Easter is the most significant Christian holiday of the year. It celebrates the day that my saviour rose and conquered the grave. He died on the cross to pay for my sins ( and yours and the worlds) to wash me clean so that I will be able to live for all eternity with him. Wow! now tell me that is not significant! Praise God. I want to celebrate this! Jesus rose from the grave! He was not kept down. He is alive today!
I want to celebrate this and not the Easter bunny or... you fill in the blank with the silly lighthearted traditions that have come. Now I'm not saying that these things aren't fun and not worth doing. What I am trying to say is that I want to celebrate Jesus, and not replace him with a bunny.
Soooo.... here are some of my ideas to share with you: Some are good to do with kids, but others are ones you can do as an adult.
1. Resurrection Rolls - I've made these the last couple years. You take a marshmellow, dip it in butter, roll it in cinnamon and sugar, then wrap it up in a cresent roll. The marshmellow is jesus, butter, cinnamon and sugar are the preparations done to Jesus before he was put in the tomb, The cresent roll is the tomb that gets all sealed up. While it bakes, the marshmellow absorbs into the cresent roll and pops it open. So when you take the rolls out of the oven, the "tomb" is empty!
Last year ( brayden was 2.5) Brayden kept saying can we have those rolls where we eat Jesus! Ok, so he didn't get the whole lesson, but it was great that a 2.5 year old got that much!
If you'd like the recipe, please e-mail me.
2. Easter egg hunt with easter story inside. Each egg has a piece of the easter story inside of it. Kids open the eggs then you tell the story. This is really fun. You can buy these eggs at your local Christian book store. Or you could easily make them yourself. I can get you the directions if you'd like them.
3. Read one of the first four books of the new testament. Or read them all . If you haven't read the Bible lately, this will light your passion for Christ!
Part of our biggest problem as Christians is lack of enthusiasm for reading the Bible. Get enthused! God wants to tell you something - read his book and there will be a message for you.
4. I never give things up for Lent, but I think this is actually one of the best things you can do. Pick something that you would like God to control in your life and give it to him. It might be chocolate, or coffee, or anxiety. Give it to him for this season. You might be surprised at how much you like Jesus carrying this weight for you.
Cast all your cares upon him...
5. Do something to serve others everyday this week that you wouldn't ordinarily do and give the glory to Jesus.
6. Thank God everyday for the gift of his son Jesus! and thank him for the everyday blessings in your life.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
God still works miracles
I felt called to relay what happend to me this morning. I could just glaze over it and say I was lucky today, but I know God's angels were protecting me today. After I dropped of Ethan and Cora at school, I headed toward the Bible Study I attend on Tuesday morning. I was approaching a traffic light and it was green and had been for several seconds, so I figured it may turn yellow before I could get to it. It did not turn yellow, so even though I had slowed a bit, I continued on and prepared to turn left. I was a bit blinded by some trees to my left, so I did not have a full view of the traffic to my left. Just before I entered the intersection, a car ran the red light that they had. It was in the lane nearest to me. It was traveling very fast. I slammed on my breaks to avoid the colision. My brakes did their job as we skidded to a stop. It was a split second difference of being in a crash and sitting here unharmed this afternoon.
I keep thinking if that car had t-boned into my car, it would have caused a terrible accident. Makenna sits right behind me. My thoughts are of praise today, that God saw fit to spare us from being hit by a speeding car.
I insist on seeing God's hand upon me. Sometimes it may seem like He's not right there with you, but I can tell, he always is.
I am reminded of the song that I have always found engrained in my mind from listening to it on the radio in Lansing...
It must have been your hand, moving my world in perfect time, I know it was your hand..
I don't think I know the lyrics well enough.. ( although it is engrained :))
Just thought I'd post about how thankful I am for God's protective hand in my life.
I keep thinking if that car had t-boned into my car, it would have caused a terrible accident. Makenna sits right behind me. My thoughts are of praise today, that God saw fit to spare us from being hit by a speeding car.
I insist on seeing God's hand upon me. Sometimes it may seem like He's not right there with you, but I can tell, he always is.
I am reminded of the song that I have always found engrained in my mind from listening to it on the radio in Lansing...
