a brief glimse at my life right now...

I just got interrupted before even starting this post to help Kitkat with her language arts...

Van found the new package of water bottles and has been loading up my lap and the table in front of me with them... and after lining them up on the table, is trying to drive his car across the top, obviously knocking water bottles down to roll around the table. I'm hoping our dog Moka (a 1yr old pitbull with lots of energy doesn't find one and chew it)

Dustin and Cede disappeared upstairs to probably destroy something.... They are playing nicely right now, but that may not even last to the end of this entry.

ok... so, as soon as I wrote that last line, Van pooped, Moka escaped outside while I was throwing away the stinky diaper, Kitkat needed help with her school again, and then Van got to my computer and closed my post (thankfully I hit save before I left)

This morning I got up early and almost had the bills paid before the kids woke up.

Van only woke me up once last night... which is sad to say, that's a good night.

Moka is behind me squeaking a ball VERY LOUDLY, which is her favorite thing to do!

I'm almost finished my first cup of coffee, but I'm sure I will have a second soon. :)

Van just came to me with something in his mouth... somewhere he found a grape he must have dropped.

Well, I"m going to go try taking all these crazies outside for some fresh air...  Cede just asked me 5 times for help with her socks... so I better go.

Hope you all enjoyed this totally random and weird post!

~Anna

"I don't know how do you do it!"

This phrase "I don't know how you do it?" has been said to me... funny, considering only about 10 years ago, when I had to my first baby, I said the same thing to anyone who had more than one child, and appeared to be surviving, and even still sane!  :)  I felt like my mom was the exception... she was, in my mind "super-woman"... up early, went to bed late, incredibly smart, adored by dad... the list goes on. 

So bringing this back to me, I really always wanted lots of kids, but never quite understood what that meant. It's tiring, it's draining, it's an ever evolving process that happens with time, and the addition of each little life God blesses our family with.

I've heard the phrases...

"I don't know how you do it!"

"I could never do what you do"

"You make it look easy"

"You must be so organized"

Ha!  Truth is...

 I don't know how to do it.

I can't do what I do.

I make it look crazy

and I only used to be organized!

But!... I'm learning!!  With each new day. With each new year. With each new baby... I'm learning!

God is stretching me, growing me, shaping me in ways I never thought possible.  

I try new ideas, and they often fail. But with God's grace (and the help of my husband) I will pick myself up, brush off my pride, and try, try again.  

TRY to "do it"

TRY to make it "more efficient"

TRY to be "more organized"

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD the maker of heaven and earth.

Hew will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you - the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm - He will watch over your life;

the LORD will watch over you coming and going both now and forevermore.

Thank God!

& That's how I "do it"!

Trip to Colombia... and more...

So, here I am again...

I took a trip to Colombia... ALL BY MYSELF! 

Lydia & I overlooking the City of Medellin

Nate, Lindsey, Isaiah & Jeremiah

Exploring the City of Medellin

Way out of my comfort zone there!  Especially nervous as I was in my first trimester and wasn't sure how sick I might get. So thankful that I was not very sick, or even very nauseous. It was a long and exhausting, but wonderful trip!!  I flew into Bogota, left a few hours later for a long (9ish hour) drive to Medellin.  The drive was long, and scary, but so worth it. Medellin was beautiful.  On Sunday we visited a church, that was meeting outside for a baptism... at a public park with a stream. Nate preached, and afterwards we had dinner (that was prepared right there in a big pot) and the boys played in the stream. It was a unique and beautiful time!

The group that was baptized

The City of Medellin

We also did some sightseeing and a little shopping, and just enjoyed our time together!

Girls day out!!

I traveled home with my sister Lydia who had been there for 6 weeks to help out.

Lydia and I on our way home

*************************************************************

Update on normal life...

>> Van's MRI which was scheduled for August 1st was cancelled due to a lack of approval from our insurance.

 >> I'm about 12 weeks pregnant now and my first baby appointment in scheduled for this Wednesday (August 6th).

>> My baby sister leaves for college in less than a week and that is freaking me out!

>> Homeschooling will begin soon,,,, and I'm almost ready.... but not quite! :/

What's happing in this Breyer Household...

So many changes!

In the middle of June, we went on vacation to North Myrtle Beach, SC for a week! It was fabulous!

