Luke and Jill

This was a first for us.  Luke did these totally on his own.  He made up the sentences himself (though they contain pieces that are familiar from his K5 workbook).  And he spelled everything on his own, though he insisted on help with "gunna" (as in “gunna get …”).

How fun to be entering this new territory of K5 foniks!


(“Jill will get a hot dog.”)


(“Is Jill going to get five pieces of gum?”)

A Little Tidbit

OK, I know I’m way behind in my posting … snow … Christmas … etc.  So, here’s just a little tidbit to hold you over until I can get the rest sorted, organized and shared!



There’s enough sweetness just in that one shot to last a long time.  But if I take too long to post again, you can click on the picture to see more!

Like a Cindy-Who-Lou Noise ...

Luke was “reading” The Grinch to Emma.  You’ll have to see it for yourself.  Click on the still image to see the video.



Also in the album are some shots of the girls in their holiday dresses.  Emma looks like she’s got issues, and Ruth looks a bit disturbed by them!

Hot Commodities

Last night I was talking to the children about buying gifts.  I was trying to instill in them a desire to show love to others by purchasing a gift that would reflect the recipient’s interests, rather than those of the giver.  I don’t know how successful I was …

Mama: When we buy gifts for other people, we need to pick out something that person would like, not something we would like, because the gift is not for us – it’s for the person we are giving it to.  For example, when we pick out a gift for Daddy, we need to pick something that Daddy would like.
Luke: Oh, yea!  Maybe Daddy would like a plastic toy sword!  [Hmm … see what I mean?]
Mama: Well, sometimes it helps to think about what you know that person likes.  For example, what does Daddy already have that he likes or has a lot of?
Emma: Oh!  Maybe … socks … or children!

[I suppose we’ll go with socks, then, as I don’t think there is an expedited delivery option on children.  J]

The other night at dinner, I was holding Robyn and the children were talking about her and about babies in general.

Luke: Emma, how many babies do you want to have?
Emma: I don’t want to have any babies.
Luke: You don’t want to have any babies!?!
Emma: No, when I get my house, it is already going to have babies in it.

[Next I’d like to show you folks a lovely three-bedroom rancher, attached garage, newly remodeled kitchen, babies included.]

And finally, a story from a few weeks ago that I think is appropriate to include here.  Mr. Sloan, a gentleman from church, e-mailed my father to tell him about a conversation he had with Luke.  This conversation took place the Sunday after Robyn was born when Matt took the children to church by himself, so my father forwarded the e-mail to me.  Mr. Sloan wrote …

“I have to tell you this.  As soon as church was over yesterday, I turned around and started asking Luke about his new sister.  Emma immediately came over and joined the conversation.  I asked him how big she was and he told me all about her.  Then he said, “She’s very cute. All babies are cute.”  That was just so precious.  Praise the Lord for a new covenant child.”

Later I asked Luke if he had had a conversation with Mr. Sloan.  Luke said, “Yes!  He was laughing the whole time I was talking to him!”  Luke was obviously pleased that Mr. Sloan found him to be so amusing!

Important Facts

Here are some of the things we have been learning recently in our home …

1. God sent the Holy Spirit to the disciples on “Pentagon”. (Luke)
2. Mary Poppins’ favorite word is “Super-California-and-New Mexico-Virginia” (Emma)
3. We don’t know why God needed to make Antarctica because no one lives there. (Luke)
4. The planet we live on is the sun.  (Emma)
5. Greenland was settled by the “Diggish” people. (Luke)
6. Our smallest coins are called “dime-ins” and they are worth 55 cents each. (Luke)

Modified Christmas Cheer

This morning, we went to the pediatrician for a “flu clinic”.  Because the appointment was at 9:15 and we are not yet coordinated enough to get four little people (one who needs to nurse right before leaving the house) up and ready in a timely manner, we didn’t manage to do breakfast before we left home.  (OK, so we stuffed a few animal crackers into the big kids, but that was it.)  Instead, we decided to go to Cracker Barrel afterwards.

Our breakfast was lovely.  And Cracker Barrel is all decorated for the holidays!  We were even seated right next to the stone fireplace which contained a large, warm, roaring fire!  By the time we left, we were feeling all rosy and merry and ready for some more holiday cheer.  So, here is how we are enjoying the season in modified fashion this year …

Creating designer holiday decorations (we actually worked on these on Monday) …






(our construction-paper advent chain)

Taking in a ballet …


(watching the San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker)

A roaring fire …


(yea, it’s a Duraflame log)

And, of course, Christmas shopping!

