Thursday, December 25, 2014
Christmas
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
togetherness is sweet!
sugar consumed early in the morning - check
siblings enjoying each other - check
one mom soaking it all up - check
It's a wonderful life!
Monday, December 22, 2014
Visits
Guess who came to visit yesterday? Uncle Casey, Aunt Erin, Wyatt and Mason! We were so excited they came that we forgot to take pictures. Blame it on the sleep deprivation - I can barely carry on a coherent conversation these days. I was so glad to get to see them and have them visit. My kiddos had a great time and have asked this morning when they can come back. We'll have to make it soon!
Later this week we'll get to see more family and there is now better way to celebrate holidays and specials time than with family. Thanks for coming guys - what a gift to me!
Later this week we'll get to see more family and there is now better way to celebrate holidays and specials time than with family. Thanks for coming guys - what a gift to me!
Superpowers and Sleep
We all have super powers - right? I don't mean to brag - but I think it's time to share my superpower with the world. I've known it for a long time but have kept it to myself...until today when I found out I may have passed on my superpower to my fourth born.
You see our little gift from God was born at 7lbs 9 oz and a week later he was down to 6lbs 13oz. From there - here are the stats
Birth - 7lbs 9 oz
1 week - 6 lbs 13 oz
2 weeks - 7lbs 15oz
4 weeks - 10 lbs. 3.5 oz
So, three weeks ago he was 6lbs 13 oz. Today he weighed in at a whopping 10lbs 3.5oz. That is alot of weight gaining. And that gets to my superpower - weight gaining. I can gain with the best of them and I think I've passed on my superpower to my little one through my breast milk. So grateful I've been able to nourish all of my little ones with my super powered breast milk - hoping to be able to keep it up with this one.
And as one of my dear friends said years ago when she had her first little guy - "Now begins the John the Baptist phase of my life - "He must increase and I must decrease" - Here's to a year of me decreasing and this little one increasing. I pray all of my offspring grow this year in amazing ways!
AND last night I slept 3 hours in a row - not only once but twice. I haven't slept 3 hours straight without interuption in probably over 2-3 months (those last few months of pregnancy were brutal). Last night I got to sleep 3 hours straight 2 times!!! I could possibly run a marathon today with all that sleep - whew! What a Christmas present! Seriously people - sleep is UNDERrated!
You see our little gift from God was born at 7lbs 9 oz and a week later he was down to 6lbs 13oz. From there - here are the stats
Birth - 7lbs 9 oz
1 week - 6 lbs 13 oz
2 weeks - 7lbs 15oz
4 weeks - 10 lbs. 3.5 oz
So, three weeks ago he was 6lbs 13 oz. Today he weighed in at a whopping 10lbs 3.5oz. That is alot of weight gaining. And that gets to my superpower - weight gaining. I can gain with the best of them and I think I've passed on my superpower to my little one through my breast milk. So grateful I've been able to nourish all of my little ones with my super powered breast milk - hoping to be able to keep it up with this one.
And as one of my dear friends said years ago when she had her first little guy - "Now begins the John the Baptist phase of my life - "He must increase and I must decrease" - Here's to a year of me decreasing and this little one increasing. I pray all of my offspring grow this year in amazing ways!
AND last night I slept 3 hours in a row - not only once but twice. I haven't slept 3 hours straight without interuption in probably over 2-3 months (those last few months of pregnancy were brutal). Last night I got to sleep 3 hours straight 2 times!!! I could possibly run a marathon today with all that sleep - whew! What a Christmas present! Seriously people - sleep is UNDERrated!
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Fish Pond
For the past several Christmas's the children have done odd chores and raised money to donate to an organization to help those in need. They have enjoyed giving through World Vision - a goat, a bee hive, some chickens - a tangible way to serve those in need that they can't see. For the past several years the older two have wanted to do something BIGGER and wanted to really give a bigger gift this year. And they did.
Samuel and Lucy decided the $10,000 for a clean water well might not happen in a couple of months but the fish pond for $200 might. They set out to ask neighbors if they could do chores for them, did extra chores around the house, asked friends if they wanted to help and Lucy baked pumpkin muffins for orders. In addition they typed and sent a couple of letters to gracious family donors who put them over the top of their goal. One of their little friends gave them some of his birthday money so that he could be a part of the gift. They worked hard and were excited to get to call and order the gift with the money given and earned - especially the extra money they used to buy a few more supplies.
