Flashback Friday

In case you cannot see, that is a bubble from bubble gum on Jayme's nose. . . yes, I put it there.

S is for...

Sunshine, which we thouroughly enjoyed yesterday and today. It makes such a difference for me when the sun is out . . .let's hope it continues for a while.

Snowflakes
since the first snow on Thanksgiving we've been ready for MORE, so we made our own snowflakes today.

This is one of Noah's own designs.

Stained Glass

We shaved red and green crayons over wax paper, then covered with a second sheet of wax paper. With an iron on a low setting, gently place over the wax paper and heat the crayon bits to melting. The design is sealed between the wax paper. Then we cut each design into uniform squares and taped to our window, covering the seams with black electrical tape.

Rub-a-dub-dub

Annabelle in a tub!

There is nothing more pleasant than bathing a baby and preparing her for bed. . . that is until the washing, drying & lotion are done. Then just about the time we start the diapering she starts the wiggling and it becomes a wrestling match with an octopus. Where do all the extra arms and legs come from? Finally in her PJs, she heaves a big sleepy sigh of contentment and I am left tired and sweaty.

Eight

Eight is great!

She's tiny for her age, but she packs a lot of power:

huge smile

strong back, arms and legs

healthy lungs

And, she's been calling "Mama" though it's mostly when she cries.

First Snow Fall

As a delicious frosting on a cake, so was the first snowfall last night. This morning everything was covered in a beautiful sparkling blanket of white. I love the winter for the drastic changes in scenery it brings.

Today, the day after Thanksgiving, is our traditional day for going out to chop our Christmas tree. However Bronwen is sick and we are staying inside where it's warm. Our tree will have to wait.

Giving Thanks

Noah enjoys helping out in the kitchen and today he helped Aunt Jayme make the pumpkin pies. Mmmmm

A beautiful table set for 13. . . we really missed Scott and set a place for him anyway. Josh's parents were also able to join us since his brother's family was out of town. It was a full house but it was so wonderful to be together.

The kids took their play with them in every room. They played sardines which is like hide and seek, but as each person finds the hider, they hide with him until the last seeker has found them. We also had fun playing pictionary.




The first snow . . .

Josh left the shudder open for these pictures and it makes them look like little snow spirits playing in the yard.

The kids waited all day for it, and finally it began late in the evening. There was nothing left to do but to don the coats, hats and mittens and dance in the snow! A perfect end to a perfect day of thanks.

Wednesday the Great

Jayme is reunited with her littlest niece. Annabelle seemed to recognize her and was happy to be held by her sweet Auntie. Isn't it amazing how the imprint from those early weeks lasted in her little mind?

Noah and Bronwen were so happy to see Jayme again. They were stuck to her like glue for most of her visit. We went over to Mom's on Wednesday to help prepare for Thanksgiving.

We attended a candlelight Thanksgiving prayer service at church and afterward my sweet man let me and the kids spend the night at mom's. While the little ones slept, we worked well into the night talking, laughing, preparing food and enjoying each other's company. Waking up back at home with my sister was a wonderful gift. The time was so special and felt so festive!

Sweet Reunion

I am thankful for:

Scott sending my sister home for Thanksgiving

My precious neice Madelyn who turns 9 today - Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

My husband who works so hard for us and for me to be able to stay home

My children - the lights of my life

My parents who continue to love, support and encourage me

My dear friends with whom I share this journey of parenthood with all of it's amazing ups and downs.




Last night was just wonderful. After quite a long day of travel for her - she was up at 3AM, took the 5AM train to Logan airport, flew to JFK, changed planes, had to wait an hour on the runway until Chicago cleared them because of the heavy fog -we met Jayme about 6pm outside her old apartment in Hyde Park. It was so great to just wrap my arms around her and hold her! We just stood there in the street laughing and hugging and taking pictures and reaquainting her with Annabelle. My little punkin took to her Auntie like she had just been with her yesterday and not the five months that it has been. It was just precious.

