The YVCC catalog came out yesterday- how depressing! I need 4 mores classes to get into my program- that is only 2 quarters, BUT it will cost about 1000 bucks a quarter to "get 'er done." I have financial aid for all of my nursing classes- practically a full ride (thank goodness for good grades!!) but I have to find a way to get these in first. Bummer-

 

But then again that gives me a reason for being a slacker and putting off school for a while. Right? Classes aren't easy, but I do miss them when I take time off. And I have 7 (or 9 if you count Steven as 2!!) reasons NOT to be taking time away from the family. I just feel like a loser for not being enrolled, and not helping with the income for that matter.

 

Class has always been a "me" thing, I wasn't mom, wife, anything but just me. In class, I had grown up conversations, was able to stretch my wings a little. I felt like I was somewhat competent, and respected. I worked hard, and it was all for me. Selfish huh? It was SO amazing to get postitive feedback on something I felt I worked hard on. To have a prof you really admire, tell you that you did a good job, use you as an example, or even stump with a really good question is fantastic. Ace-ing a Chem test is pretty snazzy too!!

 

But priorites shift, right? I'm here where I am needed, I know that. I know that the shorties need to have a parent at home, they need the attention and time. School will be there, when they are bigger. I don't need to be back right now, but I do miss it.

 

It really stinks- I have a huge- and awesome by the way- family, and I seem to be keeping up with them. So far!!  I hear people ask and wonder "how do you do it?" I don't know if they mean I'm not doing it well and they wonder about me, or if they don't think they could handle life like this and wonder how it's possible.

I still don't understand wht they mean- I never feel like I am doing enough!

 

Home schooling, newborn baby, twins and a 2 year old. I sit at home, and hubby is off working to pay for me to just sit here. I feel like I should be doing more, contributing more. Just not quite enough- man I hate that feeling.

 

I know Mom, I know. I just don't feel that way. It's not that I want to be Martha or anything- I just want to feel like I am more. I keep thinking that I'll feel like I am worth something- finally pulling my own weight- AFTER college, when I am working too. That all my time and energy will be FOR something.

 

I love being a daughter, a sister, a wife, and a mom... but somewhere in there it would be nice to be me too. Just a little. Who ever that is-

 

Wow- tis the season! Everything is starting to pile up- plans, appointments, activities, STRESS!! This week starts the holiday rush- Spokane, Conferences, Thanksgiving and Turkey Day, Festivus, more conferences, Grandmas birthday, Holiday Programs, Leavenworth, Christmas, New Years…. Breath! The mad dash to include everything, and everyone is on!

I used to really enjoy all the holiday planning, the visits, the cookies, the presents, the snow- now it seems to border on the overwhelming. Everything is about big and flashy… money, rush, more! Is it wrong to wish things would slow down rather than speed out of control? To actually relax and enjoy the holidays instead of struggling to fit everything in, to make sure everyone “gets” enough? Enough time, enough stuff, enough attention? How much a mom am I that my dream Christmas involves sleeping in, hot chocolate, happy (and somewhat mellow) family, good warm smells from the kitchen, and PJ’s being the required attire?

Add that to a beautiful ocean view and that would be heaven! But that was a dream a life time ago.

Things change, with kids, with families, with life… just gotta roll with it huh? It’s nice, but sometimes sad, to think about dreams and hopes and wishes from the past- but very nice to have new ones that change and grow with the times.

I’ve been stuck in a rut lately, trying desperately to pull myself out of it, but it is slow going. FRUSTRATINGLY slow going, but going none the less. It’s not a growing problem, it’s a GOING problem~ haha! Instead of planning and preparing, I seem to be in a more reflective state of mind. At least it will make for a descent Christmas newsletter to put in with the greeting cards J SO much has happened this past year- births and deaths, sicknesses and recoveries, weddings and divorces- struggles and successes- and everything is still changing - always in motion. It’s hard to believe so much has gone on in just 11 months. Looking farther back its hard to believe so much time has gone by so fast.

High school was yesterday, and 14 years ago. Billy is almost a teen. Clara is new, but seems like she’s been part of the family forever. The more things seem to change, the more they seem familiar- the same.

