Going to a wedding as a mom

Weddings have always been something Josh and I love going to together. It always takes you back to your wedding day and the new and exciting adventure that lay before you. Today my friend Bryanne embarked on that new adventure and I'm so excited for her and Jordan. The wedding was beautiful and Josh and I especially enjoyed the closing blessing that one of their friends gave........from ISRAEL. Isn't Skype an amazing thing? Today I looked back and can't believe Josh and I will be married for nine years this July. I also realized today how different things are and how life has been blessed beyond words.

Now while I love the season of life we're in right now, I also realized how different it is to go to wedding....with kids. We just took Liah and Hannah. Through the ceremony both were great. The reception was where I noticed this new epiphany. I had to feed Hannah in the car since I couldn't find a private spot to nurse and then later on had to change a diaper on the bathroom floor. Liah started to get tired about an hour into it. While we still had a great time it was one of those days where you can just feel how much work goes into taking care of kids. Thankfully I was not the only one. I watched my friend Danielle put her youngest in time out on the stairs in the middle of the reception hall while waiting in line for appetizers.

I did have a great time though and got to talk with friends I don't get to see that often.

So again I congratulate Bryanne and Jordan and pray that the Lord blesses their marriage more than they ever thought possible.

Note: I did bring my camera but forgot to take pictures. I think I got one of Liah eating a grape. Not quite sure why.:)

Our Future Republican

So Josh was watching a PBS special on George Bush Sr. and I thought Hannah was sleeping but instead she was watching as intently as daddy was.
"I agree with daddy, republican is definitely the way to go."

Thankfully the Afternoon made up for the Morning

So Tuesday morning was going great. We were up and Blake had some school done before 8am. I went to go lay out clothes for Liah and as I walked into her room I was met with a tiny blond curl on the floor. A foot away was another. I started to panic. I screamed for Liah to come here. I kept telling myself there was no way she cut her own hair. I had just seen her and didn't notice. I know I'm a bit sleep deprived but I would notice if she hacked her hair off. As she came in she had that "I'm Guilty" look on her face. As I looked close at her hair I saw it. She cut her bangs very short. I called my sister who does hair and begged her to come over. She did and trimmed things up but really Liah did a perfect job at cutting them straight, she just cut too short. Thankfully her curly hair is very forgiving in this situation. As I was trying to calm Liah down once she realized that she couldn't put her hair back I kept telling her "Hair grows back." but to be honest I was saying it more for myself. I'm pretty sure this is a lesson that got through to Liah. Here are the new short bangs.

So needless to say Tuesday morning did not go smoothly. There was one point I had Liah crying about her hair, Blake was screaming there was an ant in the house (Blake has this new phobia of bugs in the house due to a reoccurring dream), Hannah was screaming because she was hungry, and my phone was ringing off the hook since the playground I had scheduled for our Moms Group outing was closed. I thought I was going to go crazy.

That afternoon made up for it though. Liah took a good long nap and Hannah joined her in their room for the first time in her crib. I actually never intended for Hannah to sleep in her crib but I put her down while I tucked Liah in and by the time I was done Hannah was out as well.

While the girls took a nap and Blake read I had a chance to talk with a friend on the phone and catch up. I was suppose to be taking a nap as well but sometimes talking with a friend can be more rejuvenating than a nap.

My other nesting project

Next to the fireplace in our bedroom is a little cubby that I have turned into my desk/scrapbook area. It works out so much better than the downstairs office. Now I can work without having to worry what the kids are doing up in the playroom since the playroom stairs are right out our bedroom door. I must say I do more work here than scrapbooking. I wish it were the other way around. I would much rather be scrapbooking than paying bills or making phone calls.

The Girls Room is Done!

So this was one of those projects that I was working on before Hannah arrived and it never was completely finished. The only things I had left to do was some minor decorating but I don't consider a job done until it's done. Thankfully Hobby Lobby still had the same letters they did when I originally did Liah's room so Hannah's name matches. I'm excited for the girls to one day share a room. Hannah will be sleeping in our bedroom for a little while yet. Many people have asked why we are having the girls share. I know that we have space for everyone to have their own rooms but we think it's important for our kids to learn how to share with each other and I think it will make them closer in the long run. When the teenage years come and if we are still in this house we'll have to maybe rethink sleeping situations but for now I'm happy with our decision.





The closet was one of my organizing obsessions when I was nesting during those last couple of months of my pregnancy.
Liah loves the labels on the bins. She now knows where everything goes.