It must have been your hand, moving my world in perfect time, I know it was your hand..
I don't think I know the lyrics well enough.. ( although it is engrained :))
Just thought I'd post about how thankful I am for God's protective hand in my life.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
December 2009 Family update
Dear Friends,
It is time again to write my annual family update letter, only this year, I am doing it here on my blog! This will save me lots of time that I normally spend folding and stuffing envelopes.
To summarize this year will be difficult, mainly because I think when I was making dinner, one of my kids stole my brain! I am so busy with being a mom of four small children, that I can barely remember the last year!
So let me cover some highlights that I do remember!
I'll start with Brent: He began this year with studying for his last actuarial exam. It was his first attempt at it. Despite his monsterous efforts, he'll be studying again in 2010. It has been many many years now that he has been trying to complete the series of actuarial exams, and I say with confindence that I believe 2010 is his year. He will sit for the exam in early May, so hopefully the next few months will be good to him and allow him to accomplish what he needs to get done.
On a more positive note, Brent has been promoted at work to the leader of his department. It is so nice to be able to share with you a news of a promotion in the world of lay-offs! He enjoys his work and is discovering the challenges of management.
He continues to excell as a dad as well. We all enjoy spending a lot of time together, but Brent specializes in helping Ethan with sports related things, and he reads to Brayden nearly every night. I'll chat more about things we've done as a family later.
As for me, I am keeping really busy with being involved with each child someway at where they are at.. What I mean by this is: For Ethan, I set aside a little time each week to go to his classroom as work as a reading mom. I also am a room mom for his class this year. We also spend a lot of time doing homework together. For Cora, this year I help with her Prims group, which is an evening girls Bible Club that meets once a week. For Brayden, Brent and I teach in his Sunday school class once a month, and Makenna, well I am involved with her constantly since she is just a baby still.
I am still volunteering as the MOPPETS Coordiantor for our MOPS group. This job is to coordinate all the volunteers for our mom's group that meets twice a month. This year I have a couple people on my team, so my job has gotten easier. On average we have about 50 kids each time we meet between 0-5 years old. And about 10 people taking care of those children. I coordinate getting everyone there.
In addition to that I attend a weekly Bible study. This fall we are studying the book of Exodus. It is a very exciting study. It's very interesting to look at Moses and how he led the Israelites out of Egypt. You may think that studying this subject would not interest you. But I have been surprised at how easily we can take life lessons that Moses learned and apply them to our lives.
Those are some of the things that I have been doing recently, but as I think all the way back to January, my life seems quite different than right now. This is mainly because of Makenna. Back in January, she was just 6 weeks old at the beginning of the year, but now she is a happy, pleasant sweet one year old girl. She crawls still and isn't daring like her brother Brayden was at her age. She is content to watch the older kids, but is happy to be included in whatever is happening. She is an absolute pleasure. I love being her mom. She is very tiny as well. I am hoping to fatten her up a bit in the new year!
Brayden - He is now 3 years old. His speech has improved leaps and bounds this year. He says the funniest things, and seems to me to be a deep thinker sometimes. He has taken gymnastics and swimming classes in the last year and seems to really enjoy both of those. I was surprised at how well he did in gymnastics. He is very inquisitive. He constantly is asking me questions even when he knows the answer. He also goes to a Bible Club - Rainbows and loves it. He always is learning things that I am amazed he knows. One thing that is so cute is that he says - Mom, I have to give some money to Jesus! This is for the offering time at his club. One evening on our way home from Rainbows, he asked if he had Jesus in his heart! We went inside and prayed together. It was an incredibly precious moment to see a little boy express his desire to know God. Obviously we realize that he is three and doesn't totally get what it means to accept Jesus as his Saviour, but to me it shows that he is on the right track.
He looks forward to playdates and other fun special outings and asks to be able to go places everyday: the park, jungle java, the hotel water park...
He is also a real pleasure to be able to parent, and I feel so blessed to be able to be his mom!
