Appearing soon on the Home Shopping Network...

Ash: My bottom kind of itches.

Me: Hmmmmm...

Ash: Do you know what I wish?

Me: What?

Ash: That there was such thing as a bottom scratcher.
But then, you'd have to stick it down your pants.
At least you could scratch your bottom any time you wanted to.

A Thanksgiving Psalm

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.

Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation

#9 My Children

They interrupt my plans daily, make giant messes as they explore their creative ideas, argue and fight with each other, complain when they don't like what I've cooked for dinner and generally turn my Type A control tendencies on their head. Which is exactly what I need!

Having 3-going-on-4 kids has taught me the most valuable lessons of my life...

That I'm NOT in control of anything except my attitude.

How wonderful it is to look over my children's heads as they wrestle around and catch Nick's eyes, sharing feelings in a moment that no one else can ever experience with us.

Understanding that the unconditional love that my father God has for me feels a lot like the fierce love I have for my children...only His love is stronger. This amazes me!

That although I'm making many mistakes while raising my kids, they are turning out ok. I'm so proud of the young men that are growing up in our house. I'll get back to you on how a certain young lady turns out... ; )

That the sweetest time of the day is when I tiptoe into their room at night and look down at their peaceful sleeping faces. They are beautiful and my heart fills with such love that it hurts.

I am so thankful for these lessons and the many other blessings that my three children have brought to my life. How rich these years have been!

#8 My Church

I smiled as I sat in church today.

Hundreds of people sang as one; age, race and status forgotten as we stood together to thank our God. I noticed a friend's beautiful 12 month old daughter dancing in delight to the music, a middle-aged couple smiling fondly at each other as they sang, and Colin listening to the worshipping people with his arms wrapped tightly around Nick's neck.

A good church feels like home. The people care for each other like family should, and truth and love are doled out together. It's a place to serve and to be served. A place to be challenged and a place to be healed.

I'm thankful that my family has found such a church...so thankful.

# 7 Beautiful Fall Days

I am so thankful for this weather!

It's been like one last taste of summer before winter comes blowing in and confines us indoors, and we are loving it. Nick was able to take the boys on a three hour biking adventure to several parks on Sunday, and yesterday afternoon we drove out to the Apple Blossom Farm playground...had the entire place to ourselves. It was nicer than the day we'd visited in September!

Balmy days, crunchy leaves and beautiful fall colors make me happy.
Thankful to have a few more beautiful days to make some more family memories!

#6 Nick

The most meaningful person in my life is my husband Nick.

We met when we were 20 and started hanging out together about a year later. We'd spend hours mountain biking, hiking or just talking...and then a wonderful friendship turned into something more. He was my first kiss, we shared dreams of travel and adventure, and we made each other laugh.

Married when we were 24 (while Nick was a full-time college student), moved 3 times, enjoyed vacations in the snow and in the sun, went through several job changes and will have had 4 children in about 5 years...whew! It is unbelievable to think about the many major life changes, joys and hardships that have been crammed into our 6 years of married life.

What is even more unbelievable to me is the fact that we are better friends and more in love than we were at the beginning. He is the dreamer to my practicality. The free spirit to my planning...the optimist to my reality. He challenges me to see the adventure in change, to enjoy the journey instead of just waiting to arrive at our destination. He helps me look for something good in everyone. He reminds me that everything will work out...and it does.

This final note is not a typical story of romance, but this weekend, I was extremely sick. As in, vomiting all over the bed. And the floor. And my hair. Sick. It was a blur, but through my groggy eyes, all I could see was Nick as he leaped out of bed (several times), cleaned up the floor, tossed the bedding in the washing machine, wiped my face and made me comfortable.

"In sickness and in health..."
That's love.

#5 This Morning

Things I'm thankful for this morning...

Three children happily playing together around the dining room table. (Actually, two big brothers being very patient as their little sister repeatedly destroys the game they are trying to play...)

My once-a-week phone visit with my sis...just the distraction I need to help me get through the laundry!

