am going to get through the day with the baby and little ones.

I need for this nerve to unpinch immediately. Please ask The Father for a healing touch for me today.

Things and Stuff

Well I made it through the dentist appointment. That had to be one of the most serial experiences of my life. I wont go into details but having your tooth pulled from your head is, well, strange. The dentist told me that I had the longest roots going into the strongest jaw bones he had ever seen in his dental career. So needless to say it was not real easy to get them out.

I didn't eat for two days due to the pain and bleeding, so by the third day I was starving. My neighbor saved my life with jello and chicken broth. ;-) The bleeding finally stopped today but if I let my ibuprofen ware of I feel like I have been hit in the face.

So as I am finally feeling like a human again today then.....I stand up from sitting on the floor with Eve while holding Ava and I hear a snapping sound in my back and pains shoot down my legs. Yep I had wrenched my back and re-pinched an old tail bone injury. So I am walking around like an old woman today. Uggg! I just want to feel better!

The chicks are two less. We built a chicken tractor and the weather has been nice enough that they can spend the days outside in it. Apparently Maverick knows how to coax them out and then proceeds to play with them, a little to hard.

Rob my hubby turns 37 this weekend, so we are having a cook out. I need to get the house in order and finish up a few things. I haven't planted anything in the garden yet, I need to get to that soon as well.

That about covers the goings on around here. Ava is fussy today so I am off to hold her some more.

Dentist Today ;-)

I am going to the dentist today. This is a visit a long time coming. I have tried in vain to have my teeth fixed for over 7 years. Yep, 7. I have had two broken teeth for over 4 years. Luckily as bad as it sounds I have strong teeth,so this hasn't been to painful, just distracting. The thing I am most happy about...OK more like ecstatic about is that I will finally be getting this infection out of my bloodstream.

I'm nervous about the procedure. I am having the last molar in all four corners removed, as well as half of a wisdom tooth that was not taken out all the way 10 years ago. I chose to have them removed as opposed to root canals, to lessen the amount of root canals I have to have. I needed 7 root canals. Yikes! 1 for each pregnancy. LOL After much research on RC I wanted to get as few as possible.

They wanted to put me under IV sedation, but after much discussion they have decided to allow me to do it with a local. Please pray that all goes well and that it is painless and quick, and that recovery is quick as well.

Blessings

Kid Comedy

Over at In a shoe you will find some funny kid comedy. Here is my contribution.

One of the questions/comments that a mother hears on a daily basis many, many times a day is "MOM, I'm thirsty" or MOM, I need a drink" or if you are my 22 month old you will say "Wheres my weeowww?" This is what she calls her drink, we still haven't figured out where it came from, but its cute. So when I hear this question/comment I dutifully go to the fridge and ask "milk or tea?" Which leads us to the kid comedy. Yesterday I was nursing my 9 week old and my four year old asks "MOM, did Ava ( 9 week old) want tea or milk? ROTFL

Chicken Licken

Well they are 10 days old today. Feathers are coming in and they love to try them out. They are experiencing the great outdoors for the first time today. I had an old raised garden bed that is perfect size for them. They are chasing little flying bugs around, their sight is impeccable. Maverick really wants to play with them, or eat them not sure which one....but he is behaving himself as long as someone is looking. I haven't introduced Franklin to them because I have a feeling they would become a snack, and he is to big for me to hold back.


I ordred 11 because that was the least I could order, I want 8 for layers and they sent me 13 so 5 of these little ladies will not be so lucky as I try my hand at dressing them for my freezer. I have learned quite a bit this first time around and am glad I didnt just go for the gusto and order my meat birds at the same time. I will write a post soon on what I have learned and tips for those who may also be wanting to raise their own backyard chickens.

Please Pray

Candy is having a major crisis. Please lift her up to our Comforting Father!

Two Precious Girls

Elise, one of the winners of my Spring Jumpers Giveaway has posted a picture of her little angle over on her blog. Thanks Elise!

