Another Day in Paradise

The New Blog

2006-12-30T17:55:00.000-08:00

The big reveal was going to be New Years Day. But my Dad's Christmas letter hit the presses and unveiled the new blog a little early. For the new year, I started a new blog--the same stuff, just a new look. This blog will remain here. But starting tomorrow I will be posting daily at--

jodylanders.wordpress.com

(Don't get too excited. I know it's hard. It's not really that big of a deal...)

More...

2006-12-30T12:58:00.000-08:00

OK, so between baseball games in the backyard, baking Nana's birthday cake, laundry, and grocery shopping, I have had a couple minutes to pick up the stack of books in "my room". It seems there is a common theme in the things that are stirring my heart lately...
"Looking at he millions of boneded child laborers in India or the thousands of child prostitutes in Asia or the thousands of torure victims twisting and bleeding in the world's forgotten jail cells, we cay say to God, "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you for the power, protection, freedom, and justice you have granted us in sparing us from such fates. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Or we can ask, "What have you given me, Father, that I might help those who don't have power, who don't have protection, who don't have freedom, who don't have justice?" (Gary Haugen)

Reading in yet another book about a young African mother who prays that her 3 children will die before she does. She fears what will happen to them, who will care for them if she dies first. OK, mothers, that is very, very wrong. Can you even imagine being so desperate that you pray for your children to die before you?!! Those mothers across the ocean, our sisters, love their children as much as we love ours. Their suffering, their poverty, their starvation is not OK. And you know what else is not OK--for me to say "Thank you, God for the safety of my own children" or "Wow, that is very sad." Not OK. How serious am I about being His hands and feet? I hope 2007 will tell...and I am praying for the courage to step up and jump...

Saved For

2006-12-30T11:25:00.000-08:00

In a current read, the authors of "Living a Life on Loan" begin to explore our stories and how they intersect with God's plan. Swanson and Rusaw mention how we often focus our testimonies on what God saved us 'from.' But that is only one aspect of our testimony, our story. The second is what God saved us 'for.' "This is the portion you share with others about how knowing Christ can help make this world a better place." It's about where your passion and God's purposes collide and you feel God's pleasure.
I love that. It has challenged me to think hard these past couple days about the second aspect of my story. What will I contribute? What was I saved for? How grateful I am for the grace that saved me and now how can I extend it to help bring glimpses of the kingdom of heaven to earth?

---

2006-12-30T06:50:00.000-08:00

"If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life from aching, or cool one pain, or help one fainting robin up to his nest again, I shall not live in vain." (Emily Dickinson)

I'll Start Here

2006-12-29T10:54:00.000-08:00

Here's a man who was attempting to go over his week-end music, but ended up patiently singing "Jingle Bells" several hundred times...

Quite possibly the best father on the planet.

Not Good

2006-12-28T18:51:00.000-08:00

"home is the most important place for a man to be affirmed. If a man knows that his wife believes in him, he is empowered to do better in every area of his life. A man tends to think of life as a competition and a battle, and he can energetically go duke it out if he can come home to someone who supports him unconditionally." (Shaunti Feldhahn)

Andy sometimes jokes that I think my job is to keep him humble. But I'm ashamed to think that he probably feels that way often. Not good. No one's fault but my own.

What Good?

2006-12-28T07:48:00.000-08:00

"The noblest question in the world is: "What good may I do in it?" (Benjamen Franklin)

We are back to the "moment by moment choices that make up a life."

The boys are happily searching for the 'woods monster' and digging for worms. Laundry is calling my name today and home feels very good.

---

2006-12-27T13:43:00.000-08:00

"Love and business and family and religion and art and patriotism are nothing but shadows of words when a man's starving." (O. Henry)

Wishful Thinking

2006-12-27T08:05:00.000-08:00

Why do I bring my book bag on family getaways? I have a nice little bag full of books that I am anxious to read--sitting unopened by the bed. Wishful thinking I guess.

The boys have been very good on this trip. We have been very proud of them. But we're not quite at the stage where Mom's book bag is appropriate I guess...

One More Night

2006-12-26T18:51:00.000-08:00

Dinner at Rain Forest Cafe--

(precisely why I hate pictures...seriously, I'd like to think it is my bad side, but the other one looks just like it.)

complete with a birthday dessert for Nana

(This whole crew in Chicago sends all our love, our prayers and many hugs to our missing parts--Aunt Randie and Uncle Tim who are awaiting the arrival of their first child and our first Landers neice. Miss you!!! We hope she comes tonight...)

The Day in Chicago--

2006-12-26T12:14:00.000-08:00

This morning we found Santa Clause made out of legos and a Thomas the Train store complete with $3 rides around the store.

(We really don't love Max the most, he is just the most willing to pose for the camera).

Big boys are at a movie with Dad and Nana this afternoon. Quincy and I are "resting."

I'm quite sure I would have died from heart failure if I lived here with my four little people...too many fast moving cars, crowds of people, and breakable things. :-) It would require much "training" at least and I can't even get them to sit still in church...so back to our corn fields and wide open spaces we will go.

But we are having a grand time and will return with special memories...

