nestled up north

a four year old and a knife

2012-02-02T18:33:00.004-09:00

Jude is a master chef in the making. He likes to pour in the ingredients, stir things, measure things, put cheese on things, and now.....cut things. I gave him very explicit instructions with lots of caution. He did great! He cut all of the cucumber circles into halves. There was no blood and we had a tasty salad.

guess where...

2012-01-28T10:54:00.001-09:00

first cousins

2012-01-26T19:04:00.000-09:00

malachi (6 mo.), jude (4), jeneva (8), josie (2)

randomness

2012-01-23T08:06:00.012-09:00

~Today is Chinese New Year. Fun times at Yinghua Academy!

~Josie likes hot sauce.

~I visited RiverTree school the other day. It is a Charlotte Mason School. How they do school there is very interesting!

~Lost. Season 1. I'm six years late, yes. It's addicting.

~I have been enjoying my Wednesday morning job at church. Love that I can take my kids with me to a job I get paid to do...and the kids love it. It satisfies the people-person side of me too.

~Steve started working overnights again. It's working better so far this time around.

~The kids have declared that they will be famous traveling singers (together) someday.

~Google Translate is fantastic!

~I want house plants. I need house plants!

~I continue to be refined daily. By God. It's hard.

~Reading aloud to Jeneva is very important to her even though she can read on her own. She prefers being read to. It's a relational thing for her.

~Josie is doing pretty much everything a tad bit earlier than the other two.

~I got a duvet cover that perfectly matches my bedroom at Ikea for $7.99

~Jude gets cold sores on his lips just like me.

~I love Frank Asch books.

~We are having orange rolls and smoothies for breakfast. I can't wait!

~We just Skyped with the Morse's in China, but the sound wasn't working.

~I just ordered the book "For the Children's Sake" on Amazon for 1 cent.

~I'm not really enjoying following the curriculum I have for Jude's homeschool preschool.

~We are watching "Heidi" as a family. It's good, but I wish we would have read the book first.

~We ordered ants for Jude's ant farm today. They will arrive in the spring.

~I have two loads of laundry staring me down right now, and the next episode of Lost. Better get to it! Steve will be home soon from Cub Scouts with the kid he mentors. G'nite!

well before midnight on new years eve...

2012-01-23T08:00:00.003-09:00

We were with our friends, the Coronado's on New Years Eve. Here were the kids at about 9:00. Perhaps in a few more years we'll be able to make it to midnight. The mock New Years countdowns you can find on YouTube work fine and appease the kids, but just aren't quite the same as the real thing. :)

cousin love

2012-01-20T20:46:00.000-09:00

jeneva and leanna sporting their new hats

1,2,3 today

2012-01-17T10:34:00.007-09:00

1 kid with pink eye.
2 clearance items ordered from Lands End this morning..
3 days of school missed in the past week.
4 dentist appointments to be made.
5 people in this family who had fun at family Christmas this weekend.
6 pages of math homework to catch up on.
7 loads of laundry done in past 24 hours.
8 water, milk, juice glasses sitting on my table right now.
9 meals I'd like to plan for in my grocery list.
10 degrees outside.

uncle mike

2012-01-16T07:31:00.003-09:00

Who chases the kids around the house? Uncle Mike!
Who scares them? Uncle Mike!
Who teases them and tickles them? Uncle Mike!
Who hangs them upside down? Uncle Mike!
Who puts them in laundry baskets and carries them on his head? Uncle Mike!
Josie is by far our biggest thrill seeker and became a huge fan of Uncle Mike this weekend.

josie says...

2012-01-05T13:54:00.007-09:00

These are a few things I heard Josie say today.

Sweebs up!
Nite Jude. Nite Jevva. Lub ewe.
Go potty downdares. Little seat!
Doin', mom?
Where'd papa go?
I'm hungry.
Play wiff me.
Come on Jude, time a go!
May I be scuzzed tabo?
Sing Jesus lubs me.
Telling papa! (said to mama with a pouty face)
Telling mama! (said to papa with a pouty face)
My do dat!
Need a go potty SUPER BAD, mama!

...this day

2012-01-03T16:21:00.006-09:00

....in no particular order....
t'was a cozy day at home today.
said good bye to good friends. again.
delighted in jude a lot today.
lost my patience with josie a couple of times.
thought about a few people who God brought to mind.
was the carpool mom this morning and afternoon.
made breakfast for supper.
felt inconsistent.
felt motivated.
thought about how i wasn't doing the things i ought to be doing.
felt grace.
laughed with jude.
paid bills.
washed everyone's bedding.
served left over lasagna for lunch.
washed dishes too many times.
read children's books. many.
folded laundry.
talked with my husband.
grumbled about the cold without snow.
....a regular day in january it was....

christmas day 2011

2012-01-01T06:36:00.007-09:00

i love...

2011-12-30T19:07:00.005-09:00

...that josie cut her bangs. (reminds me of our favorite sufjan stevens christmas jingl e)
...that jeneva prays for her non-christian friends daily. and earnestly.
...that jude prays for snow every day so he can play in it with jeneva.
...that my house was clean yesterday and that today it's a disaster--life lived here.
...that i'm sitting on my couch recording my thoughts rather than washing dishes.
...that my hard working husband is snuggled up in bed...since 9:00.
...that we discovered memory foam. i can hardly wait to go to bed!
...that living in a city doesn't feel lonely.
...text.
...eating cooked spinach with sea salt.
...that it's 5 days post christmas and i'm still enjoying the light of our tree.
...that it's warm out and there's no snow (okay, i lied, i REALLY want snow).
...that so many people send out christmas photos.
...the quietness and calmess i feel right now.
...that i have such great parents who i enjoy visiting.
...jesus who is the giver of all good things that "i love" in this moment.

random thoughts as we enter a new year

2011-12-30T17:15:00.006-09:00

I have blog posts swirling around in my mind of all the things I want to say about my three little loves. I've been writing on this blog for 4 years now and the first two years had much more content than these past two years have. I just don't want to forget it... the funny things they say...the changes they make...the growth I see in each one of them personally.... spiritually.... emotionally.... physically. This is really the only place I record it besides my piles of photo albums (not scrapbooks, just albums with plain pictures) and a few random baby books. So, I guess one of my New Years Resolutions would be to be more consistent with recording the stuff I want to remember.

The only thing is, I don't make New Years Resolutions.

BUT, if I did, here is what I would choose from (the exhaustive list):

1. Catch up on printing pictures and be sure to record milestones.
2. Go on a 10 day juice fast.
3. Read the Bible and maybe even STUDY it?!
4. Paint the dresser that is in my living room a fun color. Green?
5. Work through the My Father's World curriculum with Jude (we have started already).
6. Organize my recipe file and print off recipes I've saved online.
7. Volunteer at school more.
8. Try and spend more time with my immediate neighbors. Community building?
9. Recover my dining room chairs with oilcloth.
10. Label bins in my basement with a label maker.
11. Plan some field trips with the kids.
12. Paint the trim and the walls in the hallway.
13. Get a small group going (mostly Steve, not just me).
14. Sew some curtains for Jude's room and for my room.
15. Work through a personal devotional book with Jeneva.
16. Do Classical Stretch every day.
17. Figure out how to garden in the city with a small yard.
18. Read: A Praying Life by Paul Miller and put it into practice.
19. Find some more creative ways to be thrifty.
20. Encourage, love, and bless my husband more.

And this is why I don't make New Years Resolutions! I wouldn't know what to pick. My list is always too long and I always feel defeated if I don't accomplish things. I am a list maker though and making a list like this for reference is helpful (and daunting). These are things that I would love to accomplish over the next year. If I look at them more as "goals" or "options" I feel better. When I "resolve" to doing them then it's like making a promise to myself that I know I won't be able to keep. God help me. Give me the strength I need to get done what YOU want me to get done. And may nothing be more important to me than spending time with You and seeking Your will for me and for my family daily.

a new tradition

2011-11-25T12:02:00.017-09:00

...cutting down our own tree for Christmas. We had a blast as a family doing it together on the day after Thanksgiving. Next year we will be recruiting another family to share that tradition with. We loved it! Our day began with a stop at Cabela's--Steve's 2nd favorite place to go shopping...and it was insane due to that awful day called Black Friday.

What on earth do I title this picture? I find it hysterical for some reason.

Calm and cool amidst the chaos in the background.

I love Josie. I LOVE that face!

THE PERFECT TREE has been found and chopped!

Can we ride home in the back of the truck?

Wow! I'm actually in a picture. Usually I'm the one behind the camera.

Free pony rides to follow.

The first time around for Jude was frightening. The second wasn't so bad. He begged to go on the third.

