Today, I had intended to post my 10 Final Days of Thankfulness.  While we won't quit being thankful when November is over, it will end the post for a "Month of Thankfulness" that many are doing either on Facebook or their blogs, or wherever else they might be making their post.  It's been a great month, full of building projects, family trips, and other assorted excitement.  We are transitioning into the Christmas season.  Which is another time of year that reminds me just how blessed I am.  I had alot of thoughts from big ones like our health to little ones like Gary's recliner that I steal borrow from him daily.
Instead, I'm going to share a prayer request with you.  Gary was laid off last Tuesday.  We didn't want to share the news with anyone until after Thanksgiving.  We didn't want to ruin anyone else's holiday.  It's hard to comprehend why they would move us up here, and then dump us after 4 months.  Especially seeing the increase in sales and the relationships he was building with the customers.  It's hard to believe that we are going through this yet again, a process I hoped to never relive to be completely honest.
In some ways it's scarier than ever to be 18 hours from our Church, and 8 hours from our family.  To have such changes again when everything seemed to be so bright, is frustrating.  On the other hand, it's not so bad this time.  Sad as it is to say, we are getting to be pros at living on very little, and combing through jobs.  On Tuesday we were in contact with two guys that had been interviewing Gary and then wanted to hire him after he had already accepted this job.  Gary also spoke with Mr. Ron our wonderful recruiter (who truly has been a Godsend).  He already has some applications put in and interviews lined up.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers that Gary might find a good position in his career field (and more quickly this time than the last), an that we would be given discernment as we try to make decisions between now and then.

On Thanksgiving, we went to Gran-ma-mer's and Grandy's house.  While we were there, they pulled out this funny little dog.  He sings this song, and flops his ears all over the place.  Back a few years ago, they got it for Britt, and he was scared to death of it.  This time he played with it some, though he still said he didn't like it.  Me on the other hand, I liked it... I just liked it from a little further away.

One of the best parts about going to see Grumps and Ahna, is that Ahna reads to us any time we ask.  Sometimes Momma tells me no, that she has to do something else, or later because she's busy.  Ahna always reads when we ask.  Since we opened our Christmas presents with them while we were there, we got lots of new books in our book bags with our stockings.  Ahna has been getting Llama, Llama books for Ruth, and she got two new ones this weekend.  We love to read with Ahna.

I kinda enjoyed writing my long list of things I am thankful for.  Grandma's favorite Church song is "Count Your Many Blessings."  In fact, I can't think of many other songs I've ever heard her call out.  That's really what this exercise is all about - in a conscious way to "name them one by one."  Most of us I assume thank God for our blessings and ask Him to watch over those blessings - taking care of our families and Churches each night.  However, if we aren't careful this just becomes a rote habit, rather than a conversation with our Heavenly Father.  This is just a way to take a few minutes to really think about those many blessings we often take for granted.
Day 11 - I am thankful for my father.  Daddy is the best man I know.  He was an example of being calm and together under pressure, I can think of very few times that he lost his temper when we were growing up.  He loves my mother, and puts her first in everything he does.  They were a united front no matter the challenge.  He stands for the truth no matter the cost.  He isn't the most vocal member of the Church, but you always know were he stands.  He worked long and hard hours when we were growing up to give us more than just our needs but most of our wants; however, he was never too tired to sit on our bed at bedtime and talk to us.  He has taught me so much, and I hope he's around a really long time because I'm sure I've not learned it all yet.
Day 12 - I am thankful for my mom.  Mother was with us all the time.  I understand what a sacrifice that is now.  She was there when we woke up in the morning, she drove us to school, we came to her classroom after school, she drove us home, cooked supper, checked homework, and got us to bed at night.  She and Daddy rarely took date nights.  Now that I'm a mom at home with the kids all the time, I can see what a sacrifice it was for her to never have her own time, but to put us first.  She instilled a love of reading, a high priority on keeping things neat and orderly, and to always have a coat.  I find that I need her far more now that I have kids, than I ever thought I did as a kid.  I hope she's around a really long time too.

