longenblog

A Family of Seven!

2011-07-30T06:24:00.000-07:00

It finally happened! We are the proud parents of a beautiful newborn baby boy. We are currently on foster placement but will be fostering to adopt. We are praising God for this sweet little life and the priveledge we have to care for him.

I wish I could post a picture of him for you all but until he is legally ours we cannot post pictures on public forums. I can tell you that he is very precious, very cute, and very very sweet. :) He has dark hair and beautiful medium brown skin. His eyes will be brown but right now they are blueish.

His history puts our adoption of him at a very safe level but there is a slight chance that he would go back to his birth mother or relatives. Even if that happens, we will be grateful for the time we had with him and will love him as our own as long as we can. My selfishness wants for me to hope that he stays. But my eternal perspective hopes that his birth mother will be saved both physically and spiritually and be able to parent him. So, I sigh, and pray for God's will to be done. His plan is perfect and my work is not in vain when it is done in his name.

We are calling him Van. But when we adopt him we will change his name. His first name is set in stone but we are still working on the middle name. We really didn't have much time to prepare so we are in a bit of a daze. I was told about him one day and the very next day I got to pick him up from the hospital!

If you think of us, please pray. He still has some healing to do but on the whole he is healthy and happy and shouldn't have any major long term effects or problems. Please understand, I have to be limited in what I share with you all here.

Thank you all for your prayers thus far. I know that God hears and answers.

Praising God for the miracle of life,

Tiffany

Ready, Set, Go!

2011-07-05T16:45:00.000-07:00

It won't be long now. Our homestudy is finished and I heard today that our case worker has already been submitting our family for referrals. In fact, they seemed rather excited at one of the prospects and seemed to think our family was a good match for a certain little almost two boy.

My motto has been, "I'm so excited and scared to death." And it sticks. I feel a little crazy taking this on. It's so huge. I know all of the statistics and possibilities and scary realities. And yet I know that this is what God is calling us to do. One of the scariest things is knowing that I will love this child and at one point I'll have to sit and listen while someone tells me what harm was done to my child before I was able to protect him. I don't think there's anyway to brace myself for that full effect. As difficult as that reality is, it's all the more reason for us to do this. We have to.

Please continue to pray for our family and future son. Our little boy is alive. He has a name. He has a personality. He's grieving the loss of the only family he's known. He is known by God and has eternal value because he was created in the image of God. He might be in a foster home , he might be suffering, he might be in the shelter. Wherever he is, it's real and his life is about to change. And he is about to change ours.

Still closer..

2011-04-21T10:27:00.000-07:00

We've completed all of our adoption training. We're waiting on a few minor details and the rest of our homestudy to take place. I think within a few weeks we'll be completely finished and ready to accept a child into our home. We don't know who he is, but God does. The next few weeks should be even more interesting and exciting. We won't be able to post pictures or share much information until the child is legally ours but we will try to keep everyone updated on what is happening. Thank you all for your prayers for our child and our family!

2011-04-21T10:22:00.000-07:00

Here are two links to helpful resources for parents considering delayed, selective, or non vaccination schedules for their children:

Did vaccines really halt killer diseases?

What doctors don't tell you.

Where We Are

2011-01-09T07:40:00.000-08:00

We will begin adoption/foster classes this month. We were told that it could be as little as three months from now before we're ready to accept a child into our home. Of course, it could take much longer but it's still exciting to think about.

We won't be doing any fundraisers because adopting through the foster system is free! Which is still just unbelievable to me. We thought we might never be able to adopt because of the huge cost that agencies charge. Of course, we'll have the normal expenses of adding a child to our family just as we do each time we have a biological child but that's to be expected. We do, however, ask for your prayers during this process. We like to think about the fact that God already knows this little child that is going to join our family and we can be praying for that child right now. Long before we knew we would be expecting a child, God knew.

I would also like to express my thankfulness for the support we've received. I have the greatest church family. It's so wonderful to be part of group of believers who support and love with such great sincerity.

Our first class is on the 12th! We'll try to keep updating. Have a wonderful day!

Adoption

2010-11-09T07:18:00.000-08:00

Cody and I have decided to pursue adoption. Adoption is something that has been on our hearts since our second child was born. At the time we didn't meet the age requirements of the agency we contacted and decided that maybe it wasn't time. So, over the years we have prayerfully awaited the oppurtunity to try again. We've had two more biological children since then and we still hope for more.

The idea of adoption is much more fun than the reality. We are educating ourselves about the sober realities that we will face, seeking wise counsel from godly people, studying the scriptures, and trusting in God as he moves our hearts and directs our steps. We don't expect that this will be easy. We seek for God to be glorified as we graft another life into our family.

Some people are very happy for us and super encouraging. Others are nervous or fearful but nevertheless, supportive. We ask that you pray for us and for this child whom we have not met. All things are in God's hands. If this is not meant to be, the doors will be closed and we can trust Him in that, too. We know that, "the heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his step." Also,we are, "...created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." -Eph. 2:10

Our relationship with God is described as adoption in Romans. We were adopted while we were yet sinful and hateful and against the nature of God. We were grafted in. We were shown mercy and grace, love and kindness. We are told to defend and help the fatherless. We are to imitate our God and to be a reflection of what we have been shown. Not every family is called to adopt and how each person cares for the weak and needy, the widows and orphans will look different.

May we glorify God as we walk in the works he has prepared for us. May we be content when his purposes are different than our plans. May we continually hold our plans before the Lord seeking his direction. May this adoption prove to be a good thing to our family, our children, and to a child whom we do not yet know.

It's Fall! (Sort of)

2010-10-24T15:57:00.000-07:00

This is Piper as she was getting ready Uncle Tony's wedding. She was one of four flower girls.

Pumpkin patch!

Fiona didn't look up from the ground the whole time. :) There were so many different kinds of pumpkins! What fun!

2010-09-04T12:20:00.000-07:00

A Teachable Moment, at Home

2010-08-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

We believe that parents are charged with the responsibility of their own children's education. For different reasons, many parents delegate that responsibility to their local government school, private school, or a tutor. We have chosen to homeschool. I know that it won't be right for every individual family but I do hope that parents everywhere are evaluating their educational options and thinking carefully about the long term effects of their choices.

Here a few Scripture verses that reinforce our ideas that we are better equipped to give our children an education. Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way that he should go, even when he is old, he will not depart from it." Do a simple calculation to find how many waking hours a child is able to be trained at home who attends a public school. Jeremiah 10:12 " Thus saith the Lord, learn not the way of heathen nations." The local public school is a government school. Our nation's government is educating our nation's children. I'll let you decide if our nation is heathen or not. If the child is not going to school to 'learn the way of the nation', why are they there? For Christians who believe their children are 'a light in the dark' as they go to school- 1 Corinthians 15:33 tells us to not be deceived, bad company corrupts good morals.

As many people send their children off to school this month with excitement and plans to use all of their extra time, I had an experience that wiped any temptations or longings for the same. My five year old daughter was reading a book during quiet time in her room. I walked by to check in on her. I found her in the corner on the floor weeping bitterly. I scooped her into my arms and pressed her wet face to my chest. At first, I thought she might have been injured. She could barely speak she was crying so hard. I held her and comforted her until she was ready to talk. She had read something that scared her in the book. It was about death. She stammered out the words "I don't want to die." Pain struck me in a deep place that I had forgotten existed.

When I was a little girl, my great grandmother died. I was probably Piper's age. We were in the car. I was in the backseat. My mom was crying as we drove. She did not speak. She had only told me that my grandmother was dead. I needed help understanding. I pestered her about whether or not we would see her again. Was she really not going to be there anymore? Where did she go? Why? Does death hurt? My mother who did not have comfort herself was unable to comfort me. She couldn't tell me of the goodness of God and his plans. She couldn't tell me of everlasting life, forgiveness of sins, the love of our God, the resurrection of the body. She could only tell me that when we get old we die. I thought of this again and again with fear and lack of understanding.

What a beautiful moment I shared with my daughter as I was able to give her the words of truth that she needed to hear! I held her and we prayed. I wiped away her tears and kissed her. I would not give away that tender exchange for anything. I thought to myself, what if I had never known what was in her heart in that critical moment. Perhaps it would have surfaced again. Perhaps she would have brought it up later. But then the open vulnerability and rawness of her soul could not have been there either.

Had she been in school, what comfort would the teacher had offered her? Maybe they would have called me. Maybe not. Maybe I would have never known. Maybe she would have been offered a false gospel or even dismissed for this emotional outbreak.

I'm so thankful for this ministry to my children's education and to their souls. Motherhood is blessed and I'm so glad to have them here with me. Someday they will be adults and when they have been trained and learned they will be ready to be lights in the dark and influence those around them. But for now they are lambs and students. Not warriors or teachers.

Influence, Again

2010-08-17T11:49:00.000-07:00

I've written before on the topic of influence. But it's a recurring theme on my heart for some time. By some time, I think, more like a life time. I know that some people seem to have the ability to let all things disagreeable to slide off their backs without a second thought. However, I don't think that most people do. I want to express some of my thoughts about consideration and respect for others.

We are constantly evaluating ideas, motives, and reasoning. If someone does something differently than you it's easy to see the contrast. We compare. We ask ourselves if our way is the best way. Sometimes we choose to do something a certain way because it is most practical, efficient, inexpensive, traditional, etc. Maybe it's why and not how. From parenting to healthy eating and so much more we all have ideas as to what is best. Often, we we think we have found the new best thing and we want to share it with everyone and get others involved. Even Hollywood has jumped on the latest and unlikely fad of 'natural' parenting.

I don't think there's anything wrong with sharing ideas and discussing them. Even expressing your disgust with particular issues. However, I see that it is tempting for people to turn their strong opinions into moral convictions and then press them on others. You may feel like you've won a great prize if you can convince others but in the grand scheme of things if all you've really done is guilt someone into doing something by making them feel like a bad mom/wife/person, is it really worth it? And what is guilt where there is no sin?

For example, let me share some experience from my adventures in cloth diapering. I started doing it to save money. Not to save the earth. Not because I thought it was better for my baby. Although, P was having some rash issues and I thought this might help (it didn't, she had a milk intolerance). Anyway, cloth diapering can actually save you some money. Not very much money if you buy fancy diapers and only use them for one child. Actually, you might end up spending more that way! But I made my own, so we were saving a ton. As I was researching I began coming across a wide span of voices that touted cloth diapering as superior for many reasons. Less use of resources, for example. (Not less water!) Many of these mothers who had probably started cloth diapering for practical reasons had become monsters. Their way was the best way. One voice even likened disposable diapering to child abuse! This. Is. Outrageous. Cloth diapering does not make you a good mom.

Seeing your influence make a difference in someone else's life is such a blessing but don't confuse it with bullying, fear mongering or false guilt. I have a lot of strong opinions on a lot of weighty topics. (I don't think cloth diapering should be considered a 'weighty topic'!) But when it is not clearly a sin issue, it is not worth pursuing an issue against friends. I want to remind myself and encourage others to respect the decisions of others and to love them. Not with an attitude of hoping that they will some day attain your level of superiority but that we could sincerely trust that God is working in all of our lives, since we have not yet been transformed to the full righteousness of Christ.

2010-07-30T13:05:00.000-07:00

History and Science

2010-07-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

For those of you in my area, I am forming a small co-op. We have collected 3 families to participate and I'm hoping for 1 or 2 more. Go take a look and see if it's something you'd be interested in.

