MiMi's Week

Welcome to another edition of MiMi Speaks.

Where the baby sets the record straight.

This is a glimpse into my week:  I am enjoying various foods now ... CARROTS are pretty good, except they leave a "carrot mustache".  My FAVORITE is green beans though - they say my big brother was like that too.  He'd even take a green bean over a french fry when he was little.  He's sure not like that any more!!  ;)

This week our church has had a Missions Conference with meetings every night.

They also provided our meals every night!  It's been fun getting lots of attention from my church friends while we eat together.

That's my daddy and big sister (above) - I love my Big Sister (my bib said so!).

Here's my brother (above) ... and Travis, he's practically my brother - we babysit him about three days a week.

All this Missions Conference-ing has left me pretty exhausted though.

This is how my mom found me in the nursery last night:

And I don't even LIKE sleeping on my belly ... I was just THAT tired.

Everyone says there is nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby!

Why is that?  Is it because we are FINALLY being quiet?!

Fun With Pets (a review)

This is a MamaBuzz review.  I was provided a "Crazy Critter" fox by TeleBrands for this review.

We have a part-Lab, part-Husky ... she is a MESS.  She is about 3 or 4 years old and is still very playful and HYPER!

Today we presented her with a Crazy Critter - and she LOVED it.

The Lab side of her made her immediately want to give it a bath ...

And I can testify that Crazy Critters "wash well"!

(sorry the pic is skewed - I forgot to turn it & now don't have time to go back)

Crazy Critters are stuffing-free dog toys.  They have 2 squeakers in them as well.  They are about 22 inches long - and a good toy for dogs of all sizes!

Crazy Critters ("As Seen on TV") sell for $10.

You can find out more on their website.

I was also sent a "Bark Off" ... which was a surprise to me.   We don't really have a barking problem with our dog (THANKFULLY).  Now, we could use something to make her STOP DIGGING out under our fence!!

HOWEVER, a friend of mine uses Bark Off for her Chihuahua - and I've seen it in action.  It works!  You can HAVE my Bark-Off if you are the first to leave a comment on this blog entry.  I will MAIL IT TO YOU at my expense.

(Bark-Offs also sell for $10)

Oh - one more thing about the Crazy Critter: 

We found it isn't just for dogs ... cats like it too!

What You Might or Might Not Know ... Or Want to Know ...

A bloggy friend Sarah wrote a fun post over at her blog train up a child.  It is one of random facts - and I love lists like that!  I love them on facebook, and I love them if asked to fill out in a survey, and I love them reading them, and I love writing them out long hand or typing them here.  Maybe that makes me weird ... and if so, it makes Sarah weird, so I'm in good company ;) 

Join me/us, if you like - and leave me a comment w/ a link to your blog, if you did!!  You too can be weird like me.   Ok, enough ...  here are all the random facts in my head right now:

1.  I like words.  I like reading, writing, journaling, blogging, studying grammar, reading the dictionary.  Words are awesome.

2.  I don't like talking on the phone (ironic that God put me into a job as a church receptionist/secretary for over 6 years!!).   Sarah hates. talking. on. the. phone.!!  I rarely pick up the phone and call a friend just to talk.  I do love it when a close friend calls ME just to talk ... and I usually end up rambling longer than they ever wanted me to (kind of like this blog entry maybe?!).

3.  I over think just about everything I ever do.  Sadly, I don't over think before I speak sometimes.

4.  I really love email ... and facebook ... and my little, limited blog here.

5.  I have secret dreams of finding my niche and becoming a big-time blogger who has sponsors and earns a lot of money by just blogging all day long.  (now it's not so secret of a dream!)

6.  I realize the above will probably never ever happen.  I do have a pretty realistic sense of my own limitations and inabilities!  :)

7.  I was born in Germany.

8.  Both my biological parents are German.

9.  I speak German.  (BIG SURPRISE!)

10.  I can write German too ...

11.  I have taught high school German I and II.

12.  I crossed the Atlantic Ocean over 30 times between age 4 and age 20.  (I went to Germany every summer as a child & college student).

13.  I lived in Germany until I was almost 4 years old.  Then I grew up in NE Virginia and East Tennessee - but Tennessee is "home".  I currently live in Missouri though.

