Some fun and crazy pics from last month

Some fun pics from our trip to Columbia and a bit of randomness!

We went to the Columbia Zoo and Botanical Gardens and the Children's Discovery Museum!

Joseph was enamored by the animals.

Happy Birthday Nicholas!

It is amazing how quickly a decade goes by. We celebrated with Nicholas' favorite food, nachos! My newest tenager! Happy 10th Nicky!

Happy Birthday Joanna!

Joanna got a day of the mall, dancing lessons, and a sleepover! It was quite a weekend!

Week 6

Wow. It's week 6 of school and we are as busy as ever. Do you see the theme? (my last post was 2 weeks down!) We've been eating, sleeping, and dreaming school for the entire time! The children are quite done already, and ready to go back to Sonlight and just mom being in charge. We're going to give this more time, though. We don't want to quit because the going gets tough. Unfortunately, we won't get our first real break until Thanksgiving! The good news is that we are not far off from our goals. One thing is for sure. I have had to become more organized than ever. I've also seen my own heart more clearly and don't like what so easily comes out. This has been a good growing experience for all of us.

Today, I have hope... we are just going to work through as much as we can and not worry about the rest. Also, I have now recruited Daniel to help with the schooling process. Instead of focusing on him and making him the center of our day, we are now allowing him to be a teacher. Today, so far he has schooled two subjects to Anthony (with some of my help) and I am about to have him begin his own work this afternoon. That is a huge blessing! May it continue to work!

Week 2 almost down, 34 weeks to go!

Our football kid

Here we are! Almost through week 2! GVA has been quite a learning curve. For those who don't know, GVA is a public charter school that is a virtual school. All of the students work from home, with the parents as a "learning coach." It is just like homeschooling, but I am now accountable to a GVA teacher and the state for getting the material taught. Last week we schooled pretty consistently from 8:30am until 10pm, taking only brief breaks for lunch and dinner. Daniel had football four nights last week (6-8:30), so when he got home, I'd hit the books again with him. There has been no TV, no games, no friends, until yesterday! We worked really hard and took the afternoon off to meet up with friends who have a lake on their property. So we tubed on the lake and played in the water. Now, here I am again at 9pm still trying to get through a couple more lessons! Once these munchkins are a bit more independent, I'm hoping the day will go quicker! It dominates our lives at this point.

And then there is the baby! He is so very social. He loves being held and easily distracts us! We can't help grabbing him up to cuddle. School came way to soon for us. We'd all much rather just play with Joseph!


Joanna and Joseph

School's In for Summer

Well, it's August 11th and we're in our last week before school officially begins. I'm sitting with my two big boys going through the "OLS" - the online learning school that they will be using this year as a part of GVA. Yep, we're officially in public school... at home! I'm very excited about getting started with the boys. All three will be learning as a part of Georgia's Virtual Academy (K-12 curriculum). Joanna is doing Sonlight's Core 200 this year studying the History of God's Kingdom. I can't wait for that to begin. We'll be learning about the affects of Christ's coming, and the early church all the way through the reformation!

I do love homeschooling! I'm hoping that we'll get an "IEP" for Daniel, should we need it. I'm ready for him to be more independent in his schoolwork. This year? Jo's in 9th, Daniel- 6th, Nicholas 4th and Anthony- 2nd. It definitely creeps up on you. It seems like just last year I was only schooling 3 children and Anthony was toddling around. Now they're all in different places and schooling separately from each other, which means much "Teacher Duty."

OH, BTW. Our new teaching spot is... the basement. Eeeww! Spiders! We kill at least two a day!

1 week out!

Joseph at 1 week old!















As I'm posting this, Joseph is sleeping soundly on his play gym. He has begun sleeping a 5 hour stretch at night, which has been wonderful for me! A few more nights of this, and I will be spoiled. We're both pretty sleepy most of the time, so this new season has been marked by lazy days. I've tried to get out at least once a day to do something. Pediatrician on Monday, to the beach for 1 hour on Tuesday, bowling with friends on Wednesday, and yesterday Jo, Nicholas and I went food shopping- and they played all day with neighborhood friends.

