I want to make sure I document funny things the kids say or how they say certain words.

Avea:

Drink: "D"
Thank you: "Dee Doo"
Blanket: "Batey"

This past week or so Avea has decided she wanted to revert back to newborn habits and start waking up in the middle of the night. She lets out what I can only describe as a squak (sp) and a continuous one at that. After a while, Justin or I go in hoping to console her and she only says in the most pathetic voice, "Hoe me, hoe me." It is basically impossible to resist so we end up bringing her in bed with us where she kicks only Justin the whole night. :)
Last night, I heard that familiar squak and again tried to give it a few minutes. Next thing I know, Hudson is in there saying something like, "Avea, stop crying. You gah go back to sleep." Of course, that made things much worse. Justin brought her to bed and then Hudson was upset......No way I could have 5 of us in bed. Luckily, I was able to settle Hudson into bed with his lamp on and what he calls, "door big."

I Want To See His Eyes

One of my favorite things Hudson says to Elias numerous times a day is, "I wanna see his eyes." I put little Eli where Hudson can see him and he just loves on him saying, "He is so cute." Now if that doesn't make your heart sing, what will?

Blessed

I haven't blogged for months! I have surely wanted to but for quite some time couldn't get logged on to blog. Anyways, since then little Elias Randall joined us Tuesday morning, October 16 at 11:36am weighing in at an even 7 pounds and almost two inches longer than his siblings at 20 3/4 inches. He was only 4 days early, which for some would be amazing! With both Hudson and Avonlea being 10 days early we just figured it would be the same with Eli. I had SO many false alarms. One of those times I even called Mom at 5 in the morning and she came to our house only to go home a few hours later. For a solid week not a day passed that I didn't think in some way that could  be the day. I was literally going crazy and driving everyone else down the same path. Finally at my weekly appointment (October 15) I scheduled an induction for the next day. Justin came home early from a 24 and we were set! I went into labor that night about 10pm and called Mom about 2am. She came and this time she didn't leave. I as admitted around 3am and had the epidural by 6am. I was a happy camper and ready to take in the experience with happiness and contentment. Just before it was time to meet the little guy, Mom brought the kids in to say hi. Hudson was very timid and apprehensive but little Avea still got up on the bed. I started pushing about 11:15 and he was out by 11:36! I nearly popped a vein or two. I was so determined to get him out quickly. I had waited long enough! When Dr. Hughes handed him to me he was so alert and just stared at me. Justin got a bit teary eyed. It meant the world to me to watch my husband meet another one of his kids and see the joy in his eyes. We have had a rocky year but he still remains my constant and a man I love so much. Often times I am surprised he has stuck with me--I am not an easy woman to deal with! This entry is a little rushed but I wanted to get something in. Elias is now 16 days old and we are fairly settled in. It feels like we have always had him. His siblings adore him--often times too much as they kiss the heck out of him. Blessed sums it up. God has surely blessed the Raney 5.

Saying Goodbye to Bjorn

On June 3 we said goodbye to Bjorn, who moved in with us just one week after we moved into our new dream home. He came from Germany to live with us for the entirety of a school year. This was quite an experience for us, but we one we would not trade. Bjorn soon became family and a big brother to our kids, especially Hudson.
Daily, Hudson would ask where "Bo" was and loved going upstairs to Bjorn's room to hang out and play Legos (or Leegos if you are Bjorn).

After nearly 10 months, it was time to say goodbye. This was very hard for Justin and I, perhaps harder than we thought. We spent his last week here taking him to dinner, ice cream, a movie, and mini golf. On his last night, we threw him what I feel was a very successful goodbye party.

The day we took him to the airport, while we were checking in our luggage, Hudson thought it would be a great time to start exploding on the suitcases and Avea. What I mean by this is showing his typical boy side and fake farting all over. There were enough people around that I was plenty embarrassed although the poor guy comes by this very honestly. My family is very amused by bodily functions, fake or real. Anyways, now that this startling side of me as been revealed. I think Bjorn really enjoyed a good laugh over Hudson. We headed up to security and while we were just taking it easy for a few mintues, Avonlea thought she may as well strip down. Off comes her tank top and next the shorts. This again created a small scene. I think those two knew that we all needed a good laugh before this teary goodbye.

All in all, it was a great experience hosting an exchange student. I don't think we could have had a better fit for our family. God provided us with an excellent experience!

Oregon Trail Interpretive Center and Oregon Coast

My Different Eaters

Hudson has always been a picky eater and still only likes a few select food groups--luckily, one of which is meat, so he can be sustained with something other than milk.
Avea on the other hand will try pretty much anything. In fact, today I had cleaned out the fridge just a little bit and thrown a few pieces of pizza (which we rarely do) from a few days ago. Not too much later, the kids were in the pantry--again. Avea walks out with those two pieces of taco pizza, joyfully eating them. I suppose there are worse things, but I have seen what goes in our garbage and was surely touching her pizza!

