I was supposed to blog last week about a book that the publisher sent me.  Ooops!

Anyway, because I’m a slacker, here is the review that I should have done a few days ago:

White Picket Fences
by Susan Meissner

A second novel, this book was really well written.  I enjoyed the story and the characters, as well as the way that she tied the historical events into the present day.  The book centers on the Janvier family, a middle-class suburban family who seems to have it all together.  They are a hard-working, church-going, 2 kids-and-a-dog, normal American family. But when a niece unexpectedly comes to stay indefinitely, the serenity (and seeming perfection) of their lives begins to quickly unravel.  The family members must deal with their secrets, and both individually and together, they begin to acknowledge and address mysteries from the past (both distant and recent) which threaten to destroy their “perfect” American lives. 

I do recommend the book.  It’s plot will keep you turning pages until the very end.

For more information on the book, check out: http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400074570&ref=externallink_wbp_whitepicketfences_sec_0916_01

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

We did a driving tour of central southwest Ohio yesterday.

Morning Leg:
Home – 270S – 71S – Jeffersonville
West to Cedarville (via SR35 & SR72)

Afternoon Leg:
North to Springfield (via 72) to Wittenberg
Springfield to I70 on 40
I70 East to Home

It was a really nice day to drive, and we got to see some people and eat lunch with my mom. 

I also stopped at the Jeffersonville Outlets and bought pajamas for the babies (yay for huge sales and 15% off coupons!).  I have had a bear of a time finding things for them in size 12m.  Seriously…lots of 9m clothes…lots of 18m.  But apparently, year-old babies don’t need clothes (or pj’s or hats/gloves or whatever it is I’m looking for!).  Sheesh!

As for today, the babies were up really early (for them).  I wanted to sleep for another half-hour, but they disagreed. 

And, sadly, we are not going to make it to my church’s moms group again.  We haven’t made it once this fall.  But it only meets once a month, and our “sickness” routine has been 2-3 weeks of coldishness, 1-2 weeks of well.  And so far, the Moms2Moms meetings have fallen during our sick weeks.  And this week is no exception.  Sigh.

But I think our staying home will have one good side effect. Since the babies didn’t nap much at all yesterday, may not get good naps tomorrow, and never get enough sleep on Sundays…well, skipping today’s meeting will mean a good morning nap!  For them anyway…I have a long to-do list to work on for the next two days.  So no nap for me!

Anyway, off to the rest of the day.  Happy Friday!

It’s Veterans’ Day (thanks to all our soldiers!)…but that also means – it’s Eric’s birthday! 

Happy Birthday to my fabulous husband, who’s a wonderful daddy and the best friend I’ve ever had!  We love you!

I know it shouldn’t surprise me, but it does.  God really does answer prayer.

For those who prayed for Stellan yesterday, and don’t really follow the story, here’s the full update.

But the short version is that it looks like Stellan’s surgery was completely successful.  It looks as if, barring an unforeseen complication, that little boy now has a perfectly healthy heart.

And I still have trouble believing it. 

Even though I prayed all day, in faith, in accordance with Scripture (as best I knew how), I was still a bit surprised at that amazing of an outcome.  The doctors were saying there was a 20% chance of complete solution.  And that is exactly what happened.  And I was amazed.

I think I need to work on my prayer life, my faith life, and my belief in the power of God on our behalf.  Because he really is an awesome God who does marvelous things in our lives (or Stellan’s in this particular case!) when we completely rely on him.  To God be all the glory!

Of course, there are a few recovery prayer requests, if you don’t mind me mentioning them.  Stellan has a hematoma in his groin from where they went in to access his heart that is restricting blood flow to his leg.  They need it to dissipate so that leg isn’t damaged.  He also has some infection in his lung and a fever.  So he is not out of the woods yet, by any means. 

But he survived his surgery and, God willing, will never have his heart problem again.  Yippee!  Praise God! 

Just thought I’d share…you guys are awesome prayer partners.  I’m so glad to have you all around!

We spent the weekend at the farm. 

Reasons I like going to the farm:

• I get lots of help with diaper changing, feeding, watching, holding, and otherwise adoring babies.
• They’ve got dial-up web access and bad cell coverage, so we are pretty much unplugged when we’re there.
• It’s a nice change to go to a little country church where everybody is family.
• The babies are finally starting to sleep better when we’re there.  Wahoooo!
• Lots of good chatting with my MIL and the extended fam.
• Eric gets to hang out with his brothers and just catch up (and sometimes he gets to “play” farmer, too).

Reasons I like coming home from the farm:

• Sleeping in my own bed
• Having Eric all to myself on the drive home
• Getting plugged back in again
• Listening to my babies play while I type on the computer
• Not having to be “on” all the time (and be social)

Seriously, though, I do love the farm.  It’s a great place to get away.  And it’s always nice to come home, too.  Of course, now I have to put our house back together and do laundry (is that all I ever do these days?!?).  But it should be a low-key day otherwise.

