For My Dad On Father's Day

Dad~

Happy Father's Day. This is a day to honor you and your role as dad in my life. There are many things I want to thank you for today...

~Thank you for how you loved mom. You showed me what marriage should look like, and gave me incredibly high standards when it came to choosing who I would marry.

~You chose to have 9 children, when you could have chosen a life that left more room (and money) for hobbies and toys. You gave me the gift of siblings, a gift that blesses me every day.

~You modeled a life of trust- trusting God to provide. You taught me that God is our source, and He will not fail us.

~You somehow saved enough to take us on great vacations. I remember going to Maine, climbing Mt. Washington, going on the Songa River Queen. How did you do it? I don't know- but thank you for making the sacrifice to make that a part of our childhood.

~You took us with you when we were little- on errands (to Checkers, if I am remembering correctly?), on dates. I can't remember most of this, but the times you and mom have talked about this make me realize that you loved me and wanted me with you. A large family was not a burden to you.

~You told us Jessie, Jenny and Judy stories, along with Bumpkin, Fritz and Yogi stories. Getting too close to the mud puddle and slow obedience is no obedience- life lessons I learned through your stories.

~You are a writer, and passed that trait down to so many of us. It is a part of your legacy, dad.

~You modeled a love for Scripture, a dependence and trust for the word. I remember stories of your college days, when you carried flashcards of memory verses with you. I love the word, and that, too, is a part of your legacy.

So, Happy Father's Day, dad. I am thankful to be your daughter, thankful for the many memories you have given me and what you passed down to me that I can pass on to my children.

Much love~
Charity

The Weekend and Me

Katelyn and Andrea getting soaked at Rickett's Glen State Park.

My niece, Ara, was in the stream. She held her nose, preparing to go underwater, and sat down- unfortunately, she chose a shallow part, and hit bottom before she made it fully underwater. Mom saw it and had to laugh!!

Chilling at the house...

Brother-in-laws and cousins...

Cameo in a little tree house in the yard, the lake behind her. Delton took this through the screen in the house.

We spent the weekend with my parents, my sister and brother in law and their 4 children, and my three youngest sisters- Cameo, Katelyn and Andrea. A wonderful time. The lake had been sprayed the day we arrived due to a high level of ecoli in the water (!!!) so we couldn't get in it, but we hardly noticed. We spent Saturday at Rickett's Glen State Park hiking, swimming and boating. On Sunday we went to the lake house of a friend, located on a different lake, and swam. The kids did well, and we enjoyed ourselves.

Facebook had a list going around for a while- 25 Random Things About Me. I started a list, but never got it posted. I just found it this morning, so here is my random list...

1. I don't work well in chaos

2. I have a high tolerance for repetition (doesn't bother me when people get stuck singing the same line from a song over and over and over. Probably comes from blocking out the noise generated by a large family.)

3. I enjoy using nasal aspirators on the boys. :)

4. I enjoy preaching

5. I am terrified of heights

6. I was mad at my kichen mats. I'm over it now- they are in a land fill.

7. If I would let myself, I could be an ambulance chaser- I want to know what it going on!! And yes, I do peer through the blinds (or worse, stand on the porch) when there is something going on in my neighborhood.

8. I enjoy reality tv shows- two in particular - High School Musical 3: Get in the Picture, and The Biggest Loser. They were my ironing shows!

9. I read every book on the Mafia when I was in 10th grade. ??

10 I enjoy sprinkling movie quotes in when I am talking.

"I would have muddled the whole thing!"

"Don't rush me; I'm cruising the merchandise, Mr. Weazel!"

"You see! You see what I have to put up with!!"

And my sisters could add a million more to that list. Any idea what movies the quotes came from?

11. I tend to kill plants through intentional neglect. (Case in point- the one right beside me!)

12. I love rainy days.

13. I have a high tolerance for repetition. :)

So, there I am in a very small nutshell. I am going to get busy so I don't get grumpy...

Post 101

Brotherly love. I love my boys!!! And yes, sometimes this is what they look like all day!!!

Asher's one year picture.

Blast off, my little einstein!!

Tigers in their cage. Roar!!!

Asher enjoying walking at Red Run Park while daddy and Ezra were fishing.

Just saw that this is my 101st post. Not sure if that is a lot or a little in the years I've been blogging...Considering I had a baby in that time, I find it at least respectable!

This is my to-do-list for today. Computer catch up time. No guilt- I'm getting done what I set out to do!

Delton and I are going away for the day tomorrow. My parents are coming to watch the boys. I am nervous and excited about leaving for so long. I know it is only about 10 hours, but this is the longest I have ever left Asher, and have only been away from Ezra for this long a handful of times. Asher still nurses- more for comfort than anything, but still... The excitement part comes in knowing that everything is going to go great and my worries are groundless. My parents had nine kids, for goodness sake! I think they can handle two toddlers for a day!!!

