Guess what today is...

It's her birthday! Crown her Miss Valentine! I can hardly believe it's been a year since she made her dramatic entrance into this world. (To read the story, click here.) She has been a whirlwind in our lives, and something tells me that is how she is going to approach life. It seems like she does something new each day. Even this morning she stopped nursing and made the sign for eat. I asked if she wanted to eat and she did it again...so off to the highchair we went. She just beamed as the boy and I sang to her this morning (hearing him wish her a happy birthday melted my heart). She seems to know it's her special day. She loves drinking from her sippy cup, she loves eating whatever her brother is having (or anyone else for that matter), she's pointing, she has 5 teeth, she's practicing walking alone, she's a cuddler, she loves giving kisses, she has learned a fake cry and how to throw temper tantrums - feet kicking and all, she loves baths and doesn't care if you pour water on her face, she hates having her teeth brushed, and she is totally captivated by her brother. I could go on and on, but I'll spare you except for one last thing. My absolute favorite thing she does is that the first thing she does in the high chair is put her hands together for us to pray. She picked it up from her brother, and it warms my heart each time I see it. My love for her is intense...and my heart's desire is that she falls in love with Jesus early in life and totally abandons herself to Him.

Here are a few pictures from this morning. Don't you think she knows it's her special day? Then she's enjoying her Valentine's/Birthday card from Mimi, Granddaddy, and Auntie Claire!












Being sentimental, I took pictures of her bath last night so I could capture her last moments awake as an infant. Two things she loves - her brother and baths!












I caught her practicing her spoon skills on Tuesday. She is so proud of herself you can see it all over her body!

A miracle and a blessing

I've discovered a new trend in my life: I get really (I mean really) reflective around my children's first birthdays. Mind you, I've only had 2, but the same thing has happened both times about a month before the big day. In some ways I think I am finally coming out of the fog of the last year and can begin to see how this new little one so dramatically changed life and me. Part of me says I am just highly over-analytical and rarely content with things as they are. There is always room to improve, right? (Pause here to say that I am learning to enjoy today and to relax. It's a work in progress!) In other ways I think I am simply a silly girl who is sentimental to her core and relates so well to the verse that describes Mary treasuring all these things in heart. God uses these times of reflection to show me many things: how I've grown, where I need to grow, the blessings He's given, and most importantly how He's been there every step of the way even when I didn't pay attention.

Already being in this mindset, I was overwhelmed by a song a friend posted on her blog. You can see the video here. It is a wonderful song about the road of infertility. It took me down memory lane of our road which was really not as treacherous of a journey as it could have been. God kindly spared us a lot of the heartache and pain others experience. I am in certainly no way making light of our journey. It was hard. It was lonely. We didn't know how it would end. Unlike Job, I often blamed God asking why He didn't trust me with one of His children. I found myself angry and bitter toward others who got pregnant easily. I questioned God's plan when I found out the teenage son of a friend was about to be a dad. I tried to make deals. I begged, pleaded and cried until I had nothing else in me. Amazingly, the strain was minimal on our marriage. While not quite as dramatic as me, Clay longed and hurt too. We found comfort in each other instead of pushing each other away. While we felt many others couldn't understand, we knew each other did. God grew us during those years - through waiting, through testing, through results, through trusting.

As I worked on separating the kids into two rooms in January, two picture frames jumped out at me. For the first time, I realized how true the words are about our kids. My sister gave me the first one for the boy's sonogram picture that uses the word 'miracle'. The frame I bought for the girl's sonogram picture calls her 'our little blessing'. Our boy is our miracle baby. We had less than a 5% chance of getting pregnant without a medical procedure. Ferility drugs wouldn't help our situation. We were waiting on timing to begin our first procedure when we found out we were pregnant. MIRACLE! What we thought might never happen did through the hand of God. Then a few weeks before his first birthday (and about 9 months of not being very careful), God took my breath away when we found out we were pregnant again. Not only had He given us the desire of our hearts with one child, He chose to give us a blessing with a second. I was speechless - and that's a big deal for me. God reminded me He was MUCH bigger than the box I often try to fit Him in.

