We're off on another adventure... time to cut down the Christmas Tree!
Daddy found an extra pair of sunglasses in the truck for Kingston!
Kingston got to choose which saw would be best to cut their tree.
Okay... we're armed. Let's go!
First, let's make a pit stop at the little petting zoo.
I don't know if the big guy is licking Kingston's cheek or smelling his shampoo!
Armed with a snow ball to throw to grandpa.
All four of them (Aria on mama's chest) set off in search of the perfect one.
Hi Grandpa!
Pretty, pretty.
Grandpa and Kingston in the sea of trees.
Can I hold it?
What a big boy! Careful!!
I think they've found a winner. Assessing the job.
Okay, kneel right down here with daddy.
That's it, Kingston. Good helper!
I'm so grateful the kids invite us to participate in their memory-making excursions! My heart is happy.
And speaking of hearts, I received this email from my pastor yesterday...
"Tis the season to be jolly." And to do that we will
probably be "decking the halls" with Christmas trees, ornaments, manger
scenes and presents. It might just snow too! You probably have already
figured out where this thought is going haven't you? The real halls that
need decking are the ones in our hearts. It is from this center point
of our lives that everything else flows. Therefore it must be vigilantly
guarded. It's possible to be well tinseled and sparkly on the outside
while the heart is deeply troubled on the inside. Above all else, may
the Lord help us to keep Jesus on the throne of our hearts as we make
those choices to seek first His kingdom and Kingship in our lives. The
result will be a season that is jolly with the joy of the Lord.
~ Dave Jones (my pastor)
"Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life"
I count myself as blessed just to utter those words.
I know I was made for this. The joy they bring to me is deep and satisfying.
I'm sitting in the quiet of the evening; the kids having gone home a couple of hours ago, and Joe gone to sleep off the turkey and stuffing. I'm listening to Hymns 4 Worship on Pandora while crocheting Kingston's afghan; love and prayers woven into each stitch as they were for Aria's, and I'm pondering what a rich woman I am.
Just look.
I'll have a few more video snippets from the day, maybe tomorrow. I just wanted to share this one now.
Kingston so apparently loves his little sister.
Today was awesome. Kristiina and I, together, with much laughter and animated camaraderie, prepared a delicious meal; afterward, Joe and Nic took care of the dishes. All of us enjoyed happy conversation; relaxing moments with football; wishful Christmas-list moments with Black Friday ads; playful moments with Kingston; swooning moments with Aria; and love abundant.
Love, it's powerful and wonderful. A gift.
I'm so very thankful.
A garden of love grows in a grandmother's heart.
~Unknown
To be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars... to think... often of your friends, and every day of Christ... these are little guideposts on the footpath of peace. ~Henry van Dyke
Below is a trailer for the book, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.
I'm not trying to sell the book... and whether you're inclined to read it, or not, I encourage you to take the 4 minutes required to view this video. Seems timely this Thanksgiving Day. (pause the blog music at right)
May you live unhurriedly; enjoy your moments, especially today; and...
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.
It's Aria's afghan... it was supposed to have been her baby blanket, but having turned out much larger than I expected, she'll be using this till she's in middle school! It's cream, light pink, deep pink and chocolate. In person, it looks like it belongs in an ice cream bowl. So yummy!
I'll wrap it up and give it for Christmas... mommy and daddy have already seen it, so I'm not ruining any surprises. I worked on it a little bit while Kristiina was laboring (early on).
I wasn't crocheting when Kingston was born, so he didn't get one (actually, I wasn't crocheting until this past September)... but he'll be getting one for Christmas, too. I just started it last night when I finished Aria's (my first!).
Uh oh. That's just 4 weeks away... I better go get busy!
Happy Thanksgiving Eve. May you be surrounded tomorrow by those you hold dear, and have many blessings to count.
Last night was soup and sandwiches night. Mmmm, such wonderful cold-weather food.
We had potato soup and tuna melts... inspired by Kristiina when she made potato soup and grilled cheese last week.
