Day 322

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

It’s the beginning of the harvest season. The cooler temperatures, the breezy days, and the slight change in the color of the leaves all testify to it. I have been watching the various stages of harvest. Fields are still green, some are ripe, some are being cut, some have just been cut, and still others have already been turned under. I have needed the reminder.

The first waves of Soldiers are just starting to arrive. And I am so thrilled for them! They have served well, and their families have waited patiently for them to come home. My head knows that their proper time is now. My heart is longing for it to be my turn!

Honestly, my desire is to put my head down and plow through the next few weeks. The temptation is so strong! But I would miss so much. I know that I need to slow down and look around me. We are back in the swing of things with school and activities. I could easily just get the stuff on the list checked off. I’m trying to remind myself to be present with my kids.

These boys are a wonder to me: Gator’s sweet nature, Bull’s sense of humor, Monkey’s explosion of personality. Gator has grown taller, stronger, and more coordinated. I’m curious to see how that translates onto the soccer field. He’s also in third grade and things just seem to “click” for him in an exciting way. Those a-ha moments are one of the best perks of home schooling.  

Bull is playing his first team sport ever and doing a great job! He’s in the proverbial dustball surrounding the soccer ball with his teammates, kicking toward the correct goal! He is making incredible progress in general, showing improvement in speech self-correction, strength and muscle tone, coordination, longer attention span, and improved fine motor control. His first attempts at reading are music to my ears.

Monkey has a deepening desire to communicate with us, and is starting to exert an independent spirit. While this causes some frustrating moments, he is right on track developmentally! His facial expressions rival those of Bull (which is quite an accomplishment). He’s such a wonderful, busy, happy toddler.

To think that I could miss all of this “stuff” mourns my soul. I am praying to have ears to hear and eyes to see all that is going on around me. I can’t afford to rush through these last few weeks, because I have so much to miss. So, here I am, slowing down, asking for the presence of mind to take in every moment and tuck it away. Because really, it will be over sooner than I think. 

Monkey is one!

My sweet Monkey,
I can't believe that it has been a year. You are a delight!

You still have curly blond hair. Those ringlets are so sweet. They have become your trademark. Your eyes are greenish. I'm still not sure what color they will be! Right now, they look a lot like your Daddy's. However, since we're at your grandparents' house right now, I compared you to my baby pictures. You are (nearly) the spitting image of me as a baby!

It took you a long time, but you are finally eating table food. I still give you baby food at least once a day to make sure you're getting enough. You drink out of a sippy cup with ease, though I can't seem to figure out what you like to drink. Let me know when you decide, OK?

You took your first steps before Daddy left, but you are walking all over the place now (and have been for a number of weeks). You point at things all the time, wave, and charm with your four-toothed grin. You are very vocal when you want to be, and pitch a fit when someone takes something from your little fingers.  

You light up when you see Daddy on the computer screen. And your brothers are your favorite people. You call out to them and get louder if they don't respond in a timely fashion. You respond to your name now too. When I say "No!" you usually laugh at me unless I use a very stern voice which always makes you burst into tears.

We are having a little bit of trouble with your night sleeping. I am still not sure why you won't sleep through the night. We've got to work on this! Maybe after the holidays. I've figured out your daytime schedule! I can't believe that you gave up your morning nap so early. Then again, it was very hard to get a good one established. Usually you take a cat nap in the morning and a good afternoon nap.

You are getting over your first major illness. You've had colds and allergy issues before, but this virus really got us! Bull, Gator, Grandmommy, Granddaddy, you and me all got a nasty stomach bug.

We're going to have your birthday party after Christmas so we can celebrate with more of our family. Today, we had a mini-celebration for you! You got a new ride-on toy. Your smile was priceless when we sang to you.

