Happy New Year!

Today/Tonight I will be surprising Jamie with his Christmas surprise date.  I can't wait!!!

Since having children I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've been able to use the bathroom, during their waking hours, without being bothered.  Last night, Riley went to new heights to try and get in while I was trying to use the bathroom in peace.  There I was, reveling in some quiet when I hear a sawing sound.  Then I hear what sounded like a wrench working at the doorknob.  Indeed... Riley was taking his new toy tools (thanks Jeni and David) to the bathroom door - trying to get in!  Oi vay.

Sophia is seeming SO grown up since turning six.  She currently has strep throat and has been sleeping on a mattress in our room.  This morning, after some cuddles, I said it was time to get moving.  She grabbed her notebook and said, "I'm just going to do some journaling first."

Haddie had another brush with death.  Seriously, the angels in charge of our family must be making some serious overtime.  Yesterday morning I'm feeding Haddie her oatmeal for breakfast.  After a few bites she starts to gag/choke.  I had just put a spoonful of oatmeal in her mouth so I was afraid she'd really choke.  I put my finger in her mouth to swipe it back out and imagine my surprise when a sticker came out with the oatmeal!  It was a squarish, 1 inch by 1 1/2 inch, velum sticker.  This was a pretty big sticker and with it being velum was basically like a big square of plastic being in her mouth.  I immediately freaked out at the possibilities because this sticker came from a sticker sheet that is on my bedroom floor and the last time Haddie was crawling around in my room was the previous day - almost 24 hours prior!  So, this sticker was hanging out in her throat/mouth for almost 24 hours?!?!  She threw up the day she ate the sticker, so I'm guessing that is why.  I don't know why her airway didn't get blocked by the sticker.  I am so glad it didn't' though and that God had her cough it up during breakfast yesterday.  So thankful God has his hand over my children, even when I don't!


Well, we need to leave soon for the start of our date and I need to get ready and pack overnight bags for us and the kids!  Have a great New Year's celebration!!!

They have sucked me dry

As each year passes I become more and more like my mother.  At the same time I have come to realize and appreciate why it is my Mother has possessed certain habits...

...her memory was sucked dry when she had children - just like mine has been.

When needing to get one of my children's attention, say Riley, it is not uncommon to hear me say, "Sophia, Molly, Haddie, Cora, ack, Whoever You Are!"

I also seem incapable of remembering what things I have simply thought, and which things I've actually verbalized - just ask my husband.

"Babe, did I already ask you if you changed Haddie's diaper, or did I just think it??"

His response, "Yes, and yes."  :)

I almost always forget to put something important on the grocery list, and I've even been known to forget to pick something up while at the store, that is right there, written on the list I'm looking at!

Sophia and Hadassah had routine check-ups scheduled for this Monday.  I totally forgot.

Please tell me I'm not alone.  Any other busy ladies out there with absentee memories???

So, I really wanted to hop on here today and show you some cute pictures of all our Christmas celebrations.  But, guess what??  I don't know where my camera is.  I think I left it at either my Mom's or Jamie's, but I'm really not sure.  Huh???  You're not surprised?  What, you think I have a memory problem or something?  Ha!  I jest!  :)

UPDATE:  So, this post has taken me a few days to get finished and in the meantime Jamie found the camera - right under the empty camera bag, which I found too, but apparently missed the actual camera.  Unfortunately my memory card reader is still not working.  I don't suppose it has anything to do with a certain 2 yr. old banging it on the floor...

So, pictures will have to wait.

Christmas was really wonderful.  Here's an Ode to the Twelve Days of Christmas with a list of 12 Christmas 2010 memories...

1.  Celebrating with our friend and old housemate, Shirmy, on the 22nd.  She got us some awesome gifts!  Mine was The Pioneer Woman's cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks.  I've wanted this for awhile and am not disappointed!  It is a really fabulous cookbook!!!
2.  Going to my sister's house on the 23rd to celebrate with her, my BIL, niece, my parents and of course Jamie and the kids.  :)  I was in charge of bringing the pot roast and making mashed potatoes.  Everyone's lucky they got to eat, because earlier that day I was feeling footloose and fancy free of responsibilities - reveling in a day where I didn't have anything major to do...  until something jogged my memory about 3 hours after I had planned on getting the crock pot started... we usually eat around 5p, but due to my loose feet it was well after 6 before we sat down.  The carrots were crunchy and the center cut of the roast was still rare.  The men all enjoyed the roast as they prefer it not to be well-done anyways.  I on the other hand couldn't eat the meat because in my brilliant declaration, it tasted too "meaty."
3.  Christmas Eve we stayed home.  Before putting the kids to bed we had our own candle lit service, per Sophia's request.  We lit birthday candles and sang "Silent Night."  Jamie's attempt to read the Christmas Story was eventually abandoned due to a crying baby and an uncooperative toddler.  After the kids were in bed we ended the night with our yearly tradition of wrapping the kids' gifts while watching "A Christmas Story."
4.  Christmas Morning!!!  I love Christmas morning. Watching the kiddos play with their new toys is SO fun.
5.  Christmas lunch and afternoon was spent at my Aunt's house.  I brought three items of edible goodness, each of which was a new thing for me to make this holiday season.  Oreo truffles, peppermint bark and brie topped mango chutney, wrapped in puffed pastry and baked.  I will be making all of these again - SO yummy!!!
6.  Christmas dinner and evening was spent celebrating with Jamie's side of the family @ his parents' house.  We spent the night there and exchanged gifts with each other the next morning.
7.  Here's a memory - my MOTHER-IN-LAW bought me pants.  These pants, I like them.  These pants, they fit!  Now, I must clarify, I love my MIL, she is fantastic, and she often buys me clothes and always has really good taste.  I am just so impressed with the pants purchase because I can barely find pants myself that I like and that fit.
8.  Getting to see my dear friend's little girl get baptized and sharing in a celebration luncheon at a local restaurant the day after Christmas.
9.  Getting a flat tire on the way to the baptism.  Thankfully we were still on Jamie's parents' street and were able to get the car back to the driveway, switch car seats over, borrow Jamie's Mom's car and still make it to the baptism - just in time!  Whew!
10.  Going to a Christmas dinner with Jamie's extended family at the same local restaurant that we'd eaten lunch at earlier for the baptism celebration.  That's right - same restaurant, for both lunch and dinner!  Ha!  We sure got a kick out of that.  :)
11.  Planning my gift for Jamie.  For Christmas this year Jamie and I didn't do gifts.  Instead I am planning a surprise date for him and he's planning one for me.  I'm taking him out for New Year's!
12.  My goal, pre-Christmas, was to just be this Christmas.  It was a busy week, but it was a really blessed week and I am thankful that I was able to be, in so many ways, with those that I love!

Happy New Year!!!

Merry Christmas

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve.  Yikes!  How did Christmas get here so quick??  I am so excited to just be this year.  Be quiet and think on what Mary and Joseph and all of heaven, were going through the night Christ was born.  Be merry as I watch my kids enjoy the fun of Christmas.  Be sentimental as I think of all the family I wish was here but isn't.  Be in love as I relish in all the joy alongside Jamie.  Be fulfilled as I celebrate with all my family who is here.  Just be.

Merry Christmas.

"But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart."

Luke 2:19

King and Queen

Remember this picture??  Well, I got a couple guesses that involved Jamie and I being dressed up as Nativity characters... Well, good guess, but that wasn't it.  In fact, we were dressed up in authentic Saudi Arabian garb - Jamie being dressed as a King, even wielding a sword!  They didn't make mention, but I'm crowing myself queen since I'm on the arm of a king.  :)

Jamie and I enjoy ministering to the International Students at our local university.  This summer we started a special program to help students make American friends and have a chance to practice their English.  There are a large number of students from Saudi Arabia right now, so we have been getting to know them.

Back in early November all of the Saudi students hosted a cultural event to expose other students and community members to more of their culture.  It was a really neat night.  We were served middle eastern food, witnessed the men doing some traditional dances, I got a henna tattoo, they wrote our names in Arabic, and the crowning moment was the above picture.  :)

***

The other day Haddie forgot to mention that she has five teeth already!  And, the day after she wrote her little update, she started eating finger food!  She loves to feed herself tiny, soft bites of veggies, little bits of banana, and of course, cheerios!  