2010-07-22T06:54:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a blur! We are in our new home and all settled for the most part. We are very thankful for the ample space we now have. What an answered prayer! We have a pantry, a very large open kitchen, a garden tub (think future homebirths!), enormous living area, our lot is backed up to a green belt, we have lots of parking on our street, a wonderful peach tree that has already yielded a generous crop, and so much more that we are so grateful for.
Cody took the summer off from school for the move and will be returning this fall. Have I mentioned how proud I am of him? ;) Meanwhile, our homeschool has been taking lots of breaks, though we usually school through summer, to go swimming and fellowship with friends and to beat the heat! And what an incentive it is to finish school work early in time to go to the neighborhood pool!
Come this fall we will have the honor of witnessing the marriage of Cody's youngest brother to a family friend who is also a church member.
I've entered that oh so rare time of life (for me) when I'm not exactly 'tied down' to a baby who nurses very often and I'm not pregnant (read: sick and miserable). Don't misunderstand, I do see pregnancy as a blessing and part of God's means of pruning and refining my heart and I cherish the baby that comes with it, but it's certainly not my idea of fun to lie on the couch trying not to vomit for months at a time. But it's nice to have these months to taste a little independence, enjoy being thinner, conquer some projects, and even feel that longing for another baby. :)
I'm halfway through Les Miserables. Wow. I haven't picked up a piece of literature for myself in too long. All of the books I've read in the past years have been classics for children, which I do enjoy as well, or books on parenting, mothering, housekeeping, or devotional. Well, I'm not reading my book. I'm listening to it. It's an audio book. Oh, I love technology. I downloaded it free from the library. Read: Cody downloaded for me when I got frustrated. And I listen to it on the iPod while I'm cleaning house.
Now that we're settled, I'm pulling out the sewing machine and getting crafty again. I've made some skirts for myself and my oldest daughter, mended my cloth diapers, and I plan to get busy on some aprons.
Well, that's all I have time for. Have a beautiful day!

Ten, Eleven, Twelve!

2010-06-18T12:19:00.000-07:00

Parenting in Public

2010-04-07T07:38:00.000-07:00

If you have children, especially young children, you are constantly training. Whether you are at the grocery store, a friend's house for a play date, or at home. I'm pretty sure that every parent has at one point realized that when they are inconsistent in training their children depending on the circumstances, the children take note. Some parents use bribes to coerce their children to behave acceptably in public or maybe some prefer hollow threats. It only takes once or twice for a child to learn that a simple wail in the checkout line will reward them with some M&Ms or that Mom isn't serious when she whispers threats in public. Many children are manipulative. And no wonder. Their parents have taught them the ropes since they were toddlers.

Why do parents give in like this to their own demise? Maybe they are too busy and just want things to go as smoothly as possible and they are willing to accept the consequences of their abdication. Maybe they think the goal of parenting is to get good behavior at any cost. Or maybe they've caved because of the comments of strangers in public or well-meaning friends.

I get so irritated by comments like, "It's okay. They are just being kids." My kids do not need any excuses for bad behavior. We are raising them to adulthood not just trying to occupy their time with distractions from responsibility. I've been amazed as a parent to hear the silly criticism that others feel free to vocalize within ear shot of the parent. Does it really bother people that the mother dressed her child in something that looks too warm or cold or uncomfortable? Why is it that a mother parenting her children as she goes about her day is such an open target for everyone with an opinion? I don't know maybe I'd be willing to listen if that stranger had all four of her children standing next to her. :) However, I find that often the commentators haven't had young children in 20+ years or ever at all.

Moving!

2010-03-24T09:40:00.000-07:00

We are officially moving. Our house went up for sale on the 8th and less than a week later we had it under contract. Apparantly our home is very hot because we had no end of showings. Daily. And sometimes twice a day. I'm so glad that is over because it was not so easy getting four little ones out that often.

So we are house hunting as of late. We are looking for bigger. We would really like a 4 bedroom but we would settle for a three bedroom if we can get two living areas and large bedrooms. So if you think of us at all in the coming days please pray that we would find just the right home at just the right time. We have to be out by April 30.

I've been packing. I like packing. It makes me go through everything one item at a time and determine whether or not I really need it. I'm amazed at how little stuff we have! Pleasantly amazed, that is. I hate things that have no function and take space.

I am so. so. excited. Can't wait to update everyone with the news of our new home!

Nine Months

2010-03-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, start at the bottom and go up. :)

2010-02-26T10:34:00.000-08:00

This is my new grain mill. Well, actually this is the flaker. But it hardly looks different than the mill. I pour my wheat berries into the funnel, turn the manual crank, and I have fresh flaked wheat cereal! I love it. We've been grinding our own flour, making cracked wheat for cereal, and grinding oats and other things for baby food.

Because I am not a fan of serving cold cereal for breakfast and I don't really have it in me to make eggs or pancakes every morning (we do that sort of thing for lunch usually) this has proved to create a lot of variety for our breakfasts. Most of all, I'm happy about the nutrition this is putting into our diet. I know that even if all my picky eater eats is bread or biscuits for dinner, it's healthy.

EIGHT!

2010-02-19T10:30:00.000-08:00

Who says babies aren't precious?

2010-02-02T14:19:00.000-08:00

Be very afraid. This is one of his latest super hero creations and I assure you he is probably scary sometimes.

Pi got her second pair of glasses. This time we ditched the plastic frames and got metal. They're baby pink. And how in the world is she allowed to look this mature at FIVE YEARS OLD?! We'll probably ground her for that.

Now if I were going to be afraid of a kid with a blanket for a cape, this is the one who would do it. This is a very serious bad guy. You may think that is just a chubby belly hanging out from under his shirt. It's not. He stores his excess super powers in there like a camel does with water. Oh, and notice the baby Fioniamonster trying to slip by and escape while he's preoccupied.

Seven.....

2010-01-20T13:04:00.000-08:00

Six Whole Months

2009-12-18T13:22:00.000-08:00

Influence

2009-12-14T11:15:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking on the subject of influence. Have you ever thought back over your life and contemplated the effects your advice or influence has had on other people? I have. I remember advising friends in ways that would lead them further into sin before I was called by Christ. I remember giving what I thought was good and godly advice while I was still ignorant of some important truths. I've prayed for specific people in my past and asked for forgiveness in these areas as well. I'm sure that still my influence on those around me is flawed. But I am definitely more purposeful when I advise using an unchanging standard that I am learning to hold to myself. God's Word.

Now that I've admitted my own negative influences and shortcomings I'd like to flip it a bit. I can see just how much other people's words have affected me by looking back at some pivotal decisions in my life each having their own consequences. Not to say that we are purely a product of our environment, of course.

I do want to challenge myself and others to think about how we've been influenced in our lives. Here is a personal example: My own generation of young women have been hearing the world's advice since grade school as they make decisions about education, careers, family, and their homes. As far as I'm concerned there are far too few voices giving sound biblical advice, even in the church. We've exchanged godly advice for something else and there are consequences. I'm very fortunate that God placed me in the position to hear the words of women who take this passage seriously... "But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: .... The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things- that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed." Titus 2: 1-5. Is this the kind of advice our more experienced older women are giving to the up and coming? No, I don't believe so.

As a young mother and new wife I found myself overwhelmed with ideas and choices that would lay a foundation for who I was for the rest of my life. Thankfully we have a merciful, redeeming God. Some of those ungodly voices who would have had me putting my family aside and chasing after a hollow worldly goal brought me undue guilt and a feeling of shame as I 'selfishly' sought to love my son and my husband. I do not doubt the sincerity of those who advise, only their biblical perspective.

You have influence over people all around you. Whether you realize it or not. Manufacturers know this. Just look at all of the commercials for products we suddenly can't live without! A heartfelt plea goes out to all of the older women who have the privilege of advising the next generation. Know the weight of your words and may they glorify God.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-10T18:11:00.000-08:00

I love Advent season. I love cold weather, cozy fires, decorations, and yummy Christmas treats. I love the excitement in my children's eyes as we count down the days. Just as my children are, I am filled with wonder again and again as I read the miraculous story of God made flesh.

Beneath our tree presents are multiplying. Three eager children with curious eyes guess what each box might contain. Fiona, however, much prefers to taste each colorfully wrapped package. We copied the idea of a Christmas chain but inside each of the 25 links we had the children write, or helped them write, something they like about Christmas. We also decorated the outside of each link. So every night we open one link, show the picture, and read what is written. I made a fabric Advent calendar with pockets to hold candy and scripture verses to read aloud each night. And we are also reading through Jotham's Journey nightly as we enjoy some sort of cookie, hot chocolate, or popcorn. If you've not heard of Jotham's Journey, do yourself a favor and take a look. It is one of 3 books for read aloud family time during Advent. Each nightly section is a cliff hanger bringing you to the manger in the end.

Gage is wishing for his two front teeth this year. Piper is ever more dramatic and girly. Rowan is still insisting on learning everything the hard way though he is an incredibly bright little guy. And sweet baby Fiona is bringing so much joy to our family with her sweet dimpled smiles. All of the paperwork and finalizations and what not of Cody's schooling is complete and he will be on the computer much of the spring. He's tried to accomplish this all a few times and the doors kept closing but now everything is going smoothly and I'm pretty sure that it was all part of God's plan to wait until now.

I am looking back over the year and realizing all of my shortcomings and accomplishments. The latter looks rather puny comparatively. But somehow even though we had some unusual struggles this year, our children are growing and learning in all areas, everyone is happy and healthy, a certain two year old didn't ever need emergency medical attention, and we had a perfectly wonderful little baby (at home!).

Merry Christmas to you and yours and may God bless you as you are reminded of the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2009-11-20T07:26:00.000-08:00

There are at least a hundred titles given to our Lord, Jesus Christ, in the Bible. It seems that it is not the language that has utmost importance to his identity but his character and attributes. Who is this Savior whom we call upon for redemption and mercy? Is his power limited to a single term or name or language? Can Scripture's emphasis on His name be purely limited to a physical utterance of fleshly vocal cords? Or is His name a description of who He is and what he has done? Here are a few of my favorites: Author and Perfecter of our Faith, The Stone the builders rejected, Lamb of God, Bread of Life, I Am, Living One, Messiah, Son of God, Son of Man, Wisdom of God, Deliverer, God, Last Adam, Firstborn over all creation....

I am in awe of the great love story. The story of an all powerful God and the almost unfathomable redemption of his wayward people. He has made me to know my sin and has made me to know his love. Day by day I am confronted with my carnal flesh and day by day I am amazed at his grace, mercy, and forgiveness. May I always be face to face with my humility until the day He completes the good work he began in me. And as long as I have children, I'm sure that I will!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-18T20:45:00.000-08:00

2009-11-13T09:11:00.000-08:00

Too sweet!

Gage turned 7 this month!

Gage takes after Daddy, he's a little corny.

Happy Reformation Day!

2009-10-30T11:07:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to share with our church once again in the celebration of the Reformation on October 31st. This year we will be eating French and Swiss food as we learn about the work of the great reformers. This year we celebrate in honor of John Calvin's 500th birthday!

People tend to ignore history making the same mistakes again and again. Sometimes it seems like our government officials were home sick during this particular class! We have much to learn from history both as a nation and as the church. Recently our pastor reminded us that Scripture can never mean what it never meant. This is why it is so important to study church history and question the credibility of what we are learning. From whom have we learned? 2Tim3:14

Happy Reformation Day!

The other kids :)

2009-10-23T21:48:00.000-07:00

Piper has been reading like a pro. for a little while now. Seems like once it finally 'clicks' they can't help themselves and just want to read constantly. I can't even tell you what it means to me to see them sitting still reading to their younger siblings. Life is sweet. Ooooooh BTW she had her 5th birthday this past September!

