Vacation In Pictures

A Beautiful Day

Rachael Neal

Sent to you from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry.

Happenings

 Summer is here and we are enjoying all that comes with it.  Like daddy being home more.

 And learning to crawl - wearing only a diaper of course.

 Cutting new teeth and being happy about it.

 Playing with playdough in our underwear and two different shoes.

 Evaluating growth charts and realizing your girls are 21 months apart, but wearing the same size.

 Snacking on the floor and giving kisses.

 Staying up way past our bedtime...just because.

 Woah...look at that booty!

 Sun-kissed noses...

Whispers on the porch.

Oh and a new microwave.  We're enjoying the small things in life that make everything else so worth while.  Hope you're enjoying your summer too!

Week Ending

Summer weekends are the best.  Daddy is home on Friday, which made for a fun trip to the pool.  Although, we all went home with a little more sun than we bargained for.  It always takes me a good burn or two to get into the sunscreen rhythm.  Thankfully, Elli got coated pretty well and Anne has already turned tan.  I should have figured she'd end up with her daddy's skin tone - she's like him in every other way.  But, I digress. 

Saturday was filled with garage sale steals.  Anne even ended up with a princess bicycle for $5.  We also had to make the fun purchase of a microwave.  Ugh!  Ours blew last week...but I guess I can't complain.  It was free to begin with.  So, we found something pretty, functional and within the budget.  Ripping the old microwave out was no problem...getting the new one in almost cost us our marriage.  The conclusion: hire someone who knows what their doing...and stay in love.  Ha ha! 

Father's Day started with coffee (well, what else would it start with?), breakfast in bed for daddy and a homemade card.  Annelise told me Happy Birthday...then Happy Mother's Day...before she finally got that it was Father's Day.  Once she caught on, she congratulated Matt all day.  We spent the afternoon at my parents' house, laughing and enjoying the pool.

Today, we're enjoying the aftermath of a very busy weekend.  One child is already taking a morning nap and the other is watching toonies.  Mommy has banana bread baking in the oven and is also procrastinating on the laundry moaning from the basement.

I Guess You're Right...

Today is my birthday.  No big deal right?  Just another year older.  But 28?  How did I get here so quickly?  That (and pictures like the one below) make me realize how quickly my girls are growing up.

Annelise has successfully potty trained in less than a week.  She initiated it, she followed through and she has succeeded (with a few minor accidents here and there).  I'm so proud of her.  Where is my baby?

Oh, there she is - 8 months old and crawling, standing up and on the verge of walking.  What?  You're right, she's not a baby-baby anymore. 

Would you believe there's only a 4 pound difference between the two of them?  Since Annelise ditched the diapers, her shorts no longer fit.  Thank goodness for cinching waist bands and those wonderful buttons they hook to.  Otherwise, she'd be panty-clad for the remainder of the summer. 

So, here we are...enjoying cartoons, the sun peeking through the trees in the backyard, anticipating a fun day.  I think a trip to the candy store is on the schedule.  Yup.

A Dry Day Three

Don't you hate it when your mom is right?

Several months ago, during my first attempt to potty train Annelise my mom told me "She'll decide when she's ready.  Stop fighting it."

She was right.

Friday, she was ready to potty train.  And she has succeeded, with a few glitches here and there.  I am amazed. 

So, as a reward, she got to go to Chuck-E-Cheese on Friday night.  I think Matt and I had just as much fun as she did.

Even through 6 open houses yesterday, Anne stayed mostly dry.  Minus one small accident that didn't end the day.  She even played for an hour on a playset and ran inside twice to use the potty.  Can you tell I'm proud of her?

After such a long day yesterday, the girls and I stayed home from church.  Mama rested on the couch, watching the Food Network while the girlies played in the laundry basket.  You couldn't ask for a cheaper toy with so many uses!

And this last picture is cute...but also for my memories.  I bought the girls matching bathing suits...Elli had to get a 12 month (at 8mos old) and its a little snug.  Annelise has on a 2T (at 2 1/2) and she swims in it.  Ha!  My two opposite girls.

What? We're Potty Training?!

Annelise decided that today was the day to potty train?  Matt started it.  All this hoopla this morning about going to Chuck-E-Cheese and Papa giving her a dollar.  The next thing I knew, she was peeing on the potty and refusing her diaper.  We've made it thus far without any accidents and even took a trip to the store (that was a brave mommy move). 

