Big Trip Comin' Up

Lists are made.

Dress is sewn.

Boys' hair is cut.

A few fingernails got trimmed - but not all of them.

I'm real tired.

I found something to wear to Emily's wedding on Saturday.

I had to alter it.

I learned how to bake wedding cakes today.

The laundry is almost done.

Tomorrow is Packing Day.

I feel like I'm running a marathon.

In three and a half days we'll be in Indiana.

In six days Matthew and Rhonda and the girls will be there too.

That's very exciting.

I'm going to bed.

Potpourri

We had a great time at my little reunion two weeks ago.  We used to be just four young girls – 30 years later we’re 4 ladies, 4 husbands and 24 (soon to be 25) children!  It was hard to know whether to reminisce or catch up from the last umpteen years.  We hadn’t all been together at one time for about 20 years.   Thank God for friends!

 

As soon as we got home, we dove right into VBS.  It went quite well, I’d say.  There were anywhere from 31 – 41 kids.  It was exhausting though, and it’s good to be done for anther year.

 

Overheard at Sheldon’s late at night: 

Sheldon (nagging Alicia about chewing her fingernails):  “I read that chewing your fingenails reduces life expectancy the same as smoking a pack a day.”

Sara:  “But it’s cheaper!”

I howled with laughter, but it was pretty late.  Not sure if it’s funny now…

 

The ratio of sunshine: rain has finally tipped more in favor of the sunshine!  Yay!  It’s an absolutely gorgeous day (and I need to go to the basement and sew!)  (That was yesterday.  Today it rained most of the day again.)

 

My dress for Rachel’s wedding is about 65% done.  Maybe more.  Tomorrow I’m going to sew the bodice and skirt together and then wait for my friend Phyllis to put in the invisible zipper.  (I never learned to do those things.  I always had Mom do it.)  It’s looking really pretty.

 

It’s only 9 days until we hit the road for Indiana and Rachel and Dave’s big day.  Mercy!  It’s gonna be a marathon until then!

 

I’m convinced Hannah has/had another (the fourth?) ear infection.  This happened two weeks ago and again this week.  She was fussy about drinking her bottle and would usually only take a 3 – 5 oz. at a time.  So, I started in on the onion/garlic/olive oil treatment and also did vinegar for good measure.  I started yesterday and today I could already tell a big difference.  She’s taking 7-8 oz. at a time.  Two weeks ago I did the same treatment and it seemed to work then too.  Craziness!

 

I’m trying to start exercising again.  It’s so hard to get back into the routine – especially when I’m still so tired that I rarely get up early.  I miss my early morning walks…

That's all for tonight.  It's way past my bed-time!

Rhonda's Got A Hankerin'...

... for pictures of Hannah.  Here you go!  Enjoy.

Five months old!  (Oh my, she's almost 6 now!)

At church camp-out with Justin P., Andy and Amanda's little guy.

Having fun with Daddy.

Logan wanted to make a dandelion chain.  I did most of it, really, but aren't they cute?
Hannah's dedication, several weeks ago.

After a walk at camp-out last weekend.

Hey, Karla or Brenda

I don't usually use this as e-mail, but...  Our home computer is at the doctor and that's where I have your email addresses.  So, could you send me an email, so we can discuss our vacation plans more?  Whoo hoo!  Keith got the Mac hooked up to the internet at home so I now have internet again.  Yay!

A Few Things You Were Just Dying To Know

-  Our computer (PC) is either sick or dead, not sure which.  The mac still works of course, but Keith hasn’t figured out how to hook it up to the internet at home.  So I’m at church doing this.

 

-  I told you awhile ago I was going to have a vacation for a few days.  Well, it was really nice!  Just so you know.  With my little “vacation” and camping, I’ve actually read a few novels in the last few weeks.  And I’ve developed some opinions about a couple of authors.  J

 

 

-  Today I trimmed a shrub for the first time.  I really didn’t know what I was doing and didn’t have the proper tool for the job, but it still looks better than before I started.

 

-  Josiah is a little bit pigeon-toed.  One foot turns in a little.  Should I be concerned?

