Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Mothers and Daughters.
Kenna reminds us on a daily basis, in her little wordless way, that she is quickly becoming a little girl and no longer a baby. While I shower and get dressed in the mornings, she sits in my closet and tries on my shoes that will not fit her for years to come. When I put on chapstick, she wants some too, and rubs her lips together with an "mmmmm" just like me. She puts any bag she can find over her shoulder and walks around with it there, usually also with a cellphone in hand because that is what she has seen me do. For better or worse, my little girl is constantly watching me. It is a humbling and sometimes scary thing to know that I play such a large role in who she will become.
When she sits on the bathroom scale and giggles at the changing numbers, I wonder what she will remember hearing me say as she grows up. Will she focus on diets, and hear "I'm so fat" and think she needs to lose weight? Or will she know without a doubt that she is made in the image of a perfect and holy God, the only special and unique her that there is?
As we approach my third month of May that I've been a mother, I think back on the last two. On Kenna's and my first Mother's Day together, I beamed with pride over my 3-month-pregnant belly as I stood with the other mothers in church service, my own Mom having left for heaven just 4 months before. On my second, Matt and I stood together in that same church and dedicated 6-month-old Kenna to the Lord. But truly, we were dedicating ourselves- purposing in our hearts to try to constantly be a lighthouse for Kenna, leading her back to God's truth and away from the foolishness in our sinful hearts (Proverbs 22:15). What a privilege and yet what a huge challenge! Though I do it every day (and sometimes through the night), 'Mommy' is not a job I take lightly.
In a few short weeks it will be Mother's Dad again, and Kenna is suddenly a tall, sassy almost-18-month-old. She is becoming independent and still inquisitive, constantly moving, exploring, and testing boundaries. Her explorations are a dichotomy of joyfulness and pride over the things she can do, as she claps her hands and says "yaaaay!" at her accomplishments, and of the frustration over things she can not yet do. Sometimes I have to discipline her for the same sinful action over and over. Sometimes she pulls away from my kisses because she is just too busy.
But sometimes at night as I rock her to sleep and we wind down together from our busy day, she pats my back as I pat hers. We sing a song asking God to clean our hearts and give us right attitudes again (Psalm 51:10). And I'm always immensely thankful to be her Mommy.
When she sits on the bathroom scale and giggles at the changing numbers, I wonder what she will remember hearing me say as she grows up. Will she focus on diets, and hear "I'm so fat" and think she needs to lose weight? Or will she know without a doubt that she is made in the image of a perfect and holy God, the only special and unique her that there is?As we approach my third month of May that I've been a mother, I think back on the last two. On Kenna's and my first Mother's Day together, I beamed with pride over my 3-month-pregnant belly as I stood with the other mothers in church service, my own Mom having left for heaven just 4 months before. On my second, Matt and I stood together in that same church and dedicated 6-month-old Kenna to the Lord. But truly, we were dedicating ourselves- purposing in our hearts to try to constantly be a lighthouse for Kenna, leading her back to God's truth and away from the foolishness in our sinful hearts (Proverbs 22:15). What a privilege and yet what a huge challenge! Though I do it every day (and sometimes through the night), 'Mommy' is not a job I take lightly.
In a few short weeks it will be Mother's Dad again, and Kenna is suddenly a tall, sassy almost-18-month-old. She is becoming independent and still inquisitive, constantly moving, exploring, and testing boundaries. Her explorations are a dichotomy of joyfulness and pride over the things she can do, as she claps her hands and says "yaaaay!" at her accomplishments, and of the frustration over things she can not yet do. Sometimes I have to discipline her for the same sinful action over and over. Sometimes she pulls away from my kisses because she is just too busy.
But sometimes at night as I rock her to sleep and we wind down together from our busy day, she pats my back as I pat hers. We sing a song asking God to clean our hearts and give us right attitudes again (Psalm 51:10). And I'm always immensely thankful to be her Mommy.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Teething.
For about a week, Kenna has had some cold symptoms and some terrible un-Kenna-like behavior. When we caught her trying to pull her own ears off her head, I took her to the pediatrician to make sure she didn't have an ear infection, to be reassured that she was "just teething" and that four teeth were definitely on their way. Apparently, all at once.
After a nice big struggle to get this super cranky wee one to take a nap this morning, I literally laughed out loud when I saw this picture:
because that is pretty much how I feel.
