Donny and Kim Friederichsen

A Day for the Girls

2012-01-25T22:26:00.000-05:00

Millie asked me last week if we could have a girl date with me, her, and my mom. Today we dressed up, got all fancy, and met my sister for a girl date at the English Rose Tea Room in downtown Chattanooga. It was such a sweet lunch. Millie went right for making her own cup of tea. Lots of cream and sugar. She drank 4 cups (which also means lots of caffeine) during the course of the meal. She ate finger sandwiches of ham and cheese, cucumber and cream cheese, and cucumber and salmon. While she didn't care for the cucumber and salmon, I was impressed that she tried everything and liked the other cucumber sandwiches. She enjoyed being in charge of stirring the homemade vinaigrette. We topped off the lunch with a piece of chocolate cake with whipped cream and strawberries.

It was one of those days when Millie had the freedom to make lots of choices and try new things, and it was such a treasure to see her in a new way. I saw glimpses of the future woman my daughter will be as she sipped her tea and held her tea cup every so daintily. I told my mom that I think she sensed that she was with the adults and did not want to miss a beat, so she stepped up and entered this big-girl world for a little while. And I loved entering her world where sipping out of a pretty cup was such a delight and eating rich, fancy foods with dear sisters and family was savored. Thank you, Lord, for such a fun, special day with my daughter.

With Mimi waiting on Aunt Jenn to arrive

Sipping from her little girl sized "Princess"cup

Aunt Jenn was by far Millie's favorite guest on our date

Three generations - Of 7 grandchildren on the Burger side,

Millie is the only girl in the lot

Ah, the privilege of being this girl's Mommy.

William Oliver - Happy 1st Birthday

2012-01-02T22:32:00.001-05:00

William Oliver - One Year Old

We celebrated Will's first birthday today. Honestly, I spent most of the day soaking up his sweet smiles and wonderful cuddles. One year ago tonight, he came unexpectedly, we nuzzled cheek to cheek, and then he was swooped away to the NICU. I have spent the last year soaking up all I could with this sweet boy. I took nothing with him for granted this year. We struggled through much, and the joy of my relationship with him is immeasurable. His sweet lovin' today warmed this mama's heart.

I have spent so much of this last year on this blog writing about my year with him. Here is my post recounting the events of January 2, 2011.

Will, 2011 has been crazy, but I think the Lord gave you to me as he did to show me a new love and how to love you and others during the chaos. You have been such an encouragement to me. Everyone loves your smiles and your sweet disposition. I love holding you in your favorite spot - perched on my left hip (much like your big sister), left thumb in your mouth, nuzzling your head into my shoulder (and most likely smiling coyly at whoever is around). The relationships I have with you and your siblings are so special. Our relationship is marked by a strong commitment and a true tenderness. We had to fight for a lot this year, but we are as close as can be. I love you, my sweet baby Will.

I ordered a cake for Will that was very similar to Millie's first cake.

I love that Wal-Mart gives a little cake for him to dig into.

All the cousins came to eat pizza and cake to celebrate Will's birthday.

Snuggling with Ddad and Mimi

Aunt Jenn and Will

Love, love, love how the Lord has blessed us with such fun children.

Time for CAKE!!!

I thought this was so funny. I guess he was making his birthday wish.

Hmmmm....wonder what this tastes like.

I like it!!!

Looking like he might go into sugar shock

Very sad when Mommy and Daddy took the cake away.

After cake, Will had plenty of help opening his presents

Millie drew two pictures for Will and then "helped" him open them.

Happy 1st Birthday, Will.

Mommy and Daddy love you so much.

What I Didn't Know

2011-12-30T20:58:00.008-05:00

Our family went to Wal-Mart tonight to order Will's cake for his first birthday...which is on Monday. My dear, sweet, lovable, kissable, snuggable, "love him so much I could just hold and squeeze him forever" Will turns one on Monday. I don't think the beginning of a new year will ever feel the same since having my almost New Year's baby in 2011.

I have been thinking a lot lately about what I didn't know this time last year. One year ago, on December 30, 2010, I was 34 1/2 weeks pregnant - a looooong 5 1/2 weeks from my due date with Will. Or so I thought. We had just celebrated a wonderful Christmas in Orlando. Since I was 33-34 weeks along in my pregnancy, we decided not to travel for the holidays. I was able to sing at the Christmas Eve service at our church. We had a sweet Christmas morning in our own home and got together with Donny's family later on Christmas day. We had received Sea World passes for Christmas, so we took the kids on Dec. 27 so that we could at least get a Sea World day in before the baby came. We put away our Christmas decorations soon after Christmas, and I was beginning to prepare for Donny to take the kids to Chattanooga for a week (without me) while he took a seminary class in Atlanta from January 3-7.

2011 was on it's way. I thought the only thing I didn't know was the gender of my soon-coming baby. How wrong I was. There was so much I didn't know.

I had no idea that January 2 would bring unexpected labor pains after church followed by the birth of Will that evening at 34 weeks and 6 days. I had no idea our son would be born and would spend 17 days in the NICU learning to breathe and fighting a virus. I had no idea where the labor and delivery floor was when we arrived, because I was going to visit the hospital the next week while Donny and the kids were out of town. I had no idea that Winter Park Hospital had a boarding option that is free for parents who had children in the NICU, and I had no idea I would need to use that service.

I had no idea how my church and friends in Orlando would rally around us.

I had no idea Donny wouldn't be able to take his class in Atlanta, thus adding 3 more hours to a very full final semester in seminary.

I didn't know that we would spend our 9th anniversary eating sandwiches from Publix in a hospital room.

I didn't know how much I would love carrying Will in my Moby after he came home. It's like I wanted any time I could get to hold him close since we were so separated in the NICU. I also had no idea that he would sleep in the Moby during choir rehearsal. While I sang. Loudly. I guess he got used to it in the womb.

I didn't know I would spend much of February through April fighting to be able to breastfeed Will as we dealt with some oral-motor issues with him. Lots of pumping, bottles, and oral therapy for him. I had no idea what a struggle that would be. I also had no idea what a joy it would be on the other side of the struggle.

The Bahamas - for five months - I had no clue.

New Jersey - Donny's first call as a pastor. I had no idea this time last year I would be preparing for a move to New Jersey. No clue.

If this year has taught me anything (and it has taught me a lot), I know that I know nothing. I have no idea what tomorrow holds, but my God does.

2011 has been so crazy. So. Crazy. When out on a date a few weeks ago, Donny asked me what the most memorable or significant event of 2011 had been. My eyes immediately welled up with tears. My dear Will and his birth was by far the most significant of many significant events of 2011. How little I knew a year ago.

I am thankful for 2011. My sweet Will. Donny's graduation from seminary. An interim pastorate in the Bahamas. A call to New Jersey. And so much more in between. God knows my days, what will happen, and he is near in it all. Nothing is out of his control. Thank you, Lord, for 2011. While I am excited about a fresh start and the hope of settling down into a new phase of life and ministry in 2012, I will take nothing for granted. What I know now is probably not how it will be. BUT...my God is the same yesterday, today, and forever...and for that I am so very thankful.

Christmas Eve 2010 - I've still got 6 weeks, right?

December 31, 2010 - 34 weeks, 4 days - Heading to the Nolls for New Year's Eve
No clue I would be having this baby in 2 days

Jan. 1, 2011 at Sea World - Our last night as a family of four
The next night our sweet Will would be born.

November, 27, 2011 at Sea World
Will almost 11 months old.
What a difference a year makes and how little I knew about how it would unfold.

William Oliver - 10 and 11 Months

2011-12-23T20:38:00.007-05:00

Nov. 7, 2011 - 10 months, 5 days old

Dec. 2, 2011 - 11 months old

It's December 23, 2011 - just 10 days away from Will's 1st birthday (WHAT???!!!) - The last two months have been such a whirlwind. On November 8 we moved from Freeport, Grand Bahama Island back to Orlando, made a 5 day trip to New Jersey, spent Thanksgiving in Florida, and then headed up to Chattanooga on December 6 for Christmas. Will hasn't quite been the same since we left Freeport. Not too many nights of uninterrupted sleep. Lots of middle-of-the-night feedings. He has become quite the Mama's boy. It's not all the time, but in the late afternoon and evening he really prefers me...which is just fine most of the time. Extra snuggles are nice.

At 11 months Will has the biggest smile you have ever seen. He got teeth numbers 3 & 4 (the top two) in the last two months. His hair is getting longer (and may need a trim soon - sniff, sniff). He naps twice each day for about 2-2.5 hours at a time. Since we have been in Chattanooga, he has been sleeping until 8 or 8:30 a.m. (which is great since my mom takes care of Hunter and Millie when they first wake up), so I have been sleeping a little later to make up for the middle of the night meetings with dear William.

No crawling yet. Lots of rolling and some army crawling. We definitely have to keep him out of the Christmas presents. There is one present of Millie's that Will constantly goes for. The poor tag is just shriveled.

Will has been eating more and more solid foods. Applesauce, peaches, baby mum mums, green beans, lunch meat, and even some tiny bites of dinner casseroles. For the most part, the flood gates are open, and Will is eating like a big boy.

I can't believe his one year birthday is almost here. I remember that day so vividly, like it was yesterday. I will have time to reflect on it in a week or two. For now, enjoy these pics of our sweet 11 month old. Still a baby (for now).

Thanksgiving 2011

Christmas pics at Bass Pro Shops

Merry Christmas from our favorite 11 month old!

The Things They Say...

2011-10-30T23:39:00.002-04:00

Earlier this month, I was teaching the kids a grammar lesson on middle names.

Me to Millie: "Millie, do you know what Mommy's middle name is?"

Millie: "What did Mimi (my mom) call you when you disobeyed?"

Oh, the things they say.

William Oliver - 9 Months Old

2011-10-29T20:47:00.013-04:00

October 8, 2011 - 9 months, 6 days old

Since Will is just a few days away from turning 10 months old, I thought I better get to his 9 month post.

I remember 9 months being sad for me with Hunter and Millie. Now with Will, I struggle not to start mourning the end of the baby year. 9 months. He's 3/4 the way through his first year of life. The Lord has been gracious to me with Will. I think since he is my third and since we had such a traumatic birth with him, I see what a true gift he is and soak up the moments I have with him. It is always exciting (I think for him and for me) when I go to get him out of bed. Peeking over his crib and just catching his eyes is magical for both of us. We both light up when we see each other. I love the bond I have with him.

At 9 months, Will is finally sitting up on his own. He only began to do that a week or so ago, so it was really at 9 1/2 months that he began sitting up. He can't sit himself up yet, but he will stay upright for a while if I sit him up. No crawling yet. Not even a hint of interest, and that's how the Friederichsen babies do it. I can't remember when Millie crawled. I think it was around 10 or 11 months. Hunter didn't crawl until 13 months. So we're just hanging out right now figuring out how to keep our balance sitting up...and that's just fine by me.

One of Will's favorite things to do is eat Cheerios. He loves to sit in his high chair and just shove them into his mouth. Once I pour them on his tray, he dives into them. It's fun and gross. There are always mushy Cheerios left on his collar. I have to shake him when I take him out of the high chair, and I never get them all the first time.

Will eats like a champ. I dropped his late night "dream feed" this month, so he is down to 5 feedings/day, usually 7:00, 10:30, 1:30, 4:30, and 7:30 (give or take 30 minutes). He eats solids after his morning feeding and his late afternoon feeding. I just gave him banana for the first time yesterday (which he loved). That was his first fruit. As of now, he rotates through squash, avocado, sweet potato, peas, and now banana. He also dropped his evening cat nap, so normal days now consist of two naps, one morning and one afternoon. Ideally, the morning nap is about 2 hours and the afternoon is about 2 1/2-3 hours...but we don't live in an ideal world, do we? Still, he is a great sleeper. He goes to bed between 7:30-8 p.m. and sleeps until 7ish in the morning.

Pardon the details, but I have not been as diligent with Will in writing down all these details on a daily basis, so these blog posts will help me remember these milestones/routines.

No top teeth yet, but he did cut number 2 of his bottom teeth right before turning 9 months, so he is sporting his two bottom teeth. Based on his fussiness tonight, I think a top tooth might appear soon, but we'll see.

Last week, Will started making more sounds, and we all think he is sayng "Mama." He's saying "Mama" in the same way a newborn smiles...it's not voluntary yet, but it's still soooo cute and endearing. It definitely warms this mama's heart.

We leave the Bahamas on Tuesday, November 8. Will, when we leave the Bahamas, you will have spent as much time here as you have in America. That's crazy. What a light you have been to me in this transition. Your smiles are so bright, and your snuggles warm my heart. One of our good friends here, Dugie, doesn't think a Sunday at church is complete without getting a smile from you. I pray as you grow that your sweet and cheerful disposition will be one that winsomely leads other to wonder about your joy and the God who gives you joy. I pray you will continue to find your joy in him. And I pray you keep your right dimple...cause it is soooo cute.

Will, I love you so much. While I get a little sad realizing how big you are getting, I am also excited to see how you will continue to grow. I am so thankful for you and our 9 months together. I pray for many, many more days, months, and years ahead. More smiles, more snuggles, more laughter, more lessons...more of you.

Love, Mommy

Sitting up all on his own (but notice the pillow still behind him just in case)

Chillin' at the beach

Field Trip at the Garden of the Groves. Will has been my "baby gear" baby.
I love carrying Will in the Ergo.

Climbing on Daddy. Just ignore the scissors. Donny was multitasking.
Playing jungle gym for Will and cutting out something for Hunter.

Will still loves his thumb, especially when he gets tired. Sweet him.

Oh, those eyes. Melt, melt, melt.

Since I am posting this just a few minutes before Halloween 2011,
I thought I would post a pic of Will's Halloween costume last year in 2010.

Love him so much.

Night. Night.

Happy 7th Birthday, Hunter!

2011-09-19T21:21:00.008-04:00

Seven?! Wow. Seven.

We celebrated Hunter's seventh birthday last Wednesday, September 14, here in the Bahamas. It was a great day. We started with birthday donuts. They were a little dense here in the Bahamas. No Dunkin' Donuts or Krispy Kreme here (sniff, sniff), but we kept the tradition alive by ordering from a local bakery.

Hunter is crazy about ocean life right now. Nearly all of his presents and his party revolved around the ocean. Two of his presents that thrilled were two ocean pop-up books - one from Mimi and Ddad (my parents) and one that Hunter bought here with some money that Grandma and Grandpa (Donny's parents) sent. Man, there are some good pop-up books out there. Last year, his Star Wars pop-up book was the prize present. Who knew these things would be such a hit? They really are incredible. If they are anything like his Star Wars book last year, he'll still be talking about them and using them a year from now.

We met some friends at a local restaurant for dinner and cake. Hunter specifically requested that we have his party at "Port Lucaya" at the Unexso pool. You'll see the pics, but it is a great poolside restaurant right on the local tourist port here. It's a super fun place to have dinner and swim in the evening. The sunset is beautiful as well.

Hunter requested a cookie cake, so I googled "homemade cookie cake," found a recipe, and off I went. Having never made his birthday cake before, I was a little nervous. The Lord has given me a sweet friend here in Freeport in Alicia. She made an awesome horse cake for her daughter this summer, so I enlisted her help to decorate my cookie cake. I really can't tell you how my heart lept when she brought the cake in for Hunter's party. It was perfect. Birthday cakes are so important to me. I don't know why. I guess it's the biggest reminder to me of what the theme was, what the kids were into at the time, and it's a special way to celebrate them with their name on their very own cake. I have loved every cake I have had for the kids' birthdays, but the most memorable for Hunter have been the ones that my sister made for his first and second birthdays and now the one Alicia decorated for birthday number 7. Amazing.

Hunter, you are so much fun. You love to read, write, and draw. Your reading amazes me. You read far beyond what I have taught you. I do love teaching you and seeing you learn things firsthand. I don't know if I will teach you throughout your school years, but I will enjoy these years with you at home while I can. We all love your shaggy long hair right now...so handsome. Recently, you topped off your island look with a shark tooth necklace. So cool. All the girls here in Freeport are crushing on you. You're the only boy your age at our church, so you get plenty of attention from the ladies (yikes!). You love snorkeling and fishing with your dad and love all things that have to do with the ocean and ocean life. You have your checklist of things you want to see in the water while we are here. I have no idea what they are, but you are checking them off little by little. I think "nurse shark" is up next.

You love your sister and little brother. You are a champ at making Will smile. You are generous, creative, and caring. I love the little man that I am watching you become. I thank God for giving you to our family seven years ago. You are a gift. I treasure you so very dearly.

A habit we have started recently is me singing a song and scratching your back before you go to sleep. You choose the same song every night: "Good Night, My Someone" from the Music Man (you don't know it's from the Music Man...it's just your favorite bedtime song). It is one of the first solos I ever auditioned for as a child, and I love that you love that song. Millie rotates her requests, but you ask for that one every night. I love those few moments we share together as you drift off to sleep.

Happy Birthday, Hunter Levi. We love you so much.

Birthday Donuts - A Friederichsen Family Tradition

Ocean Pop-Up Book - So cool!

Incredible Birthday Cake - I still get giddy looking at the picture. So special.

Blowing out the candles

So thankful for very fun friends here in Freeport

Goody Bags - I was feeling very accomplished having used
Pinterest for the first time to find the idea for these bags.

My friend, Alicia - cake decorator extraordinaire!

Thank you, Lord, for our dear family
and for our sweet seven year old.

A wonderful day topped off with a beautiful sunset.
Thank you, LORD!

Will at 8 months - and Wisdom from Dr. Suess

2011-09-19T19:53:00.008-04:00

September 2, 2011 - 8 months old

Today I was given the gift of an unexpected phone conversation with a very dear friend. We happened to be on Facebook at the same time, so we took that precious time that is "while the kids are sleeping or otherwise occupied in the middle of the afternoon" and talked for 42 minutes. It was a glorious 42 minutes. We haven't talked in months. That's about how it goes with us. BUT we picked right back up where we left off. That's also how it goes with us. Aren't those types of friends the best? We haven't lived in the same city in over four years, yet we are as close as we were when we lived just down the road.

Anyway, our baby boys are just a few months apart in age, so we were talking about them getting bigger, reaching milestones, and mourning the soon-coming end of the baby phase. She shared this quote with me, telling me that she needs to post it somewhere where she can see it: Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. Oh, what rich and timely words for me today. I have been feeling that conflict since Will was born. His birth was so traumatic that I have soaked up everyday we've had, and I have not taken these days for granted. BUT I feel that inner tension, that sadness that these baby days are coming to an end. Life with him (and all our children and my husband and my friends and family) is such a gift. I am thankful for that reminder today, and I am thankful that today happened...complete with its drool-covered onesies, cheerios all over the seat from missing his face, early waking from a leaky diaper, and all the silly tongue filled grins while his first tooth is coming in. So glad they happened. So glad he happened. I admit, I am still sad that baby days seem to be passing quickly, but I am smiling now, thankful for the reminder that these days are a gift. I am so glad God has seen fit to give them to our family.

Now...on to sweet William. He is 8 1/2 months old. What?! How did he get this big? At eight months, Will has added squash, sweet potatoes, rice cereal and Cheerios to his solid food repertoire. The Cheerios are more of a game at this point, but he gets a few of them in his mouth every once in a while. He is still nursing 6 times/day. I am still waking him at bedtime for a dream feed. His afternoon naps are lengthening, and we are dropping the evening catnap. Sooo...he is napping a good morning nap, a late morning catnap, and a long afternoon nap. Since he is cutting his first tooth (appeared last night), he is waking more at night. I hope this phase passes, because I like uninterrupted sleep. Oh well, give it 18+ years, and I might get some consistent, uninterrupted sleep. Maybe.

Will continues to be so smiley, sweet, and cuddly. He is sitting stronger in his Bumbo and high chair, but he is not sitting on his own yet. Just like his brother and sister, he is not going to break any records with physical milestones. That is just fine with me. Hunter still holds the key to make him laugh and smile the most, but he pretty much smiles for anyone. Such a sweet boy. I haven't had him weighed since 6 months, so I have no idea how much he weighs, but he has grown so much since we have been in the Bahamas. I love going to wake him in the mornings or after naps. I always get a huge grin usually with some leg thumps on the crib mattress. He is not attached to a blankie, but he does snuggle right into me and suck his left thumb when I drape one of his Aden and Anais blankets over my shoulder. I melt. It is such a thrill and honor to be his Mommy.

Still working on sitting up...sweet little guy.

One of my favorite places - with Will on my left hip
snuggling in with his thumb in his mouth.

Donny getting some giggles from Will

And Hunter, our "Grinmaster" - He can always get Will to smile.