Chicago

2006-12-25T16:54:00.000-08:00

So we left town for a little Landers getaway to Chicago...
Ten minutes after arriving at the hotel, the boys looked like this--

so we did this--

then set out to find a restaurnt open on Christmas night. It ended being a harder task than we imagined, but finally found a little Irish pub and we crammed 11 people into a 6 person booth. A fun memory, and Dawson commented that, "This is the best night in the whole world."

Christmas Morning 2007

2006-12-25T06:09:00.000-08:00

The first couple kids were up at 5:15. We sent them back to bed screaming.
We gave in completely at 7:00

(Thanks Aunt Randie and Uncle Tim for the shirts!)

Gabe opening up a St. Louis Cardinals clock for their room (Thanks Jon and Kari!)

Complete set of 4 walkie talkies from Jess and Nate--also a big hit. Quincy has been playing with his new truck all by himself all morning.

Andy not well with stones. Every time I blink my eyes I see that woman's disapproving and disgusted face. Not quite over it yet.

I'm praying this morning for a softened heart, a forgiving spirit, and the endurance to withstand probably a number more of those looks. I don't answer to them...I don't know why it hurts me so much.

But we are so very thankful for our family this morning and a Savior who came so that all people, good moms and bad, abnoxious kids and all, could have Redemption. Merry Christmas.

Blogging to Heal

2006-12-24T16:14:00.000-08:00

OK, so it happened.

It's Christmas Eve and I am forced to sit in a church service alone with my children. I choose not to take them to the weekly services very often--mostly because I am selfish with my worship time. I don't like to chase crayons, and pass out gum and paper, and keep the brothers from touching each other while I'm in church. I like to worship uninterrupted. I like the silence. I like the time it gives me to connect with God alone. When they do come with me, the boys know their Dad is on stage and there is no way he can get to them. That being said, we have not done a lot of "training" in the way of sitting through church.

So I dragged my crew of little boys into the service tonight. They were not being still. They were not being very quiet. Crayons were rolling everywhere... And then it happened. The woman in front of me turned around and gave me "the look." "The look" that says so clearly, "You are quite possibly the worst mother I have ever seen. Do you mind getting a handle on your abnoxious children so me and my two perfect children can enjoy the service. Thank you."
OK, so I hate that look. I've gotten it a couple times before (I know, shocking) in the grocery store or the mall or in church. But it literally knocks the breath out of me every time. I can feel my spirit sink and my confidence deflate.
The truth is--I probably deserved it. I am not very good at getting my boys to sit still during church. For Andy, I'm quite sure, they would be angelic...but well, that's just not an option.
(But if you ever come to our church with a handful of little ones whose behavior cannot be guaranteed...sit by me. You're safe there. Sometimes I think my job is simply to make all other parents feel superior. Job well done tonight.)

So tonight, I kissed the faces of my abnoxious children. And now I am blogging to heal from the wounds of "the look". It's really either this or cry.

Christmas with The Landers

2006-12-24T12:46:00.000-08:00

Let the Parties Begin...

2006-12-24T12:40:00.000-08:00

This is New

2006-12-23T12:14:00.000-08:00

This is the first Saturday in 5 years that my husband has been HOME. I'm so happy. (church services come with amazing regularity...except at Christmas. :-)).

Be A Better Mom Today

2006-12-22T18:13:00.000-08:00

We have a chalkboard right next to our kitchen table where I have been keeping a running list of the most important things to accomplish for the day. Well, after some comtemplation and conviction last night, I dedicated today to being "Reclaim Your Family Day". After several weeks of stress and selfishness, I needed to connect again with the kids, to romance their hearts again, to listen, to play, to sit with them. So I crossed off the list and wrote "Be a Better Mom Today." Sometimes it's that simple.

We played dress up (in a house full of boys that consists of putting on Dad's clothes), played games, made special projects, made a couple deliveries, ate all together, got a visit from Santa (who the boys all believe is "dead," but they still love it), snuggled up to watch a Christmas movie, read stories, and went peacefully to bed. I don't intend to keep up that pace every day, but every now and then, that's what it takes to reconnect, to remember, and remind the boys that they are my greatest privilege and treasure.

And now I am going to curl up in bed with a stack of books and call it a day. A good day.

Posted Below is the 2006 Christmas Letter and Picture (for my own record keeping purposes).

