Contentment

L-C

2012-01-04T19:04:00.000-08:00

After hearing a request for an update on Elsie, I decided she is cute enough to feature! Elsie is 16 1/2 months old, still not walking! :-) She is talking up a storm though and we tease her that she speaks French because she'll babble for paragraphs with lots of foreign sounds in her throat. It's hilarious. She is a delight to have around even as she is discovering her princess status and beginning to use her power. She learned to say "Daddy" perfectly and so innocently, the beginning of the end! We love this girl!

Of course her biggest news is that she is a BIG SISTER!!!!!!!!!

A Christmas Weekend

2011-12-27T20:44:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Carney is always a fun time! I just love warm family traditions! A few highlights from going to see Jason's family include:

-ice skating up and down the creek! (Caed is getting some skating legs!)
-watching the boys follow the bigger girl cousins around
-cherry pie and ALL the huge platters of cookies!
-Elsie in her dress
-prayer time for the whole family
-the joy of children opening presents
-small meaningful conversations with individuals I love
-preaching on the prophecies of Christ from Isaiah
-watching the adult men spend hours playing legos
-being packed together in a small cabin sharing joy
-communion as an extended family at Christmas day service
-but of course, the highlight was Jonas' answer at the Moravian candlelight service during the children's sermon. The leader asked if anyone knew what frankincense was. Jonas piped up VERY loudly, "That's what they put on DEAD BODIES so they don't get STINKY!" That's my son!

Caedmon catch-up

2011-11-25T17:24:00.000-08:00

Caedmon learned some new skills this summer. He enjoyed many more board games including Guess Who, Monopoly Jr. and more complex puzzles. He was very proud to learn to ride a 2-wheeler! He became very independent and agile! I enjoyed not pulling his 45 pounds in the trailer!

And, of course, he now picks out all his own clothes. Clearly.

Back

2011-11-25T17:22:00.000-08:00

I'm back! I think I can handle blogging once every 6 months. :-) In this season of Thanksgiving, I was reflecting on one of the tangible health blessings God has given us. It has been 2 years since Jonas was hospitalized twice for severe croup. We continue to deal with this problem almost monthly, but he has not had to be readmitted to the hospital since!

This last bout has been about 2 1/2 weeks of sleepless nights so far. Yet I praise God that my Jonas is still with us. You get such clarity of God's provision at 2 AM calming your child. You feel such heartfelt thanks for the health you usually enjoy. You are blessed by God's amazing strength to face the next day after a long night. You have powerful empathy for those who deal with chronic pain or illness. And you realize how fiercely you love your children. It is all grace.

We are thankful! Jonas has been an absolute delight in our lives and we couldn't ask for a more fun child!

3!!!!!!!

2011-04-12T16:44:00.000-07:00

My Jonas turned 3! I can't believe it. Jonas is the perfect middle child! He is extremely laid back, especially for being in the terrible 2-3's. Still has the most contagious giggle, and knows how to use it. Jonas is not a fan of vegetables or most meat, but if you fill him with carbs and sugar he is happy! He enjoyed being the spotlight all day! For breakfast, birthday waffles and the cereal he picked: fruit loops! Jonas asked for a police car cake, so Jason and I did our best.

It was fun and delicious!

Unbeknownst to us, Aunt got him a police car, and Mormor got him a police officer's uniform!

Complete with handcuffs, whistle, ticket pad, and radio!

Jonas enjoyed going to McDonalds for lunch, then having a couple friends over for a party. Here is a blast from the past-April 5, 2008. The best friends meet for the first time!

We love your sweet spirit, Jonas, and can't wait to see what God has for you!

Spring!

2011-03-22T14:21:00.000-07:00

Spring spring! We celebrated St. Patrick's Day with the traditional color, good friends, a lesson on St. Patrick the missionary, and green eggs and cornbread! I have a lifelong goal to make good pie crusts. A person just isn't an accomplished baker until she masters pie. Jason encourages me to practice often! I made a superb lemon meringue pie with a flawless crust which was fun! (My record for good crusts is generally 1 out of 2)

It is time for the spring warm weather teasing. One beautiful day last week we got out the sun hats and played in the driveway-it was wonderful! Then today we got snow, sleet, rain, and hail.

Jonas loves to feed Elsie. Elsie loves to eat. It is a mutually beneficial relationship-like many parasites. :-) Happy Spring!

A Tale of a Couch

2011-03-22T13:53:00.000-07:00

After a year of scouring craigslist daily, we finally we found a couch for our family room! $125 looked mighty good so we called immediately. The phone number didn't work, so Jason drove across town only to find it was a veterans' warehouse that had just closed.

I was not to give up so easily. Monday morning they were to open at 9:00. Caedmon had the flu and had fallen asleep downstairs on a flop-out in his pj's. I had decided I was going to get there when they opened, or not at all, so I hurridly woke up my sick son, dressed him, gave him a puke bowl to carry, and packed up. 3 kids in tow we arrived at this place at 9:05 where I sat in the comfortable couch, dashed to the front desk, and plopped down my money! Bless Caedmon's heart, he didn't throw up, but he didn't make it to the bathroom on the way back... They delivered it by noon and we were tickled!

THEN we smelled it. Like a sleazy motel, the couch was saturated with smoke and dog odor. Hmm. Not quite as good of a deal as we thought. However it fit well in the space and looked good. Then I took off the sheet covering the chaise lounge. The sheet was hiding a huge basketball-sized black gunky tar stain. Hmm. We took to cleaning it.

We vacuumed it.

We washed all the cushion covers.

We shampoo-vacuumed it.

We dusted it with baking soda.

We revacuumed it.

We rewashed the cushion covers.

We saturated it in vinegar and vacuumed it. Twice.

We shampooed it once more.

And VOILA! The smell is all but vanished! I am not so sure we came out ahead after all that electricity though, but we are very pleased, and the huge nasty stain came completely out!
It is a great couch for the boys' cars. :-)

Grandma approves!

Ta-DA! If you come to our house you don't have to sit on the floor anymore!!!

spiritual temperature

2011-02-16T12:21:00.000-08:00

What is God teaching me lately?

In several areas of my life I have become aware of a pretty big problem with pride. In some ways, realizing you're doing "well" in spiritual disciplines is an encouraging thing. I AM experiencing the blessings of many areas of my life going "well." However, what to do with the pride that I feel like I have it mastered, when clearly as Christians, we always have a long way to go?

I confess my pride, and subconsciously hope God doesn't have in mind to humble/humiliate me. Yet I know if He does, I deserve it! The other thing to check is my motives, am I always doing things out of a pure heart? Probably not. Even if I am doing well, I think sometimes this piety manifests itself into judging others for their shortcomings rather than loving them, which is clearly sinful.

Other tibits-our family enjoyed a relaxing weekend retreat with our mini church up north this past weekend. We had great conversations, great games, great hikes. That was special. We were challenged as a group to corporately SERVE more.

Our Sunday School is going through the trendy book "Radical" by David Platt. The main thesis is to give up the American Dream, all of it, for radical holiness and giving oneself away. We are just kind of starting it, but I look forward to lives being changed! So far we don't feel called to the mission field or to sell our house, but it is a possibility, certainly.

We finished the Jesus Bible Storybook with the boys again today. I just love the last entry of John's vision of heaven. Truly, if we all were eternity minded, life would be SO EASY! I find myself drawn to songs about heaven lately.

I am working on memorizing I Corinthians 15, but it is slow going. I am also enjoying the gospels right now and reading through Acts. Being convicted to share my faith more boldly, and am trying to reach out to other moms. I guess that's my spiritual temperature these days.

catching up-again

2011-02-16T12:03:00.001-08:00

I feel like I'm in a crisis of blogging! What is the purpose of blogs? To let family and friends keep up on pictures? Strike one. To share our day to day funnies and document family life? Strike two. To dialogue spiritual insights as I grow? Strike three. I would like to do all those things, but I simply can't keep up!

I think one big problem is all these kids I have! haha By the time I upload cute pictures of them, they are 2 months older! By the time I upload videos, they are 4 months older. By the time I sit down to share what God is teaching me, it is not as fresh in my mind, and I have discussed them with friends, or my husband and already bounced around all the conclusions.

It is not that I don't want to blog. I LOVE reading everyone else's posts, and every so often I think of a clever post myself. But I decided my blog does not have a theme and will just be random posts when I get around to it! Or at times all pictures! Oh well.

In other news:

ELSIE is 6 months old. She sits, or is a great baby-sitter as Mary would say. Caedmon and Jonas have enjoyed feeding her her first solids. She likes broccoli!

We are dealing with some whining from JONAS but are finding that reality consequences work, for the most part. For example, he was whining at the table the other day when we had friends over, so he took at nap at 11:30a.m. and skipped lunch. He is starting to enjoy doing more things for himself. He has a tender heart for people and Jesus, so far. As for academics and learning anything on purpose, this kid is a rebel! My goal is to teach him something accidentally. He is constantly making up words that Caedmon and him use in conversation. My name lately is Mumpo, Caedmon is Bopopo, and Jonas is Nafis.

CAEDMON is getting so smart! I am amazed when we work on academics what that kid can retain! He knows the geography of probably 30 countries and many states! We are learning how to sign the alphabet together-he is very proud of spelling everyone's name! He really gets the calendar and when seasons happen as well as our weekly calendar and what usually happens on what days. He recently learned to count to 100 and we are working on more math. My most proud moment recently though was when he brought Jonas and his friend Shekinah into his Thomas tent each holding a Bible, and recited Isaiah 53. He is already holding Bible studies! :-)

Update on my other love-Jason is still wonderful! I have a beautiful pink bouquet from him on my table, and we had a great Valentine's Day date! My friend Chris watched the kids and we hit up a Chipotle knock-off and watched Fireproof. We have really grown exponentially this year in our marriage. God has been very faithful to us!

I guess that's the update for the next 3 months, if I am lazy like usual.

DCB

2011-02-01T15:17:00.001-08:00

My favorite part of the drive to Kansas is the chance to listen to my own music with no interruption! The kids sleep in the backseat and Elvira, our gps, takes me smoothly through the cities. On a moonlit night it is almost magical to listen to heavenly music while driving past vast farmland.

On the way back, I decided to visit some tunes on our mp3 player that aren't my usual favorites, namely, David Crowder's. My husband is an avid fan, but it's never been my style, particularly. I found myself so blessed by his music though!

ANYONE who has never listened to his album, "Collision" from start to finish and intentionally listening to everything, is missing out! He is a musical genius, I am convinced, and the journey he takes you on is amazing. DO IT! So I reluctantly admit I have become a fan.

Resolutions

2011-01-15T19:23:00.001-08:00

(Just a picture of my enchanting backyard)

The new year begins and I reflect: what are some goals to strive for, goals God desires in my life, goals to prioritize my time?

I would like to be gentler with my kids.

I would like to get back in shape.

I would like to be more bold in witnessing, not just in acts of love and friendship, but in direct words.

I would like to be less selfish with my time.

I would like to invest more and more in my marriage.

I would like to pray for my children every day.

I would like to continue memorizing Scripture.

Noble goals. Yet I realize I am completely powerless without Christ. Simply put, I resolve to follow Jesus wherever He takes me and I will then bring more glory to Himself through any circumstances in 2011.

FIVE MONTHS

2011-01-15T19:08:00.001-08:00

My darling Elsie is growing up. She's not in a hurry to sit up or crawl anywhere, which is fine with me! She is content to look pretty and giggle at anything that walks by. She is still a wonderful sleeper and absolutely delights everyone in the house! The brothers are helpful to tell her when to say 'excuse me', to not talk back to Mom, keep her eyes open during the prayer, or cry when she's not content. She is a sweetheart and her main nicknames are Baby Doll and Little Thing.

Outfits

2011-01-15T18:44:00.001-08:00

Yes, this is a post displaying outfits! My Elsie in HER shirt from good friend Sharla. I will be sad when she outgrows it! Elsie got her first shades for Christmas from good friend Miss Sarah. We are all about accessories!
Elsie roots for her ma and pa's team now, thanks to Grandma! Go Trojans!

Aunt Sarah made the kids matching Kansas wheat overalls this Christmas. Happy Kansas Day in a week!

This outfit Sarah made when I was pregnant with Caedmon. She said it was green in case he was a boy :-), but all that lace looks perfect on little Els! Her first wrap-around dress!

Very excited it fits her for the Packers' post season games! We are from Wisconsin now, so we wear green on such days.

Birthday

2011-01-15T18:14:00.000-08:00

Niece Anna and her boyfriend Zak came for my birthday to watch the kids so we could go out! It was sooo nice! They wore them out in the snow and read them many many books! We enjoyed a quiet date, then a fun movie with them! Thank you Anna and Zak!!!

Christmas 2010

2011-01-15T18:01:00.000-08:00

Once again, I am hopelessly behind in blogging! The easy way out is to try to tell the stories with pictures. We had a great Christmas at home! J's folks came for a few days, but these pics are before they got here. We had our annual Christmas Eve sleepover under the tree. MY spot was right by the fire-lucky ducky! We painted homemade ornaments!
Reading Luke 2 (yes, Elsie had to have a bow to match her red pj's on Christmas!)

Sorry the picture is flipped, but when you're "hopelessly behind" you can't fix these things. A favorite gift from the cousins was this trampoline!

I have to add my highlight this year was our church's Christmas Eve service. The pastor's daughter sang one of the most gorgeous solos I've ever gotten to hear, O Holy Night. Christ is still among us! Merry Christmas from us 5!

Special thanks to Chris Hauer who made our Christmas greeting card this year!!

Our Elsie-almost 4 months

2010-12-11T12:32:00.000-08:00

Birthday

2010-12-07T13:08:00.001-08:00

My first baby just turned 4! It is hard to believe he was this little practically yesterday! Caedmon is determined (stubborn) and opinionated, and he thrives on routine. He loves his siblings and doesn't want either of them to miss out on any special treats. It is fun that he is old enough to play simple games with now. He likes to help with all the chores: dishes, laundry, cleaning. He is very good at playing by himself, and he has always been a wonderful eater! Next to tackling with Dad I would say his favorite thing to do is have books read to him. Maybe he'll learn to read this year! He got to be a ring bearer for Aunt Martie and Uncle Rusty's wedding in June! Aunt Sarah made the outfit, of course!

The traditional birthday waffles and tea.

Now that he is four, he thinks he is big stuff! The first thing he said to me on his birthday was, "Now I can crack the eggs!" So for his big party he got to crack the eggs! He also has to leave his blanket in his room now and use the bathroom without ANY help, too. So big!

We invited some friends over, but most of them were sick and couldn't come. Grandpa and Grandma came and some friends from church. We had a great night, but then after Caedmon went to bed, he threw up the rest of the night! Of course we gave all our guests the stomach flu as well. I hope he is not always sick on his birthday every year! Happy Birthday, Caedmon! It is so fun to watch you grow!