Falling Asleep In My Arms

2011-08-13T22:15:00.010-04:00

August 2, 2011 - Seven Months Old

About once a week, Will has a hard time falling asleep on his own at night. Tonight was such a night. I am thankful for this special time I have with him on these nights when he needs extra cuddles, extra rocks, extra kisses, and when I get to watch him fall asleep in my arms. I have learned that I have to really wait until he has "given up" and has just melted into sleep in my arms. So peaceful and sweet. I love it.

I am, however, thankful that this hiccup in his normal falling asleep routine only happens about once each week. That way, I give the extra time and affection while knowing that (hopefully) he'll fall asleep on his own the next night.

Brief pause in flowery writing for some statistics/data I want to remember about this stage: Right now, at 7 months, I am waking him most mornings at 7 a.m., and he eats again around 10, 1:30, 4:30, 7, and 10. He takes 1 1/2 hour naps in between 3 feedings and then takes a 45 minute nap from 6-6:45 p.m. while the rest of us eat dinner. He goes down for the night between 8:20-8:30 p.m. Seriously, if I try to put the boy down before 8:20, he knows, and he fights it for sure. He doesn't love it when Donny puts him down at night. Not sure why. Any other time of the day, and he doesn't care who puts him down. The nighttime, however, he wants Mommy for those finals kisses and cuddles (and I'm not complaining). I wake him up around 10 for his dream feed. Then right back to sleep. It's funny - I feel like we are still on a newborn schedule eating every three hours...but it is working for us right now.

He started eating avocado once/day soon after he turned 7 months on the 2nd of August. Next up is homemade rice cereal. I have made a lot of Hunter and Millie's veggies and fruits in the past, but I have never done the cereal myself. We'll see how that goes.

Now...back to the dreamy stuff.

Will really has my heart. I melt with each smile, giggle and sigh as he drifts off to sleep.

7 months old. I'm already mourning the end of his baby year. I will hold on to it for as long as I can and enjoy these moments.

Sleep tight, sweet Will.

Sucking his big toe - a very common thing these days

On a trip to the beach a few weeks ago.
My try at making a pic look cool and artsy.

How can I not melt looking at that smile?

Ah, this boy. Pardon me while I melt.

Millie's Spa Day

2011-07-12T19:52:00.006-04:00

Warning: Lots of PINK in this post. Lots.

In my last post, I wrote about how I am made for resort life. Well, I am also made for spa days. I joke that "spa" is my love language. Apparently the apple does not fall far from the tree.

Millie was invited to a princess birthday party for a friend from our church here in Freeport. Since we are new in town, I was honored that Millie was one of the six girls invited. Anyway, the party was at a place called "Miss Katey's." I thought that was probably the name of someone in the church who was hosting the party. I was incorrect. Miss Katey's is a little girls' boutique, charm school, and place for birthday parties. BUT not just any birthday parties....SPA birthday parties.

We arrived right on time, and Millie was offered a robe along with Birthday Girl, Krista. They were escorted into a pink and green spa room where they spent TWO HOURS getting manicures, pedicures, mini-facials (complete with cucumbers on their eyes...which Millie kept calling pickles), hand and food massages, and make-up applications. Wow...I was a little jealous.

My Millie...a girl after my own heart...did not miss a beat. She was the first one to jump up when the ladies asked the girls if they were ready to start. At one point Millie exclaimed: "It's a princessey kind of day!"

I thought surely these 4-6 year olds would tire after a while. Well, TWO HOURS later, they finished their spa treatments and moved into the party room for a craft and cupcakes. Of course, there had to be a wardrobe change from the robes into pink tutus and white tanks that said "Miss Katey's" in sequins. It was hilarious...and so very cute.

What a fun day for my little girl to feel like a princess, celebrate Krista's birthday, and get to have fun with our new friends here in Freeport.

Millie and I...We are made for spa days.

Me and my sweet girl

First up...Millie's manicure. The lady who did it said she really enjoyed talking to Millie.
Wonder what they talked about.

Millie and Christine...one of her new friends.

Pedicure

Facial...she kept telling Hunter that she didn't fall asleep but she "closed her eyes and relaxed."
Rough life.

Complete with a cucumber mask.
Millie kept saying she didn't want pickles on her eyes, but cucumbers were ok.

Wardrobe change...out of robes and into tanks and tutus...working on a craft.

Today was a Great Day

2011-07-09T20:17:00.011-04:00

Today was a great day. I needed a great day. I have had some good days here and some bad days here, but today was a great day. Two weeks ago, I was lying in the floor of my closet in the fetal position bawling and crying out: “I hate this place. I want to go home!” I have had some hard days here in the Bahamas. No, it is not all frolicking on the beach and enjoying the peace and quiet of island life…but today was…and it was great.

We spent most of the morning and into the early afternoon at Taino Beach Resort. It was wonderful. We went there for breakfast two weeks ago, but a storm rolled in while we were eating, and we were unable to enjoy the resort. If you patronize the restaurant, you can use the resort. We went back today to “cash in” on our breakfast deposit we made two weeks ago.

Our first stop (with rain coming in slowly…boo) was the pool. Found a shady spot for Will to nap, found a covered area for me to lounge and read, and Donny went exploring the pool area with the big kids. It was great. I got to relax in the shade in the middle of this beautiful resort, and it was wonderful. I am made for resorts.

The cloud cover started to clear after about an hour, so we headed to the beach. Again, wonderful. We found a shaded umbrella/hut/cabana-like area where we could park our stuff. By the time we got out to the beach, Will was ready for nap #2, so I laid out a towel, and off he went into “La La Land.” I wasn’t too far behind. The boys headed out to snorkel, Millie played happily on the beach, and after playing with Millie a little, I set up shop in a lounge chair with my book.

The beach was pretty. The water was beautiful. It was a postcard moment.

Then my postcard changed…to one of those sketchy ones you seen in a run-down beach trinket shop, because the gal in the cabana next to ours decided to tan topless. Really? The boys stayed out in the water the whole time, so there was no harm done, but I really could have done without topless Tammy. I understand that it’s culturally acceptable in some places, and that’s fine, but it does not seem to be the norm here. It’s funny. I felt like a mother hen making sure that I was ready to hop up to ask her to cover up if Donny and Hunter headed back. Unfortunately, I felt a little stressed about it, so I wasn’t as relaxed as I would like at that point. Oh well. It was still a great day.

We headed from the beach to the supermarket to get fun beverages for the family. In the States my post-beach routine is to get a Slurpee from 7-11. Since that is not possible here, we went to the market, I took the kids in, and they got to choose their very own 20oz. bottle (a very special treat in our family). Millie chose Grape Fanta, and Hunter chose Strawberry Fanta. I, of course, got a Diet Coke and got Donny a Ginger Ale. It was fun to let the kids pick whatever they wanted. An added treat on this very great day.

Once home, we declared no naps and let the kids watch a movie. They chose a “Tom and Jerry” video (they LOVE Tom and Jerry), we put Will down, and I headed to the grocery. Not my favorite part of the day but oh so much better when I’ve been relaxing resort-style all morning.

We had dinner together. The kids are in bed, and here I am blogging. Thankful for days like today. I have had some hard days and some good days. Today was a great day.

Really sweet...but they never hold hands like this.

Hunter found a tiny frog at the pool.

Beach Buddies

Donny and Hunter heading out to snorkel

Trying to make it into more pics.
Hunter was the only one willing to pose with me today. Sweet him.

Under our "umbrella" - Will napping on the left, Donny and the kids out in the ocean, and my lounge chair awaiting me...aaaaahhhhh.

The view from my chair. Aaaaaahhhhhh. What a great day.

William Oliver - 6 Months Old

2011-07-02T15:09:00.010-04:00

July 2, 2011 - 6 months old

Six months. Still so in love. Even now just thinking about what to type about Will I am getting teary-eyed. Each of my children is so very special to me. My journey with Will has left me the most exposed. It took this third child to break me of my thoughts that I have it all together. Cause I don’t…and I thought I did with Hunter and Millie. If you are reading this and knew me when Hunter and Millie were babies, I’m sorry if I seemed like I knew everything and had it all together. I don’t.

Will is such a sweetheart at six months. I am taking him next week to have him weighed, but I think he is doing well in terms of nursing and growing. I haven’t been truly confident of his nursing/weight gain one single day of these six months, but our pediatrician has always said he is right where he should be. I haven’t been supplementing with anything in this last month, so his weight check next week should tell me if all is well…which I really, really hope (and think) it is.

Just over a week ago Will found his toes. It’s one of my favorite baby discoveries. I think it’s so funny when they get amused with themselves, and right now his toes amuse him. He can reach and grab most any toy we dangle in front of him. He's not a big fan of tummy time. He doesn’t complain. He just assumes the sleep position. That’s how Hunter and Millie were too, so he’ll get around to hanging out on his belly eventually.

Will is still nursing during the day about every 3 hours. That is VERY different from my experience with Hunter and Millie. By 6 months, they were eating every four hours and eating 5 times per day. Will eats every three hours and gets about 6 (sometimes 7 feedings) per day. He doesn’t always wake up to eat, so he could probably go longer between feedings, but I have been questioning my milk supply, so I have been feeding him more frequently during the day to make sure he is getting enough. He has had a hard time falling asleep at night since we moved to the Bahamas, and I have figured out that nursing him to sleep almost always helps. Yes, you read it, I have been (on occasion) nursing him to sleep (gasp)…even if it’s not time to eat (double gasp). And if he wakes up in the middle of the night (which thankfully has decreased in frequency since we got here), I get up to nurse him. There’s not much he’s crying out these days. He’s my third. We’ve had a rough go of it, and I would rather help soothe him with cuddles and nursing rather than letting him cry it out. Will I pay for it down the road? I really don’t think so, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

I really could sit and stare at him all day. His eyes are so big and beautiful. His smiles and noises are thrilling. I still feel like I could burst.

Sweet Will, I love you more than I can say. Six months ago right now I was gathering things to head to the hospital not really believing that it was time for you to come. God, in his sovereignty and grace, knew that it was time. He knew that I needed to be broken and have my heart exposed in ways that could only come with you surprising us with an early arrival. I hold you tighter and snuggle with you longer because of our surprising journey. I was going to call it “not normal,” but it has been God’s normal for us. You and your timing was God’s very best for us. As we enter an uncertain time for our family and Daddy seeking a pastoral call, I pray I will draw on what I have learned from God’s timing and plan with you to know that God’s timing and plan for us with this new stage of life will be perfect. I am so thankful I have you to hold everyday as a reminder of his good plans. I love you, dear Will. My heart overflows and words cannot express. I have been surprised by how much love I could feel for you. Happy six months. They have been six of the hardest and sweetest months I have known, and I treasure every moment of your sweet life.

January 2, 2011 - 5 weeks, 1 day early...

...perfect in God's timing.

April 2, 2011 - 3 months old

July 2, 2011 - Hunter - 6 1/2, Will - 6 months, Millie - 4

What a blessing you are to your Mommy. I love you so much.

Bahamian Soccer Camp

2011-07-02T14:30:00.011-04:00

(Written on Thursday, June 30, 2011)

Hunter began soccer camp on Monday. It is a Bahamian camp led by a traveling British group. We didn’t hear about it until last Saturday, talked with Hunter about it on Sunday, and sent him on Monday. It lasts from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. He’s never done any one activity like that for such a long stretch of time, so we were curious as to how he would like it and handle it. He’s done great! He has made some friends (which is great, because he is the only boy his age at church), so I am looking forward to getting a few phone numbers from those families to try to get the boys together once camp is over. I think he has enjoyed the independence. Even today, on day 4, I still wanted to hug him a little longer before he headed across the field to start the day with his team. I could tell that he was trying to humor me but was also ready for me to go (sniff, sniff).

One of the great benefits of soccer camp has been the quality time I have had with Millie (and Will) this week. While Will has napped, Millie and I have had a great time doing her nails, letting her paint with a new art set, making lunch for Daddy, going to the beach…and just enjoying the car rides to and from camp. Donny had the morning off today, so we took her and Will out for lunch at KFC and then to explore the city a little. It was a fun time enjoying our little girl in ways that you just can’t when siblings are competing for attention.

(continued writing this morning, Saturday, July 2, 2011)

I have been having a hard time finding a groove here in Freeport. The days are hot, and there is not much indoor fun to be had here. Since we did not bring a lot of toys with us from home, the kids get bored easily. My creativity is certainly being tested. Soccer camp came at a great time. It forced me into a daily routine, and it forced me to get into town on a daily basis where I could learn the city and the grocery stores a little better. I even got my gas tank filled (which is different…they have gas attendants that do it for you). I also found a few unexpected sales at the stores which, of course, thrilled my deal seeking heart.

It has been a good week. VBS at church awaits us next week. I will be thankful for another week of a routine. I also look forward to quiet mornings with Will.

I am really proud of Hunter. This was a big week which could have been really hard for him. He had a great attitude all week. He told us all about learning how to dribble and kick the ball better. He enjoyed lunches of pizza, hot dogs, and chicken and rice (random). He got to drink lots of punch and other sugary drinks we normally don't let him drink in such large quantities (very proud he got to have his own bottles of them). He was sure to tell me when he chose to play soccer with the big kids rather than take a break to go swim. He confidently ran across the field on that first morning to join the group of 6-18 year olds. My little boy still needs me...but not as much as he used to...and he'll need me even less as he grows. I know he'll always need me...but he is growing up. I love watching it, and it makes me sad at the same time. Lord, grow my boy into a man who loves you and others. Help him be strong and caring, know right and do it, and rely on you for everything. Amen.

Ready for his first day.

Day 2 - Of course, I had to get a pic in the blue uniform

While Hunter was gone, Millie enjoyed painting...

and getting her nails done...

and going on a date to KFC with Mommy, Daddy and Will.

Hunter with his new friend, Carson.

Hunter and Coach Mary...a great coach for him!

It's Not Totally Foreign but It's Far From Home

2011-06-20T21:12:00.004-04:00

I've been eating a lot tonight. It's not been healthy. I knew I had a problem when I was eating the remains of tonight's Mac and Cheese from the pot with the black serving spoon. I am emotional. Not crying emotional. I am past that. It's the "I feel so weird I have no clue what to do next" emotional. I feel a little numb...which seems kinda unemotional. Donny is actually at Wendy's right now getting us dessert. I couldn't bring myself to tell him that I had no need for dessert...and I'll probably need it eventually...cause we aren't going anywhere.

We landed in the Bahamas over a week ago on Friday, June 10. We were welcomed wonderfully by a whole host of people from the church where Donny is serving as interim pastor. Truly, the people could not be more warm, hospitable, or friendly. We have been invited to dinner and for playdates at the pool. Our home is wonderful...one of the nicest we have ever lived in...but it's not home. When I walk out the doors it feels so weird. A neighborhood in the middle of the bush. I can buy anything I want to here. It's more expensive, but it's fine. I mean, Donny's on his way home from Wendy's. Life is not hard. But life is also not easy.

I have been so tired. I wish I could understand why. I don't have anything to do. Of course I have my three darling children. I have lots to do with them, but when there is calm or some peace in the house, all I want to do is climb back into bed.

Welcome to culture stress. I think I skipped culture shock. There's not too much that is shocking. The landscape is a little shocking. Unless you are right on the water, Freeport feels like being in the middle of nowhere...in the bush. Small town. Not much around. You can get to the grocery and get what you want, but I have lived the last four years in Orlando (the last year of which I lived really near downtown). Life was bustling. Life was busy. I like busy and bustling. Here we are with not much of our stuff. It was nice the first few days. Now I am trying to figure out what to do with myself and my kids. I have packed up my family for the summer before, but this time feels so different. Not sure why. Trying to find some answers.

Right now I want to take these things to the Lord, but I feel pretty distant. This semester has deepened my trust in him and his power and sovereignty, but I feel like we haven't really connected in so long that I have no idea how to be real or personal with God right now. Whew, how's that for honest? I am stuck. I am stuck on an island in intense heat. With few friends. Only a few places to go. A baby, a four year old, and a six year old that are just hard to take places most of the time. Being in God's will is where I want to be, and I am confident that we are following him as a family...I just am at a loss right now for how to walk with him personally. It's like reuniting with a dear friend but you awkwardly can't figure out what to say...awkward...that's how I feel.

Our stuff is somewhere in a pod in Orlando. We packed it all up. We are officially homeless. And Donny has applications in for full-time positions mostly in the northeast. I'm from Tennessee. The northeast is a foreign land to me. Who knows where we will end up, but any sense of "home" feels very, very far away.

So here I am. The Lord has a lot to teach me this summer. I will go to him and hope he will answer and that I will find him personally as I seek him. I know I belong to him and to heaven, and I will be "at home" someday. For now, however, I struggle with feeling homeless and a foreigner. And I will seek the Lord in the struggle.

For anyone wondering...the Bahamas is not always paradise. At least not right now for me. And so I will work out my faith as I look to a future paradise while living in this unfamiliar paradise.

And I will try not to eat so much.

Done

2011-05-18T23:07:00.006-04:00

Donny had his final exam today. His final exam in his seminary career. Final. The End. Nada. It's over. I really can't believe I am typing these words. Graduation is on Friday, and I am sure that will bring with it another blog post, but I needed to write some things now. It's late on Wednesday night. I just put Will down after his dream feed. We have had a hard week of nursing issues again...not gaining enough weight...milk supply low...it's been hard. But that's another blog post (or hopefully just a small blip in this process).

It's done. We will go to RTS tomorrow night for the graduation banquet, and that will be the last time Donny will be on that campus as a student. After Friday night he will be an alumnus. Aaaaaagh!!! I really can't believe it's here.

It is really late, and I am too tired to write very much. I just need the small bloggy world that reads this (and me when I look back on this) to know how very proud I am of my husband. He has worked harder than I have ever seen him work in his life. Throughout seminary, Donny has been an excellent student, husband, father, man, intern, and more. I told him on Saturday while we were on a little lunch date that I as long as I have loved him, I have always loved him...but I LOVE the man he has become over these 3 years...the man God has made him to be. I am excited to step into the next chapter of life and ministry with him. He has proven himself so trustworthy. I will follow him wherever the Lord leads next (which, at this point, could be anywhere from New Hampshire to Miami or somewhere in between...but first with a stop in Freeport, Bahamas).

I am praying that I will soak in every moment of graduation. It's gonna be a rite of passage for me as well. It's been hard being the wife of a seminary student...but I wouldn't trade it. We were told by Mike Milton that seminary is a "tithe of our lives." It would be a time of study and preparation for a lifetime of ministry. This giving of ourselves to this work of preparation for God's call in ministry has been so rich. Thank you, Lord. Praise God from whom all blessings flow...

August 18, 2008 - Donny's first day of classes at RTS

Donny with Hunter (3 yrs, 11 months) and Millie (16 months) before his first day of classes

May 11, 2011 - Donny on his way to his last day of class at RTS

Easter 2011 - And now we are a family of five.
A lot changes in three years, and we could not be more thankful.

The Things They Say...

2011-05-06T13:40:00.004-04:00

Just finished disciplining my sweet Millie. As she was preparing to receive the consequences for her disobedience, she declared:

I'm allergic to this part.

Oh, the things they say.

Fighting...

2011-05-04T21:43:00.008-04:00

Fighting. That word best describes what I feel the last four months of my life have been about. Fighting. I hate that I feel that way. I would much rather the words "soaring" or "resting" or "enjoying" be the main descriptive of 2011. Nope. Fighting.

What have I been fighting? Really, it's not that I have been fighting anything. It's more that I have been fighting for something...and that something is my boy. My Will. From the moment I started feeling weird on the morning of January 2, knowing that something had definitely changed in my body and in my pregnancy, I have been fighting. I have been fighting for my son and for our bond.

While I was in labor, I was already fighting the grief over being done with my pregnancy. I actually enjoyed this pregnancy, and that's a first for me. I was (and still am in some ways) sad that it was cut short by pre-term labor. I know it's not my fault, nor is it Will's fault. It just happened. But it took something from me that I wanted to enjoy a little longer. And some of that disappointment affected my initial bond with Will. I wrestled with disappointment that he came too early and that I didn't get to finish out this pregnancy that I felt had been so different and such fun. And, in the midst of that disappointment, I began fighting.

Soon after Will's birth after I got to nuzzle with him for a few minutes, the nurses whisked him away to the NICU...and I was left there alone. Donny with Will in the NICU. Me in a recovery room calling one or two people...but alone. No baby to snuggle or nurse. And I spent most of that first night alone. Donny stayed with Will (and went home to get us some things since we weren't prepared), and I sat there with no baby by my side. He was down a floor and a world away. And the fight went on.

As our time at the hospital and with Will in the NICU progressed, I still found myself disconnected from him. I didn't want to change diapers when offered. I mean, I totally freaked when the nurse asked me for the first time if I wanted to change his diaper. Honestly, I think it was on the night when my own virus (similar to what Will had in the NICU) was at its worst, but I froze. My sister actually did that first diaper change. I just couldn't do it.