2006-12-22T08:38:00.000-08:00

Things change. At the grocery store, I only buy one size of diapers. I completely pass by the aisle with those pureed green peas in little jars. I traded in our sippy cups and bouncy seats for soccer cleats and book bags. 3 out of the 4 boys buckle themselves into seatbelts. All can walk now---or more accurately---run now. (Unfortunately, never in the same direction.) I no longer spend my evenings rocking babies while Andy sings lullabies. I now review spelling words and Andy throws baseballs. Fortunately, we now sleep seven consecutive hours. And with much excitement, we traded in our smaller older house in the city for a bigger newer one in the country—where our babies, now boys—can now run freer.
Dawson (7), bless his first- born heart, paves the way through each new change. Making sure we don’t mess him up, Dawson recently pointed out I had allowed Gabe a privilege I had denied him. “Mom,” he scolded, ”that is not very good parenting.” For Dawson, the new house represents a unique opportunity to catch snakes, frogs and those creepy and crawly things that only true boys of adventure and conquest could love. Trying to keep all four, six, and twelve-legged animals outside, I am standing firm on the rule: You can have a pet when you stop fighting with your brothers. I think I’m safe.
Gabe (6) remains our “eye of the hurricane.” When we moved to the country, he demanded his own quiet room. He likes to hide stashes of coins, cards, and candy from his brothers in top secret places. His brothers in turn feel obligated to discover those stashes. As the eye of the hurricane passes, Gabe will pick up Andy’s old electric guitar and contribute to the chaos. Even as a kindergartener, Gabe remains sensitive and kind, yet daring and tough. He and some buddies recently dressed up as superheroes. They rode their bikes through a local neighborhood, knocking on the doors of strangers and asking: “Do you have any crime here?”
Max (4) was born a free-ranger. He does not like any type of boundary or fence. Now that we’re in the country, we’re constantly asking, “Where’s Max?” No acreage can squelch his curiosity. Max’s drumming also knows no limit, especially if they are on the big stage. Max lives in opposites. When I told him to go to the potty before he went to bed, he turned on me and said, “You are the baddest Mom I ever had.” All the boys now gladly critique our parenting. Max soon returns however and looks for those comforting hugs and words. His embraces can melt even a hardened mom’s resolve.
John Piper says “There are rare and wonderful species of joy that flourish only in the rainy atmosphere of suffering.” Quincy (2) taught us that. After so many anxious days, what joy we now experience watching him grow strong and healthy and happy. The doctors quit their probing and prodding this year, telling us to come back in 2007. We’ll see then what surgeries may loom ahead. For now, Quinc makes his own contribution to the collective chaos. Determined and persistent, he expresses his frustration with our parenting by exclaiming “ohhh mannn!!” Gentle and unafraid, he’s still so blindingly cute--- especially when he “sings”. Quinc matched our move into a new house with a move into a big boy bed—signifying so clearly a little boy that is growing up all too fast for his mother.
With a nice amount of little boy still in him, Andy must use all his self-control to allow his sons to win games of driveway basketball. PlayStation competitions are no less furious. In the same way, however, Andy is the ever-constant guide for our men in the making. He combines beautifully the childlike love of the Father and the grownup sacrifice and passion of the Son. Andy’s music, like himself, refuses to be defined by any genre or setting. Saturday nights, he’ll often be found leading the early worship service before heading to play in Davenport’s leading music clubs. All that he does, all his music, overflows from a heart that bleeds for people, all people. I am the first among many who are inspired and challenged by him.
I’m not sure I can change though into a very good “country” mother. Accompanying the unnatural “no animals” rule, my cooking is rather pathetic; I can hardly sew a button, much less a quilt; and “homeschooling” is not in my vocabulary. I began the new move by painting the sunroom pink and declaring it mine. Anyone who can pee standing up is not allowed in. I will read, I will blog, I will drink hot coffee, and I will reflect. And I won’t complain when I’m interrupted every 34 seconds. Nor will I complain about the constant chaos, the noise of little boy wars, the never-ending laundry, the endless trips to the kitchen for apple juice and crackers, the muddy footgear and dirty floors, the pencil drawings on freshly painted walls, or the toothpaste covered sinks. Because each interruption offers evidence that 4 growing boys live here. And one day, not far off, I will no longer be the mother of boys, but the mother of men.
So with very grateful hearts for another little boy who grew up wise and obedient enough to make the ultimate sacrifice, we wish you a Merry Christmas, Jody Landers for all

Maybe What is On The Heart of God Should Be On Ours As Well

2006-12-21T16:48:00.000-08:00

“I doubt that God went to bed last night thinking about how many people you had in your church. Most likely he went to bed last night thinking about the two billion people that live on less than a dollar a day or the 30,000 people who died because they didn’t have clean water or about human traficking or the genocide in Africa.” (Reggie McNeal)

Little Boys and Puppy Dog Tails

2006-12-21T15:35:00.000-08:00

I have a strict "no pet" rule at our house right now. Andy said it was cruel to take the boys to play with a litter of 10 Golden Retriever puppies today. I did it anyway. They're cute and they make for good pictures. The boys endured a long, long lecture about "don't even dare ask me to bring one of them home..blah, blah, blah." They handled everything beautifully and I was the one who weakened....

Almost caved when I met this little "special needs" puppy...the runt who is about 1/5 the size of the other puppies.

Almost...almost...but not ready yet...(she's sweet, right?)

Through the Years Via The Annual Christmas Letter

2006-12-21T06:35:00.000-08:00

(A couple lines chosen from our Christmas letters from the past 8 years):

1998--"Andy and I are happily settled here in Heartland, USA. Off the beaten track, Muscatine has all the benefits of small town America.....I am looking forward to my new, unexpected role as mother."

1999--"Andy and I slept little since our last Christmas letter...The culprit of our restless nights became the cause of our deepest joy and love...We also understand how Mary might of looked adoringly at her infant child and prayed "sleep in (and give us some) heavenly peace." "

2000--"At the years beginning, we realized things were changing when my "flu" never went away. The flu had a name--Gabe Weston Landers. Underneath the endless piles of dishes, laundry and diapers, a little girls dream has come true."

