I couldn't do it. I have a love/hate relationship with infants. Plus I'd be like, 'why the hell did I just go through all of that?' It would have to be a lot more money!

p.s. We LOVE the wacky chocolate cake. It is our Lenten dessert. YUMMY!

I'm sorry to hear things have been hard lately. I hate that.

Being a surrogate would be interesting, but I think it would be really hard to disassociate yourself with the baby. PLUS, if I REALLY wanted to, they would take one look at my medical records and turn me down. I would be a HORRIBLE surrogate!

so glad to see you've updated the blog malynda- i'm sorry you're having some troubles lately. anytime you need a cheer up- give us a call. lili would LOVE to play w/ ramona. (btw, just saw that maggie gyllenhaal's daughter is ramona. how cool is that?!) :)
as far as the surrogate thing goes, i couldn't do it. i'd get too emotionally involved & not want to give the baby up. plus, i've seen too many lifetime movies about surrogates gone wrong!

just got anne lamott's crooked little heart too. let's discuss sometime. i've never read any of her fiction.

Okay, since you've invited me...

I could do it. I too loved being pregnant and think the money would be well worth my trouble, especially since they pay for all of your medical bills and the like. You might want to throw in a new car though, maybe a lifetime gym membership, and some mad new toys for your daughter. :)  The only real obstacle I would face would be curiousity: I'd always want to know what happened to the kid. I'd want pictures, something.

I came across your site somehow, I think it may be your association with churchy KC people. Sorry so vague... I really don't remember how I came across you. I actually think I knew your husband as a teenager, but I might be wrong. For what it's worth, I'm Emily, and although I have two male children, I loved the name Ramona throughout both of my pregnancies. Yours is a doll.

And I'm sorry you're having a rough go of it.

Wow Melinda. I can relate to the whole "we don't have health insurance again". That's the life of the freelance artist, I'm afraid. Unless of course one is making a lot of dough - some graphic artists are doing very well and we have at times but not right now so alas we do not have health insurance. We pay as we go and owe doctors monthly and then some. So sorry to hear about Kevin's mom. Living the life you guys are living is a life of sheer faith in the Lord. If you don't have the Lord there is no hope and it makes us trust totally in Him for your needs. Of course everyone else who is a Believer should also have this kind of faith but I don't think they have it consistently if they get a pay check every 2 weeks and haven't lost their jobs. Stay out of debt if possible as a freelancer. That's almost impossible to stay in business and have the equipment you need. But, it does reduce stress. We are not out of debt so there you go. Ha.
Elyse said you are thinking about getting into photography as a profession.
That would be great. I came here looking for your pictures. I will pray for you all and for Kevin's mom.

I don't know if I could do the surrogate thing but I did offer to carry a baby for my brother and his fiance when they got married. She couldn't have children anymore. Maybe for love but not for money.

yes, I have thought about doing it myself. I think I could handle it. What have you decided?
I'm so glad your running! Running is the best! It is the best stress reliever, thought provoker, energy giver, yada yada...private time...everything. Ha...I know it's not everything, but it helps.

Couldn't do it. I just couldn't. I want to take that baby home with me. Well, if it wasn't mine and didn't look like me......perhaps if I just remained unattached. But is it possible to not be attached to this living and growing thing inside of you?
Tough question.

I miss you. Come see me like right now!

Yeah, that is probably it. I know the K-vigs and grew up around there myself. I also think Kevin may have gone to this youth group for awhile too - TWA. I was really super duper quiet so he wouldn't remember me. But I remember a redheaded Kevin who was really nice.

I've heard lots of really good things about Taking Charge of your Fertility. I don't know why I haven't gotten it yet! I always think about it at the wrong time! Maybe I'll remember tonight when we're out.

As far as my inconsistancy is concerned, I don't think I've slept for four hours straight EVER. Seriously. I need to figure out the cervical position business. That might help me.

Thanks for the imput. I know it's one crazy looking chart to try to decipher anything from!

Nothing is particularly stressful from this end, and E is still nursing. We're trying to cut back, but it is HARD. She is a total nursey-monster. "What!?!? That not NURSEY?!?!?"

How did you wean Ramona?

Oh boy, a whole new can of worms!

Hey, I'm not going to say anything. I get in the tub with Evangeline, so I can nurse her while I rinse her hair. Cori is like, "What are you going to do when she's away at college the first year, and everyone teases her because she cries while she takes a shower???"

I'm actually afraid that might happen. : )

Dirty Kids! Ha! You know, I wish I'd thought ahead to the fact that even little kids feet can stink...and it's my responsibility to prevent it...so now I take care of myself, Josh's random odors (which by the way have GREATLY improved) and a screaming little monkey's. Ah, motherhood!

Oh, and we can't wait to go to the zoo with you guys. Of course I think we've traumatized Estrella by telling her if she doesn't go to bed she'll have to go sleep with the monkeys at the zoo. So she says, "No ZOO!" but she'll figure out soon that it rules.

Tonight is the night your life will change. Have fun!

Hi Malynda!  I'm sorry things have been tough lately, but keep blogging!  It's nice to know what's going on, and I have to admit to living vicariously through all of your stories of motherhood!