A date with my handsome husband to the Trans Siberian Orchestra this afternoon...with FREE tickets! Doesn't get any better than that!

Nick is only working half the day today. It will be so wonderful to be able to share most of the weekend together.

Crunchy banana nut granola, sweatpants and a lazy weekend ahead...

#4 My Bed

I have been just LOVING my bed!

Don't know whether to blame it on these cold, dark days or my extreme fatigue this week, but there is no sweeter feeling than laying my head down on my pillow and snuggling in for the night. Mmmmmmm....

And, when my alarm goes off in the morning and it's STILL dark outside, forget about it! I burrow in for just a few more stolen minutes.

It's weird, I know, but I'm thankful for my cozy bed!

#3 Friends

I said a sad goodbye to a friend today. She and her family are moving 3 hours away, which is *just* too far for an easy day visit...hopefully we will get to enjoy a weekend together this summer!

This afternoon reminded me that I have some wonderful friends, a fact that really hit me when I turned 30 this year and realized just how rich these friendships have made my life.

I love how very different each of these friends are...for example, a domesticated musician with a dark wit and generous soul; a sweet and intuitive social worker who loves mysteries and vintage fashion; a strong and lovely mama with a penchant for gourmet cooking and deep writing; a joyful and loving woman who excels in embracing others with her kindness and compassion...different, and yet, these women (and others I am blessed to know) are the same.

They are honest. Real.

Trustworthy of my deepest, darkest secrets.

They are fiercely loyal to their husbands, families and loved ones. They love my family.

They know how to laugh at life and themselves. They have cried with me.

They realize intuitively that a good conversation involves equal amounts of talking and listening.

They are the kind of women you meet and wish you could share your life with...even if only for a little while.

And I am just lucky enough to have had that wish come true.

#2 My sister

Today I am thankful for my sister Liz.

She and her husband Rey are missionaries in the mountains of central Mexico, which is a lonely place for a vivacious American girl! I am thankful for her eternal optimism, her tenacious spirit and her willingness to serve in a place that makes nearly every aspect of her life difficult.

I am thankful for our Saturday phone conversations.

I am thankful for our inside jokes.

I am thankful for her honesty and for her willingness to listen to my *humble* opinions.

I am thankful for the childhood memories we share.

I am thankful for her wisdom.

So thankful for my little sister, Liz!

Thankful

My goal is to blog every day until Thanksgiving about one thing I am thankful for.
My sparse blogging recently seems to indicate my reaching that goal is doubtful, but let's see how I do!

#1 I am thankful for my life. I can honestly say it is richer and more satisfying than any of my girlhood daydreams...you'll see what I mean over the next 20-something days!

Edna Ferber

Wasn't marriage, like life, unstimulating and unprofitable and somewhat empty when too well ordered and guarded?

Wasn't it finer, more splendid, more nourishing,
when it was, like life itself,
a mixture of the sordid and the magnificent;
of mud and stars;
of earth and flowers;
of love and hate and laughter and tears and ugliness and beauty and hurt?

-Show Boat, 1926

First Day

Today was Asher's first day of Kindergarten.

He was so cute and excited as he went into his classroom and settled into his desk. His teacher, Mrs. Corey, is a wonderful woman with a loving heart...we will love sharing this school year with her!

What was your favorite thing about school today?
Snack time.

Who do you think will make a good friend in your class?
Emmy.

What was your favorite subject?
Learning shapes and sizes in Math.

What did you think about your teacher?
She was good.

Lake Michigan

For a perfect vacation...


You'll need water to swim in,




Sand dunes to jump from,





And lots of sand to play in.







Be sure to leave your watch at home.


Play until you're worn out.


But most of all, just enjoy being together.

Providence

Sometimes I just have to laugh at the way things work out.

As many of you know, Nick's job was filled by a tenured teacher, and in spite of putting in applications and going to several interviews over the summer, the competition for the few available jobs was so stiff that he was still unemployed five days ago.

To put things into perspective, school begins tomorrow.

