Since we discovered that a new baby is on the way, we have been trying to prepare our children for the new addition. My baby girl, Reya – 15 months, is having the hardest time. She cries and clings and say’s “I’m the baby.” I reassure her the baby is not coming for many months, but I know she doesn’t understand. And even my son, Isaiah – 4 years old, has become more of a Mama’s boy, saying that he needs cuddle time, because “I’m still a little boy.”

So we are trying to focus on teaching the children that we will love them the same after the new baby comes. In fact, there will be even more love in our family!
“Daddy loves you, Mama loves you, Isaiah loves you, and the new baby will love you too. Our family will grow, and our hearts will grow with it.”

To help I’ve been able to get a few things to share with the kids to soften their hearts and get them a bit more excited about the new baby.

The best tool has been an actual model of the baby in my womb. I hit 12 weeks last week, and came across this little baby.

Both of the kids love it! Reya has even been sticking it in her shirt and carrying it around pretending she is a Mama.

And on our last stop at the library, the librarian helped me out to find several books explaining the babies development for a child’s understanding.
How You Were Born, by Joanna Cole
What To Expect When Mommy’s Having a Baby, by Heidi Murkoff
It’s a Baby!, by George Ancona
The books seemed to help a little, and at the same time, cause a little more stress in the kids. And of course I had to skip all the parts that explained that it was not a baby yet, and all the parts about Mama going to the hospital and being gone for days. So…. I think I’ll stick to baby dolls and loving.

And I think I’m going to write a little “My Baby” story for each of the kids, describing the pregnancy, the labor and birth, with pictures of the key players. It would be more personal, and help them understand how it will affect OUR family better.

It’s been awhile since I posted. I’d like to say I was on vacation or hard at work doing inspiring and amazing things. But… I haven’t been.

I’ve been sitting at home with pregnancy exhaustion and nausea. And then… over the weekend, my two sweet babes came down with croup.

Over the past few weeks though, we have been able to accomplish a few things. We got our birth supplies for this growing bundle. I get them from In His Hands. They have packages, recommended to them by midwives that use their service. But after researching the uses of most of these items, I decided that we did not need them. I avoid the hospital to bypass tests and monitoring… no need to bring that home. My husband and I got a kick out of comparing the bills from our two children’s births.
My son Isaiah’s hospital birth that ended in a cesarean section, $24,000.
My daughter Reya’s home birth, $35.

We also got some cast iron cookware. We purchased mostly the Lodge brand. And seeing the products we are glad we did. Sturdy, smooth and well designed. We’ve been practicing cooking various items in them. It is so much different that my teflon skillets. We haven’t tried the dutch oven yet, which I am most eager to do. I might plan a camping trip JUST for that reason.

I also found a kindergarten curriculum book at my local grocery store for half price! I flipped through it. It has all color pages with activities in numbers, alphabets, animals, reading, and more. This paired with daily bible reading and discussion, educational games, and a unit study I purchased on farm life should provide a well rounded school year for my little man. I’m looking at some new opportunities for field trips. The zoo, OMSI, local farms, and an astrology club here in town have some great learning environments for me to consider.

My father also found me some unpicked fruit trees. So I have 4 boxes of yellow apples to clean and process. I am freezing up some apple pie filling and making some apple butter. They are so delicious!! I keep walking through my house wondering what that amazing smell is. It’s those apples!! The family that I picked them from, said their children lived a little ways down the road and had more trees of the same!! So if I get these processed quickly enough, I might be able to get another round!

AND… my favorite blogger has just posted another installment, The Deliberate Agrarian
He talks about memories of his hardworking grandfather, a great yard sale find, and some painful connections between now and the great depression. I think he gave some GREAT and perfect advice on how to protect yourself and your family.
“Humble yourself. Ground yourself in the spiritual sense. Ground yourself in the physical, earthy sense so you can grow some of your own food. Stock the pantry. Eliminate debt. Downsize. Simplify. Make do and be content with less. Learn the various hands-on skills of self-sufficient living. Establish one (or more) small home businesses. Embrace the little pleasures of life. Thank God for His blessings….”

Regardless what the future holds, or the present for that matter, I am glad to have the Lord to lean on. It is good to know that someone loves us and promises “to work all things to good,” (Romans 8:28) and reminds us to be “content in any situation,” (Hebrews 13:5).