 

-  Remember awhile ago when Josiah fell down the stairs and had a little “seizure” of some sort? Later he had a really tiny one after hitting his head.  Well, he did it again a couple of days ago.  He fell off a riding toy backwards and hit his head on the brick patio.  He cried really hard – the kind where you don’t breathe for awhile, cried more softly a couple times, then went “spacey” for just a few seconds.  Then he sat on my lap for a long time.  Should I take him to the doctor?

 

-  Hannah is completely weaned now.  I pumped for a few weeks, but that was getting pretty old.  She’s doing quite well, but she’s not on a very consistent schedule.  Oh well.  Just don’t tell Gary Ezzo!

 

-  I started my dress for Rachel’s wedding.  Well, I made a practice bodice with some ugly, old, brown calico.  I was pleased that it was quite close to fitting properly the first time.  I think I’ll try one more before I cut into the real thing.

 

-  Next weekend we’re going to MN.  The purpose of the trip is a reunion with three friends from my childhood, Jewell, Eunice and Prisilla.  We were inseperable when we were about 8 until we started moving away one by one (except Priscilla who still lives in MN.  Anyway, we all turned 40 in the last year or so, and so we’re having a reunion.  We haven’t all been together since Jewell’s wedding in about 1989, I think.  (Eunice and Priscilla, you can correct me here if I’m wrong.)  And between the four of us, we have 24 children and one more on the way (for the youngest, Eunice, who just turned 40 last month.)  I think we’ll have a rollicking good time!

 

-  We went to the beach Thursday for the first time.  It was a little chilly, but the kids had fun playing on the playground equipment, and swimming just a little.

 

-  Today I found a young girl who’s going to come help me once a week for a day or half-day during the summer.  Thank you, Jesus!  I’ve been feeling so overwhelmed with all the stuff to do this summer, so I think this will help.  I’ll have her help with housework, summer projects, and playing with the kids so I can sew or paint up on a ladder or something like that.

 

-  This might just be the summer to paint the trim around the windows (outside) and paint my front door green (sage, not grass).  I’ve wanted to do that ever since we moved in four years ago.

 

-  Did I ever mention that when I was in IN in May, Keith (and Jeff) put new carpet in the boys’ bedroom?  We had gotten a really good deal on a remnant, but I didn’t know when it would get installed.  So, that was a really nice surprise!  Keith said it was my Mother’s Day present.  J

 

-  This next week looks very overwhelmin with getting ready to go away for the weekend, and getting ready for VBS, which starts next Sunday night.  We’re leaving Sheldon’s on Sunday morning so we can get back in time for that.  Oh my.  Pray for me, please?

Thoughts on Evolution

How could evolution possibly be true?  Isn’t it based on the premise that order can come spontaneosly from chaos?  Have any of us ever seen that happen?  On the contrary, don’t we witness the exact opposite every day?? 

 

Last fall I got in the “declare war on clutter” mode and this house was really looking good – even the corners and closets.  Of course, with the arrival of Hannah in January, my “extra tme” disappeared and things started to slide into chaos.  At this point, I would say that clutter and chaos definitely have the upper hand in this house.  It’s driving me a little crazy.  If I believed in evolution, I’d be hopefully watching a pile of stuff (books that need to find a home on a bookshelf, out-grown kid’s clothes, etc.) to see if it turns into some kind of masterpiece – say a set of china dishes (in my pattern of course), or a new computer (to replace our archaic PC that is on it’s way to the doctor – or possibly the cemetary.)  Alas, it doesn’t seem to be happening.

 

So, yesterday I dug in and re-arranged the kids’ dressers and closets.   It’s not all done, but I got a really good start anyway.  It felt really good to shake my fist in the face of clutter just a little bit.

A Fine And Pleasant Misery (with apologies to Pat McManus)

Last weekend was our church camp-out.  There were quite a few people signed up, and then the forecast looked pretty bad.  We headed down the road Friday evening even though it was supposed to rain.  We bought chicken and potato wedges before we left and ate them when we got to the camp-ground.  Derek and Elise were already there, and two other families/groups in campers.  One other family came later.  Everyone else chickened out that night.  And I couldn’t really blame them.  It rained most of the evening, through-out the night and the next morning.  We had the fun of setting up camp in the rain.  Thankfully, Keith put up a big tarp first, before it started to rain hard.  We set up our tent under the tarp and then slid it out so the entrance was just under the tarp. 