Ahh, that time again- better get a move on

If I haven't mentioned it before, I feel SO much better than just a few weeks ago! Heck, my kids don't know what to do- Mom's in a good mood I slept pretty much all night- with a 2 month old- what do you expect- a FULL night?! Joshy was quiet this morning The kids were all great during the Saturday Morning Walmart Grand Adventure- our weekly Grocery run. Walmart knows we're coming, and paychecks could be directly deposited directly to them. Did you ever think about how much money people spend on food? Budget amount times 2 ought to about cover it!!! Throw in a near teenage boy (and a 5 year old that eats like one) and we are talking serious bucks! It's crazy~

 

Anyway, we escaped spending under $50.00, a very rare occurance- but it added to my happy mood. Ahhh to smile, and yes even laugh again. Well, a chuckle- or maybe more of a giggle- whatever- you get the jest. A Vanilla Latte,   and a new CD... Laundry was done, and I was cooking, and dancing to the music... boring- but relaxing. The kids all look at me funny, but they do that most of the time anyway!!

 

Funny looks aside, I at least got that damn song out of my head... Barry is the Devil!!! "You're just to good to be true, can't keep my eyes off of you..." Arrrrgh- Were is a good ole commercial jingle when you need one?!

 

So now that breakfast, and lu-nner are finished (Baked Potato Soup) the family is all fed, many have crashed out on the floor snoring peacefully away- including Daddy-O. He stayed up all night working on his poker game and my coffee table. When he's all finished I will post photos of his handy work. He can make the most beautiful things- amazing! Still waiting on new cabinets- but what do you exect for the wife of a custom cabinet maker??? Mrs Superior Asphalt still has a gravel and dirt drive way LOVE YA DADDY!!!

 

Well, the ones who aren't snoring are watching Monster House.. which is a pretty weird movie. They seem to like it, but weird is as weird does...(my momma always said...get it?!) Because I think it's weird, I decided to take advantage of semi mellow time to write here. Ahhhhh Such an exciting life I lead- Walmart, dishes, diapers, naps, and blog writing! Whoo- whoo- Hold me back!  haha!

 

OH yeah, we did our annual "you pick 'em" Christmas drawing. The kids all put their names in a "hat" and draw the name of a sibling whom they are responsible for picking out a gift for. Kinda like secret santa. They had so much fun last year, and it wasn't that they were overly excitied about what they were getting, They wanted stuff- of course- but wanted to watch "their person" open what they picked out. That was awesome, seeing them so excited to be giving. I think I might actually be doing a decent job raising these little monkees! Well, I have rewarding moments  Good kids- all of 'em, I think I just got lucky.

 

I seriously don't know what I would do without out a brood full- busy and hectic, controlled chaos- but how weird would it be otherwise? For every frustration, or grouch or annoyance- there are a hundred "ohhh's" and smiles and hugs. Like I said, busy- but so lucky, blessed, fortunate... you get the idea. I don't know what I ever did to deserve this life- but it had to have been something good. Happy dance... can you see it??

 

I am getting very excited for next weekend too- maybe that is adding to my lovely mood. Next week at this time- DATE CITY! Spokane here we come!! I really need to get away, and this trip will be a nice one. We just reserved the room, have the hockey ticket info, and are SO ready to go. Mom and Lolo are awesome for taking on the monkees overnight. I don't know what I would do without all the help and support from them. Family is great like that. Well, mine is

 

Well, the kids are raiding the Halloween candy- so I should go stop them. Especially if they are after my favorites! Save some for me~

It's coming!! Our 5th trip tp Leavenworth for the Christmas lighting festival  The first year, Steven and I went up we stayed at the Enzian- a truly beautiful hotel, with a golf course and a wonderful loft above the lobby. Poor fella even tried to teach me how to play Chess up there- needless to say, it didn't take  Steven had never been there before, but liked it so much, we keep on going back. For those of you who haven't been there, you don't know what you are missing! The lights and decorations are absolutely amazing. http://www.leavenworth.org/index.html There are so many little specialty shops along the street- http://www.gingerbreadfactory.com/  you can (and we do) spend a full day or more investigating them. During the festival they have a parade complete with a bunch of holiday characters- Santa, Chris Kringle, Father Christmas...Life sized Nutcrackers and reindeer, snowmen and the Grinch! The resturants there are fantabulous- and so are the stands set up on the street. Bratwerst, and roasted chestnuts... yum! There is a timy little park in the middle of town where kids- young and not so young, take their sleds for a ride. A great place to warm up and eat after a long day is the Tumwater Inn resturant- very family friendly. We have a nice little history as a family up there- The first trip, was Steven and my first weekend escape together. The next trip, is when and where he proposed... on bended knee even! http://www.katzenjammersrestaurant.com/ We stayed at the Orbital Inn for this trip, and the next. During that visit, we found out we were expecting our son. The next year was a family affair- Boys trip! Billy, Tommy and Joshua joined us. This year it's the girls turn... I just hope that Leavenworth can handle that many cute blonds at one time!

