Eight years of marriage. I am grateful to God for each day, each moment, of these eight years.
This past year Trent and I have been to funerals of people we believe died too young. People in the midst of raising their families. People who could be us.
Through the tears during the funerals and after, we think of their loved ones left behind. Left to carry on in the midst of their pain. To raise their families without the support of their spouse, but with the help of God.
I imagine myself in their shoes. What if something were to happen as unexpectedly as these deaths occurred to my dear Trent? Would there be anything I would do differently with the time we have?
No.
Both Trent and I realize how precious life is.
James 4:14 says, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life?
You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."
I don't intend for this post to sound sad and morbid, but this is something that needs to be thought about, if only to remind us to celebrate the little moments. So we celebrate the little things, a child loosing a first tooth, a girl learning to read, a chubby hand writing her name all wobbly, each smile, each hug, each whispered and exhausted "good night". Because this is life. As each of these small moments pile on top of each other, always stacking higher and higher, they create this beautiful, precious life. Eight years of moments. Is there pain in the midst of these moments? Of course! A frustrated word, an irritated look. But those are followed with forgiveness, with love, acceptance, sometimes tears. And always, always, the love of God in the midst of all we do.
So today as we celebrate eight years, we are grateful. Grateful for each of these tiny moments stacking ever higher. Giving praise to God for the beauty of life He has blessed us with. We strive to find beauty in each day, as exhausting as it may be. Because whenever our time comes to meet our Lord, we want to have said we lived a life of no regrets.
No regrets. Only love.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Monday, October 28, 2013
Restricted and Released
At our sonogram last Wednesday we learned that we officially have another "Growth Restricted" baby. Intra-Uterine Growth Restricted is a term to define any baby below the 10th percentile. This percentile is the average of two measurements: the head and the abdomen. December Baby is now in the 8th percentile (head was 12% and abdomen was 2%). I was not shocked to learn this.
Our doctor has amazing bedside manner and was extremely kind. We really don't know why this happened again. Where we go from here is to the doctor, weekly sonograms with the specialist, and two or three more appointments with my OB before delivery. We will be scheduling delivery for the week before Christmas. It all seems somewhat cold and strange, but we are excited. Other than small size the baby is totally healthy. I cannot ask for more.
Also this week I had this urgency to learn something of our foster children. I debated whether or not to contact the foster mother who they went with after leaving our home. I finally decided to take a chance and hope that she didn't think I was a creepy stalker.
I will be forever grateful to her for her kind response. She told of our foster daughter doing well in therapy and in preschool. Of our foster daughter having fewer outbursts of tantrums. She told of our foster son "asserting his independence" and I could just picture him getting into all sorts of mischief like only a soon-to-be two year old boy can. She told of him still enjoying snuggles after his nap.
My immediate response was hard to describe. In some bizarre way I was hurt. I had pushed for our foster daughter to be in some sort of therapy or counseling and was rebuffed by the caseworker. I was told that "not all children in foster care are in therapy". I was sad that I was not the one who was snuggling this sweet boy after his naps and disciplining him when he misbehaved. More than anything I realized just how sad I was, and how much I really missed these kids.
After praying about this while I painted that evening I was hit with two things. First of all, I was being selfish. Second of all, I had not released this irrational hope that some day our foster son would return to us. The selfish part was easier to let go of. By the time I went to bed that evening I no longer held onto those feelings, but was instead SO SO grateful for the improvement in our foster daughter and grateful to her new foster parents for working hard and poring so much of themselves into her. The second part was not as easy for me. I had never dealt with grieving for someone I loved so dearly, let alone releasing them into an unknown future.
As I fell asleep that night I was praying for release.
And I dreamed.
Those of you who have read my blog before know that I have occasionally had dreams that I believe have significant meaning. This was my dream.
I was in a sort of hospital waiting area for adoptive parents. Many babies and children were being brought in but I was not being chosen for any of these children. Then a call came in that a newborn baby was going to be dropped off. I rushed to the entrance of the building with the "director" of this program.
It was cold outside and as the automatic doors opened a blast of freezing air rushed into the building hitting me in the face. Lying on the ground was a newborn baby, naked except for a heavily soiled diaper and a blanket that the wind had whipped off of him. I rushed outside to scoop up to the baby and comfort him in my loving arms.
The director and I went back to his office. He sat at his computer and began searching for a family for this baby. As I stood holding and comforting this precious baby who I already loved I got so angry!! Didn't the director see that I was the perfect mother for this baby? Didn't he see how much I loved this little boy?
When I shouted something along those lines in my frustration at the director he just calmly turned and looked at me. He said, "No. I have already chosen a child for you. But this is not him. You need to wait."
I think even within my dream I realized that this director was no ordinary man, but God, or an angel of God.
It dawned on me that this is what I was doing with our foster son. I rushed in to take things into my own hands and ended up hurt and resentful when things didn't go my way.
I woke up with an amazing feeling of peace and a "God-like" understanding of the situation. Eight months after our foster son left us physically I was finally able to release him emotionally.
I won't even look into what the messenger in my dream meant when he said he had already chosen a child for me. I am just so so grateful to God for this dream, to the foster family who has had the children longer than we did, and am trusting in the Lord to be with them wherever they go.
Our doctor has amazing bedside manner and was extremely kind. We really don't know why this happened again. Where we go from here is to the doctor, weekly sonograms with the specialist, and two or three more appointments with my OB before delivery. We will be scheduling delivery for the week before Christmas. It all seems somewhat cold and strange, but we are excited. Other than small size the baby is totally healthy. I cannot ask for more.
Also this week I had this urgency to learn something of our foster children. I debated whether or not to contact the foster mother who they went with after leaving our home. I finally decided to take a chance and hope that she didn't think I was a creepy stalker.
I will be forever grateful to her for her kind response. She told of our foster daughter doing well in therapy and in preschool. Of our foster daughter having fewer outbursts of tantrums. She told of our foster son "asserting his independence" and I could just picture him getting into all sorts of mischief like only a soon-to-be two year old boy can. She told of him still enjoying snuggles after his nap.
My immediate response was hard to describe. In some bizarre way I was hurt. I had pushed for our foster daughter to be in some sort of therapy or counseling and was rebuffed by the caseworker. I was told that "not all children in foster care are in therapy". I was sad that I was not the one who was snuggling this sweet boy after his naps and disciplining him when he misbehaved. More than anything I realized just how sad I was, and how much I really missed these kids.
After praying about this while I painted that evening I was hit with two things. First of all, I was being selfish. Second of all, I had not released this irrational hope that some day our foster son would return to us. The selfish part was easier to let go of. By the time I went to bed that evening I no longer held onto those feelings, but was instead SO SO grateful for the improvement in our foster daughter and grateful to her new foster parents for working hard and poring so much of themselves into her. The second part was not as easy for me. I had never dealt with grieving for someone I loved so dearly, let alone releasing them into an unknown future.
As I fell asleep that night I was praying for release.
And I dreamed.
Those of you who have read my blog before know that I have occasionally had dreams that I believe have significant meaning. This was my dream.
I was in a sort of hospital waiting area for adoptive parents. Many babies and children were being brought in but I was not being chosen for any of these children. Then a call came in that a newborn baby was going to be dropped off. I rushed to the entrance of the building with the "director" of this program.
It was cold outside and as the automatic doors opened a blast of freezing air rushed into the building hitting me in the face. Lying on the ground was a newborn baby, naked except for a heavily soiled diaper and a blanket that the wind had whipped off of him. I rushed outside to scoop up to the baby and comfort him in my loving arms.
The director and I went back to his office. He sat at his computer and began searching for a family for this baby. As I stood holding and comforting this precious baby who I already loved I got so angry!! Didn't the director see that I was the perfect mother for this baby? Didn't he see how much I loved this little boy?
When I shouted something along those lines in my frustration at the director he just calmly turned and looked at me. He said, "No. I have already chosen a child for you. But this is not him. You need to wait."
I think even within my dream I realized that this director was no ordinary man, but God, or an angel of God.
It dawned on me that this is what I was doing with our foster son. I rushed in to take things into my own hands and ended up hurt and resentful when things didn't go my way.
I woke up with an amazing feeling of peace and a "God-like" understanding of the situation. Eight months after our foster son left us physically I was finally able to release him emotionally.
I won't even look into what the messenger in my dream meant when he said he had already chosen a child for me. I am just so so grateful to God for this dream, to the foster family who has had the children longer than we did, and am trusting in the Lord to be with them wherever they go.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
A Turn of Events
At my 20 week ultrasound we saw an awesome baby in the 43rd percentile. The Maternal-Fetal specialist doctors said we couldn't have a more perfect looking baby. Because of my history of Intra-Uterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) with Magdalena they recommended we come back in another 6 weeks just to be on the safe side.
Last week I headed into my ultrasound appointment excited for another peek at our cutie. I saw this amazing baby, so perfect with it's little heart thumping away. The tech gave our baby an estimated weight of 1 pound 10 ounces which sounded great to me! After the routine check the ultrasound tech said that one of the two doctors will be in to chat with me shortly.
The doctor kindly informed me that unfortunately our baby has dropped to about the 12th percentile. I was very shocked and very disappointed. Not crushed. Not devastated. I now have to go back every 2 1/2 weeks for ultrasounds to check on baby's growth.
The doctor suggested that I add about 250-500 calories to my diet. I have added about 350 by drinking Ensure boost (I really feel like an old person), but I'm willing to do it for baby. The bummer is that the doctor said it may not even help, but it is worth a shot.
At this point they have no idea why the baby would drop so drastically in percentile. We already knew the baby would be on the smaller side since the baby will be delivered around 36 weeks. Our prayer for baby is similar to our pray for Magdalena, "Grow, grow, grow!"
As strange as it may sound, I am grateful for my experience with Magdalena because so much of my pregnancy with her was spent in fear of the unknown. Since she came through the pregnancy and delivery small but mostly healthy I am not fearful for this baby. More than anything the thought of all the extra appointments just makes me feel tired.
I am remaining optimistic and joyful despite the small size of the baby and the fact that the baby is breech (another wild one?). We were prepared for the fact that we will be having another C-Section so that also takes away a lot of the fear that I had in preparation for Maggie's birth. All in all, I am grateful for the opportunity to carry another child and am trusting God in all circumstances.
Last week I headed into my ultrasound appointment excited for another peek at our cutie. I saw this amazing baby, so perfect with it's little heart thumping away. The tech gave our baby an estimated weight of 1 pound 10 ounces which sounded great to me! After the routine check the ultrasound tech said that one of the two doctors will be in to chat with me shortly.
The doctor kindly informed me that unfortunately our baby has dropped to about the 12th percentile. I was very shocked and very disappointed. Not crushed. Not devastated. I now have to go back every 2 1/2 weeks for ultrasounds to check on baby's growth.
The doctor suggested that I add about 250-500 calories to my diet. I have added about 350 by drinking Ensure boost (I really feel like an old person), but I'm willing to do it for baby. The bummer is that the doctor said it may not even help, but it is worth a shot.
At this point they have no idea why the baby would drop so drastically in percentile. We already knew the baby would be on the smaller side since the baby will be delivered around 36 weeks. Our prayer for baby is similar to our pray for Magdalena, "Grow, grow, grow!"
As strange as it may sound, I am grateful for my experience with Magdalena because so much of my pregnancy with her was spent in fear of the unknown. Since she came through the pregnancy and delivery small but mostly healthy I am not fearful for this baby. More than anything the thought of all the extra appointments just makes me feel tired.
I am remaining optimistic and joyful despite the small size of the baby and the fact that the baby is breech (another wild one?). We were prepared for the fact that we will be having another C-Section so that also takes away a lot of the fear that I had in preparation for Maggie's birth. All in all, I am grateful for the opportunity to carry another child and am trusting God in all circumstances.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Perfect Parenting
Since school has started and the "back to school" excitement has worn off for most parents and children, I've started to hear a lot of complaints about what is expected on the parents' end of schooling. Things like: each child has a different colored folder that they are supposed to bring back to school on a certain day of the week; the child has to wear a specific color for a specific day of the week; they don't to any Science, History, or Geography until 3rd grade; there are so many papers to remember to sign every night; we are so busy with AWANA, sports, gymnastics, music, etc.; once you have multiple kids in school the paperwork seems to be insurmountable; and the list goes on.
I am the only mom in my mom's group who homeschools. When the other moms are talking of these things they look at me and throw up their hands and say, "I don't know HOW you homeschool!!" They go on to list things that I must be in order to survive homeschooling: super-organized, extremely patient, "super-mom" to get everything done, practically perfect.
The fact is, I am none of those things! I don't have to remember for my children to wear a specific color for "spirit week", I don't give them different colored folders for each day of the week, and the only extracurricular activity we do currently is piano lessons one day a week and our piano teacher comes to our house. We do Science, History and Geography every day in addition to Bible and a Bible memory verse for each week.
