“If you read history you will find
that the Christians who did most for the present world
were precisely those who thought most of the next.
It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world
that they have become so ineffective in this.”
-C.S. Lewis
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
2 months check-up and check-in
Today was Gracie's 2 months check-up. She passed with flying colors and even wrapped the doctor around her little pinky by smiling and cooing at him as he examined her. Maybe she was being sweet or maybe she was responding to his comment that, "she could be a baby model", either way, it was very cute to watch.
Here are the stats:
Head circumference- 15 inches (45% for her age)
Weight -------------- 10 lbs. 11 oz. (55% for her age)
Height---------------23 inches (75% for her age)
So average head and weight, but on the taller side of life for now.
Updated Note: I forgot to mention when I first posted this that it was also a big shot day for Malina Grace (two in one leg, and a 3-in-1 in the other). Needless to say this led to a very fussy and generally unhappy baby (who is generally very laid back). Here is Lizzie's take on things:
Lizzie: Why is Malina crying?
Daddy: She got shots in her legs today and they are hurting her.
Lizzie (sympathetically): Oh, right, because babies don't get lollipops.
So apparently that sucker they give the girls after their shots does the trick! Who knew!
Here are the stats:
Head circumference- 15 inches (45% for her age)
Weight -------------- 10 lbs. 11 oz. (55% for her age)
Height---------------23 inches (75% for her age)
So average head and weight, but on the taller side of life for now.
Updated Note: I forgot to mention when I first posted this that it was also a big shot day for Malina Grace (two in one leg, and a 3-in-1 in the other). Needless to say this led to a very fussy and generally unhappy baby (who is generally very laid back). Here is Lizzie's take on things:
Lizzie: Why is Malina crying?
Daddy: She got shots in her legs today and they are hurting her.
Lizzie (sympathetically): Oh, right, because babies don't get lollipops.
So apparently that sucker they give the girls after their shots does the trick! Who knew!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Aunt Edee
Today I found out that one of the sweetest, most creative women on this Earth, my Great-Auntie Edith, passed away. Her body couldn't keep up with the beautiful soul it was a vessel to for over 90-something years. She, to the best of my knowledge, knew and loved the LORD well, and now is enjoying the beauty of being in His presence. At the dinner table we prayed for our family members as we mourn her death. This led to a discussion later in the evening that went something like this:
Lizzie: Where did Great-Aunt Edith go?
Allen and I: She believed in Jesus/God and loved Him, so she went to heaven.
Lizzie: Who is heaven?
Me: No Honey, heaven is a place where God and Jesus live.
Allen: Heaven is Jesus' home...
Lizzie (face lighting up): Ooo! Can we die too?!
Allen and I (chuckling at this point, trying to maintain some form of composure): Well, um, yes, we all die some day, but God decides when. So, when it's our turn, yes we can die. When we die, if we believe in Jesus and that He died for the bad things we've done, then we can go to heaven.
So not quite what we were shooting for, but don't worry, I went on to explain that God decided it was Auntie Edith's turn and that Auntie Edith died because her body was having a hard time working since she was an older woman. I think she got it, but it was a tough conversation, with moments of laughter and moments of extreme seriousness, trying to explain such difficult concepts to such a sweet little girl can really challenge your creativity skills.
Hopefully I did Aunt Edee proud with my simplistic explanations. She was always so creative.
Lizzie: Where did Great-Aunt Edith go?
Allen and I: She believed in Jesus/God and loved Him, so she went to heaven.
Lizzie: Who is heaven?
Me: No Honey, heaven is a place where God and Jesus live.
Allen: Heaven is Jesus' home...
Lizzie (face lighting up): Ooo! Can we die too?!
Allen and I (chuckling at this point, trying to maintain some form of composure): Well, um, yes, we all die some day, but God decides when. So, when it's our turn, yes we can die. When we die, if we believe in Jesus and that He died for the bad things we've done, then we can go to heaven.
So not quite what we were shooting for, but don't worry, I went on to explain that God decided it was Auntie Edith's turn and that Auntie Edith died because her body was having a hard time working since she was an older woman. I think she got it, but it was a tough conversation, with moments of laughter and moments of extreme seriousness, trying to explain such difficult concepts to such a sweet little girl can really challenge your creativity skills.
Hopefully I did Aunt Edee proud with my simplistic explanations. She was always so creative.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Thoughts From My Quiet Time
My quiet time has been moved to "naptime" as of late. And I think I just read my new favorite verses. I couldn't help but chuckle just imagining the imagery. God is amazing and worthy of our praise, but sometimes He has an awesome sense of humor when He is scolding His children:
Job 38:12-13
(The LORD speaking to Job out of a storm)
"Have you ever given orders to the morning,
or shown the dawn its place,
that it might take the earth by the edges
and shake the wicked out of it?"
