Terry Brook Lane

We're back.

A few days early thanks to Ezra getting sick on us. We had him at the doctors this morning and he seems to be perking up tonight.

It seems that my children only get contagiously sick when we are on family vacations.

I am beginning to think that we should only travel with our own personal pediatrician with us.

Oh wait. We don't have one of those.

Darn.

That would be a good idea, huh. Your own personal travel physician. Maybe there will be an app for that coming out soon?

Anyways.

We had a great week. More to come on that later with pictures.

As for now we are enjoying the euphorious feeling of bliss that comes from being home after vacation. You know the feeling I'm talking about.

Not Me Monday (The Not My Kids Edition)

I always have complete control of my children while in public settings.

I would never have a child who flings his icee (BRIGHT RED) all over the place at Target.

And I certainly would never allow my child to lose their shoes at the library.

And I most definitely do not have a child who runs up to random strangers and parts their legs apart so he can squeeze through the "bridge".

Nope. Not my children.

Vacation 2009

We head off today for a week at Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia.

No i-phones. No computers.

Nothing but (much needed) fun family togetherness.

Be prepared for photo overload next week =)

p.s. I do have a few posts previously scheduled out for the week...so you can still check in if you want.

p.p.s. My arm is feeling much better this morning!

Change of plans

Jeremiah and I had an entire page of to-do's for today...

After all, we leave for a week long vacation tomorrow, come home for 4 days, drive the kids to my parents in Maryland, drive home the next day and fly out for Haiti the day after that. Whew.

At the top of our list was to get the last vaccine needed for Haiti at a 10am appointment this morning.

Done.

About 30 minutes later my arm is in excruciating pain. I can't even move it or I feel nauseous and want to throw up and/or pass out.

So, I am not mowing the lawn. I am not packing the suitcases. I am not doing laundry. I am not watering plants. I am not going to the post office. I am not returning movies to the library.

We did make it to the bank and the pharmacy and got some pizza. You know, the important things.

Now, I am laying on the couch with about 4 motrins coursing through me and a hot pad on my arm.

I'm sure once the drugs kick in I'll be feeling better...and getting right back to work on that to-do list.

Um, yeah.

Sure.

Right back to it.

Warm, Mushy, and Backwards

Ella only likes her cereal mushy. The longer it sits in milk, the better it gets for her.

She also prefers all her drinks (milk included) room temperature or warm. She hates ice.

Ezra eats his ice cream cones from the bottom up.

Also his sandwiches...crust first. It doesn't matter how many times we turn them around...he just prefers to eat them backwards.

Weird children.

_______________________________________________

Do your children (or you!) have any strange eating preferences?

Ella's "Op-stical" Course

Prayer Request

My parents are currently in Bulgaria on a two week adoption trip.

They are adopting two children, Andrew Seth and Gracie Jane. For those of you counting (I gave up a long time ago!) that will make 24 children.

Bulgaria requires two trips, with a few months in between, so they aren't bringing my new siblings home this time. But they are getting to meet them...and sending us lots of pictures to feel like we are "meeting" them too.

Please pray for their safety, a smooth adoption process, and for all the ones left at home who are filling in the gaps while Mom and Dad are gone. Mary Kate, you are awesome!

You can stay more up to date by reading my Mom's blog here.

Ezra's 1st Prayer

Jeremiah: Dear...

Ezra: Deaw...

Jeremiah: Jesus

Ezra: De-sa

Jeremiah: Thank you

Ezra: Ahnk ew

Jeremiah: I love you

Ezra: Ah uhve ew

Jeremiah: Amen

Ezra: A-men!

___________________________

Such a simple prayer...

But the start of what we pray is a long journey of living up to his namesake and becoming the man God intends him to be.

Ezra 7:9a, 10a

This Ezra came from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses. The gracious hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observences of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

Memory Monday

James 1:5-8

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is an indecisive man, unstable in all he does.

We are getting ready to start a study of the book of James in my C-group. In preparation, I started my own study of it this week and plan on memorizing a few verses from it this month.

