My Baby's Birthday

Today Adelaide turned five. I would like to say that we spent the day in utter celebration, but the reality is that there was too much life going on to stop and make today incredible...and I am feeling utter guilty about it.

The girls had school so there was the morning hustle and bustle. Josie forgot her project at home, so another trip to school before ten AM. Josh had a meeting during lunch, so no lunch with Daddy. I even had to go buy her birthday presents for her with her today. I think this is the very last year I can get away with that without her noticing.

So as the night was winding down, and I was feeling like a failure, I realized something; Addie wasn't comparing me to other mothers. She wasn't even comparing this birthday with her sister's, or even her other birthdays. Addie was just excited to be five!

So maybe Mac and Cheese (the kind out of the blue box) is not my idea of a great dinner, but it was her birthday dinner request so it was perfect. Maybe the pie stayed a little too long in the oven, but she didn't care. Today was a great day.

So I decided today was a great day for me too.

Happy Birthday my sweet Adelaide. You have made these last five years the best five years of my life.

Make a wish!

Where Did the Week Go?

This past week seems like a blur. The students have come back from their winter break, and the semester is in full swing.

I really only know that from word of mouth though, as I have been home all week. Josh and Adelaide have both been sick. Josh is now feeling better, and Addie will hopefully be soon.

Addie had made TWO trips to the ER this week. The first was Tuesday night. She was up a little after midnight not able to breathe. It sounded like croup so I took her out of the porch for some cold night air. When that didn't help, I gave her a abuterol treatment, and when that didn't work, we went to the hospital.

They were able to give her some steroids that helped a lot. I am so glad they did. What a scary thing to not be able to breathe.

Adelaide has been very snuggley, and I am enjoying the extra time with her, watching the Cosby show, or reading books.

Out of the blue yesterday her fever spiked to 102. Her tummy was really bothering her too. I called her doctor's office, and they were able to get us in, but at a different location. When I got there, Addie was crying really hard. She said she couldn't bend over or lay down without her belly hurting. The doctor took one look at her and told me to take her to the ER. They thought she had appendicitis. By the time I got back to the ER (which just happens to be right next door to us) her fever went down, and her belly no longer hurt. Very strange, and can only be explained as an answer to prayer!

She still has croup, but seems to be feeling a little better. Today she even ate some food!

I am sad that my little girl is sick, but thankful for the extra cuddle time I get with her!

Look at that big girl pouring her own milk!

Five Years From Fourteen

Emma's new favorite way of torturing her mother is to tell me that over and over again. I think she finds joy in making me squirm.

What I can't tell is why fourteen is the magic number in her head. It is not the year she will get her drivers licence, or date, or enter high school. It's not even the beginning of being a teenager. It is, however, thee goal.

She often laments to me that she wishes she could stay young, and then the next moment want to be all grown up.

I just let her know that I have felt that way too, and how she will have the rest of her life to be an adult, but you are only a kid for a short time.

So, my dear Emma, enjoy being nine.

Happy birthday to the girl who made me a momma.

Why Memories Are Better Than the Real Thing, or So We May Think

Do you ever feel that way? I must confess, I often feel that way. I like to remember. I am a big fan of pulling out old photo albums and recalling how wonderful things were. I even like to pull out old photo albums where ever we may go (much to my husband's chagrin). I want to hear about other people's fond memories too. I think that is why I started blogging. I know I've said it a hundred times before, but this blog is sort of an online scrapbook for me, the memory keeper. No one has actually given me that title. Some may even argue that my memory is not as good as I'd like to think.

I guess that is sort of my problem though. With keeping all these memories, I really don't like to give any room for change. I have a hard time seeing my girls grow. I am proud of who they are becoming, but am sad that they didn't stay little.

I also tend to try and recreate moments that have grown into fond memories. This is where it really gets silly. I want (and then expect) things to go the same way every time as the way I remember it, and heaven forbid some poor sole doesn't know that, and wants to try something "new". Am I the only one? Well, guess what. It never ends well. Shocker, I know.

Let me tell you something cool though. When you decide to stop trying to make everything into this "perfect replica" things can be pretty fun.

You see, this Christmas was one for the books. It was one of those week long celebrations full of family fun, both with my side of the family, and Josh's. It was one of those times where all the kids get along, no one gets the flu, everyone enjoys the company of everyone else... It was one of those Christmases you try and recreate the rest of your life. I don't know though, maybe it will just keep getting better.

Someone tell these lovebirds they are not newlyweds anymore. ;)

Adelaide opened every gift with this much excitement! It was SO sweet!

This was our second year of doing an Advent reading. We have LOVED every minute of it.

All dressed up for Christmas morning church service.

