A Bit of Vaca and Whatnot

I got to teach our high school students on Sunday night.  Shane taught last week on biblical manhood and asked me to teach on biblical womanhood.  It was challenging for me to work through the Titus 2 passage on what to teach younger women but a great blessing at the same time.  I was reminded of many ways I can keep growing as a wife, mother and foundation-builder for our home.

Favorite thing I said while I was teaching?  "Guys, you need to make sure you marry someone who has already worked out the submission issue in her heart.  Cause God is going to call you to do big things; we want Him to call you to things you never imagined.  And some of those things might be scary.  So you don't want to have to battle your wife on it too."  Like I said, it was challenging to me personally.  Especially the point about self-control during which I talked about restraining our tongues.  Lord, help me.

We had a nice, quiet weekend.  Except for Saturday night when many of our students descended upon our home for a get-together.  It was fun to have them over again.  It had been a while.  And my now-hungry pregnant self has been benefiting from the leftover snacks!

Here is a glimpse of our first few hours of vacation.  As you can see, we didn't really even change, just went straight for the sand and water...

And then that evening as we got settled in and ready for bed, the kids enjoyed watching the boats go by...

Unlikely

I have found myself starting a blog post several times in the past week or so, only to abandon it for something else more pressing.  Sleep, mostly.  And every time I thought about what I would say, it felt so whiny and complain-y that I couldn't let myself write it out.

But today...today has been the renewing breath that I needed.  It's interesting really.  No one came and unpacked our suitcases.  No one folded my laundry, cleaned my bathrooms, or did the dishes.  No one watched my children (well, no one else did;  I did, just to be clear).  No one brought us meals.  But finally today, I felt like doing what needed to be done.  Finally today I had the energy.  And finally today the chaos that has been our home is a bit more tidy.  I could not be more thankful.

There are still a couple suitcases from our vacation yet to be unpacked and about three loads of laundry to tackle.  As I was putting away the children's clothes, I found a box of Silas' old things for Simeon that I need to sort through.  And then there is the pile of paperwork that needs to be filed.  So there is still much to be done.  But just having started is enough to give me a sense of the organized light on the horizon.

I am 14 weeks along in this pregnancy and have never been happier to see the second trimester.  These have been some long, hard weeks.  Honestly, I have not walked it with as much grace as I would have liked.

I told the Lord recently that I was sure He had chosen the wrong person for this.  I am the most unlikely of women to be called to what He has given us:  four very small people with four very small ages.  But even in my wonderings, He has been true to remind me:

..."if we are faithless, He remains faithful"

2 Timothy 2:13

What a promise!  Renewing, restoring, keeping, forgiving, perfecting...He is faithful.

And so we begin really looking forward to April when this little one will join our family...

These were taken when I was nine weeks.  I went for a second ultrasound and began chatting with the tech about the 3D pictures on the wall.  She sweetly took some for me even though she was not obligated and I didn't even ask.  Such a perfect little person, so tiny and yet obviously a real, moving baby.  At just 9 weeks.

I am definitely showing.  I took this a few weeks ago.  It's crazy how quick I felt pregnant this time...

I am still planning to post pictures of our vacation.  And a few other things we have been up to lately.  Silas got to have a fun outing on Friday with a friend.  Natalie wrote about it here.

So it's 10:03 now.  I can barely keep my eyes open.  Fading.  So I'm off.

Thoughts on Vacation Day 3

The children are taking a much-needed long nap today.  I am expecting them to wake anytime, but am thankful they are resting.  No one told them they were supposed to sleep in on vacation.  So this is good.

Children on vacation is an interesting thing.  I can tell they love the change of pace, but they also have no idea what to expect.  So we've had a few melt-downs.  And as Shane said, who can blame them?  We've given them reasons to have a fit, even if it was just because our vacation plans didn't go as planned.  But overall, they have done great, slept well, and traveled excellently.

I love Missouri (yep, that's where we are!).  When we drove in on Tuesday, I commented on it.  There is something about driving through the hills in Missouri that always makes me feel like I've come home.  Which is interesting, considering I grew up at the beach.

