Baby Bell #4

Yes, you read that title correctly. We are now expecting another baby in May 2012. Surprised? We were a little, but not really. We have been using Natural Family Planning since having Lachlan and the month we conceived, my husband and I had sort of playing this "should we or shouldn't we" game. My cycle had been a little wonky end of July and into August, so I think it was a combination of playing Russian Roulette (so to speak) and that, that created this pleasant surprise.

My husband was a little surprised, but happy and said, "Well, we did want to try for a girl one last time." Speaking of gender, I searched online for various ways to up the possibility for a girl as well and gender predictors. Through a fertility clinic I found a link to a fertility  doctor's suggestions on how to conceive a girl. I found that our guessed conception time/method indicated a high result for girl. Also,  a Chinese birth calendar used for centuries with a 97% accuracy rate, also indicated a girl for us. So maybe this is finally it! After three fantastic boys, I will get a girl. Of course, she will most likely be rough and tumble just like her brothers, so girly isn't expected. I've also been made to promise that no Barbies will be purchased or accepted for this potential girls (by the men of the house), but that isn't a promise I will find hard to keep, since I abhor the idea of Barbie and all the concepts she embodies.

So, we are all freshly excited by the news. We decided to share our news with the grandparents, on Grandparent's Day. My hubby called his parents and had the kids share the news, as well as a package of cards for the occasion were sent. For my parents, a similar package of cards was hand delivered, along with a game for the kids to play. We didn't tell them, but I put two betting tickets (originally for a horse race) I photoshopped to make them gender betting tickets, in one card. They were pretty slow to pick up on it, but as the gears started turning, the kids couldn't stand it anymore and yelled "We're having another baby!" to which my mom almost dropped the fish she was pulling out of the oven, and squealed with glee.

It will be so nice to be closer to family and I am hoping some of my husband's family will be able to visit near the birth date. So, I am looking forward to another blessing and praying for God to help me grow in my ability to homeschool and raise my kids, while tending to another baby and toddler. All things are possible through Him!

Biological Warfare: Alaskan Style

Ah... navigating the treacherous journey of being a mother to boys.

We live in a really great neighborhood, at the end of a culdesac. There is only one other little boy, but he is younger than mine and has an early curfew. So when my boys go out to play, they play with a great group of rough and tumble girls. Three total.

I was tidying up and playing with my baby, when I hear a knock on the door. This usually means one of the girls with a report about one or both of the boys being less than careful in their play. So, I open the door and here are two of the girls, solemn faced and fidgety.

Brunette: "Mrs. Bell? Uhm.. Connor is uuhmmm... throwing moose turds.... at my head."
Blonde: "Uh HUH!" (eyes all wide and concerned)

This is one of those tricky moments, where you have to be serious too, and not lose it laughing at the hilarity of it all.

nature's grenades

Me: (barely stifling a giggle) "Weeellll.... that's not very nice, but moose just eat grass, sticks and bark.. so it's not like dog poop. It's pretty harmless."
Brunette: (pulling the big sad eyes on me) "But moose turds are hard. So it hurt... and it was right at my head!"

When I got to the bottom of it all, they were playing "war" and throwing "stuff" at each other, like sticks and dirt clods. Then Connor and another little girl, started throwing the ample moose turds at everyone. So, since it was late already, I gave a diplomatic warning to everyone that no one should be throwing anything at anyone. Then told the boys it was time to call it a night.

So, my boys were pulled from their play, for engaging in biological warfare, of the moosey kind. I'm still giggling over it.

Fresh Outlook

With my 6 yo being Type I Diabetic, life can be pretty hectic. Especially when you throw in the fact that I am as well. Managing a chronic disease is really hard, but in the end can be rewarding when you meet others working through the same stuff.

Tonight, I met three amazing moms and some of their kids at the first gathering for Parents of Type I Diabetic Children. One of the moms was even in the same boat as me. She's Type I Diabetic too, with a 16 yo daughter struggling with coming to terms with her disease. It was so great to commiserate and offer each other inspiration, and the hope of better things to come. Our host was a wonderful woman named Ruth Clare, who is a diabetic educator in our hospital. She also helps with the diabetic camp I am hoping Connor will go to this summer.

Alaska Diabetes Summer Camp: Kamp Kushtaka

The kids got along really great and we all had a moment to laugh and share stories. We brainstormed about different things we want from the group and what we would love to see happen. I put forth that we should have a blog for our local group. So, I am going to work on putting one together that will have all of us putting in info and sharing ideas and just how we are managing our lives. It's hard to get together when life is so hectic, so I thought it would be another great outlet and help us work around each other's schedules so we can meet, while maybe attracting more locals to come to our meetings. Who knows, maybe a famous diabetic would be interested in speaking to our group? That would be awesome!

So, I have a fresh new zeal for getting more social with folks who share a common goal: our children's health. Be on the lookout for another blog about parenting and diabetic kids!

On the Verge of Adventure

Through the blessings of my parents, we have been given the awesome opportunity to take an extended vacation to Montana, via RV from Alaska, through Canada. Our very first international travel as a family. Perhaps this will be the only time we get to go on a true vacation, as it is so very expensive, so we are going to try to make the absolute most of it!

We will be driving from our home in Soldotna to Anchorage. Our first rest stop, will be in Fairbanks after picking up the RV in Anchorage and doing a little shopping to stock up on necessary items. We decided to visit Chena Hot Springs for a low expense spa experience. Chad will be able to let his muscles recover and be ready for the long drive ahead. Then, on to...

We are praying for no hitches going through the border. There was a hiccup getting our passports (fyi: don't bother wasting your money on expidited service, it isn't guaranteed), but after talking to each border crossing on either end, I was assured that while there is conflicting information on our US government pages (surprise, surprise), the border agents only need a birth certificate, valid driver's license, and receipt from our attempt to get our passports. I verified and all was okay'd. Whew! I'm not sure what all we have available to us, but we have lots of books and I am researching our route. I am hoping to have service here and there so I can do updates at the very least, on Facebook (check the left side bar for a link to my profile).

Finally, we will arrive in....

Montana!

I am so excited to show the kids places I played as a child, hung out as a teen and wandered as a young adult. I had shown them places on google map using the street view. I have started a list of places to visit, that may or may not be totally unrealistic. I just want to soak as much of Montana as I can and take a few jaunts down memory lane. I want to get a real frosty mug of A&W Root Beer at the car hop. I want to watch a movie at the drive-in. I hope we have time to go on a train ride to The West Glacier Park. So, for any readers I may have (anyone out there?), if you are planning a trip to Montana and are toting children, check out Montana Kids for great info. Stay tuned for pictures and updates!

A School In Need of Votes!

I thought this would be a great thing to support. Just a week ago, some heartless vandals trashed the Redoubt Elementary School. They smashed anything they could lift, broke out windows, emptied fire extinguishers and left beer cans all over the place. School is set to begin soon and a lot of computers and equipment were destroyed. The ones who suffer, are the kids, who have done nothing to deserve having their education tampered with. This would be an incredible blessing. Please consider voting at least once for our school if you choose to support another. Thank you!