4.20.11

Now I remember why turkey season is NOT my favorite time of year. I've been awake since I heard the door close around 4:40 a.m. After multiple attempts to return to zzzzzzzzzzzzland, I decided to catch up while I have the chance. In all seriousness, I don't think that I can contribute all of my insomnia to the turkey hunter. I'm definitely in the hard-to-sleep-due-to-oversize-belly phase. I can't believe I'm approaching the 37th week of pregnancy and have yet to blog about it. I feel terrible about that at times...I hope when Bean looks back at this stuff that she doesn't feel as though I didn't enjoy my pregnancy with her. I will just have to tell her that her two big sisters kept me busy, busy, busy!! I have done worse in all categories of documentation...blog, pictures, journal...oh, L -- please forgive me!

In a nutshell, things are going well with the pregnancy. I'm now at weekly visits. I had my first "check" last week and there is no "action" as of yet. Dr. C did say that she is hanging out low (I don't even think he had to tell me that one!), but no thinning or dilation is going on. She is officially due on May 14th. Although one visit he said the 13th...I guess that's because the 14th is a Saturday, and the doc knew for sure he was not PLANNING on working that day. :) We can possibly induce up to a week before that, BUT, if she will -- I'm asking her to hang in there until after the Women Can Run 5k in Conway on the 7th.

This pregnancy has gone by fast and furious. We are saying this will complete our Coffee Crew -- so, I have mixed emotions on a daily basis. The state of being pregnant is nothing short of miraculous. It only takes milliseconds of thinking about a tiny human being inside your body to realize that. From the beginning to the end -- purely miraculous. The aches and pains, awkward body, hormonal rollercoaster, and fatigue allow me to look forward to getting back to "normal"...whatever that may be (because there is no doubt in my mind -- after nursing 3 little ones -- this body will NEVER be the same!). I'm definitely ready to get back on the tri circuit. I've missed my swimming, running and biking days. Oh, but a small price to pay for our new little Coffee. I can't wait to meet her! I think often about how anxious I was when J was about to come along. Once again, it was difficult for me to imagine loving someone as much as I love D. (need I remind you that I was worried about loving mystery baby #1 (D) as much as I loved our dogs, Pepper and Lucy. I know. Silly, silly, absurd!) Little Miss J is such a tremendous joy. Words will never describe how wonderful and how much happiness she brings to our lives. People told me that things would be fine, and they were more than that. I am looking forward to my heart growing once more with this new little addition. Your other kiddo in no way loses any love. Your heart just grows and there is more love to give. Only God made something like that possible!

I will try and do better to keep you posted on the goings on with Baby L. There is likely action in the near future!

Sorry for the delay in the Square Foot Garden update. The last few steps took place fairly quickly, and we had some outside help (I was afraid they would think I was crazy if I stood there snapping their pics) -- so, I'm missing some photo documentation. While the Hubs was off hunting the Turkeys of Tennessee, we had some help making our Mel's Mix. We had gathered up what we could and our Landscaper brought us our missing ingredient (vermiculite). We divided all the stuff up and laid everything out and the mixing began. It was quite a chore for a group of four men...I think the Hubs was glad when he came home and the beds were full. Mom and Dad were spending some time with us (and helping me tremendously) so, I had Dad on garden duty. We got the supplies needed to build our grid....and on Saturday (a week ago) we went to work! I had my first drilling experience! Of course, things are not aligned perfectly, but I think we are good to go! It took us a while to get into the groove, but by the third box -- we had it down! It was a hot one that day, too! Thanks to Bebe for taking care of Miss J that day. D was with us being oh-so-patient (she had been to a birthday party, came home and took a naked outdoor shower, and then watched a movie on the patio). It was a tough afternoon for a 3 year old, but she really did well!

I will have to get some new pics of the garden soon. This is what we have planted:
several varieties of tomatoes, bell, anaheim, jalapeno, and cubanelle peppers, two kinds of radishes, carrots, green onion, lettuce, swiss chard, eggplant, turnips, cucumbers, okra and FLOWERS! AND -- we have many squares left! I'm telling you, if this garden works, this is the way to go! (said with fingers crossed!)

I must say -- the seed planting is a process! I don't know how well it will work (especially after all the storms last night), but we shall see!

The following are a few pics from the last couple of weeks:

D scoping out the activities at the party

I'm tellin' ya -- this garden work is tough! Dad's taking a short break....

D enjoying a COLD shower!!

Proof that I contributed to the building of the grid (otherwise, I would NEVER post such a pic -- look at that belly hanging over!!!)

I know -- pitiful. My belly button popped out when I thought about being pregnant!

mission accomplished!!

These are some pics from mom and dad's...the girls were NOT wanting to do what mommy wanted them to (shocker!)

A picture of the two of them together was NOT happening!

After several threats -- finally got a smile from Miss D

ok...so they tried!

4.2.11

Progress, progress! What a beautiful weekend to work on our family garden! Friday afternoon, The Hubs and I did a quick run to Texarkana and picked up a few needed supplies. We were able to get our peat moss, and we are working on our compost collection. Mr. Mel suggests that your compost consist of at least five ingredients. Since we have not done our own homemade compost, we are having to buy ours this year. So far, we have two different kinds...a few more to go! Now to get the vermiculite. I'm hoping to get that sometime this week. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Saturday morning, after a fabuloso breakfast cooked by The Hubs-- he started the daunting task of hauling wheel barrow after wheel barrow of sand to the garden spot. We ordered some sand (hopefully weed-seed free) and we had them to dump it on the street beside our house. I would say it's about a 70-80 yard trip one way. Quick reminder -- I had "ordered" my boxes so that the height would be 15-18". I'm now only wanting 6-8" of soil. Mel's mix is a little pricey -- SO, that is why we are having to put sand in the bottom of our beds. My husband is too nice for putting up with me!! ANYWAY --- the Hubs probably made 20 round trips to the sand pile and back. He was tuckered out at the end of the morning to say the least!