2001--Today Andy and I launced an all-out search for evidence of life without kids. So far, no luck....Kids and chaos seem to reign here at the Landers house....When I stop throwing up, we'll start preparing for baby #3."

2002--"Boys rolls through my hallways like a herd of wild horses...{Andy} would accept a lot more invitations to lead and write music but for the challenges of our home life. I'm so glad he prefers the sound of "dad" from three little boys."

2003--"It's not exactly how I pictured it...Our frantic trips to the supermarkets, restaurants, and church provide me weekly lessons in humility. The church nursery area now offers self-defense classes to all other children--who find themselves in class with one of the Landers' boys...Andy--completely to blame for the personalities of our boys--continues to lead our crew with great courage and strength."

2004--"Does prayer work?" As Andy and I sat down to evaluate our year, we concluded, "No, it doesn't work." The joy and pain, the delight and sorrow seemed too haphazard; nights spent in anguish wrestling with God led into days spent in exuberant worship. A bout with Bells Palsey, we welcomed a beautiful child with a severe birth defect and by November, we mourned the unexpected loss of a best friend. Throw in several kidney stone attacks and in in the normal pressures of work and a growing family and pretty soon you have the formula for sheer physical and emotional exhaustion."

2005--"Mom," Max said pointing at Andy, "Do you see that guy in the white shirt? That's my Dad. He's a really good singer and a really good mower." Yes, he is....Like tonight, I am exhausted at day's end, yet somehow still fulfilled...as I close the door to the boys' room, I say a quick prayer, "I hope they know how much I love them. I hope they know how much You love them."

As I glanced through the letters from years past, these things I know:
-I have done a lot of laundry over the years
-My husband has made countless sacrifices on the altar of his family.
-God has been so very good and so very faithful to me.

---

2006-12-20T20:16:00.000-08:00

I do not think I exaggerate when I say that some of us put our
offering in the plate with a kind of triumphant bounce as much as to
say: "There - now God will feel better!" I am obliged to tell you
that God does not need anything you have. He does not need a dime of
your money. It is your own spiritual welfare at stake in such
matters as these. You have the right to keep what you have all to
yourself - but it will rust and decay, and ultimately ruin you.

... A. W. Tozer

It's the End of the Year and I No Longer Can Come Up with Titles For These Posts.

2006-12-20T11:26:00.000-08:00

the obligatory preschool Christmas program photo--and a camera whose zoom is NOT so good.
"the little brothers"

---

2006-12-19T10:47:00.000-08:00

"How wonderful it is that no one need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." (Anne Frank)

---

2006-12-18T18:37:00.000-08:00

"A pessimist, they say, sees a glass or water as being half empty; an optimist sees the same glass as half full. But a giving person sees a glass of water and starts looking for someone who might be thirsty." (G. Donald Gale)

A picture and a quote

2006-12-18T14:48:00.000-08:00

(there is a long story to all the "wife-beater" shirts, but cute pictures nonetheless)

Completely unrelated quote follows (but I like it so I'm posting it.):

"...the soul rejoices in hearing what it already knows. And so you pay attention...
First find a path and a little light to see by. Then push up your sleeves and start helping..." (Anne Lamott)

In The End, Boys Will Be Boys, Part 2. (Actually, it is the story of my life and could be the title for nearly every entry...)

2006-12-17T12:44:00.000-08:00

Made the kids put on something other than jeans, gave them long lectures about behaving themselves in a nice restaurant, took them to lunch at the country club with some friends to hear Andy play. They did OK, but it was killing them...
Oh so happy, they were to get home and do this--

Through The Years, Part 2

2006-12-16T12:39:00.000-08:00

2003
2004
2005

Through The Years, Part 1

2006-12-16T12:31:00.000-08:00

1998
1999
2000
2001
2002

But In The End, Boys Will Be Boys...

2006-12-16T09:48:00.000-08:00

Then Came The Picutures...

2006-12-16T09:42:00.000-08:00

( I know we all miss Max's hair, but there's still something about this kid...)

First Came Bath Time

2006-12-16T09:31:00.000-08:00

(I'm sorry, but they are just cute....)

My Two Favorite Things Quincy Does

2006-12-15T13:34:00.000-08:00

(We're back in business, by the way, with the stage set up in our new house--behind a door that simply needs to be sound proof.)

---

2006-12-14T11:23:00.000-08:00

"I smile because they are beaming with promise. I cry because they have lost their parents to AIDS. I ache because their hope will be stolen from them. They represent fourteen million other children in the same situation. Why have we not done enough to embrace this orphaned continent? "Who will care for me now? Who will show me love?" they ask. I hope the answer has something to do with you and me." (Jena Lee)

The singing that comes from your heart will echo in the ear of your
son and live on in your people. ~ The Dausi, Soninke (Sudan)

Time

2006-12-13T05:50:00.001-08:00

"'A glimpse of God will save you. To gaze at Him
will sanctify you."(Manley Beasley)

I am missing my moments of down time. I feel like my relationships with my husband, my kids, my family, my friends, and my God have suffered a bit the last month or two. Relationships of all kinds take time. Something I have not been able or willing to give...

