loudonland

6 months

2012-01-23T12:28:00.000-08:00

I almost missed this month. Tim reminded me this weekend that she will be 7 months in a few days (can it be so..)
my first thought was "I guess I need to take her 6 month photos"
Such a big one this 6 months - half way to a year.

Her accomplishments are incredible:
Crawling, sitting up alone, all kinds of new sounds (her favorite is "oie" and she says it over and over), She laughs big laughs and yells for no reason, she finds the tiny things on the carpet and samples them all, she eats a variety of food and is no sure she likes any of them.

She is pure joy.

love this girl!

January life

2012-01-19T11:41:00.000-08:00

C's got some new tricks

Look at the baby who can sit up

and she is so proud of herself.

Oldest sister is back in the swing of school things - hard but good!

I love it when forgotten toys get rediscovered.

January is for playing inside and creating with your imagination
This sister is so good at that.

January life is moving at a lightning pace
slow down...... don't rush..... the year has just begun.

365

2012-01-03T18:46:00.001-08:00

365, a set on Flickr. (click and browse or choose slide show)

2011 in images
Or watch this instead.....
2011 in Loudonland from melissaloudon on Vimeo.

A merry little Christmas

2011-12-31T06:07:00.000-08:00

The last day of the year - Goodbye 2011... You were filled with wonderful blessings and difficult lessons.
Christmas this year was low key, but we managed to squeeze in lots of fun time with friends too. So Thankful once again that we get to stay here.

Gingerbread house making

A bit of Christmas Hula

C found the festivities fascinating and a bit overwhelming

The girls new puppet theater

Lots of new games - twister is a favorite with these silly girls.

A is going to sew lots of fun projects on her very own machine.

Looking forward to spending the rest of 2011 in the same simple way. The girls are excited about staying up late and I am excited for a new year full of fresh possibilities.

Blessings to you in this year and the next.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T18:27:00.000-08:00

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas filled with the Joy that comes from Celebrating Jesus and being with those you love.

Recap

2011-12-16T12:03:00.000-08:00

December is half over, didn't it just begin yesterday? It seems like we have been busy with something each moment. I love Christmas... the tradition and the beauty. It feels so special - set apart from the rest of the year. I admit that this year there have been a few times I asked myself "WHY am I doing this..." why am I putting up all these decorations when in a few weeks I will just have to take them all down... why am a making another batch of goodies - heaven knows I do not need these in the house...... I should be doing laundry anyway.
It feels hard this year - doing all our normal Christmas things on top of school. new baby, selling house, and job changes. But I am doing it anyway - because their faces light up each time we do something, and they spend hours at the Christmas tree asking for the story behind our special ornaments. Because when cookies are baking you can't smell the poopy diapers and after dinner He smiles when there is something new. It's worth it.
Although I still wonder about Mama in her kerchief and when she found the time to settle down for that long winters nap....
It took me so long to get the tree decorated this year that the girls decided to do it themselves :)

I admit - I was tempted just to leave it like this.

We didn't

(A kiss the baby break)

Our sugar cookie day

a little singing makes the cookies bake faster.

A and her BFF singing in the Christmas program

Getting snuggly in the car with treats to go see the lights.

I think when I look back on this Christmas - "C's" first, and our 9th. I will not remember that I almost fell asleep in the car that night or the dull headache I have had all month or that I got behind on everything and no one got a Christmas card. I think I will remember that everyone had fun with the effort that I made whether it turned out the way I wanted it to or not.

Christmas

2011-12-05T13:28:00.001-08:00

Christmas is the happiness that lights our children's eyes.
Christmas is a song of bells ringing through the skies.
Christmas is a time of peace, of contentment deep within,
A time of love and silent hope that years will never dim.--Sherrill Thompson

this photo was entered into the i heart faces photo challenge -iheartfaces.com

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-12-05T12:27:00.001-08:00

The year we made it home to NY

The year of the 2 turkeys.

The deep fried one and the traditional (just in case it doesn't work) one.

it worked.... yummmm...

The year of her first Thanksgiving and her first "meeting the family. "

the year they all fell in love.

The year of the puppy... and B getting over her fear of dogs (Thanks Cooper)

The year of A's big idea
where we all picked out of a jar to see if we would be a Pilgrim or an Indian

The year of the Old fashioned Chocolate Cream Pie and the extra 5 pounds that came with it.

And another year to be thankful for what God has done

so much that He has done.

For the great, and the confusing, the exsausting, and the plentiful.

In His faithful way He has brought us through it all.

And we give Thanks.

She just keeps growing

2011-12-04T07:17:00.001-08:00

4 Months

5 Months

In 2 months Baby C's accomplishments include:

getting 2 teeth

rolling over both ways

sitting up for a moment on her own

enjoying "oatmeal"

growing out of her 3 month clothes

7 years

2011-11-30T19:26:00.001-08:00

Dear Sweet Girl,
I know you will read this because you always love seeing a new post. 7 years ago you gave me the greatest gift of my life, you made me a Mommy. I am so proud of you peanut, proud of what a great big sister you are and how hard you have worked in school. I appreciate what a great helper you are and how well you can read now. One of my favorite things is watching you read to your sisters. It was so fun to watch you lose 2 teeth and get your ears pierced - I love how brave you were during both. You have learned this year what it really means to be a Christian and I love how you want to follow Jesus and how you are learning to talk to Him about the things that bother you. Never forget that He is always with you and will always help you. You are so special girl, Daddy and I both think so. God made you unique with so many abilities and talents, I hope you will always use them for Him and others. You are beautiful and your smile makes people happy. Always be proud of who you are.
I love you lots and lots!
~Mommy

A's birthday was super fun this year - since it was ON Thanksgiving we partied a couple days before. We celebrated with donuts, a trip to the museum of play, a fall themed party with a huge "turkey" cookie, and getting loved on by lots of family. She thanked me later for "making her dreams come true".

I wish I could grant them all baby girl....

Happy 7th Birthday

Kiss

2011-11-17T18:36:00.001-08:00

She knows this so well -

I wonder if she thinks - why do they do this all the time?

Well with cheeks like that who can resist.

Whatever she thinks, she knows it's something good.

3 months

2011-10-17T18:31:00.000-07:00

WHAT? Are you serious?

That's right... I figured I had better record 3 months before it was too late.

Accomplishments:

Getting even cuter than before (how does she do it?)

Grabbing anything within reach including chunks of sisters hair

Sitting up (with help from the bumpo or pillows)

Getting her entire fist in her mouth

Headbutting anything that might taste good

Shaking the rattle

Holding her feet in the air for a very long time (If only I had that kind of core muscle)

Holding Mommy's heart in her chubby little fingers

"Real" life

2011-10-10T18:22:00.000-07:00

Real - is dancing in the sunshine and flying insects

Real - is playing for hours outside everyday

Real - is lots of scraped knees and bandaged toes

Real - is needing a bath every day

Real- is baskets of laundry, everywhere.

Real- is a major production to go anywhere

Real - is reciting math facts and English definitions while feeding a wiggly baby

Real- is diapers..... lots and lots of diapers

Real - is brown leaves crushed into the carpet already littered with crayons and books

Real- is 3 sisters piled together on the couch , laying beside each other on the floor, sitting next to each other at the table.

Real- is chubby cheeks constantly being kissed, and baby mouth giving kisses in return.

Real- is baby songs in the background

Real- is exhausted and brain dead

Real- is not finishing anything

Real- is running....

and running....

Real- is playing Indians, princess, pirates, mystery, school, house, and American girls all in the space of 30 minutes and then saying "what can we do now Mama?"

Real- is a new kind of centerpiece

Real- is drool on everything

Real- is tears and smiles (sometimes together)

Real- is trying, failing, trying again

Real- is doing what we have to do

Real- is putting what we WANT to do on the back burner

Real- is working

Real- is voices calling out in the night

Real- is praying

Real- is hugs and kisses and sweet little giggles

Real- is hard!!!

And I wouldn't trade it for anything.

The many faces of sweetness

2011-09-30T13:16:00.000-07:00

I am way behind on my pictures..
No more like life....
Way behind - that perfectly describes how I am feeling these days.
Anyway - back to the pictures.

I took these a couple weeks ago during some playtime the 2 of us were having and I just loved how many of her different "faces" I was able to get. All of my girls are very expressive with their faces, little C carries on the tradition.

and here is the proof that no one can resist those funny little faces.

Big news

2011-09-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

She lost it.

Her first tiny baby tooth - the first one she ever got

Gone

Replaced

Oh........... my baby.

The thing was wiggly for weeks, I thought about pulling it out for her but honestly - the thought kind of grossed me out. Her big tooth was already half way up before she popped it out by herself. And ohhhhhhh the excitement.

She had been waiting to use this.....