 Little did we know that the girls would enjoy the sand pile as well!! During our ins and outs and back and forths, we returned to the sand pile to find Miss Spice and Sugar right in there! This surprised me a little with Sugar. She's not one to love the grit and sand -- although, she is getting much better about it at the beach. Spice on the other hand -- she would roll around in mud like a little pig if I would let her. Our neighbors had watered their yard and made for a great puddle right next to the sand pit -- Spice was having a good old time! My initial thought was to get them out of there. BUT, then I realized that this was a great way to keep them busy while we got our garden work done. Everyone was happy!

 It's really been a great weekend. We finished the weekend off by going to church this morning, a family nap in the afternoon, and finished up some work and a trip for a snowcone this evening. Back to school tomorrow!!

Dressed and sunscreened up -- released and running!! Spice headed straight for the swing (ya like the sunscreen hair do? This bothered Sugar -- she is NOT into change. She flattened it out several times before I could let the Hubs see it!) The Hubs removed the grass from under the boxes. The girls were checking this out! Bye bye grass! The next step was to cover the ground with weed cover. Sugar was very helpful with this step! She lined the corners up -- just right!! The Hubs secured the weed cover with stakes Grass gone + ground cover

Spice was there for moral support :)

My sweet little farmer!

say cheese!!

One of the many trips with sand

time for a little break!

come on, Hubs -- almost done!!

fun at the sand pile/mud puddle!

Pepper was real concerned -- she hung out in the middle of the street!

This is a picture of our pomegranate tree. We planted two last year. This one seems to be doing pretty well. I think it's the coolest thing to think this thing might actually have pomegranates on it one day...or year (I think it may take 6-8 years to produce fruit). That's quite a wait, but it will be well worth it! My other one isn't looking too good........

These next few pictures are of my little herb garden. I love cooking with fresh herbs! I also love an herb garden because it's a place where you can have a little fun and make it your own. All the things in these pictures are from what I planted last year. I haven't gotten my stuff yet for this season (that's why there are several empty pots).

Rosemary

the front pot is lemon verbena (I think) and the back pot is parsley

the smaller pot is mint, and the larger pot has garlic chives

4.1.11

I'm so excited about my recent project. I should definitely say "our" project because the whole family is involved. We are venturing into our first garden at our new home. We decided to go with raised beds. Trevor and I have been discussing where to put them, what to have them made of, etc. etc. Well, a couple of weeks ago, I was on a shopping journey and came across the only book at Lowe's that really focused on raised beds. The book is called All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew. I started reading the book and decided it needed to come home with me. It really caught my attention because of the emphasis on producing more in less space! Sounds great! Unfortunately, I should have done my research before the ordering/building of the boxes -- but, that's okay -- we are just going to go with it. I think it's going to work -- it may not be perfect, and I may not follow all the guidelines outlined by Mr. Mel, but I know it's going to be great!! Trevor and a friend of his did a super job of building the boxes. He had them ready to go all in one morning! We had ours made of cedar. I'm still debating whether or not to spray some type of clear coat finish on the outside (for sure not on the inside), but we shall see........ Mr. Mel says all you need for the perfect soil is a mixture ("Mel's Mix") of 1/3 compost, 1/3 peat moss, and 1/3 vermiculite. It's been quite a process figuring out how much of this and that to get for our size of boxes to make Mel's Mix. He does his based on a 4x4 box (he talks about other sizes, but this is the prime size for a square foot garden (SFG)). We had already decided to have three 8x4 boxes (this was of course before I had found the SFG book). I had also chosen a height of 12-18" of soil. Mr. Mel says you only need 6" of soil for most plants. So now, we are going to use sand to fill the boxes partially, and then have our 6-8" of Mel's mix on top. He also encourages a grid (which he actually states, if you do not have a grid -- you do NOT have a SFG!). The grid allows for correct spacing of plants and also ease of replanting when the time comes. It's really all very interesting, and I'm not explaining the best -- I guess if you need a better picture -- check out the book! :) Basically, I'm just letting you know that I'll be sharing with you while we go on this SFG adventure -- and if all goes well -- I'll be sharing some produce, too!! Stay tuned!!!

the boxes have arrived!!

the girls helping daddy (DK was doing it rock star style!) three 8x4 cedar boxes

Thanks, Trev -- you did a great job!

this is where we placed our beds -- lots of sunshine! Mr. Mel suggests at least 3' between each bed

What are the girls up to these days?...........EVERYTHING!! They are really too much fun!! They keep me in stitches! That's not to say that I'm not ready for a little "chill out" time at the end of the day.....but, I try my best to appreciate them, watch them grow, observe their little personalities develop-- all that good stuff. Life truly flies -- and I don't want to miss out on a minute! They play pretty well together for the most part. Sure -- Darby Kate still doesn't love to share. But, she surprises me sometimes. Jorgia has come out with this screaming of a defense mechanism. It's rather ear piercing. We are trying to teach her otherwise.........we'll keep trying. They love to play outside --so, we are really looking forward to the upcoming warmer weather! This weekend is looking great -- I'm sure we will be outside a lot!

what a little jokester!

there she is with a big "CHEEEEEESE"!

sweet love

I'm pretty sure Jorgia was going for sugars -- she has reverted back into the biting scene a little. Hopefully that will be out of her system soon!! Love my girls!! :)