Pictures of this goofy family

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELISABETH!

Happy Birthday my sweet girl! You are 5 today!

Ellie and I went birthday prep shopping today. She picked out pink princess plates, cups, and napkins, pink crepe paper streamers, pink decorating icing, a number 5 candle, and pink bubble gum (in a pink container.) Is anyone else sensing a color theme here? We also bought a doll for her cake.

Ellie requested a princess cake.

She received princess dress-up clothes.



She received a tea set.



She received a bike.

She requested pizza for dinner. Did you know you could order a 28" pizza?

Josh wanted to feel like a princess too.




I am certain all enjoyed themselves.

Scare of my life

Friday, Josh got it in his head to not come inside. I had found a dime and had given it to him. While riding home, it fell down in his car seat and I wouldn't dig it out for him. He took exception to that and wouldn't budge from his seat on the grass. I went inside to let Hunter out. While bring Hunter back inm I picked Josh up and brought him along back to the house. I put him down before going inside with the dog.

Josh started walking. Back toward the garage. I had hooked Hunter up to finish his business, but quickc put him back inside when I saw Josh had kept walking past the garage. When I got to the alley, Josh was no where to be seen. I looked up and down the alley. No Josh. I came back in the yard, thinking I missed seeing him. No Josh. I looked around on the back side of the garden. No Josh. I looked around the garage to our neighbor's yard. No Josh. I walked down the alley toward the street. A neighbor asked if I as looking for a little boy. Yes, I told him. The kind man pointed down the street and said he went that way. I squinted my eyes and could barely see a form. I had doubt that my son had walked so far. I started running. Ellie coming along behind me.

I crossed two streets and two alleys before I got to Josh. He had indeed walked so far, two blocks. A neighbor on foot and a lady in her car had been watching out for him. When I got to him, I had trouble breathing for a moment. I was so scared. He behaved as though he always went for walks by himself - "What's the trouble, Mom?" In my hurry to get to Josh, I nearly forgot to ensure Ellie crossed the streets safely, since I run faster than she does.

Relieved to have Josh in my arms, I headed straight back home. I forgot to thank the lady who pulled her car over to ensure his safety, though I did have the presence of mind to stop my walk back home and thank the man who was on foot.

Thank you Lord for keeping my wayward son safe.

What's going on

Our summer has been uneventful. So I thought I'd write about it.

We are doing fairly well with one car. Gary mostly takes the bus. A co-worker has also been picking him up since he drives right by to drop off his daughter at the boys and girls club.

Ellie did splendidly at swim lessons, and we enjoyed the pool afterward on several occasions. I'd pack us lunch, and we'd go to the playground to play and eat, than go back to the pool for some water fun.

Lansdale now has a farmer's market on Saturdays, which I am excited about. I can get fresh produce in town.

Our garden is not doing too badly. The tomatoes are going great, everything else seems to be in slow motion. I planted more beans and cucumbers today. I had a bad experience with grass clippings in the garden. I thought I would spread some down as mulch. It was an unhappy attempt at keeping the weeds from taking charge. The grass was the stinkiest stuff around. We could smell it inside, and Ellie and Josh requested the window be closed because of it. After reading online that grass clippings were worse for a garden than better, I went back out and raked then back up and got rid of them. Unfortunately some odor still remains.

I discovered gDiapers, an earth friendly alternative to cloth and disposable diapers. The gPants are cloth and have a liner that holds an absorbent refill that you can either flush, toss, or compost (wet ones.) Gary chooses to toss, I flush when possible. They also have cloth inserts for those who want to go cloth all the way. Josh fought at first to have that thing on his cute behind, but he's warming to them. His words were "I don't want that, I want that" (pointing to the Luvs on his changing table.) gDiaper has a promo deal, so if you want to try them let me know - I'll give you the discount code.

I am making my way weeding up the fence along the side of our property. The weeds were very bad, but I've tackled almost all of it, and it's looking good. I have managed to do it in pieces and not focus on the entire job. If I had looked at the whole bed, I would've thrown in the towel.

Speaking of beds, I broke Josh's bed last night. I hopped up on it, and the bed came down with me. The wood piece that holds the box springs had already been broken and fixed, and my added weight that time did it in. Right now the box spring and mattress are on the floor, and Josh and Ellie think that's great fun.

We had a great time camping back in June at Camp Swatara. We met a missionary couple. The woman and older daughters in the family wore head coverings. It got us to thinking, and we looked up the verses in 1 Cor. 11 about head coverings. I wore a heard covering that next week. We looked it up online and talked to several people about it. We are still undecided about it. I did order two styles of coverings online to try. Along with head coverings is the idea of modest attire. I have ceased wearing jewelry, except my wedding engagement rings. I wear my watch when I won't be near clocks. I have assessed my wardrobe and pulled out things that aren't as modest as I'd like. I don't need anyone looking at me who shouldn't be or causing anyone to stumble. I don't want to be flashy. I dress to coverup not show off.

I had a nice break from children today at nap time, since Gary took Ellie (who doesn't actually nap but petions not to nap) to pick up his mom from the airport and Josh actually takes naps. But he is awake and calling for me, and Gary and Ellie are now home.

