Written around 6:30 am on 2/9/2013...1 hour later my water broke...
Waiting is something that I have never really be fond of, something that I have figured out how to do with practice, and something that still sharpens my trust in Jesus.
Today we are still waiting for #3 to decide to enter this world. I have done this once before, Claire was 5 days late, I was okay at it then, but this time seems harder. Maybe it is because I had somehow convinced myself that since I had already been late with 1 kid, surely I wouldn't have to do that again. Or maybe it is because with each passing day I worry a little more about what is going on in there with my little one. Whatever the reason it reminds me that waiting is still hard for me, letting go of control is still not something I love, and that patience is still a fruit that is ripening on my tree.
I have to make a conscious effort to trust in the timing of this kiddos arrival. Part of what is helping me do this is the reminder that this is the last time I will do this...that is right...our family is complete after this baby. Never again will I anxiously await a 1st ultrasound praying that a heartbeat is found, never again will I feel the flutter of movement from the inside, never again will I watch my belly grow praying for no stretch marks along the way.
The day I go into labor will be the last time I get to be the first person to meet someone.
This baby has special place in our family, they get to finish the Dobbins Crew. Justin and I got to start it almost 9 year ago, Blake was picked to be our eldest 5 years ago, and almost 3 years ago Claire entered the family with her role a little unclear (middle or last)-it has been an adventure figuring that out and now that she is going to be our middle child she has settled into the role quiet nicely:). This baby gets to be our last.
So as we wait (hopefully not much longer) ;) it is good to remember that this really amazing season of life is coming to an end with the birthday of Baby D #3. A chapter is closing...and a new one is beginning.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Monday, January 7, 2013
Minimal Mondays
Happy New Year!
This past year has been a year-one that I look back on and in many ways am so thankful for yet in the same breath don't really know how we did it (well the secret is that we didn't do it alone-Jesus helped QUITE a bit) ;).
Looking back on 2012-the moving, the packing, the re-locating, the un-packing, the settling, helping with a new church plant, the meeting new people, working on new friendships, making room to keep up with old friendships, navigating a new town, new job, new schedule, basically getting used to our NEW LIFE...has left us busy.
It is funny-while on the Westside of the state I was AT least 15-30 minutes away from MOST of my friendships (I was blessed with a few right down the road...but not many). This distance seemed daunting on some days, knowing that to do a playdate or go to a mom's group I would be on the road for 45 minutes to an hour...but that was life over there so we rolled with it:)
Moving to Pullman-this is no longer the case, and I have quickly found that I have even settled into the lifestyle so much so that Moscow (a mere 15 minute drive) seems far...and I really have to NEED to go there to make the trek;). Initially when we got here I thought, "This is great! The kids and I will have much more down time! and Soo much less time in the the car!"
While the less time in the car has proven to be true...the down time has not. By nature I am a do-er-and extrovert you might say-resting is something I don't often think about-but I know that is is good and right for me to rest. I got to have LOTS of down time this Christmas as my parents came into town and we just kind of stopped life (the town of Pullman becomes pretty quiet too during the holidays so that helps) :)-and hung out with my family-did stuff to prepare for baby and rested. It was GREAT!
During that time I realized what was different out here for me...that distance from friends that seemed hard...KEPT me from doing stuff on everyday...especially MONDAYS (Sunday's were busy with church being one of those things that was about 20-25 minutes from us and some Sunday's we would make the drive 2 times)...therefore me an the kids RARELY did stuff on Mondays...we hung out, maybe watched a little more TV, read books, stayed in our pjs, and rested. :)
Even though Sunday's are still busy I had forgotten that boundary I had set-mostly because I didn't really know I had set it for us until placed in a new environment.
So here we are-still in our PJs-the kids are playing some board games and I am writing this (mostly for myself). Just because everything is only 5 minutes away...doesn't mean I have to go do something :).
Here is to a New Year and re-instating old habits in a new location-welcome back Minimal Mondays!