Sadly, there are times I forget the miracle and blessing these two are. I get selfish and tired and frustrated. I raise my voice. I complain. I whine. I cry. And I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. I'd rather lose sleep every night than not know the joy of comforting my child. I would rather sound like a broken record than never hear, "I love you, Mommy." I would rather feel unseen and unappreciated than never watch my kids faces light up when I enter a room. I'd rather be the woman I am today than never know the highs and lows of the road we walked. And I'd rather die than do any of this life without God.

Pure love

I love my pacis.

What about you?

Indoor "sand"box

The boy had a blast digging in the "sand" today. Combining ideas from my cousin and a friend, I poured dry oats into a plastic tub and let him go to town. It was great, easy entertainment for over 30 minutes! He is my child...he quickly swept them off his leg if they spilled and I even found him picking up individual oats putting them back in the tub!




He enjoyed watching himself in the oven door







- especially when he said, "Escalpa!" (That's "dig" in Spanish. Thanks, Diego)


The dog enjoyed our fun as well and it made cleanup a LOT easier!










The boy seems to be a sponge right now as is typical of 2 1/2 year olds. Some of his current favorite phrases are:
- "Come on, amigos!"
- "Make a shell" (while putting his hands on his head). This is often followed by "There's more nuts. Make a shell." as he runs around. This is all from a Diego episode.
- "Uno, dos, tres, cuatro" (as he counts coasters). He can count up to ten in Spanish.
- "Round and round" (he's asking us to dance with him).
- "Thank you, ____." He's gotten very good at thanking others for things - even his sister after he takes something from her hands!
- "Good job!" He says this to himself or anyone else that does something good.
- "Sorry" He knows he has to say it so he'll quickly respond sometimes even before you tell him he did something wrong. I heard the girl crying the other day and figured he had pushed her or something. My suspicions were confirmed when I heard him saying, "Sorry, Whizbiss, sorry" before I ever even got to him.

I could go on and on bragging on our little man, but I will spare you. While he can be a challenge, he can melt your heart with his "Love you, Mommy", his prayers, or his singing (He is Exalted is his current favorite). Can't believe he's on his way to being 3...and the girl will be 1 in eight days!!! More about her next week...

It's a big day!!!

It's brief, but you get the idea...she's so proud of herself!



She kept practicing, but her excitement is often her downfall - literally. She'll be running in circles before we know it!

Bounce House party

The boy and I had the fun of going to a Bounce House birthday party for a friend from church Saturday. I was curious how he was going to respond since he hasn't been fond of bounce houses up to this point. He was so excited when we got there, and he quickly began running around laughing in pure delight. He quickly got over-heated and began a coughing fit thanks to a lingering cold. Once he got calmed down and caught his breath, I was able to help him try one of the bounce houses. It required my pushing; but once he went down the slide, he was hooked!









Another bounce house (there are a total of 5 in this place) had a slide inside it. A friend caught us having fun!








He really did have a great time once he realized what fun he could have! Eventually he got brave and tried one on his own. Here is his process of standing...










Then his buddy, Drew, helped him figure out the climbing wall to get up to the slide. The footrests were far enough apart that I had to help him up. Once on top, he just sat there until his friends joined him for a slide down!
He really enjoyed the cake too - taking his sweet time eating until well after all the presents were opened! He came home with a balloon that he played with until bedtime (the party was from 10am - 12pm!), and then went searching for it the moment he got out of bed this morning (sadly, it met its end while he was asleep).

Posing

The kids were playing happily last night when I looked over to see what was holding the girl's attention so long...and this is what I saw! She found a new seat and was quite proud of herself!

I told you that it is often hard to catch the boy in a picture these days. I have way too many photos that look like the one on the far left because he's more interested in looking at the camera than being photographed. We had a rare moment last night where he wanted to "pose." He would position himself just so on the fireplace all the time saying, "Cheese!" The pictures below show him making a shell like an armadillo (thanks, Diego!), getting himself into his pose, and then how he is often found around the house these days - one sock on, one sock off!

