Big News

Well, I had kind of hoped to come up with some snazzy announcement, but unfortunately, I just don't have the energy to come up with it. So…you can probably guess, we're having another baby! I'm super excited, and at the moment super sick, but I did want to let my bloggie friends know, if you don't already. Once I feel a little better, I'll share a little more. I made one of those little widgets, and man…that's a long time! Oy…better just go one day at a time.

Party, Party, Party

A few days after Kaylee's birthday, we celebrated with our family. I suppose one day word will get to her that most kids get to have other little kids over for their parties, but for now, our kids know nothing of that. But really, they're not missing anything…at least right now. Even as outgoing as our kids are, the gatherings can become overwhelming, so it's been the best thing to keep it to just family, and they have a blast.

This year we decided to order an ice-cream cake…er, let Kaylee order an ice cream cake. She knew exactly what she wanted, so we told them the size we wanted, and let her answer the rest of the questions. She was happy with her cake edged in lots of different colored hearts and sprinkles…just what she wanted.

Logan was excited to be recognized with a few gifts. He could care less that he didn't get as many. I think one of the first ones he opened was the one from Adam's parents which was a car race thing, and he was in love.

Here are a few pictures from the party…maybe more to come…maybe not. ;)

Esther

This past week, we concluded our Esther Bible study by Beth Moore. It was amazing. Simply amazing. I was reflecting this week about the feelings that sometimes follow the conclusion of something like this. It can be overwhelming trying to meld what I've learned with everything currently going on. It's easy to occasionally think about it, but for the most part move on and not thoroughly process what I've learned. I don't like it, but honestly, it's the way it sometimes is.

This time…the tables are going to turn. I'm not going to just move on and not take time to process and apply what I've learned. It's too valuable and to critical to let that happen. So to kind of overview what I hope to process through (and more)…it's hard being a woman. My husband saw that caption on the cover of the book, and sort of laughed saying, "You have it good." Yes, I do have it good. I won't deny that for a single second because it would be a lie if I did. BUT despite the fact that I'm blessed beyond words, it's still hard being a woman.

One thing Beth points out is that no one is as hard on us as we are, and as we are on other women. So until I post again about this, for now I'm going to focus on being more aware of this. Being more aware of how I think of myself and how I think of others, women in particular…envy, distain, jealousy…yeah the list could go on.

God has been revealing so many things to me lately about myself, and to be completely honest, and to restate a theme…the tables have to turn. I have to change. I need to be a better wife, mom, friend, servant, leader… And as much as the ugly side repulses me, I'm so excited because as I listen to the voice of God and move in the direction He is taking me, I'll only be more prepared for such a time as this.

How On Earth…

Did my baby girl get to be three?

It seems like only yesterday I was 10 and dreaming of having a family, and now she is 3. I'm sitting here trying to figure out the words to explain what this little girl means to me. And you know what? There are no words. I can try, but it would only be an attempt. I think back to the time when we very first found out we were pregnant, and shortly after experienced the trauma of losing that baby. If this has happened to you, you know what I'm talking about. God's grace to us, however, was that we quickly got pregnant again, this time with no baby complications.

It's hard to say that I'm glad we lost the first baby, but when I look at my little blue-eyed, blond-haired, spirited little girl, I can't bring myself to say I wish it didn't happen. God allowed us to go through that for reasons only known to Him, and then gave us the miracle of Kaylee. I know it sounds weird, and it's not some mystical weirdo thought, but I can't help but think she got a double portion of personality and spunk…

Kaylee's actual birthday was the 11^th, but I didn't have a spare moment to blog about it. We had a great day all.day.long. Fortunately, Adam was already off and I was able to work out my schedule to not have to work at all on her birthday (well, until after she went to bed…). Kaylee's main birthday present was a princess bed. We had to think smart to figure out a way to get her bed taken down and the new one put up while she was in the house. We involved her with the taking down process. We told her we needed to take down her bed and clean her room. (I told her we needed to clean it really well to remove the half-bottle of baby powder she shot out the night before when she was supposed to be in bed…ahem.)

It was funny how into it she got. She was all about helping take down the bed and put all the screws in a bag, wipe down the walls, and vacuum the floor. Once we were finished with this, I took the kids into our room, and we watched a few cartoons while Adam carried in the bed. Once he had it all set up, he took the kids outside while I put her other gifts on the bed.

He brought them in and we called her back to her room. Her eyes lit up and she kept saying, "Where did you have this? Oh my dear! Where was this? Oh my dear. I can't believe it! I can't believe it! I can't believe it!" But as soon as her little eyes saw a small truck we got for Logan, all attention was off her own gifts and onto giving it to Logan and making sure it was open and getting really excited for him. I had to work hard not to cry as I watched my little, sweet girl selflessly loving on her brother.

She was so incredibly thankful for everything she got, and kept telling us, "Happy birthday to you, too," and thinking that some of her presents were for us. Over and over I had to tell her, "These are yours. They're ALL for you. It's YOUR birthday." The funny thing…she only got a few small gifts because she got a bed, yet she still didn't think they were all for her. There are so many directions my mind would like to go with this thought, but that will be for later.

While she played with some new play-dough, Logan took a nap. Once he was awake, we took her for a fancy meal at Costco…hot dogs and ice cream. Neither kid complained at all. We walked back into the main section of the store to get some salad and ran into our pastor, who was so excited for Kaylee when she told him it was her birthday. He instantly got down to talk to her, and give her a dollar. She was so excited, and it warmed my heart (again). (Let's just say I had a really warm heart all day long.)

We're having a family get together on Sunday at my parents house, and we took her to order the cake. Since she completely knew what she wanted, we told them what size we wanted the cake and let her handle giving the directions of how it is to be decorated. And believe me, if they do it wrong, she will know. (Although I think they should be able to handle lots of colored hearts and sprinkles.)

Then it was time to go to the park and enjoy the b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l weather. I'm so thankful that we have so many great parks in this area. The kids absolutely love to play at the park…forget expensive options, the park will do just fine.

The day was finished out by a visit from Mimi, complete with a ladybug craft. By bedtime, Kaylee was so pumped up that it took a while for her to calm down, but finally, our little three-year-old princess was asleep in her bed.

Thank You, God, for the gift of Kaylee and the gift of being her mom. I pray that I make her proud and teach her well. Words cannot express…my love, gratitude, awe and thankfulness, responsibility…

Happy Kids

One of these days, I really will get to posting pictures, but not today. Sorry. We do, however, have two extremely happy children. They have spent all morning and part of last night playing with their new (to them) Thomas The Train table and (mostly) matching trains, a generous gift from their Maga and Babu (my parents).

For as long as I can remember, my dad has a deep fascination, appreciation, and yes, love for trains. The year between junior and senior year of high school, we took a family trip around the country on Amtrak. It was the biggest trip we ever took growing up, and we have sweet memories forever. My parents have a collection of different train videos that they watch together, and on occasion, they drive to nearby train stations just to watch the train come in and leave.

It warms their hearts that Logan, even so young, has developed what seems to be the same fascination and love for trains. He loves his Thaa! (Thomas) and shakes with pure excitement when it comes on TV. I have spent several weeks looking at and for train tables for him, but if you know anything about these things, they are not only loads of fun, but a big investment as well. After lots of looking and posting some want ads, we were able to find one that my parents felt was a reasonable price.

Yesterday, we drove to get it, and for most of the trip back, Logan clutched one or two Thaas. It was pure bliss for my sweet little baby.

I am so thankful for parents who love us so much and are so generous with their resources to bless us. To me, it's more than a table, tracks and some trains, it symbolizes love and generosity in a way hard to explain.