14 years of Marital Bliss

Today is mine and Todd's anniversary...14 years and 5 kids later I love him more than I did the day I married him. I didn't think that was possible - to love him more than I already did but as the years go by I find myself falling more and more in love with him. Don't get me wrong...we've had our ups and downs and life isn't always "blissful" but we make it through those times and I think that's what makes our relationship better.

He is my "calm" when the storms are raging around me. I need him in so many ways and find such peace when he is near. He's kind, compassionate, witty, charming, handsome and my very own "Knight in Shining Armor"!! He possess strengths that I lack and vise versa which balances us out and makes us a great team!!

My children don't fully understand at this point in their lives, but someday they'll realize how blessed they were to have him for a dad. They love him so much and the primary song "I'm so glad when daddy comes home" says it best for our family!! Sometimes it feels like we are competing for his attention as soon as he walks in the door!

I look forward to many more years with him by side and I am grateful to know he's mine for eternity!! Happy Anniversary Honey, I love you!

Brody Todd Williams
September 19, 2008 5:14 am
8 lbs 3 oz. 23 inches long

We are so happy our new baby is here safe and sound. Our home has been blessed a 5th time with a heathly baby!! Welcome baby...we've been waiting for you- what a lucky family we are!






Ok, this is how the day played out...I was suppose to go to the hospital Thursday September 18th at 5 am unless the hospital called to say they were full. I had a restless night waiting for the phone to ring - and in my dreams it rang every other second!! I slept pretty well until Bridget came to get me at 2 am and from there I could no longer sleep. So I got up wrote a few emails, started another load of laundry and tried to keep busy until 4 o'clock rolled around. At that point I figured it was safe to assume I was going in so I jumped in the shower. Then at 4:10the dreaded call came through, "Mrs. Williams, this is Banner Gateway calling to let you know we are full at this point and hope to get you in with in a few hours." Todd got up with me and we talked for hour and then decided we should lay down before having to get up and get the three older kids ready for school. Todd and I spent the day running make believe errands just to keep my mind occupied. Finally the phone rang at 3:30 letting me know I should come down. We got the kids squared away and off we went. By the time they started my antibiotic (positive for strep b) it was 4:45 and I knew we were in for a long night. I got my epidural around 9:30pm hoping to catch some Zs. Around 4am I asked that my epidural be turned down because my right leg was soooo numb it fell off the bed and I couldn't lift it back on. That was a bad decision because by 4:40 I was felling everything and close to pushing. They came back in and tried to get it going again but not in time. I started to push at 5 and he was here by 5:14 am. I know I had some blocker but I defiantly felt that baby enter the world. As always, bringing a baby into the world is an amazing experience and I am grateful to have had that experience. I love each of my kids so much and thank my Heavenly Father for each one of their sweet spirits.

8 hours to go

Well, the time has come!! I'm due to check into the hospital 8 hours from now...unless of course they call and tell me that they are full with women who actually go into labor on their own! Which I am trying to be prepared for but let's be honest, if that happens I will be a head case.

Sunday night we sitting in the family room together talking about how we would soon have a new member of our family and how excited we all were. Nicole's words were "I can't wait to hold that baby in my arms" and we all echoed her feelings. I went around and asked each person 6 questions like how much do you think he's weigh, how long will he be, will he have hair, what color eyes do you think he'll have, what time will he be born, and WHAT should we name him. Here is every one's response!!

Dad
8lbs 1oz
20 1/2 inches long
blond hair
green eyes
7 pm
Paxon Todd Williams

Mom
8lbs 3oz
21 inches long
blond hair
blue eyes
2 pm
Brody Todd Williams

Nicole
8lbs 5oz
20 inches long
brown hair
brown eyes
1:30 pm
Paxon

Gunner
7lbs 5oz
21 inches long
bald
brown eyes
midnight
Brody

Courtney
20lbs (he feels like he weighs that much & I think in her eyes he looks like it too)
brown hair
brown eyes
6 pm
Coby

Bridget
baby brother was all she said on each question...she has no idea how her world is about to change!!!

It will be fun to see who's predictions were closest!! Our home has been blessed 4 times by healthy happy children and we look forward to welcoming another baby to our family. I know many of you will be thinking of us and praying for us tomorrow and for that I thank you. It is a time filled with so many emotions and I need your prayers at this time. My sweet husband gave me the nicest blessing tonight surrounded by the three oldest kids and the spirit that filled the room caused me to cry...SHOCKER

I better get back to my laundry...I've only done nine loads today but there is still more to do. I had to wash every one's sheets and make the beds because who knows when that will happen again!! Wish me luck

9-11 May we never forget!!