Day 13 - I am thankful for my brothers... most of the time, haha.  I can't imagine life without them.  I really feel for people that don't have several brothers or sisters.  I didn't always want to be with each of them, but I always had someone there to talk to, play with, and depend on.  No one else understands your crazy family, your overbearing parents, the quirks of your personality like your siblings do.  We are spread further apart these days, Indiana, Georgia, and Alabama, but I know they are there if I need them, even for all their quirks.
Day 14 - I am thankful for our families.  Gary and I both have a huge extended family, so holidays are always alot of fun.  Aside from being alot of fun, and the source of all of our best stories.  These family members have given of their time, their money, and their abilities to help us out.  We have furniture made by two different grandfathers, we have kids clothes from cousins, and of course, I can't seem to say enough we wouldn't have made it through unemployment without their help.  We've learned countless life lessons from them, we were carried to Church meetings by them, and they have been there when we needed someone to talk problems out with.  Our grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles have helped to shape us into who we are today.
Day 15 - I am thankful for modern conveniences.  I've thought about this one alot lately.  It's probably due to the number of Amish we see in the stores or on the road, but I'm really thankful that someone, somewhere had the vision and innovation to come up with so many of the devices that we seem to take for granted each day.  I think I'll share some of my favorites.  My great big Jacuzzi tub - seriously the running water, and the ability keep it hot, and moving are all great in my book.  My washing machine -I do all the laundry on Monday, but it takes no more manual labor than lugging the baskets up and down two sets of stairs.  My dishwasher - we've had a few places without one, but I can't tell you how annoying it is to try to clean out the sippy part of the sippy cups.  The computer - how else would I keep in contact with all of our family so far away?  I can instantly message them on Facebook  see pictures of how everyone else is, and the kids can get on video with them in seconds.  The cell phone - I can have one phone carry it anywhere, and at any need get help.  I can reach Gary in any field in an emergency, get some one if the car where to break down, not to mention all the fun stuff like talking to family, and ordering a pizza.  Finally our nice, safe, dry car - when watching the Swiss Amish drive in their open buggies with it 40 out, the wind gusting at 30 mph, and it pouring rain; I especially appreciate my car.
Day 16 - I am thankful for books.  I love to read.  You can learn just about everything from books.  You can travel places without leaving your couch.  You can learn about people that lived before you were born.  You can imagine life in other places at other times, in other ways.  You can dream of the impossible, and make it real in books.  My life is much richer for them.
Day 17 - I am thankful for the ability to travel.  As great as books are, and I treasure them.  (Just ask Gary, we only moved 22 boxes of books our last move.)  All the books about the history, culture, and people of Scotland with their pictures didn't compare to standing in the room were Mary, Queen of Scots was born.  They didn't fully capture looking over the walls of Stirling where William Wallace won his greatest victory.  They didn't compare to walking through the highlands in the summer time.  They couldn't fully describe the feeling you get when sitting in their Scots Kirks (Presbyterian churches) and talking with the people after service.  That's just one example.  I've been blessed with grandparents who carried me out to Texas and the Smoky Mountains.  With a husband who planned our entire honeymoon around the Shannadoah Valley and seeing the homes of our 5 of our first six Presidents.  I've traveled and seen many places, and meet many people, which once again only make life richer.
Day 18 - I am thankful for holidays, days off, and date nights!  After, about a month without Gary most of the day on Saturday, and him only having 2 Saturdays off since the beginning of September.  I really appreciate days off when he is home.  The kids love to see and wrestle with him, and I love the break from being the primary - breaker up of fights, finder of Monkey, and solver of what in the world are we going to eat next.  I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving for many reasons, not the least of which is someone else to entertain the kids, and a chance to sneak off to the theatre and see the last Twilight movie with Gary with no kids along for the ride.
Day 19 - I'm thankful for yarn.  Ok, now you probably think I'm just a little bit crazy.  I really enjoy crocheting, and I find it to be a great stress relief.  I don't particularly like to just sit and do nothing.  I get antsy to start organizing, or redoing something.  (I rarely get an urge to just clean though, where's the fun in that?)  I love to read, but when I read, I am no longer part of the outside world - small children destroy the house, and Gary has to ask me something 45 times, before he realizes, that he needs to put a hand or something between me and the book.  I crochet in the car traveling, while watching a movie, during the day when the kids are playing in the living room floor.  The bonus is I end up with scarves, toboggans, blankets galore   I've tried selling them, and wish I could make a little money off my obsession, but I especially like making baby blankets for friends and maybe one of these days for some family members.
Day 20 - I'm thankful for yummy food.  Gary is a fantastic cook, and he knows how to make all sorts of yummy stuff.  Before Gary, while I was in college we were living off of ramen noodles and chicken nuggets sometimes.  I'm super thankful for a hubby who cooks.