 

By Saturday afternoon, the weather cleared up and we had great weather the rest of the time.  Tuesday was a holiday (Canada Day) and Keith also had Monday off.  Derek’s were staying longer, so we did too.  Jeff and Wendy and Dad and Dru came down on Monday.  We ended up staying Monday night too.  That was  where we went wrong.  We were getting kinda tired of camping by then and wouldn’t you know, we had a major thunderstorm early Tuesday morning and then had to pack up in the rain.  Oh well, the kids had a blast and we had some fun too.  I think it was the first time that I really had my fill of camping.  Well, except for last summer when I was pregnant.  I’ll just say that camping with a baby and a pre-schooler is rather exhausting.   Hannah wasn’t the most content, and Josiah loves to run/wander away.  But hey, we kept them both alive, so that’s a good thing.  Maybe next year camping will be more fun.  J

Jeff improvised a swing for Dylan.
The dangers of camping and heating bottles.

Kendra getting ready to lead worship.

Ashley and Hannah.

Mmmmm.  Good s'more!

The kids and popcorn.  left to right:  Josiah, Trevor, Logan, Tia, Alabama.
Trevor kissing Papa's fish.  (Don't ask me!)
Scotty and Mary L. having a little moment together.
AnneJisca enjoying her home-made ice cream.  The best part of the day!  :-)
John and Esther.
Our bravest camper.  Yes, she was there all weekend!
Logan, after playing in the clay/mud at the beach.  It was even in his hair!

Un-Camping

Two weekends ago we went to our local Prov. park for the day with some of the family. It was just like camping without having to set up or sleep in the tent. Good deal! It had been nice and warm on Friday and was really nice on Sunday, but when we were there on Sat., it was cold and windy. Huh. But, it was nice for sitting around a fire!

We borrowed a kiddie picnic table from another camp-site. It was great for the kids.
Tia, our little monkey.

Grandma Dru and Hannah. Hannah wasn't terribly impressed with "camping."
Dylan enjoying the day and his "bumbo".
I decided that my sheep must be shorn, or else, so we did it in the great outdoors. I think I cut 3" off of Caleb's. :-)
Scotty and Wendy chillin' out.
On the way home we saw these two and a moose as well!

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Tonight after supper, the boys and I were outside.  Keith left on his bike for a leadership meeting at church.  Hannah woke up shortly after so I went in to get her bottle.  At some point after that I looked out the window to check Josiah and didn't see him in the back yard.  I looked out the front and he wasn't by the road, so I assumed he was just somewhere where I couldn't see him.  I sat down to feed Hannah and when Logan came in I sent him out to look for Josiah.  He couldn't find him.  Then Caleb came in and I sent him to look.  He couldn't find him.  I was getting really concerned.  By then Hannah was done so I asked Logan to "babysit" her and Caleb and I looked again.  I went all through the house and yard and asked some neighbors who were in their yard.  Now I was really worried.  I called Keith and he said he'd come right away.  I decided to take a little walk up the road (in the direction that Keith had gone, in case Josiah had followed him.)  As I went up the hill I saw a man walking our way carrying a little person in a red t-shirt.  Thank you, Jesus!  When I got to them, it was a stranger and Josiah was whimpering.  The man said Josiah was heading for the highway and he knew right away he was lost.  He said he has a little guy about the same size.  I asked if Josiah was crying and he said not until he picked him up.  He thought he scared him a little.  I said, "good!"  He said Josiah pointed the way toward home.  What relief!  As I walked back with him, I was telling him how he could have been hit by a car or got lost.  Through his sniffles he said, "I didn't!" He just doesn't get it.  But I really hope it scared some sense into him!!  That's why I have gray hair!

Our Four Biggest Blessings

Caleb...

- got his cast off on Thursday. Everything seems fine, but he doesn’t have full range of motion yet.

