we will miss you grandpa

We received the call 10 minutes after he had passed away.  My husband's Grandfather had been fading for the past week and we knew the call would be soon.  We had just crawled into bed and I laid there while Peter got ready and headed out the door.  Out the door to help take care of Grandpa's body and be there for the family.  As he left I started texting a few family members and friends to pass on the news.  Never have I felt the Gospel to real and close.  It had only been 10 minutes ago that Grandpa saw Jesus face to face.  What was that like?  What was he doing now?  Jesus Christ, God's son, was living and breathing on this earth and died to pay our sinful punishment we deserve.  Because of that death and resurrection, Grandpa is in heaven.  Right now.  That truth has never felt so real as it did Thursday night.  

Grandpa, a Word War II pilot, was one of the most passionate Christ followers I know.  He would tell you that his heart's cry was to fall more madly in love with Jesus every day.  He spent literally hours a day shut in his bedroom sitting at a tiny desk praying for his family.  By name.  For hours.  What a privilege to be prayed for like that.  But also what a huge example he has set for us.  Grandpa will be sorely missed - but we know he is in a much better place.  I pray I never forget his example and love for Jesus.  I pray I can fall more madly in love with Jesus each day because of Grandpa J's life story.

stitch fix

I've been reading about Stitch Fix on several blogs & have oohed and ahhed over the concept & the pieces.  I decided to treat myself for my birthday earlier this month and schedule a "fix" for myself.  If you're not familiar with the concept, basically you fill out a profile describing your body type, style likes and dislikes, and a stylist picks out 5 items for you.  The styling fee is $20 and they ship you 5 items.  You try the items on in the comfort of your own home, choose what to keep and pay for them online (minus that $20 fee you'd already paid) and return what you don't want (postage paid)!

My first package came yesterday - and I squealed when I saw my package in the mailbox. True.  My kids thought I was crazy!  To be honest I hated a couple of the shirts, but one of them I absolutely loved.  Returning the 4 other items was a snap.  I put them in the envelope they provided and simply handed it to the lady at the post office.  Nothing to pay to return them.  I am hooked.  As a mom who never shops for herself and feels like she could live in jeans and t-shirts, I'm loving that someone in the fashion world can maybe help me look and feel hip and not frumpy!  Bring it on!  Even my husband thought it  is a great idea - so I already scheduled my next shipment for the end of the month.  Woohoo!

Check it out for yourself - you won't regret it!  Go here to sign up.

i'm back...with a zachary update

I haven't blogged in weeks. I don't know where the time has gone other than I'm teaching piano lessons like crazy, added more work hours at church, and somehow am keep trying to catch up on the never ending piles of dishes and laundry when all I want to do at the end of the day is sit and do nothing! So how do I jump back into blogging? No idea. I do have a Zachary update, so I guess that's where I'll start.

Z had an appointment a few weeks ago with his GI doctor. We learned he hadn't grown - but I'm getting used to this now. He was put on a prescription for Pediasure 1.5. It has 350 calories in one bottle! Whoa! Nothing like 96 cans being delivered to your front door! Unfortunately he's been sick, since then, so I'm not quite seeing any results yet.

His GI doctor is sending us to an orthopedic specialist to see if he has Dwarfism tendencies. Really? At first I freaked out - but once I gathered my thoughts and emotions and began thinking clearly again, I think this suggestion is ridiculous. I could always be wrong. Although not only has he already had a bazillion genetic tests already, he doesn't even look like he has dwarfism. I honestly feel like this doctor is just searching for anything and everything looking for answers. So...we have an appointment with an orthopedist on Monday.  Not worried. God knows. And like I say, one day a doctor will look at Z and say "I know what he has."

Z also has had a speech therapy evaluation and will begin weekly speech therapy in a few weeks. Nothing surprised me in that evaluation. I already knew he was WAY behind - but hearing that he's averaging at a 3-6 month old level was a little hard to take in. Lots of catching up to be done.

On the positive note, he is getting ever so fast in his little army crawl. Some days I just want to sit and watch him go. I remember wondering if he'd ever be mobile - and this is a tremendous start! He gets all over the house with his little scoot on his tummy.

