Please Pray

My heart is SO HEAVY for this little girl... Hannah Grace Harrison. Her daddy works at our church. She had a brain tumor that was successfully removed and recently went in for a stem cell transplant - to increase the chances of a healthy, tumor free future (or so that's my understanding). Complications arose...the most recent email read:

The results of Hannah Grace's catscan of her abdomen would seem to indicate that her bowels have shut down. There is no medical or surgical treatment for this and we are dependent on God to heal this baby girl!

So hard to understand. Please join us in prayer for this little girl and her family. She is also in need of platelets. You can find more information on donating by clicking on her name, above. 

What We're Up To...

About those oranges...

When we moved in five years ago, there were two scraggly looking small trees planted beside the garage...we wondered what was up with them...but our focus was on structural issues with the house...so we just sort of ignored them...Three years ago we realized they were lime trees! I LOVE limes and couldn't believe our fortune! I picked every lime and gave them to neighbors...only they were dry and kind of gross. Oh well, we decided it must be an ornamental lime tree (does that exist?). So...the next year some girls were hanging out over here and one of them saw the trees and said, "Oh you have an orange tree. Give the "limes" more time on the branches." So we did. That winter we got 12 oranges off one tree and nothing off the other. They were FABULOUS! Last year we got 55 oranges off one tree and a handful of satsumas (smaller oranges) off the other tree. This year...well, this year I didn't even count. We've been picking and eating since early December and still have about another 15 or so that should be ready in the next few weeks. I sprayed a citrus fruit spray on the trees once a summer or two ago...other than that we have done NOTHING to them. I have learned fruit trees take a few years to produce...I'm just thankful we didn't go tearing into the backyard to wack everything down before we knew what we had...'cause those would've been the first to go...if you have any info on caring for these babies, please share.

On a fun note...some friends from out of town came for a visit and spent the night with us last night. It was SO GREAT to hang out with them! Their daughter and MW were great friends and have missed each other! They were up until almost 11pm last night playing dress up and making art projects...and even setting up their own bed on the dog's bed! It was a sweet time of playing and catching up! Quite frankly, they were absolutely WILD! Dancing around the house...it did my heart good to see how much they love one another!

This afternoon before they left, we all spent a few minutes throwing the frisbee to the dogs...(they brought their dog). T3 doesn't quite have the concept of releasing the frisbee when throwing it...and he hit their daughter in the back of the head while trying to throw the frisbee. It really was an accident...but of course Av was a bit upset...a few minutes later, MW threw the frisbee with all her might and it NAILED the little man in the head. It was completely an accident and so "what comes around goes around." There he was, sobbing, and I was laughing so hard...after a kiss and a little consolation, he was just fine!

I've decided to take on a new project...I'm a bit fearful...but determined. My friend posted a link to this tutorial on inserting a zipper...and so today I picked through the remnant table and purchased a few zippers (because I am betting I'll mess up at least one...possibly beyond the point of salvage...) and am going to give it my best shot. We'll see what happens.

I want to let you in on a great read...a deep, take it a few paragraphs at a time, but VERY good and encouraging book...

I don't even know how to sum up what this book is about...it's about why our sufferings matter to God. It's about who "authors" our sufferings...how they "come to be." It talks about why God allows suffering...(nope, no earth shattering fix and explain it all away answers...). It's just been an incredible read for me. I've been digesting small chunks over the last few months...and it's been incredibly encouraging!

In other news...my heart has been so heavy over President Obama and the actions he is taking in the realm of abortion...I read over his Mexico City Policy and it sounds like he is talking about controlling the population of dogs...not human beings, with souls, formed by God. Check out the page heading..."Voluntary Population Planning." I've been reading up on the Freedom of Choice Act...this is heart breaking. There is so much I want to spill on this subject...I have two friends who both would have been aborted had abortion been legal when their unwed mothers found out they were pregnant. How 'bout Tim Tebow? You know his mother was strongly urged by doctors to abort him...I am so sad that America is choosing this path. Check out these pics at www.prolifeamerica.com Thanks to the Mexico City Policy Americans aren't just murdering our own children, we're murdering children in other countries, too. My heart is so sad over that. So heavy. So sad. 