14.  My biological father now lives in Cambodia ...

15.  My American step-father adopted me a few years after he married my mom.

16.  I have 4 step brothers, 1 step sister, and 2 half brothers.  I will probably never see one of my half brothers ever again.  My bio. father lost contact with him ...

17.  My biological, paternal grandfather died on the Russian front.  I have a copy of his death certificate ... it was issued by an American personnel officer. 

18.  My biological, maternal grandfather also fought in World War II - but he was an engineer and survived, despite being in prison camp for a short while.

19.  I have a great-uncle who was sent to Siberia for prison camp - and his wife and children didn't hear from him for about 5 years when he finally was released.

20.  I'd love to write a book for my kids about my German family's history from 1900 - 1950. 

21.  I find World War II stories fascinating ... the greatest generation definitely lived during that time!

22.  I love chocolate ... I love junk food .... I am trying to be grown up about what I eat these days as I do realize that it will catch up to me one day.  I want to be healthier and am learning to cook (better).

23.  I'm not a morning person - no matter what anyone may say.  I thrive at night - I come alive!!  I have tried to change this inner clock, but I can not.  I didn't even "pop" out of bed all happy and excited on my wedding day morning or any other significant day of my life ... I was annoyed when my water broke at 7 a.m. when I was pregnant with my 2nd child - of all inconvenient times of day for that to happen.  Thankfully, she didn't come out until 5:33 p.m.

24. I didn't really even "jump" out of bed, happy and excited, the day I was scheduled to have Miriam ... I had to be at the hospital at 5 a.m. -and the only way I really managed that was to not really sleep at all the night before.  She was born at 8:04 a.m.  Thankfully I didn't have to do much except lay on a table while someone cut her out.

25.  My only natural child-birth experience was my first born son ... he came at 11:03 p.m.  He's my favorite.  (just kidding!!!  not after 23 hours of labor, he's not!!)  (just kidding.  again.)

26.  I used to travel a lot.  I have lived in many regions of the United States and in Germany.  Now I barely manage to get out of Missouri.

27.  My husband was a Medical Service Officer in the US Army for 12 years of active duty (and 2 or 3 years in the National Guard).  He was once attached to the historic 9th Infantry Division - the only unit allowed to wear a special belt buckle at all times with their uniform with a serpent thing on it.  They were the "Manchus" and wore "Manchu hair" on their kevlar helmets .  It looked like a mop ... but they sure were proud of it.  He was part of the unit when it was de-activated and was sent from Ft. Ord, CA to Ft. Lewis, WA.

26. I had never been west of the Mississippi River until I married my husband.   

27.  My husband served in Operation Iraqi Freedom I during the first days of the war on terror (March 2003)... and he established the patient evacuation & tracking system for combat support hospitals that is still used there today, as far as we know ...

28.  He doesn't talk much about his military experiences because he doesn't want to come across as "bragging" ... many soldiers have done the same or even more than he ever did ... however, he is MY hero!   Even so, he likes his job as teacher/administrator much better than anything he ever did in the military ...

29.  My husband is the nicest (and most responsible) guy you'll ever meet ... it kind of annoys me sometimes!  ;)  Seriously, I married him because I was first attracted to his sincerity and kindness ... and the fact that my mom said marry someone taller than you are so you can always wear high heels (she really said that, but she was kidding).  I'm 5'4" and he is 6' 2" ... I love how small/short I feel standing beside him.  :)  In my "old age", I have kind of stopped wearing high heels - though I do get them out occasionally on a Sunday for church outfits.

30.  I could go on and on for another 100,394 points, but I will stop here for now.  I just came across this saying that fits this blog entry:
"BLOGGING - never before have so many with so little to say said so much to so few."
  God bless you if you made it this far - which brings me to another shared thought with Sarah:  WHO really is reading my blog?  And why ... ;) 

The Lord will provide.

This week our church is having its annual Missions Conference.  Last year we even hosted a family in our home for the entire week - this year, I am just hopeful to arrive ON TIME for every service!  A baby changes everything ...

Anyway, my point is not to complain or talk about my pathetic inability to organize myself ... my point is that missionaries always inspire me!  In fact, one man tonight spoke about the seeming resounding theme in my life:  PROVISION.  (Yep, Amy - our mutual, on-going subject!) ...