Josie held on to her pony and giggled nervously the entire time.

And that's all folks!

ten people

2011-11-21T17:24:00.033-09:00

If you ever have the opportunity to have another family live with you for five or six weeks...do it. Especially if they are completely awesome people.

(no captions. just a few snapshots of what our life looked like in October)

*this one needs a caption: The first Saturday that they were living here, the girls were up at SIX O'CLOCK AM doing their homework. I'm not even going to try and figure that one out.

Packed up. Early in the morning. To China.
We miss the five of them so much!

if you teach your children how to make coffee...

2011-11-13T18:13:00.003-09:00

...they just might make it for you a lot. About 3 or 4 days a week Jeneva (and Jude often helps her with this if he's up too) makes coffee for me if I'm not up yet. She usually gets up about 15 minutes before me. This is what was waiting for me the other day. Not JUST the coffee brewing in the pot, but a nice little place set for me at the table! It wasn't Mother's Day and it wasn't my birthday. It was just Jeneva being Jeneva--sweet and servant-hearted. That little plate with black stuff is chocolate syrup just in case I wanted to make a "mocha". The coffee she brewed and poured into the nice pitcher and accompanied it with a bowl of half-n-half and sugar. The tea cup and saucer of perfectly poured coffee with none other than honey roasted peanuts and a candy cane on the side. Mmmm. Interesting choice of breakfast. :)

jude is four

2011-11-09T16:30:00.000-09:00

The birthday boy at his best...

Every day is a good day to dress up as something!

First time on a paddle boat. He even jumped in when we were in the middle of the lake!

Who needs toys when we have mud?

"I'm not tired, mom!"

Jude likes to help papa demolish things. Very manly!

Hi, I'm Jude. I'm totally handsome in my ring bearer suit and I can melt anyone with my smile!

Happy 4th Birthday, Jude!

We couldn't find the video camera when we were singing to Jude and opening his presents. I was so frustrated! We found it after all of the funny stuff was already said. And that stuff just can't be reenacted. I know. I tried. I deleted. Alas, I can try to retell it. Jude is 4 today (November 1). Hard to believe! He wanted a Spiderman cake. I attempted to create one and it was somewhat successful. This is also the last night that the Morse family is with us before they head out tomorrow.....for China. It has been a delightful whirlwind of five weeks having them live with us (I will post about that sometime too). It was also fun to celebrate their last night here on Jude's birthday. We ate pizza and had a bonfire. After opening his gifts, Steve asked Jude several questions (the stuff I wish could have been recorded!)

Steve: Do you know why we celebrate your birthday today, Jude?
Jude: It's the day I was born.
Steve: What were you four years ago?
Jude: Um....at the hotel.
Steve: Close.....another H word
Jude: China?
Jeneva: HOSPITAL, Jude!
Jude: Oh. Hospital.
Steve: What were you at the hospital?
Jude: A baby in mommy's tummy.
Steve: Who put you there?
Jude: The Doctors.
Steve: No, who made you?
Jude: God did.
Steve: So, then who put you in mommy's tummy?
Jude: Oh yeah, God did that.

At 4 years old, this is what he said...

Favorite toys: Rescue Heroes, Buzz and Woody, Lincoln Logs
Favorite thing to do with mom: Listening to stories and going for bike rides
Favorite thing to do with dad: go fishing and go for bike rides
Favorite place to go: To Grandma and Grandpa's house and to preschool
Favorite activity this summer: Going to the park and swimming.
Favorite thing to play with sisters: school and house
Favorite foods: pancakes, rice, oranges, chicken and soy sauce
Favorite friends: Asher and Caleb and Ale and Jeneva and Addie
Favorite color: Black and orange
What he wants to be as an adult: A fireman
Favorite song: Jesus loves me and Starwars

what makes someone...

2011-11-07T17:28:00.004-09:00

A couple of months ago I had a conversation with Jude that I couldn't resist writing down. I came across it today in my journal and remembered that I wanted to record it here. Jude had come up to me while I was reading a book on the couch (a rare, but treasured moment!) and told me that I was pretty. It was ironic because I recall feeling rather frumpy at that time.....jeans, greasy hair, no makeup.....so I asked him "What makes someone pretty?" You know what his response was?! He said "a pretty dress and lipstick." Both of which I was NOT wearing. I proceeded to ask him a few more questions....

What makes someone kind?
When they're sharing or caring.

What makes someone special?
Being a ring-bearer (this was two months prior to his job as ring bearer in Matt and Libby's wedding)

What makes someone happy?
Going to a parade or the jungle (of course!)

What makes someone sad?
NOT going to a parade or the jungle and just staying on their couch.

What makes someone tired?
Going for a long drive.

What makes someone friendly?
Talking to grown-ups

What makes someone handsome?
Wearing cowboy stuff and Spiderman stuff

I loved Jude's responses. He turned FOUR a few days ago and I've got a birthday post coming for him.

biking in jammies

2011-09-25T17:29:00.005-08:00

because IKEA...

2011-09-25T17:24:00.003-08:00

...has furniture that beckons children to sit and climb.

malachi

2011-09-18T07:36:00.005-08:00

In July we welcomed new nephew/cousin Malachi Dean to the family!

what do you do.....

2011-09-18T07:14:00.007-08:00

...on September 12th...

...when it's 92 degrees in minnesota?...

...you go to the beach!...

...after school...

...for one final dip of the season.

second grade here i come!

2011-09-18T07:06:00.006-08:00

First day of 2nd grade!

Taken through the glass. Bad picture, but the only one I took!

This picture just cracks me up. It was the 2nd day of school and Addie was over in the morning. She wanted to be in the picture, but Jude didn't. Too bad I got him in it anyway! Can you find him?

josie's new bike

2011-09-18T06:50:00.003-08:00

We found a bike and helmet at a garage sale yesterday for $3.00! Her legs don't quite reach the pedals yet, but by spring time I'm sure she'll be able to use it. For now she just sits on it and makes us push her. Can't you see how excited she is?!

"I'll settle for this slide when we aren't at the park where the BIG slides are."

2011-08-20T10:03:00.007-08:00

I have a bazillion photos I want to put up and stories of our summer I want to write, but have had some difficulty making that happen. Our computer just returned to us after two weeks in the repair shop, I've lost my camera charger and so cannot upload new pictures (I refuse to buy a new one until I've searched every nook and cranny in the house), having all three kids home this summer allows less time for computer usage, and the outdoors are regularly beckoning me.

ant graveyard

2011-07-17T19:07:00.003-08:00

You may think that Jude is simply trying to figure out what is wrong with his "motorcycle", but no, he is actually checking out his collection of dead ants. Jude kills ants and puts them into his motorcycle for safe-keeping.

nothing in particular and in no particular order

2011-05-21T11:01:00.023-08:00

Immediately following the taking of this picture, Josie falls off of the branch. She wasn't hurt.

Jude raided the "free" box at a garage sale the other day. These are his treasures all lined up. Cick on the picture to get a better view. :)

School girs enjoying watermelon after school.

Driving home from our Mother's Day supper at D'Amico where moms AND kids got to dine free. No, Steve doesn't typically drive with his eyes closed.

Eating in Grandma and Grandpa's kitchen.

The library in the Amish School House near my parents' place.

The water cups in the Amish school house. Click on the picture to see some of the names!

Hanging out watching cheese curds being made. This picture should have been in my previous post I think.

Visiting Grandma at the Cheese Factory!

Jeneva and Ahava before their Chinese New Year performance at the Mall of America.

Second cousins

recurring theme...see if you can figure it out

2011-04-30T17:08:00.009-08:00

That's my boy!

where young children like to hang out

2011-04-20T16:34:00.001-08:00

On the top bunk of course. Looks like Jude can hardly contain his excitement.

sweet josie. 18 month milestones...

2011-04-11T19:41:00.013-08:00

...vocabulary at 18 months...

shus (shoes)

shus (cheese)

coat (coat)

NO! (no!)

lamabama (banana)

boppa (papa)

boot (book)

wawr (water)

mlk (milk)

...just josie...

definitely not a vegetarian. loves her some meat!

banana peppers. don't all 18 month olds eat them?

when needing a diaper change, she'll go lay down on the floor and wait

laughs hysterically at jude

folds her hands to pray

signs for "more", "please", and "thank you"

likes to "help" by throwing things in the garbage

pushes kitchen stool all over the house. doesn't push the toys that are actually supposed to be pushed--you know, the ones with wheels that don't scratch the floor

keys, cell phones, remotes, cameras...usually end up in the garbage

LOVES nursery time at church

LOVES people

knows what to do when the camera gets pointed at her

usually gives a little "fake" cry after being corrected or disciplined

favorite room in house: bathroom

favorite bath partner: jude

can do stairs up AND down like nobodys business

"josie! get out of the toilet" is the most common command heard around here

shares a room with big sister jeneva

Josie, we love you so much! You bring so much joy and laughter to our home. We are so thankful to God for entrusting us with such a lovely little lady!

jude takes on the cops

2011-04-11T19:23:00.003-08:00

JENEVA: What would happen if the police officer pulled us over?

