Going Bonkers

So I'm finally getting around to writing a post about how cloth diapering is going this time around. Now if it was going well...I wouldn't need to write this post and I'm also hoping and praying for a solution to my persistent and annoying issue.

First, I need to say that Olivia is a heavy wetter and we found after just a week or so of getting her up each morning with pee soaked pj's that we had to scrap the idea of using them at night. I'm sure there is some ultra absorbent thing out there, but I'm just not interested in purchasing it so we've resorted to putting her in a disposable pampers at night. One diaper a day is no biggie and it is just easier all the way around.

Now onto my issues, well not my issues per-say- we could be here forever on that topic and I'll spare you... So about the end of July I noticed some black spots on the diapers and at first I thought nothing of it. Then one day I took off one of her diapers and the spots were very predominate and on the diaper and the insert. This is when it caught my attention that something was wrong. After further investigation I came to the conclusion that it was mold/mildew. I was HORRIFIED!!!! We are very good at caring for and tending to our diapers. We wash a load every other day and have never had a problem with it. My mind was racing with what I had done wrong. Here is a list of what I might have done, but the God's honest truth is that I have no idea what happened.

• Our clothes pins were left outside in one of the many flash rain showers we had this summer. They were then put away wet and got some mold on them. The clothes pins were then used to hang the diapers. So could it have been that?
• Olivia started solids around this time and her poop changed due to the food change so did I not do a good enough job of removing the poop and as it sat for 24 hours or so the mold took hold?
• We've kept a wet/dry bag in the bathroom downstairs- we shower in this bathroom and therefore the moisture level is higher, maybe causing the mold to have a better growing environment?
• We've had a very damp summer and I've hung the diapers outside a lot, could the mold in the air transferred to the diapers?

Now I need to say that the majority of the black mold spots are on the inserts, not the diapers. Only a few diapers have been contaminated and only one of them seems to not go away. I've done SOOOO many things to try and get rid of this issue. Here's what I've done.

• I bought new clothes pins right away.
• I started using the flushable liners to make sure the majority, if not all, the poop was being flushed away and not sitting on the diapers until wash time.
• I bleached the inserts to kill the mold- and I've done this a billion times it feels like. I've hung them outside to bleach them. I've used bleach in a soak load and then washed them and triple rinsed them. 
• I used a mixture of lemon juice and salt and hand scrubbed each spot and then let them sit for a half hour prior to washing them.
• I've put 3% Hydrogen Peroxide in the rinse cycle.
• I've put them in the dryer on High heat for 40 minutes.
• We moved the wet/dry bag out of the bathroom and into the bedroom

Now nothing has completely gotten rid of the mold. I was about to throw a holy temper tantrum this week because I'm at my wits end. I've devoted so much time and effort doing extra loads and taking extra time to try and solve the problem and no matter what I do it won't go away. 

I need to back up and say that often times when I bleach them they come out clean and look great. 99% of the mold is gone, but then I use the inserts again and when I take them out of the laundry there the spots are- taunting me. 

This morning I pulled a load of "clean" diapers out of the dryer, that when I stuffed them they looked clean to the naked eye, and 6 out of the 7 had a black spot or two or three...on them when I investigated them. I looked at Matt and said- that's it I need a break, I'm going insane over this issue and I can't take it anymore. I'm putting her in disposables until I figure it out. I can't keep doing this. Are we really saving money at this point? I mean come on.

I've found most of the "possible solutions" on message boards on the internet. I'm not the only one who has had this problem. In fact, one person put the same issue down word for word. She said how they kept coming back no matter what she did. I've also been very frustrated since the internet is the internet and some of the advice has been "don't use a pal, use a wet/dry bag" and then you read "don't use a wet/dry bag use a pail." There seems to be no solution out there.

I'm devastated that this has happened. I hate to think I've caused it but have no real way of knowing where it originated from. I hate to think I've just ruined hundreds of dollars of diapers. I hate that I'm not finding a way to make it all stop so I can continue using them. 

