tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340977232024-03-19T11:59:49.401+08:00Gone with the WindsThough we're definitely not living in the antebellum South, our lives still have some drama from time to time . . .Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.comBlogger554125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-69148470952317089882013-03-12T12:03:00.000+08:002013-03-12T12:03:00.988+08:00When I Exercise, I . . . You'd think by now I'd be convinced of the benefits of exercise. Hmmm, then why is it still so hard to incorporate into my life?! Well, home schooling three daughters, taking care of a baby, cooking, cleaning, running a home business, teaching a few music lessons, and tutoring for Classical Conversations all seem to take some time too! Anyway, this is not a pity party, it is just life and reality and we all have many demands on our time. But I was realizing again recently (as I just re-started an exercise program) that when I am consistent with exercise I do enjoy many benefits and I thought I'd list them here, both for my encouragement and for yours!<br />
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1. When I exercise, I have more energy. It's just true. It seems like I would be more tired, but as long as I don't overdo the exercise, I do have more energy.<br />
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2. I drink more water. This is a good thing! I need more water and less coffee in my life!<br />
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3. My silly back with it's old injury feels better when I exercise.<br />
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4. When I exercise, there's no mental guilt "Oh, I should exercise." I already did it. Done!<br />
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5. Exercise uses my muscles and gets my heart pumping in ways that help my body. Though I feel very busy most days, I don't use my body in the same way that I do when I exercise.<br />
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6. Faithful exercise on my part sets a good example for my kiddos.<br />
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7. Most of the time when I start exercising, I think, "I don't have time for this." Then I just do it anyway. 20 minutes (yes, still doing that ridiculous 30 day shred) and I'm always glad I did it, no regrets. Plus, I can easily waste 20 minutes on facebook on any given day.<br />
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8. My clothes fit better. Yeah!<br />
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9. Exercise helps my posture. I am always trying to improve my posture!<br />
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10. Exercise helps keep the snacking at bay. Why would I work hard to exercise and then ruin it with some silly snack?<br />
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What is a benefit you enjoy when you are exercising regularly? Leave a comment and help me be even more inspired!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-22561566038227724322013-03-09T11:48:00.001+08:002013-03-09T11:48:33.670+08:00Daddy-Daughter DatesSince the beginning of the year, John has been very consistent with taking one of the girls out each Saturday for a Daddy-Daughter date. No surprise, they LOVE it! Whether it's a trip to the library, fun at the Seminary gym, or a trip to the park, they love their extra special time with Daddy. It has been so sweet to me to see how they respond to John's affection and time together. He usually takes advantage of the time to try to initiate a bit of more meaningful conversation too, asking them some "heart" questions.<br />
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Last Saturday it was Clara Anne's turn. They went to the library, and Clara Anne got to choose lots of books for Daddy to read. Being read to seems to be one of Clara Anne's love languages; nothing makes her happier than curling up next to mommy or daddy and enjoying a good story. <br />
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Near the end of the date, John began to ask Clara Anne a few questions about her spiritual life. Her answers were surprisingly perceptive. First, he asked her where she had been growing in her spiritual life with Jesus, and she responded that she thought she was doing better at being more thoughtful and not so careless. (I can affirm that this has been an area of struggle for Clara Anne...carelessness and thoughtlessness have been difficult for her to overcome, but we have seen progress lately!). This is a wonderful reason to praise the Lord, because HE has to change her. We were seeing these habits come through in many areas of her life--thoughtless speech, careless or reckless actions, sloppy work in her school lessons, etc. John and I were frequently talking to her, using lots of words to try to help her see these habits as foolish, but ultimately the Lord has to give the power and motivation to change. We are so thankful that there has been measurable and significant progress in these areas!<br />
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John also asked Clara Anne what was still a struggle for her. She shared that she knows that sometimes she has a bad attitude, because "sometimes you really, really, really, really don't want to do something, Daddy!" I can also attest that this is the case (for her and for me, now that I think about it!). Now that Clara Anne is 8, she can tend to think that she has the better answer, that she can be in control of her own life and schedule, and that she doesn't need follow us so closely as her parents. But, I think it was very good that she recognized this and hopefully the Spirit will use that to help her surrender her attitudes to the Lord as well!<br />
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Seeking to be a godly parent certainly gets a bit more complex as our children get older. Looking back now, it seems so simple when your two year old disobeys, the punishment is clear-cut and then it's over and you move on. But issues of character take more time, conversations, and communication. May the Lord give grace as we parent our children, shepherding them to know and love Him!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-27859348320707172072013-02-06T11:45:00.000+08:002013-02-06T11:45:34.697+08:00Well Children, Sinful Pride, and the Stigma of SocializationToday was an historic day. Finally after a year and a half, I took the girls to an American doctor. It's so funny, when we lived overseas I carefully scheduled our doctor's appointments based on times we were traveling to Hong Kong or Thailand, but here in the States I figure I can go to the doctor anytime--and then it doesn't end up happening! Thankfully the girls haven't been sick, but it was time for a well child checkup. So today I took Clara Anne and Chloe and we made a visit to the pediatrician's office.<br />
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I didn't really know what to expect from this visit, except for paperwork and a brief checkup, but actually the doctor was quite thorough. He took his time carefully doing a physical exam all while asking the girls questions about life, school, their favorite subjects, their favorite foods, whether or not they could ride a bike, etc. He did a little bit of testing too--quizzed Chloe on her colors and asked her to identify some items in a look and find book. She did great, really no problem at all, but then stumbled a bit over her ABCs, of all things.<br />
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The silly part is that I felt my mama bear defenses rising a bit at his quizzing and testing. Early on he had noted that we home schooled and asked me a bit more about my curriculum choices. I explained a bit about Classical Conversations, but I'm not sure if he really understood. I know it's so dumb to feel even the slightest bit defensive about my girls' education, simply because<b> I </b>know how the girls are doing, and truly he doesn't. Spending 10 minutes in a room with my girls is not equivalent to knowing how they are doing generally with their studies. But when Chloe stumbled over her ABCs, I felt pride rising in my heart and the urge to justify, wanting to interrupt, "Chloe, tell me the linear equivalents. Or tell me about the Kush. Or tell me three kinds of rock." I wanted to shout, "This child can sing 10 minute history timeline song from Creation through the Seven Years War!" <br />
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Oh, sinful, prideful heart! Thankfully the Lord restrained me in that moment, and I did not interrupt or justify or say anything at all. And that was a good thing. This little incident, which took no more than a few minutes, reminded me again of my humble state before the Lord, and that more than even Mr. Kind Doctor knows, my children's education is ultimately in the Lord's hands. My children can have knowledge of many things, but without knowing and fearing the Lord, they are lost. I have no need to be prideful or posturing--I certainly don't want to teach my girls to be that way. Knowledge and education are a gift and mean nothing if not related to the overall framework of a biblical worldview. <br />
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So, even when a few minutes later the doctor recommended that I look into extracurricular classes (swim, dance, sports, science at the zoo, he mentioned them all specifically) in order to promote <i>socialization</i>, I could smile inwardly to myself and not even worry about it. Non-homeschoolers seem to have this idea that home schooling means that we don't interact with anyone else. He has no idea that my girls have quite an extensive social network--friends at church, friends at CC, friends overseas, friends near and far. I understand his concern and even can appreciate it, but I do think my girls are actually quite well socialized. They relate well to their peers, adults, and children younger than them.<br />
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All in all, it was a great visit to the doctor. Everyone is healthy and growing well. Clara Anne is in the 75th percentile for height, 50 for weight, and Chloe is 95th for height and 85th for weight. They are tall girls! I am thankful for their good health, a gift from God. And, I am thankful for the reminder again today that all of my efforts as a mom to educate, train and teach them are in the Lord's hands. He gives understanding and my fervent prayer for them remains that they will know the Lord and follow Him closely, all the days of their lives.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-46653803466288408832013-01-12T11:23:00.002+08:002013-01-12T11:23:40.791+08:00Scheduling Time: Reflections and MusingsThis past Monday began a new spring schedule in our home. Thanks to my husband and his big-picture organization skills, we took some time to evaluate what we had done in the fall, what worked well, and where we needed to improve, and then <i>he actually made a spreadsheet</i> to put on the side of the frig and keep us all on track. This is something I would probably never do if it was up to me! I have a tendency to slog along, day by day thinking that something should change, and then getting caught up in the next thing that needs doing and not taking time to step back, look at the overall situation, and decide where to change. I appreciate so much that he is not like me!<br />
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So, a new schedule was made. Part of the new schedule (insert deep breath here) involved getting up at 6am. In fact, that was pretty much one of the key parts of the schedule--early to bed, early to rise. And, the morning was stacked with activities, so that getting up at 6 was crucial to using our time well. For both John and me, using our time well is an overarching goal of 2013. To help us do that, we have tried to assign "slots" of time for various activities: home school, piano practice, preparation for Classical Conversations, memory work, reading aloud, family time, etc. We tried to be realistic in that use of time, too--I tend to be too optimistic sometimes and then wonder why I am often running late! (i.e. "I just didn't think it would take that long!")<br />
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When the schedule was first made I thought the girls would really buck at having such a firm plan for life's activities, but in fact they have been totally excited! It seems to have helped them to recognize and clearly differentiate between "now this is school time" and free time, for example. They are excited about knowing exactly when their free time will happen, and I am glad that they all know that 5pm every day means clean up time before supper at 5:30. Too often in the past we had not set a specific time to clean up and then we'd be rushing around before bed trying to get things put away, bedtime would get delayed, and everybody would be cranky! <br />
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As well, one of my goals for 2013 is to maintain my early morning time with the Lord. I have to face the truth that if I don't get up early, I just don't get enough time in the Word as I need. So, 6am it is, which, if I get up right away, gives me a full hour to sip a hot cup of coffee, spend time in prayer and Bible study, and make sure I'm ready for the day before we wake the girls at 7 for family prayer time. <br />
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I've been pleasantly surprised at how this week has felt non-rushed, even though I am much more aware of the time and packing it full of activity. The truth is, when I am disciplined with my time, it actually frees up time. I got a nap two different days this week, and this afternoon found myself with a free hour, which we used to take some new Chinese friends to our neighborhood park on this balmy January day. No one even wore a coat! If I hadn't been structuring my time well recently, I'm sure I would not have had time for an outing without sacrificing something else I should have been doing.<br />
