Our story

One of those homey kind of days...

2012-01-27T20:23:00.001-08:00

Today started early and it started rough. Jubilee had been up often during the night and then woke early this morning and I just felt exhausted before the day even started. I asked mom to take some things over to a baby shower I was supposed to attend (boo! sorry to miss you guys) at my Mom to Mom group, and decided it would be a "have fun in our PJs at home" kind of day. And it was.

We made apple cake (from Simply in Season cookbook) I had been craving for a while, we listened to the new Sparkle stories, we made play doh and played in the back yard sunshine. We rested (at least Jubilee and I did:) and then mom and Joel got home and that always lifts our spirits. We ate dinner out with the family and now we are all happily tucked in bed. Ahhhh. I was a little bit hazy but we had a pretty joyful day, and that is much more than I had hoped for when the day began!

Amelia stirring with a chopstick because....she's Amelia.
Coming in from outside play to lick the spoon:)

Listening to Sparkle stories.

Mixing the play doh. Why on the floor? I don't know. I was sleepy:)
Excited to see what color it made....purple!
Dinosaur play is the rage around here. Also, watching dinosaur documentaries. Snore! How many pictures do I have of them playing with play doh with animals like this over the years? Many, many,many:)
Sweet Mam.
Sweet Joel.
Sweet Jubilee.
Goodnight all! Jen

My little flower...

2012-01-19T19:47:00.001-08:00

Adorable headband made by my friend Diana. So talented! Sweet Jubilee, four months old and cuter every day:)

Jen

Coloring the snow...

2012-01-18T19:40:00.000-08:00

Another Pinterest idea in action, today we put food coloring and water in squirt bottles for the kids and Vera to "color the snow". It was fun! They did squirt it in the snow, but then spent most of the time in the sand box making colorful cakes and things:) Oh, they were busy. The best kind of busy.

(Just FYI in case you decide to do this, I quickly figured out that many refills were needed for their little squirt bottles and so I got a water jug they could control and brought it outside, along with the food coloring so that they could make their own refills!)

Man, today was one of those days that was good but I am just so tired by the end of it! Poor Jubilee hasn't been feeling great, so she hasn't been sleeping as much as she usually does and I am feeling it! Hopefully she'll bounce back soon! So, I am hitting "publish post" and then heading to bed. Hope you all are well, Jen

Sparkle.

2012-01-17T19:38:00.000-08:00

So, the kids have been listening to Sparkle stories and loving them! I've heard about them in the blogosphere for a while but didn't know if I wanted to spend $$ monthly on audio stories when I could get audio books from the library. I won't go into all the reasons why I decided it was okay, but I did and I'm glad! The stories are simple, focus a lot on nature and seasons, are relatable to the kids and the things they enjoy...they are just great! I have been using them for those moments when I'm nursing or rocking Jubilee or need to make dinner and the kids are needing attention and I don't want to rely on movies for entertainment. Anyway, I loved walking in on them in their jammies, listening and looking out the window today. So sweet:)

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Here's Amelia finally asleep. She woke up at 4:30am this morning...yawn! She finally napped at 2 and slept until 5:30. Sooo, we'll see what time she stays awake until tonight! Our Amelia, ever the sleep fighter.

Here's Sam making a "Snow factory" after listening to one of the stories about kids making an ice factory. :)

Okay, that's all for now! Jen

Natural play spaces...

2012-01-14T18:24:00.000-08:00

On Pinterest I pinned a blog post from one of my favorite blogs and I have had SO many people repin it, that I thought I'd share it here with you. You know, in case you aren't on Pinterest! It's a series on creating natural play spaces outdoors. You can find it here. Now, I grew up in the country and so there wasn't really a need to "create" natural play spaces. I mean, we just went out our door and into the fields or the woods or the pig pen or whatever:) There was an abundance of sticks and rocks and fort making materials and trees to climb and stinging nettle to step on (man that stuff hurt!). Sam and Amelia don't have that. They do have access to beautiful mountains and Red Butte Gardens and great parks and have gone hiking and exploring more in their little lives than I ever did in my 26 years before having them! I'm thankful for that, so very thankful. However, we don't go to those places every day and I want home to have it's own places to explore. When we moved to this house their was literally one small shrub in the back yard and, I'm not kidding, they would sit back there by that shrub for hours looking at bugs and playing with their toy animals in it! That is when I began earnestly seeking out ideas on backyard play space ideas. Not a swing set (though those are great), but ideas on using natural materials to provide them things to build with, explore with, use their senses, etc.

Grandpa Jim came to the rescue and built them a great sandbox that they have spent many, many, many hours in. We also rescued some tree trunk pieces that were being thrown out and put them back there for seating, etc. I also make sure they have lots of digging tools their size and they have a fleet of construction vehicles gathered from yard sales to fill and dump and transport with, etc.

In the Summer they help Joel with the garden, which is wonderful, but I'm inspired to do more! This website, and others, have given me many ideas and I just need to put them in action. Mainly I'm thinking more tree stumps to jump off of, get an ivy tee pee going so they have a shady space, figure out how to organize loose materials for them to build and play with. Those are my starters.

One day, maybe we'll live in the country with them where they can live a more "free range" life:) Until then, we will keep enjoying the awesome outdoor experiences SLC does provide, and keep trying to make our little back yard a haven of it's own.

All for now, Jen

Everyday outdoor play!

2012-01-13T14:32:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed my new badge on the right side of the blog, "Everyday outdoor play, our goal for 2012". I found a new blog devoted to teaching her kids about the earth, etc. and that was her creation to remind herself of their goal- I love it and it's definitely a goal of mine too. No matter the weather. Get outside! It's so good for all of us. Yes, it will be tricky at times with the baby, but it is a worthwhile endeavor! I'm not talking hours of play even, just a 10 minute walk around the block counts in my book!
Yesterday afternoon we woke from naps and I realized we hadn't played outside, but it was already getting dark and colder and so I just thought, "Oh well, some days, especially preschool days, it just won't happen!" I know, I give up pretty easily don't I?:) Soon after that thought Amelia said, "Mom, we haven't played outside today! Let's go!" Jubilee was in her diaper ready for a bath, mom had just arrived home from work, Sam didn't want to go out, but I said, "Ok Amelia, let's do it!" Mom stayed inside with Sam and Jubilee and out we went...I was even in my pajama pants because Jubilee had just spit up all over my skirt!:) But it felt SO good crunching around in the snow, taking a short walk, taking out the compost, taking the empty milk bottles out to the cooler on the porch and filling up the bird feeder. We were out maybe 15 or 20 minutes but it was so refreshing. I thanked Amelia for remembering, and I'll try harder to lead the way:) Join us if you will! It's going to be challenging, but worth it for sure! Jen

A little letter to my Sam.

2012-01-12T19:39:00.000-08:00

Sweet Sammy. I love to watch you go to sleep. You still just stare off sleepily into the distance and fall asleep so peacefully. I wonder what you think about as you are drifting off. I suspect these days it's firefighters or dinosaurs or your new guinea pigs maybe. The other morning you told me you had dreamed that Tinker Bell flew past your window and you reached out the window and caught her and asked her to turn you into a giraffe but she just flew away. Just like Tinkerbell, isn't is? :)

You are loving having your own room, except that you'd like Jubilee to sleep in there with you:) You keep everything so tidy and take good care of your toys. I love that about you Sam.
A few things you've said lately that I want to remember:
Tonight you walked in to my room as I was watching Downton Abbey, and said, " Mom, when I get big and grown up and am a daddy, can I watch grown up movies like that?" I said sure and you walked out and met Amelia in the hall and said, "Mena! Guess what? Mama said when I'm a daddy I can watch grown up movies!" :)

Also, little tender spirit, the other evening I heard you and Amelia talking in her room. She was playing a harmonica and singing. Next thing I know you came into my room with your chin quivering and tears running down your face. When I asked what was wrong you said, "Amelia was playing the harmonica and it sounded so sad. Then she sang a song about friends moving away, like JJ, and it just made me cry." Yes, our sweet next door neighbors moved and it is super sad and a harmonica does often sound downhearted as well. You have always been so sensitive to the mood of music. You will often say to me, "Mom, I love this song. It sounds so peaceful doesn't it?"

Another thing I love about you is the way you must. must, must have a hug and a kiss from mama, mammy, or daddy before any of us leave the house. It can be a little traumatic if it doesn't happen,which isn't fun for any of us, but most of the time it is just plain sweet. You also proclaim loudly to your friends that you love them whenever you part. Especially your buddy Vera. "Bye Vewa! I love you!" you yell from the door. One day she ran back in and said, "Sam? I love you too. You're the best!" You still talk about her saying that:) You really do have some great friends. Today your friend Atticus came over. I hope you remember him and how much fun you two had at preschool together, when you get older. Even if you don't remember, I know preschool for you was made even so much more a secure place because you had such a kind, "big boy" friend in Atticus. I think I went into mourning a bit when it was time for him to move to Kindergarten-ha!

You also teach us a lot about compassion. The other day we were talking about "one of daddy's patients", a homeless man we passed that was holding a sign. You asked what it said and we told you he was asking for money. "Because he doesn't have a house, right? Or any money?" you asked. " I want to give him my money out of my cluck cluck." Your "cluck cluck" is a chicken piggy bank you got for Christmas that clucks when your put money in it (who would buy such a thing? Oh right, your mama would:). You have been feverishly collecting coins to put in there to save to buy more rescue vehicles. So, when you said that with such a determined little voice, your daddy's eyes and my eyes filled with tears. Daddy promised to take you shopping with your money to buy some things for his patients to give to them, and he did. You chose thick, wool socks all on your own. Yesterday morning we were on our way to an appt. for Jubilee and saw daddy on outreach with one of his patients. The socks were in the van so I texted him and asked if you could come give them and he said sure. So, we stopped and you walked right up to the man with a big smile on your face and handed him the socks. It did my heart good to see that, Sammy. You saw a need, you sacrificed, you gave.

Anyway, Sammy, just wanted to write these things down while I was thinking of them. You are growing and changing so quickly, getting so close to five years old!! Every year life with you gets sweeter, and I really mean that with all of my heart. You have grown and matured so much, learning to voice your feelings and have "self control" as you like to say these days (" I was about to say, 'Mena, your hair looks like a dugger head (?!)', but I didn't. That's called self control." I'm so proud of you and I love you to the moon and back.

Love,
Mama

Sunday afternoon rest...

2012-01-08T15:23:00.000-08:00

Loved walking in and seeing these three reading. Joel was reading about wilderness survival, Amelia was looking at "What Baby Needs" by Dr. Sears, and Sam obviously was reading one of his books about firetrucks-all very true to their passions:)

Jubilee and I got some good rest too:) She loves having something soft in her hands to go to sleep with as well as a binkie to suck on.
Anyway, I just love Sunday afternoon rests, don't you?
Jen

Little squirrels...

2012-01-06T18:42:00.000-08:00

We did a fun little activity at the gardens with Anne and Vera that I wanted to share. I can't take credit for the idea...it came from this blog (where I also got the idea and badge to make "outdoor play everyday" a goal for 2012).

The gist of the activity is you cut out paper acorns, hide them for your kids, and your kids pretend to be squirrels finding and gathering them for winter. You can also be predators trying to get the squirrels or steal their acorns:)
So, while getting ready the night before for our outing, I just printed out some acorn coloring sheets, and packed them in the kid's back packs with markers, art boards for a surface to color on, and scissors.

We got there and they played for quite a while and then colored and then Anne and I quickly hid the acorn pictures and explained to them that they were squirrels gathering acorns for the winter. They had to find the acorns and make it back to their tree without the predators (the mamas) getting them or their acorns. It was so much fun to hear their giggles of delight. I think most of it was because the mamas were running and playing with them! They do activities like this all the time at their super fun and creative preschool two mornings a week, which I'm so thankful for, but there is just nothing like having fun with your mama is there (at least when you are four:)? Especially in the fresh (okay, maybe not so fresh in SLC right now), outdoor air. It's one of the reasons I look forward to our homeschooling journey-coming soon in Fall 2012!

Here they are coloring:

Click here for a little look back to the first time we ever went to the gardens!

Before we get off the topic, here are some pictures from when Tara, John Mike, and Echo visited in August and we went...

I just fell in love with Amelia all over again when I saw her sitting there under that tree, with her Auntie Tara's hat on and her red umbrella stuck in the branches behind her. She wasn't feeling well, but it was still Just so her- so beautiful and quirky.

I'm looking back through the blog a lot, getting ready to try and make another blog book for 2008-2009 and I keep finding all of this adorableness that I can't help but share. Click here for a video of our days when they were two. Were their little voices ever really that tiny? AHHHH! SO cute!

Ok, better stop the memory train here and go get some laundry folded:) Jen

A few thoughts about this day...

2012-01-04T20:23:00.000-08:00

Today was a pretty simple one, but fulfilling! We ate breakfast, put Jubilee down for a nap, got dinner in the crock pot (amazing for me- go Jenny!), got everyone ready for an outing to the gardens (mittens, hats, sweaters, clean diaper, picnic lunch, bathroom, feed baby, pump b/c of another clogged milk duct, change baby, ...whew, not so simple really), got to the gardens about 11:30.
Loved watching the kids play, play, play in the sandbox. Sam remembered to bring his snake and Amelia her turtle for sandbox play. They were making blankets out of leaves for their animals and feeding them "sugar plums" (tiny apples fallen from a tree) and on and on.
We had a picnic in the ivy house, now bare for winter. Here's Sam eating an "Amelia special" that she made-PB and J with sprinkles. Mmmm mmmm. Also an enormous cookie from the central American store down the street. We love those things. Not very sweet at all, but just enough.

It was SO warm (high forties maybe). Inversion down in the city was terrible, but maybe cleaner up at the gardens? We can hope. It felt wonderful. On the topic of their play, I freaked out a bit at Christmas time wondering if their diverging interests ( Sam with his rescue vehicles and Amelia with dolls) would hamper their play, but they are proving me wrong. Today with their animal play, it was like old times. Then look at them in Sammy's "new room" (more on that soon). Amelia's doll was stuck in this ribbon and the ambulance was on its way to the rescue:) Why do I doubt their ability to adapt to each other's interests? They have done it all their lives. I know the day will come when they won't be an into playing with each other, but it isn't here yet!

Here's little Jubilee, just for fun:)

Oh, it was crazy. She was in the middle of her little rug and I went to turn off the bath water for the big kids and when I came back this is how I found her!

It's not time to flip and flop yet little one!
So, afternoon baths, watched a documentary about dinosaurs (booring- oops did I say that?), dinner, books, bed by 7.
Anyway, a pretty typical day so I wanted to record it so I would remember. Still exhausted by the end of it, and not yet feeling relaxed in my days yet- there always seem to be urgencies (time to make lunch and baby needs to go down for nap! Baby is asleep...clean something! Kids are in preschool...run an errand! Clean something!) . I can't seem to just relax and let it flow. Ah well, it will come. Right?! :)
All for now, Jen

If I could bottle this up...

2012-01-03T19:51:00.000-08:00

Just a sweet moment before bed when they wanted me to take a picture of all three together.

Then Jubilee grabbed Sam's ear and they thought it was HYSterical:)

I wanted to leave the last one in color to remember it just the way it was. Deep, happy giggles. Not much better:) Jen

Leading up to Christmas...

2011-12-31T20:39:00.001-08:00

Before I post about our Christmas, I wanted to put some of our holiday pictures leading up to Christmas day. The kids get so excited about everything, which makes it so much fun for us.