So, we were resigned to the fact that Nick would somehow be able to find enough remodeling/carpentry work to pay the bills this school year, and he would try to find a teaching job again next fall.

On Tuesday, Nick received a call from the principal at his former school. The principal informed him that the woman who had filled Nick's job had decided to go back to her previous job in administration, which left Nick's job open for his return! The principal is a wonderful man who has been so supportive of Nick, always holding out hope that he could somehow find a place for Nick to teach at his school. He said, "I give you permission for this phone call to make your day!" Did it EVER!

So, Nick begins the school year tomorrow. Look out kids, Mr. Hausam is baaaaaaack!!!

New Addition

As many of you already know, we are expecting a little "surprise" on January 23rd. I was absolutely shocked when we found this out, and had to struggle with strong feelings of disappointment for several weeks.

Disappointment that the wonderful women I know that pray with tears for a baby still have empty arms, while I will be adding to the three I already have.

Disappointment that I have to go through nine months of being pregnant, then labor and delivery. Enough said!

Disappointment that I will have to somehow figure out how to juggle all my responsibilities while being a good mom to EACH of my children...finding that time seems overwhelming.

Disappointment with myself for my horrible attitude.

In all honesty, I was angry that I am not in control of my life. Which means, I was angry at God. It was a difficult two weeks, but also a wonderfully heart-altering two weeks. I scrawled "GOD DOESN'T MAKE MISTAKES!" across the dry-erase board in my kitchen. I meditated on scriptures that spoke of God's wisdom and providence. I thought and prayed and listened to advice.

I now realize that this child will be an amazing part of our family. That we won't be able to imagine our lives without them...

I can't wait to meet our new baby!


PS. Here are the current name suggestions from Asher and Colin:

Boy: Indiana Jones Hausam or John Fighter Hausam

Girl: Miss Rose Hausam, Miss Prettyface Hausam or Paprika Hausam

Trip

I can't believe we've already been home for a week! We had such a wonderful time white water rafting, hiking, kayaking, exploring new towns, and just being together. I think my favorite part was simply the time we had to relax without kids, interruptions or any place to be...time to remember what it's like just being us.

Home Again

We had a wonderful trip...returned sunburned, tired and happy.
More details soon...

Goodbye

Nick and I are off to enjoy the great outdoors, good food and each other.
See you later!

The Letter

This letter is a gem of a train wreck - I can't look away! It is the perfect example of the unfortunate reality of many family holiday celebrations. I realize we are nowhere near any major holiday, but every time I read this I laugh. Enjoy...

From: Marney

As you all know a fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner does not make itself. I need to ask each of you to help by bringing something to complete the meal. I truly appreciate your offers to assist with the meal preparation.

Now, while I do have quite a sense of humor and joke around all the time, I COULD NOT BE MORE SERIOUS when I am providing you with your Thanksgiving instructions and orders. I am very particular, so please perform your task EXACTLY as I have requested and read your portion very carefully. If I ask you to bring your offering in a container that has a lid, bring your offering in a container WITH A LID, NOT ALUMINUM FOIL! If I ask you to bring a serving spoon for your dish, BRING A SERVING SPOON, NOT A SOUP SPOON! And please do not forget anything.

All food that is to be cooked should already be prepared, bring it hot and ready to serve, warm or room temp. These are your ONLY THREE options. Anything meant to be served cold should, of course, already be cold.

HJB—Dinner wine

The Mike Byron Family
1. Turnips in a casserole with a lid and a serving spoon. Please do not fill the casserole all the way up to the top, it gets too messy. I know this may come as a bit of a surprise to you, but most of us hate turnips so don’t feel like you a have to feed an army.
2. Two half gallons of ice cream, one must be VANILLA, I don’t care what the other one is. No store brands please. I did see an ad this morning for Hagan Daz Peppermint Bark Ice Cream, yum!! (no pressure here, though).
3. Toppings for the ice cream.
4. A case of bottled water, NOT gallons, any brand is ok.

