Lena's Prayer

This was Lena's prayer tonight at bedtime:

James: Dear God, Thank you for...
Lena: Daddy, Mommy, Food.
James: Thank you for...
Lena: Grandma, Grandpa, Papa, Granna.
James: Thank you for all my aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Lena: Thank you for Bailey.
James: In Jesus name...
Lena: Amen.

Lena thinks her cousin Bailey is pretty special. She's been looking at her cousin book the last few days. She can put the names with faces of Bailey, Connor, Mitch, Alex, Katy, Allison, Isaac, and Olivia. Sometimes she looks at Reagan and calls him Connor. She calls Olivia either Baby or Livy. She definitely loves her cousins. Can't wait to see you all soon.

Mom's no-good-horrible-very-bad-day!

You forget. You would think that after 5 babies you would never forget that sometimes seemingly unbearable feeling of hormonal fatigue that overpowers you multiple times a day!! My friend Tiffany says that more hormones are purged with every tear cried - could I possibly have any hormones left? Ha! Malachi, unfortunately, is following in the steps of his siblings and crying - a lot. I asked Randy this a.m. why this one had to be colicky and he said that he doesn't think we make anything else. bummer. Anyway, the sun is up, I've had a shower, and the maid just left, so I can at least feign sanity for several more hours!

Anyway, I ramble. Here are more ramblings. We have had wonderful meals brought to us every other day since his birth - tomorrow is the last day. Most people would think that I have had ample time to recover and that cooking should be a breeze by now. I have vision for it - it's just every time I actually try to make my vision a reality, it's a little tougher than I have anticipated. Randy had 3 "First Priority" meetings yesterday with Bennie Prophet (he'll have to give you the update - they went well, but not sure if it's time for it to happen in FW yet). He, of course, wanted to provide good food for lunch and dinner, so he decided to make pasta salad and taco soup. To his credit, he really did make most of it himself. But Wednesday was Luke's birthday and I decided it would be a great idea to take cookies up to his school and to use them for Randy's lunches on Thursday. How hard can it be to make snickerdoodles, I ask you??!! I had also already committed myself to a homemade red velvet cake, steak, mac & cheese, and salad for his birthday dinner. Let's just say that I've never been such a complete disaster in the kitchen in my LIFE!! We had both already been to the store that a.m. First, I discover that I don't have enough cream of tartar; then I'm not all that with it and put the cinnamon/sugar that you're supposed to roll the cookie dough in in with the dry ingredients. I have to throw the first batch of dry ingredients away. Let's just say that at this point my plans for being done with these cookies before I have to nurse are out the window and I proceed to act like a two-year-old. I kick something across the living room floor, throw myself in the rockiing chair, and weep (my husband is looking on trying to keep a straight face while expressing deep sympathy). He leaves to go to the store and I try to heat up lunch for my little ones - Isaac's stew explodes all over the microwave. After Randy returns, I finally make a couple of pans of cookies - when I'm putting them in the oven, one of them doesn't quite make it in far enough and I dump them on the door of the oven where they proceed to melt. More cookies in the trash. As I get to the end of the bowl, I discover that not all the ingredients got mixed in. More wasted dough. And I just can't stop crying. But Luke gets his birthday cookies. I took them to his school where I was headed early to see the presentation of his hammerhead shark project. I quickly realize that the other parents have worked with their children on their reports a significantly greater number of hours than I worked with my Lukey. It was pitiful and I feel completely responsible. All I could do was hope that maybe he didn't notice that his wasn't quite "up to par". As we're leaving, he says, "Mom, my report was a lot shorter than everyone else's." I offer a weak apology and encourage him that he did a super job! Poor kid.
Because of the disastrous a.m., I have to wait until all my kids are home from school to make the cake. I'm quite scared of my ability to even turn on the oven without burning the house down, but I'm determined. I knew that I should have emphatically made Isaac and Mo leave the kitchen while I made this attempt, but my guilt for already being a frumpy mom made me consent to their "help". I've almost made it to the end of the recipe and I drop an entire egg in the mixing bowl...while it's going. More batter in the trash and I have to start completely over. I started making this lovely red velvet cake at 4:30 pm. It was done sometime after 6:30 p.m. Randy said it was the best cake he'd ever eaten. If he had said anything else, he would have been sleeping in the pavillion at Lake Como.
I'm all about growing in the Lord and being conformed to the image of Christ, but I'm not sure I can endure much more of this character formation! ha! Guess what? Malachi is screaming again, so I must end this post (I know you're breathing a sigh of relief). I'll try to post some pictures soon! He's extremely cute, even when he's screaming.

Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever - my theme verse right now because I'm not the same from one hour to the next!!

love y'all,
anda

Bob (the tomato)

Right before dinner, I asked Lena what she wanted to eat. She said "Leaves", which is her word for salad. So at dinner, I had a salad and shared some with her. She kept pointing to my salad, so I thought she wanted more "leaves", to which I gave her some. She kept telling me that wasn't what she wanted. Finally, she pointed at my salad and said, "I need Bob." I figured out pretty quickly she meant the tomatoes. She loves to watch Veggie Tales. So, we went to the store after dinner, and I picked up a thing of tomatoes, and Lena goes, "No squishy Bobs." She is such a funny girl, and she keeps us laughing.

Cary's Angels

Rumor has it that Cary has hired a top secret anti-terrorism team to keep a close eye on operations. Here is a rare photo stolen from "the archives" as they head out to an unspecified destination. Apparently, some take this job more seriously than others!

Valentines Day Pictures

I know, Valentines Day was last week, but my computer was having problems lately, and I wasn't able to post pictures till today. Here are a few pictures of Lena that I took outside our church building on Valentines Day. My favorite is the middle one.

Happy Birthday Anda!!

Today is sweet Anda's birthday which seemed like a good time for me to post pictures from my time at their house. I posted lots of pictures, but only a fraction of the ones I liked. I had a great time being Grandma to the newest. Of couse I came home pretty tired, but also in "withdrawal"--I miss them all. It brought back memories of my life in years gone by. All I can say is my prayers are with Randy and Anda as they work through the challenge of a big family which I often compare to a juggling act with at least one or two always in crisis mode. Randy and Anda are doing a great job and their kids are a joy.

We enjoyed our weekend at ACU. I am always encouraged and inspired to hear from the leadership at ACU and realize the effort they put into their mission of making Jesus the center of everything they do with young people. The stories of students and teachers are so inspiring. I am proud of the job Dale has done as a Board member for the last 20 years.

Sing Song was great. It was wonderful to see Bailey as a freshman usher. We also got to hear good things about her from Dr. McCaleb that made us proud. It just thrills me to see her doing so well in every area. She is truly a walking miracle, and I thank God every time I see her.

By the way, she is scheduled to have surgery to remove the screws in her knee next Wednesday. Dr. Starr in Dallas is going to do it. She is excited to get them out as they are causing quite a bit of discomfort.

Thanks for indulging my pictures. Happy Birthday Anda!! Love you all.

Malachi John--Home!

Grandma absolutely fell in love with Malachi. He is really a sweet, precious baby. We got better acquainted in the wee hours of the night when I had him all to myself. I can't wait for all of you to meet him.

Randy and Anda got to go on a little date while Grandma stayed with all six. I think they are a darling couple.

Ms. Murray is Randy and Anda's wonderful next-door-neighbor. One of the sweetest and most humbling experiences while I was there was the night Ms. Murray, age 84, came bringing our supper--chicken, black-eyed peas, corn, cake, cornbread. Delicious. She is such a blessing.

There is nothing quite as sweet as a sleeping baby!

It is so fun to watch Gracie with Malachi. She is very interested and very curious, but still doesn't want to get too close. I think they are going to be great pals. Gracie wants to be close to wherever Malachi is.

Grandma just thinks he gets more handsome everyday. (He also seems to be growing already.)

Aunt Trisha had to come meet Malachi. Everyone was excited that Aunt Trisha was coming.

Malachi cooperated nicely for Anda and I to try a "a la naturale" session, but we both decided we are not quite ready for prime time in our photography skills. He sure is cute though.

