Happy Happy

Yesterday, April 28, Riley turned eight months old! Happy Happy!

This would be my daughter, who is only four, working on eating an entire California Roll at dinner last night (that would be sushi - with raw fish folks). She loves it (much to the delight of her Daddy)!!!


Here I am with Shirmy, our dear friend who lives with us. We were treating her to dinner last night at our favorite local-ish restaurant (a Japanese Habachi Grill and Restaurant).

We were treating Shirmy to dinner, because not only did Riley turn eight months yesterday, but Shirmy was celebrating her birthday!!! Happy Happy!

Ruthie :)

Huge Praise!

Baby Stellan was discharged from the hospital today!!! If you remember, he and his Mama have been in Boston, where he underwent a risky surgery to try and fix his heart issue. The surgery was, maybe, partially successful, but to repeat it would have really been so risky it was an absolute last resort. At any rate, they were able to try a new medication on Stellan, which has seemed to do the trick to keep his high heart rate (called SVT, due to an accessory pathway in his heart) under control. They will be headed back home, where they will reunite with Daddy, and three siblings. Man, I cannot even imagine how good that reunion is going to feel! Keep praying, as this is not the end of the road for Stellan. If they can keep his SVT under control till he's older/his heart is bigger, than repeating the surgery to permanently fix the problem will be much less risky and effective. Thanks for praying. As always, visit MckMama's blog to read all the details in her own words.

Keep enjoying the nice weather!

Ruthie :)

Sublime Saturday Sun

Saturday I had the privilege of caring for our friends' two kiddos. It was a sunny, hot day and Sophia had a lot of fun having two extra kids around to torment, ahem, I mean, play with!

Riley and Charlie were so cute together. Charlie is about 13 mos, and Riley is 8 mos. They are about the same size (though Charlie is definitely taller) and seemed to like looking at each other. Oh, and I totally did not let them play around/with the outlet while I shot pictures. (Don't worry, there were outlet covers on and I quickly moved them to another location... - after I got my pictures. :) )

Double Trouble

Off for a walk around the block.

Emma is 2, and so cute! Sophia loves to boss her around and Emma loves to do what she wants regardless of Sophia's suggestions. :) They were playing puppy dog (nothing a little brown eye-liner can't create!) and dress-up most of the day.

The day was so warm, we even made it outside to play in the little pool. It felt strange to be doing that in April, but when the sun comes out, we don't argue!

Today is still warm, but not quite as hot, and there is a lovely breeze blowing through the house. Enjoy your Monday!

Ruthie :)

Poop don't lie

And yesterday, Riley's poop was telling me he enjoyed eating some paper. Aren't you glad you know that? :)

Ruthie :)

Significance

Today is significant for so many reasons!

1. It's my Mom's birthday today!!! I love my Mom so much. She has taught me so much in this life. She is my example and inspiration of being a good wife and mother, she constantly inspires me to be a better prayer warrior, she taught me how to trust the LORD, she gave me my gift with children and my sensitive spirit. I love how my Mom is so faithful and loyal, and I love her generous spirit. She has taught me the gift of being a giver rather than a taker. I admire her ability to be on time everywhere she goes, one thing I am definitely NOT good at. To put it simply, my Mom is one amazing woman who loves our Lord Jesus and I am privilaged to call her Mom and friend. I love you Mom!!! Happy Birthday!!!




2. Today my niece, Cora, is four weeks old! How the time flies. As I mentioned earlier this week, I was able to go visit Cora (and her parents :) ) for a couple of days this week. I adored being able to hold her and cuddle her. She is such a bright, beautiful little girl. And I adore her nice, full head of hair, that looks like it's going to be curly (I didn't get any pictures of her though :( )!!!

Not only is Riley very into crawling now, but he loves pulling himself up to stand!

3. Today a group of people, all of whom love the Lord and are bloggers (with significant followings), are traveling to Calcutta, India for a ten day mission trip, in conjunction with Compassion, the child-sponsorship organization. Each member of the group will be blogging about their experiences. It is a great way to raise awareness for the work that Compassion is doing around the world and a great way to encourage folks to sponsor kids!!!

