Juelfs' Journey

Clearly it's the Fall

2010-10-22T14:51:00.000-07:00

I suppose the weather changing is a clear indication that fall has arrived especially in California. Half the time it's about eighty degrees in October, so the fact that we've had cloudy skies and rain for almost a week certainly helps bring on the feelings of fall. We are doing the school run around thing of course. School, bible study, soccer, dance. I'm definitely not in my summer hang out routine. But nothing say fall like a good old fashioned virus that brings on the sniffles, coughs, and whiny kids! As always, we aren't talking about one virus...well maybe one but times six. We are three weeks in and I think it's passed through each one of us and we did survive. Just survived with fewer blog posts.

A New Love for Mondays...

2010-10-11T15:46:00.000-07:00

I know by the title of this post and the age of my children, some of you might be connecting the dots that I love Mondays because half the brood is off to school. Although it is always nice to have an hour or so to run the errands with only two kids instead of four, my new love for Mondays has little to do with the kiddies in school.

About a month ago I rolled over in bed at 6 something in the morning and said to David, "The only reason I like Mondays is because I don't have to cook dinner." I know this is a dramatic statement and I'm not that hopeless of a person, but Mondays are really difficult for me. Sundays usually are restful for most with the last push for relaxation and some minor preparationa for the coming week. Not for us, and probably not for any of my pastor wife readers either. I head into Monday barely wanting to start the school carpool.

I love cooking, so this isn't exactly about making dinner either. The problem is that I love cooking under the perfect conditions...uninterrupted while sipping wine and hanging out with my hubby. Given how rare this occurs, it makes sense that I'd take any chance to skip cooking.

Enter Supper Swap. I have participated in a supper swap once before while in seminary and it was wonderful. Not only did we have dinner made for us three times a week, the four of us lived in the same apartment complex so delivery was easy as pie. So we've been a part of a supper swap now for a month with some friends of mine in our town and it's been so good for me. Just as we headed into the fall craziness of school, soccer, church, etc. dinner comes to my door rescuing me from adding one more thing to do at the witching hour. Love it!!! Thanks Teri and Kelly. It's always exciting when new recipes spice up your rut and make dinner a little more fun. Speaking of...dinner is about to arrive at my door already cooked and we are ready to eat it.

The Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-08T14:34:00.001-07:00

So does it count if I post twice in one day?

Today was Addie's first field trip of the year. We headed out to the pumpkin patch for what was supposed to be some fun, but I felt kind of doomed from the start. I woke up to put the girls clothes in the drier so we could have some dry jeans for the patch and discovered that a diaper had been put in the wash. No, we are not going green in this department. We use the regular old disposables which posed a big problem when the diaper absorbed so much liquid and then hit the spin cycle. The inside of the diaper exploded and spread all over our clothes. Jeans not going to be dry or clean for that matter. We moved on to getting shirts on. Addie has a school shirt about three sizes too big for field trips. She began screaming and running away from me throughout the house not wanting to put it on...I won as all mothers will do eventually.

We finally made it out of the house, Addie, Lila and myself directions in hand. I of course have my great gadget savvy i phone where I should have just inserted the address and trusted upon the technology to get me there. Not the case. I decide to save 30 seconds and just follow the paper written instructions from the school. Bad idea. The directions have the correct address, but the line by line directions sent me a mile in the wrong direction ending in a gated apartment complex. By the time we arrive, I'm running out of steam.

The bright side...Addie loved it and at this rate we are looking for every positive school experience we can take:) The down side...see Lila's picture...that about sums up her experience. We left before snack time ever happened. Note to self...rethink Lila going to preschool next year! On second thought...start her now so i don't have to witness as many screaming episodes??? Just kidding, she is a joy even when she's difficult!

Anyway, I returned home and am headed to the church women's retreat sans kids tonight. I think I may skip dinner, speaker and socializing for the pillow. Would anyone notice if the pastor's wife was a no show. I'm thinking probably not.

Fall Favorites

2010-10-06T16:42:00.001-07:00

I absolutely love the fall. The first sign of cooler temperatures and I want to make pumpkin pie and soup. So that is exactly what I did. I brought out my dear friend's favorite recipe from Ina Garten for Beef Bourguignon and made a huge batch along with a few pies. It was delightful. I had candles burning in the fireplace, music streaming in the background and yes for just a minute or two the sound of the children was actually distant while they all played in the back bedroom. It was fantastic! Later that evening we had our community group over to enjoy the bounty.

I've also been wanting to do some fall decorating, so I started some new projects. I went on a quest for some white pumpkins and Michael's came through. I have a love hate relationship with this store. I love it for the sheer mass of crafty goods found in one location and hate it because it is always so messy...perhaps due to folks like me dragging four kids through a store where children shouldn't be permitted meanwhile touching and grabbing loot along the way only to be put down in an entirely different location than where it belongs. Yes...I hate it because of me.

My first project began after a little outing to one of our favorite breakfast spots called Haute Cakes. It is a delightful little cafe/ bakery that uses fresh and often organic ingredients. There are a few tables outside on a patio where you can sit and glance at all the stores in this little atrium. I stumbled upon a store called Urban Gardner that was filled with some great fall decor that was entirely too overpriced. Lila came in with me and announced, "It smells!" She has her mother's nose, but hasn't developed a liking for potpori and other great scents. So pretty much everything that has a scent smells to her. So the Urban Gardner inspired my crafty side. Anyway, I made these fun little treat jars for my counter. The kids love to just sit and stare at the candies. They have been a real convenient potty treat for Lila while we are potty training.

The second thing was to spruce up my fall wreath. The one I have is so old but I just didn't want to break down and spend money on one this year, so I bought a few leave strands at Michael's and freshened it up. Now if only our house wasn't blue...it's not very fall like.

Finally, I've been wanting to do change our fireplace for the entire year that we lived in this house but the puking, bedrest, pregnant, newborn phase just kept me away. Our fireplace is non operational. It started with fake logs and purple rocks. We pulled out all of the purple rocks and at last the logs were removed and I filled it with candles. I'm in love with my candlelit fireplace! Loving the warmth it brings to our home.

And Now...

2010-10-06T16:33:00.000-07:00

So now that I've caught up on the last seven months in about ten photos, I am on to a new plan for the blog. I'm thinking that each day (or so, I can't give myself too much slack or I'll fall off the blogosphere again) I want to capture a thought about just one thing...maybe a kid, a recipe, a trip, a fiasco. I have so many things going on that I feel as if I am just running circles around the kids, the driving, cooking meals, etc. that I am often too overwhelmed to take to the keyboard. No more! So perhaps my pledge to focus on one thing will help me slow down and remember the fun, crazy, or sometimes important stuff. I'm done for today, but tomorrow I'm on to the First Day's of School. A previes...no pinching or biting this year!

Spring Activities

2010-10-06T16:15:00.000-07:00

Lila turned two on March 25 and we had a little family celebration since Hadleigh was so little. The rest of the spring we tried out our new hobbies...Addie Grace started dance and Wyatt started T-ball. They both had a lot of fun and learned so many new things. Wyatt really enjoyed making some little buddies on his team. Addie started preschool a few months later only to find out a girl from her dance class was in her preschool class. You would think that might have been enough to excite her but that just didn't inspire her. She showed up on the second day and pinched the substitute teacher. That's our little Addie...full of fire and so very stubborn. She's liking it a little better this fall.

Back in the Saddle

2010-10-06T15:05:00.000-07:00

I had to take a second guess when logging into the blog...you think I'm a little rusty! Well, here goes nothing. Announcing Hadleigh Joy Juelfs, born March 2, 2010, it's been so long I can't remember anything else...oh, she weighed 6 pounds 1 ounce. I guess that's probably all I can say for the beginning of March. Then, Lila turned two. Can I use that as an excuse for not updating my blog? That's all you get for now while I scan my backup hard drive for all the pictures detailing our life over the last seven months.

A New Year

2010-01-10T20:44:00.001-08:00

I'm pretty sure I lost any and all interest in posting pictures from Christmas. I know it's kind of sad, but let's face it I just don't want to. We had a great December filled with a lot of fun activities and new memories and most of them were captured on camera thanks to the new digital camera we bought as a Christmas gift!

David is definitely the photographer of the family and it has been a gift a long time coming for my hubby to get a great digital camera and start shooting his family. He picked it out and it is like an old hobby has come alive again. It's been a lot of fun. Needless to say I have plenty of photos to choose from, but you know like I said I just don't want to. I feel like Christmas has come and gone and I'm on to new things...like getting this baby out of me.

I have eight more weeks, so I shouldn't be that motivated but you know I always count on my babes to pop out two weeks early! So, in light of my countdown, I find myself busy setting things up already around the house. I have lists in my head, lists on my iphone, lists on the computer of things that need to be done, need to be purchased, etc. I think I'll find plenty to do to fill these next two months. Better yet, maybe I should focus on finding a name for this baby. I might need the pressure of seeing her to make a decesion.

The pictures above are from a family trip to The Santa Rosa Plateau. I must say...hubby done good once again. Love you babe!

Handsome Hubby

2009-12-14T20:24:00.001-08:00

Aren't they handsome??? David performed his first wedding ceremony this weekend. It was a wonderful occasion and so fun to see him delight in one of the fun duties he has as a pastor. He did an amazing job! I was so proud and wished that it wasn't an occasion where only invited guests could here him...I guess I'll just have to orchestrate some sort of family wedding for him to officiate then you all can come.

Addie Grace's 3rd Birthday

2009-12-14T20:18:00.000-08:00

Here are just a few shots from the pink princess party. Can you tell she is all girl??? My dad snapped the lip gloss pic when she didn't think anyone was looking.

Halloween 2009

2009-12-05T15:29:00.000-08:00

Maybe we'll be caught up to Christmas by December 25??? Below are some pics and I'm still working on the funny videos of the most excited trick-or-treater of our house...Miss Lila Pie! I think she loved the process most while the big kids enjoyed the candy for weeks later! Wyatt was loved showing his muscles as Spiderman. Addie adored her pink Minnie Mouse costume and Lila was Little Red Riding Hood. Even our ever so non-verbal third child loved her costume so much that now she'll find it amongst all the costumes and say, "Re, Ri, Ra." Not exactly close, but she's trying.

Wyatt James

2009-11-16T12:44:00.000-08:00

Wyatt is now 5. We barely celebrated his birthday in August because I was feeling so sick. i thought about a belated birthday party, but you know by the time I was feeling better it was a few weeks away from Addie's 3rd birthday so nothing ever happened. The sweet little guy may be our biggest party goer and he got no party! My family really helped out and ended up coming to our house to celebrate on the day of, but he also had a few individual celebrations with my aunt and my sister and her husband. I think he didn't mind because he felt like he had about two private parties with special alone time to celebrate. As it turns out, I can't find one picture from his fifth birthday! I am now pretty certain that my parents must have been taking pictures on their camera so I just passed, but I'm crossing my fingers until I locate some!

Only one week later, Wyatt started kindergarten. (pictures above are from the first day of school...and no I didn't send him with a stained shirt...just water!) We are sending him to a charter school that meets two full days a week and I home school the other three days of the week. It is going really well and Wyatt absolutely adores his teacher Mrs. Garrett and loves school. He is a young kindergartner, so we really are using this year as a trial to see how well he does academically and socially and we'll decide in the spring what we'll do next year. We do like to the home school 3 days a week, away 2 days a week program but I am strongly considering my options with #4 on the way. I know my limits and this may be one of them! So far, Wyatt is probably most excited about his math program and the calendar, but he is doing really well with his letters and reading short books too! Each day is full of adventure and I'm hoping it continues to go smoothly.

Where We Have Been Since July

2009-11-11T13:00:00.000-08:00

Well, we moved in July to a place closer to the coast and near our church. About five days after we moved I started getting sick...really sick as I was five weeks pregnant. At that point, our family kind of went into pure maintenance mode as we struggled just to keep mouths fed in between hourly visits from the throw-up fairy! Yuck. I even ended up on iv therapy and anti nasea meds via a pump similar to the ones diabetics use. So, needless to say the blog has totally taken the backseat as most things have.

By late October, I started feeling a whole lot better just in time to find out we are having another girl! Kind of scary how many girls will be in this house now. Even I am intimidated!

We've been in the usual crazy, busy fall season at the church which many of you pastor's wives can appreciate. We've vacationed, celebrated two birthdays, the start of kindergarten, and halloween all undocumented! I intend to post more photos tomorrow and return to more avid blogging which we all know might be an empty promise with the coming of the fourth child, but a girl can dream can't she! For now, enjoy a glimpse of our vacation to Santa Cruz, CA.

I have also since taken possession of the Juelfs' personal mac which should make my uploading of photos and managing the photo library one task instead of three. This just may actually mean I will blog and post photos, but again no one get your hopes up!

