Smiles

The smile on my husband's face matched my own as I greeted him at the door. He carried a handful of shining roses, kissed me, and smiled again. It was a day of many smiles.



Earlier that morning, I had made the 2 hour drive to the hospital for the "big" ultrasound. As I lay there, excited and perhaps a little nervous, I smiled. Today I would see the sweet child that moves within my womb. In a few moments, we would discover it's gender, it's health, and it's growth. I smiled.



As we started the ultrasound, the baby kicked and squirmed. A lively little one to join our family. After measuring the heart, head, and spine, I was assured of the baby's well being and appropriate development. Is it not amazing that a child can grow so perfectly and safely inside? I marveled at the wisdom and handiwork of our Creator. And I smiled again, and in truth, I held back tears. Thank you, Lord, for this precious life that grows within me.



As we continued to assess the baby, it also became quite obvious that this healthy little one was a boy. A tear slid down the corner of my eye. And I smiled. A boy!! Another sweet boy to join our other two. A round little cherub to be added to our family. A boy!! Perhaps it was not what I was expecting, but there was no disappointment in my heart or mind. And these were not tears of sadness... only tears of joy. A healthy little boy was given to us by God, and what an incredible gift it is. I smiled again.


When we were done, I smiled as I walked across the hospital for my Dr appt. I tried calling my husband, but received no answer. Finally, after a blood draw, stepping on the dreaded scale, and reading aimlessly in the waiting room, my phone rang.


The waiting room, though full, was quiet. My phone disturbed the silence and every face turned to look at mine. While it was news I wanted to first share with my husband, I had no choice but to share it with 15 bystanders as well. I quickly relayed to my husband his success in creating another man-child to join our clan. The smiles across the waiting room were contagious as everyone eagerly eavesdropped. But more than that, I could feel my husband smile through the phone. I sensed the excitement in his voice and the glint in his eye. "WOW!! A BOY!! THREE BOYS!!" We smiled at each other, despite the distance.


And I smiled most of my 2 hour drive home. Three boys! Wow is right!


Later at home that evening, after the roses had been arranged, and our children in bed, we pondered over what three boys meant and how our lives would change. What does a house with three little boys look like? And what about the grocery bill? the pictures? the activity level? Despite a few overwhelming thoughts, we smiled together. Rich payment are men's sons (Psalm 127).


I admit, that we also pondered the lack of pink dresses and doll houses in our home. But we didn't contemplate too long. The thought of 3 boys filled us with joy. Truly, our cups overflowed as we considered our children; the bonds they will share, the trouble they will get into, the mischievious grins and the leadership and loyalty they already exhibit. Oh how we love our boys!! While we do not know what the future holds, it is clear for now that we were meant to parent boys. And we smile at the thought.

Veteran's Day Parade

This year on Veteran's Day we went to watch the Veteran's Day Parade (one of those nice benefits of living in a military town). Not only was it a fun experience, but it was also a chance to teach our kids about the soldiers who gave (and give) their lives every day. I think it will be a fun family tradition to do every year.


We enjoy so many privileges and freedoms in the wonderful U.S.A, but more often than hearing the positive side of things, we hear complaints and disappointments. Yes, there are disappointments... and decisions that go against our Christian beliefs... and it is sickening to think about how far our country has fallen...


But today was another opportunity to remember the blessings and benefits we enjoy as Americans... to be thankful for the chance to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness... to teach our children a part of our American heritage... to remember that freedom isn't free... and to thank God for our soldiers, for our families, and for the sacrifices they've made.

Our first family tailgate party as we waited for the parade to start

Waving to the motorcycles

Enjoying some candy that was given to the kids

The Color Guard

Joshua and Isaiah clapping and cheering for the soldiers, fire trucks, and Army band as they passed by

A salute to my soldier

For the truth you stand for

For the lives you've saved

For the battles you've fought

For the sacrifices you've made

For proudly wearing the uniform and standing up for what is good and right and true:

I love you.

For the times you held my hand

For the life you have given me

For the times you wiped my tears,

For the truth you made me see

For the day you gave me your heart, your love, your life and said, "I do"

I love you.

For all those times you loved me when I was so unlovable
For all the times you listened and encouraged
I love you.
+
For all those times you hugged me, when I was busy crying over milk that had spilled
I love you.

