bits of home

Our sweetie girls are becoming friends. 

They really adore each other and we are so thankful for that. 

I wasn't sure how the adjustment would go for Paisley, but so far, so good.  She loves to "Mother" her and I'm happy to have a helping hand!  She will crawl into her crib and play with her and sing to her and "read" her books.  Capri feels comfortable with Paisley. 

The safety of sisterhood. 

I moved them into the same room last week.

Paisley thought she was pretty cool being "a charge" (in charge) of Capri!  Not quite the case, but she likes to feel like the top dog now instead of the other way around, (she was starting to act out while sharing a room with the boys...I think it was her way of trying to get their attention).  She would sing loudly at night and keep them awake, she would get out of bed and just go bop them on the head, she was coloring on the walls in her room, etc.  We've not had any issues since moving her and Capri together!  We don't know what we're doing half the time as parents, but sometimes we take good guesses! 

 I had fun rearranging! 

I've also been having fun working on the new project that's going to launch later this month, a new online magazine called "Neighborlies".  It is not my brain child in any way, rather my friend Jeane's idea, however I feel honored to be along for the ride!  

Lovie Capri is growing every day and I'm not sure what to do about it. We LOVE watching her personality come to life, she's sitting up now and babbling and doing pat-a-cake and has 1 lone bottom tooth that she constantly feels by sticking out her tongue like a little lizard. oh, it melt's me.  And she's growing up and I love my babies and I think this might be our last one and I just can't handle it!  Here she is all fat and happy lounging on our bed. 

Hung that banner I told you about in the last post. 

It's sweet. 

My girl, she loves to be together. xoxo. 

My friend Terri, (also one of the contributors on Neighborlies) mentioned this while talking with a group of young Mommy's, I thought it might lift your spirit today if you're feeling weary....and if you're NOT!  :)

"As one who is slowly being pushed behind, trust me....the days of in-tenseness will pass.  You will miss that moment that it changes from being so hard- to being in the past...and that is Grace.  If we saw our life in a series of starts and finishes we probably would never start in the first place. Just as quickly as they tumbled and jumbled into your life, they will leave you speechlessly behind.  Breath deeply in today....this very moment.  Even in the chaos....because chaos thins out and it is quiet again.  There is good in both--but we always wish away the one that's in front of us, hoping for the other!  

the madness of motherhood

It's a snowy/rainy Monday morning, 

or wait, it's afternoon now.
I wouldn't know because I'm still in my pj's, as are the girls.

The boys got fed and dressed and off to school, 

does that count for "getting something done?"

Last night as I lay in bed I told Jake that I felt so overwhelmed at what will meet me in the morning, as it does every morning.  All the messes to clean up, (because I was just so tired I wanted to sleep and not spend another hour cleaning up from our Sunday loungefest).  I just wonder why I even clean up sometimes.  

EVERYTHING I DO GETS UNDONE. 

And honestly, most times I'm fine with it, it's "life" right now, our "season" of Motherhood. And then on other days/moments I feel so  frustrated by it.  How did all this pile up when Friday night it was perfectly clean and straightened up?  

So, instead of getting my butt into gear, I'm writing about how I don't want to.  But I know it will get done, it HAS to, there is no one else that will or can do it.  It is my portion for today.  And so I'm going to spend a few minutes extracting joy from it, I'm going to look around and count my blessings and name them one by one:

* the fire is roaring and keeping us all toasty warm.

* I have a house to clean, (a fellow neighbors home was completely destroyed in a fire the other night).  I heard the sirens and of course, the curious cat that I am, I had to find it's source. So, I bundled up at 2:45am and walked toward the billows of smoke, about one mile round trip.  It was freezing cold and exhilarating. 

Ok, so I'm sure there are more things I could squeeze out, but I don't have the mental energy right now. 

I'll pour another cup of coffee and put on some groovy praise music, (Bryan and Katie Torwalt is my newest favorite itunes purchase, a sweet gift from my friend Angie) and their pandora station is great too.  Here's to getting my hands a workin'.

If you're in the same boat I am, let's jump ship together and swim to shore before we all sink down into our sea of laundry!!

Bon voyage, dear friends!!  

"This mess is a place!"

  ~Author Unknown~

a deck and father's day.

He starts stirring at 4:30am.

I know what's happening....he's got a project on his mind.

One hour later I get up to close the bedroom windows. 

Determined hammering and the sun is barely over the hills.

