joybabiesloveartfaithlife

Blog on back burner until 2009.

2008-09-10T21:56:00.004+12:00

I find myself incredibly busy these days! I'm putting this blog on hold for now...maybe until next calendar year. I plan to continue writing on my birth blog (see side bar) and keeping up to date with family & friends via skype and facebook. "Moce" for now!

Weird.

2008-06-10T11:23:00.002+12:00

Some funny things have happened lately.

I wasn't there for this one, but Kris was taking a local man named Oliver to visit his farm in Nausori. He drove the Bula Bus just in case he was able to pick up some sheep on the way home. On Reservoir road in Suva, a very steep and curved road, the sliding door of the Bula Bus FLEW OFF. It landed near St. Giles. Oliver suggested they just stick it in the back, but Kris bet him that he could reattach the door in under a minute. He did- 55 seconds. It's pretty scuffed up but we drove the BB to church on Sunday out of necessity and the door stayed on.

I opened the lasagna noodle box yesterday to make said dish. A few cockroaches popped their little heads out. I said "Ew" but at the same time, I couldn't help imagining them as cute little creatures, such as Emil in Ratatouille or all those adorable pests in animated films. I brought the box outside, snapped off the chewed ends, and brought them back in to be boiled. I've either been in Fiji too long, or watched too many kids movies. Either way, as Kris said.... they have to boil for like 15 minutes, so it's fine.

Last night I stepped on a hornet, the same hornet, twice. Then I kicked it. Not on purpose- I just thought it was a bit of stick that the kids had brought in. It didn't sting me. We have a bizarre thing with these hornets. Some days them come into the house and hover around the back door in great swarms. Mortein can kill them, but they come back a couple days later (collectively that is, not the dead ones.) But they haven't EVER stung us. I'm not saying it's impossible, they just never have. Strange.

Next post I'll be back with something cute for the grandparents and aunties again!

My cute daughter!

2008-05-23T08:16:00.003+12:00

I'm sorry, but I don't think babies get much cuter! What joy she brings us....

Sleep comes easily....

2008-04-22T16:36:00.005+12:00

I love funny sleeping pictures! Here's a few from our kids, in no particular order....

Go Big Blue!

2008-04-13T06:55:00.002+12:00

After months (years?!) of praying for a vehicle big enough for our family's needs, the Lord has provided Big Blue, our new 11-seater van. It is great!! Very comfy with lots of seatbelts and space. We are so thankful!

Family of Six

2008-03-28T12:17:00.002+12:00

Life as a full time mom is busy. Full time as in 24 hours a day. And with 8 or so of those hours being just on call, it STILL works out to be approximately 112 hours a week of waking busy hours. So when I ask rhetorically, at any given hour of the day, "Why in the world am I SO tired??".... I remember that I am a FULL TIME Mom. :)

Kris, too, puts in many hours a day taking kids with him on errands and visits, cooking, and being an attentive husband and Daddy. He loves all his little "arrows" and the fact that his quiver is filling!

It is a joy for all of us to now be a family of six. Love is abundant (though time and energy are not always!) and we revel in the blessing and delight of it.

Here's a new photo of little Haleh and her doughy soft milk belly:

Birth Story

2008-03-28T12:08:00.003+12:00

Here's my birth story in words. I wish I could write well enough to compete with the drama of the video! But here's the details anyway :) .....

