Another Bend in the Road

Found This in My Draft Folder And Had to Publish Over 4 Years Later

2012-01-21T22:49:00.000-06:00

It's peaceful in here right now, but come December that will soon change. As first time parents, we are used to hearing, "you have no idea how your life will change!", and while I know that is true, I have to say that we are excited about your arrival Grace. We pray for you every night, and you love to make your presence known by jumping around, especially at bedtime. Keep growing little one. We love you already.

John's Wedding

2012-01-17T20:30:00.001-06:00

We went to my brother John's wedding to his sweet bride Grace this past weekend. I was crazy chasing after the kids and trying to visit with everyone, so I got very few pictures, but I thought that I would put the few I have here for scrapbooking purposes. Noticeably absent are the bride and groom (ooops), but hopefully the photographer can provide us with some great shots later!

On the way to the wedding, I told Grace, "We are going to Uncle John's wedding." And she replied, "John's going to marry ME." Sorry little one, wrong Grace. By the way, it is so funny when both big and little Grace are together. Marcus and I will be telling our Grace not to do something and John's Grace will think we are talking to her and get the strangest look on her face. Our Grace totally rejects the idea that anyone else can have the name Grace, so she is confused the entire time.

Cousin Alex and the kids staying entertained with a video while waiting through all the pre wedding pictures. Ray and Kerry came and kept our kids tons during the weekend, so Marcus and I were able to enjoy the weekend without chasing the rugrats the whole time. Thank you!

My brother Eric

My brother Brad talking to Ray

My brother David and Eric's wife Anna

Grace wanted to be "A DANCER" the whole reception

WOOOO PIG SOOOIEEEEEE

2012-01-17T14:52:00.002-06:00

(Us on the fan cam)

My dad and I went to watch our beloved Razorbacks play in the Cotton Bowl. I teased my dad that he didn't relax until the last 1:30 seconds when he was sure we were going to win. We had so much for cheering for the Hogs and visiting with other Razorback fans. I even ran into one of my friends from high school and medical school and his wife!

We stayed at the Westin at the Galleria which was also a lot of fun. After the game, the only place open was the hotel bar, so my dad and I (too nervous too eat the whole game) grabbed some food there and watched several not so sober Kansas State fans learn how to call the Hogs. My dad did almost disown me the next day because I brought purple to wear and everyone thought I was a Kansas State fan. Whoops! A serious mistake!!

Big thank you to Marcus, sweet husband and father, who watched the kids so I could go and make some wonderful memories with my dad!

Happy Birthday Jesus 2011

2012-01-17T14:38:00.001-06:00

Marcus and I had several discussion this Christmas season about how hard it is to teach our kids the true meaning of Christmas amidst all the toys and busyness and stuff, Stuff, STUFF. It's hard. They are bombarded at every turn with things that are fun and secular, and no those things aren't necessarily wrong, but it can be hard for a little baby in a stable to compete with all the hustle and bustle in a child's eyes. We didn't come up with any magical answers, but we are trying, and praying, and hoping, that in the middle of all of the fun things that don't really matter, they will come to see the ONE that really does matter.

And now it seems completely appropriate to show pictures of our kids enjoying all their Christmas stuff :)

We are so blessed.

Jacob loves his trains. "chooo chooo"

Grace's quote of the day was, "OH MOMMY, now I have everything I NEED TO BE A PRINCESS!!!"

Our brave little fireman

Christmas Eve 2011

2012-01-17T13:21:00.001-06:00

We have started a tradition in our little family where we stay home for Christmas. This way the kids can be in their own beds for Christmas (plus it is just TOO hard to load everything and everyone up for Christmas!) and we can start our own family traditions.

Marcus and I brined and made the turkey from Alton Brown's Good Eats

Jacob "cheesing" it up at our church's Christmas Eve service. There is no childcare for this service, so we were already a little stressed about how the kid's would behave. The kids were doing fine and then our church's lead pastor (who shall we say is the type to talk about how kids used to behave so well back in the day....) sat down right in front of us. Aaaaagghhhh. Marcus and I quickly exchanged panicked looks and waited for disaster to strike. The EXTRA PRESSURE. Oh MY!! But lo and behold, a Christmas Miracle occurred and the kids behaved for the entire hour long service. Thank you Jesus!! :)

Christmas Village

2012-01-17T13:09:00.001-06:00

The Friday before Christmas, we went to a local Christmas village which had an amazing light show synchronized to music. The kiddos had fun riding the Christmas train, jumping on the bouncy houses, eating popcorn, and they even wanted to go see Santa.

I was shocked. I wasn't planning on taking then this year because last year we stood in line for an hour and both kids were terrified of Santa and cried the whole time (see last year's pic. At least it was a funny picture). Anyway, I wasn't signing up for that again, but this village had a Santa and there was no line, AND both kids asked to go, so we went for it. And who would've guessed it....they had a blast.

December 2011

2012-01-17T10:24:00.002-06:00

My nurse Melissa and I. We decided at the last minute to send some Christmas cards to a few of our very sick patients.

Grace's school Christmas program. She was the only shepherd with a pink bow sticking out!

The kids favorite part of the Christmas program was eating Jesus's birthday cake

The best family shot we could get on that day. So glad Marcus and I were both able to make it

The Opryland Ice show

Ice carvers from China come in to make all the sculptures. It is amazing.

Jacob totally reminds me of the little boy from A Christmas Story all stuffed in his coat!

Jacob got stuck on this giant ice slide (his parka slid up and his jeans created too much friction for him to slide). They wouldn't let Marcus slide down to get him, so in the end, they pulled him down with a giant hook. He laughed the whole time. It was HYSTERICAL!!

Grace and I at the Rockettes. She loved the "dancers".

We spent that weekend at the Opryland Hotel which is always so beautifully decorated for Christmas. The kids had fun even if they didn't show it in this picture

Making gingerbread men and Christmas trees

Happy Birthday Grace and Marcus

2011-11-28T13:44:00.001-06:00

4 years old my sweet Grace! You are getting to be such a big girl. You loves stories and songs, princesses and purses, animals and blocks, and so many other things. You are learning something new every day. You know all your letters and are working on sounding out words. You are such a big help to mommy. You love helping me cook, especially cracking the eggs! I love it when I tuck you in at night and you say, "I love you Soooooo much mommy." Your daddy and I love you soooooo much sweet girl.

The birthday duo, sharing a princess cake! Marcus is always such a good sport (Happy 37 honey! We love you so, so much. You are getting to be such a big boy too :)

Two peas in a pod

Blowing out candles at our party at Grandma and Grandpa's house

Daddy even got some presents too!

Yummy cake

Playing with new toys. Grace got Strawberry shortcake for her birthday (thanks everybody!) which totally cracks me up because I remember playing with these when I was a little girl. My mom (who saves everything :) still has my giant strawberry container full of strawberry shortcake dolls which she gets out for the kids to play with. So fun to see that these are back "in" and that I get to watch my little one enjoy them too!

When Grace came home from the hospital after she was born she wore a Christmas outfit with the same pants that she wore for her party (except they were in preemie size!). Made me nostalgic for my little baby, but I am so thankful for the sweet, sweet girl she has turned into!!

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-28T13:28:00.001-06:00

This Thanksgiving,

we are thankful for family,

for cousins to play with,

for our sweet cousin Alex, who has cystic fibrosis, and had been so healthy this year,

for plenty of food

for a visit to my little hometown which has a festival at Thanksgiving every year,

for laughter,

for time to spend together.

But most of all we are thankful for a God who loves us always and gives us a reason to be thankful in both good times and hard times.

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJ)

Halloween 2011

2011-11-02T20:29:00.002-05:00

School Pumpkin Patch

2011-11-02T14:04:00.001-05:00

Jacob Turns 2

2011-11-02T12:14:00.000-05:00

A football birthday party with the Razorbacks of course. We start the brainwashing early around here.

Bouncy house fun

blowing out the candles

Miss Kellie made him his very own ball

Brett (Kellie's fiance) and Jacob on the slide

My sweet nurse cutting the cake

Jacob holding the football from the top of the cake. It was made of rice crispy treats and covered with fondant. He snatched it and ran to hide in the bouncy house. Funny little man.

Happy Birthday to my sweet, snuggle bug, getting so big, boy!

We love you Jacob!!

Chicago

2011-11-02T11:46:00.001-05:00

A month ago, we took the kiddos on a trip to Chicago to visit my youngest brother David. For some crazy reason we decided to take a flight that left 30 minutes after the kid's bedtime. It SO could've been a disaster, but thankfully this was what happened!

On a side note, I always get nervous when people compliment us on our kid's behavior (knowing there are so many more times when someone would rather strangle me instead) because I know that it could go south at any second! As anyone who has had more than one kid knows (it seems sometimes you can get lucky with just one and they can be fairly compliant...but usually the second time around it all evens out!) so much of kid's behavior/choices are completely out of our control. Of course you can set them up for success, and we try to do that, but still you never know.

This past weekend we were eating out at a restaurant in our downtown when a lady came over and told us how glad she was that we made our kids behave while they were eating. I told Marcus that it makes we want to just run out of the restaurant as fast as we can before anything else happens and they change their mind! (Note to self when I'm older: give families with young children grace when I see them struggling.)

Anyhoo, what I thought was so funny about the above incident was that several weeks earlier we were also eating out at another local restaurant, and it did not go so well. We were trying a new Korean restaurant, and I should've listened to my mother's intuition which said "turn around and exit immediately" when we walked through the doors. We were greeted with white tablecloths and no children anywhere in sight. In fact, they had to dust off the one high chair they had in the back for us to use ("Not a good sign mama. Not a good sign." Why don't I listen?). We sat down to order with hungry and tired kiddos ("Good time for peanut butter and jelly at home mom!" Yet still in denial here.), and there was nothing that I thought my kids would eat at all.

Jacob started to fuss, so being the somewhat responsible parents we are, Marcus took him outside while I settled on some sort of Korean enchilada for the kids ("Abort mission. Abort mission!") while nervously eyeing the couple behind us leisurely sipping on their wine and discussing the matters of the world. Meanwhile, Grace is not using "her quiet voice" like I am so desperately asking her to do, and I see Marcus and Jacob making a lap around the outside of the building. But then, but then, the kids food comes and I breathe a sigh of relief ("You can do this mama. You can do it"). Grace perks up as I hand her the plate with her "enchilada" on it. She quietly takes a bite and starts to chew ("whew, we made it. We are masters at eating out with 2 young children. I should write a book really").

