Christmas

So, we told the Christmas story this year with magnets...it went well, I think. Both kids were interested and they wanted to "help". I packed up the magnets in a bag and stored them with our Christmas stuff - so, we'll see if we can keep using them for several years to come. (I used a pizza pan for my "display")

Silas' Party

Okay - so, I've always dreaded having a child with a birthday so close to Christmas. My worst fear became reality when one by one I learned that all invited were unable to attend. I was disheartened because I wanted his party to be just as special as Nora's -or any other first birthday party. I went ahead and planned to make the cake and have him open a gift or two with just our little family. On Friday when I picked the kids up from the sitter's house I found out that although she was unable to attend, her kids were really wanting to come to the party and were bummed that it wasn't happening. I was surprised and told them I'd let them know when they could come over for cake. So, at 2pm the Bailes girls arrived with their dad! We had cake, chex mix, and little sausages. And, Silas had a birthday celebration like no other. I didn't sing "Happy Birthday" and I have no idea what the words meant that were sung to him - it was all in Spanish! He loved the song, and clapped when they were done. He laughed and giggled, got excited about the cake, and when it was over I was happy that they day had been a unique way (although nothing like I envisioned) to celebrate. He is loved, and that's what I hope he always remembers. Next year though, we will be celebrating is 1 3/4 birthday in September. Everyone, mark your calendars.



The truck cake

truck crayons that Andy, Nora & I made

A reminder that Christmas is right around the corner

Enjoying his cake :)


Loving the packages

"Riding" in the trucks we made...

A Christmas Gathering

Andy was one of a few invited to a business Christmas Open House for work. We opted to go and left the kids with great friends/sitters. It was fun - the quiche was my favorite, I think :)

Gingerbread house?

No! Bob and Larry's house, she says :)

The Life of A Turkey Cookie

Lots of Fall today

First, we wanted to get out of the house and do something fun - so, we opted for Mayes Farms just up the road. Great thing about it, both of the kids are still young enough to be free. We didn't buy a pumpkin because Nora was less interested in the pumpkins and more interested in the tractor. She wanted to drive it...



Then, we got a call from Julie asking us if we wanted to come to her Harvest party she was having for the little kids - Andy's plans got canceled, so we did it! It was really fun for Nora, and Silas liked the beginning but then got tired (this was in fact because he refused to nap at all during the day.) Either way, both kids rode the horse and here are a couple of video clips for your viewing pleasure.

Silas: 9 Months

Getting so big...both of them.

Growing

So, last weekend Andy and I agreed that we really needed to look for Nora some new shoes. We had some nice ones that were pretty much new, bigger size, etc. that we were given for her and she was wearing them. But it was taking me forever to get her foot in the shoe every time I tried.
When we went to the shoe store, Silas had fallen asleep - like his real nap sleep - so, I ran inside to see if they even had shoes that would work. They did. I grabbed Nora *leaving Andy and Silas in the car* and ran to try on the shoes. They didn't work very well either. So, I finally asked the lady to measure Nora's foot. A 7-71/2. What?!? I'd been trying to cram her foot into a 6 -and that was the bigger size. No wonder she'd been saying her feet hurt.
Well, thankfully we found some shoes that fit, and she is a lot happier about putting her shoes on now. I guess it really helps if they are the right size, huh?
*note, the smaller one in the picture is one that I'd been trying to stuff her foot in, but it's not the great, beautiful, nearly new shoe I was sad to learn she'd grown out of... that one was beautiful and blue

Are We A Real Family Now?

Monday was Labor Day. We considered for a LONG time whether or not to meet the family at Uncle Paul's house. I had a class to attend that night at 6:30PM and it's at least a 3 hr drive there...and then 3 hours back. We decided that it wasn't worth it. But, what to do? We decided to go to the zoo. And, while standing in the line, the math indicated that for the price we could purchase the family membership and save some money if we go back. So, now we're members of the Mesker Park Zoo and Botanical Garden. Nora loved it, and I think Silas enjoyed it, too. Monday was a great day to go - the temp was in the 60's (after several days around 100 degrees). It was cloudy but not raining. The animals were out and the peacock seemed to like my kids :)

Hopefully this was a good investment. I think it will give us something to do (now, without cost) when we're not sure what else to do. The zoo is very close to our house and a good way to keep the kids happy and un-bored. Plus, they claim they are opened 365 days a year...I think Santa is visiting the zoo in a couple of months.

Bearing My Heart

A bit overwhelmed - that's what I'm truly feeling. I can't remember exactly what happened, but I know that I wanted to have a melt down - just a little cry - but, I didn't mostly because I didn't have time. Here are the things that are currently consuming my mind:

-preparing the house for sale status
-completing a correspondence course (Methods of Bible Study) to meet the mission board requirements
-reading and preparing for the test for my childbirth education certification
-preparing for Kingdom Come Training - which is another class
-being an involved and active mom
-keeping up with exercise at the YMCA
-full-time job
-creating lists of churches to contact
-finalizing our graphics to print for presentations
-organizing my left-over time
-trying to keep up with personal devotions
-maintain the house (dishes, laundry, etc)
-pump enough for Silas
-sleep about 5-6 hrs/night

I feel so disappointed when I head to bed realizing that I survived another day - accomplishing only what was required but not feeling like I really got anything done. In the end, I guess I can take heart in the fact that I loved my kids and husband and did my best to follow God's heart today. One day at a time.

