A Tribe Called Blackley

Christmas-ish

2012-01-30T10:47:00.000-08:00

*I'm doing some marathon-blogging during nap time, so don't miss

this post on getting our Christmas tree.

As I stated in the previous post, I am way behind.

These are a few pictures of our own little family Christmas.

We traveled to see Jason's family over Christmas, so we celebrated a few days before

as just our own little family. We treated the whole day like it was Christmas,

including a big breakfast, opening gifts, and taking it easy-just enjoying each other all day.

It was great!

I titled this post Christmas-ish, because I failed to take ANY other pictures

of Christmas. I did take my camera to Jason's family's home, but did I take it

out of our suitcase?!?!? Nope.

I also failed to take it with us to my family's Christmas, which we

celebrated at the beginning of January.

Present opening and food eating is so overwhelming and

overstimulating, that I guess I just wanted to keep it simple.

Speaking of simple, we have decided to keep gift giving in our home simple.

Even before we had children, Jason and I only gave each other gifts that would fit in our stockings. Over the years we've had a few exceptions, but for the most

part we really do adhere to that rule.

We don't NEED anything, and if we do, we save up and buy it. Neither one

of us enjoys buying gifts just because. Besides, it is fun to get creative and have fun with it.

Some years we've given away gift cards for a massage or to a favorite store,

other years it's been movie tickets or coffee gift cards. This year I

gave Jason a manila envelope filled with 12 sealed envelopes. Each envelope

contains a date that is planned for every month of the year. The plan/hope is

that we make our marriage a priority, in spite of the fact that our home is

busy and growing. He loved it!

For the boys, we decided to stick to the 'stockings only' rule, for the most part.

We did get them a few little gifts to share, but even then, they were simple and

have already gotten a lot of use!

Like any 3 year old, Micah loves band aids. Our rule is, if it's not bleeding, it doesn't get a

band aid. I must admit, I have given in a few times since he got these Cars band aids,

just to make the 'owie' feel better.

Isn't opening your stocking the best part?!?!

Judie taking his turn. Right behind him is a little 'gold coin'. They both got some chocolate

gold coins...and loved them. We also gave them fruit snacks-another hit-, some plastic

farm animals, and they each got a Bible hero action figure. Jude got Joshua, and Micah got Samson...complete with detachable hair. He LOVES Samson now!!!

This kid melts my heart!

Mr. Potato Head was one of the 'shared gifts. I was a little disappointed that it didn't come with

a pipe ;) Just kidding; but the Mr. Potato Head I had as a little girl had a pipe and a hole in his

lip for the pipe to fit into. Oh how times have changed ;)

Their other shared gifts were some mini I-Spy books and a Dr. Seuss board book. All of

which they love.

Micah also received an early Christmas gift from Aunt Carrie and Uncle Robb.

While we were at my parent's for Thanksgiving Micah latched onto our nephew's remote control

Truck. He played with it ALL day.

Carrie couldn't keep herself from spoiling him and came a few weeks later

with this awesome Jeep! It rocks!

The boys have had so much fun with it. They use the remote some, but honestly

they just push it around most of the time...which is fine by me ;)

One day I noticed Micah talking over the Jeep, almost like he was

carrying on a conversation. I looked closer and this is what I found...

One of the wise men taking Mary for a ride. Classic!

We had a great Christmas season. I have to include that I was completely spoiled.

You know how we adhere to that 'stocking only' rule? Well, Jason broke the rules

big time this year. He conspired with his parents and my parents, and they all

went together and purchased me a new set of multi-clad stainless steel

pots and pans! I'm sure you're laughing at my excitement, but

it really was exciting, and a blessing. This fall I was making pancakes and noticed the non-stick

coating coming off onto the pancakes. Needless to say that skillet AND the pancakes went

into the trash. To get these new pots and pans was such a treat, and will

really bless our home for many years to come.

This Christmas season I was most struck with God's grace and loving-kindness to all

of us. We don't deserve it, but he gives it freely.

When those pots and pans wear out, and the Jeep runs out of batteries,

when we've all grown old and died, He will still remain.

His ultimate gift of Christ is the only gift that matters.

Christmas Tree and Lights

2012-01-30T10:34:00.001-08:00

So, I'm way behind. I still want to 'log' these pictures though, and know that looking back

I won't care that I posted them on the next to last day of January.

We get a live tree every year. Some may see it as frivilous, or messy, or a pain. It works for us.

We love the smell of it, and since we don't have a lot of extra storage, it eliminates

the task of finding a spot for an artificial tree 11 months out of the year.

It also makes for a fun outing as a family.

No regrets here!

We were going to go to an actual tree farm this year, but time got short and

we decided to just do what was easiest, and cheapest. We went to Menards.

I know it loses some of it's luster to do it this way, but we still had fun.

Here are a few pictures of the boys playing with the lights while we were testing them.

Yup, I'm in love with these two little men!

Here's the irony of these pictures. We tested the lights, as always, to make sure they worked.

We lit the tree and decorated it, but after only a few days the top strand stopped working.

Jason INSISTED that we go buy a new strand, but being the frugal mama that I am,

I talked him into waiting until after Christmas to buy them.

There must've been a short in the wiring, because they would work randomly,

but then go back out.

We got 8 years of use of of the lights, so I guess we can't complain too much!

The best part about Menards? The ATV's sitting out front.

It was freezing this morning, but the boys still wanted to sit in the ATV while they waited

for daddy to load the tree.

See?!?! Isn't this fun?!?!

Snow

2012-01-22T18:47:00.000-08:00

We've finally gotten some snow here. I was beginning to wonder if it would ever come!

A few days after the first snow fell, we bundled up and played outside for a while. I feel like this is the first time Micah has really gotten to enjoy the snow. Although he's 3, and should've enjoyed it last year, we had a small one to bundle up, so we didn't play outside much. This year is different, and although Jude isn't quite as enthusiastic about the snow, he's still enjoying it and more independent than last year.

I think I uploaded these in reverse order, and Lord knows I'm not re-doing it, so watch the one with Micah standing in front of the snowman first.

The death of the snowman, which happens in the other video, happened the next day.

So I Don't Forget

2012-01-11T18:10:00.001-08:00

I'd love to say that I'm organized.

I'm not.

It's okay; with me anyway.

Neither of our boys have a baby book.

Get over it, I have.

In an effort to capture at least a few memories of their childhood, I've started jotting a few things down in spiral notebooks. A green one for Jude, a blue one for Micah.

The entries are few and far between, but I know that someday they'll be all that I can remember.

Makes me wanna cry right now, but there's no time for that.

I've resolved to spend my time enjoying the moments,

not living behind the lens of a camera or hunched over a scrapbook.

No offense to those of you who enjoy either activity.

Like I said, I'm not organized.

Enjoying the moments as they come is

how I roll.

Speaking of 'moments', we've had a few of them lately.

The other night Micah and Jude were taking a bath. We had tried to get Micah to

go potty before getting in the bath, but he refused. A few minutes into the bath he said, "Oh,

I've gotta go pee!" and lifted his leg to jump out of the bath.

It was too late.

He peed in the bath.

Awesome.

Don't tell DHS, but I didn't drain the bath, they just kept on a soakin'.

A few minutes later I hear Micah singing,

"My God is so pee, so strong and so mighty,

there's nothing his pee cannot do.

The mountains are pee, the valleys are pee.."

Sigh.

A few minutes later he lined two of his rubber ducks up on the edge of the bathtub,

brought 'Scuba Steve' up to their level and said,

"Scuba Steve, do you know where Jesus is?"

I think he was pretending the ducks were Mary and Joseph, and

he was looking for baby Jesus.

Oh to be 3 again.

Jude has also been making many 'memories' as of late.

As many of you know, we've begun speech therapy with him. While he is quite young,

and isn't expected to have a large vocabulary at this point,

he speaks primarily in 'ghu's', spoken from the back of his throat.

Rarely does he open his mouth.

The speech therapist is a sweet grandma-aged woman who, once a month,

brings fun toys and makes even funnier noises with the toys.

Jude loves her.

She helps to educate us on what we can be doing to encourage his speech.

A few things have really helped, and more than anything, he's just getting older, and

'growing out of it', I think. Don't get me wrong, I still don't understand

about 75percent of what he 'says', but our communication has

gotten MUCH better.

I say 'our', because Jason and I are learning

what helps Jude, and what feeds the frustration.

We have also started showing him some sign language videos.

The lady is obnoxious, but the boys love her.

Go figure.

Jude has caught on way faster than I would've ever guessed,

further confirming that his communication/comprehension is

spot on, if not a little advanced.

He has started signing for different food items,

daily activities, and even desires.

Tonight he wanted a drink of my water. He signed 'want'.

This is big!

So fun...and encouraging for this doting mother.

A few of the signs he signs are:

-cat

-dog

-more

-milk

-sleep

-apple

-cheese

-clean up

-want

-please

-thank you

He has also started to say more words.

When we started in October, the only word he would say was 'Mama'.

He is now saying:

-Dada

-No-his new favorite ;)

-Bible

-Barbara...our neighbor lady

-What's that/this?

And just yesterday he said 'Bye' for the first time,

until then he had just waved good bye.

This hurdle has been used to refine my patience,

but has also made me so thankful for the

health that our boys do have.

We are blessed, indeed.

All Boy

2012-01-05T10:19:00.001-08:00

We had our '20 week' ultrasound yesterday. I say it in quotations, because I'm actually 22 weeks along. I realized that since I hadn't met my deductible for last year, that if I had an ultrasound in December all of that money would go down the drain. By waiting until the first week of January, that money will be applied to the deductible for this year, which we KNOW we'll be meeting ;)

As most of you know, we waited to find out whether Micah or Jude were male or female until they were born. We LOVED the surprise, and really hadn't imagined doing it any other way. A few weeks ago, we both felt more excited and 'tempted' to find out the sex of this baby. We didn't have any good reason to find out whether it was a boy or a girl, but we also didn't have any good reason to wait.

So, we decided to go for it! I'm glad we did, because literally, the first thing we saw when she placed the wand on my belly was his, ahem, boy parts. We didn't say anything right then, but afterwards we were both like 'did you see that it was a boy right away?'...and we both had ;)

She pointed it out later, and it is quite obvious that this household will be filled with just that much more rowdiness and testosterone.

The classic, sweet, profile picture.

The tech was able to get some pretty good 3-D pictures. I've always found these to be creepy, but not this time, I think it's awesome how much detail you can see.

She put that he was a 'shy baby' because he has his hands in front of his face, but we'll see...I'm not putting any money on that one.

Aww...what's not to love!?!?

One big foot, he'll fit right in.

We're so excited, just to be adding another blessing to our family. We would've been just as excited if it was a girl. Honestly, I was a little afraid that I would be disappointed if it was a boy, but I'm SO not, not for one second. He's so precious to me already, and I can't wait to meet him.

Jason and I are now saving up for a second fridge...I think we might need it in a few years ;)

Joy To the World!

2011-12-17T18:56:00.000-08:00

Micah has loved hearing Christmas carols this year, and has really latched onto 'Joy To the World'. I caught him standing up, going 'potty', while singing it the other day. I'm pretty sure I could've won some fat cash on America's Funniest Home Video with that one!

*As a side note, Micah was goofing around and wearing Jason's glasses. He doesn't normally do this, but I wanted to get it on video because he looked like the boy in Stuart Little. The prescription is not that strong, otherwise I wouldn't have let him do it in the first place!

Time Is of the Essence

2011-11-30T18:59:00.000-08:00

Long time, no see, Blogger. I apologize for my absence, but this fall has slipped through my hands. And are those more pictures from the fall photo shoot? Why yes, they are. Just further indicating the busyness/laziness this fall has brought about.

Lazy, well, that's a strong word. My body is, after all, making a child. One of the most exhausting miracles known to man, ahem, I mean, woman. So there you have it, my excuse for no new pictures and a slightly distracted post are being blamed on placenta brain...and a lack of batteries for my camera. Sorry.

I apologize if this is the first you are hearing of our pregnancy. We really are quite excited! May 8th, on or abouts, we will be welcoming a third little one into our home. 3 kids in 3.5 years, are we crazy?!?! Maybe, but blessed, nonetheless.

Now, on to my post.

When I was pregnant with our oldest, a dear mentor/friend, Amy Hansen, gave me a book one day while I was over at her home. She said she had two copies, and just pulled it off the shelf saying, "here, this one's for you, you take it." For those of you who know Amy, she is pure gold, through and through. Seriously, I've never met a more kind person.

The book was Being a Great Mom, Raising Great Kids by Sharon Jaynes. Now, let me preface my gushing over this book by saying that I really don't approve of the title. I know many great parents who don't have 'great kids' and many crappy parents who have great kids. While the Bible teaches that we are the primary influence in our child's life, they still have free will, and ultimately the path they choose isn't up to you. All that being said, I really did/do enjoy the book.

I'm not going to lie, it's in our bathroom. I generally read it while soaking in the bath. When that wonderful occasion arises, I want to have something to read, but don't want to read something that requires too much thought and can be flipped open to any chapter at any time. This is just the book.

I recently ran across this poem while reading the book. While I don't have a boy who is four, I still can relate, and found it to be a gentle reminder to slow down. It was tucked in the chapter titled Tending the Fields. This is totally where I'm headed, if not already at. Our boys soak up so much right now that it's scary. I can't tell you how often I decline an offer to 'play with me' so that I can finish the dishes or fold the laundry. While, yes, those tasks need to be accomplished, so does the task of enjoying these little boys while they're little.

Time is of the Essence

Now is the time to get things done...

wade in the water,

sit in the sun

squish my toes

in the mud by the door,

explore the world with a boy just four.

Now is the time to study books,

flowers,

snails,

how a cloud looks;

to ponder 'up',

where God sleeps nights,

why mosquitoes take such big bites.

To sew and clean,

paint the hall

that soft new green

to make drapes,

refinish the floor--

Later on...when he's not just four.

-Irene Foster

Fall Photo Shoot

2011-10-05T11:00:00.001-07:00

This past week we had our great friend, who is very very talented take our pictures. Here is her photography-blog. If you are local and looking for a great photographer, I HIGHLY recommend her. Plus she's just a cool gal!

We headed out to the Raptor Center, near Lake McBride. Neither Jason nor I had been out there. Not only was it a great place to take pictures, but there were some awesome birds to see. I particularly enjoyed the owls. They are so quiet, strong, and beautiful. All of the birds there were found injured, so they are taken care of at the raptor center. Some eventually leave and are re-introduced into the wild, others have been there for over 20 years.

We all had fun, in case you can't tell.

Micah surprised us all with his 'cheesy-ness' and willingness to be photographed. This photo was totally spontaneous. He was cracking us up the whole time.

These two pictures capture our little 'dude' well.

Jude isn't looking forward, but we'll take what we can get with an 18 month old. At least he wasn't screaming.

This picture captures life in the Blackley home well.

As a mommy, I love this picture. I hope that I am this caring and attentive to my kids all of the time. I know I'm not, but it helps to see that it's possible ;)

I love how Missy's photography captures real life, in a beautiful way. This picture is very special and captures Jason's love for his boys so well.

If you want to see more, or if your family and want copies, let us know. We only have 66 photographs to choose from!

A special Thank You to the dear Missy Isbell for her handiwork and personal care. You're the best!

Family Fun

2011-09-14T18:36:00.000-07:00

I just caught up, so make sure you check out Apple Pickin, Messes and Bonks, and Iowa State Fair 2011. It's feast or famine 'round here.

