Busy

Josh has been on vacation this last week so we have been gallivanting around, enjoying his time home. I'll be back on Blogger some time the middle of next week.

Unto us a son was given

It's Christmastime and Handel's beautiful Messiah has been playing on my iTunes for days. It fills me with such longing and aching in my soul. For me, it is usually a painful process to listen to the Messiah. As with all earthly things, there is a pain in the beauty and an aching in the joy.

Being a mother is no exception. Two nights ago, after having put Caleb down for his "long winter's nap", Josh and I snuggled up and talked (and talked and talked). We don't get a lot of uninterrupted time to talk, so I was savoring every moment. Among the myriad topics we covered, we spent some time talking about (of course) Caleb. About how amazing it is that we have a son. I told Josh that when I think about the fact that I have "a baby", my mind can get itself around that idea. After all, a baby is something one has for just a short period of time. It's not hard to mother a baby. But, when I ponder the fact that I have "a son", my mind does all sorts of flips and contortions. A son? A son. . . a son who is a baby right now, will soon be a toddler and will, before I know it, be driving and leaving for college. A son. . . a son who I have been called by God to prepare for life in this fallen world. Unfathomable! Heart swelling and heart breaking all at once.

As I was talking, I gathered up all that paradoxical motherly emotion and poured it out onto the shoulder of my husband. I cried thinking about the fact that the little baby boy we just said hello to for the very first time, will be saying goodbye to us in just a few years, as we send him off into this big world to make his own life, build his own family, and start the whole thing over again. It is good and right that it should be so. It is beautiful and painful all at once. After all, I would not want a baby forever. Each season is ordained and perfect in its own time, but even the seasons change. I can only pray and work diligently to ensure that when that goodbye-day comes both Caleb and I will be ready for it. That I will have done all a mother can possibly do to train and guide her son in the path of godliness and wisdom, and that I will have steeled myself for the letting go process.

God had a Son, too, and unto us that Son was given, the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. . .The Messiah. Merry Christmas!

A Little Christmas Cheer

Caleb & The Big Bear (Part 2)
(see part 1 here)

Not every boy would be so excited to wear such a silly hat!

Feliz Navidad, from our family to yours

Pants

One of the drawbacks of having a baby is the strange things it does to one's previously predictable figure. Sizing varies from store to store. Every girl knows that. And every marketing agent knows a girl will pay more money for the exact same item if the tag on the inside announces a smaller size than the store next door. It is a constant battle of trying to find the cheapest pair of pants in the smallest size possible. Prior to Caleb, I usually opted for cheap, since my figure wasn't the source of my problems. Now, I think I'd be willing to pay a small fortune to find a pair of pants in my Pre-Caleb size that fit my Post-Caleb figure!

One Happy Boy!

Christmas Gift Idea

Caleb is a bit young for this, but for those of you with slightly older kids, I thought I'd post this cool piggy bank. I love the simplicity of this and the fact that their money is visible, especially for preschool-aged kids. What a fun way to teach good stewardship.

You can find them at the Money Savvy Generation site for only $20.

Laugh on demand. . . no way!

If you'd like to see what happens when you try to get a baby to laugh on demand, check out this short video clip of Caleb.

Who wouldn't want to kiss this baby!?

Giggles

He laughed! And I laughed all day thinking about it.

Learning to Play

It's amazing how many things a child has to LEARN how to do. Caleb is just learning how to play. This morning he was playing on his playmat and accidentally grabbed one of the toys hanging above his head. The whole archway came toward him and scared him. He panicked and grabbed harder. The toys came closer and so he got even more scared. Reminiscent of his hair-pulling incident. Quite a funny sight.

Unfortunately, I didn't catch that on camera. But here's a link to another playtime!

Please pray. . .

