Adventures in New Castle

If you had told me 8 years ago that I would move 7.5 times in the next 8.5 years, I would have laughed at you and said, "You're crazy!" See, I lived in the same house for the first 16 years of my life. I went to one school. I did the same thing for Christmas every year. I loved the traditions and consistency and had every intention of carrying on the rest of my life in the exact same way. I mean, if something's not broken, why fix it?

Then this guy came into my life...

 He said, "I love God and I'm going to follow Him wherever he takes me. Want to join me?" And apparently I had fallen for him because I said, "Yes."

 So here we are, on the brink of our 8th move. Why are we moving this time? I'm glad you asked! As we've been married and serving in various ministries, we've discovered that we like to start things. Well, maybe not like it as much as we've been given opportunities to start things, so we're beginning to find out what works and what doesn't. In learning this, Jeremiah decided that he wants to help with church planting. NAMB -- North American Mission Board -- has asked us to do a year long internship with a friend of Jeremiah's over in New Castle, CO. When the idea was first being mulled over, I was not super excited. Traveling back and forth? Maybe living there for 3-6 months? I mean, we just got here. But then Jeremiah came back from a meeting one day and asked, tentatively, "What if we move over there for a year?" And, to my own surprise, it sounded like a great idea. I felt peace and confidence about it and Jeremiah was pumped that I was on board because he was expecting I'd put up a fight. (Does that really sound like me? Um, yes. But anyway...) Just a couple of months later we've finished up our MOPS group, celebrated a 1 year old's birthday, found a place to live, signed a lease, celebrated Christmas, and told most people where we're headed. We've started to get a good collection of boxes and even packed a few.

When we started putting a few boxes together I began to feel the typical stress rise as I thought about all the work that would be required in the next couple of weeks. Especially with 2 little ones unpacking the boxes behind me. How will they adjust to the move? Are they going to regress in their sleeping, when we've finally been making some great progress? Will we be able to get everything done in time? How are we going to afford to live somewhere that is more expensive? Will there be people willing to help us pack and unpack? Many, legitimate questions. But somehow, the peace remains, and for me, that is enough. Even just a few years ago I may have responded with frustration or bitterness or anger over another move. But my perspective is changing and with each move comes adventure; new people to meet, a new place I can say I lived, different experiences, a chance to explore and discover more of this world, a chance to see God move and answer prayers and accomplish His purpose. How can I say "no" to that? What if by saying "no" I miss a miracle? A chance to witness something truly meaningful and irreplaceable. My life might not be playing out the way I anticipated at 14, 17, or even 20 years of age, but that's ok. Every day that I'm living within the will of God, surrendered to Him, I can find peace, hope, and even joy. Every day that I let go I have the opportunity to do something I might have missed had I held on. So here we go, on another adventure, and this time I'm excited because you never know what life will bring, but I'm not going to miss out by trying to hold on to the past and how I thought things would be. I'm stepping out, arms open wide, taking the next step, and finding joy.

Home is wherever I'm with these three <3 

To life... full of Adventures in New Castle! 

Gentle Baby: Why I'm Using It

     When I bought my first bottle of Gentle Baby, I was not a fan of the smell. (I think I feel that way about quite a few of the oils. It takes me a while to warm up to them!) It contains geranium, rosewood, lemon, lavender, jasmine, roman chamomile, bergamot, ylang ylang, palmarose, and rose oils. But it grew on me and I'm enjoying it more now. I didn't use it much when I first got it, but once the weather turned cool, it has been wonderful for my boys' skin!
     First up, I noticed Zeke was getting some red skin on his back and when I would put his pjs on after his bath, it almost felt like sandpaper! I felt so bad! I started using some coconut oil and 1 drop of Gentle Baby after his bath each night and it healed it up nicely. It took about 10 days, but now his skin is nice and smooth. I try to remember to use it every night to maintain the healthy skin, especially in these dry winter months!
     I've also been using it on Levi. For awhile I was having a really tough time with him getting diaper rash. I felt guilty because I was using cloth diapers this time and thought maybe that was the reason. I would switch to disposables and use a medicine and get rid of it, then back to cloth and he'd get red fast and have sores before I knew it. I wanted to just use disposables, but I thought I'd try something before I gave up. Every night after his bath I apply coconut oil and 1 drop of Gentle Baby (not too much coconut oil because I try to make sure it is completely rubbed in so I don't get a build up on the diapers). Since doing this, I have had next to zero problems with diaper rash, except if *ahem* Jeremiah gets him dressed and forgets to put it on.

      I am thankful for this gem, Gentle Baby. My kids have much healthier, smooth skin because of it! This oil is a calming oil and some people have had success getting rid of stretch marks when they used it. I need to get on the ball and try that next!

Our Little 1 Year Old!