Caedmon

2010-11-19T20:02:00.000-08:00

Parenting can have the highest highs and the lowest lows. On Sunday Caedmon decided he didn't want to go to his Sunday School class for seemingly no reason. It turned into the biggest parenting challenge/showdown Jason and I have faced yet. Without going into detail, we were befuddled and at our wits' end. Even after discipline and follow-up, we were unsure whether we did the best by him.

All this to say, I have been hyper aware of who he is these days; and I realized that he has grown up in a lot of ways since I last noticed. He is obviously not perfect, but he is a good kid, and he does a lot of things right. He will be 4 in a couple weeks, and I was thinking, he has matured exponentially since this time last year.

Today we were at an open gym at a gymnastics facility. Caedmon was one of the biggest kids there; and within a few minutes, he had a whole string of kids following his every move, jumping on trampolines, jumping into the foam block pit, going on balance beams, racing across the floor. Jonas was in the ranks, of course; he is used to obeying his brother.

This was the first time I have ever seen Caedmon take initiative in an unfamiliar environment like that. Usually he is definitely on the shy/cautious side of things. He doesn't have to be a leader, but I was glad/sad to see him pull away from some apron strings.

Another example: I had told Caedmon not to play with this glitter we have, but to put it away in the other room. Apparentely he couldn't handle himself and opened it on his way to the other room. I wouldn't have found the mess for awhile, but he came up to me and said, "I'm sorry, Mom. I was wrong. I'll clean it up!" YES!

We were at a busy playplace the other day. We have worked very hard on being content and grateful when it's time to leave special places instead of whiny. As we were walking out, WITHOUT prompting, Caedmon loudly said, "Thank you, Mom! That was really fun!" My heart melted with pride.

Caedmon is really excited to go to Carney next weekend for Thanksgiving. Today he said, "I love to go to Carney for pancakes on vacation. Carney is a REALLY good place to eat pancakes!" (Grandma serves pancakes every Saturday and we love the tradition-and the pancakes!)

Every morning we brainstorm 3 people/requests we can pray for. The boys each choose one and I take the leftover. For several weeks now the boys always want to pray for (fight over) Grandpa's go-cart with a broken chain. I suggested maybe Caedmon could pray for a person, so now he says, "Dear God, help Grandpa to go get a chain for the go-cart. I love you, God. Amen."

He is learning to tell time, sort of. He has been good with the o'clocks and the :30's, but Jason was trying to teach him "quarter past" and "quarter to." Now he says, "It's quarterback 3!" Must be football season. His new catch phrase for everything is, "that's crazy!" Love this guy.

3 Months!

2010-11-15T11:40:00.000-08:00

She's 3 months old already! Yes, I am sad, but she is SUCH a delight these days! She has started giggling! She loves her naps, her brothers, her dad, anything! She doesn't mind when her diapers leak through or she gets climbed on. Sleeping 11-12 hours, Angel Baby! She loves the brothers!
My favorite time with her is early morning. She gets me up at 6:00 and we play games and do devotions together. One of the first times I haven't minded getting up early!

Measuring

2010-11-11T12:42:00.000-08:00

Anytime we go shopping, Caedmon finds all the little pink things and says, "Oh, that is just too cute!" He certainly adjusted to a little sister quickly!

Caedmon watched a movie recently called "Sid the Science Kid". Since then, he has been measuring anything and everything. Including Elsie. His measurement was, "She's 11 years!" I would say, that is just too cute!

Another room painted!

2010-11-11T12:27:00.000-08:00

The boys' room was cutsey with lots of character before, but also a drab off white color. Actually, the main reason this project took priority was because the previous owners had a bunch of ugly stickers that they had half-heartedly tried to get off, which left the walls looking dirty where the stickers weren't, and half-peeled stickers in other places. (not pictured) So Mom and I painted it a fresh white when she was here, then I added a rust red on the built-ins with brown handles. The only thing left to paint is the thin strip of molding along the ceiling (brown), which is a nightmare of a painting job. So we'll see who tackles that. (No we don't let them watch TV in their room, only a movie during some Bible studies :-)

I can't help adding a cute pic of our Little Thing. (bow by Sarah!)

Boys' tidbits

2010-10-25T18:12:00.000-07:00

After a long hard day, I am most thankful for laughter. These little munchkins always manage to make me smile. I recently realized that my brain is leaving me and I can't remember a cute story even by the time Jason gets home from work. So I am going to try to blog some of these happenings so I don't forget!

Today I took the kids to Burger King in the afternoon to get their wiggles out. I bought a drink and the boys were hopping around so excited to beg for part of my pop. Jonas then said in a loud voice, "But I'm not going to pee my bed tonight!!"

My folks were up for the weekend and my mom was reading while I nursed Elsie. Caedmon marched in from outside and declared: "Now. Who would like to get the green stroller out of the garage for me?!" Oooh, pick me, pick me!

We have our kids call adults Mr. and Mrs., and decided those terms of respect should apply to any adult, even celebrities and atheletes. It is hilarious to hear Caedmon and Jonas cheer for the Vikings' football players: "Go Mr. Favre! Come on Mr. Peterson!" Their favorite Christian music artist from the radio is Mr. Mac. They beg us to youtube Toby Mac's songs, then dance around with their guitars rocking out, singing the backup voices. I should post a video! Little Jonas who is about 13 inches tall sings/yells "I don't want to gain the whole world, and loothe my thoul!"

We got a neat Noah's Ark made out of popsicle sticks from Uncle Karl and Aunt Mary, and the boys love playing with it with their animals. Lately I have seen matchbox cars also make their way up the ramp into the ark. I overheard Caedmon telling the kangaroo if he said something one more time he was going to get a spanking.

Tonight at dinner I was making hash out of leftover ham. Caedmon said, "Ooo I love chicken!" I said, "It's ham." C: "Yeah, I like ham, but Jonas doesn't like it." (they are not supposed to say they don't like food that is for dinner) There is a pause, then Jonas says, "But it's not my favorite thing!...I didn't say gross."

Caedmon often asks me when he will be allowed to do certain things. I have to think hard about my answers, because he will often recite the ages I have already given him. "You can only cut with sharp knives when you're 5, so then you'll be really big. But, Jonas, when you're 4 you can crack the eggs. I can drive the tractor when I'm 12 and I can drive the go-cart when I'm 6." My favorite, "When I'm as big as Daddy I don't need help when I go poopy." I certainly hope not!

Caedmon loves to get out of taking naps or even lying down during rest time. It has been a good lesson showing him when he's crabby later in the day because he chose not to take a nap when I recommended, but didn't necessarily enforce rest time. Now his catch phrase as he's eating lunch is, "I don't think I'm going to take a nap today. I'm going to control myself!" I smile and think to myself, good luck, kid. I am STILL learning to control myself!

Tonight the boys were in the bathroom and I heard Caedmon say to Jonas, "You'd better not because maybe Mom will hear you." Obviously, I investigated. Neither of my boys have ever defaced property or had issues with pens and pencils, but Jonas had scribbled all over the bathroom door with pen. I spanked him and made him scrub it with a magic eraser. After a few minutes, I heard him gravely lament, "We ONLY write on paper. Only paper!" Lesson learned!

P.S. The pen came off the door. :-)

Fall Color

2010-10-22T12:37:00.000-07:00

My favorite season is here again! The colors weren't as vibrant as last year, but still amazing. My toddlers were even more into the leaves!

Gannons!

2010-10-20T11:05:00.000-07:00

James and Sarah and nephew John got to come for a visit. Oh what a great time we had! I really wish Sarah lived so much closer because we are good friends. We didn't do too much out of the ordinary, but enjoyed a lot of nice walks and hikes. I didn't get a good picture of James (he hides from the camera), but he ended up watching the toddlers outside for most of his vacation. THANK YOU UNCLE JAMES! Sarah practically did all my cooking for me. It was MY vacation! Here are Sarah and Elsie. They like each other. Elsie doesn't have a bow in her hair *gasp*! The best cousin shot I got from my attempts. My boys liked telling John what to do and what was fun.

He is so cute!

We hiked up our "mountain" together. Three adults and four young kids, we were proud of ourselves! The view from the top of the tower:

My little bubbies climbing rocks with Ant Sarah. She is so much fun!

Come back soon, family!

My Elsie

2010-09-30T05:55:00.000-07:00

A good friend of mine gave us a screamin deal on professional newborn shots of Elsie, so I had to share some of her work! Thanks, Jessie! I love them because she has already changed so much and I want to remember her tiny!

Tick Tock

2010-09-24T12:38:00.001-07:00

Time, time, time. I used to have so much of it!

I know I increased my parenting duties by 50% lately by adding Elsie. Still, it is incredible to me how BUSY I seem to be! I don't know why I'm blogging about it, to complain? to ask for advice? to get empathy from others who feel so busy?!

My friend pointed out that with a newborn, 5-6 hours of your day at least are spent just nursing, burping, and changing. I sure notice those 5 hours!

I don't think 3 kids is any harder than 2 really, if you had like 30 hours in a day! I am not pulling out my hair with the chaos, I simply get to the end of the day and am unable to name one solitary thing I accomplished besides "doing the day." Are my expectations too high?

Things I would LIKE to do everyday:

-spend time with God alone (~30 min) and PRAY (any amount of time!)
-exercise (~30 min)
-make Jason's lunch (10 min)
-make breakfast for kids (10 min)
-clean up breakfast (10 min)
-Bible time with kids (30 min)
-get the kids dressed (15 min)
-shower and look presentable (would like ~30 min)
-make phone calls for appts./sisters/friends (~30 min)
-take pictures of kids (5 min)
-do "school" time with kids: crafts, cooking, puzzles, playing, etc. (30 min)
-make lunch (10 min)
-clean up lunch (10 min)
-read to kids (15 min)
-nap the kids and pick up house
-E-mail, facebook, blog, etc. (~30-60 min)
-prepare dinner (30-60 min)
-get kids out for a walk (20 min)
-clean up dinner-sweep (15 min)
-hang out with Jason/family (30-60 min)
-read by myself! (20 min)
-go to bed!

I'd also LIKE to add one or more significant "extra" to each day like:

-laundry
-extra baking
-cleaning house
-sorting clothes/piles/boxes
-meeting friends for playdates
-Bible study
-having someone over for dinner
-printing pictures/baby books etc.
-groceries/errands
-serving at the church (60 min)
-NAP!!!!!

I am managing ok, and some days feel less guilty than others. It just seems like the minute I think I am done I remember: Elsie is hungry, the laundry just beeped, Jonas needs help putting his shoes on, I need to get meat out to thaw, Caedmon wants me to set up a lego house for him, Elsie needs to eat!, I need to look for a recipe, someone needs a new diaper, Jason's coming home soon and our house is a tornado, someone needs a bandaid, Elsie is STARVING, Elsie wants to be held, I promised Caedmon I'd play a game, I want to talk to my faraway friends, oops someone just talked back and requires immediate attention ETCETERA etcetera etcetera!

I know this is such a short phase in life and I will definitely miss this particular busyness. I love my job! I am trying to shift my focus to serving God in each pan I wash, each and every diaper I change, each disciplining moment, and to treasure the precious memories along the way. I love a challenge but it is harder to pat myself on the back for productivity anymore. haha And I even have a DISHWASHER! Does anyone else feel this way?

Chicken Soup

2010-09-23T18:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, here I go. Determined to write my Laura Ingalls post. Since I am a big fan, and I like ALLY'S (http://allylaughingatthedays.blogspot.com/2010/09/come-to-my-party-please.html) idea to pool the crafty-homemade-frontier ideas we use in our families, I will do it. I did always want to be Laura. And make fun of Nellie!

The first problem is, do I do anything original that is clever? I have dabbled in a lot of things, but certainly don't consider myself an expert at many. I do cloth diapers and make my own laundry detergent, I use my clothesline and make bread and dried beans, know the basics of knitting and crocheting, but do I really have any unique idea to share?

The only thing I thought of that I learned just in the last couple years is cooking a chicken. I DO know how to cut off a chicken's head, scald the feathers, pluck the feathers, etc. from growing up in Africa. But what I mean is boiling the leftovers after cooking a whole chicken into the best soup EVER!

My mom always said that whole chickens are way cheaper per pound than say B/S chicken breasts. I don't know HOW much cheaper it is once you consider the bones, the inconvenience, and all the dark meat that isn't devoured as quickly as prime white meat. But a big roasted chicken dinner sure is good! It comes out really good in the crockpot, too. Very moist.

To make an unbeatable chicken soup, though, continue boiling all the bones that have been carved, for at least 12-24 hours! People say the marrow flavor and nutrients are extracted if you boil it for a long time in water. My friend even boils the chicken 3-4 days! Anyway the meat falls off the bones, the broth is rich and yummy, and some simmered veggies give you chicken soup that beats Grandma's.

Best part is the meat is "scavenged" off the part you usually throw away. If only I knew how to skin a buffalo, I could REALLY cook soup for a herd of Ingalls'. Imagine what a person could make out of buffalo pancreas!

Daddy and Elsie

2010-08-30T20:40:00.001-07:00

I know I have gone picture crazy lately with the new girl in our house. But I don't see an end in sight. Here is Jason with the little muffin. He is quite taken with her! Bedtime storytime. They have so much fun!
Elsie's pretty taken with him, too!

Awwwww! I'm so glad my kids have such a great dad!

A little girl and her big brother

2010-08-30T20:11:00.000-07:00

It has been really neat to see Caedmon fall in love with Elsie! He loves to be with her, tend to her, kiss her, protect her. Protect her? Yes, he is concerned about her getting bit by mosquitoes, accidentally eating crumbs on the floor, getting too cold. What he should be worried about is Jonas tripping over her!

Elsie got to join storytime with Dad!

So far Elsie loves him, too!

Princess Pose

2010-08-29T20:20:00.000-07:00

I didn't know what to blog about, so I decided to share Elsie's sleeping pose. We tried diligently to swaddle her the first 3 nights home from the hospital, then we conceded that she just didn't like it! If you give her a chance, she will always end up in this diva pose with her arms above her head. I love it! She looks more boyish in neutral outfits. But she doesn't give a care!
Ah! I'm just too tired to play. Little snooze is in order. Baring my chubby legs.

Maybe she will be a ballerina...