HOWEVER, while there, I realized I was expecting Crazy #5... this was a little bit of a shocker!

What? How? How will I do this many crazies? And really? Didn't really wanna be pregnant again so soon...

But, Yes, I'm expecting! and this little sweetie will be coming to join us around February 14, 2015!

We got back from vacation and jumped into life with both feet (all while starting to feel very tired and nauseous)... which leads me to the next part... about Vance...

So much to update about Van... We have been doing physical therapy with him. He also had an ultrasound for a lump at the base of his skull. He has been to the chiropractor (he has a curve in his spine), and he has been fitted for a leg brace that is now on order... On the 26th of June they made a cast of his leg for the leg brace, I also got a call asking if we could come in on 27th to see the Neurologist instead of the following Monday... so we juggled things around and on Friday the 27th of June, Kitkat rode with Grammy and Papa to vacation, Dustin rode with Dave and Nan, and Matt and I took Cede and Vance to Philadelphia to St. Christopher's hospital to be seen about his issues.  I worried the whole way there, but not about Van, I worried about several large round spots/welts all over Dustin's body that I had seen as I dressed him that morning. I called the doctor on my way to the hospital and she said to take him in right away, but because we were heading out of town, we would have to wait and take him to an emergency care facility once we got to Virginia for vacation (which turned out to be Lyme, so Dustin has been on antibiotics for 3 weeks).

So then we arrived at the hospital, late, I was of course nervous.. not sure what to expect...

Certainly wasn't ready for his diagnosis, but at the same time, I had a great peace. It didn't freak me out to hear that Vance has a mild form of Cerebral Palsy.  The doctor was super nice and explained that he is really doing well and will not "regress". Since he is already walking... he will stay walking. But because it's more than just a muscle thing, he will probably need therapy for much of his life... even if it's not terribly intensive. But as he grows, his muscles may not be able to keep up without help. He will probably need some occupational therapy and possibly speech therapy as well. He doesn't talk much at all. (but he usually has no probably getting his point across thru pointing and taking me to whatever it is he wants). He has a great attitude and is such a spunky kid. He will do just fine with his extra life challenges!

In six days (July 22nd) I leave for a whole week to go back to Bogota, Colombia to visit with Nate and Lindsey and to ride home with my sister Lydia who will have been there to help for 6 weeks.  It will be an adventure!  I'm excited, but also very nervous!!  I've never gone alone, and I'm praying my morning sickness stays mild.  I have good days, and bad days. But overall, it's been tolerable.

Well, that's our life lately!

:)

Life is flying by... and I'm on the CrAzY Plane!!

So many awesome thoughts come in and out of this brain. Unfortunately they go out faster than I can usually manage to catch them and write them down.

Last month I was able to go see the movie "Mom's Night Out"... it is an awesome movie and one that every momma should see!!  It ended a little unrealisitically (just because you get your attitude right doesn't mean that suddenly your house is clean & you have tons of followers on your "mommy blog"  :)  But I got the point... it's in your perspective.  Pastor Bill always said 

"Life is choices, Choices have consequences, Make the right choices"

For example, I'm choosing to ignore the Crazies that are outside fighting! :)

Ha!

Last week we started physical therapy with Van. He is a determined little kid, but not so much into doing it how we want him to. :)  We leave for a vacation to Myrtle Beach S.C. this Friday, and I'm going to try to put all that out of my mind until I come back. I know we will probably have multiple doctor appointments for him in the upcoming months.

Fighting and crying... that is all the kids have done today... Not sure I'm gonna make it to Friday to be able to go on Vacation!!  I may have lost my mind before then!! :)

Hopefully not...
Until my next random, and uninspiring blog post...
Have a great day y'all!!

I just realized, I'm a fair weather worshiper...

The past few days have been gorgeous! The kids and I have been enjoying it so much! Windows and doors wide open! Ignoring much of the housework, just enjoying nature and getting to know neighbors...

Today... I woke up to rain... My first thought "Uggg!!", my first online tweet was complaining about the weather...  But then, as I was loading my laundry into the washer, I was hit with the song "I will praise You in this storm" and realized, I am NEVER thankful for icky weather. How can I praise Him for the storms in my life, if I can't even find it in me to praise Him for the rain, snow or incredible heat we will probably get this summer...?

