Asking for Forgiveness

Somehow time slips away from me...how has it been almost a month since I posted. Time goes so fast with two little ones...I try to tuck those fun, sweet moments away in my head...but I do know that someday I won't be able to remember what it felt like to actually hold them in my arms...

This week I had a great reminder in the importance of forgiveness and that it is something that is taught. I don't think it is in our nature to ask for forgiveness, nor necessarily want to do so. Jason and I were both gone and we had a babysitter for the kiddos. Caroline was in a bit of a dramatic mode and ended up (long story short) being disobedient and disrespectful to her. I was so proud of the way that our sitter handled the situation - she tried time out and then when CDH kicked her -what? - she took away her little TV time before bedtime. The next morning I asked CDH about the instance and she immediately had a quiver lip, and tears streaming down her face. I asked her if she thought we should call Miss Kelsey to ask for forgiveness and she said NO. I let it go for a little bit, but after talking with my mom she said I really needed to have her call even if she couldn't say the words to her, she needed to hear mommy say that we are so thankful for her, and then to ask her to forgive Caroline for her behavior. Also, I needed to have CDH ask Wyatt for forgiveness b/c the whole thing started with her taking a toy from him the night before. I had her do that and she was totally compliant to ask WCH for forgiveness. Then when she and I went to the couch and called Kelsey - she just couldn't say the words - so I did for her...it was a good teaching moment that even if you don't want to ask for forgiveness, that's what Jesus would have us do. I told her that I have to ask others for forgiveness sometimes too...and that it is still hard for mommy. It was a great morning of learning for both of us.

Wyatt is doing GREAT. He will be 14 months tomorrow! That is incredible. We found out we were prego with him when Caroline was this old...oh my! He will walk holding your hands, but prefers the speed of crawling still. He likes to follow me around saying "mama" at the top of his lungs...he signs "all done, please, thank you, more, bye bye" and he will actually say daddy, momma, bye bye, bubble, and he quacks like a duck whenever he sees one. He is a delight, growing into his little personality.

If I haven't mentioned it in a little while I LOVE being a mom and I LOVE being home with them. Enjoy the latest pics of our girl in her dress up wedding dress and veil, and Wyatt cute laughter.

God in our Traditions

So my sister-in-law Teri gave me the book by Noel Piper (John Piper's wife) called "Treasuring God in our Traditions". I am LOVING it! To be reminded about my responsibility as a believer to pass on, to talk about, to help live out the traditions set forth many many generations ago by God and keep them going. The Israelites talked about how God has shown up in their lives to their children, and their children's children. I want to make sure that Caroline and Wyatt know WHY we talk about the LORD...WHY he is trustworthy...WHY we choose to live differently than most of the world...
Piper talks a lot about heirlooms, and traditions...that there is a difference in passing down the old fur coat or the family recipe...although both worthy and a great thing...the tradition of Christ in the home is the most important to pass down.
I found myself this morning journaling about this concept and knowing that my parents have given me the foundation...that I know this stuff - but still am aware that it is my responsibility to pass it on down to the next generation. In order for that to happen, I need to make sure that my life is soaked in God - because then when life squeezes me - hopefully he with pour out on to them and those that are close to us...that HE will be the tradition of our home.
I want to be like the description of her father as he had passed away. (this is a portion of a poem written by John Piper about her Father):
"But there was shade, especially when
The tree was old: the leaves were thick
With life, and though the root was sick,
The bark deep-creased with age, the limbs
Were laden down with love, and hymns
Were heard beneath when wind bestirred
The bowing branches with the Word
Of heav'n. O there were years of shade!"

I want to have deep roots and lots of shade! Amen!

Great moments

There were so many great moments over the holiday (sans the puke, snot, and coughs) but one that I wanted to mention here, okay probably two or three (he he).

