Just a quick update. I am busy being overwhelmed by the demands of life. I am a person who is easily overwhelmed, and so I keep reminding myself that the things that are keeping me busy are good things and I need to rejoice in everything, because the Lord commands it. I think the reason I get frustrated is that I don't like feeling as though I am too busy to really enjoy my time with my baby.
Ryley has been so very busy working. We have decided to put our house on the market, so that has added to my already full plate of responsibilities. We hope to have it listed this week. Who knows what will happen in this economy, but we are hoping to sell and then find a home to grow into. We are looking to move to the country and possibly to the lake. I am so tired of barking neighbor dogs, neighbors mowing lawn when Sawyer is trying to sleep, and just feeling watched all the time...while we do have good neighbors, after 4 years, we still don't enjoy it. Also, ever since Sawyer was born our doggies have been more confined to either the kennel or the entry way. They do great with him, but I don't have the patience for dog hair anymore since he is crawling now. I would love to have room for us all (dogs included) to be able to stretch out a bit. We are looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.
Sawyer is doing great. While I've been at work, he's been enjoying time at his grandma's house since our daycare situation changed. I've been very grateful to not have to find another daycare right away. While he's still a baby, I appreciate being able to take him to someone who loves him and gives him plenty of attention. I really did not want to take him somewhere with a lot of other kids while he's so little. He is so busy exploring his world...pulling himself up, climbing, flirting, "talking," walking around the edge of furniture, and possibly his favorite passtime: eating. Oh, and of course, shaking his head "no." Sometimes, I'm overwhelmed with how cute he is. He has turned into quite a little snuggler, too, which I love. At 9 months old, I am more in love with him every day.
I also have to confess that I have baby fever. I've had it for a good 7 months now. Maybe I've mentioned it already... but I want another child soon. We've been discussing it since December, still having a desire to adopt one day, but I think we are planning to try biological again. I am impatient because while I know it's possible to get pregnant, it's still unlikely since I am nursing Sawyer. And while I would love to be pregnant right now, I am not willing to give up breastfeeding to increase my chances.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
What If
We continue to praise God for the rain, the warm weather, health, strength, and everything else that goes into raising a good crop. We have hopes for a bountiful harvest, or whatever type of year the Lord wills it to be. We trust that no matter how this growing season plays out, He has our lives in the palm of His mighty hand.
This year in our garden, we are growing corn, sweet potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, watermelon, strawberries, 5 varieties of peppers, beans, 4 varieties of tomatoes, and squash in the small area we have left that hasn't been overtaken by our raspberries. Side note: if you wish to plant raspberries, DO NOT plant them in your garden! Plant them in an area of your yard where you can mow around them.
Anyway. Raspberries. My favorite fruit. They are plentiful...well, let's be honest...they're overwhelming me right now. I can spend an hour picking raspberries, then go out later to work in the rest of the garden and see another ripe raspberry out of the corner of my eye. No, I cannot leave the one ripe berry. I feel guilty if I waste it. So I go to pick it, and I find another...and another. Happened to me again today. There were so many, I went over to my neighbor's house and told her to help herself to picking some of my raspberries.
And then I was thinking. What if I was like that with people? What if I had eyes to see every person around me...and I did not want to leave one of them behind? What if I had compassion enough for the lost that I was so overwhelmed and had to recruit my neighbor to help with the harvest?
Matthew 9:36-38
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to the disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Proverbs 10:4-5
Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
This year in our garden, we are growing corn, sweet potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, watermelon, strawberries, 5 varieties of peppers, beans, 4 varieties of tomatoes, and squash in the small area we have left that hasn't been overtaken by our raspberries. Side note: if you wish to plant raspberries, DO NOT plant them in your garden! Plant them in an area of your yard where you can mow around them.
Anyway. Raspberries. My favorite fruit. They are plentiful...well, let's be honest...they're overwhelming me right now. I can spend an hour picking raspberries, then go out later to work in the rest of the garden and see another ripe raspberry out of the corner of my eye. No, I cannot leave the one ripe berry. I feel guilty if I waste it. So I go to pick it, and I find another...and another. Happened to me again today. There were so many, I went over to my neighbor's house and told her to help herself to picking some of my raspberries.
