blessing upon blessing

I am officially giddy, silly even! My honey is home for two whole weeks, my dear friend, Naomi, is within driving distance for a few happy weeks that will blink by (before she returns to her home in Mozambique), the girls are contented bees, sewing, crafting and basically glowing in grand-parental attention. Christmas day is drawing near, and GUESS WHAT??!!!!!! Our baby girl (yes, girl) will soon be joining our family!

Our tiny two month old, named "Life" in her native tongue, will likely be ready for travel by the end of February. So now we wait some more....but we have pictures (which for confidentiality reasons I cannot post) and will receive regular updates.

Praise the Lord, His mercies never cease!

favorite things (and fruitfulness)

red and white




Portuguese linens



living rosemary wreath



fruit filled lemon tree (Yay!)





Last spring our lemon tree suffered a bad frost. While we were grateful not to loose it altogether, it was disappointing when it brought forth only leaves. I missed my yearly supply of lemon curd, bars and Barefoot Contessa pound cake! I have been waiting, waiting for harvest time and can't help but feel Christ's direct instruction that I too be fruitful. I have often wondered if all I have produced is greenery, a show of what might come, only for Him to be frustrated at the lack of real, lasting fruit.

"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." Matthew 7:19 and Mark 11 where the fruitless fig tree is told, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again."

Dear Lord, I draw near. Help me, that I may bear fruit in You, by You and for You.

why don't we just begin with pie?

fatal attraction? :)

We have ten downy baby chicks. Gypsy is especially interested! Thought ya'll might enjoy this sneak peak into our latest farming venture! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

yummy reads

Each week I select a section from a favorite read aloud book for copywork or dictation exercises . The girls LOVE this (especially dictation) and often ask for more! This weeks dictation was from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This popular book is well loved in our home as we have read it yearly for the past three years (I admit I'm a sucker for blatant demands when a book is thrust into my hands and cute children pile around expectantly).

This weeks dictation work (Grandpa Joe's lively response to the prized golden ticket):

"Then very slowly, with a slow and marvelous grin spreading all over his face, Grandpa Joe lifted his head and looked straight at Charlie. The color was rushing to his cheeks, and his eyes were wide open, shining with joy, and in the center of each eye, right in the very center, in the black pupil, a little spark of wild excitement was slowly dancing. Then the old man took a deep breath, and suddenly, with no warning whatsoever, an explosion seemed to take place inside him. He threw up his arms and yelled 'Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!' And at the same time, his long bony body rose up out of the bed and his bowl of soup went flying into the face of Grandma Josephine, and in one fantastic leap, this old fellow of ninety-six and a half, who hadn't been out of bed these last twenty years, jumped on to the floor and started doing a dance of victory in his pajamas. "

It is so fun to read, I found that the girls wanted to read it over and over even as they were writing. How could they help but grin from ear to ear! We could roll around in these wonderul expressive words!

Maybe that's why we HAD to have a nibble from my not-so-secret chocolate stash at the end of each read! Sure glad we've moved on to Strawberry Girl, except, we did bake molasses cookies the day we read all about sugar caning and how molasses is made. All this reading is not so good for my figure! :)

love thy itty bitty neighbor

Our VERY helpful little neighbor while building our chicken coop! WAY too cute! :)

sugar tin

All out of agave sweetner for my morning tea. I'll just have to dip into real sugar from this sweet lil' tin. Too bad. :)

not alone

Please pray for Genevieve and her precious family as today was the day of her radioactive iodine treatment, the first day of her quarantine. Words fail me...

