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)!

Noah's 15 month check up...by Dr. Grace and Dr. Dodds

Noah John's 15 mo checkup went well~except I forgot to ask Dr. Dodds a question about his 1 yr labs coming back a little low.  I called and left a message for her about it.  Apparently his blood count was slightly low, but that is normal for breast fed babes at 1 yr.  I want to have him re-checked.  Anyway, Noah's Stats are:  He weighs exactly 23 lbs and is 31.5 inches long.  (50th percentile in both)  He slowed down a whole lot, considering he weighed 18 lbs at 3.5 months.  He was, well, BIG.  I am happy with the slowdown...if he had stayed on that curve, he'd be a big ole' boy!!!  haha!!!  He is on target developmentally.  His words include momma, daddy, Grace, Sissy, juice, Na Na (Shawn's mom), Nonna (my mom), book, bye, woof (barks like a dog, lol), Poppa (my dad), cracker, and pumpkin, believe it or not.  We have lots of pumpkins at our farm store :).  As far as walking/running goes, he is awfully clumsy though.  He falls constantly, poor thing, and has bruises, literally every few days.  I feel so bad for him.  He rides a toy tractor on our hardwood like a racecar driver though.  You wouldn't believe how fast he can zip up the hall and turn into a bedroom.  I hadn't thought a whole lot of it until a friend came over who has a child a few months over.  She was astounded at his "tractor driving skills."  :)  Noah waves and shakes his head "no" if he doesn't want something.  He leans in to give kisses and right now, there isn't anything sweeter in my world.  He and Grace play together pretty well overall, considering he's still so little.  They have begun to fuss over toys but I can usually persuade Grace that he'll give up the toy in a few seconds.  He has developed a keen interest in books (one imparticular, a Baby Einstein book of household items) and his favorite thing to do with a book is sit down by our little bookshelf and "read" it himself.  I find him doing this almost everyday and most times if it's upside down, he flips it rightside up.  I love love love it when he picks a book, backs up to me, and plops down into my lap!

Maybe I'm nuts, but I'm excited to finally say we have a routine now.  Since Grace started prek, we have been trying to find a flexible routine and it just wasn't happening naturally.  To be honest...I'll say it...we have just been VERY (V.E.R.Y) out of sync in general, stemming from Shawn and me.  Well, finally, the other night, I sat down and wrote down a schedule.  It starts w' breakfast together and ends in supper followed by the kids having time with their daddy where he can give them hugs and tickles.  Also, during the day, it includes free play and guided play with mommy (which I love).  I like to teach the kids.  I should play with them more quite honestly, but it doesn't come as natural to me...but the teaching part does and I really, really enjoy it.  I have confidence (faith) that because I've approached it with faith, God will honor it.  I am so ready to be in sync and get our family back in line with God's will!!!  I have been so short-fused.  My kids and husband suffer when I blow a fuse.  Not good!  Shawn is trying, too.  It is just taking us awhile to get back on the same page!  Marriage and parenting is hard work. 

Back to my baby boy:
It has taken me a little longer to learn Noah John's personality/temperament than Grace's.  He is every bit as independent and almost as strong-willed as his big sister.  But he is a bit more soft-hearted, maybe.  He is cute as a button with his curly hair and is a huge flirt.  Ladies often say, "I believe he is flirting with me."

I thank God for my little blessings and pray that I will use my time wisely.  I was just thinking today...I'm so glad I have this realization now when my kids are 1 and 4!  They are still little and I truly do appreciate my moments with them, even though lately it has been very hard for me to continue to be home full-time.  God's provisions are all that I care about and I believe HE alone will carry us through.  Please pray for us to have discernment and agreement regarding God's will for our family.   (THIS POST MAY BE DISJOINTED--SORRY!)

Frank Sinatra Said It Best

My kind of town, Chicago is my kind of town.

Shawn and I attended the wedding of my sorority sister and one of my many roommates, Sarah, this past weekend.  It was the first time in years that my 5 closest college friends and I have gotten together.  We have met up separately...but to meet all together...hasn't worked out in WAY too long.  I cannot remember not having these girls as my friends.  Similarly, I cannot imagine going that long again until we all converge.  They are my sweet soul sisters who understand ME and still like, no LOVE, me.  We had a wonderful time.  We did an architectural boat cruise, went to the Willis (formerly Sears) tower, and just had a good time being together.

It was great for Shawn and I to get away for the weekend in general.  We both like traveling and we're both partial to Chicago (although this was our first trip together).  We laughed a lot, talked a lot, and slept in...three things most of us moms and dads don't get a lot of right!?

:)