Willing Hands for His Glory

Sprayground with Friends!

2011-10-10T12:23:00.000-04:00

Have you been to Lynchburg's sprayground yet? If you have little ones, it's a really fun (and free!) place to check out when the weather is hot. We've only made it out once, but I already want to go back next summer!

Abel, Chase, and I met my sweet friend Crystal there with her two little ones, Michael and Meghan, for a picnic lunch. Michael is the same baby I had the joy of caring for when he was a newborn, the year before Abel was born.

Michael then, just a few weeks old

Michael now, 2.5 years old

The sprayground is a slab of cement with spraying fountains all over it. There is also a structure in the middle with a dump bucket that spills out when it's full. Abel was apprehensive at first, but Michael, Meghan, and Chase all jumped right in and loved it from the start.

Meghan, enjoying the spray

Meghan with one of the smaller fountains

Taking a break and hiding her face in Mama's skirts

At only about 10 months, she was definitely more fearless than Abel!

The sprayground had been pretty empty, and even more folks left at lunchtime . Since we packed our lunch, we just took a little break to eat. It was hard convincing the kids that they should come over to the blanket. But that was just a sign that they were enjoying it!

Abel at our picnic blanket wearing the awesome swim diaper I bought from my friend Cassy of LoveMuffin Goods. She's wonderful, and I highly recommend her stuff!

After lunch, it was just about empty. Since school was out for the summer, there were some older kids playing in the morning. But after lunchtime, the boys felt free to wander around the sprayground a little more.

Chase pausing for a picture

With my little man. Love him!

Crystal enjoying her kiddos

Fearless Meghan, at it again! She was headed right for that spray :)

Chase and Abel- I'm pretty sure they think they're brothers

That's just one of the fun things we did this summer. I'm so thankful for these precious days with Abel and our sweet friends!

Abel Makes Me Giggle

2011-10-02T22:20:00.002-04:00

Abel and I were out shopping recently when I decided to try a few things on in the fitting room. When Abel saw me changing, he began yelling, "Bath! Mama, bath!" I tried explaining to him that I was just trying on a shirt, not taking a bath. So he asked, "Mama, shower?"

At Walmart a few days later, Abel and I were perusing the aisles when I realized I needed to use the bathroom. I told Abel that's where we were headed, and that we'd finish shopping in a bit. As I drove him in the cart through the store he squeaked, "Potty Mama!" over and over.

Maybe I should stop taking him shopping? He's embarrassing, but so funny!

Abel loves to have me snuggle in his bed. If I walk down the hall near our bedrooms he usually asks, "Bed Mama?" and then runs to his bed. He looks at me, pats it, and sits himself down on one side. Then he will look at me again and say, "Other side bed, Mama." When I lay down all curled up on his toddler bed, he begins giving me his blankets , saying "Blankie, Mama" with each one. This morning we did this little routine, and I was all snug in his bed. Then Abel climbed out of bed and asks, "Dada bed?" So I sent him in the other room to get Reed, who then squishes in to join me in Abel's (toddler) bed. We both fell asleep, and woke up periodically to Abel giving us his other lovies: "Mama, woof-woof" and "Dada, baby." He tucked them in with us, then went back to playing in his room. At one point Abel climbed up with us in his bed, but then left us alone to sleep. I think this may be my new favorite game!

If you need a morale boost, come to our house and use the bathroom. When Abel hears the flush, he will run into the bathroom and say, "Yay Mama/Dada! Pee-pee potty!" It makes you feel pretty good about yourself. More recently, he will also congratulate you on using the shower. When the water cuts off, he throws the shower curtain back and claps while shouting, "Yay! Shower!"

He is such a sweet little guy! I am so thankful to witness all of these little moments. I know he won't remember them, but experiencing his precious personality every day is a gift that I will always treasure. Thank you God for these moments!

20 Months of Abel

2011-09-23T13:08:00.005-04:00

20 month old Abel

I cannot believe that my baby is less than 4 months away from TWO! And that just a month after that, he will be a big brother! When I was pregnant with Abel, the end of my pregnancy flew by quickly since it came right after the busy holiday season. I don't know why it didn't dawn on me then that the last few months of every year would fly by for the same reason!

Abel's last check up was at 18 months, but at home he's weighing in at about 21.5 lbs which is still solidly in the less than third percentile. He is still sleeping through the night, usually getting a solid 11+ hours. Unfortunately in the past two weeks or so, he's been having nights where he won't go down very easily. I think he knows Mama and Daddy are still up, and wants to play! We switched him to a big boy bed about 2.5 months ago, and it was so easy. One night he was in the crib, the next night he was in the bed. Maybe God took pity on me since it took Abel a solid 13 months to start sleeping through the night! Abel never even gets out of bed, but rather sits up in the middle of his bed, waiting for us to come get him.

Before his 18 month check up, Reed and I counted and realized that Abel said well over 40 words. Now, his vocabulary has exploded even more! He frequently talks in 2 word sentences at home, though he is usually still very shy in front of strangers. Abel adores babies, iced passion tea from Starbucks, Elmo, searching for the choo-choo when we drive on Wards Rd., watching the rain from our front door, the vacuum, and wrestling with Daddy. He also loves to color now, and calls all crayons "chalk". His favorite foods are bananas, Greek yogurt, waffles, strawberries, pizza, crackers, and quesadillas. And the occasional fry. By "favorite foods" I mean "literally the only foods he eats". We'll work on it when I feel good enough to cook regularly again.

I love how snuggily my little guy is. He loves to cuddle. If Abel spots Reed and I nestled on the couch, he drops whatever he is doing to come join us. He pulls himself up on the couch and climbs over the two of us until he finds a good spot. Then he'll say, "I, Mama!" and "I, Dada!" over and over again. In Abel-speak, this means I love you. He's so sweet! Just a bit ago, when I settled Abel in for his nap, he called out to me from his room. I walked in to find him sitting up in the middle of his bed. As I got closer, he laid down, scooted to the side and said to me, "Bed? Other side? Mama?" so of course I joined him for a snuggle.

Abel is such a joy! I am trying my best to soak up this last bit of one on one time before the new baby joins us. This time with my Abel is so precious and so fleeting, but we're enjoying every minute of it.

Autumn and New Couches

2011-09-19T14:18:00.003-04:00

When we moved into this house year ago (can't believe it's been a year!) I began looking for a new couch and love seat. We bought our first set off of Craigslist when we moved to our second apartment, and I was ready for a change. The old set was not super comfy, the fabric was scratchy, and while I was thankful that the color was neutral and didn't stick out, I didn't love it.

I knew I wanted microfiber, because it can be spot cleaned and it's soft. I also knew I wanted brown or some kind of neutral tan. We certainly weren't buying new, so I returned to watching Craigslist for this new set too. Finally, I found a set that looked brand new (was only 2 year old, and owned by a single woman so it didn't get a lot of use) for only $350. Similar sets, even on Craigslist, have been selling for over $600. The woman's fiance even delivered it for us!

After having a few days with the new set, I love it even more. It's so cozy, just in time for fall. I set up my autumn decor the night the furniture was delivered, and I'm in love with the living room now!

Sorry that the color in these pictures is a little off... I need to get Reed to adjust the camera settings. The room looks better in person!

I bought a basket labeled "Harvest" for all of Abel's fall/Thanksgiving books. He has quite a collection! I'm reusing the coffee filter wreath from last year; I think it held up well! A pumpkin, set of pilgrims, and leaves stuck in my garland round out the mantel.

Abel's Thanksgiving play sets: the Mayflower, and feast table with Native Americans and Pilgrims.

I was overwhelmed by cuteness with I realized this mama had a baby on her back! Abel loves it too, and likes to kiss it and feed the baby the pumpkin.

Other side of the living room. You can't really tell, but I have fall vinyl decals on the mirror, and little pumpkins in the cubbies to the right. There's also a pilgrim couple next to the stereo, and a painting of fall leaves by a talented friend of mine. The comfy couch is a great addition! Love it!

These next two pictures are totally random. I bought a baby carrier for the new baby, and wanted to learn how to wear it. So to practice, I grabbed the nearest baby-size thing-- my 22 lb 20 month old. He loved it! Of course, many moms still wear their babies at this age, so it's really not too strange for him to be in there. But I haven't worn Abel since he could walk, because that's how he prefers to get around now.

As soon as I took him out, he said, "More? More baby? More baby?" He really liked being carried like a baby. So, I tried the newborn hold on him, hahaha:

He was very content in there! When I sat down with him still wrapped up, my sweet little boy just about fell asleep.

Other than pregnancy-related migraines making their presence known, that's about all that's going on over here. I'm so thankful for this beautiful time of year, and all the yummy Starbucks drinks that go with it!

Pickles and other Confessions

2011-09-07T14:02:00.004-04:00

I just ate nearly a whole jar of pickles. Not just any pickles, but these bad boys:

Reed likes to argue that Claussen's aren't really pickles since they're not shelf stable. I think I hear all about his pickle theory every time I eat or buy them. I don't really care what they are, but all other pickle type products are inferior.

However, I must admit, that I can only eat a pickle that has had it's ends cut off. I use to only cut off the vine end (thanks for that quirk, mom) but have recently taken it to the next level and began cutting off the other end, too. Reed usually eats my ends, possibly just to spite me, since I'm not even sure he likes pickles (or, as he calls them, seasoned cucumbers).

The pickle also must be dried off with a napkin so that very little external moisture remains. I'm serious. In the show Everybody Loves Raymond, Ray once says that the pickle is the perfect snack, because it is both a food and a drink.

This disgusts me. My pickles/flavored cucumbers must only be a food.

In other confessional news, I realized that during the day I only go to the bathroom in the dark with the door open. If I close the door, or turn on the light, Abel will stop whatever he's doing to stand at the door and scream. He gets so mad that when I come out, he continues his tantrum. It's just not worth it. I came up with the no door/no lights thing after I got tired of him coming in with me, and trying to throw toilet paper into the toilet while it was in use. Oh well, at least there is a window in there, so it's not too dark!

Fall 2011 Front Door Wreath

2011-09-05T22:02:00.012-04:00

Last fall, the coffee filter wreath ruled blog land. Everyone I knew and didn't know posted their own version, with different color filters and dyed or painted filters. Then coffee filter wreath's little sister, cupcake liner wreath, made her debut around Valentine's day on many blogs. I even tried to make a few of the coffee filter version myself:

The fall 2010 mantel I threw together right after we moved in, featuring my unbleached coffee filter wreath.

My 2010 Christmas mantel, featuring a wreath made of bleached filters that had been dipped in red and green paint.

Even though it's early in the autumn season, I'm already seeing a new trend. Ragamuffin wreaths have already taken over Pinterest, and I know they'll soon take over the decorating blogs! I'm jumping on the bandwagon, and here is my first attempt:

Most people begin with a wire hanger, but I didn't have one. So instead I made a wreath form out of foil that I rolled up.

I bought remnant fabric from Joanne's, and my total was under 4 bucks. I cut them into strips about 1.5-2" thick, and 5-7" long.

Once all the strips were cut, I began tying them onto my foil.

My goal was to totally cover the foil with my fabric strips.

Once all four colors were tied on and the foil was totally covered, I used some leather cord to hang the wreath on my front door. I love the finished product!

If you're in need of some wreath-y inspiration, check out all of the other wreaths posted over at The Nester's "You Made A Wreath Out Of What?!" linky party.

15 Week Survey

2011-09-01T12:55:00.004-04:00

How far along are you? 15 weeks today!

How big is Baby? The average baby at this stage is 4 inches and 2.5 ounces, about the size of a naval orange.

Weight Gain? I've lost 2 lbs so far :)

Gender? I wish I knew!

Maternity Clothes? Yes, in pants for sure. Most of my tops aren't, but I'll need the extra length soon. I wear lots of long length tanks under my shirts now.

Stretch Marks? It's such a mess on my tummy from bruises (from the injections I have to take) and previous stretch marks (from Abel) who knows what's new :)

Sleep? I'm waking up a lot at night.

Symptoms? Headaches are taking over the nausea now. I still (since about week 5) have had both, but in the earlier months the nausea is worse... they're beginning to trade off.

Movement? I've been feeling flutters since 12 weeks. Not too often, and they're not super strong, but they're there :)

Food Cravings? Ugh, no

Labor Signs? Thankfully, no. Let's keep it that way.

Belly Button in or out? Still in

What I miss? It's hard for me to accept the fact that I can't do all the things I usually do. I haven't cooked in a very long time, and my poor husband is surviving on quesadillas (the one thing he can make). I'm ready to be able to cook again.

What I am looking forward to? Feeling baby move more often, finding out the gender.

Best moment of the week? I told Abel there was a baby in my belly, and he ran to bring me a Cabbage Patch doll.

Mama Confessions

2011-08-24T14:47:00.008-04:00

Do you sometimes lie to your kids?

Oh! You want one of these cookies/candies I was trying to hide from you? That was the last one.

Maybe cheat on your cleaning a bit?

If I re-run the washer/dryer/dishwasher I won't have to unload it yet AND can still feel like I'm accomplishing something.

Let your kids watch more TV than you say you do?

If I play the same movie twice in a row, it only counts as once. Really, I've done the math.

If you answered "Yes!" to any of these questions, you might want to follow along when I post my own Mama Confessions. Just trying to keep it real!

This week, I would like to confess to my readers that:

I hid the good Cabbage Patch dolls so the kids that were over wouldn't mess them up. And by "good" I mean "my." Hey, my mom had her own box of Crayola's we weren't allowed to touch and only she could color with. And I have my own Cabbage Patch Kid(s).

Speaking of Cabbage Patch Dolls, did you see these that were auctioned off for charity during the last presidential election? They make me giggle!

Also this week, I was pretty excited when one of the kids spilled their drink all over the floor in the living room. That meant that, after I wiped up the drink spill, at least one part of my floor was clean. Same goes for when my husband split his toe open and got blood everywhere. More clean floor spots!

And finally, to Reed. Thank you for pretending to believe me when I say, "I'm going to take the fastest shower ever and can you just get Abel's dinner ready and I'll feed him when I get out?" In reality you know that not only will you be giving him dinner, you'll probably be getting him ready for bed, too. And I love that you love me anyways and give me that few minutes in peace without complaining. Also, I'm very sorry you cut your toe.

Join in next week for more Mama Confessions! Do you have anything you'd like to get off your chest?

I'm Back!

2011-08-22T14:11:00.005-04:00

So sorry I disappeared for three months with no warning. Thanks to those who noticed!

I typically blog during they boys' three hour nap time, which works out great for me. But this summer I also cared for school aged Sophie, who gave up naps long ago. But she started 1st grade today, and right now the boys are sleeping. So here I am!

I've been taking pictures to keep you up to date on all the happenings around here from this summer. Most of the posts to come will be summer re-caps. We celebrated the 4th of July, moved Abel to a big boy bed, visited the spray ground with friends, went to Chuck E. Cheese for the first time, and took Abel to the beach!

Also, in case you don't know me in real life, Reed and I were thrilled to announce this summer that we're expecting baby number two sometime in February! We are still slowly pursuing domestic adoption, and pray that baby #3 will join us via that route, but we decided to have another biologically to fill in the time gap. Domestic adoption through the foster care system is slow moving, and we didn't want Abel to go much longer as an only child.

In other summer news, Abel is pretty allergic to mosquito bites:

It's good to be back!

Decorating the Living Room and a Mirror Makeover

2011-05-05T13:44:00.008-04:00

For those of you who have been to my house in the past month or so, this post will be old news. I'm a little late sharing these pictures! But if you haven't been over in a while, or want to check out my mirror makeover, stick around.

We first moved into the parsonage in September (October? Sometime last fall). Since then, the main wall in my living room has been decorated three different ways.

First, I used shadow boxes:

I've now moved them to the office on a smaller wall so they don't get lost in all that space. A few of my Willow Tree people live in them now.

For my second attempt in decorating this space, I cut styrofoam into rectangles (about the size of that middle shadow box above) which I then covered in cute fabrics. There were four of them which I hung in a row above the couch using Command strips. I loved this, and was planning on leaving it. Maybe that's why I don't have any pictures, since I didn't think it would come down any time soon.

Then a friend from church gave me this beauty:

I was so excited and knew just what to do with it!

First, I took off the stickers and painted it brown:

Yes, I paint on my living room floor. Without putting anything down. Thankfully, all the paint I spilled kinda matched my carpet, so I could just rub it in a little. Can't even tell :)

Then, I took green sea glass (from A. C. Moore, not the sea) and hot glued like crazy! The final project looks like this:

Love it! Since the mirror was from a friend and I already had the paint, the whole project just cost the price of the sea glass and mirror hanger- only about $8.00 after coupons.

I also wanted to make a book nook in the corner of the living room. It started out looking like this:

This arrangement was never meant to be permanent, I just wanted to share a shot of the "before." After buying bean bags and a carpet from Wal-Mart, hanging a few shelves I'd used at our apartment, and bringing in a bookshelf from Abel's room, now it looks like this:

Abel loves to get out his little books and sit in the bean bag chair! They are a big hit with both Abel and the 2 year old I watch. I also love that the top of the book shelf can be used as place to put drinks for people sitting on the couch.

With the addition of a side table I bought from my church's yard sale, I now love this side of my living room. It's such a good feeling to walk in the front door and love what you see!