The separation in the NICU left me fighting for our bond. So many others got to care for him before I really did. Hooked up to the machines, I was left feeling like I had to ask permission anytime I wanted to hold him...much less nurse him. Through this time, I did learn in a new way how my children are the Lord's and are not my own...but the separation I felt from Will was unbearable at times.

Then the day finally came on January 18, 2 1/2 weeks after his birth, when he got to come home. What I had waited for was finally happening. All should be well. I have him home. Let the bonding begin...

And then another fight. Breastfeeding was not taking off like it should. In fact, by one month old, it was killing me. I kept saying that it was just my body getting used to breastfeeding again...but the pain was terrible. But I bit my lip (literally) and pressed on...cause gosh darn it, I was not going to have my breastfeeding taken from me! Not another separation! In my stubbornness to address this problem, however, I began to resent Will (yes, resent my 4 week old) for the pain I was experiencing. Oh, the fight was so hard. I wanted to love and nurture and care for him...but something was going so wrong with the nursing and so much pain was being inflicted...I had to fight not to resent him. More separation.

So I sought help. At the end of February as he neared 2 months old, I went to a lactation consultant. My latch was good. So she took a look at him...and when the words "Oral Motor," "bottles," and "pumping" came out of her mouth as her diagnosis and course of action, I thought I could have shriveled up on the floor in a puddle of disappointment and sadness and despair. To me, Will's "oral motor" problems threatened death to our breastfeeding. And I just couldn't bear it. And bottles were just another degree of separation. So I fought.

The pumping and bottle feeding was awful at first. I felt like a machine rather than Will's mother. It was all so mechanical and didn't feel nurturing at all. Of course, I had to keep telling myself that I was still doing what's best for my son. I had lots of people supporting me, and I would not have continued on this path without them by my side...but those were two really awful months. Humiliating at times...what I had to do for my son. In addition to the work of pumping and bottle feeding, I had to begin a series of oral exercises 3-4 times/day to strengthen his mouth with the hopes that he could return to breastfeeding. With two other children (homeschooling one of them) and the demands of having a newborn, these extra steps were a lot...and I wasn't sure how long I could do it. The best advice I was given was by my lactation consultant and that was to take one day at a time. If I thought too much about the weeks or months of hard work that lay before me, I would have despaired...but to look at today was enough. So I fought...

And it has been a good fight. One of the best (and hardest) of my life. I am tired now, and I am not willing to fight sleep for this blog post, so let me conclude. These four months have been a battle. I have had to fight in so many ways for a strong bond with my son. So much has gotten in the way of a normal, natural, mother/baby bond. But this fight has been worth it.

Last week (April 27) Will began nursing full-time again...two months after I stopped nursing and began this hard journey of bottle feeding and pumping and oral therapy. I still have fears about whether he is getting enough or if it might start hurting again. Hopefully a visit to the pediatrician tomorrow will relieve some of those fears. Will has also started sleeping through the night. He also coos and smiles so sweetly. This boy is so sweet. And he knows my voice. That is one of the most rewarding things about this fight...we have spent more time together than I probably did with my other two in their first 4 months...and he knows me...and I know him. Our bond is special. I had to fight for it. It did not come naturally. It was birthed and nurtured through disappointment, pain, despair, and hard work. And now I find myself bursting when I am with him. To look in those blue eyes and see his sweet grin when I speak...I burst. Burst with love. Burst with joy. Burst with pleasure over the sheer delight of enjoying my baby...this sweet gift who God gave me in his perfect timing and who has walked this journey with me.

I know the journey continues...but this segment of the journey feels at rest. There is a rest in my heart that I have not felt since he was born. He is gonna be ok. I am gonna be ok. We are going to be ok. I am thankful for the fight. I am thankful that, for now, the fighting is finished. I am thankful for the bond with my youngest son. It was worth the fight.

I am thankful for the Lord who fought for me. He despaired over our separation to the point of going to the cross. His sacrifice was ultimate. And I am thankful for our bond...that nothing can separate me from him. Thank you, Lord, for your fight. And that you did not relent. And I am yours. And I know your voice. And there is rest.

Will on Monday, May 2, 2011 - Four Months Old

Before church with the kids on Sunday, May 1.
Still LOVE carrying Will in the Moby.

Doesn't he just make you want to burst???!!!
This is my favorite outfit of his right now - "Mommy's Little Man" - which he pooped on and stained...but he still wears it cause I love it so much.

I mean...really...I just want to BURST!!!

Happy 4th Birthday, Millie!

2011-04-20T22:31:00.003-04:00

My Millie. What a dear, sweet girl. Loves dresses (twirly ones if at all possible). Loves life. I am so thankful for this day four years ago when God gave her to us.

Today we had our traditional birthday donuts and presents (Cinderella dress, Pink and Purple Leapster with Tangled and Princess games, a Sleeping Beauty bath doll and gum from Hunter). The gum is something we have told Millie she could have when she turned four. After she swallowed two pieces today we're thinking we may still need to wait a while. We went to Chuck E Cheese and had the place to ourselves...lots of riding the little rides and getting her picture taken for the little cards they print out.

Millie, I love you soooo much. I am so thankful for the gift of my girl. You bring enthusiasm and laughter to our family. You are sweet in your words. I love when you tell me I am beautiful or that my outfit is beautiful. I love your sweet voice that often says: "I love you, Mommy." Our family would not be the same without you.

Here are a few pics from today. To see the birthday photos from past years, go here.

My little girl is 4. Where is the time going? Lord, may I treasure these days.

Sooooo excited about presents!!!

Birthday Donuts...a Friederichsen family tradition that started with Millie's first birthday

Cinderella playing with her new Leapster

Sister and Brother enjoying the roller coaster simulator at Chuck E Cheese

Chuck E Cheese came out right before we left to wish Millie a happy birthday

The Things They Say...

2011-04-05T23:04:00.005-04:00

I have enjoyed putting Will in this sleeper of Hunter's. A few Sunday nights ago after children's choir, a friend of mine saw Will in this sleeper and just knew her 4 year old son would love it since it is in the pattern of his favorite animal. We brought her son over to see Will, and the conversation went a little something like this:

Jenn (holding her son close to Will): Joshua, what does this outfit remind you of?

Joshua: Jesus
Jenn: No, what animal does it remind you of?
Joshua (with a big grin): Oh, a giraffe!

Looks like a giraffe, but he just knew the answer had to be Jesus!

William Oliver - 3 Months Old

2011-04-02T22:20:00.004-04:00

April 2, 2011 - Will at 3 months old

3 Months ago I fell in love. William Oliver Friederichsen entered the world and changed my life. I look at so many things differently now that he is here. Now that he is in my arms. In our home. Growing. Changing so much everyday. Will, I am so thankful for you. You are making me a better mama. I love kissing your cheeks and trying to get every little smile and smirk I can out of you.

Here are some thing you are doing at 3 months old:

Smiling...finally! You aren't quite consistent, but you definitely give us a few smiles everyday...which warm your mama's heart.

You are now in 3-6 month clothes. I just washed them all up last week.

You just had your first blow-out diaper today. Had to wash all the bed linens, because it happened when you were laying on my bed. Since I didn't notice right away, I moved you from my sheets to the comforter, so the sheets, comforter, comforter cover, and mattress pad all got washed today.

You had your first babysitter tonight. Beckie and Mark Robb came so that Mommy and Daddy could go out to dinner for Daddy's birthday. We left you for 3 1/2 hours, and you did great! Mrs. Robb said that you slept happily in your stroller as they took Hunter and Millie to the church to ride bikes. You sucked down your bottle and stayed wide awake for a while. Then you went to sleep easily and stayed asleep until we got home at 8:30 p.m.

You are nursing better. You are taking full feedings in the mornings which is fun for Mommy. We are still working on the rest of the day. Hopefully by four months you will be back to nursing 100%. That is my prayer.

Sometimes you look like Hunter, and sometimes you look like Millie....and sometimes you have a look all of your own.

You will be baptized next Sunday. We are looking forward to that day.

You are still getting up once in the night. I am longing for the day I can sleep more than 4 hours at a time, but Daddy is feeding you around 11 or 11:30, and then you are up again between 4-4:30 a.m. and then up for the day between 7:30-8:00 a.m. Eating seven times/day.

Will, I can't believe you are three months already. One quarter of your first year has passed...and I will try to breathe in all the moments I can as you continue to grow into the little man God has made you to be. I love you, sweet boy.

Getting a little Big Bro time with Hunter

We went to Park Avenue and the Farmer's Market this morning.
I love carrying you in the Moby, and you love it too. Soooo snuggly.

CHEESE!!!

Still such little toes

Chillin' with Daddy...still loving your paci but not as much as last month

Gonna try to get more pictures with Mommy in them.
Mommy loves you, little one!

12 Weeks Ago...

2011-03-27T15:22:00.003-04:00

All is quiet on this beautiful Sunday afternoon (well, as soon as I typed the "A" in "all," Will starting crying...hopefully he'll settle back down). I directed the Cherub Choir as they sang "Rejoice and Sing" as the introit for the church service. They did great. Millie made her Cherub Choir debut (a few weeks before her 4th birthday) and swayed and did a little dance as she sang...but she sang every word. We had a great lunch with the Littles at Tijuana Flats. Sat outside. Aaaahhh...fresh air.

Anyway, I don't have the energy to type for long. I just wanted to make sure I wrote down that I remember where I was this time 12 weeks ago - checking into Winter Park hospital not knowing that on that night I would meet this sweet little one:

The journey has been long with him and continues to be longer and harder than I imagined (more to come on that), but I am loving and getting to know Will more and more each day...and I fall more in love with him each day. I kiss his cheeks more. I examine every hair, every scar from the NICU (not many, don't worry), every sweet little toe, every small grin and every little coo...always seeing little bits of sister and brother in him. It is a joy to endure a trial with a little one...for you love and know him more...and soak up every second. The seconds can be hard and unbearable at times...but they are there...and I soak it up.

Happy 12 weeks, Will. Mommy loves you and continues to walk the journey of your little life with you. It is not what I expected, but it is sweet in both its joys and trials. I always want your face close to mine as it was the first moment they handed you to me. The warmth of your sweet cheeks against mine is and I think always will be a reminder of our unique bond. I love you so much.

Why I Love Martha Speaks

2011-03-03T11:52:00.002-05:00

Hunter, in the middle of school today, asked me: "Have you ever played 'Name that Aroma'?"

No, son. Never heard of it.

After further questioning, Hunter told me that it was a game they played on Martha Speaks. "Aroma." A word I don't think I have ever used with him. I love the unexpected words I hear from the kids every once in a while...and most of it is due to a regular helping of "Martha Speaks."

8 Weeks Old

2011-02-27T21:42:00.004-05:00

I'm sitting on my couch watching the Oscars, and Will is sleeping soundly next to me wrapped in my favorite fuzzy blanket just sucking happily on his paci (see picture below). 8 weeks ago he was not even an hour old. I was dazed in a recovery room trying to figure out what in the world had just happened. So happy. So scared. Just trying to figure out what was going on.

This sweet baby. What a ride. This morning as I was in church with Will snuggly wrapped in the Moby and sleeping against my chest, I remembered this day seven weeks ago...and I wanted to write it down to remember it.

Raw...that is what described January 9, 2011. One week old. My Dad and sister had just left town. Donny and I had had a hard night. My Mom was at home with Hunter and Millie. Will was in the NICU still, and we were heading to church. Before leaving the hospital, Donny and I stopped by the NICU to check on Will. Most of our visits to the NICU were really, really hard for me. They were such a blur.

Anyway, that Sunday morning was the morning the doctors told us that they were suspecting some kind of virus in Will. I can't remember if they had done his spinal tap yet...I think that horrible morning came the next day on Monday...but Will was sick, and the doctors needed to figure out what it was. Donny was very concerned, but I just couldn't handle another emotional burden to carry. Perhaps it was a bit of post-partum depression or just hormones raging on top of being apart from my baby. It could have been anything, but all I wanted to do was get out of that NICU...let the doctors do their thing, and get to church.

We went to church that morning. Staci had already gotten the kids and taken them to Sunday School. So many of our dear church friends were shocked to see us there...but where else would we go? We needed to be with family...and they are truly family. Of course as soon as I walked through the doors, the tears welled up and hardly left while we were there. People continued to tell us they were praying for us and Will, and a simple "thank you" was all I could muster in most cases. I was walking through the fellowship hall in a haze, but I needed to be there. We both needed to be there.

God really used Will's birth and NICU stay to show us the love of the body of Christ through our church. My strongest memory of that Sunday morning was our dear friend, Justin Borger, who was assisting in worship. When he led the congregation in the pastoral prayer, he prayed first for the marriages of the church and specifically for the recent marriage of Jimmy Crandall of our church. Then he prayed for all the families of the church and prayed specifically for Will. With a crack in his voice as he said Will's name, Donny and I both lost it. Donny doesn't cry. That morning, at the sound of his friend mentioning the name of our son who was too far away in a NICU bed, I reached my hand to Donny's back and we both lost it. Our son was not with us. My arms felt so empty. But his name was spoken and known to our entire church. In a way, God gave me the gift of Will's presence in name as he was mentioned in prayer. Our son, who had not been seen by very many people at all, was known...and that meant so much.

Raw...that's the only word to really describe how I felt that day. My son was a week old, and he was not with me. I sat in church without him, and all was not right. Every song sung, every prayer prayed...it was so raw. Everything had a different meaning, because part of myself was not there...it was back at the hospital. I could have sworn I had an open wound, because it felt so raw to be exposed in my pain and loneliness of not being with my newest son.

But our church was there. Our family was there. And God was there through them. All was a haze, but I knew God was there because of the love of our church family.

Many friends crowded around us after the service for hugs and to ask about Will. I eventually had to sit down, because it was getting to hard to stand (since I was still recovering from my c-section). The crowds dwindled, and our friend Ted and Staci asked if they could take us to lunch. Normalcy. I just wanted some normalcy. So we went to the Olive Garden. We went home, grabbed my mom, and we went out for Sunday lunch.

We then returned to the hospital...still raw...but with newness of hope. We were planning on leaving the hospital the next day to begin long days of multiple commutes back and forth...but we had hope and strength. We were being carried by our God mainly through the love and prayers of our church family.

Happy 8 weeks, Will. I still feel a little raw even with you sitting here beside me. A part of me lives on the outside, and I will continue to trust my God with you.

I will try to chronicle your story as I am able. Please know that I am crazy about you. You have me wrapped around your little finger. 8 weeks and, Lord alone willing, many more weeks, months, and years to hold, love, kiss you, and trust my God in the rawness that comes with giving birth to you and watching you grow.

Now it's time for you to eat...and watch the rest of the Oscars. I'm especially enjoying the movie/musical remix as I finish this post.

Good night. Gonna go hold my little 8 week old...this little piece of myself that is not my own. He belongs to God, and I will hold him even as we are both held by His good arms.

In case I don't get back to blogging for a while...here are a few things about Will at 8 weeks:

You LOVE your paci...sometimes won't sleep without it
You are still really squooshy and love to be held tightly and in a ball...very womb-like
Your longest stretch of sleep is 4 hours...you are getting up twice in the night
You haven't smiled yet...excited for that day.
Your eyes are dark, dark blue. Gorgeous...just like I prayed (and have prayed for all of your siblings).
I think you would sleep all day long if someone would just hold you...you LOVE to be held and snuggled...and I love snuggling you.

One Month Old

2011-02-02T17:20:00.008-05:00

One month ago tonight...just a few minutes old.

Our Will...one month old.

It's 5:20 p.m. Will is sitting here in my lap awake really for the first time all day (except for eating...he always wakes up to eat). I can't believe it's been a month. I don't know what he's looking at, but he is staring at something to his right just sucking away on his orange paci from the hospital. He loves that thing. He's wearing a rockstar guitar outfit courtesy of Aunt Jenn and cousin Micah. It's one of my faves so far. Hiccups abound. Life is normal....a new normal but gloriously normal.

This past month has been one of the strangest, hardest, and most wonderful of my life. In a way, Will's first 2 1/2 weeks feel like a dream or movie that didn't really happen to me. I remember things quite vividly but also as if I was watching it happen to me rather than experiencing it myself. Here's a little of the story from my perspective...

Sunday morning, January 2...definitely didn't feel great. We spent Friday night the 31st at our friends the Nolls' house for New Year's Eve. We stayed much later than I had planned because we were having such a good time...laughed a lot. Saturday morning, Jan. 1 we went shopping as a family. We bought the one thing I said I needed for the baby: a changing pad. It's the only necessity that we didn't have before the baby was to come. Saturday afternoon/early evening we went to Sea World to see a few Christmas shows before they ended. Needless to say, it was a really full weekend. That Sunday morning, something had changed. I told Donny that I felt like I was carrying the baby differently. Something was different. Little did I know...

I went to church. Feeling the way I did, I would have normally stayed at home to rest, but I did not have to sing in choir, and Donny did not have to assist in worship, so we got to sit together as a family, and I was not going to miss that opportunity (sorry for the crazy long sentence). I was tired, sore, and just feeling weird. Couldn't quite put my finger on it. I would have said for sure I was having Braxton-Hicks contractions. Little did I know...

The minute we got home from church, I asked Donny to do lunch for the kids. I went back to our bedroom to sit in our recliner. And it began...the all too familiar surges of pain I felt with Millie. With Millie, I had to call my sister to ask if I was in labor (because I didn't go into labor on my own with Hunter, so I wasn't sure). This time I knew what those pains probably were. Sitting in the chair, the pain came with some frequency...but certainly it wasn't labor (I thought). I laid down on my bed to see if a change in position would help alleviate the pain. Not so much. I finally called my doctor (who was on call, thankfully). I had just seen her on Friday for an appointment. When I found out she was on call for New Year's weekend, I told her that I hoped she would have an uneventful weekend on call. Little did I know...

I told my doctor I was having menstrual-like surges of pain every 2-3 minutes. My doctor told me to drink a lot of water and give the pain an hour to subside. If it did not stop, she told us to come in to labor and delivery. Funny thing...I was planning on going to the hospital the next week to tour the labor and delivery and baby hall. So we had to look up the hospital and call and ask where labor and delivery were.

The whole way there, I was preparing myself to be humiliated as one who showed up thinking she was in labor when in fact it was gas or something else. The pain wasn't really increasing, but it wasn't going away either. When we got to labor and delivery, they hooked me up to some machines and confirmed that I was indeed contracting. My heart sank, and I tried not to panic. I was 34 weeks and 6 days...and that just felt a little too early. I would have been fine with it in a couple of weeks...but this felt too early. The nurses said the doctor wanted to try to stop my labor by giving me some tributelene (sp?). Well, my heart sank again. When I went into labor with Millie, they gave me tributelene to try to slow my labor, and it did not make a dent in my labor with her...so I wondered if my body would respond (or not respond) the same way. And it did (or didn't). Two or three doses later, my labor was not slowing, and I was continuing to steadily dilate. We were admitted around 3:15 p.m. in the afternoon. By 6:00 or so, the nurses were preparing us that we might be having our baby that night.

As I prepared to give birth and face whatever having a 34 week and 6 day baby would mean, I needed to see my kids. Thankfully, our dear friend Staci had taken the kids to her house. Really, I could not have gotten through this without her and her help. I had Donny call Staci and ask her to bring the kids. It meant so much to get that last "family of four" picture and to be able to tell the kids ourselves that their baby brother or sister was on his/her way. It was so important for me to hug them and be with them one last time before the baby came.

Around 7:30 p.m., my doctor came in to confirm that we would be having the baby tonight. Lots of deep breaths. Lots of arrow prayers just asking for the safe arrival of our little one. The preparations began and in less than an hour I was in an operating room getting ready for a c-section. Donny isn't allowed in the operating room while I am getting my spinal, so he stayed back to put on his operating room gear...and apparently to eat a bite, because Bud had just arrived with dinner for Donny as I was going into the operating room. My doctor was ready to get started, and Donny had not come in the OR yet. It was the most panicked I felt all day. Turns out Donny, Bud, and his son Grey were praying together before the surgery. I'm all for praying, mind you, but man did they cut it close.

Donny arrived. He made it. I really was unsure. Oh, and did I mention he had the camera? I'm not sure what/who I wanted there more - Donny or the camera. It was Donny, of course, but I really wanted my camera there too. My relief was so great. And there we were...ready for the birth of our child. Oh yeah, and we get to find out if he is a boy or a girl. Just a little detail that kinda got lost in the midst of the other unknown factors of the day.

The surgery was great (as good as surgery can be). My best c-section of the three. No pain or discomfort. No nausea. The drape was higher than the one in Lexington. When I had Hunter and Millie I could see my doctor, but I couldn't see Dr. Moore this time. That was ok...just different. She talked to me throughout...and then he came...a boy. Our son. He cried. Loud. It's the same cry he still cries today. I know his cry will change over time, but I am thankful for that newborn cry still. There was so much that was scary and unknown. His cry was relieving, so I cherish it.