Please pray for my friend, Jen. After a very long (3 full days) and arduous labor, she delivered her first child, a little girl, by emergency c-section early Tuesday morning. Katherine Marie is doing well, but Jen was moved to ICU due to liver failure, hypertension, and loss of blood. Last I heard, she had stabilized and had returned to postpartum. However, the doctors have not been able to get to the root of the problem and she is still ill. Pray that the doctors will have wisdom. Pray also that she will heal quickly so that she and her husband can thoroughly enjoy this wonderful time!

UPDATE 12/1/06 evening: Praise the Lord! Jen is now home and on the mend. God was very merciful. She was in very serious condition at one point, but is now doing quite well. There are pictures of their beautiful daughter on their site. Check it out.

Gentle Birth Formula

I've had several of you ask me about the herbal supplement I took during the last 5-weeks of my pregnancy. Instead of emailing the same info over and over again, I thought I'd post the information on here.

Since Caleb is my first child, I don't have any way of knowing if the Gentle Birth Formula by Mountain Meadow Herbs is the reason my labor and delivery were so smooth. However, I have no reason to think that it is not, and for $30, it's worth the risk!

I'm not normally into the whole herbal, alternative medicine thing. Far from it. . . I tend to be a bit skeptical. However, this product came recommended by my friend, Kay Ann, and after talking with my doctor about it, I figured it was worth a try. There wasn't much to lose and a whole lot to gain. The herbs are herbs that midwives have been using for a long time and even though some of that folk medicine is bogus, some of it isn't.

If you decide to try it, please let me know what you think of it. I'm curious to hear from someone who can compare it to a previous, non-herbal-supplemented birth.

A Quiet Moment

Nothing New Under the Sun

Sitting on the couch last night, my brain wandered down the dumb joke trail. Suddenly a new one popped into my head. I had high hopes that I was the very first person to think of this joke and in order to find out, I ran to the computer to do a search (my sweet husband meanwhile was rolling his eyes). Turns out some 4th grader named Agnus submitted it to a kid's joke site years ago. So much for being original.

Q: What do you call a herd of sleeping cattle?

A: Bull Dozers

What is your favorite dumb joke?

Like Flies in July

Normally, we are part of a large group that eats out together after Church. Because the group is rather big, we end up waiting a LONG time to get a table. It is hard to really fellowship because the table is so big and spread out that one can't really enjoy fellowshipping with the others at the table. Not only that, but the tab usually averages about $15 per person!

So, we decided to try something new and invite everyone to our house. For about $20-25 total, we were able to feed 10 people a really delicious, home-cooked meal. Not only did we save a lot of money, but our time was so much more enjoyable. After a relaxed meal, the girls stayed in the house to play with Caleb and clean up the kitchen, while the guys hung out in the garage, playing with their RC helicopters and showing off skateboarding tricks. The last of the guests left at 7:00!

Did it make a bigger mess than if we had gone out? Yes, of course it did. Did it mean more work for me? Yep. Was it worth it? Definitely. It was 100% worth it because there is no place like a home to experience true fellowship. Josh and I were excited to be able to provide a meal that everyone enjoyed and a place for our brothers and sisters in Christ to share life together.

I'll admit, it is easier to keep the front door closed, but when we are obedient and open the door, blessings, like flies in July, swarm in!

I have to wear WHAT?!

You've seen the Pink Bunny Suit (A Christmas Story) , but have you seen the Green Bear Suit?

11:30

Yesterday my paid maternity-leave ended and today I officially joined the ranks of the thousands of women who have left careers to raise their children. It reminded me of a poem I wrote while in college, dreaming of this day.

11:30

The buzzer on the
macaroni-splattered microwave warns
that the faded t-shirt
and misshapen sweats
were discarded hours ago
by women with real jobs.
But the disapproving hour is ignored
by she with the widened hips
and sagging breasts
who listens only for
the growling tummies
of the macaroni-eaters
whose syruped-fingers
paint the sliding glass doors
and tangled-hair screams
drown out the radio.
Real women get roses.
But only at 11:30 will a
gapped-toothed delivery boy
with a dozen muddy marigolds
offer to help make lunch.

Now I can have my cake and eat it, too!

