Over the past 2 or 3 months my husband has put in way more hours than anyone should ever be asked. He is tired, stressed and completely worn out. He even looks tired. It is possible that he is finally starting to look older than 17.
This week he worked from 8:30 till 3 am one night - this was after putting in a full day. Then this morning he went into to work at 4:30 am and got home at 6 pm, and it is 9 and he just headed back to work and told me that he hopes to crawl into bed with me by 2 am. He'll then be back at work by 7 tomorrow.
On his way out the door tonight, (carrying tons of garbage out to the garage for me, and he just scraped all the dishes for me and played with his kids and put up with MY family who was over for supper), he said, 'Honey, dont do too much, just please sit and relax.' And he had a smile on his face!
I miss him. I am so blessed and tonight I feel like one of the luckiest women on earth to have a hardworking, loving and devoted father and husband.
Please hurry home honey...
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Christmas gifts
Well we made it through. My mom as usual handled it with grace and stregnth for her family.
It was difficult to celebrate with out my dad. It was difficult to have Christmas devotions and open gifts without him sitting and enjoying every second with us.
One unique thing about my dad was his huge collection of obnoxious/ugly ties. As kids these ties embarrased us to no end and caused us to sneak into church and try our best to appear part of other families! As we got older they gave us a great source of amunition with which to make fun of him about. And boy did we let him have it for all the years of embarassement we had to deal with.
My mom used this to make the most perfect Christmas gift for each of us 7 kids. She secretly had them made into quilt blocks for us all.
This picture really doesnt show how neat it is...the coolest part is that I remember each of these ties from a different time period; one from when I was quite little even.
I know I will treasure this Christmas gift for the rest of my life. It will hang in my room where I will see each each day. Thank you Mom. For everything...
It was difficult to celebrate with out my dad. It was difficult to have Christmas devotions and open gifts without him sitting and enjoying every second with us.
One unique thing about my dad was his huge collection of obnoxious/ugly ties. As kids these ties embarrased us to no end and caused us to sneak into church and try our best to appear part of other families! As we got older they gave us a great source of amunition with which to make fun of him about. And boy did we let him have it for all the years of embarassement we had to deal with.
My mom used this to make the most perfect Christmas gift for each of us 7 kids. She secretly had them made into quilt blocks for us all.
This picture really doesnt show how neat it is...the coolest part is that I remember each of these ties from a different time period; one from when I was quite little even.
I know I will treasure this Christmas gift for the rest of my life. It will hang in my room where I will see each each day. Thank you Mom. For everything...
Sunday, December 24, 2006
poor Sully
The kids' big present was a train table. The girls got really excited while opening it and as you can see, Sully did NOT appreciate the chaos. Avery tried her best to comfort him.
Dirks Family Christmas 2006
We celebrated our little family Christmas last night. We had a fancy supper, read the Christmas story and opened presents. The kids had a blast and Jordan and I had so much watching them. I dont want them to get one second older. I think about how much different they will be even just next Christmas and I wish I had a Pause button for life...
Not the best picture of Avery but Lauren looks so beautiful...another thing that makes me want to stop time!
Reading the Christmas Story...
Let the maddness begin...
Not the best picture of Avery but Lauren looks so beautiful...another thing that makes me want to stop time!
Reading the Christmas Story...
Let the maddness begin...
Friday, December 22, 2006
Christmas craft
Sully went down for his nap and I asked the girls what they wanted to do for a craft. Lauren immiedetly said, "I havent made anything for my great-grandmas in a long time."
How sweet is she?
So we decided to make Christmas trees for the three great-grandma's and great Aunt Phyllis.
I thought I had glitter pens - I didnt. I have glitter GLUE pens. Needless to say, these pictures might be dry by Easter.
And if any of the great grandma's check my blog...sorry I guess we ruined your suprise!
How sweet is she?
So we decided to make Christmas trees for the three great-grandma's and great Aunt Phyllis.
I thought I had glitter pens - I didnt. I have glitter GLUE pens. Needless to say, these pictures might be dry by Easter.
And if any of the great grandma's check my blog...sorry I guess we ruined your suprise!
Little boys...
I am constantly fascinated by the difference between my girls and Sully. For example, Sully LOVES to play with their dollhouse. You might laugh, until you watched HOW he plays with it. The girls like to set the people up and act out little plays. Even Avery who isnt what you would call, 'a fan of order', likes the dollhouse neat and organized.
Sully? He likes to throw the bed off the third floor, rip the curtains off the walls and fling them, open and close the door as many times and as fast as possible and to basically just cause total chaos and mess throughout the otherwise calm and quiet, land of the Little People's Dreamhouse.
I love it!
