autumn adventures

Is it wrong that I just goosebumps when I watched this? ...For the second time. 

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I am such a sucker for those twilight movies/books. It makes me feel like a teenager again...and somehow I can get lost in it for just a little. I guess like any good book and or movie, huh?


This last week has been oh-so-busy and oh so wonderful. We've been busy 'round these parts and mostly inspired by the change of weather. We welcomed September with open arms and it brought cold mornings (today the house was 62 degrees inside! I was so tempted to turn on the heater.) and lots of beautiful clouds full of raging thunderstorms. Sunday night we had friends over for chili and enjoyed the open windows and consistent rain. On Monday night we gathered in a warm home full of breakfast-for-dinner foods and watched the rain dramatically fall outside accompanied by plenty of thunder and lightening. It was so, so beautiful. To us Arizona folks, the rain is a celebrated event. 

Bummer of the week was the much anticipated discovery of the sex our babe was put off for a few more days. The tech was sick (not sure what's a bigger bummer. That she was sick or that we only have one tech at the doctor's office.) and they couldn't get me in again until FRIDAY. I was a wreck. It was like knowing you were going to Disney Land on September 12 for like a month and then when it came...to find out it's postponed. I was like a kid on Christmas morning who was told it wasn't actually Christmas, but December 20. My goodness. So, one more day and we shall know, hopefully.

Casen, Jude, Cougan, Jack and Lincoln

I am so thankful for dear friendships...particularly of the female variety. I love my man, but I love me some good girl-time and contagious laughter, exchanging stories of the struggles of motherhood and beyond, and of course, enjoying some yummy food. 

On Tuesday we had a french-toast/latte extravangza. There were five boys all within months of each other. Future warriors of truth and grace. They played, they hit, they laughed and chased each other. It was such precious moments to experience...their little personalities sprouting from within. It was wonderful. It was a cool morning and letting the boys explore outside was perfect. 

We put on a tractor movie in order to keep the boys on the couch. I think they liked that more than their crazy mama's trying to get their attention.

sweet Jude

this man loves his tractors and i was in the way.

baby girl Brynlee was there for the fun too. Poor girl amidst all those boys. Maybe we'll have a girl to join her?

the kiddos and their mama's.

Casen was so smooth with his model face.

blowing bubbles in the rain water

Lincoln, so sweet and friendly. When Jack hit him I kept asking Jack to say sorry and Lincoln would just say, "sorry, Lincoln. Sorry." haha.

Jack loves dogs...even if they run away from him.

Most mornings have looked like this:


And in the evening we try to take advantage of the breeze and beautiful sunsets.

the growing belly

Our boy is almost two. Where has the time gone?

What I'm looking forward to tonight? The season premiere of PARENTHOOD.

Welcome, Fall. I've missed you.

labor day

The last week has a been a bit heavy. Not very much for me, but for those around me. It's been so encouraging to see friends come alongside each other and carry grief and sadness and pain together. No matter what, painful trials are so difficult, but what beauty in sharing the load. To pray for peace that only Christ can bring and the closeness that He promises.

Jack's favorite spot. On his daddy's lap reading Car and Driver.

Jack has suddenly turned into a real little boy. The baby is nearly gone (despite the binky and diapers, mind you) but I feel his changes happening so quickly, it's hard to keep up. The words, the mimicking little voice, the giggling and running. We had my brother and his family and my parents up for the weekend. It was so great to see Jack adore having other kids around. He crawled with his younger cousin and raced cars with his older cousin. Any kid who wants to play? He is in. ...I think he might get that from me. ;)

Happy Birthday to Papa!

On Labor Day we played at a nearby park and watched the clouds roll in...

A great storm that came later.