Making Pearls

Today, I am again of sound mind.

Gary pointed out his devotion from today to me. It's appropriately from James 1:2-4. "Considerate it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials (irritations) of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Chuck Swindoll comments:
"One of these days it should dawn on us that we'll never be completely free from irritations as long as we are on this planet. [It would do me well to remember this often.] Upon coming to this conclusion, we would then be wise to consider an alternative to losing our cool. The secret is adjusting." [And I need to remember this, because apparently I'm not doing so well at it right now.]

"When it comes to irritations, I've found that it helps if I remember that I am not in charge of my day . . . God is. And while I'm sure He wants me to use my time wisely, He is more concerend with the development of my character and the cultivation of the qualities that make me Christlike within."

Then Chuck Swindoll uses the example of the oyster and its pearl. You all know that when an oyster gets an irritation, it makes a pearl out of it.

So, although neither these verses nor the fact that oysters make pearls out of irritations is new to me, I see them together now and will be applying them to my life.

And watch out, I'm going to have a new verse to hold to and boat load of pearls!

My challenge is my life

I have been extra weary for the last month. My house's cleanliness is directly proportionate to the disobedience of my children. I don't do much around the house during nap time. Pretty much I just sit on the couch. I find it difficult to do much while the kids are awake also. I feel so tired and worn out from the day that I just want to sit.

Am I taking care of myself to take care of my family, being just plan lazy, or something else I can't even name?

I finally got around to reading some of my friends' blogs and am now feeling ashamed at myself.

I feel as though I don't truly appreciate the gift my children are. I am so concerned with them not making messes, not being along, not following the rules, not obeying that I have lost sight of them as little people made in the image of God, deserving my love not my criticism, at all times. I have forgotten or been too frustrated to remember that Elisabeth and Joshua are my special gifts, given only to me and Gary (and when mentioned heretofore as given to me, I mean both of us. Relaying just my feelings, so writing me.) I have not treated them as such. I have wanted to toss questions at God about how could he possibly know what he was doing in giving them to me. I am definitely the wrong person for the job. But I know that God didn't make a mistake and they were meant for me. What am I doing wrong? I must be doing something wrong.

I am tired of being hit, tired of being told "No," tired of hearing "I don't want to." These things generally happen on a daily basis, usually more than once. (Though today, I don't think I was hit.) I am tired.

I don't know how to handle it. I usually do an awful job at it, saying things I want to snatch back. I struggle each day with my response to Ellie's onslaughts. I compare myself to every mother I can think of and know she would do a better job.

In the everyday, I am not always thankful for this challenge of motherhood. I never thought it would be this hard. I want to be thankful, I want to know I can do this. I want to take all the insults and smacks I get from my daughter and just patiently remind her of how she should be behaving. But it doesn't work. I lose my temper, I get angry, I get frustrated.

Part of me wonders if that is why I am not currently pregnant with our third child. I can't handle the ones I have, why would God give me another one? The other part of me knows God is sovereign and knows what he is doing and will give me the strength I need for each day.

God will give me that strength, but do I reach out and accept it? I fear I don't know how.

And now I get to add to my list of woe-is-me, whining about how hard mothering is for me right now. I wish to be able to just accept, but for some reason I haven't been able to. Do I do something for someone not in my family and in so doing realize I really don't have problems? Do I immerse myself in scripture to drink from the truth found there?

What!

Made to clean

Ellie, Josh and Hunter have been very helpful. They have motivated me to clean. But the words "Mom, you take such good care of the house. You make it sparkle. I love having a clean floor. Thank you so much for loving us by cleaning up after us." are not words I hear from them. Their motivation comes in the form of messes.

The upstairs got a vacuum, because the kids poured their cereal into bowls. We let them have dry cereal in the morning while we are getting ready. Usually we pour the cereal. But this day they did, and of course it was an almost empty box that became a completely empty box on Josh's floor. So out came the vacuum, and the entire upstairs was dirt and dust free by 8:00 am.

Today Hunter thought he'd help motivate me to mop, by pooping then walking in it on the kitchen floor. He apparently didn't get it all out a half hour before, when he pooped in the hall upstairs. He's been having issues lately. So out came the mop and the kitchen floor fairly shines.

Last night Ellie didn't make it to the potty in time, and the floor in front of the commode needed to be cleaned. Gary cleaned that one up. I wonder if I had cleaned it up, if I would have done the entire bathroom floor. I will probably have another opportunity to find out.

Aren't my bunch so thoughtful to make sure I get the cleaning done? And right now it is eerily quiet, so I might be blessed with another mess and an opportunity to clean something up. I wish I always looked at messes as blessings and an opportunity to show love.

Cable like TV - Here we come

Well, what do you know. My parents came over tonight, and we got to talking about the digital cable box of ours that's not working. My dad asked how it was connected. We have it connected right. He asked if we programmed the channels. We asked "Programmed it?" We turned the box on, and he talked us through the process, and what do you know? We now have digital TV, and cable-like reception. We've never had TV so good or as many channels. I think we've doubled them.

Silly me. If only I looked at the book that came with the box.

