Perhaps a nonboring post

My husband informed me last night that my blog is downright boring. When I told him I haven't thought about blogging these days, he said I should just delete it then. I'll take that to mean that he (and his coworkers mind you) enjoy regular posts about my momhood life.

So as most of you know, we're expecting our 4th child. A part of me is just crazed that we're at 4! I was one of four and I (and lost of others) thought that was a lot! Another part of me is so excited. All of me knows that this child was planned from the beginning of time. My flesh is tired at times but I am renewed by grace everyday.

I have been working on my new Norwex business lately. I have dreams that I will help reach the city with this wonderful stuff. My husband is extremely supportive of it and there is no way I could do it without him. We hope to be debt free in three years, even when seasons of bills seem to come and come. God is faithful and we are trying to obey.

Caleb passed his PE test. This means he is a professional engineer and can legally design structures or a lot relating to structures for you. Give him a call if you're interested. He's a smart one. He received a gym membership for Christmas from me this year. I want him to have muscles.

I kids are just wonderful. Emarie is daily displaying her big sibling abilities with tender lovings. She loves to rock her sister when Claire is sad or tired and she loves to wrestle with her little bud brother. Claire loves her family and reminds me of that everyday. When she says "I love you mommy", she always adds "and I really love my daddy too". Elliott is toddling around here at fast speeds. He tries to copy the words we say and the steps that we take. It is so fun to see him grow and learn.

Christmas is past but we continue to celebrate around here. Caleb's siblings and their families are coming here this weekend to have our annual Lange sibling party. Let the festivities begin!

People

I am  not home. I am far from it. In a place where I once did call home but now it's a place where I visit and remember where I grew up with all it's memories. I am thankful for growing up in Vermont but have no desire to live here.

The kids and I ventured north while Caleb worked his tail off in Cuba. I don't know what's tougher, drilling for hours on end in a wierd land, or driving three small kids 11 hours in the car. I'm going to bet that he had it harder. So I'm here until Friday, and then over to Potsdam, NY I go. The thought of seeing some forever friends in my early saved days makes my heart sing! From Potsdam, we'll go to Rochester and meet Caleb for Thanksgiving.

At this present moment, I feel wiped out on all fronts. Body, soul, emotions, mind...Today I feel like surrendering everything and just letting God steer this ship. The beautiful thing about it is that this is probably exactly where God wants me. I'm glad I have that to lean on.

Blessings

My parents graciously invited us to go on vacation with them in the blue mountains of Virginia. Boy, was is a wonderful place! We stayed at a resort where there was things for all people of all sizes. My children had a blast and loved spending time with their Granny Dee and Pops. There were many tears at their departure. Here are some fun pics of the experience:

He wants me

I did something terrible today. Something that required a 911 call...

I took my kiddos to the store. When we got home, I helped the two girls out of their seats. When I went to get Elliott out of his, the door was locked. Every door was locked. Don't ask me how, they just were. My phone was also locked in the car. I ran to the neighbors and used their phone. After calling Caleb a million times, there was only one thing I could do....

Soon the fire truck arrived, then the police, and then the ambulance. They smashed a window and retrieved my sobbing son. The EMT man checked him and he was ok. Praise Jesus it is a cool day. The police got a statement. I can't remember what I told her. I hope she doesn't call social services.

Now as the kids peacefully sleep, I ask why. God, do you want to humble me? Do you want me to see that I can't do this parenting thing without You? Do You want me to see the gifts that my kids are?

This event surely forced me to see all of this and meditate on it all. But I think He is telling me that He wants me. He wants a relationship with me. He wants me to talk with Him, for me to be in complete wonderment. I once heard someone say that if you're not praying, then God will give you something to pray about. He cares more about my heart then a passenger side car window.

If you think I'm flawed, you're totally right...

Pics and stuff

We've been potty training my two-year-old Claire Bear these past few weeks. After cleaning several poops from her big-girl-under-paints, Caleb went to the chocolate store with Emarie and spent 30 bucks on fancy animal chocolates. He installed an Ikea wire curtain rod across the dinning room wall, and dangled all of these precious goodies for Claire to see. It worked.

 I'm done canning all the garden stuff. Not a single tomato was lost. Elliott was my first mate helper through it all...

 
My little Elliott boy is just so wonderful...

We went to Vermont in June for my sista's wedding. My girls loved seeing their antie. 

Just Serve!

Lately I have been working on serving without expecting anything in return. I really really am a selfish person...

The other day, my neighbor was telling me how he had so many tomatoes and how he didn't know how to can them. So I said that I would can his while I was canning mine. In the middle of canning all these tomatoes, while sauce spattered all over my kitchen, while sweat dripped from my head from the intense heat of the kitchen, and while trying to can it all before the children waked, I found myself saying "I can't believe I told him I would do this! IF HE ONLY KNEW WHAT THIS ENTAILS!"

The other night I really wanted my husband to give me some extra special attention. It was one of those days and I felt like I needed some "sweet lovin". I just wanted him to spend his whole evening doing what I wanted. I fell asleep very annoyed because the night didn't go as I planned.

The other day was laundry day and I had a schedule of stuff to get done. My mind was only on what needed to get done. When the kids began to holler and run all over the place, I snapped and told them to sit on their shapes (duct taped shapes on the kitchen floor) until I could think. Not realizing that they just needed some mom time.


These are just some of the selfish moments of my life and that I reflect on. I am challenged to die every day and see my need for a savior!

Daily

I know it's been a long long time since I've posted and I really do desire to post more. I honestly haven't made it a priority as of late. Ever since I picked up my girls from NY, we've been on a schedule that has been working well for us but sadly, blogging hasn't been on it. So I shall make a goal. To blog 5 times each week. Please keep me accountable!

And for the record, I love not having facebook :)