- is quite happy to be finished with school for the summer. (It’s just the desk-work he’s not fond of…)

- said the other day that he wants to be a biologist when he grows up. That wouldn’t surprise me.

- got a microscope and had a lot of fun with it recently.

- had a major wipe-out on his bike last week, resulting in various wounds and a big bruise. I’ve instituted a “no jumping” policy for the time being!!

- had a virus last week with a high fever.

- could happily spend most of his time reading, riding bike, and playing with Lego.

- is changing from a little boy to a big boy.

- has a strong sense of “justice”.


Logan...

- is very fond of his little cousin, Alabama. They can play together for hours – mostly “house” or some other make-believe game.

- gets to be the ring-bearer for Auntie Rachel’s wedding. And Alabama is the flower girl.

- is almost definitely partially color-blind. We have eye appointments in a couple weeks.

- learned to ride bike without training wheels this spring, and has since graduated to an even bigger bike.

- still sucks his thumb. I’m in the market for that nasty-tasting stuff you can put on their fingernails or thumb.

- isn’t so fond of practicing piano right now. I’m trying to keep it light and fun for the summer, but still help him not forget everything he learned.

- is cheerful, enthusiastic, emotional (sometimes whiny) and dramatic.

- can often be heard singing as he does jobs or plays.


Josiah…

- learned to ride the little bike with training wheels in the last week or so. He’s so happy he can ride around the patio with his brothers!

- got a bug-bite on or behind his ear the other day and his ear got all swollen. He looked like a little monkey.

- can talk a blue streak now. But he’s still hard to understand sometimes.

- is starting to eat better. What a relief!!

-likes to communicate with whining and yelling. I keep hoping that consistent and patient correction will yield results!!

- tries to keep up with his big brothers.

- can pee in the potty almost whenever he tries - but doesn't tell me when he has to go.

- is “very two”.

- is stinkin’ cute!


Hannah…

- is five months old!

- could roll over both ways a few weeks ago, but isn’t doing it much now.

- is on a bottle now, but I’m still pumping some b.milk for her. She doesn’t seem to like soy formula or goat milk very much yet. So, feeding her is still a struggle, but not as bad as when I was nursing.

- was dedicated to the Lord this morning in church.

- seems to look quite a bit like my brother Matthew’s girls.

- doesn’t have much hair, but what she does have is strawberry blonde. And there’s a little tuft on the top of her had that sticks straight up most of the time.

- liked to “growl” last week.

- “found” her tongue today and started clicking it.

- is a sweet little huggable bundle!!

10 Years Together

I did say I’d tell you more about our anniversary, so here goes. It’s hard to believe we’ve been married 10 years. That’s ¼ of my life! Keith asked me awhile ago what I wanted to do for our anniversary. Well, since we still had a nursing baby, I knew it wouldn’t be anything big or far away. But I told Keith that in about a year and a half when Hannah’s old enough to leave for a bit, I want to go on a nice little trip to somewhere fun – like maybe New England in the Fall. Oooo, that sounds really nice!

So, for now, we stayed close to home. On our anniversary I made a special supper. I was planning for it to be really nice and then in the afternoon, I realized that Caleb’s cast was really moving – or rather, his arm was bending a lot – so I had to quickly take him in for a new cast. I thought that might trash my plans for a nice supper, but we managed. (Keith helped). At least we ate on china and had chocolate cake!

The next day, we had a really nice treat. My Dad gave us a coupon he had for one night at the executive suite at a local motel. (Dad had worked there last year.) The room was recently remodeled and was really nice. Glenda came about 2:30 to stay with the boys (Hannah went with us), and then Dad and Dru came a little while later and stayed overnight with them.




We checked in by about 3:00. I felt like I was in the city (until I looked outside!) . We napped, watched TV, went out for supper, sat in the hot tub, watched a really fun movie (National Treasure), played a game of Settlers, ate… You get the picture.

The only drawback was that it was on a Sat. night, so we couldn’t really sleep in. We had to get moving in order to make it to church on time, but it was still really nice and relaxing. A really nice little break from “normal” life!

