thank you so much for all of the congratulations and excitement over baby #3.
we were still in negotiations about having a third when the decision was made for us:O)
Surprise!
the day i finally had a positive test after suspecting for a while, i read the "your developing baby week 5" blurb on baby center.
part of it read:
His heart and circulatory system begin to form in the middle layer, or mesoderm. (This week, in fact, his tiny heart begins to divide into chambers and beat and pump blood.) The mesoderm will also form your baby's muscles, cartilage, bone, and subcutaneous (under skin) tissue.
i prayed that our little baby's heart would develop well and that it would grow healthy and strong.
it never ceases to amaze me, the development of our little people in the womb, the wondrous, marvelous way that God has orchestrated life.
that same day i read this news from my friend Annie:
The bad news came after all of the talk above. Right now there is an opening between our babies two ventricles. We go back in 3 weeks for another ultrasound of the heart to see if the hole is still there or if it grows shut. Today I'm 20 weeks 2 days pregnant & around 22 weeks is the best time to really look over the heart in an ultrasound. Right now we don't know what will happen. If our baby still has a hole in his or her heart, that means we most likely will deliver at a hospital much larger than Champaign - I'm guessing that means St. Louis, Chicago, or Indy and surgery of some sort.
it just broke my heart that as i was praying for my baby's heart, Annie's heart was aching for Little Ollie's heart.
Friends, today is the day that Annie & her husband Jade go for their ultrasound. Right now they are looking at their 3rd baby, Ollie's darling heart, praying for healing.
i've been praying daily for them and am asking that just for today all of you would join me.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
A WINNER! and a SURPRISE!
hello friends.
sorry i didn't get the results posted yesterday, things were all kinds of crazy over here.
this morning i used a very high tech method to find a winner.
I wrote everyone's name on paper, cut it up, folded it, put it in a giant glass bowl and had a baby pick the winner.
and i took some cute pictures as proof.
but alas, i have looked far & wide for the camera cord, to no avail, so i figured i'd just give you the results anyway, before you stage an online riot.
Miss Emory thoroughly enjoyed pulling one piece of paper out, unfolding it and holding it up for me to read........
ALLI
who said: I was going to go in true twin fashion and just copy and paste Ash's whole comment into mine but I also thought just telling you that I have the same feelings would work and not be so creepy... and lazy.
and just so that makes sense, here's Ashley's (twin sister) comment:
Elise, I'm a follower now, but I don't want you to think it's just because of the giveaway. I mean, you know I just started this blogging thing... but I'm obviously also entering the giveaway... but I'm following you for more reasons than just that. We have history together... it's not just because I want all of those things pretty badly. ok. pick me... but I'm gonna follow you either way. but pick me
sincerely
okay, i can sense a little twin squable over this outcome :O)
miss Alli has had kind of a bummer last week of so, so i thought it was nice that she won:O)
check out her blog to see some lovely vintage clothes and beautiful photography. same goes for Miss Ashley.
Alli, shoot me an comment and i'll email you back to find out what you'd like on the items that you pick and choose, your address etc.
OKAY!
the extra surprise!
i was working on some new shirts for Leland & Emory and though i didn't take my time, so they didn't turn out really great, i thought i'd show you and get some feedback!!
a bit more on the subject here!
wahooooooo! surprise!
sorry i didn't get the results posted yesterday, things were all kinds of crazy over here.
this morning i used a very high tech method to find a winner.
I wrote everyone's name on paper, cut it up, folded it, put it in a giant glass bowl and had a baby pick the winner.
and i took some cute pictures as proof.
but alas, i have looked far & wide for the camera cord, to no avail, so i figured i'd just give you the results anyway, before you stage an online riot.
Miss Emory thoroughly enjoyed pulling one piece of paper out, unfolding it and holding it up for me to read........
