tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5034922441583718782024-02-07T13:30:59.262-06:00Irish Sparkletravis + nancy + ethan + masonNancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-8766606438715888122021-02-20T15:37:00.001-06:002021-02-20T15:37:05.741-06:00House Camping 2021<p>The Irish's have been house camping for the last week along with our fellow Texans. </p><p>Over the course of a few hours, all resources that are normally plentiful were not anymore. The winter storm limited electricity, water and halted life as we know it. </p><p>Roads covered in snow and ice made it impossible for product to get to grocery stores. Grocery store shelves were soon completely empty. Water had to be boiled because water pumps could not function properly. Dinner was cooked by candlelight or on the grill. Families huddled in one room to keep warm. Board games were pulled out. </p><p><br /></p><p>House Camping.</p><p><br /></p><p>At our camp, electricity was plentiful. Our plumbing however was a different story. The pipes lost their battle with the low temps, froze, and then one called it quits. Water began to rush inside our walls and escape onto our floor. It sounded like a waterfall. I kept thinking how happy I was that I had just swept. I just started to laugh. What else do you do? It's not everyday you go on a hunt for rogue water coming out of your baseboards and lower cabinets. Maybe I would get a bathroom remodel...</p><p>Or maybe not ... a plumber answered our call for help and two holes later the pipe was fixed. There's water damage on the ceiling so who knows...maybe there is a chance for a remodel after all. </p><p>Still, we decided to keep the water shut off while the temps stayed in the single digits. You know, just in case other plumbing parts decided to play the break dancing game.</p><p>This meant the rest of the week we didn't do a lot of "normal" house things. Everyday things like wash dishes, wash clothes, wash faces. We had bathtubs full of water for toilet things and Travis pulled out his handy hiking equipment to create safe teeth brushing water. It was an adventure!</p><p>We've all heard the stories. Communities in a far away land that do not have access to clean running water. Drinking water always came to my mind. Now I know that it is much more than going without drinking water. I never realized how much I use water in my everyday life. </p><p>Of course in true Irish fashion, in the middle of the crazy we made time to adventure. Those families in far away places do too. We make do with what we have. Resiliency. </p><p>The boys got to play in real snow for the first time (that they remember anyway). They got to sled down a hill and feel snow splash on their faces. They got to build a snowman. They got creative and built an obstacle course out of furniture and mattresses. It was loud and crazy and good. </p><p>Our neighbor shared his homemade sled with us and sprinkled extra salt on the sidewalk. Our brother brought us milk. A bowl of cereal never tasted so good. Our family and friends checked in on us. Families that were without moved in with families that had plenty. Recommendations of plumbers and preventive tips flew across the internets. </p><p><br /></p><p>Community living. </p><p><br /></p><p>In the Bible the book of Acts tells the story of the early church. The book begins with Jesus sharing the promise of the Holy Spirit with the Twelve. Jesus told them that they will be witnesses of Him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Chapter 1, verse 8). To spread the Gospel was their assignment. This was no easy task. Everything familiar was left behind to complete the mission. They relied on strangers to open their homes. They shared their food. They shared their belongings. They shared their gifts of cooking, storytelling, and leading. They shared their love.</p><p><br /></p><p>Community Living. </p><p><br /></p><p>What if we take all that we have lived and done this last week and take it into our tomorrow?</p><p>What if we were quick to rely on each other when life happens? Little and small. What if we carried a heart posture of community living even when the worry of warmth, clean water, and safe travels is not part of our day. When the rhythms of life (work, school, keeping little ones fed) go back to normal. </p><p>What does it look like to carry this out?</p><p>Life will go back to normal-ish. The sun is already shining and spreading its much awaited warmth. The dogs are getting their long walks. But what if... </p>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-44207962703578931252020-04-20T12:17:00.000-05:002020-04-20T12:17:55.355-05:00Things I’ve Learned While Sheltering
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mason can carry his imaginary storyline over multiple days</span></font></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Skipping my morning shake leads to Oreos for lunch and ice cream for dinner </span></font></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I need more yoga pants</span></font></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There’s such a thing as too much news</span></font></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I can do hard things</span></font></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I wish I had avocado and lime trees</span></font></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My family rocks puzzle time</span></font></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ethan has great comedic timing</span></font></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Long walks while listening to a podcast is magical</span></font></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Live music soothes my soul ... and watching Garth and Tricia on Facebook Live totally counts</span></font></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mason is an excellent plan keeper</span></font></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">PBS Kids counts as preschool </span></font></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Teaching comes natural to Ethan</span></font></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mac-N-Cheese is on the lunch menu three times a week ... and all of my little humans cheered</span></font></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Slowing down is hard</span></font></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Being still is harder</span></font></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s2"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Nature is not scared of COVID-19 ... Spring still arrived </span></font></span></li>
</ul>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-60910398759384898822017-07-07T21:22:00.002-05:002017-07-07T21:29:07.616-05:00This Blanket I CarryIt's been almost two months since the day when I made the longest walk ever from my car to my grandma's front door. I got the call nobody wants to make or answer at 6 o'clock that morning. The drive to Cleburne on a rainy Sunday morning was surreal. There were moments during that drive when I wondered if this was really true. What if I got to my grandma's and nobody was there. I turned the corner and there they were. All of the cars of all of our people. I practically parked at the other end of the block. I wanted to sit on the curb and stop time. If I didn't walk through the door and look into my Dad's face or hug my brothers then it wasn't real. It didn't happen.<br />
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I walked in to a house filled with our family. Everyone sharing the last time they hugged her and talked to her. Some asking questions. Some still in disbelief.</div>
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It took me a while to get through the house hugging everyone. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Every section of the house brought on a new wave of tears.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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My yada yada aunt was at the end. She let me hug her while she spoke truth and strength into my soul. In my family's dynamic I'm one of the oldest cousins. That means I use my voice a lot. I'm one of the Bigs. I'm encouraging and strong and love big. I feel that's my job as a Big. By the <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">time I got to her I felt anything but strong. I wanted to hide. I didn't want to be the strong one. I couldn't. My heart was broken. </span></div>
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How could this be? We were just visiting the night before and giggling that she had had such great weeks recently and immediately she gets herself to Mexico. </div>
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Almost two months later and I'm still processing. Some days the tears are far away and joy fills my heart with memories of her. Other days those memories bring on tears unexpectedly.<br />
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I'm learning that grief is completely unpredictable and wild.<br />
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Everything else in life gets better with time. The new normal sets in and all feels better again. Not grief. It covers my day with a blanket of sad. Some days that blanket brings tears and heavy sadness. Others it brings only happy memories of her. All days God comforts me with His promises that I will see her again when He returns. All days He holds my hand and lets me feel all of the "unpredictable-don't -ask-permission" feelings.<br />
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Today was a sad day.<br />
<br />
If I'm honest, the sadness has been getting heavier and heavier over the last few weeks. I didn't want to stop and journey through it though. It's sad. Instead I would boss the tears away and reach for God's hand. Eventually the sadness gets too heavy and tears must fall.<br />
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Today the tears fell.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On that Sunday morning everyone had a "last time I saw her" story but me. It had been far too long. I missed some precious time with her. I own that. I would do it differently if I could go back. Instead I'll learn from it. Sometimes you just make the time. No matter how hard or long the drive is ... you make the time. No matter the schedules or the season of life you are in ... you make the time. God has been placing community on my heart lately. Family was one of her core values. She loved us all BIG. That's why she loved us all and met us where we were. True she would shoot you straight with some hard truths sometimes but she would also love you just as hard. And those truths were delivered from a place of love...always.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'll always miss her. </div>
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One day I'll be a fully invested, loving grandma like her and follow her beautiful example.<br />
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I'm so thankful God placed her in my life. I'm grateful for the way she poured into our family.</div>
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Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-35786375875252586372017-05-24T20:20:00.001-05:002017-05-24T20:20:25.489-05:00I Called Her WelitaTo some she was Grandma.<br />
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To others Jefa or Jechu or Ruca or Mama.<br />
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To others Senora Torres.<br />
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To me she was Welita.<br />
<br />
To me she was where I ran the morning I woke up to an empty house. The same morning I became a big sister.<br />
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To me she was where we gathered on Friday nights. Where we chased lightening bugs and played freeze tag.<br />
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To me she was where I spent summer days waiting for the mailman while my parents worked.<br />
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To me she was where we gathered on Christmas Eve. All us cousins eager for midnight to arrive so we could open presents.<br />
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To me she was the one that wouldn't let me drink soda because my parents didn't allow it. Instead would have Tang in the fridge and animal crackers on the counter.<br />
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To me she was the one that made the best sweet bread and the best gorditas and the best menudo. Mine with only hominy because she knew that was my favorite part.<br />
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To me she was the one that always had a garage sale treasure ready to gift.<br />
Ethan has a stuffed Bob the Builder she gifted him a few years ago.<br />
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To me she was the one that bought me my quincenera dress.<br />
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To me she was the one that had sourced out a wedding package when she found out that Travis was being deployed.<br />
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To me she was a woman who never complained about what her life lacked or could have been but always pressed forward with joy in her heart.<br />
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To me she was the one who always had doilies on her end tables.<br />
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To me she was the one that didn't let a language barrier keep her from building friendships with every person she met.<br />
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To me she was the one that made each one of us feel like we were her very favorite. (P.S. I'm her favorite)<br />
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To me she was the one that proudly filled her walls with pictures of everyone that entered into the Torres family<br />
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To me she was a beautiful example of strength.<br />
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To me she defined courage.<br />
<br />
To me ...<br />
<br />
She was my Welita.<br />
<br />Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-79895326232891126422016-09-22T22:52:00.000-05:002016-09-22T22:52:44.702-05:00Hello FallIt's the first day of fall and we are off to a great start. Our family's week nights can get a little crazy with after school activities for Travis and work days that end with a long commute. Sometimes the little people in this house get a little cranky from hunger pains. Then the Z monster sets in and I want to fall on the floor and throw a fit of my own. But today was different. We chose a different lens.<br />
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There were early morning meltdowns. There were tasks that didn't get done exactly as planned. The commute was longer than expected....both ways. The meltdowns made an appearance at the mention of bedtime.<br />
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But still ... the happy lens slowed everything down.<br />
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Here's how I'm going to remember this day:<br />
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The clock was not the boss of me in the wee hours of the morning. Is that something for everyday ... no. But today - four days into a hard week - with more items on the to-do list than I would want - the answer was yes. I sent my kids off with smiles on their faces and left the "hurry up" words and impatient feelings for another day.<br />
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When I finally got to my desk I took it one task at a time. Stayed in the moment and poured my best into every word, conversation and task. Everyone had gotten to where they needed to be safely. Everyone got fed. No one was sick. Win!<br />
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I had lunch with a long time friend. It had been way too long and the conversation filled up my soul. It was exactly what I needed. I've been blessed with soul filling lunches all week. I think it's God's way of carrying me through the week. Today's lunch was perfectly timed.<br />