Then we hopped the Metra to downtown where we met her friend Paula and had dinner at Grand Lux Cafe. This is one of our favorite places and Mom enjoyed it for the first time. By the time we were done eating and visiting, it was raining so we decided not to do any shopping. It was closing in on 10:30 our time anyway, so we caught the 9:20 train back to Hyde Park to pick up Jayme's luggage and pack the car and head home. Marta, Jayme and Scott's old neighbor, had picked Jayme up earlier and had let her keep her bags in the apartment so we went up to retrieve them and to change Annabelle into pajamas. (I know the details may be monotonous, but I am telling them for a good reason) When Marta opened the door, sweet little Dali jumped out, surprising us! We didn't know that Jayme was bringing her this time. But that was why it was so important for Jayme to connect with Marta (of course she wanted to visit with her too)and why we needed to pick her up (dogs are not allowed on the South Shore.) We were so happy to see that sweet little dog! And she was so excited to see us that she couldn't hold still for a long time.

We returned to my house a little after 1am, and Mom and Jayme continued on to the old homestead. Hopefully she was able to get some really good sleep last night.



To do today: Pick up crickets for Jack (salamander)

Pick up Madie from preschool

Start menu prep at mom's

Visit with Jayme



Happy Thanksgiving everyone! My prayer for you is that you will enjoy the day, with your dear ones close by, and journey's mercies for anyone on the road.

Delirious

Tomorrow Jayme flies into Chicago and Mom and I will be picking her up! I'm so excited, I don't know if I'll be able to sleep.

Monument Builders

The other day we were studying ancient Northern Europe in History and Geography. Noah was fascinated with Stonehenge and how it was built. Were the giant stone arrangements calenders, or something religious? He and Bronwen built their own versions of Stonehenge.

I did a little research in the Bible and using several different translations looked up references to monuments. They were all negative passages having to do with idolatry. Then I came across this passage from The Message:

Isaiah 55:12
12 -13"So you'll go out in joy, you'll be led into a whole and complete life. The mountains and hills will lead the parade, bursting with song. All the trees of the forest will join the procession, exuberant with applause. No more thistles, but giant sequoias, no more thornbushes, but stately pines— Monuments to me, to God, living and lasting evidence of God."

Here are a few of the monuments that were built in our family today. Some of the many day to day happenings that I am so thankful for:

This afternoon Bronwen and I got to have some time to ourselves while Annabelle slept and Noah and Daddy are at the Notre Dame game. (I have something to write about that later.)

I held her little face in my hands and said, "do you know how much I love you?" (it was such a sweet moment) and she looked right in my eyes and nodded, "yes" she whispered, "more than coffee."

Sometimes Uncle Johnnie has tickets to the Notre Dame game and we live so close to campus he often borrows our bikes or parks here and we run him, Christine and just recently the girls up to the campus for tailgating and football fun. So Noah has really been wanting to go too. Josh mentioned this last week at his Saturday morning Bible study and asked the guys to pray that sometime the Lord would provide a way for him to take Noah to a game.

One of the guys from the Bible study called Josh on Thursday and said he had been in a drawing and won 2 tickets to the game today and he wanted to give them to Josh and Noah. (He had already taken his son to a game this year.) WOW!
I cannot describe how excited Noah became when he heard how Daddy's prayer was answered, and so quickly!

And now I'm looking in at the game and ND is actually winning. Noah prayed last night that the game would go well. Not that his team would win, but that the game would go well. God even takes care of the small stuff. Notre Dame won tonight, beating Duke 28-0.

By the way, the seats were "preferred seating" which put them in the middle on the press box side of the stadium . . . four rows from the field! What a view they enjoyed.

I Shall Come Singing

The other night I overheard Noah saying, "I can't wait for Jesus to come . . . I love Him SO much!"

"Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Luke 12:40

My children, be silent before Me that I may speak to you. I will lift up My voice as the sound of a trumpet--I will speak clearly to you, for the hour is at hand. Be obedient, and raise your standards of discipline and dedication to a higher level. For My face is set toward My imminent return to earth. I await only the release from the Father's hand. I long to come and to be united with My chosen ones, but the Father holds the times in His own power.
And I say to you, though I am ready and longing to come to you, yes, I would have rejoiced to have come much sooner, I say to you, you are not yet ready. I have wooed you and I have warned you. You have spurned My entreaties, and you have fought against the restraints of the Spirit. Break through your religious curtain, and behold Me in My glory. Keep your vision filled with Me. Keep your life in tune and your worship in mutual harmony.
For I will come singing, and what will you be if you are in discord?
~ Come Away My Beloved

Dear Lord, help me to look for your return, not just watch. I want to be ready and longing for you to come. Too many times I am bogged down with the cares of this world and I forget to really pray for that glorious day. Come Lord Jesus . . .SOON, to take us home to be with You. Amen.

Bed time

After baths last night, I put curlers in Bronwen's hair for the first time. She loved it, thinking she was pretty special.