I loved a commentary I read on verse 8 this morning:

The Greek word rendered indecisive literally means "double-minded." It refers to a deep inner divide in which one's faith says Trust God, but another voice argues I'd better handle this myself!

How I struggle with a constant battle between trust and control myself...

Lord, plant your word and your wisdom into my heart this month and change me.

Photo Journal: Lake Gaston 2009

We took some of our college group up to Lake Gaston for the day yesterday.

It was my first trip to this lake...and we all really had a great day!

Enjoy the pictures...

p.s. Jeremiah is going to hate the last one of him...but he needs to learn not to goof off when we are trying to take romantic-al pictures of us =)

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling

We got a new stroller this week.

This one.

I used the snot out of it at camp this week (I wonder where that saying came from?)and I can officially say I LOVE it.

In my short mommy life we have gone through a lot of strollers, so I feel as though I am a semi-expert on this stroller subject =)

Here's why I love my new one:

1) Folds up easily with one hand

2) Folds up remarkably small for a double stroller

3) Remarkably light for a double stroller

4) Plenty of cup holders and a snack tray...need I say more

5) Ella loves the convenience of it and the options available for her

6) Remarkable easy to maneuver for a double stroller

7) The price!

Of course it is not perfect as the storage basket is kind of awkward to get to and it is a little difficult to "wheelie" it up onto a curb as all the weight is in front...but overall...I am loving it!

What about you? Do you have a favorite stroller you love or a failed one you hate?

What we're into...

Ella is very into a puzzle phase at the moment.

She has always liked puzzles, but had outgrown the toddler ones we had and hadn't initiated playing with them in months.

I picked up a 25 piece puzzle at the dollar store a couple months ago...and promptly forgot about it =)

I rediscovered it a few weeks ago and just placed it in her room during her rest time.

When I walked in to get her up...there the puzzle sat...fully complete! Ella was beaming with pride over her accomplishment!

She's a right smart girl...even if she gets chocolate ice cream all over her face still =)

Ever since then, there has been no stopping her. We picked up a few more and she worked on them and worked on them until she mastered them.

Here's a sight that makes this Momma's heart smile...both of my children happily (and quietly) playing with puzzles together.

Who cares that Ezra only sat there for about 1/2 a minute and just long enough for me to capture this photo...It was a glorious 1/2 minute =)

So...

What are your children into these summer days?

One for Ezra, one for choo-choo, one for Ezra, one for choo-choo, one for Ezra...

You might be obsessed...

With your train, that is...

When you share your ice cream cone with it!

Camp Day

The kids and I headed up to Lynchburg, VA this morning to join Jeremiah at Student Life Camp.

We made an entire day of it and said forget-cha to naps...and had a blast!

Lunch at Moe's, walking and reminiscing around the Liberty University campus, play time at Thomas Road's (Baptist Church, that is) incredible indoor play-gym, dinner with everyone at the cafeteria, meeting up with friends...and the kids even made it through a few songs at the evening session =)

No pictures because (gasp) I forgot my camera. I know. Very unlike me.

Oh well.

We are sleeping at Meme and Poppee's (otherwise known as Rick and Janet Via) house in Roanoke for the night...then it's back to Lynchburg in the morning.

I love camp. I loved going as a youth. I love going as a leader.

This year is special though...because I get to go as Mommy.

I really love going as Mommy.

A Mom's Greatest Joy

3 John 4

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

I just finished a chapter in Lysa Terkeurst book, The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained, and I was reminded (yet, again) of the priority of priority within my role as Mom.

Think about all the questions that rumble around in a mother's heart.

At this stage my questions are a lot like the following...

How are my kid's doing? Do they have good manners? Do they share well? Are they getting enough vegetables? Do they know they are loved? Are they secure?

As they get older I'm sure they'll be...

Are they being equipped to handle life outside the home? Do they handle wins and losses with grace? Are they getting a good education? Will they be successful in whatever job they land? Will they be responsible and productive?

On and on the questions tumble.

