My family and parents went to the cabin this weekend. Although I was there with my husband, I rarely saw him or my dad. It was a work weekend for them. The roof near the chimney had been leaking, and they were there to fix it. The project has consumed their time. I pretty much only saw G for meals and falling into bed tired and sore. He apparently has muscles about which he didn't know.

It took them a long time, longer than they thought. In fact the kids, my mom and I left last night. They stayed. Even though the forecast was for rain today. They still had work to do. I talked to G tonight. They finally finished this evening - in the rain.

He said he would call after they got on the road to let me know they were on their way home. It's 10:39 PM and no call. I will be heading to bed very soon. I'd like to actually see my husband before this day is over, but I may have to wait until tomorrow.

Good news! I enstalled our three new retractable 40 ft. clothes line, complete with 12 soft touch clothes pins.

Bad news! We need line longer than 40 feet.

Good news! One can purchse retractable clothes line longer than 40 ft.

Bad news! It's $22.99, plus shipping. (The 40 ft. one was $15.99.)

All this to hang my laundry outside.

Notes to self: Measure first. Install only one of something and test it's use before installing several of something and then testing their use. Don't assume that since retractable clothes line was previously used in said location, that it was used correctly.

The following is an email from my husband about his experience going to Quest Diagnostics.

I write this letter to you not with much elation and lack of fear, but with much of a sense of overwhelming relief. It seems that I was indeed in fear of my life being extinguished this morning, alas before I could even complete the task with which I had set out to complete. Apparently one is able, via the “internet”, to make an appointment with one Quest Diagnostics with such a sheer amount of ease it is truly astounding that one would not use such a service. Also quite amazing, is the immense number of the population that chooses not use this service. It is again apparent that this same multitude will resort to intimidation and threats to discourage others to use this service.

And such was my fate this beautiful morning when I visited this Quest Diagnostics. I came upon this multitude of advanced years, some of whom had been waiting for over 35 minutes, when my name was called after a mere wait of only 3 minutes. The woman who called out my name to the crowd, thus knowing I was numbered among them, graciously used my surname and only the first initial of my family name. Obviously, she had knowledge of the capabilities of the restless multitude and wanted to spare my person possible future retaliation for my thoughtfulness.

Amidst grumbling and fervor of sharp comments directed to me, I quickly and quietly completed the pre-test procedure. After I slinked off to perform my test, I dashed through a storm of daggers thrown at me as I darted through the room of waiting to the vestibule of safety.

Perhaps if I am required to visit this Quest Diagnostics again, I could instill fear into the crowd itself by not appearing to be prepared to withstand a long stay, and surprise them with my confidence as I uphold my convictions of a short wait.

I just returned from church. The program was presented by the Post Abortion Counseling Center. It saddens my heart that such a ministry is even necessary. One of the woman from the center presented "The Silent Cradle." It was her story of guilt, grief and forgiveness.

I don't know every woman's story. Why she makes abortion her choice. Why she doesn't choose life for her child. The grief it causes her.

I hastily say, "If you don't want the baby, give it up for adoption. There are plenty of couples who want to adopt." At least I used to say that.

Giving up a child is no easy thing. I look at my two children, snuggle with them, and I can't imagine holding them only one time, if that, and then never seeing them again. Never seeing those eyes look up to me in wonder or never hearing their little voices call to me.

The question of giving up a child, has given me pause. With going through IVF, G and I have more embryos than the number of children we wanted. Therein lies my choice. What do we do with our extra embryos? The only two options I'll even consider are to continue having children until we use all our embryos or to let them be adopted. And right now, I am not in a place where I can give them up. I see them as my children. They are a part of me. How can I let anyone else have my children?

So, now I don't quickly say just give up your baby, since I can't even think about giving up my child I have never carried.

But abortion still is an issue. For there are countless women who feel like their only choice is abortion. It might seem like the easy way out, but there is no other choice that will grieve you more than ending the life of your unborn child.

And no matter what choice a woman makes, God is there. Through Jesus Christ, He offers unconditional love, grace and forgiveness.

Life is a precious thing.

I have had it will E wetting her pants. The floors are sparkly clean in front of the toilet. There is a pile of four pants and underpants from just today, not to mention the other pile soaking from yesterday. What is her issue? It is driving me crazy.

