DIVINEY FAMILY

a change is gonna come

2012-02-03T18:43:00.000-08:00

I am getting to know a new bible. English Standard Version. It is smaller print than I am used to so the books take less pages and I find myself skipping past things. It reads easy though and I am enjoying reading verses in a new way. I have been especially convicted lately in how I spend my time (okay this is about a once a week thing). I found myself pining over some tv shows the other day when I couldn't record more than two things at once on my DVR. Silly right? I know lots of people who are catching up on series' on Netflix so I was even considering how much I needed to "catch up" on past shows that aren't even on anymore! I felt overwhelmed and actually laughed out loud when I realized I was feeling more stressed about the fact that I didn't have enough time to fit the tv in than I was glad to be spending that time with my family! I am not embarrassed by my love of tv but I do have to keep my priorities straight. I record my shows so that I don't have to watch commercials and am getting good at skipping parts that are not interesting to me so it has really cut down my actual watching time. I am EAGER to pick up the Word but there are still times in the day when I am chasing a baby around the house or just letting him play but not able to focus %100 on something that is basically studying. That's when I pop on a show and "catch up". I have been deep into a study of James the past three weeks, and with that and reading my daily bible and "God without Religion" by Andrew Farley, I am devoting most of my spare time to those things. As we were studying the end of James chapter 1 this week (be a doer of the Word not a hearer only. . .) Beth Moore made some points that hit home to my heart. "The doing causes the changing" - in other words we need to be careful because the tricky part is that the hearing only can be satisfying. That is VERY me. I love to attend studies and join in words of wisdom and encouragement all the while my "tomb is grubby" to paraphrase from the NT. "God's word is meant to do more than penetrate, it's meant to ACTIVATE." Thanks Beth, no kidding but how do I do that? I have been actively trying to "set my mind on things above". It's sort of a secret how but I will let you know when my goal is accomplished. A renewed vision of my position in Christ from the book mentioned above is also helping me be more cognizant of my "attitude" and where my mind is at/what I'm focusing on. All this circles back around to the brief but comforting realization the day after my "tv freak out" that I was able to CHOOSE to let go of the desire to "keep up with the Jones' " of tv land. I just let it go. I realized that if I never saw (enter show name) it really wouldn't matter in the big picture. If we are being honest there are still a few shows I think "I wish I could get to. . ." but it isn't a focus for me; more like a passing fancy. My attitude changed because my focus changed and it caused me to act differently; all by the power of the Holy Spirit that helps me desire what God desires for me. Let yourself be changed. What is one of your little "focuses" that distracts you from your walk? From being a hearer and not a doer? Let yourself be changed. I would say it feels good but the truth is, it IS good.

of all the things

2012-01-20T14:03:00.000-08:00

I have been considering many things to blog about but as I was relating to my sister over the phone, i can't even keep my thought together long enough to pick a topic. I want to talk about parenting and how I was encouraged at Christmas when my mother said she notice a difference (for good) in my children's behavior but now I can't because I had to lock Blake in his room twice for biting me yesterday. Some parent. Some kid. I wanted to write about how excited I was that my sister agreed to read the bible in one year with me so I could call someone with all my "what the?" questions but we began last week and I haven't peppered her with questions yet. I thought I would write on how I am trying to put more time in with my kids in one on one activites, especially drawing with Trinity as it is her favorite thing ever and I "never play with her". Well guess what? can't really blog when I am doing that. ha! So in the end I will blog about this. I survived 24 hours with three kids and no power! Yes that's right. Laugh if you must but have YOU tried it? Snowmageddon officially hit on tuesday. Trinity's Martin Luther King day off turned into an ENTIRE week off school. The first day was fun, super wet and cold but we went sledding and made a snowman and jer made it in and out of work fine. Second day was not as nice. Tried sledding but the wind blew her sled like a kite so that lasted only about 15 minutes. Third day no power. Oh boy. I firmly believe God multipied my children's DS battery like He did the oil in the lamps because that sucker lasted until 5 p.m. We played candyland, chutes and ladders, blocks, hide-and-seek, go fish, coloring, watch the plow (that was my favorite, the city sent a giant CAT to plow our culdesac. Lovely!, too bad it didn't have a power truck behind it fixing whatever is up). Anyway, I called Jeremy at 4:45 hoping he was on his way home. Nope. He had just gotten off the phone with a client he had been busy with the whole day. Well I am a little stressed at this point. The house is cold and baby has slept okay, but he is sick and I have bags packed in case hubby helpfully suggests we go to a hotel. no such luck. He discovers that from eastgate to north bend the power is out and he can't get to us from snoqualmie prkway and has to go through North Bend to 202 just to get home! I was already prepared in my mind to go it alone that night. My phone had died and I had no way to charge it. I wasn't sure who would be more stressed. Me to be by myself or Jeremy to not be able to reach me if the roads were that bad. Trust me, he was the only one on our street "traipsing" in at 8:00. Sheesh. He made it though and we bundled the kids in their beds and Jer slept ours while I was downstairs on the couch with the little guy in his pack in play in front of the fire that I ran off and on all night. How did I do that you ask? It was easy when Isaac woke up every hour. I either nursed him or rocked him back to sleep. His poor little voice is so scratchy from being sick that I just couldn't make him cry back to sleep. I guess we will have to reset all of that crying out stuff after this next couple of days. The prognosis is still not good for power being on today so we are at Jeremy's office hanging out. We will stay at a hotel tonight and hopefully power will be restored sometime tomorrow. Sanity was maintained and returning to the dark ages wasn't so bad. I mean I finally got to teach Trinity "there was a farmer who had a dog and Bingo was his name-o B-I-N-G-O, etc" that's a once in a power outage opportunity after all. Oh and guess what? City water still works and toilets still flush. VAST improvement from MY childhood. =)

Getting on with it

2012-01-11T22:37:00.000-08:00

The new year is in full swing and there are several resolutions in progress. Sadly, I seem to have lost my copy of Boundaries with Kids on the return trip from my mother's at christmas so boo to that, I was only halfway through. I will have to go buy another one I guess. I haven't forgotten the desire to put up house rules and get going on some sort of reward system that has more to do with spontaneous praise and observation of good behavior than "yay, you did what you are supposed to do anyway". I hope to have the rules up by end of month but then Jer and I haven't gotten together to agree on them yet (could be interesting). Also, I have begun my reading through the bible in one year and am up to date so far (wahoo! 11 days). In addition to reading it I am writing down every question I can think of while I read. Mostly for curiosity's sake. Call me a doubting Thomas, but the scriptures have always held for me great highs and some lows. It will be nice as I read to give these to God. I began my Beth Moore study on tuesday. The woman is truly anointed and I can't wait for the next session. I can finally mostly hear again and my symptoms are down to a slightly sore throat and occasional sniffing. There are so many friends I haven't been able to get out and visit since I've been sick! Special shout-out to Hannah for watching the boys today so I could get my hair cut and thank you as well to Laura who watched them so the hubs and I could get dinner out. In other parenting news, Isaac is "chair surfing" over the cross-bars of the dining chairs, trinity is joining a friendship group at school, and Blake is stubborn as ever, (earned himself about an hour in his room because he wouldn't do a 2 minute time out for mommy). I've got to get that parenting book again ASAP. I think that brings us full circle for now. Of course there is always loads more on my mind but who could decipher that jumbled mess?

Sick Mommy

2012-01-06T13:03:00.000-08:00

Now I understand why you have to give them your license and they keep the sudafed behind the counter at the pharmacy. I mean, it's not like I ever plan to make meth but I'll tell you what, the sudafed alone does it for me! I went to urgent care yesterday because I have been sick for almost a week with no improvement and I felt an ear infection coming on. The doctor confirmed I was on my way to one unless I used Ocean nasal spray every half-hour and took sudafed religiously for the next two days. So I got some on my way home and boy was I wired the WHOLE day. I cleaned the house up and down and even went outside and put christmas boxes away in the garage and swept it out, etc. I then took the kids to gymnastics and back for bath-time and dinner. It was like I was on speed or something, I couldn't sit still the whole day. The only problem with that is I couldn't keep a thought it my head (forgot to call and cancel the doctor appt. I had today so had to call and leave PATHETIC message begging them not to charge me since now I have to pay urgent care visit as well) and I crashed pretty hard last night with more congestion, throat pain from the drainage, and sinus pressure. I always lose my voice with the slightest nasal drainage so I hope that it helps my case on the phone message. ha ha. Being sick and being a mommy is hard. I was really proud of myself the first few days of my cold because I was doing pre-school with blake and keeping up with errands, etc. but now by day 6 I am down to just trying to manage laundry and keep baby entertained. Blake has had cart blanche with the video games today and we plan to watch Gnomeo and Juliet when Trin get home in about a half an hour. That is about all I can do right now.

Happy New Years!

2011-12-31T20:19:00.000-08:00

what is it about the new year that brings such hope and determination? even though in the back of my mind I know that realistically I will not accomplish my long list of resolutions it doesn't waver my excitement at the prospect of new beginnings. I personally know many people who are looking at a bleak/scary start to their new year. For them, it will be a defining year in many matters; health, finances, relationships, etc. Some will lose parents, some will undergo surgeries and fight cancer, and some will not make the mortgage payment. For these people I pray for strength and the Lord's helping hand. For me of course the future is never certain, but assuming the year marches on as previous ones have this year will see several firsts for our family. Isaac will turn one in June, Blake will begin kindergarten, and Jeremy's company may even grow large enough to start a benefits package (what joy!). This year I resolve to read through the bible in one year for a second time. I resolve to love more and yell less. I resolve to practice contentment. I resolve to make new friends. You know, taking down the Christmas stuff is usually a very depressing day for me but once it is in boxes and the house has that neat, clean, new-start appearance I never fail to get excited about the new year. How will my little family grow this year? what will we learn together? do together? where will we go together? It's funny how the "what if's" of life swing me on an emotional pendulum from thankfulness to frustration. It really is amazing how blessed I am to have a healthy family and a happy home. That just isn't the status quo anymore. So occasionally I get upset that there is so much out there I haven't (and probably never will) experience. Then I remind myself I will someday see my Savior face to face. That will blow anything this world has to offer out of the water. and heaven? what will that be like? this year I resolve to keep eternity in mind. I resolve to not complain about my body. I resolve to work through the special journal my sister gave me. I resolve to continue to read and expand my mind. I resolve to try something new and step out in faith (volunteering at a crises pregnancy center??) I resolve to be an encourager to my husband and children. Woo! I'm stoked. Bring it on.

Children are happiest Outside

2011-12-30T23:53:00.000-08:00

The proof is in the pudding. or in this case, the sledding photos.

pretty sunset lighting

earlier in the day, love it when they help each other

it's a two seater!

ready to go again

come closer. . . .

sorry about the pink snowpants dude, last year you've got them promise. lol

playing with my macro zoom

surfing?

snowy gloves

more macro zoom

he had just thrown snow in the air. =)

mugging with mommy, I swear you wouldn't know she was mine

can't get over my cutie

mawhaaaaa!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-30T23:39:00.000-08:00

Pics from our recent Christmas festivities. Family time was good and travel went well although we did end up with one baby sick and now trinity seems to have gotten it too. Here's to hoping it's not strep throat. That's what you get when the house is run wild with little kissing cousins. ha! in further developing news, I got to go to my sister's ultrasound and discover. . .(drum roll please). . .it's a BOY! Boo hoo, I don't get to take my tub of "trinity's first year must haves" and dress up one last little dolly niece. On the bright side, there goes all my boy tubs and isaac will have several boy cousins close in age. Groovy baby. Wishing you all the merriest end to this holiday season and a wonderful start to the year 2012.

blake smile!

Blake. . .

at least Isaac is cooperating (so coveting britt's blue pants)

better but grandpa's not quite looking at the camera

Isaac's first present!

he figured out the noisy paper was super fun!

trinity gets the doll she asked for a little early

hooray!

must run in the family. . .

happy with a new toy!

Jeremy bought them juggling scarves

in Blake's old Christmas outfit

crazy happy boy

cute boys

cousins

opening presents at grandma trudy's

finally at nee nee's

happy happy

tried to get a NICE shot of the kids but blake was being silly

poor morgy and her sicky nose

uncle boo

two of my favorite girls

I like philip in this one. sneaking up on the cousins

oh those cuties again. . .

phili-lou

thanks aunt nattie, beautiful hat

funny shot of isaac on the move

my HOT man

dino-cutie!

nutcracker love

what a poser

Foodies we are NOT

2011-12-17T22:49:00.000-08:00

Two nights ago Jeremy called me saying he was running late from work and what were our plans? (which is his nice way of asking what's to eat). I told him I was making broccoli beef. I try to cook meals at home as it is much cheaper than eating out but here are the things working against me. 1. Jeremy doesn't like leftovers so if I cook something big I either have to freeze it or eat it myself for four days. 2. Trinity is good about trying things but Blake has his own special diet that does not include eating much that I make. This did not deter me this week however from planning about four nights in a row of meals and then planning to eat whatever was leftover the next few with one night eating out. The broccoli beef was night three of my planned meals. The previous two nights we had sausage and biscuits followed by stew and so, back to the phone conversation. Jeremy comments to me "well don't kill yourself cooking for me". Say what!? I thought that was part of the SAHM job description. I mean, is my cooking that bad? (oh wait, I was asking him this out loud when I thought I was only thinking it). "well you know", he replies, "it's just that we have been eating a lot of heavy stuff." Really? stew? fluffy white rice and broccoli? "So you're telling me", I say, "that if it's not floating in milk it's heavy?" (as most of you know, Jeremy loves his cold cereal and would happily eat it nightly I think as he did in his bachelor years). I'll give him the biscuits and gravy but the rest can hardly be defined as heavy. Here I am putting effort to cook nightly when in truth the heart of the problem is his large lunches out each day that often consist of exactly what I WOULD define as heavy foods. I suppose when I think about it I wouldn't want to eat a giant hamburger and come home to egg rolls and wantons either. So the answer? BETTER LUNCHES. so there. (slight pout).