Monkey, I am so glad that you are a part of our family. Your smile lights up the room and your sweet demeanor always encourages me during my hardest days. You have taught me to slow down and really enjoy this stage of your life. You'll be giving your brothers a run for their money soon enough! I am looking forward to seeing you grow over the next few months into a very busy toddler. I love you, sweet baby boy!

Love,

Mommy                                                     

9 months old

My sweet baby boy,
You are now nine months old. I would like for you to slow down please! It makes me a little bit sad that you will be one year old in a very short three months.
You crawl and cruise all over the place, and leave evidence of your presence. I'm constantly side-stepping and sometimes tripping over toys, books you've pulled off the shelf, magnets that are no longer on the refrigerator, recyclables that are waiting to go outside, and shoes that you've pulled out of the shoe bin. And wires - you love wires! I have caught you about two steps up the staircase, so there are gates at the top and the bottom of the stairs. You'll stand for a few seconds on your own now too.

You love a bath now, but still only for a few minutes. We have to keep the lids on the toilets closed and Duchess' bowls are another favorite. You also like Duchess' kennel...a lot (so did your brothers and just about any other kid that comes over!).

You're doing better with solid foods, but it's still slow-going. You like peaches, pears, applesauce, sweet potatoes, and bananas. You're not so excited about peas, green beans, or carrots. I have to sneak them in with the sweet potatoes or trade bites of fruit with bites of green veggies. You gag and complain every single time they enter your mouth. I've made most of your food - it's so easy! And so cheap! I've been using some of these recipes by a friend from my childhood. I am looking forward to experimenting with some more! We're going to be working on your sippy cup skills over the next month also.
We need to have a talk about a little problem we've been having for the last three weeks. It started because you were teething. You have your two bottom teeth now. However, you are not currently teething, so you should not be waking up at 1:30 and 4:30 am anymore. Last night you actually slept until 3:00 before crying. We have to work this out quickly, because Mommy is very tired right now! On the other hand, you've fallen into a very regular schedule of napping - what a relief! It's still hard on some days to get you down for both of your naps, because of your brothers' activities.
You started clapping the day that you turned 9 months old. Sometimes you get so excited that your eyes get really big, your arms are wide open, and you shake. It makes me laugh every single time! We've been attending a Musikgarten class once a week with your big brothers. You love it! You tap along with the music and play the instruments like a pro!

Your hair is growing and keeping its curl. And your eyes are looking more and more green. I really think that the color will settle on some shade of hazel. The other day you had a blue shirt on and your eyes were blue again! Who knows?! Regardless, your eyes are so smily and melt my heart on a regular basis.

We're going to be embarking on a new adventure together - cloth diapering. It seems very silly to me that I haven't done it before now, especially since we're at home so much. I'm still doing some research, so we won't be starting quite yet. It will be soon though!
We'll be embarking on another adventure too. Your Daddy will be deploying soon. He switched units to serve some different Soldiers who need him. We've been very busy getting prepared for his departure. I wouldn't mind if you started walking before he left so he could see you take your first steps. But you take your time. You'll grow up soon enough!

You are such a content baby. I am so glad that you're mine. Your smile can light up a room!

We love you so much!

Books, books, books

I've been reading a lot lately - much more than normal. It's so nice to have my nose in a book again (even if it's not fiction!).

Here's what I've been reading:

1. Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka - What a great book! I've recognized the spiritedness of each one of us by reading this one. Bull is most assuredly spirited - he's the reason I picked up the book in the first place. But I've learned that my compliant Gator has some serious spunk in him too. Kurcinka offers wonderful explanations and suggestions throughout. I know I will come back to this book over and over again as I raise this brood of boys.

2. SuperImmunity for Kids by Leo Galland - Chock-full of information, this book is a challenge to read and absorb all it offers. I only got 1/3 of the way through it before I had to return it to the Library. So, I ordered it! We have implemented a couple of the suggestions that I got to, including Flaxseed Oil for Bull, Monkey, and me, Probiotics for Bull and Monkey, and Grapefruit Seed Extract for Bull. I can say for sure that the Flaxseed Oil has completely cleared up Bull and Monkey's eczema! I'm looking forward to learning more!

