K-O-L-D!!!!

Hello F.O.T.E.'s,
Only have a second, but I just had to say...

"IT'S KOLD!!!!"

I'm sure you didn't know this, but in the RamFam, we have, "cold, colder, coldest..." then, on the very rare occasion: "KOLD!!!"

I just checked the temp (outside ;-) and it's 2 degrees with a wind chill of -8 !! Yowza!

Think I'm going to ask the kids to go lick the mailbox post...heh, heh, heh...
JUST KIDDIN'!

Alrighty...gotta run...
Y'all keep your wool dry...AND WARM!
The Ewe

P.S. Happy Birthday, Mama

John Wayne Theology? or We Have Some 'Splaining to Do

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
Well, it's icy here. Nothing like going to sleep to the sound of sleet hitting the windows! The bad weather here in the midwest caused the airline to cancel The Ram's flight last night. He's off for a few months for some training Down South and had leave for this weekend. They say they'll try flying again today. I just want him to be safe!
You know, I think some people believe that soldier's homes are filled to the brim with weapons of all kinds. I don't know about any other soldier's houses, but the most vicious weapon we have here is a paint gun and a baseball bat. (and the hairy stuff in the refrigerator's crisper--more of a biological weapon ;-) Anyway, I want to dispel the idea that all soldiers are always aggressive and violent.
We are careful about the media our children are exposed to and discourage violent play outside of the chivalrous "knight-saving-the-princess" variety.
So, am I sounding defensive? A bit guilt-ridden? Sigh. Try to keep an open mind as you read the exchange below...



Tater Tot: "Mommy, bad people aren't nice."
The Ewe: "No, but even bad people need Jesus. We should pray for the bad people to come to know Jesus."
Tater Tot: "Yeah... Jesus has a GUN!"


Would you consider that a "come to Jesus meeting?" ;-)
Well, I'm off to read the Bible to Tater Tot. Y'all keep your wool dry...
The Ewe

Please Don't Call PETA

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s!
How is 2007 treating you so far? The Flock is doing great. Lil' Miss H has had a few fussy days of late. I think she's hitting that second growth spurt--she'll be 6 weeks old in a few days!! I can hardly believe it. The other lambies are just crazy about her. So much so, that we've started calling her "Ivory Soap." The others act like she's going to get "used up" by their siblings, when it isn't Said Child's turn to hold the baby. LOL
Well, I guess I'll explain the title now...

On New Year's Day I was busy eavesdropping on The Ram's phone conversation with the GrandRam when Tater Tot came up to me, chattering. He was wanting me to join him in his pretending. I smiled at him and "Yes, Dear"-ed and "ooh"-ed and "ahh"-ed at how clever he was, but, in reality, I was ignoring him. (None of y'all have ever done that, right? ;-) Anyway, when T.T. stuck his hand out toward me with some imaginary offering, I assumed we were engaged in another pretend tea party. I absentmindedly accepted what I assumed to be an invisible petit-four or scone or cookie and popped it into my mouth.
I quickly made the obligatory, "Mmm!!! Yummy!!!" sounds, complete with cartoonish, raised eyebrows and vigorously nodded head.
I immediately noticed Tater Tot's confused and slightly horrified face.
I nearly choked when he blurted out, "You ate the BABY LION!!!"


I fear my son may never invite me to play "Zoo Keeper" with him again.


Must run...veggie soup's on the menu tonight...but not if I don't shake a leg. Blessings to all of you.

Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe


Quote of the Day: "Honey, you make a man feel funny." The Ram
(So, is that "funny like a clown?" lol)

Technorati Profile

Charity Promise

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
Well, some of you know I'm a bit paranoid about putting pictures on the internet, LOL, but I've had so many kind folks ask about a picture of Charity. The Ram and I discussed it, and, seeing as though she's perfectly safe in Jesus' arms, we decided it would be OK to post this picture. :-)
Some asked if we used makeup on Charity, as her lips were so red. No, she had no makeup at all. Her entire life, she had perfect little rosebud lips. :-)
God bless you all.
The Ewe

P.S. The swan is a gift from LionessLamb. She had bought it for her baby sister for Christmas.

The Flock's Back Home!