So, now I need some advice...

What do you do about naptime while you're potty training?  She was so furious when I put a diaper on her for naptime, but what was I going to do?  Let her pee all over the bed?

I was not prepared for this today at all - but that's life with a two year old.

Look Out...She's Crawling.

True Woman | A Prayer for Women

In light of my recent blog post "Why I Work" and some of the discussion that followed, I was encouraged by a woman I work with to read this article written by John Piper.  If you're a woman of God then you must be familiar with Piper's writings.  He is a true lover of the Lord and has inspired me over the years to build a deeper relationship with my Savior.  (I must also note that he is exceptionally deep, so I'm not offended if some of you are put off by his "brain freezing" writings.  Its takes me longer to read one of his books than any other.)

I hope that you are encouraged by this prayer, an excerpt from his book "Biblical Manhood and Womanhood"...in whatever role God has called you to fulfill.

For me, I especially resonated with answering this question:  Which would be greater for the Kingdom—to work for someone who tells you what to do to make his or her business prosper, or to be God's free agent dreaming your own dream about how your time and your home and your creativity could make God's business prosper?

I have to say that my ability to work for a Christian organization that serves the KINGDOM and God's purposes while allowing me to be flexible with my family's needs is the greatest blessing I have as a working mother.

I'd love to hear what portions of this prayer about womanhood you resonate with and are encouraged by.  I love you my sisters!

After only 15 minutes in the car...

Rachael Neal

Sent to you from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry.

Summer, is that you?

I'll tell you what.  This weather has really put us in the mood for summer.  But, I'm a Michigander...so I can't truly commit in my heart that summer has arrived until July 4th.  Sad, but true.  I mean, did you see those reports that northern California got snow (yes, I said it) today?  We are not exempt.

We've been spending a lot of time outside.  Which means we do a lot of sleeping... even in chairs while we drink our bottle.

And we've been doing a lot of cooling off in the pool.  By we I mean Annelise.

And Elli, well there is no gradual growing for her.  Oh no, she decided to crawl and roll over all in one day.  I think this kid is going to be the one that gives me grey hair.

Why does watermelon from the farmer's market always taste so sweet and juicy?  Today began my weekly purchase for the summer - a ripe, juicy watermelon.  It'll be gone by tomorrow.

And my mom will hate me for this picture, but its more for the memories than anything else.  Anne and Gigi decided to play chalk last night at 9:30 - what fun!  I think we'll have to get ours out today.

We're very excited to head down to Kentucky for the Memorial weekend.  Its been 6 months since we've made the 6 hour drive and I'd say its about time.  Lets pray we can keep these kiddos occupied and happy for that long.  Can't wait to see the Neal family!

Friday At Last

Its a rainy day here and I'm glad for the excuse to stay inside with my kiddos.  Minus a quick trick to the grocery story this morning, we are snuggled in tight and loving it.

I was going to post pictures, but Annelise is finally asleep in the room with the camera and cord, so all you get is a quick one from morning baths. 

But who doesn't love a couple of cute naked babies right?

And I have to give a shout out to my cousin Angie, who had her sweet baby boy last night.  Levi Ryder Hirschenberger decided to join us in this crazy world.  Praying for you guys!

Tomorrow mommy and daddy are off to a wedding, alone.  I have to say I'm looking forward to a guaranteed few hours with my husband.  It doesn't happen often so we're going to enjoy it.

Otherwise, I'm sorry to say I don't have much else to report.  God is giving us grace upon grace during these last few weeks of school.  We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of summer.  Of course, I'm sure we're not the only ones.

Happy weekending!

Ear Update

Yippee Skippee!  I went to the ear doctor in Novi today and got a wonderful report.  First, he removed the rest of the packing which opened up a whole new world of hearing for me.  Then, he beautifully announced how well my ear drum was healing.  In fact, they think I should have 100% of my hearing back.  Now you see the reason for the yippee skippee.  Its been a long road, 8 years to be exact, but whose counting?  I'm so thankful for modern medicine and God's gifts to trained men.

Oh and I came home with some awesome pictures of my inner ear before the surgery and after.  I think they are awesome, Matt thinks they are gross.

Believe me, they are awesome!

