"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm,
and carry them close to his heart, and shall gently lead those that are with young." Isaiah 40:11

Saturday, October 9, 2010

She's smiling again!

Rachel is so much more content these days!  She still eats small amounts at a time and then surprises us with one larger feed in the afternoon.  This makes life seem so much more do-able.  I even vacumed today.  wow.

A friend recently gave us a book called "Sleeping with Bread". It is based on a process called the examen.  I'm tired so I'm just going to copy their exact words.  "For many years, we have ended each day the same way.  We light a candle, become aware of God's loving presence, and take about five minutes of quiet while we each ask ourselves two questions.  For what moment today am I most grateful? For what moment today am I least grateful?" (there are different variations of the same questions too)  I haven't read a lot from the book yet but already, I think I really want to incorporate this practice into our lives.  
    
I am grateful for:
- Friends who watched all three kids so I could go to a Gym class
- Respite so I could sleep all Friday afternoon
- Surprise visit with soup and chocolate pie (same person watched my girls so I could run get Ethan from school)
- A thoughtful friend who picked out some clothes for Rachel at MCC (they are a bit big for now but she's still growing!)
- Friends who dropped by today with gifts for all of us, including a lasagna!
- The never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love of God (from our kids Bible story book)

It is official now.  We are back at the Flames House on Monday and we are staying until Sunday. (Dave says to ask you to please not break into our house while we're gone - oh Dave..) The best way to get hold of us is probably through email.  I took it off the blog because of spam issues.  But if you don't have our email, call our home number.  We will check it periodically.

Rachel is smiling more and laughing a little!  Here's a video of her tonight, just hamming it up...I wish I could capture one of her sweet, sparkly eyed smiles. We will keep trying! There is nothing quite like a baby smiling at you, is there?   

12 comments:

Angie said...

Beautiful video Kendra. Thanks for sharing.

Carol Taves said...

Oh, just beautiful! Happy thanksgiving!

Anonymous said...

precious! thanks, dear friends!
swalmis

Brenda Funk said...

Thanks for sharing that beautiful smile with us! I love the idea of ending every evening with a candle and quiet time of best/worst part of your day. Would be a very good exercise I think.

Unknown said...

Too cute!! She is so beautiful!

Janet said...

Thank you so much for sharing that sweet video with us.It was a blessing to watch.Thank you Lord for the precious times your giving this wonderful family.Happy Thanks Giving to you all.With prayers
Janet M

On God's path said...

Oh Precious Kendra! She is so gorgeous. I can see that you guys just love her and rightly so! Be blessed as I have been so blessed reading these blogs.

Anonymous said...

Do you still need 0-3 girl sleepers? or other clothes for that matter? I am a friend of Rachel Friesen's and read your blog periodically when she puts it on facebook. My third daughter is now into and almost out of 3-6 month clothes and I have clothes to donate if you want them. I live very close to the children's hospital. email me at ck_hattrick@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Wow what a happy little face, that was beautiful! So glad to know that things are going alright. Love, Jen

Amanda Dahmes said...

SO BEAUTIFUL!! Her smile made me just smile so hard my cheeks hurt!! Thanks for sharing.. Ill be watching for more precious videos

fiona said...

dave and kendra - that is such a wonderful video - i found myself smiling in wonder together with you (while steve looked over my shoulder and did the same . . . ). she is so very cute and i am so thankful that you are able to enjoy her! wow! God has been so good - i think back to the day of her birth and praying with some fellow moms for you - we thought she may not live past that day - and now i look at that amazing little girl giggle and smile! what a gift!

glad to hear how you are all being so loved by your community as well. what a testimony to the love of believers for one another!!

and glad to see the book has intrigued and blessed you :D may that journey bring you joy as well!

love as always my dear friends!

The Davis Family said...

She is sooooo cute! She has such a happy little spirit. Thank you for sharing that video.