A Sweet Surprise

Six months ago a friend of mine learned her husband was seriously injured in Iraq, just before he was to come home. Her last six months have been nothing like she imagined it as she and her husband work toward his recovery. I thought of her a lot today as Jess made his way from Baghdad to Kuwait. And then, this evening, as I was trying to decide how we'd celebrate his arrival, a package from this sweet friend showed up at my door. A box of fresh apple cider doughnuts! No one in the world would fault this couple for being a little self-centered right now. No one would expect them to be reaching out to others at a time like this. But this woman sent me doughnuts! (Oh, and a funny story via facebook about how she convinced her wheelchair-bound husband to brave the apple orchard for them!) She is what I love about army wives. She takes what is thrown at her and does her best, and then she takes time to make me feel special.


We thought about saving these for breakfast, but then we decided they went excellently with our black bean chimichangas (thanks for the recipe, EMJ!) OK, they didn't' really go well, but it didn't matter, they were yummy.




















Oh, and about that sweet soldier of MINE. 13 years ago today we went on our first date. He took me to a Cubs game and then the Drake Hotel for dinner with his Aunt Ginny. I liked him. And even though I really didn't want to start dating as soon as I got to college, I just couldn't pass him up. He was sweet, he was cute, he played baseball, and this whole "Army" thing was just a way to pay for college--he'd do his 4 years and then get out (PS I'm glad he didn't). I am blessed. And now I am trying to wrap this up because it's 11pm. I wanted to end on an Office Quote, just for my husband, but I am at a loss. If anyone thinks of a good one. . .

Some things while I wait for the Office Premier.

There's this boy we take home from school sometimes. Yesterday, the 3 kids got in the car and settled in the backseat. "How was your day, children?" I asked. "Good," said Ella. "Fine," said Sam. "I glued my butt to a chair," said the kid we take home from school sometimes.

Speaking of funny things kids say, here's one I love and will be sad when they grow out of it. My kids call a sneeze a "bless you." Yesterday, Ella said "My teacher gave me a tissue just in case I bless youed." I love that.

We are counting days til Jess comes home. Its a wonderful, painful, exciting, agonizing time.

I'm on my last case of Caffine Free Diet Dr. Pepper with no more in sight. sigh.

Now go watch some tv!

Becka's Right! It's a Candy Corn Dress

I'm still trying to get the hang of making clothes and using a pattern, so this is far from perfect. The top is a little too big and the hem is not right. But I really loved seeing Ella in something I've made. We've been eating candy corns by the tons here so that's what inspired it. Now what to make for Addie to match. . .

and NOW I'm a super mom

I mowed the yard. I have made it through the whole deployment without mowing the yard so today, while the babies slept and the big kids played in the yard and the weather was AMAZING I decided to go for it. My neighbors have been taking good care of the lawn, but it was getting pretty long. I also kept Josiah in cloth diapers all day. Usually I go back and forth between disposables and cloth with him, but I got these new liners to help with the poop and . . . anyways, i know that's where I should stop. Oh, and I took the whole fam AND dog on a walk/bikeride without losing my temper.

I hope you know I'm kidding about the super mom thing. I know tomorrow I'll have whiny kids and possible a crying soccer player. But everyonce in a while it's good to go to bed feeling like a rockstar.

And now a quiz: Can you guess what this is going to be? I'm taking a bag break to work on this for Ella. Inspired by the cool weather. . .

This is what happens when. . .

Your six year old snatches your camera.

Happy 5 Months, Addie!

This month Adeline rolled first tummy to back, then a week later, back to tummy. Now she won't stay on her blanket--she rolls all over the place. She is very content to sit in her bouncy seat or lay on a blanket and play, and always has a big smile for whoever catches her eye. And finally a laugh. I can't get any work done around here-- i just want to play all day with Addie.

Soccer Sam

so, i want to tell you about soccer practice. After a rough time last monday, Sam was pretty upbeat today. when he got home from school he said "mom, i prayed about soccer 3 times today!" but not in a whiny way. he asked me to cheer for him loud enough for him to hear. he was fine til we pulled up in the parking lot. then it was "i'm scared, i don't think i can do this. . . " We kept walking and i practically had to push him on the field and run in the other direction. i teared up a little as he cried. it was a bit embarrassing, but mostly i was sad for him. he cried louder than day 1, and reached his arms toward me every once in a while. this went on for about 20 minutes. he followed the crowd, as they played their scrimage game, but he still cried. the coach just ignored it for the most part, unless he was trying to talk, and then he might say, "listen up, sam". I wanted to go scoop him up. I kept trying to think WWJD--What would Jesse do?