I can keep my patience with her pretty well because I know she's in pain, and I know she's frustrated at not being able to understand why she's in pain or communicate that she's in pain. But there's only so much whining, cranky-shrieking, and temper tantrums all day long that one mommy can take. I feel a little house-bound because I don't want to subject the world (or myself) to one embarrassing public melt-down after another.
Thankfully, motrin is helping. And baby orajel, and frozen bananas and popsicles and frequent naps (sometimes one for Mommy too, if I can swing it). And a loving Daddy who comes home after work and class and is understanding and compassionate. And most of all, a heavenly Father who hears and understands the cries and complaints of his children, and promises the He gives us everything we need for life and godliness (2nd Peter 1:3)- including the patience and grace my child needs that I can't provide in my own strength.
Any other mommies having it rough this week? Big hugs, plentiful naps, and happy babies to you!
After a nice big struggle to get this super cranky wee one to take a nap this morning, I literally laughed out loud when I saw this picture:
because that is pretty much how I feel.I can keep my patience with her pretty well because I know she's in pain, and I know she's frustrated at not being able to understand why she's in pain or communicate that she's in pain. But there's only so much whining, cranky-shrieking, and temper tantrums all day long that one mommy can take. I feel a little house-bound because I don't want to subject the world (or myself) to one embarrassing public melt-down after another.
Thankfully, motrin is helping. And baby orajel, and frozen bananas and popsicles and frequent naps (sometimes one for Mommy too, if I can swing it). And a loving Daddy who comes home after work and class and is understanding and compassionate. And most of all, a heavenly Father who hears and understands the cries and complaints of his children, and promises the He gives us everything we need for life and godliness (2nd Peter 1:3)- including the patience and grace my child needs that I can't provide in my own strength.
Any other mommies having it rough this week? Big hugs, plentiful naps, and happy babies to you!
Monday, April 12, 2010
3 Little Monkeys
For the past couple of weeks I've been keeping our niece and nephew two days a week while their parents work. It's been a fun challenge to experience what life with three would look like, especially since the little two are only two months apart! That has actually worked out well since they have very similar schedules, they get hungry and tired at the same time and play really well together.
When Ansley was out of school, we loaded the little ones up into the double stroller and went for a walk in the neighborhood since the weather was so nice (this was before the pollen took over completely!) Ansley was a big help and wanted to "drive" the stroller, even though we didn't realize until we were halfway down the street that the tire was flat!
The little ones loved it too, despite the occasional lost shoe and the temptation to stick their fingers in the wheels.
Kenna and Beck are at such a sweet and wild little age. Everything is so dramatic, whether happy or sad. It's totally normal for them to be arguing over a toy one minute and hugging each other until they fall over the next. For the most part they play really well and are always cracking each other up. For every time when one is crying because the other is getting fed first or whatever the case may be, there's also a moment like this when they are SO cute together:
What a blessing to have cousins that are so close in age and such good friends on both sides of our family!
Funny story I forgot to originally add: the other day when they were playing in Beckley's room, I had to laugh at the classic differences between boys and girls... Beckley was running around somehow throwing a ball and somersaulting at the same time, while Kenna calmly sat and tried on all of his shoes. Classic, I tell you.
When Ansley was out of school, we loaded the little ones up into the double stroller and went for a walk in the neighborhood since the weather was so nice (this was before the pollen took over completely!) Ansley was a big help and wanted to "drive" the stroller, even though we didn't realize until we were halfway down the street that the tire was flat!
The little ones loved it too, despite the occasional lost shoe and the temptation to stick their fingers in the wheels.
Kenna and Beck are at such a sweet and wild little age. Everything is so dramatic, whether happy or sad. It's totally normal for them to be arguing over a toy one minute and hugging each other until they fall over the next. For the most part they play really well and are always cracking each other up. For every time when one is crying because the other is getting fed first or whatever the case may be, there's also a moment like this when they are SO cute together:
What a blessing to have cousins that are so close in age and such good friends on both sides of our family!Funny story I forgot to originally add: the other day when they were playing in Beckley's room, I had to laugh at the classic differences between boys and girls... Beckley was running around somehow throwing a ball and somersaulting at the same time, while Kenna calmly sat and tried on all of his shoes. Classic, I tell you.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Easter Weekend: Sunday
Sunday
On Sunday morning we headed off to the early service expecting to work nursery, but instead we were able to go to service to hear Pastor Marty's great sermon out of the Luke account of the resurrection, and then had a great lesson in Sunday school as well. Both lessons taught one of my favorite verses: "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " (Luke 24:6-7). Our Sunday school teachers brought photos they had taken of the empty tomb in Israel, and it was so amazing to see it, exactly as described in God's word.
