Miss Nana (Eden Junienana)

Quick note on our baby girl ... (and isn't that picture cute down there? Her smile takes up her whole face and it's so kissable!)

I took her for her 4 month app't (Can you believe that she's 4 months already? Where has the time gone?)

Drumroll please ....

15 lbs 9 1/2 oz (90%)
26 " (95%)

All the nurse could do was talk about how strong and healthy-looking and pretty she is!
And of course, she tried to sit up and talk to the doctor while the doc was asking me questions.
Too cute, Miss Nana!

Santa, a Reindeer and an Elf

Here they are, in our new house!

Yes, we are moved in ... but as you can guess, not all unpacked. The Christmas tree is up, but the dress shoes are still in a big plastic bag in my bedroom. Ah, priorities ... At this point, blogging has not been the first thing on my mind. Well, I've thought of a lot of things to blog about ... just haven't had the time to sit and write them!
As soon as I get a chance I'll take some pictures and give some more updates ... aren't you just on the edge of your seat waiting? Heh, heh.

Pilgrims and Indians

Our new house

So here it is ... OUR NEW HOUSE! We close on Monday. Can't wait.

Eat in kitchen

finished basement with woodstove

Come visit ... we have room now!

Update

Thanks for praying for Steve and Hannah. They are doing a lot better, but still have a long road ahead. If you would like to follow their progress, click here

Prayer

Could you please pray for Steve and Hannah Smith? They are a dad and daughter in our church who were in a head-on collision with a drunk driver on Sunday night. Steve is still in critical condition with 2 broken legs, broken arm, foot etc. and Hannah (our beautiful 14 year old GC girl) is in the Peds. ICU with a head injury. They are both precious people and we would really appreciate your prayers for them.

The Beginning of a Wonderful Relationship ...

So last night was a very special night at our house. Gabriel asked Jesus to come into his heart. Now, we've talked about this before and Gabe has prayed ... but there was something different about last night. He really got it. While I was folding the laundry, Gabe started to ask me about sin and what it was. It moved on from there to a 1/2 hour conversation about Jesus, sin, forgiveness and God's love for us. At the end, Gabe wanted to pray and ask Jesus into his heart, to forgive him of his sins. He told Jesus that he wanted to always love Him and know Him. It was such a wonderful, holy moment. When Greg got home from worship team practice the first thing Gabe did was to run to him and tell him the great news.
What an amazing privilege we have as parents to lead our children into relationship with God. More than just teaching the right thing, being a good example etc ... we get to actually lead them to Jesus; to teach them about the Holy Spirit and to live together in His presence. What a blessing and a responsibility.
Lord, fill us with what we need to disciple this young boy into a powerful, Spirit-filled man of God, full of character and maturity. May he walk in Your path all the days of His life and serve you with love and abandon at whatever you call him to.

Final Day!!!

So today is the last official day of our 30 day challenge! Can you believe it? Did time fly for you? It sure did for me.
I decided today to put together a few things I've learned over the last few weeks.

1. I can be more disciplined than I thought. If I really try, I can find time most days to spend more time with the Lord and to exercise.
2. I cannot rely on the weather to determine whether I exercise or not.
3. I cannot rely on my children to make time for me to spend with Jesus or exercise. I have to stop and make time when I've got it.
4. My husband is a good sport with eating healthy, but I cannot rely on him to make good choices for me.
5. My Jesus loves me more that I could ever imagine. Day after day His mercies are new for me; His grace is complete for me in every area of my life ...
6. When I take time to be filled by the Holy Spirit I have so much more wisdom and grace with my children, my husband, my house ...
7. This cannot just be a 30 day challenge for me ... it has to be a lifestyle change. And I am determined to continue it into the future.

So that's what I've learned over this month. What about you?