(You can read her blog linked to the right of this page, entitled Turquoise Gates.)

opportunity

Today I see opportunity. It is a day to rejoice in the unchangeable goodness of the Lord. I have the opportunity to influence my children by modeling peace and joy. This is Wisdom's call to me. Complete trust in the One who places kings on their thrones. We will respect our president- elect. We will pray for him in earnest. And we will recommit to living out the love that governs our ideals, by His grace. Today IS a new day.

humble pie

I was pleasantly surprised when Manda woke up early this morning and asked when we were going to go vote. Maybe they had been paying attention after all! Earlier this year Steve and I took them on a tour of our Capital Building and I had one of those, "Will you LISTEN to me, I'm TRYING to TEACH you something here!" moments (snarled with hushed flailing)! "WHAT is a bill? And WHO passes the bill? What is the House of Representatives?" Sigh. "Oh, never mind". Anyway, not one of my finer mothering or teaching days. So over the course of the presidential race, we have prayed for our current and upcoming leader, emphasizing the responsibility and privilege it is to vote and pretty much left the civic lesson at that. Honestly, I was a bit proud of them for their eagerness and interest today. They had several good questions about the candidates. I wasn't quite sure that Ayisha was catching it all though. As she concluded her physical therapy appointment this afternoon, her therapist asked her what her plans for the day were. Ayisha heartily replied, "We are going to bake cookies and then vote for the American Idol!"

daily cares

This week-end we wallowed in bounty. Caramel sugar highs, a late card game with friends, a chicken coop built with neighbors (I'll post pics soon), homemade applesauce canned and happily lined up on pantry shelves, a messy children's closet cleaned out and reorganized. I am thankful.

And yet, this coming election has me burdened more than any before. I lament over our broken nation and an increasing division amongst the Church. I battle fear for my children's future, for our collective rights as parents, citizens and human beings. My heart churns for babies unborn and their knowing mothers. I wonder how I can be salt and light, bringing healing in Jesus name. In the midst of it all, I am gently reminded to repent of my own sin. Relieved, I cast my cares on the One who does not change like shifting trends. For,

"All men are like grass and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall. But the Word of the Lord stands forever." 1 Peter 1:24&25

Emma

Natural and sweet, animal lover, budding artist and composer, easy going, nurturing, wildly delightful.

waiting...

Several of you have inquired about our adoption process so here's a little update. Our dossier (the Mt.Everest of paperwork) has gone through all the hoops necessary and should be in the hands of the Ethiopian Ministry of Women by now. They will match us with an infant between the ages of 0-6mo. We have not specified boy or girl so it will be a surprise! This match is called a referral. We could receive a call anytime (although we aren't expecting it until late November or December) with a referral which will comprise of pictures, medical results and social history (if any is available) of a baby that matches our requested criteria. We have up to a couple weeks to decide whether to accept the referral. Once we have accepted, we sign a document that makes us the legal guardian of that child. A court date finalizing the adoption in Ethiopia is given. We will not be there for that as dates can easily change. Once the adoption is finalized (usually a few weeks from the time we accept the referral), we are given our travel dates. We (or one of us) will travel to Ethiopia to get OUR BABY! YAY! Please pray with us for all the details but especially for the baby and our three little girls. This baby will surely have a lot of doting mamas! :)

backseat dreams (or money mongers?)

Driving home from piano today I had to chuckle as my meandering thoughts picked up on this conversation.

Amanda says, "I can't believe I am only eight. I really feel like I am ten!" to which Emma replies, I KNOW! I have been waiting for YEARS to be twenty!". (Big sigh from Manda)"Me too". They sat quietly then with their twenty year old dreams and I could not help myself. I HAD to ask. "So, girls, why do you want to be twenty?"

Realizing that they had been overheard, we all giggled, and one of them chimed "Because you get to do GROWN UP things then!". "Like what, for example", I pressed (slightly nervous about what grown up things might be).

"We can have LOTS of MONEY!"

"And we could read old books and watch old videos."

"Yeah, we could ride bigger bikes and drive a car," jumps in Manda.

"Go shopping All by OURSELVES!"

"Eat grown up food!"

"What is grown up food?", I want to know (since they eat everything Steve and I eat).

"NOT ONIONS! I mean, we won't have to eat onions!" chanted Manda, "Yeah, and we'll eat delicious grown up food whenever we want!" agrees Emma.

Emma repeats, "We can read books that we can't read now."

"Like what?"

"Like Lord of the Rings and stuff."

"Okay, anything else?"

Emma states the obvious, "When I am twenty I am buying a horse with a white star on its forehead!" (She has WUUVED her stuffed black horse since she was itty bitty. It's name is Star. Any guesses why?)