So if you're reading this and have heard of or have had this issue and conquered it PLEASE let me know!! I will continue to try and find a solution. In the meantime I'm going to purchase some more disposables to get us through this insane mess. Prayers are needed!

"...we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37b

Yesterday & Today

Yesterday I was standing in front of the kitchen sink, doing the dishes while the girls slept and I thought of twenty different posts I wanted to write about but ran out of time to do so. And now here I am today enjoying the quiet house- with time to write and blank goes the brain, go figure. So I'm sure this post will be a haug-paug (I have no idea how to spell this word, so roll with me here) of this and that, as I try and remember today all the things that seemed so important not to forget yesterday. 

Yesterday I was remembering how fun it was when we went grocery shopping together as a family this week. I used to have a routine about when I'd go grocery shopping but then Olivia was born (proud mama smile on display). Now I do what works best for the week when I need to do it. Sometimes that means we all go. Sometimes I go alone in the morning before Matt heads to work or at night after putting the girls down. Other times I take one of the girls. Anyway- you get the point- no routine is my new routine (hey that has a catchy ring to it). We had so much fun. It was a BIG trip so it took us two hours from pulling out of the driveway to pulling back in. The girls and Matt hung in there with me. Lauren enjoys shopping so much. The fun thing is the car cart. I avoided them until Olivia came along, she seemed old enough then to handle the responsibilities of the 'car cart.' She got out in aisles that weren't as crowded and took things I gave her back the cart #2 being pushed by daddy and occupied by the groceries. Then she'd load herself back into the car as we navigated to the next aisle. The best part is the reward at the end- M&M's at the checkout. We eat them on the ride home to celebrate a job well done. It also helps after looking at all the yummy food throughout the store to have a sweet treat.

After arriving home- past both girls bedtime, opps- Lauren helped Matt unload the car while I put Olivia down. Then Lauren continued being mommy's helper as she unloaded the bags of food. She just amazes me- when I came into the kitchen she had the freezer stuff in a pile in front of the freezer and stuff for the pantry in a pile by the pantry. This girl's too smart! She was saying "Oh" after pulling each item out of the bag as if she was so excited and thankful for each new package she encountered. It just was a glimpse of how we all should be as we unload our groceries, thankful to God for each thing we have. Like Mana to the Israelites, God provides it all. What a gift! 

Yesterday after a sweet friend gave me the nudge I needed, Olivia Jean went down to three nursings a day. I remember being so ready to drop every nursing with Lauren. Being ready for her to move along and I'm finding myself to be sooooo not that way with Olivia. I think it's because it's happening so much faster with Olivia. She's a good nurser and gets all she needs in a short time so she's progressed along a lot faster than Lauren did. Not to compare them but to show why it is I don't feel ready. 

It all came about the end of last week. She gets three meals of solid food a day and last week I started noticing how she wasn't interested in the solid food and that she was nursing more. I thought at first it was just a phase but that little girl was not getting enough solids so she was more hungry at nursing times. It was a vicious cycle that lead to her waking up earlier and earlier each morning one hungry baby girl. So this weekend it got very obvious to me as she was putting her hand in front of her face at meal times and pressing her lips together. She would moan for food (think I got a video of this because she was a goof with her moaning noise) and then when you went to feed her the food- hands in front of her face and closed lips. But you put a puff on her tray and the girl would reach for it and stuff that sucker in her mouth like a rabid beast. My first thought was, OH NO I got her hooked on puffs, she's not going to eat anything else! What have I done?! Then I realized the girl just wants to feed herself. So then I tried giving her cheerios and the reaction of "happy hungry baby stuffing her mouth" is what we got. I also noticed she didn't mind the stuff on the spoon as long as there was something on her tray for her to feed to herself. So this morning I put small cut up pieces of banana and cheerios on her tray and then feed her peach puree. That little girl ate like a champ. I also reorganized the nursing routine since I cut out one nursing. She now nurses when she wakes, before nap, and then before bed. She eats her solids after her morning nursing, lunch, and dinner time. So far so good. Just goes to show me how very special and different each of my little ones is. Amen to that!