I'm not super-organized, but I do try to have some semblance of order to our day. The kids are responsible for their own papers. I will punch holes in them but they are responsible for putting their papers into their folders.
I am not extremely patient. Just the other day I got frustrated and yelled at Anne for repeatedly saying that 1+1=11. I showed her physical objects and said, "If you have one bottle of paint and I give you one more, how many do you have?" And she said, "11". AGGGHHHHHHH!!!! So frustrating!! I definitely yelled at her in my frustration. No, certainly not patient.
I am not super-mom. If you could peek into my house this morning you would find dirty dishes, dirty bathrooms, toys and books all over the floor, unmade beds and a very untidy house. Because the reality is this - I can't do everything. Today we are going to be starting school late in order to catch up on housework.
I am not practically perfect. I have many parenting flaws; I have many teacher flaws. All that to say that I am glad that we are homeschooling. Despite the frustrations I really do enjoy teaching the children. Yes, our home is messy. Yes, I get frustrated. Yes, I am tired.
Before school started I made a sign that said, "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. To Him be the glory." Has our Hess family done that so far this school year? Yes, I believe we have. We still have a long way to go to complete the year, but I have seen progress in our lives so far. I am hopeful that we will continue to grow closer to the Lord throughout this year. We don't know what the future holds, but we do know that we are enjoying living life together in these simple, everyday moments.
I am the only mom in my mom's group who homeschools. When the other moms are talking of these things they look at me and throw up their hands and say, "I don't know HOW you homeschool!!" They go on to list things that I must be in order to survive homeschooling: super-organized, extremely patient, "super-mom" to get everything done, practically perfect.
The fact is, I am none of those things! I don't have to remember for my children to wear a specific color for "spirit week", I don't give them different colored folders for each day of the week, and the only extracurricular activity we do currently is piano lessons one day a week and our piano teacher comes to our house. We do Science, History and Geography every day in addition to Bible and a Bible memory verse for each week.
I'm not super-organized, but I do try to have some semblance of order to our day. The kids are responsible for their own papers. I will punch holes in them but they are responsible for putting their papers into their folders.
I am not extremely patient. Just the other day I got frustrated and yelled at Anne for repeatedly saying that 1+1=11. I showed her physical objects and said, "If you have one bottle of paint and I give you one more, how many do you have?" And she said, "11". AGGGHHHHHHH!!!! So frustrating!! I definitely yelled at her in my frustration. No, certainly not patient.
I am not super-mom. If you could peek into my house this morning you would find dirty dishes, dirty bathrooms, toys and books all over the floor, unmade beds and a very untidy house. Because the reality is this - I can't do everything. Today we are going to be starting school late in order to catch up on housework.
I am not practically perfect. I have many parenting flaws; I have many teacher flaws. All that to say that I am glad that we are homeschooling. Despite the frustrations I really do enjoy teaching the children. Yes, our home is messy. Yes, I get frustrated. Yes, I am tired.
Before school started I made a sign that said, "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. To Him be the glory." Has our Hess family done that so far this school year? Yes, I believe we have. We still have a long way to go to complete the year, but I have seen progress in our lives so far. I am hopeful that we will continue to grow closer to the Lord throughout this year. We don't know what the future holds, but we do know that we are enjoying living life together in these simple, everyday moments.
Friday, September 27, 2013
This Old Pair of Jeans
To the common eye they are nothing extraordinary. Just a common pair of dark-wash denim jeans. Size 4R. Gap. Flare. The backs are frayed because of my too short legs. But to me they are so much more. A small corner of my past that I never got rid of.
Today I dug these jeans out of the back of my closet and slipped them on. A perfect fit. Aren't old jeans just like old friends? You haven't seen them in a long time, but getting back to them is so comfortable and natural.
Under normal circumstances I would probably not be thrilled about adding two pant sizes to my thin frame, but this is different. It's like coming full circle. I hope to make this journey again sometime. From thin, to adding weight for a lovely new baby, to bringing a beautiful new life into the world, to thin again. Yes, I certainly hope to make this journey again.
These jeans have walked many miles with me. I remember the first day I saw them. I was preparing my outfit for a date that night. A first date, so it was important. I'm trying to picture that girl of so long ago. The choppy short blond hair, the athletic build, the excitement, the nervousness, the laughter that came so easily.
Nine years ago these Gap jeans were purchased by a 19 year old girl at Marshall's; the same Marshall's that this girl still shops at for her own children. The jeans were paired with a thick-strapped tank-top in bright pink and pink sandals.
That date was the start of something special. As Trent and I look forward to our 8th anniversary I wonder if I will wear these jeans again for that date. As my stomach continues to swell I don't imagine that they will be very comfortable in another 12 weeks, but maybe in 13 weeks, a week after our fourth baby is born I will wear these jeans again.
And as the weight continues to fall off as it always does when nursing a sweet new baby, the jeans will go back into their place in the back of the closet. Hopefully to resurface at another time. They serve as a loving reminder of the girl I was, and make me grateful for the woman God is slowly molding me into.
So to you they be just an old pair of jeans, but to me, they are much much more.
Today I dug these jeans out of the back of my closet and slipped them on. A perfect fit. Aren't old jeans just like old friends? You haven't seen them in a long time, but getting back to them is so comfortable and natural.
Under normal circumstances I would probably not be thrilled about adding two pant sizes to my thin frame, but this is different. It's like coming full circle. I hope to make this journey again sometime. From thin, to adding weight for a lovely new baby, to bringing a beautiful new life into the world, to thin again. Yes, I certainly hope to make this journey again.
These jeans have walked many miles with me. I remember the first day I saw them. I was preparing my outfit for a date that night. A first date, so it was important. I'm trying to picture that girl of so long ago. The choppy short blond hair, the athletic build, the excitement, the nervousness, the laughter that came so easily.
Nine years ago these Gap jeans were purchased by a 19 year old girl at Marshall's; the same Marshall's that this girl still shops at for her own children. The jeans were paired with a thick-strapped tank-top in bright pink and pink sandals.
That date was the start of something special. As Trent and I look forward to our 8th anniversary I wonder if I will wear these jeans again for that date. As my stomach continues to swell I don't imagine that they will be very comfortable in another 12 weeks, but maybe in 13 weeks, a week after our fourth baby is born I will wear these jeans again.
And as the weight continues to fall off as it always does when nursing a sweet new baby, the jeans will go back into their place in the back of the closet. Hopefully to resurface at another time. They serve as a loving reminder of the girl I was, and make me grateful for the woman God is slowly molding me into.
So to you they be just an old pair of jeans, but to me, they are much much more.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Musings
So much and yet so little is going on right now.
Earlier this week I was feeling upset that I am not "showing" like most other mom's do at 24 weeks. I know it may sound ridiculous, but I really do wish I had a nice round belly that would show that YES - I AM expecting my fourth baby!! It's actually a little embarrassing to me that other people don't realize that we are having a baby.
And then I heard that a very close family member overdosed and stopped breathing. Thankfully this family member is doing OK now, but it's so foolish to think that I was wasting my time feeling upset about something so insignificant as what my stomach looks like when this person I love so much could have died (technically did die).
It seems that I am not a very quick learner. Because just today I was comparing my life situation with someone else. I have always wanted to adopt, and so when I hear of others adopting I feel this twinge of jealousy. And yet I am well aware that we may NEVER adopt. After fostering my husband really has no desire to adopt, but I have those feelings nonetheless. And then I remember that the person adopting is in a very different life situation from myself. And that this person and her husband are on the same page.
And then I hear of another family member choosing to cut themselves off from another. And I'm angry. Before my spiritual conversion I used to get vehemently angry frequently. That anger was lifted after I had this amazing encounter with Jesus. Today was the first time I have felt that barely controlled anger rising up in me. I am thankful that after praying I was able to get my anger in check and pray for this family member instead of rattling off an angry message to them like I wanted to.
As I read some "mom-blogs" today I was reading of children who are struggling in school. I realized that what our girls are learning and the levels that they are learning at my come off as bragging. I certainly am very proud of each of my girls, but I know that even if they had a learning disability or struggled in school I would still love them just as much.
Of course, being prideful is a sin, one that I am constantly reminding myself of and working to correct in my life. Late last week we had a few incidents with one of our children being "sneaky". The child would sneak a piece of candy and hide somewhere to eat it. And trust me, this child certainly knows better. This happened multiple times. Sometimes the child would confess only when caught red-handed. And other times she would act very shameful of her actions (but wouldn't change them). After a discussion today on truth, trusting, and what our actions say about us, she has committed to working on this sinful behavior.
I guess there is more going on than I realized...
Earlier this week I was feeling upset that I am not "showing" like most other mom's do at 24 weeks. I know it may sound ridiculous, but I really do wish I had a nice round belly that would show that YES - I AM expecting my fourth baby!! It's actually a little embarrassing to me that other people don't realize that we are having a baby.
And then I heard that a very close family member overdosed and stopped breathing. Thankfully this family member is doing OK now, but it's so foolish to think that I was wasting my time feeling upset about something so insignificant as what my stomach looks like when this person I love so much could have died (technically did die).
It seems that I am not a very quick learner. Because just today I was comparing my life situation with someone else. I have always wanted to adopt, and so when I hear of others adopting I feel this twinge of jealousy. And yet I am well aware that we may NEVER adopt. After fostering my husband really has no desire to adopt, but I have those feelings nonetheless. And then I remember that the person adopting is in a very different life situation from myself. And that this person and her husband are on the same page.
And then I hear of another family member choosing to cut themselves off from another. And I'm angry. Before my spiritual conversion I used to get vehemently angry frequently. That anger was lifted after I had this amazing encounter with Jesus. Today was the first time I have felt that barely controlled anger rising up in me. I am thankful that after praying I was able to get my anger in check and pray for this family member instead of rattling off an angry message to them like I wanted to.
As I read some "mom-blogs" today I was reading of children who are struggling in school. I realized that what our girls are learning and the levels that they are learning at my come off as bragging. I certainly am very proud of each of my girls, but I know that even if they had a learning disability or struggled in school I would still love them just as much.
Of course, being prideful is a sin, one that I am constantly reminding myself of and working to correct in my life. Late last week we had a few incidents with one of our children being "sneaky". The child would sneak a piece of candy and hide somewhere to eat it. And trust me, this child certainly knows better. This happened multiple times. Sometimes the child would confess only when caught red-handed. And other times she would act very shameful of her actions (but wouldn't change them). After a discussion today on truth, trusting, and what our actions say about us, she has committed to working on this sinful behavior.
I guess there is more going on than I realized...
Saturday, September 21, 2013
This Homeschool Thing
We have just about completed four full weeks of homeschool. And, I've got to say, it's been pretty darn good.
Not all of our days have been perfect, but I think if you ask any school teacher anywhere they will say the same.
Some of the things I am enjoying the most so far are:
~flexibility: I have pregnancy-related doctor appointments and these often involve long waits. So, we pack up our read-alouds, some handwriting and a few other things to keep the kids occupied and learning while we wait. We also started back up at the mom's group I attend and on those days we do school after lunch OR we will do a little extra work the day before and the day after. **I think the first 2 weeks I was very rigid on doing Week one, Day 1 on THAT DAY, and I didn't allow myself to be flexible. It has been very much a learning experience for me as well.
~Sisterly-love: The three girls have always had close relationships, and these relationships certainly seem to be blossoming. If I send Anne to school half the day I know Anne would have entered a world that Abbey could not enter and therefore they would begin that gradual drift in relationship. In fact, this year they are in the same class during SMILE (my mom's group) and when the kids went around and introduced themselves and told their ages Anne said, "This is my sister Abbey and I'm so glad she's here!" and hugged her tight.
~Extra learning opportunities: Today Anne is helping Trent plant a tree and will learn to care for it. The kids all get to come to my appointments and hear the baby's heartbeat. Last week the doctor even let Anne use the Doppler to listen to her own heart and to hear how much slower it sounds than the baby's. I don't know for sure, but I'm pretty sure most Kindergarteners aren't learning about Ancient Rome and Egyptians, or sediment and igneous rocks, or the Earth's rotation. We have an amazing opportunity to teach these kids really great information AND from a Christian worldview.
I'm sure there are more things, but I'm being called to inspect Anne's maple tree. I'm sure I still have lots to learn on the teaching and flexibility end, but so far we are all loving it. We also decided to place Abbey in Kindergarten along with Anne since she was accomplishing the same tasks as Anne and was thriving on learning more and new information. I definitely do some altering to make things harder for Anne as she is advanced in some of our subject areas. Abbey is determined to learn to read and has made quite a bit of progress in the past four weeks. In fact, just yesterday I spelled a word at the table and she figured it out. :) I believe I said, "Someone needs an N-A-P." And she chimed in, "Nap!" Maggie needs a nap!"
