Random List of Thoughts

It's been awhile since I have been here, so I am keeping it short and sweet with bullet points today.

• I am pregnant! With Twins! That's a large part of the reason it's been quiet around here these last few months. There has been a lot of lying in bed or on the couch, trying to survive morning sickness and fatigue. We are nearing the end of the first trimester and there is a (small) light at the end of the tunnel.
• The hubby and I have started to make preparations for this big change that is coming. Selling my car, purchasing something larger that will seat everyone. Discussing homeschooling the older two versus putting them in school in the fall. Can I homeschool well with twin newborns (plus the other children)? What is best for everyone? Should we move to a larger house (for now, the answer is NO). What kind of help will I need in the coming months? 
• After months of serious house neglect, coupled with the arrival of spring, I am wanting to pare down the possessions radically, deep clean, and make room for the new little souls that will be joining us in the early fall. I love this idea. Right now, I am working in about 10 minute spurts of energy, before I head back to the couch to rest. I have been modifying my to-do list...breaking even simple tasks in to smaller tasks, and giving them my all, 10 minutes at a time. And saying "yes!!" to every offer of help. 
• My dear hubby has just converted his man cave into a walk in freezer/fridge. He sold or gave away most of the furniture, and replaced it with a chest freezer and a large commercial fridge. We now have 2 freezers and 2 fridges. I was at first skeptical that we needed that much cold storage. But, as I think over how much food we put up in a year, and how many people we are going to be feeding on a regular basis over the next two decades, it suddenly seems like a really useful luxury. I am rethinking my shopping (maybe only go to the store every 2 weeks? Start buying more in bulk?). I know that extra fridge will come in handy when the babies get here, and friends bring food! 
• Strawberry season is almost here. My sweet boys, eying the strawberries at the grocery store, wistfully ask again "how much longer until strawberry season is here?!" Last week, I relented, buying Florida strawberries, while warning them they they wouldn't be as good as when they are in season locally. There is just no better way to eat fruit, than when it is still warm from the sun. We are all anticipating eating them fresh, made in to jam, shortcake, icing, sorbet, sauce, cut up on cereal, made into leather...
• Wildly optimistic, as my Dr. says that chances are high that I will be on bed rest for a good portion of my pregnancy, I can't help but think to summer and reserve book upon book upon book from the library. Oh, home canning, how I love you.
• A dear, generous friend gifted me with an amazon gift card, and I have decided that I need to read the books I already own before I buy more. So, I am torn between this hammock...the perfect spot to put up swollen feet this summer, while watching the boys run through the sprinkler. All while licking on a homemade popsicle, of course. Or, maybe I should finally get these for picnics? Such delightful, tough decisions!
• I mentioned that I have been saying "yes!" to every offer of help...which means, I need to stock up on stationary and thank you notes. Do you have a favorite etsy seller for paper goods? I would love if you would share your favorites with me.