The pool and swim lessons

We decided Ellie is going to take swim lessons. Last night we signed up for pool membership, and this morning we all had high hopes for Ellie signing up for swim lessons. I envisioned my darling daughter would gracefully enter the water. She would look at the life guards, smile brightly, and show them how well she handles the water. It didn't quite go like that.

First we took care of business, payment. Then we walked toward the pools. A life guard took her to the kiddie pool, which is small and only 3 feet deep with a ramp going into it. She had Ellie go down the ramp and at the bottom asked Ellie to dip her shoulders in the water. She refused. Another life guard got in with her, and still she refused. She also refused to let go of the railing. She even tried climbing it - which is a no no. She then climbed out of the pool and ran across the pool deck. She was told by several life guards not to run, and she referred unkindly to the one particular life guard who stopped her from running. More life guards got in with her as she went back down the ramp and again refused several more times to dip her shoulders, no matter what ploys the six life guards tried. I tried talking with her twice, to no avail. I finally took her out of the pool, and she started having a fit. I couldn't even dry her off, with all her fussing. I put her in a football hold and hauled her out to the car, kicking, hitting, and crying.

The life guard wisely enrolled Ellie in the beginner class, and Gary picked a swim lesson time.

Oops

Forgot to mention that the other part of our seeds not growing could possibly have been the lack of water they received. That might be something they need. But unfortunately, I'm not one for the work of watering. My house plants can attest to that.

But this time around, I laid out a soaker hose along the rows, and I have it attached to a regular hose that I simply attach to the outside spigot when it's time to water. Much simpler and easier than standing there forever holding the hose and spraying the garden by hand or trying to set up the sprinkler.

And, of course, I always welcome God watering the garden.

Our Garden - Take 2

Here are the photos from working the garden the first time. Now the only thing that came up from the planting of vegetables we did on April 27th are 6 tomato plants and possibly a melon of some sort. If you remember from that post I said we planted tomatoes, peppers, peas, green and wax beans, Lima beans, lettuce, carrots, onions, garlic, butternut squash, yellow squash, cucumbers, mint, basil, dill, oregano, rosemary, thyme, savory, and stevia. And the only thing that came
up are 6 tomato plants, a melon plant and maybe some stevia (I don't really know what stevia looks like, so I don't know if the plant growing there is it.) Part of the problem, I know, is that most of the seeds were too old. We were hoping that they would grow anyway. But not so much happened.

We also had some volunteers. At least 10 tomato plants have come up that we didn't plant. They are scattered throughout the garden and along the property fence. I plan to move them to the tomato rows when they get big enough. Now, I am not sure if we planted that melon plant or not, because I can't remember what we planted where on that side of the garden, and I can't find the paper on which I wrote it. I tend to think it came up on it's own.




When we returned from our anniversary weekend, we had a nice green garden - of weeds. I got to work Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday to set the garden to rights. Lest you think I did a whole lot of work, I only was able to garden during nap time, which is why it took so long. I weeded, hoed, reworked the rows (the correct way this time,) bought new vegetable and herb plants and new seeds, bought another soaker hose, planted the plants and seeds, laid out the soaker hose, and took pictures. Ellie again planted cauliflower seeds. She is very excited to grow that vegetable. I hope she is as excited about it when its sitting on her plate.

This time the garden will hopefully give us a bounty of tomatoes, peppers, green beans, peas, Lima beans, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, spinach, butternut squash, cantaloupe, yellow squash, zucchini, stevia, dill, basil, rosemary, thyme, sage, and mint. [The mint actually came up in a flower pot I had stashed away.]























I am more confident in the garden this time around. I also am hopeful that weed control will go better as well.

Our long weekend away

Gary and I left early on Thursday morning to drive to Tennessee for our anniversary. Here are some photos from our trip to Great Smokey Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park.






Sunset from the deck of our cabin.












Ray and Nannette
Gary and me

On the deck of our cabin








Great Smokey Mountains National Park






Gary and me at the Morton Overlook













I believe this is the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River











Noah "Bud" Ogle's cabin














Roaring Fork











Shenandoah National Park






A bear (the black blob in the center of the photo.)












On of the overlooks at the north end of the park. I liked the wisp of a cloud.













Moss dripping water.












Sunset over the South Fork of the Shenandoah River.

Shortened

The kids and I had haircuts today.


Before













After












My friend Nicki did a beautiful job.

I have two ponytails to donate to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. I figure if I want it long again, I can just grow it. Some women can't.

Werth stealing four

During Tuesday's Phillies game, Jayson Werth stole four bases. Stealing home base was the best. I still shake my head in wonderment when I watch the video. You can too.

Ellie likes to type and likes the color pink

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A Beautiful Day

Ellie had beach day today at school. She was so excited. She got to wear her swimsuit (she is still wearing it) and take her beach towel. They had ice cream for snack and had some fun and games outside. The weather cooperated with a beautiful day.

I got to hang out my laundry. Josh and I played outside some. We had lunch outside as well. We sat on a blanket under our maple tree. It is a great shade tree. The stinkers I call my children finally ate their dinner from last night. They were served it for breakfast, but chose to wait until lunch to finish it. They did get to munch on some cheese, animal crackers, and apples once they ate the leftovers.

