Fishing With Friends

I'm behind (as usual) on blogging, but I couldn't leave out our fishing trip with our dear friends, the 'dorf family.  I am blessed to know them and call them friends.  Our time together is always fun and special.  

We loaded the kiddos up for a trip to our secret fishing spot with guaranteed success on catching fish.  PawPaw's pond is a sure thing when wanting to hook newbys on the joys of fishing.

The boys were all off to a great start, but Lucy and Jude quickly lost interest, 

and snacks and swinging became mandatory.  

Quick juice break for Sam, complete with buffalo in the background.

Then, more snacks in the back of the fan while our campfire heated up.  

Hotdogs and s'mores is the perfect dinner for hungry fisher-people.  

Oh, and I think Lucy and Jude are gonna be big buddies.  They like the same things: swinging, picking flowers, and eating lots of graham crackers.  They are just each others' speed.  It's pretty cute.

Sweet Little People

I don't ever want to forget what a blessing my little people are to me, but some days, this gig doesn't feel so blessed.  So, I upload pics from my phone to make me smile, breath, and move forward with a happy heart.  

Mother's Day 2014

Family time at the Pregnancy Center Fish Fry event

Watering our garden...

Handpicked flowers from the back yard, just for me...

That crinkle-nosed smile that usually means she's up to something.

Our first game of Chutes and Ladders

Sam won, fair and square.

Angus is Back

In our house, every prayer is ended with a hearty Zulu-style AMEN, thanks to Angus Buchan.  He is transforming the men in our church with his Mighty Men's events, and sometimes he speaks to our congregation as a whole during his visits as well.  This time, we did church outdoors, and Angus was our guest speaker.  

Our Momentum group came early and "tailgated" in the parking lot, complete with breakfast foods for all, so we could all spend some time together and hear Angus.

And, my boy, well, he dressed up special for Angus' visit… in his Angus hat and cowboy boots.

And, he even got to get his picture made with Angus himself!  

Practically twins.  I'm a sucker for cowboys who love Jesus.

Confessions of a Somewhat Super Mom

Recently, a friend commented that she cried every time she read my blog.  While I know she totally meant to compliment, I realized something.  I've been a little too heavy on the sentimental side lately.  It's be a deep few months full of meaning and metaphors and paying it forward stuff.  So, I decided to lighten it up a bit.  So, sit back, my friends, grab some tissue (or some Depends), and prepare to laugh until you leak, at my expense, of course…

Confession 1.  My childrens' television time probably far exceeds the recommended amounts suggested by the AAP.  I know; I should repent.  Sam, specifically, is a movie addict.  In fact, he has a freakish ability to quote movie lines with accuracy and clever timing.  Like the time he waited until we caught up to the biggest guy in Kroger and proceeded to say "You idiot, you're leading us in circles!" just like Elliott does in the movie, Open Season.  Being in public was the only thing that kept his highly embarrassed daddy from losing his religion on that sweet baby.  Oh, how I wish I was kidding.  

Confession 2.  Fruit Snacks = Breakfast of Champions in our house.  My boy will move mountains for a fruit snack.  And by "move mountains" I mean wake up, get dressed, and out the door with a motivated pace and a happy heart  IF fruit snacks are in his breakfast future.  And, while I know they are filled with high-fructose corn syrup and motivating my children with food is a no-no, sometimes I risk it for morning compliance from the three-year old.

Confession 3.  Most parents will readily admit that before arriving to a location they have a quick talk in the car reviewing "the rules" for when they arrive.  Listen and obey.  Use good manners.  Yes ma'am.  No sir.  Yadda Yadda.  But, perhaps the part less mentioned is that fact that moms of young boys must also review whether it is/is NOT okay to pee outside at this location.  Working at the farm?  Yes.  Our own back yard.  Discreetly.  The church parking lot.  Definitely not.  (Learned a little too late that one is not universally understood.)  A friend's backyard birthday party.  Please, dear baby, hear me when I say NO.

Confession 4.  Around here, Thursday and Friday are "Dress Yourself" days, meaning little man is free to choose whatever he wants to wear and dress himself.  Mainly because by Thursday I've given up on trying to match or even be season appropriate.  The risk I take with "dress yourself" day is that Sam may or may not have on underwear.  (Also learned that one is not universally understood about five minutes into our morning ride to preschool.)  Did I turn around like a supermom would?  Nope.  I taught him a new vocabulary word and kept on truckin.  Commando.

