Memoria Arts~ Life in the Making

Best (Favorite) Pictures of 2009 (Jan-June)...

January:

 
David learned to walk.

February:

 
March:

  

April:

 

May: 

 

June:

 
  

A peek around the corner...

I am still smiling at my post yesterday...I hope I didn't sound grumpy. I truly am getting used to this little germ warfare dance with these crazy upper respiratory bugs that seem to come our way. It does get slightly scary at times, I'll admit, but I am glad that it is something I am very familiar with and is dealt with easily enough. I do find it fascinating that we don't seem to catch any of the other bugs (knock on wood)- we've only caught the flu once in the last seven years. My kids don't get the stomach bugs hardly at all, and up until these crazy double ear infections with David, none of my kids had any ear problems either. I'd rather deal with the familiar wheeze and snotty nose than parcel out bowls and trash cans any day. 

When I get "stuck" during these spells (and I say 'stuck' with an impish grin on my face), rocking and reading and kissing the little invalid (or two or three), there's not a whole lot I can do. Pray, read, and nap a little (ha! I wouldn't recommend that with under threes around), and (my personal favorite) watch the other children play. Sometimes I get stationed in such a way that I can see into the children's rooms, but the children aren't aware that I am close by and play and talk naturally. This can set me to giggling some times- the fantastic, outlandish, imaginative stories the boys concoct can get knee-slapping funny. (Which isn't good while holding a sleeping child, but I digress.) 

If I watch close enough, I get to catch a glimpse of my children's personalities and their future selves. In this Advent season, I think of Mary and how "she treasured all these things in her heart" as she watched Jesus grow in wisdom and stature. These little peeks truly seem a gift to me, specially picked out by their heavenly Daddy. And heaven knows, it's these little peeks that carry me through the truly rough days. 

David is truly becoming a little boy, and all the sweet baby chump is disappearing around his face: alas, my favorite part of wee little ones. Such an interesting time , watching them make the transition into childhood from babyhood: they don't need you so much anymore, although they are quick to come running with boo boos to be kissed still; they learn so much in such short spans of time that they (and you) get frustrated when their bodies can't keep up. And oh, how they bargain to get rid of the nap time they still desperately need! It is always both exciting and yet bittersweet. They will not pass this way again in their lifetimes. David's language acquisition is exponentially growing on a daily basis- it never ceases to amaze me what new word will spill forth that I can understand. I am quite partial to his lisped "I love you", and it is so nice to be able to understand what he wants instead of the fuss translation! I've glimpsed such a compassionate nature in him recently. He is the first to arrive "on scene" when a sibling is hurt, offering a gentle touch on shoulder or rubbing the baby's head. He's quite the companion- he doesn't push himself to the front, needing the attention. He'll gladly go along with whatever his siblings have cooked up for play. I've often seen him and Lorelei sitting side by side in the rocking chair, just smiling at each other. I feel that way about him too...he's my little buddy that often comes and sits with me while I am nursing or doing something, and we just smile away at each other! He definitely has a gift for "be"-ing with people. I've learned a lot from a little two year old guy.

Lorelei. My little song. (Lorelei is German, and transliterates as "fairy song".) She hums and sings most of the day long, usually about whatever she is doing at the moment, with made up melodies and harmonies. She is all princess. Where my boys are rough and tumble, she is dainty; where they are loud and boisterous, she is quiet and considerate. She has this thing that always tickles me to death when she does it- if she says something you didn't quite hear, and you ask her to repeat it, or get down on your knees to be closer (as I usually do), she whispers- as if that would make her easier to hear! She has an ability to bring out the best in her siblings and others- it's as if one stands a bit taller, walks a bit straighter, speaks a bit better around her, because they want to give her their best. She truly makes others shine, somehow, in her little magical way. She is also, very much, a little mama. She keeps those jumpy boys in line, and don't you know it! I think in some ways the boys are as much afraid of getting in trouble with her as they are with me...although she probably offers a lot more kisses and lovies to the offending party than I do. I have been finding her 'sugar and spice' approach works alot better than my yelling!

And Isaiah! The zest and sparkle and oomph to our days. For all his SPD struggles (which are more and more becoming speed bumps to coast over versus mountains to climb) which you might think at first glance would cause difficulty to engaging in relationship with others, Isaiah truly has the gift of encouragement. He has this little way of smiling that all but twinkles at you with his eyes and you immediately feel a bit better. He is so good at getting us to look on the bright side of things, and his delight in life is infectious. He is a hoot! Watching them play, you'll hear him say something like "Ben, you can do it! You can make a really tall tower! What a good job, David!" He isn't very skilled when it comes to hand-eye coordination, so watching Ben build a Lego tower is something that really makes him happy- especially if Ben lets him knock it down afterwards! I find a lesson in this- I would be/have been bitter about my limitations in the past. It's like Isaiah doesn't even recognize that he has a difficulty, and he truly rejoices in the accomplishments of others. 

Ben. Ben-the-man. ( A lisped Isaiah pronunciation of Benjamin that stuck like glue!) A mechanical, linear mind that is always going, always making, and always asking, that one. Questions, morning, noon, and night! He is always thinking, thinking, thinking. I swear you could see wheels turn and smoke pour out the gears some days. He has the gift of leadership, definitely. It's his crazy schemes that his siblings get roped into. He is the go-to tent maker, block-builder, game-player. The kids would do anything for him! In conjunction with that, he has the ability to see problems and fix them. That is a rare gift- to be able to see the problem is half the battle! Most people have the ability to fix, but not necessarily the ability to realize what the issue is to begin with. I am fascinated by the boy-man he is becoming. I wonder what he'll pick for an occupation? He reminds me so much of my Uncle David, who is a chemist. I definitely think he'll be in something like that- he has such an analytical mind. An architect, a mathematician, who knows? 

