Light at Home

Strawberry Pickin'

Posted by My Heart Song

6/17/2013

One day last week we met up with my friend Leah and her kids for a morning of strawberry picking! What fun we had!

Two of the 5 kids between us even said "This was the best day of my entire life," they enjoyed it so much.

All of the kids were excellent helpers, enabling us to pick all the berries we wanted in about one hour - perfect timing, before any of the littler kids started melting down.

We got SO many strawberries and the price was excellent - $20 for all of these! These were just the berries I took - Leah got an equal or greater amount as well.

We spent most of the next 24 hours working on strawberry jam and there's plenty of it! We're definitely set for the next year as far as strawberry jam goes!

This was the first time that Leah or myself had ever been strawberry pickin' but it won't be the last! We have a new June activity that the kids loved (that included free healthy snacks) and we had a lot to show for the one hour of work.

Pregnancy - 14 Weeks

Posted by My Heart Song

6/12/2013

14 Weeks Along

Still battling morning sickness. In fact, had my worst bout just this week. I'm hopeful the queasiness will subside soon.

Starting to feel a little more pep, so I'm accomplishing slightly more each day. I felt very drained the last few weeks, so it's good to have a little more energy.

Next doctor visit is still 3 weeks away, barring any problems.

Looking ahead to: feeling those first baby movements

We love you, Flutter!

Farewell to Weezy

Posted by My Heart Song

6/11/2013

This is a sad post to write.

A few days ago our pet bird Weezy flew the coop, literally.

We've owned Weezy for 3 years or so. She's brought much joy to our household, especially to our kids and to guests in our home. Dozens of friends that visit us have enjoyed seeing Weezy too. Last year, we even took Weezy to a Show-and-Tell class at our homeschool co-op and we taught the other children a bit about what it's like to care for a pet bird.

About 2 years ago we started letting Weezy fly around our house. She enjoyed her freedom. She had favorite places to perch, such as curtain rods in the dining room and the playroom. She navigated throughout the house well, always knowing how to get back to her cage. We often would leave her cage door open, so she could come and go as she pleased. She was a happy bird, enjoying the freedom she had in our home.

Last week I had windows open, with screens closed, to let in the breeze. Weezy was out flying around, as usual. She perched by the window, which she often did, and was chirping with the birds outside. Never before had she pecked, chewed or gnawed at the screen. But on this day, she did. We didn't notice. When we left the room, Weezy stayed by the window, pecking away at the screen. About an hour later, my daughter was frantic as she realized that Weezy pecked a hole in the screen big enough to fly out and Weezy was gone!

We spent the rest of that day in the backyard calling for Weezy, blaring a recording of her chirps and tweets. But Weezy was gone for good. We didn't see or hear any hint of her still being within hearing range during our search.

Farewell, Weezy! We miss you.

PS: These thoughts immediately came to mind about Weezy's escape to "freedom." Weezy loved the freedom she had in our home, but she didn't realize it was limited freedom. She was free and safe, because there were walls of security, boundaries that kept her safe. She sought more freedom, the complete freedom of the outdoors. But she was not prepared for that freedom. She knows nothing of predators, of hunting for food, of cold nights. This reminds me of young people who seek freedom way before they are ready for it. Little do they know - when they decide to run away or try to make it on their own - what a big, dark world it is out there. There are predators lurking about that they aren't prepared for. There is responsibility to be had. Hard work to be done to stay alive "out there" in the land of complete freedom. While freedom may be limited at home, it is a safe place. The walls provide safe boundaries and parents should provide the training necessary to prepare young people for the world out there, which they will enter in due time. It was not Weezy's time, but she chose a life of complete freedom. Now, however, I bet that she would gladly trade the life she is living, wherever it is out there in the wild, for the freedom and safety she had in our home. The security of walls. The boundaries that provide safety.

Garden Update

Posted by My Heart Song

6/7/2013

The garden.

I personally have been doing very little work with it. Despite my absence, it's doing just fine - thanks to my husband, who faithfully tends to it.