New Beginnings

2011-12-16T22:18:00.000-08:00

I thank the Lord his mercies are new every morning. As you all know, parenting is physical/emotional EXERCISE and running with that analogy I've been at a "plateau" for a long time now. It's been a real struggle with Blake's poor eating habits and trinity's transition to a new school. Jeremy and I are buckling down with making Blake try new foods but he takes the teensiest bite and declares he can't stand it. Along with that we have his usual struggle with respecting momma and physical tantrums from letting emotions runs wild. Trinity has not made new friends in her new school and is really struggling socially. She is becoming the "class clown" to gain attention and it is causing trouble for her. My heart breaks when I see her lonely and struggling. She keeps up with her schoolwork but it takes much time and attention to get her to focus. She also is having more emotional outbursts from the stress of all the changes (the move, etc). I'm at my wit's end regularly. Our disciplines no longer seem to work with as much consistency or success. At Thanksgiving when mom was here we stopped by the Christian book store in Snoqualmie. She spied a book on the shelf she had been meaning to buy me called Boundaries with Kids by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. IT IS AMAZING.

I can't believe this book was published in 98 and I am just now hearing about it. It is exactly the goal/future oriented take on parenting that I have always aspired to but never knew how to attain. It is proving to be practical and very applicable. I have read quite a few parenting books and most have just been a bore or (frankly) not very good. The examples are always extremes and the rules vague. This book is not at all like that. The focus is shaping your child's character in the now so that they function better in the future which seems obvious when you think about it but so hard to keep in mind in the moments when you are in parenting H E doublehockeysticks. (I know I am being melodramatic, they haven't even hit their teens, ha!)
On a similar note we all hear about new year's resolutions right? usually mine has to do with exercising. Well this year it is going to be enacting HOUSE RULES. Blake and trinity's punishments have always been relatively the same but sometimes I feel like they would benefit from them visually being up somewhere in the house as a reminder. Also, as they get older more responsibility must be built into their daily routines and interaction amongst their family. Chores are slowly being introduced and I feel a progress chart for these would encourage/remind them. I am eager to begin these in the new year along with my fresh outlook of how better to continue this non-stop roller coaster of raising my children. These ideas are not new and many of you already have some portion of these enacted in your home but it will be new for us and that along with the wonderful perspective given by Boundaries With Kids, give me hope that this new year will bring progress once again in the realm of parenting. One last thing. I am trying to be more spontaneous with shows of affection for the children. It is not my natural way. Here is a snowflake I tucked into trinity's lunch the other day (she is TOTALLY OBSESSED with cutting out snowflakes lately). It made me smile making it and I hope she felt loved in her toughest environment (the dreaded school).

Coffee with God

2011-12-08T08:55:00.000-08:00

This Monday I headed out to one of my favorite local coffee shops with a slightly heavy heart. I had done some last minute checking around for a friend to meet me but no luck so blake and I appeared to be on our own. I had already tickled my mother/sister's ears over the phone that morning and they would be otherwise occupied for the remainder of it so not even my backup chatters were available. My nuclear family had come to the for sure decision that we needed to find a new church body and I had been ruminating on how long that might take us and how my already small circle of friends would become even smaller before broadening out again. I mean when you have lived somewhere for almost 5 years and you can only think of about three people you want to call when you go out that is not a lot of friends. Oh there are many lovely women who I would have enjoyed spending the time with and I could have tracked down their number from the church bulletin (and I know you ladies would have come =) but a truly bosom buddy of similar age, parenting timeline (how old their kids are), and interests is hard to find when you are a stay at home mom. Part of me wonders if I should have been more proactive about making friends since I had the baby this summer and moved to a new area but I have had to take it a day at a time so far and I think that will continue until my lovely little one is sleeping better. All of this to say, I guess I was lonely. I am usually cheerful and my days are often full of errands/gymnastics/bible study/library storytime so activities are not the problem. It's those quiet moments in between the activities when the lack of many meaningful friendships makes itself known. I'm not writing this to be a pity party, though I know many stay at home mothers probably feel the same and can sympathize but I am writing this to tell my little example of God's encouraging love in my life. Let me tell you about it. I sat down with my coffee on the other end of a couch set-up where two ladies were visiting. About five minutes later another woman came with her baby and sat down between me and them. I was trying to decide if she was with them but she didn't immediately acknowledge them and her baby looked about Isaac's age so I told her I adored the child's' hand-knit cap and how cute her little girl was. She thanked me and we struck up a conversation about our children (this was her first). She then asked me if I used Pinterest as somehow we got onto preschool activities. I said "Yes!" and we discussed boards, etc. I also mentioned that I was looking for a bible study to provide Blake with a pre-school type environment to prepare him for kindergarten. She then suggested a church I might try and revealed that she and her husband were currently seeking funds to become full time church planting missionaries to Spain through a Baptist missionary org. Blake quickly got bored of listening to us visit so I said I would love to follow her blog, pins, etc. and took down her information. Yesterday I looked it up and she seems quite the kindred spirit to my tastes/passions. I took a moment sitting in the van after my coffee to thank the Lord for reminding me that I am never alone. He reached out to me in sending someone to share those few quiet moments with me in motherly/sister in Christ camaraderie. No hurt is too small for His attention and it is exactly that that encourages me to "count it all joy". Lonesomeness makes fellowship (even spontaneous, howdy-do nice to meet you) that much sweeter and I am learning to cast these cares upon Him and wait for His timing for new friends. Also, it is growing me in coming first to Christ. If you want to check out my new friend Rosalie's blog it is theduryees.com I wish them well in their ongoing labor for Christ and blessings as they reach out in ministry!

My Funny Children

2011-12-03T22:36:00.000-08:00

So on the way home from gymnastics this Thursday Blake and Trinity got into a little discussion about Santa Claus. I have been meaning to share some research with Trin on the different legends behind Santa and had mentioned the names St. Nicholas and Kris Kringle (probably Christopher) but had not gotten into any details. Trinity has asked before about Santa being real and I (being the kill-joy I am) told her he wasn't real. Just like the Easter Bunny isn't real and the Tooth Fairy isn't real, etc. Trinity doesn't seem to mind understanding the truth about these matters and we have talked about how they can be fun to "celebrate" even though we don't believe in them. However she does have one exception in her catalog of "not-real" holidays. She believes in Leprechauns. In first grade her teacher made a huge mess in her classroom during recess and swore up and down that she wasn't even in the room and it was the leprechauns that did it. Well, Trinity refuses to believe that her teacher would fib to her and so has "proof" that they exist. Oh my. So we are on the way home and Blake makes some comment about Santa so she launches into how she doesn't believe in any of that stuff except little green men. I said to her something like "Trinity, if you believe in leprechauns why don't you believe in the tooth fairy? after all, you put your tooth under the pillow and there was money under it in the morning". "You and daddy did it" she said. I stayed quiet. "Besides", she said "I would have seen the fairy's light when she came". I thought that was funny because she was acknowledging room for belief even though we had already talked about those things being make-believe. "So I said, well if we already explained how it is mommy and daddy doing it, then why don't you think teacher made the mess and just told you it was leprechauns?" "Oh no! Teachers don't fib." Blake pipes up again about Santa, and Trinity (gotta love how a 7 year old thinks limited information is all you need to know) says "No, no Blake, there was a real guy who gave presents, Christopher Robin; but Santa isn't real". "Um, honey?" I say, "Christopher Robin is from Winnie the Pooh. . .do you mean Kris Kringle?" at this they both bust up laughing and move on to some other topic. Kids.

Thanksgiving '11

2011-12-02T11:06:00.000-08:00

So as you can already see from the Molbaks post my sister and mother were here for thanksgiving. Of course they brought my dad, brother-in-law, and nieces with them. We had a fabulous time and a very LOUD house for three days. Here are some pics of the table and the cousins having a grand ole time. Also at the bottom I noticed the saturday following thanks that the boys had the same colored shirts on so I tried to get some shots of them together. ha! that didn't work too well but they are cute anyway. Now that I have finished decorating for christmas (the mantle and tree went a little more blue and green this year to coordinate with the blue wall colors) I am ready to settle in to the christmas season. We have begun our countdown with the advent book my mother brought for the kids. Here we go and though this isn't the first or the last time you may hear this, MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

sophie liked to hold the binoculars backwards

oh blake. . .

the apron everyone was jealous of. =)

making the turkey nametags

the table

the kids half

the grown-up half

dad and I in a picture war

my usual freaky self portraits. nat and I were both in brown. we did not plan it. lol

thank you Jen Gwozdz for the doctor outfit!

love evelyns expression in this

I can't figure out why this makes jeremy's head look so big. hahaha

ready to feast!

mmmmmmm pie

the falls

very misty. check out trins eyes in this one. she looks possessed.

doctors again

bros.

Boo crawly baby!

say what????

Molbaks 2011

2011-11-27T11:52:00.000-08:00

My happy place. Mom, Nat, and I took Sophie and Isaac along for the ride. What I love about Molbaks is that they have photo backgrounds set up here and there throughout the store. I always forget this and kick myself for not dolling up the kids and taking them there for pictures. Next year it's on! For this year, here are the pretties, and a few cuties!

walkin' in a winter wonderland

the light of christmas inspiration descending on my mother. hahahahahahh!

beautiful branch

gimme!

poinsettia head

that's all!? two things in our basket!?!?

me and my 'men

well doesn't everyone want an aquatic tree theme? no?

'nee'nee and her twin turtle

I like the steely pewter

perhaps my fave tree

for sandy =) baaa

happiness is: a grandchild on your lap in molbaks.

almost. . .

hold still!

a little more still. . .

happy boy

perfect

I love the traditional red and green

the light of bears would be cool for the yard, love the white deer

don't worry, he won't bite

out of order, but when he first woke up the wonder that is Molbaks. =)

Merry Christmas!

Blake

2011-11-04T16:06:00.000-07:00

is four and I have been meaning to jot down a few of his special "fourisms".
1. He says many words with "f" instead of "h" e.g.- "fewmongous"
2. He insist that is a "sunny-circle". (semi-circle)
3. He likes to give "rasp-berts" (a mixed up the two names raspberries and zerberts)

in other news: personal enemy #1 and I have come to an uneasy truce for the holiday season even as far as Isaac's turning one year next summer. There is not time to be upset about a post baby body when my baby still doesn't sleep 4 hours straight. Sleep deprivation wins and exercise and I will enjoy a long awaited reunion soon enough.

Halloween

2011-11-01T15:58:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween. It was a total success. We had over grandma Trudy, Mike, and Amber, and our friends the Donathons. Mario (Blake) was very popular with the neighborhood kids and Trinity loved her Princess Peach dress. Pizza followed by trick-or-treating and NO RAIN. Yup, that's a success.
The baby made it impossible to get a good picture of his Halloween outfit (the same I have pictures of Blake in) but oh well, he was adorable anyway. Here are some pics. I didn't get any very good ones. Bummed about that but some days are not good picture days ans sugar-hyped kids are no help.

two things

2011-10-31T11:29:00.000-07:00

two things I am realizing today:
1. Isaac now likes to be put to sleep being walked held straight up on my shoulder instead of cradled in my arms. (I joked last night that we should have named him fozzy (the bear from the muppets) because he likes to "walka walka walka".) yeah that's right, groan if you must but you laughed a little too.
2. I am very naive about some aspects of the Christian church today. What are the current false doctrines being taught in some churches, etc. This was a question posed in my bible study that I only had a few broadly categorized answers for. hmm. something to think about.

Tree Trimming and Pumpkin Patching

2011-10-29T23:25:00.000-07:00

well it might be more like a bush but I had this maple tree/bush thing that was getting a little out of hand on the right side of the house. It completely blocked a window and must have been 10 ft. tall so Jer and I attempted to trim it today. When I went out there to begin I looked down and saw. . well what the heck was that? It took me a minute to make out a couple yucky pieces of fur, two rabbit feet, a fluffy cottontail, and some backbone and jaw (with teeth). On further inspection I also found feathers. SOMETHING is using my maple bush as a late night cafeteria. GROSS. So I put it all in a plastic bag and moved on to my trimming. Of course I was too retarded to take a before and after picture; I just started hacking away. (By the way, I adore odd jobs like this, something about the destructive nature of it for the greater good. . .okay maybe just the straight-up destruction). Jeremy had to get the top/back as I couldn't reach (poor widdle me) but I think I did a good job with the rest. Since it was a nicer day than expected I dragged the kids out and made them help clean up branches. It cracks me up how much they enjoy being outside but you have to absolutely push them out the door. I mean that's crazy. I was outside all the time as a child. (unless being asked to pick green beans, then I was hiding inside) I suggested they use the branches and pretend to be trees. Trin was all over it but blake was worried there were spider webs in them. (pray for him) We finally got him to play along and they had a great time helping us. I even got a few outside shots as the light was so great.

of course they were complete goofballs.

and. . .since the lighting was so good it occurred to me that we should hit the pumpkin patch. Now, I don't particularly care about pumpkins. I would be happy to just let the kids pick one at the supermarket rather than pay the exorbitant price the farms set but. . .you're only 4 1/2 mo. once and who can resist the PHOTO opportunity?!? Jeremy KINDLY let me talk him into going even though he had spent most of the afternoon "making progress" (that's our new pet phrase for my honey-do list). I just had to promise him chocolate chip cookies. lol. So here are the pics from the rest of our fruitful fall afternoon.

good lighting does not mean that your subject who can't sit yet will stay still. . .

me and my girl

trinity wanted one she could carry. not complaining.

blake wanted a baby pumpkin. easy on the wallet.

self-portrait

I think he did that on purpose!!! stinker.