Mom and Dad dragged their weary and sore bodies to an early plane this morning. I think they will be so happy to go back to "work" after this very relaxing vacation they just had. :-)

Andy dragged his own weary and beaten body to work this morning. Not feeling good at all but going on.

I'm not sure what my problem is. I guess watching everyone else work so hard and hurt so much has made me tired. :-) pathetic.

One Day at a Time...

2006-12-12T06:23:00.000-08:00

Quincy and I spent a couple hours in the orthopeadic waiting room. In the end, we got good reports. Nothing of major concern. Quincy hung in there until the end and then had a major melt down. It was one of those really bad mommy moments--pleading and bribing and begging him just to hold it together until we got out of there.
We rolled in just in time to greet our small group at our door. A pleasant white elephant gift exchange where we ended up with a smore maker and star wars peez.
Very suddently thereafter, we headed to the ER with Andy and those darn stones. Looks like both kidneys are housing a number of them.
So today, I am not sure what to do...
Mom and Dad are scurrying to get as much done on the house before they leave tomorrow. Andy is in bed. The boys are a bit naughty--possibly from a bit of neglect these past couple weeks. And I don't know where to begin--

Today...

2006-12-11T09:47:00.000-08:00

Typical Monday: cleaning, preparing for small group, chasing the boys., regrouping after another long week-end.

Plus--checking in on the renovation at the old house. And taking Quincy to orthopedic appointment in Iowa City.

Extreme Home Makeover Lorenzen Style

2006-12-10T17:25:00.000-08:00

Seriously, they are such hard workers. Seriously, they leave in two days.... :-)

Still Pictures Don't Cut It

2006-12-09T05:55:00.000-08:00

this does not even come close to doing justice to the destruction that is going on at the old house....I am told it will be recontstructed before they leave....it, however, makes me panic slightly....
this does not even come close to doing justice to how talented he is....great fun was had by all and besides the part where he mocked how I "run funny" from on stage, I was very proud. :-)

Grandparents

2006-12-08T10:56:00.000-08:00

Grandparents.
"Nana and Papa from Colorado" continue to slave away at our old house.
"Nana and Papa from Muscatine" will step in tonight and stay with the boys so we can take my mom out for her birthday and to Andy's show. (as they generously watch our kiddos nearly every Friday night).
Completely spoiled. Very thankful.

The Annual Jefferson Elementary School Christmas Concert

2006-12-08T05:52:00.000-08:00

(and my mom's camera with a really good zoom.)

Focus

2006-12-07T10:26:00.000-08:00

Focus. Focus on the old house. I really want to hang pictures and organize cupboards and decorate with window treatments. But the old house is calling us...with a list that just will not stop. After doing my very small part to scrub the refrigerator, I again left my parents in the frigid cold house to begin some huge projects. I ran the boys around and brought them home for nap. We love this new house....none of us really want to leave it. But we must focus...focus on the old house. This one will still be here when we're done...

ugh!

2006-12-06T12:03:00.000-08:00

OK, so getting the old house ready is turning out to be a bigger project than anticipated. While over there this morning, just clearing stuff out, I wanted to cry and just sit there because I was a bit overwhelmed. I think it is mostly because it seems like that is all I have been doing for the last 2 months and I thought I was near the end. And really I am far from it.
So in comes that rescue team. I left my poor parents over at the old house all day (while I dealt with the kids) and they are beginning to make head way I hear. It will probably be several more long days over there, but they love a project and I'm sure we will be in good shape by the time they leave. So very thankful for them...I might still be sitting over there, weeping...:-)

Papa's Turn

2006-12-06T05:17:00.000-08:00

Papa's story about Glenstorm the Centaur and his herd of wild mustangs who were being pursued by Ruthless Grave and his wolves as they travel across the plains of Kansas in pursuit of Narnia--or something like that.

Daws used the down time to clean out his nose...

Bedtime Stories

2006-12-05T10:50:00.000-08:00

Nana telling the boys a story about their mom before bedtime.

Nana and Papa are making their way through my "to fix" list here at the new house today. Tomorrow we will tackle the old house. It's list is considerably longer...:-)

Rescue Team Lorenzen

2006-12-04T14:38:00.000-08:00

"Nana and Papa from Colorado" will arrive soon. There main project this week is preparing the old house to sell...and enjoying the new one in their free time. Everyone here is waiting by the door...

Take Note...

2006-12-04T06:39:00.000-08:00

My new email address--
jodylanders@gmail.com

Dropped.

2006-12-03T11:24:00.000-08:00

I have this sinking feeling in my stomach. I've let too many spinning plates drop in the last couple weeks. Realized last night I completely forgot to take Dawson to one of his best friend's birthday party last week. I thoroughly neglected my husband on his own birthday--with not so much as even a card. And I know there are a number of others things that I am not even aware of yet. UGH!!! I hate that. Feel very poorly about it all.
Looking forward to some normalcy where I can find everything, and can I can keep up with the events of my crew, and can remember to appreciate all those close to me the way they deserve. Sorry to all...