 

Brrrrr- wow it's cold! I think next year the kids should all go as eskimos. 13 degrees- crazy.

 

Well, we didn't get out and about as much as we usually do- just a run into Big Grandma's and a stop at the hospital before heading homeward. We did go and stop by the neighbors houses- because you have to!  I was kind of surprised that there weren't many lights on this year- we didn't have any goblins show up either. Our kids were the only ones that hit up the neighbors for goodies too.

 

Kinda sad, but who can blame? The weather isn't very helpful either~

 

We still had a blast- and the kids were cute (always!!) and there is still plenty of candy to go around, So it was a good year!  Hope to have the pictures up soon

 

 

 

Billy and Kenny now have their own web sites too! In order to get there, click on their link in my friends section and make your request. Because they are short, and there are too many creepies out there  this way we can know who has access to their sites. They each have their own place, and will be adding their own photos and blogs... Could be pretty cool! Hope you come and check them out- but make sure to leave a little note in their comment sections (of their blog area)- that way they know you were there!

 

Thanks!

 

 

I can hardly wait- a little getaway. Man, can I use a break from the daily grind or what! It's nothing big or fancy- short jaunt to Spokane. A little over-nighter in the name of parental sanity! It seems like it has been forever since we've had a chance to "get a way" for more than a rushed dinner out together, so this will be great. Honestly, I think I would be ecstatic to just sit next to him- just us. Uninterrupted, just doing nothing together. It's wonderful to find someone with whom you can sit, silently in a room together, and be happy just because they are near. Like I said- it will be nice to get the chance.

I think we are going to try and get out and "get a life" for a minute or two- Spokane http://spokanechiefs.com and TriCities have a hockey game the night we are heading up there. It would be nice for Steven to get to go watch a game again, I know he misses it. When he was in the Navy- he and his buddy would go watch games when ever they could. Casey lives in NY and is a pretty big fan of the Sabers- and I think Steven is a little envious. Steven likes the Stars, http://dallasstars.com so they have a nice little rivalry- he just can't see it. I'm sure it would be nice to give him a chance to see a little bit of what he is missing.

That, and Chili's http://www.chilis.com Man do I wish they had a one close- that's another thing that stinks about having lived other places across the country. All the really cool places you find, ARE NOT HERE!!! Yakima is so boring. That and everyone knows everyone. I'm sure I would be known as "the lady with all those kids" soon enough anywhere but it would be nice to be somewhere that people didn't know all about you, before even meeting you! To volunteer for PTA rather than be volunteered because they know what you can and have done...would be a nice!

I guess everyone thinks about "getting away" in one shape or another. Wither it be for a night, a vacation, or for a new life. I know I do. It would be cool to go to Oklahoma or Texas where Steven grew up, or to go live in the mountains, or somewhere on the east coast when the leaves are changing colors (and they actually televise hockey games!) Some place different and new- a change.

Wow- the blues rut rears it's ugly head again!

Oh well, everyone deserves a break now and again, and I can't wait for mine!

Joshy Joshy Joshy. He is a unique individual. Louder, and into more stuff than the first 5 combined, he is the wild one. First, there is his apparent footwear fetish- he is always running around in a pair of his sisters shoes. It doesn't matter which sisters', which pair, or even if the shoes match. He has a favorite pair of boots too- which he will clod around the house in... Just his boots. Did I mention he's the resident nudist as well?

He has also discovered the joys of door locks. Not only has he mastered the locking (and unlocking) of the front door- he has figured out the interior door locks as well. He is particularly fond of sneaking into my room and locking the door behind him, then laughing because mom can't get in. Nice! He, in addition to his skills as an escape artist and master of locks is an aspiring chemist. He has discovered the fun and excitement of dumping anything and everything he can get his hands on... into the toilet or tub. He realized that dumping stuff on the floor was fun, but hard to get around "ooky" when you are trying to make a quick escape.

