Check out this new blog I learned about: The $5 Dinner Mom
I'm signing up for the cook book giveaway. So can you!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
$5 Dinners Blog
Check out this new blog I learned about: The $5 Dinner Mom
I'm signing up for the cook book giveaway. So can you!
Breath of God
Yesterday this hymn came to my mind during a difficult moment. It became my prayer for the day.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
that I may love what thou dost love
and do what thou wouldst do.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until with thee I will thy will,
to do and to endure.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
till I am wholly thine,
till all this earthly part of me
glows with Thy fire divine.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
that I may love what thou dost love
and do what thou wouldst do.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until with thee I will thy will,
to do and to endure.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
till I am wholly thine,
till all this earthly part of me
glows with Thy fire divine.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Merry Christmas 2009
Brad, Cora, Peter and I were blessed to spend a long Christmas weekend in Montrose with Brad's parents. We enjoy their company and are glad we have the privilege of seeing them often. We also made this year an "up-with-the-times" Christmas by Skyping with John and Mindy (who are in Wyoming) and my parents (who are in Michigan). They were able to watch presents being opened via webcam. Technology can be so wonderful!
Brad and Dad during a Christmas day drive on Chukar trail.
Panorama of Montrose
Peter's first Christmas.
It's such a joy to be with family, especially during the holidays. This time of year we reflect on the beautiful parts of our lives - the people we get to share life with. We especially remember the most beautiful part of our lives: having a reconciled relationship with Jesus! The fact that our families also have Jesus in their hearts makes this season even more joyous! Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Brad and Dad during a Christmas day drive on Chukar trail.
Panorama of Montrose
Peter's first Christmas.
It's such a joy to be with family, especially during the holidays. This time of year we reflect on the beautiful parts of our lives - the people we get to share life with. We especially remember the most beautiful part of our lives: having a reconciled relationship with Jesus! The fact that our families also have Jesus in their hearts makes this season even more joyous! Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Monday, December 21, 2009
December
This month...
Cora was in her first Christmas pageant at church. She and the other 2-3 year olds were angels. They got to run up the center aisle at the part when "suddenly there appeared a host of angels" to the shepherds. Then they gathered around Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. I heard Cora did a great job, but I didn't get to see much because I was playing the piano for the congregational singing and was mostly hidden behind the back wall of the stable. I hope I can get my hands on a video recording and watch my little angel!
We had 10 inches of snow in one day! It was crazy for Grand Junction and was almost record-setting. School was canceled for the second time in 24 years. It has stayed cold enough since then that most of the snow is still around!
Brad, Cora, Peter and I went snowshoeing on the Grand Mesa. Brad decided that Cora is big enough to do her own snowshoeing so we'll have to see if we can scrounge up a pair for her! I guess she's getting heavy to carry at 30+ lbs. Peter did great. He fussed a little and then fell asleep in the Snuggli I was carrying him in.
I had surgery on the 19th to repair an umbilical hernia. I believe I developed the hernia with my first pregnancy, but I didn't know what it was till after Peter was born. Since my health care deductible was met for this year with Peter's delivery the surgery will be completely covered by our health insurance so we decided it was a good time to get it taken care of. It was wonderful that Mom and Dad Bierma came down for the day to stay with Cora and Peter and give us help. Everything went well and after a few days of exhaustion, weakness and being quite sore, I'm starting to feel much better.
Brad tore down our fireplace. We've finally decided we wanted a corner more than a fireplace. If you've ever had a living room that has no corners then you understand our longing for one! There is still a little work to do to patch it up but it's a small project and we'e very excited for the little bit of extra space it give us...and the corner.
Brad took the high school youth group on a unique excursion. He snagged a deal with the curator of the Museum of the West, here in town, and got a special "behind the scenes" private tour of the museum. The students really enjoyed it and it was a great "Destination Unknown" for a cold weekend.
Cora was in her first Christmas pageant at church. She and the other 2-3 year olds were angels. They got to run up the center aisle at the part when "suddenly there appeared a host of angels" to the shepherds. Then they gathered around Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. I heard Cora did a great job, but I didn't get to see much because I was playing the piano for the congregational singing and was mostly hidden behind the back wall of the stable. I hope I can get my hands on a video recording and watch my little angel!
We had 10 inches of snow in one day! It was crazy for Grand Junction and was almost record-setting. School was canceled for the second time in 24 years. It has stayed cold enough since then that most of the snow is still around!
Brad, Cora, Peter and I went snowshoeing on the Grand Mesa. Brad decided that Cora is big enough to do her own snowshoeing so we'll have to see if we can scrounge up a pair for her! I guess she's getting heavy to carry at 30+ lbs. Peter did great. He fussed a little and then fell asleep in the Snuggli I was carrying him in.
I had surgery on the 19th to repair an umbilical hernia. I believe I developed the hernia with my first pregnancy, but I didn't know what it was till after Peter was born. Since my health care deductible was met for this year with Peter's delivery the surgery will be completely covered by our health insurance so we decided it was a good time to get it taken care of. It was wonderful that Mom and Dad Bierma came down for the day to stay with Cora and Peter and give us help. Everything went well and after a few days of exhaustion, weakness and being quite sore, I'm starting to feel much better.
