Light at Home

14 Years Ago...

Posted by My Heart Song

5/27/2014

14 years ago I married my best friend.

Of course nobody knows on their wedding day what lies ahead of them. Nobody can foresee the good or the bad that will come their way.

Our journey has led us from Chicagoland to Indiana. From one apartment to another apartment, then to our first home and now to our second home.

We've welcomed 3 earthly children along the way and grieved 3 who went straight to eternity.

We've had numerous jobs along the way and earned 3 college degrees since our wedding day.

Like everyone, we've had our share of ups and downs, joys and sorrows. In just the past year, we've endured job losses but also the birth of our baby girl. Ups and downs. Life is just full of them.

Through it all, though, there isn't anyone else I'd rather be walking through this life with than you, my love.
Thank you for choosing me.
Thank you for loving me and being a wonderful husband and father. I am blessed to be your wife.

Here's to growing old together!

Spring!

Posted by My Heart Song

5/5/2014

What a delight to see our spring flowers in bloom around the yard!

We have lots of yellow daffodils that have been blooming for nearly 2 weeks already.

We also have red and purple tulips out. So gorgeous.

My favorites, though, are these hyacinths. Such a sweet smelling flower - I love to have some inside in a vase. We have some white, pink, ivory, and blue hyacinths. Love seeing them out my kitchen window this time of year.

After such a long winter, these flowers are more welcome than ever as a hopeful sign of what is to come!

Drooling Girl

Posted by My Heart Song

5/2/2014

My baby girl is 4 and 1/2 months old.

She's been rather drooly lately... teeth? We'll see!

Homeschooling - Spring 2014 Update

Posted by My Heart Song

4/30/2014

Homeschooling this year has been quite a challenge.

My 10-year-old daughter is in 5th grade.

My 6-year-old son is in Kindergarten.

Our 5th grade curriculum has been Sonlight, which we love for its strong emphasis on great literature. I am thankful that my daughter is old enough to work independently, as she's been expected to do so much more this year. This year's focus has been on the Eastern Hemisphere - it hasn't been our favorite focus of the ones we've studied this far, but we have learned new things through it.

We have just used a hodge-podge of workbooks with my son for Kindergarten. I am working through "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons" with him. He's nearing the end and is catching on well now. Teaching a child to read is an incredibly gratifying feeling! Once they know how to read, the entire world is open to them.

We took a maternity break when our baby girl was born in December. We kept up on some of our basic reading together, but that was about all. Over the months, though, we've added more back in and are doing full-on school again these days. We will probably finish in June - later than we normally finish, but still acceptable considering the kind of year we've had.

We participated in our wonderful local homeschool co-op again this year - Home Grown Hearts. We love this group so much! About 50 other local families, about 150-200 children. I hung out in the nursery most of the time and connected with other moms in this same stage of life. My 5th grader enjoyed classes like Lego Challenge, Women of the Bible, Flying Creatures (from Apologia Science) and Orienteering (similar to map-reading, scavenger hunting). My Kindergartener enjoyed these classes: Under the Sea, Tree Study, Schoolyard Games, and Drawing. Our co-op has a strong focus on worship and prayer and scripture memory. We enjoy it immensely and I'm glad we didn't take the semester off (as I'd considered, due to new baby). It was a joy to be a part of another semester with our friends.

My husband was able to take the kids on a few fieldtrips this spring. They headed to a nearby county park for a lesson on maple tree tapping for syrup. He took my eldest to the local historical museum for a 3-hour discussion on the Civil War. And they have a field trip planned to visit Fair Oaks Farm next month.

So it hasn't been a typical school year for us, but it has still been a good one. We're growing. We're learning. We're reading great books that challenge our thinking and teach us about people of other times and places.

I am so thankful for the flexibility to homeschool. Through life's changes, through new babies, through all seasons of life, we are learning and growing together. I love that!

Up Close and Personal

Posted by My Heart Song

4/29/2014

It's been a long time since I've had time to write.

Life is just speeding along.