Simple Homemaking Monday- a new link-up!

2011-05-02T11:39:00.009-04:00

For a little while, I was joining in on the link-up party Menu Plan Monday to share my meals for the week. But when I switched to monthly meal planning (which is going much better than weekly planning!) and once a month shopping due to sharing a car, I stopped participating.

A blogger I love and have been reading along with for a few year now is hosting a new link up party that I am excited to join!

The purpose of Simple Homemaking Monday is "... to exhort one another and share little things we ourselves are doing or trying to do that point us toward a simple and abundant life as a Christian homemaker, wife, and mother." I love that she says "little things" because so often it is just a simple little thing that makes our homes more beautiful and welcoming, a refuge from this world, and a place that strangers and friends find comfort and love.
A few months ago, I read The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer which encouraged me to pursue different types of art and beauty in the home, and to sharpen the homemaking skills I already practiced. The chapter on flower arrangements was particularly eye opening for me, as I had previously thought that buying flowers was a waste of money. Why spend money on something that will die a few days later? But Schaeffer explained that while we shouldn't be wasteful or spend our money frivolously, we also have been created to appreciate beauty, and that the Creator made flowers beautiful, which brings Himself glory. She says,
"If you have been afraid that your love of beautiful flowers and the flickering flame of the candle is somehow less spiritual than living in starkness and ugliness, remember that He who created you to be creative gave you the things with which to make beauty and gave you the sensitivity to appreciate and respond to His creation."
Lately I have tried to be more intentional about pursuing and enjoying beauty in my home as a reflection of the the beauty all around us in creation, and as an extremely imperfect shadow of the beauty of God.
"One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple."Psalm 27:4
"Splendor and majesty are before him,strength and beauty are in his sanctuary."Psalm 96:6
This week,we have been enjoying a very simple thing of beauty in our home. I rescued a few glass jars from the trash, peeled off their labels, and gave them a makeover with hot glue and various crafts bits I already had (leather cord, buttons, ribbon). Then Reed picked up a bunch of flowers for me when he went on a Wal-Mart run. The results have been making me smile all week:

in the office/guest room

in the living room

How do you bring beauty to your home?

Bloody Noses, Toothbrushes, and an Adoption Update

2011-04-21T12:36:00.008-04:00

Abel caught the driveway with his face the other day while playing outside, received his first big boy boo boo:

His nose bled a lot, but he really wasn't that upset. I was sadder than Abel was! That night, he was mostly just red on his nose and forehead. It actually looked worse the next morning.

Until I took this picture, I didn't know he still had pizza in his mouth from dinner over an hour before! My little chipmunk :)

This was the next morning.

In addition to putting manly looking cuts on his face, Abel has also been very in love with his toothbrush. He had one with trains on it, and carried it around all the time. So I bought him an Elmo one, and if he could have I think he would have given me a 'mom of the year' award when I presented him with that thing. He has been 'drawing' on the chalkboard wall with his wet toothbrush (gag), sharing it with Chase (super gag), and brushed off a shoe with it (extreme gag). That's all good for his immune system, right? He even stuck it in his overalls so he could walk around with it. Not the pocket, inside the actual overalls like this:

Now that I think about it, I read somewhere that some kids like toothbrushes for teething. His doc said his molars are coming in, and he has stopped chewing on his fingers in favor of the brush.

This picture was pre- boo boo. Aunt Sherry, do you recognize the shirt he's wearing? :)

I posted this picture because he just looks like such a big boy to me here! Something about the little boy jammies, just sanding there with his sippy cup <3 I sure do love him. As ready as I am for the next one, it's moments (and pictures) like this that make me so very thankful for this one on one time I have with my Abel. I know that once we have another our relationship and family will change a lot, and I am trying to be aware of this special time I have with my firstborn rather than being impatient about having another. I've said before, if I were the boss of my life, I'd be on number 4 by now :) But instead of being sad about the children I don't have right now, I am choosing to cherish the precious one I do have! I am very content and fulfilled. I love being Abel's mom! I am thankful to God for forcing me to pause and focus on my son, thankful for teaching me to be content and to find satisfaction in Him (God).

Please pray for Reed and I as we make decisions regarding the future of our family!

On a related note, the DePaul adoption/foster agency called me back. The social worker was very informative and helpful. Bottom line, she said that we would most likely be waiting years for a young child if we did not want to foster first, but just to adopt a child out of the system (foster parents get first pick). As of right now, we are planning on taking the certification and training classes offered this summer. From there we will have background checks and home studies. We will then be placed on a waiting list until a child comes through for us, renewing our certification with a new home study every year.

There are several big decisions that await us! We know that God will bring us our next child in His timing and we are praying that it will be obvious to us what step we should take next to add to our family. It's no secret that Reed and I love children, and would both love to have a sibling for Abel soon. He loves his buddy Chase, and I would love to give him a life long buddy! I am trying day by day to trust in God, and to trust the leadership of my husband. I am praying for wisdom for Reed, and patience for myself! I am so very thankful that God is reshaping my very impatient and aggressive heart with "the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit" (1 Peter 3:4). I can feel a major difference in my desires and attitude, which I can only hope is glorifying to God and a blessing to my husband!

Thank you all so much for praying for us and encouraging us along in our journey!

15 months of Abel

2011-04-15T21:36:00.007-04:00

Please take my new poll ------------------------------->

These past 15 months with Abel have flown by! I can't remember life before he was born, but at the same time it feels like yesterday! He is now walking well, and says about 20 words. He loves to play outside, especially with Chase (the boy I babysit). Abel is extremely attached to me, and usually won't go to other adults. I've discovered that he loves Elmo, but mixes up Buzz and Woody (by calling them "Bwoody").

Daddy taught Abel to look for birds outside, which he calls "bees." He loves to look for them in the sky, and points at them when they fly overhead. Sometimes though, the bird he spots is only a butterfly or moth. At least we're close :) Abel asks to take baths all day long, and doesn't even get out when I drain the water and he's sitting there cold and naked. Now that he is big enough for the real tub, it's his favorite thing to do! He knows a few words in sign language, but mixes them all up for about a week every time he learns a new word. It's pretty confusing -- for us and for him!

He is still taking two naps, and has finally begun sleeping through the night consistently about 2 months ago. He is no longer anemic (as of 3 months ago) and we're still seeing a specialist at UVA for his kidney (check up in two weeks). He weighed in at 18 lbs 10 oz at his check up today, and is in the less than third percentile for both his height and weight, where he's been pretty much since birth.

Abel and Chase discovered the swords I had put away for Christmas I found them battling in Abel's room.

Pointing with the sword

Waiting for Chase to join him down the hall. Abel's ready for battle!

Good thing that's not a real blade :)

That 12 month shirt looks a little big on my 14.5 month old, doesn't it?

Pointing at all the birds in the sky.

Inspecting the flowers. So cute!

I was trying to teach him how to sniff it, but he kept tasting!

For you, Mama!

What a joy you are to us, little one! Daddy and I just cannot get enough of you. We try to soak you up every second we can, but you keep changing so quickly. I wish each month was twice as long!

Chasing Down Info

2011-04-13T11:22:00.005-04:00

Many of you have been asking how the adoption is moving along, and I have one word for you: slow! I told Reed that if this is any sign of how this whole process is going to progress (and judging by many adoption stories I've heard, it is) then this is going to take a while.

The first phone call was to Lynchburg Department of Social Services (DSS). The adrenaline I felt while dialing in that number was very similar to the rush of emotions when you look at a pregnancy test. I was a little let down what I had to leave a message on the machine, and didn't hear back for a few days. But when they did call back, I was greeted with a ton of new information. The type of adoption we want to do (from foster care) will not be as simple as we were hoping. Virginia does a program called dual approval for foster parents. This means that if a foster child becomes free for adoption, in most cases their foster parent will adopt them. This is to keep the family setting as stable as possible for a child, rather then passing them on to a third family for adoption. The Lynchburg DSS ended the adoption only program about 2 weeks before I called. I was given the number to the DSS in Bedford, because they still run a small program for adoptive-only families. While we still would take dual certification classes and legally be approved to foster, we would just wait until a child became available to adopt, who for some reason couldn't/wouldn't be adopted by their foster family. We knew that because we wanted a young child, that this would already be a long wait. But now, knowing it would have to be a young child that the foster family isn't adopting, our wait is getting longer.

I call DSS in Bedford. Leave a message. Wait a week. Leave another message. Wait another week. The day before I was going to call a third time, Jennifer from Bedford DSS called me back. She apologizes that it took so long for her to get back to me, and like the previous social worker, she was very friendly. I am feeling more comfortable with the idea of the inevitable home study process, as I realize that these hard workers truly want to find good homes for the kids they care about. She tells me that we would have to travel to Danville (over an hour) for the 7 week training courses if we go through her. She also repeats how difficult it will be to find a young child that will be available for adoption. She says that after we're certified (go through the courses and home study process) we could have a child 5 days later, or 2 years later. She wouldn't be surprised by either. Jennifer then gives me the name and number of DePaul, a human services organization that specializes in hard to place adoptions and foster care. Jennifer in Bedford says that we can do our training through them, since they're in Lynchburg. We will then talk with a social worker through DePaul to find the type of child we're looking for.

I have called DePaul. Guess what? I left a message, and I'm waiting for them to call me back.

Sometimes, I feel discouragement creep in. I know we haven't faced anything hard yet, and I am familiar with some horrific adoption stories. I know of parents who have literally waited YEARS for their child. Rooms decorated, only to have biological family step forward and take the child instead. Some who have been matched and for some reason or another will never meet their child. I am discouraged that there is such a huge need for families, yet it is so difficult to bring a child home. My heart aches for the children who are growing up without parents, without a home, and for couples who long to nurture one of these children.

If you are in the process of adopting, I want to encourage you: the children are so very worth it. Worth the waiting, and the money, the time investment, and the invasive forms.

Please join with me in praying for patience for all adoptive parents, and for orphan's hearts to be calmed and quieted while they wait for a family. Pray that around the world, adoptions will move quickly, and become a smoother process from beginning to end.

I'll keep you updated as soon as I hear back from DePaul!

Edited the same afternoon to add:
She called me back during one of the busiest times of my day, when both boys wake up from their naps and we eat lunch. This time she got my voicemail :) She will be in the office all day tomorrow, so I'll be calling then!

Pursuing Adoption

2011-04-01T15:54:00.007-04:00

Many of you know that Reed and I are hoping to add to our family through adoption in the near future.

We'd like to officially announce that we've recently begun pursuing more information about the specific type adoption we're seeking. Not much has happened yet, but I want to share the trials and successes we face as we go through the adoption process. And we're really excited!

I have several purposes in sharing our adoption story as it happens: First, I want to keep our family and friends informed as this new chapter in our lives unfolds. There are many details and tons of information to pass along, and this is a good place to keep it all. Second, because we want to encourage those who might also be considering adoption. We want you to know that Reed and I aren't anyone special or amazing.

In fact, we're just two (very!) young, broke, and inexperienced parents with lots of questions who feel compelled to respond to God's command to "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy." (Proverbs 31:8-9)

We don't have a special adoption handbook with all of the answers. We don't have someone holding our hand, showing us what paperwork needs filling out. Reed and I know that we are at the very beginning of this, stepping out in faith, taking our family on a journey with an unknown ending. But we want to show you step by step and month by month what it takes to bring our next child home. That way when you adopt too, you'll have an idea of what to do, what problems might come up, and how long it takes. We want you to see that if we can do it (Lord willing) you can too! Third, we are seeking your prayers. Please read what I have to say, then pray for us.

I am planning on doing a post of frequently asked questions soon about our adoption. I don't claim to be an expert (by any means!) but I have done a lot of reading, and of course I can answer questions directed to us specifically. Many people are asking us the same things, so I'd like to share the FAQ's along with answers here on my blog. If there is something you're curious about, concerning adoption in general or about our adoption, please leave a comment. We've been asked a wide variety of personal questions, so don't be shy!

Please rejoice with us at the possibility of bringing a new little one into our home! And join with us as we pray for God to make the adoption process move as swiftly as possible.

"Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home..."

Psalm 68: 5,6

Little Bit of This and That

2011-03-22T10:43:00.002-04:00

Can someone please tell me where this has been all my life? Do you have any idea how many years I've been putting vinegar on my popcorn?

It's so new, I couldn't find a picture of the stuff I bought (and too lazy to upload my own picture!) so this is the Canadian box. Mine's red. The salt and vinegar powder you sprinkle all over the popcorn is awesome. I really don't know why someone didn't think of this a long time ago. (And in case you're wondering, I know this isn't food. Just chalk it up to another Foodie Faux Pas. :)

Also, my awesome husband bought this Mama a few new toys:

a Bosch Universal Plus Kitchen machine (with blender and slicer/shredder)

and a Nutrimill grain mill.

We received a ton (to us) of money when we filled out our taxes this year, and Reed bought me these bad boys before we put the rest towards the student loans. When I thanked him profusely, he said he is proud that these are the types of things I want to spend money on, and it is a pleasure for him to buy them for me. I love having a husband that supports my role as a wife!

I hope you're enjoying this spring weather like we are! Just another reason I am so very thankful we live where we do... I have a very convenient sun/play room, a huge yard, and a playground across the street! What do you like to do in the beautiful weather?

What Does Home Mean to You?

2011-03-19T14:42:00.009-04:00

I've been slowly completing projects around the house when I have spare time. It's been wonderful having a creative outlet to enjoy after Abel goes to bed and Reed's working (though much of what I do as a wife and mom could be labeled 'creative.') While I don't have time to craft too often, I like working on projects like this in bits and pieces.

Our accent wall in the living room is a very dark brown. Since we moved in, I've been planning on having one of those large vinyl stickers made with Psalm 127:1a in bright green for that wall. Many of the websites I looked at were charging $100+ for the size I wanted, which was way out of our price range! A few people suggested I paint it right on the wall... much cheaper, but made me a little nervous.

Instead, I decided to buy four canvases, and paint them like this:

"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them. Psalm 127:1, 3-5

"Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her... let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." Ephesians 5:24, 25, 33

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7

"My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad. My inmost being will exult when your lips speak what is right. Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day." Proverbs 23:15-17 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right." Ephesians 6:1 "Sing to God, sing praises to His name... God settles the solitary in a home." Psalm 68:4, 5

Reed helped me pick Bible verses that were related to home and family, verses we wanted to be reminded of on a daily basis, which makes the project extra special. While I love all of the ones we picked, the last verse on the 'E' canvas brings me an extra bit of joy when I read it.

"Sing to God, sing praises to His name... God settles the solitary in a home."

Psalm 68:4, 5

I have seen this verse used many times in adoption blogs, books, and articles. Reading this verse not only makes me thankful that I am not lonely because of my wonderful family, but also reminds me to pray for the future of our family, that we may be the home a needy child is welcomed into. Praise God for settling the solitary in a home, with a family!

Abel's Birth Story

2011-03-15T09:49:00.010-04:00

Abel Kenneth <3

Just a few days old

Abigail has inspired me to write up Abel's birth story. I've written about it here and there, but I wanted to have a concise, complete version on here. Sorry this is long, but Abel's birth story is pretty dramatic :)

Because of my high risk factors, I went in to have non stress tests done 2x a week to check up on Abel beginning in my third trimester. On Tuesday I went in for the testing when we discovered that my blood pressure was pretty high. I explained to the doctor that I had been having some sharp pains in my shoulder, but that I thought it was from lifting kids while I babysat. He explained that my BP was probably high because I was in pain. I also wasn't feeling 100% (to be expected anyways at 36 weeks), and so I didn't go to work that week from Wednesday on.

Wednesday night was our 3rd wedding anniversary. I cooked a special dinner at home, but felt too nauseous to really enjoy it too much. I also had the dull ache in my abdomen. We took off to church to teach our children's classes, but by then end of the night I was crying for Reed to take me home. I felt awful.

On Thursday, I had another non stress test (NST) to check on the baby. My blood pressure was high again, but baby looked fine. I was feeling pretty sick by now. By Thursday night I was throwing up, and had a pretty awful migraine. I didn't think anything special of it though, because I had migraines and nausea all throughout my pregnancy.

By Friday, I was a wreck. I didn't sleep at all the night before. I sobbed when Reed left for work, and I think I was still crying when he got home. In addition to the nausea, the pain in my shoulder, and the migraine, the dull ache in my stomach was now this awful sharp jabbing. I was miserable! When Reed came home and found me in such pain, he told me I had to go to the ER. I begged him to let me go to the OB's office instead. I didn't want to spend the day at the hospital. So, Reed drove me to the OB's office where they did another NST, and more lab work. The doctor said it appeared that I had a virus, but wanted to check on something in my bloodwork. He would call in the morning if anything showed up in my labs, and told me to go straight to the hospital if I felt even a little worse.

The pain in my stomach was unbearable. I think I cried off and on all night. I didn't know what this virus was, but it was awful! As Reed was getting his shoes on to leave for work, my doctor called. He said to meet him at the Mother and Baby unit at the hospital. Now. I remember driving over there, and all I could think was, "I just want them to knock me out and take this baby so they can fix whatever's wrong with me."