Hot pot and mama

We're home! Wait, I forgot to tell you that we were going, didn't I? Well, we went on Monday and came back yesterday. The kids and I spent a really great week at my parents (Greg stayed home to work, have quiet and have "man time" - he worked hard and then visited ESPN with some of his friends).
While we were gone we had lots of fun with the fam and even had real "hot pot" from China. My dad brought some back a mix with him from Chengdu that we cooked up after a nice trip to the local asian market. That stuff was HOT! I had a good excuse to avoid the one with the "nummers" in it (numb-mouth making little pepper balls), Eden definitely could not handle that. She had enough trouble the day I made chili! So I had the one made in some great broth. If you've never had hot pot, you should try it! It's perfect for a chilly fall or winter evening. Every one sits around the table putting in the veggies, meats and noodles of their choice, waiting for them to cook in the boiling wok of broth and chilis and then pulling them out. We used bean noodles, bok choy and some other unlabeled asian veggies that my dad recognized and added some pork and veggie dumplings too. It was great. I can't wait to have it here with some friends.
So how did the challenge go while I was away? So so. I exercised, but missed a few days. I did get my mom to exercise with me one day, though! It was fun. I didn't overeat or deliberately choose unhealthy foods, but I still had fun ... and some ice cream cake. Vacations are hard for challenges. Oh well. I'll get back on track this week at home. I'm looking forward to it.
Tonight Greg and I are going to a dessert get-together with some friends ... I made pumpkin meringue pie. I might just have a little slice. "Little" is my new key word for desserts, snacks and sides. I am trying to make more of a lifestyle change than be on a diet. I don't think it's bad to have a little dessert at a get-together ... I just have to limit myself to "little", not "stuffed full". Portion control, Mel.
Oh, one last thing, last night a miracle happened .... drum roll please .... GREG FOUND MY BIBLE!!!! Yay! I can go back to using my normal Bible that doesn't weigh 5 lbs! I can actually bring it to church without ripping the diaper bag! I can spend time with Jesus and know where things are!!!! Can you tell that I'm excited?! Oh, did you ask where it was? Um ... on the bench under my purse that I haven't used because I'm always bringing the diaper bag. And yes, I looked there.

Challenge

The challenge is beginning to be, well, challenging for me. I think the gung-ho part of it has worn off and now I'm down to the nitty-gritty. Exercise is going well. I'm actually kind of surprised by that, but I think since I am doing it on the Wii and my "personal trainer" says "mean" things to me when I'm not giving it my best, it works. I also have to log in and it writes down when I don't exercise. So exercise: check.

Eating is going alright. I think I'm learning the balance of eating healthy and not holding myself to an unrealistic standard. I too, have had a slice of pie. Besides, I have to cook for my family ... and the boys care if it tastes good. I think one thing I need to work on though, is drinking enough water.

Time with Jesus has been my most difficult challenge so far. Eden has been staying up and then waking up early etc. and I'm tired. I still haven't found my Bible. But those are just really excuses. I guess I need to get myself into gear. I was spending my shower time in prayer, but the last few days I haven't gotten a shower until at least 4pm and by then ... well, that is just another excuse too. Today the boys didn't nap, yet another one. It seems like whenever I have really good intentions or plans life seems to crop up right in that timeslot and I let my relationship with the Lord get pushed out. I am fairly good at what my husband calls "prayer flares" or quick middle of something prayers and cries to the Lord, but I'm not good at the "quality time". I SO want to grow and know Jesus more and I know that is the only way I'm going to. When I do spend a good amount of time with Him I am so refreshed and encouraged and challenged. I love it. I just need to make sure that happens more often.

So ... that's where I'm at.

The challenge

So ... here we are. Day 7. Has it almost been a full week already? Yup, it has.
So ... where've you been all weekend, Melanie?
Note for all ... my weekend includes Mondays because that is my husband's day off.