My exhaustion is temporary, and my nausea means there are lots of raging hormones indicating strong and healthy growth in my child. My son and daughter are coughing and coughing and have fevers, but they will recover and their immune systems will be stronger for it. I’ll be peeling and coring apples all week (maybe longer) but my family will be able to enjoy delicious apple pies and butters for the next year. My homeschooling duties are right around the corner and seem overwhelming in my current state of exhaustion, but I should feel more like myself in 3-4 weeks.

So right now may feel hard, but the truth is, STILL, I am sooooo very blessed.

I Walked a Mile with Pleasure

I walked a mile with Pleasure;
She chatted all the way;
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.

I walked a mile with Sorrow,
And ne’er a word said she;
But, oh! The things I learned from her,
When sorrow walked with me.

-Robert Browning Hamilton

My Hope is Built

My hope is built on nothing less,
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the solid rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

by Edward Mote (1797-1874)

Here are some photos taken by a friend of mine, Katie Louise. They are beautiful portraits of my children.

Today we had a picnic with the Huffs at Riverside Park.

We had a wonderful time with fried chicken, green salad, fresh grapes and juice, followed by a space themed birthday cake for my little man. The kids played and ran and played and ran. As you can see, even Reya made some new friends.

Thanks for such a great day!

On Sunday my mother in law took me and the kiddos to Oaks Park in Portland.

Here are some photos for the family and friends to enjoy!

Isaiah and Reya on the Train

Isaiah and Reya walking with Grandma thru the Park

Reya and Grandma on the Carousel

Isaiah and Mama on the Carousel

Isaiah on his favorite ride

Isaiah and Grandma Got a Free Race Car Ride

Isaiah and Grandma Listening to Live Music

Reya resting after her big day

We had a great time!

A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest;
So shall your poverty come like a prowler,
And your need like an armed man.
Proverbs 24:33-34

I must remind myself not to be lazy. My Lord, my children, my husband, and yes, even I, deserve better. It is insidious, creeping into every moment of my life, unless I am watchful against it.

Things that help me?

1. Putting on music while I do my chores.

2. Praying while I do my dishes (this is my #1 problem area).

3. Do one thing at a time. Regardless of how much there is to do, it is too easy to get discouraged with 20 things half done.

4. Don’t get stuck in the blame and guilt games. Get up and do better now!

5. Scheduling! A decent bedtime, and starting your day with bible and prayer time. Things are always more difficult if you are tired. And life can easily get out of perspective if not grounded in the word.

So, if you struggle with this also, let us stand up and do what is needed. Confess our sins, and put them behind us.

A friend that holds you accountable, is a friend indeed.

GIFT FROM GOD

A new song wells within my heart,
As small and precious life within me grows.
Fear is melting, doubt no more,
This promise more felt than heard.

Has time changed the quality of me,
To a Woman, a child no more?
Daughter, now Mother, Love, now Wife,
My name is as changing as wind on the grass.

Now building creation, inside a womb I denied,
A miracle, a wonder, my mind a mute hostage,
To question, not ever, to fear, do not speak,
For watching and waiting for fruition to bear.

Have you given me my namesake,
An inheritance for my lasting joy?
Have you given me the place to dwell,
within your arms of healing love?

My song it rises quickly, slowly, strongly,
To praise your gift to me and mine,
May it never die upon my lips,
Except for speechless awe.

I wrote this when I found out I was pregnant with Isaiah who today turns 4 years old. Much love to my little man and the Lord who gave him to me.

I’ve been tending my garden in the evenings just as the sun is setting and the day is cooling down. Unfortunately this is apparently when the mosquitoes come out for their daily feast.

Sooooooo… I’ve researched and found some tips of dealing with the evil beasts and their miserable bites.

To deter the pests in the first place, put Listerine in a spray bottle and spray it on yourself. I’m not sure if other brands will work, but until shopping day next week, that is what I’ll be trying. I am so grateful that Michelle mentioned this! I need relief!

And if you have already been viciously attacked here is a list of things you can try for itch relief.

http://tipnut.com/over-40-mosquito-bite-itch-relief-tips/

I just tried the first one, rubbing a dry bar of soap on your bites. It worked!

Hope this helps!