On a lighter note...I've gotten several emails and a few comments with questions about my camera, lense, etc. I'm flattered. Y'all are sweet...I use a Nikon D70s and I pretty much always shoot with a  28-80mm lense. I've found it to be pretty versatile, especially with the kids...but I'm totally an amateur and don't really know what I'm talking about. I've only had two photography classes. 

As far as altering the photos...I usually crop and sometimes do some digital touch ups using photoshop...

And above you see a lovely drawing of our family...in the bathtub...in order are MW, T3, Me, T, and the baby boy in my tummy - NO - we don't know what we are having, this is just what MW drew for me today. I asked about the boy, because she really wants a sister...she said that's just "what I drew."

Happy night to you!

The Harvest...

It was a glorious day! The sun was shining...it was the perfect temperature...MW was at school and the little man begged to go "out-tide." And outside we went...

And as I looked around my eyes rested on the "orange trees" we have in our backyard. We had picked just about every orange that was within arm's reach, but the top branches were still laden with fruit...so I broke out the ladder and picked and picked and picked and filled my pockets until the were bulging and then picked even more. The little guy watched, fascinated.

Not a bad harvest, eh? And they taste FANTASTIC!!! The BEST I've ever put in my mouth!

T3 and I spent the entire morning outside and the afternoon was spent playing at a friend's house. 

Our evening began with a lovely dinner outside...MW set up her picnic table and chairs and broke out her "fine china" (her plastic tea set). She washed, dried, and then served each of the five plates and carried them outside to the table on her purple plastic tray...

She and the little guy dined in style while I sat on the steps eating a bowl of fresh tomato tortellini soup...I opted to feed the children a frozen chicken pot pie, rather than summon the energy to deal with MW's "love" of my new fav. soup...guess what? She doesn't like chicken pot pie, either. Ugh. (I think she went to bed a little hungry...but she knew better than to say anything.)

We wound down the night with baths and read a big stack of books. MW and I are back at it with the Little House books...I must say, she isn't quite as taken with Almanzo as she was with Laura...he did have a near death encounter in our chapter tonight...which livened things up a bit. 

As I tucked her in I asked if she wanted to sleep with "Amy" (her doll) and she quickly told me "no." When I inquired why, she told me she wiped a booger on Amy's arm. Oh well. Amy will have to sleep alone...I am not booger hunting tonight.

Dear Little Baby...

Dear Sweet Little Baby,

For several weeks I’ve felt a little something and I’d think you’d fluttered a little bit, but I wasn’t sure. Friday night your daddy and I were tucked into bed when I knew I felt you move. I waited a few moments and aha…I felt you move again! I pulled down the covers and whispered to your daddy to watch…we watched and waited…and a few seconds later we saw you move. You are SO AMAZING!!! Your daddy looked at me with the hugest grin on his face and his eyes all lit up and said, “this is the best!” Oh little one, little miracle of God! I’m so happy to feel you move…to see you move! Your daddy put his hand over my belly and felt you move several more times. You, little one, are a gift from God! Created intentionally by the Almighty Father. Each time I feel you move, I smile and delight in the mystery of you, being knit together in my womb! You have great purpose and we thank Him for you. We love you and are praying for you already!

Our Weekend...

What a fun weekend! Because I am tired…and you’d probably enjoy a less verbose post…

The little man “full steam ahead” dressed in MW’s new cowgirl boots! And “tattooed” with Hello Kitty stickers. Manly, eh? At least he was riding in style…




I found this on the kitchen floor…that would be the little man’s slipper…with a few goldfish…



And I cannot believe she kept dancing once she realized I had the camera…normally she runs the other direction…but not this time…she just kept right on for a few seconds more…by the way…she was quite proud of the outfit she put together!





And here…he’ll kill me for posting this…but this is T showing me how much he loves me! This is just one of the many, many ways he communicates that I’m important and special to him…and it means SO MUCH to me! Way to go and thank you T!




