A Girly Day

This year for Christmas we tried something a little different for our family.  Instead of lots of gifts and presents to open Christmas morning, we chose just three for each child, patterning after the three gifts the wise men gave to Jesus.  For us, one gift was something special our child wanted, one gift was a gift of books they would enjoy, and the last was the gift of our time... a date that would happen sometime this year.  Although I wondered how the "delay" in actually getting the time gift would work out, we have found that anticipating it and planning it out has been half of the fun! 

So the day Ainsley and I had planned together was going to be a "Girly Day"... full of fun, frills, and all things GIRL!  We decided to do our day on Ainsley's dance picture day, so our first girly event was hair and makeup for Ainsley.  She was a great sport and slept in sponge rollers for me.  I must admit, she didn't even complain about the rollers (unlike her mother at that age) and had lots of curls to work with in the morning. 

So we set off to indulge in the world of "girlyness" and get pedicures.  I was joking with the ladies at the spa that I was in my late twenties the first time I ever got a pedicure, and have only had a handful since then, and then here's my four year old daughter getting her toes all cute!  But it was worth it! 

Ainsley was very shy and wasn't quite sure of the whole experience at first, but she soon warmed up and we got a few smiles out of her!  In the end she had very precious toes... complete with a heart, flower, and lots of sparkles!

With our pink toes, we headed to the dance studio to take recital pictures.  I was so nervous, (why... I have no idea???) but it ended up going great and her class was adorable! 

 Here's my dancing princess looking beautiful, and so grown up!  

 With pictures behind us, we headed out for lunch... Ainsley's choice!  Of course we had to go to Burger King (curse those restaurants with an indoor playground!) but she was delighted with her choice, and we had so much fun talking throughout our lunch!

Of course every girl that has a day out and about has to do a little shopping, so we headed to Wal-Mart to check out their toys and clothes.  I had to giggle as I watched her shop, looking at this outfit and that one... holding up different outfits to see what I thought.  Too cute!   

  Finally we agreed on a cute little sundress for summer with some matching pink shoes in our cart as well!

Before we left Wal-mart, I surprised her with one more special thing... a new bike!  She had been using Liam's Thomas the Train toddler bike with a princess basket on it, but it was now way too small for her.  She was thinking that she was going to get Liam's old red bike, so she was very surprised when I told her that she could pick out a girly bike all for herself! 

With our shopping behind us, it was now time to head to an art studio to paint some pottery.  Since Ainsley is my artist and enjoys all art activities, I thought this would be fun for us to do together. 

Of course she picked out Belle to paint!  Which is not the way to start out easy!  But, we had lot of fun painting her, and in the end I think she'll end up looking somewhat like Belle!

  Before our day was done, I had one more surprise for Ainsley... a stop at the Children's Museum.  She is such a fan of any children's museum, and she was super excited to be able to go with just her Mama and not the boys!

We made pizza and went grocery shopping...

had crazy puppet shows...

put out fires and did every one's favorite... the ball drop!

We played hard and had so much fun together!  By the end of our super, special girly day...

we both felt like this....

I can honestly say that I think this was Ainsley's favorite Christmas gift she received... and it was probably one of my favorite ones to give.  The gift of time is something that stays with you forever... builds and grows the relationship you have with one another... and is more precious than anything I could ever wrap up! 

 My sweet Ainsley girl, thank you for spending the day with me.  I had no idea when God decided to bless me with you, that days like these would be so precious to me!  I loved to see you smile and laugh on this day.  I loved seeing your eyes light up with each special thing we did.  I loved talking with you at lunch, holding your had as we walked through the museum, and having the chance to just focus on YOU!  What a super special day this was... it will be one I won't soon forget!  

Because it was that kind of day...

Soaking in the sun...

Soaking in the kids...

Soaking in each small blessing from God...

It was that kind of day.

Yes my two year old is in his seat... I wanted him to eat... and I wanted to enjoy my lunch too!

It was his first juice box... and he didn't quite know what to think!  But I got lots of smiles!

Happy Birthday Grandma!!!

My grandma turned 92 yesterday!  I thought about her all day long...

So Grandma... we just wanted to tell you HAPPY BIRTHDAY and that we love you very much!

We do truly love you and we hope you had a wonderful birthday!

There are so many things I will always remember and love about my grandma...

Here are a few of them...

Her Hugs

The way she made the best Irish-Italian Spaghetti sauce ever!

Her smile

How every year she (and grandpa) gave us a $2 bill for Christmas

Butchering Chickens on the farm

The Yellow Farm house with a white fence

The teeter totters in the back yard

Her Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookies

Playing with my cousins in her cedar closet

Ping Pong

Staying at her house over night

Her back rubs with lotion

How kind, thoughtful, and generous she is

Rhubarb Jelly

That she has e-mail, and does facebook, and checks this blog (at 92!)

