Falling Leaves

I feel like I haven't blogged in ages.  It seems before I can sit down these days a week has gone by.  I am planning a baby shower for my sister-in-law, Beki.  This picture is of a diaper carriage I've been working on.  I need to add a couple of things, but I'm excited by how it is turning out.  

Gwen had a lap-a-thon at her school where you run to raise money for the school and Luke and Zeke ran too.  I have never seen Gwen try so hard at something.  She ran 12 laps.

Romy has officially begun her toddlerhood.  She screams quite a lot and gets into everything.  She screams when she sees other kids going outside and she can't.  She screams when I have a glass of ice water and won't let her drink from it.  She screams when I try to put her in the carseat and when people leave.  All of her communication is screaming, pointing at her mouth (when she's hungry and thirsty).  I'm trying to teach her to sign a few things... so wish me luck.  Since taking this photo we have managed to lose all her her pacifiers.  I think she opens the trash and throws them in sometimes.  I purposed in my heart not to buy more, so... we are off the paci.  But the screaming...

This is the month that Jake and Melody will have their baby.  We are looking forward to another niece or nephew.  I forgot to post any photos, but we also threw a baby shower for Jake and Melody.  It was "mama bird" themed and I was in charge of the decorations.  I borrowed this bird house from a friend.  I thought it made a nice centerpiece.

Time Racing On

It's a busy time in our lives.  Serving at church, raising kids, trying to show them how to work hard and love hard and doing all manner of strange diaper cake concoctions.  That's what I've been doing.  Romy had a photo shoot Saturday.  She is just so beautiful and I wish I could capture her way on camera.  She is just a beautiful soul and I enjoy her very much.  

I was saying "round and round the garden" and she was doing the hand motions.

Look closely for her special feature... the ear that looks pierced, but isn't.

Why can't rolls be cute on adults?  I'd be set!

I love them and think they are beautiful treasures.

This is how I see them most of the time.

My three waves of Grace.

Thoughts on a Tuesday

I haven't weaned Romy yet.  I just can't bring myself to.  Please know I don't want to be blasphemous here, but I feel like Jesus in the story of the women that bled for 12 years.  I feel power coming out of me when she nurses.  I know breastfeeding isn't a super power, but it's close.  I know it's not the milk that is the power I'm talking about.  It is love.  I feel like I'm pouring love into her.  She's the only one that has made it this long and although she's not super into nursing, she likes it for comfort.  I like it for comfort too so I'll do it a little longer.  There, I said it.

A quote I heard from the sermon on Saturday:  "do you have space in your life for people who are far from God?"  Yes, I think so, but I feel compelled to make more space.  I know people all around me that do not know Jesus.  I want to have the ministry of availability. I want to be available to my husband after a long work day.  I want to be available to my children when they talk about their day, laugh, or play (or nurse).  I want to be available to my neighbors that are lonely and need to be asked to dinner, or a single mom that needs a hug, or a Muslim neighbor that needs to see that Jesus requires something of us too and that He's the Messiah.

Proverbs 1:8-9
"Listen, my son, to your father's instruction, and do not forsake your mother's teaching.  They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck."

I do love garlands.  Been reading Proverbs lately.  Lord, help me to gain wisdom and discipline.

Romy Turns 1

We had a few neighbors and family over to celebrate Romy turning 1.  I must say, it probably was the party with the least amount of effort on my part.  But we had store bought desserts and she seemed ok about it. 

Here we all were singing Happy Birthday to Romy and he was lifting her up.

She was having a good time bothering my brother.

Beki and Jeff got Romy a whoopie cushion.  The kids thought that was great fun.  Giving a one year old a whoopie cushion... hum... their time will come.

Happenings

Here's Romy searching for food on the floor.  :)

Today was picture day at school.  I took these at home.

She came up with this pose... haha

all the Barreth Grandkids with Grandma Morris.  The chemo made her hair curly.

I made this with the help of mom for my sister-in-law's baby shower (Melody).  My first ever diaper cake.  The theme of the decor for the shower is "mama bird".

and last but not least... ROMY WALKING!!  We've been very busy moving and growing.

Zeke's First Day- Preschool

This was Zeke yesterday.  That poor caterpillar!  

Ben's Grandma gave me this bowl.  I have one like it except it is turquoise with white and now I have white with turquoise.  Love it!

This is Zeke's first day of preschool this year.  He is going two days a week just like last year.  He enjoys it so much.  He picked his clothes out and "gelled" his hair especially for this day.  He was so excited!

Here they are... growing big.

If I only could explain what I feel when I look at this face!

The girls.  Same class.

Zeke and his nap mat.

Love is a Verb

Love is that baby that wakes you in the night
Love is the hug to a neighbor going through divorce
Love is an open door to children
Love is a yes to a favor asked by a friend
Love is watching your child walk toward independence
Love is letting someone struggle when it is in their best interest
Love is supporting your spouse when they are too weak to walk
Love is a meal made for another with pretzel sticks they prefer
Love is a gentle answer when stressed
Love is a mature thing- a God thing
Love is a verb.

First Time in Sand

Romy's first time in sand.  I thought she'd eat it, but she didn't.  She seemed to really enjoy it!  

Gwen- First day of First Grade

This is Romy the other day at an apple orchard.  The kids went to a day camp there to benefit missions.  

Today Lugi came to our back yard.  We love hawks.  They are majestic.

My girl started 1st grade today.  Grandma took her to school and we were not emotional about it.  She is thrilled and happy especially that she has a locker.

She is a beauty.  Lord, help me to guide this one!

Oh my goodness... this baby... she crushes me underneath the weight of her cuteness.

God Speaks

1. God speaks thru the Bible - Is it clearly right or wrong?  (Psalm 119:133, James 2:10)
2. God speaks thru prayer - Have you prayed and waited for an answer?  (James 1:5, Luke 18:1-8)
3. God speaks thru the Holy Spirit - Is God's Spirit telling you “No”?  (Acts 16:6, Romans 8:14)
4. God speaks thru praise music - Have you meditated to Biblically-sound music?  (Colossians 3:16)
5. God speaks thru circumstances - Do you have a legitimate opportunity?  (Acts 16:7, Colossians 4:3)
6. God speaks thru who God made you - Are you an "eye" trying to be an "ear"?  (1 Corinthians 12:17-18)
7. God speaks thru Bible direction - Has God spoken to you in the word?  (Jeremiah 32:6-8)
8. God speaks thru your spiritual leaders - What have they said?  (Hebrews 13:17)
9. God speaks thru other spiritual counselors - What have they said?  (Proverbs 11:14)
10. God speaks thru your desires - What do you want to do?  (1 Corinthians 16:12, Psalm 37:4)

These aren't the only ways God speaks to us.  God speaks to people through creation, conscience, the cross of Christ, dreams, etc.  But the 10 ways listed above, along with their Bible references, are a good place to start.

Gwen's note

She Won't Remember

She won't remember all the times I looked at her tiny face and found hope,
she won't recall all the times I whispered words of love into her ear as she fell asleep.
She won't remember the times I had to tell her "no" and stood outside with longing to save her from the struggle.
She won't remember all the prayers spoken over her bed for her to find the Lord.
She won't remember her first bite of ice cream or meatloaf.
She won't remember... but I will.