1. Grocery shopping (can you believe that our entire family made it in and out of Aldi in less than an hour on a Friday night? - it pays to stick to the list and to have a husband who pushes the cart and watches the boys while you walk up and down and hand them things to put in!)
2. Alpha Pregnancy Care Center's Walk for Life (and no, I did not eat the free cider donuts or the free muffins ... but I did eat a free hot dog for lunch ... no free pop either. And did I mention that we went around the loop 2 times instead of stopping? :)
3. Errands. Lots of errands. Lots of walking.*
4. Church. Loved it.
5. Apple picking. (Wait, Mel, didn't you JUST go apple picking last Monday? Yes we did. And this time we were just there for fun with friends. I still have to make apple sauce from what I have.) We stopped at the farm store there. They were making cider donuts. Have you ever smelled a cider donut? It's almost heavenly. The line was 1 1/2 hours long just for the donuts. No, I am not exaggerating. We didn't have that much time, fortunately for my 30 day challenge. My willpower was a little low at that moment and Greg had cash. Do you know that they even have a window so that you can watch the donuts frying, coming down the belt and going into the cinnamon sugar?
6. Supper with friends at their house. They made chicken riggies. Have you ever had those? Think cream + chicken + sauce + peppers both hot and sweet + rigatoni + olives + ... I had a small portion and tried to have a big salad. They had brownies for dessert. I had grapes ... and half a brownie.
7. More errands and a misc. doctor's appointment (that rash of Evan's just won't go away, so now we're trying a prescription ... apparently it's resistant to OTC treatment)
8. 2 late night exercise sessions (sorry to JM and Marcia ... they live downstairs)
9. Laundry. Lots. *
10. Cleaning ... started.*
11. Dinner with friends. We had Bee-Bim Bop. I think sometime very soon I shall devote an entire post to the wonders of the taste of it. It's good for you, though. No weird additives (unless you count soy sauce) or fattening creams. I'm not sure that I've found a Korean recipe yet that was that terrible for you.

* these activities are still either still ongoing or left unfinished to continue this week

Okay, so here was my temptation this morning ...

Eden woke up at 4 and 7 to eat. Not bad since she went to bed at 11:30, but I was tired and went back to sleep and missed my scheduled quiet time. I'm trying to make it up, but I also lost BOTH of my Bibles. Don't worry, this is a pastor's house ... we have more, I just want mine back. Maybe I should check the car? I already checked the church lost and found. How do you lose a Bible with your NAME embossed on the front? Leave it to me.

Gabe got his cast off. Greg took him for a donut to celebrate. Greg brought some home. He bought me one that he knows I like. I was thinking ... "He's forgotten about the challenge ... I could eat it and say nothing and no one would know." As I was debating this in my head, he said, "Oh, I'm sorry babe. I forgot that you were doing the challenge. Do you want me to bring the donut to the office with me so that you don't get tempted to eat it?" I said yes. Reluctantly and guiltily, knowing that if he didn't, I would find some excuse to eat it ... little by little. Goodbye donut. Have a good time at the office.

Did I mention that I'm tired? Did I mention that I need to exercise and find my Bible and ALL my children are asleep? Do you hear the nap calling me as loud as I do? I need to go ... before I give in to the call of my comfy bed.

And oh, I just noticed reading this post over that I mentioned donuts 3 times. Generally I don't like donuts. Generally my family doesn't eat donuts. Really. I just really like the fresh ones in the fall.

Day Two and counting ...

So. Yesterday.

Exercise? Yes.
Eat right? Yes. (Thanks to Keila we had homemade spaghetti sauce loaded with veggies and whole wheat pasta)
Time with Jesus? Shorter than I'd like, but yes.

I'm trying to be disciplined but flexible with myself. Exercise can be more than just "working out", and healthy eating means avoiding things that aren't good for me - not being a paranoid eater. Time with Jesus is also trying to include relationship with Him all throughout my day. At my 6 week appointment, the Dr. and I were talking about how precious your relationship with the Lord is when you communicate all day long (that, by the way is a huge blessing! Who else can talk to their OBGYN about quiet times?!). I know that I grow closer in relationship with my husband more when we can talk several times through the day, and when I know what he's up to and when he knows what I'm up to. I think it's the same with the Lord.
So for today, my goal is not just Bible reading and morning "time" (done already, in case you were checking on me), but to try to remember Him all day and enjoy His presence.

