Two of my Loves....

For those of you who know me well, two of my most fave things in the whole wide world - (other than my boys, duh!) are - wait for them.......

:: Food and
:: Critters.

It's true. Both of those delights make me one very truly happy camper.

I love all things to do with food....except grocery shopping for it. I'm not a huge fan of that. But, I love eating it, I love cooking it, and I love making it special for those I love. One of my mostest favoritest fave things to do with food is to prepare it for my wee little family - but to do the whole thing from start to finish.

Like jam making. I love the whole process. I love picking the berries, hulling them, making the jam, putting it into jars, and then storing it away to have for months on end. Kev says it's kind of like shooting a deer - seeing something to completion from start to finish. You know - from the deer standing in the field all the way to the cooked venison on the table.

Who knew? I can totally see the analogy, though.

Anyway......this week, my two little loves and I hit the strawberry fields two different times in between the rain showers to see what we could see. I was a wee bit hesitant about going all by myself with them, but it was so much fun and they had a really good time - and they actually worked really hard right along side of me. True to personality - Kaden's was the most perfect box of all - not a blemish on any berry. And Jesse's.....well, let's just say that the majority of his box was inedible - but he was very proud of himself!

So, here are a few pics of one of my loves this week:



We only picked sixteen boxes, but we got quite a few berries from these.



We made six batches of delish strawberry freezer jam.



I made some scrump-didilly-umpshious strawberry muffins to put said fresh jam upon.



And I flash froze the rest which are now in freezer bags awaiting their fate.

:::And now, for my second love which I share with both of my boyzies...
A few pics for your viewing pleasure:



A sweet little tree frog that we just released a few days ago.



A super cool luna moth that has now kicked the bucket.....they only live for a week anyway.....this one did get quite a bit of love though, I must confess.

And for the most rockinest thing of all:



A baby snapping turtle that we found today!!!



Seriously, how cute is he?



I totally would've kept him, if he wouldn't have grown up to be able to bite my children's fingers off.

:: Jam and berries in my freezer.
:: Some fun and funky critters to hold and admire.
:: I can now die a happy woman!

Home on the Range

Aah.

We are home - boys in hand, and I am happy.

It was a wonderful, restful vacation for all involved, but it is sooo nice to all be together again. Kev and I made good time getting home on Friday, so we scooted up to Mom and Dad's late that afternoon to be there to surprise the boys when they woke up from their naps.

It was so fun to see them and surprise them, and they were so happy to see us, too! But we could totally tell that they had been having a blast with Grampy and Grammy. We all went 4-wheeling, had a pizza picnic outside, and then one final bonfire to top off the night. The next day, we made one last trip to the pond and collected some baby tadpoles to bring home, went on ONE more 4-wheeler ride, Jesse took a massive dunk in a huge mud puddle (I swear, I'm bad luck for that kid!), so they washed off in the kiddie pool for one final swim, and then we hit the road for home.

We came THIS close (fingers pinched together) to bringing the boys home a baby kitten from the animal shelter. But, we're headed to Pennsylvania for a couple of weeks of support raising in a couple of weeks, and I thought that might be too traumatizing for the little thing to just get bonded with it and then leave it, so we resisted. The time is coming soon, though. I can feel it in my bones.....

So, now we are home and settled. The boys are napping in their own beds, stuff is put away, laundry is slowly getting caught up, bread is rising, a few groceries are in the fridge, and I am once again settling into HOME.

The chatter is incessant, the noise is raucous, feet are constantly running, messes are getting made, diapers are getting filled, and my counter is once again getting filled up with "critters."

It's good to be back.

Time With My Man.....

We have internet connection in our lobby, it's 8:00 at night and pouring rain, and we're cozied up inside with bellies full and quietness reigning supreme.

We've had one glorious day of sun so far, so we played outside all day long. We lazed by the river - but didn't dare go into its icyness. A few people did, but not me! And then we went on a beautiful six mile hike up to see a gorgeous waterfall in the mountains. Kev actually braved jumping underneath it, and I got a great picture of him screaming like a girl! Very classic.

We went swimming when we got back to get rid of our sweat and filth. Kev made the big mistake of diving underwater and grabbing my feet to tickle them. I did what any normal person would do to prevent being dunked underwater - I stepped on his head and held him under water! Now, he has an awesome battlewound that's about the size of a nickle right in the middle of his forehead!!! It looks just like a huge rugburn! I must admit - I resist the urge to laugh my head off whenever I see it, but I do feel a little bad. How was I to know that it was going to be bashed on the bottom of the pool? I was just trying to protect my poor little self.

Happy Anniversary, Honey! (ahem)

Today it's been scuzzy, so we slept in late, hit some shops, went to an Animal Shelter and snuggled lots of kittens, and filled our faces with yummy food. It's been wonderful.

Being a Mommy is a crazy thing, though.

I spend many a day craving some solitude, some space, and just a few quiet moments to myself. And then I get them........and oh, how I crave my babies! They have become such a part of me. We are finding that we are seeing everything through their eyes. We are shopping at the toy stores, we are hunting for fun treasures to take home to them, and we are saying over and over again: "Oh, man! The boys would love this! And THIS would be so much fun for them!"

We have talked with them each day, and they are having a blast with Grammy & Grampy, so that makes us feel good. They are catching lots of new little treasures and creepy crawlies to bring home and replentish our empty countertop, so they are in their element.

And it HAS been oh so nice to have a few days alone - just the two of us. Lots of great talks, slow walks, sleeping in, dreaming and planning, and just BEING. It's been a long time. Only a couple of more days left to savor - and then back to real life.

........And that will be great, too!

What NOT to Expect When You're Expecting!

Vacation: Day 1

I believe the words out of my brother's mouth were: "Hey, Kevin! Do you want to go mudding?"

So, off we went - our whole family on three four-wheelers. Mom & Dad took theirs; my brother with his wife and Kaden took another; and Kevin, Jesse, & I rode the third. This is the sort of thing that we live for when we go home. Our whole family LOVES to go four-wheeling. And we had an extra treat in that my cousin lent us their two new ones, so we each got to ride on our own rather than be pulled along in a wagon "Beverly Hillbilly" style. (Mind you - that's fun, as well!)

Anyway, we didn't get too far on our ride when we saw this side trail that was buried in a couple of feet of muddy water. That's where this whole mudding idea came in. Aaron, Jules, & Kaden went in first and we followed. To get out of this trail, there's a bit of a steep embankment that you have to pop up over. It shouldn't really have been too big of a deal. But, we were on new wheelers and didn't realize that we had to manually push her over into 4-wheel drive - aaaaaaand because we didn't put it over - coming up out of the embankment she stalled.

And we flipped.

It was a bit of a shocker - we all got submerged and Jesse came up screaming! The first thing that I heard went I came up for air was Kaden cackling gleefully in the background! After if all happened, he looked over at Grammy and noncholantly said: "Well! I'm sure glad I wasn't riding on THAT 4-wheeler!" He wouldn't ride with us for the rest of the week-end! Luckily, Mom had a handful of wild strawberries in her hand, and as soon as she offered some to Jesse he was fine!

It took me five shampoos to get all of that crud out of my hair! On the way home to shower, I asked Jesse if that was fun and if he wanted to do it again. His response? "Yep. But, me no get in bathtub!" He was more concerned that he was having to miss out on more wheeling by going home to get clean!

And my wee babe within - well, Mom just about had a hernia worrying that I was going to go into pre-term labor. I assured her that he's plenty protected! Besides, it's all part of the indoctrination into the Booker family! And what a way to start our vacation!

My Dad got a good part of the whole escapade taped on his camera, so in a couple of days, I'll see if I can get it up for your viewing pleasure! It surely was an experience......

This & That

Well, the sun has been peeking through the clouds for the past couple of days, so we are drinking in whatever tidbits we can get. The ground is still so wet and there are puddles everywhere, so whatever we do and wherever we go the boys are perpetually soaked! The water and the puddles just seem to draw them! But, I can't scold - they have missed being outside SO much! So, these past two days there has been lots of puddle stomping and riding bikes through muddy messes. Good times!

We released ALL of our little critters. We're going away for vacation, so I figured now was a good time to let all the littles go and start over afresh and anew when we get home. Grampy DID bring over two beautiful green moon moths that we've been enjoying. Interesting tidbit: when they hatch into moths, they have no mouths, so they don't eat and consequently only live for one week! Sooooo, I don't feel so bad keeping them until they die!

Kev and I went on a really fun date the other night. Instead of doing the usual dinner and a movie, we decided to instead take a drive down to Bar Harbor and eat at a little place right on the water and then walk around town for awhile. That was SO much fun, and we've decided that's what we're going to do more often - use up that time that we'd normally be sitting for two hours and drive a little farther away.

