Life in the Fast Lane

Aunt Andi, we know you have a big, huge, ginormous race coming up this weekend.  I asked the kids what they thought you should do to get ready for it.  So we decided to make a video to cheer you on and wish you good luck!! All the responses in here are strictly from Brooks and Lucy. I tried to post this on facebook, but it said I couldn't because of copyright laws or some garbage like that! So let's see if this will work. We hope you enjoy :)

It Won't Be Like This for Long

I like to hurry.  I rush through breakfast, so I can move on to what I want to do next. I rush kids putting their shoes on so we won't be late. I rush to fix lunch and then rush them through eating it so they can take their naps. While I have a little silence in the house, I rush through chores that are easier to get done without kids around. Hurry, hurry, hurry, all day long. I tell them, "No story tonight, it's past your bedtime", or "just let me tie your shoes for you, it'll go faster".  

The other night, Beau was a little fussy before he went to sleep.  I held him close and rocked him in his daddy's chair to soothe him. As I was holding and rocking him, I had flashbacks of rocking the other 2 when they were his size.  I thought about them walking for the first time, them playing with baby toys on the floor, them chewing on their board books and then eventually pointing and naming pictures in them.  I remembered all kinds of accomplishments, smiley faces, fun days we spent together.  And then I thought about it... what are they going to remember about their childhood? Will they remember the fun places they got to see? The sports they were involved in? Will they remember the nights I DO read them a story? or the times I stop and teach HOW to tie a shoe, instead of doing it myself? Or are they going to remember the times I say, "I'll come out and play in a minute, right now I'm doing the dishes"- and then that "minute" never comes?

Since I've been a "stay at home mom" my perspective has changed.  I want more than ever  for my kids to have a full, meaningful childhood where they are nurtured and respected. Where their opinion counts, and they feel like they're heard. Where they know what discipline is and what consequences are.  Where we don't mindlessly go through every day just like the day before.  Life happened so fast for us when the older two were little.  I missed so much of those little things that I needed to see. Not because I was working. I absolutely think you can be a full time working mom and still have fullness with your kids.  I missed it because I wasn't aware of it. I wasn't aware that those cute little things they did that made them unique were so important.  That they really DO remember so much more than you think they do.  Being at home with them makes me want to slow the clock.  Knowing (God-willing :)) that this is our last wants me to slow the clock even more.  So even though the clock won't slow and life is still chaotic and busy, I want to fill every bit of those busy moments with fullness.  Am I successful at "slowing down", "smelling the roses", "finding the gifts in every moment"?? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! To tell you the truth, I suck at it! But that's why I'm thankful for grace!! Every day I have a chance to start over. Better than that, every hour I have a chance to start over!! 

I don't know if you've noticed, but almost all of my titles for my posts are lyrics in songs or song titles. And if I were more computer-smart I would learn how to link the song to the post. (p.s. if anyone wants to teach me that, that would be awesome!) Anyway, this song is by Darius Rucker. I know, Hootie turned country is just wrong, but I love this song! Everytime I hear it, it reminds me of the moments I'm missing out on everyday because I don't choose to see them. So if you have kids, notice them. Make eye contact with them. Teach them something new. Do something with them they've never done before. Act stupid in front of them (they love that!). But don't hurry.  Limit the number of times you use the word "hurry" to them. Because they won't be like this for long.

School's Out for Summer...

So, since I haven't posted in a loooong time (of course), I thought I would catch up the whole 2 people that read this. Since my last post, just a few things have happened. T-ball, gymnastics, Kindergarten graduation, and, oh yeah, we had a baby!!!! Beau is now almost 5 months old! He's rolling over, smiling all the time, has started eating rice cereal from a spoon, and sleeps through the night (sort of). He has been a happy baby from the beginning.  God knew what he was doing when He gave Beau to us. If I had a fussy baby, who knows what rock I would be hiding under right now. And for those of you thinking about having a third child, all those people who say, "it's harder to move from 1 to 2 than 2 to 3" or "after 2, it's easy to add 1 or 2 more" are liars!!! 3 is alot harder for me. I wouldn't change him for anything, of course, but that doesn't make it easier.

