Living In the Moment

It is interesting to see how mothering changes over time for me.  I had a conversation with my sister about how hard it is to stay in the moment in this day and age with so many distractions.  I think that is a constant struggle for every mother.  This morning I really enjoyed watching the kids play in the rain.

We moved this rosebush from the back yard to the front yard and thought it might die... but it has bounced back and I'm so happy about it.  I am really enjoying looking out my big window at these beautiful yellow roses.

In pregnancy news, I'll be 31 weeks along tomorrow.  I went to a specialist for my gestational diabetes and my blood sugars are looking very good.  My prayer is that I can go until the end controlling my sugar through diet with no medicine.  They said to not feel like a failure if I have to go on meds, but I must admit I would be very disappointed.  They said because I have gestational diabetes this time that they probably will want to deliver me in my 39th week.  If I have trouble controlling my sugar or the baby is very big they said they'd want me to deliver in my 38th week.  I'm not sure how I feel about all that, but I'm taking it day by day.  They will start monitoring the baby by ultrasound when I reach 34 weeks.  I'm looking forward to seeing the baby again by ultrasound.  This baby is strong and moves often and so I am reassured she is doing just fine.  I'll give you another belly picture soon.  I'm busy running after two others that I can barely get a photo of myself these days.

Treasures

For Gwen's birthday present I bought her a grow your own crystal set.  We really enjoyed doing it together and seeing the final product.  Isn't it pretty?

I made cole slaw for the first time this year for the 4th of July.  Isn't this cabbage pretty?  What a wonderful God we have to make such variety!

I must admit, I love fireworks and the kids had a good time watching some last night.  They were pretty much toast on the way home though.  They are both napping right now for once!

Singing To Gwen

Summer Memories

The other night Ben and I were at the Grammy party to celebrate the actual Grammy my choir got.  I decided I need photo ops with it.  Do I look like a grammy winner?  I think not!  Oh well :)

The weather has been so nice and the Lord has been merciful to me with a mild summer so far.  It's so beautiful in fact that you can't stay inside.  So, today we went to Deanna Rose Farmstead.  It is free and the kids love it.  Gwen spotted this turtle on a log.

Gwen and Zeke both used their own money to buy a bottle to feed the baby goats.  Zeke was looking forward to it so much and then the overenthusiastic goats scared him.

Gwen, however, loved the attention from the goats and maximized it by pulling the bottle out of their mouths and running a few feet and then choosing another goat to feed.

Zeke still wasn't too sure he liked goats.

But Gwen did.

After we had walked around for a while I sat down on a swing and watched while the kids got soaked in some misting things they had there.  I figure this is what childhood and summer is all about.

Then of course we had to use up every coin we had, so we fed the ducks.

Every Good Thing

I've heard this song before, but I heard it again on the radio today and really appreciated the words.  I had a moment of true gratefulness of where I am right now in life.  God has given me so much more than I ever could have imagined.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.