How he loves me...

John and I were talking about the 5 love languages yesterday. It's very interesting because we are very different.

I feel loved and give love through Acts of Service and Gifts.

John feels loved and gives love through Words of Affirmation and Physical Affection.

This morning John made me feel like the most loved person in the world - he gave me the gift of more sleep - 40 minutes more sleep - when he took Gregory and let me stay in bed.

This little act of love is repeated frequently - I really enjoy sleeping - and he often lets me sleep in.

What a wonderful husband I have to show me love this way!

Exam Hours

Did everyone's college experience include exam hours?

At Franciscan exam hours were pretty intense - you weren't even allowed to talk in the dorm hall ways in case you disturb someone studying for exams. They dimmed the lights, and it was pretty restrictive.

Well we are in the throes of "exam hours" here in Charlottesville. Of course no one is going to "write me up" for talking out loud, but with John studying so much, there is no one to chat with. Our lights are on, but the children are asleep. There will be stress and probably more clutter until December 20th when exams end, and I get my husband back for nights and weekends.

John is working so hard to do a good job, and I completely support him. I like the fact that he is working hard, it makes me happy. I don't even mind being here by myself, but it would be nice to have another adult to talk to after the kids go to bed.

Anyone out there feel like chatting over a virtual cup of coffee some night?

Angel of God Prayer

Clare's been learning the Angel of God prayer while going to bed at night. This morning she burst out with it and was so excited that we had to share.

To Dust we shall Return

John's favorite Redskins' player, Sean Taylor, died early this morning.

It was so random and unexpected. He was only 24, shot in the leg by someone breaking into his house. The shooter hit an artery and they just couldn't keep him from dieing.

On the field Taylor usually looked like he was unstoppable. His opponents were afraid of him - you could tell by the way they played around him.

It seems crazy that he could die so quickly. It amazes me how strong and fragile human life can be at the same time. And reminds me that we know neither the day nor the hour at which we will be called home.

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made Psalm 139:14

What we're watching...

John's watching this in person, and because the baby cried so much to go - Gregory and I are watching it at home (it's just too cold for Gregory).

I never thought I would be watching a football game by myself.

A day late

Thanksgiving...is a private feast: a quiet meal of turkey and cranberry sauce, and many other good things, including pumpkin pie, taken in the intimacy of a family home. It is a festival that comes even closer than the Fourth of July to the deepest of all American national feelings: gratitude for God's special providence for the United States as a nation of immigrants who have lived for the most part in peace and plenty under the rule of law as established with the consent of the governed (A Great and Godly Adventure, Godfrey Hodgson)

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. One thing I am always so thankful for (and maybe this comes from growing up in the military) is our country and all of the people who have fought for our freedom.

It seemed very fitting to me to post this picture by Thomas Nast which I found over at this amazing Civil War site, and they so graciously allowed me to put it on my blog.

In the middle Lady Liberty is praying for peace for her country and thanking God for the good things she has been given. In one of the upper frames you have President Lincoln praying for peace as well.

Thanksgiving - East of Eden

For once my book club has chosen a worthwhile book - Out of Eden by John Steinbeck. (If you haven't read it, this is definitely one of the books you want to read before you die.)

It's over 600 pages and a page turner - what a great book about sin, family love, the story of Cain and Abel, free will, fallen human nature and our ability to rise above it.

I picked it up early this week and and finished it. Part of the book (pretty close to the climax) takes place on a Thanksgiving an so I thought it appropriate to post this quote from the work:

It seems to me that if you or I must choose between two courses of thought or action, we should remember our dying and try so to live that our death brings no pleasure to the world. We have only one story. All novels, all poetry, are built on the neverending contest in ourselves of good and evil. And it occurs to me that evil must constantly respawn, while good, while virtue, is immortal. Vice has always a new fresh young face, while virtue is venerable as nothing else in the world is.

We can all choose to do good and struggle against our fallen human nature, or we can just go with the evil impulses.

The book shows me again what a wonderful Lord we have - that we may choose (with grace of course) to overcome sin. We are not bound to it, but then we are not bound to sin either.

I am so thankful for this freedom today.

