Schrauben Family Singers

…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…

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.

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.

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!

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!!

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.

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.