random family update

...a third of the summer is over.  but we've still 2/3 to go...

here are some random thoughts and updates thus far...

Our garden isn't doing so hot.  It was growing fine in May when we had oodles of rain.  I don't really care much.  I don't like gardening.  Our expert gardener neighbors garden is thriving though.  I'll just look at theirs instead.

Talking about the weather is lame I know, but I'll do it anyway.  We had 10 inches of rain in May alone.  Now we are on day 10 of record degree temps of 98-102 degrees.  Unusual for Minnesota.  But, I'm not complaining.  I have central air and lakes to keep me cool.  My ankles are still crazy swollen though.

Once again it's time to enjoy the free water here--lakes and pools.  It was fun to watch Jude in the lake the other day.  He is definitely more confident in the water than he was last year and was perfectly content to just float around in his life jacket.  He told me with his arms stretched out in the water that he felt like a bird.  Hmmm.  Figure that one out.

Jude took a week of tennis lessons a couple of weeks ago.  He really enjoyed it.  It was good to see him want to run out there on the court, come back to me for water breaks and then not hesitate about running back out on the court.  He has one more week of lessons next week.

God is teaching me patience.  I am a very impatient person.  Enough said.

Steve is working 60 hours a week at two different jobs.  It sucks, but we're thankful at the same time.  I'm thankful that he's willing to work.  I'm thankful that he has two decent jobs to work at with great insurance and maternity coverage.  One of them has to go though--just aren't sure which one will go and how it will all play out so he gets enough hours (40) with just one job.  God knows.  And my patience is tested.

Though our social life (family friends, etc.) has suffered because he is working, I have to say Steve is doing an awesome job at being dad.  Every other weekend he doesn't see the kids because he's working overnights and days and then sleeping in between.  But, the other days he has time in the afternoons and evenings and he spends it WELL with the kids.  Sure, we have projects and stuff that "need" to be done, but spending time with the kids is much more of a "need" than dumb house projects.  I am so so thankful that he is a family man.  The time is now and we can't get that back.  Ever.  

Jeneva and I started working through a book together at night after the youngens go to bed called How to Study your Bible for kids by Kay Arthur.  Each lesson takes about 30 minutes.  She is excited about it, but I think I might even be learning just as much as she is.  Maybe I can get more excited about studying the Bible myself through this study.

I figured out a system for chores and allowance for the older two.  We went on a date to Caribou the other day and I let the kids tell me what they thought they should be doing for chores--and what their attitudes should be like when asked to do things that aren't on their official chore list.  They were right in line with what I was thinking--except I had to add a few things, so we made our lists and allotted an allowance (Jeneva gets $3 a week and Jude gets $1).  I didn't ever follow through with the things I've tried before, but I think it will work better this time.

I am so ridiculously tired.  I know it's pregnancy related, but seriously.  Can't I just take one big long nap until this baby arrives.....in October?  It's called hibernation.  Bears do it.  Why can't humans?

We signed Jeneva up for soccer camp for 5-12 year olds at Northwestern College.  We haven't had her in an organized sport yet except for a few years of tennis lessons.  Steve really wants our kids to learn a sport at a young age (I do agree with him) so he's always been good about tossing the ball around outside with Jude and playing basketball with Jeneva.  We'll see how she likes soccer and next year she can do basketball at her school.

We went to Kalona a couple of weeks ago.  The kids had fun as usual visiting Grandma and Grandpa and Matt and Libby too.  We also got to see Great Grandma and a couple of second cousins and aunts and uncles.  Jeneva keeps telling everyone that grandpa built a really cool swing in the hayloft.  The kids had fun running around together and helping grandpa with the baby turkeys a couple of times.

Our dear friends, the Kenows,  have been on our hearts so much lately.  This past year they have suffered the loss of two boys--Bobbi was approximately halfway through each pregnancy when the miscarriages occurred.  And now just over a week ago they found out their 3 year old son has something called a Wilms Tumor.  He had it surgically removed (and the surgery was very successful praise God).  He will have to go through chemotherapy now for several months.  Such heartache, but such hope they have.  They are a sweet example of God's goodness amidst trials.  Love them Kenow's!

Jeneva has been wanting to learn how to type, so I found a typing website online.  She went through about the first 15 lessons on the homerow keys and the upper keys and didn't want to stop.  Now that she's on the bottom row it's getting too hard and she wants to quit.  I think I'll let her.  She's only eight.  Won't let her quit violin though.  :)

All of the kids have had Fifth Disease in the past couple of months.  First Jude, then Jeneva, now Josie.  Random.

Some books on the docket for summer reading when I find the time:  Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne and Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer.  Have you read either of them?

The kids have a second bedroom in the basement.  Their room upstairs isn't air conditioned like the rest of the house, so down they go to the basement every night in this stifling heat.  It's so dark down there so they usually sleep until 8:00 every morning.  Nice!

And now for a few random pics...

Just lounging around reading a whole book in one day.

"I got a scooter!"

(repeat 3x in a high squeaky voice)

Jude and his friend Addie waiting their turns to smack the tennis balls.

Beach day number 2 so far this summer.

I told them no diving.  But jumping is definitely allowed!