For the children you've given me, both on this earth and yet unborn
I love you.
+

+
For all these things and so many more
thank you, my dear husband, you are what I waited for.
+

+
Thank you for being all that you are and for doing all that you do
I love you.

Sleep!!

Dear little Joshua needs his naps. And what is more, he knows he needs his naps. In fact, he usually wants his naps. But today still surprised me...

After a busy morning (as Tuesdays always are for us, after getting the boys up, dressed and fed,we do a quick 30 minutes of exercise/stroller ride through the neighborhood, and then head straight to the commissary for our weekly groceries, and then on to the library in time for story hour and crafts, and then home again for lunch), Joshua was glad to get home and relax. We had a simple lunch and then I let the boys play while I finished unpacking groceries. Then I sat down at the computer for a few minutes. Joshua, who had already found his precious yellow blanket came up to me, and lay his head down on my lap.

I asked him, "Joshua are you ready for a nap?" "Uh huh" was his speedy reply.

Before I even stood up, he was already headed towards the stairs and towards his bedroom. If he could climb into his bed on his own, I'm sure he would have just gone to bed without waiting for me. Dear, sleepy little guy.

Joshua is so much like his Daddy. When Nick is tired, he needs a nap and doesn't function well until he's rested. Josh is the same way. He knows when he's tired, and instead of resisting naps (like Isaiah and I typically would), he instead comes to remind me to put him in his bed. I love him for that, for his honesty and openness (yes I really do think it's honesty!! So many kids would whine, "I'm not tired!!" when they are really exhausted and in need of a nap), and for his sweet cuddles and snuggles as I carry him to bed.

New Shoes

Today I went shoe shopping for my two little cherubs and landed a great deal.

I found these cute "sports" Carter's shoes on the clearance rack for 50% off. What a steal!!! To make things even better, they had a pair in each of my kids sizes!! Yes!!

(Joshua proudly modeled the shoes for me)

Perhaps even better than finding a bargain, was the looks on my sons faces when we all discovered that these were the "cool" shoes that light up when you walk in them. The boys didn't know shoes could be so AMAZING. When we got home, the boys both put on their shoes and ran around. Literally. They ran around and around, stomping and jumping and dancing in these new fancy shoes. While they ran, skipped and hopped, they also tried desperately to look at their feet in order to see the lights flashing. I couldn't help but laugh a few times as I saw them be so absorbed in watching their shoes so as to not watch where they were going.

Despite the fact that it was quite amusing to see the boys bang into furniture and each other as they focused on their feet, I couldn't help but thing how analogous the situation was to our human natures and our Christian walk. Isn't that the way life is? We get so caught up and mesmerized by new things, new toys, new friends that we often lose sight of where we are headed? We take our eyes of the One who gives us these blessings, and instead become caught up in the blessings themselves? Food for thought.

Words of wisdom

My dear son, Isaiah, is full of words of wisdom. As a mom who likes to remember sweet little things, I'll share a few conversational tidbits so as not to forget these one liners.


----This morning at 6am, Isaiah bursts into our bedroom and says with delight and mischief, "Wake up, Fisherman Pig!!!" For those of you that are not familar with this line, it is from Richard Scarry's Busy Town book, where you see Fisherman Pig napping in a boat (when he is presumably supposed to be working, i.e. fishing).



----Around 10am, Isaiah comes up to me, and whispers, "Mom... I'm just crazy about you!!"



----Before lunch, I overhear a conversation between Isaiah and his younger brother, "Josh, our hearts must be changed before we can believe in Jesus and go to heaven." This of course brought a smile to my face, as it is a direct quote from the Children's Catechism that we work on every morning at breakfast.



----After dinner, Isaiah needed to go to the bathroom. On his way across the living room to the bathroom, he started strutting with a very manly swagger and informed us in a deep voice, "I'm a MAN!!"



----Later this evening, at bedtime, Isaiah was getting ready to pray. He said, "Mom, can I pray for the soldiers at Ft Hood in the 'mist' of this tragedy?" Earlier this afternoon, when we first heard about the shootings, Isaiah and I prayed for the safety and protection of the soldiers and families. Obviously it stuck with him.



This is not an exhaustive account, but just a few tidbits from our day. Priceless. I'm proud of my little boy.