What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow. ~ Martin Luther

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

For the Record:

Today's goal was to tackle the office, our bedroom and the baby nook.

I got the office done.

(and somehow, miraculously cared for all the livestock and finished up all the homeschooling for the day.)

I COULD continue to work on into the wee morning hours (as I have the last few nights) to finish EVERYTHING I had hoped to get cleaned up but it turns out....when I woke up this morning, I looked something like this:

Positively green. Ironically, just a day after having laughed with my sister over the phone saying "I don't even FEEL pregnant-it is hard to believe I am. No nausea, no tiredness, no nothing."

har har har

I guess it doesn't help that I haven't gone to bed before 1 am all this week.

My eyeballs keep falling down as I peer at all the un-done's in my bedroom. I think I might actually just throw my to-do list to the wind (JUST tonight) and get a good nights' sleep so that I can be more.....rejuvenated and feel less like....throwing UP tomorrow.

Before I do, though I wanted to say a few things. You know, incredibly IMPORTANT things that really MUST be said right this very minute. Mind-boggling things that I know you will feel gypped if I don't go ahead right now and purge myself of them. (Sorry, it's on my mind.)

1# (and this is the MOST important one!)

No pickles were consumed in the making of that pregnancy announcement photo. That pickle/icecream photo was simply a photo opportunity. I would not, could not, will not eat pickles and chocolate peanut butter cup icecream. Eveeeeeeeeeeerrrrrr. (just to be clear)

#2 I wanted to thank you all for your wonderful enthusiasm and heartfelt congratulations on our big news. Not everyone is excited for us-some even are emphatically NOT excited for us, so to share our good news with people who indeed find it to BE good news is really.....well, wonderful. So THANK you.

#3 In regard to some questions in the comment section:

  • No, I don't have a clue as to when I am due because I don't have a clue when my last cycle was. (I am REALLY bad at that-I never keep track.) I am guessing late August/early September. HOPING for AUGUST since we are shooting for our family to have one birthday in every month of the year and September is already taken. :-)
  • I only found out this weekend, so any interpretated hints a while ago were just a fluke. Likely, me talking but not making very much sense. It happens. A lot.
#4: I have been *HAPPY* to see all sorts of new names delurking around here. Thank you for taking the time to write. Consider yourself properly welcomed, even if you have actually been visiting for awhile.

#5 Since we do not find out genders of children, we nickname our in-utero babies instead of just referring to him/her as "baby" or "that thing in there". Corynn was Boo. Andrew was Peanut. Adele' was Bunkin. And truth is, I keep calling this baby Bunkin too, just out of habit. But the wee thing needs a proper name and I am sorta at a loss. Have a few ideas, but none that knock my socks off. Maybe Fig. or Banana. Any suggestions?? Glad to hear 'em! This baby needs a name!

#6 Completely unrelated to "that thing in there":

Lest you (FALSELY) think I am superwoman or something by doing so much deep cleaning this week, I must share this. I am not. I think, in fact, it is actually quite miraculous that I have accomplished so much. Most of it has been accomplished late (or early, as it were) into the wee hours of darkness after the SANE world has gone to bed.

The reason?

Because Matt has a week long business trip that he is only just half-way through and has been missing from my life for three insanely long, ridiculously torturous days. And because WHEN he is gone, the bed is so cold and heartless I fight every instinct my body has to sleep because it seems so WRONG to go to cold sheets and lie there all alone. No legs to entangle. No arms wrapped around me. No Mattie smell. No giggling and chatting while Matt tries (in vain) to read a book. No last minute, breathy "I love you's" as the last thing I hear at night.

It's wrong I tell ya. A sin.

I knew the week would be torturous...it always is...so I decided I would *try* to make it speed quickly past by deep-cleaning the ENTIRE house before he arrives on Friday. (Yes, as a matter of fact, I AM stupid! Thanks for asking.)

So-that is my motivation for taking on such a laborous task and the reason I have gotten as far as I have gotten. No superwoman here~

Just a lonely, pining woman who only makes it through the cobwebs and dust each day by thinking about the look on Mattie's face when he returns home to a sweet smelling, clean as a whistle and perdy as a Sunday smile house with candles and flowers and lovely music floating in the air. If I had had a flirty vintage housewife dress, apron, pearls and heels I might have even worn them.

And then I think about how he will smile when he sees all the hard work I have done. A smile that I haven't seen in three days. And that gets me to thinking about how he will feel when I get myself right back where I belong, those strong arms that hold me so well. And then I think about deeply inhaling the scent that I have washed out of all the dirty clothes (major oversight, that). And then I think about how nice it will be to talk to him and listen to his voice...watch his lips move. watch his eyes grin, I wanna experience it ALL.