And then I was thinking. What if I was like that with people? What if I had eyes to see every person around me...and I did not want to leave one of them behind? What if I had compassion enough for the lost that I was so overwhelmed and had to recruit my neighbor to help with the harvest?
Matthew 9:36-38
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to the disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Proverbs 10:4-5
Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Women and Food
Ryley is out working hard again today, hauling our bales of hay to storage.On a day when many people are getting together with family and friends in the Midwest, likely at the lake enjoying the 90 degree weather, I find myself indoors and thinking about food. I don't know if it's just me, but a lot of the women I know tend to enjoy cooking or baking, and I think the gratification is to make others happy.
So far, my morning has consisted of breastfeeding the baby in between making batches of baby food. He, of course, is not old enough to appreciate anything I do for him, but somehow it still so fulfilling to make him content through food. So far, I have sweet potato, squash, and blueberry-based combinations in the freezer. Next up is green beans, prunes, carrots, and peaches.
Breastfeeding has probably been the most giving thing I've ever done for another human being. I plan to write about breastfeeding in another post, but if I think about it, it is a very common way to feed an infant that millions of women have experienced. I figure that breastfeeding has consumed between 4-6 hours daily of my life for the past 8 months. And if I'm at work, away from Sawyer, my schedule is planned around pumping milk for him. Women who breastfeed make such a loving sacrifice, but in my experience, it has been a time of bonding, joy, and fulfillment.
A lot of my life revolves around making food for others. A lot of other women around me would tell a similar story. I suppose the easy answer is that it's part of our nurturing nature. I just find it fascinating for some reason, to think about what women do for their families, and how God placed that desire to serve others in the hearts of His daughters.
So far, my morning has consisted of breastfeeding the baby in between making batches of baby food. He, of course, is not old enough to appreciate anything I do for him, but somehow it still so fulfilling to make him content through food. So far, I have sweet potato, squash, and blueberry-based combinations in the freezer. Next up is green beans, prunes, carrots, and peaches.
Breastfeeding has probably been the most giving thing I've ever done for another human being. I plan to write about breastfeeding in another post, but if I think about it, it is a very common way to feed an infant that millions of women have experienced. I figure that breastfeeding has consumed between 4-6 hours daily of my life for the past 8 months. And if I'm at work, away from Sawyer, my schedule is planned around pumping milk for him. Women who breastfeed make such a loving sacrifice, but in my experience, it has been a time of bonding, joy, and fulfillment.
A lot of my life revolves around making food for others. A lot of other women around me would tell a similar story. I suppose the easy answer is that it's part of our nurturing nature. I just find it fascinating for some reason, to think about what women do for their families, and how God placed that desire to serve others in the hearts of His daughters.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
8 months of joy
Photos never quite seem to translate on the blog like they do on my computer... but I took about 50 shots yesterday of Sawyer and Papa cutting hay. These are the types of photos that will be precious to us someday. More to come soon.
The last 8 months have been so amazing, sweet boy. My heart is overflowing with joy and love for you. You and your papa mean more to me than you'll ever know.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Last night, Ryley was holding Sawyer and they were engaging in a usual game that goes like this: Sawyer looks everywhere but at the papa...the papa tries turning him so that Sawyer will look at him. It went on for five minutes or so, until Sawyer starting hollering and shaking his head, as if he was telling Ryley "NO." It kept on, and Sawyer continued shaking his head. While I didn't catch that on video, it is apparent that Sawyer enjoys shaking his head at the moment.
Our 6th anniversary was yesterday, and the 3 of us went to a local mexican restaurant to celebrate. It's like I just blinked, and suddenly we don't bring his car seat in anymore...we're asking for a high chair. We had a nice time...Sawyer with his pears and sweet potato puffs, and us with our chimichangas. It was interesting to reflect on how things have changed from year to year.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Aunts & Uncles
These are a month old already, and if you're on facebook you've maybe already seen them. All of Sawyer's aunts and uncles except one show up here.
