Happy Birthday, Little Buddy!
2 years!! How can it be? It seems like only yesterday that I was wondering how I was going to tell your Daddy about your 'being'. I was a little shocked myself. It wasn't that I wasn't wanting you, sweet boy. I just didn't think I was ready for you quite yet. But as always, our God knew differently and He prepared and provided in great ways for your arrival.
Some day I will tell you more about your big sister's prayer for you...she seriously wanted a baby brother and asked and trusted that God would give her one. When we told her there would be a baby coming she KNEW you would be a boy - because that is what she asked for. Her great faith challenged us and we were thrilled when we learned you were, indeed, a boy!!
You are curious, charming, adventure loving, tender hearted toward your sisters when they are sad, you love to be cuddled (for a little while, anyway) and being reunited with someone after they have been gone (even for the time needed to take a shower) makes you really happy. During your more 'difficult times' you are impatient, terribly stubborn and very strong willed. You bring me to my knees in desperate prayer more than I should even tell you:) Forcing you to do anything is rarely easy or successful. Training you takes a bit more persistence and patience on our part. But as you grow older, I see that all of these 'qualities' are 'usable' in God's eyes....and I trust, as I did when I first learned you were growing inside of me, that God has a great plan for your life....I love you with an indescribable love, my sweet boy.
I remember holding you for the first time after you were born...my son. I'm still challenged in knowing how to raise a son as I desperately desire to raise a man with integrity and conviction..one who will lead when necessary all while knowing what it means to follow God each day of your life, one who will love tenderly and unconditionally, one who will be able to share his thoughts and ideas in ways that are wise, yet sensitive. I may be all wrong in wanting these things for you, because most of all, I want you to be who God wants you to be. I trust Him to equip us to train you in His ways.
Here are a few things I can tell you about how you are as a two year old..... you love trucks and cars. You've been known to carry at least 8 matchbox cars with you at one time. You also love airlplanes and trains. Every once in awhile we see you taking care of your sissies' dollies. We were concerned at first, but we know that you just love babies:) You love puppy dogs and we smiled when we saw a softer side of you while you held on to the puppy at the petstore a few weeks ago ...precious! You appreciate a good mud puddle and I can tell that it is just IN you - the need to step (or jump) in each and every one you see. You hate vegetables (and hate is an appropriate word for this, I promise), you don't like bread or cake. You love macaroni and cheese and spaghetti and ice cream. You love a good bubble bath. You LOVE your dad....your smile lights up a room when he enters your presence:) The two of you are good buds. You love your sisters too and when you are not ripping up their artwork or pulling their hair, or throwing your cars at them, you enjoy playing with them and loving them. You make their day when you go into their room to wake them up. They love having you crawl into bed with them. They are like 'little mommies' for you and you LOVE it! And I'm pretty sure you like me a little too - I can tell by the look in your BIG brown eyes each time we connect. You are precious, loving boy!
What a gift it is for us to watch you grow and to share life with you. You make us so happy and we treasure you. Happy Birthday, Eric Joseph. You are a gift from God!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Happy Birthday, Grace!
5 years old!! How can it be? My sweet Gracie is 5 years old. I can't help but reminisce about your life...starting from the moments I dreamt of it. I knew at just the right time it was time to start thinking of bringing you into this world. I had my own perfect plan of how I wanted it to go and God seemed to go right along with it. We learned we were pregnant with you on our 7th wedding anniversary - what a perfect gift:)
Besides having about 6 weeks of morning sickness, I felt better than ever with you living inside of me. I gained only 11 pounds during my pregnancy with you! Even the day before you were born I was RUNNING in the woods with your daddy and your big sister. You invigorated me:)
Your birth was easy (well, as easy as childbirth is) and when you were born you looked just like your big sister when she was born. I knew you would weigh 7 pounds and would be 20 inches long - just like your sister. (I was an ounce off.) You were perfect and wonderful and you fit your given name, Grace Elizabeth, just perfectly. Your name represents a gift from our God to your daddy and I - I can't wait to tell you more about it.
You were lovingly welcomed home by your adoring Daddy, your excited big sister, Ana, and your crazy dog, Jack. We were quickly surrounded by caring friends and family immediately after you arrived. They all said "she looks like a Grace".
I loved caring for you when you came home. I cherished the moments we shared in the middle of the night - rocking and nursing you in the dim light of your nursery. I would pray for you and our family during that time. It was then that I sensed that God was going to do something great through you and your life. Though, I didn't know what that meant ( and still don't), I trust Him. And I grew more in love with you, sweet girl! In 10 short weeks after you were born, we didn't have as many frequent mid-night encounters. But when I was (and am) awake in the middle of the nights, I pray the same prayers for you. I can't wait to tell you more about them.