As the nurse buzzed us into the Labor and Delivery hall, I remember thinking, "We'll be back-- right here!-- in a few weeks to have Abel!" They hooked me up to another NST immediately. I was extremely uncomfortable due to the pain in my stomach, and the bands for the tests went right across the painful spot. It felt like we were in there for an eternity, and no one told us anything.

We began pressing the nurse for more details; we knew she had to know more than we did. Finally, she told us that in her experience, we wouldn't be leaving the hospital without the baby, and that he would be born in the next day or two.

What?! We had nothing with us, no toothbrushes, no baby clothes. I didn't even know what was wrong with me! Thankfully, my mom was on her way, and she brought us everything we would need from our house. Looking back, I realize now that we could have called anyone from church, and they would have brought what we needed, too.

The nurse finally gave me some pain medication (Stadol), admitting that she had been carrying it around in her pocket, waiting for a doctor's approval. I'm not even sure she had even finished giving it to me (through the IV I already had) and I was able to relax for the first time in days. I'm pretty sure I told the nurse she was my best friend as I drifted in and out of sleep.

The doctor came in, unfortunately after I was loopy from the medicine, to give us more details. I had severe pre-ecclampsia and HELLP syndrome. This explained the pain in my shoulder, my high blood pressure, the throwing up, the migraine, and the pain in my abdomen. To prevent my organs from shutting down the baby needed to be delivered, now. He would begin an induction after I got settled into a room. While most of this conversation is fuzzy in my brain, I distinctly remember him saying he could go over all the risks of my situation if we really wanted, but that we didn't really want to know. Reed and I took his word for it. Praise God that I was already in the third trimester, and Abel was just a few days from officially being full term. The solution for HELLP is always to deliver the baby, no matter how far along the baby is.

After being moved, they began another IV, a medicine called Magnesium Sulfate. Because my blood pressure was so high, they had to give me this to prevent seizures. I was on it for a few days, and it put me into the weirdest fog. Most of the memories I have while on this medicine are all jumbled up in my brain. I was aware enough to know that I couldn't process things very quickly, and my thinking was slowed down. I almost felt trapped, like I had no efficient way to communicate. It was very weird. My doctor gave me a cervix ripener (I wasn't due for another 4 weeks) that he said should induce labor after 8 hours or so, given in 2 doses. He also told me I would not be able to have the hoped for epidural, because I still had blood thinners in my system. Combining the two causes paralysis. This baby better be cute.

I remember that the nurse came in a few times and asked me if I could feel the contractions that she could see I was having on the non stress test monitor. Those were contractions? Sure I was only in early labor, but that twinge was nothing compared to the terrible feeling in my stomach. The stadol was wearing off, and I couldn't focus on anything but the stomach pain. Later, Reed and I were told that pain was my liver, aching. One doctor told me that if I'd waited any longer to come to the hospital, even one more day, my liver would have ruptured. That explained a lot!

After a few hours, my doctor came back in to check my progress, and to check on Abel. He shook the baby (um, ouch) and was expecting to see his heart rate jump in response. It didn't. The doctor finished his exam, then told us I'd be having a Cesarean, that the baby wasn't handling the induction like he'd wanted him to.

Questions were floating in our minds, we knew it was a very dangerous surgery. Because of my clotting disorder, I'm not suppose to have surgery. (I even still have my wisdom teeth!) It puts me at a very high risk for lethal blood clots during recovery. But, I had taken my blood thinners that morning, which put me at a risk for bleeding too much during the surgery. And, one symptom of HELLP syndrome is the breakdown of red blood cells, which also put me at a very high risk of bleeding too much during the surgery. On top of all this, because I had taken my blood thinners and could not have an epidural, they would have to give me general anesthesia during the C-section.

I hate to end such a story so anticlimactically, but I don't remember much else! They knocked me out and delivered Abel. Because it was an emergency, they forgot to get Reed until after Abel was born. Reed says that when he came into the OR, he didn't know who to go to first, his baby or his new baby. During recovery, Reed was in and out of my room and in and out with the baby. My mom stayed with Abel, whose blood sugar they discovered was dangerously low. They gave him a few special formula bottles, and continued to check his blood for a few hours. He was a tiny little guy, only 5 lbs 5 oz.

When I finally met my precious bundle it was very late, actually the day after he was born. I remember that they wheeled my bed to the nursery and handed me my baby. I looked at him and said out loud, "I want another one." I wasn't given the option to care for him that first night, but soon enough he wouldn't leave my side! (And at 14 months, he still hasn't!)

I spent a few extra days in the hospital than most people, and was throwing up by last day there. I felt like I was going to rip my incision open. Did I mention that in addition to all of this, they were still treating me for a virus? And that they put me back on blood thinners only 12 hours after Abel was born (for another 3 months)? I begged the doc to let me go home, that I would be more comfortable throwing up there.

On our way out of the hospital, we ran into a sweet couple from our church that was there for a tour of the Labor and Delivery unit. (Their baby would be born about 6 weeks early, just 3 weeks later). As they wheeled me out, I remember trying to hold it together so I wouldn't scare my friend. After all, she was due in just a few weeks! I don't think I did a very good job, but at least I didn't throw up on them!

Back at home I recovered from the emergency C-Section, the HELLP, and the virus. I experienced a terrible side effect from the surgery, transferred pain in my shoulders. It was awful, but thankfully it only lasted several days.

I am so thankful that God saw fit to keep me alive through all of this! I love my precious little one, and would go through it all again for him in a second. I am also so thankful that my mom was able to come down for a few days, and that the wonderful people Reed works with pulled together to cover his shifts for a week. Reed never left my side! And now for next time, you can be sure I am familiar with the signs of HELLP syndrome. But we're praying it doesn't happen again!

Before! About 1.5 weeks before Abel's birthday

After! Abel and Mama in the hospital

Menu for a Month- Month 1 in Review

2011-03-11T18:05:00.001-05:00

In February, I decided to begin making my menu plans for one month at a time, and only do one major (3 store) shopping trip a month instead of one a week. We set aside a small portion of our grocery budget to be used every week on things like produce and dairy, which Reed picked up on his way home from work.

After doing groceries this way for a month, I'm planning on continuing to shop and meal plan like this as long as it continues to be beneficial. March is already all shopped for and planned out.

Here is what I learned from the first month:

we go through more eggs, milk, bananas, oats, and butter than I thought!
I always have to keep the kitchen stocked for times I need to bake a breakfast or dessert item. We bring food to church and church functions a lot, which I didn't plan for well enough.
When you and your husband both get the flu, pre-planned dinners go out the window. We went over budget by buying a stack of cold cut sandwich stuff to get us through the few days we didn't move from the living room. I don't always want to count on having exceptions from my meal plan, but it's good to be flexible.
I love how I can rearrange the meals from day to day if I want, and know I have everything in my pantry to make any meal on the calender.
We really do spend less the fewer trips I make to the grocery store. On Reed's short, baby-less stops after work, is able to pick up the 3 or so things we need that week. I, on the other hand, am not.
Planning meals out by month allows me to ensure that our overall nutrition is balanced. I really like this since we don't eat a lot of meat; with a monthly meal plan I can make sure things like lean proteins are spread out throughout the month.

This month should run smoother than last, with fewer last minute trips to the store. The one factor I am still trying to figure out are our veggies. Reed and I would love to join a CSA for our fresh produce, but having vegetables that vary from week to week would throw off my monthly planning. Maybe I can buy the produce that we eat the most (onions, celery, carrots--- for my spaghetti/pizza sauce!) on my monthly trips, then supplement meals with the produce from the CSA? The other issue we're having is finding an affordable co-op that has pick up times which work for us. Since I can't leave the house until after the babysitting day is over and Chase has been picked up, they have to have pick up times that work for Reed. Does anyone have any advice about produce co-ops? Which ones do you like? We're most strongly considering Lynchburg Grows, because of their pick up times.

At the end of February, I sat down with my monthly menu plan board to see what pantry items I had run out of, to add to my big stock up trip. I'm thankful that having a running list for the month works for my husband too, who adds items to it if he runs out of something. Do you see what he added? There on the bottom right?

Let me zoom in for you:

'Marital Bliss'

He told me he crossed it out because we already have it! What a sweet thing to find while I was making my shopping list. :)

Foodie Faux Pas

2011-03-07T15:28:00.006-05:00

I love to cook.

I love creating a meal that brings pleasure to my family and friends.

I love trying new combinations, new ingredients, new utensils.

I have watched many cooking shows, learning techniques you cannot pick up from reading a recipe.

I have devoured (haha) many cookbooks, cover to cover, to learn about a new cuisine.

A common phrase in my house-'That's not food"-is used between Reed and I to describe everything from canned fruit cocktail (That's not food!) to McDonald's (That's not... well, you get the idea.)

Even if I am cooking the same dish over again, my food is never quite the same because I am always tweaking. And because I don't write down my recipes!

I am a foodie.

But, there is something I have to admit.

As much as I hate prepared and processed foods (I like my ingredients to resemble whatever they started out as), as much as I hate fast/junk 'food,' and as much as I hate the American tendency to sweeten everything, I have a confession:

I love ketchup. A lot. And ketchup's cousin, A1? I could drink it straight from the bottle.

Do you know what's in ketchup? A few spices, tomato concentrate, vinegar, sugar, and (in many brands) high fructose corn syrup. Who decided that we should mix those things together?

(My mouth is watering while I type this. For real.)

I was really hoping that I would not pass this American quirk on to my son. I have always made his food, and even before that I didn't shy away from anything spicy or strong flavored while preggo or nursing since I read he would be able to taste bits of it. He loves spicy curry, pancakes with oats and flax seed, plain Greek yogurt, and unsweetened apple sauce. He has spit out boxed macaroni and cheese the few times I've tried to serve it to him. (Okay, and homemade macaroni and cheese. I think he just doesn't like the noodles, but that isn't helpful to my point!) While he did go through a pretty short (though awful) picky stage, Abel really does eat a wide variety of flavors.

So the other day, Reed treated us to lunch out at ~~a fine dining establishment~~ Cracker Barrel. Abel took a few bites of the things we were eating, but wasn't too interested in having a meal. We wanted to finish our lunches in the company of a happy baby, so I tried to interest him on one of my fries to keep him busy. Curious, I swiped it in my ketchup before popping it in Abel's mouth.

My son swished the fry around, licked off all the ketchup, and spit the fry back out demanding more of that messy, red goodness. For the rest of the meal Abel tried his hardest to get at my plate, straining to dip his little fingers into this newly discovered sweet nectar.

I just hope I can still teach him to appreciate ratatouille. Sun dried tomatoes. Insalata Caprese. Balsamic vinegar. Pastisio. Chicken Florentine. And macaroni and cheese.

Even if he has to dip it in ketchup.

Hallway Gallery Wall

2011-02-23T10:09:00.007-05:00

My new gallery wall, looking into the living room.

I am so happy this project is finally complete!

For the past few months, I've been keeping an eye out for the perfect picture frames (pun intended) to create a gallery wall in my hallway. In attempts to be frugal (Frames are pricey! Especially cute ones!) I ventured down into our basement to go through a box of pictures I had hanging in our apartment but didn't put up here. Jackpot! After my little basement trip, I didn't have to buy one frame.

Since I have been very unhappy with digital prints done at Target and Walmart, Reed suggested I try Snapfish for this project. After about a week my prints arrived, and they look much better than the store prints. Has anyone else had a good experience with store photo centers? Where do you get your digital prints made?

In addition to the pictures, I hung cute little words made from baby blocks. I just hot glued the blocks together, and hung them with Command strips. I love those things, and use them all over my house. (the Command Strips, not baby blocks :)

I am really pleased with how the blocks came out! Love them!

That sign says LOVE in red, and has verses from 1 John about love written across the whole thing.

Here's a closeup:

I'm so happy with this wall! And even happier that it just cost me the price of the pictures, since I had everything else :)

The little block words are so fun, and so easy! This one makes me smile every time I see it, but not just because of the cuteness.

It has an unintended secret message for me every time I walk down the hall.....

You can take the girl out of P.G. County, but you can't take the P.G. County out of the girl :) LOL

Last Week's Happenings, and 'When I Don't Desire God'

2011-02-20T15:54:00.006-05:00

It seems that when I blink, and a week or two fly by. How does that happen? My mom always told me that when you have kids, the clock speeds up. Since this past year has been the fastest of my life, I'm guessing that she's right!

On Monday, I took Abel and Chase to the Valentine's Day party for the home/pre schoolers at my church. The boys enjoyed the snacks and crafts, and we had fun passing out and collecting Valentine's cards. Activities like that make me even more aware of how blessed we are to live across the parking lot from our church; if we didn't, I'd have missed out on the fellowship and the boys on the fun.

Reed and I celebrated Valentine's Day with a quiet evening at home. It's nights like that I'm very appreciative that the baby goes to bed so early (truth be told, the baby goes to bed so early so we can enjoy quiet evenings at home!) Why spend a ton of money on food I can make cheaper (and better!) here? And after Reed has a long day at work, the last thing he wants to do is go back out. I personally don't care where we are, as long as we're together. So, we celebrated the night by watching Fireproof and eating a fun dinner at home (roasted garlic green beans, balsamic fingerling potatoes, fillet mignon). And my sweet husband Reed totally surprised me with a new cookbook. Yay!

On Tuesday Abel woke up with a fever, and by Friday Reed and I were sick, too. Pretty sure we had the flu. Thankfully, he had the day off of work on Saturday, so we've spent the weekend relaxing and enjoying each other's company. We've also spent much of Abel's nap times reading.

While one of my goals for this year was to read much more than I had last year, I'm finding that I'm much busier than I thought. If I'm not mistaken, this is week 7 of 2011. Instead of the 7 books I was hoping to have finished by now, I am nearly done book 3. That's discouraging to me, but I am glad that I'm accomplishing my goal of reading significantly more than last year. And I sure do cherish the activities that are keeping me so busy.

The first book I read this year was 'When I Don't Desire God' by John Piper. I really like subtitles (I think they're very informative) and the one for this book is 'How to Fight for Joy.' If you're familiar with Piper, you know that he loves to talk about finding our ultimate joy and satisfaction in Christ. This book is his answer to the question, "What if I don't desire God the way I should? What if I'm not satisfied in Him?" Because if we're honest, aren't there times when we all lack joy and contentment in Christ? There is so much more I could say about this book, but I'm going to let Piper speak for himself by sharing some of my favorite quotes from the book.

Chapter 9 The Focus of Prayer in the Fight for Joy

"...prayer is the revealer of the heart. What a person prays for shows the spiritual condition of the heart. If we do not pray for spiritual things (like the glory of Christ, the hallowing of God's name, the salvation of sinners, and the holiness of our hearts, and the advancement of the gospel, and contrition for sin, and the fullness of the Spirit and the coming of the kingdom, and the joy of knowing Christ), then probably it is because we do not desire those things. Which is a devastating indictment of our hearts.....How we pray reveals the desires of our hearts. And the desires of our hearts reveal what our treasure is. And if our treasure is not Christ, we will perish. 'Whoever loves father or mother more than me,' Jesus said, ' is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me' (Matt. 10:37)."

Chapter 11 How to Wield the World in the Fight for Joy

"The dominant link in the Bible between our gratitude and God is that God is good.... This link between our thanks and God's goodness is repeated over and over...What is most significant about this link is that our gratitude is ultimately rooted in what God is, not in what he gives.... The good gifts, like sex and food, are occasions for the gladness of gratitude. But they are not the ultimate focus of our joy. The sensation of pleasure runs up the beam of God's generosity until it stops in the goodness of God himself. I stress this because it is very easy for us to say we are thankful for the pleasures of sex and food, but never even take God into the picture. When that happens, the joy of sex and food is not joy in God, and is not spiritual, and is not an honor to God for his goodness. Enjoying God's gifts without a consciousness of God is not tribute to God himself. Unbelievers do this all the time. Therefore what Paul is teaching us here is that the proper use of physical pleasures in sex and food is that they send out hearts Godward with the joy of gratitude that finds its firmest ground in the goodness of God himself, not in his gifts. This means that if, in the providence of God, these gifts are ever taken away- perhaps by the death of a spouse or the demand for a feeding tube- the deepest joy that we had through them will not be taken away, because God is still good."

Chapter 11, here Piper quotes G. K. Chesterton first

"'[Children] always say, "Do it again" and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again" to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again" to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all the daisies alike; it make be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that he has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.' I linger over this point- that seeing the glory of God may not require making a trip to the mountains or buying a ticket to the theater, but only opening our eyes- because I believe untold resources for mental health and spiritual joy in God lie all around us if we would but open our eyes."

Have you every read 'When I Don't Desire God'? What did you learn?

Menu Plan Monday 2/7

2011-02-07T13:16:00.006-05:00

I'm linking up over at Organizing Junkie again for Menu Plan Monday. Head over there to check out what everyone else is eating this week!

This is week 2 of my Menu for a Month idea, and it's going really well! No extra trips to the grocery store last week! This week, I will need Reed to pick up a few potatoes for Thursday, and the dough ball I use for my homemade pizza on Wednesday, but that's it! (And really, I could make the pizza crust from scratch... we'll see how the day goes ;)

On the menu this week:

Sunday: (A 19.8 lb) Lasagna for our Small Group's Super Bowl party.

