Our Big SURPRISE!!!!!

We surprised our girls with a trip to Universal Studios at the beginning of the month. Apparently, you can get amazing deals this time of year. Rick's parents kept Henry, Jack, and Sims for us. His dad did a lot of the heavy lifting for the week because he's retired and Rick's mom is a school teacher. We are so thankful for them and the way they love our kids.

We only told our parents and siblings about the trip because didn't want word to get out and ruin the surprise for the girls. They were watching TV early on Monday morning and a commercial for Universal came on. They were both talking about how much they wanted to go and at that exact moment, Rick told them to go look on the front porch. We had placed a stuffed owl outside with a letter saying they had been accepted to Hogwarts and that their term started that day! :) They were very confused and couldn't believe we were actually leaving right then! We had packed the car the night before so we told them to run and put their clothes on because we were leaving!! It was one of those moments I don't think I'll ever forget. It was so fun!!!

Miles came with us because I'm still nursing him but It worked out for the best because he helped us out on ALL of the rides!! We were able to do child swap which is a lot better than it is at Disney World. The entire group waits in line together (there were no lines and it was 79 degrees - perfect!) and then I'd ride the ride with the girls while Rick and Miles hung out at the front of the line. As soon as we finished, Rick and the girls got straight back on the ride (no waiting), while Miles and I hung out. They got to ride everything back-to-back! It was great. I highly recommend taking or borrowing a baby next time you go. :)

Here are some pictures:

Hogsmeade

Ollivanders

Hogwarts - best ride ever

Inside the Best ride ever

One fish Two fish ride!!

Made them have their pic made with Barney :)

The Hulk Ride - Fun!

I think I wore them out. :)

I'm so thankful we were able to go!

Why I haven't blogged in awhile...

....No, I am not pregnant. Although, can you blame me for wanting one more when I get to look at this face all day long????? :)

I think he really likes me.

Ok, moving on, even though I don't really want to.

I found this little ebook and have been working hard!

http://www.amazon.com/42-Days-to-Fit-ebook/dp/B00B4FRV6G

http://42daystofit.com/

It's called 42 Days to Fit, or as I like to call it, "How I Lost 12 lbs and 9.5 inches in 6 weeks."

It always takes me about 9-10 months to lose my baby weight (if I lose it all) and by then, I have always been pregnant. I have been pregnant or nursing for over 9 year now (minus 3 months in between a few kids.) I cannot tell you how much weight I have gained and lost having 6 babies in 8 years. 

I picked up some bad habits in those 9 years so I decided it was time to change those and see if I could actually lose my baby weight faster this time. 

I love this program because it's completely sustainable and not "crazy" like some of the plans that are popular right now. There are different food and exercise challenges for every week so you don't feel overwhelmed. 

When I started, I could only run 1 minute without stopping. On Wednesday, I ran 5 miles without stopping!!!! Did you hear me-I said 5 miles!!!!!!!!! That is crazy. I am not a runner and have NEVER been a runner.

I also was addicted to Diet Coke and during the 42 days, I had nothing to drink but water. I have kicked a lot of bad habits, added some good ones and I cannot tell you how much better I feel and how much energy I have. I don't need to take naps anymore during the day.

I can also fit back into most of my pre-pregnancy clothes and Miles is 3 months old. I have NEVER been able to do that before. I still am about 4 lbs away from my pre- Miles pregnancy weight but I know I've gained some muscle weight and like I said, my clothes fit! 

I weighed X before I was pregnant with Kate and (X+8) with Miles. I'm going to keep going with the plan and we'll see where I end up. 

I'm hoping Rick and I will run a 10K soon, but I do not know whether or not we'll do an actual race. I have a hard time spending money to run. :) We're going to run more hills and do speed drills now to help us decrease our time.

It's about to get hot so I'm getting a little nervous about running. :) I'll try and update with how everything is going at the end of the summer. 

I'll be back soon. Claire turned 7 last week and the girls have their ballet recital coming up soon. :)

Easter Pictures

Trying to get children ready and out the door on Sunday morning is hard.
Trying to get 6 children, one of whom is nursing, ready and out the door on Sunday morning is hard.
Trying to get 6 children, one of whom is nursing, ready and out the door when your husband is the pastor, on Sunday morning is hard.
Trying to get 6 children, one of whom is nursing, ready and out the door when your husband is the pastor, on Easter morning is well, you get the picture.

Because of this, I didn't even attempt an Easter morning picture. Instead, we got everyone dressed and took them to the park to take pictures on Saturday afternoon. It started raining as we were driving there but I still got a few good shots.

Sims - 21 months

Sims

Jack - 3

Jack

Miles - 12 weeks

Kate - 8

Claire - 7 next month

Henry - 5

More from Hilton Head

This is my favorite quote for the moment:

"Despite having eight children-which seems an enormous number in times like these-we have the impression that there are not too many of them! The house is big, the children develop normally, we parents are not too old, and so we endeavor not to spoil them, and to make their young years enjoyable" 

1909 Karl Bonhoeffer (father of Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

Miles Benjamin's Baptism

I can't really explain what it's like to watch your husband baptize your own child. It was one of the sweetest and best moments of my life. Rick has also always given our children a blessing at their baptism which is read aloud. Miles' contains the meaning of his name and the reason we chose it.

Miles,

Our God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.  It is our hope that He grants you eyes to see your sin and faith to trust His promise of forgiveness.

Your name Miles Benjamin, means “Merciful, son of my right hand”, and we pray this serves as a constant reminder to you that the mercy of God is found only in the Son who is sitting at the right hand of our Father in heaven.  May this mercy of God be your source of hope and peace and cause you to always listen to the truth while preparing you to give a reason for the hope that is within you.

Finally, Miles, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  Know always that we love you and will pray continually that you are able to stand through the power of Christ Alone.

Ephesians 6:10-19

Miles' Blessing

Baptism

Father and Son

The Whole Gang