My little Mag-pie

The other day...I noticed...right there before my very eyes...my little girl is getting older....she's maturing.....she is getting taller in stature.....her feet are almost as big as mine(sz. 9) I enjoy our conversations together.....I love her unique creativity for things...I love how she mothers her sister and brothers.....I love her notes that she leaves for me...here and there...I love her inventions and seeing how her mind puts things together...I love that she is a girly girl but yet loves to fish with her daddy...I love her flair for fashion....I love watching her grow in her relationship with the Lord ....through the ups and downs of being 10 1/2 and the sensitive feelings and hurts that come from situations or friends at that vulnerable pre-teen age I have seen the Lord use these things to bring her close to Him and she is blossoming...everything in me wants to keep her from growing up but I know I can't...I feel as though time is just evaporating and slipping right out of my hand like sand through my fingers.

I thank God for the very precious treasure she is to me and our family and for the privilege to raise this beautiful girl into a young woman. I pray that she always seek Him first in all that she does and that He would be glorified in her life! What a sweet blessing!

these were notes we found in our bag once we got to Jamaica...loved it!

i love this one...she put this on our elliptical

my bathing beauty

stilts she made from little crates and bubbled envelopes

these are pizza-hut boxes she used for a baby room

she wanted a basket on the front of her bike to put her babies in while riding so she asked for a crate and then had Nate zip tie them to her handle bars...I love how her mind works!

my girl and me! love her!

No Spring in our step!

So the first few days of Spring for the Hirschberg's have been ushered in with sickness. Me, being the first casualty....spending the first 70 degree weekend wrapped in a blanket. Coughing, sneezing, fever...you get the picture. M-I-S-E-R-A-B-L-E!!!!!! My children then fell prey to the virus....actually there is more then one going around our house!

After doctors appointments....4 of us are on antibiotics due to the following...sinus infections, ear infections(some in both ears), possibly strep but THANKFULLY(you with children understand why I say this in all caps)they felt as though there were "so many" things wrong with "each" of them that the antibiotic would cover it if it was strep(which is one of the things I suspected)so they didn't need to, as my kids say.....gag them with a stick!

For the record, I have never, in all my years of being a mom, gone to the pediatricians office and have them give me an antibiotic for each child that was seen....seriously....I usually get the same ol' story....some big explanation about viruses verses bugs....blahhh blaahh blahhh....I tone them out and then just as they are nearing the end of their spiel....I cringe with the words...."VIRUS....just plenty of rest and fluids"...yada..yada...yadaaa. I stick my tail back between my legs and walk out all dejected(not really). Not that I want them to have an infection....but schlepping everybody out the door with chills and urges to vomit at the sight or smell of anything, and crying because heads hurt and talking hurts..(i totally get that)is not pleasurable and I really don't want to think it as a vain trip all for naught....ya know....for crying out loud....help a mama out....maybe just a little somethin....some magic potion....a placebo pill...

However, today......being that I was told "with all the many things going on with each one...they each need to be on a antibiotic"......one would think maybe I would feel....I don't know...some sort of validation.........ahhhhh, yes, finally....I'm right! Sign me up for med school. But, I found myself.......humpf...wow.....really.....okay......ugh.....should I have seen something sooner....when did he/she start with that cough....wait, did you complain of a sore throat last week....or last month....what?!

There it was.........slinking right in position.......that stinkin MATERNAL guilt! What in the world?! Ya know, what I'm talkin about.....right......righhhhhhhht?!

I quickly found myself thanking the Lord that they would soon be able to feel better...with a few poppin of some pills. So far....it's taking a while.....longer then I would like....the fevers are high and are not coming down with motrin, the crying, whining and mommy demands are many and I can't be with each one at the same time. But, I found myself remembering something that one of my dear friends posted on her blog....she has a framed saying in several strategic spots in her house....that says this, "I'm gonna miss this". Doesn't that say it all! It speaks to my heart! I want to treasure all of the time...good, bad, sick......whatever....it's my privilege as their mommy! I'm not perfect....but He is and He gives each of us what we need to get through our mommy moments! Sooooo with no further adoo....let me get back to some luvin on my kiddos!

"Spring Fever" is here!

this picture says it all!

this was after a shower...she looks pretty good

here...don't let the pic fool ya!

You wouldn't know he had a double ear infection with a

nasty sore throat?!?! what a rock! he's the only non-

complaining one who is helping me wait on his siblings.

right now ice is all they can eat....she and Gracie

can't even drink from a straw...poor babies...when

they talk you would think I had a bunch of frogs living

in our house:(

this poor guy is green...can't you tell...he's got

a sore throat but is also throwing up...ugh...he's

got the whole stomach thing going on! Yikes

not me, Lord.....please!!

What's wrong with this picture?

I came home the other day and I found this magazine, and was curious as to what took place...as you can see the cover is off.

This is one of those health/excercise magazines that I had been given a subscription to and usually they have some glamorous, flawless, re-touched, inaccurate picture of the "total woman" which I believe is a complete fabrication of what that woman really looks like. Usually, I receive the mail and take this and turn it over and put it away on my desk until I get the chance to browse through it.

So off I went to begin my little search...I found out that Nate had seen the magazine when the mail came in and informed me that the picture was inappropriate so he took scissors and cut off the cover.

A little history....from the time that our boys were little we have been teaching them to "bounce" their eyes off of inappropriate pictures or those people who choose to barely wear clothing(which unfortunately is the "in" thing) Dr. Dobson gets the credit for this idea and we have really tried hard to instill this into all our children especially our boys.