Corlissa is growing up. She turned 6 in March and is now a full time first grade student. She is learning to read and write and is so excited about that. She still struggles with writing numbers backward, but seems to be making big improvements this fall. I did "homeschooling" this summer with her because I was doing it with Ethan, so I included her as well. She made huge strides in reading over the summer with our hooked on phonics lessons. She is also taking tap and ballet as her after school activity, which she really enjoys. She did a great job at her recital last June. She also really enjoys art. She went to an art day camp last summer. She felt really special to be able to go somewhere and just do the things that she loves to do for 3 hours! She is a huge helper here at home too. She loves Makenna, as we all do. She doesn't mind at all sharing her room with the baby and enjoys being like a little mommy to her. She watches out for her really well and makes sure there are no choking hazards.
She is also my little prayer warrior. She always volunteers to pray whenever anyone asks "who would like to pray" . It feels good to know that she has no fear praying in front of people and boldly prays to God.
She is such a blessing to our family. I just can't believe that soon she'll be 7 years old! I am so happy she's my daughter to love.
Then to wrap up each individual update - our oldest son Ethan. He is my little athlete! He loves soccer, basketball, baseball, swimming, pickleball!, tennis, bikeriding, scooters... just about anything physical, he wants to be doing it! He has been on a soccer league this fall where he played against teams from neighboring communities. It was great for him and his self confidence. He did an awesome job. He is playing on a basketball team right now, and is on a team with his two good friends that are our neighbors. So they are having a great time together.
Ethan is in 3rd grade and has been blessed with remarkable teachers for 3rd and 2nd grade. Thinking of the women that have been his teachers in 2009, I can see God's hand in his life. They have all been so patient and understanding with him, and really are driven to see him succeed.
For the last 2 years, we have noticed that Ethan was not learning to read as easily as most students, so in August, we had him tested for dyslexia. His does indeed have a mild dyslexia, which is manifested as reading and spelling difficulties.
That being said, the improvement I have seen over the last year, and especially this fall is really amazing. He is now doing more and more work on his own, but doesn't cry when he needs help. He is more willing to try to do the task, where a year ago, he would just say: I can't do it. He is a strong "first born" personality type. He wants to be the best and everytime he falls short of it, he is very hard on himself. Both Brent and I have been working on being positive and pointing our what a great job he is doing. In my exhausted state, I have to have the self control to not blurt out something negative sometimes.
God has been teaching me so much through Ethan's struggle with school. I have faith that Ethan will be able to overcome his difficulties and perservere!
He is an amazing little boy. It's hard to believe that he'll be 9 next April!
I don't know if your first born children are supposed to be the most challenging, but it feels like it to me right now.
Another thing that Ethan is active in is his Ranger club. This meets at the same time as the Bible club for the other kids. He has been learning all kinds of fun things and really enjoys his time there.
Most exciting to me, is Ethan's faith. I have seen it growing since he accepted Jesus. He loves the story of Joseph. He studied this at overnight Bible Camp he went to this summer. He is learning how his faith relates to his own struggles and how with God he can perservere through all things.
" I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippeans 4.
Ethan has always been a huge joy to me and I am excited to see how he continues to grow in his faith.
One of the highlights this year, was our trip to Beaver Island.
It was an amazing time to be together as a family and with our friends the Evan's family. We spent a week exploring the island. Fishing, building sandcastles, going to different beaches, eating, going to the beach park, hiking. Amazingly we had a fabulous week weather wise too. Many people complained that this summer was cool, but we had many beautiful days, and the cooler weather didn't keep my brood out of lake Michigan! I love visiting the island every year. In fact thinking about not visiting there, makes me really sad, so we spend our vacation there every year! Our kids love it there too. Ethan and Cora always say that they can't wait to go back and that we'd like to go in the winter to do fun winter things there.
Mainly this year, it has been a time of watching our children grow and learning to balance such a large family. There is constantly something to do and activities to take them too.
Yet in the midst of all the busyness, we are dedicated to having family night together, where we pray for things going on in each others lives and do fun things together. These things are really the highlight of our lives. We do a lot of shuttling and tag team parenting, but setting aside time for us all to be together is important.
So as 2009 draws to a close, I pray that this "blog" has found you happy and healthy, and in good spirits. Remember that God is showering you with blessings everyday. Sometimes though, we refuse to see them. So take some time and thank him for the blessings in your life!
Maybe in 2010, I'll be able to find a bit more time for blogging our family activities. But for now, it looks like I'll only be doing this occasionally!