All in the Family

2011-10-22T21:39:00.000-07:00

This past week I had a little mini-heaven getaway. I took baby Isaac to meet his uncle randy and auntie michelle and his cousins, mattison, jayden, and jewel. An added bonus was getting to meet other extended family as well. yippee! Of course he charmed everyone and we had a fabulous time. I was pampered at InSpa and Happy Buddha and enjoyed several afternoons out by the pool in 80+ degree heat. You didn't hear one word of complaint from me about that! Here are some pics of Isaac's first eventful vacation. Ha Ha. On the way home I was upgraded to a direct flight with two empty seats besides me. That's like winning the lottery for a traveling mother. Thank you my new best friend Megan at Alaska Airline. (and thank you Lord who definitely answered my prayer that all travel would go well). I really love and miss my California family!

isaac and vince

great aunt nicole

cousin McKenna

Amachi

Uncle Punk

huh??

yummy fingers!

Uncle Randy

gimme some love

mattison the baby whisperer

jewel aka "JuJu B"

say cheese!

Jayden

work it girl!

okay, a little too cheesy

at chilis gettin me some southwestern eggrolls

are they here yet?

Auntie Michelle and Jayden

me and Jewel

My Big Boy

2011-10-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

Isaac is four and half months now and he rolls all over the floor both ways! I have to take a close look at the floor now to make sure there is nothing he can put in his mouth laying around. Also, I think he is teething already. He has been very fussy at night, waking up many times but not wanting to nurse, just wanting to chew. I am turning into a bit of a zombie, running on my one cup of tea/coffee a day fairly well but not at full steam. Neither trinity nor blake showed sign of teething so early but every child is different so.. .I gave up on my ban on solids till 6 mo and began feeding him rice cereal at night. He loves it but is still lousy at eating it and it doesn't seem to affect how well he sleeps at all. darn. In the meantime I am dealing with always new and challenging behaviors in the older two while simultaneously enjoying some truly sweet moments between them. I can't wait till isaac is big enough to be thrown into the mix. Or maybe I can. Ruminating on all of this while drinking my cup of morning tea and watching Gardening with Ciscoe (that nutty, barely coherent seattle-lite) on a rainy saturday morning. Eegads, I have officially turned into my parents (except they would have black coffee).

Rambling - Part 2

2011-10-08T20:59:00.000-07:00

Okay, so. . .even though I think I posted part 1 a few days ago the thoughts had taken several days to formulate. So now it is about a week later than my actual "rough day". I am in a much better place mentally. ha ha. Isn't it funny how you can go to bed feeling discouraged and somehow through the night is just sort of seeps out of you and you wake up once more your optimistic self. Thank you Jesus. Okay so, I am once again okay with not being a major blogger/fashionista/career woman. Why, do you ask? The great thing I am learning is that God's purpose isn't forced down any certain path. I am not solely defined by my role as a stay at home mom any more than I would be by the title successful career woman or any other avenue I might venture. I always knew in my heart that when I had children I would not want to work when they were little but that I would put it back on the map when they were all in school. Part of this has to do with how God has gifted me. I have always known He called me to women's ministry and to music. It's just been a certainty in my heart since I was a young married woman and new mother. He has faithfully opened doors for me to minister with my gift through every phase of my life. That cannot be more clear. Still, the things of the world call to me, telling me that time spent doing that is not "worth" what outside work/learning may be. Let's get to the REAL bottom line however. The real reason I feel better today is this, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! the reason the world does not know us is because it did not know Him." - 1 John 3:1 That's it. My purpose is to seek His kingdom first. It supersedes whether I mother, work, tour (oh, the dreams!), whatever! If am seeking Him, God will show me when it's time to be "out there" in the work world and even better, He will open doors to it! It's so easy to lose sight of the peace you can have in waiting on the Lord. So, no I don't always feel confident in my "self" but thank heavens I can look at it from God's perspective. In HIS timing, He is faithful to complete the work He began in me. Amen! gosh I've been at so many places in my mind this week that anyone who reads this is probably not going to follow me at all. That's okay, sometimes you just need to write things down so you can go back to it and encourage yourself.

Rambling - Part 1

2011-10-05T20:58:00.000-07:00

I have felt the need to decompress verbally for several weeks now. It's funny how things always seem to build to a boiling point before simmering down to an acceptable level again for a time. The reason I haven't gotten around to writing sooner is because I wasn't sure where to begin. I live in many fantasy worlds throughout the day and I'm never sure which is best - or if they are deserving of time at all. These might include trawling fashion blogs and watching fashion shows on cable (both of which I always have at least 2 cents to add), watching design shows (also always have an opinion), and my latest obsession Pinterest. Now, I console myself that Pinterest might actually be useful (I have gotten some good recipes already) but since my last ten "pins" have been of clothes I can't afford. . .also I am curious why I sometimes feel the need to "escape" from the role of motherhood that is mine and that I cherish so much I wouldn't trade -or would I? I picture myself striking out in the business world, creating an empire from some product I love. In an older post I mentioned this need too. My current "Self" doesn't seem to be good enough. At least I feel like that's what I'm telling myself when I partake of the fantasy worlds where I can buy whatever I want, decorate with whatever I want, and accomplish whatever I want. Another part of the not sure where to begin issue is I wonder at times how personal to get in these deep-down blog sessions. I mean, it's not exactly a journal I can lock and hide under the mattress. That begs the question what is my motivation for baring my heart to the world? hmm, will have to think on that one. In the meantime I write on because I am a blabber mouth after all and I enjoy a good vent like the next person. Today was one of those days. Some days I feel like I have it all together. I rock the mom thing, (never perfect it, but rock it), my children don't seem to be heading for a disastrous future (at this moment), and all seems well on the home front. Contentment is the word of the day. Then there are days like today. Can I be honest? we all have our self doubts. A few nights ago at the dinner table Jeremy made a comment I took the wrong way. It threw me into a mini spiral of frustration and self-doubt. Am I doing enough? Do I care enough? Somehow it's okay when you think to yourself "hey, I might be a little lazy" but it's another thing when you sense thoughts like that underlying a loved ones' comments. I told him later that I should have been happy he felt I had potential to waste. lol. There is always a silver lining. Anyway, it was just one of those days that make you feel crummy about your life in general. Throughout the day I had considered projects and outlets that might help me feel productive but in the end there are plenty of fabulous fashion/decor blogs and I'm certainly not going to pursue a career at this point (while the kids are little) so I end up back at sighing and shrugging and wondering what I could be doing differently. Yeah, one of those days. But don't worry because part 2 is coming soon and we will look at how I SHOULD be looking at things. . .from a Higher point of view

Thermos Love!

2011-09-27T21:43:00.000-07:00

a few weeks ago I was scrathing my head about what to put in trinity's lunch. She doesn't like peanut butter sandwiches so I am left with turkey (the only lunch meat she likes) and tunafish. I also send turkey picnic style with crackers and cheese. Trinity pipes up that she wants soup. "I can't send you with hot things honey", I reply. "Yes you can!" she says. "Brooke had soup and it was in a hello kitty bottle". Say what? "Oh, you mean she had a thermos?" "Yes, that's it", she says. Okay, so off we go to Fred Meyer where the only thermoses we can find are $24. No bueno, not for a 7 year olds lunchbox. On to Target where I find the same $24ish thermoses. Funnily enough there is a gentleman looking at the same thing. Apparently his 7 year old just informed him of her monstrous lack of lunch options as well so he was on the same mission. They are all too tall, or the mouth is too skinny, etc. and so forth. Finally I pick a somewhat squat but rather large thermos for $18. I am just about to head out with trin when I spy it, THE HELLO KITTY THERMOS. "Look, did brooke have this one?" I ask. "Yes! that's it!" happy girl = happy mom (cause this one is only $16 and just the right size) We move on to the next aisle while I ponder running after the gentleman who sadly walked away before me with the same boring black one I had been eyeing. His daughter could have had HELLO KITTY. Bummer. What has happened since our mission was accomplished you ask? Lunch has magically expanded so far to include two days top ramen and yesterdays amazing lunch of rice and teriyaki meatballs. I actual feel quite good knowing she has hot food some days during the miserableness that is our fall weather. So, next bring me any ideas you have for filling up her new friend. I would love some creativity cause obviously top romen has like no nutritional value. warning: she doesn't like spaghetti.

*note the most awesome flame symbol - keeps things hot for 5 hours and the chilly snowflake (7) =)

Feelin the Love

2011-09-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

I gotta say. It has been impressed upon me lately than many people are not as lucky as I. How you ask? let me tell you. I have a wonderful family. My immediate family has always been there for me. A solid unit with strong bonds of love. Has it always been like this? Yes and no. My parents argued a lot when I was young. I think most kids' do. (I hope my family doesn't mind this being a bit of a tell-all, ooo phone calls might be coming soon lol) It worried me sometimes but "divorce" was never in my thoughts. We often fought with our brother. Two against one (my twin and I) usually made it easy to get him in trouble but payback was a - Big Brother's Best Friend. There were times I hero worshipped him and times where he wouldn't give me the time of day and I felt the most disconnected ever. This was greatly remedied the minute he was married (we all have our speculations on why that might be). My mother and I had particular strife during my wedding planning. (har har, and NO I was NOT a bridezilla)
When I was around sixteen it was announced that we had a half brother who wanted to get to know us. Okay. . .minor freak out but all is well that ends well and well, we couldn't ask for a better brother or family to join ours (shout out to the Hornbeeks!). As an adult with my own family, I feel closer than ever to my parents and siblings. I cherish time with them in any capacity. My sister and I talk 5 times a day on the phone and my mother telepathically knows when we are calling each other and tends to call at the same time. I get mushy gushy thinking about holidays and a stolen summer week here and there with them. My mother and sister in particular are sounding boards for my walk with Christ and my parenting goals/fear/failures/successes. I know my mom and dad would do anything for me (and often have). This is not to rub it in to those people who do not share a similar story. The amazing thing is that God has a purpose for each situation and there are those with great testimony because of their family. My husbands' family's story is not such a happy one. I spare the details because we all have dysfunction somewhere in our family, if not immediate then extended so I think we all can relate. Insert your family history/issues here. lol. I am taking this moment to be truly grateful for the family I have. It is a gift from God that heaven forbid I ever take for granted. To those of you with different background thinking I can't begin to understand how blessed I am, you are right. I don't know if I can ever appreciate it enough. I'm just feeling the love. It feels good.
(pic of my crazy family last Christmas - California family, miss you bro! coming to see you in October wahoo!)

The Circus! (and another round of guess who?)

2011-09-10T20:32:00.000-07:00

Firstly, I pulled out my other two kidlets 3 mo photos just to compare to Isaac. What do you think? The first two are trin and the last blake. Strong family resemblance but not quite sure who he is closer to; you can tell he's a diviney though cause of the dorky hair. =) Oh and we just got some cute 3 mo. photos at JCPennnys today and his eyes look way more blue than brown. I think he might end up with gray?

Alright secondly, the CIRCUS was in town and I spontaneously got us tickets for after our photo session. Figured we would make a day of it. We had a great time! Let's just say the circus ain't like it was in the good ole days. Down to one ring from three, cats and dogs instead of tigers, 3 elephants instead of 5-6, no actual trapeze artists and the tight-rope walkers were only 4 ft off the ground. I tried to just let the kids enjoy it instead of waxing eloquent about bygone eras. =) We got there early enough for the pre-show where the kids got to interact with the circus performers and pet the circus dogs. Trinity's favorite part was the motorcycles in the globe (duh! it SHOULD be everyones) and the chicks who swung by their hair. Blake liked the dog that knocked over the gates on purpose. Of course he would, Mr. CONTRARY. So, though it wasn't as I remembered I would call it a success. A success that I probably won't bother to repeat again but nevertheless a success.

the lead clown

she's 41 years old

all clothes pictures are vintage circus wear

in front of the horses

petting the circus dog

she got to sit on it!!! I'm jealous!

