Music to my Ears

Overheard: "I love you Jo. You're my best girl."
I was working in the kitchen, and had to see what was happening in the playroom to encourage this confession.
And this is what I found.
Sweet music to this mom's ears.

What Happens Next?

You know you are overscheduled when your three year old is asking this question daily. The past week has been a fun and busy one as we celebrated "Mudder's Day," had a few playdates, went to our last music class for the school year, built a new fence (way to go, Will!) and attended many graduation ceremonies and parties. It was nice to put the kids into bed tonight at a decent hour and relish in the Spurs victory together tonight.

Will and the kids treated me to a pancake breakfast at IHOP last Saturday for Mother's Day. It was fun, and those kids can put away the pancakes! They eat theirs, then finish ours. It's amazing to watch. Starting on Thursday, Jack told me happy "Mudder's" day every morning until Sunday. It was so cute and I loved it. He made me a card and bookmark at Sonshine Club and lots of hugs!

Changes are in the works as we plan and prepare for little Kate. We have decided to move Josie into Jack's room since they are on similar sleeping schedules. I ordered some new fun red bedding for Jo and Jack is so excited that she will be joining him. I don't think Josie will be affected much - check her out in mid-nap.

We are trying to schedule more playdates with friends lately. We love being in our little home, but it's fun to socialize and try new things. Last week we went to the Tubes at IBC with our friends Kiris and Hannah. Imagine that you are 6 months pregnant and have to climb all the way to top of a very high set of tubes and slides to rescue your panicked 3-year old! Awesome! He did great going up but became nervous when he looked down to see how far he had come. I am glad to know I am still agile! All four kids loved the lower tunnels and became braver and braver as time passed. We will go back soon.....and I will re-test my skills.

When we came to GPBC, a very special group of kids were freshmen.

And this week, they all graduated from various high schools. It has been so fun getting to know them, serve them, and love them. We are proud of them! This week we celebrated their achievements at grad ceremonies and different family parties and recitals. Here's a few photos of the kids that have become like family.


Congratulations to all 12 graduates! We love you guys and are so proud of you.
We even had a few "firsts" this week - the kid's first karaoke party and their first swim of the season! All in all, it was a memorable week at the LHIGP. This week we are hoping for early (normal!) bedtimes and will be enjoying our new 8-foot fenced backyard. Have a great week!

Jack-isms

I don't ever want to forget the things my son is saying right now!
He keeps me laughing, challenged, and yes, sometimes very frustrated.
Here are a few Jack-isms.

1. No answer is black and white to him right now. Every answer includes "maybe." For example, I asked him where he lives today and his answer was "maybe at home in Grand Prairie, with Daddy, Mommy and JoJo."

2. "Are you my Mommy, Mommy? I think I will call you Cara."

3. He is very interested in time, especially when he knows it's naptime. When the timer rings and it's time for our bed routine, without a doubt will ask, "My (may I) play for four more minutes?"

4. He loves to make his own choices - clothes to wear, foods to eat, games to play, shows to watch. He can often be heard asking Josie, "what are your choices, Jo?"

5. "Who loves Jack? Mommy, Daddy, and JoJo love Jack. Did you know that, Mommy?" He continues to be such a sweet boy (except when he's not!) and tell us he loves us numerous times each day.

6. He is very aware who is married to whom, and we review all of the "couples" in his life regularly. "Daddy is married to Mommy, Doc is married to Mam, Pops is married to Mimi, Bill is married to Fran, Will is married Kerrie," etc. He is standing here as I write and we reviewed these and he threw in a new one - Daddy is married to Jo. Funny.

25 weeks

Here's what's going on what Katherine Joy at 25 weeks......
1. She is about one and a half pounds, and measures about 13 inches long.
2. She is a mover and a shaker, especially when I slow down at all. She flips and turns all over the place just like her big sis did at this point.
3. Mom has gained about 12 pounds.
4. Mom is feeling much better, although the past two days have been slightly reminiscient of the first 14 weeks, complete with vomiting.
5. Mom has purchased 5 things for her: a "first year" frame from PBK, a Christmas dress to match Josie, a jacket for next spring to match Jo, her Christmas stocking from PBK(9.99!) and a pink diaper backpack from Lands End.
6. Jack and Josie both rub Mom's tummy and talk to her often.
7. This girl has caused Mom to have the worst vericose veins ever on the left leg and ankle. Ouch!
8. Little Kate must know Daddy's voice because when he spoke during the church service this week, she did a big flip and couldn't stop moving. A Daddy's girl in the making?
9. This photo is actually at 23 weeks. I promise to update the photo, Kat, so you can see that she looks like another "basketball baby." Someone is borrowing my memory card to the camera so you'll have to wait. I feel like she is in my ribs and sticking straight out like a big basketball! (or volleyball?)