Not all of our days have been perfect, but I think if you ask any school teacher anywhere they will say the same.
Some of the things I am enjoying the most so far are:
~flexibility: I have pregnancy-related doctor appointments and these often involve long waits. So, we pack up our read-alouds, some handwriting and a few other things to keep the kids occupied and learning while we wait. We also started back up at the mom's group I attend and on those days we do school after lunch OR we will do a little extra work the day before and the day after. **I think the first 2 weeks I was very rigid on doing Week one, Day 1 on THAT DAY, and I didn't allow myself to be flexible. It has been very much a learning experience for me as well.
~Sisterly-love: The three girls have always had close relationships, and these relationships certainly seem to be blossoming. If I send Anne to school half the day I know Anne would have entered a world that Abbey could not enter and therefore they would begin that gradual drift in relationship. In fact, this year they are in the same class during SMILE (my mom's group) and when the kids went around and introduced themselves and told their ages Anne said, "This is my sister Abbey and I'm so glad she's here!" and hugged her tight.
~Extra learning opportunities: Today Anne is helping Trent plant a tree and will learn to care for it. The kids all get to come to my appointments and hear the baby's heartbeat. Last week the doctor even let Anne use the Doppler to listen to her own heart and to hear how much slower it sounds than the baby's. I don't know for sure, but I'm pretty sure most Kindergarteners aren't learning about Ancient Rome and Egyptians, or sediment and igneous rocks, or the Earth's rotation. We have an amazing opportunity to teach these kids really great information AND from a Christian worldview.
I'm sure there are more things, but I'm being called to inspect Anne's maple tree. I'm sure I still have lots to learn on the teaching and flexibility end, but so far we are all loving it. We also decided to place Abbey in Kindergarten along with Anne since she was accomplishing the same tasks as Anne and was thriving on learning more and new information. I definitely do some altering to make things harder for Anne as she is advanced in some of our subject areas. Abbey is determined to learn to read and has made quite a bit of progress in the past four weeks. In fact, just yesterday I spelled a word at the table and she figured it out. :) I believe I said, "Someone needs an N-A-P." And she chimed in, "Nap!" Maggie needs a nap!"
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Magdalena turns Three!!
First, let me start out by saying that yes, I realize this post is almost three weeks after her third birthday. I won't justify myself by saying how busy I have been, because, in general, I believe that we make time for the things that are most important to us. I hate to admit it, but I have a soft spot for novels, specifically love stories. Recently reading novels has been my form of relaxing after a morning of homeschooling, painting, and general household chores. So there, I've made my excuses, now you can hear all about Maggie!As many of you recall, Magdalena was my littlest baby at 4 pounds, 10 ounces and just 17 inches long. She made her way into this world tiny, but strong. After a week stay in the NICU she grew nice and chubby and hasn't stopped yet.
Magdalena LOVES to talk. She is constantly talking to her sisters, to her baby dolls, and to the little people that go with our dollhouse. She loves sharing a bed with her two big sisters. If one of the girls is out of control at bedtime it is usually Maggie. If we hear voices in the room it is generally Magdalena's squeaky voice. She loves to tell her big sisters stories after Trent and I go out of their room.Maggie is a constant source of joy in our lives. My difficult pregnancy with her led us unsure of what to believe her quality of life would be. She has proved to us that her quality of life will be JOY.
Maggie also loves babies. She was the biggest advocate for us having another baby "that we can keep" after our foster son left us. Of all the girls, Maggie was the closest to our foster son. Maggie is really hoping for a baby brother, but is coming to terms with the fact that a sister would be nice, too.
 |
| This is how she holds up "3" fingers! |
And just for fun - a size comparison of the girls at age three:
Anne: 39.5 inches tall and 29 pounds
Abbey: 36 inches tall and 23 pounds
Maggie: 36.5 inches tall and 28 pounds.
 |
| CHEESE! |
Special thanks to my sister, Audrey, for capturing Maggie's love of life in these pictures!!
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
First Day of Homeschool (Kindergarten, K-4 and Preschool)
Yesterday we began our homeschool adventure. Well, that's not
completely true. For the past few years I've been slowly teaching the
girls as a way to pass the time. However, this will be our first year
with an actual curriculum. For those interested, I am using Sonlight.
Our day looked something like this:
6:30 am - I woke up and did my morning routine
6:45 am - Went downstairs, drank coffee and read my devotions and prayed fervently that we would have a good day.
7:00 am - All three girls were up and Anne was dressed, ready and excited for the day to begin.
7:15 am - Ate breakfast
7:45 am - Finished getting the other girls dressed, hair brushed, teeth brushed. Anne made the bed and Abbey and Maggie picked up the toys off their floor.
8:15 am - The girls watched a movie while I checked email, facebook and got a few last minute things ready for our day.
9:00 am - School started. We started with days of the week/calendar/letter of the week/handwriting.
9:15 am - Bible (read two pages from the Bible, asked them relevant questions, and went over their memory verse for the week).
Read-alouds - Today it was Chapter one of The Boxcar Children, and asked questions. Also a poem about opposites. The kids each came up with several opposites of their own.
9:30 am - History/geography - Read about dinosaurs and asked questions (the girls had very little interest in dinosaurs - I imagine if you had boys you would be spending much more time on this than I did)
9:45 am - Recess (riding bikes, running, etc)
10:00 am - Math - Counting to 10, left and right, practice with writing #1.
10:15 am - Science - Earth rotating on it's axis, Earth revolving around the sun, seasons, etc.
We were finished around 10:30. The kids went outside until lunch. I sat and read a novel while they played outside until around 11:15.
11:15 - ate lunch
12:00 - went back outside and let the kids run around
1:00 - headed inside and got Maggie ready for nap. Anne read her a book as an extension of her learning (reading with expression, etc.)
1:15 - Maggie was in bed and I gave Anne and Abbey "homework" to do - practice writing the letter of the week, narrating a letter to our Compassion child and coloring pictures for our Compassion child. Anne was to find Ghana (where our Compassion child lives) on the globe and Abbey worked on reading words that end in "-at".
2:15 - Anne and Abbey went upstairs and I read to them from "Emily of New Moon" by L.M. Montgomery.
2:45 - Abbey was supposed to nap. I laid with her hoping she would quickly fall asleep. Since she did not I told her to rest quietly while I did what I needed to do. (Anne was reading silently during this time).
3:30 - I spent a few minutes painting and working on sign orders for Mama Hess Painting.
4:00 - Abbey and Anne came downstairs after not sleeping. They colored, read, and played quietly while I worked on dinner. I made two pans of poppyseed chicken (one for dinner and one for the freezer for when December baby comes).
4:30 - I realized Maggie was still sleeping and went to wake her up. Unfortunately she wet the bed so I had to change her and her sheets.
4:45 - Everyone was back outside while I folded laundry, and did other small household chores.
5:25 - Kids came back in and set the table for dinner while I made rice and creamy spinach to go with our chicken.
5:40 - Trent got home from work and entertained the kids while I finished up dinner.
5:50 - Ate dinner.
6:25 - Finished dinner and sent the girls outside with Trent while I cleaned up, folded laundry and checked Facebook and email.
7:00 - The kids were exhausted, cranky, and dirty. They came in and Anne showered while Maggie and Abbey got a bath. They brushed hair, and teeth and laid in bed while Trent read to them from "James and the Giant Peach."
7:45 - The kids had to be put in separate bedrooms because Maggie couldn't stop talking and they were all exhausted.
8:00 pm - All was quiet. I took a nice long shower and then read a novel for awhile. Trent and I sat together while he looked at cars and facebook and email and all those good things.
10:15 pm - Lights out for us too!!
Unfortunately day #2 has not gone quite as well as Day #1, but I know it is a process and things will continue to come together. I'm sure we'll have good days and bad days, but that's just the way it is.
Hope you all have enjoyed learning about our adventure!!
Our day looked something like this:
6:30 am - I woke up and did my morning routine
6:45 am - Went downstairs, drank coffee and read my devotions and prayed fervently that we would have a good day.
7:00 am - All three girls were up and Anne was dressed, ready and excited for the day to begin.
7:15 am - Ate breakfast
7:45 am - Finished getting the other girls dressed, hair brushed, teeth brushed. Anne made the bed and Abbey and Maggie picked up the toys off their floor.
8:15 am - The girls watched a movie while I checked email, facebook and got a few last minute things ready for our day.
9:00 am - School started. We started with days of the week/calendar/letter of the week/handwriting.
9:15 am - Bible (read two pages from the Bible, asked them relevant questions, and went over their memory verse for the week).
Read-alouds - Today it was Chapter one of The Boxcar Children, and asked questions. Also a poem about opposites. The kids each came up with several opposites of their own.
9:30 am - History/geography - Read about dinosaurs and asked questions (the girls had very little interest in dinosaurs - I imagine if you had boys you would be spending much more time on this than I did)
9:45 am - Recess (riding bikes, running, etc)
10:00 am - Math - Counting to 10, left and right, practice with writing #1.
10:15 am - Science - Earth rotating on it's axis, Earth revolving around the sun, seasons, etc.
We were finished around 10:30. The kids went outside until lunch. I sat and read a novel while they played outside until around 11:15.
11:15 - ate lunch
12:00 - went back outside and let the kids run around
1:00 - headed inside and got Maggie ready for nap. Anne read her a book as an extension of her learning (reading with expression, etc.)
1:15 - Maggie was in bed and I gave Anne and Abbey "homework" to do - practice writing the letter of the week, narrating a letter to our Compassion child and coloring pictures for our Compassion child. Anne was to find Ghana (where our Compassion child lives) on the globe and Abbey worked on reading words that end in "-at".
2:15 - Anne and Abbey went upstairs and I read to them from "Emily of New Moon" by L.M. Montgomery.
2:45 - Abbey was supposed to nap. I laid with her hoping she would quickly fall asleep. Since she did not I told her to rest quietly while I did what I needed to do. (Anne was reading silently during this time).
3:30 - I spent a few minutes painting and working on sign orders for Mama Hess Painting.
4:00 - Abbey and Anne came downstairs after not sleeping. They colored, read, and played quietly while I worked on dinner. I made two pans of poppyseed chicken (one for dinner and one for the freezer for when December baby comes).
4:30 - I realized Maggie was still sleeping and went to wake her up. Unfortunately she wet the bed so I had to change her and her sheets.
4:45 - Everyone was back outside while I folded laundry, and did other small household chores.
5:25 - Kids came back in and set the table for dinner while I made rice and creamy spinach to go with our chicken.
5:40 - Trent got home from work and entertained the kids while I finished up dinner.
5:50 - Ate dinner.
6:25 - Finished dinner and sent the girls outside with Trent while I cleaned up, folded laundry and checked Facebook and email.
7:00 - The kids were exhausted, cranky, and dirty. They came in and Anne showered while Maggie and Abbey got a bath. They brushed hair, and teeth and laid in bed while Trent read to them from "James and the Giant Peach."
7:45 - The kids had to be put in separate bedrooms because Maggie couldn't stop talking and they were all exhausted.
8:00 pm - All was quiet. I took a nice long shower and then read a novel for awhile. Trent and I sat together while he looked at cars and facebook and email and all those good things.
10:15 pm - Lights out for us too!!
Unfortunately day #2 has not gone quite as well as Day #1, but I know it is a process and things will continue to come together. I'm sure we'll have good days and bad days, but that's just the way it is.
Hope you all have enjoyed learning about our adventure!!
Monday, August 26, 2013
December baby & school thoughts
Today we had our in-depth ultrasound for December Baby. I am very grateful and happy to report that baby looks fantastic! December Baby is in the 43%ile and weighs approximately 10-11 ounces. I had a fantastic doctor and am just completely grateful for a healthy baby!
Also today is when most children in our area start their first day of school. As I scrolled through facebook and saw all of the kids starting their first day in public school I had to wonder if I am overprotective. Some of the parents are sad to watch them go, others are happy and excited that their work load will be decreased.
Starting tomorrow my work load will increase as we being our first week of homeschooling. Of course, I am second-guessing myself and the decision I have made. Anne watched another little girl get on the school bus this morning and wished that she could go to "real" school.
I will post soon about Maggie turning three!
Also today is when most children in our area start their first day of school. As I scrolled through facebook and saw all of the kids starting their first day in public school I had to wonder if I am overprotective. Some of the parents are sad to watch them go, others are happy and excited that their work load will be decreased.
Starting tomorrow my work load will increase as we being our first week of homeschooling. Of course, I am second-guessing myself and the decision I have made. Anne watched another little girl get on the school bus this morning and wished that she could go to "real" school.
I will post soon about Maggie turning three!
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Love your Neighbor?
For the past year we didn't have any neighbors with children
relatively close by. It may seem selfish, but I absolutely LOVED it!!
Before our foster children came (and after they left) I had my dear
three girls all to myself and watched them grow even closer together as
friends and sisters.
