Good morning, Lord. This day I chose whom we will serve and as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. This house is still quiet but the stirring will start very soon. Let the stirring in my soul begin when the movement and sounds around me start. Stir me up this morning, Lord to be hungry for You, for your presence and your peace and your joy, even as I feel the stirrings of hunger for my physical breakfast. Serve me my spiritual breakfast first. You are an amazing God who was awake and waiting for me today, knowing how hard this Halloween day is for me and already putting things in place to make it better. Thank you for been the protector of my soul and the preserver of this day.
Be near to us as we head off to the pool for Isaac's swim meet. Give him courage when he's nervous and sharpness to remember all the rules and not get disqualified (the biggest fear of a seven-year-old swimmer). Let him feel at the end of the meet like he not only finished the race but won it, even if he doesn't come in first. Let me feel the same way at the end of this day, Lord, like I not only finished but won it. Let my spiritual armor be strong and steadfast and impenetrable against the flaming darts of evil. I put on the full armor of God now, then pour out the blood of Jesus, then draw the circle of Light that glows with your brilliant present warmth.
Let all the candy and treats we eat not land on my hips and tummy. Let them wash off of me (just kidding)-but seriously, the sin that easily entangles and the bad choices I make, let them be easily recognized and repented of so that I do not carry those sins any longer than I have to. Maybe, just maybe I can get a nice long walk in today to help "cleanse the chocolate" and pray for forgiveness...and restore me physically.
You are such a good and present God that I feel you here, sharing my first cup of coffee in this room. Thank you. My second cup is always reserved for intercession and you almost always give me a fresh idea to pray for, someone who needs me to stand in the gap, some situation that warrants my prayers as I sip the second cup...and yet this first cup, my waking-up-cup...is often less purposful. Until today. Until now. As I sip the yummy, perfect, wonderful brew, I feel you and I know you came for coffee this morning. Thank you Lord.
Well, Precious is stirring and the rest will follow. Blow me through today, Lord. Loving you so, so much right now. Amen.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
The days are so full and busy and we seem committed to so much. It's friday night and we have been going like crazy and I just want to hit pause. Or stop. But that's not the way of it, is it? We keep moving forward to the next thing and the next, especially when they are good things like school events, coffee with a hurting friend, dinner with family, a story at bedtime, a bottle for the baby...
I'm sad because God was present and attentive in each of these today and I did not take the time to thank Him or acknowledge Him there. I selfishly responded and reacted and resounded my own complaints and litany of woes. (mixed in with rain and drizzle and, yes, something that looked alot like snow again.) These busy days are good things. These are the things of life. These are the blessings given to me by my Heavenly Father. I'm sorry that today I felt busy and whiney. Forgive me, Father. Thank you for shifting my focus back on the beautiful, the amazing, the favorable life you have given me. Thank you for our amazing Christian School and its celebration of Grandparent's day, the soup supper that draws community together and raises thousands of dollars for the school...and for all the people who stopped to ask about Precious, notice her, talk to her, stroke her head, smile into her extravagant eyes...bless all those who noticed her today, Lord! Reach down from Heaven and touch my friend and pour out your beauty over her in this hurting time. Protect and preserve and grow my family in you, Lord. Love my babies, Lord, as I do my best to be their mama. Help us to have what we need for Precious. The baby supplies, the attention, the energy, the understanding, the finances...giving her a bottle is just a small example of a much bigger picture. Thank you for her, Lord.
I hate Halloween. In part, I have not written much because it is Halloween week and I hate it so much. My kids (not Isaac) like it and enjoy the costumes, the candy, the holiday of it. We don't allow scary stuff or dark stuff which was our compromise to recognize it at all...so this week has been very taxing on me, trying to balance my discerning spirit with what is safe and healthy and ok for my kids...anyway, I am so very much looking forward to Sunday which will be Novemeber 1 and October and Halloween will be done. We just need to get through the next 24-36 hours or so and it will be over for another year. Lord, help us and hold us and set us apart, preserved and protected from it and through it.
Sorry, that was a big leap from my day to my burden of this wretched holiday. Sometimes, its just like that.
I'm sad because God was present and attentive in each of these today and I did not take the time to thank Him or acknowledge Him there. I selfishly responded and reacted and resounded my own complaints and litany of woes. (mixed in with rain and drizzle and, yes, something that looked alot like snow again.) These busy days are good things. These are the things of life. These are the blessings given to me by my Heavenly Father. I'm sorry that today I felt busy and whiney. Forgive me, Father. Thank you for shifting my focus back on the beautiful, the amazing, the favorable life you have given me. Thank you for our amazing Christian School and its celebration of Grandparent's day, the soup supper that draws community together and raises thousands of dollars for the school...and for all the people who stopped to ask about Precious, notice her, talk to her, stroke her head, smile into her extravagant eyes...bless all those who noticed her today, Lord! Reach down from Heaven and touch my friend and pour out your beauty over her in this hurting time. Protect and preserve and grow my family in you, Lord. Love my babies, Lord, as I do my best to be their mama. Help us to have what we need for Precious. The baby supplies, the attention, the energy, the understanding, the finances...giving her a bottle is just a small example of a much bigger picture. Thank you for her, Lord.
I hate Halloween. In part, I have not written much because it is Halloween week and I hate it so much. My kids (not Isaac) like it and enjoy the costumes, the candy, the holiday of it. We don't allow scary stuff or dark stuff which was our compromise to recognize it at all...so this week has been very taxing on me, trying to balance my discerning spirit with what is safe and healthy and ok for my kids...anyway, I am so very much looking forward to Sunday which will be Novemeber 1 and October and Halloween will be done. We just need to get through the next 24-36 hours or so and it will be over for another year. Lord, help us and hold us and set us apart, preserved and protected from it and through it.
Sorry, that was a big leap from my day to my burden of this wretched holiday. Sometimes, its just like that.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
maybe I'm already building it
So my ark metaphor is taking more space in my brain than my meditation on Noah. Sorry Noah, I guess it ends up being more about me than you, dude. When I think about the great and amazing testimony and leap of faith opportunities God gives to everyday people, I am challenged to listen more closely, to watch with a keen eye, to be open to whatever may be around the corner for God and for me. I want to be ready and willing if God sends me blueprints to build an ark. Or maybe, just maybe, He already has. Maybe the Spirit in its subtle, powerful, mysterious way, has been whispering instructions to me for years already. Maybe my daily wrestling with the Lord, my moments of growth and my moments of fall-on-my-butt failures, maybe these are nails in the boards of the ark I am already building.