Yes, home just a few days with her newborn, and she was in the kitchen cooking supper (while I got to hold Aria and play cars with Kingston)!
Thankfully, she's recovering phenomenally well! But, with a toddler and a newborn, four hands were definitely needed. Nic was working, but I was able to take the week off to help her. This week could prove to be a challenge when I have to head back to work. I know she'll work out a schedule and find a way that works for them. I just hope she's able to get enough rest!
I'm not sure how Kristiina prepares her potato soup, but here's my recipe:
Hearty Potato Soup
Ingredients
6Potatoes, Large, Peeled And Diced
2Carrots, Washed And Diced Small
1Onion, Peeled And Diced
3 cupsChicken Broth (I like to use homemade bone broth)
Saute onion and carrot till
onion is translucent. Add chicken stock and potatoes, simmer for about
45 minutes. Add the milk; heat through. Add cheese, ham, 1/2 cup sour cream and heat through
till cheese is melted. Salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with desired toppings: shredded cheddar, chopped bacon, the remaining sour cream.
Mmmm mmmm good. It was a hit with Joe, too... the guy who will usually pass up the soup went back for a second bowl.
So, as I was saying... I have to go back to work this week. I loved being able to spend time with the ones who make my heart sing; I'll miss it. Fortunately, it's just a two-day week, then off for Thanksgiving. Yay! I'm happy that we get Wednesday off, too.
I spent so much time last week ogling Aria and playing with Kingston, that I took very few photos - unbelievable! I have this short video clip from the hospital, though...
It's of Kingston wanting to try the video camera.
And then this one of him doing it himself. :-) (Sorry about the back light. It was more about Kingston getting to use the camera than it was about getting a good video of Kristiina and Aria.)
So many things to be thankful for!
warm soup for chilled bones
a toddler who is delighted to have become a big brother
baby girls and their delicate ways
competent, compassionate healthcare providers
epidurals and that she decided to get one
good health and quick healing
two-day work-weeks
holidays with family
"Aria" is an Italian word meaning "air" - it is
frequently used as a musical term in English as well as in Italian. An
aria is melody for a solo voice in an opera, usually with orchestral
accompaniment. Famous arias include 'O mio babbino caro' and 'Nessun
dorma' by Puccini and 'La donna è mobile' by Verdi.
Her first cry.
She'll take her middle name from Mommy, whose middle name is also Sheree...
Her last name, DiOrio (originally D'Oro) is golden in Italian.
Aria Sheree DiOrio - our cherished golden song. {grin}
I was blessed to have been in the labor and delivery room. Witnessing her birth, I was partly crying, partly gasping while snapping the camera like crazy. Aria's mama beautifully edited these two lucky shots of her precious, first moments.
Source for name meanings: http://babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com/
Monday, November 14th, was Little One's going home day.
My sister is coming home today?! Yay! (And Mommy, too!!)
I love my baby sister.
Kiss-ou. Mmmmuah!
As with the rest of us, his kisses linger. He breathes her in before pulling away. Then rubs noses... then rests his cheek on hers and sighs, "Mmmmm." It's so precious.
Precious Darling in her first outfit for the ride home.
"Hat on..."
Let's take you home, Little One.
Happy 30th Anniversary to my Love. Can't think of a better way to have spent it.
Utilizing the benefit of gravity, and intent on not getting in the bed which was painfully uncomfortable, she delivered on a "mid-wife's stool." Nic behind her, steadying her, this is how she labored those final minutes and birthed their babe - with foot planted securely on his. Adorable.
She took their breath away when she drew her first. They marvel at her. (And, now, the bed is an acceptable resting place.)
With outer most extremities still to pink-up, she protests her separation from mom and dad.
Happily swaddled and content; Gramma is awed by her.
She is a dainty little lady. When her brother first arrived, I marveled at the size and masculinity of his hands. I now find myself marveling at his little sister's hands, with her long, slender, lady-like fingers.