Haleh Nancy is our fourth child (third birth since our daughter Myah is adopted) and our first waterbaby! As labor began to pick up around 5 in the evening, I walked in big loops outside in the pouring rain. We live in the tropics in a little wood house by the ocean, so this was a really memorable way to labor. When I was good and sure that these contractions would bring the baby, I came inside and took a cold shower that felt so warm after my cold rain bath. By this time it was almost dark. I curled up in our papasan chair for a bit, then crawled into bed for some extra comfort. Since we live rurally, my brother-in-law had offered to host the birth at his home in the city in case we needed to transport to the hospital. (In fact, we planned to stay at the hospital for a night following the birth to rest before the trip home.) Kris and I wished at this point in labor that we could stay home, but got the family and bags loaded in the car anyway and started off. The bumpy 45-minute trip was really tough to endure, as I had feared. It was such a relief to finally arrive at a dim and quiet room where my Gentle Birth Pool was being filled! Labor took its time, I thought, especially for a third time around. I was 6 centimeters dilated when our OB arrived at 9:30 pm, and spent a few hours in laboring quietly on the bed while the pool was being perfected. Contractions were different than in past labors- I could feel my uterus lifting and felt the lateral muscles widening. It was a powerful sensation but not painful. (These sensations continued until transition). I got in the birth pool around 1 a.m. maybe. It felt amazing! So weightless and the perfect temperature. I told Kris that I felt that I was cheating, and that I thought maybe I would skip transition altogether and the baby would just kind of slide out. He was dubious, and said, “Well, I’m still going to look for a very strong emotional signpost marking transition!” All the ladies in the family came in to see me then, and Kris took some photos and video. At around 2:30 a.m. I felt like I was ready to progress faster and the contractions felt the same as they had for a while. I agreed to be checked again, and since I was still 7-8 cm, I was ready to have my water broken. This was easy and comfortable, and contractions did come harder but I was still able to sleep between them. Around maybe 4:00 a.m., I got back in the birth pool. 15 minutes or so later, I started sobbing right after a contraction. Kris was right, and I was definitely in the transition stage! We labored for about 30 minutes more, with Kris holding my head as I floated in the water. (He had a very sore wrist for a week afterwards!). My very sensitive OB waited until she heard me saying “I can’t do this anymore!” and gloved up to assist the birth. Contractions were a bit confusing at this point, some as much as 7 minutes apart, but some only 2 or so minutes. With some I wanted to push, and with some I wanted to cry. It was so wonderful to be in the water and moving freely, sometimes floating, sometimes curling up in a ball and pushing. Though I was surrounded by family, I was able to feel safe and focused in the birth pool. What a relief as I felt the baby’s head finally slipping in to the birth canal. I could finally believe that we were almost there! A bit of hair showed, and soon baby’s head was crowning. I panted and tried so hard not to push. I remember saying “I want to push the baby out!!” again and again. Finally the baby’s (HUGE) head was born gently, our OB maneuvered the shoulders which were a bit stuck, and with another push and a cry, its whole wonderful body was out! Kris checked…and said “It’s a little girl!!” We all laughed and cried and rejoiced. She didn’t cry at all for the first few minutes, though she was as healthy as can be. She just cuddled close and gazed at me with wide open eyes. I named her Haleh Nancy – I got to choose since she was a girl! She was born at 5:08 a.m. on February 9, and weighed 9 lb 12.5 oz. What a beautiful gift from God!

2008-02-22T17:43:00.006+12:00

She's here!

Haleh Nancy Stice was born on February 9th at 5:08 am! We had a wonderful waterbirth at 8 Maharaj Place, Suva. She matched big brother Judah's birthweight at 9 lbs 12.5 oz, but her head and shoulders were big like big brother Jo's! She will be two weeks old tomorrow and is as chubby and wonderful as a baby can be. She has even been sleeping through the night!

Check back for photos here (upload tool is having issues) and in the meantime here's the video compilation that Kris made to celebrate Haleh's birth:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeL8GMDn-V4

(I'm sorry I can't get the hyperlink to work either!)

Last photo of the un-blogged pregnancy

2008-01-22T22:08:00.000+12:00

Here's me, ready to pop, at 37.5 weeks. I see my baby ticker says that baby is over 6 lbs now. Hah! I'll say! Stay posted for baby news and pictures in, I hope, 2 more weeks. Yessss!

Kiddies with Kitties

2007-10-08T10:36:00.000+12:00

Our cat Mahogany gave birth to 3 kittens about a month ago. They are finally to the point where the kids can play with them, and they are loving it! (the kids that is...)

More than halfway there...

2007-10-05T16:56:00.000+12:00

Here's last week's prego shot at 21 weeks...

And our three cuties on their bed...

We got two baby Pacific Boas yesterday. Here is Judah holding one. They are not poisonous but we still have to handle them very gently because they can bite. One already escaped but Kris found it in a crack in the paneling above it's habitat. Yikes!

Lately I have a couple great days for each rough day...and today is a rough one so I think I'll stop there. Someday I will be a better blogger again! :)

2007-09-15T16:44:00.000+12:00

Here's another photo-centric post...but I guess I should share some belly pics?!

12 weeks:

17 weeks:

I'm now at 19 weeks and I feel good! Tired some days, and sore ankles....ultrasound had to be postponed but should be this week. Looking forward to a sneak peak at our little one. :)

Here's a really goofy pic of Myah just for fun:

Second Trimester and I'm Back

2007-08-17T08:40:00.000+12:00

Yay! I'm not sick anymore!! That and a very busy couple of months, AND a broken-down computer all account for my long absence from my blog.

Anyway, I've got lots of pics and news and things, so I'll be back...

Lindy :)

Bipartisan Weekend

2007-06-18T13:25:00.000+12:00

We had two celebrations this weekend!

I asked Josiah if he would like to contribute any words about his birthday.