JUDE: Don't worry, Jen, I will FIGHT them.

at the violin rental shop

2011-04-06T13:59:00.001-08:00

chocolate chip cookie delight

2011-03-25T17:44:00.003-08:00

Here are my happy cookie makers. They were able to restrain themselves from sampling during the process and so were rewarded at the end with this....

Nothing beats a really good chocolate chip cookie. Not oatmeal. Not peanut butter. They are a close 2nd and 3rd place, but there is just nothin' like 3 sticks of butter, 2 bags of chips and everything else in between.

curls!

2011-03-21T06:01:00.005-08:00

very regular

2011-03-20T11:55:00.002-08:00

When Jude was sitting on the potty today I said "You've been pooping a lot lately! What are we feeding you?"

"Healthy stuff" he replied. "Healthy stuff makes me go poop."

saturday afternoon

2011-03-12T12:58:00.006-09:00

going stir crazy today

can't find my pile of coupons for the grocery store

single mom this weekend (steve's at drill)

cold and windy out

watching more coverage on japan (and praying!)

trying to get some perspective

anxious to hear from the mcalpines in ethiopia

thinking about what i should make for supper

bathed two children

looking at all of the crumbs under my table and thinking i should do something about it

jeneva is working on perfecting her cartwheel

josie is walking around with a carrot in her mouth

jude is wandering around saying "where are my guys? i can't find my guys."

and that is my 4:13 right now on saturday afternoon

...thoughts before bed...

2011-03-10T17:58:00.006-09:00

...a hibernating kind of winter...it's now time to bust out of hibernation...sooo ready...

...praying too much for myself, not enough for others.

...two of the greatest clothing inventions...puffy down vests and kid pants with cinch belts.

...i love listening to english speaking children speak fluent chinese.

...music...what the heck would any of us do without it...musically inclined or not!

...all the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness...

...small houses are easier to clean...today i really like my small house.

...let love be genuine...abhor what is evil...hold fast to what is good.

...my 3 1/2 year old boy cannot be that old already.

...will taking vitamins make my hair grow faster?

...bed...thank you, Lord for such a luxury.

...goodnight.

beer?

2011-03-08T12:52:00.004-09:00

As we were eating homemade pizza the other night, we were also drinking pop....which usually only comes on pizza night. We were talking about how bad pop is for you and were reading the ingredients on the side of the bottle. Steve says "even beer is better for you than pop is." Jeneva goes: "Mmmm. I like beer. It tastes soooo good. Remember when I had a whole can of beer?"

She was referring to a can of ROOT BEER that I let her drink this summer...the whole can.

the hat is a dead giveaway!

2011-03-05T07:05:00.002-09:00

If it weren't for the hat Jude is sporting, one might think he actually was in Africa. I took the picture in such a way that you couldn't see the Cabela's cart he was sitting in so it would look more real. I should have taken off the hat too.

i've got a million teeth...

2011-03-04T13:20:00.001-09:00

...and i know what to do when mom points the camera at me. cheese!

breakfast call

2011-03-03T18:28:00.002-09:00

Jude is usually awake before the girls are. At night before bed he always needs to know what we are having for breakfast in the morning. This requires some thinking ahead on my part....as well as followthrough. Our breakfasts usually consist of either cereal, oatmeal, smoothies, puff pancakes, eggs, cocoa wheats, or occasionally cinnamon rolls. Jude likes all of these things. He's a breakfast lover. Upon waking up he immediately asks about the breakfast food that was promised to him as he was drifting off to sleep the night before. I always tell him he can go and wake up Jeneva. He runs to the stairs, opens the door, and says up the stairs "Jen, it's time to get up, we're having (insert breakfast food)!" He is a creature of habit. This happens nearly every single morning. I love it. Unfortunately he will outgrow this someday.

ever cry over your hair?

2011-02-26T05:46:00.004-09:00

Well, I have been crying periodically over the past couple of days. It's not a *bad* haircut. Just totally completely not what I was envisioning or what I *thought* I described to her. I'm not quite sure which part of "below the chin in the front" she didn't understand. And the back I wanted much shorter, but because of the botched up front, I didn't want to tell her to go shorter in the back because then it would have looked even worse. Am just glad my hair grows fast. Okay, just had to vent. I'll get over it soon.

saturday night ramblings

2011-02-19T17:36:00.006-09:00

Lately I've been able to get up before the kids. About a half an hour. My new morning routine consists of drinking a tall glass of cold water (this only precedes the coffee intake), reading and praying for a few minutes, and starting breakfast. So far, it's good and is a better start to the day. Please don't judge me all of you early morning risers who already have this figured out.

I've been really bad about taking pictures lately (I know grandparents would like some current pix). Must.Do.Better. Not to mention the four thousand pictures I've transferred from our old computer to our new one and haven't taken the time yet to organize them or learn how to upload them here. So until then, I'll just talk and you'll have to visualize. Tomorrow I will take pictures, but I can't promise publication.

In case you haven't heard yet, there's another snow storm coming tonight. Yes, ANOTHER one. Everyone always says that we've been having "good old fashioned snow storms." Why are they old fashioned? Did they have better/bigger storms back in the olden days?

Usually Steve does bedtime, but tonight I was putting Jude to bed while Steve was upstairs putting the girls to bed. Jude told me to do the "say after me" prayer. So, I just talked to Jesus aloud with pauses after each phrase so Jude could repeat them. He repeated each one with his eyes glued on me, a huge smile on his face, and sincerity in his heart. I could have just prayed forever. It was one of the most precious things.

My friend, Sara, is having her long awaited baby NEXT month! I can't wait. Only God knows the gender. I *think* it's going to be a boy. I'm usually wrong. So, I guess that means it will be a girl.

We got a frog and a fish this morning. They both died this afternoon. This is NOT good. I won't elaborate. (And I hope that the person who gave us these critters doesn't read this....I'd rather tell her in person).

A big pot of soup and crusty bread always tastes so much better when shared with others.

There is crazy stuff going on in the world. There's always crazy stuff going on, but it just seems extra crazy right now for some reason.

11:00 is much too late for this 30 something mom to be up. Lying here on the couch typing feels nice though and it's tempting to just fall asleep here. My table isn't totally cleared off from supper tonight (most of the dishes ARE done though) and there are random Mr. Potato Head parts lying on the floor. The last two swallows of my tea are cold. The paper map hanging in Jude's room right above his head just fell down on him and he didn't wake up. My poor husband is at work tonight and will probably be snowed in there at 6:30AM when he should be coming home.

Good Night.

i hope tomorrow...

2011-01-28T19:41:00.004-09:00

i hope the kids sleep in

i hope steve hears back soon about the job change

i hope i can enjoy my family and not worry about the house being in disarray

i hope i can survive in the morning with no coffee in the house

i hope i can think of something creative to make for breakfast

i hope we can get to trader joe's in the morning

i hope i can creatively and inexpensively decorate jude's room

i hope josie's teeth aren't bothering her

i hope jude's nose isn't bleeding

i hope i can get up early enough before the kids do

i hope i remember to drink enough water

i hope i can get a shower in before noon

i hope they still have the glasses i want to order at costco

i hope it feels warmer

i hope jeneva likes the new bedsheet i bought for her bed

i hope everyone will get along and be happy

i hope i don't feel annoyed

i hope a magic fairy will come and wash my dishes throughout the day for me

i hope i don't get sick

i hope i can help someone in some way

i hope for a good nights sleep. g'nite!

provision

2011-01-28T11:22:00.005-09:00

I was trying to take a little nap this afternoon, but my mind wouldn't let me. I had a conversation with a friend just last night about how God provides in such unexpected ways. I was just reflecting on how He's provided for us in the past several years. Nothing huge and earth shattering. But big to us none-the-less and enough to remind us how much He cares for us and provides for us what we need (and so much more!). TWO times in the past several years we have opened our mailbox to find an envelope containing cash from an anonymous giver. Both times we were in the midst of some minor, but unforseen financial circumstance. And one of those times the cash amount was EXACTLY what we needed to cover our bill. I don't know how these givers knew of our need. They probably didn't. They probably simply sought the Lord and He directed them. God is so good. I am thankful. I want to be like the faithful disciples who gave to us and be sure that I am hearing when and how the Lord wants to use me to bless others too. And then I want to obey. Of course I could list many other ways in which God has provided for us in the past several years. These two incidences are just out of the ordinary and stick out in my mind.

tuesday night ramblings...

