T minus 4ish and counting...

Believe it or  not, we're into the "final" countdown before little Miss arrives! (And no, we still haven't picked out a name - though we have narrowed it down to about 5 names *wink*) My original due date was September 20th, but at our first ultrasound (17 weeks), they changed the due date to September 26th. I'm very sure of my dates, but we went with the later date since I tend to "bake" my babies a little longer. There's been some questioning over baby girl's size (she's running on the small side), so we'll get the final say at our September 1st ultrasound as to whether the placenta's still fully functioning and if little Miss is gaining weight appropriately, or if we need to stick with our earlier dates and get stuff started a little earlier. Hence, I'm not sure whether to tell people I have 4 weeks or 5 weeks left. *wink*  So we'll go with 4ish - since I'm pregnant, and feeling rather large, and more than ready for the end to be here sooner rather than later. (Are you listening, baby girl?)

It's been quiet around my blog for a while... but, as you can imagine, quietness on the blog means a little more activity going on 'round the home-front.  It hasn't been filled with anything too monumental, other than just trying to get things more organized before the addition of little number 5, keeping up with school (we're pretty relaxed, but didn't really take the Summer "off".. again, due to baby), changing our pet status from 0 to 2, fighting fleas on said pets, getting fall clothes out and sorted through so I don't have to traverse into the attic too soon after baby, discovering Pinterest (and subsequently having a new dearth of recipes and crafts to try my hand at), and my most recent undertaking... which I'm still working on - getting a freezer meal list together and into the freezer. I'll be posting my freezer meal list at some point, since I'll probably have need of it again at some point in the future and my blog seems to be the most foolproof place for me to keep that kind of info to have on hand. 

I'm trying to remember the advice I've gotten from several mama's to enjoy these years, and soak up the moments. It's such a hard thing to remember when the days feel long and I'm tired. It's hard to not get frustrated by disobediences and bickerings, or to let myself get overwhelmed by constant chattering when my brain feels like it's going to short out.  Daily, I pray for patience, love, joy, and the strength to die to myself. (And the longer I'm a mama, the more I realize my own selfishness and shortcomings!)  I'm so thankful that we serve a merciful God who gives us strength to accomplish what He asks of us. My frustrations with my little ones pale dramatically when I compare them to all of my own shortcomings. So much of parenting, I'm beginning to see, is one sinner learning to show grace to other little sinners as I try to point them to Christ. (Not discounting discipline and training here, but rather just learning a whole new facet to them).

Speaking of my little ones, they're growing up more quickly than I can fathom - and I've been so busy that I haven't been pulling my camera out very much. Trying to remind myself to remedy that... pictures are such a treasure in years to come!

Davina volunteered herself as my little photographer this afternoon, as I have virtually no pregnancy pictures this time around. She did a pretty good job! (And yes, I look awkward... I prefer to be on the OTHER side of the camera *grin*)

The kittens - Starbucks and Scooter

The growing little ones, the kittens, and our dear friends Emily Rose and Breezy. 

(Their family came for a short visit a few weeks ago and we so enjoyed them!!)

I borrowed this picture from Emily Rose - hope you don't mind, dear friend!

And on an end note, though we won't be attending due to the close proximity of baby's impending arrival - my friend Victoria made me aware of a Family Worship Conference that Pastor Marcus Serven is doing in Marietta, GA September 30-October 1.  It looks like it will be very encouraging and informative, so if you're going to be in the area you might want to look into going!  The registration deadline is September 23.