Every now and then...

...my kids do things to remind me that they are mine and not just miniature replicas of Drew. Today at breakfast, Marc decided that she didn't like the oatmeal I've been feeding her the past few days (could it have been the plums I put in it?); so what does she do? Gag, gag, gag, throw up, gag some more. Hmmm....that gag reflex, now where have I seen it before? Oh, yes, it's mine! I know it well since it reared its ugly head during pregnancy. Maybe, just Maybe these two little Drews will begin to resemble some of their poor mother. Perhaps, though, they resemble me more than I know and I just don't recognize it. Food for thought on this glorious fall morning.

I'm off to "plow the fields" with my red tractor. Happy Monday to you all!

Being 3 is so much fun!

I love this age with Andrew. Today we spent an hour building roads with our blocks so that our matchbox cars could drive on them. We also built a city and needed our construction equipment...crane, dump truck, excavator...to help. Our crane helped deliver a bridge for the train track so Thomas could haul milk to the Little People farm...oh it was so much fun. And then the giant got up from her nap and knocked it all down.

We live in an area where so much emphasis is placed on getting kids into the best preschools at such an early age. It's something that I struggle with each and every time someone asks me where I plan to send Andrew to school. Why are we rushing childhood? Does he really need to be in a formal schooling program at the precious age of three?

I'm studying the book of Luke in Community Bible Study...and in looking at Luke 2, we learn that Jesus went to the temple at age 12. We can assume that He didn't go to the temple before this point when Jewish males were considered men. A commentary I read said we can assume that Jesus was allowed to grow just like any other child...He probably played in the dirt, had fun with friends, was allowed to be a child without the pressure to grow up. So why am I worried about Andrew? Childhood is so precious...you only get it once. The reality of adulthood sets in too soon; you can never go back and so I fight; daily I fight against the pressure that my kid might not be as advanced as the next three year old who's in school every day. I fight to hold my tongue when asked about preschool or potty training or whether he knows his letters, numbers, address. And I simply pray that this time of play will help us both to simply embrace childhood, again and again and again.

Where Has the Time Gone?

Happy Third Birthday Andrew!

Our birthday boy doesn't like loud noises and apparently our singing fell into the "I must cover my ears" category. Imagine how this looks at church when he covers his ears during praise and worship!!

Blowing out candles with a gap between his two front teeth makes for a little extra "decoration" on the cake. Oh the joys of boys!

Happy Birthday Andrew. You have filled our lives with so much joy over the past three years. We love you!

“For I know whom I have believed and I’m convinced He is able to guard what I’ve entrusted to Him for that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12



...FOR THAT DAY...for that day. Daily I have to remind myself that God is here now, in this moment, in this struggle to discipline Andrew or potty train Andrew; He's here encouraging me while I encourage Marcail to sleep through the night. He knows when her teeth will come through, when she'll finally be free of the pain and misery of teething. He is here now; He knows where we'll live, whether or not the septic/sewer issues will be resolved in "our house". So why do I need to long for that day in the future WHEN...

I've been listening to "Worship in the Waiting" by FFH and the lyrics really caught my attention this week as I've struggled with living in the moment, enjoying today and all the good that surrounds me.

I will worship and not grow bitter cause I know you see the end of it all

and with the spring will come the rain and I'll see what was gained in the waiting

I know you see the end of it all...that encourages me. My time should not be wasted on wishing these precious moments away.

Speaking of precious moments -- my Andrew line for the day: While asking for a pumpkin whoopie pie, "Mommy, can I have a woofie pie?"

Weekend Plans

Here's what I'm planning to work on this weekend while the kids are sleeping and the hubby is studying. Christmas is just around the corner!

http://sycamorestirrings.blogspot.com/2008/10/christmas-cuties.html

Names

I've been called many names in my life: Marilyn, Mar, Merle, Marlin, Merlin, CD, Cousin Marilyn, Miss Holloway, Mrs. White, ma'am, mommy....today I heard something new:

"Aye Aye, Captain Mommy!"

Thanks Andrew!

The Great Pumpkin Patch

A perfect Saturday morning spent at the pumpkin patch with the kids.

Andrew enjoyed pillow jumping

Marc enjoyed the corn crib

Mommy got plenty of pictures to maybe one day hopefully be able to scrap!

We stopped to see Beth and Dave after three hours of fun and were treated to some alone time while they took our kids to the park. Drew and I went to "In the Streets" and took a quick stroll through Hood's campus. Yes, this Saturday was a good day. So let's not talk about Sunday and our miserably cranky kids, OK?

Once upon a time

I used to have cushions on the sofa

The stairs were for climbing...

...and not sliding.

Once upon a time...I slept in late, had chocolate cake for breakfast (at lunch time), left the house with only a wallet and car keys, did laundry once a week, enjoyed weekly soaks in the bathtub with a good book and sat down on the sofa without a thought as to whether or not the cushions were there. Every now and then I miss you "once upon a time", but today is not one of those days.

Andrew and Marcail, Sept 2008

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ~Elizabeth Stone