Happy 4th Birthday

Christmas Eve 2006 is a day I will always remember. It was the first day that I truly began to understand what it is like to love a child. It is the day that the dr. placed a child in my arms and I felt a love like never before. To believe that it was 4 years ago is hard to believe. It seems like just yesterday I was finding reason to cuddle him just a little longer--wait, I still do that. The only problem is that now he runs from me.

This year was special since we were able to celebrate the gift of David with our family in Michigan. We all went to Burger King--blech--and the kids were able to play in the playland while the adults visited (screamed over the noise). David has been asking for a pirate cake for months and I wasn't sure if I would be able to pull it off (allergies plus my decorating skills equals disaster). We contacted the local grocery store and they said that if we made the cake and frosting they would decorate it for us--score! When we got the cake we were so pleased. It looked awesome. David sat and stared at his cake. We could tell that he was excited. When Krista came in and asked if he was excited for his party he told her he was just excited about his cake.

Once I get access to a computer with my pics I will post them but for now I just have to write about the fun. :-)

Our Flight

I have come to the conclusion that crazy things are bound to happen when I am involved. I guess I wasn't thinking when I thought that this flight could go without incidence. I have to write it down so I never forget the details of our crazy traveling experience.

We woke up between 3-3:30 am Monday morning. We were all excited and ready to see Grandma and Papa. David and Annabelle were pumped about the plane ride and their new toys and snacks. I was super excited to see my parents and spend the Christmas season with them. Little did we know that later on that day we would make air traffic history--seriously.

We got to the airport, went through security and boarded our flight all without trouble. The 4 hour flight began and all three kids cooperated. They were all well behaved and happy. I was thinking--wow, this really isn't that bad. We only have one more flight left and it is a short one. Before I know we'll be walking on the snowy grounds of Michigan--hahahaha---NOT!

We landed in Minneapolis and I let the kids play in the play area for a little while. We went to the next gate and boarded the plane. David and Elijah were sleeping before the plane took off and Annabelle was fighting sleep--aka crying. After about 20 minutes of her crying she fell asleep. I looked at all three of my sleeping children and thought--great, we will be in Michigan in about another 20 minutes and this will all be over. I no sooner thought that and the pilot gets on the speaker informing us that the check engine light has come on and we will be returning to Minneapolis. All my hopes and dreams came crashing down. We were already half way there and now we had to turn around.

We got back to Minneapolis and began to deplane. That is when I noticed that Annabelle was covered--I mean covered--in poop. Apparently when I thought she was crying because she was tired she was crying because she had to poop. I thought she kept saying "back hurt" because she wanted out of her car seat but now I realize she must have been saying "butt hurt" because she needed a potty--yup, another mother of the year award goes to me. This is when my "angels" appeared. A young guy--without being asked--simply unloaded my car seat and got the stroller ready for me. Another lady, who was traveling with her 3 year old son (coincidence--I think not), scooped up Elijah and David and brought them to the terminal. I, on the jet way, proceeded to clean poop off Annabelle, myself and the bjorn. It was everywhere. I had no extra clothes. She was wearing a t-shirt, pull-up, socks and shoes and I smelled like poop. We had 15 minutes before we had to re board so I tried to recompose myself and think that it couldn't get any worse--joke on me!

We boarded the next plane and sat there for about a half hour when the pilot came on and informed us that they were having "mechanical issues". He then told us that it was the "lavatory". We all promised to hold it for the hour flight but that was not an option. We had to sit on the runway another 45 minutes until they fixed the issue. I was so thankful for that mom and 3 year old little boy. David and that boy quickly became best friends and played the whole time--oblivious to the fact that we weren't flying. We finally took off and made it to a little airport in Iron Mountain.

Everyone got off the plane except for me and the kiddies. We were suppose to continue on for a ten minute flight to Escanaba--our final destination--but apparently while we were in the air from Minneapolis our flight was cancelled--the one we were on. The pilot was furious saying over and over that the FAA is going to be all over this because no one knew that we were actually flying. Wow--we were flying a flight that had been cancelled and no one knew we were in the air. He then said that this has probably only happened 10 times in air traffic history--a cancelled flight flying anyway. Since we were "cancelled" we couldn't fly to Escanaba. I had to sit on the plane for another 1.5 hours while they decided if they were just going to fly us to Escanaba or get a taxi. We weren't allowed off the plane because of some TSA regulations. They kept going back and forth between the two options while Daivd and Annabelle ran up and down the aisle of the plane.