Jamie and I recently started sponsoring a sweet boy from India and just received our packet of info to get started with correspondence. We are excited to play this teeny, tiny part to help at least one child in need.

Angie Smith, writer of the blog Bring the Rain, and mommy to Audrey Caroline, is on this trip. You can follow her experience in India by reading her blog.

If you don't currently, I encourage you to pray about sponsoring a child. It's a pretty small thing that can really make a huge difference in the life of a child.

Click on the above picture to learn more!

Have a wonderful day! Here in my neck of the woods it is sunny, blue skies and over 80 degree temps!!! We are loving it.

Ruthie :)

I'll have my people call your people and we'll do lunch

Riley and I are currently visiting my sister. Jamie had to work, so he's still back at home. I didn't feel up to bringing both kids, mainly because I wanted to actually have the ability to help my sister out, so sophia is spending some special time with Grammy and Grampy.

While talking to Soph on the phone tonight, I excitedly told her that I'd see her tomorrow. Her response?

" Well, don't come after breakfast because we're going to the park."

Glad she misses me so much! :)

Ruthie. :)

Orange and Operations

UPDATE!!!


Stellan went into surgery this morning. All day is orange day, for Stellan! Check out this post (which will be updated all day, can you find Sophia?) to see all the people praying for Stellan and wearing their orange!!!

Check out Jennifer's blog for updates as Stellan is in/and coming out of surgery... http://www.mycharmingkids.net

***

ORIGINANL POST:



Baby Stellan, who I've mentioned before, will be going into the OR, either tonight or tomorrow morning, to have a very serious and quite possibly, very risky (but necessary) surgery done. His heart has some extra electrical pathways, which won't respond to medications. The only answer is surgery to remove them. But, this surgery is super risky in infants due to their age/size. Also, Stellan's extra pathway/pathways are of an unknown type - so the surgeon/s aren't even sure what they'll find when they go in.

At any rate, he and his Mom, Jennifer, have been in the hospital for four weeks. Last week they were transferred from their local hospital in Minnesota to a hospital in Boston. Jennifer's Dad is with her, but her husband remains home with their other three chilren. Can you even imagine???

Of course she is scared, but she has the Lord in her heart and with her. Please pray with her, and me, and thousands of others, as this ordeal unfolds. Thank you!

Click HERE to read her latest post about the upcoming surgery. We will be honoring Stellan by have an orange-filled day tomorrow!

Anyone else out there follow MckMama's blog??

Ruthie :)

Slings

Let's talk slings... Do you even know what I'm talking about??? :) Here's a couple of pictures (that I adore by the way), to show the particular sling I own, in action...

Aunt Ruthie and Cora

Daddy and Riley

If I ever buy another one, I am quite sure I'll pick a different brand, because all though I love the concept of a sling, I don't totally love the one I commited to. It's got a lot of padding and it is really just too bulky and difficult to adjust. But, even with this particular, sub par (in my opinion) sling, I have become a lover of "the sling!" I actually can't wait to have another baby, just so I have a really good excuse to buy another one!!! :)

The sling allows you to cuddle close with your baby (or your sister's baby, whatever the case may be) and be a lot more hands free than simply holding them. I've used it on walks, in the grocery store, while doing chores around the house, and simply to calm a fussy baby. Being so snuggled close to Mama (or Auntie :) ), can really do wonders for a baby who needs some extra loving during fussy times.


If you are a Mama, I encourage you to try one! As you can see, they work great from newborn on up! Riley can still fall asleep in the sling really comfortably, and I can also adjust it so he's sitting more on my hip, nicely supported. I believe you can also wear your baby on your back with one. They are very versatile - and Dad's can wear them too! A sling would make a great shower gift as well.

Okay, so honestly, though I've had fun sharing my thoughts on slings, I really just wrote all of that so I'd have a good excuse to post those pictures. :)

Have a great Sunday!

Ruthie :)

All About A Boy

A letter to my son.