A friend showed me this article and it made me smile. We're nearly halfway there with this pregnancy and in my heart of hearts, I know I don't really have a strong conviction about whether or not we have this little one all-natural like we did with Jack. Was it beautiful? Yes. Was he healthy? Yes, by God's grace. Was it traumatic? ...Um, yes. And here's my theory: there are adventure seekers who love a good roller coaster, jumping off of a cliff into freezing waters, camping in the middle of nowhere, rock climbing, para-sailing, skydiving, etc...the list goes on. They love the thrill of a risk and feel this empowerment of looking at a dangerous, scary, thrilling task and saying, "I got this. I can do this." and then they jump. And it's scary, but so awesome and so worth it. I admire these type of people and love being around them because they nudge me in the risky direction. I, however, am not that kind of person. Oh, how I wish I was. Growing up with two older brothers, I hated being the wimp who had to turn back because I was afraid of getting lost in exploring our woods, or having my cousin hike my back down the mountain because it was too high for me. Haha. I am just not a risk-taker. I barely made it to a very, very rustic cabin in Canada and I made John put up a tent in the cabin because I don't love mice or bats. I have learned a lot about myself over the years and have come to terms (and am really okay with) the fact that I don't enjoy risks. I like consistency and "safe" experiences. I like to laugh and joke and say things like, "I can do this." because believe it or not, some of the most simple, every day tasks are daunting to me and are still a 'lil scary. But Jesus has brought me a long. A long way.

and so, all that to say, I really loved giving birth to Jack without an epidural, but I don't think I'll do it again. I am ready to try a different avenue, and one that does not include traumatic nightmares afterward. Gotta love those risk-takers...and to be honest, I still feel like I am one, by just being a mama.

sorry

Sorry for ignoring you, 'ol blog. I finally have my energy/appetite back and I took a run for it. It's been delightful. The weather is still hot (Arizona, you didn't get the memo? It's almost September.) In fact, I think this week is one of the hottest weeks we've had all summer. Along with it has come the monsoons. Real ones. Lots of thunder and rain and today, really cloudy skies. It's been heavenly.

17 Weeks

Two more weeks until we find out what we're having. Oh, my goodness am I excited. This is half the fun, to me. I have it planned so my dear sister is coming over to watch Jack ---p.s. I need to stop here to say how lucky and thankful I am to actually have a sister in town. I've secretly been envious of my friends who are 'going to my parent's' or 'my mom/sister/grandma can watch them...' But now, I can join the club and my sister is going to school up here and for the first time in three years we are closer than an hour and a half away. I am so excited! Yesterday she came over during Jack's nap and we watched Modern Family and Tangled. Oh, and I barely made dinner and forgot about the pile of laundry. Woops. But, boy, was it fun.--- All that to say, Maggie is gonna watch Jack when we get the ultrasound and John and I will head over together to find out if this little one is a boy or a girl. John is convinced it's a girl. I don't have definite feelings either way.

Maggie is going to school here!

Speaking of Tangled, how cute is that movie? I think this is my favorite scene. It reminded me of a Little Mermaid quite a lot too. 

These last few weeks have been busy! With my appetite back and my much missed energy we've been filling most days and weekends with plenty of water play dates!

This may look like a birthday party, but it is none other than a swimming party with Jack's buddies. He had a blast!

We also had a slip n slide play date on the weekend! John was able to go and we could sit and chat with friends and eat amazing food and enjoy the cloudy skies.

Cousin-buddies, Cougan and Casen. Too cute!

Jack and Ellie

Friends from Monday night Bible study

sharing babies and stories

Our little family tradition most Monday mornings is to go to the local Prescott Donut Factory for a donut. I mentioned it last Monday and Jack ran around in circles saying, "Doh-doh's! doh-dohs!" Uh, he gets that from me.

Jack saying, 'doh-dohs!' Too cute. p.s. That white frosted sprinkles is what I got. So, so yummy.

 We've also tried to restart our walks around the square. We went down there as a storm rolled in (annnd passed over us) and it was a nice walk with a cool breeze. I really do love living here.

Favorite song of the moment?

I heard this one the radio on the way to church and was pleasantly surprised to hear such talented voices on Christian radio...until I realized it was actually NPR and it was The Civil Wars. Oh man, they are consistently blowing me away.

moments to remember

We heard the little ones heartbeat today. It was perfect and brought much peace and relief. We find out in ONE month what we're having! I can hardly contain myself. I saw the ultrasound tech today and almost wanted to grab her and ask her, "can you just check now? Please?! I'll pay you!" haha. But I didn't. It's so worth the wait. Kind of like Christmas.

I've been kind of enjoying the differences in this pregnancy than with Jack. 