Who needs provision more than a missionary!?  And who is stepping out more on faith than a missionary who is headed to a foreign land, depending only on the gifts of God's people?!  It makes my faith seem so small because we have steady income, we just need to use it wisely.  Our bills get paid each month; we just don't have much left over for the "wants" and updates we'd like to have right now. 

Missionaries, I think, are very blessed to get to experience provision in such a mighty way as they travel and see God meet their needs and raise their support to be able to go do what He has called them to do.  It takes a huge (in my opinion) step of faith though, a conviction that you are called to do this work, and a very self-less life. It is one that would SCARE ME TO DEATH!!

Obviously, I don't have a call to be a missionary or faith to go ... but I should have faith to GIVE to those who do.  Our church believes in a "Faith Promise" missionary giving program, which kind of makes you commit to an amount over your tithes and offerings to give to missionaries.  The "catch" is that it should be money that you really logically shouldn't give (I mean, they aren't advocating that you don't pay your bills and give all your money to the church - but to give up something for the Lord that you might "want" so you can give to the missions program).  It can all be backed by Bible verses, but that doesn't mean it is the only way to support world-wide missions; it is one way.  

I will give the testimony - and this is more to my husband's credit (and ultimately God's) that we have done this ... we have not adjusted our missions giving since we left the military and had a higher income.  And yet, God provides our "wants" over and over - we have all - and more - than we need!  It is only because I always want MORE or want it EASIER that I am not always satisfied; it is never because God has failed me.

Even today, my son went to the dentist.  He is a brand new, greenhorn dentist who is just starting out ... and to drum up business, they gave us a $10 Walmart gift card (I had no idea they were going to do that).  My daughter looked at the receptionist and said, "How did you know we were going to Walmart after we left this office?!"   Well, apparently, GOD knew.  We had $0 left in our Walmart "envelope" for July (thankfully, the month is almost over)!  I was only going to buy something there for our church that they would reimburse me for, but now I had $10 extra I could spend on something I've been wanting for a while (just some silly RoC skin care cream stuff for my vanity!! and rats!  just now I linked up to their website & saw there was a $3 coupon I could have used!!)...

PROVISION.  In the littlest of things in daily life.  And PROVISION.  For those who take on the great ministries and missions of world evangelism.  PROVISION.  For all Christians.  It is there - we just have to trust Him, Jehovah Jireh (which means "The Lord will provide").

"Happy Campers"

This week my husband and 2 older kids were at "Junior Camp" at Living Springs in Festus, MO.  This was Andrew & Dan's fourth year to attend, and Anna's second.  They LOVE camp.  I'm glad.  Personally, I think I'd die if I had to go to camp ... no a/c in the cabins, activities all day long, huge bath houses with dank showers, bugs, sun burn, kids everywhere ... but the rest of my family thrives on "roughing it". 

Most of all I am thankful that there is a camp with a dedicated staff whose primary goal is to reach children with the Gospel and encourage them to grow in the Lord!

Sure, they have tons of games, activities, and I hear the food is even pretty good -

but they also learn Scripture, hear some good devotionals and sermons, and learn some character lessons.

They also encourage you to love the brethren ... and sisteren.   :)

 :)  I'm so thankful to have my big kiddos back!  Anna fell asleep on the couch about an hour after she got home ... and had a 3 hour nap!  It wore everyone out good.  And that's how camp is supposed to be, isn't it?
I'm thankful too that my husband is willing to go year after year.  He's great with the kids this age (kids finished with 3rd - 6th grades), and he has such a heart to reach them as well.  He's willing to give up his creature comforts for 5 days to go minister to these kids - and we had a good group go from our church this year (I think 15 kids went!!  10 girls and 5 boys).  Anna also had a good counselor - a girl who graduated from our Christian school this past year.

Miriam was pretty happy to see her family again!  Every morning this week, when she'd get up in the morning, she seemed to be scanning the living room for her siblings ... and they just weren't there.

She was getting kind of tired of me, I'm afraid.  In fact, at church on Wednesday, when I went to pick her up from the nursery staff, she took one look at me & cried ... kind of like, "OH NO, not this lady AGAIN." ;)

I also worked on her sleeping through the night finally on Wednesday and Thursday nights.

