Wednesday, February 29, 2012
A Fun Day
An Attempt at Blogging
As you can imagine my time for blogging has been greatly reduced. Overall I can't complain - things are going remarkably well all things considered. The expected missing of each other is definetly there in full force, but we are all so busy that it helps to distract us thankfully. Here is what we are up to:
Mark - is not quite full swing into the ministry yet. The church graciously is giving him a few weeks to ease back into work. He is using this time to do lots of visiting with different members and is so thankful that so many are willing to feed him! It seems every night he is at someone's house having dinner and getting reacquainted. He will hit the ground running as of March 11th when he officially goes 'full time' again. For those of you that are in the area he will be preaching that Sunday for the first time. In the meantime he is preaching for the lent services on Wednesday evenings.
Allison - I just finished our taxes, yay! That is a huge accomplishment with four little girls around and work. This week at school we are doing all things Dr. Seuss and looking forward to National Lutheran School Week next week. Whew! I'll be thankful for the week after being spring break - although I chuckle that our 'spring' break will be spent in WI where it is about 50 colder - ha!
Eliya - still is our avid reader, in fact she wants a kindle for her birthday! She is starting to do much better in spelling which I attribute to her reading as well. She is growing like a weed! She is now up to my shoulder! She often has growing pains at night when she goes to bed which isn't surprising as fast as she's growing.
Gabriel - Gabie has been learning to read and I am amazed at how well she is doing already in Kindergarten. She is my little helper and the peace-keeper in the house. Whatever needs done she is always helping do it and loves giving mom hugs whenever our paths cross at school during the day.
Rachel - is by far struggling with the lack of daddy the most. Don't misunderstand me - we all miss him, but Rachel our daddy's girl shows it the most. She is currently enjoying an afternoon with mom since this is my afternoon off from work. We played some checkers and she is now out digging holes for "flowers" in the front yard (and no we don't have any flowers to put in those holes). She also got new glasses this week - this time blue which look amazing on her since they match her eyes :)
Micaiah - seems like this little gal is changing every day! Her vocabulary is growing like crazy and she's saying more and more on her own (as opposed to the parroting that they start out doing). She is a CLIMBER so she is always sporting a new bump or bruise from her latest escapade. She is also showing all the signs of being two which includes using the potty sometimes (yay!) and yelling "NO!" when she doesn't get her way (not yay).
Needless to say we are all doing well, and so incredibly happy and thankful to be normal again! There are still the everyday frustrations and challenges, but they are within normal range. We never thought we'd be so thankful for things like stubbed toes and a messy kitchen. We know it is by God's grace that we have this happy time and we praise Him for it!
Mark - is not quite full swing into the ministry yet. The church graciously is giving him a few weeks to ease back into work. He is using this time to do lots of visiting with different members and is so thankful that so many are willing to feed him! It seems every night he is at someone's house having dinner and getting reacquainted. He will hit the ground running as of March 11th when he officially goes 'full time' again. For those of you that are in the area he will be preaching that Sunday for the first time. In the meantime he is preaching for the lent services on Wednesday evenings.
Allison - I just finished our taxes, yay! That is a huge accomplishment with four little girls around and work. This week at school we are doing all things Dr. Seuss and looking forward to National Lutheran School Week next week. Whew! I'll be thankful for the week after being spring break - although I chuckle that our 'spring' break will be spent in WI where it is about 50 colder - ha!
Eliya - still is our avid reader, in fact she wants a kindle for her birthday! She is starting to do much better in spelling which I attribute to her reading as well. She is growing like a weed! She is now up to my shoulder! She often has growing pains at night when she goes to bed which isn't surprising as fast as she's growing.
Gabriel - Gabie has been learning to read and I am amazed at how well she is doing already in Kindergarten. She is my little helper and the peace-keeper in the house. Whatever needs done she is always helping do it and loves giving mom hugs whenever our paths cross at school during the day.
Rachel - is by far struggling with the lack of daddy the most. Don't misunderstand me - we all miss him, but Rachel our daddy's girl shows it the most. She is currently enjoying an afternoon with mom since this is my afternoon off from work. We played some checkers and she is now out digging holes for "flowers" in the front yard (and no we don't have any flowers to put in those holes). She also got new glasses this week - this time blue which look amazing on her since they match her eyes :)
Micaiah - seems like this little gal is changing every day! Her vocabulary is growing like crazy and she's saying more and more on her own (as opposed to the parroting that they start out doing). She is a CLIMBER so she is always sporting a new bump or bruise from her latest escapade. She is also showing all the signs of being two which includes using the potty sometimes (yay!) and yelling "NO!" when she doesn't get her way (not yay).