Sophia planned to write a special update today, but my memory card reader isn't working and so we'll wait until we can put up the accompanying photos.

*** 

So, only four days until Christmas!!!  I am really excited for the next few days.  Tomorrow Shirmy (the Chinese student who lived with us for 3 years) is coming to our house for dinner, gift exchange and to spend the night.  Then Thursday through Sunday we'll be here, there and everywhere celebrating Christ's birth with various family members.  

Off to make dinner now.  :)

Riley James - 2 years, 4 months old

So, Mom said Haddie got to write about herself on the blog, and so I figured I would write a little something about myself today, because, as are all things right now, this is mine blog.  I happen to get a little territorial about things lately and claim them as "mine."  Mom and Dad keep saying it's my age, so we'll see.  Maybe they mean as I get older when I say "mine" about something I want I'll actually get it??  

 Can you believe this is me, stuffed in a stocking???  I guess I was only 4 months old here, my first Christmas.  I keep my eye on Haddie, because she's the baby now and who knows what they'll try to do to her!

This is me and Great Grandpa Riley, also on my first Christmas.  Mommy and Daddy named me after him.  I hear all sorts of great things about him.  He's in heaven now.  I'm glad Mommy took pictures so I can see his face and see how much he loved me!

I remember those pjs.  Mommy and Daddy got those for me last year for Christmas.  Man, they looked good on me and now I'm too big for them.  I still love my paci by the way, which, as a matter of fact I have named...

Mine.  

"Hi, I'm Riley, and this is my paci, Mine."

I love to run.  This is me, running, just 2 months ago.  Sometimes I run when I'm not supposed to.  Like, if Mom is trying to take my picture and I don't want it taken, I might run.  Mom takes a lot of deep breaths and gets funny looks on her face when I do that.  

Mommy said to add some boring stuff because Grammy and Grandma Susie and Aunt Jeni (and a bunch more) might like to know...  

As of yesterday, I finally will say Soph!  Until now, I've always called her Girl.  

I can also say Haddie and pretty much will try any word now.

I like to kiss Mom, and Haddie, and Soph... but, I also like to hit them.  Sometimes for no reason, and sometimes when I'm mad.  I get in trouble when I do that.  

Mom likes it when I cuddle her, so I try to do that every day, but, I also love to wrestle, so she tries to wrestle me every day!  Don't tell her, but Dad is really the better one to wrestle.  He really knows how to do it!

I really want to move out of my crib, so Mom and Dad are on the hunt for a good, used bunk bed.  Most mornings I sneak into Soph's bed.  I also nap in her bed now.

I love trucks, Donald Duck, dogs, tools and my sisters, and my cousin Cora!

I am super silly, and super sweet, and super fun, and I'm two - which means I know how to whine, I know how to be clingy, I know how to throw fits and cause trouble, but let's not focus on the second list.  

I am still allergic to peanuts, and Mom discovered I'm also allergic to sesame.  Milk still makes me sick, but I tolerate the reaction a bit better now, so Mom will slip me treats that contain milk once in awhile... she just makes sure Dad is on diaper duty the next couple days.  Poor Dad!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Warning: Scrumptiousness ahead!

Hi All!  Don't ya think it's time for a little update on what I've been up to??

Yes?

Me too!

This past weekend Mommy and Daddy let me start eating cheerios, and boy oh boy do I love 'em!

Mommy thinks I'm getting ready for even more finger foods because I'm starting to act a little frustrated at being fed - see, I'm almost 9 months old, so I figure I'm getting to be a pretty big girl and should start feeding myself!  Mommy is glad I'm independent and all, but she keeps saying things like, "Where is my baby going?"  "Don't grow up so fast!"  I try to tell her I'm right here, but she doesn't always seem to understand me...

I've also started trying to climb out of my highchair.  First I pull myself up a bit with the tray and then...

TADA!

And, BOOM, back down I go.

Not for long though, maybe I can just crawl out over my tray.

In addition to trying cheerios I have also starting learning how to drink water out of a cup.  

Mommy thinks I may be starting to drop my afternoon nursing session.  I'm still making my mind up.

Mommy thinks in the next month or so I'll be happy to just have an afternoon snack of water and cheerios.  I'll let you know what I decide.  

