Birth!

Ironically enough, labor started soon after I wrote that post yesterday. Taylor Davis Jones was born in the evening, a week early, after just 90 mins of hard labor. 7 lbs 6 oz, will put up photos soon. We are all just in love with him, of course! we are doing great.

Christmas re-cap

What do I need up catch up on?

 

Andrew lived with us for a bit over 2 months. Things were fun and crazy at the same time. Rychen P. goes crazy when we have visitors and that never really settled down the entire time. But it was so nice to have some family around, enjoying the kids. Andrew taught them some really fun things like German and various facts of knowledge, and also did some video making with Rychen P. He also spent a good deal of time helping out our older friend from church and "hanging out" with the missionaries in various things.

 

He left on Christmas Eve and we had a nice Christmas with Rychen's family. Rychen P's favorite part of Christmas is driving around to see the lights. The kids also got excited about buying and wrapping (and opening!) gifts. I took each of them separately to choose a gift for the other. We were really busy the couple weeks before Christmas, wrapping lots of presents. It surprsied me how much of my time was spent "getting ready for Christmas." Also I really enjoyed the West Salem holiday concert.

 

Around the house, I didn't realize how much craziness Christmas would bring because the kids are obsessed with their new toys and don't want to sleep much lately. So basically we have had 2-1/2 months of hyperactivity (okay okay there was some sugar in there to blame too... enough!) and I am just ready to get back to a structured routine! I seriously miss pouring more time into homeschool activities.

 

...but alas that is not happening anytime soon because baby #3 is due to arrive in the next week or two. Life never slows down!!

 

My mom is coming to stay with us next week and she usually has a calming influence on Rychen P. That will be good. In the meantime we are just hanging out, trying to keep the house in order.

Cute pictures of kids

Here are some cute pictures of the kids lately. Looks like they are best buds ... wouldn't think so, judging by the amount of screaming we hear every day. But they will have lots of funny and other precious memories together.

Ransom Captive Israel: My Christmas Testimony

O come, O come, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

After listening to the words to O Come O Come Emmanuel for the first time in my life, this is now my favorite Christmas song. It is so fitting because these past few months I have pondered this topic many times, as the theme of captivity and liberty has come up repeatedly in my studies and ideas. Pretty much, Christ's entire mission can be summed up by saying his calling is to deliver us from our captivity. Just like ancient Israel, as repeated themes throughout scripture, we too are desperate for a Savior from the bondages of earthly life--whether it be emotional turmoil, economic issues, mental health or social limitations, or simply sin and death. We live in a fallen world and are all in some sort of bondage. Only through Jesus Christ will be ever gain true liberty.

New piano!

My kind visiting teacher was "hanging out" with us one day when Rychen P. played the piano for her. She quickly said in no uncertain terms, he is too good for our peice of junk piano! She was wanting to get rid of hers. And it was just as easy as that... (okay okay Rychen might disagree with that figure of speech)

It's a beautiful 1940's walnut wood upright. I am enjoying it myself quite a bit :)

Get Your Manicure!

Elisabeth just loves her nail polish collection. She wants to paint everybody's nails. But unfortunately I am the only eligible one in the household besides herself. So we have been changing our colors a lot lately :) Feel free to stop by and get yours done!

I need a special tag on my car

Homebirth midwives have a saying, "Pregnancy is not a disease." I thought I totally agreed with that, but COME ON - it's nearly impossible not to feel at least Handicapped. I mean, I am simply not capable of doing everything I am used to doing. So many projects have been left undone. It feels horrible to put things off and put things off, or just not do them at all... Christmas cards, visiting teaching, organizing closets, certain educational outings I really wanted to do this year.

I am normally somebody who is busy all day getting things done, and this resting business is just not my cup of tea! I hate having things undone and I hate asking for help. Don't get me wrong, I love having people involved and wanting to help. But it can just be so tedious when I could (and should) be able to do it myself, which I would do so much quicker!!

It is very humbling.

Fall Family Pictures

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