Our babysitter called though, and said that she was having a little trouble getting Jesse to go to sleep. She said he wouldn't stop talking to Kaden and she wasn't sure what to do! I told her to just not go in at all anymore and he would peter out within a few minutes. First thing the next morning, Jesse tattled on himself and came right up to me and said: "I no obey Abby. I talk Kaden!" Pretty funny.

And the highlight of my summer: tomorrow we're kicking it, and I am TOTALLY pumped!!!

We're all going up to the County to celebrate the 4th of July. My little brother is home from the Border Patrol Academy for just a few days and then he'll be gone for ten more months. So, we're going to go and spend some time with him. And THEN we are leaving kidlets with my parents, and we are going to New Hampshire for FIVE NIGHTS......ALL BY OURSELVES to celebrate our ten year anniversary!!!!

We've never left them this long before - only for a night or two here and there - but they are totally excited and so are we! Kev says that we're going to catch up on five years of lost sleep! Although it's predicted to rain EVERY SINGLE DAY - Praises - we're going to make the best of it and have tons and tons of fun. We've been to this area many times before and we've already conquered everything that there is to do, so we just plan to chill and play and swim and eat and relax to the MAX!!!

Happy 4th of July, All!

A Little Ditty.....

Rain! Rain!
Go away
And never come again -
Okay?

I'm sick of you!
You make me mad!
And worse than that -
You make me sad!

The plants are fine
They need no more!
So go away -
You are a BORE!

My boys are nuts!
They've gone insane!
They're tired, too!
Of this numb rain.

So go away!
This prego's done!
When I wake up -
Give me some sun!!!

And if you don't
I swear -
it's true!
This tubby's comin' after you.........

Happy Father's Day!

A day late......

Happy Father's Day to my sweet hubby who loves and provides for his family with all that he has. How blessed are my three little boys to have a Daddy like him to look up to and model their lives after.

We kind of did little mini celebrations this week. The kids made him a really big banner, we made him a fun supper one night, and on Saturday we went down to Cabella's - where else? - and ate out at Macaroni Grill. Good times!

On Sunday - the true and actual Father's Day - I confess.....I was somewhat grumpy with my poison ivy and no A.C. at church. So, Kev and the boys started on their own "manly spaghetti" Father's Day lunch when we got home while I applied my anti-itch creams and got out of my constricting Sunday clothes. After that, all was well, and we all had fun cooking together in the kitchen and having a yummy lunch together. Sorry about that, Love. Ahem.

I love you, Kevy. You are my best friend. My soulmate. The love of my life. I love walking this crazy journey of life with you. You are my perfect fit.

And to my own sweet Daddy-O -----the first man I ever loved! Thank you for being such an example to the three of us kids. Thank you for your humble, gentle strength and for giving me such a rich and wonderful childhood. Thank you for teaching me through your life, about the kind of man that I should wait for and marry one day. How I love you! Happy Father's Day!

********
And on somewhat of a yummy sidenote:



Ohhh sweet, squishy delish-ish-ness!

Shoot Me Now

Up until last year, I have never in my life experienced the glorious pleasure and joy of that lovely little plant called poison ivy. From the time I've known him, Kev has gotten some pretty bad cases almost every year, but either I never walked through the stuff before or I had an immunity to it.

Until last summer. Behold my legs. And this is just part of the joy before it got really bad.



Somehow, I was the only one of the four of us to encounter the POISON, and the blasted stuff ended up getting into my bloodstream and coming out all over my body. I was still nursing Jesse at the time, but finally had to wean him in order to have the strongest prescription to get rid of the stuff.

I would rather give birth a thousand times over than go through that again.

Anyhoo......just a couple of days ago, we went down to the Hampden Marina to get an icecream and watch the boats. Kev suggested walking through this little path in the woods that he used to explore as a kid. Jesse got tired partway through and Kev and Kaden were way up ahead, so I hoisted him up onto my shoulders for the rest of the jaunt. I never do that. I always ride him on my hip - where there is clothing. There was no clothing around my neck. And apparently he had been traipsing through some poison ivy, the little dear. And apparently, the oils from his jeans rubbed all over my neck, and yup - I now have poison ivy all over my neck and on my left shoulder.

And it's spreading. Praise Him.

I am this close to becoming that girly girl that I always tease about and from now on will seriously contemplate staying home to knit or paint my nails and drink tea. Or do whatever every other mother who doesn't feel like going on woodsy adventures does.

Lord have mercy on my soul.

A Gift From My Mom....

My mom wrote me this poem a few days ago, and it made me cry when she read it to me. Another reminder to savor these precious years.....


"My Daughter's World"

Her days are filled with sweet little boys -
Wiping little noses and picking up toys;
Turning over rocks and looking for slugs -
Going for long walks and catching lots of bugs.

Getting slimy kisses from a dear little face
or wiping off his tears - 'till there's not a trace!
One likes his hands clean - he doesn't like the grime -
And one doesn't care if he's covered in slime!

She often hears the sound of small running feet,
or an impish voice say: "Can I have a treat?"
"Mommy, can you read to me - just one more book?"
How could she refuse that precious little look!

"Let's bake some cookies, Mommy!! Let's go to the park!"
"Let's go fishing at the pond - can we stay 'till dark?"
Whether wading in the brooks or catching "tads" and frogs -
They can find all their "treasures" hiding under logs!

Loving everything that creeps, crawls or flies -
Seeing God's creation through a little boy's eyes!
This is now her world - this daughter of mine -
And nothing would she change that could be so fine
as to hear their childish voices singing her a song -
or laughing as they play - while the days roll along.

Two little boys - with another "on the way" -
Sometimes can make for a very long day;
But their sunshiny faces, their laughter and their songs
Make her world a brighter place and set right all the wrongs!

For these tender years are gone too soon
And she knows that she will miss
Those little hands - those litte feet -
And that precious "good night" kiss.


With a final thought so poignant and true: "Treasure these days, daughter of mine! Dedicated to my daughter and her little brood of boys: You are blessed, Amy, and so are they - ....

for "their world" is what you make it!"

Simple & Deliberate

That's what I want our family to look like.

Kev and I have been talking a lot these past couple of weeks - assessing and reassessing our family, our priorities, our values..... our LIFE. Everyone is always busy; life is always full. But when things start to feel out of control and we lose all semblance of structure, it's not good for any of us.

Somewhere in the midst of moving home, a few things got lost in translation, and crazyness has abounded.

So, we've been making some changes around here. When the boys wake up in the morning, one of us will go into them with a little snack and they can play on Kaden's bed or in their bedroom, but they are not allowed out until we go to them. We have them in there for about an hour; and this way we are able to get our heads screwed on straight - get our showers, make the bed, have some devos, and get focused for the day.

Oh Heavens! This has made such a difference in my days. Going from being shocked awake before 6:00 by two little boys jumping on us, to having the day start peaceful and much more centered. And the boys are totally okay with this. They are excited to be together, they are rested, and they play and laugh well together during this time. The room gets slightly trashed.....so now we'll work on that too. But it is SO worth it!

I have also gone from working two afternoons a week to one condensed day. Now, instead of having two of our days disrupted, only one looks different from the rest. And Daddy & Grammy split the time spent with the boys that day. It's good. It's all good.

Just lots of processing and reprioritizing. I don't know if other families do this, but we find ourselves doing this ALL. THE. TIME. For us it's necessary - keeping the finger on the pulse of our family and noticing when things start to get out of balance.

We're also really discussing and very seriously praying about what our life is going to look like with baby #3, with potential travel opportunities for Kev or for the two of us with our new ministry, and with deciding on Christian school or homeschooling. Big decisions, but we're taking them one day at a time. All the more reason to be more simple and deliberate and intentional and purposeful in all that we're doing with our family.

This year is going to be our "trial year" in a lot of areas for us.

:: I'll be learning how to be a Mommy to 3 little boys.

:: We've decided that we are not going to put Kaden into Kindergarten until he's 6, so this year I'm going to "loosy-goosy" homeschool him and just see how it goes for our family. I've been picking the brain of my school's K teacher who I greatly respect and have gotten some really good ideas that I'm excited about.

:: And it will really be the first time for our family where Kev will be doing some traveling and leaving me home with all of them for a few days at a time. So structure is good. And during those days it will be a necessity for sanity!

.....Feeling MUCH better about life


"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped. Therefore, my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him." ~ Psalm 29:8

On My Counter.....

