Attempting the impossible...

Do you know the likelihood of six people looking decent in one picture? (and it wasn't always the kids' fault!)We were seriously lucky to get one where everyone was looking... (we really do have happy children!)

Most... looked like this! :)

(Thanks Phil and Sarah, for being SO patient with us!)

Merry Christmas, from our crazy family to yours.

Up on the Housetop...

... I would have taken reindeer, trust me. But they would have slid right off in the ice storm, and then they wouldn't have been able to eat the magic oats with glitter that Jack made for them in his class at school. For as sharp as that kid is, I can't believe that HE believes, still. I hope he doesn't read this. I digress.

So, at 4:30am yesterday morning we wake up to this tree falling into our yard. The neighbor's light flips on at the same time ours does, because it was that loud. It was still dark out so it was hard to see how much had fallen, but we were pleased that it missed the house, barely. Tyler decides to go ahead and get ready for work, anticipating a longer-than-normal commute. A little after 5am, the real monster hits with a huge crash, right on top of our roof. I ran to get the boys from their bedrooms, not knowing exactly where it hit. Ends up it landed on the third bay of the garage, puncturing through the attic and our upstairs bathroom. We have some roof, siding, trim, attic, ceiling, drywall, moisture issues, but in a very contained area.

The contractor came out today and temporarily patched the holes until our insurance guy comes out on Monday. We have fans and dehumidifiers going making our bathroom off limits, but the boys are thrilled about that since that means they get to take a bubble bath downstairs every night until it gets fixed! And I'm trying to not get too excited that they might have to paint my whole bathroom... that'd be a major bonus, since it's been needing a fresh coat for quite some time. Overall, we're some pretty thankful people. The top corner of the house behind the bathroom is Chase's room. I can live without my bathroom for a few days after all.

The Tree... a picture story by the Daugherty boys

"Yes, Whitney, I know you want to go get a tree. You've told me about a million times, but you're not breaking my 'Absolutely no Christmas decorating until after Thanksgiving' rule. I know it's only 19 days until Christmas, but I'm the practical one here, and we don't want the tree to die before the actual day. Anyway, I can't stay awake long enough to even think about it." - Tyler, slightly paraphrased, after working the overnight shift for seven nights straight.

"Do we have to get a tree, or can we just ride this thing all day?" "It's just me, Chase. And I'm really, really cold. But if you tell me to smile, I'll try really hard." "It's so cold, I hope that it'll never be cold ever, ever again. Ever." - Trey, showing off the five teeth he skillfully shifted in a sledding collision the week before. "When are we gonna get off of this thing?" - real words from Jack

"Dad says this is THE one, but it looks just like all of the other ones if you ask me. Either way I'm relieved. Did I mention that I'm really cold?"

"My favorite part was the grill. Not the tree, not the experience. The grill." - Trey, warming his hands, and getting his coat really stinky by the fire.

"Hey, isn't this the spot where my Mom peed her pants that one year? Nevermind that she was pregnant and Daddy was taking way too long looking for the perfect tree, and she was racing us in between the tree rows to pass the time. We'd be in trouble if we peed our pants. Hey guys, let's never let her forget that story, ok?"

"Hey, would you mind taking a picture of our family, fast? It's really cold out here." - Whitney, all smiles after coming out of the warm van with Tess for approximately 2 minutes to get a family picture, and right after reminding Tyler that it was a whole lot warmer right around Thanksgiving.

Tis the Season...

If you're like me, you can remember J.C. Penney catalogs. What fun it was to flip through that huge book over and over again this time of year, dreaming of what Santa might bring for Christmas. After much admiration, page corners were turned down, and wished for items were carefully and deliberately circled and initialed by all the kids in the house. If it weren't for the Internet and the environment, I'd probably still be pouring through that thing.

Well, apparently my boys don't need catalogs. One morning before school last week, they sat at the breakfast table (self-initiated) and deliberated for a long and hard while. They whispered back and forth to each other while Jack wrote as quickly as he could. I thought they were coloring and went about my business. They finished their breakfast and headed to the bus stop and off to school. As I cleared the table later that morning, I found this: You should know by now that I don't make this stuff up. I'm going to have to laminate this or something.

Not that the season's focus should be all about presents, but I'm all for getting something cool for my kids for Christmas. My parents did it. I finally got my dream come true in junior high I think it was... the 13 inch black and white TV. Oh, you got one too (but the real question is, did yours go to college with you?)? Then there was the year that I got everything Smurf. Don't ask.

