Did you notice the cool new widget on the top left of my blog???
YES! God has graciously allowed us the privilege of cocreating another blessed soul, and we are so very thrilled! (Colleen - you KNOW you called it - but I couldn't say until I told my mom!)
Now that my mom knows, I can share! I never like to wait because we so appreciate the baby being added to people's prayers as soon as possible.
How did I tell my mom? Well, I wanted to tell her in person and she was coming for my birthday last weekend. Let me tell you, waiting for 3 weeks or so to tell your mom is HARD!!! At this visit, I also got to show her my new house for the first time.
Naturally, I had to show her the double ovens. Not unexpectedly, she didn't "get" why I had a "bun" sitting in the top oven. But Paul and I threw around the phrase a few times ("Hon, why would there be a BUN in the OVEN?") until it dawned on her that the silly thing hadn't been stuck in there by a kid who might have gotten in trouble for randomly putting a bun in the oven. In fact, I think it crossed her mind that maybe one of the kids was just saving it for later! But once she got it, she blessed us with a beautiful and joyful response - one that we had been anxious to hear as in this day and age, news of a fifth child (or even fourth, and of course sixth and above) is sometimes puzzling instead of pleasing to some people. We knew we could count on Mom for the joy we, too, feel about this gift.
God is so so good. And we praise Him for this blessing and pray for a sweet and healthy new addition as an early Christmas gift.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
My Mom Is Coming!!! and a Note for Pia
My Mom is coming on Friday! Yes! I can't wait! I haven't seen her since Thanksgiving or something. I can't even remember, isn't that terrible? I get to get and give that awesome mommy-daughter hug, and just know that she'll love me even if I am stupid. It's a wonderful thing.
A note for Sophia:
Darling, I'm not sure it's possible to go from baby to a temper-tantrum two year old in a matter of weeks, but it appears you are working on it. I miss your easygoing nature, but I understand that your genetics must, at some point, override your babyish innocence and inundate you with genes that scream "STUBBORN" "WILLFUL" and "I WANT WHAT I WANT AND I WANT IT NOW." So please forgive me when I get impatient with you when you screech at not-quiet-unhearable decibels and throw yourself around the floor because you don't like what's going on because I know that half of that bad attitude probably comes from me. (But I couldn't help getting these genes, either, so have pity, my child!!)
A note for Sophia:
The Man I Married Part II
He was gone a lot longer than it would take to pick up something he spotted on the curb. Naturally, I got to dreaming that he was going to bring home a special meal or dessert, but when he finally did come home, I got the full scoop.
I asked, "Were you picking up something someone left out on the curb?"
Smiling, he replied, "Even better."
Turns out my guy ran by a home where a political sign indicated that the resident was on the conservative (for lack of a better descriptor without getting into politics) side of the fence and Paul wanted to offer him another sign to post in case he was interested.
Long (and cute) story short, the elderly gentlemen has a neat history of serving in the military and in the political realm, loved the sign Paul offered, gave Paul connections to other like-minded citizens in the area, and generally talked his ear off the way sweet widowed men do (and Paul loves talking to older people about history and life experiences - it was only because he had to come home and shower that he had to cut it short!).
The kind of man I married recognizes deserted items for the use they may still have, and has a passion for helping this country to somehow, God-willing, find its way back to the ideals, morals, and faith of its founding fathers.
He's a good, good man.
I asked, "Were you picking up something someone left out on the curb?"
Smiling, he replied, "Even better."
Turns out my guy ran by a home where a political sign indicated that the resident was on the conservative (for lack of a better descriptor without getting into politics) side of the fence and Paul wanted to offer him another sign to post in case he was interested.
Long (and cute) story short, the elderly gentlemen has a neat history of serving in the military and in the political realm, loved the sign Paul offered, gave Paul connections to other like-minded citizens in the area, and generally talked his ear off the way sweet widowed men do (and Paul loves talking to older people about history and life experiences - it was only because he had to come home and shower that he had to cut it short!).
The kind of man I married recognizes deserted items for the use they may still have, and has a passion for helping this country to somehow, God-willing, find its way back to the ideals, morals, and faith of its founding fathers.
He's a good, good man.
The Man I Married
Paul just returned home from a run, jogged through the house toward the garage and puffed out to me with a clever smile on his face, "I'll be right back!" and hopped in his car and drove away.
I'm pretty sure he jogged by someone's trash and decided it would be our treasure.
Yep, that's the kind of man I married.
I'm pretty sure he jogged by someone's trash and decided it would be our treasure.
Yep, that's the kind of man I married.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Happy Tuesday!
So far, so good. This week has been full of blessings in spite of the continuous work we are having to do around this beautiful house that we assumed (you know what they say about THAT word!) would be work-free for at least 6 months! So the shower bottom leaks into the family room ceiling - we've got other bathrooms. So there was leaking water in other various parts of the house and its appliances - it can't be as bad as the destruction Noah must have seen from water, right? So, yeah, I am working on being positive and most of the time I am so grateful that God has blessed me in being able to be successful in that.
