To Preschool or Not?

Recently, Caleb and I decided that we will have Hannah attend preschool in the fall. With baby on the way and an almost 3yo who has given up nap time I think I'm going to need a few hours a week for a little break.

At first I felt so selfish to even consider the idea of sending Hannah into the care of someone other than mommy. However, after thinking and praying about it a ton I realize that there are so many benefits for her.

1. It will be healthy for her to get used to spending time with someone other than mommy. Since we have no family in the area she really doesn't get a chance to experience life independent from me very often.

2. She will be able to learn social skills such as sharing. She's already pretty good at this, but I think it will help her to learn these things when I'm not constantly directing her.

3. Hannah's getting a little bored at home. This will give her an opportunity to experience new activities. Every day the first things she asks me in the morning are, "Where are we going?" and "Can I see my friends today?" She looks forward to time with other little kiddos. Dance class is definitely one of her favorite activities right now.


















4. She will get individual attention and help with skills like writing her name, cutting, etc.

It will only be about 4-5 hours a week, but for some reason it's hard to let go. I know she will absolutely love it. We're hoping that once the baby is here she'll consider it her special time for just Hannah. And mommy will be able to squeeze in some time to write curriculum for Faith Quest, go grocery shopping, or clean this filthy house!

May Update

Where did May go? Hannah spent lots and lots of time being spoiled by both sets of grandparents this month. After our 10 days in St. Louis, JuJu and PaPa came to visit for a while.

First, we celebrated Caleb's graduation from the University of Michigan with a bowling party. We are so happy that he's finally done with his Engineering Management degree!

Hannah also started dance classes. It is so incredibly adorable to see the little girls prancing around in tutus!

We also had a fun visit with JuJu and PaPa and topped it off with a camping trip to Mackinac.

Hannah also has something she wants to share with you:

The Friday Five: St. Louis

Hannah and I are having a blast here in St. Louis. She is certainly enjoying the extra attention and new scenery. We got some great steals at a garage sale last weekend and two giant Little People sets from a seller on CraigsList for $25 total. These bargains have been entertaining her when we're not on the go.

St. Louis is a fabulous destination for a family vacation. There are countless activities to take your children (of all ages) to and some of them are even FREE! Here are the Deibels' favorites:

5. Cardinals Baseball Games

(Lauren and I treated my dad to a game for Father's Day)

4. The Butterfly House

3. Grant's Farm
(We haven't made it here yet because of the rain...maybe Saturday?)

2. Magic House

1. St. Louis Zoo

(FREE admission! We also found free parking for a little bit further of a walk.)

There are just so many fun things to do in St. Louis that I can't list them all here. Other locations we love to visit are the Arch, Botanical Gardens, Science Center, and Imo's Pizza (Kara's favorite!!!).

The Friday Five: Traditions

I have been thinking about family traditions lately and wondering what Hannah will remember about her childhood as she grows older. Both of our families had a few traditions growing up that we'd like to continue, and we agree that we should be more intentional about doing things together as a family to create wonderful memories. Here are the ones that we have started or plan to begin this year:

1. Design and make an annual Christmas Ornaments as a family (Coddington Tradition)

2. Eat off of a special plate on your birthday (Deibel Tradition)

3. Pancake Breakfast by daddy on Saturday mornings (Caleb's idea and I LOVE it!!! He even managed to do this for us while he was taking graduate courses!)

4. Pizza Night on Saturday (fondue, casseroles, order out, grilled, etc.)

5. Goal: Pray together intentionally (not just for our meal) and have family devotions

April Update

Caleb enjoys taking Hannah to the Home Depot Kids' Project Days the first Saturday of every month. I went along last time and it was so cute to see them working together. Notice Hannah's precision :) She can also hammer without looking! Hahaha...daddy's gunna get it one of these times when Hannah's not paying attention!

The Friday Five

We have some beautiful flowers blooming in our yard right now!  Here are my favorites:

5.  Bluebells?











4.  Tulips











3.  Rhododendrons











2.  Daffodils

1.  Bleeding Heart

When the Rain Comes

This blog is about to take a much more personal turn.

I stroll the baby isles at Target longing for the day when I can buy binkies and burp cloths and diapers, yes-even diapers, again. Every time I go downstairs to do laundry (which is often) I walk by our "baby storage."  I wonder if I will be able to use these beloved items again.  I want to know the scent of baby skin and stroke my newborn's head again.  I want to hear the first giggle and watch the first steps.  We've been trying for almost a year for a second child and it is just not happening.  I often wonder what God wants for our family.  And then today...I finally cried.

Then, there are the people who make casual comments about how it must be time for Hannah to have a little sister or brother.  I know they mean no harm by it and it is a very common thing to say, especially when they probably imagine we want another child.  I usually respond by saying, "We're trying" and then get a blank stare.  No one knows what to say and I don't even know what I want to hear.  I think that is why most people don't ask me about it.  It has become a very lonely journey.

One of the worst times is at church when I go to pick Hannah up from nursery. Everyone else – and it is everyone else – has at least a number two, and I feel like such an outsider. They swap stories about the trials of having more than one child and my heart aches.   I suppress my sadness and try to offer a sympathetic ear.

Please don't think that I am not grateful for the beautiful, sweet, healthy, fun daughter that God has already gifted us.  I hope this blog attests to how much I absolutely adore Hannah.  It's just that I don't feel like my family is complete.  I have a hole in my heart that longs for another child.

We don't know what the Lord's plan is, yet we remain hopeful.  I will be visiting the doctor next month to try to figure out what may be going on.  We pray that the Lord reveals His plan for our family and helps us to grow more dependent on Him.  If you feel led, please pray for us during this difficult journey.

When the Rain Comes (click here)