We get to share the special grandparents' joy with Otis and Ann Adams. What a blessing!

"I asked for help with this 'Cutie,' but everyone seems to be busy these days."

"Hey guys! I'm having to do quite a bit more for myself than I used to, but I think I have this tangerine under control."

"Grandma, how many more pictures are we going to take in this session?"

Bailey had to come meet her new cousin. Of course, Malachi will soon be in love with his #1 cousin Bailey.

Aunt Lee Ann and her newest nephew.

Malachi is waving at all his new cousins. He can't wait to meet them all.

Grandma and Grandpa are pretty proud of #23. We are already in love with him.

The Updated Randy Brown Family

I think this is a really fun family in their bedtime pajamas. I thorougly enjoyed my time with them.

MALACHI

Malachi

As most of you know now, we are thrilled to have another precious baby boy in the family. Thankfully, Malachi John arrived 2 weeks early. Dale and I got back about 10:30 Saturday night after spending a long weekend in Fort Worth celebrating my birthday and spending time with Randy and Anda's family. Apparently Anda went into early labor shortly after we left. (In-laws' visits can be stressful, I guess.) While in Ft Worth we got to attend Josiah and McKenna's musical, "The Wizard of Oz," twice and see Josiah play basketball. We finished with Mexican food at Pappasitos. (Maybe that did it.)

Sunday after church we had a message from Anda that she had been having contractions since Saturday during the night, but she still wasn't positive she was in labor. We visited several times during the day while I tried to decide whether to get on a plane, jump in the car, or have a Superbowl Party. I opted for the Superbowl party with the phone close by and Justin, the pilot, on notice.

After the party (and a very good Superbowl game I might add) I visited with Randy who said nothing had changed--contractions still coming but not strong and not close. After visiting with Otis and Ann we decided to go to bed and get up early to drive. Randy said she was in early labor, but it could be any time in the next two days. Five minutes later he called back and said it was probably time to come--everything was picking up the pace. On the way to the airport he called to say they were leaving for the hospital.

Justin got us to Fort Worth a little after midnight. At the hospital things were progressing nicely, but nothing urgent. Unfortunately, after they gave her the epidural and another shot to help with deadening the side that always resists the epidural, everything just went into holding pattern. We stayed with her all night thinking that with #6 she could go fast when she "kicked in" again. At about 8 am the doctor broke her water. At about 9 am they started pitocin. Still about the same--contractions about 7-10 minutes apart and dilation very, very slow if anything.

They finally kept increasing the pitocin until she finally "kicked in" but the epidural had worn off. Anda toughed it out and we finally got our little man at 12:14 in the afternoon. Ann and I got to be in the delivery room, and it was so thrilling. I cry at sit-com births, so you can imagine the emotions at the birth of my grandbaby.

He weighed in at a whopping 9 pounds 11 ounces--a family record I think--22 inches long. He already has creases in his thighs. He is still a tiny, precious newborn though. He snuggles perfectly.

One of the thoughts that just kept going through my mind was a picture of Connor holding Olivia, examining each little finger. He loved babies. It is hard to think that he won't get to hold Malachi. I just have to imagine him loving him from above.

Larissa drove my car here last night and she and the grandpas flew home this morning. Ann and I are sharing kid duties. Anda should come home tomorrow (Wednesday). I think back often to my days with six kids. I really wonder how I did it. These sure are fun kids though.

Well, I must close this lengthy blog. I still have to get pictures printed for the kids to take to school tomorrow.

And Now There Are Six!!

All day Sunday we were in touch with Randy and Anda trying to determine if it was time to come--if Anda was really in labor. After talking with Randy and Anda at about 10:10 pm, we determined that we would wait until Monday. At 10:15 pm Randy called back to say it was time to come. We picked up Otis and Ann, met Justin at the airport and flew to Fort Worth. We arrived at the hospital about 12:30 am. with cameras ready.

We were all glad to be at the hospital anticipating a surely short labor with #6. Alas. It was not to be. Malachi had different ideas.

As the hours of labor continued--all night then all morning--some of us began to grow a bit weary.