Miracle Baby @ 1

The big boys *couldn't* wait to give James his gifts....a mini-football and a red bouncy ball.

   We had pancakes for breakfast,  but because James had been up quite a bit in the night,  he slept through breakfast.   So he had a rewarmed pancake with applesauce.For after dinner,  I made French Breakfast Puffs.   James thought the candle and "Happy Birthday" was great!   

Happy Thanksgiving!!

We have so much to thank God for...

His mercy, His kindness, His provision,  His Love,

His healing, His grace....

HIM!

8

Poor Nathan.

His party was postponed for weeks

due to illnesses.

He was so patient and understanding.

When we celebrate, though, we go all the way!

G'ma H brings rice crispy cake,   and Nathan gets his birthday dessert from Mom:

this year he chose apple crisp.

Nathan is such an amazing young man.  

 I am so proud of the way he is tackling his schoolwork this year: 

with energy (!) and hard work.

We love you, Nathan!  Happy {late} Birthday!

6 months

We simply cannot believe that we are halfway through
our first year with James.    Where has the time gone? 

I try, everyday,  to really look at James (and now, even more,  the rest of my boys, for they are growing and changing, too, though it's just not quite as obvious!)   Even with this concious effort,  I know I must be an official mom now....I keep saying over and over the mantra of moms and grandmas everywhere...they grow up so fast!   Sometimes there is an ache when I stare into this little guy's eyes....will I remember?  Will I remember this summer of joys?   His smiles and coos?   The way we all crowd around,  trying to make him giggle?

Am I doing every thing I can to live,  truly live? 

Or am I stuck on the hamster wheel of mommy work, 

which we all know never ends anyway? 

What do you think?  Is it possible to live without regrets?

Or are regrets just a part of what it means to parent in this world of mistakes?

Grandpa Dirt

My dad has a nickname, courtesy of the lil' rascal in the red shirt:

he calls him 'Dranpa Dirt.

(aka Grampa Curt)

Somehow,  my ornery children have picked up on it,

even though they are old enough to know better!!

Here he is,  the birthday boy,  with all his grandkids. 

Back row: Briscoe 18 mos,  Madison 2 1/2,  Grandpa, Braden

Ian, Cameron 2 1/2, James,  Nathan,  Brogan 3 1/2, Blake, 2 1/2

Fair Time

 Our county fair is so small town,  so rural,  so po-dunk.

But we love it.

This was the first year that we entered the
"Veggie Character" Contest.

We had so much fun being creative with what we had...

Braden's guy ended up with quite the scowl...
and his purple sheen was so handsome!

Ian's Potato Snowman had a zucchini head,  and peas for buttons. 

(Later we added purple beans for arms).

James enjoyed the fair....he just loves to be outside,
anytime!

The food....always overpriced,  always delicious!!

Here's the highlight....the hair,  the moustache...the quirky personality...

and I'm still talking about the veggie dude! 

I do think he reflects quite well on his creator,  though,

don't you?

I entered quite a few garden vegetables and some flowers,

earning $23 in winnings.   I am trying to decide what to spend it on:

clothes shopping or a hydrangea bush for our front step.

Can you guess which way I'm leaning??

The Big Half

Braden spent his half birthday at work with Daddy,

so the rest of us snuck in some quick secret shopping.

Nathan bought him a Battleship game,

Ian chose some yogurt-covered pretzels,

and from Mommy and Daddy he got a clip light for reading in bed.

***

I am just bewildered how he's grown.

He has really become a young man,

quick to help,  quick to smile and laugh.

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

Don't Miss It

I've been so convicted this year....

not to miss the Gift of Love.

I don't want to be indifferent to the One who came,

but to have my heart focussed on Him.

***

We are days away from the next best Christmas present ever....

a baby with a heartbeat at 28 weeks.

Then we start non-stress tests twice a week...

I really never thought we'd be here.

Thank you ever so much,

more than words can say,

for your prayers.

They mean life.

Preparing

Thanksgiving

21 degrees.

Nothing to prove,

just because they can!

~

Life and breath,

movement and health,

warmth inside

and cheer beside.

Thankful

more than words

can say.

More Harvest

With the generousity of friends

and the help of little hands,

this is now 3 batches of jam:

sweetness!

Harvest

As I worked in short shifts to get my peaches canned this year, there were many comforting thoughts for me to meditate upon. Who knew that the sights and smells of canning would have such a place in my heart?

I feel connected, rooted. I grew up canning with my mom and siblings....peaches were always a grand effort, done all in one long day. But even farther back, these golden delights have a tie to my great-grandmother, Grammy, who served them fresh on her homemade ice cream.

I feel postive about the future. By lining my pantry with bright and beautiful jars, I am providing nourishment and comfort for my family during the gray days of winter that are coming.

{Proverbs 31:25}

I feel hopeful. Fall is a time of abundance, the harvest. The God who governs the seasons of earth, giving harvestime after the summer of labor--- He is the God of my heart. He will bring fruit into my life again, if I do not become weary in doing good. {Galatians 6:9}

p.s. I'm now 14 weeks! Not that anyone's counting!

Dream Date

At this beautiful place, on a perfect day...with this wonderful man,
celebrating 10 years.


Though there has been more pain
in our 10 years than I ever imagined,
the joys of marriage to Mr. Wonderful
are all the sweeter.
I love you, sweetie!

Sweet

When tragedy hits,

you know who your friends are.

They drop everything to bring you

dinner and dessert!

Christmas Eve ~ part 2 ~ Dinner!

What a yummy dinner we had! These kids know how to eat!!

My dear dad and Cameron! What handsome guys!!

Madison, the little lady. (the petite thing who is coincidently also the best eater of the three!!)

This is the gang: 5 grandkids 2 and under!!



Cameron and Aunt Abigail!

Christmas Eve~ part one!

This was a good year for photos....

maybe it just that there

are so many adorable subjects!!

Brogan, who we joke looks just like Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes. He is 18 months, and very

mischevious!!

Jason and Tasha, with their miracle babies. This was their first Christmas with us....last year they were still under quarantine...we wished them Merry Christmas through the patio door. We are so blessed by each of these little ones: Madison, Blake and Cameron!

My big boys are so ready to eat! They have been a blast this year: keeping all their secrets, truly thinking of others, and helping with the big countdown! Seeing Christmas through their eyes has blessed me again.

My mom and sister set a beautiful table, a tradition past down through generations. It's as important as the food!!

This is only part of our family....the rest were still in the kitchen! We are talking about adding on to my parents' house so we have more room as all these little people grow up!

Christmas Traditions

Going to Great-Grandma's for Candy Making Day.......
Mr. Wonderful has been declared the peanut brittle man
by his Grandma. So every year he perfects his technique.
And take it from someone who knows these things....
it's all good stuff!!

Fire Night

Reclaiming memories, again. This is one of my boys' favorite things to do, year round.

But it holds special joys in the cold, cold winter nights,

when everyone has been cooped up inside for far too long.

Mr. Wonderful starts the fire, I grab the marshmallows and hot cocoa,

the boys bring chairs and their *musical* instuments.

I cringe as Ian toddles around the fire,

and Nathan declares no need for a coat.
We laugh. Then we sing.

He gives joy....

to the brokenhearted. In the everyday, ordinary moments;

when my breath catches with the beauty of life,

I will celebrate the gift of love---

the tenderness of a father

with his children.