I look down and then look up to Grace with the strangest expression on her face. The chewing becomes slower...and slower....and THEN, and THEN, she screams (not using her quiet voice by the way), "YUCK!!!!!", spits the "enchilada" into her hand and then throws it across the restaurant!!!! OH YES SHE DID! Next thing I know I hear a "SPLAT" at the table next to us as the food hits and then runs down the side of the table leg.

AWESOME!!!

Time stops. Korean waiters are scurrying. Refined couples drinking wine are staring. This mama is DYING, and so I do the only thing that comes to mind. I grab Grace and run as fast as possible out of the restaurant. I think I mumbled something like, "I'm so, so sorry everyone," and probably, "No m'am we do not throw our food" as I was running out the door, but I can't be sure.

Outside, I inform Marcus (still trying to settle Jacob) of the aforementioned events and also inform him that I am under NO CIRCUMSTANCES going back into that restaurant, so he bravely heads in to clean up our mess, pay, and get the rest of the food to go while I load the kids into the car and then hide in the front seat. My brave husband tells me that no one yelled at him, but I'm not so sure I believe him. I feel sure that refined couple would laugh themselves silly if they could hear the first lady complimenting us on our parenting skills!

OK...that was a long side note.

And now back to Chicago....

Eating deep dish Chicago-style pizza. Yum!

Braving a taxi and 2 kids by myself. And yes, Grace did retail every taxi cab driver with the Arkansas fight song.

Ice cream at Ghiradrdelli's

Chicago has an awesome zoo, and it's FREE!!

At the pier

Chicago Aquarium. Jacob loved the submarine

Watching the dolphin show

At the top of Willis Tower

Great to see my brother! We loved Chicago. A very fun city!!

Fire Truck Day

2011-11-02T10:36:00.003-05:00

Grace had a blast at fire truck day at her school.

Our sweet babysitter brought Jacob, so he could join in the fun.

Grace's class

Girls and Boys

2011-11-02T10:02:00.001-05:00

This fall it has been fun to see two little different personalities developing. More and more our little guys are having fun playing together (and fighting together, of course), but they have also started doing more typical "boy" and "girl" things.

Here is Jacob watching a Razorback football game. I swear he sat right there and watched the whole first half. In all honesty, I think it was because he was completely exhausted and was happy to rest! Doesn't he look like an old man sitting back and watching the game?

One night when I was painting my toenails, Grace decided she wanted "toenails like mommy", and this was the result. I was amazed that she sat still long enough for me to get them all painted. Notice the Razorback red! Grace knows all the words to the Razorback fight song and will sing her rendition for you wether you want her too or not! (just ask the taxicab drivers in Chicago about that one!!)

Get Ready.....

2011-11-02T09:32:00.001-05:00

For a whole bunch of blog posts!! For the three of you who follow me on google reader, I apologize for so many blog posts in one day, but we have been busy living life; therefore, I have not been so great at documenting it! However, I want to get an abbreviated version on this little online scrapbook, so I don't forget these quickly fleeting days.

Here we go...

First, a little blast from the past with a picture of Marcus, Clifford, and I when we first moved to Dallas over 6 years ago now.

My sweet Clifford likely tore his ACL a few weeks ago and has been hobbling around since then. For the first time in his 11 years, he has had to slow down a bit, and it makes my heart sad. We are in a wait and see pattern with him right now to see how he does, so I'll keep you posted.

Now onto my other children :)

Pawpaw & Nonnie Visit

2011-09-16T21:13:00.000-05:00

Grace's First Day of School 2011

2011-09-11T21:25:00.000-05:00

My sweet girl on her first day

Of course Bear had to have his/her picture made too

Last Summer Hoorah

2011-09-11T21:22:00.000-05:00

The end of summer found us busy with...

Birthday Parties

Mud

Baseball

Playing

Swimming

Hugging

More hugging

and Marcus's 10 year med school reunion

It's A Girl's Night Out

2011-07-18T15:53:00.000-05:00

Grace and I took a little girl's trip this weekend. We went and stayed at a fun hotel which Grace called a "huge castle." She has been struggling a bit lately, which means I have been struggling a lot lately, so I thought some one-on-one time away might be good for both of us.

I don't think she quite got the concept of a girls trip though. That night when we laid down in bed she said, "Mommy, we have to find our way out of this castle and get back to Daddy and Jacob."

Walking through the "rain forest" and "visiting the fish".

Cheese dip for Grace. Sangria for Mommy

Watching Curious George on a giant outdoor screen by the pool. This was stinkin' awesome!

Mesmorized by the fountain light show

Chocolate ice cream

Enjoying a giant sprinkle cookie in our room (sidenote: how come the lighting in hotel rooms is always so yellow?)

And never fear, the boys were having fun doing boy things...climbing things, climbing more things, and who knows what else. By the way, in case you were wondering, we did make it out of the GIANT CASTLE and found Daddy and Jacob.

Fourth of July 2011

2011-07-04T20:28:00.000-05:00

We started out the weekend with a fun trip to Birmingham to visit some sweet friends of ours from medical school and residency. We had a blast visiting the children's science museum, playing in the water, and grilling out. We had so much fun that I forgot to take any pictures. Hate that!

Back at home today, we made a homemade cherry, raspberry pie. Grace helped to make the dough. Marcus helped by pitting the cherries.

Next we visited our downtown's Fourth of July festival.

Nothing like a snow cone on a hot day

And of course, the obligatory petting zoo

Marcus's new hobby :)

Homemade pie and ice cream

With the Indy 500 pace car

Berry Pickin' and Random Chatterings

2011-06-01T13:12:00.000-05:00

We went strawberry picking (really when you talk about picking in the south it has to be "pickin'"), so we went berry pickin' with the kiddos recently. You can tell by their clothes and their faces that they enjoyed themselves immensely; however, their yield was not too good.

On the way to the straberry patch I could not get out of my head the song, "Goin on a berry hunt. Gonna pick some juicy ones. We're not scared. What a beautiful day," by none other than Dora the Explorer. So as to not leave anyone in suspense I will tell you that Dora is not afraid of berry pickin' but of swiper the fox who is on the prowl near the berry patch. Yes, these are the things that swim around in my head these days. Fun times!

All kids say funny things, and here on my blog is a chance for me to record the funny things that my little ones say, so one day, 10 or 20 years down the road, I can look back and remember these precious times.

Recently on our way to Florida, we stopped for lunch at the half-way point. As we were loading the kids back into the car, Grace said, "All done with the car. Ready for airplane." My sentiments exactly my dear. Grace has flown quite a bit with us, but I think she's going to have a rude awakening when she realizes we don't have a private jet at her disposal. Poor kid.

One of Grace's favorite things to do right now is sing, "Oh where is silly Daddy. Oh where is silly Daddy. Oh where, oh where, oh where, oh where, oh where is silly Daddy?" her own remake of the veggie tales song.

She is also very in to calling us princes and princesses. She loves to say, "Mommy, you are a beautiful princess," or "Daddy you are a prince." Never bad to have a little self-esteem boost. I'll remind her of that one day when she is angry about her curfew.

Jacob is starting to say more and more words. His claim to fame in our house right now is his shrill shrieking which he does for both joy and anger. Good times with the busted eardrums. We have taken to calling him stuck pig because that's exactly what he sounds like. I have got to get a video to play at his wedding one day.

J man is just entering the terrible two's (early of course) and can pitch a fit on the floor with the best of them. I told Marcus that the neighbors must think I beat the children because he will start screaming which makes Grace mad so she starts screaming. Which of course, makes him mad, thus futher elevating his screaming...you get the picture.

But...there are so, so many sweet times in between. Jacob still loves to snuggle at bedtime, and we rock, and sing, and pray together every night. He loves to laugh while I give him kisses all over while he tries to get away. He is very attached to his yellow blanket which was made for us by a sweet nurse in Mississippi. When he lays his head on my chest and says, "Ma Ma" in his little sweet voice, I know I am the luckiest mommy in the world.

Grace and I lay in her bed at bedtime after she and daddy have read books, and we talk about her day. She loves to rock and cuddle her bear and bunny and put them to bed to. She will grab my neck and say, "Love you so much mommy, so much."

I have to try my darndest not to laugh as we say her prayers every night. I have previously mentioned that she loves to thank God for "ANTS AND BEES! ANTS AND BEES!" every night (still!). Usually, when I ask her what she wants to tell God she's sorry for it goes something like "Sorry...Jacob...throw him down and go to time out." Ahhhh the love. But, but...every night before bed she will give a hug (resembling a headlock) and say, "I love you brudder. Good night."

I wish I could record every moment!! We are so blessed.

Congrats Doc

2011-05-30T20:49:00.000-05:00

Last weekend my baby brother graduated from medical school. I hadn't seen him since Thanksgiving, and I totally missed him when he was walking in because he grew a beard and I didn't recognize him. Here he is with his beautiful wife Becky.

The two youngest boys in my family, John and David

Proud parents

Marcus and I got to "hood" David (placing his doctoral hood on) which was an honor for us. Very fun to be back at our alma mater all these years later.

Nonnie and Pawpaw came to meet us for lunch for a quick visit!

Our celebratory dinner after the graduation

Beach Bunnies

2011-05-18T12:18:00.021-05:00

Last week we were in Florida for a yearly rheumatology conference for Marcus. I also took a week off work and did some of my yearly continuing medical education on the computer. Nothing like working with a view of the ocean in the background!

My parents made the trek too and were a great help watching the rugrats as they dove in and out of the ocean. Grace is normally a very fearful little girl. She has been struggling with a fear of the swimming pool, so imagine our surprise when she just ran into the waves. Such a joy to watch her squeal with delight as she let the waves roll over her!

I've been thinking a lot about how 5 years ago we were trudging through fertility treatments. What a beautiful reminder of answered prayers.

Eating at the wharf

Jacob loved digging in the sand. Marcus and I spent our week digging big holes for "him" to play in.

Grace did not meet a stranger on the beach. She was quick to tell them about her watering can and that "I'm three years old."

I think she might like him just a little bit. One evening, a banquet down the beach from our condo put on a huge fireworks display on the beach. We were able to watch from our balcony. Grace, never a fan of loud noises, first lept into my arms and whispered, "You're safe mommy, your safe." After a while she relaxed and enjoyed the "sparkles". Her comment afterwords, which she continues to repeat, was "the sparkles are REALLY, REALLY LOUD!"

One of the many forts we constructed during the week. I knew we were in trouble when Marcus and my dad were plotting getting a rice levy shovel involved!