I believe this lady lead the horses

shake it girl!

blake said no to most of the pre-show interactions but he did love his clown nose!

they really do sleep anywhere

yeam, they don't really need the outfit to see they are clowns. . .

always updating. nothing stays the same

2011-09-07T18:22:00.000-07:00

do you think that's true? I feel like some things are frozen in time while other things fly around me like atoms in a (insert some scientific rigamorole here because my husband would be embarrassed if I bungled a scientific example). You know what I mean? baby Isaac just turned three months today. I already can't remember exactly what he looked like as a newborn. I should have taken more pictures. Time has flown by yet here I sit on the computer cruising blogs and pinterest day in and day out because my little catnapper doesn't seem to give me enough time to accomplish anything truly productive. It seems like I am a stone statue at my computer always clicking, clicking, clicking. It's a poor substitute for being out there doing things but let's face it. I spend much less money doing this than hitting the stores and after all there is not much else I want to do. (I mean really someone around here must need a personal shopper that would be willing to watch three children while I do their shopping, right?) actually it's not like it's ALL I want to do. I do enjoy reading, dinking on the piano, and other activities (you know some day open an awesome boutique coffee shop like Shanty *holler) all of which however I feel detract from the brief time I have when baby is happy to actually give attention to my two older children. I know it's just for a time. New babies are naturally quite demanding and so they should be. I do still get frustrated. I feel like going for a jog (crazy I know) but the timing just never seems to happen. I want to spend quiet time with the Lord but it's the one morning in the week the baby is up early. All you moms know the drill. insert your similar issues here. Ha Ha, I am so distracted these days I am forgetting where I was going with all this. For example I put three of blake's shirts in the trash today and the diaper was almost in the washing machine before I realized what I was doing. lol. oh yeah, I remember. The point was to say that now that trinity is in school I have been wanting to begin preschool activities with Blake. Unfortunately he is already a video game addict. So today when I asked him to stop and he didn't listen I said "okay, but you have to go to storytime at the library tomorrow because you aren't doing preschool with mommy today". Um say what?! did I just threaten my child with an educational oppurtunity if he didn't stop his recreational one?? eegads. That was sooooo the wrong way around. I almost made it sound like it would be a punishment. Trinity loved her preschool storytimes at the library but here is a time I need to "update" to the needs of blake who is of course his own little person. I need to figure out how to get him excited about the same things that trinity was naturally excited about. hmmm, tough. I'm going to work on that. So to sum up, I am always updating and nothing stays the same. I guess it's true. Stay posted because in the spirit of updating I will be whacking my hair off to boyish lengths next wednesday. So excited! wow, I am so RANDOM. pull it together girl and go get dinner on.

hmm

2011-09-01T20:18:00.000-07:00

quick update on personal enemy number 1. yeah, school started this week and with it my plan to work out consistantly. hahahahahaaaaaaaa (yes that is the crazy laughing of a woman who think she will find 1 hour blocks of time to work out with a 2 mo. old) so HASN'T happened. and I got that stupid bag of chocolate covered acai berrys from costco. curses! I am keeping in the back of my mind however that I have 10 min. solutions on demand on comcast so perhaps I might get my workouts in bits at a time. does this inspire me and give me the hope to press on? not particularly. let's be honest. if Iget the choice I pick zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. (sleep). like this morning after I got trin on the bus and the baby fell back asleep at 8:40 in the morning. GAME TIME blakey, don't forget house rules (don't open the door or answer the phone). zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, yes. okay so anyway. another thing on my mind is needing to give the first part of my day to the Lord. 10 min after my early morning nursing session to pray and read the word. another thing on my mind is that I need to expand my circle of friends. I love all you church people but how is a girl to get the gospel out if everyone is already saved!? hmm. . . .oh and I am inspired to try to write some more music and edit (yet again) my existing songs. needless to say Isaac is on the floor right now crying. neglected? never! slightly ignored? for shizzle. signing off to cuddle and coo! and in case you are jealous I will share:

Another Eye Opening Moment

2011-08-22T20:51:00.000-07:00

a few years ago you all read a post about my new "heart for" Darfour. It was amazing to me that somehow in my youth I had missed this genocide almost completely. I heard about it here and there on the news and of course I remember situations like Rwanda and other historic times that have been memorialized in film, etc but the extent of the horrible things that happened in Africa continue in many ways to this day and I unfortunately have been pretty pathetic about caring. I changed emails because of moving and never signed up with the one groups' whose publications on the situation I completely trusted. I had resolved to act in some way but have done nothing beyond buying three t-shirts that some portion of the profit benefited care groups in those areas of Africa. I mean how sad is that? I'm not looking for a pat on the knee and an "it's okay, we can't all be over there helping. . ." and I know that financially and with a newborn outreach trips at this time are not in my future. I do however want to be MOVED. moved to care, and to act in SOME WAY. I truly believe the Lord caused me to pick up a book at the library this month to accomplish just that. Below I am copying some of its pages for your benefit. Keep in mind please that this woman is an atheist and counts such learned atheists as Richard Dawkins as friends. She ran away from her family to avoid an arranged marriage. Her religious background is Muslim, her homeland Somalia. She was "circumcised" as a child and even spent part of her school years under the tutelage of radical islamists. It is her mission in life to speak out about radical Islam and the dangers to western society; particularly Europe followed by America. She must have security 24-7 because what she says is blasphemy to the leaders of her religion. It was a major wake-up call to me and yet gave me hope that something can be done in my own community to change lives. Some of you might find this controversial, I will be honest in my niavete' of other religions. I do have Hindi friends though I do not know any friends of mine who count themselves Muslim. Perhaps I need to make some. . .you will see what I mean.

"right now there are three kinds of messages being disseminated in many immigrant communities in European cities: the traditional, more dilute Islam, which is clearly on the rise; and the get-rich-quick- scams offered by the lords of organized crime who deal in the trafficking of women, weapons, and drugs. I would prefer, as a fourth option, to offer Muslims who cling to the idea of a creator and eternal life a religious leader like Jesus, who said, "render to Ceasar the things that are Ceasar's and to God the things that are God's," rather than a warrior Muhammad, who demanded that the pious seek to gain power by the sword. To help ground these people in Western society, the West needs the Christian churches to get active again in propagating their faith. It needs Christian schools, Christian volunteers, the Christian message. The Saudis have no hesitation in converting Jean-Francois and Gustav to become "born-again" Muslims. The pope should be spreading his faith too. For Islam isn't a genetic inheritance. A child born in Holland is not bound to be a Muslim just because his parents come from Morocco.
     In the blighted neighborhoods of Europe where the jihadis currently have free rein, there is no special reason why Christians should not set up after-school programs, peer programs for teenagers, sports clubs, and homework help. Religious people are generally more effective that state-salaried caseworkers, teachers, and policemen, for such a woman it is an intense relief to have a volunteer who comes to help with cleaning, who says "I know what you're going through," and who comes back again and again. The housewife no longer feels alone. in the same way, I believe, we now need a Christian school for every madrassa, the Quran schools where children and young adults learn only to drone the Quran and the message of the Brotherhood. Christian schools are often poles of excellence in an otherwise blighted educational landscape, particularly in inner-city areas. They are schools that teach more than how to recite a sacred book by heart. They teach not only the full range of sciences and humanities, but also about a God who created reason and told humankind to let reason prevail.
      This is a contest that Christians have every chance of winning. The belief system of the Muslim Brotherhood stems from a very narrow Arab culture; that, it seems to me, is its weak point. My own country, Somalia, has always been Muslim, but it was never Wahabi until the mid-1980's. Previously, for most Somalis, Islam was more a question of tradition and occasional ritual than daily practice. Women frequently were bare-headed and wore Western clothes. But when people feel alienated and lost, when fundamental changes in their society make the world strange and unrecognizable, they can become vulnerable to foreign influences. Many people who allow themselves to be drawn into Wahabist Muslim groups are looking for spiritual solace and a strong sense of community in a cruel and troubling world. I was one too, as a teenager. What they are getting though, is a toxic mix of Arab imperialism and a violent, revolutionary cult in the guise of religion. If you suggest to a Somali woman in Whitechapel that she become an Arab, of course she'll reject you. but if you show charity and generosity and help her develop a sense of order and goodness, if you terrify her with the punishments and proximity of the hereafter, and if you are the only religion on the market, then she too may be tempted to join the Muslim Brotherhood, and her children may be indoctrinated and recruited for jihad. This is the successful method used by the Hezbollah in Lebanon and increasingly by radical Muslims all over Europe.
     Religious belief gives you companionship in adversity, the security of fixed rules, and the tempting feeling of self-surrender and submission. I remember the comfort of that feeling. Islam frightens you into their power to win this battle for the souls of humans in search of a compassionate God, who now find that a fierce Allah is closer to hand. The critical question is this: Does the United States have Christian networks comparable in their strength to that of the Roman Catholic Church that can be used today to combat the next phase of the expansion of fundamentalist Islam into America itself?
-pages 249-251in Nomad by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

um, WOW. Did you read what I just read? Granted this woman goes on to make it clear that she supports the efforts of mainstream churches who don't hold their beliefs to the crushing standards of their Muslim equivalants. So in that sense I am betting she prefers the "all roads lead to heaven" sort of mind frame to anything too restrictively "conservative". However I do not think this needs to be politicized but instead I pick up my jaw from the floor after reading that someone thinks the answer to the jihadist Muslim movement is direct intervention from Christian people. Jesus himself. I don't think most people understand how major this is and what an open door it could be to spread the gospel if only we are brave enough to take it. The women in these groups NEED a religious experience to take the place of their Muslim faith. WE can offer them the true ONE, Jesus Christ; and people like Ayaan would support it wholeheartedly! Do you think God is lifting up people like her in times like this for His purpose whether she accepts it or not? Absolutely. I am MOVED again. I hope to incorporate into my prayer life the hope of an oppurtunity to serve a person in the situation she describes. Through friendship, mom's groups, school friends, whatever way the Lord might lead me. Even in our country it can be dangerous for a Muslim woman to convert. There are still honor killings, female circumcisions and other atrocities happening under our noses in our country. Certainly it is not as prolific as in Muslim countries but I am blown away again at my lack of knowledge of the world around me. I just had to share this woman's story and most importantly the call for Christians to act. I pray we do act, to God's glory and the spreading of the gospel. Her first book is called "Infidel" and again the above excerpt came from "Nomad: from Islam to America - a personal journey through the clash of civilizations".

Seabrook 2011

2011-08-08T11:59:00.000-07:00

I finally accomplished my goal of getting all of my washington family to the coast. Ever since we hit seabrook three summers ago I have been dying to get mom there with all the grandkids. This year we were able to make it happen! I felt bad about them having to drive across the state and we only having to drive 3 hours but if you want the coast. . .well you gotta get to a coast. me and my "duh" statements. We had a fabulous time! I wasn't too happy that the sun didn't shine at all the first day. It felt really cold and was very windy. Poor Isaac had sand stuck to his face because I had rubbed him down with baby sunscreen and it was sticky stuff. He mostly slept through it though as I had my giant beach umbrella set up to protect him from the worst of the wind. The upside was that it was PERFECT for kite flying and Daniel had brought several trick kites so we had a lot of fun doing that. Then the sun came out for the rest of our trip and the kids could not get enough of the sand and waves. sigh. I love vacations! I was a little more tied down than usual with the 2 month old but I call it a success nevertheless! Here is the cream of the crop picture wise. (I wish I had a better camera on trips like this. . .)

DAY 1

our first walk to the beach

our front door

on our way to the playground (my nieces evelyn and morgyn)

she's even cute upside down! (my niece sophie)

nee nee time. . .

my nephew philip

who was CRAZY about the beach. nothing bothered him. the sand and water were his best friend. I couldn't get over how he tried over and over to walk straight into the surf.

nee nee's little red jeep made several trips up and down the beach. you could hear their screams of joy for miles. hee hee.

Jeremy, lord of the trick kite. Okay, he did crash it once but this shot is pretty cool. It was almost level with the sand.
more kite action

trinity cuisin'

silly girl

me and my shmommy

sand dude

trinity flies the gecko kite

nice work!

DAY 2

fording the stream

look alikes

seriously, can you tell which two are mine?

despite how it looks, phily-lou did not hit the baby. . .

that's a tall shadow to fill. . .

mom and pops. happy birthday dad!

like a kid again

yes. I am scared a little.

there might be something wrong with him

swim trunks are the new daiper. . .

that's my girl

that's my sister

that's my man

that's my sister-in-law. oh yeah, and that's my armpit. self portraits don't always work out.

DAY 3

love

uncle zacky became the pylon for trinity's "wave walk". he took them out past their knees and they clung to him each time a wave came. lol.

you stick ze chest out movestar style no?

the ring toss line-up

bubbles?!!!!!!!!!!!!!

did I mention I just got my feet wet after mom said no?

brave boy got in the surf. brave, brave boy.

best friend cousins

beautiful lady

handsome couple

you taking pictures of me? because I am of you!
THE WISH I WAS A REAL PHOTOGRAPHER SECTION

Personal Enemy #1

2011-08-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

I have had my 6 wk post partum and am cleared to exercise but seriously people. . .vacation first. I've earned it right?? When I return home the plan to irradicate personal enemy #1 begins. Good-bye wrinkly post partum tummy, hello my best efforts to become "fit". Fit for what you ask? Who knows? but when the time arrives that being "fit" is needed, I'd like to be ready - Mission Impossible style. . .duh duh, duh du duh duh, duh duh. . .

Beware When. . .