Recently I realized just how many changes our family has gone through in the last 6 months. Pregnancy, childbirth and life with a newborn. My husband's unexpected layoff and then start of a new job. I quit my job working part-time as our church secretary (too much to juggle on top of life with baby). Financial pressures related to the job changes, insurance changes, reduced hours, etc.

Looking at that list makes me wonder how I am still sane (or am I?)

I always say that having a baby reduces life to its very basics - trying to shower once a day, trying to eat regular meals, trying to sleep. That's what I call a good day, as a mother to a newborn!

I did struggle with post-partum depression again this time around. Not a surprise, as I've battled this with each pregnancy, including my miscarriages. Thankfully, it was short-lived this time around and I am glad to be off any medications for the depression.

On top of the other stresses of life, or maybe it's because of them, I know God is growing me. I can see changes in my life, for which I'm super thankful. I have become more patient. I have more joy and praise is more at home on my lips. Since I have a 10-year-old, a 6-year-old and now a baby, I can clearly see how I have parenting each child differently. I am a better parent each chance I get :-) We're always learning and growing, aren't we?

I am learning to trust God more, especially when I can't see the outcome. In a number of situations in my life currently, there is stress and unknowns. I am thankful that I don't have to know how these situations will turn out. I don't have to have answers. I can trust God. I can have faith that He is at work in others' lives just as He is at work in mine. He will bring about ultimate good.

So there's a more personal update to answer those who wonder how I am doing.

I choose joy. I choose life. I choose peace. I choose thankfulness and praise to the Lord my God!

Baby is 4 Months Old

Posted by My Heart Song

4/24/2014

Four months have passed already. Baby girl is smiling and laughing. She's sleeping well at night now, waking just once around 2 am. She loves to be near Daddy and to watch whatever the older children are doing.

She loves her exersaucer and can manipulate some of its toys with her hands.

At her 4-month well-child visit she weighed 14 pounds 7 ounces - a gain of over 2 pounds in one month's time. Yeah!

She is generally a happy baby. She loves mama the best but is starting to enjoy spending time with others too. What a delight to have a baby in the house again!

Homeschooling with Baby

Posted by My Heart Song

3/24/2014

We homeschool. And yes, we have an infant in the house. How do we combine these two?

Well, I figure it's never too early to start the education process?! :-)

Honestly, we took about 4-6 weeks off of school when the baby was born. That was just out of necessity for my own sanity. We school year-round and one of the major benefits of this approach is being able to take breaks as we need them. This year, we needed a long break around Christmastime, as adjusted to life with a newborn. No problem. We're still basically on track to complete our 180 days of school within a one-year time frame.

What we continued to do during those early weeks was read. While I was tied to my "nursing chair" for many hours each day, I read to the kids. We read some "school" books and some leisure books. My 6-year-old especially liked reading through favorites like Charlotte's Web, Ralph S. Mouse, The Trumpet of the Swan.

We also worked on practical skills. My 10-year old learned how to make some basic lunch meals. We have had many discussions about how babies develop and grow, what they can and can't do at each stage, what toys they like, etc. I've heard it said before, "the baby is the lesson." That is so true. While we may take a break from traditional homeschooling, much learning is still going on.

Now that baby is around 3 months old, we're back into the swing of school. I continue to work through this book "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons" with my 6-year-old. He's doing great as he learns to read. And my 10-year-old is old enough to do much of her work independently, requiring only supervision and sometimes help. She's studying human anatomy this year for science, which has dovetailed nicely with life at our house with pregnancy, baby, and growth.

Again, I will say how thankful I am that we homeschool. There's flexibility in our schedule - we don't have to get up early each day, which is a blessing with a newborn! There's flexibility in our yearly schedule - we can take a maternity leave and it's fine! We can lighten the curriculum load in some areas and focus on others for a time. And there's no rigidity even with teachers - Dad can help teach!

And ultimately, my children get to grow up together. My 10-year-old gets to interact with her baby sister... and grow and learn through the experience. My 6-year-old is learning how to be a big brother. We're all learning and growing together. It's a beautiful thing!

Baby Girl is 3 Months Old

Posted by My Heart Song

3/14/2014

The last 3 months have flown by.