:: 7 salamanders
:: 8 tadpoles
:: Several slugs.....yuck......
:: 1 warty green tree frog with sticky fingers
:: 1 dobson fly larvae - a stinky, nasty, ferocious pinching somethingrather
:: 2 or 3 spiders
:: 1 dead dragonfly
:: And 2 goldfish

....nothing really cute on my countertops anymore.
....but two little boys who think I'm the coolest.

Breath of Fresh Air

If you have time today, this is a really great article to read for anyone who struggles with falling into the "comparison trap."

The bottom line of it all? - "Do what works best for your own family, and do what honors God."

This is a mantra I so want to live by when "sharing advice" with other moms and when looking at my own parenting methods. Mothering is the most private, most personal thing a woman does - and everyone does it differently. The bottom line is if we're all striving to seek the Lord's wisdom in it all, to honor our husbands, and to love our kids well - then it really and truly doesn't matter how, when, and what method we use to switch our babies from a bottle to a sippy cup; or how long we wait before potty training; or even if we choose to do attachment or "baby wise" parenting. I definitly have my opinions on any and all of these things - but they are only that - just MY opinions.

What's really important is this:
Am I striving to please the Lord?
Am I seeking His face in all that I do?
Am I loving and honoring my husband and going about this whole journey as a team with him?
Am I trying my best to love my kids well and striving to really know them?

If so, then it really doesn't matter what "everyone else" is doing. I eat humble pie every day these days, anyway; but it doesn't matter if I keep up with the latest trends on motherhood. It matters completely that my failure or success as a mother depends soley and utterly upon Christ. My worth as a mother is found in Him alone. It's because of Him - not me - that my boys will turn out to be godly, wise, tender, gentlemen. I can't take any credit now, and I never will be able to.

And all that other stuff..... live and let live, baby.
Live and let live.

Painting the Town.....

Kev left us all this week and flew to Pasadena, CA to do some training with U.S. Center for World Missions. Since it was going to be a weird week with him gone and me lonely, my dear friend Rachey Rach from New York made the nine hour road trip up with her little girl to stay with me and the boys for the week. We've been planning a visit for sometime this summer anyway, so this week was perfect!

I met Rach at PBU when we moved out there three years ago. She and her hubby did the same thing we did: quit their jobs, sold their homes, and completely uprooted, so we were kindred spirits instantly. She and I lived one building over, we took the same classes together, love the same things, and became each other's family away from home - one of those friendships where you are in each other's lives on a daily basis only briefly but where the friendship will last forever. Rach even came over and slept on my couch at 3:30 in the morning and made my Kaden feel loved and special when I went into labor with Jesse.

So, it was a special gift to have her here all week to keep me company. And I do believe that I ran her ragged! I wanted her to see all of the things that we do and love, I wanted to show her my roots, and then I also wanted to do a whole bunch of super fun things with all of the kidlets. So, every day, we did something fun together! I showed her the house that we used to own, we fed the baby goats and got ice cream at a local orchard, we went to Bar Harbor and had a picnic on Sand Beach, we went to Camden and walked the pier, we killed some yard sales, we did some antiquing, we went up home and I took her 4-wheeling, introduced her to black flies, went frogging at the pond, and had smores in our fire pit; and we did very little sleeping!

For two single pregos and three kidlets, I'd say we did pretty good. It was glorious. Her little Moriah finally started to warm up to a household of boys - the youngest of which always wanted to kiss her and hold her hand! She got to snuggle lots of salamanders, and I'm sure she also learned a lot of tricks that her mommy will be thrilled with.

But she was the one who FIRST went wading in hotel landscaping sprinkler system......they just followed her leading......

A Rainy, Buggy, Birthday!

Well, the forecast was right, my friends! Three out of the four days of our camping excursion, we had ourselves some RAIN! But, we planned accordingly, and overall, I think our little birthday adventure was a blazing success!

On our final shopping trip before we left, also known as the "junk food grocery trip" in Kaden's eyes, we walked through the aisles with the eyes of a family going off to battle. We splurged and bought ourselves a nice dining canopy that would cover our picnic table and all of our food and not fly away with the slightest of breezes. Whereas we normally pack all of our food etc. in cardboard boxes, I bought plastic tubs to store all of our dried goods in so that they could withstand torrential downpours. And the best purchases of all were two, matching, hooded rain slickers for the boys that went down to their knees!

I also packed three changes of clothes for them for each day knowing full well that Jesse would be wet and filthy the moment he stepped foot out of our tent.....and he was! I did complete changes of clothing first thing in the morning, before nap, and again before bedtime. In between those times, he was FILTHY and DRENCHED.....and happy as a lark! Sometimes, he would plop himself right down in a puddle on purpose, or stand himself directly under a waterfall coming off of one of our tarps!

We saw that the rain was predicted to come in around noon on Wednesday, so our goal was to get at our site around 10:30 and have an hour and a half to completely set up camp, eat lunch, and get the boys settled in for their naps. The Lord was gracious to us, and that is exactly what we managed to pull off before the rain came down in torrents!!!



While the boys slept, Kev and I sat under our canopy snuggled under a sleeping bag, with all of our warm clothes on, sipping camp coffee, and looked at each other - wondering why we were the ONLY ones at the ENTIRE Peaks Kenney campground! No joke!! We had the run of the place the entire week-end.



I'm not really sure why! Camp coffee is the BEST! :0)

In all honesty, it was in that moment that we both looked at each other and said: "This is fun, right? It is, isn't it?!!" And we decided then and there that if we were having fun, then they would have fun. So, I gave up praying for a heat wave and just went with the flow for the rest of the time!

That first night we gave them one of their gifts early - some new books - and we all went to bed at the same time and read by flashlight while listening to the rain - "God's lullaby" - drumming on our tent roof. Seriously. Does that not sound fun to you? It was a little chilly that night - we all slept with winter hats on - and eventually pulled Jesse into bed with us because he was cold in his pack and play. The other nights, though, were very mild and quite cozy.

Our parents came in on Thursday, and for a good part of that day we had some decent weather. They were all able to set up their sites, we even had some friends who lived in the area over for lunch, and Kaden was able to educate their three girls in the areas of all things slugs, worms, and salamanders. He was in his element!

And then, for the rest of the week-end, except for the day that we packed up to come home (of course!) we had torrents of rain! It did not phase my three boys in the least. We celebrated their birthday all week-end giving them little gifts here and there, and we just had a blast watching them run free and filthy!

We had a bug theme - of course! So, these were the little cupcakes in honor of Kaden...



We also had some wormy cakes - in honor of Jesse.....



I had little plastic bugs and salamanders and worms everywhere for the kids to play with.



I forgot to rotate this picture when I downloaded it, but to show you what a good sport my Mother is....We gave both boys some silly string for one of their gifts. Ahem.



And finally......

I give you "slug hands." The main theme of the week-end. Delish.



We had a nice, looooong, swim in the tub when we got home......

Drum Roll Please.........

Well, people!

The verdict is in!!! We had our almost two hour anatomy ultrasound today, and I had three techs and one M.D. stake their lives on what they were saying the sex of the baby is.

I said that I had no preference - I would be thrilled with either gender - but what I was concerned most about was them being WRONG. And let me assure you, it was abundantly clear!!! There are NO questions as to the gender of this wee one! I even asked for a 3D picture of his "tether region" just to be sure.

See for yourself. Ahem.



The picture is a little fuzzy, because it's a picture of a picture, so if you can't really tell what you're looking at - it's a bent leg with the arrow pointing at the evidence down by the foot - and if you still can't make it out, just let me assure you, our baby Def-in-itely-doo-dah does have himself some boy parts! The doctor kept commenting on how he was "showing off" and "you can take this one to the bank" and "there is NO chance that's a finger!"

Oh my!

Three boys. Wowsers. We are thrilled and so very thankful.

......and slightly overwhelmed!!!! Ha!

P.S. Kaden's boy name of choice: "Wilbur." Classic.
SO NOT happening, my Love.

Just In Case We Thought We'd Luck Out.....

In our most recent forecast check for our camping excursion this week-end, these are the three recurring statements that we keep reading:

"A series of storms will be moving through."

And -

"Very cool temps."

And my most favorite -

"Possible continuous rain."


Fantastic. Blessings upon us all. I'll see you all on Sunday....if I make it.

Making Memories

My parents never had a lot of money growing up. We always lived paycheck to paycheck, but the bills always got paid and we always had yummy food on the table. Dad was - and still is - a school teacher and bus driver, and during the summers he did all sorts of odd carpentry jobs so that Mom could stay home with the three of us kids.

