My Ebenezer

 Since I just love the process of transferring photos to the blog so much *rolls eyes*, I thought I'd just get it over with and compile a few random photos here with captions, paragraphs, or stories as the case may be. This is probably one of my favorite photos I'll put here! My siblings and I were all able to come celebrate my mom's 87th birthday on July 17. These are the kinds of pictures I know I will treasure for years to come. I'm so thankful for each one pictured here--they are dear to my heart! Our cat Willow had 2 kittens at the end of June. I don't know about you, but I think kittens are my favorite baby animal (although bunnies are sweet too!). The white one is a female and the gray tiger one is a male. We plan to sell them when they are 8+ weeks old, but my kids are going to be sad! Me too, if I'm honest, but we don't want to turn into the cat people.   Speaking of pets, Eden has been begging for a dog. She loves dogs of all kinds, and wants to to...

Yesterday I posted this photo on Facebook and Instagram with the caption "We serve a risen Savior!" I like that caption best, but as always, there was so much more going on than a single picture can represent. Here's some behind-the-scenes action: In light of the stark differences between celebrating Easter in years past, versus in this new Coronavirus Twilight Zone, I wanted a "normal" looking Easter picture. (They can cancel just about everything else, but not Easter! That kind of idea.) Unfortunately, when we were ready to take the photo, everyone except me had already changed out of the Easter clothes that we had worn for our Zoom church service. Josh, Noah and Seth hurriedly retrieved their shirts out of the hamper and threw them back on, and I decided to compromise and not make Eden put her dress back on. You choose your battles. I asked James, who was here, to take the photo "from the waist up" to hide the fact that the family had their casu...

We've been strugglin' over here in Homeschool Land. Assignments missed or done half-heartedly, subsequent discipline crack-downs completely and hopelessly ineffective...it's been extremely discouraging actually. And then I thought maybe a reward would be better than a crack-down. (I know, many of you have suggested as much to me and are probably smacking your foreheads at me right now.) So last week, I wrote out all of Noah's assignments and extra-curricular expectations on a checklist and told him that if everything was checked off (and verifiably done in totality) by Friday, I would take him to Starbucks, Just Him, and we would get a coffee together.  And he did it! Every question answered, every quiz taken, every page done.  So above is the photo we took when at last we were able to sit down at a table and enjoy our reward.  Confession: I think this is our first alone "date" we have had since before Seth was born! It was long overdue. In all of the s...

When we were about 23, I remember lying in bed one morning daydreaming with Josh about what it would be like to be, say, 30, and where we'd be and what our family would look like and what it would be like to be so established in our adulthood.  And then we blinked, and here we are; plus 3 kids and without any time for morning daydreaming. Josh turned 40 years old today! I thought 40 would feel older, wiser. It's definitely grayer and maybe a little fatter, but that's about it.  Many wives would have planned something spectacular for their husbands, but we are content with a small family party tomorrow. Welcome to your forties, Josh! May God use you mightily in them!

The irony in a Mother's Day picture like this one is that the most influential contributors to my motherhood are not even pictured! Those would be God and my husband, as well as my own mom. Years I spent at God's feet, asking for children. Look at how He's answered! These kids are far from what I imagined in terms of personality, and also I had No Idea what I was getting myself into with parenting in general. God knew that. But when I see this photo, I see myriad answered prayers. Thank you, God! God is still giving me grace and strength each day. I pray He will turn my messy efforts into something beautiful one day. Josh is the one who snapped this photo. And the other 5 before it. Truth be told, he could have kept going! I know we're not the only family who can't get a decent photo the first time. He's also the one who helps keep my sanity when, by 8:30pm, I'm about to lose it. He's an excellent putter-to-bedder, the best jungle gym and airpla...

Yesterday about this time, I let out a sigh of relief that rivaled any of the previous ones on record. WE FINISHED SCHOOL WITH GOD'S HELP!! Noah finished 6th grade, Seth finished Kindergarten, and hopefully Eden finished her turn as my loose cannon, though I can't say for sure on that one yet. We did go out for milkshakes to celebrate the victory God gave. About mid-September last year, a mere 2 weeks into school, I didn't think I could or even should go on homeschooling. Almost every day since then, I fought a battle in my mind. I can't do this. God can equip me to do this. I don't want to do this. I must do this. Isn't there another way? Big yellow bus, where are you?  I can say, looking back, that God is the only one to whom credit is due for completing this year. It is only by His grace. I'm not really ready to comment beyond that on this past school year. We'll see what God has in store for next year!