Her very own "Tooth bag" that she made her very own self. (with just a little help from Mommy)

She so desperately wanted a visit from the tooth fairy - but just as badly wanted to keep her tooth. So we wrote a note and tucked it inside the bag with her tooth

Dear Tooth Fairy,

I am glad that my tooth came out.

May I please keep it?

From, Avery

The next day her tooth remained but the note was gone.

In it's place was a special surprise and a teeny tiny piece of paper

She has another wiggly one she is working on now.
Sigh -
I hope the tooth fairy doesn't go broke.

Pumpkins nursery

2011-09-15T05:42:00.000-07:00

Well, look what is in our front yard.

YIKES!

This is the nursery that almost never was. When I found out about my hunny's job change and our probable move I abandoned all my grand plans for our new baby's nursery. We thought we would be long gone before she needed a space of her own. I sold the crib in a yard sale and figured we would just get what we needed when we moved into our new place. Well - this is just another way that I am learning to go with the flow and hold all my plans/dreams with an open hand. (Yes, I am talking about decorating AND the above adventure).

C's nursery was so fun for me to do. My challenge was...
~Create a nursery that was "sellable"
~Create a space that was enjoyable to be in
~Do it with basically NO budget

Here is the finished result.

Almost everything in here was handmade or re purposed somehow with exception of the crib Here is a little breakdown.
Crib - walmart (in store)
Dresser/night table - already had
Chair - second hand
Crib sheet - handmade from thrifted sheet
Bed skirt - re purposed twin bed skirt
Mobile - Handmade
Buntings- made with scraps
Lamp - re imagined with scrap fabric
Joy poster - http://www.katiedaisy.net/
art- http://www.etsy.com/shop/BreezyTulip and handmade

My favorite thing about this space is the photo's above the bed - I often walk in and see her staring up at them or talking to them with her little baby coo's.
I also love the butterfly mobile - all I have to do is blow on it a little and the butterflies dance in the air. It always makes her grin.

escape to the wilderness woods

2011-09-10T20:15:00.000-07:00

Friday we escaped from our walls and headed out into the brilliant day for a bit of exploring and fresh air. It was a perfect day - the kind that makes you want to stand and applaud God and never ever go back inside. Eventually we did go back inside, but not until we were fully exhausted. I wish I could have captured the day inside a bottle to save for a rainy day, but I must be content with what I could capture with my cannon.
So..... a little story of our day.

just rambles...

2011-09-08T10:55:00.000-07:00

We had a great labor day weekend together filled with family time, shopping (me), outside playing, new games, sorting and organizing, gardening, grouting tile, teaching daddy how to make milkshakes, movie night with popcorn, reading, napping, and a whole day of cleaning the house (we really did labor on labor day) the house is ready to debut on the market early next week. I am excited about it and dreading it at the same time. The thought of keeping everything "just so" and "doing life" at the same time is.... well... it seems daunting.
It's nice to have everything clean, it's weird to have half of our possessions in a storage unit. Especially since fall decided to arrive (We went from over a hundred degrees to about 60 in 2 days) all our warm clothing is packed away in a tub in a storage unit 15 min away from our house.
We laughed a lot too - Here are a few of the funnies from over the weekend....

(after feeding C) B says - Mama, I think she has "SPIToritus"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
During a conversation where we were talking about our favorite music artists:
B- "I like Toby Mac"
Daddy- "I was on an airplane with Toby Mac once"
A- "WHAT???? Really, you were on an airplane."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
B- "I am not touching THAT diaper one little bit"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
B- "I am going to create something that will fill your whole body up with joy"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

little pumpkin keeps us laughing with her funny faces and squeaky noises - the girls say she is "barking" - she does sound little a little puppy sometimes. She has also found out that she likes to suck on her thumb. Big sister A is so proud - to quote- "FINALLY , someone else in our family likes to suck on their thumb" Here are a ton of snapshots of baby C.

inspiration for today

2011-09-04T20:28:00.000-07:00

"No matter where you are in your life right now, no matter who you are, no matter how old you are - it is never too late to be who you are meant to be." - Esther + Jerry Hicks

“God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible.
What a pity when we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.” -A.W. Tozer

Sparrow and family

2011-09-02T09:23:00.000-07:00

It is so humbling to be invited into somebody's home and allowed the chance to try and capture a piece of who their family is. It's even more humbling to be asked back to do it again. Little Sparrow has changed so much in 4 months and it was so sweet to watch this little family interact together. Here are some of my favorites from our time together - the ones that are not so posed, but more "caught" and show the love and fun between them.

lil' pumpkin - 2 months

2011-09-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

2 months old on Saturday....

Time is flying away

I'm trying my best to capture as much as I can with my camera

I'm capturing the rest in my heart

Accomplishments include:

laughing

cooing

lifting up her head

reaching for toys

trying so hard to roll over (yikes)

weighing in at a whopping 10 lbs 7 oz

sleeping over 10 hours straight

and generally looking cute in various headbands

2011-08-31T07:58:00.000-07:00

Summer is over - well not technically I guess but we have started school so I guess in my mind summer is over. I am so glad. As much of a transition as it's going to be (!st grade, pre-school, and an infant) I am breathing deep sighs of relief that new seasons are on the way. Both outside and inside our little home. It's been a very long summer. I feel like I have been on a tilt-a-whirl for months - and yes I'm a bit dizzy.

But the ride is slowing down and I can't wait to put my feet on the ground again. maybe.... You just never know with life sometimes.

The summer began.... pursuing a job change, a move to an unfamiliar city, a baby expected,and a house to sell.
The summer is ending with... a new job that is not exactly what we expected but things are getting better, the addition to our family of a sweet baby girl, a house going on the market next week, and finding out that we do NOT have to move out of town but we get to stay here... In this southern city that has become such a home for us Yankee's.

Whew - I am ready for a vacation.

It will be a while though - things are still hopping in Loudonland. We started school last week. I have to admit, I am glad for the return of routine and for something stable I can base our days around. My goal for this school year is to have fun (what? school year? fun? ). We need it... we need to laugh and explore and reconnect and relax. They need my attention and the dicipline of an ordered day - something that they have not had much of this summer.
So - in honor of the beginning of school and having a little fun we put together a little fun photo shoot (because that's one way we do fun here..)

She can often be found reading the dictionary - in fact she likes to take it to bed with her. On the floor below her foot are some of her favorite books this year - She loves reading about animals, inventions and how the human body works.

But when asked what her favorite book was - this is the one she went and got

a mystery.

Now that's MY child for sure.....

After a while we started to get a little crazy -

and of course sister wanted in on the action...

She had already eaten her apple...

Our theme verse for the year is PHIL 4 :13

"I can do ALL things through HIM who gives me strength."

Whatever else we learn this year this is the thing I want them to remember

WaSh Day -personal photo project

2011-08-19T07:34:00.000-07:00

My birthday was yesterday and for my gift I decided I wanted to do a photo shoot with the girls. This idea has been swimming around in my heart for weeks just waiting for the right time. Yesterday everyone seemed up for it so off we went to the backyard for some fun. The light was challenging and beautiful all at the same time, not all the images that I will post are well exposed, but I love them too much not to post them.

Our theme was "wash day", the girls were amazed at the idea that people actually washed there clothing by hand and hung them outside to dry (oh how spoiled we are). Little C was not so sure she liked her part in our fun, but she was a good sport long enough for me to get a couple shots.

Overall we had a ton of fun with this and played long after I put the camera down.

Here is a little story of our wash day......

Happy Weekend everybody - hope your laundry is as fun as ours
~MM

snapshots on saturday

2011-08-13T05:55:00.000-07:00

So many changes this week

B got a cute new hair cut - she thinks it makes her look "grown-up". She has been thinking about the movie "tangled" this week and for 2 days walked around with this hairbrush brushing her hair for hours and asking "is it longer like tangled yet?"

I've been busy working on pumpkins room - since it was time for her to move into it. I've got a few things to do and then I will share some photos.

Happy weekend my friends!

beating the heat

2011-08-10T05:49:00.000-07:00

When it is 100+ degree outside and air conditioned inside a Mom has to get creative after a while.

A good fort will keep a child occupied for a couple hours at least. Put on a good audio book and you've suddenly got time to finish that laundry, wash those dishes, pay those bills, and complete a dozen more of those tasks that have been patiently waiting for you.

and the memories will last a lifetime.

Snap shots on Saturday

2011-08-06T06:06:00.000-07:00

stretch

recognition

cheeky

waiting

touch

Sisters

2011-08-02T12:41:00.000-07:00

The bond between sisters is something I have always admired. Something about the connection between these girls is so different than the connection between a brother and sister.

I watch it with a kind of awe -

Each of them have a place

The Firstborn- is in charge, the helper, Mommy #2, the one who tries hard to make everything right and make sure everyone is happy.

The second born- The one who keeps the fun alive, the energy, the storyteller, making the silly faces and covering everyone with kisses

The Baby- content as long as she is snuggled in someones arm

Begun from the same place they are so different but familiar.

they are intertwined to the soul and know each other instinctively

and I pray it will always be that way.

