Papa and the girls

Papa and the girls, originally uploaded by 207 Living.

This last week was a whirlwind, traveling to be with family to celebrate the life of my Grandfather. It was amazing to see the family gather around to support my Grandma as we all said good-bye to Grandpa. My Grandparents have gathered family together for years, birthed many children and their children birthed many children, on top of that they opened their arms to all the others who came along with new marriages. They claim 29 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. To be a part of that claim, I am blessed.

And to see my own father with these three girls is heart-warming. These little ones are making memories of their own with their grandfather. It is all so sweet.

Grandpa

My Grandpa lived a long, full life; he will be missed. He passed away this morning around 5:30. I am so glad I got to see him last week, and get this sweet photo of Justus meeting him. It isn't the most beautiful picture of Grandpa but it was a beautiful moment.

Cancer...sucks

2 weeks ago we found out that my 85 year old grandfather has cancer and the Mister's 7 month old niece has Leukemia. We have been riding the waves of information since then. One of the oldest members of my family and almost the youngest member of the Mister's family were on parallel paths. They each had biopsies the same day, and they both started their treatment the same day; Grandpa with radiation and Lydia with chemo. Now their paths are not so parallel.

Grandpa was taken to the hospital early Monday morning and it seems this is his last battle. Soon, his full of adventure life will come to an end. He is a strong man so the fight continues and as he fights he is surrounded by family; children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters. Justus and I flew out Tuesday to see him and say good-bye. For Justus is was a quick hello. Grandpa was aware that we were there and he smiled when he saw that little baby, I am so glad they got to see each other on this side of heaven. J and I flew in on Tuesday and out on Wednesday. I suspect we will all be flying there soon to send him off. And for now I pray that he would go in peace.

Lydia on the other hand has received her first round of chemo (10 days of poison in one little body) and she is thriving. The next 3 weeks will be all about recovery and getting ready for the next round but she is smiling, nursing, eating solids, and loving her family just the way a 7 month old baby does; it just happens to be in a hospital. So, we join the hundreds of people who are praying for this little one; fighting for her life, hoping for mercy and grace to shine through.

Cancer is something I shrug my shoulders at, shake my head at, and in the darkness I scream at. Cancer sucks.

Come, Lord Jesus, Come. Bring your Kingdom.

2 months

Justus is 2 months today! I can't believe how fast time is moving with baby #2. We are on the go lots with 2 kids, especially with P being so extroverted we spend a lot of time out of the house.


So far, Justus is a great sleeper and a great eater! He has certainly grown. He is also a very calm baby. He is super smiley these days, during his awake time he prefers to look at Mom, Dad, or big sister and just smile and coo.

Month 2 Stats:
11lbs. 14oz. 23 3/4 inches

Winter? Spring? Summer!

The weather has been incredible here, and everywhere else! The mister is bummed that we skipped winter this year, I see it as a gift from God. Though, it probably has something to do with the warming of the earth and I shouldn't be excited about that....but, I am LOVING it!

Because of this lovely weather I was inspired to plan an adventure outing for me and the kids. (it really is fun to say *kids* plural!) I packed a picnic, beach toys, a tent for J, and blanket and we headed to the beach. Well, it wasn't the real beach, but it was a great substitute for us.

We went to Sandy Point State Park, just an hour east, and spent the morning playing on the beach. It is a great place to go this time of year because the water in the Bay can get a little dirty in the warmer months; this time of year we weren't tempted to swim. There is a picnic area, a play area, bathhouses, and sand. It only costs $3 for a car. There wasn't much shade so I was happy I brought P's princess tent to shade J.

It was a great day and this momma got some of her 'winter' beach fix.

life according to the phone camera

As incredible as our camera is, it is a little difficult to have on hand ALL THE TIME. And sometimes you just have to get a shot of what is going on right now with the little ones.

Here is life according to the phone camera...

Lots of snuggling happening around here...

Walks with the stroller. P isn't sure she is ready to 'give' it to J yet, but we have negotiated use for a few outings.

A smile, J got some good news....more to come on that later.

And more snuggling!

New Park!

We are thrilled to have a new park open up in walking distance to us! This is something our neighborhood has been lacking for....always. Well, there are parks, just not ones that you would really EVER want to take your kids to. Now we have a newly renovated park that is clean and has fantastic play equipment. Who knows how long it will stay clean and how long it will be kid friendly (read: alcoholic men sitting around and high schoolers who are up to no good invading this fantastic space.)

climbing.

Peek!

P swinging- she LOVES the swings, Justus is in the moby wrap under my coat, that is why I still look pregnant! :)

The Park

And one other FANTASTIC perk to the park is that it is right across the street from our neighborhood coffee shop....mmmm!

1 Month

Our little boy is 1 month old! We actually spent his 1st month birthday celebrating his cousin's 4th birthday at Chuck E. Cheese. It was so loud and crazy in there he just slept the whole time. (excellent!) Little J is about 2 lbs. over his birth weight: 9lbs. 8 oz. He is gaining weight faster than his big sis!

milestones so far:

• first cold (thank you big sister)
  
• first bath (fully submerged- not a sponge bath)
• one night he slept 5.5 hours straight (but this hasn't been repeated)
  

Phirst Hair Cut

P finally got her first hair cut, well, trim really. I finally got around to trimming off the raggedy ends of her hair. Surprisingly, it has grown with really lovely natural layers over her last 3.5+ years of her life. P sat still for about 4 minutes and then the mister had to do everything he could to keep her in her chair. So, it still needs a little shaping but for the most part, her phirst trim is complete.

