Nighttime Thoughts

I just had to take a minute tonight and say hi to blog-world. I really wanted to get some Christmas pictures posted (wait till you see how sweet Shane and I looked on Christmas morning) but was distracted by this post. Love it. And love Him.

Since Shane and I have been trading a sickness back-and-forth the past few days, I'm not feeling too well, either. So while it's 9:25, I'm already in bed. I plan to log off and spend some time with the God who came to be one of us. Emmanuel. What a delightful way to slip off to sleep.

Sweet dreams, friends.

It's beginning to feel alot like...

And it looks a lot like Christmas, too! We're in Illinois to be with Shane's family all week. There is a good layer of snow on the ground and it was snowing more when we woke up this morning. Silas and I watched from inside as Shane sledded (Is that really how you put sled in past tense?) down the hill onto the lake behind his mom's house. Luther and Augustine thought it was great. It was about the funniest thing I had ever seen. One time Auggie jumped on Shane's back as Shane shot down the hill. I was laughing so hard Silas didn't know what to think. I just wish I had it on video!
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Sunday night we opened presents with my parents over Skype. I am grateful to live in an age where Papa can read the Christmas story for us all to hear and then Nana and Papa can watch their grandson tear the wrapping paper off his first Christmas presents. Even from thousands of miles away. Honestly. We're blessed.

Here's wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas week!

The News Today

After so many days of not blogging, I'm anxious to keep everyone up with our most current news...Silas has cut his first tooth! I noticed it coming through on our way home from Kansas City last Wednesday. He hadn't slept well while we were there and I just assumed it was due to so many different places of sleep on the trip. But now I think it was because his little gums were hurting. I attempted to photograph his tooth tonight after he fell asleep. He didn't wake up at all, but I never got a very good picture. But hopefully this will give you the idea...

I finally finished unpacking tonight from our trip...5 days after getting home. No excuses. I just haven't taken time to do it.

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It is snowy and icy here tonight. A great evening to stay inside and drink cocoa. Neither of which we ended up doing. Well, Silas and I stayed in. But Shane braved the frightful weather and took Luther and Auggie on walks. They loved him for it. I did, too. He is the best dad to both Silas and our pups. So while he was out walking I decided to make us a delightful chocolatey drink. Unfortunately it ended up bubbling over the pan, leaving the room smelling slightly scorched. And then neither of us particularly liked the specialty flavor we had picked out. So we ate chocolate caramel treats given to us by some friends instead. And they were delightful.

Old News

When I was little we lived in a small town in the Philippines. The internet was still years in coming and we didn't even have our own phone. With grandparents an ocean away, staying in touch was important, but so much harder than it is today. We used to get air letters (any missionaries remember those from the 80's?) every few weeks from my grandmother. I still have a pile of them in her old sewing basket. By the time we wrote our letters and they made it to the mailbox, everything written was old news. But sometimes even old news is good news. Like today. Get ready. What follows is our "old" news from last week. We had a whirlwind of a trip to Bolivar, Springfield, and Kansas City. Sixteen hundred miles, lots of hugs, several dear conversations, and numerous pictures later, we finally got home to a waiting Luther and Augustine.

We started the weekend seeing Vince and Alisa on one of their last days in Springfield. They were packing up their house as we arrived. So glad we got to hug their necks and share dinner before they drove away. And very soon we will see them holding their sweet one!


Silas loved getting to meet my other friend Alisa. We had such a fun afternoon together, as you'll see in the video. Silas thought their puppy was hilarious.




My sweet friend Lindsey came to meet Silas, too. I'm thankful she made the drive to see us. Silas needed to experience that joy!

Our dear friends Ted and Shanna opened their home to us while we were in Bolivar. We were encouraged, challenged, and edified by being with them. Just wish we had more time for more conversation. Our kids had such fun "playing" together.

We spent Sunday with friends from Springfield. Angie Wilson cooked for us (love that potato soup!) and the Alvarez' let us spend the night in their home. I was so grateful that everyone was so kind to do what was easiest for Silas. Doesn't he just look so happy to be meeting all his new friends?

And then, one of the sweetest days of all...we went to my grandparents' in Kansas City. Silas met great-Nana and great-Papa for the first time. Their home is one of my favorite places to be. I have been anxious to take Silas there since he was born. We played Scrabble (Silas slept), watched the snow, talked, played, and ate delicious meals. Cousins Noah and Josiah came over with Aunt Lisa one evening. Silas just loved the boys.