She had some "crying out" times to get through ...

but here we are on Saturday morning, 5:00 a.m. - I'm WIDE AWAKE (have been since 4:00!!) - but she is STILL sleeping.  I've heard her kind of fuss and toss some - but she hasn't screamed or really even cried much the two times she stirred in the night.  I am hopeful that soon she AND I will be sleeping through the night on a consistent basis!

MiMi Speaks: 5 More Months Until Christmas!

Welcome to another edition of MiMi Speaks...

where the baby has the opportunity to set the record straight.

So, I'm 7 months old today ... got some experience under my belt (that's a proverbial belt, considering I've never worn a belt, nor do I own a belt.  I've got some sweet headbands though!) ...

I've been around the block a few times (in a stroller - the ONLY WAY to go around the block, in my opinion).

Yep, it's been 7 months since I was born - right before Christmas time 2009!

To put it in perspective, it's only 5 more months until it is Christmas again, and I'll be celebrating my first birthday!

So, what's new?  Well, I've definitely found this thing called a tongue to be useful:

I can click it - yeah, cool, right?

I can stick it out, and it makes people laugh.

I can use it to get a beverage out of a big person's cup or can ... I got a taste of this stuff called Coke once.  Funny, it made me cringe and sputter - but I still wanted MORE!  Mom says we can't be doing that ... but "everyone else" is drinking that stuff.  Mom muttered something about, "If everyone else jumped off a bridge..."; I don't get it.  I don't even know what a bridge is.

I like to play with this stuff called PAPER.

It doesn't taste very good though ...

Mom keeps talking about HOW BIG I'm getting.  She means that in a good way, I'm sure.

I am now wearing size 3 diapers ...

I'm still wearing size 6-9 months clothes ... but they are getting a wee bit snug.

I'd really like to stand on my own ... and maybe walk - like in the next 2 or 3 or 4 months.  Mom says that it ain't happening ... but I may fool her yet!

I'm still a gummy bear though - no sign of teeth.  Mom says she's glad...

I still like my mommy-milk every day, but

I've eaten a variety of foods now - tonight I had mashed potatoes and peas off my mom's plate!  Soon she promises to use the baby grinder and give me the GOOD STUFF.  That jarred baby food is for the birds ... well, honestly, I don't even think the birds would like it.  I do like baby oatmeal, but I still don't like rice cereal!

Pumpin' Pal - A Review

This is a Mamabzz review, and the product I am telling you about was provided by Pumpin' Pal International.

Pumpin' Pal is a kit that will provide the nursing mother with a comfortable, hands-free pumping experience.  Because my nursing baby is with me about 24/7 (or never less than about 20/7!), I don't have a need to pump as often as I thought I might.  In fact, though someone gave me a wonderful, almost-new double Medela pumping machine, I usually end up using a cheap Evenflo hand-pump if I ever do pump.  HOWEVER, the product I am reviewing would be the PERFECT compliment to the Medela, I think!!  Perfect for a working mom or a mom who has an abundant milk supply who is stockpiling milk for babysitters/dad/etc...

Here's more:
The Pumpin' Comfort Kit was recently awarded the 2010 NAPPA (National Parenting Publications) Award.
It contains everything a mom needs to pump comfortably, including all three sizes of our Super Shields (angled flanges that allow a mom to sit back while pumping – the tapered design is more gentle on the breast tissue and creates a more comfortable pump session); our simple-to-use Hands-Free Strap; a mesh Air-Dry Accessory Bag to keep all your freshly-washed pump parts together; and a Pumping Guide for moms who are new to pumping.
Price: $29.95

Check it out here
and here.

Because I want to not waste this wonderful product, I am willing to give away my Pumpin Pal kit that is exactly what you see above.   I was not able to use it :(  and I will pay the postage to send it to you.  The first comment I get that says "I would LOVE to try the Pumpin Pal" can have it!  Get it for yourself or for a pregnant/nursing friend!

The Baby of the Family

I'm beginning to think this sweet little baby girl is just a WEE BIT spoiled!  I didn't really realize it until the rest of her "staff" went away to camp for the week, leaving me to take care of all her needs and wants by myself!

She's not a little girl who likes to be alone. 

Most recently, she's also not a girl who likes to sleep for any extended periods of time!

I'm working on that ... tonight I moved her out of her bassinet in my room and into the crib in Anna's room.

Praying ... praying ... praying for a good night's sleep! 