With much love at Christmas time,
Andie
It is time again to write my annual family update letter, only this year, I am doing it here on my blog! This will save me lots of time that I normally spend folding and stuffing envelopes.
To summarize this year will be difficult, mainly because I think when I was making dinner, one of my kids stole my brain! I am so busy with being a mom of four small children, that I can barely remember the last year!
So let me cover some highlights that I do remember!
I'll start with Brent: He began this year with studying for his last actuarial exam. It was his first attempt at it. Despite his monsterous efforts, he'll be studying again in 2010. It has been many many years now that he has been trying to complete the series of actuarial exams, and I say with confindence that I believe 2010 is his year. He will sit for the exam in early May, so hopefully the next few months will be good to him and allow him to accomplish what he needs to get done.
On a more positive note, Brent has been promoted at work to the leader of his department. It is so nice to be able to share with you a news of a promotion in the world of lay-offs! He enjoys his work and is discovering the challenges of management.
He continues to excell as a dad as well. We all enjoy spending a lot of time together, but Brent specializes in helping Ethan with sports related things, and he reads to Brayden nearly every night. I'll chat more about things we've done as a family later.
As for me, I am keeping really busy with being involved with each child someway at where they are at.. What I mean by this is: For Ethan, I set aside a little time each week to go to his classroom as work as a reading mom. I also am a room mom for his class this year. We also spend a lot of time doing homework together. For Cora, this year I help with her Prims group, which is an evening girls Bible Club that meets once a week. For Brayden, Brent and I teach in his Sunday school class once a month, and Makenna, well I am involved with her constantly since she is just a baby still.
I am still volunteering as the MOPPETS Coordiantor for our MOPS group. This job is to coordinate all the volunteers for our mom's group that meets twice a month. This year I have a couple people on my team, so my job has gotten easier. On average we have about 50 kids each time we meet between 0-5 years old. And about 10 people taking care of those children. I coordinate getting everyone there.
In addition to that I attend a weekly Bible study. This fall we are studying the book of Exodus. It is a very exciting study. It's very interesting to look at Moses and how he led the Israelites out of Egypt. You may think that studying this subject would not interest you. But I have been surprised at how easily we can take life lessons that Moses learned and apply them to our lives.
Those are some of the things that I have been doing recently, but as I think all the way back to January, my life seems quite different than right now. This is mainly because of Makenna. Back in January, she was just 6 weeks old at the beginning of the year, but now she is a happy, pleasant sweet one year old girl. She crawls still and isn't daring like her brother Brayden was at her age. She is content to watch the older kids, but is happy to be included in whatever is happening. She is an absolute pleasure. I love being her mom. She is very tiny as well. I am hoping to fatten her up a bit in the new year!
Brayden - He is now 3 years old. His speech has improved leaps and bounds this year. He says the funniest things, and seems to me to be a deep thinker sometimes. He has taken gymnastics and swimming classes in the last year and seems to really enjoy both of those. I was surprised at how well he did in gymnastics. He is very inquisitive. He constantly is asking me questions even when he knows the answer. He also goes to a Bible Club - Rainbows and loves it. He always is learning things that I am amazed he knows. One thing that is so cute is that he says - Mom, I have to give some money to Jesus! This is for the offering time at his club. One evening on our way home from Rainbows, he asked if he had Jesus in his heart! We went inside and prayed together. It was an incredibly precious moment to see a little boy express his desire to know God. Obviously we realize that he is three and doesn't totally get what it means to accept Jesus as his Saviour, but to me it shows that he is on the right track.
He looks forward to playdates and other fun special outings and asks to be able to go places everyday: the park, jungle java, the hotel water park...
He is also a real pleasure to be able to parent, and I feel so blessed to be able to be his mom!
Corlissa is growing up. She turned 6 in March and is now a full time first grade student. She is learning to read and write and is so excited about that. She still struggles with writing numbers backward, but seems to be making big improvements this fall. I did "homeschooling" this summer with her because I was doing it with Ethan, so I included her as well. She made huge strides in reading over the summer with our hooked on phonics lessons. She is also taking tap and ballet as her after school activity, which she really enjoys. She did a great job at her recital last June. She also really enjoys art. She went to an art day camp last summer. She felt really special to be able to go somewhere and just do the things that she loves to do for 3 hours! She is a huge helper here at home too. She loves Makenna, as we all do. She doesn't mind at all sharing her room with the baby and enjoys being like a little mommy to her. She watches out for her really well and makes sure there are no choking hazards.
