Pictures

Did I ever mention Hazel cut her own hair recently?





I could EAT HER!








Chuck made our kitchen island . Totally doubted him. Sorry Hun.


Went to the outlets to buy Jack new church clothes. Hazel got to try them on first since she peed her pants. Worst part was she kept lifting up the shirt and flashing everybody. Oops.


He's a dog of course.








Me all day long: GET OUT OF HER FACE!!!!


Chuck built us a dining room table too. Totally doubted him again. Sorry Hun!

Blessed

Chuck begins his first day of residency today. He's going to be working in the NICU. I think it's going to be difficult for him at first. Being around sick children will bring back painful memories. I don't envy him. I know the hard work hasn't really begun yet for Chuck but I think he's going to love it. Pediatrics was definitely the right choice for his personality. I can't imagine him doing anything else.

Jack woke up before the other kids today. We had a nice little talk together before his sisters were up. We discussed homonyms. I had to google it. I forgot what they were called. He came up with, bye and buy all by himself. I can't believe how this kid's mind works sometime. This boy is quite exhausting. He simply cannot get enough attention. We had people over last night and he would not stop talking. Poor kid. My parents are coming this week and hopefully they'll smother him with affection.

I still think Ivy is pure joy. I adore her. She is for the most part just easy and fun. She sometimes gets fussy at nights but usually not. She has slept through the night twice now and rolled over once. She loves chewing her fingers and looking at mirrors. I joke that she is so smiley that she smiles even when crying. The other day we were a store and she smiled for 10 minutes straight. I couldn't help but laugh. People must have thought I was nuts.

Hazel is so fun to watch play. I love little girls! A few days ago she told me she was hungry and asked if she could go outside to eat. She wanted to pick berries. This yard is a dream come true for her. She loves picking flowers and now berries. We have raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, currents and strawberries. We've also harvested 2 jalapeños. Very exciting.

I find myself slipping into a depressed mood when I'm alone for very long. I find that as I keep my thoughts Christ centered I'm happier. Nothing can compensate for having a relationship with our Savior. I fail miserably as a mother. I'm easily frustrated and too quick to criticize. They really are my best examples of what it means to be a disciple of Christ. They love others. They forgive quickly. They don't judge others and at least Jack, prays for his neighbors. I need to be more loving with them and follow their examples.

I feel as if I've been hit with an extra dose of grief since we moved here. I think it began with our trip back to Kansas City. I miss the life we had there so much. Most of our stuff we're unpacking is stuff we really haven't seen since we lived in Kansas City. It reminds me so much of my little girl. Today my three kids were playing on our living room rug and it brought me back to when my other three kids played on that rug. My sadness must be rubbing off because tonight Jack sobbed because he missed Lucy. He hasn't done that since she died. He's afraid that someone else in our family is going to die too. As I explained to Jack that we would all die one day I remembered having the same conversation with my own mother at about the same age. I was about Hazel's age when my little brother died. I felt so bad for him as he wept into my arms but I know this experience is making us a stronger family.
I know the loss our family feels can't be filled with worldly possessions, or success or any other distractions. It can only be filled with the love Christ offers. I know this is true because it is the only things that has eased my suffering since Lucy died. Time alone has done nothing. I hope my other children learn that from this experience.

The Village

Yellow Springs






















Everyone here seems to own a VW van.






I prefer to call them, "peace promoters."








Because every little town needs an Asian jewelry store.





Cute little pop-up


More peace signs.


We love going for walks here. Everyone is so friendly. And because everyone knows everyone, they all know we're new here. The other day we met Deborah, she was planting a Magnolia tree. It was bizarre looking.

One of my favorite things about this house is the garden. When Chuck's mom was here she did a ton of work on it. I'm so grateful. With a new baby it's hard to find much time to work on it. We are going to have quite the bounty this summer and fall.

Before





After














Our enormous Ginkgo tree.





We still have a lot of work to do. Mostly it's going to be one of those never ending projects. We are so grateful to Laurie for all her hard work.

Wild Strawberries

I love watching Hazel discover new things. She loves being outside and loves all growing things. One day after she'd gone to bed I found her dress pockets filled with flowers. I love this girl!

Yellow Springs!

We made it to Ohio. We stopped in Kansas City for a few days for Chuck's graduation from medical school. We had a lot of fun staying with friends.

Us leaving Utah.



Driving by our old digs in KC. Did I use that correctly?







Our new house in Yellow Springs.







Hazel is in heaven. She loves picking the flowers.




Jack went to orientation at his new school. I think he's gonna love it.




Chuck and his Dad have been working hard putting in a new kitchen. Both his parents are here until tomorrow and my mom left today. I don't know what we'll do without them.




Chuck and I made our kids quilts before we left. I love them. Both quilts have some fabric from Lucy's old dresses.




On Sunday we took a break from the reno and visited this awesome burial mound.







I'm already homesick but I love this place already. It's an amazing community and we know this is where we're supposed to be.

Ivy Caroline

I'm way over due for a blog post. So I had a baby. :) I was induced and had a short (4 hr) but painful delivery. I wanted to have a natural birth with no epidural but caved in at the end. By the time it kicked in I was ready to push. In my defense they made me get an epidural because I was having a VBAC. They told me I didn't have to get any drugs but the syringe was right next to my face with the drugs all ready to go. At one point they told me I was dialated to a 5 but only 10 minutes later I felt like I had to push. At that point I totally lost my ability to deal with the pain. I felt like my bones were being crushed with each contraction and I made Chuck get the doctor. They gave me the epidural and checked me again. This time I was at an 8. By the time the epidural kicked in I was ready to push. Ivy came after only 3 contractions and 9 pushes. Much better than the 1 1/2 hours of pushing I did with Jack. She came out with a perfectly round little head and what looked like huge monster feet. This labor was a wonderful experience. I was very focused on what I had to do and didn't interact much with anyone else in the room. Although i was so grateful to my husband and family for being there. I thought a lot about Lucy and I believe she was there to welcome Ivy into the world. The veil felt thin like it did when Lucy died.

Ivy came one day after the spring equinox. We wanted to give her a name that signified life. Ivy seemed to fit her perfectly. Caroline came from 2 very special women. My sister Carlie, her real name is Caroline and the woman she was named after, Caroline Partridge. Caroline Partridge was the sister of our great great great grandmother Eliza. I think names are important and I wanted to honor these special women.