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Sunday, August 30, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
catching up
Yes, it has been much too long.
We have moved to our new home, and are enjoying the extra space it provides. The kids love the pool too. We are truly blessed.
We celebrated K's birthday with a surprise party. I was just pleased that we managed to pull it off, three days after moving in. Very fun.
The kids finished up their last day at their old school yesterday, and start at their new school next Wednesday. As I picked them up yesterday, I was blessed to see how loved they are by their teachers. There were plenty of hugs to go around, and their teachers looked so sad to see them go.
We have just a few more weeks before we get to meet Lucy. Excited. Daunted. And everything in between.
We have moved to our new home, and are enjoying the extra space it provides. The kids love the pool too. We are truly blessed.
We celebrated K's birthday with a surprise party. I was just pleased that we managed to pull it off, three days after moving in. Very fun.
The kids finished up their last day at their old school yesterday, and start at their new school next Wednesday. As I picked them up yesterday, I was blessed to see how loved they are by their teachers. There were plenty of hugs to go around, and their teachers looked so sad to see them go.
We have just a few more weeks before we get to meet Lucy. Excited. Daunted. And everything in between.
Monday, July 27, 2009
how come they sound the same
So we've discovered a lunch place that we all love, mainly because they hand out toys to the kids to keep them occupied through the meal. An additional plus, J polished off all his pizza and E her pasta carbonara.
At the end of the meal, we were give some vouchers to use on our next visit. J was listening to us talk about the vouchers, and piped in with great alarm in his voice, "Vultures? Like the big bird?"
At the end of the meal, we were give some vouchers to use on our next visit. J was listening to us talk about the vouchers, and piped in with great alarm in his voice, "Vultures? Like the big bird?"
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
praise party
"a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance" Ecclesiastes 3:4
It has been a somber couple of days. We just came back from the wake of a member of our church family a little while ago. He was such a kind, generous person, so quick to remind us that God is a God of beauty. I will miss him.
As much as I know that he is with Jesus now and that we will see him again, it was still heartbreaking to see our friend's mother mourn. I will not quickly forget the words she said to me when I hugged her. She spoke words from a heart freshly broken. And I mourned with her.
I knew I needed a lift yesterday evening, so with the kids home, I turned the TV off, turned up some kids worship on the iPod, and instructed them to pull out their playsilks. They were, thankfully, game for a praise party. As the praise songs played, I watched all three of them dance, leap and bounce without inhibition. I listened to Joshua trying to keep up with the words of some worship songs. I took mental notes as they told me which praise songs they liked better. The kids had a great time, but it was more than just a great time for me. They reminded me to hope, to hope because we have Jesus Christ.
It has been a somber couple of days. We just came back from the wake of a member of our church family a little while ago. He was such a kind, generous person, so quick to remind us that God is a God of beauty. I will miss him.
As much as I know that he is with Jesus now and that we will see him again, it was still heartbreaking to see our friend's mother mourn. I will not quickly forget the words she said to me when I hugged her. She spoke words from a heart freshly broken. And I mourned with her.
I knew I needed a lift yesterday evening, so with the kids home, I turned the TV off, turned up some kids worship on the iPod, and instructed them to pull out their playsilks. They were, thankfully, game for a praise party. As the praise songs played, I watched all three of them dance, leap and bounce without inhibition. I listened to Joshua trying to keep up with the words of some worship songs. I took mental notes as they told me which praise songs they liked better. The kids had a great time, but it was more than just a great time for me. They reminded me to hope, to hope because we have Jesus Christ.
Monday, July 13, 2009
mommy time
Every time he has a couple of minutes alone with me, J says, "I have some mommy time, right, Mom?"
It's a great reminder to me to be intentional about my time with him, especially when the younger kids make louder and more insistent demands on me than he does.
So amidst the craziness of managing three kids this weekend, I sneaked out with J yesterday afternoon while the younger two were napping. I had to run a mundane errand for the new house anyway, and thought that I might as well redeem the time by having J along.
