Summing Up

What's going on in our life?  Well, lots.  Lots of ups and downs so far this year.

Phil lost his job in October of last year, and then we lost our house this year (on the day Silas was born).  We moved in with my mom in January so we could try to sell our house while it was still "ours".  Didn't work out.  But thank God we have my mother, or we'd be homeless.  We've been here for almost 8 months, and while it's crowded, it's been a blessing.  I am an ungrateful wretch, oftentimes complaining about our situation...  It's horrible of me.  God has blessed us so much.  Not just anyone would be willing to take 7 people in and let them overrun their 3 bedroom apartment.  (Love you, mom)

Meanwhile, since losing his job, Phil's still been teaching guitar lessons at a few different places.  He also just got a morning job (his students are in the evenings), so we're hoping to soon be able to get our own place again.  Phil has also been working on recording his first album with a good friend.  I can't wait til it's done so we can share it with you all.  It's been tight all year, but it makes me so happy to see my husband happy.  He was pretty miserable in the desk job he had before and was hardly able to ever play his guitar.  Now, he can play all the time.  Teaching, recording, playing gigs... it's wonderful.

Me and the kids?  Well, Philip just turned seven years old.  Still a little in shock that I have a son that old.  Seven?!  He's such a smart boy - loves to read, loves playing his guitar with his daddy, loves learning.  He's already got the multiplication concept down.  He can add three digit numbers too.  He's my pride and joy.  He's a big helper with the younger kids.  He and Lucie and Eden play so well together and he's always willing to play with or entertain Ella and Silas if I need him to.  He likes to make his own sandwiches, his own eggs, he likes to vacuum.  Such a good helper.

Lucie is five now and quite the drama queen.  Always wants to wear dresses, and would like to change dresses 3-4 times a day if I would let her.  But at least she's always ready to help with the laundry.  She's almost reading now and loves doing simple math problems.  She is such a girly-girl though.  Loves to have her nails done or wear lipgloss or high (not really) heels.  She is always singing and making up songs.  She's my sweetheart (with a bit of a stubborn attitude lately though... runs in the family).

Eden is my rascal.  She's beautiful and so much trouble.  Always egging Ella on, or bugging the bigger two.  She's three and is all over the place.  Always getting hurt, always running into things.  She really is a rascal.  She also loves to wear dresses.  We're stuck with the potty training right now.  She did really well for a while and I thought it was over... but nope.  I've always waited and let them learn in their own time, but it sure is hard having three in diapers.  Eden is also very much a girly-girl.  Always trying to find matching hats, or matching fingernail polish to go with her outfits.  So cute.

Ella is my bella.  She's the sweetest thing, but she won't let you know that!  She is talking up a storm, but also won't let you know that.  She turned two in June.  She is a total daddy's girl.  I *LOVE* seeing Phil and Ella interact.  They are so cute together.  Ella is very into copying right now.  (what two year old isn't?) She's always repeating things she hears or sees.

Silas is such a cute chunker.  He's almost six months old now!  He has been almost crawling for a few weeks now.  He is all over the place.  It's so much fun to watch him go after something he wants.  And it's so hard to keep small things off the floor with four other young ones around!  Silas weighed 8 lbs, 6 oz at birth.  At 3 months, he weighed 15 lbs!  I'm not sure what he weighs now, but he's a big thick boy!  In a few weeks (or maybe months... haven't decided for sure) I'll start making baby food for him.  He is obviously growing just fine without any for now though... but that leads to...

Me.  I'm not doing too well.  I have some fairly serious health problems, some of which can be very painful.  I don't even know exactly what all is wrong with me as we don't have insurance and can't afford a doctor visit.  But I can't eat much, which is not so good for Silas who is still ebf.  He's been fussier than normal lately and always hungry... and I'm a little worried.  I've been trying to eat what I can and do all sorts of other things to help my supply, but it's been hard.  I really need to be well.  I am not giving up breastfeeding yet... but not sure what else to do.

I guess that about sums up what's been going on with us lately.  :)