"THIS is the day that the Lord has made; I WILL be glad and REJOICE in it!!" (Psalm 118:24)

Give your Heart to Jesus

Cede just asked to have bangs cut b/c her hair keeps getting in her eyes.
Dustin insists it will make her bleed.
"No", Kitkat informs him there is no blood in her hair.
Dustin (just to be obstinate) says he wants to cut out his heart.
"No", exclaims Cede... you need to give your heart to Jesus!

If I could write down every conversation between these kids.. I could fill a book!! :)

Most days I just survive...

and today feels like one of those days!!

Why do I bother looking at Facebook or Twitter?  All I do is compare myself to what I'm not. 
For that matter, why do I bother making awesome plans in the morning?  My kids rule my day by how many times they poop, throw fits, disobey, and etc.
My day is spent cleaning up, disciplining, training, and of course, drinking a couple cups of coffee!!

So why do I bother with anything?  I wonder that sometimes, but I'm always reminded, that I do what I do, because I do it for the Lord!  Our lives are not here by random, yet, we are not the center of the universe... we are a little tiny creature that God loves and in Micah 6:8 has commanded us...

"O people, the LORD has told you what is good and this is what he required of you:

to do what is right, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Thank you God for your mercy!!

ok, I'm heading back to the kitchen to deal with the crazies!! :)

Even MORE SNOW!!

2014 will be remembered for the snow we got!  So many storms and so much snow!!

 

This is a picture of our play today!  So much fun!  The kids didn't wanna come in, even after they were frozen!  

I'm so thankful that even with all the snow... 

1. There have been no car accidents in our family.

2. Esther had her baby during the storm but was already at the hospital!

3. We have not lost power or heat here!

4. We have not run out of milk or bread!

Well, it's bed time for the crazies!! So I have to get going and get them there! :)

Snow and Ice...

Another snow day! Awana in cancelled for tonight. Matt is in Vegas. I have been wondering if I should be creative or constructive... But so far... it's been survival of the fittest. :)  Maybe tonight I will get something done? Esther is here sleeping between shifts and Van is napping. Dustin is in the bathroom singing the itsy bitsy spider, and the girls are behind me making cards at their desks. :)  I really have so much to be thankful for... So here are a few...

• Good health
• Safe traveling for Matt
• Warm house!
• Good food
• TV & movies
• Coffee!
• Tons of craft stuff
• a working washing machine, dryer & dishwasher!
• hot water & the ability to take hot showers!

Verse today...

Isaiah 12:4-5

In that wonderful day you will sing: "Thank the Lord! Praise His name! Tell the nations what He has done. Let them know how mighty He is! Sing to the Lord, for he had done wonderful things. Make known His praise around the world.

 

February already??!!

We have snow here! Tons of snow!!  I'm actually get stir crazy! The walls are closing in!...
However... I'm thankful we have been pretty healthy so far this winter. Only some minor colds.

Our trip to Colombia was AWESOME!!!  Not without some difficulties, but over-all, the experience was just amazing.  The kids loved their time with Isaiah & Jeremiah.  I loved hanging out with Lindsey!  She and I just click so well... I get happy and sad when I think about them being there. I'm so thankful for the work they are doing and the heart they have to serve God, but I'm sad cuz I really miss them!  The  kids loved the experience and really enjoyed all the variety!  I was so thrilled b/c we are such home-bodies these days, that I wasn't sure how it would work being thrown completely out of our comfort zone!

Back to the states and we are now just surviving winter.  Trying to keep Kitkat motivated in school... proves to be tiring!
Cede hasn't changed much except she now has the job of emptying the dishwasher silverware. She also has done really well learning her verses for Awana too!
Dustin has begun really enjoying Awana aw well and talks about his teacher "Ms. Doreen" all the time. :)
Van... well, he is walking everywhere now and is so clingy it's not even funny!  He wants to be with me all the time. Such a momma's boy! :/  I love it and don't all in one. Every time he tries to play in the living room tho, Dustin usually beats him up... I can't wait until they can actually play together nicely! (ok, at least somewhat nicely!) :)

Ok, That is all for now. 
I always have so much I want to write... and then life gets in the way. :)