Love this one of Joel playing Orchard with the kids. He was so sick, but was a trooper to try and do some calm, fun things with the kids that day:)

Making popcorn chains with Mam to put on the cherry tree for our bird friends to eat! Amelia was sick in this one....notice a trend to our holiday time? :/
Decorating the windows...they love these window clings from Target. I get them 1/2 off after Christmas for the next year!
They both loooove decorating the tree, especially Sam! Our tree was a major dud this year and died quickly, but the decorating was still fun:) Oh, notice the clothespins? Amelia thought this idea of hers, to decorate the tree with clothespins, was brilliant:)
Have I told you Amelia is so very into playing with dolls now that Jubilee has arrived?

I L O V E it and it's fun to see Sammy get involved too. Here they are doing a little show for me and Jubilee.
This is their holiday program at school...super cute.

A few holiday crafts for the nieces and nephew...play silks and play doh. Oh, and reindeer cookies with friends:)

Even though the inversion has been super bad this year, we have also had some warm days with cleanish air and we try to take advantage of every one!
We miss our families even more this time of year! Getting pictures like this just make me wish I could snap my fingers and be in Texas. This is my cutie patootie niece Echo.
A little decor on our door by Mam...
Ornament made by sis in luv Shanyn...
Watching Rudolph:)
Even though we all took turns being sick this holiday season and it wasn't at all picture perfect and having a wee one makes things a bit blurry and made me feel like I SO didn't have things together like I wanted to...it's ok! There were many sweet moments and, really, when I don't have things together it reminds me of my dependance on the Lord and His grace...which is really what the season is all about anyway!

More soon, Jen

Each new year is a surprise to us.

2011-12-31T19:32:00.000-08:00

" Each new year is a surprise to us.

We find that we had virtually forgotten the note of each bird,

and when we hear it again, it is remembered like a dream,

reminding us of a previous state of existence...

The voice of nature is always encouraging."

Henry David Thoreau

We went for a hike today and it was glorious. On the way there my mind was feeling so cluttered, so full of check lists and things to improve on and on and on. Once we were on the trail my mind felt free and empty. I felt lighter and thankful. Thankful for God's gift of nature and for healthy bodies to enjoy it with and the relative warmth of the day. The kids were happier than I have seen them in quite a while. After our walk we went for a quick visit to the new natural history museum, which is incredible, and got to see a snake shedding it's skin! I mean it literally came off right before our eyes. What a great picture of what I hope this new year will bring. Appreciating that there is already so much beauty in my life, just shedding some stuff that inhibits joy. A new beginning. I love new beginnings. Lots of love, Jen

Round two...

2011-12-22T13:21:00.000-08:00

It is so much fun to see Jubilee wear and use things that were Sam and Amelia's, for both sentimental and thrifty reasons-hee hee. When she fell asleep on her play mat today for the first time (mama took too long making lunch for the big kids), it made me have an immediate flashback to when Sammy fell asleep in it for the first time. Here ya go:)
Jubilee sleeps:

Sam sleeps:

Jubilee plays:

Sam and Amelia play:

Sam, Jubilee, and Amelia play:

And, as a bonus, here is a favorite video of Amelia fake crying in the play yard- the end still cracks me up!!

Jen

A bittersweet milestone...

2011-12-20T21:01:00.000-08:00

After almost five years of sharing sleep with our babies, Joel and I now sleep almost the whole night in our bed...alone!

For Sam and Amelia, it was just time. We couldn't figure out how to comfortably fit all of us in our king sized bed anymore. When Jubilee first came home she would cry some at night and wake them up in our bed, so it started to be musical beds and we didn't really want that. We thought about different solutions, but in the end decided it was time to have them stop coming in our room halfway through the night. We also split them into two different rooms first and that helped tremendously! Nap times/bed times started going much easier! Then, honestly, it just kind of happened. We told them how much we have loved sleeping and snuggling with them for all of their life, but that we all weren't getting enough rest now, etc. etc. So, Sam just stopped from that night on! It was pretty crazy (and obvious that it was just the right timing)! Joel had been sleeping in the guest room with Amelia to keep her from coming in our room when she was sick, and I think that helped ease her out of coming in here. The first night he told her he would be sleeping in our room and she needed to stay in her room, it was pretty sad. She sobbed. Then I could hear her on the monitor and she was crying and praying, "God, please PLEASE let some grown up human come in here and snuggle with me. PLEASE!" Broke my heart! But she slept through that night and every night since. I think that has been about two weeks maybe? Anyway, I am SO thankful that it came to an end without a real struggle. What a gift! I can say without a doubt that neither Joel or I would ever change the decision we made to co-sleep with our children, challenging as it could be. What is sweeter to a parent or more comforting to a child than sleeping together (at least for us and for our little ones:)

Now, on to Miss Jubilee. Basically, she needed to sleep right next to me at the beginning, then became a little inch worm and moving all over the bed! I couldn't believe it! So, we set up the crib in the guest room for naps, and then decided to try keeping her in there one night when I was sick and she slept right through the night (as she had been in our bed as well). Since she didn't wake often and since when she did wake up it was hard for Joel to sleep through this time, we decided to try keeping her in the room with Amelia. Now she is waking up about once a night (usually between 3-5am) and then staying in our bed after she eats. Just a totally different experience than with Sam and Amelia, who were still waking many times a night at that age.

So, bittersweet. I'm just trying to cling to the sweet, and there is plenty! But, boy am I thankful for all of those times deep in the night when I would wake up and look over at my sleeping family and feel like, in that moment and in that space, all was right in the world.

All for now, Jen

Our Christmas card photo...

2011-12-16T20:32:00.000-08:00

Just kidding, we don't have Christmas cards! I am SO not together enough for that. If we did, though, I think I might pick the picture above. So sweet! Yes, little Jubilee gets plenty of lovin.

Three months old and cute as a button! Merry, merry Christmas time to all of you! Jen

Tend and Befriend...

2011-12-07T13:40:00.000-08:00

I don't write often about the Mom's group that I am a part of, which is silly because it has been a significant part of my life here in SLC! It started when we were going to New Song Presbyterian and the kids were toddlers (maybe 18months-ish?). I was so thankful for a group of mamas to get together with each week! We tried various formats,etc. but really settled into a great rhythm of alternating between practical and spiritual topics--taking turns speaking on things that are dear or true to our hearts. Right now there has been a baby explosion (round 2) and so while we have two wonderful childcare providers with our older kids, the room is also FULL of babies, which is wonderfully distracting:)

Anyway, last week a friend named Claudia spoke. Claudia is my friend Sara's mom and is also a Nurse midwife. Joel did his OB rotation with her and her practice and loved it! She really spoke some comforting words to me after Jubilee's birth that were a huge encouragement at a very raw and vulnerable time-I'll be forever thankful!

Her talk to us last week was about our emotional health as mamas and how to maintain it. It was a fabulous talk and I have been "chewing" on it ever since. The thing I want to remember is her key words "tend and befriend".

She was talking about how when we are overwhelmed (ahem, I use that word a lot around here:), it is good to get some oxytocin flowing in our body to calm us down, and "tending and befriending" are two great ways to do that!

"Tending" is what she referred to as nurturing our children. Spending at least ten minutes cuddling, reading, rocking...something hands on. It actually gets the oxytocin hormone flowing, which calms us! I can totally see how this is true! I think it's one of the reasons why "attachment parenting" Sam and Amelia was SO healing to us as a family after they came home from the NICU. Wearing them, rocking them, nursing them, responding to their cries, etc. I have also seen it specifically in my relationship with Sam, particularly when he was younger and would have very frequent meltdowns. I would find that when I most wanted to push him away, if I held him close, we both calmed down. Ack! Tears come to my eyes even now as I think of it. I think in our culture of do,do,do- accomplish this accomplish that, it's hard to allow ourselves the time to do this nurturing! But how wonderful that God has designed us this way- that in nurturing our children, we are actually nurturing ourselves too!

Rocking sweet Jubilee. She loves to be rocked to sleep! :)

Nursing twin toddlers on a hike in the mountains:)
Babywearing. Picture by Amelia.
Reading is always a great way to snuggle up with these two!

The other way she talked about getting that Oxytocin flowing is by "befriending", and by that she means spending time with other women! Haven't all of you mamas known this to be true? You are feeling overwhelmed and then get together with a friend, and even if one of yours is having a rough time, you still feel infinitely better after your visit? Living life together! We are not meant to do this alone. Just today, Anne and her girls came over. The kids half heartedly painted together for a while and then went outside and used sticks, markers, tape and other "tools" to make a boat out of a box to surprise us:) So creative, and so messy! And yet still, with a messy house to clean up I can still feel my lifted mood from being with my friend. I have felt this so many, many times. Yet, still, I forget. My introverted self will think of excuses to stay home, etc. and so it did me good to hear that reminder of how good friendship is for the soul and for our emotional health.

Time with my mama (and all of the wonderful women in my family!)is refreshing for sure! Her companionship this past year has been an encouragement beyond words!
A trip to Oregon to see my friend Elizabeth. Ahhh, that was so wonderful!
Anne, my faithful friend from the beginning of my mothering journey! So thankful for that!

So, there ya go. Just wanted to record this before I forget. Tend and befriend. When I feel most overwhelmed, drop everything and hold a baby, scratch a back, snuggle up with a good book and a preschooler, get together with a friend. It's how God designed us. Pretty brilliant I'd say:) Jen

2011-12-06T13:03:00.000-08:00

Still not too big to take a bath in the sink:) They stayed in there for almost an hour. I swear these kids would stay in the bath all day if I let them! They play and play and play. Just wanted to remember this! Jen

Advent Conspiracy...

2011-12-03T19:58:00.000-08:00

Joel and I are trying to give a bit more mindfully this year. After reading the Advent Conspiracy book, and by just being frustrated by the stuff in our own life, we decided to try and be a little more creative this year. Think of things we could make (don't get too excited family, you know my craftiness is limited:) or get for free or buy from people like my sweet friend Erin who is raising money for their adoption (take a look at her shop!). Anyway, it's been stretching. It takes more time and thought, but it feels right. Can you believe those numbers in the video? Crazy man. Just crazy. It is so hard in this culture and in my own heart not to get caught up in the consumerism (or even in the doing of traditions, cramming in fun holiday stuff, etc.) and edge out celebrating Christ and His love. I don't feel like we are doing great at it this year, but we are moving in that direction at least.

Hope you all are doing well ( we are s l o w l y coming out of our illnesses here at the Hunt house)! Jen

2011-11-30T14:27:00.000-08:00

Ahhh, today has been such a fun and easy day. Which is good, because we have had some doosie's lately! We have been sick,sick,sick since before Thanksgiving and it's just now letting up. The other night I ran a super high fever and woke up shaking violently. No fun. Then the next day my milk supply was pretty much nil. Thanks to pumping and nursing frequently, drinking tons of water, and taking fenugreek pills, it is coming back. So thankful for that!! Anyway, all that to say, with everyone feeling better and not so needy I hardly knew what to do with myself today! I mean besides washing clothes, caring for children, etc:)

Seriously, though, Sam and Amelia have been deep in play since they woke up this morning and are still at it. They said they only wanted to go drive thru Chik Fil A if I would move Sam's booster to the back seat with Amelia so they could keep playing!! Crazy man, and so much fun to see.

I love this picture, funny as that probably sounds. They play with these snowball makers more than almost any toy they have. For sure the most played with toy outside, no matter the season. I love seeing them muddy and happy and intensely busy with "projects".
Well, I'm finishing this post hours later. The late afternoon was not quite as easy as our earlier day. Things got harried as they often do with the baby hungry and kids not wanting to clean up and me trying to figure out how to fit in some meaningful advent readings this evening:) I was all ready with my reading material, but when I got up to the room Amelia had fallen asleep looking at books! Ah well, we will try again tomorrow. [Side note: On my way up to read our advent readings I thought, "Maybe I should grab them each a marshmallow as a bribe to listen to the whole reading. After all, it's pretty long and they are probably tired. A bribe to listen to advent readings, Jenny?! Shouldn't advent readings look like a whole family sitting down at dinner, the four candles in the middle of the table, a special lighting, maybe a Jesse tree ornament being put on a tree, reads the devotional and you all talk about it? Instead it's a harried mama grabbing marshmallows as a bribe, already two days behind, no Jesse tree, no cute advent calendar, no family dinner, no Dad home to read devotional. But seriously, isn't the real important thing that Jesus is infused into your celebrations? That He remains center? Doesn't that happen in little ways throughout the day? Grab the marshmallows Jenny. "] Then the bag of marshmallows fell out of the pantry as I put it back. I left it there on the floor. Oh my.

Still, it was a good day. There are so perfect ones are there? All for now, Jen

If you listen...

2011-11-26T21:20:00.000-08:00

One of the most beautiful things about having Jubilee in our family has been to watch Sam's and Amelia's love for her grow. I have thought of the song in this little slideshow so many times this past few months. It describes it perfectly. You can see in the first picture how uncomfortable Sam was, and who can blame him?! A new baby, one with iv's and all kinds of things in her, mama away at the hospital and then busy with baby at home, etc. Even Amelia, who professed her love so loudly for Jubilee, showed only a bit of interest at first. I kept reading other friend's accounts of instant sibling love and adoration, and I thought, "Well, maybe it's a twin thing. They have each other. " But then, oh then, slowly but surely their love started to grow. In their own time and in their own way. You could just see it.

Right now we are all under the weather, and you would think we were torturing Sam by telling him (again and again and again and again) not to kiss or breath in Jubilee's face. Goodness. What joy, though, to see these siblings bond. It's a gift. Here's a little look at the past (almost) three months of sibling love.

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

All for now,
Jen

2011-11-23T18:53:00.000-08:00

I asked Sammy what he was thankful for today and with no hesitation he answered, " Rescue vehicles, worms, slugs, snails, and box elder bugs." Love that little guy.
Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Jen

Oh, these two...

2011-11-21T18:36:00.000-08:00

A: "Sam, what do you fink happens if you have a cavity>"
S: " I fink you die!"
A: "Oh Sam, you don't die!"
S: "Yep, dead and buried."

This little conversation at the dentist today just cracked me up. They have so many hilarious exchanges, I wish I would record more of them! This was their second visit to the dentist and they just have such a grand ol' time. I'll hate when they have a cavity or something and their innocent, dentist loving bubble is burst. They think the flavored cleaning gel is so great, and the new toothbrush, tooth paste, floss, etc. are received with great gusto. Amelia remembered that they got to pick out a little toy and even remembered one that was in the box last time that she was interested in (six months ago!!). I love watching them at appointments together, whether it's a hair cut , doctor appt., dentist, or whatever. They are such cheerleaders for each other. Today when Sam climbed up in the chair Amelia had a burst of affection and went over and kissed his hand. Awww. I can't imagine when they play sports! I remember that with my brothers so clearly...feeling such pride watching them play and just cheering them on with everything in me. I look forward to seeing that with these two.

Anyway, as we were leaving, the dentist gave them some gloves like he had worn and they thought that was the greatest! Then the receptionist let them choose some little chap stick. We walked out the door and Sammy said, "Those guys are so special to me!" Hee hee, I love it.

Thankfully, Jubilee was snoozing in the sling the whole time:)

On a sad note, Amelia started running fever tonight (Sam was running fever over the weekend and now has no voice) and so we will probably miss their Thanksgiving feast at preschool tomorrow:/ Such a bummer. They were so looking forward to dressing up as "Nate of Camericans" :) . I am going to try and have a little feast here for them. In fact, we made cranberry sauce together today after reading a story about cranberries in our Pioneer Thanksgiving book. Still, I know they will be disappointed. Boo!

Guess that's all for now. Back to watching Sing Off online and then I'm off to bed! :) Jen

Joel and Jubilee...