A Stiring in my Heart

Five years ago (I can't believe it has been that long.) Josh and I went through an amazing season of ministry. Through our next door neighbors in the apartment we were living in at the time we were able to reach out to many Muslim's from Chicago. Two couples in particular. This was a great time and also a very tiring time for me. The ministry wore me down and to be honest I was so glad to see that season end as I was pregnant with Liah. We have tried to keep in contact and keep those doors open for future seasons but this has been difficult since our old neighbors have moved back to Chicago and every day life seems so busy. Even though that ministry left me so drained it made a forever impact on my heart to see these women freed from the captivity they are in. Lately this stirring has become even stronger. Since the birth of Hannah and seeing what a blessing she is to our family I'm reminded that girls are not always considered a blessing. I have witnessed this first hand in the voice of a disappointed father delivering the news that he has yet another daughter. If only they would see the one true God and how he works. I'm excited and anxiously waiting to see what the Lord has for me in this part of ministry.

A Great Day

Today we had a great and fun day. The Blair Hills Neighborhood Garage Sale was today and with a new baby and everything there was no way we would be participating and having a sale so instead we decided to walk around the neighborhood checking out everyone else's. Josh's parents joined us and we figured we walked about three miles. Now remember that's three miles up and down steep hills. By the time we got back home we were all tired and extremely HUNGRY. Josh and his dad ran to the store to grab some meat to grill out which everyone enjoyed. The rest of the day was spent doing random things that had to get done. After Shabbat meal I decided I was going to try to take some pics. of the kids for various projects I'm working on. Well I don't know if it was because they were so tired from the day or it was all the fresh air but everyone was acting very silly. Things started off well but then Liah decided she wanted to try to get in all the pictures of Blake and things just got sillier from there as you can see.






I did manage to get some good pics. and also God gave me that great reminder that kids will be kids and I just need to enjoy that.

The Great Mushroom Hunt

Josh's family always goes to hunt for Morel mushrooms every spring down by the river by their house. So naturally Josh wanted to see if he could find any in the woods behind our home. I personally don't care for them all that much and never put too much effort into finding them. This afternoon Liah tagged along with daddy and they struck the gold. Even Liah started spotting them. Josh wants to go back out since Liah did get cold so they had to cut their hunt short and head back. I think for Josh it's the thrill of the hunt more than eating the little fungi and like I said it's a tradition to go look for them. I personally am hoping he's not expecting me to be cooking these things every time he finds some.

The Big Brother

The first week Hannah was born Blake couldn't look at her and not say, "She is so precious." or my personal favorite, "She is such a blessing from the Lord." He loves both his sisters unconditionally. He is such a great big brother and he knows his job is to look out for them. I've always said that I could see Liah with all brothers since I know she can hold her own but I had never thought about how I could see Blake with all sisters since he is so sensitive and caring.

Hannah Pics

When Hannah was 2 weeks old my friend Kelsi came over and took these amazing pictures. I think they show Hannah's personality so well. From the deep thinker who likes to take every moment in to the big smiles that always follow.

Mom, Can I have a Peanut Butter sandwich yet?

We had a great week celebrating the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The title of this blog was the question of the week. It was great though to remind the kids why we celebrate the feasts and how getting rid of the leaven (sin) in your life is freeing and not burdensome. We broke the "no leaven" week at Shabbat meal with challah bread. It tasted especially good this week compared to others.

First Bottle

As usual I got sidetracked at Target and took a little too long and my husband desperately trying to quiet a screaming baby gave her the first bottle. Thankfully I had just pumped that morning so there was a fresh bag in the fridge. Now I do want to put a side note in that she wasn't due to eat and I was watching the clock even in my Target shopping bliss.

4 weeks and special PJ's

I can't believe that Hannah Ilana is 4 weeks old already. She is already looking so much bigger to me and is definitely more alert. She is still a pretty content baby. She is also quite the cuddler. It is so weird that I was taking 4 week old pictures on her due date. As I look back I am so grateful she came early for about a million reasons. Things worked out so perfect.

The pajamas she is wearing is one of Josh's favorites for a very special reason. When Blake was born Josh's Grandma Elliott gave us a pack of pajamas that had many different colors...including pink. So the pink pairs were packed away in case we ever had a girl. When Liah was born I tried to put her in them but from the start she was too big. Her legs were too long. When I was getting clothes organized a couple of months ago I almost didn't even put these pajamas in the drawer since they are so small and meant for a baby with very short legs. Since Hannah was a month early and such a little peanut (with short, little legs) they fit her perfectly and the first time she wore them I thought of Grandma Elliott immediately. In May will be the one year anniversary of her going home to be with the Lord so it's nice that Hannah has a special present from Grandma Elliott that had never been worn by the other kids.

Liah's New Favorite Activity and Her Curly Hair

. Liah is on this huge puzzle kick. This has been the perfect activity for her with the new baby. I love her "I'm going to do this myself." attitude. Liah is our strong willed child which when she was little was very frustrating and tiring but as she gets older has turned into such a blessing. She loves doing "school" and never gives up on anything. The puzzle above has 70 pieces and she did it all by herself. She loved the fact that the box said 5 and up and she's only 3.