While I do want to equip my children to be well-rounded, responsible adults, I must not forget the most important thing. I must not get sidetracked by all the outward issues of manners and behavior and how they look and on and on and forget about their hearts.

I must place their relationship with Jesus at the top of the list. I must always ask: Am I fostering in them a desire for their own personal relationship with Jesus?

Here's the hard part.

They cannot know Him as Healer unless He has healed them in some way. They cannot know Him as Savior unless I help them understand what Jesus saves us from. They cannot know Him as Comforter unless He has comforted them in some way.

Do I as a mom try and take credit for making the way to healing possible. Do I run in to offer comfort and never allow them to experience the Comforter themselves? Do I try to fix everything in my child's life so they never have to deal with hardships?

No. I shouldn't. My job is to prayerfully help to a point and then step back and teach them how to run to Jesus themselves.

I loved the point Lysa made in the chapter when she said that always tries to keep the question of "What would honor God most in this situation" at the forefront of her mind...

Even in the simplest of situations with my children...Even at their young ages...I need to remember to ask this question.

Yesterday while we were running errands I discovered a tick on Ella. I tried to just pull it off but it was pretty stuck and I knew we needed to wait to get home and use tweezers to get it off. Seeing where we live, this was not the first time I've had to do this...so she knew it might hurt a little bit. Added to this apprehension was the fact that I couldn't take care of it right then. She had to wait. And therefore had plenty of time to work herself up about the impending pain.

I caught myself getting ready to offer her my assurances...when I remembered the above question. I stopped my words...and instead we prayed together for "Jesus to make her brave and not be scared."

The most important part of my job as Mom is to prepare my children to love and serve God.

Yet, so often I forget to ask God for his help in teaching them about Him.

So I've been challenged and reminded that He will inspire me and fill me with creative ideas for making Him real to them if only I will ask.

Skydiving: Our Experience

Here's my best attempt at putting our skydiving experience into words:

Let me start by saying it was absolutely INCREDIBLE! We both loved it (and would go again in a heartbeat).

It was not nearly as scary as you might think. We both felt very confident in our instructors. My guy, Mike, had over 9,000 jumps to his experience and was the very same parachuter that jumped with President George Bush for his 83rd and 85th birthday. Jeremiah's guy, had over 13,000 jumps to his experience and was a 5 time Golden Knights National Champion.

Talk about feeling secure =)

We jumped from 13,500 feet. We free-fell for 60 seconds before deploying the parachute. I cannot even describe those 60 seconds in words! It was very loud and windy and a little bit disorienting (I could not have told you what was up or down to save my life during that time!) and I seemed to have a bit of a drool problem =) There was no stomach in your throat roller-coaster drop feeling...just an incredible adrenaline rush!

Our instructors were very good at reading us...

Jeremiah did a backflip out of the plane, got to deploy the parachute himself, semi-control the parachute, do a lot of loops, and have a lot more "control" over his jump.

I on the other hand let Mike handle it ALL! I just wanted to not think about anything other than just experiencing it =)

The 4-5 minute parachute ride down after the freefall was incredibly quiet and peaceful and beautiful compared to the craziness of the jump.

We both had really smooth landings...no grass stains on our bottoms or noses =)

We had a big crowd greeting us right at the landing site and that was really special.

I sort of had an interesting reaction after the jump...kind of a diarrhea of the mouth where I just couldn't stop laughing and talking. Jeremiah just had a huge smile on his face!

We did get a video of the jump which we should hopefully receive later this week...and I'll see if I can post it.

Here are some more pictures of the day:

Suiting up...

Our plane (He told me what kind it was, but I cannot remember now)

Getting ready in the plane...

Getting ready to jump with our feet hanging out of the plane!

There he goes!

Safe on the ground...

My turn! I know I look like I'm resisting...but that is the "arch" position you are supposed to be in when you jump =)

I'm flying, I'm flying!

Safe on the ground =)

Sunday Funny

Duct Tape Use #317

Proof

We really did it...

I'm too exhausted to give a good account of the day...but it was an incredible experience and I'll be sure to write more soon!

Meeting in the Middle

Jeremiah's parents, sister, and our niece and nephew are trekking up 95 today.