Amanda concludes with, "I don't want a boring job when I am grown up. I don't think I even want a job! I think I'll be an artist. Is that okay?"

Emma answers her, "But you won't have ANY money!!!"

Maybe I should have given them I nice sound lecture on the evils of materialism but I didn't. They have been saving their allowance now for months. Every week they count and recount it. They clip pictures out of those pesky catalogues that come in the mail to decide what to save for. A couple of months ago, they both decided to go in on mountain flutes and I have to admit I was pretty proud of them for their well thought out choice. A few months back Emma saved and bought herself a Narnia pop-up book. So, right now money means the power to buy things they want. Granted, they are not things they NEED. And, they do cheerfully give a percentage to the Lord. I can only pray that we are setting an example in our gratitude, generosity, and mindfulness toward those who have far, far less. In the meantime, my kids really, really like money! What can I say?

shshsh! don't tell!

Isn't this too funny? I LOVE the sunglasses! :)I snapped this last week while photographing a wedding and decided not to post it in the "samples" for the family to see online (in case someone would be unhappy). But I just couldn't resist posting it here. Just don't tell! (wink, wink)! You can check out a few of the images on the amygphoto blog, linked above right, if so inclined!

Oh, and by the way, this grandma was really very sweet!

spring of life

"It is impossible for us to make the duties of our lot minister to our sanctification without a habit of devout fellowship with God. This is the spring of our life, and strength of it. It is prayer, meditation, and converse with God, that refreshes, restores, and renews the temper of our minds at all times, under all trials, after all conflicts with the world. By this contact with the world unseen we receive continual accesses of strength. Without his healing and refreshing of spirit, duties grow to be burdens, the events of life chafe our temper, employments lower the tone of our minds, and we become fretful, irritable, and impatient."

H.E. Manning


"Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart." Col. 4:2

7 candles!!!!!!!

in review

The past ten days have fairly bulged with events! Ayisha started kindergarten last Monday and was tickled about it all! I had to let her habilitation worker go, however, (STRESSFUL) and got to see the Lord provide a highly capable replacement who also happens to be an old friend of mine. In the meantime Manda had a painful tooth extraction. Remember the scooter accident of a couple months ago? Well, apparently the impact killed one of her teeth, which caused and infection, abscess, the whole works. On the ride home Manda moaned, "This is the worst thing that has happened to me in my WHOLE LIFE!!!, then,"Can I get in your bed when I get home?" There is just somethin about mom and dad coziness.

Ayisha turned seven yesterday. We celebrated Saturday with a proper party reminiscent of her favorite Milly-Molly-Mandy story with a princess twist. Friends, young and old(er) came over for a high pitched swim, spoon and egg race, Cinderella pinata and barbecue a la americana.

As if on cue, she did something yesterday (her actual birthday) she has NEVER done before. Drum roll please....she walked WITHOUT her walker ACROSS THE ROOM to her sister! It was momentous! There were cheers, high fives. Loud Hugging! And she practiced all day. Yep, she did.

Since the week-end, we've been plagued with scratchy throat, runny nose blues. Still we have completed our adoption dossier! Whahoo!

This evening I have a beautiful vase filled with green, yellow and pink flowers in my kitchen. They were brought home by my dear husband. A gift in remembrance of our firstborn. We had moist eyes and lumps in our throats all through dinner.

Life is full! God is good.

sieve brain

Yesterday, after a quiet afternoon, family dinner and a monsoon walk, it casually dawned on me that I had forgotten something! Oh! Ayisha's *mandatory* kindergarten orientation! I panicked, called her teacher at home (who wasn't there because she was still at the school) and rambled on to her poor husband about my state of utter mortification! He promised to jot it down, "Okay, I'll give her the message". "You are mortified," he says.