Today marks 27 weeks with this little one.  I'm still feeling like we are having a girl, and we are no closer to a name than we were before we started this.  Gary has added several names back to the list, and the name I'm leaning toward, I've decided that I don't really like any middle names with it, except the one that Gary can't stand.  Coming up with names are one of the highlights to pregnancy in my opinion, but this time around we just can't seem to decide on anything.

I was able to get in and see the Chiropractor this past week.  I'm so glad that my doctor referred me over there.  She was surprised that I was walking and moving as well as I was, because my hips really had no movement at all in the back.  She didn't suspect pelvic dysfunction like the doctor initially did, but she thinks most of my problem is that one of my vertical ligaments in my belly (not the round ones) hasn't stretched out, but is compressed around my pelvic bone.  That's why I predominately feel baby really low and toward one side.  It also might explain why this one doesn't seem to move around as much.  She talked with the doctor's office, and gave me some exercises to do and is going to work on it.  They think they can take care of it, and give baby more room to move and turn head down, which should help take some of the pressure off my hips.  After the first appointment, I was a bit sore, but already had more movement than before.

As we are ending the second trimester and starting on the third, our baby weighs around 2 lbs and is 14 inches long - about the size of a head of cauliflower   I'm feeling more movement.  Not just first thing in the morning, and late at night, but off and on throughout the day.  This baby seems to nap around 9 or 10 in the morning, get active again right before lunch.  Then she naps and is quite again around the time that one of the kids is napping early afternoon.  She also has hicups regularly each night around 10.  She also responds to Britt's voice.  He puts his hands on my belly and leans over to talk to her, according to him "She gives me high fives!"

Yesterday we got our first snowfall of the season.  It had gotten up to 42 outside, and Momma sat down at the computer to read her morning emails; when all of a sudden she turned and said, "It's snow!?!"  I told her it wasn't snowing it was just raining.  We watched it get bigger and bigger, until I knew that it really was snow.  It snowed for two hours, but didn't stick to anything except part of Momma's big swing outside.  I wanted to catch it, but Momma said we didn't have snow clothes yet, and it was too cold.  I begged and begged though, so she let me and Ruth go outside for all of 3 mins to run around screaming in it.  It was snowing big and fast, but by the time I convinced Momma to let me go out, it was just little flakes.  Momma said it was too early for snow, that it should wait till Christmas, but I can't wait for big snow!

I've been debating whether or not to do the month of Thankfulness posts this year.  With chronicling pregnancy #3 on Mondays, Britt posting on Tuesday, and Ruth posting on Wednesday, I hate to double up post in any one day.  Plus, with the work on the basement and other things going on, I've just been a little busy to actually compose a post.  However, sometimes when we are busy, it's most important to stop for a moment, and remember how blessed we are, and to remember to be thankful for these blessings.  So with that said, here are my thoughts for the first 10 days of Thankfulness.
Day 1 - I am thankful for Gary's new job.  After nearly 3 years of unemployment, he has been blessed with a great job that he truly enjoys. After 3 months on the job, he's already meet several of the goals they've set for his first year.  In fact, while pleased, they have been surprised, and told him to slow down, and just work on building relationships right now, not to push selling right now.  Though he's working long hours during harvest time and he comes home tired, he comes home happy and excited to talk about his day.
Day 2 - I am thankful for perspective on money.  This goes along with the job, but after 3 years of realizing just how little you can really live on, a good paycheck is such a stress reliever.  This job pays better than any job we've had before it's true.  But even when we've had work, doing the budget and paying bills has been a huge stresser for me.  We aren't rich now, we aren't making a killing, we still have to budget, pay back several people, and can't just blow money.  YET, we can enjoy a date night a couple times a month, we can go out and get Gary a new pair of work boots without robbing the electric bill.  Even if Gary were to never get another raise, I think we could have as many children as we want and live comfortably.  And while doing the bills is never "fun" it's not the stressful, anxiety provoking experience it use to be.
Day 3 - I am thankful for this house.  Gary and I have dreamed of owning a house practically since we got married.  However, it wasn't our first priority.  After the unemployment set back, we didn't foresee being able to own a house until Britt was 10 - 15.  While that was a little sad for us, because we have great memories of growing up in the same home for many years, we just didn't see being able to pay off debts and save up toward a down payment on a house in the really expensive Florida market.  However, this house was a real blessing.  Not only is it well made, and adequate for our needs, but it is big enough to grow in.  It's a beautiful home, in a great area.  I cannot thank the Chastains enough for housing Gary for a month, helping him find this place, everything they did to help him navigate getting the house, and getting it ready for move in.  Gary's parents did alot to help with the move, and get us situated once we got here.  Moving so far from both of our families is made much easier by having a good, safe place, all our own to move into.
Day 4 - I am thankful for Gary.  He is the calm, easy going half of this marriage.  No matter what life throws at us, he is the one who says we will adjust, cope, and keep moving forward.  He is the rock in this relationship.  He sacrifices endlessly for everyone else.  He works hard to provide for us, doing whatever he can do to make life easier.  After a long day at work, he sometimes comes in and wrestles with the kids, cooks seafood for supper, and takes over the house, so that I can go and soak in the tub and head to bed early.  He is great at picking up the slack.  He loves me no matter how unlovable I may be on any particular day, and some how thinks he got the better end of this deal, when I clearly know better.
Day 5 - I am thankful for Britt.  He is an endless source of amusement and frustration all rolled into one.  He is a Momma's boy most days, but he loves to play rough.  He is determined to conquer the world, from beating up monsters with his Captain America shield to instructing Ruth on what to do.  Yet, he still wants to cuddle up in my lap for a movie or to read when Ruth is napping.  He is bright, quick thinking, and observes EVERYTHING around him.  Yet, can't remember and follow the simplest instructions.  He has endless amounts of energy.  Seeing the world through his eyes is fascinating.  He makes parenting every bit as enjoyable as I could have imagined, and keeps us on our toes trying to stay one step ahead of the game.
Day 6 - I am thankful for Ruth.  She is the gentle, cuddly child 90% of the time, but she is rougher than Britt when she wrestles.  She looks just like her daddy, and even laughs like him.  It's impossible to stay mad, sad, or just depressed when she comes up and asks you to hold her, and puts her thumb in her mouth and lays her head on your chest.  She is pure sweetness, but you can also watch her scheming.  She has already figured out that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.  It is so hard to discipline her because she cries at the drop of the hat, and immediately wants you to hold her.  We don't understand half of what she says, but her expressions are priceless.  She has taught us that one size fits all parenting doesn't remotely work, and that you really have to figure out what makes each one tick to be able to teach and guide each child.   We haven't quit got that figured out, but I expect that will take most of our time together.
Day 7 - I am thankful for this third child.  Many people seem to think that two is the perfect number of kids, after all the "average family" is now 4.5 people.  As much as we planned that we wanted 5 kids between 18 and 24 months apart, children don't always come exactly on your time table.  We were hoping to have a third child as soon as Gary got this job, but turns out this one is "ahead of schedule."  I have no idea what this one will look like or act like.  I suspect she's a girl, but don't know and I wonder about her personality.  That surprise and mystery is part of what makes life exciting.  I'm thankful for the easiest pregnancy to date, and no major problems.  Some people have problems throughout their pregnancies, or can't carry healthy children to term.  I am thankful for each blessing in child form that God has given us, and hope that he gives us a few more.
Day 8 - I am thankful to be an American.  While our country has a host of problems, why I don't believe our country is moving in the right direction, I still think we live in the greatest country on earth.  We can have as many children as we want, unlike in China.  We can climb anywhere we want on the social ladder unlike India.  We can have public education unlike many African countries.  Home ownership is not just a dream out of reach as in many European countries.  Yes, we have problems here, the family is looked down on, it can be difficult to get a great job and climb the ladder, education isn't all it should be, the economy has problems spurred on by the housing market - yet tell me any country that does these things better?  Where would you move to.  God has blessed us abundantly here, and I pray that he would continue.
Day 9 - I am thankful for Little Union Church.  Without their constant support and encouragement we would have never made it through unemployment.  No matter what anyone else said, they never made us feel that we were failures as parents for being unable to provide as well as we wanted.  They never made us feel like Gary was a deadbeat for being unable to find work after so long.  They chipped in with money to take care of bills, and with a place to stay and let us pay rent as we were able.  Most of all they gave us encouragement and reminded us that the Lord was able that He would provide.  And until He provided this job, they did more than just talk, they were doers of the word.  Unlike the example in James 2:15-16, they provided.  They were Christ toward us.
Day 10 - Finally, I am thankful for the Truth once delivered to the saints.  God did a great and miraculous thing for us, he loved us when we were unlovable and paid the debt for us, with no strings attached.  He didn't just stop there though, He let us know of His love for us, and what all He had done.  I don't have to live in fear of not being good enough.  I don't have to worry about all my shortcomings.  I don't have to worry about appeasing a great and powerful God.  While I have a great respect and awe of Him, after all he's not a Santa Claus in the sky passing out presents, I am amazed that He loves and cares for me.  It is a joy to serve Him out of love and not fear.