Why I Work

This has been a blog post in progress for a long time...in my mind.  Many other posts have been written, saved and published while this one remained in the editing state, so to speak.  I don't know if its because I was afraid to write it (you know, that whole 'fear of man' thing) or if I wasn't sure how to write it.  Either way...I've decided that today is the day I will free my mind of these thoughts and express what I've been feeling, living and know to be true, by the grace of God.

I'm a working mom.  And before I get any comments about how all moms work...I mean, I work outside the home.  I'm fortunate enough to not have to work full time and can do a lot of my work from home.  This leaves me free to be with my children 5 out of the 7 days of the week.  But I work nonetheless. 

At first, this was a decision made out of necessity.  My husband is a Christian school teacher.  Taking that job was a calling from God.  But, that meant that we would live on less in order to serve.  I'll admit, working was a bit selfish at first.  I like buying new clothes, going out to eat, traveling to see family in other states.  All things that we would not be able to afford if I did not work.  We would not live in the house that we do, or have the means to give at the level that we're able to give.  We are passionate about the Great Commission - and though God has not yet called us to go, we are having a wonderful time helping to send!

But, lest you think my attitude has always been so glorious...well it hasn't.  When my first child, Annelise, was born, I went back to work after 6 weeks.  I spent most of my time working from home...but as a new mother, that was difficult.  I didn't want to sit on my computer all day.  I wanted to take pictures of my sweet, baby girl, go for walks and playdates with friends.  You know, all the things that moms do.  I struggled for a long time.  Angry at myself for wanting to work, resenting my husband for not making more money to support us, bitter at friends who had made the decision to stay home.

This lasted for nearly a year...and I was miserable unbeknown to anyone but my husband.  The poor guy.  He put up with a lot of moaning and complaining.  I was not a godly wife.

Then the Lord blessed us with another pregnancy.  Another beautiful baby girl.  And, selfishly, I decided that I would take 12 weeks off after her birth.  My initial plan was to prove to my husband that we could make financial sacrifices and survive without me working.  And for a short time, we did just that.  But slowly, God started to break away the crusty, bitter layer around my heart and reveal His true plan for our family.  Boy, did I have a lot to learn.

You want to know the real truth about me?  12 weeks of maternity leave did not give me more time to be a homemaker, mother, godly wife.  I didn't do the Bible study I had intended or teach Annelise a foreign language.  I didn't have more time to read books or visit friends.  Instead, I had more time to be lazy and selfish.  Ouch!  Reading books that I wanted to read, being consumed with "me" time. 

Let me say this...I do not believe that all stay at home moms are lazy and selfish.  Many that I know use their time very wisely, in a way that nurture's their family and honors God.  Unfortunately, I was not one of those moms.

God used those 12 weeks to show me that He had a purpose in my working outside the home.  He has gifted me in ways that are useful to the Kingdom.  If I were not using those gifts, I would be squandering them selfishly.  I'm driven by tight schedules.  I enjoy getting a lot done in a little bit of time.  In fact, too much time to do a project drives me crazy.  I'm weird, I know.

Believe me, being a working mom isn't easy.  There are pressures and expectations that I often feel I cannot fulfill.  There are times when I'm torn between family and work.  There are lots of times when I feel like I'm not a good mom...or a good employee.  I've been fortunate to have close friends and family available to watch my children so I don't have to utilize public daycare.  Most of those caregivers have been able to come to my home.  I have a wonderful young lady watching my girls this summer...I babysat for her when she was little.  Its joyous to know that she will be impacting my children.

Speaking of my children...God has given me two beautiful girls with strong personalities.  In fact, I believe He gave them those personalities to help them (and me) cope through the busy times I have at work.  Neither of my girls are so clingy that I cannot leave them.  They are independent in nature and have a "I can do it on my own" attitude.  Because of that, I believe God has gifted them to understand and support my work outside the home.

And my husband...my dear, sweet, supportive husband.  I always thought he pushed me to working because he didn't want us to go without.  I always equated it to money.  How selfish and arrogant of me.  I now realize that he understood me (my personality, emotions and needs) more than I did.  He saw my creative drive, my need to have purpose, to make a difference.  He sees to the future.  He understands that when our children are gone I will want to reenter the workforce, and how difficult to do that with a 20 year gap in experience.  He has been the biggest supporter in times when I felt like he was my enemy.  He was the silent cheerleader when I felt like he was the taunting opponent.  I'm thankful for his insight.  I'm thankful for his love.

