Amazing Grace ( My Chains are Gone)

The queen is 4 years old (day 13)

Grace has celebrated her birthday since Sunday October 3rd (see the Smoky Mtns post)...At first, I thought it had gone to her head.  You have to understand.  It isn't natural for me to throw a big ole bday bash for the kids, do treat bags (don't get me started), rent out an expensive place...point in short:  I think birthdays have gotten way out of hand.  So this year, when Grace asked for a hayride party, I had to ponder it.  I knew we could have a basic, simple "farm" party, so I acquiesced (Shawn is the polar opposite & might spend our savings on such things if not kept in check).  Everyone was happy (though I was still apprehensive).  Just as I suspected, the day of her party, she said, "TODAY IS MY PARTY...MINE...NOBODY ELSE'S."  I gave her a speech or ten, and then paused inwardly.  The thought going through my mind was, "Maybe she needs this party more than I realize."  As soon as her first friend arrived, she asked politely if they could go outside and play.  The plan was to be outside the whole time (we just hadn't made it there yet)...so off they went.  This is where the truth sank in.  She thought the lil girl who arrived was the only one coming (I am pretty positive about that) and she was happy as a lark.  It wasn't all about the fanfare...it was about playing and enjoying her day.  I heaved a sigh of relief that I wasn't turning her into a narcissistic kiddo afterall.  About 15 minutes later, the yard was full of kids and mommas and even some dads who came along.  The kids played in the sandbox, on the playground, on the little kiddy slide, rode the kid-sized Gator and Tractor, pulled each other in the wagon.  They just played and played and played.  Even the ones who normally have the big parties!  They climbed all over everything--the hay bales, provided at least 45 minutes of fun.  You name it.  They ran back and forth from the chicken coup to the playground.  They chased the cat (Grace later commented, "I didn't like my friends chasing my cat.  I felt sorry for him.  Next time, I'm going to tell them to stop.")  PS  She WILL follow through (she means what she says and says what she means, just like her momma and her great gran).  My mom played her mandolin and sang songs to the kids.  We all sang happy bday and she blew out the candle on her strawberry-flavored Care Bear cupcake.  We loaded onto the trailor for the hayride.  The kids picked pumpkins in the dark (I think this is an accidental yet fun tradition now...we have done this twice by accident...it's been so dark you could hardly see ANYTHING -even the orange pumpkins)!!!  It was nice to have Shawn w/ us on the ride instead of pulling us (Papa Dave pulled us).  Everyone seemed to have fun.  And nobody left with a treat bag or had moments of panic b'c they weren't gifted on someone else's bday.

Finally, the post's title has less to do with G's 13 day bday celebration (3rd through 16th) as it does just Grace being Grace.  Of course, I so completely and unabashedly love who God has created her to be.  She is a special little girl.  She likes to hold hands with her friends, snuggle with her mommy before nap and bedtime, LOVES books and is adept at puzzles, loves her daddy to turn her upside down and carry her to bed that way, is a natural learner (fast too--and MANY people have noted this to us), likes to sing gospel music (is on-key too!), loves sweets, and thinks her nonna Charlotte and poppa Joe HUNG. THE. MOON.  She is also independent and knows what she wants and why she wants it (and usually has good reason).  All this to say, she is precious and priceless.  She forgives fast, too, which is a good thing, b'c I make MANY mistakes in rearing...THE QUEEN!!!  A question I ask her regularly is, "Who is in charge?"  Last week, without a moment's hesitation and with zero malice intent, she pointed at herself.

It's fall, ya'll

 This last one I accidentally caught some flare from the sun, but I think it has a super cool effect!

I woke up to Grace throwing up at 5am.  I stripped her bed and pulled out extra blankets, some homemade afghans...I literally think I put 5 blankets on her.  Her only symptom besides the one throw-up spell was chilling and I had to layer and layer her to help with that.  Thankfully, the day got better after that.  The kids and I spent the whole day together, just enjoying books and legos and even playing outside just a little.  We captured our annual "fall snapshots" of the kids, unfortunately without our nephews this time though.  Maybe we can do them with them another time soon.

Now

Thank you God, for NOW.  For Today.  For this very Second.  Charles Stanley said (paraphrased), "When will people start living in the now?  We often hear people say, 'when I get this finished, then I'm going to .....' and the list goes on and on.  I need reminded to live and be thankful for now.  My 16 month old and just-turned-4 year old.  For Shawn's work schedule slowing some.  For my parents and their generosity (our Smokies Trip), for my brother, his fun wife Amanda, and their children.  For all of us under one cabin in the mountains.  I do cherish the moments I have with my nieces and nephew, but it seems with my 'own' kids, my jar full of patience often runs loooow.  How is it that the very ones I would die for get the least amount of my patience (some days).  They deserve my best because they were yours before mine!  What sweet gifts from above, with curls and bright eyes!  I love you, God, because you love them more than me.  Thank you for NOW!!!!

God, I lift up my friends Craig and Michelle, and their three little girls (including a newborn).  You know of Craig's very recent health situation.  Into Your hands...may they all 5 find peace and a miracle.   

Long Weekend in the Mountains!

We celebrated Grace's bday in the mountains (for the 2nd year in a row)!  Enjoy the pics!

Grace chose candy apples instead of a cake!  Original huh?

                   Happy Birthday Dear Gracie!  Nobody sings it like Nonna!

                      Grace's was extra-special (covered with sprinkles)!

                                  Time to open gifts...Chutes & Ladders!

                                                     Candy!

                        Ballerina Belle!  Perfect since G just began dance.

Thanks to my gracious parents, we had a nice family getaway.  I don't think there is a place I'd rather be than (anywhere!) under 1 roof with my parents, brother, his wife, and children, AND MINE TOO!!!  It's better than wrapping up in a comfy blanket on a cold night!  Better than hearing the heat kick on when I'm cold!  Or a hot bath on stressful night.  There is just something comforting about it.  At times, I really wish we could live like in the old days...all the family on the same land, with the grandparents rocking the babies, while the mommas cook!!!  I wanted to share some pictures from the trip, including some from Miss Gracie Bell's 4th bday 'party' at the cabin.  I cannot believe our firstborn is now 4 years old.  She is growing into a sweet little girl.  I love spending time with her on our "girls' nights" which is something we just started doing about a month ago.  Grace is super intelligent and is soaking up 'new stuff' at preschool.  She knows how to spell the words "CAT" and "BAT" and can write her name.  She is really doing well.  Her teacher told me she is doing wonderful and that she has acclimated extremely well.  They bragged on her for being the only student to know a nursery rhyme recently ;) and I have to admit it made me very happy also, to know that all that nursery rhyme reading and cd-listening paid off.  haha!  Anyway, there will possibly be more pictures later, as the princess :) will have a real party with her lil buddies NEXT weekend (Care Bears Theme...I let Grace do her first "online shopping" today when she picked it out, hehe)!