Really Hearing the Words

Today we were in the van

off to Costco.

Our journey had just started and I politely said

"Peter, do you think we could be quiet on this trip and just not talk the whole way?"

I needed some quiet time and it seemed like every time we got in the van lately

EVERYONE had something to say.

This was not the first time in the van today :) and there were three talkative children accompanying me.

Peter masterfully answered me

"But Mommy I like to talk to you" dramatic pause

"I talk to you because I lub you".

I smiled inside and out.

How can a mother say no to an answer like that?

I gritted my teeth the rest of the way and sweetly answered all the

"Mommy?" questions that preceded more questions and comments.

Smart Boy.

Aleana's Piano Recital

Horseman's Nightride played by Aleana

Whirling Leaves played by Aleana

Mostly Matthew's Sixth Birthday

The night before, Will and I put together some baked French Toast to serve Mattie for his customary breakfast in bed. Turns out - Matthew doesn't like French Toast???? Yah right! ...only when there's no syrup to go on it. Besides the rocky start we moved over to our room where he opened his presents from the family. This year, Will refurbished his old fishing rod from his Grandpa Faber and we gave it to Matthew. As you can see from his face - he was quite entralled. We also bought him a game called Blokus as it is a puzzling strategy game, which is right up his alley. He loves it and it turns out, every one in the family loves it so we have been playing it alot. Highly recommended for left brainers.

Another beautiful cake by Aleana. This was a bowl cake that she decorated as the earth. The sparkler was a hit as you can see from his face. The shipwrecked "reformed" pirate ship in the background is from Grandma and Grandpa Faber.
Matthew used his birthday money from Grandma and Grandpa Bredenhof to by a lego truck and he is very excited about that too.

The world is on fire!!

Okay, this is totally unrelated but I had to add it. Seeing how Will is so technical he had to grab the level to prove that there was no cheating going on here. We measured and Aleana is only 1 and a half inches from being equal to me in height. Yup she is 5'5.5 inches tall!!! She is taller than a few of my friends already - WOW!! My Mom was just 6' I do believe, so I shouldn't be surprised about these turn of events, but I am. Imagine looking up to your children? It does really happen both literally and figuratively. WOW!!!

Aleana is creating a pinata - nothing fancy, just some fun for Matt's party tomorrow.

Peter was enjoying the craft.

Aleana what are we doing anyway?

This is the first layer drying on the deck.

Not much else to write about that - I bet Peter was very curious about what she was up to!!!

Back Yard Pictures by Aleana

Sooooo Thankful

Today I'm just going to write about how thankful I am for several things - I forget what number I am on for 1000 gifts. I'll catch up later...

Firstly I am thankful for life. I am in my 14th week of this pregnancy and the baby is doing well. I have started to feel little flutterings here and there and it is indeed a blessing. We heard the heartbeat already three weeks ago so we have been very thankful for this little one.

The nausea is not entirely gone and I don't expect it to totally go away (I remain nauseous the entire time) but it is better. Instead of all day long it comes and goes, except if I am extremely tired then it's all day. I am still throwing up but that too is not as often. It may have actually gotten worse but only because my cough has started to act up and that makes me barf. I know - that may have been too much information. But whatever, sometimes I get sick of being sick and just need to express myself :). I see the specialist tomorrow about the coughing and hopefully he'll have a miracle cure for me - tehe.

Back to my point - I am thankful that the nausea is better because that means 1) the number of foods that are appealing to me has increased and 2) I am now mostly cooking all the meals again and enjoying myself doing it!!

Another thing I am thankful for is that most days I feel good mood wise - you know the feeling that even if it's raining you can still sing? I can only give credit to my good Father in heaven for that one!! I have begun to experience that even when I am miserable physically that I can still be joyful inside and happy about everything else in my life. That is a gift and not something I can attribute to anything but the Spirit working healing within. Thank you LORD!!

That doesn't mean I won't have bad days but it gives me hope that they won't last forever - and I mean presently AND looking towards our heavenly home.

Thank you also to everyone who has remembered us in their prayers - it has upheld us and given us strength. We covet your continued prayers and support.

Onto something totally new - any ideas on how to help our 3 year old go through the night without peeing himself? We have a sticker chart and he is progressing but I was wondering if anyone knows of a "technique" or trick that would also help. He seem to struggle the most the first half of the night before we go to bed mostly because he loves water and probably drinks more than he should after supper. I've tried to cut that back but...I just have to get stricter.

Have a great week everyone!!

In the Hands of GOD,

Gloria

Flying Geese Doll Quilt

On Wednesday, Aleana and I spent some uninterrupted time together as Peter went to visit a playmate. Our goal was to create a doll quilt to auction off at Family Fun Night.
This is NOT what we made, but it is the pattern that we used. The fabrics for the flying geese are from a batch that Aleana gave me awhile ago. It's very different from the pattern but the green strips really bring it all together.

Aleana sewed the triangles together (which is really difficult - so good job Aleana!!) while I did the cutting and organizing. Later on, I sewed the strips and columns together while she did the ironing.

The quilt is not entirely done yet as we still have to embroider the ties on to quilt it and sew around the edge. But I don't figure that should take too long.

Aleana made the pillow all by herself. We really enjoyed the quiet time working together and we were both amazed at how quickly it all came together and how fast our 3 hours alone went by!!

We did have to work on it for about an hour with the boys around but we managed.

Thanks for motivating me Aleana - it was lots of fun!!!