We were walking hand in hand at one point, no noisy cars to block out my voice so I reminded him of how special he is, how wonderful God made him, and how much I love him even though I may be busy amd occupied with the younger two.
I was glad for it, that mini-date with my son.
It's a great reminder to me to be intentional about my time with him, especially when the younger kids make louder and more insistent demands on me than he does.
So amidst the craziness of managing three kids this weekend, I sneaked out with J yesterday afternoon while the younger two were napping. I had to run a mundane errand for the new house anyway, and thought that I might as well redeem the time by having J along.
We were walking hand in hand at one point, no noisy cars to block out my voice so I reminded him of how special he is, how wonderful God made him, and how much I love him even though I may be busy amd occupied with the younger two.
I was glad for it, that mini-date with my son.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
moving
We should be moving in a matter of weeks to a new home, with more room for everyone.
Josh has always been quite adaptable, so he should do ok. Emma needs a little more reassurance than he does, but since I'm her security blanket, she should do fine. Noah is the least adaptable one so far. He is so used to his space that travelling with him last month was hard.
Nonetheless, it's a move I look forward to getting over with.
The kids will have to change schools too, and I have mixed feelings about it. I'd like for the kids to not have to deal with so many changes, but our new place will be too far for me to drive them up and down every day, especially after Lucy arrives.
Today I mentioned to Josh's teacher that we would have to leave soon. She told me that he'd be missed, in particular by one of the girls in the class a year younger than his. She apparently moped around last month when Josh was away, so much so that her mother asked his teacher when Josh was coming back!
Josh has always been quite adaptable, so he should do ok. Emma needs a little more reassurance than he does, but since I'm her security blanket, she should do fine. Noah is the least adaptable one so far. He is so used to his space that travelling with him last month was hard.
Nonetheless, it's a move I look forward to getting over with.
The kids will have to change schools too, and I have mixed feelings about it. I'd like for the kids to not have to deal with so many changes, but our new place will be too far for me to drive them up and down every day, especially after Lucy arrives.
Today I mentioned to Josh's teacher that we would have to leave soon. She told me that he'd be missed, in particular by one of the girls in the class a year younger than his. She apparently moped around last month when Josh was away, so much so that her mother asked his teacher when Josh was coming back!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
thankful today
1. for a little three-year-old girl who slips her hand into mine every time we walk together.
2. for a grown up five-year-old boy who, when asked where babies come from, said, "The Lord gives the baby to mommy; He puts it in her tummy."
3. for a little baby boy who wanted me to give him his last milk feed before bed.
4. for a little baby girl who has kicks hard enough to give new meaning to "belly dance".
5. for a box of tiramisu from Da Paolo to share with my man.
6. for answered prayer.
7. for a community of ladies to study the bible with, and the relationships that are growing within this community.
8. for help in finding a lost pair of slippers at church today.
2. for a grown up five-year-old boy who, when asked where babies come from, said, "The Lord gives the baby to mommy; He puts it in her tummy."
3. for a little baby boy who wanted me to give him his last milk feed before bed.
4. for a little baby girl who has kicks hard enough to give new meaning to "belly dance".
5. for a box of tiramisu from Da Paolo to share with my man.
6. for answered prayer.
7. for a community of ladies to study the bible with, and the relationships that are growing within this community.
8. for help in finding a lost pair of slippers at church today.
Friday, June 5, 2009
club med bintan
Of note:
- This was Noah's first holiday. And our first with all three kids in tow. There were many moments when I felt like I needed an extra pair of hands. Or two. Or three.
- Noah's first taste of sand. Bleah.
- Emma started and ended well, but was down with fever in between. So she was stuck in the room a lot. She vacillated between feeling too lousy to care and feeling sore about missing out on pool time.