She sure has gotten BIG though, hasn't she!!?

She'll be 7 months old tomorrow.

Hard to believe.

And despite all the sleep-interrupting nights and whining for attention when I'm trying to do something besides give her my undivided attention, I am incredibly thankful to have her!

While the Kids are Away ...

While my husband and the "big kids" are away at camp this week, Miriam and I are hoping the days will go by quickly until we are reunited ... I kind of am enjoying the quiet of the house and the lack of cooking I have to do right now!  BUT I definitely will be more than ready for everyone to come home on Friday. 

On Monday I did something I haven't done in a long, long time - I worked a full day in the office at church!  Thankfully, the summer schedule is 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.  It went by fast - and I actually enjoyed being back in my old desk chair.  Miriam was such a good girl the whole time too.  She took 2 nice naps in Dan's office and then charmed the staff and visitors who came through while she was awake.  I am also unpacking and sorting and inventory-ing the curriculum for our school this week - about 140 boxes worth!!!!  With more on the way. 

Thankfully, someone from church gave us an exersaucer last Sunday!  I just left it at church, knowing I'd be working some this week - and it has been such a blessing to have.  It is one of those really nice ones, kind of  like this:















I am also supposed to be "sleep training" Miss M this week too ... but so far, I haven't had the heart to move her out of our room (that, and I haven't found the crib pad and sheets for the crib upstairs).  She went down tonight around 9:15 p.m. - and woke up already at midnight.  I let her cry a few minutes, then I went in to offer a paci and to pat her a little and talk to her.  I think that just made her mad - the crying turned into screaming!  Like MAD-ANGRY screaming - like "Momma, you are here, feed me like you always do instead of standing there talking me to death" screaming.  I keep chanting, "the parent is in charge; you are the adult" to myself, but it wasn't helping.  I have survived almost 7 months without sleeping through a night (the longest stretch I've ever experienced with any of my children), and I am strangely getting used to it.  HOWEVER, I recently talked to several ladies who told me their children didn't sleep through a night until they were 2 or even 4 years old!!!  I'm afraid, very very afraid.  So, tips, suggestions, encouragement, and PRAYERS are much appreciated right now.  Thank you - and good night - or bad night - however you want to look at it!  ;) 

134 Days

I am easing slowly toward a certain age ... a certain milestone number on my birthday cake ... some of you know what it is ... some of you don't & are guessing the Big 3-5, right? ... Well, you're off by 5 ... I'm turning 30 ... no, seriously ... I'll be 40 by the end of this year.  That's right - 4-0. 

I know, I know, I don't look (or act) a day over 20. 

Most days I don't feel like I'm even 39 ... some days I feel like I'm 89. 

But anyway ... I know "it's just a number" and for the most part, it doesn't bother me so much.  Of course, I'm still "in my thirties" right now ... and I still don't feel mature enough to be that old!  Or that young.  It's all perspective. 

I have watched my husband enter this new decade of the 4-0's for a few years now ... and I must say he has gotten better with age.  Then again, I am losing my eye sight and brain cells so maybe my senility has made him appear so.  No, really.  He HAS gotten better with age.  I like him more now than I ever did before.  I'm not sure if it's me or it's him - or just the fact that I have a thing for men who fill out nicely and have gray hair at the temples? 

Hopefully his maturity will rub off on me ... but I promise NOT to let any hair turn gray at the temples.  Or anywhere - as long as my therapist/hair dresser Stacey lives anyway. 

So, anyway, the point of this post:  entering another decade in a few, short months has made me very contemplative.  (Funny, the same thing happened to my husband - we had some major break-throughs in our marriage (for the better) shortly after he turned 40 because as he said, he was tired of being quiet about things that bothered him and too old to play games and pretend certain things were okay when they weren't.)

In any case, I have decided that I need some direction for my life at this "mature" age ... and not just that, but I just need to plain ol' "mature".  period.  I look back and I've come a long, long way - but I obviously have a long, long way to go yet.  I admit I'm pretty hard on myself sometimes - my confidence levels tend to be very low - and I often just am downright insecure.  Well, I'm getting right tired of that.  It's time to KNOW who I am - and thankfully, as a Christian, I can KNOW who I am in Christ too. 