3. The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder by Carol Kranowitz - Absolutely fascinating. Kranowitz explains SPD with skill and offers advice on everything from getting a diagnosis and finding a good therapist to creating a good Sensory Diet at home. I ended up ordering this one too because two weeks was not long enough!

4. Marriage Without Regrets by Kay Arthur - So, this isn't really a book, but I've been spending a lot of time reading it! This is the Bible Study I will be teaching in the fall at PWOC. It's quite challenging, but then again, Truth usually is! I look forward to learning and teaching from this study.

What have you been reading lately?

One Word

At the beginning of the year, one of my radio stations gave listeners a challenge to come up with one word to define 2010. My word - margin.

This word came as a response to a very trying, although fruitful, first 10 months of life in the Army. We were very far away from family for the first time in our marriage. I had a hard first 18 weeks of pregnancy. The demands of Hubs' job were far more than we could have ever imagined. I found us having a hard time just surviving life through the fog of exhaustion that we were experiencing. We were living reactively for the first time in our lives. I knew something had to change if we were going to thrive in 2010.

I made a commitment in January to plan for more margin in our family life. Six months into it, I'm glad to say that we are succeeding for the most part. It's been hard though. I'm a classic first-born people pleaser with perfectionist tendencies. It is in my nature to say yes to everyone and everything. Saying no to opportunities has both stretched me and freed me. And my family is reaping the benefits.

We have tried to reserve Saturday for family time and rarely schedule things that would cause us to spend time apart. For most people, Sunday tends to be the day to lay low and reconnect with family (while Saturday is spent at sporting events, running errands, or doing yardwork). But we are the family of a Chaplain and Sundays can be one of the most stressful days of the week for us. Hubs has responsibilities at the Chapel, which means we arrive and leave at different times on Sunday mornings. I've had to let go of my "big Sunday dinner" dream. Instead, we have a special meal on Friday or Saturday night. On Sundays, we go out to eat and have leftovers or sandwiches. As for yardwork, we live on post and lawncare is provided for us.

We have tried to say no to things that would require us to be out of the house every night of the week. Therefore, Gator didn't play a sport during every season (though he really wanted to do so). I don't go to all the coffees I'm invited to attend. Hubs tries to keep after-hours counseling down to one night a week, if any at all. I have given up on having a perfectly clean house. I've stopped blogging as much. I've limited my computer time and the boys' TV/Wii time.

Our biggest change will begin in August. We will be home schooling our boys next year: Gator in 2nd grade and Bull in Pre-K. Yes, the girl who didn't major in education because she didn't want to write lesson plans bought a lesson planner a couple of weeks ago. We decided that margin is our priority. The boys and I will be here when Hubs comes home from PT and for lunch. We will be available when Hubs has a 4 day weekend. We can "do school" in the van on a road trip and not worry about the make-up work when we return from our trip. And these times spent together will fill our love bank accounts so we can make the withdrawals that a potential deployment will require. I know that bringing the boys home for school will not be "all sunshine and roses." However, I believe that the benefits will far outweigh any discomfort that I may feel! I'm certain that we will be able to create and preserve even more margin in our family life with this choice.

Ultimately, I've recognized that saying no to some things allows me to say "Yes!" to so many other more important things. I'm looking forward to the newest chapter in our margin-filled grand adventure!

6 months!

My little monkey is 6 months old!


You weigh almost 19 pounds now. You've got cute chunky thighs and roll around all over the place. You're trying to get up on your hands and knees, but I'm in no hurry for that to happen! You've started sitting up on your own now, though you're still a bit unsteady. I'm waiting to switch out your carseat until you're really steady.