In the last week or so, we've enjoyed lots of fresh lettuce and radishes. The radishes are already done and their spot in the garden has been cleared out! They grow fast - we planted them in mid April and before mid June they were totally harvested and done! My husband and daughter enjoyed eating them in salads and we shared dozens of them with other friends and neighbors.

Everything else is growing well. The broccoli looks like it will be ready soon. Same goes for the turnips. Bean plants are shooting upward, ready for a trellis to climb. Corn is on target to be knee-high by the 4th of July... or taller.

Our garden remains a source of joy to our family. My daughter is enjoying helping Daddy with it more and more. Sharing the harvest is one of the best things about summer - a great opportunity to bless neighbors. And of course we are able to enjoy the fruits of our labors at the dinner table as well. It really is a joy!

Is it Time to Rejoice, Yet?

Posted by My Heart Song

6/5/2013

The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 that there is a time for everything.

For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.

A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.

A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.

A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.

I find myself asking "Is this the time to rejoice?"

For many weeks I've been telling anyone who asks that I want to get to the 13-week of pregnancy before I will feel that I can relax. I wanted to turn the calendar to June and have another check-up and ultrasound, just to be sure. Then, I said, I will be able to exhale after holding my breath for 2 months.

Do you hear it? That's me. Ex....hale.....

We've made it! This baby, whom we call Flutter, has made it further than my last three did. I lost the last three to miscarriages in the first trimester, between 6 and 10 weeks. We're now at the start of the second trimester, where the general risk of miscarriage drops dramatically.

Maybe, just maybe, this baby will be joining our earthly family in December. Maybe, just maybe, I can now let my mind go places I didn't allow it before (to maternity clothes, to buying diapers, etc).

Thank you, Lord, for the privilege!

13 Years Ago

Posted by My Heart Song

6/4/2013

Recently my husband and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary. How we thank God regularly for the blessing of our marriage, for the unity we share, for the life God has given us, for the adventure that continues to lie before us.

13 years. Feels like forever ago. We've been parents for almost 10 years. My husband has been a Master's student for two different periods, spending 8 of our 13 years in school either full-time or part-time. We've lived in 2 apartments and 2 different homes. We've lived in 2 states. We've owned a half dozen different vehicles. We've faced job hunts, unemployment, infertility and miscarriages, years of plenty and years of want.

What will the next 13 years hold? More children? Seeing our children grow up, graduate, move out? More moves? Job changes? Medical challenges?

Of course, nobody knows what the future holds. No more than we did when we were first courting in 1998, as in this picture. We had no idea what God would have in store for us.

But we commit before God and all witnesses that we will be together until death do us part. Our love grows stronger through each storm we pass through. Come what may, we will cling to one another and to our God, for His glory and our good.

Games

Posted by My Heart Song

6/3/2013

Last week we were out of town. While spending some time at my mom's house in Wisconsin, we pulled out a few "old" games. It was a great opportunity to reminisce as well as teach my daughter how to play something "new."

In my teen years and later, my family often played the game Balderdash. Players make up fake definitions of words and try to convince the other players that their definition is the correct one. Can lead to lots of laughs, depending on how seriously the players take their role.

Another game we pulled out was Boggle. My daughter, my mom and I enjoyed a few rounds of this game together.

But the best game that we enjoyed was Clue, a good old 70s version game board and all.

This game was a real nail-biter!

Lots of fun and games make good memories!

Family Photo Friday

Posted by My Heart Song

5/24/2013

How can it be Friday already!?

Here are a few photos from our week.

Last week my daughter had taken pictures of a nest-full of baby birds in our backyard. This week my hubby got a similar picture, including the mama bird.

Later in the week, the baby birds learned how to fly. One was in the grass, crying for help. The mama came, fed him some worms, and nudged him towards safety. Beautiful.

Speaking of birds, my daughter has taken our pet bird Weezy outside (in her cage) to enjoy the warm air. Weezy enjoys tweeting with her freedom-loving bird friends.