My favorite part is Jason's purple blanket. : )

Elsie's Birth Story

2010-08-19T19:22:00.001-07:00

For everyone who loves labor stories like I do:

This was Sunday morning, in labor. Starting Thursday I had had terrible insomnia, taking 4 hours to fall asleep even though I was exhausted. I still didn't feel like labor was close though. Sunday morning I woke up at 3 a.m. wide-eyed. No contractions. I was very frustrated, but remembered at that point that the week before I had the boys, I also had suffered insomnia. Well maybe at least it was a good sign. At 5:00 a.m. I had a couple contractions with pain. I thought to myself, hmm, I'm not getting fooled this time. (A week before I had been up all night convinced I was in labor in a severe thunderstorm in a tent camping!) By 7:00 I thought maybe it was the real thing, so I did the tricks to tell; went on a long walk and took a hot shower. Both made the contractions worse. Betty, the boys, and Jason were up getting ready for church, and I didn't want to tell anyone, I just kept avoiding them for contractions. Finally about 9:00 I told Jason we probably weren't going to church. From then on I brought my ball chair up to my bedroom and labored by myself with headphones and fans on me. I would call Jason on the phone downstairs to bring me things, but I really wanted to be alone. At about 11:30 I needed Jason to be with me, but he was timing contractions and they were only 3-4 min apart. I was starting to lose control on some of them so I felt like I needed to go to the hospital, but was also expecting to be discouraged and only be at like 3cm. I threw up as we were leaving, and just walking into the hospital felt things getting far more intense. I remember the receptionist asking me dumb questions and I ignored her and let Jason answer. I leaned on the counter and told Jason I just wanted to stay there in the ER resting on the counter. :-) He wheeled me up to labor and delivery.

The nurse said I was at 7cm which was very encouraging. The next hour was the difficult transition, but I felt surprisingly calm. I told the nurse I thought it was time, and she went to get the doctor. As she walked back in the room, Elsie just came out. Panicked, the nurse flew to the gloves and pulled out a handful. The tech just pulled her sleeves over her hands and flung the surgical cloth off the instrument tray. The Dr. arrived and dashed over to the bed where he told me he hoped I wasn't HIV positive, as he cut the cord, etc. barehanded. Elsie was screaming and a beautiful little ball and I just couldn't stop telling Jason it was a girl! It was perfect! The cleanup took longer than anything else as they hadn't gotten all the right gear out!

We were extremely impressed with the hospital for the rest of our stay, talk about bells and whistles! A laptop for your use, jet tub in your room, a big snack room with 24 hours slushies, a celebration steak dinner with cheesecake and a rose, big brother buttons with Elsie's picture on them, "It's a girl" buttons with her footprint, a free photoshoot with multiple outfits and the CD of pictures. I tell ya, Saint Clare's hospital is the place to have a baby! We are all home and doing well. Everyone is in love, big-time. Here she is, August 15th, 2 days early, born at 1:24p.m. 7lbs 12 oz. 20 inches. Welcome to the Andersons, Elsie Joy!

Another day

2010-08-02T18:13:00.001-07:00

Not too much to say. The boys are making my life so easy, yet still I feel lazy and exhausted! We try to take lots of walks and bikerides to get out.

The boys spend their whole days, literally, outside playing with all kinds of things. They love our backyard! Saturday they were outside probably for 8 hours! I am so spoiled and blessed! Lots of bugbites, today Jonas' eye had a bite that swelled it almost completely shut. Doesn't stop them from going back out though! I put them in long sleeves sometimes, spray them up, and let them go!

I just finished putting together a puzzle and Caedmon said, "Good job, Mom! Look Jonas, we can run our cars on it pretty soon!" I guess that's what puzzles are good for. Now they are playing cars on the puzzle, and green truck just asked forgiveness for being mean to the digger.

Jason wore a tank top for the first time tonight and I told them their daddy has big guns, and he has a muscle shirt on. Caedmon said, "I need a gun shirt!"

I don't know where they learned it, but the boys started potty talking and thinking it's funny to call things gross. That is the catch phrase, then giggling hysterically. I DID NOT TEACH THEM THIS! I feel like I spend my days telling them not to call food that God made gross. Jonas always comes back with something like, "but my stinky feet are GROSS. hahahahaha!" Boys!

Poor Caedmon's vocabulary comes completely from me, I am noticing! His newest phrases besides gross are "Here's the deal..." "What's the problem?" "No, Jonas, we DON'T ............"

Appologies for rather a boring blog post but the fam will enjoy catching up on the boys a bit.

Of community, pianos, and things

2010-07-26T07:13:00.000-07:00

Our community had an annual festival with all sorts of fun things for kids, including a concert and fireworks. The boys enjoyed hanging out with good friend Shekinah on the bleachers. Here they are vying for room in our hammock.

My baby dropped last week and I can't believe how small I look now! She is definitely hiding! I still suffer heartburn and very sore bones, but it is nice to breathe and roll over again! 3 weeks and counting!

Finally, my inlaws brought the piano they've had in storage for us! A real one! I have really enjoyed playing it, and so have the boys! Now our music room is complete!

Our new church

2010-07-18T13:22:00.000-07:00

After over a year in Wausau, we finally picked a home church! We will become members as soon as possible at the Wausau Christian Missionary Alliance Church.

Probably the hardest decision in our marriage thusfar was deciding between two great churches here in WI. We kept waiting for a special call, and talked in circles about which church is best for our family, which one we can serve the best at, which one God wants us to attend. No specific answer arrived, but Jason and I are both unified that it is time to commit, instead of attending both, and time to throw ourselves completely into one.

Today we have been mourning what we're giving up at the church we didn't choose. We told our old small group, which wasn't easy. But we try to keep in perspective that we are ALL the church and the body of Christ, and our friends from that church will still be our neighborhood friends in the years to come.

Along with those feelings though we are so relieved to have chosen! Alliance is a very healthy church and we are excited to serve and worship God there. They especially excel in their music ministry. As you know music is particularly dear to both Jason and me. They are a baby-booming church, with excellent programs for our kids as they grow. The preaching is right from the Word, and the people are very friendly and welcoming. We feel very blessed! I anticipate our roots here in Wausau will grow deep very fast from this point on.

Jonas' diet: don't eat!

2010-07-13T20:20:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I can't believe what mean parents we are! One night this week we expected Jonas to eat supper! It was 2 tablespoons of rice with 6 kernels of corn and 1 piece of broccoli. It was a rough night!

He was so upset with us he didn't even drink his milk.

The end of the story: Jonas fasted this particular night and did not get dessert. That is the usual ending. But he can look so pathetic and devastated at the healthy food he is supposed to eat that we give in and slip him snacks on the sly like a dog. Otherwise he just eats 3 bowls of oatmeal for breakfast the next day.

Make me smile

2010-07-12T16:25:00.000-07:00

Today I was reading my Bible in the living room, the kids were playing cars in the family room. Then I hear Caedmon, "I HAVE TO GO POOPY!" I hear him run to the bathroom, scoot the stool over, sit down. Small pause.
C, "Jonas, come in here and watch me go poopy!"
J, "No."
Small pause.
C, "Jonas, come in here please, Jonas!"
Silence.
C, "Jonas, can you hear me? Come in here I want to talk to you."
J, "No, I'm playing with cars." (probably YOUR cars!)
Small pause while Caedmon thinks.
C, "JONAS! Come in here and see the toilet. It's really messy. It's a really messy toilet, Jonas!"
J, "Ok, coming!"
Pitter-patter pitter-patter, drop some cars on his way, pick them up, pitter-patter.
C, "MOM! I'm all done going poopy!!!!!! I need help!"

Boys.

Sleeping People

2010-07-06T15:26:00.001-07:00

I realized I take a lot of pictures of people sleeping. They are so cute! When I watch my kids sleep, I feel a fierce tenderness and urge to be the best Mom to them I can be. It is a gift. God reminds me how much I love them!

I actually do a lot of napping these days, too, but since I am the one with the camera, no one catches me sleeping! :-)

Kiddos

2010-07-06T15:18:00.000-07:00

We all know THAT charming smile! AND a cute smile even with crazy hair!

This is our favorite pasttime these days...biking! Caedmon is quite a biker, he has gone 3.5 miles with us! I wonder if we'll be able to keep track of him once he learns to ride without trainers!

Jonas has recently gotten really muscular legs. He loves to ride his train everywhere and can almost keep up with Caed on the bike!

And introducing the precious newest member of the Samuelson clan, my nephew MICHAEL SETO NOREN! He was born July 2nd, our anniversary, because I'm his favorite aunt. I love this little man!

Projects

2010-07-06T14:41:00.000-07:00

One day we decided to spray-paint the hardware in our kitchen. This is the before picture of the kitchen, with the cabinet doors already off. The handles, etc. used to be a strange blue and the cabinets were a dirty cream color.

Practical Jason said, well, while the doors are all off anyway we should decide if we want to paint! So we painted them white.

After remounting our black handles on white doors, I impulsively decided to paint the background from the sickly green to yellow. Yeah, it turned out REALLY yellow!

I like it! It is definitely not what I pictured, but I don't dislike it enough to repaint it. So our kitchen has become much brighter in color, and, I think, cheerful! None of those subdued earthtones for us! :-)

My wonderful husband repaired the worst part of our roof to try to buy us a couple years. When we do replace the roofing, we hope to replace siding, windows, and add insulation as well. So we are hoping to put off paying for all that!

This is the dead tree that had been leaning on another tree for a few days. Jason was contemplating what to do with it, when one day I watched it fall before my eyes. It was during naptime, and watching the strength and power of a falling tree made me drop to my knees thanking God that my children weren't outside playing in that very spot, where they constantly play. So this is a project in progress, Jason plans to borrow his dad's chainsaw and get us some free firewood!

We are enjoying all the work that goes into keeping this place running!

Progress

2010-06-23T15:01:00.000-07:00

Yes this is a picture of pictures. But it is new to our house and it is fun to see each new thing we add! These first two are in our "formal dining room" aka music room. Jason is very proud and happy to have his other babies mounted to drool over and have more accessible. It is nice to not have the cases strewn all over, but we need a solution for the big amp! If I were crafty like my sisters I would sew some cutesy (and very manly!) cover for them.

Finally, my favorite artwork! A great way to display the kids' work and be able to change them out periodically! My good friend Shannon got me this creative idea along with supplies, and my boys of course provided the featured pieces. I have stuff to make another larger hanging like this for another wall, but, one thing at a time!

Bible stories

2010-06-08T12:10:00.000-07:00

Before bed each night we have gotten into the habit of telling the boys Bible stories (when we have the energy!) I am the narrator, Jason is the marinette, and all the stuffed animals are the characters.

This has led to some hilarious story-telling and acting. My personal favorite was one night when we did Noah. Thanks to Jason, there was a lot of noisy lumberjacking, banging with the hammers, and loud, explosive thunder as it started to rain. I said after they had gotten out of the ark, Noah and his family said, "Thank you, God!" for keeping them safe. Jason proceeded to slaughter the piggy bank. As funny as it was I looked at Jason with a disapproving look, wondering if the beheading was necessary.

I encourage this tradition. It amazes me what the boys retain, including minor characters (Sham, Ham, and Japith-the sons of Noah) and I often hear them retell the stories with their little people during the day.

Last night was Lazarus. This was a very hard concept for the boys to grasp! We kept getting interrupted by the boys as they wanted to embelish the story. Finally, when we were done and "Wazarus" was raised from the dead, Caedmon told his version. "One day Lazarus got really really sick. So Mary called an ambience to take him to the hospital. Wee-oooo, wee-oooo. So they took Lazarus to the hospital and went and parked the ambience."

feel the love

2010-06-05T07:28:00.001-07:00

There sure is a lot of love going around in this family! It is very sweet.

Jonas loves to put his face up to yours and scrunch up his nose and say quietly, "I wuv you!"

When I asked Caedmon what he was going to do today, he said, "I think I'm going to hang out with my daddy." He always does that, talks about "his daddy" instead of just "dad." In the store once he was really excited to tell Jonas, "Jonas, tomorrow we're going to play with our daddy!" Like we're separated or something.

Yesterday I saw Jonas wandering back and forth as if lost. He was saying, "Where IS my Caedmon? Where is my brother? Where is my special brother Caedmon? CAEDMON!"

As I write this Jason took the boys on a home-remodeling shopping trip. I love them all but it's nice to be home alone!!! So what do I do with my free time? Blog about them. :-)

His Favorite Part

2010-05-28T11:17:00.000-07:00

Jonas sure gives me a lot to blog about regarding eating! When we had Caedmon we thought we were perfect parents, at least in teaching our kids not to be picky eaters. Even to this day, Caedmon prefers salads and vegetables to sweets. He often doesn't finish a dessert, and a special treat to him is fresh vegetables cut up, particularly raw tomatoes.

Jonas, on the other hand, loves anything with white flour, sugar, and fat in it. He will literally fast for days if all he is offered is meat and vegetables. Only recently have we seen him accidentally eat some greens and meat. For awhile we tried to force him to eat at least a bite of everything, until he developed the capability of gagging until he puked it up. That battle is no longer worth it!

A rule we have in our house is the kids have to ask before they're excused, carry their dishes into the kitchen, then hug and thank the person who made the food. I started making them tell the cook what their favorite part was, so they were at least thinking about what they were thanking the person for, and not focusing on the part of the meal they DIDN'T especially appreciate.

Jonas is hilarious at this. Often he just mimics Caedmon and says his favorite part was the same thing Caedmon says. Other times he just says the first food that he remembers from dinner. When he says, "Thank you, Mom, my favorite part was the salad...the rice...the beans..." I just want to say, "LIAR! Maybe you'd have a favorite part if you had actually eaten a bean!"

My favorites though are when he is honest. "Thank you, Mom, my favorite part was the chocolate milk. My favorite part was the dip-dip. My favorite part was the cookie. My favorite part was the sugar on top. My favorite part was please be excused." Fair enough.

Jonas dreams of a day when he gets pancakes, sweet rolls, and juice for breakfast, PB&J without the bread and peanut butter for lunch, maybe a cookie, graham crackers and a smoothie, and ice cream, pudding, and chocolate dipped bananas for dinner. Those would be his favorite parts!

Kids

2010-05-25T12:56:00.001-07:00

Some of my favorite recent words from Caedmon are "egg-zylophone" for xylophone, "inshtruments" for instruments, "geetar" for guitar, and "pofe office" for post office. Jonas can't say his "R's" properly, and I'm sorry to say we make fun of him to hear him keep repeating things. It is so cute!

The other day I heard Jonas lament, "Mom! I have to go potty AGAIN!" Such an inconvenience when one wants to play! Welcome to my world, Jonas!

Caedmon has developed the habit of constantly reminding me what I said. He will tell me where I was when I promised him something, what I was doing, and repeat my exact words. Needless to say I don't make vague promises anymore hoping he'll forget!

He is still the boss of CaedmonandJonas. The other day Jason said, if you hear your first name, don't spank Caedmon. He's talking about racecars. So, since Caedmon isn't allowed to call us by name, he decided to name two racecars "Beth" and "Jason." It is hilarious. Beth and Jason converse and fight and race and do everything together. Jonas gets to play with Beth and Caedmon gets Jason. And they get to say "Beth" and "Jason" as loud as they want! The latest thing he has tried is to pick favorite parents. i.e."Jonas, you like Mom and I like Daddy." Jonas will consent, "I like Mom and you like Dad." I have even heard him say, "Jonas, Mom likes you and Dad likes me." Ummm, well it's true. But we have not picked favorites like Isaac and Rebekah.

