life around here

Happy Birthday, Lyle!

2011-04-13T11:17:00.000-07:00

1 year ago today we welcome Lyle David into our family. This kid is crazy. Crazy fun. Seriously. He's a fun guy! A huge part of that fun has been watching Téah and Micah interact with Lyle. They love their brother and it gives me such joy to watch my kids play together. I don't know if there is a way to feel more joy than for parents to just sit back and watch their children and thank God for the blessing they are to us. Ok, maybe playing WITH them is even better!

Dear Lyle,

On your first birthday I want you to know how much you are loved. Even if you are the third child and admittedly there are less pictures of you than there were of your brother and sister in their first year you are loved no less. You truly are the baby of our family. We all baby you and adore you. Lyle, you are for sure, your Momma's baby. Just ask your Dad! I can't wait to see what the next year brings and who you become over years to come. For now though, I would love to hold you as my baby and love you for being a big one year old.

We love you, Lylie!

When I Survey

2011-03-18T09:13:00.000-07:00

A version of "When I Survey" that John and I arranged and recorded a few years back. (done in our apartment while John was still in seminary, so the quality is not the best). I love this song especially during Lent, but the message is always appropriate.

When I Survey by alyssacreasy

Kids in March thru Pics

2011-03-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

If you primarily see my blog imported into facebook I apologize for the double pictures!

Love baby bums and growing baby hair. (he's almost 1!)

Found Téah reading to Micah one morning. Love it.

Micah fell asleep on the couch waiting for dinner. Note to Mom: cook faster.

This is the view from outside the window in our stairwell. Cute, right?

Also, dangerous. He is obsessed with climbing the steps to look out this window.

a moment of our morning

2011-03-14T08:36:00.000-07:00

Feet thumping above my head. Shrill screams of joy followed by outrageous laughter.

Door slams, door opens, door slams.

"Please don't slam doors! We leave the doors open!"

"ok!"

"What is the proper response?"

"yes, ma'am"

Silence. Little feet pitter patter down the hall, then back."

"Momma?"

"yes?"

"I love you. Even if you're a ma'am. But I like Momma better."

"I love you too, Téah."

Lenten Decisions

2011-03-11T18:57:00.000-08:00

You may have seen that John has made a decision to do a Lenten Fast this year. He is trying to fast from all things that go into a landfill. Now. I am all about this decision. In theory, at least. I will fully admit there are some things that I am not sure I'm willing to give up that cannot be recycled, burned, composted... you get the idea. And while I could say that is "John's fast" the truth is we live together. (yes, it's true!) So his fast, is my fast, at least in theory. I have not committed on the same level as John has to this, but I am trying and will keep trying to do my part.

I have never fasted from anything during Lent. Truth be told I had never even heard of Lent until moving to Pittsburgh in the mid 90's. I'm sure it is a bit of a rebellious attitude in me to not want to fast. This year I really wanted to do something though. I felt as though I should on more than one level - you could probably call it personal and more importantly spiritual conviction. However, after searching and thinking for a few days I could not think of one thing that I could fast from all of Lent that would actually help my mind be centered where it should. After all, isn't that the point of fasting? But I did come up with something think of something I could ADD. That's right, I'm switching it up.

I have decided that for this time of Lent I am going to exercise every day, except one weekend day (Sat or Sun) in some form or fashion. Meaning, some days I will do an exercise video in my house (have you seen Pittsburgh's weather in March?), some days I will walk/run and I might even take John up on his offer to ride his bike trainer. I believe this is good for my physical body that God has called me to care for. I have not been doing so like I should and I know it. My hope is that these times of exercise and care for my physical body will also grant space to pray and dwell with God.

I also knew that if I went public with my decision for Lent I might be asked about it which makes me more likely to follow through. So. Here I go! (Day 3 and 3 days of exercise. So far, so good.)

What are you doing for Lent?

Why hurry?

2011-02-15T07:31:00.000-08:00

I rush through the day. I bribe, I push, I say, "please, please..." I hurry too much. Instead I should see the big brown eyes look up at me saying, "hug me." These moments pass so quickly and yet I constantly speed through them only to wonder where time went.

Stop.

Wait.