Jesus, want to clean the bathroom with me?

Happy Day 3

How'd it go?

So how was your day one?
Mine was pretty good. I exercised and ate pretty well (though a friend of ours made us dinner, so I didn't get much say in it, but at this point ... dinner? made for us? I don't have to cook? MAKES MY DAY! Okay, it was something called "potato chip chicken" which, is exactly what you imagine ... but I was a good girl and didn't eat too much and only had fruit for snack at Generation Church, even though the brownies looked AWESOME!) I also got in some good Bible reading and prayer in the morning.
This morning, though, was a little more difficult. For some reason, Eden slept much less last night and woke up early ... and so did the boys. So ... my prayer and reading had to be done while I was nursing a wee babe, trying to stay awake and telling the boys that they needed to stay in bed a little longer. So ... my day's not going as well as I'd dreamed, but I AM SHOWERED (thanks to the fact that my hubby has a really long day and decided to go in late!) and it's still before noon!
Now ... on to the rest of my day!

Have a wonderful Day 2 and feel free to comment and tell everyone how you're doing.

And ... just in case you're wondering who else is doing this ... the number has grown to at least 12 of us! (Anna, Sarah D, Sarah F, Jessica D, Jessica B, Keila, Deanna, Heather S, Smiling Sal, Susie, Chloe and me ... plus anybody that I missed or forgot!)

Come on ladies, we can do it! At the end of 30 days we are going to be stronger in body and in spirit!

Day One

So 30 Day Challenge ladies ...

Today is day one.
WE BEGIN NOW!
I am really excited, are you?

What is your plan for the month? How are you going to do this? My husband always tells me that if I don't have a plan for how I am going to accomplish something, the day will take over and I won't do it.
So here's my plan.
I'm starting a 30 day activity challenge on my Wii. Hopefully I can do that either at naptime of in the evening after my hubby comes home. I'm also going to try to wake up earlier to spend time with Jesus and get the day going before my kids are up. They wake up around 8, so that means getting up at 7:30 at the latest. I'm also going to plan our meals better to incorporate more healthy food - before I shop. I might even pull out some old Weight Watchers stuff that I have ...

So what's your plan?

Just a quick reminder ... the 30 day challenge starts tomorrow.

Eat right.
Exercise.
Spend more time with Jesus.

PS. If you are participating, could you write a quick comment so that we can all encourage each other (so no one quits!)?

For Aunt Anna

Thought you'd like to see this ... Quite possibly the most adorable thing she's ever worn.

Apple Picking

We went apple picking on Saturday and had so much fun.
Unfortunately, Greg took all the pictures and is therefore in none of them. Boo hoo. Now I've got to get to making some applesauce ...

The Challenge

Next week my baby is 6 weeks old. Do you know what that means? My excuse to have a jelly belly is over. The work needs to begin.

I have agreed to a 30 day fitness challenge.
For 30 days I exercise.
For 30 days I eat right.
For 30 days I find extra time to spend with Jesus.

Hopefully I'll have time in all that to blog about it so you can see my progress.
I figure if I tell people, I'll be more bound to stick to it, right?

Who wants to join me in the challenge?
Wanna get in shape? Wanna grow more with Jesus?
Maybe you don't need to because you are already in great shape
and have an amazing exercise program.
Maybe you already eat healthy all the time.
Maybe you spent hours and hours with Jesus every day.
Maybe you're perfect.
Or maybe you're like me and you're not
and you need a challenge in one of those areas.
Come on, join me!
If I can do it, trust me, you can!

We start on Wednesday, September 30th.
That gives you a week to think about it.

Smiles and Thumbs ...

I remember ...

The Feeling

Today, I remembered ...
Where I was
What I was doing
How I felt

Would life ever be the same?
No. I don't think so.

Somehow one moment changed it all.
Could something that surreal really be?
Yes.
And it was.

