Family Photo Friday - Summer Edition

Posted by My Heart Song

7/12/2013

It's Friday, which means that I post some family photos. This week I've got plenty of photos that show some of the fun we've had so far this summer. 




My husband and daughter took in a baseball game. This was on my girl's summer bucket list. Check. 



The kids playing in the neighbor's small pool on a super hot day. That's on every child's summer bucket list! Check.



Free slurpees on 7/11 from all 7/11 stores. And free Chick-Fil-A meals when you dress like a cow on 7/12. Summer fun at its finest includes freebies! Check.


Kids hanging out with friends at a nearby park.


Last and certainly least, we are pig-sitting some guinea pigs this week. My kids are thoroughly enjoying the experience (while my husband and I, not so much). But we're glad to help out Aunt Sheila and Cousin Racquel while they're on vacation. 

Happy Friday to you! 
Make your weekend a good one - life is but a vapor and will be over before you know it!
 

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Pregnancy - 18 Weeks

Posted by My Heart Song

7/11/2013 


18 Weeks Along

I feel great! 

I have energy. 
I'm not sick. 
I've got a little belly, but moving around isn't uncomfortable. 
I'm still enjoying the newness of my borrowed maternity wardrobe.

I had an appointment this week with my midwife. All is well. She could feel the baby kick her when she was trying to hear the heartbeat, so that confirmed that the movements I've been feeling really are baby (and not gas or something)!

 Since my last baby was born extra large (over 11 pounds), they ordered an early diabetes bloodtest to get a leg up on the possibility of gestational diabetes. I have gained about 10 pounds so far, which is in the perfectly normal range.

 According to the books, Baby Flutter is now about the size of a large tomato and hair is starting to sprout.

Next doctor appointment is in 2 weeks for the 20-week (halfway point - yahoo) ultrasound.  

We love you, Baby Flutter!

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Fair Fun

Posted by My Heart Song

7/10/2013

Last week was our county fair. What fun we had this year, as we visited the fair numerous times throughout the week. 



My son LOVES looking at the tractors.



One of my favorite parts of the fair are the exhibits. Such creativity on display! 




Of course, there are also the rides!



Here's my boy with his Cloverbud Project this year. He was very proud of his ribbon!

Another item crossed off our summer bucket list: enjoy the fair!

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Good-bye to Grandma

Posted by My Heart Song

7/9/2013
    
Early this morning my husband's Grandma Hart passed away. We knew last night that she was failing, so we gathered around her bedside to pray and sing hymns. 


Grandma Hart had lived with my husband's parents for 5 years. For the last 3 years she's been bed-bound. 


This picture was probably taken 15-20 years ago, Grandma Hart and her second husband.


This picture was from my daughter's birthday party in 2006, where 4 of her 5 living grandmas were present. Grandma Hart is on the left.


And here was Grandma Hart with my son in 2009, probably one of the last times she was able to get out of the house.

We love you, Grandma Hart! And because you love Jesus, we know that you are rejoicing in heaven with Him. 
We'll see you again soon!

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Pregnancy - 17 Weeks

Posted by My Heart Song

7/5/2013



17 Weeks Along

That means I'm at the end of the 4th month - yeah!

Morning sickness is pretty much gone. I think I had just one instance this week with gagging and I can go in our basement again without problems (the musty smell used to be a big problem, a month or so ago).

This was my first full week in maternity clothes. The rounding belly is making this pregnancy feel more like reality now. 

According to the books, my womb is about the size of a small melon at this stage and the baby is about the size of an avocado. When making the rounds at bedtime, my daughter now includes a "good night" for Baby Flutter. And she sometimes looks at my belly and just says "Grow, baby, grow!"

I have a check-up with my midwife in the next few days.

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Cherish Your Freedom

Posted by My Heart Song

7/4/2013

Happy Independence Day! 
 

We took part in our annual neighborhood parade to celebrate. 


My daughter had a friend over to join in the parade fun. Here the kids are, decked out with their red, white and blue. 


And here is our family, plus one.


The parade starts. 
First come the police cars and fire trucks.


Then come the people - walking, bike-riding, roller-skating, you name it. Approximately 300 people take part!
 

Here's my gang walking in the parade.
 

