Short update and some pics.

Here are some pictures of a bit of our fun and adventures this week. It's gone really quickly and yet hopefully the memories will last a long time in the hearts and minds of the kids. All except their run-in with the wasp nest. That's been the most-talked about event the past few days. Thankfully everyone has healed well from their stings and Ava's eye is back to normal.

I did have another nearly-sleepless night of false labor. I'm still hoping that this baby will settle down for at least another week or two, but the good news is that the baby nursery is much more ready and usable than last pictured here. So while we are feeling more ready, we're still in no hurry.

Lastly, just for my friend, Rachael {pictured above with Wyndham}, have a safe and happy move and even though I mowed part of the lawn yesterday, I promise not to do that anymore during this pregnancy. I promise. =)

"For better or for worse..."

We looked a little bit younger in 1995, didn't we?! Thankfully our hearts were meant to be together forever and always. I love you, Chip...Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to my husband, Chip of thirteen years!
I have about a hundred things I could blog about tonight, but since it is our anniversary I'll just touch on a couple of them and then go squeeze in next to Chip to watch a bit more of the Olympics on tv.
My family (parents, niece and nephew) arrived at our home at 5:30 a.m. on Monday morning after an all-night drive from the Twin Cities, MN. Life around here has been nothing short of dramatic and event-filled ever since then. Hence the lack of blog posts. And some of you probably thought I was just trying to rest myself and keep from going into early labor! Ha!
There has been lack of sleep, lots of food and laughing and bath time and catching up with stories, in addition to a trip to Lake Michigan beachfront, attack of bees and lots of other stuff in between all of that.
Poor Wyndham and a neighbor boy got stung two and three times yesterday. Then today, the wasps attacked again and struck my nephew 3 times, Aly once, my Dad once and Ava got it in the eye. That's why you see her "winking" in the last photo. Her eye totally swelled shut from her sting. We adults all felt so bad and Chip made an emergency run to the store and has since taken out every nest around our home. So hopefully we have taken care of the bee problem...we are lucky nobody is seriously allergic to them. We've now officially had enough of their aggression for one summer. Or two or three!
As we watched our wedding video this evening, with all the kids and my parents at our side, I just think back to what I had visioned in my head as my future 13 years ago on this day. I couldn't have been happier to have Chip at my side- pledging his love and committment to us forever. I was so happy to be committed to "us" as well- although I really had no clue what it would entail. But here we are...marking 13 years of marriage in our lives and it's really a wonderful thing for me to see that although my 'vision' and reality have very rarely even aligned with one another, that the story is still charming, full and always adventure-filled. Not in the way I pictured it...but the fact is I feel blessed to play a leading role alongside Chip everyday.
The "worse" has been far worse than I ever dreamed it could be.
Yet the "better" has and continues to exceed my expectations.
Bee stings and all.
I publicly announce my love and committment to Chip and to my family again today- just as I did to him 13 years ago. I didn't know then what our future held, but I knew Chip was the very one I wanted to be beside me as it unfolded before us. One day- one moment at a time. There have been struggles. There have been miracles. There have been tears of sorrow and tears of joy. There has been so much, that I can't help but love him more- for and through all of it.
Happy annivesary, Chip. I love you today.
I will loved you yesterday.
I will love you tomorrow and forever.
Thank you for being with me. Through it all.
xoxo

Nesting... and More Partying.

Okay. I must be almost maxing blogger out with the number of pictures I have posted on my blog today. I just had some more stuff to share and thus the pics and double-post.

My friend, Wilna, posted a SIS Fashionista Challenge earlier this week and included a downloadable pdf file of the cute bird images you see on the cupcakes. As soon as I saw them I knew I wanted to have a little cupcake-birdfest and today happened to be the perfect day for such an event.

I was thinking of my family in Minnesota and how everyone is still so shocked and sad at the sudden death of Chip's uncle Johnny...today was his funeral. {He was just 47 and had a sudden ruptured aorta and there was nothing that could have saved him...we're all very sad and will miss him at all our family events for a very long time.}

In the midst of all this though, there has been so much playtime and fun with my kids- as though I am compensating for the sorrow by over-doing the fun. But I also know how little time I will have to do this sort of thing very soon- with a new baby about to burst on the scene {which, incidentally, you can click here to see the latest self-belly pics at 33 weeks} as well as my kiddos about to start back to school. I just know how things get as summer wraps up. NOW is the time for fun and enjoying the chance to do this sort of stuff- "just because".