The big question is always

Who do you think C looks like...

To me she is a perfect blend of the 2 while still sporting her own look.

And already showing a personality as big as either of her sisters, I can't wait to see it emerge. This week we got our first big grins and little coo's from little C (who is still mostly known as Pumpkin here at home) Something about those little eyes knowing you and happy to see you makes 12am and 2am and 5am (respectively) seem like not such a big deal. There is a lot going on in loudonland these days, but I am trying my best to keep my camera handy, and I am going to try my best to post some short updates and photos .

xo

~MM

A few highlights from the past few weeks

2011-07-16T13:58:00.000-07:00

Finally meeting face to face.

Healthy Baby Girl

Amazing Miracle

So blessed

Our special "sister party" at the hospital
complete with cupcakes, crafts, and special surprises

Millions of kisses

Homecoming

Our precious pumpkin pie

Fourth of July fun

Our hands and hearts are full to overflowing.

And getting far to little of this.

She's Here

2011-07-01T17:25:00.000-07:00

The reason things have been quite around here....

Cassidy Joy

arrived 6/27

and I've been too busy covering that face with kisses.

I will be back soon with updates and more pictures.

My brains on random

2011-06-17T08:48:00.000-07:00

So, how are things with you?

Enjoying your summer?

My oldest loves to check the calender and remind me "it's not summer yet, it's still spring"

But it sure feels like summer to me.

The heavy air all sticky with heat -

Friends all busy with travel and VBS-

School, bible study, dance class all on summer break.

Phone and e-mail still and quiet.

Camp is over, we had a great week. We always have a great time at camp. Truly I can not imagine our summer without it. To me that is the beginning of summer. It was super Hot this year and our afternoons were spent in the water as much as possible. A, remembered everything she learned last year and after the first day Nana had her doing handstands in the water. The girl LOVES to swim! B surprised everyone with a brand new confidence in the water, and as soon as she realised she could touch the bottom of the pool she took off in the water and became little miss mermaid. (followed close by Momma who more resembled a whale)

So now I am dreaming of a pool in the new house.

As refreshing as that was, it was the time to just sit on the porch and pray or just sit and watch the girls at play that was like water in the desert. To be still and rest and see God.

Being away for a week ended up being the best thing for me and for all of us really.

The day before we left we had a moving sale- things are getting serious now. There was a strange emptiness afterward in the house, big gaps where furniture was missing and things all out of place. It wasn't hard letting go of the stuff, it was hard swallowing the reality of leaving and the chaos of packing up a family.

Chaos has become normal, it seems - our living room looks like an explosion of clothes, furniture, books, and art stuff.

We are beginning to pack things away in boxes. We are trying to find boxes.

I took down the pictures, the walls look lonely without them.

I bought paint - so strange picking out colors that were chosen for me instead of ones I chose for myself.

There is still no sign in the yard, there is more that has to be done first.

I had a huge burst of energy on Wednesday and tackled our bedroom - it felt so good to check that off the list, but the next day I was so weary I couldn't do anything.

Baby pumpkin grows bigger every day and I know she is not long in joining us , funny thing is she is now about the size of a pumpkin or a leek depending on where you look. The waiting never does get easier, we are all eager for her to come. She has no nursery, she has no crib, she has very little in the way of "stuff". Not at all what I had planned or dreamed of, but it's all good. She will have many arms to hold her and love her, she will have a little bassinet next to our bed and sisters who will never leave her alone. What else can a new girl want for.

Everything seems to be hanging on her arrival-

We do things, we piddle at our lists but our plans all revolve around

"After the baby comes"

After the baby comes we will:

Finish the to do list

Get a storage unit

put the house on the market

Start looking at properties

........

The girls are handling all of this in different ways
The past couple days I've been trying to make a conscious effort to relieve some of the stress, I see it's been effecting them. A especially has been really sad and kind of lost.
I've tried to think of some special things to take us out of the house and away from the chaos. We did a surprise donut run one morning, visited a new library, family walks, game time, making things in the kitchen, and just some snuggling.
Last night I realised what a difference a simple smile can make.... today I am making the effort to smile at them whenever they catch my eyes. I'm finding it makes me feel better too.

With so many big things going on in our lives, it's been so easy to overlook the little... but it's the little things. Like chocolate donuts and family walks that make the big things we are going through bearable.

One day at a time -
That's really hard for me to do.
I keep reminding myself of that silly saying
"how do you eat an elephant?"
-One bite at a time-

Some photos from camp week....

Out of the waiting room and into the whirlwind....

2011-05-26T12:27:00.000-07:00

My morning devo began “In a world of unrelenting changes, I (Jesus) am the one who never changes.”

I am so thankful for that reminder. So thankful as I look back over this past year and can see the truth of that statement in so many different ways. Both the first part - the world revolving around change and the second - there is one who never changes, we can always count on it.

I have in many past posts referred to us being in “God’s waiting room”. Knowing that our family was likely to experience some life altering change in the future and how we are waiting on God’s perfect timing to show us what that was.

In the waiting room we have been sitting.... learning the art of trusting, resting, letting go, and also holding close. He is a strange one, this God of mine. I can do no more than shake my head in wonder and say “If you say so then... ok... can’t wait to see how you work it all out.”

And then there comes a day when the doors and the windows that you have been waiting behind all swing open at once and your faced with another choice. Do I go through? What kind of strangeness could be out there? Scary...

So, our little family finds itself released from the waiting room and lifted up in a whirlwind of change. We will be leaving our home of 11 years in Middle TN and moving somewhere near the KY border. A job is waiting there for my husband - a good job. One that will allow for more family time which considering we will be increasing in size in just a few weeks is a very good thing.

The whirlwind is the timing. After waiting for such a long time, we now have 1 month until this new job starts. And 1 month before our precious number 3 is born. Yes, on the same day a new life and a new job are due to begin.

And what can I say but “If you say so then... ok... can’t wait to see how you work all this out.” Is God’s timing really perfect? From the perspective of my circumstances at this moment that sounds crazy. Is God’s timing really perfect? From everything I have seen Him do up to this point, I can not say... but shout with certainty “YES - it MUST be true as it has always been true.”

I didn’t say easy.................... He didn’t promise me that................

And so I am and will cling to the one who never changes and I will (as I must) remind myself of that every day of this very truth.

Pray for us, it will not be an easy summer.

A's big day

2011-05-25T18:37:00.000-07:00

She started talking about it on Sunday

"Mom, I am ready to get my ears pierced" Can we go tomorrow?

Every day she asked... "can we go today?"

This from the girl who was never, ever, ever going to get her ears pierced. When she makes up her mind she is determined to see it through.

(how can I get that to translate into chores....?)

She had so many butterflies in her tummy I thought she was going to back out.

Nope.

She knew just which ones she wanted too -

Don't be fooled by the above photo. This girl of mine was so brave. She closed her eyes tight and counted 1...2...3..4..5.. and by 30 it was totally finished. Not one tear, not one flinch, not one owww. Just calm and collected counting and then - a huge huge smile.

I don't know who was more impressed. Me or the lady that did it.

"I just LOVE them"

I can't believe I got pierced ears"

"I am so happy"

"Don't forget we have to clean them"

"I think Daddy will LOVE my earrings"

"I can't wait to show EVERYONE"

"You can put the pictured on the computer so everyone can see"

Now her ears sparkle almost as much as her eyes..

A whole new world

2011-05-22T17:23:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I am actually posting an event on the same day that it happened.

This afternoon the girls had their dance recital. They preformed different 3 numbers

The above being "A whole new world"

Avery got to play the role of "Jasmine" along with another girl and did a fantastic job telling her "Aladdin" what he was supposed to do next. :)

Seriously though.....

The girls loved their experience in Dance this year - we took classes from our local Community Center. The teacher was fantastic, the girls had so much fun and it was both stretching and refreshing to get outside my little "comfort zone" and meet some new people. I will miss my weekly track walking and mom chatting.

I think B's favorite number was "take me out to the ballgame" She has been singing that song for the past 2 months shouting "1, 2, 3 strikes... YOUR OUT"

After the big event we took the girls (along with Auntie who came to cheer :) ) out for some yummy Ice Cream. Do you know Baskin Robbins now has soft serve? DANGEROUS!

A sweet ending to a sweet afternoon.

Hello again

2011-05-12T05:44:00.000-07:00

It's been a while. April seems to have flown away and May is trying to keep up the pace. I for one am more than ready for things to start slowing down a bit, but that doesn't appear as reality.

Is it better to be busy than bored?

Not convinced- I think a little boredom in life is good for creativity.