Anyway, because we never had a lot of money, our vacations always looked a little - shall we say - different than the rest of my friends. While many of my playmates went to Disney World during their long Memorial Day Week-ends and summer vacations....I tell you what - WE were making the rockin'est memories off all time and were establishing traditions that to this day, the three of us kids talk about.

And I would have it NO other way. I have NEVER wished for Disney. I will always want to relive the memories that my family made.

We didn't spend money on hotels - in fact, I can only remember staying in a hotel once when I was a kid. Instead, we went on adventures. One family tradition involved canoeing down the East Branch river every year - rain or shine - and hanging on for dear life while we flew down the rapids. For lunch, we'd stop along the riverbank and cook up a hotdog - sometimes we'd take a little dip - and then we'd continue on our merry way.

Dad gave each of us kids a 5-gallon dill pickle bucket that we could fill with whatever we needed for those few days, and these also doubled as our canoe seats. The kicker was that whatever clothes we put in said buckets would reek to high Heavens of dill pickles, so we all had a certain odor about us for that whole trip.

And if it rained - the trip was never cancelled. Dad would just give us each a "Hefty" trash bag - with holes cut out for our heads and arms, and we were good to go. He wasn't much for fussiness.

We would pitch our tents at days' end in some gravel pit, dig a hole whenever we needed to use the bathroom, and the river was our shower. I can remember one weekend while sleeping in a little pup tent with my cousin, being awakened in the middle of the night with a certain "floating sensation." There was a good foot of water in our tent, and we were completely drenched. Mom had mercy on us and stripped us down, bundled us in our winter jackets, and let us sleep the rest of the night in our car with the heater on.

Anyway, as we plan a tenting excursion for our boys this weekend to celebrate their birthdays, I am reminded of these memories that will be forever embeded in my brain. It's not really the super sunny, non-eventful trips that I remember. It's the ones that always carried a little dramatic flair to them. Those are the ones worth reminiscing about.

And that is my hope for my boys as we embark on a four day, three night camping adventure in which it predicts rain for every, single, blasted day that we will be gone. May my boys cherish these memories as I have done....at least they won't smell like dill pickles all week.

Halfway to Insanity

Well, we're at 20 weeks in this numero three pregnancy. Halfway. Hence the title. That's what Kev is starting to call it! Ha! He's probably right.....

I'm feeling good, though. Still very healthy. Bigger this pregnancy than the other two, but feeling strong. I love my midwives. I love the hospital that I'm going to deliver in. And I LOVE that we're going to find out what we're having on TUESDAY!!! Well, attempt to find out anyway.....if said baby cooperates. This will be the first pregnancy that we've ever decided to find out the sex of one of our babies. I'll let you know which way I enjoy more.

I have my names pretty solidified in my mind. Now, I must convince the hubby. That's the challenge. He's not overly set on either. But, I shall remind him after I do all of the laboring and delivering that I let him have "Jesse" last time, AND it is I that will be doing all of the laboring and delivering, after all! Just kidding. Seriously, I am. We've always said that we both will love the names that we choose......

but I really did give him Jesse....

In the past few days, we have entered a new era - one in which we lie awake in bed and formulate our game plan on how we are going to gain back control! The past couple of mornings, right out of the blue, who should stroll into our room with a "Hi, Dada! Hi, Mama!" but wee little Jesse Micah who has learned how to crawl out of his crib. Yesterday he walked in at 5:55. Fabulous.

And yesterday morning, we walked into the kitchen and discovered that he had dragged a chair over to our kitchen rack, climbed onto the top of that, and was standing on his tippy toes to reach the bananas that are about as high as the refrigerator. As he saw us enter the room, he nonchalontly held one out to us and innocently offered: "Nana?" Oh my.

So. Plans are in motion to conquer these new habits. I'll let you know how they go!

Today was glorious. We found a fun little beach about forty minutes away - right near Fort Knox - and we spent the day there playing in the water, exploring, having a picnic lunch, and getting sunburned. We topped the day off with an ice cream on the way home, hence some wound boys, therefore a no nap day, which leads to much necessary wild running outside which is okay because we're cleaning out our vehicles, which will lead to a super early bedtime, which will be glorious for Mommy and Daddy.

Aaaaaah, Summer.

Little Boys' Paradise

Today was.

Well - except for the ATROCIOUS black flies that almost ate us alive.

We decided to go on another crazy family adventure and check out some place that Kev's friend told him about where there is potentially great fishing to be had and a super fun place to take our family. I have not a clue where we ended up, but it truly was an adventure!

We loaded the car with all the necessities: bug dope, camel back for our water, wellies, fishing poles, spare clothes for kidlets, fire wood, hotdogs, and buckets and nets for potential treasures.

And then we drove. And then we got lost. And then we ended up on some dirt road in the middle of nowhere for a few miles. Then we parked and hiked about a half mile UP a trail through the woods - backpacking Jesse and our stuff - trying to avoid patch upon patch of poison ivy...all the while getting somewhat eaten alive, but not too bad.

And THEN - out of nowhere - we ended up at this gorgeous pond with firepit already built and a little peice of Heaven on Earth where we kicked it for the day! The boys got thoroughly drenched while exploring and playing in the water. We fed them a horrific lunch of hotdogs, chips, and M&M's. And we found a treasure trove of little boy wonders!!!

* Tons of minnows - almost all of which Jesse killed by continuing to hold them.
* Several frogs.
* Two leeches - which Jesse tried to kiss - which I quickly put the kibosh to.
* TONS of minnow eggs - Oh! This was so exciting for me!!!
* And the kicker - a snake that was eating a frog when I picked it up! How COOL is that?!!!! He dropped the frog as soon as I grabbed him, and Kaden was a little distressed that the frog might be dead but equally excited at the possibility of a new snakey pet. I assured him that the snake was perfectly happy living in the pond. There was momentary sadness but no convincing the Mama, so we quickly moved on.

Aaaaaand no fishies for the Daddy. Aaaahhh - fishing's just not quite what it used to be pre-kidlets.......but waaaay more eventful!

A truly, glorious day indeed!

These Past Few Days......

It's been a wonderful week-end and great start to a new week. Finally, the sun is starting to peek through the clouds, and that always makes all of us happy!

On Saturday, we had a nice lazy family day where we all piled into the car and headed south. Somewhat of an agenda, but no real hurry. We stopped and explored an old, dirt road. We watched four turtles sunning themselves on a log in someone's pond. We stopped at a flea market and I refrained from buying a wooden box even though Kev said that I could - and I loved it. Willpower baby. We had a yummy lunch, and we stopped at the ocean and looked for starfish. After we came home - tired and happy - a family nap was in order. And then in the evening I was lavished with sweet cards, snuggles and kisses, and Mama's favorite candy. One couldn't have asked for nicer gifts.

We've been dreaming about land and a place of our own. God is reminding us to be content and to be still. Our boys are content if they see contentment in us. Outside play takes more effort and more imagination - often a drive - but it's not impossible.

We interviewed with U.S. Center for World Missions this afternoon, and Kev travels to Pasedena, California in June for further training. God continues to affirm what we are doing and continues to challenge us to trust Him with our all. He is good.

I saw my girls this morning. The kids got outside play and much worm digging took place. A chicken is cooking, the boys are napping, the house is as clean as I care for it to be. Daddy doesn't need to make phone calls tonight. A walk is in order. Salamanders to be found. Boys to be snuggled. Beds to be tucked into. Snuggles with my man. And sleep, blessed sleep, for this chubby Mama.

A good day.

Crossing Over

Well.....

This weekend we did the unthinkable. The thing that I said (actually, we both said) that we would never do. We crossed over into the realm of what I always said was totally uncool, and because I planned to be cool forever - this would just never do!

Well, you know - things happen.

You grow a child. Then another comes along. Then, well Heaven's to Betsy, another's on the way. And before you know it........


Not sure why the picture copied so small, but you get the picture. Yep. We crossed over into the realm of "minivan-dum." We're growing, the price was right, and man alive, we are the biggest pack-rat-inest family that I know. We practically live in our vehicle, so this was the next logical step.

Anyone want a supercool Saturn Vue? It just doesn't suit us anymore!

.......But we're still cool.

On Parenting - "The Ultimate Adventure".....

Leslie Fields, mother of six and author of Parenting Is Your Highest Calling: And Eight Other Myths That Trap Us in Worry and Guilt (WaterBrook, 2008) has written a deeply thoughtful, provocative theology of parenting....

See what ya'll think of this. The quotes I posted yesterday are from this same book.


“Even in my weakness, I am living out before my children the most essential truth of our lives: all of us are in severe need of this glorious and merciful Savior.”

How does a weary parent, trying hard and failing often, clearly and practically manifest that truth – that we all desperately need a Savior -- to her children?