BUT THEN! I didnt think i really liked this coach too much. thought he expected the kids to know a little too much about how to play the game, and wasnt sure if he was what sam needed (although i couldnt tell you what he needed anyway). But after about 20 minutes or so, as the team ran down the field, the coach kneeled down and talked to sam. i don't know what he said. Sam just said the coach talked to him about how you play soccer. but it was amazing. sam stopped crying. he started running with the ball. he stopped looking over at me and reaching. instead he'd look over just to make sure i was watching him, and then he'd smile. he tried really really hard. i thought he'd drop, with how hard and fast he was running. i could see him get into the "team" thing more. cheering when his side made a goal and smiling at a kid next to him. working as a team was one of the main things i wanted to see him get out of soccer, and i saw the beginning of it tonight. when he was done he was excited and proud. he told me he thinks he might like soccer. he's a little nervous about meeting a new team at their first game saturday, but motlsy he's determined to practice and do well. tonight, in his bed, he said "mom, do you think i can put my cleats and shinguards next to my bed so when i wake up i can get them on and be ready to practice in the morning?"

We'll see what happens saturday, but i think we just may have crossed this hurdle. But once again, Sam shows us that if we're patient, he'll be great.

The week in pictures

Adeline and her boys in the church nursery.

Josiah wants to put on his "backpack" like the big kids

look who's trying to get in Adeline's bed.

Our sweet girls

still hot and sunny

the other child is "the original Adeline", our close friend's daughter:

As we are praying for Texans and Haitians after Ike, here are some photos of the "aftermath" of Hanna. We are SO THANKFUL we didn't have to evacuate with 4 kids and the huge dog. These were taken the day Hanna was to hit.

I love this one! They are waiting for the splash buckets to fall!

Whew!

This is what my table looked like this week

and this is what my bedroom looked like:

It wasn't me. It was Si. I bet you guessed that. It was a pretty accurate picture of my life the last 2 weeks. But the sale is OVER and my house is CLEAN (except the garage. shhh. i'll have it cleaned before Jess get's home). I do not do well in chaos. I cry all the time. And I yell more. It's amazing what a room without clutter does for my mood. Which is why we now have a garage full of toys and clothes headed out to "bless someone else". (Not the presents from grandparents, i promise!)

I'll try to catch everybody up. I know I owe you lots of pictures. I'll probably post them in separate posts. Oh, and if you are wondering about the sale, it was GREAT for my ego--everyone loved my things, especially my tee shirts. It wasn't worth it for the money though. Once I paid the commission, the babysitters, the supplies . . . but it was a lot of fun and I met some great people. I'm selling my leftovers at www.ella-bella-baby.com so check that in a few days.

In case you're wondering where I've gone, I've disappeared into my bedroom/sewing room to get ready for this.

I'll blog soon.

The Wheaton Connection

Here is Jess with his boss, COL Inch. They are both Wheaton grads! God has blessed Jess with a little camaraderie on the other side of the world.

Happy birthday, Jess!

Happy happy birthday, from all of us to you!

Happy happy birthday, hope all your dreams come true!

Happy 4th Birthday, Ella Rose (a few days late)

Dear Rosie,

I guess I'm supposed to say "I can't believe you're four," but really I'm thinking "When did she turn fourteen?" You sound so grown up as you mimic things you've heard your mother say (I better be careful!). You cluck and sweet talk the baby as good as any momma could. I often hear you narrating your actions (to God? to an imaginary audience?--You'll make a good blogger someday.) I think you picked it up watching the sportscasters in olympic gymnastics, but that's just a guess. So I am ALMOST grateful when you cry your way through CVS because I won't carry you. That's acting more your age.

What is not acting your age, however, but completely wonderful, is how you later said, "I wish I hadn't cried through CVS," and then, just before leaning over to receive your promised spankings you looked up at me and said "I really do need to learn." I think those spankings really did hurt me more than they hurt you.

You have never had trouble expressing soaring highs and deep lows. A drama queen some call it. You look a lot like your daddy, but I will admit you did not get the drama from the man of few words. Does that mean you got it from me? Nah. I think somehow it's from your Aunt Rachel. You even grit your teeth like she did.

No matter what anyone says, I love it. I love the surprises that come from living with you. I love that, at Dave and Esther's wedding we all worried about Sam and whether he would make it down the aisle as ringbearer while you flitted around as flowergirl posing for pictures with strangers. And then, as you marched into the lighted sanctuary at go time you stopped dead in your tracks, your eyes filling with tears. There was that four year old again! I was happy you made it at least most of the way down the aisle. . . to my lap.

I am looking forward to the surprises that will come watching you in pre-k. I'm afraid you won't have that head start your brother did. Later you can blame it on being the second child. I'm happy that your teacher taught you to write an E for Ella in your first week. And you'll get the hang of your ABC's--they don't go the way I heard you sing them tonight "ABCDEFG, was blind but now I see." I think you'll make friends easily--I've heard how friendly you are with kids you meet in the store. Just remember your favorite verse "A soft answer turns away wrath!" PLEASE.
And when you come home, please put on your Belle dress and dance. Just stop singing "I am sixteen going on seventeen" while you're dancing. You are precious to your daddy and me, Rosie! Happy Birthday!

Love, Mom