Too Little, Too Late

Okay, I have to brag on my husband. We just passed our sixth anniversary. I mean to write a tribute to my wonderful hubby in honor of the occasion, but writing has not been top priority lately. Until I do write a belated tribute, I will just share two recent things my husband has done that show an incredible amount of love and his servant's heart.

A few nights ago, Casey gave me an evening and and overnight with a friend. In all, I was separated from my still-breastfeeding baby for 18 hours (not comfortable, but completely worth it). My first overnight without children since last April . . . very refreshing. And, not coincidentally, the first 6-plus-hour stretch of straight sleep I've had since about the same time last year. . . even more refreshing!

The past couple weeks had been a real struggle, since we're dealing with some difficult things in our immediate and extended family. So, one night last week, Casey suggested I take a day . . . maybe a night, too . . . and get away for some renewal. He even suggested a friend, and plans were made. What this meant for my man, besides a still-waking-at-night baby, was that he had almost zero "weekend" or refreshment himself, as he cared for our home and all three girls alone (as their primary caregiver, I can attest to the fact that it is no easy task).

And as it would happen, the friend I was "on call" for in case she needed help in labor, happened to go into labor this weekend as well. I hope to address the subject more on my birth blog (with her permission), but on this blog, I just have to brag on what a sacrificial and supportive husband God has given me.

My friend's hubby called yesterday afternoon to see if I'd come by and help assess labor. Casey, well-aware of my extreme passion for birth, was more than willing to free me to help our friends as long as they needed or wanted me. And as things turned out (very well, I might add!), Case's duties included feeding three girls four and under dinner, putting them to bed, and getting them up again around midnight to come pick me up from the hospital, take me back to their house to pick up our truck, and return home around 2 a.m.

And because yesterday's activities ran late into the night, Casey took a personal day today to help me with the girls (some of whom have been a little out-of-sorts with their weird night).

How thankful I am that God gave me a man who is attentive to my needs and desires, and gives sacrificially and generously (without complaint!) to meet the needs of the ones God has put in his care.

(On a personal note, I do not intend for this--being gone from my family for many hours at a time--to be a regular occurrence in our lives. Perhaps when the children are older, but for now, it will be a rare occasion for me to do this.)

Casey's First Solo Flight!

Last Wednesday, Casey took to the sky for the first time in his powered paraglider (PPG). Since it was momentous, and since the girls and I weren't there to witness, Case asked a guy to get some video for it.

If you'd like to see what Casey's been working toward for the last 3+ months, go here.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afKMKpbRXl4)

The video is almost 10 minutes, so be sure to fast forward if you want to see him land on his rear! (Not as dramatic as it sounds.)

Hurray, Casey! We're so proud of you!

The Herd Overheard

Ruby: “This is going to be a good day!”
Mom: “Why do you say that?”
Ruby: “Because we’re blowing bubbles!” 01/29/09

Over lunch, Claire explains that she prefers to eat her hot dog “with no butt.” 02/08/09

Ruby to Mommy: “You are not being too bossy. You are trying to be a nicer mommy today.” 02/10/09

Claire, watching me get some tape out of the drawer: “What’s that for?”
Mommy: “Taping.”
Claire: “Oh, gotcha. I did not know it was for taping.” 2/12/09

Ruby: “Why do you keep singing that song?”
Mommy: “I guess I have it stuck in my head.”
Claire: “Maybe a screwdriver will help you get it out.” 03/03/09

Casey, explaining why he is gone so long during the day: “I have a boss who tells me how many hours I need to work.”
Claire: “Mommy’s the boss!” 3/18/09

Ruby and Claire try out Daddy's new toy: radios that connect to his PPG helmet.

Have you heard that before?
Sometimes, the girls will (try to) mimic what they have overheard. . .

Ruby to Claire: “Don’t stomp off of a huff!” 02/09/09

Claire: “You crack me out.” 12/30/08

Claire, in the middle of church service, as a freight train blares its horn a few hundred feet from us: (putting her finger to her lips): “Shhh, train. We are at church.” 1/18/09

Ruby: “Claire, you can sit in your booster seat.”
Claire: “That sounds kinda foo-ish!” (Foolish—Claire has been saying this sentence often lately, as well as exchanging the word for others, like “kinda rude” or “kinda unkind”) 2/8/09

Ruby to Claire: “You should have put your eyes on your purse so you wouldn’t lose it.” 2/27/09

No, we really don’t talk like this
Ruby: “When I yawn, it sounds like hell.” 02/13/09
(We don't use this phrase at our house; really. But Ruby does know the word, and she meant this quite literally: it sounded like she was saying the word “hell” as she yawned.)

Ruby: “I want to spend time with my Daddy. He is sweet and kind and he has great beauty inside.” 02/19/09
(Ru got this from a book on CD that she listens to often, in which there is a riddle about an oyster.)

Say What?

Claire: “Ruby pinched me with she’s bottom.” 12/30/08

Claire: “I had to wash my hair ‘cause my bangs were so scratchy.” 2/2009

Ruby, trying to put a tight shirt over her head: “It hurts my teeth!” 2/16/09

Claire: “Look at my crazy thumbs!” 03/09/09

Claire, eating a snack: “Are my ears crunchy? Probably so; from the chips.” 3/10/09