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.

New Beginnings: Part 2

So today has been a rough day. We all slept a little late (8am) and I spent about 3 good hours working with my kids and on my daily list. By 12:15, I was headed back to bed. Nick has been sick today and I'm especially tired and weak. That burst of energy is yet to appear. I was hoping to be off all the reflux meds by now but I think I'll be on them for the long haul. Everything is taking so much effort. But one thing I desired is occurring. I'm beginning to relax about things. That Type A personality is waining.

I'm not so concerned about the details. I'm allowing my children to work more on their own, and grow in their own industry. And I have a healthy baby growing inside - that I am especially anxious to meet, we all are. I also have hope for the year ahead. God is shaping our family through these momentary trials, and I think we will be more mature and joyful on the back end.

Now that I'm past 16 weeks, we're all looking to 20, when we'll (God willing), find out the sex of this baby. Technology is amazing. To think, we'll be able to call this baby by name before it's even born.

I am so thankful for our church family. Each person I speak to has been so encouraging and just as excited as we are. That makes up for not having family close by. I feel very supported and loved. God is kind.

Heartbeat!

Heatbeat at 15 weeks! In celebration I went out to buy a new sweater. I'll get to find out the sex of the baby next month, on my birthday!

School Room Mania

So it's now week 20 in our school year. I was thinking how quickly it has flown. I think that is because we are so busy that we haven't stopped to smell the daisies, but, interesting enough, we can't help but smell the fish (from our science fair project). Yup, every time we head toward the basement, we start a gagging reflex due to the partially mummified fish waiting to come out of their baggies to be weighed in.

The other reason that it seems to have flown, is that we've been so busy that the normal "routine" items that usually occur on a regular basis are only happening in spurts now. You know, the things I would never neglect in the past, like toilets. So my bathroom has only been cleaned when things begin to grow, floors vacuumed only when we can't decide if it's carpet fuzz or Anthony laying there. A good friend once told me, "If you just keep the big things picked up, no one will notice the dirt." Well, officially, I can tell you that is just not true. When the spots on the floor begin to blend into a pebble motif, it's time to put the schoolwork down, or borrow a dog or...something.

We hope to get back to normal soon- only, I'm not sure what that is. Now that I'm feeling a little better, maybe it will all come back. The good news is, we only have 16 weeks to go! We're all looking for the summer break. I think I'll really take one this year! Mom-mom, can I come live with you? :)

New Beginnings: A Pregnancy Journal

We've always wanted a second girl. However, after having Anthony, and our 6 member family filled my life, I didn't think we'd actually have another. I did feel sad, though, thinking about being done. About 3 years ago, Nick decided that we should get rid of all the baby apparatus, so when my sister said she was expected #5, we passed just about everything onto her. She's now done and the supplies are happily serving another mom. By the way, I don't know what this baby is yet, it will be a few more weeks.

Since then, we've actually been pregnant twice. We had a change of heart, but God has had other plans. I lost both babies, one at 6 weeks, and one at 15. Now I'm approaching 15 again, and I still have doubt and fear about the viability of this baby. I've heard the heart beat twice, but not since 11 1/2 weeks. I go back to the GYN next Thursday. I'm determined to rest in God and not rush over to the office to try to hear the heartbeat again. God is faithful, and I know that I can trust Him. It's funny to consider, that when the due date for this baby arrives, my youngest will be 7 years old. I never thought I'd have that much space between children!

Christmas 2008

Good Morning!







Some of our Christmas company. We had a blast introducing Christmas to some of our Chinese friends. I think we gave them the first "stockings" they ever got to unpack.


Can you tell we get along just fine?







After Christmas shopping...Nicholas is done by the time we're at Hollisters.