Confession 5.  I am guilty of posting syrupy sweet photos on Facebook of my kids and my family, like these:

Do I post these photos to spark a riveting "mompetition" or create a false image of a blissfully perfect family?  Heavens, no.  I post the pics because it's a flippin' miracle!  You see, I know how many "outtake" shots it took to get these few wall worthy photos of my wiggly, spirited brood.  Outtake shots like these - accurate of who we are, but not quite what I envisioned above the fireplace.

So, you better believe when any of my friends post sweet pics of kiddos or homemade creations they somehow carved out enough time to make, I'm gonna be a "like" button clickin' motor scooter because I know what a miracle it is for them too.  Encouraging mommas, unite!

Confession 6.  Okay, I'll admit it.  Having kids was the best thing that ever happened to my gift-giving capabilities.  Give the kids a paint brush or slap a handprint on it, and Viola!  Merry Christmas, grandparents!  Here is our latest gift brainstorm session:

Me:  Sam, what does PawPaw need for his birthday?

Sam:  I think he needs a new "boohoo."

Me:  What's a "boohoo"?

Sam:  One of these! (holding up a paper towel roll he just plucked from the trash can) It's called a boohoo because when you put your mouth on the end of it and say, "BOOHOO" it's really funny!

Did I mention he's a genius!?  Decorate with markers, and BAM! Pawpaw gets a boohoo.  Nailed it!

Confession 7. I sometimes nearly lose my mind when the trophy husband says, "I'm going to play in a golf tournament this weekend, then I'm planning to go fishing with your dad on Monday."  As if he can't read my mind that I could really use just a bathroom break alone, or a blow up mattress in the closet with a lock on the door.  Or, dare I say, a trip to the grocery store by myself.  But, he can't read my mind.  So, I've been known to go into blubbering mess mode complete with tears and snot and flailing motions to get my plight across.  It isn't pretty.  So there you go moms, if you've every gotten to this point too, you're not alone.  

Confession 8.  If I ever get my hands on that pesky "one shoe monster" it won't be pretty and it probably won't be Christian.  You know, the one who shows up 10 minutes before you need to leave the house for church or work and strategically hides only ONE of your childrens' shoes?  Everything is going great, one shoe completely on and tied, and then the search begins, to no avail, of course.  In minutes, my blood pressure can reach stroke levels over a missing squeaker sandal. Over reacting?  Probably, but everybody has a hot button.  Namaste, ok.

Confession 9.  Who has two thumbs and needs God's grace by the boatload…this girl!  This mom gig is tough, and we need each other.  Mommas, Nanis, Kimmies, Grammies, Grandmoms, Mimis, Aunties. It takes every last imperfect one of us.  Sticking together.  Encouraging each other.  Praying for one another.  Being honest with each other.  

So, happy Mother's Day to all who raise up the little ones, as best we can, imperfections and all.  While you may be like me and fall short of the Mom-of-the-Year requirements, remember, you are somebody's superhero, just the way you are.

Lucy's Dress

Long before Lucy, I envisioned having my own wedding dress remade into a dress for my future daughter one day.  The dress is very simple, nothing fancy but classic.  If I cut it to a tea length dress, there would surely be enough material around the bottom to make a dress for my sweet baby…

Then along came Lucy, born right around Easter time, and my dream became a 

plan for Lucy's first Easter dress.  What once was this:

has now become this...

Happy first Easter, little one.

When We Shine and Tell Our Story...

Sweet Lucy,

Your life story started out a little differently.  It wasn't exactly what your daddy and I had in mind, and it wasn't ideal, but we would never change it.  We had the opportunity to learn first-hand how God is so faithful and so big and so wonderful.  He takes ALL things, even things we would have never chosen for ourselves, and weaves them together to make something good.  No, great.  And powerful.  And moving.  And extraordinary.

So, we celebrated your first birthday a little differently.  I'd seen friends do acts of kindness to celebrate with their children, and I really liked the idea.  It seemed a very fitting way to celebrate your miraculous healing and your first of many healthy birthdays, God willing.

Some things we did in honor of your first birthday were:

Personal delivery of a special gift to the most special of friends to remind her that 

long-lasting friendships are precious and life is, indeed, so very good.

Donations to the pregnancy center because babies are precious gifts from God, however they come.

