Saturday, June 22, 2013

Gwen turns 5

My baby girl turned 5!  It seems like such a big number.  Her party this year was jewel themed.  I didn't know exactly how to make a pinata.. so I winged it.  Fortunately I keep things like broken necklaces.



Our little friend Claire


Ben set up everything outside... sure do appreciate that man!




He asked to do the pinata about a hundred times.




I saw this jello dish on some blog and I thought it looked like jewels.  It got rave reviews.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to try it myself because I found out the other day I have gestational diabetes.  (sigh) So... here's to a summer devoted to being healthy for my newest little precious baby girl!


Baquette, ranch and then put in your veggies.  I thought it looked fancy.


 Ben's brother, John, is back from the navy.  Zeke told him this morning to take off his shirt because "us kids" are going to swim not the adults.  :)  It's good to have him home beore he moves off to California.

 The boys


The girls minus my sister-in-law Melody.  My belly.... let's not talk about it.


Gwen and Katie Beth


a jewel garland that my friend Breanne made for me.



Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Up at 3:30

Well, I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep.  What do I do when I get up at 3:30?  I don't know cause I never get up at 3:30.  I've been looking over old blog posts and feeling this baby squirm around inside of me.  I am fasting for my glucose test at 9am, so no early morning breakfast is happening.  I am getting very excited to have a newborn again.  It seems that Gwen and Zeke came so fast I didn't have time to really take it all in.  With each time I have a baby I try harder to really soak in their small little ways and savor it because I know all too soon it will be the wonderful and trying toddler years before me.  I will try to do better about blogging.  I used to write so much more and this is a good way for me to remember what this season was like for me...but I must write it down.
In other news, Gwen's 5th birthday party is on Saturday.  It is jewel themed.  I am making the cake this year and the kids are swimming with a few friends in our backyard.  I am thinking of making a diamond pinata.  I've got an idea but I need to work on it.  I've been sorting and cleaning the basement so much that I haven't devoted much time to pinata making.  I know that comes as a shock.  Enough early morning rambles.  I hope this day is blessed for you wherever you are.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Sand

I had considered it several times, but I just now finally put sand in the thing under the swing set.  It is something the kids can do during the months that I am slowing down that does not involve me.  They really love it and ask to go outside first thing in the morning or after rest time.  I can happily watch them from the kitchen window. :)




We painted some photos of the kids and Ben for Father's Day today that we converted into coloring pages.



I am 28 weeks tomorrow and I have felt lots of growth in the last two weeks.  I am now officially into the stage of having a hard time getting comfortable at night and I go to the bathroom frequently.  It's always the last 10 weeks that feel like they are crawling by for me.  I feel lots of movement though and that makes me grateful that the baby is growing and doing well.

Saturday, June 08, 2013

Cool Beginning to Summer

While we were in Alabama Ben got this ball thing for the kids.  They have enjoyed it very much and especially love it when daddy puts them on his shoulders and they get to peek out of the ball and run around the yard.  



Gwen solicited this photo and wanted to make sure I got a picture of this little bunny she got in a bag of things from my sister.  We've had a lot of fun sifting through some of my niece's old toys.



Zeke and a dinosaur.


This week we had our church's VBS jr. (for kids 3-6) and they had a great time.  They made super hero capes and were feeling goofy when picture time came.


ice cream social after the program.  I asked them to not have their tongues out and they were OH so compliant!




Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Only What's Done for Christ Will Last

I love this poem.  Lord, help my heart remember that only what's done for Christ will last!

“Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”
— extra stanza —
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.”
C.T Studd

Sunday, June 02, 2013

Hacker House Upgrade

While we were in Alabama Ben was hard at work at the hacker house.  He put together this  in the front yard to never have to mow again.  It is made of mulch and rock.  I think it is lovely!  There are many more improvements we want to do... but this is a vast improvement over the muddy weeds we had before.






Our Trip to Alabama

We had a good visit in Alabama this last week.  Here are some highlights.  

