Lucky

After all the stuff we have gone through this past month. I feel lucky. Lucky to have such a wonderful family and the chance to know all these great people that I call my children. Several of our children have febrile seizures. It's been a rocky path to follow the past seven years, but so worth it. So many people have asked us over the years, why we had more children after we found out the older kids had the febrile seizures. It's really such a silly question to me. I look at their faces and think how could I not want to meet them, know them, call them my own.

My husband had the same thing when he was a kid. It's genetic and children typically outgrow them around 5-6. My husband did, and I Love knowing him, being married to him, and raising our great FOUR kids together! I can't imagine what my life would be like if his mother had said, well my kids "might" have this, so I just wont a child.

While it hasn't been easy, or always fun, who's life with children ever is. The seizures have actually helped me to appreciate the good times, focus on how lucky we are for all that we do have. It's how we act in the time of hardship that shows us our strengths, not times of joy. Yeah, I could feel all gloom and doom and think "why me", but that doesn't do anyone any good. It accomplishes nothing but growing anger that eats away at people's souls.

If I had the choice to pick whether or not the kids had these, I surely would pick no. Who wouldn't? One of the children hasn't ever had one [so far] and I am grateful for everyday without them in his life! They are such amazing, caring, fun kids that I can't image ever thinking it was reason enough not to know them.

Thank you universe, for allowing these great little people to call me mom! [I know you don't really hate me, proof positive 4x over. ]

This Moment.

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
Join in at Soulemama.

A little Love...

So glad tomorrow is Friday. Here's a little love to get you through the rest of the week.

The Universes Hates me...

Well...not really, but that's how I've felt the past 2 weeks. In 2 weeks, 2 ever so short weeks we had 2 Emergency Room visits, 3 doctors visits and 1 trip to the Urgent Care. Battled colds, the flu, bronchitis, ear infections, croup, sinus infections, fevers, mystery rash, two febrile seizures and then finally a horrible case of hives.

Everyone of the kids was affected by more than 3 of these things over the course of yes, 2 weeks! I felt like my brain was going to fall outta my head towards the end. Baby {J}'s top two teeth thought this also to be the perfect time to pop right on out. Everyone is on the mend now, but it's been a rough February here at the Kunklebaby household. Lots of medicine, hugs, desperate wishes for the kids to be alright, and tissues. Ohhh the tissues.

During the past few weeks, to keep from going insane I have been knitting. Knitting and knitting, letting my brain go numb and mindless while focusing on the rhythm of the yarn and needles. All the kids got 2 new hats out of the ordeal. The first set I made were these from the new Soulemama pattern as Valentine's Day gifts for the kids. They were SO easy and so cute. Let me also preface that by saying I have never knit a hat before...ever. In two weeks I have now made 7! The next set were made using the book More Last minute knitting. [I'll share those tomorrow]

Everyone was thrilled with the new hats except Baby {J}. His new hat is his new nemesis. arch enemy. new thing to be avoided at ALL costs. Little {L} thinks his is a Spiderman mask [no idea!] and wears it over his face. At this point if it's cold & he's actually wearing a hat, I'm happy!

love

May your day be filled with love, family & happiness! Happy Valentine's Day!

Around the House

I am so craving summer. I cannot wait to get back to the Farmers Market and enjoy lots of fresh fruits & veggies. February is my least favorite month of the year, hands down. I miss the sun!

One little boy with Mama's old camera= happiest boy in the world!

A sick baby in the house this week. All he wants to do is snuggle, nurse and he CANNOT be without his bink!

My ongoing projects are starting to pile up, but I am close to finishing the kids Valentine's gifts. They are each getting a knitted winter hat. Miss {M}'s is currently on the needles and I LOVE the pretty purpley pink yarn.

Homemade Bread

We've been trying out lots of new recipes and cook books this winter. This is one of my current new favorites. It actually is SO easy if you follow the directions from this book. Maybe they are common knowledge kinda stuff for some, but having never made homemade bread before owning this book, it's been wonderful for me!

Other things we've been making together this week have included potato & black bean soup, peanut butter granola treats, banana bread and some yummy pizza's made with the dough above.

What are you cooking up this winter?

Snow Day

Another Snow Day here today, well I guess it should be called an ice day. A thick layer of ice covered everything here last night. Looks like we will spend the day crafting some Valentine's, and staying warm.

These pictures were taken last week when we went sledding-for the FIRST time. Having grown up in Cleveland, it may seem insane to family that they have never been. It's just something you do with your kids back home! If you are old enough to stand, someone will take you sledding!

Our sledding adventure lasted all of about 10 minutes. Miss {M} was the first to be "over it", quickly followed by Mr. {D} and then Little {L}. The baby was over it before it started. I think he protested the moment I tried to put his hat & coat on. Maybe you can play with the kids next year, baby J!

I can't believe you put me in this foolish hat Mama!