But for some, today is not even remotely low-key.  If you can, please pray for Stellan.  He just turned one at the end of October.  He’s supposed to have heart surgery today (it had to be moved up from tomorrow), and it’s major, major surgery.  But they’re struggling to keep him stable until that time (check out his mom’s tweets).  It’s seriously starting to be life-or-death for this little guy.  So yay…please pray for him.

(or staircase…as the case may be!)

I’m SO annoyed that the casino amendment passed. 

Bible study is really good this session.  Learning to be a biblical wife.  Nothing like a good, biblical explanation of submission to get the blood racing!

I realized last night that I’m slogging through a bit of a quagmire this week.  I haven’t been good about taking my thoughts captive recently.  My clutter is discouraging me, but my gumption to clean during the day is nil.  I miss some friends I haven’t seen in a while.  I miss thinking big thoughts.  I want to read again, but I’ve had trouble focusing enough to do it.  I need to kick my butt back into gear.

I’m glad you all haven’t left Xanga.  I think it is worth the time (no matter how little time it can be spared).  I miss the Xangals who have exited.   Or maybe I just need more good friends IRL…

Have I mentioned how annoyed I am that casinos are legal in Ohio?

I need to make Christmas lists.  Can’t believe it’s already (or getting really close) the holiday season, (which does include Thanksgiving in my world)!

The Christmas gifts I ordered for my nieces are done, and I’m going to pick them up today.  Can’t wait to see them!!

I have to get a birthday gift for a 7-year old girl, and I have NO good ideas.  Any suggestions?

Okay, that pretty much covers my thoughts for this morning.  Happy Wednesday!

On Sunday morning, we brought the babies downstairs to feed them their breakfast (oatmeal and fruit). 

Eric went back upstairs to shower.  I fed the babies and put them in their “baby pasture” in the living room while I ate my breakfast. 

About 10 minutes later, I heard Erin making distressed noises (not crying, but not happy).  After a couple of minutes of that, I went to investigate.

It turns out that the gate at the bottom of the stairs had been left open.  I thought it was closed.

My babies can climb stairs.

I found Erin about three steps up, fussing, but not going any further. Alex was nowhere to be seen.  I guess she was upset that he had left her on the stairs.

In a panic, I called Alex’s name.  Eric answered from upstairs, “He’s here in the bedroom with me.”  I breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Sure enough, Alex had climbed the entire staircase by himself, crawled into our bedroom, and was waiting for Eric when he came out of the bathroom.  Yikes!

Apparently, I have a climber on my hands. 

Apparently, he was not listening during all the (multiple) times I’d told him that climbing stairs was only permissible with Mommy or Daddy behind him. 

Apparently, I will have to make sure that gate is always closed, whether I’m in the room or not. 

Some recent shots of the babies for your enjoyment…happy weekend!

I probably won’t have time to update tomorrow morning, so I’ll put something up tonight.  Lucky you guys!

The weekend was pretty full because Kimberly got married.  WOOHOO!

Friday night, Eric took pictures for them at the rehearsal, so I hung out with my parents who were watching Jason for Karen who was also at the rehearsal.  Eric skipped the rehearsal dinner and came home in time to put babies to bed.  Then Michelle and her family joined us for the night. 

Saturday morning, Michelle had to be at the hair place at 9:00 am, but Chris and the girls hung out at our house for a while.  They seemed to have fun playing to different toys.  And we watched Finding Nemo.  And every so often, one of Michelle’s twins would come into the kitchen and look at me, wait for me to greet her, and then smile at me and leave.  I’m not sure if it was one who did it multiple times or if both were doing it.  But it was kind of funny.

Anyway, the afternoon and evening was spent at Kimberly’s lovely wedding.  And it really was lovely.  My sister sang during the service.  The couple was too cute.  The cake was yummy.  I got to take fun pictures for them (Eric was the unofficial reception photographer…I helped!).  And I got to talk to family and friends I don’t often get to see. 

It’s amazing how tired someone else’s wedding can make me!

Sunday was spent relaxing between church services.  Nothing too exciting to report.

But speaking of exciting reports, the babies are doing such fun things these days.

• Alex has taken to sticking his lower lip out in a little pout.  But he’s not really pouting.  It’s just a pose.
• They love grilled cheese.  Erin will suck the cheese out from the bread slices sometimes.
• Erin now has 3 teeth on the top.
• I wish Alex would get some teeth on top.  Then maybe we could all go back to sleeping all night again.
• I took the twins out to “play” in the leaves on the ground today.  I got some pictures.  I’ll post them later.
• At the wedding, my dad entertained the twins by pushing them around in their side-by-side stroller.  Alex rode the entire time, leaning back like he was too cool.  Erin sat up at the front and bounced around excitedly.  And the faster my dad went, the more bouncy she got.
• Both babies are pushing off things to stand on their own. Alex is quite good at it now.

Okay, I need to stop now, I think, and go to bed.  I will post pictures soon.  Happy Monday (what’s left of it)!