He says:

"I turned four. I am older than I used to be."

I love this classic sibling shot!

Judah had a big boy party on Saturday! Otherwise known as a "weaning party," this was to celebrate the end of our special years of nursing. Although weaning now was not Judah's idea, he is doing pretty well with it, and is enjoying many extra snacks to keep his belly creamy and round.

Positively Happy

2007-06-12T11:49:00.000+12:00

On Saturday, we got HPT confirmation that we are expecting a new baby in early February 2008!

See the little + ? (Click to enlarge the photo if you want to).

We are thrilled at the prospect of adding a fourth to our little tribe! We are praying for a healthy pregnancy and a very healthy new little "princess or warrior" as Kris loves to call the little ones!

Josiah has shared his ideas for names: Daegon for a warrior, and Emily for a princess. Judah says "Nanji" for a boy and "Girl" for a girl. Nice, but we've got our own ideas too :) !!

I find it hard to stay as focused on the tasks and events around me when I'm pregnant. Although I feel terrible for how much moodiness and downright crankiness Kris has to put up with, I know these crazy hormones must serve some good purpose as they adjust my mental and physical focus towards the growing life inside. Nonetheless, I know that nothing I can do or hope for with this or any pregnancy is worth anything - not without the active sustainance and creativity of the Lord, the One who has worked this miracle once for every person in history. I stand in awe.

winter/summer

2007-06-04T17:50:00.000+12:00

Today was Aggie's birthday. We had a little lunch party out here at the farm. :)

It is getting cold and wintry! Judah asked for 2 blankets early this morning. Jo says "he doesn't look like Judah in this picture. He looks like an ANGEL."

And we're gearing up for summer teams and ministry guests. This is going to be the apartment downstairs- we're standing in the kitchen, looking out at the bedroom.

Yesterday I captured this, the last toothless grin picture of Myah. Today Myah got her first tooth!

Gingerbread Cake Recipe - by Josiah

2007-05-30T10:17:00.000+12:00

Get out a bowl. Pour some honey in it. Then get out some vegetable oil. Get out a whisk and mix it around until it looks all swabbley. Put it in the oven. That's all you need to do!

Happy Baking!

monster love of crafting

2007-05-25T17:30:00.000+12:00

Meet William, who tonight is going the way of a birthday gift, as many homemade objects should.

This little guy was great fun to make! The inspiration came mostly from a company called cotton monsters, which sells cute (?) little quilted monsters. I had some left over fleecy-furry green fabric from diaper making for this project, but these could be fun in a different-than-furry texture too. Corduroy? Knit?

More soon!

L

2007-05-21T14:28:00.000+12:00

This was our dinner the other night. What a treat! The boys thought it was awesome to eat a giant bug.

Jo loves to draw Bible characters and Veggie Tales characters....

....and insists that he was just laying down to draw because it felt nice... but that he never actually went to sleep.

baggins

2007-05-19T07:30:00.000+12:00

More pics to share. I'm a bit camera happy right now!

I've been having a grand time sewing some bags, and learning so much about sewing in the process. From the tinyhappy tutorial:

From 2 Craftster tutorials, one for the bag and the other for the lining zip pocket:

And another Craftster tutorial: (what a great resource!)

Here's Myah all bundled up. It's been cold!

And Judah saying "take MY picture, Mommy!"

On to breakfast.... L

whatever floats your boat!

2007-05-13T06:58:00.000+12:00

Water currents bring trash and sometimes pumice stones up to our beach, and we have to watch out for broken glass and such when we go out to play. But the kids love the styrofoam that drifts in because it makes great boats!

camera no longer obscura

2007-05-11T14:37:00.000+12:00

Praise God! Our camera has been returned. (Matthew 19:26)

Here's the boys at Eddie & Debbie's "dugar dack"...

and beautiful Myah...

boys in Grandpa's garden...

Myah stood independently for the first time today!...she's wearing one of the pocket diapers I made for her. Kind of a boyish color but it works!

Judah loves all manner of water sources...

Josiah shows his favorite plant. I think it's a sago palm...

Signing off now, time for dinner. :) Then marvelous sleep... :)

L

scooters and sand cuisine

2007-05-08T07:14:00.000+12:00

Oh how I miss our camera! (It was one of the items stolen from our house a few weeks ago.) I have so many pictoral things to share...and the kids are getting big!

Kris (with some help) just finished pouring the concrete slab under our house. It looks great and the kids have been so enjoying having a place where they can play out of the rain, riding their scooters and drawing with sidewalk chalk. (remember that massive box of it, Ki?) Over the next 6 weeks or so, it will be transformed into a little apartment and a big classroom. Yay!

