today is tuesday

"Oh what fun!"

grateful

In a slightly last-minute move, we decided to spend Thanksgiving in Hilton Head with Curtis' family. When I think about that long weekend, I think... gratefulness.

We were grateful that my parents were gracious in giving us their blessing to go to HH, even though it was supposed to be "their Thanksgiving" with us.

We were grateful for dear friends who allowed us to stay in their beautiful beach home. 

We were grateful for the abundance that God provided over those four days... food, laughter, conversation, rest, adventure, memories, and so much more. Grateful.

Grateful for pajama dance parties on the fireplace

and dance moves that had us rolling.

Grateful for crazy bed-jumping fun.

Grateful for smiles that we don't normally get to see,

 and adventures we don't normally get to have.

Grateful for iPads. :)

Grateful for babies in flowered hats,

and little boys exploring the sand.

Grateful for the chance to spend time with Marion's boyfriend, Kelly.

Grateful that we like him a lot.

Grateful for sunset bike rides.

 Grateful for time to be goofy,

even when it means you will look as silly as this,

and for parents who aren't scared to join in.
 

Grateful for warm, sunny days in November,

hot tubs available for swimming,

and chairs available for lounging.



Grateful for shared meals,

 and shared storytimes.

Grateful for cousins.

grandmothers.

 
nieces.

 

daddies.

 aunts.

grandfathers.

 sisters.

 sons.

mommies.

and baby brothers yet to be born.

Grateful.

So, can we do it again?

autumn

As the fall comes to a close, these are some images from the season that bless me and make me grateful...

three quarters of a year

Again, I find myself asking... where has the time gone? Annabelle is 9 months old today and somehow even more lovable than when she was born. Here is what she's been up to:

 Lots of preciousness. She's beginning to play more with toys, but usually they just end up in her mouth (she is constantly teething). Annabelle is sitting well but not so interested in being still anymore...

 ...because she's on the move! Over the last several weeks, she's gone from brief moments on all fours to crawling across the floor. She still spends some time scooting on her tummy, but we're pretty sure it's because we only have hardwood floors to offer as her training ground.

 Annabelle is slightly obsessed with the bath. She tries to dive out of our arms into the tub every time she's near it, and she couldn't be happier when she's in it.  (sorry the pic is so fuzzy, but it was too cute to not include)

 The biggest squeals and excitement are almost always reserved for her brother. Annabelle stinkin' loves Cooper. It has been such a joy to watch their friendship developing!

 She's still eating baby food like crazy, and we've recently started letting her try some solid foods. Here she is having her first taste of a baby rice wafer. 

 She wasn't too impressed, but she's come to love them.

 We occasionally try a cup of water, but so far we haven't been too successful with that one other than as a form of entertainment.

She is so much more interactive and is reminding me of why this is one of my favorite stages of infancy... the personality is really starting to emerge.

Annabelle is a charmer, especially in any public location, because she will smile and squeal loudly at anyone who pays her any attention. Old people just swoon.

Not to mention that she's waving now too, which further delights everyone around her... and her.

Annabelle is beautiful, resilient, smitten with her father and brother (okay, she likes me a lot too), strong, and oh so delightful. Now, if only she could grow some hair...

fireside

I ask you this:

What could be better than coming home from a fun night with friends, tucking the kids in bed, and lighting not only the first fire of the season but the first fire ever in your new house?!

 

It makes my heart happy. And my body warm. 

May be one and the same.

What a lovely sight! Truly, I'm not sure it gets much better.

 

Except maybe if you factor in a winning UT football game. Curtis might think that is better. 

Are you finding ways to enjoy this colder weather?

from the lips of children

Preface: I've been tired this week. It's a good tired, for the most part... the kind of tired that you are after having lived life fully, gone outside of your comfort zone. The kids and I spent part of last week in Knoxville visiting family and friends, and then met Curtis at Windy Gap for the weekend (more on both of those trips later). After the weekend away, Curtis has been studying constantly for an actuarial exam that he will take on Friday and I've been trying to survive & enjoy my extra time alone with the kids.

 ----

A few different visitors stopped by today and, as a result, we didn't leave the house this morning. I was feeling a little stir-crazy and a lot adult-deprived, so we ventured out right after naptime to run errands before our dinner playdate at Chick-Fil-A.

In the car, I talked to my friend Jesse. She casually mentioned that she had missed seeing me this morning at MOPS, to which I replied, "We had MOPS this morning?". MOPS is typically every other week and, since I had already missed it last week because of my trip to Knoxville, I assumed that the next meeting was not for another week. Apparently, this week was different. Because I wasn't there last time to be reminded, because I didn't look at my schedule, and because I somehow didn't get the reminder email... I had no idea.

As Jesse explained, I felt my throat get tight and tears well up in my eyes. Why am I crying? I got off the phone, feeling embarrassed at my reaction, and parked the car in front of Carters. Though I tried to brush it off, I couldn't.

"Where's the store, Mommy?", Cooper asked.

What is this? MOPS isn't so amazing that I should have been that upset. Yet I felt a real sadness at that moment.

"Where's the store, Mommy?"

I started dwelling on what I had missed: one of my few opportunities to be with other women, to laugh about the ridiculousness of our children, to muddle through the complexities of parenthood and marriage, to be pointed to Jesus in the midst of it all.

"Where's the store, Mommy?"

Why, Lord? That is what my heart is aching for... why would You keep me from this?


"Moooommmmy, where's the stooooore?"

It was only then that I realized that Cooper had asked me the same question probably 7 times. With my voice cracking, I said, "Buddy, I need just a minute." Then I braced myself for the whine that I knew was coming.

Only it didn't.

"Okay, Mommy."

Silence. As if he understood that I was upset. As if he was trying to care for me.

Even before I could gather my thoughts, I hear my son's little voice, quiet and clear...

"Jesus loves me, this I know, for da Bibulw tews me so. Wittuw ones to Him bewong, they ah weak but He is stwong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bibulw tews me so."

Out of nowhere. We had not sung that song today, maybe not for several days. I had not talked aloud to the Lord. There was no reason that he should have been singing that song at that moment.

Except that, I believe, God gave Cooper that song... for me. He was whispering, Don't forget that I love you. Don't forget that I'm here.

When Cooper finished, I thanked him sincerely for reminding me that Jesus loved me. "I needed to hear that right now," I admitted.

Even in disappointments, God's love for me has not changed. And Cooper reminded me of that.

I have so much to learn from my children.... 

 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. (Psalm 8:2)