What if this life is my ark. (And yours) and the challenge is to daily deny the things of the world as often as possible and replace them with the things of God. What if my path of faith, my marriage, my career, my children, my friendships, my ministry efforts, my prayer life....what if this is the ark? What if the legacy of relationships and Holistic health and intimacy with the Father...what if that is already the building of the ark. Huh. He that began a good work in me will carry it on to completion.....
What if this life is my ark. (And yours) and the challenge is to daily deny the things of the world as often as possible and replace them with the things of God. What if my path of faith, my marriage, my career, my children, my friendships, my ministry efforts, my prayer life....what if this is the ark? What if the legacy of relationships and Holistic health and intimacy with the Father...what if that is already the building of the ark. Huh. He that began a good work in me will carry it on to completion.....
Sunday, October 25, 2009
are you a Noah?
I've been thinking about Noah for a few days. I"m sure that when God told him to build the ark he was doubtful, maybe resentful, maybe embarassaed and afraid of all the flack he would catch. He had to work really hard to do something God wanted and take all kinds of criticism for it. He was obedient and he lived. He is one of the most famous guys in the bible. I hope that someday in Heaven I can sit with Noah and ask him how it all went down.
I have a couple of issues in my life right now that make me feel like maybe I have something in common with Noah. I feel like God has given me a few different suggestions or opportunities or requests and they would all, and each, cost me something. That something belongs to the world so the challenge is, do I follow a hint of a direction from God and step out of the worldly view or do I weigh it out and decide that the cost is too high? Most of what God tells me and shows me would make me look crazy in the eyes of the world. But so what?! The world isn't doing such a good job...society is screwing up everything, especially its people.
I had loosely planned to fast and pray tomorrow to seek God's direction on a few of these issues. I think instead, I will just press in to the Father's heart and not try to understand His will or His ways. I think I will just yield to God in whatever way that bends and sways and see what flushes out. I think that it really only matters to be obedient to the Lord and that God will execute His will and His plan for me and for you...
I want to be a Noah. I want to not care what people think. I want to get the big assignments from the Lord and I want to make a big difference. Lord, make me like that. Mold me and shape me and surround me with what I need to make you proud of me and to be useful to you. I want to be like Noah. I want to build an ark.
I have a couple of issues in my life right now that make me feel like maybe I have something in common with Noah. I feel like God has given me a few different suggestions or opportunities or requests and they would all, and each, cost me something. That something belongs to the world so the challenge is, do I follow a hint of a direction from God and step out of the worldly view or do I weigh it out and decide that the cost is too high? Most of what God tells me and shows me would make me look crazy in the eyes of the world. But so what?! The world isn't doing such a good job...society is screwing up everything, especially its people.
I had loosely planned to fast and pray tomorrow to seek God's direction on a few of these issues. I think instead, I will just press in to the Father's heart and not try to understand His will or His ways. I think I will just yield to God in whatever way that bends and sways and see what flushes out. I think that it really only matters to be obedient to the Lord and that God will execute His will and His plan for me and for you...
I want to be a Noah. I want to not care what people think. I want to get the big assignments from the Lord and I want to make a big difference. Lord, make me like that. Mold me and shape me and surround me with what I need to make you proud of me and to be useful to you. I want to be like Noah. I want to build an ark.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
My husband made it home about 1am so I am not a single parent any more. Phew. Wasn't sure how much longer I could make it...kudos to all you single moms out there. I'm not made of tough enough stuff for sure. I got 6 hours of sleep last night (no, she didn't sleep but daddy bonded with her) and I got a shower and a walk in. Those, my friends, are the marks of a successful day.
We went to a Mark Shultz/Point of Grace concert tonight that was awesome. I felt innspired, grateful, maternal, loved by God and man...and then I came home. Roger stayed to help take down the stage cause it was a fund raiser for our school, and I had the lovely task of redirecting the kids from fun babysitter mode to "time for bed" mode. it wasn't pretty.
Parenting is hard work. There are glimpses and winks of rewards here and there but the bottom line is that it is just plain hard. Whether its 1 child or 6...or somrwhere in between. It's also the best thing I have done. chidren are amazing and every time I meet one I marvel at how amazing they are.
ok, I have to sign off now. Precious is engaging me in a very sweet and fleeting game of lop-sided grin, giggle, very direct and intense eye contact. I need to remind her again just how much I love her...good night all. Blessed sabboth rest to you. Please find some way to set the day apart tomorrow to honor the Lord if you can. Acts of ommision count as much as acts of commision...avoid doing something you could be doing, do something you don't otherwise get to...change it up for one day in 7 and fill your cup with rest and then thank the Lord for his very good idea to remember the sabboth day by keeping it holy.
We went to a Mark Shultz/Point of Grace concert tonight that was awesome. I felt innspired, grateful, maternal, loved by God and man...and then I came home. Roger stayed to help take down the stage cause it was a fund raiser for our school, and I had the lovely task of redirecting the kids from fun babysitter mode to "time for bed" mode. it wasn't pretty.
Parenting is hard work. There are glimpses and winks of rewards here and there but the bottom line is that it is just plain hard. Whether its 1 child or 6...or somrwhere in between. It's also the best thing I have done. chidren are amazing and every time I meet one I marvel at how amazing they are.
ok, I have to sign off now. Precious is engaging me in a very sweet and fleeting game of lop-sided grin, giggle, very direct and intense eye contact. I need to remind her again just how much I love her...good night all. Blessed sabboth rest to you. Please find some way to set the day apart tomorrow to honor the Lord if you can. Acts of ommision count as much as acts of commision...avoid doing something you could be doing, do something you don't otherwise get to...change it up for one day in 7 and fill your cup with rest and then thank the Lord for his very good idea to remember the sabboth day by keeping it holy.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The things I noticed today.
Today I noticed these things:
1. When a generous friend shows up in the night to hold the baby for 3 hours, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and perky enough to brew coffee and do morning devotion time with God. Thanks, Jen.
2. When all 3 kids are healthy enough to go to school, I can listen to music, clean the fish bowl and hold Precious...aaaahhhh.
3. When I get to have deep spiritual dialog and get groceries all in one day, I must be living right.
4. When the pelting, miserable, freezing rain just won't let up, its hard to stay cheerful. Soggy wet leaves all over the yard are not nearly as aesthetically pleasing as warm, windy leaves blowing in the sun.
5. Home remodel projects are exciting until you're living in the middle of them.
6. I need my husband. I love my husband. I'm a better person when he is here.
7. When you're having a temper tantrum or a meltdown or whatever, if you ask God to be present here with you it works and it helps.