Bible Study - Kids Only

Nora and Silas love each other and they love to do things together. The other day we tried to grab the camera to have record of their "bible study". Nora had her Bible book and had summoned Silas under the table where she began explaining the Bible stories to him. Moments like this makes you pray in your heart that God continues to soften them to His message and hope that little seeds are planted and begin to take root.

Love them.

Six Years!

We really weren't sure how to celebrate, but we knew we were tired of going. And, we knew the kids were tired too. So, whole wheat pancakes with peaches for a late breakfast. We were able to find some friends that would watch the kids a couple of hours (3 hours, really). Andy and I knew that there was a bluegrass and bbq thing happening at Angel Mounds - a park I'd never been to in Newburgh, IN. So, we ate some bbq and listened to some bluegrass...loved the shade and great weather! We only stayed a little over an hour. We then ate frozen yogurt at a great place that I love...raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, chocolate fudge!!! Yummy. Loved my time with the husband, and I'm so blessed that he's mine :)

p.s. we wrote our anniversary letter today and it will be mailed soon with a picture.

My Heart is Full

We went Tuesday to Riley for Nora to have her kidney test done. The outcome of the test determined whether surgery would be necessary. Andy and I have been praying about this for almost exactly 2 years. Unfortunately, the doctor was sick the day of the test and immediate results could not be given - or so they said. I spoke with the nurse before we left trying to see if they would tell me either when we might hear from the doctor or if there were any unofficial results. As we left the nurse asked if I knew what grade Nora's reflux was. I told her it was Grade 4 - severe and showed slight improvement last year. The nurse whispered, "there was none" and then stated more loudly, "no reason to worry, really. Keep taking the medication until you hear from the doctor." I was well aware that these are preliminary results - the intense reading of the radiological report was yet to be done - but this initial information was overwhelmingly wonderful. I grabbed our stuff and the kids and Andy and I walked out. When we got a little ways down the hall I told Andy "the nurse said it looks like it's gone - completely". Andy hugged Nora (he was carrying her at the time) as we walked out of the hospital. When we finally got everyone buckled into their carseats I finally broke down. Tears of relief and joy that God had chosen to answer our prayer in this way - mixed, of course, with continual prayer that the final results would show the same.
Friday -after an awesome night at VBX- Andy got the call from the doctor. Not just better, but completely gone. Ultrasound in 6 months to make sure. There was a questionable picture that they are convinced was nothing and it was when her bladder was completely empty. My heart is full of joy and I keep praising God for all these amazing blessings He has given this week. Nora was really confused about the process and the test was rough on her. She's recovered now, I think. I can't wait until she's older so I can tell her how God answered our prayers concerning her.

VBX-Treme

We made this great display for VBS and tried to involve the kids in our mission-mindedness as much as we could...

The kids were great although the crowd wasn't what it had been in the past. God blessed the offerings of the kids and adults and Thursday night we were presented with the amount of $2,251.62!!! Praise God, what a wonderful start to our pre-field ministry.

Appointed!!!

After an intense morning - we stood before the board, presented our testimonies, answered questions, and then stepped outside to wait for them to make their decision. We were elated when Dan Branda (Director of ABWE Mobilization) hugged and congratulated us as officially part of the ABWE family. We are now prefielders. Our recognition service was web casted and we heard from some family and friends that were able to watch. Thanks so much for all the encouragement.

One (small) fun moment was when Pastor John and Betty took us for a 10 minute free riding tour of the Hershey factory. They gave us yummy samples at the end. I have to admit that I'm happy ABWE is close enough to Hershey, PA that I might get to visit again.

Kidless for 11 days

So, Andy and I are taking our next step in pursuing mission work in West Africa. We just finished the first day of Candidate Seminar and have enjoyed it, I think. (Currently, I'm sitting on the bed typing this while Andy is snoring - and it's only 7:30PM - it was a long day yesterday.)

I got ready for bed last night and then hooked myself up to the breast pump. The pumping is my only real reminder (besides just memories of course) that I have kids. We realized that except for a short night in Louisville last August (while I was pregnant with Silas and Nora was being taking to ER in Anderson) we haven't been off work and alone together in 2 years. Woah. It was such a weird, good, giddy feeling to be alone together. I feel good that I can keep pumping because it helps me feel like I'm still somehow taking care of my kids even though I'm far away. I kind of miss them, but not too bad yet. And, they're in good hands having a blast with the grandparents.

It's going to be a long 11 days since we're going to be filled with lots of pre-field information, interviews, and finally a presentation to the ABWE Mission Board for final approval - but, I'm loving my Andy time. And, I'm loving my time befriending the other candidates.