Dear Riley,

You are just over 7 1/2 months old. Back in August, I was so overjoyed to find out I'd had a son. I feel so blessed to be able to experience raising both a daughter and a son. Your big sister, Sophia, is about 4 1/2 years old, and she just adores you. It's been so fun to think back to when she was your age and compare the things she was doing with the things you are doing. Even at this early age, we can see how different GOD's creation of boys and girls are.

Mommy had to remove the bumper from your crib a couple of months ago because you were constantly pulling at it and trying to get it down/off. I don't remember your sister ever even touching it! When you are in your car seat you are forever playing with the visor. If it is up to shield your eyes from the sun, you will inevitably pull/kick it down. I've even caught you pulling it down to your mouth so you could chew on it! Again - I don't think Sophia ever touched that visor. You are so very active and I think you may be a kid who enjoys taking things apart to figure out how they work.

Right now you still enjoy nursing four times a day and sometimes once in the night. You take two really great naps every day and sleep from about 7 pm to 7 am. You are always happy, even when you're sleepy or sick. Your smile is always beaming and your giggles are like medicine. You are just over 18 lbs, which means you are double your birth weight. You measure just over 27 inches long. You are between size 9 mos. and 12 mos. in clothing right now, mostly needing the length of the 12 mos. You have huge, adorable cheeks, but no rolls. You are built, solid and strong.

You started rolling like crazy around 5 months and have been working on crawling ever since. A couple of weeks ago you mastered getting to where you wanted by combining your rolling with a version of an army crawl. This week you started really crawling well, and forward! Well, today you found your wings and there has been no stopping you! You get where you want, and you get there fast. You especially like crawling to the spinning office chair our laptop sits on. You like looking at/chewing on, the underside of the chair. Mommy has to get after you for pulling on the power cord. I fear some finger flicks may have to start soon.

Yesterday, just as you were becoming an expert crawler, what do you do? You start pulling yourself up on furniture to stand! You do this in your crib too. Today you took steps forward with me holding your hands. I think you just might sail past crawling and start walking! We'll see.

Currently, you have two teeth. You enjoy eating your pureed food at mealtime. I imagine you'll be getting finger food before too long.

My favorite moments with you are when you're nursing. You love to play with my lips and tug on my hair. When you fall asleep in my arms and look so at peace, Mommy just feels so loved and special.

I love how much you adore your Daddy. You look for him when he's gone and get so excited when he comes home. He's your nighttime cuddler if you wake up and need help falling back to sleep. I hear you often listen to music with him during these wee hours on his iPOD.

I also love how you adore your big sister. She loves to cuddle you and play with you and hold you. Sometimes, since she's four and all, it's a little rough. But you never seem to mind. You just smile up at her and take it all in! She has never been able to keep her hands off of you since you arrived and begs to hold you many times a day. You are well-loved by her.

I pray each day that Jesus will captivate your heart and that you would grow up to be a godly man. I trust you in the arms of Jesus and thank Him so often for the gift that you are. He took your twin, Jeremiah, to live with Him in Heaven, but He's allowing me to have you, and for that I am forever grateful.

I love you my boy.

Mommy

Oh, did I tell you? You love socks too. Not just pulling off your own socks to chew on them and then your toes, but apparently your poor, innocent cousin's socks are up for grabs too. :)

Golden Silence

Baby is napping.

Daddy is dropping eldest off at friends' house for preschool, then off to the chiropractor.

Mommy is... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

As much as this mama adores the sweet silence, that feels stolen it is so rare, she cannot wait to smother her sleeping babe with kisses once he wakes and hear the excitement of new things learned upon the return of her sweet girl.

To read blogs and check email with two available hands and no one begging for books to be read; to anticipate a shower, alone, with no worries of what little hands may be doing while mama is otherwise occupied; to be able to get fully ready, dressed, hair dried and even teeth brushed!; to have these moments of quiet and alone, is needed and precious...

But.

They will never compare to my hours upon hours of noise, busy-ness, housework, cooking, cleaning, nursing, feeding, cleaning, disciplining, organizing, cleaning, throwing out, art projects, laundry, playing...

loving.