My son enjoys the guitar. He knows where it is and he's strong enough to get it out on his own. I walked in and found him playing the guitar on the couch. My musical boy.

We're preparing for a little getaway soon. My son was Mr. Prepared, giving the "thumbs up" sign to show his bag was packed and he was ready to go... at least 3 days in advance!

Happy weekend, y'all!

Our Garden

Posted by My Heart Song

5/23/2013

Spring is here, which means our garden is planted! It has been for a few weeks, actually. We started some things indoors but planted everything in the outside garden a couple weeks ago.

We've planted garlic, lettuce, rhubarb, radishes, turnips, two types of beans, two types of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and corn. Most of these are repeats from what we planted last year, but we there are a few new items too.

Almost everything is coming up already, which means it looks mighty tempting to all the rabbits we have in our area. We put the fence up to help with that and so far, so good.

We wanted to try our hand at a few "edible landscape" plants - so we planted a few of our veggies in our flowerbeds around the house. Well... we may end up moving those back to the fenced-in garden because the bunnies have found them to be cage-free and helped themselves!

Our entire family is involved with our garden. We find it enjoyable and relaxing, as well as rewarding as we harvest what we have grown. We all take part in planning, planting, watering, weeding, etc.

I will continue to give updates on the garden as the weeks go along.

Proud of My Man

Posted by My Heart Song

5/21/2013

Just because I'm proud of my man...

And obtaining a Master's Degree while working full-time is no small feat.

Congratulations, again, my dear!

If you want the complete scoop, I posted about it here

Family Photo Friday

Posted by My Heart Song

5/17/2013

It's Friday! That means that I post family photos, so here are a few to give you a glimpse into our life lately.

My daughter, curled up with a good book. One of my favorite ways to find my daughter! :-)

We had some hot weather this week, with highs in the 80s. Time for my son's summer haircut. He's very proud of himself these days, as he can swing HIGH all by himself. Doesn't need pushing any longer. Growing boy.

My daughter had a sleepover this week at her friend Regan's house. Here they are together.

My daughter took a few pictures this week of wildlife in our backyard. She found this lazy squirrel in a tree. He laid there for nearly an hour. Apparently, he'd had a long, exhausting day and is totally spent!

And she found this bird's nest, complete with baby birds. Such a sweet sign of spring.

Happy Friday to you!

Old News: New to Us Van

Posted by My Heart Song

5/16/2013

I realized recently that I'd forgotten to mention on this blog that we made a rather large purchase about 6-8 weeks ago. We had saved up a good sum in our "savings / emergency fund" knowing that as some point we would need another or different vehicle. We'd lived with just one vehicle for over a year. And that one vehicle is 17 years old and quickly approaching 200,000 miles. My husband, however, is a self-taught master mechanic on that vehicle and takes wonderful care of it.

For a few months, he'd been looking for a good deal on a second vehicle. He found this 2005 Kia Sedona mini-van at a great price so we bought it.

It was just a few days later that we found out we were expecting, which added numerous doctor's appointments to our schedule. I think it was perfect timing that we had this second vehicle by that time. It makes my life less stressful, which exactly "what the doctors order" with a high-risk pregnancy.

I'm thankful for working vehicles, for God's timing, for the wisdom of setting aside money for savings so that making a purchase like this doesn't have to be stressful or incur debt.

Chick-Fil-A Mother and Son Date Knight

Posted by My Heart Song

5/15/2013

Last weekend our local Chick-Fil-A hosted a Mother and Son Date Knight event. Reservations were required and the place was PACKED! My son and I enjoyed the fun, on our first ever Mother and Son date. A photographer was on hand to take pictures of each mother and son.

Medieval times, castles, and knights were the theme. Each son was given a balloon sword and a cardboard shield to color with a family crest. Each mom was given a carnation.

We had to purchase our supper but desserts were complimentary. Waiters served us at our table, which is different from regular service at Chick-Fil-A.

Thank you, Chick-Fil-A for hosting great family friendly events like this.