I praised Nate on making such a wise decision. But, it made me very aware that I am not always on the alert and looking out for such things that could possibly provoke my children. Here, as a mom I think that I am trying to teach them everything I possibly can on how sin can ensnare and how we need to constantly be on guard...yet it sneaks in...here, there...it can't be contained. We can't put our kids in a bubble and nor would I want to. How would they ever be able to take a stand on their own in what is right....if they don't get exposed to them. (now, grant it...didn't make me feel good it was a magazine I had). Nate made the right decision.....I was proud of him for that...and yet I know that he will not always make the right choice....none of us do. But God promises this:

1 Corinthians 10:12&13

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

And oh how we pray, that God would convict our childrens heart and that he would penetrate the very depths of their souls...that they would know how desperately they need a Savior...and that it would deepen their relationship with Him.

I love this boy so much and he reminds me of what it is to love Jesus. His deep sincerity and desire to serve Christ is evident in his life and I pray that it would never waver and that he would continue to let his light shine!

He speaketh my love language!

Acts of Service! My dear hubs cleaning out the fridge....I abhor this job!

He willingly does it....that's just one of the many tasks he

does. Love you, babe!

Happy St. Patty's Day to ya!

my four beautiful and very irish children!

My girls decorated!

All things green

don't these look yummy;)

Inspiring

This stirred my heart in a deep way, to love unconventionally and to choose to live joyfully.
(remember to turn off music on side bar)

Why?

Why me, Lord?

Why now, Lord?

Why us, Lord?

Whyyyyyy again, Lord?

I'm having a couple of those kind of days. You know, those days when things happen and you don't understand why or when something you think you have under control suddenly unravels all over again. I could ask these questions about many of the "things" in my life right now and quite frankly I am.

Oh Lord, really, I thought that "this" was a closed issue for now...I have the battle wounds to prove that I have already been there and thought I was done with this battle and then

He comforts me......

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

Lord, how many times will I fail before I "get it"....I feel so very weak....and don't always have the fight in me to conquer this...or the desire to overcome this and then

He reminds me.....

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.....For Christ's sake I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak He is strong.

Lord, where do I go from here.....how do I love...I mean really, truly love.....unselfishly....wanting nothing in return and then

He shows me in His word....

Micah 6:8

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

In times such as these, when I feel as though I have lost my footing....He is there and he cares so much for this one little lamb in amongst a whole flock. I am eternally grateful for Him choosing me. I am indebted to Him and I love him for saving me and am thankful for these kind of days where I am reminded of how He is molding me into what he desires.

So "why" post this.....because this is an attempt to capture our life....the good, the bad, the ugly. This is me and this is......walking it out.....with Him leading the way.

Pop-Pop Newman Strikes Again

Yeah....what do you say to this?

When questioned.......very frankly, he said, "I walked away from my toast and now it's cold so I'm melting it" (hellooooo, what was I thinking...of course that's why he has the blowdryer on his toast....) Just the beginning of the teen years.......ohhhhhh my!

Fantasy Island..."de plane..de plane"

We've all read about the "destination weddings" and "elope at the islands" which promise the most romantic settings to commit yourselves to each other in matrimony on the Island of Love....which is some remote beach where the beauty is breathtaking. Come on, BE HONEST we've all imagined it...."your hair blowing ever so gently in the breeze as you walk down the beach to your prince charming as he is gazing adoringly at you.....while your sun-kissed skin is glistening from the dew of your carribean setting. The sun is just perfect...no sweat on the brow as the singing love birds fly overhead while the nuptials take place. The waves splash upon the sand with just a hint of strength and the slight tinge of the ocean air wafting through your senses. The guests sit in awe of the beauty of the moment and with tears streaming down their faces they look in rapt silence as the magic unfolds before their very eyes. A momentary twinge of envy washes over them hoping that someday they too could find a love so strong and beautiful, one that words could never express. When the final murmerings of the couple's love and devotion have been spoken he sweeps her ever so gently up into his strong arms and they ride bareback on a white stallion....into the sunset...............

BUT.....I had the unsettling opportunity to capture the harsh realities behind the aforementioned nuptials...take a look with me now.......
(for added effect double click on each picture)











Imagine the let down I felt as I heard the snap
of the tape recorder playing here comes the bride
while abruptly ending mid song.

the onlookers irreverently got up to get a drink at the "tiki bar"

frrrrt....the attire was quite disappointing

as the uninvited onlookers were an eye-sore

Needless to say, I found myself appreciating, all the more

my wedding from 15 years ago with my sappy(handsome)

prince charming crying while I walked down the aisle.

Crocheting is the new thing!

My friend, Karen came over the other day and taught Maggie, Gracie and I how to crochete. Well, being that I have knitted in the past(scarf....25yrs. ago...one time)I thought that I would be able to pick this up in no time and be making sweaters, vests, blankets, and purses per request. Little did I know, this was going to require some skill and much patience!

Karen, demonstrating how "easily" this is and how I will "pick it up in no time".....mmmm
this is mine........after 3 hours

Maggie and Gracie having fun

This is Maggie demonstrating the belt she made.....ahhh.....yeah...she sure didn't get those crafty genes from me!! She came in later that night and said, "mom, I made a belt!" She even put the button on herself!

These are the beautiful assortment of purses that Karen made! Such talent! She has two boys, so I am thinking she needs to come and hang out with my girls and get her craftiness out!

Fun Memories With Friends

The other day, the girls got the opportunity to go with my friend, Taira and her
daughter Ellie to see the movie "The Little Princess" starring Shirley Temple.
They went over to the Old Jenkintown Theater. They had a great time! While
the girls went, the boys and I got the privilege to watch little Mia...who is just precious!

Gracie and Ellie

Nate holding little Mia

such a sweet baby

Sweet friends

Bob getting a little baby time in!