Yesterday we spent the day playing at a State Park, checking out a nearby condo for future reference, lunching at Panera, playing at the beach (Shane and Silas), napping (Simeon - the other two resisted and "talked" to each other instead), suppering at a yummy local cheesesteak place, and going to an arcade.  The arcade was super fun for Silas.  And we were the only people there.

It is the off-season here so it's not surprising there wasn't anyone at the arcade.  On Tuesday, ours was the only car in our condo building parking lot.  Last night a couple other cars appeared and today I've seen a few more.  Still barely anyone in sight.  I kinda like it this way.

This morning Shane took Silas to a cave.  Silas also got to mine for rocks.  They had to wait a while before their cave tour started so I'm glad we resisted the last-minute discussion about taking the babies.  Instead, I walked down to the beach with Sim and Lieren.  We played in the sand.  Waded in the water.  Took a walk along the boardwalk.  Ate a snack.  Then I pushed them uphill back to the condo.  And carried each umbrella stroller individually up the 4 flights of stairs to our place.  Got my workout in.

We didn't bring our double stroller cause it wouldn't fit with all the other stuff we needed to bring.  But the 2 umbrella strollers with connectors is a great option.  Especially when you need to carry babies up flights of stairs.  It's funny because as we were getting in the van to leave home I commented to Shane how surprised I was that everything fit so well.  We kinda applauded ourselves.  Not so much a few hours later when we realized we forgot our pack-n-plays.

We are so grateful we have the wonderful friends we have.  Especially the friends who live right here where we are vacationing!  They are the kind of friends who don't care when you call them late at night and explain you are here on vacation, forgot your pack-n-plays, and your attempt at rigging beds for your 15-month-old twins wasn't working.  They tell you to come right on over and pick up beds for your babies.  Then make plans to get together again before you leave cause they just had twins of their own!

Which makes me think of the good friends I am missing back home.  Friends who get out of bed at 11:30 and come sleep at your house so you can go to the ER.  Friends who decide to all play together at the park on a random Thursday after you had all cancelled said plans fearing several of your children were sick, but then when they all seemed well you were all so desperate to chat, you all got together at the last minute and even celebrated a late birthday for one of the kids!  Then when you all stayed at the park too long and all the children were hungry for lunch, your friends are good enough friends to suggest going to the Pizza Hut buffet...all of you...4 mommies and 9 children.  And they just laugh when you walk in and ask if anyone really thought through this plan?  Because these are good friends.  And no one just goes with the crazy like they do.

Well.  Simeon is awake and now wandering the condo with his favorite train.  The other two are still sleeping and Shane should be back at any minute from a shopping trip of his own.  I am wearing shoes around that I bought yesterday trying to decide if I like them.  And we have friends coming for dinner.  In the meantime, Sim and I are heading out on the deck to watch the boats...

As I Listen to the Water and the Boats...

We are on vacation this week!  It has been a long time since we took a real vacation, and have never taken one as a family.  We decided to make it happen somewhat at the last minute but we are so glad that we did!  Yesterday as we played in the sand with the children I realized that we probably needed this get-away more than we thought.

I didn't bring my camera cord that connects to the computer so we'll be without pictures, which is unfortunate because we have the most adorable pictures of the children experiencing the sand and "beach" (we are at the lake) for the first time.  We had debated taking a trip just Shane and I, but as I saw the children love the new environment so much, I was so glad they were with us.  I needed to see my children in a new place, exploring new things, laughing and relaxed; I needed to see them away from home for a while.  It has given me new eyes.

We went straight to the water when we got here yesterday.  We did run up to our condo for a minute to change diapers and have a potty break, then drove right back down to our beach.  We weren't really dressed for the water, but we just waded and played in the sand and didn't want to waste time getting clothes changed!

I can't believe how good I feel since we've been here.  Considering that I got so sick on Sunday that we ended up in the ER to get me rehydrated, it is amazing how relaxed, energetic, non-pregnancy nauseous, and carefree I feel.  This morning I said out loud, "Oh, to not have anything to do!"  It is wonderful.

Well, the babies are napping and Shane and Silas just got back from playing a bit longer in the water.  So I am heading off for a little shopping trip.  Can you see me smiling?!

1+2+1=4

Surprise!  In April we are going to have another baby!

He tends His flock like a shepherd:

He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart;

He gently leads those that have young.

