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.

Nora is a Puggle

Nora was able to move up to the 2-3 year old Sunday School class a bit early, and from what we hear she's done quite well. She's been there for about a month and gets excited about going. Honestly, the nursery was okay but the classroom offers her an exciting challenge that she loves. Since she moved up in Sunday school she was able to move into the Awana program as well, and on Sunday nights she goes to her Puggles class...and she will point to herself and say, "Ara (that's what she calls herself), puggle." She's awfully cute and I'm happy that she's getting a bit more structure and an introduction to God's Word outside our little home.