Best Gifts of 2012

This gift came early.

In that box was a Vanderbilt hoodie

from Brian to me.

In the box that followed were two tickets

to the Vanderbilt bowl game!

This Noah's Ark was such a huge hit!

It was from Pop to Elias, 

but Daniel and Samuel love it too.

Mimi's gift to Samuel was perfect.

He is such a little musician.

He loves this thing.

Amazed.

That's what Daniel was when

Mimi brought out her gift to him.

A remote controlled Cranky 

to go with his Thomas trains and tracks.

It's awesome.

The actual child's grocery cart 

from Grandpa to Samuel

(which Mommy spray painted

and made it to look brand new)

has been used non-stop.

Not only does it carry grocery boxes,

it also carries tracks, animals, and books.

Two surprises from Daddy to Mommy

are in this picture:

1) the necklace I am wearing has all 5 

of our children's names stamped into it - 

sweetest thing ever

and 

2) the sketch of Elias done by a young man

that is incredibly talented and is in the 

program at the Mission where Brian works.

Mimi's gift to Elias was this

Chase and Race town.

All three boys enjoy it!

Aunt Ca got each of the boys a bathtub paint set.

Be still my heart.

They've had two baths in less than 24 hours.

They love painting in the tub so much.

Grandpa's gift to Elias is a keeper.

Our sickish little one actually smiled

when he started playing with it.

The best gifts are not things...

For me, the best gift of all

is the gift of Christ and His love.

It is because of Him 

that we know how to love

and be loved.

My heart is FULL.

In Awe

He is perfect.  Seriously.  I cannot, for the life of me, figure out how God knits our children within our wombs and knows exactly how to fashion them for us.  With and after each pregnancy I have endured, I become more in awe of God and His ability to create to perfection. 

When Daniel was born, after months of ultrasounds for high kidney fluid levels, we learned that the fluid was gone.  This, of course, was amazing to his doctors (and us), but NOT to his God.  When Samuel was born at 38 weeks instead of when he had tried to come at 33 and on his big brother's first birthday, he was healthy and thriving.  We feared the trama of pre-term labor may have effected him, but there is no fear in God.  When Elias was born, his ambilical cord was wrapped around his neck.  His purple tint was alarming to my husband, but NOT to my God. 

Years of miscarriages and healthy babies have taught me that life is not in my hands.  I have realized that it is not my responsibility to worry or fear over what could happen or what might have been.  God is constantly working out all things for our good if we love Him (Romans 8:28). 

Had you asked me 4 years ago what good came out of my first miscarriage, I would have said, "Nothing."  However, today, I can see the good, and its name is Daniel.  Had I never miscarried, I would have never had Daniel.  I cannot fathom not having this rambunctious, determined, intelligent boy in my life. 

Had you asked me what good came out of getting pregnant when my firstborn was only 3 months old, I would have told you then that it wasn't.  However, today, I see the face of my sweet Samuel, and I understand why God gave him to us so quickly.  He teaches us to love deeper.  He shows us how to laugh harder.  He makes us feel special by just being in his presence because he cares for us that much.

Ask me what good came out of my fourth pregnancy, and I can tell you that miscarrying wasn't easy or good.  It broke my heart but it allowed me to appreciate my two living children in ways I cannot explain.  I looked at heaven differently as well...  I began looking forward to it instead of being afraid to die.

Just recently, I've heard the phrases, "This oughta be good," and "How will you handle it?" in reference to being pregnant again (fifth child) with two toddlers at home.  I'll tell you now that then I responded with, "It's going to be hard," and "I don't know what God was thinking."  Today, I'm seeing so much more of God in my full house.  I will say that it is difficult and I still don't know exactly why God allowed me to have another child so quickly, but I won't question what God has given me. 

My heart is so overwhelmed with joy that I cannot put it into words.  These are HIS plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11), and I certainly believe they are far better than any I could have made for myself.  Looking around at my blessings today reminded me just how awestruck I am over my God.  He is far too good to me, and yes, He and His plans are absolutely perfect.

The big brothers welcome baby Elias home.

Daniel is quite thrilled when holding Elias.

Samuel loves to give his baby brother kisses.