Since we moved about three months ago we now have a "complicated" neighbor. Several generations living together, an 80-year-old great grandmother (widowed), her daughter and son-in-law (grandparents around age 60) and a four-year-old grandson.
When we first moved in the grandfather had joked that the grandson would always be at our house. We laughed and thought it was a joke. It wasn't.
It started out gradual - a few times a week the boy would run over to our yard when we were outside to come and play with our children. I understood - he was lonely, and could see our three children having fun over here.
Now, after three months, we cannot walk outside without him streaking across his yard as fast as possible to come to our home. The other day I went out to get the mail while the girls were napping and by the time I came back across the street he was in my driveway asking to play. I sent him back home and told him the children were napping.
We no longer have any "family" time in the evening when Trent comes home because as soon as we finish dinner he is back in our yard traipsing around with us.
Perhaps the most frustrating part is that he is so much like our foster daughter, who, as many of you know, was an extreme challenge to us. Granted, he doesn't live with us, but it's probably the closest thing he can get to it without actually living in our home.
Now we find ourselves in a predicament. We want to show to love of Christ to these neighbors, but I find myself not wanting to go outside my own home for fear of now having full responsibility for him and his actions. I have sent him home/threatened to send him home when he is unkind or hitting our girls, but I'm not sure what else to do. We know we are supposed to love our "neighbors" (and in this case they are our physical neighbors), but we also feel that we need to draw some boundaries.
Just a small example: the below picture is of our girls playing in rain water that filled our retention basin. Our neighbor boy came over to watch, then I heard his grandmother yelling and encouraging him to get in, too. He did eventually go home and change clothes and come in with them. I would have had the girls in and out in a short time, but because he was there, my kids didn't want to get out when it was time to go in the house. I am struggling between being internally frustrated and if it is my own selfishness, or if I should just let it go and try harder to love my neighbor.
Trent and I have been praying about this situation and would love to
hear if any of you have some ideas or suggestions that could help us
make some wise and godly decisions.
Since we moved about three months ago we now have a "complicated" neighbor. Several generations living together, an 80-year-old great grandmother (widowed), her daughter and son-in-law (grandparents around age 60) and a four-year-old grandson.
When we first moved in the grandfather had joked that the grandson would always be at our house. We laughed and thought it was a joke. It wasn't.
It started out gradual - a few times a week the boy would run over to our yard when we were outside to come and play with our children. I understood - he was lonely, and could see our three children having fun over here.
Now, after three months, we cannot walk outside without him streaking across his yard as fast as possible to come to our home. The other day I went out to get the mail while the girls were napping and by the time I came back across the street he was in my driveway asking to play. I sent him back home and told him the children were napping.
We no longer have any "family" time in the evening when Trent comes home because as soon as we finish dinner he is back in our yard traipsing around with us.
Perhaps the most frustrating part is that he is so much like our foster daughter, who, as many of you know, was an extreme challenge to us. Granted, he doesn't live with us, but it's probably the closest thing he can get to it without actually living in our home.
Now we find ourselves in a predicament. We want to show to love of Christ to these neighbors, but I find myself not wanting to go outside my own home for fear of now having full responsibility for him and his actions. I have sent him home/threatened to send him home when he is unkind or hitting our girls, but I'm not sure what else to do. We know we are supposed to love our "neighbors" (and in this case they are our physical neighbors), but we also feel that we need to draw some boundaries.
Just a small example: the below picture is of our girls playing in rain water that filled our retention basin. Our neighbor boy came over to watch, then I heard his grandmother yelling and encouraging him to get in, too. He did eventually go home and change clothes and come in with them. I would have had the girls in and out in a short time, but because he was there, my kids didn't want to get out when it was time to go in the house. I am struggling between being internally frustrated and if it is my own selfishness, or if I should just let it go and try harder to love my neighbor.
 |
| The girls playing in the rain water in our retention basin. |
Friday, August 16, 2013
Actions & Words
This morning at breakfast the kids were eating great and I spied our devotion book lying on the table and I thought, what a great opportunity to read a few verses to the kids! I got the book and read one verse. As we began to talk about it, Anne wiped cream cheese off her face with her sleeve and as I started to remind her to use a napkin, her arm shot forward and knocked over a half-full cup of milk which spilled all over the table.
Instead of calmly cleaning it up I got angry and irritated and frustrated and grudgingly cleaned up the milk while grumbling and ranting about her carelessness and how she spills more often than any of the other kids (I don't even know if this is true), and was just all together ungodly.
As I took the sopping rag back into the kitchen it struck me at how ironic the situation was. Her spilled milk gave me a perfect opportunity to show God's love and grace in a simple mistake. And I failed miserably.
When I came back to the table I apologized to her tear-filled eyes and felt like a complete jerk. I asked the kids what the would remember most from that morning: the Bible verse I read or the way I acted when Anne spilled her milk? Abbey tried to give what she thought was the "right" answer and said, "the Bible verse!". So I asked her what the verse was and, of course, she didn't know. Then I asked her how mommy acted when the milk spilled and she said, "Not good and not nice."
I proceeded to try to explain how I was very sorry and how I will try to act better next time and that even Moms make mistakes and need to be shown grace. I'm not sure if they "got" it or not, but it was a good reminder (at least for me) of how our actions can show God's love and grace (or our own failure) sometimes much more than our words can.
Instead of calmly cleaning it up I got angry and irritated and frustrated and grudgingly cleaned up the milk while grumbling and ranting about her carelessness and how she spills more often than any of the other kids (I don't even know if this is true), and was just all together ungodly.
As I took the sopping rag back into the kitchen it struck me at how ironic the situation was. Her spilled milk gave me a perfect opportunity to show God's love and grace in a simple mistake. And I failed miserably.
When I came back to the table I apologized to her tear-filled eyes and felt like a complete jerk. I asked the kids what the would remember most from that morning: the Bible verse I read or the way I acted when Anne spilled her milk? Abbey tried to give what she thought was the "right" answer and said, "the Bible verse!". So I asked her what the verse was and, of course, she didn't know. Then I asked her how mommy acted when the milk spilled and she said, "Not good and not nice."
I proceeded to try to explain how I was very sorry and how I will try to act better next time and that even Moms make mistakes and need to be shown grace. I'm not sure if they "got" it or not, but it was a good reminder (at least for me) of how our actions can show God's love and grace (or our own failure) sometimes much more than our words can.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
A Mama's (or hormonal) Heart
I have been thinking a great deal recently of our foster son. I have been wondering where he is now, if he is safe and if someone is loving him. I'm currently in a rational enough state of mind to know that I love him and I am praying for him, but when I'm irrational and hormonal it doesn't feel like enough.
Perhaps the hardest part for me is that I may never know on this side of Heaven how he is.
And today I saw pictures of a friend's sister who just adopted the little guy that they have been fostering.
I guess all these musings are meaningless, except that they encourage me to continue praying for our foster son. Next week will mark one year ago that they came into our home. Seems like a lifetime away. It has been 6 months since our foster son left. He has been gone as long as he was with us.
So, I will just continue to pray for him with my Mama's hear (or hormonal heart) as the case may be.
Perhaps the hardest part for me is that I may never know on this side of Heaven how he is.
And today I saw pictures of a friend's sister who just adopted the little guy that they have been fostering.
I guess all these musings are meaningless, except that they encourage me to continue praying for our foster son. Next week will mark one year ago that they came into our home. Seems like a lifetime away. It has been 6 months since our foster son left. He has been gone as long as he was with us.
So, I will just continue to pray for him with my Mama's hear (or hormonal heart) as the case may be.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Gender Defender
I love my little girls. I love their different personalities, their quirks, their emotional roller coasters.
I read recently about the "millions missing" in India and China, where boys are preferred. Where millions of little girls are aborted because they are girls. The numbers are horrifying. I think most Americans would agree with the disgusting truth that these countries are literally killing off their future by having a preference as to a male child.
Yet I wonder how many Americans have a gender preference? I'll admit that I used to. After we had Anne I thought it would be nice to have a boy next. But we found out we were having a girl. I don't like to admit it, but I remember having a momentary twinge of regret that I wasn't having a boy.
Then one evening on the way to Trent's parents' home I had an epiphany. Trent's mom had told me multiple times that after two boys she would have liked to have a girl, but they had Trent. And I was SO extremely grateful because he grew into a fine young man whom I got to marry!
Now we have our three little girls, and with the new baby on the way there has been much speculation and conversation about the topic of gender. I have truly reached the point where I do not care what gender the baby is! God has a plan for each baby, and if He is entrusting me to raise up amazing future wives and mothers than I should thank Him for that!
Just today an old man at the grocery store asked me where all my boys are and suggested that we just keep on trying until we get a boy.
I don't take offense to these comments because I know that, in general, most people are kind-hearted and they just want to have something to say and make conversation. Perhaps I would get similar comments if I had three boys - they would ask where the girls are.
One of the most intriguing comments I have heard so far is, "I hope for your husband's sake that you have a boy." I'm not really sure what that means. Trent, especially for growing up in a home with no sisters, is absolutely amazing with the girls. Sure, he can't even do a ponytail, but he always tells the girls how pretty they look, that he loves their "spinny" dress, that he is so proud of the way she did this or that. He hugs and kisses and snuggles and reads bedtime stories.
Maybe we'll have a boy, and I'm sure he will humble and stretch me in new ways than my daughters do. Or maybe we'll have a girl, and she will also humble and stretch me in ways different from her sisters.
And- if you are reading this and have ever made comments to me about the gender of our baby, that's okay!! I truly don't mind, this was just a topic that I have been thinking about recently. :)
I read recently about the "millions missing" in India and China, where boys are preferred. Where millions of little girls are aborted because they are girls. The numbers are horrifying. I think most Americans would agree with the disgusting truth that these countries are literally killing off their future by having a preference as to a male child.
Yet I wonder how many Americans have a gender preference? I'll admit that I used to. After we had Anne I thought it would be nice to have a boy next. But we found out we were having a girl. I don't like to admit it, but I remember having a momentary twinge of regret that I wasn't having a boy.
Then one evening on the way to Trent's parents' home I had an epiphany. Trent's mom had told me multiple times that after two boys she would have liked to have a girl, but they had Trent. And I was SO extremely grateful because he grew into a fine young man whom I got to marry!
Now we have our three little girls, and with the new baby on the way there has been much speculation and conversation about the topic of gender. I have truly reached the point where I do not care what gender the baby is! God has a plan for each baby, and if He is entrusting me to raise up amazing future wives and mothers than I should thank Him for that!
Just today an old man at the grocery store asked me where all my boys are and suggested that we just keep on trying until we get a boy.
I don't take offense to these comments because I know that, in general, most people are kind-hearted and they just want to have something to say and make conversation. Perhaps I would get similar comments if I had three boys - they would ask where the girls are.
One of the most intriguing comments I have heard so far is, "I hope for your husband's sake that you have a boy." I'm not really sure what that means. Trent, especially for growing up in a home with no sisters, is absolutely amazing with the girls. Sure, he can't even do a ponytail, but he always tells the girls how pretty they look, that he loves their "spinny" dress, that he is so proud of the way she did this or that. He hugs and kisses and snuggles and reads bedtime stories.
Maybe we'll have a boy, and I'm sure he will humble and stretch me in new ways than my daughters do. Or maybe we'll have a girl, and she will also humble and stretch me in ways different from her sisters.
And- if you are reading this and have ever made comments to me about the gender of our baby, that's okay!! I truly don't mind, this was just a topic that I have been thinking about recently. :)
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Special Moment to Remember
Today I am a full seventeen weeks pregnant with our fourth baby. I have been feeling the baby move for a long time. I am told this is partially because I know what I am feeling for, and partially because I do not have a lot of extra weight.
This morning the kiddos were all up early. Trent woke me at 6:30 and the kids were all downstairs reading and playing already. As I laid in the bed still dozing for the next 15 or so minutes I held my hands on my stomach. Usually December Baby moves most in the evening, but this morning, just under my right hand I felt a bump. Not a bump on the inside like I often do, but my hand felt a kick, or hiccup, or elbow. Then again, and again and once more. Four beautiful kicks.
There are many unknowns with this pregnancy and how it will all unfold. However, I refuse to let my fear of the worst or my fear of the unknown to rob me of the joy of this pregnancy. Do I always feel great? NO! My prenatal has caused me to throw up more times that I care to remember. I have been sick to my stomach for a week. Do I love having multiple doctor appointments a month? NO!
But this morning, for those few moments, I received those kicks as a beautiful, joyful gift from God.
This morning the kiddos were all up early. Trent woke me at 6:30 and the kids were all downstairs reading and playing already. As I laid in the bed still dozing for the next 15 or so minutes I held my hands on my stomach. Usually December Baby moves most in the evening, but this morning, just under my right hand I felt a bump. Not a bump on the inside like I often do, but my hand felt a kick, or hiccup, or elbow. Then again, and again and once more. Four beautiful kicks.