Denim Jean Quilts - the best ever

How she loves Jesus and serves Him

She is a wonderful Great Grandma to my little ones

Freeze Pops and Marshmallow Eggs that she always had in the freezer

The old green bike I would always ride at her house

How she let me make a Barbie house out of boxes to play with at her house

The special baby blankets she made for each of my children

Celebrating almost every Christmas Eve with her at our house when growing up

Her nursing background - and how she always knew how to take care of us

That she has passed her faith and love for God to her family

That she has served Him well all the days of her life with joy

That God chose her to be my Grandma... I'm so thankful!

My list could go on...

I love you Grandma!  Happy, Happy Birthday!

Oh NUTS!

So this story begins with the fact that I hadn't given Kallan any Peanut Butter yet.  Since we discovered that Liam had a peanut allergy at age 2 1/2, giving our child their first try of this yummy, gooey stuff is kind of a big ordeal.  Tim must be home, we must be showered, and we really shouldn't have plans for the rest of the day, "just in case" we would need to take a little trip to the ER.  So with our schedule, finding a day like that is harder than you think, and with Kallan just turning 2 in February, we hadn't given it much thought yet. 

So about a month ago, we headed out to my last Bible Study session at a church here in Gretna.  The kids were settled into their child care room and I was soaking up as much Beth Moore as I could get.  Soon I was informed that one of my children had gotten "sick" during snack time.  So I headed back to scoop up my little ones and take them home dreading the fact someone now probably had the stomach flu.

As I turn the corner I see the huge pile of "sick" and then see my little guy standing in the bathroom.  The next thing I noticed was one of those insanely bright orange crackers in the child care workers hands right beside him. 

It was at that moment I knew... Kallan had a peanut allergy.

Now I will say I didn't "know" for a fact that he did... but deep down in my mama's heart I just knew because sometimes mama's just know. 

She said he had just taken a little bite and then he got sick, and then Liam had mentioned that he hadn't had peanut butter before, and in all this commotion, I kneel down and see my little guy with a big, red rash all over his mouth and neck.

~sigh~  And my heart sank and one of my first thoughts was, "Really Lord?  Again?"

We went home, and I spent the rest of the day in denial.  Maybe I was just seeing things and assuming too much. Maybe he gagged on the cracker and that made him get sick.  Maybe the rash was from the irritation on his skin from getting sick. 

I went from denial to wanting to have a pity party.  (and I let myself for about 10 minutes).  I felt sad for Kallan.  I felt mad that we have to deal with this again.  I felt scared because I so quickly forget how serious this can be.  I told God that I wasn't the right mama for this job... I get too relaxed with food... and I'm too scatterbrained to keep them safe... and I forget that it can be so serious with just one bite. 

And in the middle of my heart feeling sad it was God who spoke to my heart and reminded me about perspective. 

He reminded me in that moment that there was at least 20 Mama's who woke up this morning with their 2 year olds just like me, but have now learned that their baby has cancer.  Today they would give anything for a peanut allergy.  Oh Lord, thank you it's only a peanut allergy!

It's the perspective that yes, we have done this before, we are already living in that world, so to add one more really doesn't change much.  Yes Lord, we can do this.  You have chosen us to do this.  And Liam is thrilled that he now has a "buddy"!

It's perspective that God who is the author of our lives is in control and He knows what He is doing.  His ways are perfect and He walks with us through each hill and valley we meet along the way.
Lord, I want Your will.  I want Your path!

So I did take Kallan to the allergist the next week to "confirm" what I already knew and to see if there were any other foods or things he's allergic to.  Thankfully, it was just peanuts.  But we found out he is pretty sensitive to them.  They told me a "big" hive from the test will measure about 8X8mm... and he impressed everyone in the office with his nice 10X17mm bump.  And if you are wondering what a peanut allergy looks like...

Even his little back is just precious!  :)  And he didn't even flinch for the test!  What a trooper!
 

Celebrate!!!

Celebrating...

JESUS!!!

Celebrating Easter...

He is Risen!  He is risen indeed!

Everyday Easter

We had a wonderful weekend celebrating Jesus, and finding eggs, and connecting with family. 

Earlier in the week I was having some severe mama's guilt about how I hadn't even really talked to the kids about Easter yet, let alone do any of our "traditional" Easter things.  We hadn't dyed eggs, we hadn't gotten out our Easter books, and no Easter crafts were decorating our walls. 

The days before Easter, I kept thinking, how are my kids going to experience the wonder and joy of Easter if I don't do these things?  How is Easter even going to be special and memorable for them if I don't get all my Easter things out and do all the fun Easter activities that are out there to be done?

As I was feeling overwhelmed, the King of my heart reminded me that not all was lost... there were still a few days before Easter.  Keep it simple, keep Him the center, and just choose one or two things to do.  He also reminded my heart that the joy and celebration of Easter doesn't end on Easter morning... there is something from this amazing day that can be celebrated every day. 

So that's what I did.  I got out a few of my Easter books and snuggled on the couch with the kids.  We took five minutes one morning, made palm branches, and had a parade singing every Hosanna song I could think of. And instead of trying to squeeze everything in during our busy weekend, we are using tonight and the rest of this week to celebrate what our Lord and Savior has done for us.  Little things and simple things... yes, we are having an Everyday Easter. 