The little Jabber-wocky is continuing his study of the English language, and has taken to mimicking everything. Sounds and especially phrases he hears are all fair game. Trying to get the right pronunciation and meaning isn't an easy task... he says "damit" and "meanie" for no reason at all- usually while playing alone, but has "mine!!" figured out completely. And seems to understand it means more when you say it really loudly!

Being only 2, he still has a little trouble with some sounds, the "s" sound currently escapes him. His come out as "k's" which drives his poor father up the wall. Poor kid-having already explained his fascination with shoes, dad cringes when Josh starts hollering about wanting "socks."

His big brother had a similar problem. His "t's" came out sounding like "f's", and he loved playing with his dump trucks.

Ahhh and who said parenting was without it's rewards?!

Pictures are great for stirring up memories- aren't they? Digging through boxes of photos and mementos looking for my favorite ones, reading through old birthday cards and year books. Some make me misty, some make me smile-but there is no way I can be this old already!

Sometimes high school seems so far away, like another life time. Do you remember all the plans and dreams from back then? They seemed so real, and attainable back them- kinda foolish looking back on them now though. (College in Oregon, Dancing in Alberta...) All the people we hung out with "back in the day" are gone, our "best friends" spread out all over the country. Crazy how things that seemed so important back then are only vague memories now. I don't think I talk to more than 1 or 2 people I went to school with anymore. Life gets in the way, new things take priority, but it still seems sad to have lost touch with things and people that were so important to us at one time.

I got a little misty reading through my year books- the autographs and comments quickly scribbled in the hallways do leave a lasting impression. I haven't thought about some of the signers in over 10 years, but reading them brought it all back. The dorky little jokes. The stupid arguments. The pep rallies. The dances. The rumors. The nicknames. The secret "wishes." The crushes. The heartbreaks. The drama. Ahhh to be young and free to be goofy again!

Then again, looking at the pictures in these books- that can be traumatic! What in the world were we all thinking? Guys get off a lot easier than we ladies do, I mean a hair cut is a hair cut on a guy. No make up worries, or big bang hair styles. Unless you fell for the permed mullet (and I know some of you all DID!) things were pretty much ok. Well, I guess if my kids needed some more to laugh at their mom about... those photos should provide them plenty of ammo!

In my "dig through history" I even came across a box of photos from the different places I have lived in. I found pictures of my yard bunny in Georgia, that little critter kept me company for a while living in Augusta. I even wrote a story about him in college- my prof wanted me to try and get it published... I just never had the guts to try it. Georgia was a beautiful place to live, and I think about it a lot. Savannah is indescribable... I would love the chance to go back there and show the kids someday.

I also found snap shots of apartments in Colorado Springs, and El Paso Texas... and they all looked alike! Except for the peach walls of Texas, they all had a very similar layout- it was hard to tell them apart. I bounced around a lot back then, coming home to have the babies- going back after they were born. I am glad to have these pictures to remind me... and most of them (surprisingly) have some pretty adorable little kids in them. It's such a trip to see how much they have changed, and how much they all look like each other! Comparing photos of the kids when they were the same age, like Tommy at 2 with Joshy at 2... it's amazing. Personality wise they are all so different, each with their own "thing", but you can tell by looking that they are all related.

I was pretty lucky in the fact that I got to see so much around the country before heading "back home" for good. Driving from Georgia to Texas, I got to see part of the country I never expected to. Got to take a train from Texas to Washington along the California cost- Billy was maybe a year old(?) That was a blast! I got to visit with an old guy who told me all about playing an Indian in old movies "back in the day." The told me about the history of the tiny little towns in Arizona that we passed by... the bank robberies, and local lore. Another passenger, a professor from New Mexico, got me talking about history- and encouraged me to go back to school. He got me thinking, and I eventually did go back- I got my AA in 2003 and continue to plod along...

In Colorado, mom and pop came and got to check out the cliff dwellings and ghost towns, Pikes Peak and Red Rock. I got to see Little Big Horn too, (not in Colorado!) and am lucky enough to have pictures from them all. Going and experiencing these places is amazing, but having the pictures to "relive" is not such a bad alternative.

I have pictures, and memories, from Camping trips, and the Oregon coast... from baseball games in Seattle, and trips to the zoo, Dance competitions after game parties, Leavenworth and Boulder cave, newborn babies and jr high band concerts. They run the range of times and subjects- but I treasure every single one.

