Waiting

This weekend we finally got around to taking some pictures of "the belly", stretch marks and all! You can see The Belly (full of Peregrine) and The Belly (Alethea) by following the links. I don't know if I'm a lot bigger this time around, but I feel enormous! (Granted, these pictures were taken a few weeks later in the pregnancy.) 

Please join us in praying for a strong and healthy baby, an uncomplicated delivery, and that it will happen soon. I'd also appreciate prayers for my peace of mind as I wait. I've been struggling with fear that everything will be okay, and I want this time to be one of joy, not of fear, as we anticipate the birth of our son. Many of you have prayed for us through the ups and downs of the last few years, and we're so thankful. Please keep it up! 

The Nutrition Corner

We eat fairly healthy food around here, and here are a few recent conversations that have made me laugh:

My sister had both of the kids the other day and I don't recall exactly what happened, but Peregrine was warning Poppy of the dangers of some action. In typical five year old boy fashion, it wasn't simply "you could get hurt" but something along the lines of "and you would get squished, and all of your bones would be crushed and broken". Poppy, being a nutrition savvy girl of almost three replied promptly "then I would need lots of calcium!" 

There has been a bag of small packages of Gummi Savers in our pantry for oh, about five months now. Yesterday I handed one to each of the kids for a special treat, and not getting to eat a lot of candy, they were thrilled. Peregrine asked me the funniest questions about them, such as "Are these bagel shaped things healthy for us?" I loved that he had no context in which to place them, that he doesn't know what LifeSavers are, and that the closest connection he could make was bagels! 

In Which a Girl Turns Three (Sort of)

On Saturday we celebrated the birth and first three years of our sweet girl's life. Even though her real birthday isn't until the 30th we wanted to have her party early so it didn't get pushed aside by the birth of the new baby. It was a special time, and we're so thankful for our little girl, who is getting bigger all the time. Happy Birthday Alethea! 

Time for presents!

Whenever I asked her what kind of cake she wanted the answer was simply "pink'! 

I love this picture of her that Erik took.

A rare picture of all of us together.

Happily pushing her babies around in her new stroller! 

(The last two pictures were taken my Erik's mom- thanks Michele!)

A Long Ago Birthday

With Alethea's birthday just ahead, and another Birth coming soon, I thought it was high time I post pictures from Peregrine's fifth birthday, which was only a couple of months ago. I still need to write his birthday letter too. Soon. I hope. Each year we have had a costume party for Peregrine, and it's always great fun to see what everyone comes as. This year Peregrine came as a knight. 

A brave knight ready to ride out into battle...

....with a lovely, and almost-as-brave, lady at his side.

The knight and lady being presented with their horses.

Stay tuned for pictures of the upcoming "pink" birthday party. Even though Alethea's birthday isn't until the end of the month we are celebrating it tomorrow, as the baby is due just two days before her special day. And, of course, there will be lots of pictures from that day to look forward to as well!

Hope you all have a great weekend! 

The Martha in Me

The last several months of our lives have been busy. In November we had Peregrine's birthday, then went to Mexico for a couple of weeks. December was full of preparations and celebrations. I really thought things were going to settle down after that and I'd have a nice three months of quietness, hanging out with the kids, and getting ready for the birth of our baby. But January came and we all had the flu, then Poppy battled a stomach bug that left her weak and thin and whiny. And then there was February; I'm not really sure where it went, but I know I put a lot of time into stocking the freezer and just keeping up with real life. (Or trying to anyways!) I also got a lot of handwork projects done, made a Waldorf doll and a dress for Poppy's birthday, worked on our baby's quilt and one for my sister Gloria's baby. Now I'm feeling the crunch of time as my due date is only a couple of weeks away. There are baby clothes, diapers and bedding to be washed, things to be purchased, car seats and cribs to get out and get ready. 

I know the busyness isn't going away anytime soon, and I've thought often these past months of the story in the Bible of Mary and Martha. Far too often I've been like Martha, scurrying around "distracted with much serving" (or sewing or cooking or planning). In light of Jesus' words "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." In another place He tells us that whatever we do for the least of these, His brethren, we do unto Him. I find it difficult to balance being with my "little ones" (I mean really  being with them, paying attention to them, not just letting them roam the house) and getting my "stuff" done. Too often I, like Martha, am distracted and as a result they are getting into things they shouldn't or being unkind to one another. They I get frustrated with them, partly because of their behavior and partly because they've interrupted whatever I'm doing.  I like what the commentary in one of our Bibles says on the verses about Martha and Mary. "Martha was distracted and troubled about many things in providing hospitality for Jesus. But the one thing needed was for her to listen to Christ, to hear His words- a priority which certainly does not exclude serving Him." How difficult I find it to keep this balance, to get "stuff" done but to keep my priorities in order! 

I know that it's my job as Mama to keep my little ones constructively occupied, and to be continually loving, nurturing, and correcting them as needed. Both Erik and I have felt impressed to reread Raising Godly Tomatoes and to apply her principle of Tomato Staking our children. (Tomato Staking is basically keeping your little ones close at hand virtually all the time so that you can love, nurture, and correct, keeping them involved in what you're doing or otherwise occupied, and staying on top of attitudes and actions as they arise.)  I've been especially impressed, and convicted, with her admonition to always consider the training of, and relationship with, our children as our top priority. For me this means that no matter what I'm doing, if something happens that needs to be dealt with, I need to stop what I'm doing and deal with it immediately. Too often I've thought "oh, it's not that important" or "I really want to finish up what I'm working on" or "I'm just too tired to get off this couch and go deal with that." These are all sad excuses to neglect the training of my children, and I'm afraid I've used them all too many times. 

This is a big struggle for me, and this morning I remembered Jesus' words "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." I need to learn to choose what is needed, what is better. While my projects may be worthwhile- surely my family needs dinner- nothing should take the place of a loving and attentive relationship with Peregrine and Alethea. I need to learn to keep them close to me, to involve them in what I'm doing and to get involved in the things that interest them. I need to know when to stop what I'm doing and get down on the floor to play, to tickle, to cuddle, or when to sit down, draw them close, and read a book together. I need wisdom to discern what is needful at the moment, to lay down my plans, to set down my projects, and just to be with my children. 

Please pray for me, as I seek to love and serve Christ, to sit at His feet and learn from Him by loving and serving my family. Pray that I will choose the better thing, that I will do the one thing that is needed and not get stressed out about all the other things, some of which will have to be left undone. Pray that I will not make excuses, that I will not neglect to disciple my precious little ones for less important things. Pray that I will have strength and resolve to get up off the couch when my body just feels too weary. Pray that I will put relationships first and have the grace to let other things go when necessary.

Thank you for your prayers. And if you too struggle with this, please let me know. I'd be happy to pray for you!