Snow

We were out in the snow yesterday. Wasn't it a perfect snow? We enjoyed our day of rest.

Phone Trouble

(The picture was taken at the ice fest on Saturday)

I didn't make it to Bible Study because I dropped my phone in a bucket of water. Okay, so that's not totally true! Both Ezra and I were feeling sick, and so we stayed home and slept and slept- he slept 5 hours, and I slept 2 1/2. Wonderful. About the phone thing...last night when I got up to feed Ezra, I knocked my phone into a glass of water that was sitting by my bed. A hole in one...So, Delton took my phone to the Verizon store today, which left me phoneless, so I was unable to call and let anyone know I wasn't coming. I thought I would mind being disconnected from the world, but it was strangely liberating. I usually carry my phone with me everywhere I go- upstairs, downstairs, from room to room. Not having it, knowing that I couldn't call anyone and no one could call me, made it a quiet, peaceful day- a perfect day to recuperate from a cold. Delton and I were able to communicate, which was unexpected, because I remembered that I could text his phone from the Verizon website. I would text him, and he would reply from his phone, which would send the message to our email account. Very snazzy.

Tomorrow is Friday. I am looking forward to a weekend with my husband and my family. Delton is preaching on Sunday. I know he would appreciate your prayers.

What to have for dinner???

I had a good evening yesterday. Delton went snowboarding with a friend, Ezra went to bed @ 6:48 p.m., and I had a new magazine and Rocky Road icecream. :) It has been so long since I have had a "me" evening. I sat on the couch with a blanket and did nothing all evening, enjoying the quiet and peace. Time like that are rejuvenating for me.
I am learning how to cook...I know how to cook, but I have struggled with knowing how to figure out what to have for meals. I end up with basic meat, potatoes and a vegetable. I found a bunch of recipes I like from a magazine I am really enjoying, Real Simple, and made a schedule of when to have which meal. Yesterday I went grocery shopping for the ingredients, and I am set for the next two weeks. I only planned about 3 or 4 "menus" per week, because things come up, but it is fun to know that I will be making some fun, new dinners. Does anyone have any tips for how they deal with "what to have for supper?"
Ezra is doing much better. He has a cough, but the worst is over. I gave him a bottle (of water) for the first time today, trying to get him ready for next Friday evening when Delton and I are attending a Sweetheart Banquet and my sisters will be watching him. Ezra loved playing with the bottle. I don't know how much water he got out of it, but it is a start! I want to try pumping so that he can have breastmilk while we are gone. It will be the first time someone else will be putting him to bed! Thankfully, he will be on the same property as the banquet, so I can run over and check on him if I need to.
My parents are coming in to PA on Saturday, and on Sunday they and two of my younger sisters will be coming to church, along with my older sister and her family. Delton is preaching, so I invited them all. Looking forward to Sunday has made this week feel like it is going by slowly.
I should probably get some work done while Ezra is sleeping...Adios.

Not feeling well...

Ezra was at the dr. yesterday- his first "sick" visit. He has a simple cold with congestion. He was given nasal drops, and I am continuing to give him Tylenol every 4 hours. He started getting sick Monday night, so his sickness has been the focus of this week. Thankfully, we had a very quiet week planned. Although it has been a different week, it has been good. It makes me realize how precious good health is! I am really looking forward to Ezra feeling better- for his sake, and so I can get reacquainted with the real Ezra.

So much for the bad weather we were supposed to get today. I was up with Ezra at 4 this morning, and looked out the window and saw...nothing! I realized that Delton would not be home with me today- and I really could have used him home today- for moral support! Delton did go in late, which gave us a chance to catch up- a sick baby takes a lot of attention!

Ezra isn't turning over yet- as the picture shows, he is close!!

My parents and several sisters are coming in mid-Feb. I am really looking forward to seeing them and having them see Ezra. They haven't been able to see him since he was three months old. I am looking forward to a long visit with them.

Teething Troubles and a Cold

Grandma and Grandpa Lehman stopped by recently and saw Ezra. We enjoyed visiting with them.