2011-01-25T16:09:00.014-09:00

I've come to realize lately that I prefer lukewarm coffee over a steaming hot cup of joe. Not tepid. That's too cold (though if it gets cold enough I just add ice and make it an iced coffee). Just 3 or 4 notches below piping hot. And it must have half-n-half. And my "coffee maker", 5 out of 7 mornings, is Jude. He does a mighty fine job of it. I pour in the water. He puts in 4 scoops of grinds, shuts the lid and pushes the "on" button.

I get a lot of satisfaction out of kicking the snow chunks off of the car. The kids rather enjoy it too. The colder it is, the harder they are to dislodge....thus an even greater sense of accomplishment.

The books on my nightstand right now include: the Bible (which I must do more reading of than I do...but it IS there and it does get read and it IS the best one), Until They Bring the Streetcars Back (haven't yet started it, but it's my next read for book club, so I must begin soon), Prodigal God by Tim Keller (came highly recommended by a friend and now I highly recommend it), So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore (she's become a favorite author this year), Son of Hamas (haven't started yet, but want to soon!)...and that's about it as far as "adult" reading goes. Children's books tend to take presidence, but when I have time those are the ones vying for my attention.

We are in the midst of a room change. Jude will be moving downstairs to where our office is/was. An office isn't totally necessary anymore. We've got a laptop and so our desk with paperwork and stuff will go in a corner of the basement. Currently all three kids are in the half story upstairs. It's worked well so far (for Jude and Jeneva to share a room and be in bunk beds), but it will be nice for him to have his own space (he is still sleeping on pink sheets for crying out loud!) and for Jeneva to have a bit of privacy. We got a toddler bed from some friends and I picked up a mattress for it off of Craigslist. I'm excited to decorate with some more boyish looking things for him.

Jeneva is becoming a good reader now in English. She doesn't start English Grammar until 2nd grade because they're still immersed in Chinese, so I'm happy for her progress in her first language so far. We are going to try out a violin teacher for her and once we decide on whether we will rent or purchase a violin we'll start. She's excited!

Steve applied and interviewed for a different position at his work. It's a lateral shift, so probably not an increase in pay, but different responsibility. We think it would be a much better fit for him and for our family. We're anxiously waiting and praying to see what God has for him!

I am encouraged weekly when I get together with 4 other women from church/kids school to pray for our kids and Yinghua. Love it. It's intentional and purposeful and an honor to seek the Lord on behalf of our children with sweet friends.

Jude has aches in his leg every night. We haven't decided yet if it's growing pains, a good excuse to get some yummy medicine, or if it's something we actually need to be concerned about. Hmmm.

Josie is walking a lot. She's pretty proud of herself. She is at that putting-all-things-in-mouth phase. She much prefers pencils, pens, crayons, markers.....you get the idea.

I've been agonizing over the past couple of months as to what to do about my teaching license. It expires the summer of 2012 and I've done nothing to keep it up for the past 3 years since I've quit teaching. Initially I thought I would just let it go. I have no intent of going back to teaching anytime soon (and I was pretty burned out by my final year) and I figured I would just do the required work necessary to get it back when the time would come for me to teach again. I know a lot of people who have just let theirs go as well. How bad is that anyway? Well, I've decided I'm going to keep it up. Not quite sure why, but it just seems like the right thing to do now. I looked into taking classes either online or at a local college, but that is expensive and seems hard. So, here I am frantically signing up for workshops and asking schools that I have any connection to if I can sit in on their professional development workshops. Some success so far! I signed up for a class at the U in February, another workshop in another district for next month as well, and have some connections with schools for the coming year. Now I'm just praying that it will all work out.

That's all for now. I'm feeling hopeful and thankful in the midst of this Minnesota January. Good night!

that's my boy!

2011-01-17T11:39:00.002-09:00

lil' punkin'

2011-01-17T11:37:00.000-09:00

it's no wonder we call little children "punkins"
can't you see the resemblance?!

make sense?

2011-01-12T19:59:00.003-09:00

Jeneva: "You know how you always say 'time flies when you're having fun?'"

Me: "I didn't know that I always said that...but okay."

Jeneva: "Well, when Emma was here and we were playing, we tried to have a really BAD time so that the time would go by really slowly and she wouldn't have to go home so early."

Me: "Did it work?"

Jeneva: "Not really. It's really hard to try and NOT have fun when you're having so much fun."

untitled

2011-01-06T19:35:00.001-09:00

What do I title this one? I'm at a loss, but it's too cute to not post!

three minute interview with the three year old

2011-01-03T07:04:00.010-09:00

Why do you think that we named you Jude?

Because I AM Jude.

How many brothers and sisters would you like to have?

I would have 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11.

What is your favorite color?

Red.

What is God like?

He likes zebras and giraffes and he likes us.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

To nursery and to Beffelham (apparently we need to get out more)

What do you want to be when you get bigger?

A farmer. Or maybe a Fireman driver.

What's your favorite thing to play?

Tractors and Firetrucks and Animals.

What do you want to help Mama do?

Anything. (sweet!)

What do you want to help Papa do?

I want to help him scoop snow. And throw it too.

Who is your best friend?

Jeneva.

What is one thing that you wish you could do?

I wish I ride a horsey.

What is your favorite book?

Animal stories.

How old are Grandpa and Grandma?

They're 6 and a half.

What is something you want to do when you are 4?

I want to be a girl and go to school and then I want to be a man and drive a car.

What is something that scares you?

Firetrucks coming to crash me. (I wonder if this is a phobia of some kind)

What is something that would make you laugh really hard?

You. (at least somebody thinks I'm funny)

Read this post from 2 years ago by Jeneva

in the "wild"

2010-12-28T09:51:00.005-09:00

On our way to Cabela's recently, we were having a conversation about how Minnesota isn't JUST the city that we live in. In fact MOST of the beautiful state of Minnesota is woods, lakes, farmland, elk, deer, bears, wildlife...

She said it would be fun to live among the wild creatures in a place that LOOKS like Cabela's.

So, how does she look? Is she in her element? Maybe a little camo would help. The scarf, by the way, was knitted by her! She's recently taken up finger knitting.

december blizzard 2010

2010-12-23T18:55:00.011-09:00

Snow falls.

A lot.

Continuously.

At five inches it's time to make a quick run to store for supplies.

Friday. Saturday. Sunday.

Warnings days in advance.

18 inches.

Can't get out.

Alleys aren't plowed.

Neighbors with snow blowers.

Piles.

Crazy strong husband who shovels better than a snow blower.

Kind neighbors.

Can't get to work.

City buses aren't running.

Plows are pulled off the roads.

Everyone stuck at home social networking all of the drama.

Christmas movies to watch.

More shoveling to do.

More piles.

Ice dams building on roofs.

Cancellations.

Monday and Tuesday school is canceled.

Spinning tires.

Stuck.

Mounds.

Puffy coats, snowpants, long johns, mittens, hats, scarves.

Kids love it.

Papa builds a massive snow fort.

Mama pulls kids on sled.

Hot chocolate.

More shoveling.

Sleep.

Be of good cheer! A white Christmas is definitely here!

the Sunday before Christmas 2010

2010-12-21T07:10:00.004-09:00

a Haiku about the snow today

2010-11-13T12:42:00.004-09:00

Today I taught Jeneva about a Haiku Poem (5-7-5 syllables). This is what I just found in her journal:

Sno is soopr colld.
I gust lic too plla in it.
Mama hats the cold.

what's up?