I think we can stop pretending that we’re perfect, or even that we’re trying to be perfect in front of our children. That leaves so little room for God.

What I want most for my children is that they would be dependent upon God. I can’t make them God-dependent, but I can live out my own dependence on God. I can do this by letting my kids see my fatigue at times, my mistakes, my limitations, even my tears---and my fears! Let them see some of that, as is age appropriate.

I remember one time when my husband had been gone for 2 weeks. I was exhausted. My five sons were fighting and tearing the house apart. They wouldn’t listen to me, and I just lost it. I just broke down and cried in front of them. They stopped, stunned. Suddenly they had a very visual display of the impact of their behavior! They quit. They apologized and things settled down.

Now, I didn’t plan that. In fact, I plan for the opposite—that I’ll always be in control, I’ll always have the right answer and response . . . but if you’re superwoman all the time, they’ll not see your need of God. Don’t be afraid to just be human! Let them see you pray when you’re afraid, when you fail. Let them see your sadness at your own sin. Let them hear of your own struggles to live righteously.

We can’t bring our children to faith ourselves---this is God’s work. But we can show them what it looks like to live as a servant of God.

The truths of God’s word have brought so much freedom to my parenting life! I’m freed from the tyranny of unrealistic expectations of parenting----that we’re going to have happy happy homes, happy happy children, we’re going to be happy and fulfilled all the time! God never promised any of that.

Now, I know that our children come to us not to make us happy, but for the much greater purpose of serving God. No matter who they end up being, no matter their choices, they are here for God’s great purposes. I’m freed as well from thinking that my children will become who I make them. That’s not only an impossible burden to carry, but it’s simply unbiblical.

My whole view of parenting has shifted, from how I feel about parenting, to what is real and true about parenting. Knowing these fuller truths doesn’t magically erase all the guilt and worry, but much of it has faded. I’ve learned to lean far more on God than myself.

It’s time to get honest about parenting. Its amazing work, and it’s very hard. But I think we’re making harder than it needs to be. We’re carrying around a lot of myths that are making this role nearly impossible. You CAN be the parent you want to be. Not by DOING more---our parenting to-do lists are long enough. Not even by BEING more---but by believing more!!

Believing that your children are gifts and blessings. That they were given to you to teach you how to love, to enlarge your heart. They’re NOT given to make us happy and fulfilled all the time. And they were NOT given to make you always feel guilty.

Ultimately, our children are for much more than us. They’re here for greater purposes than fulfilling our dreams and our needs. They’re here for God’s purposes. Every one of our children is on her own spiritual journey with God. And, amazingly, we get to be a part of it! The weight of guilt and failure is gone-----the adventure returns!


IT's good. Goooooood.

Life

I had my second appointment with my new midwife yesterday. It was long, and the whole little family came. The boys were busy but good for us. It took most of the morning with going over old records, getting blood work done, checking the stats of me and the babe. She says we've got a live one in there - she could barely follow him/her in order to check their heartbeat. Kev and I looked at each other - oh no - another one! :0) It's all good! Hard to believe I'm in my fifth month - almost halfway there now. It still doesn't seem completely real to me, and there are days when I think that I've already reached my maximum capacity, so what in the world am I thinking in bringing another little life into this world?

But I am quieted and I am stilled. It's not about me - and it's not about my capacity and capabilities. It's all about Christ and His sole sufficiency!

While the boys were playing quietly this morning I read in the Psalms about acquiring wisdom and with wisdom seeking to acquire understanding as well. I'm to take hold of it and guard it - "for it is my LIFE!" Wisdom and understanding need to be at the heart of all that I do; and when I prize these two things the results will be "grace" and "beauty." (Psalm 4) Who doesn't want a Mommy who is gracious with her speech and life and who is full of beauty on the inside? This is my prayer.

This blessed me today:

"We have to accept the reality that there is much uncertainty in parenting. Parenting is very much a walk by faith rather than by sight. God has planned it this way. Rather than relying on ourselves and our capabilities, we are constantly thrown upon the throne of God, feeling helpless and overwhelmed.

That is right where God wants us---at his feet. So the source of so much pain in parenting, sends us to source of the greatest solace---God himself.

Loving God with all our heart and soul and mind is our highest calling.

“If I pursue God first as my highest call and am satisfied in His love, then I am freed not to love my children less but to love them rightly.”

When I focus on loving God first, then it seems to set everything in a clearer perspective.

I can resist the constant temptation to see my children as extensions of myself, which gets me into a lot of trouble!

I can resist the temptation to find my identity, significance and purpose through my children instead of through Christ."

When I get this order right—loving God first—an amazing thing happens. I have so much more love—the right kind of love!-- to offer my children. I have less pride, more understanding and patience to offer".

Good, eh? I didn't write it, but Jesse's awake, and I'm too tired to link to this lady. More to come on her at another time......She's over on my right sidebar under "Good Stuff" - "A Holy Experience."

Feeling Naggy

I feel like I've been a drill-sargeant naggy mommy lately, and I hate it. Not even sure why; I've just been a crab. Came across this post during naps today and was encouraged. Lord, give me healing words of love and encouragement. Help me to seek out and remark on the good things and overlook the little irritants.


Mother Love is Hard to Explain
By Daring Young Mom on Wednesday, April 22,

Last night I found myself trying to explain to a 15-year-old girl, who has “issues” with her own mother and doesn’t plan on ever having kids of her own, how I feel about my own kids. I’m not sure how the conversation got to this place. I’m sure she didn’t ask me, “Hey Kathryn, please pour out your heart’s deepest feelings to me about motherhood.” I just wanted to tell her. I started talking and it all came spilling out.

When I’m blogging or even talking about my kids, I often share their funny quirks or the difficulties and challenges that make motherhood a struggle. It’s fun to whine about the hardships and to share never-a-dull-moment anecdotes.

The real sweetness of being a mom sort of gets stuck in my guts sometimes. It comes out at night when I’m watching them sleep or in those moments when I stare at them in wonder and think, “How was I so blessed to have a hand in creating you, in growing you cell by cell and now experience by experience?”

I told my teen friend that the love I have for them is strange and hard to explain in words. For a while they were literally a part of my body like baby “Kip” is right now, inside me, tearing things up and sharing my blood, food and the air I breathe. Then suddenly these people came spilling out and *snip* their body was their own. They still need me in many ways but every minute they get a little more independent, a little more sure that there is a world beyond my reach, a world they will discover and I will never truly understand.

I love watching them grow but there’s a part of me that sneaks into their rooms each night and just wants to smoosh them and cuddle them so tightly that they somehow meld back into me and never go off to school or karate lessons again. And they have no idea how I feel. They won’t until they have kids of their own.
They have a blend of Dan’s face and mine. Because we made them. When they say or do something that one of us would say or do, it just furthers my sense of claim on them. They are mine. Isn’t it obvious? There’s something so primal and possessive about my motherly feelings. They stem from the deepest places and they show themselves in the quiet times, the times I have a chance to breathe and stop doing motherhood and just enjoy feeling and being it.

It’s the day-to-day fights over whether pants and shoes need to be worn in public places, whether we should wipe stray paint on our new school clothes or if throwing rocks at the walls in the living room is a good game that these feelings get buried and my inner nanny/drill sergeant takes over. Those are the fun stories to tell my friends, who sympathize with me and share war stories of their own.

I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve talked with my mom friends about the other feelings that are brewing, the love feelings that don’t really have a name. Maybe they’re too close, too personal to share casually over a hotdog at the mall. Maybe we don’t know how to talk about them. Maybe we can sense the same feelings in each other and we don’t need to put them into words. It’s enough to know they’re there.....


But my kids need to see this too! They need to see these feelings and this love for them lived out in front of them way more than they need to hear the nagging. Show me Father. Give me Your grace - Your love....

A Pet Update!

There has been quite the turnover of pets in the Booker household as of late! Lucky for us, our boys handle death and the setting free of things quite nicely. Otherwise, there'd be plenty a tear around here!

So, let's see.....

First we had the bait fish....."Fishy." He lasted for a couple of months. Not too bad for someone who knows nothing about fish and for a fishy who was destined to have a hook in his back but for lack of an extra bait trap he was pardoned. Anyhoo, he got the "Ick" so I'm told - which is brought about by stress, I guess. Well, when we changed Mr. Fishy's water a few days prior, Jesse caught the poor thing in his bare hands and gave it a squeeze or two. That was probably pretty stressful! So, after a proper fishy funeral we gave him a flush when he went belly up. And that was the end of Mr. Fishy.