2011-07-27T17:39:00.000-07:00

your children get old enough to tell on you. this is not a new phenomena in our house but has been causing a little more disruption lately than normal. Trinity just turned 7. Blake is 4. Both are old enough to tell on me. Case in point: I think food coloring is of the devil. Target has these icee machines that ALWAYS seem to have blue flavors which is of course what trinity wants. I have never let her get the blue because somehow in my mommy mind red or brown is not as bad as BLUE. I mean it turns everything blue; I'm betting your insides as well. At least red and brown match the insides. Okay tmi, but that is my decision and I'm sticking to it. So, as a special treat the other day I let her get one (red) and a lady commented to her while we were looking at t-shirts that it looked good. Trinity then launches into a detailed story of how she never gets BLUE because mommy doesn't like BLUE but she figures the red and brown aren't as bad so you can pick the red or the brown even though they aren't really good for you either but at least they aren't as bad as BLUE. . .yadda yadda. What you must know about trinity is that she takes forever to get a full sentence out with an adult. I don't know what it is but there is almost no eye contact, and she shifts her feet around while animatedly leaving great pauses between words like she is already light years ahead in the conversation but due to a faulty warp drive her mouth hasn't caught up with her brain. Most people look at me at some point almost as if to ask if she is quite all there. I simply smile and occasionally finish her point for her if she gives me the "it's okay to help" glance. This involves patience on my end and an undying hope that she isn't going tattle something serious or inappropriate. I mean who knows what this girl could have picked up? Her captive audience (and I do mean captive) usually then manages to mumble an "isn't that something?" and makes a quick exit for about as many aisles away as they can get from my little chatterbox.
A second (and more embarassing) case would be the doctors visits. Now when the doctor asks "are they eating well?" instead of me nodding a simple yes Trinity launches into one of her favorite subjects; Blake's poor eating habits. "He doesn't eat any vegetables, in fact he won't even TRY anything. .he just eats like peanut butter sandwiches and cereal and stuff like that which isn't really bad for you but isn't really good for you either my mom says, oh and he really likes chicken mickies too which are shaped like mickey mouse heads? yeah, he won't eat any other chicken nuggets, just those" yadda yadda. . .oh and we can't forget that the doctor asks about our TV time. "well Blake plays his wii games like ALL the time, sometimes he gets in trouble because he doesn't turn it off, the other day I went out to play soccer but he didn't want to, blake doesn't really care about anything but his games. . ."yadda yadda. At this point I am inwardly cringing as the doctor tries to wipe the smirk off his face. If he wasn't such a gentle soul I would have taken it personally but I completely understand. How do you not laugh at this precocious 7 year old taking about an hour to tell you all the flaws of her mother's parenting in one fell swoop? Let's not forget Blake adding his two cents at the end. Things like "yeah, that's what mom says" or "I just like what I like" or "I'm contrary!". At least he means what he says this one. All of this to say, beware what you say and how you say it because it is most likely going to be repeated at some point and usually to the least favorable person you can think of.

Bubble Coffee

2011-07-26T18:14:00.000-07:00

Yes I give my four year old instant coffee. We bond over it in the mornings. I get 4-5 spoonfuls and he gets 1. Then it gets cold water on top of it which makes a layer of bubbles hence the "bubble coffee". I think it's adorable. Do you have a not-so-great habit you indulge to make your child feel special? Do share, obviously I don't judge.

No Way

2011-07-23T10:27:00.000-07:00

My little girl is turning 7 tomorrow! Since summer is a hard time to get friends together (everyone is traveling, etc) we decided to do her party thursday, when two out of three friends could come. (we missed you Brooke). Anwyay, so I had my 6 wk post partum check-up early in the afternoon so baby I., trinity, and myself went to that while Blake was dropped off at daddy's office and the two of them went and got the presents. On the way home I stopped and picked up the two party girls. They were having SUCH a blast in the car that I decided I was very glad I had kept it small and that I had planned to take them somewhere for entertainment rather than furnishing it myself. Normally I am the queen of cool but it had already been a long day. Of course it was nothing a frozen mocha (also on the way home) couldn't handle. SHOuT OUt to Mercury Coffee company in Fall City, it's my new FAVORITE drive through. ---as a total aside I finished my year of no coffee purchases on July 17th and have been on a bit of a binge ---
soo. . . . .we get the girlies home and jer/blake arrive at the same time. We do the cupcake pinata (trinity's first ever on her own birthday) and head to KidzBounce for an hour of open play time. It went right down to the last ribbon on the cupcake pinata and they bounced right down to the last minute at the play place. I'd say pretty successful use of short party time! Then we went to pizza at Round Table (thanks Donathons for joining!) and took our little charges home. oh by the way did I mention we got Trinity a DS???? She has wanted one for a year and a half. Normally I wouldn't spend that kind of money (especially on the year we bought a house and had a baby) but we recieved some extra gift cards from the partners in jeremy's company for Toys R us/Babies R us and needing no big ticket items well you know. . .we decided of course to COMPLETELY spoil her because well, she is SEVEN after all. (and mommy has two road trips to make this summer which will be MUCH quieter now, mwahahahaha). of course my camera died as she was unwrapping it. LAME. Trinity declared it "the best day ever" and mommy and daddy agreed. We are so proud of her and see such great things in her. Happy Birthday darling!

best buds

pinata action

on the way to bounce

ready, set, go!

blake's first time here

the helper only makes amie bounce higher! =)

good shot mckenzie!

who let the cute boys in?

peek a boo

squish through!

contemplating her next move

up, up, up

and away!

me convincing blake the big ones aren't scary

blake contemplating his odds after I threw him on the big one

no time for play with this one, he's always thinking!

presents and pizza, does it get better?

new rule: abbey must stop growing!

you wrote this? for me?

how sweet!

this is where the DS pictures would have been. . .sigh. let's just say HAPPY FACE was in the house!

A Must Read

2011-07-19T17:56:00.000-07:00

So. . . as you all know I try and keep up with reading even though I have three kids. I have given up the idea that I will ever be "well read" but I do love to browse the shelves at the library and grab books willy nilly. Every once in a while this turns up a real gem. My last book review was one called "stuck". I still recommend it. My most recent treasure is called "the Flying Carpet of Small Miracles" by Hala Jaber. Amazing! A poignant story of love and loss, courage and despair, all the makings of an epic saga and yet it is simply, real life. I forget to come out of my own little world sometimes. When I read the story of this emmy award winning journalist covering the world changing events of the fall of Saddam Hussein while struggling with a deep and abiding desire to be a mother I was moved in a way that only a mother can be. To wonder again at my three beautiful children is always a healthy thing. Yes, I do get bogged down with the daily demands but what a blessed woman I am to be granted my passion and purpose in motherhood. I marvel at women like Hala who remind me of the courage, determination, and vision shown by the deborahs of the old testament. To be/have a powerful voice in your own time is a rare thing and Hala exemplifies the drive it takes to achieve it. Her coverage of the civilian casualties of the American seige and subsequent bombings is enough to break anyones heart. War is truly grotesque. However at the end of the book she meets an American doctor (a Christian no less) that expands her world just like she did mine while reading her story. There is always another perspective and this is my favorite thing about books like this. They are real people sharing real experiences. Life changing stuff even; I couldn't put it down until I had finished.

Bathing Beauty

2011-07-12T12:19:00.000-07:00

today was Isaacs first full bath. I know a month seems a little old for that but after we had some "goo" issues with blake's belly button healing I was going to take my time with Isaac. Doc said he was ready to go at his checkup so without furth ado. . .BATH BOY! (yes he did cry a little but seemed to enjoy it when it was good and warm - big sister demanded to help - big brother - previously bathed - ran around naked and was thoroughly unhelpful - perhaps he thought himself bath entertainment?) p.s. the towel pictures are always my favorite!

comfy baby tub

cute patootie

sideways, whoops.

he totally looks like he's holding his binky

what you lookin' at?

helper

helper love

curls?

super boy in his ducky cape!

fat tummy!

this is a nice clear shot, wish his face was turned more to me

better but not as clear

binky attack!

got it!

bath and binky = sleepy face

my top 3 bath shots. just 'cause I like 'em #1

AK and US!!!!!

2011-07-09T11:55:00.000-07:00

okay, so that stands for Alison Krauss and Union Station, and yes we saw them live last night at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Wa! Of course they were just as good as you would think. After all, they have been playing together for 21 years she said. wow! Jeremy and I were in the lower percentile age demographic. I was suprised that there were not more young people there. (what is wrong with you young people!?) I have shortened their band name just in case I get in trouble for posting vids since that is totally frowned upon. LOL, I doubt there are internet police monitoring blogs so closely. The camera wouldn't focus on the stage anyway so you get to stare at my pants while you listen. Exciting. AK was hilarious, she began the night by sharing some little tidbits about her, like one school dance she went to where the boy's mother gave them a coupon for KFC. random I know. Somehow this led to her introduction of the banjo/guitar player (ack, can't remember that ones name). She asked him about his school dances and he shared he didn't go to dances because he was a So_Cal kid that wore a banjo belt buckle and listened to the stanley brothers from virginia (apparently not cool). That made us all laugh and throughout the evening every few songs she would introduce another band member who promptly shared that he too had a banjo belt buckle (dan timinski's was leather so it wouldn't scratch his banjo) but the bass player took the cake because apparently he had a collection of belt buckles and his favorite was a banjo and guitar with necks crossed that said "bluegrass"! Even AK couldn't stop laughing at their antics and jokes. Are the buckle stories true? who knows, but it made us feel connected to these down-home musicians in a real way which is always important for an intimate concert atmosphere to thrive.
I have posted some pics and vids for your enjoyment and (just so you know) I am officially in love with Dan Timinsky (otherwise known as the singing voice of George Clooney in O Brother Where Art Thou). Jeremy and I are willing to consider a peaceable trade for a brief period of time. You know, me for AK and him for DT. Just for a little while. . .so we can jam. mwahahahaaaaa (I'll get the tambourine, dear!) warning: the vids take a moment to come up.
Thanks Luke and Lindsay for enjoying the evening with us and saving us seats!

look ma! no baby!

me and my honey

thar they be!

the moon over the venue.

A good man. . . .

2011-07-09T11:01:00.000-07:00

let's you hang girly pictures in his bedroom and consents to let you read aloud books to him that you want to "talk about" but can't because no one else is reading it at the time. thanks babe, can't wait for our "book club" time tonight.

things that made me happy today

2011-07-05T16:52:00.000-07:00

I have been suffering from allergies this past week and felt especially miserable this morning. Any plans to be out and about (the fridge is BARE) went by the wayside and I have barely managed to get a load of laundry and some light cleaning done. The kids have been good today which has helped but I can't wait for whatever is causing my allergies to act up so much to be done with. It put me in a downright foul mood this morning until I saw this out of the corner of my eye. Not sure how they got placed that way but who doesn't love a teddy bear that loves his morning tea?? This got me going to a few other things that have made me smile today.

Cute right?

the new picture for my boudoir. the two lines say " 'I'm looking for a man', she said. 'know any?' "

I mean how awesome is this picture?? I love it.

plants that love their new home

I bought the coppery ceramic pots for myself when I moved into the house

A little Family Resemblance goes a Long Way

2011-06-26T18:08:00.000-07:00

Blake, Isaac, Blake, Isaac.

different yet similar. Isaac looks more like Jeremy but I think they look more like each other in the last two pics so perhaps they will continue to get more similar looking? only time will tell. There is a family resemblance for sure.

WHAT'S YOUR OPINION?

It seems like only Yesterday. . .

2011-06-26T17:53:00.000-07:00

Of course this could be the title to almost all my posts as it always seems the days just fly by. Yesterday my little man (the first edition) turned FOUR. Yes, FOUR. I can't believe it has gone so fast. He is definately a "kid" now and out of the toddler stage. His favorite things right now? Wii., Pop Tarts, and he still loves to swing (though now he uses the big kid swing). He still throws amazing tantrums as well. He is my little handful but at the same time I think he is super smart and creative; just wants things his way. Our family wouldn't be the same without him and it's a daily challenge to parent the ragamuffin. He calls me to a higher standard of behavior and we've had some knock down - drag out disagreements (it turns out you can't call CPS to save you from your own child) but in the end I think we help each other to be the best version of ourselves that we can. I hope that makes sense to some of you out there. You get what I mean right fellow moms? Also, his dimples can still melt me out of the foulest of moods. hee hee. Here are some pics of the day. He went to Cars 2 with his daddy, then we had cupcakes and opened presents with Grandma Trudy, and capped off the day with Red Robin and Wii time.

He just blew the candles out in one breath! Good job buddy!

first taste of frosting. . .

still reserving judgement. . .

mmmmmm Good.

slip-n-slide, thanks Grandma Trudy there goes my lawn!

gummi worms a grandma trudy staple. . .

he actually really enjoyed all of his cards. =)

thank you also Mom, He loved the hawaiin shorts especially and in advance to aunt natalie who sent his card but we haven't received yet, and to Amie and Abby who got him an awesome velcro catch set. Blake had an awesome birthday thanks to all of your kindness and love (okay, presents. . .) mwahahahaa

All the Little Parts

2011-06-22T11:51:00.000-07:00

so perfectly formed. . .

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. . .Beautiful Boy

2011-06-19T16:31:00.000-07:00

Nothing captures your heart like a newborn. The funny thing is, with each of my first two I had definate baby blues and would struggle to feel on top of things. Anxiety (if you could make it a thing) would sit on my shoulders in the evening and it could take several months to feel myself again. It was hard to understand why I felt that way when I didn't want to and I don't like remembering the worst days of the first few months. Now this is no fault of the baby's, simply my hormones returning to a normal state or perhaps getting a little crazy for a while, one or the other. Strangely enough, this newborn stage has been the best yet. Even though isaac is not quite two weeks old and the blues could still kick in I am concentrating on being fully aware of the short phase of newborn time I have with him. It could just be the protective hand of my heavenly Father. I keep picking Isaac up and kissing him over and over. I drop whatever I am doing just to play with him even though he is fine with his brother/sister or even by himself on the floor. He doesn't cry very much although he does prefer to nurse to sleep. *stinker. He makes the most adorable faces and he is a champion at pooing/peeing the minute we have his daiper off. *gross. He has already begun to try to "talk" to me. I keep saying that I can't stand the first week after having a baby. It's not the baby but the one thing after another of a body trying to heal from a pretty crazy experience. The milk coming in especially adds a day of "poor me" right in the middle of that first week. Guys will NOT relate to this but bowling balls are not meant to be attached to the front of you. I couldn't even lay him on my chest to burp him it was so painful. Still, all of that passes in a week and my motto is "you'll feel like a new woman in two weeks, just give it two weeks". It's so true. Jeremy and I are already lamenting the hair Isaac will lose. Isaac had the most of our three children at birth but I can tell he is just like my other babies in that he will rub it all off around his crown ending up with a mohawk down the front. lol. He is also like trinity and blake in that he has his daddy's cleft chin. It most be a pretty dominant trait. I know it's going to get harder. There will be fussy nights, days with three sick kids instead of two, and I'm sure at some point he will start showing off more of his personality in good and bad ways. For now however, I am completely in love and so joyful that I am the one who gets to nurture this precious little boy. I love, love, love, love, love him!!!!! Here are some pictures I am considering using on his announcement. On the other hand I may just send out this link for those of you who don't have facebook and haven't seen pics yet. =)

Have a very merry unbirthday!!!

