My Life Lately

Life.  As wonderful as the gift of life is, it has been rough lately.  I'm thankful for the mountains before and after deep valleys.  I know from experience that when things get difficult, they will get better, or could possibly be much worse.  Thank goodness we have a Savior who carries us through.

Mike and Jack headed to Illinois the weekend before New Year.  My father-in-law was very ill and in the hospital.  Jack rode along with his dad and visited his buddy David.  Mike stayed with his family and did what he could to help his dad through his illness.  We prayed many prayers that week for Grampa.  He is doing much better and is now home.

Jack's trip to Illinois set him back even more in school, but I couldn't deny his that visit!  They always have a great time.  So, the girls and I plugged away at school.  We only took New Year's Day off.  I felt very productive that week without the guys in the house.

Ivy finally went in for her post-op appointment with the surgeon.  She still has quite a bit of swelling.  A stitch never made its way out, so that got pulled this past week.  I'm very happy with the way her left nostril got "rounded out".  Now that she is healed, she is ready to massage her lip to help with scar tissue and swelling.

Before

After (Excuse the spaghetti spots around the corners of her mouth.)

Ivy also started piano lessons after the holidays.  For being home only (almost) three years, she sure plays well.

Joy did not want to lose her first tooth last week.  She didn't want dad to pull it, but he couldn't resist.

Since today was only 70 degrees, Eva had to wear the cool camouflage pants that zipped off to shorts that were given to her by Jacob.  They will probably be worn on a weekly basis...when her other camo is in the wash.

And I had to share these cute dog tags the girls got for Christmas from big sis, Jordan.  The girls wear them faithfully.  Eva wears hers attached to Seth's old ones from when he was her age.

So, that is My Life Lately...just being a family.

Hiking, O'ahu Style

Jordan has enjoyed hiking while living at home in Virginia.  Once she finally got her car and a friend, she felt comfortable enough to hike in Hawaii.  She sent me these pictures yesterday, and I'm just amazed at the beauty of the island.

Jordan likes to pick the "road less traveled", and it sure looks like it from these pictures. 

I'm not a fan of heights.  You could never get me near a cliff like this. 

I can have my bags packed in minutes if anyone wants to take me...Just letting you know...It's not the South Pacific I've been dreaming of, but it's close enough!

Home-Made Gifts

Home-made gifts are usually the best gifts to receive.  I know that the giver spent some time thinking about what I would like.  I knew there was a home-made gift in the making when I would hear giggles and was barred from my girls' bedroom.  Actually, the gift started about a decade ago when Jordan was learning to quilt.  She had sewn these squares together at some point and never finished another quilt.

Ivy found them.  With Eva's help, they sewed them together.  They, then embroidered each family member's name on a square.

And for the backing, they managed to sew a bandana to the squares.  Quite an imagination for my girls.

Merry Christmas

I'm so thankful for another Christmas with our family.  Last night, the girls had a Christmas program at church, which we all were going to attend.  Unfortunately, one young man was sick to his stomach all day long.  So, I took the girls by myself.  And keeping with tradition, the girls asked to sleep next to the tree with the lights on.  Little did they know that Grandma had bought them new sleeping bags.  So, while they were getting ready for bed, I spread out the new bags.  And, Mike and I had them pegged on which girl would pick out each patterned bag.  We were right!  Thanks Grandma!

The girls woke right on time.  They were ready to start the day!  Jordan asked us to Face Time with her, even though it was 3:00 am her time.  She is such a trooper!  We missed having her home, but we set her up nice and neat on the table so she could watch her crazy siblings.

Poor Seth had not eaten all day on Monday.  He spent most of his day lying on the bathroom floor moaning and eating Popsicles.  I'm so glad he is feeling better, and I'm praying no one else gets it.

Before I knew it, the presents were opened.  I'm quite embarrassed by this next picture, but no one bothered throwing the paper away and keeping the house in order.  We didn't even buy many gifts for the kids, and the house was still a mess.

For some reason, we had a whole lot of sweets in the stockings.

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas!

Seth and his friend, Anica.  They've been friends for a really long time...

Melancholy

This week I was doing some organizing and came across some of the letters my kiddos have written me over the years.  I keep the older ones stored in a box, but had to add to it lately because of the girls.  But, for years, I have kept this one near my bathroom vanity.  It has faded over the years, but still lovely as ever.

 

Maybe it is the fact that this is our first Christmas without Jordan home, but I'm a bit melancholy.  Not in a bad way, but in a thoughtful way.  There has been a lot of stuff going on inside my brain lately; lots and lots of pondering over lots and lots of stuff. 

So, I thought I'd share some of my precious masterpieces.

 Jordan's Father's Day card, obviously.  But, below, is a heartbreaking card Jordan wrote when her brother and sister twins died.  She was so heartbroken.  It still makes me cry.  Jordan was only 12 years old.

I have a lot of letters from Seth.  Most of them are letters telling me how much he loves me and "Thank you for letting me off school today."  I must have needed many breaks while schooling him.

And apparently, Seth tried his hand at cross stitch at some point in his childhood.

My Jack was never much into coloring or writing.  I'm not even sure I could find a letter in my tub of Melancholy from Jack.  So, yesterday, as part of his schoolwork, I made him draw me a beautiful picture and a note.  Not a man to mince words, I got this from him.

If you know my son, you'll understand this is as good as it's gonna get.  I'll take it!  At least he made it look colorful.  It might just be my favorite.

Remember doing these in school?

I should have done one with all my children.  Any guesses who this is?  Yes, he is the one who never brushed his hair except on church days.

My Life Lately

There never seems to be dull moments at our home; it seems to be a busy home.  So, our last few days consists of lots of school.  I am about 2-3 weeks behind schedule with Eva and Joy, about a week behind with Ivy, and I haven't a clue how far with Jack.  I'm going to be a scrooge and only give them a few days off for Christmas.  I have to blame it all on the adult children I have.  When they come home to visit, it is hard to get anything done.

So, I found the girls hiding things today.

 Moxie lets them do way too much to her!

I'm not sure of the look she was trying to acquire.  A five o'clock shadow, maybe?

So, I'm having to make the Christmas cookies this year.  My baker left me for Hawaii.

Since baking 80 or so cookies takes me all day, I needed a nice pot of jasmine tea to start the day. 

Joy thinks the candy-cane shaped cookies are really "J's" especially for her.  After the hard work of rolling and baking, the girls came around for the fun part.

Jordan would be very proud.

Ivy's recovery is going very well.  I'm very pleased that her left nostril is rounded like the other side!  Yes, it is still smaller, but it looks so nice.  Hopefully, in the next few days, the swelling will go down and we can get a better look at her lip.  Stitches come out on Monday!  She is such a trooper.