We moved you into your crib in your room a couple of weeks ago. You had been sleeping in a bassinet in Mommy and Daddy's room (Mommy liked having you close). You promptly started waking up in the middle of the night. Finally, last night you slept through the night again! I think that it might be too quiet in your room. You're used to a lot of noise while you sleep! Maybe I should get a noise maker for your room?

We've tried solid food with limited success. You like sweet potatoes, kinda' like peas, and don't really like cereal at all. You will NOT take a bottle. I'm not sure if it is the taste of the formula or the type of bottle that we have, but you won't have it. We're going to have to work on this. Mommy needs to be able to leave you every once in awhile for longer than 2 hours!

I am wondering when your eyes will decide what color they will be. When you look closely, they are blue with a khaki-colored sunburst around the iris. That combination makes them look green on some days, especially if you're wearing brown, khaki, or green. I suppose time will tell! Your hair is curly! And blonde! I guess it's finally long enough for it to look more than wavy. It's made for some fun hairdos over the last few days!


Your new favorite toy is a set of stacking cups that I picked up the other day. You really enjoy the exersaucer too. Your brothers are still your most favorite playmates. They can make you laugh like no one else can!


You've had your first dip in the pool, and are generally soaking up the summer sun.

I think you like the change in the weather, my sweet winter baby. My most favorite time of the day is right after you wake up in the morning. Before you even open your eyes, you're cooing, just waiting for someone to notice that you're awake.


We had your dedication a couple of weeks ago.

You were so enthralled with the candles on the altar behind us that you wouldn't look at the congregation. I had to turn you around so people could see you! You did a great job though and smiled at the Chaplain while he spoke to Daddy and me. It is our prayer that you will follow hard after God and love Him with "all your heart."


We love you!

3 Mohawks

It was time for haircuts again (Hubs leaves soon for some training and I didn't want to do it by myself). Both of them wanted mohawks this time. So, laughing to myself, I obliged. This time, they have true mohawks, all the way down the back of their beautifully shaped heads! And Monkey has these curls (where did they come from?!) that lend themselves to a mini-mohawk with just a bit of water. So, I took some pictures of course! I'm just waiting for them to ask to color their hair red, white and blue for the World Cup!

Back of Gator's head:

Back of Bull's head:

Sweet Monkey's profile:

loving this post...

I needed this today! Great thoughts on raising three kiddos. Hop over and read it!

Five Months

Already? I can't believe that you are nearly a half of a year old!

You are doing so many new things.

You started rolling over and over and over again. I've walked in the room to see you 2-3 feet away from where I left you. You've started pushing straight up on your arms, and pulling your knees under you, though not at the same time yet.

You love playing in your exersaucer and swinging in your portable swing. The weather is much warmer now, so you have been enjoying the outdoors on a more regular basis.

You have started reaching for things that you want. And you can put your pacifier in your mouth! You have found your feet, and grab them by yourself often. You also nuzzle into my shoulder when I pick you up. I melt every time!

Your laugh is contagious and your smile is a little bit shy. But when you smile, everything about your face lights up and your blue eyes twinkle. Your hair is still very light compared to your brothers' hair, and there seems to be a little bit of wave to it.

We have not started solids yet even though you are ready. Your brothers get out of school in four more days. We'll start once they're home all the time and I don't have to worry about carpool and such.

You had your first ear infection recently. I think that the change in seasons along with the pollen gave you a runny nose. And that turned into a goopy eye and an ear infection. You didn't do well on the antibiotics. I'm hoping that the summer time will be more kind to us!

You are such a big boy. I don't have an official weight since you haven't been to the doctor in a month. But at your four month well-baby visit you weighed 16.2 pounds and were 26 inches long. You're starting to outgrow your 3-6 month clothes. This actually works out well because most of these are cooler weather clothes from your big brothers. The 6-12 month clothes include many more summer items!

You have become quite a little traveler over the last three months. We have taken road trips to Texas, Florida, and Colorado, and a plane trip to Florida. You have fallen right in line with the excellent traveling habits of your big brothers. In fact, Mommy has even braved a few trips by herself with all of the boys, the longest of which was three hours. Because of all these trips, you've met your great-grandparents, and most of your Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.