The parade organizers have donuts and popcorn for everyone. What a treat!

It's been a great family day and a wonderful way to celebrate our freedom here in America!

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Summer Bucket List

Posted by My Heart Song

7/3/2013 


 A bucket list. You know, that list of things you want to accomplish in life... but often fail to think about in the midst of the busyness. 


For a few years now, I've sat down with my kids and made a "summer bucket list" of things we want to make sure we do (if at all possible) before summer ends. Our list includes things like "go fishing" and "go to a splashpad" and "go to the fair." 


Last weekend we were able to cross off "go fishing" as Daddy took the kids fishing. Here you can see they were ready to go.


Your list would be unique to your family. But I encourage you to make such a list, if you haven't already. 
I'm sure you've noticed - summer is flying by. 
Make a list and cross a few things off today if possible!

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Discipline

Posted by My Heart Song

7/1/2013

Well, 2013 is half over already! Each slips by a little faster than the previous one, it seems. 


It's been a while since I've posted anything about personal goals. I had mentioned that my word for 2013 was "discipline." I knew at the start of the year that discipline was a key area that require focus this year, and it has been the case. 

For the first 3 months of the year, I focused on self-discipline through exercise. Six days a week, for 30 minutes per day, I exercised by fast walking / jogging on the treadmill. I did not necessarily see any physical results of this exercise (weight loss, more energy, etc), but I did feel better emotionally. My self-image became more positive. And eventually, as the exercise routine became routine, I looked forward to the time. I used that time on the treadmill to read my Bible, to pray, to practice my scripture memory verses. It became enjoyable. 

Then in early April, I became pregnant. With a high-risk pregnancy, exercise is not encouraged. So I stopped exercising and began resting more (which is what my doctors and my body said I needed). Now that I'm into my second trimester of pregnancy, exercise is optional - I am encouraged to do whatever little I can do. And I do have more energy, so I'm getting outside more, talking short walks, etc. But overall, the self-disciple of exercise has had to halt for now. 



There is another area, though, that I have continued throughout the year and I'm quite proud of the results - Scripture memory. My friend Leah wanted to hop on board with Ann Voskamp's Romans Project for 2013 and I joined her. I have never memorized large portions of Scripture, just a few verses here and there. The idea of memorizing 3 whole chapters of the Bible is daunting, but I knew it was a challenge worth pursuing. Here we are, months later, having Romans chapter 1 memorized and down pat. We're a little ways into Romans 8. And I'm doing it! I feel like jumping up and down because this is something new to me, something I've never done. Some Christian kids are part of Bible quizzing teams, where they memorize large portions of scripture and compete against each other to see who can recall certain verses the fastest. I never did anything like that. I've never considered myself to be the kind of person who could do that (to which my husband replies: exactly what kind of person do you think it takes to be that kind of person? I don't know!) but God is giving me strength and perseverance. And I love it! 

Just like the smaller passage or verses I've committed to memory before, God brings these new verses to mind at just the right times, applying them to new situations. I'm so thankful for the challenge from Ann Voskamp and from my friend Leah. And so we press on through the rest of Romans 8 and then into Romans 12. 

So, discipline is my word for 2013. There may still be other ways God wants to use discipline in my life this year, but I've highlighted the 2 ways that have been clear so far. 

My life is better, more enjoyable because of discipline. 2013 is proving to be an exciting year of change, for the better!

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Never Forget

Posted by My Heart Song

6/28/2013


Children in heaven. 
Babies we never got to hold (yet). 
Burying our kids. 
We will never forget. 

It was 2 years ago this week that we lost a baby through miscarriage for the first time. 
Grant David. 

Of course we didn't know then that we would lose 2 more babies in the next 18 months. 
Hope.
Isaac. 

And of course we didn't know that we would now be expecting again.

The first time was the hardest. 
Caught completely off guard. Grief. Depression. Despair. Walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Learning to trust God in the dark.
Finding the solid rock of faith beneath our feet 
when all else seemed to fall away. 

But here we are. Two years later. 
God has walked with us through the difficulties. 
God has renewed our hope. 
God has given us a deep longing for heaven, as flesh-of-our-flesh and bone-of-our-bone are already there in heaven waiting for us. 