Ezra is experiencing his first bout with true sickness. He has a cold. Two nights ago, he was up several times during the night, crying. Yesterday and today his nose is running, eyes are watery, and he has diarrhea. No fun for the little guy. He slept well last night, so I think we are over the worst, thankfully.

I enjoyed the snow yesterday. I have all but given up on getting a huge snow storm this year. The weather is supposed to be bad on Friday, which means Delton probably will be home. That will be very nice!

I am reading a book my dad wrote called "You've been Tweaked". Very interesting. It is an allegory- fictional story- about the way our past experiences are used to determine our future success. It is available on amazon.com. I think you can read more about the book on amazon as well. A friend of the family drew illustrations for the book- the main character looks a lot like my dad!

I am going to get some work done now that Ezra is asleep and I have had a moment to catch my breath.

The Triumphs of Motherhood

The past two weeks have centered around Ezra. He has been teething sooo hard, and hasn't been sleeping much at all during the day. That takes its toll on him and me (and Delton). Just this week, it seems like we are moving out of the heavy teething- I actually have a moment to blog! I bought a book at Borders recently that has been such a blessing. It is called, "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child." Previously, I thought I either had to let Ezra cry it out, or be doomed to a life of out of control nap times- drawn out battles or no sleep at all. This book, while acknowledging that for some children, crying it out is the only thing that works, gives so much help in understanding sleep patterns, bedtime soothing, and other alternatives to crying it out. Usually, if Ezra was wide awake after I finished his morning feeding (even if he had been rubbing his eyes and yawning moments before) he wouldn't go to sleep- if was very frustrating. Today, he was wide awake, yet I knew he was tired. I used a little bit of what the book has been teaching me. I "soothed him to sleep" by walking him for a few minutes. We were in his room, which is calming to him, and I gently swayed him without talking. He relaxed- he didn't fall asleep or even lay his head on me, but he was relaxed. After a little bit of holding him, I laid him down in his crib. I knelt beside the crib and held his hand. He fussed quietly, and kept looking over to see if I was there. After a few minutes, he stopped looking at me and just fussed a little more- and then fell fast asleep. It couldn't have taken more than ten minutes.

Most of the time, Ezra falls asleep while nursing, or is quite drowsy, so he goes to sleep easily. This soothing method is so exciting to me, because it means that at times when I know he needs to sleep, but he doesn't, I don't have to simply lay him down and let him cry. I feel like I am doing what works for Ezra. I can't stop smiling. The small (yet huge) triumphs of motherhood!

Everything is going well in other areas of life. I got my hair cut to chin length. I don't know that I love the look on me, but that may also be because I haven't had a chance to do much with it yet. Bedhead and pajamas are not the best canvas for an amazing look! My allergies, which have plagued me for about 8 weeks now, are finally subsiding. I have my face back! I wonder if the cold weather hasn't helped destroy whatever was affecting me.

My sister in Prague is doing very well. The instructor told her that if the class was over this week, he would give her the certificate because she is doing so well. She still has 10 days left of the TESOL school, but she is encouraged to know that she is doing well.

We are looking for a high chair for Ezra- he destroys (!!) our table when we try to hold him at meals. It is time for him to have a high chair. Is anyone wanting to sell theirs, or does anyone have advice as to what types are best?

Update on the Lehmans

It is good to be blogging again! So much has happened in my little world! My sister left for Prague to attend a one month TESOL school, then spend a year teaching English overseas. I haven't seen her in several months, but I miss her more now that she is out of the country.

Ezra has had a hard last several days. Last night, we discovered the reason- a third tooth! He is sleeping right now, which is so good for him (and me!!). He has been going to bed at 8:30 p.m. rather than 10, so Delton and I have some time together before bed. The only downside of that is that Ezra is waking up at 5 a.m.!!! I really hope this doesn't continue!

I am going to go make some bread. I have enjoyed baking lately...we'll see how this turns out.

