Baby News

William was able to feel Baby move tonight!!! It was so exciting! I showed him the squishy area and then moved his hand to the area where I could feel Baby pushing on me. He rested his hand on my belly and Baby pushed right back. He held his breath as he awaited movement. I didn't say anything waiting for him to indicate he felt something. He was able to recognize it each time without my help. It was such a special moment for both of us. When he took his hand away, he kissed my belly and told the baby, "I love you." I cried inside! How amazing since we first began having babies together twenty-five years ago! He might be as in-love with Baby as I am!!

R was also able to feel Baby and AG took her turn! It is so exciting!!!

Shopping!

My mom and I are leaving town for the day! We are boarding a nice bus and heading to Chicago for a shopping trip together! We are so excited! My mom used to "shop" a lot with her mom and I am so thankful that my husband retired near my family so we can spend time with our extended family. I am looking forward to our day together!

Falling-Raking-Hauling

Well, one of the first adjustments to city life from our country living has been NEIGHBORS. Wow! But another has been LEAVES! In Covington, the mowers were used to run over our leaves and mulch them but we had maple leaves. Here we have oak leaves and they don't mulch well at all. T tried. But we do have rakes! And it's a good thing. We have several trash cans that William and the children are using to fill with leaves to transport them to the country and put on my dad's bean fields. What a chore! But they are out there weathering the cold to clean up all the fallen leaves. It was so see them all working together!

Happy Thanksgiving!

From our (new) home to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

We had my parents and my youngest brother and his family here for our first Thanksgiving in our new home! It was so fun and the food and fellowship were fantastic. William can cook a turkey and oh, can my mom make pies!! I am so thankful for the freedom that we have to gather around our table and bow our heads in thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father for all that He provides for us! I am so thankful that I don't get what I deserve. Salvation! I am so thanful that He gives me what I don't deserve! Redemption! I am so thankful for my family and that we can meet together in harmony. I am so thankful for friends and the unity that we have amongst us in the common bond of Christ. I am so thankful for the abundant blessings God has given me.

Thank you, Jesus!

There’s a sweet, sweet spirit in this place,

And I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord.

There are sweet expressions on each face,

And I know that it’s the presence of the Lord.

Sweet Holy Spirit, sweet Heav’nly Dove.

Stay right here with us, filling us with your love.

And for these blessings, we lift our hearts in praise.

Without a doubt we’ll know that we have been revived,

When we shall leave this place.

Happy Thanksgiving

from

The Munro Family

Today

Well, actually it began yesterday with me noticing my belly being noticeably smaller. I went on through the evening willing myself to feel the baby moving and couldn't confirm what I felt. By this morning, my belly was evidently smaller.

When my mom came to pick me up to take me to the store for some last minute things for Thanksgiving as T has my van today, I told her that I hated to ask her but would she please take me for an u/s as I didn't think the baby was alive anymore. Before going further, he/she IS alive but here is the rest of the story.

I called a place and asked them to confirm my suspicions and they said no. My mom and I talked about me going to my regular doc since I don't have anyone yet (I had made an appt. for Friday for my first appt. but obviously planned to cancel that appt.) I decided he probably wouldn't help me since he doesn't deliver babies. Then we decided even further not to go to their office as once they passed me off to an OB, I would be hounded to "get it all over with." Can't handle that. So we decided to go to the hosp. We went to labor/delivery and talked with a nurse. She got us another nurse that asked me 110 questions about whether I have 49 different std's or health problems after they had me take off all my garments and wear that excuse of a gown. Then they had me wait. And wait. And wait. It was torturous but my mom was excellent about talking with me to sorta distract me and yet not disregarding why we were there. She was wonderfully amazing! So the nurse finally talked with a doctor and she said they would do an u/s. Then she started telling me all the bloodwork I needed to have. Then they said it would be 30 minutes before I would go down to u/s. I requested a simple test done on the floor to determine an answer as I had already been there so long. She said she wasn't qualified. It was all the TESTIMONY I could muster to tell her that *I* was qualified to see whether the baby was alive or not. God held my tongue. As we prepared to leave, my mom asked if someone could just check with a Doppler. Initially, my heart sank. I didn't want them to try and not find one and me leave with a living baby unknowingly even though I didn't think that was the case. I didn't want her NOT to find it and me know w/o seeing the baby that he/she had died. All that flood of emotion and then it was gone. I knew in my heart it was the right thing to do. As she tried to locate the baby, I prayed a Hannah prayer --like babbling, but not-- begging and begging God for this child and then...and then...is it? I grabbed the nurse's arm and held onto it. I began to weep! I covered my face and bawled! I am thankful that Baby is still alive!! I pleaded and begged God that I would hear a beating heart and that Baby is alive. You coulda heard me down the hallway bawling and bawling and praising the Lord again and again with joy over this child. I knew it but I couldn't be quiet! Oh what thankfulness my heart has to God! We rejoice! Amazing is His grace!