2010-10-30T17:30:00.006-08:00

* Josie is now ONE.
* Jude will be THREE on Monday.
* So many things (cooking, cleaning, parenting, consistency, washing dishes, money, grocery shopping, taking classes) I'm currently finding overwhelming.
* I'm looking into taking classes at a local college so my teaching license won't expire.
* Steve will be out of the Guard in one year.
* Josie loves avocados.
* Jude loves rice with soy sauce.
* Jeneva loves sugar.
* I feel like I'm tired all.of.the.time.
* I want to start running again, but I don't want to start running again.
* I love our new bracelet styles. Gearing up for the big BBC craft fair.
* At night time when I shut the lights out: "But I can't even see my hand in front of my face!" -Jude (every night)
* Josie is standing on her own, but not taking steps.
* The weather this fall was absolutely perfect.
* Our garage siding looks much better.
* Breakfast is my favorite time of the day with the kids.
* Laundry never ends! I'm glad I don't mind it. But about that dishwasher...
* I just made the kids run around the house outside in their pajamas and barefoot (it's 40 degrees and 9:00...they weren't falling asleep)
* I'm going to make Pumpkin Chili tomorrow.
* I'm looking forward to staying in Minnesota for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
* I'm trying to savor quality time with the kids. The days are long, but the years short.
* Looking forward to Steve NOT working overnights starting in January.
* Am thankful for my church. And especially the people.
* I feel like organizing things, but I need things to organize with.
* Jeneva needs winter clothes.
* Jeneva is a young lady. Some days I'm frustrated. Some days I'm so proud.
* Jude still can't say "elevator". He says "alligaris". Funny cuz he pronounces everything else so well!
* Jude calls Josie, "Jose". So cute.
* I hate grocery shopping. I love thrift store shopping.
* Tea with milk and honey. Love.

GOODNIGHT!

first time bus ride

2010-10-23T13:03:00.001-08:00

It's the simple things in life that are so exciting sometimes.

tucked in

2010-10-10T06:46:00.004-08:00

fishing and archery and sleeping in a cabin

2010-10-04T13:22:00.011-08:00

Steve took Jeneva and Jude on a 24 hour camping trip to Bayfield last week. They met his dad and brother in the middle of their stay there. It was kind of a last minute, spontaneous adventure. The weather couldn't have been more perfect and the kids couldn't have been more excited! Jeneva got to miss a day of school and this mama was thrilled to have 24 hours with just Josie.

Jeneva had the opportunity to sharpen up her archery skills.

Fishing is always the activity of choice. Jude even got to reel in a big fish (northern? crappie? blue gill? I don't remember what kind it was. Can you tell how much of a fisherman I am?)

Three generations. Any resemblances?

Jude on the dock.

if he wears it, they will comment.....

2010-09-30T16:05:00.006-08:00

Does the title of this post remind you of a certain ridiculous movie? Iowa, however, is a great place and every time one of my children wears something "Hawkeye" in this Gopher state, someone else out there with eyes for black and gold will say "I'm from Iowa!" or give my child a high five and say "Go Hawks!" We don't really even follow college sports *gasp*, but the kids do feel some sense of ownership for Iowa and know it must be great because Grandma and Grandpa live there. As I was putting this sweatshirt on Jude the other day I asked him who lives in Iowa? (assuming he would say Grandma and Grandpa). You know what he said instead? "God does." I can almost see my folks weeping tears of joy right now. So, THIS is for all of you Iowa lovers out there!

i'm serious. seriously!

2010-09-25T06:32:00.001-08:00

A friend recently told us that our kids all have that "serious" look about them. When they're not smiling they've got the furrowed brow thing happening. This picture of Josie is evidence of that look. I realized it even more the other day when I was getting out of the van at Target and a lady was getting into her car next to me she said (about Jude and Jeneva) "What are you doing to those kids?! They look miserable!" I think she was implying that they weren't smiling at that moment and apparently they had that serious furrowed brow look. Really though, miserable? They weren't miserable. They were just riding in the van. Should I expect my kids to have smiles on their faces when they are riding in the van? Maybe I should. After all, vans ARE like super fun you know.

slumber party

2010-09-22T19:01:00.002-08:00

jeneva looks like the big sister. josie looks like she's about 4. jude looks like he's about to sneeze. i think they had a good time.

and we haven't even started reading Nancy Drew yet...

2010-09-19T09:08:00.001-08:00

At the dinner table today:

"So, mom, do you have any mysteries in your life that you need to solve?" --Jeneva

there's always an important matter that needs to be taken care of before it's naptime

2010-09-10T10:01:00.004-08:00

me: "Jude, it's naptime. Let's go upstairs."

jude: "Just a minute mom, I need to go shoot the tiger first."

he takes out his play plastic shotgun, points it at the big stuffed tiger and says "boom!"

jude: "Okay, he's dead. Now I am ready for naptime."

jeneva's birthday and the beginning of first grade

2010-09-07T06:37:00.006-08:00

A few weeks ago, we entered a drawing at the library for State Fair tickets. We won them, so we went on Jeneva's birthday. We joined up with the Knight family. Ava and Jeneva are quite the pair! It was fun seeing them walk hand in hand through the fair and ride on the rides together. We got there early in the morning (love the park-n-ride system) and stayed until about 1:00. We didn't last too long. Steve was going on zero sleep and the crowds were starting to affect my mental state.

Jeneva's birthday celebration consisted of the State Fair in the morning and an un-official impromptu birthday party in the evening. We had invited Uncle Mike, Aunt Megan, and Uncle Matt over for a low key gathering involving cake in the evening. However, two neighbor friends showed up so we told them to stay. Also, the Malley's and the Carlson's called earlier in the day asking if they could stop by with a gift. We told them they might as well stay and enjoy some cake too. Hey, a birthday celebration that I didn't even plan.

I forgot to take a picture of the cake. Go figure. We made cupcakes in ice cream cones topped with pink frosting and sprinkles. Perhaps you can just imagine what it looked like.

Jeneva started first grade on Monday. It's going very well so far and she is enjoying it. Her teacher for this year was her assistant teacher last year. Lee Laoshi (pronounced "lousher") is her name. Laoshi means "teacher" in Chinese. Last year her teacher was Yang Laoshi and we adored her. We're praying for a good fit again this year for her. She has homework (math and Chinese language arts) every night....which was assigned on the first day of school. Hard core!

So, this is the start of a big year for Jeneva. First grade and age seven. It's hard to believe it was that many years ago we brought home our little pink bundle from the hospital.

"May the Lord bless you and keep you (in the year to come). May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you (every day!). May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace (always). Amen!"

Jeneva Rae, love you girlie!

SWEET! (corn)

2010-09-02T08:58:00.001-08:00

no privacy around here!

2010-09-02T08:47:00.004-08:00

If you leave the bathroom door open while you are taking a shower, this is exactly where little "nosy" ends up.

jeneva all gussied up

2010-08-22T20:17:00.004-08:00

She is going to be SEVEN years old this week and she starts first grade on Monday. She is growing up way too fast. *sniff*

vegetarian

2010-08-22T19:42:00.003-08:00

Tonight at the dinner table:

Jeneva: "Just so you all know, I'm gonna be a vegetarian. I just don't like to eat animals that were, you know, running around and being alive and stuff. Except deer. I'll be a vegetarian that only eats deer meat."

Jude: "I LIKE to eat animals. I like giraffes......and dogs......."

summer 2010. words, not pictures.

2010-08-15T15:29:00.004-08:00

I'm in denial that it's mid-August already. Just yesterday it was the fourth of July. Right? And the day before that it was the last day of school. Surely.

All of those cliche's about time flying kind of annoy me, but they're way true.

Now summer isn't REALLY over. There's plenty (hopefully) of hot weather to come for swimming and watermelon (I've only taken a liking to watermelon in the past couple of years), but mid-August always reminds me of the beginning of the Cross Country season.....takes me back to my High School and College days. The beginning of the CC season means school is just around the corner and summer is gone.

I'm glad my CC days are over. Loved em then. But now, the desire to run and sweat and compete and be nervous just isn't there.

I'm not even teaching anymore, so really the seasons should sort of blend together and I shouldn't get this awful dread of it being the end of summer. But I do. Fall and school starting (for Jeneva) and everything is all good....I'm just going to miss all of those beautiful lakes and pools and night time walks in shorts and flip flops.

Okay, Tiffany, it's NOT over yet. Don't get all depressed about it already. Just enjoy what's left of it.

But for the sake of the memory.....I'll recap all our summer entailed. I suppose the kids will look back on this in 10 years and appreciate the recall.

**our cool off hot spots included: Lake Johanna, Cedar Lake, Bryant Lake, Wirth Lake, the Splash Pad, and the neighborhood kiddie pool.

**six weeks of tennis lessons at our neighborhood park for Jeneva. Every day for 6 weeks! That's a long time!

**our family vacation was a camping trip to the Baptist Grounds in Green Lake, Wisconsin. Much fun....MUCH work.

**a week long trip to Grandma and Grandpa's farm while Papa was gone for the Guard.

**we took a few *field trips* to local nature centers and went on lots of bike rides and played with friends.

**two different trips were taken to Iowa in June and July for funerals. My Grandma Stutzman died in June and then my cousin Jason unexpectedly died in a motorcycle crash in July. Both were very sad, but both were a hopeful reminder of the HOPE that we have in Jesus and the PROMISE of eternal life in HIM.