8. When the kids are asleep and its 9pm and your favorite show is coming on, its ok to let go of the profound and be superficial and petty and worldly for an hour before bed. The Mentalist awaits. Good night.
1. When a generous friend shows up in the night to hold the baby for 3 hours, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and perky enough to brew coffee and do morning devotion time with God. Thanks, Jen.
2. When all 3 kids are healthy enough to go to school, I can listen to music, clean the fish bowl and hold Precious...aaaahhhh.
3. When I get to have deep spiritual dialog and get groceries all in one day, I must be living right.
4. When the pelting, miserable, freezing rain just won't let up, its hard to stay cheerful. Soggy wet leaves all over the yard are not nearly as aesthetically pleasing as warm, windy leaves blowing in the sun.
5. Home remodel projects are exciting until you're living in the middle of them.
6. I need my husband. I love my husband. I'm a better person when he is here.
7. When you're having a temper tantrum or a meltdown or whatever, if you ask God to be present here with you it works and it helps.
8. When the kids are asleep and its 9pm and your favorite show is coming on, its ok to let go of the profound and be superficial and petty and worldly for an hour before bed. The Mentalist awaits. Good night.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Today we had Precious Maryn's well baby check up. She weighed 10 lbs and was 21 inches long. All those night feedings are paying off, I guess. Tonight she was on the changing table and I was standing there and she rolled from her back to her tummy right in front of me. At 2 months! Good grief! Maybe it was a fluke but she did it really well. Guess I'd better keep an eye on her or she could be crawling by morning. :)
I was thinking today about how long it has been since I have felt rested, relaxed and caught up on things in general. In those thoughts I was about to start feeling sorry for myself when God quietly broke in on them and very gently but firmly reminded me of what exactly we have done. It's not about us adding a cute sweet baby to our family. It's not even about my life long dream and call to adopt. It's not exactly about how it is growing and changing my family. It's about her. We have changed her life. We have stepped up to help God advance His kingdom by choosing to give her our name, to take her in, to love her and raise her to know the Lord and serve Him with her life. We did a great thing when we said yes to adoption. It was not selfish. Blessings to all of you out there who have done the same, many of you more than once. We are changing the lives of children and blessing the heart of God. Wow. That's worth some temporary exhaustion. To all of you who are loving and supporting and encouraging us in our adoptive families, thank you. We need you. God knew we could handle the hard days because he knew there would be you.
I was thinking today about how long it has been since I have felt rested, relaxed and caught up on things in general. In those thoughts I was about to start feeling sorry for myself when God quietly broke in on them and very gently but firmly reminded me of what exactly we have done. It's not about us adding a cute sweet baby to our family. It's not even about my life long dream and call to adopt. It's not exactly about how it is growing and changing my family. It's about her. We have changed her life. We have stepped up to help God advance His kingdom by choosing to give her our name, to take her in, to love her and raise her to know the Lord and serve Him with her life. We did a great thing when we said yes to adoption. It was not selfish. Blessings to all of you out there who have done the same, many of you more than once. We are changing the lives of children and blessing the heart of God. Wow. That's worth some temporary exhaustion. To all of you who are loving and supporting and encouraging us in our adoptive families, thank you. We need you. God knew we could handle the hard days because he knew there would be you.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
how to dial down
I had a few moments this afternoon where I was feeling frazzled, overwhelmed and almost panicky. It was a cumulative effect and a very sensory one. I am a sensory-sensitive child trapped in a middle age woman's body. We started a remodel project today to prepare a big girl room for Claire in what was once a toy room. Once done, Precious will occupy Claire's little girl, pastels and pink bedroom. :) Throughout the day there were lots of new and disturbing sounds: pounding, falling, thumping, throwing (that would be plaster walls leaving via an upstairs bedroom window)...after about 8 hours of this, accompanied by the pounding of feet up and down the hard wood stair case, the door opening and closing, etc, my ears were on sensory overload. Physically, my body is on sensory overload because my dear sweet baby girl is only sleeping, only content and only only in my arms. I've been wearing her around the house in the sling (even tried it on the elyptical but she hated that so Jeremiah rescued me and held her for 20 minutes of endorphin -releasing-sanity. My heart is on sensory overload because Claire is home sick with the flu and I desperately want to snuggle with her, stroke her hear, kiss her forehead and soothe her back to health. Unfortunately,because of Precious and her fiercely secure attachment to me, I need to avoid Claire until she is fever-free. Jeremiah wanted to play games and make crafts and read books together and I needed to reward him for all his help with the baby...its only because of him that I could go to the restroom privately...you get the point.
It was my olfactory senses that both broke me and saved me. For those of you who are non-medical, that is the sense of smell. I opened a window to redirect my sons who were on the tramp after school and I caught an amazing whiff of autumn. It was cool and breezy and the leaves were falling and smelled like...well, if you haven't been in the midwest in October, I just can't describe the smell. It's earthy and reminds you of hay rides and bon fires as a teen-ager.
So I poured a big glass of red wine, put a stocking cap on Precious who was already in the sling and went to sit out on my porch for what may be one of my last times before the snow flies. It was quiet and peaceful and healing balm to my nerves. I watched leaves fall and listened to the crackling as they landed on the road. I savored a few deep breaths of amazingly clean, fresh air. It didn't last long-someone needed me, the oven beeped that the quiche was done...but for a few breaths and a few sips and a few heartbeats with my eyes closed, I recovered.
So here is my challenge for the day. All of us, including our children, have those moments where everything seems to compress and fold in and stifle us. All of us need an escape, a refuge, an outlet to regroup. On a healthy day, it just takes a few moments. On a less healthy day it may take all day or even longer. We need to find our channel that we can dial down on. We need to know it for ourselves, be self-preserving enough to use it and then to find it for our kids. For a baby, it may just be some jostling and swaying and a pacifier, for an older child it may be physical exercise or time in front of tv...lets all find what it is and then use it. Today was not a bad day. It was a full day and a busy day and an exhausting day but because I found that channel to dial down to at about 5pm, its ok.
The Lord is my refuge and my strength. I instandtmessaged my husband earlier in the day and asked him to pray for me, that I may have patience and contentment and not be so frustrated. I believe God heard that plea and broke into my day with a fresh blast of autumn air, a comfy porch and a sleeping baby. The Lord is my refuge and my strength. Make Him and make your world yours at least once in awhile.
It was my olfactory senses that both broke me and saved me. For those of you who are non-medical, that is the sense of smell. I opened a window to redirect my sons who were on the tramp after school and I caught an amazing whiff of autumn. It was cool and breezy and the leaves were falling and smelled like...well, if you haven't been in the midwest in October, I just can't describe the smell. It's earthy and reminds you of hay rides and bon fires as a teen-ager.