Breakfast for your Children's Ministry shepherds who speak the 

word of God into the tiny hearts of our little ones each weekend.  

We all skipped school and work to spread some kindness on your actual birthday, and our first stop was Julia's Bakery.  We loaded up on pink boxes and set out to shine some light as a family.

Cookies for Mom and Dad's co-workers

A dozen cupcakes for the NICU

We even got to spend a few minutes with Missy, one of the nurses who cared for you while you stayed in the NICU for treatment and healing.  It was almost as if you remembered her.  You reached right to her when you saw her again.

Your brother left sticker books for all the big brothers to-be in the waiting room of labor and delivery.  

He picked flowers from the back yard and delivered them to both nurses stations.

We left a cupcake for Belinda, the nurse who helped deliver you, to find when she came in for night shift.  Believe me, girlfriend, we were both in good hands with Belinda.

We stopped by Chik-fil-A for some lunch, and while we were at it, 

we bought lunch for the people behind us too.

You took a cookie break...

Ms. Jessica joined us for the afternoon while Daddy slept to prepare for night shift.  We visited our good friend Ms. Foster and complimented her beautiful flower garden in bloom.

Sam brought some "tasty carrots" to his friends, Buddy and Dutchess.

We sugared up our favorite pediatrician and his staff with Julia's cookies.

And, left a basket of toys and books for the waiting room at the doctor's office.

Visited your preschool at snack time to bring cookies to your classmates and teachers.

But, that's not all.  We asked our friends and family and those who love you to join us in shining our light and showing kindness to others.  We shared cards with a link to your story and encouraged people to share their acts and experiences with us, so we could one day share them with you.  

And, you know what, sweet girl?  They did, in a big way.  So many wonderful stories to tell.  Kind hearts to celebrate.  Nice gestures to honor.  Jesus is surely alive in the hearts of those who love him.  

I know in my heart that your birthday lit up the world for Jesus and made him smile.  I know this isn't even a complete list, but so far, as of today, the count is 107.  One hundred and seven acts of kindness done on your birthday to celebrate a girl whose name means "light" and the big God who healed her.  

And for whatever reason, I was pondering that number, and its importance and it made me think of the Psalms, the songs of David.  Probably because it's the only book in the Bible with chapters numbers that high.  So, I decided to read Psalm 107…

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, his love endures forever.  

Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.  Psalm 107

Oh, my little love, do you have a story to tell about a God who is good!

Easter 2014

Fun Fact:  Most people experience all holidays prior to their first birthday, but not Lucy.  She is already a big 1-year old on her first Easter because the date changes every year.  In fact, Easter actually fell on her birthday back in 2011, and that will not happen again until 2063, her 50th birthday.  Thanks Kimmie for the Trivia Tidbit :)

We attended "Easter service" at church on Good Friday this year.  I tried for some good honest Easter photos before we left.  Sam thought the tricycle made a perfect photo prop.  I pick my battles.

I love this one…

No tricycle.  No smiling face.  Period.

Lucy loves our "dandelion field" that is our front yard.

I texted the Bunny and asked him to drop by our house a day early since we had to be at church by 7:30 Sunday morning to volunteer.  He brought some pretty great prizes for two very good kiddos.

Apparently, clothing is optional when unpacking Easter baskets.

On Sunday afternoon, we gathered at CedarRock for lunch and an Easter egg hunt. 

Kimmie had the best egg hunt planned.  Color-coded, age appropriate hiding places made for a perfect hunt for every egg hunter.  No fighting or crying; it was bliss.

The egg hunters lined up and got their color assignments, and off they went.

YaYa bonded with our guest "Marley"

Lucy would hunt a little bit, then swing a little bit.  Then repeat.

The boys had to really use their heads.  Eggs hidden high in trees, down in holes.  They really had to think to get those eggs this year.

Egg hunter extroadinaire found himself worn out and needed a quick break.

After all the eggs were found, we sat at the picnic tables to survey the loot.  Some eggs had slips of paper telling the boys to complete and activity to unwrap a big prize from the table.  Clever.

Dance to pick a prize...

Make a funny face to pick a prize...

A short break to swing with PawPaw

A wagon ride around the farm with the whole family

And finally, a "Shine Your Light" birthday cake for Lucy and Uncle Drew, who both had birthdays during the week of Easter.

Cake and icing = happy girl