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At dinnertime we were all home early enough to have a home cooked meal and squeeze in some unhurried play time before meltdowns got the best of us all.<br />
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Mason's bath was short but slow. He read lots of books while I got him dressed and we had some laughs before settling down. Just the two of us. He's a boy on the go so to keep him on the changing table I give him books to look through. He sits there and tries his hardest to hold the book while on his back. At times he uses his foot to keep the book up. It's a highlight moment for me every time.<br />
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After Mason was down for the night I walked into a batman fight between Daddy and Ethan. I added music to the room and cleaned up the kitchen. By cleanup I mean tackle the important things not make it perfectly neat. Meanwhile the battle in the living room continued.<br />
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Then we all settled in for the season finale of Big Brother.<br />
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After a summer that was busy with doctor appointments and errands that can't be done during the school year and hot days and a one year old whose teeth won't let him be it was a very welcomed feeling to usher in Fall with a slow "restful" day. A day where I enjoyed all of the people God gave me.<br />
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Hello Fall! Please come in and stay a while... and please leave your slow lens behind.<br />
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Some pictures from our evening. Complete picture overload on Mason and his book but I cannot get over how much he loves his books!! It makes my bookworm heart so happy!!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6iPwZJjhnziuK0g4bKbU8e5NvvphNk-lVz_gtqrh0hMVuaqSxG1PL-e7iJdKIRNz7IxUiMfNEvVAITqCFjKBt4E_LAHShYXmN1rBnMb8DSK_ypBOjVCOeFteD7cGELcjsJUPzAj-Wrhh/s1600/IMG_3980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6iPwZJjhnziuK0g4bKbU8e5NvvphNk-lVz_gtqrh0hMVuaqSxG1PL-e7iJdKIRNz7IxUiMfNEvVAITqCFjKBt4E_LAHShYXmN1rBnMb8DSK_ypBOjVCOeFteD7cGELcjsJUPzAj-Wrhh/s320/IMG_3980.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-67391707807531139402016-06-30T00:23:00.001-05:002016-06-30T00:23:23.716-05:00A case of the MondaysToday is the 29th of June. This is a note from Leap Day ... Feb 29. I'm not sure why I never posted it but it jumped out at me today.<br />
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Today I spent the day with three of my best friends. It was a day filled with joy and girl talk and shopping and dreaming and lots of laughs. We made Waco our playground. The end of the day found us happy, tired, and filled with sweet memories. Our friend tanks filled.<br />
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Yet this post caught my attention.<br />
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Three months after I originally wrote this I'm finding my happy in the little things: my boys, the beach, laughing, and surrounding myself with reminders on how to choose happy.<br />
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Monday was rough business. One of those days when I would have rather hid under the blanket and try again later.<br />
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I've felt it coming. I haven't taken the time to fill me up again. I have done small things to keep going but Monday it caught up with me. A big old wave of ugly. </div>
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Thankfully my Yada Yada aunt covered me in prayer and my husband knows exactly how to love me through these times ... The gift of space.<br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> My goal was to get through the day pleasantly. Not to turn the mood around but just to survive the day without the ugly pouring out. </span></div>
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All of the things that can slow a morning down happened. I told myself "Do not snap at those boys. Use your nice words and watch your tone". All of the things we are teaching Ethan. It's a lot easier said than done let me tell you. </div>
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But I was determined to not let these feelings become me. I wasn't going to be able to change the feelings but I could at least control my words and actions. Ride this wave with grace. </div>
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On my way to work I listened to a podcast with Jennifer Garner. She was talking with Heather from the God Centered Mom podcast about her new movie <i>Miracles from Heaven</i>. She shared that her mom always says that happiness is a choice. It is not a feeling. You can choose to see the joy in all things ... especially the small things. Don't wait until the big things come to be happy. Choose happy right here and now. In the sandwich you are having for lunch. Or the dinner that you get to cook.</div>
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The message had perfect timing. I carried it with me. </div>
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I went about my "gloomy" day with my owned feelings and honest words. When I was asked in the hall how I'm doing I said I'm okay, it's a Monday and tomorrow will be better. I didn't dwell in it I just focused on the goal.</div>
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We survived bath time and a very tired Mason was put to bed. I even made myself snap a picture on his first Leap Day. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3Vh_BH49EUzzY9UchuMOrN81wfCHTkABztGPXd8Ncs-PejUFT8iNREZpsn1M_Rc1zte7O-BuTE_UmCrkYP4K4XA2VZicsHv2phOZcFOEPele_VPONT83i_9nbQIDOeZEI5TfxSQH7KaD/s640/blogger-image-788858212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3Vh_BH49EUzzY9UchuMOrN81wfCHTkABztGPXd8Ncs-PejUFT8iNREZpsn1M_Rc1zte7O-BuTE_UmCrkYP4K4XA2VZicsHv2phOZcFOEPele_VPONT83i_9nbQIDOeZEI5TfxSQH7KaD/s640/blogger-image-788858212.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mason's 1st leap day</td></tr>
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The weather was absolutely gorgeous. Ethan and I decided to watch his show out on our patio. It was nice to sit and breath fresh air next to my happy boy. We loved it so much we did it again tonight. It might be our new tradition.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UxcX8oSibENUHK5nGplKz089af_EOaihfZsPt3J9mIx97fPqxuMHuTe9nYo-RGaZ6rjQ4NMxugQElupmP9N277mxvkk_xsTBO1NUsiIBRKjae53kER0azpN0JDQWq1E71BtYs5ntNtdV/s640/blogger-image-692422179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UxcX8oSibENUHK5nGplKz089af_EOaihfZsPt3J9mIx97fPqxuMHuTe9nYo-RGaZ6rjQ4NMxugQElupmP9N277mxvkk_xsTBO1NUsiIBRKjae53kER0azpN0JDQWq1E71BtYs5ntNtdV/s640/blogger-image-692422179.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">note the pirate rain boots and ninja gear</td></tr>
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After Ethan got to bed I added 20 min to the workout scorecard and called it a day. </div>
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These feelings are not new. They happen. But the handling and accepting method was new. </div>
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Today was a new day and I'm still looking for the small things that say joy. Thank you Lord.</div>
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Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-59787893004473446902016-06-25T22:28:00.001-05:002016-06-25T22:28:07.629-05:002016 at the BeachWe took a road trip to Port Aransas and it was .... fun. This fun included 6:30 am wake-ups (thanks Mason), night time drives on the beach, using head lamps to search for crabs & frogs, exploring the island from a golf cart, taking the family to our favorite beach dive, searching for sea shells, running away from waves, eating ice cream before dinner, sno cones for snack and pirate cruise where Ethan became an official pirate!<br />
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Mason loved the beach and acclimated well to the new environment. He slept like a champ in the playpen. The only thing I didn't plan on was the sun entering his room and waking him up at 6:30 am! Not fun when you went to bed closer to 11pm. At least there were naps to help get us through. He got to sit in a big boy booster chair for meals and to my surprise did pretty good at sitting. He loved the sand and crawled straight to the ocean. Not one ounce of fear.<br />
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Ethan was super excited that he and Mason were sharing a room. On our first day he said "Mommy, I'm going to my room to watch TV". He thought that was the neatest thing. Our TV at home is in our living room so it was a special treat for him. There were lots of special treats for Mr Ethan. He got to ride in front seat of the golf cart with Daddy while mommy rode in the back seat with Mason and his car seat. (We were those people spreading our happy with a car seat attached to a golf cart.) Ethan could reach all of the light switches and the faucets and he could buckle and unbuckle his golf cart seat belt. He LOVED vacation!!! Every morning he woke up and asked if it was a school day. He couldn't believe it was a school day and he was at the beach. On Sabbath morning it came full circle for him. He said "wow! We didn't go to school for lots of days! I miss my friends. I bet they missed me."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMsLXuW6QBy1CCN99IXvbO0TFf1cFyjtTzVLLoP29woTDv7i2lTelcuXwT6RVnj31ctgc05Axo56taYDXe54WyG0lnlpbOltFuoz_-044qNbOdIr-KTyOYX1kgZLgemXkjWWgi7Ssjq1F/s1600/IMG_3290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMsLXuW6QBy1CCN99IXvbO0TFf1cFyjtTzVLLoP29woTDv7i2lTelcuXwT6RVnj31ctgc05Axo56taYDXe54WyG0lnlpbOltFuoz_-044qNbOdIr-KTyOYX1kgZLgemXkjWWgi7Ssjq1F/s320/IMG_3290.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">here we go!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjianif6n20-exsMdJNu_8ZCOfUTU5DEDASLipMuz1XWkzR6NDVbqzdkDls4Svquzd43Jdul2P9GgakgyZEHp0-JcXmzIB4GroQS8cqgZ0U7LzzxQfvpTYYLa7du9fTnQcgFwaotxp1edIa/s1600/IMG_3291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjianif6n20-exsMdJNu_8ZCOfUTU5DEDASLipMuz1XWkzR6NDVbqzdkDls4Svquzd43Jdul2P9GgakgyZEHp0-JcXmzIB4GroQS8cqgZ0U7LzzxQfvpTYYLa7du9fTnQcgFwaotxp1edIa/s320/IMG_3291.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on the ferry waiting to be on island time</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGByf9YguaR1G6vwb2fF1BAIvEggMJGEvARvQQ_NYjMSXpP1p2bGe2ijHQoKnFH6bTZ8o9mEl31tYRe9psYQ09CEcY8eVSjmerRIyBRJ9KOBZrE3cDrXk8nDu2KnFuVFtcLR0PCBTFfFnv/s1600/IMG_3296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGByf9YguaR1G6vwb2fF1BAIvEggMJGEvARvQQ_NYjMSXpP1p2bGe2ijHQoKnFH6bTZ8o9mEl31tYRe9psYQ09CEcY8eVSjmerRIyBRJ9KOBZrE3cDrXk8nDu2KnFuVFtcLR0PCBTFfFnv/s320/IMG_3296.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my boys</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxfXDFt4OSY7efkX1eDPjNUT9j95a-tF7ZhkWSC8ZhIFoJDfDpQgmwKqx3bHfLUeob1PSG0PL99QHKX2INeRW-GkAPX9voNzuQDdALbT6lQH-YPlzkOnZjLMo5b88jMO1RggUp0kZ6hkD/s1600/DSC02427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxfXDFt4OSY7efkX1eDPjNUT9j95a-tF7ZhkWSC8ZhIFoJDfDpQgmwKqx3bHfLUeob1PSG0PL99QHKX2INeRW-GkAPX9voNzuQDdALbT6lQH-YPlzkOnZjLMo5b88jMO1RggUp0kZ6hkD/s320/DSC02427.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the big blue ocean</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgji_2Et6I6ViwGh3hrSEzhf7frjkNP-7257reNy5iPnix6S0OjhASSVUbuOomX3m7uAGaSVpuOWk-p-eWjIWXU5RixqV5apLQOWOXE7sHEQ6M9tqKkLwPMnOaNDMKVVeJvXkDSUvGaWE5F/s1600/DSC02431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgji_2Et6I6ViwGh3hrSEzhf7frjkNP-7257reNy5iPnix6S0OjhASSVUbuOomX3m7uAGaSVpuOWk-p-eWjIWXU5RixqV5apLQOWOXE7sHEQ6M9tqKkLwPMnOaNDMKVVeJvXkDSUvGaWE5F/s320/DSC02431.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ethan looking for sea shells</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjkCrwvARR9_iUX292SdlWubW49nGeYwUH6AnFW4Uq461BOu_DF6YI3iCL4dajIMI-Xk8TOUXR7rH2HlQ7bzP_wM2M6XLhf2nCOCg7_yRQ8gJy4rcETGkqsL8GUnT-Oz-OWx84wEbxIao/s1600/DSC02433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjkCrwvARR9_iUX292SdlWubW49nGeYwUH6AnFW4Uq461BOu_DF6YI3iCL4dajIMI-Xk8TOUXR7rH2HlQ7bzP_wM2M6XLhf2nCOCg7_yRQ8gJy4rcETGkqsL8GUnT-Oz-OWx84wEbxIao/s320/DSC02433.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mason's first time on the beach</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSM194u7UVgQY2t8KM_mE_0dv-xiVkS58X_3RxlfZnzVK-LnmZrJIjLMDDm6jcFwyVKRQz3L0vxOA2Xo9-RMiDjsF1lypcPd5B6WhGECeCPd57yiHUwwA1f3iZzzYnqb9J0L9GLC8Au3ON/s1600/DSC02434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSM194u7UVgQY2t8KM_mE_0dv-xiVkS58X_3RxlfZnzVK-LnmZrJIjLMDDm6jcFwyVKRQz3L0vxOA2Xo9-RMiDjsF1lypcPd5B6WhGECeCPd57yiHUwwA1f3iZzzYnqb9J0L9GLC8Au3ON/s320/DSC02434.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">those lips!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AoXjQG3mlw7Z0-X_DrZ7ApBBcUynso5TFFDRkPschbDWdI3Fwks1aHYHxrTHiYfUe7RTl6CIozbpPk69EJq43rQ_WCzrhZHm6-bcHTPoYU_0bMyh_hgHy6Nq07vO69xUW3EgvpMiqJRt/s1600/DSC02433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AoXjQG3mlw7Z0-X_DrZ7ApBBcUynso5TFFDRkPschbDWdI3Fwks1aHYHxrTHiYfUe7RTl6CIozbpPk69EJq43rQ_WCzrhZHm6-bcHTPoYU_0bMyh_hgHy6Nq07vO69xUW3EgvpMiqJRt/s320/DSC02433.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">those eye lashes</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdpKwYCM4V15Dt2yBrDdtPkjaw6-150kf_1QEAo0eaR3TvxLubtzVBlhI6-lcJ1Zu6pCkMjWbmf-1GFEDfKzC5EahMjQlzV60g8l0v6AxPhyGoz_niIJUZCAWm_LlfE08NFfiMwVbMlHd/s1600/DSC02436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdpKwYCM4V15Dt2yBrDdtPkjaw6-150kf_1QEAo0eaR3TvxLubtzVBlhI6-lcJ1Zu6pCkMjWbmf-1GFEDfKzC5EahMjQlzV60g8l0v6AxPhyGoz_niIJUZCAWm_LlfE08NFfiMwVbMlHd/s320/DSC02436.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my ethan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU8zVMGyzBPPV4_siCb-mm7pQ8mPwPquxa5Bra-K2KozQWFz3jmq0n9yyDtPvofomE1BqoUHI46BQNZedkB8zkzlSbZ-CSiguY27bK4VL3pxjJTBM0tSOsYBcr5L15xy39n1Z1vVcIR0R/s1600/DSC02439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU8zVMGyzBPPV4_siCb-mm7pQ8mPwPquxa5Bra-K2KozQWFz3jmq0n9yyDtPvofomE1BqoUHI46BQNZedkB8zkzlSbZ-CSiguY27bK4VL3pxjJTBM0tSOsYBcr5L15xy39n1Z1vVcIR0R/s320/DSC02439.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">those cheeks!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJSthOuqOxSRqpu_e2nLZBOvRISm4dqLRsOpKqJf8K-I7gtMyxvcvyp4SGMRQi_Fh0VK1_x0qIO2zaWHDcNaR6McXyOty5yzOdgIq7NqCoHZwHxqFWMe4lHj7C3_XhD16PUXWRNaqaWnc/s1600/DSC02505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJSthOuqOxSRqpu_e2nLZBOvRISm4dqLRsOpKqJf8K-I7gtMyxvcvyp4SGMRQi_Fh0VK1_x0qIO2zaWHDcNaR6McXyOty5yzOdgIq7NqCoHZwHxqFWMe4lHj7C3_XhD16PUXWRNaqaWnc/s320/DSC02505.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">silly boy ... i had to move fast to get this shot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8QOi9C7xmqTzmFOfZZ9BlJHoyrakogKWRMn2GJ2qiMBO-IkB20BKxR5rqfXZOKPJ-o0p8bWUKKyybIEzBb7U6xMQzsyjl_s0fwzg3zrAtvu4ApzICsGv_Gy0w7O9GQhdSif-AbyVNYT-/s1600/DSC02446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8QOi9C7xmqTzmFOfZZ9BlJHoyrakogKWRMn2GJ2qiMBO-IkB20BKxR5rqfXZOKPJ-o0p8bWUKKyybIEzBb7U6xMQzsyjl_s0fwzg3zrAtvu4ApzICsGv_Gy0w7O9GQhdSif-AbyVNYT-/s320/DSC02446.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">brothers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaPsyW1C-AAQBD2i0VUltofOOgdq3PEES0GiXyh-dFpqic_V_EY7VfNg6_fsFbolF3BAsgfecin7RakvdARrclYOFEqfAuKtLfxOj3V506Rl2ZoAaNpK_X_xCDs81OsoE7oyQZN0kqbVm/s1600/IMG_2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaPsyW1C-AAQBD2i0VUltofOOgdq3PEES0GiXyh-dFpqic_V_EY7VfNg6_fsFbolF3BAsgfecin7RakvdARrclYOFEqfAuKtLfxOj3V506Rl2ZoAaNpK_X_xCDs81OsoE7oyQZN0kqbVm/s320/IMG_2521.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">before the pirate cruise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-FrrKm4CnquryKzzr5x9mPWom9K6EhXOhDEIx2lL8vIFsbm2OGz7jQ0hxSiITldPrWBCEvc5DmzjIXLZrhTSbIrEoa2l8zMNDSqR3g7utolkCH9kcYeRFYCl09aoqgP0Sjg4YLAOGKbs/s1600/DSC02494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-FrrKm4CnquryKzzr5x9mPWom9K6EhXOhDEIx2lL8vIFsbm2OGz7jQ0hxSiITldPrWBCEvc5DmzjIXLZrhTSbIrEoa2l8zMNDSqR3g7utolkCH9kcYeRFYCl09aoqgP0Sjg4YLAOGKbs/s320/DSC02494.