So I poured a big glass of red wine, put a stocking cap on Precious who was already in the sling and went to sit out on my porch for what may be one of my last times before the snow flies. It was quiet and peaceful and healing balm to my nerves. I watched leaves fall and listened to the crackling as they landed on the road. I savored a few deep breaths of amazingly clean, fresh air. It didn't last long-someone needed me, the oven beeped that the quiche was done...but for a few breaths and a few sips and a few heartbeats with my eyes closed, I recovered.
So here is my challenge for the day. All of us, including our children, have those moments where everything seems to compress and fold in and stifle us. All of us need an escape, a refuge, an outlet to regroup. On a healthy day, it just takes a few moments. On a less healthy day it may take all day or even longer. We need to find our channel that we can dial down on. We need to know it for ourselves, be self-preserving enough to use it and then to find it for our kids. For a baby, it may just be some jostling and swaying and a pacifier, for an older child it may be physical exercise or time in front of tv...lets all find what it is and then use it. Today was not a bad day. It was a full day and a busy day and an exhausting day but because I found that channel to dial down to at about 5pm, its ok.
The Lord is my refuge and my strength. I instandtmessaged my husband earlier in the day and asked him to pray for me, that I may have patience and contentment and not be so frustrated. I believe God heard that plea and broke into my day with a fresh blast of autumn air, a comfy porch and a sleeping baby. The Lord is my refuge and my strength. Make Him and make your world yours at least once in awhile.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
baptism
We've had a whirlwind weekend here. Once I recovered from my strep throat I feel like I jumpt on a tidal wave and have been surfin ever since! Glad God healed me up so that I could keep my legs under me for this wild ride. Wednesday night we requested baptism for Precious officially with our church consistory. Since we were the only family Roger decided to try do a special music piece we had just discovered. My blogger friend Jenny over at TheHeartofaChild (link on the side) has the original song on a video on her blog. He emailed the singer/songwriter and explained that he wanted to do it (and tweak it for a girl) and Peder Eide gave his permission so he sent us the track and Roger and Claire started working it out. Claire made her singing debut this morning, along side her daddy, singing an adoption song for Precious Maryn's baptism. I have a very proud mama heart tonight that is just spilling over with love and blessing and gratitude and awe at the love and favor that God has poured out over me.
Friday night I participated in girls night out to suprise a friend for her birthday. Our girls bible study plus Precious took the birthday girl out for dinner and then we watched a chic flick in a home theater...P and I didn't get home until close to midnight...she was very wound up from all the holding and estrogen and didn't sleep until after 1:30. Then it was up at 6 to get 4 kids up and out the door so that we could participate in our first swim meet. Isaac did great and had a blast and it was a really fun (but exhausting day). We traveled the hour back home and straightened up the house for our out of town relatives who came to share baptism with us. It was so fun to have family here. A rare treat.
So tonight, I'm savoring all of the recent memories that are so sweet and special and significant. I had emailed our social workers to tell them we were doing baptism, hoping they would share that with Precious' birth mom. As we stood in front of church I thought of her and what an amazing sacrifice she made so that out prayers could be answered. She placed Precious for adoption so that we could bring her home to our nest. I was glad she knew that we were doing the baptism today and I was sad that she didn't know about everything that happened this weekend. I was sad she didn't see how all of my dear close girlfriends gush over her and are eager to hold her, how strangers compliment her and say , "Oh how precious!" not even knowing her name. I want her to know that our family traveled 3-4 hours to come share in the baptism event and that great-grandmas, age 84 and 91 also came and shared this beautiful day with us.
Our monthly letters and pictures will never convey to birth mom how special and beautiful and amazing Precious is and how much we love her and appreciate her. I pray that God through his amazingly personal Holy Spirit can minister to birth mom, maybe in her dreams, or in quiet whispers that have no words, so that she can feel the pride and peace and contentment she deserves for this wonderfull daughter she gave to us. I pray that her tears are bathed in love from the Father as He parents her simultaneously as we parent her baby. My tears are falling tonight for her. And for us. And for Precious Maryn who has such a vast and deep and good legacy of love. Her future is so bright and her presence is so full.
Roger has to leave tomorrow morning for a 5 day business trip so if he has time he will get baptism pics on the blog slide show. If not, be patient (cause I'm gonna have to be) for his return on the weekend!
Friday night I participated in girls night out to suprise a friend for her birthday. Our girls bible study plus Precious took the birthday girl out for dinner and then we watched a chic flick in a home theater...P and I didn't get home until close to midnight...she was very wound up from all the holding and estrogen and didn't sleep until after 1:30. Then it was up at 6 to get 4 kids up and out the door so that we could participate in our first swim meet. Isaac did great and had a blast and it was a really fun (but exhausting day). We traveled the hour back home and straightened up the house for our out of town relatives who came to share baptism with us. It was so fun to have family here. A rare treat.
So tonight, I'm savoring all of the recent memories that are so sweet and special and significant. I had emailed our social workers to tell them we were doing baptism, hoping they would share that with Precious' birth mom. As we stood in front of church I thought of her and what an amazing sacrifice she made so that out prayers could be answered. She placed Precious for adoption so that we could bring her home to our nest. I was glad she knew that we were doing the baptism today and I was sad that she didn't know about everything that happened this weekend. I was sad she didn't see how all of my dear close girlfriends gush over her and are eager to hold her, how strangers compliment her and say , "Oh how precious!" not even knowing her name. I want her to know that our family traveled 3-4 hours to come share in the baptism event and that great-grandmas, age 84 and 91 also came and shared this beautiful day with us.
Our monthly letters and pictures will never convey to birth mom how special and beautiful and amazing Precious is and how much we love her and appreciate her. I pray that God through his amazingly personal Holy Spirit can minister to birth mom, maybe in her dreams, or in quiet whispers that have no words, so that she can feel the pride and peace and contentment she deserves for this wonderfull daughter she gave to us. I pray that her tears are bathed in love from the Father as He parents her simultaneously as we parent her baby. My tears are falling tonight for her. And for us. And for Precious Maryn who has such a vast and deep and good legacy of love. Her future is so bright and her presence is so full.
Roger has to leave tomorrow morning for a 5 day business trip so if he has time he will get baptism pics on the blog slide show. If not, be patient (cause I'm gonna have to be) for his return on the weekend!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
A good day
Today was a very good day. I wore a new loungy sweat suit that made me feel perky instead of fat, frumpy and forty-one. I did not feel sick or worried about illness today. I had an amazing massage today. I could feel my muscles and bones and nerves and all of my physical self responding in a healing way and it gave me an infusion of energy and it feels like all of me, my body, mind, soul and spirit are healthier. Thank you so much, Donna. I've told at least 10 people how awesome my massage was...you have a budding business!