This past year has been a year-one that I look back on and in many ways am so thankful for yet in the same breath don't really know how we did it (well the secret is that we didn't do it alone-Jesus helped QUITE a bit) ;).
Looking back on 2012-the moving, the packing, the re-locating, the un-packing, the settling, helping with a new church plant, the meeting new people, working on new friendships, making room to keep up with old friendships, navigating a new town, new job, new schedule, basically getting used to our NEW LIFE...has left us busy.
It is funny-while on the Westside of the state I was AT least 15-30 minutes away from MOST of my friendships (I was blessed with a few right down the road...but not many). This distance seemed daunting on some days, knowing that to do a playdate or go to a mom's group I would be on the road for 45 minutes to an hour...but that was life over there so we rolled with it:)
Moving to Pullman-this is no longer the case, and I have quickly found that I have even settled into the lifestyle so much so that Moscow (a mere 15 minute drive) seems far...and I really have to NEED to go there to make the trek;). Initially when we got here I thought, "This is great! The kids and I will have much more down time! and Soo much less time in the the car!"
While the less time in the car has proven to be true...the down time has not. By nature I am a do-er-and extrovert you might say-resting is something I don't often think about-but I know that is is good and right for me to rest. I got to have LOTS of down time this Christmas as my parents came into town and we just kind of stopped life (the town of Pullman becomes pretty quiet too during the holidays so that helps) :)-and hung out with my family-did stuff to prepare for baby and rested. It was GREAT!
During that time I realized what was different out here for me...that distance from friends that seemed hard...KEPT me from doing stuff on everyday...especially MONDAYS (Sunday's were busy with church being one of those things that was about 20-25 minutes from us and some Sunday's we would make the drive 2 times)...therefore me an the kids RARELY did stuff on Mondays...we hung out, maybe watched a little more TV, read books, stayed in our pjs, and rested. :)
Even though Sunday's are still busy I had forgotten that boundary I had set-mostly because I didn't really know I had set it for us until placed in a new environment.
So here we are-still in our PJs-the kids are playing some board games and I am writing this (mostly for myself). Just because everything is only 5 minutes away...doesn't mean I have to go do something :).
Here is to a New Year and re-instating old habits in a new location-welcome back Minimal Mondays!
Monday, December 17, 2012
Happy Birthday Blake!
10 minutes away...in 10 minutes I will have known you (in the outside world that is) for 5 whole years. Where did the time go! What an amazing little boy you are turning out to be son-one that I have faith will turn into an amazing older boy, teenager, young man, and eventually man. I am just a few minutes from seeing you wake up for the 1st time as a 5 year-old, and today is going to be fun!
When you wake up you will get to see that your dad and I decorated the dining room with one of your favorite characters this year-Spiderman-your cake for tonight is done and ready to be seen (eaten later). After your breakfast of muffins and sausage (which you requested) we will go pick up your surprise gift from the airport-your Nana has flown into surprise you for your birthday and before Christmas:)
You get to celebrate with your preschool class in the afternoon AND put on a Christmas Concert:) And tonight when dad gets home we will have a quite evening eating your favorite dinner (pizza) and opening gifts.
The funny thing is Blake, no matter how fun and great all of those things are to you (and I hope they are amazing), I (and your dad) already got the best gift today...you. A gift we did nothing to receive, a blessing we didn't deserve, a gift we are forever thankful to Jesus for giving us.
When you wake up you will get to see that your dad and I decorated the dining room with one of your favorite characters this year-Spiderman-your cake for tonight is done and ready to be seen (eaten later). After your breakfast of muffins and sausage (which you requested) we will go pick up your surprise gift from the airport-your Nana has flown into surprise you for your birthday and before Christmas:)
You get to celebrate with your preschool class in the afternoon AND put on a Christmas Concert:) And tonight when dad gets home we will have a quite evening eating your favorite dinner (pizza) and opening gifts.
The funny thing is Blake, no matter how fun and great all of those things are to you (and I hope they are amazing), I (and your dad) already got the best gift today...you. A gift we did nothing to receive, a blessing we didn't deserve, a gift we are forever thankful to Jesus for giving us.
