Hale Family Tales

They are saying that this is the nicest December for snowfall in the high country in quite a few years.  Ryan was eager to get out to the mountains, so very early this morning he and the big girls headed out to Vail. They will do ski school to refresh their skills, and afterwards Ryan is looking forward to doing a few runs with them. They are always eager to show Daddy what they have learned.

I am staying in town this time to work on Christmas projects.  I reminded them to take in the majesty around them and enjoy the glory of God’s creation since I wouldn’t be with them to ohh and ahh like I always do.   I am, however,  looking forward to a quiet  (read: no carpool, no gymnastics, no getting-people-where-they- need-to-go) day with the babies.

Last year we were in Breckenridge on this day.  I sat in the lodge in a state of stunned excitement/confusion over the new revelation that my stomach flu wasn’t the flu, but I was in fact pregnant.  What a huge shock since we were sure that door was closed to us.  Also, after “waiting” for more than a year, we were expecting a referral any day for child #3 from Ethiopia.  Boy, what did God have planned for us?  Well, 2010 has been quite a year!  It has been a good, very, very good year.

It hasn’t, however,  been a year of much quiet or sleep.  In fact, it has been exhausting and overwhelming a lot of the time.  I will say, though, that it has it has been a season where I have known that God is with me and that I am not doing this on my own strength.  Ryan’s dad summed it up perfectly when he recently said that some of our biggest blessings also bring us our biggest challenges.  I often think of the poem, “Footprints in the Sand” and that is how I picture this season of my life.  So while we have been at times “a walking disaster” as Ryan calls it, I have been filled with a peace and a joy for taking care of those whom God has given to me.

My big kids know that when they hear me humming the theme song to Ringling Brothers Barnun and Bailey Circus that I am feeling the effects of our craziness. “Doot-doot-doodle-doodle-doot-doot-doodle.  Doot….”

We were doing a little Christmas shopping this morning. Julia had been in the stroller for quite a while so I let her out to stretch her legs while I looked at one last thing. She was happy to peruse the boxes of Christmas cards and bring them to me to see. She had her trademark delighted look on her face…the one where all you can see are her big brown eyes and huge smile.

A grandpa-aged man walked by her. He commented to me, “Now watching her, puts me into to Christmas Spirit.”

I guess it goes around full circle because his kindness about my daughter sure spread some Christmas spirit.

It’s 5:37 am. I’m snuggling the cutest, fleece snowman jammied little guy as he helps me hold his morning bottle. He always takes this feeding at a leisurely pace. He is way more into the snuggling and the eye contact and the cooing.

Things will get busy soon enough. There is one to get ready for school. One to keep busy with Christmas crafts because she is home from pre-school on Wednesdays. We call it “Mommy Day” because I tell her I miss her when she is at pre-school the other days. Of course, I miss her when she is away for school, but the fruit I see in her from her experiences is wonderful. Then, there is the toddler. She is a busy one! Yesterday she found a pancake turner in a kitchen drawer and carried it around for awhile. Harmless, right? Then I found her stirring the dog’s food and water bowls with them. I was on the phone, otherwise I would have snapped a picture before taking it from her. I decided that there will be many other moments to catch this little one in the midst of exploration/ mischief.  I can’t wait to see what she and her brother get in together.

********

It’s 7:56 am.  Ryan is off to work.  Hannah has been picked up by carpool.  Ellie has been making crafts since she woke up at 6:50.  Evan is sleeping in his swing and Julia is eating her second breakfast and jabbering to herself.

I think I should have a second cup of coffee before starting my day.

We have some new pictures to hang on our wall.  I can say as the mom of this brood that they are a good looking bunch!

Last night, Evan was having his evening “fussy time” and Ryan was doing the bounce walk with him around the living room.  It usually takes a few minutes and he settles down to sleep.

But he kept fussing and fussing. He wasn’t wet or hungry so I just thought it was going to take a little longer than usual.

Finally, Ryan said, “Every time we talk past you he turns his head and fusses louder.  He can see you and wants you.” Sure enough, he was asleep almost immediately.

I didn’t think he could prefer Mommy so young.  I was certainly happy about it but tried to downplay to Ryan.

Later, as I was snuggling a sleeping Evan on the couch, I realized the “Dad’s Perspective”: He translated Evan’s momentary preference this way – off the hook…

Actually, Ryan had just gotten numbers 2 and 3 transported to bed and suffuciently tucked and prayed for.  Fact is, you can’t be too off the hook when there are 4 children in the family.  It is definitely a zone defense around here at bedtime….and mealtime….and loading up to leave time…and…

Evidently, there was a corrupted file causing my blog to not be accessed for a couple of weeks.  Glad we’re on the up and up now!

I’m pretty tired tonight to write much, but here are a couple of funnies from Ellie.  She has been coming up with some doozies lately.  Here’s a sample:

-E: (Her birthday is in 2 weeks)  ”Oh, I liked that when I was four.”

Me: “You are four.”

E: “Actually, I am really 4 and 4 4ths.”

_________________________

We are snuggling on the couch watching a cooking show while I was feeding Evan the other day.  The focus was on mediterranean food.

E: “Did you know that I remember  eating chickpeas when I lived in China.”

We fielded the following questions from Ellie this morning between 7:15 and 7:30 am:

“Are pirates real today?”

“What does dying mean?”  Of course, I used the open door to again explain the plan of salvation.  When I explained hell as being separated from God, Ellie responded…”so like a garbage dump.”  Ryan thought that was fairly accurate.

“What is an oil spill?”

“What’s migration?”

and, the greatest mystery of all,

“Why do kid’s robes have the belt so it won’t come off and parent’s belts can?”

Hannah’s teacher sent me this e-mail the other day:

“THIS picture is evidence of what I see as a very amazing heart for the Lord in Hannah.  Beyond precious to me.  The pic is from chapel this morning.  The fourth graders sit with kinder and grade one…each taking on the role of mentor, role model, helper, care-giver, etc.  They help the little ones learn good habits for chapel, help with finding bible verses, and singing songs.  It’s an amazing sight to my heart!”

It sort of made Ryan sad to not be able to interact with the kids very much for several days.  Truthfully, at first, at least, he was too sick to notice.  We feel like he is in the clear after being fever-free for a couple of days, so he started chipping in with the kids again yesterday.  I am certainly glad for the extra hands again!

Evan had his 2 month check up on Tuesday.  He’s 11 lbs. 12 oz. and 24″ long.  He got a good report on all fronts from the doctor.  He is holding his head up for a few seconds, making good eye contact and cooing at us, and is starting to play with his hands.  It is fun to watch his development.  Also, he is going about 6-7 hours between feedings at night!

We are planning to spend Christmas vacation in Mexico.  The pediatrician offered to go along in case we need medical care for the children.  What a guy!

Awana’s 2010

Ellie is a Cubbie and Hannah is in T&T.  Hannah is thrilled that her very good friend, Abby, is doing Awana’s this year and Ellie has the same great leaders that she had last year.  I think it is going to be a good year!