Now we are counting down to his 2nd birthday next week! Excited, but I won't lie. The burden of realizing my son is turning 2 and can't stand on his legs at all and has the speech level of a 3 month old is a little scary. I'm sure glad God knows.

My boy is fearfully and wonderfully made!

ever need a reboot?

It happens like clockwork.  About twice I year I lose all domestic motivation.  I feel like I drowning in laundry, dishes, messy closets and dirty bathrooms and I can't keep up. Quite frankly I feel like giving up.  A few weeks ago it snuck up on me and I was once again drowning.  I recognized it right away and honestly went with the flow, let it runs it's course and I'm back to being a domestic and happy mommy once again.  I didn't meal plan, hardly grocery shopped, ate quite a few meals out, and apologized to my husband a lot.  He gets it - I guess.  Honestly I don't always get it, but maybe he knows this too shall pass.  (we have been married almost 15 years after all!) He reminded me over and over, it's okay - no one's house is perfect.  I love that man.  

Last week was just exactly what I needed.  We spend the entire week as a family. Going here, going there, eating out quite a bit, sleeping in, and I finally feel like the nasty domestically depressed month of March is gone. I'm refreshed, rested, and happy to report that you could eat off of my kitchen floor if you so chose, and wouldn't have to sit on clean laundry if you wanted to watch tv on our couch.  I'm back.  I'm soaking in God's Word and taking it a day at a time.  I think a good way to describe it is I've hit "Reboot" and I'm in the game again. Until November - when it rears it's ugly head once again! :)

(I still have lots of closets and bedrooms to clean, but I'm ready!)

spring break stay-cation

Museum - Bowling - The Croods - Ice Cream Sundaes - Family Movie Nights - Swimming - Aquarium 

Those words sum up our spring break last week and it was by far the best spring break we've ever had.  We had talked about leaving town for a few days, but the $$$ sure starts adding up when you consider hotel, food, gas, and then the cost of the activities as well.  We decided to stay home, but did fun day trip activities.  We were able to go the Nature & Science Museum & the Aquarium - and get their yearly memberships - for the price of a hotel for a couple nights.  I still taught piano two days so one of those days Peter spent taking the kids to a movie & swimming at the Y.  At first the kids were begging to play with friends, not sure if they'd be "bored" but by the end of the week they were saying "what are we doing as a family today?"  They all loved our week.  And it was filled with fun & rest.  Grateful.

Today it's back to school, but not quite back to life yet.  Peter has the day off work and a friend has offered to watch the younger two.  Here's to a cheap matinee movie and a much needed date!

big news - and i caught it on video!

Saturday was the day.  Zachary just began pulling himself forward! I love watching him make these little army crawl moves.  Just when I think the next milestone will never happen, God surprises me once again.  I tear up every time I watch this & I've probably watched if 50 times.  I remember a few months ago I was thinking he wouldn't even be sitting by the time he turns 2.  And look at him now, still not quite 2!

In other family news, it's spring break & Peter has the week off of work.  We aren't doing a fancy vacation, but we are trying to keep busy with fun activities.  Yesterday we went to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.  The kids had been begging to go ever since they went on different class field trips there.  I'm hoping today will be bowling, but we'll see.

ThredUp - get $5 reward

Have you heard of ThredUp?  It's an online consignment store, and I found several items for my little guy at $3.99.  I used a promo discount for my first order and my shopping cart of 4 items was just over $16.  Take off the $15 promo and add just over $5 for shipping & I only spend $7!  For four items!  They are also sending me a postage paid bag to fill with gently used items to return.  They will post them to sell & I will earn $ to spend in the store.  Are you kidding me?  I'm super excited about this concept & am excited for my first order to arrive.

Amidst my excitement, I just read a blog that mentioned ThredUp is expanding to women's clothing! Ahhhhh!  I love this concept just as much.  Here is a link for you to use to sign up.  No commitment to buy, but if you sign up to learn more about when the shop opens, I get a $5 credit.  Then...you share the code tey give you, and when your friends sign up YOU will get a $5 credit too.  Win win!

Consignment clothes shopping in my pj's with a cup of coffee.  My kind of shopping!