Besides digging in the sand, my little man loved riding the elevator up to our condo. Grandpa was a great elevator riding buddy and indulged him in many extra trips. Grace and Jacob took fun pushing the elevator buttons and now one of Jacob's favorite words is "but-tun"

My sweet girl and I playing in the waves

Every night when we say prayers I ask Grace, "What do you want to thank God for?" After this particular day, she said, "For playing on the beach with Grandma", which is better than her usual reply which is "FOR ANTS....AND BEES!!" ??

Grace with the infamous "WATERING CAN". She got quite a few compliments on her Hollywood style by her "friends" (passersby) on the beach.

One of my favorites which I snapped with my phone

And last but not least....Grace's favorite color (right now) is purple. She carries around a prized purple Easter Egg, which Marcus and I have named "my precious" (insert long gray haired man from Lord of the Rings fluttering his fingers and saying that with a gleam in his eye). Anyhoo, one night when we were at an outdoor concert, I found the cutest purple outfit for Grace in a children's shop which I knew she would love. She wanted to put it on immediately, so we went to the bathroom for a wardrobe change (she's still channeling Hollywood here. Oh dear), and she came back to the concert with the biggest smile on her face. Marcus said it was worth the money for that outfit just to see the expression on her face. Here is a video of her dancing in the "beeyuuutiful PURPLE outfit" at the concert.

Texas, Family, and The Easter Bunny

2011-04-24T21:04:00.043-05:00

Last week we had such a fun trip to Marcus's brother's family's ranch in Texas. Some of my favorite childhood memories are holiday get-togethers when I got to play with my cousins, and I have no doubt that this will be the same for my kiddos.

Trey, Shannon, and Ainsley live on a beautiful ranch in Texas and throw one heck of an Easter egg hunt to boot! The Easter Bunny even made an appearance (notice who is missing in our family group photo). Grandmama and Granddaddy joined in on the fun as well, and our weekend was full of fun family time, great food, and chasing our rascals around outside.

There is nothing like spending time with family. We are so thankful for a great weekend with ours.

Easter Weekend 2011

2011-04-24T14:44:00.001-05:00

Our Easter weekend included a trip to a local farm where we met lots of baby animals, a wonderful church service celebrating Jesus's resurrection, and more Easter egg hunting at home.

Happy Easter to everyone! May we all remember the hope of Jesus throughout the entire year.

The Miracle Of The Hard Eucharisteo

2011-04-11T19:25:00.001-05:00

The following was written for our mommy's book club. We are reading Ann Voskamp's "One Thousand Gifts" which I highly recommend. I put it here too just for myself to remember on down the road.

I was feeling pretty good about the whole eucharisteo business, thinking to myself that I was getting to be an amateur Ann Voskamp of sorts. Look out world, maybe I’ll write a book. Ok probably not that, but maybe an interesting blog post at least.

Oh, but wait. Not so fast little missy.

I was sitting at my doctor’s office, enjoying a few minutes of peace while the kiddos were at home with the babysitter. (Side note: Nothing like looking forward to your annual gynecology visit because you know the waiting room will bring some sweet, uninterrupted reading time. I know you’ve all been there girls!)

Up on the table frocked in one of those lovely hospital gowns, I crack open chapter 5. Gulp. I read of her neighbor’s son being killed, her son undergoing a terrible injury, her memories of her mom holding her baby sister as she lay dying, and suddenly, I don’t feel like such an expert anymore.

It’s a little easier to be thankful for beautiful spring flowers in the middle of a busy day changing poopy diapers. This appeals to the writer/creative side of me. It’s romantic in a way.

I imagine the setting: Me, showered and with makeup on of course, busily cooking dinner, a little harried as I’m jumping over toys lying in the kitchen floor, sweetly reminding my children not to strangle each other, and yet, I’m stopping to lift up a thanksgiving prayer for the singing bird on the window sill. I’m channeling my best Ann Voskamp.

Did I mention this was all in my imagination? I can do this I think.

But now…. this? Mangled hands and dead children? I’m not so sure I’m signing up for this chapter. Please, oh please, don’t ask me to go there Lord.

The HARD eucharisteo. Our worst nightmare.

”Joy and pain, they are but two arteries of the one heart that pumps through all those who don’t numb themselves to really living.” Ann Voskamp, Chapter 5

Can we have the joy without the pain please?

I don’t think it works that way here on earth.

And so, the alternative is to skip them both. To live numb with a hard shell covering our hearts. “Nothing’s gonna hurt me. I’ve wised up to the way things work down here, and I’m going to cruise here in the middle. It’s safe here.”

I’ve lived life that way for a while, while I was in the depths of depression. I don’t recommend it. It’s not a good plan really.

And so, that leaves me with the hard eucharisteo.

“Every step I take forward in my life is a loss of something in my life and I live in the waiting: How and of what will I be emptied of today?” Ann Voskamp, Chapter 5

Gulp!

Can I trust that He is good when it is easy to give thanks AND when it’s hard?

“No scripture glasses to read what God is trying to write through a prodigal child? Scrawl my own quick editing on the half-finished story: failure. Satan’s tongue darts.

Not wearing a biblical lens to decipher the meaning of a doctor’s ominous diagnosis? Just read Satan’s slippery interpretation: cheated.

Not using anything to bend the light of this world so I can read my own messy days? Spray on another layer of graffiti: worthless.” Ann Voskamp, chapter 5

And this is why she is writing the book, and I am not. In this one chapter she has written what it took me years climbing out a pit of depression to learn. God’s word is the only thing that will keep my perspective. It is the only thing that will allow me to both soak up the joy and live through the pain. Without it I can’t experience both with any semblance of sanity.

I will never forget calling the parent’s of a 19 year old on Christmas Eve and telling them their son likely wouldn’t make it through the night. Then, after a long night of call, falling into my comfortable bed at home and waking up to celebrate Christmas with my healthy, happy family. The stark contrast was enough to drive me crazy.

So unfair. Satan whispered, “Why do you deserve to be happy when they are not.” Guilt. He then chased that with one of his favorite weapons: Fear. “Just wait. You’re next.”

“Without God’s word as a lens, the world warps.” Ann Voskamp, Chapter 5

So true. So true. It took me many years to learn that. Satan and our sin love to take the truth and twist it and whisper to our hearts, “This could be truth”. Only it’s not. And it takes His word to bring the perspective back.

His word says He is always good. His word says He loves me even on the days I snap at my children while writing a post about eucharisteo (it’s back to square one for me ladies).

His word says there will be a day when “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4

And it’s HARD. And I have to be reminded over and over.

This weekend I learned one of my 32 year old friend has invasive breast cancer. She’s got 2 young boys the same age as my kids. She is facing bilateral mastectomy, chemo, radiation. Sorrow comes heavily. Then a familiar whisper, “Why should you be happy when there is so much pain?” Then my old friend fear,”O Lord, don’t ask me to walk that road. I have children who need me.”

Can I believe God transfigures all the world?

“Darkness transfigures into light, bad transfigures into grace, empty transfigures into full. God wastes nothing-“makes everything work out according to His plan” (Ephesians 1:11). Ann Voskamp

Lord, let me brave enough to live the miracle that everything is eucharisteo. It is the only way to live.

And now let me leave you with some of my practicing everyday thankfulness (and an excuse to show some pictures of my kids. Sorry).

A daughter who matches the spring flowers

The season's first watermelon

And a 10 year old faithful friend!

Preschool Petting Zoo

2011-04-09T12:12:00.000-05:00

Grace's school had a local farmer bring animals to her school last week for a petting zoo. The ole petting zoo is always a hit with my kiddos. Grace was camera shy that day, and this was the only picture I was able to get with her in it. Jacob was glad he was able to tag along!

Well, Hello Spring

2011-04-03T18:02:00.000-05:00

Craziness has been our motto recently. The last few weeks have included a hospital stay for Marcus (dehydration from a stomach virus...he's all better now), lots of Sonic happy hour, Marcus being on service at Vanderbilt (rounding with the rheumatology fellows) (We are so proud of you Daddy!!), a trip to work on our house in Mississippi, and a surprise trip for me that I'll tell you about later.

We are loving daylight savings time and the spring weather! It is so fun that the kids are old enough to play in the backyard by themselves without us having to watch their every move. Most of our afternoons and evenings are spent playing outside.

Jacob will be in the ER sometime soon...just a question of when. He is one daring boy! Grace loves picking flowers and leaves and pretending all sorts of fun things. I am trying to soak up every minute of the craziness.

Grandparent's Visits

2011-03-07T12:23:00.000-06:00

We have been blessed recently by visits from 2 sets of the grandparents. Such a special and neat relationship between grandparents and grandkids. So many wonderful memories from my childhood involve spending time with my grandparents. I was so blessed to live close to mine as a child, and while my children don't have that luxury, we do cherish the wonderful times that we have together. Knowing that we can't just run down the street to see them, makes the moments that we do have all the more special.

An All Points Bulletin For A Missing Bear

2011-02-23T16:41:00.000-06:00

Do not be afraid. This story has a happy ending.

Portrait of Bear just after a bath (notice the remaining dirt)

This is Bear. She is Grace's dearest and oldest friend. I'm sure you have seen her before. She has made many a blog appearance. Many of you have had the distinct pleasure of meeting bear in person.

....

Forgive me while I give a short biography on Bear. Bear has slept with Grace EVERY (really and truly, every) night since she was a few months old. Sadly, I can't recall exactly who gave bear to us, but oh how I wish I knew who that special person was! (In retrospect, I would ask them exactly where Bear was born so I could've had several back up Bears.)

Bear has traveled to California, Texas, Arkansas, Nevada, Florida, Mississippi to name a few. Bear goes to church, the grocery store, the playground, and of course, school too. Bear was the only stuffed animal performing in the preschool Christmas program. For a while Bear was a boy (despite the pink color), but now SHE is decidedly a girl and she wears a "beyutiful" dress (the blanket part of bear).

Well, you guessed it, the inevitable had to happen. Last Wednesday began as any other normal school day with Bear walking into school with Grace (thank goodness the tuition for bear is cheap!). They spent a normal day at school playing, going to music (now Bear is practicing for the spring music performance), painting, and napping, BUT, BUT, alas at dismissal time, Bear was....dun...dun...dun (insert tuba playing low, scary music then, GASP) MISSING.

A quick search of the school ensued by three teachers and myself, but again, alas, no Bear. By this time, Grace had developed a mild panic attack about the future state of Bear, so I did what any loving mother would do, I distracted her by letting her play with my iphone.

