Visitor's Week

Two weeks ago we got to have not just one, but two sets of out-of-town guests.  The Siegmann family came from Oregon for a visit at the beginning of the week, and Steven's brother's family came to see us at the end of week.  The weather was a bit schizophrenic around here that week as we braved a Virginia sized snowstorm with the first guests, and took at trip to the zoo with the next with temperatures in the 70s.  We had SO much fun with both of them, and life seemed a bit too dull and normal when the week was over.

Adriana invading Elaina's personal space:

Before Steven and Eric headed to a Maple Leafs game, the boys made them a lego hockey rink:

Eric, Autumn, and Trinity with us at the zoo:

Short

Dear Neglected Blog,

  I haven't forgotten about you; I promise. I've just been busy- as in, really, really busy. Today I again remembered why I take the time to write posts.  It all flies by too fast.  Everyone told me it would; and yet, so many days seemed just the opposite: long.  Today I put the crib away.  It freed up space and made the room look so nice, but still I felt an ache in my heart.  There's been a crib in our house for nearly seven years, and it was hard to let it go. God only knows if and when it will be brought back out; but I'm finally realizing what everyone meant. Yes, the days can be long; but the time is so short. So, dear blog, thanks for helping me remember all the beautiful moments that God has blessed this momma with.

Sincerely,

A Woman Who Has More Than She Deserves

Around the Camp Fire

We bought a nice humidifier at the beginning of this winter.  It really kicks out the steam; and the kids think it's pretty neat and, to quote Isaiah, "comfy."  Steam, however, is not a concept my children understand; they think it's smoke.  A couple times before bed if I didn't remember to start it, Adriana has told me, "Mom, you forgot to light the fire!"  This misunderstanding became much more pronounced today.  We have a real fireplace in our home, and the kids are accustomed to watching Dad throw paper and cardboard into the fire to get it going.  During playtime, I found the kids feeding their own "fire."  They had turned on the humidifier and torn pieces off a box I was going to recycle, shoving them down the slots at the top of the humidifer. I'm learning never to be shocked at what three little minds can scheme up.  So, I got to spend 20 minutes or so taking a humidifier apart; because with three kids, I of course have lots of spare time to spend on things like this....

A couple of great quotes from the week:

Adriana has taken to telling us, "My name is Luke."  

We have no idea where she got this from.  We only know one Luke, and I'm not even sure Adriana knows who he is.  Where she thought up that name is a mystery to us and why we hear, "I'm not Adriana, I'm Luke" is a mystery to us.

Adriana was asking me where God is.  I was trying to explain that He is everywhere; and though she can't see Him, He can always see her. 

She responded, "I want to see Him so that I can hug Him and kiss Him." *melt*

I gave Isaiah a haircut on Saturday.  He looked in the mirror to see and said, " I don't even recognize myself!"

Valentine's Pics

The more clients I've had, the less I've photographed my own children (shame on me!).  So I decided to do some Valentine's photos with them. By the end of it, I remembered why I rarely do my own kid's portraits.  Being the photographer and the mommy can get a little hairy when it involves three small people.  And to add to it, I did all this while Daddy was at work...why can I never learn from past mistakes!?!

So many whines and bribes later, we at least managed a couple of decent photos:

My oldest thinks he's a little magazine model:

Umbrella

Undeserving

I typically keep this blog to stories about the kids and updates on our lives, but this post is going to be addressing something a bit different.  If you just read this blog, you might think that we have it all made with a near perfect life- the boys are always sweet to their little sister and our days are filled with nothing less than hugs and fun memories.  I intended for this blog the record sweet moments and milestones and to celebrate the joys of family.  But this blog gives a glimpse into just a part of our lives; we still deal with siblings fighting, bad attitudes (Mom included), tantrums, and daily disobedience.  And this week has been especially full of the above list. I have found myself discouraged, complaining, and wondering why God chose me for this task of mothering.  But a verse in my devotions this morning from Genesis 32:10 got my attention.  Jacob prayed, 

"I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you shown your servant."

I was freshly reminded that my bad attitude was like telling God that I deserved better.  And yet I deserve none of this- not the loving husband, the children I adore whom God is using to work in my heart, not the home I have or the church I love, not the extended family that cares for us or the faithful friends- none of it.  And if all those things were stripped away, I still have far more than I deserve. I have a Savior who rescued me from the dark slavery to my sin and who made me right with God.  The Holy Spirit convicted me this morning to look at my not-so-easy job of mothering with fresh eyes.  When my child is throwing the tantrum, I want to remind myself that I don't deserve to the gift of that little person in my life and the grace that God is at hand to provide.

Cinderella & Army Men

Princesses are one of Adriana's latest obsessions.  She eats off of her princess bowl and plate, wears princess underwear, reads princess books, and informs me that she is "Daddy's princess". The other day I found the boys very sweetly helping Adriana dress up like a princess, and from the other room I heard Elijah ask her if she would like to dance (*sigh* This would be why I always wanted a big brother).  I made a dash for the camera and snatched the moment.

Doesn't your heart just melt?!

In other news, I've been repeatedly informed that Isaiah is joining the Army when he turns seven. We'll be sad for the loss; but maybe the military will be able to instill some of the discipline that I have yet to get through his crazy, little head.  So come June, we'll be renting out a bottom bunk space at our house.  Contact me if you are interested.

Freshening Up

While some friends were over, we caught Adriana showing her friend Griffin just how fun it can be to powder one's self (and one's room).

Carter Photos

My nephew Carter was released from the hospital and is finally back home!  I did his newborn photos, and you can check them out here: http://alyssaannephotography.blogspot.com/2009/01/carter.html

Our Little Carter

My sister Christine had her son in at 12:22 a.m. on Monday morning.  It was a home birth, and I was able to be there which was one of the more amazing experiences of my life. Carter Gregory was 7 lbs. 8 oz. and 20 1/2 in. long, and he just happens to be one of the world's cutest nephews. Eighteen hours after he was born, Carter's heart rate spiked up way past normal.  He was taken to the E.R. where they tried without success to lower his heart rate.  The hospital transferred him by ambulance to another nearby hospital that specializes in heart problems.  There they were finally able to bring his heart rate down to normal and began working to find the problem. Since then, they have discovered some extra tissue on his heart which causes electricity to start flowing around the heart. This can cause the heart to short-circuit and the heart rate to go up to levels that it should not be. To prevent this, Carter will have to be on medication for at least 6 months. In 98% of cases this takes care of the problem. He has been transferred out of the pediatric ICU and is now in a normal room.  He's doing great and will hopefully be going home in a day or two after the cardiologist gets the medication levels correct.  His Mommy and Daddy have been through quite a scare, but they are just so grateful that this was discovered so that it could be treated. 

We were all reminded of Philippians 4:4b-7 throughout this, "The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Before this ordeal with Carter, my kiddos got to go over to see him.  Here are some photos of the first meeting: