Of Independence

Our oldest boy has become quite the independent.  While he'll still follow his sister to the moon and back, he loves to assert his ability to take care of himself where Mom and Dad are concerned.  He has recently learned to crawl into and out of his own car seat (that's right, hiking his tiny self up into our ginormous Expedition).  His newest catch-phrase is, "I do it!"

If you offer to help, "I do it!"

If you try to give him a boost, "I do it!"

When we want him to eat and he's refusing, we can threaten spankings and he'll straighten up a little, but still dilly-dally.  We can offer cupcakes and he dawdles.  But I warn him, "Mommy will do it!" and start lifting his fork to his mouth and I earn an adamant, "I do it!" as he pulls his own utensil toward him.

That's our boy.

Meanwhile, Micaiah has found a new way of asserting her own bossy independence by controlling our choices in her pretend games.  While offering her Daddy invisible stickers, she gave him two choices, "The lion sticker or the rainbow sticker?"

"Uh, the lion sticker."

"No, the lion sticker is too scary.  We'll just put that over here.  You can have the rainbow sticker."

Likewise, she had, a couple of days earlier, offered me an invisible cupcake, "What kind do you want?"

"Can I have a chocolate cupcake?"

"Um, no, the chocolate ones are for me and Emmett.  Here, you can have the sprinkle cupcake."

Really, child?  You can't just make an extra pretend chocolate cupcake?  I'm pretty sure she enjoys the feeling of saying "No" to our desires every once in awhile in the same way we shoot her down at least once a day.

Way to stick it to the man, little girl.


1,000 Gifts:
368. A strawberry slush after the kids are in bed.
369. Cheesecake squares waiting for me in the freezer.
370. A freshly cleaned baby.
371. Problem resolution.
372. A tiny one resting next to me, squirming happily, as I try to grab a little extra shut-eye in the morning.
373. Sweet smiles from someone just learning how.


My Life: My Favorite Stuff
A Sonic run for half-price slushes, window down on a clear night, wind in my freshly cut (by myself!) hair, Grits streaming from the speakers while I rock my hip-hop moves, arms straight on the wheel, elbows locked, shoulders popping.  This is the stuff.

Of Hijacking

Please forgive my internet silence.  Ours has been rendered lifeless since, literally, seconds before we hurried out to the storm shelter on Friday night to evade the impending tornado (which, to the best of my knowledge, stayed on the northwest side of town, issuing little-to-no damage to anyone or anything).  Thus, until the repairmen visits tomorrow afternoon we are hijacking our neighbor's internet signal (insomuch as using it with complete permission, with the password they, themselves, passed along - thus, our hijacking is entirely legit).

Then again, after sharing the air of our six-foot underground cube with the two of them and their three pets (all in one crate - I was thoroughly impressed that everyone survived the encounter) as we waited out the hail and thunder that may or may not have heralded the impending doom of our two side-by-side homes, sharing a wireless signal is practically nothing, right?


1,000 Gifts:
247. True peace in the storm.
248. Fair warning.
249. A clean bill of health for our 13lb 10oz, 24 inches of baby boy.
350. Lollipops and stickers at the doctor's office.
351. Asking the doctor, "Am I being good?"
352. Balance in the chaos.
353. Three kids napping at the same time, in their own beds.
354. Sleeping through the night.
355. A Saturday morning on the phone with my brother.
356. Friendly neighbors.
357. Bags of produce crowding my counters:

358. Keeping it clean.
359. Blooming irises.

360. Sunday showers.
361. Waking to the boom of thunder and roar of rain.
362. Showers of blessings.
363. Having more than we know what to do with.
364. Conviction to make no provision for the flesh.
365. Technically being able to afford even what we "cannot afford."
366. Two months with this guy:

367. Doting on Joey.

My Life: My Evening 
It's always a little nerve-wracking when the weatherman starts pointing at your town on the map (even our little thumb-sucker looked nervous watching the news).  Thus, we spent our evening tuned to the coverage, before and after spending some time in the storm shelter with the neighbors, the little ones either watching School House Rock or sleeping while the adults kept up what was going on outside.

My Family
Our little family of five.

