Playing Trucks

Is James learning to share already??

Nope,  just showin' off.

Missing the Green

 Going back through the photos I took in the fall,  I was blown away

by how quickly the color has faded from this bright October day.

Life is flying by so fast,  December worst of all~~

I am thankful for moments like this that remind me to slow down....

Thankful for the seasons,  and how winter won't last forever!

How do I love?

God is calling.

He's calling me to here, 

to offer each task,  each moment,

 as an gift,

wrapped with thanks-giving.

*building a fort on the stairs with Ian

*Silent Night played over and over

*morning light,  and joy

*sleep,  even in 2 hour stretches

On the Porch

September+front porch+my babies

heavenly

Free

The best things in life

are things freely given...

My boys gathered sunflowers and leftover wheat stalks.

They know the way to this Mommy's heart!

Aunt Abigail

My sister, Abigail,  has been such a blessing in my life

and the lives of my children.

She has been more of a playmate to them

than an Aunt...but all the sudden, she's grown up!

A baby in one arm, a puppy in the other...

sweet!

100

100 pounds of gold
Yukon Gold, that is.
Praising the Lord of the Harvest
for his generous provision for all our needs!

James:

"My brothers are in bed and ...I have Daddy all to myself!"

The Race Marked Out

Hebrews 12:1-2

    Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who, for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

First Camping Trip and more

Life is charging by like a herd of buffalo....

most of the time I am watching with my adrenaline racing,

but sometimes,

I get trampled.

.

This past weekend,  we went TENT camping.

(With a baby!!??  Are we crazy??  Apparently.)

The weather was perfect,  even on the hot side.

The company was the best kind 

and we came home tired and happy. 

.

James is 4 1/2 months old.  He smiles,  coos, gurgles

and tries to laugh. 

Just today he started this adorable little cough

when he wants attention (and of course he gets it!!)

The Wait, 34 weeks

These little African violets starts have made their home

on my windowsill for over a year.

Adding new leaves regularly,  and generally looking good....

just no blooms.   Until now.  

 I am soaking them up,  enjoying every petal, 

every flamboyant shade of purple.  

And joy,  more buds appearing!

Everything worth having is also worth waiting for.

So much of our lives can be defined by the Wait, 

and what it is that we are waiting for. 

Right now,  it's not a surprise that I am on pins and needles waiting

for my little one to be in my arms,  safe and healthy.

But,  as I wait,  and as I pray,  and as I hope and long for mercy...

am I serving God with my whole heart?  

Am I doing what he wants me to do today??

I want to be someone who is useful while they wait!!

Birthday Boy

Braden,  my big boy,  is nine.  9??!!

I can't believe it, really.  

Everyday with Braden is filled with joys and challenges...

when we are feeling overwhelmed with the challenges

I remind myself that having a strong will,

being opinionated and a bit stubborn,

are all character traits that God will mold

and shape into an incredible man,

a leader and not a follower.

Braden has a tender heart, too, 

and has been greatly affected by our losses.

He understands eternity far better than I did at that age, 

and is just now starting to anticipate Sweet 7's arrival

without a cloud of fear in his eyes.

He told me the other night that the time he will be spending

with the grandparents while I am in the hospital

for three days won't be any fun....

he will be so worried about me and the baby.   

This touched me so much!  

I reminded him that we are all

working on praying, not worrying!!

I asked him some questions, thinking it would be fun to get a little snapshot of the life of this boy....

What is your favorite color?  Red

What is your favorite toy?  Tools  (Daddy's boy!! )

What is your favorite dinner?  Chicken Fetticine Alfredo with Broccoli

What is your favorite dessert?  Ice Cream Cake (Aunt Grace's!!)

Which friend would you most like to visit today?   Jonah

What would you like most to do with Dad?   Go swimming

What is your favorite movie?  Kung Fu Panda

What is your favorite book?  The Way Things Work

What have you learned this week?  To whistle!!

