100th Post!

I can't believe we're at the 100th post already!

Come celebrate with me!

Life has recently become so hectic and crazy (in a good way!), so the blogging has been something I think about late at night as I'm falling asleep.

And I mean falling like a load of bricks!

So I'm just going to take this oppurtunity to show you some of the things our precious family is up to!




Gi-Gi has just learned how to crochet. Well, kind of. Can you tell? Her Nonnie recently showed her how to make a chain. The chain is now six feet long. Seriously. Unfortunately, that's the only stitch she knows. I'm looking around the house, searching for some way to use a six-foot long crochet chain. Any ideas? Please? But, I am pretty proud of her!


Ju-Ju has been taking guitar lessons. I told you he was advanced! His Daddy's pleased as punch! Even when Daddy is at work, I find Ju-Ju crawling over to the guitar and patting it, trying to make it make some sound. I love the thought of the future day of when our home is filled with (melodious) music made by my children. Of course, I'm not sure if I'll have any hair left by the time they are able to make the music melodious.

Bubba has recently taken up shaving. What can I say? He's growing up way too fast. You'd think he was an Iowan corn-fed farm boy. Good grief! I tremble at the thought of future grocery bills! *shudder* He's also just discovered the joys of riding his bicycle up and down the alley challenging his sister to races. A few scraped knees later...

And then there's our Ya-Ya! She's just busy being three. My baby, my baby. She's keeping us all in stitches, especially when she sings her new song. Here's how it goes:
Jammies and undaweas
Jammies and undaweas
Jammies and undaweas
This is sung in her New Jersey accent. I still haven't figured out where she picked it up! She says butta and stow-ah for butter and store. If anything, she should be talking in an Irish brogue or with a Speedy Gonzalez accent. Go figure.

As for me, well, I'm just living the life! I am so terribly busy keeping up with these five fabulous people and I've never experienced anything more glorious. God is bringing me through a season of such learning that I can't imagine ever being the same as I was. And that's a good thing, my friend. A very good thing. I am blessed. So very blessed. Thank you for being on this journey with me. I'm enjoying being part of this blogging world.

Happy Birthday, Ya-Ya!

One of my darlingest girls turned three today.

I've actually been a little melancholy today. I can remember the day she was born with startling clarity. I remember holding the precious bundle in my arms and marveling at how tiny she was. At 6 lbs. 9 oz., she was the smallest of my bunch. Even then she was teeny.

Now she's three. Oh, my.




Even now she is still on the small size. But don't let her size fool you. She's wee, but she's mighty!

She was my one unexpected pregnancy (doesn't everyone have one of those? lol). I knew from the moment I found out about her that she was going to be the one who made me realize how much I needed to lean on God!




Here is my top ten list of favorite things about my Ya-Ya:

10. She loves clothes. She loves to shop for them, wear them, throw them in the washing machine, and dress up in them. It doesn't matter, she loves them all. And she can match outfits together without my help. That's my girl!

9. Ya-Ya was four weeks early and so needed to be held more than the previous two kiddos. The only way she could sleep at night was to be buckled into her car seat with my hand somewhere on her body. Precious, but exhausting.

8. She has the incredible heart of a servant. Wanting to be my big helper is just the beginning. She consistently is looking for ways to help and bless others.

7. She really wants to be a mama someday. Yay for future mamas!

6. Ya-Ya is our family's cheerleader. She loves to encourage and celebrate each of us.

5. She's a ham. She will stop and pose anytime she sees a camera. It can be pretty funny.

4. She is incredibly witty and funny. She doesn't have to think about being funny. She just is.

3. Ya-Ya has the cutest little voice! A friend recently said that she should be doing voice over work for cartoon mice. She may be the one soprano in our family.

2. She loves to climb up on laps. A great snuggler from the moment she arrived!

1. She is the best surprise of my life! The Lord knew we needed her in our family. I am so glad He gave her to us!

Happy birthday, dear girl!

Happy 85th, Shirshee!

This is my grandma:

She's pretty great! Today is her 85th birthday. Holy cow! 85. The things this woman has seen in her lifetime are momentous. She's one of those Greatest Generation people. She was born into a seemingly different world. It was gentler, harder, simpler. You know what I mean?
She remembers the years of the Depression when homeless people stayed in an empty lot across the street from her house. These people were making soup out of dandelions. Weeds for dinner? That's gonna impact you in some way.
She remembers meeting the love of her life during a dancing school lesson when she was in junior high. They were paired together because they were the tallest in their respective classes. She ended up being 5'2" and he was 6'2". Go figure.
This woman in incredible! After raising four children, she went to work full time. After becoming a widow, she has supported herself for 28 years. She still is a substitute teacher in special ed classes, as well as working for a homeless shelter, making countless pies for church functions, and blessing her family members with quilts, jammies and slippers.
Such a godly, blessed woman! She has been an example of godly love and womanhood. I'm doing my best to emulate her in so many ways.
She's the one who taught me how to make jam, sew a button, and wash dishes properly.
She has celebrated the birth of each new great-grandchild with joy and love.
She has encouraged, supported and loved me every day of my life.
Thanks, Grandma! I love you so much!
Happy Birthday! May the Lord bless you through out this next year in countless ways.

PS We are celebrating Ju-Ju's 6-month birthday, as well as Shirshee's 85th today! I can't resist bragging just a little more. He's now decided he can crawl, much to every one's delight - except mine. Things just got a little harder around here. ~sigh~ But ~ I am still the beneficiary of the majority of his snuggles. I guess I can handle the crawling if he's still snuggly.