Waxing on Wilder

Nothing makes me want to live a full, honest, hard-working, and heroic life more than reading Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Luke, Rebekah and I have slowly been making our way through the Little House books since last Fall. I needed something that I could do with both kids inside at home. Reading was just the thing. Rebekah was a newborn and loved to have me look at her while I read. Luke was riveted by the stories and played with trains while listening.

At first, I thought that the Little House stories might be too old for him, that he wouldn't be able to sit still for them. Not so. We have often read nearly an hour before either my mouth got too dry to go on or the kids got antsy. Besides, I was really getting tired of going to the library and letting Luke choose some books to take home only to find that they were utter CRAP! (Really, there is no other word for what most children's literature is like today. People always push you to read, just read anything, to your kids. Don't! Read the good stuff! There isn't enough time to waste on crummy literature that teaches kids bad things and deadens their minds to the Goodness, Truth, and Beauty.)

I am preaching to myself there too- even in evaluating what I choose to read as an adult. But enough of that soapbox, back to Laura.

I read the stories like most children, but there is something different about reading them as an adult. As a child, I did not understand what Ma and Pa went through. They lived many years alone, or nearly alone. They roused their family's spirits through a long winter of blizzards that left them nearly starving (and when they were not starving they ate beans, potatoes, and wheat bread!). They made do with whatever they had, or figured out how to invent what they needed. They worked together, raising a family and making a life for themselves in an unknown country. Really, I am in awe.

Here are just a few thoughts going through my head:
1. Ma and Pa knew the value of keeping up morale. They allowed no complaining and used songs or recitation of great poetry/stories/speeches to keep their family going during tough times. (Singing to lessen the frightening, endless blizzards of The Long Winter.)
2. They led by example- working very hard, providing for their children, church and neighbors even while they went without. (Pa gave the church his only $3 to help pay for a bell when he had needed new boots for himself).
3. People don't need much to get an education, but they do need perseverance and the will to do so. (Laura and Mary had one slate between the two of them and learned to read using McGuffey readers and had very few books at home. They memorized many important speeches, ALL of the psalms, etc...) That is more than I can do even now.
4. The Ingalls/Wilders were everyday heores (Almanzo risks his life to go and get wheat for the little prarie town that was starving during The Long Winter. He had plenty of food, but he knew that others would starve without more supplies).
5. I have way too many things and worry way to much about the things that I think I need.

These stories are priceless.

Funny Teeth

Rebekah has been eating solids for a while now. Recently, we introduced her to some baby "puffs." They are softer than cheerios and sort of dissolve in the mouth (after the baby drools on them for awhile. Here is a video of her trying to eat one:

A Month in a Minute

We have now been in California for 27 days! As our CA trip draws to an end, I'd like to share some of the highlights:

• Rebekah meets Gus and we all get to spend 5 precious days with him
• This trip, more than any other, I had some amazing talks with my brother and sister. They are both younger than me and are growing into wonderful adults. I am excited to see where life takes them.
• I had the chance to see my cousins- now in CO, TN, and NC
• My dad drove us down to San Diego for the second half of our trip. That was 7 hrs in the car with a wiggly little boy and a baby- they were great!
• We saw some great friends from our old Church in San Diego and Orange County
• We all attended a special party for Nathan's Aunt Susie- it was her 60th birthday, and a celebration of her victory over stage 4 melanoma. Praise God!
• Rebekah got her first tooth 1/6/12, and is now working on #2 (I'll be glad when I get a break fromt he night wakings again)
• Rebekah began to clap her hands all by herself! (See video below)
• I became an auntie once again- Baby Emma Grace Jones born on 1/7/12 weighing 9lbs 13oz, and as Luke would say, a "cutie patootie!"

We fly out tomorrow on a non-stop to Houston. I had a great time, but am certainly looking forward to sleeping in my own bed, cooking in my own kitchen, and opening all of our Christmas cards! Also, stay tuned- we are going to be doing some big work in our yard in the next couple of months- fruit trees, tomatoes, onions, etc... It is going to be a great year!

Playing with Paper

A favorite pastime of Rebekah Ruth:

Dressing up for St. Nicholas Day

The kids and I went to church yesterday for St. Nicholas Day. Rebekah wore her pretty red dress:

Sitting Up

Here she is:

Adventing

Last year, my Advent efforts mainly consisted of making an Advent wreath (late) and packing a few boxes for Operation Christmas drop. This year Luke is much more aware of what is going on, so I really tried to get my act together.

Orthodox Advent begins 40 days before Christmas, so we have been at it since the 15th. It kind of snuck up on me again, but not entirely.

I wanted to make a traditional advent wreath that included activities that Luke could understand and enjoy, and that could be transported. This year, like we have done for all our Texas years, are traveling to see family at Christmas. Moving right into Christmas is one of the problems that we usually run into when we travel. Who can resist with all the family around?

I took the boy and the girl (I call them by those names in an affectionate sort of way) to Hobby Lobby to see what we could find. I got the information for the wreath from my friend's blog and found all the supplies that I needed. I decided to make a felt wreath (so it could be folded up and taken on the plane with us to CA), and decorate it with pictures that helped us prepare for Christ's birth. We had all of the nativity characters, pictures of fasting foods, money (for almsgiving), and pictures that related to St. Nicholas. Here are a couple of pictures:

Felt wreath with the little girl next to it. She is happy if she can see me while I work.


Here are our candles and pictures. On the backs of the pictures I wrote a short explanation. Everyday, the plan is to let Luke pick out a picture and talk about what is represents. On Sundays we talk about the candles and what each one of them signifies. Luke has really enjoyed this! He asks me to sit with him, pick out a picture and "Glorify Him."

Yet Another Sibling Video

I just love watching these two play. Here is another video of siblings at play:

Christmas Preview

I've been busy with my Christmas projects, advent projects, etc...

Here's a peek:
It is not easy to get both of your children to smile at the same time- especially when one is 4months old, and the other is rather obstinate :)

Oh, and aren't these adorable shoes? $1, yes just $1. If anyone needs a personal shopper, I'll send you my portfolio :)

Picaboo

So sweet. I love watching my kids play together!

Videos

I will be posting some videos from the past month. This was taken two weeks ago when Grammy and Papa were in town:

Baptismal Sewing Projects

Rebekah's baptism is this Saturday at 10am and I have been working on her dress for a while now. Finally, today, the last item was finished. (It feels so good to be sewing again!) Meanwhile, Grammy made a bonnet and Godmother Melissa gave us beautiful shoes to complete the outfit. Here are some pictures:


1. The dress front:
2. The dress back:

The buttons and double fold bias tape were improvisations due to the fact that Rebekah has grown so fast since I started sewing it.

3. The Bonnet:
4. The baby in full baptismal attire:
Isn't she cute?

Pictures that make me happy

Luke smiling after eating a big bowl of oatmeal:Baby Rebekah smiling in her bouncy seat. Could there be a happier baby? Honestly, I think not. :) (Thanks to our friends, the Neacsu's for letting us borrow the seat!)A flower cake. Do you see the big yellow center and the pink petals around? This week was my dear friend Miss Clare's birthday. She turned 83 and we had to celebrate! Sorry the picture is sideways?

Finally a video. Do you see how active this little one is? She kicked around for an hour last night and another hour this morning :)

Rebekah Grows!

Rebekah is growing so fast! A couple of days ago I noticed that she was getting too big for her 6 month onesies! Also, her legs are so long that her feet now stick out of the infant car seat. I had hoped to keep her in it longer than I think I will be able to. Next Monday is her next Dr. appointment. We will see how big she has grown over the past month.

Here are some recent pictures:

In her little watermelon outfit:
A nice close-up:
Sleeping on Daddy (she likes sleeping on someone's shoulder best of all)
On Grandpa:Oh, and we can't forget Luke!

How Poo Saves the Day

The scene: It is just before 7am and Rebekah wakes up for the day. I am groggy after 2 night feedings and Luke up 3 times screaming- first a nightmare, next his covers are not just so, third time- he runs into the bedroom holding up a finer and says, "Daddy, I have a boogie." (Nathan handled the Luke wakings, I handled Rebekah and heard Luke's screams from afar.)

Back to Rebekah- I see her smiling at me as I go to pick her up out of the crib. I picker her up and notice that my hand is wet.... Oh no, a leaky diaper. I set Rebekah down to change her.... Oh no, worse than a leak- its a poo. A big poo that is in her hands, up her back, soaking through the blanket, in the crib. Now I have poo on me too.

I realize that if I wash her up in the bathroom, it will probably wake Nathan up. Nathan has already had his share of waking ups (bless him) during the night, so plan B is the kitchen sink.

I quickly wash out the sink with the hand that has no poo on it, and hold dirty Rebekah with the other. Then I wash Rebekah up and hear Luke screaming in the background. That is how he wakes up these days. So I rush to finish with Rebekah and Luke comes flying into the living room. He is emotional and so I decide to cheer him up by telling him about Rebekah's colossal poo.

L: sobbing
M: It was all over the place!
L:Giggle.
M:She had it all over her back and hands and everywhere!
L: Giggle, Giggle.
M: (to Rebekah)- Oh you little stinky winky! :)
L: Laughing and now in a good mood.

Luke thinks Baby Rebekah is the funniest little girl ever.

I am in a good mood because Rebekah is clean once again and Luke is happy.

That is how poo can save the day.

Talking in the Bunbo

Here is Rebekah saying a few words while sitting in the bumbo:

Watching the Mobile With a Bow

Isn't the bow cute? :)

In CA

We have been visiting in CA for the last week (and escaping the horrible, horrible heat!). Luke has gotten very tan and enjoyed many hours of outdoor time with Grammy. We have had visits from good friends, and my dad even drove down from Stockton to see us.

Here are some pictures:

Smiling and Cooing

I love this! Rebekah is an amazingly happy baby.

Waking Up

A little video from this morning. I love watching Rebekah wake up. Luke did pretty much the same thing when he was a baby.