I had a BEAUTIFUL Mother's Day! The family let me sleep in until after 8AM!!!! It was insanely amazing - I almost thought I was still asleep when I woke up and saw the numbers on the clock. We went to church, which was beautiful, and got pizzas that the Knights of Columbus members were selling for our lunch. Then we went to our old house and retrieved some rhubarb and green onion plants that we've been meaning to bring back to our new home. My husband also disconnected my diaper sprayer, so that I now have it at this house and cloth diapering may be back in my future!, and took down the clock radio we had in that kitchen and will hopefully install in our new one.
Then - ICE CREAM. I gave up ice cream and chocolate for Lent. That was probably the biggest temporal sacrifice I've ever chosen to make for that length of time. And it went beautifully. And even though Easter Sunday has come and gone, I still hadn't had any ice cream until this past Sunday. It was HEAVENLY. Hand-dipped, creamy, caramelly, peanut-buttery, chocolately, yummy ice cream.
But the day blissfully continued. We spent hours outside playing, Paul and I laying on a blanket in the yard watching our beautiful children just live joyfully around us. The sun was shining, the birds were singing. We spent some time with our new neighbors and their kids around our driveways and where the road dead ends. It's nice to have neighbors who have kids and understand that things like tasting chalk is a part of a normal day.
Then Paul made his famous "Daddy Soup" complete with finely chopped broccoli - oh, how he must feel knowing that he has somehow found a way for me to enjoy eating broccoli! - and fresh green onions and all the love that he must certainly add to each serving. We ate outside on our patio and enjoyed the evening. (And eating outside minimizes cleanup, so that was a bonus, too!)
After helping the kids with their bedtime routine, we all finished our 2nd novena - this one to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (it was SO beautiful and worthy of use for instruction on how we all should live virtuously). Paul finished up the last of fixing the basement water issue/step rebuilding and it looks fabulous. We are both really glad to have that done before my mom visits this Friday - and his continuing work around the house (especially with my mom's visit in his mind) is just another blessing of my special day.
So this Friday I have a birthday. I move up to the next decade. Wow, right? I've been asked if I think it will be an adjustment, but I think I've done so much adjusting when I became a mom (not that I was that different before I was a mom), that this will be just another birthday for an age that I will probably have a hard time remembering (after all, my brain cells are used up remembering my kids' birthdays and vital stats)!
What else did I want to share? Well, work has been very hard for me to keep up with but it's working out. I am still working on my confidence in schooling. I think it will be a very big battle for me in the next year - but I am determined to conquer my own insecurities and whatever lack of self-discipline of mine is contributing to the days that don't go well. If I can give up chocolate and ice cream for over 40 days, I certainly can teach my children, right?! :-)
Oh, another quick note - I have been scouring rummage sales and such for a 12 in. boys' bike for my Luke to use. So far, I did get a great deal on a used 16 in. bike for his future riding enjoyment, but nothing yet on the bike that is his current size. We may have to spray paint the pink 12 in. bike we have so that my husband will okay Luke using it! But something I keep coming across in rummage sale ads really rubs me the wrong way. What's with advertising your choice to close off the gift of life by holding a "No More Babies" rummage sale? Seriously??? Are you HONESTLY content with your existing children seeing you proclaim that in such a manner? I get that some of these people may be unable to have additional children through no choice of their own, but still...it just isn't respectful, I think, of the dignity of life. So that's my latest blood pressure rising issue with this world we live in. Come on, people! You can't take anything on this earth with you - except, God-willing, your family. So if you want something that lasts, be open to the possibility of the gift of life that God may allow you to take part in. And I don't in any way mean to offend those who are unable to partake in the co-creation of life; I am just saddened by the attitudes of those who find it a "choice" rather than a "blessing."
OK, off the soapbox.
Allison came by for a visit yesterday and it was great! The kids were very entertaining, especially Kassia who proclaimed (incorrectly, I must add) that she had "just had a bath - like 4 days ago!" It was pretty hilarious. And when it started to rain, Nadia was afraid that Allison's baby would be bothered by the noise of the thunder that came with the rain. So sweet. Luke just made sure he ripped some of the front evergreen bush off as a welcome to all who visit. Sigh. :-) Why he didn't think to at least deface the BACK of the bush is a mystery - oh, wait, it's not - he's a three year old boy. Sophia just toddled around looking cute and cuddly. She is a walking advertisement for babies, I think. Allison - thanks for the visit and for fixing those diapers! I know I would have ripped them all to shreds if I had tried that undertaking (see her post on that here).
My dear mother in law is taking the kids for a walk right now and I probably should have taken a nap or gotten work done or planned tomorrow's schooling lessons, but I chose to do this instead - don't you feel special? ha!! But I do need to get some other things done and I am grateful for this beautiful quiet time I had to blog. God is good.