With Jack I craved, 

-cereal
-sweets
-pancakes
-anything bad for you

With this one I crave,

-cheese
-milk
-chips and sour cream dip (is there a pattern here?) 
-Egg salad
-popcorn

It's so different and in the mornings when I have cereal I sometimes have to force myself to finish it. Whah? This is not me. Pregnant or not pregnant. I love me my cereal. Maybe I should go back to investing in my golden grahams and fruity pebbles. I bet then I'd want to finish it ;) Or maybe not. Healthy cereals stay in my stomach longer.


The nausea is finally subsiding and I've already gained 5 pounds. My doctor was a little concerned that I had a lost a pound at my last appointment, but I told her, Don't you even worry, girl! I've got this one taken care of! 


I'm still kind of in awe that this is really happening. I look at Jack and wonder how I'll manage another one and how I'll manage to give them as much love and kisses as I do Jack. Last night on the way home from Bible study I asked Jack if he had fun to which he piped, "Yes!" And then did this loud and growl-giggle that made John and I break into laughter. He's growing so fast and has become a very independent little boy. At a playdate this morning he didn't want me (unless it was to show me the cars outside) and didn't mind falling or getting toys taken away. He did however, pinch a little girl and pull two older girl's hair. Oh, man. We left shortly after and he was asleep in the car within 10 minutes. My little fiesty monkey. Apologies to those kiddos and their mama's. 

Jackboy's expression when he sees his daddy is home.

Jack's recent "cheese" face. Literally.

a pool day out back with dear friends

I feel like this new kiddo is a girl, even though we have a great boy name picked. I'd love a little girl, though, and we shall somehow agree on a girl name if that happens. We started to talk about it yesterday and John said, "Let's just see if we even need to have that show down, okay?" haha. I wonder where Jack gets his fiestiness?


Girls night tonight and rain this afternoon. Two of my favorite things and it's only 2 o'clock.


So thankful for today and time which eventually passes and Jesus who heals and restores.


I read this post today and choked up. So true.  p.s. I'm choking up like all the time now, over every little thing. Be warned.

Summer monsoons are in full swing as I sit and type and eat crackers and cottage cheese. My appetite has also returned and it has brought with it consistent hunger that doesn't seem to end unless I'm sleeping. And it all comes back to me, how I gained all that weight with Jack. And ate so much delicious food.

I feel thankful and full of hope that all is going well. We're in the second trimester this week and I can feel my energy returning, though my nausea still remains. I've been struggling a lot with fear lately and worry. Common worries for early pregnancy, but with me, worrying tends to be taken to a different level. On Sunday we heard a great sermon from a friend of ours who talked about how we are made to worship. We spend our lives worshiping something, but it's choosing what to worship. For me, I tend to let idols be what I worship. Idols that are, fame, control, fear, pride, doubt, things that we don't just think about, but allow to take over our hearts and lose our focus on Christ. I long to just have my gaze directed towards God and look to Him rather than the worry and fear that is so familiar and well known, but brings no peace and rest. To be able to look my deepest fear in the eye and tell it, "I'm not afraid anymore." Because, I'm not. Even if it's the absolute worst thing I could imagine, He is faithful. He is strong. He will use it for His glory. I was reminded this morning as I prayed that it's not a sin to be weak. That we all are weak, but in that weakness, He is made strong.

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Cor. 12:9

And that brought such peace. A moment I could breath and let it go. Again. Until an hour later when I had to do the same thing. :)

++

Last week we went north to Sedona to see my cousin and his wife for the day. It was so wonderful. My cousin Greg and I grew up by that creek and created hundreds of stories in those woods. It was great to take our boys there and see them take it in. Of course, I imagined them being a bit older and climbing mountains and building forts in the rocks and pretending that they are running away from the orphanage. Swimming in the creek and creating another world that only they knew of. I hope all those things for them, just because I miss my childhood so.

my cousin, Greg and Jack and Noah.

Noah is so cute!

possibly my favorite picture. Noah and Jack are so much alike and both love to run, to laugh, to swing and hit. Just sometimes. They're boys, what can I say?

The creek was cool, but not freezing. The weather was overcast and beautiful. A perfect summer afternoon. 

We finished the afternoon with delicious bean soup and playing with the dogs outside on the deck. Jack fell asleep on our way home and it was the ending of a really great day.