Monday: Pan fried tilapia, wild rice, and sauted broccoli with onions (Edited after Monday night: we had sauted broccoli and onions with gnocchi instead)

Tuesday: Spaghetti with veggie sauce

Wednesday: Homemade pizza with leftover sauce from Tuesday

Thursday: Breakfast- cornmeal pancakes, eggs, and fried potatoes (We have only had breakfast for dinner a handful of times, but I like it so I want to do it more often. Maybe a fritatta or quiche next time?)

Friday: Dinner at our church's Valentine Dinner. I think it's catered by Olive Garden this year, and every couple brings a dessert. I'm not sure yet what I'm bringing.

Saturday: Reed's closing at work, so the baby and I will probably have leftovers or something simple :)

What are you having this week?

Menu for a Month - a Tutorial

2011-02-03T11:53:00.009-05:00

Until recently, I had been planning out our meals weekly and then grocery shopping once a week. It was a great system, and worked really well for our family. But since my car accident a few months ago, it has become increasingly difficult to find time to head to the grocery store, even just once a week. So beginning in February, I'm trying something new to me but that I know lots of people do... monthly menu planning with one major grocery trip.

We set aside a small amount out of our grocery budget to spend on perishables every week (veggies and dairy) that Reed can pick up on his way home from work (much easier than me trying to get my hands on the car at a decent time and go out). But the bulk of the grocery budget I'll be spending in a big trip the first weekend of the month. This will also cut down on over spending due to those impulse buys that are so easy to make every time you walk into the store. I'm famous for 'Oh! Those veggies look great! Let me totally rearrange my dinner schedule to make something with THOSE!' when I have all of the ingredients for a perfectly good meal at home.

Reed and I sat down to make a master list of foods I make the most that are mostly frugal and ones that he especially likes. I'll be able to choose from this list when I plan my monthly menu.

I wanted something cuter then just a list to keep my menu on, and so I put my own spin on something that I'd seen floating around blog land- the monthly menu calender.

Have you seen these? It is a Melissa and Doug chore chart. New, they run about 20 bucks, but I found mine at Goodwill for $2.50. It was missing most of it's magnets (but I didn't need them) and it was really marked up (the picture above was after I cleaned it). But I knew it would work perfectly for me!

After I wiped it down, I cut out food related words and pictures from some of my old cooking magazines. I arranged them along the edge of the top board to cover up all of the extra sections I didn't need. I played around with the pictures until I had something like this:

I didn't stick exactly to this layout, but I knew I had enough pictures to move on to the next fun step - Mod Podge!

Using my old little foam brush, I painted a thin layer of Mod Podge where I wanted to place the pictures. I smoothed each picture into place, trying to avoid bubbles. Once that dried, I painted another thin layer of Mod Podge over all of the pictures, to seal them into place.

Next came the meal magnets. I bought a roll of magnetic tape from Wal-mart (about $3) that is magnetic on one side, and sticky on the other. It looks like this:

After typing up the meals from the list that Reed helped me make, I cut each one out and stuck it to the sticky side of the magnet tape, trimming to fit. By the way, it's projects like this that make it obvious that I cannot cut straight!

You can see the little stack of complete magnets on the right side, and the strips of paper with meals on them to the left.

Once those were all done, it was time to arrange them in their little squares for February!

I love this board, because I have room to write my grocery list in dry-erase on the bottom. Since the whole thing is magnetic, I keep extra meals that didn't make it on that month's menu on the bottom next to the grocery list. Since the top is dry erase also, I can write things in the squares that I don't have magnets for! I'm remembering more and more meals that still need magnets, and so those meals can be written in right in the little squares. So far for this month, I know we have a Valentine's dinner at the church on the 11th, so I wrote that in dry-erase.

I love this system, because I can move the meals around if I want. Say I need a quicker dinner then I had planned one night, I just move my magnets around and shift the meals. After my big shopping trip, I know I have everything in my pantry to make all of the meals listed, so no last minute stops to the store! I've also been flipping the magnet upside down as we eat a meal, to help me keep track of days (I can never remember what day it is!)

This sure was a fun and practical craft! I hope you like it, too!

Hung on the kitchen wall, next to our kiddie-art hanging line.

My Valentine Mantel

2011-01-25T15:56:00.008-05:00

Happy (early) Valentine's Day!

We don't typically do much for Valentine's Day around here, but I thought it would be fun to decorate this year!

If you've never been to my house in real life, let me assure you the lime green decorations were not an accident ;) Both my living room and kitchen are lime green, and I couldn't abandon it entirely for V-Day. I tried to be careful and make sure I didn't leave too much; I didn't want it to be Christmas-y!

This red frame around my favorite picture of my favorite boys was from Target. They have a Valentine's area, but this one was 1/2 price in the frames section.

This frame (which I love!) I spotted for 75% off at Lifeway because the stand on the back is broken. I just have it leaning against my mirror. Full price it's 7 bucks, which I never would have paid!

The hearts hanging in front of the mirror and the one behind the 'K' are plates from a few Valentines Day's ago. The metal 'KISS' is usually in our bedroom. I love the XOXO blocks that I have stacked - those are from the dollar spot at Target (for $2.50) and say 'kiss,' 'hugs,' and something I can't remember on the other sides. My heart garland is just made of construction paper hearts, strung on fake leather cord I had in my craft stuff :) I hot glued it to my mantel for hanging, and it will peel right off when I take it down. The sticky words on the mirror (hard to read in the picture, but they say 'kiss kiss' and 'love') were a gift from the kids I babysat last year.

I had a blast putting this together, mostly from things I had hanging around the house! Check out all the other Valentine Mantels over at The Stories of A to Z- the Valentine Mantel Party!

When Mama Ain't Happy...

2011-01-22T11:46:00.007-05:00

Why is it that when I've more then usual on the 'To-Do' list, or if I'm running around trying to catch back up with chores, or if I'm having a particularly stressful day, the kids act up more? If I'm angry because of something, they're extra disobedient. I've noticed that the more frazzled I am, the worse the boys act! The more I have on my plate, or if I'm in a bad mood, the more they whine, upset each other, and try to cling to me to the extreme.

This change in the boys' behavior has become apparent to me even more lately. The week or so before Abel's birthday bash was extra busy for me, as I prepared for the party. While it was a joy to cook all that food for all those people we love, I surely didn't have a minute to spare all week between the planning and the shopping and the cooking. It was a little harder to get dinner on the table that week, and a little harder to make sure we had clean clothes, so I'm sure my temper was shorter, too. My busyness was exaggerated because of the way the boys were acting. Granted, Chase and Abel are both usually very well behaved, so even when they're making my day difficult, it's still not that bad. But still, if anything, when I'm that busy I need them to be even better then usual!

Now that the party is over and done with, our days have settled back into a routine. They boys seem extra happy, very playful, and loving towards each other and me. My day has gone back to normal, too, and I have much more time to play instead of cooking or running around. Even though preparing for the party was a good kinda stress, this week was much more laid back. I've been in a great mood!

My first thought, when I reflected on the change in the boys' behavior, was Can they seriously tell when I'm extra busy (or in other cases, upset or angry) and then purposely try to push my buttons? Now, I know I'm a little dense, but it finally dawned on me what was happening:

My attitude and behavior was effecting their attitude and behavior. It isn't a coincidence that they are naughty when I'm acting sinfully (not handling stress well, irritated, or angry) but they act sweet, loving, and obedient when I'm joyfully submitting to God and my husband with a loving heart and right actions.

(Of course, children will sometimes have bad days of their own, which is another issue altogether!)

I didn't have as much time to play or read stories. Behaviors from the boys that usually I would nip in the bud, I didn't have time to correct. So they got worse. But worst of all, I lacked the patience I usually had, causing me to use harsh tones or even to ignore a sweet little one who wanted me to read a story. This happens not only on days that I'm stressed, but also when I'm upset, irritated, or feeling angry.

We all have days like this with our kids, don't we? It's easy when we're in the moment to assume that the kids are just having a bad day too, independent of ours. It takes a little reflection to realize we might be the reason for their bad day. Of course, that's no excuse for their own sinfulness. But I am responsible for the example I am setting, as well as the negative influence I'm having... especially if my attitude is guiding the actions of the ones I love towards committing their own sin! It's so easy to get stuck in a cycle... mom's sin...the kids' sin...another sinful day for mom...more sinful days for the kids.

And I haven't even mentioned how easy it is to do this with your husband, too!

I need to break this cycle!

Lord, forgive me to allowing my sins of anger or frustration or selfishness to negatively effect my little one's day. I am so sorry for the times I lose focus, and allow the busyness of life to become a priority over those You've entrusted to my care. I repent of acting sinfully even when I'm not aware of the effect it has on my family, because not only does it influence them even when I'm not aware, my sin will always effect my relationship with You. Please continue to teach me to show grace to those around me, just as you have shown grace to me.

My Favorite Baby Things (part 2)

2011-01-18T16:39:00.006-05:00

Here is the second half of my top ten favorite baby things. (Find the first half here.) I hope it's beneficial!

6. Undercover Mama

While I am a very pro-breastfeeding mama, I am a very anti-show-my-skin-in-public mama. Yes, babies have a right to eat when and where they need to, and yes you should be breastfeeding, but this does not take away your responsibility as a woman to be modest. I can't really breastfeed in public anymore because Abel isn't a big fan of being covered, and he is coordinated enough now to throw my covers off. But before that, I loved this product! It is a strapless tank top that hooks onto your nursing bra, keeping your stomach covered when you lift up your shirt and take down your bra. Genius! I actually still love using this product because even if I am comfortable nursing in front of you without a cover (my mom friends)... I still don't want to show you my tummy! :) Because it's long, the tank peeks out of the bottom of the shirt you're wearing on top, which I like. That also means that I will probably continue to wear this after Abel is weaned, just because I like the way it looks!

I will also take this opportunity to share something related that I am pretty proud of. As of Monday, I have been nursing Abel for a year. (I didn't meet Abel until the day after he was born, because he was born at night, and I was under general anesthesia.) While I am super happy about this, I am even prouder that since he as been in my care, he has not had one single bottle. This is not an opinion post (I'm not trying to spark off a debate), but I just wanted to share that I had reached a personal goal that I'd set for myself. Yay!

7. BabySteals *Edited after posting to add-- Sorry to the folks who went to the site the day I posted this. They were selling nursing bras that day, and had the samples on real models. So sorry!!!! The link now goes to their 'About' page, rather then the 'Today's Steal' page. *

I LOVE this site. Every day at 11 AM and 11 PM (eastern time) they have one baby/pregnancy related item for sale (toys, feeding gear, shoes, hats, books, maternity clothing, etc), in limited quantities. It is at least 50% off, and once it's gone and sold out, it's gone. The popular stuff sells out quickly, sometimes within minutes! I have learned about some amazing products through this site, and have gotten some awesome deals. They have sister sites called ScrapbookSteals, and KidSteals. I don't scrapbook, but I do also check Kidsteals. The facebook page for Babysteals is very active, and I've learned about even more products from the discussions there. I've also scored a few used Babysteals at an even further discounted price from the resale board.

8. Glider for the nursery

We were given a previously loved glider for Abel's nursery from the family I've babysat for for over 4.5 years. The moments I spent in it with our newborn were precious, as are the moments I spend with him in it now. This is probably the most used item on this whole top 10 list (with the exception of his diapers) because I rock him/nurse in it every time he goes to sleep, nap and night time, as well as throughout the day. It's also precious to me because every night, Reed will read a story out of Abel's storybook bible while the two of them rock in it. I did not buy anything fancy for his nursery (and actually, I didn't even buy this:) but I would definitely recommend anyone who is having a baby to get a glider. I don't see us getting rid of this anytime soon; not only do I hope to rock lots of little ones, I can see it being a cuddly place for story time for a long time yet.

9. Johnny Jump Up

Like I said in the Part 1, the things in my home have to earn their keep. I don't buy gadgets just to have them. Before Abel was mobile, we were in an apartment, so the gear he had then had to pass an even stricter check list. Many items that most moms love (like the excersaucer) just took up too much space. We loved the Johnny Jump Up instead because not only could Abel stay in an upright position and remain contained, he could use it to strengthen his legs, too. It was also wonderful because it hung in a doorway (didn't take up too much space) and I could very easily pull it down and stick it in a closet when we had company. I didn't buy this item either, it was given to us by another family I babysat for. Before Abel, I used it for the little guy I watched full time, and both boys have loved it. It was the easiest way for me to get dinner and chores done if it wasn't nap time!

10. Husband

I know my husband isn't really a 'baby item' but I don't know how I could have done this first year without him! He is so supportive, loving, and helpful. While caring for Abel is a job I am very happy to have full time, Reed takes over when I need him to, jumps in when the laundry is overflowing, and willingly changes diapers. Because of Reed, a year that could easily be stressful (having a baby is a tough job!) was extra wonderful, and I could enjoy all the little moments. I know that as Abel (and our family) grows, Reed will be even more indispensable, as he is the spiritual and practical leader of our home.

I have a lot of respect for women who raise their families without the help of their husband, either because he has a lot of maturing to do, or because he isn't home. I want to mention my friend Melissa, whose husband is serving overseas. She is the mom of a 6 month old that was born after her husband deployed. While I'm sure he gives moral support, he can't give practical support over the phone. You are doing a great job, Melissa! I don't know how you do it!

I hope my Top Ten list was helpful! Let me know in the comments if you like/dislike any of these products! What are your favorite baby items? What can you not live without?

Mama's Got a One Year Old!

2011-01-18T12:00:00.011-05:00

The day before Abel turned one, we had over 50 of our friends join us at our church for a Toy Story themed party in honor of the birthday boy! Abel was obviously pretty oblivious, but it was great to fellowship and celebrate our son with those who love and support him. We know that these people are praying for Abel as he grows, and for Reed and I as we rely on God's grace to raise Abel in the knowledge of the Lord. I wish that everyone we love could have been there, but I'm not sure how much more food I could have cooked ;)

Abel, Daddy, and Morgan from my college dorm

My mom and brother Clee talking with Ryan from church. Mom, her husband Tony, and Clee came for the day from Maryland.

How do you feed a ton of people? With a ton of food! I made several batches each of pulled pork BBQ, old fashioned baked beans, coleslaw, and a pasta/fruit salad. I was cooking all week, but it sure was worth it! Yum!

Cutting the cake

We had Toy Story alien cupcakes, and a cake. You've gotta have a lot of food to feed a lot of people! Next to the cupcakes are boxes of Toy Story mac and cheese... the party favors. The kids were super excited about those! :)

Reed and Joe serving the kids. Abel, Reed, and I all wore Toy Story shirts. That may or may not have been my idea :)

Some of the kids enjoying dessert

This is where we had crafts. Each kid decorated a piggy bank (in honor of Hamm, from Toy Story) with stickers.

Abel eating his alien cupcake

Me filming Abel :)

A few of the grown ups

Even though we said no gifts, we had a few great ones to open once we got back home :)

Thank you, all!

Abel with his gift from Reed and I

Opening his pots and pans to go with the play kitchen from Yia Yia and Pop, and Uncle Clee

He LOVES the water bottle the McKinleys brought from Disney World. And, he loves Uncle Clee :)

What an awesome year we have had. I can't imagine my life without our precious little one-- he has stolen our hearts! I am so thankful that I have the privilege of being the one to care for our son everyday; to be the one that cuddles him when he is sick, comfort him when he is sad, and be the one he looks for when he wakes up. What joy that brings to me!

God's word calls children a blessing, and Reed and I both pray that you see that in our attitude and actions.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine

within your house;

your children will be like olive shoots

around your table.

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed

who fears the LORD.

(Psalm 128:3-4 ESV)

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,

the fruit of the womb a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the children of one's youth.

Blessed is the man

who fills his quiver with them!

(Psalm 127:3-5 ESV)

We are excited to begin this new year, on the journey with Abel as he heads to '2.' Please continue to pray for us, as we are shaped into the parents the Lord would have us be.

Menu Plan Monday 1/10

2011-01-10T17:11:00.005-05:00

I'm linking up over at Organizing Junkie again this week for Menu Plan Monday.

This is a busy week for us! I am babysitting two children (in addition to having my little man) instead of the typical one for a few weeks while the public schools are on Christmas break. It sure is a lot of fun to share the day with two "extras" and spending time with little ones is my favorite kind of busy. I really do love them!

This week is also special in our family because Thursday is our fourth wedding anniversary, and Sunday is Abel's first birthday! Time just flies :)

Here is our meal plan for the week:

Monday: Reed closes at work, so I won't be cooking a sit down dinner. Sammie for me, leftovers for baby

Tuesday: Turkey meatball subs, oven fries, sauted broccoli

Wednesday: Bean, veggie, and pasta soup (Last time I planned this, we went out to eat as a treat! Maybe I'll get lucky again ;)

Thursday: Our anniversary! Fillet Mignon from Omaha steaks (A Christmas present from my grandparents) with sun dried tomato hollandaise, horseradish mashed potatoes, sauted brussel sprouts

Friday: Greek orzo and garlic green beans (see recipe at the end of the post)

Saturday: Abel's party! We're having a large get together at our church, and I am really excited about cooking for everyone. Pulled pork sammies, baked beans, coleslaw, cold pasta/fruit salad

Sunday: Party leftovers

A few posts ago, I had a request for the manestra (Greek Orzo) which I am happy to share. I typically don't cook with recipes (ok, only when I'm baking), but this is one I make often enough that I'm fairly certain I can give you the steps of what I do.

