New Addition

On one of our trips to MN this summer, we decided to add to our family.

Meet Mr. Hollister Green



Luck of the Irish

Growing up, I rarely thought twice about St. Patrick's Day.  Some years, I would remember to wear green to school, because back in those days pinching was still okay.  For supper, or dinner, depending on where you come from, we'd eat corned beef and cabbage, prepared by my Grandma.  My Grandma's father was Irish and their last name was Kelly, which is also my middle name.

After Grandma passed away, each of my siblings and parents have carried on St. Patrick's Day traditions.  Maybe it is more fun now that I am older and have kids of my own?

So, this morning as I work on our evening meal with my favorite Irish bands playing in the background, I think of my Grandma and all of the wonderful memories we created together.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Our Evening Meal

Corned beef brisket w/roasted carrots, green onions, and cabbage

Sauteed brussels sprouts w/ bacon

Roasted red potatoes

Irish soda bread

Guinness cupcakes

On Babies, Overconfidence, and God

My husband and I love children.  Newborns, babies, toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged, you name it.  We love being parents and always said we'd have two children, a boy and a girl.  After having each, we felt like our family wasn't complete.  After our youngest was a few months shy of turning two, we decided that we would have one more.  My husband couldn't stand having one open seat at our dining-room table! 

Getting pregnant came easy for us each time.  Our first and second were complete surprises, both conceived while on BC.  Unfortunately, we lost our second child around the 10 week mark.  After a routine GYN appointment, my doctor discussed natural family planning with me because there was a chance that BC doesn't work with my hormones.
We conceived our last two children within a month of trying.  People joked with us that we could get pregnant by just thinking about it.  We considered ourselves blessed, as many of our friends haven't had it so easy.

Fast-forward to September of 2009.  We decided to have one more.  Our final child and our youngest would be 2 1/2 years apart.  We had the dates planned, so they would be no more than 3 years apart in school.  We would have a summer baby, so I wouldn't have to deal with the Idaho heat while 9 months pregnant.  We planned and planned, we had it all figured out.  Or, so we thought.

I was convinced I was pregnant in October, then November, and most definitely December.  We decided that if we didn't conceive by August, we would be done.
During the early months of 2010, I realized that it really isn't our plan.  It is God's plan.  They are not our children, they are His.  He has complete control over conception.  We can intervene, but He is in charge.

During this time, He changed our hearts.  He knocked us down to where we should be.  By August, He told us that our family was complete.  We slowly started getting rid of baby things.  By September, our only focus was on the children we already had and our wonderful future with them.
And, that empty seat at the table?  It would have been filled by the child we lost, and in our hearts it always will be.

Christmas Break

Today is the last day of Christmas break.  I love having my kids home and have purposely put off errands all week, so we could just veg and catch up on housework.  Computer and TV time was at their discretion, so was bedtime.  We had a wonderful holiday in Minnesota and loved spending time with just our little family creating memories.  We had a real tree this year.  It looked and smelled wonderful!  I hope the kids get a lot of snow days this winter, so we can make a few more snow angels.

This post is over two months behind. Apparently, I forgot to hit "publish."

Come Lord Jesus, be our guest...

Did you pray that mealtime prayer growing up?

It has been a very busy fall.  My parents came to visit at the end of October.  They loaded up the back of their caravan with our new-to-us china hutch and many, many totes filled with wedding presents that we have never used!  We have been married 10 1/2 years.  Included in our wedding presents were our china, crystal, stemware, and silverware.  We have never used them, because of the amount of moving we do, they were bound to break.  My dad was a huge help to us by setting up the new hutch.  My mom helped unpack totes and washed everything.  What a job!  The night before my parents left, my mom made a beautiful meal and dressed up my new dining room with a few extra pretties she found at Gordmans.  She loves to decorate and I am so thankful for her.  Here are the before and after pictures.



Giving Thanks

After moving to Nebraska, holidays with our extended families is much more doable.  For Thanksgiving this year, we drove down to St. Louis to spend the weekend with my husband's birth mom and her family.  It was a fantastic weekend, filled with so much food, love, newness, memory-making, and friendship building.  One of the highlights of our trip was taking a walk down to the lake.  On the way there, we passed a fort in a wooded ravine.  We could tell the builders of this fort were long gone, but they kept everything in tact for passersby.  The kids helped rebuild the fort, played on the tire swing, and posed for some pictures.  We made memories that we will cherish forever and are so thankful that we have this new family and extended family that has welcomed us in like their own.

This post is four months behind.  Apparently, I forgot to hit "publish."

1st Day of 3rd Grade

I'm not quite sure how it happened, but we have a 3rd grader!

How did she go from this, to the big girl in the picture below?

This year, she insisted on choosing her own outfit.  So, she put together a combination of Macy's, Justice, Target, and our Thrift Store.  She is my little artist and I love to see what she comes up with.

Her favorite subjects are reading, music, and P.E.  She loves everything related to art, especially design and is really excited that her new school will offer art class! We were hesitant to send her to school being it will only be 1 1/2 months before our move.  She adjusts easily and wanted to go, so we felt more comfortable with the decision.

Merry Christmas!

H1N1

Sorry I haven't posted, or responded to your emails. Thank you for wondering where I've been! Our family has been hit hard by H1N1 and could really use your prayers. My husband and son have fevers this morning and are starting to get more symptoms. Please pray that my fever will break so I can function enough to take care of them and our girls. Thank you all. I appreciate you.

20 Minutes

Bagel with peanut butter

Sliced apples

Hot chocolate in thermos, set in freezer to cool off

One load of laundry

Snuggle time

Prayer

Happy 2nd grader

Happy Mom

All of this, if I get up 20 minutes earlier.

Learning to Serve: Part Deux

Babies.

Well, the topic of having babies has once again come up in our house. After two, we were happy and done. After three, we were even more happy, and done. Our youngest will be two in December, and we are contemplating again. Is family planning really family planning? Should it be completely up to God, or should couples "intervene?" I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Also, if you haven't entered my giveaway, please do!

Wordless Wednesday: Swine-Free

I Could've Written This One...

Moms, PLEASE read this post from Steph. It's like reading a big, warm hug...

{HUG}

Happy 33rd!

Learning to Serve

While I was switching loads in the laundry room, our youngest decided to make me some coffee! What a servant heart she has.

Auntie!

Do you remember this lovely couple? This is my brother and new sister-in-law. They got married this summer. Well, they are making me an AUNTIE for the first time. Congratulations little bro and sister!

Toasty!

We have added a new addition to our family! Meet Toasty, a functional polydactyl kitty we got at the Farmer's Market. He is a little lap kitty that keeps us warm, and is so snugly! The kids absolutely love him, and he is SO good with them.

Our Pre-schooler!

K, 1st, 2nd...2nd Grade??