And now about Liah's hair.......I really don't know what to do with it. In this pic. it's pretty tame but in high humidity it can get these tight "Shirley Temple" curls or somewhere in between. I'm also growing her bangs out and they are at that difficult stage. I can't wait to see her hair long with her curls which I do love by the way. It's just that I already spend so much time on her hair in the morning and if Hannah has the same curls I don't see how I'll ever get out of the house before noon again. If anyone who has curly hair has any suggestions please let me know?

Use Your Senses

We have been studying the 5 senses in science and had a fun family game night to finish the unit up. The kids were blindfolded and had to guess noises, smells, and tastes. At first Blake was a little reluctant to let me put different foods in his mouth without seeing them first but after telling him to trust me and that I wouldn't make him taste things I knew he didn't like he relaxed and had a great time. This picture of the two of them cracks me up.

Passover

"The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt." Exodus 12:13

"When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table, and he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." Luke 22:14-16

Our Passover Seder was a great time of reflection and fellowship. Josh's parents came over to celebrate with us which the kids were excited about. At the end of the meal the kids went out to find the Afikoman and this year Liah found it. She was very proud that she found it before her older brother. And now the start of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

First Bath

Hannah had her first bath last Saturday night. We were expecting lots of screaming like with the other kids first baths but she didn't make a peep and actually appeared to enjoy it. She cried a little when we took her out because she was cold and that was it.
" I feel soooo relaxed. Can I have a bath everyday?"

Daddy's Last Day Home

It was so nice last Friday and it was Josh's last day off of work so we decided to take the kids to the zoo in the afternoon.


The kids favorite thing to look at is always the tigers. We came at nap time as you can see.
I forgot to get a picture of Liah's outfit. You can kind of see it here. She put together the cutest outfit with a dress that was a little too short with jeans underneath and completed the ensemble with her jean jacket and flip flops. She is quite the fashion diva. Next time I'll make sure to get a close up of it on her.
Hannah was not at all impressed by Potawatami zoo and chose to sleep the whole time in the Bjorn carrier. It was kind of windy and she didn't like when I uncovered her face to get this pic. as you can tell by her gasping for air close-up.

2 week

Hannah had her 2 week appt. and here are the new measurements.
Height: 20 in.
Weight: 7lbs 2oz
I forgot to ask about the percent but the Dr. did make the comment that she stayed on the chart.
She also finally lost her umbilical cord last Sunday.(4/6)

First Tooth Lost

Blake lost his first tooth tonight at Shabbat meal. We didn't realize it though until he was getting ready for bed. Yes, he swallowed it. We do know exactly when it happened and it was my fault that he swallowed it. Blake is our texture kid when it comes to food just like I am. He is known to make statements how something feels funny when he's eating. Well at dinner he complained that his chicken was hard. Well I knew it was boneless so I figured he just had a tougher piece so what do I tell him, "Blake it's fine. Just eat." So he ate his tooth. Not the best parenting moment.

A very special Shabbat meal

The kids had been so excited for the first Shabbat meal after the baby came. Well the night had finally come. I actually found a dress small enough for Hannah so she could be all dressed up for the occasion.

One Week

Hannah is one week today. She had her first Dr.s appt. this afternoon and these are her one week stats. Weight:6 lbs. 8 oz.
Height: 20 in.
Percentile Overall: 10%

I really don't realize how little she is until I try to put 0-3 month clothing on her. For prayer night I was going to have her wear the outfit that my friend Danielle had bought for her so she could see it on her. Well as you can see she hasn't quite grown into the 0-3 month size as far as pants go.

A Year Ago.....

As I'm sitting here holding Hannah as she sleeps I think of what I was doing a year ago this time. A year ago today we found out we had lost a baby to miscarriage and I was preparing to have a D&C the following day. Oh what the Lord can do in a year.

Don't you wish you had this job.

It's a Baby Boom

So this was the week of babies. A friend of mine had a baby boy on the same day that I had Hannah. Anderson Windsor(Sp?) is adorable and yes marriage has already been discussed. This is Adam and Carrie's fourth child. This is so crazy to me. A year ago they adopted three children from Africa and I don't think ever thought they would be having a baby just a year later. The Lord works in mysterious ways. Adam and Carrie amaze me at how they have transitioned from being just the two of them to now a family of six. I hope Carrie doesn't get upset that I posted this pic. Considering she had a c-section just two days prior I think she looks amazing.
Two days after we were discharged from the hospital we were headed back. Another set of friends had a baby boy,Joshua Michael. Josh of course approved of the name. This is Tanya and Jeff's first. Joshua is also very adorable.