Just a little catching up......

I wrote this months ago, intending to come back, write more and than post, however time got away from me.



Where do I start after so many months? Life is a whirlwind. I am just taking care of my children, trying to keep up and not get so overwhelmed with all that is asked of me. However, I am so thankful for these four children and would not want life any other way. The afternoons are filled with getting homework done with two kids, piano lessons, bible homework, providing snacks, making and serving supper at a designated time, before moods start to deteriorate. :) After supper is baths, more reading and a timely bedtime. Then two nights a week after this routine, I take off to work.

vacation memories

Our family just returned from our first time at the beach. Lately, when I have tried to blog, I have been unable to upload photos, so this time it worked, I am so excited!
We arrived at Nags Head safely and hurried down to the ocean. The kids were so excited to see the Atlantic for the first time. We had lots of discussions about ocean life, salt water, and the strong waves. This picture was taken at their first time with salt water. It ended with kids soaking wet in their clothes, but that was ok, because we were at the beach!!!! It was funny to see their reaction to the salty taste in their mouth. They were quite dramatic about this, but by the end of our time, there were no more complaints of the horrible taste.
We visited the Wright Brothers museum and learned some history, I took the older three putt putting for their first time, and then Ben joined us for a couple of days. That was wonderful, because he didn't plan on coming at all. I'm thinking he missed us? Maybe the house was too quiet??? :)

With Ben with us we went to the aquarium. This was exciting to see sharks, sea horses, eels, otters, beautiful fish, etc... It was a beautiful day and so much fun. Also at the beach, we went on walks, did some shopping, ate a seafood meal (oh what fun!) played lots of games (dutch blitz, uno, battleship) walked to get ice cream, and many more memories. The kids want to live there now! I on the other hand, am glad to be home again. The constant battle of sand in everything would drive me crazy I believe. It doesn't just rinse off, you have to WASH it off!!

This is what happens when I am at the computer. See why I don't get to blog very much? But, I have happy kids!

Ummm, summer

We are loving summer!! I love having the kids home with me. I love the relaxed schedule. The kids love catching fireflies in the late evening, watching the primrose open, sleeping in, and having some good, relaxing family fun. The children seem to really enjoy being together and playing with each other. It is fun to watch them interact together. Of course, we had about two days of adjusting after school was over. Adjusting to being together so much, and not being stimulated constantly. But they have done really well. We have spent a lot of time outside. While the children play in the sandbox, water or just using their imagination, I have time to work in the garden.

In May, Ashley lost her first tooth! She was so proud and happy! I also was very happy for her. The teacher made a big deal over losing teeth, and Ashley was worried she wouldn't get her name on the bullentin board. Whew, we barely made it!

The kids have also done very good at helping out around the house and doing some chores. It's hard for me to get them to do their chores, that is one area I need to improve on. But, they are very capable to helping out.

And little Violet, she is growing so fast! She nods her head yes and no, loves her mommy VERY much, runs and climbs all over the place. Still not a lot of words, but there is a lot going on around here and she will learn.

Just a little update, I need to do better at blogging. But my little children have been keeping me busy, and I love it!!! Baseball is now over, swimming lessons are over, we have visited the library several times, we are reading, we are playing, and we are eating good, and summer needs to last FOREVER!

Reflecting on a Monday, Is it Monday?

No pictures today, I am sorry. I know it has been awhile, and I am not sure I have even taken any pictures recently. (isn't that awful!!!!) Since it has been so long, I thought I better give an update on everyone.

Jacob, baseball is keeping us very busy! Between practice and games it takes three evenings a week. This means keeping him focused on coming home from school, snack, homework, completing chores, eating supper and then going wherever. A big change from our normal routine!! Jacob earned his first game ball this evening. He is pretty proud and is well deserving of this accomplishment. I missed the game tonight, since I have sick girls at home. He loves baseball! He seems to really like sports at this stage in his life.

Ashley, ballet is wrapping up for her. Her performance is the next weekend. So, next week means rehearsal every evening! She is on stage for just a short time, so rehearsal time for her is short as well (thank goodness). Kindergarten is flying by. She is reading really well and does really well in school. I am just so proud of her! We are going on a field trip tomorrow and I am looking forward to spending some time with her. Tomorrow evening the younger classes from her school are putting on their spring performance.