My head was spinning...a boy. Was he healthy? What was happening to him? Was Donny getting enough pictures? 7lbs., 60z. Yep, we make 'em big. Can you imagine how big he would have been if I was still carrying him (considering I'm not due until next Monday)?

I got to hold him for a little while on the operating table. They actually let me hold him. I don't remember getting to hold Hunter and Millie. I just remember Donny holding them up to me. But I got to hold this little one. And I held his cheek close to mine for as long as they would let me. I wanted to feel his warm skin and hear/feel him breathing against my own cheek. He was here. I couldn't believe it...and in some ways I still can't.

He was here. He is here. Happy one month my sweet Will. I will process more of this journey as I am able. I am just so happy he is here. The time following his birth was so difficult, but it has made these days now so sweet.

One month. Not taking a day for granted. Praying for many, many more...

Dear Will...

2011-01-15T17:50:00.006-05:00

You're here. I can't believe you are here. I wait sometimes to feel you move again inside of me, and then I remember that you are here. But I'm here on the sofa in our little house on Timor Ave., and you're not here. You're back at the hospital...and I ache. You're not inside my womb anymore. You're 6 miles away while I wait to go back for your next feeding. I miss you so much.

Will you please eat? It's the only thing keeping you from coming home to me. Honestly, my desire for you to get out of the NICU is primarily for my benefit. My heart can't take this apartness too much longer. I can't walk out of your hospital room too many more times without just bursting. I know that God will give me the grace to go in and out of your room as many times as I need until you are ready to come home...but it just feels so unbearable right now.

In the nearly two weeks since your birth, you have changed so much. You already seem like such a big boy. I'm still trying to figure out if you look more like Hunter or Millie as a newborn, but I think you are a mix. You have some "older" features that remind me of Millie, but when you sleep in Daddy's arms, I see Hunter. They are so excited for you to come home. Hunter has already been asking when you can sleep in their room. I can't wait for you to join our life at home. I will wait for that day, but I continue to long for you to be able to live life with your brother and sister. Y'all will love each other. We haven't even gotten a picture yet of our family of five, because only one child is allowed in the NICU at a time. Oh, how I long for all five of us to be in a room together.

I know you are not mine. I had that attitude in the beginning. I was discouraged, because I thought you belonged more to the nurses and the hospital and the NICU than to me...but a good friend reminded me that you belong to no one but the Lord. You don't belong to the hospital. You don't belong to the nurses. You don't belong to me either. The Lord has given you to our family. He knit you together in my womb and brought about your days on the earth by His good and perfect will. Will, I will thank the Lord for everyday he gives us to love and care for you. And I will wait for when the Lord allows that to be in our own home.

I love you, Sweetie. I love your scrunchy face...just how I thought a squirmy one like you might be. I love your little squeaks and squeals. When you start to cry it always starts with a squeal. I love how you look at me for the longest time right as we start to nurse. It's fun to connect with your beautiful, dark eyes in those moments. I love watching you grow. I wish I could watch you right here in our home...but I will watch you wherever God has us. You will not always be under our roof. God is using this time to teach me that you are his and not mine. That has been a major lesson for me. I am, however, ready to learn more with you here with me, snuggling on our old couch on which I have lain and snuggled with your brother and sister.

Will, please come home soon. Your Mommy misses you while we are apart. Lord, please bring my boy home. I will wait and trust you to be sufficient in the ache. I will try not to panic, thinking that I am missing these first few weeks of my son's life. I will embrace these weeks by your grace...knowing that you have things for me to experience in these weeks that I might not at home. Thank you for my son. What a treasure he is.

Will, I love you, and I will see you in a little more than two hours when we return to the hospital for the umpteenth time. And I will continue to come back until we can bring you home. What a day that will be.

With all my love,
Mommy

Dear Little One...

2010-12-08T14:17:00.002-05:00

I wish I knew your name. We haven't decided yet. That's one of the hard things of not knowing if you are a boy or girl. There is so much energy and heart involved in picking a name. It's so hard to do it for both boy and girl names. But...you are known. I know you right now as Squiggly McGee, because you are so much squirmier than I remember your brother or sister being. Last night I was sitting and I think you were just thumping your foot or something inside of me, because there was just a repetitive "thump, thump, thump" on my left side...but always near the top. Hunter loves to feel you move. His eyes light up when he sees or feels you move. I can't wait to see how Millie and Hunter respond to you. They express such delight already.

Dear one, I love you. I spend more time wondering what you are like inside of me. How big are you at this point (32 weeks)? Will you be as big as your brother and sister? Will you have their (and my) eyes? Are you a little sister or brother? Hunter most often guesses sister, and Millie most often guesses brother. I think that's funny.

I feel a little fragile as these final weeks of pregnancy approach. Christmas always makes me a little more emotional, but I also know that the full experience of you in this life is not a given. In the past few years I know of those close and far from me who have experienced terrible loss...and I know your life is not to be taken for granted. Perhaps that is why this pregnancy has been different. As Jesus was born at Christmas, he was born to face awful, horrific circumstances. Betrayal and the worst possible of deaths. Although none of us will experience what our Lord went through for us, I am reminded today that you are not promised protection from tragedy. We are not promised protection from horror...but we are promised a Savior who came at Christmas who is a refuge and strength and offers perfect peace.

I pray for a full experience of you in this life...for many, many wonderful years (yep. there's that little kick on my left side).

Seriously, squirmy...what are you going to be like? What will I be like? I want nothing more than you this Christmas...and I will wait patiently and expectantly. I will know you by name and by face and fingers and toes and by the many nuances that are only and all yours. Delight.

For now, I will watch you squirm and wait...and love you more and more.

Love, Mommy

Who Left Me in Charge?

2010-11-09T20:11:00.006-05:00

I'm home tonight. The kids are in bed, and Donny is out at a meeting. Thankfully, there haven't been many nights like this lately, but tonight was one of those nights when I was in charge. Daddy didn't come home from work/school, and I had the kids all day. It's funny. When I have days like that (probably because they aren't too frequent), I tend to do ok. I think God gives me what I need for the demands of days like today...and I rely on him more. On normal days I probably fail more miserably, because I put my trust in when Donny gets home or just making it to naptime or whatever.

Anyway, I had one of those funny moments as a parent tonight when I mumbled to myself: "Who left me in charge?" It was 7:00 p.m. - The kids were cuddled up on my bed watching a little of "Beauty and the Beast" before bed. Throughout the day I had schooled them, fed them, yelled at them, repented, gone to Bible Study, had a friend's daughter over for lunch, had naptime (for all of us), afternoon snacks, "Martha Speaks" at 4:30 (a daily ritual), play and clean up, dinner, baths, more cleaning, and then 30 minutes of their video before bed.

Oh...and before the video I tried to pull Hunter's 2nd loose tooth. I think of all the "big girl/mommy" things I did today, trying to pull his tooth was one thing that really makes me feel like a mommy and a child all at once. Really? Am I old enough to have a child losing teeth? I remember my dad taking dental floss to my loose teeth to pull them out...and that's just what I did tonight. I don't really fight the teeth, so we'll give it another go tomorrow, but it just feels so weird to be pulling my baby's baby teeth. Who left me in charge?

As the kids were in my room watching "Beauty and the Beast," I had another "moment." "Beauty and the Beast" was my favorite movie as a little girl/young teen. Belle is still my favorite princess. I had dreams of being Belle in the Disney stage show at Hollywood Studios (MGM when I was younger). Anyway, it was really weird and wonderful to hear those familiar songs (which I still know by heart) coming from my room while my two children watched, snuggled together as close as they could be, one chewing on my favorite blanket (I know because I just got under the blanket and a corner is wet), and I feel like I was just there a few years ago. It's too fun and too weird all at the same time.

Oh, and did I mention that I have a child growing inside of me? Today was the first day that I could watch my belly and actually see a hand/elbow/foot move across my belly. Donny calls it the "Alien" stage. I have been able to feel him/her for a while and have seen the bumps here and there...but today it was something moving across my insides, and I could see it on the outside. There is a baby growing inside of me. Really? Who left me in charge?

Thankfully, of course, I'm not really in charge...but I do sometimes wonder what God is doing entrusting me with so much. I am thankful for the gifts of our children and the time I have with them. Loose teeth, Disney movies, breakfast for dinner - these are sweet memories we are making...and they bring back some sweet memories of my own childhood. For now, God has given me and Donny charge over our family's little life, and I will embrace the responsibility and will hopefully repent when I begrudge it.

Even though I know I am not ultimately in charge, when I have to make a mommy-sized decision when I feel like a little girl myself, I still have to ask myself : Who left me in charge?

What a gift to be the mommy to these three little ones.

But sometimes moments like losing a tooth can make me ask...

...who left me in charge???
(I'm on the left with my sister)

Homeschooling

2010-10-02T19:59:00.003-04:00

Yes, I said it...homeschooling. On August 11, 2010, after nearly two years of prayer and research, I began the journey of homeschooling. Not sure how long this journey is going to last...but it has begun...and I actually like it so far.

For those who care, most of my influence to homeschool came from reading the book The Well Trained Mind. I was also intrigued with some homeschooling families on staff with Campus Crusade in Orlando. They were the first families we had ever seen homeschool, and I really liked what I saw. Their kids were normal, a joy to be around, and their family unit was so tight.

Anyway, I really don't want to take the time explaining myself (which is what I often feel like I need to do). I just want to say...I am glad I am doing it, and I really like it already. I love having the time with Hunter, and I love Millie and Hunter having more time together. I am also looking forward to Hunter being home in February when this new baby blesses our home. I am looking forward to giving him and Millie every opportunity to love on and care for their little brother or sister, and having him home for school will give him that extra time.

It's not easy...but it's not awful either. Actually, there are parts that seem easy and are delightful (like when Hunter reads on his own without being prompted and when he shows proficiency way beyond what I am teaching him), but there are parts that are awful (like doing a math lesson with money and having to sit through the clanging coins while I have a throbbing headache). My patience is tried everyday, but I also cling to the Lord for that patience in a way that is new and so good for my heart and sanctification.

And...I love seeing him (and Millie) learn. He seems to pick up reading really well. I was a decoder as a kid, and I think he has some decoding skills as well. As I am writing, he just came in to ask me a question and read "Blogger" on the top of my computer screen. We haven't talked about the "er" ending yet, but we have talked about all the other rules that form that word...and he just figured out the rest. It's really fun watching him get excited about figuring that stuff out.

So...what do we do? Bible, Math and Reading...that's about it. We're pretty simple around here. We start the day reading Scripture. By reading the same passage over and over, the kids start to learn it. We have been working on Psalm 139 for most of September, and it is so sweet to hear those words everyday as we read of being knit together in my mother's womb and being fearfully and wonderfully made. I pray that God is using those verses to teach their hearts about his careful workmanship on them and on their new baby brother or sister. Then we always sing a song or two and pray for our day. No real Bible curriculum...just the Word, song and prayer...and it's a good start for me as well.

Math. We use Saxon Math which was passed on to me by my sister when she did a little homeschooling with her oldest before he entered Kindergarten. I began to use their Kindergarten program last year just to dabble in it with Hunter a little, so we began our year finishing Saxon K. We will finish it up in a few weeks and then move on to Saxon 1.

Reading. Confession: I am not a reader. I haven't read to my kids very much through the years. I only read what I am required for the few seminary classes I have taken/am taking. I don't like to read. BUT...guess what my favorite part of school is? Can you believe it? Reading.

I have "snack time" with them between math and our formal reading lesson. To start the year, I read them "Stuart Little" which showed me immediately that my kids needed to learn the discipline of sitting and just listening to the reading of a good book (without pictures). Once we finished "Stuart Little," I felt indecisive about what book to pick up next (because it is quite a commitment for me...since I don't like to read), so I started on page one of their Jesus Storybook Bible and started reading...and they love it (and so do I). I'll probably go back to a more traditional piece of literature once we finish, but I just love their attentiveness and their requests for more when I read their story Bible to them. Sometimes I feel fanatical about having Bible time and then reading to them from their story Bible later in the morning...but isn't that what school is about anyway? Math, reading, science...it all is about the one true God who made the world and ordered the world and how we learn so that he could reveal himself and his glory to us. That's what I pray with the kids every morning during our prayer time: that as we learn different pieces of information that we would learn about the God who put those things into place.

Back to reading. I am fading now, so I'll finish with highly praising the reading primer I am using. It's The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading, and it is wonderful. Again, no major curriculum...just a very simple, methodical way to teach basic phonics in which the rules build on each other day by day. Millie has done a lot of our reading lessons with us, and she (almost 3 1/2) can recognize all the letters and tell you the primary sound for all the consonants and the short sound of all the vowels. We even do a "spelling bee" at the end of our reading lessons, and I have Millie tell me the first letter of the word and then have Hunter finish the spelling. I don't tell you this to brag on my daughter. I tell you because I have been so impressed with the quality of this book and its methods.

If you know Hunter at all, you know that he loves to make things...especially books. I feel for the kid. His mom (and teacher) neither reads nor does crafts. He has asked me every few days since school began when we are going to do a craft or make something, and my response has been the same every time: "No, not today. Maybe sometime in the future Mommy will plan a craft." It's been 6 weeks or so. No crafts. So there are some definite deficiencies to my home education program. He still makes his books...which has shown me the need to begin a more formal handwriting curriculum. So that is next on my list of things to add to our day.

Ok, I'm done. If you have stuck with me this far, kudos to you. Since school began in August, I just haven't gotten a chance to process my life now as a home educator, so this was helpful for me. For the skeptic, I hope you are intrigued by something (even if you are revolted by other things). For the inquirer, I hope you are inspired to consider it (although I absolutely know it's not for everyone). For anyone else, I don't know why you read this far, but I hope you have gained a little peek into my days. It's nice to feel known, and you are known sometimes by what you spend your time doing...and this fills my mornings. And they are treasured hours...often trying...but always treasured.

First Day of School Smiles.
Our "classroom" is set up in our entryway from our front door to our kitchen.

Hunter during a math lesson on covering a shape in different ways.

A family dinner of green eggs after Hunter read "Green Eggs and Ham."

Dear Little One...

2010-09-12T22:38:00.003-04:00

Dear Little One,

We are going to the doctor tomorrow, and we will get to see you for the first time. Since we had an early ultrasound at 5 weeks, we really haven't seen you yet. I am feeling little flutters. Is that you? I am a little nervous about this ultrasound. We have friends right now who are in labor with their little one who will not live long on this side of heaven. Life is so fragile, and I feel like I know that in a different way now compared to when I was pregnant with Hunter and Millie. There are no guarantees of what we will see on that ultrasound tomorrow...but I am still in love with you already. You have been a blessing from the start. An easier first trimester, and a breeze of a second trimester so far. I love you, little one.

We are going to wait to find out if you are a boy or a girl...very unlike me...but something is different about this pregnancy. I just want to wait. I want to cherish these moments of unknowing and waiting and anticipation...because I am so excited about you.

Until we meet face to face, I will be content tomorrow to see what will only be faint glimpses of you...but you nonetheless. I can't wait to see your legs, head, arms...I hope you will be moving a lot. You have been moving around for every appointment we have had so far, because the doctor has had to chase you to get a reading for your heartbeat. Is this a glimpse of what's to come?

Sleep well tonight, my little love. Tomorrow I will see you a little more for who you are...and I look forward to the day we will meet face to face and I will hold you in my arms. For now, I happily carry you and cherish every moment.

Love, Mommy

Can I Go Back, Please?

2010-09-06T20:41:00.006-04:00

On Thursday we left for a wonderful long weekend vacation in Naples, FL. Oh, I am still deeply sighing just thinking about it. We drove home today (Monday), and I am already feeling cramped by normal life. Ugh.

I am so thankful for our weekend away. Four glorious nights, three full days...it was bliss. A house to ourselves, cable tv, pool in the back, 10 minute drive to the beach, shopping and eating nearby. Aaaaaahhhhh.

I think the most I did all weekend in terms of cooking was pouring a bowl of cereal. Even Donny did our cereal dishes, so I didn't wash a dish all weekend. All weekend long. No dishes. Bliss. I watched a lot of Food Network, and I actually got Donny to watch The Sound of Music with me on Sunday night. Deep sighs as Fraulein Maria and Captain Von Trapp confess their love. Thank you, TBS.

It's Monday night. It's all over...and I am thankful for the weekend. I do wish I was still laying on my pool float or flipping between HGTV and Food Network. I need to move on, but it had been a long time since the Friederichsen family had a vacation. So thankful.

Hunter has become quite the swimmer this summer.
He and Millie loved having a pool at the house.

We went to the Imaginarium in Fort Myers on Saturday.
Here is my "no fear" Millie holding a tarantula.

Millie also enjoyed the Dinosaur Dig at the Imaginarium.

Sweet kisses for Daddy while we waited on the sunset.

Sweet Siblings waiting on a sunset.
Totally posed, but it's still sweet. :)

Things they say these days that I don't want to forget

2010-05-08T10:47:00.004-04:00

Millie: concuber (cucumber), hippomopotamus, Master Yoda (She always calls Yoda "Master Yoda." I think that's so funny.).

When I discipline Millie for disobedience, she has started saying two different things that crack me up. She talks to me about wanting to talk about having an attitude of "ratitude." We learned that from our children's ministry director...about having an attitude of gratitude rather than an attitude of ratitude. I have talked with Millie before about that, but even when discipline has little to do with attitude and more to do with a specific act of disobedience, she mentions (quite dramatically) about having an "attitude of wattitude." It reminds me a little of Elmer Fudd. Also, she mention sometimes about having wisdom...which she has picked up from our family going through Proverbs during family worship. It's just funny to me, because she often brings those things up when they are not the issue we are talking about at all...but I'm glad they are coming to mind...although it's hard not to start laughing when she mentions them so dramatically (as if she just figured something out) right as I am trying to talk with her about her discipline issue.

Hunter: renember (instead of "remember"...Millie does that too, but she has learned it from him), opposed to (instead of "supposed to)

During family worship, we ask the kids a series of questions from the Children's Catechism (really can't praise that learning method enough). Hunter started out answering this question as follows:

Q: Who wrote the Bible?
A: Chosen men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Hunter's Answer: Chosen men who were expired by the Holy Spirit.

Hunter also has this thing with "knuckles." He has learned to bump knuckles as a greeting or a sign of accomplishment (instead of a handshake or high five). Often, during dinner, he'll leap out of his seat, cross his eyes, make a funny face, and say "knuckles" and bump his own knuckles together. It's his funny, goofy side...which we love.

I have also appreciated this week getting some "Mudrs Day" cards from Hunter. He writes a lot, but he writes phonetically (as it sounds to him). I know he'll pick up in the spelling department in the next few years, but it is neat to watch his little mind work as he puts sounds to a page.

Loving our kids. There are some things that I would rather forget about the daily grind of parenting, but there is so much I wish I could hold on to and remember forever.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Sweet Millie

2010-04-20T14:46:00.009-04:00

Do you know that Millie's formal name is Amelia? Well, our Amelia Louise turned 3 today. I get emotional with every birthday of my children. I have such fond memories of Millie's birthday that I often remember the very emotions of that day. I am so thankful that God blessed us with our little girl. I love you, Amelia Louise. You are our sweet Millie.

April 20, 2007 around 8:30 a.m. In labor and on our way to the hospital.
Our last picture as a family of three.

I called my sister around 7:30 a.m. to ask her if she thought I was in labor. After talking a little and calling her back a little later, we determined that I was indeed in labor, and she offered to come to get Hunter. Cousins Nathan, Drew, and Daniel came in their pajamas to take Hunter home with them. What would I have done without my sis that day???!!!

At last...our sweet Millie.

A new, proud family of four.

April 20, 2008 - One year old.

Birthday cupcakes at Dunkin Donuts became a Friederichsen family tradition at Millie's first birthday.

April 20, 2009 - Two years old.

April 20, 2010 - Three years old.
Happy 3rd Birthday, sweet Millie. We love you so.

The Ice Cream Truck

2010-03-16T22:32:00.003-04:00

Hunter has been interested lately in riding his big boy bike (still with training wheels). He even asked if we could take a walk so that he could ride it around the neighborhood. We have not gotten him out on his bike much, so we wanted to capitalize on his new-found enthusiasm for it.

This afternoon, after Donny got home from school, we put Millie in a stroller and headed down the street for a stroll/bike ride with the kids. As we were walking, we heard the sound of an ice cream truck. There we were, in the middle of our stroll, and I just had to get my kids ice cream.

It was one of those "firsts" that seemed small but meant something to me. I do not often throw logic aside, but this afternoon I did.

It was right before dinner. The ice cream would probably ruin their appetites. Did that matter? No.