Today I am thankful that Jesus gives good gifts...one of those being my son Blake Carter.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Glimpse into my life..
I think my kids are pretty funny on a regular basis but every once in awhile they "out do themselves." Saturday morning was one of those times. We are getting ready to eat breakfast and Claire says "Mommy? Why you getting SOOOO big??" Before I can even respond (due to Justin and I laughing) Blake chimes in with "Because that baby is getting soo big, and I just have no idea how it is getting out of there!!!"
Oh my word! I am pretty sure Justin had to spit is coffee out in the sink-and I got a cramp in my leg due to the laughter.
Thought you might enjoy a glimpse into our world with Blake and Claire. :) The do fill our lives with much joy!
Oh my word! I am pretty sure Justin had to spit is coffee out in the sink-and I got a cramp in my leg due to the laughter.
Thought you might enjoy a glimpse into our world with Blake and Claire. :) The do fill our lives with much joy!
Advent #2 and #3
For Day #2 we decorated the tree-that process lasted about 10 minutes of chaos before it ended...but we got some pics and the kids had fun:) I will be doing the rest during nap times to avoid breaking and ripping ornaments along the way:). And that night we lit the 1st Advent Candle:) Kids had fun!
Day #3-We took Christmas pictures by the tree. Decided to do it early rather than later in the month-it was fun...they were goofy...but I think we got a couple of good ones! :)
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Advent-Day #1
Claire and her paper chain!
Blake and his (cut out all by himself!)
Timber! By the tree we got:)
My little runner!
Mom and kids:)
Dad and Claire at the Tree Lighting:)
Day #1 was a busy one! We went to a new tree farm-one in Moscow-about at 20 minute drive from our house in Pullman-we were a bit worried about the transport home as the tree farms we used to go to in Renton were about 5 minutes from our house;) Tree made it home, we made chains to count down the days until Christmas, and then were off to the tree lighting in downtown Pullman-which began with a fun run for the kids:) Enjoy some pics of our our fun day #1. :)
Friday, November 30, 2012
Advent 2011 Activities and Verses
| Date | Activity | Verse |
| 1-Dec | Make a paper chain to countdown | Isaiah 9:2-7 |
| 2-Dec | Decorate the tree | Isaiah 9:2-7 |
| 3-Dec | take a train ride | Luke 1:5-25 |
| 4-Dec | cut out paper snoflakes and tape to windows | Luke 1:26-38 |
| 5-Dec | put gel stickers on windows | Luke 1:26-38 |
| 6-Dec | make an ornament | Luke 1: 39-45 |
| 7-Dec | Read 7 christmas stories/books | Luke 1:46-56 |
| 8-Dec | bake cookies! (cranberry blondies) | Luke 1:57-80 |
| 9-Dec | make reindeer and angel art | Matthew 1:18-25 |
| 10-Dec | celebrate Blake! | Matthew 1:18-25 |
| 11-Dec | play outside in the cold | Matthew 1:18-25 |
| 12-Dec | build a fort in the den with pillows and blankets | Luke 2: 1-7 |
| 13-Dec | buy a present for a kid in need | Luke 2: 1-7 |
| 14-Dec | bake cookies! (popcorn balls) | Luke 2: 1-7 |
| 15-Dec | make an ornament | Luke 2: 1-7 |
| 16-Dec | family movie night | Luke 2: 1-7 |
| 17-Dec | ice skating | Luke 2: 8-20 |
| 18-Dec | make a Christmas sticker page | Luke 2: 8-20 |
| 19-Dec | stay up late and go look at lights | Luke 2: 8-20 |
| 20-Dec | make Christmas cards for family | Luke 2: 21-40 |
| 21-Dec | make sparkly juice for dinner (sparkling water and juice) | Matthew 2:1-12 |
| 22-Dec | bake cookies! | Matthew 2:1-12 |
| 23-Dec | family movie night | Matthew 2:1-12 |
| 24-Dec | sing songs at church tonight | Philipians 2:6-8 |
| 25-Dec | Christmas! |
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