We seek them here, we seek them there...

He IS Risen Indeed!

Ephesians 1:19-20 "and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places"

This is one of the points our pastor made yesterday about the resurrection (great sermon!) I have always loved this passage. We have the same power working in us that He used to raise Christ from the dead!!!

Nevermind that we could not get a single good one of both kids.

5/8

While in most schools 5 out of 8 is not passing, I consider it a great success.

This is how many nights Elizabeth has slept between 7-9 hours at a time in the past week+. (better to forget the other nights!!!) The usual timeframe has been from 8 or 9 pm to about 4 or 5 am and then awake again at 7 (no matter whether it is chow time or not). I know we are far from consistent on this yet, and truly it is God's grace...absolutely nothing I can do about it. I thank the Lord for these blessings of sleep.

Books times three

All three were recommended by my very literary sister. The true story of a French village during WWI...and more specifically a British soldier who was hidden there, who fell in love with a local girl, and was betrayed by a local villager. The book was very well researched and gives a very unique insight into the war as well as life in occupied France during that time. Great history lesson! (and have to remind oneself that this is a true story)

The biography of David Nasser, traveling evangelist. When my sister recommended this book on her blog, she did not know that M and I had heard David speak in our church 5 years ago. I can still tell you what he talked on that day as his message was one of the most powerful I have heard. I was excited to read the story of his life. Even more excited to see God's very definitive guiding of this man through his life to bring both he and his family from an Iranian muslim faith to a dynamic relationship with Him through a set of circumstances that only God could have orchestrated. What a powerful testimony to the fact that God does orchestrate our lives and place us each at the right place and right time for His purposes. An easy read and very powerful.

A missionary kid's biography written with such humor and exaggeration to make for a very easy read. Ron Snell grew up as an MK in the Peruvian jungle. He has quite some adventures and one wonders how he even survived to adult-hood with all his stories. (I got this through an inter-library loan). Lots of fun!

Parent's Night Out

So last night was our church's parent's night out. We opted not to use it since E is still so little. However, when M came home, I talked him into running a few errands with me (most were in and out errands). Then, I suggested we could pick up dinner on the way home. D had napped late so I thought this might work. We started to get both kids in the car and E began to scream. As I was buckling D in, I discovered he was soaking wet from a leaky diaper. I got him out to change him and M took over with E. By the time D was changed, Michael suggested we were too bold and that we just stay home. I agreed. We unloaded and then dealt with those ramifications. E calmed down but D threw a fit since he wanted to go "bye bye." After addressing his attitude, we decided to venture out after all.

First stop, Kohl's. I had a $10 store certificate to use. (the 4th one they have sent me in a month and a half). We took a few minutes and ended up with a tool caddy (drill, hammer, screws, nails, and caddy) for D. We only paid 1.99. The kids were making it, but I knew I would have to feed E soon.

Next stop, M ran into Sam's for some coffee creamers. That took longer than desired while D sat in the car fussing that he wanted to get out, but...we made it and E stayed calm most of the time.

Third stop, Academy. M again ran in to try and get a pair of boots (already knew the style, size etc...) They were out of the boots in his size so it was a quick stop, but he was in there just long enough for D to get fussy again (want to get out).

Fourth stop, Sears. M had a $10 coupon for tools and ran in to pick up 2 tools for $4. D was pretty good at this stop, and I fed E.

M then called Macaroni Grill for to-go. We proceeded to fifth stop, Dillards.

I was exchanging a baby gift (already too small). We went in with both kids and quickly picked something out in exchange while E was screaming the whole time.

We got back in the car. I calmed E. Sixth stop, Macaroni Grill. We picked up dinner and headed home.

Oops...seventh stop, Shell. We were out of gas.

Think we were too ambitious? I can't believe we made it! E had fallen asleep right before we got home (9ish) and D ate dinner super late (just like on a PNO at the church). We got him to bed and then collapsed into bed ourselves, I, fully expecting to be woken up in a few hours.

Here is the best part of our Parent's Night Out (except minus the childcare)...E slept until 5!!! That means 9 hours between feedings and 8 hours sleeping (at exactly one month old)!!! I got so much sleep that at 4:15 I went and checked on her and had a hard time falling back asleep since I had had so much sleep at that point :) (only 5 hours, but straight through!) And after eating at 5:00, she went back to sleep until 7:00 and then asleep again right now!

Probably a fluke, but I will take it!!! The best Parent's Night Out ever!!!

one month down

Elizabeth, You are only one month old, and yet it is hard to remember life before you! This past month has been full of a lot of rough patches interspersed with some sweet moments. I have commented that life with two is not really any more challenging for me than life with one but having a newborn again has brought many challenges. I had forgotten what the lack of sleep can do to a person...and you are not a great sleeper. You fooled Mommy and slept 5-6 hours at a crack for 4-5 nights, and then went back to waking every 1 1/2-2-3 hours to eat. Perhaps you are growing again? You now weigh 10 pounds! Packing on the weight! During the day, you want to eat every 3 hours too and have cried much of the time in between feedings. We have discovered that the swing is the only thing that even can come close to calming you down for any extended period of time. Even holding you does not do the trick...perhaps because like your brother you are such a hot-body and get quite cranky when too hot (as well as heat rash on your delicate face). Hungry? Collicky? Too alert and over-stimulated? Who knows, but hopefully it will all resolve itself soon.

