It's Winter!

It's Winter...or so it looks like it outside. We got dumped on last night...12 inches at least and hit a Level 2 snow emergency. We all closed school early, came home, and snuggled in for the night. The snow is heavy, wet, and packable...in fact, the boys were outside this morning at 9 am to start playing. It took me at least 15 minutes to dress them and get them outside. After about 5 minutes, the front doorbell rings, and they want to come in. I said absolutely not...it took me longer to dress them than they wanted to be outside. When they came back 15 minutes later, I let them in. Derrick is working in the basement today to finish the built in shelves he started over Christmas break. We put our house back on the market Thursday night, and got a calling Friday afternoon for a showing on Sunday. Hopefully the snow won't keep them away tomorrow.


Our January was tough...strep throat, stomach upsets...just germs! We are all on the mend, though. This week we are gearing up for the boys' birthday on the 15th. I can't believe they are going to be seven! Every year I cry on/around their birthday...I wonder if I will this year. They are having a friend party...well, only about 4 boys are coming over, bringing the boy total in the house to six. Friday is Hurst side of the family, Saturday is friends, Sunday is Carfrey side, and Monday (their birthday) we are going out to dinner and getting the kids' pictures taken. Their birthday has become at least a two or three day event. This year's theme is LEGO, and I think everything will turn out very cute. They are so into LEGO and are signed up for the LEGO club. This week Lucas got his LEGO magazine and 3D glasses in the mail. They had a fun time playing with those! Hopefully we can get this house sold and have both sides of our family over at the same time. Right now, space doesn't allow for that.


Natalie is growing so rapidly. She's almost four months! She has been eating cereal for a few weeks now, and is all over that spoon! It's so cute to watch her. We started her kind of early, but she was always smacking her gums and lips together, and she has always had great head control. So, Derrick gave it a try and she loves it. The boys are so cute with her. They lay with her and talk to her, play her toys with her. It's very cute.

Here are some pictures of our house this week. Also, Matthew lost his second tooth Thursday night...of course it was right before bedtime while his teeth were being brushed. He was holding out, hoping it would come out at school because they get a special envelope, but that didn't happen. My next post will be about their birthday. Have a good week!

Back to My Life

Christmas and New Year's have come and gone. It's really nice to be back to "normal". We took our decorations down this past weekend. It's so nice to have my living room back to normal. Now on to getting our house ready to list again...we weren't successful this last time, but we are going to give it another shot. As I was thinking what to write for my post this time, I felt this overwhelming sense of how much I love my life. We in our home are so blessed. All three of our children are healthy..of which I am very thankful to God for. That helps me appreciate our kids and their health, and gives me opportunities to pray for our friends who aren't so fortunate. I'm also so thankful for my husband. Since this last pregnancy, he has picked up so many more duties around the house, and is being such a great husband. He works so hard, and is a fabulous example for Matthew and Lucas. They are so into seeing everything he does, and asking him questions because they want to learn about whatever it is he is doing. We both have jobs, and fairly secure ones at that. So many times I wish I could be a full time stay at home mom, but that's just not happening right now. I am so thankful to have a job that is very flexible, and that I can use my teaching skills. Our church is growing rapidly, and with Derrick's new call...that doesn't involve moving or other major transitions...it will hopefully grow even more. I am so blessed with our three kids. I have several friends who for whatever reason are unable to conceive at this point in their lives, and that has caused me to be even more thankful for Matthew, Lucas, and Natalie. And our parents and siblings...having them close to us and seeing them interact with our kids is amazing. We live so close to each other...in the same state with the farthest person living about an hour away. They weren't close to us during the boys' infancy, so seeing them and having the opportunitiy for them to get to know Natalie and vice versa in such an early stage of her life is fabulous. My life is awesome, and only because God chooses to bless me in so many ways...

How was Christmas in our house...wonderful. The boys were all about the gifts this year, which is to be expected. They each got a DS, which has been a long awaited request that was fulfilled. We had Christmas 6 different times, but being with our families is such a blessing. Sometimes I think that it's a pain to have to be everywhere all the time when we live so close, but it's also a blessing to be able to go without travel preparations, and to have our parents and grandparents so close. I am sure that is why God has kept us here in Marysville right now. For Matthew, Lucas, and Natalie to grow up around their grandparents like Derrick and I did is a priority for us.

Natalie..is growing. She started eating cereal this week. She has been working her tongue so much, and Derrick decided to try giving her cereal yesterday. She's been taking it in bottles for her acid reflux, but eating it off the spoon is a different story. You'd think she has eaten off a spoon everyday of her life. She's doing fabulous with it. She'll be to 12 pounds in no time if she isn't already.

So it's back to normal life in our house. PLI is this month for me in Dallas. That's about all the excitement this month. Looking ahead to February is Matthew and Lucas's birthday...we've already decided on a LEGO theme this year. I hope you all can take some time to think about your life and feel an overwhelming sense of blessing and thankfulness like I did today.

This past week was busy but so much fun. Thursday night Matthew and Lucas had their Christmas performance at school, "Happy, Happy Holiday." Being our first year in a public school, I wasn't sure what to expect as far as the performance went and the message it was going to convey. However, it was fantastic! They sang some fun, jazzy Christmas songs. Granted, they were mostly about reindeer and fruitcake, even "Feliz Navidad" made it into the mix. But, it was so cute! The kids had learned some very sweet choreography, and were dressed to the nines. It was also only 40 minutes long, which was very nice. Matthew and Lucas were so good at remembering their moves and lyrics. Matthew had even volunteered to be a dancer in "It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas." Derrick starts singing that song every year..usually right after Halloween when he is getting into the Christmas spirit. Matthew was SO proud of himself, and kept looking at Derrick while he was dancing to make sure he had Daddy's full attention.
A few weeks ago, I was asking them about their performance and what it was going to be like. Matthew said that I would be so proud of them that I would cry and buy them a toy...well, I definitely had tears of pride and good thing Christmas is coming because that takes care of the toy part!

Friday was supposed to be the circuit pastor's Christmas party..but it was cancelled. Since we didn't want to take away a babysitting opportunity from my parents, they came over anyway so we could go on a date. It was fabulous! I didn't think Ruby Tuesday, Giant Eagle, Sam's Club, and Target could be so much fun. We finished our shopping for the most part..and I am learning to be VERY selective of the toys we buy for the boys...is it something that I won't mind picking up, tripping over, or having in my house?






Saturday was getting ready for the baptism. Natalie was baptized on Sunday, and Saturday meant rolling meat and arranging cheeses on trays for the lunch we were providing afterward. Let's say that I don't mind a deli meat sandwich, but I know now why I don't make trays for a living...yuck! Sunday we had her baptism. Church was full..for us that's like 50 people. Our neighbors, who are non church goers, actually came. I was so thankful they came. Pastor Brian and Sarah Larson and Derrick's brother Daniel are Natalie's sponsors. She handled the baptizing well...no crying! It was so cool again to see Derrick baptize our kids. Afterward we had a luncheon at church, then home to relax and get ready for the week ahead. Only 4 more days until Christmas break starts!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas...

Here in our house, we are getting more and more ready for Christmas. We put the trees up two weeks ago. As I mentioned, the one in the boys' room is interesting...and actually still standing! We received Natalie's stocking in the mail last week, so hanging that made a nice addition to our decorations. Matthew and Lucas got their Advent calendars from Grandma Patty last week. She buys them the big, "official" ones from World Market, and this year they got a playmobil one, too. That ended up in fights, as to who got what toy and who got to open the flap each day. So, we finally gave in and just opened the whole thing and added it to the playmobil collection. Tomorrow is their Christmas performance at school. They are under strict instructions to get "decked out"..good thing they each have one dressy outfit...since we wear jeans to church most of the time, their dress clothes collection has drastically fizzled in the last few years. They actually got dress shoes that I ordered from Kohl's in the mail yesterday...right on time for their performance and they fit! Guess that means they have to quit wearing their crocs to church and every other function that requires their khakis. Our Christmas plans are getting more and more finalized...where we are going and when. The only thing left is stocking stuffers and getting them to see Santa. Of course, Natalie is growing so quickly! She's going to be 7 weeks on Friday. She's having some seriously fussy evenings...like crying and holding her breath...so we are thinking acid reflux. She's starting a prescription tomorrow...hopefully that will make things better. Today I found out that as of next Monday I will be considered "full time" at work. Up until now I was being paid at the tutoring hourly rate for 3 hours and then a sub rate for 3 hours. This was because the lady who was there before me was on disability and was unsure if she was returning after the first of the year. She resigned as of today, so that moves me to full time pay and insurance. Yeah! This past weekend was Derrick's installation at Atonement Lutheran in Columbus. He's now the pastor of missions/outreach down there. Not much at Living Truth changes...he still pastors here, but Atonement has adopted our church plant and will be supporting it in so many awesome ways. His friend, Matt Hoffman (Oswald's grandson) preached a fabulous message at his installation. Next Sunday, the 13th, is Natalie's baptism. I am excited because I invited our neighbors, who don't go to church, for the service. She said they are coming! I really hope so!