My dad and two of my brothers are trekking down 95 today.

They will meet in the middle here at the farm sometime around dinnertime.

(I have a yummy dinner planned of pulled bbq chicken sandwhiches, pasta salad, baked beans, watermelon, corn on the cob, and brownies...but I digress.)

The reason for the visits?

I'm so glad you asked =)

They are coming to watch us skydie, I mean skydive, tomorrow.

(Hence the reason for the good eating tonight...I might as well pig out in case I die tomorrow!)

Yikes! Is that tomorrow?!

Also on the schedule for this weekend is a visit to the members only preview opening of The Dinosaur Trail at the Museum of Life and Science. And a cookout with our Haiti team for our last meeting before our trip.

So exciting.

Somewhere in the midst of all this I also need to pack us up for our departure to Student Life Camp on Monday. That would involve laundry...not so exciting =)

Check back in later this weekend for pictures of our skydiving adventure!

Change of Plans

I had planned to do a big birthday party for Jeremiah for the big 30th birthday occasion.

However, we have decided to go a different route =)

You can insert our faces (in your minds) on the people below...










Yep, we are going skydiving!

This Friday, the 10th at 2pm at the Raeford Parachute Center.

There is a family/friends viewing area and a restaurant...so if anyone wanted to come watch us you are more than welcome!

For directions or information click here.

The Bowling Bounce

For something out of our normal family fun routine...we headed to the bowling alley this morning.

Uh, yeah...GREAT IDEA!

The kids loved it. Ella (of course) wanted no help and quickly picked up on the jist of the game. Ezra (of course) loved trying to stick his hands down the ball chute and trying to make friends with everyone else at the bowling alley.

And now...the pictures:















Ella would roll her ball so incredibly slowly down the alley that it is amazing that she even knocked down any pins. You could have run an errand (to the DMV) and been back before the ball got to the end!

Ok, maybe not the DMV, but you get the point =)




















Ezra was all about some clapping for his fallen pins...















They would both get so excited the moment they sent their ball down the alley...and that excitement would build and build until they couldn't help but jump.

We'll call it the bowling bounce...

Halfway to sixty

Jeremiah turns 30 today.

No mourning for us...
as he is going to rock his 30's!

Happy Birthday Babe...you know I love you!
(and am convinced that you just get better and better)




p.s. I have a very adventurous birthday present planned for him...stay tuned later in the week for details and pictures!

Not Me Monday

I always set the best example for my children and never let hormonal PMS rages take over my life. That said, I definitely did not get in such a bad mood this week that my daughter suggest (unsolicited) that I pray for Jesus to help me have a happy heart. Nope. Didn't happen.

I also never would be so immature as to purposely annoy my children with a loud and wacky version of Elvis's "I'll have a blue Christmas" complete with loud and wacky dance moves. I mean come on, I am the adult around here.

I never ever ever pretend not to hear Ezra crying out in the middle of the night for his lost paci and become locked in a very silent battle of wills with Jeremiah over who is going to "hear" him first and go find the aforementioned paci.

Nope. Not me.

To read more not me monday stories, click here.

My dear Myla,

You were due to be born today.

I can't help but be overwhelmed with thoughts...

What would you have looked like? Would you have been independent and loyal like your sister or affectionate and wide open like your brother? What color would your eyes have been? A mommy's or daddy's girl?

And on and on I wonder.

I am sad that I never got to meet you. That I never got to hold you. That I never got to breath in your sweet baby smell and watch your Daddy dote on you.

Mostly I am sad that I never got to "know" you.

I am sure you would have been incredibly awesome.

I am so thankful for the short time I had to be your Momma. I cherish those few memories I have of seeing your quick little movements on the ultrasound, or laying in the bed, smiling to myself, feeling the soft flutterings of your life in my belly.

Losing you has allowed me to experience the great Comforter like I had never before. Thank you for that precious gift you gave me.

As sad as I am that I never got to meet you, I am way down deep comforted knowing you are with Jesus. I am jealous for the unhindered ability you have to be with him and worship Him all day long.