Sassy gal

She's just too cute for words, right? One benefit to being smaller than all her friends is that we get to borrow adorable things like this (thanks, Chelsea!). If only her hair would hold a bow...but it's now long enough that the headbands look silly...oh well.

















I almost don't want to say it for fear of jinxing it, but she has been sleeping 12+ hours a night for a week now! I AM LOVING IT! She is also handling the weaning process well which has surprised me. Again, I am loving that I am now no longer required at feeding time...it's been a long 11+ months! The dad and I hope to get out on a date soon, and we have many babysitting offers to choose from - hooray!! It's like once the gal got her own room she decided independence was a great thing - and she's gotten fast at getting around. She still likes to cuddle, but she's much more content doing her own thing. She learns new things every day and is so proud of herself grinning with her whole body while she claps.

Anyway, I'm not hatin' the boy by all the pictures recently of the girl - he just doesn't stay still long at all these days, and it's hard to truly capture his funny moments in still photos. Most of his funnies are verbal right now anyway. He is very encouraging to himself and others often letting me (or whomever did something) know they did a great job. He's discovered Diego so a few Spanish words are creeping into his vocabulary which is interesting to interpret. He's learning to share with his sister and is becoming more helpful to me too (which he kindly tells you that he is helping).

I could go on and on like all mamas, but I won't. I need to try to capture Ring Around the Rosy on video - the girl figured out yesterday you are supposed to fall down, but she has trouble waiting until the right time...she just stands up then sits down, laughs, and repeats (unless she gets distracted clapping for herself)...of course her brother thinks this is fun! I'll stop - I promise!

Paci lovin' crib cruisin'

I finally caught a picture of the gal standing in her crib. She hasn't repeated this action often which surprises me because she's so proud when she does. She's a charmer, isn't she? She's also grown an increased attachment to her pacifiers. Trying to avoid nighttime wake up calls when she lost her paci, I began placing several around the crib. Much like one of her little friends who I won't name, I often find her with one in her mouth and one or two in each hand!!!

The forecast

Gotta love TX weather...we just laughed last night when we saw the forecast...our low this morning was in the 20s so we had the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s all represented within 5 days. No wonder everyone is sick around here!

Final Cupdate

This is Clay and I'm posting for the final time about the beloved Eskimo Joe's cup. My wife probably doesn't even realize this, but the cup is now gone. As I was cleaning the kitchen on Monday night, I saw our old friend sitting on the counter looking forlorn and pitiful. I pondered what to do. Should the cup be enshrined as a constant memory of his goodness? Should I have him bronzed as a tribute? However, as I stood there gazing upon his broken frame, I knew that such tributes would be in our best interest and not his. He deserved to be in a place of rest far from the strenuous existence he had known for so many years. With a broken heart and yet with a smile, I gently placed him in a white plastic bag lined vessel for transportation to the next phase of his journey. Au revoir mon ami. You are gone but not forgotten.

A Saturday at home

There isn't much special about today - just a normal day at home - but there were a few things that deserved a snapshot!



It is a bit chilly here today so the girl had to don her new coat and hat when she and Daddy went to Wal-Mart this morning to pick up a few items needed for dinner (deer meat spaghetti we'll enjoy with friends). Too cute - and a great buy on clearance at Old Navy, complete with matching mittens she quickly flings off her hands!



Dylan, my nephew, joined us for a few hours this morning. The boys quickly pulled every toy out of the toy box, but had a blast playing together. Here's proof they even took turns!












The girl is growing more and more curious now that she can get just about anywhere she wants (she's very adept at walking along walls!). She discovered our front door today - more importantly the window. She was tickled watching the leaves blow about. Don't you just love hair with static cling?

My sister's special day

Today is my sister's special day - it's her wedding day! God, in His grace and mercy, has restored her marriage. I won't have any pictures because they are headed to a small B&B run by a minister and his wife where they will have a small, private ceremony. They want this to be about them, not a ceremony. I admire that.