Daddy holds Annabelle while the other two are brushing their teeth. As she watches them she has such a knowing look, almost as though she can't wait to brush her teeth someday too. Still teething, but no tooth yet.

After the curlers came out, there were oohs and ahhs all 'round. It was a bit of a rush job so her hair was still a little damp and started to fall, but she really enjoyed looking at herself in the mirror with her "new hair." All the curls were gone by the morning, but now I know that she will hold still for the curlers, keep them in, and how long it takes her hair to dry, so I can do it in the morning sometime.

The Joys of Parenthood

I borrowed this from Christine. I keep going back to listen to it on her blog, so I asked her if I can snatch it and post it on mine. Of course she was gracious to share it with me, and now I share it with you.

This daddy also has a few other songs on the menu. And finally, a little laughter . . .

Whirlwind

What a week. I'll review before I start a new one. 5 days of school, 2 trips to the airport, 1 trip to the poles, 1 mom's group, 4 piano lessons, 1 field trip, 1 adventure club/church mice, 1 prayer group, 2 meals to prepare for other families, 1 missed play date.
Josh is back home safely. Thank you for your prayers for his safety. Every once in a while I get particularly nervous about one of his trips and this was one of those times. I am so grateful that mom and dad welcome me and my entourage (three kids, 2 dogs and lots of stuff) every time Josh goes out of town. I really don't like being alone here at the house so they are my saving grace. I know it upsets their routine a bit, but they are also genuinely happy to have us.
So now we get back to our normal schedule. Let's see . . . 5 days of school, I need to run to Hobby Lobby today, Madie comes back from Florida tonight so I need to remember to pick her up from school tomorrow after mom's group, then 4 piano lessons -or is it 5 this week?, a Christmas cookie exchange on Wednesday, a field trip to the firestation and, adventure club/church mice on Thursday. There's a haircut in there somewhere and I'm not sure what Friday looks like from here, but I'm sure its out there somewhere . . .
Next week, we are looking forward to Jayme coming home and celebrating Thanksgiving together. The Christmas decorations will start to come out and we're chopping our tree! Wow, can it be that time of year already?!
This week is looking very similar to last week. I guess my life is a whirlwind. I salute you ladies who also work outside the home and those of you who have more children than I do ;)

Here is an exerpt from one of my favorite books:
"O My child, rest in Me. Yes, quietly settle down in My care, as a bird settles in a nest. For I am watching over you, and in love I will care for you." Come Away My Beloved

VOTE!

Don't forget to get out today and vote. Both cities' mayoral elections are very important this year. Pray for Juan and Jeff, our brothers in the Lord as today may be stressful for them.

Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]--your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you.
1 Thessalonians 5:12:12

Travel

Josh is traveling again. This week he'll be teaching in Wilmington Delaware. His flight is taking off just about now. Have a good week my love!

Psalm 104:3 He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.

Psalm 91:4: He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Tea

But oh! the blessing it is to have a friend to whom one can speak fearlessly on any subject; with whom one's deepest as well as one's most foolish thoughts come out simply and safely. Oh, the comfort - the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person - having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.
~Dinah Craik, A Life for a Life, 1859

It's somewhat quiet just now and I'm finally reaching for my mug to make a cup of tea. I've been meaning to all morning, its the perfect morning for tea. The November air is crisp, yet still unseasonably fair. The sunshine is beautiful and the autumn sky is so blue, with just a hint of clouds from my vantage point. So its 11:54 and I'm reaching for my morning tea. Oh well. It will still taste good.

Every time I drink out of this mug, I think of the dear girl -now a woman- who gave it to me years ago. She is my best friend, a sister except not by blood or marriage, but by the direction of an unseen Hand that worked our lives together almost 15 years ago. We've been through so much together, Jody and I . . .many sorrows, and countless joys. We have seven children and 20 years of marriage between us. We've grown separately, but never apart, She is always in my heart, but this time of year especially for it was in the fall when our lives touched and our friendship began.

Friday afternoon

I am amazed and blessed by how helpful Noah is with his baby sister. . . and pleased that she really seems to enjoy him. I walked in to the family room today and found her sitting with him on the couch while he watched a movie. She looks so tickled and proud of herself to be hanging out with her big brother.

After baths, Spidey and Miss Spidey visited our home and climbed all over everything, spinning webs and saving the day. You could hear "To the rescue!" echoing through the rooms.