Summer's Getting Close and Abigail's Baby Shower

I feel as though summer is teasing us.  It feels like it is almost here one day and then this week has been the chilliest we have had in awhile.  I bought a fairly large blow up pool on Monday at the grocery store.  Came home to three little people ready with their swimsuits on, only to deliver the disappointing news that it was entirely too cold to swim.  We had on jackets at Luke's game later that night and were still shivering.  I really am not complaining, because this large pregnant girl will take all the cool days I can get.  However, I am very excited about summer fruits and vegetables.  We went strawberry picking a couple of Saturdays ago with my friend, Jennifer, and her two children, Conner and Elizabeth.  She had made strawberry freezer jam before.  I never had, but she convinced me to try it.  So glad I did.  My back was hurting towards the end, but that stuff is so, so good. I could eat it with a spoon!  Andrew particularly enjoyed the strawberries fresh...

One day last week when it was very warm outside, the kids played in the sprinklers.  They have been asking to do that since about March.  Then we ate our lunch outside on the front porch.  I love how in the summer I feel more "allowed" to be lazy.  It's also just so good to be outside. 

Luke has been wanting to catch up with Ellie in reading.  So awhile back we started on the same curriculum that Ellie has used.  Here is Luke to show you what he has learned so far of "The Consonant Rhyme".  Andrew is joining in as well.  This is the day we were eating lunch on the front porch after playing in the water, thus our wet and not-really-dressed appearance.

My belly is getting bigger and bigger and my energy level is getting smaller and smaller.  It's so frustrating to be so tired yet want and need to get so much more done.   I've also had to apologize to my family on several occasions because I have been less than a joy to be around.  I have six weeks to go.  In terms of being pregnant, I'm ready for it to be over tomorrow.  In terms of what needs to be done before Abigail arrives, I still feel like I could use some more time.  I was very blessed on Sunday by my church family who gave me a beautiful shower and showered me with lots of beautiful and helpful things.  Steven and I are continually blessed by the body of believers at Riverside and how they serve us, love, and take care of our family.

 

 

Kind of had dejavu (sp?) when I was opening baby girl gifts.  Wasn't I just doing that when I was pregnant with Ellie?  Yet, here she is, a 6 year old, helping me open up gifts for her little sister.    Have to remember that when these last weeks of pregnancy seem long.

Mother's Day

Amazed that mothers have been raising children for generations and generations.  They all felt about their children the way I do about mine.  Mom said in her post, "What I didn't know then, now I see more clearly."  It's so very true, and I know I will only continue to feel that way as I grow and experience more of what being a mother means.

So now I will share pictures of the generations of mothers that have come before me.  Taken from my mother's blog.  Because I know she won't care.  Because that's what mother's do.  They give and give without being asked or thanked and would do it over and over again.  But...I will say "Thanks, mom, for the pictures, and for lots more that is way too much to try and put into words." 

Going back to my great-grandmother, Ella.  Mother to four girls...

One of her four girls, Edith, my grandmother.  Here with her two daughters, my mother on left, and my aunt Mary Ann on the right.

How I remember her best...

My grandmother holding Laura Beth as an infant-with me on the left.

My mother holding her grandchildren....

And now here I am.  Thank you to all the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and great-grandmothers, who have influenced and shaped lives in the generations before me.  

 

Safe and Thankful!

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth."  Proverbs  27:1

That is the verse I used to have in the heading of my blog.  We experienced the truth of it last week as deadly tornadoes hit our area and all over the state of Alabama.  We spent most of the day and Wednesday night at our very gracious neighbor's house.  They have a very safe basement and had a generator to provide electricity after the power went out late in the afternoon.  Once we realized it would more than likely be days before we had power again, mom traveled with me and the kids to my aunt's in south Alabama.  Steven stayed to take care of things around here and to help where he could.  I felt a little guilty about escaping, but I was also thinking that if we stayed, I would be of no help to anyone-pregnant with three small children.  I also thought Steven might be able to do more if he wasn't having to tend to us.  We were well taken care of.  Mary Ann-thanks again for taking in my entire crew  for a few days!  Our refrigerator is pretty bare and we are slowly re-stocking it, but my goodness, that is nothing to complain about.  So grateful just to have a refrigerator to re-fill.  This tragedy changed our lives for a week or two, but for so many their lives will never be the same again. 

Can't help but be in awe over the power of God when I see the pictures and videos of the storms and the devastation that they brought.  So thankful that the One who is that powerful is also merciful, gracious, compassionate, and good.

This is a video of the tornado that came through Rainsville, AL.  About 15-20 miles from us.

I've been especially weepy/hormonal over the past few days.  I had THE "slightest" little accident yesterday in Huntsville as I was on my way to the doctor's office.  I was driving in the left lane and another car was in the right lane and I felt a slight bump.  That was it.  But of course, we had to pull over, I had to call the doctor and re-schedule and then I spent the next 20 minutes getting in and out of the car, in the rain, on the phone with insurance.  I was trying so hard not to cry, but couldn't stop the tears.  I know the lady I bumped into thought I was crazy.  Then when I finally got Steven on the phone, I couldn't stop crying as I tried to explain what had happened.  I'm guessing the craziness of the last week plus some pregnancy hormones are making the tears flow a lot more than normal. 

Like I said, it has been such a crazy week, however I am counting my blessings...