Selflessness & Love

Often this blog is filled with pictures of the kids, and the day to day happenings of life but this isn't such a post. Allow me to share just a bit of my heart and what I've been pondering lately...

My Grandma Struble, my mom's mom, was an amazing woman, she loved Jesus and she loved others. I only got to know her 27 years which was way too short but I picked up as much as I could in our time together. Recently a quilt she made has caused me to think about her life and her legacy of selflessness and love.

She was born and raised in the Ohio countryside and to this day all her family is still there. She grew up on a family farm and never went far from home except a brief fun stint in California as a single lady. By the sovereignty and goodness of God she crossed my Grandpa's path. I can't remember exactly how but they became pen pals while my Grandpa served in the war. After the war they met, he proposed, they married soon after and she made a big life changing move to Iowa. She left her family and all that she knew to follow the man she loved. She was selfless.

They were faithfully married for nearly 50 years when my Grandpa Struble became ill and needed 24 hour care. Grandma could no longer take care of him at home, but she didn't send him to the nursing home alone. She made the decision to move with the love of her life. She moved into the nursing home even when she really didn't need to be there just so they could be together. She sold off treasured possessions to make a new home with Grandpa in one small tiled room at the care center. She was selfless.

These are just two examples of the many I remember from her life. This quilt I sit wrapped up in reminds me of all of that. I have several of her quilts for which I am blessed but this one is my favorite. It isn't very fancy. It doesn't have elaborate stitching or gorgeous fabric but to me it is Grandma. The backing on the quilt is just a plain beige color, nothing fancy but it is soft and cozy. The front is covered in triangles of blue, red, yellow, green, purple, pink, basically any scraps Grandma could find. It doesn't match and there are a few places where it is torn and needs stitched up, but it is warm. And it reminds me of Grandma and the legacy of selflessness and love she left behind.

My kids will never have the chance to know her like I did. Sure, I can tell them stories and show them pictures but they will never get to hug her or feel her arthritic hand in theirs. They won't know the sound of her voice or the smell of her perfume. But, they do get to feel her love around them every time they wrap up in this cozy blanket and watch a movie or read a book. My Grandma knew Jesus, she knew Him pretty darn well, and I know she is with Him now. When I wrap this quilt around Ellie while she plays with her toys I am reminded of Grandma's selflessness and love. And when Riley crawls under it along with me to watch a movie I am reminded again of her selflessness and love.

It's funny how an old broken in quilt can remind me of such wonderful and humbling things and prompts me to think about what kind of legacy I will leave behind for my children and my children's children.

December 2010

Our sweet baby girl is 7 months old! She sits up on her own. She says, "ma" really loud, chews on whatever she can get in her mouth and slobbers on whatever she is wearing. She is a delight to have around. She lights up anytime you walk into the room and when you pick her up to hold her she grabs on tight like she is giving you a great big hug. I can't imagine life without our sweet Ellie Dawn.

Riley is looking through the Sunday advertisements for the best deal on power tools.

The Saturday before Christmas we opened our Christmas gifts, as a family of four. Riley loves opening up presents, which is great because Ellie has no clue what is going on.

Ellie only weights a few pounds less than Riley at this point as the picture kind of shows.

"Helping" Mommy make Christmas cookies. I discovered that it goes much better if I just give him his own lump of cookie dough. Then he makes his and I make mine and there is a little less mess and frustration.

I Love Them

Oh, the mischief that is behind this smile. This was right before we made Christmas cookies. It was quite an ordeal and I don't know if I will make Christmas cookies again this season with Chef Riley's help.

This is Ellie's first Christmas dress, first time wearing tights and "real" shoes. I think she is an absolute doll.
This is the headband that goes with the Christmas dress that makes her look like Rambo. We have opted to not wear the headband.

Thomas, Tractors and Two!!!