~Charity

We are back! I have had trouble getting into this site, but it appears the bugs have been worked out. I am going to go play with Ezra right now, but I will update soon!

Traditions

By Delton (pic from freefoto.com)- Tradition. When I hear that word I often think of the play Fiddler on the Roof. I don't remember the whole story, but as I recall it involved a father opposing his daughter's desire to marry a particular boy because it would go against their "tradition." Then he sang a song about it.

Around the holidays we hear alot about and many practice traditions - christmas trees, gift exchanges, family gatherings. These traditions bring a sense of warmth and stability to a high paced, fast changing world. At the same time, traditions can become a burden or stress if they lose meaning and drain finances or relationships. They can also keep us from something fresh and new if we are unwilling to look beyond.

My denominational heritage is Mennonite, but from my grandparents on down, we have been willing to embrace new ways of worship and new ways of functioning as the body of Christ. I have grown up in a church that has changed a lot, laying aside many traditions. I am very blessed both by my Mennonite heritage and my church.

It seems to me that humans require tradition. Some people require it more than others, but we all like the familiar. It is what identifies us with those around us - our families and ethnicity. Traditions act as markers to help us keep our bearings and to remind us of foundational truths and events - advent, lent, the fourth of july, memorial day. They all serve to remind us of the things we value.

So when should traditions be laid aside? Someone once said that before you tear down a fence, you should ask why it was put there. We have cast aside a lot of traditions in the church, trading them for the "new" and the "fresh". If a tradition in the church no longer serves a purpose then it must be laid aside, or we are simply practicing dead religion. God has not called us to a system, He has called us to Himself. At the same time, before we lay aside a tradition, we must ask, "Why was it put there?" If the tradition is put aside, it must be replaced with something to serve the purpose that the tradition was originally intended to serve.

At times we seem to throw the baby out with the bath water. In an effort to get rid of dead religion we get rid of traditions. Maybe the problem is not the traditions. The problem is us. We are sinful humans, prone to forget and rebel against God as much as the Isrealites. When we throw away a tradition we simply replace it with a new one, but have we changed?

Delton has a truck!

Delton bought the truck. It looks so nice! We are so blessed to have this vehicle. It is BIG!!!

A Truck and Teeth

Delton and his dad are at a car lot as I write this, looking at a truck. A red Chevy Silverado, extended cab, 4X4, tow package, '88, new tires, 2500... I have learned a lot about trucks through this search. I look forward to the phone call telling me whether or not Delton has a truck. I'll let you know!
Ezra is now teething. He has two teeth on the bottom, and just this afternoon I felt a third one pushing through up top. He is doing so good. We are using baby orajel, which is such a blessing. Our little guy is really growing up. He will be 4 months old on the 17th- and he is outgrowing his 6 month sleepers. Oh My!

Through God's Eyes

These thoughts have been chasing themselves through my mind for some time now. As I was reading a book today, the questions were again piqued and I had to try to wrestle with them.
I have dealt with- and still deal with- comparison. I judge myself to be better than some in certain areas and less than others in other ways. My skills are not flowery or obvious. I look at those with creative genius, whether from birth or through practice, with envy. I see how we are the product of our upbringing in many ways, that shapes who we are and what we feel we have to offer others.
In God's plan, however, I am beginning to see that he sees differently than I do. He creates us, and places us in a family. Some families nurture, some do not. Some emphasize creative gifts or academics, others do not. Some families pass on inheritances, leaving their children well-to-do, other families struggle day to day. The result of our upbringing molds us, but it does not effect who we are in the sight of God.
I can't lead a congregation in worship, but God is delighted in me. I can't sew, can't draw, can't sing, but I am perfect in my Father's eyes. God's measuring stick differs so greatly from mine. Who I am in this world is not dependent on the abilities I have or don't have. The worth of others is not measured by their abilities, net worth, or personal charisma. We are a people created for God, for His glory. As I move in freedom, content in who God made me, I am fulfilling my purpose. That is all He asks me to do- simply be who I was created to be!