We also had two froggies: "George" and "Georgia." Well, methinks George was the Alpha Frog and wouldn't let poor Georgia get any of the crickets that we put in the cage. Hence, poor Georgia keeled over while George stayed as wild as ever.

Here is when a "deal" came into the mix. We sent poor Georgia to her watery grave out in our backyard and gave George his freedom along with her. In exchange, we went to the pet store and came home with two Comet Goldfish. Their names: "Comet" and "Goldy." Classic.

On our way up to the County this week-end, we also caught four red bellied salamanders and tons of worms. We let the boys love on them for about four days, and once they got a little lethargic, we convinced kidlets to let them free in Grampy's backyard "to catch when we come up to visit again!" Smart, eh?

And today, Daddy and Kaden went on a day long fishing trip and came back with three little salamanders: two red backs and one pure red salamander that might be a newt. Not sure on that one. Kaden also brought home some sort of beetle for Sir Jester....but he might be dead already. Those pudgy fingers are none too gentle.

Oh, and we also have about a dozen crickets waiting to be lunch for any new frogs that we may find on our walks this week.

Good times. Good times.

**Update: As of this morning - Tuesday, April 28 - we are down one salamander. He's loose in the house. New rules have been established. No more carrying around our pets. Joy.

A Week-end in the County.....

.....and why it soothes my soul. Oooh, let me just count the ways!!!

:: A 2 hour drive north while kidlets sleep, coffee in hand, with nothing to look at but trees.
:: A pee pit stop at the Mt. Katahdin overlook...running up into the woods with Kaden and finding 4 salamanders and huge worms to entertain the boys for the rest of the trip.
:: Sleeping in every morning until 8:30 or 9:00 while the grandparents play with the kids.
:: LIVING outside in our wellies and getting sunburned and filthy.
:: Wading in the stream out back and floating wooden boats down it.
:: Four-wheeling for hours and stopping to fish at the river.
:: Bonfires and hotdog roasts.
:: Antiquing with Mom while the boys watch the kidlets.
:: Visiting with family in that slow, easy way.
:: People popping in for coffee, because that's just what you do!
:: Petting freshly hatched baby chicks.
:: Sitting outside in lawn chairs while listening to Hank Williams.
:: Remembering to just stop and truly savor life.

Ahhh, bliss!

I am In Love.....

And Sarah is my hero. No joke - I mean it. Although, I'm a little frustrated because your maternity pants rock, but they're all two inches too highwater for me!

As of today, I have solidified my choice of midwife practice and hospital for baby #3....and it turns out that all three kidlets will be born in different places with different people delivering them. That's okay, right?

Ever since we've moved home, I've been stressed out of my tree because I really really did not want to deliver this baby in the same hospital where I delivered Kaden. I know that this could be a completely different birth experience, and that no two deliveries would be alike, and I would have someone different deliver this baby, and I could maybe even possibly have a fantastic experience there etc. etc.

But, to be honest, I don't even want to entertain the thought. Kaden's birth was just way too traumatic for me. I get nauseaus just driving by that hospital and am having a hard time getting past that, so I've been praying and searching for an alternative route.

WELL!!!!

Really long story short - thanks to some legwork by Sarah - and some mass amounts of praying on Kev's and my part, the Lord has led us both to a hospital and a midwife practice that I am very much in love with. The hospital is a half hour drive away - it was a 45 minute drive for Jesse - so this is no big deal. It's very small, which I like. Each room is decorated differently and made to be very cozy. Each room has it's own shower, and whether I use it or not, I want the option without having to walk down the hall. There is a tub where I can both labor and deliver in if I so choose. And what sold me - hands down - is the nurse saying multiple times "We are known for letting the women write their own birth stories."

They are also very family friendly. There are no visiting hours - family and friends can come whenever I so choose. The recovery rooms don't just have a chair for Kev to spend the night in with me - he'll get his own bed. AND - sometime during our stay, after the baby's birth, we will be given a special meal to share together to celebrate our "accomplishment!"

They know how to "sit on their hands" and wait, they don't do anything just for routine purposes - no automatic I.V.'s, no external belly monitoring for extended periods of time, they don't even offer epidurals, and they are known for being patient, for listening to the moms, and for willing to wait things out. All VERY important things for me.

And today, I met the owner and founder of the midwife practice down the road and she completely sold me on the deal. I took her my records from both boys and she said that she is perfectly comfortable having me as a patient, AND if the same thing were to repeat itself she would not rush to induce like what happened with Kaden. She said she would watch me closely, but she is a huge proponent of waiting and letting the body take care of things when it's ready. She is right across the board with us on SO many things - she is a proponent of all things natural and homeopathic, she knew of all of the crazy supplements and things I was taking for Jesse and she approves and will even write prescriptions for them, there was absolutely no pressure on different tests, shots, and procedures, and she was just so so awesome.

Like I said, I'm in love. I am just so happy and so relieved and so thankful. Even if the end of my pregnancy goes ka-put I feel very confident and secure in our decision of who will take care of us, and Kev feels the same. Thank you, Jesus!

Good Beginnings

Just want to write a little quicky on how I was awakened today.

The boys all clambered into bed with us and proceeded to have "boy club" talks on what we were going to do for an adventure today. Life has been spinning a little bit out of control lately, so we decided to take a break from it and go on an adventure. While they planned it and wrestled with Daddy - they know better than to do that with me first thing in the morning - I rolled back over tried to catch an extra couple of minutes.

Finally, they all snuck out to make some breakfast together, and I immediately fell back into a deep, deep slumber. And this is where it gets cute. I was awakened out of the deepest of sleeps by Kaden crawling up onto me and excitedly playing me "London Bridge" with his saxophone that he just taught himself, and by Jesse shoving a handful of pineapple pieces into my mouth and wiping his slimy little hands down my cheeks!

Now is that a way to wake up, or what? Music and breakfast in bed! It's like a five star resort around here!

Resurrection Rolls

This time of year it's always fun to do lots of Easter activities with the kids. Anything to help bring the lesson of Jesus' death and resurrection closer to home is good for me. And if it's tasty - well, that's just a bonus.

Try this easy sneezy recipe with your kidlets.

Resurrection Rolls Recipe
(each item represents how Jesus' body was prepared for burial)

Large Marshmallows
Melted Butter
Sugar/Cinnamon mixture
Can of Crescent Rolls

1. Open can of crescent rolls and separate into triangles. The rolls represent the linen wrapping used in covering the dead.

2. Dip and roll one marshmallow (representing Jesus' body) into melted butter The butter represents the oils used in anointing the dead body.

3. Roll the marshmallow in the sugar/cinnamon mixture. The mixture represents the spices used in burials.

4. Place the marshmallow in the center of the crescent triangle. Fold and pinch the edges tight. Put each crescent-wrapped marshmallow on a slightly greased cookie sheet.

5. Bake the rolls as directed on he package. The oven represents the tomb.

When cooked, the marshmallow melts leaving only the puffed crescent roll.

This demonstrates how Jesus rose from the dead. All that remained in the tomb were the linen wrappings.

These are surprisingly tasty. ENJOY!!!

Boyz.......

In the past few weeks, my boys really seem to be coming into their, shall we say, "boyhood" much more than they ever have before. A certain wildness has begun to characterize them like never before. Suddenly more than ever, certain "noises" strike them as uncontrollably hilarious, they find it hysterical to strip down to their undies and diaper and streak through the house at top speeds, and the newest development in the Booker household is that of the "Boys Club" where no girls are allowed.....except for Mama if they so choose to give me the secret password!

A couple of nights ago, the family activity of choice was for the THREE of my boys to set traps in the kid's bedroom and see if they could get me when I walked in "unknowingly." Most of the traps were silly, and I totally saw them coming. But the one that sent Kev bent over backwards in hysterics was pulling a rope to have their basketball hoop fall on Mama's head....ahem...in my "delicate condition".....I didn't quite see the hilarity in this one! OH the joy.

Me thinks maybe - just maybe - a wee girly might reset the balance a bit.....

HOWEVER - I MUST say that the perks of being in a household of all boys is quite lovely in many ways. Kaden told me just a couple of days ago that one of his most favorite things to do in the day is to get in bed and snuggle with me first thing in the morning. How precious is that? And Jesse is very much into showing me his brute strength lately by randomly ALL throughout the day coming and giving me "stong huks!" - (Strong Hugs!) Melt my heart. Life is good.

I can handle the wildness, I guess.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

For my boys and I at least.......