Thomas came and visited the Strasburg Railroad a couple weeks ago so we took Riley for his 2nd birthday and Betsy, Levi and Rachel also came. We got to take a 20 minute ride on a train, enjoyed some fresh hot donuts, rode a little train ride, got to see Sir Tophum Hat and watched a Thomas movie. It was a cold day but we had a great time and Riley grew to love Thomas the Train even more. Here comes Thomas Dad! Riley's first red tractor from Poppy and Grandma Henry. Riley, his birthday cupcakes and his Daddy.
Yummy confetti cupcake with cream cheese frosting (as you can see the frosting was his favorite part). This may actually be my favorite but I figured I will start now and making him like the same type of cake I do so I can get it at least twice a year. :-)

My Baby is 6 Months Old

How did this happen? Six months already? Though the first few months seem to drag on with sleepless nights and late night feedings these past couple have flown by.
Our little Ellie Dawn is a delight. She is rolling over from her back to her front constantly and loves to stick her tongue out and smile. She loves Riley and really anyone that will hold her and give her attention. She is enjoying time in her walker and just the last couple days is starting to actually move in it. Some days I wonder if she will just go from sitting to walking because she hates being on her belly (making her arms weak)and her legs are really strong (from so much time in the walker). I guess only time will tell. She is quite the slobbery girl and almost always has a bib on these days. If she didn't have a bib her outfits would be drenched within the hour.
Over the Thanksgiving break we had the chance to go to Pittsburgh and get time with Griff's family. It was wonderful to be around family and see Riley and Ellie enjoy their grandparents, aunt, uncles, cousins, great-aunt, and great-grandma. We not only celebrated Thanksgiving with them but also Riley's birthday and Christmas (because we will be in Iowa this year). What a fun weekend!

Grandma Jones can always make Ellie smile.



Ellie getting quality time with her Uncle Andy.



Ellie enjoying time with Poppy Jones.

Lately

Riley and Daddy working on the pipes under the kitchen table. This has been a nightly event lately and one we are all enjoying.
Riley and Ellie enjoying some time together. She loves being in her walker and he loves talking with her and also "fixing" the walker whenever it needs it.

Riley didn't dress up for Halloween this year simply because I didn't think he would actually put on a costume and leave it on. But, he loved handing out the candy with Daddy. Maybe next year he will get into the whole idea of dressing up. Oh and if you are wondering Griff's hat is from Bolivia, a gift from his brother Andy. He says it is the warmest hat he owns and it was a cold night which required a warm, yet odd looking hat. :-)

Riley is quickly reaching the terrible twos and we are learning a lot about what it means to train a child and discipline. This has been the hardest part of parenthood and we aren't even to age two. I am learning a lot about God's discipline, love and grace by walking with Riley through this season of life. Though he is testing his limits he is a delight and full of laughter. He loves talking with Ellie and wants to hold her more and he tries to roll her over when she gets onto her belly and is crying.


Ellie's official 5 month picture. She is rolling over a lot from her back to her belly which is fun but challenging because she hates being on her belly and then starts crying. She still doesn't have any teeth but is drooling like crazy and often is sporting a bib to cut down on the excessive drool all over her outfits. But despite my bib efforts there are many days she goes through two or three outfits. She is a delightful baby, she is constantly smiling and making happy noises. So far she has liked everything we have fed her: carrots, peas, green beans, apple sauce, bananas, squash, and pears. Some of her nicknames include: Ells, Ell-Bell, Ellie-Bellie, and sweet pea. The only times she really cries is when you pull the bottle away too soon.

Sissy, Sprinkles, Sweets and Silence

Sissy is what we call Ellie a lot. She is nearly 5 months and is such a chubby girl. She is almost out of her 3-6 months clothes. This is such a huge change from my little Riley who always seems to be at least two months behind in clothes.

Sprinkes were what was all over the floor after Riley enjoyed a sprinkle donut from the Farmers Market. And when you ask him to smile for a picture this is what you get.

Sweets is what Riley likes to make. He really does love to bake so on recent rainy days we have made monster cookies, pumpkin bread, squash soup and brownies. Daddy sure does like rainy days. :-)

Silence is sweet and rare when you have four children under 3 in your home. Thanks to the movie "Cars" I enjoyed some sweet silence.

Ellie official 4 month pictures, better late than never.