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pirate Ethan</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLf76StYpUCsI_hwke24Dcdv8aJBmyWAuR4tEj2guq162IiuScbszb6XciyyNNHqM6wHK5cxaowDaRT_jGg6k2UP2rol9wSiMa0zZUkZwr-eYpCUSe-chz1ethd5I0KAMLZvi86P-9yAhn/s1600/DSC02454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLf76StYpUCsI_hwke24Dcdv8aJBmyWAuR4tEj2guq162IiuScbszb6XciyyNNHqM6wHK5cxaowDaRT_jGg6k2UP2rol9wSiMa0zZUkZwr-eYpCUSe-chz1ethd5I0KAMLZvi86P-9yAhn/s320/DSC02454.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the golf cart of happy</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttPq5GkjdDUXI3KN8ofJUzqHmWE6MfQmyjkOOo-9ZtA7aLI_o8axhp6vOgFl3rjUOaSaQmLohy6IuuL1Nkmup3_o6Kp2Vk34eDJsh6TkdtcVm4Izac5WAkl6QBQqA0mqI0bDNUZvIgx4Z/s1600/DSC02527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttPq5GkjdDUXI3KN8ofJUzqHmWE6MfQmyjkOOo-9ZtA7aLI_o8axhp6vOgFl3rjUOaSaQmLohy6IuuL1Nkmup3_o6Kp2Vk34eDJsh6TkdtcVm4Izac5WAkl6QBQqA0mqI0bDNUZvIgx4Z/s320/DSC02527.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">night time ridin'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hVnTGueE3XspIKXZ5gjHyujPQgdmHKbCTAzXv5DoaJPUt2kLCRyBQ5EEiK2wnagQhUE8QN3dII4yRS6Gghl8lroCucysHtqWYfUHaZCveoMvAeDzOtPqEWQKuDKSXrwDkS8JFVHHc5IR/s1600/IMG_2519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hVnTGueE3XspIKXZ5gjHyujPQgdmHKbCTAzXv5DoaJPUt2kLCRyBQ5EEiK2wnagQhUE8QN3dII4yRS6Gghl8lroCucysHtqWYfUHaZCveoMvAeDzOtPqEWQKuDKSXrwDkS8JFVHHc5IR/s320/IMG_2519.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fueling up on coffee</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7pKQ9yNkMBqiJjwwSZH_b6yUyQvngWpmgaL0xdN4I8Ie5CK4V6YJViPMp7LccOm9heJEL2HMn9MupHdsOJa49Zs3sAVXf3fI4AfCUY3bNrsz3pXeDv9xJu7zjEbm-wl6QhtIdM7_fjiX/s1600/IMG_2515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7pKQ9yNkMBqiJjwwSZH_b6yUyQvngWpmgaL0xdN4I8Ie5CK4V6YJViPMp7LccOm9heJEL2HMn9MupHdsOJa49Zs3sAVXf3fI4AfCUY3bNrsz3pXeDv9xJu7zjEbm-wl6QhtIdM7_fjiX/s320/IMG_2515.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one tough mama</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZijc4GmttRx_GD6_OiMnI7jcu3xON01RqX3PcBIxUAtwdn-CwedjQ610JgHyKdUKo7KScoOLrb-2-IspQJRi26GaPyVt72kQsJBMDWTm6cBQ09EjlgfOhkVVAB9yVnD5nV7DzTCF1b1v/s1600/DSC02541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZijc4GmttRx_GD6_OiMnI7jcu3xON01RqX3PcBIxUAtwdn-CwedjQ610JgHyKdUKo7KScoOLrb-2-IspQJRi26GaPyVt72kQsJBMDWTm6cBQ09EjlgfOhkVVAB9yVnD5nV7DzTCF1b1v/s320/DSC02541.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">those eyes</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02kE_SzbOSvR8thD_OtH-bmBYJD5oq_tdd5KvPRlcjxXgaXwb07FgBBx4E3Zmgu3fxdKjAkDd6W5i6HfZ2mx4JZXRqqNa2RWbtNmzwkfdi6lYQUuT6GPDpvAVvkjVwm3kR_JJ-fDN3ALH/s1600/IMG_3302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02kE_SzbOSvR8thD_OtH-bmBYJD5oq_tdd5KvPRlcjxXgaXwb07FgBBx4E3Zmgu3fxdKjAkDd6W5i6HfZ2mx4JZXRqqNa2RWbtNmzwkfdi6lYQUuT6GPDpvAVvkjVwm3kR_JJ-fDN3ALH/s320/IMG_3302.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunbeams</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYQxJkWMPkPbodpZjYh9YxPMb8OWwAnlUOnfYw_EVseseBuIXAzDZAJT1O_yZcHAz5o1gE3M3_XK3OISIB2Y2y5klsLgcz6dUj9NSSDy5WJw2uUOvEnwcJyANBd3uPw_RPOkGmPJEmMyl/s1600/IMG_3330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYQxJkWMPkPbodpZjYh9YxPMb8OWwAnlUOnfYw_EVseseBuIXAzDZAJT1O_yZcHAz5o1gE3M3_XK3OISIB2Y2y5klsLgcz6dUj9NSSDy5WJw2uUOvEnwcJyANBd3uPw_RPOkGmPJEmMyl/s320/IMG_3330.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">happy boy</td></tr>
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<br />Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-37331041108210028672016-06-13T21:39:00.000-05:002016-06-13T21:41:14.278-05:00I Found It!There is this tiny sliver of paradise tucked away at the end of each day called sunset. It is by far my favorite part of the day. When I was on bed rest with Mason and the doctor gave me the okay to leave the house for short trips that involved sitting, Travis would roll me into the car and we would drive until the sun went down. The bumps were hard on the ever sensitive belly but the fresh air and the beautiful colors in the sky made it all worthwhile.<br>
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At the end of the day everything is settled. No more hours to do things. Only calm and peace await.<br>
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So here is the thing, as much as I love this little tiny gift we are given each day, I don't get to stop and enjoy it very often. The bedtime routines tend to steal all of the end of day minutes. They steal the morning minutes too but that's another story. Right now...in the middle of June... the sun goes down after the bedtime dances are done. So the boys get placed in bed and I try to quietly run into my bedroom to enjoy this ....<br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVO_px3EP8doiuCsKd8Z48tgglN6sod_l4nBKNt5cMC2pMTO9vwACY5NutETCm8XIcE94roU3SfRKTQDidWxfGDzD670q4eZtuq_roqcvVfjGQjXVTViZOjRiyGoQtLl3oz8fMBDT8Lz6j/s640/blogger-image--1312660164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVO_px3EP8doiuCsKd8Z48tgglN6sod_l4nBKNt5cMC2pMTO9vwACY5NutETCm8XIcE94roU3SfRKTQDidWxfGDzD670q4eZtuq_roqcvVfjGQjXVTViZOjRiyGoQtLl3oz8fMBDT8Lz6j/s640/blogger-image--1312660164.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><br>
I get to sit here in the quiet and watch. Or read. Or write. Or journal. Or learn. Until ...<br>
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the Littles happen....<br>
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And they scream out for...<br>
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One more drink. Or to try and convince me that they cannot possibly spend the night in their bed. Or to ask if I was going to check on them. Or bad dreams.<br>
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Sigh, at least I get the chance of a sunset view each day. And I remind myself that they will not always be little or need their mommy at this time of day.<br>
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The pretty colors are helping me in my journey to try and find my stillness. I've been <b>doing</b> a lot over the last few months. I haven't really dwelled in <b>being</b>. I've been going constantly with newborn stuff and family transitioning to a family of four stuff and illness stuff and new role at work stuff and it had all just been so busy. But y'all most of those are settled now and we are entering a new season at the Irish house. We have entered the season where everyone eats three meals a day. And it's time. It's time to quiet down and find the margins to be still. Or rather create the margins to be still. It's hard though because I want to fill the margins with all of the fun stuff I haven't gotten to do because of the busy. I want to read all of the books written by my bloggy friends. I want to hear all of the podcasts. I want to do all of the bible study books. I want to scrapbook all of the pictures. I want to learn this photography thing once and for all. I want to pour into my boys ... all three of them. But before all of that I need to let Jesus pour His love into me. But He has to catch me first. Or rather I have to let myself be caught. And that takes me back to being still. This little sliver of paradise is the perfect place to start practicing.<br>
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"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10<br>
<br>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-58251930387462394812016-05-20T12:50:00.002-05:002016-05-20T22:24:19.359-05:00Monkey See. Monkey Do.<div>
<i>A few Irish boy stories to share. These boys have us on our toes and these moments are too sweet not to share and record for them to read later in life. Enjoy!</i></div>
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Mason got his first toothbrush and y'all he knew EXACTLY what to do with it. I wasn't sure what to expect but he grabbed it from my hand and put it in his mouth. Just like he has seen his brother do many times during his first year. </div>
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I know he watches his Ethan like a hawk but I didn't know that he was able to do everything he is seeing. It was the neatest thing to witness. </div>
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There is one book that I have read to both boys now before bed. It's called <u>The Going to Bed Book</u>. I could probably "read" it to you right now without the book. That's how many times we have read it. The other night I pulled it out for Mason and Ethan walks in. He started "reading" it to him. He has it memorized too and just filled in the gaps when he forgot the exact words. It was so cute! He even did the the voice cadence I use and the extra silly hand gestures. LOVE</div>
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Ethan has added reading on his own to his bedtime routine. We go through all of our steps together. The very last step is me singing his song. He lays down and waits until I'm done. Then he sits up and grabs his magazine or books he picked and reads them on his own. When I come back to check on him he is sound asleep. I would like to think he has watched his Daddy and I read before bed. Either way it makes my heart happy to see him self-soothe before going to bed. Y'all it has been a long road to this point. Mainly because Mama wanted to "fix" it. But listen that is another story for another time.</div>
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Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-19319789413382281042016-05-08T21:45:00.006-05:002016-05-11T21:50:55.106-05:00Happy First Birthday MasonToday you turned one.<br>
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A year ago at this time, 9:30pm, I was finally getting to very gently place my hand on your cheek for the first time. You were born at 4:31pm and were quickly rushed away to the NICU to help your lungs recover. Four days later daddy and I got to drive you home for good.<div><br></div><div>And so our new journey began.<br>
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Twelve months later you are happy, healthy boy that brings a special happy to our family.<br>
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You pretty much have three levels:</div><div><br></div><div>There's happy.</div><div><br></div><div>There's less happy.</div><div><br></div><div> And then we have cranky. But that only happens when you are super hungry or super tired.<br>
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You LOVE your big brother. One night you were in a full on fit. It was late and you didn't want any part of the bedtime routine. You wanted sleep NOW! Then in walks your brother and you instantly stop crying. He lights up your whole world. And let me tell you that you do the same for him. He was so excited for you to turn one. And he is counting down the days until you can share a room. I hope you are just as excited.<br>
<br>Tonight Ethan and I sang your bedtime song to you. Ethan rubbed your back and played with your hair. You went right to sleep. It was the sweetest thing. </div><div><br></div><div>
You love to give kisses. Your brother gets your kisses without asking....lucky guy! <br>
<br>You and I snuggle a lot. We get to end our days with snuggles. We begin our days with snuggles. We even snuggle while we worship. Although lately you have been wanting to play with all of your brothers stuff. The pews aren't baby proof so stay tuned on how that works out for us. <br>
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You smile super big when you see daddy.<br>
<br>You make friends and share your happy everywhere you go.<br>
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You know how to say hungry and more with your hands. And when your hands go to your head you are ready to get down from that high chair. <br>
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When you are really sleepy you scratch the back of your head. But you give it your best shot and try to stay awake because you love being part of the action. <br>
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You think the Itsy Bitsy Spider is the funniest thing when mama sings it. <br>
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You love to clap your hands and celebrate all things.<br>
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Being loud is another favorite. You and your brother scream at the top of your lungs for fun. Especially at the end of the day.<br>
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You like to play ball and your figuring out cars. Mostly you like things that you can put in your mouth. Those new teeth are giving you some trouble. But mostly you just smile through it all.<br>
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You made our family a family of four. You brought a special kind of happy for each one of us. You made mama's heart grow bigger. You made Ethan the proudest big brother in all of the land. And you made daddy proud with all of your charm!<br>
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God made you perfect for our family Mase. I don't know if you'll ever know how much I love you but I sure will try my best every day to show you. <br></div><div><br></div><div>Happy Birthday my Mason Little! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FxWf3zl5qcuhqrZ6EDv9WnCv_Pt9Ru0zWjGuq4w0v5OfskWxb0kYsssKK4wzzdm5UDzmUxke-fEeo26WHEXNwvDedXlWn5k-dnGQsY_6kDgiR0raNAo2LVV35-uM4NyadwHAvdZ4R99k/s640/blogger-image-264142740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FxWf3zl5qcuhqrZ6EDv9WnCv_Pt9Ru0zWjGuq4w0v5OfskWxb0kYsssKK4wzzdm5UDzmUxke-fEeo26WHEXNwvDedXlWn5k-dnGQsY_6kDgiR0raNAo2LVV35-uM4NyadwHAvdZ4R99k/s640/blogger-image-264142740.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATr6_XpYHgXR_KShfuF1wMSI4FKAbN2YUJkCbywyoWZp7pxcxlOFFwYZxjeBn3pnt64_WfGjQI6B4q5VmSCFnX6vMA7bdCTk9H9cmPcaIm_m2Ejv1IRSDLRgQtUecpAJjW1-qmydMS4UO/s640/blogger-image--18202014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATr6_XpYHgXR_KShfuF1wMSI4FKAbN2YUJkCbywyoWZp7pxcxlOFFwYZxjeBn3pnt64_WfGjQI6B4q5VmSCFnX6vMA7bdCTk9H9cmPcaIm_m2Ejv1IRSDLRgQtUecpAJjW1-qmydMS4UO/s640/blogger-image--18202014.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzVkuQzXwWmOTpvQqX9Zakcu1N5EiV1Mx9xjSIuNw4sMkhQCTo5V4dX3c449Ajw2_t3_fiQ_vjBpo_A8wr34w0sUeplw71na02-4LzMSnjkcsVx1n9wCGReNU5FKj1PywVtUQuVoi_dDd/s640/blogger-image-407983694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzVkuQzXwWmOTpvQqX9Zakcu1N5EiV1Mx9xjSIuNw4sMkhQCTo5V4dX3c449Ajw2_t3_fiQ_vjBpo_A8wr34w0sUeplw71na02-4LzMSnjkcsVx1n9wCGReNU5FKj1PywVtUQuVoi_dDd/s640/blogger-image-407983694.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><br></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-29469384393707369532016-04-05T21:25:00.001-05:002016-04-05T21:35:34.401-05:00Super Awesome DayTo quote my favorite 4-year-old, today was super awesome!<div><br></div><div>I got take the whole day off from work and enjoy the babies. I had dreams of making a dent in the laundry but instead we played. And then played some more.</div><div><br></div><div>We started the morning with a later than normal wake-up call. Everyone got up and moving in such great spirits. Ethan was in school by 8 and Mason and I headed towards his eye appointment. I took the scenic route to avoid traffic and enjoyed some good worship music. I took the time to notice neighborhoods and everyday people starting their mornings. People of all ages. It's good for my soul to remember there is a whole world outside of my workday routine filled with rush. </div><div><br></div><div>We got to the eye dr 45 min early. Travis was so proud. Mason's tear duct got probed again and we were on our way back an hour later. We are praying it stays open this time. </div><div><br></div><div>We got back to our neck of the woods and ran a couple errands before picking up Ethan from school early. </div><div><br></div><div>It was only noon! We had the whole day head of us. </div><div><br></div><div>The boys spent some time playing in Ethan's room. That is Mason's favorite room of the house. He's crawling now and has figured out that he can move from one room to another. I was in the hallway sorting through bins of summer clothes. Mason kept coming to see me and then off he went to Ethan's room to play. He had the best fun. </div><div><br></div><div>After a while they both went down to nap. I got 45 min where they were both asleep. And it was just long enough for me to get my workout in early. Yippee! I normally get to it after their bedtime. </div><div><br></div><div>After nap we packed up water and snacks and went on a super long walk to visit 3 neighborhood parks. It was a lot of fun but next time we'll have to pack a lunch so we can enjoy the animals more. We were rushing it there at the end to make it home in time for dinner. </div><div><br></div><div>Bedtimes were a little behind but naps were long so it worked out. And bedtime routines weren't filled with cranky. Double yay! </div><div><br></div><div>I love these days. Middle of the week surprises are the best. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTBsO3VLKXDlfCvTRj-rmwHu8QTvPF_xbBiLX7Xz2Tpcq5duTx-QNueTVN7whKqRPlPnjBbJtog9cszAe2dMDo7LbwRo11-wqWNoCN1axi25_nUHH0BU4J3MYLW4tw4pNirzqqp6JRdlF/s640/blogger-image--561805162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTBsO3VLKXDlfCvTRj-rmwHu8QTvPF_xbBiLX7Xz2Tpcq5duTx-QNueTVN7whKqRPlPnjBbJtog9cszAe2dMDo7LbwRo11-wqWNoCN1axi25_nUHH0BU4J3MYLW4tw4pNirzqqp6JRdlF/s640/blogger-image--561805162.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Two cool dudes ready for the park. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVhAmH79IVV_0GRhyphenhyphenFcCyJFtaZ009JBEa2T1seknRWTLQV2zSqPa9i1ct0Y6Rg9F7B6ejSvfCAy6awgRGx55z71auvi7slA946CFuYEmzkEkPU6nHQBnJcFO1ZK2GMOBZCj5cn7wolv0o/s640/blogger-image-24834000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVhAmH79IVV_0GRhyphenhyphenFcCyJFtaZ009JBEa2T1seknRWTLQV2zSqPa9i1ct0Y6Rg9F7B6ejSvfCAy6awgRGx55z71auvi7slA946CFuYEmzkEkPU6nHQBnJcFO1ZK2GMOBZCj5cn7wolv0o/s640/blogger-image-24834000.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>There was Tic Tac Toe</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMISOYgv_lkTIUP3l1L5rqKDzT5UI8p_2AFZzAd6jg1wYR_KdO6QT0mFu12rX8-KMQ6lPhawST8RvDqQ2GE8GKXJ_gh6n9rHaP3tKqFPCrhzT6VaLI9hyoi2TqsUqY_J_SG2ZZHzGmwr7N/s640/blogger-image--1339466135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMISOYgv_lkTIUP3l1L5rqKDzT5UI8p_2AFZzAd6jg1wYR_KdO6QT0mFu12rX8-KMQ6lPhawST8RvDqQ2GE8GKXJ_gh6n9rHaP3tKqFPCrhzT6VaLI9hyoi2TqsUqY_J_SG2ZZHzGmwr7N/s640/blogger-image--1339466135.jpg"></a></div> Iron man </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtzjm8PH9mepoa0pEzOR0W1Aeb1vO2wOgMpqjAt5Vh3J1pJTBK6NdkZk0_I24NzcT1DJdz5dklgk2Q0F4Yzf7SqdB3lPDYZMASFZFdArV0y0lcD9rD2gxwnBtP1MUqQdAvCdn6LnHaI9a/s640/blogger-image-175991442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtzjm8PH9mepoa0pEzOR0W1Aeb1vO2wOgMpqjAt5Vh3J1pJTBK6NdkZk0_I24NzcT1DJdz5dklgk2Q0F4Yzf7SqdB3lPDYZMASFZFdArV0y0lcD9rD2gxwnBtP1MUqQdAvCdn6LnHaI9a/s640/blogger-image-175991442.jpg"></a></div>Tunnels </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fc9IZM35wkF7KMx7GLFlVH6T_TiWaV-1cTPcAURti2G61-CEor7IVqP6jfmcK_Sgi_RDSViq-_k4eAY_44FoOeTPdN8a0Y1UAzB56q9sbsCwf1VoqmlKN2FyHIFoq0uD6PsTCVf3Fpn6/s640/blogger-image--1427862416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fc9IZM35wkF7KMx7GLFlVH6T_TiWaV-1cTPcAURti2G61-CEor7IVqP6jfmcK_Sgi_RDSViq-_k4eAY_44FoOeTPdN8a0Y1UAzB56q9sbsCwf1VoqmlKN2FyHIFoq0uD6PsTCVf3Fpn6/s640/blogger-image--1427862416.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidE0qdSptgAGfHbWcO2QU10jRGKJCmJn0RkPBbZo0T1nqBYJ3PZlUu1kFMN4lpmt0sTsd_mtRIFTkdjXjCdsVyuw2ITMI-7S2XcNELwKBuRe3NTKZX79LbM67jJyJGUK95LSpJPzOdmZmN/s640/blogger-image--314049559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidE0qdSptgAGfHbWcO2QU10jRGKJCmJn0RkPBbZo0T1nqBYJ3PZlUu1kFMN4lpmt0sTsd_mtRIFTkdjXjCdsVyuw2ITMI-7S2XcNELwKBuRe3NTKZX79LbM67jJyJGUK95LSpJPzOdmZmN/s640/blogger-image--314049559.jpg"></a></div>And swings. Mason didn't move his hands at all. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfqINej3S_zMl18LfZ8IAFpsJzOk5JmHWtOmqQz6hrQ-CN6TGBGI5C4l11yp71X6lOaMNYmg1XFqPIGI0-HAmwIGQHcZA0YG1gL_PYnmdLwSbf10JrbY-8UPvPWymAJaupeV4v6IXQW0T/s640/blogger-image--1975069220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfqINej3S_zMl18LfZ8IAFpsJzOk5JmHWtOmqQz6hrQ-CN6TGBGI5C4l11yp71X6lOaMNYmg1XFqPIGI0-HAmwIGQHcZA0YG1gL_PYnmdLwSbf10JrbY-8UPvPWymAJaupeV4v6IXQW0T/s640/blogger-image--1975069220.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzV-pa5q2s7Y8DE03eezohTrxc54B2-iTmXZTlI3hVNakJfXuAGKr1pAHC5OWk_iy4YhVj_OXRfMznSKB0y2qoPsJaaZRU2iftlGEfUUv0SATAPcg-77XvOQw_GlMNuxqMgs4u5YvFlfg/s640/blogger-image--1857526358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzV-pa5q2s7Y8DE03eezohTrxc54B2-iTmXZTlI3hVNakJfXuAGKr1pAHC5OWk_iy4YhVj_OXRfMznSKB0y2qoPsJaaZRU2iftlGEfUUv0SATAPcg-77XvOQw_GlMNuxqMgs4u5YvFlfg/s640/blogger-image--1857526358.jpg"></a></div>Our first break </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8MHZlkUbHXUWlOGbiNsGE9UFwV1FM4cxWfezweoxS7EMSEJsCt1cXycH_j0OmrnhJ_ffHhHxbbjt8b-ixvuFSc0Kg8SBZN4XNiW6M4ZxddJoIxZ4wzaLRwuBDCovOyxa_SOrOdgRSa-u/s640/blogger-image--283293296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8MHZlkUbHXUWlOGbiNsGE9UFwV1FM4cxWfezweoxS7EMSEJsCt1cXycH_j0OmrnhJ_ffHhHxbbjt8b-ixvuFSc0Kg8SBZN4XNiW6M4ZxddJoIxZ4wzaLRwuBDCovOyxa_SOrOdgRSa-u/s640/blogger-image--283293296.jpg"></a></div>Mason entertained himself </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ARVP4R0LJallUsYvohZDRbeYFiG_vwjzPkAYIlw6TdLuu0TCQS7sFm09Orx1ytAG7iumilG26_iHvhYepe5tsWeFqjPoEgfY4PPrPy8IYlkvYeBCe398Tn0UpP2CnllntChyphenhyphenbPlCt7hL/s640/blogger-image-1620474812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ARVP4R0LJallUsYvohZDRbeYFiG_vwjzPkAYIlw6TdLuu0TCQS7sFm09Orx1ytAG7iumilG26_iHvhYepe5tsWeFqjPoEgfY4PPrPy8IYlkvYeBCe398Tn0UpP2CnllntChyphenhyphenbPlCt7hL/s640/blogger-image-1620474812.jpg"></a></div>Mama, do I look like a real cowboy? Yes you do baby. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03X7s6XRsUtkmB93jMNq5fyv7qk_sMar8uTl6oRmgfbB_ZumwhbqzBGxLytW7TkA6iAP0vLy54g8GMnxQmAV5tVjIWQ6jQb6lwMiRP27rwqMD0x9qzXZvRbE7gYz7eY3rOyU8oOJF5eko/s640/blogger-image-347818630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03X7s6XRsUtkmB93jMNq5fyv7qk_sMar8uTl6oRmgfbB_ZumwhbqzBGxLytW7TkA6iAP0vLy54g8GMnxQmAV5tVjIWQ6jQb6lwMiRP27rwqMD0x9qzXZvRbE7gYz7eY3rOyU8oOJF5eko/s640/blogger-image-347818630.jpg"></a></div>Mason was so over the adventure. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CjIOVw7ryz4FymmABYJEx5YMPaGKSQ2W3Yo1EDfdSDHM6cOEAPtbtN4iWlumU2GcGHT__QA2NaHNxX936Rll6dB1fQi6iHX9ChCBWQ7bvL5S3heCtGLSmRCNcH0hG9M8VhbzvC37NCSz/s640/blogger-image-1257332041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CjIOVw7ryz4FymmABYJEx5YMPaGKSQ2W3Yo1EDfdSDHM6cOEAPtbtN4iWlumU2GcGHT__QA2NaHNxX936Rll6dB1fQi6iHX9ChCBWQ7bvL5S3heCtGLSmRCNcH0hG9M8VhbzvC37NCSz/s640/blogger-image-1257332041.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBn4GR6cSQI8ytsQqM2kPmDpVZ-t-Z3cRo1Hlctbrmg9w7JnVIeYHYg8wbfOY24-T99zDhjTr_fC4yjHmIjz28YQU6fJNL1TI7Ib_w5xbg6npkYpzZGs1M8CJ374qdAtBceb0Ke1QiDJ5/s640/blogger-image-162679476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBn4GR6cSQI8ytsQqM2kPmDpVZ-t-Z3cRo1Hlctbrmg9w7JnVIeYHYg8wbfOY24-T99zDhjTr_fC4yjHmIjz28YQU6fJNL1TI7Ib_w5xbg6npkYpzZGs1M8CJ374qdAtBceb0Ke1QiDJ5/s640/blogger-image-162679476.jpg"></a></div>Finally home, where we belong. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiay2sFIbHeDh0xPO_7YwiPsq1ch7AOOATNyRsvflP7PmEz1iT08k-YAHdA6TOkoNAPw6zssiaN-GTo0CJCPzTN4vu_POIhc0bZlbJK26gR2S3z3-hOwKGZc_aXMzEZKhJ-Rwn7EgLJlfpM/s640/blogger-image-1226302131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiay2sFIbHeDh0xPO_7YwiPsq1ch7AOOATNyRsvflP7PmEz1iT08k-YAHdA6TOkoNAPw6zssiaN-GTo0CJCPzTN4vu_POIhc0bZlbJK26gR2S3z3-hOwKGZc_aXMzEZKhJ-Rwn7EgLJlfpM/s640/blogger-image-1226302131.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-9685606612337779042016-03-28T20:26:00.001-05:002016-04-13T23:09:54.321-05:00Easter 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Mason's first Easter is in the books. He got a movie to chew on, a long nap, mail, and chewed on Easter eggs during the egg hunt. I'd say that's the best Easter ever! <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-IGyOFzPUm8_KLXNI438ZUVOsBABlAiZZRxWvEvdA7mmg4CP4MFguvj4nFd3J9JrFtWtsk-bnOHxDb6acz4eUO7x4flY3YG2xu4HRLQUn-e1wUMzgxBuZbNmRfDIIxOZROnxFEhGOKak/s640/blogger-image-1177408119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-IGyOFzPUm8_KLXNI438ZUVOsBABlAiZZRxWvEvdA7mmg4CP4MFguvj4nFd3J9JrFtWtsk-bnOHxDb6acz4eUO7x4flY3YG2xu4HRLQUn-e1wUMzgxBuZbNmRfDIIxOZROnxFEhGOKak/s640/blogger-image-1177408119.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvpuP1JokAe9CfD1ohN0H7YkpEDFFr-oIyE6hbcXawi0vL7mJuGJxp-oRkjygvWRcXAQEKX1bJy7F1j0kSdwjrF8qVVdxcT-0i7grQU45h6bQiUkNwy6QZMs8kM5vdOb4sdI9t5x0tJbMT/s640/blogger-image--393008345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvpuP1JokAe9CfD1ohN0H7YkpEDFFr-oIyE6hbcXawi0vL7mJuGJxp-oRkjygvWRcXAQEKX1bJy7F1j0kSdwjrF8qVVdxcT-0i7grQU45h6bQiUkNwy6QZMs8kM5vdOb4sdI9t5x0tJbMT/s640/blogger-image--393008345.jpg"></font></a></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ethan's fourth Easter was filled to the top! I can't get over just how fun holidays are with him at this age. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We dyed Easter eggs, painted cardboard eggs, hunted for Easter eggs, ate a lot of chocolate, and talked about the Passion a lot. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHn6KimVf4GO1cVCoYQQtVeFNbhshjshIRM5IX72s8u8WaLXiYkL9HzB7dLVjCOaP0P5Wk02VBLixekirLP3Ea_tk4l8k11rhMOv4ytvoZHrd1cVRIKK4mt-TJvKFWJDzuIu_cgWzDisi/s640/blogger-image--1356677846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHn6KimVf4GO1cVCoYQQtVeFNbhshjshIRM5IX72s8u8WaLXiYkL9HzB7dLVjCOaP0P5Wk02VBLixekirLP3Ea_tk4l8k11rhMOv4ytvoZHrd1cVRIKK4mt-TJvKFWJDzuIu_cgWzDisi/s640/blogger-image--1356677846.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiu67sZ4FWkYqAa19RRaZY-oIh3-h9qtF9Pj325BTLgjkoXtbP-iPqlzdRN3rPS5AWDjTmGHQXUWw157M54isJd3GobZJBcL47TwI-XoTp56bGYHMn_h7hPIfRpzTDUQJF6EsYycLZI3a6/s640/blogger-image--898372782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiu67sZ4FWkYqAa19RRaZY-oIh3-h9qtF9Pj325BTLgjkoXtbP-iPqlzdRN3rPS5AWDjTmGHQXUWw157M54isJd3GobZJBcL47TwI-XoTp56bGYHMn_h7hPIfRpzTDUQJF6EsYycLZI3a6/s640/blogger-image--898372782.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6h0pfepUMF9DngRan0uIfCI5pvB9-nVv6zxSeM5If1isvYDaekRm7pFK02yJ8p-iGSyTks25_ZHgPp2-NiqsvqkMB3EDral7JGzbPTlok5WoplyzMWdRsK5XdW8MueScg3DAUusfnqsCZ/s640/blogger-image--1875397155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6h0pfepUMF9DngRan0uIfCI5pvB9-nVv6zxSeM5If1isvYDaekRm7pFK02yJ8p-iGSyTks25_ZHgPp2-NiqsvqkMB3EDral7JGzbPTlok5WoplyzMWdRsK5XdW8MueScg3DAUusfnqsCZ/s640/blogger-image--1875397155.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The stories of Jesus dying at the cross, baby Jesus being born in a stable, and David and Goliath are told and retold in our house all year long. Ethan always comes back to them no matter how many other bible stories he learns. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So all week Jesus and Him dying on the cross were part of normal conversation. We talked about why He died and how He loved both of the men with Him up on that hill. And how one of them believed and one of them didn't. How He had love for those people that were calling Him names. We talked about how you get to go to Heaven to be with Jesus: Love Him, Believe in Him, and Say you are sorry. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Sabbath before Easter we got to go to see the Passion play with our church family. Ethan was so excited to see the Roman soldiers. All week long he kept saying "Mama I'm so excited for sabbath". Him and I talked non-stop during the play about what was happening in each scene. Such meaningful conversations and what a blessing that I had that time. A few times I hoped that the people around weren't disturbed by all of the words. But then decided that it was my assignment that day to talk about God with my four year old and answer all of his questions and listen to him tell me all of the stories. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's great fun to get to do more holiday crafts and activities with Ethan but my favorite part is getting to add more details to his favorite stories as he gets older. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As the week got started I had grand plans to do the crafts and all of the activities. But then life happened and there it was days away and the candy hadn't been bought. So Jen and I made time during a workday to do some shopping. Then I adjusted my expectations. Mason didn't need a bib or candy or a big basket. He would be happy with something to chew on. See picture above. And Ethan was so excited about the play and the story and the hunting for eggs that a piece of chocolate would be enough. I didn't buy the Easter plates or napkins. I didn't make the cute silverware carrot roll ups. I didn't plan a big get together with lots of food and snacks and desserts. We kept it simple. We kept it special. I didn't even take that many pictures. I tried to stay in the moments. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's easy to get caught up in the Pinterest world and lose sight of the love. I've learned to be okay with dreaming of all of things but accepting the reality when the dreams stay on Pinterest. Celebrating Easter from a hospital bed last year with baby Mason in my tummy helped me keep a healthy perspective this time around.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A year ago ... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I got a few hours with Ethan and watched him look for eggs hidden around my hospital bed. I focused on seeing the blessings of health instead of the things we were all missing by me not being home. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This year ... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We were all together celebrating the price paid on our behalf. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We were all together thanking Him for being our Redeemer. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We were all together. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-29499957088151822722016-03-24T21:48:00.001-05:002016-03-24T21:53:40.861-05:00A Melting HeartLife moments with the brothers are all giggles and play. <div><br></div><div>Mason can be in the middle of an end-of-day grump fit and in walks Ethan - instant silence and smiles. Followed by giggles and play time.<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I was</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> hoping their bond would be strong. Getting to see it form is an amazing unexpected gift.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Mason gets so excited when Ethan is near that he squeals and bounces with excitement. And Ethan laughs and loves the hardest with his brother. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">One evening this week they had been playing and chasing each other. To sum it up: I had two hyper delirious boys on my hands that needed sleep quick. Somehow I get them both in pajamas and ready for bed. I turn Mason's lights out, his white noise on, and Ethan goes to his room to wait his turn. I'm rocking Mason trying to get him calm before laying him down when in walks Ethan. He's singing in a super soft, low voice. The song is "You Are My Sunshine". That's the song I sing to Ethan each night. Mason of course thinks it's playtime again. Ethan finishes the song and gently kisses Mason on his arm. Then he looks up at me and smiles. Then out he walks. My Mama heart just pretty much melted right then and there.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">They are two similar but different boys. Yet their personalities compliment one another and go together perfectly. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm thankful I get to be close to watch it all happen.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Now getting a non-blurry picture of the two of them smiling - well that's a completely different story. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhateCiCMUbndW5625DcguVjG97VI7264xMKaPjdGwbM8Z-GjK_i7oiDTdgAD0Qy_FAS1yO2b4yM9dMKuuorBFFKSLru7bHECu31FzdBNu6QX4Blo6e5z-Zm-kiSWLiS6gKhUeGVBDojwYW/s640/blogger-image--1624764573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhateCiCMUbndW5625DcguVjG97VI7264xMKaPjdGwbM8Z-GjK_i7oiDTdgAD0Qy_FAS1yO2b4yM9dMKuuorBFFKSLru7bHECu31FzdBNu6QX4Blo6e5z-Zm-kiSWLiS6gKhUeGVBDojwYW/s640/blogger-image--1624764573.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJap-q6AyTgyEzXyiWTkcZmMLMJZ0n6PCaiZMiUzzBqQD0bTKqXg4yq1wXrxaDTjL8xatu6YkK-sHRJ11MDbEiqEMIo5ENPu3EKDpeZDecbXQjwcnGPx-m4PXDsP_NQIRzIPUuWcXWyWje/s640/blogger-image-951485498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJap-q6AyTgyEzXyiWTkcZmMLMJZ0n6PCaiZMiUzzBqQD0bTKqXg4yq1wXrxaDTjL8xatu6YkK-sHRJ11MDbEiqEMIo5ENPu3EKDpeZDecbXQjwcnGPx-m4PXDsP_NQIRzIPUuWcXWyWje/s640/blogger-image-951485498.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-3878811662628205952016-03-23T21:52:00.000-05:002016-03-23T21:52:13.186-05:00A Spring EveningI sat on my comfy couch while the sun began to set.<br />