So, when you started reading this blog post you didn't know it was going to be a book.  Sorry.  I had a feeling it was going to be a long one.  But, its my story.  And its one that I didn't write.  I'm proud of who I am - who God has made me to be.  I have found freedom over the past 6 months...I'm no longer slave to my feelings of being inferior as a mother.  I know that I am who God has called me to be for such a time as this.  Instead of wallowing in "what could have been" I'm rejoicing in WHAT IS.  And who knows...maybe this post will inspire someone who has been feeling the same bondage in their chapter of life.  I hope that this is an encouragement to others.

Tulip Time 2010

It's Tulip Time around here...one of our favorite times of the year.  We are people people, which means the crowds bustling about around our house don't bother us.  In fact, I think it has kind of energized us.

This is also the first year that Annelise really understands what's going on.  She loves the pretty flowers, though its a challenge to keep her from picking them ($50 fine for each one!).  We are enjoying the Dutch dancers, carnival food, lots of walks downtown, shopping at the stores that seem to have new life in them and can't wait to watch the parades this week.

We're sad that Erin, Betsy and Sarah weren't able to make it this year, but hope the tradition can continue on next year.  If you're ever looking for a nice, quaint town to visit for a weekend, come on up!  We'd love to have you.

We also have a new "favorite" store that we like to visit.  Its called Tip Toes and it has all kind of goodies for kiddos.  Anne's favorite part is the huge play space.  And that happens to be Mommy's favorite part too.  I was actually able to shop for 45 minutes the other day while she contentedly played.  Nice.

Its been nice enough lately to do lots of playing outside.  And painting...

And who can resist this face?  Elli has been really animated lately.  She's a pretty happy kid.  She's also sitting up like a trooper.  I love that she's able to sit on the floor and play with her toys. 

Duh

I love it when God intervenes.

If you read my last post...with words...you're probably slightly anticipating the post I promised about the terrible twos we've entered.

Of course, before I was able to go on what would have probably been a sinful rant, the Lord intervened.

Thank you, Father.

A dear coworker, friend and much wiser woman counseled me on Tuesday about Annelise' sudden disobedient attitude and kindly suggested a new approach. 

Which I have tried...with much success.

Again, thank you, Father. (I think Annelise is thanking Him too!)

We've stopped the majority of our spanking with Annelise and moved to a much more successful method of consequence and reward.  Basically, if she doesn't obey, she loses something very special to her (her blankie) until she proves that she is ready to obey.

Oh the peace we have experienced today!

Our house is a little quieter, certainly more calm and much, much more God-honoring.  Which is the goal, right?

Thank you, Father.

This is how we roll...

Rachael Neal

Sent to you from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry.

My Happy Girl

She will be 7 months old on Sunday and I think she has smiled most if her life. I love her!

Rachael Neal

Sent to you from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry.

Goodbye April

I know, its not quite May yet, but I'm inching as close to summer as I can.  So, I'm bidding an early farewell to April.  Its been good, but you're not welcome here anymore.

May flowers around here is a true statement...we begin the month with our world famous Tulip Festival.  Boy, we can't wait!  Especially since our very good friends Betsy and Erin (we will miss you this year Sarah!) will be visiting for the opening weekend.  Eek...I can hardly contain my excitement!

And, I'm sure I'll be writing a lengthy blog post soon regarding my daughter's sudden entry into the terrible two's.  As much as I hate that term, I must admit its true.  Four well-deserved spankings today...before 9:45 am.  Sad.  My heart's cry each day is "Lord, help me to teach her and be consistent in love."  I never knew that prayer could be so difficult.

Ear recovery is going well for me.  I went to my first post op appointment today and it appears everything is healing nicely.  I'm hoping to regain my hearing soon!

We made Nanny Neal's brownie recipe tonight.  Um...yum.  Even Annelise thinks so.

Well, I'm half-heartedly watching Jack Bauer do what he does best...everything.  Anyone else ready for 24 to be over?

Yup, my favorite time of year is coming...naked babies with nothing but diapers.  I can hear the laundry dwindling even now.

Time for an Update

We're on day 5 of recovery and things are looking up.  I have switched from Vicadin to Motrin and boy does it make all the difference in the world.  Vicadin was a beautiful thing, though it made me feel like I was pretty doped up.  The Motrin seems to be controlling the pain without making me a blob on the couch.  I've actually been able to get up and do a load of laundry this morning.  Carefully...bending over still is kind of owie.