Recently I posted about the dilemma of not being able to accomplish everyday tasks because I have been spending my days holding and playing with Caleb. Well, thanks to a recommendation by Heather, I can now have my cake and eat it, too!

If you haven't heard of the Ergo, you are missing out. I tried a few other carriers, but this is by far the best one around. I have extremely weak shoulders and am usually unable to support any weight on them. I have been wearing the Ergo now for a total of about 5 hours today and I don't have even a hint of discomfort. Caleb LOVES being snuggled up next to me and I love getting things done around the house.

Brain Sells

I was writing to my friend, Christianne, about how my blog used to have posts that expressed a thoughtful ideas. In case you haven't noticed, this blog has turned into a photo gallery for the cutest 1-month old around. I'm not apologizing for that, I just thought that perhaps I should explain the "Brain Sell" Phenomenon.

I have this theory that when a woman becomes pregnant, 50% of her brain cells are donated to the construction project of the new little body. Then, after she gives birth to the babe, the child continues to siphon brain cells via the breastmilk. If this theory is true, I figure that I am now operating on about 30% of my previous brain cell capacity.

Strange things happen at 30% capacity. Spelling and grammatical errors that would never have occurred prior to motherhood are suddenly cropping up everywhere. (Proof: when typing "brain cells" I keep typing "brain sells" and having to backspace and correct it. In another month when I've dipped below 30%, I won't even think "brain sells" looks wrong!) In addition to rise in spelling and grammatical errors, there is also the sudden inability to construct deeper thoughts. For a brain operating on 30% (not to mention the 30% sleep factor, too) coming up with corny captions to photos is daunting enough. . . deeper thought is out of the question!

Perhaps my missing cells will return someday. . . though judging by some of the other mothers I know, I am not hopeful! In the meantime, I hope you are enjoying the photos.

One Month Old

Am I supposed to be happy about this whole aging thing?

The Important Stuff

Yesterday, I spent most of the day calming my fussy little guy. I didn't get the bed made until 10:30 and didn't get showered until noon. I never did get around to putting on my makeup or doing my hair. There were clothes waiting to be folded and put away, there were clean dishes in the dishwasher waiting to be returned to their homes, and there were bills to be paid. But I only have two arms and that's how many Caleb needed.

When Joshua got home, I told him that I felt like I didn't get anything done all day. He kindly contradicted me. "No," he said, "you got a lot done today. You took care of our baby."

Being a new full-time homemaker, I had high expectations for what I would be able to accomplish around the house. But my husband is right, I've been spending my time doing something even more important. . . I've been holding and enjoying my little boy.

Baby Shower

This weekend, my sisters-in-law hosted a family shower for Caleb. One of our favorite gifts was the hand-made sweater and hat duo that Josh's cousin, Aileen, knit. Below are a few pictures of Caleb modeling them for the camera.

Hiyah! Don't mess with me. . . I know Kung Foo.

Just kidding. . . I don't know Kung Foo. But I do know how to ham it up for the camera.


Thank you, Janella and Elaina, for the shower. We had a wonderful time.

Caleb and the Big Bear

My great aunt gave Caleb the biggest teddy-bear I've ever seen.
Most boys have bears they can hold. . . Caleb has a bear that can hold him!

Three Weeks Old

The Scream

It is not that we are insensitive, but when Caleb let out a blood-curdling scream this evening, both Josh and I had to chuckle. You see, our very brilliant child had a firm grasp on a fistful of his hair and was frantically pulling at it. The more it hurt, the harder he pulled. After a few seconds of laugher, we pried open the tiny vice-grip.

I guess that's the drawback of having an uncoordinated newborn with a head-full of hair.

Happy 2-Week Birthday!

The Migration Habits of Babies

We are working on a documentary called "The Migration Habits of Babies." As you can see from the photos below, we are making progress on the project. We have now established a definite sideways, slumping, swinging trend among 1-week-old infants.