Isaiah 40:11

Remembering These Days

Alternately Titled:  Some of the Reasons I Have Not been Blogging

 We have been having some sweet days around here.  Well, some sweet and some not so.  I have been sick off and on lately.  Right now I have a nasty cold among other things.  I went the the doctor yesterday and she said I am developing an ear infection.  So it's antibiotics for me.  Hopefully it's all healed up soon.

With the changing weather, I am trying to take advantage of nice days outside like this one sometime last week.  It was gorgeous and nice to not have to worry about jackets.

Recently it has been pretty rainy here, which coupled with not feeling well has just made me want to lay down for a nap most afternoons. That's actually not the only reason I'm wanting a nap, but I have a few more calls to make before we talk about that on the blog.

We started women's Bible Study last week.  Never have I been more excited to get going.  It has been way too long since I have had the full time and energy to invest in a study and I was more than ready to dive in.  We are doing Beth Moore's Esther:  It's Tough Being a Woman.  I don't think a study ever fit better and I am eating it up.  I also get to lead one of the small groups and have been so blessed by the ladies I am getting to spend time with every week.  Their transparency about life and desire to walk with the Lord is a gift.  We are certain to never forget this season together!

I was struck by something the night I went for the leader's training meeting.  I drove up to this little church where we have our study (one of the interesting things about being part of a church with no building) and realized I had not been there for almost a year.  Last year my mom and I did go for the weekly women's study, but I didn't get to go every week and was exhausted just coming off a move and living with a toddler and 3-4 month old twins.  So you can imagine I didn't have the energy to fully invest.  But as I parked a few weeks ago, I realized what a difference a year has made.  The Lord is so faithful.  I am sleeping.  The children are growing.  Our home is filled more with joy and spirit than with survival.  Praise the Lord!  He is good and His faithfulness endures forever.  I woke the other day singing, "Oh, how I love Jesus..."  Never more than now!

We have been busy with all kinds of family activities, too.  A couple weeks ago one of the car dealerships in town had a big open house.  They had dinner for all and bouncies for the kids and they have a lighthouse that Silas has wanted to go up in for the longest time.  We drive by it almost every time we go somewhere, so he was thrilled to finally get the chance.  He got a snow cone as we left and when we got home, we realized it had dripped and soaked through his double layer of shirts down to his skin...

But it was well worth it, and the stains all came out!

Then last week was the Pumpkin Festival in our little town.  My camera battery didn't last long, but we had a great time at the carnival on Thursday night...

Can you see Shane and Silas in the blur below...

We also had a birthday party for one of our youth leaders on Friday night (at which I ate one of the yummiest steaks I have had in ages), the festival parade on Saturday morning, and then a cookout with more youth leaders on Saturday evening.

So we've been busy.  But not too busy to recognize that most of the fun in our activities has been the relationships.  Enjoying chatting and watching each other's children soak in the festival lights and sounds, spending "adult time" and celebrating with the people we minister alongside, making new friends and catching up with others as our children delight all that a parade entails, and realizing that after a year we have built a community here.  These are our friends.  This is our church.  It is becoming home.

Hints of Fall

We have been enjoying the sweet gift of sleep in our home lately.  If you had told me just 4 months ago that all our children would sleep until 8 in the morning most days (and till 9 last Saturday), I would never have believed it.  But I am most grateful.  After the first 12 months of having 3 children, I will never take sleep for granted again.

Shane's birthday was yesterday.  But we celebrated by going out to lunch on Monday and staying out for the afternoon.  We were exhausted when we got home but tiredly laughed as we drove up that all the children would just be waking from naps, rested and ready to play.  It was a gorgeous day, though, so when friends asked if we wanted to meet for an evening ice cream, we didn't hesitate.

It was fun to pull out some fall things to wear that day...

Silas, Sim, and Lieren all packed up after a quick dinner, heading out for ice cream...

These two were more than excited for a treat...

I love these pictures of Simeon.  Partly because I can never capture that smile of his and partly because it reminded me so much of the day Silas wore those shoes for the first time...a rite of passage from baby to toddler...

Before I sign off, Lieren wanted to tell you what she sees outside her window most mornings in the neighbor's backyard...