You went to your first major league baseball game. You also melted the hearts of an international chaplain couple while they stayed with us. The wife spoke Spanish to you constantly and you LOVED it!

You are such an easy-going baby. You are content in nearly every situation (as evidenced above - you fell asleep in the middle of the floor). You only cry when you have a dirty diaper, you're tired, or you're hungry. You usually don't cry when you're left alone for a bit. This works out well for Mommy since I have lots to do to keep up with your Daddy and big brothers!

Mommy loves you!

Mommy, I want a mohawk...

I announce that it is time for haircuts. Gator says, "Mommy, I want a mohawk."
So, following the advice of numerous mothers who have told me that haircuts aren't worthy battlegrounds as long as the hair is clean and neat, I say ok.
I start cutting his hair - no guard on the sides, the shortest it has ever been.
I barely trim the top, just evening it up a bit with a #7 guard.
He looks in the mirror, laughs at himself, and realizes that he isn't quite comfortable with all the attention he will draw to himself by having such a haircut. He asks me to make the top shorter.
I oblige, using a #4 guard this time.
He looks in the mirror again and still doesn't like it. Will you make it a little shorter?
I pop on the #2 guard, then fade it a bit with the #1 guard.
Thus we have the high and tight, my-kid-should-be-in-basic-training haircut that you see here.
And, he (finally) likes it.

Mothering

It's what I do.

It's what I've always wanted to do, from the time I wore pigtails and had ringlets, and diapered baby dolls.

It stretches and soothes.
It hurts and heals.
It exhausts and energizes.

It breaks down and builds up.

It takes everything I have and yet gives everything back.

It's what I've always wanted to do.

Happy Mother's Day to the mothers who inspire me and have taught me how to raise this brood of blue-eyed boys: my mother Gail, my grandmothers Margie and Wil, my sister Angie, my mother-in-law Pam, her mother Beth (our first Mother's Day without her), my sisters-in-law Melissa and Sheila, and countless other aunts, cousins, and friends.

For some more inspiring and challenging words, may I direct you to these posts written by one of my favorites - Ann at A Holy Experience? Please take time to read them...her words are sure to encourage you!

Bull

made his own

pb&j

the other

day

all

by

himself.

Two Months

Dear Monkey,

You are two months old today!

You are changing so quickly that I can't believe it. I really enjoy just holding you, talking to you, and cuddling you. Before I know it, you'll be chasing after your big brothers. So I'm trying to savor these moments while I can (which means that the house isn't all that clean).

You are wearing some 3-6 month clothes now. You're a bit too long for the 0-3 month ones, though a few things still fit. You're also wearing size two diapers. I'm not sure how long you are and how much you weigh. But we'll find out on Wednesday at your appointment.

You can't decide if you like the pacifier or not. Sometimes, it's the only thing that will calm you down. Other times, it only makes you more mad and you spit it out with disgust.

You have found your hands. You clasp them together often. You also grasp very hard onto things that make their way into your sweet fingers (including my hair!). You also try very hard to put your thumb in your mouth (I push it away every time I catch you!).

You're cooing and talking and gurlging now. It's so precious. Your smile is very sweet and quite contagious. Your big brothers love to try to get you to talk. It's quite entertaining to watch. They make all sorts of funny noises and faces, which you love!

You consistently sleep 6 hours at night. Your daytime schedule is falling into place as well. You typically hang out in the sling, your high chair, or the swing. I'm enjoying your adaptability/portability while it lasts. I know that you will require your crib for naps sooner than I'd like!

You are still a very sweet baby. You continue to be easy-going and undemanding. We love you so much!

