New Year, New Endeavor

I'm not one for New Year's resolutions, but for some reason, posting a new calendar on the wall inspires me to start a new project. This started a couple years ago just by chance:
  *2010: Read through the Bible in a year.
  *2011: Compose a list of 52 qualities I love about my hubby (I listed one for every week of the year; that way, I could stay on top of it).
  *2012: A year in photos.

I hadn't exactly planned on undertaking this challenge, at least not this year. After all, I'm just trying to take enough regular photos of Hunter to document his first year. But somehow, I was compelled to complete this task. A few years ago, I read about a woman who had done just that: she took a photo EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR. The subjects and images didn't have to be spectacular or indicative of major events. In fact, some were of the mundane, apparently. The point was, it was a visual record of her family's year. Brilliant!

So far, so good. There are a few photos that I never would have taken in the first place (like Leah's sandwich pizza or her stuffed lion playing food), but they capture who we are and some of what we do regularly. If I can maintain this momentum, then the end result should be fun to peruse. Granted, scrapbooking allows me to do the same thing (basically), but the only photos that make it into a book are those that warrant significance (or are especially cute). Thus, the mundane, day-to-day living often gets neglected.

So here's to this new undertaking, this new journey. Enjoy some sneak peaks of our year so far.

 Dinner-time antics.

 Sandwich pizza.

 "No pictures, please!"

 A lion has to eat, too. 

Cuddle time with my babies. (This was extra special since Hunter doesn't usually sit and listen to a book.)

Sacrificial Love

In our small group, we've been reading about being Godly parents, and using the Gospel as our guide for child-rearing. The second-to-last chapter discussed the importance of loving sacrificially, and the timing of it couldn't have been better. 

Loving sacrificially (as Christ did for us) entails giving up some things for the benefit of our children. The chapter focused on great sacrifices we might make such as a career move or a luxurious vacation, but I immediately thought of the little sacrifices that I must be willing to make daily. See, I'm okay with the larger ones (though at times I do wish we didn't have to stick to a budget and could just purchase this or that without saving for it), but it's the daily smaller instances that really challenge me. 

And this past Sunday was the perfect reminder of said sacrifices that I'm called to make. Scrapbooking is my creative outlet, my re-charge and decompress time. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts at working on it weekly, since Hunter's arrival, I haven't had the luxury of maintaining the albums. If I can't get to it during the week, I do try to work on it on Sundays, and so I had planned to do so the other day. Silly me. 

We had just put the kids down for their naps, and I myself was a bit sleepy, so I decided to lie down for a bit (go figure that I never should have in the first place because I couldn't sleep anyway) with the intent of working on my album afterward. (I should have known.) Upon "waking", Hunter woke up, and wanted to eat. ("What?! He didn't sleep long enough!" I thought.) So, I fed him, played with him, then put him back down.... only to get Leah up from her nap. (Where was Scott? I had already given him permission to go for a motorcycle ride after my nap.) 

Yesterday, though I hadn't planned on scrapbooking, was a repeat of Sunday when it came to quiet time for me. There wasn't any. It's as if God really wanted to hammer home this point about making sacrifices as a parent. 

Now I know that giving up a hobby or some quiet time isn't easy or ideal, and in fact, I truly think that all parents NEED some downtime on a regular basis so that we can be better parents. However, we are called to die to ourselves (make sacrifices) so that our children might live. In this case, I need to give up that downtime (on occasion), so that my children's needs are met. When I really stop to offer them what they need (an extra cuddle, a snack, etc.), then my love for them is stoked, allowing me to love them even more. 

New Year, New Look

Thought I'd mix up the features on my blog just a bit this year. So, instead of a running slide show, I thought I'd add a weekly vocabulary word, sort of as an homage to my time as an English teacher. (Here's an interesting tidbit that you might not know about me when it comes to vocabulary: I have a rather limited one. Most are surprised to hear that-- "But you're an English teacher!"-- but it's true. I attribute it to being a visual learner [vocabulary is not our forte].)