We went to the skating rink for a preschool time and Gwen discovered she could do the scooter thing this year.


Zeke's first time in the ball pit.


Gwen roller skating for the first time.  She was frustrated that it did not come easily to her.


Zeke refused to stand up.


We went to the splash park and had snow cones.


We also visited Mooresville, Alabama again.  I just love this little town.  Here is the little cafe in town we had lunch at.









Grandma and Gwen



We ambled down some back roads and found a vineyard.



Oak leaf hydrangea.  Gotta get one of those.  They are too beautiful!


Country lanes lined with trees.  My kind of beauty.


Thursday, May 23, 2013

Preston Graduating

Last night we attended my brother Preston's pinning ceremony for finishing his degree in becoming a physical therapy assistant.  It has been a tough two years, but I believe he really likes the subject and is eager to start his new career.  




Our friend Joanne.  She teaches zumba for people with disabilities with my brother.  She is a remarkable woman and an inspiration.



We saw this on a door in the junior college.  We found it rather amusing.


High art at the junior college.


Monday, May 20, 2013

Alcohol and Pregnancy

It is extract making time!  This year I am trying something new.  I'm trying almond extract.  This first picture is of the almonds that have been blanched and skinned.  It's therapeutic to skin almonds I found.  Sometimes mindless activities like that are soothing.  When I was a kid milking goats was like that.  Have I mentioned I wasn't the typical kid playing t-ball?  Well, if you were interested in trying your hand at almond extract, it is 2 C of blanched natural almonds (blanching is putting them in boiling water for exactly 1 minute) per half gallon of alcohol. (I used vodka)  Viola!  It is ready in 2 months, but I am going to wait 5 or so for Christmas time.  When you blanch the almonds lay them out on a towel and put another towel on top and dry them gently.  Some of the skins will just come off with you touching them, but then the rest you have to pick them up and slide off the skin.  I also did one gallon of regular vanilla extract... but I have enough beans for a second gallon.  I think I will do the second gallon as well when I get enough time.



I am now 24 weeks along and I feel the presence of this baby now.  I have forgotten what it feels like to be pregnant even though it was only 3 years ago when I was expecting Zeke.  There is no hiding on the third go round and as my doctor said "I have hit a growth spurt."  In other words, I already had a belly, but now it's getting really round.  The difference this time?  I have no idea what month I'm in and this baby moves more than the other two did.  I haven't thought that much about names because I tend to over think it and drive myself crazy.


In other news, my choir is getting ready for a big concert this upcoming Friday.  This is my favorite for the concert.  Serendipitously, my pastor's sermon this week was on the Sermon on the Mount.  I'm not sure I understand it entirely... exactly what being "poor in spirit" means and so forth, but I love this song.  Isn't music wonderful that we can take Jesus's exact words and make it into praise?  This is such a complex world full of sin.. but at least we have music.  It is one of the wonderful comforts of life I believe.   

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Durufle Requiem

Today has been an unexpected day.  A friend called me this morning and offered to take my kids for the day and had a surprise for me.  I recently watched her three girls for several days, but I did not expect anything in return.  She gave me a gift card to World Market and a day to myself!  I almost don't know what to do with myself.

So... I went to World Market and bought some wonderful things like a new skillet!  (you know you are a mom when you get heart palpitations over a skillet)  Then I went to Aldi and bought watermelons, then I went out to eat by myself at an Indian buffet (my favorite).  Then I went and looked at the Christian bookstore and then I went and drove through the car wash.  I am home now and practicing music for a rehearsal tomorrow night.  We are doing the Durufle Requiem and I am using this recording to practice with.  These boys sing so beautifully it makes me want to cry.

I am so fortunate to be able to sing this stuff.  I considered giving up the choir with the coming of this third baby, but I just can't do it.  My church doesn't sing this style of music and I just can't live without it.  I find it so enriching to sing intellectually engaging music!  Songs in other languages that people for centuries have sung.  So, today I am thankful for thoughtful deeds returned to me unexpectedly, good music and time off.