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Just the two of us in the house.<br />
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The Voice playing on TV.<br />
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My arms holding my sweet baby boy. A healthy baby boy who soon turns one.<br />
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I admire his beautiful face.<br />
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Long, dark lashes.<br />
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Sweet chubby tiny toes.<br />
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His breath slow and soft and relaxed.<br />
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My mind goes back to a year ago ...<br />
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I sat on a hospital bed ... </div>
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the Voice playing on TV...</div>
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my body holding on to a sweet healthy baby boy...</div>
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breathing through one more day.</div>
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The last year has been fast.<br />
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Filled with love.<br />
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Filled with transition.<br />
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Filled with new learnings.<br />
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Thinking of the time when my world was paused brings lots of emotions.<br />
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Emotions I'm still processing.<br />
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For eight weeks Mason and I were spectators of the world.<br />
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For eight weeks we listened and observed.<br />
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For eight weeks we were prayed for continuously.<br />
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Tonight I stopped ...<br />
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and breathed in the calm.<br />
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and felt all of the love.<br />
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and let the gratefulness spill over.<br />
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Tonight I thanked God.<br />
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<br />Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-81268447127920974612016-02-01T13:04:00.001-06:002016-02-29T22:18:30.622-06:00Snippets of Weekend LoveWeekends have started to look a little different around our house lately. There's more time to play now that Mason's meals are taking more of a breakfast, lunch, and dinner shape. The brothers are taking full advantage of this new found time:<br>
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In Mason Land ....<br>
There's lots of emptying going on. He pulls all of his toys out of his bin. When he's thrown them all out of reach he flips the bin over to use as a drum. Eventually he ends up on his belly and moves his legs and arms at the same time as fast as he can. He looks like he's swimming. This only moves him backward but before he can question he finds new furniture to explore. He's also mastered sitting back up. It's only a matter of time before the baby gates come up.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBeoOo8X6Zzr1L_EAZ4h4Y9gbVmco9d3LZ-UXIZQSI2M1rJhs252vZKE8bNo4v7qM0DhAWYdAtE3D28m-On9jeI5RAPMFFuCp3UQ_Zj6GwqA6w4zIsXqQl43KSOzN6oazWjARTkwP8PEK/s1600/IMG_2438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQYyZUbtEcKL3ZDkMUVpRJ3kBVdWh1fK-l08cgZb_SzYb0IwRG-Q_Dm3yLwPtm7LlinRCRRcAxRzPhcb4KnmCw7YNkglPRr4pN1zKa1mnxAQGMr4YKNtZ66Xr6doiL8rx3vYrCrAyh-NN/s1600/IMG_2443.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQYyZUbtEcKL3ZDkMUVpRJ3kBVdWh1fK-l08cgZb_SzYb0IwRG-Q_Dm3yLwPtm7LlinRCRRcAxRzPhcb4KnmCw7YNkglPRr4pN1zKa1mnxAQGMr4YKNtZ66Xr6doiL8rx3vYrCrAyh-NN/s320/IMG_2443.jpg" width="240"></a> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBeoOo8X6Zzr1L_EAZ4h4Y9gbVmco9d3LZ-UXIZQSI2M1rJhs252vZKE8bNo4v7qM0DhAWYdAtE3D28m-On9jeI5RAPMFFuCp3UQ_Zj6GwqA6w4zIsXqQl43KSOzN6oazWjARTkwP8PEK/s320/IMG_2438.jpg" width="240"></div>
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<br>There's more time for baking too. He has graduated from only pouring ingredients into the bowl to reading the picture recipe from the box. He has also been practicing the art of egg cracking. Our little chef! The hat always makes an appearance for about 3 days.<br>
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Our monthly photo sessions are also more fun! The 8. Month session turned out really cute. Usually by the end both boys are so done with smiling. But this time they laughed and played with each other. Ethan put on his tiger bottoms when he saw what Mason was wearing. It was adorable! I told Travis "get ready for a very loud house as these boys get older". They laughed and loved on each other the entire time. <br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FPi9KYGja6pzhfQP3RXXlThnQi29S3r5_AXNkiHxe2111_wZFDAvBhq3qlea8joGzeSy-u-uoBoYBXP-AwPh9tAW9IxmCPaXi-xj_nFxqHjpJdcA9UUQYQQnB2DsC_q2dCzim9xqMFQ0/s1600/IMG_2416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSywkm4Z-2V2SZzJwSyuLWPn8dtu2r97T2AJR1b0vwlHlgoqV2QLcT82UmuwRTtBCIr6e2rn2MvNBLJqVXatGYeppE-5cSNfrhrp0hGgHSUJxx0jzyT3GeubW29lgk5nvX6-S3j5NHXP5z/s1600/IMG_2411.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSywkm4Z-2V2SZzJwSyuLWPn8dtu2r97T2AJR1b0vwlHlgoqV2QLcT82UmuwRTtBCIr6e2rn2MvNBLJqVXatGYeppE-5cSNfrhrp0hGgHSUJxx0jzyT3GeubW29lgk5nvX6-S3j5NHXP5z/s320/IMG_2411.jpg" width="240"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvim8qxXgKYSlCrzhJUzV2D88oXktfPy6dy4cm_t-Ou72djWU1LejqjSmOYpUvHWqLr8nbqhDtl9UwPDtwL-4cSyq4zllV7KkKWzcIWBIK4fEp-OlO1C6MJXu9NGipG-ZPrEcuRjp8-4zF/s1600/IMG_2414.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvim8qxXgKYSlCrzhJUzV2D88oXktfPy6dy4cm_t-Ou72djWU1LejqjSmOYpUvHWqLr8nbqhDtl9UwPDtwL-4cSyq4zllV7KkKWzcIWBIK4fEp-OlO1C6MJXu9NGipG-ZPrEcuRjp8-4zF/s320/IMG_2414.jpg" width="240"></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FPi9KYGja6pzhfQP3RXXlThnQi29S3r5_AXNkiHxe2111_wZFDAvBhq3qlea8joGzeSy-u-uoBoYBXP-AwPh9tAW9IxmCPaXi-xj_nFxqHjpJdcA9UUQYQQnB2DsC_q2dCzim9xqMFQ0/s320/IMG_2416.jpg" width="240"></div>
<br><br>One night after dinner we sang on the way home. Even Mason joined in. Travis made up his own words. Me and Ethan wanted the real song so we could get the words right. And Mason just yelled. It was awesome! The next few times we got in the car Mason started yelling. And when I say yelling I mean practicing his sounds loudly. We do loud very well in our family. Mason's teachers always ask if we sing because he gets so happy during songs. We sing lots at our house. <br>
<br>One of our local restaurants has a disco ball at the entrance. Ethan asked what it was and I told him it was for dancing. I asked him if he wanted to dance knowing he would be too shy. And to my surprise he said yes. But then changed his mind halfway to the "dance floor". Whew! I was shy but I had to find my brave to set a good example. Then at the end of dinner he found his brave. So Ethan, Mason and I walked to the dance floor and danced under the disco ball. I was so proud of my boy.<br><div><br></div><div>Weekends are still tiring physically but it is oh so worth it with these littles. They fill up the whole house with love and tears and toys and shoes and dirty clothes and dirty bottles and smiles and kisses and hugs and more love. </div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-41582663854146503442016-01-11T21:07:00.001-06:002016-03-01T12:09:06.694-06:00EthanDear Ethan,<div><br></div><div>You are finally 4!</div><div><br></div><div>We met exactly (pretend I'm finishing this post on Jan 11th) four years ago. After a long day I got to finally reach out and touch your sweet face. You looked at me as if saying Hi Mama!</div><div><br></div><div>Those first few days I spent all of my free time watching your every move. Your smile and tiny fingers and sweet, sweet cuddles. It was all magical. It's still magical to watch you grow and be.</div><div><br></div><div>There wasn't a ton of sleep those first few months (really year). But not to worry - Daddy would come home from teaching and rescue us from the mess of the day. The next day Mama would try again.</div><div><br></div><div>Then you turned 1 and the words have not stopped since. I love ALL of your words. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">You're a boy full of passion and a big heart. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">You love BIG! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">You care for your family BIG!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">You love on your baby brother BIG! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Your passion flows into everything you do and I absoultely love it!</span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>A few stories from your year .....</div><div><br></div><div>The other day you came home from Preschool with a picture of Jesus on the cross. You said you shared your picture story with your friends. My heart burst in a million pieces with love. I love that Jesus is in your heart and is part of your life so naturally. In the those first days after meeting you I remember asking God to help me teach you about Him. I didn't know how I was going to do it but I knew that I wanted you to know Jesus like your Daddy and only He would be able to help me do that. I wanted you to know to turn to Jesus first with all of the life things. And somehow it is happening. Well not somehow ... God is showing you and I am in complete awe and honored to be a witness.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>You've told me that you want to be a fireman when you grow up. The other day you said, "Mommy, when I grow up you won't be my mommy anymore because I'll live at the firestation.". </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>You started calling your Grandpa "Your Dad" when you found out he was my daddy. And you call PaPa Daddy's Dad. (cutest thing)</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Waco. Last summer we took a road trip to Waco to meet some of Daddy's solider friends. It wasn't your first hotel stay but it was the first stay you have in your memory. On one of the days you and Daddy swam in their pool while me and 2-month-old Mason stayed in the room. On our last day you got to watch a snippet of the Harry Potter movie and you thought the kids flying on brooms were so cool. Ever since you have been asking us to take you back to Waco. The big pool, elevator rides, and Harry Potter movie all mean Waco to you.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Christmas 2014 was Mason's first Christmas but really it was your first Christmas. You were completely into all things Christmas. The decorating and stockings and Santa movies and playing with your nativity scene and telling the story of Jesus and singing Hark the Harold!. We made and set out cookies for Santa. We had a countdown and you were oh so excited!!! On Christmas morning you were so excited to open presents. You opened one and then stopped all of a sudden. You reached for the present you had made me at school and asked me to open it. Your thoughtfulness and love for others shows through your every move. It was a ceramic tile with a picture of me with grass and clouds. You said it was for me to have in case I missed you. Sweet boy. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>The day after Christmas you were so sad. You told me, "Mama I'm sad that Christmas left."</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Our best conversations are at bedtime in your room or in the mornings while getting ready. One night you said that you had prayed for me on the stairs. I love that. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Daddy and I talk about what a cool dude you are. God has poured so much love into you and I am so in love with HIs creation. He made you prefect for our family. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Thank you for sharing your love and heart with us every day.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div>Happy Birthday Ethan Bear!</div><div><br></div><div>Love,</div><div>Mama</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-53020452789085719312015-10-16T13:44:00.001-05:002016-03-02T12:01:56.423-06:00More Irish Boy Stories<div>I started this post a few months back. It's good to be back in the rhythm of writing down words to all of the thoughts. I want the boys to have some memories to look back on and get a glimpse of what their childhood was like. Because let's be honest - those scrapbooks will probably get done when I retire. </div><div><br></div><div>..........................................................</div><div><br></div>Life is finally starting to feel a little bit normal. Or rather like the version of our new normal. We are settling into the new rhythym of raising two littles and sharing our time between all four of us. It's not completely balanced yet but we are getting there. <div><br></div><div>Ethan is a great big brother! His personality really shines through as he gets to know and love on his little brother. The other day I was in the bathroom doing Mason's bathtime. I said to Mason that I was going to need diaper cream when we got to pajama time. Ethan was playing out in the hallway waiting for his turn. A few minutes later Ethan walks in and hands me the diaper cream. "Here you go Mommy." SWEET BOY! He does this often. Just offers up his help or shares his great idea. He has lots of ideas on how to keep his brother safe and happy.</div><div><br></div><div>One night we were saying our prayers before bed. I close my eyes and wait for him to pray. Silence. I open my eyes and ask if he wants me to pray this time. He says, "No, remember? At night we pray in our heads because ..." And he points to Mason's room. "Mason is asleep." Of course in true 3 year-old fashion a few minutes later he is back to talking in a regular voice.</div><div><br></div><div>We were gifted the Fancy Nancy book and Ethan absolutely loves it. One night we read it on the couch and then settled in to watch some Duck Dynasty... Otherwise known as Ducks at our house. Ethan and I were sharing a Sonic drink (because we love to be healthy on the weekends) and made a pretend picnic on the couch. This was really my attempt at keeping any potential spills from our couch. We decided to invite Daddy to join us and Ethan turns to him and says, "Want to join us on the couch Darling?" with his pinky in the air and all. Just like Fancy Nancy - it was so cute!</div><div><br></div><div>I love that he's getting the humor thing. He loves that he can make us laugh. </div><div><br></div><div>At five months Mason is practicing rolling over. He also loves to empty any and all bins. All of the toys come out and then the bin becomes a drum. He loves to smile and is an overall happy kid. I've missed some ear infections because of this. He has two levels: Happy and Less Happy. And especially loves everything Big Brother is doing. No one else makes him laugh and smile like Ethan does.</div><div><br></div><div>Mason always has a story to tell. During our morning drive he shares lots of thoughts. During bathtime he has lots of stories. Ethan is a non-stop talker too. Which works just fine for this talking-lovin' mama. The one who gets the short end of the stick is Travis. Normally he is a guy of a few words at home. Now he has to fight three of us for air time if he has something to say. And after the boys are in bed he becomes my word catcher. I love my little Ethan bear but there are days where I listen more than talk. Mason's stories only require a smile. Ethan's stories require listening and egangement. And this girl has to get all of her words out to keep the grumpies away.</div><div><br></div><div>.........................................................................</div><div><br></div><div>Life is just humming along to its new rythym at the Irish house. I know I say it all of the time but I really wouldn't trade it for the world. Even the days when I want to clock out at 9am. Becuase even on those days my three boys share their happy.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-30444759706051494692015-08-10T20:33:00.001-05:002016-01-21T21:19:33.546-06:00Life of 4<span style="font-family: inherit;">I wrote this three months ago before all of the illnesses from 2015 decided to settle over our home. It was the craziest. Then again it fell right in line with our crazy year...</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's been five months since we became a family of four. It has been an adventure. I am still very much in the transition phase. </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's so odd to me that I had already forgotten what the newborn stage was like. I remembered the giggles and the smiles and the tiny clothes. But I had forgotten the sweet cuddles of a just fed baby. The midnight wake up calls where I'm grumpy for more sleep and excited to spend alone time with Mason ... All at the same time. Which brings me to </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">all. of. the. emotions. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">The happy euphoria of meeting that sweet baby. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Watching Ethan fall in love with the baby brother he has been waiting for so patiently.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Seeing Mason light up when he sees his Daddy.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Figuring out how to make sense of the new happy crazy.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">The house being forever messy with pirates, swords and baby gear. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's a new world and we are loving it. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mason is now 8 months old and life has settled into this new rhythm of fast. I can't tell if I am out of the transition phase or if I just surrendered so that it feels normal. When we are not feeding and changing the little, we are entertaining and feeding the big. Somewhere in between we squeeze in regular life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ethan has easily stepped into the protector big brother role. The other day we were home recovering from the "four-year-old check-up with the three shots" and Ethan wanted us to go pick up Mason from school. I don't want Mason to be there all day Mama he says. His thoughtfulness and love is deep for his little.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mason is the little that yells "I'm right here!". During the bumbo stage we had to put him on the table while we ate dinner. Otherwise he would yell and yell as if saying "I'm in this family too y'all!" It's the same story now that he is graduated to the high chair. We are eating dinner so he wants dinner. Never mind that he just had his bottle plus baby food. He is showing signs of loving all things food. The boy fits right in around here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This new world just keeps getting better with each passing month. It's full of all of the laundry, never ending bottle washing, toys scattered about, giggles and lots of love. The best is when the brothers see each other for the first time in the mornings. The biggest smiles ever! And the love ... All of the love between them ... It makes this mama's heart fuller than full! </span></div>
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Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-74979645887412813802015-07-28T08:16:00.002-05:002015-07-28T08:16:56.146-05:00<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Hi Y'all! Mason here. Mama has been a bit busy with me and Brother so I thought I would jump in to say hi. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Hi!</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">My first few months home have been super fantastic! (My brother taught me to say that). I'm 11 weeks old now. I'm getting the hang of this breathing and eating thing. My favorite part so far is sleeping. Mama was so excited this morning because I slept from 9pm to 5am. I was just really tired from my first road trip. I don't think it will happen again - I like seeing her and Daddy in the middle of the night.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">But my most favorite part of my new house is my big brother! He is so funny! He holds my hand. And plays with my hair. And watches the best shows on this iPad thing. Maybe when I learn how to hold my head up Mama and Daddy will get me one. I am practicing every day. Mama and Daddy say I'm doing really good. Brother says I just have to keep trying.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I love my new house! Mama and Daddy have a bottle waiting for me almost every time I wake up from my naps. It's like they are magic!! My brother likes to share all of his old baby toys with me. And my bed is so comfy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Oh and guess what?! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">My brother is a pirate!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">He knows how to talk like a pirate and has a sword and everything! He said he's going to teach me how to be a pirate one day.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Here are some fun pictures Mama took. She is always asking me to say cheese but I don't know how to use my words yet. I try my best to smile.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 months old</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me and my favorite brother</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After my first road trip</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Well, I must get back to my napping now. Have a good day!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span></span>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-64633924985791997492015-06-11T15:45:00.001-05:002015-06-11T15:48:03.393-05:00Mason's Birth StoryThe last week of bed rest at home was humming along. Just one more weekend, a long Monday, and then it would be Tuesday --- when we would finally get to meet our Mason.<br />
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God had a different plan.<br />
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It was 2am on Friday morning and the contractions were pretty close together. Not uncommon for me. My doctor had said to head into Labor & Delivery if the contractions were close and painful. I kept tracking them. They were close but zero pain. The more I tracked the more I stressed. I didn't want to wake up my boys if it was false labor. After a few more minutes of stressing I remembered to pray: Lord please be really loud if it is time to meet Mason. </div>
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I laid there and next thing I know Travis' alarm is going off. I fell asleep! Thank you Lord. </div>
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I tell Travis what happened and he was loving and didn't say a word but I could tell he thought I should have woke him. </div>
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Ethan and Travis go through their morning routine and I get ready for my last prenatal appointment. The doctor had given me the okay to drive and be on my feet a little bit more since we were so close to our scheduled delivery date. Ironically it was harder than ever to walk. In the last week my belly had dropped making it hard to do just about anything. </div>
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I took the scenic route into the office that morning and stayed off the highway just in case. As I'm driving the contractions return. Like clockwork they are 10 minutes apart. This time there is some discomfort. I'm still trying to find other reasons than the beginning of labor. I think maybe it's because I'm sitting instead of laying down. Silly me. </div>
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I walk into the office and the receptionist asks how I'm doing. I say I'm not sure and proceed to tell her about all of the fun. She asked me to have a seat but that Dr E might send me to Labor & Delivery to get monitored. I hadn't even sat down comfortably when she peaked out the door and told me to go ahead and head across the street. </div>
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Could today be the day?!</div>
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Dr E rushed out and met me in the hallway and said "If the contractions continue or get closer we'll go ahead and deliver today. We're close enough at 37 weeks and 6 days; Mason will be fine. Then again you may get there and your body may relax. Let's just check."</div>
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I walked to my car stunned. Shell-shocked really. And a little nervous. I had a scheduled C-Section. This was not the plan. Then my friend reminded me that this was exciting. I soon could be meeting this little boy I had been working so hard to protect she said. I finally exhaled and remembered that it could be the most exciting day. I find it loving how God sends you a hug and a wink when you need it most.</div>
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I give Travis a heads up and drive myself across the street to the hospital. I get buzzed in and have to walk down a long hallway to the check-in desk. It's sweet though that I wasn't really alone. A new dad walked through the door with me and we chatted a bit until we got to his wife's room. I was walking really slowly. Then a nurse carrying someones food tray walked and talked with me the rest of the way. </div>
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When I got to Labor & Delivery to get monitored I was assigned a nurse I knew well. Again, a comforting reminder that I wasn't alone. I laid there and read for the next hour thankful I could let the machine do the contraction tracking. At the end of the hour she came in and said "Today is the day! The contractions have stayed 7 to 10 minutes apart and the last one was closer at 2 minutes. Go ahead and call your husband." </div>
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And so our waiting game began. </div>
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It was closer to noon now. We were told we would be slotted for the OR at 1:30pm. In reality it was closer to 4:00pm when they wheeled us to the OR. </div>
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Mason was born at 4:31pm.</div>
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6 lbs 9 oz</div>
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19 inches long<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason Allen Irish</td></tr>
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Sweet boy had a hard birth. It turned out he was breached and it took the doctor 4 minutes to pull him out. Thankfully he was never out of oxygen. The little guy was bruised from all of the pulling. I guess my body was not ready to let go.<br />
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I heard his brief cry and got to briefly kiss him before they rushed him to NICU. I wasn't surprised since he was two weeks early. I expected him to spend at least a few hours in the NICU. Later I learned that he was having a hard time keeping his lungs open on his own. The NICU team quickly went to work and got him on a water bubble to help relieve the stress. His little body needed a little time to get used to his new world. </div>
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The long delivery time led to a longer than expected surgery time. The long surgery time led to a lot of blood loss. Thankfully I had gone into surgery with a high blood count. I believe the rest and water drinking had primed my body for this twist in our adventure. I spent a couple of hours in recovery. Again I was not alone.<br />
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I was assigned a nurse that had helped me monitor late night contractions many times during my hospital stay. At one point I remember telling her "I love that I know you guys". She said "I love that you know us too". She was full of good advice for my recovery and shared how Mason was doing.</div>
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Once I was ready they wheeled my bed into the NICU so I could see my boy. It was hard seeing him with all of his medical gear but I was glad I could at least lay my hand on him. He was now stable and doing very well considering. My sweet nurse stayed there with me for a whole hour. </div>
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The next time I saw my boy was the next night. Saturday was rough. The blood loss caught up with my body. The doctor on call finally gave the green light for a blood transfusion late that afternoon. At the same time that they were prepping me, three loving friends came to love on us and pray with us. It was perfect timing. The visit soothed and calmed my soul. </div>
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By Sunday Mason was off of the water bubble and breathing on his own. His IV was gone too. All that was left of his medical gear where the vital sign monitors. Travis and I took turns visiting him during feedings. It was great to finally hold him and love on him. My sweet strong boy.</div>
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On Monday Mason developed a bit of jaundice. They placed him under the blue lights. This made him very sleepy and he hardly ate that day. That's hard to believe now because the boy cannot go one minute past his feeding time without screaming at the top of his lungs.</div>
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Later that day I was medically released from the hospital but Mason had to stay. The team quickly found an empty room for us to be together and room-in overnight. The goal was to send us home together. We had one more night under the blue lights. The team wanted to see an improvement in his jaundice levels and his feeding to be consistent before they allowed him to go home. It felt like I had one shot. I was nervous. Travis had to be home with Ethan so I called on My Laura and she gladly and quickly rushed to be with us. [Small side note: My Laura is my dad's wife but step mom is just such a yucky term to me -- thanks Cinderella -- so I call her My Laura] I was so thankful that she dropped everything to be with me. It gave me the Mom Confidence I needed to take care of Mason and get us home.</div>
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The night was spent waking to alarms set to every 3 hours and keeping Mason awake long enough to feed. By morning the "Smurf Test" showed his jaundice levels had improved and his feedings were consistently good. All that was left was for the doctor to review everything and hopefully grant his release.</div>
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By late morning Travis, Mason and I were headed home. We were finally on our way to beginning our family of four journey at home. Praise the Lord.</div>
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Being removed from his birth by several weeks I can see God's hand in every step. He prepared us for our bed rest adventure. I thought that was our whole story. It wasn't. The bed rest prepared us for Mason's birth. Bed rest grew our family's faith. It gave my body the best fighting chance for such a crazy delivery. It helped Travis and I appreciate and grow in our roles of Mommy, Daddy, Husband, and Wife. Our friends and family showered us with constant love and prayers. All of this helped us to endure the rough birth hospital days and the weeks that followed. Not to mention the many lessons I learned and that I'm still discovering. In the storm I can see many, many blessings.<br />
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Mason's story is a great testimony to God's constant faithfulness. His love. His protection.<br />