ALLI
who said: I was going to go in true twin fashion and just copy and paste Ash's whole comment into mine but I also thought just telling you that I have the same feelings would work and not be so creepy... and lazy.
and just so that makes sense, here's Ashley's (twin sister) comment:
Elise, I'm a follower now, but I don't want you to think it's just because of the giveaway. I mean, you know I just started this blogging thing... but I'm obviously also entering the giveaway... but I'm following you for more reasons than just that. We have history together... it's not just because I want all of those things pretty badly. ok. pick me... but I'm gonna follow you either way. but pick me
sincerely
okay, i can sense a little twin squable over this outcome :O)
miss Alli has had kind of a bummer last week of so, so i thought it was nice that she won:O)
check out her blog to see some lovely vintage clothes and beautiful photography. same goes for Miss Ashley.
Alli, shoot me an comment and i'll email you back to find out what you'd like on the items that you pick and choose, your address etc.
OKAY!
the extra surprise!
i was working on some new shirts for Leland & Emory and though i didn't take my time, so they didn't turn out really great, i thought i'd show you and get some feedback!!
a bit more on the subject here!
wahooooooo! surprise!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
there was a little girl who had a little curl right in the middle of her forehead....
landsakes!
my children have been so funny & enjoyable lately. so i'm going to share some silly fall pics.
i have a busy weekend ahead and wanted to get a post in before it to remind you about the GIVEAWAY which ends on monday!! there are only 10 people entered at the moment so the odds are pretty good:O)
there will an extra surprise along with the giveaway results that you don't want to miss!
need to mention a few things that i keep forgetting.
last week Denison Whitmer played songs for me.
in person.
in my sister's living room.
yup.
okay, okay, so there were a few other people there too.
but it was so personal and unreal and mindblowing.
my sister requested the song that was sure to make me cry and it was lovely.
and my husband requested Emory's favorite and it was perfect.
My nephew and my babies listen to him as they fall asleep at naptime & bedtime and Leland literally dozed off in Joel's arms while he was listening to him live.
secondly, the Anne of Green Gables movie night was (mostly) a success!!
we laughed, we tried not to cry, we ate tasty baked goods!
I got to see some lovely ladies that i've not seen in a long while, especially the lovely Maria who came all the way from Mt. Vernon!!
it was great.
thanks gals for coming out, and my other sweet friend Marie, for having more of your friends there than i did;o) it was nice to meet them:O)
alright, now the funny kids.
i have no idea where the Harry Potter esque glasses came from but he wore them to the bank, Kohl's & Cracker Barrel.
and Emory is just so grown up and precocious lately it tickles me all day long.
my children have been so funny & enjoyable lately. so i'm going to share some silly fall pics.
i have a busy weekend ahead and wanted to get a post in before it to remind you about the GIVEAWAY which ends on monday!! there are only 10 people entered at the moment so the odds are pretty good:O)
there will an extra surprise along with the giveaway results that you don't want to miss!
need to mention a few things that i keep forgetting.
last week Denison Whitmer played songs for me.
in person.
in my sister's living room.
yup.
okay, okay, so there were a few other people there too.
but it was so personal and unreal and mindblowing.
my sister requested the song that was sure to make me cry and it was lovely.
and my husband requested Emory's favorite and it was perfect.
My nephew and my babies listen to him as they fall asleep at naptime & bedtime and Leland literally dozed off in Joel's arms while he was listening to him live.
secondly, the Anne of Green Gables movie night was (mostly) a success!!
we laughed, we tried not to cry, we ate tasty baked goods!
I got to see some lovely ladies that i've not seen in a long while, especially the lovely Maria who came all the way from Mt. Vernon!!
it was great.
thanks gals for coming out, and my other sweet friend Marie, for having more of your friends there than i did;o) it was nice to meet them:O)
alright, now the funny kids.
i have no idea where the Harry Potter esque glasses came from but he wore them to the bank, Kohl's & Cracker Barrel.
and Emory is just so grown up and precocious lately it tickles me all day long.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Flow on, river! .... Frolic on, crested and scallop-edg’d waves!
oh, friends.
we survived the trip out (although the roll top portion of the desk did not), and enjoyed our time to the fullest.
as soon as we arrived we changed into river clothes and followed the trail to the beckoning babbling.
Amigo the cat raced and chased us along the path, delighting Emory and throwing her into hysterics.