I adore my sweet stolen moments of silence, but I love the craziness that comes with having my kiddos close by and in my arms, even more.

Ruthie :)

A little photo shoot

While at Jeni and David's this past weekend, our family 'o four did a little photo shoot; taking advantage of the beautiful surroundings. Here are some of my favorite shots. Enjoy the eye candy... :)

Ruthie :)

She must taste good

I touched on this already, but here's more evidence...

Exhibit A2:



Exhibit B:
I guess they are on to something. Sweet Cora does look yummy enough to eat. :) I guess while most adults are willing to say that, it takes my kids to actually try it!

Ruthie :)

We're Back

We had a glorious time visiting family for Easter. I have lots of stories and cute pictures to share. I'll leave you with this one for tonight... just to wet your "appetite" (ahem) !

Apparently boys will try anything! Even their newborn cousins! :)

More to come!

Ruthie :)

Easter Sweetness

Some cold (for easier handling) sugar cookie dough from your favorite recipe...

Rolled out and cut into circles...


Pinched and shaped into "Easter Eggs..."

Lined up and ready to go into the oven (not too long in there, we like soft sugar cookies in our house)...

Cool 'em down...

Frost and decorate (get your favorite preschooler to help if possible)...

Feel very accomplished, and high on sugar, when the job is complete!

Happy Easter!

Ruthie :)

Aunt Ruthie

I like the ring of that! I get to relish in being an aunt all weekend as we're spending it with my sis, her hubby, Cora & my parents. I see lots of pictures being taken of all the cousins (I like the ring of that too!).

What are you doing to celebrate Easter?

Ruthie :)

The one in which the brother stars

Shot this video the other day while Riley was being particularly talkative at lunch time!

Ruthie :)

Giraffe?

I took this video of Soph just the other day. She had squeezed herself into her first ever Halloween costume. She wore this thing when she was 11 mos. old folks. I mistakenly turned the camera sideways while shooting, not realizing I couldn't rotate that once I uploaded it, so sorry for it being on it's side most of the time.

Ruthie :)

Hodge Podge of Images

The view outside the past couple of days - non stop, might I add.

The view outside today - SO much better!

Jamie, looking fine on his birthday. :)

Sophia, decked out in her swimsuit, some play hair combs and ballet slippers. She's loves to practice, and dress herself up in all sorts of outfits!

Riley, being Riley!

Ruthie :)

Audrey Caroline Smith

Today is Audrey's birth date. She is celebrating her 1st birthday in heaven, while her family celebrates her life here, without her... Please, pray for her Mommy, Angie, her Daddy, Todd, her three sisters and the rest of her family and friends. As you know, I don't personally know this family, but I feel like I do, what with following Angie's blog and all. But, I am well-aquainted with the pain that comes with losing a child, and so, today, I'm taking many extra moments, here and there, to be still, to pray, to read the WORD, to be on my knees for the Smiths. Their pain is still so raw, I'm sure, and today must be so bittersweet.

God is able to use a life, no matter how short, to serve His purpose, for His glory. Angie may be Audrey's voice, but it is Audrey's life that is reaching thousands of people, around the world, with the good news that Jesus loves them, died for them, came alive again, and offers forever life and forgiveness to any and all who will receive it. How proud Angie and Todd must be of their daughter and her life! I'm sure Audrey is also proud of her Mommy and Daddy. They willingly bare their sorrows and share their grief so that they might be the voice of Audrey's life.

I know, all too well, what it's like to know your child is in heaven and is okay, and that their life brings glory to God - and yet, to still just really long for them to be in your arms and for God to bring about His purpose some other way, some other way that doesn't involve my child being gone. And yet, His ways are not our ways, and we trust and we obey. We cling to our faith in God and He remains faithful.

God led me to Psalm 40. I will be reading this and praying this over the Smith family today. I think it fits perfectly to what they are going through. I encourage you to read it. I may post it on here later.