Is it just me or does Rowan dwarf everyone else?

Piper sitting by one of her BFFs, Beth.

My MIL brought Rowan this costume. He doesn't like it. ;)

This is certainly not the best picture of them. But I absolutely adore this one.

Those are for you, Sondra!

This should brighten up your day.

2009-10-21T11:53:00.000-07:00

My adorable baby Fiona!

Sacrifice

2009-09-30T11:03:00.000-07:00

The more and more I experience personal sacrifice the more I understand how great the ultimate sacrifice really is. Being a mother is full of sacrifices, some of which I wouldn't have made two, four, or six years ago. Sometimes I fear that I'll never be known as an individual person with individual interests and hobbies again. Though I know the season will come again. I've sacrificed a moment of my life to bring new lives into the world and faithfully train them. Mothers sacrifice their very bodies to carry children, birth them, and nurse them. This was extremely hard for me as a young mother of 18 with my first child. Still, I see women my age (25) without the scars and ties of motherhood leading exciting, free lives, who consider my life dull bondage. I may not have excitement daily but with my freedom I've made these sacrifices. These things may have appeared dull and burdensome to me years ago but now I see it much differently. Like an investment, I might say, that if carefully looked after will reap interest that can't be touched by a failing economy.

I thank God that he has given me the oppurtunity to sacrifice and serve. I pray that I would learn to do all things as unto Him remembering His sacrifice on my behalf.

2009-09-22T12:37:00.000-07:00

Shaking Things Up....

2009-08-29T17:02:00.001-07:00

Cody and I are making a list of silly things we want to do before we hit thirty years old. We've got a few but we'd like some help so if you have an idea please post it in the comments. We're looking for inexpense, fun, and maybe a little unusual or silly. We want to get ten ideas and try to do 2-3 of them a year. They may or may not include the kids. So far we have....

1. Go to a BINGO hall!
2. Go to a high dollar store or car lot *think Porsche* to gawk for an hour or two.
3. Go to a minor league ball game.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

As you can see we still have some slots....So please help us think of things we can do just to say we did! If you all can help us out we'll be sure to post how things went!

Oh no! She's slipping through my fingers....

2009-08-18T13:35:00.000-07:00

Fiona's Birth Story

2009-08-03T11:20:00.000-07:00

It was a Monday and I had been having false labor off and on for some weeks now. Suddenly my pains increased in intensity and I became nauseated with hot flashes. Contractions were still only 5-8 minutes apart. I called Cody. Even if this wasn't labor I was unable to take care of the children like this. Labor strengthened and fizzled off and on all day and night. No sleep.

Tuesday Cody took me to my scheduled appointment with the midwife. I was dilated 2cm and ripe. I was an emotional mess and I was 10 days over LMP due date. Which we expected anyway knowing when the child was conceived. And if I didn't have the baby by that Friday, I would have to go into the hospital for testing. The midwife had mercy on me and gave me some labor starting herbs. So we drive home and test them out. Actually, I was so desperate that I was taking them in the vehicle on the way home. My contractions strengthened all day and night but were still inconsistent being between 5 and 10 minutes apart. Again, no sleep.

Early Wednesday morning I took a tablespoon of castor oil. I had been taking this every few days trying to stimulate labor. About 2:00 p.m. there was a sudden and dramatic increase in pain of the contractions and they were coming every two minutes. We put the Champagne in the fridge to cool, pulled out the freezer meal and birthday cake, readied the birth supplies, and made the phone calls. Within half an hour the midwife was here. I was now dilated 5 cm and birth seemed imminent. Our three older children were taken to a friends house for the evening.

And then, we wait.

I took a bath, walked around, tried all the different positions that I couldn't try so easily in the hospital. Contractions slowed down to maybe 6 minutes apart but were still equally intense. It was dark outside and I realized that it had been a long time since the midwife had arrived. We had all eaten dinner, watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and things were just buzzing along. I was exhausted and starting to get a bit impatient. She checked dilation at 10 p.m. and I was a 9. I asked to have my waters ruptured, which she did. I labored the rest of the time in my own bed with my husband and two good friends close by along with the midwife and birth assistant.

The pain was the most intense I have ever felt and I'm sure every bit of it was focused in my lower back. I felt completely helpless. I no longer had the stamina to actively work with the pain. And I had even less energy to complain. All I could do was take one contraction at a time, breathe, and try not to remember the one that came before or the one that was sure to come after. I looked at the clock and it was after 12 a.m., Thurday. I managed to do a quick calculation and find that I had been in active labor for 10 hours. That made me angry and determined. It was TIME. My body involuntarily began to push and I couldn't control it at all. Still, all I could feel was the pain in my back, not an overwhelming urge to push as is usual. But I did anyway and I felt like I had a second wind to keep going. Within moments my sweet Fiona was born, face up, into her Daddy's hands at 12:21 a.m. 8.8 lbs.The midwife helped the baby slip through the cord that was wrapped around her neck. She was then placed on my belly. Sometime during all of this it was announced that she was a girl and I quit paying attention to anything but Fiona.

Fiona never left my bed and they took all of the information and measurements and such that they needed. Soon everything was tidied up and decided that we were both in good health. Then it was just us three. Daddy, Mommy, and Fiona. And it was the greatest experience I've ever had.

Baby Fiona

2009-07-23T11:53:00.000-07:00

2009-06-30T11:52:00.000-07:00

Welcome Fiona

2009-06-20T15:45:00.000-07:00

Fiona Ruth was born at home at 12:23 a.m. on June 18th. She weighed 8lbs 8oz.

Due...

2009-06-13T14:08:00.000-07:00

Any day now I'll hold my precious child in my arms.

Poll / In which I try to amuse myself as I wait for Baby.

2009-05-14T09:44:00.000-07:00

Facts:

My LMP due date is June 6th.
My Ovulation due date is June 13th.
My Ultrasound due date is June 18th.
I'm measuring on time for the 13th.
I'm carrying high.

My other babies have been:

8.6 lb, boy born 14 days after due date, 21 hour labor
8.5 lb, girl born 10 days after due date, 8 hour labor
8.7 lb, boy born 5 days after due date (induced), 8 hour labor

In the comments, you may guess: gender, birth date, weight, and length of labor. Be kind! LOL

Happy 2nd Birthday to my Rowan!

2009-04-30T11:16:00.000-07:00

My sweet little monster. He has given us so much joy in his two short years. I'm excited to see what God has in store for this unique little guy.

My four favorite people

2009-04-16T19:33:00.000-07:00

Pictures

2009-04-01T13:49:00.000-07:00

Matching PJs from Granpa BJ and Grandma Bernice

I'm not sure....

Making a 'home' for tweedle bugs.

"Hey everybody! Mommy just vacuumed the floor. Let's roll around on it!"

Sir Rowan

2009-03-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

Do you believe in 'Pregnancy Brain'?

2009-03-10T11:39:00.001-07:00

I do! I keep putting the peanut butter in the fridge. And then I think we're out because it is not in the cabinet so I buy more. I can't even hold a mental list of two or three items when I go to the store. I have been to Walmart or Target about 3 times in a week with the intent of buying something specific and every single time I have forgotten what it was... until I get home. I forget what I came into a room to do almost every time I walk into a room. I make lists to help me stay organized but my lists are all unorganized! Don't worry, Self, Baby will be here soon. In the mean time I'm just going to try to enjoy a little chaos.

But now that you know how human and faulty I am, allow me to boast. I had this amazing idea that I'm sure no one else has ever thought of. ;) Okay, every time we are rounding up the kids to go somewhere, Piper has to ask us which shoe goes on which foot. She doesn't have pregnancy brain but she forgets what we told her and ends up with her shoes on the wrong feet. Every time. You figure with a 50% chance... Well anyway, I took a Sharpie and drew arrows and the letters L for left and R for right on the insides of her shoes! Yes, this makes up for the three extra jars of PB in the cabinet. Now she NEVER asks what foot! You probably don't even know how much stress this can relieve when we're rushing out the door. So comment and tell me how great of an idea this is. Speaking of comments. What is going on with you guys?! Don't you know that bloggers thrive on those things?! Gosh.

Did I tell you that we are redoing the bathrooms? Yes, I did. Well, I am now the proud owner of a green bathroom and a purple bathroom. Still missing trim in one but I finished the floors about 10 minutes ago.

I am not at all thrilled about entering third trimester pregnancy in the spring/summer of southern Texas. Why don't you all hope with me that we will have a cooler season this year.

Baby Stuff

2009-03-02T11:13:00.000-08:00

I keep forgetting that I am pregnant! If it weren't for the baby's kicks, nightly heartburn and my growing inability to bend over or get close to the stove I think I would completely forget. Still, we are very excited to welcome then next sweet baby into our home. I am really enjoying the 'surprise' aspect of not knowing if we are having a boy or girl. I feel very peaceful just enjoying the wait. And, so far this pregnancy has been my smallest and healthiest. Maybe it will just keep getting better for me?!

I may have the worst cases of 'nesting' during pregnancy out of anyone I know. I also have an excellent husband who willingly moves around furniture several times and exerts all of the muscle needed for my ideas and projects. We are planning a homebirth this time and I really want everything to be finished and pleasant by the time the baby is born, especially our bedroom and bathroom.

I had my first baby at age 18. Then I saw pregnancy and birth as many medical professionals seem to want us to see it: a medical condition. A disease. Something abnormal that needs 'treatment'. I willingly and eagerly complied with everything I was told by the more educated elite. I had my next baby at 20 and my third at 23. Between the second and third I had started to question a lot of things surrounding the birth industry and even made some firm changes in what I would allow. I will be 25 when my fourth child arrives. I have now come to the understanding that child birth is not a disease or something unnatural. It is something my body was created with the ability to do. It is a natural part of a woman's life. I'm grateful that I have been blessed with health and uncomplicated births and I know that many women's pregnancies come with medical conditions. I'm also thankful for our advances in the medical field that can come to aid when there needs to be an intervention. Unfortunately, interventions are not viewed as interventions but sometimes as hospital policy or precautions.

Now I will climb down from the podium and get back to housework. :)

2009-02-27T10:11:00.000-08:00

I've been busy. I attended the Whole Hearted Mothers Conference here in Texas last weekend. Three nights away from my family felt like a really long time. But I did enjoy the fellowship with the other women from our group so much. I didn't have to prepare any meals or clean up after anyone else. I ate too much food and stayed up too late laughing and talking. I was very encouraged to see so many ( around 600+) women gather together with a common goal of remaining faithful to their calling as mothers raising the next generation of godly adults.

I came home to my sweet family who missed me terribly. Though, Daddy did an excellent job of taking on all of my responsibilities. And even though I had prepared freezer meals to ease my absence, he took advantage of the opportunity and made chili from wild hog meat that he had been gifted. (Thank you honey for doing this while I was AWAY.) What? I haven't told you about the cow tongue?

Piper's glasses finally came in while I was away. She's just gorgeous with them. I'm amazed at the pride she takes in protecting them. She has beautiful eyes and now they look twice as big. :) The better to see you with, my dear.

My dear Grandmother passed away this week. She was a woman of great faith and testimony. I will see her again someday. We sat down with our children to tell them what had happened and answer their questions. Our very serious 6 year old Gage said "Mommy, this makes me sad." As he fought against his quivering chin he asked more questions about heaven and how Grandpa's life would change. Our 4 year old Piper, who doesn't really understand the depth of the situation, was very concerned about how Grandpa would eat if Grandma wasn't there to cook for him. In her mind, women provide food. No women, no food. She even asked if any other women would be coming over to bring him food.