After lunch we played monster tag. I was the monster that chased them around the yard. Neither of them wanted to be the monster so it was more like a monster tickle game. Then they took turns getting pulled in the wagon. Ellie let Josh go first.

I had a really great afternoon with my children.

Biking it

I broke out the bike pod (the name for the child trailer we have.) I biked with the kids in tow to church for MOPS. They are heavy to pull when the road isn't precisely flat. It is surprising how much I slow down when the road has the littlest hint of a hill. They enjoyed the ride far more then I did. And Ellie had the nerve to comment from her highness's carriage, that I was going too slow. I told her she could walk if she wanted.

In our hopes of some exercise and not using a gas-drinking-carbon-monoxide-emitting hunk of metal, we are going to try to use the bikes more. Ellie and Josh are all for that idea. They love being squished in the pod. But pulling them is challenge for me if hills are involved. If it's a family event, Gary pulls them.

Gary has biked to work. It's 3 miles and not to hard of a ride. Though he does look completely worn out when he gets home. Perhaps that will get better as he does it more often.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

Woo hoo! I had a Mother's Day motorcycle ride. Gary's dad has two motorcycles, and today I requested a ride. It is such a thrill be going so fast and to feel the wind blowing and to not be surrounded by a vehicle.

I do have a note to self - Wear a bandanna to hold back hair.

I had a great day on Saturday spent with my family, my mom and sister, and Gary's mom yesterday at a Phillies game. The Phillies didn't win for us though. And I had a fun day at Gary's dad and step-mom's house today. And I had fun with the two reasons I'm a mom, Ellie and Josh.

Gary made our sandwiches for the game yesterday, and he made the burgers tonight, and his dad grilled them. Gary tried a new recipe for turkey burgers. It was very tasty.

Tired

I am tired. I have not felt like writing in a while, so I haven't. But I thought since I had a few moments tonight I would catch you up.

Two Saturdays ago, we did yard work. We moved a bush, moved some bulbs, cleaned out some leaves, and rototilled the garden. After that we inventoried our seeds. Again. We made final decisions on what to plant, went to buy a hoe and the seeds we didn't have yet, and got to work planting. Ellie requested cauliflower and planted it herself. The rest of the list includes tomatoes, peppers, peas, green and wax beans, Lima beans, lettuce, carrots, onions, garlic, butternut squash, yellow squash, cucumbers. We also are growing mint, basil, dill, oregano, rosemary, thyme, savory, stevia, and possibly lemon basil. Gary planted the herbs, and although it's on my list, I don't know if he planted that one, since we have regular basil. Can't wait to eat this stuff. Well, most of it anyway.

It's been one week, and I see a few shoots.

This past Saturday found us hauling bins of children's clothes, toys and stuff and other sundry things we could find to sell to the dining and living rooms. We joined the neighborhood in a yard sale fundraiser for the local elementary school. All week I have been moving stuff around and getting it ready. Our dining and living rooms were packed full of stuff.

I am glad to say we did well. But after hauling all that didn't sell back into the house, one might guess that we didn't yet have the yard sale. Gary even took a load to the local thrift shop. We are going to try consignment with the spring/summer clothes, but probably won't store the fall/winter clothes, since stores only want spring/summer right now. Our attic is considerably more empty. (Though Gary's Legos do take up quite a bit of space.)

Well, after a day of heat, shopping, mothering and all, I am worn out. I am going to go sit, listen to my Phillies and read. Maybe have some ice cream or a hard lemonade. Or both. Maybe some popcorn, too. Maybe after a couple of innings, I'll get back to sorting through the clothes and pulling out all the spring/summer stuff. Or it could wait until tomorrow.

Values

Yesterday at MOPS, we talked about our values. Although it wasn't a sit back and listen meeting, which this busy mom enjoys, it was very helpful to think about my values, go through and identify them, and consider if I am living them.

During group discussion, I decided several things. I am living what I value. What I value is what I want to value. As a mom of two preschoolers, I can't currently live everything I value.

This last thought was brought to me by a mom who has had to re-evaluate her values since she was diagnosed with stage four cancer. She had her pre-child values, pre-cancer values, and her current values. And her hope is to have post-cancer values, where she can once again live values she has had to put on hold.

For some reason, I hadn't thought that even though I could not necessarily live out certain values I hold, they were not less important to me now.

Top Ten Reasons Why it Costs More to Get Your Dog Groomed that Your Own Hair Cut

10. Your hairdresser doesn't wash and clean your rear end.
9. You don't go for eight or ten weeks without washing or brushing your hair.
8. Your hairdresser doesn't give you a sanitary trim.
7. Your hairdresser doesn't clean your ears.
6. Your hairdresser doesn't remove the boogies from your eyes.
5. You sit still for your hairdresser.
4. Your haircut doesn't include a manicure and a pedicure.
3. Your hairdresser only washes and cuts the hair on your head.
2. You don't bite or scratch (or in Hunter's case, bark your fool head off at) your hairdresser.
1. The likelihood of you pooping on your hairdresser is pretty slim.

While I was waiting to pick up Hunter at the groomer, I found a slip of paper with this list. I thought I'd share it with you.

