Due dates, birthdays, what-nots and so forths

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Hello dear readers, from a nine months pregnant, not currently sleeping birthday girl.

How are ya’ll doing?

The first thing on my mind right now is how much I love my husband. I will try to spare you ushy-gushy details that you really have no desire to hear and just say that, though he’s technically not a birthday gift, he is by far what I am most grateful for right now. His love and care, his laid back, easy-to-live-with style of doing things, the way he loves our girls, the way he tells me the details about his golf outings…that, and so much more have me loving him like crazy. (also included is the fact that he totally knows that times like this can be horribly hormone-induced and gone tomorrow, but he still puts up with my sentiments.) = )

Next is that, though I’m obviously excited to have this baby, I’m so thankful for these “extra days” with our girlies. My mom is here now, so I can play and cuddle more than I feed and direct so that is making these times so special. I know that once the baby comes, they will all look so much bigger; that I will hear them laughing and playing outside my room and want to go join them, but fall back asleep from exhaustion. In some ways, I think they sense it to; I’ve been on the receiving end of so many sweet hugs and kisses. We can hold out for a few more days if that keeps up.

As far as the baby goes, I still feel really good. She still moves consistently, so I don’t feel any need to worry. I guess when you’re the fifth you have to break new ground however you can. (all the others have been early, and I am now two days late)

I dread going through labor. It’s constantly on mind. I’m trying to exchange fear with prayers for strength, faith and mercy. We never take for granted the little life that lays inside; I pray for her to be safe, to be healthy and strong. I want to hold her so badly. I pray for God to help me trust in him and rejoice in him in whatever he chooses to give us. I pray that by his grace he would be glorified.

And at night, I ask my husband to get me a watermelon airhead. And a Milky Way, just in case.

Everything is all ready, though I’ve certainly lost my ready-to-go edge. I wonder how it all will go down.

As far as my birthday goes, my list of things to do might sound a little strange. No special foods or restaurants really sound appealing. I think it might be fun to go to Salvation Army, redo a lamp just for fun, drive to Anthropologie and walk around looking for inspiration (and breathing in the awesome smells), hold my girls, and sit next to Paul at night reading together. Oh and do a workout video with my mom. I really want her to see how cute the girls are when they do it. Honestly, having a baby on my birthday would not be tops on my list, but at this point we really can’t be too picky. = )

That’s about all I have to say for now. Maybe I can fall asleep soon??

So this is how I looked three months ago - you can imagine how big I am now. Aye-ay-yay!
So this is how I looked three months ago – you can imagine how big I am now. Aye-ay-yay!

lyrics i love

 

Before you close your eyes to sleep
I have a promise still to keep
As I hold you in my arms.
I pray your little frame grows strong
And that faith takes hold while you are young;
This is my prayer for you.

Hold my hand;
I’ll teach you the Way to go.
Through the joys, through the tears,
The journey of these years,
May you trust Him ‘til the end.
May you trust Him in the end.

This world is not as it should be,
But the Savior opens eyes to see
All that’s beautiful and true.
Oh may His light fill all you are
And the jewel of wisdom crown your heart;
This is my prayer for you.

Hold my hand;
I’ll teach you the Way to go.
Through the joys, through the tears,
The journey of these years,
He is with us ‘til the end.
He is faithful ‘til the end.

You’ll travel where my arms won’t reach
As the road will rise to lead your feet
On a journey of your own.
May my mistakes not hinder you
But His grace remain and guide you through;
This is my prayer for you.

Take His hand
And go where He calls you to.
And whatever comes, seek Him
With all your heart;
This will be my prayer for you.
mmmm Father, hear my ceaseless prayer;
Oh keep them in your care.

 

Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, and Fionan de Barra; © 2012 Gettymusic and Fionan de Barra (adm. by MusicServices.org)

An Easter idea for the neighbors

A few weeks ago, I had this idea for Easter. It’s normal to “do something for the neighbors” at Christmas. Not that I ever actually have. But we’ve been thinking the last few years about how for the believer, Christ’s resurrection is our biggest celebration of the year. The greatest moment to exalt in. Anyways, I thought, we should “do something for the neighbors” and maybe write them a card or note explaining why celebrating Christ’s resurrection on Easter means so much to us.

