Jessica Anne Then and Now 

Elizabeth Ruth Turns Three

Well it is hard to believe but my little water baby has turned three, and what a birthday she had. We were wiser this year and decided to open presents first thing in the morning instead of waiting for supper. That was what we did last year and we regretted that decision, poor Elizabeth was so grouchy by that point and then she had to go to bed before she really got a chance to play with her toys so that made her even more miserable. This way she had a whole day to play, and her older sister was at school and she was able to go down to her playroom and avoid the younger sister so she had a chance to play uninterrupted and without having to share which I think she really enjoyed. For supper we went to Chuck E Cheese for pizza and lots and lots of fun. Her friends Noah and Reem were able to come to enjoy the evening with her, and Samantha and Timothy were there to visit with Jess. It was really nice cause the kids would take off by themselves and play and the parents got a unique chance to sit around and chat as well.

It's strange to think that it was three years ago that she arrived into the world. I was induced in the morning and she was born three hours later. She wasn't out completely when the nurse told me to look, and I saw her and cried out "baby" and she turned her head to the sound of my voice. I remember that like it was yesterday, it moved me so much I cried and cried. She was born so quickly though that the demerol wasn't out of my system yet, and hadn't cleared hers so she didn't cry loudly like they wanted. They immediately took her to the NICU to make sure her lungs were okay. At one point my dad said to me "Are you okay," I remember telling him I wouldn't be okay till they brought her back to me, and she was in her bassinet beside me where she belonged. She did graduate early from the NICU she was only in there for four hours when all three other mothers I was with had to leave the hospital with their babies still in the NICU. The staff from the NICU gave her a bath and brought me a polaroid to show me how she fell asleep during her bath. They were so surprised because no other baby had ever fallen asleep during her first bath that usually they cry through them, so when she just laid back and went to sleep they were shocked. So I prayed hard and within four hours she was in my arms and we had a prayer of blessing over her.

She was a chilly baby, and so had trouble sleeping in the bassinet. So I pulled her in bed with me and kept her warm sleeping with me. Looking back I remember at one point she was just staring at me her eyes fixed and her mouth would open as if she was trying to say something, but she didn't have a strong enough voice yet and I remember thinking to myself it almost looks like she's trying to talk. Well now I know I was right because her lungs are fine, she has the Blythe booming voice, and the Blythe talking gene, and she has more than made up for that silent night, for she has become the one that talks and talks and talks and talks. From the moment she wakes up until her head hits the pillow she is talking, to me, her dad, her sisters, and if no one is around herself.

Elizabeth Ruth Then and Now 

Outside of Green Gables

Today since we are once again working on the house (a project that goes on and on and on), I thought I would write about our little abode. Dad is coming to work on the yard since both Gil and I seem to be really lacking in the green thumb area, so I'll write about the outside of our home. When you drive in it is a pretty little house with blue grey siding and a blueish garage door and front door, (of course right away there is an issue because it's not green but you can't have everything), but how I fell in love with the house was Marigold. Marigold is the beautiful poplar tree in the very front of the yard, We were looking in the fall and so when Gil drove up Marigold was in her golden splendor showering the lawn with her golden tresses, and I fell in love. The house could have been a pit after that I still would have loved it, foligage is the seller for a dreamer like me, so I was sold. So next lurking behind Marigold, is a beautiful grey-blue spruce that stands majestically in the yard guarding us from all intruders, this is Cordelia.

Alas poor Cordelia's skirts keep getting trimmed back by an overzealous gardner named Gilbert Blythe, who doesn't believe me when I say he needs to stop, luckily Jess convinced him too stop or poor Cordelia would have no skirts left and be left her stick legs hanging out. At her feet sit some bushes and in the spring tiger-lilies and blue bells spring up, to hear her stories from the dark winter that just past, while they were sleeping. Cordelia also guards the walk-way made of inlaid grey, blue and pink brick that leads up to the house.

Then there is a little garden cleft which most likely at one time held a beautiful garden planted by someone else who obviously knew what they were doing, (unlike us), it houses many beautiful plants none of which names I know. Over the past few years it has become weedy because of lack of care and understanding, but we are trying to make amends and tame it back. It is located in the shade right beside the garage. The very first bush in it is Blythe, who showers us with itsy bitsy white flowers in the spring and then turns a nice green and grows out till fall. Blythe can get quite out of control and stab passerbyers in the winter with his branches if he is not kept in line and aware of his boundries, yet he is one of my favorites.

The brick path that leads to our front door, winds around to make a little porch in the front. The roof leans overhead to provide daily shade and it would look even more cozy and alluring if there was a bench(perhaps a swinging bench with lots of fluffy green pillows to lounge in with a great book) outside and some potted plants to greet people as they walk up to our little nook, but one thing at a time.

