Today.

7 am: Wake up. Snuggle with Braden for a few minutes before his demands begin.

7:30 am: Heidi is barking and scratching to get out. No pee on the floor. One plus for the day ahead!

7:45 am: Nora wakes up. Grouchy. Braden looks at her the wrong way; she cried.

8:30 am: both kids to their rooms for fighting twice already.

9:00 am: Exhausted and ready for naps. Kids crying to go outside.

9:15 am: Laundry & Dishes

9:30 am: Both kids back to their rooms.

9:45 am: crying and screaming continues

10:00 am: outside. some quiet.

10:45 am: Mom calls. She's bringing pizza for lunch

10:50 am: Nora cries to go inside. I beg her to wait for Nanny...just a few more minutes.

11:00 am: Jeni comes.

11:05 am: Mom comes with lunch. Kids still crying, fighting, talking, yelling.

Noon: Mom asks what time it is and can't believe it's still so early. I feel like I should have been back to bed hours ago.

12:45 pm: Braden to bed. Nora throws massive fit. I load her upstairs for the 100th time (at least) and want to cry. I have yelled the majority of the morning. Want to cry. She continues to cry.

1:15 pm: Kids in bed. Braden sleeping; Nora resting. Time for my bath.

1:45 pm: Trying to get my hair and make-up done. Nora gets up. I have anxiety. Lay with her until she falls asleep.

1:55 pm: I hear Braden coughing and crying in his crib. He's awake. I want to cry. Rub and pat his head until he falls back to sleep.

2:00 pm: Take 28 week belly pictures...

That's right! 28 weeks=7 months=third trimester!!!
* I feel good except for my tailbone and my feet aching alot.
* I lost some weight last week due to being sick. I have now gained 25 total.
* Am making milk. Have been since week 24.
* Trying to get Mabel's room finished. Not having much luck.
* Enjoy feeling the lady move and shake.
* Am short of breath.
* Feeling sick almost every night. Really weird.
* Am excited for next week's sonogram (4-D).
* Love being pregnant.
I am exhausted, frustrated and overwhelmed today.
I have spent lots of time with God the last couple of days (and it has been wonderful) and yet still feel at a loss with the kids. I understand it's normal, but I still feel so alone.
I'm not alone, right?
Are your kids being extra rambunctious?


It's been a long day but I cannot wait for the kids to wake up so we can 'start over.' I don't want to be the yelling mom, or the angry mom. I want to be the mom who is in control.
I wish I could explain to the two of them how much I love them--so much it hurts. I wish they understood the depth of that love. I know they feel it, but on a morning like today's, it feels like all I have conveyed is frustration. I'm trying desperately to be patient because they are just little. And I understand. But in the midst of the madness, it can be so difficult.


I want so many of you to know that although I post about the redheads and all our ups and downs, I struggle too. I am not this perfect mom who has it all together all the time. I'm trying daily to get it right. Some days I feel like I do. Others, I fall ridiculously short. And that is why I am thankful for a Savior and King who has tender mercy. He renews my strength every day so that I can focus on what is truly important here...which is showing the love of Jesus to the kids that I so passionately love.


I'm going to rest in the Lord today knowing that He will guide me in all I do with these children. I am quick to apologize both to the kids and to the Lord when I say or do something I shouldn't and the best thing is I feel forgiveness from all immediately. It's an awesome gift to be forgiven!
I hope you all have a great day....
we are going to finish ours strong.