The Bob Byron Family
1. Green beans or asparagus (not both) in a casserole with a lid and a serving spoon. If you are making the green beans, please prepare FOUR pounds, if you are making asparagus please prepare FIVE pounds. It is up to you how you wish to prepare them, no soupy sauces, no cheese (you know how Mike is), a light sprinkling of toasted nuts, or pancetta, or some EVOO would be a nice way to jazz them up.
2. A case of beer of your choice (I have Coors Light and Corona) or a bottle of clos du bois chardonnay (you will have to let me know which you will bring prior to 11/22).

The Lisa Byron Chesterford Family
1. Lisa as a married woman you are now required to contribute at the adult level. You can bring an hors d’ouvres. A few helpful hints/suggestions. Keep it very light, and non-filling, NO COCKTAIL SAUCE, no beans of any kind. I think your best bet would be a platter of fresh veggies and dip. Not a huge platter mind you (i.e., not the plastic platter from the supermarket).

The Michelle Bobble Family
1. Stuffing in a casserole with a serving spoon. Please make the stuffing sans meat.
2. 2.5-3 qts. of mashed squash in a casserole with a lid and serving spoon
3. Proscuitto pin wheel – please stick to the recipe, no need to bring a plate.
4. A pie knife

The June Davis Family
1. 15 LBS of mashed potatoes in a casserole with a serving spoon. Please do not use the over-size blue serving dish you used last year. Because you are making such a large batch you can do one of two things: put half the mash in a regulation size casserole with lid and put the other half in a plastic container and we can just replenish with that or use two regulation size casserole dishes with lids. Only one serving spoon is needed.
2. A bottle of clos du bois chardonnay

The Amy Misto Family (why do I even bother she will never read this)
1. A pumpkin pie in a pie dish (please use my silver palate recipe) no knife needed.
2. An apple pie in a pie dish, you can use your own recipe, no knife needed.

Looking forward to the 28th!!

Marney

from awkwardfamilyphotos.com

Four

Colin is such a special boy.

For example...
Yesterday, I was weeding the flower bed along the front of the house, and Colin came out to see what I was doing. He said he wanted to help me and then proceeded to weed with me not only the front bed, but also all the way down the side of the house. When we finished, he asked for a broom so he could sweep up the driveway. And then he decided to sweep off the trampoline.

This is classic Colin. He loves to look for ways he can help others, which is so rare for a child of his age. I often "catch" him assisting his little sister or offering to help his big brother.

He is thoughtful and tender towards his friends and always so willing to share his favorite things. For example, Ash has been playing with Colin's new birthday toys all day today...I hope Colin's good example is rubbing off!

Colin's loving heart and serving attitude point toward the kind of man he will be. A leader who is not afraid to get his hands dirty. A friend with open hands who is not afraid to laugh or cry with those he loves. Most of all, a son who will always be fiercely loved by his proud mom.

Happy birthday, Col!

Interview with the birthday boy:

What is your favorite color?
Blue, like my eyes.

Favorite food?
My birthday breakfast. It was waffles and blueberries.

Least favorite food?
Soup.

Favorite vehicle?
Convertible.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Police man.

What's your favorite animal?
Giraffes and zebras.

What do you not like to do?
I don't like to play with bad guys.

Mistaken Identity

I took the kids on a bike ride to our local park yesterday. It was one of those perfect summer days where it seems like a crime to stay indoors.

Anyway, as we rolled into the park, I noticed the playground was covered with kids running and climbing wildly around...so much for an easy going afternoon. We arrived at the playground and Colin and Ash just stayed on their bikes, studying the craziness. Suddenly, a middle-school aged girl pointed at Ash and shouted, "Look at him! He's so cute!"

Her friends gathered around and were shrieking, "He looks like a movie superstar!"

"Who is it he looks like? Oh, I can't think of his name...Jacob!!!! Jacob from the Twilight movies!!!!"

They stared in awe down at Ash, as he looked back at them from his bike with no idea of what was going on.

