if you haven't heard from us lately...

it's because we've been here.

and here takes a while...

but more frequently than the grocery store, we've been hanging out at the sunny (sonny?) porch inn. rather than explaining why an old frame house has been given such a fun name (my sister in law is much better at telling these stories!), i'll just tell you why we've been here.
you see...we're moving.

yes.

again.

but before you get all crazy, we're simply moving down the road. still in our sweet town.

to a two bedroom, 1 bath house.

and i'll tell you what, i couldn't be more excited!!
and that's the truth.


michael's parents are allowing us to do some work to a house that michael's grandfather built. and actually, the work started last summer when michael, his sisters, and their husbands and children gutted and cleaned the house. pregnant girl had to sit back and watch as they waded through what was left after the house had been abandoned by former tenants (70s?,80s?)...
"sonny porche" and his mama...

everyone has a part in re-doing the s.p.i. and it will eventually be used as a camp house for all. but until then, we are getting it ready to become our next home.
so that's where we've been. and we've been packing too. because we have a contract on our current home! it's nuts around here. i mean, nuts.
but here's the fun part. some of these pictures are for the sake of my sisters (in-laws)--to keep them tuned in while they're away. sit back, enjoy our progress!

painting the kitchen
(before)


(after)



we painted the cabinets. they're not really installed yet, just a peek at what's to come.




and the trim


a look outside...doc's territory





hello handsome
this is my husband pulling fence.
and being handsome.



and finally, the little troops.
what the sweetest baby in the world does while we work...




the toddlers for security from snakes club

it's been a busy few weeks but we have definitely had some fun!

the carnival came to town for "Land of Leather" festival.  we were anxious to see if the kids were interested.  last year was a flop, but this year...

another story!

it was all we could do to hang on as lori threw herself on to the first ride!! in fact, i kept holding on to her and she kept pushing away my hands.
now, her brother?

just as excited with a little less ferocious intensity. this was his "warm up" ride. didn't even sit down even though dad held on. thus, displaying again, the difference between my first and second. but don't let this fool you.

he was ready for the boats. okay so they are VERY low to the ground. and his sister ran and dove into her seat. either way, he got on happy.

here they are, contemplating the kiddie roller coaster. at this point, they were begging to ride! i was very convinced lori meant every word, but nolan? would he really get on??

BELIEVE IT!! they rode this for the rest of the night!




we had the best time! did you, west?

affirmative!

wanted to share some recent pics of my youngest.  

unfortunately, the happiest smiles make for the blurriest pictures in babyland...all that arm dancing.  as you see here, underneath all of that cloud is one stellar baby shot.

here's typical west.  content.  sweet.  hanging out.

again, pretty typical.  he's "talking" a lot now.  i'm quite sure he is telling me how much he loves me in this shot.  ;)

true confessions from a before-picture mom

i've arrived.
no. not to that incredibly wise place where i know about important things and am confident in my decision-making. though that has happened, it has not happened often. just occasionally. semi-occasionally.
and i've especially not arrived to the place where people see me and think, wow, she's got it together. let me know if i do get there, by the way. we'll throw a party or something.
nope, i've arrived to the "before" picture-place.
you know when you've seen the before picture of the tired mom who looks like she's been working hard labor for some time? i guess there is a time or two where i sneak in an acceptable hair-do/outfit with some make-up to boot. but again, we're going to go with semi-occasionally. just think of the show "10 years younger" on TLC. those are the before shots to which i am comparing my arrival.
now, i'm not speaking of this because i'm proud. in fact, it's kind of a terrible discovery. and i'm less than thrilled that my discovery happened to me with an audience.
i was at a dps office in a nearby city. i wasn't planning on being at the dps, just there because the friendly bank teller reminded me that no money was mine to withdraw if i couldn't prove it was mine. and my expired license couldn't prove it. no problem...add an errand to the day's list.
at the dps, i met another friendly lady who reminded me i would be getting my picture re-taken.

slight panic attack-
"okay, really? i mean, is it that important? seriously, i wasn't prepared...my hair is in a pony tail and that's not normal-they won't recognize me (HA!), i just had a baby...PLEASE DON'T TAKE MY PICTURE!!!!"

have i ever bothered to talk about how i hate having my picture taken? lots of stress there. just don't like it.

and to make it worse, not only did my new friend assure that YES i would be posing for my new license, she also started suggesting i spruce up. i believe it went like this,
"yes, every time you come in to our office, we take your picture."
smile.
"now, you want to do something?; take your hair down; try something else?"
hmmm.
i mean, i know i didn't exactly fix my hair that morning but there was some effort. besides, didn't you see the car seat i've got hanging from my arms??? i've got other, higher priorities than standing in front of the mirror. i'm molding my babies little minds, hearts, teaching them everything they know! i mean, for pete's sake, i am busy shaping the future!!!

okay now i'm just getting dramatic. but it's way more fun.

my friend just smiled. i laughed like i could care less and said, "what you see is what you get." (inside i was cringing)
and so that sneaky lady snapped that nasty camera.

i was speechless when she showed me the picture...my "before" picture...and now recorded, by the state of Texas, as my identity. what a great, amazing moment for me.