Anyway, I think these two might be a bit disappointed this year from the looks of this list. We'll have to see what Santa comes up with.

Thankful

Oh yeah, I remember. I have a blog. I might have temporarily forgotten due to this sweet looking two year old (AKA Peter Pan). He is either recovering from ear pain or not recovering from a massive case of "I want my Mommy every minute of my awake life." Time will soon tell because the second set of ear tubes put in last Wednesday should fix the first problem. He is cute though. I thought I would just tease you with this hair shot of Tess, but then you would be mad at me. So...

This girl's latest passion is jumping! And if anyone can get her going, it's Trey! Every kid in our family has jumped in this thing, but Tess just might have the most spunk yet (that's my girl). Makes her spit up every time... I'd like to think that's why they put that convenient little tray on there. :) It's worth it though. The entertainment value beats out the clean-up.

Trey about missed the school bus last week because he ran back home to get his "Vote to be Drug Free" button. He's proud of that button alright. And if you smoke a cigarette, he'll tell you that it's not healthy, but "that's your choice." The kid has opinions about things.

Tess is really into her toys and her hands lately. Oh, and my chin, which gets chewed on constantly! No teeth yet, but I think we might be close! Her eyes cross a lot trying to focus in on things, which the boys think is hilarious.

The only one missing here is Jack, who left - without his Momma - for Florida yesterday. He is spending a week with Grandma and Grandpa Fincher at Disney World, and from the sounds of our conversation tonight, he is not missing me one bit! There is a different dynamic in the house without him. Oh, there is still a lot of noise from the three that are left, but definitely less intellectual conversation to keep me on my toes. Now Trey and I talk, but we talk about things like Guitar Hero and his imaginary brother Sam at his green house. Chase's voice goes nonstop, calling my name, quoting lines from Inspector Gadget, and singing "I don't wanna gain the whole world and lose my soul..." But if Jack were here today, he would have been quizzing me on past presidents of the United States or something. I should be thankful for the down time to study up, I guess. :) And thankful that he is having the time of his life.

Speaking of thankful....I am. Off the top of my head...

For my furnace that got fixed this week and for the reminder that I should be thankful that I have a furnace.

For clean laundry!

For my husband, who rocks in the kitchen and cooked, pretty much single-handed, an amazing Thanksgiving meal for eighteen people on Thursday.

For Tyler's job in this crazy economy.

For the Starbucks Non-fat Chai latte Tyler picked up for me on his way home from work today, because he heard how sick my voice sounded on the phone. Major points.

For four little people who remind me daily that life shouldn't really be that complicated, and who help me to take the focus off of me. Refreshing.

For a God who continues to pour out His grace and goodness in my life, in spite of my sinful self.

Oh, and for paper towel. I seriously could not live without this stuff. Shallow, I know.

What are you thankful for?

1 Chronicles 16:8 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

Oh, Halloween

No costume purchases this year. We would have enough dress-up clothes to last us until Halloween 2020, if they didn't grow, that is. So with all of the variety that we own, tell me why, oh why, did we end up with two Spidermen? That one sure does want to be just like his brothers.

The crazy Trick-or-Treaters, led by Dad the Viking (oh my). I have no words. (He actually wore this to work for an office party.)

I love this shot. The Viking pushing the stroller looks so natural.

SRS Post #5 - Goodbye Summer

So, Tyler was off for Labor Day and I could feel the summer creeping to an end (who knew we'd have 75 degree days in November?!). Summer goals were still hanging in the balance. But moral was high and there was one last hope for the bike riding. So our day went something like this:

Step 1: Set up the Spidey Slip-N-Slide to entertain the two year old.

(yeah, he's got the web-spinning down)

Begin in the backyard on the advice of our friends. Fewer injuries that way. But it was still a lot of hard work and not without some tears.

Trey takes off with a push from Dad!

Tess takes in bike-riding lessons from the Baby Bjorn.

We finally practiced on the road, and had to strap this one in. Doesn't he look innocent?

"When my mom is distracted taking pictures and my dad is instructing, I like to drink pop!"

The gear looked really good, and the attitudes started off that way.

My theory: Jack would much rather read a book on the subject.

Well, my faithful readers :), the series must end, much to my sadness. Fall is here for sure, and seriously, we've rewound our summer long enough, don't you think? Seasons come and go, and we might as well embrace the one we're in, I say (literally and figuratively speaking). Don't fight it, people, because just like the presidential election, you're not going to change it.