The one real problem with the house when we moved in was that the basement had two cracks on the west wall (front of the house) and the wall had shifted.  This was a result of many things.  Our house was built in 1941, and all the houses in this subdivision were built before the end of WWII, and over time water moving downhill against the wall was pushing it out of place.  Speeding the process along however, was a city back hoe.  When doing some work on the sewer line that runs out across the front yard, they bumped the house pretty good.  However, considering the shape of the rest of the house, and the above and beyond work that had been done in other areas, we felt like it was still a great house.
Last Friday, they started work to repair the wall.  The original plan was to excavate to the bottom of the basement and remove the front steps in order to completely waterproof the outside of the wall.  Then to push the wall back into place from the inside, and place some I-beams for additional support.  One plus to this plan was new steps.  The old steps weren't actually level, and whoever put them in left almost an 11 inch step up from the porch into the house.  Ruth had to really climb to get in, and I kept tripping on the step.
Friday and Monday they dug up the front, placed the waterproofing rubber mat along the wall, and took out most of the steps.  I say most, because it turned out that whoever poured the steps years ago, didn't just put it on a footer, but they poured the steps almost to the entire depth of the basement.  That's right, solid concrete with rebar for steps that was something like 12 ft deep.  Crazy!
They couldn't pull the steps all out, which meant that they couldn't push the wall in the basement all the way back into place, but they did get alot of it pushed back, before opening the foundation on Tuesday and placing all the I-beams on Wednesday.  Yesterday they placed drainage hosing (they call it tile up here) to divert water around the house, gravel on top of that for better drainage, and then filled the dirt back in.  They had some extra dirt, so they smoothed out the dip in the middle of the yard for me, instead of hauling it all off.