Now here we are - almost 5 years later. You are wise, thoughtful, nurturing, creative and a 'realistic' dreamer (just like your mommy). You are also stubborn and cautious at first, slow to warm up to anything unfamiliar and sometimes...just a grump. I'm afraid we have nicknamed you "Grumpy Grace". We seem to use it less as you grow older. But, we know that God has created you in this perfect way and will use all of you for His perfect plan. I can't wait for you to share it with us.
I love your contagious laugh, your inquisitive questions, your voice and your speech, the words you make up (gracie-isms), the way you sing at the top of your lungs in the bath tub, the way you boss your big sister around (well I don't ALWAYS love it), the way you care for your baby brother, like a little mommy!, the way you NEED to be snuggled.......there is a list that goes on and on that would list all that I love about you. I'm so thankful for the the fact that just a few short months ago, you gave into the truth that you needed Jesus in your heart and that you let down your guard to ask Him in. You are precious and brave, sweet girl. I pray that you will let Him have His way with your life - that He would continue to capture your heart and give you the desire to live for Him alone.
Thank you for the love you give to our family, the joy you bring to our lives. You are a gift from God and we thank Him for YOU!
My favorite recent Gracie-ism:
Mom- "Gracie, you are being such a good girl today. I'm really proud of you!"
Grace- "That's good, Mommy - now you won't need to "en-trouble" (discipline) me."
Happy Birthday, my sweet Gracie! I think you are amazing!
Besides having about 6 weeks of morning sickness, I felt better than ever with you living inside of me. I gained only 11 pounds during my pregnancy with you! Even the day before you were born I was RUNNING in the woods with your daddy and your big sister. You invigorated me:)
Your birth was easy (well, as easy as childbirth is) and when you were born you looked just like your big sister when she was born. I knew you would weigh 7 pounds and would be 20 inches long - just like your sister. (I was an ounce off.) You were perfect and wonderful and you fit your given name, Grace Elizabeth, just perfectly. Your name represents a gift from our God to your daddy and I - I can't wait to tell you more about it.
You were lovingly welcomed home by your adoring Daddy, your excited big sister, Ana, and your crazy dog, Jack. We were quickly surrounded by caring friends and family immediately after you arrived. They all said "she looks like a Grace".
I loved caring for you when you came home. I cherished the moments we shared in the middle of the night - rocking and nursing you in the dim light of your nursery. I would pray for you and our family during that time. It was then that I sensed that God was going to do something great through you and your life. Though, I didn't know what that meant ( and still don't), I trust Him. And I grew more in love with you, sweet girl! In 10 short weeks after you were born, we didn't have as many frequent mid-night encounters. But when I was (and am) awake in the middle of the nights, I pray the same prayers for you. I can't wait to tell you more about them.
Now here we are - almost 5 years later. You are wise, thoughtful, nurturing, creative and a 'realistic' dreamer (just like your mommy). You are also stubborn and cautious at first, slow to warm up to anything unfamiliar and sometimes...just a grump. I'm afraid we have nicknamed you "Grumpy Grace". We seem to use it less as you grow older. But, we know that God has created you in this perfect way and will use all of you for His perfect plan. I can't wait for you to share it with us.
I love your contagious laugh, your inquisitive questions, your voice and your speech, the words you make up (gracie-isms), the way you sing at the top of your lungs in the bath tub, the way you boss your big sister around (well I don't ALWAYS love it), the way you care for your baby brother, like a little mommy!, the way you NEED to be snuggled.......there is a list that goes on and on that would list all that I love about you. I'm so thankful for the the fact that just a few short months ago, you gave into the truth that you needed Jesus in your heart and that you let down your guard to ask Him in. You are precious and brave, sweet girl. I pray that you will let Him have His way with your life - that He would continue to capture your heart and give you the desire to live for Him alone.
Thank you for the love you give to our family, the joy you bring to our lives. You are a gift from God and we thank Him for YOU!
My favorite recent Gracie-ism:
Mom- "Gracie, you are being such a good girl today. I'm really proud of you!"
Grace- "That's good, Mommy - now you won't need to "en-trouble" (discipline) me."