There are many unknowns with this pregnancy and how it will all unfold. However, I refuse to let my fear of the worst or my fear of the unknown to rob me of the joy of this pregnancy. Do I always feel great? NO! My prenatal has caused me to throw up more times that I care to remember. I have been sick to my stomach for a week. Do I love having multiple doctor appointments a month? NO!
But this morning, for those few moments, I received those kicks as a beautiful, joyful gift from God.
Friday, August 2, 2013
Committed
I'm officially committed to homeschooling.
My curriculum has come in the mail. When I first opened it and peeked at the teacher guide I was pretty sure I had just made a huge mistake. I was feeling completely overwhelmed by the 5-inch thick binder with my lesson plans for the year.
But after a few days of looking through it and looking over the material, and the fact that Anne has already read half of our books for the year in the first week we had the curriculum helped me to settle down. I am committed to it. I still am not sure how I am ever going to get Anne to enjoy math, but I have high hopes.
I'm definitely looking forward to getting into a good routine with the kids. I know it is going to be a challenge managing all my doctor appointments and keeping up with school, but I'm not too worried about it. It's easy to grab a book and read it to the kids in the waiting room and that is our "read-aloud" time for the day.
So, I'm all in - committed to teaching the kids. And, I am still excited about it. Below you can see a close-up photo of the sign I made to hang in our homeschool room. My theme and reminder for the year of why we are homeschooling "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. To him be the glory! Amen." 2 Peter 3:18
 | |
| Homeschool room - Anne's desk is on the far right, and this is Anne's little reading spot. |
But after a few days of looking through it and looking over the material, and the fact that Anne has already read half of our books for the year in the first week we had the curriculum helped me to settle down. I am committed to it. I still am not sure how I am ever going to get Anne to enjoy math, but I have high hopes.
I'm definitely looking forward to getting into a good routine with the kids. I know it is going to be a challenge managing all my doctor appointments and keeping up with school, but I'm not too worried about it. It's easy to grab a book and read it to the kids in the waiting room and that is our "read-aloud" time for the day.
So, I'm all in - committed to teaching the kids. And, I am still excited about it. Below you can see a close-up photo of the sign I made to hang in our homeschool room. My theme and reminder for the year of why we are homeschooling "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. To him be the glory! Amen." 2 Peter 3:18
 |
| This is the sign I made to hang in our homeschool room. |
Monday, July 8, 2013
Life Isn't Fair
Something that has been on my mind a lot is how "life isn't fair". Trust me, this is not a rant or a complaint on my part. But it is true. Life isn't fair.
I have a high school friend who lost her husband in a tragic accident. Another friend I played soccer with for many years lost her preemie twin son, and her husband who had an unknown heart condition, all in the same year.
Life isn't fair.
I know a young family who work hard, but struggle financially.
Life isn't fair.
I have friends who struggle with mental illness. They fight hard, but they struggle.
Life isn't fair.
I have friends who have had several miscarriages, who have had ovaries removed, who have emergency surgeries, and they struggle.
Life isn't fair.
Currently our family has experienced many, many undeserved blessings. We have a nice home, we are so excited to be expecting our fourth baby, we have more than we need. And it doesn't feel fair.
I have been looking for ways to bless some of these aforementioned friends who are struggling.
Our pastor on Sunday was talking about these blessings that we have, and reminding us that it is okay to have "nice things", but to be sure that we own the things, and the things don't own us. He was also encouraging us to use what we have been given. He gave the example of a man who had a really nice lawn mower and he shared it with his impoverished community.
As I think over the things or talents that I have, I am challenged and encouraged to share those with others. Because, the fact is, life isn't fair. We live in a fallen world. But we can have hope because God has given each of us gifts that we can use to encourage, cheer, and bless others with.
I know that I may not always be in this "season" of blessing. That there will be hard days ahead, just as I've walked through difficult times with the help of the Lord. And I hope that when those hard days come again that I am reminded that "the Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."
I have a high school friend who lost her husband in a tragic accident. Another friend I played soccer with for many years lost her preemie twin son, and her husband who had an unknown heart condition, all in the same year.
Life isn't fair.
I know a young family who work hard, but struggle financially.
Life isn't fair.
I have friends who struggle with mental illness. They fight hard, but they struggle.
Life isn't fair.
I have friends who have had several miscarriages, who have had ovaries removed, who have emergency surgeries, and they struggle.
Life isn't fair.
Currently our family has experienced many, many undeserved blessings. We have a nice home, we are so excited to be expecting our fourth baby, we have more than we need. And it doesn't feel fair.
I have been looking for ways to bless some of these aforementioned friends who are struggling.
Our pastor on Sunday was talking about these blessings that we have, and reminding us that it is okay to have "nice things", but to be sure that we own the things, and the things don't own us. He was also encouraging us to use what we have been given. He gave the example of a man who had a really nice lawn mower and he shared it with his impoverished community.
As I think over the things or talents that I have, I am challenged and encouraged to share those with others. Because, the fact is, life isn't fair. We live in a fallen world. But we can have hope because God has given each of us gifts that we can use to encourage, cheer, and bless others with.
I know that I may not always be in this "season" of blessing. That there will be hard days ahead, just as I've walked through difficult times with the help of the Lord. And I hope that when those hard days come again that I am reminded that "the Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."
Friday, July 5, 2013
December Baby
I love babies. Is there anything more precious than holding a sweet newborn baby on your chest? Well, maybe relaxing on an empty beach with no responsibilities would be nice, but that's just not the season of life I am in.
So I celebrate babies. I am always so thrilled when friends announce pregnancies, and (as most of you probably already know) I'm even more excited when the pregnancy is my own, like this time!
Since I've gone through three very different pregnancies and three very different deliveries, I always enjoy hearing other moms (and dads!) share their stories.
***If you don't care about pregnancy details, you may want to stop reading now.***
Many of you will remember my pregnancy with Magdalena was far from ideal. She had Intra-Uterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) which basically means that for some unknown reason the baby is not growing the way she should and is in less than the 5th percentile for weight. She was also footling breech, and had the cord twice around her neck. I had to have a "classical c-section" where they make a vertical cut in the uterus to get the baby out.
The vertical cut basically slices right through all the muscles in the uterus, thereby compromising the strength of the uterus. Major stress (such as going into labor) could cause the uterus to rupture *which can result in extensive bleeding, hysterectomy, or death*.
Needless to say, we were very cautious about having another baby. I am very thrilled with the doctor I am seeing. She along with another doctor will be monitoring me closely, especially as I get further along. The baby will be born early to avoid any contractions putting stress on the uterus.
When people ask when I'm due I find it a little difficult to answer. I'm technically due January 16, but they baby will be born 3-4 weeks early, so sometime in December.
As we look forward to our "December Baby" I am having so much fun with the girls. They are completely thrilled that we are having another baby. They have started a "Watch our Baby Grow" chart, where each month they are using a ruler draw how big the baby is and they hang the paper on the wall. Such an awesome and meaningful learning experience!!
I've always had tons of ultrasounds for all of my pregnancies, but this was the first time I had one early-on. The girls got to come in with me and watch the ultrasound. Our baby is about 2 inches long, has arms and legs and fingers and toes and it's little heart is just pumping away. Anne was completely amazed. The ultrasound was starting to get long (over 30 minutes) and Maggie was getting bored, so she said, "I wish the baby were dead." {Which is completely awful to say.} But Anne quickly responded, "Well, we can see it's heart beating, so we know it's alive."
I was so amazed. This little 5-year-old girl gets it - understands that what she is seeing on the screen is a baby; real and alive. Yet millions of these precious babies are aborted because people either don't "get it" or they choose not to see it. So I'm sad for the millions, but I rejoice that this little girl truly understands this amazing concept of life inside the womb as a real life.
Another cool little story.... When the tech first started the ultrasound the baby was asleep on it's back with it's hands crossed across it's face. Midway through the ultrasound the baby woke up. Anne was beside herself with joy over this miracle. On the screen she could see December Baby kicking it's legs and waving it's arms. Then the baby was wriggling and trying so hard to turn over. It was absolutely amazing!
Scientists use a variety of things to "prove a theory". So if I'm trying to prove that a baby is alive in utero, I think I've just done a pretty good job. (and this is all at 11 weeks)
1. Heart is beating
2. Sleeps
3. Wakes up
4. Moves arms and legs
Maggie doesn't understand how long it is until December. She told my mom today when she came over for a July 4th BBQ, "Hi Mema. The baby isn't here yet."
This baby is such a gift to all of our little Hess family. We are so grateful for this new life that God has entrusted to us. Trent and I are having fun disagreeing on names.
So I celebrate babies. I am always so thrilled when friends announce pregnancies, and (as most of you probably already know) I'm even more excited when the pregnancy is my own, like this time!
Since I've gone through three very different pregnancies and three very different deliveries, I always enjoy hearing other moms (and dads!) share their stories.
***If you don't care about pregnancy details, you may want to stop reading now.***
Many of you will remember my pregnancy with Magdalena was far from ideal. She had Intra-Uterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) which basically means that for some unknown reason the baby is not growing the way she should and is in less than the 5th percentile for weight. She was also footling breech, and had the cord twice around her neck. I had to have a "classical c-section" where they make a vertical cut in the uterus to get the baby out.
The vertical cut basically slices right through all the muscles in the uterus, thereby compromising the strength of the uterus. Major stress (such as going into labor) could cause the uterus to rupture *which can result in extensive bleeding, hysterectomy, or death*.
Needless to say, we were very cautious about having another baby. I am very thrilled with the doctor I am seeing. She along with another doctor will be monitoring me closely, especially as I get further along. The baby will be born early to avoid any contractions putting stress on the uterus.
When people ask when I'm due I find it a little difficult to answer. I'm technically due January 16, but they baby will be born 3-4 weeks early, so sometime in December
As we look forward to our "December Baby" I am having so much fun with the girls. They are completely thrilled that we are having another baby. They have started a "Watch our Baby Grow" chart, where each month they are using a ruler draw how big the baby is and they hang the paper on the wall. Such an awesome and meaningful learning experience!!
I've always had tons of ultrasounds for all of my pregnancies, but this was the first time I had one early-on. The girls got to come in with me and watch the ultrasound. Our baby is about 2 inches long, has arms and legs and fingers and toes and it's little heart is just pumping away. Anne was completely amazed. The ultrasound was starting to get long (over 30 minutes) and Maggie was getting bored, so she said, "I wish the baby were dead." {Which is completely awful to say.} But Anne quickly responded, "Well, we can see it's heart beating, so we know it's alive."
I was so amazed. This little 5-year-old girl gets it - understands that what she is seeing on the screen is a baby; real and alive. Yet millions of these precious babies are aborted because people either don't "get it" or they choose not to see it. So I'm sad for the millions, but I rejoice that this little girl truly understands this amazing concept of life inside the womb as a real life.
Another cool little story.... When the tech first started the ultrasound the baby was asleep on it's back with it's hands crossed across it's face. Midway through the ultrasound the baby woke up. Anne was beside herself with joy over this miracle. On the screen she could see December Baby kicking it's legs and waving it's arms. Then the baby was wriggling and trying so hard to turn over. It was absolutely amazing!
Scientists use a variety of things to "prove a theory". So if I'm trying to prove that a baby is alive in utero, I think I've just done a pretty good job. (and this is all at 11 weeks)
1. Heart is beating
2. Sleeps
3. Wakes up
4. Moves arms and legs
Maggie doesn't understand how long it is until December. She told my mom today when she came over for a July 4th BBQ, "Hi Mema. The baby isn't here yet."
This baby is such a gift to all of our little Hess family. We are so grateful for this new life that God has entrusted to us. Trent and I are having fun disagreeing on names.
 |
| Nursery room art that I made! |
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Peer Pressure - (Not Just for Kids)
At some age you "out-grow" peer pressure. Right?
Confession - I am 28 and I have not yet out-grown peer pressure.
I'm not talking about direct "c'mon - it's cool.... all the other mom's are doing it" type of peer pressure.
Perhaps the most effective peer pressure is not intentional.
When Anne was about 16 months old, someone at church asked if we had started potty training her yet. "Umm.. no, I haven't started yet." This dear woman proceeded to say, "Oh. All my kids were potty trained by the time they were 18 months." I think I managed to mumble something about maybe we should start with her.
So, I did. We began potty training Anne at 18 months. It was one of the most difficult years I have experienced. Yes... year. It took us a full out year to potty train Anne. Was it Anne's fault? NO!!! Anne has always been extremely intelligent - very bright - but she was not ready to be potty trained at 18 months.
Lesson learned.
Abbey was just shy of two years old and she potty trained in a week (despite her chronic bowel issues which unfortunately lasted longer). Maggie was 2 and 1/2 when we began potty training her, and while she has had her ups and downs, it was certainly much quicker of a process than starting them so young.
