Happy 2013!

Here's to you and your resolutions, whatever they may be! 2012 was kinda sorta like a circus everyday and every night. Looking forward to this new year and hoping it's not quite as crazy. Also trying to get back into old habits (like running and eating right). May you be blessed in all your endeavors!

December

December was busy wasn't it??? We've had a marvelous month full of wonderful treats, fellowship, reflection, planning, etc.

Our stockings were hung up with care (no fireplace, but Netflix has a fake fireplace!)

We trimmed the tree...

Made applesauce, cinnamon ornaments and hung them as a garland...

We made mini-mincemeat pies...

Hosted an "It's a Wonderful Life" viewing party...

Made St. Lucia buns...

And Daddy read to the children about her...

Miss Bella celebrated her first Christmas...

On the whole, Christmas was a beautiful day, full of love, laughter, relaxation. I'm so thankful for the special memories we're making as a family, lighting our advent candles, reflecting on the Messiah and His birth as a humble wee baby, coming into the world to be our Savior!

Tasty toes

Toes can be oh so tasty and entertaining.

Boys!!!

Boy, n. a noise with dirt on it.

 "The poetry of the earth is never dead."

-  John Keats

 "Between the innocence of babyhood and the dignity of manhood, we find a delightful creature of a boy." Author: Unknown

 "Boys are found everywhere—on top of, underneath, inside of, climbing on, swinging from, running around or jumping to. Mothers love them, little girls hate them, older sisters and brothers tolerate them, adults ignore them and Heaven protects them. A boy is Truth with dirt on its face, Beauty with a cut on its finger, Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair and the Hope of the future with a frog in its pocket." Author: Alan Beck

"God made dirt, dirt don't hurt".

My boys are great! Dirt and Legos make them the happiest kids on the planet. So simple, yet so complex. Boys MUST get their hands dirty, feel the dirt, find ways to transport dirt, let it get in their hair, up their nose and in between their fingers. 

Legos transport their brains to other planets and imagination takes flight. I am always amazed at the creations they come up with "Mom, it's a space robot that turns into a ship complete with a gunner and a docking station" They can spend hours deep in concentration over what they make and never tire from it. I always have to call it quits "time for dinner, put the Legos away".... "Awwww Mommmm, just five more minutes PLLLEEEASSE???"

Taking a break

I have taken a break for awhile, having a baby, juggling six kids, homeschooling, etc has taken me awhile to get adjusted to and although I don't feel fully recovered and back into the swing of things, at least I'm getting there! Here is our latest addition to our family: little Miss Isabella. She is such a girly, dainty thing and we're all completely smitten!

To be a mother is glorious. To be able to nurture little hearts and souls, who will one day serve Christ is blessed. Happy Mothers Day to all of the Mamas.

Isabella's quilt

Just finished it yesterday. Perfect for snuggling baby girl when she comes (9 weeks left!!!)

front of quilt

back of quilt

grandmother...

My grandmother is in the final stages of her life right now, she's getting ready to go home to see the Lord and her husband. It's been a difficult journey, I wish I could say she's hasn't been suffering and in horrible pain but that just isn't the truth. This is so hard for me because I want her with us always, but I also want her soul and her body to be at rest and at peace. I will miss her so much, I will cherish and hold onto so many great memories; I will sing "Tura-Lura-Lura" a little more often to my kids at night before bed, I will dust off my tea-cup collection and drink a cup of tea and think of her (I always adored looking at her collection), I will be proud of the amount of books I have in my home (her home always had a lot of good reads), I will wear something magenta (her favorite color) Come Thanksgiving, I will miss her so much that it aches, but I will make a special effort to always make Thanksgiving special and have mexican food the night before as tradition would always have it.
I'm finding myself crying at the drop of a hat this week, anything does me in. But I am finding God's graces and His subtle ways of reminding me of His love. My eucharisteo list of things I'm thankful for...

Grilling Kabobs in the back with my family
and watching the way my kids eat them with gusto.

Making a strawberry pie from fresh strawberries,
relishing the taste.

Feeling every kick and squirm from Isabella,
feeling a foot stick way out and getting to
give it a tickle.
Sharing this with the kids and having them
Ooooo and ahhhh whenever she moves.

Folding tiny baby clothes and teensy socks,
in preparation.

Being blessed by the women in my church,
their fellowship, their laughter, their advice,
sharing their sorrows, pain and frustration,
and me,
realizing God designed me to be a woman too.
Sweet voicemail from one friend, pouring refreshment
to my soul with her encouragement.

My mama's and sister's voices on the phone,
I am just like them you know.
My sister shares photo's of a garden with me,
she knows my soul. She knows that pretty garden
pictures heals a part of my soul that is hurting right now.

Watching my husband wrestle with all three of my sons,
hearing their giggles and laughter, their grunts as they try
and pull Daddy down. My daughters and I laughing as
the baby boy's facial expressions of "toughness" are just
too hilarious for words.

Rolling over in bed at night and feeling for my husband's
arm. He is there. He gives me a comforting pat-pat on my
shoulder. He understands just how much I need him right
now and that a pat-pat is a safe harbor for me. He is there.

He sees my face, that it's not quite right, that it is sad and he
says "thinking about your Grandma?" and I nod my head yes,
and he says "I love you", and it's all I need to hear. I love him too..
so much!

I pour over Psalms and verse after verse seem to jump out at
me, like it's written just for me.
I hear the song "I will Arise and Go to Jesus" and I think
about heaven and eternity and the beauty of no more pain,
no more sadness, no more sin.
How awesome, how beautiful, how glorious!
I think about Grandpa, that Grandma is coming to join him soon,
and together they are the bride of Christ,
in glorious robes, in bright array,
faces glorifying their Savior.

Thank you God for these gifts!

30 weeks and a very cute face!

Well, I'm here at 30 weeks, things are going pretty well despite the joint pain here and there. It's very obvious that this isn't my first baby and that my body is very tired, but then I get to see her little face and such a fantastic reminder of just why we go through all of this. Here is Isabella....

My precious Izzy's little face (in 3D ultrasound), her foot is literally hitting her in the face and she's doing her best with her hand to get it out of the way. Isn't modern technology fabulous!!! I'm also proud to tell you that she's got quite the head of hair already. You could see the fuzzy curls, delicious I tell you! She's already weighing in at 3 and a half pounds and right on schedule.

 I can't wait to meet you darling baby girl!!!

third trimester!!!

I'm now 28 weeks which means I'm in the third Trimester!!! Woo-hoo!! Hope it goes fast!