Friendly Neighborhood Store

Before Charlottesville, I have never consistently shopped at any one grocery store. Here because of location and price we end up at the same Food Lion every week.

We fondly think of this Food Lion as "ghetto food lion". Not because of the store but because of the patrons and what they shop for. I've discovered that the store simply cannot sell high quality cuts of meat - the folks in the neighborhood aren't willing to put out lots of money for good meat. (This usually means that the meat gets really marked down and is a great deal for us) And the worst day of the month to go is the 1st of the month - when everyone receives their food stamps and welfare.

In spite of this I love this store. The people who work there are the sweetest folks. They now recognize the kids and I by sight. The bakery ladies know Clare's favorite kind of cookies and/or doughnuts, and the cashiers always ask about the kids if they aren't with me.

The service is amazing, and the prices are very cheap. This is the closest I ever come to getting to know the people in a store, and I love it. I love chatting with the folks there, and recognizing everyone around the shop. If I were ever be asked if I was store loyal I think I would have to begin to say yes - not so much because I adore Food Lion, but because of the people who work there.

It is amazing the effect one nice cashier/bakery lady can have on one. And when it is everyone in the store - one is sure to head back.

No Cavities

The little ones had a dentist appointment today, and I am so happy to report there are no cavities in those little mouths.

This may not seem like such a big deal - but when Clare was 2 she had 7 fillings and a crown put in her teeth. I freak out every year as the dentist appointments loom near - I begin seeing things in her mouth that aren't there. And we've cut our juice intake and sticky snack intake to almost nonexistant.

Clare does not like the dentist, and it is an sign of how much she loves me to sit in my lap and let the doctor work in her mouth. I am so proud that we have made it another 6 months without any cavities.

At Thanksgiving Dinner

I love these kind of quizes, and I hoped I'd be mashed potatoes, they're my favorite

You Are Mashed Potatoes

Oridnary, comforting, and more than a little predictable You're the glue that holds everyone together.

What Part of Thanksgiving Are You?

What's your favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner?

HT: Margaret at Minnesota Mom

A Family In Need

I ran across this story on Danielle Beane's site. It's the story of Courtney Lenaburg. The poor child has seizures and the family is in dire straits financially.

The thing that surprised me was that I recognized the name. Courtney's mom volunteered and her brother used to go the youth group that John and I started before Clare was born.

They are really sweet people and this is such a sad story. If you can help please do, if nothing else please pray for them and for Courtney.

28 years!

Happy birthday to my wonderful spouse! John turned 28 today.

28 years ago today John was born during or after the Redskins/Cowboys game. Even then he was trying to get out to watch the game.

Happily on the day he was born the Redskins won. Sadly, today they didn't, they couldn't even reach his age - they scored 23. Poor John - the Cowboys scored exactly 28 points.

Following Clare's desire to theme every single birthday we had a cake with burgundy and gold (red and yellow icing), burgundy and gold flowers, and even burgundy and gold salmon - that is salmon with red and yellow bell peppers.

Do the Redskins deserve such loving? I'm not so sure - but John certainly does.

To Boldly Go

Gregory cracks me up. He has so many cute little quirks.

Yesterday Clare went out onto our little patio. Gregory noted the opened door and crawled over to it. He put his hands on the edge of the patio and sat there for over 10 minutes. He fingered the mat, and watched Clare, but he was not bold enough to crawl out on the patio.

This is a very cautious boy. He will not crawl in strange or unfamiliar places. I guess our patio counts as one.

She wants how many babies?

While we were babysitting today:

Me:Do you want to have babies when you get older Clare?
Clare: Yes, lots of babies
Me: How many Clare?
Clare: 5
Me: At one time?
Clare: Yes...I mean No - only 4 babies at one time
Me: And would you nurse them?
Clare: Yes, with my stomach
Me: With your stomach? All at the same time?
Clare: Yes...(thinking)...No with bottles all at the same time.

***I just realized looking over my blog that the title of this may imply that I think having 5 or even 4 babies is crazy. I don't at all. I just thought it was funny that Clare already wants that many, and all at the same time.