New Growth

I recently discovered that a Poinsettia plant we had from Christmas, that I had "let go," has some new tiny leaves on it. It seems it does not want me to compost it just yet. I hadn't watered it in some time and thought it was done for, but apparently even without the benefit of water the thing has held on. I looked closely at the stems and, surprise, it has new buds. So I commenced watering again.

Gary discovered another bit of new growth in a lilac bush we thought was dead. Gary's step-mom, Judy, dug up a shoot off of her lilac for us. I planted it and didn't water it enough (my problem with plants.) It's leaves shriveled and fell off. All we had left was a few twigs. We didn't bother removing it, though. But alas, Gary pointed out to me this very day, that there are tiny new green buds on it.

Two plants I thought were finished have proved me wrong and shown new growth.

A Man Well Remembered - Daniel C. Haviland

Gary's step-dad died Tuesday, March 31st.


May the road rise with you
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God keep you in the hollow of his hand.
~An Irish Blessing


We will miss you Dan!

Healthier and tasty too!

I have been trying to make healthier desserts that taste good and came across these treats. They are low fat and low cholesterol. And very tasty! Enjoy!

Chocolate Cake
1 1/2 cups flour
3 TBSP cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBSP vinegar
5 TBSP oil
1 TBSP vanilla
1 cup water

Preheat oven 350°.
Mix wet and dry ingredients separately. Combine and stir until smooth. Immediately pour into a greased and floured 9x9 pan, a round pan, or cupcake pan.
Bake 35 min. for cake or 20 min. for cupcakes.

Oatmeal Cookies
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 TBSP molasses
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup oil
2 egg whites, beaten
2 TBSP water
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cups raisins

Preheat oven 350°.
In a medium-size bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add sugar, stir in oats. Make a well in the center; add oil, egg whites, water, vanilla and raisins. Stir vigorously until dry ingredients are moistened. Drop onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until done. Yield: 2 1/2 to 3 dozen cookies.

Another Record

I am quite surprised at my shopping speed today. In the two and a half hours I have while Ellie is at school, I managed to visit Giant, Wal-Mart, Aldi's, and Holly Hill Heath Food. I really don't know how I accomplished all my shopping and even arrived early to Ellie's school. Josh had time to play a little on the school playground before picking up Ellie.

Usually I make it to only two stores.

A Kulp Record

Generally Ellie and Josh's bedtime routine lasts about an hour. Even when we try to be speedy.

Tonight the kids were on our nerves. Actually it's been all day. They weren't really naughty, just very active and boisterous. So, we decided that bedtime was going to happen soon and quickly. Gary says it was 25 minutes tonight, but I'll be generous with 30 minutes. They each had spankings to start with, then baths (no play time,) teeth brushing, hair brushing, pajamas and diapers, rocking and prayers.

And here we sit with so much time, we don't know what to do with ourselves.

We could admire our handiwork of the day. Gary handily installed a new outlet in our kitchen. Now we have 7. Our previous ones weren't the best placed things in the kitchen. Well actually maybe not much is well placed in the kitchen. The main outlets that we had access to from the counter are in one corner. The other two are near the switch for the kitchen light, but you have to go through or around a book shelf to reach it from the counter. Not very convenient. We also have tile around the kitchen, which doesn't lend for easy installation of outlets. We decided to move the microwave to a corner of the kitchen that was more out of the way, but it had no outlets. We discovered there was no tile on that wall, and there was a space to feed wire. So Gary went to work, and there you have it. A new outlet. And no extra trips to the hardware store. Everything actually went as planned. An uncommon occurrence here in our house.

While Gary worked on that project, I shopped. For food and household accessories. I found Yoder's Farm Market, which has nicely prices and naturally raised chicken eggs and beef, which I purchased for our eating pleasure. The beef I found at another place a while ago was so not economical.

At another farm market (both of these places are just really privately owned stores with the name "farm market." And I make this distinction, because when I think of a farm market, I see rows of tables and lots of farmers and their wares.) I found reasonably priced unbleached flour and whole wheat flour. I am going to try making bread more often and thought more flour to be helpful.

Then lastly I made my way to Impact thrift stores. I found a glass baking dish for all the bread I will be making, another small cheese grater for all the cheese we grate, some plastic bowls for the kids to use, and two clothing items for me, and yes, they are "household accessories."

I also remembered that I wanted to fix our dustbuster. Which I was able to accomplish once I got the thing open.

Our CRV

Our car may not have leather heated seats or wipers on the head lights, or keyless entry, but I recently discovered that our little beauty has a holder for the gas cap for when you are pumping gas. Isn't that so handy? Now we will never have to worry about losing our gas cap.

And the warranty for the CRV is still good, so we can now get the repair it desperately needs, without having to pay for it. We thought the warranty had run out already.

Home again, home again

Well, we are home. No week at the cabin. We arrived home this afternoon. We decided it would have been really late to pack up, clean and organize last night, so Gary took off half a day, and we came home today.

I decided to forgo my little hair experiment. I washed it this morning. Maybe I'll just not wash it as often, or maybe I'll just wash it everyday. Who knows?

With being home, I get to make something for MOPS tomorrow. I was looking forward to not having to take anything, though I am glad to be able to hear the speaker. And I may have found a new MOPPETS worker, which is exciting, since they are hard to come by. I still need to actually talk with her about it. Let me tell you, I will be glad when my time is over as MOPPETS Coordinator. I am weary of coordinating.