Sully? He likes to throw the bed off the third floor, rip the curtains off the walls and fling them, open and close the door as many times and as fast as possible and to basically just cause total chaos and mess throughout the otherwise calm and quiet, land of the Little People's Dreamhouse.
I love it!
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Izzy
Izzy has been part of Jordan and I's family since the Christmas we got engaged. My dad gave him to me as a present...I dont know if Jordan ever fully forgave him!
Anyway, sometimes, after the kids have gone to bed and the house is quiet, Izzy likes to pretend that she is still my one and only baby.
Anyway, sometimes, after the kids have gone to bed and the house is quiet, Izzy likes to pretend that she is still my one and only baby.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
He's Home!
My 'little' brother Robert came home from grad. school in NY this weekend. We havent seen him since July, a very long 5-6 months.
There is nobody like Robert and his nieces love to take full advantage of that. He and Avery played hide and seek and Robert tried to hide as a lamp. So of course Avery had to try it too.
We are excited to have him home for an entire month.
There is nobody like Robert and his nieces love to take full advantage of that. He and Avery played hide and seek and Robert tried to hide as a lamp. So of course Avery had to try it too.
We are excited to have him home for an entire month.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Mom
I received my mom's Christmas letter via email this weekend. Once again her faith is inspiring to me. She turned 60 last week and took what could have been a difficult day and handled it with grace and a smile. Her pain is real and many days are a struggle. But she knows where my dad is and that someday she will be there with him.
I had to share her letter...
I find myself unable to write Christmas cards this year, but do rejoice in His birth. What would this world be like if Christ had refused to come as a baby and take our penalty for sin at Calvary?
From my human standpoint, this should be a sad time for myself and family, it would not have been my choice and my heart will never be whole again, but I remember as Job19: 25-27 tells us, blessed be the name of the Lord. I recall the old saying,
“God is too good to be unkind and to wise to make a mistake”. Richard is celebrating this time with the One who loved him even more than I.
So, with this season, as I look on my mantel at the Nativity, dwelling on the God\man, I still marvel. Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles! Someday I will see Him face to face and He will fold me into His arms and say, ‘I’m so glad you are home My child’, time will be no more!
May each of you have a blessed time together and become as wise men, searching and following the Star to the Promised one. I will continue throughout eternity to praise my Savior.
REJOICE!!!
In Christ,
Barb
I had to share her letter...
I find myself unable to write Christmas cards this year, but do rejoice in His birth. What would this world be like if Christ had refused to come as a baby and take our penalty for sin at Calvary?
From my human standpoint, this should be a sad time for myself and family, it would not have been my choice and my heart will never be whole again, but I remember as Job19: 25-27 tells us, blessed be the name of the Lord. I recall the old saying,
“God is too good to be unkind and to wise to make a mistake”. Richard is celebrating this time with the One who loved him even more than I.
So, with this season, as I look on my mantel at the Nativity, dwelling on the God\man, I still marvel. Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles! Someday I will see Him face to face and He will fold me into His arms and say, ‘I’m so glad you are home My child’, time will be no more!
May each of you have a blessed time together and become as wise men, searching and following the Star to the Promised one. I will continue throughout eternity to praise my Savior.
REJOICE!!!
In Christ,
Barb
Monday, December 11, 2006
More cookie pics
Yes, there are cookies on that plate! Avery likes a little cookie with her frosting!
Lauren couldnt believe I put frosting on her nose.
Avery wanted more frosting on her nose.
Lauren found this hilarious.
Cookies
Last night after I put the kids in bed I literally collapsed on our bed and said to Jordan, when will they be older?
I was feeling tired, frustrated and selfish. Everything they did was a burden. When I went to bed, about 8:30 (!) I prayed that God would help change my perspective and help me to enjoy everything about my kids. Not just the things that make me happy, but things that push my buttons. I asked for some patience.
Tonight we made Christmas cookies. After a long day at work I hoped that this would not turn into a project that I wished we had never started. Jordan was gone for the evening and Sully was good enough to take a nap.
It was a wonderful time! Now, Avery was still Avery - stealing licks of frosting and using the frosting spoon as her own personal spoon, dropping frosting, cookies, a cup of flour and a glass of milk on the floor, Lauren was still Lauren - bossing her little sister, wanting everything just right (wonder where she gets that) and knocking over the frosting. Im pretty sure there is way more flour in the cookies and powdered sugar in the frosting than there was supposed to be and I really dont think Avery's shirt will ever be the same...But mommy had a differnet attititude. I took pictures of the 'naughtiness' and reminded myself that the next time I blink they will be teenagers and I will be begging them to come make Christmas cookies with me.
Im so thankful that God helped me to change my outlook today. I am so thankful for my precious girls. Im thankful that during the cookie making Lauren spontaneously said, 'Avery, I love you.' and Avery responded, 'I love you too, and I love you back.'