Angie put up this awesome new Selah song on her blog yesterday (time is running out to hear it! It's amazing! Click HERE to hear it, if there is still time.) I can't post the actual performance, but here are the words. I pray they speak to you...

Unredeemed

Written by Chad Cates, Tony Wood, Brian Petak
Produced by Bernie Herms
And had the FIRE sung out of it by Amy Perry and Todd Smith

The cruelest words
The coldest heart
The deepest wounds
The endless dark
The lonely ache
The burning tears
The bitter night
The wasted years
Life breaks and falls apart
But we know these are…

Places
Where grace is
Soon to be so amazing
They may be unfulfilled
They may be unrestored
But when anything that’s shattered
Is laid before the Lord
Just watch and see
It will not be
Unredeemed

For every choice
That led to shame
And all the love
That never came
For every vow
That someone broke
And every life
That gave up hope
We live in the shadow of the fall
But the cross says these are all – just

Places
Where grace is
Soon to be so amazing
They may be unfulfilled
They may be unrestored
But when anything that’s shattered
Is laid before the Lord
Just watch and see
It will not be
Unredeemed

They may be unfulfilled
They may be unrestored
You never know the miracles
The father has in store
Just watch and see
It will not be
Unredeemed

Ruthie

Will there be Godiva in heaven?

Celebrating Jamie's birthday Friday was fabulous! My Mom graciously watched the kiddos so Jamie and I could go out for a lunch date. We ate at Cheesecake Factory. Can you say YUM?!?!

We started out our humble (yeah right!) meal with two appetizers; breaded and fried artichoke hearts served with garlic aeoli sauce & Parmesan cheese stuffed dates wrapped in bacon (they were cooked that way some how, warm, gooey, salty, sweet - so good!). We then shared a thin crusted, tomato, basil and cheese pizza. Light, crisp and tasty! Of course we finished our meal by sharing the Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake. I'm sure we could have each polished off our own piece, but we decided it'd be more prudent (and cost effective) to share a piece. I cut that thing down the middle though, with quite the precision too, might I add, because I knew we'd be trying to each get the last bite in! :)

Anyways, that dessert - it did not disappoint! One of the best things that has ever graced my taste buds.

Sophia asked me the other day if there would be toys in heaven. Leave the toys God, but please, bring the Godiva cheesecake! :) (Totally kidding folks. I know I won't be thinking of cheesecake when I'm in the presence of the Creator of the Universe.)

It was so fun to linger over a meal with just my husband.

We finished off his birthday with a simple party at his parents' house. My Mom and Dad joined us and we ate pizza and carrot cake. We really enjoyed our low key day, spent among family.

***

At dinner tonight, Sophia pushed her plate of pasta and salad away from her, saying she was done eating. She hadn't eaten a whole lot, so I asked if she was really full. "No," she replied, "I'm not full, I'm just done with the healthy food and I'm ready for my cake now." :) Well, I helped her eat a few more "healthy" bites before she was allowed to enjoy her dessert.

***

After reading MckMama's blog today, I've been burdened to pray specifically for the Family of God to show up in a big way to help support them. If they do have to move Stellan to another hospital, somewhere else in the country, the financial, logistical, etc... issues will be huge! I'm praying that fellow believers that have means to help financially - will, that folks who are near to their current home and then near to wherever they may relocate, can and will help with meals, transportation, lodging, childcare for their other three kids, etc... Please pray with me that God's people, Jennifer's brothers and sisters in Christ, will be supportive in tangible ways for their family!

***

The blog that started me on my current blog obsession, Bring the Rain, by Angie Smith, is worth checking out this week (and always, in my opinion!). Angie's daughter, Audrey, for whom the blog was even started, was born last April 7, and died the same day. So, her birthday is this Tuesday. Please pray for Angie and Todd, and their other three daughters, as they go through this time. She currently has a really amazing song up on her blog, but it will only be up for 3 days!!! Click HERE to get to it. If you're able, I encourage you to check it out!

Have a blessed week everyone!

Ruthie :)

Just a little hello

We shot this little video a couple of days ago. Sorry, it's a bit bumpy.