I had a BEAUTIFUL Mother's Day! The family let me sleep in until after 8AM!!!! It was insanely amazing - I almost thought I was still asleep when I woke up and saw the numbers on the clock. We went to church, which was beautiful, and got pizzas that the Knights of Columbus members were selling for our lunch. Then we went to our old house and retrieved some rhubarb and green onion plants that we've been meaning to bring back to our new home. My husband also disconnected my diaper sprayer, so that I now have it at this house and cloth diapering may be back in my future!, and took down the clock radio we had in that kitchen and will hopefully install in our new one.
Then - ICE CREAM. I gave up ice cream and chocolate for Lent. That was probably the biggest temporal sacrifice I've ever chosen to make for that length of time. And it went beautifully. And even though Easter Sunday has come and gone, I still hadn't had any ice cream until this past Sunday. It was HEAVENLY. Hand-dipped, creamy, caramelly, peanut-buttery, chocolately, yummy ice cream.
But the day blissfully continued. We spent hours outside playing, Paul and I laying on a blanket in the yard watching our beautiful children just live joyfully around us. The sun was shining, the birds were singing. We spent some time with our new neighbors and their kids around our driveways and where the road dead ends. It's nice to have neighbors who have kids and understand that things like tasting chalk is a part of a normal day.
Then Paul made his famous "Daddy Soup" complete with finely chopped broccoli - oh, how he must feel knowing that he has somehow found a way for me to enjoy eating broccoli! - and fresh green onions and all the love that he must certainly add to each serving. We ate outside on our patio and enjoyed the evening. (And eating outside minimizes cleanup, so that was a bonus, too!)
After helping the kids with their bedtime routine, we all finished our 2nd novena - this one to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (it was SO beautiful and worthy of use for instruction on how we all should live virtuously). Paul finished up the last of fixing the basement water issue/step rebuilding and it looks fabulous. We are both really glad to have that done before my mom visits this Friday - and his continuing work around the house (especially with my mom's visit in his mind) is just another blessing of my special day.
So this Friday I have a birthday. I move up to the next decade. Wow, right? I've been asked if I think it will be an adjustment, but I think I've done so much adjusting when I became a mom (not that I was that different before I was a mom), that this will be just another birthday for an age that I will probably have a hard time remembering (after all, my brain cells are used up remembering my kids' birthdays and vital stats)!
What else did I want to share? Well, work has been very hard for me to keep up with but it's working out. I am still working on my confidence in schooling. I think it will be a very big battle for me in the next year - but I am determined to conquer my own insecurities and whatever lack of self-discipline of mine is contributing to the days that don't go well. If I can give up chocolate and ice cream for over 40 days, I certainly can teach my children, right?! :-)
Oh, another quick note - I have been scouring rummage sales and such for a 12 in. boys' bike for my Luke to use. So far, I did get a great deal on a used 16 in. bike for his future riding enjoyment, but nothing yet on the bike that is his current size. We may have to spray paint the pink 12 in. bike we have so that my husband will okay Luke using it! But something I keep coming across in rummage sale ads really rubs me the wrong way. What's with advertising your choice to close off the gift of life by holding a "No More Babies" rummage sale? Seriously??? Are you HONESTLY content with your existing children seeing you proclaim that in such a manner? I get that some of these people may be unable to have additional children through no choice of their own, but still...it just isn't respectful, I think, of the dignity of life. So that's my latest blood pressure rising issue with this world we live in. Come on, people! You can't take anything on this earth with you - except, God-willing, your family. So if you want something that lasts, be open to the possibility of the gift of life that God may allow you to take part in. And I don't in any way mean to offend those who are unable to partake in the co-creation of life; I am just saddened by the attitudes of those who find it a "choice" rather than a "blessing."
OK, off the soapbox.
Allison came by for a visit yesterday and it was great! The kids were very entertaining, especially Kassia who proclaimed (incorrectly, I must add) that she had "just had a bath - like 4 days ago!" It was pretty hilarious. And when it started to rain, Nadia was afraid that Allison's baby would be bothered by the noise of the thunder that came with the rain. So sweet. Luke just made sure he ripped some of the front evergreen bush off as a welcome to all who visit. Sigh. :-) Why he didn't think to at least deface the BACK of the bush is a mystery - oh, wait, it's not - he's a three year old boy. Sophia just toddled around looking cute and cuddly. She is a walking advertisement for babies, I think. Allison - thanks for the visit and for fixing those diapers! I know I would have ripped them all to shreds if I had tried that undertaking (see her post on that here).
My dear mother in law is taking the kids for a walk right now and I probably should have taken a nap or gotten work done or planned tomorrow's schooling lessons, but I chose to do this instead - don't you feel special? ha!! But I do need to get some other things done and I am grateful for this beautiful quiet time I had to blog. God is good.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
New House Woes
The fridge leaks, the basement leaks and, as of today, so do the ceiling and washing machine (completely unrelated). Lord, I know I prayed for patience, but this wasn't what I had in mind!!!
(Fortunately, this is still far from The Money Pit! We are still very, very blessed with our new home. I'd just like it to be a bit...drier.)
:-)
(Fortunately, this is still far from The Money Pit! We are still very, very blessed with our new home. I'd just like it to be a bit...drier.)
:-)
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
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