Playing hard and learning while at it

One of the great thing about homeschooling...

Just a few pictures from our trip to Discovery world last week. So thankful that I get to share moments like this with my kiddos!

Sweet Slumber

Because it was too cute not to post! :)

A scary fall

The evening was ending the way it usually does. We got the kids teeth brushed, jamies on, diapers changed, everyone upstairs. The craziness of the routine was no different. We were laughing and playing with the kids. Claire started to do a little dance (while sitting) as the boys ran circles around her. That gave me an idea. I decided to run into Anna's room to get her mp3 player and idog so that we could show Bill how Claire likes to dance to the music.

It took me a minute to gather everything. Anna soon joined me at her bedside as I tried to figure out how to turn the mp3 player on. Suddenly I heard Bill shout "Liz" from the other room. I looked up just as Claire reached the the stairs....Bill was right behind her, but there was nothing that could be done. She was too quick. She tumbled down the entire set of wooden steps. Bill trailed behind her. He tried to grab or catch her, but it wasn't possible. She did about 3 flips before she hit the bottom on her face.

I felt sheer horror in that moment. I was at the bottom in a flash next to Bill as he scooped up a screaming Claire into his arms. All I could get out was a prayer for help, "Oh God, oh God" Anna and Ryan were both screaming because they were scared for Claire, and James just kept saying "What happened?"

Bill and I began to look her over. The fact that she was screaming which was a good sign. I took her in the other room to try and nurse her and calm her down. As I started to nurse I noticed that there was blood coming out of her eye. I quickly unlatched her and motioned for Bill to follow me into the other room (I didn't want to alarm the kids who were standing right there still crying). We immediately decided to rush to the ER. I quickly called Bill's mom as we rushed to get everyone into the car, to tell her they needed to take the kids because we had to get Claire to the ER.

It felt like such a long drive to the hospital. I sat in the back next to Claire crying and praying. It was hard to see her in the dimly lit car. I couldn't tell if she was really okay or not. She fell asleep almost instantly. I spent the whole ride trying to wake her up.

When we got into the ER I literally jumped out of the car with her and ran inside while Bill parked the car. Claire woke up and was looking around, she actually appeared to be alright. I got in line and anxiously waited my turn. As soon as I explained what happened, the lady behind the desk phoned someone and said,"we have an infant with a severe head trauma" My heart jumped at hearing those words. They rushed us back to to a room. We took Claire out of her car seat and a few nurses and Doctor began to look her over. Claire sat there on my lap, content and alert and happy, as if nothing had happened.

They decided to do a few x-rays just to make sure everything looked as good on the inside as it did the outside. Bill went back to the x-ray to help hold Claire. I could hear her screaming all the way down the hall. After all was said and done Bill brought her back to me so that I could comfort her like only a mom can. Then we waited the results.

The Doctor came back and said that everything looked really good. No fractures or brakes. Just a few bruises on her head and face. Turns out the blood in her eye was nothing serious. They think she just bumped her nose and the blood came out her eye. Praise God! On the way to the hospital I was envisioning the worst...loosing her or her having some sort of brain damage. The Doctor told us to wake her and keep an eye on her over the night, just to make sure.

As we packed up and got ready to leave the hospital, we did have a moment of laughter. Bill told me that when he pulled up to the ER door to let us out, in my haste I forgot to close the van door. He called, "Liz....door..." But I never heard him. So he just drove away to the parking lot with the door open and the dome light on. He said people were looking at him strange. You would have to know my husband to understand the way he would tell this story. He has a way of making things funny. I almost wet my pants laughing at the sight of him driving with the door and light open. God is good to give us laughter in the midst of it. :)

We are all so thankful for God's protection! It was a very long scary night, but we got through it. It definitely made me think...made me realize even more how I need to treasure each moment with the little ones that God has given us. You just never know what could happen...not to live in fear, but to embrace the time God has given.

