13 weeks is my #!

Today I am 13 weeks pregnant. I heard something very depressing also... I have 189 day left until my due date! ugh! Stomach has gotten a little bit better, but exhaustion is still the same. I keep saying that I have never felt this tired before, but I have not ever had three kids before either. I watched an amazing show today about a baby's gestation period with incredible new animation. It was like a 4D ultrasound at every week of pregnancy and to see the amazing growth that takes place in the first trimester. Although I must say.. I am very happy to see the first trimester go and am hoping for a great second trimester that involves feeling better!

John and Clara Grace start preschool on Tuesday. They seem to be excited...I am too. It will be really hard to get up every morning and get going. We have never had to do that on a regular basis. Pray for me!
Rainey will start MDO on Thurday.
Clara Grace and Rainey have chosen to take ballet this fall and I must say are too cute in their little outfits. John chose to play soccer which he is strangely good at considering he has never played before. Lots happening the Murray house and Momma can barely keep up!

OH Baby!~

Baby #4 is on the way.. Surprising I know. So, we actually waited almost two weeks before we told anyone this time around which is a world record for us! Stay posted for updates~!

Summertime!

So, summer is as busy as ever. But last weekend we got a Sunday off! I know.. I can't believe it myself. We went to Sumatanga of course and had a relaxing couple of days with a little b day dinner out with my husband. Always Nice! The kids have been taking swim lessons for the past two weeks and the next two weeks to come! They have made huge progress and pics are to come. John of course is Mr. Fearless! Lots of excited things to come..

Trip

Our trip to the Georgia Aquarium

John and Clara Grace

Clara Grace

all of them looking at the fish

We have been planning to go since last September, but have never have the time to commit. The kids did not quite understand where we were going except that Nemo, Dory, and Bruce would be there! We spent about 3 hours there including our $40 lunch.. ugh! They take a family portrait before you enter the aquarium and then you can go look at it...of course it is just a ploy to buy it... which I did because we do not have any good family photos! Overall a great family outing!

1 year Anniversary and nonsense.....Kids gone wild!

Today is the one year anniversary of my Grandfather's death. There has been so much going on lately with family squabbles and ridiculousness that this anniversary has taken an unexpected toll on me. I was aware the day was coming, but had really pushed it out of my mind until this morning when it hit me like a ton of bricks. Pray for my understanding of the "nonsense" going on with the family and that he can be at peace.

On a lighter note.
I took the kids to Chik-fil-A last night because William had a meeting to go to.... We ate inside because it was windy and then went outside to play. Shortly there after, Rainey wet her pants... she has been doing really well, but accidents still happen when she get preoccupied. So, I tell them it is time to leave. The twins come down and get there shoes on...we are ready, except for Rainey. She refuses to come down. So, for the next 15 minutes, I stand at the bottom trying to convince her to come down. I was really about to lose it! I send Clara Grace up to get her and she tries her best. In the process she pulled Rainey's hair, which normally she would get in trouble for, but in this circumstance got Rainey to come down the slide ( to tell on Clara Grace for pulling her hair). What an afternoon. Rather that spankings ( because I was still very angry)... we went straight home, took a bath, and they were put to bed at 6PM. John and Clara Grace also managed to get in trouble during Rainey's little rebellion. Clara Grace had a kiddie cone and I was trying to throw it away because it was melting. She squeezed it as hard as she could and it went all over the ground! Then John got mad because we traded the toy for an ice cream. Now, this is after he had eaten the ice cream....so he threw a toy at me in the car. WOW! This is the day that every mother dreads. To top it off, Rainey refused to stay in the bed. I had to pick her up and put her back in her bed 17 times... not kidding.. I counted!
Rant is over!
I am so excited we are going to see Wilco tomorrow night! No Meals of Mercy, No kids.... No church responsibilities! Yipee!
And one more prayer request. I am taking Rainey to the dentist in the morning for the first time. As our most dramatic child, I am sure it will be interesting!

Sick Children

I am sure other mothers with young families feel my pain, but are we ever going to be healthy?
I really am beginning to doubt the likelihood of this ever happening.
So, Clara Grace testes positive for flu b last Monday. All was well and she seemed to bounce back quickly. Rainey woke up Wednesday morning with a 103 fever and it never broke. Thursday night we went to an urgent care place and they gave her fluids and antibiotics and sent us on our way. The whole night I was uneasy about the whole situation and could not rest. So the next morning we go to our regular pediatrician and they tell us that she has flu a, flu b, pneumonia, and is dehydrated. ugh! She had never once coughed! Well, they right us admissions orders and send us to the hospital. No sooner do I get to the car, then William is calling saying Clara Grace has blood in her urine and Mimi is bringing her to the drs office. ( Mimi had come to get the twins to spend the night so we could get some rest) haha! I call the drs office to ask if they can see her and pretty much lose it on the phone. How can I take care of both of these babies at the same time. Rainey and I go on to the hospital and get checked in. She ends up having to get 2 IVs put in because the first one blew out and then she got stuck 3 more time. Bless her heart! I was crying right there with her....as all the nurses held her down.
To cut a long story... we are home now, after 3 nights in the hospital. Clara Grace is getting better and oh... John has the flu now. I swear, what can happen next.

Last but not least, Thanks to everyone for prayers, food, goodies for children, and kinds words. Tough times show you great friends!

Meow

This is the whole clan at the Marriott in Florence.

As most of you may know, William's grandmother passed away last Sunday. I never got to truly meet Meow Meow. She has been suffering from dementia for the past 13 years. I know of her from many stories that are shared often among William's family. Meow Meow aka Elizabeth Rainey King was who we named our "Rainey Elizabeth" after. We traveled to Mississippi to see Meow about a month ago. She only knew who William was, but thought he brought some really cute kids. She did not understand that they were his children because she still knows him as a young boy. The kids all took their picture with her and John sang all of his classics(Jesus Loves Me, Amazing Grace, This Little Light of Mine) and they all said the Lord's Prayer for her.

We know Meow is in a glorious place now and that she is watching over us.

We went to Florence last Tuesday and we all stayed at the new Marriott, which was an adventure. All of in one hotel room is not very fun. The service was very sweet and William said a few words. It was a great time to see family that we don't often see and celebrate Meow's life.
Elizabeth Rainey King and Rainey Elizabeth Murray