Maybe it's just me - but I often feel the need to justify myself to others - especially if I know they are doing something different from myself.
So I learned my lesson with the potty training - wait until they are older/more ready. Just because someone else's children were perfectly potty trained at 18 months, doesn't mean that mine will.
But why is it that I can't seem to learn that lesson across the board - with all aspects of my parenting especially. I think that part of it is because we live in a world so connected. It's simple to click on Facebook and quickly determine if I am doing what most other moms are doing. Or to read other "mom blogs" and feel like I really don't have it together.
On rare occasions I find myself in the company of other like-minded individuals and I feel as though I can breathe and talk freely about my hopes and desires. It certainly is easier but if I was only around other like-minded people I would not question, wrestle and struggle with beliefs.
So maybe that's the point. Instead of feeling an oft-unspoken "peer pressure" to do what others are doing, I should use those opportunities for conversation to lead me to think and dig deeper into what I believe, and why. I think the toughest thing for me is when I find myself disagreeing with someone who I dearly love and respect and in many ways wish to emulate. Of course, that person is not God, and so I must be careful that I am not idolizing another mom's way of parenting.
Yes, I believe this entry has been productive. Perhaps not for you, but for me!
Confession - I am 28 and I have not yet out-grown peer pressure.
I'm not talking about direct "c'mon - it's cool.... all the other mom's are doing it" type of peer pressure.
Perhaps the most effective peer pressure is not intentional.
When Anne was about 16 months old, someone at church asked if we had started potty training her yet.
So, I did. We began potty training Anne at 18 months. It was one of the most difficult years I have experienced. Yes... year. It took us a full out year to potty train Anne. Was it Anne's fault? NO!!! Anne has always been extremely intelligent - very bright - but she was not ready to be potty trained at 18 months.
Lesson learned.
Abbey was just shy of two years old and she potty trained in a week (despite her chronic bowel issues which unfortunately lasted longer). Maggie was 2 and 1/2 when we began potty training her, and while she has had her ups and downs, it was certainly much quicker of a process than starting them so young.
Maybe it's just me - but I often feel the need to justify myself to others - especially if I know they are doing something different from myself.
So I learned my lesson with the potty training - wait until they are older/more ready. Just because someone else's children were perfectly potty trained at 18 months, doesn't mean that mine will.
But why is it that I can't seem to learn that lesson across the board - with all aspects of my parenting especially. I think that part of it is because we live in a world so connected. It's simple to click on Facebook and quickly determine if I am doing what most other moms are doing. Or to read other "mom blogs" and feel like I really don't have it together
On rare occasions I find myself in the company of other like-minded individuals and I feel as though I can breathe and talk freely about my hopes and desires. It certainly is easier but if I was only around other like-minded people I would not question, wrestle and struggle with beliefs.
So maybe that's the point. Instead of feeling an oft-unspoken "peer pressure" to do what others are doing, I should use those opportunities for conversation to lead me to think and dig deeper into what I believe, and why. I think the toughest thing for me is when I find myself disagreeing with someone who I dearly love and respect and in many ways wish to emulate. Of course, that person is not God, and so I must be careful that I am not idolizing another mom's way of parenting.
Yes, I believe this entry has been productive. Perhaps not for you, but for me!
Saturday, June 22, 2013
God's Grace
When I started doing some serious research into homeschooling, many people suggested having a "mission statement". This statement would help be a reminder to you on the busy and difficult days why you are homeschooling. A couple of weeks ago in our evening devotions I struck upon the perfect verse to guide us through the year.
"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory!"
I have even changed our tag-line for my blog to "Growing together in God's grace."
Grace is something that is so essential to our Christian lives. I also happen to believe that the lack of grace shown within the church is a large part of the reason that many of the "church kids" I grew up with no longer attend church.
I make a lot of mistakes. And I want God to show me grace!! So who am I to with hold this precious gift from one of my children just because I happen to be in a bad mood and what they did really irritated me. Yet often in that situation, I end up yelling at one of the kids. But I try to go back and apologize, ask them to show me grace, and in turn show them grace.
And then there is Hope. Hope that this grace can seep into their lives, to make them better people, to extend grace beyond our family and into the world.
"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory!"
I have even changed our tag-line for my blog to "Growing together in God's grace."
Grace is something that is so essential to our Christian lives. I also happen to believe that the lack of grace shown within the church is a large part of the reason that many of the "church kids" I grew up with no longer attend church.
I make a lot of mistakes. And I want God to show me grace!! So who am I to with hold this precious gift from one of my children just because I happen to be in a bad mood and what they did really irritated me. Yet often in that situation, I end up yelling at one of the kids. But I try to go back and apologize, ask them to show me grace, and in turn show them grace.
And then there is Hope. Hope that this grace can seep into their lives, to make them better people, to extend grace beyond our family and into the world.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Homeschool Curriculum
I've had a few people ask what I'm using for homeschool curriculum. After much research I have decided to use Sonlight. I am very excited about it! This is a literature-rich curriculum. Our kids love reading, so this is right up our alley.
Even though Anne is advanced in her reading I have decided to use the Kindergarten curriculum as she is still around that level for math and science. I will custom-tailor the reading/literature portion of the curriculum to meet her advanced needs.
Abbey has decided that she will be in Anne's "Kindergarten class". Maggie is finally becoming more interested in the alphabet and other academic-minded skills. I'm planning for Anne to get piano lessons from a friend in the area. Depending on how much time we have I may also order beginners Spanish in the Spring for Anne. Abbey is excited to start reading more words. She has decided that she will read when she is four, and I have no doubt that she will. In the fall we hope to have Trent's cousin, who is in school for early childhood education, come on Friday mornings and teach math to the girls. It will be good practice for her and a nice little break for me. I imagine it will suit everyone just fine.
Once we get started I'd be happy to share my daily schedule with you all! So much joy!!!
Even though Anne is advanced in her reading I have decided to use the Kindergarten curriculum as she is still around that level for math and science. I will custom-tailor the reading/literature portion of the curriculum to meet her advanced needs.
Abbey has decided that she will be in Anne's "Kindergarten class". Maggie is finally becoming more interested in the alphabet and other academic-minded skills. I'm planning for Anne to get piano lessons from a friend in the area. Depending on how much time we have I may also order beginners Spanish in the Spring for Anne. Abbey is excited to start reading more words. She has decided that she will read when she is four, and I have no doubt that she will. In the fall we hope to have Trent's cousin, who is in school for early childhood education, come on Friday mornings and teach math to the girls. It will be good practice for her and a nice little break for me. I imagine it will suit everyone just fine.
Once we get started I'd be happy to share my daily schedule with you all! So much joy!!!
Monday, June 17, 2013
Summer List
I've seen several people post "bucket lists" for their kids for the summer. Most of them have to do with vacations and enjoying simple pleasures of summer (lightning bugs, star gazing, etc.). I thought this was a cute idea.
Then I read Bonni Greiner's blog : A Bucket List for a Two Year Old?! and I loved it!
Instead of focusing on the fun (which is doubtless going to happen) focus on simple goals that are life-giving and life-changing.
I'm not sure that I'm going to tackle all five of her suggested categories which are as follows:
1. Godly character traits.
2. A physical goal.
3. Memorizing Scripture.
4. Read together
5. Community Service
The one I definitely want to tackle is number 1. I've notice a lack of self-control in two of my children. This has shown up in two different ways. One of the children has thrown a tremendous amount of fits if something doesn't go her way, and these fits can last up to two hours. It has been extremely frustrating and disturbing for the whole family. The other child who has been struggling with self-control has been using bad and hurtful words. She has been talking back to Trent and me and we have been upset by this behavior. Our third child has been very impatient. The moment she is finished with her food she immediately wants to be excused from the table. She is impatient to use the sink to brush her teeth and with various other things. I think a large part of the problem is a selfish attitude.
Today is day one of working on these traits. I want to look up a specific Scripture reference for each child to memorize to help them continue to work on their character trait. So I guess that will cross out number one and number three.
I talked with each child about the trait I want them to work on. Each child agreed that the trait I chose for them is something they need to work on, even though this morning has already proved it a difficult task to rise above these behaviors. And the character trait I will be working on this summer is patience. I've found myself getting very frustrated with the girls and yelling more than I would like to admit.
We are all a work-in-progress, and I really want my children to be aware of the fact that with God's help we don't have to be impatient, out-of-control people all the time. I hope to have a good report for all of you at the end of the summer!
Then I read Bonni Greiner's blog : A Bucket List for a Two Year Old?! and I loved it!
Instead of focusing on the fun (which is doubtless going to happen) focus on simple goals that are life-giving and life-changing.
I'm not sure that I'm going to tackle all five of her suggested categories which are as follows:
1. Godly character traits.
2. A physical goal.
3. Memorizing Scripture.
4. Read together
5. Community Service
The one I definitely want to tackle is number 1. I've notice a lack of self-control in two of my children. This has shown up in two different ways. One of the children has thrown a tremendous amount of fits if something doesn't go her way, and these fits can last up to two hours. It has been extremely frustrating and disturbing for the whole family. The other child who has been struggling with self-control has been using bad and hurtful words. She has been talking back to Trent and me and we have been upset by this behavior. Our third child has been very impatient. The moment she is finished with her food she immediately wants to be excused from the table. She is impatient to use the sink to brush her teeth and with various other things. I think a large part of the problem is a selfish attitude.
Today is day one of working on these traits. I want to look up a specific Scripture reference for each child to memorize to help them continue to work on their character trait. So I guess that will cross out number one and number three.
I talked with each child about the trait I want them to work on. Each child agreed that the trait I chose for them is something they need to work on, even though this morning has already proved it a difficult task to rise above these behaviors. And the character trait I will be working on this summer is patience. I've found myself getting very frustrated with the girls and yelling more than I would like to admit.
We are all a work-in-progress, and I really want my children to be aware of the fact that with God's help we don't have to be impatient, out-of-control people all the time. I hope to have a good report for all of you at the end of the summer!
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Choices
We make choices all day long. Some, seemingly small and insignificant. Others, knowingly large and monumental.
Yesterday I made a choice to tell a "white lie" (also known as a lie) to Anne. We dropped something off at an individual's house, I'll call him "John". John was not at home, but his dog was barking at the window. We left a note on John's porch and left his stuff for him there as well.
As we were leaving, Anne asked why John has a dog. I said, "Well, I guess they like dogs and would like to have one at their house."
Anne said, "What do you mean, 'they?' I thought just John lived here."
This was met with silence. The truth is, that John lives with his girlfriend, and it is his girlfriend's dog. I didn't want to tell Anne this so I told a partial truth, "Well, sometimes John's adult daughter lives with him. That's why I said 'they'."
The rest of the day my lie haunted me. I thought and prayed considerably about this topic.
One of the reasons that I want to homeschool is so that I can talk with my children about difficult subjects, and why we (as Christians) believe differently than the way the world. I don't want her hearing, accepting, and believing the misinformation she would otherwise receive from her peers. Yesterday I had an opportunity to do so, and I failed.
This morning I took Anne aside and reminded her of our conversation yesterday. I apologized for not telling her the whole truth. We had a difficult conversation about people living together without being married. I never mentioned the "d" word (divorce), but I know that conversation will have to happen at some point.
My hope is that through open and honest sharing and conversation about why God's way is best, that Anne (and all the girls) will make good choices throughout their lifetimes. Obviously they won't always make good choices, but I am hoping that they can always learn from their mistakes and try to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.
Yesterday I made a choice to tell a "white lie" (also known as a lie) to Anne. We dropped something off at an individual's house, I'll call him "John". John was not at home, but his dog was barking at the window. We left a note on John's porch and left his stuff for him there as well.
As we were leaving, Anne asked why John has a dog. I said, "Well, I guess they like dogs and would like to have one at their house."
Anne said, "What do you mean, 'they?' I thought just John lived here."
This was met with silence. The truth is, that John lives with his girlfriend, and it is his girlfriend's dog. I didn't want to tell Anne this so I told a partial truth, "Well, sometimes John's adult daughter lives with him. That's why I said 'they'."
The rest of the day my lie haunted me. I thought and prayed considerably about this topic.
One of the reasons that I want to homeschool is so that I can talk with my children about difficult subjects, and why we (as Christians) believe differently than the way the world. I don't want her hearing, accepting, and believing the misinformation she would otherwise receive from her peers. Yesterday I had an opportunity to do so, and I failed.
This morning I took Anne aside and reminded her of our conversation yesterday. I apologized for not telling her the whole truth. We had a difficult conversation about people living together without being married. I never mentioned the "d" word (divorce), but I know that conversation will have to happen at some point.