As we drove away from the school sans Bear, her teachers reassured me that they would issue an immediate APB for our missing friend. Meanwhile, we headed straight to Toys R Us to search for a replacement bear. I had visions of being up all night comforting my distraught child and knew that I must take immediate action to avoid such a scenario.

Toys R Us had no love for the pink Bear, so we moved on to Target, which also did not appreciate the great worth of a pink bear blanket. By this point, I too was in a small state of panic. No Bear and no replacement bear to be found. What is a neurotic mommy to do?
.
We settled on a second class purple bear blanket which I hoped would bring some solace in the middle of the night.

Meanwhile, back at preschool, Grace's teachers had issued the following email:
...
"Grace has lost her pink bear!!!!!!Please help us find it!!!!If found Pleeeeease let us know so she can get it back!!!!
Ms. Elizabeth and Ms. Robin "

Around 6 pm, when we thought all was lost, I received the following email:
..
"Sara, we found Grace’s bear in Aubrey’s bag this afternoon. Send me your phone number or call me when you get this message so we can get it to you right away. Thanks!"

To which I replied to all:

"Thanks so much to you all for helping us find bear!!"

.....
(Notice the plethora of exclamation marks which permeate this entire narrative, denoting the great urgency felt by all the involved mothers, who were breathing a sigh of relief that their bear was tucked in safely at home)

And finally, the last email from the preschool staff:

"We're so glad you found bear!!!!!We try our best to get those guys back home!!! "
...

(Notice the continuing exclamation marks !!!!)

So, Grace and I set out on a long, winter's night drive (seriously, it was 1 hour 10 minutes round trip) to rescue poor Bear from Aubrey's house. ....

On the way over, I instructed Grace on how she should thank Aubrey and her mother for taking such good care of Bear during her absence. ..

When we arrived Grace ran towards Aubrey's mother (who by the way, was holding Bear by the edge of her dirty "dress" with the tips of two fingers, eagerly awaiting Bear's departure when she could spray her entire house down with Lysol and Febreeze) and embraced Bear with a squeal of delight.

.Grace quickly mumbled thank you to Aubrey and her mother and then looked at me and said, "Now can we go visit Charlie's house?" (cute little red headed boy in her class)

.Exhausted after such a trying afternoon, yet forever granting my daughter's every wish, I sweetly replied, "Sure, honey whatever you want.".....

No wait. That must've been June Cleaver. ...

I grumbled, "Get in the car. We are going HOME."....

I have a sneaking suspicion that Bear may end up in Charlie's backpack in the near future.

Valentine Randomness

2011-02-14T10:57:00.000-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day

Ok, so the above is not a picture from today but from a month or so ago, but I came upon it and had to share a cute picture of my love bug. She is holding both "Bunny" and "Bear" her two prized possessions. I wish I could bottle the sweetness.

And here are my three Valentines. This morning we gave the kids this wagon for their Valentine surprise (my nurse found it on sale after Christmas for $25!). Grace said, "It's Christmas. Merry Christmas!" Can you tell she enjoyed herself this Christmas? Nearly every day she will come up to her daddy or I and give us one of her toys and say, "Here you go Daddy/Mommy. It's for you, for Christmas."

On the way to school this morning, Grace said to me, "Mommy, I love you soooooo much." Melt my heart. However, there is no comparison between that and the way she talks to her daddy. She will cock her head to the side, use a very deep voice (a la smoker's voice), bat her eyelashes, and say "I love you daddy." Usually a moment later she will follow that up by (still using smoker's voice), "Daddy, can I have a cookie?", which of course is an iron clad guarantee that she will receive one.

.......

.....

Really? It starts at 3? That girl knows how to get what she wants! Oh dear. Thank goodness we have a few years until the teenage years.

Lately, Jacob has been coming up to us and giving us kisses all over. That, by the way, is a very effective way to win your momma over. Want a cookie baby?
......

Grace's preschool is in the middle of our cute little downtown. There are flower shops and gift shops galore, and this morning we saw a sweet old man just like this one (well except for the overalls he was wearing. I'm a sucker for old men in overalls, seriously. They are typically my very favorite patients, and they usually bring you a sack full of home grown tomatoes too. Yum!) with a handful of flowers and balloons for his sweetie.

.......

Again, melt my heart. There is nothing sweeter than a couple who has been together for most of their lifetime who continue to love each other well. May I be so blessed one day.

Conversations Overheard

2011-02-06T16:29:00.001-06:00

So...we have had the stomach bug at our house this week. No fun, no fun. Today the kids were well enough to play outside, and Marcus and I tag teamed church so as not to expose the rest of the city's kids to our nasty bug.

This morning I had a very rare experience these days. I arrived at church about 10 minutes early and had time to sit...still...and listen. No iphone, no children begging for my attention, no husband to steal a few minutes of undisturbed conversation with (which of course I really do enjoy!).

111111111111

).!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was at a different service than we normally attend, and there was no one I knew sitting around me. Just me, sitting alone, with soft worship music playing in the background.

11111111

Alone with my thoughts, which can sometimes be a little dangerous. But today, amidst the people shuffling in to sit down, I listened in (OK, eavesdropped, but it was at church, so listened quietly sounds a little better!) to the happenings of the week of those around me.

11111111

"My mother died this week," she said with an tearful voice. "My son is in trouble," he worriedly told a good friend. "I'm exhausted," was frequent greeting between many hurried families.

11111111

Of course, then there was "Are those new jeans?" from the young ones sitting behind me, which by the way, reminded me of something I might say, that is if there was anyone I knew nearby.

The worries of the world. They are all around us. Some of us cover them up a bit more creatively than others, but they. are. still. there....lurking. When we sit still, when we lay in bed at night, away from all our techology and distractions, they remain.

And so, most of us try to find some semblance of peace from somewhere.

111111

Maybe a good book, or funny TV show, or a hike in the beauty around us.

But yet, the worries, they lurk, they remain.

1111111

A new car, a new sweater, more work.

11111111

And yet, they remain.

11111111

A vacation, more busyness, some sweat at the gym.

1111111

But yet, they remain.

1111111

Another episode of Oprah, my kids did great at school, a nap, some positive thinking.

1111111

But still, they remain.

And while, all of those things may be good, and they may bring peace. It. does. not. last.

And I am exhausted. And so is everyone around me.

1111

We are all looking, for someone, something, to bring the peace.

And then....we sing one of my favorites as of late.

"Give me eyes to see more of who You are,
May what I behold still my anxious heart,
Take what I have known and break it all apart

For You, my God, are greater still

And no sky contains,
no doubt restrains all You are,
the greatness of our God.
I've spent my life to know that I'm far from close to all You are,
the greatness of our God"

"Give me grace to see beyond this moment here,

to believe there is nothing left to fear.

That You alone are high above it all.

1111

For You my God, are greater still."

And there is nothing

That can ever separate us.

There is nothing that can ever

separate us from Your love.

No life, no death, of this I am convinced.

You my God, are greater still."

And so when I lay down at night and "what's going to happen with my kids?", or "did I do everything for that sick patient?" or "will the worry overtake me?"

May I remember...

You my God, are greater still

Happy Birthday Jesus 2010

2010-12-26T14:50:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas! Our 2010 Christmas Day included snow, yummy gingerbread men, presents, a trip to Walgreens for more D batteries (whoops), Christmas cider, family, too much candy, and tons of fun. Looking at these pictures at first made me a little sad because, while all of that is well and good, it doesn't show the real reason why we celebrate.

Since Grace is older this year, I've been especially struck by how hard it is to teach children the true meaning of Christmas. Amongst the Christmas cartoons, jolly ole St. Nick, and shiny new presents, a little baby in a stable just doesn't compete...or does He?

While I was pondering all of these things this Christmas season, I was blessed to read two very insightful posts which encouraged me greatly.

The first, is by Matt Mooney, one of my favorite bloggers. (If you haven't read his blog or met Eliot, stop reading here immediately and go here instead!)

The second, is from one of my very bestest (intended) friends in the whole wide world. Go here to read how she relates all of this to our Jesus.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV

For Posterity

2010-12-26T14:40:00.000-06:00

Our Christmas Card Pictures 2010

Start Spreading The News...

2010-12-26T11:44:00.000-06:00

December 16 was our 10th anniversary, so Marcus and I celebrated with a childless trip to New York City. I was a teeny bit (OK,a lot bit) stressed out about leaving the kids, but we had a wonderful time. We both love New York City, but we had never been at Christmastime. We purposefully had very little on our agenda, and it was a nice break to be able to just spontaneously go places around the city without having to pack Cheerios and 2 sizes of diapers.

Resting in the hotel's lounge, something we did a good bit of. They served breakfast, snacks all day, and wine and cheese in the evening. With 2 walls of window facing Madison Avenue, there is always something to see, or you can relax with a book or paper and listen to music.
View from Central Park

All of our pictures were taken from our phones, hence the not so great quality, but it was so nice to not have to lug a camera around.

We love the Central Park Boathouse. Thanks to Fred and Dionna for introducing it to us several years ago. We always grab something from the deli and sit in the back (skipping the fancy front restaurant lets you skip the fancy prices too!). So fun to sit by a crackling fire and take in the views of Central Park.

Rockefeller Center. The closest that Marcus and I have come to China in North America. The crowds and the pushing were extensive. Great way to bring out the Christmas Spirit. Reminds me of the time a little old Chinese lady tackled Marcus in the Beijing airport.

Belvedere Castle...Central park again. Neat because it is featured in one of my favorite cheesy Christmas books/movies Silver Bells.

This one was for my dad

Radio City Music Hall watching the Rockettes

We also saw Wicked on Broadway which was surprisingly great. Since I had only heard how great it was, the skeptic in me was expecting a cheesy version of the Wizard of Oz. I was wrong, and we loved it!

At FAO Schwarz buying presents for the kiddos

Santa himself

Manhattan's main branch of the library

View from a deli where we ate lunch after church. We visited Redeemer Presbyterian for their Lessons and Carols service. So neat to see Christ's presence at work in this great city.

View of our hotel, The Library, so named because it has a view of the public library. Every room has books from the corresponding category of the dewey decimal system. Kind of nerdy, but the service and atmosphere was phenomenal. One of our favorite hotels we have ever stayed in.

You can't have a New York Christmas trip without skating in Central Park. Grudgingly I say, "Thanks Donald Trump."

Happy Anniversary to my amazing husband. God has blessed me more than I deserve through you. There are no words.

After months of just taking a few steps at a time, look who started to take off while Mom and Dad were away. You stinker!