Later, when we were biking home, Colin said, "Mom, why didn't they say I looked like a superstar?"

"Because they're just silly girls, Col." Always remember that.

PS. I nearly forgot that this particular visit to the park also included a dirty little boy chasing kids around with a dead bird in his hands. Let's just say my reaction was his introduction to the fear of God.

Overwhelmed

It's been a busy summer. Things have been happening left and right, leaving me feeling quite a bit overwhelmed.

I found myself sitting in church on Sunday, listening to my pastor talk about seasons of life, and I decided to give up. To stop whining internally about the crazy life of self-denial that is the life of a mom. To accept the way things are now and be willing to wait on some of my dreams. A specific dream I let go of was that of going on a trip with Nick...just the two of us. "Hopefully we'll get to go on a trip for our 10th anniversary (4 years from now)," is the literal decision I came to.

Fast forward thirty minutes. The church service is complete, and I'm sitting with my kids at a table as they munch on donuts. Nick and I are suddenly surrounded by friends and a gift is placed in our hands. As I realized what they'd given us, I couldn't help but cry.

Our amazing friends had joined together to send Nick and I on a trip for 3 nights. They'd arranged accomidations, planned activities and provided loving places for our children to stay. I was (and still am) overwhelmed.

Only now, instead of being overwhelmed by fatigue, self-pity or discouragement, I am overwhelmed by the love of the incredible people in my life. I feel their arms around me and am lifted and encouraged in this season I'm in.

And I can't wait to escape for a few days!

Really?!!

Ok, I overheard this unbelievable conversation today...

The scene: a man and slightly plump little girl (around the age of 3) sitting at a table eating donuts. The girl has simply eaten the frosting off the top of her donut and is sitting there. The man notices.

Man (angrily): "Don't eat that donut like a FAT person!!! Eat the whole thing!!!"

Girl: picks up her donut and begins to nibble at it.

Man (still angry): "I never want to see that again! There's very little nutrition in a donut, and when you just eat the frosting, you're not getting ANY of it(nutrition)!!!"

I wanted to bang my head against the wall.

Birthday Boy

I can clearly remember May 18, 2005. I had my first contraction at 1:30 am, labored through the night and saw the sun rise through my window. The experience of seeing morning come made me feel like I had been in labor forever...and that it would never end.

I am somewhat ashamed to say that I was not eager to be pregnant or have a child at this point in my life. Nick and I had not even celebrated our first anniversary, he was working and going to school full time, we lived in a very unfinished house...and I was reluctant to have our lives and freedom hampered by the responsibility of adding a baby to it all.

What changed my attitude? The miracle of a squirmy, wet, purplish little boy. Our son. We named him Asher, which means happy and blessed; one who walks a straight path. It was his name and also our prayer for him. His life and heart have exceeded our greatest expectations...I could not be more proud of my boy!

I interviewed him today...to record a bit of the five year old Asher:

What do you want to do when you grow up?
Help Dad build houses.

What are your favorite foods?
Chili dogs and ice cream.

Favorite toy?
I love all my new Legos.

What's your favorite animal?
The rhino, because it has horns and it's tough.

Your favorite vehicle?
Army Jeep.

Favorite color?
Red.

Happy birthday to my sweet Asher...

And thank you, God, for knowing I needed him.

i saw what i saw

Let the Ride Begin

Nick lost his job.

There, I've said it.

How do I feel? Amazingly, I feel peace. Security. The feeling that everything will be fine. I admit, it's been a journey to reach this place, but I'm here and I'm excited to see the ways that God will work to provide for our family.

Our school district is in upheaval right now...fighting parental apathy, closing schools, letting many, many teachers go. Nick just happens to be nontenured, the group of teachers first on the chopping block, so his position will be filled by a tenured teacher. There are hundreds of teachers applying for few openings, so his prospects for next year are fairly non-existant.

When the news of his (indefinite?) unemployment sank in, I felt a bit of panic. We have three small children, monthly bills, house payments, food...how would we stay above water? Nick is a very skilled carpenter, so I knew he could be self employed in that way, but the uncertainty of steady income scared me.