Rachel, she is conversing so well for her age. We have some pretty deep conversations and I sometimes feel like I am talking with someone much older than her 3 little years. She is such a young lady, so considerate of others and such a wonderful help in the kitchen! She loves baking cookies ( we did today) and will "help" wash dishes, anything to work beside me. She is full of personality which is emerging more and more everyday.

Violet, oh my sweet "little one". She is fairly quiet, has yet to find her voice. Her new talents are, waving bye, bye, making the shhhh sign, dada, mama (constantly), sound like HI, and my favorite is the kiss. Friday, I got my first kiss from Violet. She leaned her head to my cheek, with open mouth and made the sound mmmmawww. The sound I make when I give her kisses. Oh so precious!!! her teeth are just ripping her gums! She has 4 new teeth breaking thru! I do believe it is making her miserable. She is no longer sleeping thru the night, and prefers to be held all night while yanking my hair out of my head! I am trying very hard to be patient. This will not last forever! (right????)

In regards to our health, we have dealt with ear infections, strep throat, stomach bugs, viruses causes fevers, flu, ear infections again, strep throat again, more viruses, etc..... it seems never ending. Violet is clear of her ear infections now. Rachel now is the second to start running a fever again. Ashley is coughing and complaining of a sore throat. (I am hoping/praying no strep throat) Rachel was checked today and was negative for her strep throat(thank God!) I guess with four children this is to be expected, but really? Must it last this long? I have tried bleaching and have changed toothbrushes so frequently, but lets get real! Anyway, I don't want to dwell on this too long. I just don't have time during the day to get to my computer. My kids when not feeling well, seem to need a lot of hands on attention. Which they are certainly getting! :)

Next time, more pictures............

Bikes, Smiles, and Baseball

Jacob has a new bike!! Well, new to us anyway. We found this wonderful used yellow bike, that Jacob just loves! His old bike was getting smaller and smaller every year. We have been looking for a used bike for him for a little while, and this Hummer of a bike is just perfect for Jacob and he loves it. It has a very sturdy frame and even has shocks in the front of the bike. (Jacob told me this would be great for bike jumping at a church campground where we go camping!*cringe*)

Jacob is playing baseball this year! He is so excited and is learning so much. Jacob has asked for the last two years to play and this year, I said yes. So, here Jacob is, happy and playing baseball. I take everyone to practice. The girls get time to play together on the playground at the school, and I follow Violet around as she walks everywhere. As long as the weather is nice, it is a wonderful time to spend outdoors. With the cooler weather, it's a little harder, but still fun.

Sand, dear, dear sand.....

Dear Sand, I chose to welcome you into my house this summer. I really do not want you IN my house, but since it doesn't look like I have too much choice, welcome.

The kids love to play in the sandbox! I put a bucket of water next to the sandbox, so they go back and forth from the water to the sand. Sand gets everywhere and in everything. I have little girls with sand caked in their hair. Hair gets in their face, they brush the hair away with wet hands and then again with sand covered hands. They have been having so much fun, it's hard to stop them, and I don't. The sandbox is like a magnet! Violet goes towards the sandbox as soon as she is outside. Speaking of Violet, that little girl can climb a six foot stepladder up into the playhouse and then immediately heads to the slide to go down head first! After one major heart attack, I now pay super close attention to her. This is hard since three other children are vying for my attention, but I talk to them with eyes on Violet. I am afraid to leave one child to watch Violet because if anything happened I don't want the child in charge to deal with that responsibility. Sometimes I have to pull Violet away to help someone else, which causes her to throw a huge fit! I thought the other day, I'll take her clothes off to save sand caked clothing and that will help laundry. Found out that Violet can take her diaper off very easily and will fuss when it is put back on. Hmmm, that idea didn't work. So, back to an increasing laundry pile.

So sand, I will deal with you this summer. I may not always be happy about it, but I will get you in my house and you will be swept away!

Easter

Just a couple of pictures of our weekend. We've been busy, but having a lot of fun. The warm weather is absolutely wonderful! Ben's Uncle and Aunt spent Friday eve, and Saturday morning with us. We've had ballet and baseball practice as well to keep our weekend busy.

The girls have been asking to have matching dresses, so this Easter, I bought new dresses for the girls. They love dressing a like. I find this very funny, because when I was little, I did not want to dress like my little sister at all! (much to my mother's dismay!) I will try to get some more pictures another day.

The Easter Egg hunt, outside.

