Birthday Week

When Glen and I married (almost 19 years ago) we were surprised by the number of birthdays that our families have in common. However, the month of July is different. There seems to be a birthday almost everyday for a week! Starting with Kiersten (the 2nd), Gary (the 3rd), Noah (the 5th), and Anna (the 7th), it is quite the busy week. So I'm goin' to try to get them all now - Happy 18th birthday, Kiersey!!! Gary, you will never be forgotten. What a blessing you were to me during your life. Noah, happy 12th birthday, young man! To little Anna, happy 8th birthday - you're getting so big! We love you all!!!!

Hey, this is post 299! Maybe I should do something special for my next post!

Words....

Very seldom I seem to be out of words. However, I can say lately, I haven't wanted to talk much or write much.. Looking forward to the drive-in tonight with Glen, the kids, and other family members (as well as the homeschool group). Life feels pretty routine right now.

WFMW - cloth baby diapers

I can honestly say that I've never used cloth baby diapers as they were designed to be. Our children used disposable diapers. However, they make wonderful burp rags for a baby as well as other items. I've used them for:

1. car polishing
2. furniture dust rags (especially TV screens)
3. blankets for baby dolls
4. rags for checking the oil in our car and washing the windows
5. scrub rags for the stainless steel sinks
6. quilt batting to teach children how to quilt 
7. ironing delicate fabrics

Obviously, after using them on these things, I haven't used them for the children. Anyone think of other things they can be used for?

Visit Kristen for more ideas with Works For Me Wednesday

More Pictures

More pictures through the eyes of my three-year-old...

Update

So how are we all doing, you may ask....

At times I still struggle with the loss of L2 (boy, do I want to type her name out). The waves of grief can come on strong at times: such as Sunday morning when I went into the church nursery and sat down in the rocker. Other times are easier, like listening to the laughter of L and M. The children seem to be adjusting (M more than L). We're getting through it. It'll take time. Looking at pictures is hard. Being alone is hard. 

We are just keeping busy. Father's Day was spent at CA Adventure (I kept looking for the baby and stroller). Each day last week we did something outside of the house. Here's a picture of L at the beach at the bay. In fact, we went to the bay three times last week!

Broken, Spilled Out, and Stomped On

That's what my heart is: broken, spilled out, and stomped on...

Where to even begin? My heart is breaking. My eyes are full of tears. I can't think straight. I knew it was coming. The wind is knocked out of me. It was so hard (and still is). L2 left our home today. :( Her biological brother was found and his family wants to adopt her. We have all taken it very hard. L is having a terrible time with it. She's angry and doesn't understand it all, but then neither do I. We knew it was a chance. We know it was God's plan. We know it's in His timing. We know He is in control. We know that He gave her to us for a season. Now to pick up the pieces of our lives again.....

Growth

Growing is hard work. It's something we all need to do, yet fight it every chance we get. L is fighting growing up. She wants to remain 5 years old for the rest of her life (she's 9). I'm not sure I want her to grow up so fast either. M expels so much energy that I believe he grows two inches in his sleep (maybe not really but boy has he changed in the last 3 years). L2's growth is incredible. In the three months that we have had her, she has gone from 12 pounds to over 17 pounds. She has increased at least two inches in length and has learned to crawl and walk. All these have been achieved with a lot of hard work and prayer.

Then comes my growth; sometimes, I feel so stunted in my spiritual growth. Sometimes, I grow so much so fast that I'm overwhelmed. I don't always like my growing (especially right now when my weight is increasing instead of decreasing - too much stress eating). Other times I seek out growth. I'm rambling now....what was the point I was trying to make? Growth is something that occurs in all of us. We are to seek it, measure it, and praise the Lord for it! I'm growing and changing every day. How about you?

Invisible

I've been feeling invisible lately. Does anyone notice me?? Am I being selfish wanting attention? I've purposely been invisible the last week on Facebook and the blog. It was vacation time for Glen, the kids, and I. It was nice to spend four days away at "the happiest place on earth" otherwise known as Disneyland. It was time well spent. Now back to the real world. I need to put together my to do list...

Things to do (for kids and Cora):

1. Doctor's appt. for L2
2. Dentist appt. for me
3. Miss Debra appt. for family
4. WIC appt
5. Homeschool appt
6. Pool party
7. get back to school routine (target finish date 6/25)
8. laundry and dishes (things that never go away or get done)
9. start serious decluttering!!!!
10. many other things I can't think of right now

Is anyone else as tired as I am by my week?