At the table, eating lunch, after school today…



After “rest time” MW announced she was going upstairs to wash her hair and her face and to fix her hair and get all dressed up…and she came down wearing this, with the veil over her face and announced that she is “God’s Little Princess.”



If you’ve seen the yellow rocking horse we have in the playroom (it was handmade for me when I was a baby) you’ll recognize this masterpiece! By none other than the incredibly talented MW! (I recognized it instantly!) So fun!!!



Little man after a round of tearful good-byes…Daddy had to leave for work and the little guy was a bit mellow…



And I just know his Daddy will LOVE this pic! Here’s the little man sporting a pair of beauty and the beast kitten heels…in his defense, he was “brushing” the dog with the broom…



And that pretty much sums up the last few days around here. I was the last of the fam to get the cold and it officially kicked my rear…I’m finally on the mend and so happy about that! I did a ton of freelance over the weekend…T had to work…and the little ones played and played.

Happy day to you!

Flights of Fancy...and Children

{Blog title compliments of the husband.}

From elegant and safe (the fabric, that is)…(and rotten, with major wear, and a few stains)…



Stripped down…


A crazy…make that psycho idea…involving a random square of cowhide, some upholstery tacks…and five hours of my day…



To fresh and…funky?



What do you think? I’m kind of crazy about it. This chair has been in the fam for a few generations…I’ve wondered if my great-grandmother is rolling over in her grave.



And the best part…aside from time and elbow grease…this didn’t cost us a penny! The cowhide story is for another day…however, through some rather “un-kosher” means, I acquired it without the cost of anything but a little pride…I had the upholstery tacks from college…and I used tools we have around the house. How fun is that?!!! (By the way...I think I have cowhide hair stuck in my throat...)

And while I worked away at that, little MW had a lovely adventure riding her “dog” into town…



And with a little help from Dad, maneuvered her four year old self into a baby swing…

And got a few pushes from a little bro, all too eager to help…

And sang her own rendition of “Flag of America” – oh to have gotten it on tape. You can tell from the pic…it was a very somber moment…not to mention the ribbon from the hat was tied to the dog’s basket…



And the little man ate “taw-berries”



And then got thrown way too high in the air…

And got smothered in kisses from his big, strong Daddy…


Who…while all of this was going on…was busy grouting the bricks on the porch…



And then patiently accepted help from a little man, again, all too eager to help…and very interested in what his Daddy was doing...


And then...after all of that...T fed and bathed both children and tucked them into bed...(so I could finish "the chair!") So...I think he gets the "Man of the Year" award! Thanks, babe!

Happy Weekend to You!

SCORE!!!

So...today was a great day. But it's also been a day I've been reminded anew of where my value is found. Kind of one of those things you know to be true and struggle with here and there, but usually wind up shrugging off...T3 had MDO and MW had school and T was off work today...so we dropped off children and made a few returns and were home again by 9:20am...T set to work replacing broken window panes which were broken due to: 

1. a re-glazing attempt by the husband and bro-in-law (like...2 years ago)

2. a little girl's foot that went through the window while waiting eagerly for Bobo in a chair at the window with foot on glass "pushing as hard as I could" (like...7 months ago) and 

3. a dog eager to bite the mailman (like...a few weeks ago).