---

2006-12-02T14:15:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine had a family picture done like this. Hers was very cool. Ours is basically just stupid. :-)

Different House. Same Family.

2006-12-02T14:09:00.000-08:00

Just So You Know

2006-12-01T21:31:00.000-08:00

Having a bit of computer mix-up and my email account was cancelled today. So if anyone has been trying or wants to email me, you can't until Monday. You'll have to call or leave me a message here. I find this very annoying, but I guess I will have to survive. :-)

Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men, and David Ecstein

2006-12-01T12:33:00.000-08:00

I found our manger scene like this...

(Quincy got David Ecstein under Gabe's bed, brought him out and set him up.).

Our Tree

2006-12-01T12:29:00.000-08:00

Our totally lopsided, half-decorated tree. Feels like home to me...

(Joanna and Taylor put the tree together before we moved in, Cassie put the lights on--so the whole Christmas tree thing in the middle of a big move was a group effort.)

I Don't Know What The Big Deal Is...

2006-11-30T10:35:00.000-08:00

Cassie was helping me around the house and she turned a big old, frame over to find this....

She started laughing and immediately picked up the phone to call Paul. I don't know what the big deal is...I told her that is how we Landers do projects. (Perhaps this is precisely why this move was so important. Love the old houses, but you can't fix them with duct tape.)

Quincy and Mommy Unpacking

2006-11-30T10:05:00.001-08:00

Quincy breaking in the counter tops and singing me a song while I unpack.

We are LOVING the new place...already feel much sense of relief.

Sleepy.

2006-11-29T08:47:00.000-08:00

So...first night for Quincy in his new house. First night for Quincy sharing a room with his brother. First night for Quincy in his big boy bed. ..
Quincy ended up sleeping in Mom and Dad's bed. We were tired. He was scared. We'll try again tonight.

We're In.

2006-11-28T20:34:00.000-08:00

Sleeping in our new house tonight.
Good night.

---

2006-11-27T10:31:00.000-08:00

Not really an end in sight for me today. Every time I turn a corner there is more unpacked stuff! We are trying to start moving tomorrow night now since the weather is about to take a turn for the worse. It is crazy. I am quite certain I will collapse at some point, but right now I think we are running on adrenaline. (And the help and support of so many wonderful friends.)

It will be worth it. Andy and I stopped for a brief moment in the front yard today and just thought about how excited and grateful we really are.

The New House

2006-11-27T10:28:00.000-08:00

Yes, it is a very nice house. Yes, we are so very fortunate. Yes, we know we don't deserve it.

---

2006-11-26T14:42:00.000-08:00

Almost done painting the new house. It's OK with me if I never see a paint brush again. A couple friends had to run a little intervention and take the paint brush away from me. I was not allowed to trim any more. Got a little crazy, a little tired, and a little desperate and paint was flying places it shouldn't.
Moving day is Wednesday. Only day in December Andy had available. I panicked a little bit this afternoon when I realized our old house it totally unpacked. Got the boys closets and half the kitchen done...
Back to work.

Bye

2006-11-25T18:45:00.000-08:00

We said a tearful "good-bye" (Max was actually crying) to Joanna, Taylor, and Wes today. Much appreciation for all their help and their great company.

And thank you to Wes and Taylor for playing photographer as well. Christmas picture done and ordered. yeah.

Christmas Picture Outtakes

2006-11-25T07:16:00.000-08:00

These are probably most true to our family...

Pictures from Today

2006-11-24T19:30:00.000-08:00

(an attempt to be very artistic--but mostly it looks as though we are standing at a gravesite. We're not. It's our backyard.)

I Tried.

2006-11-24T08:03:00.000-08:00

I tried. I tried to be a good hostess. I tried to be a good wife. I tried to fix the washing machine all by myself.

So everyone is sleeping peacefully this morning. They are recovering from a late night at Andy's gig. The boys and I are up having breakfast. I am staring at mounds of laundry and a laundry machine that would not drain. It was driving me crazy. I googled, "Washing machine that will not drain." It told me in very simplistic terms what to do. I will fix this. I will get going on my laundry. Everyone else can sleep. It's all good.
With screwdriver in hand, I took off the front of the machine. I could feel the blockage in the pipe. I unhooked the drainage thing...well, you know where this is going. I was flooded with water--soaked. Water is flying everywhere in the laundry room. I am screaming, "HELP. SOMOEONE HELP!!!" Four little boys came running...not exactly the help I was looking for. And since no one was responing to my cries, I sent the boys, "Go wake up Taylor. Go wake up Dad!!!" Eventually, a few droggy men stumbled into the laundry room to find it covered in water with one very wet momma laying on the floor. It was not pretty. Taylor went for buckets. Andy went for the phone to call the repair man.

Thus the day has begun. Just minutes ago, a toliet was also clogged. Very disgusting. I did actually fix that one.

We're off to attempt the annual Christmas picture. If this morning is any indication, this could get very ugly. Hey, but I am going to try.

Some Friends, A Lot of Food, A Backyard Full of Kids

2006-11-23T18:01:00.000-08:00

Some Family

2006-11-23T17:51:00.000-08:00

A Little Football

2006-11-23T17:40:00.000-08:00

Sunset

2006-11-23T07:21:00.000-08:00

I about had Joanna convinced to move to Iowa as she watched the sunset from our dining room while painting.