2011-11-17T18:45:00.000-08:00

You forget a lot of things about having a new babe. Things like how fussy "fussy hours" are in the evening, how much energy it takes to feed and care for a newborn, etc, but there are wonderful things that you forget too. How it feels to have a tiny babe snuggled into your neck. What it feels like when they start to smile at you and how sweet they look right after a bath. My favorite thing that I forgot though, was how fast and hard Joel falls in love with his children. I mean, I really truly forgot. I forgot how he becomes such a papa bear immediately after they are born, so protective. In fact, while I was still in the operating room, my awesome nurse came back in and said what a papa bear Joel was. It started coming back to me. But it wasn't until I saw him with Jubilee, saying the sweetest things to her so freely and unabashedly that I truly remembered. What joy! Then when she came to stay in my room finally and he would be up there, he just wouldn't put her down. It was when he said, " I wish I would have brought the sling, I hate putting her in that plastic thing (bassinet)", that I think my heart fluttered in recognition. It was such a gift to me when the twins were born, how quickly he bonded with them even though they were so premature. He loved them in a way that took me longer to. With Jubilee, it was just a sweet sight to see. My favorite thing I forgot by far.

All for now, Jen
P.S. How about Jubilee's little elf hat my mom made? Love.

The weeks, they fly by...

2011-11-11T12:25:00.001-08:00

One week old...
( Wow, I look rough.:) I remember this moment so clearly. It was the morning we were leaving the hospital and I was actually very happy. I also love the way she nuzzled right into my shoulder and neck all the time. )
Two weeks old...
( First day of cloth diapering:)
Three weeks old...
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( I love this outfit on her. So cozy. I also love seeing her wear outfits that I thrifted for her before she was born. It's satisfying to this thrift store loving mama:) I quickly realized that these one piece type outfits are all that I put her in pretty much. They work best with cloth diapers for sure.)
Four weeks old...
( This isn't the best picture, but the only other picture I have on her fourth week birthday is of a piece of quiche. I was still a very hungry newly nursing mama and food was very important to me and I remember thinking that quiche looked so beautiful! Ha. )
Five weeks old...
( First time in her new swing. She loves it. So we love it. I was an attachment parenting snob about swings, and now I am not.)
Six weeks old...

Seven weeks old...

Eight weeks old !
I wanted a picture like this for each week,so clear of her face and body. Obviously, that didn't happen. Maybe it will for the next eight weeks? Don't hold your breath!:) I also like this one because it shows how the kids put random toys on or next to her if she is fussing to try and help her feel better. This is Sammy's attempt with his "little boy". So sweet. Anyway, I have loads I want to write about these past eight weeks, but for now I'll just say how much we adore our little Jubilee. Joel has deemed her my "little sidekick", and it's true. Wherever mama is, there Jubilee usually is also-nursing, slinging, sleeping, etc.etc.:) Sometimes I feel like she is such an extension of me that it's hard to really see her, you know? So, at night when the kids are asleep and all is quiet, I take some time to really just soak her in. Because, these weeks, they turn into months and years and they all just fly right by.

All for now,

Jen

Scarecrow.

2011-11-10T13:10:00.000-08:00

I have such good memories of my mom making the best scarecrows when we were growing up. After reading The Lonely Scarecrow about 15 times this fall, I really wanted her to do one this year with the kids. So, of course, even though she is working full time now and a busy beaver she made the time! Thanks mama:)

At first we had him sitting up by the front door, but it kept freaking me out when I would catch a glimpse of his hat through the front window, thinking someone was there. Then we moved him down into the front yard, where it continues to startle me when I catch a glimpse of it out the window. I guess he's just doing his job!!:)
I love me some wholesome fall fun! Jen

Family portrait.

2011-11-09T13:25:00.000-08:00

In the mail today we got this wonderful surprise:

Drawn by our friend Evan, with input from his wife Becky:), we will treasure it always. It will be framed pronto and hung next to our last that he drew. It is just so sweet. I am in awe of those of you who take the time and creative energy to give hand-made gifts. They are so very special.
Jen

Maybe I'm a bit sentimental...

2011-11-08T19:29:00.000-08:00

Having a new babe in the house will do that to you I think. But, the other day as I was getting ready to run to Target with Shari I thought of a post I wrote way back when Sam and Amelia were still in the NICU. This post.
It instantly brought tears to my eyes. I thought of Sam and his love of firemen and his fireman costume that he adores. Here we are, four and a half years later with a healthy and thriving boy! How grateful is my heart when I think of that!

Then, a few days later, Amelia was getting ready to go to a party at my mom's work. She found a piece of ribbon and wanted me to tie it around her waist as a belt. She thought it looked SO beautiful. Then she went into the bathroom and came out with all of these bows decorating her belt. Oh my. It was just about the cutest thing ever. Then she went to the fridge and got this picture off that she had drawn, because she "matched the picture!"

I thought back to that post again and to my sparkle of a girl that we have now and thankfulness washed over me.
Thank you Lord for the gift of these children and that you are allowing us to experience this fun age of firefighters and fairies and creativity and princesses and make believe.
Sweet babies, growing up before our eyes! Jen

2011-11-03T14:13:00.001-07:00

We all love when Grandpa Jim and Grandma Shari come for a visit! The kids look so forward to it and it just gets more and more special to see their relationships grow as they get older. They are always such a help, but this time especially I felt so thankful to have them hear loving on Sam and Amelia as we all transitioned to having a new babe at home. I think it really, really helped the kids to have them here giving them lots of attention, and of course that really helped me! Anyway, we made lots of memories! So sad to see them leave today, but I know it's time for us to start finding our new rhythm at home...so here we go! Love you Jim and Shari...thank you for every meal cooked, every broken thing mended, every snuggle to the kids and baby, every book read, walk taken, kitchen cleaned, encouraging word spoken, etc.etc.etc. You two are appreciated!

All for now,
Jen

Giving is truly better.

2011-11-01T19:09:00.000-07:00

To understand the significance of this story, you must understand Amelia a bit. Though she has never been one to attach much significance to things, food is another matter. Specifically "special treats". She has a sweet tooth like no other. The way to her heart is definitely through her tummy. So you can imagine how excited she has been about Halloween. Last year she was in total shock at the concept of trick or treating and she looked forward to it coming again all year long. It is her Christmas as far as gifts go!

So, last night we got home with our bounty and she gobbled up her three piece allowance (she had already eaten several pieces during the day). Then she heard that we had almost run out of candy to give trick or treaters and quickly offered to put some of her own in the bowl to give. " Are you sure?" we asked in disbelief. She was on a mission. She poured about half her candy in the bowl and then opened the door and stood out on the porch. She was in her pajamas by this time and as I peeked out the window and saw her standing there by the door, standing so tall and serious holding the bowl out just waiting for little friends to come and get it, I almost cried. What a precious, surprising sight. I said a little prayer that someone would come (it was late by this time) and sure enough a big group came and wiped her out. She was not done yet. Oh no. She came in, grabbed her basket and poured the rest into the bowl, running back outside to give the rest away, I wish you could have seen her face and heard her voice. I did cry a this point. She was joyfully giving away her fortune, and it was inspiring (and humbling, really) to watch.

She went out to the end of the driveway and stood on the sidewalk. Sam was with her at one point and was yelling "Mena has candy for you!" to anyone he saw. The whole scene was just so funny because Sam is usually our giver and he didn't even think to join in until the very end. No, this was Amelia's lesson about the joy of giving. Well, hers and all of ours who were watching, Joel and Shari were out there with her as she sang loud songs about how excited the kids would be to get candy, how she didn't want her teeth to get rotten, etc,
Finally she came in to go to bed after we promised we would come and get her if anyone rang the doorbell. She still had some left and she also had put a stack of her drawings on top of the bowl to give away. This was put carefully by the front door. She put her shoes right by her bed " so she could get to the door fast if someone came". We turned out the lights and all started getting ready for bed. It was 10pm after all! But no, there rang the doorbell. Amelia squealed in delight and came running down the stairs. She let them choose their candy, handed out her drawings, and then retired to bed once again.

Oh, somewhere in there Sam found some stickers Shari had bought for Amelia earlier that day. He said, "Look Mena! These are for you!" You would have thought someone had handed her, well, massive amounts of candy! Shari and I thought she might cry she looked so genuinely surprised and thankful! She clutched them to her chest and then buried herself into Shari's bosom. Another teary moment for mama.

Joel told Amelia that she had shown us what Jesus's love looks like. So true. You know that hymn about how His love is "vast, unmeasured, boundless and free" ? I kept thinking of that today. How God gives to us so freely so that we might give. Unmeasured. Boundless. Free. Who knew that we would see that in action through our little girl in pink pajamas, standing at the end of the driveway, giving in just that way.

She didn't seem to regret it in any way today, though she was up to her antics of talking a million miles an hour about why she should be able to eat this or that after her meal. Sigh. I can't wait until the candy is gone (Sam still has plenty and is very willing to share with his sister:)! Still, what a sweet ending to our Halloween night. And what a great reminder that giving is truly better. What joy it brings. To the giver and the receiver.

All for now,
Jen

What a beautiful day!

2011-10-31T21:45:00.000-07:00

First of all, the weather today was beyond beautiful. Last Halloween was rainy and cold and yucky. This year couldn't have been more opposite, so hurray for that!! The day went by quickly and soon it was ready to get the kids ready! Sam was so excited to wear his firefighter outfit ("it's not a costume"). Grandma and Grandpa splurged and got this super realistic outfit for him and he loves it. Amelia decided to wear the kitty outfit she had from last year. She had the princess costume that she has been wearing frequently around town and the house, but the kitty costume means Halloween to her I think since it was their first time trick or treating last year and she wore it. Then we had little baby bear! (She did great and enjoyed her daddy carrying her in the fresh, evening air. She even skipped her fussy time!) So, they eagerly got dressed and baskets ready! We did a lap around the block and Sam loved the tasks of finding the front porch lights that were on and finding the door bells! Then we met up with a group of friends for more trick or treating and it got a little crazy keeping track of everyone and dark and so there are no pictures of that:)

How cute are our friends/neighbors?! This is Ally and her baby bee Charlotte:)

Are you ready to hear the sweetest story ever about this next picture? Well, I'm too tired to tell it now, but just get ready! It's gonna melt your heart.

Happy Harvest Day (as I grew up saying:),
Jenny

These are the days...

2011-10-21T18:57:00.000-07:00

I want to remember this moment. We were upstairs and Amelia was hanging out with Jubilee and me. She helped me fold cloth wipes and then played with Jubilee and then ran to get my exercise ball when the baby started to cry. I love the way Amelia tries to help. She will see a need and then just suddenly run away and bring something to try and fix it. If I am nursing and say to myself, "I'm starving" ,Amelia will disappear downstairs and pop back up with a banana for me. Man, it is so sweet! This is pretty new, by the way.I had started to think all the people who told me Sam and Amelia would be such helpers were lying.:) Anyway, the house smelled like apples as Shari was downstairs canning applesauce, the window was open and I could hear Sam riding his Big Wheel down the driveway, and there was Princess Amelia loving on her sister. Then as I rocked Jubilee to sleep, Amelia got up on that ball and told me a fantastic, very long story about a troll. It was one of those moments that make all of the overwhelming, frustrating, crazy moments fade away.

Oh yes, these are the days. The overwhelming, frustrating, crazy, wonderful, tender, beautiful days.
Jen

Our littlest pumpkin...

2011-10-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

Jubilee is one month old! How can that be?!?!
She is already changing so much, and I know time isn't going to slow down. I'm so thankful that Joel got to take off work for her first two weeks and that Jim and Shari and my mama are here to allow me time to soak her up and know that Sam and Amelia are being loved and cared for! The first week home was a bit crazy. Sam and Amelia were pretty emotional and not sure what to do with me needing to be with her so much. It was hard on all of us! I was still emotional about the birth experience as well, and together with hormones being all over the place, there were a lot of tears! Still, with mom and Joel being there, it wasn't as crazy as I had imagined, and there were a lot of sweet moments mixed in there as well. One thing that helps is getting MUCH more sleep than I did with the twins. Most mornings, I woke up feeling kind of rested! I did learn pretty quickly that having her in the side car crib next to our bed wasn't good enough for her:) She wanted to be right next to mama and immediately started sleeping longer stretches once we had that worked out! Gosh, the nights with her in my room in the hospital were terrible! I knew they would freak out if I had her in bed with me and she was NOT liking the plastic bassinet and literally cried from 2-5 three nights in a row! :(
We also learned that she is a pretty content baby during the day as long as she is being held. Once again, thankful for extra hands so that I can sling her or hold her most of the day (especially that first week home!) .She cries when she's hungry, has a dirty diaper, lonely, or tired. I felt like with the twins, things were such a blur I often never knew why they were crying! It's much, much easier with Jubilee!

The second week home (three weeks old), brought Grandma and Grandpa Hunt! Joel went to a conference out of town and I really missed him, but after a couple of days of more behavior adjustments from the kids, they started to settle down and the days got a bit easier. Still, I had forgotten how demanding a newborn was and would get really frustrated that I couldn't seem to spend quality time with the kids and take care of the baby! Once again, thank the Lord for grandparents! I don't know what I would have done! Hmmm, must not have the pictures downloaded from that week. Will work on that!:)
Then we come to week four. My hormones have definitely stabilized a bit, the kids (especially Sam) are just melting my heart as I watch them fall more in love with "baby Jubles", Jubilee is growing cuter and more alert by the day, and life just feels a bit more settled. Most nights she only wakes up once. It feels funny even writing that, and I'm sure it will change soon, but for now I'm enjoying it (though I do make sure and pump before I go to bed, in the middle of the night, and in the morning)!

Anyway, just wanted to get these thoughts down while I had the chance. Oh how we love this precious little one! Jen

Apple picking.

2011-10-15T20:42:00.000-07:00

It's become a tradition I suppose, this Fall trip to Capitol Reef National park. This is our third year to come and enjoy the apple orchards, the amazing canyons and rocks, little hikes and the playground at Slackers (the kids literally played there for 2 hours the other day--have I mentioned how much I LOVE watching their imaginations in action?). In an effort to keep these posts simple, I'll just say it's been a fun little trip and I'm SO thankful for all of the warmth and sunshiney days. I feel like I'm drinking it up to try and store it for the wintery weather sure to be here soon!

We hope to be back next year!
Jen
Here is a post from our 2009 trip. What little cuties!
Here is a post from our 2010 trip. Love these pictures, especially the rock climbing series. They are such adventurers! They got out of the car this year and immediately were engrossed in exploration and play. I love it!

2011-10-11T20:24:00.000-07:00

My friend Anne and I have had a few conversations about what our ideal self would look/be like. You know, like our best version of what our life could be. You have had those conversations, right?:) Well, I have had this picture in my head for the longest time of mine. I am a few inches taller and leaner (haha!), have long braided hair and am hanging clothes on the line. I have a baby in a sling and there are cats and children underfoot. The picture makes me think "contentment", which I guess is one of my greatest desires. Not "easy" or "stagnant", but content and joyful within the life God has given me. That's what the picture means to me (well, besides the vanity of wanting to be long and lean:). I guess that's what I think would "make" me be content, a life of home and children. Of course, that isn't totally true, and I do want to find my contentment in the Lord, whatever the circumstance.

However, the other day I found myself with a baby in a sling, hanging up diapers on the line, with two other little ones playing in the sandbox while their sweet and handsome daddy worked in the garden. I asked Joel to take a picture because, really, it was a little dream come true. A life of home and children! What gifts! I may not be tall or lean, the actual birth of the babe in the sling had left my heart a little broken, the kids in the sandbox were each adjusting to new life in the home, and I couldn't even find clothes pins to use on the line...but such good these moments do my heart! They make me sing praise to the Lord, for His goodness and faithfulness.