Busy however is the more necessary -

Much of these past couple weeks have been busy with end of the year program wrap up's, photography and video projects, nursery painting, and sewing... sewing... sewing... with summer already on us and a baby getting ready to make her debut in a few weeks there was quite a long list. Thanks to a generous friend who loaned me her serger for a few weeks my "done pile" has grown to include:

4 skirts, 2 nightgowns, 2 sundresses, 3 crib sheets, 3 burp clothes, 2 diaper covers, 1 blanket, 1 ruffled onesie, 1 top, and 2 flower girl dresses.

Whew...

We made a quick weekend trip north to celebrate Tim's baby brothers wedding and the girls had their first experience being in a bridal party. After the nerves subsided they had a ton of fun. The theme for all the girls dresses was "coordinating" not "matching" I am loving this particular trend - it was a fun challenge to figure out how to match their dresses without matching them.

Sometimes we don't realise how much we miss being with family. We have lived "away" for so long now it's normal. Being with everyone - even for just a short time, was so sweet.

I can say the same thing for the 4 of us -

Getting out of town gave us the chance to be together and take a deep breath, play with the girls and do some snuggling.

I am now 33 weeks along in this pregnancy and I now know why 12+ hour trips in the car are not recommended in late pregnancy.

Baby Pumpkin also chose this particular weekend to have a growth spurt and drop down low, and I am still trying to figure out how it is possible to go away for 1 weekend and come home to have most of your pants not fit.

We are getting so anxious to meet this little one - it seems she is so close to being here and still so far away at the same time. I think we have finally chosen a name for her (although at this point she is still known as pumpkin). And No, I will not tell you if her name begins with a C or not - the monogramming will just have to wait.

Baby Sparrow

2011-04-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

Early this week I got to visit this beautiful blue eyed boy. Only a couple months old and he already has major charm and are you kidding me,,,,, perfect hair. I had a blast watching this active little guy through my lens and He did great. He even told me in no uncertain terms when He had enough of me and my camera.  So great getting to meet and hang out with His Mom who is also an amazing recording artist check out her website here (we have several of her albums and my girls love them).  It was not a surprise that Sparrows favorite toy turned out to be a musical guitar.  

This little guy has Rock star blood.

Enjoy the sweetness!

Hello Blue Eyes

Baby's got style

Visual feasting

2011-04-18T05:47:00.000-07:00

Look at the amazing surprise that was on our back porch last evening. So amazing, the color of these eggs. Even more so because these are the colors I chose for the nursery - how is that for inspiring. Last night I felt like I had been invited to a visual feast. The Sunshine was golden and amazing. The girls were running around in fresh green with their pretty dresses on. The colors were so vivid everywhere. It was like cold water on a hot day..... refreshing.

I love how she matched the Robin's nest.

Week 29 and a half... and growing.... and falling more in love every day.

Now on to a new week.

Struggle as gift

2011-04-15T14:36:00.000-07:00

struggle - daily, moment by moment.

That is the theme of my week. Just being honest.

At night I lay in bed just grateful to have made it through another day - whispering pleas to the one who carried me to please do it again tomorrow. Sleep comes quickly - so does morning.. too quickly.. I am seeing numbers on the clock I was hoping not to see for a few more months. Husbands work hours have stretched long, attitudes of children remind me of my call to train and make me weep with the uncertainty. Are they getting it at all? Body and mind weary late in pregnancy.

Calender demanding that I keep going, life demanding that I keep going.

I hate the struggle - but it is good for me to find refuge in God. He is always there

He does not forget that I am made from dust, and so He is not surprise at my tendency to return there.

How loving and patient He is, how gentle He is to those who call out to Him in need.

He is a Rock - a steady and unmoving place.

He is a sure shelter when Life beats Hot or when storms threaten to destroy.

And anything that causes my eyes to turn away from Me is mercy and kindness.

I haven't been able to get away from this song -
and it's relevance and truth.

And I keep writing them down -
I write them through Hot tears, but they are still gifts.

204- house to be fixed

205- Prayers answered with "No"

206- Lessons in waiting

207- An easier bedtime

208- My own neediness

........

227- Calm after the storm

228- tears of release

229- victory in thanksgiving

........

238- My exchange of sin for clean

243- a new dawn

244- a husbands means of providing

246- God sees me

247- God hears me

248- God knows me

249- God values me

.........

253- Jesus loves me - He is my friend

254- Hot tears

255- Knees bent in dependence

256- Found Grace

Chapel - 3 months

2011-04-09T04:47:00.000-07:00

If there is anything that is making me impatient for our little punkin to enter the world it is getting to take pictures of this beautiful baby girl. Enjoy a little peek at pure preciousness. I guarantee it will start your weekend off with a smile.

All images copyright Melissamariephotography

DO NOT reproduce or use without permission

Straight paths can still be bumpy

2011-04-08T06:20:00.000-07:00

FIRST WATERMELON

Life moves and we continually move with it.
Some weeks are filled with sameness and that is so good.
We have fun and we laugh and I watch forts being built on chairs.
Fresh fruit in the fridge and blue eyes are dancing. Lovely colored painting are on the wall and new photographs. The home smells like brownies and we are smiling.

Sometimes the sameness makes the small annoyances of life seem greater than they really are.
In all honesty - I not that Mom that is always patient. That serves her children unselfishly. I do not always take interruptions well. If I am tired... I am grumpy.
I wish I wasn't.
I hate my weakness.

I am still counting gifts...
The pages are filling, but slowly. Because it's not easy for me to see them sometimes. But it is getting easier for me to see my own yuckiness bubbling to the surface. How many things I'd rather NOT accept as Grace - a gift. It's a 180 thinking.
a rest interrupted...
a day combating strife and squabbles..
Chores unfinished and stuff left on the floor..
friends struggling, no words...
Physically struggling...
4am and still can not sleep....
All is Grace?????
really...

Yes.
It is all Grace... Give Thanks.... Write those down.
I am trying to understand how, but really what I need to do is just accept.
Trust in the Lord with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding.. acknowledge Him in all my ways... trust.. He will make my path straight. (Prov3:5-6)
And so I do write it down and I say Thank you, and then I find I AM filled with gratitude. For forgiveness and second chances, for a new morning filled with mercy, for God being on the throne - still.
Grace - His undeserved kindness, His giving of gifts that I don't understand. For the purpose of understanding that I am small... and HE is Big.

gifts

2011-03-29T19:06:00.000-07:00

I am keeping the promise to myself

I am taking on a dare by her

noticing the grace gifts in my life.....writing them in a notebook

cultivating a heart of gratitude to the giver,

feeding my appitite for full living.

"one thousand gifts" - a book, a challenge,and for me an answer to prayer.

If you read one book this year - let it be this one.

#11- warmth found on a chilly night

#12- clean water, anytime

#13- waking up slow to morning birds song

#21- Homemade bagels

#22- small hand in mine

#23- Children's radio drama's

#31- silly thing said that makes me laugh

#32- laptops for movies

#33- community of believers

#42- pink nail polish on sister's piggies

#43- loud, joyful singing in the car

#44- tissues

#51- 3 "I love you's"

#52- Rainbow ribbons holding curls

#53- finding treasures under dusty bed

#54- meaningful conversation

#73- 100% on test

#74- strawberries in March

#75- reading together

#76- Being able to just sit with the sun on my face

........
(linking to)

Jump

2011-03-28T18:04:00.000-07:00

I will

2011-03-23T05:25:00.000-07:00

"Oh give thanks to the Lord for He is good."

~A thought that circles around my mind lately~

"Give Thanks"
"offer to Him a sacrifice of thanksgiving"
"Rejoice in all things, for this is the will of God concerning you"
"enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise"
"come before His presence with thanksgiving"

I need the reminders.

I can enter the presence of God anytime of the day with simple Thanksgiving.

I can live life with abundance and flavor if I learn to see the gifts of moments

I need the practice.

My heart can burst full of joy no matter what the weather of my day looks like

Because HE is good and His gifts surround me

I will open my eyes.

I will take up my pen and write them down.

I will practice entering into this life fully awake.

I will start today.

A Friday and 25th week

2011-03-18T13:10:00.000-07:00

25 Weeks....

ordinary trials and what I am learning from them

2011-03-15T12:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday it rained - a lot- and I happened to be driving on the interstate during it.

I am talking about the kind of rain that is so thick and gray that you can see the car in front of you and... well that's about it.

I was struck by this thought.

"This is exactly how I could describe my life at this moment"

chaos feels like it is all around me and I can't do anything but what is a few lengths in front of me...

Do you ever feel like that?

can't keep up..

can't see where I am going..

I think we all do at times....

and like the rain it's there for a while and then it clears. You just have to keep on driving and in the meantime concentrate on not running into anything.

Part of me feels shame to admit that I can't keep up the pace. Shouldn't I be able to do everything, and do it with a smile on my face. Isn't that what a godly women / good mom / good wife / leader looks like?

My life is good!

I have a home, food to eat, clothes to wear, money to keep the lights on and the water hot.

There are so many right now around the world who don't...

