The Before Picture

Wanna see my belly? I'm going to assume you said yes. Here's my attempt at a self-portrait:).My due date is in six, count 'em SIX, days so we really are down to "any day" (both Hannah and Kaleb were born by now and Sarah was born 'tomorrow', respectively). I'm looking forward to meeting this little one so very much. I can't wait to see those little feet and those little clenched fists. I can't wait to stroke that soft, downy hair. I can't wait to feel that curled up bundle in my arms! In fact, I'm so excited to meet this little one that I've finally decided I'm even willing to endure labor and birth to accomplish such a meeting!!! I've been a bit on the fence about that (as if I had a way out! Ha!!!!). So hopefully this 'before picture' will soon be followed by an 'after picture', revealing the sweet occupant of that bulge!!!! We appreciate your prayers for a safe and uncomplicated birth as well as a healthy baby! Thank you!!!

Children: The Spice of Life

Children really are the spice of life. Last week, Craig and I were planning a day out and about with the children. The weather was beautiful and we were all suffering from a little late pregnancy cabin fever. As we were contemplating our options, it dawned on me that our children make our life more exciting. As they are getting older, they are each developing their own passions and interests and, as a family, we embrace these and run with them!
So first on our list of activities was a visit to the Mima Mounds, near Olympia, Washington. Go read about them if you get a chance! Pretty interesting! Anyway, there's not a one of us in the bunch who doesn't love to hike (or, as Craig sweetly reminded me, 'waddle', as the case may be) so that was a passion we all share! The day was beautiful, the fresh air invigorating, complete with rosy cheeks and wind-blown blonde heads!
Next on the agenda was a stop in at a new nursery (that ended up being a flop, but nonetheless, part of the "spice of life"). You see, we have a budding botanist in our midst. Noah has become truly passionate about plants! He has, I do believe, around 10 houseplants that he carefully and meticulously tends to, along with seed starts and a shade garden outside. He is learning SO much about the care and keeping of all types of vegetation and can readily identify more plants than I can even name. He pours over seed catalogs like most children poor over toy magazines. He loves it and he's good at it! It is a passion of his that we are all embracing. We were all excited to visit this nursery.... because of him!
After that, we headed to a terrific coffee shop in Olympia because, after all, who ISN'T passionate about coffee (and hot chocolate if you're a little on the short side). Just around the block sits the toy store, which the little girls could have spent hours and hours in. And who doesn't LOVE to watch little girls lost in their own little world of make believe. Then it was Kaleb's turn! This boy is passionate, and I mean passionate, about music. More specifically, guitar. So we ventured in to the local guitar shop there in Olympia where he spent quite some time studying and admiring every guitar, mandolin, banjo and ukulele in the store. Music stores and the such have become a passion for our entire family, simply because they are a passion of Kaleb's.

We then ended our day with a trip to Cabela's, which, as you might guess, is a passion of Craig's! On the drive home, I contemplated our day and treasured the truth that our children really do add so much to our lives. Their passions and interests become ours as we endeavor to fan them, encourage them, and foster them. Our children, each unique and individual, add so much to this unit we call family! We would not be who WE are without each and every one of them. What a joy to get to be part of a such a passion-filled adventure!!! And I have a hunch that it's only going to get better!

Bibadee Bobadee Boo

With perplexity she asks me, "So how did God put the baby in your tummy?" Hmmm...she's only four. I chew on my answer but she forges ahead. "Is it like magic, Mom?" I answer carefully. "Well, magic is pretend but God is real, honey. And He created our baby." She looks at me with those clear, blue eyes, taking in the wonder of it all. She nods as if to tell me that she understands. And then, in clear acceptance of my answer, she skips away, hollering over her shoulder, "So God just said 'Bibadee, bobadee, boo' and there was our baby!!!". Well, yes, I guess so.