Brooks played on a spring t-ball league starting in February. Or March. I'm not sure. Those months kinda all ran together for me :)  This league was so much better than the league he played on in the fall. The coaches were awesome and he learned so much. Halfway through the season, they switched to coach's pitch, and he loved it!

 sliding into home

 playing first base

up to bat

Meanwhile, Lucy started a new gymnastics class. This one is only gymnastics, no dance. We gave her choice and that is what she picked. She loves going every Friday, and has fun swinging on the rings, doing forward rolls, "climbing" the rope, and walking on the balance beam. One day she had a Gymnastics Exhibition and got her first trophy! She was so excited and loved standing on the first place box

At the end of May, Brooks finished Kindergarten. He ended the year with a great report card.  His handwriting improved throughout the year, he made lots of friends, he can add and subtract, and he is reading above his grade level!! He had a graduation ceremony, complete with cap! Brooks is so excited to start first grade. We'll see how he feels in the fall when he has to go all day instead of just half day!

Now that school's out, we're going to have a big summer!! It'll be full of swimming lessons, water playdates, storytime at the library, hopefully some beach days, and a trip to Baton Rouge!! We hope yall have a fun-filled summer, too, and hopefully, I'll be able to post a little more often ;)

Mary, Did You Know?

I know, I know! I haven't blogged in a really long time!! Sorry :/

So this Christmas season has been different than any other I've had so far. It's my 2nd Christmas not working and staying home with the kids. But last year, we were in BR for 2 weeks, and I had done most of my shopping while I was there in October visiting. This year, I've been able to take the season slow and not let it sneak up on me. I did my shopping a little at a time, so I wasn't overwhelmed a week before Christmas! I've also been able to do and advent experience everyday with the kids that focuses on the Christmas story, from Zecheriah all the way to the Wise Men. They look forward every day to finding out what they're learning next and what craft they get to do.

This year is also different because I'm pregnant. Very pregnant. I can't help but think (especially the past few weeks) about Mary and how she felt. I mean, that girl is a rock star in my opinion. First, an angel comes to her and tells her she's going to have son. And not just any son, THE son. The Messiah. The one they've been waiting for and learning about. Does she freak out? No, she just says, OK, I'm just gonna trust God on this one. She's a teenager, this is her first child, she's probably getting dirty looks from people because she got pregnant before she got married. As if all that wasn't scary enough, she's having God's son!! Talk about pressure.

And then there's the birth. I'm sure every mother (just as I did/am doing) worries about "How am I going to get this baby out?", "How am I going to be responsible for another life?", and "when is this baby going to come out?" I'm worried about making it the 40 min drive to the hospital-she had to worry about taking a ride for DAYS on a DONKEY!!! I wonder how that conversation went with Joseph when he told her what they were going to do! And then after making the long, hard, uncomfortable, probably painful journey, she got bad news. "Oh, sorry, honey, I know you're about to push a baby out, but we're not going to let you come inside where it's warm and there's a bed- you can go lay in some hay." I wonder if her hormones were going crazy, and if she immediately started crying, or if she was ready to give that innkeeper a piece of her mind? I'm guessing she did neither. Even though she was scared and young, God did pick her, right? There's a reason for that. He chose a girl who knew Him and trusted him with everything she had and in every circumstance. I wonder if God needed me to do something even halfway as important as mother his child, would He look at me and say, "Yep, I'm picking her"?

So then after Mary gives birth, she has all these strange men come and visit her. No sleep, hurting, sore, emotional, and then to have some stinky shepherds want to come see the baby! Did she freak out now? Did she say, "I just can't handle this?" No! She allowed them to see her precious son and worship Him as they pleased. Who was she to get in the way of God's work? Luke 2:19 says, "but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often."

I think I'll take a cue from Mary this Christmas and try not to let my emotions get the best of me. Sure, everything in the next few weeks may not go exactly according to my plan, but should it really be my plan I'm following? Think if Mary told Joseph, "no, I'm not going to Bethlehem with you" or insisted that the innkeeper give them a room. We would have no "Away in a Manger" or "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem". Or even worse, prophesy wouldn't have been fulfilled.

So something for me to think about this Christmas: What plans does God have for me (or other people) that I screw up by following my own path?

Merry Christmas!!!

My Girl

Last Saturday, Lucy and I got to do something we don't get to do very often... have a whole day to ourselves!!! Brooks was off riding dirt bikes and camping with his friends, and Daddy was at work. So we decided to have a girls' day!!! We started it off by going to eat breakfast. We stopped at a small coffee shop and just hung out for a little while.