It seems like we've had a lot of family time over the past few weeks. Most think that summer time should bring ample family time, but this past summer proved otherwise for the Blackley family.

Needless to say, we are loving the family time now.

Since we could care less who wins the Iowa State/Iowa football game, we decided that during the game would be a good time to head out for some fun. Man were we right. It's a ghost town during the game.

After many recommendations we decided to check out Sass Family Farm. While we were a little early in the season, I think this is our new favorite fall farm. And everything is free! I hear you have to pay for the tractor rides, but they weren't going when we went.

We were literally the only ones there, like I said, a little early in the season. Even the owners weren't there. They had produce out with a box and a sign to put the money for what you buy in the box....only in Iowa. Everything was very reasonably priced, so I bought a mum, a few small pumpkins, some garlic and some very beautiful indian corn.

They have a small 'zoo' of farm animals. The boys loved seeing the animals...and feeding them their own feathers. Micah kept picking up turkey feathers and sticking them through the cage.

And we wonder why he needed stitches at 17 months!

I'm pretty sure they don't want to eat their own feathers, Micah.

Jude loved the sheep.

The farm also has a bunch of kids outdoor toys and a huge sand box for the kids to play in.

We will be visiting this place at least one more time this season!

Apple Pickin'

2011-09-14T18:20:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite fall spots in the Iowa City area is Wilson's Apple Orchard. They have a great orchard and some beautiful non-fruit bearing trees mingled in.

One afternoon we headed out to the orchard. The weather was great, and we wanted to get some exercise in...it was a win, win.

I tried moving this picture, but I'm to impatient or don't know enough...or something. Regardless, this was actually near the end of our trek. We got all through the orchard and came to where you cross back over their creek...except the water was pretty high. We carried the boys over and then Jason went back and got our apples and wagon. Luckily we have a sweet collapsable wagon, thanks to Grandma Cindy.

Micah had fun picking up apples and throwing the rotten ones.

Jude liked feeling the grass in his fingers. We tried to get him to walk and he didn't want to. Whatever.

Piggy-back rides.

Micah wanted to walk for part of our walk through the orchard. Notice, that he doesn't have his shoes on. Love it!

One bite here, one bite there.

We all enjoyed a taste of fall.

On our way down the hill...which means at the end you have to go back up. I told Micah I remember walking up the big hill at Wilson's Apple Orchard just a few days before he was born trying to get him to come out. It didn't work.

The apples ended up in pies...as most apples should.

Messes and Bonks

2011-09-14T17:56:00.000-07:00

We recently learned why Dave Ramsey teaches to have an emergency fund, so you can pay for 2 ER visits in 8 days. That's right. My mom asked me if we could get a punch card.

The first visit I have no picture documentation of. We had gone down south to help my sister and her husband cut wood. They have blessed us in many many ways, and since she's pregnant, it seemed only appropriate that we offered our help.

We left Jude with my mom, if we took him along then I may as well stayed home. Micah, though, we felt would do fine and would probably love being in the woods. We geared up with old clothes, boots, and ear plugs.

I would like to preface this next part by saying that we could see him the whole time...we just didn't know what he was doing! He and our nephew, Seth, were on 'a safari', or so they told us. When we had a break I walked over to offer them a snack and water. I noticed Micah had red juice stains around his mouth. I asked him if he had eaten any berries and he said, "yeah, I eat a red mushroom." What?!?! I asked him to show me what he ate and he pointed to this tall weed with berries on it.

I didn't think a whole lot of it, honestly, but my sister-who is a nurse- suggested that we call my mom and have her identify it and make sure it wasn't poisonous. I did. She called back and said it was toxic, and gave me poison control's number. After talking to poison control, who are very kind and helpful, we decided that we should take him into the ER. Some of the side effects were GI upset, but others were low blood pressure and high heart rate, and we didn't want to chance it.

They listened to his heart, and took his weight. Then we waited. All in all, they just kept us until it had been 2 hours since he had eaten them. They didn't have to pump his stomach, which was good, and he never did show any signs or symptoms. It may be because, while we were sitting in the ER he told us that he had spit the berries out. Awesome...

8 Days later we were all 'wrestling' on our bed. This is a regular activity in our home. We have boys, you see. Our bed butts up the wall, and we don't have a headboard. A few inches of the windowsill overlaps where our bed is. Jude lost his footing and 'bonked' right on the corner of our MARBLE windowsill. Now, side rant, so bear with me: We live in a condo. While it is nice, it is nothing I would tag as luxurious or extravagant. Why on earth did they spring for marble windowsills? Seriously?!?!

Since he hit it right on the corner the cut was pretty deep. We both agreed it needed stitches. It was Sunday night, so off to the ER we went. We called a friend on the way to ask for advice and they offered to take Micah. This was a huge blessing, because it was right at bed time and we all know how quick ER visits go...

Jude got 5 stitches. He did well considering, and since he was still small enough to strap down they didn't have to put him under, which I'm thankful for.

When we picked Micah up from our friend's house he was wearing his friend, Claire's shirt-which was pink, and grey sweatpants. Annie said the only yellow shirt they had, had ruffled sleeves. We all got a good laugh out of it ;)

The next day he was walking across the living room and tripped over his feet, landing right on the wound. He popped on of the stitches. I took him in, and the doctor agreed with me that he didn't need it put back in or any extra bandage...thankfully.

It looks so much better now, he will definitely have a scar, but it could have been so much worse.

If that wasn't messy enough for you, maybe this will do the trick.

Jude + yogurt .... Mess!

Iowa State Fair 2011

2011-09-14T17:10:00.000-07:00

Remeber how last year it took us a first, second and third attempt to finally get to the fair? And how our van broke down only miles from the fairgrounds? It will definitely go down in the books as a memorable trip to the fair. This year was memorable, but not near as dramatic or tiring.

We decided to take our time getting ready and didn't push ourselves to be there at a certain time. After confirming how chaotic weekends are we decided to go during the week. The forecast was great, low 80's with a chance of rain only in the late afternoon/evening.

We got there mid morning. Since the boys didn't sleep on the way, we really didn't know how naps would work out, or if they would, but we were willing to chance it for the fair!

They put these misting fountains in a few years ago, they weren't around when I was a kid, but I think they are a great idea. The boys played in them for a few minutes, but then decided to hide in the bushes nearby...that seems about right.

This is a tunnel that is completely covered by plants. It is great for children, but just the right height to break an adults back. Since I'm shorter, I always get chosen to take them through the first time. It's low enough that you can't just bend over, you almost have to squat and walk...I'm pretty sure it belongs in Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred video. The boys loved it, especially once they got the hang of it.

This is right outside the Agricultural Building, so we caught a glimpse of the Butter Cow as well. We had been talking it up, so Micah was really excited to see it.

This year was the 100 year anniversary of the butter cow, and the lady who had been doing the sculpting forever died this year. Needless to say the butter cow line was a little lengthy.

This addition is only a couple of years old, and I think it is my favorite kids addition thus far. At the beginning they are given a had, which they get to keep, and an apron. They go through a maze, first they plan 'seeds'. Then they 'harvest'. They continue through and pick wooden apples off of wooden trees, get bags of wool and corn, milk a cow, and ride a tractor. At the end they 'sell' their harvest and use the 'money' they get to buy a treat from the general store. It teaches kids about farming, and gives them an opportunity to get a little dirty ;)

Jude fell asleep right before we got to this part, which was good. He's a little too young to keep on task, so I walked around with him while Jason helped Micah 'farm'. He still calls the Pioneer hat he got his 'farmin' hat'.

Looking at the baby ducks...

We packed snacks and a lunch, so we only shelled out a ridiculous amount of money for one meal.

Jude napped for an hour or so, and then Micah finally gave in, taking a 2+ hour nap!

The Varied Industries building has lots of fun things to see. The boys had fun sitting on the Kuboda ATV's and seeing Clifford.

Last year Micah was pretty leery of seeing Clifford, but he went right up this year.

One of the treats we splurged for was a cup of chocolate chip cookies. They are AMAZING! Micah was asleep when we got them, but we saved him a few. He was thankful ;)

Towards evening it started to rain. We had to decide if we wanted to leave or find somewhere inside to be. The draft horse/Percheron show was that night, so we went for it. Jason and I have enjoyed this show a few times. They have some of the best draft horses in the nation who come to show. They are very talented and entertaining. The boys did pretty good. Jude fell asleep an hour or so into the show, and we left before the show was over, but overall it was good move.

State Fair 2011 was a hit. We look forward to next year!

Random, I Know

2011-09-07T18:16:00.000-07:00

Our oldest is growing in his speech every day. He can say pretty much anything and is starting to put things together. Here are a few things he's said, most of which he's said in the past 24 hours:

While playing in the yard last week he ran up to Jason and said, "Dad, do we have any pirate shovels?"

Tonight I told him he had good ears because he heard a noise that was really soft. He said, while pointing at my ears, "Someday I'll go get big ears like that."

I asked him where he would get big ears and he said, "The museum. And they'll be green."

While looking at a book with bible verses, he informed me that he wants to be a shepherd. "Mom, someday I'll be a shepherd."

I told him he would make a good shepherd because he is kind and would make a good leader.

Any time we tell him that we love him, he just says, "Yeah." As if to say, "Of course you do."

I so wish that I had the same response when my Heavenly Father tells me that he loves me. I often scoff and doubt his love for me.

Tonight we went to church to watch a puppet show. Our original plan was for me to take Jude home after the first half hour, and Jason would bring Micah home with him. Micah spent the first half hour begging to go home and holding his hands over his ears. So, I took him home with Jude and me. After we left he begged to go back and kept asking, "Where are the puppets? I want to see the puppets."

After asking him to 'do everything without complaining or arguing' over and over, I finally made him sit on the rug to think about obeying and not complaining. He DID NOT like this, and spent the first few minutes yelling "I'm happy. I'm happy."

It struck me that I'm just the same. I groan and complain about where I'm at, and God moves me or my circumstances change and all I do is complain more.

Parenting is such a learning curve. It's so hard to know how to impress upon your children the things that really matter and to show them who God is. Lately I've been convicted, am I applying the principles that I'm teaching our boys to my own life? Because last I checked, actions speak louder than words.

Motherhood is Application

2011-08-26T17:21:00.000-07:00

Blog posts have been on my heart, but not a reality as of late. There is no specific reason, just life.

Today was a hard day, harder than most. For some reason both of our children were testing the limits and trying to see just exactly how much it took to drive me to the edge.

Our eldest has been waking up between 4:30-5:30am for almost two years. We got a short reprieve this spring when daylight savings time happened, but he's been pulling his tricks again the last few months.

It's no fun. Neither is my attitude about it.

On top of this our youngest is getting the ever-so-lovely molars and has been ultra clingy the last few days. So much so that I dug out our Baby Hawk today just so I could hold him more comfortably. Man I love that thing!

As I wrestled in my spirit, begging God to show me His presence and compassion, I learned that a friend had miscarried...and all was still.

I had once begged for these children, bargaining like Hannah in 1 Samuel. Now all I could do was grumble about the inconvenience they have placed on my day.

God showed me His presence, His sovereign hand in my life, in the small details and big.

A new friend/neighbor joined us for a morning play date and listened as I cried, literally, about Micah's early bird tendencies.

My husband sent me an encouraging text, he's good at that.

A great friend assured me I wasn't a 'crappy mom'.

And my mother sent me this article.

This is really what it's all about, after all.

Motherhood is Application

These days of potty training, sleep training, and heart training are numbered.

And what's not to love?!?!

Feeding The Herds

2011-08-02T10:24:00.000-07:00

It's been so hot and humid lately, that we just haven't gotten outside. The boys have handled it pretty well, but there are times where we're all suffering from 'summertime cabin fever'.

The other day I had run out of ideas. It was 10 am, and the boys had already long-passed their 1 hour of tv limit for the day. I desperately needed to get some things done, but also could not keep them occupied. They started playing with their tractors and I started sorting through our cupboards. It seems as though there are always 3 or 4 boxes of cereal in our cupboard that have less than a cup of contents left. I was trying to consolidate to make room for boxes that actually had cereal in them, when it hit me. Why not let the boys farm with 'corn'?!?! I got a bowl of Kix and let them fill up their wagons. They fed the cow and chicken A LOT of Kix.

Snack time and play time all rolled into one! My kind of day!

Hauling the corn to the 'very hungry' animals.

There are little moments in motherhood where I wish for a little girl to dress up or play tea with, but there are also times like this that I LOVE having boys!

Cousins, Courage, and Corn

2011-07-26T19:51:00.000-07:00

Recently, we had the privilege of watching our nephews. It happened to fall on the same weekend as the well-known 'Tiffinfest'. It was genius timing! Tiffinfest is held in the park next to where we live. They had a petting zoo, a man making balloon animals and hats, a fossil dig, and much much more. In the evening there was a monster truck with a demo derby, followed by fireworks. We made 'make your own pizzas' and then Jason took the boys, sans Jude, to the Monstor Truck Rally. They LOVED it! Micah stayed up the latest yet, due to the fact that the fireworks were set off less than 200 yards from our home and we knew he'd wake up. We all had a blast! The best part, they were so tired, that the boys didn't make a peep when we put them all to bed in Micah's bunk bed.

This is my sad attempt to get all 4 boys in the picture. As you can see, it worked quite well ;) My oldest sister bought the boys matching outfits for Easter. Unfortunately it was 50degrees on Easter Sunday, so they didn't wear them. They've all gotten a lot of good out of the outfits, but hadn't worn them all together yet. Don't they look cute?!?!

Seth and Grady are a few years older than our boys, but are great with them! Seth and Micah are both good at cuddling. This picture is precious, but don't let it fool you. They were bouncing off of the walls most of the time!

This picture was taken after they all got baloon hats. Grady's was a 'lighting rod', Micah's was a crown, and Seth's was a Jester hat. The guy was really talented, and the boys loved the hats!

That's more what it life looked like those 2 days!

Switching gears a little. The other day I walked into our bedroom to find that Jude had turned over the laundry basked on our bed and had climbed up on it.

He then proceeded to stand...and then bounce up and down! This little boy is so much like his namesake, my dad, he has no fear...not even a healthy amount! This can come in handy, but not from a mother's perspective!

Once again, changing subjects...

I LOVE sweet corn. It's a symbol of Iowa summertime. Growing up on a farm, I was spoiled. Most years we had an abundance of sweet corn, and we ate to our hearts desire. Now that I'm older I know what a treat it is, and how store-bought sweet corn really does no justice. Needless to say, I was quite excited when it became apparent just how much Micah really likes corn. I think he may love it just as much as I do!

In true quirky-toddler-fashion, he insists on holding it with a paper towel, though. I'm not sure why, maybe the butter and salt get on his hands? Who knows!

Jude even chewed on the end of one ear. Don't worry, he didn't eat this whole ear. I gave him the end of mine...and I moved onto another ear ;)

"It's yummy good!"

Today the boys and I went down to my parent's house. My mom, sister, and I froze 28 quart bags and 7, 3-cup bags...that's over 7 gallons of sweet corn awaiting us in the freezer! I'm enjoying the bounty of the summer, and testing the capacity of our freezer!

We Be Jammin'

2011-07-15T20:33:00.001-07:00

This year I have had ample an opportunity to take advantage of the bounty of what the Lord has given us. It has been great! A few years ago my sister shared with me a comment that an older co-worker had made to her regarding provisions. He commented on how great it was that the Lord knows exactly what we need when we need it. He went through all of the produce starting with fruits and veggies that are ready in early spring and ended with apples, squash, potatoes and pumpkins that finish off in the fall. I had never put together how the Lord provided for us before we could provide for ourselves...funny, eh?

