owl fly away

Whoa, ten years have floated by and here we are with a full blown family.  What an eventful decade we’ve had betrothed.

We’ve lived in more apartments than I care to count (it would take me a few minutes to recollect them all anyway).

We’ve traveled across the country in a car with two cats…twice!

We spent a wonderful few years in Boston and made memories to last a lifetime.

You made a career for yourself and provide for us so well.

We found a wonderful church home.

But our best work by far is our beautiful babes.

I love you Justin and I’m so grateful that  you are mine and I am yours.  Many more, my love.

First things first, He is risen!  Happy Eastertide to all, I hope your celebration of the glorious resurrection is wonderful.

In case you hadn’t noticed the blog was silent for Lent so here’s a few things that went on.  We celebrated Charlotte’s 3rd birthday with a picnic party at the arboretum.  It was a chilly day with a short stint of rain but so much fun.  The kids had a blast flying wooden airplanes and playing in the dirt.  It was pretty much the perfect party to throw, since everyone brought their own picnic lunch all we had to do was show up with a bunch of cupcakes.

Delia turned one on the 30th of March.  We decided to wait until after Easter to celebrate so we’re throwing her a family party this Sunday.  She started walking a few weeks ago and is really pleased with herself.  Her favorite thing in the whole world, beside her family, is this really ugly baby doll of Charlotte’s.  Delia carries it around by one arm dragging the poor thing wherever she goes.  She also likes to put it in the stroller and take her for a walk as well as try to put her in a sling.  Adorable!  She’s also learned what the term trash means and will gladly take things to the trash can once it’s been deemed as such.  She’s such a joy and we all love her immensely (thank you, Lord).

I’m sure there’s more to be caught up on but for now I leave you with a few pics from the past 40+ days…

I actually made it to the mall the other day to use up a visa gift card that was burning a hole in my pocket.  Per the instructions of my Mom I was to buy something for myself and I actually did.  I found a cute shirt that would act as a nice staple to my casual wardrobe so I scooped it up.  Unfortunately I got said shirt home and found a hole in it which made me mad but mostly because I would have to go back to the dreaded mall to return it.  We’re back from the second trip (in one week) to the mall and have returned with the following:

These:

And, these:

Obviously neither of which are for me.  Oh well, maybe next year I’ll get a little something (for myself) for my birthday.

On our way to the car yesterday we (the girls and I) were met with a pretty little finch that just happened to have lived out his last moments right outside our gate.  Needless to say Charlotte was very curious.

Charlotte: Look at that yellow and black bird!  What’s he doing?

Me: Well, he’s not alive so he’s not doing anything.

Charlotte: Why?

Me: Well, he’s dead.

Charlotte: Why?

Me: Well, when things stop breathing they’re no longer alive…they’re dead.

Charlotte: Why?

Me:  Remember how in the God/Jesus movie (Hanna Barbera’s Easter Story, a Charlotte favorite) Jesus died?

Charlotte: Yes

Me: Well, the bird died too.  Everything dies but the good thing about being human is that if we know and love Christ, when we die we will be in heaven with God and Jesus.

Charlotte: Can I hold the yellow and black bird?

Me: NO!!!  We don’t touch dead birds.  Daddy will bury him when he gets home.

Charlotte: OK

I put the girls in the car and prayed for wisdom and clarity on the answers I was giving.  Fortunately, during the car ride to Bible study Charlotte asked only a couple of times if I remembered “that yellow and black bird that’s dead” and each time I told her I did.  I probably will never forget that little finch that introduced Charlotte to death as more than a mere concept.

…Delia.  I just administered a second round of mom’s milk drops to Delia’s poor red and weepy eyes.  Praying that this works and open to advice on proper treatment technique.  Currently I drop milk directly into her eyes and dab a cotton round in the milk and gently rub the eyelids.  I plan on doing this three times a day till it clears.  Anything I’m missing???

Today is rainy and chilly and my kind of day.  Husband ordered us some coffee from Sweet Maria’s as an early Christmas treat and I am thoroughly enjoying it as I construct this post.

Yesterday we celebrated our sweet niece’s 9th birthday and the gathering of family was a nice precursor to what Christmas has in store.  The highlight for me was baby D saying (more like shouting) Mama for the first time in a room crowded with family.  I had been playing with her on the floor and had to get up to throw something away.  The minute I left the room she shouted Mama and it was one of the sweetest sounds ever heard…our babe is growing…quickly.  Happy rainy Monday to you locals and to everyone I hope that God’s love and mercy is revealed to you in even the smallest of ways!

Hope you can swing by the BHCP boutique being held Thursday 12/3 and Friday 12/4.  friendkidly will have a booth along with a myriad of other handmade vendors so you will be sure to find something great to giveaway this coming Christmas season!  Check out the flier and we hope to see you there.

This darling tank is being given away by my dear friend apple likes orange. To enter click on the photo above and you’ll be linked to her site with all the info.  Good luck!

A Thankgsiving to Almighty God for the Fruits of the Earth and all the other Blessings of his merciful Providence.

Most gracious God, by whose knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew; We yield thee unfeigned thanks and praise for the return of the seed-time and harvest, for the increase of the ground and the gathering in of the fruits thereof, and for all the other blessings of they merciful providence bestowed upon this nation and people. And we beseech thee, give us a just sense of these great mercies; such as may appear in our lives by an humble, holy, and obedient walking before thee all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all glory and honour, world without end. Amen.

(1928 Book of Common Prayer Page 50)

I think the best part of buying on sale clothing for my children is that I’m not afraid to alter them.  I’d probably shy away from cutting up something that I paid full price for unless I got it from a Target, or Old Navy, or the such (but in that case the garment would probably be too cheap to be worth my time in alterations).  A good example is this dress I picked up from Gap.

The sleeves engulfed poor Charlotte and just didn’t look cute.  I love cap sleeves on her so I chopped the long suckers off and turned it into this much better version ( I didn’t think to try to take a pic of the sleeves so this is the best shot I got).

She wore it to the Thanksgiving celebration we had with my family over the weekend.  It was the first time in a looong time that all of us kids (me, my bro and sis and my 4! stepsisters) along with all our kids and spouses got together for a holiday dinner, it was very lovely.  Happy Thanksgiving to all and I hope you are able to spend time with your families as well.