It's been a quiet family day. We visited a church, ate a wonderful meal, played dutch blitz and blink, played some baseball, now we're just laying around. Everyone is a little tired and is resting. What a wonderful Easter Sunday. I have missed being with family, and have thought about all of you throughout the day, and hope everyone had a wonderful, restful day.

Hot Cross Buns! Absolutely delicious! The only problem? I made 6 dozen! We've been munching them down pretty fast, so hurry on over to get some! It's hard to eat just one. As I slowly enjoy one, I tell myself, I just make them once a year, so the calories we will just try to ignore!!!!

Girls with many talents....

Our girls have so many different talents. Don't make any assumptions about our personalities, because we will be sure to surprise you. Plus, our girls are talented at surprising us with glimpses into their constantly expanding personalities. Just when I think I am beginning to understand, it changes. What fun it is to watch these girls and have fun with them. Violet having fun with her daddy, getting all dirty and LOVING it. Dirt doesn't matter, it's fun! When mommy is sleeping (because she worked all night long) girls get to do extra special things, like: getting dirty, and what? hammering!? Yep, you got it. Rachel is one good worker. Her hourly rate is beyond your budget though.

And cooking......... When I am working in the kitchen, girls (and boy) come running. Some to help, some to lick, some to taste test, and others to just cling on to my legs.

There is always time to be cute. So cute and growing so fast.

Oh yes, we mustn't forget, there is always time to play in the make-up! She believes she is so beautiful (she is of course, but doesn't need make-up to be beautiful!). This is, of course, special to her and she is so proud!!!

Girls, Girls, Girls.............

Muddy Mondays

These beautiful Spring days! Words cannot begin to describe the depth of my thankfulness for sunny days and warmer weather. Watching the flowers blossom, trees blooming, grass turning green, and spending long days outside. This past weekend Ben worked the garden up for me and I was able to plant the early spring things such as: potatoes, peas, onions, radishes, lettuce, and broccoli. Monday after school, the traditional mud hole was created. I wish I had time to go back and scan a mud hole picture from every year this has happened, to the present. The kids have so much fun........

I did manage to keep Violet out of the mud. She was very attracted to it, but I just wasn't quite ready for that. This was a school night after all! (which means homework, and a bedtime.)

Violet loves the sandbox. She has managed to swallow a rather large handful of sand that we than washed down with a drink of milk. I wasn't quite sure how to get her mouth cleaned after I did a quick finger sweep to get the majority of sand out. Hopefully she will survive being the youngest, because I am often distracted by the other three kids!

Our Day.....

Some days just don't need words........................................
We had a beautiful, wonderful day outside. We put daily chores, laundry, and cleaning on hold for the day, and spent a day outdoors. (although I did manage to make a batch of bread, and now have 5 beautiful loaves of bread sitting on the counter.)

After playing outside, the girls enjoyed a lunch together as they usually do.

Funny how children love to go UP the slide. It must be instinct?

It looks as if they are conspiring a scheme. I wonder what they are planning?

After lunch, Rachel disappeared. I went looking for her and found her in bed!! She said she wanted alone time! My Rachel! She doesn't Take Naps, she is Too Big! I quick got Violet to bed, both fell asleep very fast and I had 1 1/2 hours to myself, well almost. I did feed Ben and his employee lunch and then cleaned up after them. The rest of the time, I organized my photos on the computer. I willed myself not to look away from the screen so I would not see a disorganized house, laundry piles, etc....... that I should have been doing!

After school, on such a beautiful day, I had a spontaneous thought. Lets play with soap and water. The kids really enjoyed washing windows, using the garden hose to clean screens, and washing the front porch and front door. We had discussions as we worked, everyone was so happy! And the best part, for after school snack, we ate one whole loaf of bread (with Ben's help) the kids were so impressed by this!

Pretty impressive huh? Needless to say, I am exhausted. Kneading bread and washing windows, running races outside with the kids, our after supper walk in the dusk of evening......Tomorrow holds Muffins with Mom at the school book fair, and then another beautiful day that we are going to spend outdoors. Laundry is going to have to get done "afterhours". I am loving this spring weather!