I'm not sure what my life story will look like when in 10 years I look back to see what's happened, but I do know that God is a great master at weaving our lives together to complete His plan. I'm pumped, totally excited, and maybe a tiny bit afraid of what's to come. I'm ready to do something radical for the Kingdom, but I'm also praying to be used right here and now where I am.

Recent Food

I am so tired. And busy, it seems. I find that my best creative outlet recently is through cooking and food. My two most recent things include stuff at Nora's party *unfortunately, we remembered everything but the camera, so no pictures until the parents send some* and a little dessert I made for Andy. I'm not sure what it should be called. It's a banana wrapped in a tortilla with sugar and brown cinnamon and baked for a few minutes. Of course, I then added some hot fudge and a small bit of ice cream. The cupcakes were a recipe from a friend and all was "made from scratch" - cupcakes and frosting both. They were good. I didn't do everything I should have to make them great, but they were better than any box mix.

Journal?

So, I feel compelled to have pictures when I blog - thus, blogging doesn't happen as often as I would like. So, this post is pictureless. Additionally, I think I will begin journaling again - hopefully daily. I want to start daily journals because it's therapeutic for me, fun to read later, and mostly because it'll be better to keep track of what my kids are up to. I want to be so much better as so many things - one of which is scrapbooking the family and doing justice to the baby books. Either way - journaling is my new goal.

Oh, and I'm really busy. Here are the three big things I'm preparing/doing right now:
1. planning Nora's b-day party (somehow I invited so many people that we might have 50+ people show up...what was I thinking?)
2. preparing for candidate seminar. i need to pack, practice my testimony speech, and prepare my brain for the intensity of the weeks away from my kids and engrossed in learning about the mission field.
3. studying and completing the steps to become certified in childbirth education - and once that is done I may pursue doula and lactation certification.

I must really like to be busy - I'm not sure. But, I can say that I'm pretty excited about all three of these things. :)

Feeding, Fabric, and bit of consolation

Well, I decided to give Silas some solids a little sooner than I would have liked. I did it because I want him to be able to eat a few different things by the time we leave for PA next month. Yesterday he was sitting in my lap while I was eating and he kept grabbing for my peas - I decided just to let him eat them. He made an awful face but would still try it. (They had been frozen and we didn't have anything added to them.) I blended them up, and attempted to give them to him. He ate some, but not much. Nothing like Nora's first solid experience...but, then, it's peas. Poor kid. Who wants their first food to be peas? We tried a bit of avocado today. Again, not great, but maybe we'll try some other things later. And, he's not quite 6 months yet...so, maybe he just needs to grow into it. Nora ate the whole jar the first time we ever fed her. I think she's the exception, though.

I got a new sewing machine for Christmas and I didn't use it until a couple of weeks ago. I made a nursing cover which has been wonderful - and now, I'll be helping to teach a breastfeeding support group how to make them. I'm excited, but a little intimidated since I don't really know how to sew. To continue the sewing frenzy, I got some fabric and a zipper *eek!!! never tried a zipper before* to make another boppy cover. It turned out better than I thought. Kind of super excited about how well the new machine is working out for me.

And, finally...Nora loves Silas. And, sometimes it's hard to know how to make him "happy". One of her most recent attempts had him in the bouncy seat (crying) while Nora attempted to console him by piling her babies in with him. It didn't work, but at least he wasn't alone :)

Love our Kids

On Memorial Day we decided to take a trip to St. Louis to see some animals - Andy and I were trying to decide between the zoo and Grant's Farm. We decided on Grant's Farm, and I'm glad we did...it was fairly inexpensive with free tram rides, just enough animals, and a free petting area for Nora. We told Nora on Sunday night that we were going to leave in the morning and she would get to finally see an elephant. Monday morning she was excited to go, buckled in her seat with sun-hat already in place. By the time we stopped at the end of our road (approx. 20 seconds after starting the trip) she said, "et-tent?" (translation: where's the elephant?) Andy and I looked at each other and laughed and then tried to explain to Nora that the elephants lived far away and it would take a little while to see them. We finally did, and she was not disappointed. Andy pointed out that these things (zoos, farms, etc.) are lots more fun with kids. It's great to watch their reaction and just see them have fun. Nora said "tank-ou" so many times to us when she got to see or pet an animal...or ride in the "train". A lovely day. There was also a story about poop that makes me cry because...well, just because I love my kids and Nora tries really hard *usually* to do what she should. We loved our family day. It was one of the first I think that we've really had with just our little family of four. Great day - hot, but good.

More Recently

So, we passed our oral doctrinal exam and will be headed to PA in July. The kids will have an extended visit with the grandparents - I'm sure they'll have fun, but I already know that I'll miss them!

Andy preached his first sermon on Mother's Day. He did well, and (selfishly) I feel better about going to different churches and Andy giving our presentations/challenges to the various churches. He said he really liked building the sermon - the studying and putting it all together.

Nora will have her Puggles award ceremony for Awana tomorrow night. I'll take the camera and we'll see if she actually will stand up on the stage with everyone. There's potential for something really cute :)

And, the kids are growing. Silas and Nora can wear the same diapers we found. Cloth and disposable. This makes the diaper-bag packing a bit easier...I'm not sure how Silas got so big so fast.