Schrauben Family Singers

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!!

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.

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.

Yeah, I bake our own bread, from freshly-ground wheat berries. Why? We LOVE it. I started doing this, however, because of the nutritional value in homemade wheat bread. In researching this art (friends, internet), I discovered that to really glean the value out of the wheat bread, you need to use freshly-ground. The stuff on the store shelves is already “rancid,” so to speak. Not harmful, but not beneficial.
I found a terrific recipe, and I make three good-size loaves at a time, using my Bosch Universal mixer, and grinding my wheat with my KitchenAid attachment. How simple!
Now, I wouldn’t consider us a “crunchy” family, but there are a few things that we do to “get back to the basics.” Another thing I just got into with Phoebe (in the last six or so months) is cloth diapering. But, that subject is for another time!

We are thrilled to be expecting our sixth child this fall.  The EDD is October 30th, but with my track record we’ll just say November sometime.  :)  I’ve been tired and a teeny bit queasy, but I really can’t complain.

God has been so good to us.  We thank Him that He’s again allowing us to care for another soul here on earth.  We continually pray for wisdom in the raising and training of our precious blessings! 

(I’m trying to figure out how to get a Baby Ticker in my sidebar, but I’m not too clever.  I might have to recruit some help!)

We made a rather unexpected trip to Michigan, leaving last Wednesday afternoon and arriving at Mom S.’s place around 3 am.!  Mom S. has had some serious health issues and is spending some time in the hospital, going through tests, etc.  Our church was very gracious to allow us to make this trip to be with her, and we’re thankful for that.

Mom S. is looking and sounding really good, though she is definitely experiencing pain at times.  We are trusting that the Lord will continue to care for her at this time and draw her ever closer to Himself.

The day before we left, Ezra took a spill (he was kneeling atop a pile of pillows, atop the couch).  His face met with the coffee table, full-speed, thus he had a split lip and a mouthful of blood.  The little soul!  We called Daddy, and the whole famliy headed down the winding, hilly road to the doctor.  It was a blustery day, and the whole trip there I prayed for our safety.  God answered!  After the treacherous drive, Ezra received three stitches.  He was such a trooper!  Already less than a week later, he is healing quite nicely.  Daddy removed the stitch that was inside his mouth; the others will wait til we get back home.

We are here rather indefinitely, though Mom S.’s colonoscopy is today.  We think we’ll leave for home maybe Wednesday.  We want to be a blessing to her, so we’ve got a few projects around here - mainly getting things spiffy for her. :).   On a lighter note, we are enjoying visiting with many family and friends while we’re here.