At this point--I nearly lost it. I thought I was going to start crying right then and there but I managed to hold it together. They concluded that we were now going to take a taxi to Escanaba--a one hour drive. We got off the plane--in the 8 degree weather--and went inside the airport. We sat for almost an hour and then the taxi came. We drove to Escanaba only to find out that our luggage was in Detroit--not sure why it was there. I wanted to cry--I mean really cry.

The whole day had gone by and my kids had not had a single meal. They ate all the snacks that I had packed which I am so thankful that I packed so many. After we all sat down in the airport I looked at David and Annabelle and could not believe how good they were all day long. They were so compliant--way more than normal--and well-behaved. Annabelle had a couple of moments when I thought she was at her breaking point but she managed to get it back together. David was super helpful--pick up this, get that, sit here, hold this. Not once did he complain. Then there was Elijah--oblivious to all that had just happened and smiling. He didn't fuss all day. Every time someone looked at him he gave them his big grin. If the kids had been wild and unruly I am not sure that I could have made it without a nervous break down.

A 6 hour day took nearly 20 hours but we made it and for that I am thankful! We had prayed that the flight would be safe and that the kids would be well-behaved and God answered both of our prayers. Maybe all the chaos was the Lord's way of teaching me a few lessons and strengthening my faith. Now i can look back and say, it really wasn't that bad. :-)

6 Months

Where has the time gone!! So hard for me to believe that Elijah is 6 months old already--half of the year has come and gone. What he is doing now:

• Sitting up and looking at everything.
• Rolling all over the place.
• Really trying to crawl. He gets up on all fours and then scoots backwards--it is so funny to watch.
• He now knows when I am going to put him to bed. As soon as he sees his bed he holds me a little tighter and starts to "cry". I don't call it a real cry just a bit of a protest.
• Still fascinated with his feet--always chewing on his toes.
• Wearing a size 2-3 diaper. Whatever I have is what he gets-hahaha.
• Mostly 6 month clothes. A few 3-6 months still fit but mostly 6-9.
• Last dr. visit he was 17 pounds and some odd ounces.
• This month involved erratic sleep. No one enjoyed it but the past week has brought much relief as sleep has entered the home once again.
• Loves to watch David and Annabelle. Smiles every time he sees those two birds.
• Still, by far, the easiest going little guy. He has been without a real schedule for about a month and is totally chill about it. For this I am thankful--considering that I do not foresee life getting any less busy before February.
• Loves people--he will smile and coo at every person he sees.
• "Talks" all the time--David and Sugar love this.
• Plays with his toys and always puts them in his mouth. Especially loves his book that crinkles.

I'm Back

So, life has been a bit hectic today and I have a number of events to post. My plan is to get caught up before I leave Monday--let's see if we can get this thing done.

Reality

I have a few posts that I am waiting to publish but it may be a few days. Elijah hasn't been sleeping and we are in the process of moving. These two things plus my two personal assistants (David and Annabelle) have been making for interesting days. We are still here but may be mia for a bit.

Reaching Out

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Today was an awesome experience. We had several kids from Victory at our house making sandwiches to feed the homeless. After the sandwich making was complete we all went down to pass out the food and pray for those we encountered. I loved watching these teenagers reaching out to the people on the street.

Most of these high school kids were in middle school--some elementary school--when I was teaching at Victory. I remember watching some of them run around at recess and just be kids. It is so amazing to watch them grow and to see them cultivate a deeper walk with Jesus. It is awesome to see teenagers encouraging one another to live for Christ.

They aren't my kids but when watch them--I feel a sense of pride. I am proud of what they are doing and what they are becoming. Thank you for being great role models for our kids. We love you guys!

Just a few pictures to bring a smile to my face.

Dress Up

These two wild men were running around the house telling us that they were "good evil". We tried to explain that there isn't really good evil but they insisted that they were the "good evil" guys out to get the "bad evil" guys. The mind of 4 year old boys is rather complex--lol.

Elijah

One of the reasons I love being a mommy.

First "Food"

Daddy gave me a tootsie roll and it was exceptionally yummy!

Mommy took it away.

5 Months

This month has been a month of many changes. You are growing and changing so much!

• Still a size 2 diaper
• 3-6 month clothes
• "talking" all the time
• You are beginning to grab for everything.
• All those things you grab for go right to your mouth--including your feet.
• You smile all the time. As a matter of fact, you rarely cry.
• You are very easy going--you roll with the punches. This past week we were visiting Auntie Amanda and you spent a lot of time in the car seat and stroller but you didn't seem to mind one bit.
• You made your first road trip to Vegas to stay with Auntie Amanda and Uncle Brett. We were in the car 10 hours and you were so good the whole time!!
• Still like to spit up--so gross. You keep the laundry pile well stocked.
• You love to watch David and Annabelle and they love to make you laugh.
• When I pick you up you always bury your head in my neck. I like to think that is your way of hugging me.
• Almost every Sunday during church Auntie Ruth holds you--she says you just sit there like you are listening to the message--lol.
• Your eyes are a mix between green and light brown. I think they are mostly brown but sometimes they look green.
  