And I admire my sister for the way she handled herself throughout the last several years. It hasn't been an easy road, but she took God at His word and never lost hope that He (and only He) could restore what had been destroyed. Sure, there were times she was emotional or angry or lost, but her strengthening faith always held her up.

Watching Eric's conversion is the biggest God-induced transformation I've seen before my very eyes. I remember the first time he came over after sharing he'd accepted Christ. I was obviously tentative about his sincerity until he walked through our door. It was all over him...God was ALL OVER HIM! It was the coolest thing, and all questions were erased.

Then God worked another miracle and gave the rest of us the ability to forgive him and welcome him back into our family. I feel things are more comfortable now than they were the first time they were married. I really wondered if we would be able to allow God's love to cover all things and move past the past. I can tell you that WE'VE done nothing...God has done it all! Praise the Lord!

Now we celebrate, although a bit differently, the restoration of a life and a marriage. God continues to teach me that even when something seems absolutely hopeless, He is still in control. God is bigger than me. God is bigger than any desperate situation. And God is always God regardless of our situation. He does not change.

So, praise the Lord along with us today as Eric and Kristi join their lives. And pray for them, as we know the evil one IS NOT happy about any of this!

Standing!

I failed to capture it on film due to her violent tears, but the girl stood in her crib for the first time today!!! She's been adept at pulling up for a while now, but never figured it out in the crib...now she has. Glad the men lowered it when they moved it across the hall!

The big boy bed

I thought I would let you see how the boy spent his first nap on his big boy bed last week. It didn't take him long, however, to begin sleeping like a normal human being with a pillow and covers. We still often find him scooted down off his pillow or twisted in his covers, but he's doing great for less than a week.

He is really enjoying having the room to himself and often plays in there alone. His favorite thing to do (surprise) is dance and sing along with his BOZ cd (yeah for bonus buys!). It's been fun to watch him quickly make this transition.

FYI - BOZ is his current favorite thing. One sampler DVD from a friend, and he was hooked. I am thankful it is faith-based and educational all in one. If you have no idea what I'm talking about (as I didn't before the sampler DVD), click here.

Ode to the cup

On behalf of my sweet husband who gets a little attached to cups, we must take a moment to pause and remember the good life of this unique cup. Passed on to us by friends leaving the country, this cup became special to Clay. Not only it is a great size, it has an exciting color-changing feature (as evidenced by the picture). We have many other Eskimo Joe's cups, but only two change color...and this one is apparently "cooler" than the other. It became a favorite of visitors of our home, especially Meghan, and has often been requested. It has served many a drink quite well.

Sadly, the cup now bears a crack produced by all the use. It is time to retire it, but I think it will still take up space in our cabinet. I'm not sure Clay is ready to part with it.

Silence for a moment, please.

Thank you.

In response to this post, Clay wrote his own eulogy:

Thank you for finally doing your duty and paying proper respects to this wonderful cup. It has served proudly and faithfully to family and friends alike with out regard to its own personal safety and well being. It has endured countless cycles in the dishwasher. It has survived several days of repeated use of storing my tea as the cup I would use for days in a row. It proudly served frigid beverages to numerous friends on countless occasions. It never failed to amaze all who saw it as it changed from a light almost fluorescent yellow into a deep rich blue. Never in my life have I seen a certain cup requested so often. Despite all of its years of harsh usage, it served proudly and without complaint. It was a loyal companion, a faithful friend; it was family. So, to you oh color shifting Eskimo Joe’s Cup, we salute you for your selfless and sacrificial duty. You have served with immense bravery and dedication. We will be forever indebted to you for delivering cold, tasty, and refreshing beverages. Go and rest in peace good buddy; Rest In Peace.

The fire station

Our playgroup visited the fire station today. I thought the boy would love it after his fireman themed Christmas with Grannylou and Pop. He was all excited this morning as we talked about it, but once we got there he was "all done." The firemen did a great job showing off all the equipment and letting the kids explore the truck, but the boy was not interested in it one bit (as seen in the first picture of him by himself). His sister was a bit more intrigued and had fun playing with a couple of the other girls. The boy got fine once he got his fireman hat - which proceeded to accompany us into Wal-Mart.