The kids are doing great. They are crazy as ever and certainly one can say may be causing me to be more crazy than ever, but we wouldn't trade it for anything!

You Might Consider Giving Up the Blog When...

2009-11-11T12:55:00.000-08:00

1. the header photo is last year's christmas card picture
2. your profile photo is the christmas card picture from two years ago
3. not just one birthday ticker has expired...all three kids have expired
4. you haven't posted two of the kids' birthday pictures
5. you never bothered to mention you were pregnant again...let alone what you are having
6. you practically don't read blogs anymore

Moonshine

2009-07-27T21:24:00.000-07:00

There is quite possibly way too much to say to update at this point, so I am not even going to try. However, here's a funny story to share. The other afternoon Addie cried out after we put her down for a nap and David went into console her and put her down again and she requested "you are my moonshine." He asked if she meant sunshine to which she replied, "yes, but I want you to sing moonshine." Strange since there is not a liquor around that is prohibited in our home:-)

What an Easter Egg Hunt Teaches

2009-05-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

So my glasses have been missing for at least a month. I last saw them on my desk. I need to wear them everyday, but I don't which is why I didn't immediately get annoyed by the loss of them. I figured they would turn up and looked in all the nooks in crannies over the last month. I opened every glass case in our house finding pairs we never knew we had. David now has about three back up pairs! Lately my annoyance level has increased because well I pretty much can't see very well. So I decided I was going to have to buy some new glasses. This morning I went on one last hunt and thought since I last saw them on my desk, I'd look there again...on, in, under, etc. I ended up finding them under my desk tangled up in the power cords from the computer. When Wyatt saw my excitement, he said, "oh, I put those there." I asked why he hid my glasses and he said, "It was easter, so I hid them!"
Alas...I can see again!

f.y.i.

2009-04-20T19:19:00.000-07:00

...should you be requesting his presence for this Saturday, Wyatt has informed me he will be busy building a tower for his friend Hampton.

If I Made a Commercial for Trader Joe's

2009-04-17T13:28:00.001-07:00

saw this commercial when a friend posted on facebook. it's a total crackup! enjoy.

The Bunnies on Easter

2009-04-14T15:21:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics from our Easter celebration with our family. I will have to post more once I figure out how to get them off my phone! We dyed our eggs on Saturday morning and made sugar cookies Saturday evening. Sunday we went to church and then over to my aunt's house. Two thirds of the brood napped and then we had our egg hunt, dyed more eggs, and opened Easter baskets! We had a great time celebrating our Risen Lord!

The Man

2009-04-14T14:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, David stayed home with the kids for the morning so I could have some "alone time". It's a funny concept. We had been in a habit of trying to get me out of the house for a few hours a week away from the kids so I could recoup a bit. We just fell out of the habit and a few months down the road I started to begin feeling a little cookoo. I can't describe it very well but it dawned on me on Sunday morning before we left for church that I had this frantic feeling of just needing five minutes without hearing a request from someone. Ha ha ha. So we put it back on the calendar and what do you know...it was wonderful and refreshing. I came home and David had done the dishes and folded and put away three loads of laundry! I was never unsure before this point but wow...this man's a keeper!

missed calling...

2009-04-06T09:55:00.000-07:00

i was at the mall the other day and saw a sign. david and i were shopping at south coast plaza (kind of a snooty mall around here) because it's the closest mall with a few stores we wanted to stop in to and came across a casting call...

wanted: those interested in staring in the next real housewives of the O.C.
interviews: south coast plaza 4-6pm

you think pastor's wife, mother of three, living in a thousand square feet with no yard is depserate enough for that show???

only kidding!

My Baby Turned 1...

2009-03-30T15:10:00.000-07:00

Lila Elaine turned one last week. We had a great celebration with family and friends. We served pie in honor of her nickname "Lila Pie." It's so hard to believe that she was born a year ago. So much has happened in one year, yet I feel like it was yesterday. Here are some pics of the sweet little baby celebrating olong with some from our visit with Grammo!

Addie's First Sleepover

2009-02-21T20:53:00.001-08:00

Last night Addie went on her first sleepover to Memaw and Papa's house. My sister picked her up on her way home from work and Addie will be staying for two nights. We somehow orchestrated the whole adventure to be Wyatt's "idea" so he wouldn't be upset, but he still ended up in tears when she departed. Cute...you'd think he was going to miss his sister. Ah, yes it would have been cute if he was in fact missing her. He really was just devastated that it wasn't his turn for a sleepover. Anyway, she seems to be having a great time and Wyatt has enjoyed his alone time with mom and dad. I've enjoyed being one kid fewer for the day so I could get a few things done like Lila's birthday party invitation which will feature this scrumptious little love! It's amazing I actually got a picture with two fewer hands in the reaching!

Love that boy!

2009-02-21T18:00:00.000-08:00

Memory Lane

2009-02-19T11:50:00.000-08:00

Well since I've apparently been on a blogging freeze, I figured it was about time to post pictures from let's say...Christmas!!! Hard to believe, but yes I am that behind! So I'll spare any words and let you get a glimpse of the kiddos from over the last few months. Can you believe my baby is almost one??? CRAZY!!! A few of my favorites are of the older kids up to no good! Wyatt and Addie emptied my couch cushions in order to "play in the clouds". I love the series at the end of the many faces of Wyatt James. They are so him. Never in the middle...always one extreme or the other! I love that boy. Addie has taken to dragon slaying with her brother's sword. She's convinced that most dinosaurs just want to have tea parties with her though. And Lila is just interested in whatever anyone else is. She loves playing on the furniture "pirate ships" with Addie and Wyatt. One of the pics is from the kids having room time. I always have a little potty in the room in case of emergencies and I came in to find that Wyatt and Addie had been "potty training" baby Lila. She is so content with whatever we want her to do! The pie baby is even taking a few steps at a time!

A Tasty Adult Treat

2009-01-26T20:06:00.000-08:00

Every now and then I enjoy a gin and tonic in the evening. I decided a while ago that I wanted a tasty snack to go with it and didn't know just what sounded good. Anyway, a friend of ours has a little business where they are making and selling spicy and sweet nuts. They are fabulous, but I can't afford to buy their nuts to support my snacking. So I went about researching and experimenting and this is what I've come up with.

Spicy, Sweet Nuts
5tbl. honey
3tbl. sugar
1/2tsp. salt
1/4tsp. pepper
1/4tsp. cayenne pepper
3cups mixed nuts

Mix the first five ingredients in a bowl and stir in the nuts. Spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for five minutes at 325 degrees. Stir and bake for ten more minutes until sugar mixture is bubbly and amber in color. Quickly spoon out nuts on clean parchment paper carefully separating nuts with a spoon. Let cool and store in an airtight container for up to five days.

Gin and Tonic
1/3cup gin
2/3cup tonic water
1/2 lime juiced
stir and serve over ice

Feet

2009-01-21T14:19:00.001-08:00

As long as I've known David he insists he has "good feet." Since we met in high school I suppose I overlooked his vain notions of having good looking feet and chalked it up to immaturity. But as we have grown old together I have to admit he does. They are well shaped, most of the time tan, and quite soft. Me on the other hand...I am a basket case. I have always had really rough heals and nothing seems to make a difference. Sure I could spend $40 to get a monthly pedicure and they would be greatly improved but that would actually require me to have $40 to spend on something so insignificant. The other alternative is to just not care which is frankly where I've been hanging out the last few years. I just don't care. The problem is that Mr. Good Looking Feet won't touch my feet because he just doesn't understand. So I've been forced to care if I ever want to get my feet rubbed. Enter...the pedipad! I'm sure you've seen the infomercial for it or even been tempted in the Bed Bath and Beyond checkout lanes. Well, I finally decided to buy it figuring $10 bucks for and item that I could use myself whenever I wanted was worth a try. This thing really works and is quite amazing. So, I am hoping my efforts to weekly give myself an at home pedicure will translate to a more than weekly foot rub. We'll see???

Out of the Mouths' of Babes

2008-12-20T12:26:00.000-08:00

Two days ago our little Addie Grace said the most hilarious thing I've heard a two year old say. Of course, she didn't know it was funny, but we did. I'd love to be able to post something of our dear little daughter's whispered words about Jesus or God when no one is listening or how she explains the gospel according to a two year old to her little sister. I am sure those days will come as they have for her older brother, but for now this is the stuff we get. And please, no one be offended by our little moment!

I went to prepare the kids' room for their nap and found a toy screwdriver in Addie's bed. I just left it there and laughed picturing her working vigorously on repairing the dresser that sits so close to her bed. A minute later she came in and saw the screwdriver on her bed and looked at me and said, "Mommy, I been screwing in my bed!" Ahhh, just what every parent longs to hear from their daughter.

David's Ordination

2008-12-15T19:35:00.001-08:00

I know a while back I posted that David passed his ordination exam, but here are a few pictures from his service. Our dear friends Josh and Katy Day came out from Texas for the service. We had a great time visiting with them. This was a very memorable experience to celebrate with family and friends!

The Christmas Photo Session

2008-12-15T18:55:00.001-08:00

Christmas is my favorite season. I look so forward to getting the tree, decorating, baking, parties, and even sending Christmas cards. However, this year it seemed to have snuck up on me! It was already December and I hadn't even tried to get one picture. I'd love to have the whole family, but that was way too complicated! These are from my first and let's just say last attempt to get a picture and I think we have a winner. The cards went out Monday, so most of you should have received it or will be getting it soon. Merry Christmas!

Lila...at Six, Seven, and Eight Months!

2008-12-15T18:54:00.002-08:00

She's officially the third child. I feel like I have completely neglected her photogenic spirit! She's so much fun and so very flexible. She's on the move after Wyatt and Addie and she loves to eat with them. At Thanksgiving I began feeding her more chunky foods and she wants to hand feed herself for most meals now. I feel like she is growing up so fast! We love you pie!

Eight Months

Seven Months

Six Months

A Block in the Blogosphere

2008-12-15T18:52:00.001-08:00

It's official...I haven't said anything for over a month. A little pathetic, but as is the standard case, if I ever had the computer for five minutes I may actually say something! Tonight is a start. I am about to begin several posts that may actually "post" someday soon.

A New Lawyer in Town

2008-11-12T20:13:00.001-08:00

Today, I couldn't get this annoying veggie tales song out of my mind. We learned it from a Veggie Tales book. It goes something like this...God is bigger than the boogie man, he's bigger than godzilla and the monsters on tv, God is bigger than the boogie man and he's watching out for you and me. So, apparently I was saying that God was bigger than the monsters on the wall when in fact the song says monsters on tv. Wyatt corrected me early on in the day and his cause was only reinforced by Addie chiming in the tune in the background. When David came home for dinner I began to tell him about the kids correcting me when Addie jumped down from the table and retrieved the book only to cite some evidence proving mommy was wrong and she was right! Are two year olds allowed to do this?

Dental Drama

2008-11-09T15:46:00.000-08:00

We all went to the dentist last week. It took us three different days to get the whole family checkups. David and I love to go to the dentist and Wyatt and Addie were a mystery until now! Wyatt loved the dentist and seems to be heeding some very important advice. He suggested that Wyatt kick the thumbsucking. Really I told the dentist earlier in the week to bring it up and suggest we kick the habbit. Anyway, the advice seems to be working. Wyatt is two days in to giving up his thumb and blanket! Addie Grace on the other hand wouldn't sit in the chair or open her lips one bit!

Halloween Preview

2008-11-04T21:24:00.000-08:00

Highlights:
Wyatt the Knight!
Addie the Princess!
Lila the Dragon!

We had a blast...it was short but so fun! Special note...Lila wore a pet costume and it seriously fit her as if it were created just for her. So cute!

Addie Grace Turns Two!

2008-11-04T21:08:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday dear little girl! Two years ago we brought this little girl home and she has forvever changed our lives. She has so much exuberance for life and has so made our house a new and better place.

We had her birthday party this past Saturday and the pictures are from that celebration! She wanted a Tinkerbell party and it was a hit. The cake was so fun to make and the look of excitement when she saw this and realized it was just for her was truly priceless! She also got some Tinkerbell wings and slippers. I was totally surprised but she wore them for her entire party. She was a precious sight!

Happy Birthday little one.

The Potty Princess

2008-11-04T21:01:00.001-08:00

Last week I started potty training Addie. She was so ready and we ran out of our last diaper on Monday. I had all of my supplies ready and was pretty excited to see how things would go. Notice the pink potty! Addie picked out her pink potty and carried it walking by herself all the way to the checkout at Ikea. If you have ever been to ikea you know that is practically a mile, so needless to say she was pretty excited about the process. We initially had a lot of success and quite a few accidents too. By Thursday however, the light clicked and we have been accident free since then! I have been pretty shocked about the whole process considering she doesn't even turn two until tomorrow. Frankly, I guess I may seem glass half empty but I am starting to think Lila won't be potty trained until she's five because I have had two such easy potty trainers! I figure one of them has got to give me trouble. Yeah Addie! You are so brave to use the BIG POTTY!