Turning Three

Unbelievable! Rachel is now 3! Time flies in the Bast household. I still have (somewhat) vivid memories of this beautiful little baby girl. This perfect little baby with a lot of black hair! A wonderful baby that just fit right in. Really no adjustments to having her at home. Such a good baby!
Now at three years old, Rachel is one busy little girl! She keeps us on our toes, she makes us laugh, she is my little mother, and full of drama. She likes to boss, likes to stay in charge, likes to take care of everyone. If someone is sick(we've had a lot of opportunity this year to observe this behavior), Rachel wants to take their temperature, give them a drink, dampen their washcloth across their forehead, hand out medicine. She carries around her baby, "nurses" her baby, burps, dresses, and baths her baby. In regards to Violet, my little Rachel has carried her around since she was a newborn. She has totally ignored my instructions to leave the baby and not to carry her around. Even as Violet has grown, she is still trying to carry her! Rachel has loved Elmo, and has been requesting an Elmo cake since our birthday season has begun. So of course, I make an Elmo cake. It is so absolutely wonderful to see her happiness when looking at her cake. March 1st is Rachel's birthday, but this year, Ben had bible study Monday night and I had to work, so we celebrated on Tues evening.

One happy princess! Evidently a little girl cannot have too many necklaces, tiaras, rings or any bling!! Ben even tried on her jewelry, however, I was instructed NOT to post these pictures on my blog! He really is a good father to our girls! (and to his son as well)

Violet turns one on the 13th, so we will have another birthday soon. We are planning on combining the girls birthdays and having our extended families over for a birthday party then.

I have been thinking of posting ideas, but my days fly by without getting the blogging done. We have dealt with a lot of sicknesses, two funerals already in 2010, so hopefully life will *settle* down. (is this possible, I doubt it-not sure I even want it too) More another time! I need to put Violet to bed, start laundry, pick up the kids from school, homework chaos, supper on the table, baths, bedtime................Time to get busy!

ANDREW GINGERICH

OCTOBER 29, 1911-FEBRUARY 21-2010

Born to farmers in Ontario, Canada. At the age of twelve moved to the United States to Crogan, NY to continue farming. He was told at a young age to stop attending school so that he could help out on the farm.

May 12, 1944, marries a young lady by the name of Esther Zimmerman from Lancaster, PA.

Andrew's parents Jacob and Lydia Gingerich

Andrew was chosen by lot to be a minister, which he took as a life calling from God, ordained as a Bishop. Andrew preformed many marriage ceremonies (including my own), preached many Biblical based sermons, all while farming and raising 4 children. Years later he now has many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Grandpa reading to two great grandchildren.

Andrew is Ben's maternal grandpa. Many of Ben's childhood memories include his grandparents. They lived close by and Ben spent a lot of time at his grandparents house. Grandpa's birthday was 2 days later than Ben's, so the birthday parties were combined. As we gather together, I would like to gather more details and record them here for memories sake. I remember Grandpa's stories, but forget many of the important details so I will add them on after this weekend.

Enjoying snow once more!

The children are once more getting a chance to enjoy the beautiful snow. However, it is taking a bit more encouraging to get them out there! Jacob and Rachel have been my snow children this time. Ashley has been dealing with high fevers and not feeling well. So, Jacob is enjoying this new sled!

Rachel, outside, smiling and enjoying herself.

So cute! I was able to go outside and took some beautiful snow pictures.

Ashley has been so brave and strong as she struggles to feel better. I just wish I could take the sickness myself instead of seeing her struggle and be so fatigued, and still able to smile as a camera is aimed at her. I have made a bed on the couch to keep her close to me during the day and night. Often I am on the other couch at night to help her as needed. Today, she is feeling a little more like herself, although she still has a low grade temp.

And little Violet, asleep in her crib, as I wander around with my camera. It was so nice to get outside for a bit while she slept. Oh, I needed some fresh air!! I smile as I notice one sock on and one sock off. A Violet trait!

Saturday our electricity was off from 8:15 to 4:30pm. Now, I thought for sure we were going to be out for days!! Which I believe made the whole experience a little worse for me. I learned how many things we take for granted. The wood stove provided us with warm heat, and we read books, and played in the basement. I did not realize how much I am used to praise music playing in the background, how many times I glance at the electrical clocks, and the joy of running water. I would say I missed the running water the most. Washing our hands, flushing toilets, even cleaning the house! It pretty much put a stop to most things. Even the coffee maker!!!!!! We were melting buckets of snow so we could flush toilets! The kids thought it was a wonderful adventure and after electricity was restored, the kids were playing a game called No Electricity! I was walking around thanking God for the electricity we had. Even woke up this morning expressing my thankfulness for the electricity.