She is also my little prayer warrior. She always volunteers to pray whenever anyone asks "who would like to pray" . It feels good to know that she has no fear praying in front of people and boldly prays to God.
She is such a blessing to our family. I just can't believe that soon she'll be 7 years old! I am so happy she's my daughter to love.
Then to wrap up each individual update - our oldest son Ethan. He is my little athlete! He loves soccer, basketball, baseball, swimming, pickleball!, tennis, bikeriding, scooters... just about anything physical, he wants to be doing it! He has been on a soccer league this fall where he played against teams from neighboring communities. It was great for him and his self confidence. He did an awesome job. He is playing on a basketball team right now, and is on a team with his two good friends that are our neighbors. So they are having a great time together.
Ethan is in 3rd grade and has been blessed with remarkable teachers for 3rd and 2nd grade. Thinking of the women that have been his teachers in 2009, I can see God's hand in his life. They have all been so patient and understanding with him, and really are driven to see him succeed.
For the last 2 years, we have noticed that Ethan was not learning to read as easily as most students, so in August, we had him tested for dyslexia. His does indeed have a mild dyslexia, which is manifested as reading and spelling difficulties.
That being said, the improvement I have seen over the last year, and especially this fall is really amazing. He is now doing more and more work on his own, but doesn't cry when he needs help. He is more willing to try to do the task, where a year ago, he would just say: I can't do it. He is a strong "first born" personality type. He wants to be the best and everytime he falls short of it, he is very hard on himself. Both Brent and I have been working on being positive and pointing our what a great job he is doing. In my exhausted state, I have to have the self control to not blurt out something negative sometimes.
God has been teaching me so much through Ethan's struggle with school. I have faith that Ethan will be able to overcome his difficulties and perservere!
He is an amazing little boy. It's hard to believe that he'll be 9 next April!
I don't know if your first born children are supposed to be the most challenging, but it feels like it to me right now.
Another thing that Ethan is active in is his Ranger club. This meets at the same time as the Bible club for the other kids. He has been learning all kinds of fun things and really enjoys his time there.
Most exciting to me, is Ethan's faith. I have seen it growing since he accepted Jesus. He loves the story of Joseph. He studied this at overnight Bible Camp he went to this summer. He is learning how his faith relates to his own struggles and how with God he can perservere through all things.
" I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippeans 4.
Ethan has always been a huge joy to me and I am excited to see how he continues to grow in his faith.
One of the highlights this year, was our trip to Beaver Island.
It was an amazing time to be together as a family and with our friends the Evan's family. We spent a week exploring the island. Fishing, building sandcastles, going to different beaches, eating, going to the beach park, hiking. Amazingly we had a fabulous week weather wise too. Many people complained that this summer was cool, but we had many beautiful days, and the cooler weather didn't keep my brood out of lake Michigan! I love visiting the island every year. In fact thinking about not visiting there, makes me really sad, so we spend our vacation there every year! Our kids love it there too. Ethan and Cora always say that they can't wait to go back and that we'd like to go in the winter to do fun winter things there.
Mainly this year, it has been a time of watching our children grow and learning to balance such a large family. There is constantly something to do and activities to take them too.
Yet in the midst of all the busyness, we are dedicated to having family night together, where we pray for things going on in each others lives and do fun things together. These things are really the highlight of our lives. We do a lot of shuttling and tag team parenting, but setting aside time for us all to be together is important.
So as 2009 draws to a close, I pray that this "blog" has found you happy and healthy, and in good spirits. Remember that God is showering you with blessings everyday. Sometimes though, we refuse to see them. So take some time and thank him for the blessings in your life!
Maybe in 2010, I'll be able to find a bit more time for blogging our family activities. But for now, it looks like I'll only be doing this occasionally!