Hunter was on his bike, so the ice cream would probably melt on our way home. Did that matter? No.

Millie was in one of my favorite shirts of hers, so there was a high likelihood of drippage. Did that matter? Well, yes, but I just crossed my fingers and let that one go.

The ice cream was more than I typically pay for an entire carton of ice cream...much less two bars that would be gone within minutes. Did that matter? Not at all.

It was our first time getting ice cream from the ice cream truck. A special treat for sure. I know there will be days I will say "no" when they hear that little song luring them outside for treats galore...but today it was fun to say yes and see the delight in their eyes as we let them choose anything from the truck. We came away with a Dora popsicle (the only girl option) and a Sonic popsicle...and four smiling Friederichsens...thankful for a special few moments shared today over dripping ice cream from the ice cream truck.

Once we got home, I covered Millie's favorite shirt with this pirate shirt.

That was a Sonic the Hedghog popsicle.
Now it's mainly two green gumball eyes with some ice cream left around them.

My Little Boy is Growing Up

2010-03-16T22:14:00.004-04:00

I have had a few moments over the past week or two when I have thought: "Wow. Hunter is going to be all grown up before I know it."

He began tee ball practice on Monday, March 8th. He loves going to the cul-de-sac with his dad and working on hitting and throwing...standing like a "T" to get the proper position for a good throw. This is Hunter's first organized sport, and I am excited for him to play for the YMCA "Wolves" this spring.

On Sunday, Hunter sat down for some "book time," looked at the book "Ten Apples on Top," and told Donny: "I think I can read this." And so he started. After I put Millie down for her nap, I joined them in Hunter's room. He was reading. We have read some basic phonics books before (you know, like "Pig sat. Dog sat on cat. Cat had a hat."), but the book he was reading was a bit more challenging. My jaw dropped every time he read a word that I just knew I was going to have to help him with...but didn't. Of course, he needed help with some words, but I was just amazed. He read over 30 pages to us. My little boy is growing up.

So here I am...loving being Hunter and Millie's mom...while also having this haunting feeling that they are going to be grown up and gone before I know it. Lord, will you give me eyes to see the big picture that all the mundane tasks of motherhood are leading to the growth and nurture of my children. One day, they will no longer be primarily under our care, so I will cherish today and rejoice over every milestone and jaw dropping moment when I realize: "Oh, they're growing up right before my eyes."

My little boy, now 5 1/2, heading to his first tee ball practice

Hunter and Donny playing baseball on Sunday in our cul-de-sac

Hallelujah, What a Savior

2010-03-04T14:33:00.003-05:00

We have recently started having family worship with the kids at night before bedtime. We sit on the floor in the living room, pray, sing a hymn, go through some questions and answers from the Children's Catechism, and then we read and talk about a few verses from the Proverbs. We then close by praying for someone or something. So far, Millie has wanted to pray for lots of toys and characters, so we are working on that. :)

This afternoon, as the kids were playing before naps in Hunter's room, I overheard two little voices singing: "Hallelujah, what a Savior, Hallelujah, what a friend. Saving, helping, keeping, loving. He is with me to the end." That's the refrain from "Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners" which is the hymn we have been singing in family worship. Those were sweet words and sweet sounds to hear from my kids today. My prayer is that those words and the things they learn about our Savior in family worship, worship at church, and in day to day life will grip their hearts. My prayer is that those things would grip my heart as well. Thanks, kids. I needed those words today. And thank you, Lord, for putting your praise in the hearts and mouths of my children...to lead their mommy back to you this afternoon.

Creativity in my House

2010-02-26T20:19:00.007-05:00

Everyday I am amazed with the level of creativity and ingenuity that comes out of my household. There is rarely a day that passes when I am not in awe of something that Hunter has made or that the kids pretend or that Donny can do. I really do look forward to seeing what will come from their minds , hands, and mouths each day.

Hunter lately has been showing a sweet interest in creating things for others. Yesterday, Millie and I went shopping for a birthday present for a party we attended today. When Hunter saw what we got Millie's friend, he decided to make one for Millie so that she would not be sad that she did not have one. Here's what he made...

Can you guess what the birthday present was? Cinderella's carriage with Cinderella and the Prince, the Fairy Godmother, and a horse. Hunter asked me to help him attach it to one of his cars so that the carriage could go. So it's attached to a Hummer. We want Cinderella to have a sweet ride, right?

We play lots of pretend around our house. Anyone know who these adorable misfits are?

Robin Hood and Maid Marian, of course. Really, they are as adorable as the picture seems. I love when they dress up and play pretend together.

Last, but certainly not least, can anyone guess who this is?

Last week we lost Obi Wan Kenobi's head at the park. Last April, Cinderella's head fell off her body from Millie's 2nd birthday cake. Guess what my funny hubby did? He and Millie worked in the office tonight on this little gem. Yep, that's Cinderella's head on Obi Wan's body. Millie now calls him/her "Obi Wan Kenobi Cinderella." And why not? What else are we going to call her?

Funny times in the Friederichsen household. Looking forward to what tomorrow will bring...

Dreams Don't Come True

2010-02-13T22:31:00.005-05:00

Something funny happened in our car last Sunday night that I had to write about.

Our whole family was driving to get some pizza before the Super Bowl. Hunter and Millie were in the back seat talking. I don't know how the conversation started, but here's how it went;

Hunter: "Dreams don't come true."
Millie: "Yes, dreams do come true."

Hunter: "Ok, where would you like to go? Make a wish."
Millie: "The kingdom."

Hunter: "Ok, wish you were in the kingdom. Now close your eyes and count to three. One, two, three. Ok, now open your eyes. See? You're not in the kingdom. Dreams don't come true."

I guess Hunter is the realist in family. It was hilarious and sad all at the same time. I've never actually heard anyone verbalize that before (much less my five year old son). A funny car trip on Super Bowl Sunday.

A Memorable Day at Disney

2009-11-20T22:18:00.008-05:00

I don't know what was different about today...but I still get emotional thinking about it. We took a family day to Disney. Our passes expire on Dec. 15, so I am beginning the mourning process already.

We started the morning at Hollywood Studios and got to ride Toy Story Mania (Donny and my favorite) twice! I even beat Donny (for the first time ever) scoring my all-time high of 194,200. After Hollywood Studios, we headed to Magic Kingdom. I wanted to see a few afternoon shows, so we decided to skip naps and stay most of the day.

We got lots of character pics that I had been wanting...Minnie, Tigger and Eeyore, and Peter Pan and Wendy. We even got to see Tiana, the new Disney princess. She is gorgeous. I love her gown. We also took some Christmas photos for the Christmas card this year, so it was a full day.

The moment that was so moving came during a parade that we have seen numerous times. In the Magic Kingdom, they do a parade called "Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It Street Party." The parade goes down Main Street and stops in front of the castle. It is a favorite for my kids...especially Millie. The special thing about this parade is that the characters get in the streets and let the kids dance with them. And Millie LOVES to dance with them. She has no fear and tries to follow every move just right. Today she had on tennis shoes and a little dress, and I felt like I was watching a miniature version of her (at 2 1/2) for when she is 15 and trying out for cheerleading (yikes!).

We always stand where Woody and Jessie (from Toy Story) stop so that Millie can dance with Jessie. Like I said, we have done this a lot...three times in the last month...and today I truly wondered if Jessie recognized Millie. Jessie seemed to give Millie such special treatment. I know it's Disney, and everything feels special...but I know Disney fairly well...and this was different. Every time the characters went to dance with the kids, Jessie grabbed Millie's hand. Jessie even knelt down for me to snap a pic with her and Millie...and they never do that in the parade. Millie got to walk along the street holding Jessie's hand. Then, as Jessie was getting back on her float when the show was over, she kept "eye contact" (as much as you can with a big plastic face) with Millie the whole time...waving straight at her and blowing her kisses. The parade even makes a loop around the castle courtyard, and when she came back around, Jessie still honed in on Millie. As the characters were leaving, I mouthed the words "Thank You" to Jessie, and she nodded. I knew we had just shared something special in the gift of time and attention that she gave to Millie...and to me.

I don't know what it was exactly, but I got so choked up seeing my little girl getting such star attention from one of the characters...one of her favorite characters. I almost felt bad for the other kids who wanted to dance with Jessie, because Jessie kept going back to Millie. It was just one of those special times when you get singled out and are made to feel more special than you would ever dream.

Even though it was Millie getting all the attention, I felt so special through her. There is something about being chosen. There is something about being picked out and given special attention. I know Millie will probably forget this experience...but I'm sure I won't. Maybe it's just been a while since I've felt so special like that...but I know that's how God sees me. In the crowds of people, my God knows my name and wants me to know him. Disney does hold a special place in my heart...probably too special sometimes...but today, God used that place and Millie's experience to show me something of himself. As my heart leapt over my daughter being given a second glance by some college-aged girl dressed up as a fictional cowgirl in plastic and polyester, I pray my heart will leap knowing my God has chosen me...and calls me his.

It was a special day in a lot of ways...fun characters, our favorite rides...we even ran into a friend from church there. As a Disney fanatic, I would definitely say it was magical...but it ran a little deeper than that today. Can't believe I'm writing this...but the tender care from a character to my Millie in the midst of the spectacle of all things Disney reminded me today of the tender care and love of my Heavenly Father...who thinks I am so special and uniquely his. We have been talking with Hunter lately about heaven. He asks about it quite a bit. I look forward to taking the hand of my heavenly father one day in heaven and dancing in the streets in a way that I can't even imagine...a small glimpse of that today was found on the streets of the Magic Kingdom...and I am forever thankful.

Millie, you are my special little girl. My princess...my spunky little dancing machine. Today it thrilled your mommy's heart to see you dance with Jessie and to have her give you so much attention and treat you in such a special way...as if you girls are best friends. My prayer is that you will always feel loved and special by your mommy, daddy, and brother...and that one day you will be thrilled to know you are special to God. You are. Even more special than the experience of a wonderful day at Disney is the experience of an eternity with God...who loves you more than we can possibly know or experience. For now, I pray my love will be a small taste of the love of God in your life...and that you will come to know his love as you grow into a lovely little lady and young woman. I love you, sweetheart.

Minnie and the girls at Hollywood Studios

Getting ready for Toy Story Mania

Family pic after Toy Story Mania...where everything is larger than life!

Family shot with Donald...but Daddy is still our favorite Donald!!!

Peter Pan and Wendy...a favorite of our kids.
We have never seen them before in the park.

Jessie waving good-bye to Millie after the parade.

Family Fun at Epcot

2009-10-15T16:02:00.004-04:00

Donny has "reading week" this week which means that his classes don't meet...but his workload is HUGE right now. Thankfully, we were able to set some family time aside yesterday to take a little trip to Epcot. Our Disney passes have two months left until they expire. The heat is just about to die down (hopefully) here in Orlando, so I am hoping to make the most of the passes over the next two months.

A highlight of our day was getting Millie on Soarin for the first time. It has a height requirement that, with a carefully placed, really big bow, she met (or at least we say she did...no one ever asked). It was fun for all of us to do that together, and Millie loved it.

I have a list of characters that I would like to get pictures with before our passes run out, so I was hoping to find Mary Poppins in the United Kingdom for a photo opportunity with the kids. Mary Poppins wasn't going to appear for a while, so we decided to go find Belle. On our way to find Belle, we saw Sleeping Beauty walking to her picture post in France. We were "those people" who totally stalked her. Once we got close, she started talking to Millie. Donny pulled her out of the stroller, and Sleeping Beauty took Millie's hand, and they walked and talked on the way to where Sleeping Beauty does her pictures. When Sleeping Beauty crouched down to get on Millie's level, Millie said: "I like your crown." Too cute. Sleeping Beauty let her touch the crown and kept on talking with her. I mean, it felt like Millie got this special one-on-one time with her...it was too cute. Millie just acted like they were the best of friends. So sweet. I kept saying thank you to Sleeping Beauty, because I felt so blessed that Millie (and Mommy) got to have such a fun, unexpected princess experience.

Soarin for the first time as a family of four. So fun.

Getting ready to "soar" over California on Soarin'.

We thought we would get our first family ride on Test Track...but they measured Millie really closely, and we got denied. Oh well.

Hunter and I rode Mission Space. It was Hunter's first time and so fun since he is learning about space travel this week at pre-school. I think riding this made up for the fact we skipped school to go to Epcot, right?

Millie took some cute pictures with Belle, but then Millie started making silly faces for the pictures. I loved that Belle joined her in the silliness.

Princess Millie's stroll through France with Sleeping Beauty

Millie's new best friend...what a treat!

Back into the blogging world

2009-09-22T19:55:00.004-04:00

Yes, yes, I know...it's been a long time. So let me catch you up on our summer, and we'll just go from there.

We started our summer at the end of May when we were all part of Donny's sister's wedding.
Hunter and Millie made an adorable ring bearer and flower girl.

Then we went to Tennessee to intern at Camp Vesper Point. Yee-Haw, Cowboy!

We enjoyed lots of time with my sister, Jennifer, and her family.
The kids LOVED having so much time with their cousins.

On July 20, we were able to be there to welcome our newest nephew/cousin, Micah, into the world.

We are in the full swing of a new school year. Lots of changes this year including Pre-K for Hunter, and Donny is assisting teaching Greek at the seminary as a TA. I am even getting to take a class this semester on the book of Jonah. I will update more when I can.

Mommy and Hunter day at Disney (April 3, 2009)

2009-04-27T19:40:00.005-04:00

A few weeks back, Hunter and I spent the weekend together while Donny and Millie went to Tennessee. We took one day and went to Disney (of course). It was really fun, because we had no strollers, no naptime, and we were able to hop from Epcot over to Animal Kingdom with ease.

It rained for a lot of the morning, and I took no rain gear, so we were soaked most of the morning. It was fun, though...you know, just running from place to place in the rain. Just about the time we dried out from the morning, we got soaked again on the Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom. Hunter was really puzzled by his pruny feet once we got home and we realized that our feet were still wet.

What a fun day it was to spend with Hunter. I treasure those times of undistracted, quality time with one of my kids (or with anyone dear to me) when all I care about is having fun, connecting, and making memories with him/her.

Putting Donny and Millie on the plane...and then heading to Disney!!!

Test Track...one of Hunter's favorites!

Love getting pics with the characters...Flick was standing at the entrance of AK.

Started the day at Epcot and finished at Animal Kingdom
(and dinner at Chick Fil A). What a day!!!

Millie's 2nd Birthday

2009-04-20T22:36:00.011-04:00

Today was Millie’s 2nd Birthday. I really can’t believe my little girl is 2. We took her to Disney (of course) to get her picture with Cinderella and the other princesses. We did that last year on her birthday, so it was really fun to see the difference. Last year I had to walk her up to Cinderella. This year she just took off and said “Hi, Cinderella.” She climbed up by herself on the little bench where she sat and said “Ta Da!” Really, Millie walked around in her new Cinderella dress (Thanks, Mimi and Ddad!) like she owned the place. It was hilarious. She really thought she was a princess and was right at home.

When she went to see Sleeping Beauty, she asked: “Where Cinderella?” Take that Aurora. We really don’t like you anyway. Belle (from Beauty and the Beast) was between Cinderella and Aurora. She caught some one-on-one time with Hunter while Millie was saying good-bye to Cinderella. Hunter said: “They kept calling me ‘Prince.’” I think he liked the attention too.

Among the presents today came a potty seat with some Dora and Princess underwear. She really wanted me to put the underwear on her tonight as I was changing her diaper for bed. I think we’ll be pulling out the potty chair really soon. For now, she just sits on it as her throne (and sits her new Cinderella doll on it too). Hopefully the new Sesame Street books she got will serve as good bathroom reading material and her potty seat will serve a greater purpose than being the throne upon which she sits in her new Cinderella dress.

We ate birthday lunch as a family and had our second year of birthday donuts instead of birthday cake. Millie was pretty ravenous with that donut. When it was done, she asked: “Where my donut? In my mouth.” Then she started asking for cake…a smart one, she is.

Millie, you are my darling. I am so thankful to have a little girl I can put in a “Birthday Girl” t-shirt and bow and show-off all day. I am so proud of you and proud to be your mommy. I told your Daddy today how remarkable I think you are…particularly with your verbal skills. You impressed the pin lady today at the park when you told her very clearly all the characters on her lanyard. You are fun, adventurous, and silly. I love that you request different songs every night before you go to bed. I never know what you will want. Tonight it was Nemo. Tomorrow it might be Noah or Bolt or Shmah (Daddy’s Hebrew song). I feel like everyday is an adventure with you. Sometimes those adventures can make your mommy tired…but I relish the adventure.

Two years old…I remember holding you in the hospital in the middle of the night just you and me while Daddy slept and no visitors were around. My 10lb. love…you captured my heart from the beginning. You are my treasure. I look forward to the years ahead…praying for many…looking forward to seeing God work out your life before my eyes…and thankful I get to be the mommy who helps along the way. Good-night, my sweetheart. We’ll wake up tomorrow and start a fresh, new day. It’s a day, however, that will probably seem a little different to me…no longer a baby and on your way to becoming a lovely little girl.

I love you dearly,
Mommy

Birthday donuts...pink icing with sprinkles...yum!

Loving her new potty...hopefully she'll be putting it to use soon.

Every princess' day needs a little pirate action!

Mommy loves her little birthday princess!!!

Death and Taxes

2009-04-15T15:02:00.002-04:00

Happy Tax Day. As I type, I am listening to a song by Natalie Grant called "Held." It is a song that I was introduced to last summer when I was tracking with the life, struggle with cancer, and eventual death of sweet Joseph Peabody, the 4-year-old son of a college friend of mine.

Our family has been through the ringer over the past month. We lost Donny's Grandmother Levi on March 16. Last Saturday, April 11, we lost Donny's Grandmother Friederichsen to a very quick battle with cancer. She was diagnosed less than a month ago. We have been faced with death so much in the last month. Donny performed both funerals. I sang in Grandmother Friederichsen's funeral on Monday. We both played integral roles in both funerals and have carried a large part of the spiritual and emotional burden for the family. It has been a hard month.

I believe with all my heart in God's sovereignty. I also believe right now that His sovereignty often hurts. It is still for my good and for his glory...but it often hurts. I just got word today that another friend we knew in college and here in Orlando just lost a baby in her 34th week of pregnancy. I thought mourning the loss of our grandmothers was hard...but to mourn the loss of a child never known...I can't imagine.

I am not sure why I feel compelled to blog about these hard things. I guess the saying goes that the two things we can count on in life are death and taxes. We got our taxes done in January. So here I am trying to work through death.

Here are the lyrics to the chorus of Held:
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held

Donny's Grandmothers were a treasure to me. I lost my Grandmother in 2005...it feels like longer, because my Grandmother had had Alzheimers since 2001. Donny's grandmothers brought me in as their own. I called both of them "Grandmother" and meant it with the same love and connection that I did my own Grandmother. As the song says, the sacred does get torn from our lives, and we survive...and I need to know that I am held through it...that the sovereign arms of my heavenly Father, through whom these circumstances first passed, are the same arms that hold me today. We are trying to pick up the pieces from our very hard month. I have loads of laundry, piles of papers, and inherited pots, pans, and other miscellaneous items to wade through...right now, they are reminders of the chaos and brokenness.

I was out on my porch this afternoon, sitting still for as long as I could (which wasn't long), and I asked God: "As I endure these things that you have allowed, would you help me not miss you in them?" All I want to do is put the pieces back together. I need to care more about my broken heart right now than my broken house...I pray I will be faithful to give God a glance here and there as I cope...because only in his arms will I find peace and healing in the hurt.

Maundy Thursday Reflections

2009-04-09T10:54:00.002-04:00

In the midst of teaching Hunter and Millie about Easter and preparing their hearts for this week and this Sunday, I realized last night that I needed to prepare my own heart. Of course, this is not the only time of the year I can reflect on Easter and Christ's death and resurrection...but it is a special time of remembrance...and I have been more intent on cultivating the soil of my children's hearts than my own.

I have been following a reading plan to read through the Bible in two years. Right now, I am in Leviticus (which I do not recommend reading each morning over breakfast...yuck). I decided today that Leviticus was just not what I needed to connect my heart with Easter (although I'm sure it could...I just need something a little more obvious today). I sat down to read Matthew's accounts of the Last Supper, Gethsemane, and the betrayal and arrest. After reading, I pulled out Hunter's Jesus Storybook Bible (which we highly recommend) and read the same stories.

Here is how it recounted Jesus' words during the Last Supper:
But this is how God will rescue the whole world. My life will break and God's broken world will mend. My heart will tear apart - and your hearts will heal.