Yesterday I was enjoying the feeling of contentment. This week has been an answer to prayer in so many ways. We were running ragged this summer- in both good and not so good ways. But now with vacations behind us and cooler days ahead of us I'm sure glad for the slowness of this week. I didn't have anything planned for Monday except house chores. We ended up taking an unexpected trip to the doctor for Lauren, but that fit right into "D" week. Then Tuesday we just took a small trip to a friends house to see her ducks- well we saw horses, chickens, a bunny, a dog, and a lizard too but the intention was to see ducks for "D" week. She got to feed them and pet a duck. She was so brave with all the animals coming up to her for food standing firm and not yelling out in fright. So far school has been going great. I really need to sit down and do a post all about what we've done, maybe...someday...hopefully. But yesterday continued with the relaxed, easy feeling as we're stepping back into routine. We went to library time (don't think we made it there all summer) and then the children's museum, which was so deserted I think Esther and I could have stayed there forever and let the kids play. Even with the unexpected trip back home for the forgotten lunch bag- it was still a wonderful day. I have contribute it all to God.

Yesterday I was also thinking about the study on Jonah I just started, and oh is it a wonderful study. So applicable to my life right now. I think Priscilla Shirer wrote this study after clearly jumping into my brain and seeing all the crazy up in there! This is my first study with her and I'm very impressed. I'll have to tell you more as I go through it- I'm looking forward to study group tomorrow- so much to share and I can't wait to hear what the other women are think too. Such a blessing!

Today I was thinking about how God has worked this relaxing yet productive week in just when I needed it most. He has helped me through the unexpected events of dropping one of Olivia's nursing, which I wasn't feeling very ready to do but it has worked out wonderfully. He was there when I realized I had forgotten our lunch as we pulled into the library parking lot, with not a moment to spare. He was there when I went to pick up my very full cherry pomegranate juice only to have it slip from my hands all. over. the. floor. He was there in the moments I just couldn't get enough of- playing with Lauren and doing school with her. Watching her smile and laugh. Run and be the super silly girl that she is. He was there as I rocked Olivia and built blocks with her just so she can squeal with delight and knock them all down. When she was happier than a clam watching Lauren play about around her. He was there in the few quiet moments Matt and I get to enjoy each other as husband and wife, with laughs and sweet embraces. We have such a loving Heavenly Father who provides what we need, when we need it- even if what we need is to drive a ten minutes back home to get the lunch we so absent mindedly forgot. 

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." Revelations 1:8

The Sweetest Place on Earth

This past weekend we took a wonderful little vacation to Hershey, PA. We meet up with my sister's family for a relaxing and fun time as we camped and then spent Sunday at HersheyPark. We had a great time and enjoyed spending time with one another, something we don't get to do often enough since we live so far apart.

The stress of packing and getting out the door for the weekend melted away on our drive. Matt and I enjoyed two full hours of uninterrupted adult conversation with each other as the kids napped in the back seat- it was heavenly. Then we stopped at the Welcome Center/rest stop to stretch and enjoy our packed lunch. It was so cute as I faced away from the parking lot and nursed, Matt and Lauren enjoyed watching the big trucks come in and go out, they rambled on and on about where each one parked and what each truck looked like. I could have sat there longer, enjoy the soundtrack of our life, but back in the car we were and a few hours later we found ourselves at the campground, where my sister, her husband, and my nephew Finn were already set up and waiting for us.

We opted for a "rustic cabin" and not a tent this time around. It wasn't that much more and the thought of camping in a tent with two little ones didn't sound like too much fun to Matt, and honestly me either. I believe there were multiple times over the weekend that I thanked him for not wanting to tent camp. It's one thing to enjoy the tent in our own backyard- it's another to be in a tent for days on end with the kiddos. The cabin was just a glorified shed, with two sets of built in bunk beds, a table and two chairs, and a dresser. It did however come with a window air conditioner- which was heaven sent, since it was very humid all weekend. 