Love,

Mommy

One Month

Dear Monkey,

Today you are one month old. You have pretty blue eyes that seem to be getting lighter every day. After a bath (which you still love), your hair looks very light on top of your head. You have a good amount of hair that is much darker in the back than in the front. You have a funny cowlick up front too - I wonder if it will be like your big brother Gator's crazy cowlicks.

You started smiling for real just a couple of days ago. You consistently sleep for one 4 hour stretch at night. BUT! You slept for 6 hours a couple of nights ago - I was very happy about that!
You went through a growth spurt late last week and I'm glad that we are on the same schedule now! That was a rough couple of days for Mommy. At your two week appointment, you had gained a pound already (10 lb, 9 oz)! I wonder how much you will weigh at your two month appointment.

On the day you were born, the Housing office for the Army post we live on called to tell us that there was a four bedroom house available if we wanted it. After we laughed about the timing of the phone call and then saw the house, we decided to move when you were just a week old. So, you've already lived in two different houses! We've spent the last three weeks getting settled into our new home. You don't seem to mind the swirl of activity around you!

You have met most of your immediate family - you still need to meet just a few more members. But that doesn't scratch the surface of all the extended family you still need to meet. We all think that you are a perfect addition to our family! You have two cousins that are just a few months older than you. I think that we are in for a great deal of mischief when you are a little older!

Your big brothers think that you are pretty cool. Gator really misses you when he's at school. As soon as he can, he finds you and gives you a kiss on the forehead. Bull took a couple of days to warm up to you. But now, he thinks you're great. Anytime you cry he says, "Mommy, Monkey is hungry. Can you feed him?" He has learned to (gently!) give you a pacifier if you cry in the van where the two of you get to sit beside each other.

You have had a stuffy nose for a few days and you're starting to get a little cough. You've lost your voice too. I think that you officially have your first cold. Saline spray, a bulb syringe, the humidifier and lots of TLC are the order of the day.

You are a very easy-going baby. There isn't a whole lot that gets you riled up, just the usual suspects. Your most fussy time is between 8 and 10 pm - not great for Mommy since that is when I get the most amount of work accomplished. You really like snuggling and riding in the sling seems to be a great alternative to sitting on the couch holding you all day. Mommy still has to take care of the big boys!

We are so glad to have you in our family. We're so thankful for your sweet disposition and your apparent willingness to be along for the ride. You already show an ability to adapt that will serve you well in this family! We love you!

Love,
Mommy

We're still here!

We're just getting used to life with this little guy.

And loving every minute of it!

my sweet boys

All three on Christmas Eve (I played around with the color a little bit):


During Monkey's first bath:


He was screaming when I put him in the water. Then, he calmed down and maybe even fell asleep during the bath. He loved it!

He's one week old in this picture (he still has bruises from delivery on his eyes and nose):

That's all for now. We're in the midst of moving to a four bedroom house!

Things I've learned...

1. It takes at least 7 minutes per child to get a hat, gloves and a winter coat on my kids in the morning, and approximately 15 minutes for the van to get warm.

2. I don't think that it's fair that women who begin their pregnancies in sundresses and flip flops have to end their pregnancies in sweaters, jeans and boots. Can we get a 5 pound deduction from our weight for the clothes factor?

3. Monkey must be growing because he is slowing down in his movements...please, Lord, let him come early!

4. Winter time in a cold climate produces a great deal of dirty laundry.

5. I am deeply disturbed by the way Ruby treats her younger brother Max (Max and Ruby). I'd like to publicly apologize to my younger sister if I ever treated her that way (and I'm fairly certain that I did). Love you, sis!

6. I am also deeply disturbed by Paw Pilot (the floating purple head) on Special Agent Oso. My kids don't watch either of these shows anymore.

7. Even though he acts tough sometimes, I still have a sweet little boy in Gator. He recently asked me for four kisses (he meant Hershey's). So, I held him down and gave him four real kisses and he still giggled!


8. I am really enjoying sewing lately. It's a lot of fun to create Christmas presents instead of just going to a store and buying them (though there's something to be said for that too!).