Boy what a day I had!! It all started when the granite guys showed up almost 2 hours late to install my new bathroom counter tops - which had me so flustered that I forgot to take Gunner's lunch money to the school!! Sorry Gunner...I know how you love PB&J's!! Then I hurried off to McDonald's drive through @10:25 (I had to be to the OB my 11) to grab Bridget a happy meal to take to Grandma's before school only to be told they didn't serve lunch until 10:30!! Are you kidding me was my response... that's five minutes you can't just throw her nuggets in the hot oil a few minutes early. "NO" was the answer I got...so I pulled through and waited in the parking lot until 10:30!! Quickly dropped Bridget off at my mom's and raced to my Dr's appt.

I arrived right on time only to hear...he just left for a delivery but if you'd like you can wait you're welcomed to. Yes, I think I'll wait!!!! 2 minutes later the nurse Nicole says, "Julie your appt. is tomorrow"...NO was my answer this time!!!!! No worries she says we'll work you in before he leaves for lunch. Thanks Nicole...I took back Krispy Kreme Donuts for that one!! Found out I'm dilated to a 1 1/2 (not great but I'll take it) and on the induction list for September 18th at 5am!!

So far...not off to a great start, and then it dawned on me what the date was September 11, 2008 seven years since that tragic day. Suddenly my simple woe's no longer seemed that bad. My thoughts turned to that dreadful day and my heart ached for all those people who tragically lost loved ones in an evil act of hate. I can still recall that awful morning...I was laying in bed sick as a dog...pregnant with Courtney...when the phone rang at 6:30am. I thought "who the heck is calling at this hour?" Todd was headed out of town for business and had left early that morning, but he knew better than to wake his sick pregnant wife!! I dragged myself out of bed to answer the phone only to hear Todd's worried voice on the other line. "Julie, I just wanted you to know I never got on the plane I'm still in Arizona something terrible has happened". What are you talking about was my response! "Turn on the TV you have to see this." Still dazed I turned the TV on just as the second plane flew into the 2nd twin tower...something I will never forget! The horror of the scene made my morning sickness almost unbearable.

I stayed glued to the TV for days, especially since I was spending most of my time in bed. I listened and watched as people held pictures of their loved ones begging to know if anyone had seen them. Searching hospitals praying they were in one!! It started to consume me until Todd forced me to turn it off. I couldn't imagine why someone would do such a thing. What would make someone "HATE" us so badly that they were willing to die alongside so many INNOCENT people.

To this day I still don't understand the meaning behind such a vicious act, and never will but what I do know is that day changed our Country forever! I came to the realization that"Freedom" is not free - something I guess I always took for granted. Men and women have been dying for this great country for centuries and for that I am forever grateful. I am proud to be an American and pray that God will continue to bless this great Country in which we live. May we always remember that day and show honor to those who have died and those who will die to give us Freedom.

Vote McCain/Palin!!!! I'm afraid to think what might happen if Obama wins!!

Preschool and Eagle Court of Honor

Bridget started "Preschool" on Thursday at Spuhler Sprouts Preschool and absolutely loved it!! I know she's a little young to send off to school but she is so social (shocker...never had one like that before...she gets it from her dad's side of the family) and full of life that I thought with a new baby coming and all it would be good if she had something to do a couple times a week. She gets to go with her favorite cousin Blair and it's only 2 hours a day 2x a week. She misses my big kids so much that it will help break up the day for her. She was so excited on Thursday morning she keep kissing me and telling me goodbye. I can't believe how much she has grown up the last few months. I didn't think I would survive this sweet little angle face!!!
Bridget's backpack is as big as she is!! Being the fourth child and all I totally forgot about a little backpack for her to take until the morning of. Luckily we have a growing pile of old ones - that no one will reuse- so she had plenty to chose from. It was no surprise she picked the pretty pink barbie one and she didn't even know or care that it was a hand me down!! She wore it for 2 hours before school and then the rest of the day after I picked her up.
After a fun filled day of Preschool, we headed off to my Nephew Hunter's Eagle Court of Honor. Gunner participated in the flag ceremony with my three nephews, Ben, John and Robbie and Nicole was asked to lead the music. We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in these activities with my family and feel blessed to live so close. It was an awesome site to look over at the Eagles Nest and see my husband, my 3 brother's, my two brother-in-laws and a nephew in law all seated there. What a great legacy we have to pass on to our kids.
Gunner, Ben, John, and Robbie - are next in line to earn and receive their Eagles. We have all girls between this foursome and the five you'll see below. That seems a ways off, but I know it's not! Time is moving so quickly I can hardly believe it.
Left to right...Nathan, Andrew, Ryan, Hunter, and Jeffrey. These are five of my nephews who have all received their Eagle Scout Award in the past year and a half!! So Awesome...what great examples these boys are to Gunner! He loves and looks up to each one of them.