My Lunch
Maybe not the healthiest fare, but my baby shower fodder was plenty satisfying nonetheless.

My Guilty Pleasure
Spending my afternoon reading the second book of The Hunger Games trilogy and watching the latest episode of ANTM while snuggling with my little boy.  I promise this one episode per week is the only television I actually watch during the days at home.

Of Friends

One thing I love about Micaiah, which is so unlike her introvert parents, is the fact that every person she meets is a friend.  

On Saturday, as the neighbor child and her cousins played in the wooden castle overlooking the fence and, therefore, our own backyard, Micaiah got so excited, "It's my friends!"  And, yet, she had never met these girls.  Not once.  But the fact that they were there and Micaiah was there was all she needed - they carried on quite the conversation for the duration of their time outdoors.

Likewise, as our wonderful neighbor (on the other side) came to take me to a Ladies' Tea Party (which was wonderful), Micaiah was thrilled that a friend had come to play.  Sadly, we left quickly, leaving no time for play.  So when I arrived home and entered their room to kiss she and Emmett good night, Micaiah inquired of her friend.  When told she had to go to her own house, my little extrovert's response was, "Awww, but whyy? Her's my best friend!"

If she's seen a picture of a child, it's her friend.  If someone walks in the front door, they're a friend.  If anyone smiles at her, they're a friend.  

Someday I'll learn from her - to recognize the potential for friendship in almost anyone who crosses my path.  For now I live in admiration of her open heart and eager spirit.

1,000 Gifts (inspired by the lists here and here):

241. A well-worn CD, remembrance of days past colliding with the present.

242. My "Love" necklace purchased for a quarter at a garage sale hosted by surprisingly spunky elderly women in a deceptively sketchy old farm house.

243. The jeans that are probably marked as a size too small, but they make me feel good. 

244. A God who cares enough to place valuable friendships into my life.

245. Kissing kids good night in the dark, when they should be sleeping but are really waiting for Mommy to get home.

246. One warm child on either side, with an infant in my lap, begging me to read their books, whether they be alphabet-centered or inspired by Dora the Explorer.

My Life: My Eyes

I have yet to have a little one inherit these baby-blue irises (much to the chagrin of my parents), but I love my three brown-eyed beauties, so I'm not complaining.

Of Emmett

I groaned to myself in dismay this afternoon as I read a brief article on-line.  With all the horrifying things in our world, what could have caused the sadness I felt?  Only a tiny snippet detailing celebrity-inspired baby names which are rising in popularity these days.  The name that topped the list?  Emmett.  Even worse than the fact that our son's name is becoming "all the rage" is that it's sudden rise in fame is linked to the Twilight series.

I shake my head in remorse.

To be honest, I had actually discovered the link between the name and the vampiric love story before our firstborn son ever entered the world.  I noticed it on some obscure website as I first researched this name we were considering for our baby boy.  And it was almost enough to deter me from using it altogether.  Almost.

And now, though I truly love the origin for our own son's name, I still almost feel the need to apologize for labeling him with such a moniker which is apparently plaguing the sons of his generation and for the association with a fictional blood-sucking brother.  I am deeply sorry, Son.  As you move along in this life in a sea of boys risen by vampire fangirls, I am sorry for the fact you may get lost in the crowd.

Also, I'm sad because I will constantly feel on the defensive when introducing my son to strangers.  "His name is Emmett, but I swear it had nothing to do with Twilight and I swear we chose the name before it was ever even trendy.  I swear."  So, really it's my pride that is sad.  My pride likes being original.

And now my pride feels like a brain-washed, pop-culture-leeching lemming.  Yuck.


1,000 Gifts (inspired by the list here): 

238. Irises, overflowing the small bed in our front lawn, just showing signs they will be opening soon.

239. The tree in the center of the irises, grown to adolescence, seems to be so grown-up from when we first met it as a young newlywed couple so in love with each other and this, our first house.

240. Our Little Man, heading to the church nursery for the first time.

My Life: My Transportation

It may look like a beast in the garage (or, really anywhere), especially in contrast to our tiny Cavalier, and may not boast the best gas mileage, but this vehicle fits three carseats with room to grow, so we're happy with it.