We have a large front window that looks out and we now have sheers covering it, what lies behind the window is my office, the dining/living room, playroom and piano room all in one. Sheers are fairly new, people used to be able to look in and before we organized there were mounds of boxes and furniture littering it, often I would think if people did come up to the door, what in the world would they be thinking?

The back-yard is relatively small but comfy. I want to put a lilac in the one left corner, but for now it is bare. It used to be home to a crab apple tree that littered our lawn with crab apples and wasn't very big but very ugly so we put it out of it's misery. There is then is again lots of bushes that have no names, and one that I do know is a burning bush tree -- Ashley. Then there is Oz or little dwarf blue spruce that guards another little garden inlay that lays against the side of our back deck. Along the house there is some wild onion, and baby pink peonies I have named Lady Di, they are my favorite in the back yard.

The only sad thing about them is you can't see them from the house or the deck, so unless you walk out into the yard you would never know they were there. In fact the very first year of our home life we almost missed them. I was really blue one day and decided to walk into the back yard that is always bathed in sunlight to catch some rays when I spotted them. Lady Di in her full splendor; that is the best looking part of the year for her, her flowers were so big and full and such a beautiful color they immediately cheered me up. It was beautiful surprise gift from God. I couldn't wait till Gil and Jess got home that day so I could take them out to enjoy my discovery with me.

Then we have a nice deck that houses our lawn furniture and a brand new awning to keep the sun off. The back-yard is so sunny that most of the time it was just too hot to actually sit out there and enjoy it, but since our wise investment we have enjoyed it so much, eating, having parties, reading, and the kids play outside now far more than they ever did. When you don't have to bath yourself in sunscreen every time you step out the door, you tend to step out the door more often.

However as I write this, I write it with some sadness for the day has past and my parents have ventured home, and my husband the fiendish man that he is has butchered our deck by cutting half the railing off. What a beast!!!!!!!! You see we discussed this plan of his, I was against it because it made the deck unsymmetrical a point that will unnerve and irritate me to no end, but he was insistent so we decided to think about it. Apparently unbeknowst to me the thinking process was over and the decision had been made, imagine my surprise. Oh well, if I don't learn over the winter to appreciate it, he will be nailing it back up in the spring.

The Blythe Family Christmas

Well there I go again allowing my Shirley side, (my red hair only exasperates the situation) dictate how I react to things and then before I know it I've created a large complicated drawn out mess. Oops, Gil just thinks it's funny but I'm not sure the rest of the Blythes would agree; so now we are meeting next Tuesday to discuss the ins and outs of it.

You see in my defense it started at France's dedication when I inadvertently heard that there was an issue at Christmas, that perhaps we would not be getting together the same way we Blythes always have. I was surprised I hadn't heard there was a problem at all, and because I found out by accident I was a little miffed. Yes my super thin skin showing through I thought everyone had sat down and discussed the issue without me. So I then discussed it with Rose, who didn't know either, who was upset because of how much she enjoys the whole Blythe experience, and then we both proceeded to write e-mails to all involved.

Unfortunately the person really involved is the only one who doesn't have an e-mail and The Blythe Family Christmas was never really in jeopardy and now everyone's e-mail is buzzing back and forth, phones ringing, petitions being drawn up, posters being made ---- the whole kit and caboodle. So all that and nothing was amiss except of course that our communication as a family sucks. So at least now we are going to sit down and talk like the adults we are, and maybe set up some way of talking more in the future so that this type of hurt, and misunderstanding doesn't occur again.

Needless to say there was a lot of "Shirley" drama, and hey I think it would be very selfish of me to keep all of my Shirleyness to myself, wouldn't it? The Blythes are just as in need of drama as anyone else to spice up their lives.

A Rose by any other name. . .

Well it's one week till Rose moves in and Green Gables is abuzz with excitement. Gilbert has been building shelves, Jess has been cleaning out her toy room, and I'm still sorting clothes. It seems that is all I ever do is sort-sort-sort. I wonder if I will ever reach the end of sorting. I bought a book on how to organize, and I'm hoping that that will somehow help Gil and I get our act together.

So next week will be busy here. On Tuesday Rose arrives, and the rest of us have eye-doctor appointments. Wednesday is Jessica's dentist appointment, and Rose's mom comes to help her build a bed and paint her room, then thursday is Beth's birthday (she's turning three!!!!!) and Saturday is Jessica's birthday (she's turning eight!!!!!!!!!), and then Sunday is halloween.

I've been trying to explain to Beth everything that is happening but she still is too young to make all the connections. She says she doesn't want to be three, she doesn't want a party, or balloons, or presents, or cake, she doesn't want to dress up because she's Hesbeth; that's what she calls herself.