Generations

I go to sleep tonight feeling challenged, encouraged, and hopeful.
I love being a mom, but this is hard work...tougher than I ever dreamed, and I am only just beginning.
There are four little eyes (soon to be 6!) watching, learning, studying, and growing.
But I am not alone. Praise the Lord! Jesus is on my side in raising Jack and Josie to know Him and love Him.
At church today, our pastor spoke from 1 Timothy 1:3-5, as well as 2 Timothy 3:13-17. He charged us to have: a sincere faith, an instructive faith, and a contagious faith in Jesus Christ.
I must be intentional in teaching my children in Whom I believe, (Jesus) why I believe in Him, and why I delight in serving Him. This will make the difference in their lives.
I go to sleep tonight, thanking my own mother for being intentional in her teaching, her love, and her joy. She has passed on a blessing to many generations. I also think of my Granny, Josephine Donaldson, who raised my own mother to know and fear the Lord. She never knew her great-granddaughter Josie, but already has made an impact upon her life because of the way she loved and nurtured me.
To all the mothers in my life, I thank you for your encouragement and love. I would love to hear from you....who has influenced you? What mothers have chosen to pass along a blessing?
Below is a song by Sara Groves that was sung today at church and it is heavy on my heart tonight as I weigh my influence on future generations.

"Generations"
Music and lyrics by Sara Groves

I can taste the fruit of Eve
I'm aware of sickness, death and disease
The results of our choices are vast
Eve was the first but she wasn't the last

And if I were honest with myself
Had I been standing at that tree
My mouth and my hands would be covered with fruit
Things I shouldn't know and things I shouldn't see

Remind me of this with every decision
Generations will reap what I sow
I can pass on a curse or a blessing
To those I will never know

She taught me to fear the serpent
I'm learning the fear myself
And all of the things I am capable of
In my search for wisdom, acceptance and wealth

And to say that the devil made me do it
Is a cop out and a lie
The devil can't make me do anything
When I'm calling on Jesus Christ

Remind me of this with every decision
Generations will reap what I sow
I can pass on a curse or a blessing
To those I will never know

To my great, great, great grand daughter
Live in peace
To my great, great, great grand son
Live in peace
To my great, great, great grand daughter
Live in peace
To my great, great, great grand son
Live in peace, oh, live in peace

Remind me of this with every decision
Generations will reap what I sow
I can pass on a curse or a blessing
To those I will never know

Oh, remind me
Generations will reap what I sow
I can pass on a curse or a blessing
To those I will never know
Oh, I may never know

I remember when...