Trials and troubles take so many forms

and sometimes they come because of the ordinary.

sickness, pregnancy, tierdness, a dream not realised, a child's behavior, lost keys, life change..etc.

Funny thing is - I notice how differently I handle these ordinary troubles.

Those times in my past when life as I knew it suddenly crumbled around me were the times I fell to my knees the fastest and ate the words of Jesus like daily bread, I learned to rest in Him and be carried by His strength.

"In this world you will have trouble, but do not be afraid.. I have overcome the world"

This past week I have sludged through trial of the ordinary so thick.... and honestly?

I have been mad about it. I have been mad through it.

It doesn't make sense. To accept the trouble of the tragic and not the ordinary.

I think perhaps it has to do with my own desperation. How desperate am I for God in daily life? It is common that I have to reach the end of myself before I begin to look for Him.

I was recently reminded that God's ultimate purpose is not to make our lives easy but to conform those who are His more and more into the image of His son.

To draw us more closely to Him, to transfer our dependance from ourselves to Him.

I have had to ask myself this:

When I go to Him... am I willing to accept this and to submit to HIS process?

Or when I pray do I expect that He's just going to make everything "All better"?

Is that why I get mad in the trouble of the ordinary?

"In this world you WILL HAVE trouble, but do not be afraid I have overcome the world"

The truth is that God knows us (me) and he knows how we work -

He knows that we pay attention better when the rain is heavy and the road is slick, and when we are paying attention He can continue His real work in us.

(photos of the -ordinary- from this past week)

rambly post

2011-03-02T14:54:00.000-08:00

Okay - just so you know this post is going to be a LOT of pictures of my cute children.

Getting outside for them means f.r.e.e.d.o.m..... getting outside for me means "where's my camera", not all the time but most of the time. They are so used to Mom sticking that thing in their faces. If they don't want their photo taken they just turn around - that's alright I'll just take a picture of their back. :)

It's been so nice here the past few days we took off to our favorite park for some hiking (which actually means acorn and rock collecting)

I was loving A's looks today - So rock star / punk.

For my girls - the more pattern and color and sparkles on the clothes the better they work together.

Such a difference from their Mom who's closet is a study in the colors Navy, gray, and black. They got super excited about the sparkly headband I wore today - it was their topic of conversation for about 5 minutes. It won't be long before I start asking their advice on fashion.

SHE IS GROWING SO FAST!

I am finding 6 to be a very challenging age in some ways. Tim told me to get used to it because she will be like this for about 5 years. I think I will dub this time the "Goofy" phase.

Definition:

The time in a child's life where everything has to be either silly and hilariously funny....

or the end of the world.

-There is no in between-

It's okay most of the time. I am just learning I need to be very specific with my requests. For example instead of "please read this sentence" it would have to be......."In your normal voice please read......"

"I want you to do these number facts - without making that noise"

Parenting never ceases to surprise me - just when you get used to your kids being a certain way , they change on you.

Her sister of course find's it ALL hilarious.

It is nice to think that our new little one will never lack for entertainment

Tomorrow I will be 23 weeks along. "Punkin" as we have nicknamed little sister is another mover and shaker. So far she seems to be growing steady and healthy, I am so thankful for every movement. I am growing too - straight out. It's so funny - my tummy almost looks pointy. The girls continue to be fascinated by it and by how punkin is progressing. B found out the baby could begin to hear voices now and she has taken to yelling at my tummy "Hellloooo.. can you hear me... How are you doing in there..."

This past week she was the size of a spaghetti squash, this week she will be the size of a large mango.

I have no idea how large a large mango is, but some days she seriously feels more like a bowling ball.

We have a couple of name possibilities, but it's going to be hard to decide.

I am not finding the 2nd trimester to be "a return of energy" - in fact I feel very low energy. Which makes me very unmotivated to do anything. Housework and projects have been just the bare minimum.

It's a bit discouraging when I look at my "To Do" list, so I've been trying not to look at it.

So silly

She comes by it honestly!

Signs

2011-03-01T09:18:00.000-08:00

It came as a shock to me

I am so used to the gray bareness of winter

Signs of spring are everywhere

Peaking up here and there

A bit of color

FRESH, NEW, FRAGRANT,

finally here....

I find myself sighing deep sighs of relief.

I remember and contemplate the promises of God.......

then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. (Deut 11:14)

Behold, I make all things new (Rev 21:5)

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. (IS 43:19)

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecl 3:11)

Welcome March

The month of spring, of new, of renewed hope.

We gladly receive you with open arms and joy filled hearts.

Chapel - a peek at some serious sweetness

2011-02-28T07:08:00.000-08:00

Hello Beautiful

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of doing another photo session with this beautiful family after they welcomed into their family Sweet baby sister

CHAPEL

Do you not just want to kiss all over those amazing cheeks.

Sweet Chapel is one truly blessed little girl to be born into this fun loving family. She has already captured the hearts of her Big brother and sister, as well as everyone who meets her.

I can't think of a better way to start off the week than with a peek of Baby cuteness...

PURE LOVE

Please do not copy or reproduce any of these images
melissamariephotography

looking for sprinkles

2011-02-22T05:38:00.000-08:00

For a moment I find myself in relative quiet -

The door is open beside me and Daddy is chief in charge of outside energy output.

It feels good to be making a new post - this week I just have not had the energy or will to do more than check e-mails.

I have battled the nasty flu bug this past week and today I am feeling rather victorious (If not a bit wobbly). I tell you - does it not seem like this particular winter people are dropping like flies? (where does that statement come from anyway, it is so silly).

Moment of quiet now over- the troops have arrived and are looking for dinner.

These are a few random pic's I took during my week of couch hugging.
The kiddo's were real troopers this week. Not complaining about missed activities, and content to find their own fun either inside with coloring and puzzles and toys or outside in the yard being "scouts" and building campfires (pretend). And we are proof that you can survive and be alright on an entire week of PB and J sandwiches, cereal and chicken soup - as long as you throw in an occasional piece of fruit..... And I learned that frozen lasagna is actually pretty decent (I know.....)

As much as I hate being sick (especially for such a long time) I have to admit that God knows just what I need. Sometimes that is to just practice being still, embracing a peaceful moment without guilt, indulging in sleep. Why do I have to be forced into such blessings -
The world, even my world, continues to move in orbit even if I am not busy. I don't hold anything up - not really.
If if I am not still - I would miss the birds early spring song and the cool breeze's embrace through the open window, I would miss watching little ballerina's twirl, I would miss the deep concentration on her face as she carefully puts her crayon to the paper, I would miss conversation with a 4 year old about life and the possibilities of the future.
God breaths His love on us in small ways too. Are we paying attention? Is it possible we are walking right past the most beautiful of gifts because our eyes are fixed on the next thing we need to do?

The big things in life are consuming... Here, we have major decisions to work through this year. Things that change the course of life.
God sprinkles small and lovely surprises through our day to remind us of his presence, that His eyes see us and His ears are attentive to our prayers.
Be aware....
Be thankful.......

Small blessings can outweigh large trials.

Be aware...
Be thankful.....

Happy Valentine's day

2011-02-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

An announcment

2011-02-12T14:55:00.000-08:00

That's right we are super excited to be announcing sister N.3

We will now be accepting donations to our "Wedding fund" (just kidding - kind of)

choosing the lovely

2011-02-08T11:11:00.000-08:00

 Today I am choosing to celebrate the things around me that bring me happiness and joy.

I am choosing not to zoom in on the laundry pile on the couch, the dirty floor, the dishes unwashed, the mountain of things to be sorted, or the books that never made it off the floor. 

I will get to those today too....

For this moment I am making the choice to remember that I am equally surrounded by the beautiful

the creative, the personal, the collected, the precious.

Things all around me that I don't always see because I don't always CHOOSE to.  

For me this is the practice of the positive

a response to the words I read this morning

"Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy

Think about such thing!"

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” — Helen Keller

What do you do on a friday night?

2011-02-05T09:50:00.000-08:00

This is how we roll in Loudonland on a Friday night....

Party on party people

This is how WE like to do it.

Hope your weekend is full of things YOU like to do.

feeling febuary-ish

2011-02-03T12:36:00.000-08:00

335

February - It's hard for me to remember it's already here. The first month of 2011 flown away and all gone. A new month, a new day, another chance. I am finding hope in this new month. I am resolving to walk through it with a better attitude, more kindness, and more faith... not perfectly (although I can't help but wish)... but more aware.

More words of encouragement and love for my girls

a softer voice

an earlier morning to spend time with Jesus

a perspective change of my circumstances

more honest prayer

Not because I am a super spiritual giant -

but because I am desperately and hopelessly needy.

334

We've started putting our hands to work with a few little valentine's crafts. The girls are planning some spectacular projects - ALL of them have to do with lots and lots of glitter. I personally am looking forward to the ones having to do with sugar and butter.

