Success and Silliness

Elijah is READING! 

Here is a clip of his success and ensuing silliness between he and Adah, if you're interested.

We reached this happy milestone last week!
It has been so sweet to share in his joy at the accomplishment of reading a book all by himself.
I feel his demeanor is different in the wake of this triumph. Like he's been trusted with the keys to a great treasure: he carries himself with a shade more maturity,
holds his head higher.
 Like he's been admitted to a secret "grown up" world, that up until a few days ago, was just out of his reach. He behaves as a newly minted member of a privileged people,
those who can unlock the magic of words.
*Sigh.* My little man.
I am happy for him. I pray he'll have a lifetime love of reading!

P.S.~ This was an accomplishment for me, too: My first homeschooling effort and God blessed us with easy success. 
May ALL of our homeschooling be this triumphant!! :)

Surprises and Simplicity

We love our new house, by the way.

The original owners planted many lovely shrubs, flowers and trees around the property. However, we bought this house as a foreclosure. Therefore, most of this landscaping is quite overgrown and out of control. It reminds me of my favorite childhood book, The Secret Garden. The work to tame the wildness and create our own vision here seems overwhelming at times, especially in the wake of giving birth. I let go of the plan to begin a vegetable garden this year (I didn't think we could handle it so soon). So, imagine my delight when I discovered, hidden amongst the weeds, the forsythia and azaleas- strawberries (lots of them), blackberries and raspberries! Yay for surprise summer fruits!

Yes, spring has been good to us. Or rather, God has been good to us this spring. We are so blessed with goodness and sweetness!

 

My cup is full to overflowing. 

As I learn to be a mom to three, my greatest struggle is being gentle with myself when I am faced with my numerous shortcomings and failures. God knows that I can't possible do and be all that I want right now. But, I am learning to be grateful for all the little things that I do accomplish in a day. 

I made breakfast, thank you Lord. I swept the floor, thank you Lord. I read a book to Elijah, thank you Lord. I nursed Naomi, thank you Lord. And I am learning to let go of all the things that I can't do and the long, ever growing list of things I'd like to do.... one day. 

On Sunday, I bowed my head in church and prayed for simplicity. No, it was more than that, it was for the ability to simplify. Or more exactly, I prayed that God would give me the ability to simplify and to feel no loss over the things that have to fall away. Yes, that's it. It was a prayer for peace about what I have and what I am and what I can do. And the ability to allow the rest to peacefully... fall... away. To feel no loss or regret about those things. Doesn't that sound nice?

    The LORD preserves the simple;
   I was brought low, and He saved me.

Return to your rest, O my soul,
         For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. 

Psalm 116:6-7

We Meet at Last

In these long gazes, an understanding is established... 

A lifetime of love and kinship stretches before us...
I love you without question or exception.
I am yours and you are mine.

She's Here

Thank you so much for all of your prayers. 

Naomi arrived safely 10 days ago and we are doing wonderfully.

I will write more as time and energy permits!

Love,

Liz

Full Term Update

I am now officially full term, and if the baby should decide to come today, my midwives would not try to stop labor and the baby would not be considered early. Praise the Lord!!

Technically, my due date is not until the 20th of March...and... both Adah and Elijah were 10 days late. So I am struggling to be realistic about how much longer we have until we meet this baby. It could be any day, could be 4 weeks from now!

But, you know what? I feel pretty good. I struggle with keeping worry and fear at bay, due to the recent loss in our family. I am uncomfortable. Its to be expected. But overall, I am just so grateful for this baby and for a very healthy pregnancy. I guess I will wait and try to enjoy the wait, too. What other choice do I have?!

Meanwhile, here are few pictures from the last few days.

The first set is from my laundry room midway through becoming, not just a laundry room, but a laundry room/ art studio. Its done now; complete with a desk, sewing table, shelves and organization. I am happy to say that today I did some "therapeutic painting" surrounding my hopes and fears concerning labor and delivery. It was a great feeling to sit down at my very own art desk, with all of my supplies easily at hand, and let something hidden come out. I would share what I created, but it is a bit too personal for this venue at this time:). With any good luck, I will be sharing some art in the coming months as I continue to explore my new space.

 Yes, that's my belly in the foreground.

^

We have one of Elijah ruling the roost in the fabulous backyard playhouse:

Next, a picture requested by Elijah, complete with Adah examining her hair beads mid-shot:

Yesterday, Gabe and Elijah built a little bird house. This morning, Adah and Elijah had a lot fun painting it:

Just to show you how modest I can pretend to be, and not at all vain... Hah! I am going to post a picture taken by Elijah while I was hanging the bird house. Its shot from a vvveeeerrry flattering upward angle, accentuating my rotund figure. And, I have a super- charming look on my face. The look, to me, says: "I've eaten 4 blueberry muffins today and I am exhausted from waddling out to the front yard." Which, by the way, was true. I post it as evidence of my full-term-ness.

 

Okay, to erase that image from your mind, I now present you with the proud birders posing with their creation: 

 

And now a close up...

Finally, Gabe found a great used woodstove insert on Craigslist and installed it himself, saving us $2500, the cost difference of buying a new stove and having it professionally installed. We bought this hoping to offset our $500/ month heating oil bill. I post these pictures as proof to naysayers (you know who you are:) that we made a good choice going the 'used-self install-money saving' route and that we aren't going to burn the house down. The house is nice and warm, just in time for spring:)!

You probably won't hear from me here until after the baby is born. But, I will post pictures and details when the time comes! Pray for us!

Love,

Liz