When I got word that the black raspberries were ready the boys and I headed south. The boys played with Grandma and Grandpa while my sister and I hit the brush. After 2 hours we had to make ourselves stop picking. When it was all said and done we had picked over 2.5 gallons! I was seriously picking 5 berries in one handful! It was beautiful and awesome!
After sorting out all the bugs and sticks and giving them a good wash I crushed them with my 25 cent garage-sale food mill ;) It took FOREVER, but was worth it!

I made one batch of black raspberry jam, but still had a generous amount of berries left. A few days later we went down to my parent's to get together with family we rarely see. My dad and I took the boys for a 4-wheeler ride. We made the mistake of riding back to the spot where we picked all of the berries. When I saw that there were still quite a few berries on the bushes, I couldn't resist. Jason and I went back and picked another 1/2 gallon of them...just enough to finish off another batch of jam!

Look at that beautiful sight!

This is a picture of the sour cherry jam I put up a few weeks back. Like I said, I've had some great opportunities to 'put food by' for those cold winter days. The fruit for this jam came from my dear friend Missy's yard. We had fun picking them, and eating the results ;)

For those of you who have read this and now think I'm Martha Stewart, please come over to my house and be set straight. This is the first summer in 3 years I haven't either been pregnant or had a newborn, so I'm ALIVE! Also, this is a hobby. While I love the idea of being resourceful and a good steward of what we've been given, I also really really enjoy canning and preserving. I'm not nearly as cool as I just made myself out to be!

Catch-Up

2011-07-07T18:01:00.001-07:00

Just in the past few weeks Jude's personality and determination has gone to new level. I am learning he is very routine-oriented. He likes to have certain stuffed animals, at ALL times...while eating, riding in car, walking around house, sleeping. Luckily he'll settle for one or two different ones, so if we misplace the special bear he'll take the brown puppy or little cow as a close second. This picture captures another routine he has gotten used to. Either after bath time or after Micah has gone potty, Jude confiscates the potty, which converts to a step stool. He pushes it over to the lights and proceeds to turn the light and fan on and off. He lets out a loud cackle when he gets the fan to go on.

Pray for me. I fear that there are many battles that lie ahead involving what he thinks needs to be part of his routine and reality.

Random, but oh-so-cute. Special time reading books with daddy before bed is cherished by this cheesy little one.

Like I said, he's cheesy.

Happy Fourth of July!

I worked during the day on the Fourth, but we celebrated on the 3rd down at my sister's place. My cousins from Ohio AND China were back to visit. It was great to be re-united with family that we rarely see. Micah and Jude had a blast riding the four wheeler, playing with kittens, getting dirty and watching their mother-yes me- bottle feed calf. I was a slobbery sticky mess after that ordeal!

While I worked on the Fourth, Jason took the boys to the Coralville parade and then BBQ'd with some friends who live near the parade route. The boys crashed before they even got home and took nice long naps for daddy. We enjoyed the rest of the evening and the next day as a family. It had been entirely too long since that had happened.

Another one of Jude's new favorite past-times involves putting a bucket or box over his head and walking around the house. It makes me nervous, but he loves it. That boy is fearless!

Micah being sweet. His sensitivity comes out in the funniest ways.

Grandma Cindy came to visit while Daddy was gone. She was a huge help and came just as I was ready to fall into a heap on the floor. The boys loved having her around, rough-housing with her, reading books, and going on walks in the awesome new collapsable wagon she got us.

The only thing they didn't like was holding still for a picture. I'm not sure that anything short of Benedryl and bribery with candy of some-fashion will make these boys hold still long enough to get a good pose.

Since neither of those are an option in my book we'll have to settle for this snap-shot.

These boys love sunglasses. Jude is slowly becoming a fan, but won't leave on the Baby Bandz my sister bought just for him. I'm not sure whose sunglasses Micah has on. I think they're his friend Claire's. We found them one day after faith family.

While we had a lot of fun over the past few weeks, the pace at which the fun happened is not sustainable. We hope to slow down a little in the coming weeks and enjoy the summer while it lasts.

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-17T16:57:00.001-07:00

Micah and Jude would like to say Happy Father's Day to all of the awesome men in their lives, especially to Daddy, Grandpa Stan and Grandpa Tom!

In the words of Sanctus Real, in their song Lead Me:

Lead me with strong hands

Stand up when I can't

Don't leave me hungry for love

Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're wiling to fight

That I'm still the love of your life

I know we call this our home

But I still feel alone

So Father, give me the strength

To Lead them with strong hands...

Your calling is high, but it's worth it all.

A Week In The Life- June 10-15

2011-06-15T18:15:00.000-07:00

This van is for sale! This van holds many memories, including bringing both baby boys home from the hospital, being in labor, walking a mile and a half after the fuel pump gave out on one hot August day. Needless to say, our parting is bittersweet. But, we recently purchased a new van, a post including before and after pictures of our new van are coming soon. That's right, it merits a before and after picture...

What happens when we have oatmeal for supper and we try to feed ourselves? A giant mess, that's what! Oh well, he did great all things considered.

He's becoming quite independent. He can now climb onto kitchen chairs and the couch. Now if he could just figure out how to get off of them, we'd be doing great. I'm not used to having a fearless one.

"Mommy, I wear boots." Well, that's fine, but what about some pants too?

Rainy day activities brought to you thanks to grandparents and Melissa and Doug...without both we would all be bored and lost!

the letter S

2011-06-09T11:22:00.000-07:00

Swimming pool, sunshine, summer days!

Super-cool photo

Sandals

Smirk

Sand Box Toys

Splash!

Scooping with a Shovel

SMILE

Squinty SMILE

Post-Splash, Super Scrumptious...

Smoothie

A Week In The Life- June 4-7

2011-06-07T11:52:00.000-07:00

I'm totally stealing this idea from my good friend, Steph. I'm pretty sure she stole it from someone else. We all struggle to keep track of what happened when, and to make time to document it. Here's my feeble attempt...in no particular order!

*Apparently Blogger is possessed today, bear with me.

6pm- Post bath wrestle.

Micah and Jude are really starting to wrestle. It is...interesting. They aren't doing it out of an angry heart or evil. So, I am doing my best to sit back and let boys be boys.

7:50 am- Prep for long sweaty walk. Jude flat out refuses to wear any protective gear. Sun hat-instantly on floor, baby bandz- torn off and worn around neck. Sigh. I give up.

The early morning walks have been great for my heart-physical and emotional, waistline, and tan. Win win.

12pm- Discover a tree frog camping out on our patio table. The frog stayed there all day and night...pooped, and then left. Micah LOVED it.

5pm- Perfecting 2 things...potty training and silly faces before washing off the dirt accumulated while helping mommy plant tomato plants.

In other news, we bought a new *new to us* van. More to come on that soon...and pictures of the EPIC Hawkeye decal it came with :)

Picture-palooza

2011-06-01T11:42:00.000-07:00

Our boys are on the move, and forever will be. Here are a few pictures taken over the last month that capture just a small amount of their energy.

Jude is enjoying his ability to climb, over, under, on top of...he loves to climb. He also loves to walk! That's right, he is officially walking. I tried to upload a video of him walking last week, and it obviously didn't go well, as I haven't posted it.

We recently had fun making music with a few wooden spoons and some plastic bowls. In true Micah style, we had to also make the bowls into hats.

So handsome.

"Judy do it too?!?!" Micah exclaimed.

Jude LOVES his blankie. Well, both of our boys love their blankies, but Jude loves to chew on his blankie. It is quite disgusting if you ask me. I try to wash it once a week, but it is a losing battle, I'm afraid. He chews on it so much, when I get him in the morning its completely damp...gross!

Reading books and cuddling with our manatee. Micah is sitting on a towel because he didn't have underwear or a diaper on and I just couldn't let him sit on the couch naked! Which leads to the other exciting happing in our home. Micah decided about 2 weeks ago that he wanted to potty train. Ready or not mommy and daddy! He is doing great, although he still hasn't gotten the pooping figured out, but that will come....right?!?! Last night he told Jason he was done pooping, so Jason got him off of the toilet. After Jason had left the room Micah stood over the toilet, like he would to pee standing up and proceeded to poop. Like I said, he hasn't gotten the pooping figured out.

Micah put this jacket on himself, upside down!

I'm not all in to karma and superstitions, but please note what his shirt says and then note the white globs all over the floor. This day I learned that silence is NOT always golden!

That's right, he's "Messy!" and has lotion all over the floor, himself and even in his hair!

Baby It's Hot Outside

2011-05-10T19:25:00.000-07:00

Near record lows last week and near record highs this week. Yup, we live in Iowa!

Baby It's Hot Outside

*To the tune of 'Baby It's Cold Outside'*

-It's not perfect, but work with me people ;)

I'm sweating so bad!

Baby It's Hot Outside.

I'm melting away!

Baby It's Hot Outside!

Please turn on the air!

Please Mommy Please!

echo in the background: No I'm too cheap!

I'm gonna take off my clothes,

If you don't do something soon!

I need a reprieve!

Baby It's Hot Outside!

I'm out of ideas!

Baby It's Hot Outside!

Don't touch my warm skin,

or I'll flip out!

In the background: Okay, I get your drift.

Here take this cool, long stick!

It'll bring a yummy distraction!

Yes, it's a mess,

but Baby It's Hot Outside!

The End!

4 and 7 make 11...My Journey To Motherhood

2011-05-04T18:16:00.000-07:00

In second grade I was learning to add and subtract with chubby primary colored teddy bears. My teacher taught us many things that year, how to share everything like the Box Car Children did, how to read chapter books, and that 'four and seven makes eleven'.

Four years ago this spring I was on the journey to motherhood, but the journey was NOT going down the path that I wanted it to. I haven't blogged much about it until now, mostly because the past two years I haven't slowed down enough to, but also because it was a sensitive subject that brought about unwanted tears.

Sunday, April 1, 2007 I decided to take yet another pregnancy test, as I hadn't been feeling well for a few weeks. Not only was it April Fools Day, but it was also the day that we were throwing a shower for our friends Stephen and Amy, who were only the second couple in our small group to have a baby. I happened to have a digital test, so that morning I decided to finally test, and PREGNANT showed up right away. I tucked the test away and went about my day, slightly distracted. When we got home that night I broke the news to Jason. He was in shock. I remember him lowering himself to the floor in front of our closet and saying, "This isn't a joke?!?! This had better not be a joke!" No joke. I was pregnant.

We waffled back and forth as to whether or not we wanted to tell Jason's family when we visited the next weekend, or if we wanted to wait until we were further along. I called the next day to make an appointment, and 2 days later we were in the doctors office. My doctor decided to do an ultrasound to confirm a due date, as I am extremely unpredictable in this area, if you know what I mean. The ultrasound showed a little bean with a heartbeat fluttering away. I was 6 weeks 4 days. We asked Dr. Adam if, in her opinion, it was okay to tell family. She told us that once a heartbeat is confirmed only 2 percent end in miscarriage. She told us that it was safe to tell our family.

We made up an excuse to spend the night at my sisters house the night before driving to Kansas City to see Jason's family so we could tell my family too. We had fun telling them, they were just as shocked and excited as we were. When we got to KC we gave Jason's mom a Grandma Easter card with a picture of the ultrasound in it. We met his dad and step-mom at a coffee shop and laughed and cried as we broke the news to them. Not only did we tell our family while in KC, but we told anyone and everyone that would stop long enough for us to tell them. It was so fun!

We headed back home and went about life, preparing for it to change in a few short months. The next week, while at work, I began to bleed and headed to the ER...just one perk of working at a hospital ;) I was sent home and told to rest and relax, that it was perfectly normal to bleed some during pregnancy. The next day I had an ultrasound and my doctor reassured me that everything looked great, the heartbeat still fluttering on the screen. The next day I miscarried...just 14 days after finding out the most exciting news of my life.

The next few days were a blur, filled with entirely too much physical pain, tears and heartbreak. I was crushed. My husband tried to support me, but it was hard for him to find the balance between being supportive and being strong. I couldn't make the calls to tell our friends and family the bad news. I was so weak, somewhat of a wreck.

We buried our baby at my parent's farm, near the pond and cabin they had just built. When we buried the baby we planted a tree with it. Looking back I needed this closure. I needed to grieve openly and in due time. God was gracious in all of the events leading up to this, from being able tell our family so they could be supportive, to miscarrying at home instead of at work. It wouldn't be until later that I would see his care and love in the details.

Mothers Day 2007 was not a good day for me. The wound was raw and open. I tried to distract myself and rush through the day.

June 2007 I found out I was pregnant for the second time. I was excited, but very very reserved and cautious. We decided to tell family right away, as there is no way that we could have gotten through our first miscarriage without their love and support.

The nausea came, the fatigue was overwhelming.

A week and a half later Jason and I were at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. I started to spot a little. I remember the rest of the day being so distracting and emotional. I wanted to be strong and try to enjoy the day, but I just couldn't. I felt sick, I felt let down, I was crushed.

The next Monday I had an ultrasound which showed a sac, but no baby growing. My doctor told me that it could be too early to detect a baby and that we would repeat the ultrasound in a week. I said, "Unless I miscarry first." She said, "Yes."

Five days later I miscarried.

You would think that it would hurt less knowing that a baby hadn't formed, that my baby hadn't died, it didn't. It hurt just as bad. My grief went from sad to angry.

The next few months were a roller-coaster of emotions. Not only was I angry, tired, and sad, but I also wasn't getting pregnant. I consulted my physician and she suggested that I try a fertility drug to make me ovulate. We decided to decline at that time as we knew I could get pregnant, and weren't ready to travel down that road.

In November started to go to an acupuncturist who also practiced Chinese herbal medicine. She was a total hippie and guru, but I liked her. Originally I went to help regulate my body, but looking back I needed to just lay on a table for an hour once or twice a month and just be still. Some of my best prayer times came in the midst of that dark, cool room filled with somewhat creepy chinese music. The Lord began to work in my heart, helping me to realize that I was trying to replace the babies I had lost with a new baby. He also convicted me that I was trying to find my identity in the title of "MOM" instead of who I was because of his grace and forgiveness.

In January of 2008 I found out I was expecting again. I was a mess. I wanted so badly to be excited, I wanted the innocence back, the freedom to tell our family that we were expecting in a new and surprising way. Instead I was paralyzed with fear. I was afraid to eat something wrong, or lift something that was too heavy, under the delusion that I actually had control over whether or not my baby lived.

I made it through the first trimester. You would think that my fear would subside, and it did a little, but even after the 20 week ultrasound that showed a perfect profile and 10 little toes I was still filled with fear that our baby would be taken away at any moment. I remember telling Jason just a few short hours before being told that I had to come to the hospital to be induced that I wouldn't be able to let go of this fear until I had our baby in my arms.

Micah was born in October of 2008. And while his birth was somewhat of a train wreck, he came into this world healthy and strong.

We decided to leave the timing of our next child in the hands of God, after all, he controls every life anyway. In July of 2009 I found out I was pregnant for the fourth time. I can't really explain the emotions I felt, because I think I felt every emotion possible. I was excited, overwhelmed, reserved, and shocked. Micah was only 8.5 months old, thus the overwhemed feelings. Once again, we decided to tell family and a few close friends our news, but kept from shouting it from the rooftops until the first trimester had passed. My reservation was less, but I still struggled to find joy and excitement during the first trimester. I struggled with being bitter over this more during Jude's pregnancy than before. I really felt like something, the innocence and joy, had been taken from me. I hope that I can learn to let that go when and if I become pregnant again someday.