I Need Thee Every Hour

It's 4 AM and Caleb just fell asleep for the first time tonight. I'm holding my breath and hoping he's actually asleep for real this time.

The hymn that has become my theme song for the night: I Need Thee Every Hour. The more hours one sees in a day, the more meaningful that hymn becomes.

Bath Time

On a scale of 1-10, Bath Time ranks as a ZERO.

Brrrrr. . .

Happy and Clean.

Family

Saturday morning we piled our little family into bed for some snuggle time. Being a couple is awesome. . . being a family is even better!

Prankster

Caleb has already started showing signs of being a prankster. This morning, I was cracking up . . . I still not sure if it was at myself or at him, but it was funny, nonetheless!

Caleb's First Joke
1) Caleb makes a face of distress

2) Mommy hears explosion in Caleb's pants

3) Caleb makes a face of bliss

4) Mommy thinks she's smart so she waits a few minutes to be sure the job is finished

5a) Mommy changes Caleb's diaper
5b) Caleb screams

6a) Mommy finishes changing Caleb's diaper and snaps the last button on Caleb's onesie
6b) Caleb makes a face of bliss

7a) Mommy hears explosion in Caleb's pants
7b) Caleb grins

8) Mommy sighs

9a) Mommy changes Caleb's diaper
9b) Caleb screams

10a) Mommy finishes changing Caleb's diaper and snaps the last button on Caleb's onesie
10b) Caleb makes a face of bliss

11a) Mommy hears another explosion in Caleb's pants
11b) Caleb grins

12) Mommy laughs

What has become of me!?

I've turned into one of those doting moms. I know I'm biased but I just can't get over how adorable my son is. I'm a gonner. . .

Count those fingers. . .1, 2, 3, 4, 5-days old

Gram and Grandpa Dalton

Auntie Yvette stopped by for a visit.

So sleepy!

Our first walk

We took Caleb out for his first excursion today-- a walk around the block. Caleb loved it and would have been ready for a few more trips around but Mommy was only up for one time around.

Our Baby Boy!

We welcomed Caleb John into our family just past midnight on October 8th (our one-year anniversary)! He weighed 7 lbs, 11 oz and is 20.5 inches long. Thank you to all of you who have had us in your prayers over the last months. God blessed us with a healthy baby and a smooth delivery. We are so thankful to Him for all He has done and for this miraculous gift.

Full Moon

I was informed by my grandma that it is a full moon today. According to Grandmotherly Wisdom, that means I will be having the baby in the next 24 hours. According to my friend, Yvette, that's not only Grandmotherly Wisdom, but Mexican Wisdom as well. We shall see. I'm neither a Grandmother nor a Mexican so maybe it won't work for me.

Any Day Now. . .

Josh and I went for a check-up with Doctor this morning.

First of all, let me say that I really like my doctor. She is very matter-of-fact and down to earth. I had several questions for her this morning; instead of rushing out of the room, she sat down and talked with Josh and me for at least 10 minutes, answering my questions and going over a few things that I hadn't even thought to ask her about. I appreciate her perspective that childbirth is a normal and natural event, that a woman's body was designed for labor and delivery, and that interventions should only be used in instances of true emergencies. If anyone is looking for an OBGYN in our area, let me know and I'll give you her name.

So. . . according to Doctor, Baby Redin could now come any day! I'm dialated to almost 4cm and am over 60% effaced. The doctor had me make an appointment for next week but said, "I won't be surprised if I see you before then. Your body is definitely gearing up and you may not last the week." Hip hip hooray!

Please keep us in your prayers. We are so excited to meet our little son or daughter. It's hard to believe it could be any day now. . .

Lord of the Flies

'Tis the season. . . The weather is turning cold and flies are congregating around the doors of our homes, awaiting their chance to seek shelter in the warmth and coziness within.

Yesterday, before bed, I noticed three or four flies had succeeded and had taken up residence in our house. YUCK! I vowed to kill them first thing this morning.

Upon waking this morning, I discovered not three flies, but seven times that number! I have spent the last hour hunting them down. I am proud to say that I have now killed over 20 flies and our house is once again a No-Fly Zone.