He waited on the shore as we canoed to the gravel bar, mewing his encouragement to our lone laborer, Leland, who was paddling with all his might. (as aunt julie walked through the chilly swells, pulling us along)
my spunky river baby was rough and tumble, navigating the mossy stones and catching a minnow for bait, splashing herself in the face and breathing quickly in response to the cold.
the first catch of our day, a quick cast, a slow reel, a stick fish? no, a large drum!!! a wild one, strong one, fighting for freedom.
slow but steady Leland pulled him in, his first catch ever, all on his own. "it's effortless, it's commonplace" his face seemed to say... until the fish broke out of the water and absolutely rocked his world.
he let him swim back to his family because it didn't match uncle's fish, and was 'too big'.
he passed the rod to me and i stood, feet (mostly) firmly planted, letting the current make me sway, feeling the smooth water wash against my skin, cast & reel, cast & reel, inhale & exhale.
the sun was warm and friendly making the water just brisk and not brutal, the breeze gentle and full of autumn leaves.
bliss, friends. bliss!!
fish & okra for super, pancakes & bacon for breakfast, rinse & repeat.
friday was full of more wonderful same.
joel, granny & gramps arrived late friday night to welcome in the early morning.
as soon as it was warm we headed down to share our joy.
they were tired and lagging... until they stepped into the river.
i could see the weight fall off his shoulders and the tension leave his face.
cast & reel, cast & reel, inhale & exhale.
bliss.
little fisher man and i went out to the still pool on the other side of a little 'island' to see what we could tempt onto the hook.
again, first cast, a fish! this time, an acceptable smaller size, a little bass, very pretty and (eventually) very tasty.
we floated down the river, ran back up the gravel bar, floated down again.
the time passes too quickly down on the river!
it was time to head back to the house all too soon.
the kids got baths, leland's fish was cleaned and cooked, we had yet another yummy lunch by aunt julie and then packed it up and loaded in.
you know when you've had a wonderful trip but as soon as you get in the car to come home the tired catches up with everyone and destroys all the calm and joy? we didn't let it happen.
the calm prevailed!
we made it home and into our comfortable beds, safe & sound- but already longing for that cast & reel, inhale & exhale.
thank you Chad & Julie for a wonderful, relaxing, delicious few days. love you.
Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious! Say to God, "How awesome
are your deeds!... Psalm 66:1-3a
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14
This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! Psalm 118:24
we survived the trip out (although the roll top portion of the desk did not), and enjoyed our time to the fullest.
as soon as we arrived we changed into river clothes and followed the trail to the beckoning babbling.
Amigo the cat raced and chased us along the path, delighting Emory and throwing her into hysterics.
He waited on the shore as we canoed to the gravel bar, mewing his encouragement to our lone laborer, Leland, who was paddling with all his might. (as aunt julie walked through the chilly swells, pulling us along)
my spunky river baby was rough and tumble, navigating the mossy stones and catching a minnow for bait, splashing herself in the face and breathing quickly in response to the cold.
the first catch of our day, a quick cast, a slow reel, a stick fish? no, a large drum!!! a wild one, strong one, fighting for freedom.
slow but steady Leland pulled him in, his first catch ever, all on his own. "it's effortless, it's commonplace" his face seemed to say... until the fish broke out of the water and absolutely rocked his world.
he let him swim back to his family because it didn't match uncle's fish, and was 'too big'.
he passed the rod to me and i stood, feet (mostly) firmly planted, letting the current make me sway, feeling the smooth water wash against my skin, cast & reel, cast & reel, inhale & exhale.
the sun was warm and friendly making the water just brisk and not brutal, the breeze gentle and full of autumn leaves.
bliss, friends. bliss!!
fish & okra for super, pancakes & bacon for breakfast, rinse & repeat.
friday was full of more wonderful same.
joel, granny & gramps arrived late friday night to welcome in the early morning.
as soon as it was warm we headed down to share our joy.
they were tired and lagging... until they stepped into the river.
i could see the weight fall off his shoulders and the tension leave his face.
cast & reel, cast & reel, inhale & exhale.
bliss.
little fisher man and i went out to the still pool on the other side of a little 'island' to see what we could tempt onto the hook.
again, first cast, a fish! this time, an acceptable smaller size, a little bass, very pretty and (eventually) very tasty.
