Pros and Cons.....

I know you all have been checking your updates daily to see what is going on in our lives.  So, I have a few free minutes to fill you in, Pro vs. Con style!

Pro...the week has gone by really fast
Con...Dan has been in California since Tuesday
Pro...The kids have been really good
Con...Lanie did nothing but cry yesterday...I even took her back to the dr. to see if she still had an ear infection ( I had to pull the kids out of soccer practice yesterday cause she was so sad:(  )
Con... I had a thirty-one party booked for yesterday, but they cancelled it.
Pro.... my thirty-one party was cancelled for last night....good thing....Lanie needed me!
Pro....baby boy has been moving around a ton!  I LOVE feeling him moving around...even at 4 in the morning!
Con...I follow a blog daily of another mom....she just had a baby on Tuesday....she named her baby boy the exact same name we have picked out!
Pro...everyone that comments on her blog likes the name!
Pro...I remembered Gavin's snack all week for preschool!
Pro....I get to pick up Dan from the airport tonight!
Con....I get to pick him up at 1:00 in the morning!
Pro....I learned from a friend how to make something really cool yesterday!
Con...Now I am wanting to create and make things instead of do what I really should be doing!
Pro....Lanie slept until 5 a.m.
Con....Lanie's diaper exploded and now there are little pee gels all over my living room couch and floor.  (if you have ever had a diaper explode..you know what I am talking about!)
Con....I did a load of laundry yesterday and a pair of blue jeans "ran" and now the entire load of laundry turned blue...including some really cute Gymboree sets :(
Pro....I got a hand written letter from the CEO and president of Hanna Andersson in the mail yesterday....with a $100 gift card to use towards the kids Christmas dresses!
Pro...I have now entered into the 3rd trimester with baby boy!
Con.....Baby boy will be here in less than 3 months and we have no idea on what to do for a car for us all.
Pro...I have 6 beautiful healthy children.
Pro...I am having a 7th baby...I simply can't wait to cuddle and hold him...I think I may never put him down!
Pro....Molly and Sadie were so helpful last night and put everyone to bed while I had to tend to Lanie who was miserable
Con....I didn't get to say devotions or prayers with them
Pro....I almost have all our Christmas shopping done.
Con...the house needs a really good cleaning
Pro...I have a job that I can do at home that I am very thankful for.
Con....I hate that I have to work and be a Mom....very overwhelming at times...especially when the kids ask me how much longer I have to work.
Pro...The receptionist lady at the Dr. office yesterday asked me if I had any help....I told her no....she offered to help me or baby sit for me if I ever needed it.....what a sweet lady!
Pro....Lanie has left me alone for 15 minutes now....no crying and no crawling to find me...she may actually be playing with some toys!
Pro...the kids have a half day of school today.
Con...the kids have a half day of school today!

Ok...I must try to get something done (like clean up the pee gels all over my house) while the others are at school.  Overall, considering I have been single parenting for the week, things have gone rather smoothly.  I hate to say it...but without Dan here to interrupt our schedule, we have actually been more on top of things than when he is here.  But, we totally need him here to mess with us all!  That is what makes us "work"  and that is what makes our house a home and our family, fun!  In less than 16 hours we will have our daddy back and I will have my husband back.

Very Quick Weekend in Review....Where did the weekend go?

Friday night our family was asked to do a little "show" for a disabled and mentally handicapped group.  Say what you may about us....but I feel that it is very important to serve other people who are less fortunate than we are.  The kids were very excited to do this as well.  We were invited for a Potluck before hand and it was so amazing to see my children walking around and saying "hello" and shaking hands with people that had disabilities.  There was no staring or pointing...they seemed to accept them for who they were.  

 We brought props along for the songs that we sang.  "5 little snowman fat!" ( and Lanie who wanted to be a part of it as well!)

 " The Itsy Bitsy Spider".  Molly even invited the audience to sing along.  What music to my heart to hear the kids and the people in attendance all singing together!

 "Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden sun."  This is Gavin's favorite song he likes me to sing to him!

 " I'm a little tea pot"  The kids came up with all the motions by them selves.  I didn't even practice the songs with them.

 "the wheels on the bus."  This one had everyone singing.  We ended with Father Abraham!  Lanie crawled around the whole time and one of the residents kept trying to pick her up!  He was a funny guy!  When we left, Sadie said, " I really liked doing that Mommy, it made my heart happy."  Dan even got up and did Father Abraham with the kids.  We may not have it all together all the time....but to hear Sadie say what she did....made my heart happy.  It made me proud that someone would ask us to do this.  It made me happy that my kids were so willing to do this.  I made me so happy that they all did it without complaining and that they wanted to do it.  We have been asked to come back.  We also will be volunteering at a nursing home once a month and leading the residents in songs as well.  We will keep making other people's hearts happy as well as ours.  (If you want to join us ever....let us know....we would love to make your heart happy too!)



Okay....Saturday....we started the morning off with soccer games.  3 of them.  Molly lost:(  Sadie scored 3 goals, Abbie was an awesome defender, and Kenadie got hurt, but pulled it back together.  One of the other mom's commented on how good Kenadie was.  She totally took command over the entire field!

We came home, the kids napped and we got ready for Lanie's birthday party.

 She still wasn't feeling the best...she was better...but not 100%.  My sister-in-law, Angela made Dan a matching shirt to Lanie.  I couldn't get Lanie to look for the life of me.

 No smiles yet.   Too many people, too many things to look at, and too much to do!

 She didn't know really what she wanted.  She just wanted her mommy or daddy to hold her.

 Lanie had to check out Daddy's shirt.  30?  How come my shirt only says 1?

 The Axtman men took on a game of badminton.  We tried to play with the girls earlier, but it was so windy and they got very frustrated.

 Gavin LOVES his twin cousins.  At one point during the party he said," I just don't know who to play with, there are so many people that want to play with me."

 We rented a bouncy house for the party.  Not only did the little ones enjoy it...the big boys (including Dan)  had their fair share of fun in it as well!  Actually, I think they had the most fun in it.  I am not sure what they were doing, but there was a lot of laughing!

 All the great grandparents were able to make Lanie's party as well!  Dan's grandpa's got to chat with Lanie and Auntie Angela for a little bit!

 Gavin got a little chilly so he wanted to sport his new coat and hat.  I ordered each of the kids a hat to match their coat for this fall.  I can't wait to show you a picture of them all with their hats on....way cute!

 The badminton net doubled as a volley ball net as well.

 Uncle Brian kept Lanie company for quite some time.  He read her a book....but Uncle Brian likes to change the words.  Very strange book it sounded like.

 I was tired....I was pooped.....I really wanted to help Lanie with her gifts, but I had to sit and take a break.  So I was in charge of pictures again!  Lanie loved to look at the cards.  She even go the hang of opening boxes as well!

 Whoops.....that's not Lanie opening gifts.

 The kids were more than happy to help Lanie.  She got some new clothes, pillow pets, and a high chair to put her new baby in.  (oh and some money....she was able to buy herself her 1st shoes with her birthday money!)

 As the night went on, she was getting sleepy.  She wasn't too sure about the birthday singing thing...or the cake.

 Actually, she wasn't a fan of the cake at all.  She didn't like the frosting on her.  She ended up taking a sink bath.  Oma gave her a very long nice bath.  Oma and Nana Luci (angela's mom)  took the kids for a sleep over after the party.  They were having a build a bear party on Sunday morning.  The kids were so excited to go!  Dan and I were down to only 1.  It made us remember what it was like to just have Molly.  We over slept Sunday morning and had to rush to 9:00 church.  I worked in the nursery with Lanie and Dan got to sit in church alone.  We got some lunch and did some errands....all with only Lanie.  A very weird feeling!


We picked the kids up from my Mom's around 2:30 ish.  They were  way cranky and over tired.  Gavin slept all the way home and then came home and slept some more on the ground....in his spider man costume!

Thanks Mom and Nana for taking the kids and making them feel special.  I think I heard them say they wanted to do this at least once a month from now on.  Right?

I may be scarce this week.  Super busy and a lot going on.  Will post pictures when I can.  Soccer, pot lucks, special days, half days of school.  Oh and I am in need of babysitters.....anyone?

Have a great week!  Go make someone's heart happy!

Just in case you were wondering....

I don't ask for much.  I only ask for help when I really need it.  I don't expect anyone to feel bad for me because I have 6 children.  I don't think I am any better of a person because I have 6 children.  I am a mom...which is the HARDEST job on the face of this planet.  In case you were wondering what a day in the life of "susan" is like.....here you go.

