House Reorganization

July was a busy month for us. We decided that our house needed to be reorganized to better fit our family needs..so we began with laundry and clothes because it's the hardest thing to keep up with and keep organized. So we decided on putting closets for the kids in the basement near the washer and dryer. We put in 3 large wardrobes and divivded the kids by room, each room getting one wardrobe. The majority of the kids clothes now go directly from the dryer to the closets, no more laundry baskets or mounds of clothes:) The kids can keep pj's, socks, underwear and an outfit or two for the next couple of days in their bedroom closets. It has been a complete turn around for our laundry challenges. I am soooo glad we did it!
We also reorganized our bedroom and the family room. And Matt did the garage. The basement is still a work in progress but it's getting there.
We are also getting ready to move the kids bedrooms around. Elijah and Micah will move (once I finish the painting and decorating) into one room and Levi and Joel will share the other boys room. For the past year and a half Matt's dad was staying with us until his retirement went through and it did and he just moved out so we have been getting his old room ready for Elijah and Micah to move in. I'm still not sure if the boys will like being in seperate rooms after being together for so long. We will see what happens.
We also started school this week:) Which is great so far! I forgot how much easier life is with a good schedule.
Pictures will be posted soon:)

Back to Blogging

My kiddos:)

Me and Joel

Birthday boy!

It's been nearly a year since my last post! Joel and I celebrated our birthday's yesterday, I can't believe another year has passed. A lot has happened this year, I can't believe how fast time has gone. I look back at my pictures from a year ago and am amazed at how much has happened.

The past 12 months have been very trying at times, but God is good and we continue to trust and hope in Him!

Here's a glimpse of what the past year has looked like at the O'Connor house:

We all had to get used to me working 20-30 hours a week outside the home. I had to go to work to earn some much needed extra income. I worked 3rd shift on the weekends and 2nd a day or two during the week at an assisted living home for the elderly. It was hard to manage our schedule with both of us working and homeschooling but we made it through. We paid off our debts this spring and I was able to cut back to 8 hours a month, which was more of an excuse to get out of the house a few hours a month and enjoy all the residents I love working with! The day we paid the last of our debts, Matt lost his job. We are putting our trust in the Lord and know that He will provide.

I have learned so much this year about myself, about God, about life. So even though it has been difficult, I am stronger (and hopefully a little wiser) because of it.

Summer in a nut shell

WOW! Our summer went way too fast, it always does. We started school this week with the kids which makes summer officially over in the O'Connor house. Summer was great but it's good to be back in a routine.

Here are some highlights of our summer

Our newest addition
Joel Philip O'Connor born on July4:)

What a blessing he has been!

Our oldest, Elijah, decided to become a follower of Jesus and was baptized.
(another joy filled day!)

We got to spend some time catching up with family

Adah took advantage of the fact that her mommy has been a busy lady.

We spent some time outdoors

(I would not recommend trying to hike a trail and nurse a baby at the same time, it was not easy)

And at the pool

We enjoyed the fruits (& veggies) of our labor in the garden, even though the crazy weather did some of our plants in.

We just hung out

Joel started smiling:)

And still loves snuggling,

(I get less snuggle time because everyone wants to snuggle him)

What a great summer it has been

Baby Joel Week 2

Joel sleeping near the front garden week 1
Micah kissing Joel

Adah kissing Joel at the zoo, she LOVES her brother

Levi watching over his new little brother

Elijah adores baby Joel

Anna is a little mommy to him

Sweet lil' boy

Well I've been a mommy to 6 a little over 2 weeks now and things are going well. Joel is a precious little guy, we are all crazy about him. Just the other day Anna told me she loved him so much she just wants to hold him and hug and kiss him all day. I feel the same way, he's just so sweet. Even when he's having a fussy night, I don't mind; I know from having gone through it 5 times before that he'll grow so fast so I'm trying to enjoy each moment I can while he's still small.

Being a mom isn't usually convenient and it's hardly easy but it is such a great job to have:)

Joel's First Week

Grandma Janet, Joel, Adah & Matt
Pepaw with Joel

Uncle Drew & Joel

Aunt Barbara

Anna & Joel

What a sweetie

Adah & Joel getting ready for the pool

Grandpa O'Connor & Joel

Grandma O'Connor & Joel

nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby

Elijah & Joel

The kids at the museum

Levi & Joel

Micah loving his baby brother

Adah enjoying her new brother

She did not want to let her baby go

Daddy & Joel

We had an awesome first week with our newest little guy Joel here. Matt took the whole week off and we had a vacation at home. Matt took the 5 older kids to the Air Force museum, the pool, Dave & Busters for a few hours throughout the week so I could rest and spend some time with the baby. Matt and Elijah got to spend some father/son time at Spirit Song at Kings Island Thursday night. We spent most of our mornings and evenings together hanging out, playing games, reading books, and just enjoying one another.

The transition from 5 to 6 kids has been seamless so far. He is so sweet and fits right into the family as if he's always been here. The kids adore their new brother as do we.

I feel so blessed to have such an awesome husband and great children.

Happy "Birth-Day" to me!

I got the best birthday present yesterday, our new little guy was born.

Joel Philip O'Connor was born on my birthday, July 4 at 4:24 am.

I went into labor July 3 late afternoon and headed to the hospital after about 3 hours of good contractions at home. I was excited that Dr. Brenner just happened to be on call so Matt and I were excited about that. Not only is she a great Dr. who has delivered 3 of our 6 kiddos but she and her family go to our church and we have enjoyed getting to know her in a more personal setting over the past couple years.

I got an epidural around 10 PM which did not work at all so they had to take it out and do another. I didn't know until yesterday that the more epidural's you have the less effective they become and can even not work from the scar tissue that builds up each time. Thankfully the second time it worked and I felt some relief although I still felt pressure and the urge to push.

My labor slowed way down after my epidural as it always does so they started pitocin and broke my water around 1:30 am which got things going again.

After a couple more hours and a few pushes, Joel Philip was born.

He was 9 lbs 2 oz and 21 1/2 inches long, a good sized boy!

I feel great and was ready to go home as soon as they would let me so we got to leave a little after the 24 hour mark since he was born at 4:24 am. The kids are still at my in-laws and will be home later this afternoon so we're enjoying a nice quiet afternoon until they get here. But it's a little too quiet for me. As of now (which will likely change) he is a very very quiet little guy.

He is doing awesome and sweet as can be! I couldn't have asked for a better addition to our family:)

Still Here

As for now I am still here...

Meaning I am still at home, still pregnant and still ready for our little guy to arrive.

I'm ready, I'm tired, I feel sick and can hardly eat anything, I'm anxious and excited and I'm growing more impatient by the minute.

I'm sure some of you can relate.

My due date was yesterday so I'm not really that far beyond my due date but it feels like an eternity.

I've tried all I know how to get my labor going and it's just not so I'll continue to wait. He can't stay in there forever.

I have to keep reminding myself that in God's perfect timing he will arrive. I trust in the Lord and know that this baby is His precious child.