Sometimes we can get so self-righteous, but God always takes the time to remind us who He is and who we are not.
Later in the chapter the LORD's sarcasm continues:
Job 38:19-21
"What is the way to the abode of light?
And where does darkness reside?
Can you take them to their places?
Do you know the paths to their dwellings?
Surely you know, for you were already born!
You have lived so many years!"
May I remember my place and be humbled by it, so that I can be freed to serve Him well, without my pride getting in the way.
Job 38:12-13
(The LORD speaking to Job out of a storm)
"Have you ever given orders to the morning,
or shown the dawn its place,
that it might take the earth by the edges
and shake the wicked out of it?"
Sometimes we can get so self-righteous, but God always takes the time to remind us who He is and who we are not.
Later in the chapter the LORD's sarcasm continues:
Job 38:19-21
"What is the way to the abode of light?
And where does darkness reside?
Can you take them to their places?
Do you know the paths to their dwellings?
Surely you know, for you were already born!
You have lived so many years!"
May I remember my place and be humbled by it, so that I can be freed to serve Him well, without my pride getting in the way.
Like Mother Like Daughter
My mom is great and did a lot of wonderful things for us kids growing up. She was always sure to try and preserve memories for us. One of the ways she did this was through video taping big things like birthday parties or sporting events. Unfortunately my mom and video cameras don't get along. We spent most of our teenage years using my mom's poor filming skills to poke fun of her. Today I would like to apologize as publicly as I know how:
"I AM SOOOO SORRY MOM!"
The reason for my apology will be made clearer once you watch the following film (I ashamedly admit) I took last week.
"I AM SOOOO SORRY MOM!"
The reason for my apology will be made clearer once you watch the following film (I ashamedly admit) I took last week.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Trouble-Makers with Markers
Last week the girls decided to use their markers for art projects other than paper. Here was what they decided on after deliberating in their room unsupervised for apparently 5 minutes too long:
Oh, and in case you are wondering how I could reward them by taking pictures to laugh at later, I told them I needed evidence to show Daddy why they were being disciplined with not getting to use any of their drawing things. I think it worked, and I got to laugh!
Oh, and in case you are wondering how I could reward them by taking pictures to laugh at later, I told them I needed evidence to show Daddy why they were being disciplined with not getting to use any of their drawing things. I think it worked, and I got to laugh!
Daddy is Home
Now that Allen is home more, he has had the luxury of playing with the girls more often. A couple of days ago he got Lizzie and Ellie their bikes down from the attic.
Last year the girls really struggled getting the idea of "riding" a bike. They wanted to just sit and let someone push them. This year Ellie is still "practicing", but Lizzie did it! She is riding her bike and getting better and better at it. Before we know it she will be wanting to take the training wheels off and ride solo (of course that may be an event for another year). But, it is so much fun watching our little girl become so independent and learn so many things.
In other Lizzie news, she has created her first imaginary friend, or should I say imaginary family members. She has decided that she has kids and her kids do all sorts of things. Luckily her kids don't ever really do anything, usually they just weigh in on things with their opinions (almost as if they get a vote and therefore Lizzie's way is the way to go). Her kids "like" and "don't like" a number of things. They also do things for her that mommy won't, like give her ice cream for dinner, or have a toy in bed, or do any number of things mommy said, "No" to already. Like I said, her kids usually just have their opinions heard, and haven't yet "done" anything. When I tell Lizzie "No." she will just say, "but my kids let me do that. ...They like that... it's okay, my kids say, 'yes'."
Hopefully this will never lead to any major discipline issues, but for now Allen and I think it is cute, and an entertaining way for her to cope with having to be a big sister to a 2 year old and an almost 2 month old.
Last year the girls really struggled getting the idea of "riding" a bike. They wanted to just sit and let someone push them. This year Ellie is still "practicing", but Lizzie did it! She is riding her bike and getting better and better at it. Before we know it she will be wanting to take the training wheels off and ride solo (of course that may be an event for another year). But, it is so much fun watching our little girl become so independent and learn so many things.
In other Lizzie news, she has created her first imaginary friend, or should I say imaginary family members. She has decided that she has kids and her kids do all sorts of things. Luckily her kids don't ever really do anything, usually they just weigh in on things with their opinions (almost as if they get a vote and therefore Lizzie's way is the way to go). Her kids "like" and "don't like" a number of things. They also do things for her that mommy won't, like give her ice cream for dinner, or have a toy in bed, or do any number of things mommy said, "No" to already. Like I said, her kids usually just have their opinions heard, and haven't yet "done" anything. When I tell Lizzie "No." she will just say, "but my kids let me do that. ...They like that... it's okay, my kids say, 'yes'."