Thank you, everyone for your prayers for health and healing for our family. I wish and lift up the same to all of you. Being sick is just the pits. Being healthy and feeling strong and relaxed and efficient is so much better. I am grateful for health more than usual.
Today I met with some of my spiritual friends and was reminded of how important it is to take spiritual inventory often, asking God to reveal areas of weakness or sin...and how sins of ommision can be very stifling even when there are no sins of commission to repent of. The things we could do that we avoid doing or choose not to do are just as weighty as the bad things we do that we need to repent of. Sorry, I know I shouldn't end a sentence with the word of. Deal with it.
One of my spiritual friends is 84, She is on a journey, asking God to help her finish well. I am humbled and in awe and also challenged. I am not yet 84 but my days may be numbered shorter than hers. It is my desire to begin to be brave enough to ask God the same things she is asking. How do I finish well, God? If tomorrow could be my last day or if I have decades left to live, show me how to finish well today. I follow a Caring Bridge journal for a man who is fighting like crazy to survive leukemia. He is trying to balance believing in miracles and that God could still heal him, and savoring his last days with family and friends and witnessing to them, assuring them of his position in Christ. Again. I am humbled. He did that today and I savored a day without sick kids or adults and an indulgent massage.
Our days, all of them, are bitter-sweet. We have to look at the sad and the joyful, the hard and the easy, the light and the dark, the victory and the defeat. If we don't we have a new sin of ommission to deal with. Life is so tender and fragile and yet hardy in ways we cannot even find words for. Thank you Lord. Thank you so much for knowing what exactly is going on and indulging us in our simplicity and our confusion. Where would we be without you?
Thank you, everyone for your prayers for health and healing for our family. I wish and lift up the same to all of you. Being sick is just the pits. Being healthy and feeling strong and relaxed and efficient is so much better. I am grateful for health more than usual.
Today I met with some of my spiritual friends and was reminded of how important it is to take spiritual inventory often, asking God to reveal areas of weakness or sin...and how sins of ommision can be very stifling even when there are no sins of commission to repent of. The things we could do that we avoid doing or choose not to do are just as weighty as the bad things we do that we need to repent of. Sorry, I know I shouldn't end a sentence with the word of. Deal with it.
One of my spiritual friends is 84, She is on a journey, asking God to help her finish well. I am humbled and in awe and also challenged. I am not yet 84 but my days may be numbered shorter than hers. It is my desire to begin to be brave enough to ask God the same things she is asking. How do I finish well, God? If tomorrow could be my last day or if I have decades left to live, show me how to finish well today. I follow a Caring Bridge journal for a man who is fighting like crazy to survive leukemia. He is trying to balance believing in miracles and that God could still heal him, and savoring his last days with family and friends and witnessing to them, assuring them of his position in Christ. Again. I am humbled. He did that today and I savored a day without sick kids or adults and an indulgent massage.
Our days, all of them, are bitter-sweet. We have to look at the sad and the joyful, the hard and the easy, the light and the dark, the victory and the defeat. If we don't we have a new sin of ommission to deal with. Life is so tender and fragile and yet hardy in ways we cannot even find words for. Thank you Lord. Thank you so much for knowing what exactly is going on and indulging us in our simplicity and our confusion. Where would we be without you?
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Is she a good baby?
Okay, I know its nuts to post twice in one evening but I wanted to share something. My earlier entry was a response to several phone messages and emails asking how I was feeling so I did that. Now, a couple hours later, the house is quiet and I'm more contemplative so here's what's on my mind.
Just a sec...Precious is fidgeting on my chest. Yesterday that happened while I was typing on the keyboard and she did this amazing alligator roll in one big grunting movement and nearly rolled off my lap. .......
So...here's the deal. Many people ask me this question, "Is she a good baby?" I know the real question is thus: "Does she sleep all night? Does she let you do the things you want to get done in the day? Does she take her bottles well, burp, not spit up and settle immediately? Does she always smell good and smile sweetly and not cry too much?"
My response is this. "Yes. She is a very good baby. She does exactly what a baby should do. She cries when she wants to be held or fed or changed. She wakes up frequently at night because she knows enough to make sure we are close and availabe and meeting her needs. She demands primary attention at all times. She's smart and she loves physical touch and music and eye contact. She's a very good baby. She is needy and sweet and beautiful and exhausting. She's a newborn. She's doing her job very well! She is good at being herself. She is a good baby." Babies were not created to sleep all night or always behave quietly, sweetly and with good smells. If that were so we would never have created slippers, lullabies or baby lotion.
If Precious didn't require constant physical touch and frequent feedings, we would not know what her sounds meant or what the movements of her body felt like against ours. We wouldn't know what it means to melt in her smile when those big dark eyes pierce ours...because it has taken so long to actually feel like she sees us. When she is screaming for a bottle (even though its only been 2 hours) and we finally have it ready and sit down to feed, she clamps down her mouth, opens her eyes wide to make sure it is us and then her tense little fists wrap around our fingers and she squeezes as she drinks. Feedings are hard for Precious. She fusses and cries and burps and arches and chokes and sputters and gulps...but we are here for her. Every 2-3 hours around the clock, she flings open her eyes to make sure and yes, here we are, helping her through it, gaining ground, gaining weight, gaining strength and learning patience, perseverence and the self-sacrificing love that clearly identifies us as her parents. Precious is a very good baby. She is exceptional. We applaud her for doing her job so well and humbly ask the Lord to help us do ours as well every day.
Just a sec...Precious is fidgeting on my chest. Yesterday that happened while I was typing on the keyboard and she did this amazing alligator roll in one big grunting movement and nearly rolled off my lap. .......
So...here's the deal. Many people ask me this question, "Is she a good baby?" I know the real question is thus: "Does she sleep all night? Does she let you do the things you want to get done in the day? Does she take her bottles well, burp, not spit up and settle immediately? Does she always smell good and smile sweetly and not cry too much?"
My response is this. "Yes. She is a very good baby. She does exactly what a baby should do. She cries when she wants to be held or fed or changed. She wakes up frequently at night because she knows enough to make sure we are close and availabe and meeting her needs. She demands primary attention at all times. She's smart and she loves physical touch and music and eye contact. She's a very good baby. She is needy and sweet and beautiful and exhausting. She's a newborn. She's doing her job very well! She is good at being herself. She is a good baby." Babies were not created to sleep all night or always behave quietly, sweetly and with good smells. If that were so we would never have created slippers, lullabies or baby lotion.