We are going to Shepherdstown, WV. We love to explore small tourist towns on our anniversaries. We have explored Clayton, NY (on our honeymoon), Frederick, Gettysburg, and Harpers Ferry. I look forward to browsing in the shops- and doing a bit of hiking as well. :)

I have been reading several great books. Girl meets God is the memoir of a woman who grew up in Judaism, then converts to Christianity. It isn't a book that is necessarily about the "why" of her conversion- although that does play a part. Rather, it is about her coming to terms with what she loves about her Jewish background and what that means to her as a Christian. Definately worth reading! I also picked up a book from the library called "The Element- How finding your passion changes everything". I thought Delton would enjoy reading it, but I have been the one to read/skim it. I know I am not catching everything the author is saying, but it is so fascinating to read the interviews with people who have seen their passions and skills come together- people who are scientists, a world class pool player, musicians, authors... It makes me want to encourage my boys to be creative, and appreciate those around them that are doing what gives them life. An inspiring book.

My family was going to camp in my parent's backyard for a weekend. We decided (it was my idea) to forgo camping at a campground and save the $40. Everyone said they were up to camping out in mom and dad's backyard, but as the time approached, I felt dumb for suggesting it....Recently, a graduation party was scheduled at the pool at mom and dad's house by the owners (my parents rent), so we would feel a bit silly sitting there in our tents as party-goers strolled by. The backyard camping experience was falling apart, and I second-guessed my suggestion to save the cash! A friend with a 5-bedroom house on a lake called my mom last week and suggested we use their house sometime. The pieces fell together, and we are all gathering at their house next weekend. All that to say- It is neat to see how God leads, even when we second-guess ourselves!!!

My sister Cameo graduates on Thursday. Katelyn, 16, leaves on the 20th for a mission trip to Ireland with Royal Servants. Delton is at Cedar Ridge today for a three day High Ropes Training. He is having a wonderful time!! I am so glad he gets this outlet for his creativity, for his spirit to be renewed. He doesn't get nap time and bible-study like I do, and the grind can get to be a lot, I am sure.

Asher is growing- still doesn't want to walk on his own, but will walk unassisted when we leave him dangling in the middle of the room! He is a still a good baby...I think...but also has a LOT of spirit and spunk. He is amazingly lovable!!!

Ezra's vocabulary and sentence structure is exploding. He articulates very well! He and Asher are learning how to co-exist, and this can be a painful experience at times! :) Ezra is excited about a bike mom and dad are bringing for him tomorrow. He doesn't want a "handle" on it, referring to the handle that is on his tricycle so we can steer him. He loves Caillou, and is starting to say "movie" when prompted, rather than "choo-choo". To me, all videos are now "choo-choos", so I have trouble remembering to say the correct term. Maybe by the time he is three he'll say it correctly (and I will too!).

I love the rain- there is something therapeutic about not having to go outside, just being able to enjoy a quiet day at home.

Blessings to you...

Has it really been that long?

My little rock star

Veggies Tales "guy time"

Home from the Memorial Day parade. Asher just does not fall asleep unless he is in his own bed- car or stroller!

Can you find the bunny?

Renfrew. The closest I would get is zoomed in with a camera...

I think the last time I blogged was sometime in April. Yikes. It is not for lack of happenings or desire, just lack of time. Blogging is definately on my "want to" list, yet often fails to make it on my "to do" list.

The boys are asleep, bills are paid, the rain is over, I spent several hours at a coffee shop this morning, hit a few yard sales, and am looking forward to the weekend. That is my day in a nutshell. Sorry- the to do list beckons!

BTW- Hagerstown has a Blue's Fest. This Sunday there is a picnic in the park. Not sure exactly what it will be like, but we are heading down after church if anyone cares to join us...

A Winner

Just had to share this photo of Asher. By the way- he took his first steps to me on Easter Sunday!

The Young and The Restless, my daily soap...

At times I can despair

Of getting it all done

The housework, all the chores

The race I have to run

Up early and down late

With so much in-between

Finding peace within the chaos

Often remains to be seen

Dirty diapers, runny nose,

The crying spells and such

Move me in fast-forward

Of "stop", there isn't much

But ever in the forest,

I forget to see the trees

(Interrupted from my musings

By a most unpleasant breeze...)

I hear it in their laughter

And even in their tears

A life in need of nurture

And love throughout their years

Too simple to be sage

Life's not about the "done"

The joy is in the journey

The walk is twice the fun

Today...like every day!

I made cookies this morning. Sometimes I wonder why I choose to do something that makes a mess and is so time consuming but...
some people think it is worth it!!!

The boys played while I finished up the cookies. I had decided to get out the next age and season of clothing for each boy yesterday. So, I had cookies going in the kitchen this morning, bins and piles of clothing throughout the house, and our landlords doing work in every room of the house for several hours. Smile.