Friday afternoon/evening went so fast, before we knew it the kids were sleeping and Shauna, Charley and I were sitting around the fire- being goofy. We were letting the fire die down so we could roast some mallows up when we had a little friend visit the site. Shauna and I got up to retrieve the food, only to find a skunk already enjoying it for us. YES, you read that right, a shunk was enjoying some of Lucy's (Shauna's dog) dog treats. Then sniffing around to see if anything else looked good. I about peed my pants and had no interest in any food anymore. We waited a while until our little friend wandered off and then put all the food into the cars for safe keeping. I went to bed after all of the excitement- oh the great outdoors!

On Saturday we spent the morning taking it slow, then the campground offered crafts for the kids- so Lauren painted a bobble head cat and Finn an airplane. Then they played on the playground for a while. Lauren swung on a big girl swing and kept asking to be pushed higher. Oh I wished I had brought my camera for that. It seems like just yesterday she was terrified to swing in a baby swing too high. 

Then lunch and a trip to the swimming pool rounded out the afternoon. We enjoyed relaxing and chatting while the kids napped. We finally had our marshmallows and got dinner prepared ahead of time so all we had to do was cook it later (made a wonderful chicken santa fa meal, you can find the recipe here). We took a walk and watched the kids play that evening.

That evening we didn't have a skunk visit- all food went into the car right after dinner- but we did have a rainstorm come through. The kids were sleeping away and we just moved under the gazebo and waited it out.

Then Sunday we got up and started getting ready to head to the amusement park. By the time we drove, parked, and got into the park it was around 11- so we ate and then got to riding rides. Lauren and Finn rode so many rides. I've never been to such a kid friendly amusement park. Every corner you turned around there were more kid rides. Ninety percent of our time there was enjoying watching the kids ride on one ride after another. Lauren and Finn even enjoyed a few "big kid" rides with us. They had so much fun!

 Daddy and Lauren 

They went all day long with no nap and were so good. Lauren just kept wanting to go on another ride. Her facial expressions were cracking us up- she would look like she was miserable or expressionless the whole ride and then come off and be so happy. While on the other hand, Finn smiled with glee and excitement the whole ride, waving and carrying on. They were great riding buddies. My sister and I loved just watching them play and have fun. They're only seven months apart and soon you won't even be able to tell the difference. Olivia hung in there too. She mostly rode in the stroller happy and content, or slept in the stroller. For a short while I had her in the carrier- she just loves to be up and seeing everything that is going on!

We got to enjoy some family rides too. They have a monorail and we rode the old fashioned cars together. Matt did the accelerator and Lauren drove (bump, bump, bump) the whole way while Olivia and I relaxed, and held on in the backseat. They had a little steam train for the whole family too. Olivia was sleeping so I stayed back with her while the rest of them went on. Lauren loved the train!

They even got to meet the Hershey Bar! We saved Chocolate World for the end of the evening and went on the free ride that tells you all about how chocolate is made- they really enjoyed that. Matt enjoyed the huge selection of candy they had in the shop too. We also stopped at the souvenir store and Lauren got a little stuffed Hershey Kiss, who is named "Kisses." 

We had such a great time and made some wonderful memories I hope not to forget. Like how Lauren dragged Finn's wagon around everywhere she went. And Finn and her were so cute playing together. Finn kept giving Olivia kisses all weekend, who can resist those cheeks?!?

The ride home on Monday was relaxing and quick. I've coined the term "vacation hangover" since once you get home and the vacation is over the drudgery of unpacking, cleaning, and washing that follows is never any fun. We're now back into the swing of life at home. But next years vacation with them is already in the works...

"...to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to konw this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:18b-21

My Little Introvert, Part 2

So this morning I continued to think of Lauren and her newly found introvert behavior and I thought of three more times I'd noticed her being shy in playing with others.

First is the pool this summer. She LOVES the pool and is fine with being in it as long as mommy and daddy are right by her side. Once I went by myself with the girls and she was glued to my hip, normal- cool with me. I tried to get her to play in the kiddie pool while I was cleaning up from lunch and then again when I was tending to Olivia and she wouldn't have anything to do with because there was a little boy she didn't know in the pool already.