So fast forward to about two days ago and I think we’ve got a plan!

There are little kids in every apartment near us, so we’re going to give them this book.

More Than a Story
More Than a Story

More Than a Story, Easter book

More Than a Story, Easter children's book

The illustrations are beautiful and the words have a beautiful rhythm. It outlines some of the fantastic miracles throughout the Bible and then gives the defense that if Christ had the power to rise from the dead, that all of that is possible. It’s a wonderful presentation of the gospel, of the authority of Scripture, and of God’s revealing Himself to mankind.

Not to mention our girls love it, and we love reading it to them, too! (In fact, I think the idea came while reading it to them)

And then for fun, we’re going to try to make these fun treats!

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I should probably make some practice ones. = )

It’s a simple start, but it’s something. I know it’s a little late in the game to post about this, but maybe it could start some ideas of how you could use this season to spread the glory of Christ.

Looking forward to celebrating!!

My kids answers to their New Year’s Day questions

imageIf you remember, I came up with some questions to ask my kids on New Year’s Day. And we actually did it!

Let me tell you, their answers totally surprised me! Isn’t it fun to ask a question and then be surprised by the answer?

The biggest realization for me was just how small their world is. When I asked, “Where is somewhere you want to go this year?” I was imagining they would answer Washington D.C., California, or England. But nope, it was a local park, the mall, and Chick-fil-A. All of which we have been to more than once this year. Wow.

Also of note before you read is that Gracie rather got stuck in a rut. Just so there’s no confusing that she’s the most spiritual three-year-old in the world or anything.

So here, for those interested, are my kids answers to their New Year’s Day questions.

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*What was your favorite thing about last year?
H- my birthday, breakfast with daddy
S- being in the waves at the beach, camp, pool with Daddy, birthday
G- that we read the Bible
*What was the worst thing that happened last year?
H- when my sister’s pulled my hair
S- when I was sick
G- we were bad
*What do you think you learned last year?
H- about money, Abraham Lincoln is on the cent
S- how to read
G- about Joseph, their Dad
*What is one thing you really hope happens this year?
H- to start playing my violin
S- go to the mall
G- that we don’t bad things
*What would you like to do more of this year?
H- decorate more
S- go to the mall and bounce on the bouncy thing
G- to go to Walmart
*What part of obeying Daddy and Mommy do you think you should work on this year?
H- all of it more
S- I can’t think of anything
G- trust them, to not disobey
*How do you think you could be more loving to your family this year?
H- helping if stuff breaks
S- give Daddy a big hug
G- to be good, for us to not be bad
*How do you think we should try to help other people who don’t have as much as we do this year?
H- give extra pillows, maybe old hats and scarves
S- can’t think of anything
G- to trust in the Lord
*What is something you would like to learn this year?
H- about bugs
S- I would like to learn about tying the tree skirt around the Christmas tree, putting glass ornaments on the tree carefully with not breaking
G- to trust in God
*Where is somewhere you would like to go this year?
H- “C” Park
S- to the mall
G- to Chick-fil-A
*If you had a choice between Mommy reading to you more or teaching you music and piano more, which would you choose?
H- music and piano
S- I don’t know
G- reading
*What is one thing you want to work on this year?
H- playing the violin
S- better at standing on my head
G- the Christmas tree
*What would you like Mommy to do more of this year?
H- cleaning
S- play games with us this year
G- play music and piano
*What would you like Mommy to do less of this year?
H- I don’t know
S-less grocery shopping
G- make lunch
*What do you want to pray for about this year?
H- help us be good at Pastor N and Miss J’s house
S- Miss S
G- for Jesus to come back
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These cracked me up. And a few gave me some insights for things to do this year.
Did you try this with your kids? Get any funny answers?
Thanks for reading!

New Year’s Day questions for my kids

I have a lot to do today. We have not been operating at full steam around here, but the chaos caused by daily life has kept clicking right along.

On the list would be to make more of a dent in the laundry, clean the bathrooms (gag), start thinking about a menu and grocery list for the week, and check the calendar to see when we’re scheduled to resume homeschooling.

We’re going to fellowship with some friends in the afternoon, so I almost began strategizing about how to accomplish my tasks by lunch.