And while T was working on that...I FINISHED ALL MY IRONING!!!  (thanks in NO small part to tons of help from my sister and mom - thanks guys!!!) and laundry!!! And I put it all away...And then I pulled everything out of the laundry room and swiffered the walls and dusted the light fixture and wiped down baseboards and vacuumed like an insane woman...and then I re-organized everything and put it all back...and it looks so pretty and void of any dirty clothes or clothes in need of ironing. I did all of that just in time to rush out the door to drive carpool...and as I was rushing, smiling at the wonderfulness of my clean and orderly laundry room and at just how much I had accomplished...happy inside at the promise I made myself to continue doing one load a day - all colors mixed, on cold, wash, dry, fold, and put away...and now iron...and I'll always have a clean laundry room and I'll always be on top of it. Basically, I was giddy with excitement over how neat it all looked, etc. I felt so "in control." So as I was rushing to pick up the kids and was reflecting on this most wonderful morning which had left me with such a sense of accomplishment it hit me...why do I find my worth in what I DO? This morning I chose to stay in bed rather than rise and spend time with my Savior. When I came home to a quiet house and a husband who was working outside...I opted to iron and clean and organize, rather than take a few moments to be still in the Lord's presence...and it occurred to me that so often my mood for the day is set based on what I'm able to cross of my to do list...and don't get in the way of that list!...my actions have communicated the list is more important than people...than even my relationship with Christ. So...it was this glorious feeling of "yeah, I'm together" that was shattered as the Holy Spirit prodded my hard heart. I was standing there surveying the results of my work when I thought to myself, "I feel pretty good about myself right now." (Yes, I know...pretty shallow...) and then a few minutes later I thought, "Why do I feel so "on top of the world right now? Is it because I am complete in Christ? Is it because He has covered my sins with His blood and has bought me with the price of His Son's death on the cross? Is it because I am of great worth to my Heavenly Father?" And I had to answer honestly..."Nope. Not because of any of those things...it's because my laundry room is really clean and pretty right now and that makes me feel really good about myself." Hmmm...kind of pathetic. So today, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I had to pick up my sword and battle self-love...again! I fear finding my worth in my performance, or in how much I accomplish, will be a life long struggle for me.

I feel funny changing gears here...

But I did want to share my very exciting three deals of the day!!! I went to several thrift stores with a friend (we were hunting coffee cups for a project...). And while we were rushing past everything else to search for these ultra cool mugs...three things JUMPED out at me...

These super cool rain boots for $2.57...by LaCrosse (I googled them and found some similar for about $47!) for MW...who was thrilled!

These ADORABLE cowgirl boots...with a heel!!! for $2!!!

And these super cute pink velvet pants for $2.50! 

Changing gears again...

This morning MW let me braid her hair...because I convinced her that Laura (from Little House on the Prairie) probably wore hers this way. Here's a shot I took while she twirled round and round in her new cowgirl boots.

T took MW out on a date tonight. She takes after her Mama and LOVES French Onion Soup...so they went to our fav. place for FOS...she insisted on wearing her new pink pants over her tights and under her dress...and her new boots...and I let her use one squirt of my perfume since she's such a "big girl." She was quite thrilled!!! and has been anticipating this date night for a week or so. When they got home, I put my arms around T and told him how happy it makes me that he is the kind of man who takes his daughter on dates and loves her and invests in her life like that. Precious.

And little man was less than happy about being left at home with me. He did, however, get some left over salmon and broccoli and then a "bar" - make that a granola bar! Food usually appeases him...hmmm... :)

We played upstairs after dinner. T3 scooted the trampoline close to my chair and had the best time jumping off the trampoline into my lap. Such fun! After he wore himself out jumping, he lifted his arms and said, "holl-shoe," which means "hold you." So I scooped him up and we snuggled for a few minutes. As bed time drew nearer he got sister's pillow and a blanket and made his own little bed on the trampoline.

After we put the little man to bed we readied MW for bed. I took out her braids and she had that 80s crimp look going...so I told her to run in and tell T she was Cyndi Lauper...and he sent her back to me saying, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!" ha, ha!

The Boy Likes Salmon!

Before I went to bed last night I snuck upstairs to check on the little ones...and this is what I found...

no doubt set up in my honor!

So...little man slept until 9:30 this morning. What's a girl to do??? He took a two hour nap this afternoon and then he and MW were so exhausted by this evening that I stayed home from church to put them to bed...at 6:30!!! We were getting ready to eat dinner and MW had been on the brink of falling apart all day...and just as I was about to serve plates everything fell apart. She was crying...balling...sobbing...uncontrollably...little man was crying. It was one of those shining moments when you wonder if you're really cut out to be a parent. :) So...we fed the kids...T headed off to church...and I put them to bed. Both went down without protesting. MW even curled up beneath her covers and mumbled, "I am soooo tired." And then she was out. Just like that. 