Today? Just taking Jo to a party this evening, but she's babysitting ALL DAY today for a friend. I dropped her at 7:30am and she'll be there until 5pm. I haven't been called to rescue her so I suppose she's doing just fine. Glad we got her that cell phone since there's no house phone there. By the way, the party tonight, it's a 13 year old girl's dream. A 5 course dinner, sleeping in the barn with horses, and boating on the lake tomorrow. I'm jealous! Well, all except the barn thing. Horse slobber on my PJ's - no way!

Loving how the children have taken to our new baby. They love to hold him, talk to him, change him, etc. There are times when I have to say, "HEY, I'm the mommy! Can I hold him now!" LOL All in all, God has been good. Nick has been back to work all week, and holding together so far. We're making ends meet by God's grace. Meals have been coming thanks to good friends, and we're basking in the new baby. Daniel said this morning that he loves having Joseph in our family. That fills my heart!

The Boy's Rooms- As Is

Just waiting for decorative touches- the boys' rooms are done! Well, except for doors and baseboards, but those can wait!

Baby Campagna has arrived!

Welcome Joseph Gregory! We arrived at the hospital to be induced at 12:30pm yesterday, July 7th. The pitocin began at 3pm, and after a slow and calculated labor, Joseph joined us at 2:45 am on July 8th. He weighted in at 8lb 2.4oz and 21 1/2 inches long. He is a very active and content baby. What a blessing! Here are some pics.

New Beginnings, Part 8

So I'm 39+ weeks and the waiting game begins! A big part of me is really ready to just go into labor and have this baby! But I'd also like to see the boys rooms finished first. God knows!

Joanna just got back from the Barker Family Reunion. She had a great time, and now that my teenager is home, I'm really ready to move to the next thing! The baby is moving constantly, but I don't seem to have dropped as much as I think I should. And I added a summer cold to the scenario. So I don't feel so hot. Well, I'm hot all the time...but I don't feel so well!

Good news...I don't have to wait much longer. I think I'll feel so much better once the baby's here - on the other side! I tell the boys often "no, I can't carry that for you," and "I'm not heading up the stairs to get that... because I'm carrying a baby 24/7. I can't put him down and he's heavy." My mom suggested I tie a 14 lb sand bag or sack of potatoes around their middle so they can experience the sensation. Wouldn't that be funny!

Renovations...again

We've been working really hard to try to keep up with the renovations to get ready for new baby!
There have been a few setbacks, in particular the recurrence of Nick's battle with C-diff. It's really interesting that a simple procedure in the hospital can lead to such a nasty infection. We gave a full 10 days trying a more homeopathic route while we waited for test results but no matter what we did, the colitis type symptoms just kept getting worse. So now the GI doctor has put Nick on three separate antibiotics for C-diff simultaneously. We're also probiotic 'ing it, and praying over every dose. Nick has missed so much work that I think he's only been in the office for about 10 days since April 1st. This has been a real walk of faith for us!

The best thing is, we have the greatest group of church folks. These guys came over today to help us finish the rooms- plus a few more I didn't get pictures of. Nick has been so weak that he crashes after being up for about 3 hours each day. Pray that the Lord heal him completely.

New Beginnings, Part 7

Now at 37 weeks, everything seems to be moving in slow motion. I'm trying to do something fun with the children each day. Unfortunately, I wear out and they can't get enough. So, I've resorted to assigning extra little chores to keep them busy. It has been a sweet time with a lot of daydreaming and preparation. Nick is still battling infection, so he's been moving in slow motion as well. We both are trying to pace ourselves and not worry about all the little things we want to accomplish. With less than 3 weeks and the baby's arrival day unknown, I am trusting God with the timing of all things. I do have a sense of uneasiness with Nick still sick. I'd like to know for sure that he'll be better when the baby arrives. But that, too, is in the Lord's hands.