Every good parent has to have goals for their kids, I've decided. And speaking of seasons, these goals must change with age and maturity. So to keep things within our limited reach this summer, I came up with a few goals to work on with the boys. They had to be kid friendly for sure. Small kid friendly. And because I like success more than failure, they had to be somewhat achievable as well! So my list went something like this:

Potty train Chase.

Teach Jack and Trey how to tie their shoes.

Practice reading with Trey.

Progress Jack and Trey to strong swimmers by summer's end.

Teach Jack and Trey how to ride a bike.

Oh, and have a baby.

Easy enough, right? Well, first of all, poor Trey. Trey is 16 months younger than Jack, and to say that he gets lumped into Jack-sized expectations is an understatement. It happens often, though, and usually he is up for the challenge. So, with some work Trey can now read his Dick and Jane book and they both got bumped up two levels in swimming before the second day of lessons was over. Check and check. Chase miraculously potty trained himself in what I thought was a pretty poor choice of timing on his part... right after Tess was born. But, what a champ! This kid holds the record so far for the fastest potty training ever in our house! Within a week of beginning training, we were done with Pull-Ups completely and he's been dry ever since. No accidents, and he even wears underwear overnight. Triple check. And that baby? Uh, Check. :)

That leaves us with shoes and bike riding. Oh dear. Well, all I have to say for the shoe tying is one word: Crocs. They never left their feet all summer. They can put them on themselves. I had a newborn. I'm a slacker. Move shoe tying to my winter goal please.

In case you've forgotten, Jack is seven and Trey is almost 6. Yes, I know. Lots of kids have been riding bikes for years at these ages. Hmm. There are definitely great reasons why they've not learned to ride a bike before now, but it's still a bit embarrassing, I'll admit. Our driveway is crazy steep. No way any bike riding is happening there, although it makes for some great snow sledding with adult supervision. You can ride circles in the garage, but seriously, who is ever going to learn that way? Our subdivision has no sidewalks, and our house is right on the curve where it's difficult to see traffic coming. Does it count that I'm always holding a small child?

Well, we're half-way there on the bike riding, and you might be surprised who got it and who still has some work to do. Good thing there's always next summer. How much longer?

The Boilers Win....The Boilers Win!!!!!!!

I knew it could work! I don't want Chase to take all the credit....the coaches did have a couple of great play calls in the last quarter. But the Boilers broke the losing streak today! I decided rooting for Purdue wasn't enough -- it was time to dress Chase for the game....and if need be, send him in as quarterback! It was a thrilling victory. Sorry the streak is over, Michigan, but if someone was going to end it for you, I'm glad the Boilers could do it! Hail Purdue!!!!

The Look-a-Likes

God is a Giver, even in the seemingly unimportant details of life. One of the fun things about having just one more baby is finding out what he or she will look like. Now just so you know, we have never found out the gender of our babies during pregnancy. Call us old-fashioned, call us disciplined, or call us too shallow because we might start forming expectations in our heads of what the baby will be like before it actually appears. The truth is, we've never regretted waiting (although Tess's seven ultrasounds tempted us big time)...what excitement every time!

At around 20 weeks into Tess's pregnancy I experienced some placenta issues that left us praying hard for a healthy baby. And in the mix of those prayers, I thought I would go ahead and throw in a few frivolous requests while I was at it, just for kicks. In a spontaneous and selfish moment, I prayed for a baby that would look like Trey. It sounds silly, I know. And extremely unimportant during an uncertain time in the pregnancy. But as a Mom, you're tuned in to these things. Jack and Chase are my blondies, similar in looks and in personality. They hear it from people all the time. Trey is the middle child, and often marches to the beat of his own drum. Trey is unique and special in so many ways, but I get the feeling that he feels left out sometimes. And being a middle child myself (though not warped by the status!), I sort of sympathize. So I make sure to tell God that I understand if it doesn't work out, but wouldn't it be neat if Trey could hear someone say, "Oh Trey, that baby looks just like you!".