Enjoy.

Savor.

These are the moments God has blessed our family with. Laughter. Screams of joy. Even cries. All a reminder of God's love for us.

my picture wall

2010-08-25T18:15:00.001-07:00

You have no idea how happy this view makes me.

Having many of my favorite pictures of my favorite people to look at every time I go up and down the stairs of my home truly fills my heart with joy. I have seen homes with "picture walls" every since I was little and I've always wanted one. Now I have one. Does this mean I've grown up? If growing up means I'm finally beginning to learn what's important in life, then yes, I've grown up a little bit.

What's that? You'd like to see it from the top? I'm happy to oblige.

She uses her imagination in ways I envy.
He's up to something.

Farmer John

2010-08-20T08:34:00.001-07:00

John, with one of the chickens. He is a farmer at heart. I love him.

around our home today

2010-08-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

sauce made from tomatoes and basil picked this morning. (although it seems to be a bit on the spicy side. oops)

another cord of wood now stacked for the winter. Workout for today? Complete!

New glass tile backsplash (still in progress). John has been working on this at night after work. Isn't he the best?

Back again

2010-08-18T14:31:00.000-07:00

I have so many things to share here since I last posted. Stories, beautiful faces, dreams for the future. But since I took such a long hiatus I will start with some pictures for those who live far and wish they didn't. Or those who live close and still love pictures. Or those, like me, who just like to show off their family and share our adventures with you.

Our most exciting news since I last shared -
Lyle David, born April 13, 2010 at 7 lbs. 8 oz.

Although he looks more like this now...

In June we had a day at Kennywood. The kids (and the "adults") had so much fun that day.

See? On one of the first rides of the day.

This is post-water ride. Which she loved. I mean it, LOVED. I thought she would hate being wet, but once again my girl proves me wrong.

Ever since they're visit to Kennywood, the favorite game around our house (and around the cabin and around Grandma's house) is "going on rides." It's hilarious. Both Téah and Micah get themselves on something they consider "ride-like" throw their hands up in the air and scream at the top of their lungs. I have learned how to distinguish between the "something is wrong scream" and the "we're on a ride scream." One day at Grandma's house they got John in on the game. This is currently one of my favorite pictures.

A week long and very frustrating hospital stay wiped our vacation fund for this year, so John's parents (Hi Grandma!) were extremely generous and let us stay at their cabin in Slippery Rock, PA for 2 whole weeks. We had a great time. Relaxing, rejuvenating, restoring and other R things I'm probably forgetting.

Lyle and John. (I call Lyle my mini-John sometimes)

I am a lucky woman to call these four my family.

Téah turned 5 while we were at the cabin and had a birthday party there. What a great day!

The sun was in her eyes.

Dogs love the cabin. All you need is a stick and a creek.

A very serious poolside conversation.

One day was spent hiking at McConnell's Mill.

With a picnic lunch.

Another day we rented a boat at Moraine State Park. Lyle was not a fan of his required life jacket.

The two older kids had a GREAT time.

For now I leave you with the most up-to-date picture of all three kiddos. I won't wait 8 months to post again.

Darling, Christmas is coming...

2009-12-15T07:20:00.001-08:00

Téah's favorite Christmas song at the moment. (see title) by OTR. Can't go wrong with a little OTR playing during the Christmas season. Or any season for that matter. But I digress. I completely forgot to bring the camera with us when we cut down our tree this year - but we did get some pretty funny shots after we set up the tree at home. It seemed like such a small tree because at the Rural street house the ceilings were 11 and 12ft and we had huge trees. But our tree is perfect this year. Here are some pics for you -

attempt #6 million to get a picture of at least one of the dogs with the tree.

Kids cheezin' it up.

Micah completely cheezin' it up. Goofy kid.