Tonight when I put them to bed I asked them each to stay little, Lauren said, 'No mommy, I cant!' Sully gave me a noncommittal grin, but Avery said, 'Ok, mommy, I will'. Tonight my prayer will be a little different than last night, but I'll probably add in a request for patience again, just to be safe!
I was feeling tired, frustrated and selfish. Everything they did was a burden. When I went to bed, about 8:30 (!) I prayed that God would help change my perspective and help me to enjoy everything about my kids. Not just the things that make me happy, but things that push my buttons. I asked for some patience.
Tonight we made Christmas cookies. After a long day at work I hoped that this would not turn into a project that I wished we had never started. Jordan was gone for the evening and Sully was good enough to take a nap.
It was a wonderful time! Now, Avery was still Avery - stealing licks of frosting and using the frosting spoon as her own personal spoon, dropping frosting, cookies, a cup of flour and a glass of milk on the floor, Lauren was still Lauren - bossing her little sister, wanting everything just right (wonder where she gets that) and knocking over the frosting. Im pretty sure there is way more flour in the cookies and powdered sugar in the frosting than there was supposed to be and I really dont think Avery's shirt will ever be the same...But mommy had a differnet attititude. I took pictures of the 'naughtiness' and reminded myself that the next time I blink they will be teenagers and I will be begging them to come make Christmas cookies with me.
Im so thankful that God helped me to change my outlook today. I am so thankful for my precious girls. Im thankful that during the cookie making Lauren spontaneously said, 'Avery, I love you.' and Avery responded, 'I love you too, and I love you back.'
Tonight when I put them to bed I asked them each to stay little, Lauren said, 'No mommy, I cant!' Sully gave me a noncommittal grin, but Avery said, 'Ok, mommy, I will'. Tonight my prayer will be a little different than last night, but I'll probably add in a request for patience again, just to be safe!
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Princess for a day.
Lauren and I spent Saturday wedding shopping with Grandma Cindy, Kylie, Trina and Alexa.
Lauren tried on many flower girl dresses and had the best time. She pranced and flitted all over the stores. I told Kylie that she may have thought that her wedding would be the best day of her life, but she was mistaken, it will be the best day of Lauren's life!
Dancing princess
The 'real' bride. This picture does not do her dress justice, it is beautiful and Kylie looks perfect in it!
Lauren and Alexa, taking some time to cuddle.
Loving every second...
Our favorite dress of the day.
Lauren tried on many flower girl dresses and had the best time. She pranced and flitted all over the stores. I told Kylie that she may have thought that her wedding would be the best day of her life, but she was mistaken, it will be the best day of Lauren's life!
Dancing princess
The 'real' bride. This picture does not do her dress justice, it is beautiful and Kylie looks perfect in it!
Lauren and Alexa, taking some time to cuddle.
Loving every second...
Our favorite dress of the day.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Traditions
One of my favorite traditions from growing up was our yearly Christmas Ornament. Every year we each got a new Christmas ornament to hang on the family tree. Some time after the tree was up my dad would bring out our ornaments. We never knew when they had been purchased, we never got to pick them out. And I was never once disappointed in the one that was chosen for me. Somehow they always fit each of us perfectly.
At one of my bridal showers before Jordan and I were married I opened up a gift from my mom to find all my 18 ornaments boxed up to become part of my own Christmas tree.
Jordan and I started this tradition with our own kids when Lauren had her first Christmas. This year we took the kids over and let Lauren and Avery pick out their own ornaments. Lauren loves to lay out her ornaments and stare at them before they go on the tree. She is as mezmorized as I was by the ornaments chosen especially for her...
I posted a few of my favorites from my own collection and Lauren and Avery's choices this year. (Daddy hasnt found the first one for Sullivan's first Christmas yet...)
Avery chose a bird - birds have boundless energy - perfect for Avery!
Lauren chose a 'fancy' girl - just like 'Fancy Nancy' - perfect for Lauren!
At one of my bridal showers before Jordan and I were married I opened up a gift from my mom to find all my 18 ornaments boxed up to become part of my own Christmas tree.
Jordan and I started this tradition with our own kids when Lauren had her first Christmas. This year we took the kids over and let Lauren and Avery pick out their own ornaments. Lauren loves to lay out her ornaments and stare at them before they go on the tree. She is as mezmorized as I was by the ornaments chosen especially for her...
I posted a few of my favorites from my own collection and Lauren and Avery's choices this year. (Daddy hasnt found the first one for Sullivan's first Christmas yet...)
Avery chose a bird - birds have boundless energy - perfect for Avery!
Lauren chose a 'fancy' girl - just like 'Fancy Nancy' - perfect for Lauren!
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