I really have been growing up a lot, especially this past month.  I am now pretty much an expert stander.

Mommy and Daddy think walking is right around the corner, and well, I think they are probably right!

I weigh 16 pounds and wear a size 3 diaper and 6-9 month clothes.

My hair is starting to get thicker and stick up less and less.

I like to "talk" quite a lot.  I also like to make silly faces.

I seem to favor the scrunched nose face.

:)

I guess I have sensitive skin because my cheeks have been chapped like this for weeks!

It doesn't really bother me too much.

I like to say I'm a pretty chill baby.  I enjoy smiling and laughing and exploring.

I tend to nap pretty good most days.

I also sleep pretty good at night, but I am known for wanting a little snack or extra cuddles 

once in awhile.  

Well.  That's me.  I'm cute and my name is Hadassah Anne.

The End.

Ug a Bug and an ugly fit

All of us sick last week + a very horrific weekend, that Thank the Lord ended good +  all of us still being sick as of today...  =  a big ugly fit by me this morning right as Jamie was heading out the door for work.

I knew it was time, this was no virus, we needed to get the kids (never mind ourselves) to the doctor.  This would entail loading the kids in the car to take Jamie to work (one car family here), coming home, showering/getting ready/making Dr's appt for kids, loading them into the car to take them to Dr. all by myself at some point, then, loading them all back into the car at supper time to pick Jamie up - all while being sick and feverish myself...  So, I cried, I begged, I said, "I can't do this. Please don't leave me."  And you know what, he didn't.  He stayed.

Jamie was running a fever this morning too, still is.  He's also not sleeping well since almost losing his Dad.  He is worn to the bone.  Work might have been the easier way out for him today.  :)  But, he stayed and let me sleep most of the day.  He fielded the kiddos.  He made the doctor's appt.  He took them, all by himself.

Jamie was the first person in my life, through demonstration, that made me understand what unconditional love truly is.  Today he added some exclamation points.  :)

Soph has bronchitis.  Riley has two ear infections and a sinus infection and Haddie has a sinus infection.

So, with meds in hand we anticipate health just around the corner!

Jamie and I probably need some meds too, so we'll be working on that.  Our doctor isn't local, nor is she open on weekends, so that adds a tricky element.  We'll be checking to see if our insurance covers a doc-in-a-box...

Have you ever crumpled, ahem, two days in a row??  Here's to a better day tomorrow!!!

I think I can, I think I can.  And, with my fabulous hubby, 3 very patient and forgiving children, and one Awesome God - I know I can!

Jamie's Dad

Just in case we aren't Facebook friends and you're waiting for an update on Jamie's Dad...  the Lord healed him and he was extubated/taken off of the vent Monday morning around 2am.  We visited him at 5am and he was awake and doing well, though a bit confused.  By the noon visiting hours his confusion was pretty much resolved and they were preparing to get a bed for him on a regular floor.  Around 5pm he was discharged from the ICU to a regular floor.  We visited him then, and he was doing quite well.  Obviously still processing and recovering, but overall good.  He is expected to be discharged home this afternoon.  Jamie's Dad has dealt with chronic pain for over a decade due to two injuries he got while working and then a myriad of other issues related to his back.  It appears that there was a complication with one of his pain meds Saturday that caused all of this.  So scary, but we are SO thankful for God's healing touch and provision towards us during this difficult weekend.  Thank you for praying!

We came home this morning and Jamie had to go to work.  We are all very tired and drained.  Praying the kiddos all take great naps and that Jamie can get through his work day.

Have a good day and hopefully I'll get back on here in a day or two with some news on what all the kids are up to these days.

Please Pray for Tony

Update, 2:39 am on Sunday ....
Jamie and I are at the hospital. The kids are at my Mom's. Tony was just admitted to the ICU. They have him sedated, intubated (breathing tube) and is on the ventilator. He has had blood work and a CT scan. Thus far it's a total mystery as to what is going on. He will have further testing and will be seen by a neuro doctor, probably later on this morning. Please continue to pray. Jamie is an only child so obviously the burden is great. Please pray for Sue, Jamie's mom. We are all hanging in there, but this is totally scary. We are trusting in the Lord and His sovereignty. Please pray specifically that Tony will respond appropriately, neurologically and that he will be able to come off the vent, wake up and recover. Please pray that God would grant the doctors supernatural wisdom as they try to solve this mystery.