Yet we anxiously await Rose's arrival, knowing her presence in our home will definetely brighten it up and liven it up. She is a beautiful girl with an intoxicating personality, dramatic, funny, lively, vivacious---if you know her you know you can't help but be drawn in by her. I managed to take some pictures of her at the dedication playing with her cousins in the back yard and she just radiates in them. All the Blythe children are certainly beautiful there is no denying that, but she has a certain thing about her that defies definition.

She is definatley a Rose, as sweet smelling and beautiful as they come, but look out for the occasional thorn should you treat her carelessly....

Walking.....already?

Today Frances has started walking. For awhile she has been standing for long periods on her own before crashing to the ground but today she took her tentative first steps into my arms, and she was so proud of herself. Then eagerly she tried again this time walking to her big sister. I sit back and think wow--already! She shouldn't be walking yet, it was only 14 short months ago that she came into this world, and now she is walking. Actually she's later than her sisters but we were all so eager for her sisters to walk that we kind of pushed them into it. With her we were content to let her stay the baby, but she however has another agenda.

Another milestone was crossed by her big sister Jessica. Not really a milestone mind you, just her school picture that came home. She looks so grown up it, it took my breath away. She has been growing like a weed lately, physically and emotionally but I didn't expect to see it all at once like that. Her little eight your old self looking up from the picture that makes her look thirteen, and I'm not ready.

I'm not ready for her to be older and more mature, for Elizabeth to tell jokes, and for Frances to walk. I want to keep them my babies forever, but they were never really mine to start with. Just a wonderful gift from God, they are their own people who will forge their own hopes and dreams and hopefully I'll be allowed to watch, and cheer from the sidelines, and be proud that they are my girls.

Thankful for the earth, water and fire, 

Thankful

Today is Thanksgiving and to be honest I have had great difficulty being thankful. It's hard to feel thankful when life seems to be crashing in around me, so I decided to look at the basics and take it from there.

So I am thankful for Gilbert, my handsome husband who loves without condition, who somehow manages to look at me like I'm a beautiful teenager, who still forgives all my quirks and foibles, and who somehow understands things about me that even I do not understand. He always looks past the stuff ordinary folks can't and looks within my soul and still he finds something worth loving and pouring his heart into day after day, and he doesn't seem to tire of it.

I am thankful for my oldest daughter, my fire-child. The child whose passion is so great it can be consuming. My daughter who sees all, and hears all and who holds all so deeply within her. Her heart is so big I'm afraid she will get hurt too easily, but she will live twice the life, that is very clear because of her fire for all that is around her. Her beauty is unmistakeable, her mind is quick, and she is quickly becoming smarter than her parents, who often are just trying to catch up. She has more potential in her baby finger than most have for their whole life and nothing seems impossible for her, but because of her fiery spirit nothing will ever be easy.

I am thankful for my middle daughter, my water-baby. The one who laughs and talks incessantly like a bubbling brook within your own house. Her sweet dispostion and love of life make her a favorite with all she meets. Her dimple melts the hardest of hearts and her hugs melts the coldest foe. She constantly moves and grows and doesn't stay still long enough for me to hold as long as I wish too. Never stagnant she will go far in whatever she should choose to do with her life, but her love for those around her which is deeper than the deepest ocean could cause her to be too trusting and hurt too easily.

I am thankful for my earth child. The last little one to come into our house and make it truly a complete and happy home. The one that has the determination and patience the rest of us lack, the one who teaches that true courage comes from continuing to get up and try again no matter how many times you might fall. She is as dependable as the earth we stand on, every day she is the same, the same laugh, giggle, cry, the same babble. Her routine guides her and keeps her grounded, and hopefully she will not let it became her jail, but instead will build great towers upon the foundation she is building daily.

So for my family, my great loves who stick with me through thick and thin I am truly thankful. And so for my fire child who has taught me that passion is the essence of life, my water baby who has taught me that laughter and chatter bring joy to every moment, and my earth child who has taught me that routine is the stability we need in a chaotic world, and to my true love who has taught me that love does and will conquer all; for these simple things I am forever thankful.

Recuperating

You wouldn't think you would need days (weeks if it was possible), to recuperate from having family and friends over, but you do. First of all we all got sick the very next day; raw throats, sniffely noses, bad headaches, that kind of fun stuff. It's especially fun when the little children are all suffering because they tend to really let you know the depth of their pain, and they tend not to sleep which means that the thing you need most to recuperate (sleep) is not in abundance either, yet somehow we are managing.

I took a step on that path of hope yesterday. A step in a direction I thought I couldn't go any longer. It has been such a long time since I have felt that I could breath in the air around me, that I have felt a sense of freedom. I think I am discovering that these prison bars I have erected around me can be taken down, that I can reach a point of true freedom and be the woman I so desperately want to be.

