I am sooooo tired . . .

(Writing from my dad's computer.)

I keep thinking of our first furlough, when 3 1/2 year-old Isaac woke up sick the day we left Ukarumpa and we had to give him Phernergan to enable him to make it through the flight without tossing his cookies. I could sure tell when the drug began to act as he lay limply in my arms and said, "Mommy, I am sooooo tired." He slept through friends' goodbyes at our airstrip. Oh well.

Now I feel like saying that all the time and lying around limply (which I am supposed to do anyway). How much is the anemia? How much is the fact that my body is heavily taxed by 5 babies? I sleep for 10 hours and wake up feeling like all I want to do is go back to sleep, even when I get out of bed and force myself to make it to the living room where there's usually some activity and a parent to serve me (Gavin is in CA visiting our church, friends and family there - he took Isaac, and both are having a great time. If you think to pray for him this weekend, I'd appreciate it, please, as he's hiking into the back country of Yosemite with his cousin/best friend.).

I even have trouble typing. Weird stuff comes out instead of the word or letter I was intending. I read your emails. I love your comments. I am so encouraged by your prayers. My response is to lie limply but gratefully in the recliner or on the couch or in my bed. Sorry. You'll notice Gavin has been doing almost all the blogging, which is why the last picture said 22 weeks instead of the correct 21 weeks - I'll be 22 weeks tomorrow, hooray! (I celebrate each week at this point. At a certain point I'll celebrate each day.) 

I did want to thank those of you who have been praying for my back pain. It's gotten a ton better, though still acts up in the same place (high right) from time to time. Thanks also to those who have been praying for my appetite as I'm still 10 pounds behind where I'm "supposed" to be as established in my twins, triplets, and quad pregnancy book,(although I look as rotund in every area as a Butterball turkey) and now one of the baby girls has borderline intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). I drink Boost and Ovaltine and ice cream malts to try and fatten her up. Not sure if that helps at all, but it makes me feel like I'm doing SOMETHING. Since the boys are all a bit "ahead" and the other little girl is right on target, I really doubt it's malnutrition that's causing the tiny one to lag behind, especially with all the supplements I'm on. The doctor says her placenta probably just didn't find as good a place to implant as the other babies' did.

Speaking of appetite, we've received two delicious meals this week from women in our Texas home church. That sure helps. My mom is still working full-time many days, so it's a huge relief to her. When we first arrived she'd work all day, come home and cook, and be in the kitchen until 11:00 p.m. cleaning up.

In the evening, when I tend to have more energy after my nap (but I can't nap too long or I will have really restless sleep at night!), I have been slowly sorting through baby clothes. We have received TONS of adorable sleepers, outfits, blankets, etc. for the first year of their lives! Almost all are used but in great condition. I love looking through Isaac's old outfits and imagining the three boys in them come Dec. or so.

I will register soon at Target.com and Babysrus.com (whenever my sooooooo tiredness subsides enough to enable me to concentrate) as many have been asking "what do you need?" And please be assured, used is just fine with us! Borrowing would definitely be a blessing.

I'm rambling. It's because I am soooooo tired. (Ha, ha - what's my excuse normally?)

Love you all - please consider this my personal email response to your lovely cards and messages.
Carrie