we floated down the river, ran back up the gravel bar, floated down again.
the time passes too quickly down on the river!
it was time to head back to the house all too soon.
the kids got baths, leland's fish was cleaned and cooked, we had yet another yummy lunch by aunt julie and then packed it up and loaded in.
you know when you've had a wonderful trip but as soon as you get in the car to come home the tired catches up with everyone and destroys all the calm and joy? we didn't let it happen.
the calm prevailed!
we made it home and into our comfortable beds, safe & sound- but already longing for that cast & reel, inhale & exhale.
thank you Chad & Julie for a wonderful, relaxing, delicious few days. love you.
Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious! Say to God, "How awesome
are your deeds!... Psalm 66:1-3a
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14
This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! Psalm 118:24
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
on the road again:
tomorrow morning, in the wee, dark, early morning cool, i will embark on a very advantageous road trip.
two children, one large tailer full of furniture and me.
easily 8 hours on the road including potty/sanity stops.
i can do this, i can do this, i can do this
today is the second day that i've had all 5 kids and i'm almost looking forward to the drive as both children will be strapped down. now if only we had one of those dividers that limos have so i could block out the noise ;o)
in all honesty, my kids are good travelers usually, so i'm not too incredibly worried.
just mildly.
have to be realistic :O)
we are bringing these 3 books on audio:
My sister in law Julie and her husband Chad just bought a house on the river.
we are sooooooo excited to see them and just be out in the country and enjoy the scenery. Leland can't wait to fish and fish some more. We are bringing some furniture that belonged to Grandma Durbin out to them. Good bye couch-that-i -hated-but-was-starting-to-grow-on-me-after-6-years, good bye rolltop desk-of-great-quality-that-seemed-to-overtake-the-entire-room! the jury is out on if i will miss you.
it's a quick trip because we have to be back for church on sunday morning.
Joel is driving out with his parents on friday night after work, which was not the initial plan but is better than nothing!!
alright, don't forget to check out the giveaway if you haven't yet!
i have a million and one things to be doing right now so i'm gonna jet-
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
giveaway!
Giveaway closed!
HEY!
thanks for becoming a follower if you weren't! now we get to have a giveaway!
Welcome to Tiffani, Charla, Janelle, Mrs. Gibby, and newer followers like Ana, Amy & Grace!
lovely to have you all :O)
so... for this giveaway we will have a little bit of everything.
your own copy of the book Forgotten God by Frances Chan
a beautiful headband from my sister Jillian's collection OR a vintage tie (if you are a boy)
a hand made quilted bib & burp cloth *OR* a pin cushion & zippered pouch (just in case you aren't in baby land, although you could give it for a gift)
and a little funny friend just for you, similar to Rupert here.
you get ONE entry, non of this do 25 different things for 25 different entries business!
you must be a follower and you must leave a comment telling me which item in the giveaway you are most excited about OR what your favorite book is (or both for conversations sake). the giveaway will be open until Monday October 17th, when i will be sharing the winner & a few more surprises!!
weeeeeeeeee!!
(don't forget to leave an email address in your comment if you haven't set up your email response!)
HEY!
thanks for becoming a follower if you weren't! now we get to have a giveaway!
Welcome to Tiffani, Charla, Janelle, Mrs. Gibby, and newer followers like Ana, Amy & Grace!
lovely to have you all :O)
so... for this giveaway we will have a little bit of everything.
your own copy of the book Forgotten God by Frances Chan
a beautiful headband from my sister Jillian's collection OR a vintage tie (if you are a boy)
a hand made quilted bib & burp cloth *OR* a pin cushion & zippered pouch (just in case you aren't in baby land, although you could give it for a gift)
and a little funny friend just for you, similar to Rupert here.
you get ONE entry, non of this do 25 different things for 25 different entries business!
you must be a follower and you must leave a comment telling me which item in the giveaway you are most excited about OR what your favorite book is (or both for conversations sake). the giveaway will be open until Monday October 17th, when i will be sharing the winner & a few more surprises!!
weeeeeeeeee!!
(don't forget to leave an email address in your comment if you haven't set up your email response!)
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