later that night, my beautiful, crazy daughter helped start the healing process. some show was on tv in the background. we weren't really paying attention so when lori started yelling, "Mama! Mama!," i thought she was actually talking to me. turns out, brooke shields, uh-hmmm, BROOKE SHIELDS, appeared on-screen and she was pointing to the tv. to be sure i knew what was happening, i said, "sissy, who is that?" she walked to the tv, pointed again, and said, "it's Mama!"

okay, beautiful child of mine, you can think that.
and if my sweet daughter thinks she saw the correct image of me, then maybe there is hope for an "after" picture.
i'll be sure to post that picture.
when i look like brooke shields.
try not to hold your breath.

and speaking of images, let me share a few of the crazy girl :) she makes us laugh more than i can mention. she loves dress up and you never know what you are going to get next. that's my girl.   

(here she is modeling her brother's shoes and a net from the butterfly game)

here's the latest

our youngest is 4 weeks old now.  that is unbelievable.

here is what has been going on...

ignore some of the dates on a few pictures-we have issues with our camera.

getting his IV off so we could go home!!

the oldest two were so happy to see something in the car seat--it had been empty for a few weeks prior.
christmas--a sweet princess receives her crown.  she was way excited about it all.

and daddy may have had something to do with this one.
he could not have been more thrilled.  he drums E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G.  he makes drumsticks out of the most unlikely objects.  he talks to his dad about ben, the drummer, whenever he's playing.  this was a good day for him. 

just plain cute.

how we do breakfast.




bath time!



part of our traditional photo shoot to get a birth announcement picture. these didn't make the cut but they're still cute, yes?



our baby is a smiler! he is a wonderful, precious baby. our easiest but don't tell the other two... it's still kind of fresh for them. we're all in love!

Introduction

Meet Westley Hardin

"West"

December 10th

8:45pm

So much intensity, so many prayers and blessings in three days-
let me tell you a story...

Our little man was due December 11th. Though I hadn't reached my due date, nearing it that closely was starting to disappoint me. Why do so many pregnant women feel as though they are the ones who won't really have to wait that long? I was just sure I would be in labor before that Thursday hit.

(My nieces and nephew...not knowing in a few hours, i'd be in labor-

oops, Caleb is about to deliver!)

Set on not being induced, I decided I had to change my mindset. Instead of expecting to go into labor, I tried switching to "what's a due date anyway? mode." Well the Lord indulged me and, at 1:35am on December 10th, I woke from some harder contractions. By 6am I was starting to think this might be the real thing--remember, I had been induced with my first two babies so going into labor on my own was new. After a call in to the o.b. nurse to ask some questions, I told Michael I really think we ought to take the kids to their grandparents and get checked. I had been at a 3 for a few weeks--when the nurse checked I was at a 4 but not progressing very fast. We decided to go home and labor there. I waited all day for my contractions to get closer together. While the pain was intense, the minutes between contractions dragged. One of my dearest friends encouraged me to get checked again. This time, we were at a 6. She and her mom gave me a little pep talk. I desperately wanted to deliver this baby with no medicine and my resolve was dwindling. They were just what I needed at that moment. My dr. sent me to the hospital and boy did things pick up from there. (about 6:30ish pm) 

I need to sum up now...I've just realized you're getting more than you bargained for in this little post.

(ignore the date on pics--checked in to hospital.  looking good, eh?)

Basically, in a short time, I asked for an epidural, then denied the epidural, got to an 8, decided to keep going, dr. broke my water, experienced the most amazing and amazingly painful process I've ever been a part of, and had my son, my third child, naturally, at 8:45pm. Whew.

My biggest baby--21.25 in

7lbs, 13 oz.

After a night of the baby "high," we found out at 6am the next morning there were some concerns with West. His body temperature kept dropping, his heart rate was dropping and irregular, he wouldn't nurse, he was very lethargic. The dr. came and ordered several tests. There was some drama with his IV--until our dr. saved the day again--his white blood cell count was high but x rays were clear and after lunch, he started nursing again.


It looked like antibiotics were doing something good. Confidence was building. We wouldn't have blood tests back for a few days so we waited. By the end of that night, we were feeling better. West was kept under a warmer with a heart monitor and remained one on one with a nurse. This continued through the next day. He continued to improve in nursing and all outward signs looked good. Good color, good temperatures. Today, he was able to come out from the warmer and spend a little time in the room with me. He maintained good temps and is nursing like a champion. He's a gassy little man but we'll take that at this point. Oh, and no sign of allergies like my other babies so far! YEA! I've seen a normal baby stool for the first time as a mother! (That part is huge, trust me). So tomorrow, we officially get results from blood cultures and discuss our options. Those of you who knew of the situation have been praying hard and I can't thank you enough. I've said many times in the past few days...our Lord is faithful to His promises. Even if things hadn't started picking up like they did, He is still faithful. There are so many ways we've watched His hands unfold what He wants us to experience with or without knowing why. He's brought comfort in all situations.
And in the past couple of days, He's brought us this...

(taken today!)