Jude came into this world on Good Friday 2010 as a whopping 9lb 3oz brut.

As Mother's Day approaches I am able to admit and honestly say that I am thankful for the journey that the Lord has taken me/us on over these past 4 years. While I still tear up over the loss of our first two babies, I know that the Lord is sovereign over all, and that their deaths were a product of living in a world of sin, but not a punishment for any sin that I committed. I still wonder what my baby boys or girls would have looked like sometimes, especially when I look at Lucy Butler, who is a little girl who was born very close to when our first baby was due. That being said, I'm thankful for the appreciation that I have for my two precious sons, the appreciation that only a Mother who has lost can have. I am thankful that despite living in a fallen world, I am given moments to find joy in the everyday life I'm living.

To all of you who have lost, I grieve with you. This post is for you.

Happy Mother's Day.

Micah, just a few hours old. This is the only picture you will, and should, see of me during this time. Pre-eclampsia and excess weight gain did not treat me well ;)

Sweet baby Jude!

My first moments with my second son.

Two boys and one happy, thankful mom.

These Feet

2011-05-02T11:26:00.001-07:00

I started to write this blog post a few months ago. Life got away from me. I've finally finished it and feel stronger about my children's feet than ever...however stinky they may be!

I just spent the entire nap time blogging, so here is another post. I'm an all or nothin' kind of gal!

I often go through my day, and my thoughts become somewhat like Facebook status'.

Please tell me I'm not the only one who does this!

Today one of my 'facebook status thoughts' for the day came while changing a dirty diaper, as I wrestled a strong-willed one year old. I thought, "I will never grow tired of looking at, kissing, photographing, or holding baby feet."

I wont, I love them! They're chubby, cute, and incredibly flexible! I love how they are just as wide as they are long. They melt my heart.

As I thought about how someday my boys won't have baby feet, I began to think about all of the things their feet would do someday. It kind of overwhelmed me, but then I decided to pray for them...and their feet.

These are my prayers for my boys, their feet, and where the Lord will take those feet:

I pray that their feet will be strong, that they will stand firm in trials. I pray that they will not sway to the left or to the right, but that their feet, and eyes, will be fixed on Jesus.

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Put away perversity from your mouth;

keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

Let your eyes look straight ahead,

fix your gaze directly before you.

Make level paths for your feet

and take only ways that are firm.

Do not swerve to the right or the left;

keep your foot from evil."

Proverbs 4:23-27

I pray that they will be proud of their feet, and every part of their body that the Lord made.

"For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully

and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well."

Psalm 139:13

I pray that they will place their feet behind their knees as they kneel in humility before our God and King. I pray that though they will be strong, that they will humble themselves and admit that they can do nothing without Jesus' saving grace, power, and love.

"Young men, in the same way be submissive

to those who are older.

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility

toward one another, because,

God opposes the proud

but gives grace to the humble.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under

God's mighty hand, that he may

lift you up in due time.

Cast all your anxiety on him because

he cares for you."

1 Peter 5-7

I pray that their feet will stand up for the Truth. I pray that they will not settle for un-truths or tolerate people who attempt to add to or take away from God's word.

"I warn everyone who hears the words of the

prophecy of this book:

If anyone adds anything to them, God will

add to him the plagues described in this book.

And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy,

God will take away from him his share in the

tree of life and in the holy city,

which are described in this book.

Revelation 22:18-19

I pray that their feet will work hard. Work is one of the best things that we can teach our children. I pray that they will work as if they are working for the Lord and not for man...so that man can see God in all that they do.

"Whatever you do, work at it with

all your heart, as working for the Lord,

not for men."

Colossians 3:23

I pray for their feet, as they stand at the end of the aisle awaiting their bride someday. I pray that they will be Godly men who will lead their home with integrity. That they will lead their wife and children in a way that brings honor and glory to the Lord.

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ

loved the church and gave himself

up for her"

Ephesians 5:25

"Fathers, do not exasperate

your children; instead, bring them up in the

training and instruction of the Lord."

Ephesians 6:4

I pray for their feet, as they travel to far off lands. I pray that if the Lord calls them to a life of full-time ministry that they will answer the call. I pray for their safety, but also that they will not let fears hold them back from living to their fullest potential.

"For this is what the Lord has commanded us, "I have made you a light for the gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth." Acts 13:46-48

Speaking of fear, I pray that they will not be afraid to get their feet wet, literally and figuratively. I pray that they will see that they are here for a purpose, for a very short time, and feel the urgency of the moment.

"But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the Angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Matthew 24:36

I pray for their children's feet. I can see them now. I pray that they will be as cute and as this chubby as this little pair, but that they will also grow into strong feet that will be unashamed of their Father, Creator, and Savior.

"Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parent's are the pride of their children." Proverbs 17:6

I pray, Lord, that you will protect these sweet sweet feet. The pit of my gut wants to pray that you will never let harm pass their way, that they will never have to walk on rocky paths or stub their toes, but I know that growth doesn't come without pruning. Lord, these feet were made for something bigger...take them there.

Am I Grateful?

2011-04-27T07:02:00.000-07:00

This morning I learned that an acquaintance will be induced to have her baby girl, Olivia, today. I do not know her personally, they attend our church, but so do a lot of other people. Our paths have never crossed, and we've never spoken. I only know her as a result of tragedy and through a brutal reminder that we live in a fallen world, that we live in a world of sin, death, illness, and wrongs. Katie is her name. At 20 weeks her baby girl was diagnosed with Trisomy 18, a severe and deadly diagnosis. She and her husband, Bryce, were informed that Olivia would most likely die before being carried to full term, but if not, 99.9percent of babies with Trisomy 18 die shortly after being born. Olivia is now full term.

Please take this moment to pray for Bryce, Katie and baby Olivia. If you're reading this after today, still pray. God knows no bounds of time. He allows us to intercede through prayer, just as Moses did for the Israelites. Please take this time to pray for this family. I don't know how to pray, and I'm guessing you don't either. Pray as you feel led, your words will not be in vain, they will not go unheard.

After reading the email with the update on Olivia, I scooped both boys up and hugged them tight, kissing their faces multiple times. I kissed Micah's cheek so many times that he said, "Mommy, what doin'?"

As I nursed my sweet one year old to sleep I was struck,

AM I GRATEFUL?

Am I grateful for these two children?

After experiencing two heart-breaking, life-altering miscarriages I feel like I will always be grateful for the miracle of life, but day to day, am I grateful for the lives that have been entrusted to the care of my husband and me?

Am I grateful for my stubbed toes and pierced heels that have tread upon scattered Hot Wheels and Duplo blocks?

Am I grateful for the endless mis-matched socks, their partners hiding under couches, in car seats, and behind bunk beds?

Am I grateful for tears? The tears produced as a result of lost teddy bears or from being forced to share toys.

Am I grateful for over-sized Blackley heads that sit upon my children's bodies? Those which have left permanent scars on this body, can't fit over certain shirts, and MUST be wearing a hat at all times?

Am I grateful for sick babies? For throw up in the car seat or constipation that brings about straining and tears every 5 minutes until relief comes?

Am I grateful for swaddled newborns, nuzzled in close, warming my chest as they rise and fall with my body?

Am I grateful for imaginations; a toddler running naked through the house with his towel draped over his head, proclaiming, "I'm Mary!"?

Am I grateful for the cries that woke me at the stinking butt-crack of dawn for over 18 months?

Am I grateful for diaper bags, sippy cups, and breast pumps?

Am I grateful for the sweet smell that comes from a freshly bathed newborn?

Am I grateful for the way these children have changed my perspective, finances, appearance?

My whole life?

Am I thankful for cheesy smiles...

And post-bath faux hawks?

Being grateful isn't something that comes natural. At least not for me. I fall into a habit of grumbling and complaining so quickly. It takes prayer, conscious effort and a total heart change to be truly grateful.

Take a moment to be grateful.

Don't feel grateful or like you don't have a reason to give thanks? Ask the Lord to change your heart, to show you perspective and how to be grateful.

Down on the Farm

2011-04-22T11:21:00.000-07:00

In a moment of spontaneity I decided to take the boys to my parent's farm last week. The weather was forecasted to be warm, well warm compared to right now, and we needed OUT. We put on our 'boops', overalls, grubby clothes and headed south.

They were so excited to see Pipa and Grandma Kate. And Micah was quite proud of his 'boops', as you can tell in this picture. They are 2 sizes too big for him, so we took an alternative pair of shoes for when the luster wore off.

This picture actually wasn't taken on the same day, but as you can tell, this young man loves dirt. So much that he may try eating it on occasion.

Jude playing with the farm animals and the same Fisher Price barn I played with when I was their age. I love how a cow moos when you open the door! Oh the nostalgia.

Grandma Kate had an Easter tree that she had put together to work on with any grandchild that happened to drop in. She went over how Jesus rode in to Jerusalem on a donkey with Micah, and then had him hang a donkey on the tree. I'm taking notes for future Easter seasons.

*Grandma Kate gets a super big star on the calendar for hosting us this day. If you look close you'll see a bandage on her left hand. Right before we got to their house the door to their garage slammed shut on her thumb, slicing it open right below the nail. She paid a visit to the ER, where they drilled holes through her thumb nail to stitch it shut. YIKES! She's so tough, she didn't even let on that it was hurting, although I'm sure it was throbbing like crazy. She's one tough cookie, and loves her Grandchildren so much that she won't let anything keep her from enjoying them.

It wouldn't be a trip to the farm unless Grandpa Tom shared his ice cream with someone. Jude was the lucky duck this trip. I think he enjoyed it!

Jude exploring by the wood pile.

Ah! He found the kitty cat! He loves cats, dogs, anything soft. My dad brought out a beagle puppy for the boys to pet. Once again, floods of memories came rushing in as we played with that puppy. Although I now despise dogs, I used to LOVE puppies! And I must admit, he was pretty darn cute.

There's nothing like getting dirt under your fingernails, in your hair, and all over your clothes. It's pure, it's rich, and it's much needed when there are boys around.

We flew a kite, climbed the ladder to the barn loft where Grandpa's pigeons are, weeded the strawberry bed and just enjoyed a day in the sunshine.

I'm so thankful for the open spaces, new life, and green grass that we can find at Grandpa Tom and Grandma Kate's...and for bubble baths when we get home!

Please Don't Judge

2011-04-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

*Dear Grandparents, here is a post with pictures, just in case you missed it. Please don't judge me for not putting pictures on this post ;)

Please Don't Judge

Please don't judge me by the length of my hair, the size of my butt, or the complexion of my skin.

Please don't judge me by how well, or poorly, my children sleep.

Please don't judge me by the size of my home, or the clutter that resides in it.

Please don't judge me by the amount of creamer I put in my coffee.

Please don't judge me by the size of the diamond on my finger.

Please don't judge me by my son's eczema or birth marks.

Please don't judge me by our 12 year old van, with over 200,000 miles and mis-matched door handles.

Please don't judge me if I choose to work outside of the home one day a week.

Please don't judge me by the pile of laundry on our living room floor.

Please don't judge me for cloth diapering.

Please don't judge me based on whether or not my son knows his alphabet or colors.

Please don't judge me because I've never traveled to far off lands or beautiful countries.

Rather, please judge me based on these things:

The way I speak of my husband when he is not around.

The beauty that comes from within, that can't be sculpted by a surgeon or by applying makeup, but rather formed and graciously given by the Maker and Creator.

The love I have for my children, even when they embarrass me, reveal my flaws, and wear me out.

The way I strive to make our home a place that is welcoming to all and a place where guests feel at home.

The way I treat people, whether they are my best of friends, strangers, or enemies.

The way I strive to teach our children about their disobedience being a heart issue instead of just being 'good kids'.

The way we do our best to live debt free, even if it means living in a home that is, at times, way too small or driving a van that is not shiny our pretty.

The way my husband and I are committed to each other, through thick and thin, taking the covenant of marriage to be a sacred commitment put in place by our Heavenly Father.

The way our family prays for other nations, missionaries, and un-reached people groups.

The faith by which we live. Relying on our Heavenly Father for peace, patience, but also for provision and wisdom.

***Please do not think I am delirious enough to think that I actually live out all of these things perfectly. That is not the point. All I am asking is that if you are going to judge me, please judge me by things that actually matter and have an Eternal impact.

I will strive to do the same for you.

Please and Thank You

And He's 1

2011-04-13T11:20:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to our sweet 'baby Jude'. *And a special thanks to Owen Hart for not being quite big enough to fit into this cute onesie! Jude got a lot of good out of it!

We celebrated Jude's birthday in KC style. We spent the first half of the day at Jason's mom's home and the evening at Jason's Dad's. It was fun to be in KC for his birthday. They make such an effort to come up for birthdays, so I'm thankful that we were able to celebrate Jude's with them.

Jude and the other boys in the Barnes family. This isn't the best picture, but we had 4 under 2.5 years, so I think we did pretty good. Micah, then Atticus-their second cousin, Jude and Memphis, who is Micah and Jude's first cousin. I'm still trying to figure out why I'm holding them and not Jason's grandma...her 4 great-grandchildren and we didn't think to put her in the picture. Hmmm.

My two favorite little boys!

Jude just wanted to play with the flame, and Micah was quite excited about blowing out the candle, so we let him do it! You can't tell, but the cake says Happy Birthday J3, as in J to the third. Jason's brother, who is named Jeremy, and his wife, Jen all have birthdays within a week of Judes. So, J to the third seemed like the easiest way to cover all three ;)

Memphis patiently awaiting his piece!

He had just woke up from a nap, so his smile is a little sleepy ;)

Grandma Cindy set the cake down and Jude picked it right up. The whole piece! I think he enjoyed it.

Jude was quite spoiled on his birthday. Not only did he get two parties, he got TWO cakes! Thankfully Jason's step-mom, Teresa, made cupcakes with some redeeming value to them, just so he wasn't totally overloaded with sugar. She found an awesome website called Weelicious. It has all of these awesome recipes and ideas for healthier foods for our kids. She made cupcakes that had pineapple, carrot and agave syrup in them. They were actually really good, but so was the chocolate cake we had earlier too ;)

This was actually after Jude had given in and gone to bed. We spent some time outside, enjoying the awesome weather. You can't tell in this picture, but they have a long sidewalk that slopes down a hill in their front yard. Micah and Memphis pushed a truck down the sidewalk for 20 minutes, easy! This is Pipaw Stan, Jason's Dad, wrestling with Micah.

The Blackley family, minus Jude and Teresa. From L to R, Emily-Jason's Sister, Memphis, me, Jason, Micah, Stan, Jen-our sister-in-law, and Jeremy-Jason's brother.

These are the cupcakes. They looked really fun and yummy even! There was a 1 for Jude and a 25 for Jeremy and Jen.

Micah waiting for us to stop singing so he could blow out the candles.

We thought he had eaten the whole cupcake, but when we went to take him out of the highchair we found the cupcake, barely eaten beside him in the high chair. Oh well, probably for the best that he didn't eat it all.

Dear Judie-Doodie, I am so thankful for your life. You have a strong spirit about you, but I so look forward to seeing how God uses that to further his kingdom. I love the gap in your front teeth and your silly grin. I love how you cuddle and climb all over me. You are a bright spot in my life and very dear to my heart. I know someday you'll scoff at my kisses and run from my hugs, but know that these arms will ALWAYS welcome you at a moment's notice.

I love you bud!

Love,

Mommy

Fun in the Sun...and with Family!

2011-04-04T19:36:00.000-07:00

We spent a while visiting Jason's family. We had a blast! We celebrated Jude's birthday, soaked up some sunny weather, and enjoyed being surrounded by those who love us most.