I love my job! Never a dull minute.

Weekend Reflections

2010-05-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

This was a very busy weekend! One of the highlights was hiking with some new friends at a local river with cliffs. Here C & J were playing stick races. They had so much fun running down the trail together and climbing rocks! I realized camping this year will be very fun for our family!

They were pretty tuckered out coming back!

Thursday we had new friends over from our small group. Friday we enjoyed an amazing worship night at one of our churches. Saturday we hiked and explored with other new friends. Sunday we went to our 2 churches, our small group, a baptism service, and took a bike ride to some other new friends' house to visit.

Almost a year after moving from Montana, in my devotions this morning I realized how faithful God has been to answer my prayers for a place of our own here in Wisconsin! There have been long, lonely, yet peace-filled months. But now there is a light at the end of this season and we are meeting so many wonderful friends! This summer looks BUSY with get-togethers and fellowshipping with our new acquaintances. SO grateful for how God works, and our new lives here.

The Best Day

2010-05-18T06:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the boys had a day in heaven! We were going for a bike ride when my tire tube popped, so we had to walk home. On the way we found a street being torn up! FREE little boy entertainment!

THEN when we went to pick up a book from the library later in the day, the Fire station was having an open house. Fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, and motorcycles were parked, all to climb and play with, what a day! To top it off they had a healthcare helicoptor come land and take off for the audience. (I didn't have the camera this time)

I think I had an even better time than they did, just watching the delight and wonder in their eyes. It occured to me God made this huge creative world for us to enjoy. He takes great delight in us comprehending little things, learning about His world! I can't think of anything I enjoy more than watching my children enjoy life!

Yard

2010-05-16T18:12:00.000-07:00

Now that we have a yard, we are starting to realize how much work goes into taking care of it! It is all worth it though! We have a cardinal couple visiting our birdhouse regularly, along with other various critters. Fortunately, we have lots of help!

Afterwards, we have to polish the equipment. We LOVE having our own house!

Angry Angry Angry

2010-05-12T17:39:00.001-07:00

This pregnancy has been a major test in patience! For some reason, I get very mad very quickly for very little reason! At least I hope it is the pregnancy! I have never had major anger issues before this baby came along.

Now on a good day, one where I have gotten up an hour before the family, sought God and asked for His Spirit to make me gentle with my kids, I am lucky to only blow up at them once or twice a day. It is ridiculous!

If for some reason I don't get time with God, the day is incredibly worse, and I simply can't seem to pray enough or get out of the funk at all.

Thankfully, I have never abused my children, but I am more harsh than I should be, and use the tone of voice that I used to judge other moms for. I am demanding and unreasonable at times. It breaks my heart to see them shrink back when I yell at them, as if they don't recognize me and wonder where their mom who loves them is.

How thankful I am for grace! And the example that little ones constantly bring me. One particularly bad day, for bedtime I told them a story about a Mama bear and her 2 little cubs. Mama bear was so angry and yelled and hurt their feelings all day and didn't forgive quickly and she said she was wrong and she was sorry and she was going to pray God would help her be a better Mama Bear. Then Mama bear asked the 2 baby bears it they would forgive her. Caedmon and Jonas yelled out, "We forgive you, Mama Bear!!!"

Oh, heavenly Father, always so tender with us, I need thee every hour!

Science Getaway

2010-05-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

My good friend Sarah came to visit from Michigan! We headed to Minneapolis to go to an International Justice Mission conference, which was excellent! Got to see Sara Groves perform and got informed about how IJM is combating all sorts of trafficking and slavery.

Jason's sister Kim housed us and watched the boys for the event. (THANK YOU KIM!) The next day we headed to the science museum. The Dead Sea Scrolls were visiting, so Sarah and Kim checked those out. I didn't think my 2 year old would appreciate the $34 to see them so we just saw all the other cool stuff! Here they built big towers with limitless blocks!

They wove me a nice wool blanket.

Some exhibits were a bit overwhelming and some dinosaurs were a bit scary, but they had a blast. I can't wait to take them when they're a little bigger too! One fun thing was musical stairs, which they stomped up and down dozens of times. But, of course, the highlight was watching the rain and boats on the river. What a fun excursion we had!

Dandelions and Sun

2010-05-09T16:51:00.000-07:00

This is Caed in front of our new house on a beautiful spring afternoon, waiting for Daddy to come home. I get flowers every day now! They are mostly the same color as these.

I love these gifts from my little men!

Hiking in our new 'hood.

Dandelions are too fun! (And so are trains!)

We discovered a new rock wall to climb, about 2 blocks from our house! Jackpot!

This is just a random picture of the kabobs I made the other night. They were sooooo good and they looked so pretty! I LOVE summertime!

Boys Toys

2010-05-04T11:48:00.000-07:00

We are very into CARS these days. Jonas is especially obsessed. I am half tempted to throw out all their bulky toys that get everywhere and just keep the cars. Afterall, the cars they play with now are quite cheap compared to what they'll want in a few years!

Slaves

2010-04-29T12:22:00.000-07:00

I have never read the Bible through chronologically according to time, so I am starting that project. Found myself stuck on a passage in Exodus.

Ex. 21:20-21
"If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies as a direct result, he must be punished, but he is not to be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two, since the slave is his property."

This is in the same chapter where eye for eye, life for life is commanded, except, apparentely when it comes to slaves, since they are "property."

I understand that there are many injustices in the Bible that God did not necessarily endorse, yet still gave laws to keep order in that particular society. Just as in the New Testament it is clear he doesn't prefer divorce, but gives admissions for some.

I know God is a just God, that He has the whole picture and we only see a small quilt square from our limited earthly perspective. This passage doesn't make me doubt my faith or wonder if God is truly benevolent and personal, the Bible is full of compassionate examples. I have also experienced His grace and mercy and lovingkindness myself.

It is just hard to picture a female slave physically BEAT to the point she does not get UP for 2 days, and there being no repercussions for the master. Any thoughts on this?!

Beans

2010-04-27T19:29:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful for my family's willingness to eat everything I cook! I have tried to have some sort of cheap healthy meal usually involving beans at least once a week. For health and budget!

I have become quite creative, making tons of soups, beans/pasta dishes, beans and rice. It is like Anne Frank lamented, "Every night it's beans! Beans and rice! Beans and bread. Beans en casserole. Beans with strings. Beans without strings!"

Now I have never made something so distasteful we haven't eaten it. We do discard leftovers occasionally though.

It is almost a game, the reaction I'll get from Jason when he comes home on bean night. He puts on his best face as if he is facing a firing squad but has decided to make the best of it.

Tonight it was split pea soup. Jason worked into the conversation, "is this stuff good for me?" as in, "is there a really good reason to try eating this?!" What I love is more often than not, he likes it and has seconds, like tonight!

Either he is extremely polite, actually likes it, or is famished. I choose to think he is pleasantly surprised by my cooking!

It is not all torture around here. I made fresh bread with dinner tonight, and almost always have cornbread available. Jonas can eat a lot of cornbread if he has to, but even he will eat beans if he is hungry enough!

I know not all husbands are not as agreeable about not getting a slab of meat with every meal. I am very thankful for my Jason, not only taking a monotonous sack lunch every day to save money, but also for NEVER criticizing food put in front of him.

The Little Things

2010-04-23T12:01:00.000-07:00

A few of my favorite things about this house:

-2 floors-I can make myself breakfast or do any chores without waking anyone up!

-coat closet (not every house has one!)

-privacy of the backyard. I could probably go naked back there. I haven't yet. But the only neighbor with a view is a single lady who works. The boys definitely use the backyard potty all day.

-dishwasher, and ice maker in the freezer

-spacious pantry!

-laundry chute "hoop" as Caedmon calls it. It is convenient and the boys LOVE it!

-2 bathrooms. can't have one too close with this pregnant mama

-the sun rises behind our trees in the backyard while I do my devotions in the family room with huge windows, and sets in the front behind our "mountain" hill reflecting on our river, about a block away!

-newborn socks. They didn't come with the house but I rediscovered how cute they are, the foot part being about 1 1/2 inches long! I got out all the neutral clothes and realized I would be SO excited to dress another little boy!

The Move

2010-04-21T11:03:00.000-07:00

No pictures, yet. But the move went well! As expected God showed up in the details!

5 strapping young men from our small group showed up with trucks, trailers, and servant's hearts! Perhaps one of the hardest jobs I've ever done was go to the new house, hold the front door open, and helplessly point where furniture and boxes should go while other people lugged enormous things into our new home. VERY humbling!

For lunch DeAnn from our small group had Subway platters delivered, and my inlaws showed up to help with fresh chocolate chip cookies and lasagna for dinner! Moving day was not hard for me! I managed to eat my normal exorbitant amount of food. Stephanie had brought a big tub of spaghetti so I still haven't had to cook!

We are mostly unpacked except for the garage of "storage" things that need to be sorted. It was great to have Jason's folks for the weekend to help with the kids, prepare meals, do small projects, etc. while I ran back and forth to the old house cleaning. In the evenings we chatted excitedly about the possibilities.

The boys are doing wonderfully! They LOVE the new backyard, the rocks, the basketball court, the stairs, their room with 5 different closet cubbies to hide in.

Jason and I are overwhelmed with all the space! We feel like we could use some more furniture and bigger artwork for the bigger walls. We are so blessed!!!! The neighbors we have met have been very nice and seem to be a close community of people.

Now we are just waiting on the final person to fill this house. I hope she is a girl since her room is bright pinkish/purple. A boy would have issues with a room like that! :-)

House

2010-04-14T17:33:00.000-07:00

Two more days until we buy this house! God is so faithful to us! I don't know why financial blessings or BIG blessings stick out to us more than the everyday miracles, but I had to write some of the cool things that have happened throughout this process!

Our realtor, Carrie, was recommended from a guy at work, and she pursued us! She is excellent and very efficient!

Our home loan consultant is a Christian recommended to us as well. There were no problems there!

Only this house stood out in our minds. The more we looked, the more we fell in love with this one!

Cheaper houses that we pursued were never "cheaper" in the long run, and didn't have nearly the features that this one does!

The way we bought it and the bank approved our offer in 2 1/2 weeks even though it was a short sale house which usually takes months, was clear confirmation this was a gift from God!

$8,000 tax credit is such a gift, but Michelle our loaner also found an additional grant we qualified for for $4,000!

The timing on this was amazing, moving into a 3 BR before our new baby, and also moving earlier in the pregnancy instead of at 8 months like we had expected!

Within one weekend of telling our landlord we had bought a house, expecting to pay for an additional 2 months rent on our lease, they found new renters for May 1st, saving us $1150!

Moving in early summer is ideal too. Easier to get to know people who are out and about, easier to entertain neighbors grilling, etc.

We had a hitch with State Farm homeowner's insurance, they insisted we sign a contract with a roofing company (we had planned to roof it ourselves) within 60 days or we wouldn't be able to insure it. We called one other insurance company and got a quote for $100 less per year, without having to fix our roof on any time table!

After we had committed to buying it we found a firepit in the backyard! Excited!

This has been a great chance to witness to our realtor, Carrie, who doesn't believe. I am hoping we have planted a seed and will continue to pray God moves her heart to understand we serve and trust a big, benevolent God!

Lastly our parents loaned us their suburban so we can move this weekend. We feel so blessed!

I hope we use our house, God's house, for His glory. I hope we are open to having anyone stay a season with us and be able to bless others around the table sharing meals and time. So thankful!

Baby Anderson

2010-04-05T19:18:00.000-07:00

Meet Baby Anderson! It is such a treat to spy on your baby! Our little treasure was docile and sweet as can be, sucking her thumb and stretching so cute. She was so good the tech labeled her Baby of the Year. Since we got all the diagnostic photos quickly, we had extra time and got to peek at her through 3D technology! She wasn't fat enough to get very good pics, but it was breathtaking to see her face. She looks like Caedmon! I still think she's a girl, but Jason isn't giving me any clues. The spine. "My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place." Ps. 139:15

Legs. "Your hands shaped me and made me." -Job 10:8

3D left leg. Kinda chubby!

Face. "In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." Job 12:10

Watching this little one's 4-chambered heart beating alone led me to worship our Creator! At one point the technician turned the technology onto thermal, and I watched my blood flow into this baby through the umbilical cord to sustain her life. I watched blood circulate through her heart. I do not understand how people can believe in chance! Can't wait to meet you in 19 weeks!

Time travel

2010-04-05T19:09:00.001-07:00

My sweet Jonas turned 2 today! What joy he has brought us! God knew Caedmon needed a little brother, Jason needed another son, and I needed a precious cuddly boy! His smiles and charm have brightened our lives! I thank God he is still with us after the health scare in November. I truly enjoy each day with him! Here is 2 years ago.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JONAS! May you grow to love God and love others always!

You'll burn it!

2010-04-04T19:16:00.000-07:00

In the whole of our marriage I have set off the fire alarm exactly twice. Both this last week! Once was a harmless enough crime, toaster crumbs scorching in the bottom of the toaster oven.

The other time was the ole broil mistake. You know-when it says broil for 5 minutes and at exactly 5 minutes your food is crusty black and unsalvagable! I had been craving fresh wheat breadsticks, and they looked PERFECT throughout the process until I added cheese on top and tried to broil them. Jason came in from work to find black smoke pouring from the oven just as the fire alarm pierced through the air. Incidentally, I burst into tears for the first time this pregnancy. I just wanted some breadsticks!!!

So anyway tonight I told Caedmon he could play outside for just a couple minutes while I fixed dinner. He said,
"Don't do that, Mom. You'll burn something and go beep beep beep! If you cook you need to be careful because if you're not careful you'll smoke." Then he looked back at me, threw up his hands and said, "I'm going outside!"

I wanted to tell him he could cook the food for the next week!

The latest

2010-03-31T12:29:00.000-07:00

I have been a blogging slacker. Slacker, slacker, slacker! :-) The problem with blogging is once you're behind, you feel hopeless to catch up. So I will briefly bullet some details.

We took our family vacation to MT this past week. Stayed with our adopted grandma, Betty, and saw many many good old friends-turned family. I definitely felt like my cup overflowed hundreds of times, with each interaction from the past. I didn't know I needed this rejuvenation, but it was amazing!

-I got to meet 2 new babies, and 3 more babies I hadn't met! I love babies!

-Had a pinnocle reunion with my most dear competitive gal pals

-Had lots of dinners with friends we had done a lot of LIFE with and have grown spiritually close to

-Fell in love with wild west Montana all over again. I think we were crazy to move!

-Got to see everyone at church, and was so relieved to see the church is thriving after much change.