I wouldn't wish what we've been through upon anyone. 
And yet I can see how we've grown through it and how God is proven faithful through it. 

Grant, Hope and Isaac. 
We love you and miss you! 
We'll see you soon enough 
when we all walk with the Lord for all eternity.

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Pregnancy - 16 Weeks

Posted by My Heart Song

6/27/2013



16 Weeks Along

Have gotten to the point of not being so tired, not needing an afternoon nap just to make it through the rest of the day.

Still have rare bouts of queasiness, but overall feel really good. Occasionally there is a smell that just hits me wrong, making me immediately gag or completely throw up.

Walking down the steps to our basement has caused me to gag for many weeks now - something about the musty smell. But our laundry is in the basement, so I need to go down there on occasion :-)  The solution: taught my daughter how to do all of the laundry. She's on top of it and I'm not having to face the basement! Win, win!  

I am officially wearing maternity clothes now. I have pulled out those that I already owned and am borrowing some from friends. It feels like a whole new wardrobe, which is fun. It's been 6 years since I've worn maternity clothes, you know?! 

Yeah for queasiness and growing bellies - good signs of a healthy pregnancy! I'm so thankful for the privilege! 


We all love you, Baby Flutter, 
even if Dad is a little jealous of the weekly photos!

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4H Fair Project

Posted by My Heart Song

6/26/2013

My son recently made a project for the 4H fair. 
I love that they have projects for little ones - they call them CloverBuds and Mini 4-H when they are younger than 3rd grade (that is when they can take part in "real" 4H, competing against others). The little ones do simple projects and everyone gets a ribbon (no competition). 

My son had trouble deciding which project to choose this year, out of the idea book with about 2 dozen different choices. In the end, he chose the same thing he did last year: making something out of homemade playdough.



He chose blue again (his favorite color).



I do like the homemade playdough over the store-bought stuff. Ours is very soft and stays soft. It's also very easy to make.




The homemade playdough led to an hour or so of playdough fun before he settled on what he wanted to make for the actual project: cookie cut-outs of farm animals and a few other random shapes. 



 

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Diaper Stockpiling

Posted by My Heart Song

6/25/2013

Now that we're past the riskiest time of pregnancy as far as miscarriages go, it seems that we're having a baby in December! That means that it's time to start thinking and planning ahead. One of the things I can do now to prepare for baby is stock up on diapers when they are on sale.



CVS has a good deal on diapers this week. Buy $30 worth of baby products, then receive $12 in Extra Care Bucks (like a CVS gift card to be used for future purchases). Items included in this deal: Huggies and Pampers diapers are both $9.49, Huggies wipes are $3.00, Desitin diaper cream, Johnson's baby oil, as well as numerous other baby products included.

There are numerous coupons out there for Huggies and Pampers diapers right now that can be paired with this sale. I also had $4 Extra Care Bucks from a previous purchase that I used. I also received a promotional coupon from CVS for $4 off a $20 purchase, which I also used. In the end, I spent $17 out of pocket and got the $12 Extra Care Bucks to be used in the future. That makes it almost like spending just $5 to get 3 packs of diapers and a package of wipes. Good deal! 

Amazon.com also has occasional deals on diapers, so I've been watching those and using Amazon gift cards that I've earned through Swagbucks to get those for cheap or free too. 

 A few random points on diapering:

*I buy size 2 diapers whenever possible. My babies tend to be large, almost beyond the size 1 diapers at birth. Babies generally are in the size 2 diapers for most of the first year, so that is the size I stock up on. 

*Huggies are my preferred brand, with Pampers as a second. I've never had much success with Luvs. 

*I will combine both disposable diapers and cloth diapering with the new baby. I tried cloth diapering with my 5-year-old son back in the day and still have most of the supplies. I found cloth diapering to be a way to save major money, so I plan to go that route again.

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Garden Update

Posted by My Heart Song

6/24/2013



It's been a few weeks since I've posted a garden update. Everything is growing and looking so good! 


Our corn is knee-high and looking good. We've also got some cucumbers and cantaloupe coming in.