A Portrait of Paradox

2008-10-29T19:44:00.000-07:00

Things have been busy this time of year. Especially busy. David and I flew to New York for our friend Amie's memorial service. We have some friends who live in Brooklyn, so with only a few days notice, we were somehow able to pull the trip together. We took Lila and our friends were so gracious to host us for a few nights. We were really glad that we could support our dear friend Paul and realized that without having gone it would be so easy to not really grasp the reality of Amie's death. It is so very sad.

With the weekend behind us, I must say my thoughts have wandered to what a paradox this trip was. While the purpose of it was to mourn the loss of our friend, we also were in New York City, so we certainly wanted to see a few sights. We were able to sneak about six hours of touring in. We walked the Brooklyn Bridge, saw Ground Zero, rode the Staten Island Ferry, and even snuck in a date to a fun restaraunt in Brooklyn without Lila. We had such a fabulous time. As I have thought about this weekend, i am still struck by the paradox of what our weekend was like and what our friends' was like. David and I enjoyed a great bonding time with our little baby who toured with us, soaked up the city, and enjoyed a little alone time! Meanwhile, Paul and Amie lost their little girl and Paul eventually lost Amie too within just a few short months! Our joy, their pain. I must say no one is without their own pains; we too have had our own trials. It just happens that this is one of those times in life when someone else's pain is so very real and somehow intertwined in our lives just enough to really hurt and show such profound differences.

We grieve for our friend and hurt for Paul's loss. We take heart in Christ's return as He will make ALL things right again!

In Memory

2008-10-09T21:09:00.000-07:00

Below is a lovely tribute to our dear friend Amie Vertucci along with a poem written by one of her friends. She lived a beautiful and short life and will be remembered by many. I don't know that David or I can say much now, so these are the words we'll share with you.

Amie
There are some people
we are meant to gently,
but deeply, ponder,
even meditate on.

They aren't the ones with
the boisterous charisma
of the sunflower.

Nor do they have
the fluffy elegance of
the peony. Rather,

they are one of those
more subtle flowers
with an exotic name

and an ironic simplicity
which is the thing that
draws you in - at first;

then as you get closer,
its unspoiled, delicate beauty
captures and holds you there -

that unique and truest beauty
which suddenly you realize
satisfies all you've been looking for
in a flower.

It's one of the many miracles,
the glorious mysteries of God,
how you came to look and be

more like Him than ever
now, when death and disease
has tried its power on you -

it's tried to crush you,
and you've felt the weight.
But what you didn't know

is when you merely arise
to another day, carrying a load
we can't take off of you,

the light inside you -
how you love, how you cherish
every company you are in -

shines more brightly now,
showing us even more clearly,
more beautifully,

the precious, rare gems
of which you are made.
-Virginia Hart Pike

Amie Lee Vi Matulac Vertucci was born on March 17, 1975 in Mlang, Cotobato, Philippines, and died today, Thursday, October 9, 2008, at 12:10 pm, at the age of 33, in Columbus, Ohio. Amie is loved by so many, most of all by myself, by her Mom, Ledelia, by her brother, Allen Val, and by so many relatives and friends, many of whom knew and called her by her childhood nickname, Sunshine. She was with family and friends today, and we sang hymns, spoke softly to her, and prayed as she took her final breath.

Amie and I were married on April 7, 2001, in Queens, New York. We lived in Brooklyn for a year, then Staten island for one year. For the past five years, we've lived in the Columbus area, the last two and a half years of that time in Hilliard, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus.

In March of this year, we happily learned that Amie was pregnant. In July, she delivered our daughter, Bianca Hope, prematurely at nearly five months of pregnancy. At the same time, she was diagnosed with stage IV stomach cancer, which eventually took her life.

She loved people, loved to worship, and to serve the Lord and her brothers and sisters. In some way, each of you experienced that love, which was and is Christ's love in her.

There is so much more to say, and we will celebrate her life, and worship the Lord, at two separate memorial services, first in Columbus and then in New York City. There will be no public viewing, as was her wish. Details of the memorial services will follow shortly.

In Love,
Paul

Blankie Bondage

2008-10-07T20:52:00.000-07:00

It is true...we are in bondage to blankets in the Juelfs home. If you have met Wyatt, you have met Stripey! If you have met Addie Grace, you have most likely met Pinkerton. If you have met Lila, you have probably thought, "God, help her...don't let her parents give her a blanket!" Well, sorry we did. Pinkerton II. That's right, it is Pinkerton the second. How exactly does one end up in bondage to a blanket?

Kid 1 Strategy - buy a lot of the same textured blanket with different prints...curse a lot when kid 1 picks a favorite print...stripes! Search America for another, but it's too late! Enter ... bondage to launder this damn blanket and have it dry by nap!

Kid 2 Strategy - buy two of the same blanket! Check...we got that one right! Don't let kid 2 carry blanket around the house. Mom turns sucker when kid 2 turns whiny! Who wouldn't? More bondage!

Kid 3 Strategy - think about not letting kid 3 have a blanket, but cave before experts even say it is safe to have blankets in the crib. Think about buying a second blanket for kid 3 as to avoid the problem with kid 1 and loathe my laziness for not picking one up! Add blanket to my list for target purchases when mom leaves kid 3's blanket at friend's house 30 minutes away! Loathe mom laziness once again on hour adventure to retrieve blanket that I am once again in bondage to!

And here is where the story turns south (as if it hasn't yet)! I finally went to Target today in search of Lila's Pinkerton II, literally as this will be her second blanket so I don't have to endure laundry drama. As we near the baby section I started thinking...it sure would suck if I can't get this exact texture and pattern. Naturally, you should expect more to this story. So, i found the same texture but not the same pattern. I also thought it was pricey for a backup blanket and there was a slightly different fleece texture on a cheaper blanket, so I decided to save a penny and go the cheaper route. Tonight, I laid Lila down with the new blanket and she fussed off and on for an hour. Thank goodness that was long enough for me to get the real Pinkerton II washed. I switched it out and she literally breathed a sigh of relief when I put her down with the old blanket. So, now I am going to have to go back to kid 1 strategy even though it failed and buy two blankets with the same texture and different patters. Let's hope she is less picky than Mr. Particular Wyatt James Juelfs!

Good Riddens! You think I would learn after the third child, but they are all such great sleepers that I think it is worth any amount of bondage I must endure for a blanket!

Girls, Girls, Girls

2008-10-07T20:34:00.000-07:00

So as a parent of both girls and boys, I have observed a few differences. They may not hold up for everyone, but here is one we see everyday. Girls just like to talk! Don't get me wrong, Wyatt sure talks a lot! Addie Grace started speaking sentences at sbout eighteen months. As soon as we moved to California, she just took off speaking. I think I've mentioned before that she constantly surprises us. We did at first think that she was just a little mockingbird, but in time we are certain she is just her daddy's girl and has something to say about everything! She makes comments now (much to her parents dismay) like "that's not fair" with arms folded and a pouted face and "i don't want to" when asked to obey! The other night, David was telling the kids a story about lizards. He was making the whole thing up as he went about lizards with magic potions shrinking the kids so they could join the lizards in their homes. I know ... it sounds a bit weird, but the kids loved it. Later that night, Addie David and I found Addie Grace retelling this same story to her baby Janie that she had heard only once. She is so funny! The girl is turning two in a few weeks and sometimes I think she is going on five! I can't wait to see what Lila has to say!

The Reverend Daddy

2008-10-02T21:20:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, David went up for ordination before the South Coast Presbytery. (Someone sent us this picture where David is preaching before the group of men.) He was received quite well and passed his written and oral examinations! The presbytery was very affirming in his preaching and found our daddy fit to be a Reverend! Wyatt inquired upon hearing this great news, "Daddy, does this mean you don't ever have to go to school again?" To which I replied, "Never again!" Of coarse in Wyatt's mind, he thinks David can now stay at home and play all day with him! We are so happy for you David! Congratulations!

Clearly I Have the Laptop

2008-09-24T20:15:00.000-07:00

Obviously, since I just posted three new posts, it must be my turn for the laptop!! I suppose you'll have to pardon my once-monthly posting! We are still sorting out the computer in our house! I have been meaning to post on the subject of Sunday mornings for a while now, but generally speaking I am so tired from them that I don't have the emotional energy to relive them in writing. So I read this post on a friend's blog...if you want some insight into my Sunday's this pretty much captures it! Thanks for capturing my life for me Hilary!

Sleepover

2008-09-24T20:10:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, Wyatt went on a sleepover to my parents house. I didn't tell him that papa would be coming to get him until the evening as to avoid the nagging questions about why papa is taking so long all day! Within five minutes, Wyatt was in his jammies with his backpack on his back and a few toys for the road! He left on a Thursday evening and my sister drove him back to our house on Saturday. He had a great time with papa and memaw all to himself! I had an interesting two days remembering what two children (just girls) was like. My house has never looked so clean or seemed so quiet! We had a great time too! Addie Grace did shed a few tears that she wasn't allowed to go to the sleepover, but she gets the next turn!

Grapes

2008-09-24T20:04:00.001-07:00

My mom bought these organic grapes at the Farmer's Market over a month ago. They were so beautiful and so delicious! I had to take a picture to capture the memory because I am not sure anything has melted in my mouth quite like these grapes! On the subject of Farmer's Markets...we have a quaint little market that is about three blocks from our house. We've been visiting weekly and the kids love the samples! There really is nothing like fresh tasting local produce!

What we've been up to...

2008-09-15T19:38:00.000-07:00

In order of appearance I'll give a little background on the photos...the first are just some updates of the kids. Lila made her debut with rice cereal a while back and we caught that on camera. Wyatt had his birthday right after we moved. He turned four and had a great party at my aunts and a fun celebration with family. He had birthday visitors for a whole week it seemed! He got the superman costume for his birthday! And finally, some pics of the apartment. My favorite is Addie Grace's big girl bed! I don't know what it is about it but it just makes me smile when I see it all tiny and cute! We've enjoyed our first month here in Tustin. We took a trip to dog beach recently which Sierra really enjoyed! Just last night our small group BBQ at Doheny State Park on the beach. It is so great to be back by the coast!

Unpacked

2008-08-28T21:16:00.000-07:00

yes. we are unpacked! our last move we had one child who napped twice a day and was staying at grandma's while we unpacked. fast forward three years and we are a household of five, two who nap once a day, and one who naps and eats all day long! we pawned Addie and Wyatt off on my parents for 36 hours and hoped for the best. after two weeks, we are officially unpacked and settled. we had most of the stuff unpacked within days, but finally those few annoying boxes that needed to be dealt with are gone! our place isn't that big, so there really wasn't much space to stay in boxes long. our basement days are over, so we couldn't just dump the boxes down there until we felt like looking through them. secretly, i am glad though. we have had a great purging session and I feel so decluttered! i'll hopefully post some pics of the place soon! alas, we have internet too! my favorite things right now about our place...

*my closet! a walk in that has some serious hanging space! i just organized it and it really makes me happy when i walk in my room!
*i can walk to two great parks with the kids!
*we are seriously within walking distance to all of the shops listed in my earlier post!
*Papa works about half a mile away and stops by all the time to kiss the kids goodnight!
*my garage...it only holds my car but that is a huge convenience!
*Dish Network...we have never had any cable service our entire marriage and David called around and found us a great service for way cheaper than we expected! We are totally enjoying it and the DVR rocks my world! Anyone with children who likes even one or two shows should seriously consider!
*church is just a few minutes away and we have such an enjoyable car ride now!
*i ran into a gal from church at the grocery store tonight...sounds pretty lamo, but it totally made me feel like we are starting a little life here in the OC (j/k...i don't really call it that!)

A Pause in the Blog

2008-08-13T13:16:00.000-07:00

As if there isn't one already, we are probably going to pause for a week or two in the blogging world as we move this weekend! Hooray. You read correctly. We are moving this weekend. We found a spot that we think will be good for a year. Not super excited about the prospect of another move in a year, but we'll cross that bridge later. We are pumped about the new spot...

Some highlights of the spot and other things:

One mile from Costco, Target, Barnes and Noble and a billion other great stores!
Three miles from Whole Foods, Pei Wei, Target Greatland!
Five miles to Ikea (that's for you Ami...I can scout stuff out for you!)
Ten miles from the beach! (if that)

Gas is finally under 4 bucks for the first time since we moved to Cali...topping at $4.48 and now $3. 89! Maybe now we can afford to drive to the beach...just kidding!