Only When Daddy Is Gone

It seems that all of the "fun stuff" seems to happen when Justin is at work-so a mere 60 hours a week. Today, we were at a peaceful moment in the day after spending a few hours outside in the sunny, yet brisk day. It was maybe 55 degrees and Avonlea took a swim--fully clothed and unphased by the temperature. We had come inside, eaten lunch, and were cleaning Hudson's room. Hud and Avea had left as I put a few of his clothes away. I walked out to our "great room" to find Hudson dumping baby powder all over the "hardwood" floors as Avea followed joyfully making footprints.  You can imagine my delight! There really is not a great way to clean that goodness up. I swept, used my Kirby, mopped. The only upside--baby fresh smell!

Proud of My Faith

I am currently reading a book called The Sinai Experiment, which I can  best describe as a modern day interpretation of the Ten Commandments with challenges and avenues to force you to think differently or simply break your comfort zone. This week's commandment is "Don't Misuse My Name" One of the challenges is "to repent for misrepresenting God and hurting people in the process. Apologize to someone, even a complete stranger, for our inappropriate misuses of God's name."

I may be taking my own spin on the challenge, but what I would apologize for is hypocrisy of Christians, including myself. It is frustrating to see things in public like church billboards, facebook, and even the media, although much of that seems to have a bias. Regardless, of where it comes from,it is very saddening as a Christian to see what much of the world thinks of us. This reminds me of another book I have read with two small groups called They Like Jesus But Not the Church. Ouch, but spot on. I could sit here and ramble on about places I hear or observe my faith being slandered or misrepresented but am I not just as guilty? The only thing I can do is be bold enough to stand up for the Jesus I believe in and the Christianity I believe in. That pretty much terrifies me. Perhaps if I were presented with a chance to talk to someone it may be different, but it is the putting myself out into those situations that cause me to be vulnerable and change people's minds about my faith.

For now, I hope to just be more aware of how I and even my church represent the name of Christ and Christianity. I hope and pray to be bold when there is an opportunity and to make Jesus pleased with me. Afterall, I could have it far worse and truly be persecuted for my faith, even to the point of the death. I have so much freedom, but it seems the people that do not have any or that much more bold.

If you're reading this and disagree or even want to talk, I would truly be more than happy.

Limeade, an envelope, and.....treasure

This is one of those stories I will look back on and it will be much funnier than when it actually happened.

After a typical laundry and cleaning Monday, it was time for the kids and I to get out for a while. We headed to Sonic for a little Happy Hour. I got each of the kids a Strawberry Limeade, so we were all happy with our drinks! Each of them so sweetly replied, "thank you." It was one of those moments my heart was just overflowing. Two adorable kids with treats in hand, sitting in the car looking out at a sunny, winter day.

We were headed to pick up Bjorn at track practice and had time to spare, so I took them to play at the school playground. About five minutes into it, Hudson decided that was the time he needed to, well, poop. He didn't bother to tell me, he just went. He comes waddling over with full pants swaying back and forth. It was one of those moments time froze. I checked the wipe supply--empty. No napkins as we are borrowing my parents car and my stash of napkins is in some junkyard with my van. Desperate I grabbed an empty envelope to get the "treasure" out of his pants. Naturally, gravity took over and it was now on the pavement. Awesome. I couldn't leave it there, so I try picking it up with an envelope--clearly an unmastered art. I now had poop on my hands and no way to clean it up. Remember those limeades? Well, that acted as my sanitizer/water and a fresh pair of Hudson's underwear, the towel.

From there I ran into a friend from high school who was there with her little girl, Avea's age. Her husband is one of the track coaches. We visited for a while and after that Hudson was at it again--this time, I had had it. The kid literally unloaded and there was no way I planned to salvage his underwear. Into the trash they went.

Needless to say, I was very ready for Bjorn to be done and to get those kids straight into the bath.

Tales of motherhood....ah.

What Lesson Could He Possibly Be Teaching Me?

Wow is all I can really say about the past few weeks in my life. Overall, it seems my life has been fairly routine and drama free. Of course, there were times, but overall fairly mellow. This brings me to February. I suppose it all began when I decided to drive to Vegas for a convention with my friend Anna. Neither of us could leave until the evening so around 7pm we headed out on the barren roads to "Sin City" which could be a completely different post. What should have been a 10 hour drive turned into an exhausting drive comprised of a 40 minute detour, more wildlife and roadkill than a I have ever seen and what I deem to be a very power driven cop outside of a city I will not mention in Nevada. At 2 in the morning he issued me my first ticket in 6 years. Anyways, we arrived exhausted to Vegas about 6 am and snuck in 4 hours of sleep to begin a long weekend of full out convention. We headed home much less eventful and my new week began.