The weather is turning nicer, which means walking outside more. My friend Nicki and I are walking buddies. We have walked some in the colder weather but hope to walk much more with the warmer weather. Sometimes we have to take along children, and they appreciate the warmer weather, since they just sit and don't work up a sweat.

Two changes of one plan

It was all set. Leave for the cabin on Friday afternoon. Stay until the next Saturday.

I neglected my friend Wednesday night. I am deeply sorry, Myrtle. She has worked over 40 hours in four days. Way too much for her. Thursday night , completely overwhelmed, Myrtle called. All the working and trying to pack was too much. She decided it was better to not come.

So today, I packed for just the weekend. Gary, the kids and I were still going to the cabin for the weekend. This afternoon after much sleep and reading a letter from me, she concluded that not going to the cabin was a poor decision. So, basically she frantically started packing to leave by 6:00. I had to rethink what I packed and grab more food and clothes for 6 more days.

She is currently en route to my house, Gary is currently en route to the cabin with the kids, and I am just waiting.

But we are still going to get our week away in the little cabin in the woods.

My next notion

I mentioned that I was going to try not washing my hair as often. Well, I am actually going to try not washing my hair at all for 4 weeks. I read up on it, but unfortunately all I found so far was people's personal opinions. There were no expert opinions.

I last washed my hair on Tuesday morning. I am counting from Wednesday, so I am on day 3. It's greasy next to my ears, where I tuck it often. Otherwise, it's a little frizzy.

From what I've read, it will get worse before it gets better. Supposedly my hair will eventually balance itself out and go from greasy/frizz to luxurious locks. I have noticed that when I just wet it in the shower, there is way less hair in the drain.

I will make sure to keep you posted on it's progress.

A Phenomenon

I have witnessed a phenomenon on several occasions upon rocking and putting my son down at nap and bed time. I already knew he just loved sucking on his blankie. But until recently I did not realize there was a precise way it had to be in his mouth. Oh no. He can not just stick it in his mouth. It usually takes at least 3 times to find the right way. He has on occasion had trouble determining the best way and has been quite put out. He has even attempted to enlist my help, but after trying to help once and failing, I tell him he has to find it himself. When he does locate the perfect blankie sucking spot, he settles his head on my shoulder and snuggles in. The entire process is most precious and humorous to watch.

Tonight it took him four times trying and upon finding the right way, he pointed to his mouth as if to say "I found it, Mama!"

Watch out!

My mob boss husband.

Family Day

Yesterday we took a walk downtown. Ellie rode her tricycle and Josh drove his car. We packed a lunch and ate at the quaint little town "square." From our vantage point, we gazed upon the beloved train station. And our little ones were gifted with two beloved choo-choos coming through town. We also saw several buses and motorcycles and many cars.

We all sported our Phillies shirts. The time is soon upon us when Sunday afternoons will be spent watching the sport of baseball, waving our rally towels, cheering on our Phillies.

On our trip home, we stopped off at the local hardware store. The store has everything you could want and if you can't find it, they'll order it. They have great service. You barely get in the door, when an employee comes out of the woodwork and takes you directly to the item for which you are looking. On our trip today, we needed either a new spindle for a door knob or new knobs since the spindle wouldn't come out of the one knob.

Gary was holding it and didn't even get a chance to say what he wanted. The employee said "Right there" while pointing to the rack next to us where the door knobs were hanging. He thought we wanted door knobs, but upon further investigation and helping get the spindle out and taking a look at the door knobs to make sure they weren't stripped, he went hunting for a spindle. They had one left. We bought it. Would Home depot have given us that kind of service? I think not.

We also visited the Philly pretzel shop and treated our taste buds to some warm twisted dough.

It was a beautiful day, and we had a great family time.

Updates

We have never had such a gush of soap from our dispenser as we have now with having replaced the inside parts. Watch out dishes!

I believe I have found an adequate deodorant. It is a liquid crystal roll-on. I could do without the wet application, but it does fairly well at odor protection. My next foray into more natural is shampoo and not washing my hair as often. I have heard it is better for hair to not be washed every day. Although I wash it every other day, I might try longer between washings.

We received adoption information today from Bethany Christian Services. We are researching information about adoption with no plans to move forward in the near future.

Ellie has announced she will be a doctor when she grows up. She has already practiced many times on Gary and me and enjoys being practiced upon. She is a firm believer in many shots.

This is My Word

Our choir is singing Pepper Choplin's This is My Word. I believe it is one of my favorite anthems.




This is My Word

As the snow falls from heaven,
As it comes in swirling showers from the sky,
So is my Word.
As the rains bring the water to the earth that is thirsty and dry,
So is my Word.
And the Word of my mouth, it shall not return empty:
It will bless the earth wherever it is heard.
This is my Word.

As the rain brings renewal
And the tender buds begin to come alive,
So is my Word.
Giving seed to the sower,
And the bread to the hungry 'til they thrive,
So is my Word.
And the Word of my mouth, it shall not return empty;
It will bless the earth wherever it is heard.
This is my Word.