The girls were so thrilled with our "Just because tea party". It was extra special because I pulled out all the stops- including the special tea set {Teagan got it for Christmas one year and it is still very special to me.}, the colored frosting and decorated cupcakes and of course, the little birds to make it all the more fun. We took lots of pictures and there was more laughing and sticky fingers and crumbs all over by the end of our little party, but it was so worth the effort that went into this brief moment in time.

So what's up with me in a bathrobe?! Well, I splurged on myself and bought a pink robe {for $10 bucks!} at Target this week and figured I will be getting lots of use out of it as I lounge around and care for the baby soon. I thought I'd show you that we are in the process of setting up a nursery and I feel so 'ready' just because the bassinet is all washed and waiting. =) I do have a few things collected for the layette- isn't that onesie cute! It was made for me by another one of my new scrap friends, Amy Tan.

I am feeling very blessed these days with so much anticipation, so much to be thankful for each day, and most importantly for the energy and health and strength to make little "big" stuff happen. Life isn't always cupcakes and parties, but when it is, it feels really good and I want to savor it that much more. Everyday is a day to celebrate. I'm so glad I had another chance to do that with my girls today. I think Teagan must even smile down on us when she sees us using her tea set and Barbies and all. I will always miss her- especially on reflective days- but I am also so glad for the opportunity to live with new Joy and make new memories along the way.

Totally girly.

While the boys are away the girls are playing~ all girl stuff too. Barbies, tea parties, dress-up, lots of laughing and hugging and singing and just being girls. Today 23 Barbies had Eggos for breakfast before any of my girls actually ate breakfast. =)

Since Bella and Ava started sharing a room last week, the two have literally become best friends and practically inseperable- as you can see in the photos here. They go to bed at the same time, they come upstairs holding hands late at night to get drinks or extra hugs and kisses together, they laugh way into the night and wake up almost simultaneously- only to start playing and giggling and doing it all over again the next day. It's been cute to watch and don't worry...Wyndham gets in on the fun too. She just knows her limits and is better about sleeping in and getting the rest she needs. She was very happy to be the fairy godmother when everyone played Cinderella recently and they were all happy to watch "Cinderella III- A Twist in Time" today- like I said. It's been pretty girly around our house with Chip and Brock gone for the long weekend.

We miss them and wish we could be with them. But I have noticed less laundry and fewer dishes to load in the dishwasher the past two days. There's something to be said about having girl-time. To top it off, as we ate ice cream cones just before bedtime the night before last, Bella said hers had something crunchy in it. It happened to be a baby tooth- she lost her first tooth! She was so surprised and freaked out at the same time. It took several minutes of me reassuring her that it was meant to happen- she had mentioned to me it was getting loose earlier in the day- and finally she was calmed down enough to finish her cone. Yesterday morning was just a sweet moment for me as she came running up the stairs waving "a 5-dollars with Abraham Lincoln on it!" from the "real tooth-fairy"! She was so happy and for me it was just another moment in time to treasure and soak up. One that I remember wishing far too much that I could have experienced with Teagan years earlier.

I couldn't help but realize that Teagan isn't missing out on a thing. She's in Heaven and nothing can compare to the beauty and joy that surrounds her. It was this thought that made me love and appreciate even more, just how much I love my girls {and my boys and baby-to-be!} and how much I cherish the simple moments and memories we make in life. Even when they are all-girly!

Sending our love home.

Brock and Chip are headed to Minnesota to be with Chip's family at this time. My doctor "highly discouraged" a 10-hour roadtrip for me at this point in the pregnancy. I'm already showing signs of making progress and with the number of babies I've had, plus the fact that Ava was early just added to her recommendation for me and this baby.
Everything is going well at this point- no major concerns- which is always a good thing. I like "normal and routine", and hopefully I can heed some advice to take it easy as much as possible.
We would all like to be home with our family this weekend, but I know they all understand and if they can feel our love through Chip and Brock, well then that is the important thing.
Thanks for your prayers and wishes for comfort.