We have been busy looking for new renters for our rental home (aka first home we bought together and brought both kids home to). This is difficult as we want someone to live in our home that will take the same pride and care in it that we did for 5 years. The next day, Valentines Day, I found out a was pregant--a hunch I had, but it was now confirmed. We were not shocked as we wanted another--just not one due on our anniversary...again. Just like Avea!

We had an appointment to try reducing our interest rate on our home and so that is on our minds. Friday night, Justin and I had a much anticipated date night. We saw The Vow (which opens up with a car accident). On our way home, we were nailed by a young driver who failed to yield. Justin remained calm and heroic and brought our spinning car to a safe stop just shy of the edge of a country ditch road. Two hours, two sheriffs, and a tow truck later, we said goodbye to what is likely our totalled van. We came home around midnight, exhausted but so thankful our kids were not with us and we were safe, despite Justin's stiff and sore body. He had an unusual Saturday off due to the accident. Monday rolled around...just when I thought it was over. I was tending to my normal cleaning and laundry duties and Hudson was upstairs in his loft watching a movie. We have started closing the door when he is up there as our little adventurer, Avea, really likes to climb. She and I had gone in there and I left a minute while she played. She chose that minute to make me run as quick as I ever have once I heard what I knew was her head crashing down. I scooped her up once I knew nothing appeared to be broken, yet time stood still. That girl screamed her head off. Justin was at work, so I called my Mom, which I often do. I also called Justin and the nurse. By that time Avea had gone completely white and I could not keep her awake--she kept falling asleep on me, and that is not typical! The nurse and Justin said to take her to the ER, so I did. My Mom thankfully met me there as we sat there for 2 hours as they monitored her. All has been good since--with her at least.

We spent Monday evening at my parents and I was driving home fairly immersed in a conversation with Bjorn. I had looked down at the spedometer to convert mi to km and next thing I knew flashing lights grabbed my heart and sent it into very quick beats. I started to cry, panic, and talk out loud to God asking him to please spare me and ask what He wants from me? I was very honest with the officer about my speeding. I know those roads and the speed and I honestly try to abide by them, but we all get distracted talking right? I told him it was not our car and that we just had an accident. He was very gracious--if he hadn't been I would have lost it.

I sit back now looking and reflecting on the events of the last few weeks and just wonder what could He be teaching me or waking me up to? What will I look back at weeks and months down the road coming out of?

I am not sure how much more I can take, but as each thing happens....I roll with it.

I am thankful for my beautiful kids that bring me daily renewed joy, my husband who stands faithfully by me despite who I can be, and for my family who constantly is there for my dramas. If anything, it has caused me to be even more thankful and to communicate that to my God who is bigger than any ticket or accident.

This One Goes Out to Uncle Beau

I was telling Hudson for the upmteenth time to go potty, to which he usually says with a little attitude, "OK!" This time, he threw a curve ball and responded while saluting, "Yes sir (sah)" This kid is a complete crack up and I have NO idea where he learned this one.

Kids DO say the darndest things.

I am not very good at writing in the kids baby books, so if I at least have their funny sayings and doings online, at least there is documentation somewhere!

A few of my favs from Hudson lately:

"Wha you dooming?"
"Where you goming?"

A few of my favs from Avea who seems to have many tomboy signs:

The constant growling noises she makes and most recently, the car noises she makes when playing with Hudson's cars.

The way she screams "Maaaaaa" through the whole house whether she be summoning me or my Mom.

The way she growls "Haaa" for things she knows are hot.

Ughhh....

So my intent for this blog was to boast about how blessed and lucky I am to have the life I do and especially the amazing kids I do. As I write I must remind myself of that. Since this new year hit many small obstacles have presented themselves. Ones that really force me to look at the person I am, but lately the bumps in my road have been bills. Yeah, what an exciting topic for anyone crazy enough to read this. It seems all of the bills thought January was the perfect time to present themselves. HOA fees, dentist bills, and almost 300 in a gas bill! I have no idea what we did to incur this amazing little gift, but it is easily 6 times the amount of our normal bill. Simply--I do not have the money to pay all of these bills right now. Even as I blab and vent now, I must catch myself. I am blessed. I am blessed much more than probably many people that live right here in my town. I have never gone hungry. I have never not had shelter. I have never not had power...well except the first night we moved into our first house we bought, but anyway! God is providing! We are blessed with 3 jobs and we do have income. Things will work out. This entry may just be therapy for me as I deal with the stress of being "grown up." I must remind myself that to most of the world, I am extremely wealthy and my complaining is nothing compared to the trials that many people face.