Needless to say we are all doing well, and so incredibly happy and thankful to be normal again! There are still the everyday frustrations and challenges, but they are within normal range. We never thought we'd be so thankful for things like stubbed toes and a messy kitchen. We know it is by God's grace that we have this happy time and we praise Him for it!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
From Texas to Wisconsin
Just when I think I have it all together....I discover Micaiah has somehow gotten ahold of a sharpie marker and has been coloring all over her siser's book and the coffee table (sigh). We have now gotten through our 3rd day on our own as a house full of girls. Right now the girls are yelling at me to come kill a bug in the kitchen as they are eating their bedtime snack. Just one of the many jobs we are missing daddy for :)
Last Sunday the congregation in Amherst voted to reinstate Mark as their pastor. They are allowing him to ease back into things just as Dr. Martin advised and he will only be preaching for the Wednesday night services to start with and will go to a more full time basis sometime in March.
As the time for Mark's going back to work approached we discussed the posibility of him returning to parish ministry. One thing we decided together was that we would not interupt the school year for the girls. Eliya switched schools in Kindergarten (Gettysburg elementary to St. Paul's in Steven's Point) and again in 1st grade (St. Paul's to Faith in Huntsville). So we decided that regardless of how/when/where the work would begin for Mark that the girls and I would finish out the school year here (not to mention that I am also teaching there).
Although we all miss daddy/Mark dearly we are pulling together quite well. I'm sure it's a combination of many things that is helping to make this time go by as simple and easy as possible. After living for so many months where I was teaching and in wheelchair, trying to spend as much time with Samantha as possible, trying to take care of Mark and the four girls, well, let's just say the fact that I can walk is extrememly helpful and not something I plan to take for granted ever again! The age of the girls also helps a lot. Eliya can be very helpful and responsible, as can Gabie. Rachel is much more independent then she used to be (although truth be told, she is a daddy's girl through and through and this seems to be the hardest on her). Micaiah is also much more independent in the sense that she can express her needs and wants much better with words, signs and gestures.
We are so thankful that the Lord has allowed Mark to go back the ministry that he has been called to do. We now wait patiently for the day we can be under the same roof again as a family. The girls and I will head north for spring break very soon!
Last Sunday the congregation in Amherst voted to reinstate Mark as their pastor. They are allowing him to ease back into things just as Dr. Martin advised and he will only be preaching for the Wednesday night services to start with and will go to a more full time basis sometime in March.
As the time for Mark's going back to work approached we discussed the posibility of him returning to parish ministry. One thing we decided together was that we would not interupt the school year for the girls. Eliya switched schools in Kindergarten (Gettysburg elementary to St. Paul's in Steven's Point) and again in 1st grade (St. Paul's to Faith in Huntsville). So we decided that regardless of how/when/where the work would begin for Mark that the girls and I would finish out the school year here (not to mention that I am also teaching there).
Although we all miss daddy/Mark dearly we are pulling together quite well. I'm sure it's a combination of many things that is helping to make this time go by as simple and easy as possible. After living for so many months where I was teaching and in wheelchair, trying to spend as much time with Samantha as possible, trying to take care of Mark and the four girls, well, let's just say the fact that I can walk is extrememly helpful and not something I plan to take for granted ever again! The age of the girls also helps a lot. Eliya can be very helpful and responsible, as can Gabie. Rachel is much more independent then she used to be (although truth be told, she is a daddy's girl through and through and this seems to be the hardest on her). Micaiah is also much more independent in the sense that she can express her needs and wants much better with words, signs and gestures.
We are so thankful that the Lord has allowed Mark to go back the ministry that he has been called to do. We now wait patiently for the day we can be under the same roof again as a family. The girls and I will head north for spring break very soon!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Quick Update
Mark made it safe and sound to Wisconsin. He left Friday morning and drove to Bella Vista where my grandparents live. Then he drove the rest today. Thanks for all those prayers for safe travels!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Amazed
If you would've asked me a year ago if this day would ever come I think I would've thought it was crazy. But God has brought us full circle and this week Mark will be returning to work. We are just feeling so overwhelmingly blessed by God's goodness, grace and mercy.