Baby Girl has already been with us for 90 days.

13 Weeks. 3 Months.

She gives lots of smiles now. She's giggled a few times, but no belly laughs yet.

Here are some portraits of her at 3 months.

So adorable, with that toothless grin.

Love this one - baby in a box. And those little shoes in the foreground. So precious!

And one with the beautiful hat a friend made for her.

Is there anything more beautiful in the world than a baby with a hat?!

She's sleeping fairly well at night, but not much during the daytime. We'll need to start some sleep training to get those daytime naps in. But she's sleeping at night from 9 pm until 9 am, getting up twice (2 am and 6 am).

She's just generally very alert. Big eyes taking it all in. She loves to watch big brother. He comes over to pat her head, give kisses, and talk to her often. She just soaks it up.

Happy 3-months, baby girl!

Family Photos

Posted by My Heart Song

3/12/2014

A new baby in our home means it's time for new family photos.

We keep a family portrait hanging above our fireplace in the living room. Above is the one we had there, from fall 2012.

And here's some new, current shots with all 3 children.

My heart is so overjoyed and thankful for the family God's blessed me with. What a delight to share life with these people!

Baby Adjustments

Posted by My Heart Song

3/4/2014

We're almost 3 months in with our baby girl. This is when the days are very long but the weeks somehow pass quickly.

I had some concerns about how my older children would adjust to having a baby in our home. But they have been wonderful.

My 10-year-old daughter has surprised me by asking to hold the baby now and then.

And both of the older kids have become entertainers for our baby. They enjoy talking to her, showing her new things, and just interacting with her.

It's been neat to watch the older kids grow up a bit. Babies do that to families - force us all to grow up, mature, take on new responsibilities. My 6-year-old son especially has had to move out of the role of "baby of the family" into the role of big brother. He's done great. No resentment. No hard feelings. He's growing up. He's had to learn to be a helper, instead of the one needing help.

We're all growing up!

Friday Funnies

Posted by My Heart Song

2/28/2014

I'm a big advocate of writing down those funny things kids say, because I know that they won't make it into my long-term memory. So here are a few of the funny things my children have said recently.

My 10-year-old daughter took a shower early one morning. She told me afterwards that she was so tired, she just felt like "a pig made of jello on an upright spit." What a word picture!

Last week our 9-year-old niece Racquel was over for a playdate. She and my 10-year-old daughter were talking about weddings and boyfriends (ay, ay, ay). Racquel named a boy she'd like to marry and then asked who should be the "ring barrier?"

My 6-year-old son used this funny combo phrase "scared me out of my horses." He also mistakenly referred to my favorite Girl Scout cookies (Carmel DeLites) as "carmel good nights." But my favorite was when he was watching baby sister. She was trying to drink and "talk" at the same time, making those super cute baby noises. My son said "That's bad table manners to talk and eat at the same time!"

Smile!

Remember there's always something to smile about!

Baby Girl at 2 Months

Posted by My Heart Song

2/14/2014

Baby Girl is now 2 months old.

She weighs just over 10 pounds. She's smaller than average by weight, but bigger than average by length.

She smiles a lot now. She lights up when she sees mama. She's definitely a mama's girl.

We have so many names for this little girl. We use pet names a lot, like "rosebud" (which turns into "rosey" a lot) and "little miss" (which turns into "missy" a lot). And we sometimes call her "sissy" (as in "little sister"). She just may grow up to be confused about what her name actually is!

I've been pleasantly surprised at how smooth the transition has been for my other two kids to grow to love baby sister. It's been beautiful (and entertaining at times) to watch.

We love this little girl!

Love

Posted by My Heart Song

2/12/2014

Here's a recent picture of my baby, all ready for Valentine's Day!

Been thinking about love lately. We've worked on memorizing Romans 12, which includes a verse "love must be sincere; hate what is evil and cling to what is good." I've explained many times to my children that love must show itself in action. The words "I love you" are meaningless if they aren't followed up with action.

And so I've been more intentional about verbalizing "I'm doing this because I love you and love must be sincere" while I'm preparing food, cleaning a dish, pouring a cup of milk, changing a diaper :-)

Love must be sincere.