#1. When we were in the hospital with Wyatt during the holidays last year we were so moved by the people that loved on our family and brought Wyatt and Caroline gifts that we decided that would now become part of our family tradition. So on the Friday before we left for Kansas all 4 of us piled in the nasty weather to head down to Scottish Rite. We met up with my contact and handed her a bag of gifts for some other new born on the respiratory wing. There was no hoopla, no fan fare, but I was moved to tears as I shared w/ them what a wonderful experience we had had there (if that is possible in hospital), and that this would now be a part of our family experience. (see pic)

#2. Arriving in Kansas and my mom had arranged with the Children's Mercy Hospital there for us to bring gifts there as well. I was so moved as I watched each of my nephews, and niece, and Caroline as they handed the woman the gifts they had chosen and would honestly have loved to take home for themselves. I walked out of this hospital again moved and thankful that we weren't there this year, and thankful my boy is healthy.

#3. Last night in Kansas. Adult only dinner, crab legs, shrimp, and good wine. Great conversation. My dad asking each of us what we wanted them to pray for us for the year. I loved that both Jason and I without talking about it before hand said that we would make our marriage a purposeful priority this year! Oh what fun it is to be like minded.

Those are my top 3 highlights from the holiday. I am so thankful for family. Thankful I didn't have to do the puke, snot and coughing alone. Thankful for road trips. Thankful for a husband that takes me back home and loves it too. Thankful for Christmas snow. Thankful for Christ. Thankful for a healthy new nephew born on New Years Eve (Jeff and Edi had Caleb - son #2). Thankful!

Gettin' Dirty

So being a mom is not a clean thing...the last couple of days have been hard. First Wyatt woke w/ congestion on Thursday...temp followed...cough...puke b/c of congestion/cough during meals....then Caroline wakes w/ it yesterday...let the spiral begin. Just when I thought maybe we were turning a corner this morning...lunch time sent us in yet another spiral - being downward- she puked all over me - then Wyatt crawled through it as the dogs licked it up! AHHHHH DISGUSTING! So we made it upstairs to the shower...all 3 of us...she was weeping and crying...shaking...her temp had shot up...meanwhile...Wyatt nose dripping and coughing is having the time of his life splashing in the water on the floor of the shower. Today..we are getting down and dirty! Here's hoping for sweet rest while they are up there sleeping...and a good time tonight once Daddy gets home, and we can all snuggle and watch a movie together! Being a mommy is dirty!

Happy Birthday little boy!

Today you turned 1! One...how is it possible my little man? It has flown...and feels like a long time that I have known you. Your first month of life was a bit dramatic...but I wouldn't change it...I feel like you and I bonded in a way I was nervous wouldn't happen being the 2nd child. I had time with you...time to pray over you...time to weep over you...time to hold you...time to learn your noises...time secluded with you away from the world...then when we got home..we hit the floor running. As I rocked with you tonight...I thought about all that you have learned in this first year and it truly is amazing. I am proud of you. I love hearing your laugh, giggle, growls, getting kisses from you, watching you dance, discover, be YOU! You are wonderful Wyatt Christopher. I love being your mom! Happy birthday little boy!

Jason's Birthday Surprise

Jason's bday is this coming Friday December 4th~ he will be 35! Wow! Since Wyatt's bday is the 5th I decided to do something for Jason the weekend before...we got up real early, I blind folded him and took him ...for a hot air balloon ride! So great. My mom actually decided to send my dad for his 65th bday! It was a little chilly (37 degrees) but a gorgeous morning. We all went for the launch, then mom, Caroline, Wyatt and I followed the chase car so we could see them land! What a fun morning! Happy birthday babe! I am glad you were born!

New playroom

So I have been overwhelmed by lack of space, and know that Christmas and a little boy's birthday are upon us...my sis-in-law had a GREAT idea. She said that when they lived in Atlanta she had a friend who didn't have a basement and she turned the crawl space under their stairs into a playroom! I loved the idea! So mom and dad have been here for the holiday and the transformation began. We moved all of the things I was storing under there (mostly Christmas decorations) to the new shelves we put in in the guest room closet. Dad and Jason put dry wall up, we painted the walls in the entry part of the closet space, then put sheets up on the dry wall, threw some rugs down and put in the toys! They love it! They are playing together in there...oh yeah...dad and Jason also put in two lights for them with switches down low so the kiddos can turn them on and off. I love creative use of spaces! Thanks mom and dad for making it happen!