The Things I Should Be Doing

I woke up at about 4:00 this morning. I say "about" because my alarm clock is set a little fast to try to keep me on time, but I can't remember how fast it is, so I really have no idea EXACTLY what time I awoke. Emma was up, and wanted to be changed and fed. The last two days she's developed this sweet little habit of smiling at me when I change her diaper. Really smiling. And sometimes she talks to me, too. So I changed her, snuggled her close, fed her and went back to bed to get a little more sleep. Sleep didn't come. So I got up, came downstairs, put on the coffee for my dear husband who gets up at 5:00am every morning to leave the cave and kill something go to work. Then I decided to make muffins. Not just any muffins. Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins. YUM! Thanks Betty Crocker! I wanted them to be done before hubby left for work, but alas, that didn't happen. I'm a slow baker. Plus he needed me to fix a button on the shirt he wanted to wear today, which is probably the reason why I was up so early - he needed me to sew for him. So I started out on a roll, I mean a muffin (sorry), but things quickly fizzled out. I should have accomplished much by now. There are a TON of things I should be doing:

• Washing Zach and Maddie's sheets
  
• Washing diapers
  
• Dishes from making muffins
  
• Finding the PERFECT curriculum option for us
  
• Cleaning the bathrooms
  
• Dusting
  
• Figuring out what to make for dinner
  
• Watering the flowers
  
• Planting the rest of the flowers
  
• Paying the bills
  
• Cleaning up the library study sewing room
  

But instead, I'm checking blogs and praying for celebrating this new life born this morning to a family I only met briefly once at a homeschool convention. I'm eating muffins with my two middles, who used to be my littles until my littlest was born. And I'm doing this:
And I'm trying to lock into my memory exactly how she feels, how she smells (very nice), and how she sounds because all too quickly they grow up. So if you come to visit me, please forgive me for the condition of my home. I'm enjoying my baby, and watching my middles because before too long they'll be much bigger and these days will be over.

I'm Ready for My Close Up

Emma on camera. I'm trying to figure out how to include a video in a post. So this is really a test, but since she's so stinking cute, I thought I'd actually post it instead of just leave it as a draft. She was talking before I hit the record button, but as soon as I hit it, she stopped. She's really very shy you know. And for the record, I needed help from my 7 and 9 year old to figure out how to make the computer video program work. I guess that makes me officially old(er). Nothing like new technology to make you feel out of touch.

The World is a Poorer Place

On June 18, an amazing and talented woman, Tasha Tudor, passed away.

I found Tasha several years ago and fell in love with the way she lived her life. Her favorite era was the 1830s and she lived her life as if she were in that time - from the home her son built her by hand, to the growing of flax to weave into fabric that would become clothing, to the hand dipped candles she made and used. Her artwork was similar in style to Beatrix Potter, another of my favorites - simple and enchanting, often with beautiful flower borders around the edges of the paintings. I always wanted to have a Tasha Tudor original painting or first edition book, but I would imagine that the prices now will be even higher than before, so I doubt I'll ever have one. But, you know, that's ok. Because what I have instead is the knowledge that if you dream it, you can do it. The life she lived was on purpose. She didn't do things because life happened to her, she purposefully chose her surroundings and activities. She didn't go along with what everyone else was doing. She did things her way, in her time. She will be missed by many.

Happy Birthday!

As a Baby:




Getting bigger:











A little boy:











And now:


Happy 9th Birthday, Zach!

What I've been doing since April 29th...

Staring at this:



Isn't she beautiful? Emma Catherine - Emma because we love the name, Catherine is after both my grandmothers.

So, the stats, even though if you're reading this you probably know... She was born at 10:40 pm, April 29th. 7 lbs. 20 inches. Born at home. Yes, we planned it. Yes, we had a midwife. No, there aren't any drugs involved with homebirth. Yes, its legal (although the American Medical Association wants to change that).

So we're now a family of seven. Seven?! Oh, that sounds so big! It doesn't seem like a large family, but when you take up every seat in a minivan I suppose it qualifies. We're really enjoying having a baby in our home again. Even the middle of the night feedings are a blessing. God is good.