16 March 2008

Babies, Homeschooling, Recipes, and a Funeral

I awoke this morning with such a sense of warmth and peace, as if any anxiety I had been feeling, and any stress, had vanished. I just feel a sense of calmness and reassurance that I am safe in my Father's hands.

I really do like writing with pretty pens. I bought this new black and gold pen with an angel on it. Such things encourage a girl to be lady like. Just as brushing my hair with my silver Victorian brush makes me feel pretty. I do appreciate beautiful things, they make this world so much more lovely.

Rick woke up with Joseph last night so that I would get a full night's rest. I don't think I had realized how tired I was. My back was hurting last night, which was the first time in a while it had given me such difficulty. But I woke up this morning feeling quite a bit better.

Papa's funeral is this afternoon. It still seems somewhat unreal. I suppose we feel so removed from the situation and like this is happening so far off in the distance. We are not very accustomed to having to deal with death and so I think we are somewhat unsure of how to feel.

I cannot believe that little Joey will be three weeks old tomorrow. Time is passing so quickly. He has become so much more alert. He loves to watch his brothers play. It is amazing how even when they are somewhat loud, it doesn't startle him, he is so used to the sounds they make. He doesn't even get upset when Joshua pokes him in the eye, or tries to grab his nose, or pats him on the head in a not so gentle manner, lol. He just loves his big brothers. Joshua just adores baby Joey. I think they are going to be so close.

I found a few new recipes that I would like to try. One is a bread recipe that has instructions for making brown and serve rolls that you can keep on hand in the freezer. That would be so nice. I also found a cornbread recipe that seems similar to how so many ladies I know made theirs, so I look forward to trying it. I enjoy looking for new recipes, it is like shopping, only free, and I can do it at home while drinking a warm cup of hot chocolate. :)

I was going over our pre-school lesson plans for next week and it looks like we have some fun art projects for Holy Week, and a few fun baking activities. Easter is so early this year, it seems odd to me that Spring is nearly here. So next week should be a fun week of school. Jacob loves art projects, so I am sure he will enjoy it. He has had so much fun playing with plastic Easter eggs this week, and several of next weeks activities include the eggs. Jacob really enjoys school, he loves learning and he really enjoys making things.

With Love,

15 March 2008

We have had a busy, on the go sort of day. We went out to lunch at Cracker Barrel. After lunch we drove out to see this furniture that one of Rick's friends had recommended. It was quite large, unbelievably so really. It had many nice things, although the prices weren't as impressive as we had expected. Afterwards we went to the pet store to buy some toys for the new additions to our family.

Yesterday we purchased guinea pigs for the boys, "Rascal" for Joshua and "Buddy" for Jacob. We felt that our family needed a pet, other than Frannie the adopted stray outside cat. We have really missed Princess and Allie since our move, but with a new baby and a toddler and a preschooler, we just don't have enough time or effort to commit to a dog and trying to train it. But, we love animals, and I think it is good for children to be around animals, so Rick did some research and thought that guinea pigs would be a good fit. Jacob calls them "mice". He instantly fell in love with them. Joshua likes them quite a bit also. He enjoys standing and looking in through the top of the cage. I think they are adorable. They make cute little squeaking sounds. We bought them cute toys and a bed and things and have their "home" all set up.

Last night Jacob and I were having fun making silly faces at each other before bedtime. It is funny when we laugh together, I think his laugh is so contagious. I love when we laugh together.

It is lovely when we have been out for the day and then come home, it feels so nice. I just love our home, and it always feels so welcoming and comfortable, and I feel as if there is no where else I would rather be. I really like Kansas City, too. I just feel comfortable here and it is just a pleasant place to live. God really provided for us by giving us the opportunity and means to relocate here, and He provided us the perfect house in such a beautiful location. It has all been such a positive change. And it seems that moving here has also been a wise career move, Rick's boss told him that he has big opportunities and a bright future here. We do miss all of our friends. It was hard to leave the Thompsons and the Schumachers, and I do get homesick for the Shrine, but this is our home now, and it is a wonderful home.

Things are going so well with baby Joey. He has got to be one of the sweetest babies that God has ever made. I am just enjoying him so much. He is so precious when he wakes up at night, he stops crying the moment I pick him up. And he just snuggles in so closely. I think that I feel even closer to him with having had a natural birth, there is somewhat of a stronger realization that i carried him and nurtured him and then brought him into this world through my labor and it was my arms where he felt comfort in his first moments of life. It is just an amazing feeling and it really makes my maternal feelings even stronger for all of my boys. I am so thankful to be a mother. What a gift from God!

With Joy!

Guinea Pigs!

We have had a busy, on the go sort of day. We went out to lunch at Cracker Barrel. After lunch we drove out to see this furniture that one of Rick's friends had recommended. It was quite large, unbelievably so really. It had many nice things, although the prices weren't as impressive as we had expected. Afterwards we went to the pet store to buy some toys for the new additions to our family.

Yesterday we purchased guinea pigs for the boys, "Rascal" for Joshua and "Buddy" for Jacob. We felt that our family needed a pet, other than Frannie the adopted stray outside cat. We have really missed Princess and Allie since our move, but with a new baby and a toddler and a preschooler, we just don't have enough time or effort to commit to a dog and trying to train it. But, we love animals, and I think it is good for children to be around animals, so Rick did some research and thought that guinea pigs would be a good fit. Jacob calls them "mice". He instantly fell in love with them. Joshua likes them quite a bit also. He enjoys standing and looking in through the top of the cage. I think they are adorable. They make cute little squeaking sounds. We bought them cute toys and a bed and things and have their "home" all set up.

Last night Jacob and I were having fun making silly faces at each other before bedtime. It is funny when we laugh together, I think his laugh is so contagious. I love when we laugh together.

It is lovely when we have been out for the day and then come home, it feels so nice. I just love our home, and it always feels so welcoming and comfortable, and I feel as if there is no where else I would rather be. I really like Kansas City, too. I just feel comfortable here and it is just a pleasant place to live. God really provided for us by giving us the opportunity and means to relocate here, and He provided us the perfect house in such a beautiful location. It has all been such a positive change. And it seems that moving here has also been a wise career move, Rick's boss told him that he has big opportunities and a bright future here. We do miss all of our friends. It was hard to leave the Thompsons and the Schumachers, and I do get homesick for the Shrine, but this is our home now, and it is a wonderful home.

Things are going so well with baby Joey. He has got to be one of the sweetest babies that God has ever made. I am just enjoying him so much. He is so precious when he wakes up at night, he stops crying the moment I pick him up. And he just snuggles in so closely. I think that I feel even closer to him with having had a natural birth, there is somewhat of a stronger realization that i carried him and nurtured him and then brought him into this world through my labor and it was my arms where he felt comfort in his first moments of life. It is just an amazing feeling and it really makes my maternal feelings even stronger for all of my boys. I am so thankful to be a mother. What a gift from God!

With Joy!


08 March 2008

Joey's First Bath






07 March 2008

Play Time




03 March 2008

Sunday Blessings




02 March 2008

Joseph's One Week Old!





01 March 2008

Joshie and Joe-Joe




Animal Cracker Fun