Favorite Smells

This morning we had to tell our three favorite smells.  I don't know why but when you get a bunch of women together- well, you just never know.  It was fun to hear everyone's.  And to hear memories associated with some.
Here are mine:
1.  Petunias on late summer evenings-  for some reason it always reminds me of my mom.
2.  Freshly cut grass
3.  Bread baking in the oven
I couldn't stop at three.
4.  The smell of the house when the windows are open
5.  Coffee when you first break the seal
6.  Newborn babies
7.  Spring rain
What are some of yours?

Some Birthday Pictures

So, as promised to our far away family, here are some pictures from Sam's birthday.  I have to say it was a really fun day, all day, for our four-year old.

This was at 7:00 sharp, complete with birthday cereal and presents.

Later, Grandpa came over with more presents and ate pizza with us.

Hmmm... Pretty cool.

This was supposed to be the Toy Story 3 train.

Cake time!

Sammy's party was a "home group" party since we have home group on Thursday nights.  Before I saw this guy, I heard him.  T.C. dressed like Woody and came in the house saying things like, "There's a snake in my boot!" and other things I can't remember right now.  Awesome.

Lucy camped out with Grandpa most of the time and even got some cake of her own.  

Now we love this guy and his wife, the "Javiers" but he wanted to adopt Lucy last night.  She is sweet, I agree, but sorry, no deal!

Happy Birthday Sam!

Sammy's 4

I woke up a little before 6:30.  I was hungry so I fixed a bowl of Rice Krispies and turned on "Little House on the Prairie."
Brian had a 7:00 meeting so he was up and about.
Then I felt the first one.
Contraction?  Yes.
Five minutes later, another one.
I was so glad Brian hadn't left yet.
We started getting ready.
Soon Kayla and Jack woke up and we told them the baby's coming today!
I remember Jack followed me around and everytime another contraction came, he yelled to Brian, "Contraction!!!"
Around 8:00 Brian took the kids to stay with some seminary friends of ours.  We headed to the hospital when he got back.  He remembers looking at the clock when we got there.
8:38.
At some point that I don't clearly remember, the nurses kicked it into high gear.
At 9:14, our Sammy was born.
8 pounds of pure boy.
Quick.  Intense.
That was my labor and in some ways, that's our Sam, too.
He's four today and I can hardly believe it.  He's a dear little boy who keeps us laughing.  When I say he's always into something, I mean he's always into something.
We all love this little guy.
Happy Birthday Sam!

Happiness

Might she be saying this with her hugs?

I found this in Kayla's room this morning.

Sammy-isms

I thought I was going to be free of this cold everyone's had for a couple of weeks but I think I'm getting it.  Drats.
I did some rearranging today in our school/play/everything room.  I just can't get it the way I want it.  Maybe this time will take.
A couple of Sammy-isms from today:
I was pushing him on the swing (enjoying another warm February day).  As he got higher and higher, he called out "Oh yeah baby!"  Ha.  That made me laugh.
Then after dinner, he was really sticky with syrup.  (I usually make pancakes when Brian's gone).  He said, "Wow, Mom.  We have to wash me up!"  Yep.
And this I love.  Lately he's been asking me all kinds of questions when I put him to bed.  When will we go to heaven?  How will we get there?  Will Jesus bring a car?  And usually some version of this:
Mom, why because God made me?
I always stop on that one.
He can give you the catechism answer.  For His own glory.
And to that I say Amen.
But how do you wrap all of what God did when he made that little boy into an easy answer?
I can't.
So I give him a little at a time, the best I can.  But I always tell him that I am so thankful God did choose to make my Sam.

Birthday Week

by guest photographer Jack

Let the birthday week begin.  It seems like birthdays around here last a while.  This one is proving to be no exception.  Sammy will turn four later this week but my mom brought his birthday present a little early- the football bear.  I'm sure I'll have more birthday updates as the week goes on.
On a different note, we are into the BBC series "Lark Rise to Candleford," which was recommended to us.    So far we're really enjoying it.  I love how they talk.  I know it's scripted but to speak so eloquently...  It's a far cry from our huhs and umms and yahs.

Perspective

Don't you want to just eat her up?
I got this smile out of her by showing her a strawberry- look how excited she got!
Kayla is making pizza dough (again!) so dinner is taken care of for now and I have a few minutes to blog.
It is so good to see the smiles of my children.
This week has been one that has weighed on us a bit- I have a hard time putting it into words.  You feel the burdens of those around you and sometimes there seem to be so many.  Right now, mostly with aging church members and family.  We've seen in some ways the full spectrum of life- a dear man lost his wife of 54 years and a few days later, our sweet nephew was born.  It is a sobering thing to be reminded that we love and raise our children knowing that they, too, will face that last breath one day and we fervently pray that they will know the glory of the Lord.  If we do not give them the truth, the gospel, what else matters?  I think of the things that I let bother me, my own selfishness and I just have to shake my head.
It's good to get perspective- to enjoy this life and live it well, in the strength and great mercy of the Lord.