I discovered I was anemic about 5 weeks back, and although I've been taking supplements, my iron hasn't improved much. I've recently added new ones and am taking smaller doses throughout the day. Hopefully that will help my energy level and keep complications away. Amazingly, I've been anemic the entire pregnancy, but didn't know it. I'm usually borderline and I should have suspected it, but I think I am so used to being low that I didn't feel it. Even now, I don't feel nearly as tired as I should, but just tired enough to find it annoying. I'm a 9.5 now - better than the 9.2 I was 5 weeks back. I'm so glad that it is Christ who upholds us!

"By him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." -Colossians 1:16-17

Building for Baby!

We began some renovation last weekend and for those who know me well, I'm resisting the temptation to do too much. I mostly "supervise." I also de-nail studs and do basic demolition. The boys are getting into helping and I've taken a few pics to show their training!



Phase 1: The framing Phase 2: the electrical



Phase 3: the sheetrock!

New Beginnings, Part 6

Here I am, now 34 1/2 weeks. It amazes me how ready you become once you're so uncomfortable you no longer sleep. I don't want my belly to grow any more! I don't feel like I can stretch any more than I already have, and all the internal parts hurt.

It's funny the role reversal around here. Nick has always been the hot one, with the need for a fan at night and cool clothing in the summer. Well, now, with the temp set at 78degrees, he's freezing, wearing PJ's at night and our blanket over him up to his neck. He doesn't like the ceiling fan, and I'm dying! I wake up with no covers in a complete sweat! That is, when I actually sleep. Last night, I finally just got up at 3:45 am. There was no use laying anymore. Besides, the hips wouldn't cooperate. They just kept shifting out of socket every time I moved.

Other than that, we're progressing toward our transition as much as possible. I've got a few baby things to pick up from friends, and the children and I just moved the boys room back into our "school room." It took all we had! Daniel had to help me take headboards off their beds so they would fit through the doorways, but by 2pm today, the boys were ready to organize their spaces. We just need to build the "walls" to finish making that big room into two smaller rooms. Nicky will be eventually sharing his room with the baby. He's really excited. In fact, both he and Daniel wanted the honor, but we decided the heavier sleeper and neater child would be a better fit!

Joanna has been sorting and re-sorting the baby clothes we've been given. She loves to just plop herself down and go through the onsies. She's also going through our baby name book and touching my tummy constantly. It's quite cool. I think she'll be the best caretaker! A few more cooking lessons and we'll be set! Lord, please give me the strength to wait patiently for this newest blessing!

New Beginnings, Part 5

Now at 32 weeks, I'm lookin' pretty ready to be done, but so much needs to be done! I've not pulled one thing out or shopped yet for the baby. With the set backs from Nick's surgery, I'm not sure how much we'll be able to purchase right now anyway. I have this week to complete our school year and next week for standardized testing.

Then I get about 6 weeks to prepare, and hopefully relax! The nighttime has become an increasingly difficult time to sleep, but I can always sleep during the day...sitting up! Thank the Lord for my church family and mom right now. They have been very supportive during a very hectic and uneasy time for us.

I'm beginning to lose weight now, probably because I forget to eat due to the busyness of life and the stress of running to and from doctors and hospitals for Nick. I need to grocery shop but forget in the running about. We've had a lot of oatmeal and odds and ends lately! This is not a big deal since I started out ahead in my weight. I'm still within 10 pounds of my max pregnancy weight (Anthony's). Amazingly, I do feel good. I'm drinking apple cyder vinegar everyday and it really helps with indigestion. More importantly, God has been good in the midst of pregnancy. My mind has been often on Him and I know that is all His work.

Name for baby? Not yet. But the discussion is on the table a great deal more.

Masters Academy

For all those who helped me the last couple weeks, thank you! Here are some pics of the Exhibit room we did and my boys in the productions at Masters Academy!

Easter 2009

Took a while, but I couldn't resist putting up these cute pics of the kids.

New Beginnings, Part 4

Well, here we are at about week 30. It's at this point that I stop sleeping and my body begins a ache most of the time. It's funny how physical exhaustion and pain affect everyday life. I've not been as patient as I should and I feel weary at the moment. I'd like to just curl up and stop the activity. But God knows. My full family is soon to become more full! Because of my current work and school schedule, I haven't taken the time to daydream or plan for baby yet. I figure that will happen once school is out mid-May. Maybe we'll actually come up with a name then too!