After church we headed to Sandy and Leanne's for lunch, delicious homemade cheesecake, and an egg hunt in their backyard. I'm not sure who had more fun, the kids or the grandparents!
There were lots of eggs to go around and lots of fun hiding places to find them in!
There was even almost some impromptu gardening when Nana B brought out a fun shovel toy set!
I thought I had forgotten my camera at home, only to find it in the bottom of the diaper bag the next day... luckily Granddaddy took lots of good ones and we got a family picture (this was just minutes before Kenna ate an orange jelly bean and covered herself in bright orange drool!):
After that, a few of us ended up out of the dress-up clothes and into some play clothes...
...which was way more fun anyway!
We had such a fun and busy day (and crashed out so hard when we got home!) that Kenna didn't get to open her Easter basket here at the house. So, today I put her dress back on and re-created the moment so that we'd have pictures of it! As my Mom would say, a hundred years from now, no one will ever know the difference!
Her favorite thing was the thing I was most excited to give her... bubbles in little peep-shaped containers, found at the dollar tree! The bunny was found among Nana Dean's things last winter (it doesn't look like it, but it does have ears!)
Our little book-loving girl:
Our sweet precious girl. What a gift to get to teach her about God as she grows, and to hopefully get to be instrumental in her coming to believe in Christ as her Savior. Happy Easter!
On Sunday morning we headed off to the early service expecting to work nursery, but instead we were able to go to service to hear Pastor Marty's great sermon out of the Luke account of the resurrection, and then had a great lesson in Sunday school as well. Both lessons taught one of my favorite verses: "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " (Luke 24:6-7). Our Sunday school teachers brought photos they had taken of the empty tomb in Israel, and it was so amazing to see it, exactly as described in God's word.
After church we headed to Sandy and Leanne's for lunch, delicious homemade cheesecake, and an egg hunt in their backyard. I'm not sure who had more fun, the kids or the grandparents!
There were lots of eggs to go around and lots of fun hiding places to find them in!
There was even almost some impromptu gardening when Nana B brought out a fun shovel toy set!
I thought I had forgotten my camera at home, only to find it in the bottom of the diaper bag the next day... luckily Granddaddy took lots of good ones and we got a family picture (this was just minutes before Kenna ate an orange jelly bean and covered herself in bright orange drool!):
After that, a few of us ended up out of the dress-up clothes and into some play clothes...
...which was way more fun anyway!
We had such a fun and busy day (and crashed out so hard when we got home!) that Kenna didn't get to open her Easter basket here at the house. So, today I put her dress back on and re-created the moment so that we'd have pictures of it! As my Mom would say, a hundred years from now, no one will ever know the difference!Her favorite thing was the thing I was most excited to give her... bubbles in little peep-shaped containers, found at the dollar tree! The bunny was found among Nana Dean's things last winter (it doesn't look like it, but it does have ears!)
Our little book-loving girl:
Our sweet precious girl. What a gift to get to teach her about God as she grows, and to hopefully get to be instrumental in her coming to believe in Christ as her Savior. Happy Easter!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Easter Weekend: Saturday
On Saturday morning we headed out to the farm for Bayleaf's Easter Egg Hunt. What a big, fun production! It was so nice to just enjoy attending the event rather than being in charge of planning one like we did last year. We were so thankful to all of the volunteers, and it was fun to see our friends hiding eggs for the kids between each age group.
Kenna was a little more interested in watching what the other kids were doing... I love this age where it is not about getting the most or the best eggs, but just their pure little amazement at the pretty colors and loving the power of putting things in and dumping things out.
It was so nice to be together as a family!
Kenna was a little more interested in watching what the other kids were doing... I love this age where it is not about getting the most or the best eggs, but just their pure little amazement at the pretty colors and loving the power of putting things in and dumping things out.