Rowan is very excited about his new dinosaur underwear. Potty training has begun.

I'm very disturbed that the heat has come so soon here in southern Texas. Pregnancy and heat don't mix well. I daydream about living in much cooler climate.

Now, I'm tired just typing about all of the business I've been about. So long, I'm going to consider a nap.

Glasses!

2009-02-23T06:16:00.000-08:00

2009-02-17T07:16:00.000-08:00

In this last picture the boys are showing off their matching new shoes.

Take a good look at Piper, she'll be wearing glasses next time you see her!

Dreaming

2009-02-04T06:07:00.000-08:00

Piper has been hilarious while ill this past week. I can't help but share... before I forget.

This morning she woke up and told me that she only had one dream last night. She was very upset about this and looked as if about to cry. Then a bright smile came across her face and she said "A dream is like a night movie!".

A few nights ago she woke up in the middle of the night with a high fever. She told me about her bad dream and I told her about all of the wonderful things she could dream about instead while I brought her fever down. The next morning she told me that she did not dream about puppies and princesses like we had talked about but that God had picked the wrong dream to give her. He had given her one about skeletons, turtles, and Bowzers with a horn like unicorns.

Piper

2009-01-28T06:58:00.001-08:00

This morning as I was grinding coffee I spilled a handful of coffee beans on the counter. Piper tried to grab them. I , knowing that she thought they would taste like chocolate, told her that she shouldn't eat them, that they don't taste like chocolate, and that she should throw them in the trash. I watched her pretend to throw them in the trash and take off running to her room with what she still thought was a treat. Later she explained to Gage that you can't eat coffee beans because they taste nasty.

Yesterday Rowan came down with a sudden fever. I stripped him down, medicated him, sang to him, and fed him yogurt on the couch to bring the fever down. When the yogurt was done I asked her to take it to the counter and to be sure not to eat any of it because it could have germs and make her sick too. She needed more information so I explained that we shouldn't eat or drink after people who are sick and that we should wash our hands frequently to keep from getting sick as well. Moments later I look around the corner to see that she has stolen his sippy cup and is trying to infect herself. (Just for the record, she hasn't used a sippy cup in over 2 years.)

A week or two ago as we were reading aloud from the Bible, Piper told us all to "hang on a minute.... God is trying to tell me something in my ear". She tried this a few more times over the course of a week. She was reminded that the Bible is God's word and revelation.

She recently took a marker to her walls, tore down everything on the walls in the kids' rooms (she tried to tell me that Rowan did this one), and poured cups of water all over her room.

I love her. Sigh.

2009-01-23T18:42:00.000-08:00

I have nothing significant to report. I'm half way through my pregnancy and feeling pretty well. So, I've been trying to deep clean everything and reorganize the house before I get to the uncomfortable stage. All the while anticipating where baby will sleep and who will be moved where.

Next week I get to pick out carpet for 2 bedrooms. Years ago, I really never ever thought that carpet shopping would be so exciting.

Cody decided tonight that we needed to eat a lot of sugar. He bought all kinds of toppings, ice cream and waffle cones. Rowan was shaking with enthusiasm, literally. So, we all ate a bunch of ice cream with Butterfinger, Oreo, gummi bears, and caramel. Yummy.

I'm cringing as I read about where President Obama is taking America on abortion and socialism. I'm also praying for our nation and God's divine will as he uses our new leader, whom he has put into place, to accomplish His purposes. Even as what is being accomplished seems so contrary to what I would think His will to be.

2009-01-03T08:24:00.000-08:00

I've finally emerged from the groove in the couch next to the table that held all of my comfort measures. Those measures consisted of a variety of beverages, a never ending supply of gum, tissue, books, laptop computer, phone, food, and usually some assortment of plastic ponies or action figures. The latter isn't actually a comfort measure.

But here I am! Alive and well! God has once again brought me through it. So, with my new found health and desire to do things I have taken a few projects on. Well, uhhh... My husband has taken a few projects on and I am helping! Not being able to do so much for the past months, I've been able to sit around thinking about all of the things that need to be done. One of which is the bathrooms. They have been begging for attention since the contractor got ahold of them 3 years ago. We're ripping out trim, retexturing walls, painting (retro green, baby), putting in new trim, and maybe redecorating a bit. I can't believe we ever paid someone to paint. It is so cheap to DIY. Cody is also finishing some of the leftover details from when we did the floors in the rest of the house. Then, in a few months we hope to have new carpet in our bedroom. Our bathroom flooded a while back so we had to rip ours out. :) Oh, and during the sick phase we acquired a great deal of art work on the rest of the walls throughout our house. So we will be doing some touch up there as well.

I love to cook and bake. This has been one of my passions since childhood. The love sort of goes cold when I'm sick and I have a 2 month fling with convenience foods and fast food joints. But, as I said, I am back! My stove has not held any grudges and I have once again picked up where I left off, finding exciting new recipes and perfecting them. One of which is a stuffed chicken breast smothered in a creamy wine sauce. Mmmmmm....

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas celebration. We had a nice quiet morning at home and then spent the evening with some dear friends for a nice dinner. We've been the recipients of a string of anonymous gifts in the past few months and Christmas was no exception. So, whoever you are, we do thank you.

That's all for now. Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-22T09:39:00.000-08:00

2008-12-18T17:02:00.000-08:00

Don't let all of these 'record low temperatures' fool you. The world is facing imminent danger. Just look at what the media says about it! The scientists are our enemy. And they like to eat beef. Those beef-eating data collectors!

2008-12-15T09:23:00.000-08:00

I think I might be like a piece of clay that wanted to be a beautiful vase. So I rolled around forming my own shape picking up dirt and filth. When I thought I was perfect I sat in the sun and hardened. I was purchased by One who knew that I would not survive the kiln for the pockets of air trapped within and materials that would burn up leaving my surface scarred and my structure unsound. So He broke me down into a fine powder and began sifting out all of the impurities. With clean water I am made malleable again, yielding to His hands, and becoming what I was intended to be.

2008-12-12T10:50:00.000-08:00

Advent: the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas, observed in commemoration of the coming of Christ into the world. We are borrowing a family Advent book called Bartholomew's Passage from our good friends the Sabos. Last year we read Jotham's Journey by the same author, Arnold Ytreeide. Each book has a nightly reading cliffhanger style as the character makes his journey through danger and excitement and eventually witnessing the Incarnation of Christ. The presents can wait, we want to read the next page!!!! We've been singing hymns, eating cookies, decorating, and counting down the days. I hope you all have found a special way to share with your family just how truly special this miracle is.

Merry Christmas!

2008-11-30T18:52:00.000-08:00

At a season in my life when I ponder God's character more than ever, I am reminded of who He is and how much He loves me. I feel refreshed at a time when my body feels parched and for the time I can see more clearly from an eternal perspective. He has rained down grace on one who is stubborn and undeserving.

2008-11-24T19:44:00.000-08:00

Today I gave my youngest child his first haircut. People are probably wondering why. His hair is translucent in color and very thin.... but there was a strand that has been continually getting in his eyes as well as a slightly thicker few strands hanging over his collar in the back. So, that's why. No. There are no pictures. It's sort of a rule around here that we don't break out the camera in the first trimester. Unless someone has a birthday in which case everyone is thoroughly warned of the consequences of catching me in the shot.

Papa, or as he likes to be called Fatpa, will be here tomorrow evening! The kids are very excited. Piper, who still has no real concept of time, asks every few hours if he will be here after nap. Rowan doesn't understand but runs around saying "YAY!!" with the crowd anyway. And Gage is quite sure that Papa wants him to draw a dozen pictures of Sonic the Hedgehog. So. He did. And I can't bring myself to tell him that the character is not purple. Because he wouldn't understand anyway. He thinks it IS blue.

My belly is bulging out considerably now. I'm not quite ready for maternity and my regular clothes are uncomfortable. I guess I forgot how much I really don't like this stage of pregnancy. Yes, well, there's the sick stuff too. And the not being able to sleep. And the desire to crawl into a hole for 7 months. Oh, but if you are one of my friends who hasn't yet had a child, don't let me scare you. I'm sure it will be better for you. Yes. Cody and I are still investigating our birth options. Until now, we were really wanting a birthing center birth. But now we are actually considering a home birth. And while this is generally supported in the group of families we are friends with, I am actually pretty shocked at the hostility I've witnessed as we've tested the waters outside of that group. This is no light decision for us and it is one we will make with prayer and wise council.

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Anticipating Thanksgiving

2008-11-22T06:35:00.000-08:00

I love Thanksgiving Day. How could you not? And I might be the only person on earth who never tires of leftover turkey.
This is the first Thanksgiving that I have been early pregnant and sick. And I am a bad bad sick person. The last word one might use to describe me as is 'thankful', right now. Better words to use might be 'whiny' or 'selfish'. In my heart I am truly thankful, even for the illness. And anyone who could see into my home for any amount of time could see that I am indeed a very blessed woman.
Here are a few little treasures that have highlighted my last few weeks, which I am thankful for:

The happiness of a child who has just learned to jump for the very first time.

Cooler weather that causes three little children to want to snuggle 'to keep warm'.

A young child who begs for her next reading lesson.

Friends. I am so thankful for my dear friends.

Six years of marriage to a man who strives for Christ.

Crunchy fall leaves.

Loose fitting clothing.

Hide and go Seek.

Low gas prices, even though I'm not using any of it....

The excitement of Papa Steve coming down for Thanksgiving.

A dad who will drive 500+ miles to see his favorite child, son-in-law, and grandchildren. (Sorry Josh, you still live with him so you are disqualified.)

The sweetness of little girls. And their unique relationship with Daddy.

A five year old vs. one year old in a sword fight.

The assurance we have through God's Word that He puts leaders in their place.

Friends' transparancy.

Good smelling things.

My husband's fascination with finding lame outdated music videos and watching them with the kids. And the kids thinking they are so cool.

Gum.

I'm sure there's more.

2008-11-21T11:38:00.000-08:00

Today is our 6th anniversary!

Congratulations on a great choice, Cody! I love you!

2008-11-13T14:22:00.000-08:00

Have you checked out my little ticker over there? The one that shows you what the baby in utero looks like? How amazing. What a blessing it is to know that my body is working so hard for this gift. It is easier to endure suffering knowing that there is a reward. In so many other areas it seems that we labor in vain at times. If only we could always see a reward so quickly.

Happy Birthday, Gage!

2008-11-10T21:46:00.000-08:00

My firstborn son is 6 years old today. We celebrated yesterday because I am still unable to stand in the kitchen and Cody was home to cook. He chose to have hamburgers and tater tots. Oh yeah, there was cake too. Chocolate. And presents.
We promised him that we would try to have some of his buds sleepover with him once I'm feeling better. Afterall, his sister's birthday bash is still fresh on everyone's mind.

Happy Birthday my sweet boy!

Socialistic? Obama? Come on! It's called being GENEROUS!

2008-10-31T11:46:00.000-07:00

Just in case you are one of the many people decieved by the extreme right media.... Here is what Obama is really trying to say in his own words:

"The reason that we want to do this, change our tax code, is not because I have anything against the rich," Obama said in Sarasota, Florida, yesterday. "I love rich people! I want all of you to be rich. Go for it. That’s the America dream, that’s the American way, that’s terrific.
"The point is, though, that -- and it’s not just charity, it’s not just that I want to help the middle class and working people who are trying to get in the middle class -- it’s that when we actually make sure that everybody’s got a shot – when young people can all go to college, when everybody’s got decent health care, when everybody’s got a little more money at the end of the month – then guess what? Everybody starts spending that money, they decide maybe I can afford a new car, maybe I can afford a computer for my child. They can buy the products and services that businesses are selling and everybody is better off. All boats rise. That’s what happened in the 1990s, that’s what we need to restore. And that’s what I’m gonna do as president of the United States of America.
"John McCain and Sarah Palin they call this socialistic," Obama continued. "You know I don’t know when, when they decided they wanted to make a virtue out of selfishness."