Thanks to my parents for keeping the kids and cooking so much great food for us!

It was a sweet reunion with these guys. A wonderful trip, but even better to be home. In the words of Grace on the night we returned, it's great to be "together again"!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

2010-12-12T19:35:00.000-06:00

In the busyness of the Christmas season, today we were given an unexpected gift. Snow!!

Back in October, Marcus and I made a prayerful decision to really cut back on activities. We were feeling stressed by everyday life and didn't want to miss the wonder of our children's younger years. So we have said "no" to some good things...hospital Christmas parties, dinners, etc. (All the while, learning to say no to the guilt. I'm a firm believer in the truth that you can't do it all, despite the fact that everything around you tries to tell you that you can!)

And yet, and yet, despite good intentions and some fairly good results, the worries and stresses of life love to sneak in and steal your peace. So today was a gift. An unexpected snow day. I was as gleeful as a child missing school when I found out our small group Christmas party was cancelled. Not that I wasn't looking forward to spending time with some good friends, but I was ever so glad to steal another quiet night at home with our little family.

These are the nights memories are made of.

So, we broke out the eight layer dip intended for an adult Christmas party and let the kids dive in with chips. Then we chased it with some chocolate cheese (as Grace loves to call chocolate covered pretzels) and homemade hot chocolate. Now the kids are in bed and Marcus and I are chasing that with some sparkling wine. Ahhh, the well-balanced nutrition. It doesn't get any better than this!

A look back at recent weeks....

Grace's new hobby of "picking berries" in the back yard.

Jacob's new hobby of riding Grace's tricycle. I'm thinking we have a Tour de France contender on our hands.

Grace working with the "chocolate cheese" (there is no actual cheese involved for anyone who is wondering) making Christmas pretzels. Have I mentioned we have the world's best babysitter? Thanks Becca!!

Post Candy Cane. I think it was a hit. She will thank me for this picture one day.

This picture doesn't fully capture the hilarity of this, but Jacob in his winter coat totally cracks me up stuffed into his carseat. He looks like a big ole marshmellow.

Friday night we went to watch Miss Becca play violin in a Living Christmas Tree production. She is an exceptional violinist, and the kids love to hear her play. Jacob looks at her with awe everytime she plays for him. Soak it up while you can, baby. Mama doesn't have talent like that.

During a quiet moment in the church service when the orchestra rang some bells Grace screamed, "Here comes Santa!" Nice. I think it was right as the shepherds were making their way towards baby Jesus. Yes, I did pay attention during my Bible study when we discussed teaching our children that Christ is the true meaning of Christmas. See how all my hard work has paid off?

My sweet boys enjoying the snow today.

Snuggling with my Jacob bear and watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas", which by the way, does a great job of telling the story of the birth of Jesus.

The view from our front door on this peaceful night.

Thank you Lord for an unexpected day!

Thank you that we were able to make it to church before all the snow came.

Thank you for the message reminding us to remember the wonder of the Christ child.

Thank you for Jesus!

Decorating For Christmas

2010-12-09T21:10:00.000-06:00

We actually got wild and crazy this year and decorated for Christmas before Thanksgiving since we were going out of town for Thanksgiving. I'm late on posting these pictures for several reasons, partly procrastination, but likely more so because they force me out of the land of denial . On the day that we decorated for Christmas, our sweet babysitter, Rebecca joined us. Babysitter is really the wrong term for her. She has become part of our family. She has loved our children well. Once again God has blessed our family and provided for us in ways that only He could in such an tangible way through her. It's been a hard year for our sweet Grace, but she adores "Miss Becca", and their relationship has been a source of security and healing for her. Here they are two sweet peas in a pod.

Rebecca has taken care of Jacob from the day he came home from the hospital. He has known her his whole life, and he thinks she's pretty awesome.

In the next month, our Miss Becca is packing up and moving to Ireland to join with Youth With A Mission in their work with Christian discipleship. We are incredibly SAD to lose her, but we are SO proud of her for her courage and her willingness to serve. We are thankful for the time that our lives have intersected, and as a mom I know that we will continue to see the fruits of her investment in my children. I'm so blessed to have shared them with her and to call her my friend.

And on a lighter note, here is Mr. Jacob, still not walking on his own, but having absolutely no problem climbing up a six foot ladder in an instant!

Becca and Grace making a Christmas chain. She's always up to fun things! Today while I was at work, they made Christmas chocolate covered pretzels. Yum! I might have just had those for dinner.

We love you Miss Becca....we're not saying goodbye yet. You're stuck with us for another month.

Birthday Boy and Girl

2010-11-28T20:30:00.000-06:00

I love that Grace and Marcus share their birthday! Every year it is such a fun day of massive birthday celebration. Opening presents first thing in the morning. Grace, of course, wanted to open Marcus's presents instead of her own. Here she is opening his Kindle. I was so pumped that I was able to surprise him with it!
Grace's new tricycle...nothing like test driving it in your diaper and pearls.

Here's my little jail bird that loved to celebrate by climbing up the stairs any time we turned our backs for a millisecond

Grace looked at me a few weeks ago and said, "Mommy, purple is my FAVORITE color," so we all wore purple in her honor. Sorry Marcus. Your birthday was hijacked 3 years ago and will never be the same.

Birthday cakes. Marcus just had one more number on his cake than Grace :)

She liked it!

Happy Birthday to two of my favorite people!!!

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-28T20:21:00.000-06:00

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T19:37:00.001-05:00

Marcus had fun making this Halloween bean bag toss for the kids' Halloween party. It gave him an excuse to buy a jigsaw, and it was a big hit at the party. We got it back out this afternoon and had a showdown in the backyard.

We went with a feline theme this year...unintentionally. Grace wanted to be a kitty cat, and I couldn't resist the lion costume for Jacob.

Loaded up to head to the neighborhood Halloween party

Meow

Grrrrrr

Trick or treat

Enjoying the loot

A Pumpkin Day

2010-10-30T20:15:00.001-05:00

We started out our day by carving our pumpkin. The kids loved helping scoop the seeds, and Clifford liked eating them!

Then we headed downtown to the pumpkin festival. Last year, Jacob had just been born, and he and I stayed home, but this year we all got to join in the fun.

The petting zoo is always a big hit with the kiddos

Don't worry we washed our hands before enjoying dinner outside. The weather was beautiful.

The finished product. Marcus started out by carving a spider in a web, but after we discovered that would take basically all afternoon, we went for plan B, the traditional jack o'lantern.

Happy with the outcome...stay tuned for pictures of our Halloween bean bag toss game that Marcus made from scratch!

Jacob's First Birthday Party

2010-10-30T18:06:00.000-05:00

Happy First Birthday Jacob!!!

2010-10-19T21:07:00.000-05:00

Happy birthday sweet boy. We had a fun family celebration tonight and look forward to your "big" birthday party this weekend. We are so thankful for one year with you. You bless our lives in so many, many ways. We love you!

Gatlinburg Adventures

2010-10-11T19:45:00.000-05:00

This weekend we took a trip to the mountains for some fall fun. We didn't realize until we were sitting in stop-and-go traffic for an hour that everyone else had decided to do the same thing!
This trip was noteable because Jacob is finally old enough to ride the rides. He loved it, and we loved watching him experiencing it for the first time.

Grace waiting in line....she's an old pro at the whole amusement park thing now. This weekend was a weekend of firsts for her. She slept in a big girl hotel bed all by herself, and she went down a fifty foot waterslide at an indoor waterpark at our hotel. She and daddy climbed the 5 flights of stairs, but when she got to the top, she wasn't so sure about the whole thing. Marcus decided to just launch her down the slide and quickly jumped on a parallel slide so he could catch her at the bottom. She looked a little shell shocked at the bottom, or rather a lot shell shocked! She did NOT want to ride again, but she has been talking about "GOING DOWN THE WATERSLIDE!!!!" ever since.

I promise I'm not being a helicopter parent here. We have to ride with Jacob because we learned the hard way that if we don't he will climb out of the ride while it is going. Whoops. Plus, secretly, I love cramming myself into the backseat of a large yellow duck and going around in a circle at 0.0001 miles per hour while listening to repetitive music which stays in your head for the next week :)

Blurry because those bees actually do move pretty fast.

Jacob's First Haircut

2010-10-02T20:27:00.000-05:00

First, I have to say....Happy, happy fall!!!! We have enjoyed the cooler weather this week. Ok, if you notice in the picture above, Jacob's hair was beginning to be a bit unruly, so we decided it was time for his first haircut.
The before shot. I told the poor lady in a very panicked voice that I did not want his hair short, just barely trimmed. I had visions of him ending up like a little one-year old marine recruit.

Enjoying the process

Almost finished....

All done. What a big boy!!

11 Months, Starbucks Dates, School, and Other Ramblings

2010-09-22T11:08:00.000-05:00

Sees the coffee

Goes for the coffee

Ooooh! Denied by Mama

Happy 11 months Mr. Jacob.

On your actual 11 month birthday, we were traveling home from a great weekend with the Dukes crew. You had a cold all weekend, and when we got home, we noticed you were really struggling to breathe. So we celebrated with some albuterol, antibiotics, and steroids!! But, by the next day you were feeling much better.

At 11 months you are loving to explore, explore, explore. Why is it that the toilet is so darn fun to play in?

Yesterday, when I got home from work, you were crawling around the backyard. When you heard my voice, you made a beeline for me and said, "Mama". My heart just overflowed.

You and I have started having Starbucks dates on Wednesdays after we drop your sister at school. It is so fun to have a little one-on-one time with you. I drink coffee or chai and you munch on cheerios or your favorite, cinnamon coffee cake. Every week you just smile at everyone enjoying their coffee. We have made tons of new friends in town because of your little boy cuteness!

If you look in the pictures above, you will notice a big bump on your forehead and your cheek. We play outside nearly every evening and the mosquitoes love to get you and your sister. You both just swell up with huge bites, just like your daddy.

In Grace news, she is LOVING school. I'm so glad!! When I pick her up from school, I always ask, "Grace what did you do at school today?" And, every time she says, "rode the frogs and the ladybugs!" with great excitement in her voice. Cracks me up! I'm pretty sure that they are not riding on frogs and ladybugs at preschool, and in actuality, those were her favorite kiddie rides at the amusement park we went to this summer, but, hey, you gotta love the enthusiasm.

Grace is talking more and more these days which, of course, leads to more and more funny stories. Last night I caught her looking in the mirror and saying, "Dear God," (shaking her finger in the mirror and speaking in a stern voice) "You are in time out for feeding Clifford. Amen" ???? :) I think we still need to work on the whole prayer concept.