So far from perfect, but beautiful to me nonetheless.

With a thankful heart, Jen

Pumpkin Moonshine...

2011-10-10T20:05:00.000-07:00

We have been reading " Pumpkin Moonshine" by Tasha Tudor, a sweet story about a pumpkin that rolls down a hill at a farm, causing barnyard chaos before it is turned into a Pumpkin Moonshine (or Jack o Lantern). The kids have been looking so forward to carving their own, and I have been looking forward to it for them, but I am just so deficient in my art project abilities!
Enter Mammy, our resident artist! They had SO much fun with her, scooping out all of the goop, drawing their faces on the pumpkins and then telling Mammy what they wanted the end product to look like:) Amelia's was the "scary happy face" , Sam's was the cat, and Mammy's was the peace sign. Beautiful! They worked so hard and long and could hardly wait until the sun went down so they could see them glow.
Thanks mom for doing special projects with the kids. Thanks to Shari for the wonderful dinner tonight, to Jim for all of your help and time that you give the kids. We have a little village going here, and I am feeling so thankful for it:)
Jen

We took a walk in the woods today...

2011-10-10T15:48:00.001-07:00

It is Grandpa Jim's birthday today, and I'm so glad he suggested a walk at City Creek park as his activity of choice! Such a lovely time, and so special to have Jubilee's first walk in the forest. I think (and very much hope) she will follow in her sibling's footsteps and love the outdoors as much as they do! Oh, one thing I want to remember is how cute Sammy is these days when he is having fun or excited about something. He talks REALLY loud, even if you are right next to him. As in, "MAMA, LOOK AT THESE BEAUTIFUL LEAVES! " , but it isn't yelling, it is just talking really loudly. Oh goodness, I'll have to try and get it on video.
Ok, going to keep this short as I want to post more, but need to make them short and sweet so that I don't get overwhelmed and post nothing at all:) Hope you are having some wonderful fall adventures of your own! Jen

P.S. Yes, Amelia is hiking barefoot. She wore uncomfortable shoes (ahem, listen to mama next time) and so she just took them off and went barefoot. What are you gonna do? :)

Hello world, I'm Jubilee Rose!

2011-09-27T13:18:00.001-07:00

I was born on September 16th and weighed a whopping 8lbs 4oz (at least I hear that is whopping compared to what my big brother and sister weighed:). I'm sorry I haven't introduced myself sooner. It's been kind of a crazy first week and a half.

See, my mama was in the middle of laboring really hard to get me out, when she developed an infection (her water had been broken for almost 24 hours) and started running a high fever and shaking and then I started having a hard time and oh, it's a long story that she will tell sometime, but I had to be born by csection. Turns out I had an infection too and needed to stay on antibiotics for a week and so we were in the hospital for 7 days. My mom and dad were really bummed, but thankful I was ok. It was a rough week. Lots of pricks and pokes. Lots of tears. Mom says their was a lot of goodness too, and she'll tell you about it later.

We are home now, though, and life is good. Well, life is good and still a little crazy. Everybody except me and mom got food poisoning the other night. Mom says there is entirely too much bodily fluid around here! Ick.
Anyway, my favorite things at this point in my life are:
1. Being close to my family.

(My brother Sam loves me too, just not quite so affectionately as Amelia yet and so mom hasn't been able to get a picture:)
2. I love to be swaddled. Thankfully my dad is a pro and mom and mammy are getting better.

3. I love to stare at faces just like all the books say, but I think I like to stare at this part of the family bed even more. I just gaze and gaze at it when I'm awake:)

4.And milk, how did I forget about milk?! I love it a lot too.

I guess that's all for now. I'm glad to be here, getting to know my family and some of you too. Thanks for your patience as we adjust to being a family of 5. Mama says it takes lots of grace with each other, that's the main thing. I guess I'll learn what she means when I get older.

Lotsa love, Jubilee

2011-09-09T20:08:00.000-07:00

Today at my mom's group, the kids had an "apple theme" and part of it was playing with yummy, red play-doh. So, later this afternoon "Mam" (as the kids are now calling my mom:) made some fresh, orange, pumpkin spice smelling play doh with them. They played with it forever. Seriously, these kids have been playing with play-doh and little animals for over two years now and I still never tire of hearing all of their little conversations. It's the best! I captured a little on video and I'll try to upload it later.

But for now I'll just say, here's to play- doh and the hours of creative play it brings about around here. And here's to fall! We can feel it in the air. To apple picking and pumpkins and warm, rich colors and beautiful leaves. Our nature table is in transition. Already acorns have been found! Our seasonal book basket is full of books about pumpkins and apples and leaves. Have you read "The Lonely Scarecrow"? We just read it for the first time and all really love it!

Anyway, better run for now! Jen

A little empowerment goes a long way...

2011-09-08T18:44:00.000-07:00

I've had a few discouraging visits at my midwifery office lately:/ It has been two times, both have been with my midwife had to be out of the office. I won't go into the details, I'll just say that I left feeling more anxious about laboring and giving birth than I have ever in my pregnancy! Both times I received very unsolicited and discouraging opinions on VBACs and on unmedicated births, both of which I am planning and and very much hoping for. From midwives! I left speechless both times. Well, not really. I had plenty to say when I called my "support crew" of friends and family who I know are cheering me on and believe an unmedicated VBAC is very possible, even in a hospital setting. Anyway, another place I ran was to Ina May. Oh, that midwife! So full of calm and wisdom and encouragement. Please, if you know someone that is fearful and anxious about their birth, send them some encouragement in the form of Ina May's books!

I am aware that birth, just like anything in life, can quickly go in directions you were not hoping or planning towards. I mean, my last birth was an urgent csection at 29 weeks gestation for goodness sake! However, I have also learned that if you go into a situation like labor or breastfeeding sort of/kind of hoping for a certain outcome, you probably aren't going to get it. If I would have gone into breastfeeding twins listening to all of the nurses and doctors who were like, "You can try breastfeeding twins, but don't feel bad if you need to supplement. Don't feel bad if you feel the need to switch to formula, etc." No, I blocked them out completely!! I listened to those who were empowering my choice and desire to breastfeed twins, believing in me, cheering me on, etc.

Same with labor! Of course, if something goes awry and it is truly necessary for medical intervention, I am a very level headed mama and will act accordingly. However, if I come to you saying I desire an unmedicated birth, why start discouraging me about it when labor hasn't even begun? Ugg, so frustrating!

Anyway, I spent my afternoon rest time watching Ina May videos on You Tube and feel much encouraged. That birth is a sacred experience. That it matters how babies come into this world. That our bodies are indeed made for it. That birthing pain is purposeful. On and on. Here are two of the videos if you are interested...thanks for listening to this little rant:) Jen

Looking forward, looking back: Mothering an infant (or two).

2011-09-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

As we get closer and closer to baby being here with us (5 days until due date:), the reality of having another little being in our home and family is settling in a bit more. A BABY! To love and care for and feed and bathe and diaper and rock and sling and hold and pat to sleep and feed, and diaper...oh goodness!:)

As I look back to when Sam and Amelia were infants, things are a bit hazy! Here is the gist what I think of when I think of them (post NICU, I don't really feel like I started mothering until they came home) as teeny babes. I think of being together. Always. I had little stations around the house and we would move from station to station throughout the day. Their nursery for diaper changes and time on the floor and nursing, a quilt on the living room floor for a change of scenery, outside in the back yard on a quilt for another change of scenery, in their moses basket on the front porch swing, in the kitchen in their moses basket while I cleaned, made food, what have you, our bed for sleep. The reason we were together. Always. was because there was almost never a time when someone didn't need to eat, be changed, be held, etc. and so I found it easier and less frustrating for all if we just stayed together. If I tried to "do" much of anything else, thing just seemed to fall apart. Having "just" the two of them meant I could do that. There were no other little ones needing my attention, etc. We also lived in a neighborhood where we could walk everywhere and I feel like we did. To the grocery store, the library, the bakery (ahem), the parks, to get take out, etc. I love those memories.
This time around will be different, obviously. I will have two four year olds as well as an infant and in some ways that will be trickier. We live in a neighborhood where there are no real "destination walks" for one thing. I will have an infant in winter, for another. Still, nursing *one* infant and getting *one* infant to sleep will surely be easier, right?! :) Though, on the sleep note, I have been thinking about how I almost *never* woke them up from naps, skipped naps, etc. when they were babes. Though I am in no way a strict scheduler, from about 6 months on they have always been on the same sleep routine (thanks to Sammy's ability to go to sleep even if he wasn't as sleepy). With a third, I know there will be times when she'll have to wake up in order to be on the move with us and I really can't imagine that yet! :)
All in all though, I know we'll be ok. Thankfully, I now have some idea what I'm doing with an infant and not much has changed as far as my "mothering philosophy" of responsive or attachment parenting. Feed the baby when she's hungry, let her sleep when she is tired, respond to her cries (yes, even in the middle of the night:), wear her close as much as possible, etc, etc. See, so simple! Hee hee. Though it is exhausting work, there is no work I would rather do in the world than nurturing babies. Seriously! It's how God designed me I guess and I'm thankful to Him for giving me the privilege. And yes, you can remind me of this when you see me haggardly walking out to the minivan (more on that soon!) with my three little loves, with bags under my eyes and a squalling babe in arms.
Ready or not, she is coming soon and another season of our life will begin! Here are a few pictures of our little punkins four years ago!

All for now,
Jen

A milestone summer...

2011-08-27T16:54:00.000-07:00

Sam and Amelia have had quite a summer. It seems like they have gone through a burst of milestones, language development and just development in general. In particular, though, I want to remember how much Amelia loved achieving two things this summer; pumping her legs and swinging herself, and riding a bike! I have never seen her so happy or proud or excited and it has been SO much fun to see.

Pumping her legs was the first. On July 4th, on her friend Vera's swing set, she figured it out and there was no turning back. She was beyond thrilled and just giggled and giggled uncontrollably every time she did it for the next couple of weeks:) Here is some video of her in action the morning after she learned, singing all the while of course! The song is first cheering Sam on to learn how to pump, and then mama, until Sam corrects her that "Mom is too big to fit on the swing!" Thanks Sammy!

The next biggie was riding a bike! She's been ready for a while. They got balance bikes not long after they turned three and she really took to it. Then came 6 months of winter and so bike riding was put on hold. Then came mama being "frugal" and not finding an acceptable bike at the kids consignment shop(no characters plastered all over it, not expensive, etc.). Then she and I were out together one day shopping for some baby things, and there it was! We bought it as her "I'm going to be a big sister!" gift, took it home (gave Sam his big brother gift that I had stored away), and waited for Daddy to get home! They practiced a bit that evening with him holding onto the seat. The next morning he showed her how to use it like her balance bike to get started and then start pedaling and that did it, she was off! Once again, I had never seen her so proud. It topped even the swinging. When she would see someone ride by on their bike she would yell, "Hey! I have a bike too!!" She had to show the mailman how she could ride, and anyone else who will watch:) Her proudest moment of all is riding next to her daddy though. All around the block he says she tries to not smile the whole time, but she just can't help it. They ride in the bike lane together, which I'm sure makes it seem even more special. Here is a video of her learning process:

Still no wrecks, though I'm just waiting! She zoomed around the park with a 6 year old little girl the other day and almost gave me a heart attack!

Sam is doing well with his sister's bike riding. He is pretty content with his scooter and big wheel for now, which is great because I know he'd be super frustrated trying the bike right now. So, yay Sam!
Okay, that's all for now!
Jen

Nesting. Resting.

2011-08-25T13:52:00.000-07:00

The third trimester. It's something I didn't experience last pregnancy. I didn't know what it felt like to nest, nor to need so much rest!

I enjoyed my little "nesting phase" so much. It truly felt warm and cozy and...driven at the same time. Joel finding me chiseling out some detergent build up in the washing machine at 11pm because "it needed to be done...now!". Washing and drying all of the diapers and itty bitty clothes. Organizing my storage area was a big one. Not sure why I needed all of my children's books organized by category before baby came, but now we have a little library with non-fiction animal/general non-fiction/fiction/seasonal/and preschool sections:) Getting little Jubilee's space ready. It was all just sweet really. I still feel like we have more to go, but it has to stop for now. More on that in a minute.

Now, don't let me fool you. This third trimester has been fun and productive in many ways, but I have also been very.tired. I have spent much time resting, trying to get my feet from getting too swollen in the heat (I still say I prefer a summer pregnancy any time to a winter one. At least living here!), trying not to feel overwhelmed in the late afternoons when I just want to lay down but there are things that must be done, children that need attention and food, trying not to feel frustrated when family was here visiting and I just felt like a bump on the log most of the time.
Can I just say again, thank the Lord that my mom has been here!! Also, Sam and Amelia still nap most days if I lay down with them, and so we spend our mid afternoons reading and napping and that has helped a bunch as well.

Yesterday I had a visit with my midwife and my blood pressure was too high;/ A bit of protein in my urine plus high blood pressure equals an order for me to be resting for 70% of the day to get my BP down and keep it down so that I can go into labor naturally and they don't have to induce. Whew, that was a blow!
Thankfully, I am almost 38 weeks. Full term! Jubilee can come anytime she wants now:) We are just going to take it one day at a time. Joel checked my BP yesterday afternoon after resting, last night, and this morning and all three times it has been back to normal, so yay for that! Such sweet friends offering to let Sam and Amelia come and play while my mom is at works, sweet mom and Joel jumping in as soon as they get home. I have lots to be thankful for. Though I know Sam and Amelia are ready to have their mama back in gear, and I am ready to be back in gear, I am going to try and make the best of these last days/weeks spent with just the two of them. Whew, it is so strange just to write that!
As this pregnancy draws to a close, I feel such a mix of peacefulness and thankfulness, frustration and anxiety, bursts of energy and weariness. It's all jumbled up in there and I guess I'm okay with that. It's life, isn't it? Pregnancy and labor and birth are an intense piece of life, and I guess all of those emotions come with it.
Mostly though, no matter what may come, I hope that I remember the Lord's faithfulness to us. Whether in joy or sorrow, He is faithful to be there and to show his love. He has been there through this pregnancy, every step of the way. Through the beauty and joy and through weakness and weariness. I believe that with all of my heart.

All for now friends,
Jen

2011-08-21T17:44:00.000-07:00

Joel has taken the kids on several hiking/camping trips this summer. It has been a little sad seeing them go and not getting to see them in action as I stay home to rest. They all three just come alive in the mountains and it is one of my very favorite things to see! However, I love that they are making these memories with Joel and I love that they have a daddy who takes them on adventures and I love that we live in a place where they get to experience such amazing beauty!

Joel is also really good about sending me pictures while they are gone and filling me in on cute conversations he overhears. etc. This one just about made me cry:

Amelia: " How'd you get up there, Sam?"

Sam: " Mena, I'll show you."

Amelia: " You're a brave man Sam."

Sam: " Here Mena, hold my hand. I'll take care of you!"

Amelia: "Ok, thanks Sam!"

Sam: " Mena, if you start to slide down, I can catch ya. I can handle this. I can handle you. I'll catch you."

Sigh, good for a mama to hear after lots of bickering this past week (we have been shut in due to Amelia having impetigo. We were all going a little stir crazy). Being in the outdoors brings out the best in both of them. In all of us, really. I'm hoping Jubilee and I will be able to join them for some great fall hiking before it gets cold again.

All for now, Jen

" Let's just talk about firefighters, mom."