I'm so very thankful for those who show sincere love to me!

Baby Comparisons - Smiles

Posted by My Heart Song

2/6/2014

My newest baby started smiling this week. I love it when the smiles start. Baby becomes more interactive and I start to feel like there is a little bit of gratitude for the hard work of parenting for these first months.

These smiles remind me of my other kids' first smiles. So fun to look back, to remember, and compare their individual looks.

Here's a picture of my oldest daughter in 2003 with some of her first smiles. I notice the chubbier cheeks.

Here's my son in 2008 with some of his first smiles.

Babies. So beautiful. So special. So unique.

We are so blessed!

One Month Baby Girl

Posted by My Heart Song

1/24/2014

My newest baby girl is already 6-weeks old!

I seldom have a spare moment to blog (or take a shower for that matter), but here are a few pictures to share. I know a few have been asking for some updates, so this is the best I can do for now.

Here's my hubby after rocking the little one to sleep. They are both out like a light.

Grandpa R holding baby for the first time this past week.

A bit of play time on the floor. She's quite the kicker - constantly moving those legs.

Asleep in mama's arms, with hands folded.

In a moby-wrap carrier with mama. This baby doesn't want to be away from mama for even a minute, so the carrier is a great way for baby to be close to mama and mama to have hands-free to accomplish other tasks.

We love our baby girl!

Baby Comparisons - Baths

Posted by My Heart Song

1/15/2014

Life is moving at break-neck speeds.

My newest baby is a month old already.

Giving the newest little miss a bath recently made me recall the experience with those of my other children.

Here are some photo comparisons, just for fun.

It's the same blue baby bath tub in each picture.

Picture of little missy's first bath at home at 3 weeks (2014).

Picture of my enormous son's first bath at home at 3 weeks (2008).

Picture of my eldest daughter's first bath at home at 3 weeks (2003).

I think my two girlies look a lot alike - small, petite, delicate. My son, well, he was just unbelievably huge.

Of course this also reminds me how much I love that baby fresh smell after a bath!

Snow Day

Posted by My Heart Song

1/6/2014

We've had major snow the last few days and now super cold temps to go with it. But before it got too cold to be outdoors, Dad and the two older kids enjoyed some sledding time.

Winter fun!

New Baby Break

Posted by My Heart Song

12/18/2013

We have a new baby!

I'll be taking a blogging break while we adjust to life at home with our baby girl!

I will be back soon.

Pregnancy - 41 Weeks

Posted by My Heart Song

12/12/2013

41 Weeks Along

No pregnant mama necessarily wants to reach this point. The due date has come and gone... still no baby.

People call to check in, to see if they've missed some big news... nope, still waiting.

How I feel: ready

I'm trying to be patient

I'm trying to enjoy these days while I can focus on my older children.

And I'm trying to rest up.

We will be induced soon, if baby doesn't come naturally.

We are ready for you, Baby Flutter, and will see you oh-so-very soon!

Family Photo Friday

Posted by My Heart Song

12/6/2013

It's Friday which is when I try to post a few family photos.

A week or so ago we had our homeschool co-op end-of-semester program. One of the classes that performed a song on stage was the "Armor of God" class. My kids were not in this class, but my son was so impressed with their costumes that he immediately began talking of making some armor at home.

It wasn't long before he and his sister had homemade swords and helmets. And this led to a number of discussions about the armor of God mentioned in Ephesians 6.

It also led to some birthday gifts that fit the theme as well.

This picture doesn't show the stickers as well as I'd hoped, but my son chose stickers to represent each member of our family to put on his shirt. He put a smiley face on for Dad, Mom, sister and himself. Then he added a sticker of a gift for Baby Flutter. So sweet.

My hubby and daughter were busy in the kitchen making soft buttery pretzels. Mmmm.

My kids worked together to put up our Christmas tree this week. Team work at its best.

My son loves drawing and creating with the dry-erase board. He was very proud of himself when he drew this awesome picture of a firefighter, fire truck and burning building. Great job, Buddy!

Happy Friday to you!

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