- Joshua was so excited about the pool, he forgot he didn't have his floaties on. K had to haul him out of the water. He was shellshocked, as was I. It was hard for me to let him out of my sight after that. After the coughing, spluttering and catching of breath, the first words he said, "Daddy, you saved my life." Looking for swim classes for the kids is now a priority, especially since our new home will have a pool that's a minute's walk away.
- Joshua had two goes on the trapeze. He did great, even if he refused to try to hang by his legs.
- Free flow of drinks. Free flow of food. But the two older kids sorely missed noodles and have only eaten that since coming back home.
Waterfall Restaurant, where we had all our meals
Playing petanque
- This was Noah's first holiday. And our first with all three kids in tow. There were many moments when I felt like I needed an extra pair of hands. Or two. Or three.
- Noah's first taste of sand. Bleah.
- Emma started and ended well, but was down with fever in between. So she was stuck in the room a lot. She vacillated between feeling too lousy to care and feeling sore about missing out on pool time.
- Joshua was so excited about the pool, he forgot he didn't have his floaties on. K had to haul him out of the water. He was shellshocked, as was I. It was hard for me to let him out of my sight after that. After the coughing, spluttering and catching of breath, the first words he said, "Daddy, you saved my life." Looking for swim classes for the kids is now a priority, especially since our new home will have a pool that's a minute's walk away.
- Joshua had two goes on the trapeze. He did great, even if he refused to try to hang by his legs.
- Free flow of drinks. Free flow of food. But the two older kids sorely missed noodles and have only eaten that since coming back home.
Waterfall Restaurant, where we had all our meals- Josh managed to ask the wait staff for a table for all of us, with the required baby chair for Noah, all by himself.
Playing petanque
Beach time was fun once they got used to the sand
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
to be changed
Yes, it's been a while since I've blogged. Even through the silence, things have been moving along though.
It feels like Lucy is growing well - she's got a very good kick. Being able to feel her move is incredibly precious to me. Just as precious - seeing the look of delight on Joshua's face and hearing him giggle, as he held his hand to my belly and felt his second sister move.
We have also been busy gearing up for another move - our fourth move in as many years. This move was as unexpected as Lucy, but we need the space that our new home will provide. Along with that, we've also been trying to get a handle on renovations, get new stuff for the new home, look for a helper (I am finally caving), and look for a new school for the kids. I am eager to have this transition over and done with.
Amidst all this movement are moments when I stand still and wonder. About the paths we had to walk down in the last few months. About the fears we had to face. About the miracle that we received.
I still don't know why God led us down that path. But I do know this.
We are changed.
Oh, it may look like we simply picked up from where we left off. It may feel like we've moved on. But like a broken cup that has been glued back together, I bear the marks of what we have gone through. And I want to remember.
The pain and fear and worry that could only be assuaged by God.
The feeling of being held up with hands other than my own, when all of me was too weak.
The gift of a miracle that I was afraid to ask for.
And the light that shone in my darkness.
It feels like Lucy is growing well - she's got a very good kick. Being able to feel her move is incredibly precious to me. Just as precious - seeing the look of delight on Joshua's face and hearing him giggle, as he held his hand to my belly and felt his second sister move.
We have also been busy gearing up for another move - our fourth move in as many years. This move was as unexpected as Lucy, but we need the space that our new home will provide. Along with that, we've also been trying to get a handle on renovations, get new stuff for the new home, look for a helper (I am finally caving), and look for a new school for the kids. I am eager to have this transition over and done with.
Amidst all this movement are moments when I stand still and wonder. About the paths we had to walk down in the last few months. About the fears we had to face. About the miracle that we received.
I still don't know why God led us down that path. But I do know this.
We are changed.
Oh, it may look like we simply picked up from where we left off. It may feel like we've moved on. But like a broken cup that has been glued back together, I bear the marks of what we have gone through. And I want to remember.
The pain and fear and worry that could only be assuaged by God.
The feeling of being held up with hands other than my own, when all of me was too weak.
The gift of a miracle that I was afraid to ask for.
And the light that shone in my darkness.
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