Patience is a Virtue

My due date was today. I'm trying to remember March 26 was an estimate. That's why they say plus or minus 2 weeks. When you're planning a natural childbirth, you don't get to pick your baby's birthday. It gets to be a surprise. That's part of the fun! Doesn't feel so fun when you're going into the plus days. Once my baby is in my arms, I will never care I was a few days late.

Just because I can still call her baby

She's still my baby girl and always will be MY girl. However, her status will change in a matter of days. Her new title will be BIG sister. And boy is she going to be excited to have a little person in the house to mother.

Carel Kiddos

Jacob turned 13 in December. His favorite things to do are playing and exploring in the pastures with the dogs and building crazy inventions. He also likes to read and play his guitar and ukulele. Jacob watches the girls like a hawk and is such a protective big brother. Not looking much like our little boy anymore, as boyhood is shedding away and a young man is beginning to appear.


Sophie is about to turn 11. She is often second momma in the house to her younger siblings. Without her second pair of helpful hands I am not sure how our house would run. She plays the piano every free moment she gets and has won numerous "Superior" ribbons playing at her music festivals. Sophie is mature beyond her years and is a great teacher and encourager.


Vivian turned 6 this month. She counted down the days to her party. She asked me, "Will I grow all at once and get bigger on my birthday or just a little at a time?" She is super sweet and can quickly bring a smile to my face with her wittiness. A few weeks ago during church she leaned over and smiled at me and said, "Finally!", when she heard the pastor say "in conclusion." I did not disillusion her by telling her that meant nothing.

Amelia turned 2 in January. Yes I said 2! Whew...she is giving us a run for our money. Have you ever laughed when your child did something incredibly cute and at the same time very naughty? Well, that is our Millie. She LOVES to tell (yell) the dogs NO! Sassy and sweet is our little Millie.

And baby 5 is coming in just a few short weeks. I'm not sure what I will write about him or her in a year or so but I could probably make a good guess. Ever seen a child sit and play sweetly with great contentedness for hours without a peep? Neither have I. Gretchen and I don't seem to make that flavor. Our DNA seems to produce beautiful and creative, little mischievous energy ridden go a hundred miles an hour kids....but I wouldn't trade them for anything!

Rylee

Introducing my new niece, Rylee Lynn...

in Grammy's garden

sweet face

the Mommy

the Daddy

Descriptive Writing

What pleasure and satisfaction I have to see my children succeed in all they do. To watch them grow spiritually and see godly character develop in them brings me joy beyond measure. My children have special gifts and talents as all children do. Jacob has always been creative at everything he puts his hand to, including writing. Here is a paragraph he wrote for his descriptive writing class last week.


Water was trickling into my mouth and nose. It felt as if I had a bonfire inside my lungs. Up! I jumped off of the pebbly death bed beneath me and gasped for a breath of fresh air. Oh, the pure joy in that breath. I felt as if I had gone from being tortured to the pleasure of finishing my math lesson. Just like smelling a fragrant flower and that scent flees too quickly, I was sinking. “Help!” I cried, but no answer. As I sunk down to my watery death, I thought maybe I would be able to jump off the bottom again. Up! This time there was a couple next to me. “Help!” I screamed, but to my horror they didn’t hear me. Up, down, up, down. Finally, after what seemed to me like an hour, I saw my dad approaching. “Thank you, Lord,” I thought to myself. I clutched on to my dad’s shirt as I was being carried back. I whispered to him, “Thank you.”

Our News Anchor

Ed and I were sorting through pictures tonight and found this video clip Sophie made with her camera. We've never seen it before and laughed very hard. Enjoy!

Coming To Theatres Soon!!

This is Jake's new movie project. Dedicated to Grandpa Jack who provided the soundtrack.