Then another time she was enjoying the background was when I had six kids here last week. She was so quiet, taking it all in. I asked her a few times if she was having fun with all her friends over and she said yes with a big smile on her face. She was enjoying playing with everyone but she was pretty calm and chill- which any other day would not be the case.

Lastly was when we met our neighbors at the park. It was our first time meeting them and Lauren was again glued to my hip. This little boy was being all boy and running about, where Lauren was just taking it all in. At one point we headed to the bathroom and as soon as we were out of earshot from them she just started talking about the little boys Thomas the Train shirt. Which mind you I hadn't even noticed. She thought this little boy was wonderful but you won't know from her "play" with him, as she just quietly played on a few things.

All of these incidents isolated didn't cause the light bulb to go off, but when I thought about them all together it dawned on me. I shouldn't be too surprised, Matt is very shy and quiet around large groups and people he doesn't know. He however sometimes won't let me have a quiet moment at home as he talks my ear off. It really shocks people when I tell them that.

I had always looked at my little crazy girl as very outgoing so this summer really opened up my eyes to her ever growing and changing personality. Also, please just let me say that I don't say any of this in a negative manner. God created my little girl in His perfect and loving way. I don't want her to ever be anyone but her. It's just so fun and causes me such great joy as I get to watch who she is unfold before my very eyes. She is such a great gift and I'm so grateful for her! May God help me guide her and make her feel safe and protected so that when the time is right she will make her mark on this world- that she will fulfill her role for God, as only she can do.

"No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you." Joshua 1:5

My Little Introvert

Last week was where I learned I'm raising an introvert. Up until this past week, I wasn't sure. Lauren is very outgoing at home. She is full throttle all day long and so it often throws me for a loop when she is more reserved. Monday was our only chill day- if you count the fact that I got all my necessary weekly house chores done and school on that day then you can remove the chillness and replace it with craziness. But it was on our outing on Tuesday that I was consumed by the day, the events, and my daughter's ever growing independence. 

I had Brooke, so all three kids were in tow as we went to our local Botanical Gardens. It's a wonderful place and it has a great kids area, including a water play zone. There are a bunch of sprinkler like things that the kids can run through, lots of fun. We were only able to go once last year and this is probably our only chance this year too. But anyway, we got there early and met up with Esther, Caitlyn and Evan. We headed straight to the water area and started with the sunscreen. I got Lauren done first and off she went with Caitlyn into the water. At this point we were the only ones there. She wasn't shying away from it, but slow to test everything out. That's normal for her so I started with Brooke and by the time I finished with her, Olivia was demanding me to remove her from the stroller so she could be a part of the action. It was about this time that Lauren came over to me and said she was "hungry"- I was thinking in my head- girls it's only 10:30 we have another hour until lunch go play! This is when the whining started and the refusal to go into the water play area. I then said if you don't want to go in there- then have a seat on the chair, which was right behind me. The desire for food, aka the whining, continued and I finally gave in with a small box of raisins. Matt had given her breakfast that morning and it was on the small side (this girl can out eat Matt and I at the breakfast table). Then Brooke saw the snack and this is where my head felt like it might pop off or spin around until blasted off into space. I asked Lauren why she didn't want to play in the water- her initial response was because Brooke was in there. She's had a few "bratty" moments lately with Brooke, like a sibling rivalry kind of a
attitude. So this made me upset, mind you I was holding those emotions in because was frustrated that I wasn't sure what to do. I talked to her a few more times about going into the water but she wasn't having it. I was also bummed that she was missing out on the fun too, or so I thought. 

