Alice in Wonderland

Love these adorable girls! More pictures of Halloween & October here.

Happy Halloween!

My Halloween treat is simultaneous naps. LOVE them... love the girls too ;-)

I've finished Alice's costume which she will wear to Awana tonight at church since daddy is teaching the lesson. I'll stay home with Emma. I should probably have candy to hand out... I haven't gotten them both in their costumes yet because I still have a few things left to finish Emma's. Pictures will be coming, I promise!

So the last several weeks we've all been on and off sick, which has meant not good sleep all around. Last night the girls didn't make a peep from 8PM-6AM. Okay, I think it was 5:58 when Alice came in our room. It. Was. Awesome.

And now I hear Emma playing, which is better than screaming. But if I don't go get her soon it will become screaming.

Happy Birthday!

To my brother, Dan! Today he's 17, which means I'm... older. And feeling REALLY older knowing he's only one year away from 18: a legal ADULT. Weird.

Emma is also a nine months old (as of last week), which meant another well-baby check-up. This time, thankfully, without any shots. Alice came with me because our appointment time ran into Andrew's class time. That was exciting. She definitely remembered her last visit there and had several freak-out moments at a few key points in the doctor's office. Awesome.

But Emma is nine months old! HOLY MOLY where does the time go? Sure, she still looks like a six month old, but she's started pulling up on everything. Today she shuffled her feet while standing precariously perched alongside a semi-sturdy toy bin. She's way too independent for a nine month old.

Nine months old! Yep. She's 16 lbs. 5 oz and 26.5" long. Her head is 44 cm around. This may mean nothing to you if you don't have a baby in your life so I'll break it down with percentiles. Her head is in the 49th percentile (down from 69th at her 6 month visit). Her length percentile has also decreased. She's currently the 15th percentile, down from 65th. Weight? Yeah, last time was the 13th percentile but this time is the 9th percentile. So, that's the smallest change from last time! But, yeah, she's quite petite. Probably not a future basketball star.

No teeth yet. I'm fine with that.

She's definitely crawling on her knees more. Not completely done with the army crawl, but realizing that knees can be very helpful in seeing things up higher. I'm a little nervous that she'll be the kid who scales our entertainment center when I've got my head turned. Oh, and the doctor said she's going to be a dancer or a gymnast because she's incredibly flexible. Spiderbaby?

What's on the ground?

This morning when I woke up it was overcast. Oh. Yes. Water even fell from the sky. Sure, it was in very tiny mist-like droplets, but it was water. From the sky. Otherwise known as RAIN.

For this reason I decided to make comfort food for dinner: spaetzle (egg noodles) and lentil soup. So thankful for my spaetzle maker!

I intended to take a picture of my plate but I couldn't reach the camera from where I sat. And you just can't let spaetzle and lentil soup get cold. Maybe when I have the leftovers I'll take a picture. If I remember.

The past few nights we've been putting the girls to bed at the same time and it's been going fairly well. Before that I'd put Emma down and then Alice once Emma started quieting down. Inevitably Alice would be past tired when she finally made it to bed and Emma would wake up and re-start her before-bed-squealing. This then turned into a cycle of Alice screeching, Emma crying, Alice wailing, Emma banging her legs on the mattress, Alice sobbing. You get the idea. Not the most pleasant for anyone really. Tonight marks the third night in a row of girls getting to bed without excessive amounts of screaming. Just to clarify, the screaming comes from them, not Andrew & me. At least, not audible screaming from us...

I'm optimistic that we've turned over a new leaf (HA, get the autumn reference?!?) with the girls and they'll do much better sharing a room from here on out. I'm not being sarcastic.

The dishes are calling. You know what they're saying? "Where did the counter go?"

Restoration

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23

This psalm has been on my mind a lot today. Mostly "my cup overflows." I am so thankful for my husband, our children, our church, our home, our friends. Often I feel like a roller coaster of emotions but I think it's a girl thing. And God made me with these emotions to serve Him in and through them. I am overwhelmed at how He works in and through His children.

One of my annual struggles which happens around this time of year is missing the autumn leaves of New England where I grew up. This was always my favorite time of year. I loved the cool, crisp, quiet mornings. I loved crunching through the leaves in the woods and the overwhelming aroma of "fall" when you walked outside. I loved wearing sweaters, scarves and hats. I loved apple picking and spiced cider and pumpkin carving. And almost none of that happens the same way in southern California.

But I can still rest in the Lord as my shepherd. He restores my soul even when it doesn't feel possible in the hustle and bustle of my life.

All Things

Today was one of those days when I found a plethora of misfortunes to grumble about. As much as I want to list all those things right now, it occurs to me that perhaps it won't help anyone (myself included).