Of course, there were times in her life when I was really tempted to cut bangs, or something to make that mop look a bit better.

Especially before she started letting me put in hair ties or barrettes. Often, I would sit her down to pull the hair out of her face and she would pull out the hair tie before we left the house.

P does have very beautiful hair these days. You know, the perfect color with natural highlights and just a little bit of body; stuff people pay lots of money for!

2 weeks

This little man was 2 weeks old yesterday. I can't believe how quickly it has gone. We have a great eater and sleeper, for now I think that is about all we can ask for! And, turns out this guy grew in the last 2 weeks; when we left the hospital he was 7lbs. 4 oz. and yesterday he weighed in at 8lbs. 4 oz. Whoa! And isn't he just adorable? Just like his big sister!

taproot

I love to read this blog, SouleMama. I am often inspired to go make something after seeing what she is up to. Today, she let her readers in on a little project she has been working on, I am anxious to see the first publication.

image via SouleMama: Papercut Cover, Jennifer Judd-McGee

Just in looking at the website, I am inspired by the photos and content list. It makes me think of sitting around with my friends and sharing thoughts, ideas, and tricks for how we raise our kids, make meals, shop, plant our gardens, and what things we are creating. After seeing the list of contributors and all they do, I look forward to gleaning from their thoughts, ideas, and tricks.

L.O.V.E.

This morning, in the dark hours before the sun came up, I had a quiet breakfast with one of my little valentines. We read the paper together; she *read* the comics and I read this sweet essay on love. (the pictures are so lovely)

Love is a curious thing. A difficult concept to understand, outside of experience like the essay suggests, it is a mystery.

These bible verses with the word Love come to mind. The statements are powerful, but hard to fully understand.

"for God so LOVED the world..."
"there is no fear in Love. Perfect Love drives out fear..."
"see what Love the Father has Lavished on us..."

Today, as I send one child out the door to playschool with a baggie full of valentines, and I snuggle another little child with whom I am falling in Love with as I write this, I am overflowing with Love. I don't understand it but it feels good and right that the mister and I, out of Love for one another, brought forth new life to add to our home and to deepen our love for Jesus, one another, and those around us.

my little valentines

First Photo Shoot

Justus had his first photo shoot with Whit & Whimsy while in the hospital. More beautiful pictures here.

Introducing....

Justus Paul
Born February 3, 2012 at 8:40am
7 lbs. 8 oz. 20 in.

Due Date

image thanks to Whit & Whimsy

Today is this little babies due date, which doesn't mean much, but I was hoping for a baby by now. P came 2 days before her due date so I was hoping there was a precedent for early/on time babies.

We are all ready for you little one; your room is ready, my bags are packed (I even repacked them this morning to make sure I had everything), the play list is made, the fridge is full, Gigi is here to be with P, we are set. Come, baby, come!

{this moment}

Busy little girl working on her 'project'.
This moment, inspired by SouleMama.

Highlighting {handmade}

I keep thinking I should pick up the needles and make a little hat really quickly but what if the baby comes and I am not finished? Maybe this afternoon I will cast something one, I have plenty of yarn options. This fall I made this little number for the little guy, I can't wait to get it on him! I imagine he will wear it everyday he can since it is so small, and the little ones grow so quickly. (thanks for the yarn, Sarah!)

Big sister showing off little brothers sweater (she had such a hard time staying out of the pictures!)

The Mister's cousin made this little number for the little guy, I am anxious to see him in it! I love the color and buttons are reportedly from the Mister's grandmother's stash that was handed down. So that adds a fun piece of family history to the jacket.

Having handmade things for this little baby is so sweet, I love the time and energy that was put into these sweaters, and I hope that they can be worn by others in the future.

testing testing

When life hands you lemons....this image is one of the first shot by me on our new camera. It is underexposed but oh so lovely because of the darkness. (in my opinion) Somehow the sun was bright enough on the lemon that it is more beautiful underexposed. This month was 'underexposed' (in my opinion); there was lots of darkness. But when the sun comes, it will warm us deep down in our bones; beauty will shine.

walking the ocean

walking the ocean, originally uploaded by 207 Living.

I am in the last (hopefully) week of this pregnancy. It has been a lovely time, the last 9 months! But the last few weeks have been full of ugly, Satan struck twice....if not more, and I look forward to the redemption of those attacks.

Right now this image strikes me because of the greatness of the ocean, the smallness of these little girls, and the life that is present. Soon, I will be walking or riding the ocean of labor, one wave at a time. Soon this little life will join us here in this big, beautiful, breathing world. Soon, our little family of three will be crashed with a wave of a baby, making us a family of 4. So much to take in, so much to process; we just take it one wave at a time.

Baby Bump Day

Big sister and Little Brother!
(And evidence that we are starting to replace some of the stolen goods.)