And then I close my eyes and ALMOST imagine him home.

And then.

THEN.

I look toward the bed that I was just heading to...and it disgusts me. I hate it. I hate it forever. (or atleast until Friday)

And then I go downstairs and get the broom and dustpan.

It's gonna be a long night.

20 comments:

Bonnie said...

GO TO BED WOMAN!
I have been chewing a LOT of gum, and sipping lemonade. I don't feel super sick yet, each day a little worse, but not 'til around noon, then it peters out, and hits again in the late evening. God's mercy I'm thinking. Not sure when that letters gonna happen, Muffins been snotty, coughing, and running a good fever since Monday evening, and throwing up a lot, but randomly. (The poor thing burst a vessel in her eye from throwing up.)
I'm breaking down and calling the doctor in the morning.
Good use of your time. I hate the rare occasions B. is away (the shot gun refresher courses before he leaves don't help.) and stay up until I can't keep my eyes open another second.
No good names for the little one growing here either, AND I HAVE A BUMP ALREADY. jeeze.
Goodnight Deary!

Unknown said...

Awww...you are so sweet about missing your hubby! We often called our babies the two names we liked ran together...worked fine with Noahanne but Samella was a little bit too much like Samonella poisoning or whatever...hahaha! :O)

Praying for your GREEN moments! :(

Anonymous said...

How about pumpkin or pickle? :O)
You have inspired me to do a room to room cleanup girl..Also, any thoughts on when you will be back in the area? I would sure love to get together next time.
Blessings~
Jess

Tracy said...

I can TOTALLY relate to staying up till all hours because you are missing your husband, I go through the very thing quite regularly. The bed just isn't comfy or restful without my husband in it.

Louise said...

I completely understand you staying up late when your husband is away. I am the same, I wish we didn't ever have to be apart.

As for baby names - I have never given my babies in-utero a name and we've only found out the gender once (out of 5) but didn't decide on his name until he was born.
This time I may start referring to our baby as "Twinkle" because that is the name our 5 year old daughter is desperate to call the baby. When we explained that Twinkle isn't a real name she said it didn't matter because she has a friend named Pearl and that isn't a real name either!!! So cute and I must admit that for a moment I have mulled Twinkle over in my mind as a real name possibility but I think it will have to remain a nickname!
Meanwhile our 6 year old son wants to name the baby Caleb after his best friend. He named one of his toys after Caleb too, hehe!

So all that to say you're welcome to share Twinkle with me. I think it is kind of cute and reminds me of the saying, "A twinkle in my eye".

Grandma Bibby said...

I think the name 'Pickle' since you used one to tell us and now you are green. It is cute and comforting at the same time. Your little pickle in your tummy!

Alyssa Spring Corley said...

I think it's terrible for people NOT to be excited about a new baby. My third is 6 months and everyone thinks I'm crazy for wanting another. :) Oh...my hubbie is going away at the end of the month for 4 days so I guess I'll do the same...tackle huge projects. Stop by my blog sometime and get to know me...I've been reading your blog for two years.:)

Riahli said...

Your so sweet, I also can't sleep when my husband isn't there. It's really bad, I usually stay up really late writing or reading but I think your idea is much more productive...I'll have to try that next time. (When I do finally fall asleep I sleep with his pillow, it helps a little, teeny, tiny bit.)

I also experienced people who were not pleased that I was pregnant again this last time. It was only my third pregnancy, but our fourth child because of the adoption and they are all really close in age. I got sort of sad about it, and some of those people still give us a hard time about having "so many kids". When we are going though any sort of financial struggle they seem to raise their eye brows like "see I told you so" it's all very frustrating. Anyways all that babbling was just to say that I feel for you for what every reason others in your life don't seem very happy for you.

MameyJane said...

I think it is an incredible shame that anyone would NOT be excited that a loving family such as yours would welcome another child. It is evident that your children are showered with love, affection, and attention. They are being nurtured and educated in the safe, secure environment of a godly home. Sadly, I have seen the same reaction with my family (we have three under 5) and my brother's family (who has four 6 and under). Fiddle-dee-dee!

As for a name for your unborn. With my three, they were all pegged with a nickname reflecting a particularly strong craving: Pancake, Kool-aid, Fried Green Tomatoe (j/k on the last one).

Sure hope this green period passes quickly for you :0).

Anonymous said...

