In the early days...

I used to listen to a music group called Harvest, and they used to sing a song called In the Early Days. It was all about how in the early days of our christianity we are enthusiastic and energetic and passionate. I found myself humming that tune today--as I thought about all the things I used to do to keep my house clean that have fallen to the wayside with each new family addition. Strange connection, I know. So, in the early days....

I would scrub the siding at the front entrance of the house a couple times a year to take care of the spider poo, webs and coccoons. Not done yet....

I would wash the walls in every room with water and bleach to disinfect, brighten, and deodorize, at least twice a year. This year...well....

I would mop my kitchen floor once a week. Now I'm lucky to mop once a month.

I would scrub the inside of my fridge every couple of weeks or so. At this point things could possibly be growing in there and I wouldn't know it.

I would dust weekly. Now I dust before company.

This is helpful, however in pointing out all the jobs I could now add to the list of ways to keep bored children busy over summer vacation. If I've said it once I've said it a hundred times---find something to do! And teasing your brother doesn't count!

I admit a lack of enthusiasm, energy and passion for keeping my house clean. But something is stirring--maybe it's early nesting.

Fun times at the creek with Andrew

What little person does not love to play in the water? This little creek is the boundary line of our property. We can hear it from our bedroom windows, and it's a source of fun and adventure for all of the kids. Andrew took the two youngest to the creek the other day while I was working...

Sometimes the best kinds of fun are free!

Ultrasounds

Ultrasounds are amazing. They are the ultimate curiosity cure. Everyone wants to know what's inside a pretty package--how much more to know what's inside our own bodies. So I watched the screen showing me the profile of my baby, still inside my body. The legs folded up so the toes touched the head! Moving this way and that, perhaps to escape that thing that keeps pressing down. (I admit a little guilt at putting this little helpless one through such invasion.) Everything looks great, barring a slight placenta previa that will probably move before it becomes an issue.

And we will probably be having a girl! That's what the evidence (or lack thereof) seems to indicate. The tech was not 100% confident, but fairly certain. I'm no expert--but she sure does look like a little girl.

Bring on the pink! :>)

A play date

When Andrew was little, we spent lots of time with Dee and her little ones at the time: Hannah, Cotter and Jacob. As they got older we had fun with homeschool projects and game days and such. Now, there is a new batch of kiddos to grow in friendship. Today, Dan and Bannon had a play date. As I watched them play and chatter back and forth, I got teary. What a blessing to have friends to grow up with. I can't believe Dan is at the age where he's ready for more purposeful social interaction. Up til now, just going with the flow as older siblings visited and played with cousins and friends had been enough. But he's ready to forge his own friendships now. And so.....

The Gang (minus Jon who was already too cold to stay in)

Swim away from Chris--"the shark"

Yeah, they are cool..is Dan checking out the biceps?

Bannnon can go underwater

and it only takes a second to recuperate :>)

drying off with Choc Chip Banana Muffins

No play date is complete without defeating Darth Maul

You know, it's funny. They speak the same language. They laugh at each other's jokes. As they saw the other kids walking up the driveway, Bannon says," Whoa. At least it's not my mom. That would be bad." Dan agreed, "Yeah, real bad." :>)

And just because they are beautful.....

I do love a yard full...and pool... full of kids. I really do.

Let's ride the roller coaster!

It may sound strange, but with each pregnancy it gets easier and easier to forget, for hours at a time, that I am pregnant. And suddenly, like a wave crashing over me, I remember that there is a little person inside my body! I don't think that realization gets any less amazing the more pregnancies I go through. There's no mistaking those little flutters, kicks and punches for stomach rumbles anymore. They remind me to pray, to plan, to look to the future of this new little one. He or she will be 15 years younger than my oldest. She won't even start school until after Andrew has graduated high school! I can get overwhelmed by the long range outlook...another labor to go through!!!....2-3 more years of diapers....temper tantrums....18 more years of homeschooling....



Whoa, there, brain. One day at a time. And then I remind myself of the squishy little bundle I get to hold and love and feed and sing to. The tenderness that blossoms in the boys as they hold this cute little person. (It's always there in Emma). The destiny represented by this soul, loved, and called by God into existence. It's truly amazing that God allows us to be part of His creation in this way.



Pregnancy is a roller coaster ride....ups and downs and terrifying and exciting and sickening and exhilerating and oh so much more fun when you're sitting next to a friend. Anybody care to join me?

Hi-ho, hi-ho....it's off to work I go

I haven't said too much about my job as breastfeeding peer counselor lately, but it's very much on my mind this morning because today I will teach a pre-natal breastfeeding class. My objective is to make such a convincing case for breastfeeding that one or two expectant moms will consider it as an option. I have half an hour to cover how our bodies make milk through how to breastfeed discreetly in public. I'm a bit nervous. I don't want to come off as too teachy, too official. I also don't want to sound like a bumbling idiot. Somewhere in the middle would be nice.
Over the last few months I have contacted many, many new and expectant moms. I've brought to life the lending library and have taken over the breast pump loan program. I've planned two breastfeeding support groups for the end of this month, and I'm planning a breastfeeding awareness fair for the first week in August. In July I will take a week long course to become a Lactation Consultant. I still love this job. And it seems to love me. At least that's what my boss tells me! I'm thankful today for God's leading hand, and direction. It's not something I ever would have seen myself doing. But God surprises us with joy, sometimes. (Isn't that a title of a CS Lewis book?)