This is the first time I had taken her someplace and she just didn't want to be involved in the activity at hand. I look back and I'm sure if I was running in there with her she might have been more interested but that wasn't going to happen- it's a neat place but it doesn't lend to mommy's running about with babies on board. Plus, I had Brooke who was full throttle the whole time we were there and I was trying to keep her from drinking the water and taking other's toys. Add to that the stress and frustration I was feeling over Lauren and I wanted to leave. If it had been just me, no Esther, I would have. But I had spent all that time packing lunches, loading up, and I wasn't going to give in that easy. So I stuck it out. After only a half hour of play Brooke was done too. So I took the girls to a grassy area to change them out of their bathing suits and into clothes so we could play and then eat lunch.

Well little did I know that we were standing on mosquito breeding grounds. I was halfway done dressing Brooke when I noticed the first one. Then I glanced at myself and I had 5 just on one leg. I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw a tantrum. I wanted to run to my car with the wet child, the half naked child, and the crying baby who was overdue for her morning nap. But I didn't. I moved everyone to the concrete, less private area and finished getting everyone dressed. By this time Esther had joined us and was changing Caitlyn too. It was then that Lauren FINALLY stopped whining about lunch because she noticed the hula hoops and began playing with them. Then she asked to go get the basket of chalk and played with that. I felt my anxiety lessen, but just for a moment because then Olivia started demanding food. 

The short version has me stressed for the rest of the time we were there. The highlights include Brooke putting her foot on Lauren the whole time they were eating, causing Brooke to need a time-out for not listening. Me having to stop nursing to put her into time-out, then her falling off the picnic table-while in time-out, and hitting her head. I never ate lunch. Olivia only got to nurse on one side since things continued to not improve. We did leave about half hour, forty-five minutes early. I think that was the worst outing I've had with the three of them. I hope never to repeat it.

On the way to the car and later that day I spoke with Lauren about what had happened that day. It turns out that she wasn't interested in playing in the water area with all the kids. There was a huge group that showed up shortly after arriving. So she was using the "hunger" as an excuse to be done since she didn't want to play with all the kids there. Looking back- duh, it makes perfect sense. But in the rush of it all, at that moment, I wanted to pull my hair out. 

This coupled with that fact that I notice she'll shy away from the areas of places that are swarming with kids at the Children's Museum or the playground. I also noticed at VBS, she really didn't like the opening and closing portion where all the kids were together- she would act a fool.

I have a wonderful friend, Amanda, and she is an introvert. Her oldest son is an extravert. I remember having a conversation with her long before I had Lauren where she said that having an extravert for a child was a challenge for her, it pushed her, made her grow. Well I'm beginning to fully understand just what she meant. Being a mom is very natural for me but it has made me grow and change in many ways. It's a blessing to watch how God placed Lauren and Olivia in our family, specifically for us and how God is using them to help us be better people, people willing to go beyond ourselves to be there for them. I wonder how my little introvert is going to keep me on my toes, as I learn to see the world through her eyes.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17 

Our Legacy

This is my "deep thoughts" post I was alluding to back here. I don't often have time these days to think beyond poop, boogers, and dinner but lately I've found myself thinking about what we leave behind when we're gone. I know that might sound a bit morbid- but stick with me here. 

I remember when I was younger and people would tell me that 'You're just like your dad..'. or 'You're just like your mom...' I love my parents and now would find that to be a complement but back then I wanted to be Jennifer not Sharon or Mike. When I noticed that I would do or say something the way they would, I would roll my eyes and tell myself to not do that again. I don't want to 'turn into them' I would think. These days, especially when I miss them, I have a different outlook. 

I feel very blessed to have both of my parents still with me on earth. It often pains me that we live so far away, but that's how it is and unless God has plans to move us back home that is how it will remain. I don't take for granted anymore the qualities that I now posses because they're my parents. 

My mom, although very run by her emotions, is very loving and compassionate. She is a lover of all things God created and has a big heart to show it. I know that my large heart and loving, nurturing side come from her. All those hugs she gave me in my life are being passed along to my daughters. And I pray that they pass those same hugs and kisses on to their children too. My mother also gave me my crazy side. She can be very goofy and has a loud, roaring laugh that I can hear in my head as I type this. She is, as I already stated, highly emotional- in both good and bad ways. I know that I also inherited some of this from her too...even though it is a side of me I have to keep in check, it's something I get from her and so I cherish that quality.

