Schrauben Family Singers

So, the idea of having a blog sounded good…

Wow, has it really been nearly six months since I last updated?  A lot of water has gone under the bridge, or over the dam, since then.

We’re all six months older now.  Isaac is 11, and just today we took him to the orthodontist for an evaluation.  Fun.  Zechariah will be 9 in just a couple of months.  He’s one of the most thoughtful children I know.   Mary just turned 7 in April, so we seriously need to start some more “formal” schooling with her.  She can’t be that old already!  Ezra is 4, and still a stinker, especially to his little sister.  He sure makes us laugh.  Ol’ Phoebe is 2 1/2 and really seems to be growing up.  Good thing, since she’s going to be a BIG sister in six months.  We are so excited that God has chosen to bless us with another child!  I am thankful to have passed the most crucial weeks/months of pregnancy, and I trust that God will continue to grow our baby safely and healthily.

We’ll be moving to Michigan in early July.  Lots to do before then!  I’ve already been packing a lot of things, particularly books that are seldom used and wall hangings/knick-knacks, etc.  I don’t relish the idea of moving in the middle of the summer heat and in the middle of a pregnancy!  I guess that’s one way to get out of heavy lifting!  Phil is looking forward to his internship with Covenant Health Care in Saginaw.  Chaplaincy, I believe, will be his cup of tea.  Because, for some reason, he really likes working directly with people.  I don’t look forward to his being away a good portion of the day, but at least when he’s home, HE’S HOME.  And, no more sitting without Daddy in church - YEA! 

Sadly, we are leaving my family around here.  And, many church friends.  And, some really good cookie and cake clientele.  I don’t plan on starting anything up in MI, at least not for a while.  Too busy getting settled, schooling and preparing for a new baby.  We anticipate two years there, so I don’t know how things will play out, business-wise.  I’ll probably take a little hiatus, other than for family and close friends.

Now, off to make supper.  I’m getting hungry.  And, I suppose the kids are, too.  Daddy is at class.  I can’t wait until that’s over!  Soon…

Boy, does time fly!

I have really meant to try and at least post weekly, for posterity.  For some reason my weeks are REALLY LONG. 

Things are good here in Iowa.  Our church is looking forward to a move (hopefully sooner, rather than later).  The kids are doing well with school (not because of their teacher, mind you!)  And, God continues to bless us.  He has provided in so many ways and has used many of His people to do so.  We are so thankful.

I have been feeling pretty miserable, off and on, for about four months now.  I did go to the doctor in mid-October, and I’m being treated for acid reflux.  Things seemed to be going better, I had been feeling better, and now I’m beginning to experience some pretty icky symptoms again, usually at night.  It sure makes for some sleepy days, then, as I end up getting up at least a couple of times in the night.  Thursday night, after church, my husband annointed me with oil and prayed for me, for healing.  Sigh.  I have to know God knows me and He knows what He’s doing.

In that regard, we just keep trusting Him concerning our country’s future.  With the election of Obama, I could crawl in a hole for four years, but I won’t be discouraged!  God will use this time to draw all men to Himself - He’s in control, and we can rest in that.  In the meantime, I honestly want to focus on praying for Barrack Obama’s salvation.  ‘Might sound simplistic (or hopeless), but the God I serve can do anything!

Hopefully I can remember (take the time) to post more often.

Wow, now we ARE home.

…at least until further notice. It was a LONG but very enjoyable eight days, last week, as we spent time in MN visiting family and friends. ‘Got to see “those two grandmas”. ‘Camped out in the Mohs’ and Kallevig’s yards (oh, and the Schwirtz’s, too!). And, enjoyed some REALLY great music up at the Itasca Family Music Festival.
We left Sunday for Rochester, MN, and spent the evening/night at Trevor and Meggan Schwirtz’s home. Next day, we left for Wadena and took Gram B. out for lunch (Larry’s Family Pizza - yum!). Headed to Mohs’ to set up “house” with the camper and enjoyed grilling out together for supper (fresh sweet corn, too, that we had picked up on our way). Next day, I went to the church EARLY with Susan for coffee time and fat lady’s meeting (Weighdown). It was fun to visit with old/new friends and drink coffee! Phil and the three middle kids went fishing with Mark La Paglia (sp), and Isaac, Phoebe, and I shopped before picking Susan up and heading back out to their place. We had Alaskan halbut, deep-fried in beer batter, and fresh potato chips for supper. What a treat!!!!
Wednesday, Susan had taken the day off and Randy off early, so we all headed to Ottertail to fish/swim. We sure enjoyed our visit and time with our friends.
Thursday we packed up camp and headed to Dan and Linda Kallevig’s cabin north of Park Rapids. Spent the evening and next day with them, then Friday night the Festival began. There were so many people there, and the weather was pretty nice. The music was excellent. We had our favorites: The Hartley Family and the The Johnson Family. Great people and very talented. Saturday we spent after lunch until evening at the Festival, then Sunday, five Kallevigs and we attended the service at the Festival, with Uncle Pastor Jack preaching and the Johnsons sharing music. FANTASTIC!
Among all the Festival goings-on, we got in some good visiting, eating, and playing pinnocle (sp). (My memory was refreshed, and I don’t think I did too badly!) It was fun to visit with John and Lisa and their sweet little Elizabeth - such a doll!
Sunday afternoon, we packed up and headed south. We ended up staying at a campground called Benton Beach, south of Little Falls near St. Cloud. It was nice and pretty relaxing, just the seven of us. In the morning we left for home, and we got home Monday late afternoon to a HOT, HUMID Iowa. Our poor house hadn’t had the air run while we were gone, of course, so it took until today to cool off in here! And, I think I might even be caught up on laundry!
It’s so good to be home again. I think I do pretty well with about a four- or five-day vacation. Sigh…