I have struggled with guilt, with feeling inadequate, and with not accepting my life as being what I expected.  So, I am working on letting go of the guilt - I am doing the best I know how to serve God, serve my family, be a good friend, and live as I think is right (for me). I will be inadequate and that is because I am human - but I am open to learning.  My life is not a surprise to God - He put me where I am for a reason, His reason.  I don't always understand why - mainly because I don't think I'm good at some of the things He has required of me.  I prefer to just hide out from Him ... but He tends to find me and draw me out anyway - and I'm glad He does! 

In 134 days (to be exact), I will be facing a new decade of my life.  It shouldn't be too monumental - I mean I will go to bed on November 29 and wake up looking and acting pretty much the same on November 30 ... I won't change drastically overnight (at least I hope not!); it will be a process (no doubt the wrinkles will deepen as the maturity sets in!).  I am optimistic about growing older - perhaps growing wiser finally - perhaps growing comfortable in my own skin - perhaps accepting life better - perhaps understanding it more - growing older in the Lord.  There is a lot to look forward to!



 

A Reminder from my Husband

I've said it before, I'll say it again:  I have one of the good guys.  My husband is a sincere, kind-hearted, hard-working man - and he's been very good to put up with me for all these years - and I'm thankful my kids have his influence in their lives.  Every so often, after I'm done being selfish and complaining and whining and thinking of only my own desires for my life, I stop & listen to my husband ... and realize how much I need his perspective to keep me grounded! 

For example, today, he was talking to his mom on the phone ... Now I will pause here to say that Dan & his mom are two very unusual people.  They both have this inherent, totally natural tendency to be genuinely positive and optimistic about just about anything ... they are sunny and smiley and want to find good in every situation.  (Drives me CrAzY sometimes!!). 

Poor Dan - when he married me (many years ago), he said he thought he was marrying someone like his mom.  Of course, in the few months of our dating and engagement, I had put out my very best side - my agreeable, positive, never moody, never grumpy side (this is why probably most people should have a long engagement, unlike we had!!).  In reality, that side was only a small part of me - I mean, I'm a nice person, but I'm not always a nice person ... But you know with dating, being "in love", and wanting to impress your future spouse, I was behaving beautifully - and I meant it because - after all - I was happy, things were going my way.  Now, after 17 1/2 years of marriage, my husband says he realizes he married someone much more like his dad (the crankier antithesis to the bubbly, happy-go-lucky spouse), and I take that as a compliment.  ;)

So, back to this morning's phone conversation ... they were talking about how many GOOD things we have.  I could only hear one side of the discussion, but my husband was saying that having less now has made every thing that we do have that much more special, that much more meaningful.  Years ago, when he was in the Army, we pretty much never thought of spending money on something we wanted.  Now, many times, we have to wait to buy something, and when we do get it - even if it is a simple something - we are grateful, we admire it, we treasure it.  It was bought with a higher price than even the price tag because it meant we can't have something else.  We made a choice - and we rejoice in the choice we made. 

The other thing that we appreciate more is God's provision.  In our "past life", we provided for ourselves.  Dan's salary was more than enough for us to live comfortably and for me to not have to work and for me to spend freely.  Now, we calculate and budget and divvy up the money we do earn ... and each trip to the grocery store is an adventure, each purchase is precious because we have to determine if those $3 or $5 or $15 are worth spending on that particular item.  However, we also have seen God provide a "bail out" for us over and over ... He has supplemented the money we earn so that we can buy some of the things we really just "want" - but don't really "need". 

Take the last few weeks, for example, I bought a new camera - with cash - thanks to God's provision and blessing.  I had to think twice about which camera, I had to calculate if we had the money ... and due to a special blessing, we did!  I am convinced that God is so interested in the details of my life that He cared that my old camera had died ... and He knows how much I am loving documenting our lives with pictures ... and He provided the extra money for that camera - which was ON SALE, by the way!  Six years ago, I would have just seen that as "I need a camera; I bought a camera.  What's the big deal."  Today, that whole transaction was a BIG DEAL, an event that showed me God's love for me. 