The thing is, I had NO EXCUSE! For the past several days I had been reminding myself of this meeting. I had it plastered across my calendar, I had a list a questions to ask and it simply slips my mind?! Is this early onset of Alzheimer's? I have had a lot on my mind lately, I guess. The truck load of adoption paperwork has been gnawing at me. They need to be completed THIS WEEK. Steve and I have been working on finishing and mailing all four thousand camp images. I have been meeting with Ayisha's new habilitation worker (I am making efforts to demonstrate the delicate balance between facilitating Ayisha's independence and providing necessary assistance). Contracts have needed signed, paperwork filled out, instructions clearly communicated. She will be Ayisha's personal aid during her half days at school. All the curriculum for Emma and Amanda has arrived and we have begun our school routines. Still, Ayisha needs school clothes, new shoes, etc, etc... But then everyone has lists of things that need accomplished, deadlines to meet. WHY, oh WHY is it that everyone else in the world has it together? (Please do ignore the unbecoming whine!)

I take half a day, HALF OF A DAY to cuddle with the kids, to revel in a cooler than usual evening, and I COMPLETELY brain dump an important meeting?! Good thing I am not a surgeon or anything! "Oops, forgot your brain surgery today, Sorry!"

I spoke with Ayisha's teacher this morning and she was tremendously gracious, of course. Then I had a conversation with Genevieve, who is awaiting more results on Tuesday about her thyroid cancer. It's a fresh breeze talking to her. So I forgot school orientation, so what! I DID enjoy my husband and children AND ate cake to boot! I will try to remember to check my calendar SEVERAL times a day, to sticky notes onto my FOREHEAD, to take my baking soda drink (1/2 tsp. in a glass of water is supposed to do wonders for clearing brain "fog". Don't laugh.), but all things considered, OH WELL! Life goes on, right? Right.

recipe for a sweet afternoon

1) three fascinating little girls to chat with

2) a slice of marbled yogurt cake (improperly marbled, if you are me ;)

3) a cup of lovely hot tea

Once the cake is eaten, the tea drunk, race to the couch to catch an episode of Little
House! Scrunch together, breath deeply and enjoy every second.

dragons&fairies

The girls created fantastical creatures this morning to the carefree tunes of Elizabeth Mitchell (a fave around here). How cute are these?

baked oats

We tried my friend Dani's baked oatmeal recipe this morning for breakfast. It was perfectly suited to an overcast, drizzly day.
Here it is:

1 c. oil (I used apple sauce)

3 eggs

3/4 c. honey

2 1/4 c. milk (Dani uses soy milk)

4 1/2 tsp. baking powder

6 c. oats

pinch of salt

1 tsp. cinnamon (optional)


Mix ingredients together in a large bowl and pour into greased 9x13. Bake approx. 30 minutes (until a toothpick comes out fairly clean).

We topped ours with maple syrup and cream. Dani likes hers with pecans and melted butter. Try it! You'll like it!

my hero

I snapped this photo while relaxing on a boat with friends. Steve was steering and I
thought he had a "Master and Commander" look. Don't you think?

sisters

Two of my favorite people came over today for a mini shoot (and snacks, of course). Em is college bound NEXT WEEK (unbelievable!) and needed a handful of pics with her sis to brighten dorm walls.We raced around the house from window to window acting positively ridiculous! Such fun!

great find (thanks Nichole!)

Thanks to my neighbor friend's great eye, I got a new baking center for my kitchen! The old piece was unusual put a bit too rustic (like don't run your hand across it or you'll get blisters, rustic). The girls are regular sous chefs these days and I was needing a little breathing room while wielding dangerous weapons! As you may be aware, we have had our own "series of unfortunate events" related to digit removal in our family. Refraining from such opportunities only seems wise! So my neighbor, an avid bargain shopper, ran across this dark brown buffet (with great lines) for fifty bucks at Goodwill! Can you believe it?! Anyway, I bought it, painted and distressed it (actually the girls happily did that part) then had it topped with marble. Serendipitously, I found a remnant of Vermont white marble at a stone yard down the street. It turns out that the ambassador to India was building a house in the valley (heaven knows why) and had shipped crate loads of the stuff for his humble abode. I purchased a flawless remnant for a song! Yippee!

summer fun

More to come soon...

seasons

The following is a portion of a letter I wrote to my friend Gen (who was also Caleb's nurse while in Minnesota). I find that I finally did express myself a little so thought I'd copy it here.