But I want something about this New Year’s Day to be special for the girlies. My six and four-year-old are old enough to sort of understand the concept of “out with the old in with the new.”

So my idea is to ask them questions about last year, and see what their opinions/desires, even goals might be for the New Year.

You never know with kids; sometimes they’ll really surprise you.

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Here are my ideas for questions:

*What was your favorite thing about last year?

*What was the worst thing that happened last year?

*What do you think you learned last year?

*What is one thing you really hope happens this year?

*What would you like to do more of this year?

*What part of obeying Daddy and Mommy do you think you should work on this year?

*How do you think you could be more loving to your family this year?

*How do you think we should try to help other people who don’t have as much as we do this year?

*What is something you would like to learn this year?

*Where is somewhere you would like to go this year?

*If you had a choice between Mommy reading to you more or teaching you music and piano more, which would you choose?

*What is one thing you want to work on this year?

*What would you like Mommy to do more of this year?

*What would you like Mommy to do less of this year?

*What do you want to pray for about this year?

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This is a very rough, in-the-moment sketch; but I really want to try it!

Maybe this could be a sweet New Year’s Day tradition?

Here’s to resolving to spend time asking and listening in the morning!

Happy New Year!

3 helpful posts on New Year’s Resolutions

imageIf you didn’t know this about me already, I guess it’s time you found out.

I love New Year’s Resolutions!

And for the record, I do tend to keep up with them at least a little better than the 92% who reportedly never do.

So for me, it’s that wonderful time of year to think and plan for changes and improvements for the new year. I did work on my list a little tonight, but it’s not quite ready to share.

Following are links to three posts I’ve read recently that I found to be helpful and thought-provoking:

When You Track Your Spiritual Progress by Jonathan Parnell

Trading One Dramatic Resolution for 10,000 Little Ones by Tedd Tripp

Your Most Courageous Resolution for 2014 by Jon Bloom

Hope you enjoy these!

In the meantime, we’ll keep thinking and planning! = )

My friend, Amy, already has a great list up here. I always am super convicted inspired by her initiative! And with four kids! In Africa!

Anyways, hope to talk more soon!

Christie

For friends and family: Two-year-old Mckayla

When I dressed Mckayla up and took her to the park for pictures, I imagined them coming out like Gracie’s. What was I thinking? I love these, though. They’re so her. = ) And it’s one of the things I want to do for birthdays!

The best one, if you're talking *still and looking at the camera*
The best one, if you’re talking *still and looking at the camera*

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She wanted to get up on the seesaw "uh-self!" I love the progression of these pictures.
She wanted to get up on the seesaw “uh-self!” I love the progression of these pictures.

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Gracie is patiently waiting.
Gracie is patiently waiting.
And she made it! ...after several minutes. This is how I'm supposed to do it, right?
And she made it! …after several minutes. This is how I’m supposed to do it, right?

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This picture is the most accurate depiction of Mckayla.

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Why not chew on a stick for a birthday snack?
Why not chew on a stick for a birthday snack?
Watch out world, here she comes! = )
Watch out world, here she comes! = )

31 days of training my kids: expectations and birthdays

imageMy sweet little Mckayla is turning two tomorrow. (today for those of you reading)

And boy did she ever finish off her year with a bang. = / But we won’t go into that.

So tonight I’m thinking about birthdays. What I want them to be, and what they end up being.

I love looking at pinterest and birthday celebrations just look so fun to me. But… I know that I can’t really do them. As much as I wish I was that creative, organized mom who could pull off an amazing event for her child and be happy and cheerful and actually spend time with said child on that special day, I’m just not. Lest you think I’m despairing, at some point I will hopefully get better. Thankfully for me, my kids are at the age right now where they do not care at all and whatever we do, they love.

I have one major problem when it comes to birthdays: preparation.

There are always tons of plans in my head, but somehow, it’s always the night before and I’m thinking, “Why? Again?!”

So, I have developed a few criteria for birthdays in our house that are well within the realm of something I can do.

1. Do something fun that they will really enjoy that day. I used to try to think of something that would be really cool, like the coolest thing of the whole year; but sadly, toddlers have no clue what a year is. Happily, this makes picking something fun for them to do a whole lot easier.

