Breakfast with the Marshmans

breakfast with the Marshmans from Rae Marshman on Vimeo.

Here's a glimpse into our morning business meeting. We work really hard around here at Marshman INC - there's never a dull moment for sure. And while this video isn't as funny as videos past, it somehow is a favorite of mine. I love having two kids - loving even more the idea of another one for Georgia to feed cereal to next year, she is going to be quite the mommy one day.... Enjoy.

She just blew in....

My gorgeous Gem, December 2009

I can't quite remember when she crossed over from being a baby to a kid.... but like the unpredictable nature of the wind - this new model of Georgia blew into our lives. And oh we are enjoying each blustery day with her. Tonight as we drove around Louisville in search of christmas lights - Starbucks warm in our bellies - Jeff and I commented on how life with our kids just keeps getting better as they get older. We, or should I say, mostly I, never thought we would desire to move past the baby stage of development but man o man....... We got excited over thoughts of them in their twenties, sitting around the living room with us, just laughing and sharing life together. A life that with the leading of the Lord, we helped to shape and pour into. I think in those moments - with them grown - Jeff and I will be like proud artists admiring our work. Our investment in them is great and the rewards that lie ahead for all of that labor is absolutely thrilling to think about. What a joy to be a parent!

Puddingstash

tank's fabulous puddingstash

Do you know how exciting it is to have a child who is endlessly joyful? Endlessly silly? Endlessly laughing and pulling one on you?....

My dear baby boy, Henry, is such a child - and for some unexplainable reason, I am feeling immense gratitude for his life being tied to mine.

He was the baby I wasn't supposed to have because I was pregnant already. I lost that baby at six weeks and the next month conceived Tank. It was an emotional pregnancy. I was the most awful wife and friend to my husband. I even felt disconnected from Henry for the first month of his life and in many ways, resented his presence in our family. And then, little by little. Day by day... He dug a whole into my heart and moved deeper still - until he invaded my soul.

And now..... I can't even imagine a day without him running around the house, climbing on things - eating everything - pushing Georgia and then running away laughing - stealing toys from Georgia and then running away laughing - running away laughing at everything - and then finding something else to run away from and laugh some more..... and did I mention the dance moves? and the way in which he SPEAKS in the loudest tone possible! and the way he lights up when Jeff comes home and runs straight for the guitar, anxious for him to play him something jammin? I love love love you bud and your tender-joyful-heart!

Henry, the Light-hearted

Untitled from Rae Marshman on Vimeo.

P.S I love how his eyes disappear when he laughs!!

20

I am 20 weeks pregnant.

This officially makes me half way done with this labor of love.

Wahoo....

And, to be perfectly honest, this may just be my easiest pregnancy yet. I am really enjoying it, which is not me. I do not like being pregnant. So praise God. Currently I am wearing all maternity clothes with the exception of a few pairs of jeans I have that fit - and a handful of shirts that still look normal.

The good.bad.& ugly....

I have begun to feel my bambino's subtle little movements - he's a night owl (yikes!)

My skin is so clear = completely delightful!

I am constantly out of breath - having a three story house does not help this either.

I feel incredibly bonded to him already, a luxury I did not have with Henry until he was about one month old!

This pregnancy is moving at a snail pace for me even though I am basically enjoying it.

We have a name. Once we confirm the gender next week, we will share :)

Georgia is waaay into this process, which makes it waaay more fun for me.

I gained a lot of weight last visit! Kedra says it's ok.... some months you pack it on - others you don't. She's a medical professional and my friend so I am going to take her advice whole heartedly!

When I had our christmas cards made this week I read them and saw that I had three children's names written underneath ours.... I almost fell over with shock because even though I've done this a few times, the fact that I have the ability to make a person with Jeff and grow them in my body for ten months and then magically eject them - is beyond my understanding!!! It's surreal.

And Lastly:

I am keenly aware that there will be no other time in the history of this child's life where we will be so close to one another. What a treasure this time is. (remind me of this during week 34)

Congrats to me. I have made it over the hump - it's all up hill from here!!

Borrowed ideas

My beloved Nie Nie makes these silhouettes of her kids every year and hangs them up in her home.

I love this idea!