On Sunday Jason took Micah to his first MLB baseball game. They went with Pipaw, a.k.a. Grandpa Stan, and enjoyed a great game. They weren't sure if Micah would last the whole game, and were prepared to leave at a moment's notice. Micah surprised them and did GREAT! Jason said that he was pretty sure that he didn't even notice there was a game on until the 7th inning!

After they got home from the game all of the boys stripped down to diapers and played in the front yard. It was 80+ degrees, so I'm sure the near-naked bodies felt great!

Our little climber is getting better and better at maneuvering his little body up and down stairs.

The first day we were there we took a walk to a park down the road from where Jason's mom lives. It was a great park, with a sand box, swings, and slides. The boys enjoyed the park AND the wagon ride. On the way back a backhoe was getting unloaded from a trailer to work on the road. We stopped and watched the backhoe unload. I'm pretty sure it was the highlight of Micah's day!

Cheese!

Seriously...doesn't this picture just make your heart melt?!?

My two babes on Judes' first birthday! So cute and so fun!

While we were waiting for Jude to wake up from his nap so he could annihilate some cake we decided to do an egg hunt. Grandma Cindy had gotten these sweet eggs that were decorated to be like a football, soccer ball, and baseball. They were awesome! Micah loved them. It took him a minute to figure out what to look for, but once he got the hang of it he looked forever for them.

'Aunt Em' and Micah looking for eggs.

Grandma Cindy did a great job hiding the eggs. She even hid some in the rims of the truck!

I think he was trying to put the egg in the bird feeder. That makes sense, I guess!

Memphis looking for eggs.

This is just another photo of Jude enjoying the sun and the slide @ that super awesome park.

More to come on Jude's birthday, but that deserves a post all in itself!

Someday...

2011-03-28T10:59:00.000-07:00

*This post was brought on by a morning with a very dear friend, with whom I could share many many cups of coffee with before growing tired or bored. Our conversation was rich, but VERY interrupted by our children. This was how I felt after she left.

Someday...

Someday I'll go to the bathroom without someone pulling themselves up by my pant leg or having a toddler asking me what 'is that?' while pointing at my underwear.

Someday I'll finish a cup of coffee before it gets cold.

Someday I'll have a clean house.

Someday the laundry will be all caught up.

Someday I won't wonder if silence means 'trouble' or just indicates an occupied toddler.

Someday I will finish a conversation with my husband...or a dear friend.

Someday I will go into public without checking to see if there is snot wiped all over my black shirt.

Someday I will sleep in.

Someday the freezer won't be filled with ice packs, breast milk, and teething rings.

Someday there will be time to put on make-up and do my hair....don't be fooled that I'll actually take the time though ;)

Someday I won't have to wipe snotty noses, quite covertly and quickly.

Someday food will stay on the table and not end up on the floor.

Until then...

I will welcome this sweet boy into my arms and let him slobber all over me as he uses my body as a human jungle gym.

I will tickle him until he laughs that laugh that reaches to the core of every human spirit. The laugh that cures any bad mood, any sadness and that can't be bought at any price!

I will cherish this boy, quirks and all. Nurturing his sensitive spirit, yet encouraging him to be strong and to be who God has made him to be.

I will smile at the cobwebs, crushed cheerios, dirty clothes, and toys that have missing parts.

I will forever hold these years of 'small-ones' in my heart as great times.

Until then...

I will live in this moment!

Unrest and Confidence

2011-03-25T18:34:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of unrest in the world lately. Wait, there is ALWAYS a lot of unrest in the World. It seems, though, that the unrest has been more at the forefront our our minds lately, thanks to the awesome un-biased, always accurate media. *Yes, I am being sarcastic.*

As a mother of two small children, it is so easy for me to worry about the future and to default to a mode of anxiety and fear over what life will be like when my children are grown. The other night I was reading my Bible and came across a passage of scripture that wiped all of those fears away. I told Jason that I need to tattoo a portion of it backwards on my forehead so that I will see it every time I look in the mirror. He said he could have that arranged ;)

I just love it when God gets sassy and almost rude…

“This is what the Lord says:

Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the sky, though the nations are terrified by them.

For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a crastman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold;

They fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter. Like a scarecrow in a melon patch, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk.

Do no fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good.

No one is like you, O Lord; you are great, and your name is mighty in power.

Who should not revere you, O King of the nations? This is your due. Among all the wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you. They are all senseless and foolish; they are taught by worthless wooden idols.

Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish and gold from Uphaz. What the craftsman and goldsmith have made is then dressed in blue and purple-all made by skilled workers.

But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath.

Tell them this: These gods, who did not make the heavens and the earth, will perish from the earth and from under the heavens.

But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.

Everyone is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. His images are a fraud, they have no breath in them. They are worthless, the objects of mockery; when their judgement comes, they will perish.

He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things, including Israel, the tribe of his inheritance- the Lord Almighty is his name.” Jeremiah 10:2-16

I pray that these boys will grow into men who laugh at what the world fears,

and fear what the world laughs at!

Out with the old, in with the new!

2011-03-23T11:10:00.001-07:00

My friend Amanda introduced me to this blog called Prudent Baby. It has super fun, do-it-yourself tips and many many things that look fun, but that I will never find the time to do. The other night I found this great pattern and decided to go for it. It was a pattern to make a pair of toddler pants out of an old sweater.

I've had this sweater for at least 6 years and gotten a lot of wear of out of it, but its getting worn out and pilly all over. I didn't want to just throw it away, and the pattern was GREAT for this project. So....last night I went for it. It seriously would've taken me 30 minutes from start to finish, IF I hadn't sewn it inside out first! Ripping the seam out took the longest time just because of the woven sweater!

Here's the sweater before:

And the pants After:

I still need to put the elastic in, but once I do, they're done!!! I can't wait to try them out. I'm not sure if they'll fit Micah or Jude better. I think if I roll down the cuff they'll fit MJ, but if I roll up the cuff they'll fit Jude. My kind of pants!

11 Months and Potty Time

2011-03-22T19:42:00.000-07:00

Don't even think I'm trying to potty train our 11 month old! I wouldn't even go so far as to say we're potty training Micah. He has shown interest in potty training here and there, so we thought we'd get a few pair of undies to give him an idea of what he'll be wearing once he's trained. He specifically asked for Handy Manny undies. The only place we could find them was Sears, online. We decided, on a whim one day, to at the Sears near us and they had them on clearance! Score! He hasn't, by any means, crossed the bridge from diapers to underoos, but that's okay. He'll get there!

This picture cracks me up! He looks so much like my nephew in this picture! I know someday I'll laugh at the clutter in the background, for now I'll just ignore it.

Jason suggested I should name this blog post 'Heads or Tails'!

Jude will be one in just a little over a week! Really?!?! I cannot believe it! He's becoming more and more toddler-like and we're loving it! That being said, I think I need to read up on what to do about strong-willed children. He is SO different than Micah in this way! He has already started the screaming fits and throwing himself on the floor. Here we go!

I'm not really sure how we got him to sit still for this picture. He's all over the place, although not walking yet.

Here's a few more stats on the cutie-pie:

-Has 6 teeth, 4 top ones and 2 bottom. I think he's working on two more on the bottom right now.

-Walks along everything and behind lots of toys, but not on his own just yet.

-Says 'na-na' -we're not sure if this is 'no' or 'night night'. He is also saying 'da da' to Jason, and sometimes me, but sometimes he'll also say 'ma ma'.

-Climbs anything that he can.

-Signs all done and sometimes he'll sign 'more', but usually he just yells till he has more food.

-Speaking of food, no more baby food for this kid. I keep trying, which is a waste of time. He just wants to pick up food and eat it. I got video of him eating spaghetti the other night! It was epic!

-We just started giving him some cows milk every once in a while and he LOVES it! He'll suck down a sippy cup in no time!

So cute!

These next two pictures are my favorite! They are really starting to play well together. I PROMISE that I did not stage this picture! They will often climb into a box at the same time and play together! The rest of the time they're too busy harassing each other. It's a love-hate thing, and I have a feeling this is only the beginning.

'Cheese!' Micah says. At almost 2 1/2 years he's so fun. I love how he can actually tell us what's going on, how he's feeling and what he needs. It makes life a lot easier! He's such a timid little boy, but he's so cuddly and kind!

10 Years of Me and The Month of March

2011-03-15T19:46:00.000-07:00

I would like to take a moment to apologize to the grandparents of my children. This blog is primarily for you....well, for you, and as an outlet for my desire to write. I have slacked in a BIG BAD WAY lately, but please do not give up visiting. We now have real live internet, but have discovered that our computer is throwing a temper tantrum and refuses to connect to said internet. Please know that as soon as our internet AND our computer are in sync I will be much more diligent at keeping your giant, grandparent-sized hearts full. Until then, I'm afraid you must put up with my ramblings...

*I totally hacked off the idea for this blog post from my friend Annie. Thanks Annie ps- its kinda creepy how similar our last 10 years have been ;)

10 Years of Me and The Month of March

10 Years Ago I was preparing to graduate from high school, wondering exactly where I would be going to college, as it seemed my plans and God's suddenly didn't match.

9 Years Ago I was figuring out just what a respiratory therapist did and realizing I HATED it. I had also just met the love of my life, but had not yet realized how awesome he is!

8 Years Ago I was planning a wedding and preparing to graduate from college, literally counting down the weeks left until graduation with a paper chain.

7 Years Ago I was enjoying the first year of married life and going part-time as a respiratory therapist because my body couldn't handle working nights...best move ever!

6 Years Ago I was packing boxes to move to Coralville from Kansas City.

5 Years Ago I was finally back to work in critical care as a respiratory therapist after working in home care for 8 LONG months. And rejoicing that the Lord had worked a true miracle in my heart, causing me to go from hating my profession to loving it! (it's amazing what he'll do if you just ask)

4 Years Ago I was pregnant for the first time, but didn't know it. I found out I was pregnant on April 1st and miscarried 14 days later.

3 Years Ago I was pregnant for the 3rd time and reservedly excited.

2 Years Ago I was enjoying the sleepless, thankless, joyful moments of being the mother to a sweet baby boy and falling more in love with my husband as I watched him become a father.

1 Year Ago I was literally days away from giving birth to our second son. Once again, experiencing a transformation in my heart as the Lord prepared me for his birth. You can read more about that here.

March this year, I am mother to two small boys, wife to one big boy, and daughter of one Great King! This year has brought many trials, but I am so thankful for the Lord's provsion (materially and spirtually) and his never-ending grace and mercies....which are new every morning and of which I use every ounce of my portion every day!

Monster Cookies

2011-02-26T12:26:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago Jason had the opportunity to receive further training in Biblical Counseling. The training was a week long and was in Indiana. Aside from the fact that he was away from us for a week, it was a great time of growth and training in an area that Jason is gifted and very interested in. Needless to say, it was a blessing!

Now, we all know how much I LOVE to bake! Seriously, I really enjoy making yummy goodness and sharing it with those I love the most. Jason once said jokingly that food was my spiritual gift. We laughed, and then I thought, ‘You’re right! You’re absolutely right!’ If someone has a baby I am the first in line to take them a meal. If a friend or family member has a birthday I am all excited to make them their favorite dessert. Jason even claims I won his love over with my Eggplant Parmasean…which I’ve made only one other time since then ;) I truly enjoy cooking and baking!

So, when I knew Jason would be riding in a van packed with 10 other people for 6 hours I thought I’d better make them something to sustain them on the long trip! What better to make than Monster Cookies?!?!

This recipe is MASSIVE, and I mean MASSIVE! I once counted out how many dozen cookies this recipe makes and it came to 14! That’s right, 14 dozen cookies, roughly 168 average-sized cookies. One could potentially halve or even quarter this recipe, but where’s the fun in that?

I make the recipe, in its entirety once or twice a year. In fact, I have a huge stainless steel bowl that I inherited from my Grandma Beverly, whose spiritual gift was also food, which I use for such occasions. If you do indeed attempt to make this recipe I suggest two things: 1) using a hand mixer to blend all of the ingredients, up to the addition of the oatmeal and 2) chilling the dough-I’ve found the cookies turn out better if the dough has been chilled first.

Luckily, I had planned ahead and purchased all of the proper ingredients, thanks to Aldi, so when the ‘Blizzard O’ 2011’ set in I was ready to bake, bake, bake! We stayed in our jammies all day and baked cookies. At 6pm I put on jeans for the first time all day, put cookies in paper bags that said ‘Happy Snow Day’, and Micah and I delivered them to our neighbors. Jason took the remaining cookies on his trip and they received rave reviews! Maybe someday I’ll muster up enough guts to enter them in the Iowa State Fair.

Yummy dough all ready to bake!

That's right, 12 eggs! Thank goodness for Aunt Phoebe and her chickens...she keeps me in business.

Prepped and ready to go!

Jude's favorite hangout. He stayed her all morning watching the neighbors try to dig out their driveway. There were snow drifts as high as 5 feet in some parts of the yard!

What's not to love about this little guy?!?! He melts my heart!

Micah and Daddy enjoyed some extended blocks and cars time while I baked!

It just so happened that Micah had on his monster pj's! I promise, I did not stage this!

Here’s the recipe, for your enjoyment-and No, that’s not a typo, it really calls for 12 eggs and 3 lbs. peanut butter!

Monster Cookies

12 eggs 8 tsp baking soda

2 lbs. brown sugar 3 lb. peanut butter

4 cups white sugar 18 cups oatmeal

1 lb. butter- do not use margarine

1 T. vanilla 1 lb. M n M candies-plain

1 T. Karo 1 lb. choc chips

In a large dishpan, mix in order given. Drop by large spoonfuls or ice cream scoop on a greased cookie sheet, flatten. Bake at 350 about 12 minutes, check at 10 minutes, do not overbake!

Note: this recipe does not call for flour. Yield dependent on size of cookies.

Filled with Music

2011-02-14T13:02:00.001-08:00

Our days are filled with music.

Micah has loved to sing for a long time. I struggle to remember what he did before he sang and how quiet my life was then ;) I LOVE that he sings, I really do!

Sometimes I beat myself up because I'm not more on-the-ball and could be more intentional about scripture memorization with him. Then he starts singing. No, not all of his songs are filled with scripture, as this video reveals, but many of them are. The other day we made up our own dance to the song that goes:

Oh Lord, my Lord,

you will keep us safe,

you will protect us.

You will keep us safe

and watch over us,

in our coming and

going, forever!

I was having one of those moments where I was feeling like a crappy mom and letting the enemy convince me that I am a loser because Micah has a bald spot on his head from cradle cap and Jude has terrible infected eczema on his face and arm that resembles leprosy. Micah was begging to sing and dance to this song, so I turned it on. Jason was home and commented on how he had never heard the song before. And then he said, "I mean, I know the words, they're scripture, but I've never heard that song." I SOO needed that!

This song is Micah's rendition of Tractor, Tractor which is from the Slugs and Bugs Lullabies CD. There is a great video of the Tractor, Tractor song on YouTube. If you have a young boy, I highly recommend showing it to them.

This is Micah's version as he sings about his pi-paw...or Grandpa!

*Dear loved ones and other suckers who read my blog: I apologize for the few-and-far-between posts. In an effort to be frugal, bordering on cheap, we have just been using whatever internet we can pick up instead of investing in our own internet. This is no longer working or reliable, so I am making do, realizing some idols in my life, and waiting as we pray over whether or not investing in internet is an option/wise. I love blogging, and have many things on which I would love to speak of. I may even have a video or picture to share. But alas, I am learning to be content in all circumstances.