Grandma reading a family favorite. Emma was sure to get a good spot!

This was by far my favorite thing we did with the Mathew family side. We sang Christmas carols into the night. As much fun as it was to sing, I enjoyed even more hearing Josh and his siblings and parents sing together. What a beautiful blending of sweet songs to the Lord!

I Have Readers?

I guess I have been feeling less and less like blogging, because I didn't think anyone was actually reading my blog. Well, my lovely family put me in place last night. They thoroughly ripped on me until I admitted to being a blogging failure. I mean, only thirty some posts last year?

I guess the main point that encouraged me was when my sister-in-law said "you aren't doing this for others anyhow, right? Aren't you writing this for you?" You know what? That is definitely how it started. It was my online scrapbook of sorts, sharing my story with the world, or anyone who was interested anyhow. I slowly forgot that, and as people stopped leaving comments, I stopped writing. Well, that is over. I am going to write, with readers or without readers. So all of you readers who read, but don't comment, that is okay. Thank you for sharing in our little journey in this planet.

Now, because I HATE writing without having some sort of photograph, I am leaving you with this. I find this picture extremely ironic. I took it for a Christmas card this year. I find it funny because this has been the warmest December (and January now) that I EVER remember. This was the only significant snow we got (so far). So, kinda funny that this was the picture I sent out. Actually, I had a complete brain freeze and ordered only 25% of the cards I needed, so most people didn't get this card anyhow.

May this New Year bring you joy!

Better Late than Never?

Is that saying really true? I just was thinking it may be a little silly to be sharing these pictures in DECEMBER, but it was too fun to pass up!

We went to the annual Trunk-or-treat at Rives Baptist Church this year. It's become a family tradition of sorts. We started going there when we lived next door to the church in their mission house the year we were doing partnership development. Emma was three then! So little! Josie was just two months old. It was a LONG time ago. :) We have been going back every year since, and have enjoyed it every year.

This year we did not go as a "group costume" but each of our costumes reflected our interests. Check them out!

Emma was a surgeon. She has said since she was four that she wanted to be a doctor. If this is as close as she gets to that, I am okay with that, but knowing that girl, she probably will be one day!

Josie thought since she had lost so many teeth that she should go as the tooth fairy. I thought that was pretty clever of her!

Adelaide was a little lady bug. SO CUTE!

I asked Josh if he wanted to dress up this year. He said he would dress up as a hunter so he could be warm, so I decided to go as the hunted. :)

A Thankful Heart

This Thanksgiving was spend with the Mathew family down in Indiana at Josh's sister's house. The Snyder family did an amazing job making everyone feel welcome and at home! It was a wonderful time together as family. We were even able to skype with Ben and Emily in Texas. Not exactly the same as having them there, but better than not seeing them at all!

We were able to stop by my sister's house on the way up and back, as they only live a half an hour from Ken and Chris. It was nice to be able to visit with them too.

Here are some pictures from our Holiday weekend.

This is actually a picture from the week before at Emma's choir concert. This is the first "speaking solo" she has ever had, and she was nervous! She did a great job though telling us all about the Pilgrims.

Getting Thanksgiving dinner ready.

Adelaide and Simeon having some good cousin time together.

The girls cousins (minus Addie) enjoying a story together before dinner.

What Mathew family gathering is complete without a puzzle? :)

Family Fall Festival

The first weekend in October, Ella Sharp Park hosted their annual family fall festival. Emma and I accidentally stumbled upon it last year and loved it, so I made a mental note that the whole family would have to go this year if we could.

It turned out to be the PERFECT Sunday afternoon for it. It was sunny, and still warm enough to get by without a coat.

Ella Sharp Park is a great park near by that we often visit. It is where the girls take their swim lessons in the summer, and play soccer in the fall.

The park has a mini working village on it (think Greenfield village, but on a smaller scale) and there is a museum that was Ella Sharp's home. Ella was a woman who donated her entire farm after her passing to the city, and they kept her home just the way she left it (with a few touch ups here and there).

We had a lot of fun touring the little village, and Ella's house. It was even more fun because we were able to go with Lee and Kayla!

We are all looking forward to going back next year. :)

A little family picture.

Lee and Kayla

This is the parlour in Ella's house.

This is one room cabin home. Josie was loving this "Laura Ingles" style living.

Emma was fascinated by the printing press. I loved all the questions she was asking. Just like her Daddy and Grandma!

Our Week at Blue Gable

Some of you may remember reading about the last time we were at Blue Gable. It was the year 2007, and it was a wonderful time! I thought for sure we'd go back (as we had almost every year) around Labor Day weekend since 2002. Little did I know that was the last time there with our ever expanding Mathew family.

When we were offered to stay at Blue Gable this year as guests of the owners, we jumped at the offer! What an amazing blessing it was! This was the first time (except for the occasional overnight camping trip) that we had ever gone on a vacation together as just the five of us. I guess it wasn't as much of a vacation for Josh. New Tribes was already back into full swing, and he went back during the day for ministry, and traveled back about an hour to spend the evenings with us.

Except for the Josh traveling part, this was the BEST vacation I could have ever asked for. The girls spent their days riding bikes, jumping off docks, fishing, doing crafts, and just plain having fun. I read a total of three novels (THREE!!!), and enjoyed doing some writing, fishing, and a whole lot of sun bathing. We even made a trip to town to one of my favorite coffee shops, found an awesome Mexican restaurant that served incredible fish tacos, and had a tour of a dairy farm, complete with free ice cream!

We made memories that week that will last a lifetime. It was an amazing gift from God to have this peaceful, quiet time away, and I am so thankful.

I painted the girls' finger nails and toe nails.

Sisters and friends!

Fishing with Daddy is always fun!

Emma got the biggest fish that week!

Incredible sunrises on Marble Lake. I liked to go fishing in the mornings with Josh before he would head out. This was the view pretty much every morning.

View of the cottage from the beach.

My favorite spot, and where I spent a lot of time! If I wasn't at the lake, I was here. :)

Blue Gable is one of my favorite places in the world!

Marble Lake also boasts amazing sunsets.

Soccer, or Sock Her?

Emma is playing soccer this fall. Her first game was today and we were so excited getting out the door that I totally forgot the camera. :( It was a great day for a game. It was warmer than any game she had last year, and it was supposed to rain, but it stayed dry. I was glad for that. It's no fun to stand in the rain, although I hear it is fun to play in the rain.

The game went without too much excitement. Their team, the blue jays, won 3-2! There was one noted difference in this game from years past. Some how the soccer ball hit Emma in the face. It knocked her glasses off, and she was pretty stunned. She was more upset that they took her out of the game than the huge welt that was growing on her face! She was very happy they let her back in. I haven't figured out if she just didn't see it coming or went in for a header or what. I'm just glad she didn't break her glasses, or something even more important, like her nose! Not exactly what we meant by keeping her head in the game. That girl is so literal. :)

As I said before, I forgot my camera, but I took this one with my phone.

Can you see the soccer ball imprint?

Back to School

Okay, so I totally realize that I haven't blogged in over a month. I am a blogging failure. :(

In attempt to get back on here (hopefully more regularly too!) I wanted to at least share a bit of our life.

September 6th was the girls first day of school. Emma is now in third grade, and Josie is in first. Addie is going to preschool for three days a week as well.

It was a gloomy morning the first day, but luckily their moods did not match! They were excited to go!

Here is a picture of them all dressed and ready to go. They are all growing so fast!

Summer Spectacular

This summer was filled with special times with friends and family. Even though we didn't make any trips away, we were able to have plenty of fun!

The third of July was one of those memorable days. We went to our good friends, the Munden's house, along with Lee and Kayla, and spent the day on the lake. We went on their boat to the sandbar to swim, then back to their house for a fabulous dinner, that has topped all other meals in my book, and then back out onto the lake for the best fireworks display I've ever seen to date!

It was so much fun, and so relaxing. We went home during the wee hours of the morning, after our kids crashed on their couch. One of my favorite days ever.

Josie got a little cold swimming, so she decided to take a break.

Mindy and Caleb enjoying the ride.

Josh and I love the water!

The newlyweds entertained us with stories from their honeymoon trip to Italy!

Seriously, this is what I would request for a last meal. WOW!

The kids getting excited about the upcoming fireworks show!

Just simply the best display ever.

Ellie and Chris driving us back to their house.

Goodbye Kindergarten!

Josie had a very successful year in kindergarten! She learned to spell her whole name (Josephine Laura is not that easy!), learned how to add, and to read! She had to amazing teachers who made her year a great one!

This has nothing to do with kindergarten, but I liked the picture. :)

Josie gave her teachers big long hugs.

It's official. She is a first grader now!

Josie with the best kindergarten teachers ever!

Field Day Part 2: Crazy Legs

After Josie's field day events, Josh, Ben, Addie and I went for lunch and came back for the afternoon events when Emma's class would compete. I have all these great pictures thanks to Josh and Ben, as I wasn't feeling very well at all, and really not in the mood for picture taking.

Emma "crazy legs" Mathew is

the nickname she wanted us to use. We do call her that a lot. :)

Her sponge toss buddy was not really getting the point of the game...or maybe he just wanted to get soaked with the sponge each time.

Emma stepping up to the plate to soak a fellow classmate.

She did it!!! Good shot Emma!