• A great sleeper--did I mention that you are a great sleeper. For this--I am thankful. You had a couple nights where you were waking up a lot and I was so nervous that you were making it a trend but that was not so.

Our Friday Family Fun

Amazing how the word "fun" has a whole new meaning once you have kids--wouldn't trade it for the world.

E

I don't think I could love this little man any more than I do at this very moment! He is the happiest little guy around here.

Cheese

David's Funnies

Me: David, there is a time to be wild and a time to be calm and right now it is time to be calm.
D: OK, is tomorrow time to be wild?

D: Mommy, my covers are all messed up
Me: Did you tear apart your bed?
D: No, the covers must have rolled all over on their own. (The covers were thrown in a pile on the floor and I am rather confident that they didn't do it "on their own".)

In other news--we FINALLY found a house! We put our offer in last week but we were a little nervous because there was an open house over the weekend. I kept telling Glenn that I didn't want to get my hopes up but I just loved the house. Our realtor called this morning to say that our offer is the one that the sellers chose!! Yay! That is only the first step in a long process, but at least it is one step closer. I am still not getting my hopes up but I am praying and trusting the Lord to lead us to the exact house He has for us!

All Smiles

This little guy is so special to our family. Every time you look at him he has a smile. He smiles when he spits up, he smiles when you look at him, he smiles when you put him to bed, he smiles when he wakes up, he smiles in the exersaucer, he smiles when he gets a bath, he smiles while he's playing on the floor, he smiles all the time!

Time

This poem makes me think about how special each and every day with the trio really is. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with the craziness of the day, but the truth is I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love these three peeps!


Let Me Hold You Longer
by Karen Kingsbury

"Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts;
First smiles and teeth and baby steps, a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away and leave to me your past
And I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts.

The last time that I held a bottle to your baby lips
The last time that I lifted you and held you on my hip,
The last night when you woke up crying,
Needing to be walked,
When last you crawled up with your blanket
Wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me still small enough to hold
The last time when you said you'd marry me when you grew old.
Precious simple moments and bright flashes from your past
Would I have held on longer if I'd known they were your last?
Our last adventure to the park, your final midday nap
The last time when you wore your favorite faded baseball cap.

Your last few hours of kindergarten, last days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League, last colored picture made.
I never said goodbye to all your yesterdays long past
So what about tomorrow? Will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that you catch a frog in that old backyard pond
The last that you ran barefoot across our fresh-cut lawn
Silly, scattered moments and bright flashes from your past
I keep on taking pictures, never quite sure of your last.

The last time that I comb your hair or stop a pillow fight,
The last time that I tuck you in and pray with you at night.
The last time when we cuddled with a book just me and you,
The last time you jump in our bed and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson, the last vacation to the lake
Your last few weeks of middle school, last soccer goal you make.
I look ahead and dream of days that haven't come to pass
But as I do I sometimes miss today's sweet precious lasts.

The last time that I help you with a math or spelling test
The last time when I shout that "Yes! Your room is still a mess!"
The last time that you need me for a ride from here to there
The last time that you spend the night with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster, stealing precious days that pass
I want to hold on longer, want to recognize your lasts.
The last thing that you need my help with, details of a dance,
And the last time that you asked me for advice about romance.

The last time that you talked to me about your hopes and dreams
The last time that you wear a jersey for your high school team.
I've watched you grow and barely noticed seasons as they pass
If I could freeze the hands of time, I'd hold onto your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning, you'll be going far away
College life will beckon in a brilliant sort of way
One last hug, one last goodbye, one quick and hurried kiss,
One last time to understand just how much you'll be missed.

I'll watch you leave and think how fast our time together passed
So let me hold on longer, God, to every precious last. "

Apple Hill

David

So hard to get a picture of all three!

Who cares if they want a picture?

At least they are all looking in the same direction.

I love this picture of Sugar because it captures her personality to a t.

Even E is giving us a smile.

There's my cutie bug!

David was fascinated by the fish.

Checking out all the fish.

Having fun with his buddy.

Guess what is on his mind?

Sliding down the hill.

Watching the pony rides.

Her dream come true--she loves horses.

She is saying "ho-shie".

Petting farm.

Feeding the goats.

It tickled.

E finally discovered his toy.

D reaching for the apple.

Annabelle's idea of apple picking--eating them.

I love his chubby little hand grabbing the apple.

We had a great time at Apple Hill and look forward to going back!