Did you see how he acknowledged the charge against him, never denied it, but gave us reasons why it would be okay to do it? Yes. It is socialistic and he knows it. But it's okay because he has good intentions, right?
Let me just add that we are one of the families who will probably end up benefiting very much from Obama's tax plan. We are lower middle class income with almost four children. Cody will be returning to school soon. All of these things throw us into a special group of people who will actually gain. So why shouldn't I be elated? Why on earth would we want to work harder only to be penalized? People are not driven by the opportunity to move out of one system where they are supported and into another where they become the supporters. People are driven by earning the fruits of their hard work.
Some day we hope to have climbed the ladder. Have a bigger nicer house, provide for a growing family, be able to give more often, go out on the town more often... Those are things you should have to work for. What happened to the people of our grandparents time who had a pride of workmanship and men who refused charity? I love the line from the John Wayne movie McClintock in which the Indian chief says that their charity is " a fine thing for widows and orphans"... and he goes on to say that by this charity they are saying that the Indians are not men but widows and orphans. In our already selfish culture we will be creating a nation who expects something for nothing and has no sense of what it means to 'be a man'. Reaping and sowing. Aesop fables. Have we not learned anything?! This stuff has been common sense since the foundations of the earth. If you don't work, you don't eat. What happened to the grasshopper who sang in the summer? A bumblebee came down and took away what the ants had worked all summer to save up for themselves and gave half of it to the grasshopper. That's what. Yes. That's what.

2008-10-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

If I were to have posted every single day from my last post and this one, it would go something like this each time:

I feel awful all morning. I feel a little better in the afternoon. I die after about 7 p.m. I live my life in fear of smells, tastes, sudden movements, textures, and certain sounds that gross me out.

And I would tell you how grateful I am that my husband is so dedicated to making this as easy on me as possible and that he goes to great lengths to comfort me. He will drive to three different stores to get three different kinds of food that may or may not sound appetizing by the time he gets back. He sees that the kids need extra attention because I haven't been able to give it to them and he carries them piggyback or pretends to be a large bear chasing them through the house that will not eat children who are playing dead.

I might mention that God has finally got some things through to me in my fourth pregnancy that I wasn't willing to accept with the previous three. Or that even though I am physically ill, I know I am held more tightly in my Father's hand than ever. And this time I am not going to question God's intentions and motives for me but rather trust Him and thank Him that I can be sure of His promises.

And finally for some humor, I will share with you some of the children's deepest concerns about this new chapter.

Piper: "Mommy, after lunch can I have a brownie. Remember, Daddy said he was making brownies yesterday."

Me: "I'm sorry, honey, Daddy didn't make any brownies. After you went to sleep I got very sick and Daddy took care of me rather than make the brownies."

Piper: "Oh mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.........."

Also, the 5 and 4 year old need to ask every few days just how old everyone will be when this baby arrives, where he/she will sleep, ride in the car, and just about everything else you can imagine. At one point one of them even had the idea that when we go on our daily walk, they could push the stroller since I would be busy with Rowan.

Beans. Magical? Maybe. Fruit? Not so sure.

2008-10-16T10:56:00.000-07:00

Another entry into my pregnancy diary. :)

All night I tossed and turned. Partly because I've been restless at night for a few weeks but this time I was also very aware of a familiar nagging in my stomach. "Oh, no." I thought. Surely today will be the day the bad stuff really kicks in.
8:00 a.m. rolls around (my usual time to wake up, yes that's right) and I can't hardly drag myself out of the bed for fear of intensifying the nausea. I walk straight to the fridge and open the cold tupperware container of black beans, my favorite. I choke down two spoonfuls and go back to my room to try to get ready for the day. And what do you know I started feeling a little better.
It returned later. And so for lunch I had a huge bowl of mashed beans with salsa, habanero sauce, avocado, and chips. Though I can tell that I'm still a little off, the relief is so very welcome.

2008-10-14T11:22:00.000-07:00

I'll try not to turn my blog into a pregnancy diary over the next 8 months. But because many are asking questions, I will update a bit.
I have been feeling a tad bit ill now and then. I suppose this is what the average woman calls 'morning sickness'. For me it's just foreshadowing. I still have hope that the bad stuff will stay at bay, but I'm not counting on it. Not that I don't have enough faith, but that I am a logical person with some intelligence.
I think that only a woman who has been through what I'm talking about can relate. Thankfully, God has placed me in such a group of women. With my first pregnancy, which was the hardest, everyone insisted that if I just did the crackers and ginger ale. Or if I just quit thinking about it... maybe it was all in my head. I tried ALL of the known natural remedies and jumped through all of their hoops and still did not prove that I was really seriously ill. I also did the medicinal route. They prescribed me everything from low dose phenegren to the major stuff they give chemo patients. With a few emergency IV interventions, lots of prayer, and a husband who sacrificed himself and did everything he could to keep me healthy... here I am accepting how God made my body. I don't think that when I get to heaven and ask God why this was part of my cross that he will say "Why didn't you do the cracker thing longer? Then you wouldn't have suffered so long." No. God has a purpose.
The last pregnancy was easier that the first two thanks to God's timely provision of the B6/Unisom remedy. And I do believe that God had purpose in even delaying my introduction to that relief.

My hormones have made me a weepy mess. I cried my eyes out at the HOPE meeting. I cried while reading a children's book today. I cried when a friend called. This is absurd. I insist that I stop this! On the other hand, my patience with the children and multiplied. I'm tired and I'm taking things slow. I've been sitting in the floor more often and just playing with the kids. Good stuff.

Well, I think it's time for a nap.

2008-10-08T06:28:00.000-07:00

I now 'feel' pregnant. Smells are intensifying, certain foods sound really really good, my skin is rebelling, my digestive system is a little 'off', I'm getting very tired, and there is a warmth in my womb. :) That last one might just be in my head.

Today I am going to call the midwife and see if we can get together and talk about birth options and my history.

For some reason I really think this baby is a girl. We have two girl names picked out... Maybe we'll do a poll...

I have 3 freezer meals ready for when my morning sickness (read: terrible all day think you're gonna die sickness) comes. I am taking my B6 and eating a ton of beans. Thanks to the advice of my friends.

Expecting

2008-10-05T20:35:00.000-07:00

For anyone who doesn't know... We are expecting our fourth child in June. We are elated and grateful that God has entrusted us with another of His children. This time, I hope to get Cody on my side about waiting to find out the gender of our child. He's usually too excited to wait.

One of the most exciting aspects of pregnancy for us is choosing the name. Gage thought he'd get in on this excitement and made his own list. Here it is:

Carlose, Elen, Ruth, Lora, Jo, Mary, Chai (after Malachai in our church, he said), Marigold, Jacob, Rita, and Sam.

Piper came up with some, too. TriLisa, Finoonle, and Canoewel.

Rowan is not interested.

Happy Birthday, Piper!

2008-09-29T11:57:00.000-07:00

King Cody mesmerized the fair princesses with his amazing balloon flowers.

A new favorite baby doll from the King and Queen.

We made 'magic dough'. Each ball had a hidden color inside.

King Cody also functioned as Chef and whipped up some burgers and fries. Princess food?

Mommy made the dark chocolate cake with Rainbow Chip frosting.

She looks pleased, eh?
She enjoyed so many wonderful presents from her friends!

Princesses in a row.

The king and prince will guard them from danger.

Princess Piper
... And her two handsome brothers.
We played Pin the Necklace on the Princess.

Happy Birthday my sweet little girl. We love you!

Speaking of grocery stores....

2008-09-26T19:11:00.001-07:00

Shouldn't there be a book on grocery store etiquette somewhere out there?
Well, I will go through a list of things that really irritate me and make me think - "Didn't their parents ever teach them?...."

People, mostly adults, eating food in the grocery store that they have yet to purchase. I have seen people pick up a box of cookies from the shelf, open it, and give it to a crying child to console them. I have seen adults popping grapes from the produce section in their mouth as they shop. What do they think the grocery store owes them something? Or are they going to tell the cashier to add on 3 grapes, half a banana, and a handful of peanuts? Mainly, it's wrong because you haven't paid for it. But it's also rude.

Squeezing the bread. Again, grown people, squeezing 30 loaves of bread. Because they've gotta get that special loaf. And then the children. Recently I saw a little boy of maybe 7 years kicking a loaf of bread that had fallen partly off of the shelf. To a seven year old boy, the obvious way to put it back is to use your big strong muscles and kick it back up where it belongs. Mother stands by, completely aware, doing nothing.

Don't get me started on roller skate shoes. Those things are pure evil. If your kid owns a pair of these, I'm wagging my finger at you! :)

People who leave their young children unattended. Here are some visuals: A toddler boy , alone, on the paper towel aisle and a child size castle made from 12 packs of Bounty. A little girl napping on an empty low shelf while her parents shop. Little children, not tall enough to peek over the top of the basket, pushing tiny babies in shopping carts. A mother who left her two daughters, both under 2, standing unsecured in the basket of a cart in care of their brother-maybe 6 or 7 years old. Both girls were screaming and trying to climb out as the good big brother tried his best to keep them from busting open their little heads. Yes, I did stay and wait on mom and helped with the girls until she got back- a very long time later.

People who stand as close as they possibly can to you. Now, I know that I probably smell really good. But what is the deal with this!? My solution is to 'accidentally' jerk back. When I bump into them I say "OH! I'm so sorry. I didn't realize that you were THAT CLOSE to me."

The kind people who hold a place in line for their relative with two carts of groceries. If thats the case, why can't we just send one kid to 'hold our place' when we first walk in? By the time were done, we could be first in line! HA!

Parking. Our local grocery store has special reserved spaces for customers with children. I can not count on both hands how many times I have seen people park there without any children in tow. Who am I? The HEB parking police? NO. But, man, sometimes ..... And that leads me onto other parking issues. Why do able bodied people sit and wait for 10 minutes on a guy who's still loading up his trunk?

I'm pretty sure that grocery store employees have to take some sort of training, right? Do they not teach them to put the bread in a sack by itself when sacking groceries? Or that they should put frozen foods together and above all else keep the raw meat away from everything else. This doesn't always happen, but it happens too often for me not to complain about it. :)

Groups of people who think they all need to walk side by side down every aisle. It's not high school. No one will think you are the nerd just because you're not walking by a BFF.

Swim suits in grocery stores. Of course, it's only okay if you are about to go swimming or have just gone. Right? NO!!! Gosh!

So here I am, writing the rules.
Have a peeve? Post it in the comments.

Here it is, Dad.

2008-09-25T19:45:00.000-07:00

Does anyone know if there is a book full of encouragement for the mother of a very accident prone child? I am fairly sure that if things keep up, my heart will fail me before I'm thirty. I know that you don't know which child I am talking about. :)
Ah, yes but I do enjoy those little ones. We went table shopping this evening and kept the kids up later than usual. Piper was asleep as I lifted her out of the car and carried her to the bathroom. By now she was awake but didn't want me to know. I brushed her teeth while she was "sleeping", helped her go potty, and put her to bed. All the while she was trying not to smile thinking she had me fooled. But actually, I fooled her. I got her in her bed without a single fuss or 'one last drink' or 'I'm hungry again'. See how smart I am, outwitting a 3 year old?