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All of this to say, a more focused, disciplined schedule is showing itself to be good for all of us. I am trusting the Lord for the strength to persevere, and trying to be wise about where I fit in certain activities. One practical change I am making is to not even turn my computer on until the afternoon, when home school is done and the majority of the day's work behind me. I also am seeking to redeem the time while nursing Charis by reading a book, rather than checking my email or doodling around on facebook. I always have lots of books I want to read but never enough time to do it (or so it seems) so this will be one way to read, even if it's just a few pages at a time.<br />
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As I get older, I think I am realizing more and more that my days are numbered. The time seems to fly by so quickly, and I really desire to redeem the time and live intentionally. I know the Lord will help me and I'm trusting Him! Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-26138750013523390312013-01-05T12:12:00.004+08:002013-01-05T12:12:45.636+08:00A New YearA new year is upon us! One of my goals in this new year is to blog at least once a week. Life can be so busy, so crazy, and so full that sometimes I find myself just caught up in the whirlwind of it all. But I have missed blogging the last few months and hope to return to it, even on a part-time basis, in 2013. For now, after a five month silence, you might wonder what's going on with our family...<br />
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We are 1.5 years into a 4 year degree here in Kentucky. John has been doing very well (in my humble opinion) with his studies but has lots of work still to do. He is also teaching now for Liberty University online, which he can do from home; the perfect job, really, for a PhD student. We are praying earnestly about where the Lord would have us after this degree is complete. It's a few years off, yes, but we are seeking His will and direction so that we can perhaps begin to make some plans.<br />
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Our family became involved with Classical Conversations this past fall. CC is a nationwide organization but with local chapters. It is a way for homeschooling parents and kids to join together to help each other do classical education at home. Each week we meet on Tuesday mornings from 9-12 to learn together, and then I review and/or expand on the information the rest of the week during our home school time. We love it! Much of the information is set to music and so we spend a great deal of our review time singing things like the multiples of numbers 1-12, history sentences like "As the Heian government weakened in Japan, shoguns began to rule and expel all foreigners. During the period of isolation, circa 1853 Commodore Matthew Perry of the US restored trade, allowing the Meiji to modernize Japan." and a science snippet like "what are some plant systems? Some plant systems are photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration." It's a fantastic program and all of my girls are loving it. I am tutoring a class of 7 and 8 year olds on Tuesday mornings (including Clara Anne) and that has been great.<br />
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Clara Anne just turned 8 on Christmas Day and was so excited to order the Liberty Doll with her birthday money. She loves sewing, listening to stories, and creating artwork. She is very verbal and frequently uses words in their correct context that astonish us. She also loves to write stories and thanks to Grandpa and Grandma's gift of an "Illustory" she wrote her own book about Charis' birth and it was bound and sent back to her. What fun!<br />
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Chloe is 6.5 now and has a beautiful high singing voice that she often uses to entertain Charis. She lost her two front teeth just before Christmas and looks darling with a big gap there. She is thoughtful towards her sisters and usually quite sensitive to others' needs--my big helper in the kitchen!<br />
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Christin is 4 and doing well being a new big sister! She loves to hold Charis and often asks to "hold her just for one moment, Mommy." She has a dry sense of humor and can make us laugh just with her expressions sometimes. On our recent Christmas vacation when we were all sleeping in one room I overheard her say to Chloe during the middle of the night, "Chloe! You are not lying correctly on the bed!" (They were fighting over the available space. Unfortunately it was Christin who was lying the wrong way, as it turned out!). Christin is frequently determined to do things herself--which can be good or not so good, depending!<br />
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Baby Charis has been such a delight to our family! She brings us so much joy! She eats and sleeps well, and smiles at anyone who will give her a little attention. The girls can really get her giggling as well! She is not really mobile yet, so is in the golden age of babyhood where she still stays where I lay her down, but is interested in playing with toys or simply watching what is around her. She is a little blonde, blue-eyed girl, who totally looks like she fits in with the family. She's a precious little person; we're so thankful for her little life!<br />
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I've been busy with a new baby, teaching a few piano/voice lessons, tutoring for Classical Conversations, home schooling, and then selling Norwex. I had a fairly busy fall with my business so that was a blessing to the family finances. Sometimes I feel like I'm going 7 different directions but that is ok--trusting the Lord to help me prioritize my time and not waste it; time is a precious gift that we're given and I try to use well each day. Life is full and busy and wonderful, so I try to enjoy each day, no matter how nutty it seems, since someday I will look back and remember these crazy days with great fondness.<br />
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So that's a brief summary of our family at this point in time! We are trusting the Lord for His leadership and guidance in 2013. Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-72489896801469043342012-08-04T03:34:00.001+08:002012-08-04T03:34:54.024+08:00Charis' Birth Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are so thrilled and thankful to welcome this new little one into our family! Charis Janelle Wind was born on Friday, July 27, at 8:41pm. She was 7 pounds, 11 oz, and measured 20.5 inches long. She is a cutie pie and looks a lot like her sisters, we think! (<i>Disclaimer: the rest of the post has an excessive amount of pictures and lots of details about the birth! If you don't enjoy that sort of thing, you might want to just click over and see how Team USA is doing at the Olympics or something. Consider yourself warned! :)</i><br />
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Charis' labor was similar to all my other girls in that I had lots and lots of contractions for the month prior to her birth. But, it wasn't as bad this time: only a few of them were painful, the majority were just bothersome, and for the most part I never even timed them. Experience had taught me that until they intensify and become more regular, nothing is happening! However, I was happy when a doctor's appointment on my due date (July 25) showed that I was 1.5 centimeters dilated. It gave me hope that she would be born fairly soon! I was really hoping to avoid being induced, and my doctor was willing to give me another week before we started talking about that. Thankfully it didn't come to that!<br />
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I have mentioned before how I was SO very glad to be able to stay at home during this pregnancy. With all the other girls, we traveled away from our home, two of those times internationally, and that just meant a lot of sitting around and waiting--doing fun stuff, yes, but away from normal routine and normal life. I enjoyed and appreciated being able to stay home and keep house, prepare food, clean, and generally just get things ready for the baby. <br />
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Because I suspected that baby girl would be arriving late, I had various events scheduled right up until the evening of my due date. And the day after, my mother-in-law, Ann, was arriving from Minnesota. It wasn't until Thursday evening, July 26, that I went to bed feeling satisfied that all of my to-do's were done: bathrooms shining, front glass wiped and polished, kitchen floors cleaned, frig and freezer stocked, and my mother-in-law safely arrived. I even dusted my blinds that night after the girls went to bed! John thought I was crazy but I just wanted to get it done! (The funny part is that I haven't done it for months!!! Nothing like a baby coming to give me a little motivation!)<br />
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Anyway, I went to bed that evening and woke up a couple times with uncomfortable contractions, but nothing regular. Around 3:30 I was lying there, half awake, when suddenly I felt a "pop" and my water broke! This had never happened to me before so I wasn't sure if I really believed that was what had happened, but indeed, it was. This kicked me into high gear. I woke John, got up, finished packing the hospital bag, started setting things by the door, put the clothes I had been wearing in the wash, just generally bustling around getting things ready. However, by about 5 we realized that I really wasn't having any contractions, and without contractions it was pointless to go to the hospital. So, we tried to lie down and rest again. John fell asleep but I was too keyed up. Eventually I got up, took a shower, did my hair--the whole 9 yards. By 7am I was ready for whatever might happen!<br />
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But nothing happened. I had an occasional contraction, but nothing regular. The contractions I was having were stronger than the ones I had had until that point, but still, not frequent enough to be considered in labor. So, we waited. I was starting to feel tired after being up since 3:30, so I laid down to rest and we decided there was no point in doing any timing yet, we might as well pass the time some other way. So, we watched a movie: While You Were Sleeping, which is one of my favorite romantic comedies. John (who dislikes re-watching movies) gamely watched it with me and rubbed my feet, too, dear husband! After the movie, when STILL nothing was happening, we decided to change our game plan and go out and do something. We went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch and though I had a few hard contractions while we were there, again, they were random--12 minutes apart, 20 minutes apart, 18 minutes apart. We then walked around the mall a bit to try to get things going. We thought walking would be helpful, and since it's been SO hot outside, the mall seemed like a good choice. Unfortunately it was busy and somewhat noisy and I was really feeling tired by that point, so we didn't stay too long.<br />
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We arrived home around 5 and I took a short nap, waking up at 5:30 and realizing that I hadn't had any contractions for at least 45 minutes. I had just said to John, "Well, maybe today isn't the day after all," when at 5:40 I had a MONSTER contraction that lasted more than 2 minutes and was as strong as late-stage labor contractions. I was crying by the end of it! We decided to start timing again (using a handy tool online where you just push the space bar at the start and peak of a contraction and it does all the math for you) and it wasn't long before the contractions started coming closer and closer together. By 6:30 John said, well, let's time another half hour and then we can maybe head to the hospital. By 6:45 it was evident that we were heading for the hospital sooner rather than later. John started to load the car and get other things ready. I kept timing contractions and they were progressively closer and longer--90 seconds, 100 seconds long was becoming typical. By the time we headed out the door it was 7:15 and I was in serious, hard, very strong labor. In the car I had at least six major, monster contractions that did not give me a break between--they were right on top of each other, one starting within seconds of the last one peaking. Oh my! That was quite the car ride! Good thing the hospital is only 15 minutes away!<br />
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We arrived at the emergency room and told them "Labor and Delivery: Fourth child and contractions 2 minutes apart" and they had a wheelchair for me right away. As they wheeled me upstairs I noted the time: 7:40pm. We got to the labor and delivery area and essentially began to prep for the birth. I was so relieved and thankful that at first check, I was "a loose 8, pretty much a 9." By the time the nurse finished asking me all the questions they ask you on admittance, my doctor was there and it was time to push! That took a little longer than I expected, probably because I thought with my fourth child that it would go quicker, but Charis was situated face up and apparently that is a little harder. But, Dr. G and the nurses all coached me, and John gave me sips of ice water between contractions, and after about 30 minutes of pushing she was born, at 8:41pm! Just exactly an hour after we got to the hospital!<br />