I love summer. It doesn't last long in Minnesota, so I better stop blogging and get out and enjoy it before it's gone...

when it's hot, we do this...

2010-07-28T06:00:00.002-08:00

the kids

2010-07-27T13:13:00.000-08:00

what's happening?

2010-07-27T13:06:00.003-08:00

Hollering at a squirrel?
Perhaps.

Spying on the neighbors?
Quite likely.

Watching the garbage truck?
A weekly occurance.

Climbing on the furniture because sometimes mom allows it?
Probably.

HCA friends

2010-07-26T17:57:00.004-08:00

Teaching. I miss it. Glad though I'm not doing it at this phase of my life. Thankful for the super fantastic people I worked with. Here's a few of them at a gathering last week. Happy to still be in contact with many of them. If I ever enter the workforce again someday I would handpick all of these wonderful people in a heartbeat.

fireworks are scary!

2010-07-04T20:14:00.007-08:00

Fireworks didn't go so good tonight. Jude was a bit freaked out. He held his teddy bear and covered his eyes and screamed through it all. We left early. Jeneva ended up in tears too. Not because she was scared but because we were leaving. *sigh* She was a trooper though. She ended up saying "At least we got to see some of them. Poor Jude." She is a glass-is-half-full kind of girl.

today's chuckles

2010-07-03T19:20:00.005-08:00

**jeneva**
She took her two very tight french braids out of her hair tonight while sitting in church. She has big hair anyway, let alone when they have been in french braids for 24 hours. She turned into a big puff ball.

**jude**
While at a store today, he asked the cashier "how's your day going?" The boy's a charmer I tell ya!

**josie**
Her new thing when she's going to bed is to stick her butt way up in the air. It's like she's doing Yoga (down dog) for babies. It's cute. You can hear her sucking on her nuk while she's doing it.

josie

2010-06-24T13:24:00.002-08:00

eight months on 6.20.10

so i can remember and so my kids will know

2010-06-17T22:33:00.006-08:00

I want to record some memories of her and I want to tell my kids these things too.

I was thankful I was able to attend Grandma Stutzman's funeral. I didn't realize the impact it would have on me upon going to it.

The service on Wednesday helped open my eyes to my rich heritage. I believe I have spent my entire life taking my upbringing for granted. I'm almost embarrassed to admit it, but alas, it's probably healthy to admit such crises.

I had prayed in the new year asking God to open my eyes in the year to come of my blessings and feel more thankful. My ungratefulness and apathy and general "blah" in life was beginning to scare me. He helped to answer it on Wednesday. I went to Grandma's funeral, sad for the loss.....and came away feeling immensely grateful to MY GOD for placing me in just the right family with all just the right people and incredibly thankful for the legacy of her faith.

How was I specifically impacted?

My eyes were opened to the realness of heaven. She's there. Every sorrow and hurt and pain is gone. Forever. As my Grandma Roth said at the service "I miss her, but wouldn't wish her back." This is so true. Grandma longed for heaven for so long after many griefs and losses has finally gained it. I learned that through her sorrows, her Bible was well worn and her faith didn't waiver. That is a testimony and an example to me. I want to be like that.

My eyes were opened to the love of my family. I love all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins and though the miles are wide and the times together aren't as often as before, we have a good connection. I always feel the love after a gathering. Love and support in an extended family IS a gift.

My eyes were opened to some memories of her. I lived next to Grandma in my growing up years. My memories are fuzzy because of the time that has passed since then, but I nonetheless, have some very vivid ones from years ago. I remember running down the road to their house to show off my very first perm. Grandma just chuckled and Grandpa made a comment about me sticking my finger in a light socket. I also remember Grandma having a slumber party for me and Nicki and Jenessa. She made us cupcakes and gave us grief when we were pooped out by 9:00 and wanted to go to bed. A more recent memory is seeing her at Church carrying around 9 month old Jeneva. She was showing her off to all of her friends. Of course Jeneva was pretty big at 9 months and there was little tiny Grandma...

My eyes were opened to the foundation she laid for me in my faith. I never really talked to Grandma about faith or the Bible or Christianity, but as I think about it....wow. I am privileged enough to have been raised by parents who believe in JESUS. The foundation started with her and Grandpa. They passed it on to my dad who in turn passed it on to his kids. I want to thank her for that. I thank God for that. Of all the ways I could have been raised, I have a family that BELIEVES. Why can a person spend their whole life "knowing" that, but not be completely hit with the reality of it until....now?! I guess it's better to realize it later than not at all.

A hymn that I keep thinking of is "How Firm a Foundation." I don't know if she knew this song or not, but it's reminding me of my heritage right now as I write this:

How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord
is laid for your faith in His excellent Word
What more can He say than to you He hath said
to you who for refuge to Jesus hath fled?

Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow
For I will be with thee thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

The soul that on Jesus still leans for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake!

Love you, Grandma. I'm happy you're with Jesus. As Jeneva said today: "I am glad she's in heaven, but I wish she could come back for just a little bit and tell us what Jesus looks like." I wish Jeneva would have been at the service, but we've been talking about her a lot these past couple of days and it's been good.

my favorite picture. happy grandma. happy jude.

all of the first cousins.

my six

2010-06-04T19:00:00.000-08:00

These are the 2nd and 3rd graders (all six of them!) that I spent April and May with.

now....about that apple

2010-06-03T16:40:00.000-08:00

She won't be eating apples for awhile now. Steve pulled out her top tooth (her 3rd one) the other night. The following day she lost the neighboring top tooth at school. When I was young I would freak out about my teeth coming loose or getting pulled out. Not Jeneva. I love that about her, yet it baffles me. She said it was loose so she asked the lunch lady at school to pull it. Oh yes she did! The lunch lady used a napkin and pulled er right out. Jeneva then got the infamous little tooth-necklace-carrying-case to keep her beloved tooth in until night time when it went under her pillow. This time the tooth fairy did NOT forget. The tooth fairy is too embarrassed to admit how many times she failed to arrive when her FIRST tooth came out. Now Jeneva is much too practical to actually believe in the tooth fairy, but we still pretend anyway, and Ms. Fairy does her very best to show up at just the right time.

josie at 4 months

2010-06-02T22:47:00.000-08:00

Megan took these back in February. Josie is still just as cute (at 7 months)!

summertime do. before and after.

2010-06-02T19:09:00.003-08:00

shag

clean cut

i love what jude has said recently...

2010-05-22T19:23:00.006-08:00

~ "Jeneva, can I take a baff wiff you?"

~ "I mell moke."

~ "Can I have my vime-dim?"

~ "I want to play wiff my football game."

~ "Having?" (he says this from the other room when he hears me opening something he thinks might be a tasty treat).

~ "I want to see Kanowitz at nursery."

~ "I like to play wiff girls."

~ "Sure, I'd love to go to Trader Joe's mom. That'd be fun!"

~ (while pointing to an older woman with gray hair) "Look! A grandma!"

~ "I like having bangs."

~ "I like to play with Cae-bub and Harmony." (funny how those two don't even go together)

~ "Is this Noah's shirt or Seth's shirt?" (i've found that by telling him who's shirt he is wearing that day gets him excited about getting dressed. love the hand-me-downs.)

~ "Yay! We're having broccoli? I love broccoli!"

~ "I like your singing." (a nursery worker called to tell us that Jude told her that after singing during sunday school.)

thoughs on this mother's day 2010

2010-05-09T11:14:00.006-08:00

I am thankful today for my pretty much amazing mom. I love her and wish I could spend it with her today. *sigh*

Steve came home from work this morning (after working the overnight shift) and made a yummy breakfast of pancakes and omelets. The kids gave me some lovely gifts...including some pink aloe vera socks! Seriously! Very cool!

Josie was ALL giggles this morning and we got some of it on camera (Our new camera! I'll post sometime).

I was so happy to get to see some friends have their babies dedicated at church today. Phoebe, who was born the day before Josie, and Philippe and Patricia who are home from Haiti this year for Mother's Day! So happy for them.

I am also thinking today of my friends who so desperately want to be mothers or have lost children or who have recently lost their own mother's. I know a day like today can be bittersweet for many....or maybe just plain bitter.

I am happy that today my dad and all of his brothers and sisters get to be together with their mom.

I am fighting a terrible headache today. Ugh. It started this morning when I was at church and once it starts they are always hard to combat. All I want to do is curl up in bed and take a nap, but I can't because Steve is sleeping due to working overnight. If only all of my children would take naps at the same time. Jude is the only predictable nap taker. He takes a 3 hour nap every single day in the afternoon. It's awesome. Now if only he could teach Josie his ways!