July 4th

Yup. The fireworks are set for our estimated date of delivery. Some of you were asking - looks like we'll be skipping the Barker family reunion this year to have a baby! I got a bit of praise though, from my step-mother. She said, "Good, you finally picked a month where there are no other family birthdays. You did good." Had I had another September birth, I think she'd boycott! LOL

Well, I've officially passed the 12 week mark; I'm forcing protein and trying not to hurl. Hope I'm out of the woods by Christmas!
-Rhonda

New Blessings

It's official. We're expecting another baby! This one was a bit of a surprise, as I'm still not quite sure how it happened! I'm officially 10 weeks now. I got to see our little one on a sonogram this week and see the heart beat...171 Hmmm. I'd love your prayers as we walk by faith. I'm also pretty sick these days and trying to take it easy.
-Rhon

A day in the life of Anthony

I love the logic of children.

On Thursday, Anthony got the chance to participate in the dissection of a frog. Yup. You heard right- my first grader got to touch a heart and look for a backbone... and it was a bullfrog (the really big ones). On Friday, we called Dad at work to tell him all about it, Anthony tells Dad, "We dissected a boy frog and a girl frog..."(along with many gruesome details).
Nick says, "Was it alive?"
"No, the kindergarteners killed it."

I guess he figured someone had to do the dirty work, and the kindergarteners automatically became suspect. Jo and I had a hearty laugh.

Gazelle Like Intensity!

Continuing our quest in Striving for Financial Peace, Dave Ramsey suggests that we run towards our goal with Gazelle-like intensity. I don't think this was what he had in mind:



I do think he was thinking more along these lines:



Nick

What Caused Our Economic Crisis

This was a real eye opener. Please take a sec to view & share the link with others. People need to be made aware of the truth. It's out there, so let's spread it around!!! Nick

Happy Anniversary!

Ok, so it was yesterday. But it has been the most wonderful ride. Happy 18th Honey! I love ya!

The Homeschool Desk...

Here we are in week 5 of school. At least I think it's week 5. We've been schooling so much that it feels as if that is all we do. It's not really. I will say that we've been in the schoolroom every day working since a week ago Monday. For sure, my boys will learn to write this year.

So at this moment, Jo's taking a General Science test, Nicholas is doing Math, Daniel's reading The Golden Goblet, and Anthony's building a train set....because I'm writing this blog!

It's been a busy month at the Campagna home. I've been teaching now for three weeks. The work is fun but it easily consumes life. So I'm working toward a plan that gives me my life as well as the fulfillment of teaching. Today, I worked out for the first time this week. And since my coffee machine broke, I'm off caffeine at home. That's always good for the waistline- I consume more water. Tonights our 2nd week of Financial Peace Univ. (Dave Ramsey's program), hence the reason I still have no coffee maker. So happiness doesn't come from stuff, and certainly not from coffee, this is nothing new. I just really like it!

Two weeks ago we started participating in a ministry called FOI, Friends of Internationals. We spent Labor Day on the campus of Southern Polytechnical State University with exchange students from all around the world. There are a large number of Chinese students on campus, so we invited four over for dinner. We had a blast. Here's the cool thing. Nicholas took a liking to one of the young men, Rai Zhang (we call him John). We didn't know how to contact him to invite him to dinner, so we asked one of the other students, Li, if he could find him on campus (with a detailed description of his appearance). That eve Li located him at the pool. We got his email and invited him to join us. He came. Then during dinner, he tells us that it's his birthday. He's only been in the country for 4 weeks, and we just happen to get him on his birthday. God totally orchestrated all of that. We put candles in a cheesecake and all sang to him. Since that eve, I've helped one of the students with an assignment, and Nick was interviewed by another for a class project. AND I think a few of the guys are coming over this Friday night to hang with Nick and the boys while Jo and I celebrate her 13th.

God has been real kind to allow us to grow with these students. We're hiking Stone Mountain with a group of Internationals this Saturday. If we can't go to the world, at least, being in American, the World comes here!

I hope you're tuning in. It's great to share life with you.
Signing off for now,
Rhonda

Jo's Baptism

Joanna signed up to be baptized a few weeks ago, and it occurred one week ago on August 24th. In order to be baptized, the pastors' asked that she have an interview. It was a neat experience for her. She got the opportunity to meet with one of the pastors and explain her relationship with Jesus. This was a great exercise. Dad also got to be a part of the process.