2011-06-17T18:06:00.000-07:00

So turning 30 a few days after giving birth did not much party make for. However, I was proud to display my "29 yr" printout on my hospital bracelet! All 3 kids before 30. Mission accomplished. Here is the only picture of me you are getting and yes, I still got my rainbow chip frosting. all is well.

The Birth Story of Isaac Emmons Diviney

2011-06-15T16:30:00.000-07:00

okay. it's been one week so I figured I had better get this down before I forget everything. I was feeling pretty healthy in my pregnancy and hadn't gained a ton of weight but was finding that each day past my due date was giving me increasingly more painful evenings. It must have been ligaments or something but the boy's head was obviously ridiculously low and since I am known for my "difficult to break" bags of water there was not much progress in the labor area. Even a full 9 hrs of false labor didn't move things along at all really. I realize that all babies come eventually but for me I was giving him a week and then he was out. Of course I ended up with an induction. So we go in tuesday morning and get hooked up to the evil pit drip. I spend the whole morning, early afternoon walking the halls. Very familiar as this is the third time I have done this. They have the contractions in a good rythm but I am only dialated to a 3-4 after about seven hours of this. The nurse explains that perhaps I don't have as many oxytocin receptors as some women which might explain why my body has difficulty going into labor on its own and why they have to crank the pit to double digits (which apparently they don't have to go that high with most women). Okay so, about 3:00 they break my water. At this point I am thinking of natural ways to handle the oncoming pain because I remember with blake that the contractions strengthened right away after they broke the water with him and I was asking for an epidural pretty soon after. ha! I walk the hall for 15 min. (jeremy is of course off site getting lunch at some fast food joint). ouch! I actually have to stop and bend and deep breathe over the hall rails. Okay, back to the room pronto and jeremy returns (about time). I try the birthing ball. More deep breathing and increasingly painful contractions. Jeremy says something "now that's an active labor face". Fine, be that way. I get in the bath. It helps but not like I have heard others attest to. I find it greatly annoying in the tease of help it offers; better than nothing but for sure not cutting it. I have never felt such a connection between the contraction and the dialation. It felt like a direct line straight down my body from the contraction to the opening of my womb. TMI and definately a wierd way too in touch with my own body moment. I ask for my drugs but she wants to check me first. 2 + cent of dialation in 35 minutes. I am now a 6-7. I think "crud, if I am dialating this fast I better get those dang drugs before it's too late!" So I get out of the tub and am shaking because I am cold/wet and then I have to "relax" while they do the epidural. Ha!! there were several times the anesthesiologist was explaining something to me about the process and asked me a question; I couldn't even answer. I just had to breathe and try to stay in control. I never thought I would get out of control but lets just say it would have been a much faster delivery if I hadn't had the drugs because I would have been MOTIVATED. My midwife Shana was awesome. She held me and said how strong I was and wonderful I was doing and would tell me when the peak of a contraction was happening so I knew it was almost over. I can totally see why people get doulas when they want to labor naturally, they are such an encouragement. Of course at this point I am still not laboring naturally but cranked to a 10 on the pit drip.
So, now we have an epi and I can relax a little. It took longer than I had hoped for the epi to kick in and then I was wondering why my right butt cheek had this too numb ache going on and then I felt a bit like I was being punched on the left side. Oh, so THAT is what people are talking about when they say one side didn't "take". I was feeling A LOT on the left side from not enough and slightly achy on the right from too much in one spot. However, I refuse to complain about it because it was way better than the full on contractions. So it must be like 5:00 now. I'm complete and can push if I want to. I don't really have the need to so they tell me to let the baby "labor down". That means just take his own time with the contractions to get lower in the canal. Okay, this is new to me. I'm at a10 and you want me to lay here and twiddle my thumbs? Apparently. At this point they bring in someone to "observe" the delivery. I had already signed NO to any students being in the room or part of my treatment because I remember being terrified about the damage being done when they let a student help stitch me after trinity was born. So I politlely say NO WAY and the observer leaves. As you will see in my sidenote, I had reasons for wanting only a few people in the room. I don't know that my mother was exactly happy with the decision for it just to be jeremy and I but she and my mother-in-law said they would abide by my wishes. lol. Oh so here comes the part where things always get wacky. The midwife suddenly feels it time to mention that she has a meeting she CANNOT miss so unless I want to lay there for an hour (5:30-6:30) her back up doctor is going to do the delivery. SAY WHAT?! If I wanted a back-up doctor I would have gone with the OB's who always seem to be on their own schedule first and not the midwives who are supposed to BE THERE for me. le sigh. well, after I adjusted my attitude I agreed to wait it out.

(SIDENOTE: this is the third time things have gone strange at the pushing point of my deliveries: Delivery 1 - trinity doesn't want to come out so all my family is kicked out and a circus of doctors/nurses attempt to help with my delivery. . .does not end well. Delivery 2 - blake is crowning but my midwife has recently transfered from chicago and needs a certain amount of deliveries observed by certain doctors until she can deliver on her own even though she has done it for 30 years. hence my waiting through the lovely ring of fire while several different doctors are phoned and one finally shows up with team of nurses to "observe". . .thanks for that. Delivery 3 - ready to push when midwife calmly announces she is so sorry but has a meeting and can I wait for an hour but oh by the way the nurse I have had all day is off at 7:00 and wants to see the baby so of course I have exactly 1 half hour to have the baby for everyone's convenience. . .what's wrong with this picture???)

So Shana returns and I kick mom out so I can get going, which is a good thing because now my epi which had been lopsided but mostly working was not working that well anymore so I am grateful to finally get to push. The laboring down worked because with each push she saw more of his head and out he came in like four pushes! of course there is always the drama of my children's shoulders threatening to get stuck. It's funny how everyone wants to go into panic mode at the slightest sign of travail. I am told to push as hard as I can and then do a slow grunting push (whatever the heck that means). This got his shoulders out but prevented him from shooting out like a cannon ball. Apparently I accomplished this amazing feat because later she complimented me on my "excellent" control. Can we be honest here? I followed her instructions but mostly I was wondering what this big push would do to my hemerroids which is where I was concentrating on the pushing feeling since I know those are at the bum and they always tell you to push down through the bum to get a baby out well. hmm. . .anyway, they throw the little guy on my chest. Well of course he is adorable but not eager to start crying so they freak and cut the cord (which I had specifically asked to let stop pulsing) in case he was in distress and they need to give him a rub down at the warming station beside us. You know he perked up right away and was fine (silly panicers. . is that a word?) but so much for my cord blood thinking.
Jer and I get about 20 minutes while they give me a few stitches and clean up. There are no extra nurses or doctors. It is quiet. the focus is just the three of us. . mom, dad, baby. . .I am happy. Third time must be a charm. We let the moms come in and have him weighed. 8 lbs, 10 oz. my smallest baby though not by much. I am actually suprised that he is that big. Nee nee was the closest guess. mil holds him while mom gets the big siblings. We all sit together for a while and admire the new addition. We kick around names since we hadn't settled on anything before. Jeremy is already calling him Isaac though he is open to options. by morning we know he is isaac but how to spell and what should the middle name be? I want to spell it Izak for a more playful take but Jeremy asks for the traditional. He says I can choose the middle name so all the current faves go by the wayside and we return to one from the first trimester: emmons. It's the name of the largest glacier on mount rainier (which is blakey's middle name. . .rainier). it was the origional way to summit the mountain and was named after one of the first men that surveyed it for the state/government. Isaac Emmons Diviney. It has a certain ring to it and I especially like the two double letter sets. Home again by noon the next day and the birth story is done. whew!

I don't do Overdue.

2011-06-05T14:35:00.000-07:00

I spent the whole night up with false labor. yay.

Picture me here but turn baby over and throw a party on my cervix. not cool.

Karate Belt Testing: Code Blue

2011-06-03T22:56:00.000-07:00

Trinity will be moving up to blue belt if she passes her karate test. (duh). Here is footage from the testing today. I still say she is the cutest karate student at the school. Blake as usual wanted in on the action but managed to behave himself decently and I for one was simply happy that I didn't have to ask anyone for help to get up off the floor!!! (here's to you overdue pregnant ladies!)

Jeremy turns 34

2011-06-03T22:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Love!!/Daddy!

Can't get over

2011-05-30T21:18:00.000-07:00

This picture! I was searching for these cute knit monkey outfits where it comes not only with the monky face hat but a daiper cover that has a tail and I came across this. Can you believe this little baby!?!? first of all I will never have a baby that small. so precious and delicate! Secondly the pink is just too pretty. I must still have some "girl envy" left in me because I just think this pic in blue would not have the same effect, lol now give me those toes to kiss!!!!

okay okay, I had to post a boy one too just to prove that they are to die for as well. . .

I mean look at that little chin and his oh so boy nose. sold! send him to me post haste!

Sunday Morning at Home

2011-05-29T10:30:00.000-07:00

We all caught a small cold over the weekend so we are taking a low profile this morning. Trinity has had it since thursday but yesterday I got the sore throat and congestion and today it is the same if not a little worse after a tossy-turny night. I was in labor in my dreams most of the night which really has a powerful effect on your psyche. I find myself tired today and I wouldn't call it cranky but a little off for sure. Blah is a good word for it. Blake came downstairs saying his "neck" hurt. =) He then began crying and said I kissed him too much. (ha ha, that's what I get for telling trinity it is probably our good night kisses that got me sick when little ears are in the bottom bunk listening to every word). They are acting pretty perky though so I might give them a bath and when Jeremy gets up send them off somewhere to give me some time to rest. Trinity has been bugging already to see Kung Fu Panda 2. I was going to make them wait until after the baby, in case there was an afternoon I needed everyone out of the house but perhaps it doesn't matter so much. *sneeze

some things I would like to be doing on a quiet sunday morning:

I had a vanilla latte yesterday thanks to Jeremy, and I think the lady forgot to give me the skim milk and no foam I asked for. . .that being said it was incredibly yummy so I have no regrets. However, that is why I don't make lattes at home. I thought this pregnancy might produce my little bean baby (as in under 8 1/2 lbs.) but as each day goes by and I continue to stuff my face I laugh at myself because I am pretty sure I will end up in the same ballpark as the previous two. . .but ah I would take another of those lattes in a heartbeat this morning.

I also would like to devote some time to reading my actual bible instead of all the books that talk about the bible or are topical in nature even though spiritual in content. There is no substitute for the written Word of God. It just seems like I always reach for the closest book or the kids are demanding too much attention to really be able to focus in. This will need some work but there has been a lot of change around here lately so there is always hope.

last but not least there is nothing I would like better than to sit at my piano and worship. It changes my heart, my priorities, and very often my bad moods. I am so thankful for this outlet that draws me closer to my creator. I have been itching to try writing some more music but for now would be enough to have a few stolen moments at the keys that did not involve supermariobrothers music in the background. . .

Naming the moment

2011-05-26T14:37:00.000-07:00

. . .trying to make sure all the bills get paid in this new location; that our address is changed on all our cards / accounts/ etc; continuing to unpack boxes, move things here and there, organizing; throwing longing looks at the piano on occasion. . .oh wait, what is this basketball someone put under my shirt??? huh, that's not a ball it's a baby! that's right, I seem to remember planning to have one more about nine months ago. hmm. what's that? he's ready to come out now??? you mean I will be in the labor and delivery wing of the hospital, then trying to put the carseat in right to take him home, and all that other newborn stuff? What do you mean I can't put my whole back seat down for trips to nee nee's? what's his name you ask??

shoot, deciding on a name must surely be on one of my to do lists somewhere. . .
ah yes, here we go. . .

1. pack hospital bag
2. charge camera battery and video camera battery
3. take friend boxes for her move
4. go to target for disposable wipes for the kids' bathroom
5. go to bible study (which was amazing. I move it to number one importance)
6. take trin back and forth from school
7. try not to lose it with blake when he whines
8. NAME THE BABY

ah! there it is. . .
with so much going on (and I know everyone has lots going on, I'm no special case) I was taken aback by a brief pre-labor session last night. My contractions picked up and I had quite a bit of back pain. I was thinking that if this was the real deal that I was NOT READY. To clarify; I feel ready for the baby, minus of course the no name thing, but not so much for the pregnancy to be over. I am thinking it's my last and as he was wiggling around in there I realized that it would be hard for me to reconcile that these moments will so soon be gone.