You are so strong!!!You have great neck control and have turned yourself around in your bed 180 degrees many times. You have also flipped yourself over twice (accidentally, of course). And unlike other babies, you are far happier with tummy time than lying on your back...this is the reason for the strong neck, quite likely.

As mentioned, you are so incredibly alert and have beautiful blue eyes! Can't wait until the little furrowed brow turns into a sweet smile.

You are not a big fan of the bath--although the warm water soothes you, the washcloth gets you to hollering again. One of the things you hate more though is diaper changes. You will literally scream at the top of your lungs until the last velcro tab is fastened again. You also are not too crazy about the pacifier--although if we can eventually get it in your mouth and you start sucking on it, it will calm you.

You are now also in size 1 diapers (changed from newborn at about 3 1/2 weeks) because we ran out of newborn. No problem fitting them though. Nor are your size 3 month clothes too extremely large for you. It is such fun to dress you--I have my own baby doll! Can't wait to do more bows--to hide your receding hairline. :)

You definitely recognize my voice--so sweet--and the few moments you are calm and cuddle are precious. I can't wait for a few more next month!

Life with two

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."

BUT as so many before me have said, "You can never get both kids looking, let alone smiling, at the camera."

Here was our attempt for Spring/Easter pictures:

Unexpected Kindnesses

I have been so thankful to be the recipient of several unexpected kindnesses since E was born.

After breaking down in tears on Sunday morning several times, a sweet friend (who saw me on Sunday) called me the next day to see how I was doing.

A stranger approached me today during Bible study lecture. I had had to leave the auditorium due to a fussy baby, and she followed me out and offered to hold E so that I would not miss the lecture. And she was a stranger!

A friend called me up last week to see if she could bring dinner by the next day.

Another friend called to see if she could take D with her to workout and then out to lunch--just to give me a break!

All of these kindnesses are SO appreciated! I think I appreciate most the fact that each of these women were busy with their own lives but took the time to see a need and offer to meet it. How often do I stop my own life to do the same?

My big helper

David, you are 32 months today and such a big helper!!! I was not sure what this month would bring as you became a big brother. No reason to worry. You have not only shown no signs of jealousy, but instead loved on your sister and easily stepped into the role of big brother/protector/helper.

Every morning you wake up and ask where baby sister is. When she is crying, you let me know and often try to soothe her by rocking the swing/bouncy seat/ bed etc...(sometimes a little too helpful!). You put her pacifier in her mouth and help me by getting it from the other room. All around, you are such a big help!

You have grown up so much this month...and not just because I have such a little one to compare you to. Your verbal skills have taken off this month! You declare yourself to be a "boy boy" (big boy), and you definitely are! I think you like those "oy" sounds because often "night night" becomes "noyt noyt" and "mine" (a more common phrase this month) becomes "moy." You must be repeating us when you say "Oh, dear." And where did you learn to drop the "-my" from "Mommy" to just plain "Mom"? (only used half the time) One of my favorite phrases that has changed a bit over time--all cars become "vertls" (convertibles). And your favorite phrases at the end of this month have definitely been "Mommy, come here, please. O-p-en the door, Mommy!" (this said when you are supposed to be napping but hear your sister or us downstairs)

As mentioned, you have picked up the word "mine," but are much quicker to share than many children. You often just like to identify whose items different toys, food, etc...are. The only time I have seen you rather less willing to share was with your precious, favorite toys--your trains. (PS. Percy is your favorite and often gets talked to as you play with trains, but you are a bit confused. You think Thomas is Percy and Percy is James...)

Mealtime is a chore at times because you are developing the good habit of taking your time to eat. However, when Mommy is trying to tend to you and a baby is screaming in the other room, 45 minutes for lunch (half a sandwich and a few grapes and pretzels) can feel quite a bit excessive. You are also growing up in the area of baths. You no longer scream bloody murder when we wash your hair. You close your eyes and sit still (for the most part). As for the dark? You have a fascination with the distinction of light and dark. You will even go outside on a cloudy day and label it as "dark." While you show no signs of fear of the dark, you love the light! Ephesians 5:8 "for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." I come into your room every morning/naptime and all three lights are most often turned on.

You amaze me with your memory--constantly reminding us about the light in the kitchen that was broken and Daddy fixed or the shoes that Gram wore one time while here weeks ago.

Have I mentioned how much you love to dance and sing? And music of all types? You also love reading books now (even on your own) and I often find you flipping through our magazines, but what catches your interest most is Daddy's car magazines. Like father, like son through and through!

Outside! You love to swing, play golf, and go on walks (we have resumed these with the double stroller and baby sister in tow).

I can't wait to see the further maturity of our little boy. David, you are precious and have been such a help and joy this month!