9. Bull is still a great daytime hanging out buddy, even if he has started referring to himself in the third person. I'm not sure where that is coming from.

10. There are few things more beautiful than watching snow fall by the glow of the Christmas tree with a cup of hot chocolate.

Boys and their toys...

Here are some of the presents the boys got for their birthdays. Gator had a marathon day of putting Legos/Bionicles together.

Lots of fun! He did most of them on his own. Bull has reaped the benefits of his brother's hard work (especially when Gator is at school).

I'm having to keep a close eye on him so that he doesn't break them.

Gator, like most older siblings, would be very mad if his kid brother messed them up!

On the first day of first grade...

I'll tell you what he did...(I've been singing that song from Veggie Tales Jonah for days now!)

Gator did not cry. In fact, he walked right in like he owned the place, plopped his backpack down and asked if he could go out to the playground! He really had a wonderful day. I'm so glad that we decided to enroll him at the tail end of last year. He had a hard time adjusting then, but it has paid off now! He knows most of the kids in his class, and is already familiar with the school. Whew!
I didn't plan this, but Bull's shirt says "2 cool 4 school." Once I realized that he was wearing that shirt on Gator's first day, I had to laugh! We're still on the waiting list for Bull's preschool. Until he gets in, we're enjoying some one-on-one time!

Here are Gator's other first days:
First day of Kindergarten
First day of Preschool

We went to the doctor for Gator's back-to-school physical on Thursday. He is in the 97th percentile for height at 52.5 inches and the 91st percentile for weight at 61 pounds. What kills me is that he has grown 5 inches and gained 7 pounds in ten months! And he's not even a teenager yet! Oh, the grocery bill....

(Definitely not) Wordless Wednesday

Some of the birds that have been visiting every day (these were taken through the screen, so forgive the blurriness):

Lots of things, listed in an orderly format, for your convenience:

1. I have been thinking that I've been feeling lil' bit swimming for about a week now, but I wasn't sure. I definitely felt him/her move while I was sitting in Church on Sunday (at 16.5 weeks)! I am now 17 weeks, and the baby is the size of my hand spread open wide. My next appointment and my sonogram are at the end of July.

2. My house is FINALLY clean. While I was sick, we were doing just the bare minimum to keep things hygienic around here. This past weekend, we all worked very hard to get the house up to my standard of cleanliness (which isn't too terribly high).

3. My sewing machine has been very busy as well. I've made curtains (out of old bedskirts!), and tablecloths (out of sheets!). I'm also working on a couple of other projects that can't be shared just yet.

4. I have seen an incredible increase in my boys' creativity of late. Truly, this is one of the most wonderful joys of parenthood! Their imagination is amazing! Also, we are seeing marked improvement in Bull's potty training. Yippee!

5. Kristy asked me recently if Kansas is feeling like home yet. At the time, the answer would have been "kind of." I am beyond thrilled to report that now we do feel at home. Life is normal again, full of routine with a healthy dose of flexibility. I am able to do what I love the most - take care of my family. And that makes it feel like home.

6. We have a very busy two weeks ahead of us. We are hosting the first round of visitors to our new it-really-feels-like-it-now home. First, my parents are coming today and leave on Sunday. Then, some friends from our Navy days are arriving Sunday night and staying through Tuesday morning. Finally, the Hubs' parents arrive on Thursday and go home on Tuesday. Whew! I know we will have lots of fun, in spite of the busy-ness.

7. I will be taking pictures of our home very soon to show you where we live (now that it looks and feels like home).

8. Hubs had the incredible privilege of leading a soldier to Christ last week. The next day, he was able to pray at the soldier's deployment ceremony before he left for Iraq for a year. We are so excited and so humbled that God allowed Hubs to be witness to his salvation. Please pray for the soldier to be discipled by someone while he is deployed!

That's all for now! Chores and errands await.