I go grocery shopping with my kids. I know that some may think I'm crazy as it does take more time and effort. I see it as a wonderful opportunity to train them. They learn how to walk down an aisle without flailing their limbs, that it is rude to stand too close to other people, and not to beg for a candy or toy. Also, to keep them busy while I shop I name off the items on my list. "We're looking for bananas, guys! What color are bananas? Do you see anything else that is yellow? Yes, the lemons are yellow, too. What other things start with b,b, B like banana?" And so on. I hand Rowan the tomatoes and ask him to put them into the plastic bags. I have Gage add the two tomatoes and the 6 bananas. They also see a lot of different people and have questions. "What is that worker doing with that machine?" Gage might ask. Sometimes we will go and ask them. Usually they are more than willing to be friendly and describe exactly what they are doing to the kid in a friendly manner. We talk about the behavior of other people. We talk about skin color (when we get home). And isn't that sad? That people think that it is wrong to recognize when people have differences? Anyway, I thought I'd share my thoughts on grocery shopping. Now I'm just getting all upset about politically correctness. :(

I have decided not to comment on any of the recent headlines in the media. All I can say is wow. Is it just me, or wow?

We are getting ready for a Princess Piper Party! My sweet little girl will be 4. And as you know, 4 is a very special age. She fully expects to grow several inches taller on Monday.

Congratulations to Esther and Joe, who are expecting their 2nd baby! May God bless her with an easier labor this time.

And Congratulations to Stacey and Charles as well! Baby #6.

That's all for tonight. Is that enough to make up for the recent lack of posts?

Heavenly Bodies

2008-09-10T12:27:00.000-07:00

Gage speaking at the dinner table last night:

"Mommy, when God gives us our new bodies you won't have those spots on your face anymore."

"And Daddy won't have any tattoos."

2008-09-09T18:40:00.000-07:00

Ancient Egypt

2008-09-05T05:08:00.000-07:00

We mummified Daddy. And yes, the cost of half a roll of toilet paper seemed feasible for educational purposes.

Pi took the mummification process very seriously.

Gage did not take it very seriously. Obviously there are more practical uses for toilet paper. I'll leave it at that.

Blanket Training

2008-09-03T12:26:00.000-07:00

Some of my friends have told me about the wonders of blanket training. I never paid much attention because with the others I wouldn't have needed it. This one. is. different. He just wonders the house looking for his next victim or no no to get into. So I pulled out a blanket and sat him down. I tapped the four sides and said "no, no." He then tapped the four sides and said "no, no." Then he stepped off the blanket. I said "no" and put him back. He cried for a minute and then stayed there for a long time. I actually took him off before he tried to get off again. He took a nap there yesterday during school time. Today he sat and played with the bears and cups. He seemed much more content being confined. Honestly.

Am I in trouble?

2008-08-29T19:23:00.000-07:00

At this point she does not yet know if she will be disciplined. She kept alternating between half smiles and serious frowns until after the picture was taken. I wanted to capture her face before revealing to her that she wasn't in horrible trouble. She had a sense that I thought it was humorous. She did this while I was working with Gage on Language Lessons. This was really unexpected. I guess she just couldn't help herself.

The Sunday morning in which 3 little ones perfectly pose for the camera.

2008-08-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

This guy is serious stuff.
"Rowan, look at Mommy!"
"Up here, Rowan"
Now, in this picture I had a stick in my hand. I thought he would find it interesting and look at it. I thought if I held it where I wanted him to look I could get a picture of his face. Well, I guess it worked.
There are no words.

"Stand up, sweetie."
"I beg you, look at the camera."
"Maybe a smile, too?"
"Honey, we're sending these to family. We want them to think you're happy."

In which a baby is too cute.

2008-08-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

2008-08-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

I am one.
I love my mom and my cup the best.
Dad's cool too.
And sometimes Gage and Piper.
They always have the coolest toys; they scream and cry in joy when they hand them over to me.
I also like my sisters beautiful curly brown hair.
I help Mom sweep the floor, and everytime she goes out the garage door to do the laundry, there I am. Helping. You wouldn't believe all the cool stuff out there. I even figured out the sign for "let me go out this door", you simply throw a toy, cup, or whatever is in your hand out of the door as the tall person is trying to close it. Next, scream. The tall person will open the door to retrieve it and you then have your oppurtunity.
"Out, Rowan" means "What a great helper you are Rowan!"
My brother and sister are always reading books. I prove my maturity by going for the theological books on the shelf above theirs. Mom doesn't think I'm ready for them yet.
I don't like baths anymore. Dad did it wrong one time, I'll never let him forget it. How dare you wash my hair like that! Mom knows...
I really like the squirrels and birds in our back yard. If I stomp my feet, and open my eyes as big as I can, and shout "OOOOK!" Mom will come sit with me by the window while we point at them.
I know where they keep the chocolate chips. I can hear the bag crinkling two rooms away. But I'm not near as picky of an eater as my older siblings.
When my language skills develop a little more, I'll let them know how much I detest those 'cabinet locks'.
"Thank you" means "Put that in my hand"
My crown of boo boos lets everyone know how strong I am.
Men with hairy faces are weird. But I really like babies, I used to be one you know.
I can climb ANYTHING. Dare me.
I know most of the parts of my body, see I AM a genius.
You can run faster if you bend down towards the ground and put both arms out behind you.
When I'm grown and have my own house, I will dig in the toilet all I want.
I love the vacuum cleaner. Seriously.

-Rowan

How's the weather?

2008-08-20T12:19:00.000-07:00

It's been raining and storming here. I love it. Reminds me of Oklahoma. Only, I'm pretty sure we won't have to take a trip to Granny's cellar. You know, that's where the spiders live. *shakes with heebeejeebees* Last night lightning struck just outside our house. I heard it. But Cody HEARD it. He heard it so well that HE scared me to death. He didn't get any more sleep after that.
I miss the weather in Oklahoma. It was awesome. There were four seasons. Spring, Summer, Fall, and what was the other one? Oh yes, winter. This South Texas home hardly knows the word. I miss the excitement of tornadoes. So long as they weren't destroying homes and people, that is. I remember walking outside with Dad up and down our long dirt driveway. We would look for wall clouds and funnel clouds. He taught me how to tell it was raining far off. I actually wanted storms to come. It was so exciting. Eventually, for my safety, I would be called inside. Dad would get to keep an eye on it though. I remember my Grandma's cellar. The spiders. *shiver* I think there was a cot in there and a radio. I remember pretending to be more scared than I was to make it even more exciting.
Examining the damage the next morning was just as amazing. Seeing gigantic trees completely uprooted and thrown around, metal wrapped around trees like ribbon, and much more.
Now that we are closer to the coast we hear much more about hurricanes than tornadoes. Of course we are too far inland to feel any real storm, it is very intriguing to me as well.
Isn't it something how situations, smells, seasons, sounds, and tastes can bring back a memory? So now even as I worry about my potato plants rotting under all this water, I am so pleased to relive a few memories...

Stuff Little Kids Love To Do

2008-08-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

A good friend of mine recently told me that she just wasn't a very creative mom and that she didn't know how to play with her young child. I emailed her a few good ideas. As I typed more and more ideas came to me... Some that I hadn't exercised since my oldest child was a baby. Then I decided I wanted to keep my list for future reference. After a recent HOPE meeting I revised my list to add in a few more ideas. And then it occurred to me that this might be of value to other mothers as well. So here it is. A list. Please feel free to add on in the comments if you have more great suggestions!

Stuff little kids love to do:

-Sing songs: ABCs, If you're happy and you know it, Itsy Bitsy Spider, I'm a Little Teapot, This Little Piggy, Row Your Boat, Little Bunny Foo Foo
-Carry the child around the house showing him all the things he normally cannot reach. Light switches, the toilet flushing, mirrors, kitchen cabinets, pictures on the walls....
-Collect pictures of babies from magazines, point to and name the facial features on baby as well as the pictures.
-Rice, beans, barley, or flour on a cookie sheet with several different containers, measuring spoons, and cups. Watch the fun (and mess).
-Finger painting.
-Play doh
-Collect several small items (paper clip, key, penny..) Drop them into a clean empty soda bottle, empty it out again. Repeat.
-Make noise makers. Child proof pill bottles with beads inside, water in an airtight container, bells...
-Make or buy lacing cards.
-Play Hide and Seek.
-Turn on the music very loud and dance. Silly dancing, that is.
-Stress the names of parts of body. Find the nose on Teddy, Baby, Mommy, Daddy, Action Hero.
-Plastic piggy bank (or coffee can with a slit in the lid), allow them to put coins in one at a time.
-Name household objects or animals and the sounds they make. Pretend to be a duck.
-Tape paper to the table and let them draw, color, or paint.
-Play dress up!
-Make a tent with blankets and pillows. Cut out door and windows from refrigerator box.
-Blow bubbles!
-Read lots of books. Point to and name the pictures and sounds they make. Talk about colors and shapes.
-Play with musical instruments. Make your own, too. Drum, whistle, bells, ....
-Talk about emotions and make exaggerated facial expressions to match. Encourage them to do it too.
-Go to the candle isle at Wal-Mart. Smell them all! Let them smell the ingredients you are cooking with, soaps, coffee...
-Label senses of taste (sweet, salty, sour...)
-Stress textures (soft, bumpy, smooth)
-Give your junkmail to the kids! Allow them to rip it up and make a huge mess. :)
-Stack wooden blocks, make castles, houses, places for their action figures to climb upstairs.
-Practice names of everyday objects with picture flash cards.
-Play with a baby doll. (Boys too! After all someday they may be Daddys) Pretend to bathe, change, feed, burp the baby)
-Turn the lights off and make shadow puppets with a flashlight.
-Incorporate opposites into everyday play. (Inside the box, outside the box....)
-Hide a toy and have the child find it, for babies show them where you hide it first.
-Fly them through the air like an airplane. Bounce on the bed!
-Pretend you can't find him. Where is Baby? Is he up? Is he down? Is he under here? .... There he is!!!!
-Pretend your finger is a bee or a snake... make silly sounds and tickle them.
-Roll a ball back and forth.
-Make a track for toy cars. Use lincoln logs, tape, string, sticks....
-Go for a walk. Collect treasures you find in a ziploc bag. ( twigs, rocks, flowers...)
-Make sugar cookies together... Let them get dirty. :)
-L

Sweet Moments

2008-08-11T11:22:00.000-07:00

One of the most special times of the day for me is putting the baby to sleep. After the older two go down I call Rowan and tell him that it is 'Rock-a-Baby Time'. He runs to the rocking chair with a blanket, a book, and a sippy cup... and occasionally a baby doll. I hold him, rock him, sing to him, and we snuggle. We have an ABC book that has pictures of all kinds of things in it. I point at the apple and tell him I'm going to eat it. He giggles and pretends to eat the apple with me. We pretend to smell the flowers. We say 'ding ding ding' for the bell and so on. He 'sings' along with me as we rock. There are no older siblings awake to share my attention with. It's just us. I smell his hair. I love the way babies' heads smell. My usually strong willed, all over the place child turns into a sweet, docile, snuggler. I take this opportunity to pray for him. I pray for his soul, his health, his future wife, and our diligence in training him. And even when he is falling asleep I am reluctant to lie him down. But I savor the sweetness while I can.