O Lord, when I am weary,
When I feel the days I'm living are in vain,
My God, help me be faithful to the Word You have given to proclaim.
Proclaim the Word, and you will go out in joy,
And be led forth in peace,
And the hills will break before you into song.
So be faithful, brave and true,
For I will go before you,
And when your earthly journey here is done.
I'll say well done, well done!

As the snow falls from heaven,
And the rain comes in showers from the sky,
This is my Word.

The Flower Show

We had a lovely day today. It was our excursion to the flower show at the Philadelphia Convention Center. My parents, the kids and I drove down to the city, found a very expensive parking garage to park in, and walked to the convention center. We waited in the lobby for my sister to finish at her internship. We walked to the Reading Terminal Market for supper, drove my sister home and drove ourselves home. It was a fun day!

Your minds are begging the question: "When did we get to the flower show?" A very good question, indeed. The answer is we didn't. The fellow who was giving my sister the tickets, never managed to actually get them to her.

Yesterday, it was the snow and school cancellations, today it was a broken down car. So for over two hours we sat in the convention center's lobby waiting for the tickets. We finally realized getting the tickets wasn't going to happen, so we just waited for Jess. Entertaining the children for that long was a feat in itself. I think we and the kids did a fantastic job.














I did however get some pictures of the pansies in the planter outside the convention center. I got to see some flowers, at least.

Visit with Myrtle Bernice

My dear friend P has nicknamed me Bettina Matilda. Why? I don't know. I decided she needed one too. I had come up with George, but that one didn't seem right. So I used the same initials as my nickname. And came up with Bernice Myrtle. However Myrtle Bernice flowed better, so that is what has stuck. And more importantly, she approves.

After the seminar, Gary took a train back home, while I drove to Myrtle's house. We had a slumber party. Though we actually didn't achieve much slumber. We drug our selves off to bed around the time I usually get up. But there were no children pining for attention, so it wasn't so bad. Though if you ask my body, I think it would object to it's bedtime.

We did however manage to slip in much game playing and FarScape. I think we both allowed a fair amount of wins and losses. We also had some good talk time.

And as much as Myrtle wanted the snow to keep me there, I was able to get home Sunday night. With me came Myrtle's former laptop, which I am typing on currently, and one of her former cameras. She updated her electronics, and she graciously passed them on to me. I am greatly appreciative. She also acquired a web cam for our use. Now we can watch while one of us slaughters the other in scrabble.

The Heart

This past weekend Gary and I went to a Shepherding a Child's Heart seminar. We found it to be very helpful in raising our children. I find it overwhelming to try to put to computer blog what I learned, save for that if you want your child's behavior to change, look at what's in his heart. You will probably find foolishness. And read these scripture verses: Proverbs 4:23, Proverbs 22:15, Proverbs 23:13-14, Proverbs 29:15, Matthew 12:34b. And teach your children godly attitudes, some of which include: entrusting to God, humility, love for others, generosity, peace-making, and submission. And watch for idols of the heart - power, pride, possessions, to name some. We are currently teaching Ellie and Josh this passage: Ephesians 6:1-3.

If you truly want to learn what we have, I suggest these books: Shepherding a Child's Heart and Instructing a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp, Don't Make me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman, and the Bible. The Bible holds so much instruction to help you train up your child in the way that he should go - God's way. If you train your child other than God's way, he just might turn from it when he is older.

Thank you Jocelyn for telling me about these books. They have shown me how to use the Word God has given us.

Oh, one more thing. You must have your heart in the right place in order to train your child's heart. You must be dazzled by God, to dazzle your kids.

For Free

Our faucet system has a soap dispenser. It is my opinion that it never worked properly since we have been using it. And it has gotten worse. This past week it started not pumping soap. A task I felt it should accomplish since it is a soap dispenser. I got quite annoyed at it and pumped it a mite too hard many times. I managed to break the inside plastic part. So now it really won't pump.

I found the paperwork left by the previous owner and read that the lifetime warranty was only effective for the original purchaser. I looked up on Moen's website for a replacement dispenser and discovered a new one would cost $41.00, a price I am not willing to pay. I then called Moen to see if I could purchase just the plastic part that broke. The very helpful man at Moen took my mailing information and asked what the problem was. I was forth coming about the tragic ending of my soap dispenser, but he still said he would send a new one out right away. I thanked him and felt inclined not to remind him that I was not the original owner, nor that even though it wouldn't pump, I am the cause of it being in more pieces than originally designed.

Either way I am hopefully the recipient of a new soap dispenser, though I need to wait several weeks for its arrival.

I wonder why things happen, but I know God is sovereign

Although I don't always know why things happen, I know God has a plan. And for now, His plan is for us to only have two children. My hormone level dropped significantly. I was told to go for more blood work until my numbers are back to zero.

My plan has always been to have more than two children. Maybe I still will, somehow. But right now it hurts, and I grieve to know that this my child was carried for such a short time, and that she was my last. I also feel selfish in that I'd like a third child, while some women do not even have one child to love.

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13

The Cabin

We went to the cabin this weekend. The plan was to leave Friday night after a dinner party. Well, the dinner went far later than we planned, and my lower back and hips (a new symptom with this pregnancy) were aching me. There was no way I could sit for another two hours in the car, and we were both tired. So we went to bed and left after breakfast on Saturday.