Tis the season for bugs and creepy crawlies! Whoo-hooo! We have been waiting, I tell you. And this day - as I type - we have not one, but FOUR treasures gracing my cupboard space. A strange sort of beetle that I have yet to discover the name. Her name is Georgia....but Kaden pulled one of her legs off by accident, and she kicked the bucket a couple of days ago. No tears shed though, for on our walk two days ago, we found a sweet little wooly bear caterpillar who now resides with dead Georgia.

And THEN!!! Last night on our way home from support raising, at around 9:00 at night with two very tired kidlets, Daddy joined in on the action and stopped the car in the middle of an old country road so that I could jump out and catch us two little froggies! Oh the excitement that abounded! We put them in an old coffee cup for the rest of the ride home and those frogs were nuts in there - they almost escaped through the hole twice. Once we got home to the lobby, one did escape and started hopping down the hallway! Friday night excitement, I tell you! So, now we have two little "WOGS!!!" as Jesse likes to scream at them: George and Georgia (in honor of Missy dead beetle).

Oh the joy! It's the first thing on their minds in the morning. While I was still in bed today, I heard them laughing hysterically because one got loose and was hopping all over the kitchen!

Now, we are watching and waiting for frogs' eggs and salamadars that will soon join our fun little stash of counter decor. And shortly after that there will be crayfish and more caterpillars to turn to moths and worms and bugs and - oh - maybe a baby kitten thrown in there too! Who knows!

I did say that we were embracing the chaos!

Come on over and meet the new family!

* * * * * *

(Man - if it's a girl, she'd better not be woosy........)

A Booker Kind of a Week-End

It's been a busy few days, so this week-end was a welcome respite.

I left my mostest fave down vest and car keys at the Bar Harbor Inn where I stayed when I went scrapbooking, so on Friday, we had a really great excuse to head to the ocean again. We lounged around the house all morning and then loaded into the car around the time I hoped Jesse would konk out for a snooze. We found a new, cheap, and super cool coffee shop in Ellsworth where we split some soup and bagels for lunch - delish - and then we headed onward.

It was such a gorgeous day at the ocean - really the first that we've had since we've been home. (The week-end that I went scrapbooking was beautiful, too, but I was too focused on my work to enjoy the weather). So, we just spent the whole rest of the afternoon walking along the trails and the shoreline collecting shells, throwing rocks into the water, searching for treasures, rolling down grassy hills, and just going along at the boy's pace.

It was lovely. I love this time of year where when we play outside I'm constantly reminded to slow down and to look at the world through their eyes. Jesse wants to collect every stick. Kaden wants to turn over every rock in hopes of a worm or a bug or a salamander, and there is just absolutely no rush whatsoever.

I love that.

We spent an awesome evening with friends on Saturday night enjoying delish food, guitar playing by the guys, and a little Wall-E with the kidlets. Good times.

And today is supposed to be the Mommy's Monday that I host each week. But, just about every Mommy was away for the week-end and feeling the need to be nesting in their own homes this morning. So, we are all cozied up inside our little abode right now, too. It's 11:00 and we're ALL still in our p.j.'s...well, actually the kids are running around like hoodlums in their undies. Daddy made eggs and homefries for breakfast. And we're just chillaxing.

Plans are being made for a nature walk and some grocery getting a bit later in the day....and it's aaaaallllll good.

Happy Monday!

news, News, NEWS!!!

Wait for it.

Wait for it.



Well, now! What in the world is this?????

We are pleased and proud to announce that we have another baby on the way!!!

How far along you ask? Well, he/she is about this big:



and is due right around October 11. My very first Fall baby. Hmmm. We shall see how we do through the winter months of feeling cagey with a baby - if they are anything like my other two - who screams all the blessed day long! I am praying for a happy one. Maybe I didn't pray hard enough for the other two! :0)

More to come later on our thoughts and ponderings, the boys' reactions - Jesse screamed "HI BABY!!!" at the sonogram machine during our visit. It was pretty cute! etc., etc. For now, we just wanted to share our news with the world.

Usually I wait a little longer - until about fifteen weeks or so. I'm only about eleven and a half now. But, Kev oh so graciously asked the other day: "Soooo. How long do you think you're going to be able to hide that paunch?!" Therefore, this time, we are sharing with the world a little early....I don't really have much choice! :0)

Suffice it to say - we are excited and happy. And we are psyching ourselves up to "embrace the chaos!" This is my new theme in life!

Tea for Twenty!

We had our very first Mother's Tea this morning, and for the first time of ever having done this sort of event, I think that it was a rousing success! Twenty Mommies were able to make it, there were no major glitches, and I think that overall the goal was accomplished of having them come and be refreshed and leave with a renewed sense of purpose that we are are doing as Moms is viewed in the Lord's eyes as something that is of utmost importance.



I know of at least ten who were not able to come because of child care - or lack thereof, at least three who had to work, and a few more who had sick kidlets at home, so I think with each time, this has potential to grow bigger and better.

I'm posting just a couple of pictures, but they really don't do justice to the cozy little atmosphere that we had with china teacups and saucers, candles, and individual teapots for each table. We had delish little finger foods, we played some silly games and gave away lots of fun prizes, and a sweet older Mama shared with us from her heart and had many of us in tears. So sweet.



We've learned a few things to make it better next time, we got some good ideas from the ladies of topics they would like to have covered in the future, and we're revving up for a summer event that will most likely take place on a Saturday so that hopefully there will be some Daddies out there who will be able to cover for a couple of hours so more Mommies can make it.

.....And next time the tea will stay hot. We promise.

A Young Mother's Tea

I'm not really sure who even reads this blog....or who checks out my facebook page. BUT - just in case there might be someone who hasn't heard of this fun little event taking place on Wednesday morning, this post is for you!

A friend and I are hosting a wee get together for any young mom in the area - or out of the area, for that matter. Any mother who has young children is welcome to attend. We want you to come and just take a break with us and enjoy sweet fellowship and fun food with other moms. You spend all day every day serving the ones that you love most. Now is your chance to come and be served by US!!

Normally, I am ALL about bringing your kids with you - it's easier, it's more cost effective, AND it's a fun chance for them to all play together anyway. But for this one event, we are asking that you find someone to care for your children for those two hours - and we promise (we pray!) that it will be worth it!

We have a really fun atmosphere donated to us for the occasion, we'll be serving coffee and tea out of beautiful teacups and saucers, we'll have tons of fun finger foods, random prizes given away, and a "seasoned veteran mom" will share some encouragement and truth with us that what we are doing is important!!!

Mothering matters. It is the highest of callings - and it is so easy to forget and be discouraged amidst the season of diapers and sibling fights and the mundane same old same old. The entire goal of this little get together will be for moms to leave with their tanks completely filled up - physically, emotionally, and most importantly spiritually. II Timothy talks about the older women teaching the younger women. Maybe older moms feel that they have nothing of importance to share. Maybe some of us come across acting like we have all of the answers. Either way, God tells us that we need each other, and we don't do it enough. I think this will be a pretty fun way to live out some practical Scripture.

So if you can come and bring a friend - it'll be awesome! If you can't come, please pray for us. Pray that women are blessed, that some unsaved Mommies come and are exposed to the Lord and to a whole new community of women, and that, above all, Christ is honored and lifted up during these two hours.

Here are the stats:

When: Wednesday, March 25 - as in TWO DAYS!
Where: The Light House Christian Cafe - 453 Wilson St., Brewer
(Attached to Vacationland Village Inn)
Time: 9:00-11:00

Scrap-a-dee-doo-dah!

Just got back from a glorious week-end of scrapbooking in beautiful Bar Harbor with lovely friends. I am a "task oriented people person," so this week-end was just perfect for my little personality. I was able to accomplish something that has been hanging over my head for months - getting caught up on my albums - while enjoying sweet fellowship with some wonderful women.

Part of me feels like I was gone forever, and the other part of me feels like it was just a blip and now I'm back home and ready to step back into life again. This little hiatus was just the thing that I needed, and now I feel completely refreshed and rejuvenated. It has been almost two years since I have been away from all of my boy loves. Crazy.

They are all sleeping right now....but I cannot WAIT for them to wake up!

THIS is why I love little getaways once in awhile. They make me realize afresh and anew how truly full my life is and just how much love I have waiting back home for me. I am refueled and refreshed and ready to pour back into them again. Awesome.

And the amount of pages accomplished? No journaling, mind you - just the pictures with the borders, stickers, titles etc - but STILL!!!

101!!! That's right.

Life

Wow....I'm really rotting at this whole posting thing lately.

Lots of little things happening lately. Mostly just life stuff. I'm finally starting to feel like I know what I'm doing at work. It's definitly not my LOVE sitting in an office by myself and working with numbers, paying bills etc. I actually find it quite funny that this is what I am getting paid to do, as I don't really have a sweet clue of the bills and money happenings in my own home! If Kev were to kick the bucket, I know where he keeps the file of "our life," but other than that - things wouldn't go south pretty fast!