We are currently preparing for a good 20 people to come over here for Thanksgiving. Andy has a show tonight in Rock Island. The boys are bouncing off the walls. It is a beautiful day. And I am counting my blessings...

Before and After

2006-11-22T07:45:00.000-08:00

Once a pink room with a light fixture that was not my favorite. Now a Juniper green with a light I love. It's starting to feel like our own...

---

2006-11-22T06:42:00.000-08:00

I painted (with the help of a couple of very faithful friends) until one in the morning. We welcomed our company at midnight, showed them the house, and directed them to the nearest bed or couch at the old house. It was a very short night when all was said and done. But another productive day. Makes me smile.
We will grocery shop and prepare for Thanksgiving today.
Another boring post. Will post pictures later...

---

2006-11-21T13:02:00.000-08:00

We are plugging away here on our list of projects. Many thanks to Andy for running the boys around while I paint.

We are excited to welcome our family from the East Coast--My sister, Joanna, and her husband, Taylor, along with cousin Wes, will arrive tonight. They have been warned about the possibility that I will be handing them a paint brush and barking orders. I am, however, going to try and control myself, and simply enjoy our visit.

Too Tired to Write More than Sentence Fragments...

2006-11-20T21:45:00.000-08:00

Cleaned one house today. Closed on a house today. Packed one car load of boxes. Unpacked one car load of boxes. Painted one hallway. Painted one bathroom. Watched while a couple of my dear friends risked their lives to change a light fixture.

Got one unexpected surprise in the mail today (Thanks, Julie!!). Made me very happy.

Feel tired. Feel productive.
Not stressed.
yeah!

This Week

2006-11-19T19:34:00.000-08:00

Busy week coming up for us here.
I'm not going to stress.
The end.

You Must See Angels

2006-11-18T19:51:00.000-08:00

(made this for Quinc a couple months ago--)

Make an online slide show at onetruemedia.com

Today

2006-11-18T11:36:00.000-08:00

While cleaning the kitchen, I suddenly found my legs very heavy....

Bladder Exstrophy boy now wants to sit on the potty every couple minutes.

Might suprise the doctors...won't surprise me if he potty trains before any of his brothers did. :-)

Cute Boys

2006-11-17T11:34:00.000-08:00

Some pics from the last couple days. (The baby is cousin Jett).

Our First House

2006-11-16T10:51:00.000-08:00

Although this was before baby 1, 2, 3 and 4, I am still quite certain Andy is about to die in this picture.
I am also confident that, even then, you should not wear denim with denim.

Total house makeover. Look how happy I am to be scrapping another room full of wallpaper. We will soon be painting again...but luckily no wallpaper in the new house.

---

2006-11-15T11:32:00.000-08:00

"Worship can happen every day in every deed. We can make a big deal about God on Sunday's with our songs and on Mondays with our strengths. Eache time we do our best to thank God for giving his, we worship....Worship places God on center stage and un in proper posture...
If worship did nothing but weary your voice, if giving only emptied your wallet--if worship did nothing for you--it would still be right to do. God warrants our worship." (Lucado)

Finding my "proper posture" again today. And finding His mercies to be new every morning...

Flexibility

2006-11-14T14:28:00.000-08:00

"I am a man of fixed and unbending principles, the first of which is to be flexible at all times."
by Everett Dirksen.
I apparently am not a woman of fixed principle...very disappointed in myself and how I dealt with unforseen changes in "my plan." Flexibility is my new aim...

What To Do?

2006-11-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

OK, seriously, do you keep your college research papers, the big stuffed animals your husband gave you while you were dating, and your son's Tae-Kwon-Do trophies? I have been staring at these things all morning, not sure which pile to put them in????

---

2006-11-13T19:28:00.000-08:00

OK, just kidding. We will close on the house in 1 week. Not sure what the hold up is, but I'm pretty sure it is not my fault.

Coming Soon...

2006-11-13T13:02:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday morning we are scheduled to close on our new house. We are excited, and overwhelmed, and I only hyperventilate every third hour or so. Just big amounts of money, big decisions, and one very cool house.

Here are our boys breaking in the driveway basketball court. They were not allowed in the house to begin their destruction until the house is legally ours.
And this is Andy talking on the phone in the front yard. The realtor tells us it is always sunny and 70 at this house--so we should be good.

Just Because They Are Cute Pictures--

2006-11-12T12:43:00.000-08:00

--and because we are recovering from another round of the flu, an incredibly busy week-end, and a to-do list that will not stop. I need to get off this computer and get busy....

Dawson's First Song

2006-11-11T06:30:00.000-08:00

Dawson, who ever since his brothers invaded our family and took to loving music, has always kept his distance from the family band time. Yesterday, however, he wrote his first song. He assembled a band at school with his friends and appointed himself singer/songwriter. He scribbled down this song and performed it with as much passion as he could muster. Afterwards he said to us, "I guess I do like this music stuff after all."