Dearest Rebecca, I just had to write this morning and let you know how it all turned out. And do forgive me for not writing sooner. I am not certain if you will remember me but if you don't...I am the mother to eight (now at 46)...mumofseven at the time I wrote to you. I was horribly broken from a daughter that ran away. We had been homeschooling and teaching courting her whole life. She ran away and married and we were broken hearted parents and you wrote back to me to encourage me. Well the end of the story is that we are reunited and we have a beautiful granddaughter for Christmas this year! We love them wholeheartedly and have welcomed our daughter and her husband and now our granddaughter and have praised the Lord for working this out for His glory. Thank you for encouragement and love. I really appreciate it. I have been here reading your blog right along through the suffering and though you may think that you are sharing silly stuff at times...you are not and it means so much to me! This momofeight appreciates everything you do!!!!

Shanna said...

I'm so sorry that you are having to deal with people who are unhappy about your pregnancy. I think it was probably our 6th pregnancy, when people stopped announcing their "shock" and "displeasure" over our pregnancies (at least to our faces). Now, they just give us a smile and a tight-lipped, "Well, congratulations..."

Here's the thing...most people cannot see past "all the work" involved in raising children. And it is hard work...if you're raising 1 or 7. But when your brood begins to grow, you are given a secret that you couldn't have possibly understood until you have many children. And that secret is...having a large family is SO worth it!

I don't think God calls every mom to be a M.O.M. (Mom of Many), but I feel undeniably blessed to be one that He has!

BTW, we haven't doubled up bdays in any month yet either. Our seventh was due mid-Sept. and our third was born in Sept., however #7 arrived 3 weeks early at the end of August. So we're still on track for at least one in every month. :o)

Paula said...

I haven't been checking my blogs for a few days, so I completely missed your announucement, so let me just say...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

What wonderful news! Your newest little one is very lucky to be joining such a lovely family.

With best wishes,
Paula

Kathy said...

Our secular culture denigrates family, community, faith...all the things that bring strength and comfort. And what does it replace those wonders with? Drugs, shopping, and other addictions - all tryingto feed that place in our hearts that craves faith and family!

So.. YOU GO GIRL!!! Raise that beautiful family and keep strong in your values! We are all here with you in spirit (if not in "real life")!

Peggy said...

Amen to all of the above! NOw to get my tush out from in front of the computer and start cleaning/taking down the tree cause the packers get here on Monday, ugh...

Susan said...

Congratulations from a new reader, and a mama to 8 beautiful blessings!

Leah said...

I agree with the other ladies, get some sleep, for your precious baby's sake, if not your own. You're doing a very important job growing that little babe!

As to names, you have the post announcing your pregnancy labeled "babycakes". I think that's an adorable in-utero name for your precious baby. I like it so much I thought of using it for our unborn blessing. :)

Now I need to go read the rest of your post. Ha! I just had to comment about the name.

Leah said...

So sorry Matt has been away. I hope he arrives safely home tomorrow. I'm thankful Scott is here with me every night.

Just a thought about doubling up birthdays: I always wanted to have a birthday in each month, too, but this baby is due in July, Johnny's birth month. He's so excited about the possibility of sharing his birthday with the new baby. I'm due on the 5th and John's birthday is on the 11th. Since I've gone past my EDD with all 4 of the others, it's quite possible I could have this baby on his birthday. My sister actually has 2 children who share a birthday, 3 years apart. :)

Leah said...

Rebecca,

I'm not sure of you are subscribed to Lion Brands "By Kids 4 Kids" email newsletter but I saw this and immediately thought of you! http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90713AD.html?noImages=&utm_source=BK4K_20100107_Jan07&utm_medium=Emails&utm_campaign=BK4K&utm_content=httpwww.lionbrand.compatterns90713AD.htmlnoImages%3D&r=1 It's a crochet pattern for a Tic Tac Toe game set! Great gift idea for a birthday or next Christmas! :)

Rebecca said...

Dear Momofeight~

I wanted to thank you for taking the time out to write me such a wonderfully uplifting comment. I found such joy in realizing that forgiveness abounds and relationships were rekindled. Just the very message I was desperate for.

Praising God with and for your family!!!

Andie said...

I always have big plans when my husband leaves town...like he is right now...to get the house cleaned while he is away, but it just doesn't happen. Why? Because all you bloggers write such great stuff that I'd rather read than clean! ;o) So...I have about 6 hours before he returns...let's see what I can get done! Bedding is already being washed. Dining room and kitchen will be clean before he comes home! Thanks for the inspiration!
Blessings-
Andie