I also was sent a picture of Jamies little sweety in her new dress, isn't she adorable! In the second picture she is dancing ;-)

Elise and Jamie, it was such a privilege to be able to make these dresses for you and your little ladies. Just seeing them smile while they are wearing them is so rewarding. Thank You!

I feel like....

.....I'm falling apart. These last 6 weeks have been trying. I have always been blessed with awesome health, easy pregnancies and a general sense of well being. Two weeks after this last pregnancy I have become weak in the joints of my left hand. Feels like arthritis. My Left shoulder and wrist aches and now I can not step on the ball of my left foot. I did some research last night and found that I must have Metatarsalgia in my foot.

I am discouraged to say the least. It is very difficult to do all that I have to do in a day on one foot. I have to sit on my hiney like a two year old and slide down the stairs.

I am sure that 7 pregnancies in 11 years has been draining on my body and I haven't always been very good at taking my vitamins and calcium. My concern is that I am only 31 and I do not want to ache for the rest of my life. So do you have any ideas? I am taking all suggestions. Are there any herbs that help with joints. I am taking Cod Liver Oil, HSO's and a multivitamin. As well as Raspberry tea, and my Mamas Tea is on its way. My diet is about 75% Nourishing Traditions. What else can I do?

Chicks

Our day old chicks came in on the 10th and we have been enjoying watching them peck and scratch and huddle together. They are so funny. I had them in my room the first night, but the heat lamp was bothering my hubby so I turned it off and they just threw a fit. Chirped so loud! I had to move them out of the room. Another side note about chickens is they grow really fast. I am about to have to split the chicks into two separate containers...sense it is to cold still to move them outside into there chicken tractor. ;-/ I am ready for warm weather.

Asking For Prayer

I have an absessed tooth that has the entire left side of my face swollen, and I am in great pain. I am heading to the dentist today at 1:30.

Summer Jumpers

Three more jumpers finished, two of which are heading to the post office today. ;-) If you are looking for modest, summer dresses please visit my store Sewing the Seams of Love. I am not putting many already made items in as of yet due to lack of time, but am taking custom made orders.

Until April 25th I will be holding a Spring Sale $4 dollars off regular price

Jumpers Sizes 1-6 $10.00

Jumpers Sizes 7-13 $12.00

(includes shipping to all US states, International shipping is extra)

I have many new Spring and Fourth of July fabrics, that are not on my fabrics page as of yet. So the catch to this sale is I will choose the fabric for you. Just let me know whether you want Spring or Fourth of July Jumpers. I promise they will be CUTE!

Order Here

My Baby Boy

Today, 4 years ago my precious Elijah Bryce was born. You have been unique while holding your own records in many categories of the Stucker clan. Your first record holding event was held on this very day in the year 2003. You came into this world in a big hurry. After about 30 minutes of my first contraction I was holding you in my arms. Needless to say you hold the title "fastest baby" You are the only delivery that your daddy ever missed and he was so upset that you didn't wait for him to get home! You also hold the record for "biggest baby" at a whopping 9 lbs, 22 inches. Must have been that fresh, clean mountain air. I was told that Babbie's in high altitudes are smaller....I think we proved that theory wrong. You are our only CO baby although we have made a solemn pact to never tell you you aren't a Texan. :-)

You also are my last son in a long line of sons. Oh how I just knew you were a girl...but you weren't. You were my precious 5th son. There is much about you that is precious to me. Your big brown eyes and sweet smile. Your kisses and cuddles. I love you very much my sweet little boy!

Mmm....Dandelions?

Did you know that the lowly dandelion is as nutritious as it is relentless. Bursting with more than 74 nutrients, the dandelion is high is vitamin C and is a good source of both calcium and iron. Just one cup of raw greens has five times more vitamin A than the same amount of broccoli. You can eat wild dandelions from your yard (pick at least 75 feet from the road side) but some people prefer the broader-leaved cultivated varieties, such as "Dandelion Ameliore"

Dandelions are perfect for gardeners eager for a quick payoff. Begin picking as soon as they sprout and continue to harvest the leaves only until 6 weeks after sowing to avoid bitterness. Once they have flowered, clip back to the soil surface, then gather the young greens that sprout. You can repeat this process all summer!