Dance Dance

2011-01-28T19:03:00.000-08:00

Jude has started to dance! Jason said that today Micah was singing and Jude started to dance to the 'music'. Here is a video of him dancing. The best that I could get of him really grovin' is at the very beginning of the video. Notice Micah holding the magnetic pencil for his Wooly Willy in his mouth. He learned that habit from his daddy. This summer Jason would hit golf balls in our yard and hold a golf tee between his teeth. Monkey See, Monkey Do.

We are fighting off a nasty cold or virus in our home. Jude had a cold and temp this last week and Micah just spiked a temp today. Even Jason caught a bit of it! So not cool!

In other news, Jude changes every day. Today he let go of the coffee table and stood for a good 20 seconds before sitting down. I'm SO not ready for another walker ;) He also has his two top teeth, and has for a few weeks now. He's working on some more, whether they are on the top or bottom, they're causing him all kinds of greif. He'll chew on anything that he can!

Be Careful...Be Fearless

2011-01-19T18:06:00.000-08:00

****Disclaimer: This is a draft of my original, you'll never know, but I sure do ;) ...so much for assuming that Blogger is, in fact, saving your work as you go along and that you have good internet connection. Sigh...

As many of you know, I am notorious for my "Worst Case Scenario-ness", meaning I am always thinking of the worst thing that could happen in every situation. It is so severe at times that I have to really stop myself and take my thoughts captive. I don't watch scary movies, mostly because my time is precious and I don't want to waste it watching, well..crap, but also because I don't need help thinking of terrible things that could happen. This 'disability', if you will, isn't all bad, as a mom I need to have some sense when it comes to how we set up our home and how to make a safe environment for our children to grow up in. This means taking measures like putting outlet covers over our electrical outlets, or not leaving scissors lying on the floor. This DOES NOT mean being paranoid about the way I hang my belt on our over-the-door organizer, freaking out that on of the boys might get strangled on it...that's right, I think about these things. So NOT cool!!!

God has done a great work in my heart about not only letting go of those un-merited fears, but also in the area of truly surrendering my children to Him. I have no control over tragedies, accidents or even sickness. I wish I did. Which leads me to my point...

Tonight while I was putting on Jude's pj's I heard Micah say "Look Mommy!" This is a phrase that every mother of boys comes to dread! "Look Mommy" coming from a girl usually means, look, I made you a picture, or watch me feed my doll, or something fairly innocent and non-destructive. Boys, not so much. I glanced up and Micah was balancing on the ottoman, which was tilted, and an inflatable toy. What he was doing wasn't really all that dangerous, and is only a sign of things to come. Instinctively I said, "Be Careful!"

But then I caught myself. Why should he be careful? It's not like he has a long way to fall. He's laying on a soft inflatable toy, even if he loses his balance the only thing that will get hurt is his pride.

Normally I would just shrug things like this off, but not tonight. I couldn't stop thinking about it. I felt a huge conviction in my heart that I need to teach my sons what to be careful of, what to fear, but just as important, I need to teach them what NOT to fear!!!

Here's what Bible tells us about all of the above:

***The Bible has a TON to say about fear and being careful, too much to include all of the verses in this post. Feel free to explore all of these topics more!

What we should be careful of:

Proverbs 28:13 "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."

Proverbs 29:11 "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control."

Proverbs 14:17 "A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated."

Ephesians 4:26 and 29 "In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Poor Jude is an easy target in this picture for this warning: Laziness...

Proverbs 6:10 "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-

and poverty will come on you like a bandit."

Proverbs 20:4 "A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing."

What the Bible has to say about what we should and shouldn't fear:

Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Deuteronomy 6:13-14 "Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you"

Psalm 19:9 "The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever..."

Psalm 23:4 " Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Psalm 27:1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear?"

Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Luke 12:5 "But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has the power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him."

Psalm 91 has a TON to say about who we should and shouldn't fear, here are a few of my favorite verses:

He who dwels in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty,

I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust."...

He will cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings you will find refuge'

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart...

You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day...

You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;

you will trample the great lion and the serpent."

As a mother of sons who will, someday soon, become men I have a responsibility to impress upon these little leaders-in-the-making what they should truly fear and who/what to boast in. While I acknowledge the divine calling on the lives of David and Daniel, I can't help but think that what their parents taught them had some significance in the men the became. What I wouldn't give to sit down, coffee in hand, and chat it up with David's mother. Asking her what measures she took to prepare her young son to become a man who was prepared to be a shepherd, fight and kill a giant-and then behead him, and fight for true leadership...all while playing the harp!

Moreover, I want to ask her what she did to prepare his heart to have humility and repentance, to then praise and worship God above all else.

I pray that I will be a mother who doesn't fear the illness or death, but fears the Lord. I pray that my children, male or female, will boast in Christ-in his salvation. I pray that they will not fear what the world fears: poverty, loneliness, lack of fame, or even death. I want my children to see me boast in what Moses says in Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you".

The Many Faces of Jude

2011-01-04T17:40:00.001-08:00

Jude is now 9 months old and his personality comes out more each day. He is determined, to say the least.

Now crawling, pulling himself up, and walking along things-sometimes even transferring from one chair to another {or the bathtub to the toilet} while cruising along, our world has changed!

Micah is struggling with sharing his toys and being nice or 'kind' to Jude. It kind of breaks my heart when he is so rude, but is also super convicting to think of the ways I treat others the exact same...just with a little less whining. We're working on helping him see that Jude wants to play with him and that he can't take toys away from Jude. We have entered a new phase, with both boys, and its sometimes overwhelming!

The many faces of Jude:

Catch me if you can!

I'm slacking in the taking-pictures-every-month, but I've forgiven myself ;)

Is that drool I see? Uhh, YUP! Jude just popped his top right tooth through yesterday and the left one is all but through. Lots of nursing, holding, and keeping close by these days. Oh well, at least I know what to blame!

These next two pictures were taken when Micah and Jude were playing in Jude's crib. I have stopped letting them play in there, at least for the time being. Their rough housing was making me too anxious. Jude is a tough cookie, but Micah still gets too carried away at times and I felt like it was breeding some aggressive behaviors...wait....he's a two year old boy, EVERYTHING breeds agression! You can see a blur of Micah in the bottom right.

Speaking of aggression!

He LOVES to sit and watch the world go by. If he's fussy we just sit in front of the door and he cheers right up. The Vitamin D probably does him some good too!

I love these pics! And yes, we do occasionally put real clothes on the boy...he doesn't ALWAYS wear his pj's!

My mom brought this pioneer seed corn hat up one day. She had found it while cleaning out stuff from our childhood. It is a kid-sized hat...and too stinkin cute. I think this was on our "Christmas" morning because Jason got that stocking cap in his stocking....okay, now I'm starting to feel like Dr. Suess!

Yup, still cute!

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree...Belated!

2011-01-01T17:14:00.000-08:00

This blog is slightly late...please forgive my tardiness. I decided that spending time with family, preparing for Christmas, and attending a bazillion Christmas parties was more important than blogging. I was right!

We have thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas season. I have found myself more and more enamoured...yes, enamoured with the Old Testament during this last month. I have always KNOWN that Christ was born at Christmas time and that He came to save us all from spending eternity in the pit of Hell, but it wasn't until this Christmas season that I became more aware of the Lineage of Christ and what Christ's coming meant to His chosen people. Amazing!!!

Naturally, that's not what this post is about!

When I was 8 years old I received a book from my Great Grandma Hawley...she died the following Thanksgiving. Apart from the way her apartment smelled and that she had a tub of giant, colorful cat's eye marbles in her hall closet that I would play with when we would visit, I don't really remember a whole lot about her. Opposed to the memories I have of Great Grandma, I have many many memories of reading the book she gave me. It was called The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston. The story is a little girl named Ruthie and takes place in the Appalachian Mountains during WWII. Ruthie's papa gets called away to war, but before he goes they go up to the rocky craigs and tie one of Ruthie's hair ribbons to the tip tip top of a balsam tree that they are to take to the church for Christmas. The author writes so vividly, and while the illustrations are great, they aren't necessary!

As I became a woman and as the desire to become a mother grew, my desire to read this book to my children escalated. It got so bad that there were even a few Christmas seasons that I made Jason listen while I read it out loud! Once again, he's a good sport ;)

In 2003 the author gave the town Spruce Pine, North Carolina the rights to this book as a gift. The town had suffered severe economic trouble due to outsourcing. Her gift grew as others joined. A website has been built in an effort to help this small town and the surrounding county. If you have a second, visit their website here...it really is awesome what they're doing!

This year Micah was old enough to sit through the entire story. I read it to him a couple of times. Both times I cried, the first time I nearly lost it, the second time I kept my composure a little better. I was crying for two reasons, 1-the book is great, and makes me cry almost every time I read it, and 2-I was overwhelmed with the blessings the Lord has given me and so thankful for the opportunity to have this 'dream' fulfilled!

Micah was also old enough to enjoy the process of picking out the Christmas tree, decorating it, and enjoying it all season long. The following are pictures of the day we went to get our tree. We loaded the boys up shortly after we all got up. It was chilly, so we didn't even bother changing them out of the jammies...it was great!!!

Gotta love that smile!

We found a small, but beautiful Christmas tree at Menard's. The boys were still pretty oblivious to what we were doing.

I think this was taken the next day, when we decorated it. Jude did surprisingly well with the Christmas tree. I think it helped that it wasn't particularly fun to touch!

Micah LOVED helping Jason tighten the tree stand. He got his Handy Manny pliers and 'tightened' the screws. It was too cute! We concluded that our Christmas tree had scoliosis; no matter how much we tightened it and tried to straighten it, it was still crooked!

Awwww! Priceless!

Christmas Day....well, actually the 23rd. We left that day for KC, so we opened our stockings early. For a few years Jason and I have just gotten each other things that fit in our stockings. Some of it was a financial decision, but moreover we decided we don't NEED anything. We have decided to continue this tradition with our children. As they get older we may decide to do gifts, but right now they get plenty of gifts from family. AND We want Christmas to be about celebrating the birth of our Savior and not about getting, getting, getting.

We let Micah put a few of the wooden and metal ornaments on the tree! It was so fun!

We hope that your Christmas was filled with blessings and love!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Stan!

2010-12-16T19:44:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to a great Grandpa! We're excited to see you in just a few days! Did you hear how Micah says "Happy Birthday Micah" instead of Grandpa? We're working on not being so selfish around here ;)

We are blessed to have you in our lives! Thank you for being such a great Grandpa and Father/Father-in-Law!

Heart Check, Parenting Edition

2010-12-12T17:24:00.000-08:00

Please bear with my ramblings....

Today Micah fell asleep for a whopping 5 minutes on the way home from church. He then refused to go back to sleep and take his normal hour to 1.5 hour nap. Instead he chose to cry the entire time. Great, just great. This hour and a half...yes, we made him stay in there for an hour and a half, brought about many emotions and thoughts.

He was quiet for a while, then talked for a few minutes, then began to cry. I was not prepared for what happened next...

Jason had been cleaning up the dishes from lunch, because he's awesome like that. Instead of being grateful for my husband's kindness and selflessness I suddenly became irrational and slightly insane! I was convinced that the noise that Jason had made stacking the dishes was what had caused Micah to go from going to sleep to refusing to sleep. While this may be true, it probably wasn't, but I was still angry.

Anger isn't something I usually struggle with, but when I DO get angry-well, watch out! I get flaming hot angry. I start throwing things, slamming doors or drawers, and worse of all, my thought life begins to take a nose dive right into Satan's arena. Oh, it was not pretty. While I didn't actually throw anything, I "gnashed my teeth and stomped my feet and chased him out the door"...as one of Micah's books says about the very cranky bear! Luckily, I have a gracious husband and a loving God. I knew better than to let this get too out of control, so when Jason suggested {wink, wink} that I lay down and try to take a nap I found myself realizing some very key points about myself and parenting in general...instead of napping.

There were many things I realized, but here were two key things:

1. The tone of our home is set by those who live in it.

Our home is generally a place of peace, a place filled with loving words and jabber of a toddler. There are times we get irritated with Micah's whining or short with each other, but generally speaking our home is not a place that would be considered volatile or violent. BUT lately I've been convicted by my tone when responding to others, and moreover, when talking about others. I've fallen into the habit of having conversations like "I would NEVER do that to my kids!" or "They've got to be CRAZY to let that happen" or "Can you believe THAT?" with my husband, yet in the presence of our children. We're all human, we all have these thoughts, but as those who bear the light of Christ we are called to something much higher...nevermind the fact that I need to remove the giant plank from eye before pointing out the speck in another person's. If I want my children to be more like Christ, and to show them Christ's love, then I need to emulate who He is and what He has called us to. The fruits of the spirit are NOT: gossip, or sarcasm, or anger, or nagging, or jealousy, or envy, BUT: LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE {so hard with a toddler in the home}, KINDNESS, GENTLENESS, and SELF-CONTROL!

When Micah began crying it brought back so many old feelings. Feelings I haven't felt for over a year. You see, there was a time when Micah hated sleep...I mean loathed. He would cry and cry and cry...and sometimes sleep. This brought out major insecurities and feelings that I was a total failure as a mother.

The tone of our home is set by the way Jason and I re-act to every situation in life; the good ones, the bad ones, the loud ones, the stressful ones. Our children are watching, they're watching very carefully! If I want my home to be a place of peace and a place where my children feel safe then I need to make sure I am living that out.

2. Jason and I are on the same Team!

Why is this so hard to remember? And why is it that we take everything out on the ones who love us the most? Is it because we know they'll forgive us, or because they're an easy target? Well, that's a whole nother blog post, but regardless I am so guilty of taking my frustrations out on my husband. Jason agreed that Micah needed to sleep, he agreed that it was ridiculous that he gets messed up from falling asleep for five stinking minutes on the way home from church. He's on my side! But I had somehow, in my hormone filled, irrational hissy fit convinced myself that he didn't care, that he was disagreeing with me.

Not only did this make me realize how quickly I want to take my frustrations out on Jason, but it also reminded me of how much Satan hates marriage and intentional parenting. He'll do anything, using even a crying child to bring anger and harsh words into our home. I am not saying "Satan made me do it!" but rather that when he sees us going down that road he wastes no time setting up camp in our thought life. Convincing us of things that aren't true and/or conveniently reminding us of 'that one time, when Jason did that one thing' that has NOTHING to do with the matter at hand.

Jason and I are on the same team, so we'd better act like it! We need to parent together, and fight for our marriage together! Otherwise, we'll wake up someday and wonder what happened.

This is the only life we get, so we'd better make it count and we'd better be bold about it! Oh, and this parenting thing...its a WHOLE lot harder than I realized, and we're only getting started! Oy!

Time Flies!

2010-12-07T18:51:00.000-08:00

Time has definitely flown by for the Blackley family. I cannot believe that it is only a few days until Christmas...okay, weeks, but still!!!

As you'll see we've been getting some projects done around the home, since we own it and all. When the toilet breaks, you can't call the landlord anymore. Jason has learned a lot about toilets, let's just leave it at that ;)

Micah 'helping' daddy replace the retched padded toilet seat that was on our toilet when we moved in. Those things gross me out, and last a whole 5 minutes before breaking!

I have officially failed to take a monthly picture of Jude for months 6 and 7....and he's officially the second child!

