I think I can- Becky's Pregnancy

Less than two months to go... Right now the baby is hiccuping inside of me. I would love to tell you that I'm loving these last few months but really I am not. Its fun to feel baby move inside of me up until he jabs me in the hip or ribs. My back has been progressively getting achier and achier due to the added weight gain. I get an occasional sharp painful cramp when I try and do too much. I waddle like a duck when I walk. To get out of bed I have to gain momentum by rocking back and forth on my back often failing at my attempt and tumbling back into bed and then just simply rolling out of bed landing half on my knees and using the nightstand to prop myself up. My energy level has dropped through the floor making it hard for me to actually get much accomplished. I've developed these funny spots on my arm the doctor might think is related to dilated blood vessels... Occasionally my heart speeds up, my pressure drops, and I become dizzy and nauseated. Doc says I need to take my pulse and if it ever gets above 120 he wants to put a heart monitor on me halter style and have me walk around with that for a week or two. Cleaning my house has become even more of a chore. I find that its easier if I just pick things up on my hands and knees without getting up and down. I hate getting myself dressed in the morning because most of my clothes are winter pregnancy clothes and those maternity summer outfits that fit me in my second trimester I have out grown in my third... but I don't want to go out and buy more because this is after all my last kid. I could go on... but I think you all get the jist of what I am trying to say. The fact is pregnancy is no fun for me. One more month to go before I am free of this pregnant body of mine for the rest of my life. Then I will have my newborn baby boy to cuddle and spoil as my final child. I will be moving on to another stage of my life... maybe I should be thankful to be pregnant. To feel this little critter inside of me. To witness and be a part of the miracle of reproduction for the last time. Now I feel a little sad to know I will never be pregnant again... Don't pay attention to me, its the pregnancy brain talking. I can tell you this out of certainty. I love this baby inside of me just as much as I love my other three babies. No matter how it makes me feel physically or emotionally, I am thankful to be able to even have children. So I guess what I am saying is although I am physically miserable, I am happy.

The End

Losing my Go To Girl

I was one of those lucky people that had the opportunity and pleasure of growing up with three Grandmas. I love each and everyone of them for different reason because frankly they are very different people. Recently my Grandma Mangels has passed away. Grandma Mangels was my spunky Grandma full of love and fun. Her and I were very close and spoke on the phone often. I always felt like I could go to her with any problem and she would help talk me through it. She was my Go To Girl. So when I got that first text from my mom that she was not doing well and would most likely not live much longer I was devastated. So what do I do? I call her of course and tell her in tears that she could not die. I needed her. She chuckled and said, " You can talk to me any time Becky. Just go to your memory and remember all that I have taught you." The truth is, she did teach me a lot. She taught me that it was ok to be a little different and weird. She taught me how to love unconditionally. She taught me what it means to be patient but at the same time how important it was to stand up for what I believe in.

Grandma was a hard working gal with a fun sense of humor and an addicting laugh. Sometimes she would start laughing so hard she would turn bright red and run for the bathroom before she had an embarrassing accident. She dressed to match her personality in bright colors and prints. She loved people and people loved her, and she loved me. You see she is not technically related to me by blood. But she is one of those amazing people where that makes no difference. And I could feel that. And that meant the world to me.

Her memorial was held on the 9th of August the day before her 77th birthday. Over 200 people showed up to her service. And about a dozen people approached me to tell me how special my Grandma was and how she had changed their life with compassion and service. Truly an amazing lady.

Grandma, I will miss our long talks. I will miss your smile and witty personality. I will miss your hugs and excitement for life. But I am glad that you are no longer hurting anymore. I am glad that you can finally rest. All I ask is that you keep a good watch over me and be my angel to help guide me when I need it. Till we meet again Grandma. I love you.

Joanne Inez Ferris Mangels, 76 - Daily Inter Lake: Obituaries

Meet My Wilde Side

I told you that we had a big family photo shoot. Well here it is! Meet my Wilde side:)

So here we all are! All seven brother and sisters with their families and Mom and Dad.

This is very typical of my Dad. Always wanting to love a baby or a grandchild. He is where I get my soft side.

We attempted to take a picture by the water with everyone. It was everything but a disaster with the kids. They were getting tired and grumpy. This was the best we could do...

Just after the failed picture we had all the kids gather around a pool of water with critters in it. We figured this may be the only way to get all the kids in a picture with no tears. It worked.

As cute as it was from the front, their bums were even cuter:) I love this picture.

The women, errr I mean the spouses taking care of the babies while we had our immediate family picture taken. What is Curtis doing? Why he is trying to get every spec of sand off of Jace of course! You have to know Curtis well to fully understand that last statement.

The family I grew up in. My dad does not wear jeans:)

My brothers and sisters starting at the bottom with the oldest and working up to the youngest. We are all pretty close even though we are starting to spread out all over the place. Funny how a split family can be so tightly knit together. I love every single one of my siblings.

And finally my little family. I am so thankful that Curtis chose to become part of my crazy huge family. And we are both excited for the little one that is pictured but hidden inside of me. 7 months along in this picture.