To the far corners

I've been building block towers with Gregory - just like every mom does with every single child. And like most children Gregory enjoys knocking them down.

He also enjoys trying to take one single block off the top of the tower and not knock the rest down. I think most kids even do this

But his favorite thing I haven't seen before (maybe you veteran moms can tell me stories about blocks).

After he knocks the tower down, Gregory viciously attacks and scatters all of the blocks to the far corners of the room - or at least 3 feet in every direction - and some unlucky block to one far corner.

What can I say the wrath of Gregory is swift and mighty! :)

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Question - What's wrong with this picture?
If you guessed that my children are in the laundry basket, and the clothes are everywhere else- you are correct.
Clare and Gregory took a trip down the mighty Amazon in their little green boat. They had straws for oars, and a baby in the diaper wipe box (I think Clare has seen Prince of Egypt one too many times). Trust me, Mama had a lot more fun being an alligator trying to eat them, than folding laundry.

Long Morning

How you know it is going to be a long school group:

1) You have a Gregory strapped to your back - He really likes the backpack carrier, so he was pretty happy, just heavy.

2) You tell the 4 girls you're starting and across the board - they say they don't want to. And continue to say they don't want to do any activity you come up with

3) The girls get into fights over who is sitting next to who in the first 5 minutes.

4)You discover that 3 years old is NOT too young to be a "mean girl" and refuse to play with someone because she is not your best friend. (I'm still wondering if I would have reacted differently if it was Clare who was the "mean girl" - but she wasn't)

We all survived.

It is actually good for me to have mornings like this - it reminds me that all of my planning is good, but that I need God and grace to get through everything. I can't just place all of my trust in myself and my overplanning abilities. And it reminds me that a off/flat school group won't scar the girls for life either.

How I'm Voting

So I've decided to go with an alternative candidate, he's a little young - but he's honest, and decidedly pro-life with recent experience in the field. He holds all of the values I desire in a candidate.

For a running mate - he has chosen a woman who can please the pro-life voters too. She's determined - and can dodge questions with the best of them.

I think many of the issues that concern them would appeal to both parties - education ranks near the top of their list They also have a real concern with the welfare system, and how healthy the children of our country are. They tend to be a little hawkish - but that basically stems from the fact that each of them still has issues sharing.

Watch out primaries - here come Gregory and Clare, and they mean business. Milk, Ice Cream, and Princesses on Ice for everyone!

Sounds silly? Look at our other options.

Good Stuff

One of my best friends Stephanie just started a blog. It's really great and she has so many good things to share.

She's also a journalist so she's got a great writing style.

Go say hi if you get a chance and welcome her to blogdom. - She's over at Watcher of the Morn'.

Christmas Photos

Remember when I entered all those blog contests? One of the coolest things I won was a set of Christmas cards, over at Fruition Designs.


Of course this meant I had to have a cute picture to put on the cards. It's amazing how photogenic my kids can be when they aren't trying or alone. Together it is next to impossible to get them both to look good.


I took over 130 pictures in my attempt to get the perfect one. Here for your viewing pleasure are some of the rejects.

I have a much greater appreciation for professional photographers now.

On His Own 2 Legs

Gregory is beginning to tentatively stand all by himself.

It's so sweet to feel his little hands on your leg and look down and have him standing, holding, letting go, and doing it again.

The only time we question his judgement is when he's in the tub. It's seems to be his favorite place to try and stand. We gently tell him to sit down and he gives us the look - you know the look, the 'I know better than you' look. He sits down eventually and then slides over to another part of the tub and starts over again.

He's going to fall at some point - and maybe he'll learn, and maybe not. He's still sitting backwards on the edge of the couch and falling off*, even when we've been through that quite a few times.

*He doesn't get hurt on the couch - we've caught him. I just wanted to reassure any worried grandmas.

Worth the Hype #2

Iabsolutely love this workout. I heard about it a few weeks ago when moms were talking about exercise over at Danielle Beane's site. I haven't quite worked up to the 45 minute workout, but the other ones are great. It's a walking work-out and it comes with a stretchie for muscle toning.