John refused to let me delete this picture, so I may as well let you all get a good laugh out of it. This was during the attempt at getting dogs in front of the Christmas tree. Yes, it's a fabulous shot of mine and Tiny's rear ends.

the Cabin

2009-12-14T19:15:00.001-08:00

John's parents have this great family cabin in Slippery Rock. It was John's grandmother's cabin and was passed down to his mom a few years ago. The amount of work they have done on this cabin in those few years is incredible. The Creasy family has always loved the cabin - but now everyone really loves to head up there in the spring/summer/fall and have a getaway. But perhaps no one loves it more than the grandkids! Well, maybe the dogs. But these pictures are of the kids at the cabin. (yes, I can finally start doing some catch up posts with pictures!)

tractor rides are a big hit at the cabin

Téah loves the swingset John and his Dad built up there. And she loves when Grandma pushes her on the swing, can you tell?

Working on Grandma's cabin garden. Notice Emma lays her frisbee right in the middle of the work so you can't ignore her.

Relaxing and enjoying your family this much can inspire some zany behavior.

back on the tractor.

It's usually a quiet ride home because the kids and the dogs are sound asleep before we're 5 minutes down the road.

2009-12-13T18:16:00.000-08:00

I've been in a sewing mood lately. When I get into a groove with sewing/creating things I love it. The main problem with this is it tends to take over our dining room table. Right now there is an ironing board in the dining room, the sewing machine on the table and a million scrap fabric pieces are all over the place. Luckily, John is very understanding and as long as they get to eat, the kids don't really care either. In the past few days I've completed 3 projects, 1 is halfway and I have several others I'm scheming. We'll see how it goes. I would share what the projects are, except they're presents. So you'll have to wait until after Christmas. I'm taking pictures of the different things too - so hopefully I'll have the ability to show you pictures by then too.

One project was a skirt for Téah. I've had this pink fabric I've been hanging onto for two years now and it made a great skirt for her when combined with some brown fabric I had too. It's a bit long, but she loved it nonetheless. And now that I've done one it's easy and I can do more. Téah would wear skirts and/or dresses every day if I let her so this could save us some great money. She's small enough I can use mostly scraps and remnants. Score!

2009-12-10T11:27:00.000-08:00

Moving out of our Rural Street home was very hard. It was hard for John and I and equally hard for Téah and Micah. (especially Téah) John and many other dear friends and wonderful family members put a lot of sweat, tears and plain hard work into that house. It looked nothing like the house we moved into with a 10 month old Téah when we moved out with a 4 year old Téah and an almost 2 year old Micah. That house on Rural Street will always hold a special place in our families' heart. We still drive by it almost weekly and Micah always screams "me house!!"

However, there have been some great things about our new place and some things about that old house that I am not missing.

- We heat our new house (new to us, it was built in the late 1930's) with a wood burning stove. It is wonderful! The downstairs is usually in the mid-high 60's and the upstairs in the low 60's. And we do have the option of individual electric baseboard heat all over the house if we need it during the really cold winter months. Compared to the sweltering 55 we set the heat at in our old house, this feels so good on a cold, blustery day like today.

- The layout of the house is nice. It's not nearly as big as our old house (purposeful decision) but it is more than big enough for our family. The kitchen is smaller, yes, but the dining room/living room are completely open to each other and there is a bathroom on the first floor and an extra room we have turned into a playroom. Which is great for the kids. They are even pretty good at cleaning up behind themselves when prompted. I have grand design ideas for that room but we'll see when/if they happen.

- The kids share a room. This may not sound like a good thing - but the front bedroom used to be two rooms and it's huge. The kids LOVE sharing. Really - they LOVE it. Eventually it will be the "boys' room" and Téah will get her own space. But for now Téah and Micah are very happy share their space (Téah does not like to sleep alone...) and the baby will have his own space which is ideal for a little while at least.

- No lead. (Ok, almost no lead - just a bit on the front porch which will be dealt with this spring. For now we don't use the front porch very often.) And if you followed my old blog at all - you know this is huge! I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am to let my new baby crawl all over the floor and not worry about the heavy metals he might be ingesting and poisoning his system with.

I'm on the hunt for my cord to get some new pictures up too. Soon enough. We're still unpacking - can you tell? Trust me, you don't want to open the door to what will be the baby's room right now. You can't even walk in there.

2009-12-10T06:49:00.000-08:00

I ready to get back into blogging. About our life around here. Since I'm never sure where "here" is or where it could be in the future I'll leave it a bit ambiguous for now. Hope you'll join us in our life around here!