My Three Sons :)

I wanna give it to him, Momma.

Laying in the floor together.

Sharing a sweet moment together.

Look at my rockets, Elias!

Sticker time at the table,

and yes, Elias had to join in.

28 is Great!

I turned 28 five days ago, and can I tell you that, although I am quickly approaching thirty, I had one of the best birthdays I have ever had!  I was spoiled rotten all weekend long and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I got some very thoughtful gifts ranging from clothes and my favorite ice cream cake to BareMinerals makeup, a Willow Tree figurine, gift certificates galore, and money!  Who said getting older wasn't great?!

It always had snowed on my birthdays in years past...  In fact, we just expect it.  Even if there isn't snow in the forecast, I know it's coming.  I've had parties cancelled and rescheduled for as along as I can remember.  So, when they called for snow days before my birthday, it too was almost as if it was God's gift to me.  :)

Here are some pictures from my birthday weekend:

Daniel enjoying Mommy's birthday snow...

Daniel decides to give Mommy a break on her birthday

and feeds Samuel for her.

Okay, nevermind how we look! 

Mom and me at dinner

(Who forgets to wear makeup on her birthday?!)

Eating his strawberry biscuit at Cracker Barrel on Mom's birthday.

Marble Slab Ice Cream cake!

Finally, a picture of the birthday girl!

Daniel helps Mommy open her present.

 

Samuel loves on Mommy before bed.

But, before going to bed, Samuel surprises her

by crawling on his hands and knees

for the very first time...

on her birthday!

An Amazing Giveaway for New Moms

I'm not exactly a "new mom;" in fact, I'm getting used to diaper changes, Gerber products, and exhaustion, considering I have an eleven month old.  It's no surprise that when I found out we were pregnant again just 4 months after my first was born, I was completely flabbergasted!  What's been a bit difficult is knowing that there aren't going to be baby showers this time around loading us up with diapers and wipes and this, that, and the other; I mean, we are very more than prepared with everything a child could ever need, BUT, who doesn't love getting new things?! 

That's why I was SO excited to come across this amazing giveaway online...

Enter now through May 1st, when the winner will be picked randomly.  $1700 worth of fabulous products!  I just cannot imagine...  Wouldn't you LOVE to be the winner of this whether you're having a baby or not?!

Christmas Eve 2009

Brian told me before we were married that he wasn't into Santa Claus...  As sad as that may be to some (and to me, at first) I realized what a blessing it was to TRULY focus on Christ this Christmas.  I didn't have to worry about staying up late putting gifts together or waking up early to begin the chaos.  It made the season much more enjoyable and sentimental.  With that in mind, we decided to take Daniel for his first trip to see the nativity scene at Opryland Hotel on Christmas Eve.  I don't know if this will become a tradition, but it was a beautiful thing - standing outside looking at and reflecting on the real meaning of the holiday with our very own first-born son.

Standing in front of one of the huge Christmas trees

With his Mimi at the Opryland Hotel

Fascinated by the BIG decorations on the tree

With Mommy at the Red Poinsettia tree

Outside in front on the nativity scene with Daddy and the giant "Bible"

Feeling very humbled with our own first-born son in the middle of the nativity scene

Mommy and Mimi freezing underneath the lighted trees

Then, when we got home, we decided to start our Christmas Eve traditions.  We began with Daddy reading the Christmas Story from Luke to Daniel.  I couldn't believe how well Daniel sat and listened!  He, of course, had to have his hands on the Bible, though.

Next, since Jesus was given three gifts by the wisemen, our children will also receive three every year.

First, Daniel got the God Gave Us Christmas book and a lullaby Worship cd.

Secondly, he saw what he'd been eyeing for weeks!  Daddy brought out his learning musical table.

And, last but DEFINITELY not least, his new play yard, complete with foam mats and ALL of his Christmas goodies inside - the extensions to make the area larger came in the mail a week later!  (Okay, so maybe this was more of a gift to Mommy and Daddy.)

All in all, we had a blessed Christmas Eve.  Mommy and Daddy opened their gifts to one another while Daniel played with his, and we were able to reflect on how  good God had been to us over the year!