Hopefully this will never lead to any major discipline issues, but for now Allen and I think it is cute, and an entertaining way for her to cope with having to be a big sister to a 2 year old and an almost 2 month old.
Remodel
Also, stay tuned for a new look. Now that Allen is finished with Spring Semester (Yeah!!!!!!), he has promised to help me change the layout and over all look of my blog. If you have any ideas, please feel free to share them. I love input, especially on things that I am completely ignorant of, and designing web-stuff is one of those things!
Pics of the Raspberry
Here is Gracie trying to suck her thumb at 1 month old
Gracie making faces for the camera (taken today, not quite 2 months old)
And finally, Gracie wearing the dress that was made for Mommy (me ;-) ) when I was her age by I believe my Grandma Sewell
Mom Young Update
My mom had a CT scan last week. We were all bracing ourselves for the possibility that the news could be quite difficult to take in.
But, PRAISE THE LORD, it wasn't!!!
The lung cancer hasn't grown, the mass in her stomach doesn't appear to be a cancerous tumor, but instead some sort of fluid (they are still figuring it out with tests, etc.), and the pancreatic cancer has had minimal growth.
This is such a relief to me, being so far away, and unable to help out.
Please, continue to pray for her healing, and that God would give the doctors wisdom as to what the mass in her abdomen is, where it's point of origin is, and how best to deal with it (draining, surgery to remove it, just leave it...).
Also pray that God would continue to guide each of us through this process of unknowns. It has been a challenging journey so far, and we all know that there is more to come, but God has been extremely faithful in giving each of us people in our lives to talk to and that is an amazing blessing.
So thank you for your prayers and for those that have taken the time to sit and listen to me process aloud or read my written words as I struggle with the powerful truths and overcome some of the ugly lies, that have come as a result of the events of this past year. You are wonderful friends, and I love and appreciate each of you very much!
But, PRAISE THE LORD, it wasn't!!!
The lung cancer hasn't grown, the mass in her stomach doesn't appear to be a cancerous tumor, but instead some sort of fluid (they are still figuring it out with tests, etc.), and the pancreatic cancer has had minimal growth.
This is such a relief to me, being so far away, and unable to help out.
Please, continue to pray for her healing, and that God would give the doctors wisdom as to what the mass in her abdomen is, where it's point of origin is, and how best to deal with it (draining, surgery to remove it, just leave it...).
Also pray that God would continue to guide each of us through this process of unknowns. It has been a challenging journey so far, and we all know that there is more to come, but God has been extremely faithful in giving each of us people in our lives to talk to and that is an amazing blessing.
So thank you for your prayers and for those that have taken the time to sit and listen to me process aloud or read my written words as I struggle with the powerful truths and overcome some of the ugly lies, that have come as a result of the events of this past year. You are wonderful friends, and I love and appreciate each of you very much!
2 going on 13
Ellie is two.
I could stop there and let you imagine what the rest of this post might include, but I won't work your brains today.
Here are a couple of Ellie quotes that will give you a glimpse into the growing mind of our independent thinker:
Mommy: You are two Ellie
Ellie: I'm not two, I'm Free!!!
Ellie (with an instructing tone): Babies drip a lot!
In other Ellie news, she is learning to use the potty, and doing very well, so hopefully very soon we will be down to diapering one again! Be praying that it continues to go well. Ellie can be very strong willed and if she gets the idea that going on the toilet is in anyway unpleasant or not advantageous to her, she might abandon ship! That could be real trouble.
I could stop there and let you imagine what the rest of this post might include, but I won't work your brains today.
Here are a couple of Ellie quotes that will give you a glimpse into the growing mind of our independent thinker:
Mommy: You are two Ellie
Ellie: I'm not two, I'm Free!!!
Ellie (with an instructing tone): Babies drip a lot!
In other Ellie news, she is learning to use the potty, and doing very well, so hopefully very soon we will be down to diapering one again! Be praying that it continues to go well. Ellie can be very strong willed and if she gets the idea that going on the toilet is in anyway unpleasant or not advantageous to her, she might abandon ship! That could be real trouble.
Berries Continued
I have decided to call our youngest Gracie. Allen has settled on Raspberry (which is what Malina means in Croatian, Russian, Polish, and a few other eastern European languages). This led to an interesting conversation yesterday with Lizzie:
Lizzie: I am going to call her Strawberry
Allen: Don't you mean Raspberry?
Lizzie: Strawberry!
Allen: But Daddy calls Malina Raspberry
Lizzie: I know! I am going to call her Strawberry.