I long for the day I meet you both.

until then,

Your Daddy and I will always remember you. We will always love you.

always,
Your Momma

Ari-ella...

Can you guess what movie we are into BIG TIME these days =)

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Leave em' or Take em'

I have a question to ask all you other moms out there.

Do you always take your car-seated children into the movie store, library, gas station, etc. with you?

I'm not talking about the times when you actually go into the library or go shopping in the store. I'm talking about the times when you just need to return a movie or book...you know, just a less than one minute task?

I will admit that I have on occasion left the kids buckled in the car to run a movie in, etc. That said, I always park right by the front door, lock them in the car, take the keys with me and am gone a few seconds at most.

I am pretty sure I look like a maniac looking back and forth back and forth from the car to my drop box destination. It's a wonder I haven't fallen or run into something =)

Even with all those precautions for some reason I am still plagued with mommy-guilt when I do this.

So, I am wondering...am I alone in imagining the "you are a horrible parent" stares from onlookers or do you do the same thing?

Current Reads

Somehow I have gotten in over my head with all my current reads.

I usually have no more than two books going at one time, but the five I have currently going are all so good that I haven't been able to stop reading any of them.

Here they are in no particular order:

Hands & Feet
by Audio Adrenaline

The story of the Hands & Feet Orphanage Project in Haiti. I'm gleaning a lot of information about the Haitian culture which will be good to have for our upcoming trip.







Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti
by Bill and Pam Farrel

Learning to understand and delight in the differences between men and women. Jeremiah and I are both reading this one together and I have to say that we have learned a TON. I think I will make Ella read this before she gets married =)


Montessori - A Modern Approach
by Paula Polk Lillard

I admit I am not reading every word of this one...just gleaning some general information to hopefully apply with Ella.




Good Intentions
by Charles North & Bob Smietana

Nine "hot-button" issues (immigration, gas prices, education, environment, etc) viewed through the eyes of faith. This is my newest book to start and I have just made it through the introduction so it is too early to tell...but I am excited to examine these issues with a Biblical perspective.


The Bathtub Is Overflowing but I Feel Drained
by Lysa Terkeurst

I love anything by this author...but I have to say this is one of my favorites! A great read for any mom with small kids. I highly recommend!




Whew...

I write this not to "show off" my reading skills, but because so many times I have been looking for recommendations for a good book and would have loved to come across a list like this...so I hope this helps someone!

Ezra's To Do List :

1) Give Mommy a fat lip - CHECK!

2) Give Mommy a bloody nose - CHECK!

3) Give Mommy a goose egg on her head - CHECK!

4) Look extremely contrite and cute afterward so she won't get mad at me - CHECK CHECK!

In all fairness to Ezra, these incidents were all accidents.

Three separate accidents. In the same day.

Sigh.

Perhaps a mommy-helmet would be a good investment for me?

I think this one is cute:

















But, this one would probably provide more practical protection:

Question Of The Day

Ella: What's inside blood?

Me: Go ask Daddy =)

Saving Money 101: The Best Advice

The best advice I received when I was starting CVS'ing and couponing (yes, they are verbs!) was the following:

Commit to three months.

I found this advice to be invaluable because when I first started out everything seemed so overwhelming. The first few months will take a big time commitment because you are learning everything, building your coupon stash and stockpile, not necessarily saving huge sums of money up front, and inevitably will forget coupons at certain times, or in my case, forget to give them to the cashier altogether =)

However, because I knew I had committed to do it wholeheartedly for three months and because I knew that I would allow myself to quit it after three months if it just wasn't working or I hated it...I stuck with it.

And it got easier and easier.

And by the third month I was seeing the savings in our budget that made it all worth it!

I was having to spend less and less time on it and had developed a system that worked for our family.

So, the best advice I encourage you with if you are just starting this coupon thing...is...

Commit to three months. Give it your best for that three months and don't give up. Then give yourself permission to stop (guilt free) if it just isn't working for you.

All you other couponing friends out there, what was some advice that really helped you when you were first learning the ropes?