My hope is that through open and honest sharing and conversation about why God's way is best, that Anne (and all the girls) will make good choices throughout their lifetimes. Obviously they won't always make good choices, but I am hoping that they can always learn from their mistakes and try to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Going Gray for the Girls
I've always been pretty fond of my hair. When I was a teenager I had many many different hairstyles. I had it really short in the front and spiked in the back, I've had a bob, I've had bangs, I've had layers, I've done heaps of different things to my hair.
I was born with a full head of jet-black hair that stood straight up on end. As I got older it turned blonde. Some summers it was very, very blonde. In 9th grade I got the great idea to dye my hair "auburn". Yeah, totally did not look auburn - it was definitely red. But I was into it. I liked it. It sort of became an annual thing that I liked to do every New Year's Eve- try a new hair color. I went back to blonde my senior year of high school and kept dying it blonde or adding highlights every so often for the next couple of years.
After my sophomore year of college I was engaged and I thought I'd attempt to dye my hair back to what might be close to my roots. I ended up dying it dark brown, which was actually a titchy bit darker than my natural color, but I liked it. A woman at church (God love her) told me the first Sunday after she saw my dark hair, "I hardly recognized you with the dark hair. I like it blonde better!"
Since that time I have only highlighted my hair once, and when I saw how fast the roots grew out and how little time I had to spend on my hair once the babies started coming, I stopped dying it.
Where am I going with this post? Trust me, I'm getting somewhere.
Our culture is obsessed with beauty. Everywhere you turn you can find a million products to make yourself more beautiful. But you are never quite beautiful enough. I like to think that part of my hair-dying love ended because I was becoming more sure of who I am as a child of God. I had my Spiritual conversion my freshman year of college, and that is when my hair dying drastically slowed down.
As I raise three lovely girls I have to stop and think about what image I am showing them, as a mother figure, a wife, a woman, but most importantly, as a follower of Jesus Christ. Am I showing them that women can only be beautiful if they wear make-up, fancy clothes, have a perfect body and blonde hair?
In December, 2012 when my life was extreme stress and chaos Anne noticed a "white string" in my hair. Of course, this white string was attached to my head and was indeed one of many white hairs that I found that month.
So much within me wants to run to the store and buy a box of hair dye and quick remove any traces of gray. But I don't. I don't. Because if I truly want my daughters to believe that they are beautiful just as God created them, then I can't show them that Mommy doesn't think that she is! But you are! What will they believe? Will they believe my actions of dying my hair to make myself look different, or will they believe the words that I spout off? But what if my actions and my words match!? Is there beauty in that?
I'm going to be honest, I really don't want my hair to turn gray. I'm 28! But I am determined to allow my hair to slowly change. Because I don't want to look 18 all my life. I am usually a "live in the moment" type of girl, and I will accept and love who God intended for me to be, each step of the way.
p.s. Please, please, please don't think I'm judging you if you dye your hair. I'm NOT!! It's just a personal choice that I have made!
I was born with a full head of jet-black hair that stood straight up on end. As I got older it turned blonde. Some summers it was very, very blonde. In 9th grade I got the great idea to dye my hair "auburn". Yeah, totally did not look auburn - it was definitely red. But I was into it. I liked it. It sort of became an annual thing that I liked to do every New Year's Eve- try a new hair color. I went back to blonde my senior year of high school and kept dying it blonde or adding highlights every so often for the next couple of years.
After my sophomore year of college I was engaged and I thought I'd attempt to dye my hair back to what might be close to my roots. I ended up dying it dark brown, which was actually a titchy bit darker than my natural color, but I liked it. A woman at church (God love her) told me the first Sunday after she saw my dark hair, "I hardly recognized you with the dark hair. I like it blonde better!"
Since that time I have only highlighted my hair once, and when I saw how fast the roots grew out and how little time I had to spend on my hair once the babies started coming, I stopped dying it.
Where am I going with this post? Trust me, I'm getting somewhere.
Our culture is obsessed with beauty. Everywhere you turn you can find a million products to make yourself more beautiful. But you are never quite beautiful enough. I like to think that part of my hair-dying love ended because I was becoming more sure of who I am as a child of God. I had my Spiritual conversion my freshman year of college, and that is when my hair dying drastically slowed down.
As I raise three lovely girls I have to stop and think about what image I am showing them, as a mother figure, a wife, a woman, but most importantly, as a follower of Jesus Christ. Am I showing them that women can only be beautiful if they wear make-up, fancy clothes, have a perfect body and blonde hair?
In December, 2012 when my life was extreme stress and chaos Anne noticed a "white string" in my hair. Of course, this white string was attached to my head and was indeed one of many white hairs that I found that month.
So much within me wants to run to the store and buy a box of hair dye and quick remove any traces of gray. But I don't. I don't. Because if I truly want my daughters to believe that they are beautiful just as God created them, then I can't show them that Mommy doesn't think that she is! But you are! What will they believe? Will they believe my actions of dying my hair to make myself look different, or will they believe the words that I spout off? But what if my actions and my words match!? Is there beauty in that?
I'm going to be honest, I really don't want my hair to turn gray. I'm 28! But I am determined to allow my hair to slowly change. Because I don't want to look 18 all my life. I am usually a "live in the moment" type of girl, and I will accept and love who God intended for me to be, each step of the way.
p.s. Please, please, please don't think I'm judging you if you dye your hair. I'm NOT!! It's just a personal choice that I have made!
Monday, June 3, 2013
Modesty is in the Eye of the Beholder
I've recently seen a lot of people on Facebook posting and commenting on this article "The Bikini Question - Made in His Image". Growing up in a "semi-Christian" home, I wore a bikini from the moment I was born (practically). The thought never entered my mind that I was not modest. In comparison with some of my siblings I was extremely modest (in my opinion) and that was good enough for me as a teenager.
It wasn't until after I was married that I began to question my modesty. After some comments made to me about what I was wearing did I begin to even think that what I was wearing may not be appropriate. One of those comments was made to me while I was pregnant with my first child, and a church member questioned whether what I was wearing was really appropriate since I was a youth group leader and there were high school boys in the youth group. I was hurt, shocked, and annoyed. It had never once crossed my mind that as a married, pregnant (ugh!) youth leader that what I was wearing would even once cause these boys to think anything inappropriate.
However, as the time has gone on, and the more children I have, the more conservative (in my opinion) my clothing has gotten. I'm sure I'm still a LONG WAY OFF from what other people would consider conservative. Which is why this post is called "Modesty is in the Eye of the Beholder". I'm sure I'll never dress modestly enough for some people. I often struggle with the thought that people are observing and judging me on a regular basis. There are enough things for young moms to worry about without having to worry whether they are wearing the "right" clothing or not.
I have three young daughters that will certainly dress more conservatively than I did as a child. I do not talk about weight with my children, except that whenever they are weighed we talk about how healthy they are and that they are growing and that is good! My daughters do not wear bikinis, nor do they want to. I am extremely grateful that (at this point) I have been able to find really cute one-piece swimsuits for the girls.
Anne recently received a hand-me-down pair of silky pajamas. The bottoms are shorts and the top is a spaghetti-strap v-neck. She wore them several times, but just the other day she put them on and looked in the full-length mirror. After looking in the mirror she came back into her bedroom and changed. When I asked her why she said she didn't like how the top looked because it has puffed out spots for breasts and she said it made her look too grown up and she didn't like it.
I think most of us are doing the best we can. My favorite thing about the above mentioned article was the link to really cute one-piece swimsuits. I've never had good luck finding them at department stores, and now I know where to find them.
So for those of you who like to judge, please don't judge us so harshly. I know I am not perfect, but I'm trying. I wasn't raised in a home where modesty was highly valued, but I'm working on it. I serve an amazing God who gives each of us grace. I am grateful that despite my many mistakes as a woman, wife and mother that God will continually shower me with that overflowing, undeserved, wonderful grace. I hope that each of us will do the same and remember that we are not all on the same page. What I may consider modest you may consider heathen. Please, love me anyway.
It wasn't until after I was married that I began to question my modesty. After some comments made to me about what I was wearing did I begin to even think that what I was wearing may not be appropriate. One of those comments was made to me while I was pregnant with my first child, and a church member questioned whether what I was wearing was really appropriate since I was a youth group leader and there were high school boys in the youth group. I was hurt, shocked, and annoyed. It had never once crossed my mind that as a married, pregnant (ugh!) youth leader that what I was wearing would even once cause these boys to think anything inappropriate.
However, as the time has gone on, and the more children I have, the more conservative (in my opinion) my clothing has gotten. I'm sure I'm still a LONG WAY OFF from what other people would consider conservative. Which is why this post is called "Modesty is in the Eye of the Beholder". I'm sure I'll never dress modestly enough for some people. I often struggle with the thought that people are observing and judging me on a regular basis. There are enough things for young moms to worry about without having to worry whether they are wearing the "right" clothing or not.
I have three young daughters that will certainly dress more conservatively than I did as a child. I do not talk about weight with my children, except that whenever they are weighed we talk about how healthy they are and that they are growing and that is good! My daughters do not wear bikinis, nor do they want to. I am extremely grateful that (at this point) I have been able to find really cute one-piece swimsuits for the girls.
Anne recently received a hand-me-down pair of silky pajamas. The bottoms are shorts and the top is a spaghetti-strap v-neck. She wore them several times, but just the other day she put them on and looked in the full-length mirror. After looking in the mirror she came back into her bedroom and changed. When I asked her why she said she didn't like how the top looked because it has puffed out spots for breasts and she said it made her look too grown up and she didn't like it.
I think most of us are doing the best we can. My favorite thing about the above mentioned article was the link to really cute one-piece swimsuits. I've never had good luck finding them at department stores, and now I know where to find them.
So for those of you who like to judge, please don't judge us so harshly. I know I am not perfect, but I'm trying. I wasn't raised in a home where modesty was highly valued, but I'm working on it. I serve an amazing God who gives each of us grace. I am grateful that despite my many mistakes as a woman, wife and mother that God will continually shower me with that overflowing, undeserved, wonderful grace. I hope that each of us will do the same and remember that we are not all on the same page. What I may consider modest you may consider heathen. Please, love me anyway.
Friday, May 24, 2013
A Great Loss
Twenty-eight years young. My age. A whole life ahead, waiting to play out, to journey, to love, to give, to lose. Two young people, in love, living life, two young boys and a baby on the way. A life cut short. A tragedy. An accident. Now one young widow, left to raise a four year old, a two year old and a baby due in a few short weeks.
A fall from a roof left a young man dead. Both high school classmates of mine. Dan Mast died on May 21, 2013, and left behind my high school friend Becca. I have no words to help, no words to give, no words to ease the pain. The loved ones he left behind now must carry on without him.
James 4:14 says, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."
Job 1:21 "and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.""
Hebrews 13:15 "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that openly profess his name."
Recently I have been caught up in the excitement of buying a house, fixing it up, painting, and right now I should be packing. Instead I sit here numb, imagining myself in Becca's situation. She has posted on Facebook about giving thanks even for the hard things. I have shared before about the Holy Spirit speaking to me through Scripture. The above three verses came to my mind as soon as I sat down to type.
Most of us cannot imagine bringing a "sacrifice of praise". Sacrifice means it isn't easy. It isn't the praise that we easily give when things are going well. It is the praise we offer to God when things AREN'T going well. When we are struggling with our health, finances, relationships, death.
Dan did not have any life insurance. If any of you feel led to give, please consider donating to http://www.danielmastmemorial.com/ . If you click on the link you can donate directly through Paypal or you can use the address provided to send donations.
All prayers are appreciated, especially as Becca prepares to deliver their third child.
A fall from a roof left a young man dead. Both high school classmates of mine. Dan Mast died on May 21, 2013, and left behind my high school friend Becca. I have no words to help, no words to give, no words to ease the pain. The loved ones he left behind now must carry on without him.
James 4:14 says, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."
Job 1:21 "and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.""
Hebrews 13:15 "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that openly profess his name."
Recently I have been caught up in the excitement of buying a house, fixing it up, painting, and right now I should be packing. Instead I sit here numb, imagining myself in Becca's situation. She has posted on Facebook about giving thanks even for the hard things. I have shared before about the Holy Spirit speaking to me through Scripture. The above three verses came to my mind as soon as I sat down to type.
Most of us cannot imagine bringing a "sacrifice of praise". Sacrifice means it isn't easy. It isn't the praise that we easily give when things are going well. It is the praise we offer to God when things AREN'T going well. When we are struggling with our health, finances, relationships, death.
Dan did not have any life insurance. If any of you feel led to give, please consider donating to http://www.danielmastmemorial.com/ . If you click on the link you can donate directly through Paypal or you can use the address provided to send donations.