-Laughed and laughed and laughed

-Also.......got the phone call that we bought a house!

The house thing is a big miracle. Many of you know the whole story. We had pursued buying a house just recently with the promised tax credit. Everything fell into place so fast, and the house we fell in love with seemed impossible! It was a "short sale" or preforeclosure, also known as "very long sale." Our realtor who is not a believer gave us practically no hope that the bank could approve the deal in under 30 days. Normal time frame is 4-12 months. It just doesn't happen! So 2 1/2 weeks after we made an offer, it was approved! It was inspected today and we plan to close in 2 weeks. Crazy! New house in time for new baby, what miracles! As always, please come visit us in Wisconsin, we definitely have room now!!!

In other news, we get to "view" our new little one tomorrow. Jason can't wait to find out what she is, but I am in no hurry. Sooo, after tomorrow night anyone who wants to know can beg, hound, bribe Jason. :-) Just don't tell me if you find out!

Have a great Easter! HE LIVES!!!!!!! He chose to sacrifice everything so we can live forever! I like to ponder Mary's reaction when she realized He was alive!

A picture post

2010-03-10T07:50:00.001-08:00

This is to catch up on pictures. Since our computer gliched, I haven't been able to upload pics by my own expertise. So when Jason is kind enough to do it for me, I update. :-) The product is randomness.

This represents potty training Jonas. He took to it right away and I am so thankful we are all but done! Dry nights, dry naps, only very occasional accidents! Great job little J! However, now with 2 toddlers standing to go potty, I have to clean my toilet/floor/walls multiple times a day. FUN! Since the boys have heard about the new baby coming, they are very into playing "dolls" with their animals! They all have names and are nurtured very well. I am hoping Jonas doesn't handle the new baby by the neck, but he is trying! (from L to R: Kissy bear, Benjamin, Jacob, and Lamby. :-) They are warming up by the fire, obviously.

Temperatures have been milder, so we have been taking lots of strolls to go climb snowbanks! It is so nice to have an outlet to burn lots of energy, particularly for the little people.

Caedmon has a little keyboard and I have tried about 3 times to have a mini piano lesson with him. All of us girls started when we were 3, but I will definitely not be homeschooling if it goes like the piano lessons! I'm not even sure he knows where middle "C" is yet!

This is one of my new favorite pictures. It is more of a moment in time, representing this stage in our lives. I am treasuring their adoration for their dad, Jason's willingness to have FUN with them, and the silliness that 2 little boys bring to our lives.

My sweet Jonas has such a loving temperament. Even as he is jumping the gun on the terrible twos, his disposition is still so enthusiastic and childlike. He will cuddle your socks off and melt your heart.

I couldn't believe how old Caedmon looked in this picture. Yikes! I am loving watching him learn. He absorbs so much, and you can see him meditate deeply as he processes new information. Last night the toaster set off the fire alarm for about a minute. Caedmon became obsessed with what happened, why it happened, how it happened. He has brought it up no less than 30 times since, and has dialogued about it with his toys. Love this bright kid! And that's us in a nutshell.

spring fever

2010-03-01T11:44:00.000-08:00

I am somewhat less than inspired to write lately. Part of it is not having any cute uploaded pictures to write about. Mostly though I think I'm just lazy. But I am determined not to prove my sister right that I won't keep up a blog.

Our lives have been feeling sick, house hunting, and house hunting. It is a very overwhelming process! We have found several homes we like only to have them have major problems that outweigh their cheap prices, or they have sold out from under us. God has a house for us so we are trying to be patient. We have an excellent realtor and have enjoyed it so far. I am hoping after buying a house that Wisconsin will start to feel more like home.

The weather is finally a bit warmer, so we often take walks to go play on snowbanks. A couple days ago the boys happened upon a 20 foot long puddle of melted snow. They ran back and forth splashing for about 20 minutes until their soaked muddy snow clothes gave them frostbite. Hot chocolates all around.

Jonas' new phrases are "no yet!" in a very stern voice, meaning 'not yet', and "ogoat" for yogurt. He loves his ogoat! Caedmon has been frustrated lately that Jonas is catching up to him developmentally. He wants Jonas not to be able to say words properly, and to respond to him like he did when he was a baby. I told Caedmon when the baby comes the baby will think Caedmon is very funny and he will "waugh" for you.

Both Caed and Jonas have taken a big interest in this baby. I saw them with their monkeys stuffed up their shirts last night, and they have started playing "dolls" with their animals a lot more. They are convinced it is a brother! Their eyes got big when they got to hear the heartbeat today. They keep pulling up my shirt thinking maybe they'll be able to see it.

That's about it from our land. We are all feeling ready for spring, biking, and parks!!!

2010-02-14T18:29:00.000-08:00

I got new glasses on Friday. Today Caedmon was staring at me and said, "Mom, your glasses are different!" I said, "Yes, they are, do you like them?" He said, "Mom, I said they look DIFFERENT."

Tonight I was putting ketchup on Caedmon's plate, and Jonas said he wanted some "dip, dip" too. Caedmon said, "Jonas, it's not dip, dip, it's kepitch!" Jonas said, "kepitch." Caedmon said, "MOM! Jonas can say kepitch now!"

Jason asked, "Is it time for dinner?" Caedmon said, "Yes, honey."

I love my life! What did I used to laugh about before these boys?!

I don't know why Caedmon starts songs so high, but I thought this was hilarious!

Like a child

2010-02-11T11:05:00.000-08:00

When I shut the curtains for Jonas' nap, Caedmon said, "Jesus loves you so you don't need a light, Jonas."

While driving in the car Caedmon's carseat was in the blaring sun. He started coughing, then remarked, "Sometimes when it's bright, you cough."

Today Caedmon prayed before lunch, "Thank you for my GOOD family!"

Caedmon says most of the funny things these days, but I am really appreciating the stage Jonas is in right now! He is so enthusiastic about life. Caedmon's 3 year wisdom has made him a bit cynical and "bored" with life at times, but Jonas is still eager about anything new!

For example, in the morning we usually do some Bible activities. Often Caedmon refuses to sing all the fun kid songs, but that doesn't hinder Jonas. He belts them out loudly and is not too cool to do all the motions! When he disobeys, one spanking is sufficient to get the point across.

Jonas is also not shy about loving on people! Caedmon loves us, but it is completely on his terms now. You can't just ask him for hugs anymore. Jonas, on the other hand, will always play our silly baby games, shout "I love you too!!!!!", and dash into our arms to cuddle.

It is kind of sad to watch your innocent kids grow up and become independent. Even at 3, Caedmon is still innocently precious in many ways, and I wonder how much more stubborn I am to my heavenly Father. Crossing my hands over my chest, saying, "you can't make me unless I feel like it."

Name them one by one

2010-02-09T17:48:00.000-08:00

Feeling thankful! The last couple of weeks I have been in a rut, you know the kind. My family was sick, and I was lethargic about EVERYTHING from keeping up my house, to playing with my kids, to seeking God. The results were predictable, feelings of loneliness, selfishness, discontentment.

Today I went to Moms Bible group and didn't learn anything in particular, except that I NEED female fellowship and encouragement! I felt spurred on, regained a passion to read the Word and to try my hardest to parent with all my might!

Afterwards I connected with a NEW friend Stephanie, we hit up Denny's for the free grand slam! I think we will grow to be good friends, and I was encouraged that God knows my every need and always provides!

Jason filed our taxes last night, and once again kids pay off! :-) God is sending us a bunch of money via Uncle Obama! What a relief to know we have a pad for the next year! Next year we get to claim 3 kids, but I don't think $1,000 comes close to covering Caedmon's ravenous appetite!

Did I mention we're all healthy finally?! After 2 rounds of flu-both ends, we are feeling much better! As soon as our landlord replaces our washing machine I can wash the mountains of vomit/diarrhea laundry! Will need prayers that day. ;-)

Another huge praise, Jonas is making leaps and double bounds in potty-training! He has been dry the last 2 nights, and has not had a wet nap since we started a couple weeks ago!

I made it to the 2nd trimester, and the difference is obvious! I feel much better and have twice the energy-like the textbooks promise! Our little apple can hear voices now and swallow its own pee!

I read Job today and for some reason felt compelled to thank God for how enjoyable my life is! He gives and takes away, but today he gives and gives and we are grateful!!!!!!

Extravagant Love

2010-02-03T14:34:00.000-08:00

From Casting Crowns

Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate...

Spread wide in the arms of Christ
there's a love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known;
You considered me a friend
Capture my heart again.

I think of Abraham and Isaac. Binding Isaac on the altar as he looks in his eyes, wondering how his daddy can choose to blatantly kill him.

I have experienced great love before, certainly my diamond ring and other big gifts, my skis and bike, my college education and car, were huge demonstrations of love that cost someone something. Never have I been loved like I am loved by Christ, though, extravagantly.

When Jesus chose to leave heaven, he gave absolutely everything! Father God left his only child in his darkest hour. Watched him go through unimaginable hurt for me. Jesus forgave me while I was still hurting him. THAT is extravagant. All I have to give back is adoration.

NEWS!

2010-02-01T14:50:00.000-08:00

Finally, a family picture posted by Mary that I can steal and blog about! Elaine is not yet part of our family, and the picture is also missing two other significant other halves, Martie's Rusty and Abby's Fritz, but at least all the biological sibs made it! Sad to think when we'll next all be together-with more kids! That's right, Mary's baby is due end of June, and we are expecting a new member around August 17th! During our Kansas reunion it seemed I was showing so early so everyone joked that it must be twins. We found out today it isn't. Which is a good thing since they had proceeded to name the twin girls Mischka and Rainbow. (I'm sorry this techy-challenged mom couldn't rotate the pic!)

This picture also features the sisterhood of the traveling maternity pants-which have been through 2 of my pregnancies, Sarah's 1, and Mary's 2! They are headed to Africa, but I got to wear them for a few hours! :-)

What a joy to be anticipating another baby! I looooove babies! My husband is enjoying the kids we have, but he never thought he would have a large family. I am very happy God is giving us 3!!!

It is fun to speculate what sex this one might be. Of course we wanted our 2 boys, but in Jason's words, another boy just sounds "boring!" I would be inclined to say another boy just sounds like a lot of chaos! So we both would love to meet a little girly girl this time around.

A lot of things are different this time around. I have been a lot sicker, fatter, and uglier! My skin has broken out a lot more, and my belly is bigger and wider. But I know not to count my chickens or hens before they're hatched. ;-) Another new thing, we have never liked our girls' names in the past and now we love our girl name and can't agree on any boy's names! We will just have to see. I promise not to blog about every little detail of pregnancy after this though!

Tiny fires

2010-01-26T08:36:00.000-08:00

We started potty training today! Not my favorite chore, but the initial challenge is kind of fun. So far Monkey has learned to go potty, and Jonas has had 2 successes and 1 dirty mess. It is nice to have a warm house-we cranked up the heat for the scantily clad people.

Jonas' new cute thing is when you wake up, be it in the morning or just from a nap, he asks cheerfully, "Did you have a good nap? I'm so glad!"

Last night after Jason made a fire, Caedmon said, "Mom is a girl, so she can't make big fires. She makes tiny fires." And it's true. I am lucky to get a tiny fire going.

When we were coming back from Kansas, driving all night, we stopped for gas. Of course we wanted Caedmon to go potty while we were stopped, but he dramatically put his hands behind his head, propped up his feet, and said, "I really just need some rest right now!"

Another of my favorite tactics of Caedmon's to get Jonas to do what he wants goes like this: he asks Jonas to do a chore. When Jonas ignores him, he says, "Jonas, can you say 'yeah'?!" Often, he does say yeah! These kids keep me giggling.

We're all together again!

2010-01-26T08:04:00.000-08:00

This week was one of the best and most memorable weeks! We visited Kansas and spent the week enjoying ALL my siblings, parents, niece, and nephew! I am sooo grateful for my wonderful family and we have such a ball being together! It was especially fun to meet Baby Ruth, who doesn't say much but is so expressive and good at looking cute! My sister Martie got engaged to Rusty, so we enjoyed wedding dress shopping and celebrating together as sisters! Wedding will be sometime in May-another excuse to go back to Kansas! My mom and sister Sarah cooked us such yummy food, and we played lots of board games. Puerto Rico was the new favorite. This was my kind of vacation!

The cousins passed around a nasty cold complete with eye infection, fever, and a relentless cough and congestion at night. But, I praise God that we didn't have any serious respiratory issues with Jonas! We are all on the mend.

These are just some homemade donuts that I had to take a picture of-they were soooo good!!!
Caedmon in the snow.

Jonas and Ruth looking at the dog out the window.

Jonas and John.

Sweet Ruth at the mall.

I posted a lot more pictures on facebook. Unfortunately when we took the Samuelson group picture, my camera was not used. So I will have to wait for siblings to post it and steal it. What a great time we had though, and it was sad to think of how many years it might be before we're all together again.

Kids these days!

2010-01-14T19:20:00.001-08:00

Caedmon cracks me up! Today when Jason came home from work after bombarding him with the usual hugs, he said, "Dad, we ate cookies today!!!" Dad said, "You DID?! What did they taste like?" Caedmon, "Sugar." Yep.

After we put the kids to bed tonight I heard Caedmon saying all sorts of "vocabulary" words for Jonas to copy. "Jonas, can you say 'truck'?" "Truck." "Jonas, can you say blanket?" "Bwanky." "Jonas, can you say suitcase?" "Suitcase." The funny part is Jonas is talking in paragraphs. Yet he still knows who's alpha male in the room and will submit-most of the time. I am waiting to hear, "Jonas, can you bow down to me?"

Jonas pulled a funny one this week too. He was too quiet, so I investigated. I found him cowering in our closet behind clothes, with his shirt pulled up, wiping Jason's deodorant all over his belly. He smelled great all day and didn't get anything but a laugh!

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

2010-01-13T11:33:00.001-08:00

Caedmon got a really cool animal book for Christmas, featuring dangerous venom, bites, weird facts, and strangest behavior. It is fabulous! I have learned a lot!

#1. I don't think I will swim ever again!
-Cookie Cutter sharks grab onto prey with their lips and form tight suctions. Then they dig their immense teeth into the animal, twist their bodies like a cookie cutter in dough. They have even left bite marks on submarines.

-Viperfish are designed to kill in total darkness, slamming into pray and stabbing it with fangs. Upon impact, the hinged fangs tilt inward, pulling the prey inside the mouth and forcing it down the viperfish's expandable throat!

-Box jellyfish kill humans in less than 5 minutes. Their sting is so painful that victims usually go into shock from the pain and end up drowning before they can reach help.

-Great white sharks can smell a drop of blood 3 miles away. They strike from behind and wait patiently for the victim to bleed to death.

#2 Man's strength seems very small compared to animals, much less the God who created these animals!
-Hippos have 2-foot-long canine teeth and weigh 7,000 lbs!