"What should I get our moms for Mother's Day?" I asked Josh. He's used to this question; neither of us is very good at gift-giving. This is not because we don't want to give gifts. No, this is because we both have a perfectionist vein which deeply desires to give The Perfect Gift. As early as a month prior to an occasion we begin investing much thought into what we should give, and then dismiss several decent options because they're just okay. We can't give a gift that is just okay. We need the PERFECT ONE! Meanwhile the date in question marches ever steadily closer. Finally, in a desperate attempt to give something before it's too late--because we still haven't arrived at The Perfect Gift-- we... (wait for it).... go to Amazon and order a gift card that we then email to the person the day of the celebration. Nailed it! *rolls eyes*  So, if you've been one of our lucky Amazon gift card recipients, this is why. It is because we love you f...

Eden Annelise turns two years old tomorrow! Just for fun, I went back and looked at my post about Noah's 2nd birthday and Seth's as well. There are a lot of similarities between her and the boys, though she is her own person for sure! Here are some fun facts about Eden. 1. She's a big girl! She's wearing 4T size clothes, and size 7-8 shoes. Her hair is really long and thick for a two-year-old, too, and people often think she's 3. 2.  She talks almost non-stop (like Noah did), and we can understand most of what she says. She speaks in simple full sentences. On a recent Wednesday night we were singing in church, and after the song was over, she looked up at me and said, "I like that song!" She'll also say, "I love you too!" if you say "I love you" to her. She can repeat anything you ask her to say. 3. She's starting to report on what her brothers are doing, much to Noah's chagrin. :) He says, "I can...

This is Eden at breakfast time on her birthday.  We don't have a cute cake smash photo yet because I haven't made her cake yet!  Josh and the boys were supposed to fly out on Friday evening (E's birthday), so it made birthday-celebrating a little harder.  I thought about making a cake, but I knew we'd eat part of it and then they'd fly out of town and leave me face-to-face with a cake. That I would eat. All. By. Myself.  In the interest of self-control, I decided not to give myself that temptation, and we waited to celebrate.  Eden didn't know the difference anyway, and this way we'll combine her birthday with Seth's next week, Lord-willing. Here are some fun facts about Eden at one year old: We call her "E" most of the time She says 4 words, "Uh-oh," "Bubbye," "Ball," and "Mama" She takes 2 naps and sleeps usually 11 hours at night. :) Her favorite foods are fruits; pears, bananas, oranges, ...

This is a short version of Eden's birth story, a little of my recovery, and how we chose her name. Birth Story and Recovery (the rosy, less messy version): We had planned a c-section for November 15, due to my having had 2 prior c-sections--the magic number when it comes to the possibility of natural birth, at least with my set of doctors.  During the final weeks of pregnancy I was becoming increasingly uncomfortable and ready to give birth, so I started praying that I'd go into labor on my own.  I didn't really think it would happen, in part because Noah and Seth were both born on their due dates, and my c-section was scheduled for the 15th, two days prior to my due date. Thursday, November 10 started out normally. I did a major grocery shopping trip, cleaned out and vacuumed our car, put away clutter, and mopped the kitchen floor (nesting much?).  I then laid down propped myself up for a short nap.  When I woke up at 3pm, I felt a little crampy, so I decide...

I stink at making holidays memorable.  Gift-giving has never been my forte, and so I face gift-giving holidays with a mixture of denial and dread. My husband is particularly hard to give gifts to; in part because he just buys whatever it is he needs (the Lord is good!), and in part because he's really picky discerning.  Men have it easy when it comes to giving gifts on Mother's Day.  Flowers, check.  Chocolate, check.  Done! But there is no such one-size-fits-all gift that applies to men.  I know because I asked.  So in an effort to let my husband know I care, I asked him what he would like. He's not the type that surprises easily anyway, so I figured I could be open about his gift.  "I don't know, some beef jerky would be good," he said.  Really? I can do that! I stopped at Publix on my way home from a chat with my sister-in-law, and looked around for some beef jerky.  I had no idea that beef jerky comes in so many varietie...