I feel broken...and those words meant a lot to me today. Our family has been dealing with some hard things lately. Last month we said good-bye to Donny's maternal Grandmother who died in mid-March. Sometime soon (probably before the month ends), we will do the same with Donny's paternal Grandmother. We feel that we are swirling in death and sadness. In this, as I feel torn apart in so many ways, I hold to the hope that as Jesus was broken and restored in his resurrection, so we are and will be restored in newness of life through him. I am trusting that my heart will heal...due only to the love, kindness, and sacrifice of my Savior.

Happy Birthday, Aunt Becky!

2009-03-13T22:16:00.010-04:00

Today was Aunt Becky's birthday. Becky is Donny's older sister. She lives in Plant City which is about an hour and a half from us. She took the day off work, and we enjoyed taking her to Disney to celebrate her birthday. Hunter and Millie fought all day long over who could hold her hand...and Becky was a trooper being willing to hold the kids for WAY longer than we ever do at the park. They were spoiled...and loved it. Aunt Becky was definitely the superstar of the day...and we are so blessed that we could spend a large part of her birthday with her.

Happy Birthday, Aunt Becky!!! We love you!!!

Mickey's Philharmagic

Millie and I caught some time with "Frontiersman" Donald while waiting for Hunter, Donny and Aunt Becky to ride Splash Mountain.

Hunter eating a HUGE popsicle...something else that happens only when Aunt Becky is with us.

My new favorite parade at the Magic Kingdom...in front of the castle...you get to dance in the streets with the characters!

What a FUN Day!!!!

Downtown Disney...2 1/2 years later

2009-02-27T16:07:00.017-05:00

Hunter, Millie and I trekked out to Downtown Disney yesterday...mainly to get some free trading pins that were being given to passholders. To say we had fun is a HUGE understatement. If you are ever in Orlando but don't want to pay for Disney, visit Downtown Disney on a weekday right at opening (9:30 a.m.), and you will have the place to yourselves...at least that is how we felt for the first hour or so.

Anyway, one of many favorite things we did was play in the stores. I was reminded of a picture we took of Hunter when he was Millie's age (22 months) in 2006 when we spent a summer with Crusade down here in Orlando. Anyway...here's what 2 1/2 years of little boy growth looks like:

July 2006 - 22 months old

February 2009 - 4 years, 5 months old

So, after that trip down memory lane, we had lots of fun playing at Legoland, exploring the new T-Rex restaurant and Rainforest Cafe, and splashing in the fountains. It was a fun day overall...one I hope I won't soon forget. The kids had happy hearts, were very obedient, not many crowds, great weather...a day to be very thankful to live in Florida with young children. There even came a point when I lost a $5 bill. I went back to the store in which I thought I had lost it, and they had it. I mean, really, there are few perfect days in our lives...but this morning was pretty close to it. Thank you, Lord. What a blessing.

In the World of Disney store...having fun with all her "friends."

We all loved being a little "Goofy."

The kids enjoyed looking around (notice the Lego built dragon in the background).

Hunter really got into "pin trading" with the free set we picked up.

We capped off the day playing in the fountains.

Millie's New Favorite Naptime Song

2009-02-26T19:09:00.013-05:00

Millie's First Dog Ears...what a cutie!

We don't have a lot of naptime/bedtime routines in our house besides the necessities (teeth brushing, diaper change, potty, etc). Sometimes we read together. Sometimes we don't. There are no necessary songs or routines. We have gone through phases of routines...like when Hunter was 3 I had to rub his belly and sing the "Rescue Pack" song from Go, Diego, Go! For the most part, we have tried to keep bedtime simple. That way, anyone can put our kids down to sleep if we are out (which is seldom these days...but still nice when it happens).

Millie, just a few days ago, as I lay her down for a nap, said: "Jesus love me...Bible...so." I have never tried to teach her that song before, so I was shocked and excited, and my heart just melted. Anyway, I sang "Jesus Loves Me" before she went down for her nap. For the next few days, she asked for it, but she has now changed the words a little. She now says "Jesus love me...Bible tells me so much." Donny and I have been marvelling at the wonder of our daughter, her sweetness, and mostly the profound truth that Jesus loves me...the Bible tells me so much. Needless to say, I will be keeping that routine with Millie for as long as she wants.

Sleeping during playtime in her crib. Sleep well, sweet girl.

Our 7th Anniversary

2009-01-10T15:45:00.007-05:00

Monday, January 5, was our 7th anniversary. We got a babysitter (actually, 2 babysitters) and spent the day at the Ritz Carlton Spa. It was the day before Donny started back with classes, and it was just what I needed to start the new semester.

Seven years...7 seems like a small number. In my dream of spending 60+ years with Donny, 7 is but a fraction of the time I long to spend on this earth as his wife. BUT...what, really, have I ever done for 7 years? I guess elementary school was the last thing I did for 7 years. I have been driving for more than 7 years. I have been on my own, out of school for more than 7 years.

Still...seven years...a lot happens in a marriage in seven years. In seven years we have lived in 3 states, 4 cities and 5 different homes. We have had two children. It was on our 2nd anniversary in 2004 that we found our we were pregnant with Hunter. Donny calls that day the day I waved the stick I had just peed on in his face. We have had three different jobs in seven years. There have been many highs and a share of lows.

Snapshots of our seven years:

Beginning our marriage with living room furniture consisting of a coffee table, a bean bag, and two picnic chairs
Having a hard time with the name change (Friederichsen is a toughy...I still sign my receipts with Kim F with a long line after the F)
Working on our wedding scrapbook soon after we were married while Donny watched this new show..."24." Although I was not interested in it AT ALL at the time, I type this now anxiously awaiting the start of season 7 tomorrow night trying to figure out if I will have to pull Hunter out of children's choir early to make it home in time.
Lots of trips to Dairy Queen for chocolate peanut butter blizzards in our first year. I think we are still paying for that little routine.
Moving to Lexington...and having the ice storm of 2003 within our first month there.
Donny's surgery on his polynidal cyst in June 2003 - A time in our marriage when I had to repeat "For better or for worse" over and over to remember the vows I had made as I dressed his wound.
At 3:00 a.m., Donny jumped in front of me (7 months pregnant with Hunter) as we heard a LOUD crash outside of our house. A drunk driver had just run into BOTH of our cars while we were fast asleep in our house. Donny has always been a strong and faithful protector.
Helping Donny learn how to change his first diaper (Hunter's...not his) in the hospital.
Donny sweetly coached me on Hunter's first night home to wait just a little longer to see if Hunter would fall asleep on his own...and he did...and I have been so thankful ever since. I think our kids sleep better because of Donny and his wisdom on that very first night.

OK...I've written for much longer than I thought I would...and I only got three years into our marriage. Oh well, you get the point. I love my husband...and I love that God provided him for me. That was part of our vows...the only part we added to the traditional vows (thanks, Emily and Forrest). "I, Kim, receive you, Donny, as God's provision for me."

Life is always interesting. Here we are, seven years in, and we are in school still trying, in a way, to "find ourselves." What fills my heart, though, is knowing that I and my husband find ourselves today "in Christ," and in his will and loving him and his Word. I am thrilled by the thought of many more years ahead...that, looking back 50 years from now, 7 will seem like a drop in the bucket...but a significant drop nonetheless.

Donny, I love you.

Lord, I thank you for my sweet husband, your provision for me.

Christmas 2008

2008-12-31T22:07:00.011-05:00

I am going to be brief...the compulsive task-completer that I am really wants to post Christmas thoughts and pics before 2008 ends. Soooo...here I am at 10:08 p.m. on New Year's Eve 2008 with a few thoughts on our family's Christmas.

I must say...it was simpler and more joyous that I could have imagined. We got Disney passes for our family this year as our big Christmas gift. I have been selling everything I could drag out of our closets to save money for them. Needless to say, there wasn't much more under our Christmas tree for the kids. They each got a pair of Crocs (winter shoes in Florida) and one toy and a stocking. Hunter got a tee ball set, and Millie got a Dora the Explorer Magnadoodle. The funny thing is...we didn't even pay for those toys. Our church had a toy exchange where we could bring gently used toys to give away...and we could choose a few toys that other families brought. Seriously...a tee ball set and a Magnadoodle were on my list for Hunter and Millie...and there they were...both in their packaging. The Dora Magnadoodle had never been opened. What a blessing. Opening presents on December 17 was a little strange. We left for Christmas travels on the 18th, so I wanted to have a family Christmas at home...so the 17th it was.

As I look back on this Christmas, I am amazed with how much we tried to "scale back" and how much more blessed I was with less. Don't get me wrong...I'll be lovin' every day I am at Disney over the next 12 months...but it still felt simple.

Here are some things we really enjoyed doing this year to make Christmas special:
1. Our free felt board Advent calendar that I found on Craigslist. Over the 25 days leading up to Christmas, Hunter got to place a new piece of the manger scene on the board. It was neat to see how he instinctively knew and cared about making the scene look right.

2. Advent wreath and readings - We bought an advent wreath this year along with a guide from our church. Although most of our readings took place on Mondays (because Sundays were busy this holiday season), I enjoyed reading the liturgy with the kids, lighting the candles, singing a hymn, and letting Hunter and Millie (with great fear and trepidation) blow out the candles. This year, Hunter learned "O Come O Come Emmanuel" and "Silent Night" along with his favorites from last year, "Joy to the World" and "Away in a Manger."

3. Slowly reading through the Christmas story - I enjoyed reading with Hunter (and sometimes Millie) parts of the Christmas story starting back with the prophets. I began at the beginning of December using a guide from Bible Study Fellowship. It was neat to really take the time to read small portions and the different accounts of Christ's birth. Once Christmas came, Hunter had heard Luke 2 so many different times that he could even fill in the blanks of the story when I would read it to him.

4. The Grinch - This was Hunter's first year to watch The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. It was so funny...he watched it three times within the first 24 hours of seeing it. Of course, being the costume man that he is these days, Hunter came out proudly from his room one day in a green shirt with his red fireman's vest and Santa hat and declared: "I'm the Gwinch!" He's in a "my r's sound like w's" phase right now...so we heard a lot about the "Gwinch" and "pwesents" this Christmas.

5. 12 Days of Christmas envelopes - About halfway through December, I realized that Hunter was having a hard time understanding when Christmas was really going to be. Since we were traveling so much this month, we were going to have about 5 different "Christmases" with different family members. Although we had our advent calendar, Hunter's concept of time and especially with numbers above 10 is fuzzy, so he didn't understand when December 25 was going to be. Soooo...I got a great idea from my friend Lori's blog. She does the 25 days of Christmas where she has different activities for her son and family to do to countdown to Christmas. I put a box together for Hunter and labeled it "Hunter's 12 Days of Christmas." In the box I put 12 envelopes labeled 1-12. On the first day he opened 12...then 11...and so forth to 1. This helped him so much more understand that there are 10 days or 4 days or whatever left until Christmas. In each envelope was either an activity or event or Bible verse or gift that would help Hunter prepare for Christmas. Every morning, Hunter woke up asking if he could open another envelope. Thanks, Lori, for your idea that has birthed what will likely be a longstanding tradition in our family.

6. Christmas Eve - This year, during our Christmas Eve service, Hunter got to hold a lit candle for the entirety of "Silent Night." He asked if he could take his candle home, and we let him. When we got home, he sat by his advent calendar (which then had every character on it except Jesus) and asked if we could turn off the lights and sing "Silent Night." Of course. So there we were...me, Hunter, Millie and Donny...in the dark in my parent's hallway...with one lit candle singing Silent Night. I think that song will mean something different to me from now on.

7. Our Little People Nativity - We have a Little People Nativity that we set underneath our tree on the day we decorate...all the characters are there with one exception...the baby Jesus does not come until Christmas morning. We tell the kids that the people are waiting for Jesus to come and that is what we are doing waiting for Christmas and ultimately waiting for Jesus to return. On Christmas morning, even Millie noticed. Jesus was there. She knows him...or at least his name and that he is the baby in our nativity. I have a Willow Tree Nativity that I set on our TV armoire in our living room. One morning, as I brought Millie into the living room, she looked up on the top of the armoire, pointed up, and said: "Jesus." Sweet words to this Mommy's ears. As we wait for Jesus to join our nativity on Christmas morning, it reminds my heart of how I long for him to come. Come, Lord Jesus. I pray I am waiting and will wait well.

8. Happy Birthday Jesus Cake - For the third year in a row (since Hunter was two), we made a Happy Birthday Jesus cake. This year we went with a cookie cake. None of us (Hunter and Donny especially) are cake eaters, so the cookie cake was great. we set our Little People nativity on top of it (which really made the cookie cake just seem like the ground on which the manger laid), lit four candles, sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus, and blew out the candles. Happy Birthday, Jesus.

Ok, it is now 10:39 p.m. on New Year's Eve. I'm sure there are more things to write...but I am going to stop. We had a wonderful Christmas. We traveled around 2000 miles to Tennessee and Kentucky, saw dear friends and family, our hearts were encouraged, we felt loved, and we celebrated the birth of our most beloved Savior. I am ready to enter a new semester, my heart is full, and I am thankful for so much...more than I can say or write.

At Disney's Hollywood Studios for the Dancing Lights
On Main Street at the Magic Kingdom
The castle is further in the background

Christmas morning fun...on December 17
Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

Thanksgiving Turkey Fry

2008-12-31T20:19:00.008-05:00

Step back with me about six weeks...and here we are at Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was great this year. Hunter, Millie and I went to a local church the day before Thanksgiving to get our turkey fried. They had face painting, hot dogs, and music to entertain while we waited for our turkey to fry. 45 minutes later...voila! We took our turkey home, Jennifer and family arrived, and on Thanksgiving Day we ate the most scrumptious turkey I have ever had. As much as it is in my power, I will always get my turkey fried for Thanksgiving. In addition to a great meal, our families (Morris and Friederichsens...no parentals...just the sis and fam) went to Disney to watch Tennessee play Siena at the Wide World of Sports...very fun. We all got dressed up in our orange and white. It was general admission, so the guys got there early and saved us seats just a few rows back from the Tennessee bench. What a fun day. It took a few "Goofy Pops" (Disney suckers) to keep the kids happy, but it was a blast. So much to be thankful for.

Before

Here she goes into the fryer!

After...and oh so yummy...sorry little turkey.
The team in the pre-game huddle...GO VOLS!!!
The Morris and Friederichsen Families (with a new Morris coming this summer!)

Mommy's Superhero

2008-11-13T22:25:00.005-05:00

I don't have much to write tonight about these pictures...but I had to post them. Hunter LOVES dressing up and playing pretend. With these pajamas, it's not hard to transform into Superman. What a cutie he is!

Millie at 18 months

2008-11-09T20:09:00.009-05:00

Millie on Friday (11/7/08) at the Lake Hart Fall Festival

Well, this post is a little late, but I wanted to write a few thoughts about my little girl as she turned 18 months (back on Oct. 20):

Dear Millie,

How precious you are to me. You are full of energy, into everything...but growing little by little to listen and obey to Mommy and Daddy's voice. We pray one day that will lead you to listen to and obey God's voice. It's hard to chase after you sometimes. I feel like I say "No, Millie" or "Millie, No" a lot...but you are a gem. I look forward to seeing you grow into the vibrant little girl that I see in you even at this young age. You give life to so many...filling our moments with laughter and smiles. Even at this age, friends are happy to see you in the church nursery. You are already a social butterfly.

We have never cut your hair. 18 months, and your baby hair is still there. Unlike your brother, you never lost your baby hair, so I just can't bear to cut it. Everyone comments on how long your hair is. I know I will cry when the day comes to give you a trim. We use (and lose) lots of barrettes (which you call "bets") and rubber bands trying to keep your hair out of your face, and you have even figured out how to push your hair behind your ears...but it never stays.

You are so verbal. Let's see...what words are present in your 18th month:
monkey (because you like Curious George so much), Huner (you are finally getting "Hunter"), cheese (cracked me up at Albertson's tonight pointing out the cheese), Nigh Nigh (saying good-night...and even pretending in the middle of the day. I love those first signs of imagination), Die-Do (Diego), Do-Da (Dora), He-Yo (Hello), Hi (you say "hi" and "bye" to just about anyone), Bye Bye, Doggy, Moo (for both cows and horses), you can put together two word phrases such as mo pease (more please). I'm sure there are many more.

You and Mommy just got back from 2 hours of bargain hunting at Wal-Mart, CVS, and Albertsons...getting nothing less than the very best deals of the week. Even though Mommy can be a little obsessive at times, I hope you will learn from me how to manage a home and family in a way that honors the Lord. I struggle to even write that, because the task of doing that and modeling it to you feels weighty...but I look forward to everyday helping you become the woman God will make you to be.

Millie, there is so much more I could write, but a day of church, resting, coupon clipping, and bargain hunting with you have left me tired...but full of encouragement and love. Love for you, my sweet girl. Happy 18 months (a few weeks late).

Love, Mommy

Photos taken on 10/20/08 (Millie's 18 month old day)

While obviously a cutie, notice the aforementioned hair
we are constantly trying to keep out of her face.

Posing in Hunter's Peter Pan/Robin Hood Hat

This is a fairly common look. Not sure what it means.
Most of the time it's frustration or just trying to show a little attitude.

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

2008-11-07T22:49:00.007-05:00

To get to OVIEDO!

Although we have lived in Orlando for over a year, we moved this summer to a small town in the northeast corner of Orlando called Oviedo. Oviedo is fun. We are a few miles away from all the conveniences of modern civilization, BUT...we are also minutes away from a very quaint downtown area that is full of charm...and chickens!!! Yes, I said chickens. Downtown Oviedo is known for their chickens. There is a town square where I go to BSF (Bible Study Fellowship), and you can very often roll your windows down and hear the "cocka-doodle-doo" of a rooster or literally see a chicken crossing the road. It's hilarious.

If you look up Oviedo on Wikipedia, part of the entry includes this:

Oviedo is known for a population of chickens that roam the downtown area, ironically near the restaurant Popeyes. There are so many of them roaming the area that often traffic stops as they cross the roads. The chickens have been featured on Oviedo t-shirts and coffee mugs and a poster commemorating one of Oviedo's annual civic festivals, "A Taste of Oviedo". There are specific laws and statutes regarding the chickens, both for their protection.

Chicken behind Popeyes

Anyway, the kids and I always enjoy driving through downtown and seeing the chickens ("bock bocks" as Millie likes to call them). We went to the library on Thursday (which is a good mile from the downtown square where the chickens mostly reside), and, lo and behold, there were two chickens in the front lawn of the library. The hilarious thing is that they both flew up into a tree. Did you know chickens could take flight? I know they have wings (I like them with Buffalo and ranch sauce), but I had no idea they could actually fly.

Of course, I had to take a picture...I took a few that I was not satisfied with. I went closer, got my pic, and then the chicken started growling. For real...it was growling. I quickly took a few steps back, got the kids, and we left the chickens high on their perch above the library to stake their territory.

Hunter is sometimes afraid they will peck us. Parking for BSF is limited, so we park near the consignment store where they live and walk to Bible Study. Whenever we get out of the car, a chicken will follow us down the sidewalk. I somehow feel like they are shooing us away from their territory.

So...why did the chicken cross the road? To get to Oviedo. It's home to quite a few. The truly do rule the roost in our little downtown. Come down for a visit. Walk away with the bumper sticker: "I brake for Oviedo chickens."

The chicken in front of the Oviedo Library...right before it began growling at me.

A Defining Moment on Halloween

2008-10-31T22:03:00.006-04:00

I had a defining moment today...seem to be having quite a few of those lately. To set the stage: I haven't felt great over the last few days. Millie and I have been battling with sinus or allergy issues or something. Maybe it's this crazy "It's hot...It's cold...It's hot again" Florida weather.

Anyway, Donny graciously let me sleep in a little this morning. Once I did get up, I spent most of the morning letting the kids watch Sesame Street and just keeping them alive. After taking them to the bank and Wal-Mart after lunch, I asked them if they wanted to play outside. And we did.

Hunter brought out a foam sword and a newspaper pirate hat that Donny made for him. He asked me if I wanted to be a pirate. "Sure," I said. Nothing else to do...just biding my time until nap time...so I became a pirate.

More background: Hunter got a Monster Truck for his birthday from his amazing Aunt Becky. This truck has everything...2 speeds and reverse, a truck bed with tailgate, and a working FM Radio. Millie's favorite thing to do with the truck is turn on the radio and scan the stations (Mommy's little girl...I LOVE scanning the stations until I find just the right song).

Anyway, as Millie was scanning the stations, she stopped it on a Charlie Daniel's song. The one they sometimes play for Monday Night football where it says: "All my rowdy friends are coming over tonight." And we danced...I was dressed up in a newspaper pirate hat holding a foam sword, and I danced with my kids (who were not in costume) in my garage to my 4 year old's monster truck FM radio...to honky tonk...and I loved it. I paused (rather dramatically) and thought: "Wow...this is the most energy I have had all day...and I am dancing in my garage with my kids." I kinda looked around to see if anyone was watching...but I really didn't care.