We have never done valentines up very big before - nothing really more than a special treat or two. This year the girls are old enough and aware enough to be motivating me to do something special. I'm not sure what yet. Any ideas?

Maybe a fancy candlelight dinner, or a scavenger hunt, hmm...

333

I was able to do this fun 30min or so craft the other day during quite time, it looks so happy hanging in our kitchen. Not hard to do and pretty to look at. Wanna make one too? There is a great tutorial here at this site, take a look it's a beautiful website with lots of fun ideas.

Hope your February is filled with all the best things...

Bring it on.

Just us

2011-02-02T13:43:00.000-08:00

336

In it together...

Safe

2011-02-01T04:50:00.000-08:00

337

The Safe Place by Elizabeth Prentiss

I went to Jesus with a prayer
      Upon a suppliant's knee;
Low at His cross I laid me down,
      Nor asked His face to see,
Yet whispered in His ear the tale
      No mortal ear could bear:
The story of a faithless heart,
      And of its self-despair.
I told Him how my feet had slipped,
      How often gone astray;
How oft my heart refused to love,
      My lips refused to pray.
In stammering words that none but He
      Hearing could understand,
I made complaint of careless work
      Done by a careless hand.
Of wasted hours, of idle words,
      Of love oft waxing dim,
Of silence when a warmer heart
      Had testified of Him.
I owned my weak and selfish ways;
      How often all day long,
Moanings and sighs had filled His ears
      To whom I owed a song.
And what said He? What whispered words
      Responded unto mine?
Did He reproach me? Did His love
       On me refuse to shine?
Nay, thus He spoke, and bent Him low
      To reach my anxious ear,
“My child, thou doest well to lie
      As thou art lying here ;
I knew thy human weakness, knew
      Each lurking bosom sin,
Knew it, and yet in loving grace
      Thy heart I stooped to win.
I knew that thou wouldst often fall,
      Poor work for Me wouldst do,
Wouldst give Me only half thy love,
      Give praises faint and few.
And yet I choose thee. Be content
      And since thou canst not fly
To heights by dearer souls attained,
      Let it suffice to lie
Here at My feet; it is the place
      To which My loved ones flee;
They find it sweet, and so shalt thou;
      'Tis a safe place for thee.”
Yes, it is sweet, and it is safe!
      And here will I abide;
Sinful, and yet forgiven, sad,
      And yet so satisfied.

fun, sun, names and stuff

2011-01-31T12:15:00.000-08:00

338

339

Do you see where we are?

and not wearing winter coats and hats.

The weather broke over the weekend and warmed things up a bit.

Oh - how I've missed you vitamin D

There is nothing quite as fun to watch as children who are set free in the sunshine after being cooped up in the house for weeks. One outside game after another was played then discarded for another one. Dirt was happily smeared all over faces and clothes and that night sleep came fast and sweet for all of us. It makes me almost ache for spring to come.

I am nearing my 19th week in this pregnancy (Half way there) The girls have begun to remark over my belly getting big and will occasionally during a moment of snuggling will reach over to give it a pat pat pat. I am feeling more and more butterfly flutters all the time, it's one of the only things right now that keeps me mindful that indeed something is going on in there. Well, That and the constant potty trips and insomnia. I am just so thankful to be able to eat again.
We seem to be divided on what we think the baby is going to be and even more divided over what the baby's name should be. Will the baby's name start with a "C" is the big question...
At this point my biggest question is will the baby have a name at all - no name seems to quite fit right yet.
Suggestions anyone?

Hope again

2011-01-27T07:05:00.000-08:00

340

This has been the longest season I've ever had.

I'm not really talking about winter, although this particular winter has seemed unusually long and cold and gray (I thought we lived in the sunny south).

although now that I've written it I would proabably use those same words to describe the season of my life. Certainly unusually long, at times cold and heavy with gray. This month in particular I have stuggled, I guess I thought that along with the putting up this years calender other things would change as well. That we would finally usher in a new season along with the new year.

still waiting

I thought things would settle into a normal that would be more like the normal I wanted.

still wishing

I thought the "after this is over we can.." part of our lives would finally be here

still wanting

So discouragment has been the constant battle in my heart and God has put ever so many of my tears in His bottle. I find myself on my knees more than ever. He answers me with words like:

Trust

Wait

Hope

persevere

praise

choose

love

 I don't always like those words. Abracadabra is more what I want to hear. (Just being honest)But the answer is in those words above because Abracadabra is not reality.

Yesterday a friend of mine emailed me the words to one of my favorite childhood songs and the words went deep again. Reminding me of the truth I have known since infancy, but am still learning new every year I live. 

He's still working on me, to make me what I ought to be.
It took him just a week to make the moon and the stars
the sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars
how loving and patient he must be.
He's still working on me. 

There really ought to be a sign upon my heart
don't judge me yet, there's an unfinished part,
but I'll be perfect just according to his plan.
Fashioned by the Master's loving hand. 

In the mirror of His word reflections that I see
makes me wonder why he never gave up on me.
But He Loves me as I am and helps me when I pray
remember he's the Potter I'm the Clay 

He's still working on me, to make me what I ought to be.
It took him just a week to make the moon and the stars
the sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars
how loving and patient he must be.
He's still working on me. 

He loves me

He IS working

He hasn't pushed me to the end of the line to get to later

He is working

He is creator and I am the creation

Still working... still creating... 

He is shaping something out of my life only He knows, and it will be beautiful

In His time. 

This winter will end and the spring will come again - someday.

The work He is doing will produce fresh blossoms and new growth. 

It's a simple and obvious truth that He wrote for us in the natural world, but it is hard faith.

Today, the snow is on the ground but the sun is shining and this song is the soundtrack in my mind. So I will be thankful for that and I will once again put my hope in God.

On a different note

These are the faces I got when I asked for "a serious face"

Ya Gotta laugh..

their gift

2011-01-26T08:54:00.000-08:00

341

They were so excited.

While I was on the phone they decorated the fridge for me with their colorful creations.

I keep having to move one of the pictures when I want to get into the freezer, somehow it continues to move back into the same spot after I close the door.

This is so typical of things I randomly find around our house I wanted to document it.

scribbly coloring pages are my favorite "Pop of color".

finished

2011-01-26T05:14:00.000-08:00

342

I finished it

I admit I did have to get a book from the library to show me some of the stitches

I LOVE the library!

And I love the way this scarf turned out, it's fun and girly.

I used some yarn I happened to have in the closet, but I am thinking about trying it again maybe in a gray or blue.

I used the basics of this pattern here but made the top a little different.

It would be nice if I could say I did that out of creative genius, but the truth is I messed up the top and just went with it instead of pulling it all out...

It's all good, I like the way it turned out.

on the wall

2011-01-25T05:13:00.000-08:00

343

On my wall... 

reminding me to smile.

simple things

2011-01-25T05:09:00.000-08:00

344

Chilled orange slices

 Sunshine spots on hardwood

fluffy pillows and cozy blankets

good stories

silly giggles 

crayon colors

 blank white paper

I can't forget to just enjoy these simple things in life.

In my kitchen

2011-01-23T19:25:00.000-08:00

345

Right now in my kitchen I have a huge old window on my counter - It's a fun place to hang family photo's and tack up recipes or notes and cards from friends. It can get kind of messy looking at times, but I really love it. Most of our family lives far away so I love having a daily reminder of them in the place I spend the most time.

And I just love love love the look of old, chippy window frames - there is something so beautiful and homey about them.

Yesterday I attacked my children's rooms / toys /junk with a vengeance. Oh my, THAT was a job that I have put off for way too long. Do you realise that things that intimidate you don't just go away when you ignore them, instead they just get bigger and bigger until you can't possibly avoid them any more .... huh...

Now I am trying to work out the logistics of what room will be the nursery and where we are going to put everything. Looks like it may be time for bunk beds..... something I so do not want to do.

It also looks like we are going to have to get busy on some of those other home projects we have successfully avoiding too long.

It had to happen sometime, nothin like a bit of motivation.

Here is to a Happy Monday and a new week -

hopefully full of motivation

sunshine beautiful

2011-01-22T05:40:00.000-08:00

346

Wishing you a weekend filled with sunshine and warmth.

He hears

2011-01-21T07:37:00.000-08:00

347

the hope of winter

2011-01-21T06:18:00.000-08:00

348

Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it. 

-johann wolfgang

My girl

2011-01-21T06:04:00.000-08:00

349

2011-01-19T17:12:00.000-08:00

350

A verse I have been learning about over the years - fresh in lessons every time.

Oh, how many things I have turned to looking for strength, for salvation, for satisfaction of the soul, and for a savior from my circumstances.

I have sung many songs in my small life and every one has in it's time ended in sour, missed notes.

disappointment..

disillusionment...

discouragement...

Only one place have I found a love that didn't fail me

a acceptance that has never wavered

a friend that never left or disappointed me

and a song my heart never tired of singing.

and delicious freedom.