I had to go pick up a prescription today, so I checked out the diaper aisle. I am loathe to buy diapers for my child who was potty trained, but I am also frustrated with her five outfits a day and cleaning the floor.

The token system is working fairly well with E in the earning department, but she hasn't really altered her behavior when in danger of losing them. That may be in part because she and I don't remember to ensure her redeeming them on a regular basis.

I am also frustrated with the curiosity J now has. He is into everything. He is constantly climbing up the stairs. He climbs on E's desk. He pulls thing off the desk. He empties the basket of twigs. The books on the shelf in the kitchen are not for reading, oh no. They are for pulling off and scattering. Once sufficiently in a two foot radius around him, might one be ready for perusal. The books on his shelf in his room are much better for reading. His favorites right now are The Little Engine that Could and The Very Busy Spider. And he doesn't like to linger on a page, mind you. In fact, I think he mostly enjoys turning them, not hearing what's on them. Many a book has been abridged in our house while J is in charge.

Good thing that Crayola has non-toxic markers. J decided to not wait for dinner and munch on marker tips. From the looks of it, brown and red. He actually bit the tip off of one of them. Maybe now E will keep her markers in the baggie.

We are on the last episode of Stargate SG-1 season 6.

K slept all morning. An easy $40.00. Or so I thought. I felt it would be nice to send her off with a clean diaper. She had other thoughts. Whilst I had her diaper off, she decided to poop. Not even my own children have done that. It was on my carpet in three spots and on my hand. I had the clean diaper ready to go, so I used it to block. E earned some tokens in helping me get things to clean up.

Is there anything more annoying than a dog with that plastic cone on his head? Hunter is still totally unaware of the area required to move about with an extra wide head, even though he has worn the cone for ten days. I am tired of being nudged and poked by plastic, of it getting caught on doorways and furniture, of him knocking over Josh.

But tomorrow morning by 7:45 am, it should all change. The stitches come out. I am guessing that Hunter will be just as glad as I am. He will be able to chew his toys, scratch, and clean himself properly. Watching him try to do so now is quite comical.

In addition to his obliviousness to head size, he is in great need of a bath. His stitches require dryness. His smell requires shampoo and wetness.

I have been doing better as of late at not getting too impatient with E when she acts up. My voice has been level, I haven't gotten short tempered, and I have been matter of fact with my instructions for if she continues to misbehave.

However, she did test me yesterday (with me failing slightly,) when after doing her potty dance, she refused to use the potty. I took her to the bathroom all the while she's telling me doesn't have to go. She stood there and refused to go. My patience was not so patient. She leaked a little in her underpants and the floor and refused to go. My voice was not so level. I stuck her on the potty and she refused to go. My temper was getting short.

This not getting to the potty in time and/or refusing to use it thing is getting old.

What is stewardship? Taking care of that which is entrusted to us.

God has entrusted to us His creation. What are we doing with it? We are exploiting it, using up the resources, polluting it. Well, some of us humans are, anyway.

I am trying to do better. I recycle, I reuse, I reduce, I conserve, I am teaching my children to do the same. Today I talked on this topic at my MOPS meeting. I feel I did a fair job of painting a "be a good steward" picture. I received good feedback. There is so much I could have said, so many more ways to help the earth. I gave suggestions, but really each of us has to find the place where God wants us to make a difference.

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I started watching Kaila yesterday. She is such a little peanut at 6 pounds. She slept the entire time (3.5 hrs), with nary a cry for food. She showed her eyes a few times then settled in for more sleeping. I guess when you're 2 months and 6 pounds, you have some growing to do. Her mother, Stephanie, said that maybe she'll be more alert in the afternoons. I watch her again tomorrow afternoon. We'll see.

E ~ How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love to snuggle with you and breath deep of your smell. Your laughter is music for my ears. You never tire of sending me inquiries of the world around you. You wrap your little arms around my neck and hold on tight. I love to sit quietly with on my lap and be close. I can never give you enough kisses. I love your attentiveness to your brother. You like to help me do tasks around the house. You want to be read to. You are my special girl.

J ~ How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love you snuggle with you and breath deep of your smell. I love to watch you explore, looking to me and saying with your eyes, "Look at this, Mommy!" Your chatter is endless. Your little hands are learning to give hugs. I can never give you enough kisses. I love to hold you and feel your head on my shoulder. You point and ask "What's that?" You find great pleasure in simple games. Your giggle is infectious. You are my special boy.