I will admit that my life was easier "back then", back before we left behind a secular career for a ministry in a non-profit organization and church ... I also admit that there are times when I want to go back.  However, I don't want to be the person I was then any more.  For me, it took leaving it all behind to realize what was important - God, family, others ... I mean, I served God "back then" too, but I wasn't totally reliant on Him like I am now.  I didn't really "need" Him like I do now, although I should have realized I need Him no matter HOW MUCH money we earned.  I know we can't "go back" and I know I can't regret how I lived, but if I had a "do over", I think I'd be different even then.  Many of my friends continue to do what I used to do - live financially secure and have more free time, and they do it well.  I'm not thinking that maybe God took that away from me (though I've been through my fair share of feeling like I've "given up" so much in the last few years), I am thinking God had to work harder on me because I couldn't handle that old life and be what He wanted me to be.  I needed an extra something-something to open my eyes.  Dan says not everyone can live like we do - and I don't wish it on them truthfully - but it is the life we have been given right now.  And I am thankful for everything we have.  It is much more then we deserve. 

Asleep On Her Feet

Being a baby is hard work ... eating, crying, smiling, charming, jumping, jumping , jumping ... sometimes a baby just falls asleep on her feet!

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......

"What??  What?? Huh?  What?  No, I wasn't asleep... just resting my eyes for a minute...."

MiMi is Back!

Welcome to another edition of MiMi Speaks ...

where the baby sets the record straight.

Have you missed me?

My mom hasn't taken the time to blog lately -

she's been working with the church's fiscal year end accounting, inventorying textbooks at the school,

and babysitting.  Andrew & Anna are gone this week - they are traveling in Iowa with our grandparents (they didn't invite me - they say I can't come until I'm weaned AND potty-trained).

and THEN our camera broke ... again (3rd time, same problem).

So, in order to continue capturing my progress and cuteness,

today she bought a new camera (a Nikon Coolpix S3000 in case you're wondering - they are on Roll Back right now at Walmart)! 

She obviously hasn't figured out how to use it very well yet.

But enough about me ...

So, what do YOU think about ME? 

(just kidding!)

Have a great day!

Lazy?!! Summer Days

"No rest for the wicked, and the righteous don't need any" ??!

I think I got that quote right (Amy?)!  It's from my Mitford series books, which BTW, my husband just found Light From Heaven at Goodwill for me!  I now have 9 Mitford books (is there more?  I need to look it up!).

Dan is working today as are many people from our staff and church as they are frantically trying to finish up an expansion program in our auditorium.

My summer agenda included him working LESS not more ... but as usual, it turns out that summers are no more times of rest than winters.  And why should it be?  Life goes on - work goes on - the ministry goes on. 

[I shouldn't be whining after our week of vacation & a day off on Monday - but somehow the after-effects of those days are already canceled out by the last 4 days and today.]

Thankfully I have 2 good helpers at home to make life at home easier on me.  Like this morning, Andrew "watched" the baby while I got a few things done:

And Miss M is getting more & more independent - see how she holds her sippy cup all by herself!:

And do you see her 2 "boo-boo's" on her leg?  She had to get 3 shots on Thursday (the 3rd was on the other leg).

6 Month (belated) Well Baby Check Up (July 8):

weight - 17 lbs, 2 oz (75%)

height - 26 1/2 inches (75%!  last check it was 50th%)

head - still off the chart :)

Milestones:

Sitting up independently:  yep.

Using fingers - like scratching surfaces to "feel" them:  all the time.

saying consonants and blowing raspberries:  a-zzzza-boooo.

Watching items fall and looking for them:  yes.

Learning to play peek-a-boo:  yes!  love it!

putting EVERYTHING in her mouth:  watch out!

Rolling?  Only from her belly to her back -

but this is where her true independence is seen,

considering she HATES being on her belly, why would she roll over from her back to her belly?  So, she chooses NOT TO!

Diapers - about time to move into size 3!!  Thankfully we've used up almost ALL the size 2 & have a nice stock-pile of size 3 waiting.

MiMi Speaks: Change in the Air

Welcome to another edition of MiMi Speaks ...

Where the baby sets the record straight.

Since I was born, I've been sleeping in this sweet little bassinet.  It suits me just fine - and there's still room for two (if one of you is a cat).  I like it in here - I feel cozy and warm.  I get my mama's attention by just whimpering because she is RIGHT THERE near by.  Great arrangement for a baby.

But now they're talking about moving me into this big ol' cold crib soon -

far, far away from my momma.

Some friends of ours said we could have it - they had no more use for it -

apparently they once put their babies in this thing too.  Thankfully, their 2 girls survived it.

