JMJ

Both my girls have fall/winter birthdays, so we have celebrated them pretty recently.  I thought it would be fun to post photos on them on their birthdays.  It is something they have done in their Atrium class and I think it is a beautiful way to celebrate their growth.  

I'll start with Cecily who turned two-years-old on All Saints Day:

Birthday

1 year old

2 year old

She has become quite the little lady and MUST be carrying around, not one, but TWO baby dolls, AND their covers, which are homemade dolls blankets my mother made for her.  She has just caught onto potty training and I think she is over the hump.  She went on the potty all day today, without me having to sit her down every 10 minutes.  She impressed the heck out of Craig and I by coming to tell us she needed to go!  She seems so much older, just by being a "big girl" and using the potty.  This may be the first time I don't have any children in diapers when the new baby is born.  I can't imagine not changing diapers . . . it's almost a part of me.  :)  Almost.  But like my mom always says:  when you stop changing diapers, you really don't notice it, but you sure don't miss it!  I am really hoping that I get a month or two of very few diaper changes before the onslaught of a newborn, but I'm not going to hold my breath.  

JMJ

Um, wow.  It's be a long time since I've posted anything to the blog.  I think I started a few posts that never were polished enough to post, but, wow.  To anyone who has been wondering if that chicken EVER got done: it did!  And it was delicious.  But we have moved past rotisserie chicken to brined, fresh ham.  If you have not tried brining, you are missing out!  As I type this, Craig is out helping to sort out the cuts of our pig-and-a-half for this year and I can almost taste the sausage that we will make on Monday!

Just for fun, here are some photos of the kids from this fall.  And I can't promise I will post again soon--baby Spiering #5 will be arriving in about 2 months.  So much has happened!  :)

Cecily and random thoughts of a sleep deprived mother

JMJ

I can't believe she is six weeks old already!  We are all well, but life is pretty crazy.  I hardly have time to sit down, let alone post to the website.  Wow, no one can prepare you for how hard parenthood is.  The day in and day out struggle is completely indescribable.  Thank you to anyone who is praying for us, because I know I need every bit of grace and then some.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you. 

Life is hard but oh so good.  God is good.  Happy Gaudete Sunday. 

Here are so pictures for those of you who are starved for news from the Spiering home front.  Again, I am sorry I haven't posted more often since Cecily's birth. 

A few more from her first day.





Anastasia is such an attentive big sister.  They are going to be best friends!



All the kids really love her and are so sweet to her . . .



. . . even if not always gentle.



And here are the three oldest dressed up for Halloween.  They didn't actually go Trick or Treating until two days later, but they didn't really know the difference and we have very obliging neighbors who didn't mind off-loading some of their leftover candy.  Joseph is a knight, Aine is a princess, and Henry is a frog . . . prince.  Hence the belt to hold up his sword.  Joseph didn't want to look too friendly because he is a tough knight.  Craig made his shield out of a left over party platter and Joseph made his sword out of his construction set.   



Will post again someday . . . can't promise when.  God bless!  Veni Emmanuel!