The Baby Food Aisle

I almost cried in Target today. I was standing in the baby food aisle, selecting the cereal that would be the first solid food I would soon give to my baby. The baby food aisle...I kept standing there wondering...How am I already here? How did we so quickly move from middle of the night feedings to sleeping through till morning; from unintentional expressions to smiles and laughs; from mere cries and coos to streams of babble and squeals; from day one to day 151? I kept standing there until, despite my teary haze, I picked up what our pediatrician recommended. Cereal, spoons, and bowls in hand, I headed home. Time for a milestone.

Silas was awake when I arrived and ready to eat. So cute in his plastic bib. I could just eat him up...

Poor baby can't get enough of anything in his mouth...

This first-time solid meal brought to you by the makers of Gerber Rice Cereal...Shane and I had our share of good laughs throughout the feeding. And we got it all on videotape. I'll figure out how to cut it and put a short segment on here, but that will have to be another day. Silas had fun and thoroughly enjoyed the cereal. He acted like he'd been eating forever. We did wipe off his face several times during the process so his "after" photo is not quite as telling as it should be...

Now back to my Target tears. I've become the mom that I never understood before I became one. Every little thing is such a big deal. I could talk about pregnancy and breastfeeding and babies and sleep and diapers and who knows whatever else for hours. And love every minute. My heart is more full than ever. When we encounter a milestone, I am reminded that Silas was an unexpected gift. And sometimes I still can't believe that we were given a child. Gracious, gracious Lord Jesus. We, who are so undeserving, are grateful that you take us to places we never imagined. Even the baby food aisle.

Happy Thanksgiving from Our Home to Yours

Shane and I had turkey sandwiches late tonight. I don't know what it is about Thanksgiving turkey, but the leftover sandwiches are always so good. We've had a sweet day; our first Thanksgiving in Louisville, first Thanksgiving away from family, first Thanksgiving with a little one in the house. The away from family part pulled on our heartstrings a bit, as it always does when we're apart during the holidays. But we had the joy of having dear friends, Mike and Julie over to feast with us.

Silas, who is now such a big boy that he sits in his high chair, seemed to enjoy all the hustle and bustle in the kitchen. At nearly 5 months, he is really starting to be interested in all things edible. I just may have to break down and start him on cereal soon...we'll see.

I was going to take pictures of our meal in progress, but was distracted by two sleepy babies and my hungry tummy. So here we are with empty plates instead. I was going to take a picture of our dinner spread on the counter, but nothing looked quite as photogenic as before we ate. So I'll spare you that one.Mike and Julie's baby Jonah will be 3 weeks tomorrow. Oh the days of a newborn...I kept promising Julie that she will sleep again one day. But isn't he a doll? And so expressive...

Every mother who has ever tried to take good pictures of more than one baby at a time will appreciate these of Silas and Jonah together. We laughed so hard as they each slouched forward or fell over sideways. What a darling new friendship...

This evening I'm filled with a years-worth of thankfulness. Our lives certainly have changed. But our God has not. In my journal yesterday I listed the numerous gifts for which I am thankful. I will not take time to recount them here. But I will tell you they highlighted Shane and Silas, family and friends, transitions, difficulty and divine strength, need and Provision. He is a God Who is worthy to be praised. For Him I am most thankful.

Baby Laughing

Silas is a lot like his Daddy...it's hard to really make him laugh. Silas laughs in short little giggles. He does it often, but we really have to be silly to get him going. So I apologize that the camera is shaking. It was all I could do to get him to laugh this morning! At the end he gets distracted by Auggie jumping on the bed to join in the fun.

The Faces

Doing Life with Friends

When Shane and I lived in Lebanon, MO, Shane coached 8th grade boys basketball one year. During that one season, we developed a great relationship with the Bechtel's. Their son, Ryne, was on Shane's team and Ryne's dad, Greg, is as much a basketball fan as you'll ever meet. Shane kept in touch with them through the years, following Ryne as he played high school ball. This year Ryne is a freshman at the University of Missouri St. Louis. So when Ryne called and told Shane that UMSL was going to play the University of Kentucky this season, Shane was thrilled to make the short trip to Lexington to see them play. We have learned so much from the Bechtel's about family and raising godly children. So we are proud to see Ryne playing on such a big stage.



Then on Saturday I got to visit my friend Julie in the hospital. She was there for a good reason...she had baby Jonah Wade on Friday. Jonah was 6 lbs, 13 oz...what a doll and just as tiny as can be. For weeks, Silas has been hearing about this little friend who would be coming to meet him. He was quite interested and reached out to touch Jonah's head when we introduced them. Just look at their sizes! What a difference 4 months makes!