Wyatt James, affectionately reffered to as the Reverend Dr. W. Jimmy Juelfs (following in his daddy's footsteps), will be turning four August 20th!

Addie Grace is seriously like a teenager! We are probably going to move her to a big bed this weekend and shortly after try potty training her! I am daily amazed at this kid's vocabulary and her use of it! She talks like no other 21 month old I've ever heard, for the good and the bad! Along with words comes an understanding that requires a lot more discipline and guidance.
Hopefully, some video of the peach will be up soon!
Recent Quote: "I'm not cute, I'm Addie Grace!"

Lila Pie is almost five months and is cute as ever. She is happiest when playing with Wyatt and Addie! She is super tiny and delicate but actually moves all over the place. Primary means of transportation = the roll, but anxiously making an effort to crawl! It is pretty funny to watch such a small baby move this way!

Toodles till a later date! I may even try to sneak a nap in right now under a cloudy and maybe rainy sky. This happens like once a summer and I am referring to both me napping and rain in Cali. I better take advantage of it!

Pray

2008-07-24T21:11:00.000-07:00

So I think I have nothing to say...somehow, I have enough time to read everyone else's blog and not much to say on mine! I've been a unmotivated and wishing I lived near all my old friends, so I can easily talk to them instead of write on my blog.

I am feeling the newness of a move across country. I feel so at home. I guess I should, I am living with my parents. Still. Yet, I do feel lonely because my friends and dear neighbors provided so much comfort and peace in my daily life. More than I knew.

Please pray for some close friends of ours...quite a long story perhaps for another day, but our dear friend Amie has been diagnosed with a serious form of stomach cancer. She and Paul have suffered tremendous loss and their burden is heavy.

For my dear Gulf Drive friends, I miss the easy opportunities we had to share our burdens and care for one another. I covet your prayers on behalf of our friends for healing, for peace, for strength.

The 4th

2008-07-05T15:49:00.000-07:00

My happy fourth began on July 3rd when my dad brought the van home completely repainted (well, not the whole van, but the p.m. part) and detailed inside out! It was a great improvement to the piece of artwork I'd been driving for the past two weeks and best of all it only cost $350 instead of $1600! We started our fourth at some friends house having breakfast and then headed to the local fourth of July parade! Then we spent the rest of the afternoon at home barbequeing and hanging out! We topped it off with some great margaritas in the jacuzzi (post kiddo bedtime) where we had a fabulous view of the cities local fireworks show! The best part was that I was only fifty feet from my bed at the end of the big show! It doesn't get any better than that!

The Graduate, The Party, The Kids, The Baptism and more...

2008-06-24T16:48:00.000-07:00

Hope this works...I'm using the crazy mac that formats my pictures on its own. They could have a mind of their own!

Tales From the P.M.

2008-06-23T12:54:00.001-07:00

and I don't mean the night time! So the other day, my mom and sister took a walk with Wyatt and Addie down to this shopping center near our house to buy some strawberries from a local stand that sells in that center. Anyway, the stand had sold out so my sister ended up going to the grocery store to buy the berries. The plan was for me to drive down and pick every one up because it was quite a warm day out and the kids wanted to walk but probably wouldn't have made it both directions. So, I proceeded to drive down and saw my sister enter the grocery store. The produce is right up front and the self check out is also right at the entrance. So I thought it wouldn''t take much time at all so I just parked by the curb next to the parking spots right by the entrance of the store. So you may say, where is this story going? I thought nothing of my decision and put the car in park and just sort of people watched as shoppers went in and out of the store. Finally, a few minutes later my sister came out with a gasp on her face like I was a complete idiot for parking there. I was picturing her making the same decision and said she was crazy for thinking I shouldn't have parked there. To which she replied, "You're right, but not with a penis on the side of my car!" And right there I had my own moment of speechlessness that David had had earlier. I had completely forgotten about the P.M. and about fifteen people must have seen our artistic contribution as they walked out of the grocery store! Oops!

More on the P.M.

It certainly pays to have someone in the car business. My dad is having the auto body guy at the dealership where he works fix the van and he is only charging us $350 as opposed to the original $1600 quote. Thank you Lord!

New Digits

2008-06-19T16:07:00.000-07:00

Our new contact info is listed below. I will leave the phone numbers up for a while but the address only for a few days. Our address will change in August/September as will my phone number!

Heather Cell: 314-749-1244, juelfsfam@hotmail.com
David Cell: 949-610-3977, davidj@redeemerpres.com

41573 Yankee Run Ct
Temecula,CA 92951

My Very Bad, Not so Good Few Days

2008-06-17T14:27:00.000-07:00

Sunday Lila was baptized. This should have been a joyous occasion, which I should clarify it really was, however it was marked with quite a few whoppers. We have an hour commute to church for these few months which is taking its toll. So, at 7:45am when David went to load the older kids in the car and he proceeded to the driver's side door, he said his mouth just dropped. It was one of the few times in his life he's been left speechless. If you know David, he always has something to say, so this was an unusual situation. But just what does one say upon noticing someone has scratched a picture of male genetalia on your car. I on the other hand had quite a few things to say about the situation! I have made the executive decesion to not post the picture for those who might be humored by it. Anyway, we only had about a minute to give it any thought before hopping in and driving the penis mobile to church for all to see. This particular commute, Addie was so fussy. I finally had had it, so I went in the way back where the older kids were seated to find that she had pooped and it was squirting out her bloomers. I yelled to David to pull over but we were right at a freeway interchange, so it took a few maneuvers to get to a roadside Denny's to clean ber. Thankfully my mom was about an hour behind us and she brought us some clothes for the poor little peach. We proceeded to church and had a beautiful baptism service for Lila followed by a lunch with all of my family celebrating Father's Day and the baptism.

So, today I proceeded to load everyone in the penis mobile to go get some estimates so we could rule out whether to involve insurance or not. I thought since it was only on one door we'd probably not reach our 500 dollar deductable. So, imagine my surprise or shock for that matter when i received word that the total cost for removal of a penis off one's side door is $1600! Yes, I thought to myself, just remember that when your young adolescent boy does something hanously stupid...other young adolescent boys have come before him! And no, unfortunately, we haven't found the lamo who did it. And yes, if and when we do, he will be quite sorry for what he did and also quite forgiven. Not to mention about $1600 poorer!

What We've Been Up To...

2008-06-09T14:37:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of pictures! Since my computer is in storage and David has the Mac most days, I've been struggling to download my pictures on our computer and post them. So for now, I guess you just get the verbal rundown.

David-new job, ordination prep, oh, and more ordination prep!
Wyatt-growing a new hairdo (pics later), making new friends, swimming and more swimming!
Addie Grace- wearing pigtails (or pigtail for that matter), talking and MORE talking!
Lila- smiling, cooing, sleeping and MORE sleeping!
Heather- running (yipee), sleeping and MORE sleeping!

We are blessed to stay with my parents. I can't believe they haven't kicked us out yet! What a picture of grace towards another person or in our case family to allow five people into your home to invade your lives! Thanks, Mom and Dad! David is studying several days a week and in Orange County at the office the other days. The kids love our church so far. Wyatt has found a few friends that are his age and it is so great to watch them play. The two boys taught him how to play "sandwich" (two slices of bread one piece of cheese)! I'll let it remain a mystery what part of the sandwich Wyatt insisted on being! Addie truly is talking like I've never heard before. She is saying all sorts of complete sentences. She understands every word one says. Nothing gets by her. It is really fun to watch her. She is also very interested in doing things her "delf" or herself! Her independence is quite amuzing like when she refuses your offer to boost her up the stairs only to put her hand on her rear and give herself a boost. Lila is proving to be a trooper. She is the easiest baby and a gift to me! She is sleeping great too. Since about seven weeks she started sleeping between six and eight hours straight. She has even slept for nine hours too! She is flipping over which poses a few sleeping challenges, but she certainly has allowed for some longer stretches for me to sleep too! I arrived a few days before my sister's house warming party which actually turned out to be a surprise party for my 30th birthday with family! It was such a great gift to me! After celebrating my birthday in competition with finals for three years now and graduation and moving this year, it was a welcomed change! David has always made this day special in spite of the chaos of school, but it still makes for a less than desirable time to celebrate one's birthday! I even told him I was kind of depressed on my birthday because I wanted to celebrate it with family, so this truly was a surprise that was perfectly timed! My mom ordered this fabulous cake from a bakery where our wedding cake was made. It was decorated to match the invitation...too cute! The flavor...banana with tiramisu filling...I know it sounds crazy but it was delecious for dessert and breakfast the next day!

I guess that wraps up this update! Maybe next time I'll give you the pictures for all these events! I miss everyone at Gulf Drive! I've enjoyed reading about all of the babies born and babies to come!

When Your Husband Shouldn't Start a New Job as a Pastor...

2008-06-01T19:17:00.000-07:00

another note to self...The best time for your husband to start a new job as a pastor is not when you have a nursing infant! More on this issue later but all in all our first Sunday at Redeemer was wonderful and quite welcoming. We had a great luncheon with everyone following the worship service. It is certainly exciting to embark on the post Seminary life!

Apparently not reason enough...

2008-06-01T19:12:00.000-07:00

Here i found a new reason to blog(see below) and since then I haven't found anything to blog about. Well, I guess that isn't really true...I have too much to blog about and not enough time. I have so many pictures to post and things to write about with graduation, a new baby, my birthday, the move and David's new job! I promise i will update soon!

A New Reason to Blog

2008-05-13T06:57:00.000-07:00

It is not as if I have given up on blogging, but I have spent three blogging years in a quandry. Finally, I have found a solution. As a former scapbooker turned blogger, the guilt over logging our family history on the internet with no hard copy to look through on our own (and certainly nothing to share with the non technoligically savvy grandparents) was driving me crazy! I wanted each of the kids to have a scrapbook, but where do I draw the line? I was pleasantly blogging our family memories and troubled by my efforts wondering where our family memories would be in thirty years. David, the computer backup Nazi, would often remind me of this question. So, here is the perfect solution! (Thanks Jen and Dan! I can't wait to make our book of the Seminary Years!)

Turn your blog into a book! At http://www.blurb.com/, you can take all of those long hours of memory making on the web into a book! I've yet to make ours seeing as though we have three days until graduation and seven until the move. Then, our Seminary Years will be complete and I will be ready to turn this chapter of our lives into a book!

Gone are the days of scrapbooking and guilt over incomplete projects! Well, I will still make a scrapbook for each kid, but that's where I draw the line! I know some of you scrapbooking fans think the creativity and personal touch will be lost, but I think this is the perfect merging of two hobbies giving me a new reason to keep the blog going!

My Other Favorite Gift

2008-05-08T12:01:00.000-07:00

David also got me this great coffe mug which is actually a french press. I am ready to throw away the coffee pot because we each have our own mug. It brews about three cups of coffee and it stays warm for hours without the burnt taste! After two unwanted trips out bed in the middle of the night...finally there is something to get me excited about getting out of bed!

a little pink to brighten my day...

2008-05-03T09:23:00.000-07:00

So yesterday pretty much sucked. Lila has thrush and pleasantly has passed it along to me. We have both been treating it for almost ten days and there seems to be no change. I have been reading that most people have to try several different medications to find the right one for them...not so encouraging considering two weeks until the move, insurance changes and finding new doctors! David came home just a few minutes before I had to leave for the Senior Wive's Dessert (worthy of its own post, but probably won't get one) and I was pretty much completely overwhelmed and depressed. So he gave me my birthday present two days early! He bought me a pink ipod nano engraved on the back "far above jewels Proverbs 31:10 HJJ the treasure of my heart." He chose pink so it would be completely mine and he'd have no temptation to borrow it! Quite thoughtful considering very few things are just mine at this stage in life. So here's to the beginning of the birthday celebration...30, finals,graduation, and moving. Let the party begin.

Note to Self...

2008-04-30T12:49:00.000-07:00

Matchbox cars + turned upside down + kitchen table that took weeks to refinish = a totally new refinish. Not such a good day!

Can Fifty Bucks Really Buy Happiness?

2008-04-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

We were actually a happy family to begin with, but we had a wonderful day yesterday and as Wyatt described, "He was really, really, really happy!" This little wonder of a day however cost us fifty bucks...no, we did not start out intending to spend fifty bucks. So, herein lies the questions, can fifty bucks really buy some happiness? For us, it apparently did!