I smiled as this reminder came across my e-mail last week from DaySpring.  Praying that my heart and yours will remember each day His forgiveness, His love, and the new life we have in Him. 

Jesus-

His shed blood means...
We can live EACH day in His forgiveness.
His resurrection means...
We can walk CONSTANTLY in newness of life.
His presence means...
We can know His victory in EACH situation.
His love means...
We will never face anything alone!
His day of victory makes ALL our days complete!

Our days are complete because of Him... Jesus.  Each day, an Everyday Easter!

He Turned Two...

So the other day my grandma was telling me that she enjoyed reading about Liam turning seven, but what happened with Kallan's birthday?  Yes... it's been there in the back of my mind as something I wanted to write about, but as the third child knows... life happens! :)

In any case, Kallan did turn two in February, and here's a little note I wrote on that day to my baby boy...

My sweet boy Kallan,

Today you turned two years old! 

I woke up this morning thinking about what I was doing two years ago today… I was holding you and snuggling you, looking into your precious eyes and kissing your sweet cheeks.  I was smitten by your round, little head and adorable dimples!  My heart was bursting with love for you in those first hours after your birth!  I must admit, my heart still bursts with love for you! 

You are such a cute two year old!  You have this little personality about you that drives me both crazy and makes me smile.  You know what you want – at all times.  When you want milk, when you want to play trains, when you want to watch a "choo-choo show", when you don’t want to sit to eat, when you don’t want to listen to mama.  You are strutting your two year old muscle these days and making me stay on my toes! 

 

You are my climber.  I’ve never had a child climb and get into things as much as you do.  Part of it is because you are more curious, and the other part is because I just don’t have as much time and as many hands to watch you as I did with the other two.  You love to get into the VCR and DVD player.  You get into the silverware drawer.  You get into the shoe closet and put on all the shoes, You get into the bathroom and pull all the toilet paper into the toilet.  You climb onto the table and get into markers, books, papers, or whatever else we left on there from school.  You are a sinker, and you know it!

You are obsessed with Thomas the train and Elmo.  You always have at least one train in each hand at all times.  You love to sit and play with them on their tracks.  You love to line them up side by side, or hook them up and make a long train. You love to make their sounds and you know so many of their names!  You love Elmo and always have to point him out.  Although you’d rather see Elmo on a Pampers diaper box or a Target advertisement than  seeing him on TV or as a stuffed animal.  It’s finding him in the little places that make you Elmo crazy!

Your two other obsessions right now... the alphabet and giving "knuckles" to things and people.  You love letters and have shocked us with the fact that you know the names of most of your letters.  You also have to give "nuh-na" (aka: knuckles) all the time.  Knuckles to all your trains, knuckles to the car picture on your shirt, knuckles to the picture of the bear on the honey bottle, knuckles to "Mr. Steve" (Liam's dvd math teacher).  Did I mention you do this All. The. Time. and to EVERYTHING?!?!?!?

You are my love!  You always say, “I love you” at just the right time and with just the right gusto!  Now you are starting to say, “I love you too!” or “I love you dada!”  I can never get enough of your “I love you’s!”  You love to snuggle and be rocked!  Sometimes you’ll snuggle on the couch or on my lap.  Other times you’ll sit and read a book with me and snuggle in.  If I have your blankie (or diddie) then you will for certain cuddle up on my shoulder and stay for awhile!

You love Liam and Ainsley!  Liam you call, “Muh” and Ainsley is “Ain-she”.  It is so cute to watch you play with them, and they love you so much and are so good to you!  You guys will play in the basement, or outside, or even just read books together or watch a show.  Sometimes you and Ainsley will just go downstairs by yourselves and play away.  Other times, Liam will entertain you by reading you books or playing cars or trains with you.

You are an OK eater.  I wouldn’t say you are picky, but I wouldn’t say you eat great!  You really like veggies… broccoli, corn, carrots, green beans… I can usually get you to eat those without problem.  Fruit is OK for you, but it depends on the day.  You really like noodles and will eat those up really well!  Chicken nuggets, turkey, and hot dogs are a hit or miss kind of food too.  I would say though your favorite food by far is MILK!  You are a milk drinker!  You will drink at least 4 cups of milk a day and sometimes more if we let you!  You will give this desperate “ma, ma, ma” call which means you want your milk… and then you usually get it!

Other Kallan quirks… you march with only one leg, you have the best smile and dimple ever, you are happy most of the time, you chew on your blankie

So on your second birthday, I just want to tell you how much I love you!  I want you to know that I feel blessed to be your mama, and that you have grown me and changed me in many ways.  I pray that your sweet heart would have a great, big love for God!  That it would be soft and tender to His ways and long to follow Him all the days of your life!  I pray that you would grow to be a boy who is kind and loving to others.  That you would reach out to others and share God’s love with them.  God put you in our family for a certain purpose, and I know that you will shape and influence our family in so many ways!  Know, Kallan, how much we love you and treasure you, our sweet, little boy!

 

All my love,

Mama