Highlights from a Month of Celebrating

December is a month of anticipation.  Our boys have loved our nightly advent readings, songs, candles, and getting to place one more character from the Nativity scene up on the advent calendar.  Indeed, they are excited about Christmas and when asked they will likely say they are most excited about the presents they are convinced are coming their way.  Well, we've got some work to do in shaping their desires and attitudes towards Christmas, but at least they're honest?
This month began with Michael gone most evenings as he prepared for our church's "Lessons and Carols" weekend (the 8th and 9th).  This is the second year that he has had the honor of directing the performance and it did not disappoint.  He works closely with our Worship director and his administrative assistant, and I am so grateful for how the three of them work together - since this is a second job for Michael, he couldn't do this without them.  This is also the second year that Noah has been able to participate in the event, as a member of the Children's Choir.  The whole evening drew us in and pointed us towards the beauty of Salvation through the birth of Jesus, born as a lamb, in a humble stable.  At one point, I just melted into a puddle as I sat in the front row with Noah, Ethan, and my Grandma as the choir began singing Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium" which sung in Latin means:

O great mystery
and wondrous sacrament,
that animals should see the newborn Lord
lying in their manger.

Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy
to bear the Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia!

And as the choir began, I could see both my son, Ethan, and his Daddy begin to direct the piece together.  I just couldn't keep it in.

My Grandma Erickson (who is 90!) flew from Minnesota to Raleigh where my parents picked her up and brought her to Charlottesville just so she could come see Lessons and Carols.  The boys LOVED spending time with their Great-Grandma.  Noah said, "She's so fun!"  After she arrived, the boys quickly took her on a tour of our little home and ten minutes later I wondered where they had gone.  I found them all in Noah's room where he was pulling out his "snap circuits" to show her, and she was just giggling with delight.  She also taught us all a little Norwegian:

My parents and Michael's parents were both in town that same weekend!  It was wonderful to have everybody here at the same time and very gracious of our neighbor to let some of them stay in her home.

This past week also brought lots of celebrating as Noah gave his first piano recital performance of "Away in a Manger" at Grace Church in Keswick.  He did such a great job!!  He is thoroughly enjoying his lessons with Lenora Conway.  She is so patient and challenges Noah's musical mind.

On Tuesday evening, Michael's Third and Fourth Grade Choruses gave their concert which was diverse in tradition and song.  They did a wonderful job, performing for their supportive parents who packed the auditorium and gave them a standing ovation!  Michael is incredibly blessed to have such a supportive base of parents at his school.  The Fourth Grade chorus closed the program with "Dona Nobis Pacem" or "Give Us Peace" and Michael introduced the piece with a quote from  Leonard Bernstein in response to last weeks' tragedy in Connecticut. 

"This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, and more devotedly than ever before."

This was so well received, one parent passed a recording of the performance along to a local public radio station who aired it, along with the sentiment, the following evening!

Ethan also had a chance to perform this week in his first preschool Christmas program.  Michael and Noah even took off from school a little bit to be there.  Ethan smiled widely from ear to ear to see his family watching him, this time.  His teachers are so sweet to have the children sing songs and recite poems that point them to Jesus.  We are grateful to have such a delightful preschool in our church.  Here is Ethan afterwards with his good friend, Katherine.  If you want to see some short clips from their program, here is the link.

Today, we have three days left before Christmas, our Christmas cards are yet to go out, but we eagerly await the coming of the baby King!  It is good to stop in the middle of this busy season and be grateful.

Five months...

Here's to an evening at home, awaiting the arrival of hurricane Sandy, and no school tomorrow!  It has been five months since we last posted anything on this blog.  I could give reasons for this, but admittedly, I have taken the easy way out of blogging by instead letting Facebook simply document life for me.  It's been easier to post quick Instagram pictures, quotes from my children, and do status updates that would remind me of where we were at the time rather than go into a description of all the wonderful and challenging things that have filled our lives most recently.  The fact that it has been THIS long is giving me pause in returning to it at all.  What is the purpose of all this "documenting?" Is it purely for the sake of memory keeping?  Well, I do find on-line journaling to be a LOT easier than the whole scrapbooking, creative memories route, but it's not just that.  Even sharing pictures is not as much of a reason to blog anymore as there are other avenues to do that as well.
Okay, here's the point at which I'm supposed to share something profound and meaningful about blogging....
Really, my goal here is to write, without obligation, a story about what God has done and is doing in our lives.  It's okay if it's messy and simple and out of chronological order and REAL.  I'm seeing the need in my life for some more Grace with myself.  It sure has taken me long enough.  As busy as these last several months have been and as busy as the family forecast for this year looks - we're in store for LOTS of areas for us all to grow in Grace with each other and ourselves.  So, I'm giving myself Grace with this blog and pardoning the last 5 months of family memories (since I keep a journal of them all anyways).  So, maybe this means I'll blog more?  I'd like to.  In this season of life, my free evenings are few and full of all the things I wish I could have gotten to all day, but couldn't.  Since blogging requires some level of inspiration and thinking, I am less likely to do it in the evenings - I've already spent my brain-cells for the day on trying to think of creative ways to teach my children how to love those around them well and who God has made them to be (which is a poetic way of saying, I spend a lot of time refereeing arguments and feel like I'm talking to a brick wall).
So, what's the future of this blog?  I guess we'll just have to see.  When those moments of inspiration are found you'll get a peek at them.  But this past week, there has been some inspiration.  Last Thursday, October 25, we lost a very precious family member.  Noah and Ethan's Great-grandma Nana, Michael's Nana, and Dottie's Mom, Carmen Merrill passed away from this life.  She was 95 years young and an inspiration to all of us.  When we heard that she was fading, we seized the opportunity to go say good-bye to Nana and were grateful for the chance to all be together as she passed into eternity.  As Matthew, Kerry, and Kieran joined us on Friday, we joyfully gathered around the piano that evening at Mom and Dad's house and sang her favorite hymns, celebrating the life she had that inspired her children and their families to love music as much as she did.  She played the piano even after most of her short-term memories had faded - that gift never left her and she passed it on to the generations to follow her.  We are blessed to have one of her pianos in our home and Noah is bubbling over with excitement as he just recently had his first piano lesson.  What a beautiful legacy.