Addie Grace had a really runny nose and I decided it best to not to infect other children at church. So, what would you do on a beautiful 70 degree sunny day? We went to a late breakfast and off to the zoo. We ate at First Watch, one of our favortie spots. It was a fabulous meal. Both Addie and Wyatt ate a ton and were pleasantly quiet. Lila didn't make a peep the entire time. We sat outside and just enjoyed the scenery. Wyatt pretty much just talked about his "best day ever" meaning right then eating a chocolate chip pancake! Aparently we went to the zoo along with all of St. Louis. We drove around for about 15 minutes looking for parking ending up several times quite a distance from the zoo which prompted Wyatt to keep asking us where the zoo went! Finally, I told David that at times I've seen people park in this dirt between two parking spaces, but it could be risky! We decided we'd try it thinking that neither of us have ever seen tickets being issued at Forest Park! Wrong, we arrived back at the car after a pleasant stroll through the zoo to find a parking ticket on the windshield. Oops! We both agreed it was well worth it.

At home, I watched Juno for the second time...so good! This fun day was only to be followed by an amazing night. Lila slept for over five hours in a row giving me a great span of sleep.

Where this leaves us as the saying goes( I know it's a bit cheesy!)...Breakfast $25, Parking Ticket at the Zoo $25, quite possibly the best 24 hours of my life in a long time...Priceless!

Wyatt James and the Chocolate Chip Pancake

2008-04-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

Who knew a pancake could bring such delight?!

Lila at Three Weeks (not three months, thanks Ami!)

2008-04-21T11:05:00.000-07:00

The Van is Back

2008-04-13T12:55:00.001-07:00

We all know how much I like my minivan, but this commercial is why David likes! Anyone who knows him knows how much he's always wanted one of those 70's retro vans!

Hey Bebe Lila!

2008-04-13T12:42:00.001-07:00

This was supposed to be a video of the kids singing the Veggie Tale's Theme Song, but they decided not to sing. If you listen at the very end you will here Addie saying her favorite thing. She walks around the house all day saying, "Hey bebe Lila!"

Lila Elaine at Two Weeks

2008-04-13T11:56:00.000-07:00

So far she has been my easiest baby...probably no coincidence that my third is the easy one. I just don't think I have time to notice when she doesn't meet my expectations for an easy baby!

Pirate Wyatt and Princess Addie

2008-04-02T13:01:00.000-07:00

We play a lot of pirates in our house. Wyatt is Pirate Wyatt. David is Captain Daddy and Addie is the Princess. This weekend David cut an old belt to fit Wyatt's sword and sheath. He was so excited to fight dragons. Anyway, the boots were his stroke of genius that added to the outfit. And, yes, he wore that exact outfit minus the sword to dinner on Saturday. Good thing we ate at McDonald's! Addie has lately been saying cheese to any camera she can find. Here is her new favorite outfit with her posed smile!

A Visit from the Sugar Plum Fairy

2008-03-26T14:11:00.000-07:00

The Fairytale...Memaw arrived on Thursday last week in preparation for our newest addition to the family. Her arrival and departure were all scheduled for before my due date. In fact, she was set to leave this Saturday, an entire week before the baby was due. I fully anticipated this little one to come somewhere around 38 weeks just like Wyatt and Addie, so when I was having contractions all weekend off and on I thought we could be in business. But Monday came around and off to the doctor I went for a scheduled appointment where he announced I was once again 3 cm and 80 percent effaced. Some of my friends would give anything to hear those words, but to me the dreaded 3 and 80 indicates I could be another week or so. With Addie I remember being 3 and 80 for two weeks before I delivered! So I left the office determined with a stop at Deirbergs for six oh so heavy gallons of milk and one very spicy and large burrito from Chipotle. By Monday night, no significant changes. So Tuesday we were off to West County to play at the mall and have some lunch. I was beginning to fear Memaw would come and go without her third grandbaby to hold and we would once again be left to stick the kids with some poor and unexpected neighbor late at night! We came home for naps and not to my surprise I was having contractions again...a regular occurance that had amounted to about nothing lately! However, this time from one to four they stuck around about ten minutes apart. Around 4:30 they picked up to five minutes apart. I cooked some dinner and David went for a run. We planned to leave for the hospital after we ate and said goodbye to the kids. At dinner, Wyatt announced to David that the baby was coming now! David asked. "Right now?" Wyatt replied, " No, Daddy, you have to go to the hospital and I will stay with Memaw!" He was quite excited to have us leave and get out the house so he could be alone with Memaw. So with a quick kiss to my belly for what we hoped would be the last time, we were off to the hospital.

We arrived at the hospital only to be sent to the Women's Evaluation Unit (for all St. Louisans, you can breathe a dreaded sigh with me...I was not excited)! My stop here wasn't long and really went well. After answering what seemed to be a thousand question, seeming to be a liar as I stated I only had my ears pierced (all the while the nurse is staring at my sparkling nose with suspicion), I confessed I must be in labor or turning 30 this year because I also have my nose pierced and I just happenned to have forgotten! She then checked my progress. I told her that I was 3 and 80 the day before and when she completed the exam she looked at us and said, there is no way you are 3 and 80 and we thought I was going home for sure, but in an instant she said I was 5cm and 100 percent effaced. So off to labor and delivery I went. I didn't want my epidural to slow down labor so I told the nurse in l and d that I wanted to be checked since it had been an hour. She said I was already at 6cm but I told her I'd wait on the epidural. My next contraction was pretty painful, so I called her back in about ten minutes later and I got what was truly the best epidural. I never even felt the shot of local numbing meds they give before the actual epidural was administered. I felt relief quite instantly and things progressed from their. I went to 8 cm within an hour or so. The nurse gave the latest status and withing about ten minutes of her leaving, I told David that if she didn't return within a few minutes he needed to get her because I thought it might be time. She came in and made her final check and said that I was ready to push, so she needed to quickly call the doctor from home! So we then waited with the ob nurse, the baby nurse, and the emergency doctor in case my doctor didn't arrive in time. I wasn't in any pain, so we just sat around and tried to wait to push until the doc arrived. She quickly made it and I have to say, I began my easiest delivery yet. It was just a few minutes and uneventful until our surprise was delivered! I was able to reach for the baby and tell everyone what we had. They let me bring our sweet little GIRL up to my chest and hold her while the nurse suctioned!

After about one minute, she was not crying and turning more blue than any resemblance of pink and they whisked her away. I was still okay at this point. David went over to her station with her. He was slightly blocking her warming table, so I asked him to move. Minutes had passed and there were no real cries. Then David stepped back in my way and I knew something wasn't right. Well, worry not, our Lila is fine, but she gave us quite a scare for her first ten minutes of life. David said she was really blue and purple and it was quite scary watching her and just wanting to hear her cry! Apparently she swallowed a lot of fluid on the way out because the nurse pulled out 24cc's of fluid from her lungs. As soon as she started wailing, her color returned and I was able to hold her shortly after. David and I realized that after two pretty average deliveries with our first two who cried right away, you quickly realize when things aren't completely normal! We are thankful that she didn't take too long to get that big breath and all looks great now! And so, we have this little girl that we are eager to share with you all. As with each of our babes, they all get a nickname in their first few days of life. Wyatt was the turtle frog, named for his long neck he stretched around. Addie was our peach, and we still call her that today. So we kept wanting to call Lila our peach as well. Determined to give her own special nickname, we began naming blue and purple fruits in an effort to stick with her sisters fruit theme and the scare she gave her parents. We decided she would be our little plum. She is already a joy to hold and touch. We thank our God for bringing her into our lives. We can't wait for you all to meet our newest package from the Sugar Plum Fairy!
Lila Elaine Juelfs
7lbs. 1oz., 19.5 in.
March 25, 2008, 11:32pm

Long Walks and the Bake Off

2008-03-13T16:54:00.000-07:00

Waiting for some sunshine!

For Jack, Jeb, and Will. A St. Louis vehicle to remember!

Still no baby. I am anxiously awaiting this baby's arrival. I just feel like it is time. Memaw arrives next Thursday which will really be the best plan for the kids to be cared for, but I am so ready to meet this little one and be home again. I will admit I am looking forward to my two day hospital stay too!

We've had beautiful weather this week. Hard to believe that we had ten inches of snow a week ago! Pictures above! I even took the kids to the zoo yesterday by myself. We parked in timbuckto because everyone was at the zoo. I even managed to take the kids to see the giraffes which are one of our all time favorites. If you have been to the St. Louis Zoo you will understand why this was such a great task. The giraffes are at the top of this rather low grade but very long hill. I pushed both kids up the hill very pregnant and definitely hoping that I'd experience some sort of payoff in the end. Not exactly unless you count very tired and out of breath a payoff.

I also baked a chocolate pie yesterday for David. I should qualify, chocolate silk pie, which I've never tasted until yesterday. I have a great chocolate pie recipe that involves more of a mouse base that you don't cook. It is full of whipping cream and truly divine, but David is always asking me to make chocolate silk pie like he ate with his grandma from Marie Calendar's Restaurant. I didn't even know the difference so I used to just make the one I liked and figured when we live near Marie, he could go visit her for a slice of pie. So being inspired to overdue myself into labor I looked up several chocolate silk pie recipes and landed on this one. It was distinctly different than my other chocolate pie and quite delicious like David promised it would be! It is now a favorite in the Juelfs' house. Wyatt had a blast baking and eating it!

Today, after little in the way of contractions, I went to the Y to workout and we've managed to do little else. We made a quick stop at the grocery store for our corned beef, cabbage and potatoes, to which I am in much debate over saving for St. Patrick's Day. I want it then, but I don't want to miss out if we are having a baby. I am contemplating Sunday night dinner and leftovers Monday. Anyway, enough babbling. Below is the recipe for the chocolate silk pie.

Chocolate Silk Pie

1 unbaked single pie crust (I must say homeade is the way to go!)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup (1stick) butter
1 cup sugar
pinch of salt
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
3 eggs
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In large, microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and butter at 50% power for 2 minutes until butter is melted; stir until smooth, Whisk in salt, sugar, cocoa powder, eggs, evaporated milk and vanilla extract, whisk until well blended. Pour chocolate mixture into crust.

Bake 30 minutes or until filling has puffed, but center still wiggles. Cool completely. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Garnish with shipped cream and chocolate shavings, if desired.

Notes: Try baking pie shell 8 minutes in preheated 350 degree oven before filling shell.

Transitions

2008-03-07T13:36:00.000-08:00

Should we be the least bit surprised that our Addie Grace is having a difficult time transitioning from two to one nap? Miss Colic herself who slept for only twenty minute increments for about twelve weeks of her life's beginning is up to no good again. I am in no hurry to rush her to one nap, but she is clearly showing signs of readiness. Ahhh, we enter the dreaded overtired state that keeps a baby from taking any form of a good nap. I've been doing the morning 30-45 minute short nap just to get us to the afternoon so that she and Wyatt will nap at the same time and that has been a fairly good solution. However, I know she is probably ready to just take one, but she gets in this rut of sleeping only 1 and a half hours and is just plain miserable the rest of the day. Not to mention I might have to commit myself if I play referee indoors for six hours straight! Anyway, on Fridays we always do one nap because the kids are at the log cabin all morning. So, predictably today Addie went down at 1pm and at 2:30pm she was crying. She has several times cried for just a minute or two and returned to sleep, so my new motto is to let her cry for a bit to see what happens. It is now 3:40 and she is still sleeping. We might be on to something!

The only thing left is to have this darn baby come out of me and figure out how I'll referee three of them for six hours straight! Let's all say together...live with Memaw and Papa for three months! We are truly blessed, don't ya think?

Finally, some blogging inspiraton!

2008-02-29T13:31:00.000-08:00

I've been completely unmotivated to say anything on my blog. I don't really know why. Surely, it's not for lack of something to say...I always have words! The kids are up to their usual antics, so plenty to tell there! I am sick of winter, always tired, and continually getting more pregnant. I am so thankful for this baby, but the end of pregnancy is always a little miserable!

Anyway, I guess I've been waiting for the perfect story, so here it is. Neither of my kids like the carwash, so I rarely take them. But being couped up with the cold weather and all, I thought I would go out on a limb and we'd take a drive through the carwash! Mistake number one. Whenever you are a little unnerved to begin with, don't do anything you think your kids may NOT like! They never mind the vaccuuming. In fact they both thought it was great to touch my big stomach and pat the baby while I was bent over in the back of the van cleaning up their messes! I even broke out the carpet cleaner too! I must have reached the nesting phase, ya think! Then, we headed to the actual carwash drive thru. The line was five cars deep but I was committed. The kids were pretty good as I had been promising them a succer for the actual time we were stuck in the scary building that sprays water at us!