If Precious didn't require constant physical touch and frequent feedings, we would not know what her sounds meant or what the movements of her body felt like against ours. We wouldn't know what it means to melt in her smile when those big dark eyes pierce ours...because it has taken so long to actually feel like she sees us. When she is screaming for a bottle (even though its only been 2 hours) and we finally have it ready and sit down to feed, she clamps down her mouth, opens her eyes wide to make sure it is us and then her tense little fists wrap around our fingers and she squeezes as she drinks. Feedings are hard for Precious. She fusses and cries and burps and arches and chokes and sputters and gulps...but we are here for her. Every 2-3 hours around the clock, she flings open her eyes to make sure and yes, here we are, helping her through it, gaining ground, gaining weight, gaining strength and learning patience, perseverence and the self-sacrificing love that clearly identifies us as her parents. Precious is a very good baby. She is exceptional. We applaud her for doing her job so well and humbly ask the Lord to help us do ours as well every day.
My sore throat and aches developed into a fever and excruciating throat pain over night. My muscles ached and I was miserable. At 3am I was awake and uncomfortable and God was nudging me out of bed to go find Roger and have him pray for me. I resisted that cause it felt awkward (how do you spell awkward, anyway? its such an awkward word...yet so descriptive that I have to leave it in here.) By 6am I couldn't stand it anymore and continued to feel God's desire for me to receive prayer from my husband. I got out of bed and found him holding Precious...I was sobbing and rediculously uncomfortable. I told him that God thought he should pray for me. :) So he did. He then sent me back to bed and got the kids up and out of the house. I slept for another 5 hours. Then the medical clinic called back to say that the negative rapid strep test became positive when they cultured it so I DID have strep throat! The doctor asked how I was doing and I said terrible and started to cry. She had me come back in (this was yesterday, tuesday) and they gave me a super dose of antibiotic via injection. Literally hour by hour yesterday I felt better and better.
As of today I have a mildly sore throat and some mild aches...very manageable and I am so grateful! The roof doesn't exactly cave in if the mom is sick, the nest doesn't quite fall out if the tree if mama bird is ailing...but pretty close.
You can all believe what you want but I believe that God wanted me out of bed, searching out my husband so that he could lay his hands over me and pray for me and cry out for healing. I believe that by being obedient to that, God made my negative strep positive so that I could receive a treatment and get better quicker than the average flu would have taken. Like I said, you can believe whatever you want but that is what I think happened. It will make me much more likely to obey His directives quicker and argue less which is usually what happens when God calls me out to do something.
This morning I had a wonderful visit from another adoptive mom in our town who also adopted an African American child recently. It was such a blessing to hear some of her story and the joys and pains of adoption. I felt like I had a kindred spirit/mama on this very unusual path to parenting an adopted child. I hope we have many more opportunities to get together and share our thoughts, our insights, our joys and fears. Thanks, Kristi.
As of today I have a mildly sore throat and some mild aches...very manageable and I am so grateful! The roof doesn't exactly cave in if the mom is sick, the nest doesn't quite fall out if the tree if mama bird is ailing...but pretty close.
You can all believe what you want but I believe that God wanted me out of bed, searching out my husband so that he could lay his hands over me and pray for me and cry out for healing. I believe that by being obedient to that, God made my negative strep positive so that I could receive a treatment and get better quicker than the average flu would have taken. Like I said, you can believe whatever you want but that is what I think happened. It will make me much more likely to obey His directives quicker and argue less which is usually what happens when God calls me out to do something.
This morning I had a wonderful visit from another adoptive mom in our town who also adopted an African American child recently. It was such a blessing to hear some of her story and the joys and pains of adoption. I felt like I had a kindred spirit/mama on this very unusual path to parenting an adopted child. I hope we have many more opportunities to get together and share our thoughts, our insights, our joys and fears. Thanks, Kristi.
Monday, October 12, 2009
definitions
Define grateful: All 3 kids were excited to see snow this morning, found winter gear and ran around outside before school. Oh, and we only have to buy half the apparel for this snow season, the rest still fit. For now.
Define crabby: This momma bird is taking her turn today with the sore throat and body aches. Darn it.
Define hopeful: We have scheduled baptism for next sunday at the second service and many of our friends and relatives will be there to share in this joyful tradition as we dedicate Precious to a life of faith and a church family.
Define beautiful: Morning snow on the trees at dawn (even in October) and the first real, purposeful smiles from Precious.
Define tender: The 3 school age kids helping eachother tie boots and zippers and carry eachothers backpacks out to the car.
Define crazy: trying to juggle illness, housework, dance practice, swim team events, violin, piano, baby who needs constant physical touch, careers, eye doctor appointment, overdue dental visits, well baby check-up, laundry, remodel of bedrooms, closet purging...and yet here I sit, writing on the blog, holding the baby, denying and avoiding as much as possible today. :)
Define crabby: This momma bird is taking her turn today with the sore throat and body aches. Darn it.
Define hopeful: We have scheduled baptism for next sunday at the second service and many of our friends and relatives will be there to share in this joyful tradition as we dedicate Precious to a life of faith and a church family.
Define beautiful: Morning snow on the trees at dawn (even in October) and the first real, purposeful smiles from Precious.
Define tender: The 3 school age kids helping eachother tie boots and zippers and carry eachothers backpacks out to the car.
Define crazy: trying to juggle illness, housework, dance practice, swim team events, violin, piano, baby who needs constant physical touch, careers, eye doctor appointment, overdue dental visits, well baby check-up, laundry, remodel of bedrooms, closet purging...and yet here I sit, writing on the blog, holding the baby, denying and avoiding as much as possible today. :)
Saturday, October 10, 2009
stuffed peppers
Its saturday night and things are looking better around here. Thank you all so much for your prayers. I felt them. I really did. One night, throughout the night I tangibly felt prayed for. The fellowship of believers is an amazing thing.
The house is mostly clean, the laundry is mostly done and the family is mostly healthy. Tomorrow we have few obligations for church stuff so we are looking forward to sabboth rest. Finally.
Roger helped me revamp the blog for a fresh look. Thanks, hun.
Here's a recipe we've been enjoying this weekend and for many years back in the fall season. Hope you get a chnace to try it.
Stuffed Peppers:
5-6 large bell peppers, 1 lb ground beef, 2 tbsp chopped onion, 1 cup cooked rice, 1 tsp salt, 1 clove garlic finely chopped, 1 can tomato sauce, 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese
Cut thin slice from stem of bell pepper, remove seeds and membranes and rinse. Cook peppers in boiling water 5 minutes. Cook beef and onion, then add rice, salt, garlic and 1 cup tomato sauce.