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing," Philippians 2:14

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13

Oh how this attitude eludes me! I want to curse all the circumstances around me rather than admit the problem is actually within me. I am the one who needs to change. And often times I just don't want to. I want the problem to be everyone and everything around me because it's easier. To face the fact that my sin actually prevents me from experiencing joy in life... It's too humiliating. I like thinking I'm doing "okay." I'm an American. It's not my fault. I don't like free grace.

But that's just it. Grace. Forgiveness. Acceptance. They are free. They're not cheap, but they are free. Jesus spilled his blood, gave His life, took the payment for my sins upon Himself. I deserve the death that He experienced.

Now I can see my sin before a Holy God. I see how ugly it is and how beautiful Jesus is as He washes me whiter than snow. I am redeemed.

I know this will step on toes. It's not popular to tell people they're sinners, even if you lump yourself in there. It's not popular talking about death or what may or may not happen afterwards. But I also know that it is this Jesus who saves. It is this Jesus who gives life and hope and peace. It is this Jesus who strengthens me to be content in all things on days like today.

I pray that some day Paul's attitude of contentment doesn't elude me. In the meantime, I pray that I will live like the gospel actually matters.

Gilmore Good Time

It's true. We have a family theme song. Alice frequently asks for music and then proceeds to explain which music "Ah-ah-ah?" The fun never ends in our abode.

Family Pictures

A very good friend of ours took family pictures for us. For the non-facebookers out there, you can check them out here. Though we did get a small handful of "good" ones, I think the bloopers are quite excellent. Thank you Lauren!

Ten Day Forecast

Shows NO temperatures in the 90s! In fact there are FOUR days with the high in the 70s. SO THANKFUL.

Lately I keep thinking that being a parent (especially of young children-since I don't know what it's like to be a parent of older children) is more about teaching me patience and consistency than it is about actually teaching my children anything. This isn't a new revelation, just back in my mind for the ba-zillionth time. Sure, I'd like to think that on some level they are learning obedience which will some day teach them how to be respectful to any authority God places over them; but really I'm realizing that I still have a long way to go in becoming Christ-like. A. Long. Way.

Why is it so hard to show people that I don't have it all together? What is it about appearing "in control" that is so important? In talking with other moms who are willing to be open about their own struggles, I have yet to find ANYONE who has it all together. There are days that go great, but everyone has those days that they want to pretend didn't happen. It could be the kids were absolute disasters, or it could be that I had a horrible (SINFUL) attitude and took it out on those I love most.

I don't know how to balance sharing my struggles in a productive, please-pray-for-me sort of way. I don't know how to say that it's hard and I fail and sometimes I don't like my kids without it sounding like complaining. I don't want people to feel like they have to tell me to "hang in there" (because, really, what does that even mean?) or "this too shall pass." If I'm honest with myself, I know it won't be like this forever. I want to be able to look back on these times with fondness rather than thinking "Phew! I made it!"

I want to be able to encourage others that are a few steps behind me in this raising-a-family business. I want to listen, really listen, when another young mom is sharing her own struggles. I want to tell her that I've been there and there is a way to please God in the midst of it. I want to remind her to find ways to be thankful and to dwell on the good things. It's way too easy to find things to complain about or make my life seem hardest or to think no one understands. In fact, my life is not the hardest and my God has abundantly blessed me and HE understands.

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it" (1 Cor. 10:13).

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).

October. For real.

Can't really believe this is October. Maybe it's the 100 degree weather. Or maybe... No, it's the 100 degree weather.

Can't stand their cute-ness in this picture. See the toys in the background? That's pretty tame.

Emma is clapping a lot these days and dancing whenever she hears music. Actually, any time she hears any kind of rhythm she moves. For example, she often starts to bob her head while I'm burping her. Hilarious. She's super smiley, very ticklish, and loves playing peek-a-boo. Though she's not too fond of using her knees to get around, she's got no trouble getting where she wants to go by army crawling on her belly. She will also play by herself forever, unless she gets hungry. But at that point she just crawls over to me and tries to crawl up my legs. So cute.

Alice spends much of her time (when not throwing a tantrum) playing with "Doll" and "Baby" (I get real creative with naming dolls...) and having tea parties with her stuffed animals. Today we made diapers for doll (out of old socks-thanks Mike!) in mommy's attempt to distract Alice. It lasted maybe two minutes. Ah well, I tried. She's also a book-a-holic, like her daddy. When tea parties get old, she'll bring book after book after book for mommy to read. I'd prefer this over watching Elmo sing songs on YouTube, which is perhaps her most favorite thing in the world. This activity, however, is reserved for when mommy needs to take a shower and keep Alice in one place (and doesn't have to listen to Elmo singing songs that have the ability to get stuck in your head for the next month).

Now I go to bed. Hopefully our room has cooled off a bit, even though the thermometer is claiming 80 degrees.