Enjoy the kiddo cuteness. :)

6 years ago!

Jamie asked me to marry him six years ago, today! It was a Friday evening, probably around 5 o'clock. I had gotten in a little car accident two days prior and was heavily medicated due to some severe whip lash I'd suffered. I had had plans to visit him at his University to surprise him for his birthday, the day before. I couldn't drive though, so he came to my place and we had a quiet birthday celebration for him. Little did I know, he was planning to propose that day. He kept asking me to take a walk, planning on popping the question while we were out. I refused to leave though, as I was so sleepy and high on drugs. :)

Since I couldn't go to school the next day, I decided to go back to his University with him that evening to spend the weekend. I always stayed with his one friend, Kristin, whenever visiting him at school. So, the next day, Friday, I spent most of my time passed out on her bed - I think she may have wondered if I was alive! After Jamie was through with classes I met him at his apartment and we watched a movie. It was raining, but he again started asking me to go on a walk with him. There was a lovely spot, not too far away, that he'd hope to pop the question at. Due to the rain and my continued state of being a bit drugged, I declined the walk. Finally, he could no longer take it! He asked me to take a seat on the couch, and something just clicked in my head. I just knew what he was about to do - problem was, I had to use the bathroom really bad and didn't want any distractions! So, in my ever lady-like way, I said, "Wait! I have to pee really bad. I'll be right back!" Oh, if I could go back now... I think I would've held it. :)

Anyways, after I, ahem, relieved myself, I returned and Jamie proposed. It was one of the most glorious moments of my life! We spent the remainder of the evening celebrating our engagement and his birthday with all of his friends. It was so much fun!!!

The beautiful engagement ring, that still adorns my finger, was given to him by his parents. It is the same ring his father proposed to his mother with. She wore it until she got an upgrade at some point and tucked this ring away. They graciously gave the setting to Jamie and he spent all his savings to put in the diamond that is now mine. I just love that!

Being engaged was one of the funnest times of my life. So much joy, anticipation, dreaming of the future, being with friends and family... I'm so glad I got to experience all of that with Jamie.

I love you baby. Thanks for asking me to marry you. I'll never stop saying yes.

Ruthie :)

My Best Friend

Today is my best friend's birthday. He is turning 28 years old, which, by the way, he can never remember. He always has to either think really hard, or ask me, when someone asks how old he is.

My best friend is such a fabulous person. My favorite characteristic of his is his love for the Lord and his ability to teach the Word of God to others. In fact, our friendship really started to blossom when, while hanging out, I would ask him questions I had about the Bible and he would begin to teach. I still adore that about him.

I also love his sense of humor. We click in such a special way through our ability to find the same things funny, and to make each other laugh. No one on this earth is funnier to me than him, and no one on this earth finds me as funny as he does. Laughing together is one of my favorite things we do.

One of my other favorite things that we share is our love for good food and drink. We used to live in LA, and we really miss the easy access to delicious restaurants. Some of my favorite memories with my best friend are times we've shared at restaurants, eating fabulously prepared food. We appreciate a chef that can create a fantastic meal.

Another favorite thing of mine is traveling with my best friend, whether by train, plane, or automobile. There is such a thrill when embarking on a new adventure, through travel, and I wouldn't rather share it with anyone else! I love remembering all the travels we've already taken, and dreaming of all the places we've yet to go together.

One of the things I most appreciate about my best friend is his presence and his innate ability to get me. He puts me first, because he wants to. He loves me unconditionally, because he knows no other way. He can communicate so much to me, with few to no words. I don't have to explain myself to him, he understands. He is just the perfect mixture of sensitive and tough, to fit my complex nature.

He loves chocolate, maybe more than me. I love that.

He is an artist - a really good one. I've learned so much about art, just by being around him. It makes me feel very refined. :) I love going to museums with him, and I love the hoity toity way he pronounces museum.

Now, before you get too concerned about my best friend being a man, what with me being a married woman and all... my best friend is my husband!

I love you Jamie, Happy Birthday.

Isn't my best friend handsome?

Ruthie :)