I am so grateful for the honor of being a mom. I have been entrusted to three precious children and wouldn't trade being their mom for anything else the world offers.

God works in such amazing ways. In January any joys in mothering that I previously had were sapped out of me. I was feeling defeated day after day and oh so weary. I prayed for something, anything to help me feel renewed.

He answered two prayers in one. Amazing. A full time job for two months?! That's not what I asked for....but it's been a direct answer to prayer and has been a perfect fit for me. The financial help has been a real blessing. Also, I've been uprooted from the day to day and planted somewhere else for a short while. The change of scenery has been rejuevinating. I'm gaining perspective and a renewed passion and energy for being at home raising up my three little munchkins. I can't wait until the end of May when I am done at work. I can't wait to be at home with my kids again...all day. I didn't feel that way in January...or February...or March...but now in May, I do.

Josie is now finally asleep. Now I think I will have a chance to hopefully crawl under the covers for awhile and try to get rid of this obnoxious headache. Then I think some grilled steaks are in order for dinner tonight!

Happy Mother's Day!

we've stooped to new levels on who/what to blame for disobeying...

2010-05-05T07:44:00.004-08:00

After being *gently* scolded in the car yesterday for disobedience there was an apology and then silence for a moment....followed by:

"Mom, I think I know what made me disobey. I had a WHOLE donut at school today and I think eating that donut is what made me disobey you."

"oh?"

"Yes, you know how donuts have SO much sugar in them? Well, after eating a whole donut it kind of made me crazy. Ya know, you always tell me that sugar makes us crazy. Well, I think it made me crazy. If I hadn't eaten so much sugar I wouldn't have disobeyed you."

Other than the whole "taking responsibility for your own actions" speech I was speechless. I'm still chuckling.

bracelets in progress...

2010-05-02T11:33:00.003-08:00

Here's a pic of some bracelets....in progress. These are all of the ones we have going on right now. Picture was taken at Amy's house. Pretty?! Which ones do you like?

life today

2010-04-29T16:51:00.003-08:00

My children are definitely stop-and-smell-and-pick-and-admire-the-flowers kind of kids. I believe I've trained them to be like that....though I am not naturally like that. I realized on our walk this evening (70 degrees, still, pre-thunderstorm, amazing) that it's good for me. Good for me that THEY are like that. I am prone to rushing. I need to enjoy and observe more.

I'm working full time. Temporarily. Two months. It's a good gig and I'm thankful for it. Halfway through. I don't dread going to work, but I look forward to the end of my commitment and being at home again. The extra money is helpful and the change of scenery is rejuvinating.

Josie is teething.

I have allergies, but not as bad as they were last year when I was pregnant.

Jude never forgets to take his "vime dims" in the morning (vitamins).

Jeneva loves life. As usual.

I'm realizing every day that the things I love about Steve now, I didn't even realize about him when we got married. Thank you, God.

I am finally going to order a new camera online tonight! Hopefully I'll be posting pictures again soon.

I plan to blog more frequently again. The kids are growing up so fast and I want to record stuff so I don't forget!

Time to do dishes, tidy up, switch out the laundry, decide what to make for supper tomorrow night, figure out what kind of 4 dozen hors d'vours I should make for Tuesday morning MOMS tea, take some more benadryl, read and hopefully watch the thunderstorm roll in.

Good night.

random family update 6

2010-02-18T11:16:00.015-09:00

1. Jeneva is in love with math. Yes, the subject at school called Math. I LOVE that she loves math. I hate math. Well, I hatED math. Who knows, maybe given the opportunity to try it again, I'd like it. I have an open mind.

2. I'm wondering where all of the government stimulus money is going. We know that it is NOT going to fix the potholes (sinkholes rather) in this city.

3. When I go rescue Jude from his daily nap (from 1:00-3 or 4) his socks are OFF of his feet and ON his hands. Quirky kid.

4. I really like writing my children's names. Strange I'll admit. But there's something about the written name. I like the way they look hand written.

5. Jeneva decorated some beautiful Valentines for family and friends. We haven't yet sent them. I procrastinate and forget.

6. I think that Trader Joe's is the most wonderful place to grocery shop (if you go in the morning). I always leave with a free sample of coffee, a smile on my face and a spring in my step (even if it's subzero) and children carrying balloons and suckers. It really can't get much better. Also, they pack one grocery bag very tightly unlike Super Target where they give you a separate bag per item. Don't they know we are all trying to save the planet!?

7. Jeneva brings Jude downstairs every morning. This means that she gets him out of his crib. I don't know how she does it, but they both come down unbruised.

8. I am obsessed with checking out books and DVD's from the library. I request which ones I want online and the library people collect them all for me. It's so easy and so fun! (It also makes me feel just a teeny bit better about all of the taxes I have to pay.) All I have to do is go pick them up. I check out random movies or documentaries as well as Bob the Builder for Jude, Angelina Ballerina for Jeneva, and the Backyardigans for both of them. And the books, OH the books! Perusing through the library to try and find kid's books worthwhile is no fun. But selecting them ahead of time from my mental list of favorite authors or with a little help from some online lists, it's rare to get a doozie anymore. I LOVE reading children's books to the kids.

9. Josie rolled over for the first time yesterday. Too bad she was on the couch when it happened. I'm thankful for the rug beneath the couch.

10. My post-partem hair loss has begun. I fear we will need to call a plumber sometime soon.

11. Jude's latest add-on word to each sentence is "actually." For example: "I want to play trucks....actually." or "Jeneva is at school....actually."

12. Jeneva told me this morning before taking her to school that learning Chinese is hard. I can't argue with that. I can only imagine. She really likes school and we have been pleased with all she is learning thus far. We also have made some good family friends there.

13. My favorite meal I've made lately is this: Whole Wheat Pita's (from TJ's of course) stuffed with rotisserie chicken, spinach, sliced avocado, sliced tomato, hummus and topped with yogurt dressing (plain yogurt, sr. cream, cilantro, lemon juice combined). It was a refreshing break from my winter-comfort-food rut.

14. Steve and Jeneva rescued a 5 foot icecicle that was hanging from our front window outside. It now is adorning the top of the snow mound in our front yard. Quite spectacular. :)

15. The other day Jeneva said to Steve: "Jesus sent me a letter in my heart today. It said I would get to go to Heaven." enough said.

16. God has given us much to be thankful for. And that we are.

jude's 2nd birthday on november 1

2009-12-02T19:10:00.000-09:00

Jude's birthday was just a few days after Josie was born. He arrived on his great grandma Josie Dykstra's birthday. And now he has a little sister who inherited that very name!

Grandpa Dykstra and Grandpa and Grandma Stutzman came to help celebrate along with Uncle Mike and Aunt Megan. We started our morning off with a trek to Stillwater for our final chance to scope out our favorite apple orchard before it would close for the season. They may as well have already shut their gates. We got there to find the hayrides parked and the petting zoo empty. The wine shop was open and they had a few caramel apples left for sale...not much to excite a two year old.

Two apple orchard's later we found the perfect place. The most commercialized one in Stillwater. The one I have always thought looked obnoxious and far from the quaint picturesque apple orchards us Minnesotan's all envision. Well, for the sake of the two year old, we stayed and had a most enjoyable time. There was a hayride AND a petting zoo. Oh, and there was our nice warm toasty van for my mom and I and baby Josie to reside in while the others galavanted around in the cold.

Looking a bit wind blown. It wasn't exactly a nice November day.

We've begun a cake decorating tradition with Jude. Last year Michael deocrated Jude's cake. This year it was Steve. We decided to go with an "interactive" cake with toppings he could reuse and play with! I decided that instead of feeling like I'm a bad mom because I do not enjoy creating beautiful elaborate cakes for my children's birthday's, I would delegate the honors to other family members. Less stress for me = happier children.

The happy party-goers....minus the photographer.

So I officially have a two year old son. I always tell Steve that if I could be guaranteed boys as sweet as Jude, I'd take 10 more. We just love him to pieces! We are blessed, indeed.

josie's arrival

2009-12-01T19:39:00.002-09:00

Josie is 6 weeks and we've fallen head over heels. I still can't believe she's here! I felt as if I would be pregnant forever. I am certainly enjoying being the smaller me!

Here's how it all went...

On the evening of October 19 I began to feel slightly uncomfortable contractions. We were having dinner and I told Steve that this definitely could be it. I didn't really believe though that it would be because our due date was Oct. 22 and I was sure I would go late....certainly not early.

We went about our evening routine of dinner, family devotions, bedtime, etc. We even went for a little drive. After putting the kids to bed around 8:00, they lessened a little bit, but by 10:30 when Steve and I went to bed, they became increasingly uncomfortable and I was unable to sleep. They were still 15 minutes apart, so I knew that I had time and they weren't overly painful yet.