Jake built a deck on Saturday. 

Something he had wanted to do before the baby came, 

so OFFICIALLY, we are ready! 

The kids were by his side most of the time and he was so gracious with them....except when they kept trying to refill the six, 3 foot deep post holes, which he was digging by hand to avoid hitting the sewer line. BEAST I tell ya, beast!! 

This was where I perched for most of the day. 

Watching this supernatural man do his thing, he's so astounding to watch, like a force of nature! I got my notes of encouragement ready for the big day!

verses, quotes, short lines to keep repeating while I'm in labor. 

my brother asked me if one of them says "why hast Thou forsaken me?" LOL. 

I did say that my theme verse this week is 

"be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act." psalm 47:7. 

and we could throw in psalm 6:4 too, (slightly out of context)!
 "turn, o Lord, and deliver me!!"  

i'm still feeling great.

very tired of course with getting up so often at night. i'm just taking it easy around home during the day. Psychologically it's getting harder though. how can 9 months fly by and one week go SO SLOW!!??  SO READY to meet this SWEET BABY STOLTZFUS!!!!  

In typical Jake-style, he worked and drank and barely ate. He kept saying he wasn't hungry and he was drinking TONS of stuff.  He was "having so much fun!" (what the heck)?  He truly was so motivated as this was something he's been wanting to do for years. I can imagine it felt wonderful as this is part of what he does for others every day, but never enjoys the fruit of his own labors.....

Needless to say the kids loved it.  

Jake learned by watching and hopes his children will do the same.

Especially his clone, Luke.  At his side practically the entire day, working and sweating and digging and filling and drinking "refreshing water."

Jake gave him money at the end of the day. 

He was delighted. 

And of course Paisley-girl would not be left in the dust, 

literally. 

. 

 15 hours later and this is what we had!!!!

It's beautiful.  Still needs the steps and railing and some finishing touches, but for the most part, it's completed....and being enjoyed!!

Father's Day greetings. 

cards~love~kisses~gifts~breakfast in bed.

and of course, some time on the deck!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY AMAZING MAN!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, 

and let me watch him do it.  

~Clarence Budington Kelland~

Lovie's Nursery Reveal. xoxo.

SO EXCITED TO SHARE OUR NURSERY WITH YOU!! 

I put the finishing touches on it this afternoon. 

BEFORE:

 my little helpers. there wasn't much they could do "wrong" as I was priming the entire room white, so I just let them help. 

Here is my pinterest board that held my inspirations. 

Love pinterest.  This was the first picture that started it all!

the fabrics and paint.

The reveal. xoxo.

It is quite a small room, approx. 8 x 10, but that doesn't have to keep you from loving the space you're in! This is my favorite room in the house right now!  Such a peaceful, happy place. 

Some of the pillows were made by Jake's Mom, Grammie.
the blanket by our sweet babysitter, Kaelin. 

Crazy doll that had to come home with me from "home goods".

ended up being part of the inspiration for the room. 

beautiful handmade curtains by grammie. xoxo. 

figured this verse was quite applicable as before i know it i'll be awake day and night. 

my friend jeane' so kindly gave me this vintage rubbing alcohol bottle. it will be used and loved. 

 that picture was made by my sweet friend and neighbor jessica, a very meaningful birthday gift.  the old creamer was jake's grandmother's. 

WHO WILL YOU BE? 

we love you so much and don't even know you! 

xoxo.

found that vintage clock last weekend. 

it glows.

it was ugly brown. 

now it is bright blue. 

essential "i'm settled in" supplies. 

 the pillow fabric, another handmade creation by grammie. 

Paisley and the baby will share a closet. 

wrapping paper i liked from target. 

lined the back of the shelves with it. 

one of the final touches found this afternoon.

i'd been searching for the right one and found it here. 

for free. 

wuvs it. 

  

sharpie meets glass. 

who knew permanent marker could do such great things?

vintage chevron blanket found at a garage sale. 

first baths. 

each of our babies had their first baths in this tub. 

and lastly, the delicious pictures my friend michelle took of this nursery....she's getting together a new line of stationery and photos to sell on her etsy shop.  you simply must check out the way she captured Lovie's room, here you go!  EYE CANDY!!   

and so we wait. 

we wonder. 

we pray. 

we hope. 

and we love. 

37 weeks. 

"Where thou art-

 that-

 is Home."  

~Emily Dickinson~