What is your favorite musical instrument?  Guitar 

What is your favorite song?  On Christ the Solid Rock (hymn)

What is your favorite part of our home?  The basement with the wrestling mat

What are you looking forward to about springtime?  Football outside with Dad

32

While the blog record shows that I am extremely preoccupied
withLittle Boy,  our Sweet 7, 

there has also been alot of other things going on. 

Mr. Wonderful has had very little real
(i.e. paying) work this month,

so we've been doing all kinds of things around the house, 

project that don't cost much,  just taking lots of time. 

Here Ian is helping with the window seat in the living room....

he has also been in on drywall work,  painting walls, 
and moving furniture.

Ian is growing up so fast,  and all the sudden
I realize he's not my baby anymore.

~~~

Now,  about the Little Boy!

I am 32 weeks today,  and we are facing some decisions.

Delivery will be via c-section and the

When,  Where and Who

still need to be determined.

Most of the Dr.s think we should go at 36 weeks....

that's only 28 days, baby!!

Resolve:

Less:

worry

More:

prayer

Less:

struggle

More:

peace

Less:

hurry

More:

play

Less:

doing

More:

enjoyment

Maybe it's that I turned 30 this month,

maybe it's the new expressions in my oldest's eyes....

But I am feeling the rush of time.

It's time to step out of the race,

let go of the pressure for perfect,

and just live. 

I only get to be here once!

25 Weeks

It has been perfectly beautiful winter weather here the past week.

There have been sledding parties,  snowball fights, 

and joyful preparations for Christmas.

Lots of hot cocoa,  stories read aloud, 

 and quiet reflections while the snow comes down.

*Baby is still doing well.   His kicks are the best part of my day.  Monday night I dreamed of him.

It was my first {good} dream----he was alive, smiling and needing a diaper change.  My dreams are always vivid,  and tend to affect my mornings...so many times I have to work hard at shaking off a nightmare.   But not yesterday.   I was on just so happy going through my day,   remembering that smile and smelly diaper. 

 *Last night we chose Baby's name.  We had't even talked about it that much,   but as we were falling asleep,   we just knew it was time.   The boys' had a mixed reaction this morning at breakfast.....turns out this little guy may have lots of middle names and nicknames!  

*There is still sadness.    Christmas is such a time of longing for me.   Longing for all that is not now,   and not here.    But the amazing thing is that God is helping me to work through the moments of sadness:  allowing them but then moving on.   Not dwelling or wallowing in the sadness.   

Is this contentment:  making peace with the grief?

*Winter is a time of challenge for me in mothering.   We are all feeling cooped up,  and nerves and tempers show.  I listen for the Lord in the noise and chaos,  but mostly I hear Him in the few minutes of stolen quiet and peace after the boys go to bed,  or before they wake up.    He is good to me because he is with me.

Turning

Nathan has done it!

He has turned the corner

and is now a full-fledged reader.

He's been reading (for school) for almost 2 years now....

but just this week started picking up books on his own

with the confidence that he could read it!

I absolutely love to see him reading to Ian

before breakfast!

Go ahead, give me....

Lemons!

My aunt gave us this lemon tree earlier this summer,

and we have watched it excitedly as the lemons matured.

(I can't believe that my boys resisted the temptation to pick one early!!!)

Just this week, we finally picked the first one.

The juice and zest made it's way into some cranberry biscotti,

while Ian finished off the rest.

The New Pet

Do I feel regret over the grimey fingers

or the dirt and the bug on the table?

No,  just that this is his new pet.  

Not a puppy,  kitten or bunny,

but a roly-poly bug.

More Harvest

With the generousity of friends

and the help of little hands,

this is now 3 batches of jam:

sweetness!

Big Boy

This week Ian has tackled learning to ride his bike.

In the past he hasn't shown much interest.

Now, every day after his morning chores are done,

he heads out to the driveway.

Funny thing, it's the brakes

he needs to practice
the most!