Cuddly little Josiah hasn't shown much of a personality yet, but I think he could compete with David on the smiling and Isaiah on the twinkling. We live to make that wee one giggle and smile! And he is so interested in all that they are doing. He hates being faced in such a way that he can't see what the kids or I are up to: I always have to turn the swing or bouncy so that he can see, and the tears evaporate into thin air. 

I am so thankful for the gift of their company, short time though it may be; I can't wait to see what God has planned for their lives. 

Light, last week...

Inside:

The paper mache stars were finished and delivered to Grace. It was a lot of fun, but hear me when I say I hope I don't see paper mache any time soon. There were five in total- two six pointed, two eight pointed, and one 'star of bethlehem', each about four and a half feet in diameter. All were made from Pex pipe, twine, paper, flour, and water. 

 
 

Outside:

Such beauty! The skies have been competing each day to see who can be the prettiest. It's fine with me; winter's gray cloak will settle down around the mountains' shoulders all too soon. We had the nicest of snows on Saturday. It wasn't too cold, and there wasn't a lot of ice and muck. Just enough to enjoy and play in!

 Making the stars and watching out the garage windows has made me think so much about light- how it changes, the different moods...and of course, the Light. This Advent season so far has felt quiet and peaceful. Just enjoying the moments as they come.

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." Isaiah 9:2

 

Today...

 

{In the window: Our thankfulness project, loosely inspired by Kristin Welch over at (in)courage}

Welcome fall...

The first day of fall- the first day of my favorite time of year. I love the cool, crisp weather that isn't cold, the blaze of leaf on limb, the excuses to drink hot drinks all day long... I like nothing more than the first day I get to pull my favorite sweater on. I live in an area that turns all out for Fall- such golden, sparkling hues of orange, red, and gold sprinkled all over the hills. And the smells! Autumn has a smell that is unmatched by any other season... wood fires and apple cider and spice, pumpkin bread baking in the oven...

What is your favorite thing about Autumn?

Catching the first smile...

Baby love...

Excuse me while I flood the blog with baby pictures....

We came home from the hospital on Thursday and are doing well. The kids are absolutely, positively, crazy about their new baby brother, and looking at him is providing endless hours of entertainment. (Isaiah says, "Mommy, when is Josiah going to do something?" At which point, Josiah cracked his eyes opened and fixed Isaiah with a look. Isaiah started giggling.)

Sleep is elusive, but who cares? I have a baby to kiss and cuddle! Besides, whoever thought up that whole 'sleeping like a baby' phrase really intended to mislead, methinks. I think the other children have finally gotten back on their normal sleep schedules (such strange sounds at 3 am!), so hopefully the overall grumpy factor in the house is headed to better places.

So much to tell about our little miracle baby...soon. Very soon. But right now, I am headed back to kiss that little sweet head... Thank you for all your prayers, love, and well wishes!

Heart beating praise songs...

I had a fetal heart echo today, where they closely observe the baby's heart over a period of time. This was primarily due to the fact that at the last ultrasound Bean was being quite shy and they just could not get good images and measurements of the heart. We tried to get a peek at just "who" Bean was today, and now the little wiggle worm wouldn't sit still long enough to peek! Nor would Bean stay still for the technician to get the heart properly imaged. We had to play a game of hide and seek for a little bit, but finally, Bean got comfortable and they went to work taking the measurements and listening to the heart, watching the blood flow in and out and around. Ultrasounds never fail to amaze me...there is just something about peering into the hidden places and seeing the baby move- the hands, the feet, the little idiosyncrasies of personality already showing. The steady heart beat: whoosh whoosh whoosh. This is the longest amount of time I have ever seen or heard any of my children in utero- almost half an hour. I watched Baby suck on hand, tickle foot, turn, flip and wave. The doctor said that everything was fine and looked good, and I couldn't help but smile when she said "all the pieces and parts are exactly where they belong". This snippet of verse had been running through my head the whole time- the Lord's care for us, for me, for this wee little one's heart beating praise songs within me- it astounds. How graced we are! What ultrasound reveals for moments, God sees for every second, minute, and hour of pregnancy. Praise to El Roi, the God who sees!

For you formed my inward parts;
   you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.Wonderful are your works;
   my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret,
   intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them,
   the days that were formed for me,
   when as yet there was none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
   How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
 I awake, and I am still with you.

          

{Psalm 139: 13-18}

Seeing...

(This is a part of continuing poetry challenges over at LL's blog, Seedlings in Stone)

Slumber comes
inward floating down
dancing waters
rhythmic turn reaching
against starry night
stretch and grow

but in the darkness
fear and betrayal swim
swirling tempests
threatening to overcome

tossing and turning
flail I against the
emptiness
bedclothes tangle and catch

arm encircles
comforts, draws in
husbands heart beat pounds in ear
soothing slowing

tears wend ribbons
across skin down face
round curve
as I slip into sleep again

Kitchen Poetry, #1

Toni challenged her readers to join her on a kitchen poetry tour this week. I spend so much time in my tiny kitchen that I thought it would be a great way to capture what I do everyday. Of course, this weekend I've had the luck and the sincere delight to eat at others homes, so no cooking has been happening. (Quite a break for me...I  don't know what to do with myself. And such brave people that they would invite a family of six!) I'll call today traces.