I began to think about several things:
1. I want Nick to love the work he does. And, he LOVES the satisfaction of working with his hands - he finds great fulfillment in seeing a project from beginning to end.

2. I KNOW God will provide. He is good, He is our Father, and from the day Nick and I were married He has been so faithful to meet our family's needs. I am foolish to ask for proof of how He will provide, when He has given such ample evidence of his faithfulness.

3. It is good for me to live by faith. To trust that we will be given our daily bread. To marvel with my children at the way God meets our needs. To embrace a simple life - one without frills and excess and clutter. To live in the excited joy of met needs and answered prayers. To be stretched when circumstances aren't easy.

The next year or so will be interesting for us. I sense that it will be a pivotal time in our family's story...can't wait to see what happens!

Hmmm

From Colin, in the backseat of the van:

"Mom, could you turn on some girly music? Like Hannah Montana?"

Asher, talking to himself at the table:

"Oreo Training Toothpaste! Moms want it! And kids love it!"

Drat that tv in the kid's room at the gym.

Worldview

Ash came up to me while I was preparing lunch today and asked, "Why are we having peanut butter and jelly sandwiches again?"

I told him in a conversational way that we should be glad that we have pb&j, because there are kids in Africa right now that are very hungry. Kids that would LOVE to have a sandwich to eat. Kids that might only have a little water to drink today.

He said, "oh." And left the kitchen.

A few minutes later, I'd forgotten the conversation, but Ash came in and said brightly, "Mom! I just prayed for the kids in Africa! So they could have food!"

I felt so glad as I heard those words, but as I turned to praise him, I saw his eyes. They were wet and blotchy, and my heart broke. Asher had been weeping for those hungry boys and girls on the other side of the world. I held him in my arms, and he cried some more.

We talked about some things we could do to make a difference. Ash's face showed huge relief and joy at the thought of finding a child in Africa to send money for food, clothes and schooling.

I wonder about my boy. About a four year old with a heart so big that he would cry with empathy for children he has never seen. A boy so generous that he told me to take all of his money for these children because he "doesn't need it." What kind of man will he be? How will he be used by God? How will he serve? How can I guide and encourage him so he never loses this way of seeing the world?

My heart is so full.

Wish

Colin looked up from his breakfast and said, "I wish there was a kind of eyebrow that didn't have a space over your nose. One that was connected all the way across."

I made him very happy when I told him that this kind of eyebrow did indeed exist.

In real life.

Marriage

Sometimes crying together brings you closer
than anything else could.

Cemetery

This may sound strange, but I enjoy taking my boys on bike rides through our local, historic cemetery. It's quiet and peaceful, and I don't have to worry about my little bikers getting in the way of joggers or cars.

It's also a wonderful way to show them that death is a part of life.

To talk about heaven.

To think about the kind of legacy I want to leave behind.

To remind myself that I have these three children for a short and fragile bit of time...that although my days may seem long, my moments with them are precious.

I want my moments with them to matter for eternity.

Spring

I am sick at home
and thinking of Spring.

Colin's Prayer

Lord, shanks for our food.
Shanks that we believe in you.
Shanks that we have the whole world to explore.
Shanks that we are always with our mom and dad and our little sister Eva
Amen.

Revelation

I felt like the clouds parted today, and I had a revelation.

It happened as I was teaching the boys. Eva fell, so I was holding and comforting her as I attempted to teach the boys about greater & less, counting pennies, and other wonderful "math" topics.

It was during this crazy moment that I realized how our family will thrive during our years of homeschooling. It may be messy, but we will be together. Learning and sharing life in a way unique to our family...in a way Nick and I have chosen as best for our family.

I have been in love with the idea of homeschooling, but tepid at the thought of actually doing it. Today, I felt joy as I realized how right it feels to be with my children as they learn, grow, question, laugh and change. At that moment, I felt the privilege and not the sacrifice, and for that I am grateful.