I began making this in high school, after I couldn't get enough of the manestra at the Greek Orthodox Church's yearly festival in my neighborhood. I've played with it until it tasted right, and it's come a long way. My version is the quick, meatless version (though I do use chicken broth). Traditional manestra is cooked with braised lamb meat, and that recipe can be found here.

Melt about 1 T butter and 1 T olive oil in a medium saucepan.

Add 1 chopped onion and saute.

Add several cloves diced garlic and saute until fragrant

Add 1.5 cups dry Orzo pasta, toast (while stirring) in the hot pan with onions and garlic

Add a few splashes (about 1/4 cup) of white wine (you can use cooking wine or broth, if you prefer)

When that's absorbed, add one 15oz can of tomato sauce, and one 14 oz can chicken broth. Refill the can a little less than halfway with water, and add that too. Stir, and bring to a low simmer.

Cover and let simmer until most of the sauce is absorbed and the pasta is tender. Very rarely, but sometimes, you might need to add more water.

Take the lid off and stir while it's simmering or the pasta will stick to the bottom and burn.

Again, I don't use recipes, but I'm pretty sure it takes about 20 mins to absorb the sauce (not all the sauce, it's suppose to be saucy!)

Season with salt and pepper.

Serve with feta on top

Next week, I'll be sharing my original recipe "Garlic Green Beans." If you think you don't like green beans, you've never had these! :)

11 Things I Want to do in '11

2011-01-03T11:43:00.007-05:00

1. Read a book a week (or so). I want to seriously increase my time reading this year. I am a very fast reader and love reading, and I need to make more time for it.

2. Start every day with a load of laundry. Do you know how much easier this would make my life? (I know my family isn't big, but we use cloth diapers, folks!)

3. Eat beans and rice for lunch (most of the time. We're not perfect ;)

4. Lose weight. For real. I want to lower my risk for a repeat c-section as much as possible, and that means losing some weight. VBACs are much more successful if you're at a healthy weight. No amount of sugar or candy or junk (which I love, unfortunately) is worth another surgery. Of course, it's ultimately in God's hands, but I am still responsible for me.

5. Exercise self control. With my eating (see number 4), my thoughts, words I speak, and my actions. By practicing self discipline (studying the scriptures regularly, physical exercise even though I hate it, getting to chores when they need to be done and not being lazy).

6. Stop using that tone of voice when I'm speaking to my husband. You know the tone. I adore and respect my husband, and that needs to be obvious all of the time.

7. Stick to the budget. We're getting better, but isn't there always room for improvement? We like to live below our means, and I want to contribute to our saving as much as is reasonable.

8. Cherish every moment with my baby. This first year has flown, and I know they will just get faster. Hopefully, he won't be an only child for long, which excites me and makes me sad, knowing I won't be able to give Abel as much attention when the next one comes. (Which leads me to......)

9. Adopt. I could write many posts about this, and I probably will. Please be praying for wisdom for us. Be praying for the birth family, and the circumstances around the termination of their parental rights. For the child. For Abel. We hope to begin this long process soon, hopefully this month or so. It would fill my heart with such joy to bring home a child this year.

10. Cherish every moment with my husband. Oh, he is so precious. I want to be the best helpmeet I can, so he can make the most of his time. I want to be intentional about our time together. More reading together, playing Othello, and snuggling... less waiting for him to come home so he can do laundry for me, or empty the dishwasher (etc).

11. Cherish every moment. Life moves so quickly.

Our 2010 Christmas Letter

2011-01-01T12:57:00.001-05:00

Because I am too ~~lazy~~ busy to send out Christmas cards (maybe next year!) here is the official Kerr Family Christmas Letter for 2010. Enjoy!

Reed and I began 2010 by celebrating our 3rd anniversary on January 13. (I can't believe that in just 2 weeks it will be time to do that again!) While of course we had both good and bad days, we are thankful to have seen much growth in our marriage. I pray that every year we can look back on the year before, and see our marriage strengthen. I know it's cliché , but I truly am so full of joy to be married to my best friend.

Reed and I on Thanksgiving

Only 3 days later we welcomed out first son, Abel Kenneth, into the world by emergency c-section at 10:28 PM on January 16th, at 5 lbs 5oz. During my last week of pregnancy, I developed a very serious condition called HELLP syndrome with Pre-Eclampsia, in addition to my blood condition that already complicated things. Long story short, Abel's birth and delivery went exactly the opposite of how we wanted it to, and both of our lives were in danger. Praise God, He saw it fit for both of us to make it through! The very first thing out of my mouth when I met our tiny Abel was 'I want another one!' After a long 5 days in the hospital, they released Mama and we brought our precious bundle home. I only remember bits and pieces from my hospital stay because of the medicine I was on, but I do know that Reed didn't leave my side once.

Abel, just days old

Abel and Mama in the hospital

We were slammed with tons of snow in Lynchburg in the month after Abel was born, and it was so cozy to be home with my two boys. We also had some visitors after we came home. Though my mom drove down when the baby was born, she went to MD to bring back my brother for a visit. We also enjoyed going to our church Superbowl Party when Abel was 2 weeks old, and the Valentine banquet when he was 4 weeks. We loved introducing him to our friends and family! Then, when Abel was about 5 weeks, Reed's parents stayed with us for a week.

5 week old Abel and Reed's dad

In the spring, we made a trip up to MD to introduce Abel to all of our friends and family in MD, where we had an after-the-baby shower. Also in early Spring, Reed became the Director of Children and Youth at our church! He does this part time job in addition to his job at Starbucks. It has been such a blessing for him to work on writing lessons, planning activities for our children's program, and recruit teachers. I help him by thinking up and planning the crafts to go along with his lessons. This job keeps him busy, but he loves it! We are so thankful for this opportunity to work in ministry, alongside some wonderful men at our church.

Visiting with Uncle Clee

I enjoyed a wonderful summer home with my baby. After Abel was born, I quit one of my babysitting jobs and changed the other one soon after so I could watch the little girl at my house instead of hers. What a blessing that was; so much easier with a newborn! I watched her part time after Abel was born, because she was in preschool, and then summer camps. I am so thankful for the Brooks' and their little girl, Sophie. I met them when she was 2 1/2, and she just turned 7! The job has changed a lot over the years (her house/my house, long days/short days, part time/full time), and so has Sophie. It's been great to watch her learn and grow, and to become friends with her parents. This summer also saw a baby boom at our church, with 3 babies being born in one week! In all, 9 babies were born to families at our church in 2010 (Abel, Faith, Elyse & Joslyn, Sophia, Miles, Eliana, Nathan, and Andrew! Whew!) We love being part of a church family that loves little ones so much! Each and every one of their lives is unique and purposeful. To God be the glory!

Abel and Sophie Summer '10

We also made a trip to Tennessee in the summer, to attend the wedding of Stephen and Rachel Weems, Reed's cousin. We thought the wedding was beautiful, and the message that another of Reed's cousins (Mark) gave during the ceremony was perfect. Thanks for sharing your day, guys! It's rare that Reed and I are able to travel to events that his family has, because of all the travel involved and our work schedules. I am glad we could introduce Abel to Reed's family and spend time with his sister and brother's families (who also met Abel for the first time while were there).

Visiting Reed's mom and grandmother after the wedding

This fall, a blessing we were already experiencing (Reed's job at the church) provided an amazing opportunity: to move into the parsonage at our church! With the help of many, many people we cleaned, painted, and moved in during the month of September. We love it here! And, the day we moved in, Abel began crawling. I think it was easier for him to drag himself on the hardwood floors at the house than on the carpet at the apartment! After we moved, we took a very quick trip to MD to attend my mom's wedding! It was beautiful, and we loved seeing many family and friends. We pray that mom and Tony (haha, yes that's really his name) reflect the relationship between Christ and His church as they grow together.

I also began a new childcare job this fall, ending 10 months of just working here and there. I now take care of little Chase at my house full time, who is about 10 months older than Abel. We are so thankful to the Lord for providing for our needs during my time of underemployment, and then providing the perfect job for me as soon as we were all moved in to the new house! We also spent lots of family time together this fall; we went camping, apple picking, trick or treating, and pumpkin picking.

Abel playing with Chase

At the orchard

Our fall ended with a crash, when I was driven into at a red light and my car was totaled. We are now a one car family, which has been an easier transition then I thought it would be. And for the week of Thanksgiving we had a rental, so we drove down to TN in style! We had a nice visit with Reed's family and enjoyed seeing Abel play with his cousins, Maddie and AJ. While in TN I was introduced to a new product, Scentsy, and decided to become a consultant! I've already had some fun with it in 2010, and am eager to see where that takes me in 2011. The weekend we came home from TN, we went to MD for 2 days. While there, we spend time with my grandparents and had dinner with my dad.

AJ, Mimi, and Abel reading on Thanksgiving

Visiting with Poppy

We stayed home to celebrate Christmas this year, and I am so glad my mom and brother could join us. Then Clee stayed a few more days after Christmas. I really enjoyed his company! The year ended (as it always will) with the anniversary of Mike's 'homegoing' on the 31st. I can't believe it was 3 years ago we said goodbye. It's strange for me too look around and see others celebrating, not because we shouldn't, but because I feel like they need to know the significance of this day for my family. Images from that day in particular are so burned into my memory. It brings me great comfort to know that he is in the presence of our Savior, with no more pain or suffering. This New Year, Reed and celebrated by watching a movie. We accidently fell asleep at 11, and woke up at 12:15. I was a little disappointed because I wanted to watch the ball drop, but I thought it was pretty funny. :)

Christmas morning

I think this year might have been my favorite year! Having Abel join our family has brought us even more joy then either of us could have imagined. We love watching him grow and change (though I personally would've loved to freeze time with him as a newborn) and we both have great anticipation about adding to our family (in 2011??) I've cherished the time spent this year with loved ones, both from our families and church families. Being home full time this year has been a dream come true, and I hope God continues to provide me with that opportunity. Working with the children and their families at our church has been wonderful, and we look forward to continuing that job as long as the Lord allows.

Happy New Year!

Menu Plan Monday 12/27

2010-12-27T10:26:00.004-05:00

(Please take the survey on the top right of my blog. I know that many people are reading (particulalry when I post on Facebook) but I'd like to know who you are :)

I needed to take a little break from any type of regular posting while I spent time with my family and prepared for Christmas. Though we're still busy, I wanted to pop on and do Menu Plan Monday again. I can assure you that we've been eating the past few weeks, I just didn't take the time to write down what it was we ate! :)

When my mom left to go back to MD after Christmas, my brother decided to stay here with us until Thursday. I take special requests when we have guests, so my menu includes a few special things I don't make too often (because fun meals get pricey!) I am excited for the opportunity to cook a few 'fun' things, because I sure do love to cook!

So once again, I am linking up with Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

Sunday: French toast/ home fries after church, Homemade pizza (with leftover homemade sauce) for dinner
Monday: My version of a dish I had at Robin Alexander when Joe and Abigail took us out to eat there; I think it was called 'Black and Blue." I toss farfalle with balsamic marinated, blackened steak strips, sauted onions, roasted garlic, sun dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach. Then I make a Parmesan and blue cheese white wine cream sauce to go over the whole thing. Yum!

Tuesday: Roasted tomato soup with veggies, beans, and pasta. Filling, healthy, easy, and cheap!

Wednesday: Lime marinated flank steak fajitas with grilled peppers and onions, guacamole, homemade refried beans and lime-cilantro rice.

Thursday: Edamame, onion, and broccoli stir fry served over brown rice. Teriyaki tilapia on the side.

Friday: Manestra (Greek style orzo) with sauted garlic green beans

Saturday: Bean and rice enchiladas

We're planning on doing beans and rice for lunches again, something I got out of the habit of during this busy season. That doesn't really make much sense, since eating the beans and rice takes very little prep, but it does require forethought since the beans take about 12 hours to cook. I also have some bread leftover from the French toast on Sunday that I'd like to use up before it goes stale, so I might make some tuna for lunch one day.

Just about all of the leftovers from the big meal I made on Christmas Eve are already gone, so that's why they're not included in this menu. While we all loved it, Abel in particular has been chowing down on my leek/mushroom/provolone/spinach stuffing! I'm so thankful he is such a good eater!

I'll post Christmas pictures soon!

On Sharing A Car

2010-12-14T11:11:00.006-05:00

As most of you know, I was in a car accident a few weeks ago (I was driven into while stopped at a red light) and my car was totaled. For about 2 weeks, we had a rental that their insurance paid for. Reed and I put a lot of miles on the car while we had it, traveling to both Tennessee and Maryland. It was wonderful to have such a nice car, a 2011, even if it was just for a few weeks! Reed liked to joke that we would have a 2011 car like that for sure... in about 12 years. The rental place is just up the road from us, and I wave to the car when we pass. :) We miss you, nice car!

So now, we're sharing a car. We've decided that since I am home full time it would be the wisest decision. They did give us more money for my totaled car (Snow White) then we thought they would, but still not really enough to buy something that will last. So, we've stuck the money away into savings for when Reed's car (Elmo) decides to bite the dust.

When Reed and I were first married, we shared a car for over a year. Then, we were both taking classes on campus, and worked three jobs between the two of us. So most days, there were five places the two of us needed to be. Reed would walk to Starbucks after school, and sometimes would wait hours after work until I could come pick him up. Or he would have an early class, and I would take a nap in the car since school didn't start for me until later in the day. It was crazy! It felt like we never had any downtime at home.

But now, while we still work three jobs between the two of us (though they're different than they were then) Reed is the only one who needs the car. I am fortunate enough to be making money from home babysitting, and Reed's other job is within walking distance to our house! (Can I tell you how much I love living across the parking lot from the church?!) While it does take some shuffling for things like groceries, it's not that big of a deal.

I'm actually finding that the more time I spend at home, the less I want to leave! That feeling may be exaggerated due to the ridiculous cold, but I honestly just love spending time at home, particulalry with my boys. And I sure am staying on top of chores (okay, most chores!) more than ever before. That is a perk for sure!

The biggest downside is that Elmo the car is only a 2 door. That means that when we get Abel into his car seat, we have to climb into the back with him, hoist him into his seat, then climb back out. It is pretty pesky, and makes Abel angry. Because of that, I am leaving him home with Reed when I go shopping instead of all of us going out, or Abel and I going while Reed's working. I hate that! I love my little travel buddy, and it really breaks my heart to leave him at home!

I am so very thankful that we were a two car family to begin with, and that we have jobs that allow us to share one car. I'm also thankful that we did get a nice chunk of money from the insurance company. But I am most thankful that Abel and I are okay! I want to remember, particulalry when something like this happens, that it is purposeful. God knew it was coming, and He allowed it!

Abel's Daddy

2010-12-10T14:47:00.011-05:00

Abel (10 days) and Reed

My heart is filled with such joy to know that Abel will call such a wonderful man 'Dad.' Reed finds so much pleasure in being Abel's father, and he truly delights in his son.

Taking a nap together

Reed changes Abel into his PJ's every night, then reads him a Bible story and prays with him before bed. One night, while Reed was changing Abel, he calls me into the room. "Toni! I was putting on Abel's sleeper, and look what I found!!" I looked Abel over quickly, and found nothing. "I found the cutest baby EVER, " Reed beams. He says things like that a lot. :)

Staring at each other

I love to see Reed treasure the little things. He often just stands and watches the baby crawl around, giggles when he giggles, gets a huge grin on his face while watching Abel act silly. By Reed's reaction, you'd have thought that Abel won a gold metal the day he learned to clap. Reed really appreciates the day to day with Abel, which shouldn't surprise me since that's the kind of guy he is.

My handsome boys <3

He is quick to spend time with Abel as soon as he gets home from work. He reschedules plans to accommodate baby without complaining. He wears him in a girly sling, and loves Abel's cloth diapers so much, he even knows the particular way to clean them. And checks on me to make sure I'm doing it right :)

Camping together

Abel began teething again the other day, and was particulalry fussy the other night. He woke up at 3AM and screamed until 5, no matter what we did. Finally, at 5, Reed decided to take him into the living room to play, so that I could get a little sleep before Chase came over. When I woke up at 6:30, I found my boys passed out on the living room floor together.

Both boys, totally asleep on the living room floor.

I am so thankful that my husband is such a wonderful father, and that he loves children like he does. He is a wonderful example (for Abel and myself), has a servant's heart, and truly demonstrates his love to us everyday!

Picking Abel's first pumpkin

I really appreciate and love you, Reed!

Picking Abel's First Christmas Tree!

2010-12-07T11:27:00.004-05:00

On our way home from a super quick visit up to MD to see my grandparents, we picked up our Christmas tree! I wanted to start a new tradition and cut it down ourselves this year, but we wouldn't have had time to do that until next Sunday, and I thought it was more important to already be enjoying it :) We went to the same little lot we went to last year, but this year Abel joined us!

Silly Mama makes Abel smile. I didn't know I was in the picture :)

We always buy a real tree, because that's what I had growing up. I'm a little crazy about it. I apologize in advance if you have a fake tree, and I glare at it when I visit your house. And then take pity on your poor children. :)

It was super cold out, so we had to wrap up in a blanket!

Can't wait to finish decorating our tree! I am just about done, but I also have to unpack from our trip this weekend. I better go work on that while the boys are napping! Merry Christmas!