Heat oven to 350*. Stuff peppers with beef mox. Stand upright in ungreased baking dish. Pour remaining sauce over peppers. Cover and bake 45 minutes. Uncover and bake 15 minutes longer. Sprinkle with cheese. Enjoy!
The house is mostly clean, the laundry is mostly done and the family is mostly healthy. Tomorrow we have few obligations for church stuff so we are looking forward to sabboth rest. Finally.
Roger helped me revamp the blog for a fresh look. Thanks, hun.
Here's a recipe we've been enjoying this weekend and for many years back in the fall season. Hope you get a chnace to try it.
Stuffed Peppers:
5-6 large bell peppers, 1 lb ground beef, 2 tbsp chopped onion, 1 cup cooked rice, 1 tsp salt, 1 clove garlic finely chopped, 1 can tomato sauce, 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese
Cut thin slice from stem of bell pepper, remove seeds and membranes and rinse. Cook peppers in boiling water 5 minutes. Cook beef and onion, then add rice, salt, garlic and 1 cup tomato sauce.
Heat oven to 350*. Stuff peppers with beef mox. Stand upright in ungreased baking dish. Pour remaining sauce over peppers. Cover and bake 45 minutes. Uncover and bake 15 minutes longer. Sprinkle with cheese. Enjoy!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
My mom just left our house. She stopped in for a Precious fix. We have had the flu at our house for about 5 days now so we have not been out visiting, other than a quick trip to my office yesterday. (Precious weighed 8lb 15 oz!). So Nana came by for some snuggles. Little Precious just loves what Nana has to give. What is it that Nana gives? Well, there is the super-adorable leopard print jacket with the red fake fur trim...that will show up on a Christmas card, I hope. But more importantly, Nana gives her physical self. For an hour she walked around the house with Precious up close to her neck, cheek to cheek, singing little songs and humming in her ear, cupping her bottom and swaying. Precious loves this movement and singing and physical love. I should really video my mom doing her thing...we could hold seminars on how to soothe and love a baby. Especially in the evening. I used that hour of Precious contentment to give the boys medicine for their flu symptoms, sit with Claire a bit, take out the garbage and start the dishwasher. The 3 Kredit men have the flu and the women do not. Pray that the men heal and the women don't catch it. I am praying for supernatural health and protection, blessing and providence from the Lord.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The days and the words.
If mercies are new in the morning,
And noon does not despair,
And nighttime can be quite tragic
What else is there to share?
When freshness brews like coffee
And lunch gives way to nap
When darkness threathens to undo it
I look down on my lap
To find the muse for what I'm writing,
The beat behind my heart,
The child I've waited so long for
The very very best part
So please indulge my moods
And smile when you feel pleased
Please pray when you feel worried
The words are meeting my needs!
And noon does not despair,
And nighttime can be quite tragic
What else is there to share?
When freshness brews like coffee
And lunch gives way to nap
When darkness threathens to undo it
I look down on my lap
To find the muse for what I'm writing,
The beat behind my heart,
The child I've waited so long for
The very very best part
So please indulge my moods
And smile when you feel pleased
Please pray when you feel worried
The words are meeting my needs!
Monday, October 5, 2009
morning mercies
The trouble with writing like this is that if I do so late in the evening when I'm tired (and noone but God should hear my thoughts) I may sound a bit dramatic. Sorry. I may have to make a rule to not blog after 7pm to avoid undo worry. I'm fine. This noon blog should ease the concern of those who love me and worry. :)
There's snow in South Dakota today but not here. Yeah! Rain, yes but no snow. Pray that the weather will change so that the farmers can get in the fields. Jeremiah has the flu. The opinion at the local medical clinic is that if you have the flu you likely have H1N1-yuck. Pray that Precious stays healthy cause the kids all hold her and there are dozens of kids out sick today in our schools. Good thing her mama's a nurse and can watch her super-close on my very long and important maternity leave. I'm half way through, by the way, at 6 weeks. Not gonna thing about that right now.
Precious blessed me with 2 nice naps on the couch this morning so I am well on my way with laundry and house pick-up. Thank you little one! I'm enjoying healthful cottage cheese and fresh pineapple and warm apple cider for lunch. I am, after all, an incurable "foodie". My mom, the original "foodie" stopped by with 2 slices of pumpkin pie and some wicked little pumpkin chocolate chip muffins...
I'm armed with my book of Common Prayer, my spray bottle of lysol and the endorphins that come with holding a sweet, beautiful baby in my arms.
There's snow in South Dakota today but not here. Yeah! Rain, yes but no snow. Pray that the weather will change so that the farmers can get in the fields. Jeremiah has the flu. The opinion at the local medical clinic is that if you have the flu you likely have H1N1-yuck. Pray that Precious stays healthy cause the kids all hold her and there are dozens of kids out sick today in our schools. Good thing her mama's a nurse and can watch her super-close on my very long and important maternity leave. I'm half way through, by the way, at 6 weeks. Not gonna thing about that right now.
Precious blessed me with 2 nice naps on the couch this morning so I am well on my way with laundry and house pick-up. Thank you little one! I'm enjoying healthful cottage cheese and fresh pineapple and warm apple cider for lunch. I am, after all, an incurable "foodie". My mom, the original "foodie" stopped by with 2 slices of pumpkin pie and some wicked little pumpkin chocolate chip muffins...
I'm armed with my book of Common Prayer, my spray bottle of lysol and the endorphins that come with holding a sweet, beautiful baby in my arms.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
not Sabboth rest exactly
My friend Jenny gave me a tip on how to open up for comments. Someone comment and tell me if it works! -thanks Jenny!
I shouldn't even post today because it is Sunday and typically I have restfully, meditative thoughts for this restful, meditative day. I failed Sunday today. Sabboth will have to be postponed until tomorrow, or the next day, or the next. I thought I would have a restful day but it just never happened. I didn't get up until 90 minutes before Sunday school, which was good for sleep but bad for the motivation of the household. I hate to yell and rush and push on sundays. "F" number 1. I didn't have the forethought to get food in the oven on time bake so after we got home at 12:30 I still had to put a meal together. More rushing, more yelling. Number 2 failure. Precious wanted no part of being put down and was uncomfortable so we did lots of walking and swaying in the middle of a house full of playing children -2 extra. They had fun but noone rested. My need for exercise and fresh air outweighed my need for a nap so I walked for almost an hour which was cathartic, but not restful. Failure number 3 for sabboth rest. Roger had to finish up a very big project so he, too, could not enjoy sabboth rest today. Because he was cutting and hammering in the basement, he couldn't hold Precious so I fixed food, picked up and tried to nurse (health care, not breast feed) my Jeremiah who appeared in the kitchen with tears and a fever...not very restful. Motrin, a hug, some sprite and a puke bowl. Please, Lord, don't let anyone else get sick here! It's after 10 pm and I just finished dishes. We're behind on laundry because the laundry room has been part of the construction zone for 3 days...so far behind. Is it fair to reserve sabboth for next wednesday? Maybe I can bring my "F" up to at least a "C".
