Wonderfully Made

Hannah Reece has always been REAL sweet on her daddy.  For a while, she couldn't even spare a kiss for me!  "No kisses for you, Momma, only for Daddy"

Well, lately...all that has changed.  ;)  Now she is momma's girl.   I'm getting so many hugs and kisses I've got a few extras to share with her Daddy, too! 

Hannah Reece will start preschool in just a few weeks, sniffle sniffle.  Lately, when she gives me big squeezes I say..."you better not go to preschool...I might miss you way too much!"  To which she usually replies, "momma, I have to go to school, yes-I'm going!" accompanied by more giggles and kisses. 

Today, during our little hug time I said, "could you just stop growing, girl? You are growing up WAY too fast!  I need you to stay little forever and ever." To which she replied "Momma, I can't help it....Jesus is making me grow!  :)  He is making me healthy and strong and when I get bigger I can be a Mom just like YOU."   Yes, sweet girl, and you are fearfully and WONDERFULLY made!  I love you, Hannah Reece!

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.  Psalm 139:14 NIV

Happy Baby

Our Miss Millie is one happy girl.  She rarely cries...and when she does it's usually for one of three reasons-hungry, sleepy or poopy.   In this season of upheaval...this gift of an easy-going baby is a demonstration of God's grace to us!  ;)    At five months and three weeks old Camille:

• has settled into a little schedule-which has been slightly interrupted by big brother's school schedule recently.  She naps 2-3 times a day: 8ish, 11ish and 4ish.
• sleeps from 7pm-7am, waking once to nurse around 5am-even when she wakes up more often, I can't wait to go see that sweet little face smiling up at me  :)
• is usually covered in drool...she's teething (no chompers just yet!)
• searches the ground for Charly when we walk in the front door...and giggles when she spots her  :) she gets so excited when Charly walks by and kisses her toes. (yuck!)
• is immensly entertained by her brother and sister...maybe that's why she's so happy all of the time....constant entertainment!  
• gives big slobby open mouth kisses (my favorite!) and snuggy hugs 
• chatters loudly and with inflection...so opinionated...she'll fit right in  ;)
• finally found her thumb this month after 4 long months of searching
• nurses about every 3ish hours
• still happy at doctor visits (for now!) 
• scrunches her nose up when she grins  :)
• has a favorite plaything...her feet 
• is starting to endure the carseat without too many tears :)
• is a petite little thing, she wears size 3-6 months in clothing.  Brother and sister were well into 6-9 months clothing at this age.
• is content to sit in the bouncy seat or highchair for about 25 minutes while I clean up the kitchen or fold  a load of laundry....this is so helpful!  Trying to sit up on herown when reclined in the bouncy seat, so I think we'll have to retire that piece of baby gear soon.
• is super sweet on Daddy.
• learned to flip from tummy to back and back to side
• soothes herself to sleep
• enjoys hanging in the pool with Daddy 
• has a case of stranger anxiety and frets when momma's out of sight
• flashes those big blue peepers and gummy smile...melts me every time!

Worn out from all of that wild jumping ;)

Millie Grace...sweet, sweet face

memory makin'

A big first grader,

this energetic *almost* four year old,

one fuzzy-headed angel baby,

our dern mutt....er, I mean beloved lizard-wranglin' pet,

and many, many house projects

are filling our days....and nights...

time to hang on and enjoy the ride!  :)

Never Say Never

I know I shouldn't say this...but I never want to move again!!! There, I said it.  It's off my chest and lost into blog cyberspace oblivion...I feel so much better now.

We (Dan and I) have moved MANY times.  (I think I've mentioned that before.) But a move with 3 very young children and a puppy?  Yeeeaaah. 

Also to add to the mix, we arrived at the new house...realizing that the floors were much less desirable than we originally thought.  (read: very nasty)  Our plan was to remove all of the tile and carpet towards the end of the summer when traveling was finished, etc.  To sum it up...my amazing man of a husband, father-in-law, and brother-in-law tackled the job of removing carpet and lots and lots of tile in less than TWO DAYS.  They are amazing. And now we have a very dusty slab-ish floor.  Patience. 

Sooo we are extending our time at Grandma and Grandpa's house until they kick us out the floors are finished or the dust is contained...whichever comes first.  :)

I have so many wonderfully sweet pictures to share...but for now, those will have to wait. 

The last few weeks have been filled with goodbyes, hellos, tears and laughs. I didn't realize how difficult it would be to say goodbye to our friends in Charlotte.  We made a last minute decision for the kiddos and I to fly to Florida with Dan's mom early...on the day of Graham's Kindergarten graduation.  I was a teary mess!  That evening as I tucked the kiddos into bed together here at Grandma and Grandpa's house, we all just cried.  God provided lasting friendships for us and our children there in North Carolina...in such a short time.  I'm so grateful for technology and travel so that we can keep in touch.

Dan's maternal grandfather passed away almost two weeks ago...he was Dan's hero and a pillar of faith.  What a blessing to be able to enjoy the impact of his legacy of faith...even as he has gone on to heaven.  Dan is so grateful that he and Hannah Reece were able to spend time with him several weeks ago...those memories are so precious now.