Our Thanksgiving

Well, Thanksgiving has come and gone. But, it was amazing! Derrick's mom had a surprise for all of us. She got a day pass from Dodd Hall for Derrick's dad to come home for the day. He got to see Natalie, and he held her almost all day. The boys were SO relieved to see that grandpa was feeling better, could talk to them, and could get up and walk around. He did sit in his rocking chair almost all day, but he was so glad to be there, as we were all so glad he was there. The original plan was that we would eat a quick lunch and then head down to the hospital. There is a visiting area and we were planning on taking the kids in for a little bit. But, much to my relief, we didn't have to go down to the hospital. I don't mind hospitals, but taking my kids to one is a different story. Later in the evening, we went to my cousin's house. He has totally redone the inside and outside of an older home in Marysville, and this was sort of a housewarming for him also. We had a gingerbread house making contest (yes, adults...my mom and aunts come up with quite the activities)....and then made our way home to get the kiddos to bed. Black Friday was spent at home, shopping online. I have to say that we get a lot of our shopping done that way. It's so nice! Over the weekend, we also put up our Christmas trees. We have the big, 10 ft., one in the living room, and this year the boys got a 6 ft one for their bedroom. They went at it, and the ornaments are in some interesting places. I think it's funny that they put their three or four favorites (each) on the bottom branches, so there is a section that sags almost to the floor. Oh well. Two weekends ago, it was in the 60s, so Derrick and Lucas put our lights up outside. Matthew wanted nothing to do with the ladder, so he managed the Christmas lights on the ground. He finished, after the trees, with the garland, and now our house is done.

It's finally starting to turn cold..but even so we are having highs in the 50s. On Saturday the Rausch ladies got together for tea. It was also a surprise baby shower for Natalie and I. Sunday was church and I went to get a few things at Bath and Body Works for Christmas gifts. Derrick had his first time staying home with all three kiddos alone. He did great, of course. Looking ahead, this Wednesday night is church decorating, and that is the most excitement I think we'll have this week. This weekend is our church cookie exchange and Derrick's installation at Atonement...I am really looking forward to that celebration! I'll be getting our Christmas cards out this week. I did them on Shutterfly this year, and they turned out really nice. Natalie is five weeks old, and proving to be slightly high maitenance at a young age. Oh well...like my mom says, "I hope you have a child just like you someday". She is growing, and starting to coo and make such cute noises. I have to go back to work next Monday. I'm not too excited about it, but only two weeks and Christmas vacation will be here!

A Discussion

Last night, while we were having our bedtime snuggles, Matthew struck up quite the conversation with us. He, out of the blue, said he didn't want to go to college. I said that he needed to think about it a little more, and then he started a list of jobs he wanted to have, hoping none of them would lead to college. After every one..a policeman, a space man, a cook, an army man...the list goes on, we said that each of those involved some type of education. Not sure why we were carrying this conversation, but we indulged him anyway. Well, after a few more minutes, we got to the bottom of the issue. He said, with teary eyes and a shaky face, "I don't want to go to college because you can't see your mommy there!" That's my boy! I told him that I could come and visit, or if he wanted to go to OSU that he could live at home and drive his own car to college everyday, only to return back here at home to see me everyday. How sweet is that! It didn't exactly pacify his desire to get out of going to college, but I think his reason is great! I'm anxious to see what this conversation turns into in about 10 years.

Halloween 2009

This year for Halloween, Matthew and Lucas decided to be Bumblebee and Optimus Prime from Transformers.
Their costumes were very cute, and of course they had to act like Transformers, too. Matthew, as Bumblebee, would run around and fight the bad guys, then ball himself up into a "car" and take off. Too funny. For trick-or-treat, my parents, grandma, Derrick's mom, Darragh, Daniel and Emily, and Lindsey came over to help hand out candy and take the boys around. Derrick and I walked with them for the first 15 minutes or so, then I needed to go back home and sit down. I was hoping to get a good walk in, but one week post delivery my body was telling me otherwise. Oh well. I got comfy in a lawn chair and a blanket, and Lindsey and I sat and handed out candy. Patty (Derrick's mom) and my mom took turns taking the boys out for more candy. Of course, they came home with a ton. It was cold this year for Halloween...I made the boys wear hats and gloves, so we were out of candy and inside a little after seven. In fact, several houses around us had already gone inside around that time, too. We usually last until 8, but we only had 257 pieces of candy to hand out this year, and when we were out, we were out. My grandma took care of sitting in the kitchen window to watch the trick or treaters and hold Natalie. She was more than happy to do so. We had our usual soups, bread and cookies and we all hung out until around 9 or so. Thankfully the next day was a Sunday. Derrick was on "vacation", so we all stayed home from church. The boys (all 3 of them) played video games, I played card games with Matthew and Lucas, and we just enjoyed being home together.



Friday, the boys had their fall party at school. Derrick stayed home with Natalie so I could go and be at their party with them. They were allowed to wear their costumes for the party, and they opted to wear their Annakin and Obi-Wan costumes from last year. Then, they have a little costume parade around the school and back to the room for their party. It was very cute. They each had a plate of goodies waiting for them, and a sugar cookie with icing and various candies to decorate it like a pumpkin face. It was surprisingly quiet in that first grade classroom while they ate their snacks and quietly chatted at their tables.



Natalie is growing! She had her first well check on Tuesday and she is up to 7 lbs. 15 oz, and 19 1/2 in. long. She was 19 in at birth, and weighed 7 3 when we left the hospital. She is doing well with sleeping and eating, and is only getting up twice at night...around 1 or so and then around 5. Derrick is so awesome with getting up with her, or sometimes staying up to do the one o'clock feeding and then putting her down and I get up at the next one. We had a few outings this week...Kroger, Panera, and Target. Overall, it was a great week.