I woke up this morning at 6:30, before anyone else got up.  I got Lanie's birthday gifts together and all ready for her when she woke up.  I jumped in the shower, applied some foundation and headed downstairs.  I got the kids their breakfast and kept all of them on track for getting ready for school.  I cleaned up breakfast, put dishes away, put dirty laundry away, and wiped down counters.  Then, I did hair, checked homework, and made sure the kids had what they needed for school.  We gave Lanie her birthday gifts, watched her play for a few minutes and headed out the door for school.  Oh, I forgot...I also got everything together for a teacher's birthday party me and some other room moms were giving to Abbie's teacher later in the day.  I drove them to school and walked each of them to their classroom.  I had to do a quick interview with Abbie's teacher for her party.  I headed back home with Lanie and Gavin.  I finished getting the teacher's special treat ready for tomorrow, swept the kitchen floor, got Gavin 20 snacks, and dealt with a very crabby birthday girl.  I placed a thirty-one order, balanced the check book, downloaded pictures, cleaned up the living room, played cars with Gavin, loaded the dishwasher, wiped down the counters again, started Lanie's birthday blog, and then headed back to pick up Kenadie from school.  I picked up her from school and was going to meet some friends at McDonalds to play for a little bit.  I forgot the kids lunches on the counter and remembered as I pulled into McDonalds.  I got them a very unhealthy happy meal (with apples) and drove back to school to deliver their lunches.  Then I headed back to McDonalds.  I was ready to order and then Gavin had to go potty.  He peed all over his shirt in the bathroom as I had Lanie on my hip.  I took off his shirt and stood by the dryer drying his shirt so he wouldn't be wet.  We ate a quick lunch, played for a little bit, changed a poopy diaper and headed out.  (It was nice to get some adult conversation for 5 minutes!)  Then we drove back home to get the camera I had forgotten and a few other things for the Room mom's birthday bash.  I drove Lanie, Gavin, and Kenadie to the doctor so Lanie could have her ears looked at.  Double ear infection.  I drove back to the school and set up for Mrs. Goetzke's birthday party.  We had a very nice party for her and then cleaned it all up.  I got all the kids loaded into my car and headed to Walgreens to pick up Lanie's prescription.  Then I drove to Walmart to pick up a small cake for Lanie and a few other needs.  Then I drove and got gas so Dan wouldn't have to fill up when he took the van later.  We finally headed home...I helped with homework, I gave spelling tests, I got them all a snack.  Please keep in mind, Lanie has a double ear infection.  The 3 older ones got ready for soccer and as soon as Dan pulled in, he headed back out to take them to their practice.  Lanie cried for a half hour.  She was miserable.  I sat and rocked her and sang to her...finally the Tylenol kicked in.  I started dinner with her on my hip.  I got dinner all set out so when Dan came back with 2 of the 3 kids we could eat as a family.  We ate...I cleaned up while he ran back to get Molly.  I started to fold the 8 baskets of laundry that were taking over the living room.  Dan came back.  We sang happy birthday to Lanie and gave the kids cake.  They got ready for bed and I cleaned the kitchen up again.  I finished the laundry, swept the floor again, and put the laundry away.  I cuddled a few minutes with Lanie and she went to bed.  I folded one more basket of laundry that had just gotten done drying.  I have made sure the kids stuff is all ready for school tomorrow.  I sat down to finish my blog from earlier and that leaves me to now.

My feet are swollen, my back hurts...and I will start all over again tomorrow.  I don't expect anyone to feel sorry for me....I just expect a bit of credit for what I do.  I also will have to make up extra work hours for the hours I wasn't able to put in today doing my transcription.  So, if you see me and I seem frazzled or out of sorts....please forgive me.  My mind does not shut off until I put my head on my pillow....and even then I start planning out the next day.  I am a mom...I am proud to be "just a mom."  So for anyone out there that thinks I have an easy life or I don't really do anything...I challenge you to come live a day in my life.  I love my life, I love my job, I love my kids, and I wouldn't trade it for a million dollars!  Tomorrow is even more packed than today.....gonna go put my feet up for 20 minutes then I am off to bed!

Oh and I should mention that I know I am not the only Mom out there leading such a crazy life.  I know other Mom's work outside of the home and have to balance work, family, home, childcare, and everything else.  I also know that there are Mom's doing this all on their own.  My sister- in-law is single parenting right now as my awesome Doctor brother is finishing up his 20 years of school.  She doesn't have any family to count on or husband to driver her kids to soccer.  So, I am thankful for who I am and what I am able to do and the support that I have!

Lanie turns 1!

Has it really been a year?  Has it only been a year?  The year has gone by so fast, but at times it seemed to go on forever!  Lanie woke up this morning covered in snot.  Sorry, but that's the truth.  She has a horrible head cold.  She is not happy.  She hasn't been sleeping well at all.  She is doing a lot of whimpering and crying.  Poor girl.  

We tried to make her feel better today!  She had her usual morning banana and some cuppy.  Then we got her dressed in her birthday tutu and shirt!  Then, of course, I had to do her hair!  

 Lanie LOVES baby dolls.  She didn't have one of her own, so she got a new Bitty Baby for her birthday.  We figure she should get used to this whole baby thing as it will soon become a reality for her!