Annelise is becoming such a big girl these days.  I can't believe how much she understands.  It seems everyday Matt and I snicker at something she's said or done.  Today she greeted me randomly by saying, "Mommy, I'm so glad you're here."  Wow.  I didn't know I had left?  I love her.

Elli is course passing milestone after milestone and I haven't covered them.  Sigh.  She's rolling from stomach to back, talking very loudly, eating baby food 3 meals a day, loves her toes and laughs a lot.  I can't complain about number two.  She's as feisty as number one, but we love her as much.

Matt went to Mexico and back for his Mission Trip.  The week without him was a little crazy with two trips to urgent care for sick kids.  But we made it through and on to the next big thing. 

So, now we recover from that big thing and look forward to 8 more weeks of school before summer break.  Sweet summer break.

Ear Surgery Update - Not for the Weak of Stomach

Its Friday, the morning after my ear surgery and things are looking great.

In short, I had major ear surgery yesterday to repair a completely destroyed right ear drum, insert an artifical hearing bone to replace the deteriorated one, and removal of any scar tissue growing from my prior ear injury.

The surgery was very successful, in fact, the doctor said it wasn't as bad as he thought when he got in there.  He believes that my hearing will be restored, almost 100%.  Unfortunately, they weren't able to go in through my ear canal, so they had to make an incision behind my right ear and shave part of the bone away.  Sorry if that was TMI.  The best part of all, they didn't have to shave any of my hair!  I mean, what's a mom of two without pony tails?

Thank you for your prayers!  Vicadin and morphine are wonderful drugs for pain and sleep.  Too bad they don't let you take the morphine with you!  Matt and I stayed in Detroit at a hotel to recover and are enjoying a nice hot breakfast before getting ready to head home.  Please lift Matt and the girls up in prayer too.  They have a long, patient weekend ahead of them as mommy does her best to recover.  You know, when they mess with your inner ear, you have all those equilibrium problems.  So, besides being dizzy, I'm a little nauseated too.

Hopefully good news to follow in the next few days.

Confirmed

Now that's a good stroller!

Rachael Neal

Sent to you from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry.

A Whirlwind Weekend

We had a blast this weekend visiting family in Saginaw, Michigan.  I think its been 2 years since I made the trek over there.  Shame, shame.  Three kids under two, three adults, a van load of stuff...you know, the normal get up for a weekend trip.

Click here to view pictures from our trip.

We visited Dow Gardens Butterfly exhibit on Saturday after a much needed trip to Babys R Us to get my new double stroller!

No buyer's remorse here.

Its beautiful and sunny here today - looking forward to a nice walk to the park for a playdate, getting the laundry done, and seeing daddy late tonight!

Happy Monday!

Butterfly Gardens

Rachael Neal

Sent to you from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry.

Double Ear Infection...Double Whammy

My first night home with the kids while Matt is in Mexico and I decided to indulge myself with a little ice cream while I watched the NCAA Championship game.  (Boo Duke!)  Anyways, staying up late didn’t sound like a bad idea.  The girls were sound asleep anyways.  So, I went to bed at midnight.  And Elli woke up at 12:30 screaming.  Really?  She must have lost her paci, I (ignorantly) thought.  That wasn’t my first trip into her room...and eventually she ended up in my bed, still screaming, until 4 am.  Apparently she also screamed for 2 hours this morning after I left for work.  So, during my lunch hour I took her to urgent care.  Silly doctor’s office wanted me to schedule for tomorrow afternoon.  Ha!  I’m not doing another night like last night.  Besides, urgent care was empty and it costs the same copay amount, duh!  The verdict: double ear infection.  Ouch!  The double whammy – daddy is gone until next Monday.  Boo!

I might need to go buy some more ice cream...

Easter 2010

 

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness!

Some People

should not be allowed access to email.

I hate forwards.  REALLY hate forwards.

But, I especially hate forwards from business contacts.

To my business email.

With pictures of Easter bunnies and puppies.

Warning me about identity theft.

Seriously?

#1 – You should never send such an email to your entire address book of BUSINESS contacts.  Everything about that is unprofessional.

#2 – What would ever posses you to think that 75 or more people care to open their email and waste their time reading THAT?!

I’ll say it again.

Some people should not be allowed access to email.