2011-08-18T08:15:00.001-07:00

It was 3:30 am when Sammy climbed into bed and snuggled against me. I said, "Sammy, let's go to the bathroom" and so we stumbled to the bathroom in order to not repeat some recent bedwetting incidences:) When we got back into the room he saw his fire chief hat laying on the floor next to the bed. He must have carried it in from his room where he had gone to sleep with it that evening. He exclaimed, "The fire station! Let's go!" He put on his hat and suddenly he was as awake as if it were 3:30 in the afternoon. "Oh Sam, we have six more hours until we visit the fire station. We need to go back to sleep. " So, he leaned against the bed, looking as cute as any child could at such an early hour, and said, "Well, let's just talk about fire fighters mom." I convinced him to hang his hat on the lamp and he climbed in and we did just that. I told him about my friend Anna whose dad was a fire fighter. We talked about how brave he must have been fighting fires and helping people and pretty soon we were both asleep.

The visit to the fire station later that morning with my mom's group was so much fun. The guys at the fire station were incredibly kind and patient and fun. I was so happy for Sam and Amelia to get such a great introduction to a profession! Sam is convinced that he wants to be a firefighter when he grows up and rescue heroes are the new thing in the Hunt house. Move over trains! Books and videos about fire trucks, make believe fires and emergency situations, and even their first action figures (a fire fighter and forest ranger that Mammy got them from Kid to Kid) are taking over! In fact, I put all of the beloved Thomas trains and tracks in their big basket and put them in the storage room as they have been out of the "played with" circuit for a while now:/ We'll see if they make a come back.

Anyway, just want to remember this transition in Sammy's life. I love watching his excitement and interest in animals, bugs, gardening, sea creatures, mountains, trains, music, construction and now rescue vehicles and people. He really digs in deep when he finds something that peaks his interest. There is so much to dig into in this world, isn't there? It's a gift to see it through Sammy's eyes.

All for now, though I have so much more to catch up on! Ah well, one post at a time:) Jen

Sweet family...

2011-08-03T20:19:00.001-07:00

So much to catch up on! Jim and Shari were here for two weeks and their visit came and went like light speed. We are so used to them getting to stay for a couple of months, that a couple of weeks was just not enough! We are thankful for the visit though and that they got to spend time with Sam and Amelia before baby arrives:)

The day after they left, my little brother and family got here for a short visit. SO fun! I was feeling so tired the day they were coming, thinking how much I wanted to get done before they arrived and how frustrated I can become with this tired, pregnant body! Then when I saw them I realized how silly that is. It's my brother! and his sweet family! They don't care if the house if perfect, etc. etc.

Don't want to spend much time online tonight, but here are a few pictures of today.

The kids reunited at 7 this morning and played all. day. long. Echo and Sam, especially, cooked up all kinds of plans. They made "kitty food juice" (ewww), built a house, planted a garden, painted, washed the car, and on and on. Basically, Echo made the plans and Sam followed her instructions on how to implement them:) Amelia just does her own thing and joins in when she pleases. Sam and Vera have a very similar relationship and pretty much constantly stick together when they have a chance. Anyway, I just think watching their dynamics is so interesting!

Hopefully I'll be back soon with some more updates. So many things I want to record here like things the kids have said, pregnancy thoughts, etc! Jen

Cookies with Grandma....

2011-07-23T19:44:00.000-07:00

High on Amelia's list of things to do with her gma and gpa Hunt when they next visited was to make chocolate chip cookies:) So they are finally here! The daily countdown has ended and the fun has begun. And, at long last, cookies were made and greatly enjoyed by all.

So thankful for in laws that I love dearly and that the kids just adore! Jen

"TV is relaxing..."

2011-07-13T17:36:00.001-07:00

This post from Teacher Tom (one of my favorite blogs ever) is such a good reminder for me. Not just for the kids sake, but for MY SAKE.

Just thought I'd pass it along:) Jen

Making ordinary days special...

2011-07-12T13:42:00.000-07:00

The other day my mom decided to do a "fairy breakfast" for Sam and Amelia. For no reason at all. It's these types of things that made me feel special growing up. I think it helped me know that mom not only loved us, but she liked being a mama. It brought her joy, it was fun, there were a million ways she could use her creativity. Of course, I couldn't vocalize this as a child, but I think I internalized it for sure.

Her special fairy breakfast of green smoothies and monkey bread with little homemade wands didn't cost anything (or much) but it was beautiful and thoughtful and no doubt full of love. And I know Sam and Amelia felt that. Kids need to know they are valued. How could Sam and Amelia walk out on the porch and look down at that table set so beautifully, just for them, and not feel valued? Oh, they did. You could see it in the light in their eyes.

Not by being showered with stuff (as Joel often reminds me), or by being taken to event after event, but by us enjoying them and finding ways to enjoy our days with them. They know. They sense our contentment or our restlessness. The other night Joel was camping with the kids and in the middle of the night Sam woke him up and said, "Dad? I really love you." and then went back to sleep. Sam feels so loved when Joel spends that time with them and him feeling loved often shows itself by him telling us he loves us. That he did it in the middle of the night is just so precious though, and another plug for co-sleeping (hee hee).

I knew, without a shadow of a doubt I knew, that my mom loved being with her children and loves it still. That's an enormous gift she gave to us. And that's why I want to strive to have a home where love is evident and intentional and poured out daily. So many days I feel like I fail at this. Mom helps me see though, that it can happen in little ways and big. I love that.

Here's to mamas and dads, not perfect and not pretending that parenting is easy or always a barrel of laughs, but finding moments in our days to let our children know they are cherished and that we are thankful for the gift of being their mama or daddy (or Mammy or grandma or grandpa or what have you:).

All for now,

Jen

Strawberry fields forever....

2011-07-01T17:46:00.000-07:00

Yay for strawberry picking! We got in on one of the last days of picking at this farm and I was so, so glad. We were all SO excited to go to a new farm and to be out in the country! It was sunny and hot so we stayed about an hour and a half I think and headed out when our water was low and sweat was starting to drip. It was so much fun though, I always love for Sam and Amelia to get to see where food really comes from. True to form, Sam loved the actual work of picking and Amelia picked for a few minutes and then looked for bugs and pretended she was a mama kitty protecting her babies (?) . It was fun picking and chatting with Anne while my mama played with the older kids and took pictures.

It will be good to have some pictures of me pregnant with our little Jubilee (Yes, Jubilee Rose is our baby girl's name unless we meet her and decide differently:). I have been soooo terrible about wanting to have pictures taken of myself since I gained weight after the babes weaned and the twin breast feeding diet was no longer. But, how sad for them to look back and not have pictures with their mama, right?! So, I either need to do something about it, or stop whining and just accept it! Whew, tangent over.

So, yay for strawberry fields and dirt and sweat and friends and baby bellies and a celebrated new wee one to come named Jubilee. It all makes for a happy, summer day.

Jen

"There is no frigate like a book to take us lands away..."

2011-06-30T20:16:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling so grateful lately for books, and for how much Sam and Amelia love to sit and listen to me read them. During the first trimester of this pregnancy, and now the third, it is one thing I know I can do with them when I frankly have little energy to do anything else.
Honestly, books have always been my "go to" activity with them. Everyone grumpy and don't know what to do? Read a story. Snowy day and don't want to feel guilty about putting in another Thomas or Little Bear? Pull out the book basket. Hot day but shady under the cherry tree? Grab some favorites and settle into the shade.
But it has felt more special lately. Maybe because I love the feeling of their little bodies curled next to mine and another babe in my tummy. Maybe it's because we have been reading "Little House in the Big Woods", their first chapter book, and they love it and that makes me so very, very happy. Maybe it's because I know this chapter of our lives, of just me and them together most all of the time, is going to be closing very soon and so I cherish those quiet moments more. A combination of all of those reasons I guess.
I have a feeling as the next ten weeks passes, there will be even more snuggle time on the couch, with my feet up and those two snuggled at my side. We pulled out some summer favorites and I love falling in love with them all over again. " Mama, is it summer yet?" is a fun one, shown here by our "nature table":)

"Peter in Blueberry Land" is soooooo wonderful, I just want to eat it up and "Blueberries for Sal" is a favorite as well. Along with these we have been reading a lot about sharks and ocean creatures, which is Sam's passion and today mom read to them from "The Complete Book of Flower Faries" by Mary Cicely and said they just loved it. She is in the process of creating a fairy garden with them and they are so into it. Then, like I mentioned, we are reading the first in the Little House series. My friend Anne and I have always said how disappointed we would be if our kids didn't love the Little House series as much as we did....it's one of those things you can't expect them to enjoy but you hope and hope. So, hurray! What a joy that they want to sit and listen about Laura and Mary and Pa and Ma and all of the adventures of living in the big woods. Amelia wants to wear long dresses like the girls, Sam thinks calling me "Ma" is hysterical, and they can't get enough of the stories about Bears! and Panthers! and baby pigs-awwwww:) In fact, we haven't been able to finish the first book because they keep wanting to go back and read their favorite stories again. I think we just read the chapter about two misadventures with bears for the fourth time! But that's okay:)
Anyway, this has just been on my mind a lot and so I wanted to write it down and remember. This cozy, tiring time of pregnancy. These special times with Sam and Amelia. The joy of being in Blueberry Land and the Big Woods and tidepools, all in one afternoon. Emily Dickenson was so right when she she said, "There is no frigate like a book to take us lands away...."
All for now,
Jen

She jumped right in.

2011-06-28T20:19:00.000-07:00

When one of my favorite play based learning blogs informed me that today was "International Mud Day", I knew that we needed to celebrate!:) We love mud around here. Especially Amelia. So, no surprise that once I filled the sand box with water, she jumped right in! She squished her feet in it (as did I, it felt so cool and good), she rubbed it all over herself, she even found two snails, a rolly polly, and multiple daddy long legs. Sam was having a "water freaks me out day" (you just never know), so he mostly observed with me. I told them all about how when I was little and it rained there would be a HUGE puddle in our front yard under the pecan tree and how my dad and brothers and I would run and slide into it and be so muddy that you can only see our eyes:) They thought that was pretty great. I'm so thankful to have grown up in the country, where mud and fields and rocks and hay bales and old cow pens and woods were part of our daily existence.

After the splashing had subsided, my dreamy boy greatly enjoyed finding all kinds of sea creatures in the clouds:)

A lovely hour spent outside before bath and dinner and bedtime arrived:)
All for now, Jen

Ice cream and lemonade...happy Summer Solstice!

2011-06-23T13:52:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the official start of summer, we ate ice cream and made lemonade.Mmmmm mmmmm.

Well, the ice cream was actually celebrating that we found Mom's glasses,and was a day earlier than the summer solstice, but who needs an excuse?:) Not this pregnant mama, I'll tell you that. It was delicious! Thanks for the special treat Mammy!

Then, on the official day, we used my mom's friend Barb's idea and had the kids squeeze their own lemon juice, mix it with sugar, stir and drink out of the lemon cup...a little sour, but so much fun!
Amelia and Vera working hard.

Sam testing his lemonade creation:)

Happy Summer to you!
Jen

28 weeks.

2011-06-20T17:32:00.000-07:00

Today starts the 28th week of this pregnancy. I have had more anxiety than I thought I would leading up to this week. During my pregnancy with Sam and Amelia my water broke during my 28th week and they were born on Day 1 of my 29th week. It was such a surprising, scary, almost numbing time and something I hope never to experience again. You can read ALL about it here in the archives if you wish:)

Anyway, I had a visit with my midwife on Thursday and I was just so weepy all day. I couldn't figure out why (once again, thank you to my mama who took over when I just broke down in the middle of the kitchen for no apparent reason and couldn't seem to pull it back together), but I think it just boiled down to fear. Fear and just wanting so badly for everything to be okay this time.

Now that we are actually here at 28 weeks, though, I feel pretty peaceful. Peaceful and thankful for each day that this baby girl gets to stay inside of me and grow and develop.

So, no break through or anything to write about. I just wanted to write these thoughts down. Remember how I feel. Express thankfulness again for the healthy little ones sleeping in the room next to me and for this babe--such an unexpected and wonderful surprise of a baby.

I know there will probably be more days of weepiness to come, but I hope that for the most part thankfulness continues to rule the day.

Jen

His influence...

2011-06-19T18:54:00.000-07:00

Today on my car run to get Joel a special coffee and breakfast sandwich, I heard a blip of a sermon about Father's Day. It was an admonition to men about the influence they have/don't have on their children. That if they aren't having an influence on their children, someone or something (media, culture, etc.) will. It was really, really good and really, really made me thankful for Joel's influence on Sam and Amelia. It didn't take me long at all to come up with many ways I know he has an impact on their little beings. An impact that will last forever.

Just one example is that in a time in our culture where so many of us tune out of living and tune into TV, video games, and other time suckers, Joel has pretty much none of that. He spends his free time on life and people and reading and such and it's something I love that Sam and Amelia get to see and experience. He will jump on his bike, put them in the Chariot and head off on an adventure at the drop of a hat and he has been that way throughout their whole life. He doesn't balk at living life with them. Taking them on outings, doing his chores with them, sharing sleep with them--he lives his life and he lives it integrating them into it instead of treating them as inconveniences. Oh, I love that.

He also takes the time to read their Bible to them and pray with them. They are reading through it for the 2nd or 3rd time now, and I cherish that they hear about the love of God from their daddy. Because Joel will disappoint them one day. They will grow up and learn that his love for them is imperfect, that he struggles and fails just like we all do. But the love of God is perfect and right and will not leave them or forsake them. It's the most precious gift he is giving them, the knowledge of a perfect Father that loves them fully.

These are the days to reach the hearts of our children and I'm so thankful that Joel is taking that honor and responsibility seriously. Of course, Sam and Amelia feel that love, and it was so precious to see how excited they were to celebrate Father's Day today.

They drew many, many pictures yesterday in preparation, watercolor painted frames for him, answered questions about him for a little survey we gave him, and were just beside themselves to give him all of their surprises:) In fact, poor Joel, Amelia woke up at 5:30am and urged him to get up to see them all. When she didn't have any luck she sang him songs and told him stories until she came to wake the rest of the house up (Sam and I were blissfully asleep in the guest room, where I will probably be stationed until after baby comes because I sleep so much better on that mattress while pregnant).

Anyway, after giving him some more time to sleep we finally burst into the room singing "Happy Father's Day to you, Happy Father's day to you..." Sam just kept handing him things as fast as he could and Amelia was bouncing all over the bed in excitement, and then stopping to give Joel big kisses and hugs and then bouncing some more. It was such a funny, precious scene. Joel reading all of his cards while Sam snuck bites of his daddy's special breakfast , Amelia just beside herself, Joel so sleepy from a late night and early morning, me trying to not cry over all of the sweetness. Yep, it was pretty simple and pretty great.

Thanks to my mama for helping me with the crafts (she is our official craft director:) and for spending time with the babes this afternoon so I could take Joel on a little shopping trip to REI, where we laughed at the prices but had fun and found a great shirt for him on clearance:)

Happy Father's day to my love, and of course to my Dad, and my brothers too! It truly is such an important role you have, no matter how old your children may be. Lots and lots of love on this special day, Jen

Oh, and here are their little Father's Day surveys (I found them on the blog, Simply Montessori). Oh my.

Summer love...

2011-06-17T19:49:00.000-07:00

Finally, the sunshine has officially arrived! It is so much fun to fill our days with outdoor outings, back yard picnics, and watermelon galore. I love coming inside during the "heat" of the day to rest and then seeing them head back out in the evening with Joel to water the plants and get some last minutes of play in. It's just good for my soul. Even just looking outside and seeing sun shining and roses blooming and cherries ripening, it's enough to make my heart glad.

Amelia was literally shaking when she burst inside to announce that our first rose had bloomed. It is still a highlight of their day to go out with Mammy to help her pick the roses. I love, love, love having mason jars of fresh cut roses all over the house.