"I have been struggling with what to share on my blog. Last week while organizing all the school materials I came across all the leaves for fall. Placing them in a small basket I felt like weeping. Just like that. One minute fine, the next unraveled. Pushing it back, I kept working until about two in the morning. A couple of hours later Ayisha had a really out of control seizure. I couldn't go to the hospital. I just looked at Steve and asked him to go. I was too tired and triggered. I knew I needed to stay back to catch my breath. I was actually scared to go to the hospital, which hasn't happened in a while. We've been there plenty since Caleb died. After several hours I drove over with Emma and Amanda so Steve could come home (he'd then take the twins). By that point Ayisha had woken up and was able to drink and eat a few bites. The doctor said she didn't need to stay overnight! HUGE relief! Steve decided to stick around until they discharged (which rolled into four hours of course). We all grabbed root beers, piled on the bed and " cushy" vinyl chairs and watched two movies! It was actually fun! Thank you Lord! I really needed that one.

After six years you'd think I would be prepared. Every time we near autumn my inner being knows. Caleb's beautiful birth. His tiny white body. October's transplant, his two black eyes. The shimmering gold, reflecting glory only possible in death. Red maples and my son's blood. No platelet count. Every year it hits me anew. This is the hardest season. Maybe harder than spring. I don't know. I can feel it in my bones even when I don't think about it.

I have realized that I feel very private about some of this. And I think it has to do with wounds from people during the early grieving process. I have to double check and see if it is bitterness or unforgiveness. I think it is simply protection. I used to share on Caleb's site but can't seem to do it anymore. Maybe it is a season of my life, I'm not sure. I just feel silent. Strange, huh?

I haven't been too depressed or anything. In fact I am enjoying my days immensely. Amanda taught me how to do a front flip off the diving board today! Booya! And I had fun taking Ayisha down the big slide over and over again! We baked banana bread today and slopped up Brazilian black bean stew! We are having great, hilarious, profound conversations and I am trying to really listen."

I've found that summers offer a reprieve of sorts when it comes to the currents of grief. The searing beauty of Minnesota's seasons have been engraved into my inner fabric. Winter's snow illustrates widespread grace, a beautiful covering of the pain and ugliness. The gift of His Son. Fall is synonymous with death of life, life in death. Then spring. The valley of the shadow and the beginning of a long wait -- a hope to come. The magnificence of Easter. Life springs anew.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

ordered chaos

Haven't had much to say lately. Not because nothing has been going on but because I've been engrossed in the stuff of life!

Some days I've tackled well my run on list of things to do before school begins. I've also sorted images for the camp, ordered curriculum, chipped away at adoption paperwork,and made crafts with the girls. Other days have been spent pleasantly swimming and playing. Ever since last Thursday, though, I have obsessed with organizing our house, even if I didn't quite set out to tame the beast to begin with. My original intent was simply to clean out the school room and library!

If you were to stop by right now you'd think I'd foraged through each nook-n-cranny, promptly catapulting all our earthly belongings into the center of each room! And you'd be right! Why is it that when you start to organize one space, you go to another and realize that it needs organized as well?! Before you know it the entire house is overturned in an effort to create order? I'm sure you systems people out there (you know who you are) think I'm nuts in my inefficiency but hey, there's a method to my madness. I'm just not sure what it is yet! :)

On another note, Ayisha had a seizure yesterday morning that was not responsive to the medication we usually give her. She was transported to the hospital where the staff also had a difficult time stopping it. A significant dose of Adavan finally did the trick, knocking her out for several hours. She was transferred to ICU to be monitored until she awoke and could keep down food and drink. We were thankful that she was well enough to come home last night even if she is noticeably out of it! When Steve carried her to the bathroom yesterday evening she blurted out, "Thank you for saving my life, Daddy!" Then broke out in giggles! She's not stable enough to walk or even crawl today and her eyes are half shut but she still comes up with hilarious phrases and cracks herself (and the rest of us) up! What a character! I love that I can and do learn so much from my little ones! Ayisha embodies pluck. She teaches me perseverance every day just by placing one braced foot in front of the other.

delicious

"What a delicious day!", said Emma at the dinner table. It's
a good thing my children like fruit since that is mostly what
we ate today! It was MUCH too hot to cook so we picked up fresh
baguettes, and ate them topped with cheese and fig jam. Strawberries,
blueberries and mangos on the side. Yum.

