Of Looking Back

This is the time of year when I, as with nearly the entirety of the world's population, tend to consider all the changes that can occur in just one short year.

As of the beginning of 2010 (Is it really ending already?  It seems we've just begun!), we knew our family would welcome a new little one in just a few short months, but at that time, I fully believed there was a baby girl in my womb.  Sometimes God surprises us in the best possible way.

This year held Micaiah's first flight and Emmett's first breath.  Micaiah's second birthday and Emmett's second tooth. 

So much has stayed the same (our home, our jobs, the love of our families) and yet, it feels underneath that it's changing.  Life decisions are on the horizon and little additions (puppies?!) have completely altered what I always thought about how our life would be.

Here comes another (probably shorter) year.  What surprises does God have in store for us in 2011?  Only time will tell - but for now, it's pretty good at keeping secrets.

Of a White Christmas

I know I'm a little late in bringing it up, but this year we were blessed with our second white Christmas in a row.  The secret, we've learned, is in going to where the snow is, rather than waiting for it to come to you in Oklahoma (which apparently would have worked last year, but not so much this time around).  Thus, in the St. Louis area, we had the joy of spending Christmas Eve watching out the window as snow drifted to the earth.  Christmas day, the world was blanketed in white.  And the day after Christmas, as the sun peeked out, we were able to take our two tiny ones out to the snow for snow angels, sledding and snowballs.  There may have been a little snow man at one point.  Micaiah may have ripped off his head in search of a snowball.

While I wouldn't mind being stuck at home in a blizzard, I'm grateful for whatever snow I get to encounter these days.  And when it stays around for a couple of days?  What a blessing! 

Thank you, Lord, for the glory of your creation this Christmas (and on into the New Year).

Of Kissing Cousins

After listening to our three eldest run up and down the stairs yelling excitedly while avoiding their parents' attempts for wrangling to be dressed for family photos, my sister asked me in exasperation, "Why did we decide to have them so close together?"

While it's true that having a three-year-old, two-year-old and twenty-month-old scurrying about isn't exactly an exercise in tranquility, there is a lot of fun to be had when the cousins gather together.  Even though peace isn't always a part of the equation, it's been great watching Micaiah and her younger cousin, Kaleb, follow each other around (even if they're only trying to track down the toy which is in the other's hand) or sit on the piano bench staring out the window at the snow.  It brings joy to our hearts to see she and her older cousin, Kylie, lying on their bellies watching Toy Story and then, when the movie is over, joining hands (Kaleb, too) and dancing before falling over each other giggles.

Cousins, like siblings, aren't a choice.  You get the ones God gives you.  But if you're open to it, these relationships can be some of the most treasured. 

So, here's to watching them grow and enjoying many more Christmases together.

Of Happy Babies

I hear it all the time:

"He's just about the happiest baby I've ever seen."

And it's true.  We're blessed.  Now that our Emmett-man is finding himself with a fuller belly once again, he's back to his happy self (as previously mentioned) and he sure is a fan favorite.  From high school friends (who I got to see for the first time in two years!) to the photographer at Sears, people just love his happy-go-lucky attitude.  I kind of like it, too.

Now . . . breaking him of needing to be rocked to sleep will not lead to a further abundance of smiles in the short-term and I'm not really looking forward to that process.

But for now . . . I'm just basking in the glow of his handsome grin.

Of Bookworms

When Philip and I arrived "home" after assisting with my precious little niece whose parents were both ill today, we went up to bed to find our daughter asleep on her travel cot, books strewn over her chest and fist still clutching pages.  I love her.

Of Rejuvination

While Emmett's sleeping patterns haven't improved to 100%, our happy baby is beginning to return to us.  The difference?  He has finally started a consistent baby cereal routine.  His chubby tummy is filling up again and his happiness levels have followed suit. 

It seems everyone is noticing our baby boy's adorably animated giggles and grins.  He loves to take in the world around him and is currently breaking into fits of smiles as my sister teases him with a burp cloth and helps him dance to the soundtrack of Home Alone (which Micaiah is currently watching intently, but may run to Daddy's lap when everyone starts getting hurt again).

Welcome back, my bubbly boy.  We missed you.

Of Church Moments

This evening, after presents, stuffing, ham, turkey and plenty of "thank-you"s, we headed out to catch up on our lack of church service the night before (truth be told, this evening's attendance was planned previous to last night's incident, so we weren't really "making up" for anything).

As the plate was passed for honoring the Lord's Supper, Philip and I exchanged glances.  Communion involves juice.  Our little one, who was sitting (quietly, though reluctantly) on Daddy's lap, loves juice.  She does NOT love when others get juice and she does not.  This would be a good, teachable (though potentially embarrassing) moment.  Therefore, as Daddy grasped his juice and small piece of unleavened bread, he quietly explained to Micaiah how he does this to remember Jesus and gave a slightly involved (though child-appropriate) briefing of the significance behind the cup and bread.  At the end he asked, "Do you understand?"

Nod.

"Why do we do this?"

"Ba-cuz . . ."

"Because, why?"

"Ba-cuz . . . I want cereal."

Close enough for now.  (Needless to say, she had no "cereal" and no juice, but she handled this lack of snack surprisingly well.)

At the close of the service, as we were dismissed, our child let out her first outburst of the evening, a resounding, "Amen!!!" in response to the announcement of Christmas cookies in the lobby.  At which point, the entire auditorium erupted into laughter of approval.

There are worse things our daughter could yell in church.