2. Make a special cake or dessert that they will enjoy. Again, my definition of special is probably a lot lower than most. However, it’s about pleasing my kids, not my unrealistic expectations. And they get very excited for cake!

3. Decorate in a way that the girlies will feel like something is special. We usually don’t do parties, but I still want the day itself to feel festive.

4. Take pictures to remember the day. This is a recent one. It is out of my comfort zone; so see, there’s improvement. = ) See Gracie’s pictures here.

Now with all that said, here are my desires/plans for Mickey J’s special day tomorrow.

1. Go play at the park. Take buckets and shovels and play in the sand. (we don’t normally do this) Be okay with getting all dirty and sandy.

2. Eat a Monkey Cake! (lovingly made by her sisters and Nana) There is no better choice than a monkey for Mckayla this year. = )

3. Decorations have been foregone, but homeschooling has been postponed. No school on birthdays! It’s a new rule. = )

4. Take pictures. I already have her outfit picked out. It’s her red fuzzy hoodie with a pink Minnie Mouse.  I want to remember when I look back at the pictures how much she loved that “Ginnie Mouse!”

And yes, that’s about it. More than anything, I want to look at her, and listen to her, and tickle her, and enjoy seeing how much she is loved by every person in this family.

Do I hope I do better next year? Absolutely. I’m already thinking about sweet Hopey’s birthday. Considering my preparation problem, I should probably start gift shopping for her day after tomorrow. = )

But this is Mckayla’s day and I don’t want to waste it wishing for things that aren’t.

So tell me (and this isn’t just one of those questions your supposed to ask at the end) how do you get ready for birthdays? It escapes me!

For family and friends: Gracie’s birthday

Hello all! We posted Gracie’s three-year old pictures here, and today you get to see her birthday fun.

Her first birthday date with Daddy. Three is awesome already! She picked fix-cha-lay, and had hash browns, little swamwiches, and lumonade. Mm-mmm.
Her first birthday date with Daddy. Three is awesome already! She picked fix-cha-lay, and had hash browns, little swamwiches, and lumonade. Mm-mmm.
Birthday presents from Dad, Mom, and sisters at lunch. A pin-y-ata and kite in the mix!
Birthday presents from Dad, Mom, and sisters at lunch. A pin-y-ata and kite in the mix!

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Fun poster/birthday card made by her sisters and supervised by moi.
Fun poster/birthday card made by her sisters and supervised by moi.
Birthday cake finally! This is what she's been asking for for so long!
Birthday cake finally! This is what she’s been asking for for so long!
Somebody's excited!
Somebody’s excited!
And somebody else!
And somebody else!
And somebody else!
And somebody else!
Mommy LOVES Gracie!
Mommy LOVES Gracie!
More birthday cards and gifts.
More birthday cards and gifts.
A raincoat so I won't get wet!! (Gracie hates wain)
A raincoat so I won’t get wet!! (Gracie hates wain)
The complete ensemble: raincoat, boots, umbrella.
The complete ensemble: raincoat, boots, umbrella.
And ladies and gentleman, it's piñata time! (Ok, the girls actually beat on it for an hour in the afternoon. Then beat on it for awhile in the evening; Daddy had to finish it off. = )
And ladies and gentleman, it’s piñata time! (Ok, the girls actually beat on it for an hour in the afternoon. Then beat on it for awhile in the evening; Daddy had to finish it off. = )
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The piñata was a rare treat indeed. Hope quickly went into protection mode.

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The best way to end a birthday.
The best way to end a birthday.

We love you, Gracie!

For family and friends: Three-year old Gracie

I love these pictures.

Possibly the first and best true smile I've ever gotten on camera.
Possibly the first and best true smile I’ve ever gotten on camera.
Sweet little girl
Sweet little girl
Thinking about something
Thinking about something
Another sweet smile
Another sweet smile
(it was hard to take pictures with the other girls running in and out of the shots)
(it was hard to take pictures with the other girls running in and out of the shots)
Like this background
Like this background
A more true-to-life camera smile = )
A more true-to-life camera smile = )
my favorite
my favorite

I actually dressed her up, fixed her hair, and took her outside for these pictures on her birthday. Yay for a small step towards the massive list of things I want to do with my kids!

Gracie, I’m going to miss you being two; you were about as perfect as a mom could want. So excited to see how three will be!