I pray they would grow in compassion and giving as they work to serve others...especially serving each other :)
Samuel doing serious yard work at the neighbors
The girls baking mufins
Samuel and Lucy decided the $10,000 for a clean water well might not happen in a couple of months but the fish pond for $200 might. They set out to ask neighbors if they could do chores for them, did extra chores around the house, asked friends if they wanted to help and Lucy baked pumpkin muffins for orders. In addition they typed and sent a couple of letters to gracious family donors who put them over the top of their goal. One of their little friends gave them some of his birthday money so that he could be a part of the gift. They worked hard and were excited to get to call and order the gift with the money given and earned - especially the extra money they used to buy a few more supplies.
I pray they would grow in compassion and giving as they work to serve others...especially serving each other :)
Samuel doing serious yard work at the neighbors
Monday, December 15, 2014
Friday, December 12, 2014
The first three weeks
There has been a silence in the air - but trust me it's only in the virtual world. Around here there is plenty of hustle and bustle and crying and Spanish homework and MATH and Christmas carols by two little girls and more. We've had a full three weeks and are just beginning to see daylight (thank you, LORD, for daylight and the HOPE of morning!). What a joy this little bundle has been!
AND that is a good thing because it's been a hard few weeks but he is all worth it. He actually didn't contribute much to the chaos around here - but the lice brought home from school the day I got home from the hospital has brought enormous chaos. Y'all I literally think I lost my mind two or three times in the last few weeks over this lice thing. They are horrid!
I spent hours my first day home picking hair, vacuuming, washing, rewashing, crying, comforting sweet girls. AND then we did it all again a few days later and then a few days later - while scratching my head, quite literally wondering if I still had it. I was ready to hire a Mama orangatan from the zoo to pick lice for me - CRAZINESS! Not for the faint of heart on a good day but definitely not for a hormonal mom the day she brings home #4 from the hospital while physically being reminded she is NOT 20 anymore.
We are finally lice free as of this week - I had a sweet friend from church who does hair come and double check for me this week to get "professionally cleared". One good thing is EVERY washable thing in my house has been washed several times.
And then I could list a few other crazy things to happen but you wouldn't believe me - like how the dog locked Jeremy out of the car at the gas station, how the Honda broke down, I had no place to put the sweet newborn down out of the way so he's spent most of his days in a laundry basket - and a few other exciting things. But all of them are just inconvenient, funny stories I'll laugh about later on.
I'm grateful for a healthy little boy who is sweet as pie, for siblings who love him to pieces, for a neighbor and friend who watched my kiddos and loved them and cleaned my house while I was at the hospital, for Mama and Daddy who came for Thanksgiving and braved lice to cook, clean, set up Christmas and love on us, for friends who have texted and called and reminded me that this is temporary, for church members who have brought meals and not laughed at me as they saw me in the only pair of sweat pants I've worn in the last 3 weeks. I'm grateful and know this adventure is a great one - for us all.
What a precious time to welcome a little one to our home - Thanksgiving week and then ADVENT - waiting and welcoming. We are here, we are well, we are thankful and we are daily adding to the portrait of what it truly means to be a "beautiful mess"
I spent hours my first day home picking hair, vacuuming, washing, rewashing, crying, comforting sweet girls. AND then we did it all again a few days later and then a few days later - while scratching my head, quite literally wondering if I still had it. I was ready to hire a Mama orangatan from the zoo to pick lice for me - CRAZINESS! Not for the faint of heart on a good day but definitely not for a hormonal mom the day she brings home #4 from the hospital while physically being reminded she is NOT 20 anymore.
We are finally lice free as of this week - I had a sweet friend from church who does hair come and double check for me this week to get "professionally cleared". One good thing is EVERY washable thing in my house has been washed several times.
 |
| Lucy and Lydia before Lucy's school Christmas show last night (notice both girls' hair is braided and sprayed with hair spray and tea tree oil!) |
And then I could list a few other crazy things to happen but you wouldn't believe me - like how the dog locked Jeremy out of the car at the gas station, how the Honda broke down, I had no place to put the sweet newborn down out of the way so he's spent most of his days in a laundry basket - and a few other exciting things. But all of them are just inconvenient, funny stories I'll laugh about later on.