Brad tore down our fireplace. We've finally decided we wanted a corner more than a fireplace. If you've ever had a living room that has no corners then you understand our longing for one! There is still a little work to do to patch it up but it's a small project and we'e very excited for the little bit of extra space it give us...and the corner.
Brad took the high school youth group on a unique excursion. He snagged a deal with the curator of the Museum of the West, here in town, and got a special "behind the scenes" private tour of the museum. The students really enjoyed it and it was a great "Destination Unknown" for a cold weekend.
Peter is Three months old!
Here we go again already!
Three months:
Weight: ?
Height: ?
Clothing size: 3-6 months for sure
Schedule/Routine: Peter's days are becoming more similar from day to day. He wakes up around 7 am and starts his day. In 3 hour long cycles he eats, plays and naps, then does it all over again. He's going to bed around 7:30 pm for the night. We're now trying to figure out how to get him to sleep the whole time we are sleeping. The last few nights I've woken him up to feed him around 11 pm and then go to bed. It's later than I prefer, but Peter has been sleeping 8 hours. And if he wakes up we have been giving him his pacifier, knowing that he probably isn't hungry and he's been going back to sleep with out much of a fuss. Hopefully he'll stop waking up at all! But over all things are going well and I'm welcoming the regularity and predictability.
Milestones: He's smiling a lot now, especially at his daddy! He almost giggled the other day, but not quite! Peter is gaining hand and finger control. He's working really hard at trying to grab his toys that hang above him in his floor gym and is often successful. He loves to squeal at them, too! He's also cooing a lot, saying "ah-gooo" and other adorable baby sounds.
Other: Peter was diagnosed with a double ear infection. We had to go back to the doctor after his two month check-up and he happened to be getting over a cold. The doctor saw his inflamed ear drums and told me that if an ear infection comes on slowly the baby doesn't feel pain or discomfort. So since Peter hadn't had a fever or any fussiness that must have been the case!
Here's a link to a facebook album of pictures from this fall.
Three months:
Weight: ?
Height: ?
Clothing size: 3-6 months for sure
Schedule/Routine: Peter's days are becoming more similar from day to day. He wakes up around 7 am and starts his day. In 3 hour long cycles he eats, plays and naps, then does it all over again. He's going to bed around 7:30 pm for the night. We're now trying to figure out how to get him to sleep the whole time we are sleeping. The last few nights I've woken him up to feed him around 11 pm and then go to bed. It's later than I prefer, but Peter has been sleeping 8 hours. And if he wakes up we have been giving him his pacifier, knowing that he probably isn't hungry and he's been going back to sleep with out much of a fuss. Hopefully he'll stop waking up at all! But over all things are going well and I'm welcoming the regularity and predictability.
Milestones: He's smiling a lot now, especially at his daddy! He almost giggled the other day, but not quite! Peter is gaining hand and finger control. He's working really hard at trying to grab his toys that hang above him in his floor gym and is often successful. He loves to squeal at them, too! He's also cooing a lot, saying "ah-gooo" and other adorable baby sounds.
Other: Peter was diagnosed with a double ear infection. We had to go back to the doctor after his two month check-up and he happened to be getting over a cold. The doctor saw his inflamed ear drums and told me that if an ear infection comes on slowly the baby doesn't feel pain or discomfort. So since Peter hadn't had a fever or any fussiness that must have been the case!
Here's a link to a facebook album of pictures from this fall.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Back log of pictures
Cora and Peter hanging out on the floor. (October 3)
Western Day (October 12)
Peter's Baptism (October 11)
Family picture (October 12)
Halloween outfits (October 31)
Like father, like son (November 1)
Like mother, like daughter - scrunchy faces(November 13)
Our adorable nephew/cousin Leyton (November 11)
Being a ham for the camera! So cute!
Auntie Deb with Peter and Cora(November 17)
Uncle John and Aunt Melinda with Peter (November 28)
A smile that will make your day! (November 28)
Western Day (October 12)
Peter's Baptism (October 11)
Family picture (October 12)
Halloween outfits (October 31)
Like father, like son (November 1)
Like mother, like daughter - scrunchy faces(November 13)
Our adorable nephew/cousin Leyton (November 11)
Being a ham for the camera! So cute!
Auntie Deb with Peter and Cora(November 17)
Uncle John and Aunt Melinda with Peter (November 28)
A smile that will make your day! (November 28)
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Cora's world
Cora has recently developed her own language. She creates names for her imaginary friends or little people that make no sense to the English speaker. It's quite amusing. Sometimes her people have recognizable names. (Carol and Alissa are ones I hear a lot lately. Isn't that great, Grandma?)
She also still has trouble pronouncing the "s" sound at the beginning of words. So today when she saw the 10 inches (!) of snow on the ground, this is what we heard: "Look at all the fow. There's fo much fow on the ground. It's till fowing!" She also still says "nor" when she means "more" even though she can say the "m" sound at the beginning of other words.
