Shopping For a Christmas Tree

 Last Friday we went and picked out a Christmas tree from the Houston Garden center. It is our first REAL tree in seven years, beyond the memories of my four youngest siblings. So it was quite an experience for them. Andrew and Kathlena zigzagged from tree to tree "Look at this one...what about this one...or this one...Emily, look this one's white!" Calvin missed out on the excitement because he fell asleep in the car. When he awoke there was a tree on our car's roof!

 I had one of those "only in Houston" moments while Dad and J.Michael were strapping the tree to the roof. Where else other than Houston can you buy Christmas trees and palm trees in the same stop???

Kathlenaisms: Space Hoarding

Back on our old blog I used to post "J.Michael-isms": funny things that J.Michael said when he was younger. I thought I'd revive the old tradition by posting some "Kathlenaisms".

 Today's "Kathlenaism" occurred a couple weeks ago. Daddy was reading a book to Andrew, Kathlena and Calvin on the couch. Andrew was to his left, Kathlena to his right and Calvin to the right of Kathlena. Halfway through the story Calvin became disgruntled with this seating arrangement and decided to clamber over Kathlena to get a better view of the pictures. Mom and I were sitting on the other end of the couch when Kathlena called out:

"Mommy! Calvin's hoarding my space."

Our Little Drummer Boy

Our Little Drummer Boy from Gina Shiflet on Vimeo.

The Reading Tree

At our house reading is one of our favorite activities.  Especially this time of year with the beautiful weather outside. Crawling up into the tallow tree at the edge of the yard the cascading limbs camouflage the silent bookworm who is engrossed in another world through his book.  Andrew is becoming a fluent reader and enjoys combining two of his loves-books and nature.  This living fort is known affectionately as the reading tree in our yard and is sought after with book in hand when chores and other duties have been completed.  Occasionally, upon ascending the tree with visions of time lost in a favorite book one finds the tree to already be inhabited and must wait with patience for another to finish.

-mom

Can you see J.Michael in the tree?

Did you call me?

Look at My New Big Boy Bed!

I'm a big boy now!

Bella at 3 Months

Bella at 2 Months

Wild Fires

We have lived in Houston now for 6+ years and in our first year we experienced Hurricane Rita.  Having moved from central Texas this was a new weather experience for our family.  So, we have become accustomed to the June-Oct hurricane preparations.  This year with the drought we are facing something new...Wild Fires.  Living in a forest with a record drought year has made the perfect conditions for wild fires in our area. 

Please pray for our friends over at Grafted the Movie who had to evacuate their home Monday because the wildfires were approaching their home.  They have not been able to return and are still awaiting news of when they may return.  We pray that the wildfires do not reach their home and for those firefighters who are working day and night to put out this raging fire. 

While we are about 20miles from the fires we have begun to see smoke on our trips to the store as the wind has changed direction.  It produces a very strange looking cloud that doesn't look like smoke from a distance.  

A Historical Memorial

This was recently passed on to me through a some friends who have also adopted from Arkhangelsk.  We were told while we were in Russia that this city and region is very friendly to Americans because of their help during World War II and we found this to be true.  Although, this story is about the British Navy convoys to Ark specifically.  The Americans were part of the Allied forces and viewed in much the same way as the British-united against Nazi Germany.
 I thought I would pass along this link not just because of our kids who were born in Arkhangelsk but, also because this part of living history is dying out.  If we do not capture these stories now we will forever lose them and forget the great heroism of the past that gives us the freedoms we enjoy today.

WWII Arctic Convoy 

Difficult, Strong and Powerful

Difficult, Strong and Powerful from Gina Shiflet on Vimeo.

An Introspection 3

It has become a tradition in our family to produce a mini-documentary every adoption anniversary (May 20th). It's amazing to see how much Andrew and Kathlena change from year to year and to see the interviews go from "alright sweetie, answer the question please" to "alright, I think that's enough (HINT HINT)" in just three years time.