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s!
Well, we're all home in the Big City again. We actually got home a couple nights ago.
I wanted to share the words to a hymn that has come to mind repeatedly over the past couple weeks. The title is _He Giveth More Grace_ and the composer is Annie Flint.



"He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials he multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again."


Friends, we have experienced every line and phrase of that song over the past 2 weeks. During childbirth, there came a point (as there always does ;-) when I said, "Nope. I can't do this." Now, I've said that during every delivery, and I know it's what they call an "emotional milestone" of labor. But, when you're in the middle of it, you really believe it! I thought, "THIS time I MEAN it!! I *can't* do it!!!" The Ram calmly, knowingly said, "You CAN do it! You ARE doing it! You've done it 4 times before!" About that time, I asked the midwife to check my progress (you gals know what that means, lol ;-) Six cm. Just over half way dilated. Bummer. With the other babies I was at least 7 cm before I "Couldn't do it." LOL This time, I thought, "If I've got to do this so many more hours, I just can't." But, somehow, the Lord granted just enough endurance to get through just ONE MORE contraction.
See, when we look at The Whole Elephant, we think, "Wow. I could never eat that whole thing!!" But if we just concentrate on "One bite at a time" we can eventually eat that rascal. Now, don't chase that rabbit--I'm not talking about gluttony, lol, but rather disciplining our mind. During labor, I need my husband there, filling my mind with truth, placing his hands over mine on the reins as I try to steer my thoughts away from fear and panic.
Now, I don't remember much from between the "I can't do this" moment to holding Lil Miss H and Sunflower Girl in my arms. But, I'm sitting here, two weeks later and, guess what?! BY GOD'S GRACE, I *did* do it! I don't understand it.
I don't understand the peace that the Lord gave us as we said goodbye to our beloved daughter. I don't understand the peace he gave as we buried my dear mother, only a couple days later (Grandma Ewe died the day after Sunflower Girl).
I don't understand why He loved us so much, He sent His Son, Jesus, to take our punishment (death) so that we can be with Him in heaven one day. We can't earn that grace. It is a gift from God.
Oh me...I've rambled on again. I hear The Ram coming in with groceries. I tell you what, I'm a "kept woman." :-)
Hey, here's another favor you can do for me...if you haven't found your Christmas music yet, rustle around in that old cardboard box (or wherever) and see if you can't find it. It's Jesus' Birthday!!! Let's celebrate!

Gotta run...Y'all keep your wool dry...
The Ewe

Quote of the Day: "Look! I'm small enough to fit in my *maternity clothes* now!!!"
The Ewe, after losing 40 pounds, LOL!

Ugh...The Flu

Hed-do Fweinds...
We all haf codes in our nodes. (sniff)

We've decided to stay Down South at least another day to recover. I'm feeling much, much better, but The Ram is really "under it." The children are doing very well--just some sniffles now.

Guess what...
I have feet!! AND I can now wash the bottom of my (squishy, soft ;-) belly without using a big, long loofah. LOL What an adventure. Wouldn't trade it for anything...

Ok...gotta run...er walk pretty slowly. When you lose that much weight that quickly, ye olde Balance takes a while to uh, re-balance. Tee hee!

Hey, do me a favor. Write a note today to someone you've lost touch with, Ok?

Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe

Little Miss H's Grand Feat

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
I'm still mostly just resting in bed, but I just had to pop on here to brag on "The Latest Edition." L.M.H. is, I know, destined for greatness. (blush) Yes, indeed, at a mere 6 days old she shed her umbilical cord!!! Hurray!!! I'll admit to you that those cords have always grossed me out a bit. LOL With nearly every baby, The Ram has received a near-panic phone call at work, with me in tears over the state of New Baby's navel. Mercifully, this one fell off in record time. :-)
Ok...back to hibernating and kissing the baby.
BTW--keep praying for us...the flu's struck now. grrr...
Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe

Quote of the Day: "Hey look!!! Now I only look *9* months pregnant!!" The Ewe, one day after delivering the twins--and losing 36 pounds in 24 hours. LOL

