Field Trips

Mom and Dad came to visit so we decided to hit the city for a couple of days. First we went to Duke Energy where they put on this beautiful electric train display for Christmas.

Judah was fascinated. He was so excited and was telling everyone to "Look!" as the train "is coming!!" again. And then again. And then again. I guess he didn't get that the track was made into a loop.

We were fortunate to have a backstage tour with our home school group at the Music Hall. Soon following, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra played a few pieces demonstrating the importance of Rhythm and Beats found in music.

Judah James

Judah, who is 2 1/2 years old, is sporting his personality more and more these days. He's such a delight.

Still Catching Up

This fall was particularly a warm one. Here Judah is playing outside in his winter foot jammies. hmmm.


We really have been enjoying the kid's music. Sophie, Micah (and Josh) have been playing their instruments together more now. Very exciting!

We took a trip to my hometown this fall and visited the apple farm where my mom works each fall. She gives the tours, so we jumped in on one!

And enjoyed some apple cider and homemade doughnuts...

Then took a ride out to the orchard...

where we picked an apple.

The kids enjoyed looking at the animals.

Another thing the kids enjoyed doing at Mema's and Grandpa's, was sledding down their woods in the back (like I used to do too!). Watch out for trees!

Before leaving, Judah had to leave his signature. Yikes. All over the bathroom door. He did try to scrub it off.

I loovve the colors of fall. We did not have them at home because of the drought. So I relished them all the way home.

What????

After I posted, I opened up my friend's blog to see her mentioning this atrocity. You've got to be kidding me. We'll take the baby!!!

Catching Up

I am now in the catch-up mode. Being sick for so long from the pregnancy, and then going to the hospital early, has set me back with the house and school. The D&C and recovery went well.



Thank you to all my dear friends and family for your help and encouragement. We are so blessed by you. I know there were concerns- wondering if this was particularily difficult because of Samantha. I really have had peace about it. It's certainly not a fun experience. However, I have been able to trust in God's providence in this (and can't help but think if it's the baby's time to die-this seems to be a much more peaceful way to go then to have a baby go through death outside of the womb like Samantha had to go through). This past weekend I received in the mail the little hand and footprints. The nurse explained to me that they don't mention the prints because it's sometimes not possible. Sometimes people choose not to see them too. But I told her to send them to me! I won't post the picture, but they are perfect. At 14 weeks, they measured about the size of my pinky fingernail.



The kids are doing fine. We've tried to model, as all parents try to do in trials, to keep on going- enjoying life as it's given to us. They've been doing well with keeping up with school, as much as they could, these last four month. But now that I'm feeling fine again, we're back to the books more agressively! So, I guess they would say that part wasn't fine.



I'll show pictures of the last 4 months in the next post.

Looking Heavenward Once Again

On Friday, I went for my 15 week dr appointment to find there was no heartbeat. It was a rough day. The worst was telling the kids. They've been worried from the beginning, so it was very hard to tell them the news. I go in this Thursday morning to the hospital.

I have seen God's grace working so wonderfully in our lives through this time-showing His steadfast faithfulness. He's provided me with a husband who is an anchor- reminding me of God's promises. He's provided friends that seek us out to help (when my first reaction is to hide). He's provided 4 children who give me plenty of reasons to still smile and go on with living.

If you can think of it, please pray especially for Sophia, my 10 year old. She's really struggling.



A friend emailed me this verse this morning and I'm thankful for these comforting words:

Psalm 63: 6-8 "When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, for You have been my help, and in the shoadow of Your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to You, Your right hand upholds me."

These last 13 weeks

have been pretty interesting. It's taken all my strength and energy to get the kids schooled, laundered and fed! Baby #6 is on it's way to arrive April 20th. The kids are very excited and I'm convinced I'm just plain crazy!! :)