 The kids were more than happy to help her check out her new baby and toys for her baby!

 Lanie is an expert at pointing out "eyes" on people and babies.  She found her baby's eyes right away!

 She isn't doing very much smiling at all.  We tried and tried to get her to smile....she just isn't in the mood! Hopefully she will be feeling better by Saturday when we have her party!

 This is the best smile we could get.  This is one of Lanie's blankies.  Lanie LOVES her blanket.  You can ask her to get it and she will crawl over to it and lay on it and just giggle.

 Lanie also got a new shopping car cart to push her new baby in.  She doesn't quite know how to move it yet...and she gets very frustrated.

 I had to help her turn many corners.  Pushing on the carpet just isn't as easy as the kitchen floor.

She got really mad right after this and fell down and cried.  Even birthday girls have to nap on their birthday!

Dear Sweet Chubba Wabbas,

I can't believe you are 1 already.  I remember your birth like it was just yesterday.  Here are just a few of the many things I love about you and things that I love that you do!

You wake up every morning bright and early.  I am not sure if you wake your sisters up or if they wake you up.  You are sharing a room with Kenadie and Abbie.  You love to look over your crib and "yell" at Kenadie.  Many times during the middle of the night you will wake up.  Kenadie and Abbie are so sweet to you.  Abbie will turn your crib music on or Kenadie and Abbie will sing you a song!  You like to come down every morning and go right in your high chair.  You love having a morning Banana.  Your sweet sister, Molly, has even started getting you out of your crib and taking you downstairs and cutting up you naner for you!  You usually have some milk and cheerios too!  We are crazy busy in the morning getting your sisters and brother to school.  You are so sad to see them leave everyday.  You nap 2 times during the day....sometimes.  You are really good at crawling and you are just starting to walk while holding onto things.  You don't say much at all.  You do like to poke Daddy's "ding dong"  (that would be his belly button!) and say "ding."  You can say Mama and Dada.  You reach for Molly all the time and you want her to hold you.  You LOVE to be anywhere your sisters and brother are.  They are so good to you.  You LOVE your blanks.  I mean really Love your blanks.  You giggle when it touches you and you have to have one on when you sleep.  The blanks and your nookers are your comfys.  Gavin loves you beyond words.  Gavin calls you "sweetest."  He doesn't call you Lanie...you are his "sweetest."  I cannot put into words how much your sisters and brother love you.  You do cry a lot more than any of your siblings did.  You are not fond of anyone other than your family, and that is okay!  Your smile makes me melt.  It makes me smile!  You love your Daddy.  You even cried the other day when Daddy had to go to work.  You just wanted to cuddle with him!  You LOVE to eat.  You only have 2 bottom teeth, but you can eat just about anything.  No baby food for you...you have been on solid food for over 3 months!  You drink milk from a sippy cup and you have a warm bottle before bed.  You HATE shoes and socks.  You are always barefoot!  You are not a fan of TV at all.  You would much prefer to be parked on my hip or crawling around.  You like to make bubbles with your mouth or click your tongue.  You are very good at pointing out "eyes"  Did I mention how much you love your sisters and your brother?  If I am in the kitchen you crawl right up to my legs and pull yourself up.  Then you proceed to cry until I pick you up.

You have truly been a joy in our lives this past year.  I am so very happy to have you parked on my hip all the time.  You are my sweet baby girl...and you will always be my baby girl!  I love you, Lanie, beyond words.  Please don't grow up too fast!

Love,
Mommy!

P.S.  Thank you to Auntie Angela for helping make her adorable shirt....thank you to Auntie Dawn for getting it from Auntie Angela and then forgetting it.....and that you to Oma for making the hour drive out here last night so Lanie could look as cute as she did today!  And a very happy birthday to my sister who shares Lanie's birthday!  We love you!

(Quick side note....I wrote this post early this morning....I had to run out the door and didn't get to finish it until 9:00 p.m.  I took Lanie to the Doctor during my wildly crazy day and she has a double ear infection.  Let's just say her birthday wasn't how we had planned....but hopefully she will be feeling better for her party on Saturday! )

BEWARE: IF YOU ARE DAN...DO NOT READ THIS (Until after you get home!)

Okay, I think we are all set.  I have seriously worked all morning to make sure Dan has a great 30th birthday.  Sad thing is...I won't be here to celebrate with him :(  

 The cake has been made.  Daddy's favorite...chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.  Gavin put the frosting on all by himself.

 Then Gavin "accidentally" got frosting on his fingers and on his arm and on his hands...so he had to lick it all off!

 Gavin helped me make a "30" on the cake with 30 candles.  He "calls" taking the candles off and licking them!