On Tuesday morning, December 17, 2013, we decided it was time for you to make your appearance in the world. Mommy's body was not doing very well, so we decided it was safest for all of us. After calling in to the hospital, asking if we could come in, they said no. Mommy was a little disappointed. But after very little time they called back and said to come in, and then I started second guessing our decision to see this through :) Grandma came over to watch big brother Zeke for the day and Mommy and Daddy headed to the hospital.

We got checked in to our room and most of the day was pretty uneventful and boring. Apparently you were happy to stay warm in my tummy. But around 4 pm I talked to my midwife and we decided on a plan of action. #1. Epidural. #2. Break my water. And then there you were, born at 6:39 pm. It felt like way too many minutes before you finally gave your first squeal, and you were soooo purple! They had to cut the umbilical cord early because you were all wrapped up in it. But after the shock of that and once you were snuggled in my arms you were safe and your place in our family was settled.

Bundled Burrito Baby

In month number one you had your first Christmas and your first New Year's Eve

you ate, you slept, you pooped, you cried, you stretched, you grew, you peed. 

January 17

In your second month you celebrated as big brother Zeke, turned two

You gave us big smiles, you slept like a champ, and for Grandma Pam you cooed! 

February 17 

In your third month of life you thought it was fun to always stick out your tongue! 

You focused on Zeke as he played around you and were wishing you knew how to run. 

March 17

By month four you were already on the move, rolling and pushing with your feet.
You liked to laugh, enjoyed your baths, and sat in your Bumbo seat. 

April 17

Month number five came and we decided to let you try solid food, 

we dedicated you at church on Mother's Day and you did really good. 

May 17

You jumped in the jumperoo and patted our faces in month number six, 

you rolled and lunged forward, nothing was safe, your legs gave quite strong kicks! 

June 17

We traveled to Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas and had family pictures made, 

you went to the zoo, liked to swing at the park, and enjoyed your first Independence Day.

July 17

Then lickety split you were pulling up, standing and crawling away. 

You put things in your mouth, got 2 bottom teeth, and it was only month number eight?

  

August 17

Two more teeth broke through this month so you were up to four, 

you started to stand, you played at the park, and gave the bike trailer a whirl.

September 17

In month number ten you started to walk and make little fish lips -- cute!  

You learned to clap your hands to the music and did some dancing too. 

October 17

Enjoying the sandbox with big brother

You saw your first snow in month eleven and were walking everywhere

you dressed up as a giraffe for Halloween and liked the outdoor air! 

November 17

Exploring at Jax

This past month you got more teeth so now you're up to eight

We had a party just for you; you liked your chocolate cupcake. 

Getting ready for your first birthday party, 12/13/14

Your puppy cupcake

Post-cupcake happiness

You have really started to enjoy reading! 

You can drink out of a juice box all by yourself! 

Enjoying your dinner at ChickFilA (12/16/14)

Levi Olin, what a blessing you are to our family! I love making you laugh because you have such a wonderful giggle! You have a darling smile and walk around like a little man, so proud of yourself. You are very strong and can climb up on the couch all by yourself! I'm pretty sure you have now said both "Hi" and "Bye." And you imitate a lot of sounds we make, like "Zzz" for Zeke, and other words that sound like "that", "this", "trash" and more! You are also grunting and pointing at things you want or if Dora's in a place she doesn't belong. There have been several instances where you've said, "Mama" and "Dada" too; not entirely TO us, but in our general direction :) What a year it has been with you in our lives. I am thankful that you are our son and look forward to the year ahead!
 Love, Mommy

Flashback Friday

About a year ago, Ezekiel didn't have much room left on my lap... 

Christmas Spirit

Life just seems to by flying by at warp speed and all I'm getting up here for you are Friday photos! My goal is to try to post about other things I'm interested in next year, but I'm also going to try to post at least a couple of times in December as well.

The reason I like to blog is for my family and friends who we don't live near. I like to share our lives with you so we can feel connected even from hundreds of miles away. So today, a snapshot into our lives:

Levi is taking a nap. Zeke is watching Curious George. We have begun decorating for Christmas and Zeke is in LOVE with the lights. We put a string up in his room to get him to stop playing with them. And we try to keep the others out of sight until we get them put up. We're hoping to get our Christmas tree on Friday. I'm a little nervous because I'm not sure how well Levi is going to stay away from it. But maybe if we get a prickly one... We'll see. Big learning curve ahead! Tonight I'm making chili for supper and hoping to get some buckeyes made soon! One of my favorite Christmas candies. Tonight we are going to start reading "Unwrapping the Greatest Gift" by Ann Voskamp. Each night we will read a story with the boys just before dinner and hang an ornament on our little tree to celebrate the coming of Christ's birth. I think it's going to be a great new tradition for our family.

And now Zeke is crying because Curious George is over. So I must go. And this is life!

To life... full of diffusing one situation after another!