We continue to have lettuce daily, along with plenty to share with neighbors and friends. In the picture, the lettuce is on the far right, cut off the picture. But it's very bright green and leafy. On the left is broccoli, which hasn't produced any heads yet but should be close. In the middle... turnips, I think. Nothing yet from them either, in terms of anything edible. Lots of green in the garden... besides lettuce, we're still waiting for the parts we can eat!


Our beans are getting taller and vine-ier, but no signs of beans quite yet. There should be some actual beans soon. The tomato plants are looking good, but need a few more weeks before they'll be producing tomatoes.

 We've had beautiful weather for the garden this year. Last year was super-hot and drought conditions. I know of some places this year that have been saturated with rains. We have had a great season so far - good amount of sun, but not too hot. Some rain, but not too much. 
Perfect summer weather so far this year!

Happy gardening!

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Family Photo Friday

Posted by My Heart Song

6/21/2013

Friday has rolled around once again, which is when I try to post some family photos. Here are a few recent ones.


I've been doing some "school" with my son. Nothing heavy, but some work with letter recognition and sounds. On this particular day, we talked about the short i and short a sounds. I would say a word (like hit or igloo or hat or apple) and he would hold up the letter sound that he heard. 
A fun way to learn sounds.



Cousin Racquel was over last weekend for a sleepover. She and my daughter dressed up for church on Sunday in these similar dresses. They are both 9 years old right now... until my daughter turns 10 in August. 
Turning into quite the young ladies, though they have always loved playing dress-up together.


This was just plain silly. I got a mailer from Blue Bunny ice cream with a coupon for a FREE box of ice cream bars. Yummy and thank-you! My daughter found this pop-up part of the mailer, ripped it off and pretended it was a real ice cream bar. I took a picture just for fun. It does look real, but it was totally just paper in her hand. 

Happy Friday to you!

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Pregnancy - 15 Weeks

Posted by My Heart Song

6/19/2013

15 weeks along. 
Still some lingering morning sickness, but it is improving.

Each day I am slightly more energetic than the day before, thus accomplishing more and resting a little less. Still needing (and taking) a daily nap, however.

Sorted through maternity clothes this week. Though I don't need them all the time, I wore true maternity pants for the first time this week.

Found my pregnancy journal from 6 years ago. Was interesting to read through those entries, to compare this pregnancy with that one, so far.

Felt what *might* have been baby movements this week, but I'm not 100% certain that's what they were. It is about that time, though, that they'll start and only get stronger, Lord willing. 

Next doctor visit: at 17 weeks

Looking forward to: baby movements that I'm certain of! 

We love you, Baby Flutter!

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2013 - Year of Babies

Posted by My Heart Song

6/18/2013


I'm sure it's random and it's just me. Or maybe there's some God-thing behind it, which I've not figured out yet. But I find it incredible that I know no less than 20 people - closer to friends, not distant acquaintances - who are having babies this year! Yes, count them - 22 folks!
2013 is a year for babies! 

Tim & Kelly welcomed baby boy Colin in January

Brett & Natasha welcomed baby boy Traeson in March

Dusty & Angela welcomed baby boy Zachary in March

Nick & Senja welcomed baby girl Kate in March 

Adam & Karina welcomed baby boy Mogan in April 

Dave & Jami welcomed baby girl Heidi Joy in April 

Gabo & Emily welcomed baby boy Sebastian in May

Nate & Tricia welcomed baby girl Annabel in May 

Joseph & Merry welcomed baby boy Benjamin (not Jesus) in May :-)

Chris & Kimberly welcomed baby girl Christina in June


Doug & Christina are awaiting their baby girl

 Andrew & Anna are awaiting their baby boy

 Rob & Oksana are awaiting their baby boy

John & Kate are awaiting their newest addition

Aaron & Candace are awaiting their baby girl 

Seth & Leah are awaiting their newest addition (which will be #6 for them - hooray for big families)

Jon & Bekah are awaiting their newest addition

Will & Stephanie are awaiting their newest addition

Dan & Laura are awaiting their newest addition

Nick & Lesley are awaiting their newest addition

Tim & Melissa are awaiting their double-blessing twins

And we're expecting too!

I can't explain it, but there's a baby boom going on, at least within my circle of friends! How thankful we are for new life, for generations to come, for the privilege of being parents. What a joy!

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