Remembering...

My body apparently still surges with emotions this time of the month...it's hard, but amazing to see how my body still remembers, even when I attempt to stay pre-occupied. Mama loves and misses you unbelievably, little one, and Daddy too.



Remembering the first and last glimpse of you...
which is forever imprinted on my mind and heart.


Laura recently told me about a friend's friend, who had a still-born birth after 9 months. I cannot imagine...it would be wonderful to see your child's face, but then have to say goodbye? My case does not touch this pain, and I am thankful. Then too, I dwell on the image of the sorrowful Mother witnessing her adult Son's death: "Come, all you who pass by the way, look and see whether there is any suffering like my suffering, which has been dealt me." (Lamentations 1:12) I have not suffered to the extent she has. She obediently accepted the Father's will for her, as must I. How sweet the resurrection must have been for her, and how good of God to give us that to anticipate. And, not everyone is fortunate to have a personal prayer warrior in heaven. :)

Count your ants.....er, blessings!

For the past 5 or so months, we have been spending anywhere from 5-30 minutes a day removing ants from our kitchen. When I say removing, I mean we have gone after those ants armed with various cleaner sprays, paper towels, tape, and caulk for any holes we might find. Andrew chuckles at me, because of my strategies and perseverance in trying to crack the "ant code." I'm just so sure that scout ants learn the layout then scuttle back to one of the many cracks/holes to carry news of their findings to the ant king. (Maybe they even employ decoy ants to trick me.) I've wasted too much time in patiently watching the ants make their way back "home" so I can spray along their trail and plug that hole. This has become a quite exhausting and all-encompassing part of life, even to the point of waging ant battles in my dreams...sad. Lately, they have invaded our bathrooms. There is nothing so disheartening as stumbling into your bathroom in the morning to get ready for the day, and finding ants crawling all over your sink, floor, and even personal items. I thought this was the last straw. People are NOT supposed to live in the swamp and I am SO done with it.

It has been a tough beginning of the semester anyway: Andrew and I have had a very nasty chest cold for over a week now, with the worst part hitting during the first days of classes, and we're still not getting much better; my medical bills from November (emotionally painful to deal with as well), expected financial aid still still have not been processed...and these ants were not helping matters at all. A few mornings ago, I started crying in frustration while spraying those ants marching along my bathroom ceiling borders. As I lamented about how everything hits at once, it struck me. A ceiling. A roof. At least I have a roof. I didn't just go through an earthquake. Here I am wailing about sickness, finances, and ants while people right now don't have doctors, food, homes, and I'm sure are dealing with much harsher natural elements than ants. We have SO much to be grateful for, and may God be with His poor suffering children in Haiti.

Welcome home Kieran and goodbye for now...

Mommy's lookin' great on day 2!

Skype with family members

Hubby getting some baby time in


Always happy to be eating!


Elias is a great big brother


Elias loves storytime before bed, and I love reading to him


Precious new life




He's awake!

Off to our last semester...

Visiting Kieran

This evening we took the boys to visit Laura and Kieran in the hospital. Aidan jumped right on the bed, interested to get a look at the baby, but Elias took longer to warm up to his new little brother. They were both happy to see Mommy, but we are all looking forward to having them home tomorrow.

Welcome into the world, Kieran Lee!

Wow...after a tough 4hours of labor, Laura birthed a healthy 9.6 lb. boy on Jan. 9, 2010 at 12:26AM. It was tough going at first, but with the coaching of a kind nurse and great midwife, the jet tub, and (hopefully) encouraging words from Mom, Gabe, and myself, Laura settled down to the nitty-gritty. She was inspiring! Despite immense pain, fear, and exhaustion Laura persevered to the end Au natural. I am very thankful I was able to witness the amazing process of bringing new life into the world - so much pain and so much joy. Kieran Lee has dark hair and dark blue eyes (how appropriate, as Kieran means "little dark one"), a Dilanji nose, and was very interested in scoping out his new surroundings in between hearty bursts of crying. He passed all his tests with flying colors and was happy to snuggle in mommy's arms for some nursing as we left the hospital. Congratulations, Laura and Gabe! Stay posted for pictures of Elias and Aidan meeting their new brother later today...

Waiting for baby Dilanji...

This morning, Laura went in for her midwife's appointment, and was told that things were definitely starting up. She came home and relaxed; we had tea and chatted in excited anticipation of the baby's arrival! Laura sported a beautiful, patient, and calm countenance in spite of what she knew awaited her.

Minor contractions were consistent all afternoon.

Aidan, happily oblivious, munched away on his cheerios and was ready to take a nap.

Elias got some special one-on-one reading time with mommy.

Excited papa and mama

Hurry up and make an appearance, little one!

Later that evening, Laura's labor kicked into high gear, so we kept Elias distracted while she got ready for the hospital in between contractions. Elias loves playing with his Uncle Andrew. Good thing, because Uncle Andrew was the designated babysitter for the night.

Playing with his cups and getting love

Auntie was excited to watch the birth!