4.26.2008
Eli and Jaron Playing
On thursday, Jaron came over to play with Eli while Mary went to a 12-wk ultrasound. We had gorgeous weather last week so they were able to play outdoors. A cold-front came in today, which was a bummer. This week won't be as enjoyable by way of weather as last week. Here are some pictures of the boys playing together.
4.11.2008
And....I'm back. Sort of.
Getting back into a normal routine since being back from Israel has had its share of challenges. We've had many visitors since we've been back which is always nice since we're all social people, but it can wear on routine over time. My house has yet to look good but I've had to prioritize and tell myself that it's okay. And as Eli has moved into the 2-year-old phase, my hands have been busy keeping up with him. It's been fun though. While he is certainly a handful, he can be a lot of fun and just downright hilarious at times.
Yesterday was a gorgeous day and after several long days at work, Dan was able to take off a little early. We enjoyed every waking minute outside in the glorious weather. That's all Eli wanted - was to be outside. Which I was quite happy about! We soaked in every bit of sun we could. I took advantage of Eli having Daddy to play with and while Gabriel slept, I took some pictures.
That evening, Maremy came over for a grill-out. Jaron is walking now so the boys are more able to play together....some.
3.07.2008
Israel Tour Update
Internet time has been slow and sparse. This is my first time on the computer since being in Israel. So I doubt I will have time to post pictures before I get back. However, Dan is putting pictures on the church website and we've been posting short journal entries each day. You can click here to go straight to it. Until next time, Shalom!
2.27.2008
Eli with Family
This is Eli when family's around. He's sooooo happy....
(I got these pictures from Melissa.)
(I got these pictures from Melissa.)
2.25.2008
Reflections and Announcement
It's been some time since I've actually sat down to write to my faithful blog-viewers. Obviously, my time is limited and my priorities have changed over time. However, it is still important to me to continue to post pictures for my far-off friends and family to watch as our boys grow and our lives change. Part of me wishes I were better at managing my time to include my creative expressions in the form of writing or making pretty things. I wish I had more motivation, time and resources to make my house look exactly as I dream of making it look. And of course, in those dreams, I'm almost always sitting in a favorite chair, drinking coffee with cream and either staring off into space enjoying the solitude and quiet or reading a favorite Jane Austen or other classic.
But, my life doesn't look like that. And I don't regret it. I often have to remind myself that this is not that time in my life. Did my own mother do things like that when we were little? Not that I ever saw. Did she have the house in perfect order or enjoy chunks of time re-decorating the living room? Nope. I think our living room was the same pale blue for at least 10 years, if not more, and they had that shaggy red carpet in there till I moved out. The bathrooms got washed every week and the kitchen got cleaned up every night. The living room was picked up and vacuumed regularly since we held the weekly Bible Study in it and my mom...? Well, she got her creative outlet in the gardens she created around our yard. But that was when we were a little older. And now is her time to enjoy keeping the house exactly as she wants it. And I'm always impressed with how she does it.
No. I'm not sorry for where I am in life. I have two very little ones who take up my time and energy. And it doesn't matter how little they are, they're expensive. So our resources don't go to the longed-for curtains or hallway runner. But the Lord always provides.
For instance, the Lord has seen fit to send us on a tour of the Holy Land! We view it as our three and a half year honeymoon. Our real honeymoon consisted of spending a few days in Harrisburg, PA. Not exactly the city of love. But we had a good time. Our plan was to save and go on a real honeymoon on our 1-year anniversary. But by then, we were pregnant and the Lord called us to go on a missions trip with the youth group instead. Now, here is our opportunity to go to Israel on a tour! And we're taking it! He provided the means for which we can go and my parents offered to take both boys for the duration. No passing them around or splitting them up. They will be with family together for the whole time. Which puts my anxious heart at rest.