I must say it is fun to have the children aways feeling my tummy for movement. Yesterday, the boys all took turns singing to my womb. Daniel began singing a song that sounded very much like a Jewish praise song. I could just see the baby kicking to the rhythm and twirling. Nicholas, who hasn't yet found his tone yet, sang the loudest. Nick and I just laughed.

We have so many hopes for changing out the school room for a couple more bedrooms. It isn't a difficult task, with Nick's talent for remodeling, but saving the money is a challenge. We're working hard at putting a little bit away each month. And when we checked out the price on framing wood, I must confess, we were a bit disheartened. The good news is, nothing has to happen immediately, and it is good for me to wait on God.

When the pond is full!

Here's a picture I've been wanting to post. It's of our backyard when the pond is full. Because the drain is busted, we rarely get to see it as it was originally built. It sure is pretty when the water is up! Otherwise, it looks like the "dead marshes."

More fun pics! He's the Man!

Pre-Op Pic

Post-Op

Nausea Meds...sleepy time!

Nick on drugs...not a comforting sight! LOL

April 1st and No Joke

So it's April 1st, and no foolin', Nick had his bariatric surgery this am. We arrived at the hospital at 6:10am and went back to pre-op. Nick is quite the comedian whenever he's nervous. He had the nurses and doctors in stitches, as usual. We had a sweet 2+ hours together while all the pre-op procedures were being done. By the time they were wheeling him back, the jitters were gone and I got the pleasant task of waiting for hours.

I just spoke with Dr. Smith and he had no complications, some really cool pics of the stomach and kidney (which, by the way is quite cystic- ugh!), and the gall bladder got to stay! Yea!

We got to be one of the first patients to try out a new hospital gown, woa! It attaches to the wall and blows warm air into his gown so that he can regulate his own temperature. No more freezing in the operating area. But he looked like the Michelin Man. Hehe.

Be a Hero at Defonte's

My cousin Nicky Defonte & his son Vinny were recently on Good Day NY. Let me tell you. I love this guy. He is a generous & loving cousin & though we don't get to see each other very often, every time I get up there to see him he welcomes me & my family with open arms.

This video is from their moment of fame on TV:



Now that you're hungry - next time you're in NY, make sure you visit Defonte's - you won't regret it!

The best laid plans...

Well, I thought this was going to be the most relaxing weekend ever. School's out for Winter break and once I made it through Thursday, I knew I was going to have a wonderful birthday with my husband and children. But...I started getting sick on Wednesday. I could barely talk through my lectures on Thursday, and once the caffeine and sinus medication wore off on Friday, I ended up in bed until this am. I still have the headache/body aches, congestion and low-grade fever. No fun! The tylenol isn't even keeping the fever at bay. Normally, I would just let the fever run it's course, but this is too painful. Daniel is recovering from the same thing, and Joanna just started coming down with it. Everyone else is coughing.

I think this will be an interesting week. I've definitely slowed down, but this wasn't my plan. Well, God's Word says that a man plans his way, but God directs his steps. My steps have surely been directed. The good news, "this too shall pass" - to quote the Bible!

New Beginnings: Part 3

Well I'm 20 weeks, it's my birthday, I'm sick, but my first birthday surprise is in! We're having a boy! It's so hard to believe. We really didn't think it would be a boy again but God has a perfect plan. So rearranging the boys room is in order! Everyone is excited, and now we have to go about picking boys names. Nick's come up with some really funny ones and we've been cracking up all morning. He said, let's just name him Francesca, since we already have that name picked out. Joanna thinks he'll have some words to exchange with his father when he's older if we do that. You ever heard the song, "A Boy Named Sue" by Johnny Cash? Very funny.


I'm going to take a nap, and hopefully feel better so we can celebrate more tonight! BTW, the baby is healthy-everything looks great! God has been kind.