Good, Bad, Happy, Sad- they are worth well more than a thousand words- and I feel lucky to have had them.

Cold and flu season is on us-and all over us. The traditional "mass sick-in 2006" is in full force. Many of you may not realize the joy and frustration of a large family, and though there are many wonderful and amazing aspects to life with a herd of kids- there are a couple of draw backs as well. This is one of the biggies.

 

Around here, you don't ever seem to see anyone doing anything independently. There is always some sort of group dynamic at work- 2 helping pick up laundry, 3 playing a game, 3 teasing 2, group sneak attacks with pillows on the unsuspecting Daddy-O. Always something...sometimes like a team, other times more like a conspiracy!

 

This is feeling more conspiracy like all the time. It started out simple, a little cold sore on a twinnie. After the usual barage or "which boys were you kissing on Caden???" she spent the next day home sick in bed with a fever and the yucks. Yesterday started out better, and just when I started to think that maybe that we got off easy- Tommy got sick. Soon it became apparent that we were in for a long- really, really, really long night when ALL of the kids had sacked out on the floor by 7pm. Oh great.

 

So Dads got a headache, moms working on a migraine... Clara is on her usual 2 month old "sleeping is optional at night" routine. Caden is wide awake and wanting to play, and the rest of the kids take turns running to the bathroom. See, at least they are great at team work- taking turns is good for everyone, except for mom who stands by through ALL the turns. Sleep?? What is that?!

 

All in all, we averaged about a 2 hour snooze somewhere in the middle of all the festivities. Slept through the alarm- but looking back, it is probably not a bad thing to have gotten a few extra minutes of rest in there. SO... here we sit. Movies playing and sleeping bags spread everywhere. I have come to realize that keeping a group together is a lot easier than running from room to room- when the kids are all wanting mom close, at the same time. Oh to be needed! 

 

In spite of the long night spent, and the next couple ahead of me, I think I prefer this "mass sick in" to the previous bouts of yuck over the years. For a while, the kids would take turns being unwell- great for one on one attention, but if you have 5 or 6 kids sick for a day or 2 in a row... it really adds up! The best part of that senerio is when you get to the end of the line, when everyone has had their turn (dad included) the virus has changed just enough to start them through a new cycle. Joy and rapture!! That is just about enough to drive a statue to tears.

 

But it does bring up a point, have you all ever noticed that mom's never get sick like that? With all the yuck going around (and around and around in our case) mom seems to be the one with the bowls of soup, glasses of sprite, and cool wash cloths? Dinner cooking, laundry going, and tempratures taken. How in the world is that possible? I have lived through these sessions in life- but don't ask me how. It's all a blur- a faint fuzzy memory... a lot like labor! You are just happy to have survived!!

 

Anyway, by the time everyone is healthy and mom can wind down... something else pops up- like I said, never (ever!) a dull moment!

 

baby blues- are terrible. Here I sit with a beautiful family, and new born baby girl and I still feel completely alone! I know I shouldn't feel this empty, but I do. People don't like to talk about it, and it is completely humiliating to admit that I feel this crappy. I don't for an instant consider myself anything special- just a mom and a wife doing what I need to do. But I should be able to handle my life right?! That isn't anything outside of the realm of reality- nothing out of the ordinary or special about that concept.

 

What I find even more upsetting is that when I finally had the nerve to say something, everyone immediately jumps to the conclusion that I am a risk "Have you had thoughts of hurting yourself or others?" With in a 12 hour time frame I was asked this- hello!! No sleep plays a big role in feeling cruddy.

 

Add this to all the drama with my gestational diabetes- and the testing and the diet and the monitoring and the pills that go along with it- no wonder my appetite is a little off as well. Perfectly understandable- and more than explainable. I am just so tired of it! I just want to be back to normal- no big drama, no tv interviews or book deal "how I coped with depression" crud that they have splashed all over the media these days. I am just wiped out-

 

When I went to the doctor, they had me fill out a 'survey' to find out my "depression level." The questions on it were ones that 80% of people would affirm daily. Are you not sleeping/ sleeping too much? Are you not eatting/ eatting too much? Are you with out energy? Are you more emotional than normal (crying)? Are you anxious?Do you find yourself unable to complete simple tasks? YES, once again- just had a baby, AND have 6 more and a hubby to take care of!