With much love at Christmas time,
Andie
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Summer is almost here
Hey everyone out there. We here are gearing up for summer. I am getting my mind set on having all four kids here, all the time. Makenna now is 6 months, and is finally consistently sleeping at night. She's gone back and forth for a few months. She's a tiny little squirt and very cute. She doesn't really have much hair. I am using new diapers called g diapers. they are like a clothe diaper, but have disposable insert. Here are the benefits for me - a lot less leaks, more environmentally friendly as they decompose within 3 months. They are flushable, but don't seem to be flush friendly in my toilet. I think our system is rather old.
She is rolling pretty well, and will probably start crawling in the next month or so.
Brayden is just a super sweet cutie right now. He has turned very affectionate. His speech is coming along. He starts his sentences with me. for example - me no want to eat cereal, me want pancake. He is a little over 2 and a 1/2 now.
Cora is finishing up Kindergarten and is excited to be a first grader. Her hair is long now. She loved being a flower girl last weekend in Aunt Tina's wedding.
Ethan is finishing up 2nd grade. He loves sports and is playing soccer right now and is looking forward to camp this summer, as well as our family trip up north.
I have to stop this post now, as duty calls. Maybe I can finish this update later. I'll try to do pictures again, but haven't had much luck lately with the program.
She is rolling pretty well, and will probably start crawling in the next month or so.
Brayden is just a super sweet cutie right now. He has turned very affectionate. His speech is coming along. He starts his sentences with me. for example - me no want to eat cereal, me want pancake. He is a little over 2 and a 1/2 now.
Cora is finishing up Kindergarten and is excited to be a first grader. Her hair is long now. She loved being a flower girl last weekend in Aunt Tina's wedding.
Ethan is finishing up 2nd grade. He loves sports and is playing soccer right now and is looking forward to camp this summer, as well as our family trip up north.
I have to stop this post now, as duty calls. Maybe I can finish this update later. I'll try to do pictures again, but haven't had much luck lately with the program.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The unexpected snow day
So today, I had my plans to catch up on a few things. I decided to skip my normal tuesday morning bible study and work on a few things that need to be done. I get Cora and Ethan to school and I am surprised to find out that they do not have school due to a building problem.
Another mom and I looked at each other and said Great at the exact same time - on with the day.
Today I was thinking though, what if I had to go to work, what would I have done? I was again just so thankful that I am able to stay home and take care of my family. My kids don't know the value of having a mom with the ministry of availability. But I do.
so what have we been doing all day. Well, first we went to the grocery store, as I had planned. Ethan and Brayden played in the basement for a while, before I knew it, it was lunch time, and nap for Brayden. Cora and Ethan did some reading, which was really nice to spend time with each of them while Makenna and Brayden napped.
Now they are watching 101 Dalmations.
Everyone keeps saying to me I don't know how you do it. I want to encourage all of you out there who want more than the standard two kids, but feel overwhelmed by the idea of it all. You may feel spread thin at times, but God gives the strength you need. ( I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me ) vs. romans...something I think. Another way that I deal with it all is that I am committed to making our household work, without having to have my mind on other things - such as a job to report to, or other distractions.
I suppose you all would also like to know how Makenna is doing.
Yesterday, we went to the doctor, she is now 9 pounds 11 ounces at 2 months of age. She was in the 25th percentile overal. She is a really sweet baby. She gives an occasional smile, but isn't overly smiley. She seems to deal with not being held constantly well, as she is often times in her swing or bouncy seat so that I can get everyone ready to go in the morning or while I'm cooking a meal, etc. If she's not content to be there, there is always a sister or a brother that wants to hold her.
It seems to me that her blue eyes are going to stay. they are a real pretty dark blue right now. Brayden's are very light blue, so they seem different from each other. She also has barely a dusting of hair. I'll be glad when it starts coming in a bit, so I can tell what color it will be. She sleeps pretty well at night. Last night she slept from around 11:30 - 7:30! That was great!
here are some of the details of her birth story.