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Here's some of the pictures of those first few moments: They practice "kangaroo care" here where they gave me Charis almost right away, only wiping her off a little first. We got to cuddle skin to skin for a long time--it's good for the baby and great for the mama too! <br />
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Sweet face! So good to meet you!<br />
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The happy, relieved, and thankful mama...and Charis even has a slight smile! (Reflexes, I know, but sweet anyway!)<br />
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Because everything happened so quickly, John was able to go home after the birth and get the girls and Grandma Ann to come back with him that night! They arrived back in the delivery room just as I was getting up out of bed and cleaning up a little. They were thrilled to be able to see Charis' first fingerprints/footprints, see her get weighed and measured, and be there for the general excitement. I hope it will be an evening they remember forever!<br />
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So amazing...just a few hours before they saw me in great distress leaving the house, and here they have arrived to see their new baby sister!<br />
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Meeting Grandma Ann for the first time...<br />
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Crowding around to get a better view.<br />
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Clara Anne was SO pleased and proud to be able to hold her by herself. At the end of this time, the nurse said, Ok, give her to your mommy, let's go to the hospital room, and Clara Anne stood up and gave the baby to me. She was so proud that she could stand up with the baby and do it safely!<br />
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Love.<br />
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Love and kisses from her sisters.<br />
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Charis didn't particularly enjoy getting measured.<br />
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Here's the mama, smiling now that the intense 3 hour labor was complete!<br />
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The girls LOVED watching this nurse in action.<br />
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Daddy finally gets a chance to hold her! He was busy taking care of everything else, this was his first time to cuddle her.<br />
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Sweet sisters.<br />
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Finally we got settled into a hospital room after a very eventful evening. I'm so thankful for how the timing worked out; it was really special that the girls could be there that night already. It was a late night for them but totally worth it!<br />
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The next day, Saturday, John, the girls, and Grandma Ann came in the afternoon to visit. There was much "discussion" over whose turn it was to hold her!<br />
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First family photo: July 28, 2012.<br />
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Mommy and Daddy with new baby Charis.<br />
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Grandma Ann and the girls.<br />
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"It's my turn to hold her! No, it's my turn!"<br />
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"See? Told you it was my turn!"<br />
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No matter who was holding her, there were always plenty of admirers...<br />
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Of this sweet little face! <i>Love you Charis!</i><br />
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Finally on Sunday, John, the girls, and Grandma Ann came after church to take me home. I was ready!<br />
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Welcome home Mommy and baby Charis!<br />
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Such a sweetie pie! I managed to catch a little half-sleepy-smile on camera Sunday afternoon while she rested. What a joy and treasure to have a newborn again! We are so glad she is part of our family.<br />
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Charis' name is Greek for "grace" and her middle name, Janelle, is after my mother, Jan. Plus, we had to keep the tradition going: Clara Anne Danielle, 12.25.04; Chloe Rachelle, 6.26.2006; Christin Arielle, 4.28.08; and now Charis Janelle 7.27.12. The girls were hoping for the 27th because then we would have someone's birthday on the 25th, 26th, 27th and 28th--and that's exactly what happened! So she was only two days late, hallelujah, and we are rejoicing that she is here with us. I am especially thankful for modern medical care and the reality that though having a child is not an easy process, it is not one in which generally I am fearing for my life or the life of my child. The Lord is so gracious, and gives us such good gifts, including doctors and hospitals that are clean and safe and take good care of us. I met so many neat people working at the hospital where we delivered--that was an unexpected blessing! As well, I am so thankful for my husband. He proved his worth yet again in being an excellent coach. What a blessing to have him by my side as Charis was born! He is a gem!<br />
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I hope you enjoyed the birth story and the ridiculous amount of pictures! Welcome with us Charis Janelle!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-38699729170235881722012-07-25T07:32:00.000+08:002012-07-25T07:32:00.157+08:00My 36th Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My birthday seemed particularly significant this year. Maybe because it is because I am now officially on the downswing of the 30s, or maybe because I am expecting a baby any day now and thinking lots about birth...but for whatever reason, I was really thankful to be able to spend some time celebrating with my family and reflecting on God's faithfulness through my 36 years. The specialness of the day actually began the night before with the best birthday present I could have asked for--my dad sent me an email!!!! If you've been following his story at all, you know that this is a big deal. It has been almost 16 months since he has done this, and the email sounded just like him, with some reminiscing about the day I was born, special words of love, and even a sports report on the Twins! I feel like our family has been given a miracle...the situation with my dad has turned around so drastically. Praise the Lord! I cried tears of joy to read his words and know that he has improved so much. <br />
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My birthday morning started with a special birthday breakfast--I had dough for cinnamon rolls in the frig, and made those up along with bacon, cheesy scrambled eggs, and fresh hot coffee. Yummy! It was worth the effort to have a great breakfast! We ended up eating more like at brunch time, so that was helpful too--we just skipped lunch! <br />
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The girls came up with their own ideas for celebrating my birthday. First, they spent at least two hours by themselves in the basement preparing their gifts for me--including several mosaics and a button necklace. Then, Clara Anne convinced the other two that they should all take a shower and get dressed in fancy dresses, with jewelry, lip gloss and all, and even laid out a special dress for me to wear, so that we could have a tea party. That is what we are doing in the picture above. It was lovely and sweet! I was really touched that they wanted to dress up and make such a big deal out of my birthday! Then, they put on a performance for me...Clara Anne played the piano and Chloe sang while Christin danced to "Floating in the Water" (those of you with early piano students in the Hal Leonard method will know that one!). <br />
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The lovely performers.<br />
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We also took some pictures of baby girl Wind...as clearly as we can see her right now...39 weeks!<br />
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LARGE is what I would call this...but the girls are so excited and there's plenty of belly to kiss!<br />
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Performing and taking a curtsy...<br />
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Thankful for these three. They give us so much joy!<br />
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Opening gifts from the girls.<br />
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Chloe, pointing out various parts of her drawing so that I would know what they were.<br />
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Clara Anne gave me this lovely handmade picture. Thanks girls for making my birthday so special!<br />
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John then took us all out...we went first to a doctors' appointment for me ("no real progress"), then to a bookstore where we had some credit to spend, and finally out for dinner to this fun, fresh Mexican place. We enjoyed our special meal out! Chips and salsa are my love language! <br />
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The plan originally was for me to spend some evening time at a coffeeshop, reflecting on these questions<br />
<a href="http://lansingbible.org/newyear.pdf">http://lansingbible.org/newyear.pdf</a>, but we ran out of time and so I spent a little time the next day doing that instead. That evening some friends surprised me with a fun girls' night and made me feel so special! So, all in all, it was a wonderful birthday and I am so thankful for the Lord's blessings to me! I pray that I will use the next year for His glory!<br />
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<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-25010192029100221312012-07-24T06:53:00.000+08:002012-07-24T06:53:00.956+08:00The Secret Garden, in pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Finally, here's a few pictures of our secret garden that we have enjoyed so much this spring and summer! Above, the view from inside the school room, through the sliding glass doors. . . you can see it is truly a small space, and totally secret! We also put a padlock on the wooden fence door so that the girls are safe playing out there--we do get some "interesting" traffic up and down the street on the other side of the fence, so, better safe than sorry.</div>
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The girls love our garden space! If it's not too hot, they can often be found playing or reading outside. We laid the white rock, added the hanging plants, and I love the little $1 sign we found at Target that says "Welcome to my garden."<br />
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A refreshing retreat and green space! All the herbs and flowers smell good, too!<br />
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We're so thankful for this little space! It's been a lovely addition to our home, and just about the right amount of garden for us. I'm really enjoying the fresh herbs in my cooking and the girls have a great time doing the watering. Most everything is doing well (though I'd like to see more flowers on my impatiens) except the fuschia plant...we had it upstairs on our west-facing patio, outside our front door, for a long while and I think it just got too hot. The western sun for several hours each day was just too intense. But the other plants are doing well and we've enjoyed their beauty, color, and fragrance. It's a lovely secret garden!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-76146951456089289822012-07-23T06:36:00.000+08:002012-07-23T06:36:46.447+08:00Ready!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">The baby's room is ready! We are using our walk-in closet as the baby's nursery for the indefinite future, and I am so pleased with how everything fits well in there! There's not an overabundance of room but it is going to work out fine, and I'll have her close at hand for those nighttime feedings initially, and during the day for her naps I think it will be separate enough from the rest of the house to let her sleep well. Now we just need a baby to occupy that room! Here's how it all turned out. . . </span><br />
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Showing the closet door open--the wood on the side is the large wardrobe we brought from overseas, it obstructs the doorway slightly so that the closet door doesn't fully close. I think it will work out fine, though, and even give just a little extra air circulation.<br />
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There's the pack-n-play that Chloe and Christin both slept in for numerous years...it's certainly gotten its share of use! The bassinet is handy though and will be helpful for when the baby is first born. The changing table came from a big consignment sale I went to back in the spring. All her little clothes are ready and waiting for her!<br />
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There was even room for a basket of baby toys on the side!<br />
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Ok, baby, we're all set! Come when you're ready! Pictures taken July 13, 2012.<br />
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After years of cutting John's hair, I finally dared to give my girls a little trim. All of them were looking a bit scraggly and I figured I couldn't go too far wrong! Even if I did, there are plenty of hair salons nearby that could fix it if it was truly terrible. But, I'm happy to say they all turned out just fine! Not great, perhaps, but good enough for now! The girls did a good job sitting still and thought it was fun.<br />