All prayers are appreciated, especially as Becca prepares to deliver their third child.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Busy days (and Nights)
We have been SO crazy the past week and a half. We have just over five days before we move. The new house is a MESS and our current house is just as bad. We've been back and forth more times than I can count. Trent's dad has been completely amazing through this all. He is a serious "Jack of all trades". He has been up on our roof to fix something, he has installed light fixtures, patched walls, reworked plumbing to install a laundry room on the first floor (the previous owner had 2 laundry hook-ups on the 2nd floor??), and countless other things. He is going to be working on installing the kitchen cabinets, the rest of the lights and some other stuff for us this week. He shrugs it off like, "Eh, it's no big deal." But really, it is a big deal. There is no way we could have bought this house if we didn't have him!
Trent is at the house now (10:44 pm) and is scraping wallpaper off the laundry room walls, prepping the half bath to be painted, and maybe even painting some more in the foyer. He took a sleeping bag with him and will be sleeping at the house tonight so that he can get an early start tomorrow morning (he took off work Monday). Trent will work on painting the foyer and hallway and probably helping his dad with the installation of the cabinets. Later Monday he'll come home and I will be meeting a friend from church to paint (I'm hoping to, with Christa's help, paint the schoolroom). Tuesday my mom is going to go to the new house with me and I'm hoping that we will be able to get the half bath, the laundry room, and the dining room all painted. If we finish all of those things I'd love to work on painting some of the trim. At some point next week Trent will be shampooing the carpets and I will continue to pack up everything at our Conestoga house, along with my regular day-to-day stuff (taking care of the kids, keeping up with laundry, cooking, washing dishes, etc.)
I'm trying not to feel stressed. I also have some Mama Hess signs that I need to finish up. I'm hoping to get one finished tomorrow morning and get those out of the house before the week ends so that I'm not packing those, too. Ay-yi-yi! It's crazy!!
Trent is at the house now (10:44 pm) and is scraping wallpaper off the laundry room walls, prepping the half bath to be painted, and maybe even painting some more in the foyer. He took a sleeping bag with him and will be sleeping at the house tonight so that he can get an early start tomorrow morning (he took off work Monday). Trent will work on painting the foyer and hallway and probably helping his dad with the installation of the cabinets. Later Monday he'll come home and I will be meeting a friend from church to paint (I'm hoping to, with Christa's help, paint the schoolroom). Tuesday my mom is going to go to the new house with me and I'm hoping that we will be able to get the half bath, the laundry room, and the dining room all painted. If we finish all of those things I'd love to work on painting some of the trim. At some point next week Trent will be shampooing the carpets and I will continue to pack up everything at our Conestoga house, along with my regular day-to-day stuff (taking care of the kids, keeping up with laundry, cooking, washing dishes, etc.)
I'm trying not to feel stressed. I also have some Mama Hess signs that I need to finish up. I'm hoping to get one finished tomorrow morning and get those out of the house before the week ends so that I'm not packing those, too. Ay-yi-yi! It's crazy!!
Friday, May 10, 2013
What will they think of me?
On Wednesday we settled on our house! But all the time in the back of my mind I am wondering, "But what will people think of me?" When people would ask us about the house Trent and I were a little embarrassed to answer. The house does need some work, but it is a really nice house with 1.7 acres. I always feel like I need to tell people, "THERE IS NO WAY WE COULD AFFORD THIS HOUSE IF IT WAS WHAT IT SHOULD BE AND NOT A FORCLOSURE."
I think part of the reason for this inner-battle is because I know there are people who are really struggling to make it, day-to-day, and it seems a little unfair that we are getting this nice house. So I feel guilty and struggle over the fact that I do not deserve this house more than any other of my friends. If I have talked to you about the house and did not seem over-excited it is because I'm a little embarrassed and I'm worried about what you will think of me.
I debated whether or not to post pictures of the house on Facebook, but I went ahead and did it. Facebook is such a breeding ground for "one-upping" other people. I try hard not to fall into that category by just posting funny things that the girls say and cute pictures of the kids. But I knew I had friends and family that are not local who would like to see pictures, so I went ahead and posted them.
The interesting thing is this: we had put offers in on two other houses in the same price range as the one we purchased, and I did not really have this feeling about either of them. Why is that? Well, one was an older farmhouse (which is what I anticipated we would be in) and the other was a 3 bedroom rancher. They were houses that were built a little bit more modestly (although the farmhouse did have the same square footage as our house, it just didn't look huge from the front.)
But the bottom line is this, we are humbled, grateful and excited to be in this house. We were surprised at how many people we know who live very close to us. I don't know what God has in store for us at this place, but I am looking forward to beginning our journey as "Southern Lancaster Countyans"!!
I think part of the reason for this inner-battle is because I know there are people who are really struggling to make it, day-to-day, and it seems a little unfair that we are getting this nice house. So I feel guilty and struggle over the fact that I do not deserve this house more than any other of my friends. If I have talked to you about the house and did not seem over-excited it is because I'm a little embarrassed and I'm worried about what you will think of me.
I debated whether or not to post pictures of the house on Facebook, but I went ahead and did it. Facebook is such a breeding ground for "one-upping" other people. I try hard not to fall into that category by just posting funny things that the girls say and cute pictures of the kids. But I knew I had friends and family that are not local who would like to see pictures, so I went ahead and posted them.
The interesting thing is this: we had put offers in on two other houses in the same price range as the one we purchased, and I did not really have this feeling about either of them. Why is that? Well, one was an older farmhouse (which is what I anticipated we would be in) and the other was a 3 bedroom rancher. They were houses that were built a little bit more modestly (although the farmhouse did have the same square footage as our house, it just didn't look huge from the front.)
But the bottom line is this, we are humbled, grateful and excited to be in this house. We were surprised at how many people we know who live very close to us. I don't know what God has in store for us at this place, but I am looking forward to beginning our journey as "Southern Lancaster Countyans"!!
Friday, May 3, 2013
A New Adventure
Adventure Part 1- A HOUSE!
As most of you know, my dear husband and I have found a house, which will be our home, hopefully for the next 30+ years. The first day the house came on the listing I emailed it to Trent with this message, "Am I unnecessarily excited about this?" And he responded, "Yes." The house was a HUD house (forclosure with government-backed financing). After the house was still listed for a couple weeks I kindly urged Trent to go look at it with our real-estate agent (who is also a friend). The house definitely needs some work, as the previous owners were not happy that their home was being forclosed on so they removed pretty much everything they could (cabinetry, shelving, light fixtures, mirrors, etc.) But over all the house is in good shape. We made an offer on the house (and I hadn't even seen the inside, yet), and the offer was accepted!! That was almost 2 months ago, and we are finally ready for settlement, which will happen in five short days.
 | |
| The front of the house! |
We are so grateful to have found a house where we can raise our family, and I am excited to paint and decorate. I'm not sure how my love of "country" decor will work with this house, but I'm eager to get started!
Adventure Part 2 - HOMESCHOOL
Caution Note: I do not intend for this blog to become a "homeschool blog" but I may have a few posts every now and then dedicated to the subject.
I always said I would never homeschool my kids. Do you know why? Homeschool kids are weird. It's amazing that being a parent for 5 1/2 years can changed things. I'm not exactly sure why, but whenever the subject of school is brought up (as Annie will start Kindergarten in the fall) I cringe.
For some reason I always feel the need to justify myself or explain why I am choosing homeschool. It's really rather silly, as I have never asked or even thought to ask any other parent why they choose public school or why they choose private school. I do not have any friends who homeschool their children, so maybe that is why. So many of "us" (as in moms with little children) base our parenting on how we were raised or experiences that we had. Some had awesome public school experience, so they choose public school. Some had wonderful teachers in private school, so they choose that for their own dear ones.
I had good and bad public school experiences and I had good and bad private school experiences. Some adamantly proclaim that it is what happens at home that is truly important. I was a child easily influenced by my peers. I see those same tendencies in one of my children. So for her, for now, for this year at least, I believe homeschool is the best option to help her succeed. She will still have her failures in homeschool as she would anywhere else, but I'm hopeful that with me there to guide her through her emotions that she will have a better chance at succeeding when she is daily faced with peer pressure.
Adventure Part 3 - MAMA HESS PAINTING
A few weeks ago I shared a "just for fun" post of some signs that I have been making. At the urging of my sister, Stacy and one of her photography clients who I did some work for, I started a "Mama Hess Painting" facebook page with some samples of my work. And the orders have come pouring in!! I am so humbled and amazed that other people actually like my signs. I really have fun making them (they are a great nap-time creation) and I'm honored that people want them hanging in their homes! I'm not sure where it will lead, but I am really grateful for the opportunity to create!
Adventure Part 4 - RAISING THREE LOVELY GIRLS
This is such a joy to me!! I am amazed that God entrusted three precious girls to me. The girls are constantly asking for a brother, although we recently had the privilege of babysitting a 5-month-old girl and they decided another sister wouldn't be too bad. We are all still missing our foster-son. I had a dream the other night that the agency called and asked us to take him again. Just wishful dreaming I guess.....
Friday, April 26, 2013
Abbey is FOUR!
I know this is a little late, but on April 18, our dear sweet Abbey turned four! She is so excited to turn four. Abbey said, "Now that I'm four I will learn how to read." She still loves doing puzzles and can quickly assemble 100 piece puzzles.
Abbey and Magdalena are becoming good friends. Abbey and Maggie enjoy playing with the dollhouse and little farm animals together as well as doing puzzles together. Abbey loves having Anne read to her. Abbey also loves coloring with markers. She continues to be very diligent in whatever she is working on, whether it is coloring a picture, putting a puzzle together or eating. She eats very slowly, but usually does a good job finishing her meal. She loves cheeseburgers and french fries, macaroni and cheese with stewed tomatoes, and ice cream. Lots and lots of ice cream.
I feel like Abbey is a harder kid for me to figure out. Anne is very similar to me so I understand what she is feeling and her emotions. Abbey is different. She often seems like nothing bothers her and she is very very sweet. And other times something will happen that sets her off and she has the worst outbursts of all the kids put together. I am still learning who Abbey really is, and it has been neat for me to learn about her. She tends to bottle things up that may have bothered her and then explode. We are working on talking through our feelings and finding appropriate ways to show our anger and frustration. Anne has actually helped a lot in this. The other day Anne told Abbey that when she feels out of control to go to her room and shut the door and cry out to God, because He will help her. And she did it! And it worked! It was really amazing to see a little four-year-old girl crying out to God and giving Him her frustrations and her weaknesses, and emerge from the bedroom victorious!
Abbey is very smart. She easily writes her name, and reads many many words. She wants to start Kindergarten in the fall with Anne.
Abbey loves animals, especially dogs, cats, and owls and "cute" bugs, like ladybugs. She also still loves flowers. She loves the small, dainty flowers (like the flowers that weeds produce). Abbey says that when she grows up she wants to be like Uncle Troy and not get married.
Even though Abbey has her crazy outbursts, she is overall a sweet, gentle girl. She truly loves her sisters and is very genuine in her affections. She has a tender heart and is already a little prayer warrior. She has a list of people that she prays for every night, and that list seems to get longer and longer. As people she prays for either are healed or die, she adjusts the list as needed. She has an amazing memory and can remember things that I quickly forget.
Abbey had her 4-year well-child check this morning. She is now 29 pounds and 40 inches! She has gained six pounds over the past year and grown four inches taller!!! I was so happy to see how she has grown! Abbey is a dear little girl and we are so thankful to have her as a part of our family. Happy fourth birthday, Abigail Frances! We love you!! Enjoy the rest of these cute pictures!!
Abbey and Magdalena are becoming good friends. Abbey and Maggie enjoy playing with the dollhouse and little farm animals together as well as doing puzzles together. Abbey loves having Anne read to her. Abbey also loves coloring with markers. She continues to be very diligent in whatever she is working on, whether it is coloring a picture, putting a puzzle together or eating. She eats very slowly, but usually does a good job finishing her meal. She loves cheeseburgers and french fries, macaroni and cheese with stewed tomatoes, and ice cream. Lots and lots of ice cream.
 |
| Looking a little nixy. |
Abbey loves animals, especially dogs, cats, and owls and "cute" bugs, like ladybugs. She also still loves flowers. She loves the small, dainty flowers (like the flowers that weeds produce). Abbey says that when she grows up she wants to be like Uncle Troy and not get married.
 |
| Abbey and the bunny. |
Even though Abbey has her crazy outbursts, she is overall a sweet, gentle girl. She truly loves her sisters and is very genuine in her affections. She has a tender heart and is already a little prayer warrior. She has a list of people that she prays for every night, and that list seems to get longer and longer. As people she prays for either are healed or die, she adjusts the list as needed. She has an amazing memory and can remember things that I quickly forget.
Abbey had her 4-year well-child check this morning. She is now 29 pounds and 40 inches! She has gained six pounds over the past year and grown four inches taller!!! I was so happy to see how she has grown! Abbey is a dear little girl and we are so thankful to have her as a part of our family. Happy fourth birthday, Abigail Frances! We love you!! Enjoy the rest of these cute pictures!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)