After a while, Millie started scanning songs again. Unfortunately, it landed on "What if God was one of us," and she walked away with it playing. I detest that song, so I bent down and started messing with the FM radio in his monster truck. One of the first songs I hit in my scanning quest was all too familiar, all too appropriate, and the 1980's little girl in me leapt with joy (all the while still wearing my pirate costume). The familar intro complete with synthesizer and bass...It was Thriller.

My kids have no idea what that song is. Hopefully they will never know much of Michael Jackson. But I danced to Thriller today while my kids played outside. They weren't even in the garage anymore at this point. I was in a pirate hat, holding a foam sword, and my soul was filled with a pathetic sense of satisfaction. I heard Thriller...on Halloween...and I danced to it in my garage. Alone. In a pirate hat. A defining moment? Perhaps. Not sure what it says about me. But it was fun. To all those who know how your heart leaps when you hear that familiar intro to Thriller and forget the cares of the moment and recapture something of your youth, Happy Halloween. We are kindred spirits.

Hunter's First Pumpkin

2008-10-29T20:51:00.010-04:00

I do not like pumpkins. There is nothing at all appealing to me about cutting a hole in the top of one, digging out its innards, and carving a face into it. I don't like the mess mostly...I can't stand the way the inside stuff feels. I told Donny that my favorite time as a kid doing pumpkins for Halloween was the year my mom got us kits to paint faces on the pumpkins rather than carving faces (which, of course, Donny scoffed at). But Donny...he loves carving a pumpkin. He has talked all month about getting a pumpkin. He knew he would have to do it himself if it were to happen. This week came, and no pumpkin had made it into our home yet for the Halloween season. I thought I was going to get away this year without one. Then I took the kids to Wal-Mart on Monday. Their $4.88 pumpkins were on sale for $1. Here's where who I am and who Donny is work hand in hand. You see, I LOVE a deal...and for these huge, beautiful pumpkins, $1 was a DEAL...so I picked one out, put it in my buggy, and brought my husband home a pumpkin. When I brought it home, I actually apologized, because I didn't realize in the store just how flat one side of it was. Donny's response was: "Oh, they're all special." Are you kidding me?

Hunter and Donny carved the pumpkin this evening. Donny asked Hunter what kind of face he wanted to carve. Hunter first said he wanted a "bad guy face." Great. Then he and Donny compromised on a silly face that Hunter made and Donny carved. Millie helped too...kinda...she stuck her hand inside the pumpkin more eagerly than Hunter...much to her mommy's dismay. Hunter, like me, did not want anything to do with the insides, but Millie...give her a mess, and she wants right in the middle. Donny had to work to keep her from eating the pumpkin seeds.

So, here's to the Friederichsen Family Pumpkin 2008. I do like the finished product, and I am thankful the only roles I played in the process were purchasing the pumpkin and wiping Millie's arm once. Other than that, it was Donny and Hunter's creation.

Later tonight, as we were getting ready for bed, Hunter brought a marker to me and said: "This can be the knife. You can use it to cut open the top of my head and put a candle in." Another reason I don't like pumpkins. BUT...it's always funny (and sometimes weird) to see how Hunter processes things. I guess, in the mind of a 4 year old, it might be fun to have your head light up from the inside-out...but we'll leave that up to our pumpkin.

Happy Halloween Donny and Hunter...I love our pumpkin.

Is this how it's really supposed to be?

2008-10-24T22:16:00.004-04:00

I asked myself this question today: "Is this how I really thought my life would be at 31?"

Let me fill you in on the details. This morning, I, being a diligent wife and homemaker, started laundry at 8:30 a.m. in hopes of getting three loads done before the afternoon. I stripped my bedsheets to get them going after the load of kids' clothes was finished. As I walked into the laundry room to throw the clothes into the dryer and put my mattress pad in the wash, I saw something black sticking out from my mattress pad. I took a closer look. A lizard...a dead lizard...black and erect...it's head sticking out from my mattress pad I guess saying his final farewell. A lizard apparently died in my bed sheets and found its final resting place stuck in the elastic ribbing along the edge of my mattress pad.

I screamed (internally so as not to startle the kids), and then I called Hunter (because I love to discover how he experiences things like this compared to me): "Come here...I've got something to show you. A dead lizard is in Mommy's sheets." Hunter looked with interest. I talked with him (because I couldn't be alone during a time like this) and tried to process how I was going to get rid of this intruder in my home, in my sheets...now dead. Ugggghhhh!!! I told Hunter: "I'm a little scared. I know I shouldn't be scared, but I'm a little scared." Hunter responded: "Just remember...God will keep you safe." Thanks, son. Part of me wanted to hug him for sharing something so true and right...the other part of me was rather annoyed by his calm heart, because I was freaking out and didn't need a theological answer from my 4 year old. BUT...it was sweet and hilarious.

The laundry had to get done. I cared more about completing that task than I did about facing my fear of getting rid of the dead lizard...did I mention he was in my bed sheets???!!! I picked up the mattress pad and gave it a shake toward the garbage can. Nothing. That lizard was stuck. His little claws were firmly planted in the mesh. I shook, and his body just flailed around...never bending...stiff as a board...in my sheets. I grabbed a pair of scissors and cut the last string of mesh that was holding the lizard to my mattress pad...and off the lizard went into my Chi-O paint penned trash can from college. Still in one piece...dead as can be.

And I ask...is this what I signed up for with marriage, kids, and life as a homemaker? Since we moved to Florida, I have dealt with more bugs, frogs, snakes, and lizards than I care to count. And I deal with them. But still I ask...are you kidding me? I didn't think being a mommy meant saving my children and my home from such rodents. But I do...and that's part of life right now.

I deal with other funny, scary, tedious, and wonderful things during my days. This afternoon, Hunter peed in the front row of the Publix parking lot. Millie was already in her car seat, he could not wait, and I could not stop him. So there he was for all of the Publix shoppers to see. What can you do? Again I asked: Is this how I really thought things would turn out? Ten years ago I was singing opera, living in Massey with my sorority sisters, pining after boys who I just knew would be my husband, and looking forward to my future.

Where am I today? Wiping bottoms, doing laundry (with dead lizards), living in Florida with my seminary husband...and loving where I am. I didn't love it this morning at 9:30 in the laundry room...but I do love it. I am thankful for my "right now," and I look forward to the future. Is this how I imagined it? Not really. BUT...how could I have ever imagined that a dead lizard and an overfull 4 year old bladder would offer me the adventure and joys and memories I will have forever. I do love being a mom. I don't like lizards. BUT...I will fight the lizards and get the laundry done...and feel a great sense of accomplishment knowing I have done and been exactly who God wants me to be today.

Havin' a Little Church in Here

2008-10-20T10:06:00.003-04:00

Hunter is in "room time," and Millie is down for a nap. I usually use this time for cleaning, showering, getting some time with the Lord...but I had to write/type this down.

Hunter just led me in his own little version of church. It was really sweet and hilarious at the same time. He had me get my Bible and sit down in our living room. Here's how the Order of Worship went:

1. Hunter walked in holding his Bible. He opened it up and said: "SO...the soldiers took Jesus on the cross...and then they put a stone over it."
2. We sang the first verse of "Christ the Lord is Risen Today." Hunter sang and conducted, so I guess he was pastor and choir director.
3. He opened his Bible again and said: "SO...this is how we learn to obey God."
4. We sang "Jesus Loves Me."
5. He opened his Bible again, but I can't remember what he said. But he brought his Bible to me and had me touch the page he was "reading." Then he went around the room for "everyone else" to see the page he was reading from. Mind you...we were the only ones in the room.
6. Then he brought over a coaster and said: "Ok, here's where you put the money." And we passed around the offering.
7. Then he passed around another coaster and said: "Ok, you can pick something out." Not sure where he got that from, but it sounds fun.
8. We stood and sang the "Sanctus" by Schubert...affectionately known in our home as "Holy, Holy."
9. Then he took two coasters and had me kneel at our coffee table where he proceeded to serve communion. At our church, the elders share some words and pray for your families individually before you take communion. Although I can't remember everything that was said, I know Hunter said very clearly: "Jesus died on the cross," and then he prayed: "Lord, thank you for today and for Mommy coming to church to learn to obey God." I think I needed that prayer today.
10. After "communion," Hunter told me about Jonah the prophet.
11. Hunter closed with the "Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Diggity Dog" song from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Amen. To God be the Glory.

I am privileged to partake in these moments. I had to write it down.

My Search for a Fall Festival

2008-10-18T19:58:00.010-04:00

I love activities. I have learned since becoming a Mom that I love to take my kids out to do things. I am definitely not a home body. Don't get me wrong...I love quiet days at home where play is a high priority and where Hunter takes me on great adventures in our living room through his incredible imagination...but I get stir-crazy really easy.

Since I love getting out with my kids, one of my favorite things to do as a family when Donny is home is to get out all together. Poor Donny...he is out all week, and he probably just wants to be home and rest...and I am always trying to figure out what a fun activity will be for us. Perhaps that's why I LOVED Disney so much last year (among many obvious reasons). I mean...talk about an activity!

Anyway...today, I decided that we were going to crash a fall festival. It didn't matter who was holding it...we were going to find one to attend. I actually said to Donny this afternoon: "Let's find a church's fall festival to crash." Pathetic...but I needed to be around pumpkins and hay just to feel a little like fall here in Florida. A few parameters: 1. It must be free. 2. It must be kid friendly 3. There must be some hope that there would be hay or pumpkins...preferably with a hay ride. With those things in mind, we put our kids down for their afternoon naps, and my Google search began. I knew Oviedo (where we live) was having "Oktoberfest," so that's where I began. $7 per person...NOPE, not that one. BUT...on the seminole county web site, it said something about a Hometown Harvest in Winter Springs (the next small town to our west). Oh Lord...could this be the one? This is what I was really thinking...it was so dramatic...like I was waiting for a treasure to pop up on the computer screen...and there it was...
I found it.

5:30...perfect time...after naps but in plenty of time to go and get home before bed time.
Interactive hayride, Chick-Fil-A Kids Zone, Pumpkin Painting...oh Lord, thank you.

So off we went, arriving right at 5:30 to a pretty hoppin' place. Part of the street was closed off by the Winter Springs town center, tents were full of all kinds of vendors from Farmers' Market to personal embroidery to a myriad of chiropractors (who, of course, told Donny his back was in terrible condition)...but they all had candy...and that made Hunter (and us) happy. He got a plastic bag from one of the first booths we visited, and then the candy/booth hopping began.

We visited every booth, I soaked up the cooler (high 70s/low 80s), overcast weather, and we just strolled the Winter Spring Hometown Harvest. It was a delight to this Tennessee mother's heart who just wanted a little fall fun for her family today. We topped the afternoon off with a hay ride...which we squeezed in right before the rain began. Thank you, Lord, for the hay ride before the rain. If only we had time to see the "Country Western Stiltwalkers" before the rain...but you can't have it all.

The night ended at Chick-Fil-A where we got Hunter and Millie kids meals from free coupons from the festival. All my prerequisites were satisfied...free...kid friendly...hay and pumpkins...and free Chick Fil A to top it off.

I know it's a simple afternoon out for most...but to me, it was a soul refreshing taste of home. For a few minutes, I was surrounded by southern hospitality, the smell of hay, a little boy with a bag full of candy, a hayride through a tiny "field" surrounded by tall trees, my family (kids dressed in Tennessee outfits, of course), and a heart full of thankfulness for the blessing of the treasure I found today in Winter Springs. A Hometown Harvest...where, for a moment, I felt at home.

Daddy and Hunter on the HayRide
Hunter was more interested in his treat bag than the ride itself.

Mommy and Millie...Millie obviously occupied with the little boy
across from us whose face was painted like a tiger.

Hunter at the Winter Springs Fountains

Millie's Lovin' the 80's

2008-10-14T22:13:00.003-04:00

I have wanted to post this pic ever since I took it last week. As soon as I took it, I immediately thought of Olivia Newton John and "Let's Get Physical." With that hair sticking out of that sweatband and her footie pajama's...I just feel like she's ready to jazzercise or something. I have quite a few friends who are self-proclaimed "stuck in the 80's" (some of whom may be reading this), so, girls...this post is for you. Millie is one of us...sweatband and all (although it is Hunter's spiderman sweatband). I know this post is random, but I just had to find a reason to post this pic.

Cracked up by Crackers

2008-10-06T11:24:00.013-04:00

Dinner on Saturday night was funny. Cranberry chicken, rice, and green beans...nothing too funny about that. BUT...give my kids some crackers, and let the party begin.

After we finished our meal, Hunter asked for something else to eat. I hadn't served any bread with the meal, so I offered him a few Ritz crackers. Millie, of course, wanted some "nana" too. (That's what she's calling crackers these days...go figure). Well, Millie shoved a Ritz in her mouth (see pictures), let half of the cracker hang out. Let the silliness and laughter begin. Hunter thought Millie's "cracker smile" was the funniest thing. He belly-laughed so hard that he started to tear up. He said: "I'm laughing so hard I'm starting to cry." That has never happened to him before, and you could see the confusion/panic in his eyes wondering..."Why is this happening? I'm not sad...but I'm crying...but I'm laughing...what's going on?"

While this may seem only mildly funny to most, this was HILARIOUS to me, because my sister, Jennifer, and I always know a good laugh when we start to cry. Maybe Hunter has inherited that trait. By the end of the cracker episode, everyone - Hunter, Millie, Donny, and I - were belly laughing. Cracked up by a cracker.

Icky-Ow and Melmo

2008-09-23T22:13:00.009-04:00

Millie and Hunter probably watching "Icky Ow" or "Melmo"

I don't know why, but God has chosen to give me children who talk long before they walk. Both Hunter and Millie waited until 16 months to learn to walk. Millie is now 17 months old and has only been walking steadily for a few weeks.

But, boy, do my kids talk...and I love it. For this mom who an be a bit of a talker herself, it is so much fun to start even the smallest conversations with Millie...and quite profound conversations with Hunter.

Today I felt the urge to document some of Millie's words. I am a scrapbooker, but I am often behind and forget the details once I get around to actually scrapbooking their little lives. Sooo...this is more for me than it is for anyone reading this...but enjoy anyway. The parentheses are the translations of what she is saying.

Words Millie has had for a while: Mommy, Daddy, No (a favorite), Mimi (My mom - she got that one after a trip to Chattanooga in July), nana (banana), Bubba (our neighbor's dog...whose name she now attributes to most animals except for cows and cats - see below)

Recent developments: Up, Down, Memo (Nemo), Melmo (Elmo), Pease (Please), Meeeeel (Milk...it stands for anything to drink), shoe, choo-choo, bubble, bumble (for Hunter's Transformer Toy - Bumblebee), moo (cow), me-ow (cat)

Words she is working on: Hu-tee (I think it's Hunter), Icky-Ow or sometimes Icky-Mow (Mickey Mouse)

Today we went to church for Bible Study, and she walked into the nursery. Her first words? Au-dee (her little friend, Audrey Little). It was fun for her to recognize, know, and verbalize the name of a friend.

I am so thankful for little talkers. Sometimes I don't think that at 3am when I hear "Mommy" very loudly and clearly...but isn't that what being a Mommy is about?

Also, I really love turning the radio on and trying to find a "rockin' song" for us to have a dance party to. Today, as we were driving to the gym, we heard Chris Brown's song "Forever." Hunter said: "Mommy, that's where he says "and me." Sure enough...the first few words are "You and me." I need to start listening to what we are really listening to...because he is really picking up on words in songs...and I like a little Top 40 and hip-hop every once in a while...for a Friederichsen Family dance party in the Chevy Venture...the party van.

Thanks for humoring my desire to record these memories. Good night.

Happy Birthday Hunter!

2008-09-20T22:39:00.004-04:00

Hunter turned 4 last Sunday on the 14th. I can't believe how big he is. He is all about pretend right now, so it was the birthday of costumes and characters. When he's not dressed up as a pirate or Peter Pan or a cowboy, he's playing out some kind of show with his new Mickey, Toy Story, and Diego figurines. We love seeing his little imagination at work.

It's Saturday night...almost 11:00 p.m. Donny and I sat down to watch "Made of Honor" (my pick). About halfway through, Millie screamed out about something. She has been sleeping a little weird these days. Anyway, I was just having one of those mom moments when I wanted to hold her and snuggle rather than let her cry it out. So...Millie watched her first official chick flick tonight...and it was so fun to just hold and snuggle with my little girl.

Let My People Go!!!

2008-09-07T19:30:00.004-04:00

Donny and I began teaching children's Sunday School in August as the new school year began. Donny is teaching 4th and 5th grade, and I am teaching 4-5 year olds. I am in Hunter's class. At the beginning, I asked the Christian Ed. director if I could do it on a trial basis, because I did not know how it would go being in Hunter's class....It's amazing.

I am officially in love with teaching Hunter's class. I don't know if it's 4-5 year olds or being able to teach Hunter and his friends...or both. The funny thing to me is that we are going through the life of Moses. I am team teaching with the pastor's wife, so I officially taught for the first time today...on the 10 plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-10)...lovely. The curriculum we are using has fairly graphic pictures of the Nile turning to blood, livestock dying, boils, etc. I had to warn the parents as they picked up their kids that we talked about God's power in the plagues, so don't be surprised if they asked questions about locusts, boils, and the like. Hilarious.

As I taught today, I had the children pretend they were Moses giving Pharoah the Lord's message from Exodus 8:1 - "Let my people go, so they may worship me." I had them repeat it throughout the story. It was so fun when we got in the car this afternoon, and I asked Hunter to tell Daddy what Moses said to Pharoah, and Hunter shouted: "LET MY PEOPLE GO...SO THEY MAY WORSHIP ME!!!" I want Hunter to know so much that God does what he does because he loves us and wants us to worship him...and I guess I want to know more and more that God does what he does because he loves me and wants me to worship him.

Today was the first day Hunter sat through the entire church service with us. It was a communion Sunday, and they don't do a Children's Church on communion Sundays, because we value having the entire family in the service. We let Hunter bring his Jesus Storybook Bible (Thanks, Aunt Jenn!!!) to have during the service. When we got in the car after church, he asked if he could read his story Bible in the car so that he could "learn to obey God." Amazing.

We had lunch with some friends from church today, and we did not get home until 4. We put Millie down to sleep for about an hour, and I needed to rest too. Hunter came into my room and wanted to rest with me...precious. Then he brought in a toy cup and bowl with puzzle pieces in it. Hunter was going to serve me communion (not the first time this has happened). Before he served me the bread (puzzle pieces), he did something different...he said: "First, let's pray." Our elders pray with us before we take communion, so I guess he was taking his cues from that. Although I can't remember all of his words, I pray God will help me remember watching him bow his hands, fold his hands, and really talk to God. Some of his final words were "so I can know you." Oh Lord...would you let my son know you? Would you take any efforts we have to train him and turn them into a heart knowledge and love for you? Thank you for a precious day of seeing you at work in his life.

After "communion," Hunter told me a story from his Bible similar to how I do in Sunday School. He "read" from the Passover story in the New Testament (Lord's Supper). He would hold up the pictures and ask "Can everybody see?" as if he had a captive audience. After the story, we sang (his idea) "Christ the Lord is Risen Today." Alleluia.

It was one of those days when I had a number of moments when I shot up a little prayer asking God to help me remember this moment...and my memory fails me almost instantly...so I thought I would write down what I could remember.

Is it August already?

2008-08-02T19:46:00.011-04:00

The Friederichsen Family at Tacky Prom...a Campus Crusade tradition and a fitting farewell to 6 years on staff!

Wow, I (Kim) can't believe July flew by so fast. We moved into our new house on July 1...that was tumultuous to say the least. Since then, we have tried to get settled, we took a week long trip to Chattanooga to visit family and get stuff out of storage, and we had two different sets of house guests. Whew!

Because of my constant level of exhaustion from the frenzy of the month, I don't have much to write tonight. If you want to skip the formality of the written word and get to more pics, just keep scrolling...there are more pics of the kids below. Millie is close to walking...she's 15 1/2 months...and almost there. Hunter was 16 1/2 months before he walked, so this is par for the Friederichsen course.

Donny finished his Greek class which is a prerequisite to full-time study at RTS. I think he's remarkably smart and will actually do really well with this whole seminary thing. It just seems like the Lord has grown him up "for such a time as this." I hope that doesn't sound too cheesy. Life is overwhelming, and the prospect of full-time study plus regular ministry feels like a lot...but I am excited for how God is leading our family.

Before I finish, I thought I would refer you to a friend's blog. They had a baby last week when Rachel (the mom) was only 27 weeks along. Their firstborn was really early too. I am inspired and drawn to the Lord by their story and faith. Thought you might be encouraged as I was. Their blog is www.thedidyks.com

Have a great week. I'll try to be better about this whole blogging thing. If I'm not here, I'm probably on Facebook. :)

Hunter and Millie at the Chattanooga RiverPark with their cousins

This is from Mother's Day, but I love my kids...so here it is!!!