Play-Doh

(One of Anna's Play-Doh creations)

Play-Doh and I have a love-hate relationship. I love how it keeps my children entertained for extended periods of time, and cultivates creativity. But, I hate that I find it's little snibblets all over the table, kitchen floor and living room carpet (despite my best efforts to have it kept at the table).

I'm just say'n. :)

Now back to your regularly scheduled program...

God doings

A small teaser of posts to come soon...

~God's amazing provision for our family

~God's protection from a potentially serious situation

~God's guidance for our future

~My testimony. I want to share Bill's also with his permission. This will also shed light on what God is doing with our future.

~"And you only"...I want to start posting again on my journey of what God is teaching me about loving my husband.

I'll be back later!

This is fun

Go here to see me. Or click on the button. :)

30

I am officially a part of the 30's club. :) I had my birthday last Thursday (Jan. 8th). I have to say it was one of the best birthdays I have ever had! (Way better then last year...post on that later.) Despite the fact that Bill was in Atlanta for work most of the week, it really was a great day. I think most of it had to do with my attitude and God's grace. :)

The kids decided to throw me a "surprise" party. I got out balloons and cupcakes and Anna did the rest. I let them each blow out a candle. There wasn't room for 30 candles so we decided that 3 would be a good representative...one for each decade. :) Instead of gifts, Anna and Ryan drew pictures of what they would give me if they could. I love that!

We played birthday games. Anna made her own version of pin the tail on the donkey.

Bill surprised me by having roses sent to the house. Needless to say I was so touched. What a sweet and romantic thing to do.

Aren't they beautiful?!

I ended to evening by driving to the airport to pick up Bill from his trip. That was so fun. A friend came over and stayed with the kids who were sleeping (it was an 11:00 p.m. flight). I waited anxiously for Bill to walk down the long hallway to me. I felt like I had gone back in time to when we were first dating (long distance) and we would fly to see each other. I had butterflies in my stomach. It was so so great to see one another again...what a perfect gift! What a perfect ending to my day.

A few people have asked how I feel being 30. I don't feel any different. :) In fact I think it was about time that I finally entered a new decade. :) I feel very blessed. I mean, I have a God who is on my side, I have 4 beautiful children, a husband who loves me and that I am madly in love with. Things aren't perfect, but I wouldn't want them to be. This has been an incredible journey so far and I know there is an exciting future ahead (more on that later). I look forward to the next 30!

Photography

Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever…it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything. (Aaron Siskind)

I read this quote here. It perfectly describes how I feel and why I try to capture life from behind my lens.

Out with the old...

Come to me with a teachable spirit, eager to be changed. A close walk with Me is a life of continual newness, Do not cling to old ways as you step into a new year. Instead, seek My face with an open mind, knowing your journey with me involves being transformed be the renewing of your mind.
~Jesus calling, by Sara Young

Oh God I pray that my heart would be teachable. Help me not hold to things of the flesh but that I would allow You to transform me. Being transformed is not easy, but I thank You for your grace and Your tenderness as you lead me. As I think about the new year I pray I would remember that I am a new creation. I pray that as you strip off the old, that you would be glorified. Thank you God for loving me.

A year in review

It's hard to sum up a year but here are a few thoughts and pictures to go with it.

new baby
new job
lost teeth
kindergartner
2nd grader
toddler
play dates
family outings
love grown stronger
learned new skills
lots of firsts
a few lasts
crazy days
20 inches of snow in one storm
flood
the beach
owies
surgery
kisses
hugs
heartaches
lots of good food
laughter
tears
friendships developed
memories made

What an amazing year it was. God is good through it all...the good and the bad.

Now to 2009. There are BIG things in store for our family; life changing, God things! So stay tuned. I have the feeling it is going to be an amazing adventure!

Nighttime discovery

late night.
sleeping children.
or so I think.
hearing whispers.
quiet movement.
then laughter.
sneak upstairs.
find this...



lips parted in smile.
filled with joy.
just a few more minutes?
hmmm...
should be sleeping.
but permission given.
4 eyes twinkle.
thanks given.
many happy hearts.
not "sorry"one bit. :)