Life is fragile...

Late last night and very into the morning (12 midnight to 2 am) I was having mild contractions and couldn't sleep. I actually started to get a little bit worried when I felt them 20 minutes apart. As Chip slept I debated whether or not to wake him. I was just about to do so when I noticed his cell phone ring a couple of times. It's unusual for him to get calls after midnight, so I woke him and handed him the phone and within a few seconds I heard his voice break as he received the unexpected news of the death of his uncle Johnny {who is pictured with Grandpa Willie in the last photo here}. We are heartbroken and saddened along with all of Chip's mom's side of the family and many friends that Johnny has acquired through the years.
Needless to say, neither Chip nor I got much sleep last night. I am feeling better and the contractions have subsided at this point. I have a dr. appt. tomorrow and hopefully we'll find that everything is progressing just as it should.
But it's moments in life such as these that continue to serve as reminders to me of not just the circle of life, but how fragile it really is. There are no guarantees- whether it's babies, children or grown ups. I find that this theme- of making the most of every moment- comes up so often in my heart and mind and I really strive to translate it into my everyday living. I want to live without regrets. I want to live life with passion and intention. I want people to know how much I love them and I want my life to stand for something so that whenever my time comes, I will know I have lived fully.
I found it interesting that just before bed last night I received a couple of emails from my (new) friend, Amber, who took these maternity pictures of me while we were together in Chicago. {Thank you, Amber!} They just seem so touching today as our family grieves the loss of a loved one, yet at the same time we prepare for the arrival of another {and Chip's sister too}. The baby bassinet bedding is being washed as I type and I just hope to pass on the message of loving this moment and loving beyond expectations in life. Too many times we get wrapped up in "little stuff" or in holding onto grudges or not giving of our hearts to others enough. I am guilty of it too...I can get stuck in a place where I am doing out of demands, rather than out of the overflow of my heart. I hope to remind myself over and over that to love is a gift. To serve others is a gift. To breathe in air and look for beauty in this world is a gift. To share and connect with others is a gift- no matter what. I thank God that He showers His love on us so that we can give love and encourage others to do so too.
Life is a wonderful thing. I hope I never forget just HOW amazing it is. And we will remember Johnny for his love of life and others too.

Mine's not as cute...

I couldn't help myself after seeing those knitted mushrooms. So I made a hybrid mushroom with felt/fabric after seeing the cute sewn animals here at Martha Stewart's site. I just hand-cut my little mushroom and made it up as I went along. I had no pattern and no clue what it would look like when it was finished.
The girls thought it was cute when it was done and took turns holding it. I asked Bella if she thought it looked more like a mushroom or a tiny tree. She replied, "It looks like like a little pepperoni pizza!".
Oh well.
It was a meager attempt at being crafty. I still am inspired to learn to knit- someday! =)

In trying times...