We’re home again, at least for now!

It’s again been a while since I posted, so I must update.  First of all, Phoebe is walking!!  Yea!  She’s 21 months old now, and has just really finally taken off in the last week -

Which we spent in Michigan.  Originally, Phil and Mary were going to go alone.  Yada yada, it worked out for all of us to, and we left Tuesday morning early for MI.  We spent a good week with family and friends, going to the lake, Ionia Free Fair (nation’s largest free fair), shopping, visiting, and even getting in on a family reunion on Phil’s grandfather Selden’s side.  We had a wonderful trip, but it’s so good to get home.

Another baby went to be with Jesus, at six weeks gestation (June 21st).  We have lost two babies in such a short time.  It can surely cause one to question what God has in mind!  But, through it all, we continue to place our trust in Him, including knowing He’s in control of our “family planning,” not us!  That is what brings peace and nothing else.  Personally, I am thankful to have finally reached a place of peace, concerning whether or not we’ll “have more babies.”  I truly am at a place of contentment with whatever He wants, whether or not we do indeed birth another child.  He knows my inmost desires, and He also knows what is best.  That’s what I want.

We will have this week at home to relax (ha) and prepare to leave again next Monday for MN.  We shall visit friends and family, but the BIG reason for the timing of this trip is the Family Bluegrass Festival at Lake Itasca (see Berge Family link).  It’s something we have wanted to do for a couple of years now (this is the third year!), and now it’s in the works.

Well, since it’s pretty much impossible to write a blog post without interruption and SOMEBODY needing me, I must write more later.  I think all five children have a pressing need right now (apparently).  Sigh.

This week

We’ve got a terribly busy week this week.  So, I got a nasty cold or sinus issue of some sort, complete with sore throat.  Ugh.  The three oldest have VBS from 9-12, M-F.  I miss ‘em already.  Of course, there are baseball games.  And meetings.  And, this weekend is our local Spring Festival.  Phil and I are involved with a lot of singing, so I’m praying I’ll be better by then.  I’ve also got a cookie order and some baking to do for the festival.  Why must I feel so miserable!?

Last weekend my brother and his family from Nebraska were here.  It was fun for all the Klucases (which includes us Schraubens) to be together - last time was Christmas.  Phil participated in the Vennard golf tournament last weekend, too.

Our small group met for the first time yesterday.  We had some good fellowship, and after we tentatively set the dates to meet for the rest of the summer, Phil told me that EVERY Sunday for the rest of the summer is booked.  Every single one.  Wow.  Summer is supposed to be relaxing, isn’t it?

The children are continuing school during the summer, with occasional breaks - like this weeks VBS.  Isaac is now MY piano student.  And, Mary will be starting official “school”, too, very soon.  Mainly learning how to read.  So, I’ll have three students now.  Pretty amazing, for a non-teacher like me!

Through it all, God continues to be faithful.  He shows Himself to us in so many ways.  Physically, spiritually…  We look forward to what He has in store for our family and also for our church, as we are looking into relocating.  Something we can continue to pray about and for. 

And, life goes on…

It’s interesting how a person can keep so busy, and pretty soon it’s next month.  Or next year.  Or…  My “big” boys are both in baseball this year, and that has kept us pretty busy - five games this week, with a couple of overlaps.  ‘Guess that’s the price you pay for being involved in organized sports.  Actually, it’s pretty fun to watch them play, it’s just a lot of running around.

I’ve got cookies and cakes to bake and decorate, but, thankfully, I’m not overloaded.  It’s just enough to earn a few bucks here and there.

We celebrated 14 wonderful years of marriage yesterday!  I cannot imagine ever having lived without Phil, and yet it seems like just yesterday we were married!  I guess that’s the way it’s supposed to be.  I’m am so grateful for my husband and his leadership in our family, which stems from a deep and growing devotion to God.  Perhaps that’s why I love him more today - much more - than I did 14 years ago, when we were just “kids”! 