"I love you, mom!"

He looks so grown up in this shot...

and so eccentric in this shot!

Naptime + work being done in his bedtime = a tired little boy

Status Update

I have had a pain in my chest for some time- off and on, but pretty steady for the past several weeks. Ummmm....what is going on? It is the kind of thing where you want to pass it off, but in more lucid moments you realize you would really like to know (and probably really should find out) what is going on! I found myself worrying about it, so I made an appointment for yesterday.
I hadn't intentionally kept it from my mom- I just didn't want to make a big deal about it. My mom found out through my sister and called, concerned. My mom knows all about having odd symptoms. In her life, it has meant one of two things- pregnancy or cancer. Each have occurred several times for her- and this was obviously not pregnancy. So- she was understandably shook up.
So, I went to the appointment, not sure what to expect. The doctor checked me out, then told me I have costochondritis. This is the Mayo clinic definition:
Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum). It causes sharp pain in the costosternal joint — where your ribs and breastbone are joined by rubbery cartilage. Pain caused by costochondritis may mimic that of a heart attack or other heart conditions.
Your doctor might refer to costochondritis by other names, including chest wall pain, costosternal syndrome and costosternal chondrodynia. When the pain of costochondritis is accompanied by swelling, it's referred to as Tietze syndrome.
Most cases of costochondritis have no apparent cause. In these cases, treatment focuses on easing your pain while you wait for costochondritis to resolve on its own.
Basically, it is nothing to worry about- just some discomfort that, since I know it is harmless, doesn't really affect my daily routine. The doctor recommended Aleve twice a day, and laying down with ice on my chest several times a day until the discomfort goes away...and again when it returns- in a week, a month, or several years.
So- I'm okay, I'm relieved to know, and I'm going to go put ice on my chest! :-)

A Day of Firsts

Delton took Ezra and Asher out to Rutter's for milk this morning. This is the first time Asher has been included with "the guys" on outings like this. He pretty much woke up, was picked up, had a hat put on his head, and headed out!

I made baked peach oatmeal and coffee for breakfast. Yummy!

Ezra colored Easter eggs this morning. He thought it was great fun. I think he would have gone through several dozen eggs if I had let him!

Then- we went fishing. Delton bought a kids rod for Ezra a few weeks back and has been biting at the bit (or the bait!) for an opportunity to take Ezra fishing. It was a bit out of my league. Holding the (closed) bait container was even stretching for me.

This sign met us as the start of the golf course. Delton was sure he had fished here before. He asked at the clubhouse to see if we could fish, and was told we could!

The first time- but not the last, judging from everyone's reluctance to leave. Yes, we caught a fish. No, I didn't happen to have the camera with me at the time, and we threw it back in!

Time Away and Time Flying

The flash got to him~ What a nut!

for his modeling portfolio... :-)

brothers, brothers...there were never such devoted brothers (White Christmas, anyone?)

Another favorite Asher shot.

We returned today from a busy time away. We took Ezra to my sister's house yesterday, then Delton, Asher and I headed to Lewisburg for a Cen-Pe-Co meeting. It was nice to just focus on Asher. Delton had a great time at the meetings. I enjoyed the peace and quiet of being in a hotel room, having nothing pressing to do while Asher napped. I even took a nap this morning! It was so nice to pick up Ezra and hear how his time went! He had a blast!

On the way home, Delton and I were talking about how to get across to Ezra that Jesus is the reason for Christmas. To backtrack a bit, we made the mistake of showing Ezra "Polar Express" on Christmas Eve. Since then, Ezra has continued to remind us that Santa brings presents! We must have mentioned gifts/presents in the car ride today, because Ezra once again brought up Santa! Thus the conversation as to the meaning of Christmas. As Delton and I talked, Ezra piped up again from the back seat. "Jesus rose 'gain. Jesus rose 'gain". Perhaps the theology is a bit off (Jesus rose, He is coming again...) but somehow he caught hold of a part of the Easter story. He is learning and growing almost daily, it seems.
I added some pictures- mostly of Asher, because I've caught some cute moments recently. He is 11 months old today. Can't believe it.

Can't get much cuter than that in this mom's biased eyes!

Our life in pictures

Bath Time!

Asher

The VonLehman family singers....???

Eating crackers

Mourning the Loss

We found out this morning that a young adult in our church passed away in his sleep overnight. He was our drummer and played with Delton on the worship team. It is hard to wrap my mind around his passing- He went to sleep, and woke up in Heaven. We can ask for no better transition. He knows! He knows what heaven is like, what fellowship with the Father is like. And yet, as a mom, I realize that his family is experiencing such a loss. So many lasts, and no more firsts. His funeral is Friday.
Our boys are doing well. Asher is rolling around, maneuvering to get to the toys he wants. Ezra is potty-trained. Yeah! Life is continuing, and we are enjoying it and trying to make the most of every moment.