I want to thank many of you for emailing me last week and sharing your stories with me- many of you asking for prayer, insight or just taking me up on my offer to be your listening ear. I have read all your emails and am in the process of replying back to you. I have prayed for you personally and have asked God to give me some words of comfort, encouragement or just simply asked for a verse to pass along to you that might be one you can hold onto as you walk {or even stand- as some of you are doing} in the midst of one of life's storms. I am humbled that God can use connections- via blogs, emails and internet- to help each of us further our growth and trust in Him. I have been encouraged many times through the past few years of blogging to see just how God brings about words and people that I need to hear at just the right time. He IS faithful and today I want to share some truths with those of you who need some assurance that God is here- with you- in the very place where you are. Whether you are joyous or hurting or overwhelmed or needing direction or even wondering if He is real- let the following passages assure you of His presence, of His care for your hurt, of His unconditional love for you.
I was given a book of short devotionals/stories from my sister soon after our incident in '01. It has 6 different authors and Scripture verses and poems/lyrics throughout the pages. The one I share with you today is written by Sheila Walsh and it's titled: Jesus is Here. May it bless you or encourage you as it has me.
"Jesus is Here"
It is hard to rest in God when life keeps us scrambling from one demand or crisis to the next. Yet those are the very times when we are most in need of depending utterly on Him.
One of the passages that has helped me most in the last year is when the resurrected Christ appears to his disciples while they are hiding in fear of the Jews. He greets them with, "peace be still!" Their fear is replaced by joy. Nothing outside those four walls had changed. There was still an angry crowd in the streets. They were still living in a terrible time. But because Christ was there, everything had changed.
Here is a truth that will sustain me no matter what life brings: Christ is still here. When He walks in, it doesn't mean everything outside is okay. It means I'm inside, and I'm okay because He is here with me.
Jesus frees us from the enemies [the devil and the powers of sin and evil] who attack us from the outside. But He also frees us from the enemies who attack us from within. I have found John 8:32 to be a very liberating Scripture: "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free". I understand this passage differently than I used to. Now I think it means bringing thw whole truth about me, the good with the bad, before Christ. If I am angry or fearful or in despair, I can bring it safely to the Lord. I can accept the truth about myself [or my circumstances] because I have been forgiven and set free.
When you stand up in front of 18,000 women, what you share has to be true whether you have just been diagnosed with breast cancer or your husband has left you or you didn't get to bring your baby home from the hospital. Sometimes we hear the message from well-meaning Christian brothers and sisters, "If you just have enough faith, everything will work out". This is not helpful. It places dependency on us. My motto is "Life is tough, but God is faithful".
When the disciples were caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee they cried out to Jesus in terror, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" Christ stood up and quieted the waves. Then He asked them, "Why are you so afraid?" Even though the circumstances are terrifying, Christ is never afraid. He is with us, and He has set us free.

Cute and crafty.

I found these adorable knitted baby rattles and full instructions for making them here. I know I blogged about having to give something up in order to make more time in my schedule...but these little toadstools are just so cute. They make me want to learn to knit.
I can just see these in little blues/olive greens/aqua and brown. I know it probably won't happen. But maybe there's a chance Chip will see this and take up knitting in the next couple of months. =) Hey... a girl can dream, right?!

Belated birthday pictures-

I have been taking so many photos the past week that when I clicked back through some of my folders I realized I never posted Bella's birthday pics. She had a great birthday- with just our family and some Hello Kitty cupcakes- last Friday when she turned 6.
The photo of her opening a present on the phone as a princess was snapped while her grandma and grandpa sang "Happy Birthday" to her. It's one of my kids' favorite traditions each birthday- to get their song and birthday wishes by phone. I think it's one of Chip's favorite traditions too- he just doesn't show his excitement because of his age. =)
As I hit 32 weeks of pregnancy this week I am finding myself definitely 'feeling the third trimester'. My back hurts everytime I have to lift Wyndham in or out of something- like the tub or her carseat. She's tall and weighs about 55 pounds, so I suppose my back would hurt no matter my extra weight or not. I've been a bit more tired and when I sit outside with the kids while they splash in their pools I get hot a lot faster than I did last summer. I'm the kind of person who is normally cold all the time- for me, summer sun and humidity is the way I like it best. But I can't quite take it as much these days- thank goodness for air conditioning and ice cream treats. =)
We are in the process of getting the baby's room set up and that meant Ava got to move her bed into Bella's room this week. They had a few late nights of talking and giggling and a few too many early mornings for my liking. But the last two nights have gone much better and I think they are going to really like being roomates. They each have their own bed and nightlight and bedside table and they seem happy with their own 'space'. Brock is our built-in night watchman and will let us know when he thinks they've been talking or staying up too late. What a great big brother! =)
I'm feeling a bit anxious about how to work a newborn's demands into our already busy schedule. But as Chip said to me the other day, "we've done this before and it always works out". He is so wise and so right. I think it's just a normal part of the pregnancy-thought process for me. I can't help but think that 'something has to go'...I'm just curious to find out what it's going to be this time around. The best part is that whatever 'goes' generally gets replaced with more love and joy. So no matter what we give up, we get something far greater in return.