This year J.Michael helped me with the filming and interviews which was interesting, to say the least. We attempted to use two cameras to capture two different angles but I think we ended up with more outtakes than actual footage. We couldn't turn both cameras on at once so there was always a delay between the turning on of camera 1 to the turning on of camera 2. Then of course, there were the times when we'd forget that one of the cameras was still recording...oops. It was also a typical hot, sultry Houston afternoon and after a while the cast and filming crew got restless as you will see but I won't spoil it. We had a good time making it and I hope you'll enjoy watching it.


So please be sure to visit our adoption blog and see AN INTROSPECTION 3

Stationery card

Many Memories Pink Birth Announcement

Find hundreds of cute baby birth announcements at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Introducing Isabella "Bella" Mercy Shiflet

Isabella Mercy, Bella as we call her, came quickly into this world this morning at 7:32am.  I woke up around 5:45 with mild abdominal pain.  Having just recently had a stomach bug (think more Madagascar huge nasty bug than cute ladybug) ravage our household two days prior, I thought perhaps my stomach was still a little weak and acting up.  But within about 20mins I began to see a pattern of the pain and thought perhaps these are contractions.  It surprised me since always before labor would begin with my water breaking and no contractions. 

Shortly after 6am I woke up David, actually by accident since I was doubled over next to the bed, he saw me and asked "are you ok?"  I explained that I wasn't sure what I was feeling, but maybe it was contractions.  He began to time them and headed out to the garage to get the air hose to top off the birth pool.  Something we had been meaning to do all week, but it just fell through the cracks-No time like the present though.  As he is stretching the hoses in I am now saying I think he better call Paula, our midwife.  He does and gives her the contractions count-not lasting long only about 30secs, but every 2 mins and getting stronger.  Paula says" what did you say? every 2mins? I am on my way".  


I am now beginning to feel, what I should know by now, but am always caught off guard, the effects of transition.  I am all over the place-in the tub, out of the tub, laying on the bed, standing up, and everywhere I go I am trying to escape what is inescapable--the waves of pain!  I am now becoming very concerned about "Where is Paula?"  Keep in mind we just called her 5mins ago and while she lives close she does not live in our backyard--but I am looking into that if there is a next time. 

Paula does arrive quickly around 7:09am and checks me.  She says in her sweet, encouraging voice "Gina, your an 8" to which I respond "Are you lying to me?"  I know, nice right?  Well this is me in transition, doubtful, sure of one thing-this is not going to end even though it must and it does end.  Paula just responds sweetly that I really am an 8 to which I ask "Can I get in the water?" which is really all I ever really want to hear is that I can get in the water.  I do firmly believe the water helps whether it is real or mental it seems to calm me, slightly.  My dear husband is now in full fledged coach mode.  He is so wonderful.  I believe he prayed through every contraction for strength to persevere...he is so patient and confident in where our strength is...Christ.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to share this with him in this way.  What a gift our marriage has been given to go through this together; for me to see his compassion and gentleness towards me in one of the hardest times I have physically endured.  
It seemed that I had only just gotten into the water when the urge to push came.  This time I knew what that felt like and was surprised it was coming so quickly.  At this point my water still had not broken and as a result I think the contractions while strong and intense gave way to what I called "lucid moments" for me between contractions where I was very aware of my surroundings.  I did not remember feeling like this with Calvin's birth; it was just intense the whole time.  In one of these lucid moments I noticed Emily was in the room.  We had agreed ahead of time that Emily could attend the birth, but near the end.  I am thinking it is too soon for her to be in here...as it turns out I was wrong.  Another contraction comes and thoughts of who is in the room vanish. It is back to full concentration. Then, like a balloon popped I felt my water break and the next contraction was quite different, extremely intense.  This was like most of my labor with Calvin.  I now know what it is like to labor with the "cushion of water" that I have only heard about since my other 3 labors have begun with my water breaking.  I vote for the cushion of water labor. 

The urge to push was real and strong now.  It seemed like it would never end, but then only a few pushes and David who caught Isabella was handing her to me.  She was here!  It was so fast.  In an hour and half start to finish.  Wow!  I still marvel at how one minute this tiny, 9lb 7oz. baby is inside my womb then the next I am holding her and right in my own bathroom.  How thankful I am for the knowledge of using a midwife and specifically for the ones the Lord led us to providentially through some friends of ours.  Their care and encouragement has helped us experience normal healthy births in our home.  