He has started eating, well, everything that doesn't eat him first! He is the polar opposite from Micah in many many ways, and eating is just one. Micah would not budge when it came to eating baby food. If I pried the spoon just far enough between his lips SOMETIMES he would open them for Gerber prunes, but Jude...he'll eat it all! He is starting to prefer things he can pick up over pureed foods, which is quite fine by us! Apparently I stopped moving long enough for him to think he could eat the camera! No seriously though, last night we were having pork chops and I had him on my lap. I thought the plate was out of his reach, but then looked down to see him holding a giant piece of pork chop! Awesome!

Jude has also taken off in the department of mobility. 5 days ago he learned to get himself up into a sitting position, today he pulled himself up to his knees! I am SO not ready for this. He can craw great...BACKWARDS! It is so funny to watch. He army crawls forward, but I have a feeling that is quite temporary.

One other project we did late this fall was to paint our night stand. I have been wanting to paint it for a while. It was in need of a new coat of paint, but our room also needed some color. I decided to paint it purple, deep purple, to tie in the colors of our quilt. Jason was less than thrilled at the choice of color, but as always he was still a good sport. I gave him the option of painting or watching the kiddos. He was smart and chose to paint ;) No, he actually wanted to paint it.

Before:

After:

Now we just need to hang something above the head of our bed. I'm kind of scared to, I'm afraid something will fall down in the middle of the night. Maybe we'll do an uppercase living instead!

This week I have 5 Christmas parties in 7 days. Don't ask me how or why, it just worked out this way. While I absolutely hate being this busy, I feel like every party has a purpose and are important. Tis the season! and it will pass all too soon!

Micah Moo

2010-11-27T17:43:00.000-08:00

Shortly after Micah was born I started calling him 'Micah Moo'. There was no particular event or reason that made me give him that nickname, I love it all the same! He has even started to call himself 'Micah Moo'. Since I'm behind on blogging, and because I love him so stinkin' much, this post is all about Micah-to-the-Moo.

He loves to accessorize. The lighting isn't the best in this picture, but he has the hood on his hat up AND a ball cap on top of that. He walked around the house for a good 2 hours like this. When we go to the store he doesn't want to take of his hat, even his winter hat while we're inside...it makes me so hot!!!

This was taken before we headed out to help our good friends, Gabe and Missy, get wood for the winter. They have blessed us beyond measure, it was our small way of giving back. We had a great day, got our hearts pumpin' as we carried wood up a very steep hill and enjoyed fellowship with some great folks ;)

While we were at Gabe's parent's house getting the wood Micah fell into a tree stump...it was not terrible, but scratched his face up. You'll see in the next pictures.

The next day, after getting wood with the Isbells, we went down to my parent's home to celebrate Micah and his Uncle J's birthday. When we told my brother-in-law, Jared, that I was due to have Micah on October 10 he said, "You know, my birthday is on the 18th, you should just wait and have him on my birthday." Low and behold, Micah WAS born on the 18th, I'm still shaking my fist at him! While we were there my sister, Phoebe, was harvesting corn down the road. Micah rode with Jason and Uncle Brandon in the combine for over 2 hours!!! He LOVED it! He loved it so much he still talks about it!

This picture has a terrible glare, but that is Jason, Micah and my sister Phoebe in the tractor. Phoebe took them back to the combine, where they rode with Brandon.

Looking at all the corn in the wagons!

We are so blessed to have such an awesome son. He tries our patience at times, tonight even....

In spite of his sinful nature he is a cuddle-dud, loves to make you smile, and loves to make music or dance to it. I am loving this phase of his life, that's right, I'm loving the 'terrible two's'. He is learning SO much right now, it is so great to see him verbalize or put into action the things we have been teaching him since birth or shortly after. He cracks me up with his dances and makes me melt when he snuggles in tight with Jason or me.

Micah, you're the leader of your siblings, you have a great responsibility in that. Your brother and future siblings will look to you as their model. You have been given a role of leadership. I pray that you take that by the reins!

Big Boy Bath and Brothers!

2010-11-17T17:57:00.000-08:00

These boys are growing up too fast! I will welcome the full night's sleep, which can't be that far off-right?!?! BUT I'm enjoying the baby phase as much as I can right now!

Jude is changing so incredibly fast! It seems like he does something new every day. In all reality it's probably not a quick as it seems, but since he's the second, and I'm more distracted than I was with Micah, life seems to fly by. He cut his first two teeth last week. It stunk just as much as it did with Micah. Yup, still not a fan of the teething!

He has started to take to baby food more and more. He gets about two meals a day, if I can squeeze it all in! He also likes rice crackers and some corn cereal I found at Central Discount. For some reason he's not a fan of Cheerios or bananas, but I'm sure he'll outgrow that!

He is becoming more and more mobile. In the past few days he has pretty much perfected getting on all fours and rocking back and forth. He can crawl backwards, but hasn't quite figured out how to go forwards. Sitting up is getting better too! Christmas should be interesting!!!

I love my husband, he's such a great daddy to his little boys. He's not afraid to take them off my hands and rough house with them! He's the best!

Jude was getting a little too big for his baby bathtub. I had forgotten I had lent this ring to Emily for Memphis to use. She returned it a while back, so I got it out and decided to move Jude into it. He's only toppled over once in it. It scared Jason and I half to death, as he got a lung full of water when he fell over, but he recovered nicely! It was a good reminder to stay RIGHT BY the tub, not at the sink, when he's in there! Jason was in the bathroom and watched it happen, but was just a step or two away. He said Micah tried to catch Jude as he fell over! Brotherly love kickin' in already!

Micah loves having a playmate in the tub!

Silly boy! I can only imagine what Jude is thinking!

This picture is one of my favorites! I actually took it a few weeks ago when Jude would stay still long enough to use the play mat they're laying on. Note Micah not wearing any pants! It must've been warmer that day than it has been lately!

I know this picture is blurry, but it still cracks me up. Can't you just see what Jude will look like when he's 50? And Micah's the life of the party!

They're personalities are SO different. Yesterday we spent the day at my parent's while Jason went to Columbia, Mo for his follow-up appointment with Dr. Christ. My dad got out the tractor and took Jude for a quick ride while he did some work. Jude loved it. While I was standing in the yard, I turned around and saw Micah fussing about the tractor. He wasn't full-on crying, but he was definitely afraid! It's fun to see how different they are already! I can tell we've got our work cut out for us when it comes to Jude. He can be a little stinker!!! When I pray for him while putting him down for the night I pray that he'll be stubborn for the Lord and for the Gospel. Being stubborn isn't always a bad thing!

Micah's Birthday Party

2010-11-14T18:02:00.000-08:00

This blog post is almost an entire month behind...and for that I apologize. This last month has flown by! Nevertheless, Micah's Birthday party was a blast, and must documented in the blog.

We decided to go with an Elephant theme. We had make-your-own elephant trunks and banana elephant trunk desserts!

Jason's mom, sister and nephew came up for the day. We originally planned on having Micah's birthday party an a park, the weather ended up being kind of sketchy, so we ended up having the party at home. As you can tell by the looks of Micah's room after the party, the kids had a great time!

Ransacked...that's what I call it!

Grandma and her boys! There were a few more shots, but this was the best one. Getting 3 boys 2 and under to hold still is close to impossible!

Micah loved the pumpkin bars...or at least the frosting! Yup, he's two!

The kiddos making their elephant trunks.

Auntie Em and Jude, as you can tell Jude is a little tired? He was a trooper the whole day!

Missy helping the kiddos make their trunks.

This picture was too fun to not share!!! Micah loves his hats. He's eating the 'elephant trunks'. We took bananas, cut them in half, put a popsicle stick in one end and topped them with sprinkles and hershey's syrup!

The next two pictures were taken on Micah's actual birthday. Jason made him blueberry pancakes! He was still a little sleepy-eyed when we took these pictures!

Since having his birthday he calls all candles 'erfday' instead of 'candle'!

Micah's Two Year Pictures

2010-10-18T07:32:00.000-07:00

We were recently blessed with a photo shoot from our friend Missy. She is an awesome photographer, who is wanting to photograph families while they're 'in action' and enjoying each life...as opposed to staged in a department store. Not that they're anything wrong with that!

Anyway, she took our photos one great fall afternoon. We had a blast taking the pictures and hiking through Kent State Park...it was a beautiful day!

Here are a few of the pictures she took of Micah. I love them all!

They found a 'sword'! And Micah LOVED it!

He had the 'sword' pushed up against a tree stump. I think he was trying to show off his muscles!

Can you find Micah in this picture?

Jude wasn't the happiest, so we weren't able to capture his smile very well! Oh well, he's still cute ;)

Thanks again, Missy! You're an awesome photographer!

Micah's Birth Story

2010-10-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

In just a few short days our firstborn will turn TWO! I feel like one of those old aunts that pinches your cheek and leaves lipstick on your face when she kisses you when I say this, but I truly do not know where the time goes! I look back at his baby pictures and it just doesn't seem possible that he has changed so much in a relatively short period of time!

I had to look back in the archives of this blog to make sure I hadn't posted Micah's birth story yet. I was almost certain that I hadn't, but I wanted to make sure. Honestly, there is a reason why I haven't posted Micah's birth story until now, I am just now coming to terms with his birth and learning to find peace in the Lord and not in my circumstances. Micah's birth did NOT go as planned. In fact, pretty much everything I didn't want, aside from me or him dying, happened. It was very difficult for me to move past that and treasure his birth for what it was...a blessing, the greatest moment any mother could ask for, providence from the Lord, and the moment I became a 'MOM'!

This is Micah just a few minutes after we brought him home from the hospital. I loved him so much, and, in a way, love him more today!

Sweet baby boy all bundled up. I forgot how dark his hair was, he's pretty blonde now.

*Please don't let this picture of him sucking on a pacifier deceive you. This kid HATED pacifiers AND bottles! The first day I went back to work he ate 4 oz in 10 hours. A sinner from birth!

So here's the story of Micah-Moo making his grand entrance:

My original due date was October 10, but since I had tracked my temperatures, I felt like it should have been more like October 6. As you will see in a moment, me thinking this only added insult to injury!

Around 38 weeks I started having high blood pressures when I would go to the doctor. They would send me to the hospital where they would perform a non-stress test. I did these twice a week from 38 weeks until he was born, and not once was my blood pressure high at the hospital. I was still working at the time, and began to have some swelling in my hands and feet. I blamed it on the fact that I was on my feet for 8 hours straight. I got some ted hose and somehow managed to squeeze them on every day. That was quite a sight...9 months pregnant and putting compression stockings on myself. Oy!

I continued to work up until my due date, at which point I gave in and stopped working. Physically this was a good move, mentally it was a disaster-I'd just hang around home waiting and waiting. So, October 10 came and went, so did the 11th, the 12th, the 13th, and so on. On Thursday, the 16th, I went in for another check-up. I still wasn't dilated, but had gained 5 lbs. in one week...and it wasn't all baby! My hands were so numb from the swelling that I couldn't grasp a pen to write and my toes looked like sausages. Yet, I continued to deny that anything was wrong.

Let me just take this moment to say that I love my doctor. Dr. Diane Adam is her name. She has a way about her that displays professionalism with a touch of compassion...my kind of gal! When we had our miscarriages she didn't treat us like she sees this every day, that it happens all the time, instead she warned us that it would take time to grieve the loss and that everything I was feeling was normal. I think when you become pregnant you develop an affinity for your physician that can't be explained. In all reality, I shouldn't like her as much as I do.

So, in true Dr. Adam style she informed me that I needed to do a 24 hour urine test to see if I was spilling protein into my urine. This, along with excessive weight gain, swelling, and high blood pressure are all signs of pre-eclampsia. She did this with a calm attitude, which I SO needed!

I gathered the bright orange container from the lab and began to collect my urine. 24 hours later I waddled to the lab and dropped off my 'specimen'. By this time Jason and I were anxious to meet our baby, but were still totally oblivious to what was really going on. We hopped in the car and headed home, trying to decide what to do that evening. 15 minutes after dropping of the urine Dr. Adam called. She explained that normal protein levels are 500 and that my lab results showed that mine was over 3,000! WHAT!?!?! But, I felt fine! And I'm not dilated!

She told me that I needed to check into the hospital THAT NIGHT and that they would begin the process of inducing me.

Insert ideals # 1: of natural labor and childbirth crashing down around me here.

I wanted to throw up! Internally I was throwing a temper tantrum that went something like this, "But I don't WANT to be induced. I'm FINE. Just give me a few more days and the baby will come, you'll see!"

I will save you all the gory details and use of words such as cervix and dilation, and instead fast forward to the next day-Saturday. We survived Friday night and the majority of Saturday without any major hiccups, but as I progressed further along in my quite unnatural state of labor, they started me on magnesium sulfate, which is given to help keep the body from having seizures when it is pre-eclamptic. This sounds all awesome and great, except the way the magnesium sulfate keeps you from having seizures is by causing all of your muscles to become floppy. Guess what? your uterus...that huge organ holding your baby...its a muscle!

Insert ideals #2: of any rational thought or movement of body gone here.

Honestly I don't remember a whole lot of the next few hours, exhaustion combined with an epidural and magnesium sulfate made everything pretty blurry. Around 9 pm it was determined that I was ready to push. This is where God has done a great work in my heart. The nurse who was taking care of me, not only asked the anesthesiologist to give me more medication, WITHOUT me asking for it, but she also informed the Dr. that 'I was ready to push', when in fact, I didn't feel that way at all. After everything was said and done, and the dust cleared, the 'what if's' began to set-in and satan set up camp. I held a grudge against this nurse for MONTHS! I was convinced that if she hadn't requested the extra meds or had me push too soon then things would have turned out different. They may have, and then again, they may have gone exactly as the did. Over the past two years God has revealed the bitterness and anger I have felt towards this nurse, as well as a much deeper issue, which I will touch on in a moment.

Back to the story: I pushed for 45 minutes with very little success. Over those 45 minutes my blood pressure skyrocketed out of control. They gave me blood pressure medication intravenously. It was at that point that I finally began to realize how sick I really was.

The doctor allowed me to try a little longer, but then told me that she really thought we needed to perform a c-section.

Insert ideal #3: vaginal birth no longer an option removed here.

Looking back, and hearing the story from Jason's perspective, they were prepared for a c-section long before I was. Honestly, I think the Dr. gave me a shot at a vaginal birth just for me, but in all reality knew that it was bloody likely that I would have a c-section. I appreciate that.

At 10:05 pm Micah came into this world. He was SO long, and while he wasn't low in weight, his length made him seem so skinny!

They let me kiss him, and Jason went with him to the nursery while they finished surgery on me.

I wasn't 'put under' for the c-section, but the magnesium sulfate and morphine made me SOO loopy that I just passed out afterwards and I didn't wake up til 2 am! It was the weirdest feeling in the world. I wanted to be awake, I wanted to hold my baby boy, but my body just wouldn't work. I could barely lift my hands and my face itched like crazy! At 2 am I finally did get to hold and nurse Micah. It was so surreal, as I'm sure every first time mother's initial bonding with their child is. I can still remember the way he smelled, like Pampers diapers ;), and how his soft hair felt against my lips when I kissed his head. He was so cute, he looked just like his daddy.

While I was overwhelmed with the love that I felt for this child, I was being smothered with a blanket of lies. I felt every emotion under the sun towards the way Micah had been born: guilt, pain-LITERALLY!, anger, sadness that I didn't get what I wanted, like I had let Jason down and was a failure in his eyes, and later bitterness. I remember being so torn with my feelings over the next few weeks. Sleep deprivation didn't help.

I am so thankful for God allowing us to be the parents of Micah. It is truly a privilege, and one that is not taken lightly. I am also thankful for modern medicine. If I had waited to give birth to Micah the likelihood that either of us would have made it out alive was slim to none. I am so thankful that I live in a country where prenatal care is readily available.