Thank you.


ORIGINAL POST:


Hi.  My father-in-law needs your prayers.  Tonight he and my MIL, Sue were at a concert.  He fell asleep and wouldn't/couldn't be woken up.  He was taken to hospital via ambulance and is there now.  We are headed that way to be with them.   Will update when we know more.  Thank you.

Hello

I was looking back at old posts on my blog last night with Jamie.  It's like reading old entries in a diary - surreal.  There were memories I remember very vividly and others that I had totally forgotten about!  Most of all, I cannot believe I was about 24 weeks or so pregnant with Hadassah last year at this time.  I can hardly even imagine being pregnant, I just feel like Haddie has always been here with us.  If you are in the mood to wax nostalgic with me, click on some of these links to look back at old posts...

Donuts and a Tree

Ice Princess

27 Weeks and Counting


While looking at old posts I noticed that from January of 2010 to July 2010 I averaged 20 posts per month. Then the decline began.  In August I wrote 15 posts, in September I only got in 8 and in October it was down to 7.  November I only wrote ONE, and it was about something that happened in October!  This is a picture of what life has been like around here!

I have missed the creative outlet this blog allows me, so I'm excited to get back into the habit of popping on here and saying "hi" more often!    I know this crazy pace of life is a stage and won't always feel this way.  I'm trying hard to savor the good parts (like loving on three adorable kiddos), and let go of feeling stressed over the annoying parts (like a perpetually messy house and piles of laundry).

Today I spent hours making some treats for my sister and BIL.  David (my BIL) is a pastor  and he and Jeni are hosting a Christmas Open House in their home Saturday.  My poor sister is super sick with early pregnancy nausea and exhaustion, so her sweet hubby asked my mom and me to help out with the baking/preparing of food for their Open House.  My mom offered to come spend the day at our house today so I could prepare food while she watched the kids.  What a blessing!!!  I told her I'd likely have gone bald if she hadn't come over!  Ha!  The best part - sampling some of the goodies!!!

Well, there is no major point to this post so I think I will stop now.  :)  Have a great evening.  We have a lovely young engaged couple coming over tonight for marriage counseling.  It is one of my favorite parts of the week - ministering to the two of them alongside Jamie - such a joy!

And with that, I leave you with this visual delight.  Any ideas what's going on here??

:)

A Little Give

Hello All,

I have no idea how many of you will read this post since I've been MIA for a month or more...

But, I am still here.  And, we are doing fine.  It's just been a season of figuring out how to fit "it" all in for me, and well, something had to give.  Unfortunately, this blog was the thing that had to give for awhile.  But, hopefully I can hop on here much more frequently now!

One of my favorite parts of the winter season is lighting candles around the house - real candles, candles that flicker and dance and give off warmth and lovely scent.  When I light even one candle during these cold, dreary months it really does affect my mood for the better.  Can you relate?

Sophia and I have been doing home school for roughly 3 months now and I think we have the hang of it.  

:)

The hardest challenge remains keeping Riley occupied and happy while Sophia and I focus on the whole teaching/learning process.  Riley is in a stage right now where it doesn't really matter if I give him a favorite toy to play with, a special video to watch or a fun activity... if he notices I'm doing school with Soph something comes over him - he insists on getting my attention, i.e. pushes the books out of my hand, stands at my feet whining, pulls at my hand, pushes at my body, etc...

So, that adds a little something special to our school day.  

:)

I know it is just a stage for Riley and as he gets older (which at this age, every month brings a new level of maturity!) it will improve, so we just push through each day, but, it is a challenge on this Mama's nerves some days!

All of the kiddos are fine, thriving even.  Well, not this exact week.  This week all five of us have some sort of virus.  We've got fevers, coughs, runny/stuffy noses, little energy, no appetite, etc...  So, this week has been a lot of video watching, tylenol, p.j.s and just resting as much as we can.  I expect us to all be better soon!

This past month has been full.  We've had birthdays (me - I'm 30! and Soph - she's SIX!), Thanksgiving, family weekends, special outings, Christmas decorating, special treats, and so on and so forth!