Looking at a toy with "Aunt Molly." (my stepsister of 9 years and friend for 17 years, Rachel)
Uncle Wade, my younger brother.
Uncle Wade.
At Aunt Heather's college graduation party. All are aunts/uncles; from left, Adam and Kari (married, Kari is Ryley's younger sister), Heather and BJ (married, Heather is Ryley's youngest sister), and Tanner (Ryley's youngest sibling).
"I have such pretty aunties!"
Aunts Kari and Heather
Eating pineapple with Aunt Heather
Looking at a toy with "Aunt Molly." (my stepsister of 9 years and friend for 17 years, Rachel)
Uncle Wade, my younger brother.
Uncle Wade.
At Aunt Heather's college graduation party. All are aunts/uncles; from left, Adam and Kari (married, Kari is Ryley's younger sister), Heather and BJ (married, Heather is Ryley's youngest sister), and Tanner (Ryley's youngest sibling).
"I have such pretty aunties!"
Aunts Kari and Heather
Eating pineapple with Aunt Heather
I didn't catch a picture of Sawyer with his Uncle Ben, who is my stepbrother. But my boy is very blessed to have so many aunts and uncles in his life that love him!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Frustrations
This just makes me laugh. He's a tough young man, but when someone's watching I think he likes to make it seem sad. This cabinet has been a continuous source of frustration for him, but he's too happy of a kid to stay upset for long.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Disappointment
So this week I've been disappointed by a number of people, and I'm feeling fairly let down. It's been sort of a theme in my life. For example, our wedding that one would expect all your close friends and family would do their best to attend.....well, it just didn't turn out that way. It leaves a person feeling rejected and even disposable.
I find it really difficult not to hold a grudge when someone has a ridiculous excuse about why they let you down or didn't show up to an important day or don't know if they will be able to make it. I guess I just end up finding out where people's priorities really lie.
Then I remember that there is only ONE who will NEVER let me down. One True God who has always and will always be there. I have stupid excuses and reasons why I let Him down all the time, and still He loves me so much. No matter how much I fail. If you just sit down and really think about it, it's absolutely amazing. And I'd rather have my Creator always on my side than anyone else anyway.
I find it really difficult not to hold a grudge when someone has a ridiculous excuse about why they let you down or didn't show up to an important day or don't know if they will be able to make it. I guess I just end up finding out where people's priorities really lie.
Then I remember that there is only ONE who will NEVER let me down. One True God who has always and will always be there. I have stupid excuses and reasons why I let Him down all the time, and still He loves me so much. No matter how much I fail. If you just sit down and really think about it, it's absolutely amazing. And I'd rather have my Creator always on my side than anyone else anyway.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Skillz
Everyone knows...that girls only like guys who have great skillz. Forget nunchuck skills, cake baking skills, computer hacking skills... how about:
blue-eyed skills
bear walking skills (a bear that drags its head on the ground, that is)
crawling skills
TV watching skills
hovering skills
couch lounging skills
dog whispering skills
outshining the dog skills
standing skills
future football player skills (position still up for debate...but not the team he will be rooting for)
dimple skills
cabinet skills
camera grabbing skills
blue-eyed skills
bear walking skills (a bear that drags its head on the ground, that is)
crawling skills
TV watching skills
hovering skills
couch lounging skills
dog whispering skills
outshining the dog skills
standing skills
future football player skills (position still up for debate...but not the team he will be rooting for)
dimple skills
cabinet skills
By now, I'm sure you are jealous of all these skills. Hopefully you can figure out what movie I'm referencing! Plenty more posts to come, so hang in there...
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Bye Bye
So I am very behind on photos and videos in the last month. This one was taken when Sawyer was 6.5 months old in May. This is all going by too quickly. It's so much fun to see him grow, but it breaks my heart all the same. Maybe a house full of children wouldn't make it quite as sad?
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