My Space
This is pretty much my view most days, sitting on the couch, staring at my laptop.  Although, I've been doing better about getting active with my kids, this spot in the middle of the sofa is still "Mommy's seat."

Of Giving Up Fear

I always feared the idea that having three children would leave Philip and I outnumbered.  It's no longer, "You grab that one, I'll get this one."  Instead, it's most often, "You take the older ones, I'll get the little guy."

What I have realized this week, though, as severe weather has threatened parts of our state, and we have been warned of a higher-than-normal rate of these storms coming this season, is that on top of our being outnumbered, I, when I am alone, no longer have enough hands for each child.  So when it comes down to it, if we are forced out to the storm shelter in the face of a looming tornado, in the middle of the day with no husband to help, I will have the sole responsibility of getting three scared little ones to safety while only being able to hold onto two, at most.  

Yes, the fear can be a little overwhelming at times (especially considering how dominant the terror of these storms was for me even before children entered the picture).  These are the times when I must remember I have been called to a life without fear in the midst of my circumstances - at least not a fear of the unknown.  Because, though I don't know the future, I belong to the One who does.  Which means, even if the outcome isn't as I desired it, I can always trust in His goodness.  Thus, I have no need to fear the future.

Therefore, this season, rather than biting my nails at every overcast sky or becoming frozen at every discussion of tornadoes on the news, I will trust.  

1,000 Gifts (inspired by the lists here and here): 

231. Opening the storm shelter to get it ready for the season, while praying it won't be necessary.

232. Opening the shower door for a morning shower - before the kids are even out of their rooms.

234. Opening my eyes at 7:34am, realizing my youngest son has still not awoken after laying down to bed at 8:30 the night before.

235. Sour gummy vitamins (made for adults!) - yes, they're mostly sugar, but they still make me happy.

236. Emmett, turning to his "diddy" for help, and her willingness to assist.  Too sweet.

237. Celebrating National Cheese Fondue Day in our own kitchen.

I failed to take my "My Life" photo for today, but no worries, I'll catch up tomorrow!  In the meantime, you can adore my little post-bath cutie.

Of Checking In

Lately . . .
- Joey has been smiling up a storm.  He giggles and coos and grins.  It's quite adorable.  Also quite boyish as I tend to find smiles when I discuss his poop or his boogers.  He loves it.

- Micaiah has been responding to my calling her with, "Yes, Mommy?" and to my requests with, "Yes, Ma'am."  I love it.

- Joey has been going to bed at the same time, or closely thereafter, as his siblings.  And then he sleeps for 9-10 hours.  And he's not yet two months old.  I love it.

- Emmett has learned to say "Peenwin" as opposed to confusing "penguin" and "rainbow" into one word, "Beembo." This is just the latest in a long string of new vocabulary, which seems to grow daily.  I love it.

I guess, basically, we can sum up life lately with the McDonald's catchphrase, "I'm lovin' it!"


1,000 Gifts (inspired by the lists here and here):
225. Our children running and squealing as they hid from the vacuum cleaner.
226. Joseph, holding his Easter duck, as placed gently in his swing by his older siblings.

227. "Swing me on the bed, Daddy!"

228. The phone which connects me to long-distance family.

229. A little boy who sleeps peacefully in his swing - two hours past feeding time, even.

230. Snuggling with a book and a boy as Emmett points out Dora, Boots and Tico.

My Life: My True Love

The man I married - this ring, inscribed with the words "I will wait for My Beloved," lived on my left hand until the night he proposed, at which point he wore it until our wedding.  He was worth the wait.

Of Greetings

Happy Resurrection Day from our little family of five!

1,000 Gifts (inspired by the lists here and here):

219. A baby who sleeps all night, waiting to rise until 7am.

220. Children who can entertain themselves when they rise.

221. Words so moving you have to rise to your feet to sing them.

222. The sun, hidden by clouds by shining radiant all around them.

223. Watching my dress twirl at my calves as I turn in the mirror.

224. Birds in flight, seen only as their shadows cross the stained glass window.

My Life: My Sunday

This is the spire under which we enter every Sunday morning.