Outdoor outings like Red Butte Garden...playing in the fountains, climbing through the tunnels, chasing dragonflies, making "secret hideouts" out of ivy houses, playing in the sand pit...our love for that place just grows!

The zoo had this great dinosaur exhibit with life size dinos that made noise and moved and some that spit water! The kids were a little unsure (they were HUGE) but after I assured them that they were not real they were pretty fascinated:)

Our own back yard is pretty great these days as well, especially with a Mammy here who loves to do things with the kids like hula hoop and make jewelry and take them for a walk around the neighborhood:)

Of course, there is fun to be had inside as well...painting and coloring and making brownies with mama, and studying bugs with Mammy.

It's just a fun season, isn't it? I mean, of course there are bugaboos like later bedtimes and grumpy mornings, adjusting to a new rhythm, etc. but for the most part I just love it. I want to gobble it up while I can. My third trimester starts on Monday and I imagine my body will be slowing down and so I just want declare how thankful I have been for the 2nd trimester energy that finally kicked in. This is such a short time before baby comes and a season ends, the season of the four of us, you know? Anyway, more about all of that soon. Hope you are enjoying your days!! Jenny

Oh Amelia.

2011-06-11T21:40:00.000-07:00

She was having a super hard time going to sleep tonight because, "no humans (aka: mama, daddy, or mammy)wanted to snuggle with her." There was much crying and carrying on. She was on the verge of being in trouble when she came into my room and I thought, "What the heck, Jenny, just try something fun." So I said, "I think you just may need a bite of mama's ice cream to make you brave." She ate a bite, walked back to her bed, curled up and went to sleep without a peep. I think I may have shocked her into submission! :):)

The farm...

2011-06-06T18:12:00.001-07:00

We visited Wheeler Farm for the first time this season (I feel like we skipped Spring and went right to Summer!) and it was wonderful as ever. We went with some mamas and kids from my mom's group and it was so much fun to see all of the kids exploring together while the mamas chatted. At one point the kids were making a bird's nest for the birds for mother's day (or something like that:) --so great! I look forward to many more outdoor adventures all summer long (or, at least until this pregnant mama hits her adventure threshhold!)

This bunny was on the edge of the farm as we entered and was still there three hours later when we left. He did not look wild at all, so we think he escaped from his cage. The kids were thrilled that he was eating the "cabbage" they were feeding him (hope his tummy was okay!:). I called the farm office to make sure they knew he was out.

Hope you are enjoying the sunshine too! Jen

Yellowstone.

2011-06-04T17:14:00.000-07:00

So, for Memorial Day weekend we decided to take a trip to Yellowstone. Joel and I had been once before and we thought it would be so great for the kids to experience it. Though we did have a good time, the weather was pretty terrible;/ Rainy and snowy most all of the three days we were there. Sigh. Dare I admit that I cried as we drove into the park? The kids were so excited about everything and I was just thinking, "You can't even see anything because of all of the stupid snow!! I want you to be able to throw rocks in the river and hike in the forest, etc." I was just super disappointed and so ready for some sunshine. Thankfully, the rest of the family are such troopers.

Joel always looks at the best of things when we are traveling and just loves it for the adventure. At one point we had driven what seemed like forever to get to Mammoth Hot Springs, the kids were tired and crying because he had told them they couldn't have suckers at the store we had just stopped in. I mean really, really crying. It was raining and cold and I would have totally just given up on the plan to see the springs, but Joel was like, "Come on guys, this is going to be great!" and just starts getting them out of their car seats screaming and crying like nothing was going on! Ha. Thankfully it was fun, but we didn't push them any further after that:)

Anyway, it was fun just being together and we did have some sunshine. Sam and Amelia are such great little travelers and I love watching them create fun no matter the weather--something I could really learn from:) Here are some pictures for ya...
We got to see Old Faithful...so amazing! Loved hearing all of the international accents around us as we waited.

Joel read the kids a book called " Who poops in the park? " or something like that and the next day they were on the constant look out for poop. I could tell people would wander over to see what all the commotion was about ("DAD!! LOOK!!LOOOOK!!") and it was so funny to see how they just kind of veered away when they saw that the commotion was over buffalo poop:)

All of the hot springs are fascinating....the whole place is just a wonder. I am joining Joel in being such a big fan of National Park vacations. Though I was dismayed that the first display I saw when walking into a shop in the park was an "I'm a pink park princess" display with pink crowned teddy bears and such (WHAT?!) , for the most part the focus is on animals (we saw lots and lots of Buffalo and their calves, elk, a bald eagle, and pikas (we think) , natural beauty and the wonder of the surroundings.
I'm looking very forward to going back next year, only this time we will make sure winter is long gone before we arrive:)
All for now, Jen

Desert playground.

2011-05-22T20:36:00.000-07:00

Joel took the babes on an adventure this weekend. Poor guy, it started out as a mis-adventure as they got to Moab and there were literally no campsites available, Sam got lost in the grocery store, and our debit card was apparently cancelled (due to an incident at Michael's where a bunch of card numbers were downloaded and stolen, ours being one of them:/)....anyway, it was a rough start.

But one thing I love about Joel, my dear husband of twelve years today, is that he presses on. And so they did and they had a wonderful time! They ended up at Goblin Valley where Sam and Amelia just went nuts exploring and jumping and climbing and chasing lizards.

These pictures just fill me with joy. I love seeing them enjoying nature. Like almost nothing else in the world do I love it. Of course, Joel is the perfect dad for little nature lovers and it makes me love him even more to watch as he takes them out to experience the beauty of this earth.

Meanwhile, this mama was at home taking full advantage of an empty house to get some projects done that had been put off for too long. A "working vacation" if you will:)

We all had a fabulous time and are happy to be at home together again, safe and sound.

All for now, Jen

P.S. Yes, for those paying attention, Amelia has been wearing that outfit for, oh, about 4 days:) You'll be glad to know she is now bathed and in clean PJs!

Sometimes, you just have to follow their lead.

2011-05-20T20:09:00.000-07:00

Tonight we had no certain plans after Joel got off of work, but knew we wanted to be together as a family as tomorrow he and the kids are heading off on an overnight camping trip and this mama is going to miss them!

So, when Sam suggested we go look for snails Amelia knew just the place (she has a memory that amazes me!) and it happens to be close to yummy food places too. So, we followed their lead tonight and had such a great time.

It started with a rousing snail hunt around hidden hollow and ended with blue ice cream at Maggie Moos--pretty delightful with smiles all the way around. Here are some pictures on the trail--we found many, many snails for him to put in his jar overnight and let out at the park in the morning:)

All for now, Jen

The Caterpillar.

2011-05-17T20:08:00.000-07:00

Brown and furry

Caterpillar in a hurry;

Take your walk

To the shady leaf or stalk.

May no toad spy you,

May the little birds pass by you;

Spin and die,

To live again a butterfly.

-Cristina G. Rossetti

Sam and Amelia's friends and family know them so well and gave them such perfect birthday gifts! Our friends the McKinney's gave them a butterfly garden and we had such a great experience with it! In fact, I don't know who found it more facinating, me or the kids!

You get to watch teeny caterpillars grow and grow, watch as they hang and harden into a chrysalis and then see the Painted Lady butterflies emerge! The whole process took about two and a half weeks I think.

When the butterflies emerged I assumed the kids might get to hold them for a second or two before they flew away, but the butterflies stayed on their fingers forever! Enough time for friends to get to hold them (hard as it proved to be to share the holding privledge--goodness), and I think Sam held one for over an hour before returning it to the butterfly house. Anyway, all five butterflies made it out alive into the air, even after one apparently was sat on by Amelia, and for that I was very thankful.

Are you ready for some pictures, because I took lots:) The first are of a book I highly recommend from the "Let's Read and Find Out" series. I love that series and always keep my eyes out for them while thrifting (and have found several)! We read it several times throughout the process and Sam loved getting to read it while holding one of the butterflies!

Next up will be the worm observatory from their Auntie Shanyn and family:) We're excited!
All for now, Jen

2011-05-09T19:22:00.000-07:00

I walked into the bedroom this morning and this is what I found. Could they be any cuter? Joel had the morning off and he was really trying to finish the book he has been reading. He said that Amelia insisted she wanted to read "grown up books too" and so they had some reading time together. When I came in she was reading "Simplicity Parenting", though said she "decided to turn the words into a song" and so as she traced her little fingers along the words she sang "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." AHHHH! Cutest thing ever.
That's all. There are many more "moments" I need to catch up on, but zzzzzzzzzzzzz, I'm still just too tired in the evenings! Hopefully more soon! Jen

Wandering...

2011-04-27T17:08:00.000-07:00

Today we woke up to sunshine, and I knew it was time for an adventure. Yesterday was snowy and wet for most of the day and I was just itching to be outside. So, I gave the kids some options ( the gardens, the farm, or the park). They chose Red Butte Gardens and so off we went! Well, it was actually pretty slow going getting out the door this morning.

For example, as I was trying to round them up to get dressed, Sam came up from the basement with his shirt stuffed full of "babies". He asked me to tell him if his baby was a boy or a girl:) As it turned out he gave birth to two octopus, a guitar, and a sea turtle! Three boys, one girl. I mean, how can you rush things like that?! Haha.

So, we made it out the door and drove through Subway to pick up lazy picnic food. Had a great picnic and decided to walk down to the pond. Got distracted by a field and ended up on this wonderful series of trails that I had never seen. We got to walk through the forest at the gardens-what a surprise! We walked and walked, this being our first Spring "hike". I just love walking through the trees with them. I mean really, it's one of my favorite things in the world to do. To hear all of their commentary and questions, to breathe the fresh air and get exercise together, to see the wonder of nature through their eyes. Love it. While we were walking, Sammy tripped and scraped his knee. He let out a cry and then quickly followed it with ,"Shhhh, look at that!" I got down to his level (still on the ground from falling) and tried to see what he had spied. It took me a moment but right at his eye level was a moth or butterfly that blended in exactly with the shade of the twig it had landed on. I still don't know how he saw it!

Another moment I loved was when I let them run a bit ahead of me. When I caught up with them Amelia was laying on the ground on her tummy and Sam was kneeling beside her. She said, "I fell." I said, "I'm sorry, did Sam come over to help you though?That is so sweet Sammy!" She said, " No, he thought I saw something great and came to see it too." Oh my, that made me laugh! They were just there talking when I walked up.

Oh anyway, I treasure days like today. Though we were all tired afterward and the evening culminated in quite a dramatic dual meltdown (several days in a row of naps have been missed and I think it all caught up with them), it was so refreshing to be in nature together again (I know snow is nature but...) and to feel the sunshine on our faces. I look forward to many more Spring and Summer hikes to come!

Time for this mama to go to bed early ...the kids were conked out by 6:10pm:) Jen

2011-04-25T18:09:00.000-07:00

On the way to our early morning ultrasound today, Sam was singing "I see the moon, the moon sees me, God bless the moon and God bless me." It wasn't that early, and I'm not sure why he had that song on his mind. After a few rounds he stopped singing and asked in that sweet voice of his, "Mom, does Jesus always bless us?" After looking at Joel like, "Where do they come up with this stuff?" I answered, "Well, the Bible says that every good thing comes from the Lord..." and Sam followed that with "and blessings are good things." "Yes they are Sammy." ( Don't judge if you have a more theologically sound answer. It was early. He is a newly four year old that can't wait until I get all of my thoughts together:)

I must have had that on my heart, though, because as the ultrasound began and I heard the first "Well, the spleen looks good" or something of that nature, I prayed, " Lord, I give you thanks for every good thing that we hear about this babe. Please give me grace to deal anything we hear that may be not good news. " I went into the ultrasound a bit fearful. Or mindful I guess of all that can not go "normally" with a pregnancy.

Though we found out that our baby GIRL (a big surprise to all but Amelia, who knew it was a girl from the beginning:) looks great so far as does the positioning of the placenta for a VBAC , etc. , I know that for many these mid-point ultrasounds are not so joyous as they find out really tough news. Gosh, I know many, many, many don't even have the chance to get an ultrasound because of infertility, etc. I know. Deep in my gut I know. I have felt the pain of infertility, I have dealt with the fear of having very sick babies.

Hard stuff comes. Life shaking moments. I guess I'm just saying that eventually I want Sam to know that though I believe with all of my heart that God loves to fill our life with blessings and good things, this is a broken world. There is pain. There are surprises that seem like they could never turn out happy. But God is there too. He would have been with us in that ultrasound room if the news had been devastating today. He would have been there to comfort our breaking hearts, to start His work of making beauty from ashes. It is in both the beautiful moments and the despairing ones that we can see His hand prints in our lives.

So, there you go Sammy. I hope you see in your mama's and daddy's life that we trust and love and believe God when it seems as though the blessings are pouring from the sky, but also when it seems there are no bright spots to be found.

For tonight, Joel and I are giving thanks for the beautiful moment of seeing our baby girl, sitting and watching with her wide eyed brother and sister and her Mammy as she wiggled around on the screen in front of us. Amazing. Spectacular really. I don't want to take that for granted for a moment. Thank you for the reminder Sam, to be thankful for every good thing in our life (especially a good God who is with us all of the time.)

All for now, Jen

Birthday fun: round 2!

2011-04-23T14:30:00.000-07:00

Today was the babes 4th birthday party at the Gardens. Mmm, I just love that place. It felt sort of like a cop out to not do a "home-made party" at the house, but I'm so glad we chose the worm party! The party was in the Sprout House, which is the education center in the Children's Garden. It always feels so earthy and ferny in there, and today was no different. The kids got to paint pots, learn about composting and observe (and hold) the worms out of the composter, search for toy worms in the snake tunnel outside, and plant Thyme. Whew! It was an action packed hour:) Then it was on to cake. I must say, the first time I saw a dirt cake was at a wedding shower I had. I seriously thought it was the greatest thing EVER! I was so excited to make these for Sam and Amelia's party. Presents were so generously given and Amelia cracked us up by not letting go of her bag of presents for ANYTHING. It was so heavy but she would not put it down. Oh my. I think Sam was overwhelmed a bit by the whole thing, but not nearly as much as he was last year and for that I'm so thankful. He had a blast playing outside with friends after the inside festivities were over.

So, now we are home, feeling pooped out but happy and not nearly as pooped out as we would if we would have had the party here! So thankful for sweet little friends, and their mamas and daddies too.

Happy 4th Birthday to my little garden lovers, I think it is going to be a great year!! Mama

Looking forward, looking back: Pregnancy

2011-04-22T17:34:00.000-07:00

As I look forward to this new babe arriving into our life, I can't help but look back as well. I have spent a lot of time reflecting on my pregnancy with Sam and Amelia, their infancy, their toddlerhood....all of the things we are about to experience again, only this time with one baby (plus two four year olds) instead of two babies. Here are some of the thoughts that have been floating around:

The pregnancies.

They have been very, very different. I'll sum it up by saying that this one has been much, much more taxing. I feel like I spent the first trimester deep in a cave and I am just starting to emerge (at almost 20 weeks!). Tired to the bone, nausea ( I threw up once with the twins, and I just stopped counting with this one), more tiredness, quick weight gain (on top of starting our WAY heavier than I did the first go round:/ ). Just all the way around different. Let me just say, THANK THE LORD my mom was here! Really, truly, it would have been not pretty, to say the least! Thank you mom!!

Of course, there are sweet differences too. I have a precious little girl who wants to kiss my tummy and who blurts out things like, "Oh, I just LOVE your baby! I just can't wait for her to come out! I am going to give her a big,big,big kiss and a hug and wear her in a sling and let her sleep with me, and feed her. I am going to yell ' Go mama go!' when you are pushing your baby out. Is it time for her to come out yet? Maybe you should name her Heysha-la. " and on and on. I have a precious little boy who tells me all the things he is going to teach the baby. I have a husband who is notably not in the thick of PA school and because of that is much more excited about the pregnancy and addition to our family than he was the last go round.