From my dad I get my logical and grounded side. He is very process oriented and having things concrete and organizable is good. From him I get my tidy side. I get my love for making things work and enjoying the finished product of a task. I have his inability to tell a joke and his eyes.

My parents are both very outgoing and can talk to anyone. Heck, my mom will tell a random stranger her whole life story, as long as they're willing to listen. And my dad can ramble on for hours. This is something else I've picked up from the both of them- I've made friends in the bathroom so you see I've got these gifts too! They are also the type of people who like to be in the "driver's seat" - or hum how do I say this, like to be the one calling the shots. And I have also inherited this wonderful trait (I'm not sure you can tell how sarcastically I'm saying this statement). It's that old saying, 'if you want something done right, do it yourself' mentality. This can be a curse and a blessing, it all depends on the situation. But good, bad, or indifferent- that's us.

So as I contemplate all the wonderful, and maybe not so wonderful, traits I've picked up from my parents I think that I'm their legacy. A little of them will always live on in me. The same is to be said of my children. The crazy quirks that scream "Jennifer's child" as I watch Lauren grow and interact with the world around her are the gifts I'm giving to this world.

I once heard on the radio that you shouldn't kiss and hug your children so they kiss and hug you back, but so that they too will kiss and hug their children. I often think of that when I'm showering my girls with unconditional love and sometimes get very little in return. On the days when I feel I just give and give of myself- that is when I remember, I give them love so they intern will give love to the world. 

When talking with a friend who is about to a dad for the first time I told him that this is the best job of my life, but it can also be the hardest, most tiring  and most thankless job I've ever had too. I wouldn't trade any moment though. Not the temper tantrums or saying the same thing 500 times just to say it 501. I hope that Lauren and Olivia someday are able to understand that the part of them they get from me is a gift and I hope they can embrace how special that is, just as I'm doing.

 Mom and I on my wedding day.

Dad and I on my wedding day

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10

Getting Peachy

This week we took a fun trip to a peach orchard just an hour or so from where we live. Esther, Caitlyn, and Evan were our partners in crime that day. The orchard was just ten minutes from Esthers sister's house (hope I did all those crazy apostrophes correctly- grammar is so silly) so she met us there too with her sweet daughter. They have this really neat children's program where you pay $7 per child and they do a craft, give you a 1/4 of a peck bag to pick peaches with. And they get a free cup of peach frozen yogurt at the end. 

The craft was a scavenger hunt. So the girls decorated bags to put their findings in.

 Then we were off to the orchard to pick peaches and find the stuff on our list. Lauren was having so much fun picking peaches off the tree. She made a comment about how I could lift her up if the peaches where too high, but how she was going to look for the ones down low. She just cracks me up with the things she thinks about.

 I tried to get a picture of all three girls, but this was the best I could do. Lauren didn't want to stand with them, or smile for that matter.

 When we were all done with filling our scavenger hunt bag and the bag for peaches we returned for some yummy treats. They handed out free donut pieces too. Oh my did those fresh apple cider fried cakes melt in your mouth. I think I could have ate my weight in them. 

 We headed to Esthers sister's house after that to enjoy our packed lunch and let the kids play a bit. Before we knew it the time had come to head home. So we packed back into Esther's van for a nice ride home. It was so fun to all ride together. Olivia and Evan enjoyed the back seat. They were both sleeping before we even pulled out of the driveway.

Lauren and Caitlyn enjoyed riding in the middle. They lasted a little longer but about half way home they were both enjoying a nap too. And while all the kids slept, Esther and I had a wonderful time catching up. Between colds and vacations we hadn't seem them in a few weeks. I missed her dearly and both of us enjoyed the chat time. Now that we both have two little ones it seems like our time together is tending to kids with a few conversations trickled in the middle. I told her later how fun and therapeutic the time was. She is such a calming, caring, fun person I enjoy our friendship so much.

We're already planning to head back to the apple orchard in the early fall!

"Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4