 We bought balloons, plates, and cups.  We also made a special stop and got Daddy 2-24 packs of Mountain Dew.  Daddy loves his soda!  ( okay, not the healthiest...but he likes it...!)

 I made chili for tonight for the kids and Dan.  The bowls are set out...the pot is all ready for the noodles to be boiled.  The spoons are in the bowls.

The fruit is all cut up and ready for dinner.  Watermelon and pineapple.  

Kenadie and one of her teachers, (Mrs. Bachler who we all love and adore) made a birthday banner for Dan today at preschool.  Kens was so excited and we found the perfect place to hang it!

A double batch of peanut butter balls have been made and are ready for Dan to eat.  I hate to say it...and I don't give myself a lot of credit at all....but I do make a mean peanut butter ball if I do say so!

I tried to have everything all set and ready for him so he doesn't have to do a lot tonight.  I found a ride for Molly for her soccer practice so he doesn't have to take all the kids out.  I have a thirty-one party to do tonight.  This was the only night the hostess could do it and I did clear it with Dan before hand.  I knew he wouldn't care.  But, as the day has gone on, I am really sad that I won't be here.  I am getting out of the house with no kids, but I am going to be so lonely knowing they are at home celebrating without me.  I know the kids will make him feel special.  Plus I bought them each a can a silly string so that should make Dan happy!  We are going to have a very quick, and by quick I mean like 15 minutes, that we can spend together before I have to drive to Grafton for my party.  We are going to have the fastest 30th birthday party ever!  Pictures to come, I am sure!

30 years old....30 pictures....30 things I love about him!

Today Dan turns the Big 30!  Yes, that's right all...Dan is now out of his 20's and is a big boy now!  I thought I would stare 30 pictures and 30 things I love about him with you!  

 #1.  I love that Dan is an amazing husband.  He is kind, he is caring, he is supportive, he is amazing!

 #2.  I love that Dan is an amazing daddy.  I honestly couldn't have asked for a better father for our kids!

 #3.  I love that Dan doesn't care about what anyone thinks.  He does what he wants and has no worries!

 #4.  I love that Dan goes to work every day and never complains.  He works hard and he does a great job!

 #5.  I love that Dan wanted to have a big family.

 #6.  I love that Dan is 100% open and honest with me.  He doesn't hide anything from me.

 #7.  I love that Dan will paint my toes or rub my feet anytime I ask him to.  After all I  have carried 7 babies!

 #8.  I love that Dan is a kid at heart.  He knows how to have fun and he loves having a good time!

 #9.  I love that Dan doesn't let anything get to him.  He can forget an unkind work and not dwell on it.

 #10.  I love that Dan fits in so well with my family.  In fact...I am positive they all like him more than they like me.

 #11.  I love that Dan will give me a hug at the worst times possible.  I love that he still wants to hug me!

 #12.  I love that Dan will do pretty much anything I ask him to do.  He may not want to...but he will!

 #13.  I love that Dan and I work so well together.  I love having him be my stable rock everyday.

 #14.  I love that Dan loves me the way I am.  I love that he still thinks I am pretty.

 #15.  I love that Dan calls me "hot wife".

 #16.  I love that Dan is so adventurous and willing to try anything.

 #17.  I love that Dan will get up with the kids in the middle of the night...without being asked to!

 #18.  I love that Dan is willing to help anyone or do anything to help anyone.

 #19.  I love that Dan can just sit and relax and not do anything.  (I wish I could sometimes!)

 #20.  I love that Dan will step in and help when he sees I need help.

 #21.  I love that Dan will call and "check" on me during the day.

 #22.  I love that Dan takes extra time with each kid to make them feel special.

 #23.  I love that Dan is helping me raise our children to know and love God.

 #24.  I love that Dan stays up late and plays Xbox until 2:00 in the morning.  (ok...maybe I don't really love that he does this all the time....)

 #25.  I love that Dan still wants to go on dates with me and hold my hand.

 #26.  I love that Dan has a great sense of humor...he even laughs at the dumbest commercials..that I don't get!

 #27.  I love that Dan has a very clicky jaw.....I love that Dan has a clicky jaw....I love that Dan has a clicky jaw.....( if I say it a lot maybe one day I will really love that annoying clicky jaw!)

 #28.  I love that Dan will stay up late with me and make strawberry jam once a year!

#29.  I love that Dan wants to be with his family as much as possible!

#30.  I love that Dan is my best friend and that he has made my life complete.

I love you, Dan.  The kids love you beyond words.  We are the luckiest people in the world to have you as a husband and as a Daddy!  Happy Birthday!