In progress

2011-01-17T10:41:00.000-08:00

351

Attempting a version of this scarf here - and learning as I go.

On our wall

2011-01-17T10:38:00.000-08:00

352

For us...

2011-01-17T10:35:00.000-08:00

353

Smile

2011-01-15T11:51:00.000-08:00

354

This week we have been sludging through the ucky yucky's. All of us girls in the house. Which has as you can well imagine not been too fun for the man of the house - Oh the drama, and the tissues we have been through.
Yesterday A started grinning this huge grin.
Every time I looked at her she would smile as wide as she could, when I wasn't looking at her she would say "Look at this smile Mommy - this is my best smile".
I finally asked her what she was smiling about

Her reply:
"When I practice my smile I start to feel happy"

Know what - turns out that is contagious too.

Hope your weekend is full of smiles :)

355

2011-01-12T06:15:00.000-08:00

Be who you are

Give what you can give

In the hands of an Almighty God

That is enough!

YES

2011-01-11T12:10:00.000-08:00

356

Today I am pondering the beauty and challenge of this post .

I hope you will read it.

I am going to practice a yes face more and a no face less.

a SWEET day

2011-01-10T18:46:00.000-08:00

357

Today was a snow day in our area.
Yes, there was playing in the snow.. and hot chocolate.
But all that paled in comparison to the sweet time we had together as a family in the kitchen.
What was on the menu?
Homemade donuts... yum.

everyone had a job
mixing , cutting and rolling.

Frying and flipping

dipping and shaking..

It was super fun quality time
We decided to make trying new recipes as a family a new thing at Loudonland.
The girls have already started a list of thing to make
Ice cream, chocolate vanilla cake, chocolate chip cookies...
I want to try bagels
Let me know if you have any suggestions of things we should try.
And while your at it why don't you try a little family cooking bonding yourself.

Stay warm..

Growing

2011-01-10T18:28:00.000-08:00

358

at the end of 15 weeks.

delight

2011-01-10T18:24:00.000-08:00

359

Is sitting on your daddy's lap and listening to a silly story.

360 and a bit of real

2011-01-07T10:58:00.000-08:00

Don't they look happy

What fun right..

I mean playing in the dirt, climbing trees, a mile wide smile, huge innocent eyes.

Yes, I have adorable children and I love them very very much.

Although if you had been at my house this day, you would probably have been asking when do they come and take away this Mom, she seems to have lost her mind.

Pictures are worth a thousand words, but sometimes the words they speak are not the reality in which they are taken. And to that I say THANK GOD.

I mean who would want to see a picture of ugly words screamed at each other, or the mud that was tracked all over the finally clean floor, or the time outs, or mommy cleaning up pee pee on the floor while yelling "When you have to go you know you need to stop what your doing and get on the potty", and especially not the countless tears cried, or words spoken before thought about, and the guilty that sat heavy afterward.

Yes, it was not our best day.

This morning I opened up my bible and my eyes happened to fall on this verse

"The Lord sustains all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down" Psalm 145:14

and I was reminded by something one of our dear pastors say over and over

The gospel is good news for those who are sick.... for those who are weak, and mess up.

like me.

Because Jesus died for those sins.

He is not surprised when I mess up... When I fall he waits to come to him in humility so He can raise me back up and sustain me in my weakness and remove my guilt.

I am so thankful!

361

2011-01-07T10:26:00.000-08:00

???????

She said the lamp was cold....

362

2011-01-04T14:07:00.000-08:00

The words of today's devotional in Jesus Calling...

Picture these as being spoken directly to you by Jesus himself.

"I want you to learn a new habit, try saying "I trust you Jesus" in response to whatever happens to you. If there is time think about who I AM in all my Power and Glory: ponder also the depth and breadth of my Love for you.

This simple practice will help you see Me in every situation, acknowledging My sovereign control over the universe. When you view events from this perspective- through the LIGHT of my universal presence- fear loses it's grip on you.....

363

2011-01-03T15:30:00.000-08:00

Back to school today.

Back to some kind of normal. I have to admit I was ready.

It's so good to be on break - but too long without a schedule and things get a bit wacky here.

Not that they are not usually just a little bit wacky anyway....

I did realize this morning one thing I am NOT ready for -

Getting up early.

Oh sleeping in and lounging in jammies how I am going to miss you.

I can't complain though

It's been a good start to a new year and a good start to a new week.

I thank God that I can be at home with my kids,

that I can be so involved in their education,

for friends to visit and chat with,

for crockpots that make my house smell good all day long,

and for a comfy bed I will soon be able to snuggle down in.

And you?

364

2011-01-02T18:33:00.000-08:00

Chronicles of Narnia

- captivating, no matter how many times you've read it -

365

2011-01-01T15:30:00.000-08:00

She didn't give up.... even when everyone else wanted to.

365 Photo's in 2011 year.

One for every day

Not necessarily posted every day

That is my ~~out~~ Grace to myself.

It's a perfect year to do it... there will be lots to record and remember.

Wishing you a Very Happy New Year!

May God richly bless you and your families and fill your lives with good things.

I want it to count

2010-12-30T07:31:00.000-08:00

When I began this piece I had no vision - no idea of what it should look like only a need to put paint to canvas. And so through the nausea of these past months I layered on color, texture, various mediums.. just doing whatever I felt when the urge struck. For months this little square has sat on my art table and I came to visit every once in a while for 10 or 30 min. at a time. Slowly, very slowly it began to turn into more. As my heart became engaged and my feelings became more clear. It became a goal or maybe more of a motto --- a wish - a reminder. Of what I want my life to say. These words are from James 3 in the message.

4

2010-12-28T18:26:00.000-08:00

A few days before Christmas we had another celebration. B turned the big 4. She has come along way since they brought her to me in a stocking in my hospital room. I can't even begin to imagine our family without her. She is the one who gets up and keeps us laughing. She always has a story to tell, and a song to sing and you you can bet it will be loud. B does not love having her photo taken but we managed to get a couple that show a bit of her personality. That includes the bruise on her chin (My poor accident prone child.)

Her Birthday was a family affair. A trip to the local hands on museum, blueberry pancakes with strawberries and whip cream for breakfast, Taco's for dinner, and a special strawberry cake with moose tracks ice cream. She felt so special all day and kept reminding everyone she was the "birthday girl".

Here is is trying NOT to blow out the birthday candles while we were singing.

Love....

Christmas 2010

2010-12-26T10:34:00.000-08:00

Today finds us bumming around the house - doing a little of this and a little of that. Resting mostly. Boxes are still hanging around the living room, toys are scattered around the floor, A is scootering up and down the hall on her new scooter, snow is falling in big fluffy flakes. It almost time to pull out some yummy leftovers from yesterday and eat lunch. It's been a good season, and we have enjoyed every day of this month. It's been a different season - a lot more simple and less hurried, less decorated, less busy (less organized too). That was okay with me, not that I had a choice. I am feeling so much better every day, although I haven't quite gotten my strength and energy back. Today my brain is saying lets clean up and move on.. there is a new year coming, but my body is saying let's take a nap under that fuzzy blanket.
Body will win.

It was so neat this year to watch the girls grow in their understanding of what Christmas is about.
Jesus, God's own son, laying aside the glory of heaven to become the light this dark world so desperately needed. Tim asked the girls this morning why Christmas is Special. B's reply was that It was because Jesus, God's son, was born born so He could die on the cross and so we could not be afraid.

This year we cut back on gifts too, we decided to give 3 gifts (just like the wise men gave Jesus) a "want", a "need" and a "surprise". We prepared the girls before hand so they wouldn't be shocked at the difference under the tree this year. It was so good for us in so many ways. The girls were really pleased and content with what they got and everything is actually getting played with.

Well it's time for me to go pull out those leftovers now so I will end this with a whole lot of photo's of Christmas at Loudonland in 2010.
I hope you too had a wonderful Christmas and felt the love of Christ in a special way this year. I hope you enjoyed the company of family and friends and the contentment of a full belly.

Catching up

2010-12-09T12:22:00.000-08:00

I am 11 weeks now in my pregnancy and so happy to finally be able to say I am feeling better. I am beginning to feel more energy during the day and although I am still sick most evenings I am seeing a difference there too.

But I tell you these past few weeks have been such a challenge , in more ways than the physical.

The physical has forced me to admit my neediness and own my limitation in a way that has humbled me.

I'm not used to reaching out, asking for help or admitting that I am unable to do something.

I am a "yes" girl at heart - Self sufficient and independent.

God really got my attention these past couple months.

And showed me the value and beauty of community. At my very weakest emotional, physically, spiritually He surrounded me with the loving care and strong arms of other people who cheerfully helped carry my burden. People who checked up on me and brought me meals, watched my children and even offered to do my Christmas shopping for me. WOW! What a difference that made. People didn't just bring a meal that I was too sick to make myself , they brought a lifeline. The message that I wasn't in this thing alone and there were people around me that were willing and able to stand in the gap with me.