Allen: yes, but Daddy calls her Raspberry, because that is what her name means in another language, called Croatian
Lizzie: Yes, but I like strawberries, they taste good.
Allen laughs and gives up, unwilling to fight our 3 year old (almost 4 year old) on technicalities.
Lizzie: I am going to call her Strawberry
Allen: Don't you mean Raspberry?
Lizzie: Strawberry!
Allen: But Daddy calls Malina Raspberry
Lizzie: I know! I am going to call her Strawberry.
Allen: yes, but Daddy calls her Raspberry, because that is what her name means in another language, called Croatian
Lizzie: Yes, but I like strawberries, they taste good.
Allen laughs and gives up, unwilling to fight our 3 year old (almost 4 year old) on technicalities.
So many things to say
I have thought of SO MANY posts to share with you all, but unfortunately the subjects of most of the posts have kept me from having the time to sit and type them out :-)
Instead I will just post little bits when I can over the next day or so, and hopefully that will be enough to keep you from giving up on reading my blog altogether!
Instead I will just post little bits when I can over the next day or so, and hopefully that will be enough to keep you from giving up on reading my blog altogether!
Monday, May 04, 2009
A Rose by Any Other Nickname...
So ever since Allen and I decided on Malina Grace for our 3rd daughter's name, we have been struggling to come up with THE "perfect" nickname.
Finally, late last night, I believe we came to a compromise, but in case we change our minds I will wait to share.
Instead I thought I would get your thoughts. What is a good nickname for Malina Grace using any variation on her first or middle name, or even something totally random that fits the personality of our laid back, sweet, little, third child?
Finally, late last night, I believe we came to a compromise, but in case we change our minds I will wait to share.
Instead I thought I would get your thoughts. What is a good nickname for Malina Grace using any variation on her first or middle name, or even something totally random that fits the personality of our laid back, sweet, little, third child?
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Still Here
We are still here, but as you probably guessed, life with one more little one is not as simple as adding one more to the mix.
Malina Grace, (or Gracie, as some of us have taken to calling her), is very sweet and laid back.
Her flexibility has been huge in this transitional phase, but unfortunately a cold found our home, and she is now struggling through the sniffles at 1 month old. Part of me feels tremendous guilt that she is already sick and yet I know there is very little I could have done differently to try and prevent it. Both Allen and Lizzie have been under the weather the past week and a half, and realistically, just trying to keep Lizzie from coughing near Gracie, has been a chore.
Please, be praying that she gets over it very quickly and that it doesn't get any worse.
Also, prayers for Lizzie and Ellie would be appreciated, as they learn how to share Mommy and Daddy. They have been so sweet with their sister, but definitely have made it known to Allen and myself, that they don't appreciate the lack of attention. For example, in the past couple of days they have thrown more temper tantrums, screamed more times and said the words "No" and "Why" more frequently than I care to calculate, than ever before.
Also, there was the melting stick of butter all over the kitchen, newly cleaned dishes and bodies of a 3 and 2 year old. Oh, and today's expression of frustration by Lizzie: the new tube of toothpaste all over the bathroom counters, floor, toilet, hair ties, and carefully shredded toilet paper. It was truly a sight to see. In fact, if I thought I could get a picture without giving my creative bathroom decorator the wrong message, I would have shown you all just what a mess it was.
Malina Grace, (or Gracie, as some of us have taken to calling her), is very sweet and laid back.
Her flexibility has been huge in this transitional phase, but unfortunately a cold found our home, and she is now struggling through the sniffles at 1 month old. Part of me feels tremendous guilt that she is already sick and yet I know there is very little I could have done differently to try and prevent it. Both Allen and Lizzie have been under the weather the past week and a half, and realistically, just trying to keep Lizzie from coughing near Gracie, has been a chore.
Please, be praying that she gets over it very quickly and that it doesn't get any worse.
Also, prayers for Lizzie and Ellie would be appreciated, as they learn how to share Mommy and Daddy. They have been so sweet with their sister, but definitely have made it known to Allen and myself, that they don't appreciate the lack of attention. For example, in the past couple of days they have thrown more temper tantrums, screamed more times and said the words "No" and "Why" more frequently than I care to calculate, than ever before.
Also, there was the melting stick of butter all over the kitchen, newly cleaned dishes and bodies of a 3 and 2 year old. Oh, and today's expression of frustration by Lizzie: the new tube of toothpaste all over the bathroom counters, floor, toilet, hair ties, and carefully shredded toilet paper. It was truly a sight to see. In fact, if I thought I could get a picture without giving my creative bathroom decorator the wrong message, I would have shown you all just what a mess it was.
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