On November 19th, I was totally cooked and called my midwife to see if there was anything we could do. She suggested Castor oil - again. I have 1 word for that suggestion - NEVERAGAIN. I took it in the morning and no labor. I went in to see her around 4 PM and she suggested breaking my water. Brent and I went to dinner, then to the hospital. I was nervous and had a hard time eating, but Brent had no problem scarfing down his steak, appetizer and whatever else he had. We arrived at the hospital, they got me set up in a room. They broke my water at 8 PM. I smiled an said no I didn't want anything for pain. I would live to regret that decision! the labor kicked in pretty much immediately. I'll spare the details of the in between. I could tell she was coming fast. She was born at 10:45 PM - Just 2 hours and 45 minutes after my water was broken! It was amazingly, scary fast!
She had the cord around her neck as she came out, which really scared me. Praise the good Lord she was fine though and has been healthy ever since. At first her face was purple from comng out so quickly. She has been a real doll ever since. I knew all along that she would be a great baby. She sure is...
So now that is my post for now. It may have to suffice for a while. I am having trouble posting pictures, but I will try again.
Another mom and I looked at each other and said Great at the exact same time - on with the day.
Today I was thinking though, what if I had to go to work, what would I have done? I was again just so thankful that I am able to stay home and take care of my family. My kids don't know the value of having a mom with the ministry of availability. But I do.
so what have we been doing all day. Well, first we went to the grocery store, as I had planned. Ethan and Brayden played in the basement for a while, before I knew it, it was lunch time, and nap for Brayden. Cora and Ethan did some reading, which was really nice to spend time with each of them while Makenna and Brayden napped.
Now they are watching 101 Dalmations.
Everyone keeps saying to me I don't know how you do it. I want to encourage all of you out there who want more than the standard two kids, but feel overwhelmed by the idea of it all. You may feel spread thin at times, but God gives the strength you need. ( I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me ) vs. romans...something I think. Another way that I deal with it all is that I am committed to making our household work, without having to have my mind on other things - such as a job to report to, or other distractions.
I suppose you all would also like to know how Makenna is doing.
Yesterday, we went to the doctor, she is now 9 pounds 11 ounces at 2 months of age. She was in the 25th percentile overal. She is a really sweet baby. She gives an occasional smile, but isn't overly smiley. She seems to deal with not being held constantly well, as she is often times in her swing or bouncy seat so that I can get everyone ready to go in the morning or while I'm cooking a meal, etc. If she's not content to be there, there is always a sister or a brother that wants to hold her.
It seems to me that her blue eyes are going to stay. they are a real pretty dark blue right now. Brayden's are very light blue, so they seem different from each other. She also has barely a dusting of hair. I'll be glad when it starts coming in a bit, so I can tell what color it will be. She sleeps pretty well at night. Last night she slept from around 11:30 - 7:30! That was great!
here are some of the details of her birth story.
On November 19th, I was totally cooked and called my midwife to see if there was anything we could do. She suggested Castor oil - again. I have 1 word for that suggestion - NEVERAGAIN. I took it in the morning and no labor. I went in to see her around 4 PM and she suggested breaking my water. Brent and I went to dinner, then to the hospital. I was nervous and had a hard time eating, but Brent had no problem scarfing down his steak, appetizer and whatever else he had. We arrived at the hospital, they got me set up in a room. They broke my water at 8 PM. I smiled an said no I didn't want anything for pain. I would live to regret that decision! the labor kicked in pretty much immediately. I'll spare the details of the in between. I could tell she was coming fast. She was born at 10:45 PM - Just 2 hours and 45 minutes after my water was broken! It was amazingly, scary fast!
She had the cord around her neck as she came out, which really scared me. Praise the good Lord she was fine though and has been healthy ever since. At first her face was purple from comng out so quickly. She has been a real doll ever since. I knew all along that she would be a great baby. She sure is...
So now that is my post for now. It may have to suffice for a while. I am having trouble posting pictures, but I will try again.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Just Waiting
Well, everyone, Being "overdue" is no fun at all. We are just waiting for our newest addition to arrive. I marvel at how different each pregnancy has been and now at how each one has arrived in their own time.
I thought I'd take a moment just to update you on how everyone else is doing in the family.
Brayden just turned 2 in September and had his first friend party. He has lots of friends from our church, so that is mainly who came. He is finally learning to talk. The last couple of weeks have been really interesting to hear him start learning a word or two a day. He often says words that I had no idea he knew. He really loves Lighting Mcqueen and Elmo and Thomas. He thinks all characters are pretty cool.