It was so nice to be together as a family!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Easter Weekend: Friday
We had a really great weekend together as a family for Easter! (So busy and fun, in fact, that I have to split it up into 3 separate posts so that I can upload all the pictures!) Since Kenna was only about 4 months old on her first Easter, we excitedly looked forward to this year when she would be a stumbly little toddler, reaching over to pick up one little egg at a time, all while trying to not let all the eggs fall out of her basket. Little did we know that Kenna would get to participate in three Easter egg hunts this year!
The weather has been an absolutely gorgeous reminder of celebrating the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. Something about the flowers blooming at this time of year just reiterates in my mind the way God renews our hearts and the birth of the new creations we are in Him! "See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come." (Song of Solomon 2:11-12). Season of singing, that's exactly what spring is to me!
Friday
The first on Friday was technically our monthly ladies' lunch for our Sunday school class, hosted by our friends the Bryants. Let me tell you, Scott and Sarah know how to throw a party! We had a picnic lunch, a craft, went through the Resurrection eggs for the kids, hunted for Easter eggs, and even visited with the Easter bunny!
Seeing all the big kids when we first arrived at the Bryant's house... if there is a dog anywhere to be found, Kenna always wants to say hello.
She did a really good job of keeping her balance long enough to pick up the eggs and put them in her bucket. She was so excited to carry her own little bucket on her arm like a purse.
I was really impressed that Kenna didn't cry around the Easter bunny and awesome giant carrot. Most of the kids did really well, I remember seeing only one or two cry.
Letting it all hang out and eating a peep. It was so sunny and hot!
Inspecting her candy loot! I let her eat the melted chocolate right out of the wrapper. Yes, she had marshmallow peeps and melted mini kit-kats instead of lunch!
Friday afternoon we walked around our neighborhood and gave out small gift bags we made with Easter eggs full of candy, a note inviting them to church with us, and some really great tracts Matt had ordered earlier in the week. We wanted it to be an encouragement to those that already are believers, and an open door to get to know everybody in our neighborhood a little better!
(PS- didn't Target have the most beautiful colored eggs this year? I kept going back for more because I wanted to have a few left over! Love them!)
After Kenna went to bed, Matt and I watched the movie the Passion of the Christ together and decided it will be a new family tradition to watch it each year on Good Friday. It was such a special and awesome time for both of us to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross, and I actually love how graphic the movie is because it makes it just that much more real that we don't celebrate the "Easter story" we celebrate a risen and living God!
The weather has been an absolutely gorgeous reminder of celebrating the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. Something about the flowers blooming at this time of year just reiterates in my mind the way God renews our hearts and the birth of the new creations we are in Him! "See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come." (Song of Solomon 2:11-12). Season of singing, that's exactly what spring is to me!
Friday
The first on Friday was technically our monthly ladies' lunch for our Sunday school class, hosted by our friends the Bryants. Let me tell you, Scott and Sarah know how to throw a party! We had a picnic lunch, a craft, went through the Resurrection eggs for the kids, hunted for Easter eggs, and even visited with the Easter bunny!
Seeing all the big kids when we first arrived at the Bryant's house... if there is a dog anywhere to be found, Kenna always wants to say hello.
She did a really good job of keeping her balance long enough to pick up the eggs and put them in her bucket. She was so excited to carry her own little bucket on her arm like a purse.
I was really impressed that Kenna didn't cry around the Easter bunny and awesome giant carrot. Most of the kids did really well, I remember seeing only one or two cry.
Letting it all hang out and eating a peep. It was so sunny and hot!
Inspecting her candy loot! I let her eat the melted chocolate right out of the wrapper. Yes, she had marshmallow peeps and melted mini kit-kats instead of lunch!
Friday afternoon we walked around our neighborhood and gave out small gift bags we made with Easter eggs full of candy, a note inviting them to church with us, and some really great tracts Matt had ordered earlier in the week. We wanted it to be an encouragement to those that already are believers, and an open door to get to know everybody in our neighborhood a little better!
(PS- didn't Target have the most beautiful colored eggs this year? I kept going back for more because I wanted to have a few left over! Love them!)
After Kenna went to bed, Matt and I watched the movie the Passion of the Christ together and decided it will be a new family tradition to watch it each year on Good Friday. It was such a special and awesome time for both of us to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross, and I actually love how graphic the movie is because it makes it just that much more real that we don't celebrate the "Easter story" we celebrate a risen and living God!
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