Wonderful Ministry

Hello all,
We had had some folks ask about a "favorite charity" to donate to in memory of Charity.
There are two:
www.alexandrashouse.com Look over this website. It is a very unique ministry--one that has blessed us during this time. We plan to do what we can to promote it in any way.
Also, consider your local crisis pregnancy/abortion alternative center. I learned that most babies diagnosed prenatally with spina bifida (Charity's initial diagnosis)are aborted. I will tell you, though we only had her a couple hours, I wouldn't trade those precious moments for anything in the world. That time was worth every minute of my head hung over the toilet, every groan I uttered while trying to turn over in bed there at the end, every contraction that nearly pushed me over the edge, every discomfort I've experienced over the last 9 months. What joys I would have missed out on if I'd never known Charity Promise.
Ok...back to bed. Love you guys!
The Ewe

Very Quick Update

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
The Ewe has had quite a week, and I need to take to bed...but I wanted to give you a nutshell version of the week:

Sunday, Nov. 26: Hannah Ruth was born at 2:05 p.m. weighing 8lbs 12oz
Charity Promise was born at 3:05 p.m. weighing 9lbs 3oz

Charity Promise went to Jesus' arms around 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 27: The Ewe's Mama passed on to Jesus' arms (she had Alzheimer's and many other physical problems)

Tuesday, Nov. 28: We had a small memorial service for Charity

Thursday, Nov.30: Ewe's Mama's funeral

Today, Friday, Dec 1: Ewe and Flock arrive at GrandRams' for a few days of rest and recovery.

I will post many more details as rest allows. :-)

Many blessings,
The Ewe
P.S. Y'all keep your wool dry!

:)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this is lioness. In the words of Tater Tot "baby sisys gona pop out and walk!" but not to soon,the ewe is in the early labor. please pray for them.

Lioness

My (Ice) Water Broke!!!!

Hello, F.O.T.E.s!
Well, The Ewe is hanging in here...and her belly is hanging down! LOL This fact has provided a few situations that were either funny, or embarrassing or both. Mainly both--I usually choose to "Find the Funny," as I believe the Bible when it says, "A merry heart does good, like medicine." :-)
Church was very nice yesterday, though we missed The Ram. (Worship always serves to make us really miss The Ram, when we're apart.) I did have a moment of panic, when it seemed either I or the babies could fit through the gap between pews, but not the whole group. With a little maneuvering, I got all 3 of us in. LOL Last week, it was a matter of my asking to be moved to a table, instead of a booth, at a restaurant. There was no amount of maneuvering that was getting me into that tight squeeze! LOL
Then, last night...my favorite Silly Story of Pregnancy...
I had drunk a drink while sitting in a recliner. When the drink was gone, I wasn't ready to get up yet, and at this girth, I don't take "Getting Up" lightly. ;-) So, I set the cup of ice kind of between my thigh and the underside of my belly, and promptly forgot about it.
Thirty minutes later, I was ready to get up. I leaned forward to heave myself up, and suddenly, water started pouring onto my feet!!! Could my water have broken?!?! Uh, no...if it had, there was a problem...as there was ICE in it, LOL!!!
I sat there, dumbfounded, with ice and water pouring onto my feet, thinking, "WHERE is that COMING FROM?!?!" When I looked down, I couldn't see the cup--my belly had hidden it, LOL. I reached down and felt it and suddenly remembered that I'd set it there. I called for Lovable to come help me stem the tide and clean up. We got a very hearty laugh about that.
Well, I'm going to run...er..walk slowly. Y'all keep your wool dry!

The Ewe
Quote of the Day: "Mini-hands make light work." The Ram, borrowing an Amish saying to apply to our little ones. :-)

Babies or No Babies???

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
I know some of you are wondering, "Did The Ewe have the Lambs on Veteran's Day??" LOL Nah...No babies yet. I did have a prenatal checkup that day. When we first got there, my blood pressure was up--we call it Traffic Induced Hypertension. By the end of my checkup, though, it had come back down to "acceptable." Also, my iron level was up, which was great. It had been way too low and I'd been strenuously trying to raise it. It was good to know all the extra stuff I've been doing is paying off. :-)
Really, that's about all the news there is...I am having "Braxton-Hicks" contractions, but nothing strong/regular enough to produce babies. Y'all can pray for me that my body acts as it should and actually goes into labor. That's only happened once--our first baby, Lioness. I've seen 3 doctors, trying to figure out what hormone strangeness keeps me from starting labor, but none of them have discovered the problem. This time, I'm praying the increased hormones of the twin pregnancy will make a difference.
Well, the Lambies are drawing Nordic Sumo Bunnies and I'm very interested to see them...so...I'm going to sign off for now and update as The Situation unfolds.
Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe

Quote of the Day: "I am a Nordic Sumo Bunny." --body-less computer voice, animating Lioness' cartoon

Babies Update

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
Well, we're settled in here Down South. :-)
Monday evening, we had a prenatal appointment and then ultrasound. Baby A weighs 8 pounds already! We suspect Lil B weighs about the same, but the sonographer couldn't really do his calculations because of the severe hydrocephalus. This Sonographer Extraordinaire was able to find the fissure in her skull that has caused the encephalocele. Sadly, it appeared to me that her brain deformity has actually worsened.
Baby A is hale and hearty. :-) Her head is low and ready to go. We can hardly wait to get our hands on her and her sis.
I'm doing well. Praying that labor starts before long.
Well, I'm going to waddle off for now--I'll try to keep you informed. Thanks for all the prayers!
Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe

Exciting Times

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s!
Well, The Ewe would be kicking up her heels today--if she could, LOL! Guess I'll just have to settle for a "siss, boom BAAAAH!!" :-)
GrandRamama woke me up this morning to let me know that our new lil' niece had been born. Yay!!! We're told The Ram's sis did a fantastic job of giving birth and her husband was a terrific coach! The RamFam spent some time on our knees last night, beseeching the Father on behalf of the B. family. The Lord is good. Sigh...
It's been funny this year--a bunch of ladies close to me were pregnant. My due date--Nov. 29--was the last of the long line of due dates. Seemed like *everyone* was having her baby, but Nov. never got any closer. LOL Well, my turn's coming now. I'm 36 1/2 weeks. The Lambies and I will move our Base of Operation Down South this weekend, to be nearer our beloved midwife. Emotions for me are mixed, a bit, as we don't know exactly what we're facing. Still, peace reigns.
I'll update from the Southland...
Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe

Quote of the Day: "Baby M has been born...At HOME!" --The GrandRamama

Neat Thing that Happened Last Sunday

Hi, F.O.T.E.'s,
How is life treating you? We're doing well...plugging right along. I'm now almost 36 weeks along with these twin girlies and, outside of being t-i-r-e-d, I'm feeling pretty good. I do pace myself and try not to attempt too much, as exertion brings on a lot of uncomfortable contractions. These gals could use at least another week of simmering before we lift the lid. ;-) We have another ultrasound next week. I will update you about that afterward...
You know, the Lord KNOWS. Really! "Knows *what?*" you ask. Everything!
Last week, The Ram and Lionness went out on an errand. During some goofing off when they got back home to the garage, somehow, The Ram's house key got lost in the van. After extensive looking, it was spotted down in the housing of the driver's side seat belt assembly. We thought surely we could fish it out. Well, suffice it to say that after *many* "casts," that "fish" wasn't "biting." We employed small children to stuff their fingers down in the slot to try to reach it. No dice. Sigh. So, I let The Ram have my key, as the Lambs and I were about to head South for a few days to go to a prenatal checkup.
Fast forward to the night (yawn) Lambies and I drove back to MO...I discovered on the way, thanks to a very, very wet diaper on Tater Tot, that I'd left our diapers Down South. I called home to ask The Ram to go pick up some, as I knew we *needed* some when we got home.
Well, due to a series of events, The Ram got locked out of the house. We brainstormed many possible solutions--most of which involved property damage, lol. I was about 30 minutes from home at that point.
After one more attempt by a small fry to retrieve the key in the van, we decided to see if Home Depot had one of those "magnets-on-a-steeck" that might work to pull out that stubborn key.
Well, Home Depot was already closed. We were right next door to Walmart and *still* needed diapers, so The Ram went in to get something for T.T.'s hiney. We still didn't know how we were going to get in our house.
I had been praying all the way home--reminding God that we needed His solution to our problem. He stayed close-lipped. ;-)
While the Lambs and I waited outside Walmart, a white work van pulled into the parking lot. On the side was painted, "Drivers' Friend Roadside Assistance." God whispered in my ear, "He'll help you." I kinda shook it off--*I* definitely wasn't going to approach a strange man in the middle of the night. The man went inside.
After a few minutes, The Ram came out with the dipes. We sat in the van a minute, gathering thoughts and deciding what to do. As we were about to leave the parking lot, the Drivers' Friend man came out and was loading things into his van. I said to The Ram, "He looks like the kind of guy who could get this key out of this hole."
The Ram decided it was worth a try, so he drove over to the man and told him our sad tale.
Well, ten minutes later, with *no* property damage, the man handed us the key. All the while he worked, he had been talking on his cell phone, lol.
We told the Lambies how God's solutions don't necessarily come when we want them, but it's awfully important to wait for HIS solution and not trust our feeble little girly-man attempts to fix ourselves.
Well, must run...er, waddle. I'll try to keep you updated... Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe

Quote of the Day: "SURRENDER!!! Or taste my sword!!!" Tater Tot, wielding a stick.

Just the Quote, Ma'am...

Quote of the Day: "I'll mow the grass when y'all are gone. I don't want the kids to see me doing that. That's what goats are for..." The Ram

Kids These Days

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
The Flock and I are about to run off to pick up The Ram from a conference thing he's been at this week...Can't wait to see him...
We're about over our colds. The weather's cooled off again...Life's good. :-)
I read this article and wanted to share it. As you drive through town, averting your eyes from the "hiney-cracks" of the teenage boys wearing pants 11 sizes too big, and you're tempted to think of words like, "...in a handbasket...", think about the boys in this article. There *are* responsible, respectable young men out there. Thank God for them.

http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2006/08/modern-day-gentleman/

Gotta run...y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe

Quote(s) of the Day: "When I was born, I was a baby." --Tater Tot

"Salt can fix anything. (pause) That's food. (pause, pause)
Except maybe pie..." --Lovable

Autumn Has Betrayed Me

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
I bet you're wondering about that title, eh? LOL Oh my...
You remember me bragging on the great temperatures we'd been enjoying? Well, for 3 days now, we've had record high temps! Up in the mid-90's. EEK!!! And only in the 70's for lows at night. AND...to top it off...our air went out!!! ACK!!! On the weekend...
I'll confess--when The Ewe gets overheated, she gets a little irrational. The mind doesn't work just right. Sigh...
But, the h/vac folks came to our rescue yesterday, so I'm coming back to my senses. I even had to pull the cover up on me in bed last night! That doesn't usually happen. :-)
Ah...air conditioning is a great invention!
Gotta run...I'm going to go sit over the air vent...
Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe

Quote of the Day: "Get your blankets out, Girls...Mama's gonna be COOL!!!" The Ewe

Read It and Laugh

I laughed. Really hard...




LETTER FROM A FARM KID,
(NOW AT San Diego MARINE CORPS RECRUIT TRAINING.)

Dear Ma and Pa,
I am well. Hope you are. Tell Brother Walt and Brother Elmer the Marine Corps beats working for old man Minch by a mile. Tell them to join up quick before all of the places are filled. I was restless at first because you got to stay in bed till nearly 6 A.M. but I am getting so I like to sleep late. Tell Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot, and shine some things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay. Practically nothing. Men got to shave but it is not so bad, there's warm water. Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, etc., but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant, pie and other regular food, but tell Walt and Elmer you can always sit by the two city boys that live on coffee. Their food plus yours holds you till noon when you get fed again. It's no wonder these city boys can't walk much. We go on "route marches," which the platoon sergeant says are long walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it's not my place to tell him different. A "route march" is about as far as to our mailbox at home. Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks. The country is nice but awful flat The sergeant is like a school teacher. He nags a lot. The Captain is like the school board. Majors and colonels just ride around and frown. They don't bother you none. This next will kill Walt and Elmer with laughing. I keep getting medals for shooting. I don't know why. The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk head and don't move, and it ain't shooting at you like the Higgett boys at home. All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it. You don't even load your own cartridges. They come in boxes.
Then we have what they call hand-to-hand combat training. You get to wrestle with them city boys. I have to be real careful though, they break real easy. It ain't like fighting with that ole bull at home. I'm about the best they got in this except for that Tug Jordan from over in Silver Lake. I only beat him once. He joined up the same time as me, but I'm only 5'6" and 130 pounds and he's 6'8" and near 300 pounds dry.
Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry and join before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in.

Your loving daughter,
Carol