On a family note, Frances can now reach the piano keys so she loves to innundate us with her special variety of music. Jessica has been enjoying her paint by numbers kit that Diana gave her, and Elizabeth is her usual quirky self. She is talking more and more in sentences instead of short phrases and trying to learn to do more and more by herself. Her independance is beginning to come out; of course so has her firey temper and defiance of her parents. Gil is trying desperately to catch up on work, and I am trying to keep the house at the level of cleanliness it presently is in. In about two weeks I will have help because my lovely and beautiful niece Rose will be coming to live with us to help out and to start her own new life. The kids love her so they are all very excited and I am too. It's nice to have yung-uns around to help you feel more youthful.

Tomorrow we will venture to Burlington and Cambridge to visit friends and family. Another busy day I am sure, but it is thanksgiving after all.

Dedication for Frances

Well since my last entry I've turned another year older, celebrated with friends I haven't seen in forever, had a coffee visit with just the girls, dedicated my baby to God and cleaned my house. I am very tired. This entry will be dedicated to that special baby so I'll just rehearse what we said at church with a prayer in my heart for the years ahead of her. I'll write about all the rest tomorrow.

Frances Aileen is her name and it means free and light,(and what a special light she has been in our lives). She is named after the two most influential people in our lives; my dad, and Gilbert's mom. We chose them because they have led such deep lives of faith, commiment, and service before the Lord and it has deeply influenced us in our daily lives, and we decided that a good and righteous name can be the best armament a child can have in today's world. We named her after them because having them as parents has been such a blessing in our lives, just like she herself has been such a beautiful gift from the Lord. "Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. . ." James 1:17. Frances was one of those gifts given from God completely unexpectedly, but we quickly realized God's wisdom because of how His gift to us has enriched our family's life. It has been Frances who has been our teacher, teaching Jessica that persisitence and determination always brings success; teaching Elizabeth that sharing can be an option; teaching Gil and I how to laugh and tease. Her name fits her because she has a light within her, and if she follows this light she will find her freedom in Christ Jesus.

In dedicating Frances our prayer is that she will be determined and persistent in seeking out the Lord, and growing in her faith; that she will share His love freely with those who cross her path; and that her teasing spirit will bring God pleasure. So today we pledge to teach Frances (our little gift from God), to guard her and to do our best as parents to put her on the path to Him, the light from whom all gifts come.

Almost Done

Well the floor is done, and in one short day. Gil of course is feeling the burn now as he hobbels around the house moaning in complaint. I have no pity because it was his brain child, (although I must admit it looks great). The room looks so spacious now and clean and homey. So now the rest of the house, we have finally after living here for four years put pictures on the wall so it actually looks like someone lives here now, and we can see the top of the piano and the desk. We have to do something about those dining room chairs though, we have to do something about the entire dining room actually to be ready for Sunday. We are going to ignore the upper floor in concentration of the lower domain and just acost anyone who attempts to enter the forbidden areas.

Although really the house has to be ready for Saturday because it's my birthday and so I think we are having some sort of get together with Lucy who shares the same birthday (same year, same day, same initials). So Lucy and her new beau will be here too and Diana and Fred and their brood arrive tomorrow around noon. To be honest I am finding it quite thrilling, I haven't had a birthday celebration with Lucy and the gang since Jessica was about two; so this will be a joyous celebration. Although two events back to back is scary and yes here comes that word again "stressful".

Diana and Fred and the kids will be sleeping here so we need to make room for them in the cellar. Jess is having a sleep-over with cousin Phoebes so at least that gets her out of our hair. The twins and their hubbies are coming and little Noah, Xander and his wife and their brood. It's very exciting because the group of us haven't been together in forever. The only one who we will be missing is Winifred, but she is in Africa and so what can you do.

Then on Sunday for the dedication we have the above clan all coming, and Gil's family, and my parents. Yes at this Green Gables Walter and Bertha Shirley are not dead (at least not yet....kidding), and I even have two older siblings. Not the life of an orphan although I have often felt alone; that is more my personality than my circumstance. One sister is overseas with her family so we won't be expecting them, the other is very ill so she may not be able to attend either.

But the Blythe clan is enough for two households. It involves by itself eight adults (although one won't be making it because of post-op-teeth surgery) and eight children. Three of these children would take offence at being referred to as children since they are in their teens and beyond, but let's face it we still see them as children right? Then Giles should be coming as well, which is nice since he hasn't seen the house yet except from the outside and since he has played such a major role in our lives as counselor, pastor, and now friend (as well as watcher), it seems fitting that he too should be in attendance. Hopefully our new pastor and his family will be able to come to the festivities afterwards too.

I'm expecting my friends from high-school as well, Joe and Karin and since I rarely see them it will be nice to have a chance to visit. The last time I saw them was at Christmas and it was three years before then. Diana and her kids visited for my last birthday so this is feeling almost like a tradition. Well no more time to blog, I need to help Gil with the cleaning, so much to do, so little time.