It finally came to our turn and we enter the car wash. The sign says to turn your engine off which I've never seen before. But, nonetheless I obey. Both children are fine for about 30 seconds with their succers, but Wyatt starts to cry pretty histerically when the touchless power sprayer comes by. So I turn to look at him and notice the rear window is vented. Mistake number two! Strange since it hasn't been above 30 for two weeks! Realizing I must have pressed the button while cleaning the interior I frantically try to close the window while consoling my screaming child who is on the verge of setting his sister over the edge as well! I never use these windows so I instinctively just start pressing ( oh, after I realize the engine is off and I have to turn the key a fraction to get to the mode where can open and close windows)! To my dismay, what to do I press, not the rear window button but the stupid automatic door button that opens the door to my already petrified, screaming, hysterically son's side of the car! Mistake number three! Then, I quick press the button again only to freeze the door. Those with this car feature know what I am talking about...not fun! So I press it a third time where it finishes the entire way to open allowing me to press it for the fourth time to close it. Meanwhile, screaming at his peak, I am promising my poor son that the sprayer won't get him, well not exactly a sprayer...we are talking about a high power touchless jet stream of water, while I am praying and begging God to make my door close faster and the sprayer to move slower!

I don't know how it happened, but somehow no one got wet! Lessons learned...I will never take my kids to the carwash again, and I will always press the lock button on the power doors before entering the carwash! Somehow, we drove away happy with an exciting tale to tell Daddy.

The Drumroll...

2008-01-28T08:06:00.000-08:00

No, I haven't cheated. Although you see the gender poll to the right, this in no way indicates an answer will soon follow. You'll know when we know. That is more specifically when baby Juelfs makes his or her appearance.

The drumroll, however, is to let you know what baby Juelfs will be called upon arrival. When you find out if you are having a boy or a girl, it is definitely more exciting to announce the results. In fact, people usually know you are about to have an ultrasound and even call or ask you about it. The name thing is kind of wierd though. Since we don't know what we are having, we had to decide on two names. For some an easy task; for others, meaning David and me, a bit of a challenge! Then once decided it's not like I am going to make phone calls to tell people what we will name our child. So, it is just kind of wierd. I know our family would love to know, but it still seems like a strange thing to call them and announce.

So, I am testing the faithfulness of my blog readers. You read...you get to know! Here they are. If we have a boy, we will name him Elijah David. Elijah means "The Lord is my God" and for obvious reasons we will use David meaning "beloved" as his middle name. We would hold to God's covenant promises that someday Elijah would proclaim "The Lord is my God." If we have a girl, we will name her Lila Elaine. Lila means "darkness or night" and Elaine, David's mom's middle name, means "bright light". We liked the names and certainly the idea of God pulling us out darkness and into the light. We would hope her life points to Christ's redeeming power.

And there ya have it! Don't forget to vote on the gender poll!

Look Closely!

2008-01-23T11:53:00.000-08:00

It seems one day after being changed in the nursery at church, our little Addie had her diaper on backwards!!! I thought all you moms would get a kick out of the diapering efforts of some friends who recently married. I can't confirm, but I am pretty sure it was the husband!

Crying Solo...

2008-01-21T14:28:00.000-08:00

Oh, did I say that! I meant to say flying solo. David is on a trip to California so I've been parenting solo for what seem to be the coldest days of winter yet. Perfect timing, right? And what else would make for great timing, colds, of coarse! Apparently this seems to be the prerequesite for having daddy out of town...crankiest conditions posssible.

I must say things aren't exactly how I would have planned them. Oh wait, I did plan them and nothing seems to be working out according to my plans. I had hopes of going to the YMCA several days to work out (free child care!). But our runny noses prevented pretty much my only means to five minutes of freedom over the last few days. Today, I finally decided we would go to Target just to get some fresh air. Addie decided to boycott her morning nap ( why do I have the child that sleeps less when sick?) so it was a bit of a risk but we took it anyway. I decided to stop by the bank to deposit a much needed check and wouldn't you know...the bank is closed. I apparently wasn't the only reject who didn't connect Martin Luther King Day with the bank closing because there were several cars turning around just like me! So away we went to finish our errands which in fact turned out to be just fine.

One more day and counting until daddy's return. We are all excited. I scheduled my Christmas Gift Prenatal Massage for Thursday, yippee. David is going to take Wyatt to see the Veggie Tales Pirate movie Wednesday or Thursday and Addie will probably just express her excitement with endless hugs. She is so affectionate! And in case you were wondering, I look exactly like this cartoon! Just kidding. You might have to take some from the top and add it to my baby belly.

In Honor of You, Hilary!

2008-01-17T13:21:00.000-08:00

I was making meals for three families with new babies today and decided on a couple great recipes from my dear friend, Hilary. I made her Baked Penne with Sausage and Brocoli! It is one of my favorites that she adapted from Williams and Sonoma. I also made her Orange Yogurt Pound Cake that she once again adapted from a recipe by Ina Garten. Both are delicious and easy to make! (I've included her reicpes below.) I must say they are making me miss you, Hilary, and our family dinner gatherings outside...bbbrrr, it's cold outside. We too are feeling very bottled up and tired of the indoors. It was good to just get out and deliver food to people!

Thanks for your inspirations Hilary.

Baked penne with sausage and broccoli (by Hilary)

Here is one of my fail-safe pasta recipes. I actually found it in a Williams-Sonoma catalog and have adapted to my liking so much that it looks very little like the original...so in some ways I consider it my own...something rare in my book. Its great because you can make it ahead and bake it before serving and it is all freezable so it is perfect for a new mommy. I am going to (hopefully--if my kids all go to sleep for their naps) go make it in just a minute for our church community group tomorrow night.

2 lbs pre-cooked turkey sausage, halved and sliced 1/2 inch thick
2 heads of broccoli, cut into pieces
1/2 c white wine
salt and pepper, to taste
1/4-1/3 c olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 T dried thyme (more or less to taste)
24 garlic cloves, minced (or 12 t minced garlic)
1/2 pound whole-grain penne, cooked according to package directions
1 c part-skim ricotta
pinch red chili fakes
2 oz Parmesan, grated

Preheat oven to 400. Saute sausage 3 minutes over medium heat. Remove to a large bowl. Cook broccoli in same pan 6 minutes, until tender. Add wine after 3 minutes. Season with salt. Add broccoli and wine to bowl. Warm oil. Add onions and thyme. Cook 8 minutes or until onions are tender. Add garlic and cook 2 more minutes. Add mixture to bowl, reserving oil. Add pasta, salt and pepper to the bowl. Add ricotta to bowl and gently toss to coat. Spoon mixture into 9x11 baking dish. Drizzle with reserved oil. Sprinkle with red chili flakes. Bake 20 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake 10 more minutes.

Orange yogurt pound cake (by Hilary)

Ina has inspired me again. And essentially this is her Lemon Yogurt Cake recipe, but I made my own adaptations with what I had. And this is the moistest (is that a word?) pound cake I've ever had. And I think this recipe, with the yogurt, is better than the one with butter. Odd enough?

1 1/2 c flour
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 c plain yogurt (I used fat-free)
1 1/3 c sugar, divided
3 eggs
2 t orange zest
1/2 t vanilla
1/2 c canola oil
1/3 c orange juice

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour a loaf pan and line the bottom with wax paper.

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. In separate bowl, stir together yogurt, 1 c sugar, eggs, zest, and vanilla. Gradually stir in dry ingredients. Fold oil gently into mixture. Pour into pan. Bake 50 minutes.

Cook juice and remaining 1/3 c sugar in small saucepan until sugar dissolves. Set aside.

Cool cake 10 minutes then remove to baking rack. While the cake is warm, pour the juice/sugar mixture over the cake. Cool cake completely.

Now here is where I have differed from Ina as well.

She recommends combining 1 c of powdered sugar and 2 T juice to create a glaze to pour over the cooled cake. But I didn't make the glaze. Instead, I combined 1 c of yogurt and 2 T sugar. I spooned the yogurt on top of each slice when serving and then topped with orange slices, for a dramatic effect--just think if I had added mint sprigs as well!

Notes from the Underground

2008-01-10T06:52:00.000-08:00

As some of you know, David and I live in the basement. That is, our bedroom is in the basement of the two bedroom apartment as we now have two kids and soon to be three. If you have never seen the apartments I know it sounds wierd, and to some of my neighbors (those who don't share in basement dwelling) you too may think it is strange, but it really isn't all that bad. In fact, there are some good things about it. So, in honor of gulf drive and concrete flooring, I've compiled a list of my top three favorite things about basement living as well as my three least favorite things...

Why I like the basement...
1. It's always warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer!
2. The middle of the night "no reason cries" are much quieter:)
3. I enjoy the rustic feel...who knew overhead wooden beams could make you feel so cozy!

Why I hate the basement...
1. The move was prompted by babies, so naturally whenever one of them needs mommy, I make the trek upstairs in the middle of the night. In the last eighteen months of basement dwelling, I've been nursing or pregnant for well...eighteen of them! I haven't had a night without stairclimbing! Last night alone, I climbed them five times to pee, no exaggeration!
2. I would love a window in my bedroom.
3. No more last minute laundry loads right before bedtime since I share a room with the washer and dryer!

My Guilt Free Post of Addie Grace

2007-12-30T09:24:00.000-08:00

I took Addie to a wedding in California while Wyatt went to Tennessee with David. So, naturally I would be taking pictures of our little girl in her pink dress. I am about to post a whole lot of pictures of just her, but I have a very legitimate reason why. She is the only one I am responsible for this weekend and you will be seeing a lot of her:) Enjoy your little girl Daddy and take some pics of your little man at the farm and I will share these with everyone when we return home. A few pictures toward the end are of Addie looking at Balboa Bay where the reception hall was overlooking. This is one of the closest beach and harbor areas to where we will be moving! She is already liking it. For now, here she is...

Church Christmas Pics

2007-12-23T11:54:00.001-08:00

What The Very Hungry Caterpillar Has to Say About Morning Sickness

2007-12-21T13:52:00.001-08:00

The other day while it was snowing, David read the kids The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Addie is so into books right now, so we often find ourselves in this position. As most everyone probably knows, after the caterpillar eats five days worth of fruit, he goes on to one day of quite a binge. He ate one piece of chocolate cake, one ice-cream cone, one pickle, one slice of Swiss cheese, one slice of salami, one lollipop, one piece of cherry pie, one sausage, one cupcake, and one slice of watermelon. That night he had a stomachache! Enter Wyatt, "Just like mommy!" Although I haven't felt sick in quite some time, I think Wyatt is under the assumption that as long as there is a baby in my belly, I will have a stomachache. So, what did the caterpillar do? The next day he ate through one nice green leaf and he felt much better. And so Wyatt advises, "mommy, you need to eat a leaf!"

I wish I'd known all along.

A Long Overdue Post of Pictures

2007-12-21T13:16:00.000-08:00

Our most recent snow!

The Christmas Cherubs!

Our sweet visit with the Mathews.

The po-yee!

Our peach!

How a girl makes use of a big rig.

These are some pictures from November and some from December. Enjoy the munchkins.

My Top Kid Pick's for Christmas...

2007-12-15T07:28:00.000-08:00

So here they are. While toys seem to be the grandparent's signiature gift, books have become our preference. We bought these two books out of a series for Wyatt, and then my favorite, a new bible. Now most of you now how I am a big fan of the "Big Picture Story Bible" but since we can now read through this in about 40 minutes from cover to cover if we are focused, I decided to hunt down something similar in emphasis (gospel, redemption, etc.) but for an older audience. Last year I stumbled upon this at Easter time and had to get it! I knew Wyatt was not quite old enough, so I held off for Christmas. We gave it to him just the other day so we could begin using it and I think David and I might like it even more than him for the time being. He of course is very excited, but seriously I am finding more and more adults interested in it. We had some friends babysit for us last night and upon returning home, we spent almost an hour looking at just the intricacy of the illustrations! The content is fabulous too. So if you're still looking for some gifts for young children, these are our recommendations!

Slip and Slide Extravaganza

2007-11-28T14:01:00.001-08:00

To my dearest friends who share in parenting young toddler boys...may we all remember each other in the teenage years and draw upon one another for support, encouragement, and a good laugh when needed.

I found this video on a friends blog one day. Is completely worth the six minutes to watch and turn the volume on:)

On a side note...I am not condoning nor advocating the encouragement of our sons to try these sorts of things:):):)

What I've Learned

2007-11-28T13:14:00.000-08:00

What I learned from my first...

Easy babies are just that...easy! Of course no baby is entirely easy and when you have an easy baby you often don't know it. I thought Wyatt was an average baby, but Addie put him way into the easy category!

If "Babywise" worked for you it really means you are none the wiser...it just means you had an easy baby that cooperated, but you thought your parenting was really what did the trick! This statement characterized my confidence after Wyatt's infancy...boy did I need humbling! I should've expected a colicky baby next:)

Boys come out of the womb making truck noises and also many other unwanted boylike tendancies of roughness.

What I learned from my second...

Fusssy babies are just that...fussy! Their only predictability is that they always scream! Addie was our first glimpse into this kind of baby!

"Babywise" means nothing when your child screams all day and night even when you followed the instructions the same way you did with your other children:) I actually do like the book "Babywise" for many reasons, so please sense some of my sarcasm!