-Komodo dragons are 300 pounds and one bite causes a slow and painful death of infection due to more than 50 different strains of bacteria in their mouths.

-Aardvarks have chisel-shaped claws, stronger than a pickax. They frequently claw lions to death.

-Great horned owls have 10 times more crushing power in their talons than a man has in his hands.

-Peregrin Falcons zoom in at 250 mph to grab prey.

-Cheetahs can reach 68 mph in 3 seconds.

-A single breath from a blue whale could blow up 2,000 balloons!

-Elephants eat 450 pounds of food daily.

-Venom the size of a few grains of salt from a poison dart frog can kill a human. The victim can't stop salivating, then goes into convulsions, and finally, suffers heart failure.

-Reticulated pythons can unhinge their jaws and swallow a deer headfirst and whole! That would be cool to see!

-Blue-ringed octopus can kill 25 people with a single dose of venom. Victims become blind within seconds, lose the ability to swallow and speak, then become completely paralyzed. The victim is fully aware that all this is going on.

#3 Some weird, hopefully useless information
-Lobsters can shoot their urine 5 feet to chase rivals away. They urinate continuously so they need 2 bladders, which are in their heads!

-Elephant seals will sleep so deeply that humans can walk up and sit down on one without waking it up.

-Cheetahs purr, like house cats. They can't roar. Other big cats-lions, tigers, and leopards roar, but they can't purr.

#4 Our days were numbered before time, so we shouldn't sit around worrying about death. It is amazing to ponder the creativity of our God just in the creatures he has made. What an imagination!

Living for Heaven

2010-01-08T07:20:00.001-08:00

It is one of those days for counting your blessings. The blessing of an ordinary day. Today I was stunned with news that my friends in Uganda just lost their baby girl. She was 3 months old and newly adopted to their family and she got ill and died. Today is also the day my friends in Oregon are having their induction for their 2nd little girl.

Birth and death. Someone is always rejoicing in God, others are being held in the midst of unimaginable pain. "But we know that all things work out for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose." -Romans 8:28

It is hard to accept sometimes. But these glimpses of our mortality are so healthy for us, to not grow complacent in our thoughts, actions, and prayers.

I am thankful for a quiet day to listen to my favorite worship music. Music that in these situations evokes such joy and raw grief, all drawing me closer to God. For the first time today I got to explain death to Caedmon; that our prayers for Baby Jerusalem were answered, Jesus is holding her and she is healthy and filled with joy.

From Hillsong's "You Hold Me Now"

On that day when I see all that you have for me,
When I see you face to face, there surrounded by your grace,
All my fears swept away in the light of your embrace.
Where your love is all I need, and forever I am free

No weeping! No hurt or pain,
No suffering,
You hold me now, you hold me now
No darkness, No sick or lame
No hiding!
You hold me now, you hold me now!

Catching Up

2010-01-01T08:40:00.001-08:00

I have not written for a long time so instead of being overwhelmed I just posted pictures that captured some of our happenings. I will post more pics of family Christmas on facebook. We did fingerpainting, trying to make pictures for people. Of course Jonas thought the paint was delicious. Jonas was sick and stayed home w/ Dad, but Caedmon and I got to go to a live nativity at a church we have our eye on. They did it right! These are the soldiers guarding Bethlehem that first Christmas. They baked fresh Bethlehem bread, and had sheep, donkeys, a camel, and sheep pens! There was even a market place and an Inn. Caedmon loved it and was so excited to find Baby Jesus! Ok, maybe he was even more excited about the camel.

Decorating.

They painted their own sparkly stars to hang above the manger.

We managed to squeeze in our sleepover under the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve Eve. Jonas coughed until he threw up and Caedmon wet the bed so we changed all the bedding before morning. Still, sleeping as a cozy family next to the cackling fire and Christmas lights was magical!!!!

New outfits from Betty, and homemade hats that match vests from Ant Sarah. This is another baking adventure, here we were making Jesus cupcakes.

I meant to post the picture at the top here, but we had some difficulties. The snow picture is outside Jason's folks' house. What a wonderful family Christmas we had there! Everyone was reunited and we made more special memories, including Brent giving us a huge fireworks display, the annual brush bonfire, and sledding. Jodie lent me her snowshoes and my highlight was exploring the vast woods by myself in that winter wonderland! We also enjoyed great eats of course! It was a very memorable Christmas!!! Thank you, Jesus, for giving us this joy and celebration!

Healing

2009-12-19T08:32:00.000-08:00

God intervened again!!! Jonas started unceasing coughing at the end of his nap yesterday, and by evening he sounded as bad as he sounded last month when he spent several days in the hospital! His breathing was labored and barky.

Of course I gave in to fear momentarily, thinking that of COURSE it would be Friday night when we would have to pay a hospital visit as opposed to Dr. visit for a prescription for steroids. It being the week before Christmas, I was panicking about FedEx letting Jason off while we stay in the hospital, since they work this weekend.

HOWEVER unlike his last croup "normal" remedies WORKED! Especially taking him out in the cold air really seemed to soothe his inflamed throat. We had extra "quick fix" breathing treatments that we were able to give him that also helped. He still woke up several times and it was a long night keeping him "under control," but we all slept at home! I am so so so thankful for this provision! Now we pray that we will be completely healthy by Christmas! It was a bizarre flare-up as we didn't even know Jonas was sick at all! Praise our Healer!

Snow Days

2009-12-17T10:39:00.000-08:00

FORT-good for several hours of play without Mom! We made way cooler ones when I was a kid though, involving huge sheets and clothspins. Maybe I will broaden my architectural skills. Look what a handsome toy I found in the toybox!

Proof that we did celebrate Santa Lucia Day this year-minus the dressed-up daughter with candles in her hair...Mmm any excuse to make these rolls!

Spinach

2009-12-16T10:14:00.001-08:00

I am not in the mood to fight the camera right now, so I'll just write about the new addition to our family: spinach!

Caedmon has always been a wonderful eater, in quality and quantity! He prefers meat and veggies to sweets, but really likes everything.

So like most parents of 1 child, we thought we were experts. Then came Jonas to humble us, who has not up til this past week, eaten a single bite of meat or veggies, unless it was heavily disguised. He has the sweetest tooth for sugar and white carbs. His favorite thing is baked goods like scones and sweet rolls, but at any meal he will ditch the taco to eat just the tortilla, ditch the peanut butter for the bread and jelly. He has mostly survived on breads with some yogurt and cheese for protein.

I am not an overly hovering parent, and many people told me he would grow out of it if I kept offering good choices and not giving in to treats and snacks between meals.

Imagine my surprise yesterday when I made the boys PB&honey sandwiches (honey is another of J's favorites!) and myself a salad of mostly spinach. They asked for one bite, then another, then another! After finishing my salad, they wanted their own. Then for supper Jonas didn't even eat the cheese in his taco, but just PLAIN spinach! Maybe I am speaking too early, but I believe spinach is not a bad word in our family anymore! They prefer it with dressing of some kind, but even for lunch today Jonas left all his "goodies" in his salad and picked out only the spinach! If that weren't enough, the boys loved dipping asparagus in ranch dressing last night! PRAISE THE LORD!

I know that spiritual development and other areas are more or equally important as what my kids eat, but I am thrilled with this new development!

CHRISTmas doings

2009-12-10T09:34:00.000-08:00

I think I have always thought it was difficult to keep Christ in Christmas, at least at the center. Jesus' birth was always supplemental, it seemed. This year, we have had a ball keeping our focus on the HOPE we have in Jesus. We have talked a lot about lights, and Jesus being the Light of the world. I am enjoying, too, teaching the boys all the Christmas songs! Advent is fun when you have two toddlers asking every day when Jesus' birthday is coming!
Here are the boys painting ornaments! (Jonas had to taste the paint). Baking, baking, baking. Here are the lickings from the gingerbread stable we made.

So the support beam is not very supportive, but we had so much fun making it! I love hearing the boys play with the characters and act out the story! Many of the decorations disappeared, though. :-)

Cleaning up. Caedmon is in a phase where he LOVES helping with dishes! I try to have the patience to let him, because, afterall, his future wife will thank me!

A tradition we started at dinner is to have a sampler plate of Christmas cookies for dessert. For each cookie that one takes, though, a Bible verse has to be recited! This has been wonderful to watch. Jason goes back to verses he learned through song as a kid. Caedmon will willingly recite whole chapters if it gets him yet another treat! Jonas usually is only good for filling in the last word of a verse, although he has prompted Jason when he forgets what comes next in a verse! So precious! Our new verse(s) this week is Luke 2:10-11 "Do not be afaid. I bring you good news of great joy! It is for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you! He is Christ the Lord!" I hope everyone is enjoying this chaotic season as much as we are, even if it is just watching the peaceful snow drift gently down.

Caedmon

2009-12-04T13:09:00.000-08:00

I am totally stealing Joie's tradition of going back in time to celebrate birthdays! Caedmon turned 3 yesterday, and I enjoyed finding his baby pics. Here is at Caedmon's baby shower from our church, 2 weeks before labor. Caedmon Clarence Anderson, 12/3/06, 2 weeks early, 8lbs. 4 oz, 20 1/2 in!!!!!!

He used to have dark hair, and several birthmarks.

One of my favorite pictures of all time...

Here he is 3 years big, birthday waffles and all. Thank you, God, for the most incredible 3 years with our son! Bye bye "terrible twos."

SHEEP

2009-12-02T15:42:00.001-08:00

I simply must put in a plug for Nancy Shaw's Sheep children's books! Anyone who hasn't read them must check them out at the library! They are so clever and always make me laugh. I discovered them earlier this year and they are delightful! That's it, happy reading!

Another relaxing weekend away

2009-11-30T13:23:00.000-08:00

Here are the boys watching the wild turkeys, squirrels, and birds outside Grandma and Grandpa's window.

Jason's dad's sister Aunt Lill is a big hit with the boys too. She lives across the street on their farm.

We had an early birthday party for Caedmon. He was thrilled to decorate his own cake!

Jonas got to help too. We discussed how a person should wash his hands after EACH lick before decorating some more.

On Thanksgiving we were still at home since Jason had to work on Friday. The boys played football video games.

This was this morning after all the excitement. I often make the boys play in their rooms, to teach them to play by themselves-and to give myself a break! Today after over an hour I let Caedmon out of our room, but Jonas had crashed on the floor in the boys' room. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! We also got to pick out our Christmas tree in Carney, but I left the camera behind so I don't have photos of that. I continue to be thankful for my life! It is fun!

Thanks-giving

2009-11-24T22:23:00.001-08:00

This is some of my extended family. It was such a wonderful week in Kansas, spending so much quality time with my folks, my sibs, and my larger family. I am so blessed to be part of this group of people! And my grandpa turned 90! Still following the LORD! I think it is only appropriate to list things I'm thankful for from this year in this post. God has truly "generously given us all things." In no particular order.

1. We got to move closer to family! God provided the house, the job, the scenery, and several churches to choose from! We also live in a safe, quiet neighborhood!

2. My Jonas is alive and well! What a journey that has been but we are all learning daily faith because of it! He had excellent medical care, and I also want to mention I am thankful for the invention of nebulizers!

I REALIZE EVERY SENTENCE HAS AN EXCLAMATION POINT FOLLOWING IT. How else can I express how excited I am about these blessings?! :-)

3. My precious Caedmon is healthy and well. His heart seems to be sensitive to the things of God and he has absorbed so much information about life this year!

4. My loving husband. God gave me a perfect-for-me life partner. We have grown even closer this year through moving across the country!

5. Godly parents on both sides of our family! They are encouraging, helpful, and great role models! We have loved seeing them more!

6. I am thankful for the ability to make memories. As I get older I realize how much I treasure each good memory. From childhood, early marriage, and parenthood!

7. I am thankful for the inexplicable Christian bond that exists between strangers who love Jesus. I have met people in Wausau who I instantly love, not just because I am called to, but because we both love the One who made us! As far as that goes, I have met people even online who have become very dear to me because of this. (SaraH!)

8. Hymns have become very special to me this year. I have found such beauty and peace in singing hymns I have always known but never scrutinzed the lyrics. To add to that, I do appreciate my keyboard!

9. I am thankful I live in a country and time when I am not being persecuted. I have unlimited religious freedom! May I be ever more bold with this gift.

10. Christian authors! A couple I have especially devoured this year are Philip Yancey, Francine Rivers, and whoever wrote Experiencing God. :-)

11. Financial freedom! What a priceless gift-no pun intended. I choose to be poor all my days if my needs are met! Sleep is sweet when you don't owe anybody a penny.

12. Christian music! Some bands I have been obsessed with this year who really spoke to my heart: Fee, Ten Shekel Shirt, Sara Groves.

13. Prayer! I have studied prayer and really practiced a lot more this year. Prayer was such a gift through our transitions, and Jonas' health scares. It is amazing to not just feel helpless, but to be able to contribute to a situation or person, and simultaneously be renewing my mind!

14. I am thankful for my simply darling niece Ruth and nephew John! I am one doting, blessed aunt.

15. I am thankful for American soldiers, who sacrifice their time, their youth, intimacy with their families, and sometimes much more, so that my husband and I do not have to fight, or be apart. I am thankful I don't have to be a single mom too!

16. Thankful that we also ARE soldiers of Jesus Christ. In this ongoing daily battle, we are already assured VICTORY! We are on the right side, we are on the team, we can have confidence! Christ has overcome the world!!!!!

17. Sex. [She just said sex on her blog!! Well, it's her blog, and she is thankful for it!]

18. I am thankful for humor. I can't deSCRIBE how thankful I am for humor! Jonas' lastest trick to get out of going to bed is a series of excuses he learned from Caed. They are pretty basic: "Bwankies! Lamby! Sing-Song! Dwink! Pway!" The latest had me giggling though, as I shut the door to his room he called out, "Potty!" No, Jonas, you are wearing a diaper and are NOT potty-trained. You simply cannot get out of going to bed for that one!

Caedmon cracks me up too on a daily basis. He often tells me all the things God made. Today he said, "God made movies!" I am assuming he was hoping maybe if he put God and movies in the same sentence, I would run to the TV and pop one in for him! Jason and I also can't help laughing when he says things wrong, completely innocently. He said he had to "shit the door." How do you correct that kind of thing without drawing attention to and teaching him the BAD word? :-)

19. Most of all, I am thankful I have access to a personal relationship with God! He becomes dearer to me every year, and the more I know Him, the less I can describe His greatness!

What are YOU thankful for?

Deliverance

2009-11-10T17:42:00.000-08:00

I want to post about our strange week 1) to share God's glory with you all and 2) so we always remember what God has done for us.

Saturday-previous Jonas got a barky cough along with a high fever, but was doing ok with just tylenol. By Monday night he was struggling to breathe, and was getting noisier. After conferring with several people, we decided to take Jonas into the ER. Healthy oxygen levels are 95 and higher, and Jonas was measured at 76 initially. We got admitted for the night and my poor baby was subjected to many tests and tubing.