Oh, and we got each other gifts. This is what I got:

This is what Keith got:

I’m not so swift in the gift-giving department lately! But, it is a pretty funny shirt.

Anyway, I’m thankful for my dear husband, and all the good memories of the last 10 years. It was good to celebrate together!

A Good Weekend, A Plan For This Week

It was a busy, but good weekend.  Friday was officially our last day of school.  In reality, we're going to continue a few things through the summer, but it will be some of the "fun" stuff and Logan's language arts.  (Maybe he'll learn to read this summer!)   I thought we should have some kind of celebration - so we went out to Subway for supper.  Yay!  I didn't have to cook!  :-)   Afterward, I went to the church to look through some garage-sale stuff from our school that closed.  I got a microscope for the kids and the boys had a blast looking at stuff in it that night and Saturday.  

Saturday morning I zipped over to the church where they were having our annual garage and bake-sale and bought some fresh donuts.  Oh my goodness, were they ever good!  After bringing the donuts home, I went back to the church to help clean up, etc.  After that I did a few errands and hit another garage sale (all by myself!).  I found a few really cute things for Hannah.  It's so fun to buy girl clothes!

The rest of the day was busy with odd jobs, going shopping with Caleb and Logan for Father's Day presents, making pizza for supper, and making food for today.  Dad and Dru stopped in for a bit to get Dad's Father's Day can of mixed nuts.  I was Bone Weary when we went to bed!

Today in church Keith led a special time of blessing and prayer for all the fathers there.  He had them all go to the front to be prayed for and it was really touching.   Josiah and Anne Jisca came today to have baby Korban dedicated.  Then they and Derek and Scotty (Elise was gone for the week, coming back tonight) came over for lunch.  We had our traditional Father's Day strawberry pie and it was delicious!  (Dog gone it, I over-ate!)  :-(

In the evening we had our Father's Day ball-game and potluck.  Unfortunately it was cold and rained part of the time.  Anne Jisca and I got there just as it was starting to rain, so we just went to the church.  I think the die-hards who played ball had a good time, and the food and fellowship was good.

So, that was the weekend.  Now I'm looking ahead to this week.  I was talking with Iris last week about the vacation they just had and I realized again that I'm a workaholic and hardly know how to relax.  Sigh.  But part of me just longs for some rest.  We've been so busy for so long! Iris challenged me to take a few days at home and just have a "vacation".  So, that is on my agenda for this week.  Here's my plan:

* We're not doing any school this week at all - unless we feel like doing some reading.

* Tomorrow I'm going to work hard at a few projects that seem rather pressing:
     - Wash windows and put up the rest of the screens.
     - Wash and dry the laundry - folding is optional.
     - Fertilize the trees that we planted last year.
     - "Round-up" some weeds in the driveway, and grass around the trees if it isn't raining.
     - Start catching up the budget, check-book, etc.

* For the rest of the week, I'll work on the budget for 20 minutes/day.  (I'm really behind.)

* Here's the hard one:  Tuesday and Wednesday are Vacation Days, with only the minimum amount of cooking and housework allowed.  We're going to play games, visit people, go to the park and hopefully have some friends over for lunch.  I'm going to read(!!!) and maybe even crotchet!  Oh, and take naps!  And blog.  Now that I think about it, maybe we'll need Thursday for vacation too!  I grabbed "The Atonement Child" and "Unspoken" by Francine Rivers from the church library tonight.  :-)  So, that's what I'm up to!  Hopefully you'll hear from me in a day or two.

My Sister, My Friend

There’s a picture frame sitting on my desk that says, “You have always been my sister, but you’ve been an even greater friend.” There’s a picture in it of Rachel and me in the Canadian Rockies. The frame is actually broken, but I won’t throw it away because it was from Rachel and it expresses my heart so well. I’ve been so blessed to have a wonderful sister, a true kindred spirit.

We’ve gone through many stages in life. When she was born and I was 10, she was a novelty – a novelty who threw up all the time. :-) I think I was scared to hold her because of it. I remember when she was around two, or even younger, I decided it would be fun to have her sleep with me (it turned out to not be all fun, since she wasn't completely potty-trained!) About 6 years later, I was ready to do anything to have my own room! At that time it meant moving upstairs to an unfinished bedroom with orange tarps and pink insulation for walls. Anything to have my own space away from that little sister!