As for the title...we had blackened salmon and broccoli for dinner. I split a piece of salmon between MW and T3 (salmon is one of MW's favs - so is broccoli). Little man inhaled it and stuffed broccoli (which he is not a fan of)  in just to get more salmon. He wound up eating an entire piece! Unbelievable! (At least I think it's pretty crazy that a 22 month old would down that much salmon!) Hooray!

And...MW was cracking me up a few nights ago. She got all "fixed up" and stripped the little man to his diaper, and then added a bib and brushed his hair...and he was a happy and willing victim...and once they were "dressed" MW announced they were going to an orphanage. I asked if they were going to visit the children...and she pointed out that she had fixed T3 up "real nice 'cause I'm trading him in for another baby." I told her not to, but she insisted that she would.

The Long Nap

So the little man went down for his nap around 9-ish yesterday…at 3:30 I found a baby boy who was just beginning to wake. Hmmm…QUITE a nap! He was so sweet for the rest of the afternoon and then went to bed at 7:15…slept all night...I figured he’d be up early this morning…at 10:25am I heard him playing in his crib. WOW!

Colds are no fun. This one has certainly taken a toll on the little guy. He’s been pooped, and is certainly on the mend. I sure have gotten a lot done! Really, this has been such a blessing. Two days ago I asked T to pray for me before he left for work. I confessed to him that I was hungering for a little break from the day in and day outs of baths and brushing teeth and putting on pajamas and reading and singing and praying and tucking in and all of that…I told him I thought if I could just have a break for one night, I would be refreshed and good to go again…(T has been pulling some very long hours at work…which we are very thankful for, but it does mean he isn’t home as much). I firmly believe the little guy’s abundance of sleep is a direct answer to that prayer. Yesterday I was able to take care of so much, that otherwise would’ve been left undone. Not the end of the world by any means, but it was very nice to tackle those things! And oh the joy of ironing by myself this morning! Getting to drink my coffee without interruption…don’t get me wrong. I ADORE my children and I am SO THANKFUL I get to be at home with them! It’s just that occasionally, a little break is refreshing. So…thank you T for praying for me…and thank you Father for giving me a little respite!

And in other news…I HAVE to recommend this FABULOUS soup!!! The picture simply does NOT do it justice! If you like tomatoes…and cheese…and pasta…well, you must try! (Not to mention I made it in like 30 minutes…with grocery bags at my feet, while the little man fed the dog almost the rest of the bag of dog treats…and while MW made about a million requests for me to help her with this or that…point being: it’s super easy , especially if evenings bring a bit of distraction your way!)


Tomato Tortellini Soup

Ingredients:
1 cup chopped carrots
1 medium onion, chopped
olive oil to drizzle
1 t basil
1 t oregano
1 bayleaf
4 cans whole tomatoes in their juice
2 c chicken broth
2 c water
1 package dried cheese tortellini
4 cups shredded spinach
parsley for garnish

•Ok…sauté carrots and onions in olive oil until tender, add spices, sauté a few minutes more…
• open your cans of tomatoes and “chop” them up (I use my kitchen scissors and just go to town cutting while the tomatoes are still in the can) and dump in the pot
• add chicken broth and water…cook 20 minutes
• add tortellini and cook until pasta is done
• add spinach and cook another three or so minutes (until spinach is “cooked”)
• serve and garnish with parsley

By the way…MW gives this one the thumbs down. She turned her nose up at it, went to bed hungry (we DID tell her if she didn’t eat the soup she couldn’t have anything else until breakfast)…came downstairs and said she was “dying of hunger.” I told her to get back in the bed. She came down again and said, “Mom, I just need you to show me grace right now.” I was like, “I am showing you grace. It’s called tough love. Now go to bed.”

This afternoon she “taught” the little guy a few letters…it’s hard to tell in the pic, but these really are letters and numbers.

Here is a “real” pic of the office…a current real pic of the office…will tackle tomorrow.


Sharing secrets…



And a shot of “real life” around here…



Happy Night to you!