Anyway, I thought "Words for the Wise" (as in, a stronger, broader vocabulary can make anyone appear wiser and more intelligent) might be beneficial to me as well as others. Feel free to suggest other words or ways to improve that column.

In the meantime, I pray that when face with a crisis of faith, you cling to it, focusing on its truths, rather than committing apostasy. For what is faith if it's not enough to pull us through life's challenges?

Luke 2:19

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" Luke 2:19.

I know the Christmas story, yet this particular statement was new to me. How could I have missed this before? Perhaps I had been too caught up in the birth to even recognize a powerful moment summed up in one sentence.

Being a mom, I can certainly better relate to Mary now than pre-kids. And having re-read this passage of Scripture while caring for an infant has brought new meaning and understanding to its significance. 

My favorite moments with Hunter are after he's finished eating. He could be asleep or awake; I treasure both equally. In those sleepy moments, he's snuggled up close, content, warm, and secure. How hard it is to put him down, even when it means I could then sleep! During those times when he's still awake, he gazes up at me, a gummy grin on his face, again, so happy, and secure in my love. Even as I write this, I feel inadequate at describing or capturing these moments. These are moments that I treasure and try to store up for I know that they are all too fleeting. 

And then I think about Mary. I can only imagine that she shared some of those same thoughts and feelings, coupled with an enormity I cannot comprehend: she cradled in her arms the Christ-child, God's Son, sent to save us from our sins. She probably didn't know how He would save us, but can you imagine how she must have felt knowing that her son eventually would save the world? Jesus, snuggled and cuddled close to Mary, probably felt secure, safe, warm, and content, just like Hunter does when he's in my arms. But could Mary have felt that same way about Him? What a strange and wonderful feeling that must have been, knowing that the same child who drew comfort from her would one day be her comfort and security. How many of us can relate to that? 

So as we approach Christmas, let us ponder the tenderness, the beauty of Christ's birth, and those fleeting moments in Mary's arms, and remember the loving gift God gave us in such a humble fashion.

Merry Christmas!

Having sent out birth announcements earlier this year, I decided to skip the traditional Christmas cards this season. (Plus, being completely honest, I just haven't had the time to get one together.) So, here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas blog-style.


If I were to send out a letter, it would probably list the highlights of the year, which might include...


*January: Scott and I traveled to Pittsburgh to watch the Caps beat the Penguins in the Winter Classic (outdoor hockey game). Go CAPS!


*February: Scott traveled to Haiti on a mission trip. While he was gone, Mel and Grandma came down to love on me and Leah.


*March: Leah turned 2!


*May: My dear friends from small group threw me a baby shower. In addition to my family and church friends being there, Megan and Jen Ann (two of my best college friends) were there.


*June: Hunter Logan arrived on June 24!


*July: We survived the transition of going from a family of three to a family of four.


*August: Scott played in the Police & Firefighter World Games up in NY City... the weekend of the hurricane. While he was away, the kids and I spent a week at Grandma & Papa's (Mel & Roger's).


*October: Scott and I celebrated seven years of wedded bliss. 

Yes, highlights are missing from a few months, but the blessed, daily family moments with Scott and the kids are too precious and too frequent to limit them to one month as a highlight. 

May your Christmas be joyful, memorable, and filled with many warm moments. 

Merry Christmas!

Five Months

Guess I should update Hunter's progress now, especially since his next milestone birthday is fast approaching (Christmas Eve).

Our little man turned five months old on Thanksgiving day. Based on his measurements during his four month check-up, he had to go in for a weight check to celebrate this birthday. Well, he's still in the 25th percentile for weight, which is fine since it shows that he hadn't lost any weight between his fourth and fifth months (he had dropped from the 50th to the 25th percentile between his second and four month appointments). Since we were there, I asked about Hunter not sleeping through the night yet. Unfortunately, the doctor said it could be because he's not getting enough to eat during the day. (Not exactly what this sleep-deprived mom wanted to hear.)