After our breakfast, we headed over to the nail salon. She had never been in one before, so it was questionable how she was going to do! She was sooo excited!!! I got a pedicure and she got a mani & pedi. She did great! She was a little wiggly at times (understandable), but for the most part sat as still as she could so her nails could dry. I think the lady started getting a little frustrated b/c she kept having to re-do her fingernails ;) I wanted her to be able to soak her feet in the tub with the bubbles, but her little legs are so short, they couldn't reach! I think the best part for Lucy was that she had flowers painted on her thumbs and her big toes. She loved that!!!

Drying her nails

Checking out the flower

Mani

Pedi

After our mani's and pedi's, we headed to The Little Gym. We had missed a week while we were in BR, so this was a great day to make it up. She loves this class and I'm so glad we decided to put her in it. Today, she decided to wear a different tu-tu.

By the time her class was over, it was lunchtime. And what better place to eat lunch together than Chick-fil-A??!!! We didn't spend too long because we were both tired from the morning, but she still had enough time to eat and of course, play in the playland! After lunch, we went home and both had naps!!

I So Hate Consequences

Consequence: "the effect, result, or outcome of something occurring earlier; an act or instance of following something as an effect, result, or outcome"

I wish I would have had a dictionary right in front of me last night. I thought this was an interesting conversation, so I thought I'd share. We've been having a problem with Brooks pitching the biggest fits when we leave someplace, especially church on Wednesday nights. And it's not just crying because he doesn't want to leave... it's a full on crying, whining, slobbery mess all the way home. I think it's just a combination of having to leave the excitement of his friends, along with being SO tired from the day. Anyway, my patience is not the best right now, so I got tired of it. Now every day on our way to church on Wednesdays, we go over the rules (when we leave, don't cry), just to be sure he remembers from week to week. Last night on our way, we went through the routine of it, except this time, he was a little more interested...

Me: "Now what are the rules for when we leave church tonight?"

B: "No crying or pitching a fit"

Me: "What happens if you pitch a fit?"

B: "I get in big trouble" (pause for a minute) "Getting in trouble makes me cry even more. Why do you like to get me in big trouble?"

Me: "Well, I don't like you get in big trouble, but if you don't follow the rules, then you have to pay the consequences." (as soon as it came out of my mouth, I regretted saying the word. I knew just what was coming next)

B: "What's con-se-quen-ce?"

Me: "Well, it's something that.... if you don't follow the rules...."

B: (interrupting) "It's something you have to do if you don't follow the rules?"

Me: "Yes, exactly. Like, while I'm driving if I don't follow the rules and I drive through a red light without stopping, my consequence would be to get a ticket and have to pay money."

B: "But you don't have any money"

Me: "You're right! That's why I follow the rules"

B: "Daddy has lots of money, you could just ask him for some!!"

Not sure if he fully understands the meaning, but the good news is there was no crying or whining last night after church!!!

p.s. "getting in big trouble" was put in code for those of you with sensitive disciplining hearts ;), aka-Nana

Put Me In, Coach!

So Brooks decided that instead of soccer, he wanted to try out baseball. We found a league that had fall ball, and signed him up. The league is REALLY small!!! So small, there are only 3 teams. Brooks is on the Black Team. The rules are laid back (as they should be for t-ball), so he's able to learn as he goes. I was worried for the first game. We had only had one practice and they didn't even learn about running the bases! But the boys struggled through and had fun. And the more they've played, the more they're getting the hang of it. He looks so cute in his little uniform! He is so proud of his hat and the fact that he's wearing real baseball pants.

At the first game, I thought I was going to be the great mom and bring my video camera and my still camera. I did, and got some great video! BUT, when I came home and went to put the videos on the computer, I couldn't!!! AAAHHHH! Technology :( My tech support (i.e. my mom) gave me suggestions to try and get it to work. And no, I haven't tried yet. But I was smart for the 2nd and 3rd game and brought my small, poor quality digital camera that takes video. This camera I know how to work and I know how to transfer to the computer. So I got somevideo I am able to share. YAY!!!! And I say all that to say this, the video I've added has some pictures from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd games and videos from the 2nd and 3rd. I wanted to do a blog of only his "firsts", but I guess you take what you can get :)