Thursday, March 27, 2008

Moving On... to Maisy


If you don't know who Maisy is, then you are definitely behind the times. Russell loves these two books and we read them at least 15-20 times a day. I'm not exaggerating. I found the first one (top) in a discard pile at the library in my parents' town. The second one is courtesy of the local thrift store. It is a 'lift-the-flap' type of book and one flap has been torn off by the previous owner but Russell don't care. We've read these so often that I recite the books to him while we are driving and he is fussing in the back seat (yes, probably because I forgot his cup or snack). It really helps his little disposition. And mine;-)

Monday, March 24, 2008

Failed Hope

I’ve thought about how to compose this blog entry but nothing eloquent comes to mind. Last weekend we found out we were pregnant. Pregnancy #5. One live birth, three failed pregnancies…no, now that would be four failed pregnancies. I had called the doctor’s office in good faith that this pregnancy would succeed. I had to call back on Friday to cancel the prenatal appointment and reschedule a consult, instead. I was taking the progesterone supplements in hopes that they would assist my body. That and prayer. Neither seemed to work.

Easter weekend turned out differently than we had planned. Cousin Maria called and cancelled their plans with us due to colds in their home. We had decided to cancel as well since I didn’t have the physical strength to host. Sunday was quiet for us. I helped with childcare at church but then came home. I needed the time to be alone and not in the midst of happy Easter-morning church goers. Dan had laryngitis so he was out, too. I thought that after having previous miscarriages, the mourning would be easier. It isn’t. Maybe it gets harder because of the failing hope that ‘next time’ will be successful.

In my Bible study on Thursday morning, I learned that as Daniel was being sentenced to the lions’ den, he didn’t panic (do the wrong thing) or be paralyzed (do nothing). He prayed. How timely that lesson was. “…Then the men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help.” Beth Moore pointed out that had Daniel been given the option to endure the trial once again, he probably would have done so, in order for God to be glorified. Daniel was at least 80 years old and going strong.

Another scripture that has come to our attention is Psalm 127:1-3

“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-
for He grants sleep to those He loves.
Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him.”

When we lose each pregnancy, my first thoughts are, “what did I do wrong?” Did I eat warm sandwich meat? Did I exercise too hard? Did I not drink enough water? Did I not pray enough? Is God angry with me? “In vain” seems to fully describe my feeble attempts to fix the problem. Drink de-caffeinated instead of regular. Swallow more omega-3 pills. Don’t lift anything heavy. Earn ‘brownie’ points with God.

Our prayer-board in the kitchen has a long list of pregnant friends and their due dates. It pleases me to write due dates beside lonely ‘couple’ names: friends that have struggled as well for one reason or another. God is working. He is answering prayer. I like seeing the pregnant moms I know, with their growing bellies and knowing that each pregnancy is a miracle, for each woman will only carry but a few times in her life. I am happy for them. I am sad for me.

I know it is cliché in the Christian realm to say, “I’ll pray for you,” but I know we have many dear friends that do uphold us regularly. To you, we earnestly ask that you would intercede on our behalf and pray for:

1. God’s healing of my body and our saddened hearts.
2. God’s wisdom for the doctors to know how to proceed with future treatments and procedures.
3. That we would invest in the ‘talent’ God has given us: Russell. His soul is precious and we need godly wisdom to raise him for God’s glory.

“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:11

Friday, March 21, 2008

Pre-Easter Egg Dippin'

On Thursday, after morning Bible Study, my friend Lisa invited us over to dye eggs with her son Jack (right). Friend Jen came as well, with her son Owen (left). We told Lisa she gets the "Mom of the Month" award for daring to try a craft that involved food coloring and clean clothes. I am not a craft/art-orientated mom but if Russell likes it, I'll have to learn! Thanks, Lisa!!






The colour should come off their hands by age 18;-)

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

The Difference a Year Makes


The above pictures were taken in March 2006, March 2007, and March 2008. What a difference! We still are taking our daily walks to the park but now Russell can point the direction to walk. The little kid knows when we are trying to 'cheat' him out of the park. His vocab is slowly increasing but isn't saying phrases (for a yellow bus, he'll say, "yellow" or "bus" but not both). We spell a lot of words so he won't understand us and I only watch TV when I feel like fighting Russell over PBS vs. Oprah. Yes, times have changed, but it keeps getting better!

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Raggedy Ann

When I was at the thrift store yesterday (50% off day!), I found an almost-brand-new conditioned copy of Raggedy Ann and Andy. I bought it in hopes that one day we'll have a daughter who will appreciate it. I also found a Thomas the Train book that teaches a child to tell time. Russell loves clocks, so it was a hit!!!

When I got home, I pulled this Raggedy Ann cross-stitch piece out of my closet. I had started it when I was pregnant with Russell but put it away when we found out we were having a boy. After scanning the piece (it had been over 2 1/2 years) to see what needed to be done, I was surprised to see how little was left!! After spending a few hours yesterday and today, it is done.

I'll wait until Michael's puts another 50% off coupon in the paper, since I like their framing, but it is quite expensive. I'm glad there was so little to complete on the piece. Cross-stitching is hard on my neck and back so I probably won't be doing another piece for a few years. Besides, with Russell, there isn't much time to sit quietly;-)

Saturday, March 01, 2008

The Perfect Saturday

For the first time in over a month, we have nothing scheduled. The only 'must-do' today is for Dan to buy/install a chain lock on our front door. Russell can open the door and leave. And he does. I'm going to scrapbook- I just finished Russell first birthday pictures. How would you spend the perfect Saturday?