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Chloe and Christin posed for an "after" picture...with Chloe's new bear, Cuddly, that she got for her birthday! (wearing a paper bonnet, made by Chloe, of course!). Happy Haircuts!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-43820231285275909902012-07-16T10:21:00.000+08:002012-07-16T10:21:00.214+08:00Cooking for my FreezerWith the baby coming soon, I have been extra-productive in the kitchen, trying to prepare some meals to just make life a little easier when she arrives. I basically spent two full days cooking, one day one week and one day the next week, and was so pleased with how much I was able to prepare in that time! Why don't I always do this?! It worked so well and now I have many meals in my freezer prepared and ready to go. Though hotdishes and soups aren't exactly ideal for the hot summer weather, it will still be preferable to looking at the clock at 5pm and wondering what I am going to feed the family!<br />
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I thought I'd share some of the recipes that I prepared--maybe it will inspire you to prepare some meals for your freezer too, for busy days ahead!<br />
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First, <b>Barbecue Chicken</b> (this could not be easier):<br />
Rub 4-6 chicken breasts with a prepared spice rub (I happened to have some in the cupboard). Place chicken in crock pot and cook on low until chicken is tender and can be shredded with a fork, about 6 hours. Add bottled barbecue sauce (I used about two bottles). Now it's ready for sandwiches!<br />
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<b>Corn Chowder with Chilies</b>:<br />
This is a great recipe from the Pioneer Woman. You can find it here:<br />
<a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/10/corn-chowder-with-chilies/">http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/10/corn-chowder-with-chilies/</a> I usually use three cans of corn instead of fresh, and also I just add chipotle powder instead of the chilies in adobo sauce, so that it doesn't get too spicy for my kiddos to enjoy. It's delicious!<br />
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<b>Turkey Wild Rice Casserole</b><br />
This is an easy, filling, delicious meal and this recipe makes a large batch. Perfect for eating some and freezing the rest for later!<br />
You will need: 4 cups cooked, chopped turkey (or chicken)<br />
2 boxes Uncle Ben's Original Wild Rice<br />
1 cup sour cream<br />
1 can cream of mushroom soup<br />
1 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced<br />
1 stick (8 Tbsp) butter<br />
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Cook the rice according to package directions. Add the turkey, soup, and sour cream to the rice. Mix well. In a separate pan saute mushrooms in butter until cooked. Add to the turkey mixture. Transfer to a large baking dish and bake at 350 for 1 hour. <br />
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<b>Chicken Tortilla Soup</b><br />
I love this recipe because the soup is a basis for all sorts of fun toppings: sour cream, diced avocado, pico de gallo, grated cheese, or fresh cilantro. As well, we love to eat it with chips! You can't go wrong! Here is the Pioneer Woman again and this home-run of a recipe:<br />
<a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/01/chicken-tortilla-soup/">http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/01/chicken-tortilla-soup/</a>
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Enjoy!<br />
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<b>Simple, Hearty, White Chili</b><br />
Again thanks to the PW, here's a hearty, filling, delicious soup recipe that can easily freeze for busy days ahead. It's great with garnishes or without and is quite economical as well. Give this one a try!<br />
<a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/01/simple-hearty-white-chili/">http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/01/simple-hearty-white-chili/</a> I made mine with turkey this time because after roasting a whole turkey, that's what I had on hand. I also used the turkey broth to cook the beans. Yummy!<br />
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<b>Butter Chicken</b><br />
We love this Indian-style dish that is just a little spicy but so very delicious over some basmati or jasmine rice. You can find the recipe here: <a href="http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/butter-chicken-2/">http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/butter-chicken-2/</a> It's a hit with all my kids too! (and there's actually not that much butter in it!) The only change I make is to cube the chicken before marinating so that the pieces are much smaller...we like them to be bite-sized and distributed through the sauce more. They also seem to absorb more flavor that way. Love the lime, cilantro, tomato and cream flavors here!<br />
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<b>Banana Oatmeal Raisin Muffins</b><br />
After having each of my babies, I remember times during those first few weeks where I was just HUNGRY. Nursing 7-9 times a day and caring for a newborn can just make you want to eat everything in sight! When Chloe was born in Chiang Mai, my friend Germaine brought me a still-warm batch of muffins very similar to this...hearty, tasty, healthy, and delicious. Ever since I think it's the perfect gift for a new mom--easy to make and easy to eat between meals when you're desperate for some real sustenance that won't cost you a bunch of empty calories. These mix up so quickly and are a snap to make. Enjoy! <a href="http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/breads/banana-oatmeal-raisin-muffins/">http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/breads/banana-oatmeal-raisin-muffins/</a><br />
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So there you have a list of the things that are waiting in my freezer right now. Hope you find a recipe or two that strikes your fancy! Happy cooking!<br />
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<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-3073498713808699232012-07-08T10:58:00.000+08:002012-07-08T10:58:56.158+08:00A Very Historical Fourth of July<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We had a really fun and history-rich Fourth of July this year, thanks to my insightful husband who gets the vision for these things and carries them through! (If it's me as a mom who makes birthdays "happen," it's definitely John as a dad who makes the historical holidays "happen"!) The day began with John reading the entire Declaration of Independence to us as a family at breakfast. I think it has been since high school government that I read that document! I completely did NOT remember all the list of grievances in the middle of the Declaration, which did require some explanation from Daddy since it uses words like "perfidy." Great little history lesson over breakfast!<br />
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Then, John had seen online that a famous historical home in our area, Locust Grove, was offering free admission on the 4th. (I still cannot believe the fun family activities you can do for free in America!) So we braved the heat and went for a visit. It's only a few miles from our house and was truly fascinating. George Rogers Clark, the founder of Louisville, spent his final years there since it was the home of his sister, her husband, and their large family. The family often entertained guests of distinction, including several presidents, John James Audubon the naturalist, and others. There was an interesting (air-conditioned!) museum section that we all enjoyed and then we were able to tour the house and meet various historical personages (two pictured above) dressed in their period costumes and interacting with the guests. It was really fun! Even for me, who doesn't get as excited about history and was tempted that morning to just stay home in the cool and read a book, I really enjoyed it! We visited the museum, toured the house, and then the girls were delighted to find drawing paper and pencils for sketching while sitting outside on the back porch. <br />
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John and I enjoyed looking out over the grounds and the beautiful gardens there before we all traipsed out to have a look at the outbuildings. The stone building directly behind John was the kitchen. Can you imagine carrying pots and dishes of food to the house and dining room in all sorts of weather?<br />
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We came home for a brief rest and then went to join in on a fun party at our friend's the Kimbell's home. Could their baby J be any cuter?! She's a doll!<br />
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The kids had a great time eating and playing together...and evidently so did I since I neglected to take any more photos the rest of the evening! It was a great evening of fellowship and good food--everyone brought something yummy--and fun to have time to sit and talk. My girls played so happily that at the end of the night, we had to go because <b>I</b> was tired, not because they were done! </div>
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But the day wasn't over yet. We actually managed to see several really fun neighborhood fireworks displays as we were on our way home, so much so that at two places we actually stopped and parked for a minute to watch! Then, after arriving home and as the girls got ready for bed, John selected three fun books to read as a final celebration of the Fourth of July. One was an elaborately illustrated picture book with all the verses of "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again" and so he sang it to them, which they thought was so fun. The next was another great picture book with Longfellow's "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" which he put his best dramatic voice to--"One if by land, two if by sea!" And finally, we ended the evening and the holiday by singing "America the Beautiful" together (we also have a picture book of various American scenes with that text.) What a fun way to end the Fourth!<br />
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Happy 236th birthday, America! How thankful we are for this country; though certainly not without its flaws, we are humbled and grateful to be born into this place with its freedoms. I enjoyed our historical Fourth of July and look forward to learning more about our nations' history as I study with the girls in the future! Hope you all had a safe and wonderful Fourth of July celebration!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-55078727748241196362012-07-04T03:26:00.000+08:002012-07-04T03:26:17.716+08:00Chloe is SIX!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We had a wonderful day on June 26 celebrating Chloe's sixth birthday. It was a hot, sunny day--perfect for summer activities--and very reminiscent of her birth in Thailand six years ago! The day began with our traditional birthday breakfast, spread out above--Pineapple Blueberry Upside down cake, cheesy scrambled eggs, and sausage. Yummy! We pulled out the same decorations we've been using for the last few years--the girls don't seem to mind always seeing the same paper banner and happy birthday confetti; they think it's fun!<br />
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Chloe had requested "A cake in the shape of a rainbow" so I started with a funfetti cake mix baked in a 9x13, trimmed it to resemble a rainbow, and then topped it with icing and fruit of the colors of the rainbow! Strawberries, peaches, pineapple, blueberries, cherries, and blackberries! (I meant to add kiwi for green but forgot to buy them...and as it turned out the cake had no space anyway!)<br />
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We had a few structural difficulties since the fruit, with its moisture, wanted to slip off the edges...but boy did it taste wonderfully!<br />
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Happy Birthday sweet Chloe!<br />
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Now you are six!<br />
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Our funny girl with her funny faces!<br />
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The girls had been begging to go to the splash park at the zoo as a special outing, and it seemed like Chloe's birthday was the perfect day for it! There were lots of kids, but it wasn't totally crowded, and the girls had fun trying out the water.<br />
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There's my birthday girl!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Clara Anne can model for the camera too! She was whooping in delight at the variety of ways the water was splashing her!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">However we forgot one crucial element in planning this outing--none of my girls like to have water splashed in their faces! After some initial delight, the splash park became not as fun as it could have been and we decided to cut our trip short and head to the pool next time. :)</span></div>
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The day ended with a special birthday dinner and watching a movie as a family at home (we had happened to borrow one from the library called "In the Womb" which seemed appropriate, both for Chloe's birthday and the upcoming baby!). It was a great day celebrating our sweet Chloe. </div>