Birthday Fishin'

2008-04-08T15:07:00.008-04:00

My sweet wife surprised me with a little fishing trip out to the Indian River. She didn't actually go fishing with me. She did, however, get some guys from work to plan a little excursion to selectively weed out the redfish population.

We went out to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and fished for Redfish and anything else that was unfortunate enough to snag our lines. This was my first time to Merritt Island. I've gone to the general area for an airshow and shuttle launches, but never to the Refuge. It was beautiful. There is a single-lane dirt road that snakes through the swampy areas. The water it is a large coastal swamp, so there are tons of wildlife. We saw some Rosetta spoonbills. There were tons of crabs and horseshoe crabs. We also saw a little gator. It was probably 5-6 feet long. Much smaller than the 11' 1" gator they trapped in the pond right next to Lake Hart. It's an occupational hazard.
We slowly worked our way down the road looking for tailing redfish. The water is very shallow, so when the redfish go after the bait fish, their tail fins often break the surface of the water. When we saw the bait fish moving, we got out, waded into the water and got our lines wet.

Mike was the first to catch a red. It was 25 inches and probably 7ish lbs.
I got in on the action by hooking a decent spotted sea trout.

Then, while Mike was helping me filet my little trout, I noticed his rod was walking towards the water. I went down and grabbed the pole. Fortunately for me there was a nice redfish on the other end of the line. These fish are a ton of fun to catch. They are hard swimmers and put up a pretty good fight. Despite his efforts, he succumbed to my superior strength and intellect...yep, I outwitted and outmuscled a little fish. Cheers all around!

2008-03-13T08:58:00.006-04:00

My friend Scott took these pictures at the Night Launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavor the other evening (actually, it was the other morning at 2:30am). I thought they were awesome, so I wanted to share them with you.

If you've never made it to Florida for a Space Shuttle launch...you absolutely must. They'll retire the shuttle fleet in 2010, so make your plans now.

We actually woke up to watch the launch. We couldn't see the shuttle because of the clouds, but we did see a bright glow over the horizon. The launch facility is 45 miles from our house. The power of a shuttle launch is amazing. It lights up the sky 50 miles away.This one is my favorite!

Yes...it's been a while

2008-02-23T21:40:00.010-05:00

Let's just say that we're not the most faithful at updating our blog. It's February now...our last post was in August. I'm amazed if anyone is checking this anymore...but here we are. And here's a little about our life.

Life in Orlando is so weird in February. It was in the mid-80s yesterday. So weird. I (Kim) think I have worn a sweater once all year...and we had a pool party on Wednesday. I am missing the seasons but definitely won't complain about the sun.

Donny is over at a friend's apartment watching the Tennessee/Memphis bball game. I hope he comes home happy...GO VOLS!!!

Would you pray for us? The Lord has used this year in Orlando in some neat ways to help us grow deeper in our walks with Him and to learn more about our giftings, talents, and desires. We are seeking guidance about what He would have us do after this year. It is crazy to think that another move might be around the corner in the summer...at least we know for sure that we have to move out of our apartment by June 30...we will see where we end up...and we'll let you know as soon as we know.

For whoever is reading this, we appreciate your love and prayers over time and distance. Please make a post or email us to let us know how you are doing.

August Update

2007-08-29T21:53:00.001-04:00

I (Kim) just wanted to post some recent pics of the kids. I am going to try to post things as often as I can. We are doing well here in Orlando. Millie is 4 months old. We took her to the pool for the first time today. She has found her toes which is really cute, and she giggles a lot. Hunter and she have both adjusted really well to our move, and I feel really blessed as a mom to have them in my life. Hunter is all into superheroes and Disney characters. His third birthday is in just two weeks, and I think we will be having a Superman party...I guess I need to plan that. Come see us in Orlando!!!

850 miles and 26 feet of yellow steel

2007-08-23T18:42:00.000-04:00

We have made it to Orlando!

I am pretty sure that we picked the hottest week of the year to move. Luckily, my body learned to adapt to a constant state of dehydration.

We are mostly settled into our new apartment. We're actively searching for a new church and learning the lay of the land. We have many friends with kids who live in our apartment complex. We have also had a chance to visit Disneyworld.

Next week I will begin working in the office at Lake Hart, the world headquarters for Campus Crusade.

Thanks for everything that everyone has done to help us get here. We appreciate you!

Millie at Two Months

2007-07-07T22:21:00.000-04:00

Yep, we're trying to get caught up on our blogging. Millie is growing well...13 lbs., 1 oz. at her two month check-up on June 21st. I (Kim) had a very emotional few days when she moved into size 2 diapers and began wearing 3-6 months clothes right when she turned two months old. Millie's second month was marked by two trips to Chattanooga including two nights at the Whitestone Inn with Mommy and Daddy.
I put Millie in this 0-3 month outfit the day before she moved into 3-6 month clothes. I was so sad that I didn't put her in it earlier. I found out that I LOVE pink gingham.

Hunter loves holding and checking on Millie. He is so sweet and gentle with her.

Why does Mommy take so many pictures of me???!!!

Millie and Hunter love visting their Mimi and Ddad (Kim's parents).

Sleeping Beauty

Just rocking on the porch of the Farmhouse at the Whitestone.

Millie joined Mommy and Daddy in a few games of croquet, shuffleboard, ping pong, and pool during our stay at the Whitestone.

Millie at One Month

2007-07-07T22:06:00.000-04:00

Sorry we haven't been good about posting pics. We are having so much fun with Millie and Hunter that we just haven't gotten around to it. Millie is such a sweetheart. We love having a little girl.

Mommy loved celebrating Mother's Day with her two little ones.

Four generations of Levis/Friederichsens. Grandma, Nana, and Aunt Becky (Donny's Mom, Grandmother, and sister) came for Mother's Day...such a special day.

Lots of fun playing with Daddy.

Updated Pics of Amelia

2007-04-30T23:27:00.000-04:00

Coming Home from the Hospital...Welcome Home Millie!

Millie's sweet new crib...complete with cool hanging bears.
Hunter likes to help Millie with her Bouncie Seat.

Hunter - Sept '04

Millie - Apr '07

Hunter enjoyed helping give Millie a bath. He really enjoys being a big brother.

More Pics of Millie

2007-04-22T22:57:00.000-04:00

The Family's all here!So that's what the sun looks like...

I love my Mommy and my Mommy loves me!

Mommy, my Aunt Jennifer, and me

My big brother, Hunter, helped change my diaper

Daniel, Nathan and Drew love meeting their new cousin...but not as much as the Purell soap dispenser.

My D-Dad with his new hat. It's instant tobacco cred in this state.

My Big Brother, Hunter, gave me a little kiss. I love him.

Some pics of Amelia Louise

2007-04-21T19:16:00.000-04:00

Millie's Birthday

2007-04-21T10:12:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Millie!

Kim woke me up Friday (4/20) morning and said, "Donny, I don't want to sound alarmist, but I think today is the day." We went to the doctor's office to see if Kim was in fact in labor. The doctor kept saying things like, "Kim, was your first child a fast delivery?" (He wasn't). Soon after seeing the doctor in her office we were across the parking lot in the hospital prep room. An ultrasound on Thursday indicated that Millie was going to be around 10lbs 4oz. The doctor assured us that these measurements are sometimes wrong. Nevertheless, we opted for another C-Section. At 11:41am, weighing in at a cool 10lbs 3oz (see, the measurements can be off) and 21 inches, Amelia Louise, "Millie," entered the world!

Mother and baby are doing well. It was funny to look through the nursery windows and listen to other people comment. "Awww, look at all the little babi...whoa, look at that one! She must be 9lbs." To which I would reply, "Actually she's 10lbs...and she'll beat up your baby when the nurses aren't looking."
We are all really excited about this blessing from the Lord. It has been a little bit of a shock. I wasn't really prepared for her this week...but we wouldn't want it any other way! We can't wait for each of you to meet her.

Hunter is doing well. He doesn't seem to mind Millie, but he isn't exactly thrilled. He sang Happy Birthday for her, but the end of the video kinda sums up his feelings.

Recent Campus Activities

2007-04-19T15:52:00.000-04:00

I have had a busy couple of weeks on campus. Most of it has been really great. Some of it I could have done without.

April 4th - my 30th birthday

In adding insult to injury, not only did I turn 30, but I got the flu. I told my sister that if 30 feels this bad I can't imagine what 40 is going be like.

April 5th

Campus Crusade co-hosted a campus wide Easter service with CSF (one of the local campus ministries here at UK). It was a great event. The room was packed with college students. The Director of CSF and I spoke at the meeting. I shared about the Offense of the Cross and he shared about the Re-creation of the Resurrection.

April 8th
I led Easter Chapel for the University of Tennessee Baseball team. They were in town for a weekend series with UK (UT took the series 2-1, go Vols!). I regaled them with my Little League stories. My coaches in Little League took one look at me and knew I had the "right" stuff...the deep right field stuff. "Friederichsen, get out there and hug that foul line!" I think all my coaches just hoped and prayed that no one would hit the ball my way.

I also shared with the UT guys about the truth of the cross and the hope of the resurrection. I explained that on the cross Christ experienced physical pain beyond belief. But the most excrutiating thing he felt was the full wrath of God for my sins. He took my death on himself, but death is not the end because Easter morning is here! Because of Easter I can know that Jesus is victorious over death.

The team gave me a game ball they had all autographed. It's one of the coolest things I've gotten since I have been on staff.

April 10

I was the keynote speaker for a Greek Prayer Breakfast. I shared with around 175 Greek students about the importance of worldviews. A worldview is the lense through which you view the world. It is the grid that everything in life is filtered through before you make a decision about it. We all have a worldview...and often Christians have a worldview that is incompatible with Christianity. I explained the difference between the two dominant worldviews on the college campus: Secular Humanism and Christian Theism. When it comes to worldviews, everyone must answer three basic questions. Why am I here? What is wrong with the world? How do we fix it? Secular Humanism says, "I am the product of random chance with no purpose. I should consume and enjoy. The problems of the world are that I do not have the power to consume and enjoy all that I want. The solution is education and government." The Christian Theist's answer to those questions is summed up in Colossians 1:15-23. The Christian Theist responds by saying, "I am created in the image of God. I am the crowning glory of His creation. There is inherent worth and value in every person, regardless of age, race, gender, or ability. We are here to glorify God. The problem of the world is sin and hostility to God. The answer is the cross of Christ and His resurrection."

April 17

Our ministry hosted a Prayer Vigil on Tuesday night to pray for the victims of the Virginia Tech shooting. I spoke briefly to the 250 students gathered about the hope of the Gospel. My main text was from Habbakuk 1:2-5 and 3:17-19. In the midst of tragedy there is hope that the Lord is at work. He is doing things that are beyond our comprehension. But even though His plans are beyond our comprehension doesn't mean that God cannot understand our suffering. He understands suffering and injustice because experienced suffering and injustice on the Cross. Through the Cross, Jesus Christ brings hope to all who will call on Him. This is a good message to come out of an incomprehensible situation.

You can find more info about the Virginia Tech Campus Crusade and UK Campus Crusade response to this situation at www.ukcru.blogspot.com.

Acts 9:1-30

2007-02-28T13:07:00.000-05:00

Our ministry has been working through the book of Acts this semester. We are looking at how God has been at work in the life of the church. My hope is that this will serve as an encouragement for the students as they look to be "salt and light" on the college campus.
One of the things I have noticed with our ministry is that we have become content. We had a large group of students involved. We did fun things. We had a big weekly meeting. Our bible studies were fun. We, however, we not hitting our vision. We were not about turning lost students into Christ centered laborers. We were more about helping Christians at UK find a place to "plug in." Now, that's not a bad mission. There is certainly a need for that. The problem lies in the our complacency toward the lost of our campus. Fat and happy Christians who don't engage the lost people of the world forget that grace is amazing. We begin to worry about our comfort and affluence more than seeking to make God's glory known. Our problem is that we don't see lost people as really lost. And, I believe, the root of this issue is that I don't see my sin as all the bad.
The Lord has been challenging this notion in my life with the story of the Valley of Dry Bones from Ezekiel 37:
1The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley;it was full of bones. 2And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3And he said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I answered, "O Lord GOD, you know." 4Then he said to me, "Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. 5Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the LORD."

7So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. 9Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live." 10So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

11Then he said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are clean cut off.' 12Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. 14And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD

I have begun to see our campus as a Valley of Dry Bones. I need to see lost people as dead. Without the Spirit of God blowing over them and giving them life...they will be dead forever. Then it struck me, I was dead. I was part of this valley. This story was about me!
Then I read Acts 9:1-30, the story of Paul's conversion. As I prepared to teach this to our students I thought of the parallels between Osama bin Ladin and Paul before he came to Christ. Both were trained by the leading religious scholars. Both have an enormous zeal for their cause. They were both murderers. What if Osama bin Ladin became a Christian? Is he beyond the reach of the Gospel? My immediate pre-programmed Christian response was, "No, of course not!" But, do I really believe that God can change a man like that? He did it to Paul.
As I was pondering the spiritual fate of Osama bin Ladin, the Ezekiel passage popped into my head. Osama is spiritually dead. He is lost in his sins. So was Paul before he encountered Christ. So, was I before I encountered Christ. There are not varying degrees of deadness. Osama is not more dead than I was before Christ. The lost students at UK are not less dead than this Islamic terrorist who is bent on the destruction of Western Civilization. The bones in the valley are not looking around saying, "You're deader than me. I don't think there is any hope for you. My bones aren't quite as dry as yours, I'll probably pull through this okay." They are in the same state before a Holy God. The good news is that the same Gospel that saved Paul and me can save a lost student at UK or Osama bin Ladin.
Paul knows this message well. Read Ephesian 2:1-9:
1And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-- 3among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- 6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

The Atonement

2007-02-09T06:58:00.000-05:00

I was recently asked what is so important about the atonement. I found the answer to be encouraging. Here is what I wrote:

The Bible has one story from Genesis to Revelation. It is the story of a God redeeming his creation for his glory. That is the metanarrative for the entire Bible. The atonement is the key to unlocking God’s redemption. The offense of sin against a holy God is incalculable. Therefore, the punishment to be dealt is equal to the crime. No person can pay this price and be redeemed back to God. In order for there to be redemption, someone had to intervene. God’s Son came to pay that price. He who was blameless took on the blame of the world. He suffered the penalty for God’s people so that they could then receive the Son’s reward. The transaction took place on the cross. This is atonement. Without this doctrine, Christianity is simply another list of things to do and not do. A watered down or weakened version of this and you either get men who don’t really need redemption (they can do it on their own) or a God who doesn’t care (let them suffer). Today, the former thought tends to dominate. We have a high view of man and a low view of God. We often think (but never verbalize, it would be unbecoming of us) that God is lucky to have us. He would do well to just forgive anything or ignore sin. Therefore, we don’t really need redemption. We just need to try a little harder and God will honor that. No one really goes to hell because of sin, except Hitler, serial killers, and people who club baby seals. Who really needs their sins to be atoned? This doctrine is crucial to the faith because without it we are lost with a way.

Baby on the Way

2006-12-10T23:05:00.000-05:00

Here it is...the big news you've all been waiting for.
Is the baby a he or a she?
Check out the video to find out!

Sorry for the Delay

2006-12-04T12:08:00.000-05:00

Okay, I know...it has been months since my last post. I know...I said that we'd keep this up to date with information about our ministry. I haven't upheld my end of the bargain. I'm the prodigal blogger. I apologize.
So, on with the ministry update.
Kim and I have accepted the position of interim Campus Director here at UK. I has been a challenge and a privilege to serve in this capacity. I have really enjoyed helping provide leadership to our movement. One of the greatest joys is seeing fledgling ministries start in new areas of the campus. This semester we have seen the Lord start a ministry among international students (Bridges International) and in the African-American community (Impact). I have loved seeing the Lord make Himself known in the hearts of the students, especially the ones that don't look like me.

I have also been taking a seminary class on Church History. It has been an incredible challenge and joy. I have learned so much about our roots. I have been encouraged by the strength of our early Church Fathers. Kim and I watched the Da Vinci Code the other night on DVD. Before, when I read the book, I could only think, "That doesn't really sound right." Now, I can accurately defend the faith. Christians, be encouraged...your faith is build upon the shoulders of men and women who have gone before us. They were strong and faithful to the end. Their perseverance in the face of death gives validity to our faith. Those who knew Jesus most intimately, were willing to die for the truth they knew; the truth that Jesus Christ was fully God and fully Man, that in Him alone can our sins be atoned, and that there is no other name by which we can be saved.

Our July Newsletter

2006-08-10T14:46:00.000-04:00

Click here to download our July 2006 newsletter.
You can either click on it and Adobe Reader will automatically pop up with the newsletter, or you can right click and select "Save Target As..." and save the newsletter to our computer.

Enjoy and let us know if this is helpful to you.

(note: it is in pdf format. You will need Adobe Reader. You don't have that, you can download it here.)

The Tower of Babel and Mephibosheth

2006-07-05T23:00:00.000-04:00

Kim and I have been up to our eyeballs in studying. We are each working on an exegetical paper. Kim is working on Genesis 11:1-9, the Tower of Babel. I have selected II Samuel 9, the story of David's kindness to Mephibosheth.
We have really been enjoying learning how to interpret God's Word. I feel that I have learned so much about seeing a passage in light of God's plan of redemption. It is amazing to me that every book, every verse, every part of the Bible points to Jesus Christ. From the beginning, God has been working all of history toward the redemption of all of his people. How exciting that we get to be a part of this!
I have also been working through an Old Testament Survey class taugh by Dr. Mark Futato of RTS-Orlando. It has been fascinating to see God's heart through the Old Testament. God's heart from the beginning has been the redemption of his people through his Son's death and resurrection. How good is our God?
We've also learned how to use fancy words like, chiastic. Email me if you're curious as to the meaning of chiastic.

Destination: Orlando

2006-06-18T22:13:00.000-04:00

We're heading to Orlando (Florida not Bloom, but if you look closely you'll see that he is wearing an Ale-8 t-shirt, which everyone knows is the Kentucky soft drink) for a few weeks this summer to complete some training with Campus Crusade for Christ. We will be at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL. Kim and I will be taking a few seminary courses to better equip us to minister to the students at UK. We're really looking forward to the challenge. And no, we're not going to DisneyWorld. My guess is that in the eyes of a two year old, Mickey Mouse is a six foot rat. I don't know if you've ever seen a six foot rat, but I bet you'd go the other way if you saw one coming. We'll probably wait a few more years to avoid any undue trauma.

Kim and I will both take a class on Biblical Interpretation and Communication. I will also be adding on an Old Testament Survey class and a Systematic Theology class. Hopefully in four weeks' time we'll be much more better at cleerly talkin' 'bout Jesus...'n stuff.

We'll still have our cell phones and e-mail...so feel free to drop us a line. We'd love to hear from you! Also, feel free to leave comments on the message boards. We want this blog to be somewhat interactive. If there are things you want to hear about, let us know and we'll write about them.

Back from Chatta-boogie

2006-06-12T19:58:00.000-04:00

We had a great time in Chattanooga. We spent two weeks in Tennessee meeting with some Ministry Partners and catching up with friends. We also got to eat some of our favorite Chattanooga food; Sticky Fingers (you can order their ribs on-line if you don't believe me), China Lee, Monterey's, Mayfield's Ice Cream, Mr. T's Pizza, The Southern Star, et al. It was a really great time. Thanks to all who helped make our time there so wonderful. We are especially thankful for those of you who hosted small dinners or introduced us to your friends. Your friendship and commitment to our ministry has blessed us. We believe that your partnership with us will help give every college student a chance to respond to the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Thank you!

Check out Hunter's blog soon. He's going to post a video of his day on the farm soon.

Check It Out!!

2006-05-19T23:04:00.000-04:00

Check out one of the videos we showed at our weekly meeting this past semester.

I made this video following our October trip to Pass Christian, MS. We used it to promote our Spring Break Relief Trip to New Orleans, LA. You can see a story about our trip to New Orleans below.

Enjoy!!!

Coming to Chattanooga

2006-05-12T10:44:00.000-04:00

My Russian language teacher in Minsk, Grigory, used to make me sing this russian folk song. Loosely translated (and I mean loosely), it said, "There is no place like the home to capture the heart."
It has been some time since Kim and I have been able to visit Chattanooga, and we have missed our little jewel of a town on the Tennessee River. We will be in Chattanooga May 25th through June 8th. We would love to meet with as many of our friends and ministry partners as time allows. Please give us a call (859-492-6419 or 859-492-2264) or send us an email. We would love to hear from you!