Home Ownership

We took the plunge...signing enough paperwork to make us feel as if we need to replant a forest. And so, here you have it...random images from our new home. All of our "stuff" gets delivered tomorrow; so sometime next week, we will be in our own beds. Oh, that will be the best Christmas gift ever!!

Andrew, helping prime the walls, ends up wearing it. I finally got it all out of his hair this am, 6 days later; just in time to take Christmas photos!

Marcail's room -- gone is the wall to wall mint green and in its place: heffalump purple and fabulous frog!

Unless you see it up close...you can't appreciate the metallic bronze, gold and silver wallpaper in the bathroom!

The cable guy was on the roof...and we had to have the bucket truck brought in, much to Andrew's delight. Thank goodness, there was no charge for all of that, save for the monthly bills that are already rolling in.

This is the first of many house pics as we look forward to moving in and making it our own. Our kids have been troopers throughout the whole process but we are all tired, exhausted, fighting sickness and more than ready to be "home".

What's a mom to do?

Marc is teething...which translates into a cranky, clingy, crying child 24/7. Andrew is worn out from the non-stop, on the go pace we've been keeping and wants to be held, read to, cuddled with...all the time. So, what's a mom to do when she needs to fix dinner, make a casserole for dad's potluck holiday dinner and clean up? Make cookies, of course!

Because, when there are two beaters with cookie dough and two kids, Mom can get at least ten minutes of peace and quiet. Hallelujah!

Just for you, our favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. The vanilla pudding makes them so moist and chewy and yummy good!

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 package (3.5 oz.) vanilla instant pudding

2 eggs

2 1/4 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

12 oz package chocolate chips

Cream butter, sugars, vanilla and pudding mix. Beat in eggs, Add baking soda and flour until mixed. Stir in flour. Drop by heaping teaspoonful onto cookie sheets and bake for 8-9 minutes at 375 degrees.

Happy Thanksgiving friends!

This year I am so very thankful for my dear husband whose strength I lean on daily; my two beautiful children who make me laugh with their antics and daily shower me with their unconditional love; and my Jesus for even when life is full of stuggles, there is joy in the journey!

Moving Day

Moving Day was one week ago today -- in a mere four hours, with the help of so many WONDERFUL family and friends, all of our belongings were loaded into two PODS. I have never witnessed such amazing packing skills before...I don't think another thing could have fit into either one of those "garages." It's been a long two weeks...we have packed our lives into boxes and garages, filled a storage shed, scrubbed our old townhouse from top to bottom, lived through sickness, moved in with a family member, tried to constantly reassure Andrew that we'd all be together and his bed will be fine living in the garage, and now, it looks like we'll be able to settle on our home right around the first of December.

Our home: http://www.4308franconiaroad.com/

I never realized buying and owning a home would be such an emotional journey. First we loved the house, then not so much (we've had a lot of sewer/septic issues that took over two months to resolve), then we started looking at other places, and now, I'm ready to be back in my own space. Do I still love the house? Yes, no, perhaps I'm just indifferent right now. Am I starting to think about paint colors again and dream of remodeling the kitchen? Yes, of course. This time, however, it's tempered with the exhaustion that I feel from the move...perhaps we'll move a little more slowly in the home rennovations. Of course, I'm told that house projects never end!!

So there you have it folks...it looks like we'll be calling our moving crew back again to unload those carefully packed PODS...this time we only have two levels instead of three and the big piece of furniture stays on the main floor!

What have I learned from this journey? I don't know yet...maybe I never will. But as we enter this season of thanksgiving and holidays, I will tell you that I'm thankful for having a roof over my head, family members who welcome us with open arms, food on the table and clothes to wear. And I'm grateful for all those friends and family who willingly and lovingly gave of their time to help us out in ways that were far beyond measure.

My dad takes a quick break from moving to play with Andrew's new toy. Boys and their toys...they never do grow up!

REALLY!?!?!

