This Domestic Life

In this life I lead as a mother, wife and homemaker, I experience what feels like the highest epitome of happiness mixed sometimes simultaneously with the highest epitome of capital H-A-R-D.



The moments overlap and spin circles. Unannounced and unpredictable, they share custody some days or take over weeks like time share. For example, yesterday I sat nursing my newborn while my older boys played with toys at my feet: epitome of happiness. But then just 10 hours later, I struggled with bedding down a toddler and a two-year-old and a newborn and the simple need for my own sleep almost pushed me to tears.



I didn't cry though. Nope. Not a tear. My skin is way thicker since I began making babies. And this is a good thing. I can face a day on 4 hours sleep with a smile and a cup of coffee.



So I embrace this domestic life. I embrace it because in it's highs and lows I've known a beauty like none other.







P.S. We're one week down with baby Simeon and he definitely is the golden 3rd child. He sleeps and nurses and has fit more seamlessly into our lives than either of his brothers did upon their arrivals. Thanks be to God.

Simeon Shepherd Johnson

Well, I'm the husband so consider yourself lucky if I get the vital statistics right.

Date of Birth: March 22nd, 2008 at 12:48 PM

Name: Simeon Shepherd

Weight: 6 lbs. 4 oz.

Length: 19 inches

A Watched Pot

A watched pot never boils ...

but this one's about to blow. And I'm "ready." Or as ready as one can be for a new little one.

I recently read a novel set in France in the 1600's where the author described childbirth as "the reaper."

We live in a day in age where, compared to all space and time, women have relatively few children. We also live in a day when health care -- or at least health care to deliver a baby -- is pretty accessible -- childbirth is referred to as many things nowadays, but never as "the reaper."

Which leads me to my point: It's so easy to focus on what I give up for my kids -- sleep, "me time," that fantasy fulfilling career (I'm not sure what it would be anyways ...) , going to the bathroom alone, etc., etc ... I had never considered that in most space and time, a pregnancy could literally mean giving up one's life for a new little baby.

What sacrifice. I imagine a woman in my very pregnant state in France in the 1600's -- or anywhere in the 1600's -- would be spending these days with her 3 1/2 and 20 month old hoping they're not her last with them -- worried about who will care for them when she's gone -- hoping & praying they'd be loved.

Just a thought spurred by a novel & a really goofy self photo to let you all know that I am eagerly expecting my new little baby any second. So keep us in your prayers and check back soon for an update -- I refuse to post another unless it includes a photo of a 6 - 7 pound screamer.

Kid Update

I haven't posted many pictures of my littles ones lately cause my camera broke on Christmas Eve. But luck would have it that I went into our gross basement, dug out our old old camera that we got for free, turned it on and ...

it still worked. And it still had pictures saved from 3 years ago ...

when Haven was quite fat and liked to suck his bottom lip.

So I brought it upstairs and took a few pictures. Here are my kids eating lemons.

Haven says they are delicious.

Gussie copies his brother.

We had people come over to buy our car when they were eating the lemons. Haven didn't like the looks of them and threw a tantrum. They stared at him like he was such a strange, ill-behaved child. I did too only I laughed a bit as well. To be honest, I couldn't blame Haven as they were a little strange looking. I asked them to sit down several times but they just stared. The lady's hair was really poofy and the guy had one of those cell phones attached to his ear. Not to mention, they came to take away our only semi-cool car ... and their kid's head was completely flat in the back -- completely. No wonder my 3-year-old freaked. I realize I'm defending my child's bad behavior. Feel free to send me a Dobson book. I'll gladly smack my kid's butt with it.

(this is a seperate tantrum experience but you get the idea)

Oh and here are some more cute pictures of a Manchop pre- and post- his first buzzcut:

Handsome!

King of Kong

If you're a geek, married to a geek (or an ex-geek) watch The King of Kong -- a documentary about a guy who gets laid off so he tries to beat the Donkey Kong world record. My ex-dorky husband and I (still dorky) laughed and laughed. You can watch it instantly on Netflix and here's their review:



"When Steve Wiebe got laid off, he turned to the classic arcade game Donkey Kong for solace; soon, he decided to challenge Billy Mitchell's long-standing record score. So began the bitter rivalry that lies at the heart of this curiously compelling documentary. Providing a history of competitive video gaming and a look at some of the key players, The King of Kong is at its best when revealing just how far Mitchell will go to retain his crown. "