I felt like I really needed to rest in the moment. almost like it deserved a name too (hence the title of the blog). I need to be trying harder to remember these last few pregnant days. I just want to revel in the blessing God gave me of carrying life. I know not everyone feels that way about pregnancy (for some it is a physical/mental/spiritual battle) but for me it has always been a special time. I was so eager to have trinity that I don't think I really enjoyed the end of that pregnancy, plus there was a move involved at that time as well. With blake I think I was able to savor the moment but it all passes too quickly and one forgets how it really feels to anticipate a baby's arrival and yet be saddened by the end of a very emotional experience. So I sit today in complete limbo, one part ready to have a baby and move on with a busy summer schedule and the other part screaming "hold on!, I still want to process, I feel like there is more I need to process". Which part wins?

well babies don't really let you dictate to them your desires so I guess the baby plan does. At least I have been able to sit and write for a moment. Sometimes that is enough of a process to help me move on. Now where did I put that name book???

Moved!

2011-05-16T21:34:00.000-07:00

well we did it! I won't say this isn't the craziest way to end a pregnancy but being as it's the third time I've moved while pregnant I guess it's par for the course for me. Someone actually told me the other day that if I told them I was moving they would know I was pregnant again. ha! probably about right. I gotta say I am already loving the new house even though it is a disaster. There are many things to be decided, sorted, and put away. Problems I haven't had to deal with in previous houses (note the sarcasm) like a closet that can actually fit toys/dressers, (do I put them where they can play with them? do I leave everything out in the room like I am used to?) are giving me fresh options but adding to my "what to do" confusion. Even though I feel pretty good physically I find my brain just sort of turns of about 9:00 p.m. lol. Hence the terrible sentence a moment ago that you probably had to read three times to make sense of. I have begun weekly apt. for baby boy and now must drive trin to school from new location which means we all have to be up just a little bit earlier. So far so good and I am thankful. thankful. thankful. Here is a picture of a rainbow we had from a sunbreak on our first full day in the house. It reminds me of how blessed my life has been and continues to be. God is so faithful to me. Whatever comes next (painting) and after that (bringing home baby, death of all schedules, post partum blues, whatever) I know I can handle it one day at a time. . . and it's going to be fabulous.

The Lord does use Starbucks.

2011-05-09T15:20:00.000-07:00

okay funny story. this is of course at my expense but when the Lord puts it in front of your nose like that you have to acknowledge a lesson learned right? some of you know that in order to fund a child through world vision I made the committment to not purchase ANY coffee for one year. I figured between my drinks and the chocolate milks and scones I was now expected to purchase for my eager beavers that it would total about the right amount per month needed. I won't say I have a perfect record but I have been good and with a few friends occasional generosity and mom/nat's when they visit I really haven't missed the coffees. Okay, except the other day when the sun finally came out and I wanted a frap SOOOOOO bad.
Alright, making a short story long here. . .so it's mothers day and jeremy buying me a coffee on the way to church is my present. Hey, I'm moving and about to have a baby, I don't have time to fuss about mother's day you know what I mean? get me coffee and to church on time and I am a happy woman.
In the drive through, the car in front of us has a snazzy vanity plate saying something about "putting on the fritz" and then basically advertising that particular winery. It's a nice white mercedes sedan and I can see the driver gesticulating to the barista and trying to give her a free drink coupon. For SOME reason (perhaps crazy pregnant hormones??) I start a rant about "why do rich people need coupons?" and "why don't you give that to the pregnant woman in the chrysler town and country that is moving the next weekend" and "look at that, I can't believe he is arguing with the woman about getting to use his rewards, how lame?" and blah. blah, blah. fast forward to my turn at the window when the barista lets me know what my NEW total is because the person ahead of me had PAID for one of my drinks.

oops.

The husband is nice enough NOT to laugh at me and manages to keep his amusement to a smirk. I feel properly chastised about my BAD 'tude and ask out loud as we pull out that the "Lord forgive me a poor and pathetic sinner my poor and pathetic behavior. . ." when I realized that I was probably supposed to PASS THE GOOD GIFT ON!!!! double whammie. double guilt. double confession. It's probably a good thing we got to church on time. Apparently, I needed some Holy Spirit intervention. lol

Trinity's concert take 2

2011-05-05T22:27:00.001-07:00

Trinity's First Grade Concert

2011-05-05T22:26:00.000-07:00

De-nile aint just a river baby!

2011-05-01T22:23:00.000-07:00

We are moving in 2-3 weeks and I am going to have a baby in 4. I don't sleep well, my feet are starting to swell and I can't stop contemplating the possibility of having to sign closing documents on our house en-route to the labor and delivery. Will I have a chance to unpack? to paint the few rooms I need to? I am going to be out of the house every morning this week for appointments/ bibles study/ school concerts / etc. In the afternoon I plan to pack boxes here and there. Right now my focus is enjoying the last of this pregnancy. Most thoughts of labor/delivery, nursing, and the first few weeks with our new little guy I am strictly trying to ignore. The move is somewhat taking precedance because there are things to be done (address changes, internet, cable, garbage, etc./ not to mention that we will have to drive trinity the extra 15 min each day so she can finish out her school year at her current elementary) but I just try to remind myself one thing at a time. I am all smiles out and about but at home I let the stress get to me a little more. I want to cry for no reason sometimes. All pregnant women understand this. Anyway, I am going to keep floating down my river and assume that the move will go great, driving trinity will be a breeze (it will most likely, simply means being ready 20 min earlier), I will go into labor on my due date, deliver a 7 lb.er fabulous nurser/sleeper and will have come up with the perfect name for him, and that my other two children will be nothing but helping hands and loving siblings, perfectly behaved and ready to help mommy with whatever tasks asked of them. Certainly that run on sentence is not too much to ask? Not only that but my husband will miraculously know how to fold the laundry whatever way the new closets require and be perfectly willing to take all the night feedings since "he was up anyway". la la la lalala. . .pick your favorite denial song and sing along! =)

Awana Awards

2011-05-01T21:43:00.000-07:00

Trinity finished her second year of sparks this week. She is a great girl who welcomes learning about her faith with abandon and sincerity. I love her for it. Also a few pics of blake who sat through this years ceremony MUCH better than last year. (whew). Lastly the pics of our celebratory dinner at Taco *Yak. How I keep getting dragged there I do not know.

ooo look

we earned the same thing!

one in a million (well 170 anyway)

hi mom!

show me excited! okay show me less excited. . .

okay, that's closer. . .

is this thing over yet!? (oh yeah, that would be daddy playing angry birds)

it's crazy time (blake has been avoiding pictures, I'm beginning to wish trin would too)

closer, closer. . .

a little too close!

ah blake finally joins the shot. yay?

Easter Pics

2011-04-25T13:13:00.000-07:00

On saturday we went to a local church for an egg hunt. Blake did well in his age group but alas trinity was just behind the "wave" of egg-hogging older kids in her group and the church had woefully underguessed how many eggs they would need. I sent Jer out to help her and she returned with a lonely peach egg in her sweet little basket. Thankfully she handled it like a trooper and I had saved about eight eggs in blake's basket that I quickly transferred to hers. They knew they had to split the goodies evenly anway. On sunday I had to help with elementary worship so it was up to daddy to get the kids dressed in their best and to church. They were of course late but they made it and they looked so cute!!! Later we went to easter supper at a friends house and really enjoyed our time together. It was a very good day. Thank also grandma Trudy for dropping off the gifts! sorry we missed you!

he loved wearing it on his head

go blakey go!

hunting politely

success!

not so much success

34 wks. self portrait

Trinity's easter finery. thanks Nee Nee for the bonnet and shoes

cheese balls

oh yeah!

found it!

This is the best day EVER (even though almost every new day is. . .)

Good Friday yes, Sad Saturday no!

2011-04-25T12:44:00.000-07:00

Good Friday: my family attends our church's first Easter Drive-Thru. I am surprised at how emotional I am at the crucifixion scene.

Tomorrow is Resurrection Sunday. I feel lately that I have let everything going on in my life distract/distance me from my "sincere devotion" to Christ. Is it hard for me to reconcile what I believe with the theology/thinking that the world would have me espouse? admittedly. Is it worth it to step out in faith and take the chance that I could be wrong? absolutely. Does God understand that I'm not perfect and doubt is often the name of my game? YES. so where do we go from here?

Fast-Forward:
It's Sunday and I'm at church, worshipping with great joy! It is comforting to be in the presence of those who are like-minded. At the same time, I am challenged to live my faith in an open way because of this very experience. I want others to share in the joy of celebrating the risen Christ. I want it to mean something to them beyond Jesus being a spiritual guru and all around "good guy". I want it to be their connection to God the creator; their response to His finished work of love when Jesus gave up his life to fulfill the will of his father. How does this interplay of the trinity show me the meaning of surrender/obedience? It is amazing to see how Jesus let God's will be done even in that one moment when he cried out for a different outcome. How does this desire to accomplish ministry work together with my lack of spending time in the word or praying? I don't think it does. So things must always change. Less of me and more of Him! Pastor Randy gave a great message about not being stalled in our faith but in accepting and living in the unstoppable force of God's will being done in our lives. I'm ready for that! Happy Easter Everyone!

Spring

2011-04-18T22:08:00.000-07:00

tonight the air smells like flowers. beautiful.

6 weeks till he arrives. . .

2011-04-10T17:16:00.000-07:00

That's right. There he is!!! I was not planning on having another ultrasound beyond the regular 20 wk. but when I went to visit my mom over trinity's spring break I made a new friend who happens to run an ultrasound machine for Holy Family hospital in Spokane and. . . . . .she gave me another peek at little man! What a blessing! My due date was confirmed again, amniotic fluid level was great, and he's just perfect. Having an ultrasound this far along really makes me want to get my hands on him; I mean, he looks ready to go to me! don't you just love how he is sucking his little fingers??? He looks so much like trinity and Blake that I think the coloring will be the main surprise. Blond or brown hair? Blue or brown eyes? his face looks just like theirs so no worries about a strong family resemblance. . .mom was very excited to get her own look since she was not here for the 20 wk.

. . .and that wasn't the only surprise. My darling sister and mother worked hard planning a baby shower for me! I had no idea my poor mother that I dragged around Spokane all day would have to come home, get rid of me at my brothers, and set up an entire party by 6:30. She and Natalie had the house so cute and of course they had cupcakes with my favorite rainbow chip frosting. It was great to get an evening with friends that I haven't seen in a while. What a blessing to have such support that has carried through my childhood straight into my own foray into mothering. Who would have thought that the same people would still be so vital in my life? it really is something special. Thank you to everyone who made it and to those who couldn't but were there in spirit. I WILL try to get cards out soon. =) now for some pics of the baby booty. . . I mean the stuff I got, not the baby's bottom. lol!

all the new clothes and blankies washed and waiting!

most awesome blankie by nee nee #1

most awesome blankie by nee nee #2

so the end result was a truly fabulous week at my parents with God's gracious hand very evident in my life. In fact, I even got to sneak my friend a bunny! she has been wanting one for over a year and I was sure someone from "the country" would have some babies this time of year. I was right! All we had to do was break her husband down (which wasn't that hard really). He however, wanted me to make her think he said no. Well that was easy because mostly he had. mwahahahahah, I love getting my way. I am taking it over to her in just a few minutes and it's a SURPRISE! I can't wait to see her face.

Pregnant pics

2011-03-28T18:41:00.000-07:00

so my belly is exactly where I get a little nostalgic about pregnancy. It is big enough to be obvious baby but not so big that I am terrified to show it; just that perfect place to rest your hands and "visit" with baby. I took most of these myself except the one of me standing with both hands on belly (duh!). You have to take MANY pictures of yourself to get any good ones. lol. Anyway, I'm not a huge fan of showing off body parts but you only carry each beautiful baby once (I'm full of obvious duh statements these days) so I guess they deserve their moment in the belly spotlight.

Grandma's Mommy

2011-03-20T20:30:00.000-07:00

hello fellow mommy bloggers! today I bring you blogger fodder that should delight and amuse you! (or something like that). so we all know that our children are amazing and unique beings on this little planet earth that we inhabit and they often come up with the most creative of things. One creative thing children do I especially admire is come up with imagionary friends. About a month ago my son blake (three and a half years old) decided he had an "older sister". When I questioned him further on this sister it was emphasized that she is NOT his actual sister trinity but an imagionary one of varying age. Fortunately, trinity did not seem to be offended by this new person in blake's life. A couple of weeks after that however he upped the ante by adding "grandma's mommy". When questioned if this person had anything to do with any of blake's real grandmothers I got an emphatic "No! she lives really far away". Okay. . .it became clear after a few days that the true reason for "grandma's mommy" was simply to be able to insert himself into any conversation by being "cute" instead of annoying. Ah yes, the clever boy. Let me give you some examples.

Mommy to Trinity - "maybe daddy will take you to Kung Fu Panda 2"
Blake - "my grandma's mommy has Kung Fu Panda 99!"
okay. . .
The Neighbor - "wow your mommy has a baby in her tummy"
Blake - "yes but gramdma's mommy has TWO babies in her tummy"
uh-huh. . .
Mommy - "yes trinity, in a few weeks we will go visit Micky-poo at Nee Nee's" (translation, we will see the kids' real gradmother and dog when we visit soon)
Blake - "well my grandma's mommy has a dog, his name is barnacle boy, and we are going to see him in three hundred days!"
oh really?!

so far, to further illustrate, I have narrowed his possible reasons for all of the imagination station action into three main categories which clearly the above examples fit into as well.
1. to comfort himself - as in: I say no to a toy, don't worry 'cause grandma's mommy is sure to have one
2. to continue his contrary ways - as in: grandma's mommy either has the opposite of whatever we are talking about or at least two of them if not more
3. to get attention - as in: say did you hear the one about grandma's mommy?