All I can say is that I pitty the poor Egyptians who had to live through the Plague of the Flies. What a miserable malady!

Best of luck to you and your fly hunting endeavors this fall.

Ready and Waiting

Pizza Party

Last night we had friends over for fun, fellowship and food.
Here are some pictures from the evening.

Can anyone guess Dustin's favorite fruit?

Yvette gives Baby Redin a hello pat. Only 2 weeks to go!

No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you. That's homework Jordan is doing.

Elizabeth was popular with our youngest guests.

Brenton & Sarah's Half Dome Hike Diet: pizza and ice cream sandwiches.

The Most Fun You Can Have for $30

Josh informed me that buying, tweaking, flying and crashing a Yellow Bee RC Airplane is verifiably the most fun one can have for $30. . .

I would amend that statement slightly to say that it is the most fun one can have for $60 (we ended up having to buy two since the first one broke irreparably).

36-week Photo

This was taken last Friday (9/15/06), exactly one month before the due date.

Anyone want to place bets on the date/time/gender/etc?

Heading the Right Direction

Josh and I went to my 36-week check up this morning. This visit was with my regular OB doctor and was much more pleasant than my last check-up with one of her colleagues.

Praise the Lord. . . after examining me, the Doctor reported that the baby turned and has assumed the right position for delivery! Sometime in the last month, God gently turned this baby, without my even noticing it. Thank you to all of you who were praying.

Josh and I are so grateful that the God we serve is an expert in this childbirthing process from start to finish. Not only did He create the womb, He lived one for 9-months.

the word became flesh

a swirl of sound, soft and thick,
the music of a human metronome,
embraces the tiny life.
darkness swaddles the infinite one
knees to chin,
as his half-formed fingers feel
for the intangible rhythm.

seconds, perhaps eternities ago,
the skillful weaver spun silken sinews
around the spindle of himself,
measuring off the immeasurable,
defining the indefinable,
hiding the omnipresent
in the hollow of his own handiwork.

a slow dance,
a swaying from side to side,
soothes the one who never slumbers,
drowning him in the silent song of sleep.

My New Career

Today is my first official day as a full-time homemaker. So far, the day was comprised of housework, converting some cd's that Josh asked me to convert for him, and a trip to the grocery store. Doesn't sound like a lot but, WOW, my first day has flown by!

I decided to view homemaking as my new career. I know myself and it would be very easy now that my hours aren't being logged on a timesheet to lose the self-discipline and diligence that being a paid employee provided. I don't want to lounge around in PJ's all day long or sleep away the mornings. There is more than enough to do here in my own home and if I find myself bored, there are plenty of opportunities to serve Christ outside my home. I need to seek God in regards to this. I need to ask for His help in establishing my new routine. I need His wisdom in learning how to prioritize all of the distractions that will inevitably crop up. I need the Holy Spirit to keep me on track! In this new career, I don't report to another hired employee. . . I report to the King of the whole universe and to a husband who has entrusted me with the care of his home and his child. I need to remember that!

Bitter Sweet

Today is my last day of work. I certainly didn't expect to cry as I pulled out of the driveway. . . my last drive to work. Haven't I been waiting for and dreaming about this ever since I was a little girl? But, now that it is actually here, I realize that this transition to full-time motherhood also comes with goodbyes. And goodbyes are always hard. Today I am saying goodbye to the people I've spent the greater part of my waking hours with over the last 6 years. They've come to mean a lot to me and I pray that through me Christ has become more real to them. After all, that's what it's all about.

Storybook Shower

My friends, Sharon and Yvette, hosted Baby R's very first shower this past weekend. Knowing me well, the theme of the shower was books. All of the guests were asked to bring a favorite storybook as a gift for Baby R. There were so many wonderful books. . . some I had never heard of, some were favorites from my childhood.