"By the word of the Lord the heavens were made and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth" ~Ps. 33:6

"Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created" ~Ps. 148:5

A Quick Christmas Recap

The Fabulous Four find the perfect treeWe have a family tradition of sleeping under the Christmas tree the night before we celebrate our family Christmas. Either our living room is getting smaller or the number of sleeping bags is getting larger!

Getting ready to dive in to their stockings! Children make Christmas incredibly joy-filled!

And so we have tucked away the last of the Christmas decorations and are doing our best to get back into some sort of routine around here. Such a busy, wonderful season full of family and friends, lovely music, delightful food and sweet "Happy Birthday, Jesus" voices . Noah has already begun counting down to Christmas, 2010!

Let the Christmas Season Begin!!!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Well...all depends on what I have on hand.
2. Real tree or artificial?
I will never, in my life, own an artificial tree. I'd forgo the Christmas tree before I'd go artificial. I know, not very "green" but that's just how it is!!!
3. When do you put up the tree?
As soon as we can convince the Scrooge (aka Craig) to let us!
4. When do you take the tree down?
As soon after Christmas as possible!
5. Do you like eggnog?
Yes Sirree!!! But I cut mine with some milk, otherwise it's just too sweet. And I love Eggnog lattes!
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
You know, I really have a terrible memory. Probably the only Christmas gift I remember receiveing as a child was my Cabbage Patch Doll, and I only remember that because I peeked on my mom's list and saw that I was getting it. She discovered my discovery and did not give it to me for Christmas. Lesson learned! I did get it for my January birthday, though, and have been very careful to avoid peeking at Christmas lists since!
7. Do you have a Nativity scene?
Yes, Craig's grandparents gave it to us soon after we were married. It's the highlight of our Christmas decorations.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
Craig's dad, who has nearly everything:)
9. Easiest person to buy for?
It changes every year but this year, I think it's Noah. He just has so many interests this year! Makes it very fun!
10. Worst Christmas Gift you ever received?
Now I would be incriminating myself if I confessed!!!
11. Mail or email Christmas cards?
I've given up on Christmas cards all together! In another season of life, I will return to this tradition but for now, neither!!!!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Honestly, the Charlie Brown Christmas just brings with it the coziest of feelings!!! Good thing I have children so I have a good excuse!
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Veries every year! This year, we started at the end of October.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I don't think so.
15. Favorite things to eat at Christmas?
My grandma's Cranberry Salad (my Grandma now spends Christmas celebrating in Heaven with Jesus, but one of us still makes this salad) and Amy's warm artichoke dip (she says she gets it from Costco but she should really keep this a secret and I'd just go on thinking that she makes the best Artichoke dip in the world!!!!)
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Either is fine with me, just so long as there are lights!
17. Favorite Christmas song?
"Christmas Canon Rock" and "Mary, Did You Know?"
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We always travel, but thankfully not too far!
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and....Rudolph!!!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
We do both!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Um...I can't really think of anything that annoys me. However, my husband's list for annoying things about this time of yearis so long that it makes up for the lack of items on my list.
23. Ugliest Christmas Decoration ever invented?
Those blue metal-ish trees, hands down!!! Sorry to those of you who have them. I'm sure they look lovely in YOUR home :).
24. Which looks best, theme trees or homey trees?
Homey trees
25. Do you like Fruitcake?
About as much as I like Mincemeat Pie and Suet Pudding

Love

Kaleb says to me, "Mom, I just know that lady was a Christian". "Really? What makes you think that she was a Christian?" He, in his wise old age of seven responds, "I could just tell by the way that she loved children that she was a Christian".

"They will know we are Christians by our love...by our love

They will know we are Christians by our love"

The TRUE Pandemic

So far in 2009, 5,000 deaths worldwide from H1N1 have been reported to WHO (WHO Pandemic Update 71).

So far in 2009, 37,779,567 babies have been murdered in their mothers' wombs, with this number increasing by about 1 little life lost a second (Abortions this year).

There is a pandemic raging through our world, which is deserving of a state of emergency declaration from the Oval Office, but it has nothing to do with the H1N1 virus, nor can it be curbed with a vaccine.