My Favorite Baby Things (part 1)

2010-12-03T10:29:00.012-05:00

Now that my little guy is almost a year old, I thought I'd write about the baby gear I loved the most this year. I am pretty picky about what things earn a place in my home- I hate wasting money on things that will just waste space. Partially because of this mindset and partly because we already had a lot of the *big* stuff, we didn't even register for Abel's baby showers.

So here is the first half of my Top Ten list of first year necessities, in no particular order:

1. Smartipants

This is by far my favorite cloth diaper (though I do also like the BumGenius One Size). I wrote a whole post about Smartipants that you can read here. While originally we were intimidated by using cloth and chose to use them to save money, we sure love them now! We haven't bought a disposable since Abel first fit into these- a little late at about 2 months old since he was so small.

2. Babylegs

Abel's Babylegs are peeking out underneath him

A mom invented this next favorite product of mine when she wanted to give her daughter some diaper free time to clear up a rash, but wanted to keep her legs warm. We do use them for that, but I also love them because they make diaper changes easier (no pants to take off) which is particularly useful when changing him in the back seat on road trips. Also, since Abel is small but his cloth diaper butt is big, it's hard to find pants that fit him right. But Babylegs fit just right! They come in lots of cute patterns and colors, and the ones for girls are even cuter!

3. The Jesus Storybook Bible and the Big Picture Story Bible

Before Abel was born, Reed nearly finished reading him the Jesus Storybook Bible. He would have finished if Abel hadn't come early. Sine he was born, Reed has read both of these through to him more than once, with a story every night before bed. These are our go-to gifts for baby showers. If you know me and have had a baby in the past 2 years or so, chances are you have one of these from us!

We love the subtitle of the Jesus Storybook Bible: Where Every Story Whispers His Name. How true that is! Alongside wonderful illustrations, this book does a great job of telling the one complete story of how God redeems His people, unlike most story Bibles which make the Bible seem like many unrelated stories. It speaks to parent and child alike. I've cried every time I've read the story of Abraham and Isaac.

The big Picture Story Bible is for younger children, and has much less text on the page than the first Bible (though we read both to Abel because we want him to be use to sitting and listening, even if he doesn't understand). This Bible also, as it's name suggests, portrays God's 'Big Picture' of His work in the world. It's name has a double meaning, as the 'big pictures' in the Bible are great to look at for little ones. Reed and I appreciate how much of the Biblical accounts are captured in the pictures, even though the text on each page is simple.

4. Baby Slings- Moby, Maya, Ergo

Abel and I with the Moby, first time leaving the house after delivery

Me, pregnant with Abel, holding my cousin's baby Jacob in the Maya ring sling.

Daddy with Abel in the Ergo while we were camping.

I LOVE slings! Abel was born in the winter, and carrying him in one was the easiest way to keep him warm and keep strangers from touching him! I can count on one hand the number of times I've used Abel's car seat as a carrier or used a stroller. (I still sling him while we're out.) These three slings are my favorite, and each truly has a different function.

The Moby is the coziest, and is my preference for a newborn or for when you want to wear any age baby for a long time. It can get hot, and it's hard to put on, but was perfect for Abel in his first few months of life. I would put it on at home so I wouldn't get it dirty in a parking lot , and then pop him in and out of it as I ran errands or if someone at church wanted to hold him.

The Maya is easy and fast to put on (once you learn the tricks), and can also be cozy for a newborn. I also liked that there is a zippered pouch in the tail for my phone and keys. The tail can also act as a nursing cover. While running errands, even now, it's easy to pop Abel in a hip carry and go, without having to put it on at home. The downside though, is that it only goes over one shoulder and so it gets uncomfy for long periods of time or if you have a big baby.

The Ergo is not a sling but a soft structured carrier, and is used for bigger babies. I love how the part that holds Abel is cozy, and because it goes over both shoulders and around the waist, it is very comfy for hours. It also has a pocket to put little things in (keys, wallet) and since it's structured there is no wrapping required, which means it take little effort and is the easiest of the 3 to learn how to use. However, it is the most expensive. I also like the little hood that's attached... you put it up for head support if your little one falls asleep.

5. Teething Bling

I own both a necklace and a few bracelets. They are made of food grade silicone and can be thrown in the dishwasher. While (I think) most of the colors look like stone, they are actually teething rings! Some people think that these encourage your baby to chew on jewelry, but if you baby is anything like mine, they already chew on EVERYTHING! This just keeps little hands (and mouths) busy and mom doesn't even have to carry an extra toy. Genius!

Part 2 is here

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-12-02T10:41:00.010-05:00

It sure has been a busy week! Reed and I left last Tuesday to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with his family in Clarksville, TN. I had to work until late Tuesday afternoon, so we drove as far as we could that night and stayed in a hotel. We arrived in Clarksville early afternoon on Wednesday. Both Reed's sister and brother live there with their families, and Reed's parents were in town from Ft. Lewis in Washington state. Next year, when his Dad retires, his parents will live there too. They have already bought their house in TN, and that's where Reed and I stayed.

Abel's Papa and Mimi (Reed's folks) had only met Abel one and twice, respectively. Abel's aunts, uncles, and cousins had also only met him once as well, so it was great to see everyone!

Playing Peek-A-Book with Abel in our room. I can't get over how cute he is! That stuffed animal on the floor was Reed's when he was a baby. His mom gave it to us when we visited.

Reed and I. I love you more everyday!

We celebrated Nathan's (Reed's brother) Birthday while the family was all together.

Abel and cousin Anderson playing. I loved watching the cousins play together.

We also celebrated Christmas while we were all together, since we won't be together for Christmas.

Giving Abel a bath in the sink. Can't believe he's still small enough to fit!

Playing with my sweet, happy boy <3

Mimi reading to the grandsons.

Papa snuggling with Abel.

Our little man who pulls up on anything he can reach! Walking's next!

Anderson getting a kiss from his daddy, Steve. I wish this picture wasn't fuzzy, but it's so sweet I had to post anyways.

Anderson and his crazy hair after a nap. His pretty mommy is Reed's sister Rachel. Love them!

My little family.

Maddie, Anderson's sister, playing with Abel. She was so sweet to him! I loved having her around. And yes, that's all Starbucks coffee :) Reed saves up the bags he gets for free (from working there) and brings it to his coffee-aholic family :)

Steve, Rachel, and Jenn (Nathan's wife) checking out the Black Friday ads.

Abel and Uncle Nathan.

I wish Anderson had made it into this picture, but it's super cute of Maddie and Abel!

The Thanksgiving crowd.

Reed's parents and Sarah (Steve's mom)

Abel and his Mama. Happy Thanksgiving!

For the record, I am so thankful the boys take their naps at the same time! While I make good use of my time and get a lot done while they're awake, it's much easier to blog with two sleeping boys!

No Menu Plan this Monday

2010-11-22T10:21:00.004-05:00

For the past two weeks, I've been doing menu plan Monday. But this week, we're planning on visiting Tennessee for the majority of the week, so no menu plan. When I went grocery shopping this weekend, I bought us salads, a frozen pizzas and sandwich stuff to eat before we leave. I didn't want to spend much time in the kitchen-- either cooking or cleaning-- before we left. I also bought the ingredients to make chicken salad. I am a pretty picky eater, and I don't enjoy eating fast food the whole trip there and back. So, along with our chicken salad, I have an assortment of nuts, granola, and dried fruits. Oh, and a bag of salt and vinegar chips. Yum!

We're not positive yet if we get to go on our trip, though. I was in an accident on Friday night, and the car we all fit into was totaled. I was completely stopped at a red light, and someone drove into the back of me! It was pretty scary, especially because the baby was in the car with me. She hit me so hard, that her car spun around 90 degrees into the shoulder, and the force of the impact made me skid and hit the person in front of me. I am just so very thankful that we are okay! It happened about a block away from where Reed works, so he was over to the accident even before the police officer was. We know that her insurance will cover a rental car for me, but we're not sure how long we will have one or if I can take it out of state. We'll see!

Well, the boys are napping and I need to get some laundry done. If we can go on our trip still, I want to be ready!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Beans and Rice

2010-11-16T10:50:00.004-05:00

Recently, I read a blog post about a family who ate beans and rice at dinner time for a whole month, then donated the money they saved to their friends that were in the process of adoption.

Woah!

I have to admit, my first thought was, "We're adopting. Do we have friends that would do that for us?!"

I quickly realized that was the wrong question. And realized it was a sign of my selfishness that I thought of that first.

When Reed got home from work that night, I shared with him what I read. By now, I had been thinking about it all day. And Reed had the right attitude immediately:

Who can we be eating beans and rice for?

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21, emphasis mine

Everywhere we put our money, we are making an active choice not to put it somewhere else. When we buy a new car, we are choosing not to save the money. When we buy a new outfit, we are choosing not to go out to eat. When we buy the CD, we are choosing not to buy the book. Americans like to think they have endless money, and can do all of these things without repercussion. But if we're honest, money only goes so far; you cant give it all away and keep it for yourself. By spending money on lunches, we are choosing not to spend it somewhere else.

Now, there is nothing wrong with buying a nice lunch. Or going to a movie. Or buying a new outfit. Going to an expensive concert or the 'big game.' We just have to be careful when we come to expect these things. When our lives become characterized by these things. When we feel like we deserve it. What are you known for among your friends? Eating out? Always having a soda or coffee? Having fancy cars?

In our case, we didn't have a big ticket splurge, but were putting our wants before the needs of others. If we saw a starving child, the family that can't afford heat, or medicine, would we still be able to spend money on our new DVD? Put ourselves first? It's easy to forget that people all over the world have real needs, when our biggest dilemma is whether or not to 'supersize' our combo.

Of course, eating beans and rice for lunch is such a small thing. We're trying to allow this mentality to trickle into all we spend our money on. But we still pay for internet, have two cars, buy new books. We bought a pizza the other night for dinner when we didn't need to, and we're buying Abel a few unnecessary things for Christmas. But you've got to start somewhere, and for us it's beans and rice!

"But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18, emphasis mine

When someone is going through a hard time, do you only love in word ("I'm praying for you!") or do you act? Can you act? Or are you spending all your money on 'lunch'?

*By the way, this might not seem like a big deal to some of you, maybe you already eat the same thing for lunch every day. But because I am pretty picky, and I love to cook, I felt like it was important for me to be thankful for a simple, healthy lunch. even if it's the same every day. Many people all over the world are thankful to have beans OR rice, as their only meal in a day! Having this lunch also reminds us to be thankful for what we have.*

Menu Plan Monday 11/15

2010-11-15T09:14:00.004-05:00

I am linking up again this week with Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday. I enjoy sharing each Monday, because it keeps me accountable to at least one blog post a week! My hope is to be writing more often, and I'm hoping this will kick it off. But for today, here is my menu for the week:

Monday: Chicken, onion, and roasted broccoli in a coconut curry sauce over Basmati rice, homemade naan (Planned on this last week, but we were invited to our friends' house instead!)

Tuesday: Manestra (Greek Style orzo) with sauteed garlic green beans

Wednesday: Meatball Subs, sweet potato fries

Thursday: Reed closes at work, I'll have leftover subs

Friday: Reed closes at work, I'll have tuna salad

Saturday: Roasted tomato and red pepper soup with squash

Sunday: Baked beans and cornbread

Still eating cream of wheat (us) or Greek yogurt (baby) for breakfast. The baby (10 months) eats a modified version of our food for the other meals. Lunch is still beans and rice. One week of eating that every day and going strong! I do still owe you a post explaining why we've switched to beans and rice for lunch...

Typical Day

2010-11-10T10:53:00.004-05:00

I want to be a schedule person. Really, I do. I would love to do the same thing at the same time most days. I love to plan, to make the most of my time. But in reality, this doesn't always happen! (And I do love being spontaneous, especially when it comes to enjoying my precious boys!) But particulalry since we're still having issues with Abel's night time sleep patterns and we're waking up exhausted, getting up bright and early does not appeal to Reed and I!

But now, I'm watching Chase. He arrives at 7:30, which means I must be showered, dressed, and have a tidy house by (I think) the crack of dawn :) Now that Abel is use to being woken up (he hears us getting ready) at 630ish, he gets up then even on the days we don't have Chase.

Here is our new typical day schedule:

Up at 6:30

Shower, dress, make our bed

Abel up, nurse

Chase here at 7:30

Tea and breakfast with Reed

Abel breakfast

Boys play

Abel dressed/ bath if needed

Laundry/ etc

9:30/10:00 Boys go down for nap

Spend time with Reed if he's home, read/computer/prep lunch/clean if he's not

Abel up 11:30ish/ nurse Abel

12:30ish Chase up

Lunch

Clean kitchen and/or start dinner while boys eat

Playtime, finish any chores

Nap for Abel around 3

Play with Chase, get him ready to leave, have him help pick up

Abel wakes up/nurses, Chase leaves both sometime between 4 and 5

Enjoy Abel

Finish making dinner, nurse/feed Abel dinner if he will miss dinner with Daddy

Dinner when Reed gets home sometimes before, sometimes after Abel is in bed

Abel gets ready for bed about 6:30, story time with Daddy, he nurses one last time, usually down at 7

Spend time with Reed

Clean up from dinner

Bed sometime between 10-12 but trying to aim closer to 10

There you have it! On days where Chase doesn't come, it's pretty much the same but I also run errands during time slots where the boys usually play. Our schedule also changes around Reed's work schedule, which is all over the place. Abel might stay up later the nights Reed closes, because I like to go visit him at work (Starbucks). If we're both home, sometimes we play together with the boys, or take turns watching them so the other can get stuff done! :) Also, depending on the day, we have church, ladies/mens bible study, small group, and the church children's program.

I'm so thankful I have the privilege of spending the day at home!

Menu Plan Monday 11/8

2010-11-08T08:43:00.003-05:00

This week, I am joining up with Organizing Junkie for the first time to share my menu plan for the week.

I menu plan every week for my family, and have for some time. I've found that it seriously helps with keeping the grocery bill under control, and (for the most part!) prevents those "Oh my goodness I'm starving but there's nothing to eat let's eat out!" moments. Typically, I do not buy processed food (i.e hotdogs, boxed whatevers, frozen dinners. You know, the stuff hubby would survive on if I didn't cook!) Of course, the occasional bag of 75% off Halloween candy just might find it's way into my basket. But for the most part, I prepare all of my family's food from mostly whole foods.

For breakfast, we generally have homemade granola, oatmeal from oats (not those little instant packets) or cream of wheat. The baby (9 months) eats Greek yogurt with banana for breakfast. The rest of the time, he eats a modified version of what we eat.

For lunch, we typically will eat leftovers, a quick pasta, or veggie stirfry over rice noodles. Since my husband's schedule is all over the place, sometimes we eat dinner for lunch since that's when he's home. But after some serious thought and prioritizing in our lives, we've decided to exercise some self control for a while and have beans and brown rice for lunch. Every day. More on that another time :)

Dinner, for the week of November 8, 2010

Monday: Grammy's Spaghetti sauce, salad

Tuesday: Lentil and veggie soup with dumplings

Wednesday: Lasagna (made with leftover sauce from Monday) and roasted broccoli

Thursday: Reed will be at work at dinnertime, so I will have leftover lasagna. He takes leftovers when he goes to work, too.

Friday: Again, Reed will be at work. I'll stir fry the rest of the broccoli with garlic and an onion and add some teryaki sauce, maybe eat it over rice noodles.

Saturday: Chicken in Yellow Curry Coconut sauce over rice with homemade naan

Sunday: Finish up the leftovers

Thursday, I will also be making a spinach and onion quiche for a Ladies' Bible Study fellowship in the morning. Sunday, there is a fellowship breakfast for Sunday school, and I think I'm bringing a loaf of cider-pumpkin bread which I made a few weeks ago and froze.

Happy Eating!

Understanding Love

2010-11-06T16:48:00.003-04:00

We had a baby shower at the church today for one of my friends in celebration the upcoming birth of her little one. I was invited to give the devotional, and this is what I shared:

I know that nearly each of you in this room has been a mother longer than I have, with my little one just 9 months old. It is humbling to me that I am suppose to share something with you all this afternoon. I pray that I will encourage each of you, but particularly you Sara, with a little part of what I have learned and realized in my short time of being a mom.

When I was younger and my mom would tell me that she loved me, of course I would respond with, “I love you, too.” Every once in a while she would look at me closely, and tell me that I had no idea how much she really loved me. I just shrugged it off, frustrated that she thought I didn't know what love was, and say, “I know mom, I love you too!” Then she'd reply, “Toni, you won't understand how much I love you until you have a child of your own. When you do, then you will understand.”

So I grew up, hearing this every now and then, thinking my mom was a little bit crazy. I knew her love for me was special, but she really thought I couldn't comprehend it?

Then I had Abel. And I understood.

Sara. When you have your baby and as you continue to watch him grow, you will understand too. You will go into protection mode right away, and your love for him will be fierce. When he smiles at you, learns to clap, or says Mama for the first time, you will melt, into one big mommy puddle.. You won't care about anything else, because you're beaming with pride and love that your son called you Mama. When he cries, your heart will break and you'll want to fix it. You'll want to shelter him from anything that can harm him. When he is in pain, you will hurt. Physically, and deep down in your soul, you will hurt. And wish you could take away the pain, or the fever, or the cough. When he does something wrong, you'll pray for him to just learn the lesson so you won't have to discipline for the same thing over and over and over. And when you pray for his salvation every night before he goes to bed, you will truly understand the meaning of the scripture in Romans 8:26, “ ...For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” That's the kind of love my mom has for me, and now I understand, because that's the kind of way I love my son.