The first thing I did when I got home Saturday afternoon was plop down in the baby's room and started reading. Josh came home to find his wife sitting cross-legged in the middle of the floor surrounded by storybooks. He just scratched his head and gave me that look that says, "I love you, but I think you're weird!" Hahaha!

The shower was perfect. The weather was wonderful, the food was delicious and it was so good to see friends I hadn't seen in a while. Thank you, Yvette and Sharon, for your kindness.

(P.S. I'll try to get some pictures up as soon as my mom sends me the files)

Must See DVD

Answers in Genesis has an amazing DVD lecture regarding the miraculous process of conception and birth: Fearfully & Wonderfully Made.

My mom gave us a copy a few months ago and said it was excellent, especially now that we are expecting our own miracle. But, we've read a lot of books and figured it was just another prenatal informational video. We shoved it to the back of the DVD rack and forgot about it. On Friday night we were bored and looking for some free entertainment; we ran across this DVD and popped it in. We sat there mesmerized for the entire lecture.

I have studied quite a bit about the conception and birthing process, but this DVD goes into scientific details that are so amazingly designed that only our wonderful, all-knowing, creative God could have come up with something this perfect. Even if you have a dozen children, I guarantee you'll learn things you never knew.

If you want to borrow our copy and you're here in town, let me know. I'd be happy to loan it to you. If you don't live in town, visit the link above and buy a copy. It'll be worth the investment.

Labor Day Fun

In honor of the holiday, we piled into our car and headed to the beach. Ahh, nothing like a little sand and sun and a three-day weekend to make you depressed about going back to work!

Is that a beach ball hidden in there?!

L-R: Dustin, Elizabeth, Me (and baby), Yvette and Josh

Our backseat was converted to a veritable technological hub for Apple devices (three ipods and a laptop).

Garlic Explosion

Less than 24 hours ago, this jar was full. Thanks to the bulk-sized proportions available at Costco, I had a bulk-sized mess on my hands when I dropped this tub yesterday. Based on the equivalency chart (1/2 tsp = 1 clove), I figure I spilled about 200 cloves of garlic (along with garlic juice) all over my kitchen.

It happened in slow motion, as do most life-changing events. One moment the tub was securely in my hand. The next moment, only the lid was. The tub plummeted toward the ground, making a quick stop first on the edge of the kitchen counter. It landed firmly on the linoleum, sending a spray of minced garlic all over my kitchen and living room. The explosion was impressive. Nothing within a 10-foot radius was spared, including me.

If you'll notice, the upper right hand corner of the label proudly claims that minced garlic is fat free. Not only is it fat free, but it is also extremely good for your overall physical condition. When spilled, it can provide one of the most intense and thorough workouts you'll ever get, especially if you're 8 months pregnant! I spent over an over an hour on my hands and knees picking up the tiny garlic chunks and triple washing my floor. As you can imagine, I woke up this morning sore from head to toe. . . and reeking of garlic!

Doctor Grumpy vs God

I went in for my 34-week check-up this morning. My regular doctor (who I really like) was on vacation so I had to see one of her colleagues (who I really don't like). To my great disappointment, Doctor Grumpy didn't palpitate my tummy to feel the baby's position and when asked if he would, he said he'd rather leave that to my regular doctor. He then said, "I don't really see the point, anyway, since after 30-weeks, babies don't turn on their own." Thanks for the words of encouragement, Doc!

Little does he know that God can do whatever He wants in regards to this baby's position. I have complete faith that if God wants this baby delivered normally, it'll happen. If God chooses to leave this baby in breech position, it won't be because "after 30-weeks, babies don't turn on their own." It'll be because God wants that baby to be breech.

In the meantime, keep praying!

The Netherlands?!?

My friend, howiesgal, in her most recent post alluded to the need to be very careful about posting any personal information on blogs. She included a link to another blog where the topic was covered more thoroughly.

I sort of figured that no one except friends and family read my blog anyway but just for curiosity's sake, I added the site meter (check out the little blue number at the bottom of this page) to find out for sure. Boy was I surprised. . .in just a few hours, I had at least 10 hits from people I didn't know, one as far away as the Netherlands!