There will be more details to come, but for now we are rejoicing and thanking God for His provision in allowing Mark to return to work. We are currently spending as much time as possible as a family until he leaves. He will be returning to Amherst sometime this week.
We are amazed at how great is our God!
There will be more details to come, but for now we are rejoicing and thanking God for His provision in allowing Mark to return to work. We are currently spending as much time as possible as a family until he leaves. He will be returning to Amherst sometime this week.
We are amazed at how great is our God!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
America's Got Talent!
The girls love the show America's Got Talent and wanted to "play" it Saturday morning. We had a lot of fun getting all glamored up and using the kareoke machine to sing and do acts.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Waiting on the Lord
We are in a waiting period, but not nearly as stressful as some of the waiting periods of the past year and a half. God has certainly changed our perspective, and we are using this time as a gift from Him instead of letting stress, worry and wonderings overtake us. A week from Sunday St. Paul in Amherst will vote whether to reinstate (from the disability) or to release Mark from his call to their congregation. This will give us a better idea about when/where we will move forward from here.
As for the girls:
Eliya is growing SO fast physically that we can't seem to keep up with her in the clothes department. She's a size 9 in length, with a size 6 waist. This causes a lot of growing pains especially at night for her. It also contributes to some general clumsiness (yes, she still falls out of her chair a lot - ha). She's doing really well in school. She LOVES to read - to herself, to her sisters and loves to be read to as well.
Gabie is learning to read and loving school as well. She recently had her first ear infection post-tubes coming out but thankfully her drums didn't rupture. In fact I think it was her first 'normal' ear infection that actually went away on it's own! Praise the Lord for that! Hopefully she will continue to have outgrown needing tubes, but only time will tell.
Rachel has missed a lot of school lately. She also has had an ear infection, but hasn't been kicking it as well as Gabie. We partially blame the pharmacutical companies for this as they put RED DYE in many antibiotics for kids (don't EVEN get me started on that one!). SO it's difficult to find stuff she can take, which means there are meds that aren't very affective and shots involved ~ summary being not a very happy Rachel.
Micaiah is starting to talk more and more. Her favorite is "one-two-fwee" which usually then has some tickling or peek-a-booing following the "three". She loves being at school with nana, mommy and her sisters. She marches right into their classrooms to pick them up at the end of the day (whether they're done or not). She's also become a pro at every toddler's favorite word "No!" Which is said quite forcefully when her sisters are bugging her or when she finds a pacifier somewhere and has it re- taken away from her.
Hopefully we will know more in the next couple weeks as far as updates on our lives. In the here and now we are just enjoying the amazing blessing of family and the great gift of healing God has given us.
As for the girls:
Eliya is growing SO fast physically that we can't seem to keep up with her in the clothes department. She's a size 9 in length, with a size 6 waist. This causes a lot of growing pains especially at night for her. It also contributes to some general clumsiness (yes, she still falls out of her chair a lot - ha). She's doing really well in school. She LOVES to read - to herself, to her sisters and loves to be read to as well.
Gabie is learning to read and loving school as well. She recently had her first ear infection post-tubes coming out but thankfully her drums didn't rupture. In fact I think it was her first 'normal' ear infection that actually went away on it's own! Praise the Lord for that! Hopefully she will continue to have outgrown needing tubes, but only time will tell.
Rachel has missed a lot of school lately. She also has had an ear infection, but hasn't been kicking it as well as Gabie. We partially blame the pharmacutical companies for this as they put RED DYE in many antibiotics for kids (don't EVEN get me started on that one!). SO it's difficult to find stuff she can take, which means there are meds that aren't very affective and shots involved ~ summary being not a very happy Rachel.
Micaiah is starting to talk more and more. Her favorite is "one-two-fwee" which usually then has some tickling or peek-a-booing following the "three". She loves being at school with nana, mommy and her sisters. She marches right into their classrooms to pick them up at the end of the day (whether they're done or not). She's also become a pro at every toddler's favorite word "No!" Which is said quite forcefully when her sisters are bugging her or when she finds a pacifier somewhere and has it re- taken away from her.
Hopefully we will know more in the next couple weeks as far as updates on our lives. In the here and now we are just enjoying the amazing blessing of family and the great gift of healing God has given us.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Micaiah's Boo-Boo
This is what happens when your coordination hasn't caught up with your ability and lack-of-fear level!
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