As I've grown to love Abel more and more, and to understand this deeper kind of love, I've realized something. The way we love our children is just a shadow of how God loves us, His children. We might think we understand the depth of His love, or the power of His love, we might think we know how precious we are to Him, but I believe this is beyond our comprehension. Eph 3:19 tells us that “ the love of Christ surpasses knowledge.”

Just like a parent, God disciplines his children to bring them to maturity. He is faithful when we are in pain. He is patient as we make the same mistakes over and over and over. Like earthly parents who try to understand problems their child faces, the bible says that Jesus can “sympathize with our weaknesses.” The love God has for his children is so vast, and immovable. In Romans 8, the Bible tells us just how awesome God's love is for His children. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?.... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

And like a parent, God protects His children. He has made us his own, adopted us into His family, at great personal sacrifice-- the death of his only son. We are his children now. 1John 3:1 says. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” Before Abel was born, I knew of course that God had sent His only son to die for me, and my sins. But when Abel was born, and I had an 'only son' of my own, this took on a whole new meaning. The God of the universe sacrificed his son, his perfect child, for my disgusting rebellion. Not only has he redeemed us, but he has made us co-heirs with Christ. Romans 8 declares that we “ have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” How rich is this truth! And how deep it is to me now that I have a son. God has sacrificed His son, to make those which have rejected him, his heirs. We've been adopted into his family. And we carry his name.

I love the song by Stuard Towend, How Deep the Father's Love for Us. I know you're all familiar with this song, but let me remind you of the first two verses

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

So Sara, I want you to remember, that when you see that sweet face for the first time, and when every day you fall deeper in love with your little boy , that that is just a shadow of the love Christ has for His children. We might think we understand how God loves us, just like I thought I understood my mom's love for me before my son was born. But God's love for us is beyond our comprehension. I pray that each day, as you grow to love your son more and more, that you will be reminded of, and in awe of, the immeasurable love our Father has for you.

Anne Bradstreet

2010-11-04T22:20:00.000-04:00

Recently, Reed bought me a biography on the Puritan poet Anne Bradstreet. I was encouraged and convicted while reading about her deep faith in God, and I enjoyed learning the stories behind some of her poems. The beginning of her poem titled "Upon my Son Samuel his going for England" hangs in Abel's room. I read it once again as I nursed my precious baby, and I was reminded again to surrender his life to the Lord.

Thou mighty God of Sea and Land,
I here resigne into thy hand
The Son of prayers, of vowes, of teares,
The child I stayed for many yeares.
Thou heard'st me then and gave'st him me;
Hear me again, I give him Thee.
He's mine, but more, O Lord thine own,
For sure thy Grace is on him shown.

- Anne Bradstreet, 1657

A Letter to My Little One

2010-11-03T15:19:00.005-04:00

Dear Little One,

Today marks the first anniversary of your due date. Had God seen it fit for you to be our first born, you would have been one today. But God had other plans, and your little brother is nearly one himself. Your brother, Abel, brings us such joy and happiness. We love watching him grow and learn new things. We love meeting his needs, reading him stories, and snuggling before bed. Your daddy and I have grown even closer through loving him together. Had you been our firstborn, dear Moriah, I would not know your precious brother. Though my Mama's heart loves you both immeasurably, I believe that is one of the reasons why we never met you face to face.

But because you came first, though you were not born, I am a different kind of parent. I know not to take any little moment with Abel for granted. I trusted God through my dangerous pregnancy and delivery with Abel in a deep way, because through your life I learned just how in control God is. I learned how faithful He is to meet out needs. How loving He is to care for His children. Your Daddy and I grew and learned so much from our time with you, and through the time we clung together and to God after you died. Your life taught us to live in total surrender to God's glory, and to submit our desires to the will of God.

Whenever (if) God sees fit to give Daddy and I a little girl, we plan to name her after you Moriah. You will never be forgotten, and we will always remember the things we learned from your brief life.

With all my love,

Mama

Genesis 22: 1-3, 11-12

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I." He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him..... But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”

To read more about our first baby, read this post.

Working Again

2010-10-20T11:27:00.004-04:00

After a little hiatus, I am back to making money! God sure is faithful, and provided this job at just the right time. It fits what we wanted exactly- not full time, in my home, and enough money!

When Abel was born, I quit working full time because I had a crazy schedule which included too much time away from home! First I quit one of my sitting jobs altogether, then brought Abel with me to the other house where I babysat. But leaving our house would throw off his nap schedule, resulting in a fussy baby. Also, Abel still HATED the car at that point, so the trip over would turn him into a grouch. After a short time I began watching Sophie at my house, which was wonderful. But she just began Kindergarten this Fall, so after watching her for 4 years I needed to find someone new!

On Monday, I started watching Chase. He is a sweet little guy, about 18 months old - I am embarrassed I don't know exactly how old he is! I have him about 9 hours a day, 4 days a week. Chase had been in both a home daycare and a regular day care, but his parents wanted him in a smaller setting. On the first day, his mom warned me of separation anxiety that he'd been experiencing. He'd developed it recently as result of being bitten at daycare; she showed me the bruise on his arm.

Watching him has been a smooth transition. Honestly, waking up at a regular time has been the hardest part for me! I would usually let Abel be my alarm (except when I had Bible study and Church) and then just bring him into bed to snuggle when he did wake up. Hearing my phone go off at 6:30 has been a much less pleasant alarm. And a side effect of this is that now Abel gets up at 6:30 too, because he hears Reed and I moving around. I'm hoping that getting up early will force Reed and I to be going to bed earlier, and having a regular wakeup time will help us have more of a routine with our day.

I do wish that Chase didn't like the TV so much, he really throws a fit when I tell him no! I have a small selection of kids movies, but he even brings his own. His mom encourages him to go to the DVD player when she first drops him off. Ugh. We are more 'TV is a special treat' type people than 'lets have it on as background noise all day' type people, like his mom told me they are. I just don't want Abel getting use to it on, so it's a battle I'll keep fighting.

Both boys are napping well, typically at the same time. I am so thankful for that! Even on day one, they took both of their naps at the same time. I thought I would be too busy to get my chores done during the day, but since naps are so successful and because the boys entertain each other so well, I've been getting more done than usual. I can even write a blog post!

I am off to go prepare lunch for the little men, they should be waking up from their 2+ hour naps soon!

Still Here!

2010-10-16T09:45:00.003-04:00

Just a quick update to prove that we're still here :)

Since my last post:

Our camera broke! This is why (if you're my Facebook friend) I've not been posting my usual 'Abel month-by-month' pictures, or any day to day pictures. Our camera is not worth repairing, and until I've been working for awhile, we don't have enough extra income to replace it with the one we want. However, a family from our church was kind enough to let us borrow theirs until we buy one! So even though I did miss about a month's worth of pictures (which makes me sick!) I have been taking some the past week or so, I just need to upload them.

I got a job! I've been looking for quite a while, because watching one little girl here and there was just not cutting it with the bills. (If you don't know, I stopped working full time when Abel was born, Reed and I wanted me to just be working inside the home.) Now that the little one I've watched for four years has gone to Kindergarten (!) I was looking for a full timer. In God's perfect timing, I found a family with a 1.5 year old that needs someone 4 days a week. I will be watching him in my house, beginning Monday. I am so thankful! It is enough money, with a little extra to save, and I'm not even working 5 days a week. And since they didn't need me until mid- October, I had time to get settled into our new house! Perfect!

We moved! You should come over for dinner :) The Kerr's now live in a wonderful 3 bedroom that I love! Since we now have a borrowed camera, I will be posting pictures soon. The house has been such a ridiculous blessing, and so is Reed's part time job that provides the house! I'd love to share the long version sometime, but the short version is that along with the experience in ministry that Reed is gaining by working as the director of children and youth at our church, we were also offered the opportunity to live in the parsonage. So we packed up our apartment, slapped some paint on the house, and here we are!

My mom was married last weekend! The ceremony was beautiful (on the beach at sunset) the food was great (crabcake and steak!) and I loved visiting with all of my Maryland friends and family at the reception. We don't head up to MD that often and though we were only there for about a day and a half, I am so glad we could go. We've been praying for my mom and her new husband (you'll never guess his name-- Tony. Haha) since they began dating. It's wonderful to watch how God uses different life circumstances for a purpose, to shape His children into His image. We're praying that they continue to grow together in their relationship with each other, and that they continue to encourage each other's relationship with God.

Hope to be back on soon with some pictures!

P.S. Abel is crawling, and has 2 teeth. He is such a joy! I love watching him grow and discover new things, though it's breaking my heart that he's almost one.

Happy Birthday to Reed

2010-09-14T00:46:00.004-04:00

Happy (belated) Birthday to my wonderful hubby, Reed! I am so thankful to be spending my life with you, and now to be raising our son together. I admire you more than I can say, and everyday you become more precious to me.

Reed's birthday was on the 11th, and we spent the whole day painting the house, trying to get it ready before we move in on Saturday. We spent the day before that painting, too. I had high expectations of surprising Reed with cake and balloons at work that night after he painted, but I didn't get home until after the balloon store (Dollar General ;) closed. I did make him a cake though, which we ate for breakfast before church. It must have been yummy because even Reed, who doesn't like dessert, has already had several pieces. Success!

I am so very thankful that my mom came down for the weekend to help us paint because it was a huge job! Reed and I had never painted anything before, and we didn't know where to begin. After taping off all of the rooms and filling in nail holes, we ended up painting two bedrooms, half the living room and hall, the bathroom, and the kitchen. Four of those rooms needed two coats. I still can't believe we finished!

I will post pictures of the new colors soon. I have to admit, I totally forgot to take 'before' pictures. Whoops! I do have a 'before' video that I'll post instead.

Here is the Cat Cora recipe for Italian Cream Cake that I made for Reed. Trust me, it's totally worth the work!

For the cake:

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, more for greasing cake pans
2 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups granulated sugar, divided
5 large eggs, separated, at room temperature
1 cup buttermilk, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1 cup finely chopped toasted walnuts

For the cream cheese frosting:

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
4 cups (1 pound) confectioners' sugar, sifted
1 cup chopped toasted walnuts, divided

Place a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut a circle of parchment paper to fit each of two 9-inch round cake pans. Grease the pans with butter, fit the parchment into the pans, then grease the parchment.

To make the cake: Sift the cake flour, baking soda and salt into a medium-size bowl and set aside. In a large bowl and using a hand mixer, cream 12 tablespoons butter and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks, one at a a time, beating well after each addition. Add one-third of the dry ingredients and mix well, then add half of the buttermilk , beating on medium speed and scraping the sides of the bowl down, using a rubber spatula. Repeat, alternating the remaining dry ingredients and the buttermilk. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla, the coconut and 1 cup finely chopped toasted walnuts and mix well.

In a separate bowl, using clean beaters, beat the egg whites, slowly adding the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, until the whites form stiff peaks but are not dry. By hand, fold one-third of the egg white mixture into the cake batter until it is incorporated. Fold in the next third of the egg whites; when incorporated, gently fold in the last third. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.

Bake until the top is golden brown and a wooden toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean, for 30-35 minutes. Set the cakes on racks and allow them to cool completely before removing them from the pans.

To make the frosting: In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese, 8 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon vanilla at medium speed until creamy. Add the confectioners' sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating at low speed until blended. When all the ingredients are incorporated, beat the frosting at high speed until smooth. Stir in 1/2 cup toasted walnuts.

Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate, bottom side up. Ice the sides and top. Place the other cake round on top, rounded side up, and ice the top and sides. Place the frosted cake in the refrigerator to firm up the frosting. Remove the cake from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving, and press the remaining 1/2 cup toasted walnuts into the frosting on top.

Makes 10-16 servings.

Camping!

2010-09-07T13:18:00.005-04:00

Abel at our campsite

This past weekend, our church went camping for a night. It was such a blast! There was swimming and fishing in a lake, a campfire with s'mores, tons of food, and fellowship. Over the summer, our church has a cookout every other Sunday after the evening service. I never want to go home when those are over (which usually means we stay too late :) This trip was like one long cookout!

Abel and I in the lake. His outfit has a camper on it and says 'Let's go camping!'

This is Abel's betrothed, Bella. Hopefully she'll start wearing clothes when she's older :)

Camping with a 7.5 month old is a little tricky. We couldn't lay him down for a nap in the hot tent during the day, especially because we were on the other side of the campground at the lake. Daddy carried Abel in the Ergo so he could sleep :)

You could pull yourself across the lake on this float-y thing. I got a splinter from the rope :(

Our church had the whole place to ourselves. The grounds are owned by another church, and I think they primarily use them for scouts to go camping, and for other churches. There was a screened in canteen area, with a full kitchen. We didn't know that, so I packed a cooler and camp stove. I took advantage of the kitchen though, and was able to cook the bacon I brought for breakfast inside :) There were also bathrooms with running water- yay!- and bunk style cabins. We slept in our tent.

I've heard that we might be going back this fall! I sure hope we do! Missing a night of good sleep is worth it for the wonderful company, and enjoying God's creation together.

*Note*

I had to edit this post, because I had exclamation points after nearly every sentence. I just enjoyed myself so much, I was a little over-enthusiastic. :)

Culinary Baby

2010-09-02T14:37:00.007-04:00

Reed and I waited until Abel was a little on the older side to introduce solid foods. We thought, why hurry? If baby can only eat food that's been turned into a runny drink-like mess, isn't that a sign that baby should still just be drinking? Anyways, parenting philosophy aside, Reed and I really want Abel to be a good eater. I love to cook, and our weekly dinner schedule always includes at least one international dish. While nursing and pregnant, I've never cut out strong flavors (tons of garlic, spicy things, curry) so I know he is already familiar with many different flavors, even if he hasn't eaten them directly.
I do make all of Abel's food at home; simply because I typically don't feed Reed canned or prepared foods, why would I serve them to my baby? Abel still primarily nurses, but among a few other things he does enjoy squash, sweet potato, plums, and avocado. We've also recently given him spinach- a big hit the first time, not so much the second time, so we'll see. :) Last night during dinner, we gave Abel a bite of tilapia sautéed with some teriyaki sauce. He loved it! Every time that Reed or I would go to take a bite, Abel would lean towards us with his hands out... he wanted our bite!

Spinach baby

Fish stealing baby!

Trip to MD!

2010-08-24T12:08:00.006-04:00

Abel and I just spent a week staying with my Mom and brother in Maryland. It was wonderful! He and I drove up on a Monday together, and Reed joined us on Thursday. We stayed until Saturday. I haven't spent that much time with my family since I was married, so it was great to see them for more than two days in a row. I sure did miss Reed, though!

Abel going for a swim in my mom's pool.

Snuggling with Mama in the pool :)

Family and friends came over two days to visit. This is Abel checking out Jacob, my cousin's son.

The boys <3

I wish my flash hadn't made this picture so white... I think it's really cute!

My cousin Michelle and Abel.

Visiting with the family.

Reed, Abel, and I with my grandparents, Grammy and Popouli.

Abel and Popouli having a chat.

Photo op with Abel!

One of the day's that we had family/friends over was Clee's 17th birthday! Happy Birthday, Brother!

Abel and my cousin Brianna. So sweet!

Abel relaxing with his Uncle Clee. They're pretty good buds. :)

Making sure his jump up thing works at his Yia Yia's!

Family Event at Church!

2010-08-23T18:58:00.015-04:00

On July 31st, our church held a community outreach event in place of a Vacation Bible School this year. Reed was in charge of planning the games, which was a lot of fun to help him prepare. Many folks worked very hard to pull this event off, and I pray that God was glorified through our efforts!

Abel and I working the duck pond.

Reed's turn at the pond!

Jen and Dave at the popcorn.

Julie and Kristi making snow cones. I believe I had 2 :)

Hot dogs! Thanks, Libby and Kelli!

Shade under our brand new pavilion.

The line for ring toss, one of the 5 games we had.

There were lots of prizes to choose from-- like those airplanes.

Fun bouncy house!

I really wanted to do this water slide!

Dan the Animal Man came, and spoke about the Creator using His creation! This porcupine was my favorite.

Abel and Daddy watching the animal show.

Dan the Animal Man brought this guy, too!

Abel was pretty mesmerized.

What a wonderful day!

*Look again at the picture of the ring toss game. Do you see the house in the background? We're moving there in less than a month! Post on that coming soon!*

Fluffy Bum

2010-08-07T19:46:00.014-04:00

Daddy changing Abel's diaper

We cloth diaper.

And I LOVE it!

Before we were even pregnant, I began noticing that many of the mom blogs I read talked about cloth diapering. I didn't know anyone personally who did it, and I thought I'd stumbled on a small little group of weird women in my blog searches. The idea kind of sparked a 'hm' in my head, but I didn't give it much more thought than that for a few months. But by the time we were trying to get pregnant, I knew we'd be using cloth. I was intimidated, and knew I'd be less nervous if Reed was on board, too. We researched the different kinds together, and even before we knew if we were having a boy or girl, Reed was showing off our (already purchased!) diapers at dinner parties. Really!