Steve went to bed and I stayed up. I called our friend, Erin, who lives just a few blocks away and told her that tonight could be the night and to keep her phone by her bed. She was planning to come and sleep at our house with the kids while we went to the hospital. at about 11:30, I called my midwife. She told us she would meet us at the hospital. I called Erin again and she was at our place in about 3 minutes. She's good!

We only live 2 miles from the hospital, so we arrived and checked in shortly after midnight. My totally awesome midwife, Amy, arrived soon after we did. I labored for a few hours in the hot tub which was amazing! I had decided that since I had a great labor coach, I would try and go without the epidural. Had Steve and Amy not been there to convince me otherwise, there were several points during the night that I could easily have changed my mind. I knew how totally awesome having an epidural felt and almost called for the anestesiologist several times.

At 5:00, Amy broke my water at 5:00. Josie Grace was born at 5:33am with a perfectly shaped head (unlike the other two kids) and the right amount of fingers (remember, Jude had a couple of extra digits!)

We adore her. We are thankful. The name Josie means "He will enlarge or make great" I think the name Grace speaks for itself.

We named her Josie because we love the name. It is also the name of Steve's Grandma. If she were alive today, she would be over 100 years old! The "J" theme is not intentional. You can read about Jeneva and Jude's names here.

2009-11-11T09:54:00.001-09:00

Welcome, Josie Grace!
We welcomed her into our family on October 20, 2009
5:33 a.m.
7 lbs. 4 oz.

I will post more recent photos and the birth story later...

for the grandparents

2009-10-14T15:36:00.000-08:00

I blame everything these days on my lack of brain power due to pregnancy. I've had several blog post ideas swirling in my head for months, but can't seem to muster up the motivation to actually sit down and produce them. So, generically, here are some pictures of the kids/family spanning the past several months. In no particular order and without an abundance of creativity.

Getting sand in the shoes, the socks, the hair, the diaper.....the usual. It's alright. I like to vacuum.

A lazy morning at Lake Harriet.

Farm animals and Dinosaurs (or as Jude says: "o-sores") are Jude's current passion. He knows the sound of about every known species.

A family walk by the river after picking Jeneva up at school. Why did it have to get cold so fast? The weather on that particular day was Minnesota perfection!

Untitled. Maybe, just cute?

I couldn't resist this one. Jeneva and her bud Jack just chillin' at a local coffee shop. Note: Hot Cocoa...not coffee.

Oh what a fun day at the waterpark with some friends! Jeneva and Ava had a blast roaring down the slides! Had I not been 8 months pregnant at the time, I would have gladly joined them!

An impromptu 7 month pregnancy shot of me. I have some more recent ones coming. Stay tuned! I'm huge!

"Perspective"

Hanging out one morning by the stone arch bridge. I miss summer already!

Jude loves the water too!

Just a little walk off the diving board.

Getting ready for the big half mile race at Webber Park! It's fun to run with friends!

Just because I think that pictures of young children lined up on a couch is adorable!

Dinner with friends!

My handsome boy sporting a hat. I love hats on kids. That's one good thing about the cooler temps!

Not quite tall enough to pedal the pedals, but scooting it around works just as good for now.

photography by jeneva

2009-09-26T10:08:00.010-08:00

Photography is the latest career path Jeneva is hoping for. All these photos were taken by her without my help and they even come with her very own titles!

"red lollipop" (self-portrait 1)

"i like smiling." (self-portrait 2)

"flowers are nice."

"pretty pink roses."

"lollipop, lollipop, yeah, yeah, lollipop." (self-portrait 3)

"numbers."

can it really be? is she 6 already?

2009-08-28T10:17:00.001-08:00

jeneva turned 6 on august 28. how can it be that i have a SIX year old?

just jeneva....

calls jude "sweetie" and "honey"
enjoys sucking on lemons
listens to 'the lion, the witch, and the wardrobe' over and over
digs and plays in the dirt
loves the strawberry shortcake theme song
can count to 13 in spanish
asks to be read to often
likes to paint rainbows
hates to comb her hair or have it combed
wants to wear dresses daily
stops on bike rides to pick the pretty flowers
can float on her back
loves jumping off the diving board
can hold her breath under water for 8 seconds
hates having her nails clipped
always says "don't eat my food, but tease me about it" when she needs to leave the dinner table for a moment
sleeps with a wet washcloth on her belly if her room is too hot
bikes down hills fearlessly
is not afraid to tear worms in half
her special recipe is a banana topped with peanut butter, chocolate chips, and drizzled with caramel
loves loves loves her friends
wants to be a policewoman or a missionary when grown
writes notes to me and papa often and puts them by our bed
covers her mouth when she giggles
asks for ovaltine because it has vitamins in it
loves dill pickles
tells me i'm the best cooker (or food maker) in the whole world
asks to be tickled
jumps rope and sings simultaneously
answers the phone when it rings
likes nature walks
favorite CD is the fighter verses from sunday school
likes to dance to classical music and big band music
plays harmonica
names her dolls something different every day
sings her brother to sleep at night
has become a pretty good skip bo player
has a good repotoire of words she can read herself
thinks her baby sister is so cute even though she's yet to meet her
likes to run errands with me
loves loves loves life!

happy birthday sweet girl, jeneva. i love you tons and tons!

farmer boy?

2009-08-14T09:43:00.003-08:00

Jude loves animals.....the stuffed kind, the pictures of them in books, and all of the noises they make. But up close and personal with a LIVE creature.....that's a different story. He's pretty much freaked out.

farmer girl?

2009-08-09T18:16:00.001-08:00

shoes

2009-08-01T19:59:00.002-08:00

Jude loves shoes. He must wear shoes in the house and outside always. Whatever happened to running through the grass barefoot? Not Jude. Here he was tromping around in Jeneva's shoes for quite a long time.

bizarre pregnancy dreams

2009-07-21T09:41:00.006-08:00

In my first bizarre dream I was being forced to eat a jar of Mayonnaise at the Airport because of failure to bring my passport which apparently was needed.

In my second over-the-top, bizarre, only-when-pregnant dream (last night) I came home to find that Steve had gotten a tattoo covering his entire chest/stomach. He has a somewhat hairy chest, so it was first of all shaved off. The design was of Noah's Ark with Noah being in cartoon form. To make things worse Steve was insisting on going shirtless everywhere we went. Thankfully, I soon woke up and the nonsense ended.

I have three months left of this pregnancy. What more bizarre mysterious dreams have yet to come to me in my sleep?

an unforgettable woman

2009-07-16T14:17:00.015-08:00

I want to remember Lois Hautamaki who died on Tuesday. She was 57 years old.

She was my principal/co-worker/friend/teaching mentor for the 6 years I taught at Heritage Christian Academy. I have known her now for 9 years.

She was a single woman who poured her life into teaching and being an administrator at HCA.

She was incredibly foundational in launching my teaching career. I cannot begin to number all that I have learned from her.

I regret not expressing to her enough how much she impacted my life.

A Conglomeration of Thoughts and Memories of Miss H.

She watched me teach and encouraged me.
She hugged me and told me she loved me and that she loved my family (even though she rarely saw them).
She expected excellence from her teachers and herself.
She came immediately to my classroom very early one morning after I left a tearful message on her voice mail about a difficult situation I was in. She then prayed with me and did everything she could to fix the problem and stood by me the entire time. I was loved and supported.
She wrote Christmas cards and "end of the year" cards to each teacher. She didn't just sign her name, she wrote lengthy and thoughtful words (in amazingly neat handwriting).
She prayed for each of her teachers daily....and if they had a spouse and kids, she prayed for them too.
She worked hard at doing things that did not come naturally for her.
She made it a point to learn each child in the entire school (300-400 students) by name.
She embraced her singleness and lived it fully.
She never gave up and stuck to her guns...even if it wasn't always popular.
She called me up one year after I had my first baby and told me she had the perfect part time teaching position for me. She was right.
She often shared personal things.
Her eyes welled up with tears a lot. She was a passionate woman.
Her life evidenced a deep love for Jesus.

I know God's timing is perfect. I rejoice with her being with Jesus RIGHT NOW. I know there are many who wish they could have told her something or given her a hug before she left. I am reminded that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Miss H, you are missed!

whiz bang days

2009-07-11T11:15:00.005-08:00

Jeneva and Madeline ran in a 1/2 mile race today for the Robbinsdale Whiz Bang Days. They had fun running together, wearing their numbers and getting their medals. They did great!

Click here for some pics from her last race on Labor Day weekend.