More of "this" coming soon

Thank you for your prayers, thoughts, and calls.  As soon as things get a little more regular, we will be more proactive in making many of the personal phone calls that you deserve.  Until then, know that we've felt all that you have sent our way.  

time to catch up

it's about time you heard from us--
do you find yourself wondering how on earth it is possible that we are almost in december? i wrote a post bidding goodbye to summer, discussing the newness of fall and change, etc. i decided that being two days from thanksgiving precluded me from ever using it here. too bad because it was kind of cute. and it was to coincide with the unveiling of my new "fallish" blog design by vanessa at butterfly sparks designs. consider the blog officially unveiled...i've always had good intentions. anyway, this year has proven true to the armstrong way of life... many changes, preparing for another baby, all of the fun things that happen when you are a part of this family!
this isn't going to be fancifully written or clever post. it's just going to be an update. i've held out on you regarding our life's happenings but you're going to get it all now. be excited ;)

we're still here in beautiful yoakum!

(sunset from my in-laws drive)
well, i guess "we" is debatable. michael did take a job as a worship pastor in humble (n.e.houston) and has been there since april. our home never sold though, and the pastor who hired michael took an out of state position about four months into michael's start. michael usually stays in houston about 4.5 days a week and is in yoakum 2.5 days. the hard part is when he can't come home in between and has to stay away for 10 days at a time. we were visiting houston a bunch...actually had an apartment for a bit until a contract on our yoakum house fell through. but after cancelling the apt. and being only weeks from my due date, the kids and i have not made the trip. this is not a lifestyle we were counting on but is it ever? i mean to say, everybody has something they are not counting on but has to deal with... the Lord is faithful to His promises and there have been many blessings in the adjustments that have had to be made.
one is that we are still in yoakum! i can't say enough how much this little town means to us. with michael's work situation still in transition, we are unsure about our future. we are in constant prayer for clarity, patience in timing, and good decision making. but we are sure enjoying our home in between. i think we all feel so much a part of this community, including the kids. speaking of...
we're getting big. let's do a year in review of pictures. and yea, i said year. we're going back to march. don't know if you recall of my grumblings about my camera and computer. well i have my precious macbook now and can download to my heart's content. brace yourselves.  we're starting at easter.




easter

mowing the lawn like daddy--he did that for an hour straight

my girl...always a mess, always fun

how we do sippy cups in the country...michael found her like this one day


our first harvest in the garden...one of our favorite evening activities was picking the garden. after growing tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, lettuce, we were able to can lots of pickles and homemade salsa!

first trip to the zoo...lori screamed in delight the whole time

a new haircut (matching? haircuts...lori still has no hair!) and a new hiding spot



tom-tom festival in yoakum--the kids participated in the kiddie parade with their mother's day out program. our group's theme was nursery rhymes and so my precious children represented baa baa black sheep and jill, of "jack and jill." kylie, my niece, was also in the parade--mary, mary. aren't they sweet?


the big tom-tom parade--uncle tommy (and the parade coordinator) poses for this picture every year

found--michael saved the sweetest kitten in our yard. we named her bella and brought her to live with michael's parents. (away from the highway!) she grew a little bit and we found out she was a fella, so we re-named him. Fella Kitty is lori's favorite "toy" at her doc and doe's house.

lori--about as accurately as i can describe her personality without using words


another baby growing...finally taking a picture of the third!

crave--and speaking of the third, if i could have had this meal every day of this pregnancy, i would have. it's pho-a vietnamese noodle soup but with so much flavor. and salad rolls dipped in peanut sauce (chili paste mixed in for heat). i couldn't have this often because vietnamese noodle places don't thrive in this town and b/c of my son's allergy to peanuts. but after our two day trip to vegas (one last getaway!) we ate this in austin. i was so happy i took this picture. best meal of my life, right there folks.




beach--the babies first time. we visited our amazing friends in lake jackson. one week later, hurricane ike would hit this exact spot in freeport.




the wild woman--just as much spunk, this time with a little more hair on her head





the boy--happiness is concentrating on things...my phone for example, and listening for the baby in my belly.



and on that note, the boy is now potty trained! here he is enjoying a victorious day at the toilet. ice cream...



let's not skip halloween--at the houston church's fall festival. it was a stretch but aren't they the cutest, caucasian dora and diego you've ever seen? we tried...the wig staying on my daughter's head for more than 10 min should have merited some kind of award...


and so, we get to november...

an adorable cowgirl and cowboy

a new, little cowboy on the way...(see the belly)

and a mama and daddy who couldn't be more proud!

i mentioned not planning our lives like this. we also didn't plan having three babies, aged 2 and under (okay, so nolan will be 3 in jan. and lori will be 2 in mar...but when this baby is born, i will definitely have three kids aged 0, 1, and 2). but you guessed my next sentence...wouldn't have it any other way! i've never felt more purposeful or more blessed than i have becoming these babies' mother. thanks for sharing our year with us. it's been an adventure. and there is more coming. i'll try to keep you a little more updated should we officially move. until then, y'all enjoy your upcoming celebrations--and stay posted for the newest armstrong! the official due date is 16 days from now, dec. 11th. love to you all!