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It's hard to believe that this cutie-patootie little blonde baby is now a tall, curly headed six year old, but that is what happens to babies--they grow up! We are so thankful for Chloe and who she is as a person. For a long time she really struggled with her emotions--being sensitive, getting moody and sad over small things (like who got the green cup at lunch), and getting upset at her sisters. But over the last year or two, through prayer and training her, the Lord has really helped her improve! She is still sensitive, but often turns that sensitivity towards others--i.e., is aware of others' needs and desires and quick to meet them. Instead of struggling with moodiness or melancholy, she is now my most cheerful, willing, sweet helper. She has an adorable giggle and a generally sunny spirit which is a joy to be around. We love you Chloe and are so thankful for your life! May Jesus keep you close to Him all the days of your life, and may you find great joy in serving Him!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-61126965036394418732012-06-29T10:40:00.000+08:002012-06-29T10:40:22.745+08:00An update on all things babyIt's official! I'm having a baby! Just kidding...you knew that already. But, the date is drawing closer (July 25 is my due date) and I hope that by the end of the month we will have met our new little one. Here's some baby news to share as we look forward to that exciting time...<br />
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I'm generally feeling fine, but have had lots of Braxton-Hicks contractions, often when I'm on my feet. The weather has been HOT (92 degrees at 9:15 tonight when we were on our way home) and so I am trying to stay cool and hydrated. Baby girl seems to be head down (has been for weeks) but sometimes spins from side to side. For the longest time she was lying with her spine along my right side, hiccups on the lower right, kicks and jabs on my left. But just a few days ago she shifted and is now seemingly on the left side and kicking on my right. So amazing!<br />
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We watched a National Geographic video the other night called "In the Womb" and it was simply astounding. It just makes me marvel at the Lord and His creative power to see all of the processes that have to happen just perfectly in order for a new person to come about. It was worship inspiring!<br />
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I feel "almost" ready for the baby to come...though I actually have quite the list of things I'd still like to accomplish before she gets here, I know that probably all of them won't happen. We've been trying to get lots of exercise, especially walking, but in the heat the last few days it hasn't been possible. Maybe after the weekend it will cool down slightly. The high tomorrow is supposed to be 106!<br />
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Christin asks every day, "Does the baby feel SO heavy, Mama?" and loves to put her ear to my belly to see if she can hear anything. The girls are fascinated by the movement they can see and feel--it makes everything seem more real! I am thankful that they have only shown excitement about the new one's arrival. <br />
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The doctor says all looks good--we haven't had any "guesstimates" as to her size but I hadn't gained any weight in the last two weeks (though baby seems bigger) so that was encouraging to me. I hope to not have another almost 10 pounder! I am so glad to still be sleeping in my own bed and not having to pack up our family; that is a big relief. The comforts of home are truly comforting when you aren't feeling 100%! I'm thankful especially for a comfy bed to help get as much rest as possible and A/C to keep things cool! Though, I'm not above resorting to an ice pack on my feet to keep that swelling down!<br />
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So, a few more weeks and we'll be meeting our new little girl! Her clothes are all ready, my bag for the hospital is partially packed, and her little room is ready and waiting. I am determined not to get stressed if she doesn't come on time, so we'll just wait and take things a day at a time! In the meantime, I'll keep on slowly working on my list of things to do and the girls and I are doing some school here and there as well, plus trips to the pool whenever it fits in. I think the next month will go quickly!<br />
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Trusting the Lord for the perfect timing and safe arrival of our new little girl!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-80111148124934971192012-06-22T18:17:00.001+08:002012-06-22T18:17:40.105+08:00We loved Camp!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was so refreshing to be out at the Cedarmore camp last week for our Mission Adventure Camp! John had just finished his last class for the first year of his PhD studies, and then we packed up and were ready for a week away! The weather was absolutely beautiful and we enjoyed our time with the kids, counselors, and parents. Here's a glimpse of what our week involved: Above, Clara Anne is fascinated with the landscaping rocks at this climbing wall where we sat one evening to read our current family read-aloud: <i>North! Or be Eaten</i> by Andrew Peterson.<br />
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The other girls sitting with Daddy as he reads and adds in all the fun dramatic voices...<br />
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Look at that beautiful sky! I still appreciate it so much after so many years of smog overseas!<br />
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There's my sweet four year old...<br />
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One evening the activity was bazooka ball, where you have a gun and get to form teams and shoot each other with soft green balls. Clara Anne and John had lots of fun!<br />
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Chloe, Christin and I watched from the sidelines.<br />
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Pretty rough and tough, don't you think? <br />
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Every afternoon we enjoyed "canteen" where the girls could have a fun snack...it was fun to introduce them to "Push-Ups," a favorite snack I enjoyed as a kid. This is in the dining hall.<br />
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We went from canteen to the swimming pool! The afternoons were warm, sunny, and miraculously, not humid! We had a great time swimming in the outdoor pool (spiders and waterbugs notwithstanding).<br />
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Towards the middle of the week, the girls started to make some friends, even though the girls at camp were older than them. The sad day came when they wanted to sit with their friends at meals instead of with Mommy and Daddy!<br />
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Having fun...<br />
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Finding flowers in the Kentucky woods...nobody minds if you pick all the clover you see!<br />
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This night there was a relay race that Clara Anne joined in on...spinning around a bat, tossing a frisbee, running with a water balloon balanced on a spoon...all important skills for life, you know! She loved joining in with the bigger girls.<br />
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Camp wouldn't be camp without a camp fire! How fun to roast marshmallows and make s'mores!<br />
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Perfectly golden brown...<br />
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And then suddenly we were at the last day. Worship time...<br />
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Signing autographs...<br />
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And some final dancing and saying goodbyes.<br />
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It really was a wonderful week. For our family, the timing couldn't have been better. It was so refreshing, encouraging, and relaxing to be together and out in God's creation after a very busy year of studies. We loved sharing with the kids about work overseas and had a great time just being there. I will confess it was really nice not to have to cook for a week! The beautiful weather was a special blessing, and we all got a few naps in during free time as well. We pray that the Lord truly used this time for His glory, to encourage and inspire the next generation about doing His work wherever they are!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com2Louisville, KY, USA38.2526647 -85.758455738.053160199999994 -86.0743127 38.4521692 -85.4425987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-27264616181591484972012-06-16T10:18:00.001+08:002012-06-16T10:18:38.207+08:0034 weeks and counting!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We just returned from a week at camp in the Kentucky woods! It was a wonderful week, full of worship, activity and time outdoors, with some naps thrown in for good measure. We all truly enjoyed it but the girls especially had a wonderful time. I uploaded all our photos tonight and will post them soon, but in the meantime here are two VERY current ones--just taken last night! Me in all my baby glory at 34 weeks and two sweet sisters, ready to welcome her! Clara Anne is actually in this picture too, standing just behind my right shoulder in dark purple leggings and a purple shirt. She was waiting to join in on a fun relay race with the other campers. <br />
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Baby girl Wind at 34-plus weeks! She'll be here soon! I am really going to enjoy NOT having to pack up my whole family and travel internationally for this birth like I did a few times before! It is such a blessing to be able to stay home all the way until the baby is actually born! So thankful for that. Baby girl is measuring right on track and has been head down now already for a number of weeks. Hopefully she'll stay that way. Now that the semester and this camp are over, our next major event is to welcome this sweet little one! We're all getting excited!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-7776487124371969652012-06-04T10:29:00.000+08:002012-06-04T10:29:51.175+08:00Adventures in GardeningThis spring we decided to convert our back patio (the walkout from our basement level which is enclosed by a wooden fence) into a "Secret Garden." The girls love the story of the Secret Garden and this one is truly secret since it is not visible from the street but only from inside the house. It is right off our home schooling area and though it is a very small space, probably 3 feet by 5 feet, we thought a few pots of herbs and some hanging pots of flowers would fit into the space nicely.<br />
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To get inspired and ready for our gardening, we made a trip to a big home improvement store, and were just amazed at the garden section! So many choices! So many beautiful flowers and thriving plants! Wow, you could really spend a lot of money on landscaping! Thankfully we didn't need too many things, since our space is so small. But we still walked away with five hanging baskets and five potted plants!<br />
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The first task was to clean out some of the "junk" that was there and make the space ready. We did some organizing in our storage space in the basement so that John's bike and the grill, which were both previously stored outside in that space, could fit inside instead. We pulled some weeds (there is a cement slab in the middle but dirt around the perimeter) and then laid down some pretty white rock over the dirt, to prevent more weeds. Next John drove several shepherd's hooks into the ground and we were able to also hang an iron bar from the fence to hang a bird feeder on. We thought it would be wonderful to be able to attract some birds to our little secret garden.<br />
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Finally all was ready and we started to place the flowers. Two baskets of purple wave petunias, two of varicolored impatiens, and a strawberry plant quickly took their places hanging from shepherd's hooks. The pots of mint, parsley/oregano, basil, rosemary, and a tomato plant were then added. The sights and smells were a true transformation of that little space! I haven't taken any pictures yet, but I'll have to do that soon!<br />
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Everything bloomed well for awhile but now some of the plants haven't been blooming as profusely; I think I need to do a little fertilizing. Any suggestions on this? <br />
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I also have to report the demise of the bird feeder. Initially we had bought a pretty cheap bird feeder, intending just to try it out and see if we could get some birds to come and eat. But you know who came instead? Yes, big, fat, greedy squirrels. One morning John went downstairs rather early and found a fat, happy squirrel perched on what was left of the feeder--the squirrel had managed to break the feeder apart, spill the majority of the seed, and then was eating up the evidence. John shooed him away and we cleaned up the mess, determining that we needed a different, squirrel-proof feeder. <br />
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I found a new one that was supposedly squirrel proof not long after, and was eager to try it. For about a week we gawked in delight as the birds came, shyly at first and then more confidently, to have a little snack just a few feet from our window. Unfortunately, they also made a mess--spilled seed, cracked some seeds and spit out the hulls, and pooped on the other flowers out there. We were mostly attracting sparrows, and then we noticed that the sparrows started to get greedy too--6-8 of them would come at once and fight each other for the spots to feed. The spilled seed was really making a mess in that small space, and I was having to sweep up every day from the silly birds! The final straw was when we refilled the feeder and within two days, it was mostly gone or spilled from the feeder, and still not a different bird in sight except for the sparrows. So, we made the tough decision to remove the bird feeder and let the birds go back to fending for themselves. It was just too small of a space to have birds occupying it too. So, farewell sparrows! It was fun while it lasted!<br />