I'm grateful for a healthy little boy who is sweet as pie, for siblings who love him to pieces, for a neighbor and friend who watched my kiddos and loved them and cleaned my house while I was at the hospital, for Mama and Daddy who came for Thanksgiving and braved lice to cook, clean, set up Christmas and love on us, for friends who have texted and called and reminded me that this is temporary, for church members who have brought meals and not laughed at me as they saw me in the only pair of sweat pants I've worn in the last 3 weeks. I'm grateful and know this adventure is a great one - for us all.
What a precious time to welcome a little one to our home - Thanksgiving week and then ADVENT - waiting and welcoming. We are here, we are well, we are thankful and we are daily adding to the portrait of what it truly means to be a "beautiful mess"
Monday, December 01, 2014
Thankful
What did your Thanksgiving look like? Our was full of yummy food lovingly cooked by Grandma and then cleanup by Grandma while kiddos watched the parade on TV and Papa watched football by the fire. My evening looked a little like....
....Grandma playing iPad puzzles and games with Curlie Que
.....Daddy and brother playing 1980's ATARI games on the computer
....holding this 1 week old
....Papa teaching Lucy to play Solitare the old fashion way - with actual cards.
What a restful, thankful day!
....Grandma playing iPad puzzles and games with Curlie Que
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Friday, November 21, 2014
Sweet siblings
These four will be each others friends for life - for better or worse - and our minivan will be full for many years to come!
Grandpa Noonan and Mrs. Angie
Thanks to Mrs. Angie and Grandpa Noonan - #1, #2 and #3 Noonan kids were safe and sound and had a great time for the two days we were at the hospital - I am overwhelmed at their love and support. Thanks! No pics of Mrs. Angie with the baby yet but here's Grandpa with Nathaniel.
He's Here!
Nathaniel Courage Noonan joined us Wednesday night at 6:16 pm with a grand entrance. He weighed 7 lbs. 9 oz. and was 21 inches long. He's a precious gift to our little family and I'm so grateful for this "gift of God".
One big happy family - I am so blessed to be mama of this crew with this man by my side.
Sleeping beauties - my boys sleeping in the hospital room.
Sleeping beauties - my boys sleeping in the hospital room.
Thursday, November 06, 2014
Showered by friends!
Several weeks ago some of my friends from work threw me a shower at a nearby restaurant - what a great time and the first time I had really stopped to think about this little one on the way (I wish I had a picture). Some girls from church then threw me a shower and I was really able to think about the coming of this fourth blessing.
Today - which might end up being my last day until after maternity leave because I can't waddle around the ER very well right now - the girls at work threw me a shower. It was great! I felt so loved and cared for. It's hard to for me to let others give to me - I'd rather be the giver most times but it was overwhelming to feel the care and love of those who are around me.
THANKS everyone! Here are some of my co-workers in the ER
Today - which might end up being my last day until after maternity leave because I can't waddle around the ER very well right now - the girls at work threw me a shower. It was great! I felt so loved and cared for. It's hard to for me to let others give to me - I'd rather be the giver most times but it was overwhelming to feel the care and love of those who are around me.
THANKS everyone! Here are some of my co-workers in the ER
Tuesday, November 04, 2014
1/2 day Fall fun
This is what I'm doing for my afternoon of fun - lots of friends and children running around - girls and boys - giggles, Pegasus races (galloping around cul-de-sac) football, "family", tea party, Wii, food and good times with friends. (Mama is doing all her hosting and partying before little brother makes his appearance sometime this month.)
Friday, October 31, 2014
Happy Halloween!
1. the Pumpkin Smuggler,
2. the Ladybug Queen ("I'm not a princess, I'm the Queen!")
3. Merida (from the Movie Brave with her stick horse and bow),
4. the Ginger-Bread Man "Red hair = ginger + loaf of bread around neck)
Monday, October 27, 2014
Friendship
I spent the weekend with this sweet friend,
looking at this view
while downing some serious coffee. So grateful for her friendship, love and commitment over the years and for a weekend away to be refreshed and enjoy!
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Front lines
Pregnant mommy thoughts -
I'm on the front lines daily...
A little background and perspective - I'm an ER nurse at the closest ER to one of the largest International airports in the world. This airport has been chosen as one of 5 in America to funnel all West African flyers through before they are welcomed to our country (and checked for Ebola). My hospital has been chosen as one of 5 in Georgia to have an inpatient isolation unit. At 34 weeks pregnant, I've been in triage - the nurse who is the initial contact with patients and determines what care is needed for the patient.