I got to thinking about all those random people who accidently end up on my blog (and yours, too). At first, it kind of freaked me out to think of people I don't know reading about my life, but then I realized that this is a wonderful opportunity. Perhaps these visitors don't know any Christians. Perhaps this is the only time they will get a peek into the life of someone who is earnestly trying to live for Christ. What a blessing! So, the blogging will definitely continue, just sans identifying information.

Body Parts

Anyone have any tips on how to figure out which limb it is that is pushing and poking out? Specifically, is it a heel or an elbow that has lodged itself under my right rib cage for the last few days? a knee, maybe?

Whichever baby-body-part it is, I wouldn't mind if my little one decided to choose a new location for it! At this point, even my left rib cage is sounding like an improvement.

32 Weeks

My grandpa used to have a bigger belly than me. But not any more!

My New Bike

See my Tabblo>

New Bike!

My sweet husband surprised me with a big treat on Friday night. We went out for dinner and afterward, walked over to the bike shop across the parking lot to look for a new bike seat (I have been riding Josh's mountain bike which has a very, very hard and narrow seat. Between the uncomfortable seat, the guy's bike frame and my growing tummy, I've been having a harder and harder time enjoying our rides around the neighborhood).

When we got inside the store, Josh told me he wanted me to pick out a new bike. . .a girl's bike with a comfy seat. I picked out a sparkly blue beach cruiser complete with white-walled wheels, a padded seat and a kick stand!

If you see a pregnant lady riding a really cool bike around town, feel free to honk and wave. . . it's probably me!

I absolutely love my new bike. . . and my husband ;-)

Breech

At the moment Baby R has decided that he/she prefers sitting right-side-up. . . which in the world of pregnancy translates to wrong-side-down. The doctor said there is still room and time (a little of both) for the baby to turn but that he/she needs to do a somersault soon or we will have to begin exploring the options for delivering a breech baby, which is usually a c-section =(

Please be praying with us that God will put our little one into position soon!

Good Food/Bad Breath

Back in my college days, I lived for 3 years with a girl who posesses a set of the world's most finely tuned tastebuds. Anyone that knows her, knows that she absolutely loves good food! Even in the cafeteria, where food quality is often less than stellar, she had a knack for tweaking things. Throughout every meal, she would constantly adjust/add spices and salsas and sauces so that by the last bite one was guaranteed that whatever food it was she happened to be eating had realized its maximum taste potential. So. . .

When the Bourgeois Wife recommends a recipe, I tend to believe that it has passed rigorous testing. Check out this Creamy Garden Garlic Dip Recipe on her blog. It looks delicious, albeit dangerously potent!

Lunch with the H Family

For a mere $1.50 each, Yvette and I were able to spend an entire hour with the wonderful Howiesgal family. We met at Costco to enjoy the delicious (albeit, not so nutritious) polish sausage/soda combo in honor of our old tradition of sharing a cheap meal together before Bible Study. It was good to see the girls again, both of whom are growing up so quickly, and, reconnect with Howiesgal, the infamous redhead, self-titled "The Queen." As an added bonus, Mr. Howiesgal surprised us and joined us for lunch, too.

Hopefully, we won't wait so long to schedule our next get-together.

Luau

On Saturday we inaugurated our backyard with a big birthday/retirement luau for my parents. Since we don't have beachfront property, we set the scene with surfboards, pineapples, Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts and tiki torches. Here are a few photos from the evening.

Josh manned the BBQ for 2 1/2 hours straight without one complaint.

What a sport!

My grandma was a huge help. She came 3 hours early to help me skewer all the meat.
Thanks, Grandma!

The birthday boy and girl. You'd never guess 60 and 50!

Jordan and Luke (our neighbors and friends for a l-o-n-g time), Elizabeth (my little sister who recently discovered hair dye), and Jordan (Josh's brother)

Happy Birthday, Mom & Pop!