Tonight I was bored bored bored. I've been home all day with my sick babes so I decided to give it a whirl and make my own for our room.

We have this great old dresser, it needed some love, what better way to decorate it than to hang silhouettes of our love children....

I think it came out fabulously!

And, it only cost $20. Costco sales frames on the cheap!

two 11X14 sized frames + matting = $19.99

one profile picture + microsoft word + a printer + black construction paper + detail scissors

= a great way to spend a cold-sick-stuck-in-the-house-kind of day...

And O how I love borrowed ideas!

Dear Parents,

If your kids are sick, please do not take them to church and put them in the nursery with my kids!! I am not blaming a particular person, this is just an overall annoyance to me! It's so annoying in fact, that this morning I contemplated putting my own sick kids in the nursery just to infect all the other kids who may have gotten my kids sick - and then me sick - and then Jeff sick.... But, my thoughtfully-kind and ever-patient husband stepped in and banished us to the house. So please, if your kids have green gunk coming out of their eyes, nose, mouth... whatever - stay home. If they are coughing wildly or just plane coughing - stay home. A fever - stay home.... If they show any signs of sickness - please do stay home.

That way we can hopefully stay a bit more well this sick season, especially us pregnant ladies! I know it stinks to miss out on things like church, and other social gatherings but it stinks even more to be up all night with your kids because they can't breath, or to deal with them being exceptionally emotional and irritable because they do not feel well!

Just stay home. And if in doubt.....

Stay home!

It's like Magic!

A few things cross my mind when I look at these pictures.

1. I heart gritty photos... OH MY, do I enjoy them! (35mm f/1.4 1600 iso)

2. Seeing Christmas through them is like being reborn.

3. Our new Christmas train is absolutely delightful!

4. My husband is a stud!

5. How on earth do I get to be a part of this family, let alone be the mother?

God is so good!

Marshman Kids: Christmas Edition

I love my crew!

Christmas Teaser

We took the kids out today to photograph them in their Christmas outfits.

Our kids may be the worst we've ever photographed in terms of compliance and good attitude.

We left feeling stressed - frustrated - and almost out of love with one another.....

Merry Christmas, more photos to come!

Henry Hearts Snow White!

My boy loves Snow White!! He will sit and watch this movie from start to finish and not be distracted. One time, Georgia and I were upstairs getting ready for the day and Henry wondered down to watch it replay. It was way too quiet and I did not know where he was.... Lo and behold, I found him nestled on the couch sucking his pass - wide-eyed! He has even started to sing the little song, "hi ho hi ho" that the seven dwarfs sing in the movie. It is ridiculous and hilarious all at the same time. Jeff is thinking that we need to bust out Indiana Jones soon to help counter act all of this feminine koolaid we've been feeding Henry. I simply think we are training him to be an excellent - sensitive - caring husband!

Jeff bought it up until he saw Henry put a piece of broccoli in his mouth tonight and proceed to chew it up and swallow it. I think that was the last straw for him haha!!

Here's to raising manly baby boys!!! Hi Ho!

My other babies

Don't know what I'd do without these two sweet babes!

I heart them!!

and, I've got plans to make them a big sister and brother sometime next year, Lord Willing....

Hello Sunshine! :)

Point and Shoot Recap Part 3: Our day trip

Last month we took a day trip to the creation museum and Ikea. I was reminded of how much we enjoy road trips, especially with a DVD player in the backseat of the car for our kids.

The dinosaurs were epic. You would have thought Georgia found the land of chocolate, she was so excited. Her volume kept getting louder and louder as she saw more dinosaurs.

and as always, we enjoyed all the time with Jeff!

and we had a car picnic... We're big fans of car picnics. I think they would have every meal like this if they could.

And we were in love :)

And, we saw a truck named after us...

And we tired our kids out at Ikea... That place is insane, they were insane, we ran through almost the whole store which was insane, and I think we nearly got kicked out for it! The risk was worth it though.... They slept most of the way home!

Point and Shoot Recap part 2:

For some reason, my boy is not a fan of gum and all that is associated with it; such as popping, chewing, holding, etc. He is curious however... Fearfully curious. I caught his reaction on film a few weeks ago and man O man... Every time I watch it I can't help but crack up. Enjoy.