Open up your heart and see all that God has given thee.

Let the Dominos Fall

Will threw up on Saturday night and I figured it was only a matter of time. Quarantining a child in a house full of kids is an exercise in futility.

Sure enough, Matt came down with it yesterday and the older kids are home from school. As for me, I'm just hoping my queasiness is normal pregnancy stuff.

Well, off I go for a day of crackers, pedialite, puke bowls, cleaner and movies

Scribbling on the Walls

Last year, when I was determined to make over my whole house and got a fourth of the way done (with one room - ahem), I had this weird wall that didn't lend itself to anything. It was part kitchen, part living room. Right next to the sink so I didn't want anything there that could be damaged by water. It was an awkward size and placement for most of our artwork or a clock. What to do? I painted my wall with chalkboard paint. Perfect! It is now one of my favorite things in my house. Sometimes I use it purposefully with quotes or poems or reminders, but usually the kids use it themselves. I love seeing the little self-expressions they leave behind. And I love having a place that evolves daily with us.

New Neighbors

We have some new temporary neighbors! A bird family took residence in our grill. The girls were so excited by the discovery of a nest with four perfect little eggs nestled inside. Now if we can just get them to give the neighbors some privacy!

My Favorite Tree

I am not an aspiring botanist.
I enjoy being outside and I appreciate the beauty of nature but I've never paid much attention to the names of different plants. After living in North Carolina for six years, however, I have grown to absolutely love the dogwood tree. It is in bloom now and it is dazzling. Everywhere you look limbs of delicate blooms float among the sturdier trees. I am no photographer and these pictures don't begin to do the trees justice, but I just wanted to share with all of my non NC friends.

Plans Are Overrated

So, I had my 28 week appointment yesterday. Everything was good. I'm slightly anemic as usual. I met with the new midwife since my midwife was out of the office this week. She asked about my previous deliveries and then asked what my plan was for this one. She seemed flabbergasted when I said I haven't even thought about it yet. She said "you ARE in your third trimester. Plans are good. You may want to get going on that." I said she was probably right.
But I'm not going to. I figure I have three possibilities that I will consider. Epidural, natural, and - if an emergency happens - a c-section. I know how to labor. I've done natural, I've had an epidural. I don't feel like obsessing over it for months when it won't make that much difference. I'll decide the day of when I actually know what the circumstances are. Maybe I am crazy.

Dinner at the Lake

Why don't we come here more often? It's less than fifteen minutes from our house.

The last picture is of Ben watching the birds. He loves birds. This is the look on his face pretty much every time he sees one - which is often here.

Ben's New Best Friend (on loan)

We were dog-sitting for a week.  The kids fell in love with him.  They cried when his family came to take him home.  One day we'll get a dog.

Interesting Things

On our hike, Joe was getting a little...ten.  So I handed him my phone and told him to take pictures of "interesting things" he found.  Here are some of the pictures he took.  I loved seeing the world through his eyes for a minute.  He was so amazed that he found all of the things he photographed and he didn't move anything, just took the picture.

Creating is such a powerful thing.  Our spirits long for it.  Looking for order and beauty in the chaos helped turn Joe's mood around.  How often does that happen?  Creating is affirming and enlarging and taps into one of our deepest purposes.  It really is amazing to watch.

Hanging Rock

This afternoon we went to Hanging Rock. We hiked to Hidden Falls and Window Falls. It felt so nice to get into the mountains again. That is hard to come by out here! The kids loved every minute (except for being held up by their silly mother and toddler brother). Ben and Emily are especially addicted to the outdoors. I wish we could have spent longer out there!