Lord you are good even when I am not at all good. You set aside sabboth for me, not me for it. Help me to plan for this beautiful, restful, meditative day so that when the noise quiets and the dust settles and the hush falls, I can hear you and feel you and savor a few hours being instead of doing. Lord, you are good even when I am not at all good. Forgive me for the yelling and the rushing and the frustration and the hassling. I fear that I took sabboth away from my kids because my attitude was so bad. Forgive me. Lord you are good even when I am not at all good. Thank you for the promise that your mercies are new every morning.
I shouldn't even post today because it is Sunday and typically I have restfully, meditative thoughts for this restful, meditative day. I failed Sunday today. Sabboth will have to be postponed until tomorrow, or the next day, or the next. I thought I would have a restful day but it just never happened. I didn't get up until 90 minutes before Sunday school, which was good for sleep but bad for the motivation of the household. I hate to yell and rush and push on sundays. "F" number 1. I didn't have the forethought to get food in the oven on time bake so after we got home at 12:30 I still had to put a meal together. More rushing, more yelling. Number 2 failure. Precious wanted no part of being put down and was uncomfortable so we did lots of walking and swaying in the middle of a house full of playing children -2 extra. They had fun but noone rested. My need for exercise and fresh air outweighed my need for a nap so I walked for almost an hour which was cathartic, but not restful. Failure number 3 for sabboth rest. Roger had to finish up a very big project so he, too, could not enjoy sabboth rest today. Because he was cutting and hammering in the basement, he couldn't hold Precious so I fixed food, picked up and tried to nurse (health care, not breast feed) my Jeremiah who appeared in the kitchen with tears and a fever...not very restful. Motrin, a hug, some sprite and a puke bowl. Please, Lord, don't let anyone else get sick here! It's after 10 pm and I just finished dishes. We're behind on laundry because the laundry room has been part of the construction zone for 3 days...so far behind. Is it fair to reserve sabboth for next wednesday? Maybe I can bring my "F" up to at least a "C".
Lord you are good even when I am not at all good. You set aside sabboth for me, not me for it. Help me to plan for this beautiful, restful, meditative day so that when the noise quiets and the dust settles and the hush falls, I can hear you and feel you and savor a few hours being instead of doing. Lord, you are good even when I am not at all good. Forgive me for the yelling and the rushing and the frustration and the hassling. I fear that I took sabboth away from my kids because my attitude was so bad. Forgive me. Lord you are good even when I am not at all good. Thank you for the promise that your mercies are new every morning.
Friday, October 2, 2009
The brisk walk....the happy baby...no longer in new mommy school...beautiful weather...blah blah blah. Isn't it funny how perceptions change in a heartbeat? The night after I wrote the last blog Precious was up and fussy and I was miserable. Nothing would soothe her and I was so tired. I was begging God to help me and I imagine he was looking down from Heaven, present and powerful and yet testing me, pruning me, refining me...at 1am. We've been doing the night vigil now for 5 weeks and it is getting better but in very tiny ways. Precious is fine. Precious is precious. Precious is sweet and healthy and chunking up and very capable of articulating her needs and wants and we are now helplessly abandoned to her cause. We have fallen completely in love with her at all costs. No more hot meals...Precious wants to eat when we sit down. I have not exercised since wednesday because the weather is miserably rainy, windy and cold and I have been too tired to get on the machine in the basement.
God continues to speak to me, minister to me and use me. I'm not depressed or angry or burned out, its just a less perky view from the Niki window today. I will not lose 30 pounds on my maternity leave like I hoped. My kids need cold weather clothes and we may need to order online rather than spend the day shopping...we are thriving as a family of 6.
My in-laws left awhile ago and I am in a very quiet house. Claire is at a birthday party and Roger and the boys went to the movies. Precious is working on a burp or something on my chest so if you notice typos, blame her. Grandpa and Grandma helped with household projects, they played board games and Grandpa even painted a birdhouse with little Jeremiah. Grandma made my apple crisp to take to our friends' home for supper later tonight. My in-laws are amazing people who have held public office, who lobby (unofficially) for prayer in schools and who have a legacy of love and righteousness that exceeds the world view. We will miss them alot when they fly south with the snow birds to winter in Arizona but we are happy they can do that and that they enjoy it so much.
My grandma did well with her surgery and the doctor is confident she will recover fully. Thank you for your prayers and concern for her. Jen, thank you for the food and the attentiveness. You are a very good friend.
Many of you have mentioned that you cannot comment on my blog posts. I think you need to open a google account or something...just try do that (its free and painless) and if someone else has suggestions for us on how to get people's comments on, please speak up. I love comments and feedback. Unless you feel like arguing or complaining. Keep those comments quiet. Plenty of that happening already in our house. :)
God continues to speak to me, minister to me and use me. I'm not depressed or angry or burned out, its just a less perky view from the Niki window today. I will not lose 30 pounds on my maternity leave like I hoped. My kids need cold weather clothes and we may need to order online rather than spend the day shopping...we are thriving as a family of 6.
My in-laws left awhile ago and I am in a very quiet house. Claire is at a birthday party and Roger and the boys went to the movies. Precious is working on a burp or something on my chest so if you notice typos, blame her. Grandpa and Grandma helped with household projects, they played board games and Grandpa even painted a birdhouse with little Jeremiah. Grandma made my apple crisp to take to our friends' home for supper later tonight. My in-laws are amazing people who have held public office, who lobby (unofficially) for prayer in schools and who have a legacy of love and righteousness that exceeds the world view. We will miss them alot when they fly south with the snow birds to winter in Arizona but we are happy they can do that and that they enjoy it so much.
My grandma did well with her surgery and the doctor is confident she will recover fully. Thank you for your prayers and concern for her. Jen, thank you for the food and the attentiveness. You are a very good friend.
Many of you have mentioned that you cannot comment on my blog posts. I think you need to open a google account or something...just try do that (its free and painless) and if someone else has suggestions for us on how to get people's comments on, please speak up. I love comments and feedback. Unless you feel like arguing or complaining. Keep those comments quiet. Plenty of that happening already in our house. :)
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