Michael's Aunt Joan, Nana, and Mom at our wedding, August 2003

We are planning her memorial service, which will be in Chatham, NJ in a couple weeks and it is going to be full of some of her favorite pieces.  Thank you, Nana, for your inspiration, your legacy of music, and your love, all three of which you passed beautifully down right into our own little family.

NY Weekend!

 A couple weeks ago, we took the 8:30 BoltBus from D.C. after leaving Ethan with Grandma and Grandpa.  We arrived in Midtown at about 1:15 am!  Noah was a champion traveler, as usual, even though he was fighting a head cold.  We had the privilege of staying with some new friends just a block away from Matthew and Kerry's apartment.  So, Saturday morning, after sleeping in, we all got together for lunch before heading to Times Square to catch "Newsies!"  This was a combined Christmas present to Noah, Michael and I from Matthew and Kerry, Mom and Dad.  As you may already know, "Newsies" is one of Noah's favorite musicals and it is on Broadway for a limited engagement.  He choreographed "Seize the Day" at age two.

 Siobhan, Erin (Kerry's sisters) and Tom joined us for all the fun too!

 Then it was Mother's Day!  M & K decided, since a lot of family would already be in town, to baptize Kieran that day.  What a sweet way to celebrate being a Mother.  Ethan was also baptized on Mother's Day in Peru!  We had a big picnic at a nearby park for family and friends afterward.  You can see Michael quieting Kieran using the magical "Horsey Song" that always soothed his cousin Noah.  (c:

Kieran was a perfect angel for the baptism!  Way to go little man!

Strawberries!

This year we have to privilege of picking delicious organic strawberries from our very own CSA - Bellair Farm!  Both last week and today we got word that the strawberries were ripe for the picking and dashed over to help reap the harvest.

They have bunnies...

...and chickens too.

We're excited to try out this first season as a member of this Farm CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).  They have already been so delightful to work with and so generous with our share.  We've already taken home 3 bags of spinach, 2 dozen eggs, tomato plants, 6 pints of strawberries, and the season doesn't officially begin until this week.  The best part is that we can go visit the farm anytime!  Noah has a field trip there this week with his kindergarden class.  Way to go, Farmer Jamie and all your crew!!!

Little Pleasures...

...like getting see friends Sam & Becky Limmer get married at the Clifton Inn!!

...like popsicles on the first day of our farmer's market 

...like sweet peonies and little boys who like to help me in the kitchen

...like brothers, with a view from Montalto, waiting for Daddy to make it up the steep incline 5K!
                                   

...like bagpipes waiting for the runners at 8:30 am!!!

...like frisbees

...and TRACTORS!!

Sweet Spring Memories

Just after our last post, we had the chance to have a long awaited reunion with dear friends from college. Michael lived in the Rock House for two years of college at JMU. There were eight young men who grew very close in that tiny yellow house.

Ten years later, for the first time, five of these men came together again - bringing with them their families! We went to the Outer Banks, NC and stayed in a home that belongs to Brett's family. There were 22 of us, 12 of them being children!! At times it felt like a daycare center, except way more fun. It was so wonderful to be there altogether, and going through this stage of life at the same time. We sure missed having Mark, Bonker, and Thomas there - maybe next year, guys?

The following week, according to God's perfect timing, I had the joy of being a doula for Matthew and Kerry and helped bring their first son into the world. Kieran Michael Salvatierra was born on Saturday, March 10th, at 6:14 am in Brooklyn, NY. It was such a beautiful event to be a part of!! Thank you, again!!

Kieran's birth has further inspired my desire to begin my own birth doula practice in Charlottesville. Stayed tuned for my coming website!

Then Spring arrived...pretty early this year. As usual, we took lots of pictures with our cherry blossom tree.