We had a great time. According to Josh, we saw Bambi's Da-da. Many of them in fact, though all actually does. And Ellie. My sweet, sweet girl. She saw chickens out her bedroom window (also known as wild turkeys.) She also discovered the electrodes in her electric blanket. She came out of her room to inform us that "there are things in my bed that I felt with my fingers. They're kind of like lip balm." These two discoveries were in the name of avoiding nap time.

We had our own dinner entertainment in the Lawerence Welk show. Ellie muted one man singing because "that man's mouth doesn't sing very well." But a lady received this reaction: "I want to hear this girl. She's pretty."

Gary had the privilege of discarding a dead mouse. We had two fires, but that round wood just doesn't care to burn. It needs to be split.

I was all set with videos and DVDs. But would you know that the VHS I brought had viewing issues, and that DVD player wouldn't release it's hold on the DVD deck? So there was no movie viewing. And we could have gotten in many a Stargate SG-1 episode, too.

Sunday night we all said goodbye to our little cabin and drove back home.

My Mom

My mom has lost her job. The pharmacy where she worked closed. Even though I know she needs to earn a paycheck for my parents' finances, I am enjoying the time she now has to come over.

A while back Mom had Fridays off, and we'd hang out and do stuff. Than her hours changed, and she had to work everyday. Now she can come over again during the day. Her last day was the 9th of February, and I got to see her every other day that week. It was fun to have her here. We've had lunch, I helped her apply for unemployment, we worked on her resume, she helped with Ellie and Josh, and just yesterday we started watching "Lie to Me" on hulu.com. Mom's coming again today to pick up Hunter so we don't have to take him to the cabin. I have it all ready to start up where we left off. [Shh . . . I already watched the ending, but I'll watch it again with her anyway.] I know eventually this will end, but I am enjoying time with my mom until than.

Rising Numbers

My hormone levels increased as they should. So I am on my way to a larger me.

I have already purchased my first "maternity" wear, 15 -20 firm support hose. If you didn't know, my legs ache, and I get spider veins and varicose veins during pregnancy. It was worse with Josh than with Ellie, so I am guessing that it will be even worse with this pregnancy. I have already been exhorted by P and Gary to put my legs up now and buy those stupid hose. Well, I can't promise anything, but I'll try to wear them regularly. When summer comes around, though, I do not know if I can handle support hose and humidity. I'll just have to sit around all summer with my feet up.

I got the call

I am pregnant! Thank you for all your prayers! Not just that I would become pregnant, but that we will trust in God's plan for us no matter what it is.

I have more blood work tomorrow and Friday. Hopefully my hormone numbers continue to increase. Two times ago I had a positive result (even though I was bleeding,) but the next blood work showed that the hormone levels dropped, and I wasn't pregnant anymore.

So pray that the levels keep increasing, and the baby keeps growing.

Ellie was very excited when I told her I had a baby in my belly and made it known many times thereafter. Josh really had no comment. I also asked them what we should name the baby. Ellie's response was Ella or Ellie, and Josh's response was cow. We won't be leaving it up to them to name our next child.

Still waiting

While waiting I remind myself of these verses:

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4: 6-7

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29: 11-13

Ten Days

The last ten days have been filled with much praying. About our little embryo attaching itself and staying put for 40 weeks.

My emotions have gone high and low. Crying to laughing.

Today was the day to find out if the little guy stuck around. I have been nervous all day. Alas, no call was forthcoming from Abington. So I called them, they had not received my blood results yet. When the call did come, it was to find out that they sent my blood to Quest Diagnostics, and I'd have to wait until morning to learn if I am pregnant.

Let the waiting continue.

The embryo thawed just fine today, and the transfer went as planned. Now we just have to wait until next Monday for the blood test.

I get to just sit and rest and let Gary wait on me for two days.

I have time, but no where to go.

The kids and I have been ill for the past 5 days. It started with me on Saturday with an ever increasing sore throat and a cough, than weakness and a dazed feeling on Sunday. Josh had a cough on Sunday. And since then there have been fevers, coughing, and much tissue use amongst the three of us.

I've had five days of sick children at home all day. And guess what? Tomorrow promises to be another one, with Ellie going to bed with a fever. No school for her this week. Now, she wouldn't have had school on Wednesday anyway, though, because it was a snow day. But I couldn't even take them out to play in it.

Did I mention five days with sick kids and me inside? Let's see, we've watched Bambi (Josh's constant request) numerous times, The Lion King (another Josh favorite,) Tinkerbell, various Veggie Tales shows, an Elmo video on sharing, The Little Mermaid, Prince of Egypt, Curious George and Frog and Toad, Beauty and The Beast, Pooh's Grand Adventure, Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving and Christmas, Real Trains for Kids 2. There are probably more, but I think you get the idea. We have played some games and looked at books, but movie watching has been the main event.

One more day until reinforcement arrives. Grandparents are taking the kids for the weekend, while Gary and I go to Abington for our last IVF transfer attempt. We pray the transfer will take place. The embryo needs to survive thawing, than attach itself and grow. Then I need a positive pregnancy test 10 days later. That's the order of events.

Pray.