By Tuesday he was much better, so after observing him all day long, they sent us home thinking he was over the hump. Wednesday after taking him out in the cold, then doing the steam shower, I put him down for a nap. Poor sick Caedmon, myself with a sore throat, and sick Jonas desperately needed at least a 3 hour nap.

Jonas woke up 20 minutes later coughing. He couldn't get on top of the cough, so he started crying. I woke up and went in there to see him walking across the room off-balance trying to make sense of what was happening to him. He was trying to whine Mama Mama but it was too much effort. His chest and throat were depressing with each breath. I called my Dr. and dashed out the door, not strapping Caed in the carseat and with both boys sans shoes in very cold weather. It occured to me I should run back inside to grab some library books and a sippy cup for the boys, but I knew that every second counted and truly thought I couldn't afford the time. By now I cannot even describe how Jonas sounded, although it is etched vividly in my memory. It was a barky, sucking, wheezy desperate attempt to get enough air to do it again. It was 3 miles to the hospital and 2 to my Dr. so I headed that way going who knows how fast. I remember Caedmon, very groggy, sensing the urgency of the situation as I called out to God in a shaky voice. He said, "I love you so much, Jonas." It made me cry because it seemed prophetic of his last words to his brother or something. Then Jonas just started fading. In the rear view mirror, it was just as if he gave up. I could see him not care. He slowly closed his eyes with his hands loosening on the tag of his blanket, no longer frustrated, just resigning himself to not working so hard to breathe. I don't know how close to death he was, I only know what I saw I will never forget.

We made it to the Dr.'s office, I just scooped Jonas up and ran into the building with Caedmon trailing in the parking lot. Although they had said on the phone all doctors were busy, within a minute we were in the back with TWO Drs. available to care for him. They stabilized and evaluated him, then sent us back to the hospital. We were in for 3 more nights during which time Jonas had ups and downs with oxygen saturation and fevers, steroids and monitors.

We learned a lot about respiratory therapy this week! The swine flu test, pneumonia, and RSV test all came back negative, so everyone's best guess is that he had a para flu which caused the croup. We will see a specialist Thursday to determine if Jonas has a malformed trachea or inflamed birthmarks or any such abnormality. They say it is possible it is an allergy that caused this. He is most likely going to develop asthma too, and will be prone to more breathing difficulties in the future. He is home now taking 2 steriods a day and breathing treatments as needed. He has also bounced back into fighting with his brother and playing with toys again.

Yet we rejoice! He is alive and well! So many wonderful gifts were given us this week in God's timing.

1) We had the most amazing staff at the hospital we picked out of the phone book-and they doted on Jonas and pampered him with first-rate treatment!

2) We got to the office in time-and capable doctors were available.

3) Friends and family supported us and prayed through it all-THANK YOU!

4) Jason's coworker Jimbo had heard that Jonas had been sick earlier in the week, so he offered to take Jason's pickup route on Wednesday, so Jason could come home earlier. Jason had NEVER gotten a chance to come home early before, and this was before I had told him that we had gone back to the ER. So he was able to come up and rescue Caedmon at least 2 hours earlier than normal. Meanwhile since Caedmon wasn't feeling too hot, he was an angel in the ER preferring to sit in a corner chair with his blanket and just watch all the excitment. I was so proud of him but torn that I couldn't hold him too while they were working on Jonas.

5) Jason's coworker Patti upon coming back from her Florida vacation and hearing about Jonas, cooked dinner for us!

6) FedEx let Jason take off all the days where I was in the hospital with Jonas, to care for Caedmon at home. Of course they kind of had to, but my point is they were very gracious about it. A big blessing!

We learned personally about the fragility of life. That Jonas is a priceless gift entrusted to us for a season only, and he was put into our home to love. I cannot imagine how it is for so many around the world when their kids face health crises like this and they have nowhere to GO, no practical medical help, but are forced to sit and watch their children fade away. We also learned personally that you absolutely CAN put weight on God's promises. There is nothing more precious than being held in the palm of God's hand. I am thankful for this experience! A hymn I sang over and over this week:

Day by day, and with each passing moment, Strength I find to meet my trials here. Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment, I've no cause for worry or for fear.

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure, Gives unto each day what he deems best. Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure, Mingling toil with peace and rest.

And while we are documenting how God has worked in our family, I wanted to list other times God clearly could have taken our children back to their heavenly homes, but chose to spare us that pain.

1) When Caedmon was about 8 months old, he pulled a TV on top of himself. He was fine!

2) Caedmon-also about 8 months-crawled/bounced down 14 stairs at a friend's house.

3) Caedmon-about 6 months-found some coins and was seconds away from eating them.

4) Caedmon-about 1 1/2 was playing in the car unattended for a few minutes and managed to find and open a bottle of ibuprofen and extra strength tylenol. ER visit-he was fine!

5) I had Jonas (11 months) on a counter next to where I was brushing Caed's teeth. He turned himself around and I watched him fall in slow motion backwards onto the tile floor. The thud of his skull hitting the stone was like a gunshot. He didn't even suffer a concussion!

What can I say except God has been gracious and merciful to us! I know this is a long story, but what part of God's immense power and healing could I have left off? To be continued as life goes on. . .

Halloween

2009-11-09T18:52:00.001-08:00

Halloween weekend was fun! My folks and Aunt Martie came up just for the weekend. They even drove all night to spend another day with us! I can't describe how nice it is to live close enough to see family so often! We didn't do anything too exciting, but we read a lot of books and I felt like I had the weekend off! Here is my mom doing all my dishes. We also got out of a lot of poopy diapers-even cloth ones! Although they don't look too thrilled, Caed and Jonas quickly got into trick or treating our friendly neighbors. They made out like bandits too! Caedmon is not really dressed up though. His vocation is, afterall, a fireman. The tiger was not too dangerous either. This was the first night he started spiking a fever before our very memorable week in the hospital. But we made him go get us some candy, anyway!

Love my sister, Aunt. The funny story behind her name now being Aunt instead of Aunt Martie comes from Caedmon. This summer in Kansas Martie came in the door and Caedmon got so excited to see her, he said, "It's Aunt...Aunt...Aunt...!!!!" but couldn't remember WHICH aunt. He has a lot of aunts. So she is just Aunt. I love my family! We have gotten to see each other four times since moving even though they're 12 hours away, like 10 times more than we're used to per year! Thank you, God!

Halloween isn't my favorite holiday, and I know Christians on both sides of the issue. But an excuse to go door to door and meet the neighbors and celebrate the beautiful fall, is worth it. Plus Grandee Betty sent the most cute costumes so we went all out. Now they have several dress-up outfits! Happy All Saints Day! :-)

Kid Sayings

2009-10-27T18:36:00.000-07:00

This post is about my funny boy Caedmon. I thought I would write some of the funny things he has done and said lately. A true baby blog post. :-)

Funny words he says that I love:

"Bible burfes"-Bible verses

"coff."-coffee

"helihoptor"-helicoptor

"baindain"-bandaid

"tomawere"-tomorrow

Funny things he has done recently:

When Caedmon is scared, he says he is "scary." Love it! He nods emphatically while on the phone and calls Jason a "silly boy." When he has to go potty, he brings whatever toys and books he's attached to at the time, and dumps them in the sink, out of Jonas' reach, for safekeeping while he does his business. Quite a shrewd lil lad.

It is hilarious to watch your kids imitate you verbatim, if also quite sobering! Caedmon has taken to playing in the sink for the sole purpose of spitting exactly like Dad does after he brushes his teeth. Mimicking me when we come inside the house, he orders Jonas, "hat, shoes, and jacket, Jonath." He also spanks his monkey and moose for getting out of bed, forgives them, and gives them another chance.

Jonas is also picking up life. I caught him dipping his cornbread into his water, as he's seen me eat my cornbread in milk with a spoon. He also has taken to grunting when he picks something up that he thinks is supposed to be heavy even if it is not. The other day he had a cheese stick in both hands, I asked him to share one with Caedmon. You can guess-he gave Caedmon the slobbery, bite-marks, drooping one and kept the whole one for himself. Way to share, Short Stack!

I am very blessed, though. I love my job of introducing them to Jesus. Caedmon remembers to pray for people I had long since forgotten about. And he is a sponge for Bible verses and stories. Although he is obsessed with the snake in the garden of Eden-hmmm. In talking about what sounds the letters make lately, Caedmon associates the letters with the ABC Bible verses we covered awhile back. YES! It is music to my ears to hear his sing-songy recitation of Psalm 23 or 34 to Jonas and his trucks. To hear him singing "God is so good" loudly at the grocery store. I couldn't be prouder! Here is cuddling with Dad.

Jonas is finally lengthening out and growing about a micro-millimeter taller!

That's it. I can't imagine how badly I will boast when I'm a grandma!

Friends and everyday life

2009-10-18T18:10:00.001-07:00

Since we are church shopping, we want to look our best. I pulled out the suitcoats Aunt Sarah made the boys last Christmas, and the fireman's hat completes the look! Jonas refused to even look at the camera so you will have to imagine him. He couldn't even stay awake through the Vikings game he loves so much. We won anyway.

My famous church outfit. We are still on our first round of churches. :-)

Jason has multiple church outfits, but he looks handsome in all of them. He will just have to bear the disgrace when someone at a church the 2nd time around says, "Didn't you wear that outfit last time? Do you only have one outfit? How tacky!" haha

Highlight of the week was definitely Aaron & Michelle Larsen, and Sarah & Sam Snyder visiting! It was wonderful to see their pictures of the Congo and hear their excitment for the Elikia Project in Africa. They are headed back in a few months for 2 years!

We go so far back and it was just refreshing to hang out! Between us we have so many connections! Aaron, Sam, and I of course grew up together and even went to college together. Sam's parents were my dorm parents for a few years. I accompanied Sam and Michelle's voice lessons in college, and was Michelle's roommate for 3 years. (best roomie EVER!) Aaron, Michelle, Jason, and I ran cross country in college. Then Jason whisked Aaron off to Montana for a year of adventure together. Aaron and Michelle stood in our wedding, Sam sang. Then later on Aaron and Michelle hooked up! We of course love Sam's Sarah too and look forward to the next time we can all be together!

I am reminded of the proverb 25:25 "Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land." Indeed!

Needs and Wants Met

2009-10-14T12:27:00.000-07:00

This post is dedicated to thanking God. Yesterday we got another box in the mail from our dear adopted grandma Betty, full of things we need and never knew we wanted! God has made a pattern of this, making me aware of a need, only to decide that it's not something I should buy right now. Then it comes in the mail with love from Betty!

Betty came into our lives quite unexpectedly. We were in a small group together for a few short weeks, but after that didn't even attend the same church or live in the same town. However, we ended up living above her garage and developing the neatest relationship with her. Our boys adopted her as their Montana grandma.

"Grandee" was able to travel with us when we moved, and was invaluable in that time of transition for us and the boys. She knew their needs and schedules, and loved to spoil them! She still does!

Betty has always been a wise older woman I look up to and have learned from. She taught me cooking tricks, sewing tricks, upholstering, determination, and much more. I have not had to buy a single piece of clothing for either of my boys, due to her most generous contributions and gifts from family and friends. And I might say they look quite dashing in their attire.

This week I noticed Caedmon has grown out of all his 3T pj's and jeans, and was low on long sleeves. I was trying to decide whether to buy him some pj's or wait until they were cheap after Thanksgiving. Guess what arrived? Halloween costumes, 4T warm pj's, 4T jeans, and a couple long-sleeves, among other stuff! God is good!

I have thanked Betty again and again for being so generous with her resources. I really hope someday we can pour into a younger couple the way we have been blessed by her and so many others! Below is a picture of the newest fireman. We wear the gear night and day, rain or shine. Fires can happen anytime, you know. Thank you Betty!

BEAUTY

2009-10-08T19:38:00.000-07:00

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made. . ." Romans 1:20

I LOVE FALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is "our" hill zooming in from our yard, also the famous site of the trains we watch religiously.

This is Weston Avenue, our street. My running route!

The Wisconsin River at twilight.

My favorite lookout on one of my bike loops.

I love this town and the gorgeous colors! I don't ever remember enjoying fall this much! It is my new favorite season. The predictable changing of seasons always reminds me of God's faithfulness. Never have we missed a fall-they always come! Hope you are worshipping the creative Creator!

Psalm 23

2009-10-06T17:37:00.000-07:00

It is obvious Caedmon needs work on his "l's" and "s's", but I love hearing him recite Scripture!

Tour de Wausau

2009-09-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

I was reading in John 10 about Jesus being the Good Shepherd, and a familiar verse kind of took me by surprise. "The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." I understand that Jesus was the unblemished Lamb, and willingly lay down His life for us, but is it true that shepherds in those days, good ones, were really expected to lay down their lives for their sheep? Did masters honestly expect that when push came to shove, if it was escape with your life, or protect my dumb herd, a good shepherd was expected to sacrifice his life? And with his dying breath know that a few sheep were unharmed? That is crazy! Are the lives of sheep more important than the life of man? Anyhow not a very useful meditation for the day, probably. :-)

Jason and I love our new chariot that attaches to our bikes! What newfound freedom! This last weekend we took a couple long bike rides with the kids, and felt like we were dating! The boys do well in back with a few snacks, and we don't have to hear them bicker! :-) What a pity that fall is very promptly upon us and getting almost too cold to ride, but come spring we will be out every day! The fall colors are becoming more vibrant daily! And crisp days are so refreshing!

I also made one friend here, Stefanie! She invited me to the farmer's market, then to the mall to let our kids play. How grateful I am for little kindnesses in this foreign land! :-) Have a great week!

2009-09-22T18:01:00.000-07:00

I can't imagine being more proud of my kids than when they tuck scripture into their memories!

Churching

2009-09-21T12:19:00.000-07:00

This will be a tale of our church hunting, and other thoughts on churches:

When we moved to WI we were excited to start the process of finding a church family, especially to meet people who think like us and develop lifelong friendships. We are definitely still in that process!

We have visited 8 or 9 churches so far and have enjoyed worshipping with each group of people. I would say there are at least 4 that we would joyfully adopt as our home. I am finding that I was very wrong in my assumption that it would be easy to find the one small group of people in Wausau that knows Christ and fellowships together. Turns out there are MANY excellent churches in the area! We find ourselves in the best kind of bind, how to pick "the" church?

Jason and I have been completely in unity so far in our opinions about the churches we have visited. We are so hesitant to criticize any of the churches, because they are accomplishing a purpose for some believers and seekers. They are what they are, whether they are our preferences or not, every church has had its strengths! I am amazed at the diversity of bodies of people, preaching, music, and philosophies on witnessing in this one city! I feel like I have a small glimpse of how heaven will be, only there will be no divided churches! I am so comforted that God showed me that a LOT of people love Jesus around here and we won't just be like Lot and his family among heathens.