On an even more personal note, I am still waiting and wondering what God has in store for our family, particularly in the area of increase.  :)  I pray daily that His will be done, but I do so long for another baby to fill our arms again.  I have the hope that that will be within His will.

Wow, it’s been a while!

I had no idea that time has flown so quickly.  I was again reminded of why I’ve been “gone” for so long now, when I saw my most recent post.

Our baby went to be with Jesus,  probably shortly after my OB check-up.  I had such a good report then.  But, Thursday, April 3rd, I began lightly spotting.  Which turned into more spotting on Friday.  And, by Saturday, the 5th, I knew it was over.  I won’t go into the graphic details, but when I spoke to my doctor (before my trip to the ER, because of blood loss), he said my Hcg levels were already down to 4500.  At that stage of a pregnancy (11 weeks), the levels should have been around 200,000. 

God was with us through it all.  He is ever SO faithful.  He helped me to be able to “pass” everything in mostly the one day, with really not a whole lot of physical pain.  And, my Hcg levels returned to normal by two weeks later.   So, physically, my body worked as it should have.

Emotionally, I have certainly had my ups and downs.  Phil and I have both done our share of shedding tears.  Unexpected things will trigger my weeping, too.  But, God.  Yes, He has never left my side through it all.

We wanted this baby, just as much as we’ve wanted the others.  We looked forward to growing our family again.  We anticipated what God had planned for this child, and how much our lives would change and grow because of him/her.  We DIDN’T anticipate our child being taken home before we could meet him/her!  But, our children belong to Him.  They always have, from the get-go.  And, this baby was no different.  He chose to “keep” this one, rather than allowing us to become his or her earthly parents. 

So, we don’t ask, “Why?”  Because, we don’t need to.  We have complete faith and trust in the Lord, that He knows what He’s doing.  We trust that He’ll bring continued healing to us.  We know He’s taking good care of our baby - much better than we ever could’ve, and that we’re assured to meet Baby some day!

And other terrific stuff…

We went to our first OB check-up last Wednesday. All checks out well for this “elderly grand multipara” (what I am considered - over 35 and having had more than five pregnancies!). That’s great!
It was too soon to hear baby’s heartbeat, but next time! I am definitely feeling pregnant. So tired, but thankfully not so nauseous. And, what a pooch already! I guess that’s not surprising, eh?
Little Phoebe is growing up! She can stand now, holding onto things, if I help her up. That’s progress. And, she’s really starting to pick up words now. It’s so fun to hear the things she repeats. I just love my children!!

God is so good, yet again!

I really just can’t get over how God provides for us. Last week we were given a SLEW of boys clothing and shoes (including some greatly-desired Crocs!). I just assumed they’d maybe be too small for my oldest two, but hopefully fit Ezra. Lo and behold, there are so many summer shorts and shirts for the OLDEST boys, I’m just so excited. God is like that.
Then, yesterday, a fellow from church brought over some groceries - things that we had been needing or CRAVING (hamburger for BURGERS - we have plenty of ground venison, but it just doesn’t make a good BURGER), potatoes, even a ready-made frozen lasagna. Now, I’m a scratch cook - I LOVE making everything from scratch. But, that lasagna will be SO helpful on an evening when there’s just been a lot going on, and who has time to cook? Twizzlers, Diet Pepsi (Phil’s fave), etc. What a blessing! And, he did this just because he thought of us while at Fareway.
It’s interesting the ways that God does provide. He doesn’t always give the breadwinner a raise, and since our breadwinner is a pastor, he probably won’t ever make six figures (just a feeling I have). But, the Lord has ALWAYS provided for our needs and even some of our wants. I don’t know if I can begin to count the ways. We praise Him for His goodness.

Busy Weekend

We had a terrifically busy weekend.  Being just a couple of months pregnant, I’m still pretty tired, though I’ve been pretty good about going to bed at a decent hour.  I’ve got 25 dozen Easter cookies to do this week, plus this evening we celebrate my nephew’s 8th birthday.  And, Auntie Sheila’s doing the cake. :) 

Last evening we had a special guest with us - Dr. Efraim Goldstein, with Jews For Jesus.  He came to our home for supper and overnight.  What a treat!  Especially, the evening service we had, which celebrated the Passover Seder, with Dr. Goldstein explaining the significance behind the Passover meal and how it relates to Jesus, as our Passover Lamb.  God certainly had (and has) the perfect plan!

Oh, and yesterday morning, Phil had the privelege of sharing at a Lenten service for several ladies (40 ladies representing 16 different churches) in Oskaloosa.  The children and I came along, and I sang “Written In Red”. 

Tomorrow…we have our first prenatal doctor’s appointment!  I’ll update then!  I’m excited.