That being said, Scott and I decided to supplement Hunter with formula. Too bad Hunter hasn't agreed to this idea. (For some reason, lately he has refused the bottle, even though before he'd take it just fine.) Thankfully, after sharing all this with a friend, she shared how she had to feed her little girl every two hours during the day. Well, it was worth a shot, I thought, and so, our little man is now eating much more often. Though this does create some logistical issues at times (trying to feed him, run the errands, and get home in time for the next feeding), he seems to be doing better (evidenced by sleeping better at night). Hallelujah!

I'm sure that teething hasn't helped his sleeping habits at all. This boy is a drooler anyway, but now that he's working on some teeth, he's a faucet! His fingers are constantly in his mouth, unless mine or Scott's are available. I keep waiting for his "reward" for enduring all that pain, but it has yet to manifest itself.

Though some might not believe it (my family, who somehow only seem to see him when he's tired, and thus cranky, preferring mine or Scott's company and cuddles to anyone else's), Hunter is a happy, playful little baby who has a ready smile for anyone who wants to talk to/ play with him. His favorite activities include  playing in the exersaucer, grabbing big sister's hair or hands, one-on-one cuddling with me or Scott, and of course, rolling around on a blanket while playing with his toys. When he's especially happy, he'll tell us, delighting us with stories that only a baby could share. Oh how I relish those stories, cherish the one-on-one moments, and delight in his smile and laughter (which we hear on a regular basis thanks to him being ticklish... and thanks to us making silly faces at him).

Below are the latest photos of our little bug-a-boo. This momma's boy is a joy and a blessing, and is much loved.

 Happy Thanksgiving! Hunter has a thing about socks... he doesn't like wearing them. Notice also his hair. Scott has nicknamed him "Kramer" since Hunter's hair sticks straight up. But it's just so cute!

 We've started Hunter on vegetables, but you can see how he feels about them (or maybe it's about the pink Bumbo seat); he managed to grab the bowl and dump the contents all over.

The official 5 month photo. So cute! Don't you just want to eat him up?

A Disservice?

So, since Scott and I aren't exactly caught up with all the latest technology, does that mean we'll be doing our kids a disservice as they get older? It's not that we're opposed or afraid of all the latest advances; we're just not interested.

I asked myself this question the other day after my dad showed me his latest techie gadget: the Nook Color 2 (think that's what it's called). I've been thinking about e-readers, and whether or not that would be something I should save for. This isn't an easy decision, especially since I love the feel of an actual book. Still, if I were to enjoy the technological advances of today, that might be one that I'd actually use. Then Daddy showed me his Nook. Very cool. Very. Shocking as this might sound (especially to my friends who know how prehistoric I am), I could actually see myself using something like that. Even more, I could see my kids using it (supervised, of course).

One of the Nook's features is the read aloud feature for children's stories. Very cool (please excuse the overuse of this phrase. I'm sure it'll reappear several more times before I'm done writing.). Leah was enthralled. What little one wouldn't be, especially when it's a book on the computer (basically)? Plus, Leah could "flip" the pages. Seriously?! She's 2.5! (I know, this was rather eye-opening for me to observe since she doesn't get to "play" with technology that much, unlike other kids her age who are rather adept at using their parents' iPhones, etc.) Which begs the question posed above: am I doing them a disservice by not consuming all these advances?

I'd like to think not, especially since I'm not OPPOSED to said technology. We just don't have a need for it. Plus, we do allow Leah on the computer (we even have a kid-sized keyboard & mouse for when she's older) to play games. Right now, though, it boils down to whether or not she has to learn these devices now. Really, what's the hurry or need? By the time she can truly use many of them, the current technology will be obsolete. (Makes me think about how quickly the school computers (and floppy drives) became dated once jump drives burst on the scene.) Plus, like many kids, she's a fast learner, so when it comes time, she'll be ready to learn (and perhaps fully appreciate) the available technology.

Besides, she doesn't need anything too fancy right now anyway; after all, Christmas is coming, and I know that at least one gift will be more than enough technology for her.