This is one of the first things that has been totally blake with no influence from trin, and it cracks me up! I hope it did you too!

Trinity rides her Bike!

2011-03-20T20:14:00.000-07:00

After all attempts to ride her big girl bike failed last summer, I was a little hesitant to get her bike out of the old garage yesterday and give it another go. However, she has been learning better balance on the scooter she got at christmas and between that and being a little taller I thought we should give it a try. . .and was have. . . .SUCCESS! Being pregnant it was hard for me to bend over besider her and hold the back of her seat to steady her so instead I just tucked my hand in her left armpit to help her balance. It made it much easier to let go when she seemed on an even keel. As you can tell by the pictures I am adding below, she was just a LITTLE excited and proud. She declared bike riding her new favorite thing which means I will be outside alot this summer with a baby strapped to my front so I can watch all her magnificent progress.

sitting pretty

using the curb for take-off

always eating the chin strap

gap toothed concqueror!

big sisters rock!

2011-03-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

Trinity made this "hat" for blake the other day. It is designed for him to wear when he plays super mario brothers. Just check out the awesomeness of blake's crafty big sis! Funny enough, it fits him perfectly.

okay so it's mostly a headband. it reads "bowser fights mario and luigi!" You know, you can't knock best guess spelling. Then she drew mario on the circle with his little hat on. so cute!

First Tooth Lost and Karate Vid!

2011-03-08T19:06:00.000-08:00

okay so the issue with this video is that I couldn't seperate the sections for you because I only JUST figured out how to load the finalized discs from my video camera to youtube. The software I downloaded doesn't allow me to edit though so I had to put the whole thing on. Let me give you the times for the funniest parts and you can drag right there if you hold the mouse over the red line, for those of you with dial-up; begin buffering the video, go enjoy some coffee, then come back, ha! the funniest thing (that I'm sure you won't watch all the way through and that's okay) is that when they told you to run to your "safe place" everyone ran to their parents except trinity who ended up at the opposite end of the room from us. oi.

Best Karate Parts:
1. roughly 12:30 - I pan to cover Blake in the mirror also doing the karate. lol
2. trinity / 14 minutes to 15:30 - so funny! look at her little fists!
3. min 17-18. trinity gets to answer a question = ),
4. the TOOTH ! - 19:46

Trinity's Karate Grad

2011-03-07T20:53:00.000-08:00

trinity has switched to a new karate school. she likes it ever so much more and I am happier with it as well. She is learning basics like stranger danger along with her katas (sp?). It makes me feel good that she will know what to do if someone ever tries to get her. she had to start over with her white belt though so after starting in January she had her first testing this past week. They do it as a class so it really wasn't scary for her at all and she did really great. I will work on getting some videos up that will keep you laughing hysterically for hours. = ) she's got quite the moves. For now here are a few quick pics of today's belt ceremy which followed about a week after testing. She is now a yellow belt, go trin! Oh, and did I mention she lost her first tooth? yup, that video will be posted as well because it is also hi.lar.i.ous.

Best Dressed

2011-03-01T16:33:00.001-08:00

okay so I could care less about the oscars, but this dress is AMAZING.

spring fling

2011-02-27T19:50:00.000-08:00

who wouldn't want these insanely romantic felted slippers?!

I found them on etsy.com made by some very talented woman in lithuania.

sigh. they are so beautiful.

spring can't come soon enough. wouldn't these have been an amazing valentines gift??

musings

2011-02-26T21:19:00.000-08:00

I am sitting here wondering why I have been so lazy about any sort of journaling activites for this baby. It's not like I don't have the time because I type pretty fast so how hard can it be to lay down a few paragraphs about (once again) going through the incredible experience of pregnancy? Maybe I'm just lazy. I'm twenty-six weeks now, that is hard enough to believe in itself. This time around is going quickly! I am a little daunted at the thought of my schedule toward the end of the pregnancy (possible move to new neighborhood, church being farther away, lining up new school for trinity, etc.) so I am choosing to somewhat live in denial that I will get enormous, uncomfotable, tired, and grouchy pretty soon here. He who is to be named eventually has been a very active child in the womb which I have a love/hate relationship with. I love the bonding that occurs knowing everything is all right and he is growing and wiggling but I will say the third time around that some of those punches downright annoy me! I also seem to be in denial that my body may never recover from a third. lol. I have even gone so far as to purchase an expensive pair of shorts that MUST fit for my beach vacation in August (two months after baby). It can happen right? I definately plan to beach comb in my beachcomber shorts from CAbi. Ha Haa. Anyway, back to baby. He should be nine-ish inches long and about two pounds right now. I find myself wondering if this one will have blue or brown eyes, etc. I must admit I'm not even sure what I want. Trinity's eye color is just so incredible but I think some darker hair might be in order. Blake the traitor has gotten lighter each year and is now approaching what some would call blonde. grr. for reference allow me to add an older picture when he was about 7 mo. look how much darker!

If I am going to post a pic of blake of course have to post an oldie of trin. here she is at the age of irresistableness. (is that a word?)

I feel like it's a little overwhelming to think of daipers and breastfeeding just yet, so I am going to keep focusing on the pregnancy progress instead of once he gets here. Being in the third trimester I am beginning to look forward to the birth part, and shows like baby story are catching my attention more and more. They are as good as a birth class right? I mean, I've been down this road before right? All I need to know about delivering I learned from baby story. . .? Ah well so anyway, I rub my belly a lot this time around. Constant touch keeps me grounded and excited about eventually getting to hold this little guy. I am grateful that this year has been all about trusting the Lord to provide for us. I feel fortunate to still have the essentials from blake and trinity but still look forward buying something here and there in preparation. His brother and sister will be ready too! Blake does yoga with me and follows my position around so that he can stay in contact with my belly. He talks to the baby and pats him and kisses him totally randomly, it is so adorable. Here is to hoping that our soon to be party of five is the perfect party for us.

Practice makes Perfect

2011-02-19T19:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Trinity spent about two hours "practicing" with her baby doll. She wrapped it in blankets and layed it down to nap, asked me how to burp it, and tried about six ways to hold it. It was so cute. She is serious about being ready to take care of baby brother. Here is a pic; she's going to be the best big sister ever. I love her sweet and nurturing character. I'm pretty sure she dipslays way more of it than I ever did at her age.

Valentines, Short Stories, and Folgers Jingles

2011-02-15T21:34:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day!

I love God. I love my parents and my siblings. I love my husband. I love my children. I love my unborn son. I love Jesus and I am not ashamed! I just had to say that. I'm not the most dynamic person at verbally expressing my affection and I forget that people need to reminded of how much I love them. Yesterday was a good day to do that but today is too; and every day. I am wearing a heart pin blake made me at sunday school. I am happy.

We had no valentines plans and I have learned as a lover of giving gifts not to necessarily expect the same in return. This has been a valuable lesson for my marriage. So instead I decided on a somewhat mutual love language for us, quality time. It was 9:45 in the morning (valentines day) so I went to wake my husband up for work (yes he keeps strange hours). I was starting to feel a little mopey that our 9th valentines would be so blah so I tried a last minute plan and it worked! I cajoled jeremy into getting up and ready quick and with blake in tow we headed to a local coffee shop that jer had never been to. It was great to just sit with my boys and enjoy a cupa joe. I guess you would call me easily pleased and Jeremy commented that "all it takes is a coffee" but that's not so. I was happiest that we were hanging out together. I even got to put my hand on his leg (still makes me feel flirty). Yes, it was doing what I like to do but we all know most boys get what they like to do on valentines too so I thought it fair play. I wouldn't mind if we did more timeouts like that, in fact I aim to move it up on my list of to-dos. I really do think Valentines is my favorite holiday besides christmas

on a shorter note, I have been reading a compilation of short stories. They are such a different breed from novels. Packed with energy and emotion in such a short space. Everything has to be said immediately and even more than that is left unsaid. I find myself mulling them over and wondering about all of the what if's after only a glimpse of the full tale. I must say I enjoy them but why are so many melonchaly? Someone explain this please.

on the shortest note, stay tuned as my sister attempts to win the folgers jingle contest and a trip to new york to record a commercial. Go nat!!! (no the pic is not her but it WILL be) did I mention they are finishing a home recording studio? yeah baby.

My Take

2011-02-08T21:46:00.000-08:00

As I was debating on which bible study I would begin for spring session at church (the book of James: study written by Shelly Smith or a Beth Moore study on David) I thought perhaps I ought to pull out the only beth moore study I have done and go back over the workbook to refresh my memory on the style of her homework. The study I did two summers ago was called Stepping Up: a journey through the psalms of ascent. One of her assignments was rewriting psalms with our own take on them. As much as we were to keep to the point/feeling/subject of the psalm we were still encouraged to add personal experience/emotion to them. I remember this being one of my favorite activites but what I didn't realize would be how relevant they are to my current situation with my church body. When I read Psalm 122 I knew I had to post it here. It's my heart for evergreen christian fellowship, my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Psalm 122
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up—
the tribes of the LORD—
to praise the name of the LORD
according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There stand the thrones for judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.”
8 For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your prosperity.

I won't share my take on it but instead I simply change jerusalem to my church name. May we have leadership like David and members like the migthy men! Surely the Lord will not leave us in our current state but is pressing us, molding us, and motivating us to be more refined in our faith/fellowship/function. It is not easy and it is not fun but there is no lack of prayer on our behalf and hope is mine in Him. I encourage you to find a psalm that addresses something in your life and make it your own. It's truly a blessing!

Stranger things

2011-02-03T07:04:00.000-08:00

Last night I sat up in bed and "watched" the baby for a while. I am sure glad that I know it's a baby and that I know that it's ADORABLE because otherwise I would be totally freaked out. Nothing like a completely involuntary jumping bean stomach to make you feel a little bit STRANGE. The experience is so incredibly unique, just try explaining it to your husband. Well I did, (and made him watch for a few minutes) and the look he gave me after that made me think intimacy may not be in the future for a few days. After all alien posession really happens people, didn't you see the movies? Mwahahahahaahaha.

Superwomen?!

2011-02-01T21:25:00.000-08:00

Here is the link to one of my favorite blogs.
http://thefarmchicks.typepad.com/

She is a gal local to where I grew up and she is doing amazing things with her business, FARM CHICKS. I follow her blog and find it absolutely amazing that on top of raising her family and running a business she finds time to BLOG about it. I mean, who are we kidding? I've had delusions of grandeur before about starting up a business of some kind, perhaps I even made the effort to blog about my future plans/ideas but to actually accomplish it and then blog about it? Yeah, hasn't happened yet. I've always known I'm not an ambitious person but sometimes I wonder if it doesn't border on laziness. I've always assumed that if I found something I was really passionate about I would find a way to make it happen, whatever "it" was.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/note.php?note_id=140132931688

That has not happened either. That being said. . .
I am so impressed by these "do it all" type women and I intend not to beat myself up but to use it as inspiration.
Okay, so that was the idea. Then Jeremy gets home and tells me about his new employee (a female, I knew that) she has already begun a company on her own (that is successful - some sort of jewelry sorter/holder, I knew that too) and has two children (pumps breastmilk for the 10 mo. old), did NOT know that) and only wants to work four days a week so she can manage company/family/ two jobs but has a killer background in marketing and wants to do great things for bill4time. say what?!? enough already! You're killing me. No more uber moms! I would NEVER say that I hope they are one step away from a nervous breakdown because that is terrible and I don't really wish it however. . . I want the red bull they MUST be drinking. oh yeah. that must be it. you think?

Time

2011-01-27T21:00:00.000-08:00

Time is valuable. Time is precious. I would like to use it better. How much time did it take to write this? Is this a good start? you know I always plan to start writing regularly. about the books I am reading, the things my children are doing, the music I want to write, my amazing family, the baby BOY that will soon be added. . .the dreams I have to live a life worthy of the calling I have received (Eph. 4:1), the step by step daily application to that process, ministry within my church body and extended family, trying to be a better cook, oh so many things. eeeyah. well I will start with two things I suppose:

1. IT'S A BOY - that's right folks. I was tempted not to find out but at the 14 wk. due date ultrasound I swore I heard the tech say "he" at one point. everafter that moment I was obsessed by the thought it was a boy and since I (will be honest) was holding out hope of a girl, I thought it might be wise to just KNOW. Jeremy wanted to know the whole time and so of course he supported my decision. ha! needless to say I'm thinking it was a good thing. I was DOWN for a few minutes realizing that probably the only girl I will have is turning SEVEN in a few months. It's not that I don't love boys (as anyone who has seen me fall to pieces over blake knows), but I was a little lost thinking. . .no. . . more. . .girl. . .babies. Okay, I had my moment and I am swiftly moving on to complete anticipation and joy over the summer arrival of. . . .
ACK!!!! WE HAVE NO BOY NAMES!!!! OH GREAT!!!!!! (you know of course we already had a girl name, just sayin' - that's the way it goes. lol)

2. MOST RECENT BOOK - STONES INTO SCHOOLS
by Greg Mortensen. A truly amazing man who has accomplished such amazing things with such amazing people for the cause of literacy in afghanistan and pakistan. It blows my mind that things like this go on and we aren't all jumping at the chance to be involved. I know hundred of thousands of people have but it just makes me so PASSIONATE about not wasting time. There is so much to be done. Read it.

Saturday Morning Karate Fun #2

2011-01-22T10:49:00.000-08:00

Trinity as "trainer" (double click to make full screen otherwise it's a little cut off)