My precious Grace, you are so sweet these days. You love to have your arms scratched gently before you go to bed, so scratching our arms is your favorite way to show affection. I love it when you pat me on the head and say, "So much Mama, so much" (translation: "Love you so much"). You make my heart so happy!

These are the simple, sweet moments I never want to forget!!

And in other random news, this is a tree across the street from our house. The picture doesn't do it justice, but the leaves are starting to turn a beautiful orange and yellow. Yay! Fall is sneaking in despite the 90 degree temperatures. Can't wait for the cooler weather. High five for fall!!

Our Weekend...

2010-09-20T08:39:00.000-05:00

was filled with visiting with wonderful friends,

lots of playing,

and FOOTBALL! Go Hogs!!

A fun, fun weekend. Thanks guys!

Grace's First Day of School

2010-09-01T10:37:00.000-05:00

And so it begins! Backpacks, lunches, snack sign up, and car pool line. Grace was excited when we dropped her off this morning. Can't wait to see how her day goes!!

Jacob's Baby Dedication

2010-08-29T19:34:00.000-05:00

Today, in front of our church family, we dedicated you to the Lord. You zonked out during the music and slept through the whole thing!
We pray that you will be a man after God's own heart, that you will grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

(2 Timothy 3:14-15 ESV)

Visiting Fayetteville

2010-08-21T21:15:00.000-05:00

Three of my brothers and their families live in Fayetteville, so we made a quick trip during our recent vacation. Talk about high yield family time :)

Jacob and my brother Eric's little boy Alex. They are 6 months apart to the day. Jacob is a big boy (in the 90 something percentile for height and weight), but Alex is a BIG boy. He is six months younger and almost as big! Of course it doesn't hurt when your dad is 6'6" and your mom is 6'3" (and I'm not talking about Marcus and I :) Jacob better enjoy being bigger while he still can.

Eric and Marcus

My brother Brad is a wonderful chef. He made one of my favorite dishes for me, chicken tikka masala. Yummy.

Anna (Eric's wife) and I with the cousins

Becky (David's wife) and Grace

Vacation in the Ozarks

2010-08-21T20:53:00.001-05:00

Splashin with Daddy

Chillin with the grandparents

Spiked hair courtesy of Daddy and Grandpa

Grandpa gave Jacob a rib to chew on. Oh dear!

Playing in the balls

Family time

If you would've told me 15 years ago that I'd see my dad riding Dumbo, I wouldn't have believed it. Amazing what grandkids can do.

Ribbit

Summer Happenings

2010-08-21T20:27:00.000-05:00

My two little rascals eating chocolate ice cream while lounging in the pool

Jacob and our babysitter, Rebecca

This summer we planted a garden. It wasn't a huge success, but we had a fun time planting and watching things grow. Here we are with our first harvested cucumber. Our garden consisted of tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers, and thai hot peppers. There is nothing like fresh vegetables from your own backyard!

Grace's First Haircut

2010-08-21T20:07:00.000-05:00

This past month Grace got her very first haircut. We went to a fun kid's place where they promptly handed her two lollipops (one for each hand to keep her from reaching for the scissors) and started a movie for her to watch.

The lady who cut her hair was super sweet, but I was a little worried she was going to give Grace a rendition of her own haircut complete with the red streak. Thankfully, she did not.

When she was all finished, Grace got to put a ticket into a machine which gave her a prize. I was worried that she might be nonplussed with the whole experience, but heck, she wants to get her hair cut every day. Let's just say that for the price you pay for all the little extras, we will not be doing this too often. But, it certainly was a fun first haircut!

The finished product. Love you my sweet girl!

Nonnie's Visit

2010-08-20T20:03:00.000-05:00

So, I am way behind on my blogging! Our babysitter took a vacation in July, and Nonnie came to help watch Grace and Jacob. The kids had a blast playing with her. Here they are showing her Marcus's office.
Unfortunately, I was too busy enjoying the visit and didn't take any other pictures. Boo, mommy.

Thanks so much for playing with us Nonnie. We had a great time!

10 Months

2010-08-20T19:05:00.001-05:00

Better a day late than never, right? Happy 10 months my sweet boy.

Your new trick this month was pulling up. You look at your big sister like you long to run after her, and you will be doing that very thing in no time! You are one tough cookie. When you fall down and bonk your head, you almost never cry.

You can say "ma ma" and "da da". You are eating more and more table food. You especially like peas, carrots, and your sister's left-over grilled cheese.

You took your second airplane trip this month, and you played on a slip 'n slide for the very first time and loved it. So many fun things that you are experiencing for the first time. What a joy it is to watch you grow.

Jacob

2010-07-30T14:18:00.001-05:00

4th of July 2010

2010-07-19T15:09:00.000-05:00

Well...better late than never right? For the Fourth of July we visited our downtown's festival. Nonnie was with us that week helping take care of the kids while our babysitter was out of town, and she snapped this picture of Grace feeding Jacob Dip n Dots. That week we had a lot of fun with Nonnie playing in the pool, taking walks, and playing outside (pictures to come when I catch up!).

9 Months

2010-07-19T14:54:00.001-05:00

For your 9 month picture we ventured outside because you love it! You are crawling everywhere and love to get into everything. And so, it begins! While I was uploading your picture, you made it across the room and into Clifford's dog bowl.

You are such a happy boy. You love to laugh at your sister and Clifford. You love to pull Clifford's tail and your sister's hair. You still love to eat too. This month I fed you small pieces of watermelon, and you were in heaven. You are also becoming a champ at feeding yourself Gerber Puffs, and you are learning to drink out of your sippy cup.

You just transitioned into your big boy carseat because you weigh 22 pounds now. You no longer need your baby bathtub and are sitting up in the bath like a big boy.

I saw Toy Story 3 recently and boohooed as the main character went off to college, but wait, you are just nine months old, not eighteen....yet. I know it will go quickly. I was just thinking today that you have now been out in the world longer than you were inside of me.

I love you my Jacob!

Dallas Trip Part 2

2010-06-23T14:28:00.000-05:00

Our good friends from Dallas, the Carls, are moving out of the country this summer, so we wanted to visit with them before they left. When we first moved to Dallas we were at a really hard time in our lives, and they reached out to us at church to join their small group. We will be forever grateful for in that group we found friendships that will always be special to us. There is nothing like friendships which are bonded by praying with each other and studying God's word through the ups and down that life brings.

The Carls also walked with us through our struggles with infertility. They themselves had been there and were blessed by adopting three amazing girls. It was so neat for us for them to meet Grace and Jacob, an answer to many lifted up prayers.

We were also able to attend church at our previous church home, Grace Bible Church, for which Grace is named. Marcus and I commented on how it still felt like home even though we haven't been there in 3 years.

Our sweet friends Chad and Brandi

My friend, Meya, Grace, and I at church (Marcus was taking all the pictures)

With the McCords and the Orens, precious couples from our small group.

It was a jam-packed, quick weekend, but we had a blast. On the way home we were "that family" on the plane with the screaming baby and the loud 2 year old, but by goodness, it was worth it!

Dallas Trip Part 1

2010-06-23T14:01:00.000-05:00

We made a very quick trip to Dallas this past weekend. We were so blessed to be able to meet our family for breakfast on Saturday (Thanks for meeting us so early guys!!).

Fara, Marcus's sister, Emma, her daughter, Kerry, his mom, and Jacob and I

Fara, Emma, and Dailey

The three stooges

A wonderful Father's Day breakfast with Marcus's dad

I got a picture of everybody but Fara's husband Chris. Sorry Chris. He was doing a great job helping out with the kids and got missed.

We were just sad we weren't able to visit longer. Always so special to see family!

Eight Months

2010-06-21T20:44:00.000-05:00

You turned eight months while we were in Dallas visiting this weekend (more about our trip to follow), so we did not do our traditional photo. At eight months you are:

Sitting up

Trying to push up to crawl

Cutting your two bottom teeth

Blowing raspberries like crazy

Still loving to jump in your jumperoo

Rolling absolutely everywhere

Poor baby. You have had a fever for the past several days, so you did not feel well our entire trip. Not sure if it's from teething or a virus. You have been so sweet and cuddly, wanting to snuggle with mama all day, which I love. And...I love you precious boy!

It's a Post About Hair

2010-06-13T20:36:00.000-05:00

Ok...an important hair question for anyone who has had girls. Grace had fairly thick, long hair until a few weeks ago when suddenly her hair starting falling out and a new short crop started coming in. Now she has just a few long stands left, and her head is covered in very short new hair. Her new hair is about and inch and a half long (it looks like she has bangs in the picture above, but she doesn't...that's just the new hair crop). Her hair is so... um, interesting looking now when its down, and I don't know what to do with it. Should I cut the long strands shorter? I can't cut them the same length as her new hair because she would look like she had a boy haircut. Has anyone ever had this happen? And if so, how in the world did you fix this hair conundrum?

On another hair note, my new nickname for Jacob is the "fuzzy duckling". He has soft, short, fuzzy blond hair that sticks straight up, and he looks like a sweet little baby bird to me. I'm trying to soak in as much of this sweet baby phase as I can because my baby is quickly turning into a little man!

Great Smoky Mountain National Park

2010-05-24T20:01:00.000-05:00

We took a quick three day trip to the Smokies and had a busy, fun-filled time. We stayed in a beautiful log cabin, visited Dollywood, downtown Gatlinburg, and the national park. Marcus LOVES to hike (I like it too, but he LOVES it!), so much so that he convinced me to haul our two young children, 100 pound dog, and double stroller loaded down with a picnic supper 2.6 miles up a mountain to a waterfall. By goodness, I was taking a picture at the top of that waterfall, and here it is...Clifford is hiding behind my legs, but he was present and accounted for. Both Marcus and I are now paying the price for that little hike with sore muscles (I carried Jacob down the mountain because he was DONE with being in the stroller), but Marcus would tell you it was worth it :)! We definitely made a memory!

Seven Months My Sweet One

2010-05-19T08:37:00.000-05:00

Seven months means you are a busy boy. You are just about sitting up on your own. You are rolling around everywhere and starting to scoot on your tummy. You are such a great eater and will eat any kind of baby food I give you. You love to pet Clifford and laugh at your sister. I love your sweet drooly kisses and when you snuggle up to me when you are tired. Another blessed month with you, and we are so thankful. Love you!