2 month old Abel taking a nap in cloth

We decided to do cloth because of the money we'd be saving. And it's a good thing, too- we often joke that if we'd not done cloth, Abel wouldn't be wearing diapers at all :) The average family spend between 2,500 and 4,000 dollars on diapers, per child. (You can google this, but one site that does the math is here) We spent $326 on diapers that will last for probably 3 children, from 8-35 lbs. Now, Abel was a little guy when he was first born and didn't fit them for the first 2 months or so, but we'd been given some disposables and didn't have to buy many.

If we'd spent an average amount on disposables, $3,250, just for Abel we will have saved almost $3,ooo. THREE THOUSAND! Say he potty trains when he's 2.5. That's like making $23 a week just for cloth diapering! We'll save more with the next kid because we already own the diapers.

3 month old Abel in cloth

I honestly don't understand how women can call themselves frugal and not use cloth. Sure it's extra work, but isn't the frugal thing always more work? Couponing? Searching ads and waiting for items to go on sale? Breastfeeding? Cooking at home rather than going out? Why do so many women do these things, but think cloth is too much work?

Snoozing in cloth at an Easter Egg Hunt--- I promise he has tons of shirts, can't believe he's wearing the same one in all these cloth pictures I had! :)

I think that preconceived notions about how cloth diapering works is scaring too many women away. Diapers are nothing like the ones our grandmothers used! (Unless you want them to be, of course, they still make them.) We use a brand called SmartiPants that are one piece pocket diapers. They have a sleeve on the inside (a 'pocket') that you stuff with an insert that comes with it. The sleeve is opened at both ends, so that the insert agitates out in the wash-- no pulling it out when it's soaked and soiled!

The diaper, opened. I pulled the insert out a little on the right so you could see it.

The material that lines the inside is designed to wick away moisture, which makes them easier to clean when the baby starts eating solids. The poop doesn't stick, because the side of it becomes dry! That way, you can just roll it off into the toilet! Whatever doesn't fall off on it's own will dissolve away in the washer. This means that grandma's days of dunking diapers into the toilet are over. Before baby eats solids, you can just toss the whole thing in the wash. We keep a dry pail on our porch, and I just toss 'em in there until I do laundry- about every other day, but I have enough diapers to go 3+ days.

The outside of the diapers are waterproof, and have snaps around the waist and on the rise to customize the fit. This works the best for us! We didn't have to spend more to buy diapers for each new size. Most diapers that work like the ones we have are about $17-19 a piece, but ours were $13. You still save money with the other brands, but not as much as we did!

The outside of our SmartiPants-- looks more complicated than it is!

I have 2 small wetbags that I take with me for diapers on the go. I carry one wetbag with a clean diaper, and just trade it for the soiled one if he needs a change. I also have made my own cloth wipes, which we found more convenient than using disposable (we can just toss the whole thing in the pail vs. having to fish out a disposable wipe from the diaper after a change- yuck!) I also spent about $10 on all the material we needed for wipes, which is about one month's supply of disposable wipes.

We are very happy with our diapering system. Of course, that is largely based on the brand of diaper we use.. there are many more out there more complicated than ours. Now that we've had Abel, I know 3 other moms that use cloth too, so I don't feel like it's very strange. I've noticed that recently even the disposable companies are coming out with patterned diapers, which look suspiciously like cute cloth diapers!

Whether you make a lot or a little, every family has to make decisions concerning their money. I believe it is my job as a wife to make Reed's paycheck go as far as possible. Even if he made 3 times what he does, I do believe we would still use cloth, just like I would still cook our meals, and buy items on sale. I just cannot justify the 'luxury' of literally throwing away money so that I don't have to do 2 extra loads of laundry a week.

Basket of clean diapers :)

Lessons

2010-08-04T09:13:00.003-04:00

Is it just me, or does God use lessons you think you've mastered to point out to you exactly what you haven't mastered?

Within days- seconds?- of posting this, several things I've been wanting went on sale. Reed was at work so I patiently waited for him to get home, excited to show him the new things I "needed." Good wife that I am (Ha!), I was planning on asking his permission to spend money on these things before I bought them. I believed I was truly asking him if we could buy them, not telling him that we were.

These weren't frivolous things, after all. New diapers for baby, in a color that I've been waiting months for that were FINALLY released. And these little things called BabyLegs that I've become mildly addicted to (more on that another time). Little things, nothing like the fancy jewelry I had just blogged about.

Well, Reed came home and thought about it. We're awfully tight on money right now, Reed had just taken some time off for church and family things (Priorities!) , making the typical 'not quite enough' paycheck smaller than usual. We'd bought a full supply of dipes before Abel was even born, and while it would be fun to have new colors, they're not necessary. And the BabyLegs? Totally just a fun purchase, even if he can wear them for longer than the typical 3 months that baby clothes last.

My heart fought back. You know I've been waiting on this brown diaper! If we used disposables, we'd be spending money on diapers this week anyways! And, I don't spend any money on clothes for Abel! (Reed' sister has passed on a whole wardrobe to us) One pair of BabyLegs is a fraction of the cost of a wardrobe! I've been planning on buying these things all day!

Oh, sin. Not only was I desiring to rule over my husband (Gen. 3:16) and make decisions for my family against his will (Eph. 5:23-24), I was also coveting (Col. 3:5). I knew he was making a smart decision. He was being rational. We don't have money for extras right now, no matter how small or practical they might be. But most importantly, I wasn't respecting my husband, and I was coveting things he had said "No" to.

Lord, please conform me to to Your image! I'm sick over this wrestling between what I want and what I know.

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
(Romans 7:15 ESV)

Birth Story-- part 2

2010-07-30T09:18:00.004-04:00

We arrived at the hospital, and made our way up to the Labor and Delivery hall. As the nurse buzzed us in, I remember thinking, "We'll be back-- right here!-- in a few weeks to have Abel!" A nurse brought me into a room, and hooked up another non-stress test. I was extremely uncomfortable due to the pain in my stomach, and the bands for the tests went right across the painful spot. It felt like we were in there for an eternity, and no one told us anything.

What?! We had nothing with us, no toothbrushes, no baby clothes. Thankfully, my mom was on her way, and she brought us everything we would need from our house.

The doctor came in, unfortunately after I was loopy from the medicine, to give us more details. I had severe pre-ecclampsia and HELLP syndrome. To prevent my organs from shutting down the baby needed to be delivered. He would begin an induction after I got settled into a room. While most of this conversation is fuzzy in my brain, I distinctly remember him saying he could go over all the risks of my situation if we really wanted, but that we didn't really want to know. Reed and I took his word for it.

After being moved, they began another IV, a medicine called Magnesium Sulfate. Because my blood pressure was so high, they had to give me this to prevent seizures. I was on it for a few days, and it put me into the weirdest fog. I was aware enough to know that I couldn't process things very quickly, and my thinking was slowed down. I almost felt trapped, like I had no efficient way to communicate. It was very weird. My doctor gave me a cervix ripener (I wasn't due for another 4 weeks) that he said should induce labor after 8 hours or so, given in 2 doses. He also told me I would not be able to have the hoped for epidural, because I still had blood thinners in my system. Combining the two causes paralysis.

I remember that the nurse came in a few times and asked me if I could feel the contractions that she could see I was having on the non stress test monitor. Those were contractions? Sure I was in early labor, but that twinge was nothing compared to the terrible feeling in my stomach. The stadol was wearing off, and I couldn't focus on anything but the stomach pain. Later, Reed and I were told that pain was my liver, aching. One doctor told me that if I'd waited any longer to come to the hospital, even one more day, my liver would have ruptured. That explained a lot!

After a few hours, my doctor came back in to check my progress, and to check on Abel. He shook the baby, and was expecting to see his heart rate jump in response. It didn't. The doctor finished his exam, then told us I'd be having a Cesarean, that the baby wasn't handling the induction like he'd wanted him to.

Questions were floating in our minds, we knew it was a very dangerous surgery. Because of my clotting disorder, I'm not suppose to have surgery. It puts me at a very high risk for lethal blood clots during recovery. But, I had taken my blood thinners that morning, which put me at a risk for bleeding too much during the surgery. And, one symptom of HELLP syndrome is the breakdown of red blood cells, which also put me at a very high risk of bleeding too much during the surgery. On top of all this, because I had taken my blood thinners and could not have an epidural, they would have to give me general anesthesia during the C-section.

Bring it on!

to be continued...

Priorities

2010-07-26T11:13:00.006-04:00

While scrolling through the pictures of several young women on facebook, I noticed a trend. Among pictures of the new house, or the new husband, were pictures of new jewelry. Of course it's common to see engagement ring shots, but the pictures I am beginning to see are from young married couples. While I love my wedding/engagement rings very much, when you see all of the fancy things these couples are buying for (one year!) anniversary presents, jealousy is quick to rear it's ugly head. I find this small voice whispering...

I wish I had extra money to buy that-- or just a little extra money to buy anything!

I wish I could have something new.

I wish I could just pick out something I liked and buy it, without a second thought.

But thankfully, I just hear this voice for a second. I cannot afford to buy jewelry because I do not work. These couples with money to burn are from dual income families. My sweet husband works seemingly nonstop to give me the chance to stay home. Why? To raise and disciple our son, and to keep our home.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:19-21

Sure, we spent an *extra* $4,000 last year, over our very tight budget. For jewelry? No way! For medical expenses due to my high risk pregnancy, and extra monitoring for Abel's multi-cystic kidney. Oh, how I would spend that money on my son over and over for him to be healthy, and both of us to be cared for!

Praise God we do not have any money to burn! Thank you Lord, for giving me what glorifies You, and not the vain, fleeting desires of my flesh. How precious is my husband! My son! Thank you that my albums are filled with beautiful faces, and not rocks.

Lord, I pray my will be continually conformed to Yours.

"Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

Our Family

2010-07-23T19:32:00.003-04:00

I feel like Reed and I have taken the tinniest step in moving forward with, what we feel, is God's will for our family. I am eager to see how this next chapter in our lives unfolds.

This book arrived in the mail today:

Be praying with us.

Saturday goings-on

2010-05-29T10:01:00.005-04:00

Yard sailing this morning turned out to be a flop... so disappointed! Even if it is threatening rain, it seems that everyone cancels. But there's always next week...and, I use poor yard sailing as an excuse to go thrifting :) So after Abel's nap, we're headed back out!

This morning while Daddy worked, Abel and I hit the veggie co-op and picked up 5 lbs of cabbage and collard greens. For $35, we get 24 weeks of veggies, 5 lbs a week. We also get tons of free corn and a pumpkin! The line was long this morning and the pickings were slim, but we regularly buy cabbage at the grocery store (so getting it cheaper here was great) and I'm looking forward to cooking something new (the collards). Usually, I pick our fresh veggies for the week from the grocery store based on sales. My hope is that this summer nearly all our veggies will come from the co-op. Since I'm planning on making Abel's food when he begins eating solids (in 2 months or so) we will be using the extras for that endeavor.

We visited Reed at Starbucks after picking up the vegetables. I love how Abel looks for Reed when we're there, and how once he finds his Daddy, he just stares at him. The typical handful of people stopped me to coo at Abel, saying how precious and sweet he is. I think that in 4.5 months, I have yet to go out without someone stopping me to talk to Abel. I love it! He gets tons of smiles as we walk by people, but I am surprised at how many people actually come up to us to chat with him, and to ask me his name and age. I've been out with lots of babies, and he really gets reactions like I've never seen. It's nice to know that other people agree with how cute I think he is!

Tonight we're watching the son of a couple Reed and I worked with in college. I first watched this little guy when he was only 2 weeks old, and his mom had to go back to school. She and her hubby had class at the same time twice a week, so I took care of him in one of the academic buildings during that time slot. We still watch him occasionally, and have been invited to all three birthday parties. It's been fun seeing him grow, and I'm glad his parents feel comfortable enough with us to still call and ask us to watch him. I'm glad we're able to help out.

Looking forward to Reed getting home this afternoon! I still get so excited when I hear his car pull up :)

3 Months/ Abel's Birth Story Part One

2010-04-16T21:35:00.011-04:00

Abel Kenneth- 3 months old

My baby is three months old today! Abel is so much fun to have around, and I wake up each day so thankful for his precious life. So thankful as well, for the Lord's guidance and protection as I brought him into this world.

We moved him to his own room a few nights ago... not a choice I was too excited about, but I guess it's for the best! Reed has been using the computer more often, and will continue to do so, for his new job. I also had really wanted to get back to blogging. Unfortunately the computer set up right next to the crib, and typing wakes Abel up! We figured it would make more sense to move the crib into the nursery rather than the computer desk :)

I wanted to take the time to finally write down Abel's birth story. At the time, I was in so much pain and on some crazy medication, so I already don't remember all the details. But I'll do my best! Here's part one:

The beginning of the week before Abel was born, I began to feel strange, most noticeably I had a strange ache in my shoulder. I thought I might have caught a bug from one of the kids I babysat for, so I took off of work for a few days. I had a scheduled non stress test (I had these 2x a week in the last few months, to check the baby's wellbeing) on Tuesday, and the baby was fine. My blood pressure was elevated, but because my shoulder had started aching a lot, the doctor thought it was high because I was in pain. By Wednesday, I was nauseous, headache-y, and had this dull ache in my abdomen. It was our 3rd wedding anniversary, though, so I cooked an awesome dinner and told myself to enjoy it! After dinner, Reed and I went to church that night to teach in the kids program. After class was officially over, I slipped out of my room into Reed's class, trying to hide my tears. I felt like I was going to collapse from exhaustion and get sick-- and I just wanted to be home. I remember changing my Facebook status to something like, "It's terrible to have the stomach flu in the third trimester" and I remember thinking, "My morning sickness just quit a few weeks ago, and now I've got this yucky bug."

I don't think I slept well that night, and the pain in my abdomen was more pronounced when I woke up. The shoulder ache was still there, too. I had another scheduled non stress test on Thursday, and I told my doctor about my pain. The baby looked good, though my blood pressure was high again, my doctor again decided it was because of the pain. He said it sounded like I had the stomach flu, but before I left, he told me to come back if anything changed. By that evening I was glued to the couch, only getting up to throw up. The pain in my stomach had become so intense, I couldn't think straight. I remember sobbing when Reed left for work because I didn't want to be left alone. I'm pretty sure I was crying when he came home hours later. We didn't sleep that night.

Friday morning brought more pain. I kept forcing myself to take a hot shower, convincing myself that the heat would somehow help my throbbing shoulder and the knives in my abdomen. Reed even bought me icy-hot to rub on my shoulder, thinking it might be muscular. By that afternoon, Reed said we had to go to the emergency room and I begged to go to my OB instead. By this point, I was thinking I might not have the stomach flu, and wasn't surprised when the doc drew blood to 'check on something.' He said he would call with the results the next day, but to go straight to labor and delivery at the hospital if I felt any worse- my doc was the doctor on call that weekend. Again, we didn't sleep that night.

The next day (Saturday) around noon, Reed was getting ready to go to work when my phone rang. It was my doctor, calling with my results. "Your liver enzymes are high, meet me at the hospital now." I told Reed he wasn't going to work as I staggered into our room to find some presentable clothes. The awesome people he works with covered his shift- and many shifts after- and I am so thankful to them. I called my mom and my dear friend Abigail as we drove to the hospital, telling them the little I knew.

As we drove through Lynchburg, I remember confessing to Reed that I hoped they would knock me out when I got to the hospital, take the baby, and fix whatever was wrong with me. It hurt so much, I just wanted it to be over.

2 Months!

2010-03-18T22:04:00.000-04:00

Abel is two months old today (okay 2 days ago- I'm late posting this), and I can hardly believe it! Not that I'm surprised it's been two months since his birth, but when I realize where we were as a family a year ago, I'm in awe of all that has changed since then. I'm in awe of a God who would guide Reed and I through the sadness of the sudden end of my first pregnancy, and teach us trust and patience as He led us through a subsequent high risk pregnancy. Then, even more trust as we surrendered our plans to His through a dangerous delivery.

Now two months later, here we are. Healthy baby, healthy mama, thankful daddy.

My little man is getting bigger and cuter every day. He is holding his head up more often, and beginning to add a few 'happy' expressions to his repertoire of faces- through we've yet to see a true smile. Abel is getting rounder in the belly, but is still pretty small overall, making his cloth diapers fit funny (so we're currently still in disposables). He began focusing on things in front of his face a few weeks ago, and it makes this mama's heart happy to watch Abel stare at his daddy when they read together.

You might remember that we were following a problem with Abel's kidney from the time I was 16 weeks pregnant with him. We now know one of his kidneys is multi-cystic dysplastic, and is non-functioning. Praise God you can live with one! Over time, the good one will get bigger to take over function for the bad one, and the bad one should shrink away. We'll continue to see a specialist for blood work (to check the good one's function) and sonograms (to check the size of both) for a few years. We also need to be extra careful that Abel does not get a kidney infection by following up with any unexplained fevers (not related to something obvious, like the flu).

I can't wait to bring Abel to Tennessee and Maryland to meet the rest of his family and many dear friends! Until then, here are some pictures:

Abel as a newborn:

One month:

Two Months: