pitty potty

yesterday we tried some of this...




which turned into this...




and ultimately ended like this...

...after the third time he got put on the potty, he threw an absolute fit...even with the delicious bribe! So, I guess we'll save the potty training for another *day*.

Two years and a bit ago, I lost one of my best friends and spiritual mentors. My Auntie Carol was the most Godly woman I have ever met. Full of compassion and grace, she made me want to love God more. She died from a fast growing brain tumor.

I don't think about her death too much, just her life and the impact she had. But today, as I was driving home from a visit with Grandma, with Bob & Larry singing about peanut butter pizzas with anchovies in the back ground, I started to think about the last days leading up to her death. I remembered some of the feelings I had and the questions and the hurt. And as a few tears started brimming around my eyes my now 2 year old, yelled, "HORRAY" and swished his "windshield wipers" and giggled hystarically.

I was pregnant with this little man when I said good bye to Carol for the last time here on earth, and today I was so blessed by my sons life all the while being saddened for the loss of another. But, as I think back on these two totally opposite events I feel so much joy in how God has planned 'life'. One day I will die, and from that day on, I will not know the sting of death or pain or sin. I will dance for joy and glory in my God for eternity. And to think of such things, makes me not so sad that Carol's gone, but more hopeful for the future that we will have together in the Kingdom.

A few photos....for Lola

more to come!!

midwifery

For a long while now (about 3 years)I have taken up a very keen interested in the world of midwifery. Through a special friend I learned about doulas and their roles and decided that this would be a good first step to see if this was a road in which I wanted to go down. So their I was, with a new baby trying to get certified. It took a little while but I did it! I have a doula certificate through Childbirth International though I have yet to use it. It seems that with (now) three kids, I can't find the time to do something that would be mostly volunteer work. I wouldn't make enough to pay for daycare, nor would I want to at this point.

All this being said, I think I want to go back to school. Does that make sense? "No." you say? I know it doesn't, but it sort of does at the same time. You see, in Canada, it takes four years to become a registered midwife. That's four years of school work only one of which you're in a placement with a midwives schedule. So for three years, I'd actually be a student in normal classes. And, my husband has told me that he wants to stay at home while I have class. So, my kids would not be bounced around from person to person or daycare to daycare. I applied to a program last year, but decided to refuse the acceptance because of a surprise baby that would make his appearance in late October. Looking back I see that this was God's timing and I couldn't be happier with how everything has worked out.

I've been preparing my application and will send it in tomorrow. I guess we'll see where this road leads.

new stage of life

As life-changing as I thought having a third child would be, it wasn't. It wasn't having an extra mouth to feed, bum to change, more laundry to do or even having another body to bathe. It was none of these things - it was the finality of naptime that has changed my life drastically. My three year old has decided that naps are overrated and he's not having one. For two weeks I struggled with the idea of not having some 'me' time, or deep cleaning time, or even my own nap time.

On Saturday I conceded. I was making him have his own quiet time in his bed, just so that I didn't have to give up what I had become accustomed to - how selfish of me. In the past few days, I've had to learn how to go to bed a little earlier, or get my cleaning done when dad gets home at night. My day is far busier and I feel a little out of control. Why is this so life altering? I'd take another newborn just to have my nap time back. I guess this shows me of how self centered I can be sometimes.

These were my thoughts until yesterday when I got some one on one time with the big guy. We made some Christmas taffy. I was able to do something that I wouldn't have necessarily done if his little bro had been awake, and I really enjoyed my time with him. Today we played a game for ages 3 and up. Tomorrow we're going to work on writing out some letters. I feel like maybe I'm getting a little bit of time with him that I *missed* out on because I had our kids so close together. I hope I get this with each one. Even if I've been acting a little grumpier these last few days because I'm not diciplined enough to go to bed at a reasonable hour:)

Warm moments

My littlest baby boy was born on November 6th. Praise the Lord that everything went well with the delivery and we were able to have him at home! He has proven to be a content new little brother that the older boys have equally fallen in love with.

Baby Chip has more hair than either of his older brothers did, and his skin is a little darker as well. I have enjoyed every moment, yes even at 3 in the morning, with my newest bundle. I can't thank God enough for giving us three healthy boys who each have unique personalities...

Colossians 3:15
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."

40 weeks + 6 days

....PEACEfulness...I am at a place of quiet peace. My children are at church with their dad who also took them out for breakfast. Oh, how I love that man. He jumped out of bed this morning at the first sound of wakefulness from our oldest son. He turned off the monitor and that was the last I heard until 10:30! I woke up to a quiet house.....odd....I haven't woken up to have no one around in such a long time. The Lord has heard me this morning and answered my prayer for stillness. I am almost 41 weeks pregnant. I am not anxious. I am not frustrated. I am.....just.

Thank you for this moment, Lord.

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ" Philippians 4:7