It has been fun to spend more time with family and reconnect with old friends here.  Mercy, it is HOT in these parts!  We've been keeping cool in the pool.  :)

In baby news...little Miss Camille erupted into her first giggles...she's so ticklish!  :)

Oh, and I can't forget, Mom and I and the kiddos drove to Tampa to meet up with my sweet friend Amy and her four adorable kiddos.  Amy and I go WAY back...we were in the baby nursery at church together!  What a sweet time.  That's all for now...hopefully we'll have our computer set up soon so that I can post pics!

A Weekend Apart

Grandpa Yaichner is very sick.  He is in his final days here on earth...and then onto eternity with the Lord.  His life is such a blessing and a legacy left for generations to come.  Daddy has a very special relationship with his Grandpa.  The had some fun together many summers during Daddy's childhood; Grandpa calls Daddy "Duke".  Daddy and Hannah Reece traveled up to Holgate, Ohio together this weekend by car to join Grandma and Grandpa there.  I can't wait to hear their stories of the time with Grandpa and other family members. 

Graham, you are totally fascinated by Grandpa's farm.  On a trip up when you were about 2, you got to see the combines working there.  Grandma and Grandpa Yaichner always spoke about how smart and obedient you are, they are proud of you.

Hannah Reece, Daddy called this evening to tell me how much your sweetness has perked Grandpa up, even as his health is declining.  He called you his little "sweetheart" and smiles at you. You've blessed he and Grandma Yaichner in a very special way this weekend.  I believe that they can see in your zest for life a piece of the legacy they'll leave behind as they move onto the mansion God's prepared for them in glory.

Camille, Grandma and Grandpa Yaichner just loved the photos we've sent of you and I know that Daddy's told them about what a sweet, sweet girl you are.  We look forward to visiting family in Ohio as a family of five...maybe next summer.

*******************

Graham, we've really had a quiet, laid-back weekend together.  I've enjoyed playing our new board game "Armor of God" with you and visiting with you.  Tonight I even gave you a good scrubbin' in the tub...I can't even remember the last time I did that!  You're such a big boy now, you usually take showers.  You've enjoyed playing uninterrupted Mario Brothers on the Wii and building marble tracks...without having to worry about your sister coming by to level it.  :)  You told me that you like going on a "date" with me this weekend.  It's been a sweet time together.  You've enjoyed sleeping in Momma and Daddy's bed this weekend...and are excited that Grandma's riding back with Daddy and Hannah Reece.  Plus, you get to "camp-out" on the living room sofas with Daddy while she's here and sleeps in your bedroom with Hannah Reece. Can't wait for tomorrow when we're all together again.

Hannah "Maria" Reece :)

She climbs a tree and scrapes her knee

Her dress has got a tear

She waltzes on her way to Mass

And whistles on the stair

And underneath her wimple
She has curlers in her hair
I even heard her singing in the abbey
She's always late for chapel
But her penitence is real
She's always late for everything
Except for every meal
I hate to have to say it
But I very firmly feel
Maria's not an asset to the abbey
I'd like to say a word in her behalf
Maria makes me laugh
How do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
How do you find a word that means Maria?
A flibbertijibbet! A will-o'-the wisp! A clown!
Many a thing you know you'd like to tell her
Many a thing she ought to understand
But how do you make her stay
And listen to all you say
How do you keep a wave upon the sand
Oh, how do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?
When I'm with her I'm confused
Out of focus and bemused
And I never know exactly where I am
Unpredictable as weather
She's as flighty as a feather
She's a darling! She's a demon! She's a lamb!
She'd outpester any pest
Drive a hornet from its nest
She could throw a whirling dervish out of whirl
She is gentle! She is wild!
She's a riddle! She's a child!
She's a headache! She's an angel!
She's a girl!
How do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
How do you find a word that means Maria?
A flibbertijibbet! A will-o'-the wisp! A clown!
Many a thing you know you'd like to tell her
Many a thing she ought to understand
But how do you make her stay
And listen to all you say
How do you keep a wave upon the sand
Oh, how do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?

(song: "Maria", the Nuns)

Rainy Day Fun

We spent Memorial Day at the North Carolina Zoo with our friends, the Tuttle Family plus "Mimi" Chris' mom.  Chris and Dan spent several college summers on staff at Montreat Conference Center.  They've been friends ever since.  We consider them family.  It's been such a treat to live just a few hours away from each other while we're in N. Carolina.  We've gotten to enjoy some really fun times together. On our way to Ashboro, look what pulled onto the interstate from the Charlotte Motor Speedway...Graham was so tickled to see a NASCAR car carrier!

It was sunny and very warm when we arrived.  About an hour into our time there, a cool breeze kicked up, the clouds rolled in and it started to rain.  Not just a little.  A lot of rain.  Fortunately, we were on our way to see the chimpanzees when it started sprinkling, and there was a nice covered area there.  The kids LOVED it!  They were just running around with the chimps (who also happen to love playing in the rain)! 

These huge glass panels were all that separated "us" from "them".

Resourceful Aunt Carrie just happened to have crayons and paper, score! The kiddos enjoyed coloring in between running around in the rain.

Hannah Reece just could not help herself.  :)  She tells me she would love to paint her hair black like Gabriella Montez on High School Musical.  I haven't told her yet that there are millions of women (like her momma!) who spend way too much money trying to have hair the color of hers! 

 

The kiddos making their best chimp faces in the mirror

It was such a great day.  :)  We will really miss these dear friends.