A lot of people have asked if I am anxious about this birth/ pregnancy because of how the last one went. I have to say that even though I have moments of anxiousness to be sure, I have to say that overall I am just much more calm inside about everything this time. Maybe because I experienced a pretty traumatic birth and first few months of being a mama and saw how God's grace and lots of attachment principles helped to heal our little family. I saw that you can only plan and hope towards a certain type of birth so much and then the rest is just out of your hands, etc. . Maybe I just don't have time to dwell on it like I did last time? I don't know. But I'm thankful to be in this state. I am reading ONE book on birth this go round (Birth Matters by Ina May Gaskin), not 5 and I think this is a good thing:)

All in all, I guess I have been thinking about how pregnancy is humbling (as is mothering, for that matter) and this one in particular has been. I have never claimed to be a high energy person, but this has taken it to another level. My ideal would be for people to ask how I am feeling and for me to say, "So great! I love every single day of this pregnancy! I've been a little tired but overall it's been a breeze. Gotta run, I'm going to walk five miles before making dinner for friends and family:)." Yeah, not so much.

Anyway, I don't want to be Debbie Downer or anything, I just wanted to give an honest assessment of the past few months and give major thanks to the Lord for His provision in sending my mama and giving me a compassionate and helpful husband:)

Spring is here and I'm feeling better and more energetic, so I'm very hopeful for these next few months. Productivity here I come! :)

Jen

Here we all are at 18 1/2 weeks

Wish I could bottle it up...

2011-04-16T08:34:00.000-07:00

Their fourth birthday was such a joy! I wish I could just bottle up every moment and remember it, especially when they first woke up. Blogging about it is about as close as I'll get I guess:)

It had been a rough night for Amelia before their birthday morning. Her bad cough kept waking her up and she and Joel spent most of the night in the guest room, neither getting much sleep. So anyway, Sam woke up first. He was in our bed with me and turned toward me with a big grin as soon as his eyes opened. I thought he must remember that it was his birthday, but instead he said, "Mom, where do box turtles hide when there is danger?" I laughed and said, " Inside their shells?" "Yep" he answered, still smiling from ear to ear. Perfect first words of his fourth year-haha. So I said, "Sam, do you know that today is your birthday?" He was SO excited. He said all sorts of wonderful things like, "I'm FOUR. I'm SO STRONG! I have to tell MENA!"

He ran and found her in the guest room and yelled, "MENA, we are FOUR. Today is our birthday!!!" In true Amelia fashion she popped straight up from a dead sleep. She was standing in the bed in just her underwear and yelled, "Look how tall I am Sam!!" Seriously, it was the cutest thing I have ever seen.

Poor Joel, he had to go to work and since they woke up a bit later he missed it all:/ We did face time with him when we went downstairs to their "pancake party". Mom and I had decorated the night before and she came up and was greeted with shouts from Sam about how strong he was. They opened presents (the favorites being Mammy's gifts of a car transporter truck for Sam and a horse trailer pulling truck for Melia ), went crazy with silly string and ate pancakes with whipped cream. It was so much fun. Well, poor Amelia was so sleepy and a bit out of it most of the day but Sam was in fine form.

We had decided to take them to the zoo since we never go (this was their third time I think). We met Anne, Vera and Eden there and had a great time. Thank goodness I thought to bring the stroller for Amelia because she was pooped. I was so glad Vera was there to run and shout with Sam over all of the animals.

Anyway, I think what made it so special was comparing it to last years party. Sam was just completely overwhelmed with all of their friends being there and had meltdown after meltdown (meanwhile Amelia was in friend heaven). It was SO wonderful to see Sam have such a special day--he was happy and excited from the moment he woke up to the moment he went to sleep.

Don't you worry about Amelia--she will have her day too! We have a little party planned for them at our favorite place (Red Butte Garden) coming up and I know she will revel in having her friends there. They are having a worm themed garden party and Sam is really excited too, so hopefully it will be fun for both of them!

All in all, it was a wonderful day and I'm so very thankful for my two sweet four year olds!

Jen

P.S. I have more pictures, I just need to get them off of my phone. Soon, soon:)

2011-04-10T21:44:00.000-07:00

We loved seeing you sleep side by side as little babes...

and we love it still...

This last one was taken today by your daddy of your last nap as three year olds. Sniff, sniff. Oh how we love you, Mama

The land of silliness...

2011-04-09T16:04:00.000-07:00

On the way home from eating dinner out last night (BBQ...mmmm), I recognized that Sam and Amelia are entering a new phase of silliness. The kind of "funny" that goes something like this:

Sam sings in the back seat: "I am a screw and I have legs (HAHAHAHAHA, laugh he and Amelia), I am a screw and I have eyes (HAHAHAHAHA), I am a house with a tree coming out of it (HAHAHAHHAHAH), I am a car with a back and and a neck (HAHAHHOOHOOHAHAHA)!!!!!!!

Meanwhile Joel and sit in the front, laughing only at how funny they think these jokes are and thankful they have each other to experience this silliness with:)

Yes, folks, I think four is going to be a very silly year indeed!
Here are some pictures from this morning that Amelia requested we take (darn this weather--GO AWAY snow!)...

Okay, that last one was from 2007 but I just had to include it since this is birthday reminiscing time:) Jen

How can it be?

2011-04-07T08:53:00.000-07:00

How can it be that on Monday these little precious babes will turn FOUR years old? More birthday posts to come for sure, Jen

A tale of two friendships, part 2.

2011-04-02T17:38:00.000-07:00

I hope you enjoyed the tale of Sammy and his friends Hershey Bar and Jewelry. The friendships are still going strong and daily we hear new tidbits (today Jewelry saw a flying cow! She also taught Sam how to make cake out of macaroni. Amelia thought that sounded yucky but Sam assures us it is really good:) .
Anyway, today I would like to introduce you to Amelia's sock monkey, Harry.
Now, Harry was actually supposed to be for Joel. That's right. See, Joel has always told me that he dreamed of having a sock monkey as a child and so when I saw Harry at a thrift store on vacation, I grabbed him. As soon as Amelia saw him though, she was in love. Which is funny, because Amelia is never really too attached to toys or things. She has one doll (Baby Black) who she has professed her love towards for longer than one day and a giraffe that she has loved since she was a babe, but usually Sam directs the play and she just goes along with it (trucks? sure. sandbox? ok. sea creatures? fine. etc.) Anyway, she was so cute because she would say over and over as she clutched Harry, " I love your monkey dad. I really, really love him." I've never heard her be so verbally affectionate about a toy. She took him sledding, hiking, to Mesa Verde, to Arches National Park. Everywhere we went on our road trip, she took him. Finally she said to Joel, " I know he is your monkey dad, but can I just call him mine?"

Here they are doing yoga together. Just kidding. We aren't sure what they were doing, but isn't it hysterical?:)

While in Moab we were eating breakfast one morning, I realized Harry was missing one of his arms (which was present when we bought him)! Amelia hadn't noticed and so we decided not to tell her until we saw if it turned up somewhere. Sure enough, when we got back to the hotel, there it was on the bed. I grabbed it and put it in a bag to take home and have mom sew it back on. While we were loading the car though, Amelia saw it in the bag and when she put two and two together she burst into tears and didn't stop crying for thirty minutes! It was quite tragic, though I wouldn't be telling the whole story if I didn't admit that I could not force myself to stop laughing. Oh gosh, it was so funny and sad at the same time. Anyway, she recovered but here she is not long after the revelation :(

Now that Harry is home, he is just one of the crew and not as prized for sure. But she does still love to snuggle with him at bedtime and I do think he will always have a special place in all of our hearts for sure.

So, there ya go. One of the few tales you will hear about Amelia and a prized possession. People are her everything, but this monkey, he found his way into her heart and it was an adorable pair to be sure.
All for now, Jen

A tale of two friendships, part 1.

2011-03-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

I have been meaning to sit down and write about Sam and his friend for quite a while now. He started talking about his friend Hershey Bar matter of factly months ago. It took us quite a while to figure out that, duh, Hershey Bar is Sammy's imaginary friend! It just took us by surprise because, for one, it was so out of the blue. One day Hershey Bar was just, there. Well, he lives in the forest. He also dies a lot and goes to heaven to see Jesus but he always comes back to the forest. Sam just throws things out about him when we least expect it. That boy has an imagination that I can't even believe. Here is what we have heard about him so far:

* He is a monster, but really kind.

* He loves everyone in our family.

* He is bigger than Daddy.

* He has a sister named Australia and a brother named John.

* His mouth is on his back, which Sam finds really, really funny.

* He helps people often.

* He and Sam go on all kinds of adventures--scuba diving, hiking, etc.

Oh gosh, there is SO much more. I have no idea where the name Hershey Bar came from, the whole thing is such a mystery to me. Sam finds such joy in telling long and super creative stories, and I guess in the magic of his mind Hershey bar was created! I think also, Sam isn't a huge people person and so an imaginary friend is just perfect for him. I don't think Amelia would ever create such a thing because her "real life" friends meet that social need and someone who she couldn't "really" talk with would never do.

Since then there has been a new imaginary friend added to the mix. Her name is Jewelry. She lives in Africa and can often be found riding on a school bus. That is all I can remember about her for the moment. Oh, she teaches Sam songs and he'll just pop out with, "Jewelry taught me this song, do you know it?" and then preform:)

Oh my, it is such a funny and new experience. I don't think I ever had an imaginary friend, did you? I remember a little plastic heart shaped locket that had an tiny, plastic Annie figurine in it and I would talk to her sometimes. But that doesn't count because she was a toy and not imaginary.

Anyway, that reminds me of friendship number two that I will write about soon. It's Amelia and her sock monkey, Harry. It's a rather sweet story. But right now it is Sunday family nap time and I must go:) Zzzzzzzzzzzz, Jen

Little Artists...

2011-03-21T18:31:00.001-07:00

I really love this picture of Amelia and her friend Vera. Amelia is just now really getting into coloring and "writing letters" to her friends and family. In the past, she (nor Sam) have loved coloring. They love play-doh and painting--but her sitting quietly and coloring is new and so fun to see. Vera is the queen of coloring and writing her name, etc. so they had a great time being little artists together.

That's really all I wanted to say about that:) Jen

P.S. Oh yes, I did want to mention that I got to take care of Vera and her 5 month old baby sister Eden for a few hours today. It was lots of wild fun. A couple of things it made me think of:

1. I really love having a baby on my hip (or in a sling:) . It just feels right.

2. Shhh Shhh Shhhh. Trying to "shhhhh" little Eden to sleep reminded me of laying across from Joel in our big bed, two babies in between us, shhh shhh shhh ing them to sleep at night. Even though babies and sleep can be a very frustrating combo, I do have lots of sweet memories as well.

3. It's going to be interesting to see how Sammy transitions with our new babe. I'll leave it at that for now, but my wheels are turning on how to help our sensitive, time and touch needing boy when that time comes.

4. One thing I love about intense child-rearing seasons (like having twin infants) or like today is that I only have to think about the children. It's all I can think about. It's all I can focus on. I know myself and am really, truly okay with that now. Especially because I have experienced that it is just a season. I have enjoyed this season of having a bit more time outside the home, being able to raise my head up and out of the home and grow in other areas of life. I have to say, though, I feel ready to dig down deep in the trenches of intense motherhood again. It's where I am at my best I think (probably because it is where I rely most on the Lord!) .

5. I'm really tired. Really, really tired.

Whew that was a long P.S. !

Oh, catching up is hard to do-oo...

2011-03-18T15:51:00.000-07:00

Boy, it's been a while! Sometimes I get out of the habit of blogging because I am overwhelmed by the amount I want to write about, or the amount of pictures I want to post, etc. This time though, it is pure exhaustion. At the end of the day, I have just wanted to crawl in bed and watch the Cosby show on Netflix. Which is what I do. I think I'll always remember the first trimester of this pregnancy as the "Cosby Show trimester." Or maybe more aptly, "The Cosby Show/ Bean Burrito" trimester--but that's for another post (or not:).

Here I am though. Fresh into my second trimester, feeling my energy creeping back in, ready to get back into life! So, I'll start my re-entry into blogdom by telling you a bit about a little trip we went on last week. It was so,so,so,so,so much fun! A real vacation! We road tripped to CO to meet my older brother and his little family in Pagosa Springs.

We left Tuesday afternoon, picked Joel up from work, and headed out on the 4 hour trip to Moab where we stopped for the night. The kids were SO cute in the back seat. I wish we would have written down all of the hysterical things they were talking about. Amelia asked if they had potties in Colorado, and she guessed that an eighteen wheeler may have "planets, or something like that" in the back of it...oh, I don't know, they were just silly and excited and great little travelers. Boy is it easier traveling with two almost four year olds than two babies or toddlers!

Anyway, we made it to Moab late and Sam went right back to sleep in the hotel room. Amelia, of course, talked and talked. The last thing she said was, "Mom, is this great or what?!"

We explored the town a bit Wednesday morning. I love Moab. There was a little creek running right by our hotel and after we ate pancakes the babes just sat by the creek and threw in rock after rock. It was their paradise.

We headed out and made it to Pagosa Springs around 3ish in the afternoon. Again, the babes did so great for the most part in the car. They colored and played with these little lizards mom had given them for the trip and talked and talked. Anyway, we were all SO happy to see Bub and Robin and little Lucy Loo. Robin's mom was so generous in sharing her lovely cabin and it felt like such a luxury to have such a beautiful place to stay and explore. The babes first desire was to take a bath in the jetted tub, and so they did!

We stayed at the cabin from Wednesday-Saturday and it was just great. There was still snow on the ground, but it was sunshiney and so we were able to get outside. Here is some of the fun that was had:
Robin and I went into town one day and window shopped and ate a looooong lunch and caught up. That was wonderful.

We just spent time together. It was so much fun to love on Lucy and see Sam and Amelia so loved by their Auntie and Uncle.

We had some fun times outside too...

And then there was goodbye...the never fun part. The part where I always boo hoo hoo. We are so thankful though for the time spent with sweet family, the memories made, the adventure taken. We look so forward to doing it again!

(This picture makes me smile. Joel's goodbyes are so playfully dramatic. I'm jealous that he can be playful while I have real tears and snot running down my face:/).

Well guys, I guess that's where I'll close for now. We had some fun adventures on the way home too, and I'll try to post about those soon. I need to get those pictures off of Joel's phone. Anywho, it's good to be back in this little space. Lotsa love, Jen

Simple things...

2011-03-01T14:27:00.001-08:00

There is a quilt drying on the clothesline, the little ones are having a "buggie adventure" in the back yard sunshine. We all have our shoes off and are soaking up this welcome break from the snow. I deem this the perfect first day of March. Dreams of Spring abound:)

He's got soul!

2011-02-26T14:58:00.000-08:00

Sam LOVES this song right now--loves, loves, loves it! I think it is so interesting to see which songs they grab onto. Anyway, we love hearing him sing it:)
Jen

Our little sweethearts on Valentine's day...

2011-02-26T10:30:00.000-08:00

Whew, I can't seem to stay caught up these days! Ah well, here are some pictures of Sam and Amelia celebrating Valentine's Day:)

First was their party at preschool. Fun and treats and crafts abounded:)
When they first get to school they have "open exploration" until hello circle starts. Their classroom is a studio full of fun things to spin on, slide down, jump over, etc. What fun!

This is Sammy's favorite thing to do at school first thing in the morning. He likes for me to give him a few spins before I leave:)

Sam and Vera decorating his Valentine Bag. Sam gave his friends matchbox cars with their Valentines (he was very excited about this:) and Amelia gave hers salt dough heart necklaces that she made with Mammy.