I am so not coordinated, and I can do the workout without feeling like a complete moron, and I can even do it holding Gregory (at least the brief workout, I haven't tried for the longer one).

Clare does it with me at least as long as she's interested, and it's nice now that it is getting colder because we can going walking inside.

It's nice to finally have a workout that I will do, and that I can do with the kids.

God Bless Texas!

Both children had better get used to cowboy hats and saying howdy. We're going to Dallas, Texas for the summer. John's internship is there for 12 weeks.

It should be a lot of fun and quite a change from Virginia - that's for sure.

My date

This morning Clare went off to her homeschool group and I had the most marvelous date.

First the young man and I split a bagel at Panera. We sat at a table and talked about all sorts of things, and then he allowed me to work on my Bible study while he studied whether my cup was half empty or half full. He proceeded to attack the cup, lid and straw. (We were there over an hour)

Sensing our time was up at Panera - we headed over to Target, where this patient young man and I found some great bargains, and shopped for just about everything we'll need for a couple of months- including his birthday gifts. He's not very picky at all - no comments on anything - until he got tired. (meandering for over an hour)

So I bundled him out of the store and we went for a drive. He fell asleep in no time, and I sat with him reading a book while waiting for Clare to finish.

It was a delightful morning, and even I (who was present the entire time) can hardly believe that I did all of this with my date - little Gregory. What a good little man - he's going to make some woman very happy one day!

Moving towards Winter

BITTER FOR SWEET , Christina Georgina Rossetti

Summer is gone with all its roses,
Its sun and perfumes and sweet flowers,
Its warm air and refreshing showers:
And even Autumn closes.

Yea, Autumn's chilly self is going,
And winter comes which is yet colder;
Each day the hoar-frost waxes bolder,
And the last buds cease blowing.

I just thought this poem was so beautiful and it's how I feel every morning when I now have to defrost the van. Our van protests the cold by flashing all sorts of things at me in the morning, which don't appear once the temperature hits 50 degrees. I'd probably feel the same way if I had to be outside all night too.

For Mom

I'm posting this little video of Gregory for my Mom who hasn't seen him walk yet, and said that listening to Gregory and Clare on the phone was making her homesick.

He's not really walking by himself yet, but I can't believe how big he is getting -- 11 months today.

Winners!

Thanks so much to everyone who entered my giveaway. It was so much fun doing it.
And without further ado here are my winners.

For the Knitted Scarf: Shannon won. Check out her blog at A Reforming Mom

And For the Potholders: Heather. Check out her blog Over at Barefoot In The Garden.

And thanks for all of the gift ideas. My baby turns 1 in December too, and now I have tons of ideas for gifts. Ball poppers and some kind of tonka trucks are at the top of the lists.

Many different costumes

We went to tons of different halloween things. I'm not sure I'm ever going to buy another costume seeing some of the things we came up with and the fact that Clare has more than enough dress up clothes. So without further ado...here are what the kids were this year.

Here is John posing as a law student. With our little elephant.

Here is Gregory dressed as an alien - because Mom forgot to wash the elephant costume. (Of course this is a sleeper with one of Clare's headbands) He also dressed as a baseball player in another set of pajamas.


Now for Clare: I put the list of what she was and you can scroll down and see the pictures: Care Bear, Rose Fairy, Snow Fairy (not pictured here),Belle, and Sleeping Beauty. What can I say she loves dressing up.

If you're curious about what I was - let's just say I went out as the mommy of 2 little ones. How does that sound? (It wasn't an acceptable answer for Clare, but maybe y'all are less demanding.)

Back to our Regularly Scheduled Posting

Hi all,

I've been under a rock all week - that is over at Fall Y'all hosted by Rocks in My Dryer.

She's hosting over 600 giveaways - and I think I entered a good 590 of them. If nothing else I looked at all of the contests and saw quite a bit of interesting stuff. But needless to say - I have not done much else. At the moment I'm a little comment crazy.

We now return to sanity until the next major giveaway. I promise I'll be visiting my friend's blogs again, and leaving comments.

But if you haven't been over there - it is really quite amazing. Go enter, just don't let it consume your life.