Here's a little rundown of the past month...

1.  November 5 - 8 Jamie, Haddie and I jetted off to the Portland, Oregon area to visit friends.  

April and Ryan, and their two kiddos, are missionaries in SE Asia and are home for a short while.  Our other great friends, Amy and Matt, were also there for the weekend - actually, it was their trip originally and Jamie and I decided to join in the fun!  April, Amy and I grew up as missionary kids in Africa together.  The last decade or so the three of us have had the privilege of being able to be all together every 2 years or so. 

This reunion was ever so sweet and Jamie and I are full of memories that will last a lifetime.

2.  November 10th I turned 30!  Yikes!  I got to celebrate in various ways but the best part was a great party that Jamie and my sister, Jeni, threw for me with a few of my best friends and their spouses.  Jeni is pregnant with #2 (!!!) and even though she felt yucky she hosted a fabulous party - complete with chocolate fondue in leu of traditional birthday cake!  Yum!!!

3.  Weekend of November 19th, we had a great dinner out with my and Jamie's parents and his Grandma to celebrate my bday.  The next day we had a lunch out with Jamie's extended family to celebrate his Grandma's 85th birthday!

4.  November 25th, was of course Thanksgiving.  My sister, albeit feeling like "that" end of the stick, hosted my side of the family for a wonderful feast!  This day also happened to by Sophia's 6th birthday!!!  We stayed the night with Jamie's parents and the next day Jamie and I took Soph out for her birthday date.  May I take a moment to mention that my firstborn is SIX!?!?  I remember the day of her birth - also Thanksgiving Day, so well.  It was the first snow of the season that day and though there was all the normal labor and delivery pain and hard work present, it was a really magical day.  Sophia continues to bring magic into our lives.  

5.  This past weekend, on Sunday, December 5th, my parents treated Jamie, me, Soph (& Haddie due to her needing to eat while we were out), and my sister and BIL to a great dinner out and a Christmas concert.  We had a great time!  Riley had fun getting his Grandma Susie and Papa all to himself!

So, now we finish preparations for Christmas.  We've got a bit more shopping to accomplish, treats to bake, and family fun to have!  Most importantly though, we're trying to focus on Jesus, teaching Sophia all about Advent for the first time and savoring the hope and joy and peace that this time of year reminds us of.

Have a blessed day!  I should be around more often now, so check back in!

(Danielle, this post is dedicated to you since you inspired me to take the time to get back on here.  Love you friend.)

As a Weekend Should Be

This past weekend was something that weekends haven't been for us in a long time...

restful.

Sabbath is so important, commanded even.  And, yet, our little family finds itself going going going -

far too often.  

Partly planned, and partly providence, this past weekend was just the break we needed.

Aside from one short meeting for Jamie Saturday morning, the whole weekend was simply ours -

to do with as we pleased. 

It was SO wonderful!

Saturday we bummed around and simply were.

Sunday, after church, we drove over to a local farm that has all sorts of fun to offer this time of year.

Being October 31, it was the last day of the season for the Fall festivities.

We would soon find out, waiting until the last day would work in our favor!

There were cute animals to look at and pet.

There was cuteness to behold in the human variety too!

There was racing through hay bale mazes...

making friends with donkeys,

and running.  Always running.  And definitely NOT looking at the camera.
Why, if he actually looked at the camera and smiled, Mommy might get the picture she wanted!
:)

There were pumpkin sling shots;

alone,

and with Daddy's help.

There were corn cannons,

which won Riley (and incidentally the rest of us, "Last day special," it was explained!)
a free ice-cream coupon when he actually hit the target!
[Riley ate a plain cone - poor boy, while the rest of us enjoyed pumpkin ice-cream! Yum!]

"Bye gun.  Bye gun." - uttered a certain 2 year old when the shooting was complete.

Beauty to behold, both in wanderer and landscape.

There was a hay ride around the farm property, free, again, due to "The last day special."

Can you find me in this picture?

There wasn't any pumpkin picking.  We already have enough of those!

Simple fun.  All for the price of $2, when in fact we should have paid $10 for all we did/ate!

So thankful for friendly farmers who believe in "last day specials!"

:)

Have you had true Sabbath rest lately??