Welcome Joel Michael

Last night was a fun night for me.
We had talked several times yesterday.
Might this be the day?
Text at 1:00 a.m.  "We're going to the hospital."
Text at 3:00 a.m.  "We're going home."
Praying.
Then at 7:30ish Brian's sister called.  "My water broke."
By 10:30 this morning a new little soul was in this world.
Joel Michael.
Born to a mom and a dad who love the Lord.
Into a family with two sweet big sisters.
I would love to see them meet their baby brother.
I can imagine eyes wide.  Big smiles.
I love this, that's true for Joel and every other baby born:

"For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well...

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, everyone one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them."  Psalm 139:13-16

And today is his first day.
Welcome little Joel.

For Me to Remember

Lucy woke up a little earlier than we would have liked.
She usually rests on her daddy's shoulder when that happens but on this morning I wondered if I might have that treat.
I did.
She rested her little head on my shoulder and reached up to play with my hair.
I closed my eyes, listening to her breath, catching a few more minutes of quiet with her before our day began.
After a few minutes I realized her hands were still.  She was back asleep.
So we rested.
At 7:00, when Sam is allowed to come out of his room, he tiptoed into ours.
He rubbed Lucy's back with his little hand and watched her open her eyes.
He whispered to me.
"Mommy, do you know what I like?  I like being Lucy's big brother."
Oh sweet boy.  I'm so glad you do.

Treats

Mmmm.
Looks good doesn't it?
Kayla and I were inspired yesterday to make this for home group last night.
And do you know, I was too sugared out to have a piece.  We had a little valentine party at CC and with all the sweet treats, I just didn't want anymore.  I will say it was a lot of fun to make!

There's a used book sale going on at the mall this weekend so we went early this morning.  I have some pretty good finds to share.  I've been reading a book by D.E. Stevenson and have really enjoyed it.  So I was looking for more of her books and found three!!  (I thought of you Melissa)  Also found The Child from the Sea by Elizabeth Goudge.  I've never found any of her books in the library so I'm excited about this one.  I also found a couple books that I already have but bought them to give away.  How much fun is that- to be able to give someone a really good story to take home?

As I was searching the many titles they had, I found myself thinking of so many others who love to read and how great it has been to get recommendations from ladies who know a good story when they find one.  Now that's a treat.

A Fun Break

When the mailtruck passes by, the mail has come and that's a good thing.
When the mailtruck pulls into our driveway, it can only mean one thing.
Especially when the next sound you hear is the doorbell.
Package!
It's also a surefire way to put a stop to any math or reading or anything else that was being done at the time.
And really, what a fun way to take a break because who can wait to open a package?
Thanks Mimi and Papa!

It's Only 11:15

Y'all.
I have the castle cup out.  And it's only 11:15.
I slept later than I should have (7:00), which I thought might lead to a challenging start to our day.
But we ended up getting started earlier than usual.
Everyone has worked cheerfully and is now playing quietly.
And we are done with the bulk of our work for the day.
We'll do a good review this afternoon and make some valentines.  Maybe we'll even make it to the library.
Maybe I'll get to the pile of laundry that needs to be put away.
Have a clean house when Brian gets home?
I may be getting ahead of myself but hey, I'm feeling optimistic.
And thankful.

Some Favorites from the Week

What's better than the cutest three-year old cowboy?

One that says, "Mommy, how can I help you?"

"She's a peddler roaming the grounds of the house."-Jack

It makes me laugh, at least on the inside, when I upload pictures and find strange ones like this.  Kayla? 

We're closing out our week with homemade pizza.  Kayla pretty much made the dough herself.  She's really a great help to me- and she enjoys it.

Finished When Crickets Cry last night.  It's a good read.

Starting Still Glides the Stream by D.E. Stevenson.  I love the title.  

"Praise to the Lord!

O let all that is in me adore him!

All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him!

Let the Amen Sound from his people again;

Gladly for aye we adore him."

       from "Praise to the Lord, the  Almighty"

  Joachim Neander, 1680

The Old Fashioned Way

Some guys from church gave Brian these free-range eggs on Sunday after church.
Brian joked that they paid the preacher the old-fashioned way.
We could get used to that.

Taking 5

I like to reserve this cup for quiet moments in my day.  Which means I don't get it out too often.  (Smile)
It's so pretty and reminds me of some Charlotte friends.  In particular, a book club I attended just once but thoroughly enjoyed.
The day has not been quiet nor peaceful.
I thought I'd take five.
So, I got out my castle cup this afternoon along with a book I'm reading.
When I made my coffee, it was quiet.
When I took the picture, it was quiet.
When I sat down to enjoy both coffee and book, it was no longer quiet.
I waited too long.
No matter.  I enjoyed my coffee anyway and will get to the book tonight after everyone is sleeping soundly.