Also, Ethan has taken on potty training him! He has used the potty a couple of times in the last month or so.
Cora is now in Kindergarten. She is doing very well and really likes being at school. She goes 3 full days a week. She likes taking her lunch and being with her friends. on the off days, she plays with Brayden or her friend next door. She often lets me rest in the afternoon as she takes in a movie.
Her teacher thinks she is so sweet. That makes me feel good to know that her teacher really likes her!
She is also taking 2 dance classes this year! Both tap and ballet. I think she is doing really well. I got to go and do observations this week. I can tell she is having a lot of fun and learning a lot.
She is so excited about having a new sister soon. She hugs my tummy everyday and tells her how she can't wait to see her and have her be a part of the family!
Ethan is now a big second grader! He is doing pretty well in school, but reading has been pretty hard for him. He has been seeing a reading specialist to help him where he is having problems, but he is making steady progress. He really is enjoying his new school this year though and has made lots of friends. I love seeing him in his uniform everyday! Just so cute!
He got to play soccer this fall and did very well in that. He is really getting good at soccer and has made some pretty good plays. We are trying to teach him to be humble about his talent though. Ethan is also looking forward to having another baby in the house. He does say though that Brayden is his and Cora can have the "new baby" .
Brent has kept busy with work this fall and was able to travel to Arizona with a conference for work. It was a great honor for him to be able to go on this trip. They choose a few employees each year to go and be honored for their excellent service to the company! It was a great honor!
Brent and I also traveled to Las Vegas in August to visit a friend of mine. We had a wonderful time. The desert really is a beautiful place. Since we had a tour guide, we were able to see a lot of places that we may not have seen without her!
As for me, I've just been enjoying getting to know this baby before she is born. I can tell already what a blessing she will be to our family.
If you can take a moment, please pray for her healthy delivery and her future, as well as all of us adjusting to having a baby in the house.
I thought I'd take a moment just to update you on how everyone else is doing in the family.
Brayden just turned 2 in September and had his first friend party. He has lots of friends from our church, so that is mainly who came. He is finally learning to talk. The last couple of weeks have been really interesting to hear him start learning a word or two a day. He often says words that I had no idea he knew. He really loves Lighting Mcqueen and Elmo and Thomas. He thinks all characters are pretty cool.
Also, Ethan has taken on potty training him! He has used the potty a couple of times in the last month or so.
Cora is now in Kindergarten. She is doing very well and really likes being at school. She goes 3 full days a week. She likes taking her lunch and being with her friends. on the off days, she plays with Brayden or her friend next door. She often lets me rest in the afternoon as she takes in a movie.
Her teacher thinks she is so sweet. That makes me feel good to know that her teacher really likes her!
She is also taking 2 dance classes this year! Both tap and ballet. I think she is doing really well. I got to go and do observations this week. I can tell she is having a lot of fun and learning a lot.
She is so excited about having a new sister soon. She hugs my tummy everyday and tells her how she can't wait to see her and have her be a part of the family!
Ethan is now a big second grader! He is doing pretty well in school, but reading has been pretty hard for him. He has been seeing a reading specialist to help him where he is having problems, but he is making steady progress. He really is enjoying his new school this year though and has made lots of friends. I love seeing him in his uniform everyday! Just so cute!
He got to play soccer this fall and did very well in that. He is really getting good at soccer and has made some pretty good plays. We are trying to teach him to be humble about his talent though. Ethan is also looking forward to having another baby in the house. He does say though that Brayden is his and Cora can have the "new baby" .
Brent has kept busy with work this fall and was able to travel to Arizona with a conference for work. It was a great honor for him to be able to go on this trip. They choose a few employees each year to go and be honored for their excellent service to the company! It was a great honor!
Brent and I also traveled to Las Vegas in August to visit a friend of mine. We had a wonderful time. The desert really is a beautiful place. Since we had a tour guide, we were able to see a lot of places that we may not have seen without her!
As for me, I've just been enjoying getting to know this baby before she is born. I can tell already what a blessing she will be to our family.
If you can take a moment, please pray for her healthy delivery and her future, as well as all of us adjusting to having a baby in the house.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
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