Alive

SLOW DOWN SUMMER!  The days are just going by too quickly!  I wait and wait for warm weather, and then its here and gone before I know what hit me!  I am trying to take every opportunity to be outside to soak up the sun and fresh air.  Yesterday was what I imagine the weather in eternity to be like...an occcasional thunderstorm, some rain, and then gorgeous blue skies, enormous clouds, and crisp, clear air...all at about 75 degrees!

The kids finished their homeschool evaluations last week, and I am happy to report that they PASSED!  On to 5th, 3rd, and 2nd grade we go. 

Also, the Lindaus came to visit over the weekend.   Amanda always brings so much yummy food and cooks while she's here.  Its strange that a guest would come and do the cooking, but thats just what we do.  We had a nice relaxing weekend. Baseball games were cancelled, so our only big outing was to Lily's 1st birthday party where we had a grand plan to exhaust the kids in the swimming pool so that they'd go to bed early. 

Reuben is quickly approaching three months old and thankfully is coming out of his fussiness!  Everyone says he looks like a "Turner", although Emily is the only one that says he looks exactly like Dustin.  Most people see the brown eyes and brown hair and say he looks like me.  I think he's just a good combo.  He has a full-body smile and is starting to laugh at our faces.  I think he has my non-touchy nature.  For weeks I have tried to hold him, wrap him, carry him, swaddle him, wear him, etc., and I have recently discovered that he MUCH prefers to sit in his little seat and look around.   He will fuss and fuss while I hold him and then settle in perfectly content when I set him down in a seat or swing.  He is so interested in checking out everything that is going on around him.  Go figure.  I guess after having three very touchy feely children in a row it only makes sense that one would finally take after me and my non-touchy ways. 

In other news, we are in the middle of birthday season.  I neglected to write a birthday blog for Eden a couple weeks ago.  Whoops!  Happy Birthday Eden!!  Since then we've also celebrated with Ma Ruth, Dougie,  and Lily.  Next is Nadia and then Simone and Dustin.  Birthdays, birthdays everywhere!

Hoola's In Town

Yes, yes...I know...I am a blogging slacker.  I am so sorry Virginia. 

The days come and go, and I guess I just assume that I can not blog every stinkin' day about my adorable children, homeschooling, and pets.  But, alas, that is my life!!  We are winding down the homeschooling part for the summer.  Cana is taking Westtest at school this week, and the other kids will do their portfolio evaluations.  We will then transition to our summer routine of playing outside, going to the library, and staying up a little later at night!  Fun times ahead!

The exciting news of the week is that Laura is here to visit!!!!!  This is one of the longest periods we have gone without seeing one another.  I was in Minnesota this exact weekend LAST year, so its been a year since we were in one another's company.  We were talking last night how we will be celebrating TEN years together this summer.  Ten years ago I moved to Minnesota and was sitting in church one night when Laura caught my eye.  It was just one of those moments that I knew there was something special about her...that we were kindred spirits.  The rest is history.  We have spent so many hours together...laughing, crying, shopping, sleeping, working crosswords, taking trips, scheming and planning...   We are as opposite as opposite can be, but thats what makes a friendship interesting.   I am looking forward to our SIX days together this week!! 

Oh..and Scot...these capital letters were for you.

Sparrows Nest

Sparrows Nest is the orphanage in Latvia that has been visited by many of my friends and family.  My mom has gone several times.  Virginia and her mom went.  KayCee built a barn there.  My pastor and his family have visited many times.  My friend, Steffi, is planning to go this summer.  Cana dreams of the day she will travel to Latvia to care for the children at Sparrows Nest.  Everyone who goes comes home changed in one way or another.  Alissa, the director, has adopted two children from Latvia and has a heart like no other woman that I know.  She is compassionate and courageous.  She dreams dreams that seem impossible.  She has so many stories of God's provision and protection that it'll blow your mind.  Recently, she had the idea to start a "registry" for the orphanage.   Its like a wedding or a baby registry, except that all the items on the list are needs that Sparrows Nest has...things like cribs, sheets, strollers, pots, pans, etc.  The last time they received many of these items was over TEN years ago when the last container was shipped.  Another container is being prepared to ship out mid-June, and the items received from the registry will go on the container across the Atlantic and down the river to the children at Sparrows Nest.  I urge everyone to take a look at the registry and see what you might be able to do to help out and then pass the word on to everyone you know! 

"Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles and refuse to let the world corrupt us."  James 1 verse 27

Dance & Flip

On Monday night Cana, Judah, and Eden had their first gymnastics/dance recital.  I was so proud of them that I could have cried!   They defy the stereotypical notion that homeschooled kids are backwards and anti-social...thats for sure!  Even at their young ages, they know who they are and are leaders among their peers.  Plus, they're just pretty darn good at what they do.  So, all in all, I couldn't be a more proud mommy! 

Cana was in the older girls hip-hop dance class.  This was the first year she has taken dance, but she definitely has a flair for it that I never had!  It was tough for her to choose between ballet or hip-hop, but I think she made a good choice for this year.   It was so much fun for her, she made a lot of new friends, and she had great teachers!  At the recital Cana won the Kindness Award for her thoughtful consideration of others throughout the year. 

Judah began gymnastics last summer after Dustin and I noticed that he had taught himself how to do a near perfect one-handed cartwheel.  He began classes at one school, but because their emphasis was on cheering, he decided to switch to Fox's in Sistersville where he could focus strictly on gymnastics.  Judah taught himself a back handspring, multiple back handsprings in a row, and a back tuck by watching YouTube videos.  He would learn at home and then go to class to show his teachers what he knew!  By recital time, Judah was able to complete a roundoff into three back handsprings and a tuck.  He also learned an ariel.  He has perfect form, and very appropriately won the Most Determined Award for his class. 

Eden began gymnastics this year not really even knowing how to do a cartwheel.  Her persistance to keep going (and to try to keep up with Judah) really paid off!  I was amazed to see her doing multiple back handsprings across the stage Monday night.  Her skinny arms and legs look like they might not even hold her weight, but once she gets moving, it is a sight to behond!   The spunk she brought to her team was infectious.  As her teacher said at the awards ceremony, Eden has landed on her head way too many times to count, but she gets up and keeps at it and will try nearly anything.  Hence, Eden was given the Award for Bravery for her class.

And last but not least...Simone.  Simone has never been in dance or gymnastics.  She would *LIKE* to go, and I definitely see her having a future in either one.  As soon as the recital was over, Simone ran to the front of the auditorium and began a "show" of her own...twisting, jiving, jumping, laying down and getting up...a dance like no other!  When she thought that she might not be seen well enough, she went ON the stage and continued her performance, complete with shouts and a somersault!  It was absolutely hilarious!  I think I will definitely have to put her in a class next year!

Paid

Virginia and I both have these awesome letters hanging on our refrigerator that state our debt has been PAID!  She and Doug paid their school loans.  Dustin and I just paid our van loan.  Its so wonderful that the loan company sends such a nice, congratulatory letter!  Its like they are proud that we no longer owe them money.  As relieved as I am to be free of that debt, I still feel like I'm caught in the horrible cycle of the "american way" of the borrower being slave to the lender.  If there was ever a way I would hope to separate myself from my culture it would be my hope that I would not be dependant on loans and credit to get the things I want or need.  I want to learn patience.  I would like to save my money and pay cash rather than succomb to the instant gratification of having what I want right now on credit.  Its hard to save for those big things when it seems that every penny has to be in its place just to pay for the everyday things.  But, I'm learning to wait and praying for wisdom.  I have put a plan in place to have the house paid off in ten years.  I will drive my cars until they won't drive anymore.  I bargain shop and wear the same clothes for years.  There is a fine line between being frugal and smart and being of a poverty mentality.  So, to combat that poverty way of thinking, I still make wish lists.  My notebook has a half a page of things I want to buy...some I even think I need, but most are things that I just want and would buy if I had money to splurge.  What stops me from blowing money or spending what I don't have is that I am becoming convinced that all of those things on my wish list will be worth more to me in the long run if they are paid for with money I really have in hand.  The letter on the frig serves as a reminder of the thrill that comes from not owing to someone else.  I am waiting for the day we receive one saying Dustin's school loan has been paid.  And then...someday...the house.  In the meantime, I will live within my means.