The timing was perfect as the rest of the kids were just getting up.  They heard the cry of a newborn and knew that their baby sister was here. They patiently waited for Daddy to come and get them and bring them in to see Bella and me.   They all gathered around and since Kathlena guessed the right day of Bella's birth she was allowed to hold her first in Shiflet tradition.  Then one by one each of the kids took a turn including Calvin. 

Kathlena getting to hold Isabella first.

Mommy's Breakfast-Emily's delicious scrambled eggs

Calvin giving first kisses

Emily first hold

Andrew first hold

Calvin's first hold

Bella's first bath.  Look at her grip Mommy's hand.

Daddy drying off Bella from her bath.

Measuring Bella's head (15") and chest(14 1/2")

Calvin helping check out Bella's eyes, nose and mouth. 

Calvin helping the midwives pack up.

Videos April-May 2011

My boys love playing with trains.  J.Michael inherited part of this set that was David's when he was a boy and we added to it when he was little.  Then it went to Andrew and we added more to the set through garage sale finds.  Now Calvin is enjoying this set with his older brothers and Daddy who still love to put together elaborate tracks. 

Big Brother and Sister helping Calvin.

 

Our new maintenance man.

I am still working on the April-May slide show. I have had a few technical difficulties, but hope to post it soon.

40 weeks...enjoying these last days of pregnancy

Yes, that is right.  I am enjoying these last days of pregnancy.  Of course I am uncomfortable and ready to meet our sweet baby girl, but I am also thankful for these last few days

• of feeling her move inside my womb
• of looking at Calvin as my baby and thinking he is so "little"
• enjoying the special moments with each of my children rubbing, hugging, kissing and talking to my belly with anticipation of meeting their new baby sister
• the quiet moments together as a family of 7; we will never be like this again and I want to soak it all in as the Lord has ordained each of these days.
• of date nights with my husband
• having someone else tie my shoes
• washing dishes at the kitchen sink facing sideways
• of resting and preparing for birth in our home

Thank you dear friends we appreciate your prayers as we wait for the arrival of our daughter.

Slide Show January-March

Calvin reading to himself February 9, 2011

Mommie's helpers everyone has a job to do.  Housework is so much fun for everyone.

Andrew's tree climbing adventures.

A little bit of Texas snow.  January 14th 2011 at the Ranch in Hillsboro.

39 weeks...I know where have we been??

I have had dozens of posts in my head and none of them have made it to the blog.  Well, in part I have to say that since I have had a relatively smooth pregnancy I have not had as much "down" time as I usually do which often facilitates more time to write.  I know that is just an excuse I really should be more disciplined to write, forgive me!  I am going to try to do a better job...and yes we will post baby girl pictures and updates here.   I am going to try to just list in bullet points an update of the last 6 months.  So here goes!

• We are having a baby girl--no name yet but we are close
• We are in the midst of launching our family business DesignCraft Custom Woodworking and Institute
• We celebrated 2 birthdays in May Kathlena's 6th and J.Michael's 13th and 2 anniversary's David and I's 17th wedding and Andrew and Kathlena's 3yrs home!!
• Andrew is no longer patching!  He also only has to wear glasses for reading now.  His vision is amazing.
• Kathlena is patching 4hrs a day and making huge progress her vision is now 20/50 up from 20/200 last year...incredible!!
• Emily finished writing her book for Kathlena "When I was Little in Russia" a story about our meeting and adopting Kathlena.  She has also been hard a work taking an accounting course to help with the family business along with being my right hand, busy cook, and helping teach Andrew and working with Calvin.
• Calvin is growing up so fast.  He is a man of few words but manages to communicate quite well.  He is a great helper, observes everything and tries to do what the big kids do.  He and his brothers are quite tight and he has enjoyed moving into the boys room.  
• J.Michael is enjoying having time with Dad in the shop.  He was given a carving set for his birthday that he is learning how to use.

   I am working on a slide show of pictures and short video clips from the last 6 months.  Hope to post those this week.