As with all healthcare in the last few months, Ebola, Flu season and Enterovirus are topics of conversation and preparation along with the normal - gunshot wounds, heart attacks, brain bleeds, dying children, dying adults, nail stuck in the femur, suicidal, homicidal and the ever present emergency of "my nose started running several hours ago". All of these things are just part of my job. For the most part I like my job and think I'm decent at it. This is a front line with real needs, real physical struggles and battles that rightly demand time and energy and emotional concern - battles I gladly enter into each time I step into the ER - but it's not the battle that seems to be the real struggle (but I do have some crazy stories). The real front line is less glamorous and more daily.
You see, I'm also a Mom - to three (soon to be 4) wonderful children. It's the struggle to be their mommy (and love their daddy) that makes me feel like I'm really entering a battle that takes ALL of me. The battle for long division to be understood, for perseverance to make sure teeth are brushed daily, for a gentle heart to respond to her brother, for creativity to cook another meal/pack another lunch, for a willing attitude to accomplish chores for the good of the family, for humble responses to ever present questions, for joy to ooze out, for patience to hang thick in the air and repentance (turning from the sin that happens daily and turning to the ONE who can truly bring about change) to be swift. The battle for my own impatience, frustration and sin to be changed into something beautiful.
It's this front line battle that I think about on my way to work (and make my mascara run before I even start the day), that I feel preoccupied with and that I pray about in the quiet of life. It's why, after I've dragged myself up the stairs at night that I go to each bed and sit next to a sleeping child and pray. The day of bickering, arguing, discipline, complaining, failure, success, playing, laughing, questioning are quieted behind closed eyes and softly breathing chests. These little ones who were formed in my womb and walk around with my eyes, his hair, and unique personalities are being shaped and formed by HANDS known but unseen. The LORD's hands that invite me to this task - one I enter into gladly but feel so humbled and challenged daily by.
In the quiet - I run my hand through his flaming orange hair and over his freckly face and my heart melts with love, with a desire for him to be free of the sin that entangles him and for me to be more patient and understanding of his 9 year old self and to embrace him fully.
I sit next to a snaggle-toothed 2nd grader who is bundled under fleece in her colorful PJs sweetly surrendering to rest. I long for her to know the freedom of being who she is meant to be, I delight in her helpfulness and long to really know her and enter into life with her.
I brush away curls from a punkin who has run hard, talked much and is emerging as her own person. I look forward to her being a big sister and her caring for those littler that herself as she has been loved and embraced by so many.
Deep in the night - I'm awakened by a precious one growing inside who needs to stretch and kick. This unexpected gift who will emerge and change us all by his presence.
I snuggle next to the one who walks with me in this journey and I'm thankful for his partnership and love (but do fight with him for the covers).
This front line is a battle, it's important, it's worth the time and energy. I enter into it gladly. It could consume me if I thought it were all up to me to accomplish - and some days I am undone by wrongly thinking I have to do it all. I could be paralyzed by the fear and paranoia of the media and world outside - fear of it being my child on that ER bed, my family member dying or sickness invading my life but FEAR isn't called for, panic isn't needed - trust is. I'm thankful it's not up to me. I'm thankful I am being used by God to shape and love this family well but I am reminded to rest in HIS work, HIS promises, HIS truth. Keep on with the daily and trust.
So onto the battle and adventure of today - apples and peanut butter for snack, clean toilets, hot dinner and Spanish homework.
I'm on the front lines daily...
A little background and perspective - I'm an ER nurse at the closest ER to one of the largest International airports in the world. This airport has been chosen as one of 5 in America to funnel all West African flyers through before they are welcomed to our country (and checked for Ebola). My hospital has been chosen as one of 5 in Georgia to have an inpatient isolation unit. At 34 weeks pregnant, I've been in triage - the nurse who is the initial contact with patients and determines what care is needed for the patient.