I mean, it's ok and all...

when I'm awake.

and that music thing that goes round and round is pretty fascinating ...

but really, it all just makes me want to sing:

"When I was just a baby, my mama told me, Son,

Always be a good boy.  Don't ever play with guns ...

But I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die.

When I hear that whistle blowing, I hang my head and cry.

Well, if they freed me from this prison,

If that railroad train was mine.

I bet I'd move it on ... a little further down the line.

Far from Folsom Prison, that's where I want to stay,

And I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away."

Although I must admit: 

this crib thing is better than where the cat has been sleeping:

Young & Old

This is Miriam with Mrs. Hester.  Hester celebrated her 95th birthday today! 

She is obviously doing very well for her age -

and she sure enjoyed holding Miriam who was being her most charming self. 

(We left the party before she got fussy so she could maintain that image!)  ;)

Independence Day

A day to honor the ol' red-white-and-blue!

A time to contemplate our blessings - to enjoy the bounty we enjoy here in America!

To be happy and proud that we are Americans!

And to pray that God will continue to have mercy on us.

Happy 4th of July holiday!  Hope that you & yours had a good one.

Vacation Update

When I anticipated and daydreamed about our week of vacation this year, this is what I envisioned:

We really only had one full day for just our little family - and that was Monday ... but I was thankful to spend it doing things like this:

We stayed in a little cabin in a resort community ... and there was a little creek with a nature trail following it.  On Monday, the day was ours alone - while the rest of our vacation was mainly centered around extended family who was also vacationing there.  I have to say Monday was my FAVORITE day!  I got to enjoy lots of this:

And most of all, I got to spend a whole blissful day like this:

The rest of our vacation was fun too in its own way ... but my main objective was to re-connect with my family - focusing only on catching up with them - without the distraction of all that needs to be done at home, work, church, for other people, and the daily grind. 

My second favorite thing that happened was that on Thursday night my in-laws babysat ALL 3 children for a few hours!!  That hasn't happened for us yet - ever.  And I thoroughly enjoyed having my husband all to myself!!   We often talk about having "date night" - but somehow we just can't get it together to get a babysitter and go out, or we just don't have the time or energy even on a weekend to make the effort to plan something.  I get so jealous that my husband's time is so consumed helping others at work all day that he has nothing left for me when he gets home because he really is worn out ... but I guess many a housewife has struggled with that.  He really is my very favorite person on this planet to be with - and I cherish our time together more than anything. 

We had a nice time connecting with my husband's family as well. I like his siblings - and I'm blessed to have very nice parents- and siblings-in-laws whom I've always gotten along with.  We spent two full and long days at Silver Dollar City with Dan's parents, 2 brothers, and their families.  I had fun riding some roller coasters - especially Powder Keg which Dan and I rode for the first time (and LOVED!).  We had some suppers together and got to catch up on each others' lives.  It was great for our kids to get re-acquainted with their cousins. 

We did some "shopping" - mostly window-shopping - and ate out and though Miriam was way off schedule and did NOT sleep well for the most part, Dan did take care of the baby in the mornings and let me rest. 

From our budget aspect, we actually came home with money left over - PRAISE THE LORD! 
Some ways we were able to save money:
~we own a time share, and despite paying taxes & maintenance fees, we rather inexpensively get to have a 2 bedroom/2 bath place to stay for the week where we have a full kitchen so we can eat some meals there with food we bring from home.
~we were able to use gift certificates for meals out ("teacher" gifts my husband got from parents)
~we sat thru a 30 minute presentation from our time share company & got a $50 Visa card afterwards even though we did not choose to buy into their new program.  That was gas money!
~had a "picnic" outside the park on the days we went to Silver Dollar City (sandwiches, chips, cookies, our own drinks).  A true hobo-hillbilly experience!
~We also have season passes to SDC (our family Christmas gift) so we can go to the park as often as we like. 

That was our week ... it flew by entirely too fast.  I had hoped to have more down time for swimming and just being in our little cabin and being lazy - but it's ok.  It was a blessing to celebrate my in-laws 50th anniversary - and to see all Dan's siblings and most of their families (4 of the 17 grandchildren were unable to come).  It was a reminder of how quickly time flies - how fast children grow up - and that we need to cherish every moment!