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Our secret garden (complete with a lock on the inside of the wood fence) has already brought great delight to us all, and I've especially enjoyed picking fresh basil, rosemary and mint to use in recipes. And, now we all have a bit more motivation to spend time in the home school room, with such a lovely view in front of us! Clara Anne has even gone out there on occasion for her reading time. I'm thankful for our quiet little garden spot, and hope that I'll be able to keep everything thriving and healthy. The girls love their watering responsibilities and take it very seriously to care for the plants. Next time I'll show some pictures of the Secret Garden!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-53624920467226192222012-06-02T11:12:00.001+08:002012-06-02T11:12:43.209+08:00Packing, Moving, ChangingNo, not us.<br />
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You might think that since I've been absent from my blog for so long, we must have a good excuse, right? Like...moving? No, no good excuse...just the busyness of normal life, keeping up with my girls, helping my husband, and keeping on with home schooling, house work, ministry opportunities, etc. But, there has been plenty of change going on in other parts of our family!<br />
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For one (a BIG one), my mom and dad are moving! They had an offer on their house out of the blue this spring, but weren't sure what would happen with Dad's health. I am so thankful to say that Dad is doing better--much better! He has been on this dopamine-based drug since late March now and though it didn't have the immediate effect they wanted, he does seem to be getting better week by week. By that I mean he is more responsive, he is getting up out of bed and keeping a more normal schedule, he seems more interested in life and the things that are going on around him, he occasionally initiates conversation with my mom or asks a question, and generally is just more involved and engaged. Praise the Lord! We are so thankful to see some glimmers of his personality come out again. I was on the phone with him for a few minutes the other night and he sounded almost totally normal to me. So very thankful to see this progress!<br />
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When it looked like my dad was doing better, my mom started to consider seriously the idea of moving. Then, two hailstorms in a single weekend convinced my mom that she was ready to be done caring for the lawn and yard work, and that moving to a smaller, simpler, maintenance-free place was a great idea. And, within a few days of selling their house they were able to buy a condo that met all of those conditions! It is only a few blocks away from their current home and will be an "easy" move in that sense. But, the work of packing and moving is always somewhat stressful, especially when downsizing, so we are praying extra hard for Mom and Dad these days!<br />
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As well, my brother Mark and his family, who had spent the last year here in Louisville, have now moved back to Minnesota. (In fact, hopefully they've arrived by now...they were driving today!). They made this decision over the past few months after Mark felt that being a full-time student was not for him. They are seeking the Lord for the next step for their lives, and trusting His good plans. We will miss them dearly! It's been such a joy to see all five girls (their two girls are placed just older and just younger than Clara Anne) interact and have so much fun together. And it's been such a blessing for us to have family in town, after being overseas for so long. So, we are thankful for the season that we had and praying God's rich blessings on them as they transition in the next weeks and months. <br />
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As for us, we're not going anywhere until this baby is born! :) Actually, that's not entirely true--we will be speaking at a camp for girls during the second week of June, right outside Louisville. But otherwise, we will be here for the summer. John is feverishly trying to finish up the work due for his modular classes which will begin next Monday. He has had an amazingly busy semester, but has done very well and has felt that his classes have been very valuable. His big news is that he is officially a new adjunct professor for Liberty University! They have an extensive online program and so he will be able to teach from home, which is just wonderful--using his gifts and experience, all from the convenience of his home office! The only wild card is that they cannot predict exactly what they will need him to teach. We are hoping for two classes in the fall to help our finances!<br />
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I am feeling well with baby getting bigger and bigger. She is quite active and makes me laugh sometimes with her dance moves, hiccups, and jabs here and there. She's been head down now for a number of weeks and hopefully will stay that way! I have about 8 weeks to go--due date is July 25. I've been seeing a chiropractor to help keep my spine healthy and prepare my body for labor; that's been very helpful. We're getting excited to meet our little girl! The walk-in closet that will be her bedroom is all ready for her (except for diapers) and until that little bassinet is occupied, I'm enjoying sleeping through the night. :)<br />
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Well, lots more I could say but I'll finish just by saying, "Thanks for reading!" I hope to be posting more soon!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-9343516681656495292012-03-31T10:52:00.000+08:002012-03-31T10:52:31.124+08:00Love these pictures!I was thinking of my dad a lot today, and praying for him, and remembering all the things I love about him. That led me into looking at some older pictures...and I thought I'd share these priceless shots that were taken in June, 2010, just before we returned to Asia. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGLSovu_QUTkwq2Uh-obiSEUjKhee9C7h2wrbuX8dVBxAUr9kmV0uFo9pQ15muTGzOoX5Z_MTO4kX_ZyR36m0EyCaEeC3UCkRmCin6mGspgJnQ5s-B1ogpv0_YnlolYtTNi4I/s1600/DSCN1083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGLSovu_QUTkwq2Uh-obiSEUjKhee9C7h2wrbuX8dVBxAUr9kmV0uFo9pQ15muTGzOoX5Z_MTO4kX_ZyR36m0EyCaEeC3UCkRmCin6mGspgJnQ5s-B1ogpv0_YnlolYtTNi4I/s400/DSCN1083.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> This is my dad--loving his family, soaking up time with his grandkids, and wearing his Trinity t-shirt, of course!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxBq4iCKQiUcw1XYJuB5siRJnlw8RIn4bztGT0tjJDuYEunm5c-oZ-MFXR-aJFBISNB-lZ1XystGTZcCR3uGP1NcXLwrpIdqeCSqcKbHmYRWf_SRp2ZEt0hyLmsLxb6UROCH-/s1600/DSCN1084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxBq4iCKQiUcw1XYJuB5siRJnlw8RIn4bztGT0tjJDuYEunm5c-oZ-MFXR-aJFBISNB-lZ1XystGTZcCR3uGP1NcXLwrpIdqeCSqcKbHmYRWf_SRp2ZEt0hyLmsLxb6UROCH-/s400/DSCN1084.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Everyone had fun making a silly face--except little Christin who maybe wasn't sure what was going on!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-RG0yTTbg4SSAG-bz1Fc8VhdzZPsbRP16AL8BWYVIXR8aBZD8ZG4bKtI03cFEi59vrk4yRXacWYAu6oYWdVDkUqIb8jAwLWgbC6URIO202Gk_-aefyKxz-YB-scGm98l-kFg/s1600/DSCN1087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-RG0yTTbg4SSAG-bz1Fc8VhdzZPsbRP16AL8BWYVIXR8aBZD8ZG4bKtI03cFEi59vrk4yRXacWYAu6oYWdVDkUqIb8jAwLWgbC6URIO202Gk_-aefyKxz-YB-scGm98l-kFg/s400/DSCN1087.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Chloe giving her famous kisses where she grabs both sides of your face and PLANTS one on you!<br />
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Aren't these just priceless pictures? Go and grab your camera now and take some pictures of your loved ones! It's worth it! We are praying that we may see more and more of Dad's personality return in the next days and weeks. I'd love to see huge smiles like these on his face again! <br />
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Thankful for the wonder of modern photography...and the memories that it preserves. Love it!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-69725713709981533042012-03-30T11:34:00.000+08:002012-03-30T11:34:56.332+08:00Wonderful News!I just couldn't go to bed tonight without sharing some wonderful news that we received today about my dad. The last few months, since his time at Mayo Clinic in December/January, have been relatively uneventful. Generally he wanted to stay in bed, had no interest in the normal activities of life, and interacted very little with my mom. She took excellent care of him, helped him with grooming and made sure he was eating well, but otherwise was not really able to engage him. The occasional smile she would coax out of him "didn't reach his eyes," as she said. <br />
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[One exception that was significant to me: I had called in early March to talk to Mom one night and Dad answered the phone--something he hadn't done for months. I then talked with him about whatever I could think of, asked him a few questions, got a few one-word responses, and then told him some stories about the girls. I shared how I had been starting to feel the baby move, and to my amazement, he replied. "That must be good...to feel that sign of life there," he said. That was the longest sentance he had spoken to me in several months. I was so encouraged! But later that seemed to be an anomoly--he hasn't answered the phone or wanted to talk since that night.]<br />
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Just last week they had some follow-up appointments at Mayo again, and there was some good news--the spot on Dad's thyroid that had been suspicious had shrunk in size, so no evidence of cancer there. But another doctor who saw Dad wanted to hospitalize him, in order to get to the bottom of the difficulties Dad is having. Are his problems primarily psychological (depression) or neurological? That was the main question.<br />
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So on Monday afternoon of this week, Dad was admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Rochester, affiliated with Mayo Clinic, and the doctors began to observe him as well as do some tests. Over the last few days we've gotten some more news--the doctor who is overseeing Dad's case is quite sure of his diagnosis of abulia. Abulia is a disorder that (as I understand it) comes from damage to the frontal lobe of the brain. The doctors believe that during Dad's heart attack in January of 2011, because the heart attack was so sustained over several days (when Dad was stranded in our local small town because of a blizzard--they could not get him to the larger city to do the surgery he needed to stop the heart attack), there was a lack of oxygen to the brain that caused this damage. The frontal lobe is what controls personality, social interactions, appetite, and many other factors that match up with the symptoms Dad is having. <br />
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What does all this mean? And why is it good news? Well, first, it is a huge relief to have a diagnosis that seems accurate. We just did not feel that the Alzheimer's diagnosis, given in September of 2011, was quite right. Of course we as family are not doctors, but there just seemed to be so many things that didn't line up with that. But this is especially good news because abulia is <strong>treatable</strong>. The treatment is slightly risky in that they will try to flood his brain with large amounts of a dopamine-based drug (similar to Ritalin) that will stimulate his brain, and that will also put stress on his heart. But they will be monitoring this, and IF his heart can take the chemical stimulation safely, there is a <strong>very good chance</strong> that Dad could regain some normal function again, particularly in the area of social interaction, life management (grooming, etc) and personality. I am holding all hopes loosely, because we just don't know how his body will react, and there are no guarantees, but I am still encouraged and hopeful!<br />
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So, Dad will be in the hospital for the immediate future while they attempt to give him this "brain bath" and watch his progress carefully. We are so very thankful for the Lord's providential care until this point in time--even bringing them to this particular hospital and helping the doctors put the pieces of the puzzle of Dad's case together. <br />
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Mom is doing well and feeling encouraged, but prayers for sustaining grace and help are always appreciated! Please pray for my dad as the next few days are critical, watching how his body responds to the treatment. We surrender him again to the Lord's hands and trust His good plans. Rejoice and pray with us!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-12659713953800773922012-03-26T10:14:00.000+08:002012-03-26T10:14:30.815+08:00A Far East ReunionDuring the month of March, we had the wonderful opportunity of having a little Far East reunion here in Louisville, because two of our former teammates are on a stateside assignment and spent some of their time in Louisville. They planned this on purpose, to be here at the same time, and it was wonderful that their plans actually came to pass! We loved getting to see and spend time with everybody again! Life has changed for all of us since we were last together, but the Lord is still faithful and good. There's just something wonderful about being together with friends that really know you...the laughter comes easily and the fellowship is sweet. Love these folks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XVmZHPvW3YnkSb1ubkWRY2Y5d6bf49uRgYwjQXpUQqD-HdxyWgZQGrZ_Rjo-VlX5cEJ6b7YGsDQ14P53zM4ull-UYuz5l0S7alP-CR5sPMICSDR1eSn18HMZZbteeG03u4kF/s1600/DSC_0135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XVmZHPvW3YnkSb1ubkWRY2Y5d6bf49uRgYwjQXpUQqD-HdxyWgZQGrZ_Rjo-VlX5cEJ6b7YGsDQ14P53zM4ull-UYuz5l0S7alP-CR5sPMICSDR1eSn18HMZZbteeG03u4kF/s400/DSC_0135.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Most of the crowd managed to fit on the couch to watch some funny youtube videos...we thought about busting out the 80s music in honor of our friend Brad, but didn't quite get that far!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5fO-ORn96uPglE0KuFXDyBhbqfxhlvyyttFNgTx7p9cdnviGB2KU7WMqNyMRhcWVOJ0PMQbyLM9x_LdEklNmeu4b_GqmJLhPEvv2BW7PZ_F-2qhu9_1sEhKsPTH1oc3kCPZY/s1600/DSC_0141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5fO-ORn96uPglE0KuFXDyBhbqfxhlvyyttFNgTx7p9cdnviGB2KU7WMqNyMRhcWVOJ0PMQbyLM9x_LdEklNmeu4b_GqmJLhPEvv2BW7PZ_F-2qhu9_1sEhKsPTH1oc3kCPZY/s400/DSC_0141.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Christin and Savannah have always had a special bond, mostly because Savannah is so sweet to her and takes care of her! They had fun together that night too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhTy5HM0_5Q3iOOnSCoDmnwMPX5njQ_5au0E7jF_hCE4wdiYHFuOC3j6c1hGiqL-c3lHo26i3Yaz5fIzhlL8I4ls0H_bGUHtNwteqUFPOM2Vc9DYbnCG7gIkpbs6IcHSaAXQ9/s1600/DSC_0148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhTy5HM0_5Q3iOOnSCoDmnwMPX5njQ_5au0E7jF_hCE4wdiYHFuOC3j6c1hGiqL-c3lHo26i3Yaz5fIzhlL8I4ls0H_bGUHtNwteqUFPOM2Vc9DYbnCG7gIkpbs6IcHSaAXQ9/s400/DSC_0148.jpg" width="267" /></a></div> And, Becky and I had to show off our prego bellies. There's a baby in each one! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3eAdmf2Cgon9qxagSyosDUhSrT4vq-z_koRxx6unSZbnllOcg9VU9BE4ifTrEbLZsffw5FxisL33mmtpHmKc62OtJ6pEU1o6K8QRLKQdSXlwpQO26awKvSYKH1ZEdjdaX-PW/s1600/DSC_0149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3eAdmf2Cgon9qxagSyosDUhSrT4vq-z_koRxx6unSZbnllOcg9VU9BE4ifTrEbLZsffw5FxisL33mmtpHmKc62OtJ6pEU1o6K8QRLKQdSXlwpQO26awKvSYKH1ZEdjdaX-PW/s400/DSC_0149.jpg" width="267" /></a></div> B is about 10 weeks ahead of me...here I am about 20.5 weeks. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvaiYubz4RYmH3vtiDUMB0EngzhmOjd1XNj7_Id4yjQANGHZxz_bkr4JT8ZbI8_xbvxhtcH0tn-rs1vTdMf1zQFjefIt7bUmkl82PVf5B-FxW0YHbRtnRru6fcJBlzcimtzsJ/s1600/DSC_0151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvaiYubz4RYmH3vtiDUMB0EngzhmOjd1XNj7_Id4yjQANGHZxz_bkr4JT8ZbI8_xbvxhtcH0tn-rs1vTdMf1zQFjefIt7bUmkl82PVf5B-FxW0YHbRtnRru6fcJBlzcimtzsJ/s400/DSC_0151.jpg" width="267" /></a></div> Climbing on Uncle Brad is always good fun, and he puts up with it remarkably well!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxZ-j9Kg3EZ_8iu96I8IYcuAI35MBcuPlTbzvpV75fEYAte40dx7t5KCAAAm8NKx5ndvSTUZYOM_n4qCVaaQO6-VhyphenhyphenH0pdAWwDrVH85mAqMbjT7SaigIKWP0Fz9T1AayNfJyF/s1600/DSC_0155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxZ-j9Kg3EZ_8iu96I8IYcuAI35MBcuPlTbzvpV75fEYAte40dx7t5KCAAAm8NKx5ndvSTUZYOM_n4qCVaaQO6-VhyphenhyphenH0pdAWwDrVH85mAqMbjT7SaigIKWP0Fz9T1AayNfJyF/s400/DSC_0155.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> The lovely M ladies.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FjtSTQMkEKKtSw31ZEtJB8TDIo3DA6tZ7omwHoZM7GRxdrkfnKKrHs7llZUh8TpS-BVPTvxOVSw7sPA-HUZ-WYqTz62ze9j_rcuCVegfADFYBuF9r-EB9qrWHEXRD7pzgIjw/s1600/DSC_0163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FjtSTQMkEKKtSw31ZEtJB8TDIo3DA6tZ7omwHoZM7GRxdrkfnKKrHs7llZUh8TpS-BVPTvxOVSw7sPA-HUZ-WYqTz62ze9j_rcuCVegfADFYBuF9r-EB9qrWHEXRD7pzgIjw/s400/DSC_0163.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Dear, sweet friends. So thankful for our friendship, it's hard to believe my daily life doesn't include seeing these ladies anymore...but still thankful. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPIALrpduMn9Qc_wTa1FJq3Csvq46QKlVTXMUknI79pFavKi1oQlsc7vFJpo3Na79u0lWYVwI5y2jYCFw5waN7xRzW_Oy4OFgOxgbxqsD9vtZ4fSBKgrAfa9-D8BjzPCyIrSr/s1600/DSC_0186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPIALrpduMn9Qc_wTa1FJq3Csvq46QKlVTXMUknI79pFavKi1oQlsc7vFJpo3Na79u0lWYVwI5y2jYCFw5waN7xRzW_Oy4OFgOxgbxqsD9vtZ4fSBKgrAfa9-D8BjzPCyIrSr/s400/DSC_0186.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> There was a gathering about a week later to congratulate Brad on finishing his phd as well as say goodbye to the M family. The kids had a blast together!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfMyaVMRYtXnk7B4KtDZgCjbvJQPeO0ois12T2NGu6hqPBcje0UbPYp3C7hakGPJuy1eDSwYkKGmfcSKGJgTnPEncdoz5XRgAf8GX-ywwu9GWDhlqlSQUPEB_7kpY_7-Jk9U8/s1600/DSC_0190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfMyaVMRYtXnk7B4KtDZgCjbvJQPeO0ois12T2NGu6hqPBcje0UbPYp3C7hakGPJuy1eDSwYkKGmfcSKGJgTnPEncdoz5XRgAf8GX-ywwu9GWDhlqlSQUPEB_7kpY_7-Jk9U8/s400/DSC_0190.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj20q0V-vlw0ZeBFSSRzhTlh2iVuIt_Jo1j4deXmUdtDL9tkWtO22Oy_-P_6p_qtwgTqdjUFZwMEdbHS8igbGbytcHKCsIyncJGcL8TjUbzR_SpJbGnTf6ys_8xRjB3_Qh2LGl/s1600/DSC_0188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj20q0V-vlw0ZeBFSSRzhTlh2iVuIt_Jo1j4deXmUdtDL9tkWtO22Oy_-P_6p_qtwgTqdjUFZwMEdbHS8igbGbytcHKCsIyncJGcL8TjUbzR_SpJbGnTf6ys_8xRjB3_Qh2LGl/s400/DSC_0188.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> One final hug for Alex, the one Clara Anne still insists she's going to marry... (one of many girls who have been convinced of this!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6qixxLO1M5XJlW1Lmt3A9sR_8cHPRk1y-v2NpBCnuVF5xfY71_ZK2avbWpXWi6RzE-OQcrAdrbs6z2qfd-nCtEEBWmlkOxFhK9ry72HAxJAz4Ts-GGf7aLj9DsKEIoCbF3Ur/s1600/DSC_0199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6qixxLO1M5XJlW1Lmt3A9sR_8cHPRk1y-v2NpBCnuVF5xfY71_ZK2avbWpXWi6RzE-OQcrAdrbs6z2qfd-nCtEEBWmlkOxFhK9ry72HAxJAz4Ts-GGf7aLj9DsKEIoCbF3Ur/s400/DSC_0199.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEttAj6Nqd4FtWJsADzhSwGKm_wJd7gnKadvrCObluJijH8J7uD9R7upt-ogkz78cOg7DvoYG-vqp-9uPQl9vStNm83gX84C3Aw8XWN0i14seutIcGivTXRCKKs1xzDfOn8WK/s1600/DSC_0196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEttAj6Nqd4FtWJsADzhSwGKm_wJd7gnKadvrCObluJijH8J7uD9R7upt-ogkz78cOg7DvoYG-vqp-9uPQl9vStNm83gX84C3Aw8XWN0i14seutIcGivTXRCKKs1xzDfOn8WK/s400/DSC_0196.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> And Becky and I said our goodbyes a few days later. It's bittersweet--knowing the Lord's plans are good, trusting His ways, and yet having to say goodbye to dear friends is hard! We are so thankful that we could have a little reunion here, the Lord is so gracious to let that all work out. Hearts were encouraged, much laughter was shared, and the Lord's name was praised for this time together. And who knows, maybe there'll be another Far East reunion sometime!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-72318643586026578322012-03-20T10:01:00.000+08:002012-03-20T10:01:50.016+08:00This life we liveIsn't it amazing that God gives us this gift called LIFE? Spring air is flowing through my wide-open windows, the earth is coming to life again after the winter season, and my heart is full of thoughts of life and gratefulness to my Savior for another day to serve Him. The fact that I am still alive, that I am preserved from serious illness, car accidents, tornadoes, or other calamaties; that my body is working well and even sheltering another little life...I am struck tonight by the miracle of the life that we have been given. How much more the gift of spiritual life that Jesus freely gives to all those who will humble themselves and ask! What a great salvation we possess in Christ!<br />
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Last week we were able to see clear evidence of the new life within my womb, and she is a girl! Though she didn't cooperate during the first part of the exam and held her little legs together very modestly, she finally got jostled around enough that the ultrasound technician was able to get a good look and confirm, "It's a girl!" Baby girl was doing all manner of cute things during the exam...sucking on her hand, having the cutest little hiccups, and then at the end of the exam we have a perfect profile picture of her lying on her back, hand to her mouth, and legs completely extended over her head--with her knees right at her nose! The outline of her tiny calf and thigh are just perfect! We were amazed and joyful to find that all looks well with our little one; she is right on track for measurements and is giving me little fluttery jabs even as I type. The girls seemed to take it in stride that they have another sister--no cheering or anything, more of an attitude of "well, of course it's a girl! What else would it be?" What a miraculous process it is when the Lord knits together a new life. We are praying for the rest of the pregnancy to go smoothly (I'm 22 weeks on Wednesday) and to be holding our new little daughter in our arms around the end of July.<br />
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I've also been contemplating life lately as a good friend from college recently had a daughter born still at 33.5 weeks. She has been blogging quite a bit about her process, read and pray for <a href="http://www.singermamamelody.blogspot.com/">her</a> if you feel led. My heart has gone out to her; though I can only imagine her grief I have been helped already by the way that she is handling it with godly grace.<br />
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As I write, my dad is back at the Mayo clinic for another round of tests. His health has stabilized somewhat in that the weight loss has slowed down and he has seemed a bit more interested in life--rather than just wanting to lie in bed all day, he is getting up a bit more. However, the bowel and bladder incontinence remains and he has also had frequent seizures which have led to several falls. Thankfully he has not injured himself seriously by falling but has gotten some bumps, bruises, and gashes on his face from these incidents. I am praying for the Lord to sustain his life and help us to find more ways to help him. Or, as Chloe frequently prays, "Lord, thank you that Grandpa will get better."<br />
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And, tomorrow is a bittersweet day for our family as we remember again the birthday and passing of my dear older brother Dan. We may try to watch the video of his life again as a family, and remember what a great work the Lord did in him and through him. Even though the years pass, you never forget. The sharp pain is gone but the longing of our hearts to see him again still remains. Praise the Lord that death has NOT won the victory and that we will worship Jesus with Dan again in heaven. Thank you, Lord. <br />
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Though we had an unusually mild winter this year, spring has still been a welcome guest. The dogwood, redbud, and magnolias are in bloom here in Louisville. The daffodils and tulips are in full array, and the trees are greener day by day. New life is springing up and the smell of spring is refreshing to my soul. Wonderful!<br />
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Thoughts of life and death are intermingled with the daily and mundane, isn't that always the way it is? So even as I contemplate and treasure these thoughts in my heart, talking them over with my Savior, I must still finish the dishes and get the floor vacuumed, complete the math lesson and help the girls treat each other with kindness and gentleness. Lord, may I do it all with your grace!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-12778567888925694182012-02-26T11:22:00.000+08:002012-02-26T11:22:09.562+08:00Play Dates!As I was sorting old pictures, I came across these from April 14, 2011 (nearly a whole year ago now, amazing!) and felt like they were too fun NOT to post! <br />
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When we lived overseas, play dates for our kids were a fun and important way for them to spend time with other American friends. Much of the time they were interacting with nationals, going to kindergarten, spending time out playing in our neighborhood, etc, but occasionally we would try to set aside some time to let them play with other Americans. These friends became very close, very much like family--in fact these other families <strong>were</strong> our extended family when we were living there. It is huge blessing to be with other like minded people, striving for the same goals, and it's even better when their kids are happy to play with your kids!<br />