"If I were a king, I would have mangos every day!" (Emma, while savoring the
last bite of mango).

a sweet reunion

Hello everyone! We pulled in early Sunday morning from an amazing two weeks in California. Two whole weeks with precious friends AND no cooking or clean up! That's my kind of vacation!

We spent a week enjoying family camp at Forrest Home with the Sterners, some of our dearest friend since college days. Our kids hadn't seen each other since Caleb went to be with the Lord, six years ago, yet were inseparable within minutes!

Then Kevin and I went "to work" for the camp for several days. As the branding consultant for the camp, Kevin has been revamping the camps marketing materials. I was hired as a photographer for the new brochures and website material he will be putting together. Camp Forrest Home is an amazing place, full of deep heritage, and touching stories. Surrounding the family camp, they run high school, jr. high, and children's camp simultaneously. Needless to say, we were busy but had a blast!

After ten days on the camp property, we (Sterners and Glovers) piled in our vans, listening to musicals all the way to Hunnington Beach where we hung out for another couple of days! I had to pinch myself at the delight of it all...late night chats, card games, body surfing with our kids, laughing until we couldn't breathe....

And now today, I am 35 years old! Thirty five! Oh my goodness, next year I will be closer to forty than thirty! Eek! Oh, well! My friend Diane told me when I turned thirty that the thirties would be great -- freeing and full. I totally agree. I thank the Lord for one more year and pray that this year I will grow in maturity, bearing much fruit, to His glory. I am thankful for those of you who are in my life, you are gifts from above!

Well, my little girls have been giggling behind closed doors, making handmade presents for their mama. I just have to go peek...

wedding pics

I recently had the opportunity to photograph a friend's
wedding in Indiana. I've posted some of my favorite images
on the amygphoto blog. If you have a minute, check them out.
It was a lovely wedding!

onward

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who
say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" Is. 52: 7

My parents departed early this morning for Mexico. A new land, people and culture.
Yet the glorious message is the same...

I am humbled and thankful for the example of love my parents continue to live
before me and my children. How beautiful indeed.

daily needs

A portion of today's reading perfectly depicted the prayers for Genevieve, Aaron and her precious family. God is good.

" The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul." Psalm 121:7


"Under Thy wings, my God, I rest,
Under Thy shadow safely I lie;
By Thy own strength in peace posessed,
While dreaded evils pass me by."

A.L. Waring



" Let God do with me what He will, anything He will; whatever it be, it will be either
heaven itself or some beginning of it."

Wm. Mountford

why not?

Emma and Amanda loaded the van with smiles and pride as they went with their dad to work this morning. It is "take your kids to work day" at Steve's company. Last year was the first time they were old enough and they have talked about it ever since. For most, this would be an ordinary affair but since Steve works in a regulated "clean" environment (free of dust, mold or any other unwelcome "mites"), this is a rare event. Never mind that we couldn't find closed-toed shoes to properly accommodate Emma's growing feet (hers are half a size larger than her sisters), they'll get DONUTS for breakfast!

Ayisha and I watched cartoons (also a rare event), danced to the tunes of our favorite folk cd and now she is about to enjoy music therapy with beloved Miss Lauren.

Lets see, I will mop my floors (while praying for Gen), take a long hot shower (praying), prep for supper (still praying).

The girls should be back just in time for lunch. After which, piano lessons, and a swim with friends.
Steve will throw some marinated shrimp on the grill tonight because Nick (our favorite college student) is coming for dinner and he LOVES shrimp! And I will make macaroons because, well, why not?

before the throne

My dear friend Genevieve will be having surgery tomorrow to remove a tumor that has
been growing on her thyroid. Please join us in earnest prayer. You will find detailed information on her blog entitled, "turquoise gates" linked on the right hand side of the page.

for Genevieve

I will get your cd in the mail soon but thought you might enjoy these especially today. My heart is full with prayer and supplication, my friend.