Finally they repoured the steps, which the kids found fascinating.  Britt kept saying "That dozer (bulldozer) is amazing!"  He drove his little bulldozer around moving "dirt" and "concrete" next to the front door, until he fell asleep watching them.  This morning, after letting everything dry over night, they came back and placed the columns back on the porch to hold up the roof.

I've been waiting for Christmas for a really long time.  Almost since it ended last year.  I like Christmas trees.  I like Christmas lights.  I like Christmas songs like "Tingle Bells, Tingle Bells, ringing all they ring!"  Everytime I ask Momma she says it comes after something.  First she said it was after Julia's birthday, and that came and went in June, and then it was after we got to Indiana, but we got here and it's still not Christmastime.  Next she told me that it would be after Halloween, and after Thanksgiving.  I guess we must be getting closer.  Momma won't let me decorate though, she says it's too early.  I have asked her why everyone else has Christmas trees in their yard, and we don't.  Yesterday, on the way to the doctor's office we saw lots and lots of stores with Christmas lights, bows, and greenery up.  Even the doctor's office had a wreath on the door and greenery around the drive through.  On the way home we drove by the courthouse, and they had a big sign out that said they tree lighting ceremony would be on November 15th.  I told Momma that everyone else was doing it, why couldn't we.  Finally, she agreed to pull out my little tree from Uncle Matthew.  (I think she was bribing me too help her clean, because we had to do all sorts of stuff first.)

It's amazing just how much better this thing looks at night.

Uncle Matthew worked at Michaels and Hobby Lobby, like Momma did.  He didn't just do the regular stuff though, he also made bows, and flower arrangements, and decorated all the Christmas trees at Christmas time!  He got to keep one of the dinky little display trees, but didn't really want it.  He thought it was tacky looking.  (Momma agrees, but I don't.)  So, I got to have it.  Momma took everything off of it yesterday because the trees was a little smushed from being in a box from Alabama to Florida, and then up to Indiana. First she put all the lights back on it, then the presents and the tingle bells.  Last she took the bow apart and retied it.  We put it in mine and Ruth's window with the train tracks running around it.  Momma made it clear that it was just for looking at, and that she would turn it on at bedtime, but the first time we touch it, she's going to put it back in the box in the basement.  I keep telling Ruth not to touch it, just to look; because I want it to stay in my window a while.

We had a good doctor's appointment this week.  I'm still hanging in there at 173 lbs.  They are a little surprised that I've not been gaining, but I'm still measuring a week ahead with my belly, so I'm good with that.  I did ask her about contractions which I've had three times over the last two weeks.  She said, it's not uncommon to notice them earlier and earlier with more pregnancies, and not to be worried unless they were painful more than uncomfortable.  That was good enough for me.  We also decided that I should go and see a Chiropractor for the pelvic pain.  She said that probably shouldn't have started for another 3 to 5 weeks, but like the contractions, sometimes the more pregnancies you have the more quickly these things happen.  She gave me two suggestions, and I'm going to try to see about getting in for that in 2 weeks.
Baby was moving plenty, it was almost a game to try to get the Doppler on her.  The heart rate was a steady 138.  The doctor let Britt turn on the Doppler  and help her hold it.  He was really excited about that.  He then asked her lots of questions about baby elephants.  I had to explain to him that she was a people doctor not an elephant doctor.  He said, but elephants can be babies too.  Dr. H thinks that the kids are too cute.  I told her that's just cause she only sees them once a month for 30 mins or so.  haha.

Halloween last night was alot of fun.  Britt is finally big enough to get excited about it.  Ruth's theme lately has been "Me too!" regarding anything Britt wants to do, so she was far more excited about Halloween and candy that Britt has been in the past.  Britt was most excited about the banana he got.  Gary could only complain that we could have had a king size candy bar, but Britt picked the banana!  Ruth was most excited about all the suckers she got.  The following is some video I took while the kids were waiting for Gary to come home.