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We have all heard the saying "God doesn't give you more than what you can handle." I have always believed that to be true. Now I know why it is so true --- because He prepares you and leads you through it all --- if you let Him. All you need is to do is to keep your eyes on Jesus.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethan (3 years) Mason (4 days)</td></tr>
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Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-36393205875690755882015-05-05T21:02:00.003-05:002015-05-05T21:02:57.791-05:00Mason's Story Keeps Getting Better<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">We are one week away from meeting our Mason!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">The little tiny clothes have been washed. The crib and play pen pulled together. The car seats loaded in the cars. The bottles have been washed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">All we need is our little Mason to arrive.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">In one week we'll head back to the hospital. After a few days we'll come home a family of four.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">The last two weeks at home have been the biggest gift from God. We have gotten to enjoy quality time as a family of three. I've gotten to watch my Ethan play and giggle. I've had the chance to snuggle him after he takes his bath. And gotten to kiss him good night. In the morning we greet the morning together. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I've gotten to kiss my husband good night. And greet him when he comes </span><span style="color: #222222;">home</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> from work. I've gotten to hear the "how was your day" stories right in our living room. And been able to be supportive, even if it is from the couch.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">A chance to enjoy these slow days before we all dive into the newborn transition phase. You know the one. The days that seem like they will never end. Then all of a sudden you are two months down the road and life is a tiny bit easier. But all the while, there are loads of love, laughs, and snuggles.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I. Can't. Wait.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Before we take the plunge though I want to share the love gift we got from God.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Let's go back to</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> April 16th. We were scheduled for a sonogram. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">The main purpose: to check Mason's growth and check the placenta placement.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">In the 31 days since we arrived at the hospital my body had gone from very </span><span style="color: #222222;">irritable and at the verge of going into labor (at 30 weeks!) to calm, calm, calm. </span></span><i style="color: #222222;">blessing #1</i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">There was a magic pill that kept the contractions at bay most of the time. When they were persistent, a magic shot instantly made everything calm again. I'm told sometimes multiple magic doses are needed but one worked for us every single time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Mason's </span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">heartbeat and movement were monitored daily and he always passed with </span>flying<span style="font-family: inherit;"> colors. During the entire stay, not once was he ever in danger. Now my body going into labor would have p</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ut him in danger. But all along his growth was right on target. <i>blessing #2</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The placenta - well it has been the star of </span>the<span style="font-family: inherit;"> show since December. That's when we found out it had decided to settle in at the very bottom of my belly (aka my uterus). </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">This little discovery kicked our pregnancy up a notch on the risk factor. At the time I was told to just take it easy. It was early in the pregnancy and the placenta could still move. If it didn't then ... </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">Best case scenario we would deliver Mason at 38 weeks via C-Section. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">Worst-case scenario my body would try to go into labor and I would have to finish the pregnancy at </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">the hospital.</span></span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">So there were lots of sonograms to check on Mason's growth and check the placenta placement. But every time it was checked </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">it was in the same place.... way at the bottom. We kept hoping it would move but it never did. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">Fast forward to April 16th and we expected to see Mason growing beautifully, verify that my body was not in full term labor, and the placenta was way at the bottom. At this point in the pregnancy, the doctor said the chances that the placenta had moved were pretty much zero. If everything checked out as we expected, then we would deliver Mason at 37 weeks where he may need a little oxygen in the NICU but probably not require a long stay.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">So that morning in walked the same perinatal doctor that had done the sono 31 days before when we were first admitted. (They have a huge team and you don't always get the same doctor.) It was nice to see a familiar face that knew all about our case. </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">blessing #3</i><br />
<i><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="color: #222222;" /></span></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">In the room, they began to measure Mason. He checked out beautifully. <i>blessing #4</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">My body was not in full term labor. <i>blessing #5</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="color: #222222;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Next up - that stubborn placenta. There were three students in the room with us. Which means the doctor was walking them through everything on the screen. Before we got started he said if this baby was born today he would be fine. A few days in the NICU to wait on his lungs and then home he'll go. He went on to share our high risk case and what he had seen before. Then the teaching moved on to the placenta. It was mostly doctor speak but I thought I heard that it wasn't where we had seen it last. I tried to hide the shacky-ness I was feeling because immediately I knew - God moved it. But I had to tell myself "Girl get it together! You can not be the crazy crying pregnant girl in front of these students." </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Then the doctor showed us all on my belly where everything was: Mason was laying horizontally. His head on my right side and his feet to my left. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">The placenta had completely moved to my right side! It now started right below my ribs and carried downward. Just the tail end of it was at the bottom of my belly. Thank you Lord!!! blessing #6</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I'll have you know I waited until I was back in my room to ugly cry. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Travis said he thought I was joking at first. Not only was this unexpected. It was highly unlikely at this stage in the pregnancy. Only God could do something like this.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="color: #222222;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">So the rest of the day went crazy fast. My doctor immediately got word of the miracle. She called me right away to say I could go home. Still on bed rest but I could go home. blessing #7</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="color: #222222;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Even after learning we were out of the placenta danger zone, I still didn't think we would be sent home. And honestly that was ok. The important thing was that delivery would now be a lot less tricky!! I just kept thanking God with the biggest smile you have ever seen.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="color: #222222;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">We quickly made plans to move Mason and I home. I was sitting on my couch by </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_701835343" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">4 pm</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> that afternoon when my sweet Ethan came running through the door. I will never forget the look on his face. It matched every emotion I was feeling.</span><br style="color: #222222;" /><br style="color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Now, here we are at home sharing some much needed family time as a family of 3 for one more week. Mason will be delivered at 38 weeks via a scheduled normal c-section on May 12th.</span><br style="color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">For now we will continue to thank God for each passing day and enjoy just being together in one room - doing life. </span><br />
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Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-57308932157628430242015-04-14T14:39:00.000-05:002015-04-14T14:39:00.276-05:00Tales From A Resting BedIt has been four whole weeks since we began this adventure. When I stop to think of how long that really is ... I can hardly believe it. I always said bed rest would be SO hard for me. I might have even said impossible.<br />
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Thankfully I'm not doing this alone. God is here. And four weeks later I can tell you it is not impossible. And it hasn't even been miserable. There are plenty of books and magazines and blogs and podcasts and puzzles and visits to keep the minutes happy. Then there are Travis and Ethan.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter with a Twist</td></tr>
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Ethan has warmed up to the "doctor bed". We snuggle as best we can (the Mason belly has gotten BIG) and play puzzles and read bible stories. Travis makes me laugh through it all and nudges me back over when I'm getting close to the boredom edge. Even though I miss being home with them, I'm glad we get to sprinkle in bits of normal.<br />
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Here are a few small tales from the resting bed:<br />
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1) Baby ducks ::<b> </b>My room has a wall made up of two patio doors and a big window. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mPwyUg8ncP6vyU9kC84IoEYZgcvQeal7rc60hvUcwcyxSEH6SrI4cbuGu1fByrfqtn5oAjPxsZ46K21FCtoI_F2Xa34yfq0jHy0HzqxNq1JOOQVoL8XpgV7zXnv8Wt6nZHxnLzRHZyeO/s1600/IMG_0551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mPwyUg8ncP6vyU9kC84IoEYZgcvQeal7rc60hvUcwcyxSEH6SrI4cbuGu1fByrfqtn5oAjPxsZ46K21FCtoI_F2Xa34yfq0jHy0HzqxNq1JOOQVoL8XpgV7zXnv8Wt6nZHxnLzRHZyeO/s1600/IMG_0551.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDoColr0d5Y0SOiWA2Q9w0W_82j671-uC22WUQFp4qmvSN1-UaZlR5PrFpRgcn_z7ta7zBbUQVhjkSo8VAx5LHhktCSjEFDBv7Hqlg7M8OfxKlWogjovbYq38uWbF0qgokhyphenhyphenZUL1jm3dK/s1600/IMG_0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDoColr0d5Y0SOiWA2Q9w0W_82j671-uC22WUQFp4qmvSN1-UaZlR5PrFpRgcn_z7ta7zBbUQVhjkSo8VAx5LHhktCSjEFDBv7Hqlg7M8OfxKlWogjovbYq38uWbF0qgokhyphenhyphenZUL1jm3dK/s1600/IMG_0552.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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This spring a Mama Duck claimed the courtyard as her home and set up a nest for her 12 little babies. I tried to get a picture but they are just not very good at posing. We are unfortunately down to 5 little ducks now. It's a hard world out there.<br />
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The Daddy Duck comes by for visits in the early morning hours. He flies in and sits at the top of the ledge and watches over the entire area. He is ever the protector. It's the neatest thing to watch. The other day he spent most of the day here. I heard a lot of chirping or whatever noise ducklings make and it made me wonder if there was a predator in our midst. But I'm happy to report that we still have 5 baby ducks.<br />
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2) Watching Winter turn to Spring :: The leaves have sprouted on all of the trees in the courtyard now. That ledge separates the patient rooms from the waiting area. Every once in a while Mason and I get a curious "visitor". I just pray for zero eye contact. Soon enough they realize they have gone too far and turn around. Small price to pay for a view like this though. It's been fun getting to watch the seasons change. Admiring nature is definitely one of my love languages. It settles my soul.<br />
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3) New friends :: Talking is also another love language of mine. Or maybe it's just part of what makes me happy. I can say that there have been times where I turn to music just so I can use my out loud words!<br />
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I've gotten a chance to get to know a lot of the nurses and support staff like the "dining services" ladies. It's so fun to get to catch up with them after not seeing them for a few days. They ask about Ethan and his potty training progress and share kid/grandkid stories with me. The other day I even got a quick drop in visit from a nurse that got promoted to Day Shifts. She mostly spends time on the other side of the hall so she came in just to say hi and see how we were doing. So Sweet!!<br />
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4) Bloggy Friends :: I've gotten a chance to read 3 books and get all caught up on reading blog posts. That's way more than I've gotten done over the last three years! I even got brave enough to reach out to Melanie @ the <a href="http://thebigmamablog.com/" target="_blank">Big Mama</a> blog and the best part ... She wrote me back!!! I always claimed her as my friend because well, she's hilarious, lives in Texas, and talks about shopping at H-E-B. Need I say more? Anyhow ... I was so surprised she wrote back. It was the week her latest book was released and I knew she was getting contacted from a million different directions. I really didn't expect a response. But she wrote back!!! Did I mention that already? Now I really get to claim her as my friend!<br />
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5) Art of pillow placement :: I haven't mastered this one yet. At home I was sleeping with a long body pillow plus two others. And just in case sleep escaped me at 3 in the morning there was a reading chair ready to keep me company. Here I have two pillows. I could ask for more but it already takes a sweet forever to roll myself out of bed. You see these days drinking water is my job and me and the potty see each other VERY often. So honestly two pillows is all I have the patience for. I mean there is only so much room for me, the ever growing Mason belly, two pillows, and the leg cuff things that keep me healthy. And let's not talk about the times I get so wrapped up in what I'm doing that I may have waited a minute too long to start the potty journey. So we'll just keep trying to make these two pillows work. I will say the buttons on the bed help. What's that -- you want to lay down - push a button. Oh, you want to sit up now - push a button. Lower back feels achy - push a button. Pure greatness!<br />
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6) Daydreaming :: I have managed to decorate and redecorate every room in my house via Pinterest. Also I'm surrounded by Beach decor thanks to my friend Tiff. I didn't think I needed decor or things from home but boy! does it make a difference in adding happy to the room. It's inspired me to dream and pin of many future family vacations.<br />