I didn't decorate for Valentine's Day this year; I didn't have to.  Seth, or somebody else with grody hands, inadvertently did that for me.  Exhibit A: Aw, come on, I know you see it too-- a heart-shaped fingerprint/face plant mess on the window pane.  Happy Valentine's Day!  I know all you moms are smiling.  I haven't washed it off yet. :) In other news, and perhaps because of the picture above, Josh took me on a much-needed romantic getaway on Friday night. Just the two of us.  We stayed on Amelia Island at the Omni Resort.  Oh, my.  Exhibit B:   That was the view from our balcony!  That's the ocean!  It was absolutely gorgeous in every way.  We had a fantastic time away for one night where we could eat our meals and actually converse, and remember who we are as a couple for a few hours.  Many thanks to Mom Rowley, who stayed with our kids so we could do this. And finally, proving that love is blind(ing)...

I awoke this morning in the middle of the night to these Valentine's Day gifts from Josh.  While normally I'd be all mushy and swoony over the flowers and chocolates, I have to say the Robitussin outranked them all this year.  Noah and Seth were sick last week, and now I have "it" too, only "it" seems to really, reeallllyyyy like me because I'm still sick.  Among other things, I've been coughing for several days, and that Robitussin was enough to make me all weak in the knees for my sweetheart this morning.  Yes, the flowery, gooey, sentimental, up-in-the-clouds, twitterpated kind of love is great for the early years, but what you really need over the long haul is someone willing to go out and buy you Robitussin at 11:00 at night.  I'm just saying.  So here's to love; all kinds, on this Valentine's Day. I love you, Honeybear!!!  Happy Valentine's Day!

This coming Tuesday marks the end of this year's 49th week!  What have the last few weeks been like for us?  Well, busy.  I've not been taking a whole lot of photos, but I've been dying to blog again.  And while my inner perfectionist cringes at the thought of missing whole weeks at a time of this 365 project and doesn't know where to begin to get back on track, I think I'll just jump in and start here. This little man turned ONE YEAR OLD on November 19! This was his cake.   This little man went swimming on Thanksgiving Day and lived to tell about it! :)  The air temp and water temp were about the same: 62ish degrees.  Brrrr!! I affectionately call this Seth's Downward-Facing Dog (that's a yoga position which looks just like this).  He does this an awful lot for reasons I can only begin to guess. I made this for a family in our church who asked me if I would.  They asked in July and I just now finished it.  *h...

This week Seth learned to pick up food with the "pincer" grasp and place it accurately (albeit messily) in his mouth.  A must for anyone! :)  He has been loving little pieces of banana, baby goldfish, Gerber puffs, and anything else he can pinch.  On occasion, Josh and I have been watching cooking shows together after the kids go to bed. We have been inspired to make our everyday food more flavorful.  Here was lunch one day, as I boosted our turkey sandwiches with a little sun-dried tomato pesto.  It was yummy! We celebrated Noah's 6th birthday a couple of times this week; once on Thursday with Matt and Jen's family, and then on Saturday (his actual birthday) with just us.  Here's the cake I made for Noah's party on Thursday night.  The idea came from Family Fun magazine a couple years ago.  Love. This. Picture!  Noah, completely unaware that Josh was taking this photo, with a genuine smile on his face.  To me this s...

What a fun week!  The Lord allowed us to celebrate 3 birthdays (Brianne, Jen, and Titus), and to have Dave and Andrea (Josh's youngest brother and his wife) and their son Graham here for the long Independence Day weekend. Jen's mom, Jen, and Brianne on Brianne's birthday Brianne's birthday cake. What 5-year-old girl wouldn't want this cake? Jen's birthday cake, made by Andrea.  What 31-year-old girl wouldn't want this cake? :) The baby cousins Seth and Graham enjoying some play time. Saturday evening we went to the beach for a photo shoot.  Seth loved the sand, and I do mean loved it!  Loved how it felt, tasted..everything. See what I mean?  Several times Seth leaned over and planted his entire face in the sand, mouth open so he could enjoy it. Dave and Graham  Dave, Andrea, and Graham getting ready to leave. Then it was back to work for Josh on Monday.  Here is a septic-system-redo at a tenan...