We've decided to learn the hymns in a more serious manner. I don't know very many hymns by heart. I made a list of a few to start with. We are learning one a week and we discuss the meaning of the lyrics with our children, in an effort to help them understand why we are singing these things. Gage and Piper really open up during this time. We ask them questions to get them thinking and we are always amazed at how much they really do understand. Discussing God's faithfulness with our children is such a great blessing. Sweeter than angel's voices is the sound of my 3 year old daughter singing " Hale-you-yah!"

Motherhood is truly fulfilling.

Line Drying Update and a little on my Cloth Diaper Sale

2008-08-09T10:03:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago I posted that I was going to see how much money we could save by line drying our clothes. We started half way through the month so any reductions would only reflect 2 weeks of line drying . I should mention we did not exclusively use the line. It rained some and we had to use the dryer and we had a few lazy days. Okay we got our electricity bill and here is the comparison. This month's bill was 40 dollars less than the previous month. We used a lot less energy (over 200kwh). I don't know if cooler temperatures (?) are responsible for part of the reduction. I haven't kept track of the heat. Also, our energy usage this month is less than it was 1 year ago. So, I do think this has helped. We'll see how much it saves us next month.. :)

Also, I've made some changes to my diapers over at Longenbottoms. I've dropped prices on existing diapers to make room for a new idea I have for my diapers. I'm switching from covers to a pocket diaper (that doesn't infringe on the patented PD) that can be used as a cover as well. HOPE and COG members will get additional discounts, email me or comment for details.

Food

2008-08-07T12:30:00.000-07:00

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role as wife and mother is the serving of food that I have prepared for my family. What family doesn't want fresh healthy food for their family? It's also a blessing to talk with our children about the food God brought forth from the ground, how He intended it to nourish and sustain our physical bodies, and how it pleasurably appeals to our senses. Surely what God made was good.
We live in a fallen world. No doubt the effects of sin have reached the depths of our physical world. From disease and death to plants and animals, all things are tainted and imperfect. Science continues to make efforts to reduce the imperfections of our food supply. In many cases bringing on hidden imperfections while producing visually pleasing produce. We think of hormones, pesticides, pasteurization, homogenization, and the way many foods are processed. I am no expert on these techniques or their effects, though I hear and read a lot about them.
Suddenly we have serious suspicions about that drawer in the fridge full of gorgeous leafy greens. We feel guilty about the cows' milk Baby is happily slurping down. And so on. Are we really doing our families any service? We hear talk about how the nutritional value of inorganic foods is actually zilch. All that we have labored over the past years is vain! We have loaded our children with hormones and preservatives. Our daughters will start periods at age 8. Baby will not grow properly. Our sons might grow breasts. This is why you are always tired and why your husband can't sleep at night. Panic, panic, PANIC!!!
I totally believe that we should use what we know about our world living and eating healthy to preserve our temple that we might be useful to the Lord. There is a paranoia that has swept our culture recently that leaves many of us in awe. Do we pay as much attention to what comes out of our mouths as we do to what goes into them?
Matthew 15:16... "So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”"
Again, not to say that we should indulge in whatever pleases our bellies without concern for our health. But I wonder: Are these people also aware of the dangers of medicines? I have read about the coatings of pills and the alarming substances they are combined with to be formed into pills. What about hygiene products? Do they know about the dangers of sodium lauryl sulfate and many other chemicals that we apply in large quantities to our skin on a daily basis? Think about everything you put on your skin and hair. Makeup, lotion, shampoos, conditioner, hairspray, gels, polish... Do all these people really make all of their own products from organically grown substances? I have found articles that suggest that on a daily basis medicinal amounts of chemicals are absorbed into our body through our skin from these products. Then there are household cleaners. What if a member of the household accidentally swallowed any? What about knives in your kitchen or lengths of thread in your home? Anything could happen at any moment. Should we live our lives in fear of anything and everything? Is God in His heaven biting his fingernails over the tainted food crisis? Do we, by our own actions, add to our days?
Okay, so this is extreme. But how does it make others feel when the organic people can no longer fellowship with the 'inorganic'. Throughout the Bible we see food not only as a means to sustain our physical bodies but as a fellowship. Do they secretly feel defiled by the communion bread that may be made with bleached flour?
And what if you can't be sure that you are getting the organic and natural? I've heard stories about supposed organic farmer's market people buying their produce from the same place that your local store gets their's from. The only real way to be sure is to own a farm and grow everything on your own. But then you have to think about other things. What about the possible chemicals the previous owners have treated the area with?
I guess I am showing my 'all or nothing' tendency here. But these are things that have been running through my mind lately as I ponder all these things. We have in fact changed our grocery list around, what our budget will allow. But I am not going to let worry and paranoia rob me of my joy. I still have not bridled what comes out of my mouth and that , to me ,is of more import.

Memory Making

2008-08-06T11:19:00.000-07:00

A while back I posted about how much I dislike those tiny little triangular shaped pastel impossible to store on a shelf or anywhere else for that matter baby photo albums. I don't think I mentioned how much I don't like the store bought baby book records. We had something like that when Gage was a baby and it frustrated me. There were all these things we were suppose to record. That darn thing asked for every single detail of the baby's life. Almost as bad as the nurse in the hospital telling you you have to write down every time you nurse, the baby poops or pees... I do want to record milestones, all the 'Baby's First...', height, and weight. But it can make you feel like a bad mom if there are mostly blanks on the page. "C,mon Mom why didn't you record the date of the first time I climbed a stair?"
I've always written down what I felt was important on a piece of paper kept safe. But now that I have more to juggle I have decided to get a bit more organized with it all. I want to have something to pass down to my individual children that is special, well organized, and just for them.
What we feel will be the greatest physical treasure for our children are the large photo boxes we keep for them. We get a new one at Ross each time we have a baby. They have metal handles on the sides and a decorative print on the outside. Other than that they are just plain boxes. We put memories in as they grow. For example, we keep a piece of wrapping paper from their first b-day present along with a bow and their 1st candle. We've kept a favorite newborn outfit for each child. We keep all the hospital stuff they give us. We've kept the favorite pacifiers. We kept Rowans 'shades' from the NICU (even though I still can't look at those fondly). We keep hair from their first haircuts, A FEW of the pictures they've drawn with dates, past journals, and many other little memories as such. Oh! And I've kept Dr. appt. cards from my pregnancies! :)
Of course we have pictures and some video. Some day I would like to make a quilt combining pieces of baby blankets and such. Cody and I have recently decided to add another record. We bought three spiral bound notebooks, one for each child. On the inside cover I wrote down all of the recorded milestones for that child. We plan to write letters periodically to each child inside their notebook. I guess it's kind of like a journal. We've written letters to them in the past but I think this will help us keep it more organized. Oh I know you could do the same thing with a scrapbook. But for us this is simpler and more efficient.
How do you record the memories for your child?

Sharing or Stealing

2008-08-04T12:23:00.000-07:00

"Look, Mommy, I'm sharing with Rowan. I took the piece of bread from him, broke it in half, and shared it with him."

Thrifty Thursday

2008-07-31T05:29:00.000-07:00

Homemade Pore Strips

1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
1 tablespoon milk

Mix the two in a disposable dish (unless you dont mind soaking it overnight and scrubbing it). Heat in microwave for ten seconds. You will need to watch it very carefully. It may take a few mess ups before you get the hang of it but these ingredients are so cheap compared to the expensive store bought pore strips. Then apply the cooled down gooey stuff to the areas you want stripped. Don't let it cool too much or it wont work. When it is just cool enough that you can stand it on your fingers is a good time. Don't apply it too thick or it wont completely harden. Then wait 10-15 minutes. Depending on how thick it is it will take longer or less time. When it is pretty stiff, gently pull the strip off your skin revealing those ugly black pricklies. :)
Yes! These really work! I've done it myself many many times.

CVS

2008-07-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I'm doing the CVS thing. I go in today with around 9 bucks in ECBs. Turns out 7 of it had expired. Gotta use that stuff in one month, Tiffany. UGH. Oh well, I've been doing this for a little while and I've been getting a lot of free stuff. No big deal. Anyway I buy blush @ 9.99 and 2 Sure deodorant sticks @ 2.89 ea. I had a manufacturer's coupon for by one get one free on the Sure and it was a $3 ECB item. I give my non-expired $2 ECBs and pay $11.00 altogether. In return they give me 9.99 in ECB's for the blush and $3ECBs for the Sure . I turn around and pick up around 10 bucks worth of chocolate, candy, and gum. (That is a lot of stuff!) I give them my 9.99 ECBs and my total is .42 cents. In return I get $5. ECBs and a coupon for 1.00 off a bag of Hersheys.

So I spent $11.74 and got blush, 2 Sure sticks, 1 bag of trident, 1 box of Nips, 1 bag KitKat, 3 bags Hersheys, 3 bags Reeses, and 1 Snicker bar. And I have $8.00 that I can spend there next time as well as a $1 off coupon for Hersheys.

Line Drying

2008-07-29T11:50:00.000-07:00

In my never ending quest to make our money stretch, we have recently switched, though not completely, to line drying our clothes. I am going to compare the electricity bills in a few weeks and see just how much it actually saves us. Right now we do about 8-10 loads a week.

Pros:
I really like getting outside and hanging up the clothes. I know, I'm a geek. But it is really refreshing to spend some time outside in the sunshine. Also, it really makes me appreciate the icy cold 80 degrees inside my house! :) It makes me a little nostalgic. I can remember hang drying clothes on the line when I was a kid.

Obviously it must be saving us some money.

The clothes smell fresher after they are dried on the line, to me anyway.

Cons:
Everything is stiffer, after it has dried on the line. Some things are really badly stiff, like the towels. But that seems to be remedied well by fluffing them up in the dryer for a few minutes. Other things like t shirts do just fine.

It does take way more time.

I am concerned that my neighbors may complain about it.

2008-07-27T11:36:00.000-07:00

Rowan doesn't like authority. I don't like defiant rebellion. This was the issue today. Actually, this is the issue everyday. Rowan is concentrated stubbornness. Concentrated being an all-encompassing description of Rowan. Here are some words that come to mind now: boy, strong, boy, stubborn, boy, mischievous, and boy.
The scene. All is well, we are at church and hes is sitting nicely in his little booster looking at books. We sing a few hymns. All's well. We recite a few creeds and listen to some passages of Scripture. Rowan's conscience attacks him :). He suddenly remembers that there are toys upstairs. So, of course, he tells me about it. But Rowan's parents have recently decided to begin weaning him off of the nursery area at church while using other distractions to keep peace. They want him to learn to sit quietly with his parents during the service and look at books or play quietly with a toy. Rowan files an appeal. So I say "No, no." Then it happens. The battle of wills. He screams the "everybody look at what a terrible mother I have" cry. (I don't look around to see who responded.) So I take him outside for an enforcement. This humbles him and he buries his tearful face in my chest. I kiss him and hug him and we go back inside. We sit where we can hear the service but are not technically in the room. Moments pass. He points to the toy area. "Go." he says. "No, no." I say. He then tries to wrestle himself out of my arms. He files another appeal. We go back outside. We go outside a few more times. Finally after I am weak from wrestling him down and doubting myself as a mother and praying that God would help me, he falls asleep. But now the service is almost over. Pastor? Could you preach that again? We're ready now. :)
This is my ministry. I may not reach hundreds or thousands, but God help me I will reach these three! And how!

Our plans, our precious plans....

2008-07-24T11:43:00.000-07:00

Due to a change in requirements for the Prosthetics program in Dallas, we will be here at least another 4 more years instead of the previously thought '2'.