Our Josie-girl is 20 months today.
I can't believe it but it's true.
I know she has so many things to come, but for today, I am remembering when...
1. we found out she was a girl. We were overjoyed and started putting her bed together that day even though we were under a tornado warning.
2. she was born. Will and I were so excited that September 12th was "the day" that we went to eat at Texadelphia a few hours before her c-section delivery to celebrate! As a result, she was born four long hours later than planned. I was known as the "Philly cheesesteak" mom in the labor/delivery wing at Baylor.
3. I saw her face for the first time. She looked so familiar....so perfect....and no one could believe she was over 8 pounds!
4. we brought her home to GP. Our yard and trees were decorated with pink ribbons. She looked ever-so-sweet in her pink Gap onesie and matching hat.
5. she loved to be swaddled in her pink swaddle blanket. From the beginning, she fell into a perfect little schedule of eating, staying awake to "play," being swaddled, then sleeping.
6. I took my daughter to church for the first time (about 8 weeks old) and she wore the sweetest little pink outfit with a pink bow around her head. I miss those days when she would keep her bows in place.
7. Josie met her "twin," Clayton Jack, for the first time. They were 3 months (Jo) and 2 months (Clay) and didn't even notice each other but it was such a sweet time since we had been praying for them both for so long. We are sure they will best buddies for life.
8. we took Josie to the farm for the first time. She met some more cousins (Garrett and Caroline) and loved being outside during the fall season. She began smiling and cooing, and sleeping through the night around this time. (10 weeks) She has always been such a great sleeper.
9. we celebrated Josie's first Thanksgiving and Christmas. She was our best present that year, no doubt. She, Clay and Jack wore matching Christmas pajamas and looked so cuddly!
10. our little sweetie had her first illness - an ear infection - but still grinned at us with that toothy smile! She was more snuggly than ever and such a good little patient.
11. we dedicated her to the Lord on February 12, 2006. Will asked the Lord's blessing upon her life and our pastor Bill encouraged our church family as well as many family and friends to come alongside us as we teach her and gudie her in the ways of the Lord. It was a sweet time and Josie beamed at her Daddy each time he spoke her name. Her cousin Clay was dedicated as well that day which made it even more meaningful.
12. Jo cried if I had to be away from her, especially at the church nursery. She has been a Mommy's girl from the beginning and continues to be my little shadow. It did seem to help when Jack was around...she loved to watch him, and follow him when she became mobile.
13. we took her to Hawaii to visit Unc, Kat and Clay. Josie was a great traveller and slept and ate well on the eight hour flight. She was 7 months at this time and was so pleasant even though her safe little schedule was rocked a bit. What memories we made there together as a family.
14. she was so great at baby sign language, and could communicate with us her needs easily, especially when it had to do with food. At six months we began solid foods, and she tried and liked most things, signing "more," "please," "thank you," and "all done." She loved homemade sweet potatoes, applesauce, and peaches the best.
15. she learned to love her bed routine. Early on, she was a great listener and hung onto every word I would read from her books. Her routine was the same as Jack's: bath, pajamas, books, singing, praying, blankie, "night-night." I love that Josie and Jack put themselves to sleep!
16. we celebrated Josie's first birthday. So many came to celebrate our Josie-bug...Pops, Mimi, Doc, Mam, Sam, Shannon, Connor, the Starrs, Eubanks, and the Brimberrys. We had a pink and brown polka dot themed party, and she loved her chocolate cake!
17. she took her first steps, and basically didn't look back after that! She was so proud of herself, and was very sure-footed. She fell very little, unlike Jack, and this made her seem so grown up.
18. I stopped nursing her at 13 months and was able to go out of town with Will for the weekend. It was a little sad on my part but she had a great time at the farm with Doc, Mam, and Jack. I remember being so excited to see her after the two days was over....I missed my little bug terribly!
19. she would randomly climb into my lap and just snuggle for no reason. I will miss this as she grows older and busier!
20. she began saying "mama." I had no idea how the sound of my name could touch my heart so deeply. Josie has many words now but she still loves to point and name her "Daddy," "Jack," and "Mama."
Twenty memories of my Sweetie Jo. May there be many more.

We're Back

Things are getting back to normal here after the wild storms that hit last week. Due to the strong winds, we lost power for 48 hours or so....but who's counting. Everyone was concerned about something - Will about missing the NBA playoffs, Jack about his fan and "midifier," and me about all the meat in our new freezer!
We have enjoyed some nice days this week, and I even referred to Monday as "the perfect day," which consisted of music class with our friends, playing at the park, having a picnic, long naps, and having our friends the Darjeans over for dinner. Can't beat that!
Jack and Josie continue to surprise us with new words and phrases, potty training successes, their unconditional love for us, and their joy for life. Jack's new interests include the show Dora, the Explorer and making maps to find hidden treasures around the house. Josie is proud of her ability to take off her shoes and put them in her red box, as well as drinking from a real cup and using all utensils. Will is still playing softball, planning his summer mission trip to Utah, and growing an ulcer due to his beloved Spurs playoff run. Let's all hope for his sake that the Spurs can finish with a championship ring! As for me, I am content in the daily grind.....laundry, cooking, playing, naps, cool early morning stroller walks, and catching up with friends. Thanks to my friend Lisa, I am trying out a new meal plan called "Meals in a Bag," or something like that, by Kraft. I will let you know how it goes.
Here we are today, off for our morning walk! Gotta love the double jogger stroller. Press on, my friends.

Wordless Wednesdays: Water Boy

Jack has always been a water boy. Here he is on his first swim of the 2005 season. Looking forward to our first swim of 2007! See more wordless Wednesdays at 5 mintues for mom. Thanks for the link, Ginny.