Life was in a moment plunged into chaos.
Fears I never thought I'd feel
Suddenly welled up.

I prayed.
I cried.
I hugged.
I watched, glued to every moment.

How could this be?
But it was.

We all had to return to life
To the everyday ho-hum
But it will never be the same.
Somehow the end seems nearer.
More real.

I am not so afraid now
As I was then,
But I am more aware.
Like I woke from a happy dream
To reality.

And here I sit.
2 hours away.
Remembering the feeling ...
Hoping that I will never feel it again

But somehow wondering ...
Am I dreaming again?
Will I have to wake up?

The morning cuddle ...

The pictures from yesterday's post

A vacation and a broken arm

A bullet-point family update:

- Mom and Dad came
- Mom and Dad took Gabe and Evan with them for a vacation to their house for a week
- Gabe scraped his knee
- I talked to him on the phone
- I rested at home with Eden
- Greg had a busy week
- Gabe tried to fly off the sandbox
- Gabe broke his arm
- We drove across the state
- Gabe has a cool, blue cast
- Joaren wanted a cool, blue cast
- Grandma made him one
- The family was all in town at my parents
- Everybody got to see Eden
- All the cousins got to play together
- My mom and dad built an addition
- Austin fell on Grandma's new floor
- Jace loves to touch Eden's head
- We drove home
- Gabe fell out of the car at church
- Both boys moved up in Sunday School
- Evan "mithed you, Eden, when I was in Buddafo"
- Evan "mithed you, Mommy, when I was in Buddafo"
- We had a picnic in the park with friends for Labor Day
- We went on a hike
- Someone's dog went on the whole hike with us
- We called the number on the license
- They said they'd be there in 5 minutes
- We waved to the dog when we went home
- Gabe got a library card
- Evan wants a library card
- "C" is the letter of the day
- We drew cats
- Gabe got his cast wet trying to wash his hands
- I tried to dry it with the hairdryer
- It's still wet

Got it?

Waiting

I am SO excited. My mom and dad are coming tonight! We didn't think we'd see them until October, but ... yay! They are coming tonight! And staying until Saturday morning! I can't wait to see them! Woo hoo!

At home with the Falcos ...

Here we are, adjusting to our new version of normal.
Greg went back to work today.
I'm doing alright, which surprises me.
I was pretty nervous about it.
God made me for this, though.
I'm not saying that everything is easy,
but He already knows everything ahead of time and has all the grace I need.
Now, if only I can think of that at 2:30am.

Eden

Here she is!
Eden Juliana
7lbs 11oz
August 14th 4:25pm

Growing up!

A few nights ago, Greg and Gabe had their first ever water war. It was pretty one-sided, Greg holding the hose and Gabe running around the yard screaming and while both of them laughed their heads off.

All of the sudden Gabe seems so big. He WANTED to be sprayed. He WANTED to be soaked. He LOVED it. He's a big boy now. Not a little toddler, a big kid who swims with water wings and likes spicy chicken. He gets himself dressed and has his own sense of style. He wants to do schoolwork. He likes climbing ladders and picking veggies from the garden and racing his bike at breakneck speed in the driveway. And he said to me the other day, "Mom, you don't have to come on the walk with us, you can just stay here at home and rest and I'll go just with Daddy."

A date

Last night Greg and I went on a date. It was so much fun. Some friends of ours had given us some tickets to the local single A baseball team's game. The seats were great, right behind home plate about 5 rows up from the ground, right behind the scouts and guys with the pitching guns. We had peanuts and kettlecorn and sat with our arms around each other and just enjoyed the game. The team lost 10-0, but it was fun to see all the runs. It was a 7 inning game because it was a double-header (and we didn't know so we showed up only for the 2nd game ... which was just about my limit for those plastic seats anyways ... and we were home before 10!)
Could anything be better than a date with the man you love in perfect summer weather (especially knowing that it'll probably be our last time out alone for awhile)? I think not!

The dance ...