Ah well. My work is only a few hours a week, it pays some bills, and I love the school. One couldn't ask for a nicer atmosphere to work in. This is the place where Kaden spent two days each week the first year of his life - in a little swing, exersaucer, or johnny jump up! The Lord knew that we needed to have Kaden first - Jesse would have lasted ten minutes in that tiny space before he would've freaked out, and I would've gotten fired! :0)

For our family day last week, we all went ice fishing on super slippery Green Lake. Jesse was not impressed at his lack of ability to stay standing, so I pushed him around on a sled. I took one nice digger that Daddy got a good picture of AND stuck my entire boot right through a hole in the ice, but other than that, we stayed relatively dry. We had hot chocolate and played around on the ice until naptime. One of our bait fish lived to see another day, so he is now our pet "until he dies," says Kaden. And his name.....wait for it...."Fishy." Of course.

We had a wonderful friend from Pennsylvania come and visit us for a long weekend this past week. He was sort of like a surrogate uncle to the kids while we lived out there. I fear Kaden may have sucked him dry, but he seemed to have a good time.

We took him to the coast, as he had never been there before - in 20 degree weather. It was FREEZING but beautiful. We fed the seagulls, and one POOPED on my head! That's a first! It felt like someone threw a rock at my skull! Both boys were quite the gentlemen as they proceeded to double over laughing hysterically before Kev would wipe it out of my hair for me! Good times! :0)

And now we are in the throes of support raising. It's been a slow start, but I do love getting together with people that we know and love and just hanging with each other for a few hours, sharing food and our hearts with them. It's been really nice reconnecting and building our team. There's always some wonderful encouragement right when we need it!

I'm off to scrapbook for the weekend with some friends, and I CAN'T WAIT! It has been well over a year since I even touched a photo. I have grand plans for what I hope to accomplish - 1,400 pics give or take. We shall see. We shall see.

And today, we are just hanging home - two boys with colds and their Mommy. A slow, lazy day of making bread, reading Little House on the Prairie, watching an occasional show, and maybe some painting...maybe even a baby to snuggle if friends want to enter the germ house!

Happy Wednesday!

Been Awhile.....

I just realized that I have been off the radar for quite some time now. I seem to go through phases of posting daily and sometimes multiple times daily...to people wondering if I've died because of the length of time that goes between posting!

I haven't purposefully become a hermit. I think that's just how I get sometimes when my life feels a little bit out of control and when there is so much change going on that I don't quite know how to process it all. I am quite a creature of habit, and I love when my life has a somewhat predictable routine. I talk big about "bringing on the change," but when it actually happens, it throws me for a loop until I can find a rhythm again.

Needless to say, there's pretty much nothing about our lives right now that looks like it did a few weeks ago. Well - that's not true. Kev is still leading worship at our church, and things are going really well there. AND - a huge blessing to us is that our landlord has guaranteed us another year here with our rent staying the same if Kev helps out a few hours a week marketing the hotel. So, those things are steady and stable. Two huge things for which I am thankful.

Pretty much everything else though.......whew! The winds of change are upon us. And it's good - it's all very good. It's just a lot to wrap my brain around. Whenever our family goes through a season of change - which seems to happen a lot with us - I always find myself really thoughtful as we process through all of the new.

It is during these somewhat stressful times of change that the Lord reminds me afresh and anew of my great need for Him, of the necessity of making time, and of the need to be still amidst the crazyness to hear His still small voice calling me and wooing me back to Him. He knows my heart. He knows what needs to be done. He knows what I need, and he knows the needs of my family.

He promises me just what I need for today. The light He provides for my path is just enough to see ahead for the next couple of steps. That is enough.

"He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in his bosom, and He shall gently lead those that are with young." - Isaiah 40:11.

Making Time

Came across a poem yesterday that I love. So good for me.....this mother who struggles with always wanting to accomplish things, who has a hard time just sitting and "being;" yet, who so desperately doesn't want to have any regrets.

* * * * * * *

Time is of the Essence

Now is the time to get things done,
wade in the water,
sit in the sun,
squish my toes
in the mud by the door,
explore the world in a boy just four.

Now is the time to study books,
flowers,
snails,
how a cloud looks;
to ponder "up,"
where God sleeps at nights,
why mosquitoes take such big bites.

Later there'll be time
to sew and clean,
paint the hall
that soft new green,
to make new drapes,
refinish the floor -
Later on....when he's not just four.

* * * * * * *

So good......so good

Wonderland

We're snuggled up inside on another wintery day this Monday morning. It's usually the day when all my girls come over, but I'm thinking none of us will be braving the roads today.

It's been a very quiet, restful weekend for all of us over here. On Friday, we did absolutely nothing - and it was glorious. We all stayed in our pajamas all day, and we all took naps at naptime! That evening, we did go downstairs to the coffee shop to hear some friends play and sing....and after the boys went to sleep Kev and I did have a wee date with some Chinese - but it was a blissfully relaxing and sloooooow day.

On Saturday, we decided that we needed to go outside to get the stink blown off of us, so we went back to the Camden area to try another Mt. Battie trail! When we were there last weekend, one of the trails was completely plowed, so we took the stroller with us this time. Well, half of the trail was plowed, and half of it was super snowy, so we walked up as far as we had the gumption to do, and then Kev and Kaden hopped over to the other side of the trail and slid down while I tried to keep control of Jesse in the stroller while running down the mountain on the other side!

Yesterday, we had church in the morning as usual. During our first song, our saxophone player royally messed up his solo, and Kev and I could not hold it together on stage. The congregation was laughing too, so that was good, but - oh my word - I had problems keeping it together for the whole song. And to top things off - he was supposed to play a little ditty at the end of the song to finish it out, and he bombed that part, too! We literally had tears rolling down our faces as we were leaving the stage, and it took us a good five minutes back in the pew to pull things together. Good times! I haven't laughed that hard in awhile!

Church was cancelled last night because we thought the snow was coming in early, so we just vegged home as a family and we all watched part of a movie together with a fun little dessert. It was a very nice weekend before a very crazy week ahead. So, I am thankful for those three days.

But NOW - I haven't been around my friends for awhile, so I am CAGEY today! I need to pull myself together and find some things to keep all of us occupied while the storm rages around us. I'm going to look for some snowy, wintery books. We're maybe going to make a snowman cake, and if I feel really energetic we might do something that involves paint and messiness. We shall see! :0)

Happy winter wonderland!

Winter Daaaaaaaze.......

This winter has seemed very long to me.

I'm not sure if it's because I'm coming off of three MILD Pennsylvania "winters" or what, but man, I am tired of the snow and the cold and all of the bundling that goes with this. The process of it all is beginning to get to me.

I think I'm just feeling cagey and mundane and same ole same ole. Not sure.

I'm also not a huge fan of change, and there is a lot of that coming our way these days. All good things - all "God" things - and all also very stretching things for this lover of all things comfortable and safe. I tend to get into "panic mode" before I settle into the new norm of what our life is going to look like. I'm learning. I feel like I've walked this road enough times to have it down by now, but it always takes me a bit to process things through. And God is gracious.

Whenever new chapters come our way, lots of family revamping and rescheduling take place, lots of reorganizing of priorities, and lots of quiet reminders from the Lord to me that I need to be drawing ever closer to Him, ever seeking His face, and ever striving to become more like Him.

We are making a life change career wise, I'm going to be going back to my Christian School to work very part time starting this week, and we may possibly have to find a new place to live come spring. All pretty big things for me. All things that force me to rely on the Lord for my sufficiency and strength - and not myself. I am not called to be comfortable. I am called to be obedient. Life's a journey - and we try to view it as an adventure - laying it all out there with no regrets. I honestly do feel this way most of the time. Sometimes, I just think I forget! :0)

I am being reminded afresh and anew these days to hold things loosely with an open hand. "My soul waits in silence for God ONLY; from Him is my salvation. He ONLY is my rock and my salvation." ~ Psalm 62:1,2

Be still and know that He is God.
Be still and know that He is holy.
Be still oh restless soul of mine.
Bow before the Prince of Peace,
Let the noise and clamor cease.

Be still and know that He is God.
Be still and know that He is faithful.
Consider all that He has done.
Stand in awe and be amazed.
And know that He will never change.
Be still.

Be still and know that He is God.
Come rest your head upon His breast.
Listen to the rhythm of His unfailing heart of love.
Beating for His little ones.
Calling each of us to Come.

Be still.
Be speechless.