music

i've been on the hunt for some new music to listen to.  i search all over the internet and then freeze up when it comes to buying anything because i'm just not quite sure if it will change my life.  i hate to spend money on a song/CD if i'm not sure that it will have the kind of impact that i'm looking for.  i love when i buy a song, and its life-changing either musically or lyrically...something that i can't stop listening to for days on end.  it drives everyone in this house crazy, but its just how i do music.  but, i've become bored with all the songs that have done this in the past.  i listen to them waiting for them to have some sort of effect...kind of like a drug, but i've become immune.  so, i need some new music.  send me your recommendations.

off the top of my head, here is some of the music that has changed my life in recent years, all of which i still listen to on a weekly basis:

--Derek Webb--couple of songs from different albums
--Waterdeep--Live at New Earth
--Leonard Jones--Bless the Lord--video on youtube
--Waterdeep--Sink or Swim--2 songs specifically:  "And" and "Both of Us Will Feel the Blast"
--Various Waterdeep instrumental stuff
--Enter the Worship Circle 4--songs #5 & 6]
--Various bluegrass songs--these are good for cleaning the kitchen and making me feel happy about doing so.
--Misty Edwards--Relentless--entire album
--Stephen Roach--"Deeper" video on youtube
--Hillsongs--"In Your Freedom" (song that inspired my 'rescue' blog last year)

and i *think* that might be all...

although each of these songs/cds in their own way have been life-altering to me, i'm growing weary of the rotation.  i must find new music for the summer. 

fog is lifting

it seems like the fog is starting to lift just a tad, and i am feeling more like my old self again.  not that i have had a hard recovery or anything.  its actually been the easiest post partum recovery both physically and mentally.  i think its just that i am so routine-oriented that in the absence of my usual routine, i feel lost! 

reuben is a month old now.  its hard to believe how fast that first month went...especially considering that the last month i was pregnant seemed to be the month that would never end!!  reuben has been a much much fussier baby than the girls, but even he seems to be adjusting better and staying calm for longer periods of time.  the kids love all the smiles he has been giving them, and he is starting to "coo" and "ahh" when he gets excited. 

at the conclusion of this first month of reuben's life, i have two accomplishments that i am quite proud of! 

#1  i am STILL breastfeeding!  yes...can you believe it??  breastfeeding is horrible for me, and with every baby i try and fail.  my goal was to nurse reuben for a month, and we made it--thanks to the help of some lactation ladies and a great amount of patience from my family!  i am nowhere near comfortable or even confident yet, and we have had to supplement with formula, but i seriously have prayed about this and believe that God has answered my prayer and helped me to reach my goal.   and we'll just keep going...one day at a time.

 on to accomplishment #2...i have resumed homeschooling!! my two weeks of maternity leave just flew by, and before i knew it two weeks had turned into three and then the fourth week was beginnning!!  so, i had to buckle down and break out the books!  as it turns out, the kids were elated to begin their school work again, and it really helped me feel "normal" to be in the kitchen with the school books out.  today will begin our first full week back in the groove, but i am feeling good about it!  we worked ahead so much before reuben was born that the kids will be done with their year in no time at all. 

i feel like i have two months of stuff to catch up on and write about, but if i did it all in one blog, it'd turn into a book.  so, i'll save some thoughts for another day.  until then, i will just say again how thankful i am for reuben's birth, this first month of his life, for my other children and my husband, and for God's unending faithfulness to us.   His presence in my life is a mystery and beyond my comprehension, and yet that presence is my greatest peace and encompasses all that is true.