But the older Rachel got, the more we connected and became best friends. I remember when she was so excited to wear my cast-off clothing – even when it was still too big for her. Then came the time when I accepted her old clothes. And now I get her to shop for me and get her opinions on clothes because she’s way more hip than me!

Here are some pictures in honor of my dear sis, and her "big" birthday today.

Three years old. Isn't she cute??

I think she's five on this picture.
When she was about twelve, we spent Christmas at the Holiday Inn in Goshen with some family. I told Rachel I'd give her five dollars if she jumped in the pool with her clothes on. Of course, she did it!
Thirteen years old!! With her friends, and Murphy, the dog.

Rachel came to see me when I was in Russia. It was so much fun to show her where I was and what I was doing!!

Of course, when I got married, she was my Maid of Honor. Made her so nervous she almost tossed her cookies! :-)

Rachel has always been a very good Auntie and my kids love her! This is her with Caleb.
Did I mention her brains? Here she is, making us all proud as the first one in the family to earn a bachelor's degree - and with "something cum laude". (Sorry, Rachel, I can't remember exactly which one.) Anyway, she did really well and I'm so proud of her.

And now, there's Dave. I have to share her with him now, but I'm so happy that she has someone to share her life with!

I admire many things about you, Rachel: your quirky sense of humor, your ability to write, your passion for justice, your brains, your love for kids (mine especially!), your creativity, to name a few! You are one of my favorite people in the world to be with! You can make me laugh like crazy.

There are so many memories, good ones and hard times, and it’s so good to know that a sister is forever. Rachel, you are my very dear, sweet friend and I love you very much!

Happy 30th Birthday!!!

Remember Me?

I hardly know where to start. If only all the posts I've had in my head for the last few months, could have just written themselves... Anyway, I really need to feed the baby and go to bed, but here are some pictures to tide you over until I can write more. That is, if anyone is still reading this blog! If you are, can you leave me a comment to encourage me to post more? :-)



Iris and four of her kids spent a few days here a couple weeks ago. We had a wonderful, relaxing time. Wendy and her kids came for lunch one day. So that made, let's see, um, 12 kids - plus a neighbor. :-) Fun times!
All of the little munchkins except the babies.
I decided the other day that I have three favorite days of the year: Christmas Eve, Easter, and Going To The Greenhouse. Glenda went with me and it was so much fun to buy flowers and dream of summer. They're actually all planted now, and that was fun too!!

Olivia and Evan enjoying Hannah.

My sleepy-head with his morning watermelon.

Ready to get the cast off! (He wasn't so happy when they yanked the pins out. Several days later I still wanted to punch the Dr. in the nose!)

Logan, the drama king!

Yes, it's been ten years!! More details on that celebration later...

Now What Do I Do With Myself?

Here's an unexpected twist in my life:  Our dear friend Kendra is heading south today on business and offered to take Caleb along with her to see my brother Sheldon and his family.  Caleb was going to stay with them when I went to Indiana but didn't because of having surgery on his arm two days before I went.  So Kendra thought he might like to go along and play with his cousin Emily for a day.  Good idea, but we thought maybe Logan should go too, since he sometimes gets left behind too much.  Kendra and Darla said sure, so today at 1:00 we sent our big boys down the road.  How strange!  I said, "At least it's not for a week of camp yet!"  So now, my other two "littles" are sleeping and I need to decide how to use my free time!  (It's amazing how only having a toddler and a baby feels like a major vacation!!)

Should I:

- Spend an hour Putting Things Away (the toys are a mess and the horizontal surfaces need some serious help!)?

- Blog and post pictures about our trip to Indiana?

- Spend some blissful hours in the sunshine, digging in my flowerbeds getting them ready to plant?

- Fold a mountain of laundry?

- Pay bills and update the budget?

- Finish writing a letter I started last night?

