a new broom

This is a conversation that occurred between Andrew & me this week that was priceless. It was around lunchtime at our house and I had just returned from a WalMart run with the kiddos. They were eating & Andrew called. We chatted some and he proceeded to tell me what the rest of his day looked like. He was on his way to lunch with a friend at Whole Hog, then to meet up with another friend for a bit (work of course), then to play hand ball with the guys he disciples for the afternoon. Also work, of course. After he said all that, I said, in all seriousness, guess what I found at Walmart today? It's a really great new broom! As the words came I genuinely meant them...my new broom is really great. But the image of the things that fill his day next to the things that bring excitment to my day was very laughable. Either way, I firmly stick to the fact that I love my new broom...even more now after a weeks worth of use.

a little on parenting & community

I think I've either said or heard the words, "phase of life", about 1000 times over the last few months. And generally it is in some connection with the ups & downs of parenting & the ups and downs of living life in community with others. I actually write this thinking I am thankful for that phrase, how often it is used, and what it implies. Because this is my phase of life: I'm a wife, a mama, a friend, a mentor, a teacher, a chef, a book keeper, a driver, a washer, a wanna be reader, and I love it. And I am walking through this "phase of life" with a group of folks who are walking the same way-and I don't mean that we are doing all the same things & constantly talking, sharing meals, spending time together, or anything like that. But we are walking together headed towards more of what Jesus has called us to, planned for us, and prepared in advance for us to do during this exact time in our lives. So I'm thankful. Thankful for my wonderfully chaotic life. Thankful for my community that pushes me to authenticity, vulnerability, truth, grace, love. And thankful to Jesus, my Sustainer in a sometimes confusingly beautiful "phase of life."

good feelings

Two nights ago I felt the baby move for the first time. I had just gotten in bed and Andrew was still brushing his teeth. Quickly I called for him to come and we sat for a good while with hands on my belly waiting and smiling and willing the baby to move some more. As we were sitting there I couldn't help but get overwhelmed and giddy. To feel life within your body is an unbelievable and indescribable feeling. Several Scriptures came to mind but especially Psalm 139. Every day when I put Madeline & Simeon to bed I tell them they are fearfully and wonderfully made and now I have the blessing and privilege of being a part of another life being fearfully and wonderfully made. With Simeon home and being pregnant at the same time I find myself thinking often of his birth mother. What feelings was she having when she was 18 weeks pregnant? What emotions go through her life now as she will most likely never see her biological baby again? The baby she felt God fearfully and wonderfully make within her. These are difficult and emotional things I wrestle to understand. There are days I get tired, frustrated, overwhelmed with parenting but I rejoice in the blessing and honor it is to be a mama to all three of my kiddos.

unblogworthy

So I kind of made a mental goal to blog weekly-I know I am failing but my new struggle is what to blog about. I'm not a creative writerly person. And pretty much every day we do the same kind of things. Wake, eat, play, eat, sleep, wake, eat, play, eat, bath, read, bed. And so on. So here is my feeble attempt at a new post. Things I'm currently enjoying that you might as like as well.
1. Sandwich thins-introduced to me by my sister Becca. They are great for panini's or burgers. Yum.
2. Big girl beds-Madeline is now in the bed I grew up in which is high off the ground. We added child safety rails & solved the getting out of bed 1,000 times a day & night problem. Yea.
3. Exercise class-I am taking an exercise class at a local church that is 3 days a week, includes child care, and is only $15 a semester. Love it.
4. Friends who cook-we have had meals brought to our door, warm & yummy, three days a week since getting home. Wow. Thanks.
5. I also love friends who don't cook by the way. :)
6. Simeon's funny faces. Pics to come as soon as we can get the computer liking us again.
7. Warm fires. As Madeline says, they are nice & cozy.

So...

So since we've been back from Ethiopia Madeline has had some trouble sleeping. Mostly she has been waking up several times a night wanting Mama-sweet but slightly exhausting. Anyway, the last week things have improved in that department & generally we were just going in her room once after putting her to bed to sing one more song or what not. Tonight, we were standing in the kitchen and I commented that tonight was the first night in FOREVER that we didn't have to "put" Madeline to bed multiple times. Yea! Minutes later we hear cries from Simeon, who sleeps in a crib in our bedroom. This is odd because he never wakes & cries. So we give him a minute & then decide to go in. As Andrew is walking that way we here Madeline crying and think, this is odd. What is even stranger is it sounds like she isn't even in her room. Well...we enter our bedroom to find both Madeline & Simeon in Simeon's crib. We have never seen Madeline climb into the crib before, let alone at night, in the dark, and with both her blankets. But aparently she is that talented. She left her room (quietly I might add), entered ours, climbed into bed with him, and they both fell asleep (they must have b/c they were noiseless for over an hour). I guess he finally felt a little cramped and thus the crying. When we were re-putting them both to bed I kept telling myself not to laugh in front of Madeline but it was actually very funny and cute-at least this one time!

4am Mama

This morning, around 4ish, I woke up to the moanings of my little gal. I thought really hard over and over, "please stay asleep!", however, she decided against that and began crying. All of my body says, argh!! I'm tired, it's 4am, leave me be. But, once I get in there and she grabs ahold of my next and asks me to stay with her, I'm melted. There is truly nothing like the feeling of being wanted, needed, and loved. As I was doing as much thought & reflection as I can muster at that hour, I was thankful that I too have a Daddy who will come to me when I need. And He never refuses. He watches over my sleep and He Himself never slumbers.

"He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand" Psalm 121:3-5

crazy dust

Hi friends,
So we’ve been home for a little over a week, had loads of love, food, encouragement, and prayers showered on us from family & friends, and are in the beginnings of making some sort of routine for our life. Although, I must say, I’ve said countless times over the last 10 days, “What is routine?” and “who needs it?” Well, honestly, I DO! I am a structured routine kind of gal. So, as you might imagine, I’m ready for the crazy dust of our lives to settle and my days to adjust to having my 2 kiddos at home, buying groceries, making meals, sweeping floors, playing blocks, reading books, and anything else that comes my stay-at-home mama way. And I truly do love all those things. (If anyone wants to come keep my floors clean though I would love it.) My heart is very full, my family is healthy, and we can’t find an end to counting our blessings. Thank you all for everything. We love you. We are excited for what is next and where God will take our fam. Everyone says going from 1 to 2 kids is the hardest. Well, good news! We won’t have long because in just a short 6 months we will be making the transition from 2 to 3-so things must be headed toward easier! In case you didn’t read through the lines, we’re pregnant. God’s blessings continue…

Swingin'

During our freezing cold weather Andrew & I decided it wasn't too crazy to get out our new double stroller & head down to Wilson Park (.1 miles from our house). Madeline & Simeon loved it. We strolled, we played, we swang. Their little smiles can tell the rest. So fun.

comments

For my blogging friend Rachel, and any others who may read my blog, I've taken the minute it takes to enable comments & done it. you're welcome. :)

Videos

We took our Flip video camera & it was great and easy to use. Here are some highlights.