Who knew?

Kindness in the fabric store

I decided that I needed to go to JoAnns today. I love that store and could just walk around for hours, touching and gazing at all the lovely fabrics. The boys needless to say HATE going to JoAnns. In fact I would guess that they would much rather stay home and clean their room. So with all that to look forward to Rob and I loaded up the truck and drove the 45 minutes it takes to get there. I of course walked every isle and the boys loathed every isle. As we were checking out at the register an older lady said "I am so glad I got to see y'all today, what I bunch of good kiddos you have" I thought about her comment as we drove that long drive home. She was happy she got to see us.......? What does that mean? That means that we have the opportunity to bless others just by our presence. That was really big to me. As much grief as I get from others in my life regarding my families size....including complete strangers.....it is so uplifting to hear such kind words. That lovely old lady whom I met for only a minute....is a source of kindness that will keep me running this race.

Blue Bonnets yet again

So the Blue Bonnets are in full bloom right now, and I thought I would head on over and do our yearly pics in them. It seems after reviewing the ones I took, someone was having issues with the sun (I'll give you seven guesses;-) Yes, these are all the pics I took, and no, none of them are worth printing and mailing out to family. Perhaps I will feel like doing it again later on today. Uggh! The trick to good bluebonnet pictures and the thing that tips me over the edge during these sessions is getting the children into the center of the bluebonnets without crushing them. This takes a strong arm as I toss each child in. The good news is I stopped at Braums on the way home and got myself a Brownie Fudge Sundae...I should be feeling better in just a few bites.

Susannah Joy Memorial

Nathan Maxwell put together a wonderful slideshow of Susannah's short and touching life!

My you Be Blessed!

http://www.mayyoubeblessedmovie.com/

A busy week

With spring and all its beauty brings work. We woke early today. Finished chores and school by 10:00am and went to work. The oldest two boys headed over to the neighbors yard to mow, it is about a half acre and they get it done in around two hours, switching off as they get tired. It really is neat to watch their team work. If one is on a hill and is having a hard time pushing the mower up, the other will run over and help get it to the top.

Seth my 3rd oldest and I along with all the little ones headed out to our backyard to turn over the dirt for the garden. The rains have made it much easier to turn the sod over which made me super thankful. Our plot this year will be about 20x8. Last year we did raised container gardening but I did not have good luck with that. I think it might be too hot here for that. We still have alot of prep work to get the garden ready to plant, but hopefully we will be ready by this weekend.

The chicks will arrive Monday. I cant wait! So we also need to get the chicken tractor finished, that will be pretty easy.

I have blueberry bushes to plant along our fence line in a section of the yard that is going to be our berry garden, with blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and whatever other berries I can get in there.

We also hope to get a few fruit trees in this spring. Lots to do!

Donna asked what pattern I use for the jumpers. I actually have taken ideas from about 3 different patterns and put them together to make what I wanted, which was basically a dress with no uncovered seams. In other words all the seams are enclosed in the bodice. But here are a few that you can use and are two of the ones that I pulled together to make my jumper.

See and Sew 4488

New Look 6850

Basic jumper patterns are a dime a dozen, so just look through your local fabric shop and you'll find something you like. I realized after sewing for a few months and buying way to many patterns that they are alot alike. You have your bodice, lining and your skirt. Then you just have to tweak it to make it what you want.

The Winners Are......

.........Elise and Jamie! Alright gals let me know the size dress you need and the address you would like it sent to, then watch for it in the next 14 days. ;-)
email me at audreys5boys@sbcglobal.net

I am wanting to hold a contest once a month...so if time allows that will be the plan. I would love to bless others, not that I am talented and have great dresses...but simply to give. So look for this again at the first of next month!

Have a blessed Sunday! I get to go visit my dad and he gets to meet his new grand daughter today. I cant wait!