Ethan loves to give Katherine rides on the back of his tricycle, especially amongst the pink "snow."

This little wooden bike didn't last us a week before falling apart. We are in need of our Papa to take a look at it. Thankfully, it was secondhand (so I didn't spend a whole lot for it) and it did give our boys a taste for how to ride a two wheeler! Both of them flew down the field to the park in back of our house by the second day we had it. I think we understand, now, why bikes are not normally constructed of wood. Boys are SO rough with them! They are lighter weight than the metal ones, though.

Noah got his yellow Karate belt! Kia!

Spring Break was a little different this year. Michael and I did sneak away for 2 nights up to Brooklyn, so he could meet Kieran. The rest of our break we tried to fit in some family fun around around all the rehearsals and services for Holy Week. One day we took the boys bowling for the first time; pretty adorable to watch them try to get that 6 pound ball all the way down the alley. Does getting mulch for the yard and playing outside count as fun, too?

Our neighborhood hosted a little Easter Eggstravaganza where we all got together to dye eggs! Such a sweet little tradition.

Easter Morning! Michael led the choir for all three services and Noah sang with the Children's choir for the last two. It was beautiful and brought tears to my eyes, as hearing children worship our Creator, usually does.

Our handsome young lads. Ethan wore Michael's little sailor suit of old. (c:

Amidst all the busyness of life right now, I'm grateful to have this moment to reflect once again all the ways God has provided for us and continues to do so in such incredibly intricate ways. He has given us so much to thank him for in our families, our friendships, our church, our neighborhood, our jobs - beautiful relationships in each of those places, that all continue to grow. We pray that these relationships would continue to deepen day by day and demonstrate to each other the love He has for us.

Four Birthdays, a Shower and a Valentine

Since posting our 400th blog post on Christmas Eve, it has been a full start to 2012. As usual, celebrating all four of our birthdays in four weeks' time doesn't really allow for an after Christmas slump. We may have a go at celebrating half birthdays in the summer just to break it up a bit...

For Noah's 6th Birthday, we brought in cake pops at lunchtime! Noah loves it when our whole family eats together in the cafeteria. After school, we learned that Sweet Frog gives you free FroYo on your birthday! (c: The next day, Michael had some special deliveries made to him at school from his "girlfriend," and Noah's kindergarten class was sure to sing "Happy Birthday" to Mr. Salvatierra.


That weekend we had a party for Noah at Explorations Play Studio with friends from school and our neighborhood. What a delightful place for a party!

Right after Noah's party, we went to our Small Group's game night at the Duxbury's and also surprised Michael with a little birthday celebration, complete with special appearance by Virginia's Scrabble Champion doing The Worm.

Two weeks later, I celebrated my birthday with some girlfriends at home, while Michael had choir practice. I loved getting time with those women! They were so sweet to even bring flowers and some thoughtful gifts. You can see some of the flowers on our new mantle. My Dad hand-crafted it and gave it to us for Christmas this year! It inspired us to paint the walls and do a little redecorating.

The following weekend, Dottie and I went up for Kerry's baby shower in Chappaqua, NY. Their little guy is arriving in March and I have the honor and privilege of being their doula! We are all eagerly awaiting the arrival of little "Finnbar" (the womb name).

On my way back home from NY, I picked-up the Nelson's car in Northern VA. They are graciously letting us borrow it as they are abroad this semester in Oxford! Thank you, Nelsons!!

Then Ethan turned 3...

We had a little party for him, inviting only his "favorite friend," Katherine and her family (The Scharfs). They had fun with Play-doh, making pinwheels, playing "pin the pinwheel on the stick," and having lunch with his "Liting-Keane" birthday cake for dessert. We're not much for sticking with a theme for a party.



After the party we all went to Staunton together. We watched a glass-blowing demonstration at Sunspots before we walked to Fretwell Bass where Michael picked-up his Christmas present, a beautiful Eastman A-style, mandolin! He'd been waiting very patiently to find just the right one and the time for us to go pick it up together. We had dinner all together at Shenandoah Pizza before heading home.

My little 3 year old! (in his favorite place in the kitchen)


Then it was Valentine's Day...


A week later, I had the joy of taking the boys to see The Lion King in Richmond! This was Ethan's first musical and he loved it! He was in my lap and sucking his thumb for the majority, but paying close attention. They were both very familiar with the music which I think helped them enjoy it more. We got to spend a snowy sleepover at Josh and Annmarie's and had lunch with Kristen Purdy and her kiddos the next day before heading back.


This coming weekend, we're headed to Duck, NC for the first Rock House (Michael's college roommates) Reunion! Hard to believe it's been 10 years since they graduated. We are so excited to see a bunch of dear friends - and all their kids!! There will be 12 kids, age 6 and under. Noah's the oldest - it is so crazy to imagine him as the oldest in any group! Should be a blast. This is assuming that Finnbar decides to hang in there a few more days or weeks (he's due on the the 11th).
We're so grateful for the life we've been given to live.