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So, here's a glimpse of a play date that my friend Amy and I and our kids shared last April. The peach blossoms were in full bloom at a favorite local garden/park area, and we dared to break the rules and sit on the grass to have a little picnic. We even hauled all the kid's bikes there so that they could ride around and have fun with that. It was a lovely day! Just look:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJtNyF0jg_mJERKxOErPQnnljsgkjL3oFpuULIvWV-pUHV1a2Ouv1eyRhcWzu3IE7KqC5OWlBtQ0XCOer-iUAAq6v0SCS1kGnohhImYAw9I4nP8ANG094_rS60CZLpSO4TEBv/s1600/DSC_0105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJtNyF0jg_mJERKxOErPQnnljsgkjL3oFpuULIvWV-pUHV1a2Ouv1eyRhcWzu3IE7KqC5OWlBtQ0XCOer-iUAAq6v0SCS1kGnohhImYAw9I4nP8ANG094_rS60CZLpSO4TEBv/s400/DSC_0105.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The park has smooth asphalt throughout, perfect for my three beautiful biking babes!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbly6Dldc8_h07FysQxtiOLfq0TqK9K9wYEmBNuYNWdq149-oiIYM5DEwWa5zM2Uj2U6wvQB30Y96VcZyOOAw3VOPr9mxJirJoO8-s8nK7PRw0g2WUjOa2jYPA_U1zheeoXrZg/s1600/DSC_0108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbly6Dldc8_h07FysQxtiOLfq0TqK9K9wYEmBNuYNWdq149-oiIYM5DEwWa5zM2Uj2U6wvQB30Y96VcZyOOAw3VOPr9mxJirJoO8-s8nK7PRw0g2WUjOa2jYPA_U1zheeoXrZg/s400/DSC_0108.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> So good to be with friends! Christin was being cranky and wouldn't participate in the picture...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-kh6Lyw0g62eCMULxxd-G2sZTNZqw2FJw0nyTDBEdLsIHgmNsKd2c9UA9tDJPm2sAUdjOaQt8sy_pPD3tob-XQOtUS6OfD5yZvJFjy1f7oyWw6QoXDaMgqYmfGmF8TukbjMW/s1600/DSC_0113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-kh6Lyw0g62eCMULxxd-G2sZTNZqw2FJw0nyTDBEdLsIHgmNsKd2c9UA9tDJPm2sAUdjOaQt8sy_pPD3tob-XQOtUS6OfD5yZvJFjy1f7oyWw6QoXDaMgqYmfGmF8TukbjMW/s400/DSC_0113.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> But Clara Anne willingly took this one of my lovely friend and me!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGp2G3ZdEFmlzfADq1T2WxY37UJ4YSuff0b_c_Hf6mTmIP6EZzr0U2yGAJc4FzJMnhTQD0f9Nm6YNT3XddWAqzl9h0nrthWN6XdQtyzIuATyy0jb-kwvEA9tKmMmWBRsa-g-AL/s1600/DSC_0117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGp2G3ZdEFmlzfADq1T2WxY37UJ4YSuff0b_c_Hf6mTmIP6EZzr0U2yGAJc4FzJMnhTQD0f9Nm6YNT3XddWAqzl9h0nrthWN6XdQtyzIuATyy0jb-kwvEA9tKmMmWBRsa-g-AL/s400/DSC_0117.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> See what I mean? Cranky Christin. She got over it soon, thankfully. Sometimes we've just had one too many pictures!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_8KHukTFzjmyTD555vuhjNYQ7ng-SJBq70EMQF43n54ZeaggWxLftOO12-6qezkeZsmqeT1kuCO8Q9W7_lnOIGxK1dxBeIrr_jtPD7tiB-U5wxt3Gcqz1GfZj13w9CFXqlZM/s1600/DSC_0121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_8KHukTFzjmyTD555vuhjNYQ7ng-SJBq70EMQF43n54ZeaggWxLftOO12-6qezkeZsmqeT1kuCO8Q9W7_lnOIGxK1dxBeIrr_jtPD7tiB-U5wxt3Gcqz1GfZj13w9CFXqlZM/s400/DSC_0121.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Our friend A could really speed around on his bike--very impressive! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPhu_kSWJOLlAxhFk8__pKVAXSJS5zcHhKotaY2yOOGtLzejp_W4nY5VLjQJz-eKAbzmxjIg2JVBCRoW3pTmFmzNMTxUFVRk19hkbw1sUC5G1f7C7o9hio9sbIXnQ9H59gYbl/s1600/DSC_0124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPhu_kSWJOLlAxhFk8__pKVAXSJS5zcHhKotaY2yOOGtLzejp_W4nY5VLjQJz-eKAbzmxjIg2JVBCRoW3pTmFmzNMTxUFVRk19hkbw1sUC5G1f7C7o9hio9sbIXnQ9H59gYbl/s400/DSC_0124.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> The blossoms and blooms were a lovely balm and backdrop to great conversation and fun times together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFTp1RGLL1UNsRJ6Sx3hkraOGCHHJFonKfXuANXEC4EOlrn_5b85ZNlYOOJKmNQ9vD1HEPs0KSutzmuBZPncBPY86DuKJO9iMUTere7GeuDP8euq3DIsAUMPfDpXYQwwQdBN4/s1600/DSC_0125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFTp1RGLL1UNsRJ6Sx3hkraOGCHHJFonKfXuANXEC4EOlrn_5b85ZNlYOOJKmNQ9vD1HEPs0KSutzmuBZPncBPY86DuKJO9iMUTere7GeuDP8euq3DIsAUMPfDpXYQwwQdBN4/s400/DSC_0125.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lpRE8RRMT64EdpzI0YWt4Qsf2ycKDQpw7RQm_z5tajFdlMFRH-1pCWvJiHIxQL2AV4ghQX-VaHWn4RKsqxj8GN283VCvRb1vKtQhlci97haK77PJlpH5PBnqyQKM_riIVaB2/s1600/DSC_0130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lpRE8RRMT64EdpzI0YWt4Qsf2ycKDQpw7RQm_z5tajFdlMFRH-1pCWvJiHIxQL2AV4ghQX-VaHWn4RKsqxj8GN283VCvRb1vKtQhlci97haK77PJlpH5PBnqyQKM_riIVaB2/s400/DSC_0130.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Play dates in Asia are always interesting--you may have to be a little creative to come up with fun things to do, but this day turned out wonderfully! I was amazed that I could get all three bikes in a taxi trunk, the girls had a great time with their friends, and I was able to share some one-on-one time with Amy while the kiddos played. And yes, given the nature of Asian parks (dusty dirty cement, plus they were climbing trees and fake rocks as well as playing in a sandbox)--it was bath time when we got home! Worth every minute!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-77927543887170838212012-02-14T11:07:00.000+08:002012-02-14T11:07:53.490+08:00Family DayWhen we lived in Asia, our family day was a really important part of family life. Because of the nature of what we did, it was hard to feel like we could take time off. Even leaving the city or "getting away" in on trips weren't necessarily the relaxing, idyllic times we dreamed of...usually the travel was somewhat stressful, sometimes a child got sick, spending days in hotel rooms cooped up with kiddos can be interesting...so as our years overseas went on, we found more and more that simply staying home and doing things as a family around town were the most rewarding. We were able to rest well in our own beds, let our house helper manage the cooking and cleaning, eat out at some fun places, visit parks, etc. And even though we only did a few of these extended "staycations," we did try to spend one day a week that was just us as a family, no work responsibilities or emails. (We tried to not even answer our phones unless it was an emergency!)<br />
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For us that day was usually Monday. We often started the day at McDonald's for breakfast, then if the weather was nice, made our way out to a park, the zoo, or a kid's playplace. Later in our time in our city, Starbucks had opened, so that was always a fun option too--we'd take a game with us, drink some good coffee and stay as long as we liked. We had lots of games of Toy Story 3 Memory at Starbucks throughout the spring! <br />
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One day last April (April 4, to be exact), the weather was nice enough that we sat outside on the Starbucks patio on one of the busiest streets in our city of 3 million:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLcWq8p4rskzxq8s1huhTvPKkATz352F5qHzMT-QO7w_gka8EoNAuAnHtT_QY9VR3n274ELYg56Gna3eigI-RZXOXgzc0DpU2fGKMzEIL7TlJvbC4UbgEIb9vWoVpSfeXERne/s1600/DSC_0038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLcWq8p4rskzxq8s1huhTvPKkATz352F5qHzMT-QO7w_gka8EoNAuAnHtT_QY9VR3n274ELYg56Gna3eigI-RZXOXgzc0DpU2fGKMzEIL7TlJvbC4UbgEIb9vWoVpSfeXERne/s400/DSC_0038.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgEIOqvgqAlMc2bZYl-fN72bEfaxM_NUxJpypTbyD3E0dMlierkbXF1j4ZV1HjmuWVM8hAx_vno1VJIop_wz7bWc2epG61qBh_OB08zS4glPZNu8MbDVuXULDIAJXik8dO6AL/s1600/DSC_0045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgEIOqvgqAlMc2bZYl-fN72bEfaxM_NUxJpypTbyD3E0dMlierkbXF1j4ZV1HjmuWVM8hAx_vno1VJIop_wz7bWc2epG61qBh_OB08zS4glPZNu8MbDVuXULDIAJXik8dO6AL/s400/DSC_0045.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> This really only looks mildly busy...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_Z0Q2u8KRHHLGX03hz1weZpaW5D9Pf5GNzC3V8Gq_yU15Q2D2b8z6ZBwtX4z6VBNMwRgDtPJForUYaoD9za9v5hVKFWc9kC9LXRBBpOnqfsAuUopi-aIChx77SNKaX04dOCL/s1600/DSC_0047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_Z0Q2u8KRHHLGX03hz1weZpaW5D9Pf5GNzC3V8Gq_yU15Q2D2b8z6ZBwtX4z6VBNMwRgDtPJForUYaoD9za9v5hVKFWc9kC9LXRBBpOnqfsAuUopi-aIChx77SNKaX04dOCL/s400/DSC_0047.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Ahh, coffee. The juice of life.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKi0483ql4BCT2znsMju4I_eaThZw-5Caxfpxz3vNxJMmZ1XZMFHR4-StmCU0rV4NkgGFkaFtJqZBtExePX5tC-U1JOILkXWKgc-BnV4ObyiKfo8gIjjv3fOyF3zAg98_Ru2p/s1600/DSC_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKi0483ql4BCT2znsMju4I_eaThZw-5Caxfpxz3vNxJMmZ1XZMFHR4-StmCU0rV4NkgGFkaFtJqZBtExePX5tC-U1JOILkXWKgc-BnV4ObyiKfo8gIjjv3fOyF3zAg98_Ru2p/s400/DSC_0054.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Happiness is. . . cuddles on Daddy's lap and a free balloon.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZ-SWH52ONUj4k8A_zq1Mg-mNx-5Td96UM1PajUuvNkXl-CFXSDX2os7nmdQu21dcPi-vFMFKh6IhoScb2P0puYCalJOxyq9Kv1S7KUa16afRPeh9TRlivMN_siuWtf1oDibc/s1600/DSC_0055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZ-SWH52ONUj4k8A_zq1Mg-mNx-5Td96UM1PajUuvNkXl-CFXSDX2os7nmdQu21dcPi-vFMFKh6IhoScb2P0puYCalJOxyq9Kv1S7KUa16afRPeh9TRlivMN_siuWtf1oDibc/s400/DSC_0055.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Make that three free balloons!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OGa5fS1cO65xk41cEC22gqyooA6sUCLUitmh1WijmWA9x823E_2TiroddqROaz4_P8UxXaWttE2fj7RqeHEDUaDwkCe9museGT8tNaQgmrvOZuuPZutHIrwNAXP8HbWEgLLo/s1600/DSC_0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OGa5fS1cO65xk41cEC22gqyooA6sUCLUitmh1WijmWA9x823E_2TiroddqROaz4_P8UxXaWttE2fj7RqeHEDUaDwkCe9museGT8tNaQgmrvOZuuPZutHIrwNAXP8HbWEgLLo/s400/DSC_0060.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Looks like on this particular day we were playing Chutes and Ladders as well as Princess Uno. Fun times!<br />
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So, though these aren't the "Goodbye" pictures I talked about yesterday, I thought since I was going back I might as well go waaay back. Family day doesn't exist for us in the same way now since John works from home and is with us so much more. We do try to take Saturday afternoons as special family time, but we also have some time on Sundays for those kinds of things as well as our regular family devotions and other meals, etc during the week. I don't quite feel the same need for family day as I did overseas, it's just different here. But I really appreciated the way my husband protected and prioritized family day during our life there--valuable time together is not to be underestimated!<br />
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Hope you enjoyed this glimpse of a typical family day!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34097723.post-73706259624755059702012-02-13T11:24:00.000+08:002012-02-13T11:24:38.909+08:00Musings on my Asian lifeI've been thinking a lot about our Asian life lately. I think I shared before that I really missed being there for Christmas--it seemed so strange to be here in the States. NOT bad, certainly, just . . . strange. I mentioned this to John as we were talking late one night, just expressing my feelings at missing our friends, the food, and some other aspects of our life in Asia. Maybe it was finally hitting me that, as Clara Anne so aptly observed about a month after returning to the States, "I didn't really realize how special it was that we lived there until we moved here."<br />
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Certainly there were difficult parts of living life there, and I'm not trying to minimize that, but I had really gotten through many of the difficult parts and really loved my life there. Plus, I still have some very significant friendships there, which are just harder to maintain when I'm way over here. And, it's no secret that I really miss my house helper--not just what she did for me, but who she is. Her funny (sometimes quirky) personality, her friendship, her chatty dear self, is truly missed. I also really miss the discipleship relationship we had--we frequently talked about life/heart issues and prayed together. I miss that.<br />
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And, then there's the fact that my dear friend B is about to come back to the States for a half a year. As in, they get on a plane in a few hours. She wrote a really touching <a href="http://www.apeekatthepeeks.blogspot.com/2012/02/packing-up-heading-out.html">post</a> about saying goodbye to friends and all the changes that had happened in their lives in the past three years. (And still managed to keep it from getting too long!!! How does she do it? I'm always so wordy!) I started to think, did I post pictures on my blog from our final weeks in Asia? All those farewells, all the goodbye dinners, the trips we took around town saying goodbye to our favorite places? Surely I posted all those pictures, right???<br />
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Alas, I went back and looked, and I never did. That time was such a crazy time of transition, and SO incredibly busy (I never want to do it again, moving internationally is a monumental task, and if we do it again we will NOT be crating!) that I just never got to it. After I realized that, it made me really sad. It is like after almost 8 years in that country I didn't document and record some of those last, precious memories. Now, I'm not trying to be melodramatic, there's always a possibility that we will end up back in that place, either to visit or who knows, maybe even to live again, but the fact is that I never posted all my "goodbye" pictures!<br />
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Determined to remedy this, I went through my photos and looked again at them. Then it dawned on me WHY I didn't post them. There are hundreds! Maybe even a thousand! Great photos, with precious people, in so many different places and situations, taken in our last few weeks there. Oh my!<br />
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[insert deep breath]<br />
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So, this week I hope to post a few pictures almost every day. I really want to record, even if it's just for myself, some of the relational journey that we were on those last few weeks before we moved back to the States. It was an emotional, trying, stressful, crazy, beautiful, bittersweet time, and I think that will come through in some of the photos. If nothing else, it's part of our family history that I want to record, even if I am about eight months late! Better now than in several years, right?<br />
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If you've been missing Asia (you know, vicariously, through me, ha!) check back this week to get another glimpse of what used to be common and familiar to us, and now seems very special and unique. Thanks for reading!Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598127564970664434noreply@blogger.com1