Never underestimate the power of a chicken casserole!

The Christmas season is in full swing here in Loudonland, even though it took a full week to finish the decorating (which is sparse this year) the halls are decked and it's beginning to look like Christmas.

Big girl B got her turn to put the star on the tree this year. She was a little nervous and was yelling "It's slipping.. It's slipping", but it turned out alright.

Putting up the tree and getting out our special boxes of ornaments is one of my favorite things about the holiday. Tim and the girls love it too..

Ornaments are a really special tradition in our family. If you looked hard enough at our tree you could just about tell my whole life story

B was a Shepherd in our bible studies Christmas program this year - yes it looks like they are sword fighting. Actually they were just waving them around in the air.

That's better than sword fighting :)

Here is A with the other children giving their "hearts" to Jesus... So sweet.

When we got home from the program Daddy made his special "chex mix" recipe with his two little sidekicks right by his side.

Yum...

6

2010-11-26T08:45:00.000-08:00

This week we celebrated A's 6th birthday

6 years ago she was born the day before thanksgiving - little 6 lbs of peanut. This year she turned 6 on the day before thanksgiving. We are so proud and thankful for the beautiful girl she has become.

We celebrated with "crazy donuts" for breakfast, lot's of aunts, uncles, and cousins, a little Wii, a lot of food, and tons of fun.

The thing she loves most about being 6?

Hopefully getting to loose a tooth.

life is always changing

2010-11-09T09:03:00.000-08:00

It's really strange how life goes sometimes. Your just skipping along ... singing your song.. and then

something flips you upside down and nothing will ever be the same. Not always a bad thing, just surprising. We found out a few weeks ago that Loudonland will be increasing by one this summer.

We are of course very excited and joyful.

I am also very sick.

This is a common thing in my pregnancies and I expected it, my morning sickness typically shows up at night. With B I lost quite a bit of weight the first 12 weeks. I just forgot what it was like.... like being run over by a truck... a few times every day. The couch and I are good friends right now.

So we are doing what we need to do for the next few weeks and not much else. School continues - a little bit here and a little bit there. Laundry may sit in the basket for days but at least it's clean. And my normal bedtime has become 8:00pm.

This is our new life for a little while.

These pictures were all taken a few weeks ago when we were able to get outside and enjoy the early fall weather.

sneek peek

2010-10-20T17:45:00.000-07:00

This is my beautiful friend and her beautiful family.

I am still feeling giddy over the excitement of being able to hang out with them on their incredible property and take their family photos. Their love for each other is so obvious and genuine. The love for fun and god's creation is contagious. "Baby Sister" will be joining in the fun in January. Thanks you guys. I had so much fun! Enjoy this small peek, a rather full disk is headed your way soon.

reminder for the weekend

2010-10-15T07:31:00.000-07:00

mixed media piece

Yes we are -

I need constant reminding

We are both fearfully and wonderfully made

and very important to our creator.

Happy Friday

today I am looking forward to

gabbing with friends

homemade pizza

pumpkin pie (not enough eggs)
delectable chocolate (okay by me)

and clearing out clutter,

Have a happy weekend!

okay

2010-10-12T05:21:00.000-07:00

You know those days when you feel like every time you move you feel blocked?

Even simple tasks like talking to a neighbor are a major struggle.

Yesterday was that day for me.

I felt the frustration coming on, and the panicy feeling of "Where is the exit, just let me out"

So I went out.........to the front lawn.

There were a few leaves, enough to make 2 small piles.

There was color everywhere I looked

The sun was lovely

fall

I dare anyone to be in a bad mood with this all around you
I was determined to only look at the beauty today
I'll work on the weeds another day.

I did get to steal a few moments later in the day to work on a new blog header
I dig it.

funnies

2010-10-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

A and B while playing - “I endore you”

B in the car to her sister on the way to church “You have to share. That’s what the Bible says, share to one another”

B when attempting to say a bibbity bobbity boo “I can’t say it. It keeps getting broken in my head”

Truth

2010-10-07T19:34:00.000-07:00

Be strong and courageous do not be afraid... for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Deut 31:6

When the bank account looks scary

When you feel all alone

When your child is hurting and you don't know what to do

When your lying in bed and your mind is racing

When pain has become your closest companion

When the future is uncertain

When nothing seems to be going right

When you don't feel like you'll ever be enough

When love seems gone for good

When you have screwed up - bad.

Do not be afraid

He will not fail you

He will not forsake you.

no if's, no and's, no but's

You must try this

2010-10-05T18:24:00.000-07:00

My friends, I would be remiss if I did not introduce you to one of my favorite fall/winter yummys. I made this for dinner tonight and just knew I needed to share this with you.

Here it is...

"The Easiest, Bestest Focaccia Bread ever"

(no, I did not make up the name... yes, it describes this recipe perfectly)

Check out that lovely hot out of the oven... Yes, even you who "don't bake" can make this. You may not be able to pronounce it but I garentee you can make it.

"The Easiest, Bestest Focaccia Bread ever"

In a large bowl stir together:
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp of sugar
1 (1/4oz) packet of active dry yeast
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried basil
and a dash of pepper

Mix in:
1 cup of warm water (If you wouldn't bathe a baby in it it's too hot)
1 TBS vegatable oil

When your dough is pulling together dump it out onto a floured surface and knead it until it feels smooth and elastic (a good time to relase any pent up aggression -don't worry the dough can handle it).
Then place it into a lightly oiled bowl (I use cooking spray to oil my bowl and then give the dough a light covering of spray as well)
Cover it with a damp cloth and set it on top of the stove while you preheat it to 415. It will need to rest for about 25 minutes.
It will not rise noticably and that's ok but punch it down anyway and place it onto a lightly greased cookie sheet (I use a baking stone)
Pat it into a rectangle about 1/2 inch think (don't worry about making it perfect)
Here is the fun part
Use your knuckle (or fingertips) to make indentations in the dough about 1/2 inch apart the prick all over with a fork (be a little more gentle here)
Bursh the entire things with about 2 TBS or so of Olive Oil
Sprinkle with grated Parmasean Cheese and about 2 cups of grated Motzerella Cheese
(Add any additional toppings you want - carmelized onions, sliced tomatos, vegetables)

Bake at 415 for 13 to 15 min. or until the cheese turns golden.
Eat it with your favorite soup

or with a fresh salad or pasta.
If you make this I promise you that your family and friends will be impressed and think you are an amazing cook. If you make it too much you may have to join a gym, but it might be worth it.

Enjoy!

So when your making dinner do you ever pretend like you have your own cooking show?
Yeah - neither do I.

I'm glad it's fall and a question

2010-10-04T13:16:00.000-07:00

It feels so odd to be going from sand and sun to sweatshirts and fallen leaves.

But so very good!

The windows are wide open, a pumpkin spice candle is burning, there is a creamy potato soup in my refrigerator, and our first box of hot chocolate is almost gone already. Ahhh..

I feel like I can breathe.

And I need some more tissues because my nose keeps running.

We are getting back on schedule here - today was our first full day of school in a couple weeks.

I think we are going to make it in the homeschooling adventure. We've got a whole month under our belts and although there were some days I was screaming (in my mind) WHAT HAVE I DONE! Already I may have said it out loud too. There are other days that my heart is filled up with joy that I can watch her face light up with understanding.

There is so much to teach them, I get a little dizzy when I think about it. One week at a time....

This week we are doing "fire safety week" Did you know it was national fire safety week? Well - there you go.

A. has a panicky fear of things catching on fire ever since I let her watch a Christmas movie last year that had a fire scene at the end. So this is going to be good for her - it also means this year my smoke alarms are actually going to get new batteries this year.

switching gears

On our trip I took the girls to an art gallery/museum.

It was amazing.

For me it was like suddenly waking up. I wonder if you know what I mean.

Like you just know that you belong where you are and things make sense.

I couldn't stop talking - I was like .. "look at this , do you see this kind of painting it's a landscape...This is a portrait because it's subject is a person... This was done with a pencil it's called a sketch...stop rolling around on the floor and come look at this... we can't do ballet in in the gallery" ( well they are 5 and 3 )

I wonder why I stopped giving myself permission to pursue those things that make me feel alive. I guess I've been so busy making sure my kids are taken care of and my "homemaking" responsibilities are checked off. I forgot....

Well I am making myself a promise

NO MORE!

I love feeling alive and free, I'd rather be awake then sleepwalking through my normal routine.

Leonardo Da Vinci said

"When once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return."

I get that..

So I'll put the question out there

When was the last time you felt awake to life and like everything was in focus?

what were you doing?

Can you live your daily crazy life and still make time for what your passionate about?

No words needed

2010-10-02T05:54:00.000-07:00

No matter where you are this weekend

I hope you find rest and refreshment for your heart.

Breath deep and choose joy.

Because you are loved and life is good.