Happy Birthday, my sweet Gracie! I think you are amazing!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
A few 'firsts'
I hoped to have this posted on the 1st of October - as this is the day I was refelcting on many of the 'firsts' we were experiencing this week. But, I'm a few days late - I"ll share anyway:)
Speaking of October 1st - this day is always really fresh in my mind. Whenever I hear the date mentioned I immediately go back several years to an 'October 1st' in 1989 - when I started 'dating' the man of my dreams:) (uuhhhhh, yeah - that IS Torrey - in case you are not 100% sure). This was the time when girls liked to have steady boyfriends - I was awed and amazed at the opportunity to 'go out' with such a great guy. That day started a whole new world of firsts for me. How grateful I am for the courtship we've shared for the last 19 years - wow! And though we have many more dates to remember now that we are married, I'll always remember fondly October 1st. I love you, honey, and cling to the memories we share and am thrilled with the thoughts of the sweet memories we'll make in the many many years to come. xoxoxoxo
This is her 'posed' growly "MOOOOMMMMMMMM!!" We're praying for wisdom here (though NOT for the first time) - it all seems a bit soon. And, thankfully, it doesn't usually take too long before the great amount of sweetness that is part of her very being comes shining through to remind us that it is all going to be okay:)
that's right...snow! - notice how lovely it lays, gently covering my unraked, fallen, golden leaves. I'm biting my tongue here....it's only October 5th! I know, I know it won't stay on the ground very long - but it's too early to shovel - and I had to shovel.....oooy!
Speaking of October 1st - this day is always really fresh in my mind. Whenever I hear the date mentioned I immediately go back several years to an 'October 1st' in 1989 - when I started 'dating' the man of my dreams:) (uuhhhhh, yeah - that IS Torrey - in case you are not 100% sure). This was the time when girls liked to have steady boyfriends - I was awed and amazed at the opportunity to 'go out' with such a great guy. That day started a whole new world of firsts for me. How grateful I am for the courtship we've shared for the last 19 years - wow! And though we have many more dates to remember now that we are married, I'll always remember fondly October 1st. I love you, honey, and cling to the memories we share and am thrilled with the thoughts of the sweet memories we'll make in the many many years to come. xoxoxoxo I think this photo was taken when we were in college:)
It seems our lives have been filled with many firsts in the last couple of years - it's a given when you move 3500 miles away from everything you have ever known and land yourself into vocational changes and demographics you've never been a part of , etc, etc. But here are a few firsts that are sticking out in my mind right now.
I experienced my first women's retreat last weekend (not necessarily my 'thing', I thought). It was filled with many firsts - my first time to this part of Alaska, my first time letting fellow church go-ers see me without make-up :-0), my first time walking outdoors in the dark in Alaska (crazy, but it's true) and my first time ever kayaking on open water (sorry, no photo). I was intimidated at first, worrying I would fall in - but then I thought -that is only the worst thing that might happen and I knew I would survive even that. Fortunately, I stayed completely dry and had a great time talking with a new friend and soaking up the beauty of the place God had given me that weekend. The rest of the weekend was fabulously worshipful and challenged me in so many ways and as a result caused me to feel like I was leaving there changed - a better person than I was when I arrived.
On Friday, I said good bye to my sweet heart who is leaving the kids and I alone in this log cabin (still, with occasional shrews - they are still mice to me , I don't care how tiny they are- who are looking for a warm sticky trap to land on) to go to California for the first time to his first pastors' conference. I'm praying that God would work mightily in the days ahead to fill him with refreshment, perspective and encouragement he is needing while he is there and that he will return home feeling blessedly equipped to do all that God wants him to do in the weeks and months to come.
Gracie decided she wanted a haircut. I took her to a place at the mall thinking they could manage a shoulder-length bob. Apparently not - it was truly the first time any of my kids ever received a really BAD haircut. I couldn't take a picture (it was THAT bad), but two haircuts later (in attempt to 'fix' the first one) - this is what we have. She's so cute and especially spunky with her new 'do'.
Ana decided she wanted a haircut too - just in time for school pictures. We're getting alot of 'firsts' with her lately - mostly in the area of attitude. Ouch...please don't let this be a glimpse of the years to come.
This is her 'posed' growly "MOOOOMMMMMMMM!!" We're praying for wisdom here (though NOT for the first time) - it all seems a bit soon. And, thankfully, it doesn't usually take too long before the great amount of sweetness that is part of her very being comes shining through to remind us that it is all going to be okay:)Eric is cracking us up with his new, first time interest in talking. Talking hasn't come especially easy for him, but lately, he will repeat just about anything we ask him to. I almost fell over earlier in the day when I asked him to come to me and he said loud and clear - " NO! " - okay, wasn't ready for that. But, the cutest this week is his first "hel-wo" (hello). He loves talking on the phone! Here he is talking to Daddy.
And now, here is the most outrageous first of my recent moments. It happened today, on October 5th.........
that's right...snow! - notice how lovely it lays, gently covering my unraked, fallen, golden leaves. I'm biting my tongue here....it's only October 5th! I know, I know it won't stay on the ground very long - but it's too early to shovel - and I had to shovel.....oooy!God, you give us these 'firsts' and You are with us when they come our way. So whether they are good or bad, expected or unexpected - I know You are here with me - You have orchestrated them perfectly to prepare me for greater things (big or small). Change me, Lord, help me to take these things as they come and to respond with grace and thanksgiving......may I never stop giving YOU the glory for all you send my way. Amen.
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