 

What I want to know is when does this start to feel better?! Is there a time frame I should focus on? I know I have a lot going on, but really this should be snap with what I do "normally." With the kids in school, there was PTA, class trips and volunteering. I was taking classes at YVCC, and working part time too. Sitting at home with no school, no job- cuddling a beautiful little girl should be a breeze.  I can't hardly work up enough energy to get out of my PJ's and figure out whats for dinner!

 

So instead of help and GOOD advice from "medical professionals"... you know- that would actually do something, (who really should have more experience with this than I do)... I was sent to a counselor and given an anti-depressant. The pills make me more anxious, I am still not eatting OR sleeping. O for 1. The lovely counselor they made me talk to was just about as helpful. With questions like- How often do you get to go out alone? HAHAHA...ahhh sorry- that question alone should have snapped me out of my funk because it is so darn funny!! I was advised to take time for me (haha) and given a list of things I should do to take care of myself. Take a nice long relaxing bath every day- (5 minute power shower), take a quiet walk alone- (yea), set simple tasks on a list and make sure to complete them-(her example was cleaning the kitchen counters- in 6 easy steps!!) Her favorite piece of advice, was that I really should go out and get myself a manicure. WHAT?!   

 

So none of the so called "medical advice" was, in my humble opinion, worth a poo.

 

After the twins, I had a hard time. Similar feelings, but I was just sad- for 6 months. I didn't say anything back then, and people just thought I was run ragged by 2 toddlers and newby babies. Being in Colorado probably played a role in it back then too- I didn't have family close by to step in and give me a hand when I could have used a break. Don't get me wrong, Dad's are supposed to be there to help and support you- but they work too. The thinking behind "it takes a village to raise a child" really comes into play- especially right after the baby comes. I know it makes things run a lot smoother with a few extra hands.

 

I know I had a really hard and emotional time with the twins and after Thomas was born too. I don't remember it being so hard after Josh, but then I kind of knew what to expect, and how to try and make myself feel a little better. I guess I thought I was "immune" after Joshy, and let my guard down when it came to Clara. But then again, she was a different pregnancy from the start. 2 weeks of labor pains before being induced... who has a  336 hour labor and bounces back?!Who knows why the blues are here- but they are, and I really don't want them to stick around for 6 months like they did before.

 

I have never ever liked the feeling of being out of control of things- (at least let me think I have some say!!) So this is really a hard thing for me to try and deal with. It's not like you can just decide to feel great again and Poof! you are. I wish it were that easy-

 

I am not writting this to make you all feel bad for me, or try to elicit free babysitting or anything, I just feel better to get "it" out there- I don't want anyone worried either. I am doing better- a little better every day. I just wanted to vent a little. 

 

I spoke to a friend who just had her 2nd child, she called me one day and we talked about everything. She is the first person I have ever know who shared the same feelings that I was feeling. Knowing I wasn't the only one who felt horrible for feeling bad- that was a huge relief to find someone to talk to. I know there are a bunch of cousins and friends out there who have just had/ are getting ready to have a new baby. Maybe if they are feeling blue, and read this- maybe they won't feel so alone like I did. Sometimes, even with people around and lots and lots of help and support- we can still feel alone, like no one else knows how we feel. That nobody would understand that we aren't happy when we think we should be, that we feel different than we expected to. It sucks. I know it sucks. I also know that it gets better, a lot lot better. I just am tired of waiting for it to~

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digging through huge boxes of photos, you know the ones... all the trips to the photo mat end there! I find it very upsetting to realize how fast time goes. It is getting harder and harder to tell which baby pictures are of who. Looking at the twins pictures- telling them apart has never been easy. but add the time factor in too- trouble!!!

 

I posted some of my favorites here, and I will keep adding more as I dig through them. Hope you guys like them and the memories they bring as much as I do-

Papa Clark is currently in the hospital getting ready for a triple by-pass- just wanted to wish him well, and ask that he be in your thoughts-  Thanks

 

She asked if Steven was helping as much as he should be, and even offered to come talk to him if "he needed a talkin' to!" She asked if I had thought about having another sometime, since 8 is a nice round number... She has 3, and figured 4 was better- so she's having another in March. She told me I had beautiful babies, and had made an impression on her. She said that the way I handled being a mom of many made her think about adding on to her own family.