Babies will learn to sleep, even through the night, inspite of all our fears they won't and ploys to get them to before they are ready!

Girls with big brothers often are tougher than their older brothers!

What I anticipate for the third...

My chances are just as high for a fussy baby as they are for an easy one...regardless, I am preparing for fussy!

At some point in the first year, my baby will sleep through the night. It probably won't be at eight weeks even though I'll try for that, so I am expecting more like eight months!

I will likely freak out that my child still isn't sleeping through the night at six months, but it will hopefully be a more mild freak out than I've had in the past:)

Sidenote...if you like "Babywise" take no offense...I like it for much of their advice and hope you see the humor here is more about me and my children than anything found in the book:)

The Little Accomplishments

2007-11-20T12:13:00.000-08:00

So yesterday we had our ultrasound. And yes folks, we resisted the urge to find out what we are having. The picture and gender are sealed in an envelope stuffed in a mail file sitting right above my head as I type. Nothing is official yet, but I am proud to say I am one day in to keeping myself surprised! Only 138 to go.

David on the other hand...still doesn't know, but already made several objections at dinner last night. I told him he can look, but I want to be surprised. He said that he doesn't know if it is worth four months of not being able to bond with the idea of a "future daughter" or "future son" to be surprised for one moment in the end. I personally think he just wants to streamline the amount of time he has to spend thinking of a name with me:)

While we are speaking of accomplishments on a small scale, our little Addie has started walking. Her steps are small and few; both self initiated and inspired! She is really cute to watch as she branches into toddlerhood. Her birthday baby doll is now the favorite. We named her Luci. Wyatt named his baby Henry. So Lucy and Henry now must accompany us most places.

If I don't post again, have a wonderful day of Thanksgiving. We are so thankful for all of you!

What all mothers can be thankful for...those annoying toys that are given to us that make noise even when completely untouched! I just this second returned from my covert operation sneaking into Wyatt's room in the middle of a nap because I heard this blasted score board song with mock applause sounding in the background. How do these toys operate with no one around them????

Addie Grace turns 1...

2007-11-09T14:52:00.000-08:00

and we've become the "princess party palace" host to hughes of all pink and purple princesses just in time to replace the former "poison palace". When we moved to Gulf Drive or just shortly before, we received a letter stating that we should be aware that our apartment may or may not contain lead paint because it was constructed before 1978. Being the very new mom that I was, I freaked out about bringing our sweet Wyatt James into a place with poison! Neither David nor I had ever really lived in a place that was "pre-1978". After all, we were born in 78 and we are from California...isn't everything in California new construction??? Upon calling the seminary and trying to understand how this would affect us we learned that our apartment had been painted over many many times and we shouldn't be concerned. When we arrived we were quickly relieved that there were babies all around us and none suffered from the ill effects of lead inspite of their "poison palace" locale!

That stated, gone are the days of poison palaces and new are our experiences with so much pink, purple, and princesses! Addie Grace celebrated a birthday week as she turned one. On Monday, her actual birthday, we served her a candle-lit eggo waffle and she really was unsure of any reason to celebrate. That was about the jist of her celebration because Memaw and Tetee arrived on Wednesday so we had the complete celebration on Thursday. We stopped at a local cupcake bar and picked up some gourmet cupcakes for the party and this really seemed to make her a little more excited about her birthday. After all, it isn't a birthday if you are served the same old waffle breakfast as every other morning. She really enjoyed the buttercream frosting as did Wyatt and the rest of us!!!! Yea Jilly's! (the cupcake bar)

And as for presents, what better occasion than a first birthday to introduce our little peach to baby dolls and shades of pink and purple everything! Sweet Addie Grace has pretty much spent her first year in a world of planes, trains, and automobiles. She loves them all the same because anything Wyatt does is good enough for her and pretty much the only thing she wants to do. She has never complained and barely shown interest in girly dolls and the like. So turning one would mark a milestone entrance into the world of dress up and playing mom. Addie got a baby doll, bed, stoller and several little people toys in pink and purple rather than the usual primary colors we strut all over the house. In hind sight, I've realized though, that most of these little toys that sport girly colors are still vehicles by nature...the fairytale princess horse and carriage and the little mom-suv with baby in tow! She couldn't be happier to drive her girl cars next to her big brother and his big rig!

Happy Birthday Peach! You have been a true joy this first year of your life and we look forward to many more:)

The Juelfs' Family Zoo

2007-11-02T06:54:00.000-07:00

We spent a nice brisk but comfortable evening trick or treating around the neighborhood. The kids had a great time! Wyatt was a tiger and Addie Grace used the Halloween staple monkey costume. Our two little animals were adorable. Wyatt finally worked up enough courage to say "trick or treat" after three years of Halloween and this year boldy declared his wish knowing what would come in return. Addie isn't walking yet, so I carried her! She sure liked shaking her pumpkin bucket. It was like she really knew that she was suppose to be getting something at each house because instead of saying trick or treat she just shook her bucket. They were pretty cute. And now, we are just dealing with the days of candy overload attitude!

Much to say about nothing...

2007-10-24T12:27:00.000-07:00

I had a lucky occurence today. No children showed up for our afternoon Log Cabin session, so I was able to come home early. Unfortunately Addie naps late at the log cabin, so she woke up just as we were coming home, while Wyatt was ready to go down just as we were leaving the cabin. I escaped the full blown falling asleep in the car by Wyatt, however, he relaxes just enough for a three year old to catch up on their rest. So as is with most Wednesdays he is playing in the dark in his room rather than really sleeping. Addie stayed up a little while longer, and like a truly selfish mom, I put her down in her crib "not tired" in an effort for some alone time. So I have two children in lock down playing in what I believe to be mildly safe environments for unattended children, but these are my children so who knows.

On a similar note, we've halted sleeping Wyatt and Addie in the same room because Wyatt has a strong and as he'd put it loving desire to care for his sister...translation Wyatt climbing in the crib with his sister. We've had one good night for one bad night, but we are a little freaked out by the climbing in the crib thing so we've stopped all room sharing for the moment.

Pause...I had to sip my hot chocolate which is turning in to an afternoon ritual for me.

I've been pondering this new fascination of mine because I am not much of a chocolate lover nor hot beverage consumer when I am the one who has to prepare it. I have concluded two things...I recently have begun feeling much less nauseous which is earlier than all my other pregnancies. It came on strong, but has subsided sooner (16 weeks) Yippee! After visiting the doctor and seeing that apparently something is different because I've gained nine pounds in two months, I am becoming much more aware of my eating all day long tendencies. So I am considering making up a lame excuse for my daily hot chocolate consumption so that I'll feel better about the impending pounds! (This really is all in jest because I am fully aware the human inside me is gaining weight too...I have just always been so sick that I lose weight until sixteen weeks and only then start gaining). Since I dream of a day where I can frequent Starbucks or my local coffee spot for a sweetened beverage made just for yours truly and prepared just for me to my liking and not with my own two hands...do you feel the justification coming on here...I've discovered an alternative that fits a little more seemlessly with the poor seminarian budget and is probably less in calories too. And there it is...I came up with a mildly reasonable excuse and feel better about myself already.

Next baby issue...if you can truly believe it...I am considering not finding out what we are having. We have a few weeks until the unltrasound and I am thinking this may be our most perfect scenario for a surprise. We have one boy and one girl so we have got all the loot we'll need for either gender. My most compelling thoughts are that we'll be moving six weeks after the baby is born so this may be the only time that I really don't care one bit about what the baby's room looks like either! David thinks I am nuts and will cave in a heartbeat which is potentially true. I've made no commitments. Right now I am podering the idea that I will have the ultrasound tech right down what we are having and we'll seal it in an envelope only to be touched by David's hands since I will ultimately sneak! That way if we both decide to change our minds we don't have to convince the doctor to find a reason for another ultrasound! So any thoughts???? My only reasons for finding out are pretty lame...
1.I have a girls name and no boys name...so finding out would either force us to figure out a boys name or make me give up on my fantasy girls name forever.
2.I am a planner so I am sure their is something I need to plan for that is gender specific...announcements, etc.
3.Wyatt wants to know...I guess this is cute but he doesn't even know we have a choice:)

So, please someone tell me what they think. I can't promise you'll convince me either way!

Finally...Happy Birthday Hilary! I know I'm a loser and haven't called yet...I guess that is good since you have laringitis! I hope the big 30 is all it's cracked up to be! We'll talk soon.

A New Experience

2007-10-08T09:57:00.000-07:00

In loving memory...Mickey the Cat!

Sorry for the fuzziness, but I couldn't resist these cuties!

While David was out of town this weekend, I joined a friend and her children for dinner and she gave me this bath seat that Addie is clearly enjoying! She thinks it's wonderful! She just loves watching her brother and splashing and playing with him. They are quite adorable!

Of course, I forgot the camera when we went to Eckart's Apple Farm. Who am I kidding though, it's not like I would have snapped any shots. Going solo with children was not the greatest idea:) Unless I grow a third arm, pictures on mommy outings are going to be quite rare. I already am attempting to figure the third arm out for when the baby comes. Perhaps I should be watching the Bionic Woman for tips.

On that note, I am not watching the Bionic Woman, but I have been enjoying the new episodes of Heroes, Friday Night Lights, the Office, and Brothers and Sisters. I haven't given up on Grey's but it has conflicted with the Office for two weeks now and the online viewer for ABC is awesome, so I've been saving Grey's for online viewing with the laptop...which may never actually be in my possession anytime soon. And for the Office fans...you know "sprinkles" the cat...my cat growing up was diabetic just like that and I am not kidding my parents had to do stuff like leave work early and not go on vacation b/c he needed insulin shots twice a day! I didn't stick him in the freezer, but he is now resting coldly in some vet's freezer! Well, by now he probably isn't but you get the point.

Recipes worth Trying!

2007-09-24T13:06:00.000-07:00

Before you get the wrong idea, I'll preface these by stating they aren't my own original creations. I've gotten these recipes from several friends who have in turn found them in magazines or from other friends. A few are my own. They are worth trying and passing along. So here they are for those that have asked. Perhaps, I'll be making them with you guys soon, I hope!

Ever so yummy salads!

Minty Orzo Lentil Feta Salad

6 c. water
1 T. salt
1 ¼ c. orzo
6 T. olive oil
¾ c. brown lentils
¼ c. red wine vinegar
3 garlic cloves, minced
½ c. each fresh mint and dill, finely chopped
1 sm. red onion chopped
10 oz. feta cheese crumbled
¾ c. kalamata olives pitted and chopped
6 sprigs dill or mint for garnish

Bring water to boil with salt and orzo. Cook 5-8 minutes. Drain and Toss in 1 T. olive oil. Cover and cool completely. Cover lentils inn 2 inches of water and simmer uncovered 15-20 minutes. Drain.

Wisk remaining 5 T. olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper to taste. Add lentils, mint, dill, onion, feta, olives, and dressing to orzo. Stir and garnish. Serve at room temperature. Tastes great cold too.

Bulgar & lentil salad w/chickpeas
(completely healthy for you!)

1 C beluga (black) lentils, rinsed & picked over (now available at Trader Joes)
1 bay leaf
salt

3 C warm water
1 C bulgar wheat
3 medium shallots (can substitute red onion if necessary)
1/4 C red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 T fresh lemon juice
1/2 C extra virgin olive oil
3 T walnut oil (I never have this on hand)
freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 C cooked chickpeas or 1 can, rinsed (I always use the can)
1 C finely chopped parsley
3 T finely chopped tarragon
1/2 c walnut halves, toasted & chopped (I use pecans)

1. In saucepan cover lentils w/ water, add bay leaf & 1/2 t salt, bring to a boil, reduce heat & simmer 20 mins.

2. In medium bowl pour warm water over bulgar & let soak until tender, about 30 mins., drain & squeeze dry.

3. In a small bowl combine shallots w/ vinegar, add garlic, whisk in lemon juice & oil, season w/pepper.

4. Combine lentils, bulgar, chick peas, parsley & tarragon, add dressing, stir gently & thoroughly.

5. Serve warm or at room temp w/nuts.

Can be made ahead (add nuts right before serving). Great with crumbled feta & chopped tomatoes on top.

Side Dishes:

Homemade Baked Beans
INGREDIENTS:
• 3 cups of dried white navy beans, soaked and simmered until tender, following package directions
• 1 1/2 c ketchup
• 1 1/2 c water
• 1/4 c molasses
• 1 large onion chopped
• 1 tablespoon dry mustard
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 6 slices of uncooked salt pork or bacon, diced
• 1 c brown sugar
PREPARATION:
Place all ingredients in slow cooker; cover and cook for 8 to 10 hours on low. Stir a few times, if possible.