The three amigos enjoying some treats.

Sharing a lick:)

The preschool party aftermath!:) They were both clutching chocolate, which of course melted and made a mess! It was so cute though.

Hope your Valentine's Day was lovely as well!

Hope to write more soon,
Jen

Early morning musings.

2011-02-19T04:11:00.001-08:00

I'm here in the guest bed with sweet Amelia. She has been sick for about a week and we are running our normal cycle. She gets sick, then when she's almost better Sam gets it and then she often gets it back from him. Fun! So we have been up since four- more medicine administered, then a coughing fit ending in throw up, and now quiet and fewer coughs and maybe some sleep? Though now that I'm up, my tummy is feeling on edge and hungry, a seemingly constant combo these days.
Anyway, being up with them frequently during the past week's nights has made me remember back to their infancy and to the new infant that Lord willing will join us in September. I thought to myself tonight, " it's the beauty and the challenge." Now, I hazily remember the deliriousness that came from lack of sleep, the frustration of trying to get Amelia to sleep ( it's been her lifelong challenge), etc. But I also remember the beauty that comes with that sacrificial love. It gets us outside of ourself- it stretched me and grew me and increased my dependence on the Lord.
I thought of that tonight as I lay next to Amelia after she threw up. I was telling her that she was always so brave when she is sick and how proud I am of her that she doesn't complain ( a virtue I admit i do not possess) when she doesn't feel well. I told her what a strong girl she is and in that moment I thought , " There IS beauty in being up at 4 with your little one. Having the chance to affirm her strength and to stretch my own." I think of Sam in our room laying next to Joel, feeling safe and loved next to his daddy. I think of Joel, who has been sleeping at least part of the night next to that little boy for almost four years now, that snuggly, wiggly, crotch kicking little sleeper and once again I think- " yep, it's the beauty and the challenge." Now then, all is well. It is five and Amelia is back to sleep. I'm going to go get a piece of toast and try to get some more sleep myself.
Love to you this early morning and feel free to remind me of this post in the future:) Jen

Theme of the week: Hearts!

2011-02-07T19:21:00.001-08:00

So, I know I haven't been very faithful in blogging about pre-school themes, but better late than never! So, this week at school they will be learning about hearts! The body part, the shape, and the emotions that come from the heart will be discussed, danced about, explored through art and music, etc.

At home, I'm keeping it pretty simple. Mom has already been doing Valentines crafts with them (another area where Mammy excels and mama happily takes a back seat!) and today I pulled out some books about love and Valentines day. Also, tonight before bed we read in one of their little devotional type books about what love looks like in action. How do we love our family, friends and neighbors?

Love is something to get excited about! Sure, Valentines day can be annoying and expensive if we make it that way, but this year I want to keep it simple. Use it as a reminder to think about true, nitty gritty love. The love of God shown through people in our lives here on earth.

Shown through my mom when she came and completely, unselfishly, unabandonly loved and cared for us when the babies were born (and a million other times in my life).
Shown through Joel when he comes home from work, tired and bleary eyed and takes out the trash or loves on the babes or one of the hundred other things he has on his plate.
Shown when a neighbor calls and said she made some extra dinner and wants to know if she can share (yes, every time:).
Shown when a sweet Sam holds his sisters feet "so she won't fall in the potty" as he knows she is a bit on edge in public restrooms.
Shown when we mamas hold our children close when we most want to push them away.
Shown in millions of little ways, every day, across the world; helping us catch a small glimpse of the power of the true love of Christ.

So, there ya go. Preschool theme for the week is hearts. A theme I guess I must really love:)

Yes, in the first picture Amelia is practically sitting on my head. I love it because this is such a perfect picture of her. She WILL be close to you and if you say you don't want her to sit in your lap, well, this is what you get:)

All for now, Jen

A "smooky" story, just for you!

2011-02-05T20:06:00.000-08:00

Sam and Amelia love for me to tell them "smooky" (spooky) stories. Their favorites are this series I tell them about two little girls named Jenny and Jennifer (yes, Jennifer K, this is me and you!) who go on all kinds of adventures and get lost in cornfields, and forests and on beaches, and by rivers! They always have so much fun, but eventually run into trouble...trouble like scary noises, large constructions sites that try to scoop them up in cranes, wild pigs chasing them through fields and valleys. It's a crazy, "smooky" world out there, but they always find a way to get home to their waiting mamas! :)

Anyway, Joel and I had a spooky adventure of our own tonight, and since this isn't the kind of story I can tell Sam and Amelia, you are the lucky listeners! :)

Joel and I went to the movies tonight! Yes, this is a big deal. I don't even remember the last time we went. We've never been great about getting out on consistent dates since Sam and Amelia were born. The only times we really go out are when we trade a friend baby sitting or when our parents are visiting. But now, Mammy is here! Woo hoo! So, out we went.

We saw The Fighter and it was so, so good. We also ate popcorn for dinner (no butter, if that makes that sound any better:). Fun stuff. I don't mean to get to mushy gushy, but as we walked out and Joel took a phone call (he's on call), I thought to myself, "Boy is he handsome. Boy do I love him." Yep, dates are good!

So, we were waiting on the elevator to come take us to the parking garage and waiting with us was one other man. He was not creepy looking really, but was dressed in all black and when I caught his eye I wasn't sure how to read him.

Let me back up and say that I finished reading The Gaurdian last night. My mom read it and then I picked it up because I was wanting a new novel to read. She failed to tell me that it was a CREEPY, SCARY book! I was totally and completely freaked out last night. I couldn't stop reading but I couldn't quit jumping at every sound I heard. So, I may have already been a bit on edge tonight.

Okay, back to the elevator. It finally came and the three of us got on. Soon after we got on the man slapped his hands against his coat making a loud noise and I think I jumped 2 feet. Still not sure what he was doing but I looked to find the alarm button on the elevator just in case. Then, oh then, when we had about 2 floors left to go he reaches into his pocket and pulls out....latex gloves. I am not kidding. He puts them on! I almost pressed the alarm but knew the doors were about to open. Whew. After we got out I put two and two together and realized he must have been a janitor coming to collect trash (I'm pretty sure his coat had the movie theater emblem on it), but not before Joel said, "I'm glad we didn't just get murdered!" He had put the keys in between his fingers to stab him if something had happened. Sheesh. Spooky indeed!

Sweet dreams....bwah hahahahaha.

Okay, I won't end this on that note. I'll share this picture with you. While we were fighting for our lives (ha ha), all was well and happy at the home front. It is so fun to go our completely relaxed because you know the little ones are spending time with their Mammy! They were watching Mary Poppins and loving it!:)

Jen

A story of life and letting go...

2011-02-03T09:03:00.000-08:00

Oh goodness, I have been putting off writing this post because it is just. so. complicated. Such is life, I guess, messy and complicated and not the nice, neat package that we all desire.

The bottom line is that we decided to postpone our adoption plans. It was a hard and very emotional decision.

It was a bumpy road from the very beginning, really, but I know many adoption journeys are. Looking back, we realize that Joel felt we began the journey too soon. We began without a firm foundation of how we would pay the enormous adoption costs (while paying off some credit card debt,etc) and without a foundation of knowledge about adoption in Ethiopia. We just knew we had always wanted to adopt, we knew it was a long process and that Joel had good income finally, we knew Ethiopia was currently one of the smoothest adoption processes, and we knew of a great agency with a long history in Ethiopia, so let's do it!

I quickly realized that the paperwork piece of the adoption was like a part-time job and I wasn't nearly as efficient at it as I imagined I would be! I also felt Joel's hesitance in getting his part of the paperwork complete. Now we realize that he was feeling pressured and I was feeling frustrated because I knew there were time limits in getting the stuff done!

And so the months went by.

Along the way, we gained knowledge about the adoption process and with knowledge just came more questions. We realized that one reason for the looooong wait (sometimes years once your paperwork was in Ethiopia) is because there is a long,long,long,long line of adoptive parents waiting for healthy babies to be born and come into agency care. In a sense, the demand is outweighing the supply! Meanwhile, there are millions of waiting children around the world who are a bit older or who have special (minor or major) medical needs who are waiting for families while families wait for babies. We realized we wanted to change our focus to a waiting child adoption.

We needed to do more research,though, on which special needs we thought we were able to parent, etc. Meanwhile, our paperwork was expiring (again) and we were having to basically start our dossier over. It just became too much. Too overwhelming for me to do alone, and after some difficult conversations I suggested we stop the process until we had time to get on the same page, take some time to establish a firm financial foundation, continue researching the many facets of international adoption, etc. It was a tough couple of days that followed. I just felt so very sad , confused, weary. At the same time, it felt right and also felt like I was able to release the process back into the hands of the Lord.

I know part of the disappointment was how it would look to everyone. Fail. We failed! I knew of so many friends who also desire to adopt and felt like somehow we would go before them and then be able to support them on their journey! I see now that it was pride.

I don't know why the Lord had us go through this process. I'm sure it was refining in many ways. Maybe we will continue the journey in the future. Maybe there is a child/children He will allow us to parent and love through adoption at some point. But for now, His plans are different.

Two days after we made our decision and contacted our agencies, my mom talked me into taking a pregnancy test. She said she just really thought there was something going on beyond my sadness and disappointment over the adoption. I thought she just didn't realize how deep my disappointment went. Also, we had not been able to get pregnant without clomid before or since the babes, and so why would I be pregnant now?!?! To appease her, I took one and it was immediately positive! So were the next two that I took! We were seriously in shock (well, my mom was not surprised at all:).

The timing. It was an absolute gift from the Lord. Not that I consider having "my own" baby any better or more true than if our adoption would have gone through. I just mean it is a gift that we found out about the baby after we had already made the decision to postpone our adoption. That the babe wasn't at all the reason we chose to stop the process. That may not makes sense, I don't know, but it does to me!

So we move forward, thrilled and thankful and so very surprised about this new life (only seven and a half weeks along). We still very much support adoptive families (hello, our neighbors have the most precious newborn baby Charlotte that I am totally in love with!), and would love to share any lessons we have learned. The most important being to be on the same page as much as possible with your spouse before you begin. Have the difficult, honest, raw conversations along the way as need be. Have lots of grace with each other. Research adoption. Read adult adoptee testimonies. Read about attachment. Read the hard stuff and read the beautiful stuff--there is lots of both. Talk to adoptive families. Find out their challenges and their incredible triumphs. And, finally, I guess we learned that it's okay to let go.

Whew, that feels better. Now you are up to date friends.

Love to you, Jen

A winter adventure...

2011-01-31T21:20:00.000-08:00

Ok, I have GOT to break this non-blogging spell! It's a case of "I have too much to write and I don't know where to start!". Anyway, I'll just start here.

Joel, my mama, and the babes went snowshoeing with friends over the weekend! I was feeling yucky and stayed home (not so yucky that I couldn't meet them for a Cafe Rio salad afterwards...mmmm), but I was so excited for them to get out of this terrible, inversion polluted SLC air and into the crisp, clean mountain air. They had a blast. Mom was a such a trooper and did great and loved it, and the babes just got into their mountain zen zone that they get into and had so,so,so,so much fun. Joel had found this awesome sled thing at a yard sale over the summer and this was his first time using it to pull the kids (though they did snowshoe a lot!) and he said it was great. They just laid back and zoned out. Well, Amelia sang a lot as well. Oh, they are just the best entertainment in this almost 4 stage!

Without further ado, here are some of mom's pictures that I stole:)

In other exciting news, here is a super bowl commercial that my little brother is in--woo hoo! He is the handsome guy with long hair playing bass.

Guess that's all of the excitement for now. Goodness gracious, hopefully I'll be back sooner than later!:) Jen

Proud of my man:)

2011-01-22T19:12:00.000-08:00

Here is a link to a recent interview Joel had with the City Weekly newspaper concerning the outreach program he is a part of at the clinic where he works (turn to page five and click on the article he is in and then under options, you can enlarge it). I really am proud of the way Joel has followed his passion, done the hard work it took to become a Physician Assistant, and continues to stretch himself and find new ways to meet the needs of the population he works with. It inspires me to work hard and follow my dreams as well! Love you Joelie.

Bears, bears, bears!

2011-01-10T20:41:00.000-08:00

I've always meant to keep a written record of the things we do at home to go along with their weekly pre-school theme, but as of yet I haven't done one post about it! So, one New Year hope is that I will be diligent to do one post a week about our learning basket theme. We'll see how it all pans out:)

This week is bears! Miss Erin, their wonderful teacher, gives us a detailed lesson plan she will be using at the beginning of each week. It is a wonderful way to know what they are reading, singing, playing, etc. when they are at pre-school to provide extensions at home. Sometimes I don't, but most of the time I at least go through our book stash and find some books to go with the theme.

When I read today that the theme was bears, I was excited! I knew we had several books on bears, some beloved (like "Going on a Bear Hunt" , "Jesse Bear, What will you wear?", and "Winnie the Pooh") and some non-fiction and even a poetry book. I get excited about these things:)

I pulled our bears out of the animal basket and we sat down and started in on the books this evening. They played with their bears in the bath tonight. After all, tonight we read all bears can swim.

Ahhhh, give me a theme and you make my teacher's heart and mama's heart and just my heart in general, happy. It brings me a small sense of control in this wild world-ha.

So, there ya go. We'll read our bear books this week and on into next I'm sure. We'll play "bears" and make dens to hibernate in, we'll sort our color bears, and maybe make something with honey in the kitchen:) I have a Jesse Bear print out that I've been meaning to laminate, like a paper doll that they put weather appropriate clothes on. Maybe I'll finally get that project done. Probably not. Never say never, though.

Okay, that's all for tonight. I'll try to keep these posts short so that I don't intimidate myself into thinking they need to be elaborate:)

Jen

New year and times of transition.

2011-01-09T15:08:00.001-08:00

I know, I know, I still haven't posted our Christmas pictures! Goodness, time is just quickly marching on!

There is so much newness going on in this New Year. Here's what's been going on at the Hunt house:

Joel went on a trip to Texas to pick up my mom's stuff and drive it to Utah. He got to have some quick visits with family, and we were so thankful for that!

He got to spend some time with his Gee Gee:) We love her so much!
He got to meet his niece Lucy Faye for the first time...they loved each other right away:)

Sam and Amelia were sick for most of the time he was gone. That wasn't so fun for any of us:/

Along the journey back, Joel and his dad slid on ice and into a ditch!

Amazingly, they were fine and the car only suffered minor problems. Still, that coupled with two blowouts made the trip to Utah a misadventure for sure! I love this picture of Jim....so telling!:)
Mom flew into SLC on Jan 1st, surviving an attack from mama kitty while going through airport security. We are so happy to have her here! She has jumped right into exploring the city, playing in the snow, organizing our house, sleeping on the futon in the living room until her basement bedroom is complete, finding a new church, etc. She's had a busy first week!:)

(Amelia and Sam are having so much fun with their new Dr. kits. Amelia heard chipmunks in her Mammy's tummy, but we think she'll be okay:)
Grandpa Jim is still here too, working as hard as ever to finish the basement for us. He is so good about taking time from his work to love on Sam and Amelia, though, and they adore him just as much as ever!

As much love as we have had in our house in this New Year, times of transition are always tricky. Sam and Amelia have been fussy and quarrelsome, testing the boundaries and sometimes just disregarding them altogether. I look so forward to things settling in, to routines developing, a new normal to emerge. Until then, we are celebrating the lovely moments, and there really are lots of them, they are just sometimes hidden under all of the whining:)
Love to all of you in this hopeful New Year, Jen

My favorite picture from 2011.

2011-01-01T19:39:00.001-08:00