We leave this Sunday (March 2nd) to take the boys to New York. We return the following morning and leave for Israel on Tuesday the 4th. We would appreciate any prayers you offer on our behalf. For ours and the boys' safety, health and rest. Pray that Gabriel would take well to his new environment, to Nana, Papa and Aunt Tiff, and to taking the bottle exclusively for two weeks. Pray for strength and energy for Mom as she keeps up with a two-year old Elias. Eli has been very clingy of late and doesn't want me out of his sight. Our normally social butterfly who will go with anyone seems to be regressing in that. Acting shy, needing Mommy for reassurance. I don't quite know what to make of it, but I wonder if he's afraid of our leaving. I have told him that he and Gabriel will be staying with Nana and Papa while Mommy and Daddy go away for a little while and I didn't think he understood, but he understands more than I realize. So I wonder if that's it. He's very protective of Gabe and shows no signs of jealousy. He just wants the same kind of attention that Gabe gets when Mommy's the one giving it. So if I "beep" Gabe's nose, Eli comes over to me saying, "Mommy beep nose?" So I have to beep his nose as well. That sort of thing. So please keep him in prayer. Gabe, I think, will adjust better than Eli. But I could be wrong. They may both do fine. That's my prayer.
But, my life doesn't look like that. And I don't regret it. I often have to remind myself that this is not that time in my life. Did my own mother do things like that when we were little? Not that I ever saw. Did she have the house in perfect order or enjoy chunks of time re-decorating the living room? Nope. I think our living room was the same pale blue for at least 10 years, if not more, and they had that shaggy red carpet in there till I moved out. The bathrooms got washed every week and the kitchen got cleaned up every night. The living room was picked up and vacuumed regularly since we held the weekly Bible Study in it and my mom...? Well, she got her creative outlet in the gardens she created around our yard. But that was when we were a little older. And now is her time to enjoy keeping the house exactly as she wants it. And I'm always impressed with how she does it.
No. I'm not sorry for where I am in life. I have two very little ones who take up my time and energy. And it doesn't matter how little they are, they're expensive. So our resources don't go to the longed-for curtains or hallway runner. But the Lord always provides.
For instance, the Lord has seen fit to send us on a tour of the Holy Land! We view it as our three and a half year honeymoon. Our real honeymoon consisted of spending a few days in Harrisburg, PA. Not exactly the city of love. But we had a good time. Our plan was to save and go on a real honeymoon on our 1-year anniversary. But by then, we were pregnant and the Lord called us to go on a missions trip with the youth group instead. Now, here is our opportunity to go to Israel on a tour! And we're taking it! He provided the means for which we can go and my parents offered to take both boys for the duration. No passing them around or splitting them up. They will be with family together for the whole time. Which puts my anxious heart at rest.
We leave this Sunday (March 2nd) to take the boys to New York. We return the following morning and leave for Israel on Tuesday the 4th. We would appreciate any prayers you offer on our behalf. For ours and the boys' safety, health and rest. Pray that Gabriel would take well to his new environment, to Nana, Papa and Aunt Tiff, and to taking the bottle exclusively for two weeks. Pray for strength and energy for Mom as she keeps up with a two-year old Elias. Eli has been very clingy of late and doesn't want me out of his sight. Our normally social butterfly who will go with anyone seems to be regressing in that. Acting shy, needing Mommy for reassurance. I don't quite know what to make of it, but I wonder if he's afraid of our leaving. I have told him that he and Gabriel will be staying with Nana and Papa while Mommy and Daddy go away for a little while and I didn't think he understood, but he understands more than I realize. So I wonder if that's it. He's very protective of Gabe and shows no signs of jealousy. He just wants the same kind of attention that Gabe gets when Mommy's the one giving it. So if I "beep" Gabe's nose, Eli comes over to me saying, "Mommy beep nose?" So I have to beep his nose as well. That sort of thing. So please keep him in prayer. Gabe, I think, will adjust better than Eli. But I could be wrong. They may both do fine. That's my prayer.
2.19.2008
Catching Up
My boys: Gabriel and Elias
Eli sometimes likes to get down on the floor with Gabe and pretend that he's Gabe's age. I think Gabe was amused. If anything, he's certainly entertained by his older brother.
Jarid and Tiffany came down for a weekend. Here they are holding Gabe.
One of Eli's favorite things to do is climbing... esp on my back.
We like to spend cold days at Giggleberry Fair in Peddler's Village. Here's Daddy with Eli riding the Grand Carousel, something Giggleberry Fair is famous for. Eli loves riding the "horsies."
Soundly Sleeping...zzzz.
1.09.2008
1.05.2008
12.25.2007
Christmas Morning
A cookie for breakfast....?
A big smile from Gabriel. Just look at that adorable dimple!
Elias' heavy bottom lip...