Make video montages at onetruemedia.com

gabe

2006-11-10T06:59:00.000-08:00

It's A Mystery Why Andy Says He Can't Get Any Work Done At Home--

2006-11-09T18:12:00.000-08:00

Photo and video editing at onetruemedia.com

Mom's Busy, Party Time

2006-11-09T10:30:00.000-08:00

Since I am trying to pack, the boys have nothing to do but get into everything I am trying to organize and throw a birthday party for themselves (no mind that their birthdays are long past).

2006-11-09T06:50:00.000-08:00

Quincy woke up singing (literally) this morning. Here's to hoping it is the beginning of a healthy day...

continued.

2006-11-08T13:09:00.000-08:00

We made it through the night. I THOUGHT Quincy was better. I sent him to Applebees with Andy for lunch so I could go to a meeting. Apparently, Quincy, who had been eating a lot all morning, was not better. He unloaded on the table--covering everyone's lunch, including people at neighboring tables. Yucky. Very yucky.

yucky

2006-11-07T17:04:00.000-08:00

I ran into a small roadblock in my plan for a "Get A Lot Done" week. We woke up last night to Quincy saying very loudly and repeatedly, "Yucky! Yucky! Yucky!"
It was yucky. His bed and blankets and body were covered in vomit. This continued for a couple hours and into the morning. While driving Max to preschool, I heard Quinc gasp for air after nearly choking on the stuff, then look around in his drowning car seat and say, "Mom. Mess."
Needless to say, today consisted of cleaning, laundry, and cuddling.

We'll see if we can stop this bug from spreading through the house.

2006-11-07T06:29:00.000-08:00

I appreciated Lorene and Holly's creativity, but it looks like Dana, Mindy, and Heather are our winners of nothing. Congratulations.
I made Andy play too. I was afraid of what would happen, but he nailed it.

1. Quincy
2. Dawson
3. Max
4. Gabe

Guess Who?

2006-11-06T12:44:00.000-08:00

Your choices are Dawson, Gabe, Max and Quincy. The winner gets...nothing. But it's still fun. I am going to go check the backs of my photos and get back to you...
1.
2.
3.
4.

Days Gone By...

2006-11-06T08:34:00.000-08:00

Gabe.
A little scanner happy around here...A fun game of "Guess Which Boy This Baby Is" coming soon.

---

2006-11-05T13:10:00.000-08:00

"He is not all we would ask for (if we were honest), but it is precisely when we do not have what we would ask for, and only then, that we can clearly perceive His all-sufficiency. It is when the sea is moonless that the Lord has become my light." --Elisabeth Elliott

One Lucky Girl.

2006-11-04T12:34:00.000-08:00

(Oh boy, I may never get anything important done again. I just got a scanner which means I can now drag you all down memory lane as well as bore you with the details of our current happenings. My justification for today: There is a slight possiblity that I will not survive this whole "moving" drama and so now my kids will have some documentation about their mother and her history. ;-) )

March 14, 1998

Me and all my barely 19 years. My Dad and his first daughter. I was sobbing. Whitney Houstan's "I Will Always Love You" in the background. Neither one of us knows how to dance. I felt like a little girl holding on for one more minute to my Dad before I grew up. Before I no longer depended on him alone as the only man in my life. Cute, right? I know. It was a moment.
I remember thinking that day, "It does not get any better than this. To be handed from one Godly man to another. A father who loved, cherished, and was Jesus to me for the first 19 years. A husband I can trust to do the same for the rest of my days. I am one lucky girl."

(Dad has new glasses. I promise to never wear my hair like that again ).

Breathe

2006-11-04T11:22:00.000-08:00

I'm breathing a little deeper this morning.
Andy and I had some ALONE time last night over dinner. We got to walk through the new budget--which was probably very painful for him, but it made me feel better.
He let me sleep in this morning (I think I could of slept all day, but I got up so he could go to work).
Rescue Team Lewison showed up with lunch and lots of wisdom. I got to ask a bunch of questions and I feel a little more confident now.

Deep breathes. One step at a time.
(I'm pathetic, I know. But this is my blog....)

life

2006-11-03T12:59:00.000-08:00

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intenion of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "Wow--what a ride!" Peter Sage

There is no way to avoid the stress...

2006-11-02T18:26:00.000-08:00

A precious friend asked me today while I was freaking out just a tiny bit, "When are you going to be better?"

I'm not sure. But not today. My head hurts. I'm going to bed.

Much Appreciated.

2006-11-01T13:43:00.000-08:00

All young mothers should have connections to older women whose children are grown. I love the perspective and wisdom they provide. A friend who has grown sons sent an email after one of my posts...

"Had I known what I know now I would have taken more time to appreciate their orneriness, their mischief, their creativity, watched more cartoons with them, been more adventurous with them...So continue to enjoy them in whatever situation, remember to laugh (I am talking about those times when you really shouldn't!!), remember to watch them grow, don't wish for easier times, they come all too soon. And my favorite thing, don't rush them from cuddling in bed with you at the appropriate times...While he (my 21 year old) lays near me I still scratch his head and back and remember the times when he fit in the nook of my elbow. And I smile with gratitude of the little boy that remains in him."

You can't be reminded of that too often.