Bed Rest and Blessed

From the time we got pregnant with baby Jackson I had one big objective: Not be put on bed rest. After 3 months bed rest with Bri's pregnancy and 3 weeks with Zach's the thought of bed rest was dreaded. But just a few days before we hit the 7th month marker my BP spiked landing me on bed rest. The good news is the rest is working for the most part! I still have moments were it spikes out of control and makes me ill but if I really truly stick with resting and taking it easy the blood pressure seems to stay regular. Just making myself slow down is the hard part!

Through all this Denny and myself have felt very blessed by some of our friends. From some meals for our family, to friends acting as house keepers or doing our laundry and even some taking one or both of the kids for a few hours here and there, we have been helped so much! Denny and I couldn't do it with out all of you! It has allowed Denny to not fall behind in school or work. And lets me be able to rest as much as I can with two little ones running around, not stressing about house hold chores.

Of course I will be honest and admit I have snuck out here and there. Otherwise I would go stir crazy and I can't miss all that spring has to offer! I typically pay when I do get out, my blood pressure does not like it one bit. However, I really do try to take it easy when we do get out. We were fortunate enough to be able to attend part of the Easter service at church. Getting around and going did raise my blood pressure but I'm so glad we were able to worship in God's house as a family that day.

Thank you again dear friends for everything! We are so blessed to have you in our live's.

We have a name!

Atlast we have a name for our newest edition! Jackson Robert Fink. And we only have 15 more weeks to go, give or take.

Name Game

So we still haven't decided on a name for our new little guy. To some his arrival may seem far off, he's due anytime around July 5th. However, to me his arrival is getting closer and closer and I would just like something other than "Baby Thumbsucker" to call him. Jackson or Jackston were what I really wanted but Denny is unsure about either of those. I will admit Jackson is a very popular name but I really like it. But Denny's doubt has me starting to doubt so I've looked over my list of possible boy names a few times now. I also find myself listening for name ideas when I drive in the van with the radio turned up. I've given Denny a name notice though. By the time I go for my next ultra sound to triple check the baby's gender and get a more in depth look at him there will be a name, even if it's just me saying the name is Jackson or Jackston.

So glad this is our last baby! Naming a third has been tough. I don't know what I would do if I was naming a 4th, 5th, 6th.........

Trick or Treat!

 One of the many things I enjoy as a parent is taking our kiddos trick or treating.

 For the last few years I have been making our costumes. It is a fun challenge, that is very rewarding. I lost count of how many people fussed over Zach's hand made Lego costume. It was simple to make. One box, some ribbon, hot glue, yogurt containers and spray paint. Much cheaper than the generic costumes you find on the store shelf.

 Brianna and Zachary loved visiting Roscoe Village for Trick or Treat. They even went down a couple streets near by our home. This was a first for them.

 We also attended Trunk or Treat at our church. Last year I started the tradition of our family having a costume theme. I think our "good" pirates (that's what Zach called us) were well liked. The entire family had a blast. We even decorated our van to match the theme. I know some other christians are against celebrating Halloween but for us it's a time of honest to goodness FUN! Nothing wrong with that :-)

Now that the Halloween season has drawn to a close for another year it is time to focus on my favorite holiday of them all THANKSGIVING!

Harvest Memories!

 Today we spent a crisp afternoon at the Darr pumpkin patch and corn maze!

 Autumn is my favorite season of all! For one I love to dress up in costumes, thankfully my children do too. Meet Lady Bug Brianna and The Zachster Rock Star.

 Choosing a pumpkin is always so much fun. Year after year we return here in search for the perfect pumpkin to carve! Denny and I started coming here as newlyweds, 5 years ago.

Our day ended with lunch at McDonald's, which is next to the patch and maze. I said "I love family time like this" and Zach's instant reply was "I love it too" Days like today are what memories and long time family traditions are made of. Someday when my kids are grown and have children of their own I bet they too will spend a cool, sunny, fall day at a pumpkin patch and corn maze with their children.

Ride Buddy

 Zach and Bri take on the Coshocton County Fair

Zach's and Bri's age difference did not happen unplanned. We wanted another baby after Zach and we were blessed with the news another baby was on the way only a couple months before his first birthday. They are only days short of 19 months apart. They literally are growing up together. Once shortly after having Bri I heard someone said "She has 2 under the age of 2" and put that way it sounded awful and kind of scary! However it is anything but that. Sure they fight just as all siblings do, that is unavoidable. But they are each other's ride buddy. They are on this ride we call life together, they have a buddy no matter what.

Denny and I beamed with pride as we watched Zach and Bri conquer each ride together at our county fair this week. How rewarding to watch them mature and grow. For sometime we have wanted another baby to add to our Fink Family, but as I watched my two cutie pies on the rides together I couldn't help but think how great we have it right now. Where would a third baby fit now? They would be a good 3 years or more younger than their other siblings. They wouldn't have a ride buddy :-( So now (for the moment being) I am happy to say I'm completely happy with our family of four. If God someday blesses this Fink Family with one more child I will be thrilled! However, I'm satisfied if my little ride buddies are it, their is no empty void in our live's. Besides if I spend my time wanting and waiting for another blessing from above, I will miss out on my ride with the two beautiful blessings I've already been given.

One Year Homecoming Day

Shortly after I began dating the man that I know call my husband he told me that I couldn't take a bad picture. If he only knew. When I was preteen age I stopped smiling for pictures, any pictures, including my school picture. My Grandpa on the phone told me that if I didn't smile in pictures he wouldn't be able to tell if I was happy. He wanted his eldest Grandchild happy! I have so many fond memories with my Grandpa, he and my Grandma have made sure of that. They spoiled my sister and I with lots of love.

Grandpa had a long drawn out summer of suffering last year. We all knew his time to leave this world was coming fast. Last September I went to NY and visited with him from his hospital bed side. I kissed his sweet glowing bald head one final time and held his dear withering hand for a few last moments, knowing it was my goodbye. After this visit I waited I knew with every phone call update soon one would be "the one"

On October 1st which in my family marks my Father's birthday I got the call. It was morning, maybe 8ish. I was sitting in this very spot. The moment I saw the caller id and heard my Fathers broken voice I knew. I hung up in a mixture of emotions. Joy for his battle was finally over and grief because I would have kept him forever and maybe even a little laughter because Grandpa got to pick on his son in law one last time by leaving on October 1st.
Just then through my dining room I saw to blue colored cardinals, I rarely see them here. They sat on a phone line or power cord. One flew away. I found that as a sign that he was gone. Grandpa had flown away from his pain on this earth, yes he was leaving behind those he loved, but he would expect one thing from us. A smile, so as he peaks down from heaven he can tell that we are happy.

I love you Grandpa!!!!!!! Happy Homecoming Day, I'll be smiling for you........