The other day I got mail. A free sample of a diaper - size N. It was a very little thing, but it had a picture with it - of a mother kissing a little newborn's head. Then it hit me. In not too long we are going to be bringing home a new person to our house. A person. Welcoming a new baby into the house is not just an event, but a life change. Don't get me wrong. I've realized this before. I think I've just been caught up in the "to do list" of getting ready to bring home a new life. I've been trying to get our house organized, and the boys prepared; I've been reviewing relaxing and the birth process so that I'm prepared ... and in it all I somehow forgot about the nuzzle of a newborn and the smell of baby hair ... the feel of soft wrinkled skin ... the learning and discovering a new personality and gifts and the joy that a fresh new life brings. I can get caught up in the wonder of this - and I want to.
But then ... the list strikes again. In order to bring this little life home, we've got to have a place to put her, right? So that means finishing Evan's dresser so his things can be moved from the change table and her things can be put in. That means we need to decide on a name ... and get some baby laundry soap ... and ... the list.
I suppose it's a balance, huh? Every mom has to do this dance, right? Laundry and kisses? Peanut butter sandwiches in the igloo tent and grocery shopping? Riding bikes and making supper? Going to the library and vacuuming? Being sentimental and practical? ...

Mountains and cousins

So, please excuse the underlines. I don't have an underline choice on any of my menus and I can't figure out how to make it go away!

I'm finally back. We've been busy having fun and going here and there and I've chosen to nap when I can instead of blog. Today, the man across the street has decided to chop up his tree, again, during naptime so ... I am blogging. Maybe I'll squeeze in a few moments of shuteye ... we'll see.

So we escaped to the mountains for a few days of rest for Father's Day. It was so nice and very needed. We had very weather, but the place had an indoor pool and we had it all to ourselves for the whole weekend. Evan was so happy to go "shimmin" every day. Gabe really took to the water this year and can get anywhere in his swimmies. We even got to see a mountain bike race. All the competitors were COVERED in mud, but the boys thought it was great! I love spending time with my hubby and my boys. Happy Father's Day, babe. You are the best Dad our kids could ever have and I couldn't imagine my life without you in it every day. You are such encouragement, support and love to me. Thanks.
When we got home, we did all our laundry and then got ready for a GREAT visit with Julie and her clan. It was SO much fun. We had a barbecue, played outside, played inside, went to the mall ... the guys played Frisbee Golf and Julie and I even snuck off for Coldstone and a chat ALONE!!! It was great. My nephews are so cute and great to be around. I love their smiles. All the boys got along great and we had a blast.
I miss my family, having them so far away, so any time with them is a treasure to me.

While Julie and I were eating ice cream, my other sister, Anna was running a 5k in Rochester! I am so proud of her. Everyone seems to be running and getting into shape and I seem to be getting bigger and bigger! I suppose my time will come.

Here are a few snapshots of our time.

Gabe ready to swim

Both boys at the pool

A very interesting hole in the lake that we just had to stop and see

Uncle Vince and the boys at the mall after the escalator ride

She's still a girl !!!!

So today we went for another ultrasound to see our little girl. (And yes, they double checked and she is a girl!) She is healthy and fine and everything looks good. She's weighing in at 3-13, so she measures a little ahead of the game size-wise (both the boys were too at this point so... maybe we'll have another early bird). She is beautiful.
I hope you can decipher the pictures, she has her head pushed up against the placenta all cozy and comfy!
Here she is!

On another note, Tag was lost last night in Gabe's bed. It was the last one we had, and we've decided not to replace it. He is in mourning for the day. We talked about how Jesus could fill that hole in his heart for Tag. He said that he would really like Tag to fill that hole, and he keeps thinking of all the good times that he had with Tag, and it makes him sad. He knows that Jesus will fill his heart though, eventually. Pray for grace for him as he transitions to a tagless life.
(And if you are clueless about Tag - tag was a small, beloved, 1-2 inch, piece of white ribbon that Gabe slept with)