So why did I really share Micah's birth story? Was it so that you could re-live this slightly traumatic experience with me? No!

I chose to share Micah's birth story as a testimony to the work the God can do in our hearts. I spent a good 15 months of Micah's life wrestling with the fact that things had not gone as I had expected them to. I spent a lot of time 'talking it out' with friends and my husband, but would always leave the conversation without any resolve. As the Jude's due date inched closer I began to realize why I had been struggling so much with the way Micah was born. It was a pride issue! And my pride had been hurt!

During the last month of my pregnancy with Jude I struggled with God over my pride. I bargained with Him, that if I could just have the bragging rights to a successful VBAC with Jude then everything would be fine. Then I would stop complaining about what a train wreck Micah's birth was. I would stop complaining about how I didn't get what I wanted.

You know what He revealed to me? *This is not what I HEARD Him say out loud, but rather what I FELT Him say to my heart*

"Dollie, it's not about you! It's not about you being able to tell everyone you meet that you gave birth to your child without ANY medical intervention. That's not what it's about! This is about a life, a life that I have entrusted to you and your husband. At the end of the day it doesn't matter how he came into this world! It doesn't matter if he's not potty trained by 5! It doesn't matter if he can read chapter books in kindergarten or get a full ride scholarship to Yale! What matters is that he KNOWS who I am. That he FEARS me and LOVES me! What matters is that you talk about Me when you sit, and when you walk along the road, and when you lie down! So swallow your pride-No, better yet, let me take that pride and give it to my SON- and live in freedom!"

I will share Jude's birth story later, but let me just tell you this...he was born vaginally, but not before I surrendered my pride-a.k.a. sin- and laid it at the foot of the cross. While I am so thankful that I was able to VBAC, I will NEVER brag about it! Nor will I choose to be angry or bitter about the birth of our firstborn!

Thank you Lord for this awesome son! Thank you that You knew just when he would be born. Thank you for allowing us to be parents. Please help us to raise him to know and fear You!

What A Week!

2010-10-11T10:14:00.000-07:00

This week has been one of the craziest weeks since Jude was born, apart from him being hospitalized last month, of course!

We spent the first half of the week, Mon.-Wed., in Illinois for a staff retreat through our church, Grace Community Church. We stayed in a gorgeous victorian home, enjoyed fellowship and bonding with the other staff members, and got our 'batteries re-charged' for life in ministry. To see awesome pictures, click here. My great friend, Missy, who also happens to be an awesome photographer was also there. Her blog says it all!

Thursday and Friday were a blur, getting back into the swing of things, washing loads and loads of laundry, and snuggling with Micah. Instead of going on the retreat with us, he stayed with 'Papa', grandma. He had a great time playing with his cousins and riding in the combine, but I think he was ready to come home, and was somewhat afraid that we were going to leave him again.

Friday afternoon we got a call from our friends, Gabe and Missy, they were 'in the area'-BIG FAT LIE ;) and wanted to stop by with some Coldstone Ice Cream. Um, heck yes!!! We enjoyed their company, and their dessert! While they were over Gabe urged us to join them on their date that night. Missy didn't know what they were doing, but Gabe told Jason in privacy. After they left he told me what they were doing and we decided to tag along. We didn't even have to find a baby sitter, as they already had one lined up. We just took our kids over to their house and put them to bed before we left. We ended up in Cedar Rapids at a church. Missy kept guessing, but was SO clueless...even up until we bought the tickets at the door. It turns out that one of her favorite musicians, Andrew Peterson, was in town. Now, I admit that I was not all that familiar with Andrew's work. This didn't matter to me. I knew something Missy didn't know, we were spending the evening with great friends, and I LOVE music. Nough said. Well, I now know who Andrew Peterson is, and I love his work. He a gifted artist who has chosen to use his talent, and I mean TALENT, to glorify the Lord. He writes folk songs, and is quite talented in his 'story telling'. The evening flew by as we soaked in the rich words of his songs. Needless to say, Missy was blown away! I think Gabe earned a few Brownie points that night!

Saturday was an unseasonably warm fall day. We spent the morning as a family and then headed up to Cedar Rapids, again! There was a band competition where approximately 10 of the youth from Grace's YAM, Young Adults Ministry, were performing. We told Micah we were going to see the band, and he said 'Boom Boom?'. Once we confirmed what we were doing, he started marching around the house banging on a lid to one of my baskets. This kid has a knack for music, I'm telling you!

Back to the day though: We enjoyed watching 4 different marching bands perform. Clear Creek Amana, the school we went to see, did a great job! Micah wanted to stay, but Jude was getting tired.

Since we were already so far north we decided to check out a pumpkin farm, Sander's Family Farm, that came with a high recommendation. It was just south of Vinton, so a little bit of a drive, but OH SO WORTH IT! I think we found a new fall tradition, you know-cuz we need another one of those ;)

They have a huge pumpkin patch, heirloom gourds and squash, dirt-cheap indian corn, animals for the kids to look at, a HUGE pile of sand with shovels, dump trucks, and a slide. Micah was in Heaven! We didn't buy anything, as we already had a pumpkin, but we still had a blast!

Photo-op on one of the many benches on the farm. This family takes care of their customers and considers everything, from seating all over the farm to pumpkin spice air freshener in the port-a-potty!

He wasn't quite tall enough, so I had to lift him up. See me in the background?

"Look Mom! Dirt!"

I love this picture of Micah. He's has a cute little smile!

There were different areas like this all around for you to take pictures at.

See how sunny it was? 85 degrees was the high for the day!

Micah looking in at the goats. They had goats, an ostrich, pigs, ducks, turkeys, rabbits, and calves. Micah loved the goats!

Micah enjoying the yummy ice cream the Isbell's brought!

Forest, a.k.a. Fo, enjoying the ice cream. He was smart and took off his shirt!

We had a great week, but are starting to feel the ramifications of not having a routine for a week! We're ready to get back into the swing of things, and get a little rest!

It was all worth it though!

September in Review

2010-10-03T17:35:00.000-07:00

I seriously do not know where this past month went. Since having Jude, it seems like the days have flown by, but this past month has screamed by at warp speed. The month in itself wasn't all bad. Yes, there were some challenging circumstances, some which I hope to never re-visit, but overall it just flew by due to busy schedules and our 'new normal'.

Bear with me as I re-cap...in no particular order!

Cute? I think Yes! This was actually taken yesterday, so technically, this could be Jude's 6 month picture-although I didn't mark it as usual.

Since the Chiefs are doing so well we thought we'd better rock some gear...while it fits ;) This isn't the best picture of Jude, but you should see the other shot, he looks terrified!

Go Chiefs! Of course Micah had to wear Jason's crusty old Chiefs hat. Our little accessory boy!

I love this picture, they're both laid back like old men! I think Jude is as wide as Micah!

Last Monday was our 7 year anniversary. Jason switched his normal 'Friday' off to Monday and we spent the day as a family. We went to Beaver Park in Cedar Rapids. They have an 'Old McDonald Farm', which is free and fun! Micah loved seeing the animals. Here Jason and Micah are looking at some ducks. Oh, and I lost my phone on this trip too. Brilliant! We finished off the day with a date, complements of Sam Gilbaugh and his awesome servant's heart. We ate some half-priced chicken lips at Graze, walked around the ped mall and enjoyed the company of each other.

Jude being his cute self! He's getting more and more mobile, not crawling by any means, but rolling everywhere and kind of inch-worming along if he's motivated enough. I really can't believe he's old enough to even smile at me, let alone roll. Time has truly flown by.

Micah needed a project, and I needed to take a meal to a friend, so we made sugar cookies. Before you think I'm awesome I have to admit that it was a box mix and I bought the frosting! I have yet to tackle sugar cookies from scratch, I just don't have the umph or desire!

Oh, and we made 'celestial' cookies...moon and stars. We then put fall sprinkles on them, of course!

One evening Jason and I were blessed to have dinner with our friend, Ben, who is leaving soon for North Africa. Our conversation was filled with depth and joy for the Lord. We took this picture so we can put it on our map in Micah's room. Ben is a great man, loyal, honest, REAL, and filled with integrity. He has a desire to follow Christ, even if it means giving up what his flesh loves most. That is not easy to come by, and we greatly enjoyed our evening with him.

I unpacked a few straggling boxes from A YEAR AGO! and Micah found one to play in. He also found a febreeze air freshener in our spare bathroom. Combine the two and you have one awesome fort. He played in there all afternoon!

"Where's Ma-caw?"

Bath time! He doesn't mind the bath, but HATES drying off! I cheered him up before taking this picture, usually he just screams the whole time!

These were taken towards the beginning of the month, for Jude's 5 month picture. It's fun to see how much he's changed in just a few weeks. I don't think we'll be needing Micah's shorts much longer. I've kept a few pair out, but packed the rest away. It's getting chilly here! I LOVE fall!

7 Years

2010-09-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

Seven years ago today I married my best friend. This morning we watched the video of our wedding. It was fun to see how our vows fit our lives today, and how we still want to strive to be who God has created us to be as a couple. When you say your marriage vows you agree to stick with each other, through thick and thin. It is so easy in, in that moment, to say "I Do", but sometimes hard to make it a reality.

Jason and I have experienced some great highs in the last seven years, but we have also gone through some pretty low valleys, physically, circumstantially, and emotionally. While there are times that I wish life were a little easier or that we could get some relief from the challenges, I also realize that this is life...there's no avoiding it. That being said, there is no one that I would rather experience 'life' with.

Jason, thank you for being the man that God created you to be. Thank you for leading our home with dignity, integrity and shamelessness. I love you because of who you are. I love your sense of humor, your funny impersonations that only I get to see/hear, your desire to raise our boys to go against the flow. I love your willingness to sacrifice what is comfortable for greater blessings. I love how you love me!

I look forward to many more years of being married to you!

I love you Babe!

Labor Day Weekend in Nebraska

2010-09-10T10:58:00.001-07:00

In true Dollie fashion I've uploaded all of the pictures in reverse order, and to continue with the trend, I'm too lazy to fix it. So, there ;)

Over Labor Day weekend we drove out to Lincoln, Nebraska to see my sister, Carrie, and her husband, Rob. One of my other sisters, Amanda, and her family also drove out and we spent the weekend together. I love family, my family AND Jason's family. There's just something so great about being around people who love you and love your kids. I sometimes treat my family the worst, I say things to them that I would never say to someone else, and I can be quite rude at times. I am working on this. On the other hand, I love family like no one else. Moreover, I love my sisters. I feel truly blessed to have 3 awesome friends who are also my sisters. They're funny, cute, silly and encouraging. They've cried with me during some really hard times, laughed at me during some embarrassing moments and celebrated with me too. They are there through the thick and the thin.

On Sunday we went to the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. This zoo ROCKS! They have a great selection of animals and take pride in their presentation. We got a fairly early start, after searching for Jason's wallet for 45 minutes...which we found on our way home, in his extra pair of shoes. ;)

Jude was our awesome, cooperative, patient little guy. He took one nap in the Moby Wrap and another in the stroller. We finally lay out a blanket towards the end of the day and he kicked his legs like crazy! I can't wait til he's old enough to enjoy the animals as much as the other boys did!

He really is that cute, I didn't even photo-shop in the dimples or the rosy cheeks. Nope, God made him that stinkin' adorable!

Overall, I think Micah enjoyed the zoo, but I do think he was a little to young to fully grasp what we were doing. Jason took him on the train, which he loved, and he got to see a 'real live elephant'...Micah loves elephants!

So this photo obviously has a story. While I was in the bathroom feeding Jude, Jason and Micah finished up in the aquarium. When they came out Micah started to run, just in his little toddler excited way, not in a disobedient way. He tripped over his clumsy, fat toddler feet and face planted on the cement. Jason said RIGHT BEFORE he did this that he had noticed there was a first aid station near the exit to the aquarium. When Jason picked Micah up he was covered in blood and so they paid the first aid station a visit. It turns out he just cut open his top lip with his lower teeth, but it bled like crazy. Jason and Micah were still a little shell shocked when I came back from feeding Jude. I was taken aback, and sad for my little boy. Needless to say he was quite grumpy for the next hour or so. Aunt Mandy got him a snow cone, but he wouldn't even eat it. Poor guy! It looks a million times better already!

Welcome to life little man!

The 'shish'! Micah loved being able to get right up next to the aquarium. I held him on his back while we walked through the part of the aquarium where the sharks swim over your head. Jason was jealous and asked me to carry him like that too ;)

I think he's trying to rip up the floor here. Who's kid is that anyway?

"SHISH!!!"

I missed out on this part, as I took my oldest nephew, Grady, to the Imax. Jason said it wasn't Micah's favorite part, but he still enjoyed it. Grady and I had a great one-on-one time. We had to wait 20 minutes til the movies started, so I got a chance to chat with him about 1st grade...something I don't normally get to do. He loved the 3-D Bugs Imax movie. I liked it too, but started to get motion sick by the end ;)

Saturday night we went to Chuck E. Cheese. If it is up to me this will be Micah's one and only trip to this filthy, rotten place. *Sorry for the rant!* One of the few things that really grosses me out in life is change, as in coins. The though of us touching all of these coins that booger-pickin, greasy pizza-eatin' kids touched just about sent me over the edge. Seriously, I was super grossed out! I tried to distract myself by putting the coins in the games as fast as possible. Luckily we didn't eat there, we just spend a small fortune on coins that lasted us about 2 hours. There were 3 kids, not including Jude, and 4 adults...this ratio is necessary at an establishment such as this. 2 hours of fun and 5,000 tickets later, not really, we 'earned' 3 silly straws, two slinkys, and one red pair of star glasses. We really did have fun, I just washed my arms up to my elbows when we got home.

While we went to Chuck E. Cheese, my brother-in-law treated Jason to a Nebraska Cornhuskers football game. Apparently huskers are crazy fans. Jason had a great time, and enjoyed the experience. He wore red, but REFUSED to wear any huskers gear...a loyal Jayhawk through and through ;)

Micah playing 'toddler whack'.

Seth riding a racing horse.

I think this was taken about 15 minutes past his normal bedtime. He started to get a little spacey!

On our way to Nebraska we stopped for a much needed break in Elk Horn, Ia. Apparently it is home the the largest Danish settlement in America. There was a 'Iowa Welcome Center' advertised on the interstate, so we interpreted that as a rest stop. Nope, just a giant Danish windmill in the middle of this little town. Oh well, they had a bathroom, that's all that really matters. We stopped for a good 30 minutes to feed Jude, let Micah run off some energy, and look around the 'welcome center'. It

Brothers!

Blackmail!!!

The windmill. It was a beautiful day, great day for a drive.

On Saturday Jason also spent a good 2 hours with my sister Carrie. She is a chiropractor and also practices craniosacral therapy. Jason had her work on him to help release some of the toxins that the Lyme bacteria makes when it is being killed by the antibiotics. She is so generous with her time and gifts!

We ended our trip with dinner with Jason's step-sister Meghan. She and her husband live near Omaha, so we worked it out to meet up with her, Stephen was working. We ate some yummy Spaghetti Works in the Old Market area of downtown Omaha, then grabbed some homemade ice cream at our favorite spot in Omaha before hitting the road. The boys crashed on the way home, as it was almost 8pm. We made ONE stop and got home in 3 hours 45 minutes!!! Our bed felt SO nice as we fell into it.

Thank you Aunt Carrie and Uncle Rob for being so generous and treating us to a great weekend!