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-09T14:06:00.001-05:00

Happy Six Months

2010-04-19T11:52:00.000-05:00

Jacob riding in Grace's laundry basket with our babysitter Rebecca

Wow! I cannot believe you are six months old. (Do I say that every month? :) In some ways it has just flown by, and in others, mainly nighttime, it has not.

You are:

Rolling over both ways

You have discovered your feet and love to snack on them

Laughing so much more

Having fun bouncing in your jumperoo

Grabbing everything in sight

Taking around 3 naps: around 9am, 1pm, and 4 pm for about 30 minutes

Sleeping from about 8:30 pm until 6am with a few minor interruptions

Love, love, love you my Jacob!

Get Ready....

2010-04-16T09:51:00.001-05:00

For a BUNCH of Pictures....

We spent Easter week in Destin, Florida for a medical conference. My parents went with us to help watch the kids. Here is the crew at Baytown Wharf.

Jacob and I at the beach

Marcus and Grace playing in the sand (Note: Marcus does not normally wear khakis and a polo to the beach, but he was taking a break from the conference which was at a hotel right on the beach)

Grace loved the "OOOSHINNN!!!" I am really surprised because she is going through a phase where she is afraid of everything, including her electric toothbrush, the potty (we may never be potty trained), and every bathtub but her own!

My dad setting up the ole beach umbrella. Check out our hobo bag we carried towels in.

With my parents there, Marcus and I were able to go out after the kids were in bed and take several long walks on the beach. So nice! I had to laugh at Marcus once though. We were on the beach when a lot of people were there for spring break. One night Marcus said, "Look there are some KIDS SMOKING!" I looked over and said, "honey those "kids" are in college. We're getting old!!" I'm sure "those kids" were thinking, "what are those old people doing up so late?"

We wend to church at a local church in Destin for Easter

The kids were not too happy to have an Easter picture taken

Grace hunted eggs on the Sandestin golf course by our condo

It was a great week! But, it's always nice to be home.

5 Months

2010-03-19T20:17:00.000-05:00

Big news at 5 months...you are sleeping in your bed!! After months of sleeping in your carseat due to reflux, you have made the transition to your crib. You still wake up crying around 3 am, but this is much improved from when we first started. I think the crying is harder on me than it is on you. While you are crying, I am praying that you will drift off to sleep.

You had another first today :( You got your first sunburn. I feel so terrible. We were only in the sun for about 10 minutes, but your sweet, fair baby skin couldn't take it. Now your left cheek and your forehead are sunburned. So sorry my sweet one.

You are talking and squealing up a storm. You are sitting in your high chair and eating your rice cereal like a big boy. We are loving watching you grow.

What We've Been Up To...

2010-03-14T19:13:00.001-05:00

Jacob's first time in the high chair

Playing dress up

Grace's (and Jacob's) first trip to the zoo. Grace called these animals the "olifants"

Getting huge!! At just under 5 months Jacob weighs almost 18 pounds.

Nonnie and Pawpaw's Visit

2010-03-04T18:05:00.001-06:00

Four Months Old

2010-02-19T19:49:00.000-06:00

At 4 months you:

weigh 16 pounds 13 Ounces-83 percentile (Big boy!! You like your grub)

are 25 1/2 inches tall-72 percentile

are just about to roll over

usually sleep from 9pm to anywhere from 4am to 6am (Whoo hoo!)

love to smile at mommy and daddy

love it when your sister talks to you

love swinging on your new swing outside when it's not bitterly cold

AND are cute as a button!!

Love you sweet boy!

My Girl

2010-02-18T20:08:00.000-06:00

You are a busy, busy girl. So much to see and do! You never sit still for a second, except for our nighttime snuggles at bedtime. How I cherish those times. It is truly one of my favorite times of the day. You love our routine too. We snuggle in with bunny, bear, and blankie. First, we sing a song. Then we say our prayers. Next we talk about our day, and I get to tell you how special you are to me. We talk about all the people that love you and all the things that make you such a gift to your daddy and me. Then more singing. When I put you in your bed I say, "Night, night. Sleep good. I love you." and you usually say those same words right back to me. I will never forget our precious bedtime snuggling sweet girl.

Wearing Grandpa's Hat

2010-02-18T17:21:00.000-06:00

Watching His First Super Bowl

2010-02-07T19:00:00.000-06:00

Go Peyton!

My Baby Is 3 Months Old!

2010-01-19T13:05:00.000-06:00

My precious Jacob,

I cannot believe you are 3 months old. You are a chunky monkey! Daddy weighed you last night on our scale, and you weighed 14 and 1/2 pounds!! Mommy is developing some biceps because you love to be held. Your favorite thing to do is eat. You are smiling like crazy right now, and it melts my heart every time.

You have just started playing in your baby gym, and it is so fun to watch you grab your toys. We are still getting up twice at night to eat...my little night owl. You also love taking your bath, and you are so cute during it-you look like a little old man. We love to cuddle with you, give you kisses, and tell you how much we love you.

I didn't know how it would be to have a son, but I ABSOLUTELY love it. You are so fun and precious. I love you my baby boy.

Love,

Mommy

Happy Friday

2010-01-15T12:16:00.001-06:00

Jacob in his first sport coat

Playing in the snow last weekend

Clifford scampering in the snow

Help with Blogger

2010-01-07T16:26:00.000-06:00

Is it possible to have a virus on your blog? Seriously! For several months I have not been able to move pictures. They just have to stay where they are downloaded. Now it takes all the spaces out of my posts no matter what I do. If anyone out there has any tips, I would appreciate it!

Stumbling Into 2010

2010-01-07T10:38:00.001-06:00

My parents came to visit for New Years as we were here for Christmas since Marcus was on call. It was great to have them here. Jacob smiled at my dad like crazy, and so I was actually able to capture it on camera. My dad's birthday was Monday, and we attempted to celebrate with a birthday dinner which lasted about 2 minutes before both kids decided to melt down at once. Nothing says happy birthday like mass chaos!

Now we are on our own, and I'm admittedly in a funk. My babysitter is gone for the next 2 weeks and we are also no longer having anyone come to help us at night. I'm trying desperately not to be frustrated by the hard stage we are in. Jacob's reflux has continued to get worse, resulting in a very fussy baby (thankfully he has gained weight fine and has the chubby legs to prove it!). He is up most of the night, sleeping in 1-2 hour stretches if we are lucky, and only then when we're holding him. No bed, no moses basket, no carseat...he won't have any of that.

To top it off, he has to be held during the day as well or he screams. My mom was even amazed at how quickly he would decompensate into screaming within 5 minutes of laying him down, putting him in the swing, or carseat, etc. The upside is I could write a book about all the things I have learned to do one-handed including putting on makeup and blowdrying my hair. Now if I could just learn how to shower while holding a 13 pound baby.

Let me stop here and say I do know it could always be worse. I know that there are so many people who would give their left arms to have children. I know there are so many kids who have serious, life-threatening medical problems. I know there are people who are trying to take care of kids while both parents are out of work. Thinking about these things does not make me feel better....it just makes me incredibly sad for those families.

Our sweet lady who helped us at night once a week for the past 2 months has 5 children, 3 of whom are triplets, which she breastfed, said that a night with Jacob in the past month could've given her triplets a run for their money. Oh dear! My super sunny husband even looked at me recently and said, "It's like we won some kind of perverse lottery...two babies with awful reflux and colic." Like I said, oh dear, or other choice words.

And so...for 2010 I am attempting to not compare myself or my children to those around me. Not to be jealous of those whose 2 month olds sleep through the night, or those who breastfeed quickly with no problems, or those who shed their baby weight in 6 weeks. But, it's hard. I think as women we all struggle with comparing ourselves to others, constantly sizing up or lives by seeing what those around us are accomplishing.

Instead, I'm trying to remember the words of some wise friends of mine. When I am feeling guilty about my daughter watching way to much TV while I struggle to feed the baby every 2 hours, I want to remember the words from my sweet friend Meredith who says, "There's no room for guilt in parenting. Just do the best you can." Or I hear my sweet friend Erin quoting Elisabeth Elliot, "Just do the next thing."

And so in the middle of the chaos, when I feel like screaming with my 2 year old during her tantrum, instead I need to "just do the next thing", which right now means a marathon of breastfeeding, pumping, washing bottles, changing dirty diapers, and loving on my 2 precious children. And, I need to do lots of praying. Pray for me to if you think of it. I could sure use it right now.

Venting into the vastness of the internet must be therapeutic. I already feel better.

Christmas Recap 2009

2009-12-26T10:42:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T07:22:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus!

For Fara

2009-12-23T11:43:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas Aunt Fara

Our Precious Baby Boy

2009-12-22T08:11:00.000-06:00

A Daddy Do

2009-12-20T07:35:00.000-06:00

Marcus often helps me out in the morning by getting Grace dressed, but he has never, until now, tackled the hairdo. Little girl hair can be overwhelming to a daddy that doesn't even have to brush his own hair. Let's face it...little girl hairdos are hard for me too, what with all the wiggling and squirming and occasional wailing thrown in. So, when he picked out her clothes (bonus: they matched and were seasonally appropriate) AND fixed her hair, I had to record the result for history!
Grace and Daddy were both proud. Great job honey!!

Just don't look at the back...when I asked Marcus if he brushed the back too, he said proudly, "I didn't even use the brush." Gotta love the daddy do!

Two Months Old

2009-12-19T16:07:00.001-06:00

Jacob, you are 2 months old today! We are so thankful to have you in our lives. You love to be held and love to take a bath. You went to the pediatrician yesterday and now weigh 11 pounds. Big boy! You smiled at your daddy yesterday...your very first smile. We love you so much.

Jacob in 2009

Above is Jacob...and below is Grace in the same outfit 2 years ago. Do they look alike? Jacob is a month older than Grace was at the time, but he is so much bigger than she was. He could barely fit in this outfit! They are both Daddy's Little Present.

Grace in 2007

A Visit to Santa

2009-12-19T15:08:00.001-06:00

We took Grace to visit Santa....twice. The first time after waiting in line for almost an hour and being no where near the front of the line, we left due to an unnamed two year old hurling her body on the floor and pitching a huge tantrum.

We don't make Santa a big deal at our house, but after watching Dora's Christmas Carol in which Santa made an appearance, I thought she might enjoy meeting him. On Santa visit #1, when Santa walked through the doors (after taking a Santa break for supper) Grace squealed with delight, jumped up and down, and was so excited that Santa and everyone else in line was thoroughly entertained.