In the midst of packing, moving, trying to settle on a house, dealing with sickness and an out of town visitor, we also have to deal with this:

Really, Andrew? Another trip to the ER? Weren't we just there six weeks ago? Thank goodness daddy's new insurance just kicked in yesterday.

Oh son...the days with you are never boring. We're just thankful you and your thumb are OK...but please, don't try to cut your hair using daddy's razor again, OK?

Happenings...

We are in the midst of packing:

There are boxes everywhere and enough questions to match the amount of boxes in the house. Do I need to pack this? What are the odds that I'll need this?

Will I be in a house that's mine before Christmas? Before Valentine's Day? Before my birthday?

What toys can I pack away? What books should I take?

This move has me unsettled...in so many ways. Emotionally I'm told I'm handling it with grace and yet I feel as if I could sit in a corner and cry for a good day. I'm tired, the whole family is in various stages of sickness, packing boxes is so much fun with two young children (note to self, cell phone should not ever be put on vibrate lest I don't hear it ring when it's "packed" in a box by my kids) and physically, I have no idea how long it will be till we're settled. Why is it that I want to be settled?

Does God call us to be settled? These are the questions I find myself facing as I deal with life and all that it's throwing at me right now. I don't have answers, only questions. And the reassurance of heaven. And so, as I question "WHY" in the midst of packing boxes, I say a quick prayer of thanks for the gift of salvation and a very long prayer begging God to speak to my children's hearts that they too may receive this very precious gift.

In the midst of all of this chaos, we have found some time to enjoy the weather. Both kids love raking leaves and jumping (crawling) through them. I love these two...their zeal for life, their enthusiasm, their laughter, their smiles and their hugs. I am a blessed woman!

Flight of the Bumblebee

If ever there was a tune to summarize my life at this moment, this would be it....the flight of the bumblebee. With an impending move, the unknown of where we're to live, how long we'll be there, the everyday demands of taking care of our kids, cooking, cleaning (ok, maybe not!), laundry and well, life; I feel as if I'm flying from thing to thing and really, not much is being accomplished. Pack a box, read a book, change a diaper, pack a box, pack a box, play with tractors, put kids down for naps, pray they're on the same sleep schedule so I can pack a few boxes....oh, this is the life I lead at the moment.

Today we heard a sermon on being content in all situations (Phillipians 4:10-); I wouldn't say that I'm discontent with the situation we're living; I had just really hoped to be settled at this point in my life. I sometimes wonder what God is trying to teach me through our attempt to purchase a house, settle and live in it. I don't know what lessons I'll take from this or if I'll ever know the whys, but I was struck by the fact that as restless as I feel now in the immediate unknown, how very grateful I am to have the assurance of heaven. And I was brought to my knees praying for that same assurance for my kids...oh how I want them to know Jesus.

And so the craziness continues in our house. Pack more boxes, fold more laundry, read more books, sing more songs, and continually pray that the Lord will lead us to where He wants us to live and not just where we want.

This is where my thoughts are this crazy Sunday. Does anyone else feel as if they should have been to bed hours ago? :-)

Every now and then...

...my kids do things to remind me that they are mine and not just miniature replicas of Drew. Today at breakfast, Marc decided that she didn't like the oatmeal I've been feeding her the past few days (could it have been the plums I put in it?); so what does she do? Gag, gag, gag, throw up, gag some more. Hmmm....that gag reflex, now where have I seen it before? Oh, yes, it's mine! I know it well since it reared its ugly head during pregnancy. Maybe, just Maybe these two little Drews will begin to resemble some of their poor mother. Perhaps, though, they resemble me more than I know and I just don't recognize it. Food for thought on this glorious fall morning.

I'm off to "plow the fields" with my red tractor. Happy Monday to you all!

Being 3 is so much fun!

I love this age with Andrew. Today we spent an hour building roads with our blocks so that our matchbox cars could drive on them. We also built a city and needed our construction equipment...crane, dump truck, excavator...to help. Our crane helped deliver a bridge for the train track so Thomas could haul milk to the Little People farm...oh it was so much fun. And then the giant got up from her nap and knocked it all down.