- Re-arrange and organize Hannah's room (it's a total disaster and still has extra furniture in it from when we had a guest a month and a half ago)?

- Bake bread?

-Take a nap?

- Read a "Birds and Blooms" that I got at the library this morning?

-Get organized for my cooking day on Thursday?


So many options.  I guess I should quit rambling and go get busy.  I think a 15 minute Nap followed by Putting Things Away, and then Digging In The Dirt are the first things on my list.  Hopefully Blogging will make it on my list for tomorrow!  I'm pretty sure the laundry and bills are on the bottom of the list.  :-)  I'm outa here!

Just a Few Lines...

Hi everyone!  I really should be heading for bed, but...  Keith is working a night shift, so it's really easy to stay up too late.  I just want to say that the big trip happened and we all survived.  Hannah did pretty well and actually did great on the long trip home on Tuesday.  I didn't wean her yet - that's a longer story that I don't have time to write now.  She's nursing weird again like she did when she had an ear infection.  I took her to the Dr. yesterday and she couldn't see her one ear drum because of wax.  So now I'm trying to get rid of the wax.  Oh, and Josiah has pink-eye.  Now Hannah's asking for her late-night feeding, so I must run.  More news and pictures soon, I hope.

Caleb's Song

Here it is, finally. The title is "A Happy Song".

Rolling With The Punches

I guess we all know it in our heads at least that life often throws us unexpected curve-balls. But they still take us by surprise, somehow. Right? Well, here's our latest curve-ball. Caleb tripped and fell on Friday - and broke his arm. Yup, you read that right. He landed on his hand or arm and bent it back. It's a smallish break in the growth plate. Actually, the growth plate is separated from the bone a bit. (Oops, I hope this doesn't make Heather faint or throw up!) It's not as bad a break as the one he did to his other arm 4 years ago - but it still needed pins put in so that it for sure heals right. So... Yesterday afternoon Keith and Logan (oops, I mean Caleb!) headed for Thunder Bay. They admitted him right away when they got there and said the surgery would be this morning. Then this morning they said it would be this afternoon. So, he went in around 6:30. :-) I talked to Keith after and he said Caleb was in quite a bit of pain afterwards but they were going to discharge him as soon as he could eat some solids successfully. They will stay overnight with some friends and head home tomorrow.



I didn't think to take a picture of Caleb before they left, but here's a little bit of cuteness from when he did the same thing to his other arm 4 years ago.

So, of course in all of this craziness, Logan had two birthday parties to go to on Sat., I'm trying to get ready to go on a big trip, I'm getting a cold, and we had a potluck and talent show after church today. It's been sorta stressful, to say the least. But God is still good and He faithfully shows His love to me in little ways!

Then, the second big curve-ball this week - nursing (again!). Hannah's been doing really well since she's on the antibiotics and her ear isn't bothering her. And then, a few days after she started the medication and things were going well, I started noticing that my milk supply is quite low. What!?! I haven't had much problem with that for quite awhile. Hannah just started consistently sleeping through the night, so I thought maybe that was the problem. So, I've been getting up at about 5:30 to feed her. Ugh. But it's not really helping. So today I started taking a medication that has a side-effect of increased milk production. I took it for awhile when I was nursing Josiah. Unfortunately, it also has a side-effect of head-aches for me. I thought I could just tough that out and make it through the trip. After having a head-ache most of the afternoon, I'm not so sure. So, now I'm leaving on this trip in 36 hours. I guess I might be weaning her when I'm at Rachel's. That really wasn't what I wanted, but I'm sure God still knows what He's doing!!

In other un-related news:

- Logan can ride bike without training wheels. He's SO happy about that!

- after our big snowstorm almost two weeks ago, the snow is finally gone today - I think. But it’s still pretty chilly.

- I saw a mosquito the other night.

- I hung the laundry out on the line for the first time on Tuesday. That was fun!

- As of May 5, you can only take one 50 lb. suitcase on the airplane! Just one for me and Hannah! Yikes. But, I get to have a diaper bag in addition to my regular carry-on, since I have a baby. It’s gonna be a big diaper bag!

- I can't think of anything else and I MUST go to bed! Good-night.