The boys have been enjoying their new life jackets. (Thanks M & D!) Even though it looks a bit funny, I let them wear them on the beach at high tide. I get nervous having all 3 kids to watch! Plus, I have to spend most of the time pulling coral and shells out of Myah's mouth. She particularly loves sand, and EATS it by the mouthful, like shove-swallow. She actually made a whole diaper full of it once, and since then, I try to pull it out faster than she can put it in!

Well, Kris and I are off to Suva for the day. Myah is our little errand buddy, and J & J will stay at the house with wonderful Aggie! They are very excited to have a day of just playing. I cannot possibly describe to you how bright and colorful this day is here. Our hibiscus in full bloom juxtaposed against the brilliant green and blue that surround us....amazing. And the best is that it is all the creativity of our God, whose ways and thoughts are so high above ours.... Vinaka Jisu..

L

yummy from scratch

2007-04-25T12:10:00.000+12:00

Hey Ki! Your blog on cooking inspired me to share....

For some reason I am always surprised when things I've made in the kitchen look and taste good. I guess I just got a late start with cooking, and Kris still sometimes has to rescue my attempts from disaster.

Yesterday, I made yogurt in my Salton yogurt machine (every yogurt lover should have one of these!) that mom brought down a couple years ago. Awesome! I make it every week or so, and I have the recipe dialed in so it's just the right thickness and level of tartness. I'm sure there are ways to flavor it, but we just eat it with fresh fruit or...

Granola! Vanilla granola with sesame seeds and honey and fresh scraped coconut from our trees. Oh. man. The recipe is from allrecipes.com and is just called vanilla granola and I highly recommend it. (sorry I can't figure out if there is a way to make hyperlinks with the Safari browser....)

I'm hungry now and the clear ocean swishing softly out there is making me thirsty too. Lunchtime! And I made oatmeal raisin cookie dough to bake afterwards. Milk anyone? ;)

Na Siga Tabu

2007-04-22T20:07:00.000+12:00

....(or Sunday or the Sabbath in Fijian)... Well a few minutes turned into a whole day. I was literally falling asleep sitting up last night with all three kids romping around me wildly- Myah even woke back up to join in the fun. So I fell into bed as soon as they finally gave up for the night!

The crazy week -
-2 guests with huge appetites in our little house!
-lots of rain and even more muddy, moldy laundry!
-sorting out and reboxing all of our "stuff"!
-realizing our house had been burglarized!
-Kris sharing Jesus with the thief! and getting my iPod back!

So its been a big one. I am not easily brought to tears, but this week did it for me a few times. It's probably healthy to empty out the tear ducts I guess! The Lord is so in control and so faithful. His plan for our lives really is the best, and I'm thankful that we're in that precious place of submission. Yes, every day, every moment, I have to choose to trust and obey. And sometimes I flop. But His gentle love always draws me back to His arms....

Hey, have any of you heard the Superchic[k] song "We Live"? We just got the WOW 2007 CD from one of our supporting churches, CCM, and it's on there. Cool! Another stoked kind of song I love is "Thirteen" by Matthew West. Yeah!

Okay I think that's all for today, time to start getting the kiddies in bed. Nite-nite. ;O

A crazy week

2007-04-21T20:00:00.000+12:00

Whew! I am reveling in the quiet of our little house as this week draws to a close. Jo and Kris are watching "Black Beauty," Judah is drawing, and Myah is sleeping. The wind is whistling in the cracks between the closed louvred windows and the rain taps away on our roof. It is the beginning of our cold season in Fiji, and the peaceful shelter of our home is like the refuge I find in my Heavenly Father when life's storms come. (Ps. 59:16)

more in a few minutes.....

My recent poetry effort...

2007-04-15T17:19:00.000+12:00

Moon twinkles diminishing path to my toes
Infinity reaching under and over
Firm ground solid as stone is shifting
Revolution, tide swaying, trembling, lifting

Walk on water, wind is breath
Comfort in vast reach and depth
Footsteps sure, the stuff of dreams
Beneath my feet the masses teem

Moment by moment Your hand I hold
Scent of life and faith unfolds
A walk on the edge of the world without end
Our precipice dance atop the earth's bend

Cheeky Judah

2007-04-12T15:04:00.000+12:00

"That's pretty cool, Mommy, that's pretty cool!"

Extra, extra!

2007-04-12T12:18:00.000+12:00

I am so excited about my new blog. I know I have a real problem of starting too many new projects, but I hope this will be a new, improved blog to replace my old one. Check back for much more frequent updates! Yay!