After we found out we were expecting our fourth baby, we would constantly get the comment, "Oh, I bet you're hoping for a girl this time." It's funny what people assume. Never considering a girl a possibility (and being perfectly content with boys), we would laugh and say we didn't need a girl since Trey filled that role already with his sensitivity and drama. Now it's hard to tell what Tess's personality will be just quite yet, but I love it that she's a girl and that she looks just like Trey. I wonder what the Lord might have in store for their relationship. Trey is certainly not above tea parties, in a manly sort of way, that is. God cares about the little things we moms ponder, I'm convinced.

SRS Post #4 - The Fair Tradition

We can't rewind our summer without including one of the boys' favorite gigs - the local 4-H Fair! This certainly has become a family tradition of ours - one that gets better every year. Where else can you sweat like crazy, eat really greasy foot long corn dogs, get super sticky on a bag full of cotton candy, smear your shoes with a lot of who-knows-what in the barns (wait, I think I know what), ride rides that you think you don't want to but end up having a blast on, and run into lots of your friends - all in a matter of a couple of hours?! Oh yeah, definitely worth the belly aches and round of baths when all is said and done!

I love this picture from the 2005 fair... Trey's face is so precious and sweaty! I look at this and am reminded that those sweet summers while they're little are going by way too fast.

Onto this year's fair, with our good friend Bjorn. Bjorn is our Small Group babysitter on Monday nights (although our family is currently on break to allow Tess to get into a more set schedule in the evenings). While we study downstairs in our home, Bjorn by some miracle of God quietly entertains the boys upstairs for two whole hours in one room! He helps our family in so many ways, and we are blessed by the wonderful role model he is to our boys. I love remembering the time we were eating supper before bible study and Bjorn told Trey to stop slurping his spaghetti and to eat "respectfully." So full of impact coming from a 13 year old cool guy instead of his mom (again). So when we need an extra hand, often Bjorn tags along... on the Avalanche, and beyond!

I can't believe Chase rode this roller coaster! He does things the older two never did at two years old, all in an effort to keep up with the big boys.

Tess was two weeks old at this year's fair, and it was nice to get out of the house as a family. In an incredible act of timing (which had to have been of God!), the hospital passed a paternity benefit just days before Tess's due date. The benefit was supposed to take effect on July 1, but Human Resources called Tyler personally to let him know that he would be included in the benefit even though I was due mid-June. How amazing is that? The best part of the whole thing was finding out that Tyler was eligible for four weeks of time off! He would receive half-pay with the benefit, and could use vacation time for the other half. You'd better believe that we took it!

These last two pictures are my favorites. Jack and Trey are often on the lookout for Chase, and are usually quick to lend him a hand. Just this past week I was feeding Tess when Chase woke up for the day, and Trey managed to figure out how to get Chase out of his crib all by himself! At first Chase was a bit hesitant and wanted me to get him, but Trey put it to him and told him that he "had a choice" (hmm...I think I know where he got that phrase!). Trey would turn the lights out and close the door so Chase could go back to sleep, or Chase could let Trey pull him out right then ("Mama is busy Chase, so you have to let me help you," said Trey in his best parental voice! I'm hearing all of this through the monitor while I'm "stuck" downstairs). It's probably a good thing that I didn't witness the process. All I know is that it involved a step stool and a lot of pulling. The two giggled all the way down the stairs and ran to tell me all about it.

Too bad the fair only comes once a year, but maybe that's how it stays interesting enough to keep holding our attention! And seriously, a person shouldn't eat one of those corn dogs more often than that anyway. And what do you know, the weather still feels like summer around here! So we'll keep rewinding for just a little bit longer...

SRS Post #3 - Boy oh Boy, It's a Girl!

I know it's officially Fall, but we're still Rewinding Our Summer around here (you thought I forgot, didn't you?)! There were two weeks of swimming lessons and a week of VBS to make June go by a bit faster while we waited for my June 20th due date. I entertained Chase on the sidelines (and tried to explain that he would be old enough next year to "go with the boys, please Mama" ) while Jack and Trey moved up the ranks into full-fledged swimmers this year! I never did get a picture at the pool. I was lucky enough to keep track of an insistent Chase and Trey's ear plugs.

If you're a guy reading this, what came next is a baby girl. Her name is Tess and she burps like her daddy.

If you're a girl and you enjoy a good labor story like the rest of us, read on!

It's VBS week and I'm feeling a little guilty for not helping since the baby hasn't come yet and I'm still feeling so good. Each morning that I show up at church with the boys, half a dozen people come up to me and say, "What are you still doing here?!" I'm starting to wonder the same thing, since it's Wednesday and now five days past my due date. I mention something to one of the girls like, "I think I might have had a couple of contractions this morning, but I'm sure it's nothing." Because God is good, they offer to take Chase for the morning to give me a break (who doesn't technically qualify for VBS until he's 3), and I finally agree.