A mini ferris wheel ride!

random family update

~Being pregnant with number four has brought about many unexpected emotional occurrences. Excited? Yes! Four has always been kind of our dream family size number. And I'm so thankful for God blessing us in this way. Overwhelmed? Yes! Four is a lot of little mouths to feed. Nauseated? MORE THAN EVER! Weeks 4-12 (I'm 12 weeks now) have been utterly miserable beyond description. I went on some medication for a while and that helped a bit. Tired? Of course. There's no way around that. I get out of breath walking up the stairs. Determined to enjoy this pregnancy? Yes! Once I'm over the hump of feeling sick, I think I will truly enjoy this pregnancy-maybe not the final few weeks, but hopefully everything in between.

~Jeneva very enthusiastically volunteered to play her violin for March Music Madness at her school yesterday. She only had to play one song--and I think she was mostly excited about the free t-shirt she got. We need to work on her performing skills I think. She played her song 3x faster than it's supposed to be played and then RAN off stage. It was hilarious!

~The weather this March has been unusually warm (mid 70's day after day!). I LOVE IT! It's been truly a gift from God just for me I think. He is relieving me a bit from my winter blues mixed with pregnancy insanity.

~Almost every morning for the past week or two Jude, Josie and I go down to the creek by our house after Jeneva gets on the bus. They spend an hour or two throwing sticks and rocks in the water, trapsing through mud, and hiding in the trees. It's awesome! I love seeing them play so nicely together AND it uses up some of their energy for the day resulting in nice long afternoon naps for both of them. Them taking naps is vital to me taking a nap. And naps for me are VITAL!

~We are so thankful that Steve has a job. He has never gotten laid off or anything, it provides for our family, and the insurance is good. However, he is not satisfied there and we hate his schedule (he works weekends and has two weekdays off). We are praying earnestly for a change and hope God answers that prayer soon. He has been applying for different jobs here in the Twin Cities as well as in Iowa City. Obviously if an Iowa City job happened, that would mean an out of state move and a huge life change. Trusting that God has a plan for us and trying to be patient and satisfied until he shows us what that plan is.

~We are headed to the North Shore (north of Duluth) next weekend for 3 nights. Some friends offered us their time share right on Lake Superior. We are excited for a little family get-away and love it up there. Minnesota at it's best!

~The kids are outside painting right now. I better go supervise before they end up needing bath number two for the day!

i love...

...that josie cut her bangs. (reminds me of our favorite sufjan stevens christmas jingle)
...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.

saturday afternoon

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

saturday night ramblings

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.

tuesday night ramblings...

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!

what's up?

* 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!

thoughs on this mother's day 2010

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!

life today

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

~Jude's favorite activities include: climbing the stairs, turning the water on in the bathtub (not while he's in the tub, but while he is out of the tub just standing over the edge), eating, nursing (this kid is going to be hard to wean!), chasing Jeneva around the house, saying "hi", waving, riding in his carseat facing forward, and doing sign language for "more" and "all done."

~Jeneva has been taking a David Danced class on Monday afternoons. They learn to perfom biblical stories through dance. This afternoon we went with our friends Heather and Madeline to see a performance that her dance teacher, Mrs. Alness, was a part of called The Supercilious Ways of Walter Wading.

~On Tuesday I got to sub at Hope Academy. It felt so good to be in the classroom again! I've missed teaching at Heritage Christian Academy. We are considering Hope for Jeneva. We really appreciate the mission of the school, the teachers, and have heard lots of good things about it. It would be more affordable for us than other Christian schools. We aren't opposed to public schools at all, it's just that we are in the Minneapolis district and that seems a bit frightening to me (okay, a lot frightening). We are still planning on checking out the elementary down the street from us though.

~Last night Steve and I enjoyed going out...kidless! We went to Cafe Latte in St. Paul for dinner and dessert. That place is definitely a favorite! Then we drove down by St. Anthony Main and walked under the new bridge. It's enormous!

~Jeneva's favorite activities are riding her scooter and doing "math." I hated math when I was a kid, so I'm hoping she takes after Steve in that area.

~I am anticipating getting my wisdom teeth pulled. Yes, I'm 30 and still got em and they hurt! Now that I will be done nursing soon, I will have no excuse to not make an appointment!

what jude is up to these days

People always ask how Jude is doing. Well, he's sitting up, smiling, eating....what else? My answers tend to be rather normal. Here's what he would say are his new feats in life.

1. I drool. Evidenced in the photo. (though this is nothing 'new' per se)
2. When Jeneva sings and dances I break out in uncontrollable fits of laughter.
3. When everyone else gets to eat ice cream, I get peas.
4. I don't feel the need to crawl yet.
5. I can clap my hands.
6. I laugh and squeal.
7. I can do numbers 5 and 6 simultaneously.
8. I don't mind when Jeneva picks the lint out from between my toes. How does it get there anyway? (Jeneva picks the lint out of her own toes too. It's her little ritual every night. Quirky girl.)
9. I can pinch HARD and make people scream.
10. I have a crush on my friend Jillian.
11. Or maybe it's Avery (Avery Ley that is. How many Avery's can one babe possibly know?!).
12. Eli is smaller than me. Yes!
13. I like to pull my buddy Seth's curly hair.
14. My nuk belongs in my mouth upside down.
15. Johnny-Jump-Up is my best friend, but he never leaves the kitchen.
16. I still sleep in a pack-n-play (AKA Jude's Jail)
17. I love being outside. LOVE. IT. I. LOVE. IT. My stroller rocks!

And THAT, folks, is just the way I roll!