So, Happy Thanksgiving!

Girls' Room

The last room we are going to paint...for now...is the girls room. Their bedding is on back order so it won't be shipped for two more weeks. That will certainly give us time to work on the rest of the house and get settled more before we tackle another painting project.

Adult Things

J lost his FIRST tooth today! I can already see the bumps on the adult tooth making its way through his gum. He was always somewhat fearful when older siblings would lose a tooth and say that he liked all of his teeth and didn't want to lose them. I would pray for him asking the Lord for courage when it was time to begin this change for him.

When he first recognized the tooth was loose, his eyes were large but whatever his initial fears were left swiftly. Then he was triumphant in his eyes and voice when he declared that his tooth was out. He has paraded it around to everyone in victory over the feat of losing his first tooth. Ah! If all of his lessons in life go this well and this smoothly.

I praise the Lord for answering yes to this prayer!! : )

Our Daughters

This is a CD that we play for our daughters in the evening when they are settling for bed. Two homeschooled sisters share their hearts regarding being Godly daughters and their position and responsibilities in their home...being a Princess for their King! Listen and listen again!

More Painting!

1. The family room is all painted and the hunt for the curtains still left to hang which are in some box somewhere is on!
2. The dining room has the upper coat-the bottom half is going to be a different color with a border between the two colors.
3. We still have ideas to paint the girls room but we await their bedding until we purchase the paint.

Thanksgiving is next week and we are hosting our extended family here! I need to finish this week!

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches...

Baby Names...

We are at a loss for names from the Lord for this child. By now at almost four months pregnant, we have names for each gender and usually have a gut feeling about which name will be used. I think my initial thoughts about twins at the beginning of this pregnancy has me all off. Well, now that we saw one baby, we are trying to decide on a name.

We have a few limitations to the name hunt--our daughter's first names have three syllables and our son's first names have two syllables.

Please email me for the list of names we have used but we don't necessarily choose modern names but more traditional. Thank you for your input in this!

The Munro Family

Cleaners: Update

We purchased the Mr. Clean erasers and they are the bomb. William used them since he didn't want me using cleaners and they made whatever he used them on look new and fresh. Fabulous! We also tried the County Market brand and they did as well but didn't hold up as long as the name brand.

My Man and our Maidens

WBGL Purity Ball 2008

This is the photograph taken of my dear husband and our fair maidens at the Purity Ball they attended together on October 17th.

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Baby Information

My pregnancy: 15 weeks today
How Baby's growing:Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the premature air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

Newest Munro

Baby Munro

14 weeks 2 days

Painting Update

We have:

• the boys' room completely painted
• primer done in the family room and one coat of paint applied to the walls
• painters tape applied to the dining room
• ideas for colors for the girls' room

I am tired and going to bed...

Cleaning Tip

I was told that Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are the bomb so if you are in need of something great for Fall Cleaning then try these. I am going to purchase some the next trip to the store and I will let you know what I think.

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser ®

• Wipe away filthy soap scum in the shower or the tub with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
• Use it to remove stains from the sides of plastic trash cans.
• The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser can get through grime and scuff marks around the base of your toilet.
• It can do away with stains and dirt covering the inside of your sink and the countertop surrounding it.
• Use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to erase dirt and scuff marks left on your floor.
• Keep your home's interior doors, trim, and baseboard looking like new by using Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to remove scuff marks and dirt.
• Erase coffee stains from countertops with the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
• You can even use it at the office to wipe away pesky residue on dry-erase boards and clean stains off your desk.
• Use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to clean up messes on your plastic or metal kitchen appliances.

More Painting...

This room is almost done! We primered the room first and then we painted blue, blue and more blue! It was great! I have blue paint on everything I wore. ha ha Then I added the RED LINE through the room. T's bed will have a snazzy red comforter on it (I ordered it today) and a True Red valance in the window. J and WJ have bunk beds on the other side of the room with Cars in the same shades of blues and red.

The Creation Museum, located seven miles west of the Cincinnati airport, presents a “walk through history.” Designed by a former Universal Studios exhibit director, this state-of-the-art 70,000 square foot museum brings the pages of the Bible to life.
A fully engaging, sensory experience for guests. Murals and realistic scenery, computer-generated visual effects, over fifty exotic animals, life-sized people and dinosaur animatronics, and a special-effects theater complete with misty sea breezes and rumbling seats. These are just some of the impressive exhibits that everyone in your family will enjoy.
Hours
Monday–Thursday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.*
Friday 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Sunday Noon–6 p.m.*
Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Last admission is one hour before closing. Please plan accordingly.
Admission: Prices are as follows, however, we have *Guest Passes* that you may borrow for this wonderful opportunity to experience the Creation Museum! PLEASE plan to use these reusable, free passes and schedule your trip to this amazing museum that glorifies God! The Guest Passes include Special Effects Theater and Petting Zoo!