As with all healthcare in the last few months, Ebola, Flu season and Enterovirus are topics of conversation and preparation along with the normal - gunshot wounds, heart attacks, brain bleeds, dying children, dying adults, nail stuck in the femur, suicidal, homicidal and the ever present emergency of "my nose started running several hours ago". All of these things are just part of my job. For the most part I like my job and think I'm decent at it. This is a front line with real needs, real physical struggles and battles that rightly demand time and energy and emotional concern - battles I gladly enter into each time I step into the ER - but it's not the battle that seems to be the real struggle (but I do have some crazy stories). The real front line is less glamorous and more daily.
You see, I'm also a Mom - to three (soon to be 4) wonderful children. It's the struggle to be their mommy (and love their daddy) that makes me feel like I'm really entering a battle that takes ALL of me. The battle for long division to be understood, for perseverance to make sure teeth are brushed daily, for a gentle heart to respond to her brother, for creativity to cook another meal/pack another lunch, for a willing attitude to accomplish chores for the good of the family, for humble responses to ever present questions, for joy to ooze out, for patience to hang thick in the air and repentance (turning from the sin that happens daily and turning to the ONE who can truly bring about change) to be swift. The battle for my own impatience, frustration and sin to be changed into something beautiful.
It's this front line battle that I think about on my way to work (and make my mascara run before I even start the day), that I feel preoccupied with and that I pray about in the quiet of life. It's why, after I've dragged myself up the stairs at night that I go to each bed and sit next to a sleeping child and pray. The day of bickering, arguing, discipline, complaining, failure, success, playing, laughing, questioning are quieted behind closed eyes and softly breathing chests. These little ones who were formed in my womb and walk around with my eyes, his hair, and unique personalities are being shaped and formed by HANDS known but unseen. The LORD's hands that invite me to this task - one I enter into gladly but feel so humbled and challenged daily by.
In the quiet - I run my hand through his flaming orange hair and over his freckly face and my heart melts with love, with a desire for him to be free of the sin that entangles him and for me to be more patient and understanding of his 9 year old self and to embrace him fully.
I sit next to a snaggle-toothed 2nd grader who is bundled under fleece in her colorful PJs sweetly surrendering to rest. I long for her to know the freedom of being who she is meant to be, I delight in her helpfulness and long to really know her and enter into life with her.
I brush away curls from a punkin who has run hard, talked much and is emerging as her own person. I look forward to her being a big sister and her caring for those littler that herself as she has been loved and embraced by so many.
Deep in the night - I'm awakened by a precious one growing inside who needs to stretch and kick. This unexpected gift who will emerge and change us all by his presence.
I snuggle next to the one who walks with me in this journey and I'm thankful for his partnership and love (but do fight with him for the covers).
This front line is a battle, it's important, it's worth the time and energy. I enter into it gladly. It could consume me if I thought it were all up to me to accomplish - and some days I am undone by wrongly thinking I have to do it all. I could be paralyzed by the fear and paranoia of the media and world outside - fear of it being my child on that ER bed, my family member dying or sickness invading my life but FEAR isn't called for, panic isn't needed - trust is. I'm thankful it's not up to me. I'm thankful I am being used by God to shape and love this family well but I am reminded to rest in HIS work, HIS promises, HIS truth. Keep on with the daily and trust.
So onto the battle and adventure of today - apples and peanut butter for snack, clean toilets, hot dinner and Spanish homework.
Monday, October 20, 2014
The family
Me and my boys (34 weeks and counting!)
The sweet sisters supporting brother!
An Us-ie
A Selfie - my grown up boy.
Beta Club
We went to the School Board meeting tonight for Samuel and Lucy's school to be recognized. As the Beta Club Reporter, Samuel was recognized along with his fellow Beta Club officers.
Samuel (Reporter) and Matthew (AKA Beta Club President!)
Friday, October 10, 2014
Camping
We spent our Fall break camping with friends this weekend - lots of laughter, giggles, screams, races, bike riding, marshmellow eating, fireside food, river canoeing and enjoying Creation up close - refreshing. Dad and the big kids are staying for a second night while Mom and Lydia get some sleep at home tonight (at almost 33 weeks pregnant mom only made a 1 night commitment :)
Sweet sisters walking the trail while Samuel gets some early morning reading in
My sweet children. Lots of prep and work to get to camp but so worth it to spend time with these precious ones.
Early morning stretch for Dad
The gang playing on the stumps and vine swings - loads of fun
hiking to the playground
Ball -
We had so much fun camping with friends - I know the kiddos were happy to have friends to play with - and hope we can do it again soon...after the baby is walking :)
Ball -
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