CHAOS vs. solitude

CHAOS VS. solitude...Can you tell which is which?

Solitude was the name of the painting hanging above the bed as Owen entered the world. We have put a lot of thought into that word. It has been very quiet here at the hospital. Quiet is one thing that is usually in short supply in our lives. It has been great to have a short break here and focus on only one child, but we also cant wait to get back to reality and one of our other favorite words....CHAOS! We really miss Aydan and Ethan and it has been hard staying here at night without them. We are really blessed to have family that has kept them safe and sound while we are here. Clint went home for a little while yesterday and played with the boys. They went to the park and watched TOY STORY 3. The boys didn't get to come up yesterday because they did not take their naps and we wanted to be respectful of our neighbors and not bring our chaos into their lives. Enough about chaos lets chat a while about the solitude. New parents at Huntsville Hospital are given a celebrations dinner. Julie ordered it for 7:00 but it showed up at 6:30. Clint didn't make it back until 7:30 so we had a luke-warm celebration dinner. There was little conversation because we are not used to having time to eat and talk. We were also starving! Julie was really excited about our baby pictures and couldn't wait for me to see them. I was blown away at how great they turned out. Julie, Dan, and Phyllis had a hard time deciding on pictures so they just ordered the whole CD. Thanks Pepaw and Memaw especially since we spent all our cash on our co-pay. For our first two children it was $100 each. Owen cost us $250. Talk about inflation! I know some of you are saying that is cheap but doubling plus an additional 50 % in 14 months kinda stung. We are headed home in a few and can't wait to get back to our normal chaos. We decided to share some of our pictures with you. We hope you like them! PS I am disappointed in the blogstalkers for not commenting. Kim Linley wins the prize as the only comment of the day. She gets to change Owen's diaper anytime she wants.

Three Under 3

What a DAY! What a WEEK! What a YEAR! Things in the Vandiver house have been crazy for a while now. Aydan and Ethan have really been enjoying each other and getting into all kinds of mischief together. On the other end of the spectrum Clint and Julie have been on pins and needles anxiously awaiting the arrival of Owen Tucker Vandiver. We have been praying for a healthy baby and an epidural that actually works. Well GOD delivered both today. We have been battling swelling and blood pressure issues this pregnancy. So our doctor decided to induce Julie last Wednesday. Well my mom had the stomach virus and Julie's dad was at a meeting in D.C. so we asked could we wait a day or two. The doctor said to come back on Friday and he would check us and we would go from there. We thought we were having this baby Friday. By the time the Dr. checked us and called the hospital there were no rooms left. We even had him check Crestwood hospital. We had a really hard time on Friday after being so ready and being shot down again. GOD was working in mysterious ways here. Well fast forward to Saturday we get a call that Jessica (Julie's best friend) was going into labor. Jessica had her baby on Sunday and we had our baby on Monday so we are doors down from great friends. We rescheduled for Monday at 5:45 a.m. We got here early and checked into the same room that Ethan had been delivered in 14 months earlier. Conicidence? Well we got a great nurse and a great Dr. and an angel that delivered an epidural. After seeing Julie have such a hard time with Aydan and Ethan I was really dreading this delivery. However, there was not a single moment of pain or anguish this time. Everything was smooth and calm. It was almost surreal to see GOD's hand at work here. Owen Tucker Vandiver was born at 2:38 p.m. He was 7 pounds 5 ounces and 19.5 pounds. We had a lot of company and he even shares a birthday with a good friend our family Jerry Rooks. We are truly blessed to have Three strong healthy boys under 3 years old.

1 Year Ago Today

One Year Ago today (December 2nd) the Vandiver Family was blessed with little Ethan Rhodes. He was born at 2:15 pm. Weighed 7 lbs 15 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. I cannot believe how fast a year has gone by and how much my baby boy has grown up. Pictures will follow soon of his first birthday party on Saturday. I will also be sure to update again when we go to his one year check up. Check back soon for updates!! I love you little E-Man...I cannot believe you are so big and you will never know how special and loved you are by your mommy, and family.

Things I am Thankful for...

1. My faith.
-The good Lord has gotten me through times that I did not think I would be able to.
-He also has brought me some of the greatest gifts and blessings in my life.

2. My family.
-Clint (my loving husband and father of my children)
-Aydan (my oldest, hard headed with a huge tender heart child)
-Ethan (my middle, laid back easy going, always giddy child)
-Baby V (my youngest, attached at the moment child, that I cannot wait to hold)
-Nemo (the 5lbs caregiver of the boys)
-Eva (the 7lbs playmate of the boys)
-Phyllis (my mom, who I cannot thank enough,she is like a 2nd mother to my children)
-Dan (my dad, a man of few words but when he speaks we all listen)
-Danny, Summer, Hunter and Gavin (my "little" brother that has become a hero to me and many others. His wife, and my nephews)
-All the Vandiver's and Dawson's (who have taken me in and made me a part of the family)

3. My friends.
-You know who all of you are! You all have been there for me at different times in my life and are still there to support me. :)

4. My job.
-Even though it might be crazy at times I would not change it for the world. I love working with each and every one of my students. I also cannot wait to see what they all grow up to be.

The list goes on and on. I guess sometimes in life we need to just sit down and think about all the things we have to be thankful for. I could spend the remainder of the evening typing this up and still not be done. Unfortunately though, 2 of the things I have to be thankful for will be up in a little bit and in order to take care of them I need my rest.

Tell me what you are thankful for. I know that their is something VERY important that I have forgotten.

And the 3rd is....

Wednesday we went to see Dr. DeLisle to find out what we would be having for baby #3. Clint was convinced that it was a baby girl so in honor of finding out we wore PINK! Mom, Aydan, Ethan, Clint and I waited for a little while for the ultrasound tech. Finally she came and took us all back. As soon as we got in there I could feel my stomach get in knots. Did I really want to find out? She put the piece on my stomach and the first thing that I saw was a dead give away! I knew what it was before the the tech...so I announced to Clint and Mom that it was going to be........a

BOY!

I guess we could have told everyone that we wore pink for Breast Cancer Month...but we were too excited about finding out it was going to be another boy and it did not matter :) 3 mommas boys for me :)

Tate's Farm

The other weekend was teachers day at Tate's Farms. We thought that we would check it out since we were free. By the time we left we spent over $30. But the fun we had was worth every penny!

Ethan and Eli! Born 1 day apart :)

A little boys paradise! The corn crib!

Whoa! This is awesome mom and dad. Can I get on of these at home?

Corn was fun, but Cotton was better!! My little farmer boy!

Chuck E. Cheese

The blogs will be short, sweet and to the point. I know that most of you check it out for the pictures anyways :) So here is our trip to Chuck E. Cheese over Fall Break. We had a blast!!

Throwing the balls at the skee ball machine with MeMoney and Aunt Jessica. Ethan and I stayed our distance! :)

What a big guy MeMaw!

Aydan's new best friend! He followed Chuck everywhere. Poor guy!

Bob The Builder and Friend!

Here he comes...here comes speed racer!