Adult (13-59 yrs): $21.95
Senior (60 yrs & up): $16.95
Children (5-12 yrs): $11.95
Children (under 5 yrs): Free
Planetarium with admission: $7
Two-day Pass:
Adult: $29.95
Senior: $22.95
Children: $14.95
(Prices do not include tax.)

PAINTING

We never made it to the dining room! The paint for that room is at the "old house" so I started the trim in the family room and Wonderful Kari followed with the roller. It looks fabulous! She is such a doll to come help me! I have tried to leave boxes sit, not exert myself more than lifting a glass of tea to my lips and refrained from any cleaners other than dish soap! WOW Do you know HOW HARD that is for a Type A personality to do??!?? So painting has been both therapy and practical...it just plainly needed painting and I can do this. Well, with Kari!

Thanks, Friend!

Conference Cancellation

Well, after several hills and valleys in my heart over the CCEF conference, I didn't go. A friend from church went in my place and I am at home painting today with my friend, Kari! Look out dining room--here we come!

Thanksgiving Treat Fun

Pilgrim Hat Cookies

SERVINGS: 32
CATEGORY: Lower Fat
METHOD:
TIME: Prep: 1 hour
Ingredients:
1 cup vanilla frosting
7 drops yellow food coloring
32 miniature peanut butter cups
1 package (11-1/2 ounces) fudge-striped cookies
32 pieces orange mini Chiclets gum
Directions: In a small shallow bowl, combine frosting and food coloring. Remove paper liners from peanut butter cups. Holding the bottom of a peanut butter cup, dip top of cup in yellow frosting. Position over center hole of a cookie, forming the hatband and crown. Add a buckle of Chiclets gum. Repeat with remaining cups and cookies. Yield: 32 cookies.

Be A Friend

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart...

and sings it to you when you forget the words.

Happy Birthday Marines!

1775: Founding of the Marine Corps...A legacy is born
During the American Revolution, many important political discussions took place in the inns and taverns of Philadelphia, including the founding of the Marine Corps. A committee of the Continental Congress met at Tun Tavern to draft a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines able to fight for independence at sea and on shore. The resolution was approved on November 10, 1775, officially forming the Continental Marines. As the first order of business, Samuel Nicholas became Commandant of the newly formed Marines. Tun Tavern’s owner and popular patriot, Robert Mullan, became his first captain and recruiter. They began gathering support and were ready for action by early 1776. Each year, the Marine Corps marks November 10th with a celebration of the brave spirit which compelled these men and thousands since to defend our country as United States Marines.

My dear husband gave twenty years (and six days if he tells the story) of his life serving as a U. S. Marine for the freedoms God has granted us here in America. So to him-Once A Marine Always A Marine-and all those who have served and are serving in the United States Marine Corps,
Happy Birthday Marines!

Pregnancy

The Month of May...

Each day that goes by my heart falls in love with Baby more and more! While I enjoy each day of mothering this child within my womb, my heart and arms can barely wait to hold this precious Blessing from God. I try to picture his/her face and I can almost smell that sweet baby smell. Do you know what I mean?

Yet, I realize that May might not hold what my heart desires. Jeremiah 8:7a Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming So, I continue to enjoy daily being able to be this baby's mommy! My clothes fit less and less and I love it more and more. Time to dig out my maternity pattern and make a nice, warm dress!

Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

CCEF Conference

This is the conference with the details from their site that Ann is attending this week...please pray for her to absorb the Truth and seek to allow the Lord to use what He teaches her to glorify Him alone!

Training those who want to change and help others change.
ADDICTIONS...sounds ominous, doesn't it?
The mind drifts to the junkie scoring dope and the husband who hides Jack Daniels in the back of the toilet. Now notice what happens when you take the same idea, but use a word like temptation-temptation that doesn't take no for an answer or won't surrender without a fierce fight. Do you see what just happened? Your mind races from drugs, to gambling, to shopping, to eating, to sexual addictions, to people pleasing, and, of course, to you. Desires run amok. Welcome to the human heart.
The Bible is quite savvy when it comes to our temptations. God, after all, knows the human heart and sees everything. But there is more. Contrary to expectations, God goes into the streets, the alleys, the bars to find the addicted and the stuck and offer them freedom.
The aim of our Annual Conference is to accurately describe how God pursues and frees stuck people. Prepare to be inspired. And, in keeping with how God speaks to the nitty-gritty details of life, prepare to be equipped with specific strategies and skills for your life and ministry.