Grandpa's Antique Bug Car

Posted by My Heart Song

5/10/2013

Grandpa R has an antique Volkswagon Super Beetle. Usually it just sits in his garage and he works on it as a hobby. But once in a while, he'll drive it out and about. Last weekend we had Grandpa and Grandma over for supper and they surprised us by driving "the bug car" as my son calls it.

Antique car fun.

Pregnant Again after Repeat Miscarriages

Posted by My Heart Song

5/6/2013

I've lost 3 babies to miscarriage in the last 22 months. Now I'm pregnant again. People are asking what is different this time? Will the doctors do anything different?

(Writing this feels so familiar, as I wrote something very similar back in September. You can read that blog post here)

I should preface this with the fact that I did have a battery of tests run in January - after loss #3, while not pregnant. Specialists tested for clotting abnormalities as well as dozens of other disorders that I could've developed since my last full-term pregnancy 5 years ago. All the tests came back normal. That is, medically they cannot explain why I've miscarried 3 babies after 2 successful pregnancies.

So what is different this time around? The easy answer is not much. I'm taking the usual prenatal vitamin. I'm taking a few extra doses of folic acid daily.

I've received early medical care with this pregnancy. I was able to see my regular doctor for pregnancy confirmation the very next day after my home pregnancy test was positive. Within the next 7 days, I was in to see specialists that deal with high-risk pregnancies. Within 2 more weeks, I had had 2 ultrasounds that confirmed that everything looked good. Bloodwork was done to check hormone levels. From a medical perspective, everything looks good with this pregnancy. (But everything looked good last time around too... but we still miscarried)

As with our last pregnancy, we decided to tell the world that we are pregnant shortly after we found out the news ourselves. Therefore, we know that there are hundreds of people praying for us and a few good friends fasting as well. It's easier to tell the news, to feel the support, even when the ultimate outcome is unknown.

I am feeling a lot of morning sickness, which makes me hopeful that my body is producing an adequate amount of pregnancy hormone (progesterone) to maintain this pregnancy. I was not this sick with the last pregnancies, which resulted in miscarriages.

So these are the critical days. I am about 9 weeks along currently. We lost our other babies between 7 and 12 weeks, so we're right into the critical period. I am more aware than ever that any day, even today, could be the day that we lose this baby too.

Do you wanna know what it feels like? It feels like holding your breath, for a very long time. It's the inhale that you take when something scary hits you and the holding of your breath until the fear passes. Usually that takes a second or two. In the case of miscarriages, it takes a matter of weeks or months. It feels like I'm holding my breath, hoping the danger passes and I can breathe again. Holding my breath until my baby is born.

Personally, I feel more hopeful this time. I do have faith and hope that things could turn out differently this time around. But I have no guarantees... and I'm ok with that. I'm taking each day at a time. I'm not planning ahead to maternity clothes, crib sheets and due dates. I'm focusing on keeping my lunch down today :-) and being thankful for the fact that I am pregnant.

"We don't know what tomorrow holds but we know who holds tomorrow."

Family Photo Friday

Posted by My Heart Song

5/3/2013

The first Friday of a new month.

Aaahhh, newness and freshness are in the spring air.

Here are a few photos from our week.

My daughter walking among the daffodils and hyacinths in the backyard. They were in full bloom this week, making a beautiful view from my kitchen window.

My son "watering" those same flowers with his squirt gun. Yes, it was hot enough one day this week to allow the kids to play in/with water. Love the warm weather after the long winter we've had.

More flowers. The colorful beauty of purple and red tulips. Just love all the blooming flowers right now.

Happy Friday to you!

My Boy Reads

Posted by My Heart Song

5/1/2013

My boy. He's growing up, as they all do. He's 5 years old now. We are working our way through a book to teach him how to read. We're about 1/3 of the way through the book.

Recently he came to me with this flashcard with the word TOP on it. He showed me the card and sounded out the word himself. He read the word TOP.

It was his first read-it-all-by-himself word that wasn't his name!

Way to go, son!

Next up: riding his bike without training wheels. Now that summer weather has arrived, he's practicing every day.

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