Footprints at the Pool

I am blessed to have support that values my having some time to pursue my interests. This summer one of those things has been lap swimming at our local pool. Some fresh air, sun, exercise... and at the end I always treat myself to a few rides down the 100 ft long water slide. You know... because going up those stairs is so good for building leg muscle. :)

As I loop around from the bottom back up to the top, my wet feet leave prints behind, and if it's not too hot out I catch up with myself and see my prints still there from my previous trip. This got me thinking...

You can quickly forget where you have already been. (Prints disappearing quickly)
You can learn from mistakes and take a different path. (There's a specific puddle that is a bit slimy. I know from experience)
You sometime can get mixed up with other peoples paths. (Don't let yourself lose your way while following others)
And remember, every step you take is making progress toward something be it fun, rewarding, dangerous, stupid or necessary. Make it a goal worthy to walk toward.

4 1/2 Days

My life has been so blessed. Full of family and friends, full of good things.

Elijah is 3 1/2 weeks old today. Except for an odd day here and there, I have had at least one other person here to help me 24/7. Spoiled. I'm truly spoiled. I have 4 1/2 more days of such bliss, and I intend to suck them dry as my next break won't come until Feast.
Between then are some big things... life with three kids, first and foremost. Tackling school plans for hbc this coming year. Continuing to unpack the house, as well as making it ours with decorations, pictures and some sort of landscaping... eh... eventually. :)

But for now I have 4 1/2 days more of holding and hugging and loving with little obligation to do much else. And I'm going to enjoy every minute.

One of Those Things

Today has been one of those i-have-a-little-girl-with-limitless-and-unstoppable-diarrhea-of-words kind of days.

Here's my favorite example.

AC: HannahBeth, I'm all done with words right now.
HB: why?
AC: I just need a few minutes with nobody talking to me please.
HB: are you wanting quiet?
AC: yes! Quiet!
HB: why do you need quiet? Is it because...
AC: Little One! Please, no more words for just a few minutes!
HB: but what about...
AC: stop! All done. Go play.
*HB stares at me for just a moment before taking the plastic bat and holding it against her chin and leaning closer to me*
HB: I have a loooooong red beard!

*Sigh*

Blessings Abounding

Yesterday my whole family of five went to church together. Thankfully our dear friends sat with us to help because HannahBeth and Joshua refused to nap, I was in and out probably 10 times, David had the sermonette, we were all exhausted by the end...

It was beautiful chaos.

Today David is alone with the big ones for double services this Pentecost. He gets the beautiful chaos. He just sent me a picture of our little boy playing with the "big boys". A great reminder that the blessings of this phase of life are fleeting, and are indeed fading from toddler mishaps to kid mishaps more and more every day. It makes me ever more thankful for our new Elijah who will let me remember the simplicity of baby problems for just a while more.

I stayed behind to rest after such a big outing with 2 week old Elijah yesterday. But our day here has still been blessed. Slow and quiet, relaxed and still, peaceful and sweet. It has been full of memories from two weeks ago as I finally reviewed pictures taken at the birth. Full of thoughtful time as we snuggled on the back porch and listened to morning services. Full of thankfulness as I knew the offering being given included a thank you for this special gift I held so tight. And full of love as we rest together in the quiet of a day at home alone.

I wish you all a peaceful remainder of your Pentecost and a newly kindled fire to your zeal as we enter the summer season.

Hands Full of Good Things

Our little Elijah made a safe entrance to the world just after midnight Sunday morning. He's adorable, wonderful, and very handsome.

HannahBeth and Joshua have embraced him wholeheartedly. Its been so much fun to watch them each interact with him and start the bonding process I had so hoped would happen.

However, the kids are starting to realize that he's not going anywhere. I think this little fact is putting a bit of stress into their little lives. They both want momma. Today I had all three of them balancing on my crowded lap and I couldn't help smiling among the pain of elbows, knees and feet.

I smiled mostly at the recollection of something I have tried to remember, something I hold dear as a lifeline when I feel like I'm  drowning as a young mother. Its a simple retort to those who, either good naturally or not, choose to say in your hardest moments, "well, you certainly have YOUR hands full!"

Yes, yes I do. Full of good things.

Thank you, God, for filling my hands with another amazing blessing. Help me to live up to the responsibilities You have seen fit to give me.

The Waiting Game

Today it's official. It's the waiting game.

Passover has been taken, important trips are over, everything is prepared and ready, everyone is in town and on call... if I went into labor today I would have nothing to worry about, the weekend to look forward to and a definite undeniable reason to simply rest, rest, rest.

I mean, let's face it... the kids are restless, I'm only productive 3 hours out of any given day anyway, and he is coming in the next couple weeks anyway, so today may as well be the day.

Right, Baby? Come out and play!

Dreams...

I know dreams are a part of pregnancy. Maybe I've been so busy that I've even tricked my brain out of those crazy dreams until now. But last night was a whopper...

We had a house that was mostly glass (our same house layout. I'm thinking it was glass because we haven't bought permanent window fixtures yet). And right outside was a mountain. A big one. It was exploding like a volcano- but it had the pasta sauce I used the other night for dinner instead of lava. The kids were asleep in their beds. Anyway, finally the biggest explosion happened and it landed right over our house. Immediately came through the roof and melted the top level, starting to come through the ceiling. David and I took cover under the dining room table until I realized we had to save the kids. Off we went through waist high pasta sauce and fished the kids out of their pasta swimming pools room. Then escaping out a window to relative safety. So bizarre.

Then for nap today guess what I was pregnant with? A dinosaur. At one point (while still in my womb) it reached around and snagged my bottom with it's claws and wouldn't let go. At another point (when it was a bit more babyish and a lot less dinosaurish) it stood up, in my stomach but on my stomach, completely breech... I was able to have David feel every single toe through my overstretched skin.

Oh boy. I'm a bit worried what those things mean about his personality. I guess time will tell! :)

This is the way...

I woke up nasty. I really don't like that. It pulls down my house around me and the chaos that follows is hard to clean up.

Getting out of bed was hard, answering immediate, constant and annoying questions from pushy kids was hard, and getting through breakfast was hard. Changing Joshua's diaper was hard. Everything pulling at my patience and making my voice want to rise.

So I've been praying. Prayer is hard for me. Especially when kids are pulling on me and begging me to spend time with them instead.

My response? Explaining how Satan is fighting for my head right now. I COULD spend time with them right now, but that would do nothing to stop Satan from his foothold on my attitude. And what would that mean for our day? Sure misery.

After that and offering lots of cuddles while I pray, I had two much happier kids. I'm still teetering, but at least I have had some time to talk to God. During prayer He helped me remember the verse, "this is the way, walk in it." I love that. I really like how He doesn't squash me like a bug and say, "that was wrong! Don't do it that way!" No, it's opposite of that. It's kind, gentle, positive and encouraging. Its looking forward and redirecting an action instead of dwelling on the wrongs.

Now to let Him tell me how to walk in the way today as I do the same for my youngins. I'm off to live life more abundantly.