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So here's a little tid bit of a side story --- the best part of having girlfriends with kids older than yours is getting to see what is up ahead. It's like the "stay tuned for scenes from our next episode" at the end of your favorite show. My friend Jen has always talked about how her second got to experience outings a lot earlier because you don't just stop your first from experiencing life. So there goes your newborn to soccer games and playdates at the park and such. As a first time mommy I thought this to be so interesting. I can completely see how that happens but would never have occurred to me to expect.<br />
<br />
After I became a mom I quickly learned to never say "I would never <u>fill in the blank</u>" because you don't know until you get there. There is no right or wrong way of doing things. There is only the perfect way for your family. So when I hear my best friend tell such stories it intrigues me to see how I'll react. Well, I'm here to say that Mason is definitely going to get some early experiences as soon as mommy is brave enough and ready to go. Maybe not a vacation as a newborn but definitely some fun outings. Besides all four of us are long over due.<br />
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<br />
<br />
So there you have it ... just a few tales Mason and I wanted to share. And now back to that<br />
baby book I have been meaning to finish since before Ethan was born.<br />
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<br />Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-63374837560285512942015-03-27T08:10:00.001-05:002015-03-27T08:10:12.667-05:00What A Story We Will Have<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Being pregnant for the second time has been, shall we say, a bit of an experience. Up until last week it was going a little something like this ...</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Let's go back to Sep/Oct:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>hmmmm, wonder why i need to keep going to the bathroom all of a sudden</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>and why does 8pm feel like midnight! SO tired!</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It took me a few days to realize that I should probably check to see if I was "with child"... and a few seconds later...</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>yay!</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>wait, what?! already?</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>it took us a sweet forever last time</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>are we ready for this?</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>i should probably tell Travis</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And then two weeks later...</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>why do I already look 6 months pregnant? i'm never going to be able to hide this until week 12</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></i></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>are we sure we are ready for this?</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>all of the bottles... in the middle of the night... no sleep</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>how will Ethan handle this?</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>yay! Ethan will have a brother or sister!</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And then before I knew it...</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>finally, second trimester... hooray! </i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>i can tell people what they already know because wow! i look a million months pregnant</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>just where is that 2nd trimester boost of energy?</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>naps... need more naps</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>it's a boy! </i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>hooray for two boys!</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And finally... </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>third trimester! yay!</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>we are almost done! whew!</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>why is it so much work to take a shower?</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>bathroom. again. seriously? </i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>alright... time to get this baby planning show no the road... then again we do have almost everything saved from Ethan... oh let's wait a few more weeks</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And then last week happened.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The day my body decided to take a rest... at the hospital... for 6 weeks!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>wait, what?!</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So here we are hanging out with the nurses and doctors at the hospital until Baby Mason makes his big debut. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My immediate feeling was shock. Have I mentioned change throws me for a loop? Good thing my husband is great at leading me through the crazy with all of his calm.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">And then an enormous wave of sadness took over. I was going to be away from Ethan. I'm the mommy who has only spent 2 nights away from her child. So the thought of not being there to say good morning and watch him crawl into bed was just too much. The tears just kept flowing. Travis and I - we've done apart before. We've done living in different states. We've done deployment. It won't make it easy but at least we know the emotions and roles to expect. We know what it feels like during the journey and how precious it is when it's all over. But away from Ethan... now that's a new one.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And then God's voice got louder. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">He said it would all be okay, you are in My hands, and I have been preparing all of you for this time. His peace just washed over me. The sad tears kept flowing but fear stayed away and the "what about this" questions were answered. (by Travis of course because I was the one crying and asking the questions. He was in full problem-solving mode.)</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Then I began to see how He had prepared us for this. There have been many things that have happened over the last several months and even years that now make so much sense. Some of them bigger than others but still I believe it was all His preparation. I am so thankful and grateful.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">He has set us up to endure this. So we will. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Like Travis reminded me, we don't know why we are going through this - we may never know this side of heaven. But we do know that we trust Him and He is taking care of us and that it will all be okay. We may not know what the next 6 weeks will look like or what they will bring. But we do know that He will not leave us. </span></div>
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<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Ten days later the tears still flow from time to time. But there is peace in my heart. We all miss each other like crazy but we get to see each other a lot! The outpouring of love from our friends and family is unbelievable. For now, the minutes don't seem endless. Thanks to being a mommy for 3 years, there are lots of books and magazines to catch up on. Already the rest has helped my body to finally calm down. We have had one week of uneventful calm. Mason is growing beautifully and hopefully we will get to meet him around April 27th. And what a story we will have for that little guy!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">God is good.</span></div>
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Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-57053989370569832652014-08-28T11:44:00.005-05:002014-08-28T11:44:41.546-05:00the beachThe beach is my very favorite place to be. All year long I am itching to get back and refill my soul.<br />
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The first beach trip as a family of 3 was better than I would have ever imagined. Ethan took to the sand and water like a pro. He was fearless. I on the other hand, spent lots of time biting my tongue for fear he would pick up on how scared I was of the waves hitting his tiny little self. He learned of boats and captains on that trip. This year he learned of pirates and it was even better than the first trip. I think one of the greatest joys in life is experiencing a favorite with your child. And even better - learning he loves it as much as you do. He talked about getting back to the beach all year long last year. Even now he asks to go back from time to time. I can already tell the beach is going to give us lots of great family memories.<br />
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Ethan was such a pro at the road trip thing this year. There was no need for me to jump into the back seat and set up his own personal theater. Or for me to think of clever ways to entertain him for 7 whole hours. I got to stay in the front seat the entire trip! I was unprepared for so much alone time so I let my thoughts go and even jotted some of them down...<br />
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<ul>
<li>Vacation means all I have to do is love and take care of my boys.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
Being at the beach reminds me of God. Where the sea melts into the
sky... That's where He is. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Next to the ocean I feel so small. A small
part of this great big earth He created; such a humbling
experience. The world washes away with each wave and He fills my soul. Thank you Lord for your waves. Thank you for your love.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
The beach: where the birds look different than they do back home. And the trees are taller. And the houses sit on stilts.</li>
</ul>
I love watching a storm roll in and during our stay at the beach we had a few. One of them came in during nap time and I got to sit on the balcony and admire... <br />
<ul>
<li>I love sitting outside and listening to the noises of the world. No to-do
list in sight - just organic noises of life. Right now it's thundering. A storm
will soon be our afternoon visitor. It is bringing lots of rain with it
too. It's going to wash the island clean!</li>
</ul>
I cannot wait to get back next year!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxv4F3zHSr_eRTTrIi_9mknr50tONDn1VGiDBUnvjd-NxAd50saPYymIuoVUyXrX-S3FMBDDz-VMQDCbipniD_Ghwkx6cvkb1OXzTCQyVy_T3K6RoxmfjW4RrFYk92JGsY7dnOK4MjHRF/s1600/IMG_4008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxv4F3zHSr_eRTTrIi_9mknr50tONDn1VGiDBUnvjd-NxAd50saPYymIuoVUyXrX-S3FMBDDz-VMQDCbipniD_Ghwkx6cvkb1OXzTCQyVy_T3K6RoxmfjW4RrFYk92JGsY7dnOK4MjHRF/s1600/IMG_4008.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally there is sand beneath our feet</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying our favorite beach dive</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">road trip!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool Cat in his new "Big E" hat from Uncle</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lounging while Mommy & Daddy get "coffee'd up"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach Storm</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumping in sand puddles after the storm</td></tr>
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<br />Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-503492244158371878.post-11645610461073705102014-08-16T22:40:00.001-05:002014-08-16T23:08:19.364-05:00Friends<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love my best friends. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">They are a small group of girls that fill up my soul in so many ways.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not too long ago I had a late night ice cream date with one of them. We try to do this a few (one) times a year to catch up and laugh sans kiddos. We always meet after bedtime and enjoy a summer night with a yummy treat. It's funny to me that before kids our summer nights involved a meal on an apartment balconyand didn't begin at 8pm.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But that's the beauty of best friends... You create new traditions to stay connected and love continue on each other through all of the seasons.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the things I was most excited to share with her was my upcoming baptism. I shared how I had been attending bible study with our pastor. And how beautiful it is to learn about His Word. After every session my response is either "who knew? Or "wow!" My amazement at His love is a constant in my brain. It's the best kept secret that many already knew.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have always been a good student. Now don't get me wrong - I was not a straight A or Top Honor kid. But I love to learn and I feed off the structure and organization it takes to learn something new. And let's not forget the yumminess of new pens and notebooks. So when my bestie asked what baptism meant to me, I reverted back to my good school girls days. I told her about the symbolism of baptism. How holding your breath and being submerged in water represents dying to self. How the water represents the washing away of sin. How coming back up is the moment of taking your first breath in this new way of life in walking with Jesus. And then I'm sure we got sidetracked and jumped back to a different topic. I don't know about you and your friends but my best girlfriends and I talk in circles. It's one of my favorite things. Or maybe it's just how I talk and they have grown to love me and keep up. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But ever since that night my response to her question has stayed with me. I feel that I gave an honest good answer. I shared what I learned in one of my studies. It's something I believe in my heart. But it still felt incomplete. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since then I have really asked myself this question ... Deep down - what does baptism mean to me? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It means that I want to share with my family & friends what God and I have been sharing for the past few years and truthfully my whole life. How He has patiently continued to seek me out in so many ways through so many people. How He loved me even while I learned a little about Him and then loved me still when I got distracted by a shiny object. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Baptism doesn't mean the shiny objects will go away. Or make me perfect from that moment forward. Or keep my reactions to life the way He encourages in His Word. But it does mean that through faith, I trust that He will keep leading me and continue to restore my heart to be like His character. Baptism means that when I fall, I will pray to see myself through His loving eyes and learn how to get up and conquer that fall. It means I will continue to let Him in my heart to help me be a wife, to help me parent my son, to help me be a daughter, sister and friend. Most importantly, to help me share His love with others. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It began with Him seeking me out.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It continued through Bible Study. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I will declare it through baptism. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And with His Holy Spirit I will continue to live it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you Lord.</span></span></div>
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Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356499854808604171noreply@blogger.com0