Music is obviously very deeply in Jason's and my souls, so it is hard to ignore the musical aspects of each church. We really don't want to only consider churches with our favorite kind of music, though. To make things more complex, the churches where we LOVED the excellent music, we also felt like we weren't necessarily as needed at those churches, and may be led somewhere else where God could allow us to get involved in music again. Other factors we have considered are location, friendliness, theology, kids' programs, places we could see ourselves immediately plugging in.

So what is the role of the church? I have always thought one duty of the church is to effectively minister to the community, especially widows, orphans, the needy, and homeless. I believe if the CHURCH were doing it's job effectively, we would have a MUCH smaller government picking up the slack of the needs the church isn't meeting! Do we pick a church based on where we can best serve according to our perceived gifts? Should we look for a church where we can serve in capacities we're not as familiar with to stretch us and let Christ's power be made perfect in our weaknesses? Does God even care where we worship, or only that our hearts are right WHEN we worship and that we are content in every situation? I welcome anyone's thoughts on this.

In the meantime we will continue on our journey, hoping to find peace as we go, and a new set of friends to play Settlers and pinnocle with!

And what is a blog post without a picture of my boys? :-) Caedmon is protectively holding Jonas' hand when they cross the street, so he won't get hit by cars. He is 16 months older and wiser, you know.

A Weekend in Carney

2009-09-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

We went to Carney for Labor Day. We go there often, and always have a wonderful time. When Jason and I would dream about living in the midwest when we were in MT looking for job transfers, this is the kind of life we pictured. We live close enough to visit his parents often, and already are creating priceless memories with our boys. Jason's parents are so gracious to host us and feed us, and we pretty much wander around and play the whole time! God has been gracious, so gracious to us, and I am so thankful to have godly inlaws to fellowship with. Bear with all the pictures. :-) Grandpa and Jonas driving the tractor around.

AND This next one is for my sisters. Doesn't he look like PeeKay? [So you want to be a boxah? I think I am too little.]

Grandpa and Jonas picking the beans and bean leaves.

The bountiful harvest-not including the potatoes, onions, beets, and radishes!

We went to see Green Bay for the first time! The boys loved the beach and they were quite cute.

Mmmm sand. My favorite. Sand in the diaper, sand in the mouth. Caedmon always took care not to get dirty. This one?-not so much.

Jason and his dad enjoying the sunshine.

Grandma and Caedmon contemplating life, love, and other mysteries. It was a great trip!

driving, driving, driving!

2009-09-11T14:39:00.001-07:00

WOAH Beth changed her blog!!! I don't think I can navigate it myself! I am somewhat handicapped on the blogging.

On this historic day, I achieved a newsworthy feat: PASSING THE RIGOROUS INSPECTION FOR A WISCONSIN DRIVER LICENSE AND MARATHON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY CARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What? That doesn't sound newsworthy? Trust me, if you are born in Africa and apply to drive in WI, it takes an Act of Congress to be declared American! I chuckled at the counter when the lady said she felt like she knows me from somewhere-I wanted to shout, "IT'S FROM HERE! I HOPE TO NOT COME BACK!" We enjoyed browsing the library as bonified members. I will not take those rights for granted again.

In celebration, the Andersons are hosting a party this evening, inviting all Wisconsin legal drivers to attend. I know for sure one hot FedEx legal driver will be attending. We are having homemade twinkies.

I would post a picture of my new license, but for obvious reasons, I will not. You think it's so no one will steal my identity. Oh, no, it's because I don't actually have the card in my possession. That's right: Wisconsin prints them elsewhere and mails them allegedly in a timely manner. I will believe that when I see it! Cheers.

mpo na Jason

2009-09-09T14:14:00.000-07:00

In response to acquaintances continually complaining about their significant others, I am dedicating this post to listing why I APPRECIATE and LOVE my husband!

1. He loves God. What more could I ask for?

2. He is faithful to me. He comes home every evening to spend time with us. I never wonder where he is.

3. Jason is hilarious and always lifts my spirits when I least expect it.

4. He seems to sense my fatigue and takes over with the kids.

5. He eats everything I cook, without complaint!

6. He loves music with a passion matching mine!

7. Jason is an excellent driver, obviously.

8. He puts family before TV or sports games [if needed :-)]

9. If I blurt out feelings while Jason is reading something, he will mark his place, look up, and listen so he can pay attention.

10. Back Scratches!!

11. He loves our two boys and is careful to discipline them, teach them, and play with them like a father should.

12. If I am into a hobby he will research online and buy me gifts to further that hobby and help maintain, for instance, my bike.

13. He always changes the oil and inflates the tires on our vehicles!

14. Jason doesn't spend big money on big toys (although I am sure he would like to).

15. He doesn't pick fights.

16. He is a family man I love and can trust.

Plus he is hot and rocks on the bass. I am so thankful to God for my studly husband Jason!

Faith like a child

2009-09-03T14:01:00.000-07:00

I have a new favorite song almost every week. If you asked me today what it is, I would say "Praise Him," a song I have been meditating on for about a month. Not many words, but oh how deep and meaningful it is to live like this:

Praise Him, Praise Him, all ye little children!
God is love,
God is love,
Praise Him, Praise Him, all ye little children!
God is love,
God is love.

THANK HIM, thank Him, all ye little children. . .

SERVE HIM, serve Him, all ye little children. . .

LOVE HIM, love Him, all ye little children. . .

If we praise, thank, serve, and love Him, our joy is complete!

I love the Bible story book I just finished with the boys, "The Jesus Storybook Bible-Every story whispers his name." I have gotten choked up often as I read the tender words of God's plan for humanity-to restore us to Him. I want to share the last story we read today, in the hopeful words designed for children-and adults.

A dream of heaven:

John was one of Jesus' helpers. He was old now and living on an island, which might sound nice except it was a prison. (The Leaders put him there to stop him from talking about Jesus, but I'm sure you don't think a little thing like being in a cell, in a prison, on an island, in the middle of an ocean, could stop God's Plan, do you?)

One morning, Jesus appeared-right there, in John's cell. Jesus' eyes were bright, shining like the sun. "I am going to show you a secret, John," Jesus said, "about when I come back." His voice was like the sound of rushing waters. "Write down what you see so God's children can read it, and wait with happy excitement."

Then Jesus gave John a beautiful dream-except John was wide awake and what he saw was real and one day it would all come true. . .

I see a throne. And on the throne is a king. And the King is Jesus. All around the throne people are bowing down. They are giving him their treasures.

There are loud cheers and clapping, clapping and bright laughter like a thousand waterfalls and everyone bursts out singing a new song. . .

"This is our King! The Lamb who died, so we don't have to-our Rescuer. All Honor and Glory! Forever and ever." And every creature everywhere, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, joins in.

And then
From all around
A wide
Immense
Beautiful
S i l e n c e

And I see Satan-God's horrible enemy-thrown down, defeated.

I see a sparkling city shimmering in the sky: glittering, glowing-coming down!
From heaven.
And from the sky.
Heaven is coming down to earth!

God's city is beautiful. Walls of topaz, jasper, sapphire. Wide streets paved with gold. Gleaming pearl gates that are never locked shut.

Where is the sun? Where is the moon? They aren't needed anymore. God is all the Light people need. No more darkness! No more night!

And the King says, "Look! God and his children are together again.
No more crying or being lonely or afraid.
No more being sick or dying.
Because all those things are gone.
Yes, they're gone forever.
Everything sad has come untrue. And see-I have wiped away every tear from every eye!"

And then a deep, beautiful voice that sounded like thunder in the sky says, "Look, I am making everything new!"

It was hard to squeeze all John saw into words. And fit it onto a page. And cram it into a book. All the words on all the pages of all the books in all the world would never be enough.

"I am the Beginning," Jesus said, "and the Ending!"

One day, John knew, Heaven would come down and mend God's broken world and make it our true, perfect home once again.

And he knew, in some mysterious way that would be hard to explain, that everything was going to be more wonderful for once having been so sad.

And he knew then that the ending of The Story was going to be so great, it would make all the sadness and tears and everything seem like just a shadow that is chased away by the morning sun.

"I'm on my way," said Jesus. "I'll be there soon!"

John came to the end of his book. But he didn't write "The End." Because, of course, that's how stories finish. (And this one's not over yet.)

So instead, he wrote: "Come quickly, Jesus!"

Which, perhaps, is really just another way of saying. . .To Be Continued. . .

May you wait with happy excitement as I am! :-)

Trusting

2009-09-01T11:34:00.000-07:00

Have you ever cried at the Department of Motor Vehicles? That was a first for me. I had a day yesterday that I hope to not repeat anytime soon. On my 5th trip to try to get my WI license, toting 2 kids and enough toys and snacks for a weekend campout, after a good wait the very knowledgable staff informed me that without proof of my citizenship, I could not get a license. Bear in mind I couldn't care less about the license, but I have been drooling over a Wausau area library card for almost 3 months, which requires a license. It was the last straw. In my logical mind, I couldn't conceive how having an original birth certificate from Africa, a valid MT driver's license, a SS card, an expired passport, and 11 years legal driving experience wasn't enough! Apparently Wisconsin does not recognize me as an American. Haha, I can laugh about it now! I'm not sure what the next step is, but it involves a green card (which I failed to keep when I was smuggled in to the US in a drug suitcase). They were very helpful in giving me the immigration hotline though.

That was the morning. Then I broke a jar of applesauce all over the clean floors and cut my hand, the kids got into some grease and smeared it all over their new fall clothing, got two more medical bills from Montana, the boys refused to nap, and we got word that cousin Anna was in the hospital possibly with appendicitus.

All that to say, GOD IS GOOD. After my meltdown at the DMV, God gave me a strange peace and I saw "one of those bad days" in a whole new light. How privileged I am to live in a free country! What a blessing to have free libraries that I will eventually get to use. How arrogant of me to assume a library card and driver's license is my "right!" I am thankful for laughter-what a gift to get us through those compoundedly awful days. Then Jason's parents arrived with our beautiful new furniture from Jason's brother, and lots of fresh vegetables! God knew when the sun came up, that yesterday was going to be a character-building day He would faithfully see me through. I am still chosen, adopted, redeemed, and cherished by the Almighty God.

When He has purified me with fire, I shall come forth as pure gold. What a treasure! To add to that, I love my beautiful family! Here is a short photoshoot after church on Sunday.

My most handsome groom. Yep, he still does it for me!

I sure do love these boys!!!

Thanks for reading. Hope this week was strangely peaceful for you as well.

More of the same

2009-08-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

This week was much like the previous weeks. I like pictures to capture our doings. We slept.

Splashed at the splash park. (Some of us. Some of us were kind of timid and others of us preferred to read books; but at least one of us got really wet!)

We built things.

Blew some bubbles, of course.

Did the chores. . .

Hiked.

Looked cute.

Hiked some more!

It was a great week! The highlight for me was definitely checking out a new church. New Hope Christian Church is farther from our house than we were hoping to drive, so we were hoping to cross it off our list. Instead-we loved it! The plan now is to continue looking at a few more local churches, but know that we have one we're excited about. God reminded me that HE KNOWS what we need and long for. He showed us a church where peoples' faiths are real and alive, they love God and they love each other! My favorite part was their worship style. They have a contemporary band sing new choruses, then in a different part of the service they bring out the organ and piano and play a hymn medley! I think that would be the perfect compromise for many churches! We'll see.

The boys are growing. Jonas is saying tons of words now, which kind of alarms Jason and I when we're not expecting it. You ask Caedmon where something is and Jonas answers, "I don't know." Caed is growing in wisdom, stature, and in favor with his brother. :-) We are very proud he's learning to share things BEFORE a fit and spanking. He is big enough to reason with which is refreshing! He often sees something Jonas has that he wants, and says, "When Jonas is done playing with it then I can have it, ok?" YES some of our parenting is paying off!

Well that is enough musings of a bored housewife I suppose. Have a wonderful week because He lives!

Camping!

2009-08-18T11:07:00.001-07:00

We had a great weekend camping at a local park. There are interesting cliffs alongside a river, and nice hiking trails following the river. We are happy to live so close to a pretty getaway!

Caedmon did well using the wilderness restroom, and Jonas kept mimicking him, although I am trying to NOT start potty training anytime soon!

Poor Jonas looked like a neglected orphan after camping. There ARE mosquitos in Wisconsin! We did try to DEET them up, but their faces still took a beating. Stay away from my babies!!! It is a catch 22 though as you know, you spray them up and clothe them well, but you don't want to mess with DEET in the eyes, and you all stink and stick to the sleeping bags when you go to bed. Why do we love camping?

Because of the campfire! This was a happy little group until some one year-old whose name will go unmentioned burned Jason with his fire stick. After that the pyromaniac minimum age lifted to 2 years old. Yes, it was Jason's idea to start the manly fire-poking.

In other news, I am LOVING all the fresh produce that accompanies Jason's parents when they stop through here. I now have 1 day-old potatoes, sweet onions, beets, green peppers, carrots, green beans, sugar snap peas, lettuce, and sweet peas. I am giddy with the possibilities for dinners this week! My family will be green yet! We'll see if Jonas still avoids vegetables like the plague if that's all he gets served for a month!

God did something cool for us this week. I was fuming angry at an overdue charge for materials I had returned, totaling $75. Before I could call them, I prayed that I would respond in a way honoring to Christ. Sure enough, Jason came home and said they had called him and it was a mistake. YES!

Have a great week, everyone. Enjoy these last few minutes of summer! Then comes fall, and I believe I now live in a state MADE for fall colors! I can't wait!

2009-08-11T12:34:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! I am brand new at this blogging thing, but am excited to join the trend. First of all, I look forward to showing off the beautiful boys God has entrusted to us! Secondly I am looking forward to having a semi-public venue to journal all God has been teaching me. It seems facebook statuses are not sufficient to keep close friends and family up to date on what truly is going on in our lives.

That being said I labeled this thing Contentment. That certainly is a lesson I am in the midst of learning! I have been convicted reading how the Israelites griped and complained about the manna they HAD to eat, all the while coveting what they used to have in Egypt. I will not look back and think of what could be. God has planted me here in WI and I will be so thankful for another breath!

Now the family update I guess. Am I doing this right? :-) This week we went up to Jason's old hometown to watch his sister run a marathon. It was fun to take the boys to Lake Superior. I think a bathtub would be just as much fun if you get to throw rocks in it.

We also went swimming and enjoyed ice cream cones.

Finally, we had a sad night last night when Jonas slept in a toddler bed for the first time. He loved it! He was way ready and I'm sure it will be more convenient for me, but I hate to lose my baby!

Ok, so obviously I don't know how to move pictures under their appropriate headings yet. Anybody have a hint?