Halloween '07

I sort of forgot about posting Halloween pictures. Sorry 'bout that. Here they are, better late than never.

Boba Fett, Yoda, and Scary Dragon Baby

"Cute costume, it is........."

Carving this year's "Jack"

Checkin' out the loot!

Little Middle Goes to Big Church

Happy Birthday, Baby!

Dear Baby,

Today you turned 2 years old. This birthday is bittersweet for me. I am excited to watch you grow and learn--you are changing every day! At the same time, I know you are the last baby I will have, and my sentimental mama heart mourns the end of your babyhood. It will just be a matter of months before we put away the crib for good, we say goodbye to diapers (well, that's not so sad), and we trade in the car seat for a booster.

Your vocabulary has increased at an alarming rate recently. There is nothing you won't say! We asked you all day how old you are. At first you would say "two" and hold up your little fingers. After a while, though, you got bored with it and started saying whatever number came to your mind. "Baby, how old are you?" "Fwee," you answered. Or "sebben." Or whatever.

It must be such fun to be you, as the world spins at your direction. You are funny and easygoing (most of the time). I would love it if you would eat something besides dry cereal and mac & cheese, though. Sometimes I think you just refuse to eat--no matter what it is--just to see if you can get a reaction. It amuses you if Daddy or I insist that you consume the food we put in front of you. Your refusal infuriates us, but your grin is irresistible. You did not have trouble with your birthday cake, though!

You are a lover! You remind me of the theme song from "Cheers"...sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name. You're the guy who knows everyone's name! You will run to the ladies at church and hand out hugs freely. They eat you up! Nothing feels better to me than wrapping you up in my arms and receiving a big, wet kiss on my cheek. Every morning before Goliath leaves for school you ask for a hug from him. You have a sweet heart and you love people.

On this day two years ago, I had no idea why God sent you to be part of our family. All I knew, from the moment I laid eyes on you, was that you were wonderfully made and I was privileged to be your mommy. I still feel that way. My beautiful infant son has grown into a full-steam-ahead toddler. You stretch me, you melt me. You make me want to be better than what I used to be. You have brought great love and laughter into our home, little man. You will always be my baby.

Love,

Mommy

1 Corinthians 13 (For Moms)

I can read bedtime stories til the cow jumps over the moon, and sing "Ten Little Monkeys" until I want to call the doctor--but if I don't have love, I'm as annoying as a phone that rings all the time.

I can chase a naked toddler through the house while cooking dinner and listening to voice mail, I can fix the best cookies and Kool-Aid in the neighborhood, and I can tell a sick child's temperature with one touch of my finger, but if I don't have love, I am nothing.

Love is patient while watching and praying by the front window when it's 30 minutes past curfew.

Love is kind when my child says, "I don't like you anymore!"

It does not envy the neighbor's swimming pool or their brand new SUV that we can't afford, but trusts the Lord to provide every need.

Love does not brag when other parents share their disappointments and insecurities, and love rejoices when other families succeed.

It doesn't boast, even when I've multi-tasked all day long and my husband can't do more than one thing at a time.

Love is not rude when my spouse innocently asks, "So....what have you done today?"

It does not immediately seek glory when we see talent in our children, but encourages them to get training and make wise choices.

It is not easily angered, even when my 15-year-old acts like the world revolves around her.

It does not delight in evil (is not self-righteous) when I remind my 17-year-old that he's going 83 in a 55-mph zone, but rejoices in the truth.

Love does not give up hope. It always protects our children's self-esteem and spirit, even while doling out discipline.

It always trusts God to protect our children when we cannot. It always perseveres, through temper tantrums, rolled eyes and crossed arms, messy rooms, and sleepless nights.

Love never fails. But where there are memories of thousands of diaper changes and painful labors, they will fade away.

Where there is talking back, it will (eventually) cease.

Where there is a teenager who thinks she knows everything, there will one day be an adult who knows you did your best.

For we know we fail our children, and we pray they don't end up in therapy, but when we get to heaven, our imperfect parenting will disappear.

When we were children, we needed a parent to love and protect us. Now that we're parents ourselves, we have a heavenly Father who adores us, shelters us, and holds us when we need to cry. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Vocabulary Lesson

Last night, the kids' choir rehearsal came to a screeching halt so that the director could explain to Goliath that we "proclaim" the Savior's birth, not "complain" it!

New Year, Fresh Start

Today is my birthday. This day each year is special, but it seems that the older I get (and the more kids I have) it is less significant and not as celebrated. Not so this year. This morning dawned dark and rainy, but I feel as though the sun is shining through every window. Knowing that had things gone differently, this birthday could have very well been my last--or I might not have seen it at all--has changed me. God not only spared my life but gave me a new outlook as well. I am grateful for the time I have and I intend to spend it well. I am so thankful for my family: my 4 guys love me and gave me a reason to fight to get well. I am blessed with the greatest friends a girl could ask for. I may not understand why God allowed me to endure the trial of cancer, but I understand that the lessons to be learned from my experience are a treasure. It is my prayer that the coming year will be filled with "ah-ha!" moments, when I catch a glimpse of the Father's amazing plan for me, side-splitting laughter, and tremendous love.

P.S. Here are my 3 little cowboys, picnicking in the backyard last week:

Brunch

I ate lunch with my son this morning.

No kidding. I am trying to make the most of the few weeks I have left before I return to work, so I took advantage of the 2 little boys being at school today to have lunch with Goliath. Only, it was really brunch because kindergarteners eat lunch at 10:30. In the morning. It's silly.

We worked out the plan before he left for school this morning. "Mommy, I want a Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich with no pickles and some french fries and a lemonade." No problem. Except when I got to Chick-Fil-A at 10:10, they were still serving breakfast. I explained to the lady working the drive-thru intercom that I was having lunch with my 5-year-old son in 20 minutes and all he really wanted to eat was a chicken sandwich. The lunch kind. She checked with the manager, and they whipped up a special-order chicken sandwich just for me.

I would have been slightly embarrassed, but the look on Goliath's face was more than worth the extra trouble. We had a delightful brunch (although I only sipped a sweet tea, having just finished breakfast), and as he kissed me goodbye and headed to the playground, he said, "Mommy, that is the best chicken sandwich I ever did have. I love you VERY MUCH."

And I melted.