When the first surprise came after nine years I battled mixed emotions. I was excited about one more, scared of the pain, nervous about the expense, fearful of my inabilities, wondering where we were going to put everyone and yet knowing I could trust my God. The idols of my heart were exposed in so many different areas and growth took place (in more than one way). Now six months with my precious gift and I can’t remember why I struggled so much. The joy that Elijah has brought to our family is immeasurable. The smiles and the love that emanates within these walls is breathtaking! So this second little “surprise” comes much easier! We are looking forward to adding once again to the family and loving the idea of Elijah having a playmate closer to his own age! (And I thought the girls were close together!) Excited about watching this little one grow inside and hear the giggles from the other three as they feel her (or him) kick and move. So thirteen years after my first precious treasure comes a fifth!

A Huge Sigh of Relief

Well I have just come through one of the most stressful weeks I have had in a very long time! First, I had to make a decision for the whole family! Not just my immediate five but the seven other siblings along with their families, and mom and dad! Everyone was so gracious and didn't care where we went but I was facing a midnight deadline, two great options with benefits to either, and the possibility of putting us all in the poor house and unable to take another vacation EVER! I made it through that day only to face what I have been fearing for well over a month!
I had to speak to a huge group of moms yesterday morning and I have been sick to my stomach since Tuesday! I have not slept well and changed the outline fifty times since I was first asked to do it. I am not sure what I said, the whole talk is a blurr. So on the way home after the talk, which by the way I shook the WHOLE way through, I felt as if I would throw up. Tori just laughed at me. Once again I blame Cedar for my fears. Not once in my schooling did I have to speak in front of anyone or give an oral report or anything like that! Once again I was taken out of my place of comfort to be stretched by the maker! While I am thrilled at what he taught me through it all (a lot of time spent in prayer!) I never want to do that again!!

Winning motivates

Yesterday was a perfect day! The weather was sunny and warm. Elijah got a good nap in the great outdoors, and Paige didn't get stung. (even tho the bees were busy and definitely after our lemonade!) We packed up the car and a lunch and took a trip over to Wilmington to do some climbing. It's a great spot! The river sounds in the background, picnic area, trails, the whole bit. We played a little soccer and some football after the climbing was complete. I hiked up and around the back twice and thought for sure I would die. (I am in need of some serious exercise!!) All three kids topped out at about 110 feet! They all were motivated by something different, one in paticular for the sheer enjoyment of beating her sister! I guess it runs in the family--tennis is coming!!

Life has been a roller coaster ride for quite some time now and I don’t think the ride will be stopping anytime soon. I am getting a bit sick and wish the remedy were as simple as throwing up and feeling better. My spinning head has slightly slowed down only to start spinning like a top once again. There are times when I feel like I am floating on a chunk of ice in the middle of a freezing ocean with no landing in sight. When my feet are not planted on this ice chunk, I feel as if they are being lifted and blown around like a kite in a wind storm. Sleep evades me and my dreams chase me as if I were in a marathon that never ends. My calendar is like trying to put queen size sheets on a king size bed—no matter how you turn it there isn’t enough room! My list of to do’s is ever growing and yet keeps disappearing. And there is no one to remind me what’s on the list!
So because of all this- I am CERTAIN I birthed some brain cells!

Last night I got to watch my hunk of studliness play soccer outside! He has been playing all summer (when he is able) but this was my first game this year due to a certain someone named Elijah. Can I just say I was so proud of my husband! Not because he scored a lot, or kept the team working together, not because he made some AWESOME runs from the back, and can still run with the best of them, not because he can slide tackle a man and get up so quickly and stealthily that the ref doesn't know what just happened. Not because his teammates say they need him to stay in because they get scored on when he's out, not for any of these reasons alone. But I am proud of my man because of the man he is at home to me and our children! Sure, watching him play soccer does stir a bit of pride in me, but the greater pride comes while listening to him read a story with the kids piled on his lap. Or watching him show Jamin how to open the doors for ladies by opening my door. I am proud when he willingly takes up the extra cleaning around the house because I am unable. Or when he pulls out the bible and reads to our children.I smile when he tells one of the kids to get mom some ice cream or make mom some coffee! I am proud when he teaches our children to be thoughtful of others by giving up his seat, or simply playing a game that he doesn't feel like playing at the moment. I am proud to be Mrs. Jack klose in so many ways! I don't have to get to the soccer field for that, I can simply go to my back yard and watch soccer being played by dad and his kids!

Questions concerning face book.

Face book. Upon joining face book I must admit I wasn't thrilled, just another thing to occupy my time and another system to figure out. (Which by the way they decide to change more often than not just to keep you busy with it.)
"FRIENDS"
When you take a good look at face book it would appear that any one person has hundreds and hundreds of friends- but can this really be the case? Can classmates from 3rd grade, whom you haven't spoken to in 30 years, really be considered a "friend?" Doesn't there have to be some form of communication between two people to be called friends? I think I even have some on my page that I don't even know or cannot place! Are these people really my "friends"?
"REQUESTS"
I have never in my life had someone who formally "requested" to be my friend and yet here on face book this is a regular occurrence! Should one ever, in any relationship, have to "request" to be your friend? I cannot remember a time when I went up to someone and said something like "I have only known you for a short while, but may I request to be your friend? This I am sure would send some running in the opposite direction!
"IGNORE"
I would never purposefully "ignore" my friend, yet once again that is an option for any "friend" I have on face book. I can ignore them any time I want! Now granted, there have been some times while speaking to friends that my mind has wandered and my focus was not completely with them, but to purposefully tell myself I am going to ignore them- I have never done.
Now, before you call me a hypocrite I admit, I do have a face book, I do go on it occasionally, I do have many "friends" (and have even ignored some) I have "requested" some friends as well. But it just makes me wonder- how many true friends do I have out there? How often have I been "ignored" without even knowing it? And am I just part of a status symbol to be added to someones friend list to make them appear as though they have more friends than the next guy? Face book.......hum..

I do have childhood memories!

So today I was sitting in the living room watching Jamin and Paige wrestle. This is a common occurrence in the Klose home. Paige was winning when out of nowhere Jamin scrunches up his face, takes the stance and screams out RAAAAAHHHHHHH as he charges. It is at this point that Paige loses all control because she is laughing so hard and Jamin is able to defeat her. A few minutes later as they are both recovering Paige says through her giggles "Jamin, you know that saying that word doesn't make you stronger." Right then I myself begin to laugh hysterically. I actually have a childhood memory and it is so similar! You see, I too fought with my brothers and sisters, (o.k. mostly the sisters) and one particular sister, (I will keep her idenity secret) who, like Jamin thought one word would give her "super strength". Anybody remember that word..... TOTAL! We would be in the midst of fighting and at any given time she would shout out TOTAL and would go crazy!! Just flailing like a mad girl, every limb swinging and of coarse, she would at that point win because the opponent was too busy laughing to defend herself. She swore for many years that the word gave her super strength and she could fight anybody and win. Oh, the joys of watching my children fight!