Picture Fun

2008-07-19T08:44:00.000-07:00

A day at 'school'. Rowan is coloring on some taped down paper (read: ripping up taped down paper). Piper is writing her letters. Gage is working on Math. And no, this is not what it looks like everday during 'school time'. :)

This is my new pot rack. I have a tiny kitchen and this is one way I have decided to make more space. Unfortunately, It isn't beautiful hanging in fron of the window under the sink light, but I rarely use that light and sometimes space comes before beauty. I used swag hooks, chain, a shelf, a metal rack, and lots of S hooks. And here it is:

Here are Cody's clones (aren't they beautiful?):

MEMRI

2008-07-18T21:32:00.000-07:00

Cody and I were digging around the net and found MEMRI. (Middle East Research Institute)
This is really interesting. We found a cartoon for children encouraging young boys to become suicide bombers and portraying Israeli soildiers as ruthless satanists. A young boy watches his family die at the soldiers hands (the cartoon soldiers are laughing) the boy then seeks to avenge their blood in the name of Allah. At the end of the cartoon the boy throws himself from a cliff while pulling the string from the grenades saying "I put my trust in God". I knew they were brainwashing them over there but I just can't imagine!
We also found video aired in Libya claiming that America is a dictatorship no different than Hitler's or Napoleon's. Iran leader told his people that Bush commanded an attack on Iran and that his commanders refused saying that Iran is too strong. He also said Bush 'ran away' and that we are afraid of them.
Perhaps most interesting of all was the video in Libya that praised Obama's Muslim ties and how they referred to him as 'Brother Obama'.
These videos really add more perspective to things.

Hardware Store Guy Gives Advice on Children

2008-07-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

Somehow I managed to get into a discussion/argument with a man at the hardware store the other day while I was picking up swag hooks for our pot rack and waiting for my selected chain to be cut to size. He told me he has four children, I told him I have three. And because I am the way I am, I added 'so far'. "Oh, how many do you plan to have?" Great. Okay. "My husband and I will welcome any children the Lord blesses us with." (Why did I say 'so far'?) Okay hopefully conversation is over. Nope. "Well, you know, you've gotta be able to put all those kids through college." *Sigh* So I told him that we hope we will be in a position to help them with college but that we don't see it as prerequisite for having children. (Who, when their children are babies, has the money at that moment to send their kids to college?) I told him that we are trusting God, the one who brings lives into the world. (And what does a college degree even mean anymore, and what will it mean in 20 years?) So he then tells me that his grown daughter just recently got breast cancer and can't work and hes having take care of her and all her kids. He said that parents have to be prepared for that sort of thing. I didn't ask where the husband was. I wasn't trying to diagnose his problems but rather just defend ourselves. Over the course of our conversation I realized that the big difference between that view and my view is trust in God. If I didn't know that God is purposeful in his plans, that He is the Creator, that I can rest in His promises, and that He tenderly loves and cares for me and my family.... I would share his position. I might take the self-martyr approach and say "Far be it from me to bring innocent lives into this wicked Earth", I might say that I cannot afford children and maintain the same quality of living, I might even say that I am doing society a favor by eliminating future carbon footprints *giggle*, kids could get in the way of my career..... Or my perfect figure*what?*. (Who's figure doesn't age anyway?) So he tried to convince me during this time that children were a huge financial mistake. I didn't try to convince him of anything, but I did tell him again that God is in control despite all of our plans.
Knowing that God is likely to give us more children we are trying to plan ahead. Cody has plans to return to school to increase our income, I am continually searching for ways to stretch our dollars and be more frugal. I think it would be a mistake to just sit around expecting provisions to show up on our doorstep. The Bible speaks about 'going to the ant' who having no overseer plans ahead for the next season.
The author of a book I'm reading talks about how once we're in heaven there will no longer be opportunity to bring new lives into being. When you think about it, knowing that this life is temporal and like the blink of an eye compared to eternity... Will we ever look back and think "Man if I would've had one or two less kids I could've been a little better off, had a nicer car..." Isn't it likely that those children raised in a godly home will be there worshipping beside us? And the car? Burned to a crisp.

Financially Speaking

2008-07-16T11:09:00.000-07:00

We don't have any debt. Well, other than a small house payment. But just like everyone else we are trying to find ways to cut our spending to accommodate growing gas prices and food prices. Of course, I will tell you that cloth diapering has saved us a bundle, yes even with extra water/electricity/detergent calculated in. We keep our a/c at 80 during the day and wear cool clothing at home. We turn it down to 78 at night. It took us 2 years to adjust ourselves to be comfortable at 80 degrees here in south Texas. In the winter we keep our house at 69 during the day and 65 at night. We only 'break' these rules for company who may be uncomfortable. Also, we live in a small 989 sq. ft. home and it is built very well so we don't lose much air. Cheaper to heat and cool as well (not to mention easier to clean). Fans are great. We use cold water in the wash on everything but diapers and 'really dirty' loads. We wash larger dish items by hand to make more room in the dishwasher. We try to open curtains for light rather than use electricity. We stock up on bulk items while they're on sale. For example Family Dollar had a sale on Cascade (I only use Cascade. All others are inferior) And I had manufacturers coupons for Cascade AND F.D. had a coupon for 5 bucks off $20 purchase. And then there's food. We try to have meatless dishes 2-3 times a week. Grilled cheese and tomato soup, Vegetable stir-fry with rice, Pizza, Pasta with salad or veggies, Potato Soup, Salads.... We've switched from buying the small containers of yogurt @ 50 cents a piece to the large tub. I realized at the store recently that the brand of cheese I buy is cheaper per ounce if you buy the 8 oz rather than the 16 oz. During my second pregnancy I agreed with myself that if I wanted desert I would have to make it myself. No more prepackaged stuff. (Cody still loves his Oreos) We drink mostly water in our family along with milk and juice from the freezer section. We live close to everything we need so we don't use that much gas.Thankfully for our family, our house payment dropped over 100 bucks a month over the past year. So we really aren't being hit very hard. I am sorry to see how the economy is affecting friends of ours trying to sell homes and such. And while it was nice to get a check from the government for 'stimulating the economy' (see my poem on how ours went), I'm thinking people probably just used it to pay the next month's mortgage.

People, for crying out loud, Don't Elect Obama! What the heck is wrong with that man?! I think he's hypnotized everyone. Not that I 'like' the other option... Now, I know Obama wants to escape Muslim ties "because it offends the Muslim Americans" But there's something pretty catchy about 'Obama Bin Laden'. His wife is scary. The 'change' thing is really weird, he seems like he is preaching some kind of new age revival. I keep expecting him to start talking about the Indigo children and how their time has finally come. *X files music plays*

Homeschool stuff:
We bought Mystery of History. We all really enjoy it so far. A bit like Story of the World mixed with what I know of Tapestry of Grace. We wanted a story-like, Christian, beginning at creation, chronological history resource that combines world history and Bible history. This is what we get. For me, being taught in public school, It's been hard to try to combine the two.
And because I'm so proud of my little girl who's been trying so hard, PIPER IS READING!!! She has been for a little while now but I consider them 'readers' when they can read simple stories and not just a few words.

Well, that's all for now.

Getting Old... Updated

2008-07-12T20:43:00.000-07:00

The children were talking about old people at dinner this evening. Gage asked if we were old. I said "not yet" and reminded him that someday we would be and he would be , too. Piper then asked " Me too?" I answered "Yes, dear." All of a sudden she burst into crying! "What is it, Piper? Why are you afraid of getting old?" She then sobbed " I don't want to ever have short hair! Old people have short hair!" :) I then reassured her that she could keep her hair long even when she is old. Then, all was well again with the world.

***Cody found his first grey hair today*** ( I found mine a few years ago)

All's well. What's a rainy day?

2008-07-11T09:40:00.001-07:00

Okay, things are looking more like normal around here. Refrigerator is working well, one computer is up and running, and everyone is healthy.
Rowan is weaned as of the past few days. He is 14 months old and I still have not resumed a cycle. Isn't that awesome?! I figure that this is just repayment for what I go through during the pregnancy.
I've been reading a book by the American Academy of Pediatrics on child care. No I've not lost my mind. :) In the book they have a little section titled "Where We Stand" it reads: " The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly opposes striking a child. If the spanking is spontaneous, parents should later explain calmly why they did it, the specific behavior that provoked it, and how angry they felt. They might apologize to their child for their loss of control, because that usually helps the youngster understand and accept the spanking." At first I was upset that they 'strongly oppose' spanking. But then after thinking about it for a moment, I don't think they know what spanking is. Anger? Loss of control? There is no room in corrective discipline for either. And if by accident it happens to be so the parent must apologize. So if the A.A.P. thinks that losing control in anger and hitting a child is a spanking, why do they merely suggest that the parent 'might' apologize? But that they 'should' tell them how angry they were with the child and what the child did wrong. Or are they assuming that any form of physical discipline IS losing control? What if the child is too young to understand a calm explanation? I don't think I've ever seen anyone spank a one year old out of anger (though I'm sure it happens). But merely out of love for the child and a desire to protect. For example, my one year old climbs atop the table and runs back and forth. Shall I calmly explain to him that it is likely that he will fall? Of course not! I suppose they should say that I merely isolate him from the danger or stand guard the table and promptly remove him each time he attempts this behavior(I would be there all day). Whatever! Then it becomes a fun game for the child and actually encourages him! What you do is smack that little bottom hard enough to send a firm message but never hard enough to injure. The A.A.P. also suggests in this book to give a 'disapproving look' and 'a displeased voice' (but without raising your voice) when the child is disobeying and to use isolation as a means of punishment. How are you connecting with your child through isolation? How in the world does that teach a child that you love them and that what they are doing will hurt them?When a child is the most unlovable that is when they need the most love. They lump the term spanking in collectively with hitting, screaming, and yelling. Our children always know exactly why they are getting a spanking and afterwards they melt into our arms asking us to forgive them (most of the time...). We hug and pray and are refreshed after a correctly administered spanking. Much different from what this book says will happen if you spank. They say that a child will seek revenge by further disobedience and will become sneaky about it. I can certainly see that happening if the parents goal is strict outward obedience without any desire to seek out the child's sin issue.
We love the book 'Shepherding a Child's Heart' by Tedd Tripp. It goes very deep into the heart of godly discipline. If you haven't read this book, you should!

Lamentations Of Our Week

2008-07-03T18:38:00.000-07:00

Neither automobile nor refrigerator would yield it's cold air,
So we stimulate our economy by a costly repair,
Now, for a child , you see, an ice chest is really more of a stool,
A jug of liquid on the counter will soon be a pool,
I hold my dear child and wipe the tears from his eyes,
But alas, a mess on the floor is to kids as honey is to flies,
Now our dental insurance is in on the conspiracy as well,
And our laptop's hardrive is destroyed because it just fell,
My dear loving husband assures me all's fine,
And with what's left of our payment we'll go out to dine.

random musings

2008-07-02T10:21:00.000-07:00

I didn't have long hair when the other kids were babies. My hair is a pretty good length now.... but I think it's thinner... :)

Acting out Bible stories is great fun, but it can get a little weird when the children fight over who gets to play Isaac on the altar this time.

Consistence may be key, but it is also excercise.

Sometimes it takes three children before a mom decides play pens are not cruel. Just speculating. :)

43 degrees is not cold enough in refrigerator world; there is no use crying over poured out spoiled milk unless it costs nearly 4 bucks a gallon.

From now on I vow to thoroughly research consumer reviews on any computer device, homeschool curriculum, or other expensive item I buy, before I buy it.

I love ebay, Amazon, and baking soda. If you haven't discovered how great baking soda is... you should. I'm serious. From nasty vomit smells on brand new couches to coffee stained pots, baking soda is amazing.

Everything is better at 5:36 p.m.