Two Weeks. Two Weeks?!?!

Yes, Robyn is now two weeks old.  Sure, I’m tired.  But honestly, I think these have been two of the most wonderful weeks of my life.  Aside from Robyn’s two quick trips to the pediatrician, I have not set foot outside my house since November 18.  I’ve been cared for and pampered by my husband (and children, too).  I’ve had lots of time to rest.  And we’ve gotten some special visits from family and friends eager to meet Robyn!  Here is an update of the meetings and greetings of the last two weeks since Robyn’s birth.

While I was in labor (and for two nights afterwards) Luke, Emma and Ruth were blessed to get to stay with Nannie, Pop-Pop and the Uncles, who took great care of them!



Nannie and Pop-Pop brought the children Friday morning (when Robyn was less than 12 hours old!) to see their new sister.  When Luke came into my room and saw Robyn, the first thing he said was “Mama!  You did it!  I’m so proud of you!”  (Personally, I think those are some of the sweetest words I have ever heard.)  Luke and Emma were especially excited to see Robyn.  They both climbed onto the bed and nestled themselves around her, making such precious loving, adoring sounds!



Then they each had a chance to hold her …


Luke was a natural and was able to hold Robyn very carefully.


Emma needed a little support, but clearly has the mothering instinct, adjusting Robyn’s blanket and hat as needed.  (She peeked under the hat and said, “I think Robyn is a boy, because she has short hair!”)


Ruth needed lots of help, but wanted none.  She spent more energy trying to push Nannie’s arms away than she did holding Robyn!

… including Nannie and Pop-Pop, of course!





In the next days, we enjoyed short visits from …


Granny and Granddaddy


Uncle Ryan


Auntie Donna (and little Cousin Westcott!)


The Tan Family

(who also took this picture of us …)



Cousins Lauren and Kendall (and Auntie Terri, who didn’t make it into the picture)


and Nana and Papa (who took this picture of all of us, but didn’t get any pictures of themselves with Robyn!)

Daddy took over complete responsibility for the three big kids and all household tasks.  He was (is!) amazing and wonderful, and the primary reason that these two weeks have been so fantastic!  Here are some of the pictures he took of the kids.


Eating Oranges (brought to us from Nana and Papa!) – captured on video!


Driving Cars (on the upside-down birth tub!)

And what did Robyn and I do while Daddy was busy with the kiddos?  I’ll let her represent the two of us on this one …



(As usual, all pictures are linked to Phanfare.  Click to see more!)

Sweet Brother

This morning around 8 am, Robyn woke up in her bassinet beside our bed and began fussing to eat.  I was still in denial about the arrival of morning and was slow to roll over and get her.  Through the veil of sleep, I realized that Luke was sitting beside me on the bed singing to his sister, “Just a spoonful of Robyn helps the medicine go down …”  She quickly got quiet and watched her brother with wide eyes.  Soon, Luke said, “Mama, I got Robyn all calmed-up for you!”

Seasons of Life

Fall has always been my favorite time of the year.  Perhaps this is because I was born in November.  Or perhaps it is because fall comes with all of the colors I love best and those that I’ve used to decorate my home.  If you’ve been here, you know that my kitchen is decorated with apples, and my living room and dining room are decorated in rusts and golds and browns.  And in my hallway, I have a picture in a frame of when I was a little girl, playing in the leaves with my Mama and Daddy.



Fast forward nearly thirty years to today, when my husband took my three children outside to help him rake leaves.  He took lots of excellent pictures and videos (all of which can be found on Phanfare by clicking on the photo below) but here is one of my favorites.  Recognize the shirt?  Yep, the shirt Emma is wearing is the same shirt I had on back then as I played in the leaves when I was her age!  How fun to get to use this shirt again – for a new generation of leaf play!



And, of course, Luke was right in on the fun with his sisters!

Thanksgiving Day

Daddy took the three "big kids" (yea, Ruth is now a "big kid") to his family's Thanksgiving.  I got a few pictures of them before they left, and then Daddy took some pictures and videos of them outside with Uncle Lyle (Daddy's brother) and Auntie Michelle!