Well...Santa visit take #2. The line was just as long as the first time, but I was determined that we were not going back to the mall for Santa visit #3, so we devised a plan to help with the wait. Marcus held Jacob and waited in line while Grace and I toured the mall in her stroller. Grace and I swooped in when Marcus and Jacob had made it to the front of the line. The poor kid behind us was not too happy with me and said, "Hey momma, why do they get to cut in line?"

I excitedly sat Grace on Santa's lap and she stayed there for 0.1 millisecond before she screamed and again threw herself on the floor at Santa's feet. Honestly, at this point I was a little irritated after waiting in line twice for some "Christmas fun". We quickly decided to do a family picture with Santa with Grace on my lap and Jacob on Marcus's because there was NO WAY my screaming bundle of Christmas cheer was getting back on Santa's lap.

And above you have the result. Grace looks like she just had her mug shot taken! Hee hee. Gotta love the holiday memories.

Jacob's Newborn Pics

2009-12-19T10:34:00.000-06:00

Most of you have already seen these on Jacob's birth announcement, but I wanted to share them on the blog for documentation's sake. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE our photographer. She comes to your house to take pictures, does a great job,and includes a CD with the digital rights to all the pictures. She also designed and made our birth announcement. Even better, she is reasonably priced!
Grace was DONE taking pictures and was throwing a mild fit when Marcus picked her up to play. I'm so glad the result was captured!

Mommy's sweet boy at 2 weeks old

2, 35, and Thanksgiving!!

2009-11-30T15:58:00.001-06:00

Miss Cool above turned 2 years old on November 26, and her daddy turned 35!! The other day Marcus looked at me and said, "I love having a daughter who is left handed (side note: so is he) and who was born on MY birthday." Their birthday fell on Thanksgiving day this year, so they got to have a very LARGE party with turkey and dressing. My entire family, all four brothers and their spouses, was home this year which hasn't happened in years. We also were able to celebrate with my grandma, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I think we had 25 people for dinner, and it was great fun!

My Grandma, who turned 91 this year, with Jacob. She is and has been such a special part of my life, and I am so thankful that she has been able to meet my two children.

My brother Brad with Jacob

Grace still wanting to be a baby. For her birthday, I got her Big Sister Dora. I wasn't sure if she would like her, but she loves Dora's twin baby brother and sister.

As you can see above, Dora was the theme of the day. Grace loves, loves, loves Dora.

My birthday boy and girl

My mom and Grace

Marcus asked that Swiper the fox be put on the Dora cake in his honor

My dad and his brother Bill. Jacob spent Thanksgiving dinner in my dad's lap.

Three generations

My brother Eric with Jacob

I am thankful for my precious family

We are so thankful....

2009-11-22T10:30:00.000-06:00

....for all the help we've had from our families during this newborn period! Honestly, it is hard for me to accept help. I struggle with guilt and feelings of inadequacy for not being self-sufficient. My comfort zone is to just plow through doing things myself in order to avoid these feelings. BUT...the longer I'm around, the more I am realizing that there are sometimes in life where I NEED HELP. The past few weeks have been one of those times. I could NOT have made it without the hard work and unselfishness of our family. So to all of you who pitched in and saved my hiny, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

And here is a picture of what my life will be like now that I'm on my own. Constantly feeding Jacob or pumping (that is another post in and of itself which I will label with the title "Woes of breastfeeding...Read at your own risk") while at the same time trying to love on my 2 year old who has had a difficult time adjusting.

Grace and Jacob with Nonnie this past week

Grace in one of her many valiant efforts to convince me that she is still the baby and GIVE! ME! SOME! ATTENTION! NOW! Bless her heart, it has been a struggle for her to adjust from being dethroned as an only child, but she is improving. There are times when she is even sweet to the baby now. Again, a big thank you to our family for loving on her and helping her adjust.

Sweet Grace, you will always be my baby girl!

Halloween 2009

2009-11-09T07:49:00.000-06:00

Daddy took Grace to the Pumpkin Festival in the morning. The petting zoo was her favorite!

Our little pumpkin

Uncle John came for a visit

Our ladybug getting ready for trick or treating

We went trick or treating in our neighborhood and then at the mall.

Grace was so funny. She held on with all her might to her candy and would not let it go!

Grandmama came to meet the little pumpkin

Jacob's First Week Home

2009-10-29T06:06:00.001-05:00

Proud Parents

Clifford says, "Are you kidding me? Another baby?"

Our baby boy

Grace is not so sure about sharing mommy and daddy

She's really sure about not wanting her picture taken

My parents with their first grandson

I just had to document Grace's sweet baby curls. Since my hair is stick straight, I have so loved those curls, which are disappearing as her hair gets longer.

What a precious big sister! My mom got Grace the book "I'm a Big Sister Now", and she loves it. She has me read it to her at least 10 times a day. Here's hoping she starts loving the baby as much as she loves her book.

He's growing on her!

Father and son

It's been a busy first week, as all first weeks at home with a newborn are. We are working our way through jaundice, weight loss, and feeding issues, but we are so thankful that our sweet baby Jacob has arrived safely and is home. We are a blessed family of four...five if you count our first baby, sweet Clifford!

The Story of Your Birth

2009-10-25T09:59:00.000-05:00

My precious son,

I am so thankful you are here. I have been looking forward to the day when I could hold you in my arms, and now that day is here. I am blessed.

I wish that I would remember every detail of the day you were born forever and ever. Monday, October 19, 2009. It started out much like many days had in the previous month. I woke up having a few contractions. When those contractions first started happening almost 5 weeks earlier, I was on high alert that you could arrive at any time, but after you continued to stay put (and we are so thankful that you did so you could arrive big and strong!), I grew accustomed to waiting and seeing.

Around 9 am, my contractions started getting stronger. I decided to take a shower and get ready, but I had to stop every few minutes and take some deep breaths. By 10:30 the contractions were coming every 3 to 4 minutes, and “Ouch” (as your big sister would say), they were hurting. I decided to drive into Nashville (about 25 minutes away) so I could be closer to the hospital. It was almost your big sister Grace’s naptime, and I didn’t want to have to have the babysitter wake her up later to drive me to the hospital. I still wasn’t convinced you were coming as this had happened many times before and then stopped.

I will never forget the drive you and I took into the city. It is hard driving on the interstate while having contractions! I listened to Alli Roger’s “Silent Night” CD and tried very hard to concentrate on driving. Right as I had to merge into one of the busiest intersections in the downtown area, you made your presence known, and I had a huge contraction. Thankfully, we made it safely! My plan was to find a bookstore and look around a little bit while waiting to see if labor continued. I called your daddy to let him know I was right around the corner from where he worked. He was almost done seeing patients for the morning, so I decided to meet him in the lobby of his clinic, so we could have lunch.

One of the things that stands out in my mind from that morning is how beautiful of a day it was. I had to turn around to head towards your daddy’s clinic, and I ended up on the Vanderbilt campus. The leaves had started to turn beautiful shades of yellow, red, and orange. The sun was shining. They sky was blue, and the air cool. I saw students walking hurriedly to class. I was still having those yucky contractions, but an incredible sense of peace washed over me.

By the time your daddy met me in the lobby of his clinic, I was doing some serious pacing and breathing hard. I didn’t even care that people were giving me strange looks. We soon nixed the plan of going out to eat, and instead decided to walk the block and a half to the women’s hospital and grab a bite to eat there.

I have to stop here and remember something a little random. I was wearing my “Baby Bump” t-shirt that day. The funny thing is that we had been to the hospital 2 times previously (once when I was admitted at 32 weeks and then again a few days later) and both times I had been wearing the same shirt. The people at the women’s hospital probably thought that I wore that blessed t-shirt every single day!

In the cafeteria at the hospital, your daddy chowed down on his lunch. I actually had a few bites of his lunch and a few bites of chicken salad. I knew it was a “no no” to eat if you were in labor, but again, I figured this may not be the big day, so I went for it. A few hours later when the anesthesiologist came to interview me for my epidural, I conveniently “forgot” that I had had those few bites. I did not want anything to interfere with me getting my favorite friend the epidural. When they asked me the last time I had eaten, I gave your daddy a glare that said, “if you rat me out, I will strangle you during my next contraction”.

After lunch, we decided to walk around outside. We made about 2 trips around the outside of the hospital, stopping about every 2 minutes for a contraction when I would bend over and breathe hard. Your daddy and I commented that the hospital staff who were outside for lunch probably thought we were thinking about having our baby outside. Finally, we decided to head up to the OB ER to get checked out.

Proudly wearing my “Baby Bump” t-shirt again, I got checked in and hooked up to the monitors. I was praying I was dilated and that all these contractions were not in vain. When the nurse checked me she said I was 3 cm with bulging membranes and that it looked like the real deal to her. She called my doctor who mercifully called me and said those magic words, “Sounds like you're pretty uncomfortable. Let’s get you admitted and get your epidural”. Hallelujah, thank you Jesus! After weeks of having contractions, the blessed epidural was headed my way.

I called my parents to let them know that it looked like this was actually it. After weeks of complaining to your daddy, my parents, friends, and other family about having contractions, I’m sure they were all thinking, “yeah, yeah whatever”, but this really was “it”, and you were on your way.

Your daddy canceled his afternoon clinic to stay with me. We were transferred up to labor and delivery, and in about an hour and a half, status post epidural, I was a much happier camper. I dilated fairly quickly, and the old hospitalist who came in to break my water said, “Hon, this baby is in a race with the sun to be here before it goes down.”

He was right! Before too long, I was dilated to 10cm. My doctor came in and started filling out paperwork, but after one push with the nurse you were on the way, so she gathered the troops to get things ready. We had started the CD player with a music mix I had made especially for your birth, but to be honest, I never even really heard the music. In 3 to 4 pushes you quickly entered the world at 6:47 pm.

You were pink and plump and looked great (apgars of 9 and 9). You weighed 7 pounds 2 ounces and were 19.5 inches long. The doctor layed you on my chest, and I got to hold you for the first time. It was wonderful. Your daddy and I were so happy that you had made it to us safely. Your grandparents made it to labor and delivery around 9 pm and were so excited to meet you.

Since our regular babysitter was sick, an answer to prayer was our friend's babysitter who met Grace for the first time and stayed with her for 16 hours!

We are so blessed to have you, our precious Jacob. We thank God for giving us such a great gift. We love you so much!

Love,
Mommy

Welcome Little One!

2009-10-22T16:06:00.000-05:00

Jacob Marc

October 19, 2009

6:47 PM

7 pounds 2 ounces

19.5 inches