Main Courses:

Chicken Chili

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
2 medium diced onions
2 tsp. ground cumin
2 (15.8 oz.) cans Great Northern Beans (white kidney beans)
2 (15.8 oz.) cans Garbanzo Beans
2 (15.8 oz.) cans corn
2 (4.5 oz.) cans diced green chiles
2 cubes chicken bullion
8 oz. pepper jack cheese, cubed

DO NOT DRAIN LIQUID FROM CANNED GOODS. POOR ENTIRE CAN WITH LIQUID INTO CROCKPOT.

Sauté cubed chicken and onion with ground cumin until cooked. Put remaining ingredients in crock-pot along with chicken mixture. Heat on high 1 ½ - 2 hours (until cheese melts) and continue on low for 6 hours. Serve warm. Top with extra cheese, sour cream, green onion, cilantro, or any other favorite topping. Serves six people.

Chicken Francesca

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1cup milk
1cup bread crumbs
3/4cup grated parmesan
2tbs. parsley flakes
1cup olive oil
1cup chicken broth
1cup white wine
1/3cup lemon juice
Sliced lemons

Remove tenderloin from chicken breast and divide remaining breast in half. Complete on all four breasts. Pound meat with a meat tenderizer and let soak in milk for 5 minutes. Mix next three dry ingredients together. Heat oil in a large skillet. Dredge chicken in dry mixture and brown each side of the chicken in oil. Lay browned pieces in a 9 by 13 dish. When finished reserve about two tablespoons of oil in skillet and add broth. Simmer until reduced in half. Then, add wine and simmer until reduced in half. Finally, add lemon juice and remove from heat. Place sliced lemons on chicken in baking dish. Then poor all of the liquid from your skillet over chicken. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes. Serve over pasta. Serves 4-6 people.

Boeuf Bourguignon

1 T olive oil
8 oz diced bacon
2 1/2 lbs stew meat, cubed
salt & pepper
1 lb carrots, cut into 1 inch cubes
2 onions, sliced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 c brandy or cognac (optional)
1 bottle (750 ml) of red wine--or less and replace with beef broth
1 can of beef broth--or more to replace red wine
1 t fresh thyme or 1/4 t dried thyme
1 T tomato paste
4 T butter, divided
3 T flour
1 lb frozen pearl onions
1 lb sliced mushrooms

Preheat oven to 250.

Cook the bacon in the oil over medium heat in a dutch oven until lightly browned. Remove to a plate.

Salt and pepper meat. Then, sear the meat in remaining oils. Remove to plate with bacon.

Saute 1 T salt, 2 t pepper, carrots and onion for 10 min over med heat in remaining oils. Add garlic and saute one more min.

Now here's the part I change. She says to put 1/2 c brandy in and stand back and light a match to burn off the alcohol. Instead, I use 1/4 c and I turn up the heat to high for a few minutes, stirring often.

Return the bacon and meat to the pot. Add the wine, broth, thyme, and tomato paste (the liquids should nearly cover the meat.)

Cover and put in oven for 1 1/4 hours.

Remove from oven. Mash 2 T butter with flour and add to stew. Add pearl onions. Simmer over low heat. Meanwhile, saute mushrooms in remaining 2 T of butter for about 10 min. Then add to stew. Heat to desired warmth.

Desserts:

Rum Cake
1 pkg. yellow butter cake mix
1 small box vanilla instant pudding
1/2 cup light rum
4 eggs - beat one at a time
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup cold water

Beat well (all ingredients) together and put into
lightly greased Bundt pan or angel pan. Bake at 350
degrees for 45 minutes. Cool 15 minutes, remove from
pan. Invert cake and prick top and sides all over.
Drizzle & brush on glaze over top and sides. (I
usually put the glaze on while the cake is still in
the pan.)

Glaze: 1 stick butter (or margarine)
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup rum
Boil 5 minutes then drizzle and brush on glaze over a
warm cake.

Longing for the Kingdom

2007-09-07T12:21:00.000-07:00

It has been so long since I've written anything! As I look back on this summer, it is not for lack of things happenning, but somehow I haven't really had the words to share what I've been thinking about.

We have had a long summer adjusting to our new little corner in Gulf Dr. All of our little buddies that we played with for two years moved away, so that has been a bit change for little Wyatt but also for me. All of our new neighbors are working most of the day, so there has been a little whole in my life where my former friendships have sort of changed. I love keeping up with people on the phone, but it just isn't the same as seeing someone almost everyday.

We went to California in June and when we returned our sweet friends' daughter returned to the hospital with an infection following her fourth round of chemo. What started as days, turned into weeks, and somehow slowly yet quickly (if that can even make sense) weeks turned into months that this precious baby was in the hospital fighting for her life. Just yesterday she went home from the hospital. Our friends brought home a baby that in many ways is nothing like the one they went to the hospital with months ago. Her infection caused serious damage to her brain and now they will begin the waiting game of seeing how rehab will help her. So much is unknown. It is hard to not, for the sake of avoiding what could be little improvement, cling to the stories people tell about miraculous brain recovery and babies that can relearn almost anything. But I have really been struck that while that is more optomistic, it may not necessarily be what our Lord has planned. We all know he can and does have the means to change any situation, so all of me prays toward that end, but part of me doesn't quite know how to process that he may not change this situation and that our friends' suffering will somehow bring glory to Him. I look every day at my daughter who is days younger than their baby and wonder why she has been granted a life that so far has been spared from this awful suffering and she is growing and learning new things every day, things that our friends' daughter may never do. I sat with my friend both of us in tears as we talked about her suffering and our joy and just what are we supposed to do with that? I don't want to convey doubt that our great and faithful God surely has a plan that is far greater than what I can concieve, but there must be room in this life to be honest and face the facts that we aren't experiencing life the way it is supposed to be! Another friend of ours spoke at a funeral once and talked about this very subject of pain and suffering and really helped me process some of these feelings that I am facing today. If only I would remember his words every day. So often the Christian response in death and suffering is to tritely "rejoice" in God's plan that our loved ones are with Him or someday will be free of suffering and with Him. Don't here me saying that this day won't be glorious, but that does little for those here on earth experiencing the loss and pain. I am reminded that pain, loss, suffering and simply stated all of the bad stuff that we experience here on earth is a product of the fall and is not the way things should be! It is okay to be real and hate how one feels in these circumstances because we should be longing for something better. Sin has left us hurting and longing for more...our hope is for Christ's return and the coming of His kingdom that will restore all things and make them truly better than we can ever imagine. So please pray with me and others that this sweet baby will be spared any more suffering and that she will be healed but that our friends will also be able to experience some sense of the peace of God in their lives regardless of what the outcome will be.

Another note on suffering...please note I am using this word in the most mildest of ways...this is what I hate about someone else reading what you write as opposed to listening to what you are saying. So often the tone is lost. I suppose if I was a better writer it wouldn't be, but I am not. We are excited to share we are pregnant again, but yet again deep in the trenches of throwup!!! I naively think that with each pregnancy maybe my body will respond differently, but to no avail, I always end up puking and often. I am taking medication which seems to ever so slightly help. So rejoice with us for this new life and pray for a short period of sickness. As endearing as it is, I long for a morning where sweet little Wyatt doesn't wake up saying, "Mommy, you feeling so better??? a lot????"

On a final note, David is off to his last year at Covenant. We are so excited that he is almost finished with this program. He really has gained so much from the experience here. Please pray for us as we are considering where exactly God is calling us and what He is calling us to.

God Bless.

Photo Weirdness!

2007-08-10T14:08:00.000-07:00

I don't know what's up with the pictures...I always center but today I switched it up. Never again!!

What we've been up to...

2007-08-10T13:27:00.000-07:00

Not much really besides our daily trip for free ice cream in the blazing heat! Maggie Moo's gives free ice cream for 98 minutes when the temp reaches 98 degrees. Needless to say we've had a lot of ice cream this week. The kids continue to enjoy each other a bunch, scratch that, Addie continues to adore her brother, while Wyatt spends a lot of time playing in his room hiding from the destroyer of all train tracks and towers! He sure loves her though. We have taken a few trips around St. Louis enjoying the free stuff too! We really enjoyed our picknick lunch at the botanical gardens. We're off to CA in one week. See you all then!

Problem Solved

2007-07-19T13:17:00.000-07:00

At least I have figured one thing out today! I have changed the color scheme once again today in my efforts to bring back my hyperlinks that disappeared for a day. Apparently they needed a rest. I can relate.

Today a good friend of mine watched Wyatt ( no strings attached ) for the morning so I was able to go finish my Target shopping with minimal fits this time around! Yippee. I had a great time. Thanks Courtney!

Summer Slowdown

2007-07-18T11:54:00.000-07:00

Addie with Nana, David's grandmother.
DISNEYLAND

Addie and my Aunt Janet.

Watching the really fast train!

Addie enjoys a snooze on "It's a small world."

Wyatt and my cousin's daughter, Jenna, enjoy a nice sunset together.

Addie sits up on the plane by herself!

Well I must apologize for the complet lag in blogging. I feel like I have nothing important to say...I don't know why. We have many things going on and Wyatt and Addie are constantly doing new things, but I just can't seem to make the time to write them down. I know that is a really lazy thing to say to all of you who use this blog for family updates.

I feel that I am in a rut or something, so this is my slow attempt to reenter the blogging world. I haven't said anything of substance or importance, but I did add some pictures so enjoy! Perhaps I will feel more inspired later in the week.

Until then, enjoy the dog days of summer!

Is this for Real?

2007-06-28T17:39:00.000-07:00

Your Personality is Somewhat Common (ESFJ)

Your personality type is generous, accepting, humble, and considerate.

About 11% of all people have your personality, including 15% of all women and 7% of all men
You are Extroverted, Sensing, Feeling, and Judging.

How Rare Is Your Personality?

So, a friend of mine had this personality test link on her blog. She said it gave her the exact Meyers Briggs indication in twelve questions. If you have ever taken the Meyers Briggs (which takes hours) you'd realize how great a twelve question test really is. So, I thought I would see what it predicted for me. This test gave me the exact same results too! So, Dr. Douglas, why didn't you tell us we could actually get our Meyers Briggs results in five minutes or less? Click the link and take the test for yourself!

The Last Hoorah!

2007-05-26T19:28:00.000-07:00

Today was our final day of train riding with Jack and Jeb and Will. Hilary and I took the boys to the zoo to ride the train and they loved it. We rode on Gordon and had a fun time with the kids. We leave for Ohio tomorrow and they leave for Colorado where they will make their new home on Tuesday. We delivered presents for the car ride tonight and Wyatt stood very quietly. I think he knows they are moving and understands, but they aren't really gone yet so it is hard to comprehend. Mommy, on the other hand, was hiding her tears tonight. I don't even want to think about it! I can't imagine our Gulf Drive life without the Mathews. So long for now, we'll be back in the blogging world in a few weeks after travels.

Two Down, One to Go!!!!

2007-05-18T18:57:00.000-07:00

David just completed his second year of seminary! It is so hard to believe that we are almost done, yet very exciting too! This is such a joyous time of year as all of the seminary wives breathe a sigh of relief that our husbands and daddys are home a little more often, but for us it is also very sad! Our dear friends are graduating and moving on. We are so happy to see where God is calling each and every graduate but it is always a bit sad to say goodbye. Poor little Wyatt has no idea what is about to come! Jack and Jeb are moving in about ten days. His whole little world is going to change in an instant. We have already begun talking about a road trip in the fall. Wyatt may miss his buddies, but his mommy and daddy are just as sad! Michael and Hilary are such dear friends and we can't even imagine life at Gulf Drive without them. We have been so blessed by God to have fostered such a wonderful friendship!

We look forward to a bit of a more relaxing summer. David is working a lot and also taking summer school, but he feels like it will be very manageable and is really looking forward to his class!

Praise God for his provision in our lives too! We have been blessed by several different supporters and are going to get a minivan to accomodate our growing family! I am thrilled to say the least. We have shared the Saturn for seven years now except for a brief stint where we had a second vehicle for under a year. We've been patient and tried to be good stewards with the resources we've had. The Saturn has been a great car, but I am beyond excited to get my own vehicle!!!!! We'll show you some pics when we pick it up this weekend!
God Bless in the coming summer months. We hope they will be refreshing for you all too.

Addie and Amelia

2007-05-15T12:16:00.001-07:00

The Girls of Gulf Drive

2007-05-15T12:11:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful dinner with our friends, Jen and Steve and their daughter Amelia, last night. Addie and Amelia our only days apart and are six months old now! It's hard to believe the time has gone by so fast and so much has happened. The girls had fun ooing and ahhing at each other and we had a great time catching up with Jen and Steve. They will be moving in August or September to Nashville, TN. We'll miss them. Addie is already sad!