We live in an area where so much emphasis is placed on getting kids into the best preschools at such an early age. It's something that I struggle with each and every time someone asks me where I plan to send Andrew to school. Why are we rushing childhood? Does he really need to be in a formal schooling program at the precious age of three?

I'm studying the book of Luke in Community Bible Study...and in looking at Luke 2, we learn that Jesus went to the temple at age 12. We can assume that He didn't go to the temple before this point when Jewish males were considered men. A commentary I read said we can assume that Jesus was allowed to grow just like any other child...He probably played in the dirt, had fun with friends, was allowed to be a child without the pressure to grow up. So why am I worried about Andrew? Childhood is so precious...you only get it once. The reality of adulthood sets in too soon; you can never go back and so I fight; daily I fight against the pressure that my kid might not be as advanced as the next three year old who's in school every day. I fight to hold my tongue when asked about preschool or potty training or whether he knows his letters, numbers, address. And I simply pray that this time of play will help us both to simply embrace childhood, again and again and again.

Where Has the Time Gone?

Happy Third Birthday Andrew!

Our birthday boy doesn't like loud noises and apparently our singing fell into the "I must cover my ears" category. Imagine how this looks at church when he covers his ears during praise and worship!!

Blowing out candles with a gap between his two front teeth makes for a little extra "decoration" on the cake. Oh the joys of boys!

Happy Birthday Andrew. You have filled our lives with so much joy over the past three years. We love you!

“For I know whom I have believed and I’m convinced He is able to guard what I’ve entrusted to Him for that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12



...FOR THAT DAY...for that day. Daily I have to remind myself that God is here now, in this moment, in this struggle to discipline Andrew or potty train Andrew; He's here encouraging me while I encourage Marcail to sleep through the night. He knows when her teeth will come through, when she'll finally be free of the pain and misery of teething. He is here now; He knows where we'll live, whether or not the septic/sewer issues will be resolved in "our house". So why do I need to long for that day in the future WHEN...

I've been listening to "Worship in the Waiting" by FFH and the lyrics really caught my attention this week as I've struggled with living in the moment, enjoying today and all the good that surrounds me.

I will worship and not grow bitter cause I know you see the end of it all

and with the spring will come the rain and I'll see what was gained in the waiting

I know you see the end of it all...that encourages me. My time should not be wasted on wishing these precious moments away.

Speaking of precious moments -- my Andrew line for the day: While asking for a pumpkin whoopie pie, "Mommy, can I have a woofie pie?"

Weekend Plans

Here's what I'm planning to work on this weekend while the kids are sleeping and the hubby is studying. Christmas is just around the corner!

http://sycamorestirrings.blogspot.com/2008/10/christmas-cuties.html

Names

I've been called many names in my life: Marilyn, Mar, Merle, Marlin, Merlin, CD, Cousin Marilyn, Miss Holloway, Mrs. White, ma'am, mommy....today I heard something new:

"Aye Aye, Captain Mommy!"

Thanks Andrew!

The Great Pumpkin Patch

A perfect Saturday morning spent at the pumpkin patch with the kids.

Andrew enjoyed pillow jumping

Marc enjoyed the corn crib

Mommy got plenty of pictures to maybe one day hopefully be able to scrap!

We stopped to see Beth and Dave after three hours of fun and were treated to some alone time while they took our kids to the park. Drew and I went to "In the Streets" and took a quick stroll through Hood's campus. Yes, this Saturday was a good day. So let's not talk about Sunday and our miserably cranky kids, OK?

Once upon a time

I used to have cushions on the sofa

The stairs were for climbing...

...and not sliding.

Once upon a time...I slept in late, had chocolate cake for breakfast (at lunch time), left the house with only a wallet and car keys, did laundry once a week, enjoyed weekly soaks in the bathtub with a good book and sat down on the sofa without a thought as to whether or not the cushions were there. Every now and then I miss you "once upon a time", but today is not one of those days.

Andrew and Marcail, Sept 2008

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ~Elizabeth Stone