She confuses her prepositions: She will say "Let's go to a walk" or "It's time to go for the store".
Her imagination and vocabulary colide in interesting ways. Lately I've either been called "mama pig" (she gets to be the big bad wolf) or she calls me "Cora Bierma" and she gets to be "Mommy Bierma."
Funny quotes lately:
Yesterday I went to check on her after I heard her go into the bathroom. I found her sitting on the toilet and she looked at me with a very serious, scowling face and said "It makes me nervous." She often tells me "Don't worry, Mama, it's otay." A good reminder that I often need to hear! Also: "I got it" (as in "I don't need your help, I can do it".)
Here's the funny thing: When I notice she says something a lot and then find myself saying the same thing i wonder who's mimicking who. Do I start saying the things I hear her say all the time or is it the other way around? Hmmm
Not-so-proud mommy-moment: Last week I had a particularly tired morning. After meeting all of her needs and Peter's for much of the morning and was still being followed around and having things requested of me I got frustrated, probably annoyed, and I was feeling like I just needed 10 minutes of peace and quiet. In my head I was saying "Just leave me alone!" I honestly didn't think i had said it out loud, but I must have because later that evening Cora was making a puzzle and saying through clenched teeth "Leave me alone, leave me alone, leave me alone" like a broken record. Nothing like having a less-than-stellar moment replayed over and over to remind Brad and I that any and everything we say in her presence (not even to her) she hears and we will most likely hear it repeated back to us.
The other day in the car, Cora said "Holy Cow" although it sounded more like "Ho-wee tow". Neither Brad or I are in the habit of saying that but she only has to hear it once!
She also still has trouble pronouncing the "s" sound at the beginning of words. So today when she saw the 10 inches (!) of snow on the ground, this is what we heard: "Look at all the fow. There's fo much fow on the ground. It's till fowing!" She also still says "nor" when she means "more" even though she can say the "m" sound at the beginning of other words.
She confuses her prepositions: She will say "Let's go to a walk" or "It's time to go for the store".
Her imagination and vocabulary colide in interesting ways. Lately I've either been called "mama pig" (she gets to be the big bad wolf) or she calls me "Cora Bierma" and she gets to be "Mommy Bierma."
Funny quotes lately:
Yesterday I went to check on her after I heard her go into the bathroom. I found her sitting on the toilet and she looked at me with a very serious, scowling face and said "It makes me nervous." She often tells me "Don't worry, Mama, it's otay." A good reminder that I often need to hear! Also: "I got it" (as in "I don't need your help, I can do it".)
Here's the funny thing: When I notice she says something a lot and then find myself saying the same thing i wonder who's mimicking who. Do I start saying the things I hear her say all the time or is it the other way around? Hmmm
Not-so-proud mommy-moment: Last week I had a particularly tired morning. After meeting all of her needs and Peter's for much of the morning and was still being followed around and having things requested of me I got frustrated, probably annoyed, and I was feeling like I just needed 10 minutes of peace and quiet. In my head I was saying "Just leave me alone!" I honestly didn't think i had said it out loud, but I must have because later that evening Cora was making a puzzle and saying through clenched teeth "Leave me alone, leave me alone, leave me alone" like a broken record. Nothing like having a less-than-stellar moment replayed over and over to remind Brad and I that any and everything we say in her presence (not even to her) she hears and we will most likely hear it repeated back to us.
The other day in the car, Cora said "Holy Cow" although it sounded more like "Ho-wee tow". Neither Brad or I are in the habit of saying that but she only has to hear it once!
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Love and being loved
Official stats from the doctor office: Peter is 25 inches long (98th percentile) and 14.5 lbs (95th percentile).
I just finished reading "Handle with Care" by Jodi Picoult. Here are a two quotes from the last few pages:
"People say that, when you love someone, nothing in the world matters. But that's not true, is it? You know, and I know, that when you love someone, everything in the world matters a little bit more."
"By definition, love made you better than good enough; it redefined perfection to include your traits, instead of excluding them. All any of us wanted, really, was to know that we counted. That someone else's life would not have been as rich without us here."
Thank you for loving us.
If you haven't heard this song yet click the link to listen to it. (Or maybe google it in case this link doesn't give you the full song.) David Crowder Band's "How He Loves" has been a favorite of mine lately and it plays in my head over and over. It is simple and profound; beautiful.
Thank You for loving us.
I just finished reading "Handle with Care" by Jodi Picoult. Here are a two quotes from the last few pages:
"People say that, when you love someone, nothing in the world matters. But that's not true, is it? You know, and I know, that when you love someone, everything in the world matters a little bit more."
"By definition, love made you better than good enough; it redefined perfection to include your traits, instead of excluding them. All any of us wanted, really, was to know that we counted. That someone else's life would not have been as rich without us here."
Thank you for loving us.
If you haven't heard this song yet click the link to listen to it. (Or maybe google it in case this link doesn't give you the full song.) David Crowder Band's "How He Loves" has been a favorite of mine lately and it plays in my head over and over. It is simple and profound; beautiful.
Thank You for loving us.
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