Tyler leaves work and meets me at my doctor appointment that morning, where we find out that I've really not progressed at all from the week before. Are you kidding me? Five days past my due date and going nowhere. Now that's depressing. And I'm thinking that Tyler is way more depressed than me. The truth is that Tyler wants this baby out NOW. A week ago actually. He's a planner, you know, especially when it comes to babies.

We get three options from the doctor: induce, wait it out, or have a non-stress test in two days to make sure the baby is still looking good. Tyler votes to induce, I vote to wait, and so we both walk out frustrated with a non-stress-test-compromise scheduled for Friday. Now to be fair, Tyler's desire to induce stemmed out of genuine concern for a lot of things: childcare for the boys, health for the baby, predictability for all involved (especially for me and the epidural I missed last time!), and the certainty that he wouldn't deliver our fourth baby in our driveway (Chase came 30 minutes after we arrived at the hospital). Oh, and nevermind that his mind officially checked out of work five days prior. He should have been on vacation by now, you know.

Now we're standing in the OB parking lot getting ready to go our separate ways: Tyler back to work, and me to the church to pick up the boys. Tyler really can't understand why I wouldn't want to induce, and I say something about God's timing and my body doing it's thing. It's rare that Tyler and I don't agree on something, so this is really starting to get to me. After a way too emotional discussion (argument is such a strong word, isn't it?!), I say that I'll call the office that afternoon to schedule an induction. I might have even said "...if it will make you happy," but don't quote me on that. :)

I pick up the boys at noon, and have to stop mid-sentence while I'm saying goodbye to a friend. I tell her that I think I might have just had a contraction. Sure enough, what seem to be decent contractions come closer and closer together the whole drive home (which ends up taking 45 minutes instead of the normal 15 since I65 is closed due to an accident and I have to backtrack through town!). Trey gave the play-by-play the whole way home ("She's havin' a cramp guys.... oh, man, she's havin' another one..."), and if I wouldn't have been driving and in labor, I would have wrung his sweet little neck.

We finally make it home by 1pm and I whip up some mac and cheese for the boys for lunch. They're starving don't you know, and I'm in major denial. I begin to write down the times on the contractions since they seem pretty frequent (and since I had to stop twice to breathe while scooping out the pasta). Everyone gets their food and I see that I have a new message on voicemail. I push play to hear Tyler's sweet voice, saying he's sorry for our conversation earlier, and please don't schedule the induction. Today will be his last day of work, and we can wait for the baby together. I laugh out loud, realizing that the last two contractions were only four minutes apart. Yeah, I'd better return his call.

Tyler heads home, calling the babysitter on his way. Her ETA is 30 minutes, but remember that little detail about Tyler not wanting to deliver our baby at home? He's not one to mess around. Before I know it, our sweet neighbor friend is in my kitchen with her two kids, ready to fill in until the babysitter can get there. I'm trying to get Chase to eat his last few bites of lunch, and Tyler tells me that - really - Nikki can finish the job. He won't eat for her, though, I think to myself, and then he'll be hungry. Tyler insists that we need to go NOW, so I reluctantly put down the fork, kiss my boys and head out the door.

Somewhere between our house and the hospital contractions get to be two minutes apart, and I remember praying to God for them to slow down. I also remember praying specifically for my attitude since I was sure I wouldn't get there in time for the epidural. I was not myself the last time that happened. Maybe if I could just prepare myself mentally this time around, then Tyler wouldn't have to hyperventilate from all the chaos.

You sure are a trooper if you've read to this point. This is really the end of the story guys...er, I mean ladies.

After 15 minutes in a room by ourselves, Tyler speaks his mind at the nurse's station to let them know that this baby is coming fast. No one is available but the OB Director of Nursing, so she helps to deliver Tess in her dress clothes about 30 minutes later (2:53pm... and the boys got out of VBS at